Let The Day Begin

Cultural Bouillabaisse: Fashionistas Style

This was the long weekend the French refer to as “pentecôte”. The sky has been forlorn and it is hard to know what to wear. One minute you think this is Brittany in August and the next the heat and sun break through the clouds and send you scurrying over to the isle Saint Louis for some of the best sorbet in town at Bertillon. The wild strawberry was this weekend’s hot seller.

Because this was a long weekend, the city was emptied of its usual intensity and left to the tourists for the most part. Spiritual festivities were held across the city. One of my favourite gems is “The Monastic and Lay Communities of Jerusalem” at Saint Gervais. It is hidden from the hubbub of the Marais and offers a perfect place for reflection and solitude. The stain glass windows are striking and during services, they bring out a wonderful collection of Greek icons to ponder. This church is a veritable oasis in the heart of the city and a far cry from the circus at Notre Dame. It is the perfect place to go beyond the rituals, which punctuate our lives and to savour the hidden essence of life itself.

Considering the multi-dimensional diversity of Paris, sometimes the town makes you think of Babel. The Champs Elysees would do nicely as an urban metaphor of linguistic bouillabaisse. Since many of the local inhabitants are in the countryside with family, the town takes on a textual quality, which can offer visitors a unique page to write a new chapter in their lives. This city shimmers in a wave like a series of panoramic vistas, each with its own perception of stone and sky. It is as if you are walking in a watercolour dabbed with the intensity of intent, just waiting for you to sign your own name to the tableau.

Over my Monday morning double espresso, we discussed the usual litany of errands to be run. My legs needed stretching, and the city beckoned me like a Moroccan wind. Not to let the day slip away in a blur, I decided to take advantage of the intermittent sun and mild temperature to trundle around and see what was new as the right bank begins decking out for Paris plage version 2011. So I took my brood down to the neighbourhood of Palais Royal, where the Café Nemours is the perfect setting to begin any journey. There was a small ensemble in the square playing pieces from “Carmen”, and the stage like setting reminded me of the opening scenes to “The Tourist” featuring Johnny Deep and Angelina Joly.

Let the long day begin - Fish Bytes

I'm not sure that's a wise thing to do, Clark. Those cheesesteaks are dangerous on the internal workings of the body. Not sure if you're a health nut or not, but I would advise against. However, if you are so inclined I would recommend Pat's or Genos in South Philly. Talk to Dobbs, I'm sure he's had his share of good Philly eats. I appreciate what Edwin is trying to do to a degree, but it reminds me more of that movie, The Natural. You know, the continual scenes where the preacher, or whomever, stands in front of the team and says something to the effect of - "losing is a disease as contagious as polo, syphilis, plague", etc. That club didn't respond until Roy Hobbs was inserted into the lineup. Unfortunately for the Marlins, there is no Roy Hobbs to insert. There's only a Hanley Ramirez and as we all know, he's not a Natural.

Clark, Could you just sneak out of the pressbox and not attend the game. I ate at Le Bec Fin about 15 years ago when it was considered one of the GREAT restaurants in America. IF it's still great you could never get a reservation but just mention that you work for the Herald and cover the Marlins.Worth a shot.

You could probably just submit the same story for tonight's game. Anibal will have to pitch a shutout to be tied going to the 10th. I don't think that is happening.

Lou, regarding this being related to Posey injury: SF Giants fans reminds us EVERYDAY on several blogs that this is related to Posey injury. It is amazing how they cant let go. They are in good position for division title or eben wild card, but all they care about is harassing Marlins fans with this stupid "Posey curse". As if we didnt have enough with the Marlins playing Double-A baseball.

I put Morrison injury in there because the way he barges around in the outfield either he or another Marlin gets hurt or a fence gets taken out. He would be a tremendous DH or 1B--Miguel made himself outstanding at the position.

I'm thinking how Samson and Beinfest could put together a package of Stanton, Morrison and Anibal and get back gardner and 3 Double A prospects from the yankees.

Who else misses Matt's comments. I could just call him but he is excellent when writing. He is not a big fan of Juan Yanes and he despised Debbie. Of course i was Priscilla.

My mouth is watering thinking of Le Bec Fin and it looks like you could get out of there for about $150.00 IF you forego the wine and just have a Tanqueray 10 Martini which will go for around $16.00. Better than pressbox food. Go for it and write a review.

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