Start from Point Zero

I still remember the moment when I was watching the news in Hong Kong, one day just a month before my departure...

Notre Dame was on fire!

Originally I though it was some archived report, but NO, the nightmare is right NOW on 4 Sept., 2019. Followed by the faces of the citizens appeared on Tv, I feel their sadness, too... no one would or willing to accept the reality because Notre Dame, like many other heritages in France, she is unique & non-replaceable!

Notre Dame is a Gothic style cathedral built in the year of 1163, located in île de la cité of Paris. Bell tower above 400 steps, magnificent rose window, gorgeous ornate flying buttresses or the “mysterious” gargoyles; one of the largest 7800 pipes organ in the world, royal treasure collections...all are worth to visit; plus...

Point Zéro des Routes de France: the bronze star, the “kilometre zero plaque” which indicated the calculation starting point of road distance in France. Besides “Raft of the Medusa” in the Louvre, this is my second goal in this trip, but now, it’s vanishing, I do feel disappointed & trying to figure out what to do? cancel the trip? change my itinery? 

Experts expect a four to five years recovery is required, at least; so, I am thinking how about to go, say “hello”to her, bring her some“comfort” may be, or at least a blessing from Hong Kong... sounds great?

I am sure I’ll finally have my chance to complete my goal some years later, although the originality may not be the same, we can view from another angle, as my beliefs always; no matter what, it’s our choice to locate the Point Zero after all!

click to enlarge

Cést parti ! 

follow me in Point Zéro - book Five of Petit Paris.

Free the "bottleneck"

Yesterday, I've decided to remove the price tag to Pont Neuf, my first book, i.e.: e-book version will be giveaway from now on. Why? well, just want to, while I am writing the 6th book, which is almost 50% of the whole Petit Paris series, I think it may be a good time to do so & make it.

Experienced writers advised newbie like me, there is always a bottleneck when you've written in the middle of the book, if you can overcome it, you will most likely to complete the whole; otherwise, may stuck and failed to finish at the end, because it's a lonely job & easily get frustrated.

Although I am writing in some what 30 to 60 pages of each only, it can be combined as one whole book, which is also my original idea. By dividing them into 12 mini books, there are some advantages indeed:

- I can reduce my pressure to complete a 600 pages book all in one time

- they can be written in separate topics to cover a lot more issues discovered in the trip

- less stress by extending the production time from one year to three as a whole, meaning I can    still have time to work on other jobs between the writing intervals

- to practice and improve my writing & drawing skill one after another 
  (hopefully it did work :p)

- Best of all : I can draw 12 different book covers - sounds amazing ?!

click to enlarge

In fact, I do need space for me to learn, review, revise & achieve a lot more improvement, which is the most valuable experience and enjoyable process as being a self published writer. 

I am looking forward to a date in 2022, December may be to complete this series, wish you can walk with me to the destiny of this petit journey!

p.s. - Be my guest to enjoy your Pont Neuf copy from Google Books or Apple books

飛

 

重看星聲夢裡人～La La Land

Written & Directed by Damien Chazelle

 

今天是農曆新年初二, 説真的, 假期對我們這些自由工作者來說和平日是沒有太大分別的, 正如一個朋友年卅晚問我, 我也是一樣的回應. 但畢竟, 地盤是收爐了, 課堂仍未開始, 疫情下沒什麼聚會, 街頭上也相對冷清… 除了可以專心寫作, 寧靜地渡過節日也是幸福！

適逢最近電視重播明珠930～還記得是我多年前每每不用加班便在家追看的節目. 昨晚重播 La La Land 星聲夢裡人, 其中一部我較喜愛的電影. 它的"名氣" 不用我多説, 有齊電影賣座的元素, 而電影中的歌曲實在好聽. 主角  Ryan Gosling 及Emma Stone 把我們帶入如幻似真的追夢之旅, 原創歌曲 City of Star 是百聽不厭, 他們的演譯, 爵士樂演奏和舞姿也是細緻和優美.…

第二次重看, 卻被一場講述 Emma Stone 試鏡時所唱的一首歌深深吸引, 非常可能, 它會取代City of Star 在我心中的位置… 對了! 正是 The Fools Who Dream (節錄如下)

 

一個唱出來的故事, Mia ( Emma Stone) 劇中角色, 一心夢想成為演員; 述說姑姑在巴黎塞納河 的一次 ‘瘋狂’ 行為...

“Leapt without looking 

And tumbled into the Seine

The water was freezing 

She spent a month sneezing

But said she would do it again

Here’s to the one who dream

Foolish as they may seem

Here’s to the hearts that ache

Here’s to the mess we make...

... A bit of madness is key

To give us new colors to see

Who know where it will lead us

And that’s why they need us...   “

(Song:Justin Hurwitz/ Lyrics: Benj Pasek & Justin Noble Paul/ Performed by: Emma Stone)

無論對追尋成為純爵士樂手的 Sebastian (Ryan 電影中角色) 還是演員的Mia 而言, 對他們內心的爭扎, 還能有更貼的形容嗎? 追夢似乎是愚不可及, 尤其當我們山窮水盡, 生活拮據之時, 我們會懷疑自己的能力, 不確定的所謂才華, 甚至可能枉費了的時日.…但這裡卻再次告訴追夢者

 

追夢的瘋狂正是令你生命不再一樣的鑰匙 !   

 

你願意和我們一起瘋狂嗎 ?!

 

Petite Fleur

 

It's easy to find a garden you like anywhere in Paris, there will be one nearby, the well known: Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, Jardin des Plantes, Parc du Champ de Mars (the one next to Eiffel Tower); or Parc des Buttes-Chaumont, Parc laVillette...,etc.Some others are more private, like this one inside Musée Rodin, or the one in Maison et Jardins de Claude Monet. But from time to time when I pass the streets, other forms of "garden" can be found.

Here they are, somewhere near the Saint Paul's Village, so cool, right? Looks like an unfinished painting on canvas, more to go & imagine!Or, most of the times, you will find small flowerbeds are right next to your appartment, along the street or at most of the Parisian's balcony. It's difficult for me to miss any of them because they are so flourish and attractive. 

And you will never be disappointed because, here in Paris, people not only create their own garden wherever possible, but take great care and keep cultivate, that's why they are always look amazing. If the same theory applies to the secret garden in our heart, I am sure it works 101%, too! Wish you can find yours in this Merry Christmas ;)

Jardin du Luxembourg

22 October 2019, Day 10

A super cold and foggy morning, I am in the Luxembourg garden right now, it's on the Left bank in 6e, a bit larger than Jardin de Tuileries; more trees of maple & chestnut, beautiful fallen leaves...

Here is the "postcard" shot in my guide book that attracted me, although quite difference due to the weather, I am glad that I do come to have my Vienna chocolate inside...being their first client of the day. 

My original plan do not include Luxembourg because I tend to spend more time in the Louvre, but unfortunately...& fortunately I have extra days due to the limitation of my museum pass, and that's my reward in return, I am so so lucky.

Walking in Luxembourg, the feeling is quite different from that in Tuileries; Tree vs Flowers, which is my favorite,?...both? I guess. But I think the location do affect a bit of my impression because Luxembourg is located in the Latin Quarter, a student area, whereas Tuileries is in the Louvre & Les Halles district, an epicentral; in addition, Shakespeare & Company bookshop is nearby, that's why, here, is more tranquil & poetic. 

Flower arrangement here is also have it's own style, not as "romantic" as that in Tuileries, but still very well planned and delicate. Their idea of Mosaic-culture to create a plantation promenage, feel free to enjoy...

...& feel free to explore!

This is the only photo that I can record to let you know where I was. I've just sneak into a huge store, behind a pair of white painted closing doors, there are two levels of platforms for the storage of orange trees; it's very interesting, because they are quite large actually, may be around 3 meter high, but look  like they are "babies"; well protected to keep them warm with sufficient air vent above, and just having their breakfast...

I do want to walk closer to smell and touch them, but the store keeper who is watering somewhere in the dark corner discover me, so...I failed...but still excited, ha ha!

Here is a citrus in another corner of the garden to compensate my lost, what a lovely orange hue in the autumn leaves with slight refreshing aroma, too.

Well, maple, chestnut trees, fountains, sculpture, mosaic-culture planter beds, orange tree, hot choclate, museum...,etc; you name it, or even more are the treasure of Luxembourg for the Parisian & tourist.

The locals have their unforgettable childhood memories in this garden, and as a tourist, I find mine's too, guess what? 

I hope you do enjoy to walk with me today, Au revoir!

 

If only if...I can...wait

 18 October 2019 , Day 5

Early in the morning at 0830, I am walking towards Jardin des Tuileries, it seems "someone" would like to be my companion, what a lovely moonlight in the morning, Bonjour! 

If you still remember, my hotel is at a superb location, it takes within half an hour to reach my destination, walking relaxing in the blue; a bit cold and wet due to rainy night but refreshing aroma of the streets, I can still remember clearly at this moment. 

Art Nouveau  Metro is always my favorite; may be it's week day, people are crowded under ground but not in the garden, so it's all mine, bravo!

It's almost 0927, inside Tuileries, thick cloud replace the morning blue, as far as I can see the sun ray behind, I am sure to wait just for a little longer, everything will be clear and brighter, because I am longing for the beautiful garden in a sunny weather, just like those photos in my travel book, keep waiting...I tell myself...for a little longer...

Sometime Wishes may not always come true, I am a bit disappointed to see all the gorgeous flowers are covered under the shade of grey...should I wait further ?! 

It may be a good idea to take sometime visiting Musée de I'Orangerie first, then Jeu de Paume, follow by Petite Palace, and to finish up by Grand Palace...may be the Sun will come out in the afternoon...I tell myself...

It's not as smooth as I think, because my museum pass do not allow my access to Jeu de Paume & Grand Palace, and I've decided to walk the whole way back to hotel from Champs-Elysée. While walking through  Jardin desTuileries again, miracle happens...or I should say, Wishes come true!

"All things bright & beautiful, all creatures great & small....."  

Voila! I am with them now, enjoy!

P.S. - where have all the flowers gone?....gone to pages in my book :P