It's nearly Springtime
And the palm trees want to fly away ....
... then the day draws to a close and the air settles down
to go to sleep. Aaaahhh!
to go to sleep. Aaaahhh!
August 27, 2011
August 22, 2011
Smily Time
An oldie and goodie with a touching and moving video treatment!
Kirsty MacColl: "In These Shoes?" (2000)
Video: Ironman (Youtube)
August 16, 2011
A Carousel - and an administrative merry-go-round ...
In Paris France! Next to le Tour Eiffel!
Much enjoyed, much photographed...
BUT
There's a story lurking behind the music and smiles (of course) ...
So here is the story:
1. In 1986 the showman M. Roger Alliot received a one-year permit from the City of Paris to instal the lovely traditional carousel with its 36 horses.
2. From then on, he always paid his annual fee but the one-year permit was never renewed.
3. No problems until 2001 - new Mayor, new intention to MOVE this illegal structure.
4. Then, nine years of Administrative Tribunals, expulsion orders, defamation charges, claims & counter-claims of "shenanigans", "extortion", "guerilla procedures".
5. But still the carousel stayed, still the children had fun and the footsore parents were grateful.
6. The stand-off finally came to a conclusion one year ago. The carousel was dismantled July 2010. And almost immediately replaced by another - almost identical but with a different owner. Hmmmmm......
These pictures of that stubborn naughty illegal installation were taken May 2009.
And here is the answer to the Quik Quiz (previous post).
This cameraman (and his protective friend) like the yellow horse. Or are they spies from City Hall??
*Hurdy-Gurdy Music: Walter Losi
July 29, 2011
Quik Quiz
You have 30 secs to inspect this photo and complete the quiz.
Are you ready ...
GO!!!
1. Where is this man? (easy)
2. What is he doing? (easy)
3. Yes, but what is he actually filming?
4. What is that little black robot behind him?
5. Anyway, do you have any better Qs?
Answers will be revealed in good time ...
No prizes (waddaya think this is??)
July 15, 2011
It's Cow Time
It's Tour de France time and of course the spotlight is on the cows of France
(oh, and the farmers' displays, crazy crowds, acrobatic mechanics, homicidal cars, pretty fields, ambulances - and ... what was it ....um....aha! men riding bikes!!).
Here are two stories about non-French cows.
First, the classic inspirational and moooving tale of bovine revolution: Cows with Guns.
Second, a precious story from Peacehaven, Wales (from BBC News* - it has to be true ...)
Runaway cow herd takes over Tredegar street
A quiet street in Tredegar, Blaenau Gwent, was invaded by a herd of cows which trampled on gardens and peered into windows, say residents. The 20 cattle escaped from their nearby paddock and decided to feast on front lawns and flowers in Peacehaven.
Residents are used to straying sheep but say the rogue cattle have become a nuisance.
Resident Sonya Gould, 70, said: “We are used to having pints of milk delivered to our doorstep but not the whole cow. ”They were everywhere. We are all treading cow muck into our carpets because it’s all over our garden paths.
Resident Sonya Gould, 70, said: “We are used to having pints of milk delivered to our doorstep but not the whole cow. ”They were everywhere. We are all treading cow muck into our carpets because it’s all over our garden paths.
“We held a fund-raising event to plant flowers around the communal gardens but the cows have eaten them all.”
The cows also caused consternation by leaving cowpats on garden paths and trampling over lawns in the incident at the end of last week. Ann Ingram, who was woken up by the cows mooing, said: “It used to be sheep, and that’s bad enough, but cows are a whole different kettle of fish.
The cows also caused consternation by leaving cowpats on garden paths and trampling over lawns in the incident at the end of last week. Ann Ingram, who was woken up by the cows mooing, said: “It used to be sheep, and that’s bad enough, but cows are a whole different kettle of fish.
“It’s frightening for many of the older people here to have cows walking down the street, peering in their windows, it’s ridiculous. They’re obviously big animals, and an elderly person can’t just shoo them off – there’s no telling what an animal might do.”
People living in Peacehaven have brought in the council in a bid to get the herd to move back to their paddock. A spokesperson for Blaenau Gwent Council said: “We’ve done our utmost to tackle this problem, and have responded to all call-outs. We continue to monitor the situation at least once a week and any roaming animals will be impounded.”
The council added that they may take legal action against the farmer if he is unable to keep his cows under control.
(For this story, thanks to http://www.lesvachesdutour.com - the essential daily guide to the Tour de France.)
*BBC news story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-13949070
July 14, 2011
BOUM! (Celebrating Bastille Day)
It is 1938, storm clouds gathering over Europe and.....
ah, oui, those crazy French.....
Presenting...from the 1938 hit film "La Route Enchantee"...
(wait for la charmante surprise at the end!)
What does it mean? Here is a partial translation:
The clock goes tic toc tic tic
The birds of the lake quick quack quick quick
Gobble gobble gobble go all the tom turkeys
And the pleasing bells bing bang bong
But...
Boom
When our hearts go Boom
Everything about it says Boom
And it's love which is awakened
************
Boom
The daytime stars go Boom
Everything about it says Boom
When our hearts go Boom Boom
*********
Boom
The whole world goes Boom
The whole universe goes Boom Boom
Because my heart goes Boom Boom
I hear only Boom Boom
That always goes Boom Boom...
Boom Boom Boom Boom Boom
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