Bringing out the sailor in me

Random (a)musings from today:

• New vocabulary word: Simonac ! Remember "tabernacle" (which, incidentally, they pronounce "tabernak")? Just like I typically use the softer versions in English ("shoot," "darn," etc.), "simonac" is the word I can safely use here. I knew a word like this had to exist. However, I'm already being in the habit of saying "tabernak." Oh well.
  
• I had dinner at a restaurant downtown tonight since I had to be in the area for a later event, anyway. I asked for a table for one. They gave me the table for one, but put me in front of a big mirror so I wouldn't have to eat "alone." Um...yeah, conversation was great...?
• On the metro today, I reached for the vertical metal bar you hold when you're standing, but I accidentally took a woman by the hand. Whoops. She looked at me. I laughed. She didn't. Sheesh. It's not like I tried to spoon her.
  
• My reason for having to stay downtown this evening is that my friend Johanne asked me to go to Juliette et Chocolat with her. I've been eying this place since my arrival. My friends, I have found Heaven on earth. I had a Nutella crepe (yes, finally - the crepe I've been craving!), but made a mental list of 15 other things on the menu I need to try. While I'm not as much of a chocoholic as many women are, I am seriously thinking about moving into this place. I could marry it.
• I told Johanne about a big day I have at work tomorrow. As we were leaving, she looked at me and said, "Merde!" I asked, "Is something wrong?" She responded, "No, that's what we say to wish someone good luck for a big day/important task...it's like saying 'break a leg' in English." So, wish me lots of merde for tomorrow!