Thursday, January 24, 2008

A night at the Senate


When you think of senators don't you picture old farts, half sleeping while having endless discussions over a new law?! Well, in fact these "wise men" seem to be much more dynamic than what we think. Thus, last evening I attended there a debate about "micro incomes" generated by blogs, ebay, adwords, etc. This also gave me the occasion to see this venerable institution from the inside - and take this photo! On top of that, they even have part of their website in English;)

37 comments:

  1. Thank you for this spectacular inside view. I feel as if I'm right there sitting on that sofa. I almost feel like offering someone a cup of tea, as a nice host would do.

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  2. cosy picture warm atmosphere ... what kind of beverage would French senateur drink .. may be chocolat chaud?
    what was the debate about? do they want to limit the income, control the sources? is it about european implementation?
    sorry but i am soooooo curious seing the inside of the senat is not enough

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  3. Can peasants such as myself have entree into the Senate on certain days? I've never even thought about it till I saw this wonderful picture!

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  4. And did these venerable senators come up with a way to make revenue without taxing your poor butt?

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  5. Very nice picture of the chamber. I'm very surprised that there is an English version to their website.

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  6. Like this perspective Eric. It had been me I would not have thought of this angle.

    Phx-cdg - I know they have art exhibits in a building next door and I've been to a couple of sponsored meetings there, but not sure if you can actually "tour" the Senat except on days of patrimony (once a year?).

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  7. Same here, Michael. I wouldn't have thought of it. What a lovely shot.

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  8. I like the very white statue (is it Robespierre?) standing out in contrast with all the gold in the room.
    Beautiful

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  9. Goodness Eric, although i am later today, i am greeted by a very English sounding post! Your language quite disarmed me, in a good way! Your English is of course usually perfect but this... well! Colloquial doesn't even touch it. What a beautiful photo this is. The overall colour is 24ct. Right up my street. Much more suited to adorn my fingers, wrists and neck rather than to be beneath the rears of those old farts.

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  10. LOL !! Just read your comment Petrea, made me laugh out loud. I am indeed late today. Actually got to bed earlier last night for once!

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  11. And i thought that the people destroyed Versailles already. This does not look much diferent.

    You are funny Lynne

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  12. But it seems you could't park your derriere just there, eh?

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  13. I did hear recently that Sarkozy was interested in finding ways to tax the internet so I presume this is the beginning of that initiative. Do you plan to pass on this new tax burden to your PDP subscribers!?

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  14. Don't dare me Stuart!! From now on, each connection to PDP will cost each of you 1 eurocent! Watch out, I know your IP addresses LOL!

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  15. Eric, that brings a new Euro-meaning to the old phrase "a penny for your thoughts." Who would have guessed the old saying would become subject to currency exchange rates?

    Well, perhaps it's worth it to see such pretty photos.

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  16. Smart of you, Eric, to require eurocents and not American pennies. I'd pay!

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  17. My goodness Eric, don't charge us.
    Lynn would go bankrupt by the number of times she has to visit the site to be the first!
    Just a joke Lynn, I am sure like me, you are just a nice person who has fallen for the charms of this dashing Frenchman!

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  18. LOL Anne, well the fact that i'm here right after your comment kind of proves your claim doesn't it! Yes i am a nice person. Yes i've fallen for Eric. There. I said it. It's out. I feel better for it. It was worth 1 eurocent i can tell you. Phew. My name is Lynn and yes, i've fallen for Eric.

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  19. LOL Lynn

    If Eric´s photos were not enough reason to pay a Eurocent for, Lynn´s comments certainly are worht it!!!

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  20. Eric, Eric, Eric, are you sure you're not taking Euros from these girls under false pretenses?

    Beu deu geu deu. Pfft.

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  21. Beautiful room - I guess the couches are roped off so that you can't rest your derriere upon them? Eric, did you hop the ropes to get this shot??

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  22. Je la trouve très jolie cette photo ça ressemble à un hotel de luxe 10 étoiles!!!

    Gros gros bisous.

    Daphné

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  23. You're very welcome Monica!


    Anonymous, the debate was about "micro incomes", that is people who make a little money thanks to their blog, ebay or sell one or 2 jewels per month... In France, if you make an income, even very low, you have to get into a lot of red tape, and the idea is to simplify all this...

    Peasants PHX-CDG!! LOL Actually I don't know, I'm sure it's pretty easy to visit the senate. Only, you have to go though security checks almost as bad as in airports (not that you don't know what it's like LOL)

    Punkinsom. Actually, the debate was just a round table with ONE senator and several users/providers. This one senator is now supposed to play the ambassador on this topic among his colleagues...

    Clueless in Boston. I was too. Most French sites - even touristy ones ! don't even have an English version!

    Thanks Michael. Actually, I took several ones and this is the only one I liked in the end.

    Petrea. Thank you ;)

    Soj. Thank you ;)

    Rose. Robespierre? Hum... I would not know I must say.

    Lynn. Yeah Petrea was right, how come you showed up that late?!! LOOOOOL on the "Much more suited to adorn my fingers, wrists and neck rather than to be beneath the rears of those old farts." Mind you there are a few "Senatoresses" too, they might feel the same...

    Rolf. Hey, well, you know, we killed one king, but we elect a new one every 5 years...

    No, you're right Sally. I parked my derrière on a much less comfortable chair I must confess...

    Jeff. i did not know this expression. I know the "just my two cents" but not that one.

    LOL Petrea.

    I won't Anne, I promise!! You made me LOL.

    Lynn. Blush!

    Yeah, Monica, I should definitely pay Lynn for what she writes ;) Hey, wait a minute, isn't that what you do for a living Lynn???

    Jeff. LOL

    No Pont Girl, I'm very respectful of the Republic's gold!

    Oui, il y a de ça Daphnée, 10 étoiles, peut-être un peu beaucoup, mais bon, c'est beau l'intérieur du Sénat, c'est sûr...

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  24. It is an absolutely magnificent building to look at when sitting and dreaming or reading in the Luxembourg.

    It's nice to know that Maria de Medici did something positive with her time...when she wasn't planning the slaughter of Protestants.

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  25. Certainly is what i do for a living, Eric! ;) You can pay me if you like, what did you have in mind?? he he what fun it's been at Paris today, parking our beautiful behinds on golden embroidery, declaring endless love and throwing caution to the wind in the faces of old farts and fartesses. What will tomorrow bring, pray?

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  26. I've posted my photo at Cheltenham, come over here to be excitedly first again but...no! Eric il n'est pas la! Zut alors, qu'est-ce qui ce passe? Well i may just have to forego prime positon as i have to go out in a minute to take my son's girlfriend home - yes at this time! But i'll be back dear Eric. lol !

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  27. Lynn I don't know about you, but when Eric decides to speak french here...oh my... I'd pay TWO eurocents to pop up here if he did it more often!

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  28. Eric - Lynn and Monica are just shameless! I did laugh at Lynn's "fartesses" - unkind though it may be. I worked for a few Australian old farts in my not too distant past.
    I do love the decor, Eric and it's a fine viewpoint for a photo too.

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  29. Monica, I agree with your last comment : Eric's way of writing in french is really beautiful !
    Daphné has been very proud of receiving a personal comment from Eric !

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  30. Monica oh yes the french the french, oh yes. I am, however, always impressed at Eric's English. I wish my french matched.

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  31. Yes Lynn I´m impressed with his English too, it´s one of his charms isn´t it?!

    ;-)

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  32. geez it looks more than luxery. love the looking

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