What it's all about

Welcome to my blog!! Join me on a 365-day journey of discovery and "re-discovery" as I take up the monumental challenge of reading one of the greatest pieces of literature ever written, and in French!!
The idea was spurred by Julie Powell's "Julie & Julia" and my somewhat crazy idea to supplement my Rosetta Stone French lessons by reading Proust's "In Search..." in the original French.
Several people have looked askance (perhaps also entertaining the idea of getting me one of those nice white jackets with the sleeves that tie in back...) and said, "You've NO idea of what you're getting yourself into."
Well! Let me say that if you know exactly what you're getting into then you're NOT having an adventure. And I mean to have a GREAT adventure!!
I've absolutely no idea where this will lead, but then again, that's really the idea, isn't it?
If you've ever thought about reading this amazing work, but been intimidated by its sheer gargantuan proportions, then by all means, please join me and perhaps you'll learn a bit along the way about the fascinating man that Proust was, the times in which he lived, and perhaps find your own inspiration to pick it up anew and dive in!!
Bienvenue à m'aventure! Allons-y!!

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Day 9: N'allez pas trop vite!!

Well, that is certainly my motto for today: don't go too fast!! Between being stuck in traffic for hours and trying to find to place to rest my travel-weary derrière, I have done absolutely nothing related to Proust today at all....


I had the best of intentions - I was actually expecting to get a great deal done today, as I am in San Francisco for the weekend and thought, "what fun it will be to sit in a nice cafe and read Proust whilst enjoying a good cup of coffee (or two..)."  But it was not to happen! I forgot that this is St. Patrick's Day weekend and the City is boisterously alive with green-clad hoards, all taking up the seats in all the restaurants and nice cafes!! 


I think I spent the better part of the day trying to find even just one place to sit down and read. I could hear my new iPad whining inside my bag..."but you promised!!"  Within a three-block radius of Union Square there a over 15 places to get coffee. I went to every single one and they were ALL full!! Even at 10pm, I couldn't get a seat in any of the four, count them, FOUR Starbucks within a two-block radius! Infuriating. Who are all these people? Don't they have HOMES??? 


So, I am just now sitting down to write and have nothing to offer except to share my frustrations. Monsieur Proust would be shaking his head, saying, "Il aurait été meilleur si vous étiez restés à la maison dans votre lit toute la journée!!" Well, perhaps I would have gotten more done by staying at home all day in bed; however, being back in San Francisco is marvelous and tomorrow is a new day.


Perhaps I'll go to the De Young and see the 19th and 20th c. French painters tomorrow for inspiration - Proust certainly lived during a rich period in French art and he knew quite a number of these painters personally. 


À demain,
Michel
Posted by at

1 comment:

  1. Michael HattoriMarch 18, 2012 at 7:03 PM

    Dear Readers... my apologies this did not get posted until after midnight last night.. that is why it is dated Sunday, March 18

    ReplyDelete

In the "profile" drop-down menu, choose "Name/URL" if you are not a registered user of any of the services listed; you may type name or URL, or both; you may also post as Anonymous.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)