Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
"Dealgroop.com"
A trainer in a gym seems to cost, normally, about 50 euros/hr if you buy 10 sessions. In NC, that 65 USD fee would be about 90.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Watching US television program on the internet in Nice
I occasionally check to see what television programming I can access with my French internet connection while in France.
There is little problem with any audio, I and I am generally able to access any radio station in the US, including all of public radio, without any problem.
When it comes to television, however, the story is far different.
I am able to access and watch the PBS Newshour, NBC Nightly News, but not the Daily Show on Comedy Central, or most other US television programming. I will do some more tests and add any other specific programs here.
There is little problem with any audio, I and I am generally able to access any radio station in the US, including all of public radio, without any problem.
When it comes to television, however, the story is far different.
I am able to access and watch the PBS Newshour, NBC Nightly News, but not the Daily Show on Comedy Central, or most other US television programming. I will do some more tests and add any other specific programs here.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Saturday, October 09, 2010
"GunCite-Gun Control-International Homicide Comparisons"
Consider the difference - 5 times the homicide rate in the US than in France.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
"France's Constitutional Council Endorses Veil Ban" - NYTimes.com
This is a difficult situation, but I believe that the law is not the right solution.
Price of wine
How/why is it France that one can find so many bottles of perfectly respectable table wine for under $3 and in the US, the only one I have found is at Trader Joe's? (Actually, I guess there are 3 or 4 there, all house brand, and I find the syrah to be especially good.)
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Sunday, October 03, 2010
"U.S. Issues Terrorism Alert for Travel to Europe" - NYTimes.com
Security for all of us is surely one of those shared French and US issues. The most rationale approach to safeguarding the people remains one worthy of discussion and debate between and among us.
Saturday, October 02, 2010
"Court takes two cases over foreign products" - Wisconsin Law Journal
Note that the second case involves NC plaintiffs in a case arising from the death of two young people in a bus crash in France.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Prime Number - NYTimes.com
This is more than twice as expensive as in Italy where a carton costs about 38 euros or 45 USD. That's about 4.50 USD/pack. In France, it is more.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Thursday, June 24, 2010
"Special Report - Business of Green - In Paris, Electric Cars May Join Rental Bikes" - NYTimes.com
This is all getting to be a lot like "renting" a grocery cart while shopping. Here in France, unlike the US, the general rule is that you leave a deposit of about 1.25 USD before taking the cart for a spin. You get the money back if you return the cart. If we are lucky, automobiles will be much the same - cheap, easy to borrow, and perhaps even provided at someone else's expense in some situations.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Friday, June 04, 2010
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Monday, May 31, 2010
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Dispute Over France a Factor in Intelligence Rift - NYTimes.com
In less than ten years, we seem to have badly trashed those wonderful words from France on 9/11 - Nous Sommes Tous Americains! How sad.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
French interest
The internet segment of the morning Telematin program today featured both the Timescast launch at the BIDEN gaff over the health measure. I rarely see this focus on anything in the US.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
"A look at some of the numbers defining Obama's health care overhaul" - latimes.com
The first number - 32 million - is half the population of France!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Thursday, March 04, 2010
Tuesday, March 02, 2010
"La Ferté-Imbault Journal - French Chateau’s Owners Enter a Thicket of Intrigue" - NYTimes.com
France and the French often do wind up treating issues like this differently than we might expect in the US, I think.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Monday, February 22, 2010
Monday, November 09, 2009
Friday, November 06, 2009
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Mr President?
It's interesting, at least, to note the normal way the media here in France refer to the French President - "Le président de la République Nicolas Sarkozy..." (in Le Point, for example) compared to the normal way US media refer the US President - "President Obama....." (in The New York Times, for example).
Friday, October 23, 2009
US television programs on French screens
It is not surprising to see US television programs on French television. I am not sure if it has increased or decreased over the years, but I think it has increased quite a bit; at least that's my perception.
What interests me a lot, though, is which programs appear here. No doubt there are negotiation issues that determine the final result, of course, but in the end, I suspect that French television carries what French television wants to have.
There is a lot of work involved. None of the US shows is broadcast with its original soundtrack. All are dubbed in France, a practice that employ a lot of people, but I personally prefer text than voiceovers, the normal practice in the US with French movies.
There was a period when French television was carrying programming like the CBS Evening News with text translations at the bottom of the screen. That may still be there, but I do not know where. In fact, I know of no US television news or public affairs program that I have ever seen shown here currently.
Instead, it is all entertainment programming, including movies. Here is a rundown of the programs that I see in the TV guide, just for today:
The Incredible Hulk
NCIS
Law and Order
Desperate Housewives
What interests me a lot, though, is which programs appear here. No doubt there are negotiation issues that determine the final result, of course, but in the end, I suspect that French television carries what French television wants to have.
There is a lot of work involved. None of the US shows is broadcast with its original soundtrack. All are dubbed in France, a practice that employ a lot of people, but I personally prefer text than voiceovers, the normal practice in the US with French movies.
There was a period when French television was carrying programming like the CBS Evening News with text translations at the bottom of the screen. That may still be there, but I do not know where. In fact, I know of no US television news or public affairs program that I have ever seen shown here currently.
Instead, it is all entertainment programming, including movies. Here is a rundown of the programs that I see in the TV guide, just for today:
The Incredible Hulk
NCIS
Law and Order
Desperate Housewives
Saturday, October 17, 2009
"Un couple mixte interdit de mariage aux Etats-Unis "au nom des enfants" - LeMonde.fr
Whether in French or in English, this action by the justice of the peace in Louisiana is embarrassing, wrong, and out to be answered by loud cries of criticism of the judge. Whatever procedure is, if any, in Louisiana, to remove justices of the peace, it ought to have started yesterday in this case. He deserves a fair hearing, of course, but if the facts prove to be as reported here, he deserves to be a private citizen and not a judge.
There is hope that the people of Louisiana will do the right thing.
There is hope that the people of Louisiana will do the right thing.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
$15 USD for a tooth?
This full page advertisement ran in French newspapers this week promoting a limited edition silver coin worth 10 euros. The ad suggests that this would be a great gift for the tooth fairy to leave under a child's pillow! Is that the going rate in the US these days?
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
"Internet bouscule les choix culturels des Français" - LeMonde.fr
As is so often the case in France, the full story of the internet's impact is extremely complicated.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
"Health Care Scorecard: Vermont Tops, Mississippi Last" - ABC News
It would even more useful to compare all of this with France.
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
"Les journalistes du "Parisien/Aujourd'hui en France" inquiets pour leur avenir" - LeMonde.fr
France and the US both risk the loss of venerable newspaper institutions.
Swine Flu vaccine in France v. US
My sense here in France is general unease about what to do when the Swine Flu (Grippe A here) vaccine arrives. The Government has laid out clear priorities of who should get it first, but the recommendation is purely optional.
Unlike the seasonal flu vaccine (purchased at the local pharmacy and administered by a nurse or doctor independently), this shot will be administered, the Government says, at centers yet to be announced. The first concern that this raises among people here is whether these centers will turn out to be filled with people who can infect everyone else.
Another interesting item is the advertising in the last couple of days from the French part of the global Visa credit card system noting that any holder of a Carte Bleue card (from most banks in France tha are part of the network) will have considerable insurance - for free - should they contract the Swine Flu. This includes medical evacuation and other expenses. I have not yet seen such an offer from a credit card in the US but I might have missed it here in France.
Unlike the seasonal flu vaccine (purchased at the local pharmacy and administered by a nurse or doctor independently), this shot will be administered, the Government says, at centers yet to be announced. The first concern that this raises among people here is whether these centers will turn out to be filled with people who can infect everyone else.
Another interesting item is the advertising in the last couple of days from the French part of the global Visa credit card system noting that any holder of a Carte Bleue card (from most banks in France tha are part of the network) will have considerable insurance - for free - should they contract the Swine Flu. This includes medical evacuation and other expenses. I have not yet seen such an offer from a credit card in the US but I might have missed it here in France.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Friday, October 02, 2009
France v. NC
It's interesting that France has 7 times the population of North Carolina - 62 million v. 9 million, and 4 times the square miles - 210,000 v. 54,000. Should we expect France to be 7 times better than NC in far less space/person?
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Team Côte d'Azur Newsletter - Invest in Côte d’Azur
Which US cities have similar plans in place?
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Thursday, March 05, 2009
"One France Is Enough" - NYTimes.com
I posted this comment:
"My "home" is divided between two worlds - one here in North Carolina and one there in Nice, France. I am both a US and European citizen. Roger COHEN presents this in far too extreme manner, and that is good for debate but not so good for understanding. When Barack OBAMA first visited Nice, many years ago, he and Michelle came on the train, it has been reported.
Whether it be transportation or health care, or a focus on eating well, and yes, even innovation and opportunity...these two great countries have far more to learn from one another than often happens. That's learning about things done well and things done not so well. Language gets in the way too often and reliance on interpreters like COHEN or me is no substitute not just for visiting, but for trying to understand.
I retain optimism that our President recognizes the need for extraordinary action taken with American determination .... learning and relating to what others have done in places from France to Japan and well beyond. If our policy pendulum swings a little more wildly or far than some of us would like, we'll get it back. Maybe we won't have General Motors or AIG to kick around, and huge suffering if that happens, but I for one remain optimistic that we can get ourselves out of this mess with a plan that is as much global as it is American, and that includes a good dose of French seasoning."
"My "home" is divided between two worlds - one here in North Carolina and one there in Nice, France. I am both a US and European citizen. Roger COHEN presents this in far too extreme manner, and that is good for debate but not so good for understanding. When Barack OBAMA first visited Nice, many years ago, he and Michelle came on the train, it has been reported.
Whether it be transportation or health care, or a focus on eating well, and yes, even innovation and opportunity...these two great countries have far more to learn from one another than often happens. That's learning about things done well and things done not so well. Language gets in the way too often and reliance on interpreters like COHEN or me is no substitute not just for visiting, but for trying to understand.
I retain optimism that our President recognizes the need for extraordinary action taken with American determination .... learning and relating to what others have done in places from France to Japan and well beyond. If our policy pendulum swings a little more wildly or far than some of us would like, we'll get it back. Maybe we won't have General Motors or AIG to kick around, and huge suffering if that happens, but I for one remain optimistic that we can get ourselves out of this mess with a plan that is as much global as it is American, and that includes a good dose of French seasoning."
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Monday, November 03, 2008
French coverage of the US election....
Nice, France - As I sit here, I am amazed at the amount and quality of the French coverage of the US Presidential election. Newspapers, radio, television, websites, are all pulling out the stops to bring this story to their readers, viewers, listeners and "visitors". They have been counting down the days for two weeks now, and there is great excitement in the reporting but a strong dose of uncertainty about whether the US really can elect a Black President. French reporters and French people have been all over the US offering their perspectives during recent days, and one of the national TV networks sent over a whole planeload of people to cover the story.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
"Now Europeans Are Slower to Spend, and It Shows" - NYTimes.com
French retail spending is up just a little.....as shown in the graphic.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
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