The carpet saga

This still continues. We are now down to only 9 days left before returning. When I went in to complain on the Monday, Madame was on the phone to the boss so she handed the phone over to me. He assured me he would ring me back with a date for the fitting when he had access to his diary. Thursday we rang again and Madame said she would get someone to ring back. Late afternoon we went in to complain, having heard nothing and spoke again to the boss, who said he would come and see the job at 5.30. And he did!!! with two workers. They said they would do the job (which was supposed to be finished before the end of September) on Saturday Oct 1^st at the very latest. When I expressed doubt the boss said I could cut his throat if it didn't happen by then. Saturday Oct 1^st – no sign of anyone, no knife to cut the boss's throat with,the fitters shop is closed, so we go to the carpet shop to tell them that the fitters they recommend are rubbish. They ring the boss who tells us to go back and wait because they will be coming. But the carpet is still in the shop, which is about to close for the day so it's clear there's no possibility of doing the job today.

You'll have to watch this space (if you can be bothered) as the next instalment will be tomorrow when the boss has until 11 am to ring and tell us when it will be done! Why, I wonder, has my customary optimism deserted me?

UPDATE – it's Monday morning now, 10.50 and no phone call, so we're off shortly to try and retrieve our deposit cheque, as yet uncashed! Where's my kitchen knife????

I'm a star!

I had an email following up the citizens' choir which I took part in earlier this year. It invited members to go to Toulouse to record a CD destined to go on sale in time for Christmas. I feel a bit unworthy as I have not been to any events over the summer, but decide to go anyway and it's just as well. Of the 30 or so original members, only 15 turn up. The studio is a pretty professional one and for once the day proceeds without the long sessions of sitting round waiting to be called for. We're focussed and hard-working and it's interesting to see how it all works.

Because we're 15 instead of 30, the studio will double our part, so we record the same parts lots of times, they choose the best versions and make 15 voices into 30 or 45. Easy when you know how! We have a bring-your-own lunch (only 1 and a half hours!) with plenty of wine provided and get back at 6 pm.

We only recorded 2 songs (!) and the CD will cost €5. My question about who on earth is going to buy it was greeted with shock and surprise. Apparently it will be very popular. Well, I'll buy one.