Riots?

A number of you have been asking me about the riots. Well, here's the thing. If not for the BBC, and your questions, I still wouldn't have known anything about them. This seems to be what happened last night in my area:

"In the capital itself, four vehicles were set alight near Place de la Republique, and several cars were torched in the 17th district. In some areas of the [sic!] Paris, night buses were cancelled as a precaution. Police helicopters patrolled the skies over the city, attempting to pursue and identify those responsible for the attacks." (BBC)

Now, the Place de la République is indeed not so far from me. It's about a twenty minute walk from my house. But I didn't notice anything last night; I got home at about ten-thirty or eleven and there was nothing unusual. Heck, I didn't even hear helicopters last night. Though maybe I'm just used to the sound, from having lived in Hollywood...

By the way, here I live two blocks from a police station. So, I'm not so worried. For example, three policemen on horses just came up Boulevard Henri IV, which is a bit unusual but not entirely so.

I promise not to be out late tonight. Actually, I'll be inside working on my handout for tomorrow's talk. And it'll be a good excuse to do my hanging out at L'Amuse-Gueule. I haven't really had the energy to go there and talk to strangers much, but I need to.

Thanks everyone for your concern!