PARIS

There isn't much to say about Paris in the Spring that hasn't already been said a thousand times. No matter what time of year I am there, I mainly spend my time in one of two ways; walking around the city until my feet are blistered or sitting in a cafe soaking in the flavor of the city. This trip, I was so tired on the afternoon I got there that I spent my time at the hotel sleeping. A pity really because the sun was shining until late evening and the weather was warm enough for walking without a jacket. Ah well, sleeping in Paris is nice too. My departure back home on day two was late afternoon and since I was well rested I was up early and armed with my camera and iPod, I set out... only to go back to my room within 30 seconds to get my umbrella. Naturally. It wasn't too bad really, just a bit of morning rain and by 11 am it was just a bit cloudy is all.  My first stop was the Eiffel Tower. I have been up to the top a few times before, so this time I just wanted to stay on the ground and have a look at it. Funny that at one point people were wanting to have it torn down, and now you could not possibly separate the city from the iconic imagery of it. I bought a cafe au lait and a croissant from a vendor. I sat, sipped, ate and listened to Daft Punks' Phoenix. before heading across the river to continue my walk. I wandered through the Marais, window shopping and wishing I had that Parisian sensibility that would allow me to have the confidence to wear something made of velveteen.  I walked past Hotel Deville, back across the river and toward Notre Dame. The Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom in the garden behind, and as the wind blew slightly the petals floated down in a shower as tourists snapped photos and young African men sold trinkets to people who could not resist the allure of a blinking Eiffel Tower lapel pin. I bought a sandwich and perched on a bench for a while to people watch. A small boy cried when his parents would not buy him a crepe. An Asian man videotaped his girlfriend tossing pieces of bread to birds in a fountain. A teenager in a t-shirt that read 'Revolution', scowled when his parents suggested that they get a better look of Notre Dame by going inside. Before I knew it, it was time to head back to the hotel and get ready for my flight home. Luckily, I will be back in Paris in a few days time to continue my wanderings around the city.

Barcelona

Barcelona on Easter Sunday. Cold, rainy, windy and all around miserable. I did manage to get out and brave the weather long enough to take a few pics and have a beer at a favorite spot in Eixample, and while out and about this song was on a heavy rotation on my iPod, Filthy Dukes 'This Rhythm' (Fred Falke Radio Remix) LOVE IT!! It made the rain and cold a bit more tolerable.

London

I worked a flight to London last night. Pretty much sass free as far as delays or unruly passengers go, however something humorously odd occurred halfway through the flight. I was working in the galley in Business class and I heard a passenger call light going off. It turns out it was coming from a bathroom in the business class cabin. I headed in the direction of the lavatory, and as I approached I saw that the door was open and there was a woman sitting on the toilet. She had blond hair, and was wearing a black dress that was hiked up and bunched in her lap. My first thought was that she was actually sitting on the toilet seat. If there is anything that my 5 sisters have taught me, it is that woman usually implement the 'hover' technique when using public restrooms. I thought her disregard for her own personal hygiene was inexcusable, but I don't judge. I noticed that her panties were around her calves, and realized at this point there was a possibility that she needed help with something that I was totally not trained nor qualified to handle. Since the woman had yet to notice me, I thought that perhaps it would be better if a female Flight Attendant handled this, so I went and asked the Purser if she wouldn't mind assisting this woman. I went back to the galley. Less than 10 minutes go by, and the Purser comes to tell me what happened. Apparently, the woman has low blood sugar and was feeling light headed because she had not eaten all day. She was afraid that bending over to retrieve her panties and then standing up might prove too much for her, and that she may in fact pass out if she tried to handle these 2 activities on her own. So the Purser helped her off the toilet seat and lifted her panties up for her. She also helped her back to her seat and got her some orange juice and a cookie. The woman told her that this has happened before but she was with her husband and so he was able to assist the Flight Attendant. Then the woman went to bed and slept until landing. Happened before? Assist the Flight Attendant. Really?

Oh, and while I am in London on my Layover, I am listening to and loving Drake 'Little Bit' Feat. Lykke Li.

EUROVISON

The Eurovision Song Contest hasn't really hit here in America has it? Of course I think that maybe most people of a certain age know that ABBA was thrust into international Superstardom after 1974's win with 'Waterloo'. Okay, so maybe its just the Queens of a certain age that know that. Anyway for those who are unaware, the Eurovision Song Contest is a yearly event that started in 1956, in which European, and strangely some non European countries like Azerbijan and Israel, select one song to represent them. They all compete in a live televised event, this year being held in Moscow, and then through public voting, one song is selected as the winner. It's extremely popular in other parts of the world (sort of like Soccer) with some sources saying as many as 600 million viewers world wide have watched in recent years. There are a few more intricacies and exceptions but I fear I have already bored you with too much, so I will get to the point.  Historically, the songs entries lean toward the saccharin as to have the widest and most cross-cultural appeal, but some of the entries this year are just beyond... beyond...well...just beyond. Of course my judgements include certain considerations, like the fact that what I consider to be good music may have less appeal in Croatia, that Hip Hop might have less social reference to Macedonian youth, and that cultural pride is also on the line here for these entrants. But seriously... I think you just need to hear some of them for yourselves. My two personal favorite worst songs of the 42 entrants so far are: 

From Sweden, Malena Ernman 'La Voix'

www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmanHZKQ270

From Greece, Sakis Rouvas 'This is Our Night'

www.youtube.com/watch?v=r56smlbd8Dw

There are still two more rounds of elimination before the May 16th Finale in Moscow when the winner will announced, and there is no telling if these two will be among the songs cut. To me they are so bad, that I love them. I sort of hope deep down that Greece will win the whole competition, because I have this vision of Sakis Rouvas' live performance complete with fire shooting up behind him each time he does one those ridiculous arm gestures, and gold and silver confetti being released from the ceiling during the final chorus. How does America not love this?

Day 1

Okay, so I started a Blog. Here it is. I hope you like it. Oh yeah, That is me on the right. I think I am kind of interesting, so I thought that maybe you guys would like to see/hear about the things that inspire and motivate me. That is hopefully what this Blog will morph slowly into. I travel. I photograph. I listen to music... a lot. Movies and art make me think. I am inspired by visuals, both beautiful and ugly.  One of my favorite words is RIDICULOUS, both by sound and definition. Another of my favorite words is the French word for grapefruit, PAMPLEMOUSSE. I only like it by sound, not by definition. Another is HUMANIST, but this one I like much more by definition. Get my point here? My politics are to the left and my humor tends to be a little on the vulgar side. I am also a little opinionated. So there are the basics. Anything else you would like to know, just ask. I am sure more will be revealed in time, but for now I will just post something that makes me happy today... 

...and it is the release of Bat for Lashes new album, Two Suns. Bat for Lashes, is the brainchild of UK based but Pakistani born Natasha Khan. The album is stunning.  The first Single is Daniel. This may be old news, as the Single has been out for a month or so. It is haunting and beautiful. Check it out if you haven't already. 

You can Listen to the whole album here:

www.batforlashes.com/music_and_video

..and you can watch the video for Daniel here:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=00ZHah-c0hQ