It's hot, humid, smelly, noisy and I love it. It's rundown, frayed and still, I love it. This is a bakery/comic "booklet" store on Metropolitan Ave in Williamsburg.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Back in the BK
Enjoying its Charms
It's hot, humid, smelly, noisy and I love it. It's rundown, frayed and still, I love it. This is a bakery/comic "booklet" store on Metropolitan Ave in Williamsburg.
It's hot, humid, smelly, noisy and I love it. It's rundown, frayed and still, I love it. This is a bakery/comic "booklet" store on Metropolitan Ave in Williamsburg.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Paris - Fête de la Musique
Celebrating the Solstice with Music
Every year on the solstice there is a music festival here in Paris (and throughout France.) There are free concerts all over the city, many by amateurs who set up on the street and sing their hearts out. This young lady took up a spot in front of the bubble tea cafe in Les Halles and sang about Sarkozy and other topics.
Every year on the solstice there is a music festival here in Paris (and throughout France.) There are free concerts all over the city, many by amateurs who set up on the street and sing their hearts out. This young lady took up a spot in front of the bubble tea cafe in Les Halles and sang about Sarkozy and other topics.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Paris - First Day of Summer
You Wouldn't Know by the Weather
It was 49 degrees when I woke up today. I wore a sweater to work and I'm still wearing it. Not going to get warmer than about 67 degrees. Friday cannot come soon enough, I see it's about 20 degrees warmer in Brooklyn.
It was 49 degrees when I woke up today. I wore a sweater to work and I'm still wearing it. Not going to get warmer than about 67 degrees. Friday cannot come soon enough, I see it's about 20 degrees warmer in Brooklyn.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Paris - A Day at the Races
Can You Pronounce Auteuil?
I first came to Auteuil (say "oh-toy") last summer to practice golf. It's a turf horse-racing track that has a driving range in its center. See that story here. No golfing allowed today - there was a horserace - and we were here to see turf racing and steeplechase - a first for both of us.
I first came to Auteuil (say "oh-toy") last summer to practice golf. It's a turf horse-racing track that has a driving range in its center. See that story here. No golfing allowed today - there was a horserace - and we were here to see turf racing and steeplechase - a first for both of us.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Paris - French Fashion Shoot
Capturing the Paris Dream
Nothing says "Paris" more than shots like these. Shot by Pingles on her iPhone.
Nothing says "Paris" more than shots like these. Shot by Pingles on her iPhone.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Paris - World Cup
Betting Against the Frogs
A French colleague showed me how to bet on world cup games. You go to any tabac (tobacco store) and fill out a form. You can bet for a win, tie or draw with or without a handicap and you can also bet on halftime leader, etc. Pingle and I have been putting small bets on some games - it makes them so much more fun to watch. Last night, my best bet of all: 10 Euros on Mexico. I cheered them on in a French cafe, surrounded by Frenchies as they outhustled and outplayed the French side, beating them 2-0. It was sweet, especially since I won 31 Euros. Lunch on me!
A French colleague showed me how to bet on world cup games. You go to any tabac (tobacco store) and fill out a form. You can bet for a win, tie or draw with or without a handicap and you can also bet on halftime leader, etc. Pingle and I have been putting small bets on some games - it makes them so much more fun to watch. Last night, my best bet of all: 10 Euros on Mexico. I cheered them on in a French cafe, surrounded by Frenchies as they outhustled and outplayed the French side, beating them 2-0. It was sweet, especially since I won 31 Euros. Lunch on me!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Paris - the Old Man Decathlon
What Have I got Myself Into?
I have agreed to a one-on-one decathlon with a younger, fitter English colleague. We were both looking for something to do and this is what we came up with. We each proposed seven events and crossed two off each others list. The final events are:
Table Tennis – best of three games to eleven
Squash – First to 3 sets
Lawn bowls – best of three games
Basketball – game of horse (matching shot for shot)
Soccer – You have 5 balls, and need to dribble the ball round a couple of obstacles and then shoot. The player who scores the most goals in the least time is the winner.
French boules
Go kart racing
Kicking rugby penalties – How many penalties can you kick moving back 5 yards at a time. You kick until you miss. The winner is the one with the most conversions
Javelin – longest throw wins out of five throws each
Fencing
Our first event is table tennis in July.
I have agreed to a one-on-one decathlon with a younger, fitter English colleague. We were both looking for something to do and this is what we came up with. We each proposed seven events and crossed two off each others list. The final events are:
Table Tennis – best of three games to eleven
Squash – First to 3 sets
Lawn bowls – best of three games
Basketball – game of horse (matching shot for shot)
Soccer – You have 5 balls, and need to dribble the ball round a couple of obstacles and then shoot. The player who scores the most goals in the least time is the winner.
French boules
Go kart racing
Kicking rugby penalties – How many penalties can you kick moving back 5 yards at a time. You kick until you miss. The winner is the one with the most conversions
Javelin – longest throw wins out of five throws each
Fencing
Our first event is table tennis in July.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
French Boating - Sunday
Laziness Hits
I awoke at 8pm from a deep sleep and walked over to the boat which was moored 200 meters away. There were no signs of life so I took a stroll around Mâcon. It's a handsome town with winding, cobblestoned streets. Like Paris on a Sunday morning, nothing was open and it was some time before anything did. I ended up at the cafe from the night before sipping coffee and enjoying the warm breezes. Wayne and Henry joined me a few hours later and the fateful conversation began. Henry said "I don't think there are any nearby train stations south of here." It was his way of saying "let's just settle here, enjoy the day and then catch our trains." Nobody disagreed.
I awoke at 8pm from a deep sleep and walked over to the boat which was moored 200 meters away. There were no signs of life so I took a stroll around Mâcon. It's a handsome town with winding, cobblestoned streets. Like Paris on a Sunday morning, nothing was open and it was some time before anything did. I ended up at the cafe from the night before sipping coffee and enjoying the warm breezes. Wayne and Henry joined me a few hours later and the fateful conversation began. Henry said "I don't think there are any nearby train stations south of here." It was his way of saying "let's just settle here, enjoy the day and then catch our trains." Nobody disagreed.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
French Boating - Mâcon
Day One Mission Accomplished
I was surprised we made it to Mâcon before nightfall. Of course, France in June means nightfall is at 10pm. We were there by 7:30pm. We chose to dock downtown rather than in the boating slip north of town a few kilometers. We wanted to grab a bite and then watch the England-USA game.
I was surprised we made it to Mâcon before nightfall. Of course, France in June means nightfall is at 10pm. We were there by 7:30pm. We chose to dock downtown rather than in the boating slip north of town a few kilometers. We wanted to grab a bite and then watch the England-USA game.
French Boating - Nautical Facts
and Other Learnings
I learned a lot quickly. Basics like port is on the left, starboard on the right when facing the bow (the front.) I learned what a keel is and that it's not a good idea to navigate shallow canals with a long one. As you go down river, there are pylons in the water that mark the allowable path - you are to keep the red one on your right and the green one on your left. When going through a bridge, like the one below, follow the yellow diamond.
I learned a lot quickly. Basics like port is on the left, starboard on the right when facing the bow (the front.) I learned what a keel is and that it's not a good idea to navigate shallow canals with a long one. As you go down river, there are pylons in the water that mark the allowable path - you are to keep the red one on your right and the green one on your left. When going through a bridge, like the one below, follow the yellow diamond.
French Boating - Riverside Life
Time for Wine, Right?
The river was fifiteen to twenty times wider than the canal - so clearly it was easier to navigate. That was the thinking that led Henry to assign me the rudder and break out his crate of Sancerre. He and Wayne started sipping the wine and soon I was learning all kinds of things. First off, Henry - an engineer by training - was going into the boat building business at the end of the summer. He was starting a company with some buddies to go after the luxury racing sailboat market - whatever that is.
The river was fifiteen to twenty times wider than the canal - so clearly it was easier to navigate. That was the thinking that led Henry to assign me the rudder and break out his crate of Sancerre. He and Wayne started sipping the wine and soon I was learning all kinds of things. First off, Henry - an engineer by training - was going into the boat building business at the end of the summer. He was starting a company with some buddies to go after the luxury racing sailboat market - whatever that is.
French Boating - Down the Saône River
Just 60 Kilometers to Go
Once we cleared the last canal lock and started down the river the scenery completely changed. Within 300 yards we began seeing factories. We made a check of our river maps and noted we had about sixty kilometers to go to reach the town of Macon. It was 2pm. The timing seemed perfect - at a top speed of twelve kilometers we'd reach Macon at 7pm. We could get some dinner and watch the England - US soccer game.
Once we cleared the last canal lock and started down the river the scenery completely changed. Within 300 yards we began seeing factories. We made a check of our river maps and noted we had about sixty kilometers to go to reach the town of Macon. It was 2pm. The timing seemed perfect - at a top speed of twelve kilometers we'd reach Macon at 7pm. We could get some dinner and watch the England - US soccer game.
French Boating - Reaching the Saône
Five Hours, Just 20 Kilometers
The locks sure do slow you down. Eleven so far and only two more to go before we reached the river Saône (pronounced "sone" like zone with an s instead of a z.) At each lock there was an old lockman's house, many of which were lovingly restored and lived in by someone who presumably has no commercial relationship with the canal.
The locks sure do slow you down. Eleven so far and only two more to go before we reached the river Saône (pronounced "sone" like zone with an s instead of a z.) At each lock there was an old lockman's house, many of which were lovingly restored and lived in by someone who presumably has no commercial relationship with the canal.
French Boating - Lock on Lunch
Another one of those "Only in France" Moments
When we started out our day we were sharing locks with a canal boat full of Germans. They tagged behind us for a few kilometers until Henry asked if we could go ahead without them since we were in a hurry. They agreed and we quickly put a large lead on them. We were doing time-saving things like pulling the lock rope from the boat as we glided into the locks. Of course, this being France, nothing logical lasts forever.
When we started out our day we were sharing locks with a canal boat full of Germans. They tagged behind us for a few kilometers until Henry asked if we could go ahead without them since we were in a hurry. They agreed and we quickly put a large lead on them. We were doing time-saving things like pulling the lock rope from the boat as we glided into the locks. Of course, this being France, nothing logical lasts forever.
French Boating - Southern Differences
You Ain't in Paris No More....
You see a lot of differences as you head south from Paris. We were only a few hundred kilometers away but how different it is. First off, the skies! Blue, with huge white cumulus clouds. It is noticeably warmer as well. We spent most of our time trying to hide from the sun to avoid being burned.
You see a lot of differences as you head south from Paris. We were only a few hundred kilometers away but how different it is. First off, the skies! Blue, with huge white cumulus clouds. It is noticeably warmer as well. We spent most of our time trying to hide from the sun to avoid being burned.
French Boating - First Lock
Pay Attention, Lads
I remember bits and pieces of a childhood trip along the canals of England but nothing about navigating a lock. Within twenty minutes we reached the first of thirteen downhill locks. There was a red light because it was filling. Obviously, we were behind someone who'd recently gone through.
I remember bits and pieces of a childhood trip along the canals of England but nothing about navigating a lock. Within twenty minutes we reached the first of thirteen downhill locks. There was a red light because it was filling. Obviously, we were behind someone who'd recently gone through.
French Boating - Getting Under Way
Everyone to their Posts
I'm not sure how we ended up in our respective positions, Wayne at midship and me at the front - perhaps I was eager to get photos. We unhitched ourselves and puttered past our Chagny neighbors - longer, older canal boats that looked to be lived in full time.
I'm not sure how we ended up in our respective positions, Wayne at midship and me at the front - perhaps I was eager to get photos. We unhitched ourselves and puttered past our Chagny neighbors - longer, older canal boats that looked to be lived in full time.
French Boating - Checking out the Vessel
First Things First
Wayne and I started the day in style by having breakfast in the hotel garden. We then headed to the local grocers to pick up some provisions. Henry wasn't sure where we'd be able to get lunch so he suggested we get some bread and cold cuts. The previous night, after much discussion, we'd agreed to get started on our journey at 9am. We quickly learned that Henry isn't much of a morning person as he coaxed us into a later start.
Wayne and I started the day in style by having breakfast in the hotel garden. We then headed to the local grocers to pick up some provisions. Henry wasn't sure where we'd be able to get lunch so he suggested we get some bread and cold cuts. The previous night, after much discussion, we'd agreed to get started on our journey at 9am. We quickly learned that Henry isn't much of a morning person as he coaxed us into a later start.
Friday, June 11, 2010
French Boating - Arrival in Chagny
Deep in Wine Country
Actually, now that I think about it, all of France is wine country isn't it? More specifically, this is ground zero for the pinot noir and chardonnay varieties. Henry explained that in the Middle Ages the church was in charge of wine making in France. Seems so strange to me.
Actually, now that I think about it, all of France is wine country isn't it? More specifically, this is ground zero for the pinot noir and chardonnay varieties. Henry explained that in the Middle Ages the church was in charge of wine making in France. Seems so strange to me.
French Boating - Getting to the Boat
All it Takes is a Couple of Trains
Wayne and I snuck out of work at 1pm, backpacks in hand and walked ten minutes to Gare de Lyon in the southwestern corner of the city. It was glorious - all blue skies and warm breezes. This is the Paris summer you imagine but never get. We lunched at an Alsatian outdoor cafe that peered onto the gare's tower. The plan was to meet our captain, Henry, at the platform at 2:30.
Wayne and I snuck out of work at 1pm, backpacks in hand and walked ten minutes to Gare de Lyon in the southwestern corner of the city. It was glorious - all blue skies and warm breezes. This is the Paris summer you imagine but never get. We lunched at an Alsatian outdoor cafe that peered onto the gare's tower. The plan was to meet our captain, Henry, at the platform at 2:30.
Paris Weekend Preview
Boating in Burgundy
A colleague is taking his 26 ft sailboat from London to Marseille via canals and rivers in France. Every Friday he takes a train to wherever the boat is docked and moves it 50 miles or so, docks it and jumps on the train Sunday evening back to Paris. He started in September, docked the boat in Paris during winter for a few months and then resumed the trip in spring. This weekend another colleague and I are joining him. The boat is in Burgundy in a small town south of Dijon called Chagny, see the red flag below.
A colleague is taking his 26 ft sailboat from London to Marseille via canals and rivers in France. Every Friday he takes a train to wherever the boat is docked and moves it 50 miles or so, docks it and jumps on the train Sunday evening back to Paris. He started in September, docked the boat in Paris during winter for a few months and then resumed the trip in spring. This weekend another colleague and I are joining him. The boat is in Burgundy in a small town south of Dijon called Chagny, see the red flag below.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Paris - Mosque Planning Failure
I Shoulda Read the Fine Print
Back in Paris fighting the jetlag and my go-to ammunition is to stay away from the apartment until bedtime. I did some research on Google and found an after-work site to check out: the Grande Mosquée de Paris. It's the largest mosque in France and the second largest in Europe, built after WWI as a gesture by France to the muslims from their colonies who fought against Germany. I was looking forward to walking around the beautiful inner courtyard and having some mint tea and pastries at their cafe.
Back in Paris fighting the jetlag and my go-to ammunition is to stay away from the apartment until bedtime. I did some research on Google and found an after-work site to check out: the Grande Mosquée de Paris. It's the largest mosque in France and the second largest in Europe, built after WWI as a gesture by France to the muslims from their colonies who fought against Germany. I was looking forward to walking around the beautiful inner courtyard and having some mint tea and pastries at their cafe.
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Singapore - The Towers, Part IV
Just One More Act to Go
I've been interested in the three towers being built on the marina and have followed them as they've gone up. I didn't know what they were at first but later learned they're the Singapore branch of the famous Las Vegas Sands hotel-casino. Check out the shots from Jan 2009, May 2009 and Feb 2010. They finally opened up for business so I took the old lady for a night's stay. Each tower has rooms facing either downtown or the ocean and a soaring lobby.
I've been interested in the three towers being built on the marina and have followed them as they've gone up. I didn't know what they were at first but later learned they're the Singapore branch of the famous Las Vegas Sands hotel-casino. Check out the shots from Jan 2009, May 2009 and Feb 2010. They finally opened up for business so I took the old lady for a night's stay. Each tower has rooms facing either downtown or the ocean and a soaring lobby.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Singapore - Tennis Anyone?
Sports Stud, Part II
After giving out a ping pong flogging to MC, it was now time do the same to Ying Ying in tennis. Pingle rented a court for an hour for the ridiculously low sum of $4. When I saw how nice the court was I was surprised, I expected much less for the money. It was a single court with lights next to a mosque in a part of Singapore easily reached by the brand new Central subway line. I was already totally soaked in sweat just walking to the court: it was about 85 degrees and 2 million percent humidity. "This is insane" I thought to myself. Who plays tennis in such heat?
After giving out a ping pong flogging to MC, it was now time do the same to Ying Ying in tennis. Pingle rented a court for an hour for the ridiculously low sum of $4. When I saw how nice the court was I was surprised, I expected much less for the money. It was a single court with lights next to a mosque in a part of Singapore easily reached by the brand new Central subway line. I was already totally soaked in sweat just walking to the court: it was about 85 degrees and 2 million percent humidity. "This is insane" I thought to myself. Who plays tennis in such heat?
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Singapore - Table Tennis
Proving I'm an All Around Athlete
I've never been particularly excellent in any one sport but I take pride in being able to play many without looking like a complete idiot. I first started playing table tennis in Wales and played some more in college. I've not played since. A few days back Pingle phoned me "Babe, you have a ping pong match tomorrow, you against MC. Go buy two paddles and some balls." MC is Pingle's competitive athletic girlfriend and she hates to lose, same as me. She used to play for a club or her high-school team or something. This was going to be fun.
I've never been particularly excellent in any one sport but I take pride in being able to play many without looking like a complete idiot. I first started playing table tennis in Wales and played some more in college. I've not played since. A few days back Pingle phoned me "Babe, you have a ping pong match tomorrow, you against MC. Go buy two paddles and some balls." MC is Pingle's competitive athletic girlfriend and she hates to lose, same as me. She used to play for a club or her high-school team or something. This was going to be fun.
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Hong Kong - Random Shots
and Random Thoughts
I had a few remaining shots on the camera from Hong Kong so I figured I'd post em for posterity. This shot is from Kowloon, which is across the bay from the famed tall buildings of Hong Kong island. It has a nice park aptly named Kowloon Park. The trees on the western wall of the park practically reach out and touch the buildings on the other side of the street.
I had a few remaining shots on the camera from Hong Kong so I figured I'd post em for posterity. This shot is from Kowloon, which is across the bay from the famed tall buildings of Hong Kong island. It has a nice park aptly named Kowloon Park. The trees on the western wall of the park practically reach out and touch the buildings on the other side of the street.
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Singapore - Advanced Golf Technology
Will Be Hard to Return to a Regular Range...
Imagine my surprise when I went to hit balls at my regular range here in Singapore at Toa Payoh and found it completely remodeled. It's now an uber-range, fitted with advanced technology that made my head spin. Out in the range field at varying distances are elongated bins with thin rubber bands stretched across them. You try to hit your ball into the bins to score points. The further away the target is, the more points you get. How does it keep track of your score?
Imagine my surprise when I went to hit balls at my regular range here in Singapore at Toa Payoh and found it completely remodeled. It's now an uber-range, fitted with advanced technology that made my head spin. Out in the range field at varying distances are elongated bins with thin rubber bands stretched across them. You try to hit your ball into the bins to score points. The further away the target is, the more points you get. How does it keep track of your score?
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