José and Odile - News (random, episodic and invariably incomplete) of our doings ... in Paris and elsewhere. YOUR comments are appreciated. Visit my professional blog (Change, Innovation, Facilitation) too - see LINKS section!
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This afternoon, Pimprenelle, the cow - queen of "la Promenade du Bœuf Gras", kicks off the traditional procession of the Carnaval de Paris. Rendez-vous at 3pm rue Le Vau, behind the square Séverine in the 20th arrondissement.
UPDATE: Got my 30km training run sandwiched in between lunch and a later afternoon foray to City Hall (the endpoint) of the Carnaval procession ... got to see Pimprenelle, herself, and scads of batucadagroups drumming up a frenzy. Bravo to Macaq, the organization that puts on this fine, fun event.
Odile heard from our dear friend Gianni, in Milan, and tried to convince him to take a break and come visit us (a hint to you, dear Reader - you know who you are). Of course when you have a place in Brazil, as he does, perhaps "sunny Paris" (which it certainly it has not been) is not the first place you'd go in late February!
If YOU are looking for place to stay in Brazil then consider Gianni's place (this is shamless huckstering since I've never been there - but I trust him with my life) - take a look at: http://www.casadaareia.com/
Whodunnit? ---Leave it to science! The museum director has been found murdered – and you have to identify the killer. To complete your investigation you'll need to visit each department of the forensic science lab, from forensic medicine and fingerprints to odontology, DNA, microfibre analysis, entomology and ballistics. After this fascinating experience, you'll watch CSI: Crime Scene Investigation with twice as much interest!
Tonight at la Villette we're attending the vernissage of this expo (for which we did some of the translation from French to English/Spanish) - it runs until 2010, so if you're a fan of CSI, NCIS, Bones, Crossing Jordon, RSI (France) or any one of those German sci-pol series then get on over to the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie.
Some of you have asked (OK, it was only me) where the statue, that appear on our 2009 New Year's Well Wishes Card (NYWWC - I *guess* that what one calls it), is located in Paris. On the left-hand side of this text you have another photo of the work.
It took me a while and some CSI photo work, but I've located the placement, if not the name, of the statue.
So, here's the challenge to YOU ... tell me the name given to this work (extra points for who sculpted it)! Just add it as a comment. First correct answer wins ... what? My gratitude. Hmm, not enough? Well, let's say I'll stand the winner to a drink in a bistro near this park.
Below is the map of the route I ran today. I guess I could call it a bi-national, inter-faith run, as I ran from the synagogue (rue de la ...) in Porrentruy, Switzerland to the church in Vieux-Ferrette, France. About 2h40m ... and a daunting hill climb about two kilometers before the border. But a truly nice run, with the sun coming out in the latter half, and snow everywhere. Odile caught up with me (by car, easier) about 5 km from the end - and had lovingly thought to bring me a croissant. Quick energy!
The photo just above is the city center of Porrentruy this morning - click on the image to see it larger.
The towns on this run were: Porrentruy, Alle, Miécourt, Liebsdorf, Durlinsdorf, Moernach, Koestlach and, finally, Vieux-Ferrette.
We've come to Porrentury, in the Swiss Jura, to see Odile's cousin, Françoise. She's acting in a theater piece entitled "Elles & Eux". You can hear an interview and excerpts here (en français, bien sûr).
UPDATE: We all had a wonderful time - the actors were all top-notch, the direction (Danièle) was impeccable for timing and rhythm, the tech crew did very well. And the texts! Laugh-out-loud funny (touching, incisive, even biting at times). Afterwards about a dozen of us met for dinner at the Buffet de la Gare, where Danièle's cousin, Didier, is the head chef.
According to tradition in France, one can send one's wishes for a happy new year right up until the last day of January. What a break for us procrastinators!
So here, from both Odile and myself, we send (finally) all our BEST WISHES to you, faithful Readers and dear Friends.
May 2009 be full of love, peace and fun for you and yours.
It's my party! Well, in any case we're celebrating (with a little c) my birthday today by having a really nice meal "en tête à tête", just me and my Odilta ... and when I say really nice I mean really nice because we're having truffles (like those beauties on the left).
Thanks to our friends Jean-Philippe and Virginie who gave us this marvelous gift of truffles. Stay tuned for what we did with them (and send me your recipes).
UPDATE: Finally the truffles are still unused as we ended up going out for lunch at La Commedia and then dinner at Le Godet d'Or (also called the Godet d'Art - but which we refer to as "Jimmy La Watt" - the name of the highly original owner).
UPDATE2: I want to thank Levni Yilmaz for posting an entry on facebook , and for allowing me to embed his work here on my blog. It is called "Youth & Aging" from his continuing Tales Of Mere Existence. That it showed up on my birthday is just more of a kick! Enjoy...
We spent a good part of this afternoon (in two sessions on either side of my 20K training run) "repatriating" boxes of (heavy) books from Virginie's basement to our apartment. About 40 boxes (thanks for the help Benj!) ... now Odile needs to unpack and arrange them (almost 99% her books).
After teaching all morning (a quite fast-paced EIS workshop with 17 B2B students of the Lyon IAE - all very participative) I am now posting from the Bibliothèque de la Part-Dieu (just across the street from the train station) - a modern, accessible facility where I have been able to work comfortably this afternoon - and also take in a fine expo, of photos by Raymond Depardon, entitled "Villes" (Cities - 12 worldwide, from Tokyo to Paris, from Dubaï to Addis Abbaba) . I'm taking the TGV at 7pm for "ma ville" - quiet dinner at home with Odile around 9:30pm. I'll be back for session 2 with these same students next Wednesday.
I'm off to Lyon from noon today until 9pm Thursday - teaching a class on Change Management at the IAE of the Université Lyon III (my fourth year). More news as things unfold. A prize to the first reader to add a comment correctly identifying the photo at left!
Dear Readers - Happy New Year 2009 (we're been away at Montigny, busy celebrating and handling the cold [that's a photo at left of the Lion at Denfert-Rocherau shivering in our Siberian weather of late] - so blogging less).
I'm back to training for a marathon (Rome on March 22) - more news about that later. I have some translation projects coming up and will also be teaching at Lyon this month and next - plus sandwiching in a week-long trip to Switzerland late this month. More about all that too in good time.
Hopefully I'll see more of those of you who are far-flung (at least flung far from me) - don't know how, don't know when ... but got the feeling 2009 will pick up in the visits to Paris category (hey, a good way to escape the crisis).
Happy bithday to Benj (we got him the book you see at left - shhhh, don't tell him as we don't go over to his place until later tonight - LOL). The book includes a fascinating account of the language (and culture) of the tribe of the Pirahã in Brazil. An overview article is here.
Also, one of our favorite local indie musicians, Pauline Paris, is asking folks to rate which one, of three songs, should be released as a single. You can hear the 3 tunes (which are : Corrida, Suzie d. and X.) by clicking here. Then just post your choice here and I'll summarize them and get them over to Ms. Paris. Thanks for interacting!
Francis & Iva, our dear friends (photographer, artist) from Uzès, are arriving in Paris tonight before flying out tomorrow for the holidays in the Czech Republic (Iva's family). They be bunking with us at Mouton - with their 3 children! That makes 7 under our little roof ...and we're busy cooking for all. We'll be leading with a slew of tortilla española (see recipe here). More news later.
Come on over, dear Reader, to hear our buddy, Alain (and his buddy, Eric), play tonight at la Commedia. Hurry over "on the double" ... music starts at 8:30pm.
UPDATE: It is now 4:04am ... and the beat goes on (well, at our apartment as la Commedia turned us out around 1am).
Actually it is more of a "DVD signing" as today marks the official release of this boxed-set of films by director Jacques Rozier. Odile's cousin, Bernard Menez, who has appeared in some of these films (including the cult "Maine-océan") will also be on hand to sign.
We'll be there (chez Potemkine, 30 rue Beaurepaire, 75010) from 7pm onwards. See you there, dear Reader? More details at: www.bernardmenez.net
The christmas season is getting into full swing - we went up to Denis' place (near the place du Tertre shown in the photo on the left) and enjoyed seeing all the decorations on the walk up to his apartment - especially near the Métro station Abbesses. We had a great dinner and got home around 7am!
The dance creation by Karine Saporta of "A ... like Alice” (based on Lewis Carrol's eponymous work, Alice in Wonderland) was presented tonight at Le Dansoir (an incredible space - well worth a visit). There are two versions - one for children and another for adults - we went to the adult version, natch.
The adult version is enriched by metaphysical comments on being and nothingness... between which Alice oscillates. Insights on the giddiness induced by the phantasm of her own disappearance.
There are also some daring passages, evoking the turbid depths of incestuous desire, also the relational ambiguity between adults and children. Yes, all that, without diminishing the fairy-like dimension of the show. We left at the intermission (enough said).
One of the benefits of traveling is coming across new people, places and events. This includes friends sharing insights into their favorites - such as music. Here is a sample - thanks to Béatrice for introducing me to the Romanian singer Maria Tănase.
She also introduced us to the works of Alfons Alt (photographer/painter). You can visit his site here.
The highpoints of today are the Market at Uzès and our trip down to Marseille.
First thing this morning, however, we headed over to the château Bérard to help a neighbor move some (heavy) furniture.
Afterwards, noonish, we headed over to the marché (where a wicked and frigid wind was blowing) ... if you've never been to the Saturday market in Uzès you can see the video below.
We'll head down to Marseille, about 2 hour's drive, later this afternoon and I'll write an update from down there.
UPDATE: Happy birthday, Béatrice. The party for her XXth (well, you didn't expect I'd actually say!) was a great success! We all had a ball (and me a tad too much champagne perhaps). Béa had made enough to feed over a hundred people (we were only 80+) - a fantastic Cake au foie gras et figues, Vol-au-vent blanquette de veau avec sauce suprême, and more. Everything absolutely delicious!
Back to the train station tonight, but up one floor at Barbara's apartment, for tapas by Bébert.
UPDATE(02:06am): And the beat goes on! We've come down to ground level, the better to rise higher ... deep into sharing favorite music from all our diverse (and disparate) backgrounds - below listen to a wonderful song (thanks to Martin).
In less than 3 hours the TGV whisked us from Paris to Nîmes this morning. From the slate-grey skies of Lutetia to the sun-filled azure of (almost) Provence. We waited for Jean-Yves to meet us at our "regular" cafe near the train station then walked over to pick up Sylvia near the Nîmes amphitheatre - then we drove up to Uzès. Tonight out for some music by friends of Francis (that's him, here, playing guitar last summer).
UPDATE(6:18pm): Over to the old train station of Uzès - click on the postcard to the right to see it bigger (as you may remember it is now a private home - and pretty much has kept its original allure - and was bought years ago by our friend Nicolas). We're doing some prep for dinner here tonight with a dozen friends - after the concert at Café Muscade.
UPDATE(11:58pm): After an EXCELLENT dinner here at the "gare" (merci Anne-Marie for the filet mignon) we've ended up dancing to Paul Simon's "Born in Puerto Rico" (see video below and lyrics here). Dancing with Odile and surrounded by dear friends. Life can't get much better! And thanks to Iva for a wonderful introduction to the music of her country (Slovakia), you can start, as we did, with this video and then this other video. Enjoy ... we have!
Tonight Myriam and I (to be joined by Odile & Flo) are off to the Centre Culturel Suisse (CCSP), over in the colorful Marais district, to hear Janet Haufler, Myriam's friend, and other actors read from the play "Dors toi" - see more info here.
As part of the "News of the Resistance" program organized by the Florimont association , high school students from the lycée Buffon will give a theatrical representation of the youth revolt of 11 November 1940 against the occupation and the Vichy regime .
Thanks to Cynthia B. for inviting us to one of the most fun and convivial vernissages we've been to in a while ... and all in a new art space right in our neighborhood. Plus it's for good causes (click the link in the title above to see the cultural and ecology organizations they support).
Gracias to Sergio, of course, for his art ... and his music (he played some accordion) - and also merci to the young, dynamic people that kept everyone "well oiled" (and fed)!
New friends (from our visit to Rincón last March) Javier & Moraima, owners of the beautiful and fun beachside Tamboo in Puerto Rico, are visiting us for some days. Tonight, after an excellent Odileque dinner, we headed over to Jimmy La Watt's place, Le Godet d'Or (see info here and here) for drinks, laughs and some music.
A fun evening starting at Le Théâtre de Verre where we hooked with Jaimie (see her website here) and her mom, Brianne, in Paris from Bellingham, Washington state for some days. We were also joined by Denis, Hélios and his Argentine musician friend, Mintcho (see his site here and playing a "choronga" here). Jaimie got to do some excellent hooping (accompanied by Mintcho on his tiny guitar) for the assembled people at the TDV mixer.
Afterward we all went up to Denis' place for dinner and more music/hooping (Odile practiced and got pretty good!) until around 4am.
We returned from Switzerland on Tuesday a bit before midnight and I ended up watching the election returns all night. I had thought to turn in when I heard that Obama had won Ohio but decided to see if I could hold on until Obama spoke in Chicago. "Yes, we can" and "everything is possible" and I ended up awake until 6am Paris time to hear Obama's simple but clear message - WE have CHANGED ... and there is so much more to do.
So, let us all rededicate ourselves to "perfecting" our world. And, for an hour - for a day, let us all celebrate. Then to work!
UPDATE: Late this morning Max, our friend from Basel, drove over to Vieux Ferrette and took us out for a tour of the area, which he knows fairly well. Beautiful fall colors and a visit to the ruins of the Château du Morimont near Oberlarg - click on the photo to the right to see it larger. We had a wonderfully bracing hike back to the car and then returned to Vieux Ferrette to have lunch with Jean-Pierre & Irène ... her excellent sürkrüt (Royal Sauerkraut).
By the way, Max has a B&B should you ever visit Basel and need a nice place to stay - it's called Atelier Holbein 79.
Nice run today from sunny Ferrette (a beautiful region as you can see from the photo above) - I managed 1h8m52s for the 11.7km course - fine course in spite of the almost 1km of hill running towards the end. Odile, her uncle and aunt - Jean-Pierre & Irène - were at the finish line where after my arrival we stayed to see the first runners of the marathon (6th running and I might want to do it next year - so running buddies just let me know if you want to come in Nov. 2009).
Afterwards in the local high school gym we all sat down to heaping plates of Baeckeoffe as race prizes were distributed.
More early afternoon shopping (and a nice lunch) at the Manor store (Rheinbrücke for those in the know). Then an invogorating coffee at Zum Schmale Wurf overlooking the Rhine and we had the additional pleasure of catching up with the owner "Migueli".
The photo on the left is the village seen from a ULM and Jean-Pierre's house is just across from the church and 3 houses down towards the bottom of the picture. Click on the photo to get a bigger version.
We're off to Basel, Switzerland early today for 5 days. I'll be running a 12K in Alsace - La Ferretoise - on Sunday.
UPDATE: Arrived fine around 10am then over to Françoise's apartment, right on the Rhine, where we are staying tonight. The afternoon was Migros-shopping and the fall festival nearby. Tonight we're invited to dinner with our friends Peter and Sophie... and their charming infant, Anastasia.
UPDATE: A late-night stop at Friends Bar - a typical Kleinbasel hangout - with Halloween revelers galore (actually one of the few places that seem to have any idea of HW). Odile was delighted ... seems one can still smoke INSIDE Swiss bars and restaurants.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
We're off to Switzerland (early) tomorrow so we will miss a key event in town... but if you are in Paris (or can come) there is no reason you should miss the "Salon du Chocolat" which runs until November 2. So .... go ahead, indulge that guilty pleasure (I'm talking chocolate!)... and I expect comments to be posted here (after your visit)!
A relaxing day at Vosves ... and dinner tonight, before heading down to Montigny-sur-Loing, with "the ladies" including Eloïse whose website is here (should you need her services).
We're off to stay at Vosves this evening then a few days at Montigny (it's time to go buy wine in Bourgogne and then bottle it ourselves). Back in Paris mid-next week before heading to Switzerland for a fun run.
And MERCI to my first "follower", my brother René, who has won a week-end at Vosves. See, you all should have tried harder! (There are still prizes for the #2 and #3 followers)...
Our friend, Alain A., had the great idea of re-writing the rock song "Sweet Home Alabama" with words more in keeping with "Sweet Barack Obama" ... so, here below is a YouTube link that'll let you see the "test" version. You'll surely note that you don't actually hear any words (Alain's working on then and we'll have the proto-version on here next week) but let us know what you think of this idea. Just add your comments!
I've changed the layout with a new template (tell me what you think) and, more importantly, added the "Followers" gadget with will allow you, Dear Reader, to follow my postings more easily. Here's a short article on this function.
So ... go ahead and become a fan ... follow along!
Today is THE day, after months of training, to enjoy my first marathon in Italy ... and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Dorando Pietri's Olympic "win".
UPDATE: I finished, in fairly good form, in 4h39m ... just behind a Ms Hayes! A funny twist to a truly fun run ... the Italians wrote it up on the web page linked here. Take a shot at reading it directly in the original language!
We've driven down to the Modena area from Milan (grazie Gianni) and stopped (after checking out the lodgings at I Cippi) at Carpi, in the Piazza di Martiri (seen here in the photo) to pick up my race bib and Champion Chip (#5124) for tomorrow's Maratona d'Italia - celebrating the centenary of Dorando Pietri's "win" at the 1908 Olympic Games in London.
This is a beautiful town and there are lots of runners wandering about - including some Englishmen dressed up as Dorando!
A nice 2 minute video overview of Carpi at this BBC link.
Juan Carlos Rossi, our dear friend, has had his French translation of the first part of the epic poem "Martín Fierro" published - we highly recommend it and below are some links to articles and more information. Good reading - Bonne lecture !
First launched in 2002, Paris Nuit Blanche (White Night) has become a hotly-anticipated annual celebration of all things art and culture in Paris. Attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, Nuit Blanche sees countless Paris galleries, museums, city halls, and even swimming pools open their doors all night to visitors-- with free entry.
We're headed out to experience some of what will he happening. Hoping especially to get to see: Patti Smith at the église Saint-Germain.
This afternoon, Pimprenelle, the cow - queen of "la Promenade du Bœuf Gras", kicks off the traditional procession of the Carnaval de Paris. Rendez-vous at 3pm rue Le Vau, behind the square Séverine in the 20th arrondissement.
