Reflections of passersby in the Chanel vitrine on rue Cambon, Paris.
Today has been a bit mad, first dashing into the bookshop to look for a magazine featuring my work (it wasn't in yet). These photos were taken on the fly at rue Cambon, where they're still making a movie near the back entrance of the Ritz. An obscenely-ostentatious humvee in a polished bronze finish was blocking much of the street, along with the film crew's equipment.
Then I rushed from place to place searching for the perfect lampshade for a lamp that Doreen at Agape made for me out of a 19th-century zinc weathervane. I was looking in obscure shops in unfamiliar neighbourhoods; alas, the only result was a huge blister on my foot. Yes, it's possible, even after eight years here, to temporarily become lost in Paris! When I finally figured out where I was, I stopped in at the FNAC (big electronics store) at Place des Ternes looking for camera gear.
Then I got home to discover the Israelis and Hamas are at it again! Just when US envoy George Mitchell is on his way to help broker peace, they rachet up the violence. When will the Israelis and Palestinians ever agree that nobody wins in war?
The photos aren't the best; I had only my little pocket Konica-Minolta Dimage with me. But I was drawn to this grouping of five fancy lampshades at a shop on rue Cambon. On and there was a huge graffiti-covered construction bin abandoned smack in the middle of rue de Rivoli, blocking traffic to Place de la Concorde! They've taken down the ferris wheel; apparently another dispute with the City of Paris. It is hoped the wheel will be back up by summer.
In this photo, the lace lampshades appear to be outside the shop windows - a trick of the eye. And speaking of tricks, I agree with Bob Herbert - why is anybody even listening to the Republicans? I'm reminded of that Janet Jackson song, "What have you done for me lately?"
Hi Gill - I've already showed the images from the magazine in a post early in December. I just wanted extra copies of the magazine for my portfolio. And thanks for the encouraging words! xoxox
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 January 2009 at 11:39
Why thank you very much, Jeanie!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 January 2009 at 11:38
It is distressing, but as long as Limbaugh, O'Reilly et al spew out their nonsense, I'm afraid we'll continue to be subjected to such thinking. Very sad. Thanks for the compliment about the photo!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 29 January 2009 at 11:37
I love these lace lampshades
Posted by: Mélanie Aussandon | 29 January 2009 at 09:55
Your photos are still beautiful Tara. I don't know how you manage the time to post daily (though I'm so glad you do) and still get everything done.
I hope you find the magazine! Will you show us when you do get a copy?
xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 28 January 2009 at 23:04
Take me away -- these are so beautoful!
Posted by: jeanie | 28 January 2009 at 20:40
oh yes, that last image...fabulous! AND agree with your last statement, I just visite a 'friend' from my book group that writes a right wing political blog...just to see what the other side is thinking, I was depressed all day, what world ARE they living in??
Posted by: stephanie | 28 January 2009 at 20:23
Marilyn, you could be right! :) Thanks for the kind words about the photo.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 19:06
Love the lace lamp shades floating outdoors. I would also wonder why they are listening to the Republicans. Does that mean the Democrats are more polite and inclusive?
Posted by: Marilyn | 28 January 2009 at 18:53
Susanna, probably because too many people don't bother to read or to question what they read. In journalism school, we were told to always consider the source, before making any judgments or decisions. Too many people don't consider the source - in fact they go to only one source for information, never bothering to consider that information might not be accurate or true. Sigh.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 16:42
Well THAT's a new one, Barbara! Thanks for telling me about it and for sending the links. I'll forward them to my designer daughter, who will no doubt be interested, as well.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 16:40
Ha ha, Di, I did think of you when I saw the lampshades! You're so right about the British political parties. Love those pics of your cottage!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 16:39
Terri, I think hunting for wedding dresses and cake toppers is a little more exciting than looking for a lampshade! But poor you, with your sprained ankle! Hope it's better soon. As for the Middle East, I'm afraid peace will be a long time coming.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 16:36
Thank you, Laura. That makes me feel a little better about justifying the expense of my latest photo gear!
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 16:35
It does look a little spooky, doesn't it? As though ghosts are holding up lanterns...I'm with you about Obama bringing some reason back to the country! xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 16:34
Rosemary, it's The English Home. Thanks for the kind words. xo
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 16:33
Project Runway Canada's Season 2's first episode (last night) had the 16 contestants make a fashion statement dress using camoflage-printed fabric. They put on a runway show at the War Museum in Ottawa.
Who says fashion and politics can't mix? The winning dress will be displayed there with old scratchy wool military uniforms and other instruments of government-sanctioned torture.
Posted by: Barbara Carlson | 28 January 2009 at 14:54
Gorgeous images Tara. I love those lampshades in the street. You know I would have been away with one of those had I been there :)
I hate that our political parties are the same we have nothing to choose from here they are all trying to be so politically correct they get nothing constructive done.
As for the Israel and Palestinian thing I felt exactly the same as you when I heard it on the news.
Put some more pics of the cottage on the blog today - go see :)
Posted by: Di Overton | 28 January 2009 at 11:10
Sorry you've had a madcap Tuesday, Tara...I hope your foot is feeling much better - soon as can be! I can empathize - we've hunting for wedding dresses and cake toppers, all over town the past few days - all while I hobbled about on my sprained ankle. We've had some success at last, though. Hope you found what you were looking for as well -and that the Middle East will find some bit of peace!
~xOx
Posted by: tinker | 28 January 2009 at 07:04
Oh, I imagine you would take gorgeous photos using only one of those disposable cameras that come from the drugstore!
Posted by: Laura Benedict | 28 January 2009 at 04:34
Sigh...the French even make more stylish lampshades. Your last quote cracked me up. And I agree with your response to soul aperture. Why oh why are political talk show celebrities' viewpoints taken as truth?
Posted by: susanna | 28 January 2009 at 04:19
I love that last pic. It looks a little spooky.lol
I think in the last eight years-- no make that the last sixteen years-- both sides developed pockets of extreme ideologues that fanned all the "us v's them" crap...It has been bad for our country. I am hoping that Obama can bring some reason back, and make people really stop all this "politics as team sport" that has allowed certain people to go unchecked, because nobody wanted to "hurt their team". I would love it if Rush Limbaughumbug AND Bill Marhsmynerves would both just say tahtah... JMO.
;)
Posted by: amber | 28 January 2009 at 01:51
I love that last photo! Oh do tell which magazine!!! xo
Posted by: Rosa | 28 January 2009 at 01:40
Gladys, thank you! My hope is that the Obama administration will take a more balanced approach to the region and achieve a settlement. Those people have suffered more than enough and most of them - on both sides - are desperate for peace.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 00:03
Remember when the Republicans weren't that different from the Democrats? It's only in the last eight years that many of them went off the deep end and embraced right-wing conservatism. I blame conservative talk show hosts for much of the poisonous environment that allows such ideology to thrive.
Posted by: Tara Bradford | 28 January 2009 at 00:01
These are gorgeous! I really think those gloves would go perfect on me. : )
What republicans? : )
Posted by: soul aperture | 27 January 2009 at 23:42
I love all these wonderful windows reflecting the steet life and other "worlds" there is a real feeling of tearing around. Hope the blister soon gets better, as for Israli v Palestinian well what can any of us say....
Posted by: gladys | 27 January 2009 at 23:28