We all wound up sick to death of the French election, alter seeing the blessed pair everywhere on every TV, radio, newspaper and conversation. Is France really that important? They are the best example of how NOT to do things, the embodiment of a brake to development. Well, now there is the Belgian election. Believe me, it seems that the French was more important in Belgium. I did not hear a thing until today. And they beat the French by zillions of fun. They say Belgium is “the country of the bizarre”. It is: 3 languages, impressive contrast between Wallonia and Flanders, the salad bowl, in parts dirty, overpolluted and noisy and in parts quiet, nice and Flemish of Brussels, and all the expatriates, immigrants and opportunists. Now the elections are also strange: NEE campaign. That´s what happens when voting is not a right but an obligation.
But, wait a second and think. Is it strange or plainly obvious. Three months ago I was chatting with my sister about founding a “Beer & Blowjob” political party. It does not take a marketing genius (well, for me these two words are a misnomer) to think that.
Today I fly to Spain again, Blitz journey, return tomorrow. Reason: yet another concours of the same organisation. I already spoke about the one I did the last months; as foreseen, I passed all the exams (they were not difficult), but the fact of it being a concours-competition means I could not beat the interimaires who had some vital extra points (well I beat some of them, what does not tell anything nice of the people that are inside; it is rather unsettling that a jerk like me scored higher than people who knew what was coming…). So I am on a list somewhere. By and large, unless one scores 100% in all exams, it is impossible; even if one does, then there is an interview so that they can actually take in whomever they wish. Such is life, and I already knew the dice were loaded. However, since it seems I never learn, I applied for another competition of these guys. Somebody confirmed me that the posts are already given beforehand, but I feel I´ve got to try… Nevertheless, I must study a bit. Otherwise all the flying and the efforts will be pointless. O well, I am not even sure if I want it, when one is surrounded by idiots (and they abound in the Spanish Administration), one can easily become an idiot (well, in my case even more easily, I am already halfway there), and that is spooky, is it!
Thursday and Friday I´ve got to go to Maastricht to try and find a flat, I will go and come back the same day. Weekend in Belgium, Brussels or Bruges, just do not know yet. If I am lucky enough as to find a flat this week, I might have to focus on the moving out. Hopefully. Otherwise (the most likely outcome) I will become a real classic of Brussels - Maastricht commuting. On Monday I begin to work in Maastricht (more on this another day).
There is also the contract agent Commission concours, and although I haven´t got the foggiest idea as to how to prepare it, I Will have to study, something, anything. I am totally pessimistic here, the competence is enormous and my chances nonexistent, but I´ve got to try.
And the football translations! We have managed to secure two further numbers. It is really knackering and time-consuming, but is money, the articles are interesting, and I want to do it. Yet, truth be told, it leaves me utterly worn out.
To top it all off, the Stones are on the road again, which will mean another flight to Spain because, more expensive as it is, I want to go to the gig in San Sebastián, with friends, and I´ve already got the ticket.
Summing up, I foresee al least three Blitz flights to Spain (only one will be for pleasure) and countless trains Maastricht-Brussels-Bruges. I´ve got to move again (I´ll finish “La ville des comics”, personal goal, 3rd round here), new city in a different country, alongside its accompanying logistics: flat, banks, new people, finding my bearings and a load of related shite. I must manage with multiemployment, that is, a new job plus my freelance racket as translator. Then throw in exams for two different competitions. It might be honest to say that I am a bit scared with the mountain of things that is coming onto me. And tired of it. I do not feel like doing all the moving, not one bit. It is the way things have come. But, is it all worth it, all the efforts? In theory, things have more or less worked out nicely, and I still think as I did some months ago. Do I really? Is this progress? Or just senseless forward motion? It is not normal, that is for sure; I am an outcast about to have his 4th change of city and country within less than three years, alongside a 4th temporal job contract. One part of me really wants to do it, yet another, tinier part is asking for a bit of stability.
Okay, do not mind me, I´ve got some flair for exaggeration, always conjure up the Worst Case Scenario and besides, there is no way to know how things will develop until I get there. And the Stones are on the road again!
