Paris, May 8, 2004

So, I've been working at Air Liquide, in Paris, for a little over three months now--I must warn you that Wonderful Life by Black is playing now and filling my ears with a sweet melody... in case this should color my words--and so far so good. The experience at Air Liquide's HQ in downtown Paris working in communications (annual report, shareholder letters, presentations, AGM, etc.) is extremely valuable. After all have I ever worked in any place close to the "true" corporate world where sales are denominated in billions and not in <thousands> ^_^ Overall I've found myself adapting relatively well (that is with the usual hiccups) to a world very much alien until now. Alien in the sense of different, shorn of possibly negative negative overtones...

If I kick off this update with a word on work it's because work has been an all-consuming business lately (pun intended, no apology offered for its caliber... low). I only have a 6-month contract (and therefore I wake up every single day, in cold sweat, thinking I may not make it into the company with a proper long-term contract) --The Way It Is, and Bruce Hornsby, has taken over-- but as you will probably know I take work seriously and therefore am not afraid of spending the appropriate amount of hours necessary to do the job at a standard at least satisfactory (the French 35-hour week is for those who think France will live forever, or don't care either way, or simply go with the flow). Since until 12 weeks back I didn't know a thing about corporate communications (my current position, in shareholder communications). I've had to catch up, fast, to get the job done. So far so good, hanging in there and enjoying the ride, bumpy, stressful at times and stimulating all the time...

Living in Paris has been the real challenge. Actually, let me take this back, going back to living in France has been a bit of a tough cookie. I physically left France nearly 5 fours years, but in my mind I had been gone for much, much longer... Coming back to a country wracked by social tensions, facing economic challenges that loom very large indeed (given the short supply of political will to meet them) and a social fabric in dire need of sowing up, like a seriously bleeding wound, is a challenge indeed (a reverse culture shock one would say), especially because the place I left for France (the US) in spite of its flaws, breathes energy, and brims with optimism and confidence in the future (by comparison). France is an interesting place but, boy, are we going through a rough patch... Now that I've been back for a spell I hope to stay long enough to contribute to a country that has given me so much in a way of free and high-quality education, affordable healthcare, social services and long-standing and shining culture. Hope to be strong enough... First task on the agenda, in my mind, to cut in half the crippling unemployment. It's a shame, really, to stand dole-takers over 10% for more than a... day! Reaching the UK's level would go a long way toward improving things throughout society as a whole... Well, ain't the pres. yet, are we ^_^

Fortunately, Paris is still a magnet for good things. Among them a splendid and active Center for Japanese Culture in Paris to which I go on a regular basis, as often as I can (15mn on foot from work along the Seine, incredibly beautiful walk) to wonder over Kagura, Kyoogen or No pieces (traditional Japanese dancing/theatre) or else lose myself in 18th c. Japanese woodblack prints and other Edo peerless contributions to the world's cultural heritage. Very fortunate, I feel, every time I go there to be enlightened, yes sir. (o: I just wish Japan played a more prominent role in my life, but one cannot be whole without knowing the meaning of the word "choice" and its consequences. I miss this connection very much but I also made a choice and need to learn to respect what it's entailed. Perhaps, and ironically, this will be the greatest lesson I'll gather from my deep interest in Japanese culture/history.

Let this be the end of this very first, shiny new, despatch from Paris. I'm confident others will follow since I know in my heart I, in spite of my best efforts, I'll never be able to keep up with all of you... I trust you'll understand and send word from your end as well from time to time. This is for you,

My very best to you,

Thomas

Room in Paris (at a friend's place for the time being, small, but hey with a friend: nothing like it!).

And the view from my room!

Moving team (for frend's other roomate). Timer is a GREAT feature! Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.