Expat Life: The Strange Geometry of Living Between Two Places

A breakdown of a 24-hour transit through the "liminal spaces" of Agen and Paris to Berlin. I examine the textures of 13th-century furniture, the "naive" honesty found in 12-year-old video archives, and the ergonomics of a 30,000-step day. This is an audit of the "scars of progress" visible in our modern landscape.

Recording from the transition between two worlds.

I’ve just completed a 12-hour journey from the quiet, 13th-century streets of Southern France back to the foggy "concrete jungle" of Berlin. This episode is a raw audit of that transit—a 30,000-step trek through Paris that became a meditation on what we’ve lost to progress.

In this installment:

• The 12-Year Time Capsule: While editing footage from a decade ago, I discovered a "pure authenticity" in people who weren't yet tethered to smartphones.
• The Digital Fidget: Observations from a turbulent flight where passengers, gripped by anxiety, mindlessly scrolled through dead apps like a digital rosary.
• The Food Divide: Why the culinary landscape of Paris makes Berlin feel like "feed for animals."
• The Leash: A sobering look at how our devices have transitioned from tools to tethers.

I also share a candid update on why I’m moving toward a curated paywall to protect the privacy of this journal while continuing to connect with a "tight" audience.

Show Notes & Links

• The Destination: The town of Agen, France.
• The Meal: Kodawari Ramen (Tsukiji) — The restaurant in Paris mentioned by YouTuber Alex (French Guy Cooking), featuring an interior imported from a Tokyo fish market.
• The Stat: 30,000 steps (22km) through Paris.
• Contact: cmonkxxx@gmail.com