[Rufus Wainwright, "The Tower of Learning."]

Always makes me feel like I am getting off the TGV in Gare de Lyon, smelling that first air, knowing I'm in Paris--the curling ironwork of the station. Then into the night. This is the music video in my head: city dark, and the Métro waiting, and the rush of cars on Blvd. Rochechouart, and the Russian grocery store, and the lights on the river.

One of my favorite things about England is its proximity to France.

Your favorite things are helping me be excited to go. Thank you for them.