All Eyes on Hurricane Sandy

Area known as "dog beach" in Melbourne, Fla., on Oct. 27. Sandy was still a tropical storm. These past few days, the media have taken a break from election coverage to talk about Hurricane Sandy. It skirted the coast of Florida over the weekend, remaining off shore but causing beach erosion. Now, a much stronger storm is heading for the New Jersey coastline. Storm surges, flooding and wind will impact large areas of the Northeast. Residents in endangered zones have been told to evacuate. Schools, offices and Atlantic City casinos have closed. Flights have been canceled and mass transit routes closed.

Atlantic City boardwalk in summer months. For residents of Melbourne (Fla.), memories haven’t faded of the 2004 season in which two storms hit the area. Power did not return for 10 days in most places. Buildings suffered extensive damage. Blue tarps remained on some roofs for a year or more. A lot of businesses never reopened. In the last month, many of us Floridians received a notice from Citizens Insurance (the government-created insurance of “last resort”), saying that unless we take action before Nov. 6, our homeowner policies will be shifted to other companies. Change like this is rarely a good sign.

Although our coasts are heavily populated, we have advanced warning systems. Think back to the Great Hurricane of Miami of 1926 that killed more than 373 people and injured approximately 6,00 and left thousands homeless. Those people had only a few hours’ notice. They assumed when the eye had passed, the storm had moved on. It hadn’t. In the aftermath, state officials and newspapers, fearful of losing investment and tourist dollars, downplayed the disaster (which slowed relief efforts) and talked instead about new construction. It’s 3 p.m., the storm has picked up speed. I have had Facebook reports of flooding since last night. I’m keeping updated via the Internet, news reports and TV. We hope for the safety of residents and a speedy recovery process.

2012 Presidential Debate--Talk v. Actions

The media coverage of the debate makes it sound like voters will base their decision on a 90-minute televised match. That is, on rhetoric/ talk rather than actions. In the aftermath, a lot of the media coverage of the second debate reads like a sports story--a play-by-play account with a few quotes or sound bites then comments about ratings or polls or candidate performance. Covering the real story, which involves examinations of previous administrations, requires some serious fact checking and historical research, something many members of the media seem loathe to do. Maybe their corporate sponsors fear flak. . . . But still, some media (both US and foreign) provided in-depth analyses. And reader forums pointed to things to keep in mind: the positive contributions of the Obama administration in terms of health care, military exit strategies, Wall Street reforms, tax reductions and job creation. . . . positive contributions in the face of the "legacy" left by previous administrations. Here are just a few of the rights voters should strive to protect: - to an education (which should not be based on ability to pay tuition but on ability) - to affordable healthcare - to taxation based on income/assets rather than ability to find loopholes. BTW, taxes are not bad. Education, a clean environment, security, arts and culture, mass transit and jobs/ training are among the things that have to be financed. - to civil rights and equality. . . . --to a clean environment (safe water, protection of natural resources, educational outreach) At this point in the campaign process, many of us are tiring of street corners and airways dominated by political ads, which present one side of issues. The value of televised debates--that candidates can challenge vague assertions. Given that Americans are pretty much a sports-oriented group, maybe we should continue to cover politics, using this approach. And maybe voters should think more about talk v. actions. Would any university hire a football coach based on promises or on his past performance?

La revanche de l’esprit fonctionnaire—The Revenge of the French Civil Servant

In an earlier post, I observed that French bureaucrats were becoming nicer, more humane in their treatment of clients. A recent experience with the sous-prefecture has shown otherwise. Government offices keep odd hours, and the sous-prefecture is no exception. It is open only in the mornings. A long line of people extend beyond the door, down the stairs and on to the sidewalk. We went to change car titles to our name. Two of the cars needed repair, but the potential buyers wanted them anyway. We have our paperasse (paperwork). Photo ids. Copy of bills from the electric and phone companies to prove residency. Copy of the estate paperwork along with the Livret de Famille. Permission (procuration) from the other owner (with copies of a photo id), enabling us to change the name on the title. Simple enough? At this particular sous-prefecture, a receptionist-gatekeeper determines whether you are allowed to take a number for an appointment. --How did you lose so many car titles? --We didn't. It’s an estate. . . . --But this estate lists three heirs . . . --But we have a procuration from the other person. . . . She shuffles papers on her desk. --What? These cars need to pass the contrôle technique (technical inspection) before you change the name on the title! --But they don’t need to pass that inspection. We just need to change the name on the title. --I don’t have time! NEXT! A friend , Cathy L., later commented, “It’s like asking for a health certificate after the person has died." Needless to say, we will have to return. . . .

Musings--quick takes Juan-les-Pins

Boardwalk at Juan-les-Pins. Lots of walkers, joggers, dogs and children. The water is too cold for me, but others seem to be enjoying it. Still a few more days to eat at the restaurants on the beach . . . .

Window shopping in Juan-les-Pins. . . . The trip was, after all, for work. Boutique owners have about another month of tourists and sales, then the town quiets down for several months. Many stores close in the winter season.

I love the late-afternoon light in September. This photo was taken near Opio. Lots of Americans and British live in this area, given the proximity to Sophia Antipolis. Not to mention the climate.

My favorite restaurant in Juan-les-Pins, Le Paradis, has been sold to a chain. I will miss its talented staff, great cuisine and atmosphere.

My favorite bookstore, right across from the Crystal, has an excellent selection of French literary works as well as English books and guides. The owner includes short reviews with each book in the display.

The night before I left, we had our kir at the Crystal, something of a tradition.

La vie à grande vitesse - Life in the fast lane

A rush-rush trip to France. A business trip of sorts. I arrive in Juan-les-Pins in mid September, my favorite time of year. But within hours after landing, my daughter and I have started work that involves her renovation projects in the South and Paris area. Life in the fast lane. Estimates. Rendez-vous. How does she keep track of everything! I begin to wonder how much help I will actually be. We take the TGV to Paris for a 24-hour séjour. The calm of our train stations at Cannes and Antibes contrasts with the Gare de Lyon, where we are pushed along quais by travelers and noisy suitcases and down into the métro. A change at Châtelet. Where is the escalator?

Just north of Paris, we are pushed and shoved by more crowds in rainy, chilly weather. No hot water in the apartment where we are staying to wash off the dust and soot of our work. In a little more than 24 hours, we return to the Gare de Lyon this time by taxi, hoping the SNCF will not be on strike. By now, I am succumbing to a cold. . . . Back to the Côte d’Azur. Now, appointments with governments agencies for that paperasse they always seem to need. Lines that resemble immigration at JFk with matching attitudes of employees. Even my daughter, experienced with the mentalité functionnaire, seems disconcerted. . . . . Even with a few setbacks, we are progressing but at a slower pace. It is the South of France, after all. And the next stop--the pharmacy. . . .

On Concierges, Hedgehogs and Life. . .

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery (translated from French by Alison Anderson), 2006. The story is told by Madame Michel, a 54-year-old concierge, and through journal entries of Paloma, a 12-year-old super-intelligent rich girl. Madame Michel is self taught and cultured in the arts and philosophy. She tries to maintain that illusion of the “typical” French concierge with bunions, a television blaring and odor of cabbage soup emanating from the lodge.

Paloma, the daughter of a French politician, downplays her intellect, describes the difficulty in maintaining her illusion of being an ordinary student. At the same time, she plans to commit suicide on her 13th birthday because life has no meaning. Both the concierge and the young girl self fashion to fit social expectations. That is until the mid point of the book, when a new tenant, a Japanese named Kakuro Ozu, moves in. In his quiet, patient way, he disregards the rigid social hierarchy of the luxury apartment and introduces the concierge and Paloma. The story is filled with defining moments—a misplaced comma in a note, a book from the publisher Vrin in a net shopping bag, quotations from Anna Karenina, the ritual of cups of tea, the joy then discomfort of an invitation that defies social class. One of the most moving sequences occurs as Madame Michel reflects on her friends. At the end of the book, Paloma observes that life has the “odd moment of beauty where time is no longer the same. It’s as if those strains of music created a sort of interlude in time, something suspended, an elsewhere that had come to us, an always within never.” And the title? Paloma says the concierge has “elegance of the hedgehog: on the outside, she’s covered in quills, a real fortress. . but on the inside, she has the same simple refinement as the hedgehog: a deceptively indolent little creature, fiercely solitary—and terribly elegant.” A delightful story (to be enjoyed at many levels) that forces readers to examine their assumptions. . . .

Big wedding - Elope . . . .Jane Tolbert muses

Big weddings take a lot of planning and collaboration. Selection of location. Hotel group rates. Negotiations. Transport to and from events for guests. Menus for the rehearsal dinner and reception. Flowers. Table arrangements. Music. Hair-nails-gowns-tux. For a while, I was tempted to whisper, “Elope” or “City hall.” And I was the groom’s mother. What was the bride’s mother going through? Not to mention the bride and groom. . . . And the bride planned it all.

Already, pre-wedding events had been rained out or subjected to the Derecho that blasted the Northeast in late June. For the outdoor wedding on Sept. 7, Google weather showed black clouds and lightning bolts, anything but ideal. Then, the tux did not all fit, and the best man’s flight was delayed 24 hours. Somehow, the couple remained calm. . . . The tailors worked miracles. The ceremony was delayed 30 minutes to enable the best man to dress. The sun appeared. Stilettos did not sink in the ground. Family and friends arrived from all corners of the world.

In retrospect, this wedding was one of the most meaningful events in terms of joining a couple, renewing friendships and visiting with family. The bride’s mother has two other daughters. She’s hoping for a two-year reprieve before the next event takes place. And when my daughter decides to get married, I won’t even think “elope.” So now if anyone asks, I would recommend a big wedding. There are numerous ways to cut costs. After all, memories are priceless, and the times we get together are too rare.