TV's here

w00t!! :-)

Business of Photography

The subject of business in photography has been in my heart and mind for quite a while. I was doing photography as a hobby for the longest time before turning it into a business. I have also learnt some important lessons through blood, sweat and tears. And from time to time, I have had friend and acquainstances who have joined the photography profession. I have also seen the 'old birds' in the industry who are not doing photography anymore, it has been hard breaking coz I knew them as 'chien peis' from the early 90s. They are out because the market got worse a few years ago... but I digress, that's another story altogether.

I never had the chance to pen those thoughts about the business. This person Alan Briot has nicely summed up some really important points in his articles on http://www.luminous-landscape.com.
It's a series of articles in 3 parts and it's a really good read, even for non-photographers.

Wes

37°C day : 33°C night

It’s been blazing hot this week. And the temp hit super high about 2 days ago. We didn’t know this of course since our TV was down since day on the world cup final match. Jo and I have been using the bathtub for cold soaks once a day, keeps us cool for about 3 hours before feeling hot again. Have been guzzling tonnes of water, oringina and the occasional big bottle of 97cents Perrier.

Heard that it’s hot in Spore too, and coupled with high humidity, I know what it feels like, perspiration sets in 5 minutes after a shower. Over here it’s takes 10 minutes. Kekeke.

Our stuff from Spore was suppose to reach France at Le Harve on Monday but it has been delayed till Sat, so it looks like we are going to have to wait for everything to come into Paris on Friday or Sat next week. Can’t wait for my beng pc. Woohoo!

We applied for Internet on 15 June but still haven’t got it yet. Ne’emind just wait, ‘c’est la vie en France’.

So we waits… :-)

Wes

Our Apartment

Took this shot from the window position last night after coming back from the Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel. Thought I better shoot before the house gets messy again. :-)

The bed on the right can be flipped up in the morning to get more space. And the bright spot in the middle is the kitchen for one person.

Wes

Coupe du Monde

Sunday night, we finally went to a pub near our metro station. It was a small-ish crowd, quite fun. Cheered when a goal went in and of course we went “BARTHEZ! BARTHEZ! BARTHEZ!” during the penalty kicks.

small crowd

sianz...

Anyways, we were pretty stunned by Zidane’s head butt. Can anybody tell us why he did that? Commentary was in French and with the TV still kaput, we can’t get any info. :-(

Paris has been very quiet for the last 2 days.

Wes

Dead TV

Our TV died this morning, on the eve of the World Cup finals. It has a yellow power light instead of green. Since we moved in the microwave died and a couple of bulbs blew up. We had to change the mattress also. Dono what the landlord is going to say…

Dead TV is a sign we thinkz.

Wes

Our visas

After 16 and a half months, we finally got them!!!!!! After all that running around like mad monkeys, all that red tape, all that frustration, all that pitiful ‘parlez vous anglais?’ to irritated counter staff, we FINALLY collected them on Tues =)

Hmm…now what?

Jo

Lonely Planet by Wes & Jo

This week alone, we’ve had 4 different people, some we know, some we don’t, ask us if they could come stay with us or have us pick them up at the airport. Not that we don’t welcome people visiting Paris, of course we do! But we thought maybe it’s better if we let everyone have a clear idea of what is going on here, just so that we don’t offend anyone when we say we cannot have you come or pick you up from the airport or bring you around in Paris.

Why you can't stay with us

1. We are living in a 30m2 STUDIO (which means no rooms) apartment. That kinda means that unless you are our siblings who are used to our idiosyncrasies and nasty habits, it’s unlikely that it will be a nice living environment for you. On top of that, we only have one sofa and no pillows to offer any guest. So I guess that’s not too happening.

2. Our things are being shipped in from Singapore and will arrive second half of July. And then our lease ends second half of Sept so we dun really know if we are staying here or moving yet. So everything is in a state of flux for us, at least till end of the year.

Update 18 June 2007: Our things are here and the place is a lot more cramped. So really, no staying over coz even with the 2 of us, it's really cramped. Like, 'The Awakening' coolie squatter kinda of cramped.

But we can...

1. Recommend good hotels and budget ones if necessary for you. If you have in mind areas that you want to try, we can advise if it’s a good area or not.

2. Let you know when we get a bigger place.

Why we can't pick you up

1. The airport is not accessible like Changi airport. It is way out of Paris, beyond the suburbs. And that means that we have to take 3 metros and then purchase a train ticket to the airport (close to 2 hours) to get there. And repeat the whole process to get back into Paris centre.

But we can...

1. Tell you how you can get from the airport to wherever your hotel is.

2. Recommend reliable shuttle service. We use that every time we get into Paris.

3. Let you know when we get our license and can drive in Paris.

Why we cannot bring you around

1. We have appointments coz we are still trying to get a foot into the photography industry in Paris. So it’s tough for us to promise you we will bring you around when we dun know what opportunities will come up and we have to go meet folks here. It would not be nice for us to leave you stranded somewhere so we rather you come prepared to travel on your own so that we will not be in the position to spoil your holiday.

2. We’ve seen enough of the Eiffel and the Lourve already. Also, Paris is a place for exploration. You will be better off walking and just discovering new things round each corner.

But we can...

1. Tell you over the email where is good to visit, including some places that you can try good food and stuff.

2. Depending on the length of your stay, we can also set aside time to meet you and hang out with you when we are able to.

Love,
Wes & Jo

PS: Really pai-seh we are writing this, just want to tell the truth about our situation here.