Today, I played my ukulele in the Tuileries and made a video out of it...skip to 1:33 if you're in a need of a laugh...
Watch it here small, or bigger on youtube:
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Phantogram at La Flèche d'Or, 2/24/2012
Almost two months into Paris and I finally got my act together, made good on my pretentious music talk, and shlepped myself to a concert. I use the word shlep not because it was a bad concert, not in the least. Mostly because it was in the 20th arrondissement, which is about as far as humanly possible from where I live. Looks like I'll be shlepping over there more often though - it has a lot of neat concert venues.
I arrived at La Flèche d'Or and passed by the smoking patio and into the intimate concert hall and bar. Andromakers opened first to a small crowd. A dynamic, female, french duo, who I later stood next to while watching Phantogram, the two girls of Andromakers wailed over their loud drum beat and electronic melodies. It was a pretty fun sound, but as for the lead singer all I want to say is, "You're not Bjork."
I arrived at La Flèche d'Or and passed by the smoking patio and into the intimate concert hall and bar. Andromakers opened first to a small crowd. A dynamic, female, french duo, who I later stood next to while watching Phantogram, the two girls of Andromakers wailed over their loud drum beat and electronic melodies. It was a pretty fun sound, but as for the lead singer all I want to say is, "You're not Bjork."
The next band, Hooray for Earth, hailed from New York. Also a pretty fun band, I liked their playful use of sounds and percussion. Their noisy instrumentation drowned out the lead singer, but what they lacked in sound balance (intentional or not) they made up for in energy.
The crowd swelled for the arrival of Phantogram. From Sarah's hair to Phantogram's music, the performance was perfect. They blasted the highlights of both their album, Eyelid Movies, and their newest EP, Nightlife, with full force and energy. There was the familiar beat to "You are the Ocean" in which Sarah's vocals were more pronounced in duet with Josh's, highlighting the lines "In the fall I get lonely. In the winter I'm still lonely. Come the mask of springtime. In the summer I go crazy."
Phantogram's Sarah Barthel
Then the parisians, americans, brits and myself swayed and bounced to Mouthful of Diamonds, 16 Years, As Far as I Can See, Turning into Stone, Running from the Cops, Futuristic Casket and more. What I liked best about their performance was how tight and sassy it was. Every sound was delievered, and more on top of that, making for a truly live experience.
Phantogram's Josh Carter
(Pardon the picture quality...it's a combination of the head-bopper
I was standing next to and that fact this this was taken on a point and shoot)
Lastly, I just want to say that Sarah Barthel is a bad ass...there's no way around it...
On to the next show! St. Vincent at Alhambra, 2/26/2012
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
A Girl's [Highly Successful] Guide to French Men
I have this friend (she shall remain unnamed, as she is shy - it's not me, I promise), let's call her Venus. In two months in France, Venus has danced with over 50 men, received at least one marriage proposal and travelled to Spain and back with a French man. In so many words, Venus has major Parisian game. One day, she even wrote her number on a piece of paper and passed it to someone as she left the metro (instead of running off at the last minute to avoid pursuit, as is my method). Here is Venus's guide to hooking men in Paris (as interpreted by me of course) in 5 simple steps:
Step 1: Smile. Most people look sad here in Paris (refer to my metro guide for more detail). The beautiful part of this that Venus has discovered is that a smile actually counts for something here. If you want a free drink, smile. If you want to be noticed, smile. If you want an in with a French man, smile.
Step 2: After smiling, this is when you retract the smile, literally and metaphorically. Venus has reeled in her man with a smile and now she must reject him. If he professes his love, she appears disinterested. If he proposes marriage, she tells him he is not going to get any action. When he asks her to go to Italy, she hesitates. This step must last at least a week and potentially up to a month - just long enough, but not too long.
Step 3: Rejection period complete, Venus gives her French man a little leeway again. This is when he asks her to Spain. Now is the time to concede, that is, if Venus is still interested. Which she is, at least vaguely.
Step 4: Go to Spain!
Step 5: Fall in love, at least until it's time to smile again...
Ok. Now this guide has gotten very specific and kind of hit its own dead-end...really, I just wanted to write a post about Venus...girl has got some game!
Over and out.
Step 1: Smile. Most people look sad here in Paris (refer to my metro guide for more detail). The beautiful part of this that Venus has discovered is that a smile actually counts for something here. If you want a free drink, smile. If you want to be noticed, smile. If you want an in with a French man, smile.
Step 2: After smiling, this is when you retract the smile, literally and metaphorically. Venus has reeled in her man with a smile and now she must reject him. If he professes his love, she appears disinterested. If he proposes marriage, she tells him he is not going to get any action. When he asks her to go to Italy, she hesitates. This step must last at least a week and potentially up to a month - just long enough, but not too long.
Step 3: Rejection period complete, Venus gives her French man a little leeway again. This is when he asks her to Spain. Now is the time to concede, that is, if Venus is still interested. Which she is, at least vaguely.
Step 4: Go to Spain!
Step 5: Fall in love, at least until it's time to smile again...
Ok. Now this guide has gotten very specific and kind of hit its own dead-end...really, I just wanted to write a post about Venus...girl has got some game!
Over and out.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Mari's [Paranoid] Metro Guide
Recently while describing my personal metro habits to a friend I noticed that her face was becoming more and more skeptical. It seemed that my thoughts and practices about taking the metro sounded more and more paranoid as they exited my head. So, whether or not I am crazy (crazy people don't know they are crazy after all) I have written a little metro guide [for the paranoid]:
1. First and foremost, body language. This is essential and multi-faceted. There is, what we like to call, the "metro face." Look completely neutral at all times. Sad even. Cranky maybe. Whatever you do, do not smile. Then, if necessary, cross your arms, look uninviting. Stand in a way that says, "I am confident, and I don't want to talk to you."
2. Dress not-outlandishly. Bright ponchos make some people think that it is ok to say "Good evening" in spite of your bestbitch metro face. Wear what you want, but actually wear black (if you want to blend into the masses). And no fish nets.
3. Avoid eye-contact. They are looking. You are looking. You know they are looking; they know you are looking. But no one is looking, right?
4. Listen to music! Or at least put your headphones on.
4b. Don't dance. If you ever absolutely feel the need to break it down to your music, a small foot tap is acceptable.
5. If you feel uncomfortable and you reach your stop, you can wait until the buzzer sounds and run off the train just as the doors close behind you to avoid being followed (by this time you can imagine my friend's face in reaction to my metro tactics...).
Alright, I am joking. Half-joking. I'll concede, I smile sometimes on the metro, tap my foot...I even wear a poncho fairly often (read: every day). I'm just saying, if you want to avoid contact on the metro, my [paranoid] guide works pretty damn well.
1. First and foremost, body language. This is essential and multi-faceted. There is, what we like to call, the "metro face." Look completely neutral at all times. Sad even. Cranky maybe. Whatever you do, do not smile. Then, if necessary, cross your arms, look uninviting. Stand in a way that says, "I am confident, and I don't want to talk to you."
2. Dress not-outlandishly. Bright ponchos make some people think that it is ok to say "Good evening" in spite of your best
3. Avoid eye-contact. They are looking. You are looking. You know they are looking; they know you are looking. But no one is looking, right?
4. Listen to music! Or at least put your headphones on.
4b. Don't dance. If you ever absolutely feel the need to break it down to your music, a small foot tap is acceptable.
5. If you feel uncomfortable and you reach your stop, you can wait until the buzzer sounds and run off the train just as the doors close behind you to avoid being followed (by this time you can imagine my friend's face in reaction to my metro tactics...).
Alright, I am joking. Half-joking. I'll concede, I smile sometimes on the metro, tap my foot...I even wear a poncho fairly often (read: every day). I'm just saying, if you want to avoid contact on the metro, my [paranoid] guide works pretty damn well.
Saturday, February 4, 2012
"Gastronomic Experiences"
Paris, France. A land of gourmets and cafés. With a brasserie on every corner and at least one bakery on every block. Ideal really, except that it is burning a hole in my wallet. I have 10 euros for lunch every day. This seemed like a lot until I learned that a thin crêpe with a little cheese and an egg if you're lucky can cost up to 7 of those 10 euros. Not to mention (but actually to mention) that a coffee, really what an American would call an espresso, usually rings up to about 3.50 euros. That's 50 cents over my limit already. Then at about 5pm I am hungry and since I don't usually eat dinner until about 8:30, I need a snack...I think I've made my point. Food is expensive in Paris. Well, at least in some areas. This is an exposé on my search for cheap food in Paris...sometimes delicious, sometimes most politely called a "gastronomic experience."
Tunisian Fast Food, (M) Barbes-Rochechart
As I filed off the metro, I quickly realized I was not in the bougie upscale neighborhood by my apartment any more. 7 stops over on the metro and cheap luggage stores overflowed onto the streets and mingled with large crowds of people trying to sell me things I didn't understand the french word for. I needed to eat before my independent study, so I hopped out of the rain and into a warm place that looked to have sandwiches, meat, pizza, warm food. When I ordered the "Poulet Complet" sandwich the man behind the counter laughed. He pointed to a pan full of giant chicken legs, bone in, and told me that that was what I had ordered. I paused. Why not? "Yeah. That's what I want." He laughed again at me. "No really, I'll try it." I sat down, and this is what he gave me:
Salon Mer & Vigne, (M) Chateau de Vincennes
Today, I went to a food salon. A gourmet market of sorts, a few friends and I were able to wander from stall to stall and, free of charge, taste cheese, chocolate, wine, apple chips, cookies, more wine, jam, foie gras, you name it. It was all so tasty and...free!
Pizza Cones, Cognac, France
In a trip outside of Paris, to Cognac, France, some friends and I decided that this was too much to pass up:
"Burger," (M) Les Gobelins
Two thin patties, 2 slices of cheese, some condiments that resemble burger toppings, all grilled in a panini maker...a burger by any other name would taste the same? Well, kind of...but hey! Only 6 euros!
Tunisian Fast Food, (M) Barbes-Rochechart
As I filed off the metro, I quickly realized I was not in the bougie upscale neighborhood by my apartment any more. 7 stops over on the metro and cheap luggage stores overflowed onto the streets and mingled with large crowds of people trying to sell me things I didn't understand the french word for. I needed to eat before my independent study, so I hopped out of the rain and into a warm place that looked to have sandwiches, meat, pizza, warm food. When I ordered the "Poulet Complet" sandwich the man behind the counter laughed. He pointed to a pan full of giant chicken legs, bone in, and told me that that was what I had ordered. I paused. Why not? "Yeah. That's what I want." He laughed again at me. "No really, I'll try it." I sat down, and this is what he gave me:
"Poulet Complet"
For 5.50 euros, I literally got an entire chicken leg and breast, a tomato and lettuce sandwich to shove it into, a heap of fries and a coke. Looks greasy, and it was, but mostly it was delicious. I wondered why I had been spending practically twice that much on meager crêpes...
Salon Mer & Vigne, (M) Chateau de Vincennes
Today, I went to a food salon. A gourmet market of sorts, a few friends and I were able to wander from stall to stall and, free of charge, taste cheese, chocolate, wine, apple chips, cookies, more wine, jam, foie gras, you name it. It was all so tasty and...free!
Desserts from Brittany
Pizza Cones, Cognac, France
In a trip outside of Paris, to Cognac, France, some friends and I decided that this was too much to pass up:
"Pizza to hold in your hand!"
"Pizza in a cone? For 4 euros? Well...in any case it will be a gastronomical experience, am I right?" Yes, I was right. There were four flavors: Italian, Mediterranean, Oriental and Greek. I was unclear about the difference between Mediterranean and Greek and curious about what Oriental pizza was. The woman scooped the special sauces into a cone shaped crust concoction. There was only enough for one of each pizza...so I went with Oriental. She placed the cone in a special pizza cone heating machine that twizzled the cones in an out of an oven and handed us our pizza cones piping hot. Between the eggplants, raisins and somewhat crunchy/hard cone, all I will say about the pizza cone is that is was indeed a gastronomical experience...
Two thin patties, 2 slices of cheese, some condiments that resemble burger toppings, all grilled in a panini maker...a burger by any other name would taste the same? Well, kind of...but hey! Only 6 euros!
The double cheese burger
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