Paris Werewolves

Prototype for a scaphandre (atmospheric diving suit) invented by Alphonse and Théodore Carmagnolle (1882), and the inspiration for the Big Daddies in Bioshock (2007). Despite my love of coastal areas and lighthouses, I don't have any burning interest in naval and maritime history. Don't get me wrong: I wish I were nautical (or at least had a friend with a sailboat and a generous disposition towards lubbers). Treasure Island is one of the few books that I can read over and over, and I enjoyed both The Sea Wolf and The Terror . I'm eighth on my library's waiting list for The Wager . I can bait a hook, tie a few knots and I don't get seasick. Other than that, I've never really felt the lure of seafaring per se. But I do like museum exhibits with practical items, and that was enough to get me to the Musée National de la Marine, just across the Seine in the 8th Arrondissement. It's jam-packed, not just with all the oars, anchors, sextants, cannonballs, cutlass...

Artist's rendering of Electric Scooter Nun, 7th Arr. While riding in the bike lane one cold morning earlier this week, I was delighted to see a nun on a trottinette électrique (electric scooter) shooting past me in the other direction. Safety considerations left no chance for a photo, but it seemed important that I capture the fleeting image somehow. Hence the cartoon scribbles. Except for the sneakers, Dirty Harry glasses, RBG lace collar, and the flying cross, I think it's a pretty accurate likeness. Not sure why she's wearing a cape in the drawing, though. And the tower is pretty badly done--nor is it on a hill. The important thing is that the list of Things I've Never Seen Nuns Doing is now smaller by one. Last April, Paris held a referendum on whether scooter-share companies such as Dott and Lime would have to remove their trottinettes from all public streets. Only about 8% of eligible voters turned out, but they voted against the scooter companies by 90%. By th...