Paris Parfait

Two weeks on the South Coast

Fall's changing leaves, Oxford, England.

Have just spent two lovely weeks in the UK, visiting Oxford, Guildford, Chichester and various points along the South Coast.  Went antiquing (didn't buy a thing, although sorely tempted by an Italian gilt sofa); shopping (coats, clothes, boots and books and an extra bag to get it all home) and visited family. At a cozy little inn in Rigby (believe it or not!) where Lord Nelson stayed en route to the Naval fleet at Portsmouth, David and I ran into an old (French) friend from Paris.

We saw a colourful circus (sadly, rain prevented photographs) and stunning Roman mosaics - the Fishbourne Roman Palace - unearthed in an archelogical dig in the 1960s. We visited the historic Arundel Castle, climbing dozens of narrow, steep stone steps through winding passages to the Castle Keep. It was well worth the trek for sweeping views of the surrounding town and countryside. We toured the castle's interior rooms (where The Young Victoria  was filmed earlier this year), visited two chapels and walked in the landscaped Collector Earl's Garden.

We spent a week at a charming slope-roofed cottage near Merston, with the bonus of a flock of nearly 100 sheep in a pasture just ten feet away. I read books, watched documentaries and snapped photos of the sheep and resident roosters, while David went bird-watching. We visited an ancient graveyard and walked along the rocky seashore. It was peaceful and beautiful - but it took only two days back in Paris for me to become stressed, with computer issues, deadlines galore and some long-distance family drama.

I have hundreds of photos still to process (to resize, to discourage theft). Have decided to stop watermarking my images, after reading a Wired article ridiculing this practice. I also have email to answer and your blogs to read. Back soon with more photos and stories.

Red leaf-covered building, Oxford.

Flame-coloured trees on the grounds surrounding Arundel Castle.

Remnants of stone building near Arundel Castle.

Computer gymnastics

Giant plastic hexagons, Selfridges, London.

It feels as though I'm in some surreal game of Twister, all tangled up, copying files from a laptop that needs to be shipped to the UK for repair and maintaining another laptop filled with unprocessed photos, as well as a netbook. Plus, I'm figuring out how to use my new Macbook Pro.

As a lifelong PC user, I was concerned about the Mac learning curve, but so far, so good! Luckily, my friends Nic and Leonie are coming from London for the weekend. Nic is a wizard when it comes to computer technical issues; his advice already has proved invaluable in the PC-Mac transition.

Check back later for images and stories from my travels.

Bonjour de Paris!

Fall arrangement, Merci, Paris. The traveler pulling her suitcase seems strangely familiar.

Back home after nearly two weeks away. Check back later for photos and stories from my travels: from city centers to an historic castle (and a film set); from ancient Roman mosaics to a rocky seashore; to a sloped-roof country cottage with a flock of sheep in a pasture just ten feet away. Such a lovely break!

Hope you're all enjoying this fine weekend, where in Europe, we've turned our clocks back an hour. I've made some changes to the blog's sidebar. Beginning today, see "Read the news" category for news of note, updated daily. Now I must unpack, then sort through the email, photos and your blogs, of course!

Blog Action Day 2009

Race-goers relaxing at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, Paris.  Photo by David Holmes.

Idyllic weather and relaxing afternoons like the one pictured won't be around for long, if we don't address the critical issues of climate change. Recently my friend Julie in Denmark asked if it might take a major European country such as the Netherlands to be under water before people pay attention.

The effects of climate change are widespread, touching virtually every corner of the earth. From glaciers melting in Greenland to waters flooding islands in the Pacific to temperatures rising around the world, climate change is underway. And as more and more people are driven from their homes by rising waters or worse, poverty and conflict will worsen, as the world's refugee population increases. The burden to care for these people will be for us to assume.

World leaders are meeting December 8-18 at a United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark.  Lowering carbon emissions levels, carbon trading and reducing air and water pollution are among the topics to be explored.

In conjunction with the summit, an outdoor photographic exhibit currently underway in Copenhagen shows 100 places to remember before they disappear.

While environmental problems may seem overwhelming, there are small and simple steps we can take every day for a cleaner, healthier more sustainable environment. In conjunction with the photographic exhibit, Co+Life has provided 100 examples of how we - individually and collectively - can solve or counter the effects of climate change.

Besides recycling our paper, plastic, aluminum and glass, we can take public transportation; plan smarter travel; eat healthier foods. American green-living guru Danny Seo writes a blog providing simple, everyday tips, from changing lightbulbs to more energy-efficient models, to revamping or repurposing old furniture.

In the United Kingdom, John Lewis has published a "modern reworking" of a 1943 government booklet about making the most of minimal resources: Make Do and Mend. Follow  Make Do and Mend on Twitter for useful daily household tips

Even our old computers, mobile phones and other electronic products can be recycled. The Environmental Protection Agency provides information about regional and national programs available.

My pet peeve is excess packaging. I'm contacting the manufacturers of products I purchase regularly to ask them to reduce unnecessary and cumbersome packaging. Recently I bought a portable phone charger in London. It took a good 15 minutes, using all my strength to pry open the heavy plastic surround.

What's your favourite energy-saving or recycling measure? Are there specific habits you follow to help preserve the environment?

Join me and more than 5000 bloggers participating in Blog Action Day, focusing on climate change.

Adventure-bound

Glass baubles and fishermen's ropes in a vitrine at Selfridges, London. I like how the reflections suggest passersby are walking among the giant balls. As always, click photo to view detail.

"We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have, if only we seek them with our eyes open." - Jawaharlal Nehru

Am off on a little adventure; see you later this month. Check back Thursday, Oct. 15 for my post for Blog Action Day 2009: Climate change.

No pain, no glory?

Painful shoes at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Longchamp, Paris.

Time to leave the glamour of Longchamp and come back down to earth. Tyler Perry's personal story brought tears to my eyes. I'm looking forward to seeing Precious, although I expect it will be difficult to watch the abuse. But perhaps this movie - based on Sapphire's book Push - will make people pay attention to nearly-invisible or overlooked people in society, who all too often suffer in silence.

War photography and ethics

I've been reading The Bang-Bang Club written by the acclaimed conflict photographers Greg Marinovich and Jaoa Silva. The book talks about their harrowing experiences, as well as those of their friends and colleagues Ken Oosterbroek, killed by a stay bullet while working and Kevin Carter, who committed suicide weeks after winning a Putlizer Prize for his powerful photograph of a starving child in the Sudan.

"...The picture had caused a sensation. It was being used in posters for raising funds for aid organizations. Papers and magazines around the world had published it and the immediate public reaction was to send money to any humanitarian organization that had an operation in Sudan. The heart-wrenching image of a starving, helpless infant being scrutinized by a vulture had inevitably raised the question, "What happened to the little girl?" and, followed close on that, "What did the photographer do to help her?"

"The barrage of questions had begun to get to Kevin. He could not answer that he had simply left the child there; that the child was not in any direct danger from the vulture, since it is a fact that vultures will never attack anything still showing signs of life. Nor was the child likely to die of starvation, as the feeding-centre, with its ability to administer emergency nutrition, was barely 100 metres away. Kevin at first had told people that he had chased the vulture away and that he had then gone and sat under a tree to cry. He did not know what happened to the child. But the questions kept coming..."

Parts of the book's raw honesty are painful to read. But it's absolutely fascinating to learn more about the dilemmas photojournalists (and print journalists) often face: to engage and try to help in a dire situation or to take the photo, get the story and walk away?

At a photography class in London last month, we discussed this predicament. All of us agreed we'd find it nearly impossible to walk away during a situation in which someone was suffering, without doing what we could to help. Of course there are times when one's own life is in danger and a choice may not be possible.

Recently I was at the French hairdresser, anxious about the way one can never quite pass muster in the intense scrutiny of certain impossibly thin, chic French women. Reading The Bang-Bang Club put it all in perspective, as the women around me chattered and gossiped about trivial things.

Open Shutters: Iraq

Seems silly to be concerned about the opinion of strangers, when far more important things are going on all around us. Open Shutters: Iraq is a new documentary by filmmaker Maysoon Pachachi. It traces the stories of 12 Iraqi women who meet in Damascus to learn photography. They then take their newfound skills and return to Iraq, telling stories with their photographs. Later, they return to Syria to edit their photos and write their stories.

One child even participated in the project, taking photos of her friends. Learn more here and here. The film begins at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 at the Opera Plaza Cinema in San Francisco.

A book featuring the Open Shutters: Iraq photographs will be released soon.

Poverty and human rights

A new book stresses the link between economic rights and human rights. The Unheard Truth: Poverty and Human Rights is written by Irene Khan, the outgoing secretary-general of Amnesty International.  In a profile in The Independent, Khan talks about her disillusion with Amnesty's current role in human rights work.

Posing for pictures

Posing for photos Sunday at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.

 

 

The Arab state of Qatar sponsored this year's Arc festivities. This was their hospitality tent.

 

Serving Arabic coffee.

 

 

Chic brown-and-white ensemble.

Waiting in the winner's circle.

 

Friends chatting between races.

Family outing.

Fathers and sons waiting for the big race to begin.

Pleading for a lift up to see the race.

 

Mother and daughter.

 

Matching hair and coat.

Hat and irridescent coat.

 

Directional signs.

 

Sharing a laugh.

Flowers on a trophy case for the Arc winner, Sea the Stars.

More hats and fashion from Longchamp here, here and here.

News day

Fall bouquet, Merci, Paris.

We interrupt the series of Longchamp photos to focus on unexpected news today:

Barack Obama has won the Nobel Peace Prize "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples."

"The Committee has attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons. Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play. Dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts.

"The vision of a world free from nuclear arms has powerfully stimulated disarmament and arms control negotiations.Thanks to Obama's initiative, the USA is now playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting. Democracy and human rights are to be strengthened.

"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future. His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population.

"For 108 years, the Norwegian Nobel Committee has sought to stimulate precisely that international policy and those attitudes for which Obama is now the world's leading spokesman.The Committee endorses Obama's appeal that "Now is the time for all of us to take our share of responsibility for a global response to global challenges."

Let's hope Obama can live up to his promise, with jealous naysayers (with no ideas or solutions of their own) determined to obstruct his every move.

So refreshing: Alan Grayson dares to speak the truth. 

Am glad that this outrageous law is being challenged in court. What an invasion of privacy!

And a very Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends!

Update: The Democratic National Committee responds to Republican criticism of the Nobel Peace Prize announcement:

"The Republican Party has thrown in its lot with the terrorists — the Taliban and Hamas this morning — in criticizing the President for receiving the Nobel Peace prize. Republicans cheered when America failed to land the Olympics and now they are criticizing the President of the United States for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize — an award he did not seek but that is nonetheless an honor in which every American can take great pride — unless of course you are the Republican Party. The 2009 version of the Republican Party has no boundaries, has no shame and has proved that they will put politics above patriotism at every turn. It’s no wonder only 20 percent of Americans admit to being Republicans anymore – it’s an embarrassing label to claim."

Mohamed El Baradei, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency:

"There is nobody today in my view who is more deserving of that peace prize than Barack Obama. In less than a year he brought a radical change in the way we look at ourselves, in the way we look at our world. He is restoring the basic core values that every one of us should live by - dialogue, respect, democracy, due process, human rights, a security system that does not depend on nuclear weapons. His dedication to these values rekindles hope that, finally, we could have a world at peace with itself."

Read more reactions to the news here.

An excerpt of President Obama's speech:

"Let me be clear: I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments, but rather as an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations.

"To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

"But I also know that this prize reflects the kind of world that those men and women and all Americans, want to build -- a world that gives life to the promise of our founding documents. And I know that throughout history, the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes. And that is why I will accept this award as a call to action -- a call for all nations to confront the common challenges of the 21st century."

Trying on hats

Trying on hats at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Sunday at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.

As always, click photos to view detail.

 

More hat photos here and here.

More hats and fashion from Longchamp

Photos of hats at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Sunday at Longchamp, Paris. All photos by David Holmes.

Watching the race.

H.E. Abdullah bin Khalifa al Thani, special advisor to the Emir of Qatar.

 

Various bands provided musical entertainment.

 

Judging by his hat (and location at the champagne bar), this guy seemed a bit merry.

Horse trainer M. Royer-Dupree is standing behind the guy with the big cigar.
 

 

 

Longchamp information desk assistant.

These gentlemen were dressed in Scottish kilts.

A group of Japanese visitors to the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

More photos from Longchamp to come!

Sea the Stars wins Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe

Jockey Michael Kinane rides the Irish horse Sea the Stars into the winner's circle after victory in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe Sunday at Longchamp.

Waiting for the winner.

The trainer John Oxx and horse-owner Christophe Tsui rush to the course, after Sea the Stars won the Arc. They'd been watching the race on a giant video screen, insider the winner's circle.

The press and the public cheer the victor, post-race.

This Irish racing fan was so happy, she grabbed my husband and kissed him!

Check back Tuesday for more photos from the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

Hats at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Traditional Qatari costumes. Qatar sponsored this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.

 

Fuschia hat at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Check back Monday for dozens of images from the festivities at Europe's biggest horse-racing event. Photos by David Holmes.

A hat shaped like the Eiffel Tower. While these two photos are slightly fuzzy, am posting them because  this was the most unique hat at the races.

This hat reminded me of the movie "Alien" or perhaps Medusa.

While I have to give this woman credit for originality, doesn't this shot look as though she's communicating with outer space??!!

Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp

Champion jockey Frankie Dettori riding Spring of Fame in the Qatar Prix Daniel Wildenstein race. Dettori is pictured in the parade ring, just before the race Saturday at Hippodrome de Longchamp, Paris.

A Qatari tent set up on the grounds of Hippodrome de Longchamp. The state of Qatar is sponsoring this year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Europe's biggest horse race.

These two men have taken off their shoes and are facing Mecca, during the late afternoon call to prayer.

The hat tent at Longchamp, offering chapeaux for sale. Traditionally, women don stylish hats for Sunday's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

A table of straw hats in varying hues and designs.

Another group of straw hats for race-goers.

Wool and felt hats with fur trim.

Most of these casual styles on display can hold up in rain, which is predicted Sunday. Inside the tents (below) are traditional Qatari crafts and traditions. In one tent, a woman invited me to sit down on the cushion next to her, while she applied henna to my right hand. We spoke in Arabic, which was good practice for my upcoming trip to Jordan. As the henna was still wet, I told the woman I'd return Sunday to photograph her, her friends and their beautiful costumes.

Barring pouring rain, I'll be snapping pics of both hats and horses and posting them late Sunday and Monday. Hope you have a fun Sunday outing planned!

En route to Longchamp this afternoon, I walked past a white panel truck with its side door open, parked on a busy street. Inside was a platform made up like a bed, a hooker sitting in front of a dressing table applying lipstick and another lady-of-the-evening standing on the sidewalk, dressed in fishnets and black lace and wearing enough makeup to cover France. She was smoking a cigarette, while hoping to catch the eye of potential customers headed to the races. Later I saw the police making them leave. Only in Paris would such a business venture be attempted in broad daylight in a posh residential neighbourhood!

Scroll down the page for an additional post today.

Last day for brocante at Chatou

Antique gilt flowers centered with coloured stones are pictured at Gunnar Petterssen's stand at the 79th Foire Nationale aux Antiquites a la Brocante et aux Jambons at Ile de Chatou, France. The brocante ends at 7 p.m. Sunday, so hurry! Tickets are available at the gate.

More beautiful objets d'art  - including a petite dressmaker's leather-covered form - at Gunnar Petterssen's stand at Chatou.

 

Mirror frame covered with shells reflects a client, as well as a collection of vintage picture frames arranged in a glass case.

A box covered with sea shells and English chair.

A diverse collection of glassware and pharmacy jars.

 
A marquetry box, copper pots and moulds and in the background, a mosaic tray in various shades of turquoise and aqua.

Miscellaneous treen and a "perception" sign, which in French means a place to pay a form of taxes. I prefer the English definition.

If you miss Chatou, you can see Gunnar Petterssen's unusual antiques and collectibles at the brocante at Place de Bastille in early November (details to be announced).

Look out any window

Rain-spattered window, Oxford Street, London. If you and I look out this window, chances are we won't see the same things.

A tsunami in Tonga and the Somoan Islands; an  earthquake in Indonesia. Refugees driven from their homes by the conflict in Yemen. Children going to bed hungry; others dying of malnutrition or curable diseases. These are real people grappling with serious issues; huge problems that cross socio-economic divides and traverse geographic borders.

The world has trouble enough. We don't need manufactured hatred and fear-mongering spread by right-wing talk show hosts and conspiracy theorists, polluting the atmosphere. We don't need personal prejudices of two former drug-addicted radio and television hosts foisted on a gullible and too-often ignorant public. The irresponsibility of Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh and their ilk (including the RNC and its ill-advised collaboration with "News"max) and the cynicism of their reckless and inflammatory behaviour beggars belief.

Of course those who shout the loudest don't worry about dangerous consequences of their actions, as long as they're raking in big bucks. Money is power in America; just ask Rupert Murdoch and other corporate media moguls and companies who encourage and sponsor ever-increasing vitriol in the name of ratings. Just ask Hollywood moguls (and French politicians) eager to overlook Roman Polanski's crimes, simply because he's an artist and a celebrity (and his films take in big box-office receipts).

Peace begins at home and we need to dial the hysteria register down a notch or two. We need to THINK FOR OURSELVES; read and be informed about the facts, not speculation or conjecture. Searching for common ground - rather than constantly focusing on our differences - would be a good start.

As Jalaladdin Rumi said, "Out beyond ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing, there is a field. I'll meet you there."

And an excerpt of Mary Oliver's poem Mysteries, Yes:

"...Let me keep my distance, always, from those who think they have the answers."

"...Let me keep company always with those who say
"Look!" and laugh in astonishment
and bow their heads."

"Look out any window" is a reference to Bruce Hornsby's song of the same name.