CVILLE RUNWAY

Learning to Run

2010-02-22T14:39:00.004-05:00

I’ve been trying to keep my writing fashion- or beauty-based, but now find myself needing to explore The Newest Big Thing in my life: jogging. And even sticklers must admit that “Runway” contains the word run, thus opening up this particular floodgate, n’est-ce pas?

In an immature “lying in bed before sleep hoping to win the lottery” kind of way, I’ve had one consistent fantasy throughout my adult life: to be a runner. I wanted to be thin like a runner, I imagined my hair flowing behind me as I glided lightly on my feet, barely touching the ground, sprightly, lithe and energetic. It seemed like the very essence of athleticism, fitness and strength. In reality, running was so hard for me that I just couldn’t do it. And, honestly, I absolutely hated to run.

This life-long impossible fantasy challenge I’d imposed on myself was definitely a heavy burden to bear, but the flip side of this was the remote possibility of immense rewards. Over and over again, I’d take brief forays into the world of jogging: prepping the perfect running music mix before heading out to pound the pavement… or grass… or dirt. Unfortunately, sooner or later, shin splints intervened and my hacking lungs couldn’t hack it. Last year, I was pleasantly surprised to manage (slowly, with my feet barely lifting off the ground) ¾ of a mile, without stopping to dry heave. I then did a few sessions with a friend, topping out at 2 very slow, very rough 15- or 16-minute miles.

Today, something’s changed and I write about this, not quite on my Blackberry as I jog around the track, but on the sofa in my gym clothes, still feeling the headiness of oxygen and success. Today, after a slow three-month build-up, I managed, for the 3rd time in a week, 2 and half miles in less than half an hour… with energy to spare and a smile on my face. And throughout this process, I’ve watched the staff at the gym go from very concerned to proud, with several of them congratulating me for my efforts.

Although running circles in the gym isn’t everyone’s cup of tea (let’s face it, it certainly wasn’t mine) it has strengthened me, given me confidence, helped me lose weight and most importantly, turned fantasy into reality. And, guess what? I LOVE it.

Tips for the really bad runner:
- Start slow. Run/walking is a great way to finish that first mile.
- Buy some supportive running shoes… and, yes, they’re expensive – I recommend Ragged Mountain Running Shop if you’re in Cville.
- Get some really strong beat-driven music to carry you when your legs barely can.
- If possible, run on a cushioned indoor track to help strengthen your joints. Short laps are easy and motivating.
- Just move your legs. Let your body do the rest.
- Stretch part-way through, if necessary.
- Smile. (I’m not kidding.)

Very Vintage

2010-02-20T15:09:00.003-05:00

Very Vintage

Vintage is IN… big time. And it always will be, because it just means that beautiful, strong, timeless, classic pieces and a few wackier wonders were made to last. The trick is to recognize a true beaut when you see it and be wily enough to keep it from slipping through your fingers. Then you need to figure out whether or not a piece will work with your look. If your fashion is strong, then anything goes. If you’re a little doubtful, then you might want to consider putting the 1980s Fendi back in storage until next year. Another way of ensuring your vintage will work? When copies start showing up in shop windows, then you know you’ve got yourself a winner! Mix modern with vintage, frilly with sharp, Gucci with Gap, your five year-old favorite with a 1950s masterpiece. If it’s chic, it’ll never quit on you.

Has it lasted 20 years? Grab it!

Are the clothing chains copying it? Take it!

Does it fit in with the rest of your wardrobe? Snag it!

Does its timeless shape flatter your figure? Pick it up!

Are you madly in love with it, despite its age? Put it on!

Sky-High in Crack City

2010-02-19T07:48:00.005-05:00

Everyone knows how to walk in heels…. or do they?

Not so far gone are the days when every Charlottesville glamour gal knew that wearing stilettos on the downtown mall was a dangerous prospect: for herself and her shoes. Each step involved that sharp intake of breath, that careful concentration… avoiding cracks became more than just a childhood game. Suddenly, the back-breakage issue was real, only this time for mother and daughter alike. Locals sat at restaurant patios, enjoying the spectacle of unprepared tourists running the mall-crack gauntlet and, while it had its funny moments, as an avid stiletto wearer, I can assure you that the recent changes to the surface of the mall are definitely all they’re cracked up to be.

The new ground no longer dictates the necessity of wedges or, God forbid, flats and, thankfully, allows us to prance on in our 6-inch spikes with no fear of sinking in, stuck while onlookers chuckle or, even worse, skinning the leather from the heels as we yank them out from between the bricks, ruining our prize kicks forever.

People may bash it, accuse us of kowtowing to misogynist designers’ bondage fantasies, tarting ourselves up in impossibly high, ridiculously constricting mechanisms meant to keep us women in our place. To that, I say, slip on a pair, just once, with the perfect LBD (that’s Little Black Dress) and a string of pearls. Not only do the shoes give a woman the height she might need to tower above the masses, but they improve her stature, forcing her to throw back her shoulders and walk like she means it. So, to those ladies who would love to wear sky-highs, but just don’t know how (now that it can actually be done in public in Charlottesville) here are a few tips to help you get over your fear of heights.

One inch at a time: start with a short heel. Avoid going straight for the 6-inchers in those early sessions.
Keep it close to home: Your training wheels are kitten heels, so practice at home before heading out. A full-length mirror will keep you even more on your toes. Don’t forget to practice on the stairs!
Bring back-up: Leave the tiny clutch at home for your first few adventures in sky-land. Throw a pair of cute flats into your shoulder bag for long nights out.
Slip one in: Once you’ve graduated to taller shoes, stock up on insoles, inserts and massaging foot gels. The highest shoes can often use a little extra cushioning.
Wiggle while you walk: To truly master the sexy spike, you’ve got to stand up straight and let your hips do the walking. Swinging your rear will help you achieve that perfect balance… and look stunning while doing it.
Don’t be callus: Pampering your feet is half the battle. If you’re not a pedicure kind of gal, a quick rub with a pumice stone at the end of your shower is an easy way to keep your tootsies soft, smooth and happy.

If you find that perfect pair, devise a strategy. Begin at home, graduate to dinner parties where you’re mostly sitting and start out slowly with shorter heels on those first few nights out. The bottom line is that you need to take your time. We all know Rome wasn’t conquered in a day. Well, neither were the catwalks of Milan or Paris, so you might want to give Charlottesville a little extra time before throwing in your shoes.

Skitch & Bitch

2010-02-01T23:56:00.005-05:00

Can't believe I forgot to include this in today's post:

Ever been skitching? No? Well I have. And for anyone who knows what skitching is and anyone who knows me (and what a scaredy cat I am), you're undoubtedly chortling in a sort of half-shocked, half-ridiculing kind of way. Of course, you're right on both counts. Me skitching is definitely shocking and certainly ridiculous and totally AWESOME!

I can't think of a better way to end a delightful snowed-in evening than hitching some rope to the back of a big old pick-up, plopping your rear onto the top of a plastic storage container and getting your ass dragged down the snowy street and back.

Woe is the person who tries to get between me and the back of a pick-up truck anytime soon. And for someone who's so keen on the straight and narrow, not even Johnny Law could've torn me from the elated, squealing, shrieking thrill of rushing air and cold snow-covered eyes at 20 miles an hour on a Saturday. IN A SKIRT!

Eville Snow

2010-02-01T08:37:00.003-05:00

Well, Mes Amis, I know it's been a while, but I figured it might be time to start le writing again. Our lovely friend is here from France, staying indefinitely in the guest room and starting a new life. She's blogging... and so will I. Shall we blog, V?

We had a very busy weekend: the arrival, snow, V's birthday. All of it well-accompanied by various delightful wines (including the "two-donkeys", or asses if you prefer, made by a couple of French lesbians... it tasted very barn-like, which I love) and mucho food. I shall start the diet anew this morning, I think... one needs breaks every once in a while... and I ate four pieces of carrot cake yesterday. Talk about overkill.

In random thoughts, my mascara keeps flaking and ending up below my eyes recently. I've tried every single one I own (that's a LOT of mascara) and the result is the same. Every day, my eyes start to burn and get dry towards the end of the afternoon, creating the infamous Raccoon-Eye effect. Has anyone else had a run-in with Rocky?

I followed a friend's lead on making the "money" corner of our house more welcoming (to the money, of course). Instead of just making it gorgeous, I put all my silver into the corner (in manner of sacrifice, a la King Kong or similar), in hopes that like might attract like. It works, people. The next morning, I got a phone call telling me that long-awaited funds would be arriving. Hallelujah!

Le Husband and I watched Food, Inc. a couple of weeks ago and we've decided to eat only Organic (whenever we control things, of course) and to plant a garden this year. So, if anyone has any fool-proof gardening advice, this fool's all ears. My mouth, literally, just started watering as I thought of tomatoes.

Lastly, my current Very Best Things:
- Home-made carrot cake with a red V on top
- V's Mashed Fluffy Sweet Potatoes with too much cream... yum
- Super sparkly Sonia Kashuk eye palette from Target - get it, but don't buy them all... leave some for me in case I run out, please!
- The possibility that we may get a washer and dryer soon (cross fingers and toes)
- My faux-fur-lined, water-proof reindeer boots.
- Domaine des Deux Anes wine.

Etc!

Closet Cull

2010-01-04T13:03:00.001-05:00

Well, it’s time to lead by example, I think, and clean out my own closet. Not only is this early chill forcing me to clear out the summer items, but a couple of the winter cozies I’ve just pulled from storage are really not going to cut it this year.

I’m also going to try out an idea I’ve developed. Because I finally have a closet large enough to allow me to see exactly what my clothing choices are, I can organize and re-organize it to my heart’s content. I’m going to place the most recently-worn items from each section near to the back of that section. I’m thinking this will force me to wear pieces that I never otherwise touch (or even notice). If I still don’t wear them, after they’ve been staring me in the face for a few weeks, it’s time for those garments to move on to a happier home.

With that in mind, I also notice a trend in my life which goes beyond just clothing. Moving from Paris to Charlottesville last year gave me the opportunity to really take stock of what I own and what is actually valuable to me. An example of my current, say, soap inventory goes something like this: pretty soaps that I’ve stocked for a rainy day, good soaps for everyday use, soaps that I just love, but never seem to take out and then those very special soaps which never get used.

The same goes for clothing: gym clothes that really don’t do me justice are worn, for obvious reasons, every day. Beyond that, there’s the stuff that fits comfortably and looks good (old stand-bys, really), which I don frequently and then those pretty little numbers I love to take out on the weekends… but the real tragedy lies in my über-special pieces, languishing behind their less-deserving, well-worn cousins, instead of basking in the glory that they deserve.

It seems like such a shame to own lovely clothes and never wear them. Of course, there are so many factors involved. More often than not, I’m feeling just a little too bulky in something or I think my belly’s not flat enough to wear something else. Sometimes it’s too cold out for cotton or too warm for angora… There are those days when I couldn’t possibly put on a skirt to sit around the house, so I end up wearing jeans.

So, it’s time to reassess things. Instead of saving the best for… never, I’m going to move it to the front of the closet and finally let it see the light of day. After all, clothing is meant to be worn. Everyone and, perhaps, everything deserves its moment in the sun, doesn’t it?

Website's up

2009-11-01T20:40:00.001-05:00

Visit my website at:

www.adrianaanderson.net

Falling, falling fast!

2009-10-05T10:47:00.003-04:00

Being an image consultant is no longer the distant nut of an idea it once was. Instead, I've put things into motion, begun working with clients and starting the website rolling... of course, just having bought a new house means my attention is divided, but it's not really all that different. I've been considering the house as another one of my projects, just a very very big one.

Unfortunately, while I've spent all this time looking at paint colors, wishing for a higher credit card limit and more of a furniture budget, helping buy clothes for friends, purchasing new mascara, etc., I've forgotten to pay attention to.... drum roll.... my waistline!

So, for the first time in a couple years, my weight is starting to become a real issue. Despite sweating it out at the gym several times a week, I've found that almost all of my clothing is too tight and some garments just won't fit any more, no matter how hard I pull! Oh, the tragedy of having a closet full of lovely clothes and only being able to wear the larger, uglier items! I suppose I should feel lucky that my boots still zip up and that earrings are one-size-fits-all, but the extra calories burned by walking around with extra pounds clearly never actually burns enough calories to make you lose weight... if you get my drift.

Well, it's back to the weight watchers website for me... tail between my legs. Because I can certainly dole out the weight loss advice and I definitely see where I've gone wrong, but dieting is just SO EXHAUSTING and all I really want to do is sit in front of the fire with a glass of wine or seven and a lovely selection of French cheeses, perhaps a pate and a foie gras... you know, gorgeous things! Alas, that's what got me to this point in the first place, so... don't expect to see me out on the town any time soon. I'm surprised there's a town left, any way, after I've eaten my way through it!

Buddha, Mohammed, Yaweh, Ganesh and God Bless America

2009-01-20T11:49:00.003-05:00

What ever happened to separation of Church and State? At what point in our lives did it become acceptable to swear on the bible in government institutions and have pastors speak at inaugurations, not to mention lead the nation in prayer? How is it possible that I, as an American, can feel even remotely represented by a government that insists on referring to God incessantly? How DARE you assume that I want to be blessed by your so-called God? My children, I promise you, will NOT cite the phrase"under God" every morning in Home Room.

It's a travesty that a National political event can be turned into a religious festival. I really thought that ringing in this presidency would be fair, equal and non-denominational and I am, once again, disappointed in this country.

Dearest Mr. President, could you, would you, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States of America? I beg you to take your duties seriously, as you move forward in this country's bid for "freedom". Remember, the little freedoms are sometimes the greatest.

Merry Percy!!!!

2008-12-14T23:21:00.003-05:00

No comment...

2008-10-29T17:05:00.002-04:00

My friend just sent me this video. I highly recommend watching it. It makes me so very sad for the poor, ignorant, underdeveloped minds of this sad, sad country that I currently call home.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/uselectionroadtrip/2008/oct/27/barack-obama-muslim-antichrist

Trumped!

2008-10-21T15:50:00.008-04:00

There's nothing worse than reading a long, boring, repetitive, negative rant about things that don't concern you. So, I'll make this short.

In my boring, every-day life (the part of life in which we have to work in order to earn an income and in which many of us are doing something that we're not entirely passionate about), I am a translator and proofreader. I randomly got into this through my previous, short-lived, but semi-successful, acting career (oh, who am I kidding, I should have stopped the descriptives after short-lived). Because I did voices for a few video games, I ended up with a connection to a video game company, which hired me to do a translation or two and presto... five years later, I'm a translator, specializing in video games for the US and UK markets.

I'm perfectly happy with this line of work. It gives me the freedom to work from home, allows me to have free time, with brief busy spurts, and basically gives me enough work to get by. In this case, it's definitely quality time winning out over massive amounts of cashola, but I'm ok with that... generally. Recently, I've had a very busy rush, which has led to the current near-dry spell (definitely worrisome). Worse than the dry spell, though, is the fact that I haven't been paid by my biggest clients in over three months. I've already mentioned this in a previous post (The Horror, The Horror), so you'll understand why the issue has single-handedly outdone itself.

It's a testament to how well I'm doing overall in my life that this lack of money hasn't destroyed me utterly. Le Husband and I have gotten by (with the help of credit cards) on his meagre artist's earnings and I have managed to not think about it every minute of every day, which is no small feat, considering what a worrier I tend to be. It occurred to me very early on that, other than the obvious (phone calls, emails), there was very little that I could do from all the way over here in the US of A and that it was not worth freaking out over. How easy it is, n'est-pas, to melt into a messy, dribbling pile of self-pitying tears rather than face the bothersome thing and move on?

All of this was well and good, of course, until the day on which payment had been promised and repromised (yesterday) came and went... without payment. Add to that this past weekend's cold snap with no heat in our home and you get... well, a morning of messy, dribbling, self-pitying... you get the picture!

I'm not a control freak (although I can easily become one if the situation warrants it... say, Christmas caroling with my friends in high school, trying to keep them from getting run over or cleaning house with Le Husband, whose standards are, in my opinion, sub-par), but I like to have a firm handle on what happens to me. Barring a random car accident or other inevitable bump with fate, I like to think that I'm the Mistress Of My Own Destiny. But, this morning, it became very apparent that, not only do others control our lives, but those others are sometimes the little guys; the power-hungry accountants who would rather put an invoice through the shredder in their last week with a company than deal with it themselves... or the bored utilities worker who prefers to tell clients that the morning's scheduled appointment will actually be in the afternoon, just to make their own lives easier.

I've been on both sides of these equations. I worked for a big French company, where the measly little accountants did their best to make themselves feel better by controlling others, including clients, suppliers, co-workers and anyone else who had the misfortune of requiring their services. But, in that situation, I was able to at least go see them and flirt, cajole, needle, harass, anything to get them to make payments for me. After making a couple irate phone calls this morning, I was able to get a positive response from the gas company and am happy to say that the heat is on. In that case, I was the client and, in the US at least, the client is king. But my phone call to the new accountant in charge of paying my invoices with the video game company (the shredder-fiend has left the company leaving, I understand, many disgruntled people in his wake) ended on a slightly more bitter note: I'm being put off another week.

Oh well, at least I've lost some weight!

Liar-Liar

2008-10-16T10:22:00.008-04:00

So, let me ask you this: where is that fine line between political spin and outright lies? I feel a little uneducated about this and slightly naive, but... shouldn't some political watchdog group be stepping in at some point during this presidential campaign? Where are the people with integrity? Where are the ones who are supposed to come out and say, "Well, actually, that's simply not a fact, John."

Instead of facts and opinions being shared and argued in a "may the better man win" sort of way, we seem to be stuck with lies, machinations, manipulation, propaganda and general media hocus-pocus. How can this media we have just sit back and judge a presidential debate's merits (very few of which I have spotted), "Well, John McCain clearly dominated the first half... etc.", when every second word is complete crap!?

Out of sheer irritation this morning, along with a heavy dose of anxiety, I've decided to hunt out the truth-sayers. Here's a great page, which offers some examples of the usual spin being taken way too far: http://www.mccainpedia.org/index.php/Count_the_Lies.

I'm happy to know that at least a couple mainstream journalists are bringing up this problem. It's too bad all those McCain voters don't seem to be reading the right articles. I think that Joe Klein sums it up perfectly in his Time.com article when he says that "The McCain camp has decided that its candidate can't win honorably, on the issues, so it has resorted to transparent and phony diversions." (http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1842030,00.html)

Unfortunately, if even his own party doesn't think he can win on the issues alone, shouldn't some of them have the integrity to keep the man from getting into office? Does no one out there care that our country is in a shambles, dragging the rest of the world down with it, and that this man may very well make it much worse? Not to mention his running mate who, ironically, could very well become the first female president, but is not even being endorsed by the National Organization for Women! I shudder to think what could happen in the next four years if people don't make the effort to look past the words and images being thrown at them. It's time for Americans to take a little initiative and start educating themselves... for once.

Fall Fashion Frenzy

2008-10-14T09:51:00.020-04:00

So, I seem to be a little stuck on this autumn theme, but the colorful Virginia foliage leaves me with no choice. This time, though, I want to talk about clothing; a good old-fashioned girl natter about what to wear. So, if you're on your moral high horse and you need to read about something deep, well, you can either dismount or canter yourself off to some more socially and politically relevant discussion.

Phew! Glad they're gone!

Does anyone else get VERY excited about getting out the winter boots? the woolly tights? the sweaters (jumpers, if you will) and the layering shirts? fishnets and sexy high-heels? Cozy skirts, sweater dresses, thick trousers, with all the accessories to match? My guest room (or "Abby's Room" as it's often called, although the cat prefers "Percy's Room") has been the scene of a particularly frenzied two weeks of clothing sorting, trying-on and general reveling over. This, of course, resulted in our guest room being uninhabitable by anyone (except Percy, who loves to shed his white fur on black clothing through hours of endless lounging). I apologize to those who may have needed a place to stay in the interim, but I am way too far into my favorite clothing season to pay attention to what anyone else may need.

I've finally put the clothing away, happily stowing the garments in the two closets and two dressers they now fill (that doesn't include the summer clothes stored in the attic, all folded and ready to pop out amid my gleeful cries of surprise in April). I do love the lighter dresses and their easy, more revealing cuts and fabrics, but nothing pleases me so much as a cozy winter outfit. The autumn is, by far, the most exciting fashion season, in my opinion, and it's only in the autumn that I realize how fashion-conscious, or fashion-centric, I've become. I love style, I love looking good and helping others do the same. I love clopping down a crowded street at a fast pace in a gorgeous pair of knee-high boots and a fitted jacket, seeing my breath in front of me, perhaps kicking a dead leaf or two and looking at what the other women are wearing this year. I love being in, but adore keeping my own style.

I go to my closet and run a hand over the pieces in there. Sweaters, wool, maybe some thick cotton. I get to the dresses and feel that sweater dress I hunted down late last year, just before moving from Paris: brown, with a big round neck and an A-line flair, ending just above the knees. Perfectly form-fitting, yet loose enough to avoid any unsightly bulges. I remember last year's intense hunt at Place d'Italie with Miss C., trying so hard to find her the perfect sweater dress, feeling so excited about it. I watched her try them on, one dress after another and envied her. That day, I found a pair of electric blue elbow-length gloves that I adored, but couldn't afford. Two months later, when I finally had enough money in the bank, I bought the last pair in all of Paris, two sizes too big. Those have since gone to my mother, whose hands look like they were made for them (no, not the other way around!!). But even that brings me immense pleasure. Seeing a purchase of mine look good on someone else. Seeing my mother's eyes brighten as she tries on my bright red dress in preparation for a wedding, flattering her perfectly and sparkling beautifully; all these things bring me pleasure.

Seeing Miss C. in the dress she finally ended up getting (not that day, I'm afraid), looking so cozy and happy simply by putting on an article of clothing, makes me understand that there's more to it than covering up, than being warm through the cold months. I remember that her inspiration to buy a dress had come when she had seen her friend wearing an oversized, thick warm, elegantly casual sweater and I remember her envy. I know it, because every year, my longest-term friend in the world gives me the exact same envy: her long dark hair falling in a sheet over her structured creamy winter coat. Her little white beret, pulled onto her head, jauntily, teasing, daring the sky to release some rare Paris snow. It's not jealousy of her good looks, although she is beautiful. It's nothing so base as that.

When I see someone thus fashionably wrapped up, I envy their comfort and their beauty, yes, but above all, I feel their coziness, the safe, warm, sitting-in-front-of-the-fire aura that they emit. I see the smoke rising from the chimney and the snow newly fallen, or the crisp, clean smell of leaves, red and yellow and orange on the ground as I kick them with my brown knee-high leather boots, freshly awakened from their yearly hibernation.

A Tale of Two Countries (or Clare, I miss you... and Maz, Dave, Paul, Shep, Trix, Hess, Vanessa, Becks, Neil, Madge, Meg, Marie, etc...)

2008-10-13T10:32:00.021-04:00

After a lovely (short) weekend spent at the beach with a long-time dear friend and a new dear friend (not to mention 3 lovely doglets), I have returned home to find a most touching email from one of my Paris friends. (You know who you are!)

Now, I tend to think of myself as a very pragmatic, honest and open, down-to-Earth person, but I forget about all the tears that I shed, whatever the emotion behind them. Today, they're entirely sentimental, as they generally tend to be, and they are the true representation of my two lives.

Part of the beauty of my world, I think, is and always has been the duality of it. There's certainly the "grass is greener" trap, always making me wish I were in the other country, and I put a lot of weight on that when it comes to my emotions and my immediate responses. But there is also the fact that I am French-American, by birth and, therefore, by nature, my whole is made up of two very distinct parts. I have been struggling, over the years to decide who or what I really am. Half of me wants to nest, have a family, build something solid, grow roots, and the other half doesn't ever want to settle. The other half wants the best of both worlds, quite literally.

I'm not an expat. I'm not American at heart, laughing at the silly French in a removed kind of way, or charmed by their sneers. Nor am I French, automatically falling into the assumption that all Americans are uneducated, loud and brash. Growing up in the US, I always felt French, imagining it as a little flair that added something special to who I was. When I spent my summers or a year in France, I felt at home and, in more recent years, kept my accent so that I would never sink in to complete anonymity.

My mother has always struggled, as a French woman in America. Today, she is, in some ways, almost more American than French. Since she moved to the US, over 34 years ago, she has always been an expat, with very few true ties to her old life. She has always wanted to go back to France, but both she and the country (not to mention the people) have changed. She has always had to choose, leaving parts of her behind, little bits that I imagine as a disappearing Hansel and Gretel trail strewn across Virginia and the Atlantic, leading to the apartment in Paris that she lived in before having me and that I recently occupied for seven years.

I feel lucky that I haven't had to choose and I realize more and more that I don't want to. I now miss the life in France that I had grown tired of. I can't believe that I could be tired of walking in Paris. I would sometimes walk for hours alone, drinking in the details, the people, the atmosphere. I even remember fondly the horrible strike week, when I was walking three hours a day to get to and from the job I had no desire to go to. Those walks are actually one of my fondest memories, even though at the time, it was the most onerous of duties, exhausting and physically painfully. I miss my tiny apartment with no closet space and my miniscule kitchen, in which I made the tastiest food, that I fear I shall never equal.

Of course what I miss the most about it is the friends, the people, the shared stories and the true closeness we had. I miss all the moments, sober and drunk, day or night, in Paris or elsewhere. I miss daily phone calls to discuss what we've eaten and I miss knowing that at least one of them will be there for me at any given time. I miss taking over the pub, making it ours and, by doing so, making every client's night more fun. I miss the dancing, the little choreographies, imitating a train's movement, I miss crying on a friend's shoulder in the corner of the same bar after a delayed reaction to my separation from my first husband.

I just found out that the pub, the epicenter of my friendships, loves and life for several years, has changed hands and the owners (who I also consider to be friends) have moved on. Suddenly, after so many friends have left Paris over the past year or so, heading back to their various countries and dreams, the pub's changing hands seems like the final straw. I'm sure we can still go there, if we have a reunion. We can still take it over, we can still dance. There will most likely be laughter, tears and undoubtedly too much booze, but my life of the last seven years seems that bit farther away. The changes are now permanent and, much as I'd like to get back the exact feel, I think it might be gone forever. It's not a tragedy, I suppose, just life moving on. But I miss it, I miss them and I dream about them every single night.

American Spirit(s)

2008-10-05T20:48:00.010-04:00

Ok, to move on to positive things... I am very excited to be in the US this year for Halloween, despite having recently been informed that Halloween is not the same as it used to be. People tell me that children only really go to hyper-organized halloween candy hunts (like easter egg hunts, only WRONG), out of FEAR (of violence, of razor blades in apples...)!! But, because of a recent event, I firmly believe that I may live in just the right neighborhood for trick-or-treating...

Twas a bright, sunny, late summer day, with just the slightest crispness in the air to let us know the cold months are on their way. I was contentedly typing away, translating, Le Husband happily model-building in the dining room, when suddenly, a young Norman Rockwell painting-come-to-life knocks on our door. I noted his boy scout uniform with glee and bounded outside to greet him. He was selling (of all the possible horrors) caramel popcorn... Of course, I had to order some. What if I said no and he never came back? What if the most innocent of America's youth went out like a light, because no one believed in them anymore? What if I didn't buy any and then he decided not to come back on Halloween? and worst of all... what if my own unborn children never know the silly, spooky, fun, exciting, mysterious, brisk joy of an evening of trick-or-treating? Not to mention the lead up to it (which in my family, was almost the best part - the aftermath being more of a sickening, candy-hiding, jealous and gluttonous experience), during which my parents managed to put together intelligent, creative costumes, that outshown even the store-bought ones the "luckier" kids had.

I'll never forget the year I went as Joan of Ark and my brothers were some kind of medieval knights. My father dropped by the local Baskin Robbins one day after work and was given several of those large empty ice cream containers, which he then carved and spray-painted into helmets. Our tunics were hand-sewn by my mother and the under-layer of chain mail was spray-painted thermal long-johns. I don't think Falls Church had ever seen such creativity and excitement over a Halloween costume as my little family exhibited that year. When so much effort goes into it, it becomes more than just a hunt for candy. It's a family festival, bringing everyone together.

Looking back at those photos today and thinking about that young boy scout, I feel delight and hope for our future. I look past the bleakness I see every day in the world, those moments that make me think I might not really want to add my genes to the mix of future generations, and I imagine my children living in a better world. My hope is unrealistic, idealistic and bittersweet, but it's hope and, sometimes, that's enough.

Fall colors...

2008-10-01T15:09:00.005-04:00

So, are any of you ladies out there feeling the blues? I don't know what it is, or why it's attacking right now, but I have definitely fallen prey to a heavy dose of the Downs. I keep thinking that it must be hormonal and, until now, was convinced that it was just me, but I've just realized that it's EVERYWHERE!!! Walking through the grocery store today was a lump-in-my-throat reel, working is a chore, made all the more difficult by the tears blurring my vision and woe is Le Husband if he decides not to do his dishes immediately. The worst part, beyond the overwhelming bursts of emotion, is the self-doubt.

Anyone who's met me is aware that, even when I'm not sure, I stand by whatever it is I might be spouting, but recently... well... um... do you... I mean, could I... I was thinking... but I'm... You get my drift? So, I've been thinking about this fear of change, insecurity and general listlessness and wondering, is autumn the emotional opposite of Spring? Because Spring brings with it lightness, joy and a certainty that things are looking up. Does this happen to us every year, and then we forget? I don't remember last year being this bad, but then I don't really remember last fall at all.

Then, I thought that perhaps it's about change and insecurity. I miss parts of my old life, but I'm not ready to throw in the towel on Charlottesville yet, so I remain here, wobbly and definitely mid-change. The same goes for a friend of mine who just moved back to Virginia from New York City. Like I did, she's spending the first couple months at her parents' place, while adjusting to country life. Not the easiest of changes to undergo, and her recent emotional state seems remarkably close to my own.

And then, we can't ignore perhaps the most important change of the decade... the presidential election. That's a change that's been begging to happen for the past eight years, but it's also a change that could lead to, in my opinion, absolute horror. I'm trying to be positive about it, but... oh, who am I kidding? That's a change that could send me straight back to Paris. And it's certainly something to cry about.

Please sign this petition!!

2008-09-25T11:57:00.000-04:00

http://www.voicefortheuninsured.org

Update!

2008-09-25T11:43:00.003-04:00

So, I just wanted to thank all those people who have come forward with their horror stories. I especially like Abby's inappropriate forwarded email of this morning!! Thanks to GOD I'm not the only one!

TINK!

More of the same...

2008-09-25T10:06:00.005-04:00

So, as a follow-up to yesterday's horrified weep-rant, I have NO NEWS... on the other hand, I found out that I made a slight mistake on a MASSIVE translation... it's not the biggest of mistakes, but it's a rather unfortunate one. Being the ethical IDIOT that I am, I just sent an email informing my client of the mistake. I just got a response and there's nothing anyone can do abou tit at this point. At least it's not a REAL mistake... just a silly error of interpretation.... Has no one, REALLY NO ONE, invented a time machine yet??? I would DEFINITELY be interested in investing! Anyone? Yes? No? Dust?

In other news, the Husband's graphic palette has given out, with 5 weeks left to finish his comic book... we ordered a new one and it's supposed to get here tomorrow, but, due to UPS having put it on the wrong plane, it could get here Monday instead. That's another real bummer. The French say that bad things happen in threes (Americans say it, too, but the French really believe it)... so I think we've had our three, right? Unless the Husband needs three and I also HAVE TO HAVE THREE??? I like to think not.

Actually, I vomited two nights ago, as a precursor to (and perhaps the weakening cause of) the HORRIBLE email sending. Could that count as one of the three? I'm not so sure, because, in sick manner of modern Western woman, despite feeling awful after vomiting, some creepy little part of me, very deep down, thought, "Maybe I'll lose an extra pound..." and I did. So, it's not all bad, so it can't count towards the "bad things happen in threes" rule... oh, what sick puppies we are!!!! And I know I'm not the only one.

The Horror, the HORROR!!!!

2008-09-24T09:59:00.004-04:00

I just needed to discuss the morning I've had, so that other people can feel better about their lives. (Let me preface this by saying that I spontaneously vomited last night... so I'm rather weak this morning).

SO, I haven't been paid by my clients in a LONG time and I keep asking this one lovely woman I work for to check with accounting, which she has done now numerous times. This morning, she informed me that accounting had made a huge error and had paid someone else... and that the dude responsible was leaving at the end of the month and was crap anyway. She told me I should write them directly about it, so I did. Fine up till now, right?

Well, Bugalugs here accidentally copied my contact's original email in... so my best (and favorite) contact person there is now going to have issues with accounting (everyone knows that's the WORST position to be in) and I look like a complete, uncaring, idiotic CREEP... and I still haven't been paid and may never be, at this rate. I probably won't get any more jobs from these people, because who wants to work with someone so careless?

Anyhow, I'm close to (oh, who am I kidding? I'm IN) tears right now, hoping she doesn't get fired and I get my money AND keep getting jobs from them! Anyone have a similar story for me? Perhaps something with a happy ending?

On the flip side, if I don't have work from my clients, I'll be forced to change lines of work... and change is good, right?

To a NUB, I tell you!!

2008-09-08T09:49:00.002-04:00

So, I just spent the last 8 days or so working about 12 hours a day. Completely exhausted, worn to a nub, not a breath of energy left in me! At the end of each day, I reached for a glass of something alcoholic and soothing, gnawed on something appropriately fatty and sugary, then went straight back to work. Anyone who knows me is aware that I do NOT like long work days... but what I really don't like is the TEN POUND GAIN!!! (You UKs, that's ALMOST A STONE!!!!!)

Any of you who have written me lovely emails, my apologies for the radio silence. I meant to write back, but simplement could not!

So, back to weight watchers, back to the gym and back to finding gorgeousness to snap pics of for the bloggeroo!!!

Tink tink tink!!!!

Furniture Porn!!

2008-08-25T17:52:00.000-04:00

Ok, so this is cracking me up... http://www.furnitureporn.com/roofsex.html

The Dining Room

2008-08-25T10:06:00.009-04:00

Abby's Room (apologies)

2008-08-25T08:35:00.004-04:00

Where gorgeous people stay when they come visit... it's really good for a daytime nap!

Chez Nous!!

2008-08-24T18:03:00.004-04:00

So, for those friends who I miss and who we don't get to see every day, here is... The House!
The tour's not complete. Just the outside for today. We didn't make our bed this morning (it being Sunday and all) and I chose to save that for later. It's also remarkably difficult for me to remain still enough to take a non-blurry photo. ... What Palsy is this?

TOUR!

2008-08-24T17:52:00.006-04:00

Percy in Paris

2008-08-22T23:19:00.002-04:00

Percy in Cville

2008-08-22T23:18:00.006-04:00

Wedding Partay

2008-08-22T16:11:00.001-04:00

Just a couple months back, we had another wedding celebration here in the US.... been almost 9 months of wedded bliss now! Ah, Nono!!!!

Getting started

2008-08-22T13:15:00.000-04:00

Nono and I just moved into our new pad two weeks ago. Feels like paradise (altho it's sometimes hot as Hell). Percy seems to have adjusted perfectly. Today, he made friends (or is it enemies?) with a neighborhood (neighbourhood for you UK & NurnIrn lot) ginger cat. He's looking forward to more snarling, hissing visits. So am I.