Monday, 14 February 2005
The Century Mark
My one hundredth entry in my blog, later than I'd have thought. There have been plenty of holidays in the past couple of months that could've served as an anchor point, but maybe none more appropriate than today. Valentine's Day isn't exactly my favorite holiday - and I'm sure that thousands of others could agree with me.
But 2004 was the year that... I met Heather
Fitting, isn't it, that Entry Number 100 centers on her, seeing as how she made her first official appearance in my fiftieth entry. In truth, she made a passing appearance much sooner than that.
We met one year ago this month, at a masked ball thrown by a club for expats in Paris. It was a few weeks before we were actually dating, but the time since then has been full. I spent many of my high points in 2004 with Heather: two trips to the U.S., hosting Thanksgiving together for friends, silly moments, and more.
With our schedules, we ended up spending today apart - no different than any other Valentine's Day for me, in that way. But that's just today. This past weekend, my gift to her was a surprise trip to Florence, Italy.
What could've seemed frivolous, was in fact spontaneous. Exorbitant became worthwhile. Fleetingly short, the days stretched out before us.
Heather brings out the contradictions in me, and I love her for it. I spent this day without her, but I hope to spend every other one with her.
Happy Valentine's Day, my love.
Tuesday, 15 February 2005
People Suck
Well, considering how long I've lived in major metropolitan areas, I suppose it had to happen sooner or later: Tonight, I got pick-pocketed. Or rather, I almost got pick-pocketed.
It started on my way home from exercise this evening, one of a pair of guys just about jumped on my back, wrapping his arm around me. After I pushed off the drunk, the pair hung around for many meters, hassling me.
I'd had enough of it, and and told them both to shove off. The second guy came much closer like he was going to pick a fight, continually trying to trip me and demanding what his friend ever did to me. (Like any good Parisian, I had insulted the back-jumper.)
Seconds after they'd fallen back, I felt my wallet missing. So with a yell and a sprint, I was back to them. I don't know which one took my wallet, but it fell to the ground just as I got close. I gave the second guy a good smack upside the head (you don't punch unless you really want to fight) and swore a good streak.
Checked the contents, seemed to all be there (but I'm not sure about the cash), then off I was again. Both of them just stood there.
As did several bystanders, none of whom had done a thing.
Fuckers. Every one.
Wednesday, 23 February 2005
Snow!
the view from my bathroom window
This morning, cold as ever, I woke up to the sight of snow! Big whoop, you might say - especially if you hail from Minnesota, where I spent many a year before moving to Paris.
But the fluffy (or sticky) white stuff is a rare sight here. Rare enough to confound and confuse, annoy and amuse, the few times that it does come around. My inner Minnesotan found it pretty funny to see everyone slipping and sliding, in cars or on foot.
You betcha. Oui.
Did I mention it's been cold? It has been. Not noteworthy - it's "only" been hovering around freezing - except for two facts: One, the sum total of all heat in my apartment comes from two lousy little electric heaters (expensive). Right next to the windows (dumb). Which aren't insulated or double-paned (cheap). Brr. I've been taking a lot of hot showers.
out my office window, a row of cycles and scooters
Fact two, I've become a major wuss in the cold-bearing department since I moved here. I'm convinced it has much to do with how damp the chill air is. ("Cuts right to the bone," I often hear my Minnesotan-esque mouth utter.) But on days like today - the rare, truly cold ones - the cold is a dry cold, and my excuse evaporates. I realize that only having recourse to a little thing called "heat" makes cold, of any kind, bearable.
Heat which, thankfully, my radiator-festooned office has in abundance. And so I look down, admiring the snow, and the passerby struggling in it (and the slush), from within a nice, hot room - once again confident thanks to my newly regained sense of Minnesotan superiority.
Alors, y'fait plutôt froid hein ? "So, cold 'nuf for ya?"
Thursday, 24 February 2005
D'oh!
If there's one thing that technology - and my obsession love with it - has taught me, it's that you can never wait too long to buy. Something better is always right around the corner.
And conversely, whenever you do commit to buy one of these precious, precious items, it is fast eclipsed by its newer, faster, better - and cheaper - successor.
Exhibit A: It's less than two months after Heather gave me an iPod photo, at the time the top-of-the-line iPod model. Of course, today Apple updated its iPod line.
Yes of course, it was a gift. And totally unexpected. And very much appreciated. It's dead sexy.
I love the little gadget (or rather, the music it allows me to carry). Besides, the new "best" iPod photo doesn't include the dock and various cables that came with mine. Just a bigger hard drive, which - unlike the newly dropped items - is the one major bullet point that can't be upgraded.
But wait, let's continue down that path. Ladies and gentlemen (mostly the guys, because by this point I'm sure I've lost the three female audience members who accidentally started reading this), I present you with...
Exhibit A, revised: For the past couple of years, I've been intending (i.e. "waiting") to buy an IBM Thinkpad for myself. Partly because they use components that are well-supported by Linux. But mostly because they're damn sleek machines. And let's admit it, what good is a geek toy if it's not at least as dead sexy as its owner?
Hmm, wait a minute. Did I say "Thinkpad"? Why does that ring a bell? Oh, yeah. That's right. IBM sold the Thinkpad line, along with the rest of its personal computer division, back in December. Sigh. So I guess you can be too thin or too rich (or too expensive, as the case may be). And that would seem to prove that you can wait too long.
So, wait longer and win: Apple. Wait too long and lose: IBM. Does anyone else see a business opportunity for Madame Zaza the fortuneteller?