Le Quatorze Juillet

By Gillian on July 14, 2011

Had really excellent enthusiastic interactions with some good people today, and that’s always fun.

Monet's Rue Montorgueil

I know I’m a pretty enthusiastic type, so I love it when I spend time with other equally enthused folks.  So how about we don’t curb our enthusiasm, let’s all rally around and be enthusiastic about stuff… it’s catching!

Wanna know who else is enthusiastic today?  Why the French of course – c’est le quatorze juillet, Bastille Day, July 14th – vive la revolution and all that!

History was not a subject I kept up with in my early years and I really kinda wish I had because actually I am very interested in other cultures, and their history tells us so much about who and why they are now, ourselves included.  Anyway, I pay a lot more attention now than then, so it’s a work in progress.  Apparently I’ll need to study American History if I ever get around to applying for citizenship (I’ve only been here 31 years already for heaven’s sake!) – so that may actually turn out to be a fun learning exercise for me.

But for now, je suis très fatigué, so I will sign off with a classic French or pseudo-French flourish: VIVE LA DIFFERÉNCE!  Which is a phrase originally referring to the difference between the sexes, but can be used to celebrate the difference between any two groups of people (or simply the general diversity of individuals).  Thanks Wikipedia.

P.S. I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Challenge this month – 31 days of July, a blog a day if I can.

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The Good People of L.A.

By Gillian on September 30, 2009

This morning on the drive in, I stopped to help some folks whose car needed a jump.  It took about 2 minutes.  They were happy, I was happy, and my whole day immediately changed to a flavor better than ice cream.  Yummmm!

I already tweeted a version of the opening paragraph because I thought it was a fun thought to share, but it also ties in with the fun time this weekend at the Redbull Soapbox Derby that I was already planning to tell you about.

The Derby took place in several blocks of downtown Los Angeles on September 26. There were a lot of people in a small amount space which meant we didn’t get to see much of the actual runs, but there were also large screens so we waited at the finish line area and watched the precarious journeys down Hill Street, through the straw bale chicane, over the jumps (lots of air, often too much) and down to the finish at 5th and Olive.

These were some fun vehicles and crazy drivers and it was hot (92).  Could have done with some of that ice cream, but water was good. We stood and watched and sweated rivers and laughed some more.  When the jumbotron went out, we just watched the people and admired the buildings and chatted.

Anyway, thought I’d share with you a peek at the good people of L.A. last Saturday.

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GZ

P.S.  Note to self: need to get out more, there’s still a world of fun out there!

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