Air France is now Delta in the US. I hate to use the word "transparent", especially since the transition has been anything but. Today I got an email, in French, from Air France. It said that I needed to "click here" and enter my passport info and other sensitive data.
Afraid of "phishing", I knew I had to call the airline. First I tried Air France. All lines were busy and, as usual, after a 20 minute wait they hung up on me. I tried Delta and got a recording saying that their systems were overloaded with calls, try back later. I tried Flying Blue, the frequent flyer program for Air France, long wait. So, I gave up.
But, the letter said that I had to provide this info 72 hours in advance or we couldn't fly. But, I can't call you and I'm not entering all this stuff into an unknown site.
I went to the gym, did a few things and tried back later. After another 10+ minute wait, I got a woman on the phone who said, indeed, I needed to enter this info on line, they can't do it on the phone. Ick. So, I got out the documents, went on line (not by clicking "here"), but by trying to find it on the web site. Of course, it was buried and I had to go through about seven screens to get to the right place. I entered the info, and printed it, just in case.
The afternoon wasn't much better. My iPHONE wouldn't sync with my computer and I need to keep it all up to date. A call to an Apple "genius" required another 10+ minutes on hold while they figured it out and another 10+ minutes downloading new software.
It's starting to get dark now and I am happy to report that order has been restored and all these things have been fixed. What's in store tomorrow? I'm afraid to ask.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Speaking French Non-Stop
It is rare to hear French in Southern California but in the last two days, I've had two encounters with francophones.
In both cases, it was a surprise. Just now I was walking down the street and a woman was in the middle of taking a photo. I paused for a second but when she didn't move, I said, "Excuse Me" to the woman so that she wouldn't get my profile in her sunset shot. She replied, "Allez-y" to my surprise.
My head swiveled around, I smiled and replied with no hesitation, "Bienvenue a ma belle ville". This caused a flurry of conversation and laughing with her group but no other reply to me, so I continued on my way.
The day before I was at the gym and I passed by two women speaking french to each other. Automatically, I blerted out, "Par-don". They both laughed and remarked in English to me and we all thought it was funny that I automatically went into French with them. They turned out to be American and were much friendlier than the French group, surprise, surprise!
The best part of these exchanges is that I'm now responding, almost automatically in French, even when I'm in the US. Hurray!
In both cases, it was a surprise. Just now I was walking down the street and a woman was in the middle of taking a photo. I paused for a second but when she didn't move, I said, "Excuse Me" to the woman so that she wouldn't get my profile in her sunset shot. She replied, "Allez-y" to my surprise.
My head swiveled around, I smiled and replied with no hesitation, "Bienvenue a ma belle ville". This caused a flurry of conversation and laughing with her group but no other reply to me, so I continued on my way.
The day before I was at the gym and I passed by two women speaking french to each other. Automatically, I blerted out, "Par-don". They both laughed and remarked in English to me and we all thought it was funny that I automatically went into French with them. They turned out to be American and were much friendlier than the French group, surprise, surprise!
The best part of these exchanges is that I'm now responding, almost automatically in French, even when I'm in the US. Hurray!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Everyone Knows About French Strikes
France is famous. For many things, the food, the wine, the art.
I've run into several people recently who remark quickly about the strikes in France. Every visitor to France seems to have a story. Or many.
We've started to take them for granted. A little annoying but normally they don't cause us too many problems.
Visitors have problems getting to and from the airport during a strike. Their favorite museum could be closed due to a strike. Planes might not run. Walking down the street becomes a bit hazardous if you run into a demonstration. It even seems that there is less food in the grocery stores.
We all realize it's part of the culture of France. But it's not among the most charming attributes of a wonderful country.
I've run into several people recently who remark quickly about the strikes in France. Every visitor to France seems to have a story. Or many.
We've started to take them for granted. A little annoying but normally they don't cause us too many problems.
Visitors have problems getting to and from the airport during a strike. Their favorite museum could be closed due to a strike. Planes might not run. Walking down the street becomes a bit hazardous if you run into a demonstration. It even seems that there is less food in the grocery stores.
We all realize it's part of the culture of France. But it's not among the most charming attributes of a wonderful country.
Friday, January 14, 2011
It's Been 30 Years
Our city started a project to put the utilities underground many years ago. We knew it wouldn't happen quickly but we've been waiting almost 30 years for this day.
It looks like the pole is coming down right now!
Also, check out what a beautiful day it is, 80 and sunny. It's not normal for January but we'll take it.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Northern Lights
Pot Holders
My pot holders (oven mitts to some, gant isolant to others) were "over the hill" at Christmas time. Stained, burned, generally not fit for everyday use, let alone a party.
It's not that I don't want new ones, it's just that I forget I need them immediately after I put them away. Aghast the next time I take them out, I vow to replace them. I've done this again and again.
Until today. I guess it pays to shop sometimes. I mean "SHOP". Walk around a store from one end to the other, looking at everything. Needs get remembered. Like pot holders. I scored some this afternoon, brought them home and put the old ones out of their misery. What a relief. I'm having guests for dinner this weekend and I won't have to hide them between uses.
It's not that I don't want new ones, it's just that I forget I need them immediately after I put them away. Aghast the next time I take them out, I vow to replace them. I've done this again and again.
Until today. I guess it pays to shop sometimes. I mean "SHOP". Walk around a store from one end to the other, looking at everything. Needs get remembered. Like pot holders. I scored some this afternoon, brought them home and put the old ones out of their misery. What a relief. I'm having guests for dinner this weekend and I won't have to hide them between uses.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
The French Have A Way of Complicating Things
Our apartment was broken into last month.
They broke the door and the lock but didn't get in. Of course, the door was left partially open for days because our neighbors and the concierge either didn't notice it or didn't do anything if they saw it. We'll never know for sure. It couldn't have been quiet.
Now, the hard part -- fixing it and getting our insurance to pay for it.
Fixing it should be easy. The first guy who came out to fix the lock and the door didn't align the door properly. The door would only open a little bit and even that put big scratches in the hardwood floor.
He came back to fix it. In fixing his first work, he burned two patches in the hardwood floor with a blow torch.
The door is fixed. The floor is a wreck.
Insurance should pay for the door and the lock, but it's the locksmith's insurance that has to pay for the floor damage, I think. Hard to say for sure.
First we'll have to prove that we didn't burn the holes in the floor using a blow torch. Kinda hard to imagine since we don't own a blow torch. Next we have to prove that the scratches weren't there before the door was fixed. Harder to prove but still shouldn't be a problem.
Also, we'll have to get the floor fixed. How many steps should this take? Not many. But, I'm sure it will take multiple visits and steps. Since it's right at the front door, we won't be able to go in or out and we probably won't be able to close the door.
I'm sure this is the tip of the "complication" iceberg. We're just happy the damage was as small as it was.
We'll be waiting for the check from the insurance company since we had to pay for the work "up front".
They broke the door and the lock but didn't get in. Of course, the door was left partially open for days because our neighbors and the concierge either didn't notice it or didn't do anything if they saw it. We'll never know for sure. It couldn't have been quiet.
Now, the hard part -- fixing it and getting our insurance to pay for it.
Fixing it should be easy. The first guy who came out to fix the lock and the door didn't align the door properly. The door would only open a little bit and even that put big scratches in the hardwood floor.
He came back to fix it. In fixing his first work, he burned two patches in the hardwood floor with a blow torch.
The door is fixed. The floor is a wreck.
Insurance should pay for the door and the lock, but it's the locksmith's insurance that has to pay for the floor damage, I think. Hard to say for sure.
First we'll have to prove that we didn't burn the holes in the floor using a blow torch. Kinda hard to imagine since we don't own a blow torch. Next we have to prove that the scratches weren't there before the door was fixed. Harder to prove but still shouldn't be a problem.
Also, we'll have to get the floor fixed. How many steps should this take? Not many. But, I'm sure it will take multiple visits and steps. Since it's right at the front door, we won't be able to go in or out and we probably won't be able to close the door.
I'm sure this is the tip of the "complication" iceberg. We're just happy the damage was as small as it was.
We'll be waiting for the check from the insurance company since we had to pay for the work "up front".
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Band Aids and Other Household Supplies
Last month, I sliced a big chuck of skin off my index finger knuckle. It bled like crazy. Of course, I was in the middle of cooking a big dinner for Terry's birthday. Not wanting to put a damper on the festivities, I tried to bandage it up and press on. Don't they use duct tape in professional kitchens?
The show must go on. I went to the bathroom cupboard, which was almost bare. We had about five band-aids, all of them tiny; totally insufficient for this job. Isn't that always the case? It's almost impossible to supply the house with every possible product for every possible eventuality and need. Band aids seem like an easy thing to keep on hand, but only if the person who uses the last one remembers to add it to the shopping list. And, in the heat of bandaging something up, the last thing you think about is the grocery list.
I put a big piece of gauze over the cut and then taped my finger up.
Within five minutes blood was coming out both sides. A lot of blood. So, I put an even bigger piece of gauze over the original one and re-taped it up. It held.
The next day, the whole thing came off and the bleeding started up where it left off. So, I replaced my improvised band aid and pressed on with family fun. Still no band aids in the house.
Days went by like this. I never thought to buy band aids because I was using my improvised band aid. Finally the cut healed.
I never bought band aids. Today, Terry sliced his finger on a tape dispenser. Almost as bad as mine but not quite. He used the same basic method of tape and gauze. Seems to be catching around here.
But, this afternoon, I decided to go to the store and stock up. Now, we've got every possible size, shape and color of band aid, all in bathroom cabinet, ready for the next mishap.
What else is missing for the medicine cabinet? We'll never know until we need it, I fear.
The show must go on. I went to the bathroom cupboard, which was almost bare. We had about five band-aids, all of them tiny; totally insufficient for this job. Isn't that always the case? It's almost impossible to supply the house with every possible product for every possible eventuality and need. Band aids seem like an easy thing to keep on hand, but only if the person who uses the last one remembers to add it to the shopping list. And, in the heat of bandaging something up, the last thing you think about is the grocery list.
I put a big piece of gauze over the cut and then taped my finger up.
Within five minutes blood was coming out both sides. A lot of blood. So, I put an even bigger piece of gauze over the original one and re-taped it up. It held.
The next day, the whole thing came off and the bleeding started up where it left off. So, I replaced my improvised band aid and pressed on with family fun. Still no band aids in the house.
Days went by like this. I never thought to buy band aids because I was using my improvised band aid. Finally the cut healed.
I never bought band aids. Today, Terry sliced his finger on a tape dispenser. Almost as bad as mine but not quite. He used the same basic method of tape and gauze. Seems to be catching around here.
But, this afternoon, I decided to go to the store and stock up. Now, we've got every possible size, shape and color of band aid, all in bathroom cabinet, ready for the next mishap.
What else is missing for the medicine cabinet? We'll never know until we need it, I fear.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Heating
It's cold everywhere right now.
Inside it's warm. It's great to have a warm home, warm water for a shower. I take these things for granted.
Living in Southern California most of my life, I thought that everyone used the same system(s) to heat the house, heat water, wash dishes and laundry. We have a balloon water heater that holds a large capacity of water. It keeps the water constantly warm so that when you need it you get it. Hot water is not instantaneous since it has to travel from the tank through the pipes to the needed spigot. But, eventually it is nice and warm. Since most of the time there are only two of us at home, we don't run out of hot water. But if we have visitors, we have to remember that the amount of water is limited by the size of the tank and not immediately replaced. So, if four or five people take a long hot shower while the dishwasher and the clothes washer are going, we will be out of hot water. Don't take the last shower or you'll be out of luck.
The dishwasher and the clothes washer rely on water heated by the hot water heater so they use up their share.
In France, there are many systems for heating and hot water. On rue de Seine, we had electric heaters on walls that you turned on individually. We had a balloon for hot water in the closet. The place was so small that we never ran out of hot water and we rarely turned on a heater. If it was cold, by the time I'd finished cooking dinner, the place was nice and warm. Even candles helped.
Now we have a "chaudiere". It is one of these instant hot water things. It is used for both hot water and heating the apartment. It works really well. It is economical since it doesn't heat the water until you need it. Water is instantly hot. Warmth starts coming out of the radiators the minute you turn them on. We never have to worry about who will get the last shower since the water will be hot whenever it is needed.
The most unusual thing about french appliances is that both the dishwasher and the clothes washer use only cold water. The machines heat the water during use. You can tell the machine how hot you want the water to be. So, these machines don't compete with showers either.
I think the French have been much more conscious of their usage of gas and electricity. Lights are not on in the hallways of buildings. You have to turn them on. Then they are on timers. You're left with enough time to go up about three flights of stairs and then the hallway goes dark again and you have to turn the lights back on again. People don't leave lights on when they leave a room. Lights switches (no idea why) are often on the outside of the bathroom.
I wonder how long it would take for the US to change to these systems. It seems that it would save a lot of energy consumption with an added benefit that everyone would always have a warm shower.
Inside it's warm. It's great to have a warm home, warm water for a shower. I take these things for granted.
Living in Southern California most of my life, I thought that everyone used the same system(s) to heat the house, heat water, wash dishes and laundry. We have a balloon water heater that holds a large capacity of water. It keeps the water constantly warm so that when you need it you get it. Hot water is not instantaneous since it has to travel from the tank through the pipes to the needed spigot. But, eventually it is nice and warm. Since most of the time there are only two of us at home, we don't run out of hot water. But if we have visitors, we have to remember that the amount of water is limited by the size of the tank and not immediately replaced. So, if four or five people take a long hot shower while the dishwasher and the clothes washer are going, we will be out of hot water. Don't take the last shower or you'll be out of luck.
The dishwasher and the clothes washer rely on water heated by the hot water heater so they use up their share.
In France, there are many systems for heating and hot water. On rue de Seine, we had electric heaters on walls that you turned on individually. We had a balloon for hot water in the closet. The place was so small that we never ran out of hot water and we rarely turned on a heater. If it was cold, by the time I'd finished cooking dinner, the place was nice and warm. Even candles helped.
Now we have a "chaudiere". It is one of these instant hot water things. It is used for both hot water and heating the apartment. It works really well. It is economical since it doesn't heat the water until you need it. Water is instantly hot. Warmth starts coming out of the radiators the minute you turn them on. We never have to worry about who will get the last shower since the water will be hot whenever it is needed.
The most unusual thing about french appliances is that both the dishwasher and the clothes washer use only cold water. The machines heat the water during use. You can tell the machine how hot you want the water to be. So, these machines don't compete with showers either.
I think the French have been much more conscious of their usage of gas and electricity. Lights are not on in the hallways of buildings. You have to turn them on. Then they are on timers. You're left with enough time to go up about three flights of stairs and then the hallway goes dark again and you have to turn the lights back on again. People don't leave lights on when they leave a room. Lights switches (no idea why) are often on the outside of the bathroom.
I wonder how long it would take for the US to change to these systems. It seems that it would save a lot of energy consumption with an added benefit that everyone would always have a warm shower.
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