Second week down!

I'll try to keep this short, since I've been told by people (ok, just Kim) that I tend to write too much for one blog. It's just that I have a ton to say since I don't get to do a whole lot of talking here, as my daily use of French is limited to "Bonjour", "Merci", "Pardon" and asking for microfilm cartons. So, forgive my lengthy passages, I just miss communication in English!

The rest of the week played out as usual - me going to the AN from 9-4:15, looking at microfilm all day, returning home to eat dinner, kill time and go to sleep to get up and do it again the next day. I did get to look at actual documents on Thursday, which was really cool for a history nerd such as myself. Looking at the stuff on microfilm is not quite the same as holding it in your hands and knowing that the people that you are studying held it in their hands too. That may sound weird, but it was cool to me. I think that I have made friends with the guys who work in the microfilm room - they know me as the American girl who always hands in her stuff and says "Terminé" at the end of every day. Plus I'm there every day, so they seem to realize that I'm there for a purpose and not just some idiot looking up stuff for fun - who would go to the National Archives to look stuff up on microfilm for fun anyway? One of them even said "Au revoir" to me yesterday, so I have to be getting in their good graces, I hope.

Last night Jaime and I went out with an H-Francer named Joe who goes to FSU and studies cotton under Napoleon - no I don't know what exactly about cotton he cares about. We went to this American bar in the Marais area called "Miller's" that had a beer pong table - probably the only one in Paris. The bartender/owner was not who you would picture in terms of the type of guy that would open a bar in Paris in the Marais (very gay friendly) district. He was kinda gruff, kinda looked like Everlast (not from House of Pain days, more from "Whitey Ford Sings the Blues" era). Anyway, we were there early for happy hour and were practically the only ones there, which was fine. We got to exchange some graduate school/archival work in Paris stories as Joe has been here since November. He had an interesting tale about one of his fellow graduate students at FSU - which happens to have a Napoleon Institute - and attracts those diehard Napoleon fans. Well, one of the guys is more than a fan, he's a Napoleon stalker. Joe shares an office with him and says he has posters, busts, statues, of Napoleon, or as he calls him, "The Emperor," all over the place. He even does his own watercolor pictures of Napoleon in some of his more famous poses. Apparently, Joe made the mistake of asking the kid one day about what drew him to Napoleon. He answered, "Well, there was a time in my life when I was down and out and I needed someone to turn to, someone that I could look up to, someone who could be a father figure. Napoleon was that someone." Joe opted to not pursue the conversation any further after that. I have a desire to make contact with this crazy Napoleon-loving psycho because I am fascinated with anyone that obsesses about historical figures. I'll let you know if I follow through.

We took Joe over to the Highlander for a few more drinks although the crazy Irish bartenders were not there. We stayed out until midnight and then headed back home. It was good to hang out with another ex-pat in the same situation and get their take on the insanity that is archival research.

Today I haven't done much besides clean up the apartment and do laundry - exciting stuff, I know. Probably going to head out to dinner later and find out what the neighborhood has to offer. So far we have not opted to check out the local fare, but it may be time to give Place de Fêtes a chance to impress. Anyway, I, as always, miss America and all she has to offer (DAN!) and hope the slightly warmer temperatures are making people happy. Oh - and if anyone would like to leave a comment so I know that people actually read this thing, that would be very appreciated!