Chirstmas is just a day away...time to watch this! I don't know how many times I have seen this movie, Vera Ellen is a legend.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
Un petit Cabin
I could EASILY live here. Me, sipping cocoa in my little cabin. Location? Preferably outside some village in southern France...in between Cote D'Azur and Aix. Oui, parfait.
Here is the trailer for 'Le Hussard sur le Toit'...goodnight :)
Monday, December 15, 2008
for Cynch.
---I have returned. Be not weary my devoted fans, ahhem. Ms.Miller. Life is complicated, thrilling, bzzzing past like a bee to the honeycomb, sometimes it is slow...how much longer can the honey take to pour? my teas gettin' cold! it can be a glorious bzzz that is caught on a evening out with good friends over a glass of b-, of wine...gooood wine. :) This skims and hits almost at the center of my current life in France, except for the part in which I am a working 'nou nou'. In truth, I am an au pair. A nou nou is the french way of saying nanny. I do not mind being called this, only by Alexandre the great, 6 years tall and 3 feet old with auburn hair the color of clay rooftops in southern France. I have crushes on my kids I watch, big crushes by the way. I adore them.
---Why doth I allude so much to honey and the bee? Because I love the honey here in France for one, and two, my dear friends: Marcie and Chelsey came for a visit a few weekends ago...where Marcie revealed to me her secret desire of becoming a bee keeper! Gasp, (that would be you reader, gasping away...) I want to be a bee keeper, to know the ways of the bees, to charm those delicate armies of black of yellow! There is a course on weekends at the Luxembourg gardens here in Paris, where you can learn the trade!! I shall let you know when, and soon enough, how it goes.
--Speaking of those lovely dears who visited me. I loved every moment. We slept in late, ate vanilla yogurt, coffee, warm croissants and on Sunday morning, that glorious day, we witnessed the miracle (well, on my part!)of snow. Those ice feathers fell and fell and we missed church, but I declare (note: declare, when spoken, should be with fervor and one obnoxious southern accent :)...I declare! the snow was worth it! Before that snow Sunday, there was a Saturday full of strolling around Paris, meeting old friends near St.Lazare, and viewing Juliette Binoche and Oliver Martinez in 'Le Hussard sur le Toit'...a sweeping romantic set during the Napoleonic era, around the time the Cholera outbreak swept across southern France. It was one of many films being shown in the 'Ju-bi-lation: Juliette Binoche film fest' at La Cinemathèque. Rent it if you haven't seen it, it is also under the title 'The Horseman on the Roof'.
---We also visited Le Petit Palais, for the admission is free for all and there is an exhibit of photography that is not to be missed! Here are some Patrick Demarchelier's below...
Discover Ray LaMontagne!
*One last thing, refolding sleeping bags into their tiny bags is an ART, one that I am not and fear, will never be able to hold...I have a love/hate relationship with putting away those things. And, the next time I do go camping, I suggest that Ray LaMontagne comes along...to sing me to sleep...
the man still got it. LISTEN
Satisfied Ms.Miller?! ;) tu me manques!xoxo
Friday, November 21, 2008
let's go swim in the devil's pool
Victoria Falls. Largest sheet of falling water in the world. Somewhere amidst the border of Zimbabwe and Zambia. Near the edge, the devil's swimming pool...
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Georgia Russell
I am in love...with paper sculpture by Ms. Russell.
Oddly enough, I was skimming the pages of Marie Claire Maison when I came upon a portrait section that was dedicated to Georgia. Here is a little backround of l'artiste:
"...Georgia uses a scalpel instead of a brush or pen, and works with obsessive perseverance and patience to make her constructions of cut paper. She appropriates found materials and utilises their decorative qualities and inherent potential as she manipulates, cuts and transforms books, music scores, newspapers, currency, maps and photographs."...
"Russell's work with books and ephemera first began in Paris while she was still at the Royal College of Art. Old books have always seemed to her like sculptural objects which had their own history, 'representing the many hands which have held them and the minds they have passed through'. She resurrects her discovered materials to give them 'a new life and new meaning'. There is a simultaneous sense of loss and preservation in each work as she wants to retain and reclaim the past as much as her techniques attack it."
Oddly enough, I was skimming the pages of Marie Claire Maison when I came upon a portrait section that was dedicated to Georgia. Here is a little backround of l'artiste:
"...Georgia uses a scalpel instead of a brush or pen, and works with obsessive perseverance and patience to make her constructions of cut paper. She appropriates found materials and utilises their decorative qualities and inherent potential as she manipulates, cuts and transforms books, music scores, newspapers, currency, maps and photographs."...
"Russell's work with books and ephemera first began in Paris while she was still at the Royal College of Art. Old books have always seemed to her like sculptural objects which had their own history, 'representing the many hands which have held them and the minds they have passed through'. She resurrects her discovered materials to give them 'a new life and new meaning'. There is a simultaneous sense of loss and preservation in each work as she wants to retain and reclaim the past as much as her techniques attack it."
Monday, November 17, 2008
Music...makes the people...
"I was born with music inside me!"-Ray Charles
---Music. What is it? Define it. Hmmm, struggling eh? So was I when I thought about it. Daily I have been going through 2 musical pockets, sometimes a classical one, the other a folk-rock.(I watched 'Amadeus' last week, then the other day I put on U2's dvd...). They seem different, but are they really? Each puts me in a different mood, but why? Why do I have specific associations with certain songs...etc. Why do we get those 'earworms'? Those annoying tunes that stick for days...Parkinsons patients could often inexplicably be roused from their catatonia by music. And really, how is it that the Chinese, reap so many exceptional concert pianists?!
---I read an article recently about a book, called 'Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain', by Oliver Sacks. In it Oliver states that music "has no concepts, makes no propositions; it lacks images, symbols, the stuff of language. It has no necessary relations to the world." (that last line is such an 'ah ha!' moment!) It is the very fact that each mind is attuned to music differently. Pythagoras said that "it is the sound of mathmatical, cosmic harmony, reverberating in the human soul." While on the other hand Darwin stated that it is merely "a function of sexual selection." Hmmm, I prefer the previous def. I am in complete accord with Oliver and he has definitely sharpened my desire to understand its enigma when he states that, "like life itself is universally experienced... it ultimately eludes explanation".
---There is an portion mentioned in the review about a man named Clive Wearing, "a musician strucken years ago with a post brain infection amnesia so devastating that from one minute to the next he does not know who-what-when-where-how or-why. At 69, just two things are unscathed in his life: a profound love for his wife and the ability to sing or play on the piano any piece of music set in front of him." Oliver then concludes that music, if anything is "a rope let down from heaven"...
Here is something I do know: I am going to purchase this book a.s.a.p.
Oh, and for that last WHY?
The chinese are more attuned to pitch, having had to master the precise tones used in spoken Mandarin. (yet another, 'ah ha' moment).
For now, listen to this Hebrew song that I am in love with...maybe it's the language, tone....I'm still trying to figure it out. Sheesh. That's life I guess.
Découvrez Yael Naim!
***Oh and the Yael Naim concert...was FANTASTIC! She wore a white puffy dress, one-sleeved with red polka-dots all over. And with house slippers. :) I was blown away by her voice...such a big voice from such a tiny person! Favorite song was a duet with surprise guest, french rapper Tété...it was the two of them, her in her polka dots, he is dressed à la "johnny cash" (a man in black :), her 3 male horn players dressed in Beatles-esque colorful military uniforms....twas GRAND.
---Music. What is it? Define it. Hmmm, struggling eh? So was I when I thought about it. Daily I have been going through 2 musical pockets, sometimes a classical one, the other a folk-rock.(I watched 'Amadeus' last week, then the other day I put on U2's dvd...). They seem different, but are they really? Each puts me in a different mood, but why? Why do I have specific associations with certain songs...etc. Why do we get those 'earworms'? Those annoying tunes that stick for days...Parkinsons patients could often inexplicably be roused from their catatonia by music. And really, how is it that the Chinese, reap so many exceptional concert pianists?!
---I read an article recently about a book, called 'Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain', by Oliver Sacks. In it Oliver states that music "has no concepts, makes no propositions; it lacks images, symbols, the stuff of language. It has no necessary relations to the world." (that last line is such an 'ah ha!' moment!) It is the very fact that each mind is attuned to music differently. Pythagoras said that "it is the sound of mathmatical, cosmic harmony, reverberating in the human soul." While on the other hand Darwin stated that it is merely "a function of sexual selection." Hmmm, I prefer the previous def. I am in complete accord with Oliver and he has definitely sharpened my desire to understand its enigma when he states that, "like life itself is universally experienced... it ultimately eludes explanation".
---There is an portion mentioned in the review about a man named Clive Wearing, "a musician strucken years ago with a post brain infection amnesia so devastating that from one minute to the next he does not know who-what-when-where-how or-why. At 69, just two things are unscathed in his life: a profound love for his wife and the ability to sing or play on the piano any piece of music set in front of him." Oliver then concludes that music, if anything is "a rope let down from heaven"...
Here is something I do know: I am going to purchase this book a.s.a.p.
Oh, and for that last WHY?
The chinese are more attuned to pitch, having had to master the precise tones used in spoken Mandarin. (yet another, 'ah ha' moment).
For now, listen to this Hebrew song that I am in love with...maybe it's the language, tone....I'm still trying to figure it out. Sheesh. That's life I guess.
Découvrez Yael Naim!
***Oh and the Yael Naim concert...was FANTASTIC! She wore a white puffy dress, one-sleeved with red polka-dots all over. And with house slippers. :) I was blown away by her voice...such a big voice from such a tiny person! Favorite song was a duet with surprise guest, french rapper Tété...it was the two of them, her in her polka dots, he is dressed à la "johnny cash" (a man in black :), her 3 male horn players dressed in Beatles-esque colorful military uniforms....twas GRAND.
Friday, November 14, 2008
tonight
NEW SOUL
Tonight I am going to see Yael Naim! Israeli-french singer...you might know this song (watch the vid above it's great!), the title is 'new soul', it was featured on a Mac commercial I think too. This will be my first concert in Paris...yay! It is at Les Folies Bergères, which has been around since 1870!I'm going with my Paris bud Sadie.
Tonight I am going to see Yael Naim! Israeli-french singer...you might know this song (watch the vid above it's great!), the title is 'new soul', it was featured on a Mac commercial I think too. This will be my first concert in Paris...yay! It is at Les Folies Bergères, which has been around since 1870!I'm going with my Paris bud Sadie.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
for you
French class was today. I have to wake up and be on the RER at 7.33 in order to be in class at 9 on time. My favorite part of the journey into Paris for class is when I walk down rue de Madrid. It is the street that turns into rue de Lisbonne, where my school is located. Rue de Madrid is where there are an abundance of music classes and a few music shops. Each time I stroll down the street I hear hobos, violins, piano, and the occasional police horn :). It's a joy to hear...and I thank God. Wasn't it Maya Angelou that said " a bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song". That is what I think of when I hear the faint hobo. On the contrary to the morning, the afternoon brought chaos, the typical hustle and bustle of this town. I passed by some mega shops on the way home, in particular H&M was extremely crowed, and since inquiring minds want to know why (sure you do...;), I entered and discovered that there was an opening of a designer known as Comme Des Garçons. I didn't buy a thing, I just casually, or attempted to casually stoll, but of course was shoulder swiped and treated like any other person there...like I was one in a herd. I couldn't believe how so many people cared to have a Comme Des Garçons polka dot shirt. Polka dots...ooo so nouveau, nouveau-NOT. Anyway, just another day in the city...whoop dee do!
Word(s) of the day:
"To claim that a god with such a wide-ranging agenda is small may seem absurd, until one realizes that any god wedded to a national policy that ascribes more worth to the rich than the poor or to the mother and child in Scarsdale than to the mother and child in Baghdad is not God at all, but the sort of nationalistic idol attacked relentlessly by Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Jesus of Nazareth." -Dr. Paul Hanson
Here is a new tune from the dearly loved Tracy Chapman!
Découvrez Tracy Chapman!
Word(s) of the day:
"To claim that a god with such a wide-ranging agenda is small may seem absurd, until one realizes that any god wedded to a national policy that ascribes more worth to the rich than the poor or to the mother and child in Scarsdale than to the mother and child in Baghdad is not God at all, but the sort of nationalistic idol attacked relentlessly by Amos, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Jesus of Nazareth." -Dr. Paul Hanson
Here is a new tune from the dearly loved Tracy Chapman!
Découvrez Tracy Chapman!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
la vie
So here they are: Flore, Hadrien, and Alexandre (just to clarify, he's the little one with red hair :) Just got back from Belgium. Loved it. Loved the fries, loved the waffles, loved the dogs, loved Brugges! Back in Paris. I would like to go to the Serge Gainsbourg exposition à La Cité de la Musique. Also I read that actress Juliette Binoche has some of her paintings and poetry on display somewhere...I'm intrigued and would like to see that as well. One last thing, who or what should I do my french presentation about?? Obama? Victor Hugo? Waffles? Speaking of waffles and Obama, I saw a waffle for sale in Brussels yesterday with a toothpick white flag that read 'Obama'...it was topped half with crème and half with nutella.
p.s. the song in the vid is an excerpt from a very popular tune here in France at the moment...artist: Santogold. Listen to the whole thing below!
Découvrez Santogold!
Friday, November 7, 2008
today is a tad toxic.
---I am supposed to go to Belgium tomorrow.Bruxelles, Antwerp, Bruges...now seem truly at a distance. Ticket has been purchased but I wasn't at home when DHL came by to deliver, so I am supposed to go pick it up from their office in Trappes...wherever that is. I am disappointed. Hopefully Nathalie (my host mom)can pick up my parcel this evening. And on top of all that it's raining. Bummed, I am.
---On a lighter note,(yes, you can always find humor. Humor in fact, is a way to survive...though, sadly I guess it can't solve life's problems...(that would be YOU,DHL!grr)) yesterday as the kids were being, KIDS I heard some sniffle-snuffles behind me (yes, i just said sniffle-snuffle :). It was Alexandre the great, I mean, the 6 year old. He had some white object jammed up his right nostril. It looked as if he were using some nose spray. I immediately realized that it wasn't nose spray and it was a white tube of paint. Eyes wide as a cow and jaw-dropped, I snatched it quick as a frog eating it's prey (sorry, graphic...haha)! He said matter-of-factly, "Quoi? C'est rien. C'est vide." (What? It's nothing. It's empty). I quipped a loud, "Mais, c'est toxique! Tu va mourir!!" (It's toxic, you are going to die!!) And of course, he laughed and skipped away into his room upstairs. Tube clutched in hand, I was stunned to a stand-still. Cannot believe that happened. (I'm belly-laughing right now. Yet very, very concerned...what is the generation ahead??)
---On a lighter note,(yes, you can always find humor. Humor in fact, is a way to survive...though, sadly I guess it can't solve life's problems...(that would be YOU,DHL!grr)) yesterday as the kids were being, KIDS I heard some sniffle-snuffles behind me (yes, i just said sniffle-snuffle :). It was Alexandre the great, I mean, the 6 year old. He had some white object jammed up his right nostril. It looked as if he were using some nose spray. I immediately realized that it wasn't nose spray and it was a white tube of paint. Eyes wide as a cow and jaw-dropped, I snatched it quick as a frog eating it's prey (sorry, graphic...haha)! He said matter-of-factly, "Quoi? C'est rien. C'est vide." (What? It's nothing. It's empty). I quipped a loud, "Mais, c'est toxique! Tu va mourir!!" (It's toxic, you are going to die!!) And of course, he laughed and skipped away into his room upstairs. Tube clutched in hand, I was stunned to a stand-still. Cannot believe that happened. (I'm belly-laughing right now. Yet very, very concerned...what is the generation ahead??)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Mercredi, le 5 novembre, 2008.
---I am obsessed with The Cinematic Orchestra, at the moment...this song. Be prepared to be moved. :)
---Another note, Barack Obama is president. I found out this morning, 9am french time via a french dj.There is an overwhelming support for Obama in France and no doubt throughout all of Europe/ the world. History in the making? I sure hope so. Every supporter will become his fastest critic, as they should. Historical date? Yes in deed.
---Another note, Barack Obama is president. I found out this morning, 9am french time via a french dj.There is an overwhelming support for Obama in France and no doubt throughout all of Europe/ the world. History in the making? I sure hope so. Every supporter will become his fastest critic, as they should. Historical date? Yes in deed.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Autumn delights
Spiced Apple and Pear Crumble
---There are apples in the grass. I lean down, in awe of the thought that someone could drop so many 'pommes' by accident. Then I realize I live in a region where apple trees abound.I have to admit I had a film flash-back. To the moment where Dorothy, picking apples galore from the ground floor... finds a treasure (the tin man), by his steel toes. Except this time the apples itself are the treasure and I suppose, along with the moment itself (yay for living by apple trees!!)
---As said by the authors of the Bread and Honey blogspot, this recipe is perfect with a thick scarf and a good book on your front porch swing...
Ingredients:
3 baking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3 ripe but firm red pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, diced, plus more for buttering the dish
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss apples and pears with lemon juice and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Stir in cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and toss well to combine. Spread fruit evenly in a buttered baking dish and set aside.
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar and salt in a food processor. Add butter to flour mixture, then pulse several times to incorporate butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse meal. Evenly spread the topping over the fruit, pressing down slightly with your fingers. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until fruit is tender, juices are bubbly and topping is crisp.
Found this chez Bread and Honey
Have not attempted this yet. Today we made crepes and jack-o-lanterns with grapefruits in place of pumpkins. Ingenious little critters these kids are :)
---There are apples in the grass. I lean down, in awe of the thought that someone could drop so many 'pommes' by accident. Then I realize I live in a region where apple trees abound.I have to admit I had a film flash-back. To the moment where Dorothy, picking apples galore from the ground floor... finds a treasure (the tin man), by his steel toes. Except this time the apples itself are the treasure and I suppose, along with the moment itself (yay for living by apple trees!!)
---As said by the authors of the Bread and Honey blogspot, this recipe is perfect with a thick scarf and a good book on your front porch swing...
Ingredients:
3 baking apples, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
3 ripe but firm red pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick) cold butter, diced, plus more for buttering the dish
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Toss apples and pears with lemon juice and granulated sugar in a large bowl. Stir in cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg and toss well to combine. Spread fruit evenly in a buttered baking dish and set aside.
Combine flour, oats, brown sugar and salt in a food processor. Add butter to flour mixture, then pulse several times to incorporate butter into flour until mixture resembles coarse meal. Evenly spread the topping over the fruit, pressing down slightly with your fingers. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until fruit is tender, juices are bubbly and topping is crisp.
Found this chez Bread and Honey
Have not attempted this yet. Today we made crepes and jack-o-lanterns with grapefruits in place of pumpkins. Ingenious little critters these kids are :)
Monday, November 3, 2008
*!*
I just love this pic! thanks cynthia leigh. This weekend my parents came from Belgium. We strolled, we ate, we went to Notre Dame. They were amazed that I could use the métro and walk so fast. My dad said it appears as though I am "gliding"...In retrospect I feel bad for walking too fast :/
I am now off to Le Grand Palais to see the Picasso exhibit, among other things.
toodle-loo!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tidings!
Bonjour. How art thou?
--First off, I cannot get rid of this song. I have awoken to it several days in a row. Which leads me to believe that the dj's are not doing their job and have their songs on some system to which they have to never lift a finger...nice, french potato dj, niiice. Je rigole (I'm kidding...mmmkind of---well,all humor begins with some bit of truth right?) Regardless, the song is all-together-lovely to be sure, (who can hate a chummy Teitur song about 'Catherine the waitress')
Découvrez Teitur!
--Secondly, I have much to say and much to ask....and miles to go before I sleep ;)
The Infamous Proust Questionnaire
I recently purchased a postcard with Proust's questions. I first noticed this questionnaire in the back pages of Vanity Fair each month. It is a series of questions posed to famous subjects about their lives, thoughts, values and experience. A regular reference to Proust in such a major publication struck me as remarkable...and I would like you to follow suit if you have the time, and answer these questions as truthfully as possible, in order to reveal what else, but your personality or character.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
5. Which living person do you most admire?
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
7. What is your current state of mind?
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
9. On what occasion do you lie?
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
11. Which living person do you most despise?
12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
16. When and where were you happiest?
17. Which talent would you most like to have?
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
21. Where would you most like to live?
22. What is your most treasured possession?
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
24. What is your favorite occupation?
25. What is your most marked characteristic?
26. What do you most value in your friends?
27. Who are your favorite writers?
28. Who is your hero of fiction?
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
30. Who are your heroes in real life?
31. What are your favorite names?
32. What is it that you most dislike?
33. What is your greatest regret?
34. How would you like to die?
35. What is your motto?
Photo of the day: October 30, 2008. Katharine Hepburn (it's a "catherine-day"...)
Here is my adjective of the day: ape-shit.
WORDS of the day:
I would also like to add a few questions of my own to the questionnaire:
36. What is the defining challenge of the 21st century?
37. What is the 'activist' philosophy?
38. Has this philosophy been extended to global society?
39. Do you know Kennedy's 'Peace Address'?
40. Do you know who Odilon Redon is?
42. Do you think the US should once again assume the mantle of moral leadership by implenting a new 'Marshall Plan' in Africa?
43. Do you think the division between scientists and artists or philosophers is quite strong?
44. Do you think sceince is beautiful?
45. What is your greatest asset?
I shall end today with a verse from a poem by Wallace Steven:
I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendos
The blackbird whistling
Or just after.
Hope you take time to answer Proust's and at least a couple of my random questions...and I shall do the same.
--First off, I cannot get rid of this song. I have awoken to it several days in a row. Which leads me to believe that the dj's are not doing their job and have their songs on some system to which they have to never lift a finger...nice, french potato dj, niiice. Je rigole (I'm kidding...mmmkind of---well,all humor begins with some bit of truth right?) Regardless, the song is all-together-lovely to be sure, (who can hate a chummy Teitur song about 'Catherine the waitress')
Découvrez Teitur!
--Secondly, I have much to say and much to ask....and miles to go before I sleep ;)
The Infamous Proust Questionnaire
I recently purchased a postcard with Proust's questions. I first noticed this questionnaire in the back pages of Vanity Fair each month. It is a series of questions posed to famous subjects about their lives, thoughts, values and experience. A regular reference to Proust in such a major publication struck me as remarkable...and I would like you to follow suit if you have the time, and answer these questions as truthfully as possible, in order to reveal what else, but your personality or character.
1. What is your idea of perfect happiness?
2. What is your greatest fear?
3. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
4. What is the trait you most deplore in others?
5. Which living person do you most admire?
6. What is your greatest extravagance?
7. What is your current state of mind?
8. What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
9. On what occasion do you lie?
10. What do you most dislike about your appearance?
11. Which living person do you most despise?
12. What is the quality you most like in a man?
13. What is the quality you most like in a woman?
14. Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
15. What or who is the greatest love of your life?
16. When and where were you happiest?
17. Which talent would you most like to have?
18. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
19. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
20. If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
21. Where would you most like to live?
22. What is your most treasured possession?
23. What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?
24. What is your favorite occupation?
25. What is your most marked characteristic?
26. What do you most value in your friends?
27. Who are your favorite writers?
28. Who is your hero of fiction?
29. Which historical figure do you most identify with?
30. Who are your heroes in real life?
31. What are your favorite names?
32. What is it that you most dislike?
33. What is your greatest regret?
34. How would you like to die?
35. What is your motto?
Photo of the day: October 30, 2008. Katharine Hepburn (it's a "catherine-day"...)
Here is my adjective of the day: ape-shit.
WORDS of the day:
I would also like to add a few questions of my own to the questionnaire:
36. What is the defining challenge of the 21st century?
37. What is the 'activist' philosophy?
38. Has this philosophy been extended to global society?
39. Do you know Kennedy's 'Peace Address'?
40. Do you know who Odilon Redon is?
42. Do you think the US should once again assume the mantle of moral leadership by implenting a new 'Marshall Plan' in Africa?
43. Do you think the division between scientists and artists or philosophers is quite strong?
44. Do you think sceince is beautiful?
45. What is your greatest asset?
I shall end today with a verse from a poem by Wallace Steven:
I do not know which to prefer,
The beauty of inflections
Or the beauty of innuendos
The blackbird whistling
Or just after.
Hope you take time to answer Proust's and at least a couple of my random questions...and I shall do the same.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Le Luxe.
---Ahh le luxe, c'est la vie en France...or so it seems. Paris, as Hemingway put it, 'is a moveable feast'. This is an alluring place.The language, the art,the food...ahh yes, the food!, it does nothing but inspire. (that is, if you have some euro to spare :)) Luxury is an integral part of Paris. Along with the persistent gypsy in the métro...but we'll get to that subject later.
Commercial for Louis Vuitton's campaign "Journeys"
---Louis Vuitton. Luxury company formed in 1854 by who else, Louis V. He learned the art of design and began to sell luggage with the signature monogram LV. Today it is one of the most counterfeited brands in the world. Do not believe I shall ever purchase a bag...but I do adore this commercial. The music is by Gustavo Santaolalla, who composed for the films 'Babel' and 'Motorcycle Diaries'. LV has chosen quite a mélange if you will of stars...everyone from Keith Richards to Sofia and her Dad:
Check out more here at Louis Vuitton
---Longchamps.Who can resist a black and white ad in Café de Flore, Paris?
In 1948 Longchamp was founded by Jean Cassegrain. The company employed individual craftsmen dispersed throughout the Loire valley countryside to create leather coverings for pipes and other products geared toward smokers. By 1955 it had expanded to include small leather goods, opening its first factory in Segré.By the 1970s, Longchamp opened its first boutiques in Hong Kong and Japan, and became known for its lightweight travel goods.--thanks Wikipedia ;)
---Here's a song to dream to...
Découvrez Gustavo Santaolalla!
Commercial for Louis Vuitton's campaign "Journeys"
---Louis Vuitton. Luxury company formed in 1854 by who else, Louis V. He learned the art of design and began to sell luggage with the signature monogram LV. Today it is one of the most counterfeited brands in the world. Do not believe I shall ever purchase a bag...but I do adore this commercial. The music is by Gustavo Santaolalla, who composed for the films 'Babel' and 'Motorcycle Diaries'. LV has chosen quite a mélange if you will of stars...everyone from Keith Richards to Sofia and her Dad:
Check out more here at Louis Vuitton
---Longchamps.Who can resist a black and white ad in Café de Flore, Paris?
In 1948 Longchamp was founded by Jean Cassegrain. The company employed individual craftsmen dispersed throughout the Loire valley countryside to create leather coverings for pipes and other products geared toward smokers. By 1955 it had expanded to include small leather goods, opening its first factory in Segré.By the 1970s, Longchamp opened its first boutiques in Hong Kong and Japan, and became known for its lightweight travel goods.--thanks Wikipedia ;)
---Here's a song to dream to...
Découvrez Gustavo Santaolalla!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
mod.
Jacques Villeglé, 'La Femme'
---Artist of the 'nouveau réalisme', I enjoyed this piece on temp. display at the Pompidou.
---El Anatsui born in Ghana, studied sculpture and art education. He created this tapestry out of aluminum and copper...it was my favorite.
Monday, October 27, 2008
blue.
Let me see what has happened lately that would be of interest to you folks over the Atlantic pond...
---I have made some friends here in France. There is a prominent university called HEC here in Jouy and I met some exchange students on the métro---(not sure if I have already stated these previously, oh well). Anyway, every Thursday night there is a party on campus and I was invited. Getting into the event was a bit troubling...there was a list, and my name was definitely not on it. So I lied and told the french girl "je suis laura, laura tezzdha". She was puzzled with my last name...as was I and asked if my last name began with a "t", "yes" I said. She searched and I became a little nervous...please let there be a Laura with a T-something last name!! And voila! I saw a name and pointed to 'Laura T....' and won! We danced the night away, and I felt like a secret agent for a moment...alias 'Laura T' :)
---Saturday evening I went to my new pal Marguerite's in St.Remy...another city right outside of Paris along the RER B line...the party was fantastic! Arrived at 11,socialized till midnight, danced from 12-5am!!!! Took the RER back to my Jouy around 7am :)
---Sunday I planned to go to church but missed the right train...as usual! I have a love/hate relationship with public transportation. So instead I went to the 'Beaubourg' otherwise known as Le Pompidou museum. Bustling with modern art and spectacular views of Paris, I left the place puzzled...which is usually how I feel after seeing modern work, I'm not exactly sure what to think for many of the pieces. There were a select few that I loved...a tapestry to be exact. It was constructed of disposible items...bottlecaps, metallic candywrappers, and knitted together with some free wire...it was magnificent. I will have to get back with you on the artists' name though. And along with the museum...a movie!
---We watched Woody Allen's 'Vicky,Cristina,Barcelona'. As usual, it was witty and thought-provoking. Enjoyed it. Penelope Cruz was fantastic!
---Last but not least, Rosalie...a dear dear friend, posted this video for me on the face-place. I love this band (FLEET FOXES). I love this song:
---I have made some friends here in France. There is a prominent university called HEC here in Jouy and I met some exchange students on the métro---(not sure if I have already stated these previously, oh well). Anyway, every Thursday night there is a party on campus and I was invited. Getting into the event was a bit troubling...there was a list, and my name was definitely not on it. So I lied and told the french girl "je suis laura, laura tezzdha". She was puzzled with my last name...as was I and asked if my last name began with a "t", "yes" I said. She searched and I became a little nervous...please let there be a Laura with a T-something last name!! And voila! I saw a name and pointed to 'Laura T....' and won! We danced the night away, and I felt like a secret agent for a moment...alias 'Laura T' :)
---Saturday evening I went to my new pal Marguerite's in St.Remy...another city right outside of Paris along the RER B line...the party was fantastic! Arrived at 11,socialized till midnight, danced from 12-5am!!!! Took the RER back to my Jouy around 7am :)
---Sunday I planned to go to church but missed the right train...as usual! I have a love/hate relationship with public transportation. So instead I went to the 'Beaubourg' otherwise known as Le Pompidou museum. Bustling with modern art and spectacular views of Paris, I left the place puzzled...which is usually how I feel after seeing modern work, I'm not exactly sure what to think for many of the pieces. There were a select few that I loved...a tapestry to be exact. It was constructed of disposible items...bottlecaps, metallic candywrappers, and knitted together with some free wire...it was magnificent. I will have to get back with you on the artists' name though. And along with the museum...a movie!
---We watched Woody Allen's 'Vicky,Cristina,Barcelona'. As usual, it was witty and thought-provoking. Enjoyed it. Penelope Cruz was fantastic!
---Last but not least, Rosalie...a dear dear friend, posted this video for me on the face-place. I love this band (FLEET FOXES). I love this song:
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
breathless
Sunday afternoon, Paris. Strolling along the Seine after a visit to Notre Dame (had not been inside since I was 16!), I see this poster in one of the many bouquinistes along the Quai de Seine. The film itself was groundbreaking at the time it was released in '59. I saw it with my roomate Mary Jo at the annual French Film Festival at the Shaw Center in Baton Rouge last Feb.
---P.S. Mary Jo if you are reading this, you must go sans moi this February!
The film itself I could watch maybe, from time to time. On the other hand, actress and lead in the film, Jean Seberg is simply adorable!
***Found these photos of Christy Turlington channeling 'Jean' whilst searching for others...so fun!!
***this last one is 'parfaite'!---for it's my beautiful friend Lauren, who is rockin' this haircut!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Cool
“I picture my epitaph: "Here lies Paul Newman, who died a failure because his eyes turned brown".”
---Paul Newman: January 26, 1925- September 26, 2008
Actor, writer, director, humanitarian, entrepreneur, political activist father, and husband Paul Newman has died. It is believed he passed away from lung cancer in his home in Connecticutt. What a renaissance man he was. Concerned not only with the well being of his family (he was married to the fantastic actress Joanne Woodward) he co-founded Newman's Own...using his own face as the mark of his trade. Let's face it, his cold blue eyes sold many a picture!Newman's Own is a food company from which Newman donated all post-tax profits and royalties to charity.As of October 2008, these donations had exceeded US $250 million (!). I personally am a devotee to the fig-newmans.Since his death, his daughter Nell now is head of the business.
Activist that he was, in 1968 Newman was 19th on Richard Nixon's enemies list for his open support (tel. commercials included) of Eugene McCarthy. Newman was quoted once saying, "If you don't have enemies, you don't have character." What a character he was! Man I wish he could of been a great uncle of mine...
I grew up watching old films so inevitably, Jimmy Stewart...Katharine Hepburn...and Paul Newman were my original "stars".I believe the first movie I saw was also the first film between him and his wife Joanne, "A Long Hot Summer". If you haven't seen it and adore Tennessee Williams, then rent it. He is superb! What a legacy he has...and for so much of it to be available through film!
Well, I just found out today and was struck. Sorry for those who expect for me to dribble out Paris-what-not.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Dance Dance Dance
---Slightly missing dance parties at Ivanhoe...
***I'm really diggin this Lykke Li gal!
Goodness Fred Astaire was class!
***My French Life Update:
I am finally getting the métro/RER down. The métro, for those who do not know, is the inner city subway and the RER, is for us kids (that would be me),who live in the suburb area of Paris. So, every time I want to go into the city I take the RER to Versailles, then change to another direction towards Paris. Depending on the sched. and day, it could take anywhere from 45-1hr.If I had a car, it would take obviously half the time...but c'est pas grave (it's no big deal) because I have time to spare and it is always a good idea to use public transportation :)
Yesterday I missed my french class because I stayed too late in Paris the night before. I didn' do much really, just sat on the Champs de Mars (the little park in front of the Eiffel tower), ate pizza with Fat Tire kids, and watched le tour Eiffel glitter blue for the EU! for 5 minutes every hour, on the hour...about three times.Twas glorious.I felt like a bug...couldn't stop staring at the liiiiiiiiights...
On Sunday I went to the American Church of Paris. It is the first American church planted on Paris turf. It is an inter-denom. Protestant church...uniting people from all backrounds, so said the brochure. Honestly I wasn't sure what to expect. Turned out to be good. A woman with a 'texas-sized' hat the color of orange crème greeted me in the doorway with a strong african accent saying, welcome! Every single row had people from everywhere...I was awe struck for a moment. It's funny. Sometimes you have to go out of the states to experience a true American church...
Yesterday I went inside one part of the Louvre. I saw 'that woman'...a.k.a. Mona Lisa. What impressed me the most was what lay before her: a huge crowd of tourists...mostly from Japan no doubt, and on the opposite wall, is arguably one of the largest paintings in the Louvre...whereas wee Ms. Mona is a mere 2 ft tall if that.And all the while she holds that smirk... I think I will have to visit that musée at least three more times in order to do it justice.
I am still finding that it is much easier to comprehend than it is to speak french. ARRRGH.I don't have an mp3 player at the moment so I have been listening to the radio. I am really preferring the stations here in France actually. In particular, the station OUI FM. It spins everything from Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs' WoolyBully to Radiohead to U2 to crazyrandom french music to even ACDC. And I am in love with the french food. miam miam!! (that is how the french write yum yum :)
à tres bientot!
***I'm really diggin this Lykke Li gal!
Goodness Fred Astaire was class!
***My French Life Update:
I am finally getting the métro/RER down. The métro, for those who do not know, is the inner city subway and the RER, is for us kids (that would be me),who live in the suburb area of Paris. So, every time I want to go into the city I take the RER to Versailles, then change to another direction towards Paris. Depending on the sched. and day, it could take anywhere from 45-1hr.If I had a car, it would take obviously half the time...but c'est pas grave (it's no big deal) because I have time to spare and it is always a good idea to use public transportation :)
Yesterday I missed my french class because I stayed too late in Paris the night before. I didn' do much really, just sat on the Champs de Mars (the little park in front of the Eiffel tower), ate pizza with Fat Tire kids, and watched le tour Eiffel glitter blue for the EU! for 5 minutes every hour, on the hour...about three times.Twas glorious.I felt like a bug...couldn't stop staring at the liiiiiiiiights...
On Sunday I went to the American Church of Paris. It is the first American church planted on Paris turf. It is an inter-denom. Protestant church...uniting people from all backrounds, so said the brochure. Honestly I wasn't sure what to expect. Turned out to be good. A woman with a 'texas-sized' hat the color of orange crème greeted me in the doorway with a strong african accent saying, welcome! Every single row had people from everywhere...I was awe struck for a moment. It's funny. Sometimes you have to go out of the states to experience a true American church...
Yesterday I went inside one part of the Louvre. I saw 'that woman'...a.k.a. Mona Lisa. What impressed me the most was what lay before her: a huge crowd of tourists...mostly from Japan no doubt, and on the opposite wall, is arguably one of the largest paintings in the Louvre...whereas wee Ms. Mona is a mere 2 ft tall if that.And all the while she holds that smirk... I think I will have to visit that musée at least three more times in order to do it justice.
I am still finding that it is much easier to comprehend than it is to speak french. ARRRGH.I don't have an mp3 player at the moment so I have been listening to the radio. I am really preferring the stations here in France actually. In particular, the station OUI FM. It spins everything from Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs' WoolyBully to Radiohead to U2 to crazyrandom french music to even ACDC. And I am in love with the french food. miam miam!! (that is how the french write yum yum :)
à tres bientot!
Friday, October 10, 2008
Paris!
Photo: Eiffel tower, summer 2007
Mindy and I jumpin'!
Parisien Women...the shoes, the clothes! Walking in stillettos...golly!
*Promise to post my own pics, but for now these are both from the magnificent Garance Doré!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
What's Up?!
---Hey gang, I'm here. I don't have 'un ordinateur' of my own at the moment whilst in France so, bare with me.
Je voudrais...(I would like...)
1.Looking for some boots. It is going to get quite chilly here in Paris!
2.Need to finally consume one or ten of these famous macaroons at Ladurée!
Paris fashion week has, I believe, just ended. Of course I didn't go but I found some pics!
Lovin' those RayBans kiddo.
a wonder to behold...
Here is a crazy french band called: Sporto Kantes
Leather jackets are all the rage in Paris these days...
Ohh the flowers!photos via: garance dore and the satorialist
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Isn't it romantic?
So. I am alive and well in France! The Bernard's are so kind and hospitable. Iam in love with everything already...each night,dinner together...a different meal, a new wine, plus those silly and goshdarncute kids!
Paris has been oh so lovely and has captivated my heart once again. I took a bateau mouche the other day...I usually stay clear of concentrated groups of tourists...but when will I ever be able to view Paris from the Seine?!
Jouy-en-Josas is quite charming. It is where the Toile industry began...you know, that fabric your mom buys,printed with peasants and countryside. Also, the house of the Bernard's, on rue 10 Victor Hugo is where the romantic man himself around 1834'hosted' his amoureuse Juliette Drouet. It is where he wrote la Tristesse d’Olympio.
I suppose I should pay hommage to the man and visit him at the Panthèon in Paris!
Today I ate lunch with the 2 boys Hadrièn and Alexandre, plus their neighbor Gabriel! It is a mad house with 3 boys...I made biftek and purée, yum! Flore eats at school. Ok, that's enough of that!...don't want to bore you too much!
à bientot!
Paris has been oh so lovely and has captivated my heart once again. I took a bateau mouche the other day...I usually stay clear of concentrated groups of tourists...but when will I ever be able to view Paris from the Seine?!
Jouy-en-Josas is quite charming. It is where the Toile industry began...you know, that fabric your mom buys,printed with peasants and countryside. Also, the house of the Bernard's, on rue 10 Victor Hugo is where the romantic man himself around 1834'hosted' his amoureuse Juliette Drouet. It is where he wrote la Tristesse d’Olympio.
I suppose I should pay hommage to the man and visit him at the Panthèon in Paris!
Today I ate lunch with the 2 boys Hadrièn and Alexandre, plus their neighbor Gabriel! It is a mad house with 3 boys...I made biftek and purée, yum! Flore eats at school. Ok, that's enough of that!...don't want to bore you too much!
à bientot!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Ahh the Utopian life.
Express yo' self Cynch!
Here is a video via Cynthia Leigh of the dear girl painting. A modern take on Rothko non?
Dear friend Katherine Holly, is now Mrs.Katherine Holly Everett!
She was wed and I was a maid to the sweet bonnie bride last Saturday. Holly and her hubby are in Santorini-Oia, Greece. I was there just a few seasons ago...here is one of my favorite discoveries: Atlantis Books
Here is a video via Cynthia Leigh of the dear girl painting. A modern take on Rothko non?
Dear friend Katherine Holly, is now Mrs.Katherine Holly Everett!
She was wed and I was a maid to the sweet bonnie bride last Saturday. Holly and her hubby are in Santorini-Oia, Greece. I was there just a few seasons ago...here is one of my favorite discoveries: Atlantis Books
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