Another First

So there have been A LOT of firsts since I arrived in Paris...

• the first taxi ride form the airport with no idea about where I was going or if we were headed in the right direction
• the first time I went to the market for food when I arrived and ended up with noodles and butter because I was too nervous to buy anything else
• the first time the metro went on strike and I thought an angry mob would actually be taking over 
• the first picnic and stroll through the Jardin du Luxembourg 
• the first night out at a Parisian bar, trying to order a drink and wondering why on earth so many people still smoke here
• the first time I actually ordered in FRENCH at the bakery down the street and didn't wait until the little place was empty so no one would hear me to do it
• the first night out at a Paris Night Club and dancing until the sun came up and not realising it
• the first time a waiter was rude to me because of my awful franglais
• the first time I actually waited in line to go UP the Eifel Tower ... totally worth it at least once...
• the first ride on the back of a scooter, weaving in and out of traffic for dear life while laughing so hard it hurt
• the first year anniversary of me living in such a magnificent city

Well I can think of about a bazillion more firsts than just those but if I keep listing this post will be about a mile long and you will wonder why exactly I decided to write about my firsts in the first place (haha, get it ... in the first place!)... So here it is the latest first in a long line of them. Friday evening after celebrating the Partner In Crime's birthday with some friends at her apartment, three of us left to take the stroll to the metro and make our way back to our own homes for bed. Well after an evening of wine, food, and debating over which musicals had the best songs to sing too (this of course took place AFTER all the wine) I hadn't exactly been paying much attention to the time - which normally wouldn't be a problem BUT when it comes to the Metro... it is sort of an important piece of info to have when planning your transfers. Anyhoooooo ... we marched to the metro got on and began our journey home, my escorts departed after a few stops and I kept moseying down the line until I reached my station transfer... walking to the quai of the line 2 at a lovely stop we call Charles deGaulle Etoile, I noticed this normally bustling stop was dead as a door nail, and that's when the announcement came up - to make a long story short, the line 2 was closed and there was no hope of me getting a metro for the rest of my journey home. To top this off as I started the walk up to the exit, I noticed that all of the gates were closed and for a brief moment I was sure I was sleeping underground. That was until a nice, friendly (insert sarcasm here) RATP officer found me, and a few other stragglers, and so graciously walked us out to the only unlocked exit. Unfortunately I still wasn't home and the 35 minute walk ahead of me at almost 3AM was not sounding appealing, so instead I parked myself at a taxi stand and waited until my ride home approached. Yes - I made it home safe and sound and I actually laughed at myself for quite some time after realising how silly it was of me to think the metro was a good idea that late at night. BUT there was one other first, I discovered- thanks to my loud and rowdy, balding with a comb over taxi driver - a country radio station in Paris. Now to most this is not a big deal but growing up as a serious county girl this truly was the icing on my Friday night cake... especially because listening to a French broadcaster announce the Zac Brown Band and Gretchen Wilson is simply hysterical...

My Lucy Moment ...

 This past Saturday I woke up, had my coffee and then got ready to go to, what I thought was going to be, a lunch of catching up with some friends. But when I arrived at the location (CaféMelac) I was very much surprised to hear lots of music, see groups of people dancing in the street and seated at tables all along the streets (which were closed off for pedestrians only) and to find I was attending not just a lunch but the "Les Vendanges du Château Charonne" (this means: Charonne Castle Wine Harvest) –  which perhaps if I had read my invitation more closely and clicked on the link it had included I would have known this… but honestly… the surprise was just what I needed!! It was a gorgeous day with lots of sunshine, perfect weather to sit, make new friends, eat, drink and be merry and let me tell you make friends, eat and drink and be merry is what we did!! The food was very traditional – and the wine went down quite easily, but then again I have never had much of a problem with food or wine…. I even serenaded the little wine stomping festival with my own rendition of Happy Birthday, on the microphone and everything, talk about being in the right place at the right time!! I have to be honest, as I am typing, I am having a very hard time deciding what the absolute highlight was of this incredible day was because honestly it was just an all-around perfect day. You tell me if you can think of a way to top a day with old friends smiling, new friends laughing and stomping on grapes that will eventually be someone’s glass of relaxation?? Seriously…I think not… 

The man in the blue glasses is Michou, the owner of a famous French drag cabaret show... Club Michou

Ps. If you are wondering why I called this post "My Lucy Moment" ... watch this...

The reason you stayed tune...

The weekend :: A beautiful (and quite honestly my favourite) part of the week, as I am sure most people would agree. I know I have said (again and again) that I had the most amazing weekend ever, but seriously they just keep topping the one before!! Although I feel like I could write pages and pages about this past weekend I will keep it to a quick review. I do call the right to have the possibility of a follow up post. Let’s start with Friday – a night in a new area of town I have never explored – The Zenith, a lovely little concert house in the 16th. Where I was given the great pleasure of seeing Ben l’Oncle Soul… anyone who knows me is aware that I have been in love with this singer since the first time I heard his music. It is an incredible mix of jazz and soul with a nice mix of English and French as well. Allowing me the opportunity to practice my French language skills (always a plus). The show was just unreal. The set up was like a big band show complete with dancers, guest appearances and a totally random crowd – making for great people watching… not only was Uncle Ben awesome but the opening act Imany was a great new discovery. Her voice is gorgeous and soulful and I highly recommend you Google or YouTube or whatever it is you do to find her music. As most of the things I do here in Paris are – it was also a learning experience. The first lesson was just a reminder about how important it is for me to improve my speaking skills – within minutes of being seated Annee had an ice cream salesman (I have no better term to describe him) going down to the floor to buy us a beer, he didn’t even ask for the money upfront – fantastic start to the evening. The most interesting part came next though., I was completely shocked that everyone stayed in his or her seats for almost the entire show. Even the people on the floor were just standing and sitting where they chose. It was crazy – especially with such good tunes blasting all around us!! Being the party package we are though Annee and I made it a point to get up and bust a move. Ensuring that we had nothing but a fantastic time. Now I said before that this concert was in an area I am not overly familiar with but the walk back to the Metro was filled with some serious characters – most of them being men trying to pick up anything that walked by. My favourite catcall/pick up line of the evening goes as follows “Mademoiselle your face is so much prettier than your boots” normally this being spoken in French would have me flattered and at my feet but after having three other randoms tell me their address to go sleep with them I just wanted OUT OF THERE. I will keep that gem of a line in my repertoire for a later date though… The rest of the weekend was simply filled with the typical spring/summer activities’ including shopping (for the two beautiful babies I am so excited to meet in a week!!!), drinks on a variety of terraces and lots of walking in the sunshine. Oh and an incredible little dinner with some very good company - which is the reason I was out past my bedtime last night... 

The longer I stay here and the more weekends that pass the deeper in love I fall with this city and the friends I have made in it : )

The Airborne Toxic Event

Anyone who knows me knows how important music is to me. Not just becuase I love to sing to really cheesy songs and dance around but because it keeps me sane. There are some songs that have special connections to certain parts of my life - good and bad. It helps me focus at work, keeps me motivated when I am cleaning my apartment (which I hate and am looking for a cleaning lady if you have any suggestions...), it makes me happy when I am missing home or having a bad day and it really just brings me to a place that nothing else can. A few weeks ago I had the fantastic opportunity to see a fantastic little band called The Airborne Toxic Event at a nice and intimate venue called,  La Flèche d'Or , in Paris SIDENOTE: I went to this show with my good buddy Fred - who also has a similar passion for music (almost daily we bust into song at the coffee machine) and he continues to enlighten me with new songs not only from this band but others as well. Since the show I have simply been addicted to their acoustic Bombastic videos that are on Youtube. This is for multiple reasons, one being we met the lead singer (and then the rest of the band) after the show in Paris and were able to actually chat for a few, so I feel a bit of a special connection to the music now. Second I am a TOTAL SUCKER for a guy playing the guitar and the words to these songs are just so well written.  Today in particular Fred passed along a few beauties that I can't stop replaying so I thought I would share my right now favorite with anyone who may stumble upon this post today...

ALL I EVER WANTED:


And a few photos from the evening of the conert - just because!!!

Jammin.

Woke up in a lovely mood today and when trying to figure out how to say it in French, a friend was instantly reminded (SIDENOTE:: and he is very often instantly reminded when someone says a word or phrase that just so happens to be in a popular song... take "hello ... is it me your looking for......" It's classic and one of the most hysterical things ever) of this little tune:

So not only was I informed how to say "Good, good mood this morning (bonne bonne humeur ce matin)" in French, but I was introduced to a little piece of French pop cultural and who doesn't love the awesome Batman shirts??!!!