LanguedocGal
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Posts posted by LanguedocGal
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[quote user="Dave"]Can anyone please explain to me "the Eldorado Crowd" have I missed something? Are they the same lot as "that bunch of Rose wotsits" are those that use these terms in some kind of 'other' group that looks down on the Eldo's and Roses?[:D]
best regards
Dave
[/quote]Dave
‘’France is the perfect, cheap, crime free, stress-free, brilliant health, education system etc etc whereas the UK is a hellhole bla bla bla lot’’. Same old rant for years and I just got excruciatingly bored hearing it. I admit it’s not very clever but it’s shorthand or a ‘box’ if you prefer and I suspect you knew what I meant.
Bugbear wrote
Love France or Leave it....................................
I would question whether what I call the French Eldorado crowd (sorry but I'll keep it now I've defined it [;-)]) love France or just their ‘’bubble’’ in France.
I get the impression that many on a lifestyle quest feel threatened when the French Idyll image is even gently challenged. Why take it personally? I would question just how much someone who only loves their bubble in any country really ‘loves’ that country. I’m not saying we can love all aspects of a country but a bubble is a bubble.
My lifestyle in France is constantly questioned by my local friends, though less and less now because they’ve simply classified me as the eccentric ‘’d’Outre-manche’’. They accept me warts and all even when I defend the British settlers and the very negative perceptions re their effects on local house prices. (I tell them to blame it on Parisians buying holiday homes. Apologies to any Parisians reading this [:D]).
What would you say if I made an idiotic statement such as ‘I moved here because there are over 300 sunny days per year in France’’. Would that apply to France or my region of France? A daft example perhaps but we have read how people generalise about this country in glowing terms (without knowing much about the dark realities) whilst criticising the UK.
Like other posters here, I will praise and criticise France and there is absolutely nothing to say that I do not enjoy my life as much or more than those who feel the need to constantly praise it and defend their little corner of the country by bashing the UK.
As you say, success is down to the individual but I'm not sure how people wanting to move to France are helped by constantly reading that it’s some sort of pretty picture postcard without the ‘hassles and stresses’ that exist elsewhere, as these exist here just as much. I heard on a French TV debate a couple of months ago that the French and Argentines are the people who consult shrinks the most in the world (not the Americans!). Perhaps that’s due to facility in their health system but if true, it’s hardly the characteristics of a stress-free nation.
A lot of Brits moving to France do not have sufficient French to research the country in all its facets via the French media, govt documents, connections etc so often fall onto the statements of the French Idyll lot, naff television programmes and books. On forums we can now freely show the other side too.
Re not being able to change things (mentioned by another poster); well on a different thread Chris pp wrote an excellent post on how individuals can make a small difference in France. I think many Brits moving to France do not particularly want to make a difference (but keep things the same) as they are in ‘stress-free lifestyle mode’ when they come here, having worked so hard in the UK. I’m not saying anyone should ‘have to’ want to participate to change things but it’s not impossible to do so. I suspect some may not be able to participate even if they wanted due to timidity and lack of fluency. For others, we have seen here, lack of fluency does not hinder full participation.
Re traffic congestion on British Motorways as this comes up a lot and is accurate but has anyone heard of the A9 that leads to Spain? Down here, it’s average most of the times and a virtual car park during holiday periods. Can’t believe it’s the only motorway of that nature in the country.
A healthy debate challenging the ‘French Idyll’ and the constant barrage of anti UK statements should not get anyone on the defensive because I can’t see much is achieved that way.
I’ve personally found it interesting reading the different posts.
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Hastobe,
I never said I hated France and nor did anyone here from what I have read, but I think I understand what you mean. On the contrary, I care about this country. If I hated France, I would not have moved here and investing my energies here.
You mentioned the NHS but If you intend to retire to France shouldn’t the state of the French Health Service be a major concern too?
It’s in a terrible financial state and if you read the relevant reports, it’s not at all clear what it will be like in 10 years time. Hopefully, they will resolve the funding issues before the you know what hits the almighty fan but surely you’ve noticed that French politicians are not the most courageous as they tend to burst into tears as soon as a few people march down the streets carrying banners. They like being popular too much, I think Mr Freche is probably the only exception [:D]
The Eldorado crowd carry on about what’s bad in the UK instead of concerning themselves with what is really happening here because they are surrounded by pretty landscape. For example, do you know how difficult it is to convince young doctors to move out to rural areas? If people are going to retire to rural France, shouldn’t these issues be as important as pretty houses? Betty’s point about who will look after them in these isolated areas is extremely valid.
Don’t want to be alarmist but read this…
I won’t even discuss unemployment and who will pay for the social security in a few years without a more dynamic economy etc etc.
I’m as concerned as the next person about issues in the UK as I too have family there but it’s really not all wine and cheese and pretty landscape in France either
I’m not having a go at any individual but simply wanted to pointed out that slinging mud at the UK incessantly and watching the UK news to find out what is wrong over there, for example, seemed a little ridiculous in view of the economic and social climate of France..
Betty, don’t even get me started on inheritance laws and self-employment. [:@]
PS: I actually expected no support for my original post, so pleased to see that I'm not alone.[;-)]
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[quote user="Teamedup"]
And the no crime, drugs and better education posts and I just give up, all reeks of fantasy land and not the France I live in.
[/quote]
TU, I think we have as much right to get the other truth out there, as these people have had years peddling their views of life in ‘’idyllic’’ France. I accept totally that many have contributed to the revitalisation of these rural areas and I always remind the French I know of that when they start whinging about how the Brits have taken over their villages bla bla..
I’m totally with you on your views on schooling in France. It’s hit and miss too but I get the impression that few of the Eldorado crowd have heard of ZEPs. [:(]
Rumzigal, Re Freche
I believe the old dear was fined for his Harki comments. No problem though as we will all pay for the fine out of our local taxes. I think that may be our duty as citizens. A few years back, heard him give an hour speech and have to say he is (was?) a magnificent orator. I was convinced I’d be asleep within 10 minutes but no!
However, I now have slight doubts about his mental faculties all being there. Still, he is highly entertaining and we can’t say that about many politicians.
You’ve got to love him![:D]
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[quote user="RumziGal"]
I'm with TU et al, for a number of reasons.
If one lives like many Brits live in France, in blissful ignorance of local matters, one doesn't feel nearly so bad.
[/quote]
Slightly off your thread WILL but I would like to follow up on RumziGal’s post.
If one lives like many Brits live in France, in blissful ignorance of local matters, one doesn't feel nearly so bad.
Think you’ve hit the nail on the head. Sadly, I think that lack of fluency in French probably helps to maintain this blissful ignorance in many.
I live very much in your neck of the woods in France and can’t help but be amused when I read the French Eldorado crowd. My main issue with them though is the peddling of the France is ‘cheap’ (for whom, affluent retired or semi retired foreigners?), less crime ridden etc etc lines. Hardly surprising in departments with few inhabitants but France??? (Ok, not suggesting they all have neighbours 10 km apart).
Re Property
It would be a miracle if the UK wasn’t congested or overall property prices more expensive bearing in mind that it has the same population as France but with only half the land area. Choosing to live in areas in France that are recognised as losing their population or attracting mainly retired foreigners no doubt provides an even greater sense of space and tranquillity for many. Enjoy it.
But you are right Rumzigal. For example; one can buy a house in parts of Leeds for £120-140K (a friend almost did), the UK’s 3 or 4th town but what will you get for that now in Montpellier? Not a great deal unless it’s tiny, in the back of beyond and/or a wreck and Montpellier is only about 8th in terms of size in France. Not forgetting that the region is also poor. (For those in doubt, check the www.fnaim.fr site for houses in Montpellier). Prices of houses in most of its suburbs are even worse. The local taxes are horrible too.
But no doubt for that amount in some of the deserted depts of France, you could probably pick up a beauty with land and pay next to nothing in local taxes. It’s all relative.
Montpellier is, I believe, France’s fastest growing city and of course that brings it’s own problems as congestion goes (even too much for me) but it’s a town (and its dept) with a future as it attracts the young in great numbers. One can’t say the same for certain depts in France.
For residents of many French cities, the notion that that France is a low taxation, cheap, low crime country, must be surreal. In many respects, they are just like urban UK towns with the dynamism, costs and social problems that come with them.
I know for a fact that this image of France as 'cheap' is terribly unhelpful to Brits who move here in their 20s, 30s or even 40s, unless of course they are financially secure in which case, it doesn’t matter where they move to. Let's not forget that if someone has to live on French salaries then the price of houses - and wine - is not 'cheap'.
There are loads of great reasons to live in France (the sunny south[:D]) but let’s not forget how the majority of the French try to cope just like people in the UK. I talk to all my young neighbours and their friends as well as those I meet at the MJC and trust me, if they had the courage, many would be in other countries. Those that do have work (not a great number) moan that their wages don’t allow them to rent flats and so they continue to live with their parents even in their mid to late 20s. Getting on the property ladder for them is impossible.
Sound familiar?
Coco, like you, I have found my 'bonheur' and I think we are lucky. The issue for me is the constant UK bashing by many Brits who seem to need to justify their move to France by finding fault elsewhere. When I go back to London, the madding crowd on the tube annoys me no end (has done for as long as I can remember) but then so does the traffic in Montpellier, Toulouse or Paris. When I have to pay my exhorbitant taxe fonciere or put up with endless strikes here, I'm no happier than when I had do the same in the UK. So, when well to do or 'comfortable' foreigners go on about how 'cheap' life is in FRANCE and I look around me and talk to the locals, it's a little irritating.
There is nothing wrong with criticising the UK (mindless patriotism isn't my thing) and frankly, I'm all for slagging off any incompetent system and as I live here now, the French system is naturally my target and I'm merciless. However, I disagree strongly with those who constantly depict France as some sort of cheap paradise. Let's face it, for rich Russians and the likes, the UK must appear terribly cheap too but does that make it so? Blissful ignorance?
Rumzigal, I bet you’ll miss the blue skies though [;-)]. Two weeks in Paris and I was screaming to get back south as I couldn’t deal with those endless grey skies. Supposed to go to Quimper early Feb and hoping MeteoFrance will be kind to this weather wimp[:$]
Hope you can keep the posts (positive or negative) coming in. By the way, the weather (my sad obsession) has been lovely today in our corner of Heraultland. You have to come back for Freche's endless spring and summer parties...[:)]
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Good on you both, Afy.
I wish you both the best.
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Good to have news of him.
Bonne Annee, Afy.
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You're not the only one, Meg.
Thanks RH for pointing out the truly obvious re my last posting. I'll also wish Afy well too. I thought this thread was about him and not about anyone being right or wrong [;-)]
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Sorry RH,
Our posts crossed.
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[quote user="Afy"]
I am about ready to just pack my bag and move leaving her and everything behind. As far as I go she can have the bank accounts, the mortgage, the jewellery, the dog, the cat, the car, and the country. My life really does suck...
[/quote]
Let's give Afy some credit for having a sense of discernement.
Chris was simply pointing out what he did in a similar situation, hence empathy, and when people are in these sort of situations, it's not a bad thing for others to say there is a light at the end of the tunnel and how they got there. I don't think that any of the support has been spurious as no one has claimed expertise in the matter but mere encouragement. The fact that we do not know both sides of the story does not change the fact that Afy felt the need to seek support on here.
So folks, how about simply concentrating on him and letting him be the judge?
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[quote user="Pads"]
Like you It in influenced the early adolescence years of my life along with Neil young, and Bob Dylan , with out these people I dont think I would be the woman who I am today.
. [/quote]
I also learnt many lessons from her songs with the main ones being; never to take oneself too seriously, smile in the face of adversity and never fear talking about personal issues. I think these were pretty useful things to learn as a teenager.
My bank is still cross with you though because, last night, I decided to fully update my collection of her songs on CDs, I think you can guess the rest...[:D]
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[quote user="Dick Smith"][quote user="LanguedocGal"][quote user="TempsPerdu"][quote user="Quillan"]
[/quote]
At last a moderator who could see sense. You might try and educate your fellow mods and modesses as to why this shouldn't have been allowed to continue for as long as it did in spite of complaints, which were just brushed off...
[/quote]TP, why don't you just ignore this thread and why does it bother you so much? Is there something you want to get of your chest?
Well said Twinkle and Chris.
[/quote]
No, sorry, not 'well said', simply an alternative point of view.
[/quote]Alternative view is a good thing, however, TP should perhaps explain why he feels ''this shouldn't have been allowed to continue''. That to me is not an alternative opinion on the issue at hand but a sanction on the existence of the thread altogether.
Reading the conditions of the forum, I never saw anything stating that the reading of all threads was compulsory. There are a few on here I never read and I'm not interested in so I just ignore them. Why can't TP simply do the same and leave the small support group for Afy in peace?
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[quote user="Pads"]
What a voice .................., she should of been a stand up comic as well as a singer.
My new year resalution is to find and buy all her recordings this year. As I need a treat. I shall spend a lot of time on my exercise bike balling out her tunes to the neighbours[;-)]while getting fit
[/quote]
She was a stand up comic and that was part of her attraction. We left her concert in tears of laughter. If you are going to buy her records, you have to be a bit careful to avoid duplication, as there are a number of excellent compilations available.
All the songs stand up perfectly on their own but one of the many unique things about her was her use of, what I would call the ‘’West African musical narration tradition’’. In other words, a song could consist of a number of minis songs and last probably 20/30 minutes or longer, as it is a single story. She adapted this. Therefore, songs on her albums would often be part of the same story. This is illustrated a little in the link (Millie Jackson 2/2) above where she sings several songs in relating one story. The humour is also part of this tradition. And, of course, this is purely my own take on her musical style.
Here is a good title whilst on your exercise bike. On a bad day, if you have French neighbours, you could even ball out the **** U Symphony (written Phuck U for crap political correctness) without offending anyone. It’s very therapeutic. She talks about the hypocrisy of people who bought her records in the 70s and kept them hidden. She does not mince her words[;-)]
Of course, she did not get as much airplay as she could have done due to her lyrics but nonetheless had a significant following in the UK in the 70s. I started listening to her when I was about 12/13 and it was great to have an adult singing about things that ‘really’ happened in grown up relationships/life, which parents and society at the time refused to discuss with their kids or even with each other. Her lack of hypocrisy (a title of one of her songs) was a positive inspiration to my friends and I in our very delicate early adolescence.
The problem was that a few ‘’relatively’’ explicit songs meant she was labelled as being a woman who sang about sex –no doubt reinforced on one of these clips. However, on the whole, she just spoke frankly about all aspects of ‘relationships’ in a manner that few American and British adults could cope with in the 70s and probably even today, 30 years on.
It also has to be said that her marketing later played on and poked fun at the bad/raunchy girl image. Let’s face it, in her so called ‘raunchy stuff’ she was taking the piss most of the time and it was very funny. I remember an album cover with her sitting on the loo. It was all very humorous and tongue in cheek but the dumb media and uptight adult population of the ‘If we don’t talk about it, it’s not happening’’ variety, tended to take her work on the most annoyingly simplistic level.
Having grown up with the music of Millie J, it was quite amusing to see how people later found the likes of Bette Midler and Madonna provocative and daring. These were well-behaved choirgirls in comparison.
Let’s just say, the Jackson 5, Osmonds, Bay City Rollers and others, targeted at my age group at the time, were extraordinarily bland after her.
Glad you liked it JayJay. Pity about the sound quality though. You should hear it on a proper stereo.
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Pads
A very tame Millie but a giggle. Also watch ''If you're not back in love by Monday''. The number with Elton John is as naff as hell and must have been a money making venture. The general quality of sound and filming is poor of course but I realised that the pictures on the 85 ''live and uncensored Album'' I have were all taken at this concert.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG3hHjSe_0M&mode=related&search=
Moderators, hope this is OK. I don't think a ''total'' Millie would be allowed on many sites but this is very tame, I promise.
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[quote user="Pads"]
Hope this comes out
http://www.weirdwreckuds.com/biography.html
Have a look here. Yes I know what you mean late 70s early 80s bit blurry for me too[:)]
[/quote]
Just had a read. Knew nothing about her stage career. Impressive lady. I see her latest album is entitled 'Not for Church Folk!''.
She clearly hasn't mellowed with age. Fantastic! [:D]
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[quote user="Pads"]
Ah well guess we will have to wait and see when they arrive, Lucky you seeing her live bet that was good, what year was that?
[/quote]
Early 80s, life a bit of a blur so have to say 81-3 at Hammersmith Odeon, me thinks...
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[quote user="Chris Head"]
You just have to do what is right for you, you've only got one life mate, if it's that bad then change it. It's tough to face up to stuff like this, I applaud your guts for posting it.
[/quote]
I second that and good luck.
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Pads, what a card cop out! OK, I forgive you even if my bankers won't[:D]
The one I have with the raunchy cover is by Towerbell. Release date 1985. It's the original 'Live and Uncensored' which is basically a compilation of a lot of her work of the 1970s. So, I believe that the ones we have ordered are the originals as I checked the titles and they were even in order. The Album I have also contains a little write up by Charles Clover of The Daily Telegraph so this was the British release.
The address given for Towerbell recordings Ltd is London NW6 . It contains 2 vinyls and 24 tracks.
By the way, I saw her in London once and Isaac Hayes was in the audience a few seats away from us (me poser, I know[:)]. She eventually presented him and we all, of course, went completely bonkers, not that we particularly needed any encouragement.
Amended: Charles Clover not Turner...
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[quote user="Pads"]
It sounds like you have the original versions, sadley they were banned in the UK and re-released with cleaned up words. I have just ordered the Live and Uncensored CD but I dont think it will be the original one looking at the date released...............................[:D]
[/quote]
Hi Pads
I ordered the live and uncensored (with the boring cleaned up American album cover) and ''Free and in Love'' CDs. Before doing so, I listened to the short excerpts on the site and they sound very much like the originals but you can only hear a few seconds. I hope they are as I do not want anything remixed. I bought ''Free and in Love'' because one of my all time favourite MJ song is 'There you are'' which is simply sublime.
I'm forwarding the bill to you as I'm banned from using my card due to it being ''worn out'', so I hold your original post wholly responsible for this frivolity[:D]
By the way, I bought it on Amazon.fr.
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Thanks Dick.
I suppose that the more popular version of her death (whatever the truth may be) was totally plausible in view of the times.
Ma Rainey's work I'm less familiar with as the vinyls we had when I was a child were of poor quality. I have never tried to see if there are good remastered copies of her work on CD as there must be. Though, I know from my attempts to get good quality remastered cd's of early 20th century flamenco singers that the remastering can often be of horrendously poor quality.
Despite the divergence of opinions, I love this thread but Millie J's even better[;-)]
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[quote user="Pads"]
Im looking for an album by Millie Jackson That I think was called (The above title) If not called this it was one of the songs on the album cant find it for sale in the UK as I beleive it was banned about 20 years ago. Has any one every seen a copy or know where I can find one.
Many Thanks
[/quote]
Just noticed the Millie J thread.
Thanks for the CD link.
I have the 'Live and Uncensored' (contains Never Change Lovers ...) and the 'For men Only''.
The cover of the former has her in a shiny silvery dress on stage euh - Millie J style - and the latter with her in white lycra surrounded by 3 men in euh.. Millie J style [:D]. It never occurred to me to find them on CD but i think I'll get them too. Too scared my wrinkly but precious vinyls will scratch.
Her ''F*** U Symphony'' was an importart part of my musical education. And to think the Punks thought they were subversive.....
Wouldn't dare post photos of the original album covers on this genteel forum as I think the moderators would pass out[;-)]
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[quote user="Dick Smith"]Ah, Bessie Smith. Once the highest-paid woman singer in the USA. Apparently the stories of her death aren't true.
Do you know/like the work of Ma Rainey?
[/quote]Really?
What is the the new version? I've never heard anything else besides the nasty story about the accident and the rest ..... typical of the South. Please tell.
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[quote user="Gary aka Bugbear"]
[IMG]http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p211/Bugbear2/cake-1.jpg[/IMG]
Some Good Taste then.............................................[Www]...............................[:)]
[/quote]
Super Gary! Now, that's a REAL beauty.... Much better than the two previous ones.
For those on a serious diet, I recommend Barbara Currie (no pun intended). Her ''7 Secrets of Yoga'', a few days a week, trims that body and keeps you fit which is even more important. It's good for beginners and I just do a few units avoiding the difficult ones. Easy to adapt to your level of fitness. It's available on Amazon.
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[quote user="Dick Smith"]I can't believe this thread. Has anyone got any pictures of handicapped children that some of you could rip the p**S out of?
[/quote]Dick, I'm personally mocking the obsessive body beautiful mentality of those dressed like the woman in the photo. In my backpacking in the south of France days -(an attempt to avoid tedious lectures at Aix Uni[:)]), there were many many women (of all ages) who were quite proud to display themselves topless on the beaches of the Cote D'Azur 'convinced' they were the bees knees. This is not about a disadvantaged member of society.
People can dress as they wish but do you really think that those who dress like this on beaches want to fade into the background and their bodies ignored?
Sorry, but I think the comparison to handicapped children is an insult to handicapped children. This woman is a fashion and body beautiful victim and the fact that she is more senior doesn't make it less ridiculous.
Gary, thanks for your consideration [;-)]
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[quote user="sweet 17"]
that's it then. count me out of the new, or any, regime. i think i'd rather hang on to my bits of blubber.
[/quote]
Sweet17, that's an easy cop out. Stick a copy of it (with author's consent, of course) on your fridge so you know when to stop your regime. [:D]
Gary, you really HAVEN'Tmade my day. I now have to think of something with a thousand calories to eat in order to cheer myself up.[;-)]
What is it like returning to the UK ?
in The Complete France Post Bag
Posted
Bugbear wrote
Love France or Leave it....................................
[/quote]
LG,
If you don't mind a slight correction I didn't write that phrase, I merely quoted it.
[:)]
[/quote]
I've just seen your earlier post.
Isn't there a film with James Cagney and Doris Day called ''Love me or Leave me''? Perhaps, Le Pen saw that[;-)]