an ongoing, incomplete promise…
Happy V-day, folks.
Let’s celebrate love in ALL its forms today. And everyday!
We can love each other, our lover, our friends, our family. How about loving ourselves, too?
Beautiful moments, alone or shared.
Big bisous, friends. I consider you all my Valentines.
The past weekend saw Paris covered in snow. It may be gone now, but for a few glorious days, the city was transformed. It’s the biggest snow I can remember.
Here are a few pictures:
Continue reading ‘(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Serious Snowfall’
Last Tuesday Glen Hansard played an afternoon acoustic set in Shakespeare & Company bookshop. Hansard is perhaps best known for his part in the movie “Once,” but he’s a veteran musician (with The Frames and more recently The Swell Season).
What a privilege to be in such an intimate space listening to gorgeous, unadorned music! One voice and a guitar. That’s it.
“Lots of traveling takes a toll on the flesh,” Hansard said, “but not the soul. Voice may sound broken but it’s singing its heart out.”
His voice sure didn’t sound broken to me. Strong, emotional, and yes, full of heart. In an age of cynicism I find Hansard’s earnestness – those life and love songs he belts out at the top of his lungs – so refreshing.
(Poor quality video, but to give you an idea):
Shakespeare & Co’s upstairs library doesn’t hold many people; we packed in as we could. Hansard recounted the first time he came to play in Paris in 1993 or ’94. He heard that Serge Gainsbourg and Samuel Beckett were buried in Montparnasse cemetery near the Irish bar where they were booked. He decided to pay his respects.
Continue reading ‘Magic Moment: Glen Hansard at Shakespeare & Co’
I grew up watching old films. (See my post about my master plan to host American Movie Classics as a kid). Film noir was a favorite.
When I did my crash course of French before moving here, a large part of my self-education involved watching French films and reading the transcripts at the same time. I was simply “opening my ear” to the language; I didn’t understand a dang thing! But what a pleasurable introduction.
Somehow I missed this one: Ascenseur pour l’échafaud or “Elevator to the Gallows” in its US release. This was Louis Malle’s first film (he was only 25!).
If this trailer doesn’t make you want to watch it immediately, well…I will still love you, but be forever confused as to how in the world this does not look awesome to you.
Hear that lonely trumpet?
That is MILES DAVIS playing an original score. And get this: he IMPROVISED the music while watching the film.
Lazing around Le Square du Vert-Galant
Pont Neuf Bridge
Luxembourg Gardens
Spring. Is. Amazing.
It makes me want to dance!
Continue reading ‘Soaking up Sunshine; Stocking up on Books’
February is traditionally a tough month for me.
Not only is it one of the coldest (I woke up to snow covering the ground yesterday!), but the promise of spring still feels so far away. The sky is gray; days short. Then there’s that whole V-day thing right in the middle of it, but we shan’t talk about that.
I’ve been pretty social so far this month, but sometimes, all I feel like doing is being a hermit.
Hunkering down has its benefits, though. It’s a time of reflection, as well.
Lest it sound like I have a case of the winter blues…well, yes, true. But I’m really happy, too.
Here’s a video that asks people in the streets of Paris that very question: what makes you happy? It seems a simple question, but as you’ll see, people at first have a hard time answering.
It may sound strange, but this is part of what I’m sorting through these days. What does make me happy? What do I want to be doing? Where am I heading? What is my purpose? And what about this thing called love?
Thankfully, a whole ton of things give me joy and I get on a roll as soon as I start: the sun, a smile, finding just the right word. Friends. Family. A good book. A cup of tea. Chocolat chaud. Kindness. Seeing a friend’s face, even though we’re an ocean apart (thanks, Skype). Light seeping through the window. Surprises. This American Life.
And of course, Paris. Watch the video then share if you’d like. I’d love to hear:
what makes you happy?
The Friday before Christmas Eve – woo-hoo!
Just thought I’d share my version of holiday music. I’m no caroler, but this puts me in a certain kind of spirit.
J’ai deux amours: mon pays et Paris, the song says. “I have two loves: my country and Paris.” Ain’t that the truth.
I do sometimes feel stretched across the great Atlantic. Family and friends gathered together back in the States; I miss them from here. But I also feel like I am home. Home in Paris. Why limit love? Love is meant to be big and generous and open-hearted and deep. How great to have two loves.
Mon pays et Paris.
Merry Christmas, everyone!
As we speak, this wonderful, witty woman is making + baking a Thanksgiving feast.
Good times at my birthday
(To avoid confusion, I’m referring to the woman who is not me in the picture, of course. You know by now, yes? I don’t cook or bake. I am very thankful others do!)
Molly is my fabulous American friend who is hosting Thanksgiving dinner tonight with her French partner. I think it will mainly be French people, which is why the feast doesn’t begin until 8 PM. (Don’t they know you’re supposed to eat and drink all day?! Well, it is just a regular Thursday here, I suppose.)
No matter, this allows me more time to reflect on what I am thankful for.
Fete des Jardins, Chanzy Park
This past weekend was the 15th annual Fete des Jardins in Paris, a celebration of the gardens and green spaces of the city.
I had forgotten about the festival, so was pleasantly surprised to stumble into some festivities in my small neighborhood park.
The sun has been shining gloriously the past few days. Though the pile of projects is ever beckoning, I do what must be done when the oft-hidden sun appears: go outside and bask in it. Never know when it will be sunny in Paris again!
My friend Ericka and I went to have a quick catch-up in Chanzy park. There were a few booths set up for Fete des Jardins, but nothing spectacular. After about half an hour, though, musicians started streaming in from all sides.
Then a man who looked like he had just been lolling around enjoying the weather like the rest of us jumped up – the conductor! All of a sudden we were surrounded by an orchestra.
