I hope you find what you are looking for project/Tour de Montreal

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with the project information on the back and my blog. Having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on what to do or see in the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.

My current day photo of Habitat 67

This is an old original photo of the Habitat 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_67

Habitat 67 was built as part of Expo 67 in Montreal, the habitat was designed by a university student at Mcgill University it was his masters thesis. You should read more about it, it is quite interesting. Each place has a view and a garden, this was very ahead of its time.

 Today I headed out with full intentions to dance dance dance at Picnic Electronic on the island (as I was invited and many people suggested I go). I biked my way over to the island (thankful that i remembered the way). I got to the island and to my dismay there was no picnic this sunday. Darn! But it didn't break my stride or should I say it didn't break my wheels a turnin'.  I decided to do a Tour de Montreal!! And what a great tour it was!

Here was a Cirque performance in the village. 

This was a performance at a rowing competition on the island

Here is me as "Where's Waldo" striking resemblance I know! For some reason a make really dorky faces with glasses on, I have this need to scrunch my nose when speaking to others. I might have been influenced too much by Steve Urkel  as a child TGIF!!

So in the end I got to the Tam Tams, it would be the clever place to be on a Sunday. I took stand at a busy corner and plopped down into drawing mode. I met some really cool people who were happy to have a little drawing and hear about the project. I ran out of paper in a flash (I came with quite a bit). 

So all in all a lovely and productive day in the metropolis of Montreal.

I hope you find what you are looking for.

Love,

Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for project/Pool day cool day

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with the project information on the back and my blog. Having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on what to do or see in the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.

Tonights appetizer raspberry balsamic reduction on baked brie compliments of me.

Ok heat I give up, you win, I am going to the pool!! Today I waldo'd through the NDG hunting for clues, no hind nor hair today or this evening. I did get an incredible ice cream cup cake at Bilboquet Westmount (thanks friends for showing me all the best food, no thanks from my lower belly)  PEOPLE, I am keeping positive, this could happen you know, finding this other person I just need to fall into a little luck. Maybe they love to dance?? I am gonna Waldo the shit out of em' at the 

Picnic Electronic tomorrow!! HA! 4 day count down.

My swim buddy the beautiful Hali Klotz

I hope you find what you are looking for.

Love,

Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for project/Where's Waldo??

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with the project information on the back and my blog. Having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on what to do or see in the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.

Bonjour everyone!! This is a picture of my table set up at Robin des Bois on Thursday night. This day was the hottest day ever!! I have never felt heat like this before not even in Thailand.

This is what you do when it's hot... 

Here is me beginning my Where's Waldo Adventure!! I hit the town!

Kazu unbelievable food!!

Notice the lovely window painting. Friday night performance at the Opp Galerie et Boutique.

It has been a busy last couple of days but they are moving slowly with the heat. Only 4 days left on the search and I only have one question, WHERE'S WALDO??

Good day.

Love,

Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for project/Get lost in Montreal

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with the project information on the back and my blog. Having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on what to do or see in the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.
Today I had the pleasure of getting lost (well kind of more like wandering) in the Mile End area of Montreal, as recommended to me by my peers. I was told to go to Bagels etc. someone suggested to go because it's Leonard Cohen's hang out.  What an adorable area there are a ton of cute places to chill and have coffee or wine.  I can see why so many people enjoy living in the Mile end. 
 I set off today to Le Platue to be interviewed by Nightlife.ca Magazine for the blog of the week feature,. I was interviewed by Mathieu, he was very sweet. I had the opportunity to discuss my Montreal endeavours with him (I am still amazed by the fact that anyone is interested).  Mathieu took me to Crudessence which is a "raw food" place and I had the best smoothie of my life and a dessert, he and I were amazed at that you can even make dessert with pure raw foods. At Crudessence I saw a girl Nina that I met a couple of weeks ago and I have to state the fact that socially Montreal for me is becoming smaller with the more people I meet. I feel that I might be finding the other person sooner rather than later. Hard to say that too because the people I am socializing with are around my age and this person could be a lot older than me. Tomorrow Mathieu is interviewing me on CISM radio around 10:00 am. So be sure to tune in. 

While covering the Mile End area along with Le Platue I passed out fliers that invite everyone to the performance and project promotion at the Opp Galerie et Boutique on Friday night at 7:00. I figured out pretty quick that I really don't like passing out fliers, so I took to placing them in all the indoor stands at the coffee shops. 


While walking with my bike an American couple  pulled their car beside me and asked me for directions, I helped them with my google map. While conversing with the two of them they ask me if I am from Montreal and I responded "no I am from Saskatchewan", the lady proceeded to tell me how good my english was... I struggle with it sometimes, being that it is the only language I speak, I hope it was ok?

This evening I ate at Robin Des Bois which in english is Robin Hood, they have an acapella band on right now and at 8 there is a women who plays the trumpet coming on. It is a nice atmosphere here and I appreciate the whole concept behind the restaurant. Robin Des Bois Restaurant is a non profit organization that has 5 local charities that they support. On Wednesday night there is live musicians that volunteer to play and I can see why the food here is amazing. Tonight there are 3 musicians a pianist, trumpet player as well as a vocalist they are phenomenal! Oh life is just so wonderful! The volunteers and owners here are very kind. Behind me there are 2 women who write for the Lonely Planet, I hope they had an enjoyable experience and write good things!


Alright I just got another gig! I am volunteer drawing at Robin des Bois tomorrow night at 7:30 until 9:30, this will be so fun!! Perfect another activity to promote this project!!


Cheers to everyone! have a wonderful night!
Love,
Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for project/Yee Hah!

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with the project information on the back and my blog. Having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on what to do or see in the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.

Last Night I was invited to The Wheel Club in Montreal NDG area, I was told to meet there at 7:30 (silly me for thinking anything happened in montreal that early). So I end up walking into this place and all I see are 2 old gentlemen at the bar, checkered table clothes, tile floors, fake flowers in vases on each table, and a stage. It truly reminded me of an old hall in Saskatchewan, for all of my family members who are reading, It's totally the Horizon Hall in Wilkie SK. So naturally I start backing up out of the door to leave, but no, the older men wave me in (and I am thinking I am not going to stay at this place long). But of coarse I take a seat and check my phone (can someone get me out of this, text me, tell me someplace to go, anything)!!  I feel as though I am participating in the "Yes Man" book or movie. Then I start talking to Patrick and Walter, they tell me that today (last night) is Patricks 80th Birthday (oh great I really do have to stay at least for one beer with these men). I ended up chatting with Patrick and he was telling me he was irish and 90% blind, he was so sweet they even offered me some leftover birthday cake. Patrick also told me that Monday night was a the big night here at the Wheel, I am sitting there thinking oh yes it's hoppin! Then I hear someone playing guitar and I look over and there is a little music corner set up a stage area. So loving to participate in sing songs I ask Bob Komo if I can come sing some songs with him. We sang and we played some Janis Joplin, Blue Rodeo, and many other wonderful tunes. It is about 8:30 here I am shouting Bobby Mcgee on the mike and before I know it there is a banjo player behind me  (Tony) and many others on guitar. Before 9 at the Wheel Club is warm up so I got to play with these people it was soooo fun!! After 9 on Monday nights you cannot play any music that was written after 1965. Some really great artists showed up and blew my mind, what great music. I had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people who were very welcoming. I also met my new friend Roxie who was cutting a rug on the dance floor doing some crazy line dancing. I also met Eddy Blake Eaton a fellow Lloydminsterite, such a small world. So I would just like to thank everyone at the Wheel Club, Patrick, Jeannie,Bill Walter, Bob, Rosie, Terri, Steve, Tony, Leo, Harold, Daryl, Peter, Esther, and Roxie, for being so sweet you made the night my most memorable in Montreal. I am glad my friends never came because I had the opportunity to meet so many charming people.  It is funny what you can land yourself into when you are just willing to step a bit out of your comfort level. I am glad that this project has allowed me to say yes more and get a little crazy!!

Line Dancin' Ladies

Bob Steve and Tony

My Beautiful new friend Roxie who was so fantastic and took me hiking today!!

Ik fly in my face

Roxie and I passing out flyers for the project on St Catharines 

I have not noticed a sniff yet of the other person but i am keeping an eye out! One good thing though is I am getting messages from people I have met and they are saying that they notice my hints around the city, SO COOL!

Good night. 

Love,

Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for project/Death of a cyclist

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with the project information on the back and my blog. Having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on what to do or see in the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.


Good evening to you all!! I hope everyone is enjoying this fabulous weather we are experiencing across the country!! 

Ok so on Friday the 15th of July the Opp Gallerie et Boutique in Montreal featured the project that I am participating in for the evening. It was a great turn out, being on St Laurent there was plenty of foot traffic. Everyone was very interested in the project and were game to come into the gallery and chat about the whole thing. I hope it got me one step closer to finding the other person. I sidewalk chalked in the front of the gallery with arrows coming inside. Also there was a lot of people watching from the window, I felt like a fish in a bowl, but it was really fun. Above is a picture of a little girl who came into the gallery with her parents. She sat and watched me for a bit, and then she grabbed her parents to get the bag from their hands. She then proceeded to take out her own art and place it around my drawings. It was so cute and priceless!! We made a drawing trade before she left. Below is a man by the name of Alex whom I met on the street biking the week before. I did get some other interesting visitors early on in the evening, a man with a window squeegee and singing his way in the door. He proceeded to tell me that he did mascara paintings and that he too could do a performance such as this. Then to finish the paintings off he would sometimes use a bit of liquid eyeliner. Angelo the director of Opp thought that mascara was a bit of a pricy medium. Montreal will always make every experience a good one and you can count on something (pardon my language) just really fucking weird happening.


This week we are getting down to business and some new plans are going to unroll!! So keep up everyone. Oh and on a side note: Do NOT bike over plastic bags, these can lead to the death of a cyclist.

Pictures and photography compliments of Aliah Mcdonough 

The Consonance performing on that friday evening.

My sidewalk chalking I plan on doing a window painting this 

friday.

The Laurier Pool 

Yoga at Mont Royal Parc Statue

I bid you all good night, with love, Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for Project/I've got a need for speed!

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with the project information on the back and my blog. Having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on what to do or see in the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.

Me sitting under the bridge watching the Italian Fire works show, note I am wearing my bike helmet. Somehow I was hit with a dime that fell from the sky. 

On Wednesday my friend Andrew was going to the theme park on the island across from Montreal. I wanted to see the international fireworks competition, so I asked if I could bike there with andrew (not knowing at all how to get there myself). Andrew went to the carnival and left me to my own means on the island. I shortly figured out that this was a beautiful man made island with little ponds and waterfalls. I sat for a couple hours writing and waiting for it to get dark. I got to watch the sun set on Montreal from the waters edge as well, that was really nice. Although my peace and quite was disrupted when Carly (my bf) skyped me and asked me to take him through cooking a stir-fry (really?). Then the next day he says to me "the rice took WAY more water then you said it would". oh gosh.

I met Andrew below the Jean Drapeau Bridge to watch the fireworks. They were unbelievable!! Each country choreographs their fireworks set and you can pick the music up on the radio. We were so close each firework pulsed into our  bodies. And the music with the fireworks took you through this like emotional journey. It is very hard to describe, but Italia gets my vote for the competition!! Then we all biked back from "the works" as a "bike posse" I would call it. We were going soooo fast I would have to say that we beat the traffic home by an hour. Now I have this crazy need for speed!! 

This is my sidewalk chalk in front of the biosphere.

Whilst I was chillin across from montreal I received a text from my friend Aliah. Aliah is a photographer for the band "The Consonance" and was passing trough Montreal the next day. Finally I got to be the guide through Montreal.

NEXT DAY 

This is me "chalking" the path at Le fountain parc which I have to say is a pretty central hub for the bike paths. 

This is my friend Aliah photographing The Consonance. 

So as the band was busking I was drawing next to them and sidewalk chalked the fountain. It was a great new way to see people respond to the project in that setting. Thanks to the band for letting me hang for a bit. People really loved their jazz!! We were sitting in that little area that reminds be of europe off of St Denis.

Until next time.
LOVE,
Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for project/Do you know where I can find some fried chicken?

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with my project information on the back. having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.

Good day to you all!! The picture above is of me dipping my feet into Le Fountain Parc's lake. I took a nice long bike ride yesterday searching for clues for the project, sadly I have not found anything yet. But I am not losing hope, I will just have to brainstorm for some more inventive ways of finding this person, I am open for suggestion. I do have some creative things in mind you will just have to stay tuned. Yesterday in the Le Fountain was just lovely, I sat on le parc bench reading for a couple of hours until it began to rain again. I met a couple from NY who were here visiting for the week and just loved Montreal. I posted one of my pics for the project on the bench and gave one to the couple as well.  I did however forget that I taped my drawing to the bench I was sitting on, I sat up and leaned back on the drawing with my white shirt, typical brandi move (this is why I should never wear white). Hopefully someone got to this drawing before it rained too hard. 

Today I went to the Museum of Contemporary Art and toured around and tomorrow I plan to go to some more Art centres to search, maybe this other person is and artist, I don't know. 

This evening I went to Training Mobs run club and got my butt kicked, but in a good way, tons of fun and a great way to meet new people!! We were stretching at the end of the session outside of Lululemon on Saint Catharines and a guy mid 20's  stops and asks us "hey where can I find some fried chicken"? I thought he was joking asking the run club where he could find fried chicken, but nope. He was totally serious!! He was on a major hunt for some KFC. I could not stop laughing.

Until next time,

Love,

Brandi

I hope you find what you are looking for project/SALSA!!

For those who are tuning into my blog for the first time let me tell you a bit about the project I am participating in. I was sent to Montreal on July first to search for a person that I have never met and know nothing about.  I have to look for this other person in Montreal in a number of creative ways, while doing so I will document my time and expeditions. So far I have been hitting the hot spots in Montreal where I think the most people are and where this person could possibly be.  I have been giving out original drawings (which people are happy to take) with my project information on the back. having received the gift of art from me people are more than willing to here about the project I am working on. Everyone has been very kind thus far and given me their unique advice on the beautiful city of Montreal. I am beginning to think I may miss it here when I have to go home on the 31st of July. The project is run by an Albertan artist. At the end of the project I will be posting all the information about his show.

To begin, I think in the past 24 hours I have committed the sin of gluttony, actually I don't think I know! Last night had already eaten dinner at home, but went on a mission for dessert. I knew there was a somewhat cute street that I had passed on a run off Saint Catharines with a row full of restaurants, Crescent street I believe. Anyway I was going to hit this street for a dessert before I met Hali for Grease  (the movie Grease) an outdoor showing in the park. I ended up totally and fully over indulging at the Burger Bar on a double chocolate shake and fat home fries, I have to say mmm mmm. Being lactose intolerant this did not go over well throughout the rest of the evening. But the Movie in the park was totally romanic and tons of fun!!

Here is a photo of me at the Burger Bar where I have snuck one of my pictures off the balcony, I hope someone finds what they are looking for...

My deadly fries and shake

Oh Olivia!!

This Morning someone suggested that I try the Atwater market opposed to the Jean Talon because it was closer to my house and had better cheese.  This was a most helpful suggestion, however, the Atwater market did have better cheese... AND bread AND eclairs AND cookies AND croissant AND now I am 10 pounds heavier. 

Last night while walking home from drooling over the young John Travolta I passed a dance club, the sign read that there was beginners salsa on monday nights at 9:30. I decided hey why not (the thought never crossed my mind that I cannot even get through a two step) and that this would be fun. I showed up at 9:30 had time to meet a couple new friends and got the chance to them why I am in Montreal. And by 10 we started... The women lined up on one side of the dance floor and the men on the other. I knew that the old man with the white pants was gunning for me (about 75). I was targeted. I (being the fresh meat) was the focus of every man over 60 for two hours. I had a fabulously fun night and it turns out that  the men over 60 were the only ones who could actually dance! 

Good night!! all my love!

Brandi