So that's how he does it

For all the times I've passed through the Paris Metro, I've never actually SEEN who changes the huge ads and posters that decorate its every hall and platform. One morning on the way to work I turned the corner and there he was...quietly and swiftly working, and then in minutes he was gone. It made me smile, like I'd uncovered a little secret.

Ambiance (fr)

The spaces in which I work (or in which anyone works) varies greatly; from desk crammed in the corner of a bedroom, to park bench, cafe, cubicle, community table, airport wall squat, or bar stool counters. As a result, I have begun to wonder how much the 'ambiance' of the space you deem for work matters.

In college, I considered studying organizational workplace design which combines architecture, spatial planning, and behavioral theories into one. These concepts are used by many progressive companies seeking to design more efficient, productive work spaces which foster better collaboration, visibility, creativity, cooperation, and sense of community for their employees. Often contemporary in their application (we often hear about it from the likes of companies like Apple, Google, and yes even IBM in the good old days), I have wondered how much these thoughtful designs actually do contribute to higher morale, productivity and creativity.

Yep that's a Starbucks below - looks like a Palace and still free wifi !!

After 20 years, I find that I work better when my space changes, sometimes to include a flair for formality, as if the occasional nonsensical thinking I do can find no place here or there, and as if my 'professional' ideas would not flow as freely without the proper 'ambiance' to induce them. Other times, my best work ideas float about amidst the buzzing in and out of people in a nearby cafe or my own living room.

Know and stick with what works for you, but trying something new just might surprise you too. There's always the hallway in your corporate office to try.  Just imagine the looks you'll get squatting with a laptop on the carpet near the elevator.

Its Late, Why Write

At the start of these entries is my need to feel the words before they make it to the page, first floating them around in my mind until they land just right. Its late and I need sleep, yet I write it anyway. Today I went to Place Vendome, a square I never frequent.  Its the type of place you can imagine they have daily fashion photo shoots in, because it just has that vibe; the Ritz hotel in one corner, three other corners with perfect palace storefronts, grand flair, and well to be fair, its trashless with no dog poop in sight.

Inside, leading up to the office lobby, was this georgous staircase that made me want to continue circling the levels. 15 minutes later, just as I was drawing suspicion, I 'found' the lobby. I can only imagine sometimes what the French think of me dawdling around in courtyards, interesting staircases, and characteristic doorways. Wherever your moments of simple curiosity take you, I hope you enjoy them fully.

Massive misses

Recently I was using a Paris office that was nestled in an area of the city I had never wandered.  It was near the US embassy and other embassies and government buildings, as well as a high end shopping district, the likes of which I had never seen nor really need to.  

One thing I love about walking to work or walking anywhere in Paris, are the things before you to see if people just take the time to notice them. This park below is not well known by most, and tucked away on a small side street that barely makes the map. Wandering is very under-rated.

Most of the time, I watch Parisians walk - and they do with massive doses of purpose and a sense of urgency - and I wonder if they realize how much they miss.  From what I can tell, they don't seem to appreciate my philosophical stance on the matter, so I go about my business in my room with a view, sipping tea, and working on my French 'uh' sound (which they like to do a lot).  It works. I'm blending in....