Even though I follow the instructions on the PLog 1.0/XMLRPC page, I have problems getting pLog and ecto to work with pictures.

After including a thumbnail with the 'iphoto' interface button and publishing the message Ecto responds with a "Could not parse response" message.

What I notice is that:

• The original image is uploaded to the resource album but the thumbnail is not.
• The console log shows an empty response.

I had some hope that Paul's time sink would contain some hints but was not able to find anything there.

Doing the pictures manually is such a pain.

Quotes from the poem:

AH POOK THE DESTROYER ...
William S. Burroughs (Feb 5, 1914-Aug 2, 1997)

(...)

Hiroshima, 1945, August 6th, 16 minutes past 8 AM
Who really gave that order?
Answer - Control. The ugly American. The instrument of Control.

(...)

Bryon Gysin has the all purpose nuclear bedtime story.
The all purpose bedtime story, in fact.
Some trillions of years ago a sloppy, dirty giant flicked grease from his fingernails.
One of those gobs of grease is our universe on its way to the floor.
Splat

I first posted about last weeks restaurant experience to the IETF mailing list.

That message could actually have some impact: try to google for "Restaurant Le Ternes Pereire".

Yesterday was my last day in Paris. I regret having spoiled a few evenings. One evening I was to tired to go out and had a sandwich in my hotel room (Fresh tomato and roquefort, so not a complete waste) and one evening I got sucked into a IETF working group chair beer event in a English style micro brewery.

But yesterday evening I was with good friends and I've managed to convince them to go to Bar Zinc.

The first time I was at Bar Zinc was about a year ago when I was in Paris for a training course and my colleague and me stumbled upon the place en were both plesantly surprised. So when I returned about 2 months later, with my wife, we went to the same place and were plesantly surprised again. Yesterday, again a plesant surprise.

As a starter I had a cucumber-Cheddar tartar, Magrait de Canard as a main course, a cheese plate to relax and finally a lovely little desert with the most delicious white chocolate mouse I have ever tasted. It wasn;t quite a mouse more thick butterlike cream, but very tasty indeed. The three of us started the meal with a Champaign, accompanied our meal with a bottle and a pichet of 2001 Medoc AOC and had more Champaign, Cognac and coffee after the meal. Total price per head, a very fair 85 Euro.

Three times cannot be coincedence. This place offers quality. Bar Zinc is a relaxed bistrot. The guests were elderly women, business people, couples, tatood and pierced youngsters and even while its August it seemed that we were the only 3 tourists. The walls showed an exposition of a local artist, this time photos whith an erotic twist. If I recall well they had other types of art on display the first 2 times.

The neighbourhood is vibrant and Bar Zinc is probably not the only restaurant where you can find fine food for a fair price. But the next time I'm in Paris... I'll give it a try again.

The address:
Bar Zinc, 9, rue de Charonne, 75011 Paris (Tel: 01 48 05 05 95). It is a block north of La Bastille.

Yesterday I had a very nice salad in this slightly overpriced restaurant down the road from the IETF venue. Its a Brasserie specialized in Fruit de Mere.

I ordered Salade Italienne. Very nice indeed, until I hit a bug, covered in olive oil, that was enjoying the salad too. I am not a specialist in insects but I know cockroaches come in many different shapes and forms. The small animal covered in oil could have been a baby cockroach.

I signaled the waiter and after several "Oh-la-la's" he offered me a new salad. I lost my appetite so I refused. So far nothing to complain about. But then came the bill. I was charged. Then I specifically asked if something could be done about that. And to be honest I'd settled for anything symbolic, free wine, free desert, espresso, anything. But the waiter could not be convinced.

Hence my recommendation. Do not go to:
Le Ternes Pereire
84, Avenue de Ternes
75017 Paris

Actually pass by, look at the menu, and if the waiter tries to convince you to come in just mention the cockroach in the salad.