The week that nearly did me in

I’m a masochist. I knew it was going to be a busy week at work, it always is before leaving on vacation, and yet I still accepted a freelance assignment. So on top of working three late nights at the office, and my performance evaluation, I had less than a week to write an article for which I had to contact at half dozen restaurants. And I had an all-day seminar for work squeezed in there. Plus my regular therapy session and my new career coaching session. Another doctor appointment, plus a fire drill in realestateland: a request to re-bid on an apartment we lost the first time around. By Friday night, I could barely see straight.

While I had to cancel plans for cocktails at the new Milk & Honey with Sally, one of my friend-colleagues from the Paris office, I got to spontaneously have drinks with Michael, who was in town. It was great to catch up and reminisce, though our Paris connection is now tinged with sadness at what was then and will never be again. Paris in 2009-2010 was our Paris. Experimental. Cha Cha. Rosa Bonheur. Velibs. The occasional epic experience like Le Grand Vefour. We had it so good. Life has changed since then, and so has Paris.

There’s no escaping the fact that Paris is succumbing to international influences. Though, yes, you can still find hundreds of kinds of cheese in one stinky shop and every neighborhood has its boulangeries, patisseries and cafes, every time I visit, I see more old-timely shops and corner bistros have been replaced by chains and fewer croissants made from scratch. Everything’s getting spiffed up. It’s not a bad thing, especially if you live there and want a little variety. It’s just bittersweet reality.

Life moves so quickly. As I get older, I’m trying to learn how to be more fully in the moment. I need to learn to let go of my tendency to take on too much. After this motherfucker of a week (it’s okay if I say that on my blog, right, if one of my yoga instructors said it in class?) I’m so looking forward to going to Buenos Aires (tonight! on a redeye!) and so appreciative of silly little videos like this.

Southern Hemisphere, here I come!