Evidently the Quebecois wanted so much to speak French a splinter group kidnapped Labour Minister Pierre Laporte and left him dead in the trunk of a car. That group was dismantled, but the act of violence showed how high passions ran in Montreal in 1970 for a francophone lifestyle. Voila, a french-speaking haven for artists and revolutionaries was born.
Montreal is a wonderful city full of grassy parks, sparkly bodies of water small and large, and people sporting tattoos and tiny skirts, and sometimes both. The people are fit, skinny, scruffy and extremely hip-ly dressed. After NY and LA, Montreal is a clothing design mecca. Folks here stay out late, frolic to electronica music, drink excellent coffee and even better beer. There's art everywhere -- even the Metro subway stations. Sidewalks are calked with alien symbols, and graffiti is technicolor and semi-abstract. The architecture is either very old or very new and there is some freaky shit in the skyline. The most endearing quality of Montreal-ians: their penchant for free pools, none of which I've managed to hit yet. (sniff.) But if I hurry, I'll catch the latern-lighting at the Jardin Botanique.
Au revoir!
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
letting go and having less
First, a delightful thing: I had no idea I had comments on my blog. I was noodling around, trying to figure out how to link to friends' blogs (forgive me, fellow bloggers) and I discovered comments. How fun! Thanks to PW, Mr. and the Alster for commenting on my posts. Who knew?
My post today (since I now know I have actual readers) is about the painful topic of loss. In my case, it is about loss of possessions, and, um, my relationships with my family, which at the tender age of 38 I have finally come to realize are not ever going to change. So they are what they are and that's all they'll ever be. Oh well!
There's good news. The world is full of wonderful people who will tickle your funny bone (and maybe your bippy) if you give them half a chance. This blog entry is dedicated to all the wonderful people I am not related to, and one that I am, just a little bit.
Now, back to the stuff. What is it about trips that makes one have to get new stuff? In my case, it's a suitcase. Some shoes. 3 handbags -- hey I got a computer bag that looks like a purse -- cool! New flip-slops, a pair of flats. Silk shoes (it's a trip, after all). I would stop but I have coupons. So there's a chance of a new Timbutk2 bag, which actually would be great because mine is 14 years old and looks it. A baby could drool on it and no one would know the difference. So maybe there's some merit to keeping old things.
There is a time to move on, however. Like people, the world is full of wonderful things. You shouldn't keep your old things just because their yours, just because they're what you used to. You should try new things. You should throw away what's worn out, what no longer serves you. Or better yet, live without it and see how need feels. Or barter!
But back to the people. More to come!
Greg's website
Mark's blog
Al's blog
Alex's blog
Janice's site
My post today (since I now know I have actual readers) is about the painful topic of loss. In my case, it is about loss of possessions, and, um, my relationships with my family, which at the tender age of 38 I have finally come to realize are not ever going to change. So they are what they are and that's all they'll ever be. Oh well!
There's good news. The world is full of wonderful people who will tickle your funny bone (and maybe your bippy) if you give them half a chance. This blog entry is dedicated to all the wonderful people I am not related to, and one that I am, just a little bit.
Now, back to the stuff. What is it about trips that makes one have to get new stuff? In my case, it's a suitcase. Some shoes. 3 handbags -- hey I got a computer bag that looks like a purse -- cool! New flip-slops, a pair of flats. Silk shoes (it's a trip, after all). I would stop but I have coupons. So there's a chance of a new Timbutk2 bag, which actually would be great because mine is 14 years old and looks it. A baby could drool on it and no one would know the difference. So maybe there's some merit to keeping old things.
There is a time to move on, however. Like people, the world is full of wonderful things. You shouldn't keep your old things just because their yours, just because they're what you used to. You should try new things. You should throw away what's worn out, what no longer serves you. Or better yet, live without it and see how need feels. Or barter!
But back to the people. More to come!
Greg's website
Mark's blog
Al's blog
Alex's blog
Janice's site
Monday, September 17, 2007
French is sexy
I have been brushing up my French. And throughout my French 1 and French 2 tapes, I have relearned quite a bit about the French. Consider this: 3 of the first five lessons were about meeting members of the opposite sex and arranging to have drinks or a meal at one place or another. In one great exchange, a man and woman (because what else is interesting, really?) went back and forth about a lunch date, each naming a time an hour later than the other, until they agreed to have lunch at 11 at night. (onze heures chez moi). It was sortof like a cross between a booty call and my last relationship: we're not entirely clear what we are agreeing on. At least, if you're French, there will be food.
This weekend I voyager a Montreal. At least, I'm pretty sure I'm keeping my engagement to myself and having a working vacation. There is still a glimmer of doubt, as a friend is attending services this weekend for her father. It is a sad time in the great San Francisco Bay Area. And, as I am a femme libre, I can always fly another time.
So we'll see. Until I decide, there are all the pesky things of life to do: laundry, smog checks, cleaning, and a critique of a short story for a writing group member. Ah, the life of a (semi) creative (semi) professional.
Last week I underwent professional training. I learned Successful Communiation Strategies. Translate: how to get what you want using jedi mind tricks that won't offend anyone, unless they discover what you're doing. A fellow classmate tried out the "reflection" technique on his wife and she immediately yelled at him to stop it. You have to be subtle, especially if using empathy for the first time.
OK, I'm tired. Yesterday I swam in the Pacific, and evidently made a commitment to swim in the bay at the Dolphin Club early in the morning, which is great fun, if very very cold. At least there is a sauna.
Sleepytime.
This weekend I voyager a Montreal. At least, I'm pretty sure I'm keeping my engagement to myself and having a working vacation. There is still a glimmer of doubt, as a friend is attending services this weekend for her father. It is a sad time in the great San Francisco Bay Area. And, as I am a femme libre, I can always fly another time.
So we'll see. Until I decide, there are all the pesky things of life to do: laundry, smog checks, cleaning, and a critique of a short story for a writing group member. Ah, the life of a (semi) creative (semi) professional.
Last week I underwent professional training. I learned Successful Communiation Strategies. Translate: how to get what you want using jedi mind tricks that won't offend anyone, unless they discover what you're doing. A fellow classmate tried out the "reflection" technique on his wife and she immediately yelled at him to stop it. You have to be subtle, especially if using empathy for the first time.
OK, I'm tired. Yesterday I swam in the Pacific, and evidently made a commitment to swim in the bay at the Dolphin Club early in the morning, which is great fun, if very very cold. At least there is a sauna.
Sleepytime.
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