Disclaimer: If you spot any typos - theyβre intended :) I had a meltdown whilst uploading this because Substack is glitching every second.
I started the week in Devon and Iβve ended the week in Dubai, so itβs fair to say I feel broken. I had a magical time though, so itβs worth the back pain, bloating, swollen feet, rash, blocked nose and intense fatigue (send help).
I saw friends get married in Devon (it was beautiful) and saw my water sign girls in Paris, where we spent our days eating, drinking, talking and dreaming about future trips. It was everything I needed and more.Β Before we move on - I promised I would share some recommendations for Paris, so here you go.Β
What I ate/drank in Paris (a non-exhaustive list):
The last time I went to Paris, in 2018, it was snowing, most places were shut and I tried all of the snacks in Monoprix (it was still one of the best trips).Β
This time I was somewhat over-prepared (if thereβs such a thing) - I saved over 100 places on my Google Maps (a mild new obsession)*. There are so many places in Paris, itβs impossible to do it all in a short trip (we will be back, Paris), however, here are just some of the places we discovered in a few days.
*Consider yourself special if I let you have access to this.
Combat - if youβre a fan of cocktails, I recommend checking out this place. Itβs on Rue de Belleville. If you go, order the Combat Margarita which has tequila, camomille, sakΓ©, dry curaΓ§ao, citron vert and CBD.
Paloma - if you love cosy vibes, I recommend checking this place out. Itβs woman-owned and located in Belleville (just round the corner from Combat). It was hard to get a reservation (like most places in Paris) but we managed to walk-in on a Monday and tried their β¬16 set lunch menu (which changes every 2 weeks).
Rives - a short walk from Belleville, this restaurant is located on the 11th. Youβre probably going to have to book, but we went on a Saturday and the vibes were chill. Get the seabass, fries and champignons.
Bouche - we went to Bouche (yes, mouth) on a Saturday evening. The menu (which isnβt available online) changes every 2 weeks. The menu catered to vegetarians, carnivores and pescetarians. If youβre still hungry, pop down to a Chinese restaurant in Belleville.
La Vie devant Soi - this little bar tucked away on a side street of Belleville wasnβt on my list, but Iβm so glad we stumbled across it. Sit on the terrace and order a bottle of wine or go down to the basement to listen to some jazz.
Le Enfants du MarchΓ© - we were super lucky to get a spot here. There was a short queue, but we only waited around 10 min. Itβs definitely worth the wait. I tried my first snail here.
CafΓ© Des DΓ©lices - vibes are immaculate here. We didnβt have the opportunity to eat here. Sit on the terrace and order a beer.
Le Petit Grain - cute little bakery.
WENZHOU La Cantine Chinoise ζΈ©ε·ηΎι£ζ - we stayed in Belleville which is home to 100s of Asian restaurants. It took us about 30 minutes to decide on a restaurant, but we went for this one in the end. It was absolutely rammed (including everything else on the street).
Places on my list which I didnβt go to (non-exhaustive):Β
Louie Louie - if in doubt, you can never go wrong with pizza. This pizzeria in the 11th, looks absolutely delicious. They have soft serve as well which looks incred.
Boot CafΓ© - apparently they do a lovely matcha latte.Β
Benchy - if you fancy a sando.
Clamato - sad I didnβt get to go here, but itβs an incredible seafood restaurant (sadly walk-in only)
Mardi - cute place for coffee and baked goods.Β
Thoughts from my Notes App
Whatβs our issue with π ? Are we losing our sense of self in the age of AI?
Disclaimer: I wrote this at 4am whilst flying 100000s of feet in the sky. Iβve heard that planes make people cry, but I guess they also give you time to think too?
I have a love-hate relationship with π.Β Generally,Β I prefer to be direct so π is perfect - itβs a sufficient response to sayΒ βokβ, βcoolβ, βnotedβ. However, Iβm not one to use π - only ironically (or at work).Β I would say most millennials view π as emotionless and overly corporate. And anyone older, probably hasnβt considered what it means.Β Β
However, in this day and age, emojis have replaced words, carrying different meanings based on generational, linguistic and cultural contexts.Β Emojis are open to interpretation, which adds a complexity to our daily digital interactions (or perhaps millennials are just chronic overthinkers).Β Understanding and interpreting messages has become a skill. I mean, how many times has a friend sent you a screenshot asking you to decode it? Or how many times have you asked a colleague to review your email?Β For example, a colleague might come to you and show you a message from their boss and ask βdo you think theyβre annoyed at me?β, or a friend might send you a screenshot from a person theyβre dating and ask βis it just me or do you think theyβre being cold?β. But, do people really consider how their use of emojis and language in messages might be perceived? Generally, no (unless itβs a particularly sensitive message). The reality is, most of us are overwhelmed by the 100s of notifications we receive daily.Β Everyone has a different style of communicating - or it might just depend on the day
I believe there are at least 4 types of digital communicators (or a combination):
Those who are prompt respondersΒ
Those who want to βsit downβ and give a more thoughtful reply
Those who take 4+ weeks to respond or just never reply
Those who hate texting, want to speak on the phone or see you in personΒ
Generally, thereβs an expectation to respond to messages pretty quickly (in our work and personal lives) - itβs no surprise that weβre all constantly overwhelmed, overthinking, and tired. Yet, anyone born in the 90s (and before) have experienced communication before iPhones - fax machines, landlines, brick phones, beepers, etc. When we compare communication now vs. 20 years ago - did communicating less mean it was more meaningful? Did we overthink, less?
Now with AI, we can select auto-responses (Iβve used this on Gmail) which some might find lazy and impersonal, while others see it as efficient and convenient. This does raise so many questions: will AI erode the authenticity of our communication? Will we lose our personality?Β Will we lose our sense of self? Could it lead to more misunderstandings? And, what do we truly gain from this? Time - for what purpose? To spend more time with our loved ones, or is it to allow more time to make money?
A few weeks ago I saw a woman post on a Facebook group asking for advice. She explained that she went through a traumatic life event and that the person she was seeing at the time ghosted her. Weeks later, he reappeared and sent her a message on WhatsApp. Aside from the fact he ghosted her and wasnβt there for her (emotionally), she was concerned that the message was generated by AI.Β Not long ago, this would not have been a consideration. The comments section was quite interesting β some people were decoding the message word for word insisting that it was AI (despite not knowing this person) and others were less suspicious.Β
A few days ago, Apple announced that they are partnering with ChatGPT to include AI integration into its iOS. Later this year, weβll be able to ask ChatGPT on iMessage to help draft responses.Β Weβre doomed.
Edit: I was really curious to understand what other people think of the emoji, so I asked a few friends. The verdict is = unless youβre being ironic, avoid π.Β
ICYMI
Itβs a great day to be gay
Itβs pride month, baby and Gypsy Rose has joined the queer club.
The lesbian renaissance is nighΒ
If you havenβt noticed already, lesbians are having their moment of joy (finally).
If You Know What βBrainrotβ Means, You Might Already Have ItΒ
Are you chronically online? Are you always referencing internet jargon? Well, I hate to break it to you, but youβre 100% suffering from brainrot.
What to watch this week
The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard
This one is for true crime fans. I started (and completed) this 6-part documentary on my 7+ hour flight from Dubai to London. The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Rose Blanchard was filmed in 2023, before Gypsy was released from prison.Β
This one is for a hangover day. I started (and completed) this series on my 6+ hour flight from Paris to Dubai. Itβs about a struggling London-based journalist in her late 20s. Due to Londonβs diabolical housing crisis,Β she ends up sharing a bed with a stranger, who she has never met.
Presumed InnocentΒ
Disclaimer: If you prefer binging a series, you will need to wait a little longer to watch this, as thereβs only 2 episodes out.
Based on the novel Presumed Innocent by Scott Turrow, this 8-part series takes viewers on a journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorneyβs office when chief deputy prosecutor is suspected of the crime. The series explores obsession, sex, politics and the power and limits of love.Β
Things that should be on your radarΒ Β
Eye to Eye: Portraits of LesbiansΒ
I recently discovered the work of JEB in an interview with Itβs Nice That.Β In the interview, she discusses her book Eye to Eye: Portraits of Lesbians which JEB self-published in 1979. The book features portraits of lesbians in their everyday lives - women at home, at work, playing sports, spending time with their children, laughing with friends and embracing their lovers.
Evenings and Weekends - Β OisΓn McKenna
This book made Eileen Myles cry which has convinced me that I need to read this book. Evenings and Weekends is set in London (I love anything set in London) and focuses on the perspectives of three friends. The book is focused on: queer life, city living, class, love and loss.Β
DΓDI εΌεΌ
I love coming-of-age films and I know there are many millennials out there who do too (people say weβre the generation who will never grow up) so I started creating a list of Letterboxd. I came across DΓDI which is a coming-of-age film set in the San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on the experiences of Taiwanese-American teenagers in 2008 (when MySpace was still a thing).Β
This is my favourite pottery account (for now). If you love anything tiny, youβre going to love it too. The big question is: shall I start collecting tiny pottery?
Food accounts on Instagram are superior. This is my new favouite.Β
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