On taking joy in small things

One of the ways I have to cope with life, particularly these days, is to take joy in small things. In the last week I have done this a number of times.

The first of which was when I was walking along St-Antoine Street to my breakfast place on Thursday morning. It is in the process of having its water and sewage pipes replaced. These roadworks are a royal pain when it comes to getting around via crutches and taxi. However, on that trip, I witnessed a twenty foot length of 2 foot diameter reinforced concrete sewer pipe being lifted by a crane. There were two workers adjusting the exact location of the sling on the pipe so that when lifted, the pipe would be balanced. It took them at least three tries before they were satisfied. When the pipe was lifted well balanced, one of the workers took out his measuring tape to see just how far along from one end the sling was. As there were two other pipes of the same lengths, I think he wanted a reference for them. At least, that is what I would have done. I will also observed that I had stopped my hobbling to watch the procedure, giving way to my inner child. This was particularly easy as my inner child has a fascination with heavy machinery.

On Thursday evening, I noticed that my crutches seem to slip too easily on my floor. I inspected them and found that the rubber tips were somewhat worn.

Consequently, after work on Friday, I went to medical supply store on Wellington Street. After getting replacement tips, I decided to explore Wellington Street which is currently pedestrian only during the summer. I found much to amuse me. One of these was a sign in a ice cream parlour where I had stopped for a milkshake. There was a sign listing the various flavours of dip for soft ice cream.

It was the last one that really threw me for a loop. "Mac and cheese". Just to be sure, I checked with the staff that I wasn't misreading the sign. They assured me it was so. I can't think why anyone would want such a flavour.

I was later struck by just how silly one of the requested behaviour signs on Wellington Street was.

Have they really had a problem with people diving onto the street, I ask you?

A little further along, there was a golden retriever being very sociable and friendly much to its owner's annoyance as she evidently wanted to keep walking. The golden wanted to lie on its back and be petted.

On a court appearance by the driver

I had been informed that the driver (may the fleas of a thousand camels infest his armpits) would be sentenced on October 4 on the charges to which he plead guilty in my case namely Dangerous operation of motor vehicle causing bodily harm and Failure to stop after accident causing bodily harm, under sections 320.13 (2) and 320.16 (2) of the Canadian Criminal Code. I won't be there as I will be in Vancouver, getting ready to celebrate Margo's life. I was discussing this with my co-worker Margaret who is from the area. She suggested I should look at the New Brunswick court dockets to see if they will give out the sentences. I glanced at them but as they only go to the end of August, I didn't give it much thought.

However, she looked them more carefully and noticed the name of the driver (may cockroaches spit on his shoes) was on the Provincial Court docket for tomorrow (August 20) for reasons described as "Other" regarding charges of sections 320.13 (1), 320.13 (2), 320.14 (1) (a), 320.16 (1), 320.16 (2) and 430 (4)(b) of the Criminal Code. 320.13 (1) and (320.16 (1) are Dangerous operation of motor vehicle and Failure to stop after accident in cases without bodily harm. 320.14 (1) (a) is operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 430 (4)(b) is Mischief causing less than five thousand dollars damage.

I am somewhat curious to know what the "other" charges represent. Are they related from September 2nd and other collisions he is alleged to have been involved with on that day or do they stem from another day's mayhem? If from September 2nd, then my thinking is that the 320.14 (1) (a) charge might relate to a later collision which happened closer in time to his arrest and therefore evidence of his intoxication level would be admissible in court for the later collision.

On the Cirque du Soleil and a rainbow

Yesterday, I went to the Cirque du Soleil's Kurios show down at the Old Port. Dominique had initiated the trip, partly because she had been initially led astray by an ad offering "cheap" tickets. Anyway, it was a gorgeous, sunny Saturday afternoon and there were a huge number of people in Old Montreal. This made it hard for my taxi to get near the Jacque-Cartier quay, so I had to hobble a fair distance to meet up with Dominique, Désirée and Philip.

It was an intense affair with lots of Broadway, Hollywood and acrobatics, i.e. it was le Cirque du Soleil. At one point I realized that I hadn't seen le Cirque du Soleil since its early days. I believe I saw it twice in the nineties in Sherbrooke when it was a touring production. The first time I saw it, it was with my (great) Aunt Lorna, meaning more than thirty years ago! The last circus I saw was a traditional traveling circus I coincided with in Michigan ten years ago.

One of the highlights was an act featuring a female acrobat on a bicycle which soon lifted into the air. She performed various tricks as it circled the stage. When she rolled onto the stage, I had noticed an odd pattern to the bike's spokes. I soon realized that there were three gaps in the spokes so she could grip the rims with her hands.

At another point, a pair of male and female acrobats climbed a tower above a mattress. He was rather burly. The act involved him slinging her around. I quipped to Philip that I was wondering if she was going throw him!

 Philip and I had chosen a nearby sushi restaurant the day before for supper after the show. I had booked a table and quite glad I was that I had. While the restaurant was empty when we arrived, it filled up very quickly. 

I was also glad that I had chosen to sit inside as a torrential downpour hit while we ate. It was followed by one of the most intense double rainbows I have ever seen. The violet band was especially bright. There was a bright zone next to it that I surmised might be ultraviolet light.

The restaurant had a very high (nearly a foot) step. So as I was leaving, I lowered myself slowly and carefully. An older Asian man offered to help. Philip politely informed him that I could do it by myself, I just needed time. 

I had been pondering where I might find a taxi when I saw one just leaving Place Jacques Cartier. As its windows were open, I yelled "Taxi!" and waved a crutch. It stopped, impressing Philip. The driver was very nice and offered the front seat to me. He also knew how to get to my section of my street despite the construction. This was a blessing as I was getting very tired. When I got home, I pretty much went straight to bed and fell asleep very quickly, despite it being well before my usual bedtime.

In other news, so far today, I have managed not to use my wheelchair! A small step in the right direction.

On the doctor's verdict

I saw my ortho doctor this morning. The verdict was that my tibia is healing well which means only two more months of being shackled.