- entry 2008/06/30

The Domesticated Ape

Well, today it finally came to a head. I was going to be taken out to meet my fellow cow-orkers. It was a worry for me as they had been described akin to undomesticated apes who would take great pleasure in mocking me for everything possible, ex-cons and psychopaths. Maybe this was a last-ditch attempt to get me (a foreigner) to give up on the idea? Well, when I met them they seemed okay. I cannot say how it would go in reality as their boss was hanging around, but you get a vibe from people and I don't think these guys would beat me senseless as soon as the chief was out of sight. I think, actually, they'd be rather offended. After all, we must remember my social worker assistant person wanted me placed here in an all-French environment to help me improve my understanding of the language and my communication skills. Hardly wise to pair me up with an ape, is it!?!

Their worry, that they hid quite well, was that I'd be all (timid voice) "can I help with the gardening?". So I was kitted out with a brushcutter. It is a heavy beast. I am not sure if I will be physically able to carry it for some eight hours a day, but I tell you what, I'll give it a damn good try. It clips into a sort of harness. Imagine a backpack without the 'sack' part. I feel that if I adjust it to fit me properly, it will be a lot better.
Anyway, I took this monster brushcutter and give some nearby grass a whole heap of attitude. Apparently many jaws dropped. I guess if anybody bothered to listen to my incomprehensible French (!) they'd know that I have to look after a few acres with a petrol strimmer and a smallish auto-tractée petrol lawnmower, and with the price of petrol being what it is I don't usually have enough petrol to get the whole lot under control all at the same time, so weeds and brambles ('ronces') are a problem for me.
In short, hell yes I know how to use a brushcutter. Can I take this baby home for the weekend?

So, if the conseil général d'Ille-et-Vilaine (our local regional council) is d'accord with this, I will begin a trial month in September, with the possibility of five further months afterwards. That's it, the Contrat d'Avenir is time-limited, to be used as a stepping stone to 'proper' employment. I would like to wish myself well. Those who know me will, of course, be wondering what'd kill me quicker - carrying the brushcutter or the 8h30 start!

Today's word...

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