Meeme's introdution thread

I am Meeme, living in Paris, France.

I am a French literature major at the prestigious Paris-Sorbonne university (some acquaintances of mine claim it is my second home!). Since I am a fascinated student, my dispositions are quite predictable; I do love reading, especially books from the Middle Ages in ancient French (Les Lais of Marie de France, Chrétien de Troyes, Tristan et Iseut) and the European Renaissance (Les Essais of Montaigne, Les Tragiques of Agrippa d'Aubigné, Erasmus, Rabelais, Thomas More et caetera). My favorite writers are –including but no limited to– Corneille, Racine, Baudelaire, Hugo, Rimbaud, Chateaubriand, Céline, Huysmans, Bloy, Brasillach... I like Latin authors a lot, such as Cicero, Caesar and Seneca. I read English literature as well, for instance Shakespeare and the Brontë sisters. In fact, I read everything that is, in my point of view, great literature. Basically, I cannot endure a day without opening a book :hmmm:

When I am not reading, I delight in listening to Wagner's operas (Parsifal, Tristan und Isolde and the epic Ring cycle) and some works of classical music eg Gregorian chant (notably sung by the British countertenor Alfred Deller). I am a Heavy Metal connoisseur (Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Judas Priest, Saint Vitus, Revelation and many more acts as I only quoted the most famous of them).

Not only my mind is submitted to an intense activity; so is my body, as I practice kung-fu –its Shaolin mantis variant.

I am a manga and anime enthusiast, particularly fond of Leiji Matsumoto's work: Captain Harlock, Galaxy Express 999, Submarine Super 99...

I generally enjoy the finer pursuits in life –everything that is gentle, aesthetic and elegant. I believe that wetshaving is a suitable way to continue my quest for good taste.

At this point of my presentation, I guess it is not superfluous to mention that I am a lady (for those of you who have not noticed it yet). I have obviously no beard, but tiny fragile legs that are weary to suffer the atrocious Gilette Venus triple-blade razor. In my humble opinion, the pinkish plastic handle of modern razors is absolutely ugly. I loathe the Gilette Venus and its appalling aspect; it is so expensive that I was disgusted each time I spent a large sum for a dumpy handle and its injuring blades. The worst razor I have ever tried was the dreadful Quattro for women by Wilkinson. In a nutshell, I got red burning trails all along my legs because of this bright pink monstrosity with four horrifying blades http://reginleif.free.fr/letterk2.gif

Hence my will to use a vintage safety razor (a Champagne Lady Gilette) or a straight razor (I own a beautiful 4/8 Wade & Butcher), with a gorgeous badger brush and fragrant shaving creams (which I like scented with rose, almond, lavender or violet). I am now a novice at wetshaving but I hope I will soon master this Art. I look forward to shaving with my new lovely gear and I am eager to tell you more about my attempts http://reginleif.free.fr/mini5.gif

A preview of my shaving set:

http://reginleif.free.fr/SRP/Meeme1.jpg

From left to right:

• Coco Chanel eau de parfum
• Sweet Almond Oil shaving cream, Crabtree & Evelyn
• my Delong silvertip badger brush
• my Lord Nelson pottery shaving scuttle
• a Jasmine sample soap, The Shave Den
• my Champagne Lady Gilette
• Coco Chanel body moisturizer

http://reginleif.free.fr/SRP/Meeme2.jpg

• my body moisturizer with Scottish lavender, Arran Aromatics
• my 4/8 Wade & Butcher straight razor
• Soir de Lune eau de parfum, Sisley
• Geisha shaving cream, The Shave Den

Welcome Meeme!

Wow, what a great set you have! Congratulations!

Welcome Meeme!
Glad to have you participating in the forum. Quite an elegant setup you have. The Lord Nelson shaving scuttle seems particularly appropriate for a lady of taste and culture.

Bonjour, et bienvenue Meeme a SRP. J'aime la ville des lumières.
My wife and I were there in the spring of 2007 and were both struck with the depth of civility we encountered there.
I believe this is the school in question:
http://photos-a.ak.facebook.com/phot...11664_1999.jpg
That's my wife on the right, in the orange shirt, hidden behind the baby stroller.

Here's our traveling companion, Wilfred P J Macdonald with the fabulous cup of coffee I had later that same afternoon at Café Isaac on Rue Monge:
http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/phot..._212075_42.jpg

X

Welcome Meeme,

Very nice introduction :)

Welcome aboard !!!!
Will be looking forward to more great posts like your introduction !!!!

Obrigada, Leon! Tack, gugi! Thank you, gssixgun!

Netsurf, as I promised you, I registered with Straight Razor Place! I am honoured to be welcome so gently. Thank you!

Xman, you are right! Your picture actually shows la Sorbonne (thus called in French) from the square. This building is marvelous, and I am very proud to study between these walls. If you come back to Paris, I would be pleased to show you the Sorbonne University indoors.

Here is a picture of a corridor (la Galerie Richelieu) where I often get lost:

http://reginleif.free.fr/sorbonne-corridor-01.jpg


The courtyard (la Cour d'Honneur):

http://reginleif.free.fr/sorbonne-courtyard-winter.jpg

The Grand Amphitheater:

http://reginleif.free.fr/sorbonne-grand-amphi.jpg

Wilfred P J Macdonald is really cute http://reginleif.free.fr/mini5.gif What a nice traveling companion! I hope you enjoyed your time spent in Paris and you have fond memories of it.

Oh, Meeme. Thank-you so much for the inside view, especially of the amphitheatre. It's absolutely stunning!

We came back from Paris and were pregnant within weeks with our first child who is now 6 weeks so I don't think we'll be able to get back too soon, but we do intend to come back. You may not be a student there by then, but perhaps we will see each other anyhow.

We do have very fond memories of Paris. My only lament is that we were unable to stay longer.

X

Thanks for the pictures, Meeme. The Sorbonne looks wonderful!

Welcome Meeme, I hope you find your experience here a joyous one and I hope you enjoy the information here as much as I have.

Bonsoir et Bienvenue a SRP Madamemoiselle

You are most welcome to the fun & insanity here, Meeme :D I noticed that you have already posted on the Ladies Corner.

Thankyou for those gorgeous pictures of your alma mater

As a wise man once said "Alea iacta est":roflmao

Spike

Welcome Meeme. You have beautiful photos and excellent taste in both shaving equipment and forums.

My wife and I have been married for 7 years and we have yet to be able to get away for a honeymoon. Paris is extremely high on the list of prospects as she has always wanted to go there. In fact, when I first met her she had a tiny Eiffel tower sitting on her desk. Someday I hope to take a photo of her with the tower in the background. I tried to Photoshop it once but somehow she could tell it was a fake!

You've probably noticed that there is a ladies section of the forum but it should be obvious that you are beyond welcome to participate in all sections. Your participation will be greatly appreciated as there is a great need for a little class in this forum. Jimbo can't be expected to carry the entire burden!

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Originally Posted by Utopian

... there is a great need for a little class in this forum. Jimbo can't be expected to carry the entire burden!

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Nor indeed much at all. :D

Welcome to SRP, Meeme. Nice scuttle, and great taste in scents.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Meeme

When I am not reading, I delight in listening to Wagner's operas[...]

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So do I. However, every time I listen to Wagner, I get the urge to invade France. So I try to keep the intake down to a minimum.

np: Bayreuth Festival (Evans, Tomlinson, Barenboim) - Die Walküre: "Der Walkürenritt"

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

So do I. However, every time I listen to Wagner, I get the urge to invade France. So I try to keep the intake down to a minimum.

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:roflmao

German humor rocks. ;)

This is just a variation of Woody Allen's famous quote in his Manhattan Murder Mystery movie.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Larry Lipton

I can't listen to that much Wagner, ya know? I start to get the urge to conquer Poland.

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Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's... NY Jewish humor rocks ;)

Bonjour et bienvenue Meeme,

Très belles photos et très élégante collection pour le rasage.

Beaucoup de succès dans vos études et beaucoup de plaisir lors de vos visites.

Au revoir

McKie

Thank you Damon and Spike J!

Thank you Utopian! I never went up the Eiffel Tower since the queue is always too long. You must be very patient if one day you want to go up with your wife, but I am sure it would be a unique moment to reach the top of the tower. Anyway, it is very beautiful to look at.

Danke BeBerlin! Woody Allen, get out of that body :D

Merci beaucoup McKie, your French is really good! Do you have the nice accent of Quebec?

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Originally Posted by Meeme

Merci beaucoup McKie, your French is really good! Do you have the nice accent of Quebec?

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French is my first language and being born in Montréal, I suppose I do have the accent (I'll take you word that "nice" though). :D


Bonne journée !

McKie

I feel very sorry for this mistake since I was not sure whether or not French was your native language :hmmm:

It is very nice to meet you!

Greetings Meeme and welcome to the finest shving forum ever!:D

The pictures you have posted are amazing, beautiful architecture, lucky girl that you get to go there. I am waiting for my new scuttle and brush set to arrive before I post my "Shave Den", I only have one straight and 2 soaps so far so nothing really to shout about!:roflmao

I see you and Steel Angel both have good taste in music. I've seen Judas Priest live in concert as well as many other bands (Megadeth, Metallica, Anthrax, White Zombie, Black Sabbath - with and without Ozzy, Marilyn Manson) and lots more.;)

I'm not really a fan of "old" Classical music but I love the modern Classics like Bond and Vanessa Mae. The only traditional Classical I like is Wagner and (surprise, surprise) the Ring Cycle my all time favourite is Flight of the Valkyries, but like BeBerlin says I have to listen to it occasionally or I just want to strap on a breastplate, grab my sword and go on a rampage!:o:roflmao

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

However, every time I listen to Wagner, I get the urge to invade France. So I try to keep the intake down to a minimum.

np: Bayreuth Festival (Evans, Tomlinson, Barenboim) - Die Walküre: "Der Walkürenritt"

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I hope you enjoy your stay here and look forward to your next post.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BeBerlin

Welcome to SRP, Meeme. Nice scuttle, and great taste in scents.



So do I. However, every time I listen to Wagner, I get the urge to invade France. So I try to keep the intake down to a minimum.

np: Bayreuth Festival (Evans, Tomlinson, Barenboim) - Die Walküre: "Der Walkürenritt"

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HAHAHAHA. That was funny!
Welcome, Meeme. What a beautiful scuttle! And thanks for the pictures of the Sorbonne, too. And an off-topic for BeBerlin, if this question gets noticed:
The Bayreuth you're listening to, what year was it recorded, and on what label? (D.G. perhaps? Probably no.) I've no Wagner in my collection, as I find his music rather trite, but I would like to hear Barenboim's take on it to see if he can change my mind.

Maplemaker: as we are on my thread, let me tell you what are my favourite Wagnerian records. I hope that will help you to find Wagner's music beautiful. In my humble opinion these records are the perfect ones. I analysed many records to find these ones, and since I have found them, I am listening only to this selection.

The Ring Circle:

• Das Rheingold: Joseph Keilberth, Recorded live at the 1955 Bayreuth Festival, Hans Hotter, Gustav Neidlinger, Rudolf Lustig, Ludwig Weber
• Die Walküre: Joseph Keilberth, Recorded live at the 1955 Bayreuth Festival, Astrid Varnay, Hans Hotter, Gré Brouwenstijn, Ramon Vinay
• Siegfried: Joseph Keilberth, Recorded live at the 1955 Bayreuth Festival, Wolfgang Windgassen, Hans Hotter, Paul Kuen, Astrid Varnay
• Götterdämmerung: Joseph Keilberth, Recorded live at the 1955 Bayreuth Festival, Astrid Varnay, Wolfgang Windgassen, Josef Greindl, Hermann Uhde

Parsifal: Hans Knappertsbusch,Bayreuth 1951, Wolfgang Windgassen, Martha Mödl, Ludwig Weber, George London, Hermann Uhde

Tannhäuser: Wolfgang Sawallisch, Bayreuth 1962, Wolfgang Windgassen, Josef Greindl, Eberhard Waechter, Gerhard Stolze

Lohengrin: Joseph Keilberth, Bayreuth 1951, Wolfgang Windgassen, Josef Greindl, Hermann Uhde, Hans Braun, Astrid Varnay (It is, alas, a LP, and I don't think a CD version exists so I do hope you have the equipment)

Tristan und Isolde: Karl Böhm, Bayreuth 1966, Wolfgang Windgassen, Birgit Nilsson, Christa Ludwig, Martti Talvela, Eberhard Waechter

Silver: thank you very much, and let me tell you that your snake is really beautiful http://reginleif.free.fr/mini5.gif How lucky you are! I am an absolute fan of Judas Priest! Unhappily, in France, Heavy Metal enthusiasts are quite rare, and groups never tour in France because they never fill their concert halls. I hope you will soon get your new scuttle and your brush set, and please, show it to us as soon as you receive them.

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Originally Posted by Meeme

I am a Heavy Metal connoisseur (Candlemass, Solitude Aeturnus, Judas Priest, Saint Vitus, Revelation and many more acts as I only quoted the most famous of them).

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Lacrimosa?
Sirenia?
Tristania?
Theatre of Tragedy?
Manowar?

Anyway, you like reading, metal, straight razors, ... :)
Welcome to SRP.

Tannhauser is, at least, tolerable. I am going to check out some of the early recordings you mention, just to see if they spark anything in me, and I'll let you know. The issue I have with him is the overblown arrogance of his style. Ugh. He seems forever and always to substitute half a percussion section with all the brass where a simple woodwind would do. Now, Mahler, on the other hand... Mahler is a treat, as far as the Germanic composers go... Regardless, welcome to the site and thanks for listing the recordings you like. I would not have had a place to start, as I've never knowingly picked anything up by him.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Manowar?

Anyway, you like reading, metal, straight razors, ... :)
Welcome to SRP.

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Eeekkkk!!!!!:y And I thought I was the only person on the planet who loves Manowar!!!!!:bow:bow

Thank you for the snake compliments Meeme, we have 2 but I've only posted pictures of the Boa so far. We also have a Royal python who is stupid even by Royal standards. He even slithered away from a feed once as I bumped him on the end of his nose, which freaked him out! LOL

As soon as Teddy arrives I will be posting some pictures, also it's the UK SRP Meet next weekend, so I'm hoping to snag some goodies then too, hehehe

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Bruno

Lacrimosa?
Sirenia?
Tristania?
Theatre of Tragedy?
Manowar?

Anyway, you like reading, metal, straight razors, ... :)
Welcome to SRP.

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Thank you Bruno! Silver will be very glad since I love Manowar too. But I do not like the other bands you quote, I rather love doomy acts like Winds, Arcturus, Krux, Isole, Fall of the Idols, While Heaven Wept, Saint Vitus, Great Coven, Candlemass, Revelation, Black Sabbath, Reverend Bizarre, Abstrakt Algebra, Memento Mori and others I dare not mention because they are too obscure. But Manilla Road, (old) Manowar, Dio and Judas Priest are really the greatest.

Silver, the Boa seems very beautiful! It must be very strange to fell the embrace of a snake, but what a delightful feeling! I have never touched any snake, but the experience is quite tempting http://reginleif.free.fr/mini5.gif it must be very impressive. Your python seems to be very amusing, I hope, even if he is quite stupid, that you enjoy his company.

Woohooo!!!! My favourite Manowar song is "Blood of my Enemies" while my favourite ballad is "Sword into the Wind". Most of my collection is on vinyl (from Battle Hymns to Fighting The World) but I have Into Glory Ride and the others on CD.:D:y

The photo of Hades the Boa is about 6 months old now, she is over 7ft and still growing!:eek: I had her when she was 1 year old and she has always been well handled and enjoys peoples company.

Mr Nibbs the Python was 3 months old when I had him, little bootlace that he was and again he has been well handled so is quite tame and docile. So much so that Spike and I let his 5 year old daughter handle him, which she LOVES! He is a shade over 5ft and fully grown.

Snakes are not slimey as most people think, they have dry, silky, cool skin and like nothing better than curling around you to draw off your body heat. The size difference of the 2 snakes gives a different feeling for both. Mr Nibbs will squeeze your arm or leg and try to show you what a strong boy he is, but when you've had a full body cuddle from a Boa he pales into comparison, bless him.

Don't get me wrong I love both of my snakes, Nibbs is my favourite as I had him first and he was only a baby when I had him. Hades was already 4ft when I had her so it's a slightly different relationship.;)

They both feed every 2 weeks and shed their skins about evey 6 - 8 weeks. Spikes daughter had the privilege of seeing him both shed and fed over the past 2 weeks, her words after seeing him feed were "It's gross but really cool!" and when she saw him shed "WOW!!!!"

It is a very sensuous experience to handle a snake, think Selma Hayek in "Dusk Till Dawn" and you'll get the idea. If you get the chance to handle a snake, do it! You won't regret it.:D

Sorry for the snake ramble, I am very passionate about most critters.

The best song (which would be suitable for my funeral) is 'Heart of Steel' that song resonates with me in a way I cannot explain. It's been my favorite song since I first heard it.
I have all their cd's, though I have to admit that I only bought 'into glory ride' to have them all.

I like virtually all of their songs, though I prefer the really fast and powerfull songs like 'The power'. But I also love their balads... aghhh I love them all. :)Their last album took some getting used to, but after a couple of times I really liked it very much.

I've had the luck of seeing them live twice. I hope that their next tour will land in Belgium again, or somewhere close in Germany or Holland.
And I have no problem with admitting that I used earplugs on both occasions. If the drums are so loud that your ribcage vibrates, your ears need protection.

The other things I know about manowar reinforce my feeling about them. They regularly give things away, give to charity, do cool stuff for fans...
The first time I saw them, Karl broke his leg in a bike accident, the day before the concert. Instead of canceling the show, he came on stage with a cast from heel to groin, sat himself on a bar stool and played for almost 2 hours.

Meeme, Welcome to SRP...I think I saw your post about guns somewhere on this website.

You'll find a good deal of useful information on this site.

Oh, and bravo to you for being a Judas Priest fan. My wife actually likes them over Iron Maiden...

I had the chance to see Manowar live in France on the 18th November of 2002! They have never toured again in France since then... unfortunately, France is no more a Heavy Metal land! I am quite skeptical of their recent recordings but Manowar still remains one of my favorite acts.

These times I am really fond of vintage British Heavy Metal: Pagan Altar, Witchfinder General, Satan, Angel Witch, Chateaux, Grim Reaper, Saxon, etc.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iron maiden

Oh, and bravo to you for being a Judas Priest fan. My wife actually likes them over Iron Maiden...

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So do I! :D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by iron maiden

Meeme, Welcome to SRP...I think I saw your post about guns somewhere on this website.

You'll find a good deal of useful information on this site.

Oh, and bravo to you for being a Judas Priest fan. My wife actually likes them over Iron Maiden...

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She likes the Colt Detective, although she cannot purchase one in France. I've promised to take Meeme and Steel Angel shooting if they ever visit Nashville.
I own three Colt revolvers (Cobra 2", Diamondback 4", Trooper 6") so I'm sure she would have fun.
She seems quite a cultured young lady.

Geeetings & Welcome Meeme.

I have family in Marseilles but their accent is maybe not so pleasant to your ears. ;)

I have fond memories of a short stay at La Rive Gauche in 1976 where I saw 'Memphis Slim' an American Blues singer, in a student bar. Before your time, I'm sure :)

Enjoy ! & Thanx for your posts !