10th August, 2009 - Posted by Minter Dial - No Comments
When I was in London recently, I observed a lady parking warden walk up to a street sign and snap some close up photographs. It was a curious sight, as I initially imagined that it might be a cross between curiosity and tourism. Then, she went some five or so metres back and started taking »
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4th June, 2009 - Posted by Minter Dial - 3 Comments
Another Idea for the Environment:
Eco-Conscious Parking Cards
Parisian parking metre
I have long enjoyed the card machines that you use in Paris to pay for your street parking. Originally, you used coins to pay, then they introduced the prepaid cards (e.g. 10€ or 30€ option). Naturally, it took some getting used to »
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11th February, 2009 - Posted by Minter Dial - No Comments
The wheels are coming off the track for the Vélib bicycle programme in Paris, a subject I have been following since its inception. According to this BBC write-up (taken in turn from Le Parisien), the Parisians seem to have taken a little too much liberty with the vélo liberté…It seems that, after 18 months, »
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26th October, 2008 - Posted by Minter Dial - 2 Comments
The Wisdom of Winnowing Words?
I have often read, with keen interest, about the addition of new words to a language, typically to French and English where I can gauge the novelty, meaning and importance of the word(s) in question. Last week, however, I came across a TIME magazine article (European edition, October 20, »
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22nd March, 2008 - Posted by Minter Dial - 2 Comments
I would like to share with you with a little thought today.
There used to be a time when I thought it desirable to live life in the fast lane. What does that mean? Well, by my understanding it means living with time whizzing by, memories blurring, names & faces forgotten and years merging »
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5th February, 2008 - Posted by Minter Dial - No Comments
Are Men and Women So Different?
An advocate of diversity and a student of women’s studies at university, I keep an eagle eye on topics concerning equality. That said, there are also many ways to express and give value to the differences between men and women.
A few years ago, it was determined (by »
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3rd November, 2007 - Posted by Minter Dial - No Comments
How can a beautiful Paris keep its soul? This is basically the question posed in this great article in The Guardian: “Battle for the Soul of a City” by Andrew Hussey. Turned onto this article by Notes from Paris (thanks F), I was delighted by the open and in-depth analysis of Paris, complete »
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28th August, 2007 - Posted by Minter Dial - No Comments
(English version of prior post written in French)
A trip to the village of Eymoutiers (pop C. 3000), in the Limousin area of France, for a weekend of relaxation with the family. This is the village about which I wrote in a prior post, where the Casino supermarket is open Sunday.
On the way down (via SNCF) »
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14th July, 2007 - Posted by Minter Dial - 3 Comments
English Version (version française ci-dessous):
En velo tout lemonde!! I have just found out, via This French Life blog, about the “Velib” service that goes into effect in Paris this Sunday – a day after the 14th July celebrations and synchronized with the beginning of the Tour de France. There »
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22nd May, 2007 - Posted by Minter Dial - No Comments
They say that what most makes London the capital of the world (today anyway, sorry New York) is that it is the premier financial hub. Attracting immigrants from everywhere — immigrants that want to work and achieve — London is abuzz with activity. Building cranes span the horizon despite the world famous grey »
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22nd May, 2007 - Posted by Minter Dial - 2 Comments
Having spent basically all my life living in big metropolitan centres around the [western] world, I am prone to wax on about their long vaunted advantages: cultural centre, variety of people, business opportunities, anonymity, blah blah blah. Then there are the ordinary complaints, such as the cost of living, getting kids into schools, parking, »
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14th May, 2007 - Posted by Minter Dial - 6 Comments
I could not help but smile at the pleasantness of the subject: death goes green. And of course, they are doing it down under, witness this Australian museum (on-line). There are 2150 hits on google for “biodegradable coffin” (although just 700 on yahoo). Then, in good ‘ole Green Britain, there is an »
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