Easter 2013

Happy Easter 2013...  Photo 1: Easter Lilies;
See website LeStudio1.com;

The newspaper LE DROIT of Ottawa celebrates 100 years...

Le Droit in Ottawa celebrated Wednesday, March 27, his 100 years... 
A small newspaper often moribund but which made history, long associated directly to Catholic religious clergy who also managed the activities. This newspaper represents the deepest history of Francophones in Canada. 
At the beginning of the century until the 1960s, there was in French Canada three major newspapers activists French: Le Devoir of Montreal; L'Evangeline of Moncton and Le Droit in Ottawa. Of the three, L'Evangeline disappeared in 1982 to be replaced by L'Acadie Nouvelle. 
Happy Birthday LE DROIT! 
Photo 1: The 100-year anniversary celebrations;
See LE DROIT website ;

The Museum of Contemporary Art Montreal changes direction ...

by Bernard Bujold (leStudio1.com) -
The Musée d'art contemporain de Montreal has no director... The news was announced by press release and the process to recruit a new director will be the responsibility of a committee. 
The paris are open but Manon Blanchette would be an ideal candidate as she formerly served as Chief Curator and Director of Communications and Marketing at the Musée d'art contemporain de Montreal. Since January 2012, Manon Blanchette provides operations management at Museum Pointe-à-Callière and she was previously CEO of Society of Montreal Museum Directors. 
The Museum of Contemporary Art is in a crisis of identity since the departure of Marcel Brisebois who was director from 1985 to 2004. Marc Mayer had replaced him but he left in 2008 to take direction at the most prestigious Musée des Beaux-arts in Ottawa. The appointment of the current director Paulette Gagnon was not well received and even publicly challenged by the arts community in 2009. 
To be continued. 
Photo 1: Musée d'art contemporain de Montreal;
Photo 2: Manon Blanchette
See press release ;

The popularity of sex...

And women said that they do not like sex... False answer for sure! 
The "Fifty Shades" trilogy sold 70 million print and digital copies in 2012, making it one of the best-selling book series of all time. Its financial effect was so strong that publisher Random House gave each employee a $5,000 bonus.
Pictures: Cover of the three books ;
See story The Wall Street Journal ;

The love story of Senator Boisvenu...

by Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1) -  The story of Senator Boisvenu is not unique. In fact it is a beautiful love story! The sadness of this case is that the media has tranformed the two lovers in newsmakers. But the fault is largely, even entirely, that the Senator should have been quickly and nimbly find employment elsewhere in Parliament for his assistant. 
In this age of the internet, the secrets must be honest because if not and it goes public, then the scandal and humiliation in the public are resulting... 
Picture: Senator Boisvenu and his assistant ;

See interview Senator Boisvenu:
by MARC PIGEON @ JOURNAL OF MONTREAL, Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu swear he never stole a penny in the Senate and he is in politics for the cause and not for money. "I'm not a big lifestyle senator," he says."I'm not here for my pocket" Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu does not hide it: he fell in love with his assistant.
Forbidden love propelled him into a media storm which he struggles to escape.
In an interview given to Journal de Montreal this week, the 64 year old man felt the need to make the point. After the death of her daughter, Julie, who was assassinated in 2002, and her other daughter, Isabella, who died in a road accident in 2005, his marriage with his wife of 40 years, Diane Carlos, was floundering. - Is a couple can survive tragedies like the ones you had? - Eighty percent of couples separate. I think it is a miracle that has been 10 years.
 Since 2006, he has put his relationship in question, he said. It is 2010, the year of his arrival in the Senate, his wife had 'requested separation, "he said. "We were not at all in the same place in our lives, he said. I was in another world in terms of activities and achievements. "
A few months later, Isabelle Lapointe was hired as an assistant at his office Senate. In addition to a great professional complicity, he developed a bond that slowly took the form of love. An attraction he confessed to his wife in the spring of 2011. But things were not so simple. One does not balance overboard relationship decades old like that.
"I felt very guilty of abandoning admits Boisvenu. Abandon a woman to 63 years for the general public, there is a notion of evil there. I wondered if I would stay again 20 years in this situation for her. And I said no. I decided to fill my life, be active and be happy. " Senator speaks of Mrs. Carlos with great respect for his experience, for all the hardships she went through.
"Diane, it was very, very difficult. Julie she lost her mother, Isabelle, his father five years. And she had a cancer over that. I think it is a brave woman. "
The year that followed was a year of "yo-yo," he said, as he has tried to pick up the pieces of his marriage. But in early 2012, he had to face the facts: the couple was now doomed. Then, the relationship with his assistant has grown. "In my life, there was a gaping hole on the emotional level, he says, wiping his eyes. It happened what happened. This is a woman who was what I needed as dynamism. It was a very, very helpful. "
But the rules of the Senate are cautious about such a relationship. In the summer of 2012, Mr. Boisvenu went to see the Senate ethics officer to explain the situation. And to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest, it has been suggested that his assistant be transferred to another office, if their relationship should continue.
"It's easy to say but not easy to do, says Boisvenu. Isabelle was the heart of the office. It took a few months to reflect, discuss. " Few months have stretched into early March. "I may have been imprudent, I'll take the blame," he said. Mr. Boisvenu said they had to take action when "the bomb fell." Media made headlines with its binding, his divorce, his housing allowance, travel expenses and all that when checks were conducted on three senators. He also swears he had "never stolen a penny" in the Senate.
If his relationship with his assistant is currently in neutral since December, the media coverage of this connection, two weeks ago, has "broken" the climate between Mr. Boisvenu and his wife. "It came completely antagonize relations. We do not talk any more. We went from friends to almost enemies. And I take my share of responsibility. But it is something that is not normally in the public eyes. "
See story Le Journal de Montreal ;

THE POLITICAL CHAMPIONS...

by Bernard Bujold (leStudio1.com) -
Philippe Couillard will not change the world but one thing is obvious,  he and Justin Trudeau have momentum reminiscent of the phenomenon Jack Layton. The crowd is captivated! 
The conclusion will probably be the same. Justin will eventually be elected Prime Minister of Canada in a few years and, in the case of Couillard, he will become the next Prime Minister of Quebec in a few months because the current government is a minority and unpopular, which should result in a election soon. 
Nobody will change the world, but the "world" change leaders... 
Politics is like sports and in Quebec, Pauline Marois and Legault are not, obviously, champions. The place is empty and as among sports fans, voters love champions. 
Voters never vote with reason but with emotion. Quebecers knew that Jack would not be Prime Minister of Canada but they liked him, and he was likable. Justin and Philippe are friendly and even if that can not be explained logically, they are attractive. In a sense, people are seeing themselves in the image projected by these two politicians as we often see ourselves in a sport star or a rock star. 
I would say that the explanation is in the "mirage"... 
Stay tuned! 
Photo 1: Jack Layton, Philippe Couillard and Justin Trudeau;
See interview Philippe Couillard ;

Joe Weider (1919-2013)

by Bernard Bujold (leStudio1.com) -
Joe Weider (93 years) died Saturday, March 23, 2013 in Los Angeles. Joe and his brother Ben had popularized the training method with weights and they were the empire builders of WEIDER which was internationally recognized at the level of fitness equipment. They are also those who had invited the champion Arnold Schwarzenegger to settle in the United States and they launched his career. 
I did not know Joe who lived in Los Angeles but I was a friend of his brother Ben who died in 2008 and who led throughout his life part of the empire from Montreal. The death of Joe Weider turns a page in the history of a world success which had first started in Montreal.
Photo 1: Joe Weider;
Photo 2: Ben and Joe Weider;
Photo 3: Cover of the Weider autobiography;
See story The New York Times ; 
See book Brothers of Iron ; 
See Photo reports LeStudio1 Ben Weider ;

Happy Spring 2013

It is now officially Wednesday, March 20, 2013, the new spring season... 
Happy Spring! 
Picture: Mansion of the Grey Nuns on St. Bernard Island in Châteauguay (Quebec);
See official Website LeStudio1.com ;

The newspaper LA PRESSE will be free on the web

by Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) - 
Following the announcement earlier this week of the sale of their building, now the managers of the newspaper La Presse of Montreal announced that their format internet will be completely free from April 18, 2013 with no obligation to buy a print subscription or pay wall as do other newspapers. A very bold challenge but which will put the Montreal newspaper in front of its local competitors, especially Le Journal de Montreal, Le Devoir and the english newspapers like The Gazette and The Globe and Mail. 
To be continued... 
Photo 1, 2 and 3: Building La Presse;
Photo 4: Newsroom of La Presse ;
See Le Devoir report on the sale of the building ; 
See press release of LA PRESSE ;

Philippe Couillard is the new leader of Quebec Liberal Party...

by Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) - 
Philippe Couillard is the new Liberal leader with 58% of votes (1394) of 2377 delegates. Pierre Moreau won 22% of votes (521) and Raymond Bachand only 19.5% (462). 
Jean Charest was present at the congress held in Verdun for the election of substitute.
To be continued... 
Photo 1 et 2: Philippe Couillard ;
Photo 3: Pierre Moreau, Philippe Couillard, Raymond Bachand;
Photo 4: Jean Charest ;
See story La Presse ;

Pope Francis shoes...

The new Pope Francis will wear black shoes... Gone are the flashy red ones!
Photo: Pope Francis ;
See press conference ;

Gerard Depardieu talks about his life...

The friend Gérard Depardieu gave an exclusive interview about his impressions of France since he became a Russian citizen. A meeting very charming! 
Photo 1 and 2: Gérard Depardieu;
See interview ;

The end of demonstrations in Montreal...

by Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) - 
I love attending demonstrations for the energy they give off. But only at the beginning and then I come quietly at home because it is too dangerous. It is impossible to face off fellows equipped with sticks and helmets. I'm athletic but never in front a lost a match and uneven in advance... 
I wanted to be present at the march of Friday, March 15, 2013 against police violence but it never started! Upon my arrival on site at 5 pm, I could assess the situation and I said to myself that the meeting would not last long seeing the police force and especially their plan of encirclement. 
It looked like a game of hunt where foxes are circled without exit. Their plan worked perfectly as on the 400 people wanting to manifest, three quarters were arrested in less than two hours and only one small window was broken... The police plan seemed to be, for the first time, very well organized strategically. It must be said, however, that 200 policemen against 400 demonstrators is easier to manage than if there had been 2,000 people. 
Conclusion: the era of demonstrations seems to be over in Montreal as one of my friends said: "Everything in life eventually pass ..." Spring 2013 will have brought a new Pope, many new political leaders and end of the public protest. 
Happy Spring 2013! 
Photo 1,2 and 3: Demonstrators and police;
See photo album LeStudio1.com ;

The New Pope Francis...

by Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) - 
Habemus Papam! We have a new Pope! 
Personally I am disappointed that Georg Gänswein is not the new Pope but hey, maybe next time. I remain convinced that Don Georg would have been a breath of freshness and renewal for the Catholic Church but it is the opinion of a non-practicing Catholic, which I am ... 
The new pope was first known as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, born December 17, 1936 (76 years), in Buenos Aires and was Argentine Archbishop since 1998. He was appointed cardinal in 2001. He chose his Pope name in honor of St Francis of Assisi the patron of the poor... 
"Vivant novum pontificem Francisci!" "Long life to the new pope Francis"
Photo 1, 2 and 3: Pope François 1er;
Photo 4: Militant Catholics after the announcement of the appointment to the Vatican;
Photo 5: Mgr Georg Gänswein;
See story The Wall Street Journal  ; 
See story The New York Times ; 
See the Vatican website ;

I COULD HAVE BECOME A POPE...

by Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) -
The search for a new Pope reminded me of my childhood memories in Gaspésie while my aunt was the faithful servant for the village priest, who saw me as a future priest. 
He tried everything to convince me to become a priest but I was afraid of this job and I refused all openings even though he said that I would be promised to a brilliant career in the Church. So I grew up with as second home a nice rectory but I never became pastor... 
The conclave which begins tomorrow Tuesday, April 12, 2013 will be the event of the year, whether you are Catholic or non-believer. Personally, I still think Don Georg Gänswein would be the candidate of choice. My reasons for this prediction is that he has all the features required for the future Pope: Communicator extraordinaire (charismatic), energetic, fearless and faithful believer. Dom Gänswein is an influential member of Opus Dei, he is fearless even having discovered the crime by the secretary of Benedict XVI who stoled documents. Finally Don is young at 56 years old. 
To be continued ... 
PICTURE 1: CHURCH AND RECTORY WITH BERNARD BUJOLD AND THE OLD PRIEST; PICTURE 2: MGR.GEORG GÄNSWEIN AND MGR MARC OUELLET;
PICTURE 3: CARDINAL AT THE VATICAN ;
SEE WEB SITE THE VATICAN ;

Senator Pierre-Hugues Boivenu: Glorious one day, pariah the next day ...

By Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) - 
I learned the relationship between the Senator Boivenu and his assistant on Saturday morning while reading the newspapers. 
I knew the assistant because we were "friends" on Facebook but I've never met her in person. I sent her a "friendly" email Saturday to tell her that she was featured on page A-13 of La Presse. She did not answer, but her profile was no longer on line Monday morning. 
Not easy to live with such a situation to pass between relative anonymity to star stoned in the public square in Canada. Isabelle Lapointe seemed a good girl and the cause of the Senator was commendable. 
If there is one conclusion, is that social status, as does everything in life, is very fragile. 
Glorious one day, pariah the next day... 
Stay tuned! 
Photo 1: Senator Boivenu Hugues Lapointe and Isabelle;
Photo 2: Isabelle Lapointe, Stephen Harper and Hughes Boivenu;
See story La Presse ;

McDonald's restaurants - A love of youth!

By Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com) - 
McDonald's restaurants were once the undisputed leader in fast food. During the 1980s, McDonald's was the franchise's most coveted by contractors and it is their model that was adopted by other franchises such as Tim Horton's. 
 Personally, I have always admired McDonald's and its directors in particular George Cohon who I had the pleasure of meeting in person. Today in 2013, the competition has completely transformed the economic landscape of fast food and there is not a true leader. We can no longer say that McDonald's dominates. The company has then to modify its business plan and get away from fast food to get closer to the relaxation, especially coffee and atmosphere. 
I am no longer a regular McDonald's as I have adopted other eating habits, but I still have a lot of admiration for the company. Also, when it presented last week his Week doors open with free coffee, I decided to go visit the main McDonald's in the Montreal area. A bit like someone who went to visit his old love... 
Conclusion: the coffee is excellent and I had a lot of fun to see my old friend! 
Photo 1,2 and 3: McDonald's Restaurants ;
Photo 4: Bernard Bujold - LeStudio1.com;
See photo report LeStudio.com ;

Claude Jasmin : ANITA, UNE FILLE NUMÉROTÉE

By Bernard Bujold (LeStudio1.com)-
The new book by Claude Jasmin "Anita! une fille numérotée" is amazing! A love story between a Jewish and Catholic from Quebec (Claude Jasmin himself ...).
The conclusion is particularly dramatic, romantic but mostly sad! If there is a lesson to be learned is that you should never leave a question unanswered whether in love or in other areas of life...
Read this book!
Picture 1: Claude Jasmin and his book cover ;
SEE CLAUDE JASMIN WEBSITE ;