Growing up ? What for !

I wanna be a princess !!!

cloudy_monday — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 22:24:30 GMT

   "Etre belle et aimée, ce n'est être que femme.
   Etre laide et savoir se faire aimer, c'est être princesse."
   J. Barbey d'Aurevilly

Roughly:
   "To be beautiful and loved, it's only being (a) woman.
   To be ugly and know how to be loved, it's being (a) princess."
   From the awesome Jules Barbey d'Aurevilly.

(Sodary-chan, je trouve ma traduction complètement bancale... T__T)

Le bentô n'est pas mon meilleur ami (enfin, à cette heure !)

cloudy_monday — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:10:06 GMT

Humpf... 5h00 du matin et je ne dors toujours pas : dès que je ferme les yeux, je vois des bento... Je n'ai pourtant pas faim ! Juste envie de modeler des roses avec du saumon fumé, des papillons avec du fishcake, des omelettes bicolores, des abeilles à partir d'oeufs de caille, des cochons avec du riz... Et ça fait 6h00 que ça dure ! Pitiééééééééééé !!!

Tacchon, sort de mon corps (T___T)

I never thought...

cloudy_monday — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 14:00:00 GMT

... that I would be so happy to spend this holiday (Happy Bastille Day to everyone btw) sleeping on and off, windows opened, listening to the thunder (I never knew thunder could lull someone to sleep...) and enjoying fresh (and wet) air.

Surviving the summer without any vacation has become possible again!

Edit: the spoiled brat is back: I wish I didn't feel like today is sunday! No kidding: I've been moping for the last hour thinking that a full week was ahead me... Blonde un jour, blonde...

Is there something more perfect than...

cloudy_monday — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 15:12:50 GMT

Lazing on the bed with "the one for you" on a Sunday afternoon, enjoying the cool air produced by a brand new AC mobile unit (???) while watching the sacro saint Tour de France dreaming open-eyed?
I love being in love... !

I wanna die (at least...)

cloudy_monday — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 01:52:04 GMT

3:30 a.m. and I can't sleep: the temperature in my room is 32°C (about 90°F if my brain hasn't totally fried). Of course there is absolutely no air (and I left my fan in the bedroom of Beast's son, hoping it will help him sleep a little better).

Anyway, I might seriously consider an escapade impromptue in the Alpes next week... In the meantime, I'm going to take my fourth shower of the day (and planning to threaten -or brib- my landlord for AC...)

Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of my life

cloudy_monday — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 22:18:50 GMT

Tonight will be my last night being 30. Tomorrow, when I’ll wake up, I’ll be in my thirty-second year… What used to be a non-event for years (non-event as “please spare me and forget I’m getting older today’) has become the most expected day of the year for me. Not for the social implications (I still feel like I “disturb” my relatives…), but for the outcome it represents in my eyes. Last week, I made sure everything around me is as tidy and clean as possible (physically and virtually…). Yeah… I’m superstitious like that: a peaceful environment for a peaceful year! Happy birthday to me! ;o)

How I met Oikawa Sosuke*

cloudy_monday — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 00:33:53 GMT

(*aka « the DV guy portrayed by Nishikido in Last Friends »).

2010 has taken off in a big way for me. Sunday, as I was coming back home after a pleasant afternoon gathering, I got stuck between a subway door and two guys who decided that fighting in a crowded place was a fun activity to pass time (you know how “kids” tend to get easily bored in public transportations…). The outcome? Well… I don’t know for them (a kind man threw them out at the first station), but they still hurt two girls (contusions for the both of us and a bonus sprain for me).

What anger me the most is that I have to deal with boredom whereas work is pilling up on my desk at work (weirdly, a bruised face is considered as a big no no in the luxury industry, even when you’re part of the back office team…). Grrrr…

Happy New Year everyone!

cloudy_monday — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 16:50:51 GMT

I hope 2010 will see your fondest wishes come true!

2009 has finally ended. As expected last year, it hasn’t been that great for me. But I’m quite pleased with how some aspects of my life finally turned out (no, no details: the Internet isn’t private enough to develop this!). I will put all my efforts in 2010 to keep this “good job” on then !

A last word to finish? I fell in love with the idea of little (erf... I mean young there...) Nishikido singing the Beatles' Let it be: ♪reripi♪reripi♪reripi♪...

5-days-after-note: I wonder what I was thinking when I setted this post "poster only"...,

Rant of the day #01

cloudy_monday — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 15:58:19 GMT

Paris under the snow is great. Paris under the snow and a transportation strike is not (blame the slippery walksides for my bad mood).

Joyeux Noël qu'ils disaient...

cloudy_monday — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 23:29:49 GMT

Cet après-midi, alors que je tentais de franchir un nouveau pallier de la traditionnelle « La course aux cadeaux », j’ai eu le plaisir de constater que l’habituelle foire consumériste (à laquelle je contribue tous les ans, notez bien !) qu’est devenu l’anniversaire du p’tit Jésus a marqué une pause. Certains verront là un effet de la Crise (oui, j’ai décidé que ce phénomène méritait une lettre capitale) tandis que d’autres applaudiront le retour aux valeurs humaines et spirituelles. J’avoue : l’enfant en moi avait follement envie de croire en la seconde option et a bâillonné l’adulte cynique. Et ça a marché !
Jusqu’au journal de 20h00… 30 secondes sur le froid qui vient de s’installer et ses conséquences (prévisions divisées équitablement entre les coupures électriques et les décès des personnes n’ayant pas la chance de bénéficier du chauffage central…), 45 secondes sur une fusillade à Lyon mais 3 minutes sur le coma artificiel de Johnny Hallyday… Notez que j’ai bien entendu une pensée compatissante pour les familles et je souhaite sincèrement au chanteur un prompt rétablissement. Mais là, je m’interroge sur le sens des priorités de certains.

Cooold

cloudy_monday — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:20:21 GMT

I'm freezing. Under a comforter. With a hoodie (Cap on my head). And a jacket. And a sweater on my shoulders.
I should sleep at night... ;o)

Social pressure

cloudy_monday — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 22:29:40 GMT

I really thought I was immune to the Twilight syndrome. I should have been more careful… In less than a week, I’ve gulped down 4 books (and excerpts…) and 2 movies. The strangest thing is that I don’t feel head over wheels with it. I mean, the writing is OK but the plot is way too predictable for the number of pages. So are the characters (even if I wish Bella wasn’t spending more than half of the story moping around everything). But the facts are here: I must be addicted to spend so much time on Twilight…

How I lost my credibility in 5 minutes...

cloudy_monday — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:02:08 GMT

I ate today with a former colleague. Before starting eating, I left the table to wash my hands, leaving my phone on the table. I wasn’t really surprised to see F. browsing it when I came back (harmlessly intrusive: I got used to it after a few years…). The content of the music folder surprised her as none of the songs seemed to be familiar to her. Of course, you know the name of the artists (all managed by J&A or one of its subsidiary).
I spent one hour trying to explain her what an idol was, the specificities of this market, the position of J&A on it, and so one. When the dreaded question came (i.e. “But why do you like them?”). I must be honest here… Music can’t be my ultimate #1 answer (even if it took over my phone). Neither is their look (took over the image folder…). Actually, it’s what they make me feel, something I can not explain without a computer, my external hard drive and at least 2 hours. Therefore, if you have a special technique to properly explain your addiction to someone without making a fool of yourself, could you please give me a few tips…

Xmas bliss

cloudy_monday — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 22:37:01 GMT

Yesterday, I suddenly realized that we were in December already… Christmas is around the corner and I didn’t even it! I wish Christmas was a simple and joyful moment in the year. Actually, it’s much more like an annual issue: my family (both close and extended) disagrees on everything (from the general organization to the decorations of the Xmas tree…).

This year might be a little more peaceful (well… I’m working hard on it). The main task was to convince my mother that as the family configuration changed, our traditions needed to change too… Actually, the change happened ten years ago with the birth of the “4th generation”: my grandparents’ apartment wasn’t “babyproof” so my cousin decided to hold her own Christmas Eve celebration. She was kind enough to invite every member of the family to the dinner, but such a change wasn’t compatible with Granpa’s Alzheimer’s Dad’s stubbornness (God knows why he doesn’t want to deal with my aunt’s family). Suddenly, a single family gathering turned into a three places events: champagne with grandparents from 7:00 pm to 8:45, (re) champagne with my aunt’s family (but without my father) from 9:15 to 11:00 and then dinner at my parents around 12:00 (yes, timing is needed in such a case!). Five years ago, another stop was added from 5:00 to 6:30 (Cherry with my late grand mother). Then, on the 25th, mass from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30, lunch at home from 12:30 to 3:30 (well “lunch” might not be the proper word…) and tea at my grand mother from 4:00 to 6:00. After 6:00? Well, tiding, cleaning and sleeping (in that order but without any timing this time). I’m fed up with this: it’s frustrating to always keep an eye on a watch while trying to have a conversation with people you haven’t seen for a year.

This year will be much more simple: everyone will gather at my parents’ for the traditional “Champagne&presents”, then dinner just the four of us for the 24th and a kind of “open table “ (comes who wants… no invitation, no answer needed) on the 25th. Quality time over quantity: Best Xmas present ever…

Yeah!!!

cloudy_monday — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:01:15 GMT

Finally got my beloved computer back in my arms! Seems like something went wrong with the motherboard (??? I don’t know the proper word in English…). The withdrawal has been tough but I survived (well, I guess…).

Actually, nothing really happened these last few days: I stuck to my to-do list by tiding and cleaning my apartment and tried to keep track of the fandom.

Obviously, I underestimated the time needed for the first task. Not that I don’t do it regularly: I’m talking about the big seasonal makeover kind… The building has been under restoration for the last three months and the method they used (projection of sand) is said to be highly efficient in both cleaning (the walls) and dirtying (leaving a strange dust everywhere inside the habitation). In the end, it took me nearly one week to thoroughly wash and dry everything (I wish I had a dishwasher!). Yeah, one week for a poor 24m2…

I’m still totally fandom-outdated. Well, I tried to keep track with my phone, but it was… minimal (browsing the web on a tiny screen isn’t natural to me!). The only “memorable” things to me were:
The organization of next Johnny’s countdown (K8 in Osaka, probably leaving a Ryo-less NEWS in Tokyo…)
K8 new singles for Christmas (already leaked…). Nice presents from Eito to their fans or another way for J&A to raise funds?
Tsubasa’s announcement (T&T will be back one day… After 18 months without any activity, it was nice to read something about the two of them).
I confess skipping Yamapi’s con reports and avoiding ff (blame the uncomfortable screen).

Me, soccer and I

cloudy_monday — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:25:05 GMT

When I started writing my previous entry two days ago (yeah… it took me that long to write about 1000 words –remind me next time to start throwing a plan first: it might help! –), I was surrounded by Algerian happiness (arf, the joy of participating to the soccer world cup) whilst France was struggling against Ireland not that far from here. Some of you might not be aware of it, but soccer (football in French…) is the State religion here (yeah, this is an official complain about the noise made that night by both supporters and police!). Personally, I’m more interested in sports like ice hockey, tennis and rugby but I knew that the “Bleus” were fighting for a whole nation pride that night, so I kept an eye on the broadcasted game that night. Result: French selection will go in South Africa next summer (shameful indeed: the “Bleus” who went in final 4 years ago needed to go threw the whole qualification phase, something which haven’t happened since the late 60’s…).

Honestly, the Irish would have deserved the victory that night. Just as France would have deserved to score more during the first encounter of the two national teams. Yeah, Thierry Henry made a mistake that night. Everyone (to begin with the player himself) recognized it… Except the concerned FIFA authorities. Yeah… it’s a shame. But my question his: why blaming the player (who recognized the mistake from the very first minute on the field…) when he’s not the one directly responsible for Ireland’s eviction of the World’s cup final phase? The buzz created around this event for the last two days is really getting on my nerves…

Back... Again!

cloudy_monday — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:42:21 GMT

I’m sorry for not updating sooner… Even if the flu stuck me to bed for a week (yah, even the “seasonal” one works quite well on me), even if my mother (hen), took a train to “help me recover” and stayed for another week, I must admit that I should have leave a little note about my recent whereabouts… *bow for forgiveness*

The highlight of the previous weeks is Mom in Paris. She made me laugh so much when I heard say to my father on the phone “She’s so weak… I’m not sure she’ll be able to handle herself soon (it’s not like I’ve been living on my own for 12 years Mom…). You don’t want your only daughter to die of starvation… so I think I should stay a little more.” Fortunately, he didn’t get to see the Boucheron’s private sales card or his “only daughter” waiting patiently for four hours in the wind and the rain to buy (another) ring… My first diamond in fact (if you don’t count the own I gave back after breaking my engagement). Yes, I love being futile sometimes! Mother’s legacy maybe. Well, she’s not only vain of course and I must give her credits for really taking care of me while in Paris.

Now I’m left with an empty fridge, a 24m2 apartment to tidy and clean and a bunch of video to watch, entries to read etc. Yes, the end of the week might be pretty busy!

Sick... again

cloudy_monday — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:15:14 GMT

Just came back from the doc': after last summer swine flue, it seems like I'm experiencing the "seasonal flue" now. Well, let's look on the positive side: it gives me another good reason to stay in bed, watching the NEWS Live Diamond concert and the PV of Kyuu Jyou Show!! while wishing a very very very happy birthday to our dear Nishikido-sama : 25 is a wonderful age and I hope he'll be able to live it to the fullest !

Ups and downs

cloudy_monday — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:46:48 GMT

The last week left me physically drenched. Not because of any physical activity. But I felt like my heart was on a roller coaster and, even if it means that I’m alive, it took a toll on my body!

Starting with my grandmother funerals. When I came back to Lyon last week, I was worried about my father: the bond between the mother and the son has developed since Granny left her hometown to live in Lyon and I honestly didn’t know how he felt about losing not only the one who gave him life, but also the person he spent every day with for five years. Well, I shouldn’t have thought too much about it, as he seems perfectly fine with it. Well, as perfect as someone can feel in this kind of situation. I wished I could say the same thing about his eldest brother too… Unfortunately, my uncle and his wife didn’t disappoint me and misbehaved the whole day. So much that even Dad and his sister noticed it. I felt bad for the four of them: my uncle and his wife for not being able to read the situation (and hide their money crave), my aunt and my father for seeing the image of their family crumble in such a day. Let’s hope the tree siblings will find a way to work things out in a near future: what I wish to remember about that day isn’t the trivial family issues, but the light grey sky, the scent of my grand parents garden’s roses at the cemetery, the smiles exchanged with my cousins during the family lunch and, moreover, the peaceful moment we all shared at the church.

Second loop of the rollercoaster: the fight with my brother. The both of us have never been closed. I don’t know why. I wish I could say it bothers me but it would be a lie. I care for him (we spend nearly fifteen years under the same roof after all), but I don’t think I like him that much. And I can’t stand the way he has to come inside the family circle, talk (not to say give orders) and then leave me dealing with the consequences of his words/acts. I’m fed up with his habit to take the space around him, not really caring if someone else is there or not. I wish my mother could understand that this is one of the reasons that make me feel like I’m not a part of this family, no mater what she says when he’s not here. I wish I wasn’t transparent (or non existent) when it’s convenient for them… As a consequence, I wasn’t really optimistic when Saturday and my family Birthday dinner. Yes, I was born in January. And yes, we celebrated it in October… It took my mother this long to convince me to attend my own birthday dinner. After months of negotiations about the length of the guest list and the location, we agreed on a small gathering a restaurant. Well, if the location was kept secret until the last minute, I’ve been able to manage the invitations on my own (and cut the initial list by three…). Eight was a good number. I think every one had its share of fun. The food was great, the wine flew perhaps a little too much, but what I’ll remember until my last day will be the « after party » hold by one of the guest. This person isn’t technically part of the family, but he’s been probably the second name I thought about (after my godfather). Mum explained me that I didn’t know what present he should give me, so he asked her if throwing an after party would please me… This kind of after:

The type that includes a marvelous cake (that I wasn’t able to finish because it was my third dessert of the night) and a few bottles of champagne (« Ambassadeur » cake make you feel thirsty…). The type that includes names such as Hermes (plates), Christofle (silverware) and Saint Louis (crystal glasses). Because « you worth it ». This person definitely knows how to flatter the vain girl in me! In the end, it took me the whole Sunday to recover, drinking only green tea… Well, I suppose that, once in a while, it’s ok!

Monday was the day reserved to friends: lunch downtown with my best friend, enjoying the sun and the warm weather and dinner with the « high school troops » (name given by Mom). It was nice to see that, even if we all grew older, none of them have changed… Unfortunately, as most of them had to work on Tuesday, we parted quite early. But, as we’ll probably gather again in December, I didn’t come back home too teary (yeah, I’m a crybaby)!

Tuesday was another day full of fun: my godmother had received a Mac Book for her 70th birthday. Thing is: she almost never touched a computer in her life (perhaps thinking that the machine will eat her alive). I had to explain her how it works, how to send and read emails, manage her bank account online, book train tickets, search things… Her comments were priceless, such as « are you sure this thing (talking about Google) won’t cause WWIII? That’s ok Mad, we play safe here! Her astonishment while watching pictures on online galleries was sweet. But I’m afraid I might not have been a good tutor: after a whole day spent on the Mac, we still haven’t seen everything! I might have more to tell you in the future!

Wednesday was a little sad, as I had to pack my things to get back… Well I’ll probably go back in November so I have more than enough time to rest a little before my heart starts going up and down again!

Back... Finally...

cloudy_monday — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:49:20 GMT

I just came back at home. My suitcase is still unopened, my fridge empty and the water closed ! As expected, I haven't found the time to come here during the past week (thinking of my friends page makes me cry...). I have so many things to share. So many memories to tell... Probably tonight !

(It feels good to be back !)

Je suis venue te dire que je m'en vais*

cloudy_monday — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:31:47 GMT

Or : The (perhaps cancelled before its start) hiatus

I'll be on an hypothetic micro hiatus the next 3 days : I need to go back to my hometown and I might not be able to come here (due to a pretty hectic schedule). That is to say : I won't be here if our dear National Railway Company accepts to run trains tomorrow (on strike... ~~as always~~ again !).

Banner credit : perlfarben
___________
* I came to tell you that I leave (Title of a song from Serge Gainsbourg)

Is it ok...

cloudy_monday — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 21:08:03 GMT

...for a 30-something to not accept the final departure of a dear one ? Even if her life was more painful than peaceful ? The adult in me says it's not reasonable while the child thinks it's unfair. One of those moments you wish your life was a picture and not a movie. They are so many things that I still needed to learn from her. But now it's too late. It's always too late... And painful.

Parisian wandering #01

cloudy_monday — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:34:30 GMT

OK, before anything else, I need to write a little warning : I'm not a photographer (and don't claim to become one in the future). Therefore, don't expect something grand or breathtaking here. These pictures are only the result of endless walks (mainly in Paris). However, they are mine (and solely mine !!!). Please respect that and don't grab and claim they're yours.

The following pictures were taken this week... On Monday for the Louvre, Opera and Madeleine ones, and on Friday for the Champs Elysées ones.


L'heure bleue ("blue hour") appears twice a day : it could be defined as the minutes between daylight and darkness, when the sky wears a beautiful indigo blue shade without any sunray to enlight it. In France, it is said to be the time of innocence, of purity. Unfortunatly, I wasn't able to capture a perfect "heure bleue" (I've been a few seconds late). But I still like the contrast between the Arc de Triomphe and the sky.	Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code's fans might recognize this view : it's the Louvre's Pyramid (designed 20 years ago by Ieoh Ming Pe). Actually, the project counts 5 pyramids : the "big" one, 3 "small" ones (one can be seen on the picture, in front of the main pyramid), and a "medium" and "inverted" one (inverted as the base is still on the ground while the tip plunge on the shopping center located under the Place). The whole Pyramid project caused quite a stir in the late 80's : the "Classics" said that it was defacing a national treasure whereas the "Moderns" thought it was a greatway to merge old and new, whipping the Old Louvre's dust away...

Fauchon is an old established (and well-renowned) luxury grocery (fine isn't enough...). Its flagship(s) is(are) located place de la Madeleine, in front of its main competitor, Hediard. An "éclair" is a famous french pastry (dough filled with a flavored cream -chocolate is a classic- covered with fondant). What happens when Fauchon meets an eclair ? The above result... Fauchon loves to cosplay our dearest éclair (in a zebra last season for example). This time, the team made up a "chien chaud" (literal and never used traduction of "hot dog"). I didn't taste it yet so I can't say anything about its flavour, but you might ear more about it later...	The Opéra Garnier, its "little rats" (name given to the young dancers still in training), its breathtaking view of the front avenue from the first floor logia (yes, it looks like windows on the picture, but it is in fact on huuugh balcony, the smoking area in fact). The Palais Garnier mainly host ballets (and very few opera, on the contrary of its "brother", the Opéra Bastille).

Not very far from the Palais Garnier you'll find a steady supplier of the "little rats" : Repetto. I don't dance but Repetto is also one of my steady supplier. Just a look at the picture and you'll see why : every shoe displayed above is different from its sister (shape, color and/or material...). Add another table (not shown on the photo) and the "most comfortable shoes ever tried" and you'll get a paradise for a walk'ohlic. Mmmh... What ? A drawback ? The price... but I'm okay with paying 150€ a pair of shoes when they last more than 5 years (my oldest pair, is 8 y.o.... and still walking !)	Yeah... Repetto loves giving you headaches : a wall full of dancing shoes (you know, the ballerina ones...).

After Gisèle, the next ballet in Garnier will be Nutcraker. Here is the Repetto vision of one of the protagonist : Sugar Plum Fairy, sovereign of sweets ("Fée Dragée" in french). I wish I had taken a better photo of the tree, decorated with marshmallows' bars...	Here is a closer shot of the outfit, covered with "dragées" (sugared almond, a sweet generally given for weddings, christennings...).

I learned how to prepare macarons last summer... But mine were never as perfect as Ladurée's... The road to Perfection is long (but I'll make it !!!)	Moreover, where do you want me to find boxes as pretty as theirs in Paris ?!?

Puzzle Tour 2009...

cloudy_monday — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:49:06 GMT

I finally received my Puzzle DVDs... Eito spree tonight (so happyyyyyyyyyyyyyy !) ^_^

YesAsia sent me an email 3 weeks ago telling me that they were on their way. Three long weeks... Well, I shouldn't complain now they arrived and focus on the bubbles that the parcel created in my heart when I saw it in the letterbox. It's been hard to avoid the download links and to resist the temptation to watch it. But it totally feel like my patience's been rewarded.

Weirdly, I don't feel the same impatience towards NEWS Diamond DVD. Perhaps because a part of me still doesn't believe that, yes, a DVD is about to be issued (I had given hope with the release of Koi no ABO and its bonus DVD featuring 5 songs of the Tokyo Dom concerts). And I still feel like this release is just a bone given to the fan (perhaps to help us forgive that in one year, we "only" got one album and one single...).

OK. I'm off now : I need to prepare my tissues for my soon-to-come crying session (blame Puzzle and My last train for that).

Bonum vinum lætificat cor hominis*

cloudy_monday — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:04:48 GMT

Whereas the bubble tea wave seems to have taken the world over these last years, the drink is still hard to find in France : if my sources are correct, only two bars/restaurants in Paris propose bubba tea on their menu. But a third one is about to appear : Kikoumaru, my favourite asian grocer's will become next saturday the Kikoumaru café, offering a wide range of bubble teas and delicacies. Another address to remember during my endless shopping sprees with Mom.

Today was the final testing of the different flavors (matcha and milk on the picture). Fortunately, my lunch has been light today : 12 drinks with their tapioca bubbles were waiting for me. I pitifully gave up after the fifth. But what I will remember is indubitably the general happy mood reigning over the small shop : it was like everyone has left their worries and bad moods before crossing the doorstep. A sort of revenge on the present sullenness due to the economical crisis. A well-needed breather.

___________
* Good wine gladdens a person's heart