I normally don't care for shoes, but...

One really nice thing that happened to me lately: while window shopping in Dresden, I fell in love with a shoe. The Perfect shoe.
Well, it was a pair, and they were exactly what I need on my feet when I sing the Habanera.
Flamenco inspired Satin platform half pumps half booties. They exist in red and in black. If these shoes could chose a name for themselves, it would most definitely be CARMEN Jessica Parker. It's Carmen in Sex and the city, sipping on something sweet sour and cool, looking gorgeous.
At any rate, they went for *HUNDREDS* of Euros. (!!!). That's where I decided that , since the guy at the store said " zey arr mate in za U.S.A", I could probably track them down in New York City. (and at LEAST save the horrifying exchange rate business).

However, it was not such an easy breezy mission. I couldn't find them easily at all; They are made by a private company that only does exclusive design for exclusive people, and my shoe never appeared on any site. None.
To make this boring-to-you story short; I somehow traced an email address, I wrote a beautiful, heartfelt personal letter, where I described the shoes and bagged for their permanent existence in my (especially professional) life, and I learnt that my precious footwear, here, in the States (or , for me? their walking- talking add) goes for...
( :D :D :D)...
... shhhh , it's a secret.
I'll just add, that I ordered 2 pairs. Both the black AND the red!

Socca, so good.

In Nice and Antibes, I had the most yummiest thing ever, and I can't WAIT to go to the health food store and get me the chickpea flour, in order to make a SOCCA !
Socca [Provencal Savory Chickpea Pancake]

Adapted from a recipe by Mark Bittman of the New York Times.

1 cup chickpea flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 cup warm water
3 tabelspoons olive oil
1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced
1/2 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves

Place heavy (preferably cast-iron) skillet in oven and preheat to 450 F.
In a large bowl, sift chickpea flour, pepper and salt together. After sifting, add rosemary leaves if desired.
Whisk in warm water and 2 tbsp olive oil.
Cover the bowl and allow the batter set for at least 30 minutes, add sliced onion to the batter, which should have the consistency of thick cream.
Remove skillet from oven. Add 1/2 tbsp olive oil to the hot pan, pour batter into pan and bake for 12-15 minutes or until the pancake is firm and the edges are set.
Set socca a few inches below your broiler for a few minutes, just long enough to brown it in spots. Cut into wedges and serve hot, with toppings of your choice.

Magnificat

I am going to Europe , the day after tomorrow. Singing me a little Bach. I noticed that out of the 4 soloists, 2 are old friends from my past. (well, 3 including myself, ha). I am only sad that Bach is too short of a sing and that this sweet gig will end in a second and a half, like a quick sip of port wine. But you have no idea how happy I am to hop on a plane for the sole purpose of squeezing a meaningful sound out of my soul.

More Flags more fun

Yes, do go to Six Flags this sumer, yes , DO get the gold Flash pass . no lines more fun, more flags, more adrenalin rush more to write about in your blog.

My town, my life now

Never mind singing; I've been hanging out, visited some parties in B'kyn, started playing tennis and also skateboarding in the park, said hello at the pride parade, went to the dermatologist and the obgyn for check ups, bumped into Edie Izzard and got invited to his show and after-show party, took a couple voice lessons,had a few mojitos here and there, bought a white jacket and guess sunglasses, got diarrhea but luckily I know this town so damn well, I also know where the nearest WC is, wherever I am.