Loud Chairs

Do you ever get mad or upset when something doesn't work the way you had planned or expected. These situations make some us question the things around us and their general quality and craftsmanship.

Maybe a better question though, how many things do you interact with on a daily basis which do work exactly how you had expected probably a lot more than you had realized from the the dozens of lights you turn on, hinges on doors you open, or even the buttons on your clothes.

Traveling and living in France has brought a lot of these types of things to my attention. Certain things almost always work better in the United States, and Vice versa. Some small and some large, this sets the topic for today's discussion.

One such problem which I commonly encounter in France is LOUD CHAIRS. Every now and then you probably come across one of these bad boys. Usually made of metal, these chairs scratch, scream, and groan when they are dragged a certain way across a hard floor of tile. For whatever reason the caps which are installed on the bottoms of the legs of these "tubular" metal chairs wear off over time. As the legs vibrate across the floor they SCREAM.

For whatever reason, Ive encountered almost a dozen of these chairs between the place I live, and the Place I work in Versailles. I do know that it bothers many French students to hear them squeal as, an unknowing victim of a glare simply shifts a foot or two on his or her moan throne.

So annoying yet so unanimous are these chairs in the french studios, that they gather in communal spaces where no one in particular wants one but everyone thinks they are good enough for someone to use. New chairs for the love of god

Paris Catacombs

Yesterday I went through the Paris Catacombs. While there is most likely more than one catacomb in paris, this is the main underground burial chamber. There was a somewhat short line to get in which took about 1/2 hour to get through only. The entrance fee was minimal and was only 3.5 €.

It was brought to my attention also that the end of the animated Disney movie, Hunchback of Notre Dame took place there.

The most surprising thing about the catacombs how you were able to walk close to and right next to the bones. This would have been on awesome adventure to take as a young kid. It also would have been a good length for a kid as it took about 45 minutes to get through.

There is virtually no chance of getting lost in the catacombs now days, because the path through is gated off at points where path diverge, the walk through is a strict one way walk.

Pick Pocket

Have you ever gotten pick pocketed? 

If I had to guess Id venture that the term Pick Pocket brought a certain image yo your mind. Maybe you were imaging an oblivious and nieve tourist, too concerned with getting the right picture to worry of their belongings. Naturally, you certainly imagined a place you had been before in which you were at least relatively familiar.  Id guess also that over 4/5 people who heard the words pick pocket would imagine a young to middle aged male. Whatever the case, you most likely imagined an aggressive predator and a helpless and weak victim.

Last October my girlfriend got pick pocketed. 

It was really a surprise to me too. Initially, I had to suggest that it was her fault. Why hadn't she paid more attention, to her wallet. Why hadn't she held her bag closer to her on that jam-packed metro train car. Most importantly, why hadn't she paid closer attention to her surroundings, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Maybe we could have taken time to plan our route so that we didn't have to check the map on the train. 

When I imagine those surroundings now, months later I realize how the situation was truly almost unavoidable, due to to the untraditional nature of the situation. The pick pocket was not a single person. If, you in fact have dealt with pick pockets you know this is often the case. There were at least three girls involved. Very young in age maybe ever 14 years old! They distracted us, asking for directions on the chaotic metro car, and distracted Lauren by touching her hand a bit. They used their experience and surroundings to completely catch us off guard  in the crowded car.

Who would you blame?

The crowded Metro?

the victim?