I work so much lately that I barely have the time to go to out. Last night I did though - well it was a product launch, so technically it was also work LOL! To give a spooky atmosphere to the place, they hired some weird characters to greet you. One of them was this guy, who made me think of the Phantom of the Opera, the character from the novel by Gaston Leroux written in 1910 then adapted many times since then (including the famous musical by English composer Andrew Lloyd Webber). And since you've been good lately here is a little music clip from the French version ;)
Awww...have we been good? Even me and Lynn?
ReplyDeleteHe is a little scary. My first thought was Phantom of the Opera, as well. Love the red in this photo!
That was beautiful, Eric. I have never seen it!
ReplyDeleteI wish you could record what we say as each new picture loads on here. There is always a surprise. My own utterance tonight as this masked man greeted me was "Oh, golly gosh!"
he he Suzy's right to be surprised. Even us, Eric, even us, huh, huh? ;)
Well done GF Suzy anyway! Look at us, here on our own. Nobody's around. What mischief can we get up to? ;)
ReplyDeleteWow, what was the product? From the look on his face, I have my suspicions!
ReplyDeleteGood question! What was it, Eric? It all looks very 'cloak and dagger'.
ReplyDeleteGreat picture, comme toujours. And thanks for the music (I guess it pays to be good, eh?). This guy looks more flirty than spooky, I think. Hope you had a good time -- and what WERE they selling??
ReplyDeleteFlirty and perhaps a little dangerous, is my guess on his expression . . .
ReplyDeleteLynn, If our voices were recorded each time we got a new photo from Eric, I think it would sound like the scene in Amelie where she is counting how many people in the city right at that very moment in time are . . . well, you know . . . obtaining their goal, so to speak. Lots of oooohing and aaaahing.
ReplyDeleteAnd with that, I think Eric is going to remove my right to listen to the music!
I have NOT been good. How dare you make such and assumption, Monsieur! Hmph! See that you don't make that mistake again.
ReplyDeleteCool photo. I, too, wonder: what product was being promoted?
he he Suzy! Obtaining their goal huh? I remember that scene. Ahhhh. Ooooh. lol! Gosh now I look, that chap does have a saucy twinkle in his eye. WHAT was the product, Eric? Surely you haven't been to another party selling windowsill decorations again? ;)
ReplyDeleteOhhhh mystery!!
ReplyDeleteEric, we all like to know what the product is ;) Please do tell us!!
On a different note --
I like the darkness of his cloak and hat to the rich reds of the surrounding areas.And is that a lantern in his hand?
He looks like he's up to no good.
*hmmm
Suzy+Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI love that movie Amelie <3 Audrey
Tatou is too cute for words.
This mystery guy almost like he has this 'come hither look'. .
m m m m
Such a rich picture! The saturated colors and lovely contrast. But now we are all dying to know what they are selling with a creepy guy out front! I'm going to guess perfume with a name like "Gypsy".
ReplyDeleteAnyone else have a guess?
Eric, now we know why you went to IKEA--for the red lantern that the "phantom" in your photo is holding. I saw tables full of them today during our hike through the store after we had Swedish meatballs at lunch.
ReplyDeleteLynn~~ When I read Eric' comment the first thing that popped into my head was, "Lynn and Suzy must have been good the last couple of days. Who else could he have meant!?"
ReplyDeleteWhen you make the picture big, the kid is kind of cute, even if he is a little bit spooky. I'm with everyone else in wondering what was the product being launched. Did it bubble? Maybe?
Since we've been good lately? Just what are you implying, sir? ...oh wait, I haven't been here lately. Obviously that's what you mean!!!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the photo, btw. Awesome. looks like it HAD to be a lot of fun!
The first thing I thought of was the scary guy in black from Amadeus. (Couldn't find a photo.) Maybe the stories are from the same period? I haven't seen Phantom.
ReplyDeleteEric, if Lynn is correct and you were at another party selling 'window decorations,' I'm going to start wondering about what you've been doing at work lately!
ReplyDeleteChristie, your guess is good...
I'm thinking a new mystery novel or (for some unknown reason) a new motorcycle for 2009.
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ReplyDeleteThose red walls looks more scary or maybe they just add to the scariness ;)
ReplyDeleteEric, Mercy for the "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra" clip. I just bought the opéra "Notre Dame de Paris" with Hélène Ségara, Daniel Lavoie, Bruno Pelletier, and Garou (in French). I adore opéra so naturally I'm looking for the "Le Fantôme de l'Opéra" DVD now. Cannot find it at Amazon.com. At least we have UTube when this happens.
ReplyDeletePetrea, I thought of "Amadeus" too.
Very cool shot today. I love Phantom and it is immediately what I thought of when I saw the photo. The red is striking!
ReplyDeleteBrrrr, both scary and inviting !!
ReplyDeleteI agree though with Petrea and Lois, this character much more makes me think of Amadeus than to Gaston Leroux (very much more early XXth century century atmosphere). As a matter of fact, I saw the arrival of the 3 maschere in Don Giovanni beyond your briliant picture.
he he Gramma. I came here to see if Eric had spilled the beans on the product yet but no, he's keeping us in suspenders. lol.
ReplyDeletePretty scaring, but this bright red is amazing, hypnotic... Definitely Amadeus, that's right. He's charming you: he wants you to buy his product!! So...what kind of product was it? ;)
ReplyDeleteGF Suzy!
Goodness Eric, a 70 million euro robbery of diamonds at Harry Winstons? Can we have a pic please? You know me and diamonds...I shall be interested to follow this story.
ReplyDeleteOK, OK, I'll break the terrible suspense! You are going to be disappointed ; nothing very sexy; Samsung Television sets...
ReplyDeleteOh dear, its finally come to this - I've started getting my news from Lynn's Update Desk at Channel PDP!
ReplyDeleteThat's alot of sparkle. I'm in love with jewels, too, Lynn - they're just so purrrty!
Tomate Farcie - I just checked out the Films de France.com site you included the other day - woooweee, what a find for me!! Merci, merci!
ReplyDeletelol Carrie! Diamonds will always make me blurt out news! I hope Eric can get a pic. Apparently some of the robbers were in drag. Hang on a sec....that masked man, there....Eric? What were you wearing today? lol !!! You didn't need to go to all THAT trouble with my Christmas present. I mean, I know you were pondering and everything but... ;)
ReplyDeleteTelevisions? TELEVISIONS? Sorry, nearly swallowed my lunch. You're giving us ...Televisions? Oh no they're not nearly saucy enough for what we've come to expect Eric. Get yourself down to those risque parties once again!
ReplyDeleteLOL Lynn
ReplyDelete(coucou Eric x) LOL
ReplyDeleteWe just bought this enormous TV and I hate it. There's no room for my Eiffel Towers on the console!
ReplyDeleteTelevisions. Bah, humbug.
Nothing but nothing, Suzy, should oust your Eiffel Towers! Says she, who HAS no Eiffel Towers. lol.
ReplyDeletei'm with petra - i first thought amadeus too.
ReplyDeletesuzy....what is up with the big TVs - my husband also bought one on "black friday" and its making me crazy!!!
oops - sorry i can't seem to type today. Petrea as you can see i forgot the "e" and did a "double enter" on your blog. oh mon dieu ;-) i can always blame it on the tv.
ReplyDeleteI have the same tv I have had for about 17 years. I don't plan to change it until it blows up.
ReplyDeleteI love my big TV, when I watch it, that is! Sorry girls, maybe it's a senior thing ;) big TVs.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the fiery red!!
ReplyDeleteMaria, I'm so glad to have you visit my blog. Having you visit twice is a bonus!
ReplyDeleteThere. I deleted one and now no one's the wiser. You can delete your own comments, too, if you wish. There's a little trash can icon in the lower left corner. You're the only one besides the blog administrator who can delete your comments.
ReplyDeleteI am certainly glad Eric transmits the letterbox format. I would hate to lose the edges of his photos.
ReplyDeleteAbstaining from additional admonitions and appropos of absolutely nothing here, I just re-read TS Eliot's "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock". God, what a classic. Hmm, maybe with the dreamlike red realm and lantern, there is a connection. Some disconnected lines:
"Oh, do not ask, “What is it?”
Let us go and make our visit."
"In the room the women come and go
Talking of Michelangelo."
"For I have known them all already, known them all:—
Have known the evenings, mornings, afternoons,
I have measured out my life with coffee spoons;
I know the voices dying with a dying fall
Beneath the music from a farther room."
"So how should I presume?"
(and, my favorite:)
"Do I dare to eat a peach?"
(I really love that line.)
How did I get here? (God, that American guy is just sooo weird.) I'm going out with a good friend tonight, our annual holiday dinner. Night on the town. Taxi!
Totally apropos, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteEric I met a lovely French lady today - I told her about PDP so I hope she may drop in. You can read about her over at mine. She is Christiane so we'll all make her welcome if she drops by!
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU for calling ALW's "Phantom" a musical and not an opera. I had the opportunity to see it while in London, and loved it. This guy's a little too red... but maybe he's a brother. :)
ReplyDeleteActually he reminds me more of Zoro than the Phantom.
ReplyDeleteVery exclusive photo and article thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete