Tomorrow I'm gonna pick up my first pair of raw denim. Some Nudie Thin Finns. Pretty psyched about that. I'm getting them at Bastille at the Gateway mall. It's a really cool little boutique store. They sell a lot of neat, hip shit. Nudie, G-Star, Rvca, some other really cool brands. Check them out.

I've been on this Killing The Dream kick lately. I don't know why, but every one of their songs, I just love.

OPA BASTILLE, 9 rue Biscornet Paris 12°, métro Bastille, à 100 mètres de mon futur-ex-boulot parisien pour ceux qui ont suivi mes péripéties...

Plan pour trouver l'OPA

Pour préparer vos oreilles, directions

• www.myspace.com/domhutton
• www.domhutton.com/
• dossier de presse : http://www.domhutton.com/domhutton-dp-fr

Et en plus c'est gratuit!

A demain donc!

Everyone we have met has commented on how nice the weather has been this August in Paris - every day is partly sunny, slightly breezy, low 70's, and just very pleasant.  Yesterday was the first day of solid rain almost all day and it was a really bad day for Joseph - being mostly trapped indoors in a small apartment without much to do.  He was a handful, for the first time since we've been here.

Today was beautiful again and we really took advantage of it.  We took the metro to Boulevard Richard Lenoir , a very nice boulevard where there used to be a canal.  The road is extremely wide, and the middle boulevard part of it is fenced in with fountains, gardens, benches, and playground equipment sprinkled throughout. 

We walked about 10 blocks or so, stopping a few times for Joseph to play, and ended up at the Bastille - which I had never been to in my previous visits here.

From the Bastille it is only a few blocks to Place des Vosges, the oldest square in Paris.  I had never been there either - it is a gorgeous spot - with many nice old buildings around it, including Victor Hugo's house/museum. 

The square itself has a statue of Louis XIII in the middle, with several fountains, and a play area for kids off to one side.  Joseph got to romp around there too for a while.

Our last stop was the Marche d'Aligre, a very popular market - both open air and covered - not far from the Bastille in the 12th.  It was bigger and perhaps a little more impressive than some of the previous markets we had been to, but so crowded that it wasn't too enjoyable.  Without strollers it may have been more manageable.  Fortunately we stumbled upon yet another playground right next to the market, and Joseph scampered around there while Danielle and I took turns walking with Rachel over to the market itself.

The day felt very much like something we would have done if we were tourists on a short vacation is Paris - but it was nice to think that we can go back there any time.  The whole area where we were walking is probably only a mile from our apartment.

Au menu
Le melon à 1euros 50 et le kilo de nectarines à 1 euro seront ainsi proposés à tous les clients qui se présentent aux points de vente. Et oui, c'est ce qu'au final perçoivent les producteurs.

Pourquoi un tel rassemblement?
Pour attirer l'attention des parisiens et par extension des franciliens, que le revenu des petits producteurs n'a peu ou pas augmenté depuis de nombreuses années mais que parallèlement à cela, sur les étales, le consommateur ne voit plus la fin de l'inflation des productions maraichères et fruitières.

Et qui engrange la différence?
La grande distribution qui impose via leur central d'achat des prix à la limite du supportable pour les clients, mais insupportable pour le fournisseur. Tout comme celle du pétrole, l'inflation n'est donc qu'artificielle et ce sont une fois de plus les intermédiaires qui se sucrent à la fois sur notre dos et celui des agriculteurs.
Et la réalité est bien exactement l'inverse de la politique prônée par notre si brillant président: "Ceux qui travaillent le moins, gagnent le plus".
Comme quoi, le président et son gouvernement, tel un Roi et sa cour, est totalement déconnecté des réalités.

Les paysans à la Bastille, le Roi et la Reine à Versailles

On attend la réaction de Michel Edouard Leclerc, des responsables de Auchan, de Carrefour qui vont trouver cette concurrence déloyale et abjecte. Les pauvres...

Nul doute qu'un tel rassemblement va faire monter la pression en attendant la date fatidique du 10 Novembre 2008 pour la grève générale reconductible. Pensez-y.
(Voir article précédent)

Surprise
Carrefour, 2,29 milliards de bénéfice en 2007 sur notre dos donc, vient de voir son statut changer fin juillet, et est dorénavant une société à conseil d’administration (CA) et non plus une société avec un conseil de surveillance. Encore plus d'opacité dans la gestion et de profits pour les gros actionnaires. Evidemment les petits actionnaires du groupe ont accueilli sous les huées le n°2 de ce nouveau conseil d'administration: le roublard Thierry Breton. Le monde est petit...
Maintenant on comprend pourquoi le gouvernement et les députés facilitent l'implantation des grandes surfaces soi-disant pour favoriser la concurrence (voir ici).
C'est pour aider le Business de Thierry Breton, ancien de Supélec, pdg de multiples sociétés privées puis retour dans le public, sans aucune gène, pour être Ministre du Budget, puis hop de nouveau dans le privé. Vous avez dit "Corruption et Malhonneteté"? Business uniquement...

Le président du conseil de Carrefour Amaury de Sèze s'est fendu d'un remarquable cirage de botte : «Thierry Breton est un homme intègre. Il a réussi dans beaucoup d’entreprises, et va nous faire bénéficier de son expérience.»
C'est oublier un peu vite France Telecom et les comptes truqués de Rhodia. Mais chacun voit midi à sa porte.

In my study of Mexican history years ago, I became particularly interested in the figure of Doña Marina, also known as La Malinche (and a host of other names, including La Chingada). She has personified a significant part of the shame that some say exists in modern Mexican identity. Marina, according to the myth, is a traitor to her own people who used her fluency in multiple native languages to help Hernán Cortés, the Spanish conquistador, divide and conquer the city-states of Mexico. The son Cortés fathered with her was the first mestizo, the first bastard child. Thereafter, Mexicans have lived as the children of a betrayal, speaking the language of the colonizers. Octavio Paz reflects on this in one of his best-known works, El Laberinto de la soledad (The Labyrinth of Solitude):

"Toda la angustiosa tensión que nos habita se expresa en una frase que nos viene a la boca cuando la cólera, la alegría o el entusiasmo nos llevan a exalter a nuestra condición de mexicanos: ¡Viva México, hijos de la Chingada!"

Source. Translation:

"All of the distressing tensions that live in us are expressed in a phrase that comes to our lips when anger, joy, or excitement leads us to arouse our Mexicanness: Long live Mexico, child of La Chingada!"

When the US partitioned the southwest years later, the myth continues, it confirmed the lingering shame of Mexicans to their heritage, and they became children of a double rape.

More recently, revisionist historians have tried to reinterpret this myth. Instead of blaming Marina for assisting Cortés in conquering Mexico, it should be understood that she was a slave in her own culture who was sold or gifted to the Spaniards (some texts are conflicting). She was not acting on her own will. However, she can be esteemed for her work as an interpreter. For example, the communication between Cortés and certain leaders of city-states allowed deals to be made that avoided violence in some cases. Her work helped to save many Mexican lives.

Neither of these interpretations is entirely historically accurate. However, the myth-nature represents their relevance and usefulness in a contemporary context among Mexicans in general. For humans, creatures whose entire existence is manifested in language, the substance of thought and a system of symbols, it is no surprise that stories are often more powerful to us than data.

When we speak of Bastille Day or any other historical event that has come to mean something different than the historical facts might suggest, it's important to keep the mythification of history in mind. We should be encouraged by this, instead of frustrated that the evolution of the stories in our past is subjective. The myths of are past are subject to new interpretation, and the work of authors, artists, and perhaps even bloggers can help us progress by re-interpreting our own stories.

To gain access to the PQ, first you would have to pay Charles 10k, because apparently Charles isn't getting paid enough by NEXON, no surprise there, NEXON always have been tight. Because the PQ failed so much they had to introduce a ''omg cool'' reward to make people actually even consider doing it, the ''omg secret'' reward was to be given out to the player only after he/she had completed the PQ 30 times. Nexon did however fail to mention that the reward would be taken away after one day of having it or that the reward was just a crappy little hat, making for some 12 year old butthurt players.

The PQ has 2 stages, the first one were you break boxes to get parts of the french flag, because NEXON probably couldn't think of anything else to do and they didn't want their PQ to appear to suck by only having one stage.

The second stage involved you killing a Golem and breaking walls, which, i do not remember learning about in my history class, BUY HEY, if NEXON said it happened, it happened, right?

So if we take away all the bits of the event that didn't happen in the real French revolution, we have, umm, oh hey look!, there's the Bastille!

The fortress-prison Bastille, a symbol of despicable tyranny, was stormed on July 14, 1789 . . .

Image: Wikimedia Commons

I consider the French Revolution to be the greatest Revolution in the history of humankind. It was the Revolution that abolished a filthy oppressive feudal system lorded over by tyrants who were determined to crush the uprising of the oppressed people by any means, including inviting foreign armies to invade France. The tyrants who were a part of the oppressive system and many others were killed at the guillotine. The brutal executions at the guillotine were the saddest part of the French Revolution, but they were to be expected in the 18th century. The French Revolution has inspired many Revolutions around the world where filthy oppressive systems were abolished and scum beings who exploited the oppressed people were overthrown. The French Revolution gave the noble ideas of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity to the world. The French Revolution also played a very important part in establishing the inalienable rights of human beings and citizens - Human Rights in modern parlance. It also laid the foundations for social democracy - the system that has enabled the European countries (and others that are wise enough to adopt a similar system) lead the world in every development parameter.

Représentation de la Declaration des Droits de l'Homme et du Citoyen de 1789 (Representation of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in 1789) . . .

Image:Wikimedia Commons

May the French Revolution continue to inspire Revolutions around the world! Filthy systems and concepts that keep people oppressed deserve to be abolished and evil scum beings who use their power to exploit the oppressed deserve to be overthrown by violent means, if necessary. Long live the noble ideas of the French Revolution! Long live the beautiful concepts of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity and Human Rights!

Related post:

A Republic is born!

Bastille

The Setting:
Bastille is set off the beaten path in an unassuming former lumber shop showroom, and looks like a formal living room without the furniture and draperies.  Brian observed, "It looks nice, but not so nice you aren't comfortable."  Our table was tucked against a window near the bar, and I spent comfortable lulls watching a bird who kept pecking at the grass in the yard just outside the restaurant.  It was very relaxing.

The Service:
I believe the servers here work with a team approach.  The man who seemed to be the head waiter was always the first to notice us trying to get someone's attention.  However, Brian asked when he made the reservation that our server be told it was my birthday and simply wish me a happy birthday, and no one did.

The Food:
The menu was a bit confusing, as the Sunday family dinner prices at $24 included an appetizer, entree and dessert.  Cheese was a supplemental $4, or you could have dessert and cheese for $33 - it reads clearer here than on the menu.

I started with the signature shrimp and calamari beignets (which I had read about in the Washington Post) and Brian had a Caprese salad.

The Washington Post was spot-on in saying the beignets were too heavy for an appetizer - and the portion was also too large.  However, I would get one order of these to share with the table, and the accompanying sauce gave them an added kick of flavor.  Brian's Caprese was just lovely, although be ready for a kick in the pants from the garlic spread on toast.

For dinner, Brian went with the mussels, having been converted since his experience at Brasserie Beck.  He declared them as "perfectly fine," but said if Beck's bivalves warranted an "A," these were a solid "C." 

My bistro steak with pomme frites looked fantastic and the marinade was truly great, if the meat a bit chewy.  The frites, however, were in desperate need of salt - the kind that you can only add when the potatoes are still hot from the oil.  I also asked for ketchup, and was brought a little silver pot of housemade sauce.  And...I gotta say it: sometimes the birthday girl just wants a little Heinz 57.  However, I did really enjoy my meal.

No birthday cake for this birthday gal!  (Although I had nearly drowned in cupcakes the night before - Funfetti deliciousness made by Brian and Jack to celebrate).  Instead, I ordered the banana pudding with housemade oatmeal cookies and caramalized bananas.  It was good, although it tasted - dare I say it - almost healthy.  Brian indulged in the peach tatin - and clearly out-ordered me.  (I think his picture alone is all the commentary needed.)

Bastille was a really nice experience, while not one that transported us to the continent.  We'll be back with friends (make reservations and check the policy - parties larger than 5 need to hold their table with a credit card) or perhaps my father - this seemed like his sort of place.

Best for: An enjoyable, relaxing evening out away from the hub-bub of Old Town.

Worst for: Large, loud parties.

Also, check out Iris in this week's Boston Globe featured with other French chefs in Boston Raymond Ost and Gérard Lopez talking about their plans for Bastille Day.

 
 
To learn more about Eiffel Tower posters, Eiffel Tower cards, and Paris posters visit Zazzle

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Happy Bastille Day!

^{(Trying to make a title with French, Fries and Revolution, then turning it into a Freedom Fries joke is hard. Need more coffee.)}

technorati tags: revolution, france, bastille, monarchy

Bonne journée ---> Waldo

Eugène Delacroix

Liberty leading the people, 1830

Oil on canvas.

Today Francophiles everywhere commemorate Bastille Day...and in classic french style, the Parisian paper of record Le Monde published the following analysis this morning. [fyi-bastille day is celebrated each year in france by a large parade, led my the military through paris and followed by fireworks]

Paradox: “contradiction”. Origin, at the end of the Middle Ages, the Greek paradoxos, “opposite with the common opinion”.

What could be more paradoxical than the military procession of the July 14? Let us imagine that an armed crowd is assembled in front of a Parisian prison with an aim of taking it by storm and releasing the prisoners (exactly what occurred on July 14, 1789). The armed forces would more than likely intervene to disperse the mob-it is for this reason that they exist. And yet, here it is today that the contemporary army “commemorates” an event which its predecessors had not managed to prevent: a little as if [religious right leader and notorious homophobe] Christine Boutin drove a tank to the gay pride.

Sixth form is proud to be working on a special project on world history, in which we relate the American, the French and our own Independence from Spain in a way that makes it fun to study history!

Keep in touch, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, on which our Constitution and the very Declaration of Human Rights were based, will be soon available online, with easy explanations to understand all the words and make sure we do our part to live up to them!

Like a Louisiana oil well hitting the mark, the Faubourg St. John Merchants’ Bastille Day Celebration was one huge success.