In Deep Trouble

First Aid Needed Now

Paris:– Monday, 11. July 2005:– Tonight I am going way out on a limb to pass on the TV–weather news prediction of perfect July weather for the eve of Bastille Day, Wednesday, 13 July and for Bastille Day which is, logically, Thursday, 14. July.

Normally we don't have July–like weather in July. Some folks think it is odd to have it in March or May, but if you live here long enough you get to expect it in surprising months. The main problem is that we seldom have Bastille Day in March but often have snow at Easter, unless it is early like it was this year and we had fleurs instead.

Tomorrow the weather is supposed to be in training for Wednesday, so it may feature some clouds that have quite a bit of sunshine behind them. The temperature is going to be trying too, with a forecast high in the afternoon of 27 degrees.

Then on Wednesday, we have been told that it will be sunny pretty well all over France, and I guess, surrounding Europe; However it is here that it will be Bastille Day eve and not somewhere else. If you happen to see a thermometre it may run up to 28 degrees.

I do not know what the low will be as we start Thursday, but it has been forecast as a very sunny day, with a high of 30 degrees. We are not supposed to expect some funky clouds that are gathering near the Channel to get near here, but you never know. Next weekend is supposed to be cooler too – whatever it means.

From across the mighty ocean Météo Jim sends a short historical note about hurricanes, which I have clipped in an attempt to avoid evil omens. Although not inappropriate, here is Jim's capsule forecast for regular weather this week:–

On Friday the remnants of Tropical Storm Cindy visited Pommeland but not before flood alerts were issued. She left about two anglo inches – 5 euro middle meters – of rain and temperatures of 63 anglo degrees – 15 euro grad. She did not say if she was going to cross the Big Pond to visit Paris and take advantage of les soldes d'été. The projected forecast for Pommeland is hot and sunny on Sunday and Monday with temperatures around 90 anglo grad – 32 euro grad, then cooling off for the rest of the week with scattered thunderstorms and highs in the mid 80's anglo grad – about 28 euro grad. This is not taking Hurricane Dennis into account since he is the strong, spontaneous and rambunctious type that leaves the forecasters guessing about his intentions.

Café Life

This magazine has long appeared to be unsinkable despite no visible means of support. When readers or club members have asked me how this works I have always been at a loss for a plausible answer. All I knew was that it kept floating from month to month, from year to year.

In the last couple of years this has been getting more problematical because of rising prices and a high rent. Efforts to pry revenue out of the magazine have been made but the results have been minor. Other sources of revenue have been very erratic and unreliable.

Last Friday my angry landlord informed me that my bank had not transferred two months' rent. On the same day my bank send a letter demanding that I return my debit card because I am overdrawn. There are other bills to pay too, some of them important. Everything added up, the total comes to being deep in the hole.

At this moment I do not know what happens next. If I say nothing there is a good likelihood that a bailiff will turn up and cart off the computer and the camera, and that will be the end of Metropole Paris.

Instead I am mentioning it here. Through the magazine, and especially through the Café Metropole Club, we are a sort of community.

Some readers have been contributing their support through the magazine's 'pals' link. This has always been welcome and I thank those of you who have done this.

Please take a look at the support facility today and throw as much cash at it as you can stand without your kids going hungry. Consider it as a payment for a magazine subscription that doesn't expire every year. Without urgent aid it is Metropole that will expire.

Les Sapeurs –Pompiers – have a tradition of turning their firehalls into dancehalls for the Fête de la Bastille. The 'bals' will be held on the evenings of Wednesday, 13. July and Thursday, 14. July. At various locations in Paris and throughout France. These 'bals' are popular so you are advised to arrive early. Some feature live music, others have DJs. Initially held in 1937, the first 'bal' lasted until the afternoon of the next day, and everyone at it missed the Champs–Elysées parade.

Mairie of the 3rd – in addition to the firemen some city halls stage Bastille Day fêtes too, such as this one to be held on Wednesday, 13. July, from 21:30 until 02:00. At Rue Eugène Spuller, Paris 3, this is also part of the Festival Soirs d'Eté program.

Rio de Bastille – Wednesday, 13 July, is the eve of 'Bastille Day' and the star guest at big fête at the Bastille will be Gilberto Gil, Brazil's musical ambassador and current Minister of Culture. According to rports Se-or Gil has brought a crew with him and they are rehearsing with energy. It sounds like the show planned for the Bastille may be a big one.