Diary of an adult runaway

Monday, March 05, 2007

I am SO outta here!

Well, it's been fun and all, Blogger, but it's time to part ways. I'm playing over here now. Please change your links!

Labels: Moving on

Posted by Gabrielle at 3/05/2007 05:15:00 PM | Permalink | 1 of y'all said... | links to this post

Thursday, March 01, 2007

For your viewing pleasure

Angels we have seen on high. Clooney reigns over rue de Passy.

At the Trocadero roundabout. No, these cars aren't moving. There were 3 lanes of parked cars there, waiting to pick up VIPs from some event at the Palais. In the middle of the street. Only in Paris.

Who's not wearing his seatbelt?

The carousel on Bld des Ternes.

One of those grand Paris buildings.

If you could get rid of the monstrosity to the left of the church and all the cars in front, you'd almost think this was a small town outside Paris. Almost.

I love this restaurant front in Montmartre.

Faites votre choix! Starbucks does Paris. But only the names have changed--it all looks and tastes the same.

Score! My Amazon order arrived today, along with a lovely gift from Jenny's trip to Rome.

And can you believe it--I uploaded the video! It's nothing thrilling, just on my way home past the Arc de Triomphe. I almost died the first time the bus launched itself into the Etoile (roundabout), not realizing it's the opposite here to Australia--traffic coming onto the etoile has right-of-way. I thought for sure we'd be killed, but everyone stopped for us, so...

Labels: Paris

Posted by Gabrielle at 3/01/2007 08:54:00 PM | Permalink | 8 of y'all said... | links to this post

Woohoo!

You know what today is? Yes, okay, March 1st, great. Today, according to weather.com, is 11 FULL HOURS OF SUNSHINE!!!!!! Except, of course, it's rainy and overcast, so... but at least we know there's the potential. Of course, some cerisiers (cherry trees) have been in blossom since late January, which is pretty but somewhat worrisome. (And here would be a good time to say "Congrats, Al Gore!")

Can I just say how much I'm hearting Rob Lowe in Brothers & Sisters? (I'm really glad he turned down the role of McDreamy, because this is a far more interesting character.) So much so that I went on a nostalgia trip, and came back with this (just for you, Keris!):

OMG! I remember swooning over this when I was 16. I think I'm going to have to go back and watch* The Outsiders and Class and Youngblood. Oh, and Square Dance.

*I think it's probably also high time that I reread S.E. Hinton's magnificent books, even though it breaks my heart to know Sodapop died. I loved that character long before Rob played him. It's also high time to read something that actually captures my imagination~none of the new releases I've tried to get into in the past few weeks have done that. And vale, Arthur Schlesinger, Jr., who wrote one of my all-time favorites, Robert Kennedy And His Times.

I read something in his obituary, that's resonating with me because I've been thinking a lot about this subject lately:

In a 2000 Los Angeles Times story, Schlesinger, then 83, said his "only regret is the amount of time I spent addressing small — though they seemed large at the time — controversies, when I should have been writing books. "I got diverted from writing by the compulsion to respond to passing circumstances. I've written hundreds of thousands of words for newspapers and magazines that I could have poured into books, and I would have been more satisfied with my life. I feel a great frustration. I should have written more books."

Thank you for what you did write, Mr. Schlesinger, and how you made history so real and personal for me. The last page of Robert Kennedy and His Times never fails to make me cry. Okay, let's be honest: sob.

The train arrived in Washington. Night had fallen. Mourners with twinkling candles followed the coffin into Arlington Cemetery. "There was," wrote a grieving Lady Bird Johnson, "a great white moon riding high in the sky." But the cemetery itself was dark and shadowed. The pallbearers, not sure where to place the coffin, walked on uncertainly in the night. Averill Harriman finally said to Stephen Smith, "Steve, do you know where you're going?" Smith said, "Well, I'm not sure." Then Smith said, "I distinctly heard a voice coming out of the coffin saying, "Damn it. If you fellows put me down, I'll show you the way."

I have some Paris photos to upload, I really do, but I keep remembering that I need to do it just as I'm walking out the door each morning. I even have a video of my daily trip around the Arc de Triomphe and as soon as I work out how to upload it, I'll post it. In the meantime, here's something that gave me a giggle this morning:

Labels: Arthur Schlesinger, global warming, Rob Lowe, Robert Kennedy and His Times, spring is on its way, The Daily Show

Posted by Gabrielle at 3/01/2007 09:20:00 AM | Permalink | 5 of y'all said... | links to this post

Sunday, February 25, 2007

Celebrity spotting in the hood

On the Montmartrobus, doing the ultra-glamorous (i.e., hauling the washing home from the laundrette) when I saw this guy walking down rue Lepic with his shopping:

His hair was longer, but I didn't doubt for a second he's the guy playing Hamri Al-Hassad on 24--his eyes are really distinctive. Then I IMDB'd him, and discovered he was the yummy prince in Syriana, not to mention some doctor on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (which I have never in my life watched, so, you know...) Kinda nice to put a name to the face, because I often see people around that I know are actors (French) but I don't know where I've seen them.

Of course, none of them are anywhere near as glamorous as the mob I dined with on Friday night. A good time was had by all. So were margaritas and cheeseburgers. Of 7 people, 6 opted for the cheeseburger. And at 25E for a really good 3-course meal, The Frog & Rosbif at Bercy Village is the place to go for value for your money. Keep an eye out for Michael Moore's Sicko. Pat and some other American expats were shouted to dinner by MM so he could film them about their experiences with the French health system compared to the US. Stuns me that 45 million people in the US are without healthcare, while I pay an average of (after rebate) 1.5E for my prescriptions and 6E for my osteopath sessions.

Speaking of, energy levels are higher, things are starting to feel better. Though the doc made me stop using anti-inflammatories (that's the French spelling--how do I spell it in English? I've forgotten!) while I started on the T3 but the leg is killing me in the morning so I'm going to be hitting her up for a script come tomorrow. Come Monday. Huh. I keep running into Jimmy Buffet songs. Friday night was (naturally) Margaritaville and Cheeseburger in Paradise. I think that officially means I'm sun-deprived, though it's been getting better the past few days. Still, we have almost a month before spring starts and anything can happen...

First tears of American Idol Season 6 for me, when Lakisha Jones performed And I Am Telling You the other night. What a huge talent this woman has, and such a humble soul. Same with Melinda Doolittle. I'm thinking the white girls should watch out, because it's Lakisha, Melinda, Stephanie, Jordin and Sabrina for me so far. After the other night's performance, the boys aren't rating much of a mention--though weirdly I was thinking it was about time someone attempted Keep The Faith, then they announced Jon Bon Jovi was going to be one of the celebrity coaches. Margaritas all 'round!!

Labels: 24, American Idol, blogger meet-up, Montmartrobus

Posted by Gabrielle at 2/25/2007 09:22:00 PM | Permalink | 3 of y'all said... | links to this post

Friday, February 23, 2007

Friday, Friday, Friday, FRIDAY!!

Hot doggity dog, do I love me some Friday in the morning! Especially on a day when I wake up with mucho sore joints but mucho energy, so things are starting to balance out. About time, because since starting T3, I've been in a bit of a brain fog, with really low energy. What the hell??? I warned my officemate yesterday that it was going to be a rough one, and I think it's the unequivocal opinion that I was un peu bitchy yesterday, giving everyone who dared ask me to do anything the stink eye. Oh well, nothing like a little foul look to set boundaries.

Anyway! Fridays are a special treat around here. I get to work about 2 1/2 hours, then I get shuttled from our chateau to our tower for French lessons (and I love this trip, because we usually go through the Bois de Boulogne, and I get to see the puppies out for day trips and the black bunnies hopping around) then an osteopath session. And tonight is a special treat because THEN I meet Antipo and we pop out to CDG to collect Ms. Mac for a night of margaritas with several other bloggers, whom I've never met. At an Irish pub. I think we're at 1 Scot, 1 Kiwi, 1 frog, 1 Aussie, 1 American, and I'm not sure of the other nationalities. Too bad my "I am the woman to blame" t-shirt hasn't turned up yet, because ever since this past summer when I introduced Antipo to margaritas, she's been obsessed. But if you've got to be obsessed over something, the world's best alcoholic drink is a good one, I say.

Speaking of frogs, Rémi (osteopath) and I were trading slang last week. Apparently, the French call the Germans les Boschs (because they're like power tools) and the English les rosbifs (roast beef). I told him that Australians call the English Poms (or whinging Poms), anyone of Italian/Greek/Lebanese descent are wogs (and they call us skips, after the TV show Skippy The Kangaroo), New Zealanders are Kiwis, Americans are septics (because septic tank rhymes with Yank) and the French, well.... "I bet you call us fucking frogs," he said, and laughed. This guy is such a find. Although, I am turning up with some printouts from a website, showing him how he can fix my hip. Let's see if he's laughing then.

And to get me through the morning, I've tuned into this excellent jukebox site that's just perfect for a 70s freak like me.

A belated THANKS!!! for all the welcome backs. And I think it's been pretty much decided that yes, the "Lucy and Carter get stabbed" (aka "Be Still My Heart," aired Feb. 17, 2000) episode is the best damn episode of any TV show EVER! And BuzzGirl, I know who you mean, but I can't remember her name. I have the girls night all downloaded, ready to watch on the weekend. I watched the boys last night, along with the first part of Spike Lee's When The Levees Broke. Heartbreaking.

I know I had something else to say, I know I did. Oh yeah, check these out:

Someone's been on eBay again! Pretty, girlie, green. I'm going to have some fun. Rosie, I truly sympathize. I'd love to see a pic of your Joshua Tree cross-stitch!

Ok, so I'm off. Have a great Friday!

P.S. I remembered! The word is that Addison's getting her own spin-off. Yay! The only Grey's Anatomy female character I can stand of late, apart from the Nazi. More than that--I really like her. Hopefully she'll take Mark with her and they'll make sweet, sweet music. :-)

Labels: American Idol, blogger meet-up, cross-stitching, ER, Friday

Posted by Gabrielle at 2/23/2007 10:08:00 AM | Permalink | 5 of y'all said... | links to this post

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Death to Meredith--please!

Kiwifruit has been discussing the state of TV, which led me to thinking about it. After months and months of bemoaning the state of French cable (what was that you said, Helen, about me not being much of a complainer?!), I worked out torrents, and there's been no looking back. Now I get to complain about TV shows in English, and so away I go.

Grey's Anatomy. I would like to kill Meredith. Luckily, I won't have to get off my ass and do it because she's doing it herself. I don't think I've seen such a pile of shite as the last 2 episodes. They get sent out to a major emergency with the bosses saying they didn't know what the problem was, just to build up tension for us the viewer? As if you'd do that. Your staff should be prepared for what they might face. There's no payoff in something like that. You want suspense? Watch the E.R. episode when Carter and Lucy are stabbed and we're waiting and waiting for someone to find them. That's suspense. Then we have Alex sloping around like an idiot, Izzy gazing pathetically at the person whose life she's supposed to be saving, and the interns have to give lists of the injured (to bit part actors who couldn't even convince themselves they were devastated)? Surely there's actually an admin person who handles that, thus freeing interns to, you know, save lives. And then Meredith gets knocked into the water and drowns for no apparent reason? Doesn't bump her head and even resurfaces and looks pathetically at the camera with the voice over saying "I'm disappearing." What the hell? Was that some existentialist reference to how she's "ordinary" because of her mother's illness? And what was the shot of her sneakers for--is that some kind of nod to Jeff Buckley? I believe we can count this as the moment GA jumped the shark. Too bad it didn't eat her. Only good thing? Seeing Denny and that cute bomb guy who got blown up last season. Oh, and Mark. Love him. I want to like this show, I so desperately do, and I love the Seattle shots, but really...

ER. Having just said watch this show for suspense done the right way, I have a question for the writers: do you seriously, seriously, seriously expect me to believe that big, strong, able-bodied sober Luka could not get away from a drunken, one-good-arm Curtis? At least 10 times over? Because that truly was pathetic. The Luka I love would call Abby--or better yet, the cops--on his cell phone and leave it on so they could hear what was happening and know where they were. The Luka I love would have taken this guy down himself. Yes, ok, so he's got a gun but he'd also been drinking and was slow off the mark. Really bad. And how come Ben suddenly disappeared?

24. I know I had a complaint about it. Can't remember. Oh, yeah! Peter MacNicol. Drives me nuts. Did the same in Ally McBeal, though his schtick worked in Numb3rs. And what is it about 24 that I go along with the things they do for suspense that I know can't happen, such as just happening to have a satellite positioned above a random intersection, a satellite so powerful that you could probably tell the time on someone's watch? I guess it's because 1. they use Apple computers for a lot of the stuff so hey, you know it's possible ;-) and 2. they actually kill their characters. No sentimentality (or nian nian, as my French prof taught me the other day) there--if it's good for the plot, they'll do it.

American Idol. Um, actually? Nothing to complain about! I continue to love, love, love this show. Love Simon and the other judges, love the spirit of the contestants, loved that guy who--to save face--yells at Randy "Don't make me come back there and kick your ass!", hate it when one bad note signals the end to all their hard work. I just love that they get up there and sing their hearts out and put themselves on the line--even some of the stinkers. So happy, though, that Antonella's best friend didn't make it through. What a preachy piece of work she was. That whole finger-raised "You know why? Because God likes good people." After she'd so blatantly lied! But hey, how come that blonde bluesy chick from Denver didn't make it through? She rocked!

Anyway, in preparation for the future hours I intend to spend in front of the iMac, I just got another pattern off eBay and I think I'll start her before the other one, just because I love the green. And then I'll have something to look at when Meredith (who will, sigh, no doubt be resuscitated) does her annoying fish mouth thing. Hey, just because I complained about it doesn't mean I'm going to stop watching! (At least until Rescue Me and Dexter and Weeds are back.)

;-)

Labels: 24, American Idol, cross-stitching, ER, Grey's Anatomy

Posted by Gabrielle at 2/21/2007 01:32:00 PM | Permalink | 11 of y'all said... | links to this post

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

Without a doubt

The most beautiful cat in the world

Labels: Pumpkin the Wondercat

Posted by Gabrielle at 2/20/2007 11:35:00 AM | Permalink | 8 of y'all said... | links to this post

Speaking your truth

So! I'm back, I'm happy, I'm balanced. How are y'all?

Thanks for the good thoughts. The last few months have been really up and down, health and emotions-wise, and now I know why. I have Hashimoto's!!! Not often do you hear of someone exhilerated to know they have an auto-immune disease, but I'm thinking "T3, T4, t-RIFFIC!" If you didn't know, Hashimoto's is a disease that attacks the thyroid and throws the T3 and T4 (hormone) balance out of whack. My doctor thinks I've probably had it for the last 3 or 4 years, with symptoms popping in and out--and some never occurring at all, which is why it was hard to pin down. Mine were joint and muscle pain (not sure yet how this corelates to the hip, if at all, but considering we've isolated the problem to the sacroiliac joint...), fatigue, forgetfulness, mild S.A.D., and an on-again/off-again/not enough to worry about (or so I thought) sore throat. If you want to read more, check this out. And if you're female, you probably should--Hashimoto's is scarily common in women and could be hereditary; my mother has it. But the good news is, it's very easily treated and there's a lot of information out there.

And of course, being an information worker, I went right to it. I lean towards natural medications if it's possible/makes sense, and so, as well as the sites telling me to cut back on coffee and chocolate intake (bummer!) I came across a site that discusses thyroid complaints and chakras. I kept running into the phrase "speak your truth." Normally, I don't have a problem with that. Well, hold on, that's not exactly true. On some things I do; others I've been known to keep secret for decades. In fact, my writing has the constant theme of what toll keeping secrets exacts on people, so I should just scratch that comment ;-)

But because of that, I was pretty much in the habit of saying what I thought--until I moved country and couldn't express myself clearly. Unbelievably frustrating! I also found myself in the situation where I thought something was going on in my absence, I just wasn't sure. But you should always listen to your gut, and last week I decided it was high time I told things the way I saw them. (Which makes it sound like it's a really, really bad thing but it's not--though out of respect to the people involved, I won't say more.)

And the weirdest thing happened. For several days, my throat had been so sore, I'd had trouble swallowing. The day I said what I was feeling, that stopped. And I stopped worrying about the situation, because what I'd needed to say was out there and no longer blocking me and once it's out there and you have no control, you start getting all zen and peaceful. At least, I do. It's as though you only have so much room inside you and once you let something go, it frees you up for the possibility of the new and exciting.

Which came in the form of this month's "O" magazine being all about being your authentic self, with lots and lots of great articles (including a feature on Molly Ivins. RIP, Molly, you always spoke your truth and made a lot of people laugh along the way). And also in the form of the old and comforting. I started to feel a real longing for something I haven't done in a while: cross-stitch. I love it, especially complicated feminine pieces. (Gives me an excuse to watch masses of TV, if I can cross-stitch at the same time ;-) ) Here's one I did a few years ago and which I really need to get out of my mother's garage:

And here's a pattern I bought off e-Bay and am going to start working on shortly:

I don't really like the background color, I might go for something lighter, but I can't wait to work with all the color on all the ribbons and bows and swirls--those little white dots you see on her skirt are beads, and I love working with beads.

Here's another eBay purchase I'm tickled pink about:

A t-shirt from Margaritaville that says "I am the woman to blame." You know, as in "Some people claim that there's a woman to blame, but I know it's my own damn fault." Works on so many levels, I'm positively gleeful.

So, I'm at times gleeful, at times calm. But best of all I'm healing and I'm free, with the knowledge that I'm responsible for letting joy into my life and letting go of situations that no longer bring me joy, while also feeling grateful for the value they brought to my life. I'm also glad for the knowledge that I'm not responsible for how others might feel and it's up to them to speak their own truth.

Leaving you with an excellent quote I found in "O":

Let the world know you as you are, not as you think you should be, because sooner or later, if you are posing, you will forget the pose, and then where are you?

~ Fanny Brice

Labels: hashimoto's disease, margaritaville, speak your truth

Posted by Gabrielle at 2/20/2007 09:09:00 AM | Permalink | 11 of y'all said... | links to this post