But I haven't JUST been thinking about my life over the past 5-6 days. I do actually have a life and a pretty busy one, which is why I haven't had a spare minute for posting. For those that enjoy reports on my daily activities, I'll let you know what else has been going on very briefly and then we can move back into the present: gave a presentation in class which I was really proud of, although my professor proceeded to grill me for 45 minutes afterwards in front of the entire class, which drained my brain of all functioning ability. At least after that, my oral exam at the end of the semester (on the same topic) will be a piece of cake. Received a 10/20 on my first grammar exam...goddam anteriority. I just don't understand the past...Have been reading La Machine Infernale, Jean Cocteau's take on the story of Oedipus Rex. I am greatly amused by the Queen who believes that her possessions and clothing are trying to kill her, particularly her scarf...became a work of art at the latest KMZ "happening" when a clumsy, unapologetic woman bumped me from behind causing my glass of red wine to splatter Jackson Pollock style on my brand new white coat, penetrating through one of my favorite shirts ever (now a cleaning rag), a tank top, a beautiful bra and eventually hitting my skin. I was prettier than the paintings!...I continue to be in love with my professor who teaches 19th century literature, who actually makes me want to read Balzac, even though I KNOW I do not want to read Balzac. His novels make me want to vomit, but after one lecture with this guy, I want to read his entire oeuvre and visit his house here in Paris...went to see Big Fish and have to give props to Mr. Burton for a really funky film that I enjoyed immensely...more movies (it is Le Printemps du Cinema here, so all movies are really cheap!): Along Came Polly, which unfortunately places a super cool female character (total insouciant bohemian) in a vortex of bathroom humor, Chuck and Buck, a really wonderful film from a few years ago that Ste and I have been quoting incessantly since we saw it..smoked a lot of shisha at Cafe Baghdad...sang, sang, sang with the choir I am in (with my friend Kay who is a super experimental rock singer from San Francisco)...was asked to put a short program together for oboe for a concert in May...had a real Moroccan meal at a friend's house (his mom wanted to cook for me) and understood why he was not impressed by the Moroccan food in New York when he came to visit (I gained a pound in just three hours, I swear)...went dancing at a place called La Flèche d'Or in the 20th (my favorite arrondissement) where there was a "Turkish Ball" followed by a Moroccan drumming circle (that featured a really fascinating double-reeded flute that I want to learn how to play). Very cool stuff. But with pounds of pastilla, beef, almonds, and prunes in my tummy, I was not the most graceful or energetic dancer in the world. In any case, the slow-pace of my life is becoming a part of the past. That's it for my summary. Now I can get back into real posts, hopefully later today.