Monday, May 20, 2013
Cocktails with Courtney - May
It's been cold and rainy since Winter "stopped." People have been complaining of a terrible Spring. It's definitely an indicator of Global Warming--and freezing. In either case, it's always sunny in a Cocktails with Courtney event! Our next one is May 30th so sign up and come enjoy a convivial evening with like-minded people.
Saturday, May 18, 2013
I think it's time.
I've been painfully aware of the lack of posts to my dear Cyber Scene. I have at least four Cocktails with Courtney events to write-up. I think it's time for me to admit--I will get these posts written, but in the meantime, I've decided to break the barrier and put my personal life experiences here in France amidst my tech writings. I hope you'll find them as amusing as I do! ;) A tout a l'heure!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Another Startup Weekend in France
...another weekend at home...
Well, last weekend (16-18 November) was not the official Startup Weekend, but a special one by HEC. I, however, was home inside with my little boy who caught Scarlet Fever on Friday, 15 November. Sure there are plenty of entrepreneurial moms who would've left the little one home in the good care of his Papa, but I guess I have to admit I am enjoying being a home body and caring for my toddler when I can.
My flame for start-ups and Life Entrepreneurial is still burning deep within...but I just don't have it in me to run around and have to meet everyone and go everywhere like I used to. There's plenty of time for that once he's in school full-time.
Anyway. There always will be another startup, and there always will be another Startup Weekend. Like on February 8-10.
My flame for start-ups and Life Entrepreneurial is still burning deep within...but I just don't have it in me to run around and have to meet everyone and go everywhere like I used to. There's plenty of time for that once he's in school full-time.
Anyway. There always will be another startup, and there always will be another Startup Weekend. Like on February 8-10.
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Back from Bretagne
Well after a week in Bretagne I am slowly gearing back up into "work mode." There was, interestingly, a Start-up Weekend in a town 20 minutes from where we were.
Créez votre start-up en un week-end : c’est le programme du StartUp Week-end de Lannion. Les inscriptions sont ouvertes !
Startup Week-end à Lannion : 54 heures pour créer !
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Odyssea in Paris
On November 7th, along with about 10 other lovely ladies, I donned a pink shirt, pink flower in my hair and pink sweatband on my wrist and walked for the cause against Breast Cancer.
It was a gloriously warm day and we were encouraged by bands on the side:
It was a gloriously warm day and we were encouraged by bands on the side:
- an all-woman drum brigade at the start;
- a rag-taggle "Grunge-Soul" band that looked a bit disinterested and/or like they were a left-over from the previous night's "Nuit Blanche" and forgot to pack up;
- and then by a brass band consisting of older men and women in colorful traditional-costumes.
Wednesday, August 01, 2012
Courtney's Summer of Museums: Arenes de Lutece
Good morning! Well, it was...until I tried to Velib' my way around the city... The Velib' is such a good idea, in concept, and I really do like it. But the problem for me is that I am a New York City gal and I am used to a grid. Take me off the grid and all sorts of "adventures" happen.
The problems today were:
1st bike: flat tire
2nd bike was okay but I got distracted and went down a route I didn't want so had a longer journey than I needed to make. argh.
Then I couldn't figure out where the Velib' station was to drop-off the bike. (Maybe the bus would've been easier?)
After the Arenes de Lutece (more on that later), I waited 7 minutes for a bus trip that was only 3 minutes long and could've walked there in the same time. Then I couldn't find where the next bus station was for the transfer. And I was right in front of a Velib' station. So... do I dare attempt this for my next journey? I hesitated because the next trip meant going on the Quai, which is a busy street with a lot of city buses, trucks and fast drivers trying to cross Paris. Plus, would I know where my turn was so I could finish the trip on a quieter street? (No)
I decided since I was right in front of a Velib' station I should go for it. The first bike didn't seem right. Back into the gate. Next bike was okay but I crossed the street like a pedestrian and realized I just needed to shoot straight across to get into the right direction. TERROR! Cars were honking at me because a large portion of the street (like much of Paris this summer) is under construction so it was just a one-lane street. I'm sorry but I wasn't going to risk my life just for these cars...but they honked and yelled at me anyway. So of course I yelled back at them as I was clutching the handbars for dear life.
It was not a relaxing journey. I need a GPS I can attach to my bike so I don't have to stop at red lights to look at my iPhone.
The Arenes de Lutece were interesting, albeit a brief. It is a former (1st century) arena ala Greek and Roman era. It was interesting to stand in it and think about the beasts vs. man tournaments held there "back in the day." The arena is still used to this day for various concerts and performances. It was surrounded by a nice neighborhood and a beautiful garden and playground on one side.
I'm off on two vacation trips for the rest of August but will resume my Museum tours in September!
The problems today were:
1st bike: flat tire
2nd bike was okay but I got distracted and went down a route I didn't want so had a longer journey than I needed to make. argh.
Then I couldn't figure out where the Velib' station was to drop-off the bike. (Maybe the bus would've been easier?)
After the Arenes de Lutece (more on that later), I waited 7 minutes for a bus trip that was only 3 minutes long and could've walked there in the same time. Then I couldn't find where the next bus station was for the transfer. And I was right in front of a Velib' station. So... do I dare attempt this for my next journey? I hesitated because the next trip meant going on the Quai, which is a busy street with a lot of city buses, trucks and fast drivers trying to cross Paris. Plus, would I know where my turn was so I could finish the trip on a quieter street? (No)
I decided since I was right in front of a Velib' station I should go for it. The first bike didn't seem right. Back into the gate. Next bike was okay but I crossed the street like a pedestrian and realized I just needed to shoot straight across to get into the right direction. TERROR! Cars were honking at me because a large portion of the street (like much of Paris this summer) is under construction so it was just a one-lane street. I'm sorry but I wasn't going to risk my life just for these cars...but they honked and yelled at me anyway. So of course I yelled back at them as I was clutching the handbars for dear life.
It was not a relaxing journey. I need a GPS I can attach to my bike so I don't have to stop at red lights to look at my iPhone.
The Arenes de Lutece were interesting, albeit a brief. It is a former (1st century) arena ala Greek and Roman era. It was interesting to stand in it and think about the beasts vs. man tournaments held there "back in the day." The arena is still used to this day for various concerts and performances. It was surrounded by a nice neighborhood and a beautiful garden and playground on one side.
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| Arenes de Lutece |
I'm off on two vacation trips for the rest of August but will resume my Museum tours in September!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Courtney's Summer of Museums: Musee Baccarat
Wednesday, July 25th I went to the Musee Baccarat, which was in fact, very small. There were three rooms and the largest had four cases displaying crystal over the centuries according to a theme, and not chronologically. The museum is housed in Baccarat's headquarters, also home to their three boutiques and the famous Cristal Room restaurant. I visited everything, staring with the Museum. Formerly the private home of Vicountess Maire-Laure de Noailles and her husband Charles, this hotel particular was designed with pomp and tradition, hosting salons and magical parties dedicated to famous painters, writers and musicians (Buneuel, Jean Cocteau, Man Ray).
The first room housed the massive and impressive Tsa Nicholas II candelabra as well as other large-scale crystal works. I was surrounded in the next room by four walls covered in canvas painted by Gerard Garouste. Depicting Earth, Water, Air and Fire, the four elements needed to make crystal, this room had two display cases showing some of the more unique pieces including the famous Simon vases and pieces for various Universal Exhibitions. The next room was the largest with four cases showing works based on exquisite craftsmanship, famous designers, prestigious commissions and commissions from "far away" lands.
After this short visit I peeked in the Cristal Room restaurant, and after looking at the menu, decided to dine there. I had a delicious meal and appreciated the crystal touches throughout the service and the room, which was impressive with its massive black marble walls, gold trim and plush rose pink banquettes. When the last petit-four was popped in my mouth and as I savored the lingering flavors, I headed down to the boutiques and appreciated the vast array of fine tableware, glassware, jewelry and other objets d'art for purchase, all the while sipping some water in a lovely Baccarat glass handed to me as I entered the shop.
The first room housed the massive and impressive Tsa Nicholas II candelabra as well as other large-scale crystal works. I was surrounded in the next room by four walls covered in canvas painted by Gerard Garouste. Depicting Earth, Water, Air and Fire, the four elements needed to make crystal, this room had two display cases showing some of the more unique pieces including the famous Simon vases and pieces for various Universal Exhibitions. The next room was the largest with four cases showing works based on exquisite craftsmanship, famous designers, prestigious commissions and commissions from "far away" lands.
After this short visit I peeked in the Cristal Room restaurant, and after looking at the menu, decided to dine there. I had a delicious meal and appreciated the crystal touches throughout the service and the room, which was impressive with its massive black marble walls, gold trim and plush rose pink banquettes. When the last petit-four was popped in my mouth and as I savored the lingering flavors, I headed down to the boutiques and appreciated the vast array of fine tableware, glassware, jewelry and other objets d'art for purchase, all the while sipping some water in a lovely Baccarat glass handed to me as I entered the shop.
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| 2012 Baccarrat Musee |
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