Thursday, June 29, 2006

Her name was Chanel

I had planned to continue posting trip photos, but this is more important. This is about Chanel.

She was 16 years old.

She was a straight-A student.

I never met her, but I understand that she was a lovely girl. She also was lovely, in terms of her looks. This I know from photos I've seen of her face in the past several days.

Her mother is one of our employees.

This afternoon, I went with a colleague to a wake for Chanel.

Eleven days ago, Chanel left her home to go to the local Applebee's and apply for a job. She never made it there. About a week ago, her body was found in a trash bag. She had been strangled.

I'm not a very religious man, but I said a prayer as I stood in front of her open casket today. I asked God for peace for her soul, and I asked God for justice for those who are responsible for this unspeakable murder.

A final note to the New York Post reporter who stopped me and my colleague as we left: I know that rag you work for isn't even worth lining birdcages, but is asking "how does this make you feel?" really the best question you can come up with? (Needless to say, we weren't inclined to chat.)

Sunday, June 25, 2006

The Paris I Love

The title of this post is actually the title of a book that my cousin gave me when I first visited Paris in 1981. That aside, it fits. Paris is a gorgeous city. It's also fun, charming and comfortable.

I already posted a couple of these photos in an early post about this trip. So if a couple look familiar, that's why. Now, they're just taking their place in the proper order of the shots, as I took them...




Young people gather on the little islands and along the banks of the Seine in the evening.



Look at that. No landmarks or special structures. Just neighborhood buildings, and it's beautiful!



More people hanging out along the Seine. A few years back, Marc and I took a stroll with our cousins along one bank. It's lovely and relaxing.



Sunset in Paris



Hotel de Ville (City Hall)



Hotel de Ville and fountains



Napoleon's Arc de Triomphe


To those who commented on the prior posts, thank you! It's always nice to know the photos are appreciated.