Orphan of the Night

"This is HUGE letting me stay here--you have no idea."

I'd cabbed it straight from work to Jen's apartment Wednesday night for story swapping and the key pass-off.

"Not a problem.  The karmic implications are good for me--I owe big time."

Apparently Jen, my current host and good friend of my friend Kathleen, traveled with an acting troupe and had the same couch-roaming experience.  Now I'm alone in her place with Foxy the cat for the weekend (Jen's visiting her boyfriend).  Last week I spent in the company of Miss Puss and Norman Bates--also felines, in case you were worried--in Lake View.  Before that, it was the fashion director's place downtown and before that, chez Erin. 

Jen's apartment marks my fourth home in less than three weeks.  The part of me that loves adventure and travel and seeing how other people do their lives is thrilled.

The part of me that just wants to burn all three suitcases (okay, one is just a small backpack, but it is still a vile bee-otch) is a little less so.

And then there's the part of me that hurts, and I'm not just talking about my sore throat.  I slipped on ice and fell flat on my ass on Rush Street last week, leaving a purple mark bigger than a hamburger bun.  You would think I'd have better ice radar--my caca alert is always on "high" in Paris and runs pretty foolproof.

But the work, deadlines, all that has been a surprisingly joyful experience.  I've been downright chipper on even the longest, most hectic days here.  And while I love my life in Paris, I'm definitely riding super high on the little daily thrills at Life Americana--from watching The OC to wheeling a big cart down wide grocery aisles.

But when the taxi dropped me off at my current destination Thursday night, I took one look at those five slick wooden steps leading up to Jen's townhouse and froze (next to my 70 pound suitcase, which I quickly envisioned torching in luggage-bonfire flames.)  Still traumatized from the ass-on-ice experience, I groaned under my scarf, I cannot deal with this now. 

Then, I decided I didn't have to.  I tucked the two smaller bags in the foyer, stashed the biggest suitcase to the side of the stairs, walked straight to the stripmall I'd seen two blocks away and ordered a personal vegetarian pizza.  Turns out, you don't always have to do things the hard way--who knew?!

The luggage was still there when I got back and my hands had stopped the hunger shakes enough to tackle icy stairs and Behemoth Valise.  Hey, at least with all this luggage hauling I'm getting my biceps in order for that sleeveless, tulip-skirted, sea foam green dress I just bought at Barneys.  (There is a wedding in Texas next weekend.)  Sleeps on couches, shops at Barneys--yeah, I know.  But a girl's gotta treat herself to more than strip mall pizza when she's a night orphan. 

Comments

[andrea]

Awwww, I sympathize with you. Travellind from place to place like that can really suck when it's winter. The dress sounds really pretty!

[meg]

Sorry to hear about the ice-capade, but glad you're doing well in Chi-town. Watch those slippery patches!

[J]

I hope you keep enjoying your work and time back in the good ole U S of A (minus the slip)! We wouldn't mind keeping you in Chicago for awhile!

[Eric at Paris Daily Photo]

Wow Coquette...why would anybody hate you for living in France? I just found your blog and find it very good (and up to date!). I also love your description under "About this Site". That alone is worth the visit!

[Aimee]

Oh, the OC! I cannot wait to be back home for Christmas.

[Almost Girl]

The weather has finally turned wintery in Chicago! Thank God I say! I rather prefer it this way. Except for the whole finding weather appropriate shoes that one can walk in. The trials of being a Chicago fashionista huh?

Almost Girl
http://almostgirl.coffeespoons.org

[Gloria]

Ooh, hope you're going to be posting pictures of the dress!

[schuey]

this story is just awfully cute...

[Sammy]

Texas? Sea foam green?? Eeee!!

I hope ya'ain't gonna come back without no pictures!

[Mica]

If it makes you feel any better, my fashionista ass froze off yesterday at the Bears-Packers game. I too conceal ice-bruises beneath a lovely Burberry cropped jacket today. It gets better, tea in the Marshall Field's Walnut room helps.

[R J Keefe]

Here's hoping that that Texas wedding involves a family reunion!

[Neil]

Please Chicago Winter Ice Gods, be merciful on our beloved Coquette's Barney's-draped ass.

[lividia]

lucky you to have so many friends who let you crash with them! if you ever run out (unlikely), I love these people: www.couchsurfing.com ;) bonne chance!

[Dan]

You go girl! (I don't know, it just seemed appropriate.)

[La Dauphine]

I, too, would couch surf if it meant I could do an ounce of shopping at Barney's. Glad to hear you're having fun!

[Liz]

wide grocery store aisles? what are those! if it wasn't for my recent i-tunes/desperate housewives discover I would be in a complete bout of americana-homesickness! Enjoy the land of water fountains and styrofoam to-go containers and keep reminding me these things that are lacking in Europe!

[Asian Lep]

Do you watch Reunion, too?

I love Sean Faris. He is my life.