Beth Arnold

Letter From Paris: Annie Lennox on Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson via last.fm

The world was shocked by the untimely death of Michael Jackson on June 25,  2009.  Our King of Pop was an exceptional talent and tormented soul.  The thunderous masses built him up as a god and then tore him apart as a piece of fresh meat.   

In the end, Michael was fragile--and maybe not meant to stay on this earth long at all.  It was too difficult an existence for a boy born light and feathery and with the beginnings of wings.

The best comment we've seen or heard anywhere in the news came from singer Annie Lennox, who we've always admired as artist and human being. 

Letter From Paris: A Dress to Fly Away

Image via Wikipedia

Butterflies are free, and so are we.  This enticing gown is displayed in a window at the ever chic and elegant Palais Royal in Paris. Writer Colette lived here for years and, among a whole stable of French and international glitterati, frequented Le Grand Vefour restaurant.

Letter From Paris: Johnny Depp on Himself

Everyone who lives in Paris wishes for a sighting of Johnny Depp, and some people get lucky. One hears the fabled story of a friend of a friend who happened upon the actor--caught a glimpse of the star somewhere.

I thought I saw Depp once. Well, a girl can dream...

Love the Depp attitude about himself...about watching himself! I call that confident and composed--a man knowing what he wants and trusting what he needs to do.

Obamarifix: Sarkozys & THE BURKA

Image via Wikipedia

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were reportedly delighted when President Nicolas Sarkozy and his own First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy dropped by the White House for a special midnight opening of the new Transformers 2 movie. 

Carla and her hubby didn't want the American First Couple to nab all Michael Bay's transforming fun before they'd gotten a look at the much anticipated film.  So they zipped across the Atlantic just in time to sit down with their popcorn and Cokes in the White House theater for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. 

At intermission, the two presidents and first ladies had a chance to have a good chat.  There were so many world events ripe for the conversational picking, but their heads were turned by this one:

Letter From Paris: Help Find an Iranian Photographer!

Image by harrystaab via Flickr

This comment was posted yesterday by a friend who is missing a friend--a photographer recording the protests in Tehran.  If anyone can help find him, please do what you can!  We all need to stand with the Iranian people.  They need our support.

One of the members of our daily photo community who was posting pictures of the current situation in Tehran has gone missing. This is his website: removed..

Here is a link to the recent article about the eyewitness reporters in Tehran published in Life Magazine:
http://www.life.com/image/ugc1003082/in-gallery/28782/eyewitness-from-tehrans-streets

Please ask as many people as possible to do what ever they can to help find him.

Letter From Paris: Brentano's Paris To Close

Image by Brooklyn Museum via Flickr

A sad notice from Publisher's Marketplace:

Brentano's Paris To Finally Close

Paris, June 15, 2009
Dear Friends,

It is with sadness, and astonishment - despite the prolonged agony of these last months - that we inform you of the official closing of Brentano's Bookstore - Paris, Monday, June 15, 2009. We who remained for the final voyage are a skeleton crew. Along with the many cherished former colleagues you have known, we thank you for your vital collaboration and consideration throughout the years. It has been our privilege to be a part of the special world of books and bookselling and a bridge between cultures.

After 114 years at the same address Brentano's - the American Bookstore in Paris, will no longer welcome the curious passer-by and the faithful regular. In these final days many, many customers have expressed sincere disbelief and genuine anguish upon learning that this institution (in their minds invincible) will cease to exist. This testimony to our combined efforts, yours and ours, we take to heart and share with you.

Obamarifix: Jon Voight & Angelina Jolie

Image via Wikipedia

Jon Voight drew a line in Republican sand for the party contingent who are avowed and determined to bring the United States down into the ranks of banana republics.  Voight's incendiary comment to "bring an end to this false prophet, Obama" drew a big round of applause with an attitude of let-our-worthless-people-go-down-the-drain coursing through the crowd. 

One reporter standing by thought he heard Voight comment that he'd love nothing more than hearing  "Heil Cheney" coming from the brethren who had gathered there--and that if the ranks of internal terrorists could grow like the one who took care of Dr. George Tiller, we'd all be better off.  

Obama thought he should try his practiced hand at diffusing Voight's tirade.  We apologize that our photographer on hand spelled Voight's name wrong.

President Barack Obama and Jon Voight

Letter From Paris: Calder at the Pompidou

Image via Wikipedia

Back from Burgundy with my friend novelist/poet Katherine Mosby.  Katherine was looking for a maison, and we discovered great possibilities.  We were looking in the villages and countryside around Vezelay, where the stunning basilica holds relics of Mary Magdalene (a little creepy, I know) and was a major meeting place on the route to Santiago de Compostela. 

No matter what, K feels she's found the region to create her French base.  We also made new friends, including Pascal, who whipped up a private dinner for us in his cozy cafe--and Sian and Peter, who invited us behind their private gates this morning and talked local property.  Besides all that, K and I banked good girlfriend time.  Nuff said, right!? 

Now back in Paris, yahoo!  I know you recognize this image:

 

Obamarifix: Barack & Michelle in Paris

Image via Wikipedia (Place de la Concorde)

Paris is always Paris, but even this most beautiful of cities burned a little brighter when the Obamas came to admire her fine curves and features.  The Parisian capital flirted, and the Obamas flirted back. 

Obama fever spread like wildfire among the French and through the international community. 

Barack and Michelle take photos at Notre Dame.

Letter From Paris: Bovine Paris (on the rue de Bretagne)

Image via Wikipedia

For those in the know, the rue de Bretagne in Paris's hip 3rd Arrondissement is one of the best food shopping streets in the French capital.  When we first moved to France 6 1/2 years ago, this neighborhood was the first semi-permanent spot we landed, the streets where we put down the shoots of our new roots. 

I was out of my mind with excitement.  Every day I breathed the freshest air that energized my brain and body, while I was woozy with shock and awe.  Now, twice a week I walk along this jaunty rue on the way to my boxing class, where I'm trying to reclaim my body. 

I am a cow lover.  Is there anyone who's not?  The other day I noticed this shop.

 
Sam Concept Store on the rue de Bretagne