Open Letter to BlackBerry

My Dear BlackBerry,

It's been exactly two weeks since you were taken from me and since then, I haven't been myself. Feelings of anxiety fill me every time I think that I'll never be with you again so I had to write you. I had to look to the past and try to make sense of everything. 

You probably don't remember but I recall the first day you were placed in my hand. The year was 2000-something and you arrived looking sharp. Your grey keys and navy blue cover reminded me of Clark Gable if he were a mobile device. We took some time getting to know each other. I was shy. You were ahead of your time. But we clicked. You unchained me from my desk and gave me freedom. We spent time (working) in parks, coffee shops, malls. We even took risks together once or twice - I checked you out while driving (before this was banned). Our relationship was blossoming. The first time we traveled together, we made each other laugh, connected to our friends and family from afar. We had so much fun. Remember that night in Atlanta when I dropped you a few times (after a few drinks)? Or that time I buried you in a snow bank? Or that time when we snapped action shots of pole dancers in Baltimore? or wait, was it in Chicago? Ah, so many memories...

What I miss most about you is the feeling I used to get when my eyes met your fiery, crimson alerts. My heart skipped a beat each and every single time you blinked. Today, when I am stuck at a red light, I just start crying uncontrollably - all red lights remind me of you. You were also always discrete. You gave me PIN, BBM and the runway to conduct top secret business without anyone finding out. I loved that you gave me privacy - never pressuring me to download apps or publish thoughts on multiple platforms. But it wasn't always easy. We fought. I yelled. I even threw you across a room once from sheer frustration but could you blame me?

And since I'm pouring my heart in this letter. Let me come clean about my indiscretions. We were tested when Apple came into the picture. I wanted a bite. I had to have a bite. The temptation of it was too strong. I wanted to feel what it would be like to be with an updated version of you. Your typeface still haunts me when you were set next to Apple. Sure, you forgave me but I know you never forgot. Especially since you were always nursing that wound from when I left you to move to Washington, DC. I know you don't agree but we both needed that time to figure out what we wanted out of life... out of our mobile device. Spending time with a young and hipster flip phone reminded me just how much I missed you and just how much I needed you back. When we reunited, I was beyond thrilled. I knew we would capture that magic again but you were never the same. Maybe it was a mid life crisis or you were just trying to keep up with the Apples but the magic wasn't there - not like the beginning. You were slicker. You were hipper. You were loading faster and you learned how to take a better picture but none of it mattered. What I cared about (thankfully) hadn't changed (yet). You still gave me the dexterity to churn emails at rapid speeds... 

You see, Berry, I just never thought we'd end up like this. No goodbye. No see ya later. Nothing. I know you'll read this letter cover to cover because you miss me as much as I miss you. No one could work your keyboard like I could. No one. Maybe this is the final test and if we can come out of this separation even stronger, then maybe, there is no tearing us apart. I'm still hanging out with Apple and recently met Samsung Galaxy S. I really thought that we could hit it off - maybe start a new life together but despite his fancy name and 4" - he is too big for my hands. His blue light makes me miss your fire even more. I won't even get into how we're doing with the touching. It's completely awkward and without any allure. Nothing compares to you as Sinead O'Connor once sang. 

I'll stop there. I wish you nothing but the best as you figure yourself out but just remember this - You were my first true (device) love and what we shared is irreplaceable. Take good care of yourself...

With love,

SE

French Flicks

I'd like to think that I have discriminating taste when it comes to TV & movies. I refuse to watch horror - still recovering from Candyman. I'll never ever willingly put myself through movies like SAW. I won't go near the Titanic. I didn't watch it when it first came out and I won't watch when it is on repeat on Cosmo, W, Lifetime  (I am not a fan of Leo or a cruise ship hitting an iceberg.) If I'm going to waste my time, it has to be high-quality programming that educates me, opens my eyes to new ideas, that imparts some life-changing, core-shifting, lessons. I know, I know. That's a lot to ask from Hollywood so, I turned to French flicks. Qui! You can blame it on Netflix with a decent library of foreign titles. It started with one, then another, then a few more... Suddenly, by the time 2013 came to a close, I had watched most of the titles on Canadian Netflix (while folding laundry, doing the dishes, making dinner, talking to my mother on the phone.) Je Pense, I was OD'ing a bit. How could I not when the stories were filling me with excitement AND an urgent desire to pack my bags and get on the first flight to Paris, buy a summer home in Monaco, start wearing red lipstick, cut my hair short, listen to Charles Aznavour and of course, smoke.... a lot! Thankfully, I have only done a few of these... red lipstick, short hair for starters!

I figured since I got such joy out of these films, why not share some key observations that you might find interesting... Here it goes...

1. There are two types of men in France - apparently. The first type is your typical, socially awkward, successful but conservative introvert meticulously dressed in sweater vests and tweed suits who spend days and nights painstakingly preparing to ask a woman out. If you're into that, watch: Romantics Anonymous - Not only is it about amour but also chocolate! Second type is the total opposite. Think Hollywood bad-boy but with a serious case of Euro charm. Slick hair, custom cut suits, Ray Ban sunglasses, killer smile and a knack for getting women in bed - effortlessly. If you're into that, watch: Cash. Added bonus, Jean Reno.

2. Women (primarily) are in control, carefree, soaking wet in je-ne-sais-quoi. Single, why not. Married, why not. Happy, but of course. Sad, superb. They don't wear bras, don't fuss over their outfits, they embody "sorti du lit comme ceci," you know... just got out of bed like this - NBD (driving ordinary girls like me up the wall when the next morning, I look in the mirror and see at least 35 minutes of prep.) They don't look overdone. Everything has an air of ease.... long hair flows flawlessly in the wind, short hair looks just the right kind of messy. And, they wear red lipstick like no other woman on this planet can... Case. In. Point: Juliette Binoche in Certified Copy.

3. You learn a ton about the diversity of France. Yes, you read that right. Diversity. While it isn't exactly a bustling multi-cultural hub, it is far more diverse then most people realize. A number of movies trace stories of Algerians living in the suburbs, trying to fit in with French culture and snobbery. I kinda fell in love with this movie - Il reste du jambon? - about a French girl who falls in love with an Algerian doctor. Ahh, j'adore. Sounds pretty ordinary except the witty dialogue that could be construed as borderline racist... Pas de problem!

4. Relationships in general are complicated but not to be fussed over that much. Whether it is sudden attraction to your best bud or saying goodbye to a loved one, the French do it with quiet grace. Take for example this movie - The Players - It's similar to Swingers with Vince Vaughn and Jon Favreau. Jean Dujardin and Gilles Lellouche are two playboys with a single mission in mind: sex, sex, and more sex. You have to watch it to believe it and I will not give away the ending but you will NEVER expect a conclusion like that in a Hollywood film... Let's just say, their exploration of sexual desires go a step further than you'd expect. Another great one is Little White Lies with my girl-crush Marion Cotillard. No matter the heartache, the French have all the time in the world for wine... Also, this movie proves that in France, you can sleep with your windows open on a 2nd floor walk-up without the worry of someone sneaking in and killing you.

5. On that note, food is an epic journey, an ordeal, a sensual experience. They don't just eat a meal. I mean sure, there is a meal here and there but you don't really see pizza boxes, KFC buckets, take-out floating around. You either see an elaborate home cooked meal OR wine, wine, wine and more wine.... Take Change of Plans, for example. The movie centers around a delicious home cooked meal (alongside adultery, art, father-daughter tension, divorce, oh and wine.)

While there are tons more I can share with you, this is a good starting point for your French Film education. Before I forget, one more important observation. Kids are far more stylish than you'd expect. Um, see this little lady. There is nothing like a little girl making you feel completely inadequate about your 30-something style and kick your self esteem to the curb. Vive La France!

sartorialist.com

Finally, if you want to watch a real bromance... the kind that'll melt your heart and make you wish you knew these people in real life, watch The Intouchables... There is something magical about this movie. Just magical.   Or was it that Francois Cluzet reminded me that men do get better with age.... Wow. He may be inching up to take a spot on my Top 5 list. You know that list. If I were stuck in an elevator forever/was about to be eaten by wolves in a forest/plane about to go down/lost at sea/insert other life-ending moments and one of these top 5 men happen to be the only other soul beside me... I would be likely to want to... oh heck. You know what I'm talking about. No need to spell it out.... You have to be prepared for these unexpected surprises in life.... 

So dear friends, if you have the time and you want to move away from the cliche-Hollywood-formula flicks, you may want to check out a few of these. I don't think you'll be disappointed and you'll improve your French. Merveilleux!!

Until next time,
SE

What is it about blogging?

Maybe it’s because there is something addictive about it. Maybe it’s because I think I’m witty, creative and dare I say it, clever. Maybe it’s because I prefer writing to talking. Maybe it’s because I don’t need to do it. Maybe it’s because I’m good at color coordinating and hence a superb curator. Maybe it’s because I’ve discovered a creative outlet that doesn’t require me to seek new “challenges.” Maybe it’s because I always have an opinion when I listen to talk radio – and that’s often. Maybe it’s because I like to eavesdrop on conversations - line up at Starbucks, ladies room at restaurant, while sandwiched between lovers on the subway. Maybe it’s because I like the discipline of it – come up with the story, an image, bring it all together, make it work. Maybe it’s because it’s a new year, new list of resolutions… Maybe I miss being able to say things like, 'oh, I'm a blogger, yeah..." or "I am the editor of a digital magazine...you know, like Anna Wintour but on a much much smaller scale" or "Can I get a media pass to the Grammy's?... I'm a music blogger." Maybe it's because I think the world is peculiar - especially lately and I should talk about it... I don't know what convinced me but here I am. I'm baaaaaack.

Back in the day, I was the creative force behind an esteemed blog about fashion and food titled, Fashion to Food. Instead of continuing with the old, I decided to start new. So, why Je Pense... Je Pense? Frankly, all the other names and various translations of them were taken. Despite my every effort to secure a clever and original name like, "My Musings," I had to find something equally as dynamic. So I thought about it and I thought about it.... A few minuets on Google translator and voila - all that thinking led to this. Hope you like?

Don't answer that. 

My old blog was pretty much focused on food & fashion (ironically two things that do NOT go together.) This time, I want to tell random stories, share cool finds, post photos taken by my iPhone or Samsung, throw a log on the fire, shrimp on the barbie and call it a day. What you won't find here is a highly intelligent, debate-worthy idea-generating blog. No way. More Homer (Simpson) less Homer (he doesn't have a surname but you'll remember him from such classics as The Illiad.) Yes, there'll be spelling mistakes and grammatically challenged sentences (I'll likely be writing posts on my smartphone while commuting to and from work or worse, while watching Netflix). So, don't get smart and email me about mistakes. You won't find me discussing my awesome job or any related parties/affiliates (no, legal did not ask me to put that in - I did it out of courtesy). I can't guarantee that I'll inspire or motivate you. In fact, I might do the very opposite. I'll talk endlessly about TV shows that I binge watch, my obsession with indie music, my possible addiction to Wasabi Seaweed to name a few... All in all, if you only have time for the New York Times or my blog, I think you know which path to take. 

Until next time,

SE