After a movie last night, we went to our favorite sushi place. We were hoping for a casual, fast meal.
We arrived a bit later than usual. The place was packed. Standing room only. Mostly 20 and 30-somethings wearing casual clothes not work clothes. It was loud, almost like a party.
We declined the table offered to us right by the front door. It was next to a long table of young men who were screaming, getting up and down to talk to the other end of the table, taking sake shots.
Do we want to pay to be in this atmosphere? We went home and lit the grill.
Then it dawned on me -- it was Thursday night. We've run into this before. Thursday is the new Friday. Remember TGIF? Now it's TGIT.
Do people work four days a week instead of five or do they show up for casual Friday with a hangover? Maybe a bit of both. I think some of the aerospace companies in the area work on an every-other Friday off basis. All these people can't be unemployed or they couldn't afford the sushi and sake. I don't know what unemployment pays these days but it can't be enough for this kind of meal.
In any case, we were shut out last night. Maybe we'll try for a Friday night out, it might be dead at the sushi place.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Sheet Protectors
Sheet protectors are those plastic sheets that protect paper. Normally they have holes in one side so that they can be put into a binder.
When we were looking for an apartment in Paris, the real estate agents didn't log into a multiple listing service on their computers, they pulled out a binder, licked a finger and proceeded to turn the pages encased in sheet protectors. Each sheet protector held an apartment. At the time, it didn't seem like there was any order to these papers, as a new apartment came on the market, it was written up, printed out, put into it's own sheet protector and added to the front of the binder.
Since we haven't been in the market for an apartment for a few years, I don't know if they've upgraded the system to computer yet. In any case, there is no such thing as a multiple listing service so each agency has it's own apartments. If you're in the market to buy something, you have to either look on the internet (Se Loger) or another website to find all the products and then contact the agent directly.
I hadn't thought about sheet protectors in a long time until recently. We don't/shouldn't use as much paper with the ease of use and portability of computers these days.
We went to buy a new couch and to my surprise, the store didn't have all the models available in the store or on-line. We had to sit at a table and look through -- you guessed it-- a binder with papers in sheet protectors.
When we found the model we wanted, we referred to fabric samples to find what we wanted. Putting the two together to find the price and delivery status, the rep in the store opened yet another binder with more sheet protected pages of specs and prices. It was very laborious and took quite a long time. Several phone calls were required before the price and specs were delivered to us for approval. Why they still use paper is beyond me, especially since they don't have any kind of catalog.
When we were looking for an apartment in Paris, the real estate agents didn't log into a multiple listing service on their computers, they pulled out a binder, licked a finger and proceeded to turn the pages encased in sheet protectors. Each sheet protector held an apartment. At the time, it didn't seem like there was any order to these papers, as a new apartment came on the market, it was written up, printed out, put into it's own sheet protector and added to the front of the binder.
Since we haven't been in the market for an apartment for a few years, I don't know if they've upgraded the system to computer yet. In any case, there is no such thing as a multiple listing service so each agency has it's own apartments. If you're in the market to buy something, you have to either look on the internet (Se Loger) or another website to find all the products and then contact the agent directly.
I hadn't thought about sheet protectors in a long time until recently. We don't/shouldn't use as much paper with the ease of use and portability of computers these days.
We went to buy a new couch and to my surprise, the store didn't have all the models available in the store or on-line. We had to sit at a table and look through -- you guessed it-- a binder with papers in sheet protectors.
When we found the model we wanted, we referred to fabric samples to find what we wanted. Putting the two together to find the price and delivery status, the rep in the store opened yet another binder with more sheet protected pages of specs and prices. It was very laborious and took quite a long time. Several phone calls were required before the price and specs were delivered to us for approval. Why they still use paper is beyond me, especially since they don't have any kind of catalog.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Micro Cell Deux
The micro cell took all day to install and countless calls to AT &T's technical support.
At one time, AT & T told me that my modem wasn't fast enough to support their product which prompted a call to our internet service provider who assured me that our modem is quite fast, thank you. This is the game that companies play when they can't fix the problem, they tell you that someone else caused the problem. It's impossible to have one-stop shopping for something like this.
I finally ended up on an hour+ long call with a rep that somehow got it to work. Now I can get phone calls and texts in my house, quite an accomplishment.
The pain of losing half a day of my time wasn't worth it, though.
At one time, AT & T told me that my modem wasn't fast enough to support their product which prompted a call to our internet service provider who assured me that our modem is quite fast, thank you. This is the game that companies play when they can't fix the problem, they tell you that someone else caused the problem. It's impossible to have one-stop shopping for something like this.
I finally ended up on an hour+ long call with a rep that somehow got it to work. Now I can get phone calls and texts in my house, quite an accomplishment.
The pain of losing half a day of my time wasn't worth it, though.
Quail and Rabbit in France, Bison in the US
I had my first taste of bison meat at Christmas time. My sister ordered a bison steak and I had a bite. It was delicious.
If I think of those big, wiry-haired creatures munching grass on the plains and it's hard to imagine that they taste good. But the meat is quite tasty when prepared properly. My sister makes bison spaghetti sauce which she says is great and her family loves it.
I was in Whole Foods yesterday morning. It's one of the few places I know that carries bison so I decided to give it a try. Luckily it was early and the butcher was talkative. He walked me through the different cuts of meat, where they originate anatomically and how to cook them. I settled on ground bison meat and decided to make a meat loaf.
I didn't think too much more about it until it was time to actually prepare the bison. I opened the package and looked at it. It was very red. I later read up on bison and found out that it is redder than beef because it is leaner. The ground bison is guaranteed to be 10% fat or less.
With the normal recipe I use for turkey meatloaf (loaded with fresh veggies) I prepared the bison and popped it in the oven. We loved it and now I'm hooked. I wonder if it's available in France? I can't imagine bison grazing in Burgundy next to a vineyard but it could happen I guess.
I have my go-to lean favorites in France too. Quail and rabbit are equally delicious and healthy. Just like the bison in the US, I have to get these treats at a butcher although I've seen rabbit and quail packaged on the store shelves it makes me a little nervous to buy them this way. The first time I made quail, I didn't know that you have to ask the butcher to cut off their little heads (feathers, eyes and all). The feet, thankfully were off. So, I had to decapitate them before cooking them. It didn't sour me on the experience because they were magnificent.
Rabbit is an acquired taste in my family. We used to eat it when we were kids, I think because it was inexpensive. Terry declined several times when I offered to cook it for him. Finally we were surprised by French friends who cooked a rabbit for us. Terry thought it was chicken, luckily he didn't compliment the meal by name. It still took some work to get him to try it. I researched recipes, found the perfect one. We went to the butcher, found the perfect rabbit and had it cut up to my specifications. Terry is sold on rabbit now.
So we have our options for healthy, low-fat, high protein meat. It's hard (but not impossible) to get rabbit and quail here. Almost impossible to get it fresh (not frozen). I have no idea about bison in France, it would probably be frozen too.
Friday, January 18, 2013
The "Micro" Cell
We have horrible cell phone reception at home in the US. We have AT &T but I think that all the mobile operators have the same problem here. At the store, the sales guy told me that it isn't AT & T's fault, it's the City of Manhattan Beach that won't let more towers be built to extend cell coverage. I'm semi-skeptical, but I can't imagine having a cell tower on my roof and there is very little public property around here.
So, I got a "hot tip" a couple of days ago that I could call AT&T and get a "micro" cell which would extend coverage.
After a lot (!!!) of run-around, I finally got it today. The run-around is that they should give everyone this cell so that we can use our phones. The obvious thing is to change carriers if they don't help out. After several phone calls and an extended and weird negotiation at the store, I got the micro cell, brought it home and plugged it in. I'm waiting for it to boot up before I can call this a result. It is supposed to take 90 minutes, but I think that's just enough time for all the people I've dealt with today to finish their shift so I don't bug them again.
At the store, when I asked for AT &T to waive the cost ($199) they tried to make me buy something else that is the same cost, give me the micro cell and then I could return the other product. They actually then tried to get me to buy another product, but it just seemed too convoluted. I can't figure out why they would do this. In any case, I am expecting a credit on the next bill. I am also expecting my phone to ring a bit more often. We'll see.
The bad part of this product is that you've got to register all the phones to this cell. So, if I have a micro cell but my neighbor doesn't he can't use his phone with mine. That seems like a bother since now everyone will have one more device and if they don't, they won't have cell service.
So, I got a "hot tip" a couple of days ago that I could call AT&T and get a "micro" cell which would extend coverage.
After a lot (!!!) of run-around, I finally got it today. The run-around is that they should give everyone this cell so that we can use our phones. The obvious thing is to change carriers if they don't help out. After several phone calls and an extended and weird negotiation at the store, I got the micro cell, brought it home and plugged it in. I'm waiting for it to boot up before I can call this a result. It is supposed to take 90 minutes, but I think that's just enough time for all the people I've dealt with today to finish their shift so I don't bug them again.
At the store, when I asked for AT &T to waive the cost ($199) they tried to make me buy something else that is the same cost, give me the micro cell and then I could return the other product. They actually then tried to get me to buy another product, but it just seemed too convoluted. I can't figure out why they would do this. In any case, I am expecting a credit on the next bill. I am also expecting my phone to ring a bit more often. We'll see.
The bad part of this product is that you've got to register all the phones to this cell. So, if I have a micro cell but my neighbor doesn't he can't use his phone with mine. That seems like a bother since now everyone will have one more device and if they don't, they won't have cell service.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Other Grooming Differences
I never get my hair done in France due to a bad experience. The downside of this is that I can get pretty scraggly looking between trips across the Atlantic.
The differences in my grooming habits are deeper than this. Almost every aspect of my grooming routine is different in the US than it is in Paris.
Part of the problem with grooming in Paris is the traveling to get to and from an appointment. If it's snowing and I've just gotten a pedicure, I can't slide into my boots to make the trip home. Hypothermia aside, it would look a bit suspicious to be on the metro in flip-flops. I don't have a car.
This brings up the first of many cultural differences in the area of grooming -- nail polish is optional (and costs extra) after a pedicure. In my opinion, why would anyone want a pedicure and not get their toe nails polished. That's the cute part.
I seem to have a busier schedule in France. Mornings are reserved for exercise, a shower and maybe a trip to the grocery store. Several afternoons are blocked with on-going obligations. Then there's the myriad of exhibitions, museums and movies to see. Friends to visit. It's hard to find a second for grooming.
In the US, maybe it's because I have a car that grooming just seems easier. It's warm most of the time, so flip-flops aren't weird. No one even sees them if I'm coming home from a pedicure. No one sees my red, no makeup face on the return trip from the facialist.
And I have more time in the US. Cultural events aren't nagging me to attend before they disappear.
Another biggie: I can speak English. It is really hard to tell someone in a foreign language that my skin is sensitive, and I don't want a chemical exfoliation that will make me look years younger after the blotchy red skin goes away.
It seems to me that the only safe grooming activity in France is waxing. They don't break the skin and it can grow back. Unless it's the eyebrows, if it's a bad job, no one will notice. And, it's fairly inexpensive, compared with the US.
I've never had a massage in France, maybe I'll try it sometime. All the grooming activities also carry the fear that I will meet my neighbors either in the street or in the building when I'm coming in the door from a grooming appointment. Flip flops when it's snowing, no makeup, hair in a mess, the rumors will fly.
The differences in my grooming habits are deeper than this. Almost every aspect of my grooming routine is different in the US than it is in Paris.
Part of the problem with grooming in Paris is the traveling to get to and from an appointment. If it's snowing and I've just gotten a pedicure, I can't slide into my boots to make the trip home. Hypothermia aside, it would look a bit suspicious to be on the metro in flip-flops. I don't have a car.
This brings up the first of many cultural differences in the area of grooming -- nail polish is optional (and costs extra) after a pedicure. In my opinion, why would anyone want a pedicure and not get their toe nails polished. That's the cute part.
I seem to have a busier schedule in France. Mornings are reserved for exercise, a shower and maybe a trip to the grocery store. Several afternoons are blocked with on-going obligations. Then there's the myriad of exhibitions, museums and movies to see. Friends to visit. It's hard to find a second for grooming.
In the US, maybe it's because I have a car that grooming just seems easier. It's warm most of the time, so flip-flops aren't weird. No one even sees them if I'm coming home from a pedicure. No one sees my red, no makeup face on the return trip from the facialist.
And I have more time in the US. Cultural events aren't nagging me to attend before they disappear.
Another biggie: I can speak English. It is really hard to tell someone in a foreign language that my skin is sensitive, and I don't want a chemical exfoliation that will make me look years younger after the blotchy red skin goes away.
It seems to me that the only safe grooming activity in France is waxing. They don't break the skin and it can grow back. Unless it's the eyebrows, if it's a bad job, no one will notice. And, it's fairly inexpensive, compared with the US.
I've never had a massage in France, maybe I'll try it sometime. All the grooming activities also carry the fear that I will meet my neighbors either in the street or in the building when I'm coming in the door from a grooming appointment. Flip flops when it's snowing, no makeup, hair in a mess, the rumors will fly.
Saturday, January 12, 2013
I Didn't Realize
I didn't realize how much I needed a hair appointment until I walked out of the salon yesterday.
I had a bad (very bad) experience with a french coiffeuse in 2006. At that time, we'd been in France a long time and I needed my hair done. I'd seen a nice, large salon near our apartment. I went in to investigate, talked to the owner. We discussed what needed to be done and I set up an appointment to see her in a few days.
When I arrived at the salon, I was told that another woman would be doing my hair. I should have balked then but I accepted this change and sat down in her chair. In the US, I have a "weave". They put color (or colors) into a thin amount of hair and wrap that in foil. Then you wait until it works, they wash and style the hair.
I had asked for a weave. The original woman (owner) said OK to the weave. Maybe they don't do weaves in France. The new woman started doing what she called "balayage" which means sweeping. It is similar except they put the hair in plastic wrap instead of foil. I didn't object to this. But, it took FOR-EVER. At the two hour mark, I should have been out the door but she was still sweeping. The cutting took forever too. I ended up staggering out of the salon at about the 4-/2 hour mark. My hair looked OK, not great, not even better. But, the next day when I tried to style it I encountered a disaster. The woman didn't cut it right, didn't color it right and it didn't look good at all. I had to let it all grow out.
Ever since then, I've been getting my hair done exclusively in the US. So, sometimes I have to wait a long time between appointments.
I've been putting off getting my hair done because I've been busy. I should have gone sooner. This week, I looked in the mirror and decided that I'm overdue. I looked "witchy". Off to see Jeannie I went yesterday. I really didn't think too much about it, I just needed a bit of rejuvenation. But now that it's done, I realize that I waited far too long. Maybe I need to find a French coiffeuse that I can trust.
I had a bad (very bad) experience with a french coiffeuse in 2006. At that time, we'd been in France a long time and I needed my hair done. I'd seen a nice, large salon near our apartment. I went in to investigate, talked to the owner. We discussed what needed to be done and I set up an appointment to see her in a few days.
When I arrived at the salon, I was told that another woman would be doing my hair. I should have balked then but I accepted this change and sat down in her chair. In the US, I have a "weave". They put color (or colors) into a thin amount of hair and wrap that in foil. Then you wait until it works, they wash and style the hair.
I had asked for a weave. The original woman (owner) said OK to the weave. Maybe they don't do weaves in France. The new woman started doing what she called "balayage" which means sweeping. It is similar except they put the hair in plastic wrap instead of foil. I didn't object to this. But, it took FOR-EVER. At the two hour mark, I should have been out the door but she was still sweeping. The cutting took forever too. I ended up staggering out of the salon at about the 4-/2 hour mark. My hair looked OK, not great, not even better. But, the next day when I tried to style it I encountered a disaster. The woman didn't cut it right, didn't color it right and it didn't look good at all. I had to let it all grow out.
Ever since then, I've been getting my hair done exclusively in the US. So, sometimes I have to wait a long time between appointments.
I've been putting off getting my hair done because I've been busy. I should have gone sooner. This week, I looked in the mirror and decided that I'm overdue. I looked "witchy". Off to see Jeannie I went yesterday. I really didn't think too much about it, I just needed a bit of rejuvenation. But now that it's done, I realize that I waited far too long. Maybe I need to find a French coiffeuse that I can trust.
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