Seize the day (I mean, saisissez le jour)
So last night I was watching the primary returns with D and trying unsuccessfully to use up all my tiles in one of my Scrabulous games in order to kick a certain blonde Alaskan's booty (hi, Bonesyard!) when I got an IM from Mortimer's Mom. We'd been talking about doing a weekend getaway for some shopping, eating, and general relaxation, but were stuck on where to go. So her IM said something like, "You're going to think I'm totally nuts, but...how about Paris?"
I jumped all over that like a dog on a bloody steak. I mean for God's sake, my last two vacations were canceled, and I'm desperate to get away AND I've always wanted to go to Paris but been too afraid of having rotten veg thrown at me the minute I open my mouth and spout some American-accented Frenglish. Of course, Mortimer's Mom is a native French speaker, so there you go. Instant translator. AND I'm only 6 hours away, now that I live in Jersey. AND we have a jillion airline miles so I can go for free (not counting hotel, food, shopping and so forth, but D says he'll get me the book Paris on Ten Dollars a Day.) (Hahahahahahahahahaaaaa! Silly man.)
Next thing I knew, we both had our flights booked. People! I'm going to Paris! For four days! In June! Wheeeeeee!
Now I have to figure out what I'm going to wear. And I must watch some French movies and listen to some French music (Edith Piaf?) to get psyched. (Like I need to get more psyched than I already am.)
Also, I must bone up on my French. Because, although I took French in preschool, and for a couple of years in elementary school, and again in high school, I speak it at about the level of a toddler, and probably with a pretty hideous American accent. And understand virtually none unless it's spoken verrrrrrry slowly. Which, I've heard people speaking French and it's never slow. In fact, I think they speak as fast as humanly possible on purpose to thwart pathetic mono-lingualists like myself. (I have the feeling Scrabulous would reject the word "mono-lingualist.") But who cares if I don't understand a word anyone says to me? Because in a month I will be strolling down the Champs Elysees in a darling skirt and jeweled flats with my friend V, and it's going to be AWESOME.
je suis tres excitee!
I'm still having a hard time believing that a) you didn't laugh and think I was crazy, b) we got flights c) we're going to Paris!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mortimersmom | May 07, 2008 at 12:38 PM
ok, now i really don't feel bad about beating your sorry ass on Scrabulous because while you are strolling in Paris, I will be spraying myself with cancer causing bug repellant in AK. So stuff my 39 point word up your baguette lady.
Posted by: bonesyard | May 07, 2008 at 12:41 PM
Hey wow you two will be sort of close and iN my timezone that will srew with blogreading ;-)
Posted by: mijk | May 07, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Wow!!! That's so much fun! Super jealous over here!
Posted by: baggage | May 07, 2008 at 01:23 PM
How fun!!
Posted by: Beverly | May 07, 2008 at 01:35 PM
How exciting!
Posted by: Carolyn | May 07, 2008 at 01:51 PM
Kewl! What fun!
Posted by: OmegaMom | May 07, 2008 at 01:53 PM
You so deserve it after all the crap that you've been through and I'm sure there's a lot of crap that you've been through that you weren't able to share here. Can't wait to hear about it.
Posted by: gretchen | May 07, 2008 at 02:04 PM
How fun! St Germain, Haussman, Rue du Four, lots of amazing places for shopping.
Enjoy! Oh, and don't forget to try some La Durée macarons and compare them with Pierre Hermé'ones. Miam!
Posted by: Juliette | May 07, 2008 at 02:51 PM
I. Am. So. Jealous. Damn you both.
I mean that in the nicest possibly way, of course.
Posted by: Jen | May 07, 2008 at 04:07 PM
I found most French people to be tolerant or at least condescendingly polite to americans with piss poor French. Just don't ask for ice in your drinks.
Anyway have tons of fun.
Posted by: Jess | May 07, 2008 at 04:32 PM
Awesome! Have a wonderful trip. Brilliant idea!
Posted by: Karyn | May 07, 2008 at 07:51 PM
This news pretty much rocks. And you deserve it after the string of stress over the last year.
Posted by: betsy | May 07, 2008 at 08:40 PM
Oh my! How exciting! You will have such an amazing time. Time to shop! You need to shop for what you will wear in Paris while you are shopping!
Posted by: Amyesq | May 07, 2008 at 11:30 PM
How fun! I love Paris!!
Posted by: Bobbi Jo | May 08, 2008 at 12:15 AM
I have always been treated with respect and kindness in France.
Paris is one of the world's best cities you should have a fantastic time.
There are a few minor thing you should do such as great the shopkeeper as soon as you enter the store, this goes a long ways and is expected. Also remember some English words spoken by a parisan sound mean but are just the accent.
Posted by: Derek | May 08, 2008 at 12:51 AM
Hi, can I come? Sounds wonderful, and I feel so guilty never having been when I am only a couple of hours away on Eurostar! Have a wonderful time ~ you definitely deserve it after the 12 months you've had!
x
Posted by: Debbie in the UK | May 08, 2008 at 01:59 AM
Well done going to Paris! It will be fantastic and you will have a ball. The French now adore anybody who even tries to speak a little bit of French and they are all desperate to practise their English so fear not! Enjoy, you really deserve a break at this point. (will the rest of the family look after the dog properly? I'm fond of your family but the dog in any family is the main person in my book!)
Posted by: Irish Aunty | May 08, 2008 at 04:32 AM
Paris in June is heaven - so long as its not too hot because then it becomes smog hell.
Have a blast, shop till you drop and do speak even your bad french..they will appreciate it.
Ride the bus - its by far the best way to get a feel + get away from the tourist haunts. They're fun but its more fun to see how people live day to day - the little streets each with a baker, butcher (and no not a candlestick maker).
It is without doubt my favourite city in the world - which is why one of my daughters has a godfather there - cunning plan to ensure multiple low costs visits.
Bon voyage!
Posted by: 3cmum | May 08, 2008 at 07:45 AM
And another wacko piece of advice...rent a bicycle. You can find the stands around town. Its a great way to see the town - go in the early evening when its not too crowded!
Posted by: 3cmum | May 08, 2008 at 07:57 AM
Paris?? Oh my. And I was excited to go to Ohio for two days. Envy is too small a word. But if anyone deserves some fun and laughter, you do, so enjoy!
Posted by: Jo in Utah | May 08, 2008 at 10:02 AM
How cool is that!
Posted by: Judy | May 08, 2008 at 01:13 PM
Jealous I am, sigh. But I will echo the chorus -- You deserve a trip to Paree!! Whee!! I went two million years ago, and people were pretty nice to us, though they looked at Alex with pity as he attempted to speak French. I was the Italian speaker and was flirted with and complimented to no end while in that country. Alex was pretty bummed.
Have a BLAST!
Posted by: Erin O' | May 08, 2008 at 02:14 PM
My mom was french, and I do have to say that... they make the BEST FOOD EVER!!!! (I'm a sucker for good cheeses)
Go, enjoy, be happy!
Posted by: Ella | May 08, 2008 at 05:31 PM
I was in Paris last summer for the first time in years. I had forgotten how purely wonderful it is. Everything about it is wonderful. You'll be transported away from all the crap for a while. After all, when life gives you wormwood, drink absinthe.
Posted by: JB | May 08, 2008 at 09:40 PM