Saturday in Montreal

I feel like today is the first day I have really lived like I live in Montreal.

The day started relatively early. Kind of. 8:30 am, and I was awake, but opted to stay in bed reading an excellent book which I inherited from the charming Melina, A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers. It was, of course, not long before She Ra had plopped right down in my arms, completely obstructing my view of the book, as anyone who has spent much time would know is a cat's favourite past time. But anyone who knows my cat knows that moments of affection are rare, so I embraced it, that is to say, her, and fell back asleep.
I woke up after receiving a text from Claire, with whom I had a lovely day planned. We went for brunch at Cora's to fulfil some Halifax nostalgia (yes, I am aware Cora's is originally from Montreal - this was made especially evident today as, on our way out, we were rushed past by CORA). After brunch, which was at 1:00 as opposed to 11:00 as Claire and I had originally set our hopes on, we went to the Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal to see the Cabaret Rouge: The Terrifying and Beautiful World of Otto Dix exhibit. It was amazing. It had been so long since I had been to a gallery, or had done anything intellectually stimulating on my own motivation and for pure enjoyment really. I love Otto Dix and his talented perversity. I bought a wide array of postcards (did you know Dix painted landscapes? Me neither, but they're really very beautiful). And, because afterwards Claire and I did some shopping and I shelled out 70$ for a replacement battery charger (they only had a universal one! How do I ensnare myself in these things?) - I can show you their lovely arrangement in the apartment which you have not really gotten to see.

The Wall! Isn't it awkward to try to figure out where to put pictures on a totally blank wall? Well I tried my best.

Portrait of the Lawyer Hugo Simons (1925). I adore his hands.

Reclining Woman on Leopard Skin (Portrait of Vera Simailowa) (1927). Note the hyena in the background. Did you know that the hyena is a symbol of prostitution? It puts all that I know about the female spotted hyena into a strange perspective.

Randegg in the Snow with Ravens (1935)

Half-Nude (1926). I found this portrait, which I had never seen before, extremely powerful. It nearly brought me to tears. I had told my supervisor that, while I respect Otto Dix's talent, that I would not want his representations of women on my walls. But now I do. I find it truly harrowing.

Claire, ready to get her burger on...

Then Claire and I rounded out our day together with an indulgent burger from my brother's favourite burger place in Montreal, Buns (though it is a strong competitor with Picks apparently). It was delicious, and seeing as I had a giant fruit plate today as opposed to the eggs benedict I so badly wanted, justifiable. I am going to snuggle down now to make some study notes for my class for tomorrow (we are meeting at Ye Old Orchard to have a beer and prepare them for their exam on Wednesday). A solid couple of hours of work, listening to this fabulous song by Deerheart, the Breakdown, which, yes, I discovered on the Gossip Girl soundtrack (don't hate, the song is still fabulous), and then Claire and I are going to meet up again to go dancing!

 Maybe I do like Montreal...

And here is a glimpse of the apartment. She Ra and I are having a chat. Sadly, my favourite feature, the Kokanee Girl Calendar, set to September, just didn't turn out...