Est-ce qu'il y a quelqu'un qui peut me dire qui je suis?

I believe I'm having a bit of an existential crisis at the moment. I haven't updated in quite sometime as I'm really not sure where this blog is going. I need a focus and haven't found it! Whilst in search of my blog's identity, I've been doing a lot of reading. You may have noted that most of my posts are about books lately. Presently, I'm reading L'insoutenable legerete de l'etre by Kundera. (Again, please ignore my lack of accents...complicated computer problems.) I've read approx. 300 pages of the 500 that comprise this novel. It is fascinating and really dense but oh so depressing at the same time. I've really been reading a lot of depressing books lately. They tend to be philosophical and really open my mind to some new concepts, but make me a little disturbed as well. This particular book was given to me by monsieur James on the seven year anniversary of my time in Montreal. Thank you J!

Suggestions are always welcome! Shall I retire the blog, find a new focus, or just improve what I've already started?

Kisses darlings!

As well, I've been going through a bit of a hard time lately and I just want to thank my wonderful friends who have been so supportive. You mean that world to me!!

Hiking, Reading, Studying-Hooray!

Thank you Ange for inviting me to your lovely cottage! For my dear readers, here is a picture of me in the forest near Val Morin. My friends and I hiked down a really steep ravine in an attempt to see what we thought was a waterfall. It is there below me but doesn't really show up in the picture. I had a fantastic weekend staying near Lac Raymond-it was my first time in the area but I hope it's not my last.

I have not yet finished Minima Moralia, I ended up putting it aside so that I could read Les Particules Elementaires by Michel Houellebecq. This is the second Houellebecq novel that I've read. I doubt his name is familiar to my anglophone readers even though he has been translated into English. Francophone readers might know who he is. His books are dark, depressing and somewhat offensive-just the kind of book that I like! This one was fascinating, but I don't recommend reading it if you happen to be unemployed and feeling down about the recession or life in general. This book will not make you feel any better!

Here is a NEWS-type item for the Montrealers with an interest in Greek and Roman Mythology. My good friends over at Laodamia Press are now offering classes in Mythology, Latin and Greek. Their prices are very reasonable and they are now registering for two classes: "Introduction to Mythology" and "The Tragedies of Euripides". Both classes will be taught by Dr. Erez Natanblut, a former Queen's University prof. who recently moved back to his hometown of Montreal. You can find more information on their Web site here.

Music, Philosophy, Yoga and Fires

It's been so long and yet this shall have to be brief. First, I can once again hear a concert outside. It is 11 pm and the sounds are drifting up the hill on the wind. At certain moments I can clearly hear the instruments and the audience. It is an incredible sound and makes me so happy to be in the city this summer. I love my neighbourhood! I am just curious about the origin of the music as Jazz Fest is over. On the other hand, Montreal has more festivals during the summer than I can possibly keep track of. I am curious what outdoor space is being used for this particular concert.

Second, I have just started reading a new book: Minima Moralia by Theodor Adorno. I have only read 1/5 of it so far, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. I am no philosophy expert so I won't comment too much. I simply want to say that even though the language is a bit difficult, the message seems worth the effort. So many of the thoughts and theories in the book are totally prophetic. The book was written between 1944 and 1947 and yet some of the criticisms that Adorno makes about society can totally be applied to 2009. I would be interested in taking a formal class in which they study this book because I'm sure I would learn a lot.

Lastly, the lovely folks over at Naada yoga are offering free yoga classes in Jeanne Mance Park every Sunday during July and August (weather permitting) from 4-5. Everyone is welcome to come. If you don't have a yoga mat you should be able to improvise with a beach towel. Also, if you want to check out a yoga class during the week you should go to their Mile End studio. It is super zen, the instructors are great and they have a well-stocked tea lounge as well if yoga is not your thing. For more info. visit www.naada.ca

No pictures tonight darlings! (I so wanted to make that a Zsa Zsa reference.)

Sleep well!
Mr. P
xx

P.S. I wanted to add a thought about a previous post. In my post about the fire on St. Denis I said that the news confirmed that no homes were lost. After seeing the buildings for myself, it is quite obvious that a few people probably lost their homes. From the sidewalk you can clearly see into damaged apartments. Happily no one was injured in the fire, but I hope those people have had some support in re-establishing themselves.

All That Jazz

Good evening darlings!

This is a random picture that I took of some art work in Mile End. "Oh the land of Oz is a very funny place where everyone wears a funny, funny face..."

I am sitting here working in my living room with a cool breeze coming in through the open windows and I've realized something. I swear that I can hear sounds from the Jazz Fest down the hill coming in with that breeze. They are intermittent sounds: the occasional flourish of drums and perhaps guitar and cheering. I think the wind needs to blow from the right direction. I feel like the artist in his ivory tower thirsting for a journey to the sacred font. I can also usually see the Saturday fireworks from my bedroom window. Montreal is truly a magical place, especially in the summer.


On a side note, I was reading in the Mirror this week that the Plateau now has its own Sunday Farmer's Market. The first one was last Sunday, June 28th and they are supposed to continue every Sunday until the end of summer. The market is located at 4265 Laval, corner of Marie-Anne in the schoolyard of l'Ecole St-Jean-Baptiste from 10am-4pm. Perhaps I will see you there this weekend...

Sleep well m'dears!

xx

Happy Canada Day!

"And the streets are paved with gold and no one ever grows old, in that funny place called the land of Oz!"

Fire

Good morning my dears,

Today I had intended to write a concert review but that shall wait until tomorrow. Instead, I am posting this picture I took of a fire on St. Denis early yesterday evening, Sat. June 27, 2009. It was on St. Denis between Pins and Cherrier. It appeared that three buildings were on fire and I could see a lot of fire fighters on the roofs with chainsaws. It was kind of eerie hearing the buzz of all those chainsaws punctuated with siren bursts and the comments from gawking bystanders. The sky was also trying to rain but was just spitting a bit at that point. I don't have a television so I couldn't watch the news for more info. and surprisingly I have only found amateur reports about this fire online. I know it was significant enough that traffic was re-routed onto Berri well into the night. I think the buildings were a mix of stores with apartments above them. I feel bad for all the people that probably lost their homes and possessions. I hope no one got hurt!

Until tomorrow,
Mr. P
xx

UPDATE: A friend was kind enough to send me a link to an article about the fire. Click here to read it yourself (it's in French). According to the article, only one building was lost which included a beauty salon on the main floor. The rest of the building was being renovated. At least that means that no homes were lost and people are safe. Yay!

Today's song is 'Lover I Don't Have to Love' by Bright Eyes because it is kind of depressing and that sums up my mood at the moment.

Insomnia

This early morning's song is 'Jesus Christ' by Brand New, even though I think I've used it before.

That is all.

No, one more thing. My computer is confused and thinks it is 1:00am right now when it is actually 4:31am. And my pictures switch their order when I publish the post... :(

Un-Dry Humour

'Tis raining today yet pleasantly pleasant. Indeed.

Yesterday, I forgot to mention that Dry is a very funny book in a dark humour sort of way. Alas, I've now finished it and discovered that the last two chapters are not really funny but just really intense. I almost cried and that's not dry at all.

Pic model: Miss Dish
Today's song: 'Jungle Drum' by Emiliana Torrini. Thank you Monsieur James.