This weekend was a fun one. I got to see most of the tourist attractions in Montreal: the Olympic Stadium, Biodome, the Old Port, two of the larger churches and most of the museums. I chose the wrong weather for sightseeing. After a lot of walking in the rainy and then icy cold weather, basically I was cold for the entire weekend. Still I have to thank Anna and Robert for letting me stay at their place and for showing me around. It was a lot of fun and I plan to return to Montreal. Only this time the weather will be warmer, and I’ll learn French.
Tag Archives: Montreal
Morning in Montreal
I should be awake now. But I can’t help feeling laid back and lazy. After all is not a vacation a good excuse to relax.
Outside the window, grey daylight streams in filtered by light curtains. Inside I sit and write. Outside the wind blows. The dark silohuette of a tree rocks its branches to and fro in the wind. Inside I sit and write this and other things.
Later on I will go out and do some sightseeing and shopping. Later it will rain. But at least it won’t snow as the earlier meterological reports forecasted. My tea has gone cold. I must finish my writing now.
Writing on a Train
I neglected to post a blog entry today in the morning. I felt too tired and uninspired to write anything of substance. Also I could not relax until I knew I had left Toronto.
Now it is evening. And I’m on a train, again going the farthest east on land I’ve been in Canada. I’m going to Montreal again. Slowly the English Breakfast tea is starting to kick in. The air feels heavy and tired. And I can write in peace.
It is amazing how quiet the train is. Most of the time I only hear the clatter of metal wheels on metal rail. The swaying of the car is both comforting and awakening. In Europe the trains don’t sway as much. I guess the sway is one of the beauties of the Canadian track. Everyone else used concrete ties and high-tech rails. Not us Canadians, good old turn of the century-the 19th century that age of steam, iron and men driving nails with sledgehammers-wooden ties with metal piles. But this doesn’t bother train, as I hurtle towards my destination.
Now the inspiration comes, slowly. I will begin on my craft now. So will be born my book, on board a Canadian VIA train bound for Montreal.
The Compressed Life
I can finally confirm, that there is a life after university. And a compressed one at that too. I could go through the details, but I feel too tired to remember all the details. And too lazy to write them all down today.
Last weekend, I went to Montreal for the Taizé event. Got to experience life in a predominately francophone city. Experienced a desire to get closer to God and people. Sang my vocal chords to extreme soreness. Meet a few folks from the Polish youth group. And a few Filipanas from St. Kevins. And now I found an excuse to learn French.
The rest of the week consisted of hosting my Polish godfather and his wife. Became an impromptu tour guide of Downtown Toronto. (Now if only I could find the entertainment district. 🙁 ) And when I did not have to travel, or work at home, I attempted reinstalling Windows XP for a client. The gremlins came out to play, and turned a simple recovery and reinstall into a few days exercise in futility. Now, I remember why I enjoyed Linux and Ubuntu Linux especially.
Yesterday I met up with Robert and his roommate. We hoped to tour Toronto, but Rob’s car broke instead. So we caught up on old times. And “invented” a new cocktail, the LimJim, since thats what guys do when bored. Also looks like I might end up installing kUbuntu on his system too.
And I discovered Facebook and I am hooked. Now if I can find time to write.
Where Did Everyone Go?
Day 6 since handing my last assignment. 4 days to my only and last exam. Already I am wondering where did all my friends disappear to. Half of them probably sank into their textbooks, and wouldn’t come out until the end of April. The other half, already finished decided to leave the city, and possibly even the country. This effectively makes me alone. And I don’t study for exams. Ever.
So basically I get to bum around the house all day, cleaning, gardening and helping renovate the house. My portfolio(s) have to wait until, I finish everything around the house. I doubt it that I will touch any of my work-related work until after next weekend’s the trip to Montreal. Bother. With some chance, I will post a real open source gaming article this next week.