Friday, September 26, 2008

Les Deux Magots meeting


When I heard Katie (from San Francisco), Lynn (from Phoenix) and Michael (from Miami & Paris!) were to meet at Les Deux Magots (one of the most famous cafés in Paris, located in the Saint Germain area) tonight, I was not sure I could join because of my work. I finally managed to get there at 8:30 to find out that Thibault, Guille and Heather, a newbe also from San Francisco were also there. We all ended up having dinner in the area and spent a super evening. I don't know who started this PDP thing, but it was a pretty good idea ;)!!

78 comments:

  1. What a fabulous photo Eric! Who are all those lovely people??!

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  2. Katie!!! You made it! Thib will be furious (these Blackberries are soo fast...)
    I had a wonderful evening. Picture token by a nice French girl, maybe a little bit ...blurry? We can see that it's not OUR photographer who took it, right?

    Jeff, it was not a dream, we called you. (thanks Mike!) ;)

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  3. What a fun time it looks like you all had. And KATIE you did it again! GF and partying all night as well. What a great vacation you are having.

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  4. Tall Gary I didn't know what to say because I just knew I had to be quicker than Guille. At dinner she said she'd be first and I couldn't let that challenge go unanswered! Coucou Guille! Great fun to meet everyone tonight!! Now I really must sleep so I can do it all again tomorrow!

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  5. Katie, hehe, I was probably still in the tube, or maybe taking my shoes off in my room LOL.

    Heather? Heather where are you?! Just say hi. :)

    A thought for PHX Lynn who will wake up in...5 hours. Ouch!

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  6. Guille in 6 hours PHX will be baking a cake on the plane with that liquid cake mix! Eric thank you again for starting PDP and helping to bring the world together! You really are a gem, and a fabulous photographer!

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  7. Didn't refresh. So wrote my 1st comment on yesterday'spost ;-(
    But anyway, later than Katie and Guille who are definitely fighting for GF...

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  8. Yes, who ever it was that started this whole PDP thing was a total genius. If only we could remember who it was.

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  9. Thib, you make me laugh! You knew (know/knew/known) that you had no chance, n'est-ce pas?

    Katie, berk berk berk! Cake mix...what a strange idea.

    Eric, you're definitely a gem!

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  10. Oh, what a wonderful thing!! I hope you all had an absolutely lovely time! Eric, you are definitely a genius, a gem, and a gentleman for sharing Paris with all of us.

    Katie, I hope you're having a totally fab vacation! I'm slightly jealous, but only slightly; I'll have my time in Paris someday. But until then, eat a croissant for me!!

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  11. Eric, Looks like a great group having a wonderful time. PDP rocks!

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  12. What a delightful scene! Thank you for sharing your evening together, with all of us.

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  13. You are all beautiful! The person who took your photograph did a good job because you look vibrant and real, I almost feel like I'm there with you. Bonjour Heather!

    Whoever invented this PDP thing deserves some kind of peace prize. I like Christie's "g" words: genius, gentleman, gem.

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  14. As Fernando Lamas would say, "YOU ALL LOOK MARVELOUS!!!!" PDP??? Oh, yes doesn't it stand for "PERFECTLY DASHING PEOPLE!" ;-)Merci for allowing us in to your soiree!

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  15. It looks like you all had a wonderful time... I would give anything to have been there instead of being here...

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  16. Oh I love it...what a great picture and I enjoy viewing the PDP and vicariously being in Paris with Katie and all her blogger friends. Thanks to the gal who took the picture, blurry or not!

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  17. It's a great picture, blurry & all. And did you really eat at the Bonaparte? Now I'm really jalouse! Actually, I'm very happy that you had such a good time (and especially Eric, because if it wasn't for you . . .
    Am off to Italy tomorrow afternoon for 2 weeks, and not sure what kind of Internet access I'll have day to day. Scheduled my blog ahead (hope that works), but I'll REALLY miss my daily PDP fix!

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  18. I count five radiant grins and two, "I wonder if she knows what she's doing with that camera in her hands."

    The real star of the evening doesn't look bad at all for being so overworked these days.

    LynnPHX, if that is what being a flight attendant does to one I think jet travel is on its way to replacing plastic surgery for appearance enhancement.

    It is nice to see once again that Guille, Michael and Thib are superlative, real-life human beings and not just tiny little icons on our computer monitors.

    The lighting really makes Heather look like she is roaming in the gloaming. Well done lassie, joining the night's Parisian elite.

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  19. On the 29th of January this year, the 75th Prix des Deux Magots was awarded to Dominique Barberis for her book ‘Quelque chose à cacher’ (‘Something to Hide’) - quite the opposite of PDP, which always has something delightful, surprising, or edifying to reveal. Here, for instance, we see the beaming faces of our friends, who have at various times and in various ways been delightful, surprising, and edifying.

    Let’s hope they raised a glass to Simone and Jean-Paul!

    À la votre!

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  20. It strikes me that although of all the people pictured I've met only Katie in person, you're all real to me. I remember during the advent of online communication there was a good deal of criticism of "virtual" friendship. But my reaction to seeing you all in the photo is real; I'm truly moved at your joy in being together and I think of you as real, not virtual, friends.

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  21. This warms my heart on a rainy Vancouver night! How I wish I was one of those smiling faces in that wonderful picture!

    Eric ~ you are the BEST!!!

    Nikki

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  22. Reminds me of a favorite song = you look "Wonderful Tonight!"

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  23. I don't know how you did it Katie, Guille, Thib and Eric. When I got home I had to crash from being out so late on a "school night"! Here it is 6:34am and I am so sympathetic for PHX who is on her way to the airport and will soon be sticking her corgette (zucchini) in the oven along with her liquid cake mix!

    It was a wonderful evening where, amongst other things, we learned that they have a law against giving ashtrays on the terrace because it will make people want to smoke. Sometimes I just don't get it...

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  24. Heather.....where ARE you? Oh Heather...don't be afraid... come out come out wherever you are. You were so nice in person that you shouldn't let this little comment box scare you.

    Katie you WILL have a fantastic time for a month here. Don't be a stranger and call if you need anything.

    We're waiting for the rest of you to come to town. I tried to call you Monica and Rose, but couldn't find your phone numbers. And Petrea, I got through to you, but your agent said you weren't taking calls on the set. I DO need the number to your private line for future reference!

    Ugh...have to get ready to work...

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  25. Oh yes, Thib... It was so cold by the end of last night, how was the Velib ride? 30 minutes? You must have been really worn out when you got home. I forgot to say last night, but other than Lynn, those flashy 2008 flagged glasses certainly become you. Maybe the basis for the real GF crown on top of your head?

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  26. Now, wait a minute. Eric's knees are bent. Was that a little horseplay to get front row perks?

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  27. This is a bleary eyed PHXLynn after that 5 hr sleep ready to leave CDG. Will comment when I get back to the USA in 10 hrs or so from now, but I just had to see the post!

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  28. Petrea, I'm with you -- These people seem real to me! You all feel like my own "Cheers" experience online! (In this Parisian version, however, instead of shouting "Norm!" in unison, "Eric!" is the name we call.) Truly, this is a little miracle of a place, and I appreciate today's photo for, yet again, serving almost to transport me to where I'd love to be -- in Paris with all of you. :)

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  29. Bonjour tout le monde !
    I'm back at work, after a short, but good, night!
    And as usual my first action is a visit to PDP.

    Guille, I'm not furious;-) I just know I can't compete with you, so I don't even try!

    Michael, the Velib ride was fine. You, know, biking keeps you warm (would you say that ?).
    I even took time for a few pictures of the sparkling Eiffel tower... (certainly not as good as Eric's).

    Heather, we miss your "hi!"

    Katie, do enjoy your Parisian month, and give a bell if you want.

    LynnPHX, you're probably already in this crew waiting room, hoping for a "anybody OK for a return flight to Barcelona?", so that you can be back in Paris tonight... Thank you again, for having organised this great evening.

    And, Eric, of course thank you, thank you, thank you, for the creation of this magic PDP World.

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  30. BTW, Guille, I don't really worry about your pix! (but I want to see them!)
    You know, I do assume my parisian nights ;-)

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  31. Thib, LOL. Well, I do assume too..hm.

    PHX, courage! Enjoy your courgette.

    Petrea, what you said was touching. I think the same thing, you're all absolutely real and my wish is to meet you... Just to be sure that you're real... ;)

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  32. It sounds like and looks like it would be fun. What an evening that must have been.

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  33. All these photographs make a visit to France seem imperative.
    www.bryansoderlind.com

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  34. Michael, do not tell me you lost my phone number!!! ohh I would have loved to get a phon call from you guys.
    And would have loved to be there with you. How great!!!!!!!!

    Such fabulous people meeting at such a fabulous place.

    Eric deserves an award for bringing so many people around the world together. I MEAN IT!!!!

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  35. I'm so jealous. I wish I could have been there.

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  36. Look at that group of amazing and beautiful people! I'm am SO jealous. When it's my turn I'm gonna have a hard time deciding which of the fabulous people I'm with I'll be hugging in the photo. Oh who am I kidding, we all know it'll be Michael!!!

    Speaking of, Countdown to graduation is on! I've got 7 weeks left until my externship and 11 until my "official" graduation date! My friend and I are definitely scrambling to figure out when we'll be able to make our trip a reality!!!

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  37. Oh, one more thing: That guy who thought up the idea for PDP- Einstein of the blogosphere. (Not to mention world most adorable smile award winner!!!)

    Betcha can't tell I'm in a fabulous mood today.

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  38. PDP is a great idea, Eric.
    Christie's three G's describe you to a T!

    You all look truly lovely and happy and why not? You are in the most beautiful city in the world with the most beautiful companions.

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  39. One thing about Paris: lots of pretty women.

    Good job on getting the party together. That was Lynn? What a party animal!

    Ah! So it wasn't a dream that I heard your voices? Actually, my boss was in my office, talking about our big project, my phone rang, I saw the number, and I said "I have to take this--it's from Paris!"

    (I have to set my priorities, you know.)

    It was soooo fun talking with you all.

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  41. Thinking I was only 50 kilometers away is so frustrating !
    My evening was cancelled almost at the last minute, however I am not sure I would have dared to show up unannounced.
    I am glad for you, that you had such a nice time all together.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Katie, I hope that your stay in France is as pleasant as possible.
    But I am not sure that even a month is enough to pay a visit to all the spots Eric shows us on his blog.
    If you ever want to visit Seine et Marne, like Vaux le Vicomte or Fontainebleau area, I'll be happy to be your guide.

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  42. Marylène, it sounds divine! Take her up on it, Katie!

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  43. What, no video?!! Remboursez!!!

    And who is this PDP guy? ;)

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  44. Oh Tomate we talked about you too! Do you get 7 weeks of vacation where you work as well?

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  45. Michael, you just have to rub it in, don't you?

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  46. Nooooo....I meant it in a nice way... that we thought of you all last night and missed you. We had to sit there all by ourselves just watching the chic Parisians walking by and looking in all of the shop windows by ourselves and having to drink all of that lovely wine by ourselves...

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  47. Michael, "just watching the chic Parisians walking by and looking in all of the shop windows by ourselves and having to drink all of that lovely wine by ourselves."
    LOL! We survived, didn't we?

    Yes, 7 of us was big fun. But 20 (or more...) would have been bigger fun... except, maybe, for the "garçon" at les 2 Magots ;-)

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  48. Yes it was a good idea, Eric and I thank you for it everyday. What a sparkling group, so happy - outside Les Deux Magots.

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  49. Chocolate Chaud anyone? It is good and the people watching there cannot be beat.

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  50. You're all so sweet ;) Thanks so much for you nice words and compliments.

    More particularly "Yes, who ever it was that started this whole PDP thing was a total genius. (Natalie)" LOOOOOOOL!

    And I thought that Coltrane suggestion for PDP (PDP??? Oh, yes doesn't it stand for "PERFECTLY DASHING PEOPLE!) was probably the best!

    And what about Monica's idea "Eric deserves an award for bringing so many people around the world together. I MEAN IT!!!!" ?!

    You'll make me laugh.

    Sorry , but right now, I HAVE to go to bed... I've got 252 hours of sleep to catch up with LOL!

    ENORMOUS KISS to everyone.

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  51. ...and sitting with my two favorite pretty girls, and two more I haven't yet met.

    Ok, ok, Michael, je suis desolée. Clearly, I misunderstood. You deserve my sympathy. Such burdens you suffer for us! A martyr, truly. (Where's that big stake and a pile of straw when you need them?)

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  52. And a true merci beaucoup to Eric, le Roi de PDP. (But don't mess with notre reine!)

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  53. So, so, so wonderful to see you all glowing with cheer and friendship. PDP and all the bloggers who jumped on board have created a lovely space of friendship in the universe. That friendly Parisian guy has cloned his goodwill a hundred times over, and it's apparent every day in this comment box. A box of virtual friends who are glad to meet each other face to face when they can. I think Petrea expressed it perfectly.

    Katie, wishing you a magical time, and please keep us posted on all your Parisian adventures. How fun to see my home girl paling around with people I'm very fond of who live half a world away and whom I've come to know through their words and photos. This world is a small a good place, non?
    An evening to remember! Happiness to you all, and all those who would have loved to be present with you. . .all of us here!
    -Kim

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  54. Two out of seven from San Francisco??? What great representation we have in Paris!! Wine at Les Deux Magots and diner at le Bonaparte, sounds like a perfect soiree!!

    From the way you are all dressed it looks like the nights are getting cooler? Gosh..I miss autumn in Paris!! If all goes well I will be there next spring. Springtime in Paris isn't too bad either! ;-) Have fun!!!

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  55. OMG OMG OMG *blush&giggle* Did Eric just give us all an enormous kiss? *swoon*

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  56. Would love to be in the jardin du Luxembourg humming "Autumn
    Leaves" and mixing it with the locals (even the pigeons). Loved reading all your tales of woe, you magnificent seven. :-)

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  57. Soosha...congrats on the getting towards the end of your pharm-studies. You should celebrate! Good weekend in St Louis.

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  58. Hi, you all look very happy. And look like you are having a wonderful time. I have met three of you personally so I know how fun you are. There was such a build up to this party; it swept me away. I showed the group photo to a colleague at my office. He had stopped by to talk with me. So I introduced him to all of you. And he, Shantanu, said, The Two Magots??? I looked it up on Google, and it said that "Magots" are Chinese wise men. It also said that the cafe was named after a popular play in Paris.

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  59. Two years ago, my pal and I sat having a drink at the table where the woman in black sits, behind Michael in the photo. At the table next to us, a German man started an argument with the waiter because "this is not pepper sauce!". Then the manager came out, and the argument continued. "This is not pepper sauce!" the man insisted. "But, monsieur, I assure you, this is exactly how our pepper sauce is supposed to taste." I was almost laughing out loud about a German instructing the French at Les Deux Magots about food. That was a humerous, if irritating, experience.

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  60. It is wonderful to see you all together. I was thinking of you in the right timezone and was there in spirit.

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  61. Coltrane, darling, thanks! Good weekend...wherever the heck you are!!! Me, I've got a super busy weekend with lots of stuff to do. Tomorrow is my little brother's birthday, the chili cook-off, and about a dozen family friendly picnics and parties and whatnot in Forest Park!

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  62. I can barely get a thought out as my jetlag is in its full blown stage right now.
    Petra:you captured the moment exactly even tho you weren't there physically.I marveled at how we all just got along and enjoyed each other's company. ,

    Lucio: I even brought you up, as in where have you been?
    Then Guille filled me in. See what I mean on how we are all connected?
    Tall Gary: LOVED the compliment!

    My liquid cake mix (can't be found in the USA) which I bought at MOnoprix ,filled the business class area with a delicious smell but I only shared with the crew!I didn't cook it on the ground as you suggested, Michael--no time-and it had only a slight attitude slope (from the way the airplane was flying.)
    Thank you all for a lovely evening, each and every one of you. It was well worth the lack of sleep.
    Jeff: It was a kick to hear your voice!
    We also made a toast to all of you out there-like CALI!
    I expect to hear from Heather in the future on PDP.
    Katie:I am so glad to add you to my in person PDP family.
    Guille, Thib, Michael and Eric--you certainly kept me laughing, just like you do on PDP.

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  63. phx-cdg: I am currently orbiting PDP in my purpose-built study lab. Nice to know that I'm still a blip on your radar, though.

    Katie: Petrea is right, you must (if possible) take Marylène up on her offer! Have fun!!

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  64. What a wonderful group of people - looks like a great night!!!

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  65. Ohhh...plan another one in May! I'm coming for a cooking class!

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  66. How cool Anne! Where are you taking the course?

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  67. What a fantastic photo of all of you. How I wish I'd been there too...!

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  68. I am taking a class (cooking, cheese shops, bakery visits - tah-dah!) with cookbook author Patricia Wells. Think of the blogging I will do! My husband will explore historic bits of Paris while I am in class each day. Can't wait!

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  69. Oops, forgot the "where"...Not far from Deux Magots on Rue Jacob.

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  70. I just found this Eric while scrolling back to see what I missed while we were on holidays. Looks like you had a great night and meeting in such a famous place. Katie, you must have been thrilled to see everyone.

    Anne R: Fantastic about the cooking class. I could surely use one of those!!

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  71. I just found this Eric while scrolling back to see what I missed while we were on holidays. Looks like you had a great night and meeting in such a famous place. Katie, you must have been thrilled to see everyone.

    Anne R: Fantastic about the cooking class. I could surely use one of those!!

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  72. I just found this Eric while scrolling back to see what I missed while we were on holidays. Looks like you had a great night and meeting in such a famous place. Katie, you must have been thrilled to see everyone.

    Anne R: Fantastic about the cooking class. I could surely use one of those!!

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