Happy Holidays !

You know it'll be a joly christmas when your next door neighbourg's house looks like this...

Happy Holidays ! Best wishes...

Off to drink LOTS of cremant !!!

xxx

Quote of the day...

A Quebec actress said, while answering questions about her weight :

" I definitely don't live in the right time period. But I like to remind myself from time to time that voluptuous figures like mine can be found in museums while today's standards end up on garage walls... "





What do you think ?

Photo Friday... Kind of REALLY late...

I've wanted to post back in the Photo Friday Pool for a very long time but lacked the courage to do so... But since I've been so uninspired lately (Yep, I've been working that much... I'm getting exausted) I tought that now would be a really good time. They say an image is worth a thousand words...



The latest theme was : A is for_____ . And so on. They are now on to letter "J", so brace yourself !!




Here we go :




A is for Alcool



That one was way too easy !! No explanation needed...

B is for Baby !

My baby sister recently had a baby (still sounds weird...) I absolutely fell in love with that little girl ; and so did my hormones, unfortunately !

C is for Cremant , of course !!

My favorite beverage. Many people will be surprised by this annoncement... uh...

D is for Drunk

Do you see a theme here ?

D is also for Diet !!

Yes, Operation JATP is still on. Now down to 14.8 !

E is for exception...

The Carnaval de Quebec... The only time of the year where drinking in the streets is tolerated ; it is also - 40 outside but who cares !!

F is for Flugelhorn

Yes, I truly am a trumpet player (even though I haven't talked much about it lately...) I recently bought a new Flugelhorn and I can't wait to REALLY try it on.

G is for Goat cheese... Eurk...

While touring in France over the summer, I happened to stay on a goat cheese farm...

We got to eat goat cheese for breakfast, lunch, diner and snacks...

I'll never eat goat cheese again.

H is for Harry Potter's dining hall

Yep ! I've been to Harry Potter's school ! uh, well, Christ Church College in oxford that is but still !! It was pretty cool.

I is for Illegal

I got to drink Viperine over the summer. A really disgusting drink... also very illegal.

J is for pure Joy !

Nico will be in town for my birthday in April !! Now, if he could bring some cremant with him...

Have a great week everybody !!

Have you ever... Being Bold...

Yes. Another Stolen meme...



In the process, I discovered that my life's not as boring as I thought !



(and of course, the ones in bold are the ones I alreary did...)



01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink

02. Swam with wild dolphins

03. Climbed a mountain

04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive

05. Been inside the Great Pyramid

06. Held a tarantula

07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone (not that hot)

08. Said “I love you” and meant it

09. Hugged a tree

10. Bungee jumped

11. Visited Paris (will be going, again in april...)

12. Watched a lightning storm at sea

13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise

14. Seen the Northern Lights

15. Gone to a huge sports game

16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa

17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables

18. Touched an iceberg

19. Slept under the stars

20. Changed a baby’s diaper

21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon

22. Watched a meteor shower

23. Gotten drunk on champagne (and Cremant...)

24. Given more than you can afford to charity

25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope

26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment (always...)

27. Had a food fight (you get a lot of those when you have 5 siblings !!)

28. Bet on a winning horse

29. Asked out a stranger

30. Had a snowball fight (Hey ! I leave in Quebec !!)

31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can (that's what roller coasters are for...)

32. Held a lamb

33. Seen a total eclipse (twice, actually)

34. Ridden a roller coaster

35. Hit a home run (you definitely don't want to see me run...)

36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking (that's what Crémant is for...)

37. Adopted an accent for an entire day

38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment (just a moment though)

39. Had two hard drives for your computer (don't ask)

40. Visited all 50 states

41. Taken care of someone who was drunk (uh... I am a musician after all)

42. Had/Have amazing friends

43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country

44. Watched whales (while kayaking... totally awsome !)

45. Stolen a sign ( My first appartment's hallway was covered with them...)

46. Backpacked in Europe

47. Taken a road-trip (I'm a sucker for road trips)

48. Gone rock climbing

49. Midnight walk on the beach

50. Gone sky diving

51. Visited Ireland

52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love

53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them

54. Visited Japan

55. Milked a cow

56. Alphabetized your cds

57. Pretended to be a superhero ( I am an aunt after all)

58. Sung karaoke

59. Lounged around in bed all day

60. Played touch football

61. Gone scuba diving

62. Kissed in the rain (not as hot as expected)

63. Played in the mud

64. Played in the rain

65. Gone to a drive-in theater (and made out like a teenager...)

66. Visited the Great Wall of China

67. Started a business

68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken

69. Toured ancient sites

70. Taken a martial arts class

71. Played D&D for more than 6 hours straigh

72. Gotten married

73. Been in a movie

74. Crashed a party

75. Gotten divorced

76. Gone without food for 5 days

77. Made cookies from scratch

78. Won first prize in a costume contest

79. Ridden a gondola in Venice

80. Gotten a tattoo (or 5...)

81. Rafted the snake river

82. Been on television news programs as an “expert” (community tv, but still !)

83. Gotten flowers for no reason

84. Performed on stage (uh... really ? )

85. Been to Las Vegas

86. Recorded music

87. Eaten shark

88. Kissed on the first date (considering I moved in with a guy after 8 days....)

89. Gone to Thailand

90. Bought a house

91. Been in a combat zone

92. Buried one/both of your parents

93. Been on a cruise ship

94. Spoken more than one language fluently

95. Performed in a Rocky Horror Picture Show

96. Raised children

97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour

98. Passed out cold

99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country

100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over

101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge

102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn’t stop when you knew someone was looking

103. Had plastic surgery

104. Survived an accident that you shouldn’t have survived

105. Wrote articles for a large publication

106. Lost over 100 pounds. ( well, I'm on my way to 42... does it count ? )

107. Held someone while they were having a flashback

108. Piloted an airplane

109. Touched a stingray

110. Broken someone’s heart

111. Helped an animal give birth

112. Won money on a TV game show

113. Broken a bone (just one ?)

114. Gone on an African photo safari

115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears

116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol

117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild (yep, I'm that stupid)

118. Ridden a horse

119. Had major surgery

120. Had a snake as a pet

121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours

123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states

124. Visited all 7 continents (getting there !)

125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days

126. Eaten kangaroo meat

127. Eaten sushi (I could live on sushi...)

128. Had your picture in the newspaper


129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about

130. Gone back to school (really want to , though )

131. Parasailed

132. Touched a cockroach (I lived in many weird places...)

133. Eaten fried green tomatoes

134. Read “The Iliad”

135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read


136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (and cried the whole way...)

137. Skipped all your school reunions (and miss a party ? no way !!)

138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language

139. Been elected to public office

140. Written your own computer language

141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream

142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care

143. Built your own PC from parts

144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you

145. Had a booth at a street fair

146. Dyed your hair (every 3 weeks...)

147. Been a DJ

148. Shaved your head

149. Caused a car accident

150. Saved someone’s life






104 out of 150... Not bad at all !!



How about you ? What's your number ??





*** Updates ***



For the ones that know me personally ; I've got a final, final interview for that special job ( you know the one... the process from hell that started on November 2004 ). The date ? This Wednesday, 1:30 pm. Wish me luck !!

Stolen meme...

Stolen meme from This fish needs a bicycle...




10 things I have learned from relationships with men (in no particular order...)



1. I'm stronger than I thought

2. I deserve respect and love

3. Hitting is NEVER acceptable

4. If you think you deserve better, you probably do

5. Not everybody has the same definition of monogamy

6. To speak up

7. Not to compromise my values

8. To kiss like its the last time

9. Not all of them are jerks

10. Not holding back in bed





Your turn.

Mystery...

Any idea who that woman is ?



I visited the Shakespeare's Globe while in London over the summer and she was our tour guide... She mentionned her name very quickly and, silly me, I didn't bother writing it down.



All I know is that she's a British actress and played in many movies. Yep, that's a lot of information, isn't it ??



Help !!!

World AIDS day...

Today, December 1st, is the World AIDS day... What are you doing to help ?



I was first introduced to AIDS by mother in 7th grade. I was having a hard time picking a subject for an essay about social education when my mom suggested a book writen by Elizabeth Glaser about AIDS, her life as a wife and a mother and as a women in the public eye. A very powerful story about her familly.



After the first chapter, I was hooked : the militant in me wanted to scream and the little girl I was was confused... I was mad about the lack of education and the lack of information. I was also scared for the very same reasons. I spent weeks searching through scientific magazines, newspaper, the internet, libraries. My brain needed to gain knowledge as much as possible on the subject. My discovery ? Not much was being done on the subject at the time. A gigantic realisation for a 7th grader...



And I haven't chaged my mind on the subject : not nearly enough is being done on that matter.



Elizabeth Glaser lost her battle against AIDS on December 3rd, 1994 ; 13 years after having contrated the disease.



I have worn a red ribbon ever since reading her book. It might not always be seen but can always be found on me. I've also made my best to make donations to her foundation and others and participated in many walks to support local AIDS organisations.



How about you ?

That creepy feeling all over again...

It made headlines this afternoon :



One of my highschool teacher was arrested and formally accused of voyeurism. In the classical girls locker room... For almost a decade, he perched himself on a table, look through the vent opening and watched the girls changing.Classic.



Many people tried to bring him to court in the past, to no avail. But he finally got caught. And he's going to pay for it.



The news brought back many, many unpleasant memories and it makes me really sad to know that what was a known problem almost 20 years ago and what should have been fixed immediately, still remained today.




And you, any disconcerting news lately ?

Operation JATP...

I'm officially in love...

How can you not fall in love with that little monkey ?













Have a great week everybody !!

Operation JATP

That's it. I can't deny it anymore : I have to loose weight. For myself. And for my job...



See, one of my many jobs requires to be fit ; something I haven't been for a very long time. I've been giving myself and the people around me loads of very good and very lame excuses for my curent weight but the thruth is : I had just given up.



I've been working hard on learning to know myself again for the past 2 years : I left a very violent and abusive relationship and moved back to a safe place, surrounded by friends and familly. But I've also surrounded myself with comfort food...



It did take a long time heal, emotionally and physically. I had to re-learn my likes and dislikes, what I stand for... and I am still learning ! But I have finally gained back my self-love and self-respect and can finally say that I am not OK with my body.



Since I always had a hate/love relationship with food, I decided to meet with a nutritionist to discuss a plan of action. Not fun. That getting on the balance thing and seing your real weight ? Nobody should be allowed to do so while sober. Seing that number writen on a piece of paper ? That's when I started to cry. But in the end, I left the office quite confident that I would reach my goal. I was given a quite resonable plan that will require some sacrifice (Buh-bye comfort food !) but will give me some options : I now have the choice between that weekly drink with friends or that tiny piece of chocolate... You already know the answer to that one !!




Wish me luck !!







Still reading ??




So. That plan of action ?



First thing first : Getting rid of all candies or sugary things. I'm getting rid of the stash tonight.



Calendar : 12 weeks



Weight lost goal : 42 pounds or 3.5 pounds/week (hum... I'm kinda aiming for 52 but lets keep that a secret...)



Fitness regiment 4 days / week :

Push-ups (army style), sit-ups and at-home elyptical machine.

Taking stairs instead of elevator and walk in the evening.



Food / liquid intake (for the first 2 weeks) :

Drinking 8 full glasses of watered down, unsweetened cranberry juice.

Lemon juice in hot water instead of coffee.



Breakfast : 1 egg, 2 servings of fruits



Snack : 1 serving of fruit (no banana allowed...)



Lunch : Slim fast shake (chocolate flavored not allowed... really not fair !)



Snack : Cottage cheese with unsalted crakers



Diner : Lean fish or meat, 2 servings of non-starch vegetables



Snack : 1 serving of fruit (no banana allowed...)






And down we go... Wish me luck !!

Nut case...

Conversation I had with my brother-in-law...




BIL : When was the last time you put gas in the car ?

JATP : Hum... in Mexico.

BIL : Ok ; so we should be fine for the day.

Stranger : You drove all the way from Mexico to Quebec City with one tank of gas ? That's 3050 miles !!! What kind of car do you have ?

JATP : uh ? We're talking about Mexico, NY... not far from Lyon...

Stranger, leaving : They're nuts !




Good thing I didn't mention we also passed by Paris on our way home !

That tingling feeling...

What's a person to do when nothing will ease the frustration ? When you've tried everything to calm down, to no avail ? Some people would go for a long car ride ; some would hit the nearest bar. Some would hop in the first supermarket they find and buy that gigantic bucket of double-chocolate Godiva ice cream...



Me ? I go bra shopping. You heard me right !! I go bra shopping. And that, let me tell you, will make me feel all warm inside again. I can already hear some people scream WTF ??? I guess only people with my kind of breast would hysterically agree and smile at the idea.



Why ?



See, I had some breast surgeries a couple of years ago that made my breast, well, look like anything but breasts. They are now square-ish, with thick and long scars that show through light fabric... Oh ! and the underwire and the cup size (wich are two different things, believe me !) do not match. Delightfull...



I'm getting sidetrack... The shopping part !!



The main goal is to find the least experienced sales person ; the one that is usually the most eager and enthusiatic about helping you out. I then explain what I'm looking for and let her do the searching... and the searching... and some more. After a while, it becomes THE obsession. SHE.WILL.FIND.ONE.THAT.FITS... But no. There are only two models that exist (for my fit) and they definitely don't sell them around here.



But seeing her with that quiet frustration look makes me feel all tingly again...



And yep, I did just that over lunch time today. I'll definitely skip that store for a while... But I feel much better now !!




'How about you ? What gives you that warm feeling again ??

My new favorite commercial...

A painfull reminder on why young girls such as my 8 years old niece, think they are fat and look pregnant because of a little belly...



They should be playing with dolls instead of worrying about weight issues.






Dove Evolution

He know me so well...

I guess only quebequers or people that know me will relate to this but here's a conversation I had with my dad this morning, on MSN...





Pa says : Hey !


JATP says : Hey ! Whats up ?


Pa says : Listen, I just received the Sweet People CD collection ; 25 cds !!! I'm doing some MP3... would you like a copy ?


JATP says : Sweet People ?? Hum... no


Pa says : You sure ? 'cause I really don't mind !!


JATP says : I'm positive : NO.. but thanks


Pa says : OK then, your lost !!


JATP says : I'm sure...


Pa says : have a nice day ! Bye paxxxxxxxxx


Vero dit : xxx




Oh my...



I need a drink ; quick !!

About flashlights...

For those of you who remember The Flashlight Incident





I was shopping with my nephew the other day when he asked, in that high pitch / really loud voice : You are buying batteries ? AGAIN ?? But you don't even have toys !!!!





Lots of people laughing in that store. Lots. A little guy that didn't think it was that funny and a really red faced aunt.





No wonder I drink so much...






**Edit : While in the nephew related topic...


He discovered a new favorite snack this weekend : Dog treats. I kid you not, that 6 years old kid think they're the new best thing. And yes, he is aware that those are intended for actual dogs. And no, his mother won't let him eat them. Gross !

That pink ribbon that should not exist...

Have you noticed the new background ? It says it all...





October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.





I'll be doing the "Relay for Life" on October 21.





How about you ?

Bric-à-Brac

WoW ! What an hectic month its been !!!



I've been running around like a mad scientist for the past few weeks and I am finally getting a grasp on everything. Well, almost... I still need to find a decent apartment and some not-too-old furniture. I was planning the big move for October but I guess that'll have to wait a couple more weeks !



I began a new job two weeks ago. Same company, different department : they all want me ! Now, if I could figure out a way for guys to feel the same... I still have plenty of stuff to learn in order to do that job properly but since they can't seem to find a decent job description or an actual title for the job, well, I am pretty much left to myself to figure out what to do. Fingers crossed, I haven't done any major mistakes so far ! Yé me !!



I also met the most amazing person you'll ever meet : Noemie... The most perfect little baby !









My baby sister had a baby (still sounds weird...) a couple weeks ago and I was finally able to go see them. I soooo fell in love with that baby (and my hormones did too : the biological clock is definitely on the wall now, fully operational... Shit.) She is the most calm, patient and easy baby I' ve ever seen. She can spends an hour by herself, fully awake, just looking around and listening to the world around her, then announcing that she is bored by some gentle (not kidding !) fussing...



My sister's pregnancy was really hard on her system. She shouldn't have gotten pregnant in the first place: she's had kidney problems for a couple of years now and was fully aware of the dangers of a pregnancy. But she got pregnant anyway. She spent her entire pregnancy on bed rest and at 15 weeks, one of her kidney shutted down completely. We were really worried about her and the baby. But she also made us laugh throughout that entire adventure... As bored and lonely as she was (on bedrest and 2000 miles away from her familly) she became the only pregnant woman knowned to earth to ever experience fatigue, sore legs, bladder infections, swollen legs, headache, sleepiness and cravings... Totally new concept that was created JUST.FOR.HER ! Amazing !! I'll get to see the new familly again next weekend and my bags are already packed : I am that excited... That kid is going to cost us a fortune...



Our baby had a baby... Unbelievable !!



In other news...



A good friend of mine just abandonned us to go back in France. Nico is starting a new adventure and beginning a new job in Paris... I am slightly jealous and I'll miss him dearly... And since I know he reads this blog, it is only fair to make him miss me in return by posting a little something, totally devoted to him !



.

So there we go...



" Moving quite often myself, I now have homes in most part of the world. Only Paris was missing : thanks Nico !! My requirements are : a brick wall, gorgeous and tanned doorman , a mezzanine and proximity to a Morrino. Oh ! and an elevator : as you know, my bags are usually quite heavy... The wet bar should also be filled, at all time, with crémant.



Although my view of the music conductor will be quite improved, your pocking and glazing head will be missed. Lurking guys will also feel slightly different ; however, I will now know for sure that the object of desire is looking at ME and not the handsome Oh ! so tall guy beside me...

Don't get me wrong though: I am truly happy for you. Moving to Paris is an awesome opportunity for you !... and for us since we'll have an on-the-spot crémant smuggler...

I will trully miss our ever ending laughs, your choreographies, our drunken nights and your papel towel service...



xxx

Office bounding...

I recently took over an office job. Something I hadn't done in a long time but I really needed the extra cash... Yep, turning 30 made me realize that althought I still feel like a teenager, I should definitely get my act together and stop acting like one : which means moving out, on my own, in a real apartment, sleep a bit more, making a heck more money and sticking to a real budget.



So... back to that office job. It surely is different from the music world, that's for sure ! People interaction, for one thing. Hum...



I share an office with 5 other women (that's a lot of estrogen ! ) and a couple of guys passing by from time to time ( one of them happens to be quite a hunk I must say...) I am used to being a chameleon so I made myself fit right in, which was quite easy . Those women are great !! But it is the amount of information that is shared during those office hours that's bothering me. They have no inhibitions.



You have those 2 very nice older ladies ; nothing to say about them. Although they do like to give their five cents quite a lot... Then you have the one that everybody loves to hate : I guess every office needs one of those. You then have the 2 gossipers ; not about office mates but about their celebrities obsession. Nothing wrong with that neither. But one of them happens to be a very loud talker, who enjoys mentioning that she likes eating sausages, in a non-culinary way. Hum... ok ! Then comes the temp. Oh ! boy ! She is a nice girl. But who the hell would mention on their first day of work that their boyfriend did some time in jail for drugs ? Way to go for first impressions !!



I am not used to that kind of work environment. To that kind of office bounding. As a musician, my colleagues also happen to be my real life friends ; that kind of talk would be ok since we've known each other for a very, very long time... So far, I've been pretty quiet about my personal life . I've been pretty evasive and given as less information as possible.




That brings me to my point :



What should be or not be said in an office ?


How much information should be shared ??

PHOTO FRIDAY !!!!

Its this time of the week again !!!



Time for (and the lovely Calliope made a cool new button !! Nice hey ? )












This week's theme : Music ( oooooooh ! )











And since I am sooooooo predictable ...

I really like this picture of myself ; a serious musician who doesn't take herself too seriously...

And this week's theme was all about me, right ?

Have a great weekend everybody !!!

The motherhood talk...

I am now at an age where many, many people around me either have babies or are trying to conceive. I am surrounded in real life or in the blog community by people swapping baby pictures, sonogram pictures or fertility charts.





For some of us, conceiving will happen very naturally, almost too easily. Some of us will take a bit longer to achieve that goal but will eventually suceed. Some of us will need all the help we can get. And that may or may not work. For some of us, the little perfect plan we've made out about becoming parents will not be as dreamy as we planned...





What brought me to this subject on this Monday morning ?





A familly member has been trying to conceive for the past 5 years with no results. We really feel for her ; but she's also been an award winning bitch about it. SHE deserves a baby. SHE deserves better. HER story is the most heartbroken one. That after all that happened in her life, SHE deserves a baby. Blah, blah...





No, life isnt fair, I agree.




Her bitchiness brought up the familly history about our abilities to conceive.





Our youngest sister conceived, quite happily after all, using the very effective calendar method ( calendar she never got to buy... )and the coitus interruptus (really ?)... No whining here allowed and lots of laughts regarding their chosen contraceptive method.





My twin sister was told that she shouldn't be complaining neither since she's already got 2 kids. True. But when your life plan was to raise 4 kids, when you've been trying to conceive for the past 6 years, only to get a few miscarriages and missed cycles, you should be allowed to whine a bit. With or without kids, it still hurts.





The favorite judgemental argument ?




About me.




I lost an ovary at the age of 20; the remaining one is an hostile one that's not producing anything productive (or reproductive for that matter) . I've known since the age of 20 that I would not be able to conceive naturally. I should then not be allowed to complain : I know in advance that I won't get knocked up by just trying.





WHAT ??





Did I deserved what happened ? No. No more or less that the person who just learned, after a year or 2 of trying, that things won't happen the way they were planned. Knowing in advance doesn't make it any easier.





I just wish some people would be less self-centered or less judgemental about the making of parenthood. Every person, no matter the age, no matter the social status, religion or color, straight or gay, every person that wish to be a parent deserves to be. And no one deserves it more than the other.

Language Lesson on a drunken London night...

While in London, we met an amazing Scottish band :
Das Contras (You should really drop by their site ; brownies points for them : they have some free downloads ...)



In the wee hours, their Bass player (one of the funniest guy I've ever met) gaved a fair attempt at teaching us some gaelic... Hum...






Gaelic lesson

Tales of a traveling and perpetually drunk musician...

WOW ! What an amazing trip !!



I know ; it did take me a very long time to update my blog : I am still not used on sharing a computer with a very busy student (no, not a new boyfriend : just a brother in law...) and I had some trouble posting pictures.



The tour went amazingly well. Amazing people, great food, GREAT wine (especially the free all-you-can-drink one...) And Suze's horoscope was damn right : I did meet somebody !! Well, hum... Nothing permanent but I had plenty of fun ! I guess the sun, the wine, the deep tan gotten on the Mediterranean sea and the plunging neckline might have helped a bit...



I knew we were traveling high class on the first tour but it finally sunk in when a fellow musician asked for more of that sparkling wine, only to be told by the puzzled waiter that it was in fact some Mumm Gordon Rouge Champagne. Hum, OK, more of that sparkling thing then ? We visited the Mumm Cellars later on ; but since the hostess was SOOO snub (imagine the perfect little miss picky, with hair in a bun, blue suit, little scarf, saying "We, at G.H. Mumm" about 100 times) I've decided that Cremant would be my new favorite beverage. Any kind of Cremant will do but I particularly like the Alsace one for some reason...



I learned a lot about wine and Cremant on that trip ( have I mentioned that it is my new favorite beverage ? ). And I am still a bit jaundiced ; yep, we drank that much. That has to be the best perk of being a musician : free booze wherever you go ! Had a blast and took many, many incriminating pictures (Sorry guys : you're screwed !!) Oh ! and yes, I am aware of the fact that we look more like eternal teenagers than actual full grown adults...musicians will always be musicians...

Oh ! And yes, this post will mostly be about parties and drunk people, since we spent the majority of our time over there with an alcool level of over 0.08...



The first week of the trip, in the French Riviera, was mostly spent on the beach , drinking and eating Paella (I know, poor me) We only gaved 2 performances which meant a lot of free time to party and work on that deep tan... Well, we did go to those mandatory group visits ; still had a lot of fun in Cassis and St-Tropez ! But the guys were really eager to see the welcoming committee , waiting for them on the beach every morning... They were actually topless girls putting on sunscreen but whatever...

I then took the TGV and met the second tour in Paris. What a blast ! But we left the very the next day for our next destination : Alsace and its Cremant. Best way to describe it ? Lots of medieval castles and cute villages and LOTS of booze... In just 4 days, we managed to drink over 240 liters of beer and countless bottles of wine and cremant. Those people have neverending cellars ! Used to be a legend but has now been tried and tested...

The bus trip for our next destination was, for some reason, very quiet. We spent 3 days in the Loire area visiting lots of castles, museums and many wine cellars. Did you noticed a pattern here ??

I was living on a goat cheese farm for that bit of the trip. Some would say MIAM !!! But after 3 days of eating only goat cheese oriented meals , I kinda banished that element in my diet for the next year of so. I got to drink Viperine though ! And yep, it is what it is: a viper, steeping in alcool... Lets all say it together : YUK !!

We then spent 3 days in St-Remy-Les-Chevreuse. Met some really funny people over there and we got to spend the July 13th celebration with them. Did a concert for the celebrations, passing around a very inexpensive bottle of wine while playing.... hum... And got to dance to the cheeziest band ever ! Imagine a cheap version of a country music band, signing some French Elvis, costumes and all...

July 14th was spent in Paris. WOW ! and ouch ! the alcool was starting to take its toll on my system...

The fourth and last week was spent in London with a friend, M. : some of our students were touring in the area and we decided to surprise them ! The kids were screaming and crying... same for us. And we got to see Harry Potter's school !!!

M. and I met an amazing band while in London : Das Contras. They are probably going to kill me for saying that but they are a mixt between Jack Johnson and Maroon 5 with some Manu Chao and gypsy flavor... Really good ! You should really drop by their site ! And brownies point for them : they have some free downloads !!

They did an impromptu show at the hostel we were staying at (think lamp shade in lieu of a mike stand ) and we ended up spending the whole evening with them... hum... Well until the wee hours. Those guys are really funny and I finally met my match ; somebody that could deal with my quirky personality ! And he's actually worse than me ; I had a blast ! Too bad he's already taken... He did teach us some Gaelic though ! Hilarious !! Now, if somebody could teach me how to put videos on this thing ...

WOW ! That should really be the longest post ever to be put on a blog !! And I am still not done ! No wonder it took me so long !

So, what did I learned during that trip ?

Some people are not as expected. New friendships were formed while others broken. Yes, one can grow tired of visiting countless castels and museums. I can drink more than expected. And not be hungover. I will get jaundissed however ! One can loose sight of its ankles, only to be recovered after a real night of sleep (wich didn't happened oversee). Yes, some questions Are stupid. (When a fellow musician asks if the instument over there is a French Horn Bass (actually a Sousaphone), the rest of the group is entittled to make fun (even in a rude way) of the said musician and take pictures of the said activities, for the rest of the tour)

That I did find my frog, but didn't find THE prince.

That one should never run to take the subway. God knows were it goes...

That I will trully miss some people...

Hamael and Julien : just for the fun of it.

Maud : who stayed behind, alone, to beging an incredible journey on the road to St-Jacques de Compostel. If you happen to see her, give her a big hugg , a cigarette and a drink: she deserves it.

And Nico , who's abandonning us, me, to go back in France. Just not fair.

What else did I learned ? That with a big smile and a plunging neckline, you can get almost everything for free (hum... coffee, more booze, food, memory card, extra hostel night, you name it !). Apparently, nothing's better than a foreing accent mixt with the sight of a big cleavage. Some would call it being sleezy : I call it travelling on a budget.



And I'll drink some more Cremant to that.

G'sundheit Caliss !!

Oh ! And just in case you hadn't seen enough of that debaucherie, here's more pictures !! Have a great week everybody !!

Travelling... musician's way

A month long tour in Europe... Almost free

All-you-can-drink booze wherever you go... free

A bigger memory card for your Digital camera... Somehow, free

Pictures of you and your friends totally waisted in Paris on July 14th... Priceless









And you, any longlasting travelling memories like these ?






I am now in London enjoying the last bit of the tour. I'll be back home on July 22nd... that's when my blog will explode with way too many stories about the trip !!

Travelling...

Wow ! Time flew by way too quickly. I am finally leaving for that European tour in only a couple of hours !



That last week was quite hectic ; I had quite a few rehearsals and concerts. I moved (again !) , bought those last minute nik-nak for the trip and ended up using crutches for the last few days because of a stupid tendinitis on my right leg...



Then today was the much dreaded bathing suit shopping. Ouch. What was supposed to be a one stop, 5 minutes thing turned out to be a 3 hours, 20 stores thing. I did, however, find the somehow perfect suit. Yé me !



And I am almost done packing : which was not an easy task, since I am a compulsive list maker : a list the the plane carry on, a list for the luggage, a list for the trumpet gig bag, a list of the lists... hum...



I'll try updating the blog from time to time. I am pretty sure that in between the French Riviera, l'Alsace, Loire, Paris and London, there will be many adventures to tell !! Who knows : I could meet the man of my dreams somewhere in St.Tropez or Paris ?



Have a nice summer ! I'll be back on July 22nd ...Wish me luck !!

How I feel...

" Inside some of us is a thin person struggling to get out ; but they can usually be sedated with a few pieces of chocolate cake " - Anonymous



That's how I feel this week... I'll leave it to that.

Rants about love...

I've done it again ! I am another guy new best friend !





It seems to be a recurring thing in my life : meeting a great guy, becoming fast friends and then Bang ! I'm his new best friend and wouldn't it be a shame to ruin that ?





Now that would explain why most of my friends are guys...





I should really have stucked with long term one night stands : random guys that should have stayed in my life for, well, only one night but for some reasons, stayed for a while. I've never had the butterfly effect, the anticipation, the tingling effect. I've never had a real first date neither. Or a real first kiss. Or my heart broken. Maybe it all comes from my constant need to please and to take care of other people : By always putting my needs last, I have less chances of getting myself hurt. I've had my ego crushed and bruised many, many times however ! That should explain my way too long list of exes or why I felt the need of getting restraining orders against 2 of them...





Somebody recently told me that all women have exactly the love life they want. Ouch. In that case, I should really get my act together and really try to figure out what I'm looking for as a partner ! I may have had many boyfriends but I don't recall ever pausing and asking myself what I really wanted : I've always blamed my bad choices men wise on being an artist.





Many people around me have come to the conclusion that I've been looking at the wrong places from the start. You think ?? See, a good friend of mine, Mr. B, has been in LOVE with me for almost 15 years now. Yup, that long. He reiterate his love at least once a year, to make sure I guess, that I don't forget he is there waiting for me... Don't worry though : It's been said and told that I really value our friendship but that I'll never share the same kind of feelings.





What if my friends were right ? What if the guy of my dreams was in fact Mr. B ??





Should I go the easy way and settle for a guy who will make a great lifelong companion but whom I'll never LOVE or should I keep looking for the perfect guy ?



I need a drink...

100 things you would probably rather not know about me...

1. I believe in destiny.

2. I have a dirty mind.

3. I don't walk "hand-in-hand" with boyfriends. I just don't.

4. My biggest fantasy would be to see some smooching couple fall in the escalator .

5. I have an identical twin sister .

6. I love thunderstorms.

7. I am a shower person. I hate baths.

8. I am a sucker for road trips.

9. I like driving long distance.

10. I am the most patient person in the world... exept when drinving

11. I started to play music at the age of 3.

12. I hold a Master's degree in music performance.

13. I also have an Artist Diploma in music performance.

14. I color my hair every 3 weeks.

15. I cry at sad movies.

16. I am an aries.

17. I'm addicted to Mah Jong.

18. I read my horoscope every morning.

19. I don't like conflicts. They make me very uncomfortable.

20. I won a kissing contest in Grade 4.

21. I don't go to hair salons : hair dryers are just too out of tune and there are way too many at once in those kind of places.

22. I've been giving myself haircuts for the past 10 years.

23. I could walk miles for Godiva ice cream.

24. I am very allergic to cinnamon.

25. I love eggs benedict.

26. I can't stand Black Pudding.

27. My best friend is a "HE".

28. I never sleep more than 4 hours in a row. Never could.

29. I am very critical of myself.

30. I failed the same philosophy class 4 times.

31. I like Peter Cetera's music.

32. I have 4 sisters and a brother.

33. My brother passed away 10 years ago.

34. I was raised by my father.

35. I was kicked out of school in grade 8 for selling hard liquor in a field trip.

36. I went to a Metallica concert.

37. I can have 25 shooters before loosing it.

38. I have childhood memories from age 1 1/2.

39. I was once sick on a bar. Not in a bar. ON the bar...

40. I can recite entire commercials.

41. I like foreign films.

42. I've moved more often than I've had birthdays.

43. I speak English, French and a bit of Creole.

44. I don't taste any difference between Coke, Pepsi and other Colas.

45. My middle name is Jeen. Yes, 2 "e".

46. My mom is a brilliant Psychologist.

47. My father is a retired cop.

48. I have 3 tattoos and plan on getting more.

49. My favorite color is yellow.

50. My dream car is a 1953 yellow beetle convertible with white seats and roof.

51. I put mayonnaise on everything.

52. I hate purses.

53. I can't stand Jack Daniel. The sight of a bottle makes me sick.

54. I can't wear perfume : I smell like a skonk after 5 minutes.

55. I crave sweet.

56. I bite my nails.

57. I do not tolerate humidity very well. I have a hard time breathing.

58. I have an excellent sense of direction.

59. I could live on sushi.

60. I brake a toe at least once a year.

61. My driver's license picture looks like a mug shot.

62. I've been in a serious train wreck. We were stuck in that train for 12 hours before being rescued.

63. I'm easily amuzed by very stupid or childish things.

64. I am a sucker for chick flick.

65. I tend to attract bad guys.

66. I was on a freak accident involving a Ping-Pong table.

67. I've had a chip of green paint stuck in my pincky for the last 12 years.

68. I broke my foot while jumping from the toilet seat at the age of 1.

69. I love riding motocycles.

70. I'm always broke.

71. I have restraining orders against 2 ex.

72. I can't stand the sound of harpsichord.

73. I have a fear of Fog.

74. I am affraid of swimming in lakes.

75. I cannot get out of the house without nail polish on my toes. Even in the winter...

76. I have a tendency of wearing short skirts as tops.

77. I'm addicted to flip-flops.

78. I am addicted to underwears : my drawers contains 78 panties and 39 bras.

79. When a passenger in a car, I am prone to very serious panic attacks.

80. I have no sensitivity in my left pincky.

81. I am a very good seamstress.

82. I finished sewing my bridesmaid dress 4 hours before my twin sister's wedding. I somehow managed to do the exact same thing for my youngest sister's wedding...

83. I have only 1 ovary.

84. I like spur of the moment things.

85. I like practical gifts. Power tools are my favorite.

86. I am way too laidback and easy going for most people I know.

87. I have a passion for fabrics. I can spend hours browsing through fabric stores.

88. I eat lobsters with a hammer.

89. My mother is deaf.

90. I used to bite my toe nails.

91. I was born very, very prematurally.

92. I got 2nd degree burns on 90% of my face after tanning while under medication. Luckilly, the only scars are on my hair line.

93. I collect fake diamond rings.

94. I am not a girly girl.

95. I cannot dance, even to save my life.

96. I cannot sleep with my fingers or toes untucked. It will wake me up instantly.

97. I have a permanent mold of a trumpet mouthpiece on my lips.

98. I have a skin disease. If I scratch my skin, it will itch like hell for hours and leave a mark for weeks.

99. I still have a baby tooth.

100. It took me 3 hours to finish this list.

Highs and lows...

You know for sure you live in Quebec city when you wake-up to a freezing 45 degree outside to get out on your lunch break to a very humid 99 degree...



How am I suppose to dress ?????



In other news: Seems like the niece was right about the timing of me getting a boyfriend ( NO, the niece didn't hook me up ) Thanks to Calliope, I've discovered the most amazing thing ever : Susan.



And what did Susan tell me that was soooo amazing ?



"Romantically, Mars is now touring your house of true love for the first time in two years."



You heard that missy ? Your favorite aunt will finally find herself a nice guy...

Celebration !!!!

I've done it !! I've reached the 10 000 mark !!



Only problem though. When logging on my site meter, I realized that the lucky winner was :

ME

Sucks big time, doesn't it ? The site meter would normally ignore my visits but I was staying over at my sister's place last night and decided to check out my blog, since I had some formatting problems in the morning... and that's when the meter hit the 10 000 mark. I almost cried.



But then, my niece entered the room and my evening got a funny turn.



As we were leaving to attend a concert, she said she had a big announcement to make but would wait for me to be sitting in the bus before telling me... Hum... OK !



Once comfortably seated, she dropped the bomb : unlike her favorite aunt (that would be me ), she's been dating someone for a couple of days ! His name is C-E, is in her class, gives great kisses on the cheaks (phew !), asked for her address in order to visit (already a gentleman !) and are truly in love. They plan on marrying at 19, buy a house in the south of France ( ?! ) and have 2 kids : a girl and a boy. They haven't chosen any names yet as they still have plenty of time but the paint color for the rooms have been chosen...



She had that very serious tone in her voice while telling her story so I listened carefully and asked the righ questions. The bus got really quiet at one point. Most people had a big smile on their face and would just listen to that little girl's story and remembering being 8 years old and madly in love for the first time.



Then she said it. She dropped an even bigger bomb : since she's soooooo good at finding good guys and that I am obviously not, she's going to try and fix me up, even though she thinks I'm getting a bit old for dating ... People in that bus stopped smilling. Instead, I got big, huge, loud laughs.



I need a drink. Fast...