A Week (or so) in the Life of NewYorkinParis

I haven’t blogged in a bit due to mild depression, I think. Certain existential crises about who I am and what I’m doing here in Paris. The gray weather lends itself nicely to deep (and not-so-deep—”are my pores too big?”) self-reflection. But I’m over the crises (I’m Maggie Roxx, damn it!), I’m heading back to NYC this weekend (ahhh…) and not blogging for a week means I’ve got a whole bunch of things to recount.

One of my favorite things in the world is to make a list. So here’s a list of how I spent the last week and a half.

1) Went to a god-awful haute couture show. Much like anyone with an iPod can call themselves a DJ these days, it seems anyone with the money to hold a fashion show can call themselves a designer. Frightening pix to come in a following post…

2) Made a new friend with whom I do a French/English conversation exchange. Elsa and I walk around, sit in cafes and kindly correct each other’s second language. It’s actually quite nice and the other day, I even had a star sighting on one of our walks. Joshua Jackson, he of Dawson’s Creek and dating-Diane-Kruger fame, was very purposefully striding towards Les Halles. And I was the only one who recognized him, even though I rarely watched Dawson’s Creek. Anyway, unlike most actors, he was taller and better-looking in person (which was why I think I noticed him in the first place.) I’m pretty sure Ms. Kruger lives in Paris, which would explain Pacey’s presence in my hood.

3) Had dinner with an interesting older couple. He is a duke and an artist/painter. She was a celebrated Parisian beauty/actress. They’re both nearing 70 now, I think. He’s still flamboyant and funny. She’s still beautiful, if very delicate now. It’s fascinating to see people who were real partiers and socialites when they were young in a different stage of their lives. It’s almost like seeing Paris Hilton as a grandma. Aging catches up with everyone… and I’ll tell you, kids, stay away from heavy drinking and drugs. The consequences are not worth it.

Here is the sexy Anne-Marie in Luis Bunuel’s Phantom of Liberty.

Foxy lady, n’est-ce pas? She reminds me of Diane Lane (here with the dreamy Olivier Martinez in Unfaithful).

4) Despite my warnings against drinking above, I’ve decided that Dom Perignon is really the only kind of champagne to quaff. Not too sweet, not too bubbly. Just perfect. Sometimes the hype is justified.

One day, I too, would like to lounge around on a hotel bed with a mink throw, several expensive handbags and a chilled bottle of Dom—just like Eva Herzigova.

5) I’m starting my first French policier, or detective novel. Elsa recommended this book, Pars vite et reviens tard (Leave quickly and come back slowly) by Fred Vargas, which is supposed to be easy enough for me to read and also a good book. It won some Elle Magazine readers’ award, too. I’ll let you know my review once I’m done reading, which hopefully won’t be in a year (or won’t end with me throwing the book away in illiterate franco-frustration.)

6) Shopping the sales. That deserves its own post. ‘Nuff said.

I leave for NYC tomorrow to finish making my new record! So I’ll be ParisinNewYork for awhile… but I’ll keep blogging. Maybe I’ll see New York City with brand-new, French-ified eyes.