Slanguage: chockers

Today on the bus, a driver came over the radio asking:

"Does anyone know why Marion Road is chockers today?"

Chockers is the cute-ification of chock-a-block, which we all know from Colin's backpack in "Love, Actually" means "packed full." In other words, Marion Road was "packed full" of cars (or perhaps condoms, hard to say).

Chockers is supposedly used in the UK as well as Australia, and according to The Almighty Internets was naval slang from the WWII era.

Worse Than James Blunt

Today while I was waiting for le métro, a creepy guy came up and stood way closer to me than was necessary. My personal bubble was infringed upon. He stood there for a few seconds, then moved closer and said “bonjour.” Personal bubble officially popped. I ignored him because he creeped me out, but then he started making random noises to get my attention. Luckily, the métro arrived just then, and I found a seat where he couldn’t sit down next to me. But then the woman next to me got off at the next stop, so creepy dude sat down next to me. He relaxed his arms so that his arm was touching mine, even though there was plenty of space and it was avoidable. He tried talking to me while giving me a creepy “I’m hitting on you” smile, but he was mumbling really quietly and I couldn’t understand him, so I just looked at him, gave him a bit of a “what do you want?” glare, and turned away. I'll bet he was mumbling so that I would lean in to hear him. You picked the wrong girl for that, buddy! He was quiet for a minute, then tried again, still practically whispering. This time, I fully glared at him, then looked away. I'm such a brat! After another minute, he tried AGAIN, so I asked him to please, leave me alone. (Yes, I said “please”). He did leave me alone, thank goodness, and I got off the métro without further problems, but it took me a while to shake it off. Blech. I know I should have handled it differently, better, but I was in "scared" mode, and I can't think or act reasonably in that state. Which is worrisome, considering how easily/often I go into "scared" mode.

We are not amused.

We were watching France versus Switzerland in the World Cup earlier, and Athena was saying that if there were a game between France and the US, everyone in the world would cheer for France. I don’t know. I mean, yeah, the majority of the world hates the US, but I’m not entirely convinced that people are all that fond of France. I think we could secure the support of England, Australia, and Mexico, at the very least, if not South American nations, Japan, and perhaps Canada. Athena didn’t think we could get Japan because we dropped two A-bombs on them, but I think Japan has gotten over that really well. We have a great relationship with Japan, now. They love us. We might be able to get Taiwan, too, and some of the Southeast Asian countries. And I’m not sure that India particularly likes us, but what have the French done for them lately?

Actually, I don’t know anything at all about world politics, so I should just go right on ahead and shut up. Still, it irks me how much Athena enjoys watching the US get humiliated. When I walked into the room, she immediately announced that the US had lost last night, then she did her characteristic sadistic, I-derive-pleasure-from-your-pain laugh.

She’s started watching One Tree Hill, lately (called “Les Frères Scott” or “The Scott Brothers”). I mentioned to her last week that I hated the theme song for the show (you know, “I don’t wanna be…” as in “I don’t wanna be alive if I have to listen to this song one more time”). Now she sings it really loud whenever I walk into the room. Why do I continue to give her fodder with which to bug me? Will I never learn?

Wait a second, does "fodder with which to bug me" make any sense? Now I'm seriously paranoid about my English grammar! I see problems where there aren't any! Do I have to say "with which she can bug me" or does "to" suffice? Oh my gosh, I'm losing my mind...and my ability to speak English. Help!

Don't You Wish I'd Shut Up, Already?

Urgh. I’m a little sad and starting to get cabin fever. I’ve been in the house all weekend. Okay, it’s only Saturday, but everything’s closed Sunday, so I don’t see myself getting out tomorrow. I was gonna go roller-blading with Sarah last night, but my host parents asked me to babysit last minute. Since they almost never ask me to babysit, I felt I should oblige. Sarah and I were gonna go to Albi today, but she had forgotten she had to go to a birthday party. So sad, so sad. It’s particularly sad because next weekend is my last weekend in Toulouse, and I have to babysit the whole weekend! Even Friday night!

Sigh. Life is good, though; I shouldn’t be complaining. My dad is coming to visit me next Thursday, and Becky will be here the following Tuesday, and then it’s off to beaches, castles, more beaches, and gay Paris! And then home, to the good ol’ US of A and my mommy and my sisters and my friends. Yahoo! (If only Izzi were there, too, twould be perfect.)

Anyhoo, I’m mostly feeling sad and cabin feverish because of PMS, so it’ll pass soon enough. And it appears that the mediatheque is open for a couple hours on Sundays, so maybe I’ll head over there. Yeeessssss, I think I will…

Jody has brought it to my attention that apparently I make grammatical errors in my writing that are of a sort and quantity as to make it clear that my English is suffering. Izzi used to whine that “they” were getting into her head. Meaning the French and their silly language, of course. I think Jody’s full of it. I’ve always had typos, and seeing as how I refuse to edit or proofread anything, well, the typos don’t get fixed. But then, she’s not totally full of it, because I, too, have noticed lately that I’ve been switching words. Or rather, spellings. For example, instead of “no,” I write “know.” Instead of “write,” I write “right.” I use “there” for “their” and “their” for “they’re.” I don’t normally have this problem, or at least not as bad, so maybe “they” are getting into my head. Which I’m sort of annoyed by, because I’m proud of my impeccable grammar and spelling, but I’m also happy, because I feel kind of…I don’t know...worldly, in a good way.

Which reminds me: the other day, I had to call an auberge de jeunesse (youth hostel) to make a reservation. Speaking a foreign language on the telephone is no piece of cake, and when I answer the phone, I usually have to say at some point, “Sorry, I don’t understand. I don’t speak French well.” But when I made the reservation, I actually got through the whole phone call without having to apologize or ask the woman to repeat herself three times. I did ask if we would be sleeping in a dormatoire, which apparently isn’t a word, or doesn’t mean what it does in English, but she understood what I was talking about so it was all good. I’m so proud of myself! I love it when French people can understand me! Which reminds me of another story [collective sigh]: that same day, I went to a French conversation group. There was a mix of French people and non-French people. Someone asked me some questions, and when I responded, one of the French guys asked me how long I’d been in France. When I said “nine months,” he said, “So you must have studied French before you came here.” Aw, how sweet! All in all, Thursday was a very ego-boosting day for me.

Okay, enough gloating. I gotta go to bed. Everyone go to this website and wish my sis a happy birthday.

Experimenting with my camera

Apparently, my camera has a "color accent" feature. Fun! So far, it only seems to pick up green and yellow. I'll have to keep experimenting.

That's my purse. It's green, like most of my purses, my winter coat, and a good portion of my clothing. Yay, green! The pin on the right says "Legalize Frostitution," which prompted Izzi to ask what frosting is.

"You know, the stuff they put on cakes or cupcakes."
"You mean, icing?"

Same thing! Silly Brits... And speaking of Brits, when I say that's my purse, it means "handbag" in British. But for the record, my "purse" (or wallet, in American) is green, too, with a little yellow pineapple embroidered on the front. So cute! I will never replace it until the day it falls to shreds.

I learn so much from Izzi!