The Bold Soul

If you need me, I'll be in my OTHER office

Today being a Wednesday, which means no school for our Little Guy and the neighbor's 5-year-old and 1-year-old, and knowing they would be at home with the nanny a good part of the day since it will probably (finally!) rain later, I decided to beat a hasty retreat in order to hopefully get some much-needed work done.

It's a bit of a hike across town for me to come to my "other office", but I love being at my friend Aimee's tea shop, L'Oisive Thé, on rue de la Butte aux Cailles in the 13th. I come early, during the pre-lunch hour, to have a few minutes to chat with my friend while she and her serveuse are doing the daily preparation for lunch and afternoon tea. Coming early means I score a small table in the corner near a window. Good light, a lovely cool breeze, and plenty of room to work (and to drink tea and have some delicious food as well!)

I've visited a few times since the grand opening at the beginning of April: once Georges and I brought the Little Guy here for Sunday brunch, and then a couple of weeks ago I came by with my computer but had problems with my power adaptor and didn't have enough battery life to work, so I had lunch and tea and then had to leave. I've loved watching the little changes Aimee has made to her shop, making it even more charming than it originally was, with her personal little touches like hand-sewn tablecloths, lots of green plants and flowers, and books and magazines to read as well as teas to buy and drink!

Today, though, I'm planning to hang out for a long time, and I've come prepared to work. I desperately need to get some work done. My guilt is palpable, the guilt of knowing clients are waiting for me to deliver things but that I'm having trouble getting myself in gear to do any actual work. As you can see, my writer's block is somewhat selective; writing my own thoughts on my blog is a breeze. It's writing OTHER people's thoughts that requires so much more of my concentration. But then, that's why they pay me the "big (ha) bucks".

I wonder if I'd be this distracted if I wasn't planning a wedding?

Last night I "confessed" (voluntarily) to Georges that lately, when I am claiming I am working, I'm usually not. He being an excellent procrastinator himself (at times), he knows how easy it is to be lured away from the things we need to do by those other things we prefer to do. And since we've met, he's often had the same problems I've had, forcing myself to work when I'd rather just be in our little bubble o' love. We'd rather keep having fun and not have to deal with work. But we're grown-ups, we two, and we have grown-up responsibilities.

So today, I've got a chapter to research and write for one client, and if I get that done and done well, then I move onto editing a first draft manuscript for a second client. Then there's a third client who is waiting on a book proposal. And after that I'm sure there are other things I've promised someone, somewhere.

And now, I work. If you're in the neighborhood today, drop by and say Bonjour and have some of Aimee's homemade cookies or delicious salads, and cup of tea -- of course!

Everyone's dreams CAN come true

I am comfortably installed in what may one day be known as the table where I wrote my first bestseller -- in much the same way Hemingway was known to write at a table at the Deux Magots, only I am much less literary. I am sitting smack dab in the middle of my friend Aimee's dream, sipping a delicious cup of Yoga Chai tea. Aimee sewed the cheerful pink and white tablecloth with her own two hands... the first of many personal touches and improvements she'll be making, I have no doubt.

Today, Aimee did something incredibly bold and fabulous: she realized a very big dream. She opened her very own café:  L'Oisive Thé. It is a small and totally adorable tea shop located in the 13th, in the picturesque Butte aux Cailles quartier, on the corner of Rue de la Butte aux Cailles and Rue Jean-Marie Jégo, just a short walk from Place d'Italie down Rue Bobillot (nearest metro: Place d'Italie on the #5 and #7 or Corvisart on the #6). The street has a small park and a number of other restaurants, but it's the only tea shop in the area. A l'oisive, by the way, is a "lady of leisure" -- what a great name for a tea shop (not that men of leisure aren't welcome too!)

I am completely jazzed to say that Georges and I happened to be there at the beginning of Aimee's leap into becoming a restauranteur. I hadn't even known this was a particular dream of hers, although some of her other Parisian friends were probably aware of it. Georges and I met Aimee and her husband for lunch one day, and when we hooked up with them, they suggested going to brunch instead because they'd read about a brunch place very near where they live but at which they'd never eaten before. Who doesn't love brunch, right? So off we went, with the others giving me a little run-down on the Butte aux Cailles area, which was new territory for this ex-pat.

While we enjoyed our delightful meal, Aimee kept looking around and saying how cute the place was but how, if it was hers, she might do some things differently. And that's when it came out that she had dreamed of having her own little café for a very long time... more specifically a place where knitters could come and knit (Aimee being a very talented knitter) while they enjoyed some tea, coffee, treats and the company of other knitters. We spent a good part of that brunch brainstorming: what if you put a small sofa over there? What if you took those shelves out and did something else there? Would you put in some Internet access? Should the menu be changed... a liquor license added? Suffice to say it became the major focal point of our conversation.

I can't remember now who it was that first noticed the "For Sale" sign in the window, but by the time we all walked out of there, Aimee's husband had taken the carte de visite and written down the agent's phone number. It couldn't hurt to just call and ask about it, right? We all agreed it should be explored further because you just never know.

Well, here it is a few months later (probably the longest of Aimee's life in some ways, while she negotiated and navigated and tolerated all the hoops and hurdles thrown in front of her on this journey) -- and she's DONE IT! She owns this beautiful little café. Opening day was today!

I wanted to be there right at the opening to take photos and celebrate with Aimee before the day got too crazy for her, and I nearly made it on time... having tripped and fallen on some freaking very hard Parisian cobblestones in the Place d'Italie as I was rushing to get there (my entire body aches and my knee is pretty banged up, but otherwise no major harm done, fortunately!) I arrived just a few minutes after 11am, official opening time, to find the door open and Aimee and a helper inside setting things up. The new tablecloths were in place, but the food delivery was a bit late so the serveuse was going to pick up the salad fixin's on her way into work. After hugging and jumping up and down a bit with Aimee, I took some photos and she made me my first cup of tea -- I was the first customer!

The delivery arrived and was sorted and put away... Aimee and the ladies started chopping crudités for salads and continuing to get organized. Fortunately, this tea shop had been in operation for some time and has a regular clientele, and the serveuse is a "legacy" employee, very experienced and pleasant. When starting out in the restaurant business it's always easier to take over an existing successful business, and then little by little you can adjust it to your own tastes once you get into the swing of things.

I sipped my wonderful tea, gazing out the window at passers-by and neighborhood activity. The restau on the adjacent corner started to open up for business, the owner out front scrubbing the entry pavement with a brush while simultaneously smoking and talking to her mignon little terrier. The dog seemed to know all the neighbors, who stopped to speak to it or pat it on the head as he stood in the doorway watching his small world with great excitement: the "guard dog" of the Butte aux Cailles... at least in HIS mind. A woman walked by, stuffing a large bottle of wine into her oversized purse; I found myself hoping that wasn't going to be her entire lunch, but you never know. An upstairs neighbor shook the dust out of a small carpet... never minding the people below walking by. A typical Parisian neighborhood.

As lunch time rolled around, I decided to stay and enjoy something off the menu. The menu is very light and suitable to a tea shop: salads, small quiches, desserts and of course dozens of varieties of tea to choose from (as well as great coffee and other soft drinks) so if you're into eating light and fairly healthy at lunch, this is a great place to go. I chose a feuilleté chèvre, salad crudités et fromage, and it was just wonderful.

During the first hour or so, I was the sole customer, but in the past the café didn't open until noon so the locals probably didn't realize they could come in an hour earlier. And prime time for tea shops if, of course, afternoon tea. But as 12:30 approached, a man came in -- clearly a regular because he bise'd (uh, that's "kissed on both cheeks") the two helpers and greeted Aimee with a handshake before installing himself at a table, as comfortable as can be. A woman followed, coming in to purchase her favorite tea to take home. And so it began, with people in pairs, mostly, coming in for their lunch and some tea. I could see it was going to be a very good first day and Aimee was so thrilled to see so many people already.

After finishing my lunch I decided I should give up the table to make room for whomever might come in next and want to enjoy a nice meal or revitalizing cup of tea before heading back to their daily grind. Aimee was just glowing, and it warmed my own heart to see her happiness in having made this big dream a reality. I can tell she's going to be great at this, and I can't wait to see the little touches and improvements she will add on her own, over time.

Bring your writing, your laptop (WiFi access coming soon), your knitting or your favorite book, and go and enjoy! It's lovely, and so is the smiling new propriétaire!

L'Oisive Thé
1, rue Jean-Marie Jégo, 75013 Paris
http://loisivethe.wordpress.com/

Open 7 days a week, brunch menu on Sundays

You can also read about it on The Paris Blog. And read Aimee's account of her first day (with a photo of her first customer - me!)

No coincidences

I can't begin to tell you how I nearly peed myself laughing after I took this test after reading Mrs. B's blog and found out which Muppet Personality I am:

You Are Animal

A complete lunatic, you're operating on 100% animal instincts. You thrive on uncontrolled energy, and you're downright scary. But you sure can beat a good drum. "Kill! Kill!"

The Muppet Personality Test

Because in high school, he was my favorite Muppet and our unofficial mascot of our percussion section, of which I was the proud solo xylophone player.

However, I am not violent and have no "killer" instinct. That I know of. Just don't cross me.

Sometimes, you gotta

One of the things that helps, when you live far away from your roots, your friends, your family and your culture, is occasionally splurging on things that remind you of home. Even things you know are ridiculous. I had one such splurge today, at lunch.

I first became acquainted with the famous Kraft Mac and Cheese as a very little girl. I came home from my friend Claire's house one afternoon and raved about Mrs. Verguson's macaroni and cheese. My mother, a wonderful cook (who was a Martha Stewart-in-training long before Martha was old enough to dream of her own empire) went to all the trouble of making a macaroni and cheese casserole from scratch, with four cheeses and everything. And I wouldn't touch it. Somewhat deflated by my less-than-enthusiastic reaction to her culinary masterpiece, my mother asked Mrs. Verguson for her recipe for mac and cheese.

To which Mrs. Verguson nearly wet herself laughing, before explaining to my poor mother that her "recipe" was Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, with the powdered fake orangy "cheese sauce", that me and her own daughter loved so much. I've been eating it ever since, although to be honest the past three or four years I basically stopped eating it because just didn't appeal to me anymore. I figured I had finally "outgrown" it at the age of 44 or so.

Or... have I? Today, I do not blush to say: I ate ALL of it. The whole pot full. By myself. I did not even offer to share it with the children or Georges. And it was delicious, even considering it cost about 4 times what it would have cost me to bring a box from home (which I forgot to do on my last trip). It may not "gourmet" but it sure tasted a little bit like home.

Hey, don't judge me harshly until you've walked in my cheesy shoes.

Apartment for Rent, Paris 75015

My apartment is up for rent for a few months, since I am leaving shortly to move in with my honey. The proprietaires (landlords) are a very nice Franco-American couple who live in their larger apartment next door. They are looking for a short-term renter for April through June, ideal for up to 4 people on vacation or a short-term work assignment for a single person or even a couple. They will rent by the week or by the month. They would also LOVE to find another long-term renter starting in the fall.

The apartment was decorated by a professional designer, and is very light and airy. It's a one-bedroom with shower room, American-style kitchen with open floor plan to the living area, plus a sofa that converts to a very comfortable double bed (not one of those nastly folding deals, either, but a very cool innovation from Ikea). Dishwasher, full-size oven/electric stove, microwave and large refrigerator in kitchen with breakfast bar and 4 stools. All dishes and cooking utensils, sheets and towels are provided. High-speed internet, cable TV and a CD/stereo are provided as well, and a small desk in the bedroom is perfect if you bring your own laptop. Located in a very nice, quiet part of the 15th, near 2 metro lines (12 & 13) and two excellent bus lines (95 & 62), good shops and one of the best open-air markets in Paris, 3x weekly including Sundays.  Movie theatre in the neighborhood, too. Real people live here, not tourists. But the center of Paris is 10-20 minutes using public transport.

The rent includes all utilities and there is ample closet space, a storage cave and a washing machine in the basement that is only for your apartment. The building is on a small gated street, too, so very quiet. Completely modern, completely comfortable. I've been quite happy here and the owners are lovely.

If you're interested, check it out and contact the owners directly.

Contest winners!

OK (drum roll, please), we have two winners in the "Guess the Parisian landmark" contest!

First of all, the correct answer was:  the Ecole Militaire! I'm impressed that anyone got it (because I doubt I would have guessed correctly myself), so congratulations to all who knew the correct answer.

And our winners are:

• First: Misplaced, who gets the "Older Women, Younger Men" as (I hope) a gag gift for his wife. And we certainly hope she appreciates him and won't leave him for some young, hot French dude.
• Second: smtwngrl, who will get the "He's Just Not That Into You" book (because it's the only prize left), and we hope it will help her decide whether her fella is into her or not. Because she deserves someone who IS.
• Honorable Mentions go to: everyone else who guessed correctly but didn't want any books. Thanks for playing, and I wish I could say I have some lovely parting gifts for you... but I don't.

Prize winners, I will be in touch shortly to send you your books!

FOR SALE: 1738 Rouen Faience Double Table Fountain

ATTENTION ANTIQUE LOVERS IN FRANCE OR ABROAD:

Georges is interested in selling this beautiful antique 3-piece double table fountain. It is "Rouen Faience à grand feu", signed and dated 1738 by maker Claude Borne. The design is in cobalt blue and terra cotta red. It is in stunningly good condition for its age (270 years old); one of the spigots is missing its little handle, but otherwise there do not appear to be any cracks, major chips or evidence of past repairs. It shows some discoloration in the glazing but that is to be expected of such an old piece. We have done some research on-line and believe this to be one of the more rare pieces: double table fountains are unusual, especially with all three pieces intact and in such excellent condition.

Complete photos including close-ups of detail and signature are available here.

Interested persons should contact me at lthwriter@gmail.com and please provide your full name, email address and telephone number along with best times to reach you. PLEASE: SERIOUS BUYERS ONLY!!!

Dimensions (approximate, may differ +/- 1cm):

• Base length = 55 cm
• Base depth = 23 cm
• Base height = 11 cm
• Jug/urn height = 38 cm
• Jug diameter (at widest point including handles) = 30 cm
• Total height of lid, jug and base together = 56 cm

A few more images to whet your appetite:

Hello, Lover

I am back in Paris, and more importantly, I AM WITH GEORGES. Can you see the smile on my face from wherever you are?

Because I KNOW you need something to help you smile through that hang-over today, and because I will be too busy being reunited with Georges and thinking about how wonderful it is to start the New Year TOGETHER with him, I will not care much about blogging today. Instead, I bring you something else to look forward to in 2008... I actually wrote this post a week ago, when I first learned about it because IT WAS JUST THAT EXCITING.

Hold onto your Manolos, girls... this is BIG news!

Sex and the City: The Movie is being released on May 29-30, in both the US and France.

Oh, la, la. Carrie wears a rather large Eiffel Tower handbag in one scene. Not many people could pull off something that tacky (and it was probably a designer bag, too) -- but Carrie can.

Will Carrie and Big get married? Hmmm.... check the trailer for clues.

Bonne année, everyone... here's to good health, abundant love and prosperity of all kinds for all of us, and to a world with MORE PEACE in it, in 2008.

Santa Sighting 2007

Where is Santa Claus on Christmas Eve? How close is he to YOUR house? Aren't you just dying to know?

Père Noel, as he is known in France, is a very busy guy, and he has to move fast (apparently, in France, he travels by Vespa). Find out where he is in his annual global flight, along with Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen (and of course, Rudolph!) by visiting the NORAD Santa Sighting site! Available in English, French - mais bien sûr - German, Spanish, Italian and Japanese, so take your pick. You can even add a little tracker widget to your Google dashboard with a countdown (just one day and 19 hours now!)

And while you're waiting for the big event, NORAD has provided all sorts of games and things to do on the site, so enjoy while you're taking a break from baking cookies and wrapping presents!

Joyeux Noel, tout le monde!

I enjoy eating Austria

Time for another Shameless Plug. This one is for the most excellent Parisian podcast brought to you by my friends, Katia and KylieMac. They are rapidly approaching their 100th episode (way to go, girls!), and already have a huge following. Join the K & K groupies (like me) and find out what an Australian and American think of their ex-pat lives here in Paris. They compare notes on their reactions to and experiences in living among the French, as well as on cultural differences from their respective homelands. And they have a helluva good time podcasting it all from their Coffeetable Studio, too!

In Episode 95 you can find out what makes Katia say, en français, "I enjoy eating Austria". And don't sweat it if you don't actually have an iPod... you can listen to each episode using your web browser.

Capturing Emotion

My friend Aimee (you might know her as PutYourFlareOn or Max's Mommy) is one of the most talented photographers I know, especially when it comes to capturing an emotional moment.

She has submitted one of her best (in my opinion, anyway) recent photos -- "Generations" -- to JPG Magazine. Do me a favor: check it out, and if you love it, vote for her photo. And if you haven't checked out her blog (where there are many more wonderful photos to discover) you can do that right here.

Photo copyright 2007 by Aimee Osbourn-Gille

Book news

My book, The Writing Coach's Guide to FINALLY Writing a Book, which has been available as an e-book for $14.95, has been updated and expanded for 2007 and will soon be available as a paperback book (you will be able to order it online from either iUniverse.com or Amazon.com) for $19.95. I'm just waiting for them to come up with a cover design that will "wow!" me (so far I haven't been "wowed") before it's all finalized and done, and I'm super-excited that it will finally be a REAL book, even if it is self-published.

That being said, I'm temporarily keeping the original e-book version out there but have discounted the price to only $9.95. If you're interested and don't want to wait for the new and improved version (which does go from 95 pages to around 150 pages), now would be a good time to get this book for a bargain price!

I'll post something when the new paperback is out!

I'm still one of a kind

Found this at the Dreamers and Me and got curious.

There are currently 302,728,181 people in the United States, although statistically speaking by the time I finish typing this, we'll have a few more born into the world, and probably a few passing onto the next world, too. But 302,728,181 seems like a nice round number.

There are 1,065,603 people in the United States named Lisa. It is the 33rd most popular first name in America.

There are 72,655 people named Huff. It ranks at 465 in popularity.

There are 265 other people named Lisa Huff. I knew there was at least one because she registered lisahuff.com years ago -- I checked once, prior to registering LisaTaylorHuff.com. But 265?!

Nervy bitches.

If you believe

My very talented friend, jewelry artisan Maria Sariego, who designed this beautiful gift set for my niece's recent birthday, has just updated her website with new merchandise and it is totally gorgeous (dibs on the green set!)

Please visit and bookmark Believe Street and discover the perfect gift for that someone special - including yourself!

Making life worth living again

My complete set of Ally McBeal, Seasons 1-5, has finally arrived from the U.K.!

I had to come all the way to France to be able to get copies of my favorite American TV show from a company based in England because they don't sell them in America.

Now I will have dancing babies, Barry White, and Robert Downey, Jr. any time I want. Sweet.

Too bad I can't take the time to watch it immediately. I am so backlogged on work from the past few days already, and I'm afraid if I start watching I won't stop until I've seen them all.

It's just. That. Good.

We interrupt this program...

I'd been working full-throttle on a client's web site, and suddenly realized I hadn't eaten lunch and I was hungry, but I wanted something sweet. Standing in my kitchen, I stared at my food shelf to see what was available, and realized the answer was "Not much" unless I wanted to try and gag down some rice cakes -- when I suddenly got a brainstorm.

Nutella!

Nutella, nectar of the gods. Nutella, not made in France (it's Italian) but a staple of every French household and creperie. Nutella, making rice cakes palatable since the 1940's.

All that glitters

This weekend, my niece Beth turned 15. I know everyone makes a huge whopping deal over the whole "Sweet 16" thing (including MTV) but for some reason, 15 feels more significant to me. I wanted to mark this birthday for her in some special way, especially since I can't be with her as I usually am. (I missed her older brother's 20th earlier this month, too, but with him being a young man who just got his first brand new car, and where he now has a car loan and insurance in his own name that he must pay for, I gave him exactly what I knew he'd want and need most: cash. It came from the heart, though.) But for my niece, I wanted to get her something to signify her passage into young lady-hood (although I was informed that for her birthday, she had some friends over and they played Red Rover and used the Slip-and-Slide... nice to know they are stretching their childhoods to the very limit!)

I thought I would end up casing all of Paris for something unique. Turns out, I was able to score the perfect gift right in my old stomping grounds in New Jersey.

A few months ago (April or even March, I think), my friend Maria Sariego, who designs and creates beautiful beaded jewelry, posted something on her blog with photos of some beads she had recently bought at a big bead show in NYC. I spotted the lavender, green and white flowery beads at the bottom right corner, and got a brainstorm! I thought they would make a beautiful necklace or earrings for my niece, as they look exactly like something a 15-year-old girl would want to wear: light, fresh, pretty and just a bit retro. So I got in touch with Maria and asked what it would cost to have a custom-designed set of jewelry made up: either a necklace and earrings along, or those plus a bracelet. She has been in the jewelry business for a few years now (we are both corporate refugees and ex-life coaches, which is how we met back in New Jersey) and I knew that she often does custom designs for wedding parties (bride and bridesmaid ensembles) and for other special gift pieces.

Long story short, we agreed on what could be done and a price (I opted for a necklace and matching earrings), and with no further instructions from me, I left Maria to decide what other filler beads to use and I trusted her to come up with something extraordinary.

She does not disappoint, my dear friend Maria. See the breathtaking results?

The completed necklace. Sterling silver filler beads, fancy clasp and extension chain. Real Swarovski crystal beads (only the best!) in lavender and purple with little dangly bits. The larger purple/green & white beads, the inspiration for the entire project, shown off to perfection by Maria's artistry and keen creative eye for detail.

Here's a close-up of the center-point, the dangling piece in the middle:

And here are the matching earrings:

Maria even gift-packages her creations in pretty purple boxes with white ribbon. In my case, I had her ship everything to my mother's address and Maria enclosed the ribbon but left my mother to tie it up, since I knew Mom would want to have a look and also this way the bow wouldn't get crushed in transit. She shipped it Priority Mail and it arrived within two mailing days, safe and sound.

So what I've got is one very happy teenage girl back in New Jersey. I done good, and Maria made it all possible. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful and artistic friend! (But then again, I'm lucky in ALL my friendships. Not a single bad apple in the lot.)

Maria creates all kinds of pieces, and she sells them both on-line through her web site and an Etsy site she recently set up, as well as through local craft fairs and corporate trunk shows. She also serves as a sales outlet for her father's hand-carved wooden leaf-and-bead jewelry designs (I happen to own one of his gorgeous pieces myself - he is a true craftsman, so clearly this runs in the Sariego gene pool!)

You can find out more about Maria's work and order on-line (I believe she will ship internationally for an additional fee), by visiting her website: www.BelieveStreet.com.  She has also recently set up a shop over at Etsy.com although it's a work-in-progress. Remember that Christmas is now less than FIVE MONTHS AWAY so if there is something special you want Maria to create as a gift for YOUR special someone (a-hem: guys, listen up!), better contact her right away as she is always in demand the nearer it gets to the holidays.

Here are some photos I lifted from Maria's blog and web site that shows the scope of what she's capable of creating, and three of the photos are samples of her father's craftsmanship, too. Click the photos to enlarge.

Enjoy and happy shopping!

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Necklaces, earrings, and charms for jeans, purse, cell phones and more:

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Bracelets and bangles:

         

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Complete sets for weddings and gifts (or, treat yourself!)

       

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Hand-carved wooden necklaces by Maria's dad (including one shot of him doing the actual carving!)

       

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Assorted other items, like bookmarks and soldered two-sided pieces:

         

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In addition to the Swarovski crystal beads, Maria uses a variety of other materials to make her jewelry, including pearls, semi-precious gemstones such as jade, agate and others, and more.

For more information, contact artist Maria Sariego at www.BelieveStreet.com or visit her Etsy shop. Tell her The Bold Soul sent you!

P.S. Maria informs me that her web site is being updated later this week with lots of new designs and photos, so if you take a look now, be sure and go back next week for a look at all the lovely new things to choose from!

All photos in this post Copyright (C)2006-2007 Maria Sariego. Do not copy, use or duplicate without permission.

... and now I KNOW (but I'm not telling)

It is done. C'est fini. I am not saying one word about what happens within the pages, or even whether or not I liked it and how it turned out, so you don't have to be afraid to read anything on my blog. I'm no spoil-sport (and don't try posting any comments giving it away, either, because I'm temporarily moderating all comments to spare those of you who are still reading, and all spoilers will be deleted!)

What I do want to write about was my own unusual reaction to this book from the moment I picked it up at the bookstore and sat down in a nearby café to read a few pages before my date the other night, because my reaction surprised me. I have never in my life read any book where I was tense and anxious even BEFORE I even opened it or read a single word. Usually when I have read a Harry Potter book in the past, I have no trouble just plowing through with great eagerness, and it's hard to pry me away from it.

But with THIS book, the build-up and anticipation of knowing this was to be the Grand Finale was palpable, and it continued as I read the entire thing. I could feel it in my body. I was very fidgety and periodically would have to simply put the book down and walk away from it, sometimes in the middle of a sentence, to break the tension. Ever see the episode of Friends where Joey was reading The Shining, and when he got to the scary parts he'd have to put the book in the freezer? All of a sudden, I can kind of relate. With this book, I would get just so far along, and then would have to slow myself down so I could absorb it, unwind my nerves which were wound up like a spring, and then I'd be ready for another dose.

It was like I was afraid of the book itself, from the get-go. I was afraid to begin it... afraid of what was going to happen... afraid of potentially being let down... and most of all, I just didn't really WANT it all to end.

But it has. And you'll just have to find out for yourself. Even the Cruciatus Curse or Veritaserum won't get it out of me.

The End.

100 pages to go

... of the You-Know-What book about You-Know-Which-Boy-Who-Lived at You-Know-Where fighting You-Know-Who. STILL don't know how it is going to turn out.

And utterly freaking out about it.

Gotta read now.

Nous n'oublions pas (We will never forget)

Tonight I had the pleasure of meeting four real American heroes, right here in Paris: four veterans of WWII who landed on the Normandy Beaches at D-Day (plus the wife of a man who died in the first wave). They were here with a multi-generational group called Normandy Allies. I believe they served with the 29th Infantry Division, and most were about 18-20 years old at D-Day, 63 years ago - about the same age my nephew is right now. Wow, that puts things in perspective; these men were being shot at and bombed (one of them was shot 3 times and lived to tell the tale) and my nephew is enjoying his new car and getting ready to start his 3rd year of college. I have a hard time picturing him having to go fight a war, but the fact is, that's the age most young men join the service... and today they're serving and dying in places like Iraq and Afghanistan.

Anyway, my friend and client from New Jersey, Donna Coulson, was with this group all week, along with her husband John, and tonight they were here in Paris for their last evening before boarding their plane home tomorrow. They've been in France since July 10th, touring all the WWI historical sites around Normandy. Since it was their last night and Donna knew I was here in Paris, she invited me to join the group for dinner this evening, and I couldn't pass up a chance to meet people who created history for both France and America.

The group of about 40 people was mainly adults in their 40's through 60's, but it even included some high school and college students (one girl's grandfather was at Normandy, which was nice for her to get some perspective on what that part of his life must have been like; the rest were studying the D-Day invasion in school or came with parents). I met a man who is with the American Embassy here in Paris, who serves as the group's liaison (this is their 9th year coming over on this trip, I think). There was a man who is writing a book based on the letters his mother and father exchanged during the war when his father was here in France with the Allied forces. There was a veteran who survived the first wave (very few men did), one who made it through the second wave, and the other men were in the 5th and 12th waves.

Donna had been here several years ago with this group, but this time came with her husband, and it was his first trip to France. She had the chance, on this trip, to visit a small church in Normandy that her father remembered visiting when he came through with his platoon (she has photos of the church from back then).

One thing I have often heard from people back in the States, whenever they want to say something negative about France, is how they think the French have forgotten what America did for France during both World Wars. Well, after meeting this group tonight, I can tell you that this is untrue. The one thing all the people I met said was that the entire time they were in Normandy, the French people very clearly remember - and appreciate - Americans. There were parades where these men were publicly honored. They were asked to participate in wreath-laying ceremonies with the mayors of French villages. French citizens came up to them and shook their hands, and kissed them on both cheeks, saying "Thank You for what you did".

While standing in the background at a cocktail hour with this group, I listened as the Embassy liaison gave a little speech about what this trip meant to him, and at one point he got rather emotional as he described the feelings of gratitude that were expressed by the French everywhere they went on this trip. Later, after the dinner, another man got up and presented the widow of a D-Day soldier with a commemorative container of sand from Utah beach that came with a special poem written by a Frenchman about the American troops who liberated France.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to visit Normandy and the sites of the D-Day landings, but after this it's definitely something I want to do. Although no one in my family was in the military during the war - my grandfathers were both too old and my father and uncles much too young - this is a part of history that France and America share together. Our two countries may not always see eye-to-eye on some things, but historically we've always been on the same side, starting with when France backed America when we were making our own bid for freedom over 200 years ago. Maybe we owe them a little gratitude, too.

In any event, not only did I have a nice afternoon with my friend and her husband, taking them for a walk underneath the Eiffel Tower and over to Napoleon's tomb and Les Invalides, but I got to spend a few hours in the delightful company of several gentil and "mature" gentlemen with fascinating stories to tell.

Makes me damn proud to be an American, meeting people like that.

Photo from the National Archives, Department of the Navy.

Potter-licious!

OK, so here it is: my Harry Potter movie Review-Without-Revealing-Too-Much. Ten observations in no particular order, but no "spoilers" so you can read without fear (I think):

#1: SPECIAL EFFECTS: Excellent special effects throughout, as usual. Funny stuff with Fred & George's trick wizarding products and spells. Totally cool how they did Grimmauld Place. And improved Sirius-in-the-fireplace effects over the earlier film, just to name one thing I noticed in particular, probably because the way they did it originally always bugged me.

#2: LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION: Go see it in a theatre filled with 75% teenagers. It made it unexpectedly fun. I never thought I'd say that, but they are SO enthusiastic and they "get it", and there is nothing more boring than seeing a totally great movie with an audience who just sits there like they've been turned into pillars of salt.

#3: HARRY'S ROMANCE: handled beautifully, brought tears to my eyes. Also a bit of a small plot change from the book concerning Cho later on.

#4: PLOT & SCRIPT: They do stick pretty well to the book's central plot line and in many of the details as well. But as the book is ginormous, many small details had to be sacrificed or skimmed over. Still, I don't recall anything really major-league critical being left out. Which means the writer did a good job in the adaptation, and that had to be challenging given this is the longest book in the series at 896 pages (American hardcover edition) - even the 7th book isn't as long at 784 pages.

#5: PROPS & SETS: It was fun seeing the props in the movie that I got to see a couple of weeks ago at the fake Hogwarts Express' stop here in Paris. All of a sudden, having spend an hour just to see a few props and costumes seemed a bit more worthwhile. The best props were the cat plates - which in the movie has all the cats moving around and meowing, because they are like the portraits which come to life - and realizing the desk Kyliemac and I both sat at, Daniel Radcliffe also sat at in one scene! WE TOUCHED THE DESK HE TOUCHED! The new sets for the Ministry of Magic were really good. A bit different than I'd envisioned it from the book but in some ways even better.

#6: CASTING: New cast additions were inspired choices. Imelda Staunton as Umbridge -- less ugly than as described in the book but even more of a twisted megalomaniac; Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange was every bit as creepy and deranged as I'd hoped; Natalie Tena as Tonks didn't get as much screen time as her character seemed to have in the book, but I liked her and they did some nice little special effects with her (if you saw "About a Boy", she's the punk girl that befriends the Boy); and the girl who played Luna Lovegood was terrific, despite being a rookie in the acting business. I read that after she'd read Book 5, she felt no one would ever be able to play Luna except her, and somehow she got in front of the right people to make it happen. Good for her!

#7: MOOD & TONE: Like the book, the 5th movie is definitely darker and fraught with more tension and fear among the characters. But they also did a great job of sprinkling in a lot of funny moments and good comic one-liners throughout.

#8: TAKING IT UP A FEW NOTCHES: The young actors just get better and better, and it's great to see them develop all their characters and take them to a new level here. You don't see as much of all the veteran adult actors in this one - the action is really focused on the kids. But they're all there.

#9: DURSLEYS: Dudley and Uncle Vernon. Just wait 'til you see them. That's all I will say.

#10: MORE EMOTIONAL: I felt this was the most emotional of the films to date. Sure there's plenty of action, but the characters are bonding, friendships are deepening, especially between the core six kids, and the stakes are higher for the survival of their world. I didn't cry (although I've been known to do that in movies) but I did tear up a few times when I was particularly moved.

BOTTOM LINE:

I don't care what the professional film critics might say about it but I thought this movie totally ROCKED. It's got it all: action, effects, romance, comedy and a LOT of drama. Not even sure you can classify this as a "kid's movie" at all. And I will be seeing it at least once more, that's for sure.

After all, I will need something to keep me going until the LAST BOOK comes out next Saturday.

Go and see it for yourself!

I'm off to see some wizards

It's time.

Picture me for the next several hours on the edge of my seat, in a darkened theatre, staring raptly at the screen.

I will let you know how I like it (but I promise not to spoil it for anyone).

Potterholic

It's sad, really, how obsessed I get every time a new Harry Potter movie or book comes out. And now J.K. Rowling is going to do me in for sure, having the 5th movie and the final book released just TEN DAYS APART! The anticipation is TORTURE!

I am so excited I can't think straight. I am wondering if there are any midnight showings of the movie in Paris tonight, like there are in the States (my goddaughter is going with her dad, on a SCHOOL night no less - lucky girl!)

Anyone else out there as crazed as I am feeling right now? Do we need a 12-step program for this kind of thing?

And now, if you will excuse me, I am going down to the tabac and get the movie schedule.

Timefinders

A few weeks ago, I had a very charming email from a reader, asking permission to reprint my post on "It's about the journey, not the destination" in her on-line magazine!

So please take a moment to check out Jill Crossland's "TimeFinders" July/August issue, find out more about her publication and get your own free subscription. She's currently running a series of articles on "Women Who Dare"!

And thank you, Jill, for your interest in sharing this article with your readers!

A little harmless self-back-patting

There is a light at the end of the tunnel-o-work in which I've been hiding out for the past month. In that time I have practically forgotten I'm actually in Paris since I so rarely have gotten out to see any of it (recent day trip to the Pompidou with out-of-town friend being the one major exception). But it's all good because lots of work means lots of money to stay here and some spare traveling cash for the summer book research trip I want to take around Europe.

Today I finished one of the major projects, the second of two websites I've developed and built for my very dear friend/client and my former personal coach, Laura Berman Fortgang. If you're not familiar with Laura's three books or her work as a world-renowned coach and speaker, now is as good a time as any to check out what she's doing.  Go here and here to see the fruits of our collaborative labors over the past few months. Every client should be as delightful, focused and easy to work with as Laura... maybe that's why this is probably my best design work yet (good clients = good results).

Ah, it feels good to FINISH something, and not only to finish it but to know that you did your best, that the client is thrilled, and that you had fun doing it. Does anyone else get that feeling in their work when they complete something big? I can't be the only one! Everyone who finished a big project recently and did a good job at it, raise your hand... and then pat yourself on the back along with me. Well done, us!

Now, after this blogging break, it's on to the next couple of things: editing a software tutorial guide for one client, writing three sample chapters to finish a book proposal for another client, and starting a whole new ghostwriting project on Friday with a third client. The first project should be wrapped up within a week (I hope) so that's a shorter-term thing. The book proposal is something I've been working on with the client for a couple of months and we're down to the last part now, and I think the book is going to be pretty significant so I'm eager to finish. That way,the client can get to work on getting it in the hands of some publishers (he's got excellent contacts in that area AND a compelling true story to tell that has all the things publishers are looking for -- like divorce, money, greed and corruption -- so I feel it's just a matter of a few months before he's got a lucrative deal on the table) -- and I will ghostwrite THAT as well. And the third project, which I also think will be great, has a tight deadline where the client wants to have something in hand for a November event. Picture me figuring out how to write a whole book by end of September for that to even be possible!

Oh, and did I mention I'm supposed to start a web site overhaul for another friend/client in the next few weeks? At least with that one, there's no time pressure from the client. Plus there are always small writing and web design jobs for my existing client base, things that tend to come up with little notice but where I can usually fit them in around the bigger stuff. Suffice to say, I know how I'll be spending my summer this year, save for a few weeks of traveling. I hope Paris will still look the same when I'm able to come up for air!

In the nearly 9 years I've been self-employed, I have never had work like this, projects falling into my lap everywhere I turn. I've never had to turn things down the way I've been doing. Something is definitely "up" with the Universe which is sending a whole lotta opportunities my way. They're not all things I'd even WANT to do, but the very fact that I am approached pretty much every week with someone seeking a ghostwriter for this or that project feels really good. How are these people finding me, you wonder? Google, mostly. And I even stopped paying for Google Adwords months ago. They're finding me ANYWAY.

"They" say it takes two to three years to ramp up a new business, and I've been in the freelance writing business, officially, for about that length of time now. And it looks like a corner has been turned, where I'm finally attracting the kinds of clients and projects I want. It's a nice feeling, although I'm not resting on my laurels yet. But I have decided to raise my fees a bit from this point on. Not drastically, but just enough to get me out of the "rookie" leagues and closer to being on an even playing field with some of the higher-paid ghostwriters.

I can really only attribute this upsurge in my work to having taken the leap last year to move here, because while I know I've got a fair amount of writing ability, it's not talent alone that's responsible for more work coming my way, and I'm doing virtually nothing to advertise. But when you do things that make you happy, your energy can't help but shift in a positive way, and everything around you has no choice but to shift, too. And that's what this feels like: a definite SHIFT toward abundance and prosperity in all things.

Now if I can only carve out the time I need to write my OWN books, maybe I can put the wheels in motion for the next phase of my writing career: getting paid to write my own original work, instead of something that has someone else's name on it. The latter is nice work if you can get it... but the former is going to be WAY better.

Meanwhile, after two consecutive weeks and weekends of barely leaving the 15ème, I'm actually going for a haircut on Thursday (oh so needed!) and to visit Aimee and Max, and Saturday doing a little cruise + picnic on the Canal St. Martin. And maybe dinner or a movie with a friend. Because all work and no play will make Lisa... well... insane.

Not to mention just a little bit bitchy.

Photos taken by me, at the Centre Georges Pompidou.