Auld Lang Syne

Auld Lang Syne is a Scots poem written by Robert Burns in 1788 and is often sung to celebrate the start of the New Year at the stroke of midnight.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wandered mony a weary fit
Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidled i' the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin' auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And there's a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught
For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Find out more
You can find more details about Auld Lang Syne on Wikipedia.

My social networking sites

I now have a number of sites that are part of my social networking sphere. Each has been created for different purposes. In summary, here they are:

E-mail
My personal e-mail address is at ryan_sean@hotmail.com

Facebook
Purpose: Used for being connected with my friends and family around the world
Details: My Facebook profile is at http://www.facebook.com/SeanRyanParis

LinkedIn
Purpose: This contains my up-to-date professional profile, my professional connections and recommendations of me from people that I have worked with
Details: My LinkedIn profile is at http://www.linkedin.com/in/seanryanparis

Personal Blog
Purpose: This contains details of topics that are of interest to me, links, together with reviews, reflections and personal comments
Details: My personal blog is called SimonsParis and the url address is http://simonsparis.blogspot.com/

Twitter
Purpose: To be able to exchange short messages with friends, colleagues, and the wider network of people. I can also learn about new things as they happen
Details: My name on Twitter is @SimonsParis and the direct url is at http://twitter.com/#!/SimonsParis

2010 Films Seen at the Cinema

These are the films (with original titles) that I have seen at the cinema in 2010. The summaries are from Wikipedia in both English and French or another original language if appropriate.

I saw 58 films between January and December with an average of 4.83 per month.

December 27, 2010
Little Fockers Wikipedia English
Mon beau-père et nous Wikipedia Français

December 27, 2010
Un balcon sur la mer Wikipedia Français

December 26, 2010
Inside Job Wikipedia English
Inside Job Wikipedia Français

December 26, 2010
Another Year Wikipedia English
Another Year Wikipedia Français

December 25, 2010
Four Lions Wikipedia English
Four Lions Wikipedia Français

December 25, 2010
Burlesque Wikipedia English
Burlesque Wikipedia Français

December 25, 2010
Les émotifs anonymes Wikipedia Français

December 25, 2010
A bout portant Wikipedia Français

December 20, 2010
The Tourist Wikipedia English
The Tourist Wikipedia Français

December 12, 2010
Potiche Wikipedia Français
Potiche Wikipedia English

December 12, 2010
The Next Three Days Wikipedia English
Les Trois Prochains Jours Wikipedia Français

November 24, 2010
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Wikipedia English
Harry Potter et les Reliques de la Mort Wikipedia Français

November 22, 2010
Unstoppable Wikipedia English
Unstoppable Wikipedia Français

November 3, 2010
Fair Game Wikipedia English
Fair Game Wikipedia Français

October 31, 2010
Les Petits Mouchoirs Wikipedia Français
Little White Lies Wikipedia English

October 30, 2010
Des Hommes et Des Dieux Wikipedia Français
Of Gods and Men Wikipedia English

October 24, 2010
You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger Wikipedia English
Vous allez rencontrer un bel et sombre inconnu Wikipedia Français

October 23, 2010
The Town Wikipedia English
The Town Wikipedia Français

October 22, 2010
The Social Network Wikipedia English
The Social Network Wikipedia Français

October 19, 2010
Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps Wikipedia English
Wall Street: L'argent ne dort jamais Wikipedia Français

September 25, 2010
Yves Saint Laurent - Pierre Bergé, l'amour fou Wikipedia Français

August 28, 2010
Crime d'amour Wikipedia Français

August 26, 2010
Salt Wikipedia English
Salt Wikipedia Français

August 8, 2010
Shrek 4: Shrek Forever After Wikipedia English
Shrek 4: Il était une fin Wikipedia Français

August 1, 2010
Toy Story 3 Wikipedia English
Toy Story 3 Wikipedia Français

July 29, 2010
Knight and Day Wikipedia English
Night and Day Wikipedia Français

July 24, 2010
Mine vaganti Wikipedia Italiano
Le Premier qui l'a dit Wikipedia Français

July 24, 2010
Tournée Wikipedia Français
On Tour Wikipedia English

July 22, 2010
Inception Wikipedia English
Inception Wikipedia Français

July 19, 2010
Tamara Drewe Wikipedia English
Tamara Drewe Wikipedia Français

July 14, 2010
Wild Target Wikipedia English
Petits Meurtres à l'Anglaise Wikipedia Français

July 14, 2010
Carlos Wikipedia English
Carlos Wikipedia Français

July 3, 2010
Triplettes de Belleville Wikipedia Français

June 25, 2010
L'Illusionniste Wikipedia Français

June 24, 2010
Dog Pound Wikipedia Français

June 8, 2010
Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time Wikipedia English
Prince of Persia : Les Sables du temps Wikipedia Français

May 19, 2010
Robin Hood Wikipedia English
Robin des Bois Wikipedia Français

May 14, 2010
El secreto de sus ojos Wikipedia Espania
The Secret in Their Eyes Wikipedia English
Dans les yeux Wikipedia Français

May 11, 2010
Iron Man 2 Wikipedia English
Iron Man 2 Wikipedia Français

May 10, 2010
Greenberg Wikipedia English
Greenberg Wikipedia Français

April 17, 2010
Green Zone Wikipedia English
Green Zone Wikipedia Français

April 7, 2010
Clash of the Titans Wikipedia English
Le choc des titans Wikipedia Français

April 5, 2010
The Men Who Stare at Goats Wikipedia English
Les Chèvres du Pentagone Wikipedia Français

April 5, 2010
L’immortel Wikipedia Français

March 31, 2010
Precious Wikipedia English
Precious Wikipedia Français

March 30, 2010
Alice in Wonderland Wikipedia English
Alice au pays des merveilles Wikipedia Français

March 14, 2010
Avatar Wikipedia English
Avatar Wikipedia Français

March 13, 2010
Le Guerrier Silencieux Wikipedia Français

March 9, 2010
The Ghost Writer Wikipedia English
The Ghost Writer Wikipedia Français

March 9, 2010
A Single Man Wikipedia English
A Single Man Wikipedia Français

March 7, 2010
Shutter Island Wikipedia English
Shutter Island Wikipedia Français

March 6, 2010
The Hurt Locker Wikipedia English
Démineurs Wikipedia Français

February 15, 2010
I love you Philip Morris Wikipedia English
I love you Philip Morris Wikipedia Français

February 8, 2010
Sherlock Holmes Wikipedia English
Sherlock Holmes Wikipedia Français

February 2, 2010
The Book of Eli Wikipedia English
Le livre d’Eli Wikipedia Français

January 30, 2010
Tetro Wikipedia English
Tetro Wikipedia Français

January 17, 2010
Invictus Wikipedia English
Invictus Wikipedia Français

500 Page Views Milestone

My SimonsParis Blog has reached a little milestone. There has been more than 500 page views which is an increase from the 239 recorded at the end of October. I have to say that I am pleased with the increase as I have not yet advertised my blog anywhere.

I continue to update a number of posts such as films that I have seen this year, eating venues that I go to, and my list of interesting people. In addition, I have added a new post on my recent cultural experiences in Paris. At the moment I am adding lists but I’ll be increasing the number of reviews, comments and reflections.

Visitors

Since the creation of SimonsParis Blog there have been 505 page views coming from France (229), United States (161), United Arab Emirates (24), Germany (20), Russia (20), Iran (8), Canada (7), Croatia (7), Singapore (7), Slovenia (6), other (16).

Top page views

These are the most popular postings that are visited. Not a lot has changed since my last statistics report at the end of October. I have not added that many new postings but I’ll be doing so in the near future.

• 2010 Films Seen at the Cinema
• Les Marronniers – restaurant review
• List of interesting people
• Le XVI – restaurant review
• Update on statistics
• Cultural Experiences in Paris
  

Technology used by visitors

I have been interested in the technology that is being used to view my SimonsParis Blog. Visitors are overwhelming using the Internet Explorer browser (76%) followed by Firefox (13%), Safari (4%), Opera (2%), Jakarta Common – Http Client (1%), Java (1%) and Chrome (<1%).>And in terms of operating systems Windows lead the way with 88% then Unix (6%) and Macintosh (4%).

Step-by-step

I would like to thank you all for visiting my little SimonsParis Blog. It is not yet very dynamic. My approach is to do it step-by-step. Establish the quality and only put posts relating to my own experience and what interests me. If you are first time visitor I thank you and hope that you’ll come back again.

And, by the way, do leave a comment so that I can begin to interact with you.

With best regards,

Simon Paris

Films that I have seen

I have had a life time interest in movies from watching them growing up on television then at the cinema and buying videos and DVDs. But it can be hard to keep up with all that I have seen so I am listing them here to continually remind me of the rich selection of movies.

2010

From Paris With Love Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
From Paris With Love Wikipedia Français

Edge of Darkness Wikipedia English (DVD)
Hors de Contrôle Wikipedia Français

Carlos Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Carlos Wikipedia Français

2009

Brothers Wikipedia English (DVD)
Brothers Wikipedia Français

Solomon Kane Wikipedia English (DVD)
Solomon Kane Wikipedia Français

The Boat that Rocked Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Good Morning England Wikipedia Français

Sherlock Holmes, Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Sherlock Holmes, Wikipedia Français

Angels & Demons Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Anges & Démons Wikipedia Français

Terminator Salvation Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Terminator Renaissance Wikipedia Français

2008
Pride and Glory Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Le Prix de la Loyauté Wikipedia Français

Vantage Point Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Angles d'attaques Wikipedia Français

Quantum of Solace Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Quantum of Solace Wikipedia Français

2007
Lions for Lambs Wikipedia English (Cinema, DVD)
Lions et Agneaux Wikipedia Français

2003
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines Wikipedia English (Cinema, TV, DVD)
Terminator 3 : Le Soulèvement des machines Wikipedia Français

1991
Terminator 2: Judgment Day Wikipedia English (Cinema, TV, DVD)
Terminator 2: Le jugement dernier Wikipedia Français

My Own Private Idaho Wikipedia English (Cinema)
My Own Private Idaho Wikipedia Français

1984
The Terminator Wikipedia English (Cinema, TV, DVD)
Terminator Wikipedia Français

List of interesting people

These are people that I find interesting and that I regularly keep track of what is being said about them in the media concerning their lives. I am linking to the Wikipedia English for the time being as there are already existing and comprehensive profiles.

Actor

• Attal, Yvan (Wikipedia English): French actor
• Berkoff, Steven (Wikipedia English): English actor, writer and director
• Bettany, Paul (Wikipedia English): English actor and husband of actress Jennifer Connelly
• Curtis, Tony (Wikipedia English): US actor
• Dalton, Timothy (Wikipedia English): English actor
• Depp, Johnny (Wikipedia): US actor
• Eastwood, Clint (Wikipedia English): Oscar winning US actor, director and producer
• Fellowes, Julian (Wikipedia English): English actor, novelist, director and screenwriter
• Sewell, Rufus (Wikipedia English): English actor

Actress

• Connelly, Jennifer (Wikipedia English): US actress and wife of Paul Bettany
• Gainsbourg, Charlotte (Wikipedia English): Anglo-French actress who is the daughter of Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, and is the life-partner of Yvan Attal
• Marceau, Sophie (Wikipedia English): French actress
• Mirren, Helen (Wikipedia English): Oscar winning English actress

Business

• Bergé, Pierre (Wikipedia English): Managed the Yves Saint Laurent label, strong supporter of Gay rights and the prevention of AIDS (SIDA)
• Bolland, Marc (Wikipedia English): Chief Executive of Marks & Spencer

Dancer

• Hough, Derek (Wikipedia English): US dancer and choreographer; and has won Dancing with Stars three times

Designer

• Saint Laurent, Yves (Wikipedia English): Fashion designer who died in 2008

Model

• Bruni, Carla (Wikipedia English): Former model, singer, and now wife of the French President and is the First Lady of France

Politician

• Blair, Tony (Wikipedia English): Former UK Prime Minister
• Brown, Gordon (Wikipedia English): Former UK Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer
• Cable, Vince (Wikipedia English): Liberal Democrat MP and UK Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills
• Fillon, François (Wikipedia English): French Prime Minister
• Jouanno, Chantal (Wikipedia English): Former karate champion and now French Minister for Sport
• Rade, Yama (Wikipedia English): Former French Minister for Sport
• Sarkozy, Nicolas (Wikipedia English): President of France
• Tiberi, Jean (Wikipedia English): Former Mayor of Paris and currently mayor of the 5th arrondissement in Paris and a deputy in the National Assembly

Royalty

• Albert II, Prince of Monaco (Wikipedia English): Currently engaged to Charlene Wittstock. He is father to two children Jazmin Grace Grimaldi and Alexandre Coste
• Caroline, Princess of Hanover (Wikipedia English): Hereditary Princess of Monaco. Married to Ernst August, Prince of Hanover. She has four children Andrea Casiraghi, Charlotte Casiraghi, Pierre Casiraghi and Princess Alexandra of Hanover
• Cristina, Infanta of Spain (Wikipedia English): Duchess of Palma de Mallorca, husband is Iñaki Urdangarín, Duke of Palma de Mallorca and they have four children Juan Valentín Urdangarín y de Borbón, Pablo Nicolás Urdangarín y de Borbón, Miguel Urdangarín y de Borbón and Irene Urdangarín y de Borbón
• Elena, Infanta of Spain (Wikipedia English): Duchess of Lugo, was married to Jaime de Marichalar and has two children Felipe Juan Froilán de Marichalar y de Borbón and Victoria Federica de Marichalar y de Borbón
• Elizabeth II, Queen and Head of State of 16 countries (Wikipedia English)
• Felipe, Prince of Asturias (Wikipedia English): Heir apparent to the Spanish throne and is married to Letizia, Princess of Asturias and has two children Infanta Leonor of Spain and Infanta Sofía of Spain
• Grace, Princess of Monaco (Wikipedia English): Former actress Grace Kelly
• Juan Carlos I, King of Spain (Wikipedia English)
• Letizia, Princess of Asturias (Wikipedia English): Formerly the journalist Letizia Ortiz Rocasolano
• Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and husband of Elizabeth II (Wikipedia English)
• Rainier III, Prince of Monaco (Wikipedia English)
• Sofia, Queen of Spain (Wikipedia English): Formerly Princess Sophia of Greece and Denmark, sister of the deposed King Constantine II of Greece
• Stéphanie, Princess of Monaco (Wikipedia English): Has three children Louis Ducruet, Pauline Ducruet and Camille Gottlieb

Singer

• Beckham, Victoria (Wikipedia English): singer, songwriter, fashion designer
• Cole, Cheryl (Wikipedia English): She was a singer with the group Girls Aloud and is also a judget on The X Factor
• Costello, Elvis (Wikipedia English): British singer and songwriter
• Michael, George (Wikipedia English): English singer and songwriter

Cultural experiences in Paris

The following are various performances and cultural events that I have attended in Paris including dance, concerts, opera and theatre. This will be a continually changing page and in the course of time I will add more details, reviews and links.

Concert (Classical Music)
Mahler: Symponie N°1 "Titan"
Verdi: Hymne des Nations
November 9, 2010
Eglise Saint-Surplice
Place Saint-Surplice
75006 Paris

Concert (Singing)
Gospel Legend Singers
Eglise Saint Julien Le Pauvre
75005 Paris
SimonParis Review

Dance (Ballet)
Balanchine/Brown/Bausch
December 14, 2010
Palais Garnier
8, rue Scribe
75009 Paris

Opera
Une Flûte Enchantée
December 4, 2010
Théâtre des Bouffes du Nord
37bis, boulevard de la Chapelle
75010 Paris

Theatre (Play)
Le Fantôme de Gauguin
October 29, 2010
Le Pavé d'Orsay
48, rue de Lille
75007 Paris

Grand Ecart
October 14, 2010
Théâtre de la Madeleine
19, rue de Surene
75008 Paris

Restaurants in Paris

Paris is a rich city in terms of places to eat. You can eat in bars, bistros, brasseries, restaurants and the very expensive haute cuisine restaurants. Every price range is catered for. And you can find restaurants from every region and locality in France as well as those from different countries.

Having lived in Paris for more than ten years I can safely say the choice is, frankly, enormous. As I am not a particularly good cook, I do have a tendency to eat out a lot during the week in places near my office at Charles de Gaulle Etoile (Arc de Triomphe) or in the evening and weekends in the center of Paris (usually in the Marais, Quartier Latin, St Germain des Près).

Here I share with you my list of restaurants that I have actually eaten in so you'll have direct knowledge of what is good or bad based on my first hand experience. As a starter, you can read the address and contact details.

Gradually I'll write up little reviews on my blog that I will link to (see SimonParis Review) so that you can find out the local area, get an idea of the type and quality of food, the atmostphere and value for money.

Bon appetit!

75001 Paris
Le Fumoir (Restaurant)
6, rue de l'amiral-de-Coligny
75001 Paris
01 42 92 00 24

Au Pied de Cochon (Brasserie)
6, rue Coquillière
75001 Paris
01 40 13 77 00

Joe Allen (Restaurant)
30, rue Pierre Lescot
75001 Paris
01 42 36 70 13
joeallen@joeallenparis.com

Carr's (Pub / Restaurant Irlandais)
1, rue du Mont Thabor
75001 Paris
01 42 60 33 32

L'Impérial (Bar / Restaurant)
240, rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris
01 42 60 73 27 ‎

75003 Paris
L'Escurial
29, rue de Turenne
75003 Paris

La Perle (Café Brasserie)
78, rue Vieille du Temple
75003 Paris
01 42 72 69 93

75004 Paris
Les Marronniers (Brasserie)
18, rue les Archives
75004 Paris
01 40 27 87 72
SimonsParis Review

Le Dome Saint Paul (Brasserie)
4-6, rue de Rivoli
75004 Paris
01 42 78 56 48 ‎

Le Dome du Marais (Restaurant)
53 bis, rue des Francs Bourgeois
75004 Paris
01 42 74 54 17

Bofinger (Brasserie)
5-7, rue de la Bastille
75004 Paris
01 42 72 87 82

Café Hugo (Restaurant)
22, place des Vosges
75004 Paris
01 42 72 64 04

Pizza Sant' Antonio (Restaurant Italien)
1, rue de Verrerie
75004 Paris
01 42 77 78 47

Chez Tsou (Restaurant Chinois)
16, rue des Archives
75004 Paris
01 42 78 11 47

Café Vito (Restaurant Italien)
12, rue des Archives
75004 Paris
01 42 74 08 84

Les Philosophes (Restaurant)
28, rue Vieille du Temple
75004 Paris
01 48 87 49 64

Le Gai Moulin (Restaurant)
10, rue St Merri
75004 Paris
01 48 87 06 00

Le Pavé
7, rue des Lombards
75004 Paris
01 44 54 07 20

Le Rempart (Brasserie)
15, rue Saint-Antoine
75004 Paris
01 42 72 17 06

Café Beaubourg (Café Restaurant)
100, rue Saint Martin
75004 Paris
01 48 87 63 96

Little Café
62, rue Roi de Sicile
75004 Paris
01 48 87 43 36

Chez Oscar (Restaurant)
11 - 13, boulevard Beaumarchais
75004 Paris
01 44 61 04 42

Café Voulez-Vous
18, rue du Temple
75004 Paris
08 11 26 20 10

Café des Phares (Brasserie)
7, place de la Bastille
75004 Paris
01 42 72 04 70

La Table des Gourmets (Restaurant)
14, rue des Lombards
75004 Paris
01 40 27 00 87

L'Etoile Manquante (Café)
34, rue vieille du Temple
75004 Paris
01 42 72 48 34

75005 Paris
Le Grand Bar Cluny (Restaurant Brasserie)
82, boulevard Saint Germain
75005 Paris
01 43 54 14 56

La Couscoussière (Restaurant Marocain)
83, rue Card Lemoine
75005 Paris
01 46 33 07 32

Maharajah (Restaurant Indien)
72, boulevard St Germain
75005 Paris
01 43 54 26 07
reservation@maharajah.fr

L'Institut (Restaurant)
1, boulevard Saint Germain
75005 Paris
01 56 24 34 49

75006 Paris
Del Papa (Restaurant Italien)
38, rue de Buci
75006 Paris
01 46 33 91 15

Les Editeurs (Café Restaurant)
4, carrefour de l'Odéon
75006 Paris
01 43 26 67 76

Muraille de Jade (Restaurant Chinois, Viêtnamien, Thaillandais)
5, rue de l'Ancienne Comédie
75006 Paris
01 46 33 63 18

Le Rostand
6, place Edmond Rostand
75006 Paris
01 43 54 61 58

La Boussole (Bistrot)
12, rue Guisarde
75006 Paris
01 56 24 82 20

75007 Paris
Le Bistrot de l'Université (Cuisine Traditionelle Française)
40, rue de l'Université
75007 Paris
01 42 61 26 64

Le Petit Tiberio (Restaurant Italien)
132, rue de Bac
75007 Paris
01 45 48 76 25

75008 Paris
L'Etoile 1903
4, avenue de Wagram
75008 Paris
01 42 27 64 30

75013 Paris
The Frog & British Library (Restaurant Anglais)
114, avenue de France
75013 Paris
01 45 84 34 26

Café Premier
17, boulevard Arago
75013 Paris
01 43 37 22 70

75016 Paris
Piccola Roma (Restaurant Italien)
10, Rue Saint-Didier
75016 Paris
01 47 27 22 27
SimonsParis Review

Le XVI (Restaurant Brasserie)
13, avenue de la Grande Armée
75016 Paris
01 45 00 34 24
SimonsParis Review

Café Kléber (Restaurant)
4, Place du Trocadéro
75016 Paris
01 47 27 86 65

75017 Paris
Foc-Hour (Traiteur Chinois)
22, avenue Mac Mahon
75017 Paris
01 46 22 46 45

Beer Station (Brasserie)
1 bis, avenue Mac Mahon
75017 Paris
01 45 72 06 46

Les Aigles (Brasserie)
8, avenue de la Grande Armée
75017 Paris
01 43 80 52 16

L'Arc (Restaurant Français)
27, avenue Carnot
75017 Paris
01 43 80 50 51

Le Cristal (Brasserie)
6, avenue de la Grande Armée
75017 Paris

Yuppies Café
13, rue Montenote
75017 Paris
01 45 74 56 30
yuppies.cafe@yahoo.fr

Café Caesar (Restaurant Italien)
4, avenue Carnot
75017 Paris
01 45 74 77 10

Latéral (Restaurant)
4, avenue Mac Mahon
75017 Paris
01 43 80 20 96

Cambridge Tavern (Restaurant)
19, avenue de Wagram
75017 Paris
01 43 80 34 12

La Fabbrica (Restaurant Italien)
19, rue de l'Etoile
75017 Paris
01 55 37 90 00

Café Brunel (Restaurant)
2, rue Brunel
75017 Paris
01 43 80 42 48

Les Saveurs D'Antan (Restaurant)
18, avenue MacMahon
75017 Paris
01 45 74 57 97

La Maison (Restaurant)
28, place Saint-Ferdinand
75017 Paris
01 45 74 11 24

L'Orée des Champs (Restaurant)
35, avenue des Ternes
75017 Paris
01 43 80 20 73

Monte Cristo (Restaurant Buffet)
9, avenue de Wagram
75017 Paris
01 43 80 02 20

Pizza Trionfo la Bendaine (Restaurant Italien)
11, rue de l'Etoile
75017 Paris
01 43 80 42 58

Le Vin Coeur (Restaurant Bar Brasserie)
4, avenue Carnot
75017 Paris
01 42 67 85 09

Nakamura (Restaurant Japonais)
25, rue Brey
75017 Paris
01 40 55 96 72

L'Etoile de l'Inde (Restaurant Indien)
26, rue d'Armaillé
75017 Paris

O'24
24, rue de Tilsitt
75017 Paris
01 45 74 26 44

P'tit Bouchon Gourmand (Restaurant)
5, rue Troyon
75017 Paris
01 40 55 03 26

Courbevoie
Pizza Pasta Mamma (Restaurant Italien)
22 - 24 Allée de l'Arche, La Défense
92000 Paris
01 43 33 00 94

Saint Germain en Laye
Le Saint Malo
18, place Charles de Gaulle
78000 St Germain en Laye

Saint Cloud
L'Auberge de la Passerelle (Cuisine Traditionnelle Française)
23, boulevard Sénard
92210 Saint-Cloud
01 46 02 00 22
aubergedelpasserelle@wanadoo.fr

Update on statistics

I set up my blog on http://www.blogger.com/ in May 2010. Since then I have been gradually and, I have to admit, slowly adding to it particularly postings that relate to Paris restaurants that I have eaten at and movies that I have seen in the cinema. So, now at the end of October I was curious to see if people actually stumbled across my very young blog. I am happy to report that yes, there have been visits. It is early days yet but I would like to share with you some statistics so far.

Visitors
There have been 239 page views coming from France (105), US (40), United Arab Emirates (24), Russia (20), Germany (16), Iran (8), Canada (7), Singapore (5), Colombia (2), and the Netherlands (2).

Top page views
I think most people happen to stumble upon my blog and have not, as yet, started to read my postings. But it is interesting all the same to see the top five:

• 2010 Films Seen at the Cinema
• Les Marronniers - restaurant review
• Le XVI - restaurant review
• List of interesting people
• Les Mauvais Garçons - review of a barber

A very big welcome to you all. I thank you for your visit and that I'll have more postings of interest for your next visit!!

I enjoy watching these TV series both current and old. I have included links to the write-ups on Wikipedia. In the course of time I'll add my own commentary and interpretations.

• CSI: Las Vegas
• Dexter
• NCIS
• NCIS: Los Angeles
• The Mentalist

People who interest me

Since I was young, I have been always fascinated by people's lives. And this interest has extended to many dimensions: how they grew up; how they succeeded in life; what did they achieve; what were their problems and how did they overcome them; what made them become successful; what did they think; and what became of their lives in the end.

Of course, nowadays, we are somewhat intrigued by the more private lives of people and celebrities who are in the public domain whether actors, musicians, politicians, business people, royalty, rich people, through to those who gain celebrity reality television shows or their 15 minutes of fame. Yes, these all somehow interest me but it not only them.

I am also interested in people who appear in the news for only a little while because they have done something special, surprising or even notorious. So, I'll begin to share with you the people that continue to draw my attention. It will be an eclectic mix but hopefully you will find them interesting as well as I do.

Gospel Legend Singers

I went to a concert at the Eglise St Julien Le Pauvre on August 14, 2010 given by the Gospel Legend Singers. It is a choral group, founded by its leader Jackson Mpongo, son of a Baptist Church pastor. With his interest in Gospel and Negro Spiritual Mpongo founded a choral group in 1986 and then Gospel Legend Singers in 1995. The group now performs throughout France and internationally.

Eglise St Julien Le Pauvre, Paris 75005

Eglise St Julien Le Pauvre, Wikipedia Français
L'Église Grecque Melkite Catholique Wikipedia Français

2009 Films Seen at the Cinema

These are the films that I saw in the cinema during 2009.

42 films were seen during the year with an average of 3.5 films per month

November 7
Das weiße Band, Eine deutsche Kindergeschichte Wikipedia Deutsch
Le Ruban Blanc Wikipedia Français
The White Ribbon Wikipedia English

October 26
Fame Wikipedia English
Fame Wikipedia Français

October 25
Lucky Luke Wikipedia Français

October 17
Rose et Noir Wikipedia Français

October 20
L'affaire Farewell Wikipedia English
L'affaire Farewell Wikipedia Français

October 3
The Proposal Wikipedia English
La Proposition Wikipedia Français

October 1
The Informant Wikipedia English

September 20
My Own Private Idaho Wikipedia English
My Own Private Idaho Wikipedia Français

August 16
Up Wikipedia English
La-Haut Wikipedia Français

August 15
The Brothers Bloom Wikipedia English
Une arnaque presque parfaite Wikipedia Français

July 25
Brüno Wikipedia English
Brüno Wikipedia Français

July 19
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince Wikipedia English
Harry Potter et le Prince de sang-mêlé Wikipedia Français

July 18
Public Enemies Wikipedia English
Public Enemies Wikipedia Français

July 4
State of Play Wikipedia English
Jeux de Pouvoir Wikipedia Français

May 18
Angels and Demons Wikipedia English
Anges et Démons Wikipedia Français

May 15
Star Trek Wikipedia English
Star Trek Wikipedia Français

May 10
Star Trek Wikipedia English
Star Trek Wikipedia Français

May 3
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Wikipedia English
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Wikipedia Français

April 28
In the Electric Mist Wikipedia English
Dans la brume électrique Wikipedia Français

April 20
OSS 117: Rio ne répond plus Wikipedia Français
OSS 117 : Lost in Rio Wikipedia English

April 12
Milk Wikipedia English
Harvey Milk Wikipedia Français

April 11
Frost/Nixon Wikipedia English
Frost/Nixon Wikipedia Français

April 5
Knowing Wikipedia English
Prédictions Wikipedia Français

April 4
Dragonball Evolution Wikipedia English
Dragonball Evolution Wikipedia Français

March 30
Duplicity Wikipedia English
Duplicity Wikipedia Français

March 22
Welcome Wikipedia Français
Welcome Wikipedia English

March 15
Le Premier Cercle Wikipedia Français

March 13
He's Just Not That Into You Wikipedia English
Ce Que Pensent les Hommes Wikipedia Français

March 7
Watchmen Wikipedia English
Watchmen Les Guardiens Wikipedia Français

March 7
Last Chance Harvey Wikipedia English
Last Chance for Love Wikipedia Français

March 5
Milk Wikipedia English
Harvey Milk Wikipedia Français

March 5
Boy A Wikipedia English
Boy A Wikipedia Français

March 1
Bellamy Wikipedia Français
Bellamy Wikipedia English

February 26
Doubt Wikipedia English
Doute Wikipedia Français

February 25
Gran Torino Wikipedia English
Gran Torino Wikipedia Français

February 21
The Wrestler Wikipedia English
The Wrestler Wikipedia Français

February 19
Espions Wikipedia Français

February 18
Le Code

February 17
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Wikipedia English
L'Étrange Histoire de Benjamin Button Wikipedia Français

February 5
The Wrestler Wikipedia English
The Wrestler Wikipedia Français

January 24
Slumdog Millionaire Wikipedia English
Slumdog Millionaire Wikipedia Français

January 18
Seven Pounds Wikipedia English
Sept Vies Wikipedia Français

Seen Films in these Cinemas

These are the cinemas that I have been to in Paris

75001
UGC Ciné-Cité les Halles
UGC Orient-Express

75002
Rex (y compris la salle du Grand Rex)

75003
MK2 Beaubourg

75004
Nouveau Latina

75005

75006
MK2 Hautefeuille (Art et Essai)
MK2 Odéon
MK2 Parnasse (Art et Essai)
UGC Danton
UGC Montparnasse (auparavant Montparnasse 83)
UGC Odéon
UGC Rotonde

75007
Pagode

75008
Gaumont Marignan
Gaumont Ambassade
UGC George-V
UGC Normandie

75009

75010

75011
Bastille (Art et Essai)
Majestic Bastille (Art et Essai)
MK2 Bastille (Art et Essai)

75012
UGC Ciné Cité Bercy
UGC Lyon Bastille (auparavant UGC Gare de Lyon)

75013
Escurial (Art et Essai)
MK2 Bibliothèque

75014

75015

75016

75017
Mac-Mahon (Art et Essai)
UGC Maillot

75018

75019
MK2 Quai de Seine (Art et Essai)

75020

You can find the full list of cinemas and also those that no longer exist on Wikipedia

From a distance

From a distance the world looks blue and green,
and the snow-capped mountains white.
From a distance the ocean meets the stream,
and the eagle takes to flight.

From a distance, there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
It's the voice of hope, it's the voice of peace,
it's the voice of every man.

From a distance we all have enough,
and no one is in need.
And there are no guns, no bombs, and no disease,
no hungry mouths to feed.

From a distance we are instruments
marching in a common band.
Playing songs of hope, playing songs of peace.
They're the songs of every man.
God is watching us. God is watching us.
God is watching us from a distance.

From a distance you look like my friend,
even though we are at war.
From a distance I just cannot comprehend
what all this fighting is for.

From a distance there is harmony,
and it echoes through the land.
And it's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves,
it's the heart of every man.

It's the hope of hopes, it's the love of loves.
This is the song of every man.
And God is watching us, God is watching us,
God is watching us from a distance.
Oh, God is watching us, God is watching.
God is watching us from a distance

The Rose

Some say love it is a river
that drowns the tender reed
Some say love it is a razer
that leaves your soul to blead
Some say love it is a hunger
an endless aching need
I say love it is a flower
and you it's only seed

It's the heart afraid of breaking
that never learns to dance
It's the dream afraid of waking
that never takes the chance
It's the one who won't be taken
who cannot seem to give
and the soul afraid of dying
that never learns to live

When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winter
far beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed that with the sun's love
in the spring becomes the rose

Les Marronniers

Les Marronniers (or chestnut trees in French) is a brasserie at 18, rue les Archives (75004).

The small breakfast called “Marro” includes a glass of fresh orange juice, a hot drink, a croissant, bread, and an egg dish (scrambled eggs, omelette). It is fairly good value at €9. Brunch on Sunday comes to around €15.

As the footpath is very wide there is a good sized terrace to pass the time reading newspapers, chatting to friends or just watching all the people go by. The restaurant is very busy at lunch times and for dinner. Overall the food is French. There is even a José Bové Burger to munch into. Inside the restaurant is on the ground floor and first floor. The time for an aperitif is also very popular.

Expect to see a large number of gay guys who are keeping an eye on the talent. It is also possible to see some famous people there too.

Telephone for bookings is 01.40.27.87.72. Check out comments (in French) and ratings on the City Vox website.

Les Mauvais Garçons

On Wednesday, March 7, 2007 a new department store was opened dedicated 100% for men. BHV Homme opened across the street from the main BHV store at 36, rue de la Verrerie. It has 4,000m² floor space on five levels. Included on the ground floor was a Coiffeur-Barbier called Les Mauvais Garçons.

Les Mauvais Garçons opened its first location at 60, rue Oberkampf in 75011 Paris on April 1, 2004. Alexandre (Alex) Jorge is the owner and comes from a family of barbers.

Today, between the two locations the staff includes Alex, Eric, François, Milan and Stéphane.

Alex and Milan are usually based at the BHV Homme location.

Services include:

Shampooing Séchage (shampoo wash and blow dry): €10
Shampooing Coupe Séchage (shampoo wash, cut and blow dry): €25
Coupe tondeuse (haircut): €18

Rasage Traditionnel (traditional shave): €27 to 32
Taille barbe (beard trim) : €10, Taille moustache (moustache trim): €3

Contact details are BHV Homme with the telephone number of 01.42.72.36.22 and the Oberkampt location where an appointment can be booked by ringing 01.48.05.73.58.

More details can be found on the Les Mauvais Garçons website which is in French.

Chez le coiffeur

Getting the hair cut is one of the most basic things that need to be done for a man. Hair grows. Well, it grows for those who have it still. In my ten years of living in Paris I have had a number of places that I have gone to get it cut every three or four weeks.

When living on the Left Bank “Rive Gauche” I first went to the Jean-Philippe Audebert Coiffure at 88, boulevard Saint-Germain (75005 Paris) which was just a few doors down from the building that I was living in at 84, boulevard Saint-Germain. It was a salon mixte ie coiffeure masculin and feminine. The nearest metro was Cluny – La Sorbonne. It is still there and the telephone for reservations is 01.43.26.90.25.

I moved to Rue de Bourgogne in the seventh arrondissement and sought out a local coiffeur. I then went to Jean-Paul Chatre at 109, rue de Grenelle. Again it was for both male and female. Following the retirement of the owner it has since the Salon de coiffeure Sergine Tritant.

My hair needs are fairly simple and conservative. Just a shorter cut that is not too radical. I decided that I needed a coiffeur hommes i.e. that was 100% men. I began to use JL Hair Coiffure at 9, rue des Archives, 75004 Paris with Hôtel de Ville as the nearest metro. Telephone number is 01.42.72.12.81.

In 2007 BHV Homme opened at 36, rue de la Verrerie (75004) across from the main BHV department store. It included Les Mauvais Garçons Coiffeur Barbier on the right hand side of the ground floor. After a number of years going to JL Hair I thought I would try it out. I was happy with the service and since then have had my hair cut by Milan. It does get very busy particularly on a Saturday so I have to make sure that I book early enough to get an appointment. The website is at http://www.lesmauvaisgarcons.fr/ and the telephone number is 01.42.72.36.22.

Le XVI

Le XVI is a brasserie at 13, avenue de la Grande Armée 75116 Paris. The nearest métros are Charles de Gaulle - Etoile and Argentine. Meals are from €10-20. Booking can be done by ringing 01 45 00 34 24. There are "plats du jour". I have eaten "les côtes d'agneau" - three lamb chops with a mixture of green vegetables (green beans, courgettes, and broccoli). This came to €15.00. An "oeuf mayonnaise" of two full eggs costed €5.00. A diet Coke is €4.70.

Piccola Roma

Just off the Avenue Kléber the Piccola Roma is a little Italian oasis. Located at 10 Rue Saint-Didier (75116 Paris) the 30 seated eatery is further enhanced by maps, paintings, posters of Italy. It is only 0.1 km from the Bossière métro station and 0.4 km from the Iéna métro station. Reservations can be booked at 01 47 27 22 27. I have eaten the Escalape Milanese with penne pasta (€14.90) and the Escalope au Marsala with penne pasta (€16.80). Delicious.

Welcome to my blog

Welcome to my new blog about my life in Paris, France and my thoughts on various topics that are of interest to me.