Hope 2006 is a good year that will bring many changes to my life
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JA
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JA
Oh my goodness, it feels like yesterday I got here! How time flies! So far so good. Liking everyday of it, minus the very cold ones….
Thank God for bring us here and for helping us integrate nicely.
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JA
Where did 2005 go?
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JA
I’d like to welcome A.J. Nixon on this planet that we call Earth. According to the proud parents: “A.J. Nixon joined us at 11:30 PM on Thursday 17 November 2005. She weighed 3.48 Kg and was 56 cm long (long legs like her Dad). Arabella is now home and keeping us entertained….”
The parents in question are my good friends from Australia who I had the honour to meet in South Africa. Tim Blaq became my partner behing the turntables and I got to get to know him and his now wife, Shelly. I am so happy for them and I wish them a very nice and long parenthood.
I am already devising plans on how I am going to keep the boys at bay from her… lol On a serious note, I am so exctatic as it’s the first time a close friend has a child and I am a self-appointed Godfather 😀
Welcome Arabella!
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JA
For those who do not live in Montreal but are more or less familiar with it (apologies for the language – I found this on the net)…
(please note, many of these apply specifically to anglo Montrealers)
You pronounce it “Muntreal”, not “Mahntreal”.
You have ever said anything like “I have to stop at the guichet before we get to the dep.”
Your only concern about jaywalking is getting a ticket.
You understand and frequently use terms like ‘unilingual,’
‘anglophone,’ ‘francophone,’ and ‘allophone.’You agree that Montreal drivers are crazy, but you’re secretly
proud of their nerves of steel.The most exciting thing about the South Shore is that you can turn right on a red.
You know that the West Island is not a separate geographical
formation.In moments of paranoia, you think that there’s no red line on the Metro because red is a federalist colour.
You have to bring smoked meat from Schwartz’s and bagels from St-Viateur (or Fairmount) if you’re visiting anyone west of Cornwall.
You refer to Tremblant as “up North.”
You know how to pronounce Pie IX.
You have an ancient auntie who still says “Saint Dennis.”
You believe to the depth of your very being that Toronto has no soul – but your high school reunion is held in Toronto because most of your classmates live there now.
You greet everyone, from lifelong bosom friends to some one you met once a few years ago, with a two-cheek kiss.
You know at least one person who works for the CBC, and at least one other person who used to work for Nortel.
You’re not impressed with hardwood floors.
You’ve been hearing Celine Dion jokes longer than anyone else.
You can watch soft-core porn on broadcast TV, and this has been true for at least 25 years.
You cringe when Bob Cole pronounces French hockey player names.
You get Bowser & Blue.
You were drinking cafe-au-lait before it was latte.
You order fries ‘with sauce’, not ‘with gravy’.
Shopper’s Drug Mart is Pharmaprix and Staples is Bureau en Gros, and PFK is finger lickin’ good.
You really believe Just For Laughs is an international festival.
For two weeks a year, you are a jazz afficianado.
You need to be reminded by prominent signage that you should wait for the green light.
Everyone on the street – drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists – think they’re immortal, and that you’ll move first.
You’re proud that Montreal is the home of Pierre Trudeau, Mordechai Richler, William Shatner, Leonard Cohen and the Great Antonio…and, you consider Donald Sutherland (and by default, Keifer), Guy Lafleur, Charlie Biddle, and Roch Carrier Montrealers, too.
You know that Rocket Richard had nothing to do with astrophysics.
You know the apocryphal story of the fat lady at Eaton’s.
You miss apostrophes.
You’ve seen Brother Andre’s heart.
No matter how bilingual you are, you still don’t understand “ile
aux tourtes.”You know the difference between the SQ, the SAQ, and the SAAQ.
You measure temperature and distance in metric, but weight and height in Imperial measure.
You show up at a party at 11 p.m. and no one else is there yet.
April Wine once played your high school (alternatively, Sass Jordon or Gowan).
You know that Montreal is responsible for introducing the following to North America: bagels, souvlaki, smoked meat and Supertramp. Also, Chris de Burgh.
You don’t drink pop or soda, you drink soft drinks.
You have graduated from high school and have a degree, but you’ve never been in grade 12.
The margarine in your fridge is the same colour as lard.
Every once in a while, you wonder whatever happened to Luba.
You never thought that Corey Hart was cool, but you know someone whose cousin or something dated him.
There has to be at least 30 cm of snow on the ground in less than 24 hours for you to consider it too snowy to drive.
You remember where you were during the Ice Storm.
You used to be an Expos fan, but now all you really miss is Youppi.
You’re a Habs fan; always was, always will be…
You know that your city’s reputation for beautiful women is based on centuries-old couplings between French soldiers and
royally-commissioned whores (aka Les Filles du Roi).You don’t understand anyone from Lac-St-Jean, but you can fake the accent.
You’ve been to the Tam Tams, and know they have nothing to do with wee Scottish hats.
You discuss potholes like most people discuss weather.
You encounter bilingual homeless people.
While watching an American made-for-TV movie, you realize that “Vienna” is actually Old Montreal, that “New York” is actually downtown and that the “The Futuristic City” is actually Habitat ’67.
You find it amusing when people from outside Quebec compliment you on how good your English is.
You have yet to understand a single announcement made on the Metro PA system, no matter what the language.
You think of Old Montreal as nothing but a bunch of over-priced restaurants, old buildings and badly paved streets.
You understand that La Fete Nationale is not a celebration of
“Quebec’s birthday”.You don’t find American comedians speaking “gibberish” French even remotely funny.
You don’t find it weird that there’s a strip club on every corner
downtown.You like your pizza all-dressed
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JA
Oh, Oh…. Snow is falling right here in Ottawa. This marks the official beginning of winter in my books…
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JA
This past week-end, I decided to go on a short holiday as a way to relax after these months of continous work. I went to visit one friend and got to hang out with her people. It was such a good w-e and I had so much fun. I know that she’s a regular reader so I hope that she really knows how much fun I had (and btw: you’re a pretty hot girl 🙂
I am actually writing this from a hotel room in Ottawa before I go to sleep after a good night at the club I played at. Tomorrow it’s back home to the crappy Montreal weather and back to the crazy, hectic life I have going but Lord knows I love this life he’s blessed me with!
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JA
Yup… the weather is changing so I am getting the usual cold that’s kicking my butt right now. I can’t even stare at a screen for more than ten seconds without my eyes getting all watery on me.
Thanks to my friend who gave me some good advice on how to get better. I like friends who have kids… at least they know how to take care of me 😀
I feel like feeling all sorry for myself to gain some attention but the problem is that in the future I will have to be nice with the people who will look after me…
On second thoughts, I will just be a tough cookie and deal with my cold by myself.
I am going to bed….
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JA
No, I don’t feel any wiser but slightly older that I do.
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JA
Here we go again… although it was 15-18 degrees, nevertheless, the cold can be felt. Goodbye summer. I guess you had to have your end and go visit other parts of the world. I will definetly miss you
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