technical update: i’m working on putting in a form – so feel free to send me a note telling me what you think. i’m having trouble getting the submit redirect to do what i want. i’m using a cgi with an .asp file. this all came with the hosting service so i am appropriately lost.
also – i think part of blogger’s messed up so i can’t edit the template to put the right title for the mailing section at the moment.
tips appreciated
another reason to love the web
notable quotable: Check out the webs best collection of flight attendant humor! i think that says it all.
Skychick a site for flight attendants
watch out for a very annoying collection of pop-windows. for some reason that seems appropriate for the site though…
alors!
here in paris it is cloudy and damp, and i’ve got lots to report. things have been hectic here as you can imagine. what with the jetlag, work, and all that cheese. but don’t worry – i’ve even been taking notes. i will be looking at an apartment today at 1pm, so hopefully that will work out. i am currently in a little room in my aunt’s apartment in the tres swank 16th arrondissement. an arrondissement is sort of like a neighborhood. they are all numbered. but in ordinary conversation is seems people refer to their neighborhood with a name, not a number. but in real estate, it’s all numbers buddy.
so let’s begin at the beginning shall we…
the journey was pretty insane. i haven’t been up for so many hours in a row (apx 40) while doing so much since i was at burning man (and even then it was with the help of some substances). before getting on the plane i managed to have some liquid nitrogen treatments on my feet (don’t ask), a run-in with my HMO (those bastards), and nice big fight with the ex (bleh).
turns out july 16th/17th is a rather ominous day to travel. on this date, in 1998 was the infamous TWA flight 800 (to paris no less) .. and in 1999 the ill-fated jfk jr flight. the lady at the flight window asked me for the name and number of an emergency contact.
puzzled, i was like, “Why?”.
she replied, “You know, just in case.”
“In case we crash into the ocean, you mean?”
“No, of course not…”
on the plane finally. you know i’ve always had this fascination with grounds crew guys. they seem so tough and cool, walking around in the midst of all those monstrous planes without a second thought. their outfits are soooo cute too. especially in the summer when they’re all in shorts in work boots. i’ve always wanted to write a story about a ground crew guy. if only to be able to learn what the day is like for them. anyway, i had a funny exchange with one of them when the plane was sitting at the gate. me, in fully PMSing mode and all sad and nervous about my trip and leaving and the fight i had, i was kind of crying and looking out the window. now i didn’t think anyone on the ground can actually see in those windows. anyway one of the guys down there was waving and making a tears motion with his hands and then a “why” motion. of course, i was totally mortified. i made an “oh nothing” motion and hid. it was funny. he kept waving every time i peeked out of the window. that could be the beginning of a beautiful romance… but in a few minutes we all took off for another continent, and that was that.
—-
so i just returned from looking at the apartment. it was really cute. so very french in such a cute french neighborhood. oh zeee french cuteness. look how cute! (don’t worry there are windows now). i think i will get it – which is a huge stroke of luck for all you freeloaders coming to stay with me. too bad i can only have it until january, tho.
—-
so in other news, it was all i could do to not smoke while having a cafe this morning. lucky for my lungs, i am so embarrassed of my french that i avoid speaking to strangers at all costs and did not bum a smoke. unfortunately it’s not that easy at work. speaking of, there is a guy who reeks like you would not believe. it is unreal how one guy can smell up an entire office. we are moving to a new office next week and just had a meeting to choose desks. i didn’t say much. do you think it would be rude to ask to be seated as far away from him as possible? it is so bad it makes me nauseous!
i will post more soon.
a tout a l’huere mes amis!
goodies from a coworker – attention! il est en francais!
i know this is already on blogger’s homepage, but this is really inspired, maybe even brilliant.. . check it either way: IsDickCheneyDeadYet.com ???
P.S. “Friday, July 06, 2001″ is my favorite
ok – pretty much packed and pruned and prepared (yeah right). i have a short list of emergency tasks for tomorrow AM and then it’s off yonder.
things that i’m currently stressed about:
1. i screwed up huge with the post office on thursday. i’m praying it can be fixed in the morning. please please please…
2. if my anything happened to my “stuff bag” (as opposed to my “clothes bag”), i will be so bereft of valuable possessions that i would have to skip paris and just chuck it all in search of the maharishi or something
3. i’m going to miss my cat a lot a lot. a lot. i never thought i’d be so attached to a cat.
4. my landlord finding about the sublet and kicking the subletters, me, and the cat out
5. how dumb of me it was to eat pizza tonight, and how i need to stop being in denial about my lactose intolerance and just quit eating cheese.
6. i know, now i’m just whining…
so yes tomorrow afternoon – i will officially be an expatriate or expat as those in the know know. i will have to affix a lil french flag or baguette or something to the page in honor of my transformation.
i had a few freak-outs today, but i am in better spirits now and i am hoping i will be able to get to sleep tonight and not have a succession of anxiety dreams. i have also packed away all my blankets so that’s gonna sorta suck…
adieu ma petit vie de brooklyn
(i’m sure that’s all wrong)
i missed it (not surprising). but here’s a play-by-play by red
.tmp | Greenpoint Gas Tank Implosions
meanwhile, i am in the totally freaking out stage of my packing. i can’t see how everything’s going to get done, and i know i’m going to forget many many many things…. help…
some folks i know are organizing an implosion tea party to watch the old gas tank holders get demolished tomorrow morning. real early, 6am early. i had pretty much decided to skip it.
but – i was packing (yes – i have been packing.. it’s crazy), and i stumbled upon the perfect dress for an implosion tea party. i’ve never worn it cause i’ve been waiting for an occasion appropriately dressy and silly. like this one.. hmm.. i’ll have to give it some more thoughts.
in the meantime, yes this is a thin disguise for continued procrastination.
ack – why can’t i stop procrastinating?
must pack
must pack
must pack
will someone come give me a kick in the pants?
New Angeles Monthly, June 2008
Weekend America, March 30, 2008
Los Angeles Times, March 13, 2008
Los Angeles Times, March 6, 2008
Nil by Mouth is written by Neille Ilel. Neille is a writer, reporter and user interface specialist in Los Angeles. If you think that's a lot, she's also got a host of meandering sidelines including improv comedy, tennis, cooking, drawing and thinking about learning to play the guitar.
Nil is her given name. It's a long story.
E-mail her here:
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