Chez Margot

We moved into Margot's place a couple days ago. Our landlord has been breathing down our necks, he can't accept that we just aren't going to pay him before we find a new place. We had to call the police on him because of his constant harassment; he actually came over and pretended he was the police, so that we'd open the door to him... yeah.

We've been looking for a new place fervently, desperately even, but with no success. Without solid connections or a butt-load of money, a young married couple can't live in Paris. Trust me.

So, we've been trying to make the best of things and keep on looking. I went to a foyer for young students in the latin quarter yesterday and nearly wept. It was a gorgeous area right next to Chapelle du Val de Grâce: its the kind of place you dream of when you think of Paris. The rues were cobble stoned, the boutiques were unique, the boulangeries were fragrant, the parks were lined with benches and fountains were abundant. The lady at the front desk of the foyer was so kind, too. It just made it all hurt a little more that the foyer was completely full. At least my resolve to find a way was once again strengthened by the city herself. So many times on this trip I've been down and discouraged, and then the city breathes life into me. I have to stay here.
There is this tucked away street in the ninth just down the hill from le Moulin Rouge that is all guitar shops. Today, Margot and I's goal was that street. We went to the APC outlet we discovered on rue del Sarte, a record store, and then a bunch of guitar shops. Those guys are living the life. We had little success finding an afordable amp, but we had fun. We winded down the the evening at a corner café as it began to rain. Not bad for being homeless.

Mon Anniversaire

We headed over to Coquelicot, near Abbesses in Montmartre, and got some brunch to start off year twenty-seven. Twenty-seven.
It was snowing when we stepped outside, pretty but annoying and cold. Lauren had a meeting with a photo editor, Alexandra, so we mixed some business with fun. I got the omelette du jour and some hot chocolate: good birthday brunch.

We spent a couple hours chatting about the photo industry, technology, and the state of our generation. Soon, Margot came by, and her and I left to walk around and check out some little shops. We found a couple of cool record stores, and some kitsch shops. I got a Velvet Underground record and a little Asian toy for Lauren. It was freezing cold, so we kept ducking into stores mostly to warm up while we waited for Lauren to finish her photo consultation with Alexandra. We ended up all meeting back at our apartment and then heading over to Angelina's. Margot went home and Lauren and I watched the Social Network on the internet.

This is the first time in my life that I feel like I'm in the right place. Its scary, because its very uncertain trying to make your own way as a foreigner, but every week Lauren and I look at each other and are glad we're here. We're so used to looking over and simply complaining at how miserable Provo is... its weird thats its over with. Now is the time to make things happen for us. Already, we're more motivated and hopeful about the future. Although twenty-seven is daunting, I'm resolving to make this year, the first year in Paris, the one that kicks off my life in a better direction.