Net work.

Ok then.

I’m not going to make you read about a week’s worth of stuff, because I don’t feel like writing about it. But I’ll give you some of the important stuff.

We have our internet back! And I didn’t kill anybody! Though Beth was inches from it I think (which I’ll get to). Don’t mess with a pregnant lady.

It shorted out last week, Thursday?...too lazy to look it up. Just as it died, we began receiving a wireless signal from the café across the street that we never get. So I was able to use that off and on throughout Friday. Then we left for Strasbourg, which I’ll get to, and got back Sunday night. We still got that free signal , so I used that for a couple days, but it wasn’t very consistent, and other factors kept me from writing. Which I’ll get to.

…I suppose it’s time to get to some of that.

We didn’t have thanksgiving, Beth worked, so Beth planned a trip to Strasbourg for us. What’s there? Why, Christmas of course. Surprised you didn’t know that.

They claim they are the Christmas Capitol, though I didn’t see a single Santa, or Jesus for that matter. Plenty of merchandise though, which after all, is what Christmas is all about!

We knew it would be cold, but we didn’t know that it would be cold. We don’t really have winter stuff since France isn’t supposed to be as cold as Wisconsin and we had limited suitcase room. Instead, we rely on layers of autumn clothes to keep us warm. That works to an extent, but not if you’re outside all day long because that’s where all the stuff to do is. Well, all the stuff to buy.

It’s like a giant farmer’s market, but each vendor has a booth, and they are in sections throughout the town. I guess I’m just a pessimist, or maybe I’m subconsciously trying to cheer up all those without kids, but again, this would have been a lot more fun with no kids and a non-pregnant wife. I know, most people say kids enrich all experiences. Well yes and no. The experience of life overall is enriched, the experience of shopping in the cold and enjoying some adult beverages is not. Again, not a complaint, just letting you know. In case you didn’t.

Ben was a trooper for the most part though. He was all bundled up and liked the lights and was very very excited when it started snowing. “Can we go play in the no?” he would ask, jumping up and down.

I don’t remember details at this point, but we had a nice hotel room and the overall travel was much smoother this time (Some of my best pictures are in RAW, so I can't put them up I'm afraid (RAW is very high quality, but I have to convert them first to put them up, and I can't do that till we get home to my computer). Best as in artistically cool anyway. Just found a free converter, won't look it's best, but I'll post the converted pics in the next post to show you the idea). I do remember that we went to McDonalds three times Sunday. Beth was homesick and McDonalds was the closest she could get, so again, you don’t mess with a pregnant lady. Ben got two happy meal toys that day (the third stop was just before our train, so we could get warmed up and have a hot chocolate and a small snack, so no happy meal that time).

Beth was pretty sick on a daily and nightly basis this whole week. We haven’t slept much, though she slept just fine (Ben too) while at the hotel, so that’s good.

I also got sick this week with a cold, nothing too bad, but it kept me from writing when combined with our overall lack of sleep (bed asap every night) added to the lack of sleep and the possibility that God doesn’t want me running in France period.

Today, Beth’s need for internet hit a fevered pitch, so she went to work on a mission. The need was not for social or entertainment reasons, it was for work. She’s had to stay late to use the internet at work in order to finish some work from home and plan for our upcoming trips, tickets and such. When you are double tired, from growing a baby, and get nauseous when you start to get hungry, because of said baby, you are not pleased to have to stay late at work. Not pleased at all.

So, Ben and I went to find the replacement cord that was at the post office. It was there because they of course failed to deliver it to us the past two days. Go figure.

We found the post office, went in, and were met with the sound of saws and drills. Under construction. Of course.

I head to the Apple store, one of the few places I can get free wireless, in order to email Beth the situation and see a post office on the way. I stop in to use our tracking number and find out where the package is. Turns out they have the package. Hooray, right? Right!? RIGHT!??

You can’t pick up this package, it’s addressed to your wife. For the second time in France, my eye twitches. Not to be the last.

I go to the Apple store and email Beth. She takes off from work, comes home, and we head to the post office. To get our package.

Ah yes, here’s your package. Oh, but I’m sorry, it’s addressed to Ghada (our landlord), she has to pick it up.

Though technically a sin, I mentally stab the man in the eye with a pen and then walk away as the post office explodes and some AC/DC plays in the background. It’s sweet.

Beth and I unconsciously switch roles. She becomes calm and listens while I grow angry and intimidating. I talk once or twice (snarling may be more accurate), and then take Ben outside. He asks if I’m happy. I’m not.

Luckily, the landlord sensed my displeasure (possibly through Beth’s emails, ones that ceased being in French when Beth got angry) and sent her assistant with her ID to pick up the package, and then delivered it to us.

We plug in the cord and the thing works. The assistant said it happened to her too. She says 8 out of 10 times it’s the cord. Just a thought, but perhaps they want to invest in re-engineering their cord.

Not a lot more to talk about this week. Oh, except riding the Dragon. Which I’ll get to.