Sep 21, 2008
"Second floor: Watches, handbags, Karl Lagerfeld..."
Tom's staying with us...again. (Just kidding, mate!)
He had an interesting run-in with celebrity last Friday: Shopping for something in Collette's he turned to see Karl Lagerfeld standing beside him, in all his high-cuffed, black sun-sunglassed, make-upped, zombie-appearing glory (or gory, perhaps? Ha). Considering the status of Herr Lagerfeld, I was mightily impressed...but I'm not sure Parisians feel the same way. There are SO MANY celebrities here, and the celebrity culture is such that they're treated with almost-anonymity, that to realise you're standing next to a cultural icon is really not that much of a big deal. I mean, sure, they might ask for a photo but the mobbing we've seen of even B-list celebrities in Australia just doesn't seem to happen here. It's bizarre. Personally, I might've wet myself (with joy, not fear - despite the undead-resemblance) at being stood next to a fashion guru. At the least, I would've started a small, in-store riot to ensure Karl knew we loved him. It's the sensible thing to do, people! Ah well. The joy of living in a new culture.
Before I go, just a quick update on the job front: My contract is being delayed while we search for a portage company. MBA only want to employ me as a freelancer, but while I love the title ("James Whisker: Freelancer"!!!) it means that, to satisfy my working visa requirements, I need to be employed part- or full-time by an intermediary. It'll suck half my pay away but at least it'll be legal. I'm hoping next week will see some dotted-line action. Oh yeah.
And finally, this weekend has seen BEAUTIFUL weather in Paris. Cool, clear, sunny - perfect for a picnic...which is what we're doing later today. Nice.
He had an interesting run-in with celebrity last Friday: Shopping for something in Collette's he turned to see Karl Lagerfeld standing beside him, in all his high-cuffed, black sun-sunglassed, make-upped, zombie-appearing glory (or gory, perhaps? Ha). Considering the status of Herr Lagerfeld, I was mightily impressed...but I'm not sure Parisians feel the same way. There are SO MANY celebrities here, and the celebrity culture is such that they're treated with almost-anonymity, that to realise you're standing next to a cultural icon is really not that much of a big deal. I mean, sure, they might ask for a photo but the mobbing we've seen of even B-list celebrities in Australia just doesn't seem to happen here. It's bizarre. Personally, I might've wet myself (with joy, not fear - despite the undead-resemblance) at being stood next to a fashion guru. At the least, I would've started a small, in-store riot to ensure Karl knew we loved him. It's the sensible thing to do, people! Ah well. The joy of living in a new culture.
Before I go, just a quick update on the job front: My contract is being delayed while we search for a portage company. MBA only want to employ me as a freelancer, but while I love the title ("James Whisker: Freelancer"!!!) it means that, to satisfy my working visa requirements, I need to be employed part- or full-time by an intermediary. It'll suck half my pay away but at least it'll be legal. I'm hoping next week will see some dotted-line action. Oh yeah.
And finally, this weekend has seen BEAUTIFUL weather in Paris. Cool, clear, sunny - perfect for a picnic...which is what we're doing later today. Nice.
Sep 14, 2008
Big news!
I got the job!
I haven't signed on the dotted line yet so I'm still afraid of jinxing the whole thing but it's looking good for the moment and I'll now be working as a coach for the MBA Center in Paris, assisting people with their applications to and interview prep for MBA colleges in Europe.
I promise, more details when it's all signed, sealed and delivered. Until then, though - yay!
I haven't signed on the dotted line yet so I'm still afraid of jinxing the whole thing but it's looking good for the moment and I'll now be working as a coach for the MBA Center in Paris, assisting people with their applications to and interview prep for MBA colleges in Europe.
I promise, more details when it's all signed, sealed and delivered. Until then, though - yay!
Sep 10, 2008
Satisfying all criteria
Today's post is two-fold: One, to link to a fantastic video of Stevie Wonder on Sesame Street doing 'Superstition', with a particular note for the wild child at 4.10, and the wonderful restart after the first end (which, for me, changed the song to something more serious, more driving and insistent than just something to nod your head to), and to say that I think I might have found a job. I had an interview yesterday and have another one on Friday night (5-7pm - I know, go figure). I'll let you know on the weekend how it goes but this could be the break I've been looking for for four months. Fingers crossed!
And what do these things have to with the post's title, I hear you ask? Well, the first combines the Muppets with incredible music (an unbeatable duo) and the second combines work with money (and all that that entails...like tripping to Australia in December!) Nyah, so there.
Oh! And I've uploaded some more photos to flickr. One of the videos (of the night sky from the apartment) didn't quite come out the way I wanted...but perhaps if you watch it in a dark room it'll be more effective.
And what do these things have to with the post's title, I hear you ask? Well, the first combines the Muppets with incredible music (an unbeatable duo) and the second combines work with money (and all that that entails...like tripping to Australia in December!) Nyah, so there.
Oh! And I've uploaded some more photos to flickr. One of the videos (of the night sky from the apartment) didn't quite come out the way I wanted...but perhaps if you watch it in a dark room it'll be more effective.
Sep 9, 2008
No camera - aack!
Of all the days to forget my camera...On an incredibly beautiful day (made more so by the preceding incroyablement blah days) Tom and I played petanque in the jardin du Luxembourg in the early afternoon and then I went to the canal St Martin to pick up the kids I'm baby-sitting at the moment. (Oh yeah - I forgot to say that I'm baby-sitting three kids at the moment for a friend of B's. They're lovely - super polite, super cute and no trouble at all.) Where their school is, there's also a lock, and as I got there early I was able to watch three boats (two canal cruisers and one normal motor boat) navigate the three stages. In the dappled sunlight, the cool-yet-comfortable temperatures and with the sound of water seemingly everywhere it was quite a magical twenty minutes. How I kicked myself afterwards for not having my camera, though!
It also gave me time to reflect that life is really quite lovely. Tomorrow I have an interview for a job that, if I can swing a semi-permanent contract position rather than a freelance one, means I'll have enough money to come back to Sydney for my birthday and Christmas at the end of the year. That's a goal and a half, let me tell you! Fingers crossed for tomorrow!!
It also gave me time to reflect that life is really quite lovely. Tomorrow I have an interview for a job that, if I can swing a semi-permanent contract position rather than a freelance one, means I'll have enough money to come back to Sydney for my birthday and Christmas at the end of the year. That's a goal and a half, let me tell you! Fingers crossed for tomorrow!!
Sep 8, 2008
I'm gone for a few months and look what happens...
"Australian Fast Food Chain, Hungry Jacks, has just released a burger with more than 70g of fat and over 1000 calories, called "The Quad Stack". With 4 beef patties, 4 slices of cheese, 8 slices of bacon and BBQ sauce, this burger is guaranteed to give you 4 heart attacks, 3 strokes, 2 comas, and one of the biggest regrets you’ll ever have."
That's it: I'm sending back my passport. Seriously, what happened to our country that we thought it appropriate to take this epic step backwards in health and well-being?
That's it: I'm sending back my passport. Seriously, what happened to our country that we thought it appropriate to take this epic step backwards in health and well-being?
Sep 7, 2008
Friday means music...4?
Whatever number it is, it's time for some serious funk: Carl Holmes with 'Black Bag'.
Enjoy!
In other news, Alex L was here to stay for a couple of nights. Gosh it was great to see onther familiar face.
And Tom T arrived yesterday, which is awesome. We had a big night out last night replete with innards, congealed-blood sausages and other pretty darned tasty things. Today has been a cruisy one so far and THANKFULLY the sun has come out so the afternoon could continue in the same vein outside. Nice.
Enjoy!
In other news, Alex L was here to stay for a couple of nights. Gosh it was great to see onther familiar face.
And Tom T arrived yesterday, which is awesome. We had a big night out last night replete with innards, congealed-blood sausages and other pretty darned tasty things. Today has been a cruisy one so far and THANKFULLY the sun has come out so the afternoon could continue in the same vein outside. Nice.
Sep 2, 2008
Food examples from Paris
Alex L is in town so we're heading out to Restaurant Domaine de Lintillac tonight for some traditional French fare.
Check out the menu (scroll down) for some classic examples of what makes up the delightfully...varied...French cuisine.
Check out the menu (scroll down) for some classic examples of what makes up the delightfully...varied...French cuisine.
Sep 1, 2008
Last Friday meant music
It sure did, and in the absence of regular blogging (which, I assure you, is not the way this blog will be for much longer) here's a super groovy song from the awesomely-named Fonzworth Bentley: Everybody.
"CoolOutrageousLoversOfUniquelyRawStyyyyle" !
"CoolOutrageousLoversOfUniquelyRawStyyyyle" !
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