It's Here

It snowed last night. In fact, there was still snow on the ground when I left for work this morning. The warm temperatures of two weeks ago are a thing of the past. Soon the leaves that I photographed will be nothing more than moist, broken fragments on the ground. I guess winter is here.

Priorities

I just started a job in downtown Toronto, which means a rather hefty commute both ways. The net result is that I have gone from having lots of spare time to having very little. This, in turn, has forced me to prioritize how I spend that spare time.

I had considered watching CSI: Miami but I only usually watch it to see how cheesy the acting and writing will be. My days are too short for that, so tonight I am listening to some acoustic Brazilian music and reading a book. I think I made the right choice.

Leave the Poor Guy Alone Already

What is it with King Tutankhamun lately? A few weeks ago he was in the news because a new documentary was claiming to know the real reason of his early death. Today, there is a news story about how his face is now visible for the first time in 3,000 years. That's right, folks, the face of his mummy is now visible behind the glass of a humidity-controlled case. At last we have a mummy for the 21st Century.

The Last Rose of Summer

I came upon this flower as I walked this morning in search of photographs. It is, perhaps, the last blossom we will see before the rains and snows of winter arrive. As I took this photograph I was reminded of the first verse of the Irish poet Thomas Moore's beautiful song:

'Tis the last rose of summer
Left blooming alone;

All her lovely companions

Are faded and gone;

No flower of her kindred,

No rodebud is nigh,

To reflect back her blushes,

To give sigh for sigh.

Today's Playlist

I was in the mood for something different, so tonight I am listening to songs sung in French. Not that I speak French. Having spent most of my high school years in American schools that did not offer French, I have never acquired much beyond "Bon jour", "Merci", and "Tout le fruit". I do, however, like the sound of the language.

Here's what's on the playlist :

• San Franciso - Mouloud
• Si la Photo est Bonne - Barbara
• Pop Art - Rouge Rouge
• Sang d'Encre - Jean Le Loup
• Jungle Man - La Phaze
• Eternelle - Brigitte Fontaine
• L'Ere des Effets Secondaires - Roche, Roche
• Isabelle - Jean Le Loup
• La Boob Oscilator - Stereolab
• Lebanese Blonde (French version) - Thievery Corporation
• L'Amour Est Sans Pitie - Jean Le Loup
• Parisien du Nord - Cheb Mami
• Sympathique - Pink Martini
• Vadzimu - Peace of Ebony
• Valse des Hypocrites - Mathieu Gaudet
• Voulez-Vous? - Arling & Cameron
• Cache Cache - Rouge, Rouge
• Edgar - Jean Le Loup

I know, Parisien du Nord is primarily in Arabic but the rap portion is in French so it made it onto the list. As for Jean Le Loup's repeated appearance on the list, what can I say? The man is fantastic.