This always makes me happy
Sunday, December 30, 2007
Celebrating On New York Time - Happy New Year?
I've heard this twice in two days, so it much be a trend. I'm amazed at how many things like this pass me by when I'm in France. New books, fun girl things. I have to try harder to stay current!
People are having New Year's parties this year and celebrating the New Year on New York time. So, in California, that's 9 PM. In Houston, where my sister will celebrate, it's a little better at 11 PM. In Hawaii, they're still at the beach.
I'm torn. Is this good?
I personally don't/can't stay up until midnight. I didn't even stay up to see 2000 in. Usually I can hear enough noise in the street that I know it's midnight. So, tomorrow night, when I'm watching the news or reading my book, I'll hear all the celebrating at 9 and it will be completely quiet at midnight unless there's some other person out there who didn't hear about the newest trend.
People are having New Year's parties this year and celebrating the New Year on New York time. So, in California, that's 9 PM. In Houston, where my sister will celebrate, it's a little better at 11 PM. In Hawaii, they're still at the beach.
I'm torn. Is this good?
I personally don't/can't stay up until midnight. I didn't even stay up to see 2000 in. Usually I can hear enough noise in the street that I know it's midnight. So, tomorrow night, when I'm watching the news or reading my book, I'll hear all the celebrating at 9 and it will be completely quiet at midnight unless there's some other person out there who didn't hear about the newest trend.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
At The Cluny
This is me at the Cluny museum, one of my favorites. This picture was taken a few years ago. I can tell because I'm carrying the ever-present California water bottle over my shoulder. I've given this up now, both in the US and in France.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Perfect Black Patent Leather Shoes
The perfect black patent leather shoes are in Paris and I'm in LA.
They are the only ones I can wear with "those" black pants.
Now, I remember that I left them in Paris, hoping to keep my luggage to a reasonable weight (Terry can thank me later). Shoes and books are the most weighty items that always get "put back" when the bag becomes unmanageable.
So, I can picture the perfect black shoes sitting in my closet in Paris, waiting for me to return to them. A lot of good that does me...
They are the only ones I can wear with "those" black pants.
Now, I remember that I left them in Paris, hoping to keep my luggage to a reasonable weight (Terry can thank me later). Shoes and books are the most weighty items that always get "put back" when the bag becomes unmanageable.
So, I can picture the perfect black shoes sitting in my closet in Paris, waiting for me to return to them. A lot of good that does me...
Saturday, December 22, 2007
The Shorties
These are "the shorties," Ralph and Chloe.
Chloe is "la zen chienne" calm, willing to obey, happy.
Ralph, on the other hand, is a small atomic bomb -- running, jumping, barking, whining and checking on everyone and everything.
Can you tell who is who?
Here they are when they were still tame.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
The Joke's On Me
We were in the process of signing up for membership at the Tennis Club du 16eme. The head pro, Yann, was describing the various benefits and rules of the club, including how to reserve a court, the tennis pros, etc.
He then mentioned that everyone gets one “jocaire” per week. I understood from his description that this means a “wild card." You get to reserve a court one time per week by phone using your “jocaire." He keeps using the word “jocaire” and smiling at me after he says it. I smile back, but I have no idea what this word actually means. I write it down just as it pronounced, "JOCAIRE." Then, I wait until the meeting is winding down.
When I finally get my chance, I ask Yann to spell “jocaire” so I can look it up in the dictionary when I get home. Like a well-choreographed dance, everyone in the room swivels their heads in unison toward me as Yann gently explains (this is all in French, of course), “This is an English word." Someone spells it for me in English – Joker. So, the joke’s on me (once again).
Me-A-Me
I heard people talking about a fabulous place, Me-A-Me. It sounded like a new boutique and I was interested. Listening closer, I couldn’t tell where this great new store was located, so I ask. Alors, it’s in la Floride! Florida! Hmmm! This still doesn’t hit me for a moment, but then it becomes all too clear -- Me-A-Me is the French pronunciation of Miami.
I Only Take Credit Cards and Checks
Standing in a long line at Monoprix, part of my life in Paris.
When I finally get to the cashier, she says to me, "je prends que CB et cheques," roughly translated, this means, “I only take credit cards and checks." Panicked that I will have to get in the back of another long line, I say “what” about 5 times to her. She answers with the same phrase each time.
Finally, the woman behind me explains that the cashier cannot take cash. Why the cashier couldn't say "I can't take cash" is just another french mystery that I'll probably never be able to solve.
He then mentioned that everyone gets one “jocaire” per week. I understood from his description that this means a “wild card." You get to reserve a court one time per week by phone using your “jocaire." He keeps using the word “jocaire” and smiling at me after he says it. I smile back, but I have no idea what this word actually means. I write it down just as it pronounced, "JOCAIRE." Then, I wait until the meeting is winding down.
When I finally get my chance, I ask Yann to spell “jocaire” so I can look it up in the dictionary when I get home. Like a well-choreographed dance, everyone in the room swivels their heads in unison toward me as Yann gently explains (this is all in French, of course), “This is an English word." Someone spells it for me in English – Joker. So, the joke’s on me (once again).
Me-A-Me
I heard people talking about a fabulous place, Me-A-Me. It sounded like a new boutique and I was interested. Listening closer, I couldn’t tell where this great new store was located, so I ask. Alors, it’s in la Floride! Florida! Hmmm! This still doesn’t hit me for a moment, but then it becomes all too clear -- Me-A-Me is the French pronunciation of Miami.
I Only Take Credit Cards and Checks
Standing in a long line at Monoprix, part of my life in Paris.
When I finally get to the cashier, she says to me, "je prends que CB et cheques," roughly translated, this means, “I only take credit cards and checks." Panicked that I will have to get in the back of another long line, I say “what” about 5 times to her. She answers with the same phrase each time.
Finally, the woman behind me explains that the cashier cannot take cash. Why the cashier couldn't say "I can't take cash" is just another french mystery that I'll probably never be able to solve.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Odile's Crepes
Odile makes the best crepes.
They are light, a little sweet, a little salty nicely browned. She has given them to us twice, quite a treat. They are always in a neat tin with a drawing on the lid.
I have the recipe, but I think there is some kind of "Odile magic" that I won't be able to replicate, the secret something that makes them perfect.
They are light, a little sweet, a little salty nicely browned. She has given them to us twice, quite a treat. They are always in a neat tin with a drawing on the lid.
I have the recipe, but I think there is some kind of "Odile magic" that I won't be able to replicate, the secret something that makes them perfect.
So, it's taken me all day
Just to figure out how to get a picture into this page. I still can't figure out how to get it into the header. Maybe tomorrow.
This is a picture of me at the Luxembourg Gardens in early November. All the leaves were turning color. Yellow, orange, red, brown. There were huge piles of them all over. Crews of gardeners were trimming all the chestnut trees, replanting the winter flowers and blowing the leaves around. It was beautiful. I think fall is the most beautiful time of year in Paris. It's dramatic, a bit sad, dark most of the time.
This is a picture of me at the Luxembourg Gardens in early November. All the leaves were turning color. Yellow, orange, red, brown. There were huge piles of them all over. Crews of gardeners were trimming all the chestnut trees, replanting the winter flowers and blowing the leaves around. It was beautiful. I think fall is the most beautiful time of year in Paris. It's dramatic, a bit sad, dark most of the time.
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