This is the ending of the book In the Skin of a Lion by Michael Ondaatje. For me this represent a view of the past, in the rear-view mirror, a change of driver/storyteller for his other book The English Patient as well as for the lives of the characters. The view switches from Patrick to Hana, as a life can switch from parent to child. The lights is the future to come, which they will face on their rode. With the help from Patrick, Hana will be guided in the beginning of her life.

Runescape: This mini-game is long enough to qualify as a quest, I swear! Varrock Museum is interesting enough in itself - I especially like the British Musuem-style exhibits in the second part that move like they've been stuffed...
 

Yesterday: Went to cousin's 21st b-day / pool party / etc. It was waay too cold to swim - even started raining at one point. Although it didn't stop their dog Chico from going in and out and playing volleyball with his nose, when the younger kids tossed their ball to him. Cousin and her mom and dad got tossed in the pool.

Went afterwards to the closing concert for the Jazz Festival. Missed most of the Afro-Cuban All Star act, but Los Van Van came on afterwards, so it was still worth it. Went there mostly to listen to them anyway. They were playing some of their songs, but more were new to me, and they had tango/chacha dancers on a smaller stage dancing below the. Although there was a couple of people in front of me who were dancing better than the professionals and providing a better spectacle than on stage. Walked around the Palais de Justice a bit and found a flaming fountain! Actually, it emits fog, and then a ring of fire, but it's still pretty impressive - especially since there's fog generators in the rest of the park as well.

 

Jewelry: Finished a charm bracelet with two Preciosa hearts and two glass butterfly/leaf charms. Not exactly sure it worked out too well - the charms are hanging out a little too much, but I didn't have any jump rings big enough for them, so I had to use bails instead.

 

Yesterday: Looooong and fun day....went better than I expected, I guess. Went with cousin and grandmother an hour too early for the Shed 16 Labyrinth to open, so we kind of wandered around until the place opened. Snuck into the Chateau Ramezay's gardens - the apple trees are on trellises (WTF?) and the pear tree leaves are rotting. On the other hand, the trimmed hedges seem to be doing nicely with all this rain, and so were the raspberries (don't ask). Had lunch, and then went in to the labyrinth. They were doing this pirate academy/ treasure hunt theme this year. Basically, make your way through the labyrinth and figure out the clues at each checkpoint to find the island the treasure is buried on. Coolest clue was the marine flag-and-alphabet chart at the second checkpoint spelling "TURQUOISE," for Turquoise Sea. The obstacles were pretty much the same, although they seem to have put in more of those bungee ropes (like Entrapment) that are royally annoying that you have to get through. There was a gigantic fake map at the end with coordinates and everything - turns out we got it on our first guess and it was Ile Titi. Stupid name, that.

Had ice cream at Ben & Jerry's afterward. While we were sitting, two military regiments walked by, one playing bagpipes - one was Scottish, the other French (17th century). We followed them to the front of Chateau Ramezay. Turns out the Scots were the Frasier Highlander regiment, and the French were re-enactors of the Compagnie franche de la marine. The Frasiers played a medley of tunes on their drums and bagpipes, while one guy danced over his saber on the ground. Afterwards, the French marines let off blanks while re-enacting a firing exercise.

Also went to the Jazz Festival at night. We had to park really far away because we got there late, but made up for it by wandering through Chinatown. There were three shows going on simultaneously, but the only good one was this Brazilian singer doing bossa nova. She was pretty damned good, but couldn't stay long enough to get her name. They were also showing off instruments for sale in a side tent, and the salesmen were all playing guitar...and doing a better job than most of the bands there. They were also displaying DJing turntables and the like. Eventually got home after that.

Runescape: Oooh, a mystery! The quest Murder Mystery seems like a pixellated version of Gosford Park, I swear. Still enjoyable, although since it's been toned down for kids, it gets a little strange sometimes.

 

Watch out for the rants: (A) I have no life.

(B) It took me three months of on and off reading to finally finish The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks. Wonder how long it'll take for the next book, because I swear, this is a record for me in terms of the sheer amount of time.

(C) Busted two pairs of running shoes in less than a year. No idea how. Need to get new ones.

(D) Supposed to take ten-year-old cousin out to the Shed 16 Labyrinth this weekend, because I promised her. Grandmother decides to tag along. Do I need supervision? Do I look like I'm ten myself? I'll grant that the obstacles aren't exactly physically demanding, but still.

(E) The last part of my braces are staying on until I'm at least 30 at this rate, according to my not-so-beloved orthodontist. If I have them taken off, it's guaranteed my jaw will recede again. GRRRRR!

What else? Brother decides to introduce his newest girlfriend unexpectedly last night, and oh, the groundhog's invading the garden again, and Dad's throwing fits because of it.

I cannot wait for August. At least I'll have plenty of stuff lined up. Osheaga festival, here I come!

Runescape: My purple kitten's finally grown up into a cat! And it's able to chase rats, if not especially well, but it's training has to start somewhere...