It's been 22 years to the day since the Politechnique Massacre. I vaguely recall hearing about it on the news, but I was only seven. I remember that my mom was really upset. I knew that the killer was 'anti feminism' but only just realised how fucked up he was was (taken from the École Polytechnique massacre Wikipedia page):
Lépine then separated the nine women from the approximately fifty men and ordered the men to leave.[9] Speaking in French, he asked the remaining women whether they knew why they were there, and when one student replied "no," he answered: "I am fighting feminism". One of the students, Nathalie Provost, said, "Look, we are just women studying engineering, not necessarily feminists ready to march on the streets to shout we are against men, just students intent on leading a normal life." Lépine responded that "You're women, you're going to be engineers. You're all a bunch of feminists. I hate feminists." He then opened fire on the students from left to right, killing six, and wounding three others, including Provost.[1][3] Before leaving the room, he wrote the word shit twice on a student project.[9]
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Monday, December 5, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Reflections
When I first heard about 'Reflections', it was a one-off show in Sydney, Australia where The Cure were to play their first three albums in their entirety: Three Imaginary Boys, Seventeen Seconds and Faith. 3IB and 17Seconds aren't exactly my favourite Cure albums, but I figured that hearing all of 'Faith' would be a spectacular fucking experienece, even though I'd prefer hearing all of Pornography, Disintegration, Wish or Kiss meX3.... the prospect was enticing but the location made it impossible without going into even more debt.In April of this year, before the first 'Reflections' show was announced, I vowed to do everything in my power to be at the 30th anniversary of Faith, were they to play the full album (as rumour had it).
Anyway, the first show in Sydney comes and goes; I wish I could have gone, the bootlegs and videos sound amazing... Then they announce 7 more Reflections shows: one in London, and three a piece in LA and NYC. "What better time to visit New York for the first time?!", I told myself. So I managed to get a decent ticket for the last 'Reflections' show - the third and final night in NYC (they'll never play those three full albums again). I roped the boyfriend into joining me for the whole Cure roadtrip, which helped with bills for the car rental, apartment in Brooklyn, etc. Luckily he's enough of a Cure fan that it didn't take much convincing (I could never be with anyone who didn't like The Cure!)
New York was great. It's crazy just how big the city is. We barely scratched the surface. Everyone we talked to and met were super awesome and nice. We were staying in a pretty rough part of Brooklyn but never had any problems. Walking from where we were staying in Bed-Stu (as the locals are known to call it) to the hotbed of Hipsterism that is Williamsburg was really interesting. It was like... Brooklyn hip hop culture to blocks and blocks of Hasidic Jews to the mecca of all that it hispter, all contained in about an hour's walk! Times Square was one big advertisement, but you can't help but be in awe at the scale of it. I kept telling Aaron that I really wanted to find some acid. I think that would have been mind blowing!!! We ended up just getting drunk instead at the best dive bar in all of Manhattan: Rudy's. They have 7$ pitchers and FREE HEBREW NATIONAL hot dogs - the BEST hot dogs known to man. Needless to say, I woke up feeling less than perky on Sunday (the day of the show. On a final note: NYC bagels are on par with Montreal bagels, but corned beef/pastrami has nothing on smoked meat!!!! Also, Whitecastle. WOW!
THE SHOW
The theater is just gorgeous. Beautiful. Puts every other theater I've ever been to to shame. Seats are ok - not the best but not the worst either. Maybe 18-19 rows up off to the right. Three Imaginary Boys was fun. It was just Robert, Simon and Jason (mimicking the original trio of Robert, Micheal and Lol). I danced around a bunch. It was amazing hearing so many of these songs from 1978-79 for the first (and I'm sure only) time. Robert was talking a lot between songs... After the cover of 'Foxy Lady', he says: "Jimmy must be spinning in his fucking grave!". Awesome!
Seventeen Seconds was more serious. Roger and Lol join the trio for the this album. Things get more serious. The crows goes pretty crazy for 'Play for Today' and 'Primary'. The REALLY crazy during 'A Forest'. 'In Your House' and (especially) 'At Night' were intense and chilling, 'Seventeen Seconds' was really sad - I never liked the song much up until that point but seeing it live really changed my view. It was emotional. The whole set was. Simon and Roger hug as they exit for the 10-mins intermission.
Faith. It was like 40 minutes standing still and passing by in the blink of an eye simultaneously. It was INTENSELY EMOTIONAL. Robert was crying during 'A Funeral Party', you could tell that song really means a lot to him. 'All Cats are Grey' was gorgeous. got some video of it. I shed a few tears during 'The Drowning Man', i won't both describing how good it was. Then 'Faith' with some extra lyrics: "After all these years, I don't know ow to say goodbye", yeah, that was a bit a tear-jerker as well! haha.
Then 3 encores of B-sides and hits, the crowd was going nuts. A bouncer escorted me from my seat during the second encore and almost kicked me out of the show for taking some video during Charlotte Sometimes. Brief moment of panic. There was no way I leaving that show though. Got back to my seat in time for the next song.
Best night of my life, bar none. A totally surreal and amazing performance. My only regret is not stopping to wait for an autograph after the show (we walked passed the people waiting at the side entrance). That will be for the next tour. I will meet Robert Smith. I can fell it. And there will be another tour, Robert said it himself at the end of the show: "See you next year!"
Anyway, the first show in Sydney comes and goes; I wish I could have gone, the bootlegs and videos sound amazing... Then they announce 7 more Reflections shows: one in London, and three a piece in LA and NYC. "What better time to visit New York for the first time?!", I told myself. So I managed to get a decent ticket for the last 'Reflections' show - the third and final night in NYC (they'll never play those three full albums again). I roped the boyfriend into joining me for the whole Cure roadtrip, which helped with bills for the car rental, apartment in Brooklyn, etc. Luckily he's enough of a Cure fan that it didn't take much convincing (I could never be with anyone who didn't like The Cure!)
New York was great. It's crazy just how big the city is. We barely scratched the surface. Everyone we talked to and met were super awesome and nice. We were staying in a pretty rough part of Brooklyn but never had any problems. Walking from where we were staying in Bed-Stu (as the locals are known to call it) to the hotbed of Hipsterism that is Williamsburg was really interesting. It was like... Brooklyn hip hop culture to blocks and blocks of Hasidic Jews to the mecca of all that it hispter, all contained in about an hour's walk! Times Square was one big advertisement, but you can't help but be in awe at the scale of it. I kept telling Aaron that I really wanted to find some acid. I think that would have been mind blowing!!! We ended up just getting drunk instead at the best dive bar in all of Manhattan: Rudy's. They have 7$ pitchers and FREE HEBREW NATIONAL hot dogs - the BEST hot dogs known to man. Needless to say, I woke up feeling less than perky on Sunday (the day of the show. On a final note: NYC bagels are on par with Montreal bagels, but corned beef/pastrami has nothing on smoked meat!!!! Also, Whitecastle. WOW!
THE SHOW
The theater is just gorgeous. Beautiful. Puts every other theater I've ever been to to shame. Seats are ok - not the best but not the worst either. Maybe 18-19 rows up off to the right. Three Imaginary Boys was fun. It was just Robert, Simon and Jason (mimicking the original trio of Robert, Micheal and Lol). I danced around a bunch. It was amazing hearing so many of these songs from 1978-79 for the first (and I'm sure only) time. Robert was talking a lot between songs... After the cover of 'Foxy Lady', he says: "Jimmy must be spinning in his fucking grave!". Awesome!
Seventeen Seconds was more serious. Roger and Lol join the trio for the this album. Things get more serious. The crows goes pretty crazy for 'Play for Today' and 'Primary'. The REALLY crazy during 'A Forest'. 'In Your House' and (especially) 'At Night' were intense and chilling, 'Seventeen Seconds' was really sad - I never liked the song much up until that point but seeing it live really changed my view. It was emotional. The whole set was. Simon and Roger hug as they exit for the 10-mins intermission.
Faith. It was like 40 minutes standing still and passing by in the blink of an eye simultaneously. It was INTENSELY EMOTIONAL. Robert was crying during 'A Funeral Party', you could tell that song really means a lot to him. 'All Cats are Grey' was gorgeous. got some video of it. I shed a few tears during 'The Drowning Man', i won't both describing how good it was. Then 'Faith' with some extra lyrics: "After all these years, I don't know ow to say goodbye", yeah, that was a bit a tear-jerker as well! haha.
Then 3 encores of B-sides and hits, the crowd was going nuts. A bouncer escorted me from my seat during the second encore and almost kicked me out of the show for taking some video during Charlotte Sometimes. Brief moment of panic. There was no way I leaving that show though. Got back to my seat in time for the next song.
Best night of my life, bar none. A totally surreal and amazing performance. My only regret is not stopping to wait for an autograph after the show (we walked passed the people waiting at the side entrance). That will be for the next tour. I will meet Robert Smith. I can fell it. And there will be another tour, Robert said it himself at the end of the show: "See you next year!"
Sunday, October 30, 2011
I love Halloween
Been watching a ton of movies these last few days to get me in the Halloween mood: Let Me In, Man Bites Dog, Near Dark, Don't Look Now, Possession, The Last House on the Left...
I've got one more lined up for tonight: The Vanishing (aka Spoorloos) which is supposed to be a wickedly amazing Belgian thriller/mystery. We shall soon find out...
I've got one more lined up for tonight: The Vanishing (aka Spoorloos) which is supposed to be a wickedly amazing Belgian thriller/mystery. We shall soon find out...
Sunday, July 3, 2011
YES!
someone on the internet has succeeded in perfectly summing up my feelings toward Quebec separatists. This is taken from the comments (which are a mindfuck and a half!) on CNN about a few protesters at the Royal visit here:
"Why don't these dopey nationalists jeer the French when they come to town? Sure, Quebec considers themselves an occupied people. But it was France who abandoned their own citizens 200 years ago and no one else.
When de Gaulle shouted "vive le quebec libre," the Quebequois did not know they were being laughed at! Who was de Gaulle to shout such a thing when it was he and his race who abandoned these people.
Britain might have been the conquerors. But the traitors were France.
These spineless Quebequois want to jeer someone? Let them jeer the people who left them to the mercy of the crown of England!" - Arklady
"Why don't these dopey nationalists jeer the French when they come to town? Sure, Quebec considers themselves an occupied people. But it was France who abandoned their own citizens 200 years ago and no one else.
When de Gaulle shouted "vive le quebec libre," the Quebequois did not know they were being laughed at! Who was de Gaulle to shout such a thing when it was he and his race who abandoned these people.
Britain might have been the conquerors. But the traitors were France.
These spineless Quebequois want to jeer someone? Let them jeer the people who left them to the mercy of the crown of England!" - Arklady
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
oublions l'amerique
You voted for mandatory sentences for pot smokers in supermax prisons. You voted for a man who doesn't like gay marriage or gay rights, who wants to make education more of a business than an institution. A man who wants to almost immediately create a metered internet and monitor online communications between citizens. You voted for a man who wants to send troops to Iraq.
And you did it all for.. money.
from Reddit.
i slept on it and i'm still upset. i'm sick of Harper. i'm sick of politics. i think i'll leave for awhile and come back in a few years in time for the next election. that way, i get to skip all the bullshit in between.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Chain Of Flowers: Always keep the faith
Chain Of Flowers: Always keep the faith: "Happiness. Does it truly exist? Or is it, as some say, just an imaginary concept created by Man to give life meaning? And what of its pursui..."
---
I've been visiting COF every day since 1997 - i can't believe it's been almost 15 years. Craig, who runs the site isn't usually cryptic, but i think in this last post he is hinting at something. Sounds to me like The Cure might be doing a show in 2011 for the 30th anniversary of the Faith album. I will do everything in my power to be at that show, wherever it may be!!!
---
I've been visiting COF every day since 1997 - i can't believe it's been almost 15 years. Craig, who runs the site isn't usually cryptic, but i think in this last post he is hinting at something. Sounds to me like The Cure might be doing a show in 2011 for the 30th anniversary of the Faith album. I will do everything in my power to be at that show, wherever it may be!!!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Busy!!!!
I'm halfway done my CELTA course!! So far i've taught in front of a classroom for 4 hours with another 4 to go. Two assignments out of four done. Two more weeks of getting up at 7AM. It's not easy, and I don't know if i'm going to be able to work regular business hours full-time. I'm just not wired that way. it goes against my nature. 10AM until 6PM i could handle, maybe.
I have to write my lesson plan for tomorrow's class which takes me about 3-4 hours. All i really want to do is finish Dragon Age 2 (yes, i'm a nerd but the story is really compelling! haha)
Vice just launched a new music site @ Noisey.com . Lots of good bands like No Joy and Das Racist on there. Many hours have already been killed there today.
I've also spent the last hour laughing at Business Cat . It's been that kind of day so far, doing anything but what I should be, pissing away my one study day during this intensive course. But hey, at least i'm having a ton of fun doing it!!
I have to write my lesson plan for tomorrow's class which takes me about 3-4 hours. All i really want to do is finish Dragon Age 2 (yes, i'm a nerd but the story is really compelling! haha)
Vice just launched a new music site @ Noisey.com . Lots of good bands like No Joy and Das Racist on there. Many hours have already been killed there today.
I've also spent the last hour laughing at Business Cat . It's been that kind of day so far, doing anything but what I should be, pissing away my one study day during this intensive course. But hey, at least i'm having a ton of fun doing it!!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
bassists are always the best
case in point:
exhibit one
exhibit two
in other news, i have strep throat which is very unsexy. it's good in a way because 1) i'm forced to clean up my act and no booze, cigarettes and other things means more money in my pocket 2) it hurts to swallow so i'm not eating as much as normal and as such will hopefully lose a few pounds in the next couple of weeks because 3) as of today we are booked and I'M HEADED TO CUBA IN 15 DAYS!!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!! so i'd much rather get sick now than on vacation like i usually do.
it's been especially nasty weather wise the last seven days or so, after a very mild winter thus far. Just last week I was thinking about how warm and snow-free this winter had been so far, jinxing all of eastern Canada in the process. I have seen enough -20's to last me for this season, thanks!!!!
Robert Smith's signature Schecter guitar has gone on special and is now only $786,91!
If only i had a US mailing address and $786.91!
In the meantime, i am getting into Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire (the latter makes me wanna dip into the bottle of Canadian Club in my freezer... stupid illness!!!!), and listening to lots of dub to get into beach mode. Beach mode is so fucking far removed from Montreal in January, it's not even funny!
exhibit one
exhibit two
in other news, i have strep throat which is very unsexy. it's good in a way because 1) i'm forced to clean up my act and no booze, cigarettes and other things means more money in my pocket 2) it hurts to swallow so i'm not eating as much as normal and as such will hopefully lose a few pounds in the next couple of weeks because 3) as of today we are booked and I'M HEADED TO CUBA IN 15 DAYS!!!! WOOOOOOOOOO!!!! so i'd much rather get sick now than on vacation like i usually do.
it's been especially nasty weather wise the last seven days or so, after a very mild winter thus far. Just last week I was thinking about how warm and snow-free this winter had been so far, jinxing all of eastern Canada in the process. I have seen enough -20's to last me for this season, thanks!!!!
Robert Smith's signature Schecter guitar has gone on special and is now only $786,91!
If only i had a US mailing address and $786.91!
In the meantime, i am getting into Breaking Bad and Boardwalk Empire (the latter makes me wanna dip into the bottle of Canadian Club in my freezer... stupid illness!!!!), and listening to lots of dub to get into beach mode. Beach mode is so fucking far removed from Montreal in January, it's not even funny!
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