Symptômes

Vernissage tonight of Claudia's sister-in-law, Julia Tiemann - works of a rare power - at times disturbing in their vision. See more here: www.juliatiemann.com

Poèmes d'ici et d'ailleurs

PLANNED for this Wednesday PM. See you there?

Myriam's Vernissage

The "galerie du Montparnasse" ( 55 rue du Montparnasse in the 14th arrondissement) is showing the works of the painters Myriam Pletner and Benjamin Marques, from the 15th until the 31st May. The vernissage is tonight and we hope to see you there!

Click on the title link above for more details.

La Nuit des Musées

The third annual "Night of Museums" takes place tonight in France and in Europe ... 2,000 museums await us for a night full of surprises... more news after our visit(s).


UPDATE: We decided to forgo the museums tonight (many friends told us it was too crowded with very long lines).

Instead we had a nice Mexican dinner at La Tipica (our first time there) just along the Canal Saint-Martin. Quite tasty (see pix in my "food" blog) and reasonably priced. Afterwards, walking to catch the night bus, we came upon Santa Sed, a Chilean restaurant, that neither of us knew - so we stopped in and stayed until about 2am! Very agreeable - the owner Carlos, who is from Santiago, is both charming and "cool".

[Possible Outing] Max headroom ...

¡Adios Pop!

My brother has just called (4am) to tell me our father has passed away (quickly ... from a burst aneurysm).

It is perhaps a bit brutal and too public to post this personal and painful loss, but I feel compelled to share this with you, my family, friends, visitors.

He was, especially in later years, a wonderful, poetic and loving man who had faced up to his own personal demons and challenges in a long life (he died just 5 days away from his 88th birthday). QEPD. We loved and will miss him.

Cinco de Mayo

Happy birthday to Odile's cousine and, of course, ¡Viva México! (details if you follow the title link).

Música Latinoamericana

We went to hear our good friend, Juan Carlos, tonight at a new place (for us) called "Aux Copains" ... and, indeed, a chummy, welcoming (small) café-bar run by Momo (heart of gold and hands of thunder - he joined in on drums later in the evening).

Pleasantly surprised to run into Anne B. and to meet her cousin, Etienne, who - besides keeping up the family trait of great bonhomie - is a landscape architect for the city of Paris (and knows, well, our acquaintance "Monsieur Tree").

Look for another concert by Señor Rossi next week May 12 ... I'll post some clips and photos here soon.

Afterwards we went with JCR and Florence to have dinner at a nearby Kurdish restaurant (quite good) called Mérivan.

Name that tune ...

On this day in 1792: French army officer Claude-Joseph Rouget de Lisle composed "La Marseillaise", the French national anthem.

For some alternative twists on this hoary chestnut of a tune please go here.

Y para la familia (subtitulado en francés y español) vayan aquí.

A voter ... round 1

Between excitement and trepidation ... today's first round of the French presidential election. I voted just around noon (you can guess whom) and just now the tension has broken with the announcement that the next and final round will be between Ségolène Royan and Sarko (caramba!). Let's hope for the best (again you can guess) ... real change for real progress.

UPDATE: 9:22pm - It's, perhaps, going to be a long pre-election night. We're watching TV commentary with Alain (le Chinois Vert), Anne (our neighbor) and Marie (her friend).

UPDATE: 9:53 just saw Ségo speak at Melle (she's headed back to Paris tonight - maybe we'll go over there) and she was faultless. Very impressive and clearly "présidentiable"".

To close, don't forget that HE said: "Segolene Royal is someone I've respected for a long time" -French Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy

Les Compagnons du Devoir de Paris

We're invited to a post-baptism celebration here this afternoon. The Compagnons are a French organization of craftsmen and artisans dating from the Middle Ages, but still active today. Their traditional technical education techniques includes taking a tour, the Tour de France from the name, around France and being the apprentice of several competent masters. More info (in English) here.

Volem rien foutre al païs

Tonight we (with Anne C. and Fanchette, who tipped us to it) saw this film dealing with RMIsts who "live and work (not) otherwise". Very interesting, if choppy at times, documentary that was followed by a open debate with one of the film-makers.

Besides the film's link (above) you might want to learn more about: Dinero Gratis.

Art Friday

Had a lunch-time conversation with Myriam about Baumeister's Mauerbild mit Kreis (which she once owned) now on display at the Centre Pompidou.

Now we're off to the vernissage of our friend Gérard Omez at nearby Villa Adrienne.

Paris-bound

After a last visit to the Uzès market this morning (Wednesday's marché is much calmer than Saturday's) to get some olives and goat cheese, we stopped for a noonish farewell drink at Terroirs café - where we ran into Anne-Marie, Nadège and Victoria and a nice moment in the sunshine of the Midi. We missed seeing Nicolas (of la Gare fame) but he caught up with us at Jean-Yves' for lunch. Off soon to catch the TGV at Nîmes for Paris.

Who gives a ...

Excellent dinner at Le Phuket (the only Thai restaurant in Uzès).

Somewhere over the rainbow...

We're heading to St-André de Valborgne, a small village (375 inhabitants) up in the heart of the Cévennes, where Jean-Yves' friend, Sylvia, has bought a property (actually in the picture it is the rather big house at the (right) end of the rainbow). Just a quick round-trip (3 hours all told) to check things out.

Pizza party!

It's a beautiful, sunny day at Uzès today and we're about 25 friends at Jean-Yves' for a party with home-made pizza (cooked in his outdoor wood-burning oven) to celebrate 7-year-old Anna's birthday.

UPDATE: More than 18 pizzas later I can say we are having a really fun time and that if you want to try what turned out to be a superb recipe for the pizza dough then just go here. The day has been incredibly mild - the sun is still out and strong (at almost 6pm) and the temp is at 18°C (65°F), there is (still) wine, cheese and 3 (!) birthday cakes. Parfait !

UPDATE#2: Dinner at Anne-Marie's in Sanilhac with her two daughters (Julie - down from Paris for a few days, who's heading to Colombia for a month in August - any tips/suggestions from readers? and Jeanne - the young horse-woman).

Market Day .... then Jazz @ Montaren

After today's visit to the famed marché in Uzès we (Odile, Jean-Yves, Victoria, Carole and yours truly) are off to nearby Montaren for a jazz dinner concert.

Less is more (more or less...)

I've shared the following podcast with some of you already, via e-mail, but given the postive replies I thought I'd (slowly) share it with all visitors to this blog. Enjoy!

Less is More

Carl Honore, author of In Praise of Slowness, explains how you can get more out of life by doing less. (Recorded July 2005 in Oxford, UK. Duration: 20:00)
Watch Online Download Audio Download Video

Relatively speaking ...

Albert Einstein, born today, once said:

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradel of true art and true science." (1)

I wish you, each and everyone, much that is mysterious - today and always - in your lives.

Leave a comment to let me know WHAT is mysterious in your life!


(1) Albert Einstein, The World as I See It, 1931

Exposition Geneviève Lemarchand

Odile's godmother has an expo starting today near Montigny. There's some information here should any of you want to come to Melun during its run.

Musings...

Today in the year 161 Marcus Aurelius became emperor of Rome (a tough job even way back then).

Among many quotations attributed to him is: "Your life is what your thoughts make it. "

What can I say, I'm waxing philosophical today - what do YOU say (leave your comments to his quote). Thanks for the interaction, amigos!

Corking!

I'm off to Cork, Ireland today - my first visit (until Friday due to airline schedule challenges) for a workshop on Thursday.

Anyone who knows Cork a bit and would kindly give me some "tips" then please post your comments here or e-mail me directly. Go raibh mile maith agaibh!

UPDATE: My hotel is just up from the cathedral you see in this photo (Saint Finn Barr's) - just east of the University. Very nice area with a view over the river from my room.

PLANNED: Grand Carnaval do Brasil

Tonight at the CABARET SAUVAGE (Parc de la Villette, next to the Géode - Métro "Porte de la Villette") the biggest and best (and I'm not just saying that because it's put on by our friend Regina) Carnaval in Paris (in case you can't get to Rio just now).

There will be some MAJOR batucada action!

See you there? INFO: 01.42.00.51.33

La pause de vendredi...

Sylvie had me, Odile and Benj over to her place in the 5th for a nice dinner. Good news - there has been some progress on the reconstruction work as she now has bay windows (instead of boarded up) and some additional work has been done on her small, private garden just in front.

We walked along the quais facing Notre-Dame after dinner and came upon a charming little bar called "Pop Corner" which seems taken directly out of the 15th century (venue-wise, otherwise hip and modern). Later we walked over towards the Luxembourg Gardens, where we left her, to retun home on foot (nice timing as the Eiffel Tower was on it's 1am "blink" - visable through the trees behind the high fence).

Sandwiched between heavy-duty work sessions...

Lunch with our dear friends from Uzès at Le Camilou (where Jean-Yves & Benjamin had their HQ years ago).

Sylvia has come up to Paris to handle some oud-related issues ... sadly she leaves tonight and we probably won't hear her playing.

A mid-day break from work ...

Lots of work lately with travel and meetings.

For a break (from or to reality) we're off to see Princesas, the award winning film (3 Goyas!), with the Puerto Rican actress Micaela Narvaez. Come and meet us there if you're interested - Cinema le Brady l'Albatros at 12:30pm today.

Here's a link to one of the soundtrack songs by Manu Chau.

An excellent film - with some well-placed humor - about solidarity, real love, family.

Woof woof!

Heading off, for a little break before a charged week (well, half-week), to Mon Chien Stupide to meet Alain H. and then to hear Isabelle Fénech sing (Léon Gaboriau on accordion and Renato Velasco on guitar).

Afterwards a Bolivian dinner (with Alain - joined by Cordelia) and run into Carlos & Co. , at the "usual place".

Hail to the Haggis!

Although I purchased some (cocktail-sized) haggis is Edinburgh last Thursday (for Burns Night) we are just getting into it tonight. Benjamin is coming over and we're going to see how many of the five recommended cooking methods we'll try. Stay tuned for news!

The Dark Stuff ...

A bit of a mid-morning walkabout from Grafton Street to the Temple Bar area on a cold, but very bright, Dublin Sunday.

After a late breakfast at The Metro Café, and an early bruch (of bangers and mash) at the Shack restaurant I'm finally off for my (much anticipated) pilgramage to the Guinness Storehouse.

Pacte écologique

We're going to listen to Nicolas Hulot, who's at INSEAD as part of the 2007 series of public conferences, who'll speak, naturally, about the environment and his foundation's proposed actions.

UPDATE: Over 2,000 people showed up (almost twice as many as expected) and we were unable to get seats - thankfully INSEAD offered to send a DVD of the conference to anyone who wasn't able to get a seat so I'll post later regarding this conference (and if anyone wants to borrow the DVD afterwards just leave a message here).

Folies végétales

Patrick Blanc, a researcher at the CNRS and passionate about exotic vegetation, has an interesting expo at la Fondation EDF until early March. We're off to see it today with Fancehtte & Denis.

Reyes Magos

Happy Three Kings Day to you all - may this year bring you ever more sharing, peace and love - follow your star!

I may not be able to reach each and every one of you personally this day, but know that you are truly in my thoughts and in my heart. Have a wonderful year 2007 and, as always, feel free to leave comments here - your words enrich my life.

(Click on the link in the title above to read more about the traditional celebration of Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico.)

Montigny-bound

Heading down to our "winter quarters" for some days (we'll doubtlessly be shuttling between Paris and Montigny).

I'll hopefully do some updates and devise a new "process" for blogging in 2007. Your comments are, as always, welcome!

View of Montigny-sur-Loing, oil on canvas by Jacob Maris, 1870; in the Haags Gemeentemuseum, Netherlands.

Follow along ... or catch up with us!

Sunday relaxathon in and about Paris (ALL Right Bank!) - feel free to catch up with us:

1. Baron Rouge for oysters (and that after the massive quantities at Benj's last night)
2. Hôpital Saint-Antoine to say "hallo" to Alison
3. Bolivan restaurant , Candela Calienta, to listen to Carlos and his group
4. Sushi dinner at Anne Baudart's

Numbers 1 & 3 are open to you, kind Readers. If you're in Paris then come on by!

And here's the map.

"Un Tramway Nommé Désir" - Streetcars Make a Comeback in Paris ...

The last Paris tram ground to a halt 60 years ago. Now a new tram line is being introduced with lots of fanfare ... and we're going at 2pm today to join in the public inauguration with a free ride along the new route. See you there?

The new Bélière

Recently reopened, after a two-year hiatus, this neighborhood landmark has been totally refurbished in a much more "branché" style, but still retains its owner, Colette, and good feeling (and live music). An enormous improvement is the food (see my "What We're Eating" blog) which is an excellent value and nicely presented.

Aline, Celestine, Mariusz and I wrapped at midnight ... but (naturally) Odile & Denis stayed until 3am!

Les temps des cerises

The "Commie" resto tonight with Aline, her friend Celestine (in from Galway), Denis and Claudine & Franck (both up from Toulouse) and Frankie's sister, Florence. Very nice time getting caught up with everyone.

Happy Birthday lil bro' !

Today is the birthday my brother, René, and he catches up with me (56y/o) for two months ... then the counter turns over for me, too.

So, I thought I'd point out to him (and you all) that it is also the birthday of singer, dancer, and actor Sammy Davis, Jr who was born this day in 1925 and was a member of the legendary “Rat Pack” with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. So, Réné ... in your honor I've decided to create a club dedicated to YOU ... and we'll call it the "RAP Pack" ... your T-shirt will arrive soon (and you others can order from ... me. How's that for viral marketing?).

Anyway, Odile and I (plus Fanchette, Benjamin, Sylvie, Jean-Marie, Alison... and others you met when last you came to Paris) all wish you a très bon anniversaire !

Nuestro Tío Mágico

I just received (from both my brother and cousin) a copy of a recent article entitled "La aventura de ser Toño González" about the life of my very dear and "magic" uncle, Toño - besides my parents one of the people I most love and who has, perhaps unwittingly, taught me so much. I'll try to get the article posted somewhere soon - for now, dear Readers, if you want a pdf copy just post here or e-mail me and I'll gladly send it along.

JMB's

A fuzzy photo of a nice dinner at Jean-Marie's (back to the camera - uncorking the n-th bottle of wine) with our friends from Caen: Aggie & Michel, their daughter, Melanie, and her boyfriend.

I'm planning, late this afternoon, to stop by the Salons des Vignerons Indépendants.

The oldest market in Paris ...

PLANNED:

We're off to Le Marché des Enfants Rouge in the Marais area of town. This market was created in 1615 and I've been wanting to go back to spend a bit more time (and have lunch at one of their charming restaurants).

Afterwards a visit to the Valérie Jouve photography expo at galerie Xiappas (map here) nearby (with Hélios and Mariano).

Capharnaüm

After lunch with Benjamin and Odile at Os Minhotos (Portuguese hole-in-the-wall restaurant) we came across an interesting photo expo on the way home at the Atelier Florence Berger.

Dinner tonight (chez Fernand) with the Schillers - in Paris from Cambridge/London for a long weekend in the City of Lights.

¡Viva España!

Almost directly after work we headed up for an apéro at Hélios' ... where a friend from Barcelona, Mariano, an excellent photographer, is staying and visiting Paris for a few days.

Denis joined us and after some excellent jamón ibérico (gracias to Mariano's brother!) we walked over to the nearby (just down the stairs from Sacré Coeur) couscous/tajine resto called Le Petit Bleu (I recommend it to you all - here's a map). The lamb tajine (not to mention the Tajine Saint Jacques) was succulent ... and copious!

My most recent project calendar:

Que la Fête du Beaujolais commence !

Once again it's the third Thursday of November and it's .... le Beaujolais Nouveau (see the full story by clicking on the title above!)

We went to la Comedia with Alain (and were later joined by Florence) to try this year's cru.

We also greatly enjoyed listening to two young guitarists that Jean (the owner of the bistro) had though to enagge to play tonight. (You can see a short clip of this duo, called Les Deux Font L'Impair, by clicking here.)

J’espérons que je m’en sortira

Wednesday night ... and we're going to see Odile's cousin, Bernard, in this one-man theatrical piece which is based on compositions and essays written by schoolchildren in Naples (original title: Io speriamo che me la cavo).

Octopus's Garden.... in the flow!

Hello, dear readers ... thanks for stopping by (especially since I've had a protracted absence from these blogways). I will try to "just post it" without too much reflection, post-production or concerns about style, pix, etc. (which all slow down, to not say stop, the flow). After all, the main idea of this blog was to keep you up with our activites in Paris (and increasingly for me, due to the "new job", in various parts of Europe).

Tonight, having lugged home a few kilos of fresh octopus from the local market, we're making dinner and having Sylvie, Jean-Marie and Benjamin over for "Pulpo a la Gallega" plus my (world-famous ... almost) "martini-glass" flan mit aquacate, as an opener. Closing with another flan: lemon.

We'll doubtlessly toast to celebrate the Democrats' victories in the USA and wish them all godspeed (gift to the first one of you to guess which wine we'll toast with).

Leave some comments and what YOU are up to tonight - any favorite octopus recipes (!) and whatever is inspiring you these days. Hasta pronto!

Coping ...

On this day in 1950 (I wasn't quite one year old): Puerto Rican nationalists, members of the Armed Forces of National Liberation (FALN), attempted to assassinate U.S. President Harry S. Truman.

Off to Copenhagen until Friday for a project meeting. More news from Denmark as time allows ... I hear it's snowing up there!

Liberty for all ...

On Oct.28, 1886,the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France to the people of the United States on the occasion of America's 100th anniversary in 1876, was officially dedicated this day in 1886 by U.S. President Grover Cleveland.

(see title link above)

On the road again ...

I'm teaching, Thursday and Friday, at Lyon III - change management related to the introduction of new information systems and will be using the simulation to better focus the students on key insights.

Oh, and also hopefully get out into town for a gastronomic dinner! Any tips?

Le musée du quai Branly

Took off the afternoon to get a private tour (merci à Jean-Paul) of this new museum.

Fascinating (if arguably too dimly lit) displays of "other cultures". I deplore only that there were no (at least none displayed) items of the Taino culture of Puerto Rico.

Happy birthday, Odile!

I'm certainly not telling her age!

Here go my BEST wishes to my dearest Odile on her birthday ... con todo mi amor.

Since I've been feelin fairly "punky" with this bad cold I've thought to have a real party (even thought there was a nice brunch today here - merci les amis) up at Montmartre in early November . If you can come let me know ... if you can't come send an e-mail (it'll actually be a mega-birthday party since the following have their birthdays in Oct/Nov: Odile, Sylvie, Fanchette, Claudia, Florence and Denis ... so we're do a big party for all six of them!) ... details to follow (if you e-mail me or leave a comment).

Netherlands-bound

Off to Amsterdam today for some work tomorrow. Staying near the city center with a nice view of one of the ubiquitous canals.

More when I'm onsite later today.

Garrigue Rock ....

Hello from Uzès ... go see this site right now: http://www.johnnyjay.com/

You heard me ... GO THERE NOW!

Hey! Can't get enough of Kevin ... go here (http://www.3coolcats.biz/)

Comments?

Salon des Arts 2006

The annual 14th arrondissement art show (exclusively of artists living in the 14th) and, once again, Myriam has a painting in the show .

Vernissage tonight around 7pm for those who'd like to meet us there. Always interesting and the mayor throws in a cocktail party!

Afterwards (probably) at la Comedia.

Monsoon evening ...

After an apéro visit (vive le vin rosé !) at Bruce & Barbara's Tiquetonne apartment (here is a shot of an interesting place just across the street) we went to Vieng Siam, a nice Thai restaurant just down the street.

During dinner an enormous rainstorm broke (lasting for quite a while ... with thunder galore) giving us the wonderful feeling of actually being in Thailand!

If any of you dear readers have Thai tips (other restos to try, recipes - our new kitchen will soon be finished, merci Philippe) just let me know via comments or e-mail.