30 September 2016

Marquise


A large marquise dominates the entry to a hotel on Boulevard de la Madeleine.

29 September 2016

Meringues and marzipan


A busy market street.

Chocolate meringues and marzipan piglets share a pâtisserie window

27 September 2016

So-Pi


Place Saint-Georges, gateway to "So-Pi" the up/coming South Pigalle district bathed in morning light.

25 September 2016

Holy smoke


 
In Memoriam 
 
The tradition of offering Masses for the dead originated in the very early Church. Beautiful service today at Notre-Dame Cathedral, setting of "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," Ralph's favorite novel and a fitting end to his story.

Above: the priests' arrival is heralded by incense; a soloist and backup choir sing the liturgy; a dignified departure

Farewell and Godspeed

- My deepest gratitude for everyone's support and to those who attended -
BPJ

***

- Getting a loved one's name on The List requires an appointment
- Masses for individuals at the Cathedral are not offered. These are group requiems and your loved one's name will be read aloud along with others for that day
- Incense ritual: just before Mass the priests enter in single file led by an acolyte swinging a small metal container of burning incense on a chain. With each swing the puffs of smoke rise higher as everyone makes their way to the altar
- Victor Hugo's original novel was called "Notre Dame de Paris" not "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," considered a spoiler title
- The Cathedral was built in 1163
 
Update: Since the April 15, 2019 fire a tentative re-opening of the Cathedral is scheduled for 2024


24 September 2016

Fauvist feast


Café scene at the foot of a Montmartre stairway reminiscent of colors of Gauguin.

23 September 2016

Ribbons of air


Passersby are handed colored ribbons to tie to a large grille of a sidewalk air vent.

22 September 2016

21 September 2016

Lunch meet


A bistro on a quiet square behind the Palais-Royal Gardens, ideal for a Girls' Lunch.

Bistrot Valois
1 Place de Valois 75001

20 September 2016

Book space


  A librairie beneath Sacré Coeur that's also a café, gallery and museum of the avant-garde.

Halle Saint-Pierre 
2 rue Ronsard 75018

19 September 2016

Orsay atrium


The ceiling of this former train station illuminates the many sculptures on display below.

17 September 2016

16 September 2016

Paris unchanged


As more and more Paris cafés modernize many have preserved their days-gone-by allure.



15 September 2016

Suspended


More street art in the form of a bicycle attached to a wall in the Marais district.

14 September 2016

12 September 2016

The cobbler

 
 This mechanical cobbler is a fixture in a cordonnerie window on rue des Abbesses.
 
 

10 September 2016

Corridor


  A long empty corridor inside the Paris underground métro system leads to Line 11. 
 

9 September 2016

Lunch launch


Le Train Bleu inside the Gare de Lyon is still "the" must-lunch stop for travelers off to the French Riviera. Wall and ceiling frescoes depict alluring destinations on the Côte d'Azur.

6 September 2016

Crouching angel


A secret courtyard conceals the sculpture of an angel.

 In Loving Tribute
 
  Brother In Arms
An angel found you, and scooped you into his arms.
Father, husband, brother, uncle, brother-in-law, friend, gifted musician, woodworker, world traveler, raconteur.... You were amazing, and now even more so. My heart will hold all of those memories, of the good times growing up, and later, together in Europe. We will forever celebrate your Life (with that glass of Cointreau...?), your unique sense of humor and countless "Ralph-isms" as we try and live up to your mantra, "Don't let the party die!" Until we meet again my cherished beautiful Big Bro.


RALPH MARC PASQUET
R.I.P.

  Many thanks to one/all for kind comments, condolences, flowers, cards. I will be getting back to everyone early next week. Yes Ralph was truly one of a kind. In gratitude, BPJ


12/2015

"Handsome. Kind eyes." Mandy L.
"Incredible guy." John B.
"Mean bass player!" Bob M.
"Won't forget him." Sean and Mary H.
"Generous. Great sense of irony, humor." Sebastian C.
"Deserves all happiness." Jesus G.
"A force of nature few understood." Katherine T.
"Wish I'd met him." Arnaud D.
"The Dude." Anonymous
"An amazing and interesting person whose time on earth was way too short." Lauren S./Tom P. 
"Wish we could've got to know each other better. RIP Cuz." Mike N.
"Sleep in Peace noble Prince." Taylor Family
 "A remarkable guy with the greatest gift of gab I literally ever encountered. He had some stories to tell that I said to him on several occasions he should write about in a book. I hope he was able to find some peace in the last years of his life, despite what he had told me were his struggles with diabetes" An old friend
 ----

Some of Ralph's favorite links:
Night Tripper ZuZu Mamou / Dr. John
Thirty Days In The Hole / Steve Marriott
Papa Don't Take No Mess / James Brown
Lady Blue / Leon Russell (R.I.P. 11/9/2016)

To Ralph:
"We dressed up and fought, then thought, make amends.
We were never holding back, worried that time would come to an end...
 But I thought in spite of dreams
You'd be sitting somewhere here with me.
"

Being Boring / Pet Shop Boys

Update 9/21/2016
A candle placed before "Ralph's Angel" today.


 

 A Mass was said for Ralph at Notre Dame Cathedral. Thank you thank you to those who came or were there in spirit.

Update 10/20/2016
 As some of you know Ralph entrusted to me and others close to him certain photos/docs to post online. Please check your email for details. If anyone has anything to supplement what we have please forward it to the address on the mailing list. If you're not on the list, you can contact me via WPA (Subject: R.I.P. Ralph). Thanks!

Update 10/31/2016

- Just in time for Halloween - 

To the person who sent the "Quais Modo" photo from Ralph's FB,

*** THANK YOU ***

Update 12/28/2016
By request I am creating a "Ralph page" of photos, updates, docs, etc. password accessible only. Please watch your inboxes starting January and share with all of your followers/connections.
 
 
 Below: Ralph was on his H.S. Track Team, in the Rifle Club (below) and loved basketball. He excelled in running and dreamed to compete in varsity sports.
 
Ralph Pasquet, bottom row right (click to enlarge)
 

 
***
 
 







 

5 September 2016

4 September 2016

Galerie des enfants


Installation of miniature skyscrapers for kids by JR, artist known for his gargantuan photographs.

Ends September 19, 2016

Centre Georges Pompidou
Place Georges-Pompidou 75004 

3 September 2016

Tied down


Yet another bicycle tied to a fence. Behind, church of Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre.

Square René-Viviani
79 rue Galande 75005

2 September 2016

Street chic


Casual city bag and shoes just in time for fall.

Ralph Lauren
173 Boulevard Saint-Germain 75006

[at same address: RALPH's restaurant] 


1 September 2016

Paris' 21st arrondissement #2



 
Provençal-style markets, small fishing villages, local fleur de sel goat cheeses. On the nearby tiny island of Aix a man makes his way down the main street where no cars are allowed and access is solely by ferry.

 
***
 
Getting there: 
By TGV train from Paris: leave early to La Rochelle (just 2 1/2 hours)
At La Rochelle rent a car and head to île-de-Ré, a 10-minute drive
 
By car from Paris: approximately 4 hours 
If driving, plan on spending at least one night