Monday, June 07, 2010

PDP Picnic 2010


Hello everyone, here is DA photo you've all been waiting for... Due to the bad weather, a lot of people were discouraged (I don't blame them, even I wouldn't have come if I weren't kinda involved in the gathering!) but eventually it did not rain and we even had a few rays of sun... As always it was wonderful to meet all these -very - nice people. We were lucky enough to have a chef among us (Ulla, just behind Andrew, the man in the green shirt) who brought some delicious food. Champagne was brought by... Drummond  (for yes Drummond, his wife Mae and his humor were there!). Pasta Salad by Anissa, the lady from the Hungarian Cultural Center. I was spoiled by Jeff and Rose, we all thought of Lynn (PHX-CDG), spoke to Lynn (UK) on the phone and had nice talks and laughs with everyone, including newcomers. And yes, I think I was photographed a few times, although I did not notice anything in particular... (Maybe Sab did!). I also took a few videos and this year, I promise, I will post them!
From left to right, starting with the last row: 1-Jeff, Cathy, Mai, Drummond, 2-Ulla, Guille, Linda, Rose, Michael, 3-Andy, Anissa, Philip, Allan, 4-Vicenzo. 

39 comments:

  1. Looks like a bunch of happy people! I would have been there in a monsoon, if I could have. Looking forward to your videos, Eric!

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  2. BTW, this shot reminds me of what my daughter and I say when someone points a camera at us: Shoot from above, shoot from above! Glad to see you do, Eric.

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  3. Yes Alexa I don't always crawl on the floor LOL!

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  4. It's always nice to see all at the picnic and now I can put a face with all the commenters. Thanks for sharing, Eric. I am looking forward to viewing the video.

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  5. Gorgeous bunch! Nice to meet you all. Are all these people commenters, too? If so, I'd like to know their "handles." I know Rose, Michael, Guille, Drummond, Jeff...I think I've seen Anissa here, too. Hello! Now I'm wondering about the others. It's wonderful to meet you. Wish I could do so in person.

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  6. And like Alexa, if I'd been anywhere in the Paris vicinity, a monsoon wouldn't have kept me away.

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  7. glad you all had a good time despite the weather

    Next year maybe!

    Eli
    x

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  8. Look at those lovely smiling faces ~ you all brought your own sunshine anyway! So wonderful to put some names to faces. Thank you for the pique-nique peek, Eric!

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  9. Count me in with the "monsoon-couldn't-have-kept-me-away" group. Beautiful photo!!! My heart was so there today. Eric, I can't imagine ever being able to thank you enough for PDP; what joy it brings and friendship it fosters!

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  10. P.S. I have been rather MIA lately. That has been due to a number of factors and most recently to the fact that Nashville received severe flooding a month ago; several friends lost their homes, and I lost my workplace. I hope to be around more often ... PDP is always a breath of fresh air!

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  11. Parisian Heart I'm sorry to hear that. I hear the news and don't always connect it with people I know. Of course the troubles in the gulf are now touching people I've met in the blogging world as well--CDP bloggers watching the oil wash up on their shores. It brings it all closer to home for me.

    CDP has opened my world, and brought me in touch with people everywhere. A good reason to celebrate Paris Daily Photo today and every day.

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  12. Thanks, Petrea. Actually, there was relatively little national coverage about the flooding in Nashville. Most out-of-state friends with whom I've spoken had not heard much about it and were unaware of the severity of the damage. The oil spill damage is also unfathomable. Indeed, it is the close-up photos that tug at one's heart.

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  13. Eric -- Yes, you've found a whole new perspective!

    Parisian Heart -- All of you down in Nashville have my sympathy as well. And you're so right about the lack of coverage—shameful!

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  14. Well I'll be there shortly. Perhaps a petite gathering of Eric devotees could meet for a drink??
    V

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  15. So sorry my phone was off when you guys called :(

    Too big a time difference, I was asleep. Went to a party last night so it was impossible to wake up early. But still, listening to Michael's message with that noise in the back and knowing that the noise was you guys is great!

    Rosie Hi!!!!

    Didn't know PHX wouldn't go, where is she?

    On the other hand I knew Guille would show up. And did you notice her t-shirt??!!!
    LOL Guile !!!

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  16. So happy to see all of you and Eric didn't say, 'back up, back up' thank goodness. Next year, perhaps, you'll add even more smiling faces to the gathering...

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  17. Looks like fun! Glad everyone had a good time.

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  18. Beautiful group...who cares about the weather! Thought about you all as I mowed my backyard and trimmed the bushes and...hey, I did have a cold brew and raised my bottle to the east. :-) Glad to see your faces. They do look happy. Oh, and yes this new Tenin perspective is fantabulosa!

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  19. Monsoon or not, I'm shooting for next year. :o)

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  20. I love this photo, all of you look so happy! & I would be too if I had been there. I think Shell is right about you bringing your own sunshine. I thought of the picnic many times today, knowing it would be wonderful to stop by here today and see what everyone had to say.
    thanks for bringing PDP and all of its loveliness into our lives Eric!
    : )

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  21. I agree with Eric, the rain casted its doubts, but there was always a Plan B so no way to miss meeting all of these fine people. The sun was good and hot on the Seine as I was leaving for my train and some new people were showing up, Arnaud, Jerome and Fred, to carry on.

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  22. Yes, Michael, that's right, a few more showed up. So, the number of people who attended was a little larger than the photo indicates. (Don't forget to add Eric to the picture!) It was quite fun to meet new people and the food was just great. Maybe the best meal I had in Paris!

    Thanks again to Eric and Michael for organizing it all, especially the timing!

    PHX where are you? Tried calling and texting you several times in the last few days.

    I'm about to change lodging for the last day in Paris, so I won't have internet. Au revoir until I get home, mes amis.

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  23. Oh, and let's not forget that Eric joined seven of us for dinner in a brasserie for dinner that night. That was quite fun, even though everyone talking at once was difficult to understand! Nerci M. PDP for taking more time for your friends.

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  24. Lovely photo even though Michael does have his arm around another girl!

    This is a spectacular annual event Eric and you deserve to be very proud!

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  25. Eric, you and your great friends are the highlight of my week in Paris. I'm so glad I got to meet you all. You are as cute as a box of kittens! BTW, I thought the wx was perfect--breezy with great clouds; I melt when it gets too hot in Paris.

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  26. You obviously had a great time together! I'm waiting for the videos...

    @Guille: only you could wear this T-shirt ;-))

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  27. A NEW Tenin perspective! Are we to see more of this new angle?! I look forward to them :)

    Lovely shot, Eric. How wonderful to see everyone there and I am even more envious now. Thank you for the call, it was fantastic to speak to you at the time of the fun! xxx

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  28. Monica, Thib, je l'assume ce tee-shirt! :)

    I just poped in for 1.30 hour, and it was great meeting new people (lovely Drummond and Mae, Ulla and Cathy). Then the regulars, of course, were there. We missed PHX who couldn't make it and was in London (seems like the place to be!).
    I left with presents from Jeff and Rose and in a great mood.

    Rose, too bad you showed up just before I left...Ahh.

    Merci Eric d'avoir organisé ce picnic, 3rd for me, but definitely not the last.

    xxx

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  29. I would just have loved to meet you all.
    You all look wonderful and happy - and Rose you just look FAB.

    I agree with Lynn - more photos please !!!

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  30. I'm glad this annual PDP picnic has been a true highlight.
    Nice to see you Drummond. After reading your good words with a lot of pleasure, I'll now be able to put a face on them! May you and your wife enjoy your trip as it must be and even more, of course.
    Long life to PDP and to all of you.
    A bientôt.

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  31. I am so so disappointed that I didn't make it to come to the picnic. I was so close... but I had to return to Athens on Saturday evening...
    I am sure that I will make it next time!!!

    :D

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  32. How wonderful to meet Eric and his "fans" in person, such a nice and diverse group of people. I really enjoyed it. It is true that I have never commented here before, but now I wish to stay in touch... So why is this picnic only once a year ??? ;) A bientot, Ulla

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  33. Hi Ulla,
    Yeah you must stay tuned as a commentor now, LOL.

    Are you Danish BTW ??? Your name is a Danish one.
    I always hope some other Danes will show up here, so we can have local PDP gatherings (like the US ones) when we're not able to go to Paris. LOL ;-)

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  34. I thought of every which way to be there, but Mr.PHX and I are in London before we start our 2 weeks in CDG on Tuesday.
    I know how much fun it is to meet everyone in person. I'll never forget Thib coming up to me at my first picnic and saying hi. I practically followed Michael all over the Quai .Guille, Rose and I exchanged presents and none of us knew the other was bringing anything! There is a wild sense of comaraderie.
    and then, there is our Eric,working the camera and video for all of us!
    Thanks to Jeff for bringing it all to life every year! (I have been in LHR since Fri and my phone doesn't work here!!!)
    AND, I think you ALL need 2010 glasses! I'll bring 2011 ones for next year!!!!!

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  35. What a great photo!! You ALL look Mahveluussss[said with my Boston accent..bien sur!!]..absolutely MARVELOUS!!! This is certainly an inspiration for us ALL to be there next year...d'accord??! ;-)

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  36. phx-cdg, my custom 2009 glasses are one of my most treasured possessions! I'll keep them forever. I'm sorry you didn't make it to the picnic this year. You were the heart beat of it last year.

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  37. Thought I'd commented on this but it seems not. It was great to meet such nice people once again at the picnic. Too late for the picnic, but at least managed to get legendary pic of Eric, or pic of legendary Eric, depending on which way you look on it!

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