What I bet I'm doing in France Right Now

Posted by Blake from the past! Spooky noises!

As I am writing this it’s September in Portland Oregon. But because I’m taking my Substack seriously I don’t want to miss any weeks (beside that one week) and deprive my small but loyal audience of my bon mots. That’s why this posted on it’s normal date, October 9th, 2024, or 9/10/2024 european, while I’m in Southern France.

But that means I have to guess at what I’m doing ahead of time. What is future Blake getting into? Is he sipping a small café and wearing a béret? Is he walking the street under a full moon and listening to beautiful music while getting lost in the small town? Is he nursing a wine hangover and farting in bed? Only time will tell!

Join me as I guess what that wacky Future Blake is doing! I bet he’s…

Struggling with the Language

I downloaded the language app Babbel and paid for 3 months so I could regain a grasp on the French language. I took French class through high school and college, but I wasn’t a very good student. Not that I was a bad kid, I don’t study or test well. Plus high school was something like a billion years ago.

But Babbel has been helpful! (not a paid article) The only hiccup so far pertains to how. I am and less about the app. I’ve learned how to ignore the notifications it sends me and I have not done a lesson in a few days. I’m like the raptors in Jurassic Park, and the app is Muldoon right before he says “clever girl”. Man, what a great movie, or film!

I don’t feel what I’ve learned slipping away, but I don’t feel it getting any stronger. Hopefully I’m not making a fool of myself in another country. What I can say for sure is that I’m probably…

Enjoying the Food

I’m not saying WHERE I am, but it’s in the Southern France region, or région. French food is already delightful, but I have two key factors ensuring I find success. Small towns typically have fresh ingredients and my parents go often enough they know all the good spots.

That’s right, I’m vacationing with my parents like the cool 40 year old that I am!

I don’t even have to gamble on a eatery, I can just ask Dad what he recommends and he’ll list off two to three places he and Mom love to go eat. I’ll still do my favorite joke where I say “I want something authentic like…Subway!” then I’ll laugh at my own joke while everyone glares at me.

Speaking of fancy french foods, I’m certain that future Blake has…

Filled his Phone with pictures.

I’m going to blow up my own Instagram.

Never mind the fact I’ll never remember what any of the buildings will be called or why I took a picture but you know I’m going to be all touristy about taking photos. I never get to travel outside the state (driving to Washington state doesn’t count) and I’ll be in freakin’ FRANCE!

Maybe if I make notes on the photos as I take them. Let’s see if that feature exists.

-time passes-

Turns out that’s been an iPhone feature for years. And I just discovered it. Literally minutes ago while writing this. I never claimed to be a tech whiz. Anyway I can’t wait to take a picture of a building with an interesting history, go to my notes and see “Woah, like a hella old church/building thing? This is perfect for my D&D session, use this photo, try not to del-”.

It cut off because I assume there’s a character limit.

Au revoir!

I’m sure this is enough to warrant reading on your phone while waiting for the bus. Tune in next week when I, do…something, I guess. I’ll have something posted, but I sure don’t know what!