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.)

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.

Paris (part I)

Our chariot, ready to take us to Paris.


We traveled in the first class section (which was part of our rail passes).


Inside. It was very comfy!


Even at 200 miles an hour, there was plenty to see. The French countryside is gorgeous!






Marc's mom loved the view. She was writing in her journal, but she took lots of time out to just soak up the view.

After arriving in Paris, we headed for the Eiffel Tower. We went all the way to the top, but you can't really get photos from there (it has dirty little windows, and there's no clear view). So here are some views from the observation deck...








Enjoying the view.




Looking up from the second level observation deck.




I like this photo because of the shadow of the Tower.






Here, you can see the Seine in the foreground and Montmartre in the distance (Sacré Coeur is the most obvious feature).

After the Eiffel Tower, we took a boat tour on the Seine...


The bridge of the boat with name of the boat company.


This is a really interesting place to shop.






The Assemblée Nationale of France (their Congress, if I'm not mistaken).


A tour boat that lets you get on and off at various locations.


Adornment on one of the bridges over the Seine.


A boat similar to ours, heading the opposite direction.

Okay, I guess that's enough for today! More soon!

The rest of Geneva

We spent less than 24 hours in Geneva, but it was a nice stop anyhow. Here are several more photos from there.


You had to know that they'd be selling clocks in Geneva!


And, of course, Swiss Army Knives. (And, in whose pocket would that big one fit?)


These signs are neat. They show parking areas, where/how far they are, the total spaces they have and how many are free.


A side street (exciting, huh?).


And yet another. Stick with me, folks. Nothing but the best trip photos! :)


Some people waiting for the light to change.


Some guy and his mom on the morning of our departure for Paris.
Hey, can I tell you a secret? I got the guy back to my hotel room later, got him naked and had my way with him! ;)


The board showing our train. (I know, I know. The excitement never ends!)


Some shops near the station (taken from the station, as you can see).


More of the same.


Check out the guy cleaning the glass!


The crowd builds! Good thing the whole train's reserved seating!


And here it comes--the Train à Grand Vitesse, to whisk us off to Paris!

Geneva photos

Time to continue with the trip. Today's photos come from our Geneva stop.




This fountain is huge. It shoots 400 feet into the air. For a sense of scale, look at the buildings behind it!






Yes, I shot a photo of a fire hydrant. I thought it looked interesting--the shape is unusual.




Chocolate, anyone? Yes, we went in. In fact, we brought back five pounds of chocolate with us! All different kinds! We even shared some, but we ate way too much of it ourselves (and enjoyed every fattening bite)! :)


I don't know what these soldierboys were guarding, but that didn't matter. The guy on the left had beautiful eyes. The guy on the right--well, check out the next photo.


Oh, baby! Come here and let me play with your gun! (And don't you love soldiers who can wear earrings on duty?)


Marc and his mom after some shopping.


This was interesting. It's a sort of car repair shop on wheels. To some degree, it's like AAA, but it appeared that this service went well beyond anything the local AAA tow truck can offer when you break down.


Here we see the mobile mechanic working on the customer's car.

I actually have a few more Geneva photos, but they can wait for another day. In the meantime, I hope you liked these.