Refugees in the land of the Gay Marriage

So another "quick" update, as I have noticed I keep beginning my blogs with. Whether or not they are actually quick is irrelevant, its the thought that counts. So my last blog was written at 9am on Saturday, and this is picking up from that point. Saturday, Lauren and I went to a run in Parc Lafountaine. It was rather lovely, not only due to the positive health benefits, but also because of the tangible summer atmosphere in the park. Mid-70's outside, and with humidity, perhaps around 80, had brought everyone, their children (Montréal being a very family-friendly city), the dogs, just about anyone really out into the parks for picnics, runs, walks, reading, sleeping, tanning, all around fun-in-the-sun activities. After our run, we went and had.........dun dun dun, more poutine! hahahah In all fairness, Lauren hadn't had any yet, and we walked right past a poutine place :) After our poutine délicieuse, we went back to Lauren's place. A quirky québécois film on the Radio-Canada channel later, and we headed out to get ready for the CLUB! Looking our best, cowboy boots included, we went to Club Unity for the DRAG BALL NIGHT :) The promise of free entry had brought out the queens and kings in force, with a large proportion of the attendees being in drag. Hours of dancing later, along with plenty of fun eye-candy, we headed back home. Fun night? Most definately

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Today, a load of laundry and another run in the tree-lined streets of Notre-Dame-Des-Graces was followed by the first of hopefully several Californian dinners. We all met up at the Mont Royal métro station, followed by some Thai food. This was then followed by two bottles of wine, shared amoung 7 mind you, and some coffee and cake, quite a lovely evening. I felt very québécois/canadian (although the terms do not go hand in hand, I'll wait for another blog to go into depth about that). I would just like to take the time to mention that while all these dinners are great fun, on a more serious note, there is a definate freedom to living in Canada that I am learning to enjoy. Perhaps, and most likely, more conservative areas of the country are not like here, but overall, the liberty when it comes to homosexuality is astounding. Blink twice at two men or two women holding hands? Nope. Not required. Want to get married? Sure, why not. Want all the legal rights as everyone else, from taxes, social security (or the Canadian equivalent), to immigration? Sure! It really hit me how amazing it is and how lucky I am to be here after reading that some same-sex recognition laws are going to the ballots in WA and Maine, just like Prop 8. Its so relieving to be here, because even the supposedly most progressive 1/50th of the US can't get its act together; this whole country has had it together for several YEARS now. Rant is over. Thought I would provide inside to my thoughts.

On a far more positive now, Vive Montréal! Vive le Québec! Vive Canada :)