Quiet riot

St. Germain in the moonlight

So far it has been all on the news. Today it was quite a strong show of rioting and tomorrow there is going to be (supposedly) a greater wide protest based here in the city. There were student riots in Naneterre today which is just a quick hop outside of the city, and tomorrow there are supposed to be enormous protests, with riot gear, et cetera. All of the refineries of oil are on strike (all being 12) which seems like a somewhat small number for an entire large first world country, as well as. The news here is all a buzz about this. What I am kind in amazement of is that the students have a union, and it isn't just college students, its high school students, and the reports are saying that there are going to be extra rowdy (set things on fire, breaking stuff, etc.) a la the student riots in 1968 here. Are the twenty teens going to be like the late 1960s? That would be exciting(?), and lets think about it. We are engaged in 2 wars, the market is topsy-turvey. Oh well, it could be interesting. Anyway the students joining the protests means that things could get flammable, explosvie and broken. They usually pic on thing that have to do with the government like schools, post offices, etc. Cars aren't on fire here, and I don't expect them to be. So don't worry (I know those of you who will, don't)

Future demonstration route

I have to give the French credit though. They are mobilized and galvanized for their perceived common goal; perhaps we have to give socialism a hand at least for that. I understand the reason that everyone is protesting but to me it is shortsighted, as the government is going to be bankrupt as their pensions are going to be spent by previous generations.

It has been quite quiet here on the Ile, and I don't expect it to see much action. I am not worried about my apartment at all actually, and am more  about its impact on the business as folks don't like to buy 'spency things when all is a fuss, understandable I am sure. Also tomorrow is supposed to be the large student demonstration which passes just a block down from the store.If it is anything like it was last week then there is going to be riot police in large trucks parked just outside of the store. Here's to a really fun day at work tomorrow!

I thought

That all of Europe was going to be filled with these Fiat Pandas as someone I know kept telling me about them. Ah well, here is the first one that I have actually seen.

Speaking of wildlife here is some more. These are the drawings photographed in not so great light. They aren't my typical taste, but I thought they were funny.

 

The above photographs of Rue de Furstemburg, not to be confused with Diane of a similar name. It is a tiny little sleepy place between two equally sleepy streets, who's names are completely escaping me right now. I know one of them is Rue Jacob, I just don't the one up at the top. But anyway this is kind of to the left and behind St. Germain. surrounding this petite place are fabric stores, a photo gallery, with the photographer presiding, and some tiny arty object-y stores down at the bottom of the place. I just bought two lithographs by this french illustrator Kim. They are cool, weren't expensive at all, and are really funny. You'll just have to come to Paris to see them.

I learned recently that Balthus the terrific modernist painter who rejected cubism and made some quite unsettling paintings lived here in the 1930s.

Moonlight on the Pantheon

 

 This is when I wish I had a fancy SLR so i could extend the shutter speed. I wish the moon was more photogenic. It was huge last night, while walking home from work. 

Instead it just looks like Pacman is attacking. 

Just a thought before I head out into the world

Big and scary that it is. Actually, it has been rather calm here lately, there aren't any more terror watches and the nice soldiers with machine guns have gone on to more exciting things than walks in the parks. Though, walk in the park patrol is better than other patrols I am sure. I do like it when I don't end up dead.
I was going to say, why on earth does it wait until 8:32 am to start to look like morning here? It is only October 11th; I don't understand at all. Only a month ago the sun was up at 6. Also, the garbage man was so quiet today, the bottles didn't sound like they were falling on my head. Instead they sounded like they were falling on the ground next to my head. And the construction crews that are allowed to begin at 8 am with an air compressor are not going to end up being the best of neighbors. I am almost sure of it. Ah. What is it called when it is morning gloaming? Twilight? Hmmm....


At least it was sunny and I could walk around in a tee and hoodie. Where is my Breuklen hoodie? Other?

Obviously…

So, the other day I was walking to work and noticed this sign which to me was a no brainer. A wonderful thing about Paris is that you could be borderline damaged in the brain and find your way around, as there is more signage than any American city could possibly want. There are signs that will point you in every direction, which are before you arrive at the turn (Boston take note) signage which is just at the turn,  with no warning before. (NYC 1 sign 3 miles in advance can be confusing). That being said, there is still someiimes when the signage is a bit over the top. I submit as evidence the below image.

Um, really, I had NO IDEA where I was. I was busy looking at the enormous building just in front of me. Oh, that is what it is? I guess it helps some people, but thank you captain. I take your direction and heed it.

I took these Photos pre-terrorist threat, for those of you worried about that. I think this is possibly the most beautiful station in Paris, and can see why people freak out when the talk about the Metro here.  This makes sense to me.

Beautiful old things

 Walking around yesterday morning, going to grab a cup of coffee I just walked around the 4th and noticed some of these beautiful old things. Its kinda great seeing this old stuff. These beautiful scraped gates, which I am sure they are going repaint. The french love scraping scraping scarping and then painting polishing painting. But we know I am kind of obsessed with that. I am totally going to do a wall "french polish"style as soon as I get a permanent place.


But onto other things. Look at the no parking sign on the street. Instead of writing things out, like one way or no parking they make symbols which stand for that. These red cross outs with blue centers are everywhere here. And so much aesthetically nice than a no parking sign. This one isn't so fresh, but looks great.


The two red doors, I was just impressed by how minimal it was/is. Look at how the threshold is not separated from the base of the building. It is just one granite block, and all of the windows are equally spaced all the way across, and the doors are in line with those above.


That lock is so awesome. I had to take a pic of it again. It probably doesn't work at all, as the gate was fastened with a chain, but looking like this I would keep it too.