Wednesday, December 24, 2008

2008 Ice Rink


Like every year, they just installed the ice rink in front of the town hall. It's always a huge success (it's free if you bring your own blades). I already posted two shots of this rink on PDP, so for a change, this year, I tried the blurry effect ;) Don't forget to come back here tomorrow BTW, I've got a special message for you, around midnight!

34 comments:

  1. Wow! Great shot, Eric!

    I wasn't anxious to replace yesterday's photo, but this one stole my heart just as well.

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  2. GF again?

    I'd like to add those "two shots" Eric mentioned to my crown. Two shots of holiday peppermint schnapps to keep me warm, that is.

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  3. Congrats on GF 2 days in a row :D
    I like the blur effect as well Eric.
    It keeps your eye moving round and round and round again.

    I agree Suzy,yesterday's photo was breath taking <3 I never get tired of look at the ET!!

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  4. I've always wanted to ice skate in Rockefeller Center in NYC. Which reminds me I have not been in years.

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  5. This year seems to be a blur, so this photo is appropriate.

    (Regarding your comment on yesterday about Prince Jean needing Engligh lessons: I have seen documentation of another member of French royalty regarding commenting "in bad English", upon which royalist fans yelled disagreement.

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  6. This year seems to be a blur, so this photo is appropriate.

    (Regarding your comment on yesterday about Prince Jean needing Engligh lessons: I have seen documentation of another member of French royalty regarding commenting "in bad English", upon which royalist fans yelled disagreement.

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  7. Eric --This "moving" image works for me! Have you ever skated here?
    Way to go, GFX2 Suzy!
    Cristy -- my father first took me ice-skating at Rockefeller Center when I was 3 or 4 years old. I still remember it pretty well all these years later—mainly because I couldn't skate yet and kept landing hard on my little butt! (He kept taking me though, and I did eventually learn.)

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  8. Oooh have you, ERic, what IS it? What's the message? What, what? LOL.

    We too have an ice rink installed. I must get down there for a photo. This shot is just wonderful. As ever, we all strive to find a photo which dares to stand next to Eric's at the portal. We can but try.

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  9. That's wonderful Alexa;)
    I like to keep that on my "must do list before I die"
    I've always wanted to be in NYC& Paris for. Christmas!
    Maybe one day:)

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  10. Wonderful evocation of the larger scene!

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  11. What fun! I've never been skating in an outdoor rink but would love to!

    Merry Christmas!

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  12. Eric, though your photo is creatively shot, this is how most of my still photos come out...really!(lol) Yeah, I'm horrid with a camera; although, the exception might be my eBay shots--yes, they are highly sought after. :-) However, I do find that a good bottle of Pinot Noir has a way of instantly restoring the balance to my shoddy camerasmithing. Being from the Chicago area, I've slipped across a few ice-rinks in my day; perhaps,should my left knee ever return to normal from the battering ram it became the last ice-rink outing, I'd consider ice skating again. I might even take the blade protectors off too. lol Seriously, this does look like fun. Merci et Happy Christmas!

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  13. Love the sense of motion with the blurred shot. That's a lovely custom for the holidays. Fun to glide around with friends. And good skaters are a joy to watch.

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  14. Coltrane, I can relate. Though not a child skater, as an adult I began skittering around and after a few years joining pickup hockey games. When the macho started flowing one Sunday morning and I ended up on my ass after a collision and later another guy broke his nose, I decided that was silly teenager stuff and changed rinks. Then, skating with a bunch of kids, one little tyke came right at me, aggressive as hell, and I had to leave my feet to avoid him. I ended up crashing into the boards backwards. Yeah, not my game I guess. That may be when I got serious about jazz and fine art!

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  15. I love it, Eric. And the guy in the middle is stylin'. I like the pictures from previous years, too. A great tradition. In DeKalb (Illinois) there's a lagoon at Northern Illinois University. When it freezes in winter there's skating, or was, when I was a kid. I used to be proud of my figure 8's but that's as far as I got.

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  16. I like the blurry effect very much!
    That's funny that you should post a picture of the ice rink. I took a lot of pictures of the one we have in San Francisco right now!

    BTW, I remember the ice rink in Paris in front of the town hallas early as October or November, last year!

    OK so tell the truth, how many pictures did you take before you chose one for us? ;)

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  17. I like the effect! Very nice. I actually found a web cam that showed the ice rink in front of Hotel de Ville just yesterday!

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  18. I could never get that effect on camera and still make it a good photo. Well done!


    Guille, to answer you question from yesterday, yes it was a big deal that Sarkozy was here. Everyone talked about Brasil-France deals a lot and everybody was thrilled.
    Also the fact that next year will be France´s year in Brasil and that Sarkozy himself came here to ´inagururate´ it was very celebrated.

    And I have to say, the whole press was totally in love with Carla Bruni.

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  19. Jeff...jazz and fine art--I think we both should stick to these over hockey or ice rinks. lol Thanks for your memories of skating...sounds brutal. Perhaps we should consider ice fishing.;-) Hey, now I'm thinking I should rent "Grumpy Old Men." lol

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  20. Eric, don't ask us to be "here" at midnight!! I'll probably be drunk, or almost, eating a wonderful Xmas meal made by my father.
    Well, let's say 2.00. I hope it's fine with you. But don't wait for me. LOL

    Monica, French press is totally in love with Carla Bruni too... I think I understand.
    Should I hit my doorkeeper btw? Nothing in my mail box. :p
    And just for you: Feliz Natal!

    Merry Xmas to you all.

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  21. Love the effect - love the feel of movement.

    Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy Christmas, dear Eric. Jilly x

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  22. Guille, go downstairs right now and hit the doorkeeper!!!! I can't believe the mail refuses to enable communication between you and me!

    Well, the important thing is anyway, you know you're always in my thoughts.

    Just for you too: Joyeux Noel!!!!

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  23. Eric I won't be able to come back here around midnight as I'll be spending Christmas eve with my family.

    But I certainly will come here tomorrow, I'll probably pop in by Christmas morning.

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  24. I'll try to be here at midnight, Eric. It's a bit easier in California.

    Merry Christmas to everyone! And thank you, Eric, for all the presents you give us throughout the year.

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  25. I'll most likely still be up at midnight Eric.and what's the special message your so kindly going to share with us?

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  26. Merry Christmas/Joyeux Noel Eric. Have a wonderful day with you and yours. I hope that Santa spoils you, just a little!
    Best wishes from Monsieur and moi aussi.

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  27. I'm waiting right here until midnight to see your special message!

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  28. Had the pleasure of ice skating on tour eiffel in 2005. Quite an experience, being that I've played ice hockey since I was very young. Joyeux Noel.

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  29. We have skated in San Francisco and Basel, Switzerland...meeting faces of "strangers" while one skates is indeed special...
    it's beginning to look alot like Christmas...

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  30. Excellent. Almost abstract, love the sense of movement.

    Gary.

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  31. Too good and superb post on ice rink,interesting blog.

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  32. Wonderful! I am full of envy for this shot.

    I want to know what you're going to say... ;)

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