The Lis Lists

HawT:

1.) Burlesque lessons! You have to wear high heels and you need a boa too. In class 2 you learn how to take off your skirt. There is no woman alive that wouldn’t look and feel sexy doing this.

2.) Patisserie Kouign Amann (say Kooween Amahnn) has the most amazing version of the pastry that gave it its namesake, which means “butter cake.” Layers of buttery pastry with a crispy, crunchy, sweet, butter crust, OMG, I have banned myself from this place for at least a week, so it doesn’t become a habit. I intend only to be a recreational user, but I fear I’m already slipping.

3.) Quartiers Danses Festival. Where else can you be walking the dog along the river when you happen upon 10 women walking in slow motion in khaki clothing and then they turn and slowly melt into a large bush? Verdun! This festival is over 2 weeks with many free shows.

4) Piknik Electronique still on!!! Only one more left but last week DJ Mini killed it!! There’s something so lovely about this festival in the fall, the harvest moon and the fall sunset highlight the majesty of Montreal’s finest season. Everyone single is looking for a winter cuddle partner, so don’t miss next week!

5.) Quebec’s bounty of fruits. It’s here and now people, get’em while they’re hawt! Tomatoes, peaches, strawberries, blueberries, and asparagus are topping my list.

NaughT

1.) Awkward fashion weather. How do you dress for fall in the morning and deep summer in the afternoon, all while trying to nail down office wear? It does not compute! I’ve seen people in flip-flops and jeans all over the place and am often carrying extra layers around. How do you dress for 3 seasons at once??? And how do I go back to wearing socks?

2.) Getting darker and darker. What’s happening to all the daylight? Why are all the street lamps yellow? Bad lighting is back in full effect. I actually put my headlamp in my purse the other day!

3.) Vacation time used up 😦  Makes me want to get political.

4.) Have to spend money on uncool stuff. I don’t know about you but I think buying salt, snow shovels, extra mats for the floor, ugly and expensive boots so your feet stay dry, and other such winter needs, totally bugs me.

5) The feeling of impending doom. While fall is gorgeous and only just beginning here, I can’t help but dread the impending smell of burning dust as radiators turn on, and the dry skin my face will endure. And it’s not just me, I can sense the fear and trepidation of my co-workers, as everyone is gasping for the last bit of sunshine and desperate for one more wear of the tank top. I promised myself that this year will differ, and this year I will try to get out more and take part in the weather. But I still feel my entire body braced for the slap across the face. Let’s hope I’ll grow out of it!

10. Pour Some Sugar on Me (Def Leppard):

I need inspiration, I need a muse, and I definitely need to get laid!

Pour some sugar on me
Ooh, in the name of love
Pour some sugar on me
C’mon fire me up
Pour your sugar on me
Oh, I can’t get enough….

And it’s true, right now, I could really use some of that sugar…

9. She-Bop (Cyndi Lauper):

Cyndi knows how to level with mainstream music machine: girls like touching themselves….a lot. Fierce. And true.

Do I wanna go out with a lion’s roar
Huh, yea, I wanna go south n get me some more
Hey, they say that a stitch in time saves nine
They say I better stop – or I’ll go blind
Oop – she bop –

8. I Know this Much is True (Tears for Fears):

I attribute this song to being about writer’s block, which I’ve had for several years now, and I know this much is true. And nothing is more powerful in a song than saying “this is the sound of my soul;” that is, unless you are someone like Lady Gaga, and all of your music really is the sound of your mediocre soul.

With a thrill in my head and a pill on my tongue
dissolve the nerves that have just begun.
Listening to Marvin (all night long.)
This is the sound of my soul,
this is the sound.
Always slipping from my hands,
sand’s a time of its own.
Take your seaside arms and write the next line.
Oh I want the truth to be known.

7. Let it Go (Luba):

Canadian much? This song really gives me the shiv’s when they are all chanting in unison: “Lehhhht….iiiiiit….Goooooa…..” over and over, like I am at church or something. Clearly, I haven’t let it go, but I’d sure like to. Rather poignant when she says “We are made we are not born.” Interesting.

Too many doubts
Too much fear
Too much danger
When society constructs
Our human nature oh
Live by the rules
Live by the laws
Live by commandments
Notions preconceived
Can lead to utter madness

[Chorus]
Let it go
Let it go
Let it free your body
Let it move your soul
Let it go
oh no
We are made
We are not born
Let it go
Let it free your body
Let it move your soul
Let it go
No no
We are made
We are not born

6. Sweet Dreams (the Eurythmics):

Annie Lennox is every girl’s favorite lesbian crush. She’s hot, androgynous, fashionable, talented, practical, and EFFING HARDCORE. She could lock me in a dungeon and cut me on the face and somehow I’d thank her…..

Sweet dreams are made of this
Who am I to disagree?
I travel the world
And the seven seas–
Everybody’s looking for something.
Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused.

(Hold your head up–Keep your head up–MOVIN’ ON)

5. Under Pressure (David Bowie and Queen):

I am still dealing with the fact that Queen and David Bowie ever got together to work let alone write a song about my entire life’s struggle and make it sound hardcore and important and now I can’t get it out of my head because I’m always putting pressure on myself to balance the force of love and creation and social responsibility so I can live authentically.

Can’t we give ourselves one more chance
Why can’t we give love that one more chance
Why can’t we give love give love give love give love
give love give love give love give love give love
‘Cause love’s such an old fashioned word
And love dares you to care for
The people on the edge of the night
And loves dares you to change our way of
Caring about ourselves
This is our last dance
This is our last dance
This is ourselves
Under pressure
Under pressure
Pressure

4. Dancin’ with Myself (Billy Idol):

Well I’m single and never been into “couple’s dancing” or any kind of couple-dom at all. Really I think I’m trying to have a more “open relationship,” and by “open” I think I mean with “the world.” Because, if I had the chance to ask the world to dance which would be difficult to do without actually…..just dancin’ with myself…. like the worm-hole of love!

So let’s sink another drink
‘Cause it’ll give me time to think
If I had the chance I’d ask the world to dance
And I’ll be dancin’ with myself
Oh oh. Dancing a-with myself,
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
If I had the chance I’d ask the world to dance
If I had the chance I’d ask the world to dance
If I had the chance I’d ask the world to dance
Oh, oh, oh, oh oh.
Oh, oh, oh Dancin’ with myself.
Oh, oh, dancin’ with myself, oh, oh,…

3. Rise up (the Parachute Club):

What do they really mean by “rise up and show your power?” Is this about a military coup, or about the common person affecting change? The magic behind the song is that it could be applied to anything. I couldn’t remember who on earth sang this ridiculous song, and then found them, dancing on a flat-bed, and immediately fell in love! I really appreciate the last line “spirits time has come” and how you can apply it to drinking.

(Rise up rise up)Oh rise and show your power
(Rise up rise up)
Were dancing into the sun
(Rise up rise up)
It’s time for celebration
(Rise up rise up)
Spirits time has come
2. Brass in Pocket (the Pretenders):

First of all, I find the song in CAPS LOCK ! Second, after rereading the lyrics, I’m like, “man I thought I liked this song, but now I know I LOVE this song!” I would tell you why but it’s all in the lyrics.

‘CAUSE I GONNA MAKE YOU SEE

THERE’S NOBODY ELSE HERE
NO ONE LIKE ME
I’M SPECIAL, SO SPECIAL
I GOTTA HAVE SOME OF YOUR ATTENTION
GIVE IT TO ME
‘CAUSE I GONNA MAKE YOU SEE
THERE’S NOBODY ELSE HERE
NO ONE LIKE ME
I’M SPECIAL, SO SPECIAL
I GOTTA HAVE SOME OF YOUR ATTENTION

GIVE IT TO ME

1. Here I go again (Whitesnake):

Many people would be embarrassed to end a top 10 with a power ballad like Whitesnake when it’s obvious I could have ended it with Chrissie Hynde’s epic words at #2. But I’m a ballsy girl with some serious intentions.

I don’t know where I’m going
But, I sure know where I’ve been
Hanging on the promises
In songs of yesterday
An’ I’ve made up my mind
I ain’t wasting no more time
But, here I go again
Here I go again
Tho’ I keep searching for an answer
I never seem to find what I’m looking for
Oh Lord, I pray
You give me strength to carry on
Cos I know what it means
To walk along the lonely street of dreams

…Ha ha….get it?!

It is sooooo true…..sooooo true.

-E.