The world is as small as you make it

Opinions, experiences, reviews. This is my life in a blog-shell.

[ultmcsa]

Amé goes places: L.A. pas ce que vous croyez...

For my non-French speakers out there, see end of post for translation of the title. Hint: it’s a pun*. ;)

Many moons ago, I ended up in Anaheim for a convention that half happened, half didn’t but in the end turned into a massive party filled with fantastic people that I am now lucky to call friends. (Maybe one day I’ll tell you that story...)

Me, being the lucky airline worker, managed to go visit them around the world a few times. But not all of them. And as much as I thank the internet for existing and giving us all a chance to stay in touch, there’s still something special about sitting down with friends around food and drinks and talking about anything and everything. Yes, as “techie” as this girl is, she still believes in the importance of socializing. So when the chance to meet up with 3 of said friends (including one I hadn’t seen since said convention) I of course jumped at the chance! Even if that meant going to a city that I, for all instance and purpose, disliked.

So I had to face the fact that heat-hating, anti-consumerism me was going to Los Angeles for 2 days. I know, I know, “don’t hate on something until you give it a chance Amé”! True. But let’s take the evidence into consideration here shall we?

Los Angeles, California, USA: population of 3,8M, 18% poverty rate, homeless population of almost 45 000, one of the highest places for inequality in revenue and 15$ billions (!?!?!?) in tourism revenue. To put this in perspective of how incredibly ‘big’ this city is, there is more people living in L.A. then in Manitoba and Saskatchewan combined!

Yet, if I ask you to describe L.A. and it’s people what would you tell me? Sunny, beautiful, rich... Mainly, a big ol’ resounding HOLLYWOOD! But if you’ve read my blog a bit, or know me, you know this is not what I see. 

The glamour and shiny, very rarely blind my sight of the dirt and sadness it tries to hide. So you can see that going to the capital of ‘bling’ for me was not high on my priority list. (Also the fact that the average temperature there is like 30C does not help to convince this winter loving gal.)

But nonetheless, a way too early wake up call and stressing over flight loads later, I made it to LAX. After a sweaty, meh quality breakfast where I never got my glass of water, but where I did get to enjoy catching up with my friends, my very quick trip around L.A. began. This is when, a glimmer of hope for me not completely hating this city appeared.

It appeared while driving through the city, looking at gorgeous art deco building hiding between massive constructions of steal and concrete with no shape. While talking with old friends and making new ones, while walking around Old Pasadena and seeing buildings and people that made me smile. While discovering a shop called Lula Mea and meeting it’s wonderful owner and their adorable four-legged residents. All that, after very stubborn me, did not want to like this city...

Lula Mea Gift Shop : 100 North Fair Oaks Avenue, Old Pasadena Seriously if you have a chance go there!

I sadly did not take enough pictures while there I must admit, but if I could have you would have seen many examples of duality. Of building, of businesses, of people. This is where hope started to grow in me, that this mecca of all things I abhor may not be lost after all.

For every landscape-destroying, useless building, I saw beautiful century old ones. For every mass-consuming mall and shops I saw, I discovered independently owned shops and cafés. For every self-involved, society-destroying person I heard, I met wonderful and thoughtful people that I would love to see again. But if you asked me what actually warmed my heart while there, I would have to say this.

For the first time in my life it feels like, the people I met, were genuinely interested in learning French! More then one person found the language beautiful and interesting. For the first time in a very long time, me being French, yet surrounded by anglophones, did not mean I had to ‘hide it’ or ‘defend’ myself in anyways to anyone. About anything. And if felt so good. Yes, it may have been the company I was keeping, but still. It made me so happy, and I don’t think they realize it. So I will finish saying this: merci. 

Merci ladies to have made my time in this city a bit more (ok a lot more) endurable then I thought it would be. You did convince me that regardless of it all, I will have to come back. Even if it’s only for the people, it will still be worth it.

Yeah you read right, I will endure many more sweaty suppers, if it means hanging out you lovely people. Because no, I don’t actually hate L.A.

There, I said it. ;)

*the sentence would read ‘Elle est’ at the beginning, which would then translate to ‘she is not what you think’. :p 

Also, anyone wants a full review of Lula Mea? Let me know!

[ultmcsa]

Amé Revue things: Mr. Holmes or how my hatred of Paul Rudd helped me discover something good.

In the world that is the summer blockbusters/never-ending-comic-books-movies/why-do-you-still-make-those chick flicks that is the month of July, there is always a few independent movies that come out because well, it’s also festival season. So in my ever ongoing search of air conditioning, I ended up having to choose between 2 movies: Antman and Mr Holmes.

Now if you don’t know me yet, here’s the thing: I f****ing hate Paul Rudd. Ok so maybe hate is a big word, I don’t personally know the guy, but let’s just say I not only don’t find him funny, but that his extremely mediocre acting is the reason I stopped watching Friends. When someone can make me want to stop watching Lisa Kudrow, you know something’s wrong.

So let’s just say watching 90min of him on a screen, even if I am sucker for MCU, well... That was not appealing. At all. Even with air conditioning. So imagine my elation when, while scrolling through movie times, I see a movie with Sir Ian Mckellen playing an aging Sherlock Holmes! Thank you gods of movie!

Mr Holmes presents itself as a classic style British dramedy, and by that I mean it’s a drama with so much dry humour that it might go over some people’s head. But nevertheless, it was lovely. I especially love the 3 stories intertwined together without any explanation to the viewer that you would usually find in an American movie. You are supposed to know where you are at in the story because you are supposed to *gasp* pay attention to what is happening! Shocker I know! It was so nice to see a movie not take you for an idiot and just tell you the story, my brain was being used, not just mindlessly entertained. Acting wise, McKellen, Laura Linney and Milo Parker all do a fantastic job, and I thank the casting agents immensely.

Overall, I give this movie a ‘thank you for making this’ rating. And would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good “story movie” with more then decent actors.

Next on my blog: I went to L.A. and came back confused... but what’s new. ;)

[ultmcsa]

Amé goes places: O'Ahu, you gorgeous place.

A while ago I had asked what type of reviews I should write, the answer I got was "everything!". So here's my first official travel blog post! There will be more to come! I wrote this last year and never really finished it. So I decided to stop being lazy and just post it. Enjoy!

Waikiki September 2014

It all started last January, when winter hit Toronto airport in a major way that it affect all of Canadian travel. We worked hard, helping people trying to get home, and as a thank you, we got "free flights". (Oh taxes, how I love thee...) Since I did not know what to get my mother for her birthday this year, I told her "this year, it's on me, where do you want to go?" And her Elvis loving heart told me: Hawai'i!

So after months of looking at flights and hotels, I settled on The Queen Kapiolani Hotel. Part of the Aqua hotel chains now, this old style hotel was perfect for my mother to spend the week. For me, the fact that it was 2min from the beach and that the view of the pool was let's say... well this:

Well, it helped convincing me to spend my money there. Reading on the hotel online and discovering that Aqua chain is one of the most LGBT friendly chain there was also a plus.

A lovely surprise at this hotel, the tri-weekly meet and great from the General Manager, Ron. A lovely man, passionate about Hawai'i history and culture. The 90min presentation he gave us on the history of his nation was fascinating. Artifacts from his personal collection completed the presentation. He welcomed us to touch and handle them, as to him, they are part of history and we should be able to feel it too. He was one of the first person during this trip that showed me how wonderful the people of Hawai'i are, and it only continued from there!

The food, for the whole week was... oh so satisfying! From every piece of pork I had to the Uku (local snapper) I got to try, to the coffee... oh the coffee! But here are some of my favourite places:

Lulu's: 2586 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu

Since the hotel really only had a buffet for breakfast, I had asked some friends where I should go while there. I will forever thank Lannie for pointing me in the direction of this lovely, open air restaurant, with a fantastic breakfast menu! From healthy to so not healthy option, fresh juice and again, marvellous coffee, it had everything to make my mom and me happy. Oh... and dear me the bacon! *drool*

Stuffed french toast. Called stuffed for a reason.

Tiki's Bar and Grill: 2570 Kalakaua Ave, Honolulu

With great happy hour prices and a lovely view of the beach (see below), this would be a place to definitely stop by again. Live music at night, though a bit too loud, wonderful staff and menu option. It was my first taste of local pork and I got hooked immediately. It was also, my first Mai Tai. But I can tell you, it wasn't my last... ;)

View from Tiki's.

Mai Tai 1 of...

There was a few other places we went to, Italian restaurant, another grill place and Teddy's Bigger Burgers (this one is worth the try though), but those 2 places sticks out for me. Now before you ask, yes, I went to Duke's. No, not sure I'd go again. Maybe it was because it was Saturday night but I had a feeling I was stuck in an over-rated bar on Crescent street and not on a beach in Hawai'i. There are better places to have a Mai Tai, and much cheaper too. Though the company was worth it, had a blast with a new friend I had made visit the Polynesian Cultural Center, but if I could have found a quieter, cheaper place I would have totally gone there instead.

Sadly, apart from reading alone on the beach and by the pool, I did not get to do much this time around. This was a time to spend with my mother, and do what she wanted to do, which mainly was a whole lot of nothing and catching some sun! But it's ok, it was an opportunity for me to see a place, and I will come again and do more! The one activity we did do, was the Polynesian Cultural Center. Now I'm telling you, if you have the chance to do this tour, do it! 

All in all, I would absolutely go again, maybe even stay at the Queen again because it was a great hotel. And next time, I’m definitely looking for a boat tour! So tell me people, what do you like to do when in Hawai’i?

Now the PCC part was too long. So I made another post just for that. I’ll hopefully finish it soon. Standby for more

[ultmcsa]

Amé eats things: Catch 122

Here it is! My first, blog-written restaurant review! Why this one you ask? Well really it’s just because I literally just finished eating there and I had to share. Warning: whining ahead. (I’m sorry Vancouver people, this will happen a lot when I review restaurants here.)

So first: the place. 

Actually, I like it. It’s pretty hipster (as Hasting near Cambie would be) and the one big plus? The chairs at the bar not only fit my ass, but are actually comfy. I still have issues getting on them and know that one day I will fall on my face trying to get on one of those, but at least, once on them, my bum was not numb by the end of my first coffee. Air conditioning or fans would have been nice though, because sweating in your breakfast is never, ever fun. But I’m guessing in the winter it’s a great place.

Second: the people.

The staff was nice. I was happily surprised by how nice and helpful they were. That is until I got my food, no one asked how my food was, though they did make sure I had enough coffee, which I appreciate. Being dressed like I usually dress on my day off just going to get something, I did not fit in the whole yuppy crowd but they did not care at that was a big plus to them. Now the people in the crowd? As it is customary for downtown Vancouver, I got a few side eyes and weird looks of ‘who’s that fat, lonely girl in jeans and t-shirt? Why is she here amongst us superior people?’ but I’m used to those by now. So I just order my food and hope to be impressed. Which brings me to...

Third: the food.

*Sigh* ok, I will have to admit defeat on this and just stop hoping for a good cup of coffee in downtown restaurants. It’s not your fault, it’s your water. And I can’t expect all restaurants to have filtered water when they make regular coffee. So I guess I’ll just have to keep drinking sour coffee while I find a place that makes a good cup. 

Now the food. I ordered the Dirty Breakfast. Duck confit  and toasts, eggs, potatoes and beans. I was hesitating between that and the Brioche French toast but when the waiter told me how sweet they were, I could not, in this heat, go for sweet and sticky. And I thank him for the heads up. Plate arrives, looking ok but not picture worthy (I’m not at the point where I take a pic of every plate I have, just the ones that deserve it). There was a completely empty stop next to the sad looking salad that served as garnish. Not that I need a full, full plate, but it just looked... off. Like something was supposed to be there and they forgot. Never the less, the eggs were beautifully cooked and the smell of duck confit is always lovely. So I dig in. 

First thoughts? The beans were not bad, but completely useless and added nothing to the plate. It actually took away from the duck. So I started separating everything and trying all the individual ingredients, different combinations, etc. Final thoughts? Meh. Not bad, but nothing impressive. So I’m thinking, let’s give them one last chance and order dessert. I get the lemon curd with lavender meringue (say what?!). The plate surprised me, and maybe I should have taken a pic of this one, but at this point I’m sweating so much I just want to eat and get out. Overall it was ok. The curd was good, the meringue was well done but the graham cookies where so hard if a big piece was stuck to the cream or curd it would ruin it. But the idea is there and it’s not bad.

So over all, there is more things on the menu I am curious about that could redeem them, the staff was nice enough that I would come back just because of them. Though would I get out of my way to go on my 1 day off of the week?

Chances are no.

[ultmcsa]

What is it with me and waitresses you ask?

So here’s the thing: I have a bad habit of crushing on my waitresses*. So much so that it kinda became a running jokes amongst my friends and me. Now, I don’t mean crushing like ‘omg I’m in love with her’. No I mean like the crush you have on a celebrity or the first crush you have on a teacher. When you just watch them do their thing and sigh. That kind of crush. Some of my friends can spot the look in my eyes and go 'oh here she goes again!’ but you know what? How can I not have a slight crush on them? I mean think about it… Waitresses are hard working, attentive, have a good sense of humour, have interesting lives, can deal with assholes all day, understand shift work, most are the sweetest kind of human being and to top it all off, they bring me food and coffee! Seriously! How am I not supposed to crush on them! So to all the wonderful waitresses I’ve met in my life; thank you. Thank you for making my day every time you pass by and drop my coffee in front of me with a smile, even though someone probably has just been treating you like a servant/yelled at you because dear god there’s ice in their water! You are wonderful people, and I will forever be a fan. *Disclaimer: I am talking here about the 'good’ kind of waitresses. Not the ones that clearly are unhappy about their life choices… Also to all the awesome waiters out there. *fist bumps of customer service solidarity* love you guys too. Just won’t crush on you. ;)

[ultmcsa]

Amé Revue things: Magic Mike XXL

Yes. You read this right. This lonely lesbian went to the movies on her own to watch a movie about male strippers. And I didn’t even do it ‘ironically’ because, no I haven’t spent enough time in Vancouver to be completely hipsterized yet.

So yes, on a too warm Friday afternoon I went and hid in the coolness of a movie theatre and sat down amongst 12 women paired up together (and I think a couple of guys at the back) and watched as multiple, too macho men, that don’t take themselves seriously, take their shirt offs. Mainly. Because that’s it. That’s the story.

Ok, the ‘actual’ story is Tatum and his gang of ‘old’ dude-bros go on a road trip on the South East coast to a stripper convention. Shenanigans, Pinkett-Smith, Macdowell and a couple of blondes happens on the way. 

This, if you ask me, is the exact pitch Tatum gave Warner while only wearing the money he made with Jump Street as a g-string. Hollywood being Hollywood, the answer was of course “you make it happen, I give you the money!” and thus was born MM:XXL!

All that being said, I must admit, I laughed. I laughed way too hard for lonely lesbian me in a movie theatre with 12 women paired up together. Because this time, unlike the first time, this movie *is* a comedy. The little serious it tries to be gets quickly pushed aside for some light stupidity and that, I can accept. That was my issue with the first movie (yes, I’ve watched it too... long story). The first one was trying so much to be a ‘serious’ Soderbergh movie that it got boring real fast. The one redeeming quality being the dancing, which regardless of my sexuality, was impressive. This is why I was so disappointed in the XXL dance routines. A couple of a good ones, but nothing as impressive as the first. So yes, I was happy it left the seriousness aside and just concentrated on the funny. Because yes, Channing Tatum can be hilarious. And apparently so can Manganiello.

So overall, I don’t regret spending 10$ to hide at air conditioning and watch this. And if there was nothing out there and I needed to get out of the heat again, I would probably go back. 

And that is where you know I’m gay: when my solution to get cooled down, is going to watch male strippers for 2 hours.

[ultmcsa]

Montrealing: the act or action of being in Montreal like a Montrealer.

To walk in a crowd where people mostly pay attention and not rage.To pick any old pub/restaurant/dive and know you'll have good food. To take the transit at rush hour and not have to wait 3 trains to get on. To zig zag between construction and cars on a Friday night, in the heart of downtown, and not be scared for your life. De parler 2 langues en même temps et avoir tout le monde autour de toi comprendre. De pas avoir à répéter le mot 'poutine' parce que ffs it's not pronounced 'puteen'. To bagel and smokemeat properly. To hear simultaneous French/English discussion around you that both bitch about the system and know you'll be doing the same once your friends come, because yes it's ok to talk politic at the table. De savoir que, finalement, peu importe ou tu te ramasse, quelque chose d'intéressant va arrivé, même en milieu de semaine. Mais en même temps, tu le sais que tout le monde va chialer qu'on a rien à faire un Samedi soir de festival...

[ultmcsa]

Amé Review Things: Mad Max:Fury Road

So I have time and mind to finally do my Mad Max: Fury Road review. I will try to keep it as spoiler free as possible. Here it goes! 

First of, this is not a 'fun' movie. Yes you will laugh. You will smile. But mainly, if you actually listen and watch, you will, hopefully, realize where your life is going. What you are bringing to society. And let me tell you, it's not pretty. It's not fun. It's no hopeful. At all. Kudos to George Miller and crew for pulling the best bait/switch of the summer. But sadly, I don't believe most people got it. Because as we all know, most people are idiots.

As for the movie itself; visual are stunning. But would be ok on a gorgeous HD TV if you can't watch in theatre. Hardy could have been played by any other scruffy looking dude that it wouldn't have mattered. I know people have been praising Hoult, but again, any scrawny little dude could have done it. They don't take away from the movie though. So I'm cool with them as is. Could someone else then Theron played Furiosa? Most likely. And as long as they would have cast a half decent actress the movie would have been just as good. But I'm happy they got her. The name itself brought people that just wanted to see her play badass. And maybe that's why they asked her. Who knows. Best surprise? The Matriachals. I wish there was more of those old kick-ass ladies... 

All in all, I'm glad I gave it my money. And I might again once it's out for purchase. But if you're looking for fun, guns, cars, unnecessary sexiness and ladies kicking ass without making you think too-too much... I would say watch Bitch Slap.

[ultmcsa]

Amé Revue Things: Jurassic World

So Jurassic World. First one is still the best. Full of tired tropes (rolled my eyes about 20 times) and absolutely predictable. Not impressed by the story or acting whatsoever. Worth it? Yeah. Still entertaining and visuals are beautiful and worth it in theatres. I mean come on Raptor chase in 3D? Yes please! But would I watch it over and over again like the first one? No way.

[laurelpaige]

things that bother me

boys being raised to believe that women belong to them

boys being raised to believe that they are entitled to sex

girls being raised to believe that they owe men sex

boys being raised to believe that they cannot have emotions

girls being raised to believe that their emotions are invalid

boys and girls being raised with unnecessarily gendered toys

girls being raised with the belief that they have their own sector of professions to go into

boys being raised with the belief that they have their own sector of professions to go into

boys being forced to play sports as children

girls being told that certain sports are for boys

we teach these things to children, whether purposely or subconsciously. children grow up placed into societal gender roles and it is ridiculous and wrong and it must be stopped. it is 2015 and the fact that gender typing and stereotypes is still a thing is unbelievable. i will not apologize for this rant.

[ultmcsa]

Things to show all my friends that have kids. I'm lucky/smart enough that most of them understand this 99% of the time. But it *is* literally pushed into out skull so deep since our childhood we sadly cannot help being brainwashed by this sometimes.

It's a slow process, but it needs to happen.

[i-am-america-deactivated2016121]

SAVE YOUR FOOD FROM THE FRIDGE WITH THESE ELEGANT DESIGN SOLUTIONS BY JIHYUN RYOU

[article]

We throw out way too much food. In Australia, we throw out on average of 20% of the food that we purchase, equating to about 1 in every 5 bags of groceries you buy. A big chunk of that waste can be accumulated to fresh food going off in the fridge or the pantry.

Designer Jihyun Ryou is attempting to change our relationship with food by reintroducing traditional food preservation techniques in a modern way. After all, fridges haven’t been around forever. Ryou argues that we don’t understand food anymore as we simply throw it in the fridge and forget about it. Her five design prototypes shows that we can ditch the fridge for certain foods. Plus, her prototypes have the added bonus of having a clean and minimal design which would fit into any interior savvy kitchen. 

Certain foods that we may think are good in the fridge, are actually causing them harm. One of her five design prototypes includes an interesting symbiosis of different foods where decay works in a beneficial way. Apples emit ethylene gas, which causes fruit and vegetables kept in close proximity of them to ripen quicker then expected. However, the combination of apples with potatoes means that the ethylene gas prevents potatoes from sprouting.

The position that the food is lying or standing in can also play a part in how long they can stay fresh. Root vegetables will stay fresher for longer if they are standing on a vertical axis. The second design prototype facilitates this position by using sand as the binding agent to allow the food to stand upright. This has the added benefit of keeping the food at its optimum humidity levels.

Vegetables including zucchini, eggplant and cucumber are biologically associated with fruits which will keep better outside the fridge. This prototype includes a simple humidifier which will help them stay fresh.

Spices can stay fresher for longer with the inclusion of rice on the inside lid of a jar which helps collect humidity to avoid lumping of the spices.

Lastly, the age old trick of checking if an egg is fresh by seeing if it sinks in a cup of water is given the interior design treatment by having it incorporated in a shelf. Having eggs out of the fridge also means that it won’t absorb any other food odors through its shell causing it to taste bad.

The designs solve two problems with one stone. You can use less energy in the fridge which eating food that you won’t forget about. You can be a ‘greeny’ and an ‘interior design’ nerd all in one.

Source: http://www.savefoodfromthefridge.com/

[ultmcsa]

I love this!

People forget, we survived how long without refrigerators? Yes, they are useful. Yes, they help us achieve certain longevity that we would have not thought possible (people forget that technology like that is part of the equations) but they are not an absolute necessity! Especially those giant monstrosities! Even if you have a big family! 

So much knowledge lost due to the rise of consumerism... so much...

[darksilenceinsuburbia]

[teensext-deactivated20191201]

I WANT TO LIVE HERE

[nerf]

Living Without Money:

Is it possible to feel rich without possessions? Can you live happily without money? In the documentary Living Without Money, we meet the German woman Heidemarie Schwermer who made a deliberate choice to live without money 14 years ago.

Sinema will be screening this next Saturday… without money, of course! More details here.

[ultmcsa]

An important message and concept. Though I may not believe in a 100% money free world anymore (though I do dream of it sometimes) I do believe it takes too much place in our lives.

Some people say you don't worry about money only when you have it. But what if we didn't and figured out a way?

[ultmcsa]

WestJet Christmas Miracle: Spirit of Giving So proud to work with all these people! I can tell you all right now, the people you see in that video? There were not there just to 'give them stuff' (as needed as some of those things were). No. This is the Hero Holiday Team, that every year goes to that community and helps build houses for them. This year, they even built a community centre for them. As much as people want to call it a 'gimmick' I can tell you something right now. The WestJetters you see on there? They are there because the *really* care about making a difference. I know them. I've even spent hours upon hours, stuck with delayed and cancelled flights, working crazy overnight shifts with them. And they are some of the best people I have ever met. And you know what they say when they come back from the Dominican? "They are the best people I have ever met..." And guess what? I absolutely believe them.

[ultmcsa]

I am of those who need the constant movement. The unstoppable discoveries. Beautiful short film showing us the world is not just the earth. - Wanderers - a short film by Erik Wernquist

[ultmcsa]

Part 1 of me making things for the holidays. Took a canvas and made this chalk board. :) Now who to give it to...

[ultmcsa]

Every city/park needs something like this! Press play and enjoy everyone! ;)