today is a dreday

2011-09-11T21:01:00.000-07:00

this is my friend Car.
she's great. she creates films.
learn more about her here or here.

catalina love

2011-08-30T00:12:00.001-07:00

Hollywood Highland Photographs - i like these

2011-08-23T21:31:00.000-07:00

photographs of photographs....ahhhh

I like the LA Metro System, it works for me. It works for a lot of people actually, noticeably busier every time I ride, squeezing in, smelling my Los Angeles friends...

I also like to take a moment to appreciate the art in each station, like the photographs I photographed below - if i recall the theme was...excess. Consumerism! America!

Check this out: http://www.metro.net/about_us/images/Art_Guide.pdf

Have fun.

BBB's LOVE BoBo House!

2011-06-29T20:18:00.000-07:00

My fabulous friends Katia and Eloise are team BOBO House-- designing clothes, parties, and everything in between. In their own words,

"We are multicultural, multilingual and part of a generation who is aesthetically aware and driven to create beautiful experiences. We are environmentally conscious, prefer the avant-garde over the mainstream, and are doing what we love with the ultimate purpose of giving back to the community."

Go to their website here- http://bobo-house.com/category/blog/

One of their fabulous ventures is Sundaze in the City at the recently opened Angel City Brewery, located in the downtown art district. Not only does this space brew and serve their own beer but they also exhibit original art in their massive, yet comfortable space. Currently on view (but only through July 10th) is a street art exhibit aptly called - Street Brewed. The one of a kind pieces are on large scale 10x12 wood panels - a must see free of charge exhibit. check it out.

AND not only all that, but the SUNDAZE IN THE CITY brings out the likes of the fabulous Bodacious Bike Babes, seen here being bodacious - just try to stop us from dancing wherever we go, it's impossible. BBB!

pictures courtesy of our #1 fan, will wright.

yup, that will wright.

long time no see

2011-06-28T23:51:00.000-07:00

i directed you here so i figured i better post something.

all has been quiet.

there are so many pictures i haven't shown you yet.

hard to believe i used to live in France.

now i live in LA. life is good.

i just took this photo so you can see i haven't changed that much.

around the Arias homestead - part 1

2009-12-07T21:03:00.000-08:00

Jason and Eleanor (our Australian co-WWOOFer and friend) weeding the massively weedy pois chiche (chickpea) field.

our friends the goats!

Jason's primary weed killing tool for the field

Funny geese that greeted us every day we worked in the pois chiche field. They lived with the goats next door to the field.

Jason wrapping up stick bundles, these go in the old school bread oven!

Jason with his hoe, coming from the pois chiche field.

View of the 2 buildings from the front driveway

The steps led to the entry way of our (WWOOF-er) part of the house.

The front room on the left (where the window is) was where the family made bread once a week.

Tool shed on the right, recycling room in the middle, and cellar on the left. Oh, and there was a bee operation in the tool shed too (more pics later!)

The entrance to the main house where the family lived.

Splitting wood!

I'm pretty sure this is the chair that ripped Jason's shorts...they were never the same.

Nini the cat!

Jason is shaking out the rocks for the Torchis wall we're building.

(More on torchis/cob building later)

Weeding! (and actually learning about plants)

This is Jason taking one of his many breaks, haha! (it was a much deserved break of course.)

A post-work swim in the clay pool! That's Jason's head on the left. And the little house that floats in the middle is for the duck, which I took to naming Renard.

Jason in the kitchen - nice mural!

the view from our kitchen window

our hangout space!

Our first exploration into La Penne, France

2009-11-23T13:57:00.000-08:00

La Penne, France - our first WWOOF home village;

with the Arias family. (it was really hard to choose photos, this isn't even all of them- I swear!)

we hopped across this field from the farm in order to get into the village.

the church

a winding staircase (very common in small France villages)

you know how I feel about doors...

a beautiful and quite obviously old succulent in the beautiful Mediterranean climate.

the goal for the day - get to the highest point in La Penne which appeared to be this tower.

There were cats everywhere, but we didn't see any other people...

we made it to the tower!

wow, what views!

there's our farm! in the bottom right corner

(not the 2-story building, but the one near the pond)

Where's Waldo? Or Jason rather, standing next to the tower for "perspective".

there is our farm again!

(I did mention that it was hard to pick just a few photos, right?)

that is a winding road below

"Voila!"

Next stop for the afternoon - the church tower below.

Can you find the church tower in this one?

Oh, an art shot for fun.

Au revoir tower.

Another cat!

The school

This was dated 1900, not that old...

The bell tower!

We could count on this guy to ring every day, every hour AND every half hour. We often referred to these chimes as "the chimes of freedom" after a long work day.

This was not a church with services for the living...

and for my landscape architecture friends - check out that nice stony hardscape! Beautiful!

Heading up to Puget Theniers on the little train

2009-11-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

inside the train station (Nice, France)

there is the little train, in the back. it doesn't look like a train as much as it looks like a bus.

some old posters

here we go! many things we saw along the way.

inside the train

too much stuff!

we kept going up up up and it became so much more beautiful.

ahhh, the fresh mountain air.

bye little train!

this is our stop: Puget-Theniers!

inside the village.

another link: http://www.provenceweb.fr/e/alpmarit/pugetthe/pugetthe.htm

i thought this was a little out of place in the old village.

waiting for our farm dad to pick us up from the village.

cute!

more NICE photos - some things I like

2009-11-01T09:29:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite restaurants - ever and anywhere.

La Zucca Magica (click to see website)

NY Times article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/06/dining/06mini.html

from Frommer's review:

The chef at this popular harborside restaurant has been named the best Italian chef in Nice. That this honor should go to a vegetarian restaurant was the most startling part of the news. Chef Marco, who opened his restaurant in 1997 after cooking for many years in Rome, certainly has a fine pedigree -- he's a relative of the late Luciano Pavarotti. He serves refined cuisine at reasonable prices, using recipes from Italy's Piedmont region and updating them with no meat or fish. The red-and-green decor (the colors of Italy) will put you in the mood for the creative cuisine. You'll have to trust Marco, though, because everyone is served the same meal. You can count on savory cuisine using lots of herbs, Italian cheeses, beans, and pasta. Lasagna is a specialty

Brocantic - an antique store in France. I loved their sign.

Yup, another sign I liked.

I loved the colors here (obviously really excellent in person) with the windows lit up in the yellow building and the dark blue sky backdrop and the green lights at the bottom.

The public transportation train tracks went over grass

We stumbled upon a band playing in the streets, big party!

I think I took this picture because I thought it was funny how "Jager Bomb" was written large, red, and bold as well as followed by 6 exclamation points - what the? I guess they are popular in Nice.

And this is where I fell in love with olives...ah, the black olives from the south of France, wow. Oh, and the big beers were good too.

I thought some people would enjoy this. These are the t-shirts from the restaurant next to the one where we were drinking Leffe beers.

Jason in his super tourist outfit, wearing my Floro's Marina t-shirt from Toussaint, Ohio (got it on my way to Cedar Point one year)

And some more signs.

Yup, I miss baguettes.

Yup, I miss the olives.

Yup, I miss the morning espresso's.

and of course the "suggestion du jour" - S-exotique! Haha!

Famous hotel - Negresco.

Some nice palm trees.

A nice looking building

Club Med - our cheap hotel. it was close to the beach.

Colline du Chateau

2009-10-30T14:02:00.000-07:00

Situated on the hill between the old town and the harbour, this park is a big favourite with locals and tourists alike. Surrounded by a typically Mediterranean backdrop of pine trees, carobs, figs and aloes, the park's impressive waterfall, children's play area, breathtaking views over the city, medieval ruins and Maritime Museum are all part of its appeal.

~paragraph borrowed from a travel website.

A cool map of the area: http://wikimapia.org/29355/Colline-du-chateau

And my pictures:

NICE beach day! (all caps mean it's the city, not the adjective)

2009-10-21T13:47:00.000-07:00

Post Paris - 1st stop = NICE (pronounced like niece, or neese, or kind of like knees)

2009-10-14T21:02:00.000-07:00

Walking along the boardwalk

Pretty water, huh?

Sundial

Some typical beautiful architecture.

Even this Chinese restaurant has some cool architecture on it's building (look beyond the bright yellow sign.)

Last night in Paris, sometime in June...

2009-10-12T20:58:00.000-07:00

We met up with some Paris friends at a little bar in our neighborhood, however the name escapes me now. But here are the photos anyway.

Party crowds outside the bar, errrr, I mean all the French people who came to say good-bye.

Andrew and Michelle - awww.

Tim from New Orleans

Gabe from Montreal

Chloe from Arizona...not! Actually NEW MEXICO!

(sorry for the mistake, can't wait to see you in LaLa Land!)

cool nerds.

random shots #2 - and our street

2009-10-01T18:47:00.000-07:00

I love this mannequin. She's so pretty.

and her pretty brown haired sister.

Our street in the 3rd Arrondissement

Above our door - Lingerie du Chat - oohlala!

Nicholas Flamel lived on our street.

He discovered the philosopher's stone and supposedly he and his wife still wander the streets of Paris. His house, this house, is the oldest in Paris built in 1407. Today it is a restaurant.

Paris days are ending...some random shots

2009-09-23T02:10:00.000-07:00

Sending packages of books to the US, hmm, how do we carry the box to the post office...?

In the recycling bin! Of course!

Cute little garbage truck near the Etienne Marcel metro stoop

Found another space invader attack

Nice, typical architecture in the 1st Arrondissement

Creperie! Yum.

In the metro station

chez jeannette

2009-09-22T06:43:00.000-07:00

one of the hippest bars in Paris, and of course one of our favorite hangouts.

the bathroom.

one reason i took this picture and am sharing it is because i am fascinated that in many bars/restaurants in paris, the men's urinal was out in the open and to get to the private stall you walk by the urinal and the man using it.

urinal close up

i also liked this hand dryer - airblade!

napoleon!!!!!!!!!!

2009-09-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Napoleon lives here!

overheard as we were walking in to see his tomb:

"now that was tacky!"

I love the bees!!

nice building in Paris

2009-09-15T04:36:00.000-07:00

but I have no idea what lives inside.

do you know? maybe you know the architect?

reflections

2009-09-14T03:48:00.000-07:00

The pyramid by I.M. Pei casts a nice reflection on the Louvre

Le Baiser - Auguste Rodin

2009-09-14T03:36:00.000-07:00

Rodin is a French sculptor most famously known for...The Thinker.

This is one of his sculptures that we came across while walking through Paris.

Le Baiser = "the kiss"

pont alexandre III

2009-09-08T02:52:00.000-07:00

What a fancy bridge! only in Paris.

sad lions (paris)

2009-09-08T02:45:00.000-07:00

back in Paris

2009-08-14T01:02:00.000-07:00

Following our LA trip -

wine, baguette, croissant, and cheese....

Valerie + Nate

2009-08-13T14:04:00.000-07:00

Delicious! Jason and I had to share a piece, as soon as the knife hit the cake it was gone.

Dancing...

Shoes came off, it's getting late

Val's brothers - they know how to break it down! Must have learned from their big sis.

Ahhhhhhhhhh....

a few days in LA

2009-08-11T01:36:00.000-07:00

As most of you know, we spent a few days in LA (in June!) so we could attend Valerie + Nate's wedding. It was amazing and we saw lots of friends (although sadly not all) and enjoyed the unusually clear blue sky and the warmth of the wonderful LA sun.

I heart LA.

summertime and Canal Saint-Martin

2009-08-10T03:23:00.000-07:00

The Canal Saint Martin is a favored summertime drink spot. You can buy drinks at the local cafe or bring your own picnic and hang out at the edge of the canal, if you can find a spot. This is also a popular hangout for the young boules/bocce players.

This is our friend Tim, he's from Louisiana.

this is awesome

2009-08-10T02:48:00.000-07:00

if you don't want to watch all 6:47 (even though you should) you must at least get to 4:10. enjoy!

paris graffiti/street art

2009-08-03T07:03:00.001-07:00

hip hop power

One of these things is not like the others

la tour eiffel

2009-08-03T04:36:00.001-07:00

sign sign everywhere a sign

2009-08-03T04:07:00.000-07:00

I'm fascinated by the signage in France. Here are some of my favorites in Paris.

The translation on this one really made us laugh, read the bottom half, the part that is in English.

The graphics on this made me giggle too - this was on the airport shuttle.

In the metro

even though this one is a little blurry, you get the idea - yikes!

at Notre Dame

real time post

2009-08-01T07:09:00.000-07:00

Bonjour mes amies!

Je suis desolée que je n'ai pas posté beaucoup to the blog. I have been working on French farms for the past month+ with limited internet access. We finished our stage at La Ferme du Collet on July 15 and spent a few days in Italy but are now back in France at farm 2, Oasis Bellcombe. Here are a few internet photos of both, until I can get my hundreds of photos posted.

Bonne été!

La Ferme du Collet-Farm dad Diego plowing the field, probably the pois chiche field that I spent many hours weeding

Oasis Bellcombe-we sleep in our tent next to the big teepee/tipi

Place Saint-Michel

2009-07-23T05:43:00.001-07:00

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Place_Saint-Michel

around town

2009-07-23T05:28:00.000-07:00

Pigeons trying to keep warm on the grate, it was a chilly day.

Voltaire!!

This is for my friend, Tim Palcic - shoutout!!

A nice door...

with a great knocker!

France loves cats. Watch out for the 2010 calendar!

Parc Villette

2009-07-23T04:46:00.000-07:00

Went to Parc Villette for a free concert - Omar Souleyman and Deerhoof were playing.

Some of these pics are for my landscape architect friends.

http://www.villette.com/fr/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Souleyman

This is not a baby, it's a doll. I don't know why.

more from the best jewelry store

2009-07-23T04:27:00.000-07:00

i still dream of owning this locket

scenes from a long walk in Paris

2009-07-22T12:42:00.000-07:00

all along the Seine River

oohlala - rainy day in Paris

2009-07-22T12:37:00.000-07:00

paris in love

2009-07-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

angles

2009-07-22T12:01:00.000-07:00

fountain

2009-07-08T08:52:00.000-07:00

I thought this was really picturesque.

There are a lot of public drinking fountains in France, but I don't know if I'd put my mouth near this one, just my camera.

Notre Dame - again/encore

2009-07-05T07:34:00.000-07:00

My last visit to Notre Dame (this year!)

Enjoy these photos.

Miss you. xo

chez soco

2009-07-05T07:21:00.000-07:00

2 pictures and I couldn't capture everyone's best side. Ah well. We had finished all those bottles you see on the counter, don't ask me how, but before we realized it, it was 3am.

Shout out's to Chloe and Jeremy keeping it real in Paris at Chez Soco (Stephanie Sokolinski), you be the judge.

Pink Flamingo Pizza

2009-06-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

What a novel idea!

The Pink Flamingo not only has delicious pizzas with interesting names (I had La Ghandi* and Jason had La Frida*) but they also accomodate your picnic. Order your pizza at the restaurant and then go to the park or along the canal (depending on which store you go to) with your "pink flamingo" balloon and your pizza will be delivered when it's ready. Wonderful.

*La Ghandi pizza: Sag Paneer (epinards cusines a l'indienne) et Baba Ganoush (caviar d'aubergines, creme sesame, citron et ail), parsemes de mozzarella fondue

*La Frida pizza: (this was the special of the night or "pizza du moment" so I'm going on memory) avocado, sour cream, sausage, cheese, tomato sauce...hmm, it was kind of spanish style

Real Time Post

2009-06-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

Bonjour tout le monde,

I wanted to interject here with a "real time" alert. I have many more Paris pictures to post, but in reality I am now in Nice, France soon to be (tomorrow) in Puget-Theniers on the farm. In the meantime, I have also had a short stint in LA to see my great friends Valerie and Nate become a Mrs. & Mr. in Los Angeles. The adventures are continuous and I will post as much as possible. Not sure what the internet situation is on the farm just yet.

Love you and miss you all!

~dre

06/07/09 - at the wedding reception

Le Cimetiere du Montparnasse

2009-06-12T03:10:00.000-07:00

The first thing that caught my eye in this cemetary was a glowing green and red light coming from a rusty hole at the bottom of this door.

It was eerie and intriguing

it was a stained glass blessing

succulent garden

award: most original grave.

these people must have been into nature.

http://www.pariscemeteries.com/pagecems/montparn.html

http://www.parislogue.com/places-in-paris/lessons-from-montparnasse-cemetery-residents.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cimetière_du_Montparnasse

Serge!!

2009-06-11T06:47:00.001-07:00

I know many Americans come to Paris to stalk Jim Morrison and his old haunts, but I prefer to stalk a sexy frenchman by the name of Serge Gainsbourg, oohlala!

This was his last residence, located at 5 rue de Verneuil, Paris 75007

This is his current residence, Montparnasse Cemetary located in the 14th arrondissement, where he hangs with his mom and dad.

Vanity Fair article: http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2007/11/gainsbourg200711

Park at Pont Neuf

2009-06-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

King Henry IV statue - a replica! But still really old.

This statue, built in 1818, is an exact replica of the statue built in 1618 that was destroyed during the French revolution. Luckily, someone was smart enough to save the original cast. Now where, you may ask, would they find bronze fit for a king? Well from another statue of course! How about from a statue of a military leader of the French revolution! (Louis Charles Antoine Desaix). Another interesting fact, this statue also contains a "time capsule", oooohhhh! The new sculptor put four boxes inside, one containing the history of the life of Henry IV, one with a 17th century parchment certifying the original statue, one with a document stating how the new statue was commissioned, and the last holding a list of people who contributed to a public subscription.

delicious well balanced vegetarian feast and another uh...delicacy

2009-06-03T09:48:00.000-07:00

-artichokes

-whole wheat pasta with beats, sprouts, mushrooms, carrots

-and of course, a delicious "baguette tradition"

And this is the "traditional" kebab dinner - very popular! You can find a kebab vendor on nearly every corner. We have yet to find one that has one vegetarian item (besides the french fries) thus I am only a spectator during this meat feast. Yum!

Pont Neuf - i love this bridge

2009-06-02T09:07:00.000-07:00

This is the oldest exisiting bridge in Paris, over the Seine.

I love the different faces that run along each side of the bridge and around.

I haven't been able to find out anything on the web in regards to their significance so it looks like I might have to make a visit to the library for that information (yea for libraries!) I took many photos of this bridge to try to capture the distinctive expresssions of each face.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Neuf

bopping around town - some random photos

2009-06-01T09:27:00.000-07:00

This guy is fixing the Velib bikes!

What are these you may ask?

Velib bikes are public bikes, free for the first 1/2 hour, and pretty cheap after that.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velib

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-bike-rentals.htm

nice view!

going into the Seine

construction - the facade

I think this stump wants to be at tree again (along the Seine)

appreciated clocks on various days

2009-05-31T04:52:00.001-07:00

5:01pm

6:55pm

4:10pm

5:59pm

La Conciergerie - a study

2009-05-29T08:56:00.001-07:00

Marie Antoinette used to live here!

when it was a prison.

I am fascinated with this building and spent a good amount of time just looking up at it and I tried to capture some of what is mesmerizing in these photos.

Like this magnificent clock!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conciergerie

http://www.paris-paris-paris.com/paris_directory/monuments/conciergerie

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/la-conciergerie.htm

http://conciergerie.monuments-nationaux.fr/

Woman enjoying the Seine River

2009-05-28T02:52:00.000-07:00

random news to share

2009-05-27T14:17:00.000-07:00

I came across the article below the other day about a prisoner reform program in France. Before reading it, compare it to this sentence that I found embedded in an article about food in relation to one prisoner "reform" program in the US.

from this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/04/dining/04farm.html
The farm’s pigs are slaughtered at a facility on Long Island that is part of a prisoner job-training program.

My response - REALLY????
And now, in France...

http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/273097

A New Tour de France: Prisoners Cycle and Recycle Themselves

Missioncycling.org

Vote up this image!

A very different Tour de France will begin next month in Lille when 200 prisoners will cycle around France under the watchful eyes of guards. Will this foster teamwork and sportsmanship or merely provide a new avenue for escape? Read on and decide.

According to news sources, the prisoners will travel 1,400 miles around France, starting in Lilles in the north on June 4 and ending in Paris, in true Tour de France tradition. These bikers, however, have another set of very strict rules to follow. They must travel in packs and never break away or they will be disqualified. The prisoners will not sleep in hotels like their Tour de France counterparts nor will any of them receive a ranking, as the idea is to foster values like teamwork and effort.

In the words of one prisoner from the city of Nantes, who is only referred to as Daniel:

“It's a kind of escape for us, a chance to break away from the daily reality of prison. If we behave well, we might be able to get released earlier, on probation.”

According to Sylvie Marion, one of the prison authorities:

“This project aims to help these men reintegrate into society by fostering values like effort, teamwork and self-esteem. We want to show them that with some training, you can achieve your goals and start a new life.”

Certainly someone like Lance Armstrong, valiant American winner of this strenuous competition knows all about beating the odds and the values of effort and teamwork. Somewhere along the line, these prisoners missed their chance. How powerful the promise for the human spirit that they now have the chance to capture it again!

What else offers life if not the opportunity to better oneself while still chasing that elusive butterfly of hope?

Go team!

My new favorite cheese - Comté

2009-05-26T12:30:00.000-07:00

Comté cheese, a healthy, natural, noble food with a good nutritional balance

If you would like to read back up for the aforementiond statements, please look at this website!

http://www.comte-gourmand.com/pages.php?idMenu=32&special=question&theme=1&langue=2

More delicious information!

French AOC (Appellation d’Origine Contrôlée) since 1958:
• Delimited area of production: Doubs, Jura, Ain, elevation 1500-4500 ft.
• Milk must be produced by local cows of the Montbéliarde (95%) and Simmental (5%) breeds. There are approximately 112,000 Comté cows.
• Minimum of 2.5 acres of natural pasture for each animal.

**Editors Note** this is AMAZING! I've been reading a lot about animal farming (conventional and the alternatives) and in the US, cows are typically in a small pen tethered by the neck and standing on cement their entire lives producing more milk than they were meant to. Yea for AOC regulations! and yea for good cheese!!**
• Cattle feed must be natural and free of fermented products and GMOs.
• Each fruitière must collect milk from dairy farms within a 17-mile diameter maximum.
• Milk must be made into cheese within 24 hours maximum of the earliest milking.
• Only natural ferments must be used to transform the milk into curds.
• Wheels must be aged on spruce boards. Minimum aging is 4 months, generally 6-18 months and sometimes even longer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comté_(cheese)

http://www.cheese-france.com/cheese/comte.htm

http http://www.lesroutesducomte.com/pages.php?idMenu=3&idSsMenu=0&idPage=0&langue=2&idSite=2 ://www.lesroutesducomte.com/pages.php?langue=2

La Nuit des Musées - Samedi, 16 May

2009-05-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

Jason and I joined thousands of other Europeen museumgoer's (this is one word, since 1930! check websters online by clicking on the word) on Saturday, May 16th during the 5th annual "La Nuit des Musees", or Museum Night. This is a Europeen wide event when participating (read: all) museums stay open late (midnight/1am) and offer free admission. Here is some history from an article in Digital Journal:

It all began in 1999 when France decided to open up all its museums to the public on a weekend day in May. It immediately caught on and was extended to all the museums in the 39 signatory countries to the Cultural Convention of the Council of Europe in 2001. It has continued its successful run and now includes UNESCO as one of its major patrons.

This year’s Museum Night saw over 2 200 museums in 41 countries bathed in light and echoing to the sound of music, theatre and other cultural events.

Link to the full article: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/272723

We made it to three museums:

1. Picasso Museum

As you would imagine, it is an incredible collection.

2.Maison de la Chasse & Nature / Museum of Hunting and Nature

3.Musee des Arts et Metiers;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musée_des_Arts_et_Métiers

I'm standing next to a model of the Necomen Steam Engine, invented in 1712 which changed the way coal was mined - and basically kicked off the industrial revolution in Britain . How might I know this? Not just reading wiki this time - randomly, I just read about this in my book of the week - "The End of Oil" by Paul Roberts. But here is some more information from wiki if you want the "cliff notes" on the Newcomen. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newcomen_steam_engine

Jason admires the first television

Loom thread

Loom teeth

near Les Halles

2009-05-26T11:20:00.000-07:00

love this jewelry shop!!

2009-05-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

Near our aparment is one of the most charming jewelry stores I have ever seen. In the front window they rotate their displays often and they are always adorable scenes. Their jewelry is funky fresh and I hope to buy a piece before I leave Paris.

a long walk in Paris

2009-05-24T12:41:00.000-07:00

One day Jason and I took a long walk through Paris to end at the Cinemateque for a DeMille movie. Here are some pictures from that lovely afternoon.

Public art

Puppies!

Double wide vending machine, it had just about everything

I liked the conglomeration of signs at this corner

I liked the green space in the middle of this little traffic circle.

"Restricted" brand. We find this funny.

And we find "Sport Adventure Restricted" even funnier!

in the 12th arrondissement - industrial Paris

stormy skies! followed by short and heavy rains

ending our walk with a happy hour beer at the cafe

*and I would like to note, this is the first day that I used one of the free public toilets that you find all throughout Paris. It was quite convenient and clean. If you aren't privy to the public toilets in Paris, you should know that after every "visitor" there is an automatic cleaning system that sprays the whole interior down in prepartion for the next visitor. C'est magnifique!

I didn't take any pictures but I found these on the web. And for more information:

http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-public-toilets.htm

walking amongst the dead...long dead

2009-05-23T08:45:00.000-07:00

Inside the catacombs, home to more than six million bodies since 1788.

The long dark tunnel

Jason, trying not to look frightened

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catacombs_of_Paris

http://www.ghostvillage.com/legends/2003/legends28_10042003.shtml

http://tip-topblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/amazing-catacombs-in-france.html

more doors - enjoy

2009-05-22T04:05:00.000-07:00

some random streetshots - this is Paris, everyday

2009-05-21T06:35:00.000-07:00

sunny spot

2009-05-21T06:28:00.000-07:00

It was one of those days, we were lucky enough to snag the best seat on the terrace.

People watching, beer drinking, and bathing in the sunset ensue.

Cafe Etienne Marcel

http://www.gayot.com/restaurants/etienne-marcel-paris-75002-france_10pa0224-03.html

http://www.bestrestaurantsparis.com/en/restaurant-paris/detail/cafe-etienne-marcel.html

graffiti playground

2009-05-20T15:27:00.000-07:00

hunger strike - protest for the people of tamouls - sri lanka

2009-05-19T04:48:00.000-07:00

This is the website that was included with the information that was distributed.

http://www.sostamouls.fr/

Square du Temple - aahhhh (as in like, ahhh, sigh of relief ahhh) - Edenlike

2009-05-19T04:39:00.000-07:00

I love seeing all the people that come out to spend time together in the park, from young to old. Away from television and video games and computers and all those other evils of the world (haha)

History:

Before there was a park there was a prision. Before there was a prison there was a palace.

For more info:

http://www.paris-walking-tours.com/squaredutemple.html

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Square_du_Temple

just a wall? spongy.

2009-05-19T03:53:00.000-07:00

I thought the composition of this wall was fascinating.

It is along the Seine below street level.

highly recommended public bathroom

2009-05-19T03:44:00.000-07:00

Bastille Metro Stop

Cute!

Clean!

Pink Toilet Paper!

around town - clocks

2009-05-16T05:27:00.000-07:00

good news for people like me who don't wear watches (I've been looking for one) there are clocks everywhere! You usually just have to look up. Most of them seem to be in working order.

4:57pm

And isn't this building fantastic? It's a typical fantastic Paris building. PS. Did you notice the door?

les portes / doors

2009-05-16T02:59:00.000-07:00

A great fascination of mine are the doors in Paris. They are colored and detailed to varying degrees. I have been taking photos and will post my favorites occassionally.

Walking along the Seine

2009-05-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

accordian player on the bridge

2009-05-15T10:00:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame, images from the garden side

2009-05-15T09:44:00.000-07:00

4:10pm

Lait épeautre riz noisette de Bonneterre

2009-05-15T09:39:00.000-07:00

translation = spelt rice hazelnut milk by Bonneterre (brand)

you haven't tasted delicious until you've tasted this (no added sugar!)

http://www.bonneterre.fr/

http://mabioattitude.canalblog.com/archives/2008/02/29/8143370.html

Soda Tax

2009-05-14T05:04:00.001-07:00

Jason and I have been keeping up on USA politics with our favorite correspondent, Stephen Colbert. This is a clip not to be missed. I hope this tax goes through, I would even like to see the amount quadrupled. Enjoy!!

The Colbert Report

Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Stephen's Coke Party Protest

colbertnation.com

Colbert Report Full Episodes

Political Humor

Gay Marriage

Pont Notre Dame

2009-05-13T14:15:00.000-07:00

Pont = Bridge

Why do you think he's crying? I see a little tear.

Probably because someone stuck this sign on his head! Do not enter!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Notre-Dame

one hundred and ten - pont saint-michel

2009-05-12T14:50:00.000-07:00

Today I took 110 pictures.

Don't worry, I won't post them all.

In case you're wondering, yes, Paris is as beautiful as you probably imagine. I tried to capture some of that in my photos, and I must be in a good mood because I would say 100 of the 110 pictures turned out really well - oohlala!

Enjoy!

View of the Seine and Bridge/Pont Saint-Michel

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_Saint-Michel

PS. Did you happen to look at the architecture and the landscape architecture (uh, trees) in the background? Beautiful.

Jason makes music

2009-05-11T12:33:00.000-07:00

We had a fun night singing and playing music together in our apartment.

New friends we met at La Cordonnerie

2009-05-11T12:16:00.000-07:00

Glen and Corrine

____ & Marie (we're blanking on his name...je suis desole!)

This young man refused to give us his name/number/myspace/facebook - very mysterious. He said we'd have to find him again at La Cordonnerie

These folks were very friendly! We ended up going with them (well, not the nameless guy) to a bar near the Republique Metro Stop. It was a dance party and tons of fun. Sadly when the party was over we had to walk home because the metro stopped running at 12:45. C'est la vie!

La Cordonnerie - my favorite bar in Paris

2009-05-11T12:00:00.000-07:00

It's kind of like Frank and Hanks, Paris.

Cheap drinks AND they serve free couscous if you get there early enough on Thursday's and Saturday's.

http://www.resto-de-paris.com/la-cordonnerie-couscous-gratuit/restaurant/paris

http://www.fra.cityvox.fr/bars-et-boites_paris/la-cordonnerie_95202/ProfilLieu

http://www.viedegeek.fr/post/2006/11/30/327-la-cordonnerie

http://www.webcity.fr/la-cordonnerie-paris/lieu

Musee D'Orsay

2009-05-11T11:34:00.000-07:00

http://www.musee-orsay.fr/en/home.html

wanna what?

2009-05-11T11:13:00.000-07:00

nice pants. wait...what does your backpack say?

This leads me to ask - what does a backpack "wannabee"?

A suitcase? A purse?

some food pics

2009-05-11T10:59:00.001-07:00

unfortunately the images haven't been coming out very good, and i'm usually too hungry to keep trying to make them perfect!

Here are the ingredients from a vegetarian pasta dish from a few nights ago - no image of this one so after reading, close your eyes and imagine the deliciousness, mmmmmm.

--Tri-colored quinoa spaghetti, shallots, potatos, zucchini, celery, turnip, oyster mushrooms, tomatos, carrots, eggplant, fava beans, red wine, cumin, feungreek, and parmesan cheese. Wow.

This looks like a rice dish and a bean dish...both were good, sorry I can't remember what was in them, but I can bet there was a lot of veggie's. Yum.

This one had mushrooms, onions, raisins and hazelnuts

I think this was one of the egg tagines we've been eating, full of veggies like kohlrabi, sweet potato and/or pottimarron, probably some mushrooms...and more

me and frenchie

2009-05-11T10:09:00.000-07:00

We had dinner with my friends Alex & Sandrine at their home just outside of Paris. This is the only photo I took, which is in their parking garage. They have a beautiful apartment that would have been a great setting for photos. oops.

Party time!! = Rue Amelot / 4th Arrondissement

2009-05-06T05:24:00.000-07:00

Photos from a party at our friends' subleased apartment.

They didn't know most of the people at their own party.

Someone wore roller skates to the party, and he let this girl try them out - I think she may have only fallen once.

there was dancing

and someone commented that we were "magnifique!"

Good times had by all!

Themselves rock Paris

2009-05-04T14:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you who know me well enough to know my favorite music, you know that I am a huge fan of Doseone and the many groups he sings/raps with. One of these groups, Themselves, had a performance in Paris that I was lucky enough to see.

(Jel and Doseone - 24/04/2009)

It was a random Friday evening and Jason and I had just returned home after a long day out. I was checking myspace (yeah, some people still use it) at the urging of my beautiful sister, Jennifer Walker (shoutout! check her out - http://www.myspace.com/jenmar1313) and it was there that I noticed Themselves were playing Paris - THAT VERY NIGHT! Jason and I bolted out the door and found ourselves at a club located right on the canal (point ephemere: http://www.pointephemere.org/).

I think he's looking at me in this one

(Jel and Doseone - 24/04/2009)

(Doseone and Jel - 24/04/2009)

a blurry glowing eiffel tower - view from Centre Pompidou

2009-05-04T14:11:00.000-07:00

seriously, my camera kept shutting off due to lack of battery, and this was the best shot i got, haha. i need a new camera.

paying for the view

2009-05-04T13:21:00.000-07:00

We decided to have a mid-museum beverage at the restaurant at the top of Centre Pompidou - what a view! We ordered two drinks without checking the price and were astonished that each drink was 2x as much as we were hoping, how many of those euros were spent on the view? I don't know, but let's say the Centre Pompidou restaurant was down a spoon or two by the time we left.

"How much?" - per Jason's shocked expression and my look of forlorn

12 euro pastis - hmmm, they taste the same as 6 euro pastis

Views from the top of Centre Georges Pompidou

2009-05-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

You know, I didn't actually take any photos inside the museum, haha. But here are some vista's.

Those little buggy looking things are people. Everyday many people congregate on the concrete space in front of the museum. There are people selling trinkets, people playing guitars for money, a group playing didgeridoos and the very popular juggler. He has a good gig, involves the kids, and then all the parents give him money. It's cute.

Eiffel tower in the distance

Eiffel tower zoomed in

Sacre Coeur in the distance

Sacre Coeur zoomed in

The Centre Georges Pompidou is really close to our apartment, to give you a point of reference.

Here are some links to the museum, which is really quite amazing:

http://www.centrepompidou.fr/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centre_Georges_Pompidou

metro Dre and metro Jason

2009-05-04T06:57:00.000-07:00

i think i'm the better photographer...but i'll let you be the judge

quick shot of Notre Dame, 9am

2009-05-03T04:47:00.000-07:00

I didn't have a lot of time to snap photos, but here is a quick shot of Notre Dame that I took on an early morning walk. I'll be back for more!

Drinking wine on a sunny day at Parc de Bercy

2009-05-02T10:44:00.000-07:00

Enjoying the Park - Bois de Vincennes

2009-05-02T10:21:00.000-07:00

Bois = wood (or woods in this case, or forest...you get the idea)

Jason and I packed a picnic and took the metro to the Bois de Vincennes to enjoy the day. We started with a short hike through the woods/forest and parked ourselves in an open meadow where we had a leisurely lunch that included baguette, cheese (camembert this day), hummus, and a beet and lettuce salad, yum!

We saw a pony ride through the park and these kids were pretty small - as were their ponies. It was like a "my little pony" dream come true. What a great day!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bois_de_Vincennes

http://www.boisdevincennes.com/site/index.php3

Le Saint-Nectaire fermier - another cheese, this one comes from cow milk

2009-05-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

see how this cheese is made here: http://www.fromage-aoc-st-nectaire.com/fr/htm/aoc/st_fermier.htm

it's in French, but you can still see the slideshow, click the little arrow (>) at the bottom right to scroll through. While you enjoy this slideshow, I will enjoy this cheese, mmmm, yeah!!

Brebis Cheese, comes from sheep milk

2009-05-02T08:59:00.000-07:00

As you might have guessed, I have REALLY been enjoying the many delicious cheeses found in France. Here is one we polished off recently - delicious!!

Here is the farm it comes from: http://www.brebisbio.com/index.html, it's organic.

Chateau de Vincennes - Henry IV used to live here, and he died here

2009-04-30T11:27:00.000-07:00

http://en.chateau-vincennes.fr/

we haven't actually been inside yet

i like these pictures I took of Jason

2009-04-30T11:20:00.000-07:00

i've been working with the settings on my camera - trying to make them work for me!

Stravinsky Fountain

2009-04-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

This is near our apartment, and even closer yet to the Centre Pompidou. This is called the Stravinsky Fountain and it's full of mechanical sculptures that are continually spraying and squrting water. Unfortunately I didn't stop to take photos, so these don't capture how amazing this piece (these pieces) actually are. Maybe when you come visit me in Paris I'll take you there!

Found this on the web: In 1982, Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely created the Stravinsky fountain in Paris, located next to the Centre Georges Pompidou's IRCAM Music Center. 16 mechanical sculptures inspired after Igor Stravinsky's music gyrate and blow water in a distinctly modern piece.

Mmmmm - Roquefort Cheese

2009-04-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

Dear friends in the US, I'm sorry you can't eat the Roquefort cheese (try to find it, you probably can't. This is probably the reason: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/28/AR2009012804071.html)

Don't worry - Jason and I will eat plenty for you too, yummm!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roquefort_cheese

Sunset Rubdown at La Maroquinerie

2009-04-29T06:24:00.000-07:00

Here are a few shots of Sunset Rubdown - check em out! The sound might be familiar as the lead singer and main songwriter is Spencer Krug of...Wolf Parade and at least three other bands; Frog Eyes, Fifths of Seven, and Swan Lake

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunset_Rubdown

http://www.sunsetrubdown.net/