FiveX France

Les glaneurs glanent

2009-01-28T23:20:00.000-08:00

I am listening to an interview with a 'glaneur'on the radio.

'Glaner' means to glean, to gather, or harvest. 'Glaneurs' arrive at the end of a harvest and salvage damaged and rejected produce deemed too imperfect for industry; they arrive at local markets as they shut down, and recuperate anything that can still be eaten or used. Artists can also be glaneurs, but this interview was with a man whose very nutrition depends on 'glaning' to survive. What impressed me was his upbeat nature, despite living on the street for a year and a half.

Liked his attitude better than his unsympathetic interviewer. In a country where eloquent, sometimes empty (a cultural judgement, I recognize) debate is such a part of the fabric of interaction, this interviewer comes across as unprepared, disinterested, and rather too well-fed, il fait son job, quoi.

Alarming is the growing competition: the glaneur noticing more and more salvagers, scavengers, competing for the same slim returns. Is this happening in the states too?

I note that he is not on strike today, no time.

Jean-François Millet painted back-breaking scenes of les glaneuses more than 150 years ago, and Agnes Varda centered a documentary on this way of life in 2000, injecting herself, the filmmaker, as glaneuse.

I suspect it would do us all a bit of good, if not to glaner, at least to stretch whatever we have that much further, and move a step away from our habits of inconspicuous consumption. And I suspect the world economy is going to have a hand in helping us in that direction. That's encouraging!

Ebay fined in protection of LVMH

2008-06-30T18:02:00.000-07:00

Techdirt reports on the very bad French ruling against Ebay for $63,000,000 because of the sale of counterfeit LVMH. The court holding Ebay responsible for the actions of those using the platform

Provides a very good reason to do business anywhere but France if you are in the business of providing platforms.

2008-06-29T05:27:00.000-07:00

Moved to New York for the summer, updates when I get out from under!

Meryl Streep's back

2008-06-07T03:11:00.000-07:00

This sweet corner of Paris,
is tucked just behind the back of Notre Dame and is usually quiet, and always charming. Yet, this mega-Hollywood production transformed the square overnight to a day in the 40's. Literally overnight, they sawed off the cement pillars used to block cars from parking on sidewalks as Parisians are wont to do, and battened up storefronts to a quainter place and time. Particularly transformed was the stark minimalist restaurant that morphed into a quaint glove shop. They shot all morning and by evening, the square was back to being sleepy in 2008.

To see how charming it is in real-life-refer back to Anne Hathaway's kiss with Simon Baker in "The Devil Wears Prada". Very little was changed for that scene.

And now, yes you saw it here first, Meryl Streep's back in the role as Julia, as seen from inside Le Rouvray, THE Paris quilting destination for quilters worldwide.

Strike Watch Friday

2008-05-29T23:17:00.000-07:00

And taxi drivers are joining the fisherman strike melee.

Strike Watch

2008-05-29T09:06:00.000-07:00

Quimper, Arcachon, Cherbourg -fishermen still striking over the price of petrol and it is still spreading to other countries in EU such as Portugal, Spain, and Italy.

Also joined by some farmers and from Rennes to Caen, operation escargot...

Three rooftops

2008-05-29T04:04:00.000-07:00

Les maisons troglodytiques (aka caves built into the cliffs), the neighbor's and Martin's roofs.

Strike Watch

2008-05-27T01:35:00.001-07:00

French fisherman still on strike and apparently contagious as fishermen in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, are planning on closing ports tomorrow, as well.

Caen-Operation Escargot which made me laugh the first time I heard it but is a lot less funny when you are behind them trying to arrive at your destination. Will update who and why.

Strike Watch

2008-05-22T01:33:00.000-07:00

Fisherman snafu-ed center Paris yesterday, around the 7th, even closing down the Varennes station, protesting the higher price of diesel, having moved on from the strike of last week over the price of cabillaud.

I'm staying close to home today as there are demonstrations at 18:00 although I have not yet heard exactly where.

The RATP, RER, SNCF, and many unions of Air France are striking since last night at 8:00 PM to Friday morning. This pretty much covers all modes of transportation except for taxis so depending on feet is best bet today, although I suppose subways and buses are functioning normally.

This on top of the fact that I still have no internet connection even though I ordered it over a month ago makes me wonder about a new categorization for third world, because it is about 10 times faster to get a line in India.

Elliot Spitzer resignation

2008-03-15T04:45:00.000-07:00

Was idly wondering what the French would be saying about all of this brouhaha.

But wait, I already know.

First, they will be saying that all Americans are hypocrites, and that will be followed by laughing at our prudish Puritanical reaction and compare that with their (much better) promiscuous politicians and how it is just accepted.

Puritan vs. promiscuous, seems like there must be another way.

Strike Watch

2008-02-15T11:20:00.000-08:00

Students were striking in several cities today to protest the suppression of I forget how many jobs.

Can you tell I am getting bored writing about strikes all of the time?

The Restaurant Rule of Good Bread equaling Bad Food

2008-02-14T07:53:00.000-08:00

Tried out the new incarnation of Café des Lettres the other night with a friend. Used to be a great place, casual, steady, light but substantial Swedish fare, and sometimes nothing else seemed so right as that menu.

New owners have sadly remodeled into a faux clubby library feeling without the slightest patina, removing all trace of casual warm atmosphere. Servers are pleasant, but the food 'immangeable', not worth eating, better to go hungry. But my friend Eric had a feeling before the meal came, when we both commented on how delicious the bread was. Eric's maxim, confirmed unfortunately by Café des Lettres is, 'the better the bread, the worse the meal' . Remember it!

Strike Watch

2008-02-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

Today (and promised for the entire week), it is the air controllers turn to wreak havoc. One of two flights will leave from Orly , and flights from Roissy will be late, as is so often the case, but even later. I understood that it was because 40 controllers were being moved to Roissy from Orly, but since this doesn't seem to be enough of a reason, either I don't have the whole story or they are just getting more unreasonable.

I am so glad I am not traveling this week.

Strike Watch-Strasbourg Hairdressers!

2008-02-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

Hairdressers in Strasbourg striking against regulations that state one has to have proper training before starting their own hair salon. Protesters believe that five years of working in any salon should be enough experience to start one's own business.
So on the one hand, we have taxi drivers protesting against deregulation of their profession and now hairdressers protesting regulation. Pity the politician...

Strike Watch -Second Opération Escargot

2008-02-06T19:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, the taxis were striking again today, making idea of taking the car out of the garage. A forty minute jaunt could turn into hours trapped amongst a cacophony of raging hysterical drivers if caught behind the mob of taxis blocking axes; hours - I have neither the patience nor the temperament.

In the end, it turned out to be rather delightful-there were no unpleasant surprises. And I must admit to feeling a tinge of evil glee - I saw operation escargot in action twice, but always going in the opposite direction. I feel like one lucky traveller today!

As it turns out, they won in the end, no additional taxis to be bestowed on the streets of Paris, so it will be just as impossible as ever to get a taxi in Paris.

And why would anyone vote for a politician promising change? How can any politician make any changes when the natives will prevent any changes from actually being put into practice?

Strike Watch - Opération Escargot

2008-01-30T07:51:00.001-08:00

Operation Escargot-the first time I heard that expression, I thought it was utterly hilarious and clever. But that was when it was truckers on the French superhighways, nothing that affected my day. Today’s strike is national and urban and bound to be entirely vexing. Taxi drivers are gathering in Paris, around the Place de la Republique, to protest deregulation and an addition of some 50,000 taxis to the 16,000 already present, if I heard the numbers right, in the Paris region alone.
While taxis are far from numerous, I can’t imagine what this will do Parisian congestion. It would be nice to think it will be just as easy to hail a taxi as in New York or London, but will it? Let’s see how this plays out.

I haven’t heard whether they will be on the move once they gather, but can’t imagine otherwise, since wreaking havoc must be high on their agendas. So I fear a lot of obnoxious honking, disregard of traffic lights, and general chaos around my home in the sixth, as the day wears on.

2007-12-05T01:23:00.000-08:00

This is just too good - for all those who love great design and are looking for reasonably priced unusual Xmas gifts, here is the Core77 Ultimate Gift Guide . Some of the captions are really funny, so I recommend careful reading for maximum pleasure.

France as cited in 'The Onion's Atlas of the Planet Earth"

2007-11-30T20:16:00.000-08:00

I haven't written this! Just quoting from the Onion's new parody, Our Dumb World: Atlas Of The Planet Earth.

This is their entry for France:

"Home to Earth's entire population of 62.7 million people, every single one of the planet's 427 cities, and all of its history, culture and beauty, France is the only country in the world. Located directly in the center of the universe, around which everything else revolves, the nation of France is the sole beacon of life and civilization in an otherwise black and empty void."

No comment.

Strike Watch-major

2007-11-14T19:28:00.000-08:00

Another transport strike is wreaking havoc in the French capital again since yesterday.

Being France, this is not particularly news, and I have nothing more to say, Here's a link.

Oh wait, apparently there is a change. The French, usually so supportive of unions and demonstrations, are fed up with the havoc created by these massive strikes and have withdrawn their support for the movements. According to one report, around 70% do NOT believe the strikers demands should be met.

One of the (what I find to be outrageous)demands is that the train drivers be allowed to retire at age 50 because, 'driving a train is dangerous physical labor'. Dangerous?

Question - As people are living healthily into their 80-s and even 90's, what do they intend to do with the second half of their lives? And who is to pay for it? They clearly seem to think that it should be the government. Isn't this a clear example of a whole population evincing passive-agressive behavior? A whole population that feels victimized? Is it the educational system that grooms them to be so angry and entitled? Wouldn't they be less disgruntled if they felt more empowered to help themselves?

Pumpkin High Art

2007-10-23T21:20:00.000-07:00

You've got to love his sense of humour, a Halloween rift on Damien Hirst's 100 million dollar skull

You can make it too, by spraying a small pumpkin with silver paint, and then encrusting $40 worth of fine rhinestones.

Sarkozy divorce captures headlines over the general strike

2007-10-19T02:27:00.000-07:00

Looks like Sarko has timed the news of his divorce (from second wife Cecilia) to mitigate the ire of strikers and citizens. The full general strike, to protest his plan to overhaul France's public sector, has been relegated to second page world-wide with the divorce announcement (which we have been awaiting for some time) making headlines.

On strike for 24 hours:

all rail service
most subway service
bus service
most taxis
many museums

Even the opera was canceled...

2007-10-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

Vandal punches hole in a Monet at the Musee D'Orsay.

But frankly, how stupid is that? To organize la Nuit Blanche, when many cultural institutions are open (and clearly vulnerable) on the same night as hooligans abound-France having staged both rugby and soccer matches that same night.

Best chocolates in Paris

2007-10-02T01:28:00.000-07:00

I have forgotten the name! But it is on the left hand side of the road that leads out of the Place des Vosges towards Boulevard Beaumarchais, rue Pas de Mule, you really can't miss it.

Why it is the best chocolate of Paris:

1. They make tiny little bite size pieces, not the kind that are so big that you bite in and then want to throw the rest away.

2. They have a wonderful selection of creative chocolates such as cardamone and green tea and licorice flavored with pretty decorations on top.

3. They have chocolate covered confit de ginger ALL YEAR ROUND, not seasonal.

4. I brought them to a highly discerning group of friends, and they agreed that they are the most scrumptious!

Disgruntled Parisians Chauffeurs part 2

2007-09-28T01:28:00.001-07:00

Should have known better- what is the point of calling a strike if you are not planning on making a real nuisance of yourself. The taxi chauffeurs just convened at a convenient time for them in order to wreak havoc the rest of the day.

They left in a convoy and proceeded to circle around Gare Montparnasse, with full disregard for traffic lights and signals, honking horns, blocking traffic, anad I saw alot of near misses with Parisians just trying to get to appointments, work and pick up their children. I never heard the outcome of all of this though.

I did hear of a "Moteurs en Colere Association-Angry Motorcycle Drivers Association-the Hell's Angels of France? I don't know, have to investigate futher.

Disgruntled Parisian chauffeurs

2007-09-25T22:17:00.000-07:00

Good day to stay away from Paris, or to stay bundled under a quilt- it's dark and rainy and cold and the taxi drivers are on strike and have decided to demonstrate in the 7th, as of 10 AM, in what seems to me to be a non-strike. Who needs to go to the 7th at 10AM in the morning?
Very civilized, when you think about it, to wait until the end of rush hour. Although there will be an influx of taxi drivers from all over France, so it will probably get quite messy.

Will anyone truly miss them? It is so complicated to get a taxi on the streets of Paris that I stopped trying years ago.