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On a lonely fall day a few years ago, I decided to write and photograph, in the spirit of Jack Kerouac, anything and everything that entered my lazy mind.  It was sort of my tribute to streaming conscientiousness.

But where Jack stopped at writing I added photography.  This was my first attempt at combining the expression of writing with the “of the moment” of digital picture taking.

I found the freedom of digital photography liberating. There was no error.  It was all going to be registered in computer memory.  No worries of bad pictures or missed moments or expensive developing.  Anything that caught my eye I stored for future reflection.

The liberation of digital photography combined with the thought of jotting down short phrases on post-it notes was exciting. Anything that crossed my mind I wrote for future ridicule.  Every color that made me glance twice I snapped. Utter freedom.

Whatever you know what I mean… I’ve now compiled hundreds of hours of writing and gigabytes of pics to one day be shared with an audience like you.  Here’s my first streaming conscientiousness photo essay.

New York City is the land of a thousand stories. Walk the city and they surround you, they almost suffocate you, they are here, there and everywhere. This is just one of a thousand Subway Story.

Coney Island was America’s first amusement park. This mash up video explores three video versions of the once famous attraction. Film from the 1930s, 1950s and 2010 has been fused to tell the tale of a disappearing cultural attraction.

So there it is.  My proverbial first step into my new life and new city.  I’ve landed in New York City, via London, Miami and a cross country road trip exploring American creativity.  The truth is that really isn’t my first step.  I’ve been here a couple of days, but it is the first step of my first exploratory outings.  Yeah, I moved here for a job, a salary, and the city but more importantly I moved here for the city and the inspiration.  I love the walkability, the public transportation and the ever evolving chaos of millions of people coexisting within small geographic confines.

It actually took me a few days to settle, to understand how the city flows, to understand the distance between spaces and when the light is just right.  Yesterday I gambled on the afternoon light, mixing with the lights of Broadway.  Here’s the stories and ideas I captured.

Water Revolution

In my old job we often talked about the rapidly declining world water supply.  To bring attention to the matter we released several studies and DVD’s on the topic, Blue Gold, being my favorite.  This shot, with the hand reaching towards up, anguishing, towards the water tower capture the potential dangers of our dwindling fresh water supply.

What Are You?

I’ve got a friend who always wishes me farewell by saying “I hope you find what you are looking for.”  It never fails.  Every time I announce that I’m embarking on another move, journey or adventure he steadfastly delivers the same message. This image may be at the core of that quest.

Wake Up in A City of Lights

Sure, its a pretty worn and now commonplace refrain, so much so that if it is even murmured, the cliche accusation is blurted out immediately.  But who really cares?  What’s wrong with reenacting and reliving cliches?  Aren’t we each entitled to add our own chapter, no mater how minute, to the larger glorified story? I too want to wake up in a city of lights and am not ashamed to admit it.

The Crown Jewel of the Empire

There it is, once the tallest building in the world, the Empire State Building stands, silently, eloquently and confidently above its neighbors.

More soon.

Day 44.  This was actually shot on Day 44 but it has taken me a couple of days to edit and post everything online.  The youtube mass uploader never works.  I’ve tried that thing several times and it bites.  Sorry for the delay.

The story?  Do you want this story?  I woke up suddenly overwhelmed with a feeling of suffocation.  I needed to move.  I needed to be free.  I needed to think and I needed some time alone.  Yes, I have been alone for over six weeks now.  But I needed to be alone in movement.  It helps me think in different ways.  It stimulates the mind.  Movement. Here you can come along for the ride.

Facts :  3 hours of video, 27 pictures, 5.3 hours of skating, a wet t-shirt and in the end a tired and happy man.  This is also for my niece and her boyfriend. Enjoy.

Intro to the Parison Sk8 Diary

So I wake up early on a Saturday morning with an insatiable desire to go skating.  I buy a board, and decide to film a pseudo tour guide to Paris on four wheels.
Duration 1’35.

Palais Tokyo

Introduction to Palais de Tokyo, the Chattanooga skate shop and a Skate Boarding belief system. Freedom, creativity and ingenuity.
Duration 4’10.

Once around the Palais Tokyo
I just had to hit the marble for a little bit.  It feels good to listen to the sound of the wheels click, click, click.  Its sweet music to anyone who knows the feeling.
Duration ’15.

Sidewalk shot of Eiffel Tower
This is a very quick glimpse of the Eiffel Tower but its the first time I’ve seen it new in a long time. Love the Lady.  Love all the ladies.
Duration ’18.

Dead Bird
I was making good progress towards Bercy and I suddenly put my hand on a dead bird. Totally nuts and incredibly disgusting.  Tastes good.
Duration ’20.

Pont Alexandre One
These broad sidewalks were like holding free crack out to a junkie.  If love is what you’re after this is the bridge to pursue those obsessions.  Get crack here too.
Duration ’45.

Skating Paris Plage
A short run down the world’s most famous fake beach. All kinds of people who shouldn’t be wearing bikinis. It may be better to walk the beach than skate it.
Duration ’41.

Green Tunnel to Simon Bolivar
Cruising down a fresh bike lane boarded by trees on Paris’ left bank when I realise that the statue of my mother’s liberator is nearby. I then suddenly realise that it isn’t.
Duration ’33.

A tribute to my Mother
A very quick tribute to the original revolutionary, my mother. Hasta siempre mommy dearest! With the hope of your dreams becoming reality very soon.
Duration ’58.

The Luva
A ride up the sidewalk of the world’s largest museum. Watch your volume levels on this one it gets a little spastic because I’m a spastic.
Duration 1’06.

Walk lazy freedom

Short talk on laziness, boards and freedom.  Skaters learn to overcome life’s obstacles with style and creativity thanks to four wheels attached to a board.

Duration 3’58.

Bercy Just Skate
A short discussion on the views, lessons and life of skaters.  There is pride and empowerment in marginalization. Get knocked down, get up and go again.
Duration 2’40.

Bercy Roaches
The arrival of the roaches. They come dressed to skate and kill. Tons of them. Small language warning.  No money, the president and dirty shirts.
Duration 1’59.

Vider mes poches
After six long weeks I needed a moment to empty my pockets. Its nice to take moment and reflect on why and how things make it into your pockets.
Duration 5’11.

Academie Francaise
On the way home I took the bus lanes and shared space with taxis, sidewalks and a fat biker. She honked at me so I had to get even.
Duration ’57.

Skating Invalide
If it wasn’t so hot I would’ve spent a little more time zig zagging these people in and around Invalides. In the end I was the only invalid.

Ponts Alexandre

I loved this wide bridge and the smooth sidewalks.  Is there a better bridge in Paris to skate across?  Watch for the German kids at the end.  Smack!
Duration ’53.

Dead Tired

After several hours of skating I finally make it back to the place where I started very tired, soaked and salty yet elated.  I love the world.
Duration 1’05.

Day 41.  Yep, you guessed it I’m still in France.  It’s now been almost six weeks since I’ve been waiting for my visa to come through the UK Embassy in France with the hope of getting back to some normalcy.   I wouldn’t mind having a routine, waking up for work, waiting for vacation, meetings, lunches and colleagues.  This is the longest I’ve ever gone without having a routine in my life.  My vacations have even had routines and end date.  But here the only routine is finding a new place to sleep.  Its strange, all this loss of control in my professional life has actually helped me regain control in other places.  I guess its sometimes good to spend 6 weeks alone, thinking and contemplating life.  I really needed One minute of Peace.

So I guess you are wondering what’s up with all the photos huh?  Well they are testament to a little retreat I took recently.  In usual fashion to make it real, although this trip was almost surreal, I share a bit with you to really engrave it into memory.  Astonishing amounts have happened to me this past few weeks as has nothing.  The best thing, well one of the best things, is that I took a day trip to Etretat.  Literally translated the city’s name is State of Being.  At least that’s what I like to believe.  It’s a place where majestic white cliffs drop into the blue sea with violence and grandeur.

It’s a place where you can sit on a cobble stone beach and think about the life that is passing before you just beyond your shoes. The Sea and My Shoes. It’s a place where the idea of standing at the edge of a cliff and jumping suddenly becomes a potential reality.  I do like to think of myself as somewhat of a daredevil but here I would rather not.

It’s a place where churches appear on hilltops and seagulls follow your every move.

It’s a place that is magical.  It’s a place that must be shared with someone else to make it real.  Thanks for sharing it with me.  It’s now real.

Its day 21 or maybe 22, its actually day 23 now, I can’t remember any more. For regular readers you may have noticed my blogging on the Facebook Chronicles has fallen off a bit. It’s simply because I have been moving from cell to cell this week so finding a moment to write with a good internet connection has been difficult. Fear not, I have returned.

For this entry, I’m going back to the list idea, is actually a pretty cool one. It comes in via the Facebook inbox. I have had a couple of interesting questions and queries the past few days but this one definitely merits broader discussion. Since half of my community are Paris based I thought I would leverage, or at least try to leverage, the power of community to answer this question.

A Facebook and old friend, asked an interesting question she wondered if I had “any suggestions that are great for an old lady who is a VIP,” that were trendy, hip and included Bastille Day celebrations. I definitely have suggestions if they are suitable for an old, hipster VIP only time will tell. I would also like to hear what others have to say.

My Facebook community has answered the call in droves.  Don’t do the math, I only 110 Facebook friends so I don’t really know what would constitute a drove but I did get some feedback.

One quick thought before we start , too bad she couldn’t come last week during Gay Pride she could have had a blast! So in no particular order here is my list of Three great things for an old lady VIP to do in Paris on Bastille Day.

Restaurants

I’m a big fan of good food, interesting interiors and fantastic crowds that are accustomed to celebrities. Although I never have a problem with being recognized in these places I have crossed paths with a famous face or two. High on my list is Kong and Pershing Hall. They are both great places to feel as if you belong in the Parisian in crowd. I have never figured out who that crowd is but I assume they must occasionally dine at one of these places. As part of the LVMH Empire, Kong has unforgettable views and interiors. The Apple martinis are great.

Pershing Hall, not far off the Champs Elysee, is another great dinner option. The ambiance is cosmopolitan and chic. You wouldn’t be blamed for forgetting that you are in Paris in the above places. If you are looking for more French oriented settings a stopover at Joel Robochon’s Atelier is worth the visit. French media types and celebrities gather here on a regular basis. Another destination on their list is Le George at the top of Centre Pompidou. It’s a must if only for the views. There are of course the Michelin rated restaurants but I imagine you have all the guides for those.

If Japanese with a French flair is more your interest many a high ranking Diplomat swear by the joys of BenKay with views of the River Seine. Enjoy watching sumptuous Japanese dishes prepared in front of you with a stunning Parisian summer sun setting over the chef’s shoulder. Another great stop not far from the famed cafes of St Germain is Yen, a simple, elegant Japanese fine dining option that is always packed with black heads. A certain sign of quality.

A couple more restaurants that came up in discussions was Hotel du Nord off the Canal St Martin.  This hotel come restaurant has origins in the famous 1930s French film of the same name.  Its very likely that there wouldn’t be a celebrity in sight but the food is good, the ambiance is local and there’s plenty of space for a real lady to stretch her legs and tell her stories of conquer and friendship to a select and intimate group.

There wasn’t a clear decision on a creperie but for someone that is looking to discover a little more personal side of Paris there was strong feelings expressed that a trip to Paris was not complete without a crepe.

Hotels

Paris is definitely the city for luxurious hotels. The Costes range of hotels seems to rank high on the trendsetter, in the know, jet setter list. While Hotel Crillion and the Ritz, of Lady Di fame will never disappoint. If you are looking for something smaller, quainter and in the definite heart of the Marais then try the Christian LaCroix, Le Petit Moulin.

A really great idea for a truly unique stay in a hotel with an incredible view is the room above the Hotel Everland, Palais de Tokyo.  This experimental room has been booked solid for many months but a woman of a certain stature, age and allure could definitely get into the this one of a kind location if she really wanted.  It would rank as one of her greatest ephemeral stays in Paris if she managed to get a room here.

Bastille Day

Given that we are dealing with an ageing beauty and VIP, I guess the fireman’s balls are off the agenda. Although these massive free parties should be considered by those who will be accompanying the grand dame on her trip to Paris. There seems to be no greater attraction for women than entering the mythical halls of a fire station full of firefighters in custom ready to dance the night away.

If drunken firefighters aren’t suitable then you could always try to find an invitation to the presidential Bastille Day Garden Party celebrations. They are rumored to be serious events with hundreds of people dressed in fine dress and hats, uncomfortably laughing and staring at each other. The scenery, the presidential gardens, must make up for the utter lack of boisterous joy of the guests and host.

If firemen and the president do not satisfy the demands of an aging socialite then she might do well to find a restaurant with a view of the Eiffel Tower. The yearly firework display takes place with the iron lady as a backdrop. This year will be one to remember since the tower will be tinted blue in commemoration of the French presidency of the European Union.

Links:

Kong and Pershing Hall.

Joel Robochon’s Atelier

George

BenKay

Yen

Hotel du Nord

Costes

Le Petit Moulin.

Garden Party

Commemoration of the French presidency of the European Union.