Friday, December 19, 2008
HBB & PP
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!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Uzès Attacks!
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.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
Dare-Dare
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Book-signing
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
Friday, December 05, 2008
Lights ON!
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!
More holiday "lights" here.
Thursday, December 04, 2008
« A… comme Alice »
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).
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
Déjeuner chez Wittgenstein
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Land Art in the Gard
Arthur, Jean-Yves' son, has recently been getting into "land art" and also doing some stone scupltures that show a certain promise.
In the photo at left is a piece he has entitled "Now I'm Waiting".
Let us know what you think - it will surely encourage him to have feedback. Also, when he has finished creating his website, I will post a link here.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Marseille²
She also introduced us to the works of Alfons Alt (photographer/painter). You can visit his site here.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
M & M
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!
Friday, November 21, 2008
Tapas-a-thon
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).
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Nîmes, Uzès
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!
The song above from the play "The Capeman" - a review here.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Schlaf dich
Saturday, November 15, 2008
« Où allez-vous jeunes gens »
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 .
Today at 6pm, on the steps of the town hall of the 14th arrondissement.
I (JP) even get to play a small role as a torch-bearer!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Art & Planète
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)!
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Bienvenues Javi & Mori !
Sunday, November 09, 2008
TDV Hooping
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.
Friday, November 07, 2008
Sweet Barack Obama
I'm sure "Alien" will appreciate your comments (so leave them here or directly on the YouTube page) and tell us what you think. Merci !
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
O-bama! Us-bama! You-bama!
So, let us all rededicate ourselves to "perfecting" our world. And, for an hour - for a day, let us all celebrate. Then to work!
Monday, November 03, 2008
Bravo les amis !
CONGRATULATIONS to my friends, Agnès from Paris and Arnaud from Saint Malo, both finishers in this year's New York City marathon.
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.
Sunday, November 02, 2008
La Ferrettoise 2008
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.
Saturday, November 01, 2008
Vieux Ferrette
Late this afternoon we went to see Odile's cousin Pascale and her SO Heinz in Allschwil, aftewards we left Basel for Vieux Ferrette in the "Jura Alsacien" (the grey blob on the map here).
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.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Bâle
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)!
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Bookbinding
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).
Friday, October 24, 2008
Sweet Barack Obama (2)...
Read this ... and do the right thing on November 4.
Vosves and points south
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)...
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sweet Barack Obama
Monday, October 20, 2008
Follow me quietly...
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!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I demonstrate, therefore I am ...
Off to the "Manifestation nationale dans l’éducation" with Denis - going from Place d’Italie to Bastille. See you along the way?
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Maratona del centenario
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!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Carpi (race day minus 1)
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.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Sunday, October 05, 2008
Le gaucho Martín Fierro
On sale: Librairie Espagnole - 7, rue Littré 75006 PARIS M°Montparnasse Bus 96 Tel : 01 4354 56 26
Saturday, October 04, 2008
Nuit Blanche 2008
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.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
JPG's Paris
You, Dear Reader, might want to peruse the "tour" below and add your own comments here.
Anyway, for your inspiration and for future reference here is:
WHERE TO GO (THE GAULTIER TOUR)
1. Crazy Horse Paris, 12, avenue George V; Eighth; 33-1-4723-3232; www.lecrazyhorseparis.fr; The show, including a half bottle of Champagne, or two drinks, starts at 70 euros a person.
2. Bal du Moulin Rouge, 82, boulevard de Clichy; 18th, 33-1-5309-8282; www.moulin-rouge.com. The show begins at 9 p.m. and costs 99 euros, including a half-bottle of Champagne. An 11 p.m. show costs 89 euros.
3. La Grande Mosquée de Paris, 2 bis, place du Puits de l’Ermite; Fifth; 33-1-4535-9733; tea room: 33-1-4331-1814; www.mosquee-de-paris.org.
4. Grande Galerie de l’Evolution, 36, rue Geoffroy Saint Hilaire; Fifth; 33-1-4079-5479 or 33-1-4079-5601
5. Galeries de Paléontologie et d’Anatomie Comparée, 2, rue Bouffon; Fifth; 33-1-4079-5479; www.mnhn.fr. Admission is 8 euros.
6. Le Jules Verne, Eiffel Tower, second platform, Avenue Gustave Eiffel; Seventh; 33-1-4555-6144; www.lejulesverne-paris.com. Prix-fixe dinner 190 euros.
7. Casa Olympe, 48, rue St-Georges; Ninth; 33-1-4285-2601
8. Angélina, 226, rue de Rivoli; First; 33-1-4260-8200.
9. Hermès, 24, rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré; Eighth; 33-1-4017-4717; wwwhermes.com.
10. Jean-Paul Gaultier boutique, 6, rue Vivienne; Second; 33-1-4286-0505; www.jeanpaulgaultier.com.
11. La Pagode cinema, 57, bis rue de Babylone; Seventh, 33-1-4555-4848.
12. Théâtre du Châtelet, 1, place du Châtelet; First; 33-1-4028-2840; wwwchatelet-theatrecom.
13. Musée Grévin, 10, boulevard Montmartre; Ninth; 33-1-4770-8505; www.musee-grevin.com. 19.50 euros.
14. Le Grand Rex cinema, 1, boulevard Poissonnière; Second; 33-1-4236-8393; www.legrandrex.com.
15. Marché aux Puces de Clignancourt; Avenue de la Porte de Clignancourt; 18th. Located in the north of Paris, this is most easily reached by cab. Make sure to visit the Paul-Bert and the Serpette markets.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
A quick cab ride got us over to the Saint David's Hotel in Paddington - a fairly nice place run by Alex and his parents (from Cyprus) in an interesting area of London (equidistant between Hyde Park and Regent Park (one or the other as my planned Sunday long run option).
The afternoon has us exploring the area on foot and stopping at the Sir Alexander Fleming pub (he discovered penicillin at nearby St Mary's Hospital).
Afterwards Odile and her mother returned to the hotel and I went out for a 10k run east along Marylebone Road. The main challenge was to remember to look the "wrong" way before crossing the streets!
To wrap up the day we went to a nearby Scottish pub (Fleming was a Scot) called the Rob Roy - the name (also a recall of our two good friends in San Francisco!) and the Aberdeen FC shirt on the wall tip one off to this being quite a Scottish venue - made me nostalgic to return to Edinburgh. We had a nicer dinner and later Nick (the groom's oldest brother), down from Cambridge with wife and kids, met us for a closing "snoot".
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Giant Map of Europe
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Canal running
One of the nice things of being at the "country house" at Montigny is that I have a wide choice of running paths - besides the profusion of possibilities in the forest.Today I ran 8km along the "Canal du Loing"
In total the canal du Loing is 53 km long and joins the "canal de Briare" (at Montargis) to the Seine (at Saint Mammès), via theLoing (between Moret and Saint Mammès).
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Longest training run
In preparation for next month's marathon I did my longest training run today - 35 km from Montigny to Melun (just a marathon away from Paris - another 41 km). Ouf! I am a bit stiff ... any self-massage tips out there?!
Anyway, so far all is going well and Italy should be a fun run (well, more o r less).
Afterwards at Vosves.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Market Day
" Les rues, la place et les maisons de Nemours ont conservé la disposition, la dimension, l'irrégularité et la gaieté du Moyen-Age… Rien n'y est sublime, tout y est charmant. Nemours a tout à la fois le rayonnement des premières années et la paix des derniers jours. C'est un de ceslieux comme on en rêve pour commencer la vie ou la finir." - Victor HUGO
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Almost Land's End...
Odile and I are visiting Quimiac for a couple of days ... just beautiful! We're between the two outreachs, right on the edge - more news later.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Paris Plage opens today
For the past few summers, the banks of the Seine in Paris have been transformed into a beach-- Paris Plage. This offers Parisians and tourists a rather surprising plot twist when strolling along the river.
For several weeks, the roads along the Seine are closed, and a "beach" is created. Tons of sand are crated in, potted palm trees are placed, beach chairs and umbrellas are arranged. The typical Paris dress code is reduced substantially. :-0
This year, the plage visits Paris for a month, from 21 July to 21 August 2008. Don't forget your bathing suit!
UPDATE: To kick things off there's a free concert tonight (by the Ensemble orchestral de Paris at 6pm, followed by a giant picnic. We may be going.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008
Disneyland Paris
I spent a fun day with Gladys, her 3 daughters and her nephew at Disneyland Paris; We had a ball - even though I found the Space Mountain attraction rather jolting!
The weather was just splendid and we did most of the major rides - including some I hadn't done before (waiting on some lines can be noxious however, as attested by the "Buzz Light-Peo" incident!) ...
I left a bit earlier than the others as our friend jean-Yves arrived sooner than expected from Uzès (and I still had to do my training run - which I finished just before midnight).
Thanks to Josean for the photo here which I "borrowed" from his facebook album.
Thursday, July 03, 2008
Ingrid Bétancourt ¡libre!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Ciao bello ... and come back soon!
After drinks at the outdoor terrace of L’Esplanade Saint-Eustache we checked out a couple of places very nearby (including a Russian restaurant that looks promising - especially in colder weather) but finally we ended up halfway down on rue Mandar, a few minutes walk north, at Dar Wafa, for a very nice and convivial Moroccan dinner.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Marche des Fiertés + Happy Birthday Regina!
We're off to take a quick look at this year's Gay Pride Parade (which takes off from nearby Denfert-Rocherau) then taking the tram east (a bit beyond Chinatown) to celebrate our dear friend Regina's big 5-0!
UPDATE: On the right a photo of Regina and the collective birthday gift we all gave her - a spiffy, red scooter to run around Paris! Optimo!
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Fête de Musique 2008
The 27th annual Fête de la Musique will see us around 8pm near Métro station Avron to hear our Brazilian friends play at the French Kawa bar in the 20th arrondissement (go east one block on Avenue d'Avron to 6 rue Planchat) - hopefully we'll see (some of) you there tonight ... or elsewhere, as it promises to be a loooonnnggg night.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Only good luck...
The "Gros Caillou Quartier d’Arts" association is holding their annual art event called "Jardin d'Arts" and this year there is a good selection of artists, including our friend Eva gathered around the theme of "Art Environnement".
As usual it takes place in the gardens surrounding the church called l’Eglise Saint-Jean, at 147 rue de Grenelle, in the 7th arrondissement.
The vernissage is tonight Friday 13 ( a good way to fend off any bad luck vibes) from 6pm until 9:30pm - the show continues tomorrow from 11am to 8pm. See you there tonight?