Paris Sports

Although athleticism is not revered in Paris this does not mean Parisians are void of sports altogether. All the sports are practiced at a young age and training starts at birth.  

The uniform is that balance between casual and formal, where you are ready for any occasion while never looking underdressed. Wear a scarf and at least three layers. For woman the hair is to be parted at the temple. Men I don't know how you do it. No running shoes, no cleavage, no sweatpants, no take-away coffee. You should feel put together before you leave the house. You are allowed to walk brusquely but never look frazzled.  

- In the metro everyone sits up straight so everyone can fit in the seats and have a good view of every passenger. When one enters the metro car, everyone participates in the people watching sport. You feel all the eyes looking you up and down. Extra points for not flinching or blushing from the blatant unabashed piercing stares. (Staring obviously while not smiling gains extra points.)

- If a Parisian orders anything to drink as a group, when they finish this sport declares they must tell their server that it was horrible and what is the server going to do about it? (Thankfully I learned this from going out with a group of young Parisians before I started at the bar.) Now at the bar I am able to look at the almost empty, ice-melted-watery glass, look at the Parisian and say, "You're Parisian? Yeah, I know what you're trying to do". My non participation in this sport is a sad blow for many Parisians

- The third sport is smoking, the amount of second hand smoke I get in this city makes up for all the years I avoided it in Toronto. Outdoor patios, walking down the street and anywhere else they might be able to get away with it. This includes but is not limited to: metro station platforms, bathrooms, bars, parks, in your face.  

Other popular activities that are in the running for 'Paris's next sport' are:
-Making cat calls to women (think of sounds you would make to actually call a cat)
-Looking at people funny when they smile
-Wanting to fight your friend physically by waving your arms or maybe throwing a slap
-Hopping over the metro turnstile(who can jump the highest)
-At the metro turnstile body-slam the stranger in front of you so you may ride together on their ticket
-If you work in customer service pretend every potential customer is wearing an invisibility cloak
-Interrupt and talk forcefully over whatever a foreigner may have to say

Tuesdays with Morrie

This book has been recommended to me by many people and was placed in my hands last week. I like to think books have a perfect timing of falling into your hands just when you need them. This 176 page story is a worthwhile investment of time. It took me less the three hours to read (my kobo keeps track of these things for me)

It has very sweet things to say with blatant truths that will help you in life. I was captivated from the first page and hope you give it a try next time you see it.
(Or message me and I'll send you the pdf)

My favourite quotes that cropped up in the book:

"Without love, we are birds with broken wings"- Morrie
"Love each other or perish" - Auden

And the best one of all:

"Love is the only rational act" - Levine.

How sweet our interactions would be if we could all live by that and show compassion in our actions.

                     ***

I am doing a book challenge this year, check out what I'll be reading along with a bunch of great nerdy book appreciation links here

This month I'm doing all book/reading quotes on my photo quotes blog:
"Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify himself; to multiply the ways in which he exists; to make his life full, significant, and interesting." 
--Aldous Huxley 

Happy Reading!

Smile

I thought these were really adorable, 

(maybe even too cheesy)

I hope you smile a little more this week 

xoxo