Friday, November 20, 2009

free your mind, and the rest will follow

I knew that I would be bad at this, it’s been almost two months since my last post, epic fail. However, I will treck on, these gaps aren’t going to weaken my cyber will.

The title of this blog was birthed from the urge to become more in the know, less ignorant about the messes of happiness around the world. I am now twenty, in Paris, and ready.

I happened upon a sort of street garage sale right before my birthday, and I was blessed with a wonderful find, a red leather purse. I bought it for 5 euros, it was sold to me by the daughter of its original owner, who was more than displeased with its selling price, but gave me a smile anyway, giving me the right of passage to incorporate it into my quotidien wardrobe. The purse is the first thing in what will be a gloriously long list of new acquisitions.

People at Sciences Po, my current place of study, are with it; there’s no doubt about that. Yes, I am not in love with the slight elitist smell that greets you in the hallways, but you can tell that these kids know things. And well, I don’t. Enter change.

I don’t expect to be one of Obama’s oval office advisors anytime soon, even though you never know these days... I just expect to have the bigger picture of life, and I’ve realized that it’s quite difficult to snap it without understanding the opium market in Afghanistan, who Nancy Pelosi is, or even how to bake a chicken.

Learning new things is actually quite thrilling, I am actually appreciative of my overwhelming ignorant-state, because without it, I don’t feel that this process would be as exciting.

Geography is super interesting too. I am going to buy a map, several maps actually; great tools of orientation, they truly put life in perspective.

Reading, also important. Observing too. Lately I’ve been intrigued by cigarettes. When you walk down a parisian street, with the sun setting, a bit of a crisp wind, it’s just right to have a cigarette in your hand. It seems natural. I say seems because, ingesting that nasty stuff into your lungs is not natural. But that’s what’s crazy, why? Why do we do these things.

Everything is super connected too.

I realize that I am having, and excuse my French (never got that expression), a mega mind fuck. It’s all falling into place, not clearly, I’m confused as fuck, but I’m un-blurring it all, and that’s super great.
Also, music. Don’t even get me started on that stuff. Recent semi-obsessions: Lykke Li, Anya Marina, Lady Gaga (sad but true, that woman is insane), Noisette.

Fashion too.

I’m overloading, have to go free my mind.
(and the rest will follow, shout out to En Vogue)
-Claire
(names are ridiculous too dude...)

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

dusty shoes

In an international city like Paris, it is quite fun to people-watch and try and decide your subjects' origins.

fanny pack = o' say can you see (shout out to you ma')
stilettos = european, prolly italian
etcetera etcetera

While in Versailles, deciding who was foreign became my forté. Why? Because of dusty shoes. The gardens of the Chateau de Versailles, truely beautiful and amazingly expansive, covered in a mystical white sand, leave their mark on their visitors.

As soon as I descended from the RER into the little town, I took note of the accusing powder.

dusty shoes = tourist

After visting the gardens (free entrance after 17h30 woot woot), and getting a bit dusty myself, I realized that had I seen me and my shoes on the street, I would have labeled myself as a tourist. The idea of being a tourist has always irked me, that outsider feel. I feel like after living in Paris for one month, I deserved better.

But, then again, what is so wrong with being a tourist? If visiting the gardens of Versailles makes me a tourist, then so be it. The idea all of a sudden felt fresh. By touring, we discover, et qui ne veut pas découvrir?

So, instead of patting down my dusty shoes, i'm just going to let them be. Surely, the dust will eventually naturally find another place to rest. And soon my shoes will be covered in something autre, the mark of an entirely new freshness to tour.

Speaking of shoes, check out this Parisian expo yo':
http://www.maisondudanemark.dk/eventpopup2009.aspx?id=1590

Thursday, September 24, 2009

thank you metropolitan

Although taking the Metro isn't always exhilarating, it does have value: Music.

As you rush through the underground tunnel, not only do you have the opportunity, every once and a while, to spot local not-known-as-of-yet artists just jamming , but you also get to peek at the mega advertisements and get a sample of all of the upcoming concerts and album releases. One of the first times I took the Metro during this séjours I caught a glance of a Wax Tailor poster. First introduced to me by one of my frenchie cousins, this dude is crazy. He just released his third album 'In the Mood for Life' (tru dat), following his first two masterpieces 'Tales of the Forgotten Melodies' (2005) and 'Hope & Sorrow' (2007).

Dude buddy is mega touring and will be in the US of A in October, do try and catch him.
Check him on waxtailor.com

I have been playing the eff out of his music video "Say Yes" featuring ASM. For your sake, give it a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRz-_u2tN0c

Ciao Amis.

here we go

I really dislike this 'cyberworld.' It bothers me because I have this feeling that one day I will interact with no one except for my computer. I decided, however, that before I bash it, I might as well try it on. So dudes, here we go.