Nitro

On Tuesday, July 24, 2007, I went to see the movie Nitro. I broke my habit of going to the AMC to see the movie, and I went to see it at the Cineplex Odeon at Quartier Latin in Montreal.

The movie is about Max (or Julian), played by Guillaume LeMay-Thiverge, an ex girlfriend, played by Lucie Laurier, and l'Avocat, played by Martin Matte. Max's wife is in the hospital, dying. She needs a heart transplant. Obviously, Max cannot afford one, because he is only a simple construction worker. So, he turns to his old habits of bad boy/drag racing to get what he wants.

His philosophy was, why should a good heart be wasted in a good for nothing, not productive to society criminal, when it could be used to give a second chance to his wife? So, he sets out to try and find this heart, to help save his wife. Of course, there are complications, in turns out that the dude he took the heart from conveniently works for the RCMP...

Though his intentions are well, he doesn't really think out how he is going to do things, and he just keeps digging himself deeper and deeper into the hole... I won't tell you how the movie ends, because that would spoil the movie. Personally, I did not enjoy the ending of the film.

The poster of the film is misleading, they have Guillaume LeMay-Thiverge in a leather jacket and leather pants, and he looked pretty good looking in that outfit. But he is only in that get up for maybe a third of the movie, not even... I thought about possibly buying this DVD used, and using some of those images as porn, but I don't believe it's worth it...

The first Indian buffet restaurant where the food is good, but the service is terrible

Today, I thought I would try the Indian buffet again on St. Denis, south of Ontario street. The restaurant is called Bombay, and the price of the lunch buffet is $7.99 + tax.

Now, $7.99 is a good price for a lunch buffet, especially Indian. However, this restaurant sucks in terms of service.

Most Indian buffet restaurants I've been to, the service ranks from okay to decent to extremely extremely good. But this service was not hot. In fact, I would rank the service the same temperature as their gulab gemun... Cold...

The restaurant closed at 2:00 p.m., and they "shut down the buffet" and "cleared off the buffet area" by about 1:57 p.m. or 2:02 p.m.. They told me that the buffet is finished slightly before then, so I was able to grab some last minute food.

I was waiting for the metro at Berri-UQAM at 2:07 p.m... I was rushed out of the buffet restaurant 7 minutes after it closed... And some of the people who worked there started to change out of view from where I was, but I could tell they were changing back into their street clothes, or their non-work clothes... Granted of course some of them were wearing some pretty nice shoes, but still... I really felt not welcome in the restaurant. I really felt that they were doing me a favour by not closing the buffet early and letting me eat there when I went into the restaurant at 1:35 - 1:40 p.m. (It sucks not having a watch, I'm going to get that fixed soon)

When I was entering the metro system, there were these two big burly metro cops who were standing at the turnstiles, and one of them demanded that he see my "Full-time" student ID card - also know as the carte privilège. This is the card that allows students of age 17 or less to use the reduced fare, or 18 - 25 who are registered in a post-secondary education institution to use a reduced rate in the metro system, but only for the monthly pass. So, my monthly pass is $35.00, instead of $65.00. Boy, am I glad that I was following the rules today. Because if they catch someone using just the card without the carte privilège, it is a fine of a $150 or some ridiculous amount + administration fee for this breaking this "rule".

A Toast To Men

On Saturday, July 21, 2007, I decided that since I haven't been to a night club in a long while, I thought I would go, just to have fun for a bit. It was also because I was invited by someone who wanted to put a social group together for gay youth between 18 - 35. So, I decided that I should go and meet some people...

Well, the evening was a bit of a disappointment.

When I got there, no one else was there, but some dude tried to cruise me.

Finally people got there, and then I got talking with this dude who was actually pretty good looking. Let's call him Jebediah (name changed). He was handsome, manly, and we got talking... We fooled around a bit, but not much. He said that he had to "give me his card" at the end of the evening. I felt like I was being promised the moon and everything. I was told that I was cute, etc. etc., and I thought we had great conversation.

However, the next thing I know, Jebediah went and met the "rest of the gang", and then ended up smelling and possibly making out or kissing (I don't know how fair this went, I didn't bother looking) with this other dude...

I did get the name and phone number of Jebediah, but I'm not sure I'm the only one who got his contact information...

While I was watching the show, some 65 year old man tried to pick me up. That was awkward. It didn't float my boat, at all. Maybe it was a Just for Laughs Joke, but I somehow doubt that.

When Jebediah left, I asked him for his card (I felt like I was forcing him to give me his contact information, because he probably doesn't want me to pester him, I don't know what to read about it)

Although the good part of the evening, I think, was this dude who tried to get me away from the group and chat with me in private. I guess he felt sorry for me, or he thought I was cute, but didn't tell me, and just wanted to isolate me and get to know me better.

I guess what Willa Ford writes in her songs is true: "Fuck the men, let's drink to us (girls)". I suppose I will find the man for me sometime, but I believe that I will not meet him in a bar. Stranger things have happened though, so you never know!

Fireworks

Last night, Wednesday July 18, 2007, I went to see the fireworks, presented by Telus and Loto Quebec. The country that was presenting the fireworks was Canada!

My friend and I arrived late, but we didn't miss much, because about 5 - 10 minutes into the program, they ran into technical difficulties. This took them 25 minutes to fix, so we actually did catch most of the fireworks...

There were a bunch of loser youth who were ooing and aahing at the fireworks, everytime there was an explosion, and I wanted a huge ton of bricks out of the sky to fall on them.

There was also this dude who was selling flashy gadgets (sceptres and stuff like that), and he had an upside down Canada flag. I mean, I recognize that Quebec is a unique province, but don't be dissing your mother country like that. You are still part of Canada, and if you think that if you ever separate, Canada is going to let you off the hook easily? Think again. I was so tempted to go up to the dude and asked if he sold upside down Quebec flags, because if he can disrespect Canada like that, I reserve the right myself to disrespect Quebec in the same manner. Respect and disrespect are both two way streets, buddy.

Too bad I didn't see him, or else I really would have taken pleasure in asking him that question.

The Boss of It All

On Tuesday, July 17, 2007, I went to see the film The Boss of It All. This was a Danish or a Icelanic film. A comedy about someone who actually is the CEO of the company, but was never gutsy enough to tell his employees that he worked with that he was the CEO. He passed himself off as one of the employees, but the head one who was in touch with "the boss of it all".

Things get a bit complicated when he is trying to sell his company off, but the person who is interested in the company refuses to deal with a "lackey", and insists that the president of the company actually be present so that he may deal with him. So, an actor is hired to play the part of the CEO, and then things get more complicated, because then the employees see him, and all the lies get more tangled and more complicated.

It was definitely a different type of film, and a different type of comedy. It was nice to see something that's European, and not from Hollywood. If you want a change, want to see a foreign film, and want some clever comedy, this would be a good choice.

Bitch at Berri-UQAM station and more...

I have two situations I want to comment on, that I came across when I took public transit.

On Thursday, July 12, 2007, as I was exiting Viau station, there was this girl who was blind (I don't know if it was an accident that caused her to be blind, or if she was born that way), and she had a guide dog.

Now, if this girl is walking up towards a turnstile, anyone with eyes would think that it would be polite and civil to let her go first... Since she cannot see, and she cannot see which turnstile is for entrances and which ones are solely for exiting. But she had to stop (and the guide dog stopped because it was trained to when it sees someone blocking an exit), because some bastard who is completely able to see clearly with his two eyes decided to cut in front and enter the station before the blind girl exited. Please, some common sense and civility... She can't see you! She's blind. Let her pass first, waiting for 10 seconds while she passed would not kill someone who has perfect use of his eyesight. What a bastard. He should be shot in the most painful way possible.

And then today, I took the public transit, and I was at Berri-UQAM station. I was with someone who needed to buy six tickets... So, he approached the booth, where this lady was, and asked for "six tickets" But the bitch at the counter said, "No, you're not buying six tickets, you're buying une lisère de six billets". First of all, the STM usage of lisière (=edge) is very bizarre, since you're really not buying an edge of tickets... Maybe it translates to strip, but I personally would say carnet. Even my former French prof said that it is extremely bizarre to use lisière with billets.

And then, when I passed by the booth, I showed her my pass with the student ID. Normally, most booth operators would just press the button to allow me to pass. But now, she insisted that I take my pass and slide it through the turnstile. What the hell type of service is this? I can tell you now, this is not service empressé (outstanding service)! She's a bloody ticket booth operator... Your power trips don't work. You're not important. I can choose to pass through any other turnstile. I can choose to enter from a difference entrance. I can choose to enter from a different metro station. If she doesn't like working with people - and I believe that if you are working for the STM, you need to enjoy working with people, then quit, because there are so many other people who would fill that job in a second, who would actually enjoy it!

Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer

Today, I went to see Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. I didn't have high expectations for this film. I laughed, I didn't cry, but there were some tear jerking moments. (Very few though) And a lot of CGI graphics, and special effects.

The story is about Earth under attack by this mysterious force, which causes bizarre phenomenon on Earth. And then the Fantastic Four's battle to help save the Earth. To make matters worse, Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman have been trying to tie the knot for three times, and this is the fourth time.

The story is that we find out what the Silver Surfer does, who he is working for, what his strength and weaknesses are. We also see the return of Dr. Doom, who assist the Fantastic Four in capturing the Silver Surfer, but we also know that he has more sinister plans.

This film is good on the big screen, because you get to see the action and the special effects, but don't expect much with acting and plot.

Some silly fun with mathematics

I discovered a pattern in the apartment building that I live in... This is just some silly coincidence, but it's fun nonetheless.

The person in Apartment 4 (before she moved out, due to a hole in her ceiling of her bathroom) was dating someone of a different ethnicity. She was white, the boyfriend was black.

The person who is living in Apartment 2 right now, she is black, and the boyfriend is white.

So, by some exponent rules... 2^4 = 16, which means that the person in Apartment 16 is going to date someone of a different ethnicity.

Well, let's hope that this pans out... lol I guess you figured out which apartment I live in, right?

Army - Part II

I have a friend who reads my blog periodically, and he believes that I would blog about being kicked out of the sushi restaurant tonight. No, he was wrong... I have something else bigger to blog about.

So, my friend Raoul, the same one who is having some boy troubles, has convinced yet another person to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

This time, it's his friend, who is named Allan (name changed). Allan is a voice student at McGill, who has about two years left in his program. He works hard at a fast food restaurant to get money, and is pretty sick of the situation. I would be too, since working at a fast food restaurant can be pretty tedious. So, Raoul has suggested that Allan put in an application for the Canadian Armed Forces, because they pay well...

Now, Allan is a bit obese. And there's nothing wrong with that. However, for someone to be in the Canadian Armed Forces, you have to pass a physical test. I found out that apparently, the Armed Forces are so desperate for people that if someone does not meet their physical requirements, there is a possibility that the army will pay for the gym membership of the person who applied!

I have several qualms with that. First, again, why are people so obsessed with money? I understand that money is required, as you need to pay rent, by food, buy clothing, etc., but whatever happened to working hard so that this happens? Why do so many people just prefer to take the easy way out? Working hard is part of life... Not everyone gets an easy break, and has money flowing in from all directions. Finishing a degree is hard work, managing your budget while doing your degree is hard work. Sacrifices have to be made... Don't smoke, don't go clubbing every weekend, don't go boozing every weekend, eat responsibly, etc. etc. If you decide to dip into one area, you have to fore go others.

Also, I have a problem with the possibility that the army would pay someone to have a gym membership so that they can get themselves into the required shape. I realize that there needs to be a program of accessibility, i.e. "No one is refused, or almost no one is refused", but putting up a free gym membership thing is just ridiculous... What else do they cover? If I wanted to become a pilot, will they give me laser eye surgery so that I have 20-20 vision again? I have heard that pilots are not supposed to have glasses, or contact lenses... Will they take someone who has 20-20 vision after laser eye correction? If so, will they pay for it? And since stupid Canadians voted Harper in, he's quadrupled the budget for our armed forces, that's why we can afford luxury items like huge sign up bonuses and getting people gym membership for those that need it. What's next? Free car and house whenever you sign up? What is this, some sort of promotion so that you sign up for a credit card? Nice to see where my tax dollars are going.

And on top of that, I found out that apparently all the deaths that we have had in Afghanistan, only two were officers (or commissioned members)... The rest were all CO deaths (Non commissioned member deaths). So, what's this about how a non-commissioned member will never go to war? True, they will not be in a combat situation, but they still get deployed to Afghanistan... Remember my friend Felix, whom I used to date, who applied without really consulting me to the Canadian Armed Forces as a meteorologist? Well, these statistics don't look good for him.

I think that my friend Raoul has been brainwashed by the Canadian Army... He sees the positive things, like high pay, and nice incentives to work there. I personally would never work for an organization that uses violence and weapons to resolve conflicts, instead of peaceful means. Don't get me wrong, I believe that armies are necessary, but it is personally not my cup of tea.

Some like it hot, some like it not...

On Thursday, July 5, 2007, I went to an Indian restuarant (a good one) to get some Indian food. When I arrived, there was someone there, who was fairly attractive, who took his food really spicy...

He got his food, and there were peppers in chat (and I mean chili peppers). He asked for more chili peppers, and got two more. He had to ask a second time for a complete bowl of chili peppers to get what he wanted... Get this, the chili peppers were raw... Which are about 3 times as hot as cooked chili peppers...

I was amazed at the amount of spice he can take. I mean, I can take hot, but compared to him, I'm a beginner. He must also have an asshole of steel, because I know that if I eat food that is too hot, I pay for it on the can the next day...

Scotia Bank and Customer Service

On Wednesday, July 4, 2007, I went to a branch of Scotia Bank to do a minor procedure on an account. Now, Canadians voted Scotia Bank for #1 for in branch service in 2007.

If they want to keep this ranking, they should consider what I'm writing very seriously.

When I got into the branch, I tried to approach the teller lines, because it was my instinct to go there, even though I didn't need money, but I needed one of them to help me with my minor procedure. At this particular moment, there was this really big burly security guard who decided to block me from entering the line-up for the tellers, and told me that it was "closed".

And since I was there for some paperwork, and not for a withdrawal or deposit, I tried to reason to say that I only needed to do some paperwork, but he still insisted that it closed at 4:00 p.m.. So, I decided to try the customer service desk, to see if they were open. Luckily they were.

I am not saying I was displeased with the service I received, it wasn't exemplary, nor was it terrible. It was average. Why Scotia Bank was voted #1, I don't know. However, if they want to keep the #1 rating, they will need to fire unapproachable security guards like that. He was utterly useless. All he could do was block me from entering the line-up for tellers. He couldn't tell me "Oh, for some paperwork, you could go to the customer service counter". And he was very stand-offish. I realize that some aspects of the job of a security guard, you are supposed to be stand-offish, but when it's a customer, you don't want to be stand-offish. If I hadn't been "harassed" by the security guard, I might have ranked the service I received as good, but after being run around by the security guard, with no guidance, I dropped the rating to average.

Note to the boss/person in charge at the Scotia Bank branch at the corner of Sherbrooke and Metcalfe: Fire the bald white security guard with tattoos. He is not doing splendors for your reputation of giving #1 customer service in the branch. Either that, or really inform him about what customer service means, and make sure he carries it out. Maybe give him some training about customer service, and how to deal with customers.

Ratatouille

On Tuesday, July 3, 2007, I went to see the film Ratatouille. This is a Pixar animated feature about a rat who is sick and tired of eating garbage all the time, and wishes to cook as a career.

The main character is Remy, who is a rat. His family's philosophy is eat whatever scraps they can find so that they can survive. Remy's philosophy is different, he wants to live to eat, and he is gifted with a great nose. He recognizes how flavours are individual, and he savours them, and then how they mix together. Unfortunately, few in his family share this view.

The other part of the story is that there is a new guy who stepped into a restaurant, his name was Linguini. And he cannot cook worth a dime. However, a turn of events caused Remy to meet Linguini, and then they became great friends ever since.

The rest of the story, which I will not spoil, is their journey through the restaurant business, and how Remy becomes an established chef. There is also a sub-plot of how the new chef, who has had the business (the restaurant in question) for three years, and how Linguini may be the possible heir to the restaurant. Another subplot is this really feared restaurant critic, whose perspective causes a restaurant to flourish or fold.

This was a very enjoyable voice animation film. There was a lot of gun violence, when compared to a regular Disney/Pixar flick, but it was fun nonetheless. I really enjoyed it. It is a movie that is definitely worth seeing for the laughs and for the animation.

Queen on the bus

When I was taking the coach back from Toronto to Montreal, there was this relatively good looking dude on the bus... And he was fashionable, good looking, etc. But then I heard him speak, and it just kind of went down the drain... He's gay. He's so gay... If he's straight, he is so lying to himself. My god, I am not the poster child for masculinity, and even I am more butch than he is... He's your classic: "look like Tarzan, speak like Jane" personality. I mean, I am sure that I am guilty of that too, but still.

It takes all types to make this world... But oh my god, so gay! So so so so so so so so gay!

Trouble in paradise?

So, it looks like the couple whom I talked about a few posts ago, Raoul and Rupert (names fictional), are having some trouble in paradise. I believe that the trouble can be one-sided, however, so let me explain.

Today, July 2, 2007, Raoul came to visit me at my place in Toronto. But it was really because we were going to have some Japanese buffet together, with me, him and my family. So, he met my parents and my brother, and he really enjoyed himself. The food was great. I haven't had sushi in such a long time, so it was nice to finally be able to have some.

Anyway, on the way back home, since I went to the restaurant in Raoul's car, he wanted to talk to me about Rupert, so I decided to offer an ear. It appears that on June 11, 2007, Rupert messaged someone on his facebook account, and said that the person was hot, and wanted to be friends with this person... What's wrong with this picture? I personally do not think that you be friends with someone because they are hot. You be friends with someone because they are a nice person, or they have a nice personality, or both. You don't be someone's friend because they are hot. That's a very superficial way to choose friends.

I kept reading the messages, and it appears that Rupert is explaining that he is still in the closet, and that's why on his profile, he says he's heterosexual. Also, he says that he changed his status to being in a relationship, because this dude bugged him about going out. In reality, it was Rupert who asked Raoul to change status after two dates.

Raoul is upset (of course, who wouldn't be), because he feels that he is putting a lot of energy into the relationship, and he feels that Rupert is not. Raoul feels that his needs are being ignored, while he goes above and beyond the call of duty to satisfy Rupert's needs. And he feels that Rupert is in a relationship with him until he finds someone better, so Raoul feels like he's just a paper towel, and when it's worn out, then he's discarded.

Oh goodness, the drama. Questions to ponder: Why date someone who is so dramatic? Why date someone who is ignorant of your needs? Why date someone who is not out? Why date someone who is so superficial? Why date someone who spends 60 + minutes into making himself look pretty? (aka high maintenance)

These are questions I wouldn't answer, nor would I need to answer because I tend to not date (or even consider dating) this type of people. But to each his own. Since I'm a good friend to Raoul, I told him that whatever happens, he will always have my support. After all, that is all that I can offer, right? Especially since Raoul is thinking of confronting Rupert. And I believe that this is necessary, as I don't think it's fair for Rupert to keep leading Raoul on, if he indeed is leading him on. I hope things work out, and that Raoul gets the resolution/answers that he needs so that he can move on.