Toodles

Okay kids, once again I'm outta here. Time for the annual summer trip out west. This means very infrequent blogging for the next two weeks. I'm looking forward to disconnecting though, I just can't help feeling like the computer takes up too much space in my life. Tomorrow I'm heading to Vegas with Laverne for our annual junket. This year she got comped rooms at the Monte Carlo so it will be fun to be on the strip. Normally, we stay in downtown Vegas which is more subdued and generally costs less. We'll have pool access so if we blow our money we can cool our jets there. After Vegas, I head to Socal to visit for a week. I know it seems like I travel a lot and you're probably right. It's simple really. Buy your clothing used, cut coupons, spend money only on things that are essential and you'll have money for travel. It helps to have a job that only needs you 9 months of the year too.

I was kinda pissy yesterday reading several bloggers who were lamenting the Michael Jackson coverage, how they didn't get what the big deal was, how he never really did anything for them. Such bad form people. Do you go to a funeral and ask what the big deal is, you didn't really care all that much for the deceased? Show a little respect for Chrissakes. I know we bloggers tend to have huge egos but can we let the others grieve properly and keep our collective mouth shut for once. Sheesh. Anyway, I (kinda) feel bad about a few of my comments I left in the blogosphere, perhaps I was a bit harsh. Hollywood is having a pretty bad week it seems. I would say something snarky about Billy Mays, but that would discredit the entire paragraph : )

Okily Dokily that's about it. Hope you all have a wonderful start to July, happy Canada day to my adopted peeps and happy 4th to my original peeps. See you on the flip side.

God is gay

Saw the new Woody Allen flick Friday. It was housekeeper day so I stayed out of the house and debated between Food Inc, Up and Woody's new film "Whatever Works". Though his films seem to have a common theme - life is meaningless so try to enjoy it - I tend to agree with the theme and enjoy watching the excellent actors he peoples his films with. My fave bit of dialogue this time came between an uptight closeted Ed Begley Jr. and a guy he is lamenting lost love with in a bar:

"You're breaking God's law of one man and one woman!"

"God is gay."

"How can you say that!? He made all the mountains and the oceans and the sky and animals and flowers and everything that's beautiful in the world."

"Exactly. He's a decorator."

It got a pretty good laugh out of the audience. If you tend to like his films, you'll like this one and if you don't, you won't because it's got his signature all over it despite his absence on camera.

Yesterday was a rainy day which I love and we stayed in and blobbed around all day. I found someone on Facebook that I had lost touch with five years ago. Yay! I love that part of the whole FB craze. To those who resist jumping on the bandwagon, too bad for you. As I was telling Serge the other day, now I don't have to keep on top of everyone's changing emails or addresses. I've got all my contacts in one place should I need them. You don't have to spend your whole life on there if you don't want to, though I admit it can become somewhat of a timesuck. Anyway the guy I regot in touch with is now married with a two year old. We're going to visit when I'm out in California next week. I leave Tuesday for Vegas baby Vegas and then I'll be in Socal for the following week, my annual visit to see Mom and the gang. It means missing the entirety of the Jazz festival this year, but there's always next year. Have a lovely Sunday peeps.

This n that

We finally had a thunderstorm yesterday. It was competing with the news of Michael Jackson's death so I was alternately outside watching and inside checking the television. It was strange how the joy and sadness competed for my being. I felt guilty for enjoying myself even though that's useless, I mean I didn't even know the guy. And poor Farah, having her death day overshadowed by his. It always saddens me when people are gone before their time. Ed McMahon's death we can understand, but Michael's? Just sad.

Today's my last official work day of the session. I say work, but really I'm getting paid to go out to lunch with my students. I'm hankering for a good smoked meat sandwich. After that I may pop out to the movies. It's housekeeper day and I hate being around when she is. Still, if there are more thunderstorms around, I'd rather watch the great big movie in the sky than be trapped in a darkened room. The decision will come down to a choice between sky, Up and Food inc.

We're on season three of Nip/Tuck now. We find a lot of similarities to this series and Six Feet Under, only this is two guys running a plastic surgery business in lieu of an undertaking business. Last night, there was a pretty good scene which demonstrates why I love the show. (Though not as much as I loved Six Feet Under. I don't know if it's possible to outdo that series.) Here watch if you have a couple minutes. The video is safe for work, the audio not so much.

Twas a holiday here

The parade passes in front of our place. God they are dull. Corny costumes, cheap allegorical floats and a dozen marching bands. Everyone waving the flag. It's no secret that I'm against any kind of flag waving, it just seems silly to me. Anyway, we all bought t-shirts and they were only five dollars. However, there is a glaring error on the shirt which we only noticed after the vendors had moved on. Can you spot it?

Some people take the holiday a little too seriously.

Before the parade, I took a stroll through the Botanical Gardens as I just can't get enough of that place at this time of year. I took my book along and finally finished it. Sad to say, it's the first book I've read this year. Very unlike me but I blame Facebook. Anyway it was David Sedaris' latest "When You Are Engulfed In Flames" which Mom told me was about quitting smoking. Actually, 240 pages go by before there's anything about smoking. It's really just like his other books, little slices of his life. I laughed out loud exactly three times. I don't know if he's getting less funny or I'm getting less easily amused.

I'm always noticing the repeating patterns in nature. These struck me as very sea anemone like. Aren't there some flowers called anemones? Anyone know what these are?

This is bugsy. He was brought over by friends who came to watch the parade and barbeque with us. He was very well-behaved albeit a bit slobbery.

Hey did I mention the weird coincidence that happened last week? I had a job doing voice work for the English textbooks in the Quebec schools (an annual gig for the last few years) and the coordinator was a blog reader and friend on facebook. Neither of us realized it since we had never actually met and we were in a fairly professional setting. It was cute as Lee Ann messaged me on Facebook, "Did we meet this morning and not know it?" Small world, eh?

Out and About

I took advantage of the gorgeousness that was yesterday's weather. Low 80's, dry, crystal clear with a breeze. Because my feet were doing alright, I went on one of my long walks. I haven't blathered about my feet and hand problem much but it's been maddening. I've had several day-long episodes where it feels like they are burning/tingling. If you research burning and tingling feet and hands on the internet, you'll find many others who experience it but no probable causes. It could be something as little as a pinched nerve or as major as multiple sclerosis. I've decided to start taking vitamins again hoping that does the trick. There are people out there who've had years of tests with no diagnoses and just have to manage the pain. I shudder to think.

Haven't tried out the Bixi bike rentals yet. It sure seems like they are more often parked than used. It reminds me of the salad spinner we bought a couple years ago. Parked and never used.

Strolling through Park Lafontaine, I wanted to catch a picture of a crow, pigeon and this guy all plucking through the same little square meter of grass. It was such an odd looking trio. As soon as I knelt down though, the squirrel ran right up to me and begged. So I took this pic of him and fished out a peanut from my bag which I carry for just this purpose.

The blend of old and new architecture is one of the things I love about this city. Since I'm a born and raised Californian, this always impresses me.

Okay this I don't get. I didn't stop to inquire either but check the website. It seems bizarre to have this in Montreal where we already have that nazi health care thing going on. (Smirk.)

On days like this simply everyone goes outside.
After I procured a pair of jeans at the Gap (on sale for less than half price) I went down to the village where they've closed down Ste-Catherine street to cars again for the summer. One thing that really struck me yesterday was the number of help wanted signs there were. It seemed that simply everyone was hiring. I've already got a full time summer gig starting July 20th (I've never had a summer gig) and I got two calls yesterday asking if I could work full time this summer. Bizarre! It's also interesting to note that real estate prices have never gone down here, they are still up, up, up. This is probably a North American anomaly.

This was new too. Six huge chess games set up around Metro Berri-Uqam. I haven't played since I was a kid, but it looked like fun.

One of the tools to fight grafitti is to paint elaborate murals on one's brick. This one was especially bitchin'.

Today is the big Quebec holiday and the parade passes right in front of our house. We'll watch from the balcony and take a few pics for tomorrow.

Cruise nuggets

* I noticed something new on the cruise this year. They had added a tissue dispenser to all the walls adjacent to the doors exiting the public restrooms. At first I thought it was for drying the hands of those who don't like the hot air blowing machines, but they were so thin and kleenex-like that you had to pull a dozen tissues to dry your hands adequately. Then I used a bathroom that had two exit doors because of a little vestibule and noticed that there was a dispenser next to both doors. Then it dawned on me - they were for protecting your hands from germs on the door handles. It's a swine flu world after all. (Sing it with me now.)

* In the Bahamas, we were offered the possibility of procuring drugs by the locals. It was very surreptitious the way you'd hear a little "pot, coke" whispered as you walked down the street. In my younger days, I'd have been all over that but now I don't even turn my head. Anyway, one is more likely to be sold oregano and baking soda in such situations.

* In the dining room in the evening there is a little song and dance that all the service staff must perform. It's pretty cheesy Macarena kind of stuff. There was something new this year though. They all performed the final dance scene from Slumdog Millionaire. Despite my disdain for such gooberdom, it was pretty neat. (Weird, blogger is indicating that gooberdom is indeed a correctly spelled word. I thought I had just made it up.)

* When we were in Atlantis, we spent a couple of hours at the water park playing in the river, wave pool and water slides. I wonder how the hotel guests feel about the cruise ship patrons invading their paradise. It really is a resort for the elite. The last ride we went on was a huge drop down into a shark infested pool. (You are in a clear tube so the sharks can't eat you.) It was really hot and we had waited about 20 minutes already in line when two teenage males appeared and joined the two girls waiting in front of us. The boys were wet and dripping from having just been in the pool. Serge and I were dripping from the tropical heat and standing in the sun. I said, "Why are you cutting in line?" One of the girls said, "I'm saving their place." I then looked at the kid and said, "Dude, that is not cool. Not cool at all." He then offered to let us go ahead of them and I took him up on that. In my younger days, I'd have said nothing. Now I will tell the teens what's what.

* As I mentioned the other day, I requested a Friends of Dorothy meet-n-greet from the cruise director. The first was scheduled in the piano bar. Serge was coming late because he had an appointment to get his teeth whitened so I had to go alone at the scheduled time. Ugh. When I arrived at the piano bar, I noticed two Carnival employees sitting at one of the tables and I identified them as dancers from the shows. So I walked up and sat down with them and said, "Hi guys how are you doing?" I tend to be bolder on vacation since I figure I'll never see these people again, but the boys seemed a little apprehensive about my having joined them. I said, "Are you guys here for the friends of dorothy meeting?" They answered rather coolly, "Uh, no, we didn't even know about that." Crappity crap crap crap. I'm sure I reddened then, but I was already sitting there so I asked if they were dancers, how long they had been aboard, where they were from, you know - small talk. After a couple minutes, they excused themselves saying they had to go. They were definitely friends of dorothy, but pretty aloof and snobby. I don't know why we boys are like that sometimes. Shortly after that a pair of guys came in and sat at another table. I got up, went over and sat down and introduced myself and asked if they were here for the friends of dorothy meeting and they answered in the affirmative. Then I told them about the snotty dancer thing that had just happened. We're all friends now on Facebook.

* Another thing I had read about on the cruise forums is that around 4pm in the steamroom, funny business is likely to occur. I suppose this is when the closeted married guys can get there ya-yas out. I've never actually checked the veracity of this information but I shared it with the boys. One of the single guys decided to check it out. It's true! On two separate occasions there were afternoon shenanigans in the steamroom.

Dophins, bigots and rum

The dolphin that played with our group's name was Echo. He posed with everyone so the photographer could get shots like this. I'm not sure what the employees thought our relationship was, but we had taken our rings off (for fear of losing them at the water park) so they probably assumed we were just friends. Earlier on the ship we were sitting outside on Lido deck having coffee, or perhaps it was a bloody mary, when an elderly man approached us and asked if we were cousins. I had no qualms informing him that we were in fact married. The old man then said promptly, "God says marriage is between one man and one woman." I raised my eyebrows and said, "Wow, you know what God says!" Then he paused for a moment and said, "You know I never would have known. And anyway if you really were married, (I guess it was easier for him to process believing we were pulling his leg) I'd tell you that in Romans ......" He was quoting the Bible, but I paid no attention. When he was done with the quote he left the table. We saw him a few other times around the ship but he never accosted us again.

We went to a party last night for Emily's 28th birthday. Everyone we told about our relationship at that party was excited and impressed. It's not like we go around with a bullhorn announcing it to people, but it's still a bit of a novelty to some, so the news spreads around the party. The reaction from the younger generation is more along the lines of, "That is SO cool." I hate to say it, but when are the curmudgeons going to leave us? I can't say I'll be all that sorry because when they do, gay marriage will be as ordinary as a bi-racial one. Above you see one of the hors d'oeuvres that was served. It was a clever paté chinois (shepherd's pie) made on a slice of salami. I thought they were pretty neat looking.

Here we are with the birthday girl. It depressed me to realize that technically I'm old enough to be her father. We had way too much to drink though and this morning my head is pounding. They made mojitos and though I detest rum, it is so perfectly disguised by the mint and sugar, I had several. We've had two bottles of rum sitting on the counter for YEARS (both gifts) and we never touch it, but now that I know the secret, look out.

A few vaycay pics

So we were on a tour of New York followed by a cruise. As part of the NYC tour we visited the library. When the guide said that the Hogwarts library was filmed here I didn't believe it. But it's true. Look Serge is there.

Times square. They have closed Broadway and made this section a pedestrian only area. I thought it was really neat and we hung out and people watched for a bit.

The next day we embarked. The first order of business was to celebrate with a froo froo drink. I was quite thirsty as you can see.

We headed out past the statue of liberty. It was kind of rainy but who cared because we were on our way to the tropics.

On the first formal night they have a captain's party with free drinks. Here's our travel mates, Serge's mom and her boyfriend.

We had one really nice sunset and you're looking at it.

Here we are on formal night. The decor was, garish roman I want to say. I liked it as it wasn't as vegasy as others we've been on.

Oh alright, there were other nice sunsets.

I think my favorite part of the cruise is the food. It's funny though, yesterday I went out to lunch with my students for the last class and when we got up to leave, I headed straight for the door. It didn't even dawn on me that we had to pay. Therese called out, "Richard where are you going?" I was more than a little embarrassed.

This was the paradise spot. Half Moon Cay, which is a private island owned by the cruise company. I would have been happy just spending the whole week there. The water was swimming pool color, crystal clear, and drinks and food aplenty were served on the beach.

We also went to Atlantis which is a huge resort in Nassau in the Bahamas. That's where we swam with the dolphins. (I'll try to get a pic of that but we didn't pay for them when we were there because the minimum purchase was $60. We have internet access to them though so stay tuned.) There is a huge water park and aquarium and casino there. If you ever get a chance, it's well worth the visit.

Every night before dinner we had one of these. One night the piano lady played the haunting Titanic music. We didn't appreciate that so much.

As I said we were on a tour with a group of Quebecers. I haven't spoken French so much since we went to Paris last year. It was a nice group and a great trip together.

We made some great friends too. I had written the cruise director to ask for a Friends of Dorothy meet and greet which he kindly scheduled for us. Here's some of the boys who showed up. There were others but I'm waiting to get their pictures since I didn't seem to get any of everyone.

There's more to discuss and reveal, but my head's been spinning since we got back. I haven't had a chance to spend any time online as I've had a ton of work to do. I'm leaving again in ten days too. I'll try to pop by and say hi soon though. Happy Friday peeps.

Heading home

It's the last day of the cruise. We are headed up to New York City and overnight we left the tropics as evidenced by this morning's chill. As a treat, and because Serge was still sleeping, I decided to go to the dining room for breakfast. I had heard that eggs benedict was/were served there, and, well, if there's one thing I can't resist, it's an egg mcmuffin with hollandaise. Even the pussy (to be read as the adjective form of the word pus) eggs don't bother me since what is hollandaise anyway but creative yolks. When you arrive at the dining room they ask if you want to eat with others or not. Normally, I would just eat with others, but it being first thing in the morning and me being coffeeless, I opted for a table alone. I figured the book in my hand would have said it all, but they asked me anyway and showed me to a table that I could have turned around and touched. Protocol was followed though and the lead hostess handed her helper a menu and asked her to lead me to table 217 which, of course, we arrived at instantly. It was like if a cashier had an assistant to hand you your change. I gladly accepted this table figuring I was that much closer to having coffee flowing down my gullet. It also crossed my mind that this was a kind of punishment, that hogging a whole table to myself merited being seated in the worst spot in the room. Even though I had a book, I didn`t get much reading done because I was eavesdropping on all the patrons arriving behind me. It`s been a long time since I worked the door of a restaurant. Did I really tolerate such horrible treatment when I worked in the biz? I suppose I did but boy I wouldn't be able to now. Everyone who came in said something along the lines of, "Gimme a window table." No please, no may I , no would it be possible. Just an endless parade of I wants and give mes. The more outrageous wanted a table alone AND by the window AND far away from the kitchen AND with a particular server. Obviously the hostess was unable to seat everyone at the window, so you can imagine the displeasure expressed by some. You'd think they had just been told the restaurant was flat out of breakfast. Since this was happening behind me, I couldn't see who was behaving so boorishly. My imagination filled in the scene with a cavalcade of warted trolls and shriveled tanorexics shaking their rolexed wrists in anguish. Really, I've seen more polite teenagers, and that's saying something. When my plate arrived, I cut each of the eggs benedict in two and then each half into three giving me about 12 bites. They were quite delicious and though no one would have batted an eye had I ordered a second plate, I couldn't help feeling guilty for the humanity arriving behind me. These folks have enough trouble without the pig asking for more eggs benedict. When I left, the hostess thanked me cheerfully and reminded me that tonight was grand marnier souffle night. Thank god our table is far from the door.

Cruising

One thing I love about cruising is how all the employees come from exotic places. The bar server from Sri Lanka smiles and then remembers her heritage and stifles it. Our dining room waitress is Mila from the Ukraine. "But I'm really Russian," she tells us as though we surely understand the significance of this distinction. I love the Ruskies though because they are nothing if not blunt. We ordered a chocolate martini last night in the casino and Irina announced, "Is no good, I make you tiramisu martini instead. Is more money but you can afford." We waited for the giggle or smile at her little joke but instead she fired up the blender. At the barbeque yesterday, I was in line behind a lady while I studied the condiments available for the hot dogs and hamburgers. "I want a hamburger," she started in, " but not one of those overcooked ones on the left, give me one of those on the right there." I don't know how she did it, bit it was both an edict and a whine, and at the risk of appearing anti-semitic, I immediately hated her. The Indian guys tending the grill explained that they weren't allowed to serve half-cooked burgers but she wouldn't be swayed. "I don't understand why you can't give a customer what she wants." Not only whining now, but referring to herself in the third person. Suddenly I thought about how facebook status updates might be having a bad influence on us. Now if it had been me, I'd surely have let a bit of drool escape onto her burger but the nice Indan guy said, "I'll give you the less cooked one from the left side." Our room steward introduced himself as "Efran" even though his nametag clearly reads Erfan. I assume no one can ever get his name right so he just introduces himself this way. He is from a country in Asia, so of course he is quiet, polite and efficient. He remembers everyone's name. This morning as Maurice from Haiti bused our table, I said thank you, noticed his country of origin and said, "Ah, vous parlez français?" A stone couldn't have been more stoic as he replied, "Yes." Later I saw a crew member dart through a door marked "crew only" and I spied a sign with a big yellow smiley face. Under it in big letters was written "Give us a smile!" And this is when it struck me that maybe we are the weird ones. Smiling is more natural for us because we have been taught to put that face on, grin and bear it comes to mind. And of course this must make us all seem fake. I imagine too that it's pretty hard to feel smiley when you are working 7 days a week 12 hours a day. Still, many of them do manage a smile and I can only hope that this garners them more tips.

Toodle-oo

So this is it. We are leaving today for a week and a half. We were supposed to leave tomorrow at 4am but Serge decided to get a head start so he reserved a hotel next to where we will be taking the bus tomorrow morning. (Tourbus to NYC) Then we stay a night there, in New Jersey actually, and then get on the cruise ship Tuesday. It's this boat. It's mostly a fun in the sun vacation this time, not like in Europe where you had one day to see a huge city. We are just going to some beaches this time and relaxing. Serge is bringing his laptop so I may post once or twice but no promises.

I saw a really good film yesterday called J'ai tué ma mère (I killed my mother) and it was made by a teenager! It won several awards at the Cannes film festival and I could see why - every scene rang true. In fact, it took me back to my adolescence and I identified very strongly with the main character. I kept thinking, "that happened to me too" all the way through. There's a part where the jocks beat up the gay kid because they sense his femininity and of course the gay kid tells no one. That happened to me and I imagine countless others. It's saddening to realize that that shit still goes on today, in every school, in every country, everywhere. And the beat up ones are too ashamed to tattle. I know I was.

Anyway. Still a few last minute packing things to do and maybe a stroll through the botanical gardens (with Mel who's in town visiting) before we head over to the hotel later. I hope y'all have a lovely week. Don't miss me too much now. Ciao.

Wee wad in the panties

I've been quietly following the progress of the "Reuniting American Families Act" which is a kind of immigration reform making it easier to sponsor a foreign family member in the US. There are two versions right now being worked on. The one that I'm hopeful about is the one that would recognize same sex spouses for immigration purposes. Like I mentioned last time when we traveled, we can not even approach the immigration officer at the airport together because even though we're married (and been together over 15 years), in the fed's eyes, we are nothing more than acquaintances. I'm not saying that I want to move back to the states, but one would always like the option, no? There's no question in my mind now which country affords more freedom, it's Canada. Still, I want my birth nation to get with the program and I hope that these seeds of change really do grow into something.

The thing that has me hot under the collar is that the Catholic church is once again exerting its power in the political realm and is trying to kill the version of the bill that would help people like Serge and I. Actually, Serge and I don't need any help. This person certainly does. Let's deport the kids' mommy because she's not really married, the dirty lesbian. That's a whole lotta American dream going on there. I'm not America bashing except that I sorta am. What kind of society supports what's happening to Shirley Tan? On the other hand, there is still hope. Just look at New Hampshire.

On the home front things are good. It's our last workday and then vacation, baby, vacation. We still haven't packed but we've got all weekend for that. We leave pre-dawn Monday for a whirlwind tour of New York and then cruise to the Bahamas with the in-laws. I'm so excited I could spit.

Hump day hoo-ha

I was doing the NY Times crossword yesterday and the theme was similes with animals. I thought it was great because I could type it up and use it in class. So how many of these do you know? I'm sure there are some little variations as to which word is used, ie clever vs cunning, but the sense is the same.

_______ as a post
_______ as an arrow
_______ as a pin
_______ as a fox
_______ as a bell
_______ as an ox
_______ as a kite
_______ as an owl
_______ as a rock
_______ as a dog
_______ as a bat
_______ as an eel
_______ as a judge
_______ as a doornail
_______ as a diamond
_______ as a drum
_______ as a whistle
_______ as a rail

I wasn't all that familiar with the eel, judge and diamond ones though I'd probably heard them before. Arrow, pin, dog and whistle don't make intuitive sense so I wonder where they came from. Answers in the comments.

What else? I had written here "hay farts". This is on the paper where blog ideas get jotted down. I can't recall what I wanted to say about it though. I must have had one, you know the kind, makes you think you're on a farm or something. They're not quite as gross as regular ones, but I don't know why.

This n that redux

These are the films I've purchased over the last year or so that I show in class. I used to just rent the films but after having rented several several times, I realized purchasing them was more economical. I'm missing the Devil Wears Prada because I lent it out, but all the rest are fair game. Oh except Same Time Next Year. Why did I remember it being so good? Now it seems kind of lame. Freaky Friday was the same. I wonder if the remake was better. This week is Devil and Swimming with Sharks.

I was reading an interesting article yesterday about the air we breathe and how many different things we inhale. It reminded me of an article I saw last month about a Russian guy who had a pine tree growing in his lungs. He had apparently inhaled a seed and there it grew. Anyway, the article was talking about how we are breathing molecules of the paint in the house, of the meat being barbequed down the street, of the nail polish the woman is applying next door, of the exhaust from cars, of the pollen from plants and on and on. None of those things are bad necessarily unless they reach a level of toxicity. Anyway. This was the line that got me. Each breath we take contains 10 to the 22 (I don't know how to make it look like it's supposed to) molecules but there are only 10 to the 44 molecules in the entire atmosphere. Therefore, with each breath there is a 98% chance that at least one of the molecules in that breath was shared by the dying breath of Julius Caesar. Or any deceased relative really. I don't know why, but that makes me feel intimately connected to all of humanity. I may not have met you, but we have surely shared molecules. Cool huh?