The Great BMW Heist

I vowed never to take my brand new car to Paris due to all the car heists there.  But my friends
were counting on me to drive them to the Capitale for Spring Break, and I just let that old
thought go down the drain.  It was time to have fun, live it up in Paris.

The weekend was extraordinary and I dropped my friends off in Vichy, knowing that I would be
there again to pick Phil up to return to the City of Light the following Friday.  Well, when we
got to Paris late at night in Ville Juif I parked to car but was not at ease.  The apartment building's
garage was closed, and we could not get entry.  Phil said it would be fine where it was, ie., outside
of the gate.  The next morning there was a bit of water and bits of glass where a blue BMW
once was parked.  Every material thing that was important to me in France was gone--my passport,
my money, my presents, my bottles of wine, my photos of the times in Vichy and the Alps,
my clothes and most importantly, my journal that recorded everything I had done since landing
at Charles De Gaulle 10 months ago.  This was a setback to say the least.  The only thing that kept
me sane was my job at Fauchon.

I wallowed in self pity for a while, like 12 years.  But then this misfortune became a motivation.
From that time forward I would photography and keep a journal of everything wherever I traveled.
And low and behold I published two photo journals of my summer trips to France.  Suite
revenge over the malfaiteurs way back then.  Sixty Days Under The Influence--A Photo Journal Through France and Photos de Voyage & A Gourmet's Journal were published in the 90's
and are still available for purchase.  Amazon.com or billycone.com.

So no matter how bad it gets I believe we can turn even the worst into a positive.  Sure it may
take time, but our vision improves with time.

Have a great day!!!

Billy