As we update our journals, we realize that we have either left interesting things out or simply didn't have the time to include it in that week's update. Occasionally, we'll have a page like this, where we'll address some "extras".

Loft Story: "Lofters up and down"
JOE: The latest rage in Paris is a TV reality show called "Loft Story." Not unlike the American show, "Big Brother," a bunch of Parisians was locked into an apartment together for several months while cameras followed their every move. The French version had two winners: a blonde stripper who had sex with one of the "lofters" and another guy who made friends with another lofter woman. The TV network did live wall-to-wall coverage for 10 hours as the lofters found out who won, then the winners were paraded through the Arc d' Triomph, then as all the lofters got together to celebrate at a nightclub. Goofy, but good TV.

JENNI: It's strange because even though the show was in French, it had an English title and an English theme song that was written with hopes to be sold as a single. It goes, "Lofter up and down. Lofter all around. Who - oh oh … Lofter number one." It's a stupid song but it sticks in our heads even now. We even heard a kid singing it on the street. We're not exactly sure what they won. They were supposed to win a house in the South of France that they were supposed to live together in for awhile, but the TV show changed it and now we think they just won cash.

The "Perfectionist" American
JENNI: During dinner, Fabienne's friend Katya asked us what we thought about our president. I said that I do like him and I think his syntax 'faux pas' and stammering make him seem real. After all, it's not how you structure a sentence that determines whether you can help win a war. Katya and Fabienne reply that the French believe if you can't speak correctly, then your intelligence is in question. Even with a group of friends, if someone makes a grammatical mistake, Fabienne says everyone in the group will correct that person's language. Fabienne, who works for the headquarters of a worldwide company (a branch of which is in Houston) says she sees a big difference working with Americans because they are "perfectionists." She says many French people don't enjoy working with American clients because they know they will be forced to be perfectionists along with them.

JOE: At first I kept quiet because I wanted to hear THEIR observations: to hear what Parisians thought of President Bush. They think he's an idiot because he can't speak the language and because he appears to be weak in the area of foreign affairs. I told them many Americans share their view, but, from what I could tell from having interviewed him twice, Bush is actually quite bright and should not be underestimated. As for Fabienne's view on Americans' perfectionism, she elaborated that most Parisians are not as much in a hurry … not as driven as Americans are to get projects done professionally. Then Katya admitted that she realized working with Americans is actually nice because when you ask for something, you know it will be done right and quickly. In France, the ladies say jobs are done more at a leisurely pace. By the way, France has a new law that requires its citizens to only have to work 35 hours a week. But Fabienne says most employers are going to keep their workweeks the same, instead offering their employees the option to take more vacation time. That's more vacation on top of 5 weeks that they already get per year!!!

Extra Pictures

Eiffel Tower at night, slightly larger than Jenni's braid.	Joe poses with the rest of the statues at the Louvre.
Fabienne, Bob and Jenni at play.	Fab and Bob "French-kissing"
The Champs Elysses and the contemporary Paris skyline.	Get your fresh crepes made right on the sidewalk!