July 2008 Archives

the other day i was riding the metro and people watching.  i had on my ipod and was seated at a strapotin (the fold-up seats in the doorway).  i woman got on and sat in the opposite corner of me.  i, of course, was doing the usual look-at-people-without-staring routine.

i noticed that her make-up job was horrnedous and i began to study it by passing over her with my eyes on a regular basis.  you see, in france, either the make-up is good, or the make-up is bad.  but there is no in-between.  i am not saying in the us there are bad make-up jobs.  oh yes.  they thrive and live.  but you do see ones that you don't notice.  there are countless women  that i know, that i would never guess wear make-up even though they wear purple eyeshadow and mascara... unnatural colors, and yet, you don't notice even though there intention is to be noticed.  (for all intensive purposes here, i am talking about make-up jobs that you can see and tell... not the "natural look" make-up job.)

so, in the vain of studying her horrible make-up job, i would glance over at her regularly.  it was all dark, and patchy, uneven and clearly the wrong color for her skin tone.  her eyes had dark black rings and there were smudges all over her face.  and each time i looked, i was fascinated by her, it struck me as just not right... how could she leave the house looking like that?  and then i noticed, and realized, and felt so bad. 

she was covering the bruises.  her entire left side was bruised.  they weren't smudges, they were bruises under her make-up.  you could see faint green peaking through here and there.  the uneveness was to layer more base on her nose, her forehead, around her eyes, her cheek.  i wanted to reach out and hold her hand and ask her what happened because she was clearly aware of it.  i noticed her demeaner afterwards.  it was the same one that people always have when they have been through a trauma and the face marks it. 

sometimes, people watching is bad for you and those you watch.

this summer, some things have finally clicked for me.  i have heard it said, by a mother who was introducing foods to her son, that before you know whether you like the taste of something, you have to try it 200 times.  this made sense to me as there have been many things as a child that i tasted and didn't like, and yet, one day, there it was, heaven in food form...  dark chocolate.

my mom has always said that if you love the way something smells (concerning food), then you will probably love the way it tastes as well.  she always told me as a child that i would be a coffee drinker.  i loved the smell as a kid.  it was divine.  but the taste, well, it just wasn't right.  her explanation, and i believe this, was that there was a disconnect between my nose and my tongue, and one day, it would just click.

i have always loved the smell of curry and indian food.  i have not had a lot of exposure to it and am always hesitant because it never quite tastes right to me.  the other day, at a waiter's suggestion, i had the curry chicken.  it was DIVINE!  and this evening, i had the tandoori chicken!  OMG, i loved it.

paris this summer has taught me that my nose and my tongue have finally come to an agreement!  hello indian food!

just a few comments about bastille day and what i witnessed:

• i managed to only go as far as across the street to the jardin du luxembourg.
• i saw a band blend jazz and polka!
• i viewed the splendid fireworks from the 7th floor terrace (and the fireworks from neighboring "boroughs").
• my students (the ones who were there) ate macdonalds in a moment of great irony.
• the students sang american patriotic songs.
• they took photos and video of the fireworks and i am sure the commentary on the video is one to put me to shame.  in fact, you can probably hear me say in the background "j'ai honte" as they crack jokes or make TERRIBLE mistakes in french.... one involving hair and horses and a woman....
• i actually got to sleep by 1 as paris was not too loud thereafter.
• the fireworks were beautiful.  and best part.... i could sleepily walk downstairs afterwards and toddle off to sleep.

cnn is reporting this today!  i have to see it.  this was like some of the only tv i got growing up!

i made the mistake of reading lainey.  yes.  it is a mistake i tell you.  because now she has me just as addicted as she is and the amount of heartache and tears (start with this link) i have shed over this site is more than i should.  lainey... dammit! 

his writing is beautiful and touching and my heart goes out to him.  and if it doesn't make you cry or your heart stop beating for just a moment, then i don't know what will!