The Tank Issue 114 Doing Our Part to Bring WorldCon to Montreal! Bonjour, mes amis! This here’s Vegetarians, Avert Your Eyes! (except on Monday, when St. Martin the big shill issue for The Drink Tank’s by Andy Trembley rests). Its altars are piled high with love of Montreal in 2009. Why are we It’s not like Kansas City, one that reviled ingredient being outlawed so thrilled about Montreal? Well, you’ll of the Porkish contenders for the everywhere else, foie gras. read all about it in the zine, now won’t BBQ crown, is doing much to draw It’s a restaurant once taken you? We’ve been supporters since I the coveted Vegetarian Site Selection on by the great king of cynics and first saw the group at Norwescon in Voters block, not with their parties’ gourmands, Anthony Bourdain. The 2005. I chatted with Rene Walling meaty centerpieces. restaurant won. and sampled the now famous Montreal, on the other hand, It’s Restaurant Au Pied De than he brought with him. It was is playing both sides of the fence. Cochon, the foot of the pig. enough to get me to become a Friend of Sure, the traditional Montreal Spruce It’s a vegetarian’s nightmare. the Bid. That’s the only time I’ve ever Beer (Soda? Made from ? It’s Everywhere you look, meat. done that. the perfect beverage!) is cool. But It’s a vegetarian’s nightmare. It’s not that Kansas City isn’t a unless you’ve been to an Anticipation There’s not a bit of waste. Talk about wonderful place too, but there’s no- 2009 party in , you probably a moral dilemma. Looking back to the where in that I could haven’t experienced the delight that is peasant and country traditions that think of that I’d love to go back to Montreal Smoked Meat. are the basis of great French cuisine, nearly as much as Montreal. Plus, with You wouldn’t expect a strongly they use every bit of the pig but the all the wonderful bidding the Montreal francophone community to totally oink, every bit of the duck but the team has been doing, there’s no other embrace an Ashkenazi Jewish quack. choice in my eyes. standard, but Montreal took classic There’s a whole menu dedicated So, this issue is all about why Jewish deli-smoked brisket to heart to foie gras. There’s even a seafood you should support Montreal in the and melded it into cuisine Quebecois, menu during the summer months, if race for the 2009 WorldCon. We’re creating a synthesis greater than you find pig and duck to be too much lucky enough to have Rene Walling to the sum of its parts. While many of in the hot weather. write a bit about the bid, Andy Trem- ’s Jews left the province in It’s efficiency in excess. It’s an bley has said a few wonderful things recent decades (fleeing French-only excess of efficiency. (and is the reason I even started think- language laws), Montreal Smoked Meat Then there’s the chef’s name. ing about this issue) and I’ve got a stayed. Martin Picard. Sure, it’s a common lot to say about my time on the Royal What, that doesn’t sound like French surname, but who cares? It’s a Mountain. So, Laissez les bon temps anything threatening? stfnal French surname. rouler! It isn’t really. If you were ever going to vote for But you haven’t heard a Worldcon site with your stomach, of Montreal’s secret weapon of make it 2009, and make it Montreal. carnivorous carnage. It’s a temple to the pig and the duck. It celebrates with daily sacrifices I waited to think of something to do. I Gordy Howe book and then, after at got in and I knew exactly what I was least two more hours, I realised I was going to have: . hungry again. Poutine is the greatest inven- tion man has ever dared to dream up. It’s French Fries with cheese curds and gravy. The gravy is the highlight, though good cheese curd will make you think you’ve died and gone to Heaven. I I had somehow ended up on St. sat down and ordered it. The time was Laurant Street. I dunno how, and look- a little after 3 pm. It was glorious! I ate ing at a map now it seems quite impos- it far too fast, not realizing the insula- sible. I discovered that the place I was My Last Trip to Montreal: A True Ac- tion advantages that gravy and cheese closest to was a small diner. When I count from Christopher J. Garcia curd give to french fries. I burnt the say small, I mean maybe a dozen peo- roof of my mouth twice on that pile of ple could fit in the place. It was nearly I flew in from Northern Califor- awesomeness. packed, but there was one seat when nia on a plane that seemed too small I headed to a small bookstore I went in and I got it. The name of the to make the trip. It was the last time I that was a few blocks away. I figured I joint, and how could anyone forget a flew with a carrier that boasted ‘Lower needed the walk. I bought some sort of name like it, was PatatiPatata. Prices Than ValuJet”. I was going for book (I think it was a non-fiction book I looked over the menu and dis- five days and I had no firm plans other about Gordy Howe, though I might covered something: lots of great pou- than I wanted to see the Casino and have picked that up on my way and tines. They had varieties that I didn’t maybe enjoy some of the culture and got some other book) and I went for a know existed. I had to have them. They food. I had been to Montreal a lot as a walk. I found a couple of nice record were good. I’ve heard that there are kid, but this was the first time I was stores and after about 3 hours, I found quite a few poutine fanatics who say on my own with no plan at all. The last that I needed to have a seat and enjoy that PatatiPatata is the best poutine time I’d been there had been for wres- some rest. in Montreal, though I’ve experienced tling at the Molson Centre. I also took I ended up in a small cafe some- different myself. It was damn good with in a hockey game, but it wasn’t hockey where far from where I started. I re- an excellent sauce. At this point I knew season, so no dice! member not being able to recall the what I had to do. When I went to Phil- I landed and took a cab to my route I had taken so I was going to Con, I’d done a challenge with myself hotel right off of St. Catherine. I was have to figure it out on my own. I or- to eat one Cheesesteak from each of hungry because, hey, I’d came out dered a coffee. The Tragically Hip song the stalls at Reading Market. This from California. I was near Peel St., I Blow At High Dough was playing on turned into a great challenge. I figured think, and there was this place called the overhead. That’s one of my faves. I’d eat poutine for every meal I had in La Belle Province right up the way. I I sat and drank some really bad coffee Montreal. figured I’d go and have a snack while for an hour or so. I started reading the This was my quest. I headed back to my hotel since five in Montreal. They had a I was beginning to feel a little bit heavy bunch of different ones, so I ordered with poutine already. I managed to the bacon poutine because it was make it on my own and did some nearly breakfast time. squats and a few pushups to make Sweet Mary & Joseph, it was so sure that I was going to be in fighting very good. shape for the next phase. I ended up It was smokey and incredible reading and listening to the radio. The and the gravy was amazing. It’s de- station I chose played a song from The served every lauding it’s received. I ate Tragically Hip’s album Fully Complete- and had a wonderful meal with my ly. I felt like I was really in Canada. book. It ended around noon and I fig- I woke up the next morning and ured I should walk some more. prepared myself. I knew I had to go to I found an internet cafe a few the Casino that night, which meant I streets down and stopped to check my had to build in time to go back to my mail and look up new places. There hotel and change into my suit. It was was a joint that was a bit far away nearly 10am. I needed to get two meals where I could indulge two of my fa- in between now and 6ish. vourite passions: food and bowling. I I’ve learned a number of things used the net to figure out a route using when I travel. The best is never ask a the metro system and a bus route. cab driver to point you to high class though.” he said. While I made my way there, I fittles. It just doesn’t work. If you want “I’ll handle it.” I answered and saw that there was some big car thing good eats in the realm of diners or we were off. out by the casino. I figured I’d stop by lunch counters, then cabbies are your I’m smart enough to know when and see what the fuss was. Since it best choice. Since poutine in one of a cab driver is giving me the long way was open all night, I figured I’d have those everyman foods (in Quebec at around, and this guy was. He turned the time. least) I took a chance. what shouldn’t have been a huge fare I got to the bowling alley and it I got a cab at the turn-around into a nearly huge fare. It was OK, was a bowling alley. It was a bowling and he was exactly what I was hoping because he dropped me off at La Ban- alley that reminded me of how bowl- for: a giant guy wearing a cabbie’s hat. quise. ing alleys were back in the 1980s. This “Where to?” he said in that dis- La Banquise, I’ve come to un- was a place to go and bowl. I figured I’d tinct Quebecois voice. derstand, is something of a legendary throw a few balls for a couple of hours “Where’s the best poutine you poutine spot. It’s trendy, kinda upscale and then eat up. I threw two good know of?” and not quite the place I’d expect a cab games by my standards: 120 and 130 He laughed a giant booming driver to recommend. I’d not done any or there abouts. The score wasn’t that laugh. research, but from what I understand important because after I’d played two “I know a place. Long fare, now, it’s supposedly one of the top games, I got myself the poutine. Greasy and delicious! It was “You goin’ to another table?” she hearty fries, a standard sauce and a said. Obviously an American. bunch of cheese, and they used Cheese “I’m thinking of goin’ to that car Curd instead of the shredded cheese thing.” I answered. that I understand a lot of lesser places “Mind if I come with?” Ah yes, use. It was tasty and I almost forgot I she was a Californian too. was in a bowling alley. I bowled anoth- “That would be rad.” I said, er game, but I did no good. I was too knowing she would understand exactly stuff. what I meant. I headed back to my hotel and We walked over and we both got cleaned up. I showered, I made the cashed out. We chatted about the beard look presentable and I donned craps, and it was strange as I’d had a the suit that I got for being on the very similar experience with craps and reality show I did. That was the best ladies in Las Vegas. We headed out the thing I ever did, even if it never aired. I Casino to the show. looked good, so I made my way to the It was a small show, maybe 10 subway and then to the casino bus. I cars, but they were pretty. I realised arrived and was amazed at the place. that I hadn’t even introduced myself to It’s a gorgeous casino and it’s perfectly her as we went to look. situated. Everyone was well-dressed, “By the way, I’m not sure that it whcih is a requirement. They don’t matters, but I’m Chris.” let you wear hats in the gaming area “That’s what I was waiting for.” and they’d just switched to having No She said, smiling. “I’m Tamara.” Smoking in the Casino. It was a good was a happy happy boy. I offered my hand and she shook place to gamble. I had about 500 Ca- And I was about to get happier. it. nadian and I went immediately to the One of the women around the table “You’re from Cali, aren’t you?” I craps table. was a tall (about two inches taller ‘an asked. Smart move. me) lass in a lovely black outfit that “Yeah, San Francisco. You?” There was a hot lady rolling and wouldn’t have looked out of place as a “San Jose. I work at the Compu- I managed to turn 500 Canadian into backup singer for Stevie Nicks. I had ter History Museum.” almost 2 Large over the course of three been eyeing her between throws and We talked about that and wan- hours. I was hitting hardways all night she was smiling at me. Seldom am I as dered around the cars. She had a long. The table had become hopping and suave as I was that night, but I man- camera so I took a few photos of her I noticed that folks were much calmer ged to make her smile (and won her lounging on them. The folks in charge in Montreal when folks were on hot about 500 bucks by throwing conse- noticed after two or three, so we had to streaks. I made a great deal of money quetive 11s). After I was walking away, knock it off. and I was tipping like a big shot too! I she came up. After about thirty minutes, we headed back into the Casino. ed and found myself ready for the big I headed over to Pai-Gow and one. I’d been told that Maamm Bolduc managed to win another fifty or so was one of the best places in Montreal dollars and Tamara managed to win period, and they did a good poutine. another hundred or so. I was getting I had to know and seeing that it was tired and I had a long trip. The subway going to be my last place, I wanted it had already stopped, but there was a to go well. It was a hip little place. I service that ran to my hotel. Tamara believe it would technically qualify as a walked me to my pick-up spot and bistro. I got a seat and I waited. I actually kissed her hand as I said And waited. goodbye. She had written her name And waited. and number (in California) on a napkin I’d brought a book, so that that still lives in the jacket pocket of just chose to have the regular. They wasn’t a problem, but they seemed to my suit jacket. were really good, and cheap. The place be ignoring me for all they were worth. I got back and I managed to get reminds me of The Sonoma Chicken I think I was there for about thirty myself into bed and even get to sleep. It Coop here in San Jose as for atmos- minutes before I ordered. was a night filled with strange dreams, phere and price point. It was also just And the order was Poutine Bour- I recall. as filling. I got up and I walked some guignonne, which added ground beef, The morning came...but I missed more. It was approaching 5pm and I onions and garlic to the gravy-cheese it since I didn’t wake up until almost was in the mood for some entertain- curd mix. 2. I was starved and decided that ment. Everything in the beast was another walk around town was a good It would seem that a good Ameri- perfect. It was slightly cheesier than La idea because I could feel myself becom- can Sports Bar shouldn’t be easy to Banquise and the gravy was the best ing more blob-like as the time passed. find in Montreal. I was hoping to find anywhere! And the cheese, OH DEAR I had written down three places to a Canadian-type bar somewhere along LORD!, the cheese. It was stringy and eat and I wanted to get to all of them, my travels. I found a place that was fresh and delicious. It just made the though since I only had the rest of the jumpin’ and I headed inside. entire dish that much more perfect. day to do so, I had to prioritize. Yup...American Sports Bar. I headed back to the hotel and I walked around until I came I would have moved on, but got two hours of sleep. I flew out at six across a Frite Alors. It’s a chain that one of the TVs was showing wrestling! the next morning, so I had to make does poutine right. I had been told that I looked and it was a pay-per-view! sure that I had everything packed. I Burger King and McDonalds in Que- Score! I hadn’t seen a WWE PPV in had managed to make it to The Casino bec both do poutine, but I didn’t want ages, so I sat down and ordered a cou- and win a fair deal of money. I also to go to that level. Instead, I went to ple of . It wasn’t a great show, managed to fail at getting into any of this little place that was modeled after but there was a good Kurt Angle match hte local culture. I’d say that I did very Belgium, I think. There was an excel- and that was enough for me! well with my food thoughts though. I lent selection in the place, though I I headed out after the show end- mastered Montreal Poutine! I’ve been asked to write a few means everything from written fiction words about Anticipation and why (from J.H. Rosny Sr. to Ayerdhal), to people should vote for Montreal to host BD (from Astérix to Métal Hurlant) not the Worldcon in 2009. Since you can to forget films (From George Méliès’ read about Montreal elsewhere in this Le voyage dans la lune to Christian issue, I thought I’d say a few words Volckman’s Renaissance). about the bid committee and what I Not all French language genre hope Anticipation will be. production comes from Europe. The Anticipation bid committee Canada has a lot of homegrown reflects the diversity and openness talent whose production is mainly in to the world of Montreal. Of the French. From Montrealers like Yves dozen members, only two reside Meynard Jean-Louis Trudel and Daniel in Montreal, the others live across Sernine to people living further out Canada (Fredericton, Ottawa, Toronto like Elisabeth Vonarburg and Joel and Winnipeg), in the US (Boston, Champetier, the Québec SF scene Philadelphia and Phoenix) and one of is dynamic and produces a lot of us resides in the UK. We also have a outstanding works. good amount of experience amongst The English language scene the members of the bid. Included in is also active, Glenn Grant, Mark the committee are the chairs of the Shainblum and Jo Walton are just a last two Canadian Worldcons, as well few of the genre writers to be found in as the past chair of a NASFiC. Others Montreal. Ranging further out, there have been department or division are many talented Canadians many heads at a many Worldcons, not to of whom you probably know. We hope mention the literally hundreds of local to be able to honour some of them in How did I get so excited by this and regional cons we’ve worked on over 2009 by hosting the Canvention, (the Montreal business? Well, it was the years. Canadian National Convention) which meeting Rene Walling in Seattle. This experience means that we plan to bid for once we’ve won. That and Spruce Beer. There’s we know the traditions behind the Our hopes are that Anticipation nothing quite like Spruce Beer. Worldcon and also know that adding will bring a bit more of the world to It’s like drinking a forest! Rene to it with local colour will make it a the Worldcon, (by highlighting some was kind enough to send me these memorable event. aspects of the genre that many fans fine words about his vision for One of the things Anticipation may not be familiar with) but also Anticipation! hopes to accomplish is to make you to bring more of the Worldcon to the discover a new aspect of SF, one that world, by showing people who like Pourquoi Anticipation? definitively colours local fandom: the SF but are not part of the fannish By Rene Walling universe of French language SF. This tradition what we’re about. You may be asking yourself why Christopher J. Garcia is shilling for Montreal in 2009 when he so seldom sticks his neck out for anybody. The answer is simple: it’s a great bid and there’s more than that in the concept. I love WorldCons. If you’ve read the WorldCon issue of The Drink Tank, you can see exactly why I love these gatherings. It’s the one time you can really count on meeting fen from around the world in a setting where you’re almost guaranteed to have a good time interacting. Which is why I think WorldCon needs to become less of a US thing and more of an International touring event. I want more WorldCons outside of the US so that we can truly make the World Science Fiction Convention a real WORLD convention. There are a lot of World conventions of one type or doms having to get their stuff together is odd, since there’s a long tradition another, conventions that tour around enough to host a WorldCon, but there of Francophone SF and Fantasy. The the world seldom being in the same are several that could, with a little same could be said of the Russians, country more than once every decade help, be ready in the next five years. though Russian fandom is probably or so. True, a lot of those are technical I’ve always said Finland and South not quite ready to host a WorldCon. conventions, but still, they make an in- Africa are the two that I’d most heav- The fact is, WorldCon needs to branch teresting comparison. They get a more ily support, and I think that Australia out, and the Montreal bid, besides be- international representation when they should stay on the ‘rotation’ with a ing in the beautiful and magnificent are in the US than ones that mostly WorldCon every ten years or so. Add city of Montreal, is a bid for a bi-lin- stay in the US except for occasional the UK to that that group and you’ve gual WorldCon. These have happened visits once every few years. got a long list of places that could host before, but this is the first chance And that’s what I want WorldCon WorldCons. we’ve had to focus on the French. to become. If we had one WorldCon in Montreal is the closest location I’m all-in for Montreal, the US and then one over-seas, that’s we could possibly have for a very dif- and I hope you’ll think about what I’d love to see happen. True, ferent WorldCon. There’s never been it too. You should visit http:// that requires more international fan- a French language WorldCon, which www.anticipationsf.ca/en/index.html