How to Trap a Unicorn

I love this tapestry which hangs in the Musée de Cluny next to the Sorbonne in Paris. It is actually one of six woven in the 15th Century and entitled, "La Dame à la licorne"

Each of the six represents a sense, this one obviously representing sight. What is the sixth sense? It is, "Mon seul désir," which some have interpreted to mean 'love.' Some of the six tapestries include a monkey- sorry Monkeyposh, not this one!

The medieval protocol for capturing this animal is to place a virgin in the path of the unicorn. Some accounts require the virgin to bare her breasts. The unicorn seeing the virgin will come lay its head in the lap of the virgin maiden and fall asleep.

Listen!

Paris misses me* right now. Because of that, I will take the reader to the Metro "Les Halles", past the Tabac into the mall, past the many clothing shops offering les soldes, past the many food vendors, and up the stairs to the St. Eustache exit.**

In the St. Eustache courtyard known as the Place René Cassin is a humongous piece of sandstone art, "l'Ecoute"*** by Henri de Miller. The piece is simple, yet captivating. I like to buy a sandwhich in Les Halles, and eat it in front of the statue. The statue can be photographed from many different angles, and there is a way to take someone slightly behind the hand where it looks like the person is standing in the Listener's hand.

On a sunny day, I can pass an hour in the Place René Cassin in front of the statue that I find serene. It is one of my preferred places.

*Oui, elle me manque.
** Or just take the more direct Châtelet-Les Halles metro.
*** The Listener

Amos Lee- Supply and Demand

Amos Lee's second album, Supply and Demand, has thrown my ipod into overdrive, and I thought I should say a few words about it. The album came out in 2006, and when it did, I heard an interview on NPR, was interested in the album, and even wrote enough information that would allow me to purchase it.

For whatever reason, I did not purchase the album, and it kept coming back to me in some form or another, while at Borders, upon finding my old notes, each time enticing me, but each time I did not buy it. Finally, on my trip on Blackbeard's, the cook was listening to the album, and I happened to be a captive audience. The song "Careless" was playing. The lyrics to the song "Careless" hit me especially hard, as I know the situation by heart, having experienced it.

I decided to buy the album, and am now writing this is as a semi-apology to myself for not purchasing it earlier. This is the album I listened to most throughout January. Why do I like it so much? Maybe it is Lee's bluesy voice; or the thoughtful, sometimes provoking lyrics; or the folky guitars and background pianos. This music is laid-back and relaxing, but without being lulling, or dull.

I had been listening to the album for about a week when I heard one of the songs on TV, and came running to see what it was about. Maybe the commercial had been playing for some months, and I only tuned into it after knowing the song "Sweet Pea" from Lee's album. I am not sure. Here is the commercial. Please note I do not endorse AT&T products.

I don't know what the 5 stars on your ipod mean to you. For me, they mean this:

* Take this shit off !!!
** If you need more room later you can take me off
*** This is a solid song
**** This song is above average
***** This song is pure genius

I have very few 5 stars, and not many 4's either. That being said, this album got high ratings.

1. Shout Out Loud ****
2. Sympathize ****
3. Freedom ***
4. Careless ****
5. Skipping Stone ****
6. Supply and Demand ***
7. Sweet Pea ***
8. Night Train ***
9. Southern Girl ****
10. The Wind **
11. Long Line of Pain ****