Montreal Formula 1 Grand Prix

Does this McLaren 650S make my butt look big???

Earlier this week, Jean was in Montreal for the Formula-1 Grand Prix and while there, could not resist playing her favorite game. There is something about fast, expensive automobiles that brings out this irresistible urge to compare bumpers.

Home away from home for the long weekend was the grande dame of hotels -- the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, a huge ocean liner of an establishment right next to the beautiful Basilica of Mary Queen of the World. (That's "Marie Reine du Monde" for you Francophiles!) Official race programs and the Queen Elizabeth's commemorative hats were the complimentary gifts for guests. What was it about the big decorated head gear that screamed "hip hop"?  (She is also wearing her new black and white Carol Markel wooden bead necklace.)

First stop on Friday morning was the Museum of Contemporary Art's One-Plus-One show. In the atrium, David, Jean and Ken played "Speak no evil, hear no evil, see no evil".

The 3 musketeers from California are Jean's partners in crime for the car-centric weekend's festivities. Here are Greg, David and Ken at the track just before qualifying on Saturday afternoon.

Sitting in the grandstands in the bright sun can be a challenge. Sunglasses are a necessity and Jean's golf visor was the perfect solution for the glare.

The quartet always gets seats in the grandstand at the hairpin turn to maximize viewing time.  You can see the cars coming toward you, slowing down to make the turn in front of you and then speeding away on the straight-away.

Although Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton from the Mercedes team were the two pole sitters and ran first and second for most of the race, Lewis had brake problems and did not finish. Nico also had brake problems but managed to finish second after Felipe Massa and Force India's Sergio Perez crashed on the last lap, which brought out the safety car and allowed Daniel Ricciardo to win his first Formula-1 Grand Prix. After the race, the crew stopped at the rooftop lounge at the Hilton Bonaventure Hotel.

Montreal is home to some amazing restaurants. This Red Bull F-1 race car was parked in front of the Ritz Carlton Hotel, right outside the entrance to Maison Boulud.

Once inside, the gang joined Joao, our Brazilian banker buddy, for champagne and an amazing dinner.

After dinner, the group headed to the Sofitel and encountered this adorable toy racetrack in the lobby, complete with a red Ferrari race car.

Dinner at Toque' on Saturday night was a gastronomic treat of the first order. The tasting menu was off the hook. Three friends from New York joined us, including Chris Wilford.

On the last night, for the trip to Mezcla for Latin cuisine, Jean broke out the ivory colored Bakelite.

The Gang of Four was joined by our dining partners from the previous evening. David & Jean-Jacques.

Greg and Kathy, who races her Mazda at Watkins Glen.

Ken and Chris, who also races his car at Watkins Glen.

OK. Jean wants to know. You be the judge!
Does this Lamborghini make my butt look big?

Does this Pepto Bismol pink taxicab (a/k/a "the Love Taxi") make my butt look big?

And for the grand finale: Does this butt make my butt look big? (Superman courtesy of The Deli Planet in the Gare Centrale's Gaucheterie.)

Yo, yo, yo. Til next time, Homies!