Meeting the Stars.

OK, so none of you from the US are going to have any clue what this means. I just met Cristiano Marques Gomez Cris!!! He is a defender that plays for L'Olympic Lyonaiss football team here. I have a friend that is a producer for the Europe1 radio station and is on the Europe Sport show this year. Since Lyon won the French Championship last week they had a broadcast from my little city. She gave me a call this afternoon and told me if I wanted to come and watch the show at one of Paul Bocuse's restaurants I was welcome to. Since this knocks out 2 birds with one stone and my other option was a surprise party for a girl I do not even know, I decided to check it out. I ended up sitting in the same room with the President of the team, the just resigned Coach/Manager, Cris, Reveilliere, Claudio Cacapa, and a few others. It was a great opportunity to hear some French and have a little interaction. At the end I was offered dinner as well in one of the Infamous Paul Bocuse Restaurant's. His cuisine is a little outdated I think, but it is still excellent and he is an icon in the country.
Now, I am not a big photo/autograph with the stars kind of guy but I thought it may be a chance to incorporate a lesson with my kids and make me a God in their eyes. Not a power thing, I just want their attention for a couple of classes and this is a great way to get it.
The restaurant is very upscale in it's accroutement and it made me feel good to know I have the "Savoir Faire" to respect it. I had a plate full of Jambon Cru Serrano because I saw everyone nibbling on it when I was watching the show and it was devine, it's shaved off right in the dining room paper thin. However, we ate late and I know it was shaved a little earlier to clean the machine but I didn't complain.
Next, OK I did something I shouldn't have and got the beef. They probably think I am such an American but the truth is I have not had a good cut of beef in about 4 months since I was in Paris and I never get it here. For the record I am not an American who thinks that every time I have to prove that it's "better" in the States. I tend not to think like that as you all know, but we do have the best beef you can buy. I am sure of this and I have several "Frenchies" that think the same thing too.
To finish for dessert I had a Moulleux au Chocolat which is a fondant cake that is now popular in the US as well. Finishing with the requisite coffee. During the meal it was a Guignal Cotes Du Rhone that I prentended like I had never tasted in my life. The truth is I have had it several times in the States and it is a decent purchase to be sure. All-in-all I think I ate about 75-95 euros in food and wine and it was paid for by Europe Sport!!! You gotta love the hook-up, finally I have a hook-up here in France like all the girls.
So enjoy the photos and I have to tell you that in the words of Liquid Generation "It's Official", I cannot change my flight to June because there is no availablity, so July 7th is now the date that I am definitely coming home on. Sorry if any of you were getting your hopes up, I tried and I am pleased to be staying here for the duration and dismayed at the things I have to deal with upon my return now.

That's life and I will work it out. Gros Bisous a Tous!