I have recently discovered the awesomeness of bubkas. Cheskie's is a Jewish bakery near me that I've heard people talking about since I moved here. I really have intended to go prior to this year, but one lame excuse is that I would usually have time or think about going on a Saturday. And well, they're closed on that day.
Anyway, now that my routine has changed up a bit and I'm regularly walking by the place when it's open, I really have no excuse. But it's very risky. Their bubkas are soooo good. I'm been assured that everything in their shop is good, but I almost don't want to find out for myself.
Monday, November 23, 2015
Friday, November 20, 2015
Welcome to F.L.
Two great things about Toronto: the Toronto International Film Festival and HotDocs.
I've missed attending both festival.
But, the nice thing is that Montreal has its own share of film festivals as well. I think the equivalent festivals to those mentioned above would be the Montreal Film Festival and the Montreal International Documentary Festival.
The Montreal Film Festival has been on my radar ever since I moved here, but I did have a chance to watch any films at the festival this year or the last. I found the synopses of the films not quite as inspired as those written up on the TIFF website, so it was difficult for me to be motivated to go to a screening. In the end, I didn't seem to make the festival a priority, but hopefully I will change my mindset in the future.
And there are some films that actually screen at festivals in both cities (including the one that this post is technically about).
The documentary film festival, on the other hand, seemed to sort of work out. I had bookmarked quite a number of films, but due to various commitments (mainly, out of town visitors - whee!), I wasn't able to attend many screenings. To be specific, I only attended one.
I had actually tried to attend another screening, but it was sold out and I didn't get there early enough to get in via the rush line. I think they cut off the line about 10 people in front of me. Phooey.
So the film I actually did get to see is called Welcome to F.L. (official website here). The filmmaker returned back to her secondary school to film and interview students (mainly those in the graduating class). The students talked about life in high school, their experiences, their hopes and dreams. It was a natural fit for my interests.
My review? Ummm, well, it was a good chance to practice my French. I guess I'm glad that I watched the film? I don't think that there was something lost in translation, but I wasn't really blown away by it. There were some little memorable moments, but I couldn't see the big picture. I wasn't sure what exactly the filmmaker was trying to do. There wasn't a story that was particularly compelling.
The Q&A with the filmmaker didn't really help much. Perhaps after watching an entire film in French (although there were English subtitles), my brain was getting a little fatigued as I started tuning out during the Q&A. But I also think that the questions and how the filmmaker responded didn't really help the situation.
Anyway, my big takeaway from attending the screening was that I really do need to take advantage of the wonderful film festivals that the city had to offer. I'll have to put them into my schedule and make them a priority.
Picture courtesy of http://bienvenueafl.com/
I've missed attending both festival.
But, the nice thing is that Montreal has its own share of film festivals as well. I think the equivalent festivals to those mentioned above would be the Montreal Film Festival and the Montreal International Documentary Festival.
The Montreal Film Festival has been on my radar ever since I moved here, but I did have a chance to watch any films at the festival this year or the last. I found the synopses of the films not quite as inspired as those written up on the TIFF website, so it was difficult for me to be motivated to go to a screening. In the end, I didn't seem to make the festival a priority, but hopefully I will change my mindset in the future.
And there are some films that actually screen at festivals in both cities (including the one that this post is technically about).
The documentary film festival, on the other hand, seemed to sort of work out. I had bookmarked quite a number of films, but due to various commitments (mainly, out of town visitors - whee!), I wasn't able to attend many screenings. To be specific, I only attended one.
I had actually tried to attend another screening, but it was sold out and I didn't get there early enough to get in via the rush line. I think they cut off the line about 10 people in front of me. Phooey.
My review? Ummm, well, it was a good chance to practice my French. I guess I'm glad that I watched the film? I don't think that there was something lost in translation, but I wasn't really blown away by it. There were some little memorable moments, but I couldn't see the big picture. I wasn't sure what exactly the filmmaker was trying to do. There wasn't a story that was particularly compelling.
The Q&A with the filmmaker didn't really help much. Perhaps after watching an entire film in French (although there were English subtitles), my brain was getting a little fatigued as I started tuning out during the Q&A. But I also think that the questions and how the filmmaker responded didn't really help the situation.
Anyway, my big takeaway from attending the screening was that I really do need to take advantage of the wonderful film festivals that the city had to offer. I'll have to put them into my schedule and make them a priority.
Picture courtesy of http://bienvenueafl.com/
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
A difference of 70 years
This website was recently forwarded to me. It instantly brought me back to my visit to Normandy. Especially the third and last picture.
You learn about different events in history class. You read books, watch movies...they bring the events to life as much as possible. Yet, imagination is required (for me) to fully comprehend it all.
Nothing can compare to a lived experience. I feel so fortunate to live where I do and to have the life that I have. I will hopefully never have to live through many of the things that others (have) endure(d).
Lest we forget.
You learn about different events in history class. You read books, watch movies...they bring the events to life as much as possible. Yet, imagination is required (for me) to fully comprehend it all.
Nothing can compare to a lived experience. I feel so fortunate to live where I do and to have the life that I have. I will hopefully never have to live through many of the things that others (have) endure(d).
Lest we forget.
Friday, November 13, 2015
How to Age Gracefully
This is a really sweet video.
(Sorry for being MIA on this blog. Lots of awesome things going on that I should be sharing or at least would like to, but I haven't been able to actually get my act together and force myself to sit down and blog. Apologies.)
(Sorry for being MIA on this blog. Lots of awesome things going on that I should be sharing or at least would like to, but I haven't been able to actually get my act together and force myself to sit down and blog. Apologies.)
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