A wise man once said that you can put a lipstick on a pig but at the end of the day its still a pig. When I dreamed of my life in Paris I have to admit that included a few memorable rendezvous, but they haven’t materialized. Instead, I feel that I am always in the midst of French follies, or as I like to say in English, Tom Foolery. It is the same old mess dressed up with better scenery. Paris may be beautiful, but it still cannot save everybody from foolishness.

I recently attended a friend’s birthday party where I was introduced to John Luc, an independent filmmaker and producer. The friend who introduced us mentioned that the guy had spent time in the States. He was definitely attractive, not like most of the French guys I have seen. He had long dreads, caramel skin, and great conversation, which made him stand out fast. Sometimes a man walks in and the whole room changes its energy.

He is working on a documentary about Obama and ex pats-US citizens living abroad and why they support Obama. I was entranced. He told me that he lived in the states from the ages 8 to 17 with his father who is a jazz musician. I have to admit, by the end of the night I was smitten. He asked for my phone number and I, of course, gave it to him. The conversation had that easy kind of flow that makes you think maybe this time is different.

Before I could start fantasizing about our first date, my bubble was burst. On way home, a good guy friend asked me if I was feeling John Luc. Before I could answer, my other friend piped in saying he was married, and she knew it because she had talked to him about his wife. I was left to sit quietly, wondering how I could be in Paris and still be dealing with the same Tom Foolery I found dating in the states.