Absolut Me

Anti-Valentine 2011 Party

2011-02-04T02:53:00.000-08:00

Anti valentine 2011 Edition

Thursday February 10th, starting at 21h.
Mezzanine Alcazar, 62 rue Mazarine, 75006 Paris

Zanytude.com France parle sur Frenchweb.fr

2010-07-01T04:26:00.000-07:00

"Retour de l’achat groupé, avec Zanytude que viennent de lancer Sandra Hayon et Samuel Garcia, qui nous en disent un peu plus!" ~Richard Menneveux

Entretien avec Sandra Hayon et Samuel Garcia, co fondateurs de Zanytude France from frenchweb on Vimeo.

Nouveau - Zanytude.com, l'achat communautaire haut-de-gamme

2010-06-24T06:02:00.001-07:00

Suivez les news sur www.zanytude.com

Zanytude, l'achat communautaire haut de gamme

View more presentations from Zanytude.com.

Sex & The City Party 2, June 3rd

2010-05-19T00:50:00.000-07:00

It is time again !!
It is time again for our 4 New York City girls !!

June 3rd at the Alcazar Mezzanine

When bed bugs bite

2010-01-04T16:13:00.000-08:00

Supposedly at 1.15am on a Monday night one is supposed to be asleep.

Supposedly.

I'm not. I've opened the door wide open to a few of my 2009 demons and various skeletons and they are all having a party in my brain preventing me from sleeping peacefully and resting up for tomorrow's inevitable alarm clock.

Not only do they mess up your life once, but they keep coming back twisting it a little bit more just in case you didn't feel it the first time around.

It's what new year usually does...
I know I've said I'm not a fan of new year resolutions, but inevitably you think about all that happened and how you could change some things and advance a step forward in the road called "happiness" in life.

I've noticed some people don't question themselves whatsoever, ever, and blame others with the greatest ease. They like to preach. They like to come through as protectors. As the wise. They will look down on you and say ; "yes, now that you have sunk so low, you will realise things and change. Your life will improve. Some of us reach a low point in life and you my friend, you have reached that point. The lowest! But I'm here to help you understand! You can thank me (after I've blown your self esteem into pieces) that I've helped you improve your life. You will thank me ! (cause whatever you may say, I know you better than you know yourself)....

They do say though that if you can't act... Preach... So I guess one should rise above the little things, act wise and give those people the importance they seek. Although pretending is being dishonest, maybe we have to cheat at times...

Deep thoughts at a deep time of night. I hope many of you are sleeping and actually not get to read this as I will probably regret the posting first thing in the morning when i'll feel all cheery again.

Good night void...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

A new page

2010-01-01T06:05:00.000-08:00

The new year is here since midnight.
While many of you were probably too drunk and merry to start drawing new pictures on these blank pages, others have already started lining up their new year projects and act out their lives for the year to come.

As for me, I had a true Bridget Jones moment as I toasted the new year, surrounded by loving smooching couples and with it, the train ride of hell to come back and sleep on th new good resolutions. Bad start to the year - fabulous continuation... Isn't that what they say ? Anyhow, whether it's true or not, I intend it to be. At the end of the day it's all about self-persuasion so, a little bit of "I believe", a little bit of hard work and a lot of vodka-martini's and everything is possible.

I'm not a big believer in New Year Resolutions. I find it to be a mockery. As if we have to wait until December 31st of each year to tell ourselves, and everyone around us for that matter, all the wrong we've done, all the right we could have done, what we always wanted to do but couldn't and plan to do in the new year ahead and bla bla bla... If we really believe in something and if we truly want to achieve it, being within our possible reach, we can do it anytime and not wait until the midnight beat of the clock that will change a yearly figure to do so. New Year resolutions involve too much postponing.

Anyway, after a somewhat disappointing end of 2009 and an lame start to 2010 thanks to the French transport system, I wish for the new year to continue fabulously for everyone. We all deserve the best and in return, we must make the most of what we have and what is given to us and give kindness and respect in return. The world is crappy enough at times without us adding misery to it, don't you think ?

So, have a great January 1st (and happy birthday to my mom)

Another year is ending...

2010-01-01T06:04:00.001-08:00

... And a new one is starting fresh.

Some people look at the New Year as a blank page to start writing new adventures on. As a better continuation of what has been over the past 12 months. New resolutions are taken. Past patterns are broken. New projects are started. Our lives take a whole new meaning as the clock strikes twelve !

Have you ever wondered what this all means ? What a "new start" actually means... If we're to be realistic, it's quite impossible to erase what was and start anew. If we've messed up, we've messed up. Learning from our mistakes is a good start, but fixing it, not always a possible thing. Some people won't forgive and don't forget. There's not much we can do about that other than close our eyes on it and continue walking on the path of life looking for new possibilities and try to mess them up as little as humanly possible.

New Year
New day
New opportunities
Old demons locked up and kept away
New encounters
New possibilities...

Wishing you all a very Happy beginning to the Year 2010

New Year Resolution

2009-12-29T03:55:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again and each year it's the same tune playing over and over again like a scratched record.
- What is your New Year resolution this year?
- I don't have one.
- Well, maybe this year your resolution should be to make a New Year’s resolution!

New Year's Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. ~Mark Twain

A new year comes changing a digit to the existent one. We leave another behind us and with it we leave events, broken loves or friendships, mistakes, learned knowledge, general life history and what we sometimes all hope for, a few extra kg.

While some people look forward to the New Year for a new start on old habits, others see it as a blank page full of new opportunities. A time to make amends in our professional lives, personal lives and in the lives of others. A time to do what we haven't done the year before. A time to make up for past mistakes. A time to get closer to people we've drifted away from or let them go and start anew. A time to realize and try to find our strengths and our weaknesses and see what it is that makes us who we are.

We spend January 1st walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives, not looking for flaws, but for potential.
A year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day. ~Edith Lovejoy Pierce

If there is one resolution I will be making, and try always to keep, it will be this: To rise above the little things…

A computer in the city... And where is the wifi ?

2009-11-27T13:27:00.000-08:00

Over the past few weeks I've been struggling to find quiet corners around Paris with a reliable wireless connection to allow me to work in an efficient and enjoyable way in a place that is neither a home nor an office.

You may think this web friendly city would allow you such a wireless liberty but ends up, it's not that easy after all...

Here are a few peaks:

Le Sanseveria - A door away from the famous English WH Smith book store on rue Rivoli in the 1st Arr., this modern coffee house with its red tables, big lamps hanging from the ceiling. A menu made of the traditional one pasta dish, the hot soup, salads and sandwiches you may find elsewhere. Average price of 15 €. Cafe au lait for 5 €. Quite a touristy spot. The service is rather young and friendly. Magazines at your disposal and 2 spots to plug your computer in.

Wireless connection: Somewhat disappointing. You need to ask for a card with a wifi code, Renewable each hour. That is, when you actually get to surf over 10 consecutive minutes without being disconnected all the times.

Note: 3 / 10

Les Philosophes - In the bobo area of the Marais, on rue Vieille du Temple, the café that made history with its fashionable washrooms. A must for every tourist. The menu hasn't changed in years and has meat, fish dishes, salads, and cheese and ham plates with the Yiddish dessert cup for the connoisseurs. The tomato tarte tatin is not bad at all. All in all, it's not the place to look for culinary extravaganza, but rather a simple and enjoyable spot. If you wish to plug yourself into a wall, there is only one table pushed into the corner by the stairs leading to the staff dressing. Comfortable spot in a silent corner. Not bad if you wish to work in ultimate concentration.

Wireless connection: A proper Internet operator and free connection. Works like a charm. No sudden disconnections (or maybe the occasional one to live up to the French operator standard).

Note: 7 / 10

Les Grandes Marches : A cosy café / restaurant in the centre of the Bastille place. A big plus point: 2 large sofa's by a fire place with a TV screen right above.

Wireless connection: A bit struggly. A Free-Hotspot connection needing to be rebooted every half hour or so. Signal slightly weak so don't hope to make the most of your time and learn patience!

All in all, nice place to work in, comfortable and I have to say, the sofa thing is a killer!

Note: 5 / 10

Le Fumoir: The martini bar in the centre of Paris. A walk away from the Louvre, from the Pont des Arts, and from absolutely anything else, it is a fabulous spot. Drinks are fantastic (try to keep away from the cocktails till at least 17.15) the very light menu is not the most exciting but is ok I suppose. The goat cheese sandwich is quite good and the fresh carrot juice makes you want to come back for more!

Wireless connection: A Free-Hotspot connection needing a reboot every half hour but the signal is strong and rarely fails! Take the little couch at the entrance and you can plug your PC in while chilling in that old Chesterfield chair.

Note: 7 / 10

Etienne Marcel: A Costes brothers' creation but with lower prices than many of their other restaurants, the Etienne Marcel combines a creative menu with hip interior design and musical ambience. The staff is adorable and friendly and spending several hours plugged in can be quite enjoyable. A few good spots to get plugged into. One with a view, the other for ultimate calm.

Wireless connection: A Free-Hotspot connection working quite well with few interruptions.

Note: 8/10

DeLaVille Café: The coffee house that once used to be a brothel. Yes, a brothel. Although today you may only find food and drinks and unfortunately no sexy madam’s to welcome you properly at the door, the place is still worth the experience.

It’s a good office spot if you are, like me at the moment, office-less.

Wireless connection: Adael-Gratuit Free connection renewed each 20 min. Can be slightly infuriating at times but all in all works quite well.

Note: 7/10

New York 2008 Slow Motion

2009-05-03T13:00:00.001-07:00

more about "New York 2008 Slow Motion", posted with vodpod

My 25 Rules

2009-04-23T15:49:00.000-07:00

1. I like to eat my low fat peanut butter with a coffee spoon…. Before continuing with the bigger tablespoon

2. I feel in love with my first ski instructor back in Austria and pretended to be really scared somewhere up in the mountain so I could continue going downhill safely between his skis. Bless him!

3. I love ice cream in the winter when it’s really cold and snowing out (I’m included in the “out”). Blame it on the Swedes.

4 I admit I was found crying at “Beauty & The Beast”… The cartoon. A cinema filled with under aged kids with their mom’s / nannies all watching quietly while in the middle somewhere, two grown ups sobbing through every scene where the beast declares his love, tea pots dance and brooms sing. The most embarrassing moment? Probably when a 7-year-old brat turned around and asked us to keep it down…

5. Yes, I sometimes still cry to the “Beauty & The Beast” song… Doesn’t everyone?

6. I’m a patient person… Really, I am!

7. I’m addicted to sms communication. Sometimes it’s quite thrilling really receiving a little line that keeps you hanging in the air for several hours.

8. Is attracted to heights… 8-10 cm heights

9. . I confess I was a huge fan of Michael Jackson back in the days. I even sent his parents a letter telling them how fabulous their son is… True story. Never got a reply back though… I keep on hoping!!

10. Sex & The City is my bible

11. I love cows. I love it when they lick their face with that big tongue swinging left to right. It’s quite endearing…

12. I once worked at a dating website and the only time I actually used the service for myself I managed to dig up a gay guy who wanted to come to my place watch TV

13. I admit this is one move line that gets my tears going no matter what, where and the situation I’m in: "I love that you get cold when it's 71 degrees out. I love that it takes you an hour and a half to order a sandwich. I love that you get a little crinkle above your nose when you’re looking at me like I'm nuts. I love that after I spend the day with you, I can still smell your perfume on my clothes. And I love that you are the last person I want to talk to before I go to sleep at night. And it's not because I'm lonely, and it's not because it's New Year's Eve. I came here tonight because when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with somebody, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible"

14. I’m learning to run but not sure I quite gets the “empty your mind and relax” bit quite yet. How can you empty your mind when all you think of is "20 more minutes and I’m at the bridge. 10 more minutes and I’m at the corner of save-me and not-quite-home-yet. 5 more minutes and I’m falling to the ground”. Keeps your mind working.

15. I confess I once, not that long ago, forgot I had lunch and an hour later had a hot dog in the Marais. Completely slipped my mind. But honestly, nothing beats that hot dog! Even you’d forget your breakfast, lunch and dinner for that hot dog.

16. I love staying in and going to bed at 22h… Really. I do. Only sometimes, bed doesn’t like me at 22 but rather have me past midnight. Not my fault!!

17. My first French boyfriend didn’t speak a word of English. I spoke no French whatsoever. We spent a full day walking through the streets of Paris speechless. Literally. It’s not that we had nothing to say, we just didn’t really know how to put it out there. We still made it for a whole entire week!

18. Been dreaming all my life of an older brother with very cute friends. That he would love me and adore me and take me out with him and that I’d fall madly in love with one of his friends and marry him (I was probably 7 or 8 when this first popped up in my mind. The scenario has been kept the same for copyright reasons)

19. Hate writing postcards but I love receiving them (hint hint)

20. I sometime really appreciate to just sit somewhere, drink, watch and criticize… Don’t we all? … It’s in our DNA!

21. I secretly dream of receiving a call from John Malkovitz and screening it. Let him record a message then listen to it every morning when I wake up and every night when I go to sleep. That voice....

22. I want to bump into John Malkovitz in the street again and make up for the sad and ridiculous “wooooow” I managed to come up with when I saw him once by my house. Oh, there was also a 2nd “wooooow” followed by an even worse conversation; Me: “You’re one of my top 5 actors” / John: “Thank you so much. Who are the other 4?” / Me: “Hmmm, well, you’re number 1 on the list really. The others, hmmm, well… You really. You’re 1st on my top 1 actor list”… I am covered in shame forever!

23. I love Facebook! I hate Facebook!

24. I’m having a hard time finishing up these 25 rules…

25. I wish I would have the guts to tell you what I really want to tell you but that I don’t dare telling you. I’ve been trying to write it down. But I don’t dare showing it to you. I even recorded myself saying it to you, but I think Orange may have erased it. Maybe I should try to sing it to you or next time I see you, get me really drunk and try asking for it.

2009-03-02T16:56:00.001-08:00

Anti Valentine 2009 - CLICK TO WATCH (AFP)

2009-02-16T03:40:00.000-08:00

"Bless You"

2009-01-13T05:15:00.001-08:00

ABSOLUT Facebook Status Updates

2007-12-29T14:27:00.001-08:00

Click on the baby...

Merry Xmas 2007

2007-12-24T03:49:00.000-08:00

Charles de Gaule Etoile

2007-08-11T03:15:00.000-07:00

Bright Lights Big City

2007-08-11T02:38:00.001-07:00

2007-07-16T23:38:00.000-07:00

Dan Hayon's new book is hot off the press at Blurb!
Take a sneak peek at it. Some of you may be in it.
Have a drink. Listen to an old LP. Step into his Time Machine and forget about the present.
Click here and enjoy the journey.

Bucharest smells by D. Hayon

2007-06-23T14:59:00.000-07:00

2007-01-14T02:31:00.000-08:00

Untitled
Support : Photographic paper
Size : 40x28 cm
Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered
Price: 200 €

Ceausescu Revisited
Support : Photographic paper
Size : 40x28 cm
Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered
Price: 200 €

Untitled
Support : Photographic paper
Size : 40x28 cm
Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered
Price: 200 €

Untitled (UK)
Support : Photographic paper
Size : 40x28 cm
Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered
Price: 200 €

Untitled (Sweden)
Support : Photographic paper
Size : 40x28 cm
Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered
Price: 200 €

Untitled (Italy)
Support : Photographic paper
Size : 40x28 cm
Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered
Price: 200 €

Untitled (France)
Support : Photographic paper
Size : 40x28 cm
Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered
Price: 200 €

2007-01-14T01:55:00.000-08:00

Photographer : Dan Hayon

Details of photos

* Support : Photographic paper
* Size : A3 (40x28 cm)
* Limited edition (20 copies) signed and numbered

About the photographer

Dan Hayon was born in Bucharest, Romania, last century. He’s 58 years old.
Graduated from the Art Academy. After leaving Romania in 1972 he lived and worked as and advertising creative director in Tel-Aviv, Stockholm and since 1994, in Paris
During his journey, he has drawn, taken pictures, collected four nationalities and a mean cat named Jules. Artistically speaking, he thinks that life is an abstract concept and that’s what he tries to capture: the forces that lay beyond the comprehensible images.
Technique is not important for him, it never was. Sharpness, he doesn't’t care much about either. But movement, yes.
He uses all kind of cameras, old ones (a Pentax LX, a Nikon FA, a little Olympus X), and a digital FinePix F10

Exhibitions:

* 18 Mars 2007 - UK
* Gallery Berthet – Aittouarés, December 2006, Paris, France
* « La Traversée » - 2006 - A collection book in limited edition, signed and numbered - hand made. A collection of poems by Guy Goffette and photos by Dan Hayon
* October / November 2006 – Quimper, France
* Cultural Romanian Centre of Paris - February 2006 – Paris, France
* Photography's published in several online photo magazines ("Photo Blog Magazine", "Next Level"...)
* A winning photo, 2nd price, published in the UK photo magazine "Next Level" online and in printed version 2006
* Permanent exposition in the wine bar « Vin des Rues » during 6 months in 2004/2005 - Paris, France
* Private exposition in Israel
* Photography's published in several online photo magazines ("Photo Blog Magazine", "Next Level"...)
* A winning photo ("Untitled" Sweden - The Eye), 2nd price, published in the UK photo magazine "Next Level" online and in printed version 2006

2006-12-25T11:37:00.000-08:00

2006-12-25T06:17:00.000-08:00

Since I have created this page about 2 years ago, I have never come back to it and I actually deleted the whole thing because I forgot how to use it… So as from now, new page and one of my 2007 resolutions will be to feed it more regularly!

One of the things I want to do here is publish the photographer's Dan Hayon work and if anyone wishes to purchase any or have more information about his work, feel free to contact me