Finally, Some Photos from Paris!

Here's the backstory: For weeks Doug was saying that he was going to surprise me with a trip. He didn't say where, just that he was taking me somewhere. He kept mentioning Detroit, but I didn't know what that was code for.

On April 17th I met him at Grand Central, packed with all kinds of clothes, an umbrella and good pair of walking shoes. We hopped a cab to Kennedy airport and I was asked if I had my passport on me. I did. Once at Kennedy, we pulled up to Northwest. The next flight out was, in fact, to Detroit.

I figured we were on our way to Denver, to see his family. As we were checking our bags, the frazzled desk lady, who had no idea that the trip was a surprise said, "Okay, two people to Detroit and then connecting to...Paris."

And then I did the happy dance.

Here are some pics from the trip. The whole set is here.

Doug Reading the Paper During Petit-Dejeuner


Arc de Triomphe


I Was Obsessed With the Newsstands


On the Street and Very Happy


After Two Unsuccessful Tries in 1987 and 2003, I Finally Got Into the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa


I Really Need a House Like This (Renoir Museum)


The Thinker


The Seine, Right Next to Notre Dame


This Dog Hung Around Our Favorite Cafe Everyday


Vive La France!

Sidecar, the Orange Stray

Today is not my day. First I couldn't find a decent cup of coffee while I was down in SoHo, checking out iBooks at the Apple store. I'm getting the 14 incher next week, but I wanted to make sure it was exactly what I wanted. It is. However, finding a decent cup of coffee, not to mention a croissant, was a little harder to come by. The tourists (feh) were in full force on Prince and Broadway and I couldn't get a table, or even a spot at the counter, at both Cafe Gitane and Balthazar. Since when are there no tables for nice gals on a Friday afternoon?

I just tried to upload more of my Paris photos, and my camera battery ran out. Naturally, I don't have the charger with me. Alas, you will have to wait a day to see more of them.

I did get a few in of Sidecar, the little orange stray tabby that wanders in Le Doug's yard. I think he's grand, but since he is not a Himalayan, I am not allowed to get too friendly with him.

But he's really cute.

Sniffing a branch


On Alert


What a Face


More of Sidecar here.

Inside Le Pere Lachaise!

Most people who go to Paris wouldn't think to go to a cemetary, especially one that way on the outskirts of town. But when it's the Pere Lachaise, home to the final resting places as such lumaries as Edith Piaf, Marcel Proust, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison, well, you kinda have to get on the Metro and check it out.

Edith Piaf! (...le sigh...)


Proust Can Save Your Life


Eugene Delacroix


Jim Morrison


Leaving the Pere Lachaise


Woefully Leaving Paris


More photos coming soon!

My Space is Hil-arious

Keyboard Blue Glow
Originally uploaded by ahhyeah.

Over the past few days I've been slowly tracking down random former high school classmates on My Space. Most of them have moved on to lead productive, crime-free lives, which is, for once, good news for the Norwalk Public School System.

I got in touch with one guy who seemed pleased to hear from me. He's now living in a different time zone and sent me the following message:

-- You look great, did you get your boobs done?? --

For the record, no. My humps are factory originals.

I also got this message from some random yahoo named Kevin:

-- random question: I am a bit worried about my penis size becuase I was rejected by a woman due to size. Does size matter to you as well? (please AIM me at XXX or XXXX) Thanks

No wonder educators think My Space is a threat.

Afternoon in NoLita

View down Cleveland Place 1973
Originally uploaded by erik jaeger.

Uploading my digi pics form Paris is taking longer than I thought it would, being that I was not given the CD for the software when the camera was handed over to me. But I'm sure that will all be smoothed out soon.

In the meantime, I woke up strangely refreshed today at 8:00 AM. I showered and headed down to NoLita for a manicure, among other things. I went to Decca Nails on Spring Street, which has a great window for people watching but sadly, the snottiest manicurists in town. I asked that they keep the front door open because it was no less than 90 degrees in the shop. They left it open, but once I got up to sit under the dryer, the manicurist slammed it shut. I was so mad that I had already tipped her. Then she came over to me and gave me my requisite post-manicure back rub, but I assure you it was sub-par and the gal next to me got a longer one. Whatever happened to customer service?

Nevertheless, my nails look great. And that's all that matters.

So, yeah, NoLita. My dream neighborhood. I used to live so close, back in 2002 when I shared a place on Bayard Street off the Bowery. I tried so hard to stay in the 'hood when the landlord gave our place to his son. (A two bedroom! To a 19-year-old?!?) Alas, I ended up in Gramercy which is all fine and safe, but there really is nothing like being within walking distance of Cafe Gitane and several good wine shops. And let's not forget the newsstand on Spring and Lafayette, which is open until all hours and sells foreign magazines of all stripes.

Tomorrow: Snaps from the Pere Lachaise, including the graves of Jim Morrison, Marcel Proust and Edith Piaf, my own personal Allah.

Things That Are Annoying About Coming Home From a Trip

Throw your bags in the air sign
Originally uploaded by kagey_b.

1. Racing into my house and realizing I have no toilet paper.

2. Wading through 566 useless work e-mails.

3. Enjoying a wonderful Bordeaux on a daily basis, only to come home and sip a Tangerine Slurpee on my way to work.

4. I am afraid of using up all my nice French shampoo and not being able to find it again.

5. Coffee just isn't the same here.

I'm Back.

Paris was as amazing as amazing can be, between the sight seeing, the weather and naturally, my traveling partner, Le Doug.

Thanks to the wonders of caffeine I'm not jet lagged or anything. I dropped off film today that should be back on Thursday. I also have digi pics that I need to upload later on.

In the meantime, I will mope around NYC, wishing for a decent cup of coffee and drinkable wine that one can purchase at the grocery. Why is it so hard to find a decent Bordeaux at a reasonable price? I ask you...

Bonsoir!

April in Paris!

Eiffel
Originally uploaded by *christopher*.

Yes, friends, I'm writing to you from the City of Lights, where I've been since Thursday and will be until Sunday. It was all a surprise, and I certainly didn't expect it.

I've been all over town these past few days, taking snaps and being a total culture vulture. Photos to come once I upload them onto a computer that is not connected to a hotel.

In the meantime, Vive La France! It's gorgeous and warm here!

Undisclosed Location

I'm taking off on vacation with Le Doug on Tuesday. The thing is, I don't know where I'm going, and won't know until I'm at the gate at the airport. Le Doug has planned a surprise trip of sorts, a Mystery Destination Vacation, if you will. He has given me no clues, except that I may really like Detroit this time of year.

But something tells me we're going to Zagreb.

So I'll see you all when I'm back!

Everything I Think I Need Always Comes With Batteries...

2.5.8.
Originally uploaded by powerbooktrance.

I'm not much of a gadget girl. I keep daily appointments in a paper planner and my laptop runs on Windows 98. I only get a new cell phone when they come free with a plan, which means that since 2001, I've had two.

You can imagine my surprise, then, when on Saturday my phone literally fell apart after I used while walking across 25th Street. I held it in my hand and parts just started to fall off it. I stopped into a little cingulat store and they ordered a Do Not Resucitate on the phone. I had to buy a new one.

I was bummed, but there was good news. at least my brother Andrew was giving my his old digital camera. He's a guy so, he likes new things like cameras. I could have his old point and shoot. In fact, while I was there, did I want one of his extra iPods? He has a Nano now.

I did want an iPod, but my laptop, also a hand-me-down from another generous relative, only ran Windows 98. I had to pass...for now.

So I had the camera and I just needed to get out to CT to see Doug. Once there, I had to go into a mall, of all places, on the most beautiful day of the year and plunk down $120 (?!?!) for a new cell phone. Weren't phones always free? The worst part is that it's a crappy phone. No polyphonic ringtones or anything! But they saved all my numbers so I guess The Simpsons theme song was a small price to pay.

So I finally had a phone and a semi-new digicam. On Sunday I chased an orange tabby around Doug's yard in an effort to capture him on film. Lest ye forget: Cats are hard to photograph.

Photos and more to come in a few days.

If You Want to Pick Up a Circus Freak, Try Penn Station

the circus is in town
Originally uploaded by jeanine's photos.

The circus is in town here in NYC. Madison Square Garden is right by my office, and I leave pretty late at night. (Like, 1:00 AM). Strangely, over the last few days I hadn't seen any circus folk roaming about. They definitely seemed like the types to go about rabble-rousing the Big Apple. N'est pas?

That led me to wonder: Where do circus people stay when they are in town? I didn't see any trailers or tents on Eighth Avenue. What kind of a hotel would they stay at?

This mornning I was walking by Madison Square Garden again and I saw a roadie standing outside. So I asked him, where do the performers stay when they are in town. (I didn't call them "circus folk" to his face.)

At first he looked at me as if I were some sort of sick, circus groupie. Then he told me about the train. It's a mile and half long and everyone stays on it. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone from the clowns to the acrobats to the elephants to the horses. Sadly, there are no tigers on this particular show, nor any black bears. The bears are in the Russian circuses.

So now you kow: If you want to pick up a circus freak, try Penn Station. But I guess that's true even when Ringling Brothers isn't in town.


Here's a link from the Ringling Brothers Page about the railroad's role in the success of the circus.

And no, I have no explanantion for why I'm so intrigued by all this.

Eye on the Prize

Lick
Originally uploaded by Tangelo.

As much as I hate to be one of those people who laments about how busy she is, I have become just that. Just when I thought it was smooth sailing until I left with Le Doug on vacation, I now have three very important projects to finish. One is quite lucrative (mo' money!), one will keep up my professional credibility and the other I am sure will yield many clips and help out a favorite editor. Le sigh....

And on top of it all, I'm really hungry right now.

I actually made it to yoga at noon today, which was a treat since I am usually a million other places at noon rather than at the mat. It was so gorgeous out I thought I would run, but I needed something to counter my tight muscles from yesterday's run. So I went to yoga.

Strangely, this midday class was packed, and packed with people who could do things like headstands with complete ease. Me, I just wanted to work some kinks out of my back, or maybe find some enlightenment while hanging upside down.

The thing about midday yoga is that it relaxes me too much. If Seinfeld were still on I think they could do an episode about how yoga in the middle of the day can actually make you lethargic. That post-yoga high we all try so hard to keep is actually counterproductive at times when you really need to get things done, like write or do research or return phone calls.

So basically, all I did this afternoon was read an article about sex in Redbook magazine, of all places, and read more of The Ballad of Whiskey Robber.


And I wonder why I'm getting nothing done. Damn Downward Facing Dog.

The Sun Shines the Way It Should

Weidenhoff
Originally uploaded by Lockwasher.

Today, being as lovely as it was, called me out of my basement hovel and into the great outdoors. Yes, I went on my official run of 2006. It was a short hop from 20th Street, down through the East River Park, to the Williamsburg Bridge and back. It was still a good run, a solid four miles. This is progress, considering that just months ago I thought I would never be able to run at the clip that I used to. But after a winter full of yoga, Pilates and dance class, I seem to have built up some strength. Yay for progress.

I still got work done on my projects...and then took a nap. I really need to stop with the afternoon naps.


A few links:

The Onion has a great piece about a guy who uses a quasi-fake slipped disc as an excuse to get out of almost everything.

The boyfriend of a friend of mine wrote a song for a Japanese duo. It's really cute and has a video. I totally want to be in a Japanese pop video. Le sigh...

You've been warned: Some French Freis are fattier in the U.S. than anywhere. This is why I always pack a sandwich.

Can we please stop perpetuating the myth that Katie Holmes is pregnant?
If we don't ignore them, then the Scientologists win.

John Corbett Wants to Kiss Me

Aidan Nov-2005 025
Originally uploaded by sega10028.

Seriously. Aiden Shaw, Carrie's big-hearted boyfriend on "Sex and the City" is very pleased with me. (He was also the non-Greek fiance in My Big Fact Greek Wedding.)

You know how last week I wrote that review of John Corbett's new album? I always think that no one reads them, but I guess people do. (Two weeks ago Teddy Geiger's manager also called, happily, looking for me, but I was at home with the stomach flu. Typical.)

A few minutes ago I was told by the music editor that Corbett's manager called her and wanted to know who I was, because, "John said he wants to give her a big kiss. He was very happy with the review."

Aw, shucks. It was nothing. I'm just a girl with a job.

Tuesday Check-In

Can I have my dinner please?
Originally uploaded by Cryptik.

Hello all,

Most of you know that during the month of April I'm only working three days a week. I needed a break from the daily grind and being that I had piles of vacation days, I decided to take advantage.

I'm only working Tuesday through Thursday and it seems to be working out just fine. Granted, I am working nights, but the quiet seems to be serving me well. I can sleep in, exercise, work on projects at home and then come into the news room and do whatever I need to do here. I even walk from home to work and back. I feel my blood pressure dropping everyday. In May I'll only work four days a week, with Mondays off.

Which means that sometimes this blog gets overlooked. It's not you, it's me. But I have even better news: My brother Andrew has offered to give me his old digital camera, which means more snaps on this blog for your viewing pleasure. Whoo ha.

In the meantime, I am open to discuss with anyone this past weekend's episode of The Sopranos. Two issues arose with me:

1. Carmella and Tony putting cash in the wedding envelope and keeping tabs of it in a notebook. What is this nonsense about being "stiffed" on a wedding gift? Last time I checked, a gift was a gift, a token. Since when did weddings become fund raisers? Are they not, at their core, glorified parties and, dare I say, celebrations? Who else keeps a queue of gifts given like The Sopranos?

2. Vito. How creepy was it to see him all leathered up in the gay bar? And do you think he offed himself in the cheap hotel.

Discuss.

Thursday is the New Friday

Russian Ornaments
Originally uploaded by manahanwill.

I've been a busy little beaver over in here in Writing Land. That erotica story that I had been toiling away at for weeks finally moved today. Enjoy it.

And since today is also Thursday, that means I have another column over at The Simon. It's about how it's been warm here in New York City and deep down, New Yorkers take their good weather very seriously.

As for me, working theee days a week is turning out to be a great idea. I feel so decompressed and relaxed. Yes, I napped through yoga this afternoon but sometimes you have to choose sleep over activity. I will defintely be there tomorrow.

Snow in April...and Everything's Fine

feet
Originally uploaded by little birds.

I almost didn't make it into work today. I'm not sick. Instead, I foolishly started reading the Da Vinci Code. Speak whatever ill you want of the book. Who cares if suburban housewives everywhere are reading it? (That's the same demographic made James Frey's A Million Little Pieces a best-seller.) It's a thriller and you can actually learn about mathematics and art and Paris in it, at least surfacely. I got through about 80 pages this morning and afternoon alone, mostly while waiting for the doc to see me.

Oh yeah, the doc. Like I said, even though I got to his office at 9:30 AM, I sat wrapped in an examination gown for over an hour. Lucky for me, I had the adventures of Robert Langdon to keep me company. As for my illness, the doc took some blood to make sure that I was up to snuff and put me on a bit of a diet. Not to lose weight, but to keep my insides happy. For a while I can't have any dairy, citrus, tomatoes, fried or greasy foods. Boiled eggs, chicken and Gatorade seem to be all right. I also got chided twice, by both the doc and the nurse, about drinking coffee. I tried to explain that I'm a writer. I don't smoke or do drugs. I'm in a functioning, monogamous relationship with The Greatest Man Ever Created. I have no vices, not even hummus anymore, because that's what I was eating before I started to barf on Thursday night and so now it is tainted. Aren't I allowed a little java?

Then I went home and read the Da Vinci Code until I had to walk to work.

And with that, here are some links:

A review I wrote of the new Pink album.

Eminem is divorcing his wife, Kim Mathers, again.

An astronaut came back from space after six months in the space station and asked for coffee and a salad.

Links!

zombie orange
Originally uploaded by brantastic.

I'll try to keep this blog stocked with fun things for you to read while I'm off being poked and prodded by the doc or just sitting around my house, being brilliant and writing.

In the meantime, check out my review of John Corbett's new album. Yes, the guy who played Aiden Shaw on 'Sex and the City' has an album. Seems deep down he's just a good ole country boy.

My friends Jen and Heather run Sirens, an online magazine. I'm going to have a piece in there in a few days or weeks, but here is the latest on what they've been up to.

It's Spring Again...

apr106 107
Originally uploaded by jwill9311.

I really need to stop leaving you for such long periods of time. But I swear, there is method to the madness. Over the weekend I went out to Greenwich to hang out with Le Doug. As you'll remember, it was a beautiful weekend and on Sunday we found ourselves roaming about the Greenwich beach, seeing and being seen. We even bumped into Christine.

Unfortunately, my stomach issues came roaring back on Sunday night. Now I have to go see the physician early tomorrow morning. It's probably just a bug or nerves, but still, it needs to be looked at.

April marks the beginning of an extremely light work schedule for me. Light in the sense that I don't have to be in the actual office all that much. I have a lot of projects that I need to finish, and so I decided to take some time off and just get them done. Of course, I need to stay on track and not just sit around reading magazines. I created a journal for exactly that purpose, one in which I list everything I accomplished over the course of the day, from e-mailing people back to cleaning the kitchen. Try it, it totally works and makes you appreciate everything you get done in one day. The game is to make list longer and longer everyday.

I'll have a few links in the next post. I just figured I'd say hey, and give you guys something to mull over.

Digestion Has Never Been My Strong Suit

Rose colored glasses
Originally uploaded by kelsana.

I am obsessed with digestion. For as long as I can remember, the process of getting food from one end of my body to the other has never been an easy one of me. In kindergrten and first grade I had a string of childhood ailments, from assorted flus to whooping coughs. In high school I had inexplicable stomach pains that were so bad my mom would have to leave work to pick me up in the middle of the day. In college the pain would strike up around finals time.

Two years ago I had an abdominal ultrasound to make sure I didn't need my gall bladder taken out. I was restless, couldn't sleep and really just wanted to be able to eat a meal and not wonder how I would feel in an hour. My gastoenterologist, despite his best efforts, could find nothing physically wrong with me. Thus I took up runnng and yoga and dance and avoid possible irritants, such as the 6 train during rush hour.

For the past two weeks I've started a new period of lack of digestion. Friday's bout came via a bite of a bad piece of cheesecake offered at the yoga studio. After barfing for a few hours in the middle of the night, I had to decide if I was going to go to the emergency room or try to fight off the sickness in my little bunker. I could keep nothing down, and I wondered how badly dehydrated I was. If living in sorority house taught me nothing else, it was that when you can't keep food down, you need to seek medical attention. Basically a doc will stick you with a saline solutions to get fluids into you as well as give you another IV of some medicine that stops you from throwing up. If bad cases, such as one I had in January of 2003, they will also knock you out with a sedative, just so that you can get some rest.

At 7:00 AM on Friday I staggered over to the grocery store for some Gatorade and popsicles. I could barely stand up but I figured a little sugar could help my system. It did. I downed a whole jug of Gatorade and two popsicles and finally my insides didn't feel like they were going to come out. Then I had a very strange feeling: My stomach was fine but I couldn't sleep, despite being up all night. All that sugar from the popsicles was keeping me up. It sucked, but at least I wsn't throwing up anymore.

I spent the whole day watching TV. I hit the jackpot when I stumbled across a four-hour long Showtime special of Kevin Smith answering questions at assorted colleges. Being that I could barely sit up, it was wonderful entertainment. I actuallly have a new respect for him. He openly acknowledges he's making dick and fart movies. He doesn't claim to have a style to his films or even a point. He's just making movies. That's OK by me. And Jason Mewes is quite the fox.

OK, I'm outtie. Tme to enjoy some of this nice weather.