Random Friday Bonus Sketch - FDM2012

A little sketch I did during the aforementioned concert. Happy Friday!

The Backstage Experience

I took part in the Fête de la Musique this year as an organiser, which to me is a great honor. In fact I managed to feel honored until about 2 in the morning when my feet gave their notice.

June 18, 2012.

I'd like those two hours of my life back, please.

[ Bonus sonore ]

First steps in language animation.

"In my suitcase I have a a bike...a pen...a pencil case...and...and...his mom."

***

Guys, let me introduce you to a small part of my Franco-German world*. "Animation linguistique" ("language animation") is something that was conceptualized in the early nineties by a research project of the University of Bielefeld and the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ/DFJW), which more or less is to French/German majors what Mountain View is to programmers (I'm guessing). The focus was on how some kids would attend binational youth events and come back hankering to learn French or German, whereas others would return nonplussed after clamming up all week. A set of guidelines for loosening things up was put together, and "language animation" - group games involving verbal or nonverbal communication -  was included as one of the tools used by camp organisers. It's therefore one of those terms that are mainly understood by initiated members of a given professional environment. (I'd use a fancy word for that but it's nearly dinnertime as I write this.)

Language animation is something I do on occasion as part of my current job, and is an opportunity to interact with the young'uns of local Berlin schools and impart the awesomeness of French. Which they then use to make references to each other's moms.

* Only one of the many idiosyncratic people groups which I am proud to call my own.

[ More German young'uns ]

Second only to David Tennant.

[ Bonus sonore ]

[ Bonus sonore ]

3/6/2012

In June, like a slim amount of the French votership, I voted in the so-called legislative (parliamentary) elections that followed on the heels of the presidential ones. I ended up being at the French embassy for what feels like every other week for two months. The party I voted for didn't make the second round,  and the new president ended up getting his majority in parliament. Watch your butt, capitalism.*

*This is a joke, I think Hollande has as much communist blood in him as a package of Oreos.

[ Auditory bonus ]

June 1, 2012

Je suis allée sur un coup de tête visiter mon ancien taf ce matin, en partie parce que j'avais ouï dire que mon ancien chef s'en allait. Je suis même montée dans les bureaux et me suis un peu baladée, et je trouvais que c'était presque comme si je n'étais jamais partie -- le "presque" venant bien sûr du fait que les gens étaient surpris de me voir, et que j'ai fait exprès de ne pas rester plus de quelques minutes. // J'ai la sensation que le plancher des choses se barre sous mes pieds. // Dans le métro j'apprends que des ateliers au Tacheles ont été évacués hier. Les bonnes choses n'ont-elles donc plus d'importance? // Après le boulot, je suis revenue faire un tour à une soirée dans la cour de mon ancien taf. Ca a apporté une sorte de contraste à ce que je ressentais: entourée d'amis vs. toute seule. C'est rare, une boíte qui te donne le sentiment d'être en famille. // "C'est diiingue!! Hug au-dessus du bar!" Je suis allée à la fête d'anniversaire de The Cheese Mountain Tragedy, où j'ai rencontré Josh Bauman. Il était enthousiaste quand je me suis présentée. :)

***

By the by, my fellow countryman (sort of) Josh Bauman does a daily diary strip called Caffeinated Toothpaste, and he has a Cintiq. Both are awesome to behold.


Au fait, mon (en quelque sorte) compatriote Josh Bauman dessine une BD autobio qui s'appelle Caffeinated Toothpaste, tous les jours, et il possède une Cintiq. Les deux sont des trucs de oufs.

[ Death Cab For Cutie - Doors Unlocked and Open ]

I came back to die with my city

I'm baaack! Hoo-boy, I walked up and down the northern suburbs of Stockholm, discovered Phad Thai, met with peeps, took a zillion iPhone pictures and did a whole lotta writing. Stockholm (like Sweden in general) is one of my favorite places in the world, it's a shame the winter there is psychotic and I go more crazy the earlier the sun sets.

Anyway, here are a few things I dropped into my sketchbook while I was there:

One of the main things I was looking forward to was Stockholm Pride. I didn't actually see much of the festival or the parade itself (walking at Berlin's CSD was enough), but I did get graciously invited to a garden party up the hill from Mariatorget, where I got to meet cool people, drink Spanish beer and wonder if that was, in fact, a pretty well-known person standing over there with a glass of punch. It was an awesome party (or "best gay bar in the world", as someone put it.)

This picture translates the way I felt about interacting in environments where mostly Swedish was spoken. (Not to brag, but I haven't felt like this in years.) Translates roughly as "Not understanding exactly what's going on... That is my problem."

As was required by my stay, I went to the movies a few times -- most notably to see The Dark Knight Rises. Needless to say that Bane killed it. Oh, and Blake? Yes. Shortest three hours of my life. BOOM! alltså.

(c) S.K. Webster / Clairikine

And since I am currently reading Stieg Larsson's Millennium trilogy (in Swedish), I also got my picture taken in iconic spots from the book. The first floor here is where the Millennium offices are supposed to be. The other iconic spot was the yellow pathway where a character gets mugged. Not going to put that out there right now.

In addition to this, I began watching Doctor Who*, amassed a small treasure trove of used CDs** and DVDs to further cement the fact that I need to buy more shelves,  and I squee'd like a teenager when the Spice Girls appeared during the Olympics' Closing Ceremony.*** And then I had to explain to my 17-year-old sister why this was a cultural milestone, and I proceeded to buy a used copy of Spice and play "Wannabe" for her in the car. She still didn't get it.

Updates continue Tuesday! Ha det så bra.

* I started at Ten. Because everyone only talks about Ten anyway. Right?
** Placebo's self-titled debut, baby!!!
*** I also squee'd at Muse. Because, you know. Muse.

Edit: Yes, a piece of Bane's mask is missing. It's hot down in Hell, so this is a lighter version.

[  MOVITS! - Fel Del Av Gården ]

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(Also it's Julia Robbs' birthday! Commission her. She rocks.)
See you next week!