French-American Center Newsletter
Locked in a Mobile Cell
By Brad Jeffrey
As you read this there are mobile phones going off in Yoga classes all over the world. That's right the revolution will not be televised, it's going to come across your mini screen as a text message... « rise up and smash your cell phones b4 they eat our children ». Some, the weak, will not be capable. They will have to be stamped under by the march of progress and we will have to ply the still ringing object from their cold dead hands. It's unfortunate that there will be casualties but trust me we are better off without them, they would be incapable of functioning in a cell free world.
In view of the dissolving social etiquette it's time for drastic measures. How many times have I been in a classroom where somebody has answered their mobile call or sat at a dinner table while people text each other? Does it not strike anyone else as insane when they see couples walking side by side or people sitting together at a café having separate conversations on their phones? One has to ask why did they bother leaving their house? A day will come when it will be perfectly normal for two friends to be talking to each other on their mobiles and see each other in the street but continue their conversation on the phone and go their separate directions without so much as a wave to acknowledge the other's actual physical presence.
People tend to think that I am some kind of a luddite because I don't have a mobile but as the only people who are actually keenly interested in me getting one are the sort for whom restraining orders were invented I cannot say that I am motivated to change. For a brief period I actually had only a cell phone and no land line. An old acquaintance told me that this state of technological nomadicy meant three things about a man 1. loves to travell 2. is rarely at home 3. has commitment issues. Of course that was in Canada where it is still unusual for a person to favour a celly over a land line because local calls are always free on land lines in North America. Anglophones outside of North America tend to say « mobile » which gives the false impression of freedom whereas, in this case, I perfer the North American « cell » which more aptly reflects the confinement in a world where it is impossible to completely escape anybody for a long period of time without being rude and never answering or blocking their calls.
If you have already had to stop in the middle of reading this article to respond to the ring resembling the latest pop creation from star acadamy or if your attention was divided by the urgent need to send text messages with mood icons- stop --- seek help, you are no longer in control.
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Calendrier d'animations et manifestations Printemps/été 2008
- Réunion d'information - Camp America
Mercredi 5 mars 2008 à 19h00 au FAC
Venez vous renseigner et rencontrer des gens qui sont partis l'été dernier - Murder Mystery
Jeudi 6 mars 20h
A fun evening of investigation as you try to figure out who committed the crime, or maybe it was you ... - St Patrick's Day
Lundi 17 mars 20h
Traditional Irish celebrations - Kids Easter workshop
Mercredi 26 mars 17h15
Easter fun and games for children with easter egg hunts. 
Rencontre
Jeudi 27 mars à la Médiathèque Emile Zola à 18h30
Nous vous invitons en partnariat avec Suaramps à une rencontre qui célèbrera les 25 ans de la
collection de romans
policiers "Grands détectives" et qui va nous permettre de recevoir à Montpellier 2 écrivains anglais et une française
- ANNE PERRY (anglaise, internationalement connue)
- GYLES BRANDRETH (anglais, dont le premier roman sera traduit en français)
- VIVIANE MOORE (française)
- Easter Pot Luck Dinner
Jeudi 3 avril 20h
Celebrate Easter with the French American Center. Please call to reserve and tell us what you are bringing. Emmener vos spécialités pour un repas partagé - Liar Liar 19h
Mercredi 30 avril
How good a liar are you? Find out with this fun American game. - Réunion d'information pour Au Pair in America
Mecredi 7 mai 2008 à 18h30
Venez vous renseigner sur le programme et ecouter les témoignages. - English Quiz Night
Mardi 13 Mai au Vert Anglais à 19h
rendez vous au FAC pour l'apéro et pour constituer les équipes. - Camp America Orientation
Samedi 17 Mai 14h
Hotel Mercure Centre à Montpellier
218 rue bastion Ventadour 34000 MONTPELLIER - Snooker Night
Jeudi 29 Mai à 19h au FAC
Manifestation sur les règles et l'histoire du jeu et apéro au Centre suivi par soirée Snooker. Pick your partner and off out for snooker night. - 'V- for Vendetta' Soirée Cinéma
Jeudi 12 Juin 20h au FAC
Avec Talk, film and discussion, all in English of course! - "Show and Tell"
Vendredi 27 Juin à 19h au FAC
Présenter votre boisson et plat typique préféré en Anglais (or in French if you are an anglophone) and we will enjoy tasting. Contribute your regional speciality and prepare to taste the best of Ireland, Australia,Canada,England and America! Please call to confirm what you are bringing. - Kid's School End of Term Play and Disco
Mercredi 2 Juillet à 17h15
Venez admirer le travail de vos petits en anglais. - Happy America Day
Vendredi 4 Juillet 19h au FAC
Manifestation sur l'histoire americain et apéro suivi d'un repas typique au restaurant. (Reservation obligatoire). - Beach Olympics
Vendredi 22 Aout rendez vous à 19h au FAC
Fun for all the family with lots of games, all ages welcome! - Animation Archives
