Sean Duffy

Sean Duffy

@profduff.bsky.social

Psychology professor, cyclist, urbanist, photographer from Philadelphia.

4.5K followers1.5K following1.5K posts

Three years ago I found these pictures in a pile of trash on a corner in the 19th eme of Paris. Turns out this is actress Germaine Rodger (1910-1975). I had forgotten I placed them in a book and they fell out last night. Made me think about memory and remembrance.

A minor actress in the 1930s and a theater director in the 1950s in Paris, she died in relative obscurity. But last night, after figuring out who she was, I realized I probably was the only person on earth today remembering Germaine. She must have lived such an extraordinary life!

The friends I met (gave a cat face to a friend’s kid due to privacy issues but how incredibly lucky I am to have friends like this around the world?)

Sunrise in Montmartre in Paris. I will always for the rest of my life be amazed and astounded that a friend offered me this opportunity to experience all of this.

Went yesterday to the Bourse de Commerce in Paris to see Fujiko Nakaya’s piece “Cloud 07156” in which the rotunda filled with clouds. It was amazing. Here is a timelapse…it was probably the best work of modern art I’ve experienced.

I didn’t add sound to this video: there was a busker playing the violin on the car that I was on! Still has to be the best view from any train on earth.

Sean Duffy reposted

Sad update, my beautiful Blini passed in her sleep. She had a number of health issues and a recent surgical procedure (that was necessary) plus the heatwaves were all too much. She passed quietly at night at home. Mimo is so far doing ok. Blini got me through many difficult times, I miss her dearly

Spent the afternoon with a former student Debrille who was in Paris for a day and is now a professor at the University of Washington! Gave a tour of Montmartre. Was great to reminisce and talk. She is working on amazing things. We also happened to have been born in the same hospital years apart!

Hung out at the Tuileries for a while watching the sun set over the Olympic torch and contemplating life. What an amazing city - you can see here Concord (where Louis XVI met his end) and the Arc de Triomphe in the distance.

I’ve had the kind of few days that I never expected I’d have in a lifetime due to my friend @chrisinparis.bsky.social. I’m taking the day to sweep a terrace, feed cats, water plants, but I hope everyone once in their life gets a chance to have the same kind of cool days. (Funny about photo 2! 😹)

Okay since folks will ask the woman in the picture we had a moment when the subway train blew her skirt up and she looked back and said she was so embarrassed and I said “truly it’s all good I would have made the same mistake!” So be careful in Paris walking over those grates!

Spoke with a charming American woman about why counterfeit is so problematic and it truly is going back to antiquity. Here is one early example of wine vassals having to have different tops due to counterfeit 3000 years ago!

I don’t often eat out in Paris for a few reasons - I’m usually alone 😿, and I enjoy going to markets 😻(a lesson from @chrisinparis.bsky.social)But I met friends who wanted to try Bullion Racine (Bullion restaurants are notoriously inexpensive) - look at the gorgeous decor and food (my bill was $20)

When I do go out I usually try inexpensive places like this Algerian place near Ménilmontant (Ligne 2) which cost less than 10 euros…or this other Moroccan place in Barbés that cost like 5 euros. I’m not going to “Guy Savoy” on my professor income! 😹 You can find cheap eats in Paris!

One of the amazing things about being with my friends in Roquebrune was the food - we never went to a restaurant as it is so much better to go to the market see what is good and go from there. I will incorporate this lesson in future classes on culture and food…