26 February 2006

You CAN fight city hall! Free toilets for all!

In a true sign of progress, more than 400 "sanisettes" can now be used at no cost. Hoorah. Now, if I could only get back all of the money those dammn things have taken from me.

I've never used one. But, I've attempted to use one many times. Again and again, no luck. 40 centimes, no entry. I once helped a young japanese tourist figure out how much money he needed to get in...and what the coins looked like. I guess it was his first day in town. Of course it didn't work for him, either. He did the potty-dance all the way down the boulevard to the next sanisette.

A new version of the sanisette is coming (not soon) and will have a water faucet on the outside. Nothing like lapping up water outside of a toilet. They will also be wheelchair-friendly.

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Breakfast in America...in Paris

Breakfast in America has launched a second location. It's in the 4th. Thought you should know. Heinz kethcup for your scrambled eggs? They've got it. The original shop is still open at 17, rue des Ecoles (Metro: Cardinal LeMoine or Jussieu.) The new place is at 4 rue Malher (Metro: St Paul.)
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De battre mon coeur s'est arrete

French Jacques Audiard poses with the Best Director Award for "De battre mon coeur s'est arrete" ("The Beat My Heart Skipped") at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris, during the 31th Nuit des Cesar, France's top movie awards.(AFP/Bertrand Guay)
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21 February 2006

French Bond girl

"French actress Eva Green will be the female lead in the new James Bond movie, Casino Royale. The 25-year-old will play femme fatale Vesper Lynd in the movie, which will also see Daniel Craig's first performance as the suave secret agent." -- BBC

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16 February 2006

"Walk The Line" at French cinemas -- 15 Feb.

"A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins." Walk The Line was released in France on 15 February. Get thee to a cinema! - all you fans of Johnny Cash!

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"Hurt" performed by Johnny Cash; filmed by Mark Romanek in 2003


I don't know if there is a single tune or a collection of film clips that could summarize my life.

I'm still a "thirtysomething," but I've already had an intriguing life. If I were voted off the island tomorrow by a speeding bus, flash of lightning or a falling anvil, I could leave the game satisfied that I'd covered a fair amount of physical and emotional terrain.

Regrets. I've had more than a few. But, in regard to relationships, spirituality, travel, family and career, I've had a full - if not fulfilling - life. Quite nice, really. Still, I just can't imagine what audio-visuals would be chosen to condense life into an honest and accurate electronic capsule.

I suppose if Director Mark Romanek was put on the job he could reduce, stir, then expand my life - or yours - into a short film. He's done just that with his 2003 project called "CASH." Johnny Cash is a compelling subject and the performance he gives in the brief film, which is saturated with Romanek's style, will never leave you. June Carter Cash hovers in the periphery as her husband appears fragile, perhaps for the first time in our eyes.

I would be remiss in my duties if I did not suggest you get your hands on a copy of the four-minute film for your collection, or just to watch once and pass on to a friend. Essentially, it's an inspired music video that weaves a soul-aching performance of the song "Hurt" - sung by Johnny Cash - with vintage clips of his life.

The original version of "Hurt" is a moody Nine Inch Nails song. It becomes haunting when Cash puts his heart and voice to it. Romanek's film is incredible - four minutes that will hurt and entertain. My friend Carda purchased a DVD version of the short film in California. (She's cool like that.)

I don't think the film is available in Paris individually, but it is available (at FNAC) as part of a documentary about Romanek's career. This version is acutally a better value, given that it comes with so much other content.

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15 February 2006

Baguette de tradition on Paris Webcam

Boulangerie Pâtisserie BONNEAU PARIS 75016


Click here for cam >>"Cette webcam fonctionne de 5h à 19h
tous les jours sauf le lundi et le mardi. Comme vous pouvez le voir, nous cuisons nos baguettes sur un vrai four à sole de pierre, outil indispensable à la réalisation de la baguette de tradition française."

The guy who works in the morning never faces the webcam, but appears to be cuter or hipper than the older papa who works in the evening. Neither of them are encumbered by the hair nets, full-length aprons and plastic gloves that would be required of them in the United States. I once worked at a bakery and made a half dozen different items (simple recipes) in the wee hours of the morning. I would love to be a baguette baker! Feeding people is (often, but not always) satisfying work. I liked the chefs coat and the timer that hooked on my lapel (it's the little things.)

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14 February 2006

Brentanos, the American Bookstore in Paris since 1895


BRENTANO's Readers Group will discuss "The Kite Runner" by Khaled Hosseini on Monday, Feb. 20th at 19h30. CALL 01 42 61 52 50 to secure a space for the discussion.

For address and other information, click here.

07 February 2006

Paris Live Radio expands its reach

RADIO FOR AN ENGLISH-SPEAKING AUDIENCE It's well established on the Internet
and on satellite. Now Paris Live Radio
will begin broadcasting on 963AM
in Paris on 24 March 2006.


Canal Satellite CH 118
NOOS Radio CH 35
NC Numericable CH 150
and
www.parislive.fm

DJs and presenters include: Don Foster, John Rolland, Joey John,
Nick Johnston, Leticia Rossi and Myles Neave


ABC airs The Bachelor Paris


Is this really necessary? Let's hope these people kept a low profile while shooting in Paris. Did you see them around?
ABC says: Our American in Paris is a handsome 33-year-old ER doctor who is completing his residency at Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.

Travis, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Duke University and earned his MD from University of Virginia, has a true passion for helping people, but the one thing that is missing is a woman to share his life. Now he will take on that challenge against a spectacular backdrop that will include the Eiffel Tower, the breathtaking Champs Elyses and the historic Arc de Triomphe.
Read more from this blog


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04 February 2006

Palestinians offended by political cartoon


"Palestinian protesters burn a French flag during a demonstration against the publication of cartoons in European newspapers depicting the Prophet Mohammad, in the West Bank city of Ramallah February 3, 2006."
(photo: Loay Abu Haykel/Reuters)


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