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More good lines from the Big Sleep:

"I knew damn well you were trouble, " she snapped at me. "I told Joe to watch his step."
"It's not his step, it's the back of his lap he ought to watch," I said.
"I suppose that's funny," the blonde squealed.
"It has been," I said. "But it probably isn't any more."

A toast

As I sat watching a movie tonight thinking about a particular woman, I began to think of the effect of certain women in my life. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that women have had a greater effect on me than men. Some of this is likely due to the fact that I'm hetero, so women have been able to be closer to me. But even in other ways, they've had significant influence. Some of them reading this post would recognize their stamp in small things like the zebra print pillow on my couch, the glasses I'm wearing, and the a number of items in my closet. Others have taught me to sing, play the piano, and are currently teaching me yoga and providing me with wonderful, relaxing massages. Even in sports, one of you have changed the way I ski.

From Mom to kindergarten teacher to recent ex, out of deep appreciation for all you have done for me, I toast you: you've truly changed my life.

I wouldn't even be blogging if not for you or you.

A three-second affair

morning routine
a metro ride
he sees her there

heart stops
time stands

a glance
a look
a stare

a three-second affair


Fel's simulpost

Sometimes, Doll, life is a beach

Took some time off and a time out Thurs. and Fri. I had some vacation time to burn, things are quiet at work, and the forecast looked like a good one. I got lucky and it turned out to be mostly sunny and 27C to 30C the two days.

I spent the Thursday relaxing at Playa d'Oka (locals are probably snickering here). It's really a beach in provincial park about 40 min. from where I live in Montreal. A beach, a lake, the sun, pickup beach volleyball and a good book. It was perfect.

The good book is turning out to be quite interesting and has even sparked among a few co-workers and a blog entry from the lovely Fel: a great dame whose coy smile will distract and disarm you long enough for her eyes to steal your heart. The book in question is The Big Sleep, the Raymond Chandler novel which was the source of the film noir in which Bogey plays Philip Marlowe, a straight-talking private eye who shoots off great lines like this:

"The coupe went west on the boulevard, which forced me to make a left turn
and lot of enemies."

"I didn't ask to see you. You sent for me. I don't mind your ritzing me or
drinking your lunch out of a Scotch bottle. I don't mind your showing me
your legs. They're very swell legs and it's a pleasure to make their
acquaintance."

"Hair like steel wool grew far back on his head and gave him a great deal
of domed brown forehead that might at a careless glance have seemed a
dwelling place for brains."

For fun, post a comment describing something that happened to you today in this manner. Here's a try:

"I could tell from the look on her face that she could hear the foghorn in my head as I tried to think straight on this rainy Monday morning."

Glad that I can easily walk, blade, bike, or Metro to work

"Hi, Honey. Good, thanks. I'm going to be late getting home today. No, not exactly. The garage ate the car."

Plateau Victim (c)

Spent a great end of day Saturday and into the night in full-on Montreal mode. First, a bike ride on the Lachine Canal from Atwater out to Lachine and back. Although windy, the moderate, sunny weather and interesting clouds made for a great ride. This was followed by a meandering walk through the Plateau with a stop at Lafontaine Park to catch the encore of the Orchestre Metropolitain's performance, supper at NueVo , a relaxed stop for good coffee at Plan B, and drinks and conversation at Barmacie Baldwin. It's been a little while since I've had a real Montreal night out like that, so thanks for a great night and great company.

Que nos prochains nous méritent. Santé!

(c) A phrase which F coined.

Random acts of kindness - good timing

I was feeling a little down after work today. Friends and colleagues are just busy doing summer things and I remarked to F (my ex) at the usual Tues. night swing dance last night that I'd been waiting to meet someone for summer to begin in some ways. The days at the beach, weekends away from the city, long Friday night suppers at a restaurant were all waiting to happen. It dawned on me that it's coming on mid-August and, well, that these things probably wouldn't happen this summer. Summer's nearly over before it had a chance to start.

Then it happened.

Feeling a little restless and not in the mood to make dinner just yet, I checked my Lavalife account. What? Two emails? Hmm. I thought it was just an announcement, at first. But, no, they were from actual people. One from someone saying that they'd met someone else, but offering consolation in saying they thought I was one of the few good ones. That's not something one sees everyday in the dating game: a touch of humanity. Many points to J for being that considerate. The second email was a reply from someone who apologized for their late response, giving an explanation for being busy and their hotmail address. Even though nothing may become of these emails, I thought this was an incredible set of responses to happen today, of all random days.

Thanks to both of you for reaching out when you didn't have to.

Uncoupled at 10 months

After being with someone for over two and a half years and living with them for nearly a year and a half of that, it's odd being solo again. As with other situations, it's the little things you're reminded of, like having someone to do spontaneous things with - "Hey, it's a nice evening. Let's go play some tennis" That doesn't work so well alone. Cooking's also a bit of a drag. It's infinitely more inspiring to make dinner for someone with whom you can share the meal, good conversation, a glass (or bottle) of wine, and... well, that, too, of course.

Moving out on your own for the first time is an exhilarating rite of passage filled with many related first experiences: first couch, first party, first spill on new couch, first time you wished you owned a mop. Now, having acquired more than enough creature comforts to survive, the challenge of living alone is gone. It's simply become a transient state. And a test.

The test is comprised of figuring out when you're ready to get back in the dating game and trying to remember the rules. As much as people want to pretend that it's not a game, it is. There are rules and guidelines to follow and rewards and penalties for following them or not. It's not unlike Snakes & Ladders in it's progress: sometimes you can be unexpectedly promoted to a new level, at other times you slide backwards. Most of the time, you plod along steadily, rolling the dice and moving forward with a healthy fear of snakes.

This being said, I don't mind my current status. It's given me time to learn some new things, work on small home improvement projects (and learn what not to do the hard way), play more guitar, read a little more, even take up yoga at the advice of a massage therapist. I'm simply looking forward to having a travel partner again to share the journey. It's simply more fun that way.