Wednesday, July 18, 2012

It crossed my mind...


I must be obsessed with traffic lights at the moment LOL. The thing is that I was thinking today of the little daily things that are typical of the place where you live: the way tables are dressed in a restaurant, the type of shoes people wear... and the street furniture - that often originates from a local manufacturer. French traffic lights are among those (and of course the Invalides dome in the background, but that is not a "little daily thing" LOL!). FYI, there are 13,993 traffic lights in Paris and 18,441 of these pedestrian signs that we don't really pay attention to ;-) How do I know? Well I counted them all, just for you!

17 comments:

  1. What an imaginative photo, Eric! I never would have thought to take such a shot, perhaps with our City Hall in the back ground. Now you've got me thinking.

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  2. So you're saying 18,441 little green men have invaded Paris ?

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  3. Hey Stuart, ya kinda stole my thunder there! Goddammitt!

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  4. Wow what a neat picture. The street looks desserted. It makes it look peaceful.

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  5. Once again, you have presented a most unique and engaging new way of seeing Paris. Quite whimsical and beautiful.

    I just read a poem that another blogger wrote about Paris for a writing prompt around Bastille Day. It is special and I thought you would like to read it:
    Paris Speaks.

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  6. Hi, Eric

    What a great shot. I never noticed that green men were a little daily thing that are typical of the place where you live. It's true - I'm just back from Berlin, where they are definitely distinct. They wear little hats and are going somewhere in a hurry! They have a very retro, 1960's look.

    Apparently, after the Wall came down, they were slowly being replaced by the more standard Western light. Residents protested, and now, you can see the old-school lights all over what used to be East Berlin.

    I'm just realizing that I can't remember what the green men in Victoria BC look like - I've been away from home since April. I'm going to have to check it out when I get back in August.

    Barbara

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  7. LOL!
    It's those little everyday things that give me a true sense of place when in a city not my own.
    -Kim

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  8. Love your dedication to all of us, Eric, that you counted each one just for us! LOL Love the comment about the little green men, Stuart! Made me laugh this morning! Have a great Wednesday, everyone!

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  9. The way you get around Paris, you probably could have counted them all! I seem to recall another night shot ( this one) that shows an empty approach to Les Invalides.

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  10. Thanks for counting. That must have taken a long time! :)

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  11. I really love this shot. Like something special I already perfectly know, without fully realizing it. Thx, that's great!

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  12. @Petrea " Eric! I never would have thought to take such a shot," I'm sure you would Petrea!

    @Stuart "So you're saying 18,441 little green men have invaded Paris ?" LOL! Yesn they're all from Mars, Pennsylvania of course!

    @Yazinc "The street looks desserted." It was late...


    @Lydia " It is special and I thought you would like to read it:" I did. I amazed to see how inspiring Paris can be to some people! Love the "I have seen the streets bleed, slashed arteries of dreams."

    @Barbara Thanks for this little testimony. How do you like Berlin? I love it.

    @Kim "It's those little everyday things that give me a true sense of place when in a city not my own. " True!

    @Christie "Love your dedication to all of us, Eric, that you counted each one just for us!" ;-))

    @Alexa "I seem to recall another night shot" - Yes same place!

    @Jamie "Thanks for counting. That must have taken a long time! :)" Yeah,- I may have missed a few though ;-))

    @Anonymous "I really love this shot" Merci ;-)

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  13. Ah now little green men! Paris has it all...

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  14. We have come to love those French traffic signs, Eric.

    Mimi

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  15. I love the title, the idea.
    IIt crossed my mind, ... in French. Of course in French. Translation could exist.
    You should.
    Humoristic matters. With a slightly philosophical angle within the day-to-day life, including love but Hmm maybe risky, uneasy, or consider it in an enlarging view. Never speak of love and though full of love. Something really slight and deep in the same time, (lol you'll think I'm silly but I guess you know that both can coexist) very concise and very French (or British but not American - I'm sorry ...). You'll find easy sample with my favorite Characters here and there. D. and C. And even K. who works so good!
    Don't even think of making it for a particular goal. Just having that pleasure first for you. Please in French so
    much better... Feel like you may not agree but ... Just my suggestion. Think small and it'll be big ! Or not. Maybe ... Don't hope too much except some real pleasure. For you. If good for you, bet it will be good for others. World wide success or not.

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  16. Ma femme et j'aime les hommes verts de paris. Merci!

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