2005-06-14 - 10:44 a.m.
What I'm listening to: Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic-Isaac Hayes.
I had forgotten how enjoyable it is to sit by my window, feel the breeze, and listen to the city when it rains. I hope this weather continues for at least a couple of days. It's all about balance. With the recent heat wave, a couple of days of rain should restore a sense of equilibrium.
I've been exploring the city more lately, which has been nice. I've walked by Simcha's fruit market on St. Laurent hundreds of times, but never gone in. Last night I made Chappli Kababs (recipie to follow) and needed a few things.
After leaving Segal's, I peered into the dusty window, to see an older gentleman behind the counter, just leaning there, looking out on to the street. 'Probably Simcha', I thought.
I went inside, and was instantly impressed. I'm sure this fellow has been there for some time. Ohh...the stories that he could tell. Being at that street corner for so long, and watching the world change around him.
In his shop I found some food products that still had imperial measurements on them-must be pre 1973-74, when Canada decided to go metric. I hope nobody buys those things-they add to the ambiance.
Also saw really old cash registers, as well as gum racks for Chicklets (sp?) and Trident that were easily pre-expo 67.
I didn't start to chat it up with this older gentleman just yet. I think I'll visit his shop a bit more first, become a more familiar figure, then I'll ask a few questions about how long he's been here for, etc.
The title of this entry is the title of a French film that I saw in the theatre a few years ago. The title in English is 'When the Cat's Away'. An interesting bit of cinema. It's about this woman who lives in Paris, who spends the entire film trying to locate her lost cat. The cat becomes a vehicle for her to learn about her neighbourhood. Through her search, she meets a lot of interesting people along the way who help her find this cat.
So that's where I'm at now. But I have no cat. Boo hoo.
