technology...and stuff

We love all the little World Series stories. The hefty man in the top photo
is handing over the keys to a big red 2015 truck to Mad Bum, the MVP.
Hefty Man was supposed to sing the praises of Chevrolet, but he was
so nervous and intimidated that he sort of mumbled and then just said
that the truck is filled with all kinds of technology and stuff. Then in
today's newspaper, we see that the Chevy Ad Dept. is able to have
a little fun and let's see some more corporate humor along the way, OK?

and we love the day after too

I'm up early listening to KNBR and reading the Thursday Fish Wrap, as

the Great Plotnik calls our Chron. So touching that KC turned their ballpark

fountains orange after our win last night. The 9th inning was brutally scary

and now time for ALL the stories - the joy and the tears. I'll miss the parade

tomorrow, but I did go two years ago and I'll watch it on TV later. Who 

would have dreamed all those years ago shivering under our plaid blanket

at Candlestick that we would win THREE World Series? Honestly, all

the pain along the way, all those "I hate baseball!" emails, slamming out

of the room after some fatal error (don't ever WALK the first batter!) and

the to/fro texts ("Strikland?" or "18 Innings - are you kidding?") or listening

silently to the game at 2am while we were in Paris. Worth it? Oh yes, even

if we had lost last night. The city has turned orange again and all the

fireworks and honking horns last night after our win was even more 

exciting (in a different way) than in 2010. Congratulations and thanks to

our Giants - yes, we are privileged.

a haven for Amercan book lovers

one block on Rue de la Bucherie

Dancing Jen loves her books

Shakespeare and Company is in a fabulous location across from Notre Dame.
It's a big old rambling bookstore, the great uncle to our own City Lights.
This glorious shop is filled with books, history, dreams and stories - many
of them true. Even today, aspiring writers can bunk a room upstairs and
stay while they create their masterpieces. An estimaetd 30,000 writers
have slept here over the decades. Founded in 1919 by Sylvia Beach, it
became famous in the 1950's when the beatniks discovered Paris. The
owner, George Whitman, died in 2011 at age 98 and his daughter, Sylvia,
now runs the place and to me, it hadn't changed a bit, except she likes the
computers that her father abhorred.

(World Series update - disastrous loss to KC last night, on to Game #7
tonight and I'm already nervous and resigned. It's just a game...)

two Parisian weddings

Jardin Des Tuileries

Pont Alexandre III

Such a nice treat, especially for this woman who thinks all the brides in
their wedding gowns in Las Vegas look so tacky. But hey, I'm a snob and
these small wedding groups were a delight to behold. (I LOVE the camera
feature in my new iPhone - it identifies exactly where I was for each shot.
Who needs privacy? Not I.)

wowza

The Giants win again last night - congratulations to Madison Bumgarner
who set all sorts of pitching records. I think we are all exhausted today.
in a good way, of course.

walk with me...

Little specialty stores, art galleries, history, the old and the new - who
wouldn't want to stroll through the streets of Paris on a sunny day?
Check out the reflected background behind this bathing beauty shot, I
didn't even aim for that. Bonus!

the Paris - SF food scene

It's been 25 years or so since we were last in Paris. Much has changed, but one
thing I noticed this time is how much better the food is here in SF than it used
to be. The egg salad sandwich pictured above is from Cano Russo down at
the Ferry Plaza. Scrumptious. I had some good meals in Paris, but the days
of dropping into any tiny hole in the wall cafe and having an exceptional
meal for 5 Euro are long gone. With a couple of the meals I would have
even (nicely) suggested to the waiter that the steak was as tough as nails,
or the omelet was too greasy, if I had been here speaking my own imperfect
English. On the other hand, I didn't spend much money on meals in Paris.
Husbando and I used to do "the big splurge" when we journeyed and those
meals could eat up the entire travel budget. Memorable? Hmmmm, I can't
remember. Yes, the croissants are still flakier, but our home squeezed oj is
tastier. But I do think fondly of those escargot at "The Zinc" and that might
have been my favorite restaurant. But this subject will take a little more time
and thought - so prepare thyselves. In the meantime, a wave of the white
chef hat to the fresh and innovative restaurants here in Frisco.

World Series - exciting game last night. Giants won and the series is
tied 2 to 2. One more game tonight and then back to KC and those blue folk.

highly recommended

folded

unfolded

We bought 4-day Museum Passes at the airport for about 54 Euro each. We
probably saved a little money, but more importantly, one can easily avoid
long lines (Versailles was the exception) by flashing the pass. And for me,
it just sort of pushed me inside to view beautiful art when so much of my
very being wanted to walk some more and then sit in secret gardens or the
Tuilaries or an outdoor cafe and really, the museums are enough reason to
justify a trip to Paris. Of course, so is siting and people watching...

World Series update - the Giants are back home from the horrors of Kansas
City and, alas, they lost last night. The series stands with Giants -1, KC - 2.
We need to WIN tonight, pls.

please release us...

They are pretty from a distance - all those locks sparkling in the sun on a
bridge in Paris. But, good god, worse than Ebola. This is spreading to other
bridges, all the street vendors sell cheap locks and please tell me all these
romances will last. It has become a problem in Paris and the bottom photo
shows how they have to cover some sections of some bridges because they
are too laden with locks. I'm sure they have early morning crews cutting off
locks that are causing problems. And then I spot some random gate and it
has a lock on it and by the next day the damn thing will be covered. There,
my first Paris rant - not the last, never fear.

meet Niece Jill

I think I learned more about Paris from Jill and the K clan (see future
T & O posts) than from any guide book. Dancing Jen and I had dinner with
N.Jill in our very own nabe on our first Sunday night in Paris. Jill grew up
in St. Louis (as did Husbando) and has lived in the lively Marais district for
22 years. She is happy in Paris and has lots of friends and activities, including
the American Library which she so appreciates. Although she visits the U.S.
about twice a year, she certainly considers Paris her home and she gave us some
tourist ideas and tried to convince us that her French is not great. Ha! It is my
belief that there exists a large and active American ex-pat community and
I think moving to another country takes an extra dose of courage always,
but especially to leave the comforts of our comparatively easy-livin' USA.
A memorable night, for sure.

thoughts and observations - chiens

Husbando is encouraging me to write down memories while they are
still fresh. The photos help. When we had dinner with Niece Jill, she
was explaining how the last mayor pushed through a law making it
VERY costly not to pick up after your dog. I can't tell you how much
better this makes walking, but of course you can guess. We saw mostly
little dogs, all on leashes and some as above - a photo I had to take in
a most furtive manner. (hahahaha, get it?)

Happy news - what fun watching the Giants bash those cocky Cinderella
Boys-in-Blue last night for Game #1.

simple pleasures

 Husbando

 .Morning coffee in my John Deere mug

 .Chronny

 .World Series starts tonight

 .Fruit for breakfast

 .This morning's Blogmaid email

 .Almost 8 hours of sleep 

 .Walking the nabe later in the day

 .Putting away suitcase until next trip

 .Hot bubble bath last night 

After Husbando picked me up from BART he urged me to go

right to the Verizon store and get my phone back in U.S. order

and I reluctantly did so, even though I was in such a fog. But that 

was necessary and today of course I'm grateful that he pushed

me there, dropped me off and waited while I hung around in a stupor.

I have a new adventure coming up too. I will work Election

Day and that entails long hours, two training classes and

pretty good pay. This, like the SPCA, is part of my "let's give back

to the universe with thanks" campaign now that I am an old

woman who refuses to actually admit it.

And this morning my thoughts are with Dancing Jen who has to

work - you can do it!  

blogger tourist home

A nice French woman took this photo of me being the solo tourist
at a little cafe near the Eiffel Tower. The food wasn't spectacular,
but I just love sitting and watching all the people. I walked down
the left bank and then crossed over to the right side and it was just
the best day ever - hot even! I meant to hit another museum, but
I didn't want to be inside on my last day.

Air France is wonderful, truly. If you have to sit for 10 to 11 hours,
you might as well have excellent food and service. I'm unpacked
and wearing orange and black already - starting to fade and getting
the jet lag feeling. So good to see Husbando who loves his new
beret and macaroons. It's odd without Dancing Jen, but I'll leave
her alone and email her tomorrow.Yup, we have some memories!

sunday, lazy final day

More beautiful sunny weather here this morning. More church bells - my this last

week flew by, in a good way. Yesterday was a walking/sitting/savoring day and

then we went to dinner in a real Parisian apartment. Jen's friends Pascal, Fatwah

and their 13 yo son generously invited us for a delicious fish dinner, preceded by

fois grois (sp?) the goose liver banned in SF. Yes, it is animal cruelty, but truthfully

it was amazingly good and I can' be rude, can I? Then fish, vegetables, cheese 

and tart - all delicious. Fatwah gave us each a rose when he came home and 

Jen generously gave hers to a woman crying on the Metro. I needed mine for

the blog as all my photos yesterday are on the iPhone and I will share them with

you when I get home next week. It was midnight when we got back home, so

we both had restless nights.

Today I was planning on another museum, but I think I'll just walk along the

Seine and stop for coffee and some sort of snack.

I asked Joe to send me my work schedule for next week and you know how

that puts one right back in the thick of things. But I don't start until Thursday,

so that's all good. No one feels sorry for people with jet lag.

Our plane leaves around 10am tomorrow. With time change we should hit

SF about 2ish. So much I didn't do and see - but so much that I did. 

I have a French mosquito bite on my right eyebrow - ugly!

Next post will be from Bernal - thanks for reading, I don't know why spell

check isn't working, but that just adds to the blog-charm.

saturday in paris after zzzzzzzz

We have two more nights here, unbelievable, no? For some blessed and

inexplicable reason I slept last night! I mean really slept with the ear

plugs in only for maybe a half hour. Our Kindles are such a godsend,

we can both read and not turn on any lights or bother the other person.

I am reading and loving "Paying Guests" and yes, I recommend it.

So, yesterday. I took a leisurely walk through the Tuilleries again, sitting to

watch the tourists sleep in those lounge chairs. Then I walked to Musee

de l'Orangerie that was created for the Monet water lilly searies. Lovely,

of course. But then downstairs, lots of glorious art including a special

exhibit by Emile Bernard that I so enjoyted. Of course I spent more time

here than I planned, and by the time I hit my old stand-by Blvd. St. Germaine

I was famished and stopped at The Two Maggots (see photo) for a croque

monseiur and salad, then some map advice from several waiters.

Onward to the Rodin where I once again was impressed with this artist,

so beautiful. I had tea in the garden cafe and called Husbando, then

ooooohed and ahhhhed some more. He  produced so many, many

masterpieces.

Now, a smattering of photos for your enjoyment. I don't know what order

they will appear, but they are sent with much love. Another sunny day here

in Paris - we so lucked out with the weather. OK, Bernard is last, then 

Deux Maggots and finally Rodin.

friday and on to the world series!

Wow, thank heavens for the iPhone - I listened to the game during the night and

when Morris hit the home run I almost screamed. Then, bottom of the 9th - I

really so love our Giants. This morning I am having a $15E breakfast at our hotel,

with a whole banana, cheese, rolls and (imagine) a pot of coffee! I'm sharing the

table with a woman from Denmark and she is busy on her iPad too. How did we

travel before these wonderful conveniences? I've been watching videos of our

Giants and their colorful fans and looking forward to the World Series next 

week. Orange people vs. the hefty blue ones in KC.

But hey, ths is about Paris, n'est pas? So yesterday, no rain all day. I had a great

time at the Pompidou Center because of the strange and unusual art and the

building with the elevators on the outside. I'll show you somee photos next.

Stopped for a latte and a sweet, just like at home. Everyone is so friendly and

eager to please this happy American. I spent more time here than I planned,

then walked to the Louvre.

What a zoo, but free on the Museum Pass, so I really needed to go in and

experience the whole thing. It was not an easy time, but I did see the

Italian section and had some wonderful memories of touring Italy with

ALL those women a few years ago. 

By then it was getting to Husbando Calling Time (4:30pm here, 7:30am SF)

so I went to the Tuillaries and sat by a fountain. I have grown to love these

huge grounds and will probably end up back there today at some point.

This is the last day of the 4 Day Museum Pass (a really good deal), so I

will try to hit 3 on the list. But, thanks to the Giants, I am moving slowly

this morning.  

Oh, dinner - with Dancing Jen in a pizza (!) place here in the nabe. We were

both tired and retired eardly with our e-books and iPhones.

The photos are backwards - the bottom is the view from Pompidou elevator

and the top the garden. 

thursday with photos

I'm back at the Pigeon, taking my time before hitting Le Pompidou Museum

which doesn't open until 11am. What? I will tell you in just a few unworthy

words how very much I enjoyed D'Orsay - I didn't think I would because 

I had seen so many at the DY, but my, this was entirely different. Just the

magnificent building and the different small rooms and ALL that art. I spent

more time there than I planned to, just soaking it all in. And then the people

watching and all the little family squablles from tired travelers. Great!

I had planned to hit the Louvre, but my mind was too full of all those 

Impressionists, so I went on a long walk - stopped for a fruit dish and 

some coffee on St. Germaine whch is about two blocks away from Rue

Jacob and a good central "now where am I? guideline. A young woman

asked me for directions in broken English and I felt smugly French and

she greatly relieved when we used our native tongue.

I see a big tour group now, heading to Notre Dame. I like sitting alone

in these outdoor cafes - reading/writing emails, da blog and just looking

at all the people from all over the world. I'm feeling so comfortable now

and so admire Niece Jill who moved here from St. Louis more than

20 years ago. I understand Fev. Brain who feels she was born to live

in Paris. She will return, as wll I.

A little rain yesterday, none today. The weather is perfection. First photo is 

Rue Jacob, the street where we live.

versailles in the sun

We spent the entire day here (pix after I return home) and it was absolutely 

gorgeous. The last time Husbando and I were here it was raining and we 

didn't walk in the extensive gardens. Yesterday we soaked up the Palace,

the Queen's "cottage" (thanks, Jen!) and those magnificent paths and pools

and my, what a life the Sun King lived. We had a dinner snack in the pleasant

city of Versailles and hopped a crowded train back home.

I listened to the Giants - congrats on another win, but those KC Royals get

alll the attention. They are formidable and fun indeed.

Today we are splitting up and I am having an omelet, croisssant and oj

here at what I think of as the Pigion Cafe because one was sitting snugly

on a table last Sunday. None today, but I am getting exquisite and friendly

service from our previous waiter. No rush in Paris, I've been sending emails

and now posting your update.

I will head to d'Orsay to tell the retail workers there that I understand their

pain and I will bug them about stocking a postcard that they must have 

and don't. 

Weird, this. My feet and knees are fine with all this constant walking. I know

you wanted to know that.

More tomorrow. Thanks, as always, for reading.

wednesday, maybe rain?

today is tuesday

We will probably hit Versailles in a short time, but I wanted to post this

from the comfort of our hotel room. We walked up to the market on

Montorgueil (per Henry at the DY, please thank him) and had a quiche

and sandwich sitting by some beautiful fountain. Then walked back

to  "our" St. Germaine and hit the Luxenbourg Jardin again. After 

dinner we took the boat cruise and that was so special, seeing Paris

at night. Even the 400 giggling school girls were (ahem)something 

to behold. Herre are some photos from that - I still haven't been able

to blend my iPhone and iPad pix, so these are just from the tablet.

Still beautiful weather, can you believe that? (OK, Giants, we need a

win today!) 

Thannks to you friends who call Husbando and discuss the fact that I 

did laundry yesterday in Paris. He is doing great, by the way.

monday morning - day #5

This is the bird and flower market (Cite Florale) on Place Louis-Lepine - greaat! We walked

again and just ooooohed and ahhhhhed at buildings and people. Toured the Ile St. Louis

and  continued walking until we hit the Pompideau, the Homage to Stravinsky (pix below)

then continued walking to Gallerie La Fite (spell check) and had a small lunch. Saw an Apple 

store (!) but Jen helped me fix ALL electronics yesterday afternoon when the rain started

and we returned to our hotel.

Dinner last night with my niece Jill who lives here. I have a photo on the iPhone, but first

I have to get Husbando to find my iCloud password so I can meld (ahem) all the photos.

We had a terrific evening.

I was able to listen to the game last night, sorry about the outcome. The good news is 

that just having the uncomfortable ear plug and baseball news allowed me to really

sleep better than I have since we arrived. I am writing this from our hotel room. 

Imagine! Noww we get some coffee and plan our day - bon jour!

I

sunday morning

Church bells galore - including Notre Dame as we have our du cafe et 

croissants this morning, enjoying working Wi Fi. Congrats to our Giants

and thanks for the emails last night. What fun, even from a foreign land.

Today we head to the bird and flower market (thanks Fev. Brain) and then

to "do" the isles. Excellent dinner last night at Le Petite Zinc in our very

own nabe. Escargot, steak, scallops, creme brulee.

It is cooler this morning and no sun yet. Sleep is an issue, but that's OK,

we don't need to really think until museum days next week.

Best part of yesterday? The Tuileries and all the people enjoying the sun

and space. We are walking so much that this mornings black slacks are

roomier than they were in SF.

G.dot Ceci found a FT chef job with Marimiko (sp?) in Napa and she

starts tomorrow. She is currently on Mullen Ave. with her g.pa.

I am one lucky woman. Giants, do it again, please!

assorted electronic issues

However, today we found a cafe and I could actually connect and let you all

know that we are fine and busy - walking, walking, etc. Yesterday to

Pere la chese (pardon my spelling in English and French) to sprinkle Michael's

ashes near Jim Morrison's grave. We toured the cemetery and then took

the metro to Montmarte for more walking and sightseeing. The weather 

is clear and beautiful. Jen has a fabulous sense of direction, plus she is

not afraid of the metro and she also loves cafe. Our hotel is in a great

location and we have conquered the nabe. Today we walked to Shakespeare

and Co. then down the Seine to and through the Tulieries and on to the

Champs Elyesee. I call Husbando from a different park every afternoon

about 5:30pm and that works well. He is doing just fine, speaking better

French than I ever will.

Since last I was here (1986?) it has become so much more Americanized.

Easy if one doesn't speak French, but the boulevards are lined with our

stores and even restaurants boast menus in English. Yet it's still very

French and wonderful. 

I will close now and see if I can get this iPad to work tomorroow. 

"pinch me" day

Ever since Husbando and I first went to Europe (in the late 70's), we
would utter this when approaching a foreign city. Neither of us imagined
that we would ever travel this way - to see and feel so much. I will miss
him, but I have our old travel journals and will text and email him from
some of our favorite Parisian haunts. The iPhone keeps us close.

Yesterday I went to the gym, then spent the afternoon with the good and
patient folk at Verizon while I got my new iPhone 5 (for 99¢) so I can
get the SIM card the moment we hit Paris. I have been with Verizon
for (possible?) twenty years and I so admire how they handle dolts like me.
A truly great company in this land of ones that aren't.

Above is my new smaller suitcase and this morning's addition. Our Giants
are going to battle St. Louis and my phone will ping with updates from
friends. This is the perfect time to thank you for all your good wishes and
"don't miss" emails - my goal is to entice The Fevered Brain to return to
Paris in 2015. I will post next from Paris - imagine that!

And from the Blogmaid's morning email (she knows I get pre-flight jitters):

I’m really proud of you for taking this trip. I know right now 

you’d probably like to skip it, but traveling is SO good for us. 

I still remember my trip to France in 2008 with a clarity that 

I lack for something I did here a month or two ago. It’s so 

exciting to actually BE in another part of the world, and not 
just see it on TV or read about it in a book. The experience 

expands us in a way that’s a sort of exercise for our (agnostic) 

soul, making us a more empathic person, and a better world citizen.

(This is my own little pep talk for my upcoming trip, too.)