belgianwaffle

Matters of Faith


Posted in: Princess

Her: Can we go to the synagogue?
Me: The cinema, sweetheart?
Her: No, Mummy, the syn-a-go-gue.
Me: Well, darling, we’re not Jewish…
Her: But, member, Mummy, the priest said that Jesus went to the synagogue.

Comments
Friar Tuck
on 05 February 2006 at 19:07
What?! Jesus attended the synagogue?! But seriously, her name is surely written in the Book of the Elect — she actually listened to a homily.

ladyjane
on 05 February 2006 at 20:44
It’s a peer pressure test – “yes, darling, but just because Jesus went to the synagogue…….”

poggle
on 06 February 2006 at 11:25
She has a point …

Linguistic Regime


Posted in: Belgium

In recent times, the question has arisen as to in what language announcements should be made on trains (that is rather cumbersomely put, but you appreciate what I’m getting at here). In French speaking Wallonia, announcements are to be made in French and in Flemish speaking Flanders announcements are to be made in Flemish. So far, so straightforward.

But what about in Brussels which is the capital and officially bilingual (though, de facto, French speaking)? Announcements should be made in both languages you might say, which just shows how little you know about the matter. You have not addressed the vexed question of which language comes first; the Belgians have. There are three main stations in Brussels. In Bruxelles-Midi announcements are to be
made in French, then Flemish. In Bruxelles-Nord announcements are to be made in Flemish, then French. This leaves Bruxelles-Central. Which language should have priority here? Worry not, a solution has been found, in odd years announcements will be made in French then Flemish and in even years announcements will be made in Flemish and then French. I swear I am not making this up.

Friar Tuck
on 04 February 2006 at 19:03
If they would just speak English, there would be no problem. The Flemish are almost there anyway.

belgianwaffle
on 05 February 2006 at 12:58
Berry, Mr. Waffle wants to know what happens in Ottowa and New Brunswick? He was born in Canada, he takes a special interest. You are funny, FT, START YOUR OWN BLOG.

a href=”http://www.20six.co.uk/Berry”>Berry
on 05 February 2006 at 13:54

I’m not too sure in New Brunswick but I’ll find out. In Ottawa, here is a quote from their official language web site “all documents published by the City or its agencies and addressed to the public appear in both official languages (instructions, regulations, municipal by-laws, etc.).That publications be made available in both official languages simultaneously or in the language of the target group (i.e., schedule of courses in French).”

Bobble
on 05 February 2006 at 23:43
Does that explain why the station staff are so unhelpful at Midi then? You really couldn’t make this up could you.

Meta-Blogging


Posted in: Reading etc.

Things here in blogland have been a bit strange recently. 20six is “migrating to a new platform”. In the interim, we have been spammed and our home page has become a little, um, odd. I have been invited to join a weblog team called “banmysite”. IÂ’’m guessing that it is not legit. And the whole “migrating to a new platform” thing has spooked lots of people. The words “blog builder” have been mentioned and the non-technical among us are, frankly, nervous. And people are abandoning their 20six blogs like rats departing a sinking ship. And the fabulous Jojo who is paid to keep us happy has left and we could never love another nanny as much.

I chose 20six to host my blog because when I started blogging I went to this site. As you will see, it gives an alphabetical list of possible hosts and the combination of my terminal laziness and the fact that 20six was first on the list made it an obvious choice. If I had known a little more, I might have gone for livejournal or blogspot or blogger but IÂ’m really glad I didn’Â’t because I have become very fond of the online community that is 20six. I suppose it would be pushing it to say that it breaks my heart to see people like pog (or poggle as she must now be known) thinking about leaving and bobble, norah and jd actually doing so, but it does make me a bit sad.

When I think of all the people I know from here being dispersed across the vastness of the internet, IÂ’m sad, bloglines or no bloglines. OK, I realise that these are people I know that I would walk past on the
street, but theyÂ’re still people I know (yes, inter alia, hjb, minks, locotes, this means you too; stop pretending you donÂ’t know me). In fact, they saved my sanity. It’Â’s hard and a bit lonely being a mother of small children abroad, I can tell you. In fact, I think I have been telling you for some time.

Anyway, the “migration” is scheduled for mid-February. Until then, I intend to stay put in my bunker and see out the last days of the old regime. I trust that when the migration is complete, I will emerge
and see that at least some of my old friends are still about. And, if my blog disappears in mid-February
(my faith in the technical people is, as you see, boundless), it will resurface elsewhere. After all, it is saving my sanity.

Comments

Angela
(Homepage)
on 03 February 2006 at 13:33
Please be sure to keep us updated on your whereabouts!
jackdalton
on 03 February 2006 at 15:12
Ah ‘waf… you soppy old womble you. I didn’t know you cared so much about all us digital denizens …;-)
Locotes
on 03 February 2006 at 15:32
I can die a happy man after that mention. Funnily enough, you probably HAVE walked past me on the street on one of your far-too-rare homecomings. I was the tall studly-looking fella in case you were wondering…ps – didn’t know you had done a runner jack. Well, best of luck with whatever you’re up to. I’m sure you’ll frustrate any new colleagues just as much as your old 20six ones.;-)
poggle
on 03 February 2006 at 16:09
Even for you, this has been a long break, Locotes – Laughably Lazy is an understatement, Mister
Friar Tuck
on 03 February 2006 at 16:28
That’s probably why I don’t have a blog. It would aggravate my separation anxiety syndrome. The pain would be too much to bear.
DruidX
on 03 February 2006 at 16:28
Angela wrote: Please be sure to keep us updated on your whereabouts!
I second that motion. Even though I don’t do my blogging on here anymore [I’m here now], I still keep tabs on everyone I ‘met’ here, and I think I’d miss 20six if it did go.

belgianwaffle
on 04 February 2006 at 10:27
Oh Pog, the romance, the drama, “the boy stood on the burning deck when all but he had fled” etc.
Thanks FP, DruidX, worry not, I will force you all to read my new blog, if need arises.
FT, that is no excuse.
JD, Locotes, having you talk to me in comments without seeing your blogs, makes me feel a bit like I’m getting communications from the spirit world, I quite like that.

dmts
on 04 February 2006 at 11:09
and here am I having had to change my name because of this 3 letter rule – no more hjb.

belgianwaffle
on 05 February 2006 at 13:16
I know, Heather, it’s all very dreadful.
Bobble
on 05 February 2006 at 23:47
I am glad I can keep help you sane my dear Waffly.
I may have moved my inanity to WordPress but I do cross post the link to 20Six so anyone barmy enough to read it can… (and my wordpress is RSS so you can subscribe to it on bloglines if you want…)
Minkleberry
on 06 February 2006 at 18:49
I am not capable of leaving anywhere yet. I can barely type!!xx
jackdalton
on 06 February 2006 at 22:19
H: you will always be HJB to us and we’ll always have Paris and all that….
Minks, the trick then is to move to the mostly familiar
(Bobbs has moved out of the mortalsphere at this point but it’s all very, very impressive. Others have gone here-ish.)
[And ‘waf, thanks for this sub-let. :-X ]
belgianwaffle
on 15 February 2006 at 12:48
Don’t like the “yet” Minks. Quite Jack. Feel free to squat as long as you like.

Principles, What Principles?


Posted in: Mr. Waffle, Princess

The Princess has been at home sick for three days.  She’s going back to school tomorrow.  Rejoice.  I’m exhausted.  You know that Mr. Waffle and I are somewhat proud that the Princess doesn’t watch any television?  After two days at home alone with my three children, I rang Mr. Waffle and asked him to stop off at the video shop on the way home and, for God’s sake, pick up something for the Princess.  Hotfoot upon pride comes Nemesis the avenger.  Yeah, she’s on her way up from the school now to taunt me.

Comments

poggleon 02 February 2006 at 14:04

Is that the little girl you met the other day? Nemesis the Avenger, I mean? 0
Sweetie(s) given

kristin(Homepage)

on 02 February 2006 at 17:20

on a recent preschool application form i was requested to note how much television the child watched per day, as well as what kind. it was with great remorse that i wrote ‘disney videos.’
we’ve got a cold here, too. i’m ready to feed her to the wolves.

Minkleberryon 02 February 2006 at 17:23

you’re better parents than us. The wiggles save my sanity for half an hour every day, and probably every 3 hours when I have to feed Seth once Jimi goes back to work!

KateEvanson 02 February 2006 at 20:44

My little one loves to watch television and I encourage it so I can drink cocktails get supper ready, etc. But only normal drama, news, films etc. I don’t want her watching any of that children’s muck. I wonder how long I can keep her ignorant of the wonderful world of teletubbies.

belgianwaffleon 04 February 2006 at 10:24

Mike, quite. Kristin, oh dear, I know PRECISELY how you feel.
Minkleberry, you are a far better parent than I will ever be, you are at home, with two children all the time and an oozing wound to boot and you only watch half an hour’s telly a day. You are my hero.
Kate, you have no oozing wound, you’re clearly just a dreadful parent.

Standards


Posted in: Princess

Princess: A freshly squeezed orange juice.
We put in our order and wait and wait.
Me: Where is that waitress with our order?
Princess: She’s coming, patience Mummy.
Waitress arrives.
Princess: See, I was right.
Me: Yes dear, how is your orange juice?
She continues sipping and turns her chubby hand from side to side in mid air (meaning medium).
Me: What’s wrong with it?
Her (sotto voce): I don’t think it’s freshly squeezed, Mummy.
I tried it, it wasn’t.

Comments
Friar Tuckon 31 January 2006 at 16:49

Well, it had to be freshly squeezed at some point in time. Did you specify that you wanted it freshly squeezed today? ���

belgianwaffleon 04 February 2006 at 10:17

Mike, you are entering into the spirit of the thing, FT you are not. And as an American, I would expect you to care about service standards. You spent too long in Rome.

Customer Service


Posted in: Belgium, Princess

It was just as well that Sunday’s outing passed off peacefully because on Saturday we had an absolutely hideous trip to a tea shop.  We all went out and bought the Princess a new anorak. We bought a ski jacket on the basis that it would be warm and maybe we might all go skiing next year (oh stop sniggering). It is pink.  After one afternoon’s wear, it was filthy. An excellent investment, clearly.

After the success of the anorak, we decided to go for tea and a bun. A dreadful mistake, we went to this place on Rue du Bailli where the food and decor are lovely and the staff are vile.  And really, that’s ok, if it’s just two adults, but two adults and three small children? It’s a disaster. Mr. Waffle (with Michael strapped to him on the sling) and the Princess
ascended the steep stairs (which I had forgotten) to the tea
room. I tried and failed to get Daniel up the steps in the
buggy.  The woman from behind the counter gave a deep sigh and marched around, I assusmed to help me, but no to bang shut the door I had left ajar. I concede that it was freezing, but I was distracted. Another staff member came and told me that the buggy was in the way. I tried despairingly to get up the steps again, but they were just too steep. Mr. Waffle came down to help me (Michael still in sling) leaving the Princess precariously sitting on a chair minding a table. The staff snorted as we, relatively briefly, blocked the staircase. We all sat down. The boys were as good as gold, as was the Princess.  The staff continued nasty, they disliked our paraphenalia. It’s hard to blame them, I suppose, but they were so rude and unpleasant, that I was more than willing to try. I ordered a milk shake and asked for a small glass so that I could pour some of it in there for the Princess. “We have no small glasses”. “Well, maybe a mug.” More snorting.  The waitress decided that she would ignore that particular bizarre request. Lovely.  I think that you will get the flavour of the unpleasant spirit that animates the establishment when I
tell you that on their blackboard, they had emblazoned in large letters “No second spoons with ice cream/deserts”. It was all a bit grim but our little Princess sat smiling, eating her ice cream and saying to her frazzled parents “We’re having a lovely time, aren’t we?”

Comments
Divaon 30 January 2006 at 22:08

Good Lord, how mean about the spoons! Little princess made me smile with her innocent comment about the lovely time, bless her heart, she obviously enjoyed it and will remember it with a smile and a warm feeling :o)

UndercoverCookieon 31 January 2006 at 10:14

maybe you’d have to ask for a second fork? Or perhaps romantic couples could just eat the ice cream off each other. There are always ways around these rules.

poggleon 31 January 2006 at 12:19

I bet The Princess was taking notes for future reference – and revenge.
And Mrs Affable – gah. Still, at least it wasn’t a drumkit, ay?

cha0ticon 31 January 2006 at 19:50

Retaliate. Penny whistle for Mrs Affables child 🙂

Daddy’sLittleDemonon 01 February 2006 at 13:39

Jesus, that’s so Belgian

belgianwaffleon 04 February 2006 at 10:21

NS, I know. Diva, you’re a big softy. UC, this relationship is doing all kinds of odd things to you. Pog, I certainly hope so. Cha0ic, she’s expecting twins in May, I’m holding my fire for when she’s at her weakest. DLD, to be fair, this has not been my experience elsewhere.

Divaon 05 February 2006 at 17:06

If she’s anything like I was at her age, little memories like that will still make her smile when she’s a big ol’ hard backed woman of 36 ;o) And yes, I know, I AM a big old softy! LOL!

Bobbleon 05 February 2006 at 23:54

It’s the law, you must get second spoons. Staff like that must be made to a summer at Camp America, oh yes.