Field Report

It's been 4 weeks since we moved to Paris. And I am now ready to announce that I have isolated the primary sociological difference between Americans and Parisians. You can keep your socio-econometric models and your cultural-philosophical maps ... it's all secondary. The primary difference is the disparate values we place on ventilation.

In the U.S., we ventilate just about everything to within an inch of its life. In Paris, entire spaces like elevator lobbies, restrooms, and subway cars go wanting in the whole vent+fan department. And disproportionate energy consumption be damned, on a day like today I gotta give the nod to the US of A. It was, um, really hot -- 31 C which, according to my calculations, is like 175 F.

So it was a huge relief when the rain broke this evening (blurry picture below). Viva la ventilation!

Marche de Raspail

Let's pause for a Rick Steves moment, shall we?

There are lots of street markets in Paris. So far, we've discovered two within walking distance of our apartment. On Sunday marnings, there is an organic market on Boulevard Raspail -- this is where we went this morning for some fresh fruit. In French, they refer to "organic" as "biologique" ... or "bio" for short. And in a linguistic coincidence worthy of Douglas Adams, that's pronounced like we would say "B.O."

Morning Ritual

I'm sure many of you have meaningful, maybe even spiritually enriching morning rituals. Maybe you search your sacred text of choice. Maybe you meditate ... perhaps there is yoga involved. Hell, I don't know maybe you face Hoboken and bow 3 times while chanting, "I will respect all of God's children today ... yes, all of them."

Well, I'd like to give you an insight into my morning ritual. Please to enjoy:



That's right. Every morning. I get out of the shower, walk back into the bedroom and this is how I'm greeted. Granted, Junior has only one tooth left in his head. So the potential for injury is modest. But still, it's a tough way to start the day. Especially given the fact that we just shared a bed all night. And I won't lie to you, sometimes when I wake up in the night the "positioning" is more intimate than I would choose - were I lucid. And yet, this is how he greets me. Every morning.

Today's Commute

From here:















To here:



















in 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Eurostar is a beautiful thing.

Made to Be Played

It's been 4 weeks since I trusted my Guild into the hands of the moving company. It arrived today still in tune -- Made to Be Played indeed.

Narcissism

I find that a good diagram always helps ...

A Good Day in Paris

There are, admittedly, many different ways to have a good day in Paris. But at this point in time and space for Lolly and me, these were the right ingredients:

1. Wi-Fi!!!!! Sweet, speedy, wireless broadband. Clearly a gift from God above.















2. Two lovely salads.















3. A stunning Vlaminck show at the Luxembourg Museum:



















4. A walk along the Seine:















5. Art gallery window shopping in Saint Germain de Pres