March 16

In moving from L.A. to Paris, I felt the difference between living in the suburbs (L.A.) and a city (Paris) as strongly as the difference between living in the U.S. and Europe. Cities are really exhausting; I have to rest whenever I come back home.

And then in L.A. there’s the Costco state of mind, requiring everyone to stock up on everything just in case of ... what, I don’t know.

I wasn’t happy in L.A. unless I had at least a dozen rolls of toilet paper in the closet. But here, you let things run out, then buy another, and never in volume.

It sounds counterintuitive, but with my little Proxi (like 7-Eleven) half a block away, I can’t want for anything at any time of day.

A few days ago I bought a round of cheese there -- Camembert rustic.

Looked good. I put it in the fridge.

The next day the whole living room and dining area smelled as if a rat had died there. And just imagine the kitchen.