Phil Le Vessier

Dismantling Detroit

2012-01-31T16:51:00.000-08:00

The filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady look at young men who salvage scrap metal from Detroit’s derelict buildings, set against the backdrop of globalization.

A cargo ship failed in Brittany.

2012-01-11T14:32:00.001-08:00

The "TK Bremen", a Maltese cargo ship of 109 m, failed on the beach in Erdeven (a location in Brittany), December 16, 2011, during a big storm. I went to see this ship at the end of December and I took these pictures and this video.

A video:

Untitled from philippe le vessier on Vimeo.

Occupy Wall Street In Zuccotti Park, NYC.

2011-11-18T14:05:00.000-08:00

I went to Zuccotti Park in NYC at the end of October by curiosity. What a pleasant surprise to see these protesters just next to the Wall Street District!
The Occupy Wall Street movement began in Zuccotti Park in New York’s financial district on September 17 2011.
The catchphrase was :“We are the 99 percent”.
But, November 15 2011, the New York Police Department have been clearing the park where Occupy Wall Street protesters have been camped since September.
Here are some pictures and videos I made during my visit.

Below some videos.

Occupy Wall Street in New York City. from philippe le vessier on Vimeo.

Here is the Occupy Wall Street Band playing In Zuccotti Park, re-named Liberty Square by the occupiers.

Untitled from philippe le vessier on Vimeo.

I went in Zuccotti Park during the first snow fall of winter in New York, October 29, 2011. It was the first time in history that more than an inch had fallen before Halloween in NYC.

Unrelenting high winds tormented the occupation with freezing sleet and snow while temperatures fell into the low 30s. Many tents to collapsed under the conditions, leaving occupiers' possessions vulnerable to the elements.

A week before police evicted protesters from Zuccotti Park, Tim Weldon quit his job in Connecticut to be closer to the Occupy Wall Street movement.

&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;br&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;A week before police evicted protesters from Zuccotti Park, Tim Weldon quit his job in Connecticut to be closer to the Occupy Wall Street movement.&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;

Music in NYC subway

2011-10-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

"Take Me Out" by Atomic Tom LIVE on NYC subway

"Sherry Baby"

2011-07-15T16:19:00.000-07:00

During the San Giglio feast, Williamsburg, in Brooklyn (New York City), in the evening, people are going in the street for this celebration. At this time, I saw a band who was singing "Sherry Baby", a classical american song. Enjoy this video I made !!!

Untitled from philippe le vessier on Vimeo.

Mexican Immigration in U.S.A.

2011-07-07T10:53:00.000-07:00

Last February of this year, I went to Mexico City to renew my Visa, like a french immigrant, for my job in New York City. I needed an interview with the American immigration. I went to the embassy of the United States of America and I was so surprised by the number of people who was making the line to get an application for tourist visa or temporary worker visa. That day, I was with almost 800 Mexican people in this American embassy and the only french guy. A man who was in the line told me that the number of Mexicans is like that everyday. I spent more than 5 hours to get an interview with an immigration agent. I discovered, like a french immigrant, an unusual reality. Today, I read this article in the New York Times.

A quiet cultural shift is running through rural families like the Orozcos - from left; Andrés, Antonio and Samuel, who have been sending workers north since the 1920s. Now their homes are filling up with returning relatives, men who used to go illegally are seizing expanded visa opportunities, and the youngest Orozcos are determined to stay put.

" The extraordinary Mexican migration that delivered millions of illegal immigrants to the United States over the past 30 years has sputtered to a trickle, and research points to a surprising cause: unheralded changes in Mexico that have made staying home more attractive... Here in the red-earth highlands of Jalisco, one of Mexico’s top three states for emigration over the past century, a new dynamic has emerged. For a typical rural family like the Orozcos, heading to El Norte without papers is no longer an inevitable rite of passage. Instead, their homes are filling up with returning relatives; older brothers who once crossed illegally are awaiting visas; and the youngest Orozcos are staying put...".
"Better Lives for Mexicans Cut Allure of Going North". By DAMIEN CAVE. Published: July 6, 2011. New York Times.

A video.

Half-Marathon of Brooklyn (NYC).

2011-05-29T10:33:00.001-07:00

I did this race, like 6000 others road runners, Saturday may 21 2011 (from Prospect Park to Coney Island).

Six in the morning, the runners drop their bags just before the race.

In Prospect Park, the first seven miles.

The last mile on the boardwalk in Coney Island!

Yes! So great, the finish lane!!!!

A video when I crossed the finish lane, in 1h 59 min 42 s.

Half Marathon of Brooklyn from philippe le vessier on Vimeo.

The place to pick up our bags.

After the race, a great time on the beach and in the water. So good!

In the street, direction the subway.

Time to pick up the train for Manhattan.

‘Birdman’ of Inwood in New York City.

2011-05-13T21:29:00.001-07:00

" Inwood, an area in North of Manhattan (corner of West 208th Street and Ninth Avenue) is a place of refuge for hundreds of birds. James Cataldi 53, a licensed wildlife rehabilitator and former computer programmer, spends most of his time...

Bird Week | 'Birdman' of Inwood - NYTimes.com
- Watch more Music Videos at Vodpod.

In a year and a half, he has single-handedly removed hundreds of pounds of garbage, including car windshields and syringes. But “it will take years of continuous work,” he says, to remove completely the garbage still festering under the topsoil...

“The Birdman of Inwood”, as many in the neighborhood call him, now makes it his daily mission...

"I was a Wall Street guy. I was heavily into math,” Mr. Cataldi said. “But this is my calling.”...". By CHIARA SOTTILE.

Saturday, May 14, 2011

"Welcome to Shelbyville"

2011-04-07T22:07:00.000-07:00

Students recite the Pledge of Allegiance during ESL (English Second Language) class.

"...In the heart of America’s Bible Belt, "Welcome to Shelbyville" focuses on a small Southern rural town (State of Tennessee) with rapid demographic change. This documentary takes an intimate look at this town as its residents - whites and African Americans, Latinos and Somalis grapple with their beliefs, their histories, and their evolving ways of life... It is also a subtle account of of the ways in which communities face up to the challenges of change...".

Welcome to Shelbyville - Trailer from Smartley-Dunn on Vimeo.

"...This documentary is a melting-pot movie, asimmer with social issues: immigration, racism, unemployment, intolerance. Its examination of the clash between Somali Muslims and rural Tennesseeans does not sugarcoat the kinds of conflicts that have bedeviled the country for centuries; it questions, in its way, what America means...". By JOHN ANDERSON Published: January 14, 2011. The New York Times.

Mixed Marriages in the South (USA).

2011-03-26T08:44:00.000-07:00

"For generations here in the deepest South, there had been a great taboo: publicly crossing the color line for love. Less than 45 years ago, marriage between blacks and whites was illegal, and it has been frowned upon for much of the time since... In North Carolina, the mixed-race population doubled. In Georgia, it expanded by more than 80 percent, and by nearly as much in Kentucky and Tennessee. In Indiana, Iowa and South Dakota, the multiracial population increased by about 70 percent... Mississippi led the nation in the growth of mixed marriages for most of the last decade. Still, multiracial people are a tiny percentage of the state’s population: 34,000, about 1.1 percent. And many here complain of enduring racial inequities...". By SUSAN SAULNY Published: March 19, 2011

A road runner race, sunday morning in N.Y City.

2011-03-13T20:02:00.001-07:00

In march, I participated like 5,000 runners in the 13th annual Coogan's Salsa, Blues, and Shamrocks 5 km (more than 3 miles). The start was in Washington Heights (north of Manhattan). The race run north and made a loop in the Cloisters. Dozens of different musical groups were along the course. An amazing race!!!

Hard times generation: homeless kids

2011-03-06T20:13:00.000-08:00

I watched tonight a tv programm which touched me a lot.

(CBS News) "...One of the consequences of the recession that you don't hear a lot about is the record number of children descending into poverty. The government considers a family of four to be impoverish

ed if they take in less than $22,000 a year. Based on that standard, and government projections of unemployment, it is estimated the poverty rate for kids in this country will soon hit 25 percent. Those children would be the largest American generation to be raised in hard times since the Great Depression.In Seminole County, near Orlando, Fla., so many kids have lost their homes that school busses now stop at dozens of cheap motels where families crowd into rooms, living week to week...".

visit: http://www.scps.k12.fl.us/title1/Home/FamiliesinTransition.asp

Snowstorm in New York

2011-02-06T20:04:00.000-08:00

In Central Park

View from a plane.

Some Videos.

Tiny Moments in an American Small Town.

2010-12-15T21:09:00.000-08:00

"...The documentary “45365” (the town’s ZIP code) drops in on the residents of Sidney, Ohio, to observe their lunches and haircuts, trials and transgressions, but it could be anytown in America. ...This remarkable patchwork of unremarkable lives was assembled by Bill and Turner Ross, brothers, native sons and natural filmmakers..."

By JEANNETTE CATSOULIS, Published: June 17, 2010.

Scenes from the documentary “45365,” set in Sidney, Ohio.

There are 20,000 people residing in Sidney, Ohio.
The filmmakers didn’t interview the residents of this town, they simply recorded life as it happened over a nine-month period, editing it down to an hour that seems. I loved it!

The trailer and a clip of this documentary.

A day with the jets.

2010-11-21T17:27:00.000-08:00

In November 21, I spent with my friend Manu a big part of the day in New Meadowlands (New Jersey) to see the game JETS against TEXANS.

How to make a great tailgate food on the New Meadowlands Stadium parking, Sunday morning during football season? Standing in front of the grill, wearing the team’s Jets colors, a sandwich in one hand and a cold beer in the other, does life get any better than that ?

And what a surprise! Just before the game, we saw the United States Army jets flying over New Meadowlands Stadium.

But don't forget for a good game the New York Jets Cheerleaders!

And now the game !!!!

Santonio Holmes caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Mark Sanchez with 10 seconds left, lifting the Jets to an unlikely 30-27 comeback victory against Texans.

Clip video of the last touchdown by Santonio Holmes.

New York Jets "Empire State of Mind" tribute video for the 2009 - 2010 AFC Playoff wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and the San Diego Chargers, with the radio edit of the song by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.

New York City Marathon

2010-11-06T13:41:00.001-07:00

This year, there were 45,344 runners who participated in the 2010 New York City Marathon.

Every November, the first sunday, throngs of runners gather at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, and crowds of spectators line the route that snakes through Brooklyn and the western edge of Queens before dipping into Upper Manhattan and the Bronx and ending in Central Park.

The trailer from the documentary: "Run For Your Life".

"...This documentary, "Run For Your Life" offers a salutary and touching reminder that the race, like nearly everything else great about New York City, was largely the creation of an odd, stubborn visionary.
Until his death from brain cancer in 1994, Fred Lebow was more than just the director of the race and the president of New York Road Runners... An immigrant from Romania (where he was born Fischl Lebowitz) with a background in the garment business, Lebow helped turn running from a solitary and eccentric pursuit into a major sport and a staple of American culture..."

Some videos during this marathon 2010 in Harlem and on fifth avenue.

the new poor

2010-10-14T20:38:00.001-07:00

"The Great Recession might have officially ended in June 2009, but high unemployment continues to vex the economy ... New statistics paint a grim picture... Forty-one million people are now on food stamps, up 45 percent since 2008. And one in seven Americans is living in poverty — the highest in decades..." (http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/).

During the trips I made along different states in U.S.A, I saw people trying to make a little money by selling , along the road, second-hand items: clothing, jewelry, trinkets, ...
Here is, some people I met.

Larry Riddle in Damascus with his dog "Sally" (Virginia), in 2008.
Larry: "I am 47 years old... I have been in and out of prison in my younger years ...
About seven years ago my thinking began to change. I was running from the law and living on the Appalachian Trail. And it was out on that trail that I began to write. Shortly there after I had a profound spiritual experience and my thinking changed for ever".
Visit, Larry Riddle: "The only wanderer".

Greenwoods Springs (Mississippi) Jimmy and Ray with my friend Mateo, in 2009.

This video is an intimate portrait of a husband and wife in Portland, Oregon. This couple built a life and a business, only to see their world quickly fall apart. At this time, the Crandalls are behind in rent and have received two eviction notices to leave their house.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/need-to-know/pitchroom/joblessness-in-america-share-your-stories/4068/

Guns In Bars

2010-10-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

"...Tennessee is one of four states, along with Arizona, Georgia and Virginia, that recently enacted laws explicitly allowing loaded guns into bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. (Eighteen other states allow weapons in restaurants that serve alcohol)..."

"...The new measures in Tennessee and the three other states come after two landmark Supreme Court rulings that citizens have an individual right to keep a loaded handgun for home defense... The attitude from the gun lobby is that the 300,000 handgun permit holders in Tennessee should be able to take their guns wherever they want...Under Tennessee’s new law, gun permit holders are not supposed to drink alcohol while carrying their weapons..." By MALCOLM GAY Published: October 3, 2010. The New York Times.

Pictures: Members of the Virginia Citizens Defense League gathered Thursday, July 1 2010, at Champps in Reston to celebrate their new-found right to carry guns in bars, so long as they don't drink alcohol. Saturday, July 3, 2010. Washington Post.

I made these pictures during a trip in Virginia in 2008.

Nikki Goeser is one resident of Nashville who supports the measure, allowing registered gun holders to carry loaded guns into bars and restaurants.

"The way we get By"

2010-10-01T20:14:00.000-07:00

"Bangor, Maine is the main exit and entry point for the majority of soldiers going to Iraq and Afghanistan and returning home. A group of senior citizens who gather daily at a small airport to thank American soldiers departing and returning from war..."

"Joan has a deep connection to the soldiers she meets. The sanguine Jerry keeps his spirits up even as his personal problems mount. And the veteran Bill, who clearly has trouble taking care of himself, finds himself contemplating his own death..."

Filmmakers Aron Gaudet and Gita Pullapilly talk about their film, "The Way We Get By".

Jesus Camp

2010-09-19T11:06:00.000-07:00

I watched this amazing documentary about an evangelical Christian summer camp for the kids, in the US.

"Ms. Fischer, an evangelical Christian, helps run Kids on Fire, a summer camp in Devils Lake, N.D., that grooms children to be soldiers in “God’s army.” ... Ms. Fischer understands full well that the indoctrination of children when they are most impressionable (under 13 and preferably between 7 and 9) with evangelical dogma is the key to the movement’s future growth...The majority of the children in “Jesus Camp” are home-schooled by evangelical parents who teach them creationism and dismiss science...". By STEPHEN HOLDEN Published: September 22, 2006

“Jesus Camp” (2006) is the second film by the documentary team of Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady to explore the molding of young minds.

In this extract, some kids are praying in tongue language.
There is an interpretation can be summarized as follows: praying in tongues is a personal prayer language between a believer and God.

Bill Maher discusses the new documentary 'Jesus Camp' on Real Time.

Jesus Camp Filmmakers interview clip.

Arizona Immigration

2010-05-04T18:22:00.000-07:00

Now, after passing the nation’s toughest immigration law, one that gives the police broad power to stop people on suspicion of being here illegally, Arizona state finds itself in perhaps the harshest spotlight in a decade.

Joseph M. Arpaio, Sheriff in Arizona.

"Joseph M. Arpaio, the sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona, is a hero to those who campaign against illegal immigration and a pariah to immigration advocates. A publicity magnet and television darling, Mr Arpaio calls himself ''the toughest sheriff in America.''...

"...In February 2009, members of Congress asked the Justice and of Department Homeland Security to investigate accusations that the sheriff has engaged in a pattern of racial profiling and other abuses against Latino residents...."

"...As sheriff, Mr. Arpaio first gained national attention in the 1990s for forcing inmates to wear pink underwear, housing them in tents and feeding them food of a green hue, and provoked an outcry when he marched 200 illegal immigrant inmates in the streets from one jail to another.

Though he has at times been at war with various municipalities in his jurisdiction, Mr. Arpaio has been re-elected four times, by a double-digit margin, since taking office in 1993." Oct. 7, 2009.

In Phoenix, immigrants and advocates for the illegal marched Friday April 23, 2010, outside the State Capitol.

In Phoenix, Maria Luis fears losing her sons Lambert (l.) and Jose

Luis family fears approval of Arizona's immigration law will break them apart. BY EDGAR SANDOVAL DAILY NEWS.
....The family is divided by their birthplaces: Jose Luis and his mother are from Mexico; his two siblings were born in Arizona. The legislation, the toughest in the nation, gives cops the power to arrest anyone who can't prove he lives in the U.S. legally. The state's estimated 500,000 illegal immigrants include Jose Luis and his mom, who launched a new life in Arizona when she was 19 and her baby boy just 1. "I never thought the law would get this far. Now I'm afraid to lose some of my children," said his mom, Maria, 39 years old...

Demonstrators protest Arizona's new immigration enforcement law outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs building in Phoenix.

Union Square New York City.

2010-04-28T07:16:00.000-07:00

A Cowboy sings in French Creole .

2010-04-17T14:58:00.000-07:00

A documentary by "The Music Voyager" about the Cajun & Zydeco music with Cedric Wastson (nominee for 52nd GRAMMYs 2010). Here is a taste of the Cedric's story...

Cedric and the Bijou Creole band are playing a song called 'La Vieille Chanson de Mardi Gras'.

Here’s Cedric Watson on the fiddle jamming with accordion player, Corey Ledet. Love that washboard. I remember two trips I made with my friends (Mat and Manu) in the Bayou...

Live at the Blue Moon Saloon, the rare duo jamming it out Creole and Zydeco.

Cedric:"I'm one of the few to sing in creole French but there are others doing the same as me like Geoffrey Broussard and the Creole Cowboys and Geno Delafose."

His skill singing in creole is amazing when you consider that coming from San Felipe, Texas, he did not grow up in a French-speaking community. "I took some language courses on the Louisiana French Emergence programs run in Lafayette," he said.

"So now I can speak creole." He says the interest in creole French is coming back to the music.

Watson's second album is "L'Esprit Creole".

Cedric Wastson's Link: http://www.cedricwatson.com/

Health Care, teabaggers.

2010-03-27T15:53:00.001-07:00

Tea Party protester threatens interviewer in front of the U.S. Capitol March 2010, in Washington D.C.

Angry Teabaggers against a counterprotester, in Washington D.C.

A year ago, a new political movement, the Tea Party, appeared. Begun as local protests over taxes and federal government spending, the self-styled Tea Party movement was aggressively promoted by Fox News.

The Tea Party movement is a far-flung coalition of conservative groups angered by Washington and Obama's government. The 18 percent of Americans who identify themselves as Tea Party supporters tend to be Republican, white, male, married and older than 45, according to a New York Times/CBS News poll released in April 2010. They are wealthier and more well-educated than the general public.

In front of the U.S. Capitol April 15 2010, in Washington D.C.

Tea Partiers hold more conservative views on a range of issues than Republicans generally. They are also more likely to describe themselves as "very conservative" and Obama as "very liberal." And while most Republicans say they are "dissatisfied" with Washington, Tea Party supporters are more likely to classify themselves as "angry."

It takes its name from the Boston Tea Party in 1773, when colonists dumped tea off English ships to protest what they considered unfair taxation by the British crown.
Today, the tea partiers spend most of their energy fighting a health-care reform bill. They call President Obama as a socialist, a Nazi, a communist, a dictator.

An extract of the article "The Rage Is Not About Health Care". Published: March 27, 2010 By Frank Rich in the New York Times.
".....If Obama’s first legislative priority had been immigration or financial reform or climate change, we would have seen the same trajectory. The conjunction of a black president and a female speaker of the House — topped off by a wise Latina on the Supreme Court and a powerful gay Congressional committee chairman — would sow fears of disenfranchisement among a dwindling and threatened minority in the country no matter what policies were in play.....When you hear demonstrators chant the slogan “Take our country back!,” these are the people they want to take the country back from. They can’t........"

An extract of the article "With No Jobs, Plenty of Time for Tea Party". Published: March 27, 2010 By Kate Zernike in The New York Times.
".... (Tea Party's) activists often tell a similar story in interviews: they had lost their jobs, or perhaps watched their homes plummet in value, and they found common cause in the Tea Party’s fight for lower taxes and smaller government... The Tea Party vehemently wants less (government involvement)— though a number of its members acknowledge that they are relying on government programs for help..."

Ohio, Tea Partiers Mock And Scorn A Parkinson's Victim, Bob.

COLUMBUS, Ohio, on March 17th 2010, teabaggers mocked and scorned a man, Bob, who had a sign stating that he had Parkinson's. They told him "he's in the wrong end of town to ask for handouts", called him a communist and threw dollar bills at him to "pay for his health care".

Bob, the man with Parkinson's who was targeted by the Tea Partiers, sat down with Progress Ohio for an interview. He is 60 years old and was first diagnosed with Parkinsons 15 years ago. He has two masters degrees and a Ph.D. from Cornell. He taught at the University of Michigan and worked as a nuclear engineer. Bob was able to have a $150,000 surgery that greatly increased his quality of life. He attended the event in Columbus because he believes in giving back and thinks everyone should have access to affordable health insurance and quality health care.

A week in Mexico City.

2010-03-02T21:23:00.000-08:00

Enjoying the sport in Mexico City

2010-03-02T20:09:00.000-08:00

"Lucha Libre" (free fighting). Mistico vs Volador.

Thursday 11 February 2010. In the "Arena México", finally the time arrived for the big finale, the defending champion Mistico vs Volador. Mistico throughout the whole match was clearly winning. He spent most of the time preening to the audience as his opponent lay on the floor. However, in the last minute Volador came through and won the match. We have no idea how!!!! Mistico though was not a gracious loser. He punched out the ref, floored Volador and then pulled off his trousers before stealing the belt and running off. Now really who is the champion??!! It was so funny, that we could not stop laughing. A genius night!!!

After the game, around "La Arena de México" in the street.

Video with my friend, Eric, before the game.

"Estadio Azteca", AMERICA 2, CRUZ AZUL 0.

"Estadio Azteca", is the only stadium ever to host two FIFA World Cup final matches, in 1970 and in 1986. With a capacity of 105,000, it is the largest stadium in Latin America and fifth largest in the world. Sunday February 15, 2010, I was in the stadium to see a game in the MEXICAN LEAGUE, AMERICA 2, CRUZ AZUL 0. Fantastico!!!

Eating in Mexico City.

2010-02-28T16:00:00.000-08:00

"Tostadas de pulpo" or "tostadas de ceviche", fish cooked with lemon.

"Quesadillas", "Huitlacoche": fingus of the corn or "Flor de calavasa".

"El camotero". He sells sweet potatoes with honey, in the street. This mobile man moves all the time with his amazing oven.

In Coyocan, "Las tostadas". In a street, "Las quesadillas".
"El camotero".

Singing and Dancing in Mexico City.

2010-02-21T18:06:00.001-08:00

Nigtlife in Mexico City, "La Perla". In the Centro Historico, this cabaret bar is definitely for our more adventurous night-dwellers. Small, hot and decorated in gawdy colors, be prepared to step into a David Lynch speakeasy. La Perla boasts some outrageous female-impersonator acts along with a passion for the kitsch. "La Perla" is definitely worth a visit.

Coyocan, a town in the south of Mexico City. A good place to relax yourself. In a park, a band "Los Soneros" during a performance.

Video in Coyocan. Video in "La Perla".

Young@Heart

2010-01-28T18:14:00.000-08:00

A documentary, “Young @ Heart”, a chorus of senior citizens from Massachusetts made by Walker George in 2007. I saw this great documentary in January 2010 on the PBS series “Independent Lens”, (www.youngatheartchorus.com).

Young@Heart was created in 1982 and all of the members lived in an elderly housing project in Northampton. Actually, the current performers in Young@Heart range in age from 73 to 89. Some have prior professional theater or music experience, others have performed extensively on the amateur level, and some never stepped onto a stage before turning 80.

Young@Heart:"Road to nowhere"

This darn song is stuck in my head, I like this version by these folks.

Young@Heart:"Fix You". So beautiful, so pure, each time I listen this song, it makes me almost cry.

January first 2009, Fred Knittle (this singer) died at age 83.

Colts Bring Jets Down to Earth

2010-01-25T20:58:00.000-08:00

In a bar, in New York City, watching the game, my friend Zuhair was so desappointed (like me) by the score: The Colts were celebrating their 30-17 victory over the Jets in the American Football Conference championship game.

But the Jets will be back, next year.... J.E.T.S..... Jets, Jets, Jets.

New York City "No Pants" Subway Ride 2010

2010-01-12T16:15:00.000-08:00

In the middle of another brutally cold Sunday, January 10th on the rails, groups of passengers pulled their pants down and took them right off. Riders met at meeting points spread out all over the city and converged on Union Square. In New York’s 9th Annual No Pants!

Jack Beers New York

2009-12-15T21:55:00.000-08:00

I watched tonight on PBS (my favorite tv channel) a documentary on Jack Beers.The most respect!

Jack at seventeen years old and at ninety four years old.

Enjoy these videos. Fifi

Jack Beers, 94-Year-Old Strongman

As a kid growing up on the Lower East Side, Jack Beers became known on vaudeville as "New York City's Strongest Boy." Later, he worked as a dog trainer and had small roles in Tootsie and Ghost Busters. In this clip from the documentary on his life airing on PBS, a 94-year-old Beers navigates GPS, takes a shower, and rips a phone book into thirds with his bare hands. "We did it in one take," director David Wachs says. .............. Jack died July 14th 2009 at 99yrs old. What a life!

David Lynch interview project

2009-11-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

Interview Project is directed by David Lynch's son, Austin Lynch, and Jason S.
Over the course of a 20,000-mile road trip over 70 days, the duo filmed "typical Americans" in their"natural habitats" telling their own stories.

The result of so much pavement pounding appear at interviewproject.davidlynch.com.

Enjoyed this kind of road trip project. Fifi.
Thank You Marie for the link.

"The Turtle Man" in Kentucky (USA).

2009-11-23T21:46:00.000-08:00

Thank You Gilles for the link!

Halloween in New York City

2009-11-14T19:31:00.000-08:00

Laramie in Wyoming

2009-11-07T10:05:00.001-08:00

At the end of october, Thelma and me, we made a trip from Denver (Colorado) to Buffalo (Wyoming). In this amazing landscape, I remembered all the western movies I watched during my childhood. Thank you for Amy, Debbie, Dawn, Chris, Bob, Dona, Mitch, Suzi,Tom...who were open-minded with us.

The first video and the second one are about the begining of this trip we made from Denver (Colorado) to Laramie (Wyoming).

The third video was in Laramie. Each twenty minutes a train cross the town.

The fourth, owner and founder, Tom Mattimore of Civil War boots shop.
His website: http://www.civilwarboots.com/

The town of Kaycee in Wyoming

2009-10-25T19:08:00.000-07:00

We left Laramie to go to Kaycce. It's a small agricultural and ranching area with some oil production and mining. 240 people live there. During the late 1890s, this place was made famous as an outlaw hideout by Robert Leroy (Butch Cassidy), Kid Curry and other members of the Wild Bunch.

The road trip from Laramie to Kaycee was under the snow for three hours. I liked it!!!

When we arrived, during the evening, in Kaycee, Dona and Bob Brock received us in their welcoming house.
Dona 67 years old is in charge of the cafetaria of Kaycee's school.
And Bob 73 years old is still a driver of the school bus.

We spent a great time one evening in the "Hole in Wall Bar" one of the two bars of Kaycee.

We met Mitch, a great guy, in this bar.

Mitch enjoyed a part of Suzie's body, after drinking few beers.

The next day, the weather was so nice, some kids were playing football in this magnificent landscape.

These videos are about the trip we made from Laramie to Kaycee and the time we spent in a bar in Kaycee one night.

In a ranch In Kaycee (Wyoming)

2009-10-24T21:34:00.000-07:00

We spent an afternoon in "the Brock Ranch". Dawn and Debbie, two sisters, who live in Buffalo invited us to visit this place. Their brother, Chris Brock, is the manager of this ranch in Kaycee. Chris is in charge of twenty two thousand acres and four hundred cows. Amazing!!!! Thank you for all of them to have a new experience like that.
To go to the ranch we needed to drive few miles on the Brock Road.

From Marie. Visit:http://msoub.canalblog.com/

We met, Leif on the road. He is a cowboy who has a ranch in this area.

The cowboy, Chris, made a special whistle and his horses came to see us.

In a barn of the ranch, Chris showed us, an amazing scene. Some men after an hunting were cutting an elk in different pieces.
Chris told us than with the teeth of the elk, they make rings.

At the end, the meat is cutting in small slices and wrap up into paper.

In the past, the Plains Indians were pushing the buffalos from the top of this moutain.

Video 1: The cowboy Leif.
Video 2: Chris Brock's horses.
Video 3: After an hunting in the hills of the ranh, some men, in a barn, were cutting a elk (wapiti) into slices. Bon appetit!
Video 4: "Good Ride Cowboy" is a single, released in 2005, by artist Garth Brooks The song is a tribute to Chris LeDoux, another country musician and friend of Brooks's. LeDoux spent his time off the road with his family at their ranch in Kaycee, Wyoming.

Garth brooks - good ride cowboy
Uploaded by rawestern.

Buffalo In Wyoming.

2009-10-24T17:33:00.000-07:00

After driving 44 miles from Kaycee, on a flat road, we arrived in Buffalo. The population is less than 4000 residents. Buffalo is rich in the history of the Old West. Buffalo is in Johnson County, renegades and rustlers were active.

The imposing Big Horn Mountains appeared on the horizon. They're there, they're huge, and you won't be able to stop staring at them for the rest of the drive into Buffalo.

We went in a diner restaurant for a lunch.What a big surprise inside!!!

Hey guys, a fine catch !

An uncredible collection of pistols and pictures of western notableslike Calamity Jane, Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid and Buffalo Bill Cody.

After the diner restaurant, we stopped in a liquor store. At the back, there was a bar. The bartender told me than most of this people are regular customers. They spend the day to speak about gossips and of course they drink the different alcools of the liquor store!

New York City.

2009-09-29T16:45:00.000-07:00

Pluméliau in Brittany (France)

2009-09-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

At the end of july and begining of august, I was in Pluméliau, the village where I was born and I grew up, for a few weeks to visit my parents. During this time, I went to Saint Nicodeme chapel in the countryside. Each year, the first sunday of august, my mother and many people from Pluméliau are going to celebrate this Saint.

Merida in Yucatan (Mexico)

2009-08-27T20:43:00.000-07:00

After Thulum , the trip continued to Merida, the capital of the Yucatan state in Mexico.

Tulum in Yucatan (Mexico)

2009-08-24T11:16:00.000-07:00

After few weeks in France to visit my relative, a trip to Mexico in Yucatan at the end of august.
First stop, Thulum. El sol, el mar y .... !Tranquilos, chicos!

Coney Island in New York City

2009-06-29T21:27:00.000-07:00

Coney Island hasn’t been an island since the creek that separated it from the rest of Brooklyn was filled in more than a century ago. Today, Coney Island is still the closest beach to Manhattan, if you’re traveling on a MetroCard.

Landmarked rides like the Cyclone rumble on, and a few funkily indestructible carny attractions survive, along with the boardwalk, the hot dogs, the beach, the sea and sky. Enjoy....

Grettings From Coney Island

Coney Island Baby.....I like It....One of my best places in NYC.

Good Day Sunshine
(along the boardwalk)

The biggest surprise on this boardwalk, is the diversity of the population. People from many communities of New York City enjoy the time just like you. I have never seen a concentration of a mixed population like that in New York.

Baby Let Me Kiss You

Baby, let me do it, let me do it to you
Let me kiss you, baby
Baby, can I do it, can I do it to you
Can I kiss you, baby?
Cause baby, youre giving me such a groovy sensation

But dont stop it now, baby--I might lose your vibration
Your sweet conversation, it keeps turning me on, yeah
My mind is so weak girl, all my resistance is gone
Now you know you got me in a bad situation
You keep it up, baby, I might lose my reputation

Youre looking good, just like I thought you would
So come on, baby--let me kiss you just-a one time
I think I might kiss you one, two times
Youre looking good now, feeling good
You got me going down, round and round
Up and down, baby, feeling good, now
Come on, baby--Good God...
(Lyrics: King Floyd)

On The Beach.

Everything is possible in Coney Island......

Let's Dance.

I spent few minutes watching this amorphous posse of dancers, most of whom were members of the Coney Island Dancers. After a while, though, I joined in, like many others. And for a couple of hours, this little bit of the boardwalk became a free nightclub, open to anyone.

Some Videos

Coney Island Before

First video: Coney Island was considered the world's largest and premier amusement area during the first half of the 20th Century. It was a beach resort that provided carefree entertainment and thrilling amusement park rides to the millions of residents that lived in New York City

Second and third video: The Warriors is a 1979 cult action/thriller movie.

A gay pride parade, sunday in New York City.

2009-06-28T20:24:00.001-07:00

Christopher Street in New York City. Amazing this parade!!! So free!!!

Rainbow

Colors

Gay and Lesbian organizations.

Act Up

American Heroes Fondation

Runners.

Politician

Religious community

Workers World Party

Teachers Association

Veterans

Portrait Gallery

Ethnic or cultural community (videos)

Israel.

Peru

Brasil

Japon

Las Buenas Amigas. Latina Lesbians of New York.

Firefigthers!!!

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop is dead.

2009-06-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

In front of the Appolo Theater , in Harlem, New York City, the Michael's fans pay tribute to their king.

In 1967, during the summer, the Jackson 5 won the Apollo's Amateur Night competition.

"They couldn't pay their hotel bill," recalled Bobby Schiffman, whose family owned Harlem's Apollo Theater that year.

A crowd gathers at the scene to dance, to sing with the music of Michael Jackson in the wake of his death.

Jackson last visited the Apollo in 2002, invited by former president Bill Clinton for a Democratic National Committee fundraiser.

Where is located the famous town "Guingamp" or "Gwengamp" (in the Brittany language) in France?

2009-05-14T18:36:00.000-07:00

A: Location of Guingamp or Gwengamp.

Guingamp is located in Brittany, a region in north west of France.

En Avant de Guingamp is a French Football (soccer) club founded in 1912 and based in Guingamp that plays in Ligue 2. This professional team is atypical, playing in a commune (town) of about 8,000 inhabitants, with a stadium of more than 18,000 seats.

A number of high profile players have played for Guingamp including Jean Pierre Papin, Vincent Candela, Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba. Guingamp play their home matches at Stade du Roudourou (name of the stadium).

Guingamp are the current holders of the Coupe de France, after becoming only the second team to win the competition from outside Ligue 1. They will compete in the UEFA Europa League 2009-2010.

After the game, the EA Guingamp fans like to eat"la galette saucisse" (A kind of pancake with a sausage). Enjoy your meal!!!

Celebration for the French Soccer Cup in Guingamp and in New York

2009-05-10T20:01:00.000-07:00

Mat!!!! Amazing!!! I found this picture edited by the newspaper Ouest France, page Guingamp. Thank You Mat!!! You helped me to be a famous fan of En Avant de Guingamp and Thelma tambien!!!

Picture. Thelma Garcia Photographer

The french pictures are from the newspapers: Ouest France, Le Telegramme and L'Equipe.

The pictures took in New York are from the photographer: Thelma Garcia (thelmagarci@gmail.com)

Picture. Thema Garcia Photographer

Picture. Thelma Garcia Photographer.

Picture. Garcia Thelma Photographer.

Picture. Thelma Garcia Photographer.

Picture. Thelma Garcia Photographer.

Videos par Thelma Garcia

Guingamp je m'en fous moi personnellement.... mais voir Fifi en sautant partout, ca ...ca vaut le detour!!!!! je peux pas arreter de me marrer. Tu es ouf mon ami... j'ADOOOOOOOOOOORE!!!!!!!!! Cata

Fabulous Guingamp !!! Awesome team! Amazing guys! EAG Guingamp Winner of The French Soccer Cup May 9 2009. Guingamp 2 - Rennes 1

2009-05-10T09:17:00.000-07:00

These pictures are from the french newspapers: Ouest France, Le Telegramme and L'Equipe.

Obrigado Eduardo RIBEIRO DOS SANTOS do Brasil e do Gwengamp.

Where was the French President, Mr Sarkozy, during the game?

Go to see this video and to read these stories:

http://www.letelegramme.com/sports/coupe-de-france-quand-les-supporters-guingampais-reclament-sarko-video-14-05-2009-378819.php

http://blogs.rtl.fr/aphatie/index.php/?q=coupe+de+france

http://www.liberennes.fr/libe/2009/05/coupe-de-france-labsence-de-sarkozy-faute-politique-selon-le-t%C3%A9l%C3%A9gramme.html

En Avant de Guingamp qualified in French Cup Final soccer

2009-04-23T09:47:00.000-07:00

I have been a big fan of this team for now fifteen years. Awesome... Terrific... Historical.... Incredible victory... You are so amazing guys... Fifi (Pictures from Ouest France and L'equipe).

New Orleans, four years after Katrina

2009-04-09T17:41:00.000-07:00

Lower Ninth Ward is a New Orleans neighborhood that was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005... After a levee failure, the water flooded the whole area.. It was up to"eleven feet high" in certains houses (environ 3 m we would say in French), Johnny, a baptist preacher, told us.

After four years, the area still looks like a ghost town where one only hears the sound of birds or insects...

Johnny, 75, and Winniefried, 71, have been married for fifty years. He has been holding this baptist church for 26 years. They renovated it all and now try to bring a bit of hope in the neighborhood.

The baptister of the church... used for the first time since the hurricane last sunday

It's Easter time... Johnny and Winniefried make the public announcements for the coming celebrations.. Don't miss the one on Holy Friday !!

Another sign of hope ; some inhabitants decided to rebuild their home. A lot of them were home owners. Johnny told us he hopes fifty per cent of the people will be back !

New Iberia Chez Jean Albert

2009-04-09T17:19:00.000-07:00

Jean-Albert Landry, who turns 80 this year, holds a nice restaurant in downtown New Iberia. He has both spanish and french ancestors, and likes to speak a few words of french as soon as he can.

His wife Elaine works in the kitchen and that day prepared several "Croque Madame" for Fifi...

"I'm English", Elaine says, even if she has always been living in the US, brought up in Chicago... In Louisiana some people like to introduce themselves with their European origins. Jean-Albert told us that, as a kid, he was not used to speak french at home just because his parents fear he would be discriminated at school.