This image was taken at the Comedie, the largest square in the center of Montpellier. I darkened out the background to black. This was for a fujimugs competition. In the end I didn’t enter the photo. The image was also treated with Dragonizer, an action I used in Photoshop. It isn’t too obvious here at this small size. There is a third person, the one holding the camera, but he was totally blocked by his two friends.

I like this image for how it portrays so many of todays tourists. I like this tender moment frozen in time. If they aren’t using these tiny digital marvels they’re using cell phone cameras in similar manner. Happy holidays.

Here are a few images of the front of a school, a place one goes to vote in France, and the posters up at each voting station.

22 April 2007 was a frenetic day here in France. People went out and voted in mass to narrow down the field to two candidates. Segolene Royal vs. Nicholas Sarkozy. The Beauty and the Beast.

I’ll admit it right here. I hope Sarkozy goes down and goes down hard. Not likely, but I’ve got all my fingers crossed. Lots of people will suffer at his hand if he’s elected. All he’s interested in is power and money. Get rich. Make the rich richer. Screw the rest. All his attempts to sweet talk the middle and lower classes, please, I’m hoping for the french it’s falling on deaf ears.
Now I’m not saying things will be rosy with Segolene at the helm. I just think and feel the spectrum that makes up France, rich to poor, will have a better chance. I think the things which make France special will have a better chance of surviving a bit longer. I’m thinking mostly of the health and social services. France has a great health care system. It puts a great amount of stress on France’s budget but they support it. I think it’ll take a big hit if Sarkozy is elected.

The rift between those considered to be ‘french’ and those not will also widen. Sarkozy has come close to the vitriol of the extreme right party here in France, Le Pen’s FN (Front National). He says he wants an immigration minister. He says talking about it shouldn’t mean he’s a racist. He’s really walked a thin line and done so with grace. Sarkozy is a man to be feared. HIs raw use of language in 2005 helped spark the riots by referring to youth in the troubled areas as ’scum’.

Royal is an unknown. I think she’s gonna be learning on the job. There’s nothing wrong with that. Her discourse is more compassionate than Sarkozy’s. She’s a politician that is pushing for and doing ‘transparency’ in her acts. That’s pretty unusual. I applaud the sentiment. I am skeptical of all politicians. But she doesn’t talk down to people. She doesn’t make you feel like if you aren’t with us you’re against us. I think she wants to be the equivalent of the french mommy. I like that. Read the rest of this entry »

Two major differences between the vote in America and France. 1.) In France you vote on Sunday. That’s right. You can vote on the weekend. 2.) You vote twice. The first vote is on 22 April. That vote will eliminate all but two candidates. Two weeks later there is another vote that settles it all.

Well, actually there’s a third major difference as well. No religion mentioned in the campaign. It isn’t an issue. How refreshing. How mature. America would do well to look and listen. America looks more like the countries bogged down by Islamic fundamentalists and their religious shackles like Iran than not. Since King George and his claim to have Jesus as a mentor America has taken a major nose dive. Catholic fundamentalists have singlehandedly erased whatever was left of democracy. Welcome to the American oligarchy.

One aspect of the vote in France that you’ll never see in America? Communists! Oooooooh! Bunch of frady cat ‘ricans. This year there are 12 candidates for the first round of voting. A few communists. There’s the green party, several left parties, the socialist party, the UDF and the UMP, and a few more ultra right wing racist bastards like Le Pen.

It’s complicated. I won’t get into the details. Like most of this crap there’s lots to be desired. Politicians don’t have a very realistic view of the world. Well, viewing the world from their narrow take on life cuts out tons of people. The party system doesn’t work.

Anyway. The racist, super nationalist Le Pen is running again. Man, he’s 78 years old. What an old racist fart. Royal from the socialist party and Sarkozy from the right (i think this could be compared to the republican party in america) seem to be the two front runners from the two major parties. Neither seems a good choice right now. Sarkozy seems like a little nazi. He won’t do France any good. Already, the few things he’s tried to do to curb crime have been a disaster. He started the riots in 2005. He’s not very good with words and finesse. He’s just a brute. Royal, I don’t know. She just doesn’t seem to have a handle on it all. Maybe she’ll learn on the job. I’d rather see her elected than Sarkozy that’s for sure. Read the rest of this entry »

I think I’ve finally got the proportion done. Post title size to body copy size to sidebar size, I think it’s finally where I want it. Well it’s where I want it on my monitor. I’m hoping it looks good to all viewers. Please let me know if you have any problems reading anything or navigating the site.

The original base for this blog was by Robin Hastings. Although it was what I was after when I first started this thing I can’t believe how many subtle changes I’ve made. It has been a fun process. I think it’s time to leave it and focus on content, something that’s been lacking lately.

I keep wanting to put up some commentary on politics. George Bush is really annoying. I think he’ll be up here sooner than later. I mean on any given week he seems to make a fool of himself at least once. I think he likes playing the fool ’cause he seems to do it so often. I was also struck by John McCain’s exaggeration of how the situation in Iraq is. Painting a rosey picture for us all? Leave your imagination at home John. The real situation was revealed to us in an interview with the people who live and work there. Shame on you John.