wrap-up

[electricland]

Well, it's been a while. It's been a long week and I don't feel like I have much to say (I compose witty, insightful posts while I'm brushing my teeth, but then I get to work where I have an actual functioning Internet connection and I'm too busy to post 'em, or I forget them entirely). Uh.

Minor kerfuffle over in montreal over the Conan O'Brien show in which Montreal was, apparently, booed.* Don't watch the show, don't know the details, don't much care (much like my reaction to Janet Jackson's nipple) but the post and the comments did bring to mind yet again the weird Toronto-Montreal relationship, which runs more or less as follows:

1. Torontonians don't think about Montreal that much. Really, they don't. Those that have been here have generally positive impressions of it. Lots move here. But if I tell a Torontonian I live in Montreal, the most reaction I will get is "Oh, nice. What a great city."


2. Montrealers appear to think about Toronto ALL THE TIME. I grant you, it's better now than it used to be, but the following reactions are typical when I tell a Montrealer I'm from Toronto:
   - Invariably, some form of comparison or request for comparison: "Which do you like better?" "Wow, you must like it so much better here." "Don't you think Montreal is way better?"
   - Criticism of Toronto, even from those who have never been there: "It's so boring." "There's nothing to do." "Everybody there is obsessed with working and making money."
   - You do, on rare and precious occasions, run into a Montrealer who went to Toronto and liked it.


3. As a corollary to point 2, Montrealers believe that the opposite of point 1 is true: Torontonians think about Montreal as much as Montrealers think about Toronto, and they hate it and are wildly jealous of people who live here.

I don't generally get all confrontational about this, because what is the point? I say I like them both (which is true). I say that Toronto is not necessarily the best place to visit -- I like it, because I have friends there, and I know what bits are fun, but it lacks Montreal's spectacular setting and its pile o' attractions all in one place. I recommend that people check out the neighbourhoods and the markets and the parks and the museums and avoid King and Bay. I smile sweetly.

But that doesn't mean it doesn't occasionally bug me.

* * * * * * *

Anyway. What have I been doing with myself? Cold is mostly better. Apartment is still a pit. Work is crazy but I'm starting to believe that the short-term scary project will actually get done in time. Watched Whale Rider on Tuesday and it's marvellous. Three down on the list of Oscar Nominees I Have Not Seen.

The Auditor-General is still my favourite federal civil servant. And, a note to Paul Martin: yes, Mr. Prime Minister, it actually does look a little disingenuous to claim that you had no idea! none! where all that money was going while you were (a) finance minister and (b) on the committee allocating the dosh. And I will be paying attention to the enquiry.

Been mostly trying to nurse my cold. Blech.

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day (no! really?). I'm trying to remember if I've ever not been single on Valentine's Day. Yes, once, in high school. As I recall I was very snooty about the chocolates my boyfriend brought me. God, I was graceless. Still am, of course, but I try to hide it better, and I certainly don't disdain chocolate any more. Hope you all have a lovely day, whatever your romantic state (meaningless commercial holiday it is, of course, but any holiday that brightens up February is OK in my book).

Off home now. Got to tidy up my apartment so crankygrrl doesn't think I'm a slob.

*Oooh! More kerfuffle! I guess the House of Commons cares, even if I don't.

Comments

[fairoriana.livejournal.com]

A) I do that same thing -- except I compose my witty, thoughtful and insightful posts in the car on my way into work.

B) Sounds like the Boston/New York relationship to me!

...

[monkeycommando.livejournal.com]

It's quite possible you may have been justified in your snootiness.

Manufacturers should only be allowed to make one kind of black sock, and they should only be allowed to make good quality chocolates.

[taxlady.livejournal.com]

The Auditor-General is still my favourite federal civil servant.

I have to agree with you on that one.

[whimcomic.livejournal.com]

And to think, just this morning I was saying how much I wanted to move to Montreal.

Although it's true about the money thing. I mean the Montrealers saying that about Toronto. They do it even when they've moved to Hamilton, an experience which should actively remove any claim that any other city is boring/unclean/unpleasant/dangerous.