Katie flies off from San Francisco to Paris today (bon voyage, honey), where I'll be joining her in a little over a week.
To divert myself from fussing and packing, this week's sentence is taken from the ultimate Parisian novel, that most comforting of winter comfort-books, Victor Hugo's sublime masterpiece, 'Les Misérables'.
The more established Blogville residents will know that as the nights draw in, Old Dive loves nothing more than to sit in my big old reading chair and wallow all winter in the delights of Dickens and the Big Russians (autumn's hardly started and I've already finished War and Peace, The Master And Margarita and a handful of Dickens), so to get myself in the mood for Paris I shall be losing myself in A Tale Of Two Cities and of course, Les Misérables.
This is the book that gave me one of my all-time favourite quotes, one that Katie and I shall be putting to good use in Paris: "To err is human; to stroll, Parisian."
However, this week's sentence is: 'Between the walls of the two yards there was a dark and narrow street, the Rue de Chemin-Vert-Saint-Antoine, which seemed to be exactly what he was looking for.'
The rules are here.
Enjoy!
20 comments:
I cannot wait to get crackin' on this one. Autumn is no doubt one of the most excellent introductions to Winter; the experience every year is without words.
It's getting close to fires in the fireplace season, soups bubbling on the stove, cider warmed in my mug, and untold classics.
Still to this day, I think it is Great Expectations that comes to mind when I think Dickens.
Hooray for Autumn!!
I like today's sentence. Of course you know I won't write a story with it, but I can go look for dark and narrow Parisian streets. Maybe I'll see Les wandering around too! I'll let you know when I arrive in Paris!
Todd: you're almost making me look forward to six months of crap weather and heating bills. Hee hee.
And yes, I really AM looking forward to Paris with Great Expectations!
Katie: Off you go to the airport! I'll see you at Gard du Nord. I can't wait!
Todd, autumn is my favorite as well! Nothing like a woodsy walk when the trees turn and the air is cool.
Dive, this is a hard one. I've never been near Paris. I guess I will have to look at pictures and guess what it's like. Won't make for good writing though.
Dive: Paris should more than live up to Great Expectations. It is such a beautiful city.
How poetically Todd describes the cold months to come: my least favorite time of year!
And I am early...because I cheated last week.
http://luxuriouschoices.blogspot.com/2009/10/secret-of-senhora-sete.html
Don't worry if you've never experienced Paris for this weeks line; stretch your imagination! Use the line in a story about bath-toys escaping through the pipe-drains! or and Edgar Allen Poe tale of tragedy and mystery, or ... or.... runs wild with ideas!
I -think- I've got a treat for you guys, but will need some time to mull it over.
Ooooh ... love is in the air...
Dive, "...to stroll, Parisian..." From what I hear, you will have to consciously slow down your usual pace. This is one place for sure where you do want to stroll. Have a fabulous time with Katie.
All that reading--no wonder your garden is overgrown.
Autumn is making her entrance here with rain and wind.
Katherine: Yay, you for being so speedy! I shan't read yours yet as I've not written mine.
Cali: Katie is safely in Paris and I am so happy.
Todd: Ooooh! I'm intrigued! Mull away; we'll wait and see.
Mme: Fraid so. Hee hee.
Lupine Lady: We have a breezy day here, too, but the sun is shining and I am stupidly happy because Katie has arrived in Paris and is emailing from Eric's apartment. Woohoo!
Thank you for the update on Katie's arrival, Dive.
I like that you are getting some new literary recruits. :) It really seems like I would like to do this sort of thing but I'm missing either the work ethic, education, or the depth to join in. :p
One of my best friends is an English prof. at our old University and I love to marvel at how she eats up good literature. I should point her to your story time exercises. :D You guys are awesome!
I am beside myself with excitement for your upcoming week. XO's to you both!
Yes indeedy, do tell us all about your week! I was just telling my husband about your international romance. He said it gives new meaning to long distance relationships!
I miss these wonderful writing assignments. Please don't "write me off" yet. I am seeing some light in my schedule.
I can't wait to hear about your adventures with Katie in Paris.
Have fun in Paris!
Cali: Now I've got a week and a bit to wait before my OWN arrival in Paris. Dammit!
Shan: You really should join our little storytelling funtime; your videos (especially the commentary) prove that you've more than got it in the creativity and fun departments.
As for my upcoming week: I'll be spending it commuting and working and missing my videochats with Katie but at least I know that the following week we'll be together again. Yay!
Katherine: Yup, six thousand miles, an ocean and a continent apart makes popping round for a snuggle a leetle tricky, but thanks to videochat and Katie's love of travelling we're managing wonderfully.
Neetzy: I'm really looking forward to the day when your schedule opens up just enough for you to write more stories.
I'll fess up all about Paris when I get back. I won't be taking a laptop so I'll not be blogging while I'm there but I'll be taking lots of photos.
Great! Can't wait to see them. I traveled to Paris ... gosh, 16? 17? years ago. Still have the photo I took of Notre Dame sitting on my shelf - an absolutely beautiful scene.
Anyway, dive I posted Heist to my site; probably not the finished product I hoped for but after yesterdays class I have a bit of writing work to get done. If I get the time I'll post my next assignment (a beach? a nurse? a suitcase full of beta tapes?)
Cool, Todd! I can't wait to see Notre Dame for real (instead of wandering around in Google Street View).
I'll check your blog when I get home. I'm now off to London for another week's crappy commute. Hey ho.
Hooray for crappy commutes ... er, I'm gathering that isn't something we're supposed to cheer about, is it.
Aaaargh! Barely made it. here
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