Springtime ... for Hitler!

It's a little-known fact that the fastest and cheapest means of transportation from Paris to Montreal is actually via the metro. Just hop on line 15, which passes through Gare Montparnasse, and a mere five hours and eleventy-ten minutes later you will arrive at the Square-Victoria station on the orange line - all for the price of a standard ticket!

End of the Paris to Montreal line

Once in town, I immediately got down to business by trying to steal baby Catalina and baby Xavier. For some strange reason, however, they did not play along, and anyhow seemed to prefer my mother. Go figure.

Uncle Buck

The Rugrats

Robert Neville and The Family

Next on the agenda was a quick brunch with some of the ol' gang at Chez Cora. It's where all the cool kids go, you know. Never disappoints. I mean, « Crêpomelette »? That's bloody magic right there.

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Finally, I got to say hello to my good friend Tommy Wiseau at the Love is Blind Tour 10th Anniversary presentation of The Room, screened officially for the first time in Montreal at the Dollar Cinema. He got a little up close and personal, but that's just Tommy. Ha, Ha, Ha.

"Why, Johnny? Why? Johnny, why? Why?"

"I'm tired, I'm wasted... I love you, darling!"

Anyway, how is your sex life?

Aladdin and the Cave of Wonders

As a little reward for finally finishing the second of my three papers, I decided to hit an underground "Princes and Princesses" Party as the Disney Prince Aladdin. I tried to go for this.

Aladdin and Abu

It came out a little like this.

Aladdin and Abu

At least Titou makes a great Abu, and I'm pretty proud of the way my hand-sewn mini-fez turned out.

Ze Magical Mini-Fez

For the record, I am not gay. And Laura makes awesome dark-chocolate truffles.

Genie and Aladdin

Toodles!

♥ ♥ ♥ Anti-Valentine'­s Day Massacre ♥ ♥ ♥

Best Dressed? Goddamned Right.

Valentine's Day this year was a blast, starting off with a pre-holiday party wherein the always-awesome Audrey and the oft goggles-clad Norm each won prizes for being the best dressed. I also won plenty of friends by yelling for those in attendance to "bow before my greatness!" (classy, I know). To be fair, Audrey, Tom, and I were by far the best things at that party.

As to the day itself, well, when I think of Valentine's Day, I think of love. And when I think of love, I think of soft Corinthian leather. And when I think of soft Corinthian leather, I think of ... the greatest Star Trek film of all time!

100% Pure Montalbán

Actually, the last time my good friend and physicist extraordinaire Igor and I had hung out, we made a pact to hold a special double screening of the original 1960s Star Trek episode "Space Seed" and the 1980s cult classic "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" for the next time; and so we marked his return visit and this celebration of love by doing just that.

Chocolate, Flowers, and Mead.

I Choo-Choo-Choose You!

Les Frères Lumière: 1 Night in Paris

The rest of the night is a bit of a blur. I do recall that lovely Aza brought heaps of chocolate and the best saffron tea, Audrey brought equally-exquisite tea from Mariage Frères, Titou is never to be trusted in the high-stakes game of Saboteur,  Jen bears a striking resemblance to Wonder Woman (hmmm, and Jen also owns an invisible plane ...), I can still kick Tom's ass in Mortal Kombat 3, and ... I still cannot handle my alcohol. Seriously, like one half-glass and I'm gone.

Ciao!

P.S. Everything's better with Tom. Everything.

Everything's Better With Tom. Everything.

Stress Relief

A long, hot shower in the dark. Relationship of Command playing in the background. Yes. Very yes.

The Life of a Scientist

At 2:34am I finally came up with the penultimate (minor) result of the main paper I've been working on for approximately the past 2 years and 12 days. I might just get all this done. The paper's probably not even that great, but I'm moderately pleased with myself, and as a result will take the rest of the night off for some much-needed sleep. Go me.

The Year of the Horse.

Almost thirteen years ago (wow, I am old), six near-brilliant young men sat down, thought hard, and came up with one of the stupidest ideas in the history of stupid ideas; and thus was born a nickname that stuck around for far, far too long.

from The Perry Bible Fellowship by Nicholas Gurewitch

Two years ago to the day, yours truly landed in Paris.

And now it truly is ... The Year of the Horse.

Happy Chinese New Year!!!

Happy Australia Day

To all my mates back in Oz and around the world, Happy Australia Day! I hope amongst all the celebrations or solemn moments, time is taken to reflect upon life the universe, and everything; in particular, the experiences of "the other". If nothing else, give a moment of thought to Australian of the Year Adam Goodes, and his efforts to combat racism in Australian society and reconcile the shames of the past with a hopeful future.

Don't Feed The Kangaroos.

Also, always remember: don't feed the kangaroos.