the house always wins!

We get to Gary Martin's apartment. Now for some of you who are not in the space mafia and haven't heard of Gary: he is one of about 25 most important people at NASA with no doubt. He was my Director of Studies in Canada and has recently moved with his 2 sons in his apartment in Strasbourg.

So we get to his apartment after classes, and he mentioned a poker game happening at the house. Soon the door buzzes downstairs and I recognise voices of staff members in the living room, whilst I am finishing dinner - I have never played a poker game: and I am generally TERRRRRRRIBLE at card games. OH NO! anyway, causing maximum embarrasment to myself is always a good way of spending friday nights - so I quickly say my prayers (nothing much, just that I dont want to appear absolutely STUPID at playing cards in front of my personal tutor!!)

...but what do I know, who so ever was listening must have had earplugs.... anyhoo, I was glad after a debt of a large amount of colourful discs that we were not playing for money!

I spent a little time talking to Gary's younger son later on - much of which involved collective mocking of Jerry Springers! (gosh, some people still watch that!) This morning, Gary and his sons leave for Paris - leaving everything they own to an etranger Indian!

I had one of those 'thought' things today - trust is really powerful: I could feel the weight on my shoulders! sometimes we live very close to people we know too well and forget how moving it is!
For those who think this is a bit too floaty : here's the view out of the window in the room I stayed at Gary's. I really hope Gary doesn't mind me putting this here!