Paris: 6 June 1999

OK, OK! I know I've been a little behind on the site lately and all of you who are "living vicariously through me," (if I had a buck for everyone who's told me that...) are on my case for another update! It makes me feel good to know that you're keeping up with my experiences here.

To all my buddies whose first question is about the french babes, and to everyone else who asks about gigs, let's just say that they've both been a little slow! I've actually been extremely busy having too much fun! And the music waters are a little cold here. The French are very interested in how many times we Americans can call them before we get frustrated and give up. This is true with the women, as well as those who may potentially have work for me as a bassist. It's a face thing. (I know my mom right now is giving me one of those "Ya just gotta get out there and get in their face!" speeches) but being the eternal ar-teest that I am, I still think they should hire me based on the fact that they like my playing, and not because I called them twenty times in one day just to get them to get me to shut up. Even if they're interested they don't call back, and the girls just don't call guys as a rule.

Anyway, I'm having the time of my life as you'll see on these pages, and even if I don't play enough to my satisfaction, I will have had the best vacation anyone could ask for, and it ain't over yet!

For starters, the food here is as incredible as you've heard, and I go out and eat with any number of friends a couple of times a week. (I know, I gotta start cooking!) but mostly they ask me to go, and often all I do is bring a bottle of wine or two, and they cook for me! It's awesome. This is Jean-Luc, my newest pal. He is a bassist as well. He heard my CD in the Relais Magenta and asked Max who it was. The next time I was in the bar when he was there, he asked me in rough english: "YOU are ze base-eeest?" To which I replied, uh yes, I think so... We set up a time, he bought the drinks, we jammed, and voila! Instant friends. He is really cool as he has gatherings at his house to which I'm always invited. They usually include lots of drinks, and occasionally pretty girls as well. He just has one of those personalities I guess. One day Jean-Luc called me up and said that he had a pretty girl on one arm and a guitar on the other, and that I had to join them! Of course I said yes, and we jammed, drank, and went to dinner afterwards. This is Lyla, a model working in Paris, on her way to LA. She was not only very pretty, but very sweet and funny. Miguel also got in on the action with a kiss (and a grab...) Well, as luck would have it, eventually Lyla's boyfriend showed up! Jon is a super-jolly British guy who works here in Paris. He plays guitar as well, so we all jammed at Jean-Luc's place. Jean-Luc playing the acoustic guitar-bass I bought in Cologne on my trip with Rod. Jean-Luc telling me I'm the Man! Jean-Luc and Claire, another fan of Jean-Luc's. After we played and shared some aperitifs, we walked to a swell little restaurant. This is us on our way back to Jean-Luc's after eating (somewhere around midnight.) The other thing that's been keeping me busy is the procession of people who come here to visit me. Don't get me wrong, I love them all and it's great to see people from home, so it's easy to put off the music hunt for some time while I hang out with some of my favorite people here in Paris! These three fabulous babes are Marilyn, Tracey, and Melissa. (all married - DAMN!) I met them all at Columbia College as they all sang in the Jazz Choir at one point or another in the last ten years. They are all lots of fun. Melissa prepares some awesome grub for us, an assortment of cheeses, bread, and sausages she bought for us.

Images Side Trips Journal: 11 April 15 April 19 April 10 May 20 May 6 June a 6 June b 27 June 17 July 5 Sept. Back Home