Don't try this at home

It was a sunny day, blue sky, the birds were singing, me without ideas... and I thought... "Hmmm, how about grab a Velib, going to the crowded city center and shot at the same time?"
First things first: I'm not becoming one of those teenagers (although I'm still one! eheh) who wake up one morning and decide to kill everyone they see! :P And if you don't know, this is a Velib.

I was having this idea for a long time: pick up one Velib and to film while pedalling. Well, it could be worse... I could pedal blindfolded while juggling 5 croissants on fire... AND filming at the same time, of course! eheh

So I headed to Arc de Triomphe and then down to the Champs-Élysées avenue. It wasn't a big ride, but it was a nice first experience. For a next time maybe I'll do the same at one of the tipical downtown districts... with better quality, preferably! ;)

And one day, who knows, maybe an Oscar for the best very-small-tiny-short documentary! eheheh

It was an interesting challenge to steer the bicycle with one hand and to film with the other. But usually I drive my car with both hands.... usually! :D

I've lost you all!

I'm still living and working on the same planet as you... but I've lost you all. No, I haven't got amnesia. I This could also be an essay about "Kayak for Dummies".

Recently I've managed to convince (finally!) some people from work to go on a canoe-kayak river descent, outside Paris. Negociatons were hard, and when I thought the "worst" was gone... well, let's say that my good will was punished! eheheh

It was not the first time I did such sport activity, but it was my first time without a guide or someone to oversee the group. Here everyone got on a canoe, with only a basic "rivermap". It's a safe system, where families usually go with their kids, because the rivers are extremely calm, with one or another small waterfall.
At the beginning I thought "Cool! We're on our on"... but the first problem arrived in minutes: the river had two different paths to follow... and both were blocked by small trees.
So... who you gonna call?? eheh I had decided to bring my cell phone with me just in case (very wise!), and as soon as I realized we were "stuck" I took my phone and call the organizing company. As soon as I hung up... I accidentally misplaced the phone into my pocket... et voila... au revoir! :P

Anyway... I've learned the lesson! eheh The bigger problem is all the contacts I've lost, but it could be worse of course... I could have lost an arm or a leg! :P

There are some lucky fishes who won a new cell phone! eheheh

But not everything was bad... there were some priceless moments! Revenge! eheheh



ps: feel free to send me your contacts (by email)

It's the Rob and Al show!

This could be a fashion report about some famous designers like Vuitton, Gaultier or Lagarfeld ... but it's about cinema (what a surprise!)

As I was coming out of the gym heading home I noticed some flashes and TV crews on the Champs-Élysées avenue. From where I was I could hear "Al! Rob!" and I thought... Is it Al Gore and Robbie Williams?
That's a weird mix! eheh For my completely surprise I realized it was a premiere for Robert De Niro and Al Pacino's "Righteous Kill".
How come there's a big opening like this and I don't know nothing about it? It's in times like this you realize that's something wrong in this world! eheheh

Luckily I always carry with me a camera (at least one!) and I managed to take some souvenirs from this notorious duo of actors. I wish I could have teleobjective lenses because it wouldn't have to
play Plastic Man and stretch my arm as far as possible in order to take good pictures! eheh

It was a nice surprise to end the day... I hope next time they remember to invite me! :-P

Time to move out!

It's true that things have been quiet around this blog, but I didn't disappear (neither I was abducted by aliens... yet!).

There comes a time when you need to change: move to a new appartement, dye your hair, have your ears pierced, tattoo a giant dragon on your back or learn an useful language like latin! :P
Well, after a long consideration I've decided to move out... after all, the other options weren't new for me! eheheh

So I've moved and in the last couple of weeks I've been cleaning, moving furniture (to make the place more zen!) and arguing with the neighbors... no, not arguing! :)

Usually I live well without internet, but I admit that after 2 weeks it starts to be an headache. I can't update the blog, read my emails and pay my taxes (good excuse! eheheh).

While I wait for my new internet connection, I've been using the free wireless internet provided by Paris public services. And this is a good thing, because it makes me go out.
Usually I like to come here, to the famous square Place de Vosges... where I'm right now while I write this post. Seated on a bench, under the trees and next to the fountain... with tourists too, of course! :P

Be back soon...

ps: I wasn't paid for the free publicity from the car rental company ;)

This is a gyropode...

A gyro what? Well, it's french for Segway. In case you don't know, a Segway is an electrical two-wheel vehicle that uses your body position to move... and stop (no, it doesn't have breaks)! :P

What's so special about it? It's a new way to transport people, environment friendly (no polution and almost no noise)... but very very expensive! eheh

During the Paris Plage event there were several activities you could practise or try... like mini golf, kayak, fitness sessions or... gyropode!
As the brand Segway is not officially registered in France, for the time being, this personal transporter has a french name! Oh la la! eheheh
The name comes from the gyroscopic sensors inside the Segway, which are used to control its balance.

I took this opportunity to try for myself this new vehicle... and it was definitely different. You have to teach your brain that "lean forward" doesn't mean you'll fall!
The Segway can (and it should) be used in cycleways/cycle tracks as long it moves at least at 20km/h (12.5 mph), which is Segway's top speed (for the basic model).

Although is very pratical and better than using crowded public transports, I prefer the old and typical bicycle... at least you pedal and it's a good exercise!
Who knows if in the future all major cities will have public Segways instead of bicycles and scooters!

Sometimes the Segway reminds me a chariot but without the horses! eheheh

Another Batmania

Yes, Batman is back. But is all the fuss justified? The new Batman movie "The Dark Knight" has been opening across the world for the last weeks, with huge ticket sales, excellent reviews from critics and fans, and breaking box-office records.
At first, this could be almost an olympic triumph, entitled for a big gold medal.

I like going to the movies, specially when a promising movie turns out to be disappointing or an unknown movie becomes a good surprise. I still have nightmares from the last Indiana Jones adventure.... oh well, better days will come.

Anyway... "The Dark Knight" is a good superhero movie, but far from being the master piece everyone is talking about.
The same team who brought us in 2005 "Batman Returns" is back for another turn. The first movie was balanced: Bruce Wayne and Batman origins', the story as a whole, the action sequences, the sets, the bat-gadgets and all actors... even for a running time of 2h20.

One of the "The Dark Knight" flaws is its length, because they used the same bad formula as in "Spiderman 3": to develop 2 main villain characters for 2h30.
The ace is this film is really the Joker, who feels more like a really bad-tough-dangerous-motherf***** than a simple villain! eheheh This role from the late Heath Ledger is very good, those kind of roles that belong in the Villains Hall of Fame!

Another problem with this film is Batman's voice. Come on, really, it looks like our superhero suffers from lung cancer after smoking for years! As soon as Bruce Ways puts on his bat-suit, he almost starts to talk in a Terminator-like tone of voice.

Last but not least, this new Batman is very very high-tech geek! I always enjoyed his gadgets, some more believable than others... but the new bat-sonar is too much! It's almost like watching "Mission: Impossible".

Thumbs up for the great casting, action sequences, soundtrack and cinematography!
I liked the movie and I recommend you to watch it in a movie theater, as always... and maybe you'll join the bat-hype! Just beware of the Joker... :)

Why so serious?

Gentlemen, start your cooking engines!

Everyone likes to enjoy a nice meal, taste regional food or maybe just grab some light snacks. Eating is always easier than cooking, but the same way I love a good meal, I really like to cook and prepare different kind of dishes.

It's true that I never posted here my experiences, because besides the pictures I take from my prefered meals, I also take pictures of almost everything I cook! eheheh It's my kitchen laboratory... or kit lab! eheheh

I'm not a chef of course but I like to keep learning and to improve my cooking skills. So recently I was lucky enough to take a cooking class, here in Paris. The same way it's easy to find a good place to eat, there are many places where you can learn how to cook or to learn new stuff.

It's interesting because you can have from 1 hour class to a full day or more. You take the class you want: prepare one dish or a menu (starter, main course and dessert). And at the end everyone seats together and eat whatever it was cooked! eheheh The wine is offered! eheh

This is something anyone can try on a visit to Paris. Instead paying a lunch in a restaurant, why not prepare some french dish taught by a real chef?

Coming up next: a wine tasting class! eheheh