Thursday, we went to check out the Festiblues International de Montreal. We went on opening night, and saw about four acts. Friday’s lineup seemed better, but we had better weather on Thursday. We sat up on the hill at Ahuntsic park, which is completely on the other side of the city from where we live. It’s on the last metro stop on the orange line, a ride that took us 30 minutes on the metro alone, plus the bus. We tried to blend in and act like the locals, so when French blues phenom Plume came on, we sang ‘a la quebecois’ along with all the rest of them,(swaying side to side and all) though we barely knew the words. I’d like to be able to say we fit right in. It was histerical.
The festival was basically a big beer and cigarette fest, which I’m still not used to. I fear I’m taking years of my life living here amongst all of the air pollution. Got some nice pictures, which will be loaded to the pictures site by the time this entry is posted.

(see last entry for address)

Friday, I took a walk up to the English library to read the newspaper and check email. Picked up some DVD’s, which are free to rent, much better than our local Videotron or Blockbuster. Rented West Side Story, which we are super excited to finally see tonight. Stopped for some food for supper on the way home and played a game of Russian Rummy. Made pizza with black forest ham, mozzarella and lots of fresh basil. (So good, we got the combination from a local pizza restaurant) Mmm.

This morning (Saturday) when I woke up around nine, I baked some vanilla-strawberry muffins, put them in the oven and went for a walk to get the newspaper. - It’s raining here, which is actually a nice break from the heat. - I’m slowly getting used to the papers here, and it’s interesting reading the separatist view sometimes. (Don’t worry MC, I said interesting. They haven’t convinced me to convert yet.)
Isn’t that Michaelle Jean thing crazy? Evidently, it’s getting a ton of press here. I don’t read the French language newspapers, because they usually make me want to shoot myself in the foot. I opened the computer to start off the day’s practice log, and realized that my itunes library had been wiped out. All 4 days of music, inaccessible for reasons that I clearly do not understand. After a frantic call to Renel back in Winnipeg, I was assured that they could be reloaded one by one. That’s right. All 1500 songs, one by one. That’s 3000 clicks. Not to mention folder opening. Sigh. So I did that for a while until I got fairly angry. And then I set into a day of off and on practicing.
That’s right, I’m practicing. I figured that I should start considering I have auditions in about 9 days. Yikes. Not that I want to get into the highest ranked ensemble because that means more work and responsibility which I don’t expect I’ll have time for in my first year. Why is it that audition material for everything is mostly orchestral excerpts? I for one have no desire to play in orchestra during my university career. Grr. I guess I can be lucky I don’t have to audition on an entire solo piece, not unlike my audition to the school which I’d be happy to never have to repeat again.

Okay, I’ve bored you all enough, I’m sure. Til next time.