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Things I miss about France

Now that I’m back in the states and trying to settle into regular life, I find there’s a host of things I miss about France. Here’s a few:

1. A more conscientious lifestyle around consumption.
   - Grocery stores charge you to take a plastic bag. (I was a great re-user)
   - People are smaller (from the moment I stepped off the plane in Chicago, the American Epidemic of Obesity was glaringly obvious. We clearly consume more.
   - Just my observation, but there is far less plastic in France. Coke comes in bottles, even my Yoplait yogurt I bought at the grocery store came in small clay pots.
2. Walkable communities.
   -Maybe it’s just because we were always in the city, but everything seemed walkable. In the city of Paris, it’s claimed that there isn’t a building that is farther than 500 meters from the metro (subway).
   - I assume mass transit requires less energy consumption than everybody driving their own car.
   - I could generally find anything I needed within a 15 minute walk/bus/subway/rail ride.
3. Open-air cafes everywhere.
   - I like being able to get an espresso, a coke, or a bit to eat at an open air cafe that always seemed within walking distance.
4. Way less advertising.
   - Aside from at bus stops and train stations, there was very little large format advertising. I never felt inundated except by ads for the Sex in the City movie.
5. Soccer is always on TV
   - Even with French commentators, soccer is still my first love. I loved watching it all the time.
6. Coke in the bottle. Daily.
7. Beautiful architecture all the time.
   - A beautiful mix of the modern and the ancient. There’s very little “old architecture” in Minneapolis. So many classics were torn down in the city planning movements in the 20th century, especially in the 50’s and 60’s. In France, buildings are either built in the same style and beauty of 200, 300 or 400 year old buildings, or it goes in a very modern direction. The mixing of the two is quite intriguing to me.
8. Everyday fashion is way better.
   - Again, landing in Chicago, the frumpy midwesterner became obvious.
9. Is it me, or are the groceries cheaper?
10. Lot’s of time alone with my wife, waking up whenever I do naturally.

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My New Corner Office.

To prepare for another family of 4 to move into our 5 bedroom house as we attampt to live “in community” together, I gave up my bedroom-size office and the boys gave up their playroom.

Now, I’m sporting a brand new corner office. In the corner of my bedroom closet that is…

there’s no longer my stuff on one side, and sarah’s stuff on the other. No we have one wall for the clothes (significantly pared down) and one corner for the office. I’m really liking it. It’s made entirely of scrap wood and a few “parts” I picked up at home depot.

In the process of making this transition, I had to purge a lot of stuff.

Here’s how it happened:

• Two large lawn size garbage bags of throw away stuff.
• Donating about 300 books to a friend’s organization that does great work with St. Paul youth.
• Reused screws, boards, and scraps from previous projects.
• Measured, measured wrong, then remeasured, then settled.
• 3 Trips to Home Depot. 2 trips to Target.
• From 2 extra long file cabinets, down to 1 small one.

This is a big change. It required giving up a lot of space, a lot of stuff, and a lot of aesthetic. I look forward to the gains of living in community with others. Pics below.

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Can't sleep. Top 10 Podcasts.

I listen to a few hours of podcasts each week. I love podcasts more than most other types of media. I listen while I work, while I drive, while I cook. Podcasts aren’t going anywhere, you should find some you like. Here’s some that I like.

1. MacBreak Weekly – I’m a Mac nerd, as you’ll see from later choices. When Merlin Mann is on, you can count on a few deep belly laughs. On the TWIT Network with Leo Laporte
2. This Week in Tech – Love Leo Laporte. He’s a great old skool radio guy who understands new media. The Twit Network has 3 in my top 10. 
3. Mosaic – Erwin McManus essentially has one message: God has placed infinite potential in each of us and it’s there to be utilized to advance his kingdom. Are you going to do it? He’s a great story-teller and motivating leader. I’ve actually made changes in my life by listening to Erwin. 
4. KCRW’s Left, Right and Center – I love politics, despite everything I hate about it. Left Right and Center gives a  28 minute round-up of the week’s political highlights from different perspectives. Way better than watching CNN. 
5. TEDTalks – TED is all about ideas. Inspired talks by the world’s greatest thinkers and doers.  
6. Net@Night – I’m always interested in what’s new with the web. Amber MacArthur and Leo Laporte talk about the new sites, site buzz that’s current to the web. Sometimes a bit to chatty on the personal side, but I don’t mind that either.
7. Loaded – Natalie Del Conte does a great job delivering the day’s tech news in 3-5 minutes. Her show use to be a bit more personal before she moved to CNet, but it’s still good. Search for loaded under CNet Tech Shows or Cnet Loaded in the itunes store.
8. Mac OS Ken – Ken Ray delivers the Daily Mac News with humor, wit and a genuine love of all things Apple.  
9. NPR’s Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me.  - What can I say, I’m an NPR news nerd. I love this show.
10. Woodland Hills Church – Greg Boyd is still the smartest thing that can speed talk a sermon mixing hermeneutics, metaphysics, lots of fancy other words and the true passion of christ like no one else can, making sense to the doctoral student and the high school kid at the same time.

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Widdling away

Yes, I have been widdling away at the reading list. The problem: My brother loaned me his play station portable with Lego Star Wars on it. Been using that for downtime alot. Got bored with that though.

I’ll finish “The World Without Us” today. That is a fascinating and depressing read. The intricate descriptions of how the world has changed through human impact is creepy. We’ve done so much, to make so much disappear. Also intriguing to think about how the earth would bounce back if we were gone. 

Also, finally finished off “The Botany of Desire” by Michael Pollan on Audio Book. I’m not sure what it’s like to read his books, but his books have been my favorite audio books by far. The guy who reads them is so good. Head to Audible.com to check it out….

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Observations from France

While in France, these are things I’ve been noticing…

• Whether you are a bike, scooter, motorcycle or a car, you can park anywhere. Sidewalks and “In the way” included.
• There is very little brand building here. Minimal advertising, very few chains. Other than Ikea, I haven’t seen a big box store yet.
• Apparently it rains every day. 8 of 8 so far. 
• TV is a little behind. It’s a bit sketchy. 
• There is a fascinating mix of the ancient and the modern.
• Laptops seem to be a scarce item. I’ve seen less than a handful at coffee shops and cafes so far. 
• Gravel is often used in place of grass. 
• The Bordeaux Tram must be free, because people rarely pay.
• There is almost no American fast food. A few Mickey D’s. Instead, everybody eats baguette sandwiches and pain au chocolat (chocolate croissants).
• Coke is still best served in glass bottles. I agree.