Hello, North America.

I'm back! But it's 3409440239° and I can't be on my computer because I think it's melting. Updates to follow.

My baby monsters!

My last day with the baby monsters was on Tuesday, but to celebrate we had a little party the Sunday before. One of my presents was copies of all the Adventures of Super Simon stories that Julien and I have written (the baby brother super hero). Also, the parents made me a video of interviews with the kids talking about me (I have never had to work so hard not to start crying in my entire life I think).

Oh you know, just the typical mayhem.

In front of the new house construction ... And right before the concours des grimaces (the face-making contest, photos of which are available upon demand).

Lego? Matchbox?

I saw this on the street near my house the other day.

WHAT?! Is this thing REAL? I don't even know what to say about it.

Château Pastré

I went to Marseille for a concert that Johan was directing, and discovered a new place!

The château Pastré is apparently historically important for the concerts and exiled musicians that were hidden there during World War II and the occupation. At any rate, it's phenomenal just for the landscapes. The concert was outside, so this was the view behind me ...

And this ...

This is the back of the château itself. It is sort of pinkish, and it was gorgeous all lit up at night!

When life gives you lemons ...

Clean them up with paper towel. If you don't have paper towel, well ... Toliet paper is paper too?

End of the (school) year!

Lots of little voices singing in French ... I love the end of the year school parties :)

Orange

Last week I went to Orange, France. Yes, there's a city called Orange. It's in the south, and it has one of the oldest outdoor, stone, theaters.

Here's a crappy picture (TOO SUNNY) of a Caesar-like statue lending its commanding presence to the stage ...

We were there for a televised music festival, so the rehearsal was during the day ...

During the performances, the host was sitting in the audience ... Two rows in front of ME. Hahaha.

If you click on this and check it out bigger, you'll notice that people seem to be very brightly dressed. I was beginning to wonder if it had been on purpose, and then I found out it was marked on the tickets. Oops. Still a lot of white though, lameeeee.

Stage view, with some of the ruins that have been restored ...

It was a lot of fun, but I ate something funky the night before we left, and spent a rough morning in trains trying to hold myself together (which I sort of, not totally, managed). Still recovering from the trauma.