I was wandering in the Montparnasse cemetery early this morning (yes, I do wander in cemeteries from time to time...) and I came across this "funny" coincidental scene. Someone must have left the pack a few minutes before my coming, because it was still standing even though it was a little bit windy. Some of you may find this a bit macabre, and though it's true: smoking kills. BTW, don't miss the Montparnasse cemetery if you come to Paris, it's a great place to visit.
Ha ha, Eric, nice catch. I like your angle (literally and figuratively). We didn't go to Montparnasse cemetery when we were there, only Pere Lachaise, but it's on my list for next time.
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to cool the ladies down after yesterday.
Défense de fumer!
ReplyDelete-buzzgirl
gives the term "taking it to his grave" a new meaning.
ReplyDeleteWow - that's awesome! The pack couldn't have been more perfectly positioned. I love serendipitous moments like this. I have all the cemetaries on my list for next time since I've yet to enter one of these famous Parisian locations.
ReplyDeleteShall I out the PDP smokers I know? Nah. I'll let them out themselves.
ReplyDeleteEric, did you add the "Fumer tue" or was that on the box when you found it?
Petrea sums this image up perfectly the angle image wise and literally. Anyone who enjoys taking images just has to wander round a cemetery at least once. My morbid curiosity has always wanted to explore this place for the obvious reasons as to who lies there. A habit I have long since stubbed out, which means hopefully I will live longer to enjoy my other vices.
ReplyDeleteIt might be obvious, but some people still don't get the message. The fallen leaves and twigs add a nice touch. This should be on Zazzle.
ReplyDeletePetrea: do you think some of the ladies need cooling down? How ironic to post ciggies today.
The Montparnasse cemetery might be a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. ;)
ReplyDeleteThat's poetic ~ and my laptop has only just stopped smoking after yesterday, too.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Petrea and Cali!
on Zazzle?! Mayabe for Halloween, then. If you send me a card with this picture on it, I wouldn't like it one bit.
ReplyDeleteNot as a card, Tomate, but on a bag or something. But if it ends up on cards I will make sure to get one to you somehow! Maybe it would be more appropriate as a birthday card?
ReplyDeleteShoot, that comment at 3:25 was me!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIn love w/Paris: that is the spirit! Let's see if Tomate agrees with you regarding more Parisians. ;-)
ReplyDeleteNever having entered un tabac in Paris I've never noticed the labels on cigarette packages warning people in France about the risks of smoking. I'm glad. The more Parisians on this planet the better!
ReplyDeleteCali, some may have needed cooling down, some may have wanted a cigarette. Seeing cigarettes on a grave may make a person think twice, however.
ReplyDeleteThe smell alone is enough to make one think twice!
ReplyDeleteThe cooling down comment was meant as a joke, but I forgot to add ;-)
I need to check out yesterday's link so that I can test out Gramma Ann's enlarging secret. =D
Could it be a "memorial" to a friend??
ReplyDeleteSlick, hard, and sexy. Les Parisiennes. Maybe it's their religious facade, shining like smooth granite, with stark edges and clear lines. Ah, but there's more, and that's why I love those dames. The essence of Chanel, the rancor of Marlboro. Who can explain her essence as she waits with you in live for a table? The emotion as you watch her order her wine? Those eyes. Oh, those eyes. You want to tell her, you want to smoke her...but she's a granite cross. She's a crimson obelisk. She's death in a box. Oh, but what a box.
ReplyDeleteI gave her my usual rates. She said she'd think about it.
I poured another drink and looked out over the Seine. It wasn't the first time I wondered if I'd made a mistake....
Not as a card, Tomate, but on a bag or something. But if it ends up on cards I will make sure to get one to you somehow! Maybe it would be more appropriate as a birthday card?
ReplyDeleteYou want to walk around with a bag with a tombstone on it? Hmmm... ok. Takes all kinds I guess ;)
It appeals to my twisted sense of humor. ;-)
ReplyDeleteJeff: I like your story.
I like this pic firstly for its message but also as it illustrates, as you have done many times Eric, how the French often like to leave statements and messages around Paris. I'm sure most people would just throw this into the bin but the French - art and thought first. I like it.
ReplyDeleteVery funny. And have you seen all those ciggie butts on Jim Morrison's grave at Pere Lachaise!!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite Paris guedbooks (of multitudes) is one called Permanent Parisians - all about graves!
PS - There's a mystery to solve on my blog today!
ReplyDeleteYeah, great place to visit, but wouldn't want to stay there, if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteAh Jeff, our very own American Gigolo in Paris.
I like to wander cemeteries too sometimes. You can find some amazing photos there. The beauty of life is not just in life.
ReplyDeletePS-Hi guys, I've missed ya!
As cigarettes are also called 'coffin nails' it's a very appropriate picture indeed!
ReplyDeleteEric, if you're ever on a trip to London, visit Highgate Cemetary, it's a must for any keen photographer.
Too late Sally, you already posted the answer! I knew it anyway LOL!
ReplyDeleteJ'adore! Je voulais te signaler que j'imprime une douzaine de tes photos pour afficher dans ma salle de classe cette année. Mes étudiants adorent tes photos.
ReplyDeleteLove your story, Jeff.
ReplyDeleteHi Soosh!
Eric --this is a great catch, perfectly composed.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are in rare form again today.
Jeff -- your "blog lit" is brilliant!
Hi Soosha!
I had friends who used to go to Pere Lachaise almost every afternoon in warm weather—to do that thing you do that you want to smoke a ciggie after you do it.
So have any of you ever done it in a cemetery?
You have to love a language, and a culture for that matter, that is comfortable enough with itself to skip the long winded verbiage and get right to the point. In the US, those same two words would be replaced with something like this:
ReplyDelete"This warning is not the opinion of the writer, box company or the cigarette assembly line worker who filled it. In no way does this tobacco company want you dead, or wish death upon you. Warning, contents of the box may ignite when exposed to a flame and are hot! No animals were harmed in the making of this warning, and no warranty (expressed or implied) can be derived from this warning statement. Please visit our web site for more information at www.killyoufaster.com/whilemakingusrich.html "
Sean
Hi Eric,
ReplyDeleteThis is a stunning picture that only you could fall on. Bravo.
I used to smoke (a little) when I was younger and was able to quit that habit very easily, luckily. I know some habits I would quit less easily.
A walk in a Cemetery in a early morning is a bit odd to me but I can picture it either stimulating... But in anycase, let's bet it is better to go there as long as you are feeling able to freely escape yourself from it ;) Before the day it will no more be possible, remember what Nietzche said (well as it is reported...) "all what don't kill you, make you stronger".
PDP does not kill, does it? ;)
Good one!
ReplyDeleteAlexa, shame on you! I wouldn't be caught dead doing it in a cemetery. It's much better when you're alive...
ReplyDeleteNice capture Eric. Now tell us, did you walk away or did you put the litter in the bin?
Love it!! Mais "Dunhill"?? Pourquoi pas Gauloises??? LOL!!!
ReplyDeleteMontparnasse has some greats...Sartre, deBeauvoir, Gainsbourg. The cemeteries of Paris are such great journals of past accomplishments and failures..sighhh..
I actually picked up a few of those cigarette packs with the warnings attached and brought them back the last time I was in Paris. I especially liked the one that warned that "smoking killed your spermatozoa!" ;-)
Jeff, this story is movingly written
ReplyDeleteHey Soosha, welcome back ;)
Voix. Wow, ça me rend fier ;)
Sean LLLLLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOOLL !
Oceane "A walk in a Cemetery in a early morning is a bit odd to me but I can picture it either stimulating.." Yes I understand. But to me it's just like another garden, peaceful and with beautiful pieces of art (I'll show you some).
I don't think of death at all in a cemetery. Don't know why. PDP does not kill, but we already had to regret the depart of a member of the CDP community ;(
Michael "Now tell us, did you walk away or did you put the litter in the bin?" I walked away ;) I thought to myself: "It was there for a reason".
Tonton "Love it!! Mais "Dunhill"?? Pourquoi pas Gauloises??? LOL!!!" Er... actually French cigarettes are not that popular here anymore.
Tonton...I hate when that happens! ;-)
ReplyDeleteMarvelous shot. A once-in-a-lifetime.....deathtime? ...shot!
ReplyDeleteAnd what an addition Jeff's story is. I can't get over it: such creativity in a comments section.
YOU NAILED OUR CULTURE OCEANE
ReplyDeleteHere's a good site for learning about the Paris cemeteries
ReplyDeletehttp://pariscemeteries.com/