random observations

A 40-something woman comes out from a small pizzeria and violently throws a penny behind her shoulder.

At the dentist, a short and chubby man with glasses and wild teeth waits angrily for the late dentist. When someone asks him how he is going today, he answer he’s going home. Later on, the dentist provides him an expensive teeth-whitening product. Why do you want to have white teeth when they are wild, with some missing, and when you’re a short and chubby man with glasses?

The young and tiny woman cleaning my teeth frequently presses his breasts against my head. I can’t believe she isn’t aware of that. And that I’m not aware of that. And that I’m not aware she’s aware I’m aware of that. Greatest moment at the dentist ever.

A woman with a hijab is limping.

farewell, ben’s…

 

It was already known that the owners of Ben’s, the famous daily of downtown Montreal, would close the restaurant and sell it. Now, we know the new owners will destroy the landmark building and build something else.

When they kill my city, they kill me…

gunther von hagens

As the exposition of Gunther von Hagens is about to be in Montreal, it would be an appropriate timing to give my views about it. It sure is visually strong and a big happening. But which knowledge does it bring that a good CD-ROM about the human body doesn’t ? – Yeah, meeting a superstar is way cooler than watching a documentary about him/her.

I don’t think corpses, for any purpose what so ever, should be the matter of an exposition. A dead person should rest in peace. Not be filled with plastic and be placed in a kicking a football pose. This blasphemy. Even if everyone placed there gave their consent. I don’t understand why someone would agree to end like this. This is about fame ? Pride ?

I don’t think however this should be illegal. And I don’t know if I would fill a petition to ask GvH to stop. A petition about a moral issue with consenting victims is irrelevant.

So, I won’t go and that’s it.

neon bible

 

I bought Neon bible (lyrics - official site of Arcade Fire) last Saturday. I listened to it all week in my mp3 player. It took a few days to make up my mind about it.

Most of the CD I bought in my life are a bunch of songs, two or three singles and other bunches of noise to fill the album (which is why I mosly buy singles now). I rarely experienced albums where I felt the album itself was a project, not just something to fill. I experienced it with American idiot from Green day and I’m experiencing it with Neon bible. Instead of “let’s put these songs in that albulm”, it’s “let’s do something”.

There is something soulful, something spiritual in Neon bible.

I’ll buy their first Album Funeral and their EP.

If Arcade fire asks me to jump off the bridge I might.

spoiling the concept of pregnancy

A woman, touching the belly of the pregnant woman she is talking with:

Is it a head or a butt ?

can she make it ?

 

Can Nathalie Richard win the election in Gouin district ?

In 2003, the PQ obtained 53% in Gouin (with André Boisclair), the PLQ 30% the ADQ 8%, the UFP almost 5%, the PVQ 2% and the Bloc Pot less than 2%.

This year, Nicolas Girard (outgoing) from the PQ, Françoise David (half of the head of Québec Solidaire), some guy from the ADQ, some guy from the PVQ, Hugô St-Onge (leader of Bloc Pot) and some independent candidate try to win the district.

We can assume that a consequent amount of votes will go from the PQ to Québec Solidaire as another amount will go from the PLQ (and maybe also from the PQ) to the ADQ. The PVQ should obtain more votes even if many Greens might vote for Françoise David instead.

This may be the most interesting district to watch March 26 and not only because of the handsome Nathalie Richard but because it might be &(*$*?%*?/ tight. The winner may obtain less than 30%, maybe around 25%. Unless there is a very strong wave for Françoise David. Hard to say.

But if I was Nicolas Girard I’d totally soil my pants right now…

short stories about Montreal

I’m reading a short stories anthology about Montreal: Montreal mon amour. English stories. But, strangely, mostly written by immigrants or (1rst or 2rd generation). There’s something strong and, I think, original about beggars:

But when I have the change I give it to them. I am not one of those who go around making nasty remarks about beggars just because their mouths smeel of beer. I know that when a fellow has only nickel to his name he would rather, and it’s much wiser, too, spend it on a glass of beer, than on a cup of dishwater. Coffee just washes your insides and keeps you awake, whereas beer fills you, tickels your guts and makes you drowsy. It’s easier to sleep on hard benches that way, and besides, if your mouth smells of beer the flies don’t fly into it when you’re asleep with it open.

From “Beggars I have known” by A.M. Klein.

toxic water

The city of Montreal is warning pregnant women and young children to abstain from drinking tap water in certain areas because of trace levels of lead.

Others can die in peace.

what ?!?!?! snowfall in Montreal !?!?!?!

I’m always amazed how Montreal journalists always think they must speak about a significant snowfall, telling always the same thing each time ! Filming some folks with a shovel, some car stuck in the snow, telling it will take a few days and millions to take it off. Easily 3-4 times a year, each year…

How can they call it news when they always say the same stuff ?

And when you ask a journalist why they don’t speak more often about Africa, they say speaking about local and big international issues takes time and there is often no time left for Africa.

Yeah, right…

finally

Montreal finally looks like winter…

feeling hot hot hot

 

As rain and warm weather in Montreal gives this January 5th the look of April 5th, I have no difficulty believing 2007 could be the world’s hottest year on record.

A rainy January in Montreal isn’t scary itself, but when you think about how fast Winter changed down here and wonder what could be ahead in a few years…

père-marquette burned down

I never had to go into it, but I saw the Père-Marquette high school countless times on Rosemont boulevard. I’m always sad to lose a part of my city, even if the building wasn’t cute at all. Will they build it again ? There, elsewhere ? On the good side, it’s a nice Christmas gift for a lot of teens to see their school burning.

Also, who is Père Marquette ?

frost

Frost ? On the grass ? Already ?

Winter may invade Montreal soon…

work for greenpeace

 

Sounds like an AWESOME job. Great organization. Great salary. Great tasks.

Job Vacancy – Communications Officer, Montreal

Position Location: Montreal, Quebec
Salary: $ 41,207 and an excellent benefits package
Closing Date for Applications: October 4, 2006

Greenpeace Canada is seeking an experienced communications officer to fill a vacancy in our Montreal office. If you enjoy the challenge of working in a dynamic and exciting environment, this position is for you.

You will work closely with the Greenpeace Canada Communications Co-ordinator and campaign staff to refine and implement communications strategies and provide ongoing media support. You need to be able to respond to news and you need to know how to make it.

The major focus of the position is to increase the effectiveness of Greenpeace campaign communications and Greenpeace organization profile across the country through identifying opportunities, responding to events and providing communications advice and products. You will be expected to travel occasionally, both within Canada, and internationally.

You will assist Greenpeace campaign staff with their communications, through input, advice and critical analysis. You will provide media with quick, relevant and informed content on a wide variety of issues. You will also produce Greenpeace’s French newsletter the Reseau Vert. As such, you must possess a sound general knowledge of a wide variety of environmental concerns and a broad grounding in political and current affairs, but most importantly you must be comfortable and able to work with all ranges of media.

YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:

1. Raising the profile of Greenpeace by ensuring organizational concerns and campaign goals are clearly expressed in press materials and coverage of campaigns.
2. Seeking opportunities to highlight Greenpeace national and international campaign work.
3. Creating and disseminating communications materials as needed in response to stories we break or in reaction to news broken by others.
4. Staying up to date with Greenpeace campaigns and activities in order to provide knowledgeable comment when required.
5. Providing media and public communication support and guidance to Greenpeace campaign staff.
6. Assisting in organization of public events to promote and increase Greenpeace campaign messages and profile.
7. Coordinating the publication of Greenpeace Canada’s newsletter in Quebec.

 YOU POSSESS:

• Sound general knowledge of a wide range of environmental issues with, where possible, a focus on forests, climate change and energy policy, genetic engineering and ocean ecology.
• Commitment to and understanding of Greenpeace’s campaign goals and a broad understanding of the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in public discourse.
• Excellent written, visual and verbal communications skills.
• 2-3 years minimum experience in the field of communications, either as a journalist, activist or communications specialist.
• An ability to develop strategic communications plans.
• An ability to work, both as a team member and on your own with minimal supervision.
• Flexibility to travel and work weekends and evenings when necessary.
• Strong understanding of local, regional and national print, radio, television and internet media.
• Strong understanding of public engagement communication tools.
• Knowledge and understanding of diverse media and community groups, including ethnic, youth and business media, and multicultural communities.
• Knowledge of corporate and government structures.
• Strong computer skills including understanding of word processing, spreadsheet power point and web and design software.
• An ability to communicate in French, and English.
• 2-3 years minimum academic background in the field of communications, journalism, environment or related fields.

 More…

the most wonderful day of the year

Montreal is serious about public transportation. Today, September 22, it’s the IN TOWN, WITHOUT MY CAR! event [pdf].

It’s pathetic when you see the car free perimeter: Maisonneuve, René Lévesque, McGill College and Saint-Urbain. Even better: those four streets are open to traffic. It should take maybe half an hour to walk around the perimeter. How long this small area, this micro-borough, is inaccessible to cars ? From 9h30 to 15h30. Yeah, everyone use their car between 9h30 and 15h30 to go to work.

Really, what is it about ? Make us believe we can have a city without cars for one day even if the concerned area represents about 1% of the city ?

To see other car free days events around the world which may be a little more serious, click here.