Honestly, sometimes I think the universe sends me crap to deal with as a way of encouraging me to keep writing. Sure, a minor life crisis is great blog material, but truth be told, I don’t need to suffer for my art. I’d be more than happy to press on with little stories about whatever mundane foolishness happens to be rattling around in my head.
Well, all I can say is I had it coming. I asked for this. Why just the other day I said to Neil, “What in the name of god am I going to put on that blog next week? You cooked, I ate, end of story.” Neil, as usual, didn’t have too much to say, but the universe said a mouthful. “Here, I got something for you: a total shitstorm. More uncertainty and existential angst than you can shake a stick at. Think of the fun people will have reading about that!”
At any rate, it’s been a busy time here. That tends to happen when your world is turned on its head. We’re trying to get to that place where we see the events of late as an opportunity instead of a problem. So far, a steady diet of wine and dark chocolate have proved minimally effective, and the best option we’ve come up with is winning the Swiss lottery.
And, as if things weren’t bad enough, I somehow shrunk my best black sweater. I mean how much can one woman be expected to bear? I’m not sure what I’m more worked up about, having to re-evaluate my entire life or a delicate classy wool turtleneck I’ve nurtured for over 5 years that now reaches a spot 5 inches above my belly button. Oh the humanity.
Anyway, I don’t have too much to say about it all other than what the hell ever. We have some major decision making to do. We may be moving yet again in the near future, god help me. I have to plot a course back to the land of the working, god help us all. At least I have a potential title for a second book: Finding Me Living in my Mother’s Basement.
LOL… I can’t help but laugh. “Finding Me Living in my Mother’s Basement”! Something good will happen! I am sure of it :-) Don’t forget about those groovey blue boots you bought recently. Sad about the sweater. I had a black raw silk dress that ended up in the washing machine and was ruined.
Well, if you are banished to the basement, that will also banish about twenty years off your age as it’s supposed to be the “twenty somethings” who malinger in familial basements when jobs elude them. So you can start all over again!
I’m not liking this Swiss sojourn so much any more. Too stressful. Why not film yourself delivering your raucously funny commentary and become a YouTube sensation! Wear the blue boots and shrunken black sweater for luck.
Sorry to hear your latest news Bobbi but you and Neil will land on your feet.
My thoughts are with you.
Bon chance!
Bobbi,
I read your latest post early this morning and have been thinking about how I can help, ever since. I confess, my intent is purely selfish as I want you to stay in France (or Switzerland) so that I can continue getting your posts early in the morning in St. John’s.
I come from the commercial world of Advertising and currently, live in a bizarre blend of TV and Film/Hospitality. I think concept and view the world from behind an imaginary camera lens. What I see is a creative writer and her advertising husband looking for work, doesn’t matter what country you are in.
In my mid-thirties, I did a college design diploma and (actually) did very well. In fact, I won a creative design award. My reasoning, it all came down to the psychology of advertising; deconstruction of an idea and rebuilding with intent. From reading your book, I think you and Neil have done that several times… albeit, with your living space. The design world or the advertising world is no different… same skill set, different application. You’ve got it, with a husband to boot. And if you don’t see it… go grab one of those fabulous french mirrors and stare at yourself until you do!
There is a wonderful rumour through my network of St. John’s friends, that you were the smartest woman kicking around in your university days… you can figure this one out (without having to move back to your Mother’s basement). You are a writer now, so keep writing. You are a traveller now, so keep travelling. You an entrepreneur, so you need to keep generating your ideas into an income. You are an international correspondent, so keep corresponding internationally. There is a woman in St. John’s who writes for the Globe and Mail… no one is better situated to write about international design and travel and food and culture than… you, Bobbi French. And if you are interested in the TV/Film aspect, let me know… would love to produce something with you.
Just ideas from a little lady in St. John’s who sees a much bigger picture ~
paris73
We may need to rent out a room… want to come to California? I’ll give you a 5% family discount on the room rent. ;-)
And sometimes it’s just the little kicks in the seat of the pants that hurt the most when we’re already down … boo on the sweater shrinking!!
I hope the silver lining turns up, smartish. Any minute now…
Deep cleansing breaths. Large amounts of chocolate, red wine, and pretty phrases on your resume. It’s going to be okay. You’ll create a trend with your black sweater, wear it to job interviews and be hired on the spot based entirely on your fashion savvy.
Bobbi, You talk about bumps in the road, then to top it off the “Black Sweater Incident”, honest to god I laughed out loud. Keep on truckin, I’m sure that with your spunk, wit and positive attitude things are gonna turn out just fine. Hang in there.
Forget You Tube….I can see it all now….a stage, an audience, and you….in your black sweater and blue boots,makin’ ‘em laugh till they cry at the Montreal Comedy Fest…I think it’s how Jim Carrey got started ( except for the black sweater).
And they will be ever so impressed by your newly acquired language skills and last name now hey? Dare to dream girl.
How do you say, “Jaysus, this really sucks” in French? Oh, right. I’m asking the wrong person.
Jokes aside, I’m crossing my fingers that this all works out positively for you guys. Two smart and talented people will somehow make a diamond out of this big lump of coal. Hugs.
Re the sweater:
They ( whoever they are) say that if you soak it in warm water with hair conditioner in it for awhile, then towel dry it ( roll it up, etc.) you can then stretch it out again. Then let it air dry. I have certainly done this with minor shrinkages minus the hair conditioner. If that doesn’t work at least the sweater will smell good and have a youthful bounce.
OR : cut it up as felt mittens.
OR: wear Steve Urkel pants
OR: have your torso surgically shortened.
(I once won the Betty Crocker Homemaker of tomorrow prize. It was, sadly, based only my stellar performance on the vitamin quiz.)
What can I say – the job, well something is bound to turn up for such a creative couple. But – the sweater. Now that sucks!
Mind you, mittens are aways useful, especially if you come back to Canada for a while. You can’t make a silk purse out of a pigs ear but felted sweaters make wonderful mits.
My house is huge but you’d have to stand dub step, opera singing and classical piano. Plus the animals, the young adults and the Italian population (most of my locals voted for that cretin!)Xcat