Playoff seats? What!?

(I know, I've been M.I.A. for ages...over two months...and I have loads to fill you in on, but I'm going to do it out of order!)

So, I have the best roommate ever. Knowing that I had never been to an NHL game in my life, he managed to score tickets to Game 6, Habs vs. Caps, and brought me to the game!!!!!!!!! ( Habs vs. Caps = Montreal Canadiens against the Washington Capitals, for those who don't follow hockey).

The evening started with a rush home to change and get some gear, a stop outside the Bell Centre at the Tailgate party where my friend Colin Moore (joined by Ryan Batistuzzi and two others) were playing for the crowds. I arrived at one end to hear AC/DC's "You Shook me All Night Long" belted out in Colin's distinct voice, leading us to the stage. After watching the band, I rushed into the HABS Zone to get myself a jersey - I needed to be fully equipped for this Playoff experience!

Our seats were in section 113, centre ice, about 18 rows up. They also just happened to be next to a few guys I used to work with! I could see everything! WAY better than you can see the games on TV! I could make out the expressions on the players' faces. I could barely hear myself think over all of the screams or the "Ovi Sucks", "Halak", or "Go Habs Go" chants. The atmosphere was electric.

The Habs had us on the edge of our seats and handed fans a glorious win. So glorious that I was in a euphoric state all night. It was an experience unlike any other; the noise, the adrenaline, the jerseys, the game, only to top it off with crowds celebrating in the streets.

I am one lucky lady to have been a part of it all.

Now, fingers are crossed for tonight's Game 7... Go Habs Go!

Montreal High Lights Festival

This city is marvelous. I might be a bit biased... I guess I'm technically still in the honeymoon period of my love affair with Montréal!

I guess I just find it amazing that every time I speak to someone who has lived here (usually a lot) longer than I have, they're telling me about a festival or an event that I should keep an eye out for.

This week it's the "Festival Montréal en Lumière," running from February 18 to 28. Tonight is the festival kickoff and I'll be heading down to Quai Jacques Cartier in the Old Port, to take in the festivities and be transfixed by Malajube's melodies - they play at 20h00 tonight. I'm bringing along my old roomie, her mother and sister, who are visiting from France, so it should be a good time.

The festival hosts a very wide variety of events and attractions. I'm hoping I'll find time to check out some of the free events (don't judge, I'm unemployed!). I'm aiming to visit the Leonard Cohen Artworks exhibit, The SAQ Bistro for some tasty treats (wine, roasting marshmallows and sausages), as well as the BMO Ferris Wheel and The Giant Labyrinth - I'm a sucker for some childhood fun!

I'll make sure to bring my camera and report back!

A new HOME...

The last three months have been a whirlwind... If you have been reading, you'll have an idea of what I'm referring to: a job loss, two temporary apartments (with fantastic roomies), freelance work, friends, music, and three moves.

Now, I finally have a home! I have spent the last five days, packing up, moving, flying to Toronto, packing up, moving back to Montreal (with many thanks to kind friends), unpacking, going to Ikea, building Ikea furniture (something I would not have been able to complete if it weren't for my awesome roomie), and organizing.

Now, I just have to finish arranging my room, and we're only missing some stuff on the living room walls, a toaster and a microwave (which are kindly being donated to us by my roomie's cousin).

Needless to say, it's yet another late night and I am to be at the office to do my freelance work early tomorrow morning. I'm exhausted, but overjoyed that I finally have an apartment that I can call home. So, I would like to extend an endless amount of gratitude to all of the people that helped me stay sane and offered assistance and kind words.

Now I can really focus on finding a full-time job!

I'll keep y'all posted on any new adventures as they arise...

Sally and Me

The official launch of Sally Folk's album, Sally and Me, took place last week at Le National, a gorgeous theatre/concert hall in Montreal. In a vibrant display, with kiosks set up for mini manicures and makeup applications, Sally Folk and the Shoop Shoop Band showcased their talent.

The Montreal native is a self-made author, composer, and singer. Sally is a representation of the spontaneous, free-spirited self, whose goal is to unite women of all backgrounds, and break free from social norms.

The black-bobbed, red-lipped Sally is accompanied on-stage by an astonishing medley of musical genius making up the Shoop Shoop Band, which gives the performance a modernized, big-band feel.

Sally and Me will be available for download at most online stores. Copies of the physical CD will be exclusively available at live shows, where 2.00$ from each album sale will be donated to Young musicians of the world. Young musicians of the world is a non-profit organization that provides free education and training in traditional music to children in the low income category.

Keep an eye out for Sally Folk, I’m sure we’ll be seeing much more of her.

My Generation

I received a forwarded email from my mom last night with a link to a video. In her note, she said, "This gives me hope that your generation will get it right." I found this interesting and thought I would share.

This video, submitted to an AARP contest called "U @ 50" by a 20 year old, is powerful. Watch the video in its entirety - listening and reading throughout. The first half is distressing, the second instills hopefulness. I too, hope we can get it right.

Au revoir 2009

While watching Julie/Julia with a glass (or two) of Jackson Triggs Dry Reisling and some brie and prosciutto last night, I realized how terrible I've been at keeping this blog going.

I normally would say, life has gotten in the way, but if I'm honest with myself and you, it's that I haven't given it the time that it deserves. So, I write this post, as the last from the year it started as, not a farewell, but as a hello. The ending of one chapter, leading to another.

I'm not making "real" resolutions this year (like going to the gym more, or saving X amount of money), but I will try to be truer to myself than I've been so far. What's your New Year's resolution?

2009 was, I'll say, a "good" year (for all intensive purposes). I had some VERY happy times - times of love, excitement, and inspiration. There were times of sadness, anger, and disappointment. I've broken hearts and had my heart broken (not necessarily in the romantic sense). But with every incline and decline on this rollercoaster that we call life, I have learned something.

I've learned that I can't plan for everything, that I'm (somewhat) resilient, that I can love and be loved, that I respect and admire, and am respected and admired.

I've learned that money comes and goes, that happiness comes when you allow it to, and that family (including friends) don't hold grudges (thank you, and I'm sorry for all the silly things I've done). I've learned more about what I love and am passionate about. I've learned that I CAN bake, and if I try, I CAN cook. I've learned to write for myself, to sing like no one's listening, and to throw caution to the wind.

This year, loved ones passed on, loved ones got enganged, retired, or started new lives in their own rights.

Through all the happy and sad experiences my friends, family, and I have powered through this year, 2009 has been a good year. But, I hope 2010 is better, for everyone.

To all the people each of us has loved and lost, cheers to you.

Here's to a healthy, happy, prosperous 2010.

MONEEN RAW: Believe

While I was growing up, I was fixated on the indie music scene. Moneen is one of the bands I saw play on a variety of occasions and have always tried to follow through the years.

The recent release of their fourth full-length album, the world i want to leave behind, is an inviting amalgam of mature, fresh and classic sounds.

A friend just posted a link to this MTV News Raw Performance of Believe, and I thought I’d share the video: