In recent months, I got tired of this site. I have the impression of seeing the same girls in FP. Some spend 4 or 5 times a year, while Hopefuls do not succeed despite their good statistics. In addition, there are few diversity in SG (few colors, few curves), a kind of uniformity in difference.
Still, I spent a good time here. I was able to express my feelings, and I found really interesting people.
I may not return, perhaps. Maybe in my current nickname. Perhaps under my real name. Perhaps as an amateur of beautiful women. Perhaps as a sociologist.
Take care of yourself!
And thank you to all the people with whom I could share at one time or another!
Je quitte SG.
Ces derniers mois, je me suis lassé de ce site. J'ai l'impression de voir toujours les mêmes filles en FP. Certaines passent 4 ou 5 fois dans l'année, tandis que des Hopefuls n'y arrivent pas malgrè leurs bonnes statistiques. De plus, il y a peu de diversité dans les SG (peu de couleurs, peu de rondeurs); une sorte d'uniformité dans la différence.
Toujours est-il que j'ai passé ici de bons moments. J'y ai pu exprimer mes sentiments, et j'ai découvert des personnes vraiment intéressantes.
Je reviendrai peut-être, peut-être pas. Peut-être sous mon pseudo actuel. Peut-être sous mon vrai nom. Peut-être en tant qu'amateur de jolies femmes. Peut-être en tant que sociologue.
Prenez soin de vous!
Et merci à toutes les personnes avec qui j'ai pu échanger à un moment ou un autre!
And review of last year...
Well, it was time 2012 ends, because this end of the year has been a bit crappy. Mainly due to money problems ... and an exponentially lack of motivation to work. In recent months, I plan to open a guest house of a Maghreb happened "long term project" to a "medium-term project." And if I had not had problems of money, it would be changed to "short-term project." While I know it's a way of escaping my problems here in France ... but it all goes beyond a desire to change your life, and link it to my love for the Maghreb.
Otherwise, in early 2012, I had five good resolutions. It is time to take stock!!
Resolution No. 1: move. Done (removal June 30) I like a lot my new apartment, and I spent my summer vacation to develop. That's the big thing about this past year.
Resolution No. 2: travel. Done. In April, I returned to Tunisia (4th trip there in the space of 4 years). My heart bleeds thinking about this country and all its troubles. I hope that will clear the horizon for its citizens...
Resolution No. 3: continue my work on myself ... and try to find a girlfriend. The combination of the most incredible ... I advanced on the job. According to my therapist and my sophrologist, there are advanced. I feel it too. I was not bad back, and I suffered a bit during the months of May and June ... but hey, to go through it to make it get better ... As love, nothing new, except that I cleaned up a lot of old stories I rotted head. That's a start...
Resolution No. 4: convince my brothers and sisters to provide a common gift to our parents for their 50th wedding anniversary. Achieved in part because one of my sisters are not involved ... but because I had not talked to her ... because she was not invited by our parents ... Well, shit ... Nothing family history others to add.
Resolution # 5: I grow a mustache. Made and then abandoned. When I was in Tunisia, I tried to let it grow, but my pilous system is not great, so the result was not at all conclusive. So I shaved all the way back to France.
Outcome: 3.5 out of 5 (I count one point for resolutions 1 and 2 completed, and half a point for the other three!). Not too bad...
For 2013, I have not made good resolutions. I too made last year! I'll let it come. I'd go back to the Maghreb ... but I'd also have a dog. I think about it seriously anyway. But first, I have to solve my money problems.
Finally, I will conclude by talking about my hero, my dad. After 50 years of wedding with my mother, he was offered a bike. I think it's great (I do not know how to explain it). But crazier is that he had not had a bike since he shared with his father before going to war in Algeria. There is more than 52 years! Somehow, it is quite symbolic because he sacrificed himself for his family (our so-called family) all his life, and he enjoys a bit of life now. He's right...
En français
I went to the Biennial of Contemporary Art in my city I grew swimming, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, I participated in the Vendée Globe...
Last Thursday, I had the privilege of attending a special tour of the contemporary art biennial in my town. So I went with work colleagues, a visit to the FRAC (Regional Fund for Contemporary Art). This special tour allowed us to see the exhibition for the Biennale but also to visit this new building. And it was just great!! Already in the mood, we went in the evening after closing the public. Then by all the places we visited. Finally, the works that we have seen.
I put a few photos and videos that I could see and enjoy.
First, my favorite: Jan Kempenaers, Spomenik. Pics fof monuments in the former Yugoslavia as a tribute to Tito. Incredible. Some sculptures seem straight out of a fantasy film. However, they are real. It makes you want to go and see it for real ...
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Next, Miriam Cahn, Herumgehen. I loved this painting. By far, the characters are very childish. But up close, there is a side which makes them really creepy.
I forgot to note the names of the following artists ... Damn!
There were other strong works such as that of Bisan Abu-Hussam Eisheh composed of objects recovered from the houses destroyed by the Israeli army in East Jerusalem. But also Michel Aubry (The Big Game), Luis Camnitzer (Two parallel lines), André Guedes (Nova Argea) Nesa Paripovic (NP 1977), Batia Suter (Shelter Series) ...
Michel Aubry
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Otherwise, since November 10, I started a MMOPG. This is the boat racing in the Vendée Globe (Virtual Regatta; nickname: AzazelLemoine). For those who do not know this great event, there is a round the world solo non-stop 60-foot open boat. I have always felt a deep emotion following this race. This year, I did a lot of virtual racing like this. And so I started the Vendée Globe.
Well, for the moment, I'm a little far in the standings (102 495th when I write these lines, 360 000 competitors). I had a very bad start (but I have a good excuse, cf. below), and now I'm stuck in the doldrums. I make these race goals. First finish in the first 50 000th. Then scrape up space. In this first part of the race, it's a bit challenged but I'm having the deep south where I can draw lines, and then up the Atlantic is hyper-technical.
So I started my virtual race evil but because I left my boat sail without direction in the first 24 hours. This is because the weekend departure, my parents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary! A great time, even if everything was not perfect (one of my sisters was not invited ...). I lived this moment fully as I do not think I would see a lot of people in my generation, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary ... For my part, it is even wrong left! In any case, it's nice to see two people who, despite the vagaries of life, love and still continue to live together (hopefully this goes a long time)!!!!
Finally, I continue my swimming lessons and it goes pretty well. I can swim 800 meters crawl in one hour (my goal is to swim a kilometer from here this summer). And I can bring some movements breaststroke. But for the last swim, I usually finished at the bottom of the pool at the end of the pool! Well, it's fun for everyone, crawl in, I'm the best and widely, breaststroke, I'm dead last. Thatâs cool!!
My summer holidays have passed too quickly. After my move, I spent a lot of time to develop my new apartment. With the sport that I was next (cycling and swimming), my five weeks of holidays are past at breakneck speed.
In fact, I had difficulty return to work. During the first month, I dragged myself to work. No motivation.
This lack of motivation was accentuated by bad management methods from my boss. The worst was to promise a bonus that was not able to pay me later ... I had announced before the holidays. I therefore took the opportunity to develop my apartment. Problem: after the holidays, he told me he could not pay me! I ended up with nearly 700 Euros in the red!! Since I'm backing round to restore a balance in my finances. With taxes to pay, it is quite complicated. I'm afraid to spend the holiday season restricted. And I could not go on a trip next year ... Fuck!!!!
Ah yes! During my vacation, so I did a bike ride, I saw a big snake on the road in my city.
I was very surprised to see this shit here! I have a phobia of snakes. And this one did not look like those in most of the region. A big thing and all black with a tiny head. Well, in this case, I do not know if it's him or me that had the most fear. Still, I pushed a sacred scream and, for several weeks, I expected to see him (including my new apartment!!)!!!Otherwise, I'm out with a girl in September. But hey, out is a big word. We went for a drink or two sets and then it was seen a few days later for dinner together. Ultimately, there is absolutely nothing happened ... This led me to ask myself a lot of questions about what I expected from this relationship and, more generally, my relation to women.
Sometimes I have the feeling that I'll end my life alone with my heart withered...
Fuck!!!!
(Yes, two "fuck" in the same blog, but it's much sums up the last few months ...)
I finish with this pic. I love it!!
And he laughed at me.
I told my pain to that has suffered,
And he leaned toward me.
His tears flowed before my tears.
He had a wounded heart. "
"J'ai dit ma peine à qui n'a pas souffert
Et il s'est ri de moi.
J'ai dit ma peine à qui a souffert,
Et il s'est penché vers moi.
Ses larmes ont coulé avant mes larmes.
Il avait le coeur blessé."
All poems and extracts are Berber Kabyle songs translated by Jean Amrouche (in "Chants Berbères de Kabylie")
I'm on vacation! So I'm take time to write my blog ... I'm really struggling to be consistent in the writing of it. What has happened to me since the end of April? Lot and little thing at the same time! In no particular order: I moved in a new flat, my last grandmother died, I finished the year on the kneecaps (French expression to say that someone is really tired), I moved a big fat pack shit, I went to the best metal festival (Hellfest), I had permission to pass into the upper swimming (Yeah!!!), I have confined myself again about myself, and a sum of small unimportant details.
"Now I have nobody, me;
My look is a flood of tears:
I feel relief,
If I could cry blood! "
"Or je n'ai personne, moi;
Mon regard est un torrent de larmes:
Je sentirais un soulagement,
Si je pouvais pleurer du sang!"
The move has occupied my mind and body since June. First, I had to find a new apartment. I was pretty confident but my confidence has crumbled over the disappointments. On the one hand, I couldn’t find what I wanted (a T3 apartment i.e. with two bedrooms). On the other hand, I suffered some setbacks in getting one or two apartments which I liked. Finally, I found a one bedroom apartment in a brand new building. This made me change my neighbourhood in my city but I really like.
It was a little hard to leave my old apartment because I lived there for over 11 years and I have many memories (good and bad ... but more good than bad anyway). In fact, after my parents' house where I lived for 20 years, this apartment was the second place where I spent the most time. Hence the nostalgia at the exit. But now I’m well suited my new apartment and I'm very happy. A page has turned, another began. Still, I realized my project No. 1 this year with this move (as well as project No 1 bis with the purchase of a new room and especially a big bed! Goodbye Monk’s bed).
"Behold, my heart is full of sores:
For other injuries there is no room,
The sources of my life dried up. "
"Voici que mon coeur est couvert d'ulcères:
Pour d'autres blessures il n'y a plus de place,
Les sources de ma vie sont taries."
Otherwise, my last grandmother died in June. The other had died in 1999, and I haven’t seen my two grandfathers. I wasn’t very close to this grandmother, and we rarely saw our reports weren’t very warm. At her funeral, I was in "heart of stone" throughout the ceremony. It had nothing to do with my grandmother but it was an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between her and my mother (one of her daughters) and, at the same time, the relationship between my mother and I. In short, more anger than pain ... After her death, my aunts and my mother decided to sell all assets in the form of a flea market. I went there without prior expectations, but basically I'm quite happy to have recovered what I could with the old camera from my grandfather, and some books (my grandmother was an avid reader, perhaps the only commonality that we had).
"He left his beloved,
The reason comes in the night,
Mumbling words without vertebrae.
The wind of folly screams in her ... "
"Il a laissé sa bien-aimée,
La raison livrée à la nuit,
Marmonant des mots sans vertèbres.
Le vent de folie hurle en elle..."
I spoke earlier of my relationship with my mother. Not simple. In the work I have begun this year, I addressed the issue a lot of my family, my parents and my mother between April and June. So I moved a lot of shit! It hurt but I hope this will lead to the positive end (one side, my relationships are now more cool with my parents since I addressed all these issues with my shrink). Still, that work on this large piece made me withdraw into myself in my relationships. So the idea of the girlfriend, now is a bit forgotten.
"A curse on your parents, oh misery!
Because of you the joy is dead.
In my heart are depressed
The roots of anxiety. "
"Malédiction sur tes parents, ô misère!
A cause de toi la joie est morte.
Dans mon coeur se sont enfoncées
Les racines de l'inquiétude."
Otherwise, the big highlight of this period (after my move) was the Hellfest. This festival is the biggest metal festival of its kind in France and one of the largest in Europe. Three days, more than 150 groups and over 100,000 spectators. For my part, I was volunteer once again at the festival. That's cool: I serve at my "cultural community", and I take three days of free concerts. Just great! By cons, my work this year I was very tired. I was cleaning and it's pretty physical. I have been sleeping as well during the Napalm Death’s concert!!!! I've also seen some good concerts including Suffocation, Rompeprop, and Black Label Society (and also Madball, Dog Eat dog, Refused...). I haven’t taken advantage of Behemoth concert, so I'll go see them again at another festival in August. They pass the same day than Immortal!!!! Beautiful black evening in perspective! Hell fucking yeah!!!!!!!!!!
"This is the day where they dig my grave;
A pick-ax they cut the walls.
They prepare two pisé' bags,
One for the feet, one for the head.
O my beloved body, they'll go down,
Put your head on earth where you will rot! "
"Voici le jour où ils creusent ma tombe;
A coups de pioche ils taillent les parois.
Ils préparent deux coussins en pisé,
Un pour les pieds, un pour la tête.
ô mon corps bien aimé, ils vont te descendre,
Pose ta tête sur la terre où te prendra la pourriture!"
During my holidays (until August 22), I take to arrange my apartment. So I make a lot of tinkering and that's cool! Otherwise, I’ll also a lot sports (swimming and cycling, today I rode nearly 46 kilometres). I lost weight since April and I'm trying to find a super nice line! In September, I may be sharpened as has been a long time that this doesn’t happen to me!
For the french who don't like read English (without Kabyle songs)
Pour les français qui ne veulent pas perdre leur temps à déchiffrer mon anglais googleisé, je mets en spoiler presque tous mes textes en français!
Back from Tunisia!
Many memories and stories to tell. I will certainly write this blog on several times that I will publish as and when it advanced. Especially since I have some pictures and videos to set bonus (but I must treat them in Picassa before).
I will also tell this trip and my impressions by theme rather than having a linear narrative.
The Tunisia over a little year after the revolution :
This trip was the fourth that I was doing in Tunisia. It was also the first since the revolution of last year ("events" as the Tunisian said).
On my last trip there in September 2010 (a few months before the revolution), I felt a tension and frustration among youth (persons under 25 years). Today, on my return, I must say that I still felt the tension and frustration, but this time on the side of people aged over 40 years. Why? Because, actually, Tunisians are wondering whether they have gained by the change by releasing Ben Ali.
There is also two developments that have a huge impact on the lives of Tunisians. First, the economy broke its mouth for a year, hence the economic difficulties in the daily work. On the other hand, inflation is quite noticeable since the revolution. Clearly, apart from water, all prices have increased. And when I say "everything except the water," it means that food has increased. Knowing that it was already difficult for a portion of the population to feed, today is even worse.
To give you an idea, here are some notable increases:
- For dinner, I pulled around before 15 TND (TND is for Tunisian Dinar; 1 euros = about 2 TND; for those who think in dollars, I'll let you check the exchange rate and do the calculation yourself !) and now it turns more around 20 TND and with a smaller amount on the plate.
- To make a train ride from Tunis to Sfax (the two main cities), I was paying about 12 (or 15, I don't remember exactly) TND; today is almost 18 TND.
From the perspective of the Western that I am, these prices are reasonable. But for Tunisians, it's just terrible to live with. As I was told one of them: "Today, we eat more dust than before."
To all this must be added the political ineffectiveness of the new system. This so-called troika. Clearly, the Islamists (winners of elections) have agreed to share power with two former opposition parties. But this doesn't work at all, in any case, it isn't very effective. And learning of democracy is long and difficult.
I have met people totally exasperated and tired of this fact. Some don't hesitate to openly regret Ben Ali. In themselves, these people don't regret Ben Ali, the politician dictator. But they regretted "the Ben Ali's time" where there was a semblance of order, authority, where the economy more or less worked, and where daily life was less difficult (although we are Okay, life was difficult).
During this stay, I witnessed some heated debates on the revolution and the current situation, and on the police action during the revolution (for example, when firing on ambulances and fire dpt during the protests in Tunis!!!).
Edit: Twice I thought this debate would degenerate into physical violence. This was particularly the case Thursday when there was a show on the first television channel in Tunisia. This show, a kind of political talk show, came back into the abuses of the police during the revolution. Images in support, we could realize full skids (and sometimes ridiculous side) of the police during demonstrations. An officer was on set and reacted to these images and, especially, the contradictions that he sent back the other people on this show. The debate that ensued, in the restaurant where I ate, pitted the supporters of an authoritarian regime where the police had every right to intervene, and those thinking that it had gone far beyond its rights (sovereign) to course of events.
Moreover, in the country, there are still areas of tension strong enough. During my stay, it wasn't advisable to go to Gafsa and its region. And on Saturday, there were there further riots following demonstrations. In short, much of the interior of the country (which is also part of the revolt) are still live and can explode at the slightest spark.
I come to tell me that this country has two lanes in front of him: a) is that a new revolt explodes quickly; b) is that the situation worsens and rot (which will make the bed of Islamists and Salafists). This isn't happy, and that's a shame for this lovely country and its wonderful citizens.
Tunis
Tunis is very symbolic of the tension prevailing in Tunisia.
Firstly, I must confess that my report is quite specific to Tunis. Indeed, I realized that I was still passing in Tunis but really without stopping. When I am in this city, I'm waiting for a train, bus, or plane. In short, on future trips to Tunisia, I'll spend more time in this city and its surroundings.
Now back to Tunis in 2012. I felt the tension ambient upon my arrival at the airport. Taxis were completely on edge. Then the train station, people were still there as formerly. I had learned was that the station was a huge cruising spot for young Tunisians. Today it is much less so (or hardly at all).
Then on my return from the islands of Kerkennah at the end of my trip so I could see that the situation was far from pacified. In the photos below, you can see the area where I have my habits. This area may be bounded by the railway station, the Place de Barcelona (node trams), the Embassy of France and the Cathedral (which you can see on my pictures) that mark the entrance to the medina, and the famous Avenue Bourguiba beginning of the embassy and go up the famous obelisk-shaped clock (this clock Tunisians nicknamed "Big Ben Ali!"). On this main avenue of the city what the main manifestations happened during the revolution. For two main reasons: firstly, it is the main avenue of the capital so it's a symbolic place, and secondly, the Ministry of Interior has one of its facades on this avenue.
When Thursday morning, I left my hotel (The Maison Dorée; great place! This is from the balcony on the 4th floor of the hotel, I took my photos) to take a taxi and go at the airport, I saw that the city is still "under siege". So two sidewalks of the Embassy of France is surrounded by barbed wire. Faced with the Embassy of France in the middle of the Avenue Bourguiba, you had barbed wire, three army jeeps and a tank water cannon! Then, at various locations on the avenue, you had rows of barbed wire. These stored to be used to cut the avenue at events and thus to prevent the demonstrators to move from one point to another avenue. Finally, at the roundabout at the clock, you've got outright military weapon. And I can assure you that this is not a rubber bullets they wore, but outright military rifles! Hello atmosphere! Imagine the Champs Elysées or 5th Avenue with barbed wire, tanks and armed soldiers ... This is what the people currently living in Tunis ...
Tunis by night
The same view but two hours earlier. Center on the left, where there are green trees, this is the place of Barcelona. The railway station would be on the left of this photo.
At the back the cathedral. Front and behind the trees, we glimpse the Embassy of France. We see a guard posts at the street corner along the wall of the embassy.
On the left of this photo, we would have the entrance to the medina. And thus the beginning of the Avenue Bourguiba.
The Tunis tram. Think of the ball plugs if you want to sleep at the Maison Dorée!!!
The Tunisian women
One of my questions are starting to see the situation were Tunisian women, now than the Islamists had taken a share of power.
As a reminder, Tunisia has always been taken as a model in Arab countries about the situation of women. Since independence, several laws have enabled Tunisian women has a special something as bad as their neighbors in the Maghreb (even if it's agreed that they remained under the domination of a father, a brother, or an husband, man's domination in fact).
On previous trips to Tunisia, and especially in cities (Tunis, Sfax), I had been marked by the relative freedom enjoyed by women living there. This freedom is expressed in dress and, in particular, in these hyper-Skinny jeans they wear.
(It always makes me think of this seller of Essaouira, in Morocco, who sold "stones to lose weight" and "stones grow" he sold the first to Western women, the second to Arab-Muslim women; I always found it very significant to our cultural differences).
There are frankly small "pepettes" (I don't know if in English there is an expression of this type), short of very dainty young ladies, even flashy. And it's always nice to see them.
The other form of freedom lay in a certain lightness in the relationship between unmarried young people (ie people under 25 years usually). The dredge was straightforward and could be initiated by women themselves clearly without disturbing other people (ie adults and "bearded"). I still remember this lovely lady, although a little young for me, who had teased me in the queue of the ticket office in Tunis ...
So I was wondering if the situation remained the same. And generally is the case. The only difference I would make would be on social relationships. The contact with perhaps less directly (or perhaps now more subtly).
Clothing, there are not too many changes. Admittedly, I had the impression of seeing more young women wearing veils but I think it's just a feeling. By against, among married women (ie more than 25-30 years), I sometimes feel that not wearing the veil is more of an exception.
A moment I wondered if there was a Tunisian SG. I'll get (if it isn't the case, I'll go and look for hopeful and, where appropriate, become propagandist!!!). But if there is none, I think it's a lack; Tunisian women are so wonderfully beautiful. When I saw some faces so beautiful and resplendent hidden under a veil, I found it very damaging. It's time to remove these veils.
Outside the cities, the situation has not changed at all from what I've seen. Of classic looks, veiled or not. And attitudes that do not express a particular form of oppression unsustainable.
I will speak later of women engaging in public debate and policy.
The islands of Kerkennah
So that was my fourth trip to Tunisia, and each of these trips, I go to the islands of Kerkennah. These islands (5 or 6 islands in the words of each other, in fact, the sixth is a big stone out of the water), 2 of which are populated, were highly protected from tourism development. If you know anything about Tunisia, Djerba or Hammamet think ... well Kerkennah islands are the perfect antithesis. In light of these islands, there is nothing. And that is why I love them! Well, when I say that there is nothing, I exaggerate. These islands have a history and we can see its different traces. The most visible being the fort built to protect them (first by the Spanish, then by the Arabs). This fort is built on the remains of a Roman city. I'll look in my archives of previous trips a few more detailed photos than those below.
Other "trace" history, a boat that would be that used by Bourguiba in his escape from Tunisia to Lybia before independence. Just as Hannibal had done centuries ago, the islands of Kerkennah it served as a refuge before returning in strength (although somewhat finished better than Bourguiba to Hannibal).
Finally, there is a small museum in El Abassia (a small village on the largest island). This museum focuses on local life and traditions. Have centered traditions of fishing, which was the main activity of these islands. I've never been in this museum - even if I feel like it. In fact, I used to "excuse" to always return to Kerkennah. I say "hey, this year I will go to the museum of El Abassia". And, of course, I'm not going, what gives me the excuse to return to Kerkennah to finally visit it!!!
Otherwise, these islands are perfect for relaxing, rest, and cut with the stressful life that characterizes so well the West.
From my hotel room, I had the right to three beautiful sunsets. Here they are in pictures.
The first
The second
The last one (the last day in Kerkennah 
)
Some landscapes ...
The unfortunate has had a curious accident ...
One of two new hotels on the island. From an architectural standpoint, it's a disaster ...
One of my favorite homes in Ouled Kacem (another small village in the islands). I thought it was a second home but it was not. This is the house of a fisherman who has his boat right in front of his house (in his garden one might say). His paradise after all!
The fort and the Roman ruins.
Feluccas, traditional fishing boat from the islands.
After the storm
Here one of the traditional ways of fishing. In the shallows around the island (there is diffcult to drown unless they are drunk!), Fishermen are planting palms online. Fish swim along these lines and arrive at the very end, in pounds which they can't get out (but they don't die like in fishing nets). Fishermen come next harvest their fish in these ponds.
The shower in my hotel room. Enough roots but ultimately effective.
Tunisian beautiful plants ... (nothing in common with my previous chapter on Tunisian women)
Still images taken on Kerkennah, photographed here are some plants here and there.
Their shapes and colors inspired me.
Women and me ... and other advanced psychic.
You may wonder what I find good in the islands where there is not much to do ... This is legitimate in itself.
To understand my attachment to Kerkennah must already understand my attachment to Tunisia and the Maghreb in general. Generally, you fall in love with someone. For my part, I fell in love with Maghreb during my first trip to Morocco (exactly 10 years ago).
There is also the story of my family. My father was a soldier for two years during the war in Algeria. From this traumatic ordeal, the result is a form of attraction and repulsion towards the Maghreb. On the one hand, it was terrible for him to go to war there. On the other hand, he remained committed to this country and its people. So I "bathed" in this atmosphere in my childhood.
Kerkennah now. These are islands that I knew through my work. In 2007, I was invited by the Ministry of Youth in Tunisia to lecture at the "fifth of university youth leaders" (the title alone, it gives a little ambience). For the story, my lecture was followed by another by a woman who was none other than the personal doctor of Ben Ali. Well, I'm the sociologist has a little "sintered" with her vision only hormonal teen ... In short, these universities were held in Kerkennah. Why? Because the secretary of state's youth then was from these islands. He therefore wished to live a little by the islands that came from all national and regional frameworks of youth, and a fifty educators.
Unfortunately during this stay, I had almost no contact with the local population, which frustrated me a lot. So I decided to come back some time later (January 2009).
During this second visit, I happened something which I was totally unprepared. I was walking on the side, near Ramla (the main town of Kerkennah), when all of a sudden I had a kind of awareness. I said, "now that I live there I would love to share it with someone." This little episode marked a watershed in my life and that's why I'm so attached to these islands.
I led a life far more solitary course, I am sociable but I would tend to define myself as a bear. A bear can be "an ill-licked bears" or "a teddy bear while tending". The fact is that during this visit, I began to realize that this life did not satisfy me fully. So I decided to change some things.
Three years later, the changes are minor but they are still moving forward.
This brings me to my relationships with women. In summary, I'd say it's a bit of a mess! I feel (but it's more an impression) that I fell in love with women who are either already with someone, or who want just about everything ... except me ...
So I have a lot of difficulties in my relationships and I embark in stories with no future. Over the past two years, my relationship with Crush Physio and Crush Habibi are completely reflect these difficulties.
Before my stay in Kerkennah, I began to realize that I "désintoxiquais" gradually the two women (these women had "intoxicated" my heart and soul of a certain point of view; and I gradually removes this toxin). My trip to Kerkennah confirmed to me. Indeed, I am someone who tends to make films himself. In my fantasies, I sometimes saw in Kerkennah with Manon (Crush Physio) or Sabah (Crush Habibi). During my vacation, very quickly, I became aware of the unreality of these thoughts. In fact, I realized that these two women had no place at all on these islands. In any case, not with me ... I think this is another sign that I advance. Moreover, since I see many more delighting women. I don't think there are actually more but first, I didn't see them because I had a veil of illusion over my eyes.
I feel so much more ready to meet and open myself to someone new, and hopefully we can do a long way together ...
(By the way, I just remove Essence of my faves. In one of my previous blogs, I explained that she's very like Crush Kine, especially since she had cut her hair, and it was certainly the reason why I appreciated her so much).
Otherwise, the job I always leads to me (with my psychologist and my sophrologist), I addressed the issue a lot of my family and especially my mother. To summarize my family and my parents, I'm caught between a castrating-depressive mother and a resigned-submitted father. We have seen better!
I thought about it too during my stay in Kerkennah. One of the things I'm going to work is now under take any first degree and emotionally. I'll have to take some distance with this family atmosphere a bit heavy. In short, I'll have to think a little more to me.
It may sound selfish but as said, frankly, it's for my welfare. And if it allows me to advance in my other relationships (with women ... or rather a woman) is better as well!!
My sweet dream
This is the fourth time I go in Tunisia and on the islands of Kerkennah. By dint, I tell myself that I could buy a house there, it would be much easier than ever to go to the hotel ...
Well, during one of my walks on the islands (I am someone who loves to walk and explore the country as well), I came across this little house for sale. Frankly, I immediately fell in heart. I photographed it and I say, that before leaving, I will inquire about its price. Certainly, it is not very big, but it is facing the sea (just across a road and another small field to be on the beach) and has an indoor pool (which can be important when windy as I had during my stay!). With these elements, I thought the price between 200,000 and 250,000 TDN (between 100 and 130 000 euros).
On Monday night, so I asked two people to the restaurant where I ate if they knew the sellers of this house and especially its price. Luckily, Ali (his picture is below) knew the architect-seller of the home. So he offered me to visit her the next day.
Tuesday morning we started thus visiting the house with the architect who built it and who is responsible for the sale. The current owners are Tunisian and want to sell it before July.
This house and its swimming pool is located on a plot of 1 500m ². The first good news is that the land between the sea goes with the lot. We must therefore add a second plot of 1 200m ². Then the path separating the two areas will soon be tarred.
The house itself is quite small but there are two large bedrooms (with plenty of storage space) and each room has its own bathroom (shower and toilet). There is a cozy room Arabic, a dining room and a American kitchen (although large and well equipped, so that really feel like cooking) + a garage and the roof terrace of the house.
Well, the pool needs a lick of maintenance. We must replace the same protection in the bottom of the pool.
Advertised selling price of this lovely house and the land that goes with it: 310 000 TDN (or between 150 and 160 000 euros). Well, given the current economic situation of Tunisia and the willingness of owners to sell, there are ways to negotiate. But adding the additional costs and other bribes, I think we will arrive at the final 310 000 TDN.
Frankly, it's not too realistic for me to buy this house. This is the price of an apartment T3 in Rennes (the city where I live) and I can not already buy me one ... So unless I find 3 or 4 people crazy enough to engage in this project jointly with me and buy this house, I think this house will remain the order of my sweet dream
(For those interested, anyway, do not hesitate to contact me).
The ground in the face the house and sea views
The pool. There really maintenance work to do!!!
The view from the front door of the house.
Ali, through which offers course to be the guardian of the house (and those who would sign the papers! Stinks of ass this story!)
My best New Year's resolutions
I come now to take stock of five good resolutions I made at the beginning of the year. Indeed, this trip in Tunisia allowed me to achieve and in another experiment.
Resolution No. 1: change apartments. This is ongoing. I gave my notice before starting to go to Tunisia. I'm going to move by July 5. As I said above, I will not be able to buy the type of apartment that I liked, so I'll stay renter.
Resolution No. 2: to travel. So it's true!
Resolution No. 3: continue my work on myself and try to find a girlfriend. This is in progress, in any case work on myself! Honestly, I think I'm moving forward and that the lines are beginning to move in my head. To be continued.
Resolution No. 4: convince my brothers and sisters to make a collective gift for 50th wedding anniversary of our parents. It died on January 4! As I have said a little earlier, it's a bit of a mess in my family and my parents have a lot to in this situation. Today, one of my sisters was partly cut ties with them and does not engage in this type of project. I understand her.
Resolution No. 5: I continue to epilating but I grow a mustache. So I tried the mustache during the holidays. This has not been very successful. Especially because I have been betrayed by my pilous system! I suspected as much but I'm not all that grows at the same time and, especially, I have holes where nothing grows! So I shaved every Friday morning after my return to France. Well, I will ever attempt a little longer during the summer.
Me, my mouth and my mustache
As stated in the previous point, I made an attempt to let me grow a mustache. My idea is to let me push down along and mouth to go to the edges of the chin.
I did not shave for 10 days of my vacation.
Finally, as I thought a bit initially, my mustache was relatively well advanced. By cons, along my mouth and down towards the chin is less well spent. Either because it grew more slowly. Or simply because I have holes in my pilosity system. The result is not very conclusive as shown in the pictures below.
I will ever be attempted during the summer to try to densify my mustache. I will then see what happens.
But undeniably, I think I have a better mouth when I'm shaved and with short hair though. What do you think?
Before...
I am a real teenage girl adoring take pictures in the mirror of her bathroom!
After...
Not convincing at all ...
Miscellaneous
Sometimes raining in Tunisia. But they are usually showers. Here's one that fell on the sea front of my hotel.
During the evening there was a big storm that broke over the hotel.
I will never understand the mania for Tunisians to write on their bank notes! Certainly a way of appropriating money that slips of the fingers ...
Finally, here is the best photo I took in Tunisia.
I will not let you search long what it is: it's my finger! More precisely, my left index finger! I had to take this picture with the sun behind. So I did not see too that I took a picture! Fail of the day!
The first was a coincidence, one of these events when life makes you a wink.
The second is about one of my research as part of my work and where I was truly impressed by young teenagers and their openness and ability to say things upsetting.
To relieve this overflow of emotions accumulated during the day, I went for a good jog , then I just listen to black metal (Immortal!!). But it isn't yet fully enough, so I use my preferred therapy by writing these lines here.
To start, this afternoon, when I got home, I met accidentally Crush Physio. As a reminder, I talk about in my firsts posts on this blog, but it's a young woman whom I fell in love in early summer 2010. Our history has been rather unusual and ended in February 2011. This is the last woman that I said that I loved her looking her straight in the eye (and I'm not likely to repeat soon...). The problem is that it was not reciprocal at all and she was not cool with me. Result, I have suffered (perhaps as I had never suffered so far in my life) and had great difficulty to turn the page. This winter, I've been thinking about her. I wanted to call her to discuss and review but knowing that it would lead nowhere ...
The coincidence wanted that yesterday, on a group where I am present here (SGFrance), I wrote that I never thought almost more to her and it was certainly better. Life has wanted me to cross her today ...
I was cycling and she walking. I saw her at the last moment and I have not been able to say hello. I wonder if she thought I despised her. It was not the case ... Still, I found that my heart was not packed as before. Certainly because I am almost to detoxify myself from her ... I think I'm on track and that the work I have begun in recent months, with my relaxation therapist and my psychologist, begins to show results. I think at some future time, I will have enough courage to remove Essence from my Faves. Indeed, if you look, including her most recent photos of her blog since she cut her hair, she looks a lot like Crush Physio. As I said in one of my previous blogs, she also is my toxin ...
The second event happened this afternoon. As part of a European research, I work with a class of college in my town. The purpose of this research is to improve the atmosphere, the social climate of the college, and strengthen the resilience of adolescents. We are working with college kids, they are in the 6th (I'm not sure what it is in other education systems) and 11-12 years old.
The purpose of today's event was, as a game, talking about yourself and build confidence in yourself. For the group, the goal was to learn more about themselves and respect others. In the form, we were all sitting on the floor in a circle. In turn, a volunteer sat at the center of the circle and said "I bet I'm the only one ...". If someone else was like him, that person joined the circle. Otherwise, the volunteer was left alone in the center of the circle. According to what was said, the facilitator of the activity asked young people to discuss their situations.
Once we explained the rules of the game, a young girl was first placed at the center of the circle and said something. It was pretty funny and it has cleared the air.
But the following three (only girls) then revealed the shocking things: "I bet I'm the only one whose father was a suicide attempt," "I bet I'm the only one whose mother is dead," "I bet I'm the only one who does not know her real name." Short as shocking and tragic situations. During the hour of the workshop, we alternated between moments of laughter and moments of gravity (the family of a young girl has experienced genocide in Rwanda, for example). It was really hard and I can not even say everything here so it touched me.
Its young people have experienced things so awful that we want to support them, to surround them, reassure them, that in order to help them grow and move forward in their lives.
I think that this experience, which takes place in a few classes in my area, should be extended to all schools. But this may be wishful thinking ...
Well, I'll stop there even though I have yet many things to say.
For those who read this, excuse my bad English: I write in French and then I translate it all on the Internet (perhaps not the right solution).
However, I have a lot of photos to publish. So a few posts with pictures by my departure to Tunisia!
Today, my 30th, 31st, and 32nd pairs of shoes.
And skies and a sea of winter in one of my favorite places : Island Renote, Tregastel (France).
This is one of my favorite places for winter's walks and, if I had money to not know what to do, I'll buy a house of this peninsula.
Ah yes! I'm not a photographer ... So don't joke about the quality of my photos!
What happened to me since the beginning of the month? Well, ups and downs. For ten days, it goes well but the first days of the year were pretty tough. I spent the phases of depression with high and very, very low. Sometimes in the same day, I could go through different mental states ... What are the reasons for all this? Hmm ... There are different things but most important is that I opened a big issue in my last session with my shrink. This file is so large that it will take me several sessions to describe it before starting to understand. I knew I would have to open the folder that contains all my madness and that it would be difficult for me to talk to someone ... The problem was finding the right time to do ... And I think I have not chosen the right time. Since that meeting earlier this month, I have not seen my shrink (his wife has major health problems and is off for now). I remain a sense of unease ... The day after this session, I was really bad ... I hope to resume work quickly to free myself from all this.
Well, if I made the sales and ... I even bought shoes. I still wait on 3 new pairs during the week!! I will continue to put a picture here. For now, I take a picture in my apartment but I'll start putting them in a situation!! Ah! Ah!
In addition, level work, my team left the University this week. It's the end of a period. After 14 years in this university, I leave with some regret: regrets of the university atmosphere, regrets the location of the university. But I have no regrets about the evolution of research in the university. In short, sociological research, and more broadly in the humanities, is now bursting open mouth. The news is happening elsewhere now, even in small teams like our private self. Now, our office will be in Montfort-sur-Meu (a small town near Rennes, my city). So I will live in the city and go to work in the countryside, its cool!
Speaking of work, I have many interventions planned until the end of March. These are all interventions on the use of the computer, Internet, social networks and video games by young people. For my speech last Tuesday, I was looking for the Leroy Jenkins’ video. In the searching, I fell on others I knew. Including that of the young German. I share them here. Every time I see them, I wonder whether it is better to laugh than cry! Still, I never show some when I am speaking of the parents. If they are, I think they will refuse their children continue to play!!
To be continued!
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