Tuesday, May 13, 2008

A butterfly to support cancer fighters


Last week I got a call from a representative of Tribu Cancer, an association that supports people who have cancer. They invited me to come to La Défense (a business district slighty outside Paris) and take a photo of an event they were holding to gain awareness. They gathered enough people to "draw" a butterfly that could be seen from far above. And guess who was far above?! I'll show you more, when I come back from vacation.

73 comments:

  1. That is awesome!! I love it when people come together for a cause. So what building did you take the shot from? Don't tell me.. the Grand Arche maybe? :)

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  2. Ha, GF, GF, GF!!! I'm the girlfriend today!!! Yeahhh!!!

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  3. Where is everybody? Champagne hangover, uh? ;)

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  4. hia tomate farcie
    he could have taken the pic from the new cinema complex
    people hate la defense normally but it is really convenient during lunchtime you can buy anything
    i hope he did not try to take a pic inside because there are watchdogs ... it's a private zone bark bark bark
    inge

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  5. Ooh I love butterflys! Good for them for bringing awareness to a wonderful cause. Smart thinking calling you to photograph the event.

    Congrats tomate!

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  6. I think I meant to spell that 'butterflies' :)

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  7. I agree, Tomate Farcie...I thought certainly there would be more comments already. Congratulations! Do you think it too much champagne, or is everyone taking new pictures to appear with the comments? It has been so lovely to see all the new shots and to put faces with names. Eric, I can't wait to see the end result of the papillon! Did you take a series of photos as the participants came together? Would they make a nice video maybe?

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  8. Hey, thanks Suzie.

    So this is what i feels like to be the GF du jour. I guess I'll have that virtual cigarette now. Smirk.

    ;)

    Inge, I know what you mean about La Defense. I used to hate it myself but they've improved the place a great deal since my time, with all the shops, events and stuff. When I first went there to work, there was practically nothing but mud and construction and just a handful of towers (AND you had to walk from Pt. de Neuilly, no convenient RER stop at the foot of the first tower!).

    Last time I was there, there had a convention of decorated cows on the parvis, then Madeleine Peyroux did a free concert, then there were all these sexy new buildings (the EDF tower, ahhhhhh) and all these shops.. Why, even MacDonald La Defense has a bio menu now! How things change. This La Defense district sure has changed for the better!

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  10. Yeah, Kelly, I think you're right ;)

    Great shot, Eric! (Where are my manners, I forget to thank the host now!) see, must be the GF status - whatever that means - going to my head.

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  11. Very cool! It is nice when people come together for a cause.

    And such a great shot, Eric! I can imagine you're going to be on everyone's call list for important happenings!

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  12. Hey Golden Fingers Tomate! Well done, it's a good feeling isn't it!

    Eric this photo is enticing, knowing you will bring us more of the story. I want to know where you were when you took it! That's pretty high up.

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  13. Wonderful! I'm interested, too, to know whether you took this photo from atop la Grande Arche, Eric.

    I have to admit that I am biased toward the old, historic parts of Paris. However, I don't mind La Defense for two reasons: 1) It is separate from "old Paris," and 2) I love it that La Grande Arche de la Defense is aligned with l'Arc de Triomphe and l'Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel -- a nice way to blend the old and the new, I think.

    Anyway, does anyone know whether the event attracted a lot of attention and press? I think contacting Eric was brilliant on their part! 'So nice of you to be willing to give like this!

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  14. Lynn - I like your new photos! Are you feeling any better?

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  15. Thanks so much for asking Kelly; yes i think so. A bit up and down but hopefully won't be appendicitis.

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  16. Lynn, is that you?!! Wow, what a change from yesterday!! Not a bad look, though! Kind of cute!

    TF (logged off)

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  17. Glad to hear it. I liked your post today. A little down time is sometimes not such a bad thing, and it looks as if you have been getting a lot of reading done. ;)

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  18. Speaking about butterfly, JEFF was the butterfly of my evening. I met him tonight, we had a drink (or two) of wine, and girls, Jeff is a 'lovely' guy, a delightful cynical man and I'm really looking forward to meet him next year.

    I read the yesterday's comments, you have to know that you're all crazy!!;) I missed all the fun but worked all day long...

    Yes, Michael, still insupportable. What about you, unbearable guy? Bonnes vacances quand même.

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  19. Yes i've caught up with quite a lot. Thanks!

    Yes Tomate it's me at 3 yrs old he he!

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  20. What a lovely evening you must have had with Jeff, Guille! Good break from all that work huh. Well deserved.

    They were all crazy yesterday, weren't they? I thought so too....;) hum, hum.

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  21. Yes, surtout toi Lynn!!
    And this one (picture) is just for you. You deserve it. LOL

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  22. Amazing, Guille! Is this by your photographer friend too? She really is talented if so. You look beautiful! I think we may see you on the cover of Vogue next month!

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  23. Great initiative! It is very nice to see how they design the butterfly with the marks on the floors.

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  24. Beautiful photo Guille.

    And Lynn looks so sweet. What a little doll.

    The link to Tribu Cancer wouldn't work for me. It said, page not found. Why does everyone have their arms in the air. Does anyone know? Nice photo anyway. So, that's how it works. You have an event, and call Eric and he comes??!

    Wait Eric, I'm in my bikini. It still makes me laugh.

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  25. "Nice photo anyway" meant: regardless if my questions get answered, it remains a nice photo.

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  26. Well said, Parisian Heart. I wish they could take a hint here in San Francisco about where to put their skyscrapers. Unfortunately, SF is not that spread out and so they build up (and I really mean UP) a little too close for comfort (sigh).

    Tomate Farcie still-logged-off and-supposed-to-be-doing-something-else on-the-computer entirely-but you-know-how-it-is kind-of-thing.

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  27. What a cool way to bring about awareness for a worthy cause.

    Lynn...cute profile shot!

    Guille...wow! or is that WOW!

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  28. That is a very cool shot, and butterflies are even cooler. A great idea. A great perspective from far above.

    Lynn looks younger every day!

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  29. This photo makes me slightly dizzy! How cool Eric that you're the "go-to" guy in Paris to take a photo of an event like this! You have a great vantage point, and it's fun to look at the enlarged photo at all the details. I like everyone waving and the white, blue and gold (?) trucks. I actually walked once from the 2nd all the way to La Defense to meet my friend who works there for lunch. It took over 2 hours, but I saw lots on the way.

    Congrats Tomate on the GF! Lynn your baby photo is adorable, and Guille both of your photos are stunning! I agree with Lynn that we'll be looking for you on the cover of Vogue soon. And I hope we can have a drink (or two!) when I'm in Paris this fall, since I missed meeting you at the picnic!

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  30. What a cool shot, Eric! Did you get to go up into a place where people don't usually get to go? Of course you're privileged, because you're the famous Eric Tenin of PDP.

    I was MOST disappointed because I clicked on Lynn's risque photo from yesterday and saw only the little girl photo (which is cute, but not risque). But after Lois's comment (what are you doing, stripping?) I really wanted to see it.

    Coltrane lives, I believe the word for Guille's photo is WOW.

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  31. Tomate Farcie still-logged-off and-supposed-to-be-doing-something-else on-the-computer entirely-but you-know-how-it-is kind-of-thing.

    So funny, Tomate! You've just summarized an all-too-significant part of my life!!

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  32. Love your work! Beautiful photography and interesting posts. I have added your site to my new project, ILovePhotoblogs.com. Keep it up!

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  33. Eric what would we do without you to keep us update about the most interesting events in Paris??!! With you I feel like we're always getting scoops of what's going on in the city.

    By the way, I meant to mention the other day that I read at Le Monde that the police of Paris is having an exhibition showing their photos of May 68. I think the name of the exhibition is "Mai 68 vu par la police".
    Pretty interesting, another side of the famous revolution.

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  34. I'm repeting my reply to you all from yesterday's comments.
    I'm sorry I missed the Portuguese forum! You all are all crazy to ever think of learning this language (except Marie's little boy, children can learn anything they want very easily and very fast!), it is wayyy to difficult.

    But I'm delighted to know that you guys have some interested in my language. Actually Marie seems to speak it very weel!!!

    No Lynn, I don't know Carla or Olivia. I'll let you know if I bump into one of them one of these days...!

    ;-)

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  35. Lynn what's the secret? How can we get younger by the day like you do? From beautiful bikini mermaid to adorable little girl... only you Lynn!

    Guille, you're a femme fatale in this picture!

    Oh and Tomate, congrats on GF!!

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  36. Lydia, You are funny -- Lynn looks younger every day. That's perfect!

    Petrea, it did look like she was doing a strip routine. She gave me a big excuse, something about her husband making her do it -- he wanted something different, etc. ahhh, yeah!

    Shhhh; When she wakes up, she is going to kill me.

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  37. Lois, in one of your comments yesterday you got the exact picture: December, during Xmas time here, we're wearing bikinis!

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  38. Monica, I went to Hawaii for Christmas once. The palm trees on the beach had xmas tree lights on them. I took a photo because someday I am going to send that to people as my xmas card. It will make everybody warm.

    Guille, did you say that we were crazy? Was that you?

    I've been shopping on line. I just wanted to buy a dress to go with a new jacket I have for Spring/Summer. And before I knew it, I was caught up in this "June Bride" thing. I bought so many white things -- and I'm not even getting married. I bought a white cami with jewels around the neck and a matching jeweled white sweater -- With white satin cargo pants. A long white satin dress with a transparent lace jacket. A white satin mini dress with a matching mini coat. I better stop here. I can see that I am boring the men to death. Yaaaaawn

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  39. Speaking of weddings... Remember Eric's 28 janvier 2007 photo called "Les Mariés du Marais" -- that is a beautiful dress. The photo for me is unforgetable. Remember how he use to always give us statistics -- until one of the men teased him about it.

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  40. Lynnie is that you! I love baby pictures. You were darling! Is that a red tinge to your hair?

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  41. Obrigada pelo elogio. O meu outro filho quer aprender chinês! Nós somos uma linguagem louco lar! Seu pai é alemão para que eles falam alemão. Eu só falam Inglês para eles. Eles falam francês também por causa de viver aqui.

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  42. Eric, you're photo is really amazing coz the point of view is totally unexpected!
    Did you go to the top of la Défense? I guess so. As a VIP, of course. You have such a boring life ;)
    I like this kind of 'art work' (kind of happening actually!) for good causes. The cancer is one of the most importants of the decade to me, and AIDS too.
    Did you notice that they wore red hats and had red papers/tissues in their hands!

    Yes Lois, it was me. You're all crazy girls. That's why I like you.

    Btw, this morning I'm not femme fatale at ALL! After a shower and a tea, we'll see. ;)

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  43. Congratulations Tomate Farcie! A well deserved GF du jour!!!

    Bonjour Guille and Lynn, you both look lovely in your pictures.

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  44. Nice. I love your blog. I'll come back to see more.

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  45. You were asked to cover the event? Wow! Or are you a professional? I'm confused!

    Nice photo :)

    PS I have a Birmingham Daily Photo blog now :-D

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  46. lol Lois!

    Petrea, i wasn't making excuses LOL Lois my first husband DID ask me to stand that way. That was all. No, i was not stripping. On that occasion. LOL !

    I'm glad you all seem to want to cuddle me due to my current photo - you'd find i'm a lot bigger now though he he. Yes my hair does have some red in, kind of auburn.

    shutterspy, Eric is a journalist so he will be well used to covering events, but i gather that he's pretty well known for this blog too so people will inevitably ring him. Lucky him huh. I've answered as he's sunning himself on a beach elsewhere in the world.

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  47. That was some shopathon, Lois! By the way you will never bore men when you mention the word 'mini'.

    I wonder how many people it eventually took to fill this butterfly, and whether they counted them.

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  48. Marie I'm really impressed. I think it's awesome to speak so many langauges!!!

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  49. miniskirt - minibar - minicab - minipill ... do minister and minnie mouse count ?

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  50. Marie, how many languages do you speak? I don't have that gift. My daughter does though. She is fluent in Arabic too. She learned it in a matter of months. I love Arabic writing -- it's truly artistic.

    Guille, yes, still crazy after all these years. Thank you.

    Lynn, you are a very pretty woman. I just adore this last photo.

    Well, I'm off to the spa. Ya know, my mother's day present. See you.

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  51. hmmmmn.. i learned latin and chinese at the university... my first husband was german .... i am learning potugese randomly for my little son noah... i am learning french ... cringe! my accent is atrocious. i've lived here for a while now and am embarrassed to open my trap! go figure:)

    you go girl! have a great time at the spa!

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  52. Thank you Monica and Lois, such nice things you say. Not feeling good today again so you made me smile! This photo's from 87/88 so not recent, as you see! he he.

    Marie i'm so impressed. I studied French and Spanish at uni but never have chance to use it - until Eric came along with PDP - at least i have that!

    I have to read some Portuguese for work sometimes, well actually usually every day a little bit, and yes Monica, why did you choose such a difficult language?! I get stuck very quickly and use the translation service but Spanish helps me sometimes too.

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  53. No, Lynn, I was just disappointed that I arrived too late to see it. You had already changed to the kiddie pic!

    Guille & Jeff, I forgot to say, how fun it must have been to get together for a drink in Paris! I'm excited for my next trip, with hopes of having friends to get together with in Paris.

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  54. Now that is a cool idea! Brilliant, actually ... both the idea and the photographer's high vantage point to capture the concept in perspective! Nicely done!!

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  55. What an awesome visual! Eric, I'm delighted to hear that you are now so famous that they are calling you to take photos!! Congrats!

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  56. All old profile pics stay as they were when posted, Petrea. You can still see it from yesterday - it's not as sexy as they're making out!

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  57. don't believe lynn's modesty! the pic is ohlala vavavoooooooom!

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  58. i might wear a bikini again in my next life! ahhhh .... the memories!

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  59. i think that the butterly looks a bit like a map of the united states!

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  60. Hmmm...so GF stands for "Golden Fingers" tomate et al??? Well...I'm glad that has come to light, I don't want to tell you what I thought it meant....nooo, not as bad as you think...LOL!! "gurl friday"??? "gurlfriend du jour"????

    Cancer is one of those things in life that we all wish would just disappear, and if you have never been touched or affected by it in your life..well, you are pretty darn lucky! Nice pic!

    I have also had mixed feelings about La Defense, but find it interesting nonetheless. However...that plaza can be quite a scorcher on a hot summer day...Ouch!!

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  61. Lynn...Is that you or Fanny Ardant??? ;-) Hmmmmmm????

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  62. This is a really great event for a great course. I know a number of people who died from cancer. It's something we should all fight.
    The photo is great. Did you get up on La Grande Arche (made by a Dane BTW) Eric ? Great you're now "covering" on your blog too. What will be next ?
    I like La Defense too for being outside the old Paris. It's what so great about Paris, the mixture of old and new in a stylish way.

    You know what?; I had Champagne and strawberries today. My french teacher treated us with a surprise. I could only have a little though since I had to drive home.

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  63. Sounds yummy Bettina.

    By the way, girls, i wasn't going to mention but couldn't resist - i had a brief visit from Michael today! I feel very honoured.

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  64. marie did you cut your hair ..
    everybody is changing its looks ... i have to admit it is very entertaining and i guess spring is in the air
    inge

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  65. I guess you were pretty far from this human butterfly when you took this photo, Eric, weren't you ? Maybe at the top of one of these famous french companies towers. Fighting against cancer is such a worthwhile fight... How cruel it is when it affects someone you love. Prefer NOT thinking of that.

    I prefer thinking of uou, Eric, enjoying your holidays. Well, there is no doubt you are enjoying them. The weather is still really nice at the moment in Paris (like in Turkey I guess!!!). I hope it is going to last a bit here (in Turkey, it will, but you'll have to come back, won't you ;)).

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  66. ". . . i had a brief visit from Michael today" which you did he visit? The little girl, the torrid temptress, the girl with the short hair?

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