THE BORE

General => The Superdeep Borehole => Topic started by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 10, 2008, 09:09:47 PM

Title: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 10, 2008, 09:09:47 PM
[youtube=425,350]FUVagbFcSUU[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUVagbFcSUU

[youtube=425,350]TmS0DU1ERNQ[/youtube]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmS0DU1ERNQ

So, in about an hour the shuttle is going to come pick me up and take me to Paris for a week for work. Wow, so awesome! I have a lot of meetings and such during the day but I should have most evenings free. I have a really nicely located hotel near the Champs Elysees (or, as the French call it, "le Champs-Élysées") so I should hopefully get some sightseeing in. I have my camera and will be taking lots of fotos.

I want to:
- Visit a comic store (I mean bande dessinées lol, I mean le rire)
- Visit a game store and find GO GO BECKHAM
- Shack up with a lonely French girl on Valentine's Day somewhere in LA CITE D'AMOUR, HOH HOH HOH

I will keep this thread update with MES ADVENTURES!! A BIENTOT MES AMIS!
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Mr. Gundam on February 10, 2008, 09:11:29 PM
Have a great trip!
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 10, 2008, 09:11:34 PM
if you could do me an absolutely awesome favor.  could i convince you to snag for me a copy of Persepolis in french?  I can pay you for the book and for shipping when you return home.  it would make an excellent gift for a friend.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 10, 2008, 09:12:56 PM
sure, I'll keep an eye out 4 it. I am also gonna try to find the UK Fluffy
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Van Cruncheon on February 10, 2008, 10:16:19 PM
va te faire foutre, tu es un taco

(note that it is pronounced cigarillo-oh)
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Smooth Groove on February 10, 2008, 10:18:13 PM
Have fun and hopefully your trip will rid your of your Asian fetishes. 
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Mr. Gundam on February 10, 2008, 10:28:13 PM
Have fun and hopefully your trip will rid your of your Asian fetishes. 

France has a pretty big soft spot for Asian culture, actually.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: drew on February 10, 2008, 10:43:05 PM
Prole's phrase is good, here's another one you can't get by without:

"Mange merde et mordie"

translation:  eat shit and die


Use at your own discretion, I recommend trying it on beggars.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: warcock on February 11, 2008, 02:14:00 AM
When you feel like a sad panda and some frenchie mocks your american heritage use this:

"mange de la marde, tabarnak"
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Himu on February 11, 2008, 02:21:08 AM
have a good time
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: T-Short on February 11, 2008, 03:12:58 AM
- Visit a game store and find GO GO BECKHAM

hoho, good luck with that

spoiler (click to show/hide)
if you find one, i'll kill you for it
[close]

Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: TVC15 on February 11, 2008, 03:37:35 AM
Have fun, Patel!
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Ichirou on February 11, 2008, 04:21:19 AM
I bet you made this thread just to make the rest of us jealous.  Well, it worked, at least in my case.  Have a great time, take a few pictures, shag a few french hotties.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 11, 2008, 08:17:35 AM
oh and remember, ask a frenchman "sprechen zie deutsch?"  when they say "non" you say "you're welcome"
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: tiesto on February 11, 2008, 09:42:29 AM
Lucky bastard, I loved Paris... if you have the time, I recommend checking out some of the castles outside of the city limits - Chambord, Chenonceau, and of course Versailles. I loved that shit. I don't think I've ever seen a higher concentration of ass than when I was in Paris and a high school let out. Definitely hook up with a French girl if you get the chance...
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 11, 2008, 02:44:27 PM
L'UPDATE: I am in PAREE, at the Rive Gauche Marriott

I managed to sleep almost 8 hours on the plane, which is unheard of.

http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/parst-paris-marriott-rive-gauche-hotel-and-conference-center/

I just paid 100 Euros for a week of hotel Internet. I can expense it back but holy fucking Jesus.

I will try to take a picture out my hotel room before din din.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 11, 2008, 03:05:02 PM
Gotta run, photos later tonight
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: T-Short on February 11, 2008, 03:44:36 PM
100 euros??? that's incredible.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Mr. Gundam on February 11, 2008, 04:13:07 PM
I remember being shocked to find a Virgin Megastore connected to Lourve when I visited Paris back in 1997. It just seemed wrong, for some reason.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 11, 2008, 06:48:24 PM
Back!

Went to dinner at an awesome French restaurant called Chez Papa (http://www.chezpapa13.com/), or as the Seattlites would call it, "Daddy's House." Had foie gras, escargot, and an awesome sliced duck breast in pepper sauce with fried potatoes. Other table goers got duck breast in a peach creme sauce that was stupendous, and a yummy yummy cassoulet.

I will not get to eat this nice every evening. :(

Some photos:

(http://i30.tinypic.com/2mxnb44.jpg)
View from my hotel window.

(http://i26.tinypic.com/fvikc8.jpg)
Metro entrance/exit near my hotel.

(http://i27.tinypic.com/ayk2vn.jpg)
Chez Papa. (That is not me mosaiced.)

(http://i29.tinypic.com/10px1s0.jpg)
Chez Papa sign.

(http://i32.tinypic.com/14wq4hh.jpg)
I give this store a 6.8!

Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 11, 2008, 06:51:29 PM
Also: French girls are totally hot. I realize now that I don't have an Asian fetish so much as a non-American fetish. America! THE WORST WOMEN IN THE WORLD!
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: TVC15 on February 11, 2008, 06:56:30 PM
Also: French girls are totally hot. I realize now that I don't have an Asian fetish so much as a non-American fetish. America! THE WORST WOMEN IN THE WORLD!

That's basically right!
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: brawndolicious on February 11, 2008, 08:24:12 PM
Have fun and hopefully your trip will rid your of your Asian fetishes. 

France has a pretty big soft spot for Asian culture, actually.
yeah, paris has some sort of japanese culture museum.

but paris is a total hell hole.  french people, at least those in the south in Nice, are really nice but people in paris are arrogant as hell.  you could visit the Louvre but don't be a douche and spend a lot of time around the Mona Lisa like most tourists, it's underwhelming.  there's a lot of cool statues though.  you could go around the eiffel tower too but that's just a big-ass tower.  you can only walk up the first 300 steps though.  you have to pay for an elevator ride the rest of the way.

and paris people are really proud.  claim you're canadian, because they'll throw shit wrapped in crepes at you if they find out you're american (exagerration but seriously claim you're american).
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: brawndolicious on February 11, 2008, 08:27:07 PM
I went on bastille day, they were probably sick of tourists.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 12, 2008, 12:17:32 AM
What kind of wine did you have?

oh look it's 5 AM and I'm awake :gloomy

um, a 2002 red. I forget the name. a cabernet something.

I am not a wine connosieur. a wino?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Smooth Groove on February 12, 2008, 12:20:36 AM
Don't French women only shower once a week?  :yuck
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 12, 2008, 01:22:44 AM
PROTIP

If it's 6 AM and you can't get to sleep, don't turn on the TV or you might see This Video:

[youtube=425,350]rNdvAe78TFM[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNdvAe78TFM
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: brawndolicious on February 12, 2008, 01:35:01 AM
Try not to watch tv in Euroland.

I forgot to tell you this tip: Don't drive anywhere far.  The highways are confusing (well, different) and they charge a toll every time you go on them.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 12, 2008, 05:59:05 AM
I just traded 30 Twinkies for the original floppy run of Milligan's Enigma.

:bow Europe :bow
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Oblivion on February 12, 2008, 06:00:03 AM
Potentially stupid question, but you didn't have to pay for your tickets or lodging, did you?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 12, 2008, 06:02:10 AM
no, I'm on the Business Express
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Oblivion on February 12, 2008, 06:05:59 AM
Ah, coolies then.

If anyone gives you a hard time, just remind them who saved their asses from the Germans. Twice!
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 12, 2008, 08:40:56 AM
PROTIP

If it's 6 AM and you can't get to sleep, don't turn on the TV or you might see This Video:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNdvAe78TFM

ew

what hath electro wrought?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 12, 2008, 01:06:59 PM
ugggh a week of meeting with external vendors is going to melt what little of my jet-lagged brain remains
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 13, 2008, 06:37:16 AM
ugh, yesterday was 14 hours of internal/external interviews. dinner was nice, though; lamb chops, haricot s vert and pomme frites, and, uh, an apple tarte tatin. nom nom nom.

I was up for 20 hours so I finally got close to kicking jet lag, except I only got like 6.5 hours sleep in the end. ugggh.

tonight is LA LOUVRE
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: bork on February 13, 2008, 07:55:54 AM
This thread is awesome!  :bow More please!

PROTIP

If it's 6 AM and you can't get to sleep, don't turn on the TV or you might see This Video:

[youtube=425,350]rNdvAe78TFM[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNdvAe78TFM

Is it bad that I like this?  (The song, anyway)
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 13, 2008, 09:51:35 AM
Lunch was an Andouillette sausage in a mustard cream sauce :drool

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/18/Andouillette.jpg/800px-Andouillette.jpg)

Say, what's in an Andouillette anyhow?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andouillette

:-X

just kidding, it's really :drool :drool :drool
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 13, 2008, 09:56:04 AM
Quote
French andouillette, on the other hand, is an acquired taste and can be an interesting challenge even for adventurous eaters who don't object to the taste or aroma of feces.
what?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 13, 2008, 09:56:37 AM
yeah I have no idea what that Wikipedia entry is on about

my lunch hardly tasted like pig poo at all
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 13, 2008, 09:59:26 AM
well fuck.  now i'm curious.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: demi on February 13, 2008, 09:59:39 AM
lol, fries and green beans. i thought only blacks ate that.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: tiesto on February 13, 2008, 10:40:38 AM
lol, fries and green beans. i thought only blacks ate that.

No, they eat fried chicken and watermelon, get your stereotypes straight!

spoiler (click to show/hide)
fried chicken and watermelon kick ass
[close]
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Akala on February 13, 2008, 01:23:54 PM
Throw a Euro into the "St. Michael smiting a demon" statue in the Latin Quarter! It's pretty near Ile de la cite, if memory serves. It will bring you good luck!  :D

I loved Paris. I was there for about two months a few years back.

If you have a chance/urge to do anything touristy, I recommend Sacre Coer.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 13, 2008, 01:37:42 PM
actually it turns out that Andouillette's stuffing is known in the US as "chitlins." so maybe demi's racism is more on target than he knew.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: disgruntled_jojo on February 13, 2008, 07:59:11 PM
This thread is awesome!  :bow More please!

PROTIP

If it's 6 AM and you can't get to sleep, don't turn on the TV or you might see This Video:

[youtube=425,350]rNdvAe78TFM[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNdvAe78TFM

Is it bad that I like this?  (The song, anyway)

Yes it's bad.  I'm right there with you, though.  Also, the video's not all bad either - the asian chick is kinda cute.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: TVC15 on February 13, 2008, 08:07:24 PM
So patel basically gave a hog analingus?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: demi on February 13, 2008, 08:18:35 PM
actually it turns out that Andouillette's stuffing is known in the US as "chitlins." so maybe demi's racism is more on target than he knew.

don't spin this like i'm the bad guy. you tossed a dead pig.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 13, 2008, 08:26:11 PM
dinner tonight was at the Paris modern art museum, the Centre Georges Pompidou. an inside-out post-industrial building brutalist complex slapped together in the 1970s much to the chagrin of Parisians everywhere. it is a rather awesome building though.

(http://www.vuillemet.com/blog-vuillemet/images/image-mois/beaubourg.jpg)

(http://www.kottke.org/plus/photos/200105europe/pompidou01.jpg)

the 5th floor is the "Kandinsky library" but it's only open to "authorized persons" and "credentials needed." I'm trying to figure out what credentials are needed tomorrow so I can falsify them on Friday and go back to the museum on Saturday.

The museum restaurant was way too hip for its own good, decor-wise, and the waitresses were all undernourished waifs wearing brightly colored potato sacks. The veal was way overcooked, but the escargot-in-shells starter and cheesecake tart with white cheese ice cream were both excellent.

Great view of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc. at night. Some pics to follow tomorrow. For now, back to bed for another 6 hours of sleep...
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: bud on February 13, 2008, 08:39:05 PM
did you taste the $10 coffee yet? tell me if it's worth it.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: TVC15 on February 13, 2008, 08:44:06 PM
dinner tonight was at the Paris modern art museum, the Centre Georges Pompidou. an inside-out post-industrial building brutalist complex slapped together in the 1970s much to the chagrin of Parisians everywhere. it is a rather awesome building though.

(http://www.vuillemet.com/blog-vuillemet/images/image-mois/beaubourg.jpg)

(http://www.kottke.org/plus/photos/200105europe/pompidou01.jpg)

the 5th floor is the "Kandinsky library" but it's only open to "authorized persons" and "credentials needed." I'm trying to figure out what credentials are needed tomorrow so I can falsify them on Friday and go back to the museum on Saturday.

The museum restaurant was way too hip for its own good, decor-wise, and the waitresses were all undernourished waifs wearing brightly colored potato sacks. The veal was way overcooked, but the escargot-in-shells starter and cheesecake tart with white cheese ice cream were both excellent.

Great view of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc. at night. Some pics to follow tomorrow. For now, back to bed for another 6 hours of sleep...

OH MY FUCKING GOD I AM CUMMMMMING

I need to go to Paris :(
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: warcock on February 13, 2008, 08:59:14 PM
vive la france literature.!1

OH wtf is sacre coer did you mean sacre coeur... pilgramage!?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Akala on February 13, 2008, 11:04:19 PM
OH wtf is sacre coer did you mean sacre coeur... pilgramage!?

Sacre Coer/Coeur is the most awesome church ever, even if you're not really into that sort of thing.

(http://i26.tinypic.com/vrejbk.jpg)
 :bow :bow :bow

The church sits on a very high hill in the Montmartre district of Paris. The advice I got, that I repeat to everyone, is that once you start your ascent, don't look back until you've reached the church doors. The view is staggering. You also have the option at that point to keep climbing up to the spires. I consider it the best view in Paris.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
(http://i32.tinypic.com/2w6h449.jpg)
[close]
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 07:48:35 AM
ugh, VPN is broken and I can only do it from the hotel

this means I am going to be out until 1 AM tonight being entertained and then get back to the hotel and have 1-2 hours of work to do BEFORE waking up at 730 AM tomorrow to come into the office for more vendor interviews

VIVA LA FRANCE
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 08:03:05 AM
J'AI FAIM

JE VOUDRAIS MANGER QUELQUECHOSE

GO AWAY STUPID VENDOR
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 10:33:44 AM
PERSEPOLIS GET :D

32€ :S
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 10:53:05 AM
so I took an hour or so off this afternoon after lunch, while my boss is meeting with vendors that I don't need to. I went to a nearby MALL and enjoyed French retail.

(http://img.presence-pc.com/dossiers/350/Fnac.jpg)

First, I went to an fnac (http://www.fnac.com). This is kind of like a French Best Buy (movies, music, games, electronics) but it also has an extensive book section. I was kind of surprised by how expensive games were--most next-gen titles were 60€ or 70€ (euros), which is like $90 to $105. Wow just wow. I know that direct currency comparing is pretty stupid, especially with a third-world currency like the U.S. dollar, but that is goddamned expensive. Prices in general are dollars, only with a euro sign instead. Gee.

The Persepolis DVD just went on sale, so there was a big push on that, but only French and Polish subtitles. :(

(http://www.album.fr/images/sinscrire/album_logobleu.jpg)

I also went to a comics shop called Album (http://www.album.fr/), which is where I got the Persepolis book. I was surprised by the breadth of genre--I knew that France had a vibrant comics scene, but I couldn't really find any unifying "genres" the way that a lot of Japanese stuff falls into shonen/shojo, harem, etc. There were a lot of western (as in cowboy) comics, pirate comics, spy/assassin comics, diary comics, etc. Most of the English stuff I saw in translation was diary stuff like American Elf, Blankets, etc.

I was also surprised by the main format--it was the prestige "album" of the store's title; kind of like a TPB, only just 48 pages long or so. I didn't see any floppies at all; even first-run comics seemed to release in these thin hardcover "chapters." There were a bunch of comics that looked pretty damn interesting--too bad about my French. I saw one called Sept Psychopathes about a group of seven British psychopaths contracted to assassinate Hitler. Killer 7 x killing Hitler = now that's a high concept!

(http://culture.froggytest.com/modules/xoopsgallery/cache/albums/albuo97/Sept_psychopathes.sized.jpg)

I was also surprised to see a (relatively) robust first-run French-language manga parody series. c.f. Death Joke:

(http://img174.imageshack.us/img174/4085/djxz3.jpg)

I guess I was most surprised because the Japanese market is based on black-and-white artwork turned around quickly and cheap, disposability. The French market appears to be thriving on a totally different model based around glossy color first-run hardcovers.

American comics :gloomy

fucking goddamned superhero bullshit motherfuck, MOTHERFUCK :maf

anyways, that's this afternoon's update

Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: bagofeyes on February 14, 2008, 11:00:14 AM
Reminds me of the prices of things back in Australia. Regardless of how well the dollar is doing everything costs double the American price.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Tauntaun on February 14, 2008, 11:03:00 AM
that's pretty awesome, those comics
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: tiesto on February 14, 2008, 11:29:31 AM
Yeah I remember FNAC, going in there and getting an early Chemical Bros album (my first trip to Europe ironically coincided with me getting into EDM), and then I saw a copy of FF7 PAL, and it was like 350 or so francs, it was ridiculous... Plus Europe didn't get shit when it came to good games for a long while (and they still get fucked over constantly), man I would hate to live there for my gaming hobby (but for my dating cute women hobby, no other place is more ideal).
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 12:02:07 PM
complete lack of sleep
x
trying to do work via webmail client
x
single on valentine's day in paris
x
manic street preacher's the holy bible
=
total mental breakdown
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 14, 2008, 12:23:27 PM
PERSEPOLIS GET :D

32€ :S

jesus
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: T-Short on February 14, 2008, 12:37:51 PM
Centre Pompidou is nice yeah. Nice stuff in the bookstore in there. I got some pics of it too, sadly no good ones of the funky piping on the rear side of the building.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 14, 2008, 12:56:50 PM
there was an attempt with humanoid publishing to bring over more french stuff

but of course we only got the distinguished mentally-challenged fellow monkey sci fi because that's all they could sell to comic stores
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 01:08:20 PM
do you know any French comiques to recommend to me
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Tauntaun on February 14, 2008, 01:33:32 PM
do you know any French comiques to recommend to me

non
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Akala on February 14, 2008, 01:42:41 PM
(http://i31.tinypic.com/9sh2y1.jpg)
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 14, 2008, 01:51:21 PM
do you know any French comiques to recommend to me

how well do you read french?

i know a lot of english translated stuff, but no actual french stuff
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 07:05:00 PM
I read all of Tintin as a child

I took 7 years of French, I can read it okay
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Smooth Groove on February 14, 2008, 07:12:37 PM
Tintin :bow

Patel, tell me more about the food.  Are you drinking Orangina everyday?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 07:27:02 PM
yes, I'm having like 2-3 cans of Orangina a day.

dinner tonight was at a death metal steakhouse/bar called The Black Dog:

http://www.blackdog-bar.com/

(http://www.blackdog-bar.com/modules/galerie/fichiers/20070217110541_add_2.jpg)

it was all fun and games until the Spanish team started ordering absinthe shots

(http://tn3-2.deviantart.com/300W/i/2003/39/2/8/La_Fee_Verte.jpg)

I came home a bit early (midnight lol) cause I had to do some work from the hotel

I did said work and am now going to attempt to get more than 6 hours sleep
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Smooth Groove on February 14, 2008, 07:33:20 PM
Looks cool.  What did you order?

 Did you drink any absinthe?  Euros are so hardcore. 
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 14, 2008, 07:36:34 PM
I got the "levrette" steak. If you don't know what "levrette" means, run a google image search. (Don't do this, it is French for "doggy style") It was 400 grams.

yes, of course I drank some absinthe. I'm not a fucking pussy.

spoiler (click to show/hide)
I made faces like this though: ??? :-X :S :o :spin
[close]
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Eric P on February 15, 2008, 01:15:23 AM
I HAVE CREATED A THREAD JUST FOR YOU CONTAINING SOMETHING WHICH I THINK YOU WOULD ENJOY
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Ichirou on February 15, 2008, 01:18:34 AM
do you know any French comiques to recommend to me

I just recommended some stuff to you via PM.  Spirou et Fantasio.  Check it out, it's wonderful stuff - look for the older Franquin editions, especially.  He did his best work when he was on that series (created the Marsupilami, too).
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 15, 2008, 01:39:46 PM
WOW JUST WOW

Guess what, a game company is a good place to get some comic recommendations. ;)

I let it be known that I was going to look for a comic shop tomorrow and that I was interested in picking up some "classic" French/Belgian SF lists. Next thing I know, word has spread like wildfire throughout the company and I get about a dozen title recommendations thrown my way.

:bow European nerds :bow

Recommendations copy-pasted as follows:

Recommendations Part One

L’incal (Jodorowsky and Moebius)

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Incal

http://www.premonition.fr/premod.php3?actuid=211041&ta=9

That’s a huge classic. I’d recommend the original series first. They did several pre- or sequels, not all of them are good. Moebius might be credited as jean Giraud.


Universal war one (Denis Bajram)

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Universal_War_One

http://www.bajram.com/uw1/uw1_default/frame_default.htm


La Quête de l’oiseau du temps (Le Tendre and Loisel)

(That’s fantasy, not SF)

http://bd-livres.psychovision.net/bds/quete-de-l-oiseau-du-temps-141.php

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Qu%C3%AAte_de_l%27oiseau_du_temps


Zero absolu (Marazano and Bec)

http://www.soleilprod.com/series.php?sId=346

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Z%C3%A9ro_absolu_%28bande_dessin%C3%A9e%29


You can check out anything by Enki Bilal. He’s a very good artist and a nice writer. I’d recommend “la trilogie Nikopol” :

_La Foire aux immortels

_La Femme piège

_Froid équateur

Caution : this guy’s writing is… strange.  It’s “very artistic” :)  I’d say people either love it or hate it. But that trilogy is quite nice, it’s a classic. And his style is very personal, that’s nice.


La Caste des méta barons (Jodorowsky and Gimenez)

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Caste_des_M%C3%A9ta-Barons

http://www.sden.org/jdr/metabaron/

It’s sometimes criticized, because it’s got a huge scale, so it gets… a bit cheesy. Space-opera style. Ah well, I like it quite much, especially the beginning.

 

Les mondes d'Aldébaran (Léo) (Brasilian author, not French, but it’s nice)

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Les_Mondes_d%27Ald%C3%A9baran

http://www.mondes-aldebaran.com/


Le cycle de cyann (Lacroix and Bourgeon)

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycle_de_Cyann

http://www.bdselection.com/php/avis_album_bd-11_Le_Cycle_de_Cyann.html

 

Blake et mortimer (Edgar P . Jaccobs and Jean Van Hamme)

That’s a Belgian classic. It’s old-fashioned thrillers and SF (quite old-fashioned :p ).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blake_and_Mortimer

 

Blacksad (Canales and Guarnido) is a quite good thriller. But the author is not French.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blacksad

 

Code McCallum and Travis

It’s kind of B-movie comics. B-comics. But it’s quite pleasant (they’re both in the same universe).

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code_Mc_Callum



Soda (Tome and Gazzotti/Warnant)

Same as above.

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/SODA_%28bande_dessin%C3%A9e%29

 

Le Vagabond des limbes (Godard and Ribera)

http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Vagabond_des_Limbes

I almost forgot that one. It’s an old classic. I like it very much. It’s a huge space opera (still running), strange and decadent. Very decadent. :)


Recommendations Part Two.

1.       « De cape et de crocs », excellent French comic about 2 swashbucklers in a Cyrano de Bergerac style in 8 volumes so far

2.       “Blacksad”, a detective story pretty brilliant, very dark, in 3 volumes so far

3.       Loisel, you can basically buy anything from this guy he is a genious (I recommend his version of “Peter Pan”)

4.       Jodorowski, another great comic writer I would recommend “Lincal” or “La Caste des Metabarons”

5.       “Xoco”, in 3 volumes, an occult story taking place in Chicago with a nice Chtulhu atmosphere by Ledroit

6.       And of course anything you want from Moebius

 
Out of the French guys, I would strongly recommend some Italian comics, especially Hugo Pratt (His corto maltese or his cycles on the American foundation like Jesuit Joe)
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 15, 2008, 01:42:02 PM
Holy crap, L'incal is Jodoworsky x Moebius

HOW COULD SOMETHING SO AWESOME NOT BE IN EVERY BOOKSTORE IN AMERICA

FUCK YOU DIAMOND PUBLISHING
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 15, 2008, 01:59:07 PM
based on the cover this comic rules

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51vRJiUUuKL._AA240_.jpg)
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 15, 2008, 02:03:18 PM
and the art in Xoco looks AWESOME! Possibly NSFW--implied blowjob, no nudity:

spoiler (click to show/hide)
http://www.danielmaghen.com/images/produits/18419.jpg
[close]

I am going to buy like $500 in comics tomorrow -_-
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: TVC15 on February 15, 2008, 02:34:11 PM
L'incal is the comic that The Fifth Element ripped off.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 15, 2008, 02:43:49 PM
L'incal is the comic that The Fifth Element ripped off.

Yeah, uh, books 5 and 6 of L'Incal are called "La Cinquième essence"

el oh el

I'm prolly gonna pick up L'incal, Le Cycle de Gann, Code Mc Callum, and Xoco

€€€€€€€€€€€€€
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: TVC15 on February 15, 2008, 02:52:42 PM
Have you gotten around to watching Jodorowsky movies yet?
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 15, 2008, 02:54:51 PM
not while I'm in Paris no

(or in the US for that matter, cry cry)

send me the DVDs or something
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: TVC15 on February 15, 2008, 02:58:47 PM
I have to post this little story again just because I love Jodorowsky:

Quote
According to Jodorowsky's commentary on the DVD, the audience was enraged at the "corrupting content" of the film. Indeed, the director found himself fleeing for his life at the festival, finally to be whisked away in a limo, which was heavily bombarded by stones thrown by the angry mob. However, the film's controversy didn't stop there. In fact, the film was banned from Mexico by the government, and Jodorowsky himself was nearly deported for the madness the film had created. One of the scenes he points out as being especially disliked involves white-haired women gambling for the chance to suck fruit pits out of a man's mouth. The commentary also states that Sergio Klainer was spreading a rumor that Alejandro Jodorowsky was a vampire, since he insisted that Mariscal's actual blood be used in a scene where a man drinks Lis' blood. At the film premiere, Diana Mariscal was noticed to be abnormally thin causing even more conjecture about vampirism. Alejandro claims she had become thin from an eating disorder.

Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Van Cruncheon on February 15, 2008, 06:19:52 PM
ewwwww, blacksad is total furry drek

the freaks at digipen gobble it up
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: warcock on February 15, 2008, 06:23:23 PM
If you have days off you should take the TGV and go fuck some spanish or italian whores. Their hairy factor is +5.
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 16, 2008, 01:17:12 PM
Comics haul at: http://www.evilbore.com/forum/index.php?topic=17732.0

I went out to lunch with some Germans, then they dropped me off at the comic shop. From there, I went to Notre Dame and walked from there to the Eiffel Tower, taking pics the whole way.

I'm gonna take a quick nap now and then go out to meet the Spanish for ridiculous drinking!
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Himu on February 16, 2008, 01:38:04 PM
dinner tonight was at the Paris modern art museum, the Centre Georges Pompidou. an inside-out post-industrial building brutalist complex slapped together in the 1970s much to the chagrin of Parisians everywhere. it is a rather awesome building though.

(http://www.vuillemet.com/blog-vuillemet/images/image-mois/beaubourg.jpg)

(http://www.kottke.org/plus/photos/200105europe/pompidou01.jpg)

the 5th floor is the "Kandinsky library" but it's only open to "authorized persons" and "credentials needed." I'm trying to figure out what credentials are needed tomorrow so I can falsify them on Friday and go back to the museum on Saturday.

The museum restaurant was way too hip for its own good, decor-wise, and the waitresses were all undernourished waifs wearing brightly colored potato sacks. The veal was way overcooked, but the escargot-in-shells starter and cheesecake tart with white cheese ice cream were both excellent.

Great view of the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc. at night. Some pics to follow tomorrow. For now, back to bed for another 6 hours of sleep...

Holy shit
Title: Re: FOUX DE FA FA: The Official Thread of Synthesizer Patel Visits LA FRANCE
Post by: Howard Alan Treesong on February 17, 2008, 06:22:16 AM
Au revoir mes amis!

I'm off to check out of the hotel, then do some emergency chocolate shopping, then get in a taxi back to the airport

I'm kind of sad I didn't buy a 20 euro signed print of Clochette yesterday, but as kerdorable as she is I can't really think of any place I'd be comfortable hanging it in my house. So, live and learn. I should hopefully be back again this year, so now that I've gotten Paris out of my "system" next time should be even better!

See you in the states!