i went to bed last night a bit surprised at the weather forecast for today: flurries. *pfffft* no way! it didn't seem that cold, it didn't seem that cloudy and frankly, it seemed a bit too early. i woke this morning looking out at a grey sky laughing to myself that the weather guy got it wrong. again. but my bed is on the floor and i look up out the window when i'm lying there. when i finally sat up (a few groggy minutes later) i sighed and thought "well, i guess i'm taking the metro today".
snow! wonderful, white fluffy snow. i know i will be eating my words in a few months (weeks?) because i'll be so over snow and cold and canadian winter but for now, i'm going to appreciate it. there is something particularly magical about the first snowfall. the first real snowfall. snow that stays more then a few hours. snow that coats the city in pure, pristine whiteness. snow that muffles all the sounds but crunches under your feet. snowflakes that get caught up in your lashes and on the hair peeking out your tuque. snow that makes you wish you were still 12yrs old and had snow days (not that you ever got them such a small amount of snow, but whatever). snow that makes you realize winter is here but you know, you don't actually hate it. yet.
i looked out my window this morning and saw all the naked trees gratefully accepting a winter coating of fluff to make them feel special again. i saw the dead-looking lawns become sparkling white squares. i went outside and walked by (on) frozen puddles (who can resist cracking that ice? no one! no one i say!) i saw other folk bundled up in their scarves and mitts. i felt my cheeks get rosy. i felt like i got to experience the first snowfall for the first time again. and it was lovely.
when i moved back to montreal in feb, i felt kind of ripped off. i left the balmy gold coast of australia and was thrown in to the worst winter storm of the season. i didn't get a chance to really appreciate winter. i froze, i cursed and i was downright upset. i couldn't go enjoy all my favourite snowsports (there was some issue of a stress fracture in my foot...). there was grey, dirty slush everywhere. i just wanted winter to end and spring to get going. but now it feels different. it feels like winter is slowly creeping up on me, step by step (ooh baby...), presenting itself to me and asking for my permission to be accepted. and so far, i approve.
hello winter. long time no see.
xo
November 23, 2011
November 21, 2011
risky business
i am not a risk taker. well, i may take risks occasionally but they're usually well-calculated, thought about risks. risks i'm most likely going to win/enjoy/survive. i'm not interested in jumping off a bridge with an elastic tied to my feet. i'm not that stoked about the idea of racing down rapids in a blown-up vessel (though jumping out of a plane does sound kind of cool...). so i never thought that i would be risking my life every day. but i do (at least on weekdays). you see, i ride my bike. in montreal.
don't be so dramatic you say? well, you've clearly never tried to ride a bike in this city. i ride my bike to work every day, unless it's pouring when i wake up. i'll even tough out a light misting of rain on my way to work if i have to; i don't mind getting wet on my way home (which i've done. more than a few times). cycling to/from work clears my head and allows me to arrive at work ready to start my day (read: awake) or ready to end it when i get home (read: letting go of work as i ride). i will keep doing so until i can't because of winter weather conditions.
the challenge with riding your bike in montreal is just that: riding your bike in montreal. drivers here are amongst the worst in the world (in my humble opinion...) and roads are atrocious at best. the combination makes for interesting cycling conditions. don't be fooled by the "montreal has hundreds of kms of bike paths" spiel they love to rhyme off. those paths are mostly along waterfront or in parks. there aren't that many safe places to ride, unless you live and work in the few city blocks that make up downtown "bike path region". i, unfortunately, do not.
every day it's the same thing. i get on my bike and start peddling. i'm a safe rider- helmet, lights, bright clothes. i signal when i'm going to turn. i don't ride the wrong way on one-ways. i don't ride on sidewalks. i wait at lights. the only "road sins" i commit are coasting through 4-way stops (but drivers do too, so i feel less guilty) and turning right on a red when it's safe (which, to be honest, isn't that often). so i get particularly irate with drivers who honk at me because (god forbid) they have to slow down for 5 seconds. or at drivers who zip past me only to slow down and cut me off to turn right, causing me to have a significant amount of near accidents this summer. or drivers who curse at me because i'm not "over far enough" in the right lane.
the thing is, the roads, whilst horrendous to drive on are downright treacherous to ride on. there are potholes that can eat my bike, cracks that would love to catch my wheel and wavy pavement at a variety of intersection that make me wonder when montreal had tectonic plates shift directly underneath it. grates and sewers always in the far right of the road, exactly where i'm supposed to ride my two-wheeled vehicle. so you know, if i feel the need to be a bit further over, deal with it. just deal with it.
i don't think i'll have to deal with it for much longer though. with the temperature steadily dropping and the roads starting to be frosty/slick in the mornings, i think my somewhat calculated risk is slowly becoming a much risker venture. it's perhaps time to put the bike away for winter *tear*
i wonder it's possible to cross-country ski to work...
xo
don't be so dramatic you say? well, you've clearly never tried to ride a bike in this city. i ride my bike to work every day, unless it's pouring when i wake up. i'll even tough out a light misting of rain on my way to work if i have to; i don't mind getting wet on my way home (which i've done. more than a few times). cycling to/from work clears my head and allows me to arrive at work ready to start my day (read: awake) or ready to end it when i get home (read: letting go of work as i ride). i will keep doing so until i can't because of winter weather conditions.
the challenge with riding your bike in montreal is just that: riding your bike in montreal. drivers here are amongst the worst in the world (in my humble opinion...) and roads are atrocious at best. the combination makes for interesting cycling conditions. don't be fooled by the "montreal has hundreds of kms of bike paths" spiel they love to rhyme off. those paths are mostly along waterfront or in parks. there aren't that many safe places to ride, unless you live and work in the few city blocks that make up downtown "bike path region". i, unfortunately, do not.
every day it's the same thing. i get on my bike and start peddling. i'm a safe rider- helmet, lights, bright clothes. i signal when i'm going to turn. i don't ride the wrong way on one-ways. i don't ride on sidewalks. i wait at lights. the only "road sins" i commit are coasting through 4-way stops (but drivers do too, so i feel less guilty) and turning right on a red when it's safe (which, to be honest, isn't that often). so i get particularly irate with drivers who honk at me because (god forbid) they have to slow down for 5 seconds. or at drivers who zip past me only to slow down and cut me off to turn right, causing me to have a significant amount of near accidents this summer. or drivers who curse at me because i'm not "over far enough" in the right lane.
the thing is, the roads, whilst horrendous to drive on are downright treacherous to ride on. there are potholes that can eat my bike, cracks that would love to catch my wheel and wavy pavement at a variety of intersection that make me wonder when montreal had tectonic plates shift directly underneath it. grates and sewers always in the far right of the road, exactly where i'm supposed to ride my two-wheeled vehicle. so you know, if i feel the need to be a bit further over, deal with it. just deal with it.
i don't think i'll have to deal with it for much longer though. with the temperature steadily dropping and the roads starting to be frosty/slick in the mornings, i think my somewhat calculated risk is slowly becoming a much risker venture. it's perhaps time to put the bike away for winter *tear*
i wonder it's possible to cross-country ski to work...
xo
November 9, 2011
construction junction
there's a saying that in canada, we only have 2 seasons: winter and construction. this couldn't be more true than in montreal.
i have the ability to avoid using my car 95% of the time. i can ride my bike to work in the same amount of time (or take the metro in winter). everything i need in the city is easily accessible on foot, by metro or on bixi. but every now and again i get stuck.
today, for example. i had a dentist appointment (to my great joy). unfortunately for me, my dentist is neither in a convenient location to my house, nor to my job. in fact, it's in the exact opposite direction from work. as such, getting to the appointment in the morning before i head to work requires a car because there is no do-able way to get to work from this location in the time allotted. so it was with mild hesitation that i started the car this morning and drove off.
one of the things i find most challenging about driving in this city (other then the actual drivers, of course) is the massive amount of construction occurring at all times. it is ridiculous. truly. to be fair, the city is in such a state of disrepair that there needs to be massive amounts of construction but it still feels excessive.
as i drove to the dentist, i was backed up in traffic (at 7:30am mind you) at a variety of streets because of the constructions signs everywhere. i say signs because i never really see the construction crews in the city. (part of me thinks it's just a conspiracy thing- they put the signs up so we think they're working but in actual fact they're not.). when i left the appointment i had to take the 40 - possibly the worst highway around. there is construction on every major interchange, which is a problem because well, there's construction on every major interchange. it doesn't make for a "smooth flow" of traffic i'll say. instead i find myself bumper to bumper at all times of day (and i mean that literally. i've been stuck in traffic jams at 6am, 11am, 8pm and midnight, weekdays and weekends). this is mostly because 4 lanes turn into 1 and turn offs that used to exist are blocked but is made worse by the fact that 1- the exits that are blocked only get announced as your pulling up to them and 2- i live in montreal and we all know what drivers are like here (yes, i said it).
the thing i find truly amazing is how construction crews can be working on these areas for so long. the exit to my house from the 40 (which happens to be the major interchange to a north-south highway) has been completely fucked for months (and months and months...). i feel confident in saying that construction started significantly before i moved to montreal and it's nowhere near being completed. nowhere. at all. and the traffic it causes backs up for a few kilometers at all times of day.
or -exhibit b- the interchange for the 20 and the 40. if you want to leave montreal and head west, good luck to you. there are 2 ways out of the city and both of them cause significant headaches and traffic delays....because they merge into one highway and at that exact, precise location, construction has been happening for a solid 2 years and is planned for another 2 (which means 4). part of me feels like quebec just wants to say "who goes to ontario anyhow? damn anglos" and be done with it but knowing that a large part of their tourism comes from the west means they have to suck it up and fix it. so they'll do it. but they won't like it. and neither will you.
what i really don't understand though is why, given the state of the roads (read: dire) and the limited time of year to work (read: minimal), are there not road crews working 'round the clock and on weekends? it doesn't seem that hard. less interruption to traffic if you work at night, more ability to get shit done. seems obvious to me. and it seems to work like that in most other areas of the world that have limited season. but that's just it isn't it? it works in other areas of the world, so it must be done differently in quebec (more on that some other time...)
all this to say that montreal is in a perpetual state of construction that has no end in sight. just orange cones as far as the eye can see...
xo
i have the ability to avoid using my car 95% of the time. i can ride my bike to work in the same amount of time (or take the metro in winter). everything i need in the city is easily accessible on foot, by metro or on bixi. but every now and again i get stuck.
today, for example. i had a dentist appointment (to my great joy). unfortunately for me, my dentist is neither in a convenient location to my house, nor to my job. in fact, it's in the exact opposite direction from work. as such, getting to the appointment in the morning before i head to work requires a car because there is no do-able way to get to work from this location in the time allotted. so it was with mild hesitation that i started the car this morning and drove off.
one of the things i find most challenging about driving in this city (other then the actual drivers, of course) is the massive amount of construction occurring at all times. it is ridiculous. truly. to be fair, the city is in such a state of disrepair that there needs to be massive amounts of construction but it still feels excessive.
as i drove to the dentist, i was backed up in traffic (at 7:30am mind you) at a variety of streets because of the constructions signs everywhere. i say signs because i never really see the construction crews in the city. (part of me thinks it's just a conspiracy thing- they put the signs up so we think they're working but in actual fact they're not.). when i left the appointment i had to take the 40 - possibly the worst highway around. there is construction on every major interchange, which is a problem because well, there's construction on every major interchange. it doesn't make for a "smooth flow" of traffic i'll say. instead i find myself bumper to bumper at all times of day (and i mean that literally. i've been stuck in traffic jams at 6am, 11am, 8pm and midnight, weekdays and weekends). this is mostly because 4 lanes turn into 1 and turn offs that used to exist are blocked but is made worse by the fact that 1- the exits that are blocked only get announced as your pulling up to them and 2- i live in montreal and we all know what drivers are like here (yes, i said it).
the thing i find truly amazing is how construction crews can be working on these areas for so long. the exit to my house from the 40 (which happens to be the major interchange to a north-south highway) has been completely fucked for months (and months and months...). i feel confident in saying that construction started significantly before i moved to montreal and it's nowhere near being completed. nowhere. at all. and the traffic it causes backs up for a few kilometers at all times of day.
or -exhibit b- the interchange for the 20 and the 40. if you want to leave montreal and head west, good luck to you. there are 2 ways out of the city and both of them cause significant headaches and traffic delays....because they merge into one highway and at that exact, precise location, construction has been happening for a solid 2 years and is planned for another 2 (which means 4). part of me feels like quebec just wants to say "who goes to ontario anyhow? damn anglos" and be done with it but knowing that a large part of their tourism comes from the west means they have to suck it up and fix it. so they'll do it. but they won't like it. and neither will you.
what i really don't understand though is why, given the state of the roads (read: dire) and the limited time of year to work (read: minimal), are there not road crews working 'round the clock and on weekends? it doesn't seem that hard. less interruption to traffic if you work at night, more ability to get shit done. seems obvious to me. and it seems to work like that in most other areas of the world that have limited season. but that's just it isn't it? it works in other areas of the world, so it must be done differently in quebec (more on that some other time...)
all this to say that montreal is in a perpetual state of construction that has no end in sight. just orange cones as far as the eye can see...
xo
November 6, 2011
fall
the thing i missed the most when i leaved overseas was the change in seasons. i know i've said this before and i'm sure i'll say it again. but i think we take for granted the magic of the seasons.
in perth, seasons were as follows: less hot, hot, super hot and unbearably hot. sure, it was colder in fall but it's a loose term. "colder" from summer is weather in the 20's, with a cooler wind. there weren't really any leaves changing colour or falling off the trees (in fact, they mostly started to thrive because it was less hot). this always made me sad because fall is my favourite season. truly.
yes, all of the seasons have their special thing but to me, there's nothing quite like fall. when it's cold enough to pull out scarves and jackets but sunny enough to sit outside at the cafe. when it's still light enough in the evening to stay outside (though now that the clocks have changed, it's dark...). when the apples taste better, fresh picked from the tree, and the market is full of local produce coming to harvest. i just think it's the best.
so you can imagine how happy i was when i woke in late september and noticed one random (possibly lonely) tree whose leaves had changed from the green of its neighbours to the fiery orange of fall. i was pretty stoked (i may have squealed). slowly the other trees joined in and soon i was looking out my window at the most spectacularly coloured leaves glittering in the sun.
as we get into november the leaves are falling from the trees, peppering the ground below. i'm sure my neighbours don't love the raking that they have to do, but i sure love walking/shuffling through the dried leaves. i love hearing them crunch under my feet. and i love the smell. it seems weird to say "rotting leaves smell awesome" but as most people will attest, they do. they really, really do.
we've had the most amazing weather in the past few weeks, very un-late fall in this area of the world actually. incredibly sunny, somewhat mild days without rain. so most montrealers (myself included) are out and about in droves. the trails of mont royal were loaded with people today, the cafes were jammed with folks sipping coffee in the sun. happy city-goers squeezing every last bit out of the sunny days before winter comes knocking.
which won't be too long from now i'm sure. the nights are getting colder. the chimneys have been fired up (no pun intended) and frost is becoming a daily fixture in the mornings. some trees are naked already, others on their way. mittens and tuques are being worn regularly. and of course, the clocks have changed, which means it's dark at 5pm.
but i look beyond all that and try not to worry about winter yet. i just look out the window and see the colourful leaves glittering in the sun and feel happy to be home.
xo
in perth, seasons were as follows: less hot, hot, super hot and unbearably hot. sure, it was colder in fall but it's a loose term. "colder" from summer is weather in the 20's, with a cooler wind. there weren't really any leaves changing colour or falling off the trees (in fact, they mostly started to thrive because it was less hot). this always made me sad because fall is my favourite season. truly.
yes, all of the seasons have their special thing but to me, there's nothing quite like fall. when it's cold enough to pull out scarves and jackets but sunny enough to sit outside at the cafe. when it's still light enough in the evening to stay outside (though now that the clocks have changed, it's dark...). when the apples taste better, fresh picked from the tree, and the market is full of local produce coming to harvest. i just think it's the best.
so you can imagine how happy i was when i woke in late september and noticed one random (possibly lonely) tree whose leaves had changed from the green of its neighbours to the fiery orange of fall. i was pretty stoked (i may have squealed). slowly the other trees joined in and soon i was looking out my window at the most spectacularly coloured leaves glittering in the sun.
as we get into november the leaves are falling from the trees, peppering the ground below. i'm sure my neighbours don't love the raking that they have to do, but i sure love walking/shuffling through the dried leaves. i love hearing them crunch under my feet. and i love the smell. it seems weird to say "rotting leaves smell awesome" but as most people will attest, they do. they really, really do.
we've had the most amazing weather in the past few weeks, very un-late fall in this area of the world actually. incredibly sunny, somewhat mild days without rain. so most montrealers (myself included) are out and about in droves. the trails of mont royal were loaded with people today, the cafes were jammed with folks sipping coffee in the sun. happy city-goers squeezing every last bit out of the sunny days before winter comes knocking.
which won't be too long from now i'm sure. the nights are getting colder. the chimneys have been fired up (no pun intended) and frost is becoming a daily fixture in the mornings. some trees are naked already, others on their way. mittens and tuques are being worn regularly. and of course, the clocks have changed, which means it's dark at 5pm.
but i look beyond all that and try not to worry about winter yet. i just look out the window and see the colourful leaves glittering in the sun and feel happy to be home.
xo
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