I Love Montreal

Subb featuring Jah Cutta, I Love Montreal

Subb is a Quebec based Ska pop punk band. The lead singer Jeff Quesnel is pursuing a solo career. Montreal reggae legend Jah Cutta - a.k.a. Carlton Williams, is known as Canada's King of Reggae.

I love Montreal

Montreal

Happily Ever After: 30 Days of Photographs

Today's theme is Happily Ever After. This one was difficult. I had all sorts of ideas, but no subjects. That is, until Saturday night on Prince Arthur Street in Montreal. We can think of fairy tales, or real tales. And this older couple, likely married for many years, walking down the street holding hands. In 80 years from now, I want to be walking down the street hand in hand with my wife.

I suppose they were looking around trying to decide what to do before entering into Cafe Campus for the nights rocking Pop Montreal show. Check out Ziva's Inferno to see who else contributed to today's photo challenge. The photo challenge is winding so don't forget to bookmark www.StubbornFool.com and come back here tomorrow.

Rising: 30 Days of Photographs

The twin pyramid towers of Montreal's Olympic Village were constructed for the 1976 Montreal Summer Games as a residence for the athletes. Rising up above the Olympic grounds the towers consist of 23 floors and stands at 70.0 metres tall (230 feet). Architect Roger Tallibert designed the buildings consisting of 980 residential suites.

Olympic Village

Check out Ziva's Inferno to see who else contributed to today's photo challenge. Today's theme is rising.

Carnival: 30 Days of Photographs

Today is day 354 of the 30 day photo challenge. MikeWJ and Ziva threw this challenge together to punish us. It's a little early for April Fool's Day don't you think?! Nonetheless, click on their names to see who else participated. And save the link www.StubbornFool.com and come back here same time tomorrow for another photo from this month's challenge. Today's theme is Carnival. Dig these carnival-like colours of the Chihuly display at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts.

Seven: 30 Days of Photographs

I took this picture in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec two weeks ago. Sainte-Anne is an independent city that sits on the western tip of the Island of Montreal, and is considered a suburb of the City of Montreal. 55% of the approximate 5000 residents use English as their first language making it one of the ten or so English speaking communities in the area.

The number of ducks in the photo was a lucky coincidence for today's theme, which is seven. Now that I have all my ducks in a row, on to tomorrow's theme. 

And check out Ziva's Inferno to see who else contributed to today's photo challenge. 

Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, Qc

Buddy Guy

Buddy Guy, is a Chicago Bluesman born in Louisiana, and one of the living elder statesmen of the Blues. He may not be as well known as BB King or some of his predecessors, nonetheless, he built a niche of music creation and influence all his own. Stevie Ray Vaughn, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix were heavily influenced  by Guy's play. Guy was thought to be one of the biggest influences on the play of Hendrix. While Clapton referred to Guy more recently as the greatest guitarist alive.

Buddy Guy remains one of the last Blues links to the traditions of play started by Robert Johnson. Guy recorded with the greats Muddy Waters and Junior Wells

Buddy Guy in Montreal, Metropolis

I went to see Guy play at the Montreal International Jazz Fest Year Round series, on April 14th of 2012. 76 years old and still playing his guitar with blistering speed. Guy plays any style, imitating his imitators, playing the likes of Clapton, Hendrix, and Albert King. Guy played music from his own albums spanning all his decades of recording, as well as some Blues standards.

At one point during the show Guy exited the stage only to reappear moments later among the standing room crowd on the floor. He kept strumming his guitar, singing and walking as he moved through the crowd and chatted with the patrons. Over the next 1/2 hour, Guy walked across the floor, up the stairs to the balcony crowd and around to the other side of the stage. Spitting distance I was from a legend.

Guy has some 70 albums to his credit. My personal favourite, from his recent years remains 2001's Grammy nominated Sweet Tea. For beginners to the world of Buddy Guy, I would recommend his 1993 release, Feels Like Rain. The album earned Guy the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album.

Some of today's younger guitarist have picked up the legacy but few under 60 years old have a connections to the traditions.

In 2012 Buddy Guy also released his autobiography, When I Left Home: My Story. The book tells his life story in his own picaresque manner, telling of his youthful days in the music scene to his touring days of the 2000s. Click this link for Guy's upcoming tour dates. Guy is in the midst of his North American tour, including three stops north of the border.

When I Left Home: My Story

Today is day 16 of the thirty day writing challenge (February edition) as arranged and hosted by Nicky and Mike over at WeWorkForCheese.com. Today's theme is Music. Go check out their site to see who else is participating and read some more great stories.

Justin Bieber Causes Traffic Jams

I am not a fan of Justin Bieber. Surprised? I actually dislike his music a great deal. I will grudgingly admit that he is talented. Although, the one clip I saw tells me that he is not the best dancer. But, as it goes, when another Canadian gains international stardom, I am pleased.

Today though, I hate Justin Bieber. Last night I left work and headed downtown to pick up my girlfriend at her office. A drive from Montreal's east end to downtown could take fifteen to 40 minutes depending on the traffic and what construction projects are going on at the time. The drive took me 1/2 an hour.

A drive From downtown to my home is anywhere from fifteen to thirty minutes. What I did not anticipate was the stupid Justin Bieber concert at the Bell Centre. Traffic backed up every which way. Every street. Every Alley. Every sidewalk.

We sat in the car for an hour.

Not even on a night that Montreal Canadiens play the Centre is traffic this bad. The congestion was most likely due to the fact that most of the concert goers are not habitual downtowners. All the teenyboppers came by car with their mothers, all showed up at the last minute, and none took public transportation. But, I blame Justin Bieber. At least he won't be back for a few more months.

Unfortunately this picture was not captioned, so I have no idea which one is Bieber

Quebec Election The Morning After

Quebec election final results, the morning after.

Following General Election 2012  in Quebec

Almost a dead heat between The PQ & The Liberals. A separatist party is in power but, how much power does this minority government have? The strong opposition of 50 seats and the balance of power with the CAQ and QS will void any attempts to hold a referendum.

Popular Vote General Election 2012 Quebec

If fears of the PQ have your stomach in a knot, consider this, the PQ were elected with less than one percentage point separating them from the Liberals. That is not a populace looking to break up the country.

The Islands of Montreal and Laval covered in Liberal red with 26 seats to 8 seats in PQ blue and two orange seats for the QS. The CAQ gained zero seats in the region, however did pick up five seats in the Quebec City area to the Liberals three and PQ one.

Four big stories on the night,

• Quebec's first female Premier
• Liberal outperforming expectations
• CAQ under-performing
• Murder

Why didn't the CAQ win more seats? They finished in second in over fifty districts. Fear of the unknown and the unproven is the likely factor. The PQ won and Jean Charest lost. An adjustment was due but the PQ did not win on a mandate of separation but for a mandate for change.

Quebec Election Results

Election day is upon us. Before the last Canadian Federal election, I referred to the path to the ballot box as "the election nobody wants". I can say the same about today's Quebec provincial election, albeit for different reasons. In the case of the Federal election, the opposition parties used poor judgement and poor timing to bring down the minority Conservative Government of Stephen Harper. Canada was left with a majority government, still led by Prime Minister Harper. 

The citizens of Canada living in Quebec are faced with a different dilemma. Which party is the lesser of multiple evils? Throughout the night, I will be commenting and posting my thoughts and blogging live as the results of the Quebec election rolls in.

Stay tuned to this space as I update throughout the night.

So what do we know so far? We know that The separatist Parti Quebecois (PQ) has been leading the polls throughout the campaign and will likely win. We cannot yet predict if they will take a majority government. Polling also indicates that the Liberals will be the opposition party, yet the Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) is close behind and either party can take second or third place. The other minor separatist parties have a chance to take a maximum of three seats.

6:00PM
Various news agencies have been reporting trouble at the polls. Voters have been complaining of not appearing on the electoral list. Others have complained about their names having already been crossed off the voter's list at advanced polling. Is this widespread? Human error? Intentional human error?

7:14PM
The polls close in just under one hour. Looks like a big turnout across the province with long lines at many polling stations. The higher turnout is an indication that the campaigns have generated greater interest than predicted. Voting the Liberals out? The CAQ in? We know people are not voting for separation. Only for change.

7:24PM
The various polling firms have released their results but are not quite making any predictions. Votes by percentage by party.

CROP:	PQ	32	CAQ	28	LIB	26	QS	9
EKOS:	PQ	36	CAQ	25	LIB	23	QS	11
Forum:	PQ	36	CAQ	25	LIB	29	QS	6
Léger:	PQ	33	CAQ	28	LIB	27	QS	7

All show the PQ as winning the popular vote. But how many seats?

7:45PM

8:03PM
PQ are leading. PQ are leading. Sell your house! Well, no. Only about 1% of ridings have reported and have been counted.

8:07PM
Did the pot clangers remember to put away the pots and vote?
Very early on and no trends yet.
PQ are leading in 7 ridings. Liberals in 6. CAQ in 2.

8:16PM
According to CTV, Green Party is currently holding the lead in 1 seat.
PQ in 14, Liberals in 10, CAQ in 6.

8:22PM
Will it be counted positive or negative for the Liberal Party if they finish in second and become the official opposition party? How poorly must Jean Charest Liberals do for his party to call for his resignation?
PQ 19, Liberals 15, CAQ 10.

8:26PM
PQ now leading in 22, Liberals in 21, CAQ in 12.
What does it mean if the CAQ falls short and finishes a distant third? Is it fear of the unknown than more people have not voted for Francois Legault's CAQ?

8:30PM
Does the fear of separation drive you to vote? Do prejudicial language laws bother you?
Liberals now leading in 27.
PQ 21.
CAQ 16.
West Island and Gatineau regions still haven't reported in. Good sign for the Liberals?

8:40PM
Close election. Does not appear to be a majority for anyone. Did the silent majority of Premier Jean Charest come out to vote?
Liberals 45, PQ 41, CAQ 18

8:43PM
CTV just declared a Parti Quebecois win.
Why ruin the fun?! That's like telling me the verdict half way through the episode of Law and Order.

8:47PM
I want tomorrow's headline to read:
Liberals Dump on the CAQ

PQ now leading in 54, Liberals 45, CAQ 19

8:57PM
Jean Charest losing in his own riding of Sherbrooke.
From the Quebec Election site.

9:08PM
Property values in Montreal just plummeted.
Kevin Newman suggested a coalition Liberal-CAQ government. This won't happen.
PQ-QS coalition is more likely.
PQ 60, Liberals 46, CAQ 17, Quebec Solidaire 2.

9:18PM
So the PQ forms a government with fewer people voting for them then the previous election when they finished in second place. Currently at 33% of the popular vote compared to 36% previously.
How do you run a province, with 2/3 of the people against you?
PQ now elected or leading in 59 seats.
Liberals in 46, CAQ in 18, QS in 2.

9:31PM
Amir Kadir, co-leader of the QS wins in his riding. How did you win your campaign Mr. Kadir? I would like to ask. He might just say, 1 - Get arrested 2- Protest outside your constituents stores trying to ruin their businesses 3- Have your daughter get arrested. 4 - Forget about the greater good and promote your own personal vendetta in your campaign platform?
How did he win again?
PQ now lead in 58, Liberals 47 CAQ 18, QS in 2.
These numbers won't change a whole lot from here on end. The big attention now will be on the Sherbrooke riding to see if former Premier Jean Charest will win his riding.

9:59PM
PQ leading in 56, Liberals 47, CAQ 20, QS 2
With the Conservative Party & NDP expanding in Quebec provincial politics when the PQ government falls in a year or two, what will the Assembly look like?

At this point I usually look at the ridings where my closest friends and family live. Liberals leading in 7, QS in 1, PQ in 2.

10:14PM
I was rooting for Jean Charest, not as Premier but as Member of the National Assembly. I've been a fan of his for a long time, as my former University professor and the wonder boy of the Federal Conservative party. Not so much lately. Still wanted him to win in Sherbrooke.

10:42PM
Voter turnout at 54%? Will have to wait for official numbers. What happened to the early turnout? What happened to the anger?

10:50PM
Will Charest stay on as leader of the Liberal Party?

10:54PM
So this is where the votes went

11:00PM
The obituaries on Jean Charest's career have already started. A minority PQ government is better than a majority PQ government. You don't have to put your house on the market just yet. Keep this is mind, Minority governments often work for the people instead of passing agendas of the party.

Montreal is Bananas

My plan now is to gather each and every morning at 8am, gather my pots and pans, with whomever will join me, and walk through the neighbourhoods of Montreal clanging and banging my pots to wake up all the fuckers who are walking around late at night clanging their pots and pans.
What are you protesting? Sleep? Quiet? All you are doing at this point is disrupting your neighbours and fellow citizens.
Last night I saw parents, grandparents and little kids. What are you teaching your children? Do you even know? What about the so-called student protesters?

Montreal and the pot bangers

Keep banging those pots. Keep intimidating the police officers.

Our exhausted police force. The same police officers that come to your place after a break-in, the same police officers that take a statement when you are attacked, the same police force that investigates murderers and rapists.

Montreal Police Doing Their Job

The overtaxed police department will be over budget. Where will the municipal and provincial governments get this money to pay the salaries and overtime? From your salaries. Or should they make some cuts from social spending?

Clanging your pots. I picture a little kid. A little kid that knows they shouldn't make noise. But the child bangs his toys together. The little boy bangs his blocks together over and over. He bangs the blocks together because, they make a big noise, and because nobody has yet told him to stop. So this mischievous child keeps banging because he knows it is wrong but for now he is getting away with it.
The children, the aged, the students, the middle aged who are now supporting the protesters, or protesting something obscure of their own, with their pot banging, are just these same little children, who are clanging pots - just because they can. and just because they can get away with it.

Montreal is going Bananas

Are they protesting bill 78 that clamped down on the lawlessness created by the protesters?. Has the Liberal government done a proper job to deal with the earlier protests? No. Does that make the increase to tuition wrong? Absolutely not. Does it make the protesters right? Absolutely not.
Both sides approached the negotiations in poor faith. But in the end, the laws and the government must win. This does not mean the protesters should not at least gain some of their demands. Through negotiation only they should.
Anarchy can absolutely not win. Lawlessness must absolutely lose.

You liked it here in the 80s and 90s did you? With all those vacant stores? When you could find parking everywhere? Where rent was under $500? Disaster begets disaster. Put enough pressure on your fellow citizens, create enough havoc and this city will fall into the biggest recession it has seen in years.
Abuse of your fellow citizens, whether keeping them awake at night or taking away their livelihood, to the extent of taking food off their tables cannot be tolerated.

Blocking the downtown streets will prevent businesses from earning revenue, which will create layoffs, and businesses will shut down. The only way this may not effect you is if you chose to live off the grid.

You are bankrupting the businesses downtown and around the city. You are forcing the cancellation of travel plans of thousands of tourists. The spin-off from touristic events and festivals in Montreal and Quebec runs in the billions. Cut off this source of revenue and the already fragile economy of the Greater Montreal area will hit rock bottom.

Are you one of those protesters? You are taking money from your fellow protesters' pockets. Living, working, going to school downtown? Don't shit in your own back yard. This is your city. You are damaging its economy. You are damaging its reputation. And don't forget, higher unemployment means higher school enrolment. The bulk of the Montreal and Quebec population condemn the violence and the continuous damage to the city's reputation, and condemn the continued lawlessness. Have you heard enough people publicly stepping up to say any of these things are wrong?

To: Montreal student rioters. Re: You have a brain disorder

Some points of interest for those self-righteous, indignant, clueless, angst-ridden, striking fuck-tards ruining the university experience for the 2/3rds of Quebec students who still believe an education is a privilege you earn and not a right owed to you...

1. As far as I know, Quebec already has the lowest university tuition rates in North America.
2. Keep this up, and Montreal will soon see soldiers in the streets, and deservedly so.
3. I was once a university student in Montreal. I had issues with "authority" but I took my anger out on many a video game machine at the various arcades downtown at the time. (Yeah, I'm dating myself, I don't care.) And I always, ALWAYS, remembered that I was one lucky s.o.b. to be able to receive a university education at bargain-basement prices compared to the Ivy League schools in the states and elsewhere.
4. Who the fuck do you think you guys and gals are? Oh wait, I know. You're no one. That's why you're all so pissed at the system and capitalism and imperialism and, perhaps, mercantilism and numerous other "isms" that don't fall into your neat, neo-communist, insecure worldview of equality for all; as long as that equality means descent into mob rule and the elimination of societal progress.
5. Karl Marx has been proven wrong so many times, it's scary.
6. You've made Montreal into a joke of a city. 

Karl Marx, in repentance

I mean, seriously, you idiots, if you all put half as much effort into either working part-time jobs to pay for your courses – in order to one day work at better-paying jobs and the fulfilling careers of your choice – or protesting some real problems, say like noisily demonstrating in front of the Syrian or Iranian embassies, you could probably achieve some good.

Instead, you're all choosing to act like mindless animals. Did your high school classmates tease you so mercilessly that this is the only way to get revenge? Or, maybe the majority of you are being used as "useful idiots" (if you don't know the term, look it up; it's something you learn in university) by a cadre of sociopathic, keffiyeh-wearing, professional agitators who've made it their life-quests to stir up shit, just because. Really, these guys exist. Their sole purpose is to become irrationally outraged by a flavour-of-the-month cause and go at it like a dog on a bone, usually sweeping up gullible youth along the way.

Quebec: Now with more Middle East

People, the world is not out to screw you. The world is sometimes an unfair place. Always has been, always will be. But the answer is not to smash windows, intimidate your peers and cause havoc in major metropolitan centres. The answer is to work hard, bear down in your studies, humble yourselves and stop believing you're owed the whole world on a platter just because you're a precious soul.

Suck it up. Get the hell back to your desks and better yourselves. Because one day, when history looks back on your actions, the only one hurt by all this, will be you. And when that time comes, I'll have fries with that, thanks. Now where's my change?

And to you, dear Premier Charest: What are you doing capitulating to these clowns?!? My god man! Remind me never to hire you as a SWAT negotiator or seek advice from you should terrorists demand endless concessions from the province. You spineless twit.

MAY 20th UPDATE:
--------------------------

Yup. Bill 78 now in force. Meaning: Police now using more force. Gives both hot-headed police and the above-mentioned idiot rioters more motivation to cause bodily harm. Yeah, this'll go well.

Les Enfants Terribles- Restaurant Review

Les Enfants Terribles is a finely and stylishly decorated restaurant  in the Outremont district of Montreal. The name of the restaurant translates to Mischievous Children - the book of the same name was translated to The Holy Terrors.
Open since 2008, this Bernard Street eatery sports a busy and noisy atmosphere, with a brunch, lunch and dinner menu.

Mini chorizo pogo

This busy restaurant suffers from poor acoustics, creating a terribly noisy atmosphere to the point we were unable to hear conversations at our own table. The noise pollution takes away from the ambiance of an otherwise pleasant setting.

Overall, the food was very good quality, in both presentation and taste. Large portions and a lengthy wine list would satisfy most foodies. The bilingual and courteous servers provided their suggestions and provided very good prompt service.

Lamb Burger

The drink orders took a very long time to arrive. Very long time. Each and every time we ordered. This was likely due to under-staffing at the bar, only one person was on duty. The food however, arrived promptly.
I ordered the Lamb Burger. The tendency for lamb burgers is to be dry, in this case, Les Enfants Terribles served a burger of the perfect consistency, juicy and tasty, topped with goat cheese, tomatoes, onions and arugula.

The two ladies at the table shared the small Mac and Cheese dish and ordered a salad each. The Macaroni was rich and filling and the small portion with a side salad is perfect meal. My appetizer, the mini chorizo was tasty and as well presented as it could be considering it was called pogo. Calling it a pogo takes away from the otherwise classy presentation. To sum it all up, the food and service above average and if you plan to go, make a reservation to assure prompt seating.

About Schwartz's...

Montreal's Schwartz's

Let me tell you the dirty little secret about that venerated Montreal smoked meat institution, now owned in part by Céline Dion and Rene Angélil, that you might not like to hear: It's NOT the only iconic smoked meat game in town.

In fact, it may not even be the best smoked meat in town. Wha'!? "Blasphemy" you say? Listen, I grew up dans la belle ville. Spent 33 years there and had many a Schwartz's sandwich (medium, double mustard, fries and the mandatory cherry cola). And yes, it's delicious. No argument there. And yes, it's a part of the history of the city, Montreal Jewish history and now every Montrealer's history. It's a landmark. A foodie and tourist mecca. One of those places that puts Montreal on the gastronomic map. Yeah, yeah. I know. I agree. But hear me out.

People, there is an alternative to the now insanely popular and line-up encumbered Schwartz's; A more accessible, authentic Montreal smoked meat source exists mere metres away across the street! It's called The Main. And here's the dirty little secret that Schwartz's and their reputation-makers don't want you to know: The Main is every bit as good as Schwartz's. Yes. There. I said it. Damn straight.

The Main, Montreal's other smoked meat

My father taught me and my sister this (my mom hates smoked meat, so she abstained from the delicious viande fumée excursions my dad planned) while we were but wee kiddies. It was an invaluable lesson. Now, whenever I'm back in Montreal, I'll make a point of getting out to St. Laurent Street and popping by the Main. Sure, I'll sneak a quick peek at Schwartz's on the off chance there's no line, and if there isn't, I'll flip a coin and head to one or the other.

But let me tell you, for my money (and time) The Main is the shit. It delivers on quality, service and the decor is every bit as old, musty and atmospheric as Schwartz's. The only difference is, at The Main, you actually have breathing room and booths to eat at.

Again, I'm not disparaging the Schwartz's experience. Everyone should have it. But from my veteran Montrealer's perspective, The Main's sandwich is delectable and its relaxed atmosphere and perpetual non-trendiness makes it my choice for smoked meat in Quebec. Everyone should also experience The Main.

That being said, I fucking hope Céline and her entourage don't get it into their heads to franchise Schwartz's into some Nickels-type monstrosity. Leave Schwartz's alone! You hear me Angélil?! You purchased a living piece of Montreal history. Don't fuck it up. Just enjoy your lifetime of free smoked meat sandwiches and your V.I.P. stools and let the place continue to bring joy to taste buds around town. And for God's sake, don't try and muscle out your competition across the street. You can exist in harmony with The Main like Schwartz's has for decades.

God, I'm hungry now.

Things I don't like (as much... anymore)

So here it is, full confession: things I have discovered in my middle aging that I no longer have as much "like" for as I did in my younger days. Which admittedly is not that long ago. OK, ok, I'm riffing on Mr. O'hara's previous post. So sue me. No, don't. Please?

1. NHL hockey. Yes, I am STILL a pretty big Habs fan. But four things have now mitigated my once-intense love for this game. First: Concussions concussions and the very unfortunate habit of those with concussions to suffer devastating life challenges moving forward from said concussions. Second: My three children. All of whom I hope never want to play contact hockey. See? Four things. Now Go Habs Go!

Chicken Wings

2. BBQ Chicken wings from restaurants like Buffalo Bills, Wild Wing and everyone else who makes chicken wings. Heartburn! When the hell did I start getting heartburn? Lately. So no more chicken wings. Or take-out pizza. Or KFC (yes, technically chicken wings territory, but still.) Where's the Pepto?

Jazz

3. Jazz. I think I used to like it more when I was young, because it was supposed to be "cool" and "not rock". But you know, I just don't get it. Well, except for Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue". That shit's the shit.

4. If you're from Montreal, you know Premier Moisson breads. And man, I used to love those baguettes like Tim Tebow loves Jesus. But lately, living the last seven years in Toronto (where we do have access to Premier Moisson breads) I gotta say, I think there's better. Namely, Ace Bakery baguettes. Awesome!

5. Crappy classic rock stations. I was listening to Q107 here in the Big Smoke yesterday and I turned on the station three times during the day. I swear, I heard "The Logical Song" each time. That's not cool. I used to like that song. I'm sure the same crap happens on classic rock stations all over the place, including beloved CHOM FM with a renewed, slimmed-down Terry DiMonte. Yes, I'm well aware that classic rock is no longer being made, because it was all made back in the classic age of rock. But GEEZ! Guys, start playing more "deep cuts" from albums or something, it's becoming so... fucking... repetitive.

6. Mondays.

7. Facebook. Yes, it still is my essential reminder of all my friends and acquaintances' birthdays and I get the occassional tidbit of news or interesting video post from someone's update. But with this new Timeline function set to take over all our accounts, I just can't be bothered as much anymore. Zuckerberg, figure out a way to re-coolify your little program. It's gettin' stale.

8. Coffee Crisp. Just lost the taste for it. Don't know why.

9. Endless blog lists.

Here endeth the lesson. What say you?

Snowstorms Are Awesome

Snowstorms are awesome. I love spending twenty minutes shovelling out my car and clearing the snow from the windshield. It is a great feeling spinning your wheels on snow and slush and ice, trying to avoid oncoming traffic. I feel great when idiot drivers are racing through the snow covered streets and cut you off as they lose control of their car. Sitting in traffic is a wonderful feeling especially when it is for an hour and 25 minutes and it takes triple the usual time to get home. I love when traffic is reduced from three to one lane due to the piles of snow. I love the noises the snow plows make throughout the night. I love it when we have freezing rain and it takes me an hour to scrape the ice from my windshield. What else do I love about winter in Montreal?
I love when the city clears half of the lane, or one and a half lanes forcing all the cars into the middle of the road. It is amazing when there is no room to park but people do anyway and double park their car next to the snowbank. I absolutely adore it when six lane roads get reduced to one lane and cars in opposite directions have to take turns passing. Fuck it all. I'm going to Jamaica.

Stupid Winter

The Barr Brothers

I just heard about this group. The Barr Brothers, that is. Great new band out of Montreal. Well, not so "new", since they've been around paying dues live gigging on the road since 2004. But they just caught a huge exposure break on David Letterman recently, and I assume many like me instantly took notice of their awesomeness in the form of their tune "Beggar in the Morning." Watch their vid for the song below. Wow. I mean... WOW. When's the last time you heard some smooth-ass, uncategorizable tunage like this?



Might be a little late coming to the party on this one, what with being a parent, hitting 40, and generally being out of the "young and hip" loop now that middle age is upon me. But enough whining about all that.

These guys are the shit. I've been looking for some new music to inspire, hit home and just plain evoke emotion from me. Last band to do that out of the blue for me like this was The Arcade Fire and their first album, Funeral. Another Montreal-based outfit. Go figure.

Anyway, The Barr Brothers... their eponymous first album hit the streets and stores and online retailers last year. Took awhile to filter to the masses, it seems. Hopefully this little, inconsequential blog helps change that a smidgen.

The Barr Brothers Photo Credit: Andre Guerette

Do yourselves a favour, go to their website. Have a listen/look. Close your eyes. Immerse in the band's fucking awesome soundscapes and if you like it as much as I do, buy this shit up. I haven't heard a bad tune out of this album yet. I sure hope they get the credit and sales they deserve and can roll out six or seven of these album-gems in the coming years.

Mature alt-rock-atmospheric-aural-gold. Nice.

And oh yeah, when's the last time you thought of a harp as an essential instrument to great mainstream music? Watch the little instrumental ditty below. Slightly reminiscent of Lindsey Buckingham's instrumental ode to Stevie Nicks called "Stephanie." Sweet, sweet... SAH-WEET!

Like I said, how do you categorize these guys? You can't. And who cares?! They rock... or whatever. The Barr Brothers, with opening act Alexi Murdoch, will be playing as part of the Montreal International Jazz Festival on July 1st, 2012 at the Metropolis.


THE BARR BROTHERS - Sarah Through The Wall Vimeo.

Can Facebook save the Expos?

The answer of course, is no. Facebook cannot save the Expos. That horse left the barn carrying David Samson and Jeffrey Loria some years back. They're gone. Kaput. Defunct. Pining for the fjords, as it were. Montreal ain't getting no MLB team back in the city any time soon.

All that said, a Facebook page is doing its darnedest to keep the memories alive and in technicolour for any and all remaining fans of the team to view.

The page at https://www.facebook.com/ExposNation has a massive (well, for a dead team, at least) fan base of more than 122,000 people and has been posting vintage photos, videos, mash-ups in a balls-put attempt to keep The Expos in the hive-mind of social networking's public consciousness.

Go. Have a look. If you're an Expos fan or a baseball fan in general, some of the imagery is just priceless.

The site is well-constructed, funny, sentimental and even elicits an occasional tear from we die-hard fans of the lost Canadian baseball team (may Bill Lee appear in Bud Selig's dreams as a cross-dressing crack-whore intent on pitching fastballs of hellfire at his nuts for eternity for this travesty!).

Let's all remember the following: Montreal is where Jackie Robinson played before being called up into the majors. Montreal is where Pete Rose was playing when he collected his 4000th hit (yeah, he was way past his prime and in the throes of his whole gambling scandal, but still). Montreal was the first MLB expansion city outside the U.S. Montreal is where "El Presidente" became just the 13th pitcher in baseball history to record a perfect game.

Ah, the memories.

And on a bit of a tangent, but still on Montreal sporting clubs… WTF with the Habs this year?!?! Thoughts/rants/recipes welcome.

Santa Stole My Lady

Fitz and the Tantrums

Some new Christmas music for you. Soul/Pop sextet Fitz and the Tantrums' latest song is this Christmas tune Santa Stole My Lady. I missed my opportunity to see them when they were here performing at the Montreal International Jazz Festival in June of 2011, only discovering them after the fact. I keep asking when they are coming back but so far I have not received word.

Five Guys Named Moo

All Dressed Cheeseburger

Five Guys Burgers and Fries has opened in five locations in and around Montreal to little fanfare, advertising by word of mouth. Setting up in Old Montreal, the West Island, the South Shore and Laval as well as in Dorion, the boys picked their prime locations for an early breakthrough into the Montreal market.
With over 600 locations in the United States and now 60 in Canada the guys are making their mark. First thing you should know, Allergy alert! As per their website, Five Guys uses peanut oil only. And nothing is frozen, they also only use fresh ground beef.

There is nothing new about Five Guys. They serve hamburger joint burgers and greasy fries with a selection of fountain drinks. The Old Montreal location was hopping busy and the staff were friendly and helpful, answering all of my questions.
I ordered a cheeseburger, fries and a Coke and had plenty to eat. The food is fresh, the portions were big and I was full. Unfortunately, I wanted less food. Personal preference aside - I like my meat more well done - the hamburger was not anywhere near the best I have ever tasted. The fries were soggy and drenched in oil and under-cooked. A sign that the oil was not at the correct temperature. Or is this their style?
If you are looking for a burger joint burger with greasy fries at double the usual price than Five Guys is for you. Let's call it a 5 out of 10 for Five Guys.

FOOTBALL!

There are three things most associated with Thanksgiving. Turkey, beer and FOOTBALL! Oh, and family, and being thankful, yada yada, yada. But today was football day in Montreal and I was right there in the thick of things at McGill's majestic Molson Stadium to watch the Canadian Football League's Montreal Alouettes hand it to the Toronto Argonauts. Today marked an historic moment. Not only did Montreal's starting quarterback Anthony Calvillo lead the Alouettes past Toronto 29-19, Calvillo also became the all-time leading passer in professional football history.

I am not talking about a Canadian record, I am talking about a professional football record. Calvillo passed all the pro-ballers that came before him and moved to first on the list.
The Top 5 are
5 - Dan Marino - (NFL) 61,134 yards
4 - Warren Moon - (CFL/NFL) 70,553
3 - Brett Favre - (NFL) 71,838
2 - Damon Allen - (CFL) 72,381
1 - Anthony Calvillo - (CFL) 72,384+

The next active QB on the list is Peyton Manning, who is approaching 60,000 yards. Just before the start of the 4th quarter CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon and Damon Allen were on hand to congratulate Calvillo in person. Over the giant screens, videos of Dan Marino, Warren Moon, and broadcaster Chris Berman played, congratulating Calvillo on this feat.

The Als take to the field

It was an amazing day for football in Montreal. Sunshine and 24 degrees, well above the average temperature for this time of year. Hell, it often starts snowing by the end of October. My friend Elena won tickets and invited me to the game. She knows I have a blog and as far as I know doesn't read it so I have some latitude here in what I write. I'll expand more on her driving habits another day, I'll leave it for now by saying, I drove today because she scares me when she drives.

She has never watched am North American style football game before so I spent most of the game explaining what was going on. I was tempted to explain things wrong but didn't. (Eight quarters, 6 hour game, cheerleaders double as special teams).

So, the Montreal Alouettes won, Toronto Argonauts lose, Calvillo breaks a record, it's Thanksgiving, I'm drinking beer, and I will now go eat some turkey. Happy Thanksgiving!

The Als and Argos lining up