Saturday, April 28, 2007

A bull in a (china) shop


I spent a very very nice evening on the Seine tonight with a few PDP fans who happen to be - or visit - Paris. Someone was kind enough to take a photo but due to a lack of light it's pretty bad so I did not post it here. Instead here is a photo I took not far from where we were, in the Carrousel du Louvre (shopping mall). Not to be confused with this carrousel, it is located just adjacent to the Musée du Louvre, in the basement. There are many shops, some of which are chain stores, and even a food court (the first I’ve ever seen in France!). It is also one of the few places permitted to stay open on Sunday. I wouldn’t recommend you make a special trip there, but if you happen to be visiting the Louvre or the nearby Musée des Arts Décoratifs , it is probably worth a peek.

60 comments:

  1. That's what I did, when I was visiting the Louvre I stoped by Carrousel du Louvre mall.
    I've been told there's a cafe in the Louvre named Cafe Richelieu, but I don't know exactly where in the Louvre it is.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Michael,
    since Eric was so economic describing the meeting friday night, could you please tell us who was there?
    Who did you see?! What did you do?!

    I can't believe we won't be able to see a photo of the gathering, I'm so curious!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Like the colors of the bull. Know who the artist is?

    ReplyDelete
  4. The bull is quite lovely! The photo of you all together is great, and the tantalising peek at the wine and food on the left is cruel indeed. It looks warm there and so beautiful. Names please!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I liked the photo of the picnic, even though I only know who Eric & Michael are! I would also like to hear the details!

    Monica - the cafe you're talking about might be the one on the left side (if you're looking at the Louvre with the giant pyramid in front of you, it would be on the left side of the Louvre with outdoor seating). Not sure though! I enjoyed your photos from Chenonceau - gorgeous place!

    ReplyDelete
  6. I think on the far right is Michael, but am not completely sure.

    Obviously, Eric is not in the picture because he is camera shy.

    Hilary Clinton, blond and gracious, is in the front row, but the rest I have no idea. Hope this helped Lynn.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Now I can see the photo!!! You all look so fine, you should have posted it Eric. Looks like you had a great time, how could you not, being right there next to the Seine.

    Well, I recognize Eric and Michael. And Nahal too I think. Was Philly there? I have the same request as Lynn, names please!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Not really Clo, for Eric is in the centre of the pic. Michael i think is far right i agree but the rest, i am not sure. We badly need more, Eric. Economic is not the word. Meagre, more like. Why so miserly with details and pics? We don't care about the quality, we want to feel the width (sorry; an English saying).

    ReplyDelete
  9. Pont Girl - thanks for the info, glad you enjoyed the photos.
    Hmmm, I will check this cafe, it might be the one i've been told about. Although I think I've read somewhere it's located on the top floor of the Louvre.

    I'll let you know if I find out more

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the bull you throw, ooops, I mean photograph. Lexington bills itself as horse capitol of the world but then so does our sister city, Deauville, France. As a result, hundreds of lifesize horses (all from the same mold) appeared everywhere in Lexington. All were painted in various ways by many different artists. They even made a Pegasus of a couple. Many of them were painted like this bull. Some of them were stunning. The same was done with identical lifesize bears in Victoria, Vancouver Island where we did a little side trip last summer when we got back from France.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lynn, I know Eric is in the centre of the picture, I was just teasing, and am sure Hilary Clinton did not leave political campainging to attend PDP picnic either.

    Since I did not know most of the people in the picture, I simply tried to make-up an almost tiny fictitious story.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great colors on that piece!

    About the PDP meeting, according to this picture, it looks like everybody kept their clothes on, this year? Last year was ... ahem... different.

    ReplyDelete
  13. By the way Eric, this is a very nice picture, colours and all.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Eric, love the bull. Is this a small porcelain statue? How big is it. It looks like it is on artificial grass. It still won't accept my password--Debs

    ReplyDelete
  15. Here, let me do a bit of clarification. There's no "I think" about it: Michael is definately the striking fellow on the far right of the photo! Although I'm sure he would disagree about him being striking.

    (Sorry Michael, I'm feeling particularly good tonight, very flirtatious. But I'm sure you know it's just in a friendly way for you!!!)

    ReplyDelete
  16. BTW, the bull reminds me of all the great cows you had pictures for once upon a time!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I think it is Philly on the bottom right--it is the black shoes that gives it away, but we shall see.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Tomate said, "...it looks like everybody kept their clothes on, this year? Last year was ... ahem... different." Very funny! Yes, it was warm, but not as warm as last year!

    Soosha...I thought you told me that you had purchased those new glasses. I guess they didn't get the prescription right again.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Lynn, Clo and others...I'd be happy to name names, but I better let Eric do that. Oftentimes people don't like having their names put on the web, so I'll see if Eric got permission.

    I can confirm that Eric is in the centre, I'm on the right (the fat one having a hard time bending over), and yes Clo, that IS Hillary Clinton. So now you just need to guess the rest...

    ReplyDelete
  20. Regarding the bull photo...Soosha, I think you're right. Taking into account that this was taken in the museum mall...I'd assume it is a piece of art for sale based on the real thing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love the bull! Very colorful!

    ReplyDelete
  22. lol Tomate! You do indeed look striking, as Soosh said, Michael!

    ReplyDelete
  23. I will have you know, Michael, that my mother works for an eye doctor and always gets my glasses for free so my prescription is always perfect. I can see juuuuust fine. Of course that's when I have them on. When they are off I'm pretty darned blind. However, I'd have to lean pretty close to the monitor to read anything with them off, which strains my eyes, so they are ALWAYS on when I'm on the computer.

    What am I forgetting...? Oh yeah! My friends have always told me I have very weird taste in men. I suppose that means Lynn does too, huh? I'm feeling entirely too cheeky right now. Best I go for my daily walk and try to get rid of some of this energy before I get myself into trouble!

    ReplyDelete
  24. I have weird taste in men? HMM. Don't know about that, as i don't have a 'type'. I go for personality every time. I think if you love someone then you love the way they look too. Whatever it's like, or however they don't conform to stereotypical 'good looking'. No doubt about it, however, men ARE weird. LOL !

    ReplyDelete
  25. PHX-CDG I was looking for black shoes too to see if I could spot Philly.
    Let's see if they will give us names or not. Last year they didn't...
    I guess Jeff was there too...this picture is becoming intriguing,
    WHO'S WHO?!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Yes, those cows from last year's open air exhibition seems to have found various interesting homes.

    Near where I live in Arcueil there are about three in a park and another three or so outside the new Orange Village in the quarter appropriately called 'La Vache Noir' (The Black Cow). They should feel at home there in any case!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Well, I hope I'm not breaking any confidences. If so, please forgive me.

    In the photo there are Elizabeth, Nahal, Laure, Michael, Craig, Jeff, and Eric. You'll have to figure out who is who until they reveal themselves. I'm sure to already be in trouble.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I heartily agree, Lynn! Perhaps I should tell my friends that next time I'm checking out a 45 year old hottie and they go "EWWW." Nah, I'm just gonna go around saying "Check out the personality on him!"

    ReplyDelete
  29. I don't really get the no-names thing. Why agree to the pic then, and anyway do these people have profile pics on their blogs? It's curious indeed. I have come to the only conclusion left. The evening clearly turned after this shot to such low levels of debauchery it has been impossible for Eric to show. The activities, the nudity, the...games...oh the games...

    Eric??

    ReplyDelete
  30. Ah! Michael, in some panic obviously, has at last revealed names. He thinks that by doing so, Eric will not be bothered further for more pictures. You are wrong Michael, sadly misguided lol.

    Yes soosh i am often heard to exclaim "wow just look at the sense of humour on THAT!"

    ReplyDelete
  31. don't really get the no-names thing. Why agree to the pic then, and anyway do these people have profile pics on their blogs? It's

    Against my better judgment, I think I'll jump in and throw in my 2 cents about that.

    Lynn, not everybody wants to be outed in front of the entire world.

    I've tried to organize a bloggers' get-together here in the Bay Ara a couple of years ago, and was really suprised, at first, when many of the bloggers said no to group but OK to meet one on one, because they didn't want to be in a situation where they would be photographed and/or identified later on, and in a group, you can't always control these things.

    Usually the reason is job-related (like me) but sometimes it has to do with the contents of the blog (some make strong political statements, others get into highly personal stuff, you know what I mean).

    Enough people feel that blogging should be done anonymously because it allows them to express things they cannot say to the people around them, and to be truer to who they really are and make like-friends online.

    Once the people they know in "real" life finds their blog, they practically stop blogging or start talking about stuff even they don't even care about.

    Forcing people to "come out" when they don't want to (for a variety of reasons) is the equivalent of taking their online voice away, I think.

    (sorry about the long post).

    ReplyDelete
  32. "Forcing people to "come out" when they don't want to (for a variety of reasons) is the equivalent of taking their online voice away, I think."

    Thank you Tomate. You have expressed how I feel. For me, someone who is a bit shy in groups, posting as anon is not used in a way as to make others feel uncomfortable, but rather to make me feel more comfortable.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tomate. I agree with you that some people don't like their names mentioned but I am sure they introduced themselves to each other at the picnic.

    I don't think Philly said that she is Hilary Clinton or Jeff said that he is Manolo Zapatero (I made up the last name to some extent, or so I think) on the other hand maybe they did.

    What I am saying is that it seems highly improbable that they would mind letting others know who they are.

    Anonyme. I am quite shy in gatherings too, and really become quite introverted but am willing to meet people still.

    How about the coffe meet tomate, and if anonyme lives in the Bay Area maybe we can all have coffee and gossip about the PDP Picnic. Oh it will be all in good faith Eric, nothing bad will be said, that I assure you from thousands of miles.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Thanks for putting it so well for me Tomate. In the case of the PDP Picnic last night, I am 99% sure that the people wouldn't mind, but it is not my place to speak for them.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Clo: well, sure they introduced each other IN PERSON, but does that entitle everybody else to know who they are? And I'm not just talking about the regular commenters, but the hundreds of SILENT readers that we don't know about but undoubtedly exist. That's debatable, no? :-D

    (About the Bay Area coffee-meet, I didn't forget but let me think about it a little bit more, OK? Oh, and by the way, I do introduce myself as "Tomate" too :-)

    ReplyDelete
  36. Oh, and by the way, I do introduce myself as "Tomate" too :-)

    I can confirm!

    ........and the nicest Tomate I know!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Thanks Tomate for that point of view and i totally respect anyone's wish to remain anonymous but then why be photographed knowing it will be on here? If i wanted anonymity i would say no take that camera away from me! Anyway it matters not at all. The important thing is that people's desires are respected and honoured. It's a great photo anyway.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Point well taken tomate. I agree that not all will want to be knownto the myriad of commeters on PDP and other blogs, but somehow it makes me feel that we take away from that trust that humans tend to develop with each other, and I think that is a shame.

    On that note, I will introduce myself as Aubergine.

    ReplyDelete
  39. What is Talullah? Tried to look it up in OED but no results.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Just an outrageously tarty name for a girl, Clo. In my opinion at least - apologies to all Talullahs out there lol. I'm sure you're not.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Hello everyone, I'm Marilyn Monroe.

    Nice to meet you Talullah and Aubergine!

    oh my... I'm a bit insecure now thinking about the fact that everybody knows who I am, I should have thought of that nick a long time ago!

    ReplyDelete
  42. " . . . but somehow it makes me feel that we take away from that trust that humans tend to develop with each other"

    Point taken: but some of us still prefer to be anon.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I know Marilyn but when you think about it, in the world of work we advertise, if through the office or especially if self-employed. People have to know our numbers etc., otherwise we'd never get any business . Also, you can meet some crank sitting next to you IN the office, at someone's party, anywhere. So i'm not sure it's particularly more unsafe on here.

    ReplyDelete
  44. Monica, I was not making light of Tomate's remark or any one else's for that matter. I honestly took Tomate's opinion to heart and do respect his wishes as well as the others.

    Now that I have cleared that up, Marilyn Moroe is a fitting name but you are have to change you profile picture to the blond Monica I mean Marilyn. Maybe the alligators in the Rio channel will leave you alone?

    ReplyDelete
  45. Anonyme I truly respect your wishes.

    ReplyDelete
  46. Lynn I'm kidding. I'm not worried, I mean, for me it's not a problem.

    Totally respect and understand who wants to be anon here.
    But I don't understand if people go to a meeting and still want to remain anon to the very people they're meeting!

    Well, maybe it's just me, I'm not sure I understood correct.


    Clo, wouldn't it be funnier if I had always commented as Marilyn? I'm sure a blond wig will make the alligators turn away... btw, I'm sorry I was out today and missed the whole alligator episode!

    ReplyDelete
  47. "Don't go trying some new fashion, don't change the color of your hair..."

    How appropriate Lynn! I loooove this song, thanks for this!

    ok, I'm sticking with Monica.

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sorry, I'm not very active here but I'm about to go on vacation for a week and I have to prepare all my photos in advance and... pack.

    BTW Lynn: "The evening clearly turned after this shot to such low levels of debauchery it has been impossible for Eric to show. The activities, the nudity, the...games...oh the games..."

    LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL

    ReplyDelete
  49. Oooh the images I have in my head right now...

    ReplyDelete
  50. Tallulah...Tallulah Bankhead, everyone over 60 knows about this actress, wild women who was often interviewed while sitting on her throne. She was bigger and bitchyer than life. "Lifeboat" was her best known movie. I got to see her perform on stage. Riveting performance. Lynn, do you fit the mold?

    ReplyDelete
  51. he he Johnny no i'm far too young and svelte LOL. I was actually taking the name from Bugsy Malone!

    Lol Eric oh no you're going on hols and you STILL haven't read the toilet comments! Have you? he he

    ReplyDelete
  52. I haven't heard of the actress unfortunately so i don't know what she looks like Johnny.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Lynn, she was quite svelte and attractive. She and Bette Davis were enemies because they both wanted the same parts in movies. You must see the old black and white "Lifeboat".

    ReplyDelete
  54. Yep i was joking Johnny i am neither young nor svelte lol. I prob have seen that film, i adore b & w but my memory for the names is rubbish. I loved Bette Davis.

    ReplyDelete