Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Work!


I'm in Strasbourg today, the largest city in the east of France. It's a city known for its white wine, its Sauerkraut (it has a strong influence from Germany), its European parliament and... its Christmas markets. That is to say markets that are only open in December and sell Christmas related goods (well that was in the old times, now they sell a bit of everything, made in China!). But that is not the reason why I'm there today, it's for work! So I won't see much of all this... To remain in context, I took this photo tonight (in Paris, not Strasbourg!) It's a view from my office onto other offices ;-)

28 comments:

  1. Yes, this doesn't exactly conjure up visions of sugarplums! And if it's made in China, I'll skip the Christmas Fair too. Actually like this photo a lot!

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  2. This photo has me feeling quite voyeuristic...and I like it.

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  3. We are now definetely looking at Paris though Eric's eyes!!!!

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  4. Ahhhhhhh, here we go!

    They look like apartments! I like this shot.

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  5. Fun to see you office view, and it reminds me to ask again if it is true most Parisians' typical work week is 32-36 hours. Since I get the impression your position demands many more hours than that of you, what is your typical work week in hours, and is that an exception to the norm? Thanks Eric,
    -Kim

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  6. All the world's a stage,
    And all the men and women merely players.

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  7. Suddenly I feel a Jimmy Stewart in wheel chair moment coming on.... Best to you in Strasbourg, Eric.

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  8. I don't know why this makes me feel cozy. Maybe it's because the lights are warm, and you're not the only one who's working late.

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  9. Maybe Eric isn't the only one working late, but this photo gives me the same distress that I get at my own office building. I don't see a solitary soul in any of the offices but the lights are blazing away. Its one of the easiest ways to be green, but, in city after city, an amazing amount of electricity is used as building after building has lights and equipment left on all night long. In my building there is actually no way to turn off many of the lights.

    OK - end of rant. Sorry!

    Apart from that, I like the photo alot, and there's that sky again!
    And thanks for taking us into your world a little bit, too, Eric. Hope you'll get a bit of time off soon!

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  10. Nice view Eric...show us your office next time with the refrigerator and place for your naps! ;-)

    Tomate, you seem to be having lots of trouble viewing the photos here. Are you sure it isn't that MAC of yours? hehe

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  11. Oops, people may have read my nap comment in the wrong way. I'm sure Eric works very hard, but get him to tell you about his power naps...

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  12. I love seeing high-rise buildings lit up and active! It's nice to see this view from your window.

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  13. Oh, this is an excellent view, Eric. It could almost be one of the buildings where I'm located. I said almost. giggles. Oh, to be in Paris would be marvelous.

    Carrie....some buildings leave their lights on to save on heat during the winter. I'm not so sure about this theory, but that is how our building management spins it. giggles.


    I'm curious about the power naps.....

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  14. It could also be the building I work in! That's amazing to see how many details can be seen... with lights inside by night.
    Where are you located Misplaced?
    Eric, have a nice trip to Strasbourg!

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  15. Misplaced Parisian - that's interesting. You must be in a cold climate - here in Southern California we don't stand much chance of the pipes bursting overnight. I guess thast made me a bit myopic in looking at it. I'm sure that even if they're spinning it, there must be a mix of considerations in different places that I wasn't thinking of. So, thanks for broadening my outlook!

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  16. Ooh, Michael, now the cat's out of the power nap bag! Come on, Eric, do tell, do show!! BTW, I think you deserve any nap time you get - you seem to squeeze more out of a day than I can often imagine.

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  17. This power nap thing that Michael raised.
    Does anyone remember the episode of Seinfeld when crafty George constructs a hidden compartment in his office desk so that he can crawl inside to have a sleep instead of working?
    Perhaps Eric has a similar arrangement.

    I love Alsace white wines. The very first meal I had in Paris was Alsatian.
    - What I mean is 'from Alsace' - not dog!

    (In the UK we call German Shepherds 'Alsatians')

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  18. Such in interesting photo. I have an urge to crop it just to the office windows; make a great poster. Zazzle-dazzle it?

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  19. Drummond, speaking of French drinks, I experimented last night and tried a liqueur named St. Germain, which is made from elderflowers (not posies past their prime!) and it was quite nice. It also comes in an attractive fin-de-seicle bottle.

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  20. This reminds me of the wonderful film Playtime by Jacques Tati.

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  21. Paris seems to be a city lacking curtains....in flats and offices. It's actually kind of nice to think people don't hide away behind blinds all the time.


    Carrie, I have been tempted to dry St. Germain since the local liquor store here is really pushinh it with displays on the counter etc, but I have not caved in yet. What is the flavor like?


    Sean

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  22. Eric, this is a bit a contrast to all those terrific cityviews. I am not the only one working in a dull office :-)

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  23. Sean - its fruity and includes an unusual flavor that's hard to describe, which I assume is the elderflower. There may be other things that are closer, but the closest thing I can think of is white Lillet, though that's not a liqueur, but an aperitif, and so its thinner than St. Germain. I don't know how much that helps!

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  24. Bienvenu chez moi! I hope you did find some time for a vin chaud or a winstub!

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