Nope - the smell in my apartment isn't gone. One of two things is occurring. The first is that I probably just get used to the smell but if I'm gone for more than twenty four hours I'm no longer used to it so I notice it all over again. Or, when I leave there's some sort of old man-chewing tobacco-bad barbecue rub with stale beer conference hosted in my apartment when I'm gone.

My six year old niece had her first basketball game of the season. Watching six year olds play a sport is cuter than a box of puppies. Her team is the South Walton Stingrays and I think they've got the potential to go all the way this year. They've got great defence and two star players by the names of Dave and Lauren who also happen to be brother and sister. They're both fast and aggressive players with great pick and roll but if they want to take their team all the way Dave has to stop picking his nose and Lauren has to stop telling opposing players that she likes their shoes especially when she's in scoring position.

My Dad was also in town this week with his wife for a little vacation. They stayed with my sister for about five days and then spent the remaining time of their vacation at a condo on the Gulf.

Let's hug it out

My Dad's become a hugger now that he's older. I don't care for it. He also likes to talk about his feelings more and I don't care for that either. Actually, it's not that I don't care for it, it's just that I find the change odd. Imagine if your father was Lee Marvin's character Major Reisman from the film - The Dirty Dozen and all of a sudden he's replaced with Patch Adams. You'd find it disconcerting too. Thank God he still drinks otherwise I'd have no idea who this new man is.

I'm not a touchy feely person at all. In fact, when I'm in France I dread greeting people because you have to go in for the traditional cheek kiss. I do it very uncomforably - like a robot.

I've always wanted to know what it would be like to fight my Dad in his prime. Not in an angry way but in a sportsmanlike and professional way. Why? Because genetically speaking he's my most evenly matched opponent. I started doing judo when I was six which led to wrestling in high school which led to boxing and muay thai boxing in the past several years. I've always wondered who would win this match up - Me in my prime or my Dad in his prime. My Dad in his prime would have speed on his side. Technically, I think I'm a better boxer than he ever was plus I'm bigger than he was. But I think he was a better wrestler than I was so if it was a mixed martial arts contest it'd be a close one.

Okay... who still listens to the musical Rent? I'll tell you who does. My neighbour - the one who shares the same back wall with me. She's not even playing it loudly but I can hear every word. Right now that song about how many minutes are in a year is on. I think I'd rather have my Dad hugging me.

Running Routes in Fort Walton

Still haven't found a good one where I live. Went for a long run on the weekend and had to settle running along the highway again. It's a very scenic highway with a wide shoulder that is specifically built for cyclists but a highway nonetheless and the constant whoosh of the cars as the go by is annoying. It's like the sound of bees.

So far, the best long distance running route I've found is out by the tennis club where I'm working. There's a long stretch of a scenic road that's beside the Gulf. It goes on for almost twenty miles and is perfect for running on.

Out there it's mostly vacation homes and the odd business. I can't believe how much stuff out there is vacant or for sale. Last week when I was running I passed a large three story building that was meant to have retail on the main floor and had condos in the top two floors. The entire building is finished but vacant. There's no for Lease or Sale sign posted. It looks like it's simply abandoned. The same with an entire development out there. A developer built several cute little cottages right off the Gulf. It's got a little courtyard and common dock on the Gulf. They're really nice units. Not a soul lives in them. You'd think the swine flu got really bad down here and just carried away scores of people judging by the empty buildings.

Are we still supposed to be scared of that by the way? I haven't heard much about it lately so maybe we've cured it.

I'm fascinated by abandoned properties here. When out for a run I'll usually wander around the property of some of them trying to see if I can figure out the story of why they had to leave or who used to live there. I'm sure the Sheriff would understand if he pulled up and saw me nosing around.

"Oh hi Sheriff.....No I'm not trespassing. I'm just looking around. Looking around's not tresspassing. Yes...I know trespassing is illegal but I'm just looking around..completely legal."

Visafied

My visa arrived on Monday. Oh sorry. Did I bury my lead story?

Did that on purpose actually - just so excited and happy about it that I thought I'd talk about abandoned buildings first.

I'm absolutely shocked that it got here so quickly. I was certain they'd ask for more information and really didn't see it clearing until the end of March at the earliest. I even thought it might drag on into the summer and was quite prepared for the fact that I might not be able to get over there until June.

In fact, it came back so quickly (less than one week) that when I saw the FedEx package from the Miami Consulate I was positive that they'd rejected my petition for a visa. It's a Schengen type D visa good for three months starting February 25. The type D means it's a long stay visa which means I can apply for work in France.

It's my understanding that once I get to Nice I have two months to apply for my Carte de Sejour which will then give me the ability to stay and work in France under specific guidelines for the period of a year. So there's still some more bureaucracy and paper work involved but the first big step has been quickly and easily obtained. Already I'm looking forward to my first Port run when I get back. I can't wait to get to the Marche Buffa and say hi to the Vegetable Lady and the Cheese Man.

I've heard people complain about the French visa process but having gone through it in the US, I have to say, I don't know what people are complaining about. When I first came to the US it took me months of several unsuccessful attempts at getting a work visa before I finally paid a US immigration lawyer $3,000 to get my first visa. After being here legally for several years I got a Green Card and then my citizenship a few years ago. Each process involved several day long visits to the Immigration building in Los Angeles and it took me a year to get my Green card. When I applied for my citizenship it also took a full year as well as several trips to the Immigration building. 

I know there are several more hurdles I have to jump over before I'm settled in Nice but everything seems to be going forward in a surprisingly smooth series of events. I was positive there would be at least one more drive to Miami with it's scores of dead opposums along the way and billboards begging me not to abort.