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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 18, 2019 18:00:35 GMT
Glad you celebrated the new year appropriately, even sparing the pig in your choice of sandwich. You've probably addressed this elsewhere, but does Paris have a single Chinatown area, or are there others?
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Post by kerouac2 on Feb 18, 2019 18:40:18 GMT
There are at least 4 Chinatowns in Paris (my neighbourhood being the smallest one yet big enough to have a dragon dance every year) and 3 others in the suburbs. There are 600,000 people of Chinese origin in France... a drop in the bucket compared to a lot of other countries (Peru 1,300,000! United States 4,000,000...) but still the biggest Chinese population in Europe. And as we all know, the main Chinese revolutionaries learned their communism in France.
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Post by bixaorellana on Feb 18, 2019 18:52:31 GMT
Plus another famous person who embraced communism there, Saloth Sâr. Sent to school in Paris by his prosperous parents, he was later known to the world as Pol Pot.
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Post by fumobici on Feb 19, 2019 4:16:14 GMT
However, I did buy a magnificent spicy beef bahn mi from the well known best place in the neighbourhood. I had not bought one there for at least 5 years. God, it was absolutely spectacular and only 3.20 euros. Jealous. Sounds delish, and a price like that makes everything taste twice as good to me.
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Post by lagatta on Mar 3, 2019 14:22:03 GMT
I think everyone has to fill out the census in Canada, but it is not every year. Most households get the short form; a sample of them get the long form.
I think ethnic or national origin is on the census, but if I recall I simply checked "multiple".
I do have to get back to shoes and shopping. I need good shoes due to arthritis; never high heels but I do have some chunky, funky low heels. Men shop quickly for shoes if they don't have health or fit requirements. It is hard for men to shop if they have very large or very small feet; boys' shoes aren't as good quality so that isn't an option for small feet. And obviously, men can have health conditions, injuries or deformities as well.
Can't remember when I paid as little for shoes as for my THREE pairs of Doc Martens textile Mary Janes, as they were on deep discount and they happened to have my size, first in the black ones, then by miracle, the RED ones. Obviously they won't last as long as my leather shoes, but they are extremely comfy, even for long walks, the time they last.
I do tend to buy multiples (not ten of something, but at least 2)if I find a garment I like, which I think is a more male way of shopping, and usually buy very plain clothing, though I'm fussy about fabric and fit. My winter coats are plain, most often black, and I also wear them for years. My scarves are very colourful though. And I have at least ten bérets in fabrics from cotton to angora...
Looking for a raincoat; one that actually protects from rain, but which is presentable if I am working at a conference, for example. Will probably fall back on black...
Suddend craving for a banh mi...
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 3, 2019 19:28:27 GMT
Lagatta...I do that too. If I find something I love to wear I may buy more than one. It's taken me ages to find comfortable jeans...now I have five pairs of black jeans all the same style but all faded to a different degree. It's strange...the same style (and size) in a different colour doesnt fit as well.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 3, 2019 19:51:56 GMT
Atm I'm watching a sewing show 'The Great British Sewing Bee'. One of the judges is a designer and lecturer. Last week was 70s week...and the contestants were asked to make a made to measure hostess gown for their model. Most chose to use authentic 70s patterns. The judge said very clearly ' of course, sizes were different in the 70s, people were lot smaller/thinner'
I knew it! I've often wondered why I was a UK size 12 - 14 at 8 1/2 stone as a young woman in the 70s. I kept a few things, a pair of velvet loon pants, a few tops and a jacket, all size 12...but my slim family members (UK size 8 - 10) cant get into any of them...and weigh much more than the 8 1/2 stone that I did when I was a size 12...its very confusing. By 70s reckoning I'm now probably about a size 90....
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 3, 2019 20:38:14 GMT
Oh, I was afraid it was for contestants in their seventies.
Even in men's clothing, I have noticed that they have changed all of the sizes. Wearing XL has become very fashionable in France (it makes you more of a man?) instead of L. All of my XL clothing from 10 years ago still fits perfectly fine, but I have noticed that it is safer for me to buy XXL now, which I find rather humiliating. I still weigh pretty much the same as 10 years ago, shit!
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Post by Kimby on Mar 3, 2019 21:22:34 GMT
It’s the reverse in women’s sizing. If you wore a 12 in the 60’s you’re a 6 or 8 now. (If you haven’t ballooned, that is.)
The smaller number strokes the ego, and makes one more likely to buy from that maker or seller again.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 3, 2019 22:04:32 GMT
This is the sort of situation where EU regulations are very useful. Unfortunately, it is not yet a subject to which the EU has paid attention.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 9, 2019 10:03:48 GMT
I may have done something stupid. I got a call from the gallery where I sell my dolls. A client had asked if I'd be interested in making him three clowns. I don't really do clowns and they don't appeal to me. I asked Stefan's opinion and he said that commissioned work can be quite tricky, the client will want to dictate what I make...and I'm not comfortable with that. I'm struggling with mosaics atm and that's taking up most of my time. The financial reward would have been significant but I said that 'thank you VERY much for the offer but I don't have time'
The gallery owners were both really nice about it.
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Post by questa on Mar 9, 2019 11:01:05 GMT
Oh...Well done Cheery. You kept your integrity and I'm sure you feel comfortable for it. When I knitted for commission I found people had their own mental vision of how the piece would look and were often disappointed when they had changed the colours, added bits and were much bigger than the skinny model in the picture.
Anyway...you are an artist and always in charge of your work.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 9, 2019 12:40:30 GMT
You absolutely did the right thing, Cheery, particularly about not making clowns, ugh! As your fame grows, you will receive other more suitable requests.
Meanwhile... I was in a very interesting traffic jam today in Boulogne-sur-Mer. A large flock of geese (at least 200) had decided to settle in a traffic roundabout and they seemed very undecided about whether to move or not. To the credit of all of the drivers, everybody was patient and nobody decided to force their way through. After a few minutes, the Head Goose decided "let's all go into that field over there" and they all waddled away, taking their time.
My camera was not accessible.
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Post by bjd on Mar 9, 2019 14:55:20 GMT
Were the geese wearing yellow vests?
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 9, 2019 15:15:31 GMT
the client will want to dictate what I make...and I'm not comfortable with that. you are an artist and always in charge of your work. Good for you, Cheery! Making those things on demand would have been so not you. I echo what Questa said. My camera was not accessible. This is one case where I think the mental image might even be better than a photograph! Were the geese wearing yellow vests? Good one, Bjd!
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Post by questa on Mar 9, 2019 22:07:19 GMT
This is one case where I think the mental image might even be better than a photograph! That little incident has by now bounced around the world, used as an excuse for being late, mentioned at the office watercooler, pointed out to little children by parents and cheered or annoyed drivers. Have a happy day, Geese.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 11, 2019 17:23:20 GMT
I have an out patient appointment on Wednesday at the local hospital, probably nothing. My doctor is being over cautious after considering my family history..but to keep my mind of it Jeffers took me to IKEA in Coventry today. I'm looking for a new desk and a small storage unit for my craft stuff..we found things that we liked but they didnt have them in stock! Saved us a fortune...
However I did get more kilner jars for storing dried pasta, some seat cushions and a new lampshade...it looks like a Star Wars deathstar and is very groovy...its for the landing.
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Post by whatagain on Mar 11, 2019 18:40:08 GMT
Some teachers are insane. French teacher of my daughter asked her students to read a book ... translated from Dutch ! Like there are not enough books in french literature. At about the same time Dutch teacher let them watch a movie undertiyled in Dutch ... audio was in .... yes french.
Pfff.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 12, 2019 22:59:53 GMT
Unusual cultural overload today.
I want to see Captain Marvel this morning. (included in my unlimited movie pass) Then I had a noon concert by Jean-François Zygel, one of the top pianists in France. (invitation from Le Monde) Finally I went to the premiere of an exceptional play in one of the national theatres. (paid for this but at least I had a senior discount)
This exhausted me, but I did appreciate the wide variety of experiences. The day was exceptional.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 13, 2019 5:22:29 GMT
!!!
That took stamina. I admire you!
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 13, 2019 21:03:54 GMT
I'm clear I had my out patient appointment today. Only took 9 days from General Practitioner referral to Consultant appointment. I had some worrying symptoms but it's nothing sinister thank goodness. I've been referred to the Genetics Clinic tho because of my family history. This means that I'll have a health screen every few months. I'm soooooo relieved...
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Post by mich64 on Mar 13, 2019 22:06:21 GMT
Yeah Cheery! Great news!
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 14, 2019 0:22:45 GMT
Whew!!! Yes, that is wonderful news. Thanks for letting us know.
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 14, 2019 4:00:26 GMT
Good news!
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Post by mossie on Mar 14, 2019 11:50:31 GMT
Good for you Cheery. Keep on taking the tablets, to be washed down with copious quantities of something alcoholic. Hic.
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Mar 14, 2019 16:29:34 GMT
We are so happy tra-la-la. My beloved bought me a new desk and storage unit, we will use my old desk in the garage as a glass cutting bench
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Post by whatagain on Mar 19, 2019 18:21:23 GMT
Inami (national health in Belgium) made a poll about a max age above which no costly treatment would be allowed (or refunded) for people. They chose 85 years - so if you are older than 85 and get a cancer the idea would to let you without cure. 40 pc of people asked said they agreed on the principle. I think they are right - far right - and we should gas handicapped people too. Can't imagine the authorities have allowed such a poll !
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Post by kerouac2 on Mar 19, 2019 18:38:54 GMT
That sounds pretty outrageous to me. I do know that the older you are, the slower cancer progresses and I have read more than once that old men treated for prostate cancer and old men not treated for prostate cancer have the same life expectancy, but I very much doubt that the same is true for all other health problems.
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Post by mossie on Mar 19, 2019 20:14:54 GMT
Some time ago I told my doctor that they should prescribe a pill to antiques like me to knock us off and save trouble all round. He told me that it was against the law.
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Post by bixaorellana on Mar 19, 2019 20:48:19 GMT
Some time ago I told my doctor that they should prescribe a pill to antiques like me to knock us off and save trouble all round. He told me that it was against the law. Good doctor in the sense that at least you know he pays attention when you speak.
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