tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87837346894339236832024-02-19T14:14:16.801+01:00QBParisThe grass is always greener...QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.comBlogger144125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-56102137072227605302011-07-25T13:45:00.001+02:002016-07-25T22:50:18.950+02:00Way Over Yonder...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9ONK4HxNqhXXXcBRts9wRXAQvM5LkLRSvt_EWZfXAM-qv6wB75mEIr0vc9GkvxUIBkk4z37ZGnyvf5_HhD_VmjDoEMmefs0LeWIcjGGiLCOZNOZGHD4Sk5oGnBcy9sNhfEx8lEqBT5o/s1600/DSC09476_eiffel_twilight.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633615916141043266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV9ONK4HxNqhXXXcBRts9wRXAQvM5LkLRSvt_EWZfXAM-qv6wB75mEIr0vc9GkvxUIBkk4z37ZGnyvf5_HhD_VmjDoEMmefs0LeWIcjGGiLCOZNOZGHD4Sk5oGnBcy9sNhfEx8lEqBT5o/s320/DSC09476_eiffel_twilight.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
I am sitting in the air-conditioned, first-class lounge, sipping Champagne, waiting to board my one-way flight back to the USA after 18 years, 11 months and 2 days of living in Paris. The past month, and in particular, this past week, has been an emotional roller-coaster ride. </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
I realized for the first time since my childhood, I will not have a key to my own front door. This is an incredibly liberating experience... my life is packed into three pieces of luggage (no mention of the 99 pieces being shipped!) and I have a few temporary places to stay while I look for a place of my own.</p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
I've met some amazing and wonderful people whom I shall miss, deeply. I learned a new skill and turned that knowledge into a business that has sustained me over the past 5 years. I've reveled in the city of Paris, especially at night while driving past the monuments lit up in their glory. The seasons, the light as it changes with each season, the food, the wine, the cheeses... Paris is... Paris. I will miss Paris. I will not miss living here. I can always come back.</p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
I begin my new life with barely a chance to unpack, and head to a conference in San Jose. I will hook up with a friend I have known since I was 16. I am looking forward to seeing you, Ro. I have concert tickets lined up beginning with Buddy Guy on my birthday, and plans to head to Long Island to see family and friends there. I will take a trip to see the craggy coast of my memories...</p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
My son and I had our last night together for a while and we made the best of it. Lots of hugs and tears. He is a man now, a fine one, and he is doing well in university... I am so very proud of him. I know this is a difficult transition, but we agreed, it is time. Our visits from now on will be longer, and more fun in that we will have that extra time to spend together.</p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
There are three women in particular who have meant the world to me while living here. Alice, Alison, and Barbara... from each of you I have learned so many different things about life. Thank you for the long talks, the encouragement and especially your friendship and support. I love you all. </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
I was fortunate to be involved with several Anglophone associations in Paris. If you are planning on living here, you must join, AND get involved with one or several of them. Doors will open. </p>
<span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
<span style="font-weight: bold;">5 minutes to boarding...</span></p>
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<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Paris has been a big part of my life. Now, the page is turned. I am looking ahead, with hope, happiness and a hunger to start again. I never thought I would say this! Au revoir, Paris... je t'aime! </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Way over yonder, that's where I'm bound...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-25693499138243865582010-10-06T22:06:00.005+02:002010-10-06T23:23:04.373+02:00There are places I remember...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzmlai5pWbheG21VQsFTidH_mWGwzq9LWUXG1zzIIqfTy8b2Ad24xXWgGoAb25G4epzbr7bN_El_byxd4aShqVxpNq-iFKCUa3F4fpvaqVd-GOM36wcSlO36i-PWbGoqSVrgz24Rq_UI/s1600/Dianne_1976.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCzmlai5pWbheG21VQsFTidH_mWGwzq9LWUXG1zzIIqfTy8b2Ad24xXWgGoAb25G4epzbr7bN_El_byxd4aShqVxpNq-iFKCUa3F4fpvaqVd-GOM36wcSlO36i-PWbGoqSVrgz24Rq_UI/s320/Dianne_1976.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5525043125631671490" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The prompt to write this is from an article a friend posted on FB. She said she was bullied as a child. I understand that. I know how it feels, except that, I was not so much bullied. More bulldozed. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I spent my young life as a Navy brat, moving from state to state, changing schools, adapting to new situations and while doing so, knowing that at a certain point in time, it would happen yet again and I'd have to rebuild a whole new set of friends and reference points. Oddly, I always envied the kids who came in from an overseas post, not speaking English, or not fluent enough, who got tossed into the system to survive. I wondered if it was easier for them, to have that barrier of language to hide behind? Is it any wonder I had no qualms about moving to a new country, not knowing the language or having a deep seated passion to be here? My life would have been a lot simpler had I stayed in the US. Conversely, I never would have met the people I have, nor would I have learned the skills I did. That bulldozer was a blessing in disguise. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I have a lot going on right now. A divorce. This blog is being called into court. (Please read all the posts and you will know who I am.) My son turns 19 tomorrow. I am grateful for every moment I get to spend with him. He has his own set of circumstances that he is going through. However, it is his story to tell when he is ready. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After many years of being on my own, I fell in love. It ended abruptly, leaving me to wonder too many things about me, and who I am. I have been rebuilding my life this past year. It has really sucked at times, but it has also been a revelation for me to know what is important and why. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">With that comes empowerment, and doubt, and retrospection, and hope. There have been days when it took every thing I had to rise, shine and give it my glory glory... And other days, when it was great to be alive. I must sound like a total schizophrenic. Trust me. I'm not so bad!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I thought I would be in a different place today. In a way, I am. And now I can move forward. With a lot of hard work, things are looking up. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities I am being presented with. And, I am truly thankful for the real friends I have in my life. You all mean so much to me. Even with letting go of the past, it is also important to keep a memory or two of faith, hope and love from that past. To know where you came from, and how you got here. There are several people I can say this to...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In my life, I'll love you more...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-4037799848322038942010-07-14T21:52:00.009+02:002010-08-08T13:22:48.849+02:00I can see clearly now...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCSoA8hk6IXtxKT8BK-g4w6ggwZajvhciqbsptT7FrAwi_v6tthLDhaZKo-lHMJAh_evtH0BeDnfqXBIWa2lWpwRLazdDGKTm8-UbmqWTEcKoPfjpZbioMKTm1b7Cb0mDDHxpJwS1Iwc/s1600/glasses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSCSoA8hk6IXtxKT8BK-g4w6ggwZajvhciqbsptT7FrAwi_v6tthLDhaZKo-lHMJAh_evtH0BeDnfqXBIWa2lWpwRLazdDGKTm8-UbmqWTEcKoPfjpZbioMKTm1b7Cb0mDDHxpJwS1Iwc/s320/glasses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493913713151293506" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">There are a few stories in play here... bear with me.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">1. The austerity program is a great diet plan.</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Today is Bastille Day. The day of the French uprising... revolution... storming! And storm it did. I normally shop on a Tuesday. I have the Carrefour fidelity/passe card... Tuesday is 'spend 60 euros, get 3 euros back'. Last week, I couldn't make it on the Tuesday. So, I planned ahead and ate out of the freezer until I needed fresh stuff. Easy enough... however, during the week, I went to Carrefour, not with the caddy, but with the shoulder bag for a few items. I spent less than 20 euros and got a bon for "Buy 80 euros of stuff, get 8 euros off if you shop on Wednesday, July 14". That's Bastille Day. The biggest French holiday going. That's today. It was pouring rain today. POURING. As in BIG, FAT, pouring rain. I waited at home until it cleared a bit, then I got my shopping list together, tossed an umbrella into the caddy as an afterthought and walked on over to Carrefour to "make the groceries". </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This being mid-July, and a holiday, I thought about how much I love Paris in the summer when most people are gone and the store is empty... happy, happy, I hummed some tunes from last night's CSN concert, debated "less filling, tastes great" (NOT)... grabbed some fresh herbs, a couple of ripe tomatoes, some yummy, smelly cheese and the necessary list items... checked out and headed to the exit.<br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When I got to the door, I saw a crowd of people standing just inside the exit. Hmmm. Then I saw the downpour. The deluge. This was a rain that was not going to end soon. (Hindsight note to self: I was right... it lasted another 20 minutes.) After watching and waiting for five minutes, I decided to go for it. I thought, "I am only three blocks from the store. I had my brolly. Deal with it!" Hah! I lost my first sandal at the first corner. The curb was covered in water... little did I know just how deep it was. Stepping into it, my wonderful, comfy sandal was swept away with the Parisian street tide... I stood for a few moments in disbelief, trying to Brail my foot around to find the sandal... no glory. I slogged on... trying to keep my groceries dry while moving forward, one foot shod, one foot bare. The next corner was as deep and as fast as the first. At this point I thought WTF? and gave it up... I stepped in and the other sandal was gone. Mind you, at this point I was knee-deep in rushing water, holding an umbrella in one hand and dragging the caddy and a carry-along sack in the other. I'm not sure when I gave up the pretense of using the umbrella as protection.<br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">2. Shades of yesterday.</span><br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Those of you who may have followed this blog know that I have been looking for my long, lost, TRES EXPENSIVE first pair of glasses. They were tri-focals. They were the first pair of glasses I ever owned/needed. I paid 1200 euros for them in 2008. I never claimed them with the French Soc Sec... why not? I don't know. Nuf said. In any case, they were my first pair of glasses. I could see. Or so I thought. The opthomologist said, "It might be hard to get used to them. You are going from nothing to tri-focals. Be careful on stairways!" Woof. She was right. I felt like I was (ahem) not myself. The three-way vision... up, middle, down... let alone, the far, medium, close was throwing me off. I couldn't deal with them. I tried... I really, really tried. Then, I put them away. I pulled them out every now and then to see if I could see with them... No dice. So, in a fit of frustration, I put them somewhere where I wouldn't lose them, yet still use them. You know how when you put something somewhere where you think you might find them? Yeah, well. That was two years ago. I searched high and low for those damned glasses. All I could think of was 1200 euros down the drain.<br /></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">3. Revelations</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Speaking of down the drain, I made it home. Barefoot, soaked and laden with a week's worth of now sodden groceries. I unpacked the caddy and carry-sack, put the frozen stuff into the freezer and set the rest out to dry... I got out of the soaked jeans, took a shower to wash off the yuck and threw everything into the washer. In the meantime, the sun came out, so I put the caddy on the balcony to dry out. While there, I decided to empty the pockets... lo and behold. Guess what I found? After two years of searching for the glasses in the bright yellow case? There they were. Right under my nose all this time. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Lately, I'm finding that a lot of my answers/solutions to life ARE right under my nose. I just need to look beyond the obstacles that are in my way. And you know what?<br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It's gonna be a bright, bright, bright sun shiny day...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-73929764618562740902010-04-22T00:00:00.003+02:002010-04-22T00:02:33.223+02:00She comes in colors everywhere...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE6zI6t74DtmBZg1-y-Qw_b7cWLtasW4XqqFbsPbG0qj1s4DOl8W3VUQVJyr-dzN662_nvF51CP8HJ-eIqK2vPDAtK4WoDu1HDTA3YrBwY84SqMdyUUUL0shhFADNnyGxlCfaqSUxFo8/s1600/DSC09117_crayola.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbE6zI6t74DtmBZg1-y-Qw_b7cWLtasW4XqqFbsPbG0qj1s4DOl8W3VUQVJyr-dzN662_nvF51CP8HJ-eIqK2vPDAtK4WoDu1HDTA3YrBwY84SqMdyUUUL0shhFADNnyGxlCfaqSUxFo8/s320/DSC09117_crayola.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
</div><br />
<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Choices. Remember when a box of 64 was a fantasy come true? The choice of colors... the names... violet red, sea green, sky blue, cerulean... the infinite possibilities...</div><br />
<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am once again faced with choices. Infinite possibilities. And yet, once again, I stand alone. </div><br />
<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I had a client here today. I can truly call her a dear friend. We were discussing one of her projects. We pulled out that box of crayons... it was sitting there... we talked, and we colored. She'll be 75 this year. She kicked my ass. With a huge dose of reality. I think I will frame the results. </div><br />
<div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">She's like a rainbow... </div>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-63364915808679843052010-03-24T19:51:00.027+01:002021-07-18T22:12:52.595+02:00She moves in mysterious ways...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri5fLFlji-GbyJJe52UFSCYr2YHcL8ZUqvUAjjbSnchESO6AJZRFLFbyu5HxfzIrDQzF1qF_sNx8sESzDNKfq3gqriD32MNQdySJbgvEa-lDc9SfDktKeaqFcEZWaNiG3tHuNgK0j2E8/s1600/alice-cat-ada-lovelace.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452275377628668114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgri5fLFlji-GbyJJe52UFSCYr2YHcL8ZUqvUAjjbSnchESO6AJZRFLFbyu5HxfzIrDQzF1qF_sNx8sESzDNKfq3gqriD32MNQdySJbgvEa-lDc9SfDktKeaqFcEZWaNiG3tHuNgK0j2E8/s320/alice-cat-ada-lovelace.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; display: block; height: 240px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Today is <a href="http://findingada.com/" target="_blank">Ada Lovelace Day</a>... an opportunity to blog about a woman in technology and computing whom you admire. Back when this project was announced, I vowed to blog about my favorite woman in computing. What they didn't know was, lucky me... I have two! </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Way back in October 2001, I met <a href="http://www.qbparis.com/search/label/Alice" target="_blank">Alice</a>. I have written about her before... She is my business partner with HostingParis.com and LetsBounceBack.com, and the best friend I could ever have. </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
We met at the American University of Paris. We both signed up for the Web Design and Site Management course... it was two nights a week for several months and covered 90 hours of instruction. We started with basic html coding and learned the intricacies of forms the hard way and, in the end, produced working websites. I convinced her to take the follow-up Flash course and also roped her into a digital photography course at <a href="http://www.parsons-paris.com/flash/" target="_blank">Parson's Paris</a>. (We love to learn!)</p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
We built our little web business slowly, word of mouth within the Anglo/Non-profit orgs/Artist community in Paris; and we are still growing. Our turning point came when we learned about <a href="http://mambo-foundation.org/" target="_blank">Mambo</a>, an open source content management system, which has since taken us to <a href="http://www.joomla.org/" target="_blank">Joomla!</a>, also an open source content management system. </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Alice is my techno-geek chica. She loves the tech side of things... where she can spend hours Googling and figuring out something in PHP and MySQL, I can can spend hours making it look pretty with CSS and graphics. We have a mind meld that works. Our mantra has always been "two heads are better than one". We have another mantra: <a href="http://www.qbparis.com/search/label/Circle%20of%20Love" target="_blank">The Circle of Love</a>. The Circle of Love is composed of those folks who impress us so much with their love of what they do: their passion, their intensity with which they give and their downright goodness. Which brings me to Alice's daughter, <a href="http://catgrev.wordpress.com/2010/03/24/ada-lovelace-day/">Catherine</a>... who, might I say, is AWESOMENESS extraordinaire! Believe me, I smile when I say AWESOME! :-)</p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
I am going to pull text from a proud mom's blog... (also posted on our recent project: LetsBounceBack.com, take a look! </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
</p>
<blockquote>
<span style="font-style: italic;">"...Catherine is a first year PhD student in Computer Science. Her specialty: Human and Computer Interaction (HCI) and User Experience (UX).<br />She was a Computer Science major at a small, all-female liberal arts college, and her combined research experiences, and the mentorship of a family friend who is also an HCI matriarch, amongst others. <br />Despite her young age, she has numerous research experiences under her belt, has attended and presented papers at many conferences (including Grace Hopper and CHI), and continuously forges a broad and strong network in her field. She holds her own in this highly male-dominated sector, and is an enthusiastic advocate for women in computing, never missing an opportunity to encourage women to consider a career in technology. <br />Last summer Catherine was a contributor on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf-zMFdlqQ4&feature=player_embedded" target="_blank">G-Nome Surfer</a> project, a genomic information visualization program for a table top interface." </span></blockquote>
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<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Woof! May I say again, WOOF!! </p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
Catherine was very patient one evening around the kitchen table as she tried to teach me and her mom basic java scripting... frustrating for her, I am sure, but a fond memory for me! Her patience and her Eureka! moment as she figured out something she was working on made the evening. Catherine is a woman to watch. I am honored to know her, and her mom. Two special women worthy of Ada Lovelace's admiration.</p>
<p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">
It's all right, it's all right, all right...</p>
QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-80838198160046292802010-01-01T02:34:00.005+01:002010-01-01T02:58:15.804+01:00Blue moon...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6_ZtyykglxxCGM4x7b49RRGSRomQJRNX4Eq0EbxjcQU3ygwvoZaXqnGGuh0_BrWuAr9LYoPgxRB9eU3FcsCh99zls1kmwXuKC_C4iXYxUNPepAq7H3FWp6Olwc2dDoWNaEqT43k5rrc/s1600-h/DSC08436_lunar-eclipse_31DEC09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ6_ZtyykglxxCGM4x7b49RRGSRomQJRNX4Eq0EbxjcQU3ygwvoZaXqnGGuh0_BrWuAr9LYoPgxRB9eU3FcsCh99zls1kmwXuKC_C4iXYxUNPepAq7H3FWp6Olwc2dDoWNaEqT43k5rrc/s320/DSC08436_lunar-eclipse_31DEC09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421579048015816978" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The new decade was brought in with a blue moon and a partial eclipse, how special is that?</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A wish for the new year and this new decade... May it bring you true joy and contentment, all you hope for and all you dream of... </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And when I looked my moon had turned to gold...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-52943615659115965922009-12-26T10:32:00.007+01:002009-12-27T00:37:38.375+01:00Not fade away...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgOIrDIR9JknbWi_L2PnRaEwzlXTbFjtaBz3_sJo-bgqV3PCctj4Maz1Hp2cQqkZ-rnD-v9oWRCaNEc38mc6bqL1VXhDP6aQo84HJfxyqG8yv5pQQOwuKOKa_fga8g3BQLyZkIHzZuoA/s1600-h/DSC08117_branches.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQgOIrDIR9JknbWi_L2PnRaEwzlXTbFjtaBz3_sJo-bgqV3PCctj4Maz1Hp2cQqkZ-rnD-v9oWRCaNEc38mc6bqL1VXhDP6aQo84HJfxyqG8yv5pQQOwuKOKa_fga8g3BQLyZkIHzZuoA/s320/DSC08117_branches.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5419475793874603426" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This has been a year of many realizations and discoveries. Of letting go and moving on. Of finding joy and for once, reveling in it. Completely. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In these last few days of this decade let us hope for better things; for peace, for positive change and happiness. Simple gestures... make it better.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Love is real, not fade away...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-89773853655027708792009-12-12T22:13:00.008+01:002009-12-13T00:00:23.893+01:00To build a home...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyQQCGtEQl0KGWtTmdsxeQOBQG_svQxlW3TXn47oj4FTYaxvw82b4vSno2WAHsAZh0mqmSE17i_sxY1VnqexmybUCDGCHatH3WYG8V_D4VGM2ihd4DDks-P7S-9gnSN9vkE7lQ9EXuRI/s1600-h/RockingChair.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyQQCGtEQl0KGWtTmdsxeQOBQG_svQxlW3TXn47oj4FTYaxvw82b4vSno2WAHsAZh0mqmSE17i_sxY1VnqexmybUCDGCHatH3WYG8V_D4VGM2ihd4DDks-P7S-9gnSN9vkE7lQ9EXuRI/s320/RockingChair.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414461198888335218" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This photo brings back memories... it was taken at my aunt and uncle's mountain house in North Carolina following my mother's death, in December 2000.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We spent Christmas week there, and although the mood was not festive, it was still joyful. We had snow, we had a great hill, a couple of sleds and each other. A warm fireplace at night, no interruptions from TV, internet, phones... just peace. A chance to reflect and remember. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I recently wrote of the <a href="http://www.qbparis.com/2009/11/clouds.html" target="_blank">cloud of witnesses</a> on CaringBridge.com... the people who participated and shared their thoughts during Alice's father's journey. The love and support expressed was open, loving and honest. For me, it was reliving my mother's journey, but it also gave me a lot of perspective and, after nine years, has allowed me to find my own inner peace. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">There has been a lot of building, and rebuilding, in these past few months. One such project is a new website that Alice and I are pleased to announce: <a href="http://www.letsbounceback.com/" target="_blank">LetsBounceBack.com</a>, an online community for members to share their experiences of coping with and overcoming adversity.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Adversity can come at you in many ways... job loss, depression, the loss of a loved one... Sharing the experience can be a healing process, and others, in turn, can gain insight and lend support. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Sometimes, all it takes is a kind word to see you through... sometimes, that kind word leads to friendship, and isn't the world a better place when you are among friends? </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This is a place where I feel at home...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-26973386549640060142009-12-05T16:44:00.007+01:002009-12-05T19:11:46.027+01:00Give a little bit...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEDmM2xfZ_BX9NR7EtMx-xXYd53bIiZyYrEvazY9ObZ36-khUkLY_p-a6Hn3Dxn-slEkcdIIUKCVttqmDoHifGShj4UNJKsHGXItv6bedJhxF2Jl7Ymgn6If7jABDuNItvq3iibJATBE/s1600-h/teach-the-children.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 215px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLEDmM2xfZ_BX9NR7EtMx-xXYd53bIiZyYrEvazY9ObZ36-khUkLY_p-a6Hn3Dxn-slEkcdIIUKCVttqmDoHifGShj4UNJKsHGXItv6bedJhxF2Jl7Ymgn6If7jABDuNItvq3iibJATBE/s320/teach-the-children.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411778818757891330" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My resolution at the beginning of this year was to "make it better"... whatever it was or in whatever small way that I could. I'm not sure how well I stuck to that resolution, but I'd like to introduce you to some folks who are "making it better" right now. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A little bit of history; the above photo was taken in Sri Lanka, I was there in November 2007 for a work related project. We had the opportunity to see the island and spent an amazing 12 days there. This photo was taken at Kotdoowa Raja Maha Vihara, Madu Ganga, an island temple located in the middle of a lagoon in southern Sri Lanka. This day changed my life forever. We arrived at about noon... we were given a tour and took quite a lot of photos... the boys were very interested in all that we were doing. It was wonderful to see their joy as we showed them the images... </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I recently met someone through Twitter who is doing something I can only dream of for the moment. His name is Jeff Speigner, he is a graphic designer and the founder of <a href="http://design4kids.org/" target="_blank">Design4Kids.org</a>, <span style="font-style:italic;">"...an opportunity for creative professionals to experience international travel and make a real difference in the fight to end the cycle of poverty. Design4Kids helps talented but underprivileged teens in developing countries learn the technical and business skills needed to establish and operate successful design studios."</span></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Right now, they are beginning their third workshop in Lake Atitlan, Guatemala. You can learn more and follow their progress by visiting the <a href="http://design4kids.org/" target="_blank">Design4Kids.org</a> website. You can also follow Jeff on Twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/inspiritu">http://twitter.com/inspiritu</a>.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As this year comes to a close, I am wondering where next year will take me. I do know there will be changes, that is inevitable. It is my hope that I will be in a situation to be able to give something back and "make it better"...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Now's the time that we need to share...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-89805443542764226442009-11-29T20:42:00.007+01:002009-11-29T22:00:10.780+01:00Don’t look back...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglU20NZKBXac0ahvcbIvLr8VLLky_MNAQvzgMnw6ubYvghYKru2vUxDCKcWxrdLijIL2b0iu0RKoY-FFZ5JQ3lqppB707MPSO7nyVsskPj6KOmfMuzq2bej6yfZKhB5Bj-MhXdK_7Az8E/s1600/Ivan_Chermayeff_29NOV09.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglU20NZKBXac0ahvcbIvLr8VLLky_MNAQvzgMnw6ubYvghYKru2vUxDCKcWxrdLijIL2b0iu0RKoY-FFZ5JQ3lqppB707MPSO7nyVsskPj6KOmfMuzq2bej6yfZKhB5Bj-MhXdK_7Az8E/s320/Ivan_Chermayeff_29NOV09.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409617664873995250" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">... always look forward, and never quit... </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This was the advice given to me by my hero, Mr. Ivan Chermayeff, whom I had the great pleasure and honor to meet at the home of a friend here in Paris this evening. What a wonderful man!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I brought some of my work with me and asked him for an honest critique.... and he gave it. Overall, my work is good, he shared some tips and advice with me that I have taken to heart and will remember for future projects. He was sweet enough to let me ramble a bit and he was very open with what he was working on. This is a man who is passionate about his work and he said he could never think of retiring... Amen for that! </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I grew up with his work, we all have... when you look at the scope of what he has done in his lifetime... and you'll know it when you see it... it's coming from him. NBC, National Geographic, Mobil... the list goes on... I told him that what I love about your work is that it is so basic in its shape and form, and yet so simple and so symmetric. He said that is very hard to do... to keep it simple, yet keep it to the obvious. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">What have I learned from this? I will quote the man himself, "Draw a lot. Work hard and be as self critical about what it is that you are doing. Don't be put down by not doing something. Don't let it stop you from going further."</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I want to thank my dear friend, Barbara, for her hospitality and generosity... gros bisous et merci beaucoup!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Oh, I see myself in a brand new way... </p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-23903684644319290452009-11-16T10:03:00.008+01:002009-11-16T20:24:20.054+01:00Clouds...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAygK8W2cjLxkxG5rFsmbwqylHPaV8UPK2-dvZ3dici5xkb_sjMEGZZ94SAj8V-GNGWwDFzKeAr1H-aQrpABGrSEupy9LkmWBz6OuWn51WihJWQPOaFTZHI_4rwLElQyIyzcxHHfhuhi0/s1600/clouds.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAygK8W2cjLxkxG5rFsmbwqylHPaV8UPK2-dvZ3dici5xkb_sjMEGZZ94SAj8V-GNGWwDFzKeAr1H-aQrpABGrSEupy9LkmWBz6OuWn51WihJWQPOaFTZHI_4rwLElQyIyzcxHHfhuhi0/s320/clouds.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5404624776737692146" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">These past months, and more particularly, these past few days, I, and many others, have had the honor and very special privilege of being witness to an amazing man's life, Alice's dad, <a href="http://notes.mccormick.edu/?p=38" target="_blank">The Reverend G. Daniel Little</a>.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I only had the opportunity to meet him once, at Christmas dinner with Alice's family. He immediately embraced both Christopher and me, with a warm hug and welcome. His obvious joy at spending time with his family was matched by his wit and laughter. It was a wonderful evening, one that I will cherish.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Over the past year and a half, but especially during these final hours the family has been able to stay in constant touch with each other and their many friends and colleagues through several social networking sites: <a href="http://www.caringbridge.org" target="_blank">CaringBridge.org</a>, Facebook, and Skype. The outpouring of love and support has been uplifting, not only for the family, but also for those of us who have been caring from afar.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">His grand-daughter, an awesome woman in her own right, wrote the following as her FB status:</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><blockquote><span style="font-style:italic;">When the cloud of Witnesses becomes the witnesses on the Cloud, their power is so much more tangible. If only virtual hugs could be real...</span></blockquote></p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If only they could be. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. Thank you for sharing this very inspiring and touching moment, and for allowing us to give back the love we have all benefited from throughout Dan's journey.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">...something's lost, but something's gained, in living every day...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-4574433707374519872009-11-09T09:56:00.010+01:002009-11-19T11:41:18.079+01:00What do you want from life?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkyq6omijcQOS7gj4NuTejCCPNZnnCYA2cCnYo403PIRmCWhseVNalMbIdTu_0uX6WGtYCE32r-279crCsvkl0aslQXHGScKMp2JrCTVnj9cQMLoGgAqVEUH7T5VMJdcxmfuKk1w3Sy0/s1600-h/DSC02891-robotarm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMkyq6omijcQOS7gj4NuTejCCPNZnnCYA2cCnYo403PIRmCWhseVNalMbIdTu_0uX6WGtYCE32r-279crCsvkl0aslQXHGScKMp2JrCTVnj9cQMLoGgAqVEUH7T5VMJdcxmfuKk1w3Sy0/s320/DSC02891-robotarm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402025920841822674" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My answer to that is to always hold my muse close. The creative spark and all that goes with it, when it is elusive, is frustration to the extreme. It has been way too long; writing, shooting, designing... I finally feel free to express again. And, THAT, was the whole reason to start this blog... to give me a place to get my yayas out.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This past year has been shit on shit. One thing after another. And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, it did. Take a look at how many posts I have made these past months and read them. Seriously... read between the lines.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Well. What happened? What turned it around? Without giving it all away... Me. I happened. I needed to practice what I preach. I needed to pull myself up by the bootstraps. I needed to kick my own ass. I'm good. I love what I do. I just needed to remind myself of that.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I need to thank a few people. Alice. Alison. Kathleen. Catherine (for your youth and life before you... AWESOME!). Brad, LYE... UB & AS. I also need to thank someone from the past. Mr Dennis Warner. My high school photography teacher. Apparently, he took quite a few lost souls under his wing and, recognizing a passion, taught us to see, how to look at things differently. And, he cared. One-on-one discussions. He was truly a teacher.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I've recently reconnected with an old high school friend via Facebook. I know, I know... Facebook, again. This was a good friend. To me, he has always been JohnMan. We hung out. It was the 70s. We were all young, we got high, we laughed a lot. We had a good time. He was also another student of Mr. Warner's. He's now an excellent photographer in his own right. Through brief conversations, he told me he was doing a show in Maine and would I be interested in contributing a few of my photos? He saw my Sri Lanka photos (see side bar). No hesitation. Yes. The proceeds will go to the local <a href="http://gsfb.org/" target="_blank">Good Shepherd Food Bank</a>.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If you happen to be near the CMMC, Central Maine Medical Center, stop by and visit the Annual Craft Fair on High Street, Lewiston, Maine on November 20th from 8am to 4pm. Take a few minutes to look around. Say hi. And, even if you don't buy a photo, consider dropping a buck or two in the can. Hard times; a simple gesture can make it better.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I still have a lot to go through. Legal BS... meh. The courts will decide. I have some big, fat decisions to make. BIG. FAT. Can anyone say crossroads? Rebuilding my foundation is my top priority right now. My passion has always been networking and friends. And real, true friends, will always be there, no matter. This has been a reflective year. Thank you, my friends, for being there. Really. You made a difference and one day, I hope I can give it back.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">How to end this one? No question! :-)</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Or, a baby's arm holding an apple...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-86073303895910452722009-11-07T17:39:00.010+01:002009-11-07T22:03:46.368+01:00My sweet embraceable you...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcTZLCaX-BSp_vrWY9q8ajD4MkS5iW-k8fGUpqmlCQNvZxPdDVrtx_afS1qothIAAq1jh4GYp9uL9w5KfzriTUat6H1G7CsZMGATtmi1c38LxPatbefBqF3U2mOiPZLwJQGy23mxVS0c/s1600-h/DSC07495-chagall.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQcTZLCaX-BSp_vrWY9q8ajD4MkS5iW-k8fGUpqmlCQNvZxPdDVrtx_afS1qothIAAq1jh4GYp9uL9w5KfzriTUat6H1G7CsZMGATtmi1c38LxPatbefBqF3U2mOiPZLwJQGy23mxVS0c/s320/DSC07495-chagall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401404924123256530" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am a very lucky woman in that I have some really great friends, one of whom got in touch the other day and asked if I wanted to go to see a full dress rehearsal at the <a href="http://www.operadeparis.fr/cns11/live/onp/Saison_2009_2010/Ballets/spectacle.php?lang=en&selected_season=354663924&event_id=426&CNSACTION=SELECT_EVENT" target="_blank">Opera National de Paris</a>. How could I possibly say non? The performance was three ballets, Amoveo, Répliques and Genus, each very different. Each very moving.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I have never been to the Palais Garnier. I've gone by it, thinking one day... the exterior is exquisite, la Belle Epoque in all its glory! The interior, with its stairways, balustrades and gilding... sumptuous. But the ceiling in the theater itself? All Chagall... it took my breath away. I love his motion, colors, expressions... inhale, exhale, sigh... </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I have never been to a ballet, so I didn't know what to expect. The first performance, Amoveo, was color and movement, the troupe was dressed in rainbow colors and the background had lines continuously being drawn horizontally and vertically, while changing colors. The main dancers were beautiful to watch; so supple, so graceful, so erotic... The music was <span style="font-style:italic;">Einstein on the Beach</span>. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The second performance, Répliques, is making its world premiere tonight. The choreographer is Nicolas Paul. It opened with a black, satinée background. White lights back lit the top, the troupe came on stage, their reflections shimmering in the background, then leaving slowly with just the main dancers remaining. The top lights went down low, and they embraced, now lit from the side... the shadows they cast melded them into one as though they were breathing each other in... so sensual, so soft, so seductive... I will admit, the tears were running down my face...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Intermission and a chance to see the interior... the Moon Room, the Sun Room, the promenade... sensory overload. All too soon, the bells chimed and sent us back into the theater.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The third performance, Genus, was created for the Ballet de l'Opéra de Paris in November 2007. At 44 minutes long, it incorporated an interesting use of film and screens that dropped, separating the dancers from one another, yet all the while they shadowed themselves, movement with movement.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I was mesmerized by the background dancers, the women were held horizontally, and still, while each screen came down. They held that pose, the screens were transparent, the concentration, the strength each one had... This was a magical evening. I must go back, I need more of this. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The evening, because it was a dress rehearsal, was surrounded with press; photographers, videographers, and journalists. We were on the floor, row 9... it was great for me to see the activity of the final test run in action. The clicking of the cameras in the front rows, I could see them checking their shots, the movement they made reflecting the dancers, flipping cameras effortlessly from side to side... my passions are showing... I am in love with all of what goes into a production like this. I have so much more to learn and there is so much more to see. Any opera fans out there, tell me, please, what should I see first? The <a href="http://www.qbparis.com/2008/11/night-at-opera.html" target="_blank">opera</a> I saw with Sting and Elvis Costello last year blew me away. I need more... It was a wonderful evening. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Above all, I want my arms about you...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-28412255880686713232009-11-03T20:55:00.004+01:002009-11-03T21:15:55.549+01:00In the still of the night...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsln_qAOyq33lNv11nxwMvgjAmuB8qjEvBzXUzTdOl0XoK9oBiXRJB0Kg99UBkw_m9naqXQNREIalr5m3pYOQO7KyLY03apb25uC3m2akSs_D99v21_BszcXWzK45S4d5G0wUSt8NexhM/s1600-h/roses.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsln_qAOyq33lNv11nxwMvgjAmuB8qjEvBzXUzTdOl0XoK9oBiXRJB0Kg99UBkw_m9naqXQNREIalr5m3pYOQO7KyLY03apb25uC3m2akSs_D99v21_BszcXWzK45S4d5G0wUSt8NexhM/s320/roses.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399971853226642914" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Had a lovely surprise today...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On a rainy November afternoon I received a bouquet of sunshine... the thought behind it is very much appreciated. Thank you for the smile you brought to my face.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Simple gestures...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-22255544416506371632009-10-27T21:11:00.008+01:002009-10-27T23:11:36.914+01:00All the leaves on the trees are falling....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgaowAyseWYqNYvBOmTwv8VnKdqk1BOkgqFs7GLjhYX4V5b8CmptT0EVKNtXQbKy7OLv1l4JKnHGszNKvLGGQOzjkXLAWlx19HiV95UiLbQcshbv6whdnpD5Vh3Ls2b3njT2Bzo2pAyk/s1600-h/DSC07386_paris-trees.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrgaowAyseWYqNYvBOmTwv8VnKdqk1BOkgqFs7GLjhYX4V5b8CmptT0EVKNtXQbKy7OLv1l4JKnHGszNKvLGGQOzjkXLAWlx19HiV95UiLbQcshbv6whdnpD5Vh3Ls2b3njT2Bzo2pAyk/s320/DSC07386_paris-trees.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5397378328923102882" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Paris in the autumn is like no other season. Perfect weather, perfect light, perfect, perfect, perfect everything.... all the locals are back, everything is open; this is when you really want to be here. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I had an early (10am!!) meeting this morning and brought my camera with me. Unfortunately, once I turned it on, I realized I only had 4 minutes left on the battery!! Gasp! I managed to snag this shot just in time... </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">There is something about the light in Paris, once you know it, and its patterns, it's heavenly. I know that in mid-November, in the late afternoon, at a certain cafe... the light coming down the street is sublime. The first time I was there, that's all I saw... this amazing scene, and no camera. Lesson learned. Autumn in Paris... way more betterer than April in Paris.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Can I just have one more Moondance, with you... my love...?</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-65979829250694271502009-10-25T18:45:00.011+01:002009-10-25T20:25:12.625+01:00Dear Mr. Fantasy...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHy3GYPpibz6aQD-28ou1oC0_wEwtlz59rLbNfA3E63S_d-0REIjpXZ16-ivOrIT6-dPYvvCHvQnOjtIVjdiJGHASmGVqgI1U8cM9exxNluHaxpsGtS89aga-EZTUs3YTlkcKFcgeCTE/s1600-h/bacchus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHy3GYPpibz6aQD-28ou1oC0_wEwtlz59rLbNfA3E63S_d-0REIjpXZ16-ivOrIT6-dPYvvCHvQnOjtIVjdiJGHASmGVqgI1U8cM9exxNluHaxpsGtS89aga-EZTUs3YTlkcKFcgeCTE/s320/bacchus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5396595358456337074" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I took an afternoon walk... the clock has changed, fall behind, et al... needed some fresh air. I've also had the gauntlet thrown. Photographically speaking. Challenge? Nude. Parameters? Self as nude. Hmm... Let's see... fifty, fat, frightened... any more "f" words that immediately come to mind? </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Nevertheless, I had the spark of an idea. We are allowed to have a bit of Photoshop freedom [amen] and so... this morning I did a test run for one layer of the idea. Those of you who know me know I have really long hair... I've been told it is always best to "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative"... okay, I thought, this could work... take that hair and strategically cover some bits and I can keep my dignity intact and yet show a little artistic flair! Ahhh, yes... artistic flair, add a textured layer! With that in mind, I went to the park this afternoon to see what I could find for layer two. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Here's the thing. I live in Paris. I walk to my destinations. Luckily the Serres d'Auteuil is close by; my layer two thought process involved trees... I thought about it all the way there. I know the trees, I know the layout of the land... but, once I strolled through the gates, I got hit with the autumnal afternoon light and the very sensual sculpture shown above... Rapture! Joyous Restraints! May I just say thank you to the Renaissance artists who beautifully depicted women as they are/were... no airbrushing, no getting rid of excess baggage, just real honest-to-God women. Women with bodies, reveling in their femininity. Woot! :-)</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The tree/hair layer idea is officially off the story board. I'm not sure of the direction just yet, but with a bit of guidance and a whole lot of inspiration, I think I'll get it right... I just need to "feel the fear and do it anyway".</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This is all to say that the final presentation will not be a Bacchanal orgy overdose, but, hopefully, something tasteful, that I can look back on ten years from now and say, hey... you weren't so bad after all!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Something to make us all happy...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-88599940020056309792009-10-05T20:07:00.010+02:002009-10-05T22:54:51.825+02:00Spellbound...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp2-3i-UtUuFmo7PuEdZzvGGY4SenTKT29CbWdO7ey2kQQM9HkcBzM9KaEyaqre0JkghhtbriupmtoLLyTAs7TA6lqLEMFl6hGJymz5w7T45wR-Fz5xKK0hpjUiDbY6l9ZckddK0I-JI/s1600-h/shadow-in-flight.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp2-3i-UtUuFmo7PuEdZzvGGY4SenTKT29CbWdO7ey2kQQM9HkcBzM9KaEyaqre0JkghhtbriupmtoLLyTAs7TA6lqLEMFl6hGJymz5w7T45wR-Fz5xKK0hpjUiDbY6l9ZckddK0I-JI/s320/shadow-in-flight.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389190084000975618" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Seems like I've been in a bit of a daze... summer has rolled into autumn and I'm still trying to catch up with spring things. What has kept me going these last few months is the support of good friends. You know who you are! ;-) </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">At the age of 51, I am once again standing at the crossroads. People who I thought were true, weren't. Things I thought would work, didn't. You can take experiences like that and let them kill you, or you can glean what you can from them and use them as opportunities to learn, grow and move on. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">And learn I did. To be honest, it has taken a few months to digest some of that learning and then, once appreciated, to expand upon it. Let's face it, this economy sucks, no matter where you are, no matter what you do. Any kind of learning you can undertake to better yourself these days is a plus!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">This past month has seen an active revamp of the dusty, old resume, a new job proposal template, mega tutorials on anything CS4 and reconnecting with friends from the past. I think this is where I have found the most astounding revelations! I've had conversations with a few folks which have turned into deep and personal sources of inspiration; and even one-line comments have given me a great deal of insight... I thank you all. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">These reconnections have not only shown me where I have been, but also, show me how far I have come and how much further I need to go. I'm turning pages, but with a new purpose and a revised, yet still undetermined plan. Life is too short to sit around and say 'maybe'. It feels good to say that... AND believe it! </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We are spellbound...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-82191804782218654112009-08-17T12:34:00.000+02:002009-08-17T12:47:09.385+02:00Summer’s Almost Gone...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBKMxk6I78dotTGxkqPd8lGwfaL95NBv-lbdQ63fqqyyEX-GzBq3z2RqQvaQ-iOhyC1p74yhDLwmx0n8wtB6pOBIV_JUS2sYqvbBiawCynh1BFo0I0WAWIHM33miowONjVYGHHwW5pwQ/s1600-h/neuchatel_doors.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggBKMxk6I78dotTGxkqPd8lGwfaL95NBv-lbdQ63fqqyyEX-GzBq3z2RqQvaQ-iOhyC1p74yhDLwmx0n8wtB6pOBIV_JUS2sYqvbBiawCynh1BFo0I0WAWIHM33miowONjVYGHHwW5pwQ/s320/neuchatel_doors.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5370636443062437986" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A very low key summer this year... there are so many things going on and I felt the need to get away from it all. So, I packed a bag and hopped the TGV to CH, my favorite place to unwind!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Much of the time was spent doing exactly that, unwinding... cooking and sipping wine on the patio overlooking Lake Geneva, but we also celebrated the <a href="http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/swiss-business-guide/swiss-national-day.html" target="_blank">Fête Nationale Suisse</a>. The day started with the racing yacht <a href="http://www.alinghi.com/en/news/news/index.php?idIndex=200&idContent=20162" target="_blank">Alinghi</a> making its way from Lausanne to Geneva... we caught sight of it mid-way in Morges. Followed that up with the canton Vaud's celebration of music, food, wine, bonfire, fireworks on the lake and dancing! I haven't been dancing in years and teamed up with a nimble Brazilian man who kept me on my toes! Obrigada, Luiz! The following day was quiet, mostly because it was Sunday, and half the village had left town on vacation!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">On Monday, we headed up the hill to a friend's house for lunch. She and her husband have a spectacular view of the lake and Mont Blanc. Lunch was delish, and it was nice to catch up! Merci à tous!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">By Tuesday it was time for a road trip... the beauty of Switzerland is that it is small enough to get around and you feel like you are in a different country within an hour or two. We drove up to Neuchâtel, and did a cruise around the lake, always relaxing... Got back to port and decided to drive to <a href="http://www.magicswitzerland.com/murten.htm" target="_blank">Murten</a>; a beautiful little town in canton Fribourg. It was getting late by the time we arrived, so we hit a few shops along the central Hauptgrasse street.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The first was a gun shop to purchase and have a Swiss Army knife engraved as a gift for a relative (he only charged 1 CHF for the engraving!). It was a very peculiar little shop; lots of dead things, and lots of mercenary type gear, not to mention antique armory (he had a WWI machine gun set up near the cash register!). The owner was somewhat gruff and kept an eye on every move we made. I didn't dare touch anything, and I didn't see the guard dog until we were leaving. He was sleeping in his hidden/camouflaged cage, but the door was wide open and I'm sure, had the word been given, we would not have been going anywhere fast!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Our next stop was much more relaxed and enjoyable. The glass dispensers filled with different colored oils were what caught my eye. The store is called <a href="http://www.vomfass.de/?id=59&L=1" target="_blank">Vom Fass</a> and it has every flavor of oil and vinegar you can imagine. They also have a wide variety of whiskeys, cognacs and other spirits. The site lists their locations, if you have one near you, go for a tasting!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">After the oils, we grabbed a beer at <a href="http://www.grizzlys.ch/Restaurant_en.html" target="_blank">Grizzly's</a>, a Canadian resto serving ribs and American style food... right next door was a butcher. We had already decided it was too early for dinner, yet too late to grab something on the way home as the stores would be closed. The butcher's shop smelled of marinades and spices and the rack of lamb was the choice of the day. If you happen to be in Murten, stop by and ask for Christian Pauli, Hauptgasse 22, Tel: +41 (0) 26 670 11 32.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">We got back to home base and whipped up dinner... I have never had lamb that was so tender and flavorful. Turns out it was Australian lamb... I may need to make a trip down under! The lamb was accompanied by fresh green beans and a dressing of avocado oil and fig vinegar, both from Vom Fass. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Plans are underway for the Cow Parade in September... however, that all depends on several situations and how they work out. For now, it is back to reality...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When summer's gone, where will we be?</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-4091144847650713972009-07-28T16:31:00.007+02:002009-10-05T19:13:38.099+02:00Sweet cherry wine...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo9GecqCfbAtXdQ7OFKQ_Hm6kEP7EbABaBe95R0LPR04Bj-6ZEoSEBQHH4CMyaUqXVUzvRnQ_RHlKkEf-tK2euB9hYxZc0vA1wQLP9LUWLclql4ZuADzxfgxiF8e3DHyRXn9iNC3-9SI/s1600-h/cherries.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxo9GecqCfbAtXdQ7OFKQ_Hm6kEP7EbABaBe95R0LPR04Bj-6ZEoSEBQHH4CMyaUqXVUzvRnQ_RHlKkEf-tK2euB9hYxZc0vA1wQLP9LUWLclql4ZuADzxfgxiF8e3DHyRXn9iNC3-9SI/s320/cherries.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363593379402813922" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I couldn't resist, and they tasted great! I'm back, it's been a while, but I've been busy and have spent some great times with friends who were visiting. Got to see Crosby, Stills and Nash on July 4th, and then had unexpected tix to see U2 on July 11th at the Stade de France! Great show, 80,000+ people... Next up is Yes in November and then The Harlem Gospel Singers at the Olympia in December. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A quick heads up, if you are a cycling fanatic and happen to be in the UK area, take a look at <a href="http://www.woollypigs.com" target="_blank">my friend Ymer's site.</a> Tell him I sent you, he'll take good care of you... be sure to pack your wooden leg! </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">It's truly summer. I'm off to my favorite place... photos to be taken, wine consumed, friendships renewed. Life is too short, have a great time wherever you are! </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Drink it right down, pass it all around...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-2398012288123488902009-06-15T21:34:00.008+02:002009-06-15T23:20:38.362+02:00Say ahhhhh.....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxaCJwm_yxemWgwn09ioQgpQMdmLr360DZX2P_avEgYPWDVBC9LWNR-ko9aygbLhVGE5ysNBQ3k7u2D2E0hdkJqQYVdry69FhXz1_hP-Cz7IGI2BtXe5JNMFfNJGj4sxp14rO5YPzJFM/s1600-h/i_will_survive.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikxaCJwm_yxemWgwn09ioQgpQMdmLr360DZX2P_avEgYPWDVBC9LWNR-ko9aygbLhVGE5ysNBQ3k7u2D2E0hdkJqQYVdry69FhXz1_hP-Cz7IGI2BtXe5JNMFfNJGj4sxp14rO5YPzJFM/s320/i_will_survive.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5347659666185669826" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In so many ways, saying ahhhhh right now is so precisely right. The opening of the yap and the sigh of relief for the outcome.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I was a smoker, on and off, for many years. It has been a little over 12 years since I quit smoking for good. I watched my mother die of lung cancer. I held her hand as she passed. Very recently, I have been worried about what was going on with my body, convinced that cigarettes have finally caught up with me. That funny looking spot on my lip that wasn't going away. But, that's not the cause... this is from too much sun exposure.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am lily white. I never tanned, I burned and peeled. I have had sun poisoning more than once. I finally gave it all up at the age of 28. I had spent a long day at the beach with friends. It was fun, but the after effects were not. Our family trips to the beach afterwards were spent slathered in sunscreen or covered up, and definitely not outdoors during peak hours. Still... last Saturday afternoon I was at the dermatologist's office having a minor procedure done to remove a precancerous growth from the right half of my lower lip. Right now, it ain't fun and it sure ain't pretty, but it beats the alternatives. Time marches on. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My son reminded me yesterday that he will be 18 this October. I'm having a hard time taking that in. I knew it would happen. When I was pregnant I used to think... when he's 18, I'll be 51... it was such a long way off back then. But, here we are. I actually had to think out loud the other day, 'how old am I?'... I am still 50. For another 2 months or so, I am still 50. I find my memory banks to be a little harder to tap into.... maybe the mental Rolodex needs a bit of WD-40? WTF? </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Seriously, WTF???</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">So, to combat some of this (what's the word I want?...) ennui? laissez-faire? (why can I come up with FRENCH and not ENGLISH words now?) I am planning some adventures for the next few weeks. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Some friends from Lyon will be in town the weekend of June 27 for the <a href="http://www.patroc.com/paris/" target="_blank">Gay Pride Parade</a>. We have plans to meet up for lunch at Pooja, but we'll play it by ear. If you haven't been to a Gay Pride Parade in Paris, you are truly missing something... music, costumes, a lot of fun! (Guy, where are you??)</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If you happen to be in Paris on July 5, meet me and a few other summer stragglers at the Eiffel Tower for a big <a href="http://www.new.facebook.com/dianne.henning?ref=profile#/group.php?gid=81200462506&ref=mf" target="_blank">sing-a-long</a>. This is a Facebook event... the song is still being decided upon. Hopefully, it will be something everyone can sing. The big favorites being debated so far? "La Vie en Rose" (meh) and "We Will Rock You" (barf). How about "Imagine" or "All You Need is Love"? Something with meaning that everyone can sing... "Three Little Birds"? In any case, a friend is coming over from NYC and we will be spending July 4th at the Olympia with CSN. "Find the Cost of Freedom" would be a great song, but it's too short, and besides, how many French young-uns know the words to that? Hope to see you there. Here's one we can all relate to:</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I will survive...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-78698312087770076562009-06-06T20:31:00.009+02:002009-06-06T21:34:25.354+02:00There are places I remember...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUtMDIQsK1vEXPpRjE859jcWB5-ETLZz45KBDJdKU8neGa7nOOP_25tJdjQ4zjTeguPmQ0SwUsIlSr94ItSIZCb5X-4qUeTM0hvMfPh1Ly65q5x-_eYU4g-PGt34SGuwDaAAF4QQNhLs/s1600-h/colleville_2002.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUtMDIQsK1vEXPpRjE859jcWB5-ETLZz45KBDJdKU8neGa7nOOP_25tJdjQ4zjTeguPmQ0SwUsIlSr94ItSIZCb5X-4qUeTM0hvMfPh1Ly65q5x-_eYU4g-PGt34SGuwDaAAF4QQNhLs/s320/colleville_2002.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344286238078614546" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I was there in 2002, the era of Bush, Chirac and Colin Powell. It was the first Memorial Day following September 11. We had invitations from the US Embassy to attend and a group of us drove up for the day. Our driver (a friend with the biggest van) picked us up bright and early and we hit the autoroute... we had a great time enjoying the camaraderie and rare moment of being together for something that wasn't office related. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">As we approached Colleville, the streets were lined with French and American flags and military "checkpoints". We had to show our invitations and passports several times along the way. We arrived early as told, which gave us plenty of time to park and get good seats. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Going into the cemetery took my breath away. Knowing the events which took place there, and the enormity of the loss of life, I couldn't help but be moved by the vast number, row after row after row... of grave markers. The sea in the background and the decorated veterans who survived...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I am a military brat. I have written about this <a href="http://www.qbparis.com/2008/05/lest-we-forget.html" target="_blank">before</a>. "Taps" starts the tears. Fly-bys do me in. Once the ceremonies were over, I pulled myself together and we finally had the opportunity to walk around and visit the grounds. I found myself standing and chatting with U.S. Navy Rear Admiral Larry Poe, overlooking the beach. Lots of stars and bars for a Navy brat like me.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">If you have not yet been to Normandy, put it on the list of must-see places to visit in France. It is such an awe-inspiring place to be. The museums and sites will stay with you forever. To have been there for a special ceremony was a privilege, but I need to go back and spend a day there. It's a peaceful place to be. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Some have gone and some remain.</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-79712127354932290542009-05-19T23:08:00.007+02:002009-10-06T00:40:05.796+02:00Toits de Paris...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZfsMKlAgPwOkxRHTzof1j3eZoPm17FXMK4ic3EYNy5H-UR1nbRDOSdGmbiV9fzeyHjdBqGe-oOmklZh-Zio24kgwh7TaPDAXrbi5tTgYusR5R6pIyl4WB5CqlYacNIELtWpqgxeASlQ/s1600-h/toits_de_paris.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ZfsMKlAgPwOkxRHTzof1j3eZoPm17FXMK4ic3EYNy5H-UR1nbRDOSdGmbiV9fzeyHjdBqGe-oOmklZh-Zio24kgwh7TaPDAXrbi5tTgYusR5R6pIyl4WB5CqlYacNIELtWpqgxeASlQ/s320/toits_de_paris.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337645011221835298" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A lot to be said about the light in Paris... in all seasons. This was taken about an hour ago, 10pm... still light enough for that fabulous twilight blue to come through. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">These past few weeks have been an exercise in patience... waiting for too many outcomes, just glad they have all turned out well. Now it is time to turn the page and move on. </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Spring is very much here; and even though it is still chilly, the days are really getting longer, Rolland Garros is just around the corner and I will soon be heading to my favorite respite. Then, before you know it, summer will be here with la fête de la musique and friends coming to visit! Where does the time go?</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Chim-chiminy...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-18755044546969997992009-05-06T19:16:00.006+02:002009-05-06T21:02:47.336+02:00The way you do the things you do...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnUfb7GdfL0hld0gpwMiOm_6tWtvetEWd1ZEEJ0UY8OsQ2Q5gKOwWSeFAwKAJxCXv4V7Ujue_fdccVg-DLCML9Jm1di43aSgM-WXxDNVVmlDHeFfvV2W0OEumwDWb5_E5VM12Cat88n8/s1600-h/sun_gruyere.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTnUfb7GdfL0hld0gpwMiOm_6tWtvetEWd1ZEEJ0UY8OsQ2Q5gKOwWSeFAwKAJxCXv4V7Ujue_fdccVg-DLCML9Jm1di43aSgM-WXxDNVVmlDHeFfvV2W0OEumwDWb5_E5VM12Cat88n8/s320/sun_gruyere.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332787327438423650" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Gotta love Facebook. I know, I know, enough already, but... dig this! Just in today's posts I learned about restitution, retaliation and resurrection! Might I add [sic] for all?... Enjoy!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Restitution Q:</span><br />OK fellow FB'ers....anyone have an Ipod Guro who can rehab a rain-soaked Ipod?</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Restitution A:</span> <br />"Turn it off immediately. Put it in a bag of dry rice. Put the bag in a warm spot. Voilà!" <br />"ouch! then to reboot - hold down the menu button & center button at the same time for 10 seconds."<br /> "DO NOT turn it on until dry (1-2 days in the rice). Water and circuit boards don't mix."</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Retaliation Q:</span> <br />?? "is figuring out how to retaliate. there's this long-running feud with her upstairs neighbor. he just broke out a saxophone and it sounds like he hasn't played it in a decade. he can barely blow a clean note. should ?? (a) make the dog bark, (b) get out her violin, (c) get out her irish tin whistle, or (d) bang on the ceiling with the broom handle?"</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Retaliation A:</span> (lots of them!) <br />"...we generally bang on the ceiling. And last weekend, early in the morning, we turned the speakers up towards the ceiling and blasted the stereo!!!" <br />"Make the dog bark while banging the violin on the ceiling. Save the whistle for later." <br />"No, no, no. Don't fight fire with fire. Call him up and tell him you think the sax is so sexy." <br />"Play the violin badly, if you can, and hopefully the dog will bark along with you." <br />"(e) All of the above...simultaneously."</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Resurrection Q:</span> <br />?? is asking "for help for our new worship service: anyone got any good resources (web or print) that have great assurances of pardon that will work for a more post-modern service? Or if you don't have resources, what would you want to hear about God's grace?"</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"><span style="font-weight:bold;">Resurrection A:</span> <br />""One fact remains that does not change: God has loved you, loves you now, and will love you always. This is the good news that brings us new life." It cites Women and Worship and is from the New Century Hymnal (we refer to it as "assurance of God's forgiveness" in our order of worship). I also like many of the resources found at Outside the Box prayers." <br />"Seriously, something from your heart, if you have to chunk this in, and have to follow Is. 6, do it completely from your heart...the key is for it not to be a formula...but then again, is Is. 6, the only way to see the USA...post modern style?" <br />"hehehe, i love that you're working towards a more "post-modern" service"...</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">You make my life complete...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-42823838008621450422009-04-28T20:45:00.009+02:002009-04-28T22:42:08.758+02:00Death and taxes....<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtu5Oo4RwdrfFXiQfReo7aMqstI-smVzTyewvMnLD-_BxwLTLBfs2NGZ24grW9xrFGgY5qDMGPvjKANlzKdXfGWTYrC2rOAnl0qwWJN5LX_P32I6AOxCili4hDJnWtMjKNukLuVMIjtw/s1600-h/andydog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtu5Oo4RwdrfFXiQfReo7aMqstI-smVzTyewvMnLD-_BxwLTLBfs2NGZ24grW9xrFGgY5qDMGPvjKANlzKdXfGWTYrC2rOAnl0qwWJN5LX_P32I6AOxCili4hDJnWtMjKNukLuVMIjtw/s320/andydog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329828325973385714" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Come what may.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I'm knee-deep in French taxes. Another word for it is Ciel Hell. Ugh. I am not an accountant. I remember a long ago 25 question college course pop quiz. I got all 10 math problems right and all 15 true or false theory questions wrong. Need I say more? Now, take all that, put it into French, and then, apply French tax laws. You can SEE how much FUN I am having, non?? As they say in Skype... (puke). Due date? May 1st. Death is more inviting. So much so, that I am thinking of my submission for a project called "<a href="http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">A Book About Death</a>".</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A friend here in Paris, <a href="http://lalandedigitalpress.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Matthew Rose</a> (an avant-garde artist), is the brainchild for this project and he has put together an idea for a book and website... 1000 artists contribute 500 post cards each to create an unbound book about death. Exhibition at the <a href="http://www.emilyharveyfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Emily Harvey Foundation Gallery</a> in New York City. Opening: Thursday, 10 September, 2009. Exhibition: 10-22 September 2009.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">When I first heard of this project I knew exactly what I wanted to submit. A photo of the church library where my mom spent many of her last days, which is adjacent to where she is now buried. It is a stark black and white image and, as it was almost Christmas when she died, the doors have wreaths, rendering them almost too festive. I have been going through boxes and piles looking for the negatives. I'll find them, and the shot I want, and I will submit it as a part of this project. It is a cathartic way to honor a memory and let it go at the same time. I have found the letting go part to be really hard, even though it has been almost nine years.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">In any case, I hope you will take a <a href="http://abookaboutdeath.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">look</a> at what has been submitted thus far. There is a lot of love to be found, and a lot of creative expression, in many forms.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Nothing is certain...</p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8783734689433923683.post-89827802938656526212009-04-13T14:19:00.009+02:002009-04-13T22:40:06.958+02:00Fairy tales can come true...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpwIt0OGrblsgyIFnDWMg2bwNSIFIHOoJSPulAS01fB0Uexkl2TtgK30bDGez-G4YHkFYuqo01coxh0G7ytyXyvexA0IYT50dy0gf6JQpbVr3u1WifM722Grjub2LZtqhIDhUzzAU1X4/s1600-h/fountain2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpwIt0OGrblsgyIFnDWMg2bwNSIFIHOoJSPulAS01fB0Uexkl2TtgK30bDGez-G4YHkFYuqo01coxh0G7ytyXyvexA0IYT50dy0gf6JQpbVr3u1WifM722Grjub2LZtqhIDhUzzAU1X4/s320/fountain2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5324151396456613842" border="0" /></a><br /><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Remember these ladies from last spring? They still look fab! Et moi?... I'm giving the daily walk another go, only this time I have a long-distance motivator who has promised to nag if I nag back. Nothing like a little guilt to get you going, and it felt good to get out and enjoy the weather; April in Paris this year is truly spectacular!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A lot has been going on since my last post. Life changing stuff that needs to be settled, new career of sorts, travel... I want to thank those of you who wrote to see if everything was okay. All is well, just laying low for a little bit.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Right now, it's time for some shameless plugging... here we go! Some friends (who are fans of Paris) have blogs you might enjoy. Kirsten's blog, <a href="http://www.writeonthyme.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Write On Thyme</a> has lots of nice photos and tips on places to visit... Starman's blog, <a href="http://lerevefrancais.blogspot.com/">Le Rêve Français </a>feature highlights from his visits to France. (They both have music, adjust your speaker volume!)</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Des Américains à Paris is happening at the Jardin d'Acclimatation from April 11 through May 10, open every day from 10am to 7pm. There is SO much going on, I've cut to the chase and linked you directly to the <a href="http://www.jardindacclimatation.fr/Programme120x210_v9_BD.pdf" target="_blank">event PDF</a>... </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">How about a little Paris in America? My friend <a href="http://deovies.com/" target="_blank">Lindsey</a> will be showing her works at the 12th International Sculpture Objects & Functional Art Fair (<a href="http://www.sofaexpo.com/index.htm" target="_blank">SOFA</a>) in New York City from April 16-19 at the Park Avenue Armory. She did an amazing sculpture of red ballerina slippers in porcelain, covered with 7000 red Swarovski rhinestones. It's beautiful! Stop by booth #419 and say hello!</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Okay, phew... feeling better now. Hope you'll find some inspiration in here somewhere... </p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Spring has sprung! </p>QBParishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04616215871383152143noreply@blogger.com2