...on a lighter note...what about talents?

[Guest MayFlower1]

Hey,

 

I thought it would be fun to start a thread discussing what talents people have. I believe, each year there is a talent show or something at the UofO med school...can any current students verify this? If this is the case, what sort of talents have been "displayed" in the past? If this isn't the case, then I think we'll have to start a new tradition if we get accepted this year. For current applicants...what are YOUR talents?

 

Mine:

 

Talent #1: Close-up magic

 

Ya, I'm a wierdo... ha ha. I've loved magic since I was a little tyke...it all started with the hasbro magic kit...I had so much fun with it even though everyone knew how 99% of the tricks worked! It was the showmanship that I really enjoyed anyway

 

After seeing Doug Henning perform (ya, ok, now I'm really dating myself) I was literally sucked in. I began reading books at the local library...practicing...and getting pretty good. Many, many years later...I'm still doing it...I'm a member of the Ottawa Society of Magicians (International Brotherhood of Magicians, Ring #151...believe it or not, David Copperfield is a member of our ring...not that he actually comes to meetings anymore...). The magic I do isn't the cheesy, insulting, magic many people are familiar with...it's classy...pure sleight-of-hand...fun to watch...and, definitely, a dying artform. Without tooting my own horn too much, the illusions I do are close-up, engaging and quite mysterious...I even fool myself occasionally! Anyway, I have fun with it and people are always asking me to do some magic for them. My dining room sports two beautiful glass cabinets filled with interesting magical artifacts from all over the world...I hope I will have the chance to perform some magic for you guys in the coming years...

 

...oh ya, one more thing on this topic...a pet interest of mine is "Psychic Surgery"...if you haven't ever seen it done...it's quite amazing. The "surgeon" "removes" tumors, etc., etc., without the use of a knife, anaesthetic and leaves no scars...the observers get to see blood, guts...the "surgeon's" fingers going right into the patient's body...and, yes, even the stuff removed after surgery. Ha ha...obviously a sleight-of-hand scam...but quite impressive to watch!

 

Talent #2 - Guitar

 

I've played guitar since I was in my teens...I play everything from "golden oldies" such as old Aerosmith...to the latest stuff hitting the waves. Until this past year, I have been self-taught...learning only by ear. This past year, I bought myself a completely awesome guitar...a Taylor for those of you who are "in the know"...the agreement I had with myself was that if I was going to buy a wicked guitar...I had to learn to read music. I've been taking classical guitar training for a year now...and have actually learned to read music! Very cool...so now I also play the really "golden oldies"...like the music that may have been played for royalty in medieval times. Anyway, I enjoy my music and also hope to share this with others in the years to come.

 

Talent #3: Cooking & Wicked Martini Making

 

I think this one speaks for itself...doesn't lend itself to a great talent show act...but does make for some great "study nights" or class parties.

 

I look forward to seeing what other interesting talents are "out there".

 

Peter

[Guest misagh]

AWESOME IDEA!!

 

Peter, hook us up with some magic! Ever since seeing David Blaine do his thang, I've been practicing my levitation technique...

 

OK here goes for me:

 

- I can play the Australian Digeridoo and the mouth organ. Two unique instruments, with unique sounds. My digeridoo is straight from the outback, purchased at an aboriginal shop on a reserve in Australia. My uncle does work with the aboriginals there, and he asked one of the chiefs to purchase this digeridoo as no non-aboriginal person is allowed in the shop. My digeridoo is made of mulba wood (spelling?), a very strong and dense wood (it sinks in water), and it has a painting of an elder face on it, very lifelike and b eautiful. I learned to play mouth organ in about 20 mins. I used to live in Newfoundland, and I bought a mouth organ at a historic site called Cape Spear. My dad showed me how it's played, and by the time we got home, after having a few cuts on my lip and tongue, I had mastered the ancient art.

 

- Dancing. I'm not formally trained, and I don't like to draw attention to myself, but I love to dance at parties/clubs/etc. and people have told me I'm good. I do everything from Michael Jackson to Arabic belly dancing and literally everything in between. BUT, I think that just shows how good I am at fooling people... here's my trick ladies and gentlemen: Next time u'r at a club or party or whatever, just watch what the one or two people who know what they're doing are doing. That's my secret. I watch the ppl who know how to bust it, and I basically adapt their moves. Keep abreast of music videos, etc. too. That's it. In no time you will also have this amazing talent under u'r belt. Use this knowledge wisely, daniel-san...

 

- Piano. I've played for a number of years, everything from classical to boogie and jazz.

 

Ooops, i should go now, i'll post other stuff if i think about them...

 

looking forward to hearing other ppl's talents!

[Guest carletongirl]

Wow! Misagh and Peter, you guys have some great talents. As for me, I have no unique talents. I enjoy singing and I think I'm a decent singer. If we are all at U of O next year for talent night, we should do an act together (Peter on the guitar, Misagh with a mouth organ and myself on vocals! And let's not forget that Tappety Tap could tap dance!).

My new talent is cooking Indian food...in fact I would say that even though I have been experimenting (no recipes), I may be competing with my mom and grandmother who are great cooks!

[Guest MayFlower1]

...almost sounds rude! :lol

 

My friend actually also bought one from the "outback" and I had the opportunity to play (or attempt to play) it. He said I was a natural...I actually got it to "hum" within about 10 minutes. The reciprocal breathing is what I couldn't master...I got close...but no cigar...I suspect the reciprocal breathing takes a bit longer to master...

 

Peter

[Guest tappety tap]

IM IN!!

 

I would love to bring out the good old tap shoes again!!

[Guest misagh]

Hiya, more to add to my list of "talents"

 

- Stupid human tricks: I can make strange and funny noises with my hands, lips, and various body parts. It makes for a great conversation starter.

 

BTW, about the digeridoo, I have yet to master the circular breathing technique as well... I know *how* it's done, but as Morpheus so wisely said, "There's a difference between knowing the path, and walking the path..."

 

(BTW, am I allowed to post completely tangential posts, such as "The Matrix Reloaded", so to solicit some great Matrix discussion? Perhaps in the general premed discussion forum?)

 

- I can curl my tongue into that crazy flower shape, as well as the standard loop.

 

I think i've exhausted all of my talents.... The product of more than two decades of practice and determination!

 

Carletongirl, I love Indian food! Except it's a bit too spicy for my taste buds... it's actually very similar to persian food, sometimes with differences in preparation techniques and minor ingredients.

 

And, I about the idea of forming a band... I think we'll need a kickin' name...

 

Anxious to read about more talents!

 

- m

[Guest tappety tap]

Misagh...hehe you're too funny! I think you could probably come up with the most "kickin" name...any ideas? Or are we getting juuuuust a tad carried away! hehehe!

 

MEL

[Guest MayFlower1]

carletongirl...I hope to taste some of your cooking one day...I love Indian food...the hotter the better. I only do a few...I do a wicked curried lamb...and I also have a nice spicy rice dish.

 

Peter

 

P.S. Tappety Tap, we could call the band... "Hot Digeridoo"

 

or "Spinal Tappety Tap"

 

or "The MEDolic"

 

or "We really stink but we're funny to watch"

[Guest UOMeds06]

Funny that this post is up because our class just held a talent auction last week. We raised almost $600 by various classmates donating lessons in what ever they were good at. We didn't have any stupid human tricks to offer....though I sure that they would have gone for a pretty penny!

UOMeds06

[Guest MayFlower1]

Oh darn, I forgot to mention one of my more disgusting stupid human tricks. When I was a smoker, I created a wonderful cigarette routine...as part of the routine, I eat several lit cigarettes...avoids lung cancer...but man...the next morning...ouch!

 

Ha ha...seriously, this is a very interesting routine I will likely do at a talent show should I get into meds...the patter can be easily tailored to the bad things about smoking...

 

Peter

[Guest kellyl20]

Hi Peter: Am going to Montreal for a visit, first time. Can you pls tell me some of the places/highlights that I should take in while there. I remember reading that you used to live there before.

Thanks!

[Guest Blackbird15]

Misagh, are you Persian by any chance? I actually find persian food to be fairly bland compared to Indian food (but still oh so good!), but maybe that's just how my mom makes it...Y'all have a lot of really cool talents! For me, it took trying to learn two separate instruments before I realized I have no musical talent whatsoever... I still have my dust catcher/electric-guitar-I- bought-on-my-student-loans sitting in the corner of my room catching dust to show for said lack of talent. :lol

 

Blackbird

[Guest MayFlower1]

Blackbird...

 

...it too bad your dust catcher isn't providing you with more function...I've heard they make good kindling (sp?) for starting camp fires too...

 

Peter

[Guest MayFlower1]

Hi Kelly,

 

Am going to Montreal for a visit, first time. Can you pls tell me some of the places/highlights that I should take in while there. I remember reading that you used to live there before.

 

Yup...you remembered correctly. Please keep in mind I haven't lived in Montreal for quite some time...you might want to post in the McGill forum to the attention of "the Medicator"...tell him I suggested you ask...he'll be very helpful.

 

Anyway, here are the things I would highly recommend:

 

1) The mountain...a beautiful drive or bike (although it would be a really hard bike on the way up)...you can walk through tons of paths once on the mountain...beautiful lookouts at the top...great views of Montreal.

 

2) The Plateau Area - hot, upscale, nouveau, area with all kinds of nifty stores, restaurents, bars, etc.

 

3) St. Viateur Bagel - (sorry for those of you who recommend the "other" place)...great fresh bagels...the best in the world in my opinion...

 

4) Old Montreal - take a walk down in old montreal...plan to have dinner there on one of the many terraces...absolutely beautiful

 

5) The Museum of Fine Art on Sherbrooke Street.

 

6) Downtown shopping...great fashion if you're into that sort of thing

 

7) Chabanel Street...rag trade central...great deals on all kinds of really unique and standard clothing

 

8) Schwartz's Deli - the best Montreal style smoked meat in town...the biggest dill pickels you've ever seen!

 

These are, in my opinion, a few of the really "must do" things in Montreal.

 

Hope this helps. Have a great time!

 

Peter

[Guest medicator007]

Kelly (and peter),

 

No need to post the question in the McGill, i check around in this Ottawa section every now and then to see Peter's latest pill-o-meter updates :rollin

 

Peter pretty much hit up on all of the MAJOR must do spots in Montreal... i'll editorialize some of his points and try and suggest some additional ones.

 

3) There is no "Other" place for bagels... as UWO's very own Crackers can attest.... St. Viateur is the ONLY place to get true Montreal bagels, piping hot out of that delicious wood burning oven... as he would say "Go Bagels!"

 

4) Old Montreal is a must, lots of great architecture if you are into that (you can actually see the stone wall that surrounded Old Montreal if you know where to look!), depending on the weather the street performers may or may not be out. Be sure to check out the old port which is right on the water and DEFINATELY have dinner at a terrace, if not here, than somewhere else, St. Lawrence or St. Denis streets... truly a great culinary experience.

 

8) Hands down the best smoked meat sandwhich in town, cramped eating space where u get to sit with strangers (which is part of the mystique), huge sandwhiches (please don't order one lean, its JUST WRONG!) and as peter mentioned..... fantastic pickles.

 

As well... from a food standpoint if you are here during the week you may want to try out Wilensky's.. great lunchtime (only open a few hrs a day) experience... Mordecai Richler spent most of his youth here and even wrote about it in The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz

 

If you are into the outdoorsy thing (walking, bike, blading) you may want to swing over to our favourite artificial island crafted from the dirt dug up to make our subway system. It's home to the formula one race track, montreal casino and numerous other attractions.... not to mention just plain gorgeous in the summer.

 

As far as nite life.... if you are into the clubbing scene.. you'll have no problems finding a place to suit your needs on Cresecent or St. Lawrence Streets.... if you prefer bars, might i suggest one of the many fine Irish Pubs in the city (personal bias).

 

Lemme know if you want anything more in specific.

 

Medicator

[Guest MayFlower1]

Oh medicator...tsk...tsk...

 

3) There is no "Other" place for bagels...

 

Oh there IS one...you know what it's called. They're not too bad...but I must admit St. Viateur has far superior bagels.

 

8) Hands down the best smoked meat sandwhich in town, cramped eating space where u get to sit with strangers (which is part of the mystique), huge sandwhiches (please don't order one lean, its JUST WRONG!) and as peter mentioned..... fantastic pickles.

 

You're too funny, I completely forgot about the "cramped eating space where u get to sit with strangers." It does add a certain je ne sais quoi! Oh, and you're absolutely right about the lean thing...you have to have regular smoked meat or it's kinda like drinking decaffeinated coffee...or no-alcohol beer...ya, it kinda tastes similar...but it's missing the "yummy". If you're worried about gaining weight...take my advice and walk around the mountain for an hour or two for balance.

 

If you are into the outdoorsy thing (walking, bike, blading) you may want to swing over to our favourite artificial island crafted from the dirt dug up to make our subway system. It's home to the formula one race track, montreal casino and numerous other attractions.... not to mention just plain gorgeous in the summer.

 

Geeze...this quote reminded me about something from my teenage years...I took my mum's Volkswagen Rabbit to the formula one track and let it rip...I just about killed myself on the hairpin turn...I have no idea how the race cars go so fast through that turn...I literally had to go about 20 km/hour through it...talking about fun...you should try it sometime if it's still accessible...bye the way...night time is probably a good idea Thanks for the nostalgia...man, I miss La Belle Province.

 

Peter

[Guest ewewpickme]

hehehe, I think I can add to this trio...see I play a mean armpit. Oh ya, you can always use this talent, you'd be surprised the demand for a good armpit player with decent pitch. Hehehe, just kidding, but I do play the piano and grapple with the guitar. But if I were to play a part in your band I think for the group as a whole, I'd be best to paint myself in psychadelic flowers and prance around as an interpretive dance. Let me know!

[Guest kellyl20]

Thanks bunches guys! I really appreciate all the info. While I am going to be in that part of the country (I am also trying to get the most bang for my bucks) I will either train it or bus it to Quebec City to see it for a day.

I don't suppose either of you had lived in Quebec City before?

Thx.

[Guest MayFlower1]

ewewpickme,

 

First of all, you have a great moniker...ha ha

 

Second of all, perhaps your interpretive dance could be used to distract the crowd from us! Or, could you imagine interpretive dance with a smatter of armpit playing...wow...now that could be catchy!

 

Peter

[Guest MayFlower1]

Sorry Kelly,

 

I've been to Quebec City but couldn't give you the same perspective as I can for Montreal. Too bad you're not going in the winter...the snow and ice sculptures are magnificent...although so is the vomit in the snow...this is the time of year that the native Quebec City folk take off and give their part of the world up to annoying tourists. You'll love it though.

 

Peter

[Guest medicator007]

Hey Kelly,

 

Never live there, sorry.. but i've been as a tourist several times and can provides some ideas.

 

- National (legislative) assembly and surroundings. gorgeous buildings, lots of history and statues... u'll certainly hear about the gun-crazed maniac who came into there and took hostages!

 

-Plains of Abraham.. breathtaking landscape, also the site of the famous (albeit short lived) battle between wolfe and montcalme (both died) for control of quebec and ultimately Canada! Perhaps this can help you figure out the "Je me souviens" on our plates

 

- Food.. well, there are some great small french restaurants here, best to ask the locals as I havent been in several years! Be sure to have "Onion soup au gratin"....mmmmmm

 

-Clubs... sorry.. was like 13 the last time i was there ;-)

 

Hope that helps!

 

medicator

[Guest UOMeds05]

best memory from Quebec city, by far, : Chez Degobear (i have no idea how it is spelled but it is a great club that is quite famous.) Anyone that has been/lived in the city has heard of it i would guess.... enjoy. great city!

[Guest UWOMED2005]

I can fill you in on the Clubs in Quebec city. UOMeds05 is right except for the spelling, Chez Dagobert is an amazing club for tourists with its outstanding laser-light video dance parties. The age of the crowd is fairly young though on non-FSS 2002 nights. . . averaging about 18-22.

 

Most of the best clubs are on the same road, Grande Allee (might have the spelling there wrong.) It's the same road that runs along the Plains of Abraham. In addition to Cosmo, across the street is a three story complex I'd also recommend. The bottom level is Cosmo, one of the 'chic'er places to eat in Quebec city. I think it's the top level that is Chez Maurice, that tends to have an older and much swankier clientelle than Chez Dagobert. For something in between try "Charlotte," which if I remember correctly is the middle level. It's got more of a lounge/retro feel to it, and has a number of alcoves perfect for scotch and cigars. Last time I was there with a friend of mine from QC we ran into Jean-Luc Brassard. My friend, who's pretty involved in the QC athletic scene (speed skating and mountain biking) actually knows the guy and introduced me. It was pretty cool.

 

Beyond that, I'd highly highly recommend wandering around old Quebec to do some (window) shopping. There are some really unique shops in there with a European feel unmatched in North America, even in Montreal.

[Guest wassabi101]

Hmm....talents......well I love to dance! Ballet, jazz, tap, modern, swing, latin, ballroom, etc! I was co-owner of a dance school back in Gatineau before moving to Montreal with over 100 students and I trained in Boston for my professional teacher's diploma for 3 years. I even made a commercial for a jean's company (noone ask which one cause it was so embarassing I'd definately have to be intoxicated to share :\ ) I've done a lot of choreography work and if I got into med school, I would love to participate in this med talent show by choreographing a piece. I taught a lot of adults and love to secretly get the men involved--no splits, just lots of attitude and swinging hips in beat with the music

 

My whole family is very musically talented--my father plays the trumpet, my mom the piano, the violin and the clarinet, my brother the violin, my sister the violin, piano and voice and I sing, play the piano and am *currently* learning the guitar (piano was too big to bring with me to my apartment!) I sing at weddings and receptions, in the shower, in the streets, in my sleep really Piano I've been teaching for a few years and still teach in Montreal.

 

In science since highschool, I always thought I was more artistic than scientific and if I would have known that I could have studied anything before applying to med school, I probably would have chosen music or dance instead of microbiology/sociology. But now that I've done my MSc. in Epidemiology, I've definately come to thinking that medicine and epidemiology are both a science and an art, and I'm glad that I had the opportunities in my life to try and love them both!

 

Funny tricks? well, *I* don't think it's very funny but my friends do tend to laugh at me alot so I guess I have an aptitude for this---supposedly, I have a lot of difficulty pronouncing certain words because of the mix of my english and french heritage (or so I blame it on that )...like mirror, MNM, herbs....etc!

 

I also have some funny things I can do....

 

like put my legs behind my head while sitting....

 

lol

 

That's about it for now..... !

 

lol

 

good post---made me laugh! thanks

 

-wassabi