Harry Houdini

"Houdini, love, you don't know what you're running away from" - Arctic Monkeys

Well well well, good day, ladies and gentlemen!

As you might have noticed, I haven't been posting regularly lately. I guess we can attribute that to the fact that although my French course is over, I have been focusing in a Genomics online course, reading some books I had meant to read a long time ago and working out. I excuse myself, but I will continue posting here as long as I've got something to talk about. Hooray!

And now, to the subject of the post. Today I am going to talk about one of the most mysterious figures to ever walk the face of the Earth. Whether his mystery is solved or not, remains unknown. He was both the most incredible illusionist to exist and the creepiest magician I've ever heard about. Many songs, movies and books have been made about him and his life.

Ladies and gentlemen, I present you

The Magnificent Harry Houdini

The Comic Con Experience Montreal 2014 - ENGAGE!

"I think that, if the world was a bit more like Comic-Con, we'd all be a little happier." - Matt Smith

GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!

Today, I am happy to bring you THE COMIC CON EXPERIENCE!!! YAAYAAAAAAYAYAYAYA LALALALALALALALALALALOSJFHOAIRSUHGEDFOCJASOSILOFLKD

Yep, the Comic-Con happened in Montreal last weekend, from September 12 to 14. The event, made famous by the still celebrated San Diego conference, happens all over the world containing special merchandise (yes - ALL the collectibles you can imagine), actors, writers, artists, producers and directors in panels about the movies and comics that we love.  And, IMO, the best attraction of 'em all: THE COSPLAYERS!

I had always wanted to go to one ever since I heard of the  San Diego one. So when I learned about it's Montreal counterpart, I rushed (figuratively) into the internet to buy my rather inexpensive general admission tickets -  there wasn't a doubt in my mind about whether to attend to Palais du Congrés that early on a Saturday or not.

This year's panel highlights included "ENGAGE", a Star Trek: TNG reunion; a Doctor Who Expo  with Matt Smith and some Daleks and a lot of talk of Hulk Hogan with a movie screening of some sort ( I didn't attend). There was also a very honourable guest (who we didn't get to meet either): George A. Romero, from Dawn of the Dead - probably not the one you saw, though...

Beyoncé, The Diva

"I felt like it was time to set up my future, so I set a goal. My goal was independence." - Beyoncé Knowles

HELLO, HELLO, HELLO! (imagine it in Count Olaf's voice)

How are y'all doing? Everyone all good? So recently there were the VMAs, and as much as I haven't watched any of these award shows but The Oscars lately, there were high points during the performance. What I really like about the latest tendency in the music world is this continuing growing presence of feminism - not hate towards men, by the way, but real feminism - that some artists, both male and female have shown. Regardless of anything else, Nicki Minaj and Iggy Azalea, for instance, do represent that. Seems like a media trend, since movies like Frozen and Brave have also been putting forth the message that not only women are strong and independent, but can still be feminine about it (well, mostly anyway). But there is someone that doesn't just represent that, but has been shoving it in everybody's faces for years now...

The Lion King - Le plus grand musical au Monde

"From the day we arrived on the planet, and blinking, stepped into the sun... There is more to see than can ever be seen, there is more to do that can ever be done! (...) It's the circle of life, and it moves us all!" - The Lion King

HELLO THERE, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! *ROAR*

How are y'all doing this week? Myself, I am feeling awesome this week. That is, because I got to see one of my favourite musicals and stories in general: The Lion King! C'mon, who doesn't love it? I spent years of my childhood watching it non-stop. When I first got to see it on Broadway, it blew my brains off. It's completely fucking awesome.To be fair,  it's a fail proof spectacle: a story based on a classic by Shakespeare, Disney-level production and the final, outstanding Broadway touch.

The show is here in Montreal since August 19 and it's going to stay until September 7, presenting at the Salle Wilfrid-Pelletier, at the Place Des Arts complex. I went to see last Wednesday, the 20th. It was completely sold out. There were people talking all sorts of different languages, but in the way out, by the way they smiled and sung the songs from the show, you could tell - everyone loved it! It's one of those kinda shows that leaves you with them good feelings.

On The Road #1 Toronto/Niagara Falls

"There's a time for daring and there's a time for caution, and a wise man understands which is called for." - John Keating, Dead Poet Society

HELLO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!!!!

First and foremost, I'd like to pay my respects to Mr. Robin Williams, recently found dead after what is believed to be a suicide attempt. I've been watching his movies since I was child, and he was brilliant in what he did. So here's to the funny man who always managed to touch us deeply one way or another. Whatever reasons there are for his death, it's his life's work that we should admire. May he rest in peace.

Second, I'd like to excuse myself from the belated posting this week. As you'll learn in just a few words, I've been travelling and getting back to French tests right after it, so I didn't really have time to sit down and write.

And now, as you may have noticed from the title, this is going to be another post about a trip I made this weekend. It was a 3 day tour to Toronto, Niagara Falls and a small town nearby called Niagara-on-the-Lake.

It was mindblowingly awesome. And even that doesn't cover it.

L'International Des Feux Loto-Québec

"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality." - Walt Disney

Bonjour madames et monsieurs! Ça va bien? Salut, mes amis montréalais!

SO. A whole lot has happened this week, huh? A 72 hour cease fire that didn't last more than 90 minutes, a supposedly democratic government supporting and financing weapons and ports for certain socialist parties and taking part in conflicts it has nothing to do with... Yes, that was a very straight forward indirect line to my dear friends over at PT.

Okay, okay, enough of that. Now back to business. For those of you who don't know, I am currently living in Montreal. As a part of the summer festivals, every saturday and every other wednesday in July there is a firework show, each one themed differently, displayed city-wide. It's really quite beautiful.

Picture taken by me of the Pink Floyd show last night

Freddie, The Mystery

"The reason we're successful, darling? My overall charisma, of course." - Freddie Mercury

HELLO, HELLO, HELLO! Good evening, ladies and gentlemen! I'm not sure if you've noticed, but this post is written in English. Might've come up to your attention, I'll say. HOORAY! THE BLOG IS IN ENGLISH NOW, WOOO HOOO!!

Seriously now, I am starting a new phase of the blog - which is writing it in English. Personally I am way more comfortable in English than I am in Portuguese, but for those of you who prefer the latter, fret not; every now and again there will be a post in PT-BR, regarding things that matter mostly to you, Portuguese-speaking crowds. I won't be writing in a difficult manner, but please let me know how it all works out for you - that's what the comments section is for!

(Also, for those of you who do not know me personally, I get into bitch mode when I'm speaking in English. Blame all of the British culture I've been around.)

SO. I thought we could take the opportunity of this first English post to talk about something - or rather someone - that I really admire: Freddie 'Farrokh Bulsara' Mercury.