Archive through January 21, 2001

The ClubHouse: The Game II - Mysterious Puzzler: The Virtual House: The Living Room: Archive - Jan.21-24, 2001: Archive through January 21, 2001

Elitist

Saturday, January 20, 2001 - 07:57 pm Click here to edit this post

Ocean - I am curious about the Parisian accent. Did you spend a lot of time in France or something? Or is French your first language?

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 06:28 am Click here to edit this post

Elit, think he told us earlier in thread that he lived in Europe for five years before Massachusetts.

so, Ocean, tell us about your european life. Were you there for love? adventure? money?

Ocean_Islands

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 08:01 am Click here to edit this post

Ah yes, my European life. I was there for six years, actually. I lived in Paris the entire time.

Regarding the accent, it was a bit silly not to say that I of course have an American accent when I speak French with a Parisian accent, is that complicated enough?

I suppose you could say I was there for adventure.

But Juju it sounds like you've moved around a lot too.

Elitist

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 08:36 am Click here to edit this post

Ocean, that is what I was wondering. To speak another language is an accomplishment, to speak such the natives think you have their accent really an accomplishment. It almost takes growing up with the language and accent, or living there for a long time.

I had a friend that did a postdoc in England for about five years. He came back with an accent, but it wasn't really British and it wasn't American either. And he still has it after about 15 years.

And I know that when I have gone overseas that the Europeans have had a field day, whether I was speaking English or trying the few phrases I knew of their languages.

Probably the ultimate compliment would be for the French, especially a Parisian, to say you spoke French without an accent. Their stereotype is not one that says they would give that compliment easily (though my own experience in Paris doesn't hold that stereotype out).

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 09:09 am Click here to edit this post

Yes, Ocean, I have lived a lot of places too. And I have visited a lot of places. Mostly my job allowed me to live different places. folks used to joke that I was working my way from one coast to the other, which is exactly what I did. Spent four years in Tampa, eight years in Miami, eight years in Houston, and five years in san francisco.

Perhaps my five years in San Francisco was a bit like your six years in Paris? I went there simply because I could, if that makes any sense. when I was moving there, one of my more conventional friends said, "I'd ask you why you are moving to san Francisco, but you'd just say something stupid, like 'because I can'."

So, Ocean, how did you end up in Paris? It is a place I mean to get to one of these not too distant days. Got to overcome spouse's preconceived idea that french people are awful. Or go without him.

Ocean_Islands

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 09:33 am Click here to edit this post

Spend some time in Boston and you'll learn what it means that a people are 'awful'. Bostonians are by large, large measure more rude than the Parisians.

It's a cliche that French people are rude; they simply have different manners and ways than we do.

I went to Paris because I spoke French and had been there before. On top of that, I wanted to live in so many different places in the US that I couldn't decide which one. So I hightailed it out of here.

It's impossible to speak a language without an accent. I have an American accent but it is so reduced that to many it simply sounds like a foreign accent, and they can't tell if I am German, American or what have you.

Elitist

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 09:46 am Click here to edit this post

That is pretty good Ocean - being to the point they can't tell you are an American.

My one experience in Paris was when I spent a week in Brussels, Belgium, then spent a day and night in Paris before I flew home.

A friend of mine and I flew into the airport, checked in to a hotel, then took a train into the city. Knowing very little French, we almost didn't make it out of the train station, because we didn't know the word for "Exit" was "Sortie". We just kept following everyone else to we found our way outside.

The whole time we were there, we only met one rude person, in the Louevre (is that right spelling). The rest of the time the people were very nice and talked to us at lenght, even though we didn't understand a word they were saying. Spent fifteen minutes in a sidewalk cafe with a waiter giving us directions to the Eiffel Tower while we were having a drink - had no idea where we were going when we left LOL.

Paris is a beautiful city. I guess it didn't hurt it was Bastille day, the sun didn't go down till about 11 p.m. and the fireworks were incredible. Living there must have been magnificent. Ju, don't let your husband keep you from seeing it.

Juju2bigdog

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 02:51 pm Click here to edit this post

Elit, if I want to go to Paris, spouse will most likely go too. Every place I drag him to, he ends up loving it and thinking me for making him go there. We call it the theory of kicking and screaming. I drag him kicking and screaming. He has the time of his life.

Ocean, that rudeness thing may just be big city madness. Although I loved living in San Francisco, I am not going to miss the absolute rudeness I saw there every day, the horns honking, the traffic rage, the screaming at anybody who possibly infringed on somebody else's space. I even saw the traffic rage in both Dallas and Houston this last trip through there in late November. When I left Houston six years ago, it was still a pretty friendly place. Or maybe Americans are just getting uglier all over...

Guruchaz

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 03:09 pm Click here to edit this post

It is, but my solution to harmonize all mankind and impress all philanthropists will cure all the ugliness.

However, there is a nondisclosure agreement.

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:22 pm Click here to edit this post

Hi, is somebody home, or is everyone out and about ?

Azriel

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:23 pm Click here to edit this post

Hi Misslibra! Oh new rules in the house! If you flirt with Merlin you have to hold up a sign first!

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:28 pm Click here to edit this post

AZ ...LOL thank you for my first laugh of the day !!

Now girlfriend you know I must know all the details why ?I just got home, haven't had a chance to look around yet.

Hey, those are some really nice banners your getting, you go girl !! Some of the other ones I didn't understand. Whats Lance talking about stop the gender bashing ??

Azriel

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:31 pm Click here to edit this post

I dunno but I think it has to do with Merlin's stinky banner. Look in the Memories thread you will find out all about the signs. My guess is yours is #3 FUN FUN FUN! I could be wrong though :)

Spamgirl

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:31 pm Click here to edit this post

ROFL!

Yes, you must state your number

Merlin

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:42 pm Click here to edit this post

<there is that tune again>
another one bites the dust

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:45 pm Click here to edit this post

Had to go answer the door, some unexpected company. That I had to get rid of ... hehehehe I tell this person to call first before coming over. They act like they didn't hear me, but I mean't it. Ok back to Merlin, and Lance and the banners, you said check out Memories thread going there right now.

Hi spam, you guys seen Joni ?

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:48 pm Click here to edit this post

Hi Merlin, how you be today ? And why are you singing another one bites the dust. I didn't see any noms yet. I just got here trying to catch up on everything around here. Whats happening ?

Joni

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:51 pm Click here to edit this post

I am right here. .I have been fluttering from post to post for the last half hour. I'm watching the golden globes.. Love the dresses

Merlin

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:54 pm Click here to edit this post

great misslibra,
that tune may become my theme song.

I was asking azriel about flirting from a woman's perspective. I would love to here yours after you have had time to read my questions and what response you have about men flirting.

Merlin

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 04:55 pm Click here to edit this post

or it may be the swan song

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 05:05 pm Click here to edit this post

LMAO !!!!! MERLIN !!! What do you know about a Swan Song ... LOL

Merlin, I'm just a born flirt I can't help it. It started right after I came out the womb and saw the male doctor ... LOL It's in my genes can't help it !

Hi joni, how are you today ?

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 05:08 pm Click here to edit this post

I see where you said something about you haven't figured out when a woman is playful flirting and serious right ?

Merlin

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 05:14 pm Click here to edit this post

It has confused me at times,
so any help you have would be appreciated

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 05:22 pm Click here to edit this post

I think AZ explained well. I'm getting my signs ready for you as we speak 1# and 2# right ? LOL

Misslibra

Sunday, January 21, 2001 - 05:24 pm Click here to edit this post

Merlin, do you think we will ever get everyone in the same room to talk other then in chat ? I don't think we all been in the same room at one time in this house.