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Exposing Montreal's STM

2011-03-21T13:34:00.005-05:00

I'd like to share with my readers, the complaint i just sent to the STM (public transit system here in Montreal). I have not censored, nor omitted names because I feel it's important for everyone to know what happened, and to hell with the person whose name I may be soiling by publicly saying what he did. If he wanted to keep his rep, he should do his job properly, or realize people WILL complain when he gives poor customer service AND leaves me with his full name which is googlable online.

(lol, I wrote googlable!)

This is a follow-up to a complaint I'd already made explaining in DETAIL how the metro doors closed on me, causing bodily harm. Normally people would assume I'd been running to catch the vehicle. I was not. I was casually walking right in, with a friend, among other people who did the same.

The doors simply did not stay open as long as they normally do. Several travelers were left outside the vehicle for the same reasons.

And as I was frantically trying to get loose of the iron-grip of these doors that have absolutely NO safety feature to pop open in an emergency, the controller of the vehicle has the nerve to put on his automated 'please disengage the doors or the vehicle will not proceed' message, as if I were BLOCKING the doors, rather than trying to get free before being dragged off into the distance and smashed against the wall where the tunnel begins.

Metro drivers have MIRRORS - this person was obviously too careless to bother, otherwise he would have SEEN the commotion of 5-6 people trying to set me free, and save my laptop bag from being crushed in the process.

Will the STM compensate me for the days off of work i took to recuperate from the severe pain and internal bruising? (note, i have no physical evidence any of this occurred because photographing my scar tissue would reveal nothing unusual. unless bones had been literally broken, nothing aside from swelling would have shown on an x-ray either). Would they even consider trying to console me verbally (or in writing) for the anxiety and fear it caused not only me, but my friend and 4 strangers? Had my laptop not been dislodged, would they have compensated the repair of loss of my files, or more seriously, the entire computer?

Somehow I doubt it.
Many years ago, I watched a similar thing happen to an old boyfriend. And watched the metro security guards LAUGH and tease him when he was utterly petrified, because the vehicle DID start moving with his body stuck in the doors. He instantly showed them his injuries and seeing the bright red streak along his chest and upper back, they quieted him by mentioning compensation via a yearly metro pass. After complaints were filed and the driver of that particular train fired (so my ex had been told anyway), he was never compensated apart from knowing the guy was fired.

The friend who was with me when my accident happened, says she has also seen this happen to a mother with a baby carriage. The carriage remained stuck in the doors, as the train began to roll. Mom was still outside the vehicle. Luckily a total stranger inside the metro car was a quick-thinker and untied the baby and grabbed him/her as the carriage, I assume was smashed to bits as it hit the wall.

This is complete negligence on the part of the STM. I understand bratty teenagers hold the doors for their friends during peak hours, and that there is a fine for doing so. However, when you don't leave the doors open long enough for people to get through, and then don't check your mirrors before heading out of the station when your system ALERTS you that there's a problem in a certain metro car....um...your rep is being ruined.

For this they hike metro card fees every year.

The following is my angry second complaint:

On March 13th, I received an alarming message from one Noureddine "Nino" Chiby, trying to assure me that the STM always does their job and wants to keep a good rep. He said he is sorry that I should have had to witness an accident in the metro and incidentally hurt my arm. He also said that I did not provide enough location, time, date etc information to proceed with any further investigation.

Here's what I ACTUALLY wrote in my original complaint:
The date, location, exact time, and I explained I could not get the metro driver's license number due to being CRUSHED in the middle of the train when I needed to RUN to the end of the train to do this before the train sped off.

I explained in great detail how I was SLAMMED in the doors on severe scar tissue from 2 old surgeries which at the time, remedied an incredibly fast-track to paralyAis. I was not a "witness" to an accident, I was the VICTIM. I had 5 or 6 witnesses. all were busy trying to rip me out of the grip of the metro doors, as this seemed more important than catching a driver's ID # for future followup. Mr. Chiby seems to think my arm was injured as a result of watching an accident. WHAT? I wrote clearly that my SPINE was injured, with incidental injury to my wrist from trying to keep the door from further crushing my spinal bones.

It is clear to me that Mr. Chiby's first language is NOT English, and I suspect he either didn't understand 90% of what I wrote in my first complaint, or that he just didn't' bother reading it. Perhaps because I expressed myself in English. My mother tongue. If I am fluent in French, why isn't this employee, who apparently deals with the public? I wrote in English because i didn't' want there to be ANY misunderstanding or misinterpretation of my words yet this is exactly what happened when Mr-Incompetence responded to my message. He could have AT LEAST written me back bilingually - did he suspect I also speak french? What if I was an American tourist who ONLY speaks English? Why in the world would he respond with a unilingual email? His assumptions are silly, considering the STM services ALL of Montreal regardless if the clients are native French or English speakers. There are so many allophones in this city. There are so many tourists, this is completely illogical for him to respond in full French, to a complaint made entirely in English. AND not understand what was being reported as a complaint. Unacceptable service. He has since not responded to my answer-email explaining how he has offended me and has NOT helped with my case whatsoever. I'm appalled. and if that word is too complicated, someone within your staff must have a French-English dictionary.

I could have written this second complaint in French, but I still feel more comfortable writing in my mother tongue, as Mr. Chiby may have also done (I researched him on the Internet and I'm not even certain French is HIS first language, but it certainly isn't English).

In the end, I don't really CARE about any political language slant. All I want is JUSTICE for what happened to me because of the STM's negligence. I will NOT re-detail everything a second time because if you guys are doing your jobs, you have on record, every word I already sent. More accurately than I could detail today, weeks after the accident occurred (meaning, the initial details I gave would be more precise because they were fresh in my mind).

I have let Mr. Chiby know that I have access to a lawyer and WILL bring charges, WILL go to CTV news, and that I'm also a journalist, so this has already started to make its way around social networks. Do I have to continue to a more formal complaint/report piece in an official newspaper like The Gazette to be taken seriously?

Pinup Saints make Montreal SEXY

2010-07-21T14:42:00.003-05:00

Check this band out, they are SEXAY - i don't care if you like women or men, they're all hot :)

And playing several gigs around Montreal this August, be sure to take in a couple of their shows coz the hotness comes across live way better than on CD!

http://kickkicksnare.com/2010/07/21/pinup-saints-girls-just-wanna-cyndi-lauper-cover/

Peter Sergakis

2010-05-31T19:26:00.005-05:00

Right now in the Ville-Marie borough of Montreal, there is a project referred to as Mega-Bar.

This project would be horrible for the people living in this borough. I'm already afraid to go get groceries because of all the derelicts hanging around the Sports Station and Karaoke bar (not to mention the drunken idiots smoking their cigarettes and weed right on the street next to the taxi-stand). These two bars are owned by none other than Peter Sergakis, the dude that also owns Sky in the Gay Village (which i always boycott).

Now they want to infiltrate the residents' space surrounding the 2 bars and increase the size of their already-over legal limit sized establishments. This will invade the parking lot in front of the local grocery store, and cause surrounding residents to hear the bars' ruckus til last call if their plans to open an over 250-seat outdoor terrace goes through.

We will no longer have peace and quiet in our own homes if this JERK is allowed to continue buying up our whole city. I received a letter stating all the infractions Sergakis has already committed with his Sports Station. Who is allowing him to break the law, and then insist for more to be broken to serve his own purpose?

He ruined the heritage Cock n' Bull pub by ousting its former owners (apparently charging the same price for half-full pints, claiming a machine counts the ounces)

He has made me no longer want to live in the Ville-Marie borough. He has managed within the past year, to turn it into Vile-Marie. I don't feel safe walking near these 2 bars, with yet a third bar across the street (the new and "improved" Cock n' Bull)

I've lived here for 12 years, but I know other residents have been here for much longer. Some are senior citizens. I'm still young, but what about these older people who just want to live their life and occasionally go for a walk down St-Catherine or surrounding areas? They shouldn't have to fear for their life when getting a cab or groceries nearby!

There are also many families with young children in this neighborhood. Is it safe to have this many obnoxious, unruly drunks hanging around this area?

A friend of mine was patted down upon entering the Sports Station recently. If they are doing body-checks doesn't this send a message that crowds are suspected of carrying certain dangerous or suspicious items?

My friend politely told the security guard that he was in no mood to be patted down in order to get a quick beer. Before leaving the premises to go elsewhere, he joked that he understood the doorman was just doing his job, since the concern is probably more about someone walking in with an Uzi, looking for Sergakis himself, rather than aiming to harm fellow bar patrons.

This 'hood is becoming the ridicule of downtown. If citizens don't speak up, it looks like the project will get the o-kay even though it comes in conflict with so many laws.

I feel ashamed to be a downtowner!
(this was in parts, sent to the Gazette newspaper...wonder if they'd publish it)

2010-05-25T12:21:00.004-05:00

Anyone in Montreal on Thursday, May 27th should come check out lezzie-fabulous Pamela Pachal and her band The Dirty! Dirty blues-rock with the occasional disco beat (seriously!).

Centre St. Ambroise (5080A St-Ambroise - walk 15 minutes from St-Henri metro, or take the 78 bus from Lionel Groulx metro, to St-Remi and St-Ambroise)
doors at 8pm, show at 9pm sharp!
Pamela will be on at 9, followed by Montreal's The Mittenstrings, and headliner Geri Lee Arie. All the gals have their own style, so music is sure to please everyone's diverse tastes! Be ready for blues, indie folk, sweet harmonies, and dirty guitar (the latter provided by Pamela's band).

htp://myspace.com/pamelapachal

And if you miss this show, you can catch Pamela again before she leaves town to tour the rest of Canada, for a more relaxed atmosphere, jam style shindig on May 29th. She and her band will be opening for Geri Lee Arie, who will be hosting an open jam after her short set. So if you fancy yourself a musician, come jam with the gals!

Burritoville - May 29th
2055 Bishop (near Concordia University)
8pm
(and if you're hungry, Burritoville serves the yummiest vegan Mexican food on the cheap!)

Yuri Love!

2010-04-26T11:09:00.005-05:00

Just thought I'd share something I've become very attached to on YouTube.

(No, I didn't say "obsessed") ;)

If you don't know what Yuri is...well...you can google it, but briefly, it's girl-on-girl japanese animation/cartoons.

This video's vocal is sung by a human, but the original is in fact crafted by a Voice Simulation music software created by Yamaha. The Japanese are so much further into the future than North America!

Magnet (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUViQm6fUcI)

(taboo love song)

Jaimee Lee - part two

2010-04-15T15:12:00.003-05:00

Oh and here is an article i wrote about the same artist!

Comments welcome!

http://sunonthesand.com/2010/jaimee-lee-4062010-4082010/

musica!

2010-04-15T10:16:00.003-05:00

Hi gang!

It's once again been way too long....

but i've recently been focussing on musical endeavors in the queer community.
i DO hope to spice up the site (AND MERCH!) this summer, but in the meantime, you can check out one of the great musicians i've been promoting this year. send her some love, i know she'd like it :)

Jaimee Lee belts it out

ENJOY!

Martini, anyone?

2009-03-31T15:02:00.004-05:00

Trying to make this a habit now, to keep you all updated more often!

So we are currently looking for artists, designers etc that would like to have their work sold in our e-store. If you design crafts, t-shirts, hats, zines or interesting objets d'art, just let us know! Of course, if your stuff is lezzie-centric, hey, even better!

I think I need a martini and some "ultimate hermit" cookies to end this afternoon well, since it's so grey and gross outdoors!

Ta-ta!!

Fun news!

2009-02-24T16:13:00.001-05:00

So sorry for not updating in (gasp) years.....

Things have been a bit nuts after the 'physical' store closed down in February 2008. Original Mad-Ame owner, Amy has moved on to pursue other interests, and seems to be jet-setting around the world ever since!

Lots of updates to the site, loose ends to tie up., etc....and of course, there's always that thing we like to call "life"...yeah, that thing some people have outside their laptop, ipod and internet connection! :)

I just got some rather cool news. Tomorrow, Wednesday Feb 25th, "The Lesbian Lounge" show on www.mylesbianradio.com will be talking about our website! We were selected as hostess Denise's "Cool Place to Hang" on this week's broadcast. Awesome!

If you want to tune in, you can catch the show from 9pm to 11pm (EST) on www.mylesbianradio.com
or listen to the re-broadcast on Sunday, March 1st from noon til 2pm (EST). So much fun!!!

September fun!

2007-09-16T12:02:00.002-05:00

lots of stuff has been going on recently...

of note, a remodeling of the ol' website and e-store.
have a look around!

and this past friday there was a saucy little "live mannequin" display in the boutique's storefront window. people watching from the street couldn't contain their giggles and 'oohs' and 'ahs'.

the wrestling drag kings were a definite highlight, as well as store owner Amy getting a quasi-lap dance by one of the more outgoing "mannequins" :)

the fun evening was inspired by 2 recent complaints the store got from a seemingly fictitious city official, asking Amy to dismantle her "offensive" (ie: playful and educational) window display of inanimate mannequins, or face a citation.

e-store

2007-03-24T11:43:00.000-05:00

Finally the e-store is running!!!! Minor bugs still being worked out in the next few days, but basically, y'all can view all our lovely merchandise online NOW :)

GO! GO! GO!

YOGA anyone?

2006-12-18T15:43:00.001-05:00

Yoga

Mad-Âme est heureuse d’offrir des cours de yoga. Ces cours sont ouverts à tous ceux et celles intéressés, débutants ou plus expérimentés. Nous aurons 4 cours par semaines mais le plus intéressant, une semaine complète gratuite.

Mad-Âme is pleased to host YOGA in the store! Under the crazily-qualified and super-cool instruction of Ganesha, these classes are open to anyone interested (and especially those who haven’t felt comfortable trying yoga before). We will be holding 4 classes weekly and are offering a full week of classes for free.

Cours gratuits du 3 au 6 septembre. Cours réguliers : les dimanches dès 18h ; les lundis et mercredis dès 19h.

Free classes will run from September 3 – September 6. Regular classes on Sundays start at 6 pm; Mondays-Wednesdays will start at 7 pm.

Plus de renseingnements est ici. • More info here.

-blogged by Amy, back in da day

More Archives!

2006-12-18T15:41:00.002-05:00

New stock, custom work, and stylists!

You already have a style, and we’re not here to mess with it. But we can help with effective achievement of your most suave self. With new stock from Plain Jane, Guess, Logik, Covet, (Paper Denim and Puma coming soon!), and many killer Montreal designers, we have got the seriously hot and quirky styles that can’t be found in any mall.

But where the inspiration of prêt-à-porter ends, our workshop and crafty staff can step in to personalize, modify, tailor, and create exactly the look you want.

Love the cable-knit Logik sweater, but hate the hoodie aspect? Myriam, Adrienne, JJ or Carmen can transform it to a Ming V-neck or basic crew-neck in about half an hour. Most work can be done while you wait.

Crave to achieve Shane’s look of irrepressible sexuality but not sure quite how to pull it together? Our own Carmen (a stylist with a design background), Jen (a fashion photographer), Soni, Sofia and Tara (instinctive fashion icons in-the-making) have the skills to pull your mod-mode into uber-flattering looks.

Lusting for something very specific and very unique? We can probably make it on-site. The atelier is being stocked with awesome fabrics and we’re constantly creating patterns. My personal yearnings for a denim corset and a double-breasted vest have been realized – it was just a matter of picking a style and fabric. Some thing for bags: Adrienne has designed a hot messenger bag pattern – you choose the fabric, style, size and detailing, she can make it in a couple hours.

Either a stylist or sewing-guru is in the store at all times, but appointments can be made (free of charge) to ensure that you have the kind of service you want, when you want it. Email requests to: gossip@mad-ame.ca.

Nouveau vêtements et accessoires, du fait sur mesure, et des stylistes.

Vous avez déjà du style et nous ne sommes pas la pour vous changer. Par contre nous pouvons vous aider à vous vêtir avec une nouvelle touche. Avec nos nouveautés telles que Plain Jane, Guess, Logik, Covet, (Paper Denim and Puma très bientôt) et plusieurs designers extraordinaires de Montréal, nous avons des styles Unique et Hot que vous ne trouverez pas dans aucun centre d’achat.

La ou l’inspiration du prêt-à-porter se termine, notre atelier de couture et nos spécialistes sont à la rescousse et peuvent vous aider à personnaliser vos vêtements dans le style que vous désirez.

Notre atelier est remplis de tissues de magnifiques texture, choix de couleurs et tout qui vous permettra de faire le bon choix, veuillez noter que JJ, Myriam, Adrienne et Carmen peuvent créer ou transformer un col en V en un collet ou col rond en seulement une demie heure. Vous désirez obtenir le look de Shane avec une sexualité débridé, mais vous n’êtes pas certaine comment y parvenir ? Carmen Notre (styliste avec son expérience en design), Jen (Une photographe de mode)

Sonny, Sofia et Tara (Des modèles de Mode en progressions) ont les talents et les capacités de vous transformer.

Adrienne a créé le Butch bag- sac de Butch, dans un style « messenger bag »- vous n’avez qu’a choisir vos tissus, la grandeur, et le style et elle le fera en quelques heures.

Il y a toujours sur place une styliste ou une couturière experte, mais les rendez-vous peuvent être pris (gratuitement)

Pour vous assurer d’un meilleur service et ce quand vous le voulez. Demande spéciales a : gossip@mad-ame.ca.

-blogged by Amy, back in da day

ARCHIVED news stuff

2006-12-18T15:40:00.001-05:00

Updated website

More and more goes up each week, so check us out at: www.mad-ame.ca.

And we love feedback. Currently we are trolling for your thoughts on the existence of a "lesbian aesthetic", and soon we will be offering ‘Truffles for your Troubles’ (fill out our little questionnaire and get a package of chocolate yummies as thanks).

More to come: staff bios, product photos, jaw-dropping client pics, and an on-line store!

If you have events, pictures or links that should be on the site, we will happily post them.

Site web

Venez nous visiter www.mad-ame.ca un site qui est toujours en progrès.

En ce moment nous sommes a la recherche de vos idées, sur l’existence de « l’esthétique lesbienne » en existe-t-elle une ? Et si oui comment la décrivez-vous ? Bientôt nous vous offrirons des Chocolats Truffés pour vous remercier d’avoir pris le temps de nous écrire.

A venir : La biographie des membres de notre équipe, photographie de nos produits et de nos séduisante clientes et notre magasin en ligne, vous pourrez magasiner tranquillement de chez vous.

Si vous avez des évènements, photos ou de liens qui devraient être sur notre site, nous serons heureuses de les mettre sur notre site.

-blogged by Amy, back in da day

OLD October 2006 Archive news

2006-12-18T15:37:00.001-05:00

Fashion Shows

We will definitely be holding a Fall/Winter Fashion Show, in the store, in October. This may expand to additional shows at Unity II and Metro Lounge. Models will be chosen from our client base, so flaunt your stuff and make sure that we know you’re down for some attention!

Parade de mode

Au mois d’octobre nous allons faire une parade de mode d’automne–hiver, dans la boutique. Il se peut que l’on produise la parade aussi au Métro Lounge et Unity II. Les Modèles vont être choisi parmi nos clientes, alors soyez fière et flamboyantes peut être serai vous choisi pour faire la parade de mode Mad-Âme.

-blogged by Amy, back in da day

Testing 1-2-3

2006-11-13T14:44:00.000-05:00

Hooray!

Welcome everybody! We are now LIVE :)