"Ruined" in the sense of "taken everything away," I guess. The speaker spent years pulling himself up from relative poverty to a position of wealth and influence, but now all that's gone and he's a wanted fugitive trying to survive on the run. Oh, and his country has been overrun by its oldest enemy and is under martial law, which he's patriotic enough to consider worse than anything that's happened to him personally.

Upon reflection, ruiner is just not working in that sentence. Gâcher doesn’t really work either. I think I might just use prendre, which in its basic meaning is “to take”, but can also imply “to take by force” (including seizing, capturing, taking over) and is used when talking about thieves, kidnappers, or even someone who “steals” your idea.

"Vous avez pris tout ce qui m’est cher, alors je ferai de mon mieux pour vous le revaloir." (You’ve taken everything that I hold dear, so I’ll do my best to pay you back / get even with you.)

As always, thanks!

I seen Beyonce at Burger King. [link]

Brett Favre is a Jet.

I haven't been following this too closely. Does everyone in Wisconsin hate him now? (Not 'cuz he left, but because he was (I think) being a dick about it?)

There's a good deal of resentment both towards Brett and towards the Packers right now. Long-time season ticket holders are threatening to give up their tickets (which is just a cruel tease as far as I'm concerned). Unfortunately, a LOT of anger is also being directed towards Aaron Rodgers - who said some unpolitic things at the beginning of this mess, but is now just trying to keep his head down and play. Personally, I'm with the Pack and Rodgers - to the point of considering going to the 49ers-Pack preseason game (I hate preseason games - they're such a tease).

I think St. Bret has squandered a good deal of good will here in Wisconsin. Fans are split (some feeling Bret was getting shafted, some feeling like he's doing all this for his ego). He's NOT bigger than the Pack. He may be a huge star but frankly, I think he's been an ass. What's the payoff? He could have retired at the top of his game with widespread adoration, broken NFL records, wads of cash and a cush gig doing ANYTHING involved in football or media. Not to mention an easy, uncontroversial entry into the Football Hall of Fame.

He's fucked that up for what? Sixteen more football games?

He could have retired at the top of his game with widespread adoration, broken NFL records, wads of cash and a cush gig doing ANYTHING involved in football or media.

This is so true! And all of his waffling about whether to unretire or stay retired was so much bs. He's got maybe another year or two in him, at most. It was like when Jordan retired from the Bulls and then showed up to play for that other team. He kept much of his star standing just because so many felt he had retired too soon, but I don't think Favre fans have that same opinion.

Personally, I'm with the Pack and Rodgers -

In this, juliana and I are as one.

This is so true! And all of his waffling about whether to unretire or stay retired was so much bs.

And it's not as if this is the first year he did this. I mean, in the last few years, it's been "Will he or won't he?" almost up until the last minute except for this year, when he finally did retire and then months later says, "Oh wait-- maybe not so much."

Yes, Rodgers was lacking a wee bit of finesse in how he stated his frustration, but good God, the poor guy-- he's been the heir apparent but not knowing when he was going to be the heir apparent. I'd be frustrated too.

He could have retired at the top of his game with widespread adoration, broken NFL records, wads of cash and a cush gig doing ANYTHING involved in football or media.

Boy, isn't he going to be surprised by the New York sports press and Jets fans in general if he gets the lead QB gig; he has no idea what he's in for. Those folks don't play nice.

He may be a huge star but frankly, I think he's been an ass. What's the payoff?

He's now playing in New York, so next year's retirement and un-retirement can get even more publicity?

More seriously, belated thanks for the birthday wishes. This is the first time I've been around this week (short version -- Hubs has been going through a crisis involving friends, and I took several days off to help him through it).

And it's not as if this is the first year he did this. I mean, in the last few years, it's been "Will he or won't he?" almost up until the last minute except for this year, when he finally did retire and then months later says, "Oh wait-- maybe not so much."

Wrod. I'm just baffled at all this. Was it this thread we were recently discussing addictive personalities/behaviors? Because seriously, this is some insane shit he's got going on.

He's now playing in New York, so next year's retirement and un-retirement can get even more publicity?

No way. Unless he makes a deal with the robot devil and wracks up 5 Superbowls in a row or something, there is no way he ever sees that kind of lionization again.