Versailles...French Cooking...Models...and Writing....

Okay...so last week, I moved to Versailles.  It was needed.

I was spending way too much time in the streets of Paris.  Fun?  Yes!  But I was not being as productive as I needed to be.   I really need to have my script completed before I return to the states.  Right now, I'm in a very good place.

Here in Versailles, it's a much calmer way of life.  I'm more relaxed...more focused.

I've had time to think about what I really want  to do professionally and what I need my life to look like from this point forward...

My apartment in Paris

Last Tuesday...I spent my last day living in Paris in the 8th arrondissement.   I loved the convenience of the location...I lived pretty much in the center of Paris...but the downside...beyond the 124 stairs of death...was the lack of space in the maid's quarters.  After spending all day in the streets, I needed a little more space to spread out and relax.

Palace of Versailles at night

So...around 10pm I drove out to Versailles.  It's about an hour from Paris by the train, or about a 20 minute drive by car, late at night.  With traffic, it could take about an hour or an hour and half.  Versailles is filled with quaint little shops, and has a very small town feel.  I wouldn't call it a suburb, although many people here commute to Paris for work everyday.  A large percentage of it's residents rarely travel to Paris, except for special occasions.

I slept so well that first night in Versailles.  I didn't realize it, but I was a little tense in Paris every night.  Always on the go...trying to find the delicate balance of writing and enjoying my friends.  I was starting to feel as if I was falling behind with my script.

Wednesday...

Macaron Framboise

Universite de Versailles Saint-Quentin En Yvelines

I woke up and found the best french market and packed the apartment with my must have provisions... an assortment of cheeses, breads, fruits, yogurts, cereals, fresh vegetables, a roasted chicken and of course biscuits.  Having an all french super market is beginning to spoil me.  I don't know how I'll react once I'm subjected to my Ralphs, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's that I used to love.  They now seem so in adequate.  Le sigh....

Sidebar- The french put chocolate in everything.





I found a great bibliotheque at the Universite de Versailles Saint-Quentin En Yvelines.  It's only a 4 minute walk from the apartment.    The bibliotheque is the perfect environment for writing.  It's quiet with large tables, and a beautiful view of the Forest of Versailles.

It was nice to walk home and relax after writing.  In Versailles, I'm living a different lifestyle than I was in Paris.  I come home and usually relax with friends and have home cooked meals.  I've even taken to having a sip of wine with dinner.  For those of you that may not be aware...I NEVER drink.  However, here in Versailles...it would seem almost inappropriate not to have a little wine with dinner.

Me and Mourad

A friend named Mourad  came over to visit and we broke bread with Ad (pronouced Ah-dee), and spent a little time talking about the politics in France and it's precarious relationship with Africa and all the Africans living in Paris.  Mourad was born in Paris, but he's Tunisian.    We were talking about the Maghreb and how he thought that I looked like the people in the sub saharan Maghreb where the arabs/africans/ europeans all mixed and made the most beautiful people.  His words, not mine. =)

Thursday...

Dez, me and Biff

I got up early and I caught the train to Paris to meet my friend Delo.  He invited me to attend a screening of the American film  Mother & Child.  It was a cool film.  I had a few minor problems with the plausibility of certain things, but the acting was excellent.  After the film Delo treated me to  lunch and then  we stopped by a production office so that I could meet a few of his friends that are also a part of the Parisian film community.

Delo and me...

Connecting with Delo is always a good thing.  We make each other smile.  What could be better than that?   It's a little embarrassing because all of my American friends are "crushing" on Delo.  I can only say one thing...BACK OFF!  Ha.....

Friday...

I wrote all day.  I am in a place with my script where I finally see the end of the tunnel.  I got up, had breakfast went to the bibliotheque and wrote all morning.  I came home for lunch and finished writing at home all evening.  I am so thankful for this time.  I listen mostly to John Coltrane when I write...there's something uber sexy about writing a screenplay in Versailles...listening to jazz...and eating french food.


Saturday...

Galette de Sarrazin au saumon et poireaux

 I woke up energized and wrote all morning.  The weather started to turn cold, and I took that opportunity to pour myself into my screenplay while walking around all day in my pajamas.  Dinner was prepared for me...something that I'm getting used too.





After dinner, a few friends came over to visit and we decided to take a late night drive into Paris around 1AM in the morning.



We met up with a few friends for a little while in the Parisian rain...and then we decided to explore a little deeper in the under belly of Paris.

Canal Saint-Martin

Quai de Valmy

Director, DJ, Model

We hung out  around the Canal Saint-Martin on Quai de Valmy.  We went to a little spot that is frequented by lots of artist, music industry people and models.  It was the perfect location since I was hanging with a video director, a DJ and a model...lol.




Sunday...

It rained and it was so cold.  PERFECT weather for writing.  I did a little laundry, ate a little dinner and edited my screenplay all evening.

Monday...

Was all about business.  I woke up early and went to the Bibliotheque.  I wrote for about six hours and then my brain was fried.  I came home and talked to Ad for a while and then I decided to catch up on my blog...time is going by so fast.  I wrote and dinner was served.  I could totally get used to this.

I'm learning so much about myself everyday.  I miss America...but not my American ways.  I find myself unconcerned with my possessions back home.  I only miss the people.

My life as I know it will never be the same.  Every day will be better and better.  It has to be...it is the artist way.....