La Fête de la Saint-Valentin, un symbole de l'amour

Feb 14th -- Happy Saint Valentine's Day

• Some say: - In the dream and in the love there is nothing impossible...
• But I think love is like ghosts, everyone talks about it but few have seen...
• My secretary thinks Valentine's Day is ideal for long-distance love. But that's nothing for me !
• She says that love is a game in which both players can win ! But I don't like to play games, I want love !!!

I hope you are fine and hope to see you soon !

Transparency scares the bad guys !

– Are you scared now ???

Find your own view of "truth"
Start asking questions !

http://mirror.wikileaks.info

Wikileaks Mirrors

Wikileaks is currently under heavy attack.

In order to make it impossible to ever fully remove Wikileaks from the Internet, you will find a list of mirrors of Wikileaks website and CableGate pages.

If you want to add your mirror to the list, see our Mass Mirroring Wikileaks page

Mirror List

Wikileaks is currently mirrored on 1697 sites (updated 2010-12-10 21:18 GMT)

Réforme des retraites

Sarkozy satisfait de la tactique gouvernementale..... les syndicats peinent à mobiliser en masse.... le Grand Sud mobilisé.... Retraite à 42 ans !!!

Montmorency, May 26, 2010. Val-d'Oise (Paris), France.

I'm tired after an almost sleepless night, preparing myself for another hard day at headquarter. The dreaded date of June will soon arrive to Paris. The date on which we have to prove that we can deliver better results, even in France. We are placed under heavy stress from the finance department and expected to deliver good results now...

I feel affection for France and to live here but the cost-effectiveness in France is too low, compared with Europe and the rest of the world. Many says; Too many Frenchmen talks too much and work too little and still calls for higher wages...
Il est impossible de concilier!

So right now I feel I want to escape from negotiations with unions and my own Executive Board. I want to saddle my horse and ride away ... but I have no horse and no saddle so I can only dream me away. Right now everything feels heavy, as a long uphill climb in the freezing cold rain.

It is difficult to see any reward on the horizon and the wind is blowing cold today. – Would you like to Come Away With Me?

"Come Away With Me"
(NORAH JONES)
Come away with me in the night
Come away with me
And I will write you a song

Come away with me on a bus
Come away where they can't tempt us
With their lies

I want to walk with you
On a cloudy day
In fields where the yellow grass grows knee-high
So won't you try to come

Come away with me and we'll kiss
On a mountaintop
Come away with me
And I'll never stop loving you

And I want to wake up with the rain
Falling on a tin roof
While I'm safe there in your arms
So all I ask is for you
To come away with me in the night
Come away with me

Paris or Papeete ?

Help the sun is shining and we are pleased to discover that the temperature is on the plus scale !!!!!!!!! – What happened ?

OK, Paris is the capital of France, but the weather is usually boring “gray & dull” but now the sun shines in Paris, even if it's only for a few hours...
PARIS + SUN (+2 °C) = Almost SPRING FEVER !!!

Everyone who lives here knows that the normal weather forecasts for Paris are usually:

• Light, mixture of precipitation. Mostly cloudy and Cool.
• Scattered flurries. Passing clouds and Chilly.
• Rain changing to an icy mix. Afternoon clouds. Cool.
• Snow changing to rain. Afternoon clouds. Cool.
• Rain changing to snow. Afternoon clouds. Cool.

But we actually had "winter" and 2 cm of snow for almost three days, only a few days ago. It was exciting, exotic and cheered all at our office. Everyone started to throw snowballs at each other. The snow even made the old rigid bureaucrats playing like children.
– Why can’t we get sun and snow at the same time ? – Please, please, please..... please

Many of us have talked and dreamed about the weather in Polynésie française. – But is it so much better than Paris ?

Papeete is capital of the island Tahiti (French Polynesia) and today reporting:

• 28 °C Partly cloudy. Warm. Thunderstorms. Partly sunny. Mild.
• 31 °C Mostly cloudy. Mild.
• 28 °C Tons of rain. Mostly cloudy. Warm.
• 29 °C Strong thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Warm

– What do you think a French bureaucrat could do in the rain and heat ?

Cry or Smile ???

Sydney New Years Eve 2009

Sidney, Australia NYE 2008

Only 35 hours left… For me and friends is it time to start to prepare for the New Years Eve and the luxurious celebrations of NYE08 and 2009.

I’m happy to be back once more in Sydney and delighted to make new travel plans, cheerful to spend 6 weeks in Australia 2009.

– I did ask you in August if you were interested to follow me downunder to celebrate NYE08 , but you didn’t respond before 11 of December… That’s bad bad bad bad and sad for me and you too !!!

Current conditions in Paris, France

2008-11-30, 23:33:31 CET

Light rain, Passing clouds, Chilly.

Temperature: 2 °C
Comfort level: -3 °C
Dew point: 2 °C
Barometer: 993 millibars
Humidity: 93%
Visibility: 7 km
Wind: 15 km/h from 190° South by westWind blowing from South by west to North by east

That's Current conditions in Paris...
the capital of France is freezing cold !!!

Change has come to America

Barack Obama Makes History

The 44th President of the United States

Barack Obama was elected on November 4th, 2008

Thank you!
You proved that change can happen. You built an unprecedented grassroots organization in all 50 states that brought a record number of people into the political process -- many for the first time, many for the first time in a long time.

Election Night, Tuesday, November 4th, 2008
Grant Park Chicago, Illinois

If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible; who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time; who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer. It’s the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen; by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the very first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different; that their voice could be that difference. It’s the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled – Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been a collection of Red States and Blue States: we are, and always will be, the United States of America. It’s the answer that led those who have been told for so long by so many to be cynical, and fearful, and doubtful of what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. It’s been a long time coming, but tonight, because of what we did on this day, in this election, at this defining moment, change has come to America. I just received a very gracious call from Senator McCain. He fought long and hard in this campaign, and he’s fought even longer and harder for the country he loves. He has endured sacrifices for America that most of us cannot begin to imagine, and we are better off for the service rendered by this brave and selfless leader. I congratulate him and Governor Palin for all they have achieved, and I look forward to working with them to renew this nation’s promise in the months ahead. I want to thank my partner in this journey, a man who campaigned from his heart and spoke for the men and women he grew up with on the streets of Scranton and rode with on that train home to Delaware, the Vice President-elect of the United States, Joe Biden. I would not be standing here tonight without the unyielding support of my best friend for the last sixteen years, the rock of our family and the love of my life, our nation’s next First Lady, Michelle Obama. Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House. And while she’s no longer with us, I know my grandmother is watching, along with the family that made me who I am. I miss them tonight, and know that my debt to them is beyond measure. To my campaign manager David Plouffe, my chief strategist David Axelrod, and the best campaign team ever assembled in the history of politics – you made this happen, and I am forever grateful for what you’ve sacrificed to get it done. But above all, I will never forget who this victory truly belongs to – it belongs to you. I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn’t start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington – it began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give five dollars and ten dollars and twenty dollars to this cause. It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation’s apathy; who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep; from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on the doors of perfect strangers; from the millions of Americans who volunteered, and organized, and proved that more than two centuries later, a government of the people, by the people and for the people has not perished from this Earth. This is your victory. I know you didn’t do this just to win an election and I know you didn’t do it for me. You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime – two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century. Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us. There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after their children fall asleep and wonder how they’ll make the mortgage, or pay their doctor’s bills, or save enough for college. There is new energy to harness and new jobs to be created; new schools to build and threats to meet and alliances to repair. The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even one term, but America – I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there. I promise you – we as a people will get there. There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years – block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand. What began twenty-one months ago in the depths of winter must not end on this autumn night. This victory alone is not the change we seek – it is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were. It cannot happen without you. So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it’s that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers – in this country, we rise or fall as one nation; as one people. Let us resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long. Let us remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House – a party founded on the values of self-reliance, individual liberty, and national unity. Those are values we all share, and while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress. As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, “We are not enemies, but friends…though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.” And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn – I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your President too. And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of our world – our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand. To those who would tear this world down – we will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security – we support you. And to all those who have wondered if America’s beacon still burns as bright – tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from our the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity, and unyielding hope. For that is the true genius of America – that America can change. Our union can be perfected. And what we have already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow. This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that’s on my mind tonight is about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She’s a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing – Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old. She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn’t vote for two reasons – because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin. And tonight, I think about all that she’s seen throughout her century in America – the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can’t, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can. At a time when women’s voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can. When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs and a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can. When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can. She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that “We Shall Overcome.” Yes we can. A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination. And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change. Yes we can. America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves – if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made? This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time – to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth – that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can’t, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America.

Remarks of President-Elect Barack Obama
http://www.barackobama.com

“Toxic Assets” or ‘The Economic Stabilization Plan’

Jay Leno

Quote from AFP September 22, 2008:
The 700-billion dollar Wall Street bailout plan, put together last week by the U.S. administration, would allow the U.S .Treasury to sell new debt to buy vast amounts of mortgage securities and other “toxic” assets that have clogged the financial system.

Quote from NBC “Tonight Show” host Jay Leno:
“A failed President and a failed Congress invest 700 billion of your money into failed businesses. Believe me, this can’t fail!”

• Do you think anybody is or will be responsible for “Toxic Assets” ?
• Do you think “the (dirty) man behind” already have been cleaning his hands after a hard days work with “Toxic Assets” ?

Some days back in time… America was grimly focused on another 20,000 troops going into Iraq. – Maybe its time for the American people to send troops to observe Wall Street?

Americans should demand to know what exactly is being done with 700 billion of your money. Who gains, who pays, who is responsible for “Toxic Assets” ???

– No Comments !

2008 – A Year of Heavy Losses

Four Trillion Dollars Down The Drain....

A list of some individual losses by market capital between October 9, 2007 and September 12, 2008.

Citigroup: $236.7 billion to $97.8 billion.
Bank of America: $236.5 billion to $150.2 billion.
AIG: $179.8 billion to $32.3 billion
Goldman Sachs: $97.7 billion to $61.3 billion
American Express: $74.8 billion to $45 billion.
Morgan Stanley: $73.1 billion to $41.1 billion.
Fannie Mae: $64.8 billion to $700 million.
Merrill Lynch: $63.9 billion to $24.2 billion
Freddie Mac: $41.5 billion to $300 million.
Lehman Brothers: $34.4 billion to $2.5 billion.
Washington Mutual: $31.1 billion to $2.9 billion

(More at The New York Times )

The magician with gold fingers

– Do you trust the magician with gold fingers, called yours Investment Advisor (IA) ?
– Do you trust The Expert that advises you on investment matters on a professional basis….???

By definition an investment advisor is considered to be acting in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of clients with a higher standard of disclosure and due care, a commitment to disclose, minimize and resolve conflicts of interest than would be found in a tradition securities brokerage environment. In addition, most IAs are compensated on a fee basis (usually as a percentage of assets under management) rather than a commission basis…

I was told that this was the master’s voice of independent and independent-minded advisers willing to serve as high educated financial slaves just to make me happy.

– Are you smiling today?
Probably not, but in a way I think you are… Take a step back and try to see that money is only money; You are still alive and happy to be part of a small wealthy part of the world.
Remember that Federal Reserve is protecting us and the world economy… and we are still happy to sleep under the shelter of a roof.

Wall Street and Wall Street Journal says “No End Yet in Sight for Financial Crisis”
– The financial crisis that began 13 months ago entered a new, far more serious phase as hopes that the damage could be contained have evaporated.

– Have you found the Investor's Shop ?
– Are you still listening to experts?
– Do you still trust the financial wizard, the magic man with fingers of gold ?

The games of money, the art of financial wizards is a future gift-giving with Unique Gifts designed just for you… Find just the right gift for that hard-to-please financial wizard! AND SMILE... !!!

– Can we trust Rating Institute any more ?
– Can we trust Moody's or Standard & Poors Investors Service ?

Do you trust Moody's Investor Service Credit Rating Guide or Standard & Poors Credit Rating Guide Today ?

(You can read more at Stevens Institute of Technology )

NO, NO, NO… It’s easy for a company to lose an AAA Bond Rating and easier for us to lose money listening to “good advices” from high educated financial wizard sometimes called Investment Advisor's !

It’s Time to Listen to Pete Seeger –
What Did You Learn in School today, Dear little boy of mine?

I learned that Washington never told a lie.
I learned that soldiers never die.
I learned that everybody's free,
And that's what the teacher said to me.
–
That's what I learned in school today,
That's what I learned in school.

I dedicated this song to a teacher in French Polynesia that hopefully didn’t lose any money on AIG, Lehman Brothers or Merrill Lynch...
As a teacher and expert giving advises on a professional basis is it time to come to a decision and Make your own decisions !

Take Care !!!

Pete Seeger

Mariza, la diva du Fado

Terra - A new album from Mariza
It’s a privilege to listen to Mariza and her new songs. Her music is a little bit different this time and the Fado has a touch of jazz embraced with Flamenco.

Is it a new type of Fado or a new Mariza ?
– Enjoy and listen to her performing her music, you will not be disappointed. If you prefer, you can always listen to Ó Gente da Minha Terra or Chuva they will probably still be favourites for many days.

Remember when you are listening to Ó Gente da Minha Terra (Oh People of My Land) that lyrics by Amália Rodrigues and music by Tiago Machado are more traditional Fado.

The album Terra (EMI) is produced by Javier Limon
and released in Europe, September 2008.
(Official Release date in Portugal and Spain 2008-06-30)

Tracklist:
1. Já Me Deixou
2. Minh’alma
3. Rosa Branca
4. Recurso
5. Beijo De Saudade
6. Voces Do Mar
7. Fronteira
8. Alfama
10. Alma De Vento
11. Se Eu Mandassa Nas Palavras
12. As Guitarras
13. Pequeñas Verdades
14. Morada Aberta

Mariza

Mariza at Cirque d’Hiver, Paris

Why not join me and meet Mariza live at Le Festival d’Ile de France (www.festival-idf.fr) in Cirque d’Hiver, Paris 11e (110, rue Amelot)

Time for Mariza at Cirque d’Hiver, Paris:
2008-09-26, 20h30
2008-09-27, 20h30
2008-09-28, 16h30

A Torrid Start for the French EU Presidency

As I write, July 1st, France takes over the six-month Presidency of the EU. And they're off to a rough start, for this morning's news is that Polish President Lech Kaczynski has refused to sign off the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty, on the very reasonable grounds that after the Irish NO vote, the Treaty is dead. The splendid Vaclav Klaus of the Czech Republic is also delaying ratification.

Meantime other EU leaders mouth platitudes about "respecting the Irish vote", yet they press ahead with ratification in defiance of public opinion. The EU loves to talk about "democracy and the rule of law", yet if you want to find those values you have to look not in London, or Paris, or Berlin, but in Prague and Warsaw. At least Poland and the Czech Republic are prepared to stand up for freedom and democracy. Well done them.

What the Irish Commissioner said...
Ireland's EU Commissioner Charlie McCreevy (a fairly sensible man for a Commissioner) has passed some trenchant remarks on the Irish referendum result. According to the Irish Independent, he said the turnout for the referendum had been very high; the people had spoken; and the treaty as planned could not go ahead. He told Irish radio, "I somehow suspect that if many other member states of the EU had to put it before their people, the result would be the same". According to EUobserver, McCreevy added: "We should remember that Ireland is not alone in being unable to secure a popular endorsement of a European Treaty. As politicians this is something we need to learn from."

What the French President said...
"The Irish are bloody fools. They have been stuffing their faces at Europe's expense for years, and now they dump us in the s**t" (reported in The Times, June 20th). This is what is known in Brussels as "Respecting the Irish vote".

And an Irish view on the US elections: 'We in Ireland can't figure out why people are even bothering to hold an election in the United States. On one side, you have a gal who is a lawyer, married to a lawyer, running against a lawyer who is married to a gal who is a lawyer. On the other side, you have a war hero married to a good looking woman who owns a beer distributorship.
- What are you lads thinking over there?'

... Rainfall in Paris today... what’s about tomorrow, Nicolas?

It's August -- have a great holiday!

Barney McKenna and The Dubliners - Fiddlers green

Barney sings this amazing ballad Live at Vicar Street. He sings for me and my bleeding broken hart, waiting for you. – Can it be so difficult to write a single letter ?


Barney McKenna and The Dubliners - Fiddlers green

Barney McKenna and The Dubliners - I Wish I had someone to love me

Barney sings this amazing ballad Live at Vicar Street. He sings for me and my hart still waiting for ...
I wish I had someone to love me, Someone to call me her own. Someone to kiss and caress me, I'm tired of living alone...


Barney McKenna and The Dubliners - I Wish I had someone to love me

The Dubliners - Molly Malone

This song is dedicated to you Agnès Cadart. We all knows that you are happy to sing and your voice is sweet as honey. Sing-along and be happy together with us, it’s easy to fall in love with Irish Folk Music.


The Dubliners - Molly Malone

Midnight Sun 24 h/day

Happy Music for my hart... after 6 x 24 hours of continuously Sunlight up North Svalbard.

Andre Rieu & The Dubliners

Music everywhere

Fête de la Musique is probably the most important music festival in France and something to take care off for future. If you can – Look for it, you can find it all over the country. You will find music everywhere and you can dance, sing, listen and play on every street (and parks) and for at least for one day free of charge (in Paris the whole summer).

This year was my debut in France and together with friends playing Swedish folk music in Cannes and Garbejaire. I was hoping to be able to invite Agnès to the Fête, but she didn’t respond… she is maybe still celebrating the 40^th birthday or in chock after discover the difference between 39 and 40 ?

More Swedes were playing in Garbejaire like Therese (fiddle) and Fredrik (flute). Therese is a lovely performer she loves to play jazz (look in her eyes) and a beauty too. :-)

See you next year!

Don’t miss Fête de la Musique !

Therese

Not "Agnès"... but Agnes...

Se is the beauty of the day waiting for a "friend" that didn't show up...
- What's the problem today?
- And why is Agnès not writing letters today as before?

Do you know the difference between Paris and New York?

– NO ?

Paris

Le pétrole...

La flambée des prix du pétrole modifie les habitudes des Français… ???

1. Le pétrole:
Le pétrole affiche un nouveau record absolu malgré le geste des Saoudiens

Le prix du baril de brut inscrit un nouveau record absolu à 139,89 dollars (contre un précédent record le 6 juin à 139,12 dollars) pour le WTI. Le Brent à Londres est également au plus haut. Le marché fait preuve d'une très grande volatilité. Les cours remontent ce lundi après avoir nettement accusé le coup ce matin dans la perspective d'une augmentation de la production saoudienne

2. Baril:
Le baril (symbole bl ou bbl) est une unité de mesure surtout utilisée de nos jours pour le pétrole brut et ses dérivés. Un baril de pétrole équivaut à 42 gallons américains, soit environ 35 gallons impériaux (précisément 34.9723) ou 159 litres (précisément 158.9873).

3. USD:
Live rates at 2008.06.17 13:40:50 UTC : 1.00 USD = 0.645032 EUR
(United States Dollars / Euro >?< 1 USD = 0.645032 EUR , 1 EUR = 1.55031 USD)

4. Prix:
>> 139,89 dollars / 158.9873 litres = 0,879881 dollars / litres = 0,56755 EUR / litres << La flambée des prix du pétrole (0,56755 EUR / litres) modifie les habitudes des Français ???

Happy birthday to you, my special friend !

All my love to you this precious day!

Part of me knows just what I should say;
Part perhaps some deeper word would send.

You're the strand on which I silent write
Before my dreams are swept far out to sea.

In you there's room to canter and run free,
Restoring my lost sense of space and light.

To me you are a place where I can stay,
Hanging out to watch the rush of time,
Drawing in the sand a lazy line
Along which I can go my own sweet way.

You are my sun and shade, my bread and wine.

Happy birthday to you, my special friend !

Happy Birthday Agnès !!!‏

“Happy Birthday to You"
"Happy Birthday to You"
"Happy Birthday dear Agnès”
"Happy Birthday to You ! ! !

Wherever you are on your birthday....
...hope it feels like home !

Happy Birthday Agnès !
Have a great day !
...and may all your birthday wishes come true !!!

After 40 years of waiting...

If I could turn back time

I don't know why I did the things I did
I don't know why I said the things I said
Pride's like a knife, it can cut deep inside
Words are like weapons, they wound sometimes
I didn't really mean to hurt you
I didn't wanna see you go
I know I made you cry

But baby
If I could turn back time
If I could find a way
I'd take back those words that have hurt you
And you'd stay
If I could reach the stars
I'd give them all to you
Then you'd love me, love me
Like you used to do
If I could turn back

My world was shattered, I was torn apart
Like somebody took a knife
And drove it deep in my heart
When you walked out that door
I swore that I didn't care
But I lost every thing darling then and there
Too strong to tell you I was sorry
Too proud to tell you I was wrong
I know that I was blind, and darling

Back home

Back home: Not really sure its “back home” but it's a sort of home and yeee I’m back. So, I suppose you can say I’m back home… I’m back in Montmorency after a weekend in Cannes. Not too Bad weekend. Not too bad at all...

It’s good to be back home, I’m not exhausted but a bit tired after a long day. I'm living in Montmorency in Val-d'Oise (Paris), France. Its lovely and beautiful and the house is in a quiet area like back home…

There is a note on my fridge saying “Le Val-d'Oise est un département français, appartenant à la région Île-de-France…” But all French people here call it “RP” the Région Parisienne. They are like dogs… when the master is out of control you can do what ever you like… and when the master is back you can always bark… and many Frenchmen is barking on the streets nowadays, not too happy with «Sarko» (Nicolas Sarkozy). Not too happy at all...

It’s time to say goodnight… Tomorrow will be an exciting day in many prospective. Oh yeee, I have a brand new car outside waiting for me tomorrow morning…AND its only 21 days left before the big happening, it’s only 3 weeks before the big anniversary. – What do you want for your birthday present, after 40 years of waiting ?

Oh yeee, it’s good to be "back home"....
Bon voyage !

Palme d'Or - The official 61st Fesival de Cannes

Okay, I can admit that the OpenAir Cinema at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney is greater… but the glamour and atmosphere in Cannes makes the Open-Air Cinéma de la Plage an fascinating and for us Europeans a greater experience. Please join us next year!

The night was dark and Sean Penn and Robert de Niro were taking care of evening prize winners during the closing ceremony of Fesival de Cannes (at the Grand Théâtre Lumière). - We ware maybe not so excited by the award “the Palme d’or” to the best film among the 22 in Competition. Because here on the beach was the competition "bloody hard" between the 100.000 mosquitoes and the film lovers.

Agnès Cadart, hope to See you next year (together with more mosquito repellent) ! ! !

Ingvar Kamprad, fondateur du groupe IKEA

Ingvar Kamprad, fondateur du groupe IKEA

Ingvar Kamprad a fondé IKEA en 1943 à l'âge de 17 ans. Les meubles en kit ont été lancés à la fin des années 1950.

Fortune : 34 milliards de dollars en 2007
Age : 82 ans (1926-03-30)
Nationalité : Suédois

Après avoir vendu des allumettes, des décorations de Noël et des graines de semence pendant son adolescence, Invar Kamprad crée son entreprise en 1943, à l'âge de 17 ans : baptisé à partir de ses initiales et de la 1ère lettre du nom de la ferme et du village où il a grandi (Elmtaryd er Agunnary), IKEA vend d'abord des stylos, de la petite maroquinerie, des cadres, des nappes, des bijoux et des bas en nylon. La vente de meubles débute seulement en 1947. Le concept des meubles "en kit" prendra son envol à la fin des années 1950. Grâce à ces innovations bon marché, IKEA conquiert le marché mondial. Le groupe possède 231 magasins et emploie 90 000 salariés dans 44 pays. IKEA n'est pourtant pas coté en bourse. Avec une fortune estimée à 28 milliards de dollars, son fondateur revendique une vie simple, évite de porter des costumes et voyage en classe économique !

Paris - Manifestation du 22 mai

Paris - Manifestation 15, 21, 22 may; my University friends were out on the street, once again, demonstrating the happiness with «Sarko»….
– Do you think Nicolas Sarkozy is the happiest man in Paris today ?. (Probably not, but who knows what’s in his mind?).

We were looking for you and we were hoping to see you Mme Agnès Cadart taking part in the Manifestation today, but you didn’t show up. – So you will likely not enter my front door in Montmorency today ?

Anyhow, it will probably rain tomorrow…Time to pack my sack, time to leave Paris over the weekend. – Will I see you in Festival de Cannes?

See you soon, à bientôt, salut, au revoir, bonne journée.... Hi!
/Tally-Two

Mariza "Chuva"

Lisboa and Fado Music of Portugal...
...was for me a new experience. Please, listen to Mariza !!!
The song "Chuva" from the fado Portuguese singer Mariz is so lovely.

Mariza is the best fado/popular singer since Amalia Rodrigues, the great classic fado singer. Her voice is outstanding. Such a hard style of music to sing and she does it so effortlessly. Yes, she is what you can call "A REAL ARTIST and MASTER OF HIS ART".

MARIZA - FADO EM MIM
This is the best cd of fado of all time?!

Mariza Nunes

Mariza Nunes "Chuva" live

The JobCentre muse

Sue Tilley, Freud's JobCentre muse

Today, the woman in the picture, 51-year-old Sue Tilley, who works in a West End JobCentre, told how it was almost never painted. The first time the artist met her, in a Soho nightclub 20 years ago, he criticized her lipstick. "He said it had too many blue tones. The next time we met was over lunch at the River Café and I wore a different lipstick," she said.

She knew she was effectively being interviewed for the role of artist's muse and was briefed on how to behave by their mutual friend, performance artist Leigh Bowery. "But I just did as I wanted as usual," said Ms Tilley.

"Soon after, Leigh called me up and said, 'Lucian wants you to start work next week' and he made me practice stripping off on my settee at home before I went to Lucian's house in Holland Park. I like a bit of excitement but I was still mortified when I got there and he told me to take my clothes off. For the first picture I had to lie on the floorboards in a most uncomfortable position with Leigh and Nicola, the woman he married, and a dog.

"I was in agony and I thought about giving up. But we work hard in my family so I stuck it for the whole nine months. Leigh got rubbed out because he went to Scotland and Lucian needs you to be devoted. He won't work on the painting when you're not there." Ms Tilley, who has worked at the JobCentre in Denmark Street for 30 years and previously worked in nightclubs, modelled for Freud on her days off. "For the picture on the sofa I only had three days off in two years. Every weekend he expected me to be there and I couldn't go on holiday because I couldn't get a tan," she said.

"It was wonderful to spend time with such a fantastic person and see him working. Lucian has an opinion on everything and he was interested in my run-of-the-mill life."
Three years ago she sold an etching of herself she was given by Freud, whom she has lost touch with, for £26,000.
But she was astonished by the estimate Benefits Supervisor Sleeping, 1995, has attracted.
"I'm beside myself. Wait till I tell my mum," she said. "If I had the money I'd buy it myself because it's my favourite."

"I might go to the exhibition...
... I'm sure no one would recognize me." :-))

The Million dollar Lady

Lucian Freud - Benefit supervisor sleeping, 1995

Lucian Freud nude sets world record at auction...

A painting of a naked JobCentre manager by by British artist Lucian Freud by British artist Lucian FreudLucian Freud is the most expensive picture by a living artist ever sold. The 85-year-old British artist's huge canvas is predicted to make millions for its owner, a European collector, at a Christie's sale on 13 May. The auction house is putting the 1 x 2 m picture on show at its King Street offices, the first time it has been seen in public in Britain.

When it goes under the hammer at Christie's in New York will it be for... (aprox.) $33.640.000

Wag the Dog

Why does a dog wag its tail? Because a dog is smarter than its tail. If the tail was smarter, the tail would wag the dog.

.... still the bird bobs its tail....
.... without any lullaby Who rock you to sleep tonight ?
- Who's that character?

- Do you know?
- Do you really know....... ?

Agnès Cadart - Una misteriosa persona!

¿Puede ser Agnès Cadart o es un amigo de Agnès Cadart?
Una misteriosa persona!

Can it be "Agn%60s%20Cadart" or a friend of Agnès Cadart?
A mysterious person !

– Where to find this mystifying person ?

Paris love and Champ-de-Mars

Champ-de-Mars is a lovely green area and public park between the Eiffel Tower and the Military Academy (École militaire) suitable for love & kisses and picnic... and a French pique-nique in Paris includes many kisses !

All French party contains much wine, (often) little music, a lot of talk and some new smiling faces. Today, I bought olives, bread and many good cheeses plus fresh papayas & honey melons. Sally was carrying blankets and a backpack with many bottles of win. A good start to a real party!
We were hoping to see Mme Agnès Cadart, but she didn’t show up today. – You are invited to my picnic next Monday, two week from now, as all my friends.
Bienvenue, Welcome, Herzlich Willkommen,
Accueillons Chaleureusement!

Happy couple, bride and groom... ?

Gasto Flosse & Chirac

Paris in springtime is Lovely !

SOIS JEUNE ET TAIS TOI ....... Be young and shut up......
Yes, Paris in springtime is Lovely, Okay, it’s maybe too many dogs and maybe too many unhappy people walking around, but it is a lovely town for me to live in for awhile. We have been talking about 1968 and “the revolution”, I’m too young to remember, but here it’s in the mind of many people.

Paris 1968 - Paris 2008 The student’s riots of Paris 1968 continue to divide the French 40 years on. We share memories and two bottles Côte du Rhône for 3.50€, not too bad.

Do "Not Too Bad" mean good? – Not necessarily (or always) but it implies something marginally better than 'bad'; something that is 'reasonable', but not much more than that - just about OK, or very slightly better.

It’s too bad… 1st of May, Philip said the Louvre was closed…. and Xavier said, They stole a holiday from us! Ascension is a holiday but it's today. This year Toussaint falls on a Saturday, and all agree that “Sarko” is bad! This is a bad year ! ! !

Note: Nicolas Sarkozy, de son nom complet; Nicolas, Paul, Stéphane Sarközy de Nagy-Bocsa, souvent appelé «Sarko» …. but that's not too bad for a given name...!?

Okay, it’s maybe too many dogs and maybe too many unhappy people walking around here, but it is a lovely area for me to live in for awhile.

– So life is Not Too Bad after all, Happy me, just waiting for Agnès Cadart, entering my front door in Montmorency, saying; Salut, Comment ça va, Bonjour or Hello... ! ! !

See you soon, à bientôt, salut, au revoir, bonne journée.... Hi!
/Tally-Two

Paris in love, happy people walking around...

Paris in love, happy people walking around...

la Tour Eiffel

This is a not a joke it’s a true service to you…
- Just smile.... the Eiffel Tower is calling!

New!

Since March 2008, you are now able to reserve the day and time of your visit, as well as buy your tickets in advance.

Advantages: (for the Eiffel Tower)

• You will have paid for your visit and you’ll have your tickets in hand when you arrive (Even if you’re delayed and missed your slot time or tickets !!!!)
  
• You will be able to better plan your visit by choosing the day and time (visits available every half hour).
  
• You and your group will have access to the monument at the time reserved within the half hour slot indicated.
• You will be able to begin a “privileged” discovery of the Eiffel Tower...within the half hour

Please note that prior groups without prior reservation do not receive priority access to the Eiffel Tower.

Reservations: reserve now ???

Group information and reservations:
Tel: 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 11
Fax: 33 (0) 1 44 11 23 22