Here goes!

Rontay's blog.
If anyone had ever told me I'd be writing a blog, I'd have said they were crazy. Why? One, I'm sooooo... lazy. Two, I know nothing about computers and for most of my life haven't cared. And three, I've got nothing much to say that anyone would care about. Whatever! I won't promise a miracle. If you happen to stumble upon this corner of cyberspace (and that's the only way you'll get here, cause I'm not telling anyone I know about this yet, you're in my secret garden!), you'll see that the photos and graphics, and links are pretty much inexistant here (for now at least). Yeah, really boring! That's cause I really have no clue how to do all those cool things others do in those beautiful pro-like blogs. Which brings me to the main question? Why bother anyway to do this? Well, first of all, it's a good practice and maybe interesting to finally learn how to take advantage of these complicated but fabulous technical things most people know how to do.... digital photos, slide presentations, linking... blah blah blah. Second, hum hum, I feel the need to express myself and talk about my bizarre life. No, I'm not someone who talks a lot. In a group of 5, I never open my mouth. In a group of three, I nod and agree (whether or not I do), and when I have coffee with a friend, I'm usually the listener! So I'm gonna use this as my personal diary. Thirdly, I've always wanted to write but never have, cause I'm too much into perfection: subject and predicate agreements, use of synonyms and antonyms, and make things too difficult for myself, cause I get drawn into some kind of literary quicksand. So I need freewriting, which could possible lead me to become a better writer, and person. Fourthly, they say when you write you organize your ideas and end up being a less chaotic person. And moi, I'm chaotic! As the French would say: Bordel partout (literally bordello everywhere) mind, body and spirit. What a mess. And fifthly, I do need a hobby! My friend Madame K. has had a fantastic blog for years and I envy her. She is my model.
The name of the title of this blog is obviously, floating in France. I guess I should explain that and at the same time introduce myself. I am an American living in France, too old to be considered young and way too young to be old (going on 40). I have spent about 10 years living in an adorable, but boring small town in North Eastern France, between Paris and Germany. I like to say I've been floating around. I never thought I'd end up here! I came for a year, have made many attempts to leave, but always end up staying. I get a job offer at the last minute, I decide to write a thesis, I meet someone new and interesting in the town, I have no where else to go, or no other prospects, and always... with time it's easier and easier to stay with fewer reasons to go. At one time I thought the country would throw me out by not renewing my visa, but I ended up getting permanent residency (like a green card). I still shudder to think I'll be here permanently cause I hope to be somewhere better soon, like bigger, warmer... I feel I'm always saying "Adios" to this place but I'm still here. This leads to the condition I call being "permanently temporary" , compounded by the fact I'm a foreigner here and everybody expects me to leave, and since I think I'll end up in Paris, New York, Rome or Kansas for that matter I have remained in my one-room studio, never daring or wanting to move. I send out job applications but I no longer think anyone will contact me outside my city here. I've been floating in France for a long time now, so just maybe this blog will either help me blow off somewhere else or land here happily knowing that's what's best for me and what I have really chosen. In the meantime, I am trying to enjoy the croissants beurre, the walks along the river, the view of the cathedral from my balcony, and the long nights sipping rosé with my friends in the quaint bars all over town. Voilà! I pledge to put down in words my experience here, my past, my états d'âme, my existence, my thoughts... for you but above all for me!

Rontay