Westmount Walks

There's been some very exciting stuff in the mix these past few days.

First off - I’m officially a voter. 💅 And … for free too. Didn’t even have to spring for stamps, thanks to Celeste.

I guess you can’t say official voter yet - nothing has been mailed, but still.

Too bad I threw away the “I voted” sticker they gave me - it would have presented another opportunity to tell people who couldn’t give less of a shit that I gave in my say on who should be in the senate.

Now, on to more important things.

Well, actually, side note: I’ve spent many a minute recently staring at this wall while waiting for someone to let me into McConnell, and I’ve yet to figure out what anything on it does. (Except for the small ID card reader on the left). (And the phone) (really it's just the green screen that I'm curious about).

Another side note: I’ve been working on my accents (very intently). After a stint of trying my best at Canadian, I’ve moved onto bigger and better things. (Massachusetts).

How have I been practicing? Watching Wayne. And, I read a whole entire wiki how article on it. Good news is, in December I can take my skills for a walk in the real world, exploring the depths of Boston, and talking to my grandparents.

See, I already have a grasp of the lingo - clicker, blinker, packie. I also have a grasp of the cultural influences (Martha Stewart and the Red Sox), but the former might be more centric to my grandma.

Back to the original point:

On Monday, Celeste Lola and I made the trek to Westmount. I had never seen so many Porsches in so little time.

Again, much like Saturday, we passed many a questionable choice in landscaping, but mostly the houses were pretty (albeit massive).

I will say though, this did not come without exception.

This house, for instance:

While I didn’t get a picture of the overall architecture, I remembered to take one of the front porch, which makes a girl think; it's funny that the most frightening part of their Halloween decor is the fact that they keep up those stone face planters year round.

Speaking of frightening decor, I felt a wave of unease wash over me when passing this house. Who, in their right mind, would buy this many pumpkins?  And why? I would usually ask how much it cost, but I’m gonna make a wild guess and say I assume it wasn’t really an issue.

It contrasted well with this house a block later. Really says something about the world. Deep stuff.

To end it off on the topic of saying a lot about the world, I thought this boulder in the Adams building told such a vivid story. So complex and nuanced!!

-Violet

A Bone To Pick: Hardy Mums

I've recently been reminiscing about the elevator; it's been almost a week. (Four days to go).

We had some good times, us two.

Another thing: I HATE fall landscaping. Hardy mums??? So ugly. The cabbage plants that are popping up left and right?? Hideous.

What I don't understand is who sees these plants at the store and decides, "Wow. Those need to be added to my garden!"

Other than being nothing short of unpleasant to look at, they don't mesh well with each other. What happened to a cohesive narrative?

It looks like each seperate sphere of flowers is fighting for your attention, trying to win the competition of which jarring group of "fall" colors draws your eye the most quickly.

Don't even get me started on the cabbage. Why? Is the question that first pops into my head. I'd honestly rather see the dead plants of the summer than be assaulted with this every time I go outside.

In Better News

Also spotted: this innovative patch. Don't knock it 'til you try it, as they say. They even matched the new plank with the old stairs' paint color. Baller!

Ohhhh!! And, Celeste brought me cinnamon gum all the way from the great state of New York, so my hopes and dreams have been refufilled. Feeling blessed 🙏.

Last but not least - I finally talked to the porter so my light is gonna be fixed in like a week. Kiiiiiilling it.

-Violet

Walking

Today on my walk home from the grocery store, Montreal was flush with color coordination. (And orange cones, some reason there’s danger tape and cones -or cylinders- everywhere I go).

I’m switching up the order of which I saw these, but there’s a reason for everything, don’t tell.

Stonehenge (2022). As per usual, I do always wonder how potholes form. When the asphalt breaks up, how long does it take? Does it just happen overnight?? Is there a big noise?

Bucket list: see it happen.

Could I look it up? Probably. But, I like to live in the unknown.

Hold your horses, it only gets better from here.

Last in this orange cone series (I know- you want more. I don’t know what to say, it wasn’t a very long walk).

First off, I’ve never seen a pink cone like this, so it caught my eye. Upon looking closer, I realized it not only matched with the logo and design of the tattoo shop it stood in front of, but with the reflection of the building across the street.

Speaking of matchy matchy…

I saw this teal bike sitting right next to an identically colored teal hose. (Is this teal? Or turquoise? Another thing I never fully learned). Makes a girl wonder… was this intentional? Probably. I hope so.

Further investigation into this picture brings into view a matching umbrella!!! Speechless.

If we’re on the topic of bikes:

This one began her descent back into nature. The vines reclaim her for the winter.

To bring it back home, Lola and I made fried rice today. Needless to say, we killed it. If I’m keeping it real, it’s the best meal we have made so far here (including my solo mission of making pasta). My only regret is that there’s only enough for two lunches.

At the early hour of 11:47, unfortunately before starting the new House of the Dragon episode, she calls it a night.