Unless the Vatican Conclave decides to give the nod to Ratzinger in the first round, tonight may be your last chance to see the Mont-Royal cross in all of its purple glory.

Thanks to this night shot, taken on the Sunday following the pope’s death, I was interviewed by J. Kelly Nestruck, an arts reporter for the National Post. His report will be published this Tuesday.

[edit] Black smoke…we get another night.

The strike that had over 100 000 students not going to classes ended with a final vote on Friday. Today, things should be normal, but they’re not, at least not for those of us who haven’t had a single class since February 24. A week or two weeks break is fine, but by now I have no idea what I was learning seven weeks ago. Seven weeks. That’s how long I was away from Montreal on my trip last summer. I should have left for paradise again since the strike began. My semester should have ended in four days and now I’m stuck for three more weeks of pain. It wouldn’t have been pain if there were no striking.
It’s politics, everyone is a loser. Right now, everybody hate Charest’s butt and want to kick his ass, but I have to say that I admire him. He’s been lowered to a level no other politician I know of have ever been lowered and look at him there still standing like a dumbass. Not caring for what people think of him is his strongest quality. As for other stuff, well there is none, he’s all bad.

As if all these events weren’t enough, there’s another strike that has pretty much been shadowed by the students. Since that’s over, we’re now exposed to elementary and high school teachers on strike. At least theirs is not for an undetermined amount of time, but still.

So many strikes in two years. First STM got everyone mad last year during winter. Then SAQ gave the hell of a Christmas gift by closing their doors. Two months later, students blasted the government and now we have teachers who I have no idea what they’re complaining about. Oh and by the way, STM are paid to play hockey. That’s what they do because they can’t get in the NHL.

What are people trying to do around here? Beat France on strikes count?

Seriously, what’s so beautiful about this scene? Naked trees, dryed out lake and vandalism on the fountain. And yet, everyone is having a good time enjoying the good temperature and the good sun.

We are fresh back from a morning hike at the Ile Bizard Nature Park where we observed that nature is finally waking up from its long slumber and is feeling very very horny.

The first dandelions of the year are coming out and ready to spread themselves all over our pesticide-free lawns.

It’s the same for trees, their leaves aren’t even out but they are ready to rumble.

If you prefer to “do it” while holding your partner’s head under water, then you better finish your business in a few seconds.

Finally, as you can see in this Quicktime movie, even the frogs are going at it like there is no tomorrow.

It was a beautiful day, hot and sunny. I rode around town on my bicycle and took pictures.

This is how this beautiful was like. That’s the wall of the Bibliotheque nationale du Quebec.

This is on Sainte-Catherine street. Lots of cars, lots of people, lots of sun. It’s so crowded and there are only 3 million inhabitants.

Even dogs enjoy the sun. I was at a red light next to the Palais des Congres and that dog just showed itself, so what the heck, I shot it.

The Old Port is also crowded with people everywhere. In the background, those are the tents of the Cirque du Soleil which will present Corteo starting April 21.

People also enjoy taking rides in a horse carriage. I wonder they’re all looking at.

This is a panoramic photo in the Lafontaine Park. The trees are all naked, but people are still spreading like insects to enjoy the sun. Spring is a wonderful time.

These kids are playing some kind of medieval game. They have swords and armory, approach them carefully.

Well, that’s it. No more for today. I get the feeling we’re going to have a hotter summer than usual.