To buy a new hat...
I'm a toddler. Two year olds are usually noted for their unreasonable and intractable behaviour as well as their temper tantrums.
Yes, I've been running Badaude for exactly two years today. I'll be celebrating but probably - after last weekend - with lemonade.
Looking back over the last two years, most, but not all of my posts have been about Paris.
Lauren of Maitresse, asked me, 'Why Paris?', in the context of this rather silly article in the Wall Street Journal.
Here's my reply to her (also posted on her website):
OK - so I'm British and I don't think I am part of the very special Franco-American love affair. However, read this passage from the script of the Bogart/Bacall movie, 'To Have and to Have Not' (imagine I'm Bacall - it's a nice thought...):
Official (reading passport): "Browning, Marie. American. Age?
How long have you been in Fort de France?"
LB: "I arrived by plane this afternoon."
Official: "Residence?"
LB: "Hotel Marquis."
Official: "Where do you come from?"
LB: "Trinidad. Port of Spain."
Official: "And before that,from where, mademoiselle? From home, perhaps?"
LB: "No. From Brazil, Rio."
Official:"Alone?"
LB: "Yes."
Official: "Why did you get off here?"
LB: "To buy a new hat."
Official: "Why?"
LB: "To buy a new... hat.
Read the label.
Maybe you'll believe me then."
I'm not really talking about high fashion - and nor was Maitresse's namesake. I think I'm agreeing with James Baldwin (see the Washington Post article) who said he wasn't travelling to Paris, but leaving New York. I bought a new hat. It was as good a hat as any. I found it fitted well. And it happened to be pretty, too...
Happy birthday! - here's to many more of your lovely posts on Paris :) xx
Posted by: embrouillamini | July 14, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Happy 2-year Blogiversary! I love what you do here... Such a unique approach, and always with such flair! (if I may use a bit of a cliché...)
Well, for me, I'm here because it just suits me. And that's about it! I feel like myself here (in France, even more so than Paris), bottom line.
Posted by: Alice | July 14, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Thanks so much! Alice - very best wishes for your imminent birthday event, and, Embrouillamini, you must start blogging again...
Posted by: badaude | July 14, 2008 at 07:47 PM
I know - I will soon I promise! :) x
Posted by: embrouillamini | July 15, 2008 at 01:30 PM
happy happy merry merry continue please!!
Posted by: lauren | July 15, 2008 at 04:17 PM
difficult to stop now. Blogging is addictive...
xb
Posted by: badaude | July 17, 2008 at 04:30 PM
I second everything that has been said and applaud your no rhyme no reason attitude to life. Also, congratulations on the blogiversary as embrouillamini said. Loved the mish-mashed term Embrouillamini. I think I'll have to borrow it sometime. And you know what Badaude? Your blog is phenomenal. It might be set in Paris but it is firmly rooted in your heart and in your amazing talent. Can't imagine a better place from which to blog.
Posted by: Milena | July 21, 2008 at 07:59 PM
What better birthday wishes could I have than those. Thanks so much - you made my day!
xb
Posted by: badaude | July 21, 2008 at 11:10 PM