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 !!!

“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 !

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

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?

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 !!!

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

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) ! ! !

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