Ever since the last time I wrote, I have been trying to come up with something to tell you. I guess you don't typically realize that you are living life and experiencing things until after they happen. However, there are few moments in life when you enjoy the fact that you are experiencing an adventure as much as the actual adventure.
This happened to me last night. I was invited to the Opera. Actually, the story begins before last night.
A few weeks ago, I went to an artist meet-up group here in Paris. This was my second meeting, so there were familiar and friendly faces. I still made a few new friends. One being this American girl (first American I have met since here), Rachel, who grew up in LA, then lived in San Fran and New York. Anyway, we got along well, and decided to meet up again. This happened last Friday. As she and I were laughing at funny stories while we got to know each other, this French guy approached us and asked if we spoke French. I immediately answered Yes, while she hesitated. He then asked if we wanted tickets to the Opera for Monday night. Of course we said yes, as neither of us have ever been. We met up with him at the Opera last night.....questioning why he gave us these tickets as we made our way there. Ends up he works there as a scenery machinist.......assembling scenes and working them during the shows. The show was a horribly boring French opera about some war in Eastern Europe. We were all fidgeting during the last act........but, it was good practice for my French. Anyway, after the show, he gave us a tour of the Opera house. This is the largest Opera house in the world. This is not the Opera Garnier......of the Phantom of the Opera, but the Opera Bastille that was built in 1989 by Francois Mitterand during the bicentennial of the French republic. This Opera house has 8 floors above ground, and 6 floors below. All the space is for the building of scenes, costumes, props, etc. They even have a cafeteria for the employees inside the building. The main stage is 400 m sq or about 3600 ft sq. This space is replicated 8 times, on the same floor, providing enough space for multiple scenes to be available for different acts as well as space for a rehearsal stage that is the exact same size and layout of the main stage with orchestra. So scenes are constantly being created, built, assembled, and disassembled on the lower floors. If an Opera is appearing from overseas, the scenes are delivered in shipping containers and are then assembled on the -6 floor. Each show runs around 3 weeks, and they are working a few months ahead of schedule. The shipping containers are delivered via a waterway from the Seine. It was absolutely amazing......to see behind the scenes of a place in Paris where creativity and artistry flows. And, to see the immensity and grandeur of the Opera house. This was one of those moments that I feel like is a gift from Paris. Similar to seeing David Reinhardt half a year ago. One of those moments that catch you by surprise.
I finally got my propane tank. Actually it arrives tomorrow. It ended up being one of those things that is so easy, you wonder why it took you so long to figure out. As most of you know, I melt glass to make glass beads. In order to do this I use an oxygen and propane mix torch. This produces a high temp. flame that can melt the glass. Initially, I searched for oxygen.........it taking me a few months to finally get my hands on some. I thought this would be the hardest thing to accomplish, so did it first. Then realized that my American torch did not work with the French system. My torch and regulators would not connect with the French oxygen tank. I looked for torches here with no luck, then looked for a torch in the US with European fittings. All with No Luck. When I returned from the US and Tahiti, I found someone who could change all of the fittings on my torch and order me oxygen and propane regulators. This taking them a few weeks to accomplish, I finally had my torch back and just needed to find propane. I had been asking about propane for awhile and learned that propane is "special" in France. Everyone kept trying to offer me Butane, but I always had to explain that I needed Propane to produce the high heat to melt glass. I have run into dead end upon dead end. And, it's been a ridiculous roller coaster, thinking that I have found Propane, only to be disappointed when I went to buy it. I have a nice friend who helped call one of the main suppliers of Butane and Propane and they sent me a list of places I should be able to get it. Funny that I had already tried 2 of the places on the list. Yesterday, I set out to hit all on the list, but decided to revisit a hardware store that is a few blocks from my place, and according to the list would be able to get me propane. It was so easy! I went in and asked for Propane......they said they didn't have it and it was difficult to get as no one really uses it in Paris. I explained that I needed it to melt glass and that I called the supplier and was told they would be able to help me. They said......well, we can call for it. I responded with, "Great! When will it be here?" They said Wed or Thurs. I said, "Great, can you call?" And, they did. It arrives tomorrow. I spent the next 15 minutes showing them photos of my jewelry, taking off my bracelet so they could examine it, and discussing the fact that I am trying to start this business, but all I need is propane. I got them hooked. We then talked about my torch and that I use oxygen to producer a high heat flame. They then asked where I got the oxygen. I told them it took me forever to find a company, but that I have someone who delivers to me. They told me that they sell oxygen and it would probably be cheaper. Why didn't they tell me any of this when I was there a few months ago???!!!!
So, is it the things we work the hardest for and that cause us to face the most obstacles, the ones that are the most successful??? Or, are we meant to learn patience, perseverance, and persistance? And, why do we sometimes need to take the longest, most discouraging route to attain something, then learn that it could have been as easy as walking down the street a few blocks and talking to some old men in a hardware store?
I hope my enthusiasm for the architecture of an Opera house and for Propane have not bored you.
I am excited to say that by tomorrow night, I will have made my first bead in Paris. By this weekend, I should have new jewelry. As I am working on getting my website done, I have created a store at www.kbykareen.etsy.com I will be posting new stuff on very soon, so please check it regularly. I hope you share my enthusiasm for my jewelry.
Again, thank you all for your support, your well wishes, and your compliments. I appreciate it all and enjoy hearing from you.
Love, Kareen
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
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