Arrived in Belgium!

Hello hello! I finally made it to my country. What an adventure! My trip back home started grandiosly with Lana's Champagne Breakfast and radically efficient help to finish the packing on Saturday morning. Then farewell team Sylvie, Shiny & Richard escorted me to Mirabell airport. I had so many luggages to check in, it was unreal ( 4 big luggages + laptop + skis +boots). I was allowed 20kg max of luggage allowance and we had 70 kg to check. Miraculously, the desk attendant didn't ask me to pay anything. This saved me at least 250CAD. To celebrate, we shared my very last poutine on the Canadian territory & some Canadian beers. Another good news arrived as I was making my way to find my seat in the plane. I was on the exit row with 2 meters of leg room and no one to sit next to me. Yeah, I love Air Transat! The plane was half empty so that must be why I had free excess luggage and a king size seat. All this was going way too well and as we were about to arrive in Brussels 5mins in advance, a bad news occured, the plane couldn't land because it was too smoggy so we turn around and around for nearly an hour then the pilot decided to stop by Amsterdam to take more gas. We did and it took us an extra 2 hours before landing in Brussels finally. My last worry was the zillions of luggage I had to fit on that little caddy, unthinkable so I managed to get myself a so called "porter" with a huge car thingy who escorted me through the douane to my sister. Guess what is the first thing I did today? I rushed to the first "friterie" (french fries house) and eat some fricandelle, brochette & fries with my brother. What a gastronomical orgie! Tonight, we are having mussels and fries again... Hmm did you notice the theme of the day? Poutine - Fries & Fries... I may gain some kilos this week because there are so many things I need to catch up on such as chocolate & others delicious things that are too delicious to resist in Belgium.

Ok this is it for now. More stories to follow. I just want to say that it was hard not to cry on the plane and leaving all of you. This is just as awfully painful as when I left London last year. I miss you all!!! XXX

Flying off to Belgium

Today, I'm flying back to Belgium. I'm feeling very sad to leave Montreal and tired but will be relieved when I'll be able to get all my luggages out there and meet my family and friends.
After dropping my luggage at my brother's place, I will spend my first weekend at my sister's place in Antwerp then back to Brussels. The next weekend is back to my 'parents' in the Ardens for some horsebackriding. Can't wait for it!

Marianne's new blog!

Yeah! The blog mania has spread out once again. Here is the brand new blog of Marianne relating her researcher life. I can't wait to read more of it.

Last weekend in Montreal

My last weekend in Montreal is over and was memorable. I get to spend a lot of fun time with my friends Sylvie and Lana.
On Friday, we went to see the performance "Rain" from Cirque Eloize where Sylvie works. It was one of the most beautiful live show I've seen. I couldn't describe it better than what one journalist wrote:"It is a spectacle brimming with poetry and a melding of strength and fragility that draws on the nostalgia of the rainy days of our childhood. The finale, which truly reflects the name of the show, makes it all unforgettable."
Saturday was a big night starting by a dinner, then listening to some really cool music electronic bands at MEG then after hours Aria to finish off the night. All with free guestlists which is always enjoyable. Now I'm resting and planning my short week left here in Montreal.

DJ List Ranking

Here is my to do list for next year: Top 100 DJ List ranked.
I was surprised by the ranking of some of them. David Morales is only ranked 63th... Unfair!

D Day - 12

I just realised that in 12 days I will be back home. All it does to me is feeling stressed and sad. I don't think I'm ready to go. I hate deadlines!!!

MONTREAL's Pink Panthers

Here is the website of some friends of mine: the MONTREAL's Pink Panthers or the Montreal's chapter of the worldwide queer rebellion. "The Pink Panthers and, as time progresses, many others, have decided to march in the opposite direction of the thousands of gays and lesbians who are nicely following the leaders. The Pink Panthers have decided to not obey. Disobey pink capitalism. Hetero-society. Binary gender rules. To disobey all laws that are enemies to liberty and equality. To disobey the enemies of a green earth, and to defy borders and sexual frontiers."
I'm not personally a radicalist or rebel but I have to agree with many of the debates they are launching and some non-sense like the right for gays to marry in Canada but no right to divorce because the law hasn't changed... The website is mainly in French and some parts are in English as well.
For more interesting hard to find links like this one, check the brand new "Queer Zone" on Mathilde's website.

NO2 pollution is killing us!

I think I'm going to die from a lung cancer because if I look at this map, NO2 pollution. The places were I prefer to work are always the most polluted. Look on the map for London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Barcelona and you'll see a deep red colour indicating the large concentration of nitrogen dioxide, which is hazardous for public health. "Long-term exposure to small amounts of nitrogen dioxide or short-term exposure to high concentrations leads generally to lung damage and respiratory problems. People with poor health suffer more asthma attacks and could suffer premature deaths." It's sordid!
I guess that since I'm only interested in leaving in large cities, that won't be good for my health or I should pick a partner and go live in the moutain and farming.
I think we should all give up our cars and improve public transport and only drive electric cars when needed. At least in big cities they should do that.

Sick

After spending 2 days in bed to nurse my hangover from Black and Blue, I receive a new gift from God: a cold or flu that is!
Not a good timing since I'm meant to be running around getting ready to go and no, I'm feeling very sick and have to stay home in bed mostly. Good thing, I have a laptop and a wireless internet connection so when my brain is working, I manage to get some (cyber)work done, apply for jobs and read advertising litterature. How fun! It's nearly a week I'm stranded now and gf is fed up with it so no nurse around anymore...

Free car to travel in Canada and USA

Here is an interesting website:Auto Driveaway Company for those of you who want to drive across Canada or USA and have a car for free. The principle is that you have to drive a car from an agreed point to another in order to transport the car for its owner. You only pay for the gas and also have time restrictions to do this but it may be a great way to visit some places.
I checked the offers and found a deal from NYC to Los Angeles driving a Lexus. Another deal was proposing a brand new Toyota Celica 2004.

Ranting about unsafe clubbing in Montreal

Regarding Circus, Black & Blue and others after hours happenings in Montreal, I have something I'd like to rant about: THE DAMN WATER!
I noticed that all taps had only hot tap waters (except the VIP toilet at BB that we were lucky enough to use). In fact, I've been told that the last tap provides cold water but you must know that otherwise like me at Circus, you just think that there is no free water or you have to pay $6 a bottle. Even the barman, wouldn't serve you cold tap water without a tip (Bastards!), which when you spent all your money is rather difficult and I guess the next thing is that you can die from deshydratation and increasing temperature.
I can't believe that huge events like Black & Blue & After hours clubs are putting the life of their clients at risk by not providing free FRESH tap water at proximity of the dancefloor to make sure that people are safe. They prefer to make some profit selling a bottle of water at 6$ instead of insuring people's well being and security. Everyone knows that most ravers are on drugs and must hydrate themselves sufficiently and regularly in order to avoid any accidents.

I guess Montreal hasn't had enough fatal cases of deshydratation like in the UK to ensure that party organizers are making sure the room is not too hot and that free fresh water is provided at all time.

What good clubs do:
- Offer free unrestricted access to a cold drinking water tap or fountain.
- Have adequate ventilation -and don't turn it off to make you buy more drinks.
- Turn air conditioning up if it's getting too hot.

What to do if you have a bad experience with a club
Tell the management:
If it's too hot or too crowded.
If drinking water taps don't work or there's no free water available.
If you have difficulty with security or door staff -write down their name and registration number.
If one of your friends is ill and you're not properly assisted.

It's time for the Montreal clubbing scene to become a bit more focus on security rather than money making with selling water and unsafe drugs at high price within their clubs.

The only club in Montreal I know to care enough about its guests safety by providing free cold tap water as well as outstanding music and venue is Stereo! So boycot the rathole places and go to Stereo.

Black & Blue 2004

So this WE after moult changing of mind, I decided not to go to Black & Blue because it is too expensive ($85 normal ticket and $160 VIP). I went out on Saturday instead to a private party, then Safir to see DJ Frigid then I ended up at Circus (after hours) because the people I was with went there, came home at 8ish am, slept a bit but was feeling tired most of the day.

Then came Sylvie at 11pm on Sunday and after calling one of her connection (the fabulous AM), we managed to get in for free with VIP tickets. Yeah! The kind of treat you can't refuse so there I went to Black & Blue 2004.

As we arrived, the Cirque du Soleil started their performance and it was really impressive and fun to be in a huge rave and enjoying one of their show as well. The theme of this year was Louis XIV so the costume where reflecting it + some others fun stuff like Louis XIV massage area and caleche chillout tour pulled by a man.

We were blessed to be VIP because among the freebies, we had no line up, a nearby toilet and water provider. The other ultra cool thing was the free display of fresh fruits such as banana and strawberries than we could dip in the warm chocolate fountain and eat. That was so yami! The only problem is that the chocolate dripped on my clothes and hands so it looks like we had poo on our hands. Also we had access to the VIP lounge next to the DJ on a upper terrace. It was impressive to see the massive crowd from there and realise the huge amount of people who came at the rave.

The music was good enough but not great. We managed to arrive on time for Ceballos, Sanchez and Anthony's sets which where OK but not as amazing as one would expect of such a huge event. Musically, I much prefer spending a night listening to David Morales. There is more emotions involved. But the rave was good due to the ambiance, shows and the ultra friendly crowd (mainly composed of gays, some straight fake breasted girls and overal straight folks...no lesbians!).

Now, we're Sunday night and I'm bedded still out of it after such a heavy weekend so I may be quiet for a while which will delight my gf.;-)

Sex and the City star in lesbian relationship

I knew this! Sex and the City star in lesbian relationship. So now that SITC is over, I think Nixon should apply to play in the L word, which is meant to be the lesbian version of SITC.

Cute kitten

I found a really cute and fascinating website featuring a kitten with whom you can play by using the mouse. If you're bored or on the phone, it is quite fun and very addictive.

Done!

I finished my very last exam yesterday and it went extremelly well so I'm officially done with the MBA!!! What a relief! I'd really like to thanks Shiny for being there when I needed it and coach me during this last bit. You rock girl!
I have now 3 weeks in front of me to spend doing nothing, just relax and chill out with my friends. I'm also going to use that time to prepare my interviews in Europe and close everything that need to be so I can go with the peace in mind.
It is such a bless to be able to wake up and not feel like there is any deadlines or things to be done. I feel carefree and I really like that. I think I need such a nice time to relax from that one intensive year of studying and hardship.
As soon as i arrive in Belgium, things will be hectic again like getting settled, finding a job, buying a flat, socialising, etc. so I will enjoy every minute of peace here and reload the batteries.

Indian Summer

Hmmm...22 degrees today. It felt like summer again. I studied all afternoon on the balcony the head in the sun in short and top for my very last exam tomorrow afternoon. Wish me good luck!

Bye Canada!

I booked my ticket! So there it goes, I'm leaving Canada on Saturday October 30 at 6:40PM and will arrive at Brussels at 6:30AM on Sunday October 31. Prepare the tissues! This is going to be heartbreaking...:-(

Timezones

I need to call my mum urgently. I'd better get the clock right so I don't wake her up. Let's list the times I'll need (or you'll need...) in the near future:
- Brussels
- Montreal
- London

When Air Transat saved my life!

Wow, I just called Air France for a quote for a one-way flight Montreal-Brussels and I freaked out when the girl said $2650. I asked her if she was joking but no she wasn't. Funny enough, a return ticket was halve price of that but still too expensive for me so I looked on the web and found a great deal on Exitnow.ca (nice name by the way) and I got 2 great offers for 2 flights performed by Air Transat, one on the 26th of October is $244 taxes inclusive or I could fly on the 30th and pay slightly more ($294). I'll book it tomorrow but I need to figure out when I want to leave. Preferably the 30th but it is $50 more...Hmmm... I don't want to leave too early!!!

BOUPS Radio

I just discovered a new online radio. I love their selection. BOUPS is a belgium-based electronic music internet radio. Music styles are drum & bass, electro, techno / hardtek & breakz / nu skool. Try it!

I LOVE TECHNO

I'm planning to be back in Brussels on the 30th of october and guess what is happening in Ghent (Belgium) on Sat. 13 November?
I LOVE TECHNO!!! The leading techno event in Europe and I'll be there!!!
The line up is just amazing: The prodigy, Redhead, Rush, Amok, Sven Vath, Dave Clarke (live), Michael Mayer, Felix Da Housecat, Carl Cox, Joris Voorn, Anthony Rother (live), James Ruskin, Darko, Luciano (live), Ivan Smagghe (Black Strobe), PET Duo, Cristian Varela, Marco Bailey (live), Richie Hawtin, Alter Ego (live), Miss Kittin and more...
And all these amazing DJ's for only 35 Euro's. I can't wait to go!

If anyone feels like going, I'll be staying at my brother's appartment in Brussels and I'm sure we could figure something out if anyone want to stay over for the WE and go to I LOVE TECHNO.

Liquid Extasy

Ok, so if one night as you are 'hard' at studying and your flatmate stormed into the house put the music on and asked you if you wanna have some liquid extasy...thinks twice before!

I said no then I said yes and then I end up drinking 3 shooters of a mix of "Golden Flakes" (Some weird alcohol with real gold flakes in it) and Jagermeister (some German alcohol). It's nice to drink but after you feel extremely drunk and unable to study and keep blogging about meaningless things as I am doing right now. Ok, time to go to bed!