A = Aphrodite - A to Z Challenge 2012

  

Aphrodite at the Louvre, Paris - by DG Hudson



A = Aphrodite of Milos

DG's Theme: Paris, Etc (Art, Film, Places, People)
Also called the Venus de Milo statue, Aphrodite resides in the Louvre Museum in Paris, France.  She's the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

Aphrodite, as seen in the photo above, was found in 1820 on Milos (or Melos), one of the Aegean islands.  The arms and original plinth have been lost.  Aphrodite’s face and body style are seen as a combination of the Classic and Hellenistic styles. During World War II, Aphrodite sheltered in safety at a French chateau along with two other important art works from the Louvre.



The legend surrounding Aphrodite started about 3200 BC, when she was revered by the Phoenicians.  She's the Greek Goddess without the body armor.  Born of a dispute between father and son, Aphrodite emerges fully grown in a very unconventional way.  I won't go into details.  See the links below for more on mythology.

Aphrodite seemed to have her fingers in everything, including the affairs of men.  The age of heroes ended with Zeus deciding to put an end to his daughter Aphrodite's practise of mating gods with humans.  These are half-human, half-god mythical heroes, not Marvel or DC comic superheroes.  To teach her a lesson, Zeus caused Aphrodite to fall in love with a mortal man, and suffer the strife of bearing a mortal son. 


Did you know Aphrodite was such a meddler?  Perhaps she had good intentions.  Comments are welcome.



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Links:

Aphrodite at the Louvre Museum
http://www.louvre.fr/en/oeuvre-notices/aphrodite-known-venus-de-milo

Venus de Milo/Aphrodite
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venus_de_Milo

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

Aphrodite Legend
http://www.phoenician.org/aphrodite_legend.htm

Aphrodite Myths
http://www.theoi.com/Olympios/AphroditeMyths3.html#Aesop

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Statuary at the Louvre - A Study in Stone

Paris, France

Inner Courtyard and Entrance to the Louvre by DG Hudson

If you've never been to the Louvre Museum in Paris, this photo study will give you a peek inside at some of the works on display when we visited in Autumn 2010.  Known for acquiring a broad range of art works, the Louvre's collection encompasses paintings, artifacts and statuary. 




Antiquities, Louvre Museum, Paris, photo by DG Hudson

The Louvre Museum is welcoming, allowing the visitor room to walk, sit or browse, (after you buy your ticket).  All exhibits are well organized and many of the statuary are placed to allow viewing up close.  This museum is huge and requires lots of walking, up stairs, down stairs and around the corners.  Different wings of the building are dedicated to specific time periods or various civilizations. 


Below is a corner of the ceiling enhanced with gilding, painted images and deep windows.



Ceiling detail Louvre Museum, Paris by DG Hudson



Don't miss the floors in this beautiful gallery.  A palace first, the Louvre was built to house a king and the details of its structure attest to its past.  Murals cover the walls at the top of the a stairway, and a huge Sphinx sits in a corridor, just waiting to be admired. 




Original Palace Foundations of the Louvre -Photo by DG Hudson



Don't miss the basement of the Louvre where the foundations of the original palace can be seen.  They give a hint of the age of the building, while the model shows the medieval design. 



Model of early Louvre Palace, photo by DG Hudson




Below is one of the must-see statues at the Louvre, Winged Victory; I've cropped out all the visitors who were at its feet, but there were many admiring this sculpture.




The Nike of Samothrace, or Winged Victory c.190 BC - photo by DG Hudson



The woodwork and design of the ceiling in some of the gallery halls, the multilayering of marble on the statues, and the detail on some of the columns make it difficult to know where to look first.  It's definitely a feast for the eyes and the camera.



Near the entrance to the Louvre Antiquities, by DG Hudson



Statues of different sizes, and of different cultures are displayed in a very satisfying manner for the viewer.  Exhibits can vary as to how noisy or crowded they might be, as the tour guides lead their groups through.  There are quiet exhibits with students sitting and drawing the statues or studying the paintings.  It's nice to see that art students are still sent to the galleries to study the masters.





In Main Gallery, A man rests, by DG Hudson



The sunlight made a play of light and shadow on these ladies.  Hairdos don't seem to have really changed that much.


Statuary with hair and dress details, Louvre, Paris by DG Hudson


Some exhibits encompass an entire room, with artifacts of the same time period,  like a room in an old castle.  Note the floor in the photo below and the mantel to the right.





Antiquities, Louvre Museum, Paris by DG Hudson



Another partial sculpture below is slightly larger than life size.  The statue is carved with such finesse that the headdress seems touchable.  It's tucked into a niche in one of the main galleries.

Antiquities at the Louvre, Paris by DG Hudson

Walk slowly through this museum or you'll miss something.  Look up, then down, at the walls and along the aisles.  Art is literally everywhere in this unique gallery.  For more details, check

Louvre Museum Home Page http://www.louvre.fr/en  

The Louvre Museum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mus%C3%A9e_du_Louvre


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How about you?  Do you go to museum/galleries to see art or natural history, flight museums, car museums? 

Please share in the comments if you know of unique or interesting museums that you've seen. 

Catch Fire! Blog Party - CassaFire Feb 28, 2012



CassaFire is Here!



If you like Science Fiction, then you must have heard of author Alex J. Cavanaugh. He's the blog owner of the site by the same name.  Check out the Ninja Captain's blog at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/. 

Today is the Catch Fire! Blog Party, celebrating the release of CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh! The goal is to help CassaFire “catch fire” on the best seller charts and achieve the success of the first book, CassaStar.


There’s also a special package of prizes being given away at the author’s blog (copies of CassaFire, CassaStar, tote bag, mug, and bookmarks) as well as book giveaways during his two-week blog tour.  See Alex’s site for details: http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

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CassaFire by Alex J. Cavanaugh

CassaStar was just the beginning…

The Vindicarn War is a distant memory and Byron’s days of piloting Cosbolt fighters are over. He has kept the promise he made to his fallen mentor and friend - to probe space on an exploration vessel. Shuttle work is dull, but it’s a free and solitary existence. The senior officer is content with his life aboard the Rennather.

The detection of alien ruins sends the exploration ship to the distant planet of Tgren. If their scientists can decipher the language, they can unlock the secrets of this device. Is it a key to the Tgren’s civilization or a weapon of unimaginable power? Tensions mount as their new allies are suspicious of the Cassan’s technology and strange mental abilities.

To complicate matters, the Tgrens are showing signs of mental powers themselves; the strongest of which belongs to a pilot named Athee, a woman whose skills rival Byron’s unique abilities. Forced to train her mind and further develop her flying aptitude, he finds his patience strained. Add a reluctant friendship with a young scientist, and he feels invaded on every level. All Byron wanted was his privacy…

Available today! 
Science fiction - space opera/adventure

Print ISBN 978-0-9827139-4-5, $15.95, 6x9, Trade paperback, 240 pages

EBook ISBN 978-0-9827139-6-9, $4.99, available in all formats

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You can visit the author’s site at http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/ 
OR - Order from these sites:

Barnes and Noble

Amazon

Amazon Kindle

Amazon for Canadians


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CassaFire is the sequel to Cavanaugh’s first book, CassaStar, an Amazon Top Ten Best Seller:

“…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.” - Library Journal

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Alex's site has all the details for ordering CassaFire, but watch the trailer below if you want a peek first.


CASSAFIRE TRAILER

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Now go over to Alex's site and join the party!

I've Been Tagged - 11 Questions

I've been tagged by:

Misha Gericke

I'll answer Misha's questions, then I'll offer my own and I'll follow Misha's lead by selecting some of followers from my blog.  Great idea Misha!  (a getting to know you tag)

THE RULES ARE:

I answer 11 questions and make up 11 of my own.  I tag and link to 11 other bloggers.  You who are tagged are asked to do the same on your blog. 


My Answers to Misha:

1. Do you believe in fate?  
Yes, Fate brought me to Canada.

2. How the heck do you write and have a life?
I write whenever I can, in the morning (preferred) or on the road when I'm a passenger.  It keeps me from telling someone how to drive.

3. If you were in a written story, which character trope would you most likely have followed?
The fallen angel.  (I'd follow Wilde's advice about resisting everything except temptation. . . )

4. Sweet or Savory?
How about a bit of both?

5. What's your big dream?
See the Earth from space or from the Moon.

6. Fondest memory?
First meeting the man I'm married to now.  Felt like I had known him before or had been waiting for him.

7. What's your biggest wish? (world peace does not count)
Can I be greedy and have two?  I'd wish for my oldest daughter's health to improve from a chronic condition she has, and to be published, of course.

8. Would you rather have an exciting life and be alone or find the great love of your life and live a relatively normal one?
I did find the love of my life and I'm married to him.

9. Have you ever done something, only to realize a half a second later that you made a mistake?
You mean like closing the door to your car and seeing the keys still in the ignition. . .?


10. Did you try to go back and fix it, or did you follow through?
For the locked in keys, I called a car service, for big faux pas, it would depend on the mistake.

11. Do you edit while writing or after the draft is done?
I find it hard not to edit while writing, but even Dean Koontz admits editing as he goes.  I think it's the perfectionist tendencies some of us have.
 
***

MY TAGGED BLOGGERS:

1 - Spunk on a Stick (L. Diane Wolfe)

2 - The Writing Nut (Nutschell)

3 - Seeing Creative (Stina)

4 - Veronica and Thomas - Taking the Artistic World. . .

5 - Sherry E  - The Mama Diaries

6 - J. T. Lewis - Did I Stutter?

7 - The Ramblings of a Peacock  - Michelle

8 - Susan Says  - Susan

9 - Alexia Purdy Blog - Alexia

10 - Claudia Del Balso, Writer - Claudia

11 - Jen's Bookshelf - Jen

*****

My 11 Questions For Those Tagged Are:
(updated Feb.17/12)

1 - How long have you blogged?

2 - Do you have a pet?

3 - Do you like film noir?

4 - Do you pick male or female protagonists the most when you write?

5 - Which female actor in LOTR would you want to be if offered a part in the movie?

6 - Which male actor in LOTR would you want to be if offered a part in the movie? (this is assuming Makeup and Costume can do miracles. . .)

7 - Where do you write? (which room, or place is most comfortable)
 
8 - What beverage is beside you while you're writing?
 
9 - Do you listen to Music while writing?
 
10 - What is your favorite city?
 
11 - Is there a phone in your writing place?
(In my study where I write, I have a landline.  Do you have any communication device that can disturb you nearby?)
 
***

That's it, I tried to make the questions short and sweet and the answers can be too.

Please pass the tag along.  Misha (at My First Book) sent me the details.  Hope you can participate.

Thanks Misha, for the opportunity to highlight a few followers' blogs.

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Any comments?  Hope you'll get a chance to check some of the blogs above.

ORIGINS Blogfest 2012



When did your writing dreams begin?



Tell us for the Origins Blogfest . . . when did you first pick up that pen or sit in front of that keypad and begin to create a story, or a column, a poem, or a book?  (Not for school or because you had to, but because you wanted to write something down that was in your head)

When did I first start writing stories?

After reading Tolkien’s The Hobbit for the first time, I wanted to write like that, to weave a story thread like he did. This book introduced me to the fantasy genre. I breezed through the Lord of the Ring books that followed.  Reading fantasy led to reading science fiction, and there I decided to stay and see what I could create. 

Thanks for dropping by.  Hope you can share one of your writing memories in the comments below.  I'll be sure to answer and check out your blog.
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The Origins Blogfest is brought to you by 4 co-host Bloggers: (you can sign up on these sites)

DL at Cruisin' Altitude
Alex at Alex J. Cavanaugh
Matt at The Quintessentially Questionable Query Experiement
Katie at Creepy Query Girl 


Want to participate?

First, you need to sign up to participate via the handy dandy Linky tool at DL's site or any of the other host blogs above.   The Linky lists, details, and badges are found there. Have fun checking out the list!

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PARIS - City of Light

Eiffel Tower Lights the Evening - DGH 2010

Eiffel Tower (Tour Eiffel)


Paris with all its lights on shows us a city proud to flaunt its beauty. It’s an impressive sight at night, when buildings take on a golden glow and the Eiffel Tower changes colour by the hour.

 ***


Bright Cafe Lights on the Right Bank - by DGH

  Lights in the Side Streets

In the Marais when evening falls, walkers fill the streets looking for a place to eat and a spot to people watch by the Seine River. On the side streets, light spills out from the cafés and bistros onto the sidewalk, while the cosy tables invite us to stop.

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Bateau Parisiennes Tour - Illuminations - by Green Eye

Illumination Tours

Bateau Parisienne is one of several companies that provide tours of the Seine River day and night. Boats are open style or covered, depending on the weather, and provide an excellent view of the buildings in their evening finery. There are also driving tours available if you prefer the land route.

The unique design of the bridges can be seen as you slip quietly beneath. From this level, it’s also easier to see the detail of architectural grotesques and the unique style of the different bridges. I imagine scenes from the past when beaches ran down to the Seine River, and a few of the oldest bridges were new.

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Look Way Up at Notre Dame - by DG Hudson

 
Notre Dame Cathedral


Notre Dame looms over the Seine, its haunting Gothic style highlighted by the evening glow of lights.  Refer to 'Paris - Architecture Smorgasbord (from my 21st Century blog) for more photos and detail on this inspired building.

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Hôtel de Ville

  

Evening shot of Hotel de Ville with Signposts - by DGH



The Hôtel de Ville watches over the plaza in front, its sculptures lit from beneath. This is Paris City Hall. The quiet fountain off the the side bubbles pleasantly as we walk by, heading to our rental apartment. Public events such as fund-raisers are staged in the square at times. On those occasions, the building dons a different dress. (see 'Transformed photo' in sidebar)

http://www.aviewoncities.com/paris/hoteldeville.htm  Hôtel de Ville


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Hôtel-Dieu de Paris

The illuminated photo of this building appears in another recent Paris post, Apartment Rentals and Booked Tours.

Hôtel-Dieu de Paris is the oldest hospital in Paris, and sits next to Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité. It was also the only hospital until the Renaissance. A few of the towers facing the Seine River have retained their medieval style complete with conical roofs.  Below is the day version.

Hotel D'ieu's conical towers at left - by DG Hudson

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H%C3%B4tel-Dieu_de_Paris  Hotel D'ieu

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Seine River bridges

Always lots to see, on the river or on the bridges.

 

Bridge and Tour boat on the Seine River by DG Hudson

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Samaritain Paris 

This department store in the 1st Arrondisement closed in 2005.  In 2010, the lights still celebrated the store's past.  I liked the current design and the lights.  Who knows how long this version will last?

More info at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Samaritaine.





Samaritaine in the Evening by DGH

 ***

A photographer's dream, that's Paris.  It's the urge to capture the essence of the brightness, the thing that gives the city that overall glow.  And I don't mean electricity.
What is it about lights - the neon that seduces us, marquees that invite us in and special lights that enthrall us at certain times of the year?  In Paris, they keep it going year round and light up the best places.  

Do you know of cities like Paris that enhance themselves in the evening with lights, or other public events so people feel comfortable walking about? 

Please share if you do. 

*****

PARIS - Apartment Rentals and Booked Tours



Eiffel Tower framing Trocadero - by DGH 2010




Paris is an intriguing city, offering something unique to each person who visits. This post details a couple of ways to enjoy your trip and perhaps save time or money. We had two weeks, a rental apartment, an itinerary, Paris guidebooks, French phrasebooks and maps. We wanted to walk the streets where so many historical and literary figures have gone before us, we wanted to see the museums, the palaces, the artist hangouts, and the local cafes. Our favourites: the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, Monet’s Garden, the Seine River and its many bridges, the Isle St. Louis, Montmartre, and the Marais. It’s hard to pick just one.

View from our Paris Rental Apartment  - by DGH 2010

Rental Apartments

Our rented apartment was in the Marais, 4th Arrondisement, right on the Rue de Rivoli. This area has many townhomes and manors which have been converted into combined private residences/designer rentals and boutique hotels. Renting an apartment in Paris is highly recommended, but do your research well. Some places are suitable for students and groups of friends on a budget, others for couples or families looking for a bit more. We selected the company A La Carte for several reasons. They were offering the types of apartments that we wanted in the areas we wanted (on the Right Bank, near the Marais and near the Louvre Museum). Costs vary by size of apartment, high or low season rates and location.

A La Carte’s website provides all the information you need including availability for booking. What we saw online was exactly that in reality, and the location was perfect for us. The costs are comparable and in some cases better than equivalent hotels in the same area. Our apartment was between the Louvre and the Place De La Bastille, a few blocks over from the Seine River right on the famed Rue de Rivoli. We booked a one bedroom with a tidy kitchen/dining area, living room, shower, wifi connection with flat screen TV, microwave, and apartment size laundry. Being on the fourth floor we knew the view would be great, but we made sure there was an elevator. We just didn’t know it was truly a petite Parisian elevator. Cozy.


The rental agency supplied their own customized guide in the apartment (suited to that particular area). It was a lifesaver. The rental company also left a complimentary bottle of wine and a bowl of fruit to welcome us. We enjoyed being able to locate the small grocery nearby that had everything we needed, finding the local boulangerie (bakery) where we bought our first and daily baguette (or two) and discovering the many local bistros and cafes nearby. The sounds of Paris drifted up to our window every day as soon as I opened the windows. September is a great time to visit with mild weather and fewer crowds. The only time we left Paris was on a one day coach tour to Monet’s Garden and Versailles.

Our taxis, with English speaking drivers, were booked by our rental agency for our arrival at CDG airport and for our departure. The cost was 80 Euros one-way. We were driven to our apartment in large comfortable European sedans. Luxe. The drivers contracted with A La Carte escort you and your luggage up to the apartment and carry your luggage to the taxi when you depart. So much better than my expected visions of haggling with the taxi drivers. For someone used to hauling her own luggage, it was nice.

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Monet's Water Garden, Giverny - 2010 by DG Hudson



Booked Tours

All of our excursions were booked with Viator Tours - Paris.  This company offers an excellent selection of tours, and friendly staff. The office we visited was near the Tuilleries.  Our tour guides were well-informed, multilingual and managed their groups well. Very professional.


Tours we selected:

• Monet’s Garden, a day trip by coach to Giverny, includes a tour of Monet’s house, with access to his famed Water Garden and the flower gardens. Included are two additional stops. Lunch at Le Moulin Fourges, an old mill location that provides a seated lunch with a pre-planned menu served by staff. This is a welcome break in the coach trip between Giverny and Versailles. 

Versailles, France, Hall of Mirrors - by DG Hudson

Later, we arrive at Versailles, the golden palace. The grandness of the estate cannot help but awe those who see it for the first time. In 2010, the gilt was fresh and the palace was crowded, but our intrepid blue leader guide led us through the Hall of Mirrors, the royal bedchambers, and some of the galleries. From the natural to the gilded, the French celebrate both.




Paris - Bridge over the River Seine 2010 by DGH



• Paris Illuminations Tour (Group access to 1st level of the Eiffel Tower, an evening  Seine River cruise on the Bateaux Parisiennes with the return City Illuminations tour). We had plenty of time on the Eiffel Tower for photographs and the gift shop, but no meals. If you want to eat at the Eiffel Tower or while cruising, look for casual or formal dinner cruises. There are many variations to suit everyone’s taste.

Paris - a Montmartre Cafe 2010 by DG Hudson

• Walking tour of Montmartre starting at the Blanche Metro station. We walked past the Moulin Rouge, on our way to meet up with the group of about 12 people. The tour took us past Van Gogh’s house, a hidden Montmartre vineyard, the famed Bateau Lavoir, Tertre Square and ended at the Sacre Coeur. I detailed this one in Paris Walks.

Getting Around: Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Les Cars Rouges - (the Red tour bus) the stop nearest us was on the Isle St. Louis near Notre Dame, you can buy the tickets online or on the bus, get on and off for two days @ 24 Euros per person, good value, great orientation to the city on arrival. They stop at all the major tourist sites and allow you to get on and off with your pass. A fellow traveller recommended it over the Metro. It’s nice to see where you’re going aboveground, and it’s much easier going around the L’Etoile when there’s a French driver at the wheel.





Paris - Arc de Triomphe 2010 - by DG Hudson



Whether you prefer an apartment or a hotel, the right accommodations can make or break a vacation. Location, cost and the personal touch are important. We were located in the middle of Paris, but the apartment was as quiet as could be when the windows were shut at night. We leaned out our 4th floor apartment on October 2, 2010 at midnight, gazed down the Rue de Rivoli and watched the celebrations of Nuit  Blanche  (a Paris street party) promising ourselves that we’d be back.

Paris -Nuit Blanche, Oct 2, 2010 - DGH

REFERENCES

A La Carte Paris -- Designer Rental Apartments in Paris
http://www.alacarte-paris-apartments.com/


Viator Tours booking site

http://www.viator.com/Paris/d479-ttd

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Have you ever rented an apartment in a city you’re visiting? Which city?

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Disclaimer: The businesses mentioned in this post are recommended based on our experience. We were satisfied with their service and would use both again.