Montréal

unlocking my beautiful phone!

2008-09-05T03:59:10Z

I've checked the memories and no one seemed to give an answer as to where one goes to unlock a phone. I see all these places around peel metro that say they unlock iphones, but my phone isn't an iphone. It's a CECT 318 phone, from Asia and it works beautifully except it's not finding any canadian networks. I'm assuming this means it's locked. It's a tri-band phone with the proper GSNM frequencies so that shouldn't be an issue either.

So where do I go to get my phone unlocked? Preferably downtown. Even better if there's a place in Chinatown I can do it, because maybe someone will be able to tell me what the chinese "fine print" says.

Mini-putt?

2008-09-05T02:12:42Z

I'm looking for a mini-putt course that's really awesome... i.e. windmills where you have to get the ball in between the slats while they're turning, holes where you get it in one hole, it goes through a tube and comes out somewhere else, etc.

Anywhere in Montreal or the surrounding area. I'm thinking this may only be found off the island if there are any around.

Thanks!

Compaq Presario Laptop for sale

2008-09-05T01:36:22Z

Hey so who wants to really help me out? I'm selling my laptop and it is in very good condition. It's a Compaq Presario, 17" screen, For sale at 650$ including the warranty. It's in good working & physical condition. Windows XP. Purchase date 04/05/06 (purchased with BEST BUY (pointe-claire) PSP3 year extended warranty). If you buy the laptop I will give you all the original paperwork and all receipts + Recovery disks. Original purchase price: 1000$ (+tax). (I may even throw in a mouse and the laptop case!:))

Images:

Comment either here, on my journal (last public entry will work fine), or you can even suggest other websites I can advertise it on. (I've already got it on craigslist).

Thanks for your help!:)

Crumpets?

2008-09-05T00:19:19Z

I very much hope that someone would be able to help us with the following, very pressing problem:

My friend and I have a BURNING desire for crumpets, and we can't seem to find them at supermarkets anywhere. Can someone help us...is there anywhere where one can buy a crumpet? Preferably in Mile End or Downtown?

Thanks awfully!!

free to a good home - futon mattress

2008-09-04T20:13:51Z

I have a futon mattress in reasonably good condition to give away. It's a double, reasonably comfortable, and in good shape - one or two stains and some cat fur on it, no big deal (unless you are allergic!). It would be great for a bed - works fine right on the floor. We've used it as a spare bed for a while but now we need the space...

Anyway, I'm in NDG, about a 10-15 min walk from Villa Maria metro. If you want it message me on LJ and it's gone to the first person to come to my door and take it. You may need a buddy to help you carry it, esp. if you want to cart it home by metro. Come any evening after 6 - tonight would be great! if it's not gone by Monday it will go to the large item pickup.

Considering a West End Scrabble Meetup

2008-09-04T19:43:10Z

Hello all,

I went to the most recent Scrabble meetup at Laurier Park and had a great time. Many thanks to Joe, Amanda, Laura and Darcy! :-)

The only problem was distance. It takes someone from my neck of the woods about 20 minutes by car with only the normal traffic headaches. Public transit will turn that into almost an hour. As a result, I missed out on the beginning and therefore a chance to play more than one game.

So I proposed a possible 2nd meetup group, only this time in NDG. I suggested that it meet on a different day (Saturdays instead of Sundays) and during a different week so as to avoid conflicts. That way people can go to both!

So Montrealers, what say you? Does having a west end group sound like something you'd be interested in trying?

Ping pong!

2008-09-04T19:22:39Z

After much bugging and nagging on my part to my boyfriend, it seems we have a ping pong to get rid of.

I was hoping to make a donation to an high school, a community center or any local community services that may appreciate such donation. We are located in the Ville St Laurent area.

If you know any contact person I should get in touch with for this, I would be much obliged.

Thanks!

montreal @ 2008-09-04T13:09:00

2008-09-04T17:14:35Z

hi
i need to learn microsoft excel in a limited amount of time (well at least get the hang of it), and i was wondering if there was somewhere in montreal that offer group teaching (beginner, obviously). i found many tutorials online, but i'd prefer to spend some time with someone who could teach me to get me started.

any informations would be much appreciated!
thanks.

Midtown Le Sporting Club Sanctuaire

2008-09-04T14:53:01Z

Anyone ever been to an event at Midtown Le Sporting Club Sanctuaire in Outremont? Some meeting, party or wedding? I'm looking at having something there, but I haven't been able to find any testimonials or reviews online. Is the staff good? How's the food? Do they try to sneak in extra charges? I want to know before I fork over a couple of hundred for a deposit.

Any help or advice is appreciated!

Cancer Connections - Promenade Place Des Arts - free all month!

2008-09-04T03:48:03Z

I was so very moved by the amount of people that turned out to the opening of cancer connections today. Put on by the organization called photosensitive.com, the project is a traveling exposition by photographers (professional and non-professional) whose lives have been touched by cancer. The show started in toronto, and will move across the country and with each stop, people in each provence are encouraged to submit photos of themselves, friends, family, loved ones and share their stories. So far, I think the count is 300, and by the time it returns to Ottawa in 2010, the organizers hope to have over 1000 images!

the picture I took of my mom was there - we could not make it to the grand opening in toronto cause she was having surgery to remove a tumor from her lung, but now she's on the mend and let me tell you, standing there, surrounded by hundreds of other images of people who have had cancer in their lives, in one way or another was scary and humbling at the same time.

All the images are 16x20 inches, black and white with a little blurb about the photographer/subject. My mom is the woman with the cookie cutter sized hole in her back - standing strong, looking beautiful, surviving each day, one marvelous moment at a time.

Walking around the site (open air concept) made me realize just how common cancer has become - quite scary. But being able to meet with other montrealers who were at the vernisage, and talk with them about their experiences made me realize just how much I love this city and the people in it.

so go and see it - be a part of it! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

trying to locate:

2008-09-04T00:15:57Z

i am desperately trying to recall the name and location of a cafe my friend took me to years ago in montreal, as i wish to go there again!

the food was vegetarian, perhaps organic, homemade bread and so on. it was a small, very crazily decorated building with a garden terrace out back, lots of potted plants, on a fairly quiet street. the neighborhood seemed to be small business and residential. the sandwich i had was cream cheese, honey, cucumbers, and walnuts on seed bread; i'd never tasted anything so good :) and it was 3 layers tall.

if any of this rings a bell with anyone, let me know! merci beaucoups :)

Where to buy a Méchoui / Whole Hog Spit Roaster

2008-09-04T00:08:10Z

I'm starting an annual pig roast this fall, and I'd like to buy a large charcoal grill (~5') with an electric rotisserie attachment. I've rented the méchoui set up from party places (Bravoparty.com), but I'd like to own one now. The rented ones are more grill than I need, and sell for ~$3000, I'm looking in the sub $1000 range. I found this model on the home hardware website retailing for $600, but none of the stores I've called seem to have them. I won't be cooking an animal over 100 lbs. Anyone know where I should start looking?

Custom Printed Cards

2008-09-03T18:16:47Z

I need to get some custom thank you cards printed fast. They need to have a photo printed on the front.

Any ideas?

Planting bulbs

2008-09-03T15:52:30Z

Along my street there are a lot of mini-gardens planted around sidewalk trees, and most of them seem to be doing pretty well with daylilies of one sort or another.

The tree outside my house has a grass square that grows nothing but weeds, and I thought it might be nice to plant a few things that would perk the place up next spring, but I know zilch about planting bulbs except you're supposed to put them in the ground sometime in the autumn to sprout the following spring.

So, questions: when IS the right time to plant bulbs here? And where do I buy them? Do regular gardening places have them in the fall, or should I consider mail order?

If you've had success here with any specific variety, it would be nice to know that too.

foot massage

2008-09-02T21:12:59Z

Hello!
I would like to know if you are aware of a place that would give a good foot massage. I think there's a place in Chinatown but can't seem to find it. I'm used to go to the Ovarium but I want someone specialised.
thanks a bunch!

montreal @ 2008-09-02T14:34:00

2008-09-02T18:45:08Z

Hoping for the benefits of being able to buy a monthly bus pas with my debit or credit card at the automatic machines in the metro stations (as opposed to carrying around $70 cash, having the metro booth person be missing, having them "run out" of bus passes, etc) as well as the advantage of the insurance policy (supposedly if you lose your bus pass the STM will be able to reimbourse you) I decided to buy an OPUS card today.

First, I tried to purchase one at the automatic machines in the metro station - no luck. These just recharge existing cards.

Then, I tried to check the STM website to find out where opus cards could be purchased. Unsurprisingly, the Where to buy it section of the STM website doesn't tell you where to buy the opus card. It states only that "The OPUS card is gradually going on sale throughout the metropolitan area ..." followed by instructions indicating how to FILL your opus card at the automated machines.

So, then I called the STM OPUS info line 514 STM-OPUS (514 786-6787) where the nice gentlemen told me I could buy a blank opus card from the metro ticket seller, as well as in a list of designated service areas available on the website. So I check the list and find a Pharmaprix close to here has them I go - and find out I didn't read the small print carefully enough; they will not be available at the Pharmaprix until the end of October.

So... I trek to the metro, and wait in line (September 2nd! Line is huge!) for the ticket operator to sell me an opus card. I finally get to the front of the line and am told the metro operator can't sell me an opus card because they are changing shift and I have to wait for the new guy, 5-10 min. So I say I wait and I step back for other people to be able to be served.

Eventually I am beckoned and I try (for the fourth time) to buy the card - but am told I cannot buy a blank opus card, contrary to what the STM opus info line informed me. Instead I have to buy it already filled with either one transit, six passes, or a monthly pass. I have only $5 cash, not nearly enough to buy a bus pass and the opus card. The guy tells me I can buy it with one ticket on it. I scrounge and count nickels and dimes and manage to come up with the extra change.

Finally, I am able to go to an automatic refill machine and add a monthly pass to the card. I have no idea if my single use fare is still available or deleted - I suppose time will tell.

To the STM: the technology problems of the opus card are MINOR compared with the communication problems. Is it really so difficult to have clear, accurate information available on the website, and via your operators? It really shouldn't be. A simple list of where opus cards are available, and in what denominations should be fairly simple to generate.

Also, the replacement option? Or, in other words, the main advantage of the opus cards? Registration of opus cards for those on full fare monthly passes will not be available until "the end of fall 2008". GREAT.

For regular fare transit users, I recommend waiting at least several months before upgrading to an opus card! Perhaps by then they will be more widely available and easier to acquire. What a hassle!!!

montreal @ 2008-09-02T14:12:00

2008-09-02T18:23:39Z

Another random "where can I find..." post.

Do any of you know where I could buy mint aero chocolate bars in bulk? Maybe in a box of 20 or 30 of them? (Or any amount, really). I know that I could walk to most deps, but I'm hoping for something a bit more graceful than just walking in and grabbing fistfuls of them.... and then if they don't have that many, having to go and do the same thing at the next one. (I've considered Costco, but I'm hoping for a non-membership option too).

Thanks!

Eviction Process, due to Pets, Montréal...

2008-09-02T17:48:53Z

Basically, my sister (and her fiancée, who is not on the lease) just moved here from BC, and 24 hours before she arrived I co-signed her lease (after viewing the apartment a few weeks ago). No mention at the time of the original viewing that no pets were allowed...and in fact, I saw and heard a dog on the same floor the first time I was there. This was almost a month ago.

24 hours before my sister arrives, I co-sign her lease and there is a box that says NO PETS. And it's checked off. SH*T! I sign anyways, knowing that she means to fly her two pugpoo puppies out in a few days.

I call her as soon as I get home, tell her the sitch...she gets here, signs the lease as is, says nothing to the landlord, and flies them out anyways. The next day she gets caught by the janitor and now we have to meet with the owner of the building tonight (same guy who showed me the place).

Can she get evicted? How soon does she have to be out if so? Do we have to pay penalties? Basically, is she going to be out on the street in, like, DAYS, or does she at least have a month or two to find a new place? I mean, I figure, she breached the lease, so there are grounds to evict her....but I cannot find anything online to show me how fast she would have to be out by.

restaurant recommendations wanted

2008-09-02T17:11:54Z

Restaurants with good food and a decent wine list either in the Plateau area or in the Old Port? Preferrably without need for reservations (for tonight), and with reasonable prices (15-25$ for an entrée)

Thanks!!

montreal @ 2008-09-02T06:07:00

2008-09-02T10:11:06Z

Does anyone know where I could fine earrings like these??
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v209/anarkya/Rings-1.jpg

I know that I could go to any piercing shops, but.. the ones I went to in the west-island didnt had them and if I go to Montreal today I won't have time to do many shops, and I just wanna make sure they have it if I go..

Thanks for your help

FREE monitor

2008-09-02T04:22:05Z

Hello Montreal LJers!

I've (finally) upgraded computer monitors. That being said, the old one's up for grabs.

It is a 14 inch CRT, beige monitor.

You'll have to come pick it up, though; I live in the West Island. Otherwise, it'll be making its way down random fripperie aisles.

Comment below if ya want it.

Make up stores in Montreal

2008-09-01T22:39:22Z

Where in the city can I get fake blood, spirit gum, and other costume/make up related oddities?

Anything in the Plateau or accessible via metro?

Thanks....

Beaches/Hotels around Montreal

2008-09-01T22:19:44Z

Hi,

I know this community is for Montreal but I figured asking this won't hurt seeing as other Montrealers might want to know this type of info. Correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm wondering if anyone can answer some questions I have about Magog. I would like to take a weekend trip from Montreal to Magog. The whole idea is to get some beach/relaxing time before summer ends. I know that Magog borders on Lac Memphremagog but I'm wondering if the beach is easily accesible by foot from the main town. Also, does anyone know of an inexpensive: read cheap, but minimally sketchy hotel or B&B that you could reccomend in Magog? I would like to go overnight if possible but am on a very tight budget.
My last question is if anyone can reccomend other beaches near Montreal that may be accesible by bus or rideshare that offer some relaxation. I don't drive which is why I chose Magog because there's bus and rideshare out there and I know it a bit but I'm wondering if there is anywhere else that you could reccomend. I'm not from Montreal and don't kow where Montrealers go to relax.
Any input would be much appreciated.

Montreal Celtic Meetup

2008-09-01T21:38:19Z

Hi folks,

The 9th of September will be the inaugural meeting of the Montreal Scottish and Celtic Culture Meetup. What's that I hear you ask? Well, it's a new meetup for people of Scottish or Celtic heritage, or those interested in any aspect of the Scottish or Celtic heritage of Montreal. It's a get together where we'll have a bite to eat, have a beer, and a chat about Scottish and Celtic origins, history, art and music, or whatever else takes your fancy. The meetup is open to anyone Scottish or with Scottish ancestry. Celts (Welsh, Irish, Manx and Bretons) are also welcome to attend.

For more information, go here:

http://celticculture.meetup.com/16/

Feel free to join the meetup, that way you'll get all the information on this event, and all coming events, so if you can't make this one, you won't miss the next.

Dog Friendly Parks

2008-09-01T19:22:23Z

I want to go to a lake or some sort of outdoor hiking or whatever with my dog. Distance isn't a huge big deal as I have a car. Off-Leash areas would be a plus, but it's not a requirement. I just want somewhere I can go with the dog.

I'm thinking someplace like Oka, but Oka doesn't allow dogs. In fact, none of the Quebec Provincial Parks do.

Thanks for any help.