Money ain't for nothing and your tits for free

Give your money to Tsunami Victims. So many ways to do it, and never so pressing a need.

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Why are there naked ladies always on my TV? I'll never get used to how lax the french are with nudity at 8pm. Those Folies girls are running around, Vegas style, completely topless. This is less surprising than the amount of topless thongstyle photos I see in subways and pharmacy posters everywhere.

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Have an old Toronto friend visiting for the New Year's. He's depressed about his girlfriend dumping him before the trip. She's running around in Paris, with her ex-ex, who happens to be in Paris too. So, instead of hanging out with yours truly, he's decided to take in the Champs Elysees "foule" when the clock ticks down, by himself. While he's doing that, he's missing my little dinner party, chock full of oysters and champagne, and also the fun little after party that will be running at a loft just round the corner. In his favour, I'll admit that last night I told him we had no idea what we were doing. But who really plans New Year's party plans more than 2 hours in advance? Oh well. I can only wish him good luck and hope he manages to snog some random girl under some random french monument.

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Had an excellent pre-New Year's celebration last night, at the house of a reputable food critic/food maniac.
We started a soupe de foie gras, that was impossibly light and mousse-like, coupled with Cremant du Loire (a type of white wine) that blew my mind.

That was followed by a green bean shrimp salad (the shrimp crisped with cumin and ginger) lightly sprinkled with a hazelnut oil dressing (accompanied with a kind of champagne) made by his girlfriend. It was equally spectacular, and the beans were perfectly crisp and sweet.

This was then pursued by roast poularde (young hen) that had been steamed with a beef roast inside, then flash roasted, accompanied by green tea (macha) polenta (with more champagne).

I got kicked in the head with four very strong ripe cheeses (a ripe Musster, some crazy tower like cheese that ate my ears, a crazy sweet blue, and a frustra (???) that we ate with cherry jam). The blue cheese was the star, all fluffy sweet white and creamy on top (like a soft crumbly ricotta) with a sharp pungent jab hiding in the blue crumbs underneath. That was paired with some other kinds of champagne (that was decanted!!!)

For dessert we had green tea chocolate cake (barely sweet!) and chocolate chestnut cake that was soft like brownie batter, but crispy all along the edges.

Gazonga! I tottered home with a head full of bubbly and enough sensory experiences to last the year!

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I already rented out my New Year's day DVDs. Dark Water and Nemo...laugh it up. I'll be happy toasty comfy in bed all day long. Smell you later

Happy New Year!