From now on

Her name is Coucoune. She's our new pet. Well it's more Dalexia's new pet because I didn't really have the choice to let her in or not. A priori, I have nothing against birds or having pets at home, I had dogs most of the time in my adult life. But when I look at this small feathered female, I don't know if I should feel sorry for her because she now lives in a prison or feel happy because she will be fed, cared and entertained by us(even if she seems to don't give a damn!)

But Dalexia REALLY likes pets. When I first came to her house, I was welcomed by 5 of them.

First good old Weiser.
A 2 years old mix-breed rottweiler/shepherd who acts like if he has 7 years. This dog is afraid of about anything from wind to people crossing the street 100 feet away. Although he is the definition of dog: loyal and always happy to see you.

Secondly, Izzy.
Named by Dalexia's daughter after Izzy Stradlin, Guns N' Roses guitarist, this one year old mix breed boxer is always willing to play. Always shaking is short cutted tail and jumping on everyone, this little guy will become a more and more pleasant dog when he will get older.

Thirdly, Salem.
A mature black cat with an attitude. Since I'm allergic to cats, I can't pet him. But this cat need so much attention that it's hard to brush your teeth in the morning without having is tail in your mouth! I put a lot of pressure on Dalexia to find a new home for him due to my allergies.

Fourthly, Doune.
Doune is actually so pregnant that I wouldn't be surprise if she would give birth while I'm writing these lines! Like Salem, right after we give her new-borns, we will look for a place for her too. Right Dalexia?

Fifthly, Sid.
Named again by Dalexia's daughter after, this time, Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols. After weeks and weeks of negotiations, this young wild cat has finally left the apartment to live on a farm. Since he is gone, we don't hear glasses falling down from the counters in the middle of the night, we can prepare supper without having a cat walking between the pans and we don't hear meow-meow-meow all the time. As you can see, I miss him..

So after Sid departure, Dalexia said that she wanted a white dove like she had before and since it was her birthday and her mother gave her, I agreed to have 5 pets again. But I'm not a fool, I know that if I succeed to convince the mother and daughter to let go the 2 cats, There will be 2 other pets coming in right after

Dalexia's daughter has yet started talking about a gecko...

For the third week of my project 52, I would like to present you a photo of a closed down building called the incinerator des Carrières:



Located in Montreal, the incinerator was built in 1931 and had the capacity of burning 300 tons of garbage per day. It was enough for the city's needs, at the time, and it gradually helped eliminate the smelly open air dumps of the island.

Although, it was a short time solution because ten years later due to many directly cause health problems among residents of the neighbourhood, the city had to renovate the burning system and add filters to prevent the toxic gas emissions. But those improvements weren't enough efficient and after 50 years of controversial operation, the incinerator was finally shut down and never re-open after.

These days, the land and buildings are used as parking lots for the city roadwork trucks and the 2 high towers wait to be demolished one day.

But, why I have chosen this subject for my 3rd week photo?

For no good reason, really. I simply passed by that site yesterday afternoon while I was going to a meeting and I found the contrast of the two chimneys and the perfect blue sky interesting.

And now, after having done a short research, I know a little bit more about Montreal's industrial history...

It has been three years since I have begun this blog and my new life. At the dawn of my second new start and a fourth blogging year, I don't feel really like looking behind me. Of course, there would be many things to remember a long this three turbulent years but I prefer to look forward. It's not that everything always sail smoothly these days, I have a lot of professional and emotional challenges ahead of me but I like to believe that, with time, most of the annoying ones will settle and I will remain with the exciting ones. I'm maybe dreaming but I believe that a positive attitude is often the key to happiness.

A great way to look forward is to have projects.

I have an important one in my emotional life by moving in with Dalexia in a new house. It is both challenging and exciting, and it can also be a bit frightening sometimes because we both carry our pasts and different personalities, so we have a lot of adjustments to do. But we are both motivated to make it work and slowly but surely, we start creating our mutual environment where we will both be at ease with our different needs and obligations.

As for my professional project, I only try to accomplish a whole year in this new job and after, I'm convince that everything will be easier and I will be able to concentrate my energy to personalize this camp the way I want instead of just trying to make it work.

So what's left? An amusing and artistic project maybe? The kind of project that helps relaxing when everything move too fast and that can fulfill my creative side?

So to launch this fourth blogging year and maybe to help me be more assiduous around here...
...I begin today a new photo project: Project 52!

This project is totally inspired by the famous and wonderful 365 project but in a less demanding version. You have probably already guess what it is, a photo per week during one year. The best photo taken during that week or the more representative. And contrary to the well organized 365 project, I won't create any group or blog page for it. It will be more a personal project like Sprogger's Y.O.P.
That being said, everyone who wants to imitate my initiative is more than welcome to do.

I will began my project with a simple photo taken yesterday evening at some nearby farm fields where traces of winter slowly disappear to leave place to nature's spring cycle.



Please serve yourself a big piece of chocolate cake for my blog's B-day!