and we'll collect the moments one by one Scott hosted a year-end poker game on Friday night, so Devin, Bridget and I formed the Ottawa crew who made the trip down to join the Bishop's contingent. There I am in my ultra-stealthy poker-playing cowboy hat. It was a fun evening with plenty of munchies and beers. I almost won the first game, but not the second.

It's kind of interesting hanging out at Scott's place in the middle of the country, 'cause you never know what critters you're going to see lurking outside his patio doors looking for snacks. At one point I got up to fetch myself a fresh beer and saw the black claws of a raccoon looking for his marshmallows (Scott spoils those guys with sugar-y snacks). In the morning it was a squirrel and several blue jays taking turns grabbing peanuts. Devin got a few good photos of them if you want to see his set here.

On our way back from North Hatley on Saturday Devin and I found mistakenly found ourselves in an odd spot: driving around the track they use for the Grand Prix in Montreal. We were stopping for some quick sightseeing in Montreal and were trying to find the way to the waterfront area, the Old Montreal part of town. We must have taken a wrong turn and were suddenly stuck on a bridge heading toward the island with the racetrack. Judging by the amount of cyclists on the island, it appears that they open the track for recreational use. They also have a bazillion speed limit signs reminding you to observe the 30 kilometres-per-hour restriction. I wonder if they get any yahoos down there getting a bit crazy on the track now and then. It was kinda fun.  | ¶ 11:15 p.m.