Many rivers to cross...

I can't get this song out of my head. Amandine sang it the other night on Nouvelle Star and I have had to go to the M6 website to watch her version of Jimmy Cliff's classic and compare it to his... She's good.

The other song playing in my head is "Can't Find my Way Home" by Blind Faith. I have to wonder what is up with my subliminal thinking? At least I'm not seeing a dancing baby!

My son will be finding his way home tomorrow. He has spent this week on a class trip to Cardiff. For all the traveling he has done in his life, this is the first time he's been on his own.

We are cranking up the machine for the next exposition at MBF. Think purple... think serendipity... think Sri Lanka... it is going to be an amazing installation! More details at the end of the summer. I think the part I like best about my work is the beginning of the project... the planning, the sharing of ideas and possibilities. What about this? or that? do you think? No limits.

That creative beginning is a journey in itself.

That’s what friends are for...

I have been shamelessly plugging my own blog. I have added it to my email signature and I keep telling people to click on such and such label for this or that photo. Since I have a few photos posted that I really like, I have decided to create a "Fav Photos" label. I'll have to go through the posts to label the shots I like best, but I think it's worth the time invested.

This blog started as a learning project. I know enough about web design and layout to make it look the way I like, but I needed to know how to promote the blog itself. I have learned about labeling and networking the link with other sites. There are a few sites I visit everyday, JimH Crossword Blog is one. Here's a shameless plug for Rex Parker; I get a lot of hits from his site. Expatblog.com is another source of traffic flow. How do I know this? I signed up with Google Analytics. Just add a simple bit of code to the html file and watch the data come in!

I am a total believer in networking. I like putting the right people together. I like it when good things happen for friends of friends because they had the chance to meet.

That said, I spent this afternoon with my favorite printer in Paris, Robert Ruscoe. I have known Robert for 13 years and he has given me great advice and little tricks of the trade to help me along in my pedagogical print progress. If you have something that needs to be printed, large or small, contact him. He's bilingual and expert at his trade. Tell him QB sent you!

The above photo was taken during a digital photography course at Parsons School of Design in Paris with Bob Bishop... (pattern, texture, shape.) Bob is the editor of ParisVoice.com, formerly the magazine, now an e-zine and packed with all kinds of info as to what is going on in Paris. Your first stop to your outings in Paris!

Another Parisian friend, David Sprawls, has something you need to help make your summer tasty! Lt. Blender's Drinks in a Bag! Frozen Margueritas to go! Strawberry Daiquiris, Pina Coladas, Mojitos... no problemo! He's got it, you want it! Tell him I said hi! PS: I'll shamelessly accept a bag of Margueritas!

Keep smiling...

Details...

Sometimes things seem so clear. Other times... clear as mud. This post has no rhyme or reason, which feels just about right.

It has been a weird week thus far... but opportunities have made themselves available and in the course of my work, I have learned so much by trial and error. Right now, things are coming together on so many fronts, it is something to behold. More on this down the line.

As you know, it is Wednesday night and Ycare has just gotten voted off of Nouvelle Star. He is a great entertainer, I hope he gets signed by some big record company and has a chance at his singing career. It is now down to Amandine, Benjamin and Cedric. I'm still waiting for Amandine to belt out some Janis Joplin.

Meantime, it's been rainy and cold... the sun peeked out today for a little while but tomorrow it is supposed to pour. Again.

Rainy day, dream away...

Lest we forget...

I'm a military brat. My dad was a Navy pilot and flight instructor during the 60s. I spent a lot of time in Pensacola, Florida and Kingston, Rhode Island. I learned how to pack and move a house in 2 days. I learned how to make friends and just as quickly, leave them. I learned that sometimes, people never come back.

My most impressionable memory was of one of my father's friends and colleagues. He was a young man, gung-ho... virile, masculine, funny and always had something for us kids... He was the epitome of what my very young mind thought a man should be.

The last time I saw him he had just gotten a motorcycle. I remember that he pulled up into the driveway gunning the engine and grinning like a lunatic... he was so happy with his new toy.

Before my mom died I asked her about him. She knew exactly who I was talking about. Some people stay with you. He went to Vietnam in 1965 and never made it home. I wish I could remember his name. I do, however, remember his spirit.

To him, and to so many others, thank you.

Hang on...

Wish I could do like Snoopy and just stretch out on top of my dog house. Parties in the building have kept me awake both Friday and Saturday nights. I wouldn't have minded so much if I had had fair warning... I could have dealt with the noise. Frankly, most French music sucks even when it's at low volume. Loud and pounding through the walls, with dancing until 4:30am... no comment.

I did manage to get some catching up done with a few web projects, I finished reading a book, did a buttload of laundry and went into debt booking the NY trip.

Bright side of all that is my life is a little more organized than it was last week. I know where I stand on a few things. I still want to do the 20 minutes/100 items list. Let me know if you tried it?

This week brings lots of meetings for future projects. Time to toss around ideas and get ready for the fall. Let's face it, in France, May is June and June is summer, ergo... nothing will get done 'til October after La Rentrée in September!

Vive la France!

Change your life...

I was feeling a bit bummed out yesterday and randomly Googled "change your life". I came across this blog: WiseBread. It had an entry called "Feeling Stuck? 100 Ways to Change your Life". It looked like it was right up my alley so I followed the link.

Essentially, the author, Nora Dunn, suggests you turn off the TV, computer, cell phone and other distractions, grab a sheet of paper, make yourself comfortable and for 20 minutes write down 100 things you would like to see, do, accomplish, change... whatever. Sky's the limit.

You are then supposed to leave the list alone and definitely not make any revisions to it. Take a look at it after a day and ask yourself: "...How many of the items on it are feasible? Can you see your way to accomplishing any of it? Any surprises in there?".

I told AG about it today and sent her the link... While there, I started reading some of the other articles; there is a lot of good information on life hacks and financial tips. This is not in the shameless plugging category, but I hope you'll take a look.

Dream big...

Egads!

I have been a derelict blogger!

It has been a few days since I last posted anything, but note how much time I have made available for other things! Did I do anything worthwhile with that extra time? Sort of... announcements soon!

On the other hand, I saved money and did NOT go to the Salon des Saveurs. I know that had I gone, I would have plunked down a few much needed euros for wines and other goodies that I shouldn't indulge in right now. It was a tough decision, but I stand by it.

I have gone walking twice, I must absolutely make more time for that. Had lunch with a friend, it was good to get away from the home office. I really need to do that more often!

I guess I'm feeling like I need some changes in my life, or more precisely, my routine. Not quite sure what, but I will figure it out. I'm still hoping for suggestions from the outside world! Best tips for the home worker on how to manage everything and still have a life beyond the office door (that opens into the living room)...

Time is what we want most, but... what we use worst.
~William Penn