Friday, July 28, 2006
a bigger bang
I haven't blogged in a while because for the past two months my life has kind of been suspended in midair...waiting for my papers, finishing up my studies, waiting for news on a job I have been interviewing and interviewing for.
It's been like a giant sudoku, where I have been painstakingly putting in one number at a time and this week was that blissful moment when the pace quickens and all of the numbers seem to magically fall into place. The universe is humming in harmony with Mandounette's note.
Friday, July 21: I received a call asking me to a final interview for the job I've been interviewing for at an international NGO that deals with author's rights. After, I had a great dinner at a Japanese restaurant that only serves eel, in all its forms.
Saturday, July 22: I called a place in NYC to reserve a room for our wedding party. The room is available and free. I then ventured to a great party near the Champ de Mars where I drank and chatted and danced, ending up collapsed on the lawn by the Eiffel Tower at 4am.
Sunday, July 23: 8am, the alarm on my phone went off. 9:15 am, I rolled off the couch I crashed on and stumbled out of my friend's apartment, on my way to the Synagogue for a briss. I arrived an hour late and still drunk. But the moyle had gotten stuck in an elevator, so the briss hadn't started yet. After a little coffee and some gum, I regained control of my charms.
Tuesday, July 25: AssRay's 30th birthday. I finalyl had my appointment at the Prefecture for my papers. My file was all in order and I receive a receipt saying that I am allowed to work (while waiting for my official resident card). West Side Story, my all-time favorite movie which I have seen over 60 times, is playing on the big screen in my all-time favorite movie house, the Max Linder Panorama. It's the first time I saw it on the big screen. I cried from the first note of the overture to the end of the last reel. It was so incredibly beautiful. We went to the Hotel Bristol with AssRay's family for my first real meal in a "grand restaurant".
Wednesday, July 26: I had my interview with the director of the company. We talk for 2 hours. I feel good about it, but still unsure. They are down to two candidates. The present my brother sent over three months ago for our wedding arrives. It is Guitar Hero for PlayStation. It rocks.
Thursday, July 27: I have a party at my house for AssRay's birthday. A friend calls in the afternoon and leaves the following message. "Is there anything in particular that I should bring tonight? Oh, and would you be interested in going to a surprise Rolling Stones concert tomorrow night?"
Today: I picked up the Stones tickets and headed home (after a lovely afternoon with a visiting Californian), put on the "A Bigger Bang" CD. The phone rang. I got the job. It pays a lot of money. I get 50 paid vacation days per year. I get my official French resident card on September 4th. I start work on September 5th.
I seriously need to know what is going on with the planets to make this day possible.
Shit, I gotta go get ready for Mick and Keith (by playing Guitar Hero of course).
It's been like a giant sudoku, where I have been painstakingly putting in one number at a time and this week was that blissful moment when the pace quickens and all of the numbers seem to magically fall into place. The universe is humming in harmony with Mandounette's note.
Friday, July 21: I received a call asking me to a final interview for the job I've been interviewing for at an international NGO that deals with author's rights. After, I had a great dinner at a Japanese restaurant that only serves eel, in all its forms.
Saturday, July 22: I called a place in NYC to reserve a room for our wedding party. The room is available and free. I then ventured to a great party near the Champ de Mars where I drank and chatted and danced, ending up collapsed on the lawn by the Eiffel Tower at 4am.
Sunday, July 23: 8am, the alarm on my phone went off. 9:15 am, I rolled off the couch I crashed on and stumbled out of my friend's apartment, on my way to the Synagogue for a briss. I arrived an hour late and still drunk. But the moyle had gotten stuck in an elevator, so the briss hadn't started yet. After a little coffee and some gum, I regained control of my charms.
Tuesday, July 25: AssRay's 30th birthday. I finalyl had my appointment at the Prefecture for my papers. My file was all in order and I receive a receipt saying that I am allowed to work (while waiting for my official resident card). West Side Story, my all-time favorite movie which I have seen over 60 times, is playing on the big screen in my all-time favorite movie house, the Max Linder Panorama. It's the first time I saw it on the big screen. I cried from the first note of the overture to the end of the last reel. It was so incredibly beautiful. We went to the Hotel Bristol with AssRay's family for my first real meal in a "grand restaurant".
Wednesday, July 26: I had my interview with the director of the company. We talk for 2 hours. I feel good about it, but still unsure. They are down to two candidates. The present my brother sent over three months ago for our wedding arrives. It is Guitar Hero for PlayStation. It rocks.
Thursday, July 27: I have a party at my house for AssRay's birthday. A friend calls in the afternoon and leaves the following message. "Is there anything in particular that I should bring tonight? Oh, and would you be interested in going to a surprise Rolling Stones concert tomorrow night?"
Today: I picked up the Stones tickets and headed home (after a lovely afternoon with a visiting Californian), put on the "A Bigger Bang" CD. The phone rang. I got the job. It pays a lot of money. I get 50 paid vacation days per year. I get my official French resident card on September 4th. I start work on September 5th.
I seriously need to know what is going on with the planets to make this day possible.
Shit, I gotta go get ready for Mick and Keith (by playing Guitar Hero of course).
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Allow myself to introduce myself...
This little survey was quite thought-provoking. Feel free to do it yourselves. I love reading about you *almost* as much as I rejoice in writing about myself.
1. How old do you wish you were? 18 years old. But with all of the wisdom that I have as a 27 year-old. I would really love to have the Cornell course catalogue in front of me.
2. Where were you when 9/11 happened? I was on the F-train somewhere between Queens Plaza and 23rd Street.
3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? I push on the button several times and then give up, kicking myself for being hypnotized by the futuristic snacking technology.
4. Do you consider yourself kind? Yes, but sometimes with ulterior motives.
5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be? I doubt that if I HAD to get a tattoo, I would have the choice of where and what it would be…
6. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be? Spanish.
7. Do you know your neighbors? Yes. But not all of them. And it isn't like we have them over all the time for drinks. Just the occasional "Does your TV still work if I do this?" or "I made too much friend chicken. Please take some."
8. What do you consider a vacation? Being anywhere where I can read for as long as I want without feeling guilty.
9. Do you follow your horoscope? Follow it? No. But I always read it and have always intended to follow it for a few months to see if it is right. Yeah, I am a sucker.
10. Would you move for the person you loved? Yes. I have and I would again.
11. Are you touchy feely? Only with Assray and the cat. If you are not him or her, expect me to tense up on contact.
12. Do you believe that opposites attract? Depends on how attractive the opposite is.
13. Dream job? Baker
14. Favorite channels? None. French TV blows.
15. Favorite place to go on a weekend? Walking in my neighborhood to see what is new.
16. Showers or bath? Showers. Baths make me nauseous.
17. Do you paint your nails? Very, very rarely. I always feel like the hippos in Fantasia when I paint my toenails. And I get really creeped out by anything touching my cuticles.
18. Do you trust people easily? Yes. (Of course, there are some people that reek of untrustworthiness, and in this case, I am not naive.)
19. What are your phobias? There are things I don't like, but I wouldn't call them phobias.
20. Do you want kids? Yes
21. Do you keep a handwritten journal? Not anymore, but I like reading the ones I kept when I was in middle school.
22. Where would you rather be right now? At home having an aperitif with Assray and some friends.
23. What makes you feel warm and safe? My bed.
24. Heavy or light sleep? Very light. But it's getting better now with the ear plugs.
25. Are you paranoid? Not so much.
26. Are you impatient? Depends on the time of the month.
27. Who can you relate to? Foodies. People who tell good stories, people who have a lot of ideas.
28. How do you feel about interracial couples? I don't feel anything. They are just another couple. There are great couples, unhealthy ones, and obnoxious ones. Depends on the individuals involved.
29. Have you been burned by love? Not recently and never without being the one that lit the fire.
30. What's your life motto? Be nice to everyone.
31. What's your main ringtone on your mobile? Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto in A minor
32. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping. I am a married loser.
33. Who was your last text message from? The phone company. That is, like, so sad.
34. Whose bed did you sleep in last night? Mine!
35. What color shirt are you wearing? burgundy
36. Most recent movie you watched? The Squid and the Whale
37. Name five things you have on you at all times? When I leave the house, I try to have my keys, my phone, my wallet, something to read, my iPod & headphones, but it is rare that I remember all 5.
38. What color are your bed sheets? Navy blue
39. How much cash do you have on you right now? 21.38 euros
40. What is your favorite part of the chicken? The wings! In hot sauce with blue cheese.
41. What is your favorite town/city? Istanbul
42. I can't wait till... I am in Ithaca this summer with Assray.
43. Who got you to join MySpace? Rivers Cuomo of Weezer…
44. What did you have for dinner last night? Beer, two slices of turkey, and a strawberry yogurt. Ew…
45. How tall are you barefoot? 5' 2 3/4"
46. Have you ever smoked crack? God no. But I pretty much lived on herbal crack throughout my college years.
47. Do you own a gun? No. Assrayhas a toy one that looks real and I want him to get rid of it. It creeps me out.
48. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Orange juice and a glass of water.
49. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? My smile, replete with the crooked tooth.
50. Do you have A.D.D? No.
51. What time did you wake up today? 8 AM
52. Current worry? I am at a rare point in my life where I have NO worries. It is strange. It has only happened maybe once before, but damn, it is good.
53. Current hate? Myself for what I just ate (see #57).
54. Favorite place to be? In my bed with Assray, those moments before turning out the lights and going to sleep.
55. Where would you like to travel? Top 5: Japan, Samarkand, Vienna, a 2-month road trip in France, somewhere where I can see the Northern Lights.
56. Where do you think you'll be in 10 years? Mother of the smartest, coolest kids in the world, who I call often as I travel around the world promoting my first teen novel.
57. Last thing you ate? Those sugary cigar cookies. Like 6 of them.
58. What songs do you sing in the shower? Jazz standards
59. Last person that made you laugh? Assray.
60. Worst injury you ever had? I broke my nose after taking a header into a tree when I was sledding (age 5)
61. Does someone have a crush on you? Most of the sound researchers at work I would say…
62. What is your favorite candy? Reese's Pieces and dammit, I can't find them anywhere!
1. How old do you wish you were? 18 years old. But with all of the wisdom that I have as a 27 year-old. I would really love to have the Cornell course catalogue in front of me.
2. Where were you when 9/11 happened? I was on the F-train somewhere between Queens Plaza and 23rd Street.
3. What do you do when vending machines steal your money? I push on the button several times and then give up, kicking myself for being hypnotized by the futuristic snacking technology.
4. Do you consider yourself kind? Yes, but sometimes with ulterior motives.
5. If you had to get a tattoo, where and what would it be? I doubt that if I HAD to get a tattoo, I would have the choice of where and what it would be…
6. If you could be fluent in any other language, what would it be? Spanish.
7. Do you know your neighbors? Yes. But not all of them. And it isn't like we have them over all the time for drinks. Just the occasional "Does your TV still work if I do this?" or "I made too much friend chicken. Please take some."
8. What do you consider a vacation? Being anywhere where I can read for as long as I want without feeling guilty.
9. Do you follow your horoscope? Follow it? No. But I always read it and have always intended to follow it for a few months to see if it is right. Yeah, I am a sucker.
10. Would you move for the person you loved? Yes. I have and I would again.
11. Are you touchy feely? Only with Assray and the cat. If you are not him or her, expect me to tense up on contact.
12. Do you believe that opposites attract? Depends on how attractive the opposite is.
13. Dream job? Baker
14. Favorite channels? None. French TV blows.
15. Favorite place to go on a weekend? Walking in my neighborhood to see what is new.
16. Showers or bath? Showers. Baths make me nauseous.
17. Do you paint your nails? Very, very rarely. I always feel like the hippos in Fantasia when I paint my toenails. And I get really creeped out by anything touching my cuticles.
18. Do you trust people easily? Yes. (Of course, there are some people that reek of untrustworthiness, and in this case, I am not naive.)
19. What are your phobias? There are things I don't like, but I wouldn't call them phobias.
20. Do you want kids? Yes
21. Do you keep a handwritten journal? Not anymore, but I like reading the ones I kept when I was in middle school.
22. Where would you rather be right now? At home having an aperitif with Assray and some friends.
23. What makes you feel warm and safe? My bed.
24. Heavy or light sleep? Very light. But it's getting better now with the ear plugs.
25. Are you paranoid? Not so much.
26. Are you impatient? Depends on the time of the month.
27. Who can you relate to? Foodies. People who tell good stories, people who have a lot of ideas.
28. How do you feel about interracial couples? I don't feel anything. They are just another couple. There are great couples, unhealthy ones, and obnoxious ones. Depends on the individuals involved.
29. Have you been burned by love? Not recently and never without being the one that lit the fire.
30. What's your life motto? Be nice to everyone.
31. What's your main ringtone on your mobile? Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto in A minor
32. What were you doing at midnight last night? Sleeping. I am a married loser.
33. Who was your last text message from? The phone company. That is, like, so sad.
34. Whose bed did you sleep in last night? Mine!
35. What color shirt are you wearing? burgundy
36. Most recent movie you watched? The Squid and the Whale
37. Name five things you have on you at all times? When I leave the house, I try to have my keys, my phone, my wallet, something to read, my iPod & headphones, but it is rare that I remember all 5.
38. What color are your bed sheets? Navy blue
39. How much cash do you have on you right now? 21.38 euros
40. What is your favorite part of the chicken? The wings! In hot sauce with blue cheese.
41. What is your favorite town/city? Istanbul
42. I can't wait till... I am in Ithaca this summer with Assray.
43. Who got you to join MySpace? Rivers Cuomo of Weezer…
44. What did you have for dinner last night? Beer, two slices of turkey, and a strawberry yogurt. Ew…
45. How tall are you barefoot? 5' 2 3/4"
46. Have you ever smoked crack? God no. But I pretty much lived on herbal crack throughout my college years.
47. Do you own a gun? No. Assrayhas a toy one that looks real and I want him to get rid of it. It creeps me out.
48. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Orange juice and a glass of water.
49. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex? My smile, replete with the crooked tooth.
50. Do you have A.D.D? No.
51. What time did you wake up today? 8 AM
52. Current worry? I am at a rare point in my life where I have NO worries. It is strange. It has only happened maybe once before, but damn, it is good.
53. Current hate? Myself for what I just ate (see #57).
54. Favorite place to be? In my bed with Assray, those moments before turning out the lights and going to sleep.
55. Where would you like to travel? Top 5: Japan, Samarkand, Vienna, a 2-month road trip in France, somewhere where I can see the Northern Lights.
56. Where do you think you'll be in 10 years? Mother of the smartest, coolest kids in the world, who I call often as I travel around the world promoting my first teen novel.
57. Last thing you ate? Those sugary cigar cookies. Like 6 of them.
58. What songs do you sing in the shower? Jazz standards
59. Last person that made you laugh? Assray.
60. Worst injury you ever had? I broke my nose after taking a header into a tree when I was sledding (age 5)
61. Does someone have a crush on you? Most of the sound researchers at work I would say…
62. What is your favorite candy? Reese's Pieces and dammit, I can't find them anywhere!
