Monday, August 07, 2006

Flying Frenchman!


Who said men cannot fly? Some can and some do especially when they play with their skate board! It's not a typical Paris scene of course, but I thought it was a good way to start a very very quiet week: all Parisians are gone, the streets are clear, the weather is just fine and there are tourists all over the place. My favorite time of the year in Paris...

24 comments:

  1. Oh my, that looks quite dangerous! Did he land safely?

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  2. No helmet or knee pads? Tsk, tsk, tsk...

    I think it's cool that skateboarding is still in style after all this time. Almost 30 years now already, no?

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  3. That's a terrific action shot. Well done!

    Funny, I was taking pictures of my son doing the very same thing this afternoon.

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  4. Now tomate, tell the truth, did you wear helmet or knee pads 30 years ago? I remember when those things weren't even available. How else could a kid get skinned knees and elbows for mommy to kiss and make all better?

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  5. ooh la la...don't tell the lawyers

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  6. >>I think it's cool that skateboarding is still in style after all this time.

    It is now a multimillion $ business , Tomate. I volunteered at the X Games for 2 years when they were here in Philadelphia and marveled at the sponsorship of such companies as Nike and Mountain Dew. Kids around here invest heavily in skateboard magazines and gear.
    The X games are presently in LA and are being televised daily on ESPN and NBC.

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  7. August is certainly the best and worst time to drive a car in Paris! Better since there is a lot less traffic, worse since there is a lot more drivers who don't know how to drive in Paris and don't follow the unspoken conventions of driving :(

    At least the weather is a whole lot better than it was in July!

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  8. What fun to catch him flying! When we were in Paris in 2005, riding on the metro next ot us were 3 teens with skateboards and the brands of shoes and look of clothing California thrashers are known to wear. I thought maybe fashion influence had gone way east over the pond. I chatted with them and found they WERE Americans and were in Paris for a skateboard competition or convention of some sort. They must have been really good at it to be in Paris for and event at their age. I had fun snapping action shots at a local skate park recently. It's addictive catching them in flight, isn't it?! Kudos on this great shot,
    -Kim

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  9. I love the freedom this shot has! I love that youth still think that they are immortal.

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  10. Great shot, Eric! :) Woooo!

    Though safety is a big thing in the US (it's rare to see people without bike helmets in my hometown), it hasn't taken hold here. I think I've seen one biker with a helmet the whole time I've been here!

    Eric, it's my favorite, too. I always loved the college towns in the summer when all the kids left, and you had the great town and it's amenities to yourself, with less stress, less people, more freedom. It's a wonderful time of year!

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  11. Love the shot, Eric! The "suspended" flight, the color... Looks like this guy was having a great time. I'm sure you had fun taking the photograph!

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  12. The motion, the flight set off by the red shirt are great. While in Paris we watched the roller bladers in front of Notre Dame. Any photos of them? Breathless action also.

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  13. My first thought is, "Ouch, broken ankle!" I hope I was wrong.

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  14. when i saw the title I thought it was a statue, there used to be a "flying frenchman" statue in HK

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  15. ...and when we did wear helmets and knee pads, just what were they for?....I'll never tell.

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  16. I don't get it Jeff....what do you mean? Do tell!

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  17. Ujima: you're right, of course! Skateboarding is going very strong in California, too.

    Michael: Now tomate, tell the truth, did you wear helmet or knee pads 30 years ago? Good point, Michael.

    Maybe I'll send this kid the knee pads I just put up in my garage sale pile along with my roller blades.. guess these days are long gone for me ;)

    (By the way, the roller guys can also be seen practicing at Metro Station Palais Royal, in the afternoon, or at least they were there back in June.)

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  18. Flying Frenchman? What happened to the Flying Dutchman?!?

    peggy, i think that is something you can always count on. The young will always think they are immortal, and the older and wiser will wince and worry about broken necks!

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  19. Very funny picture Eric. As I told you some time ago, whether you like it or not, europeans are being slowly "americanized", LOL

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  20. i'm a little late to respond but.....

    this photo is amazing, Eric....the fact that you captured him in mid-air without blur lines...look how far up he jumped! also, the contrast of his bright blue and red outfit with the gray background is great.

    thanks!

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