The circle of life

Unlike the circle of trust, the circle of life does not go "round and round" forever. At some point, much like the *wheel of fortune, it comes to an end (unless you believe in reincarnation) and life... comes full circle.

Birth in reverse.

I pondered this (and more) over the weekend as I celebrated my 39th birthday. While I LOVE birthdays (especially my own) I couldn't help but think about the bigger picture. Like life. And death.

I first realized what death really meant at the age of 11, while watching Stand by Me.

"the kid was dead"

I had experienced death before but never realized how final it was. The reality struck me like a ton of bricks. I had a bit of a Woody Allen moment.

Like Woody, I maintain a healthy fear of death to this day.

I also maintain am ever-so-slightly morbid fascination with it.

Apparently I'm not the only one.

According to Wikipedia (!), "the fascination with death extends far back into human history. Throughout time, people have had obsessions with death and all things related to death and the afterlife."

Speaking of the afterlife...

arcade fire's afterlife

I love visiting cemeteries, especially on vacation.

pere lachaise cemetery in paris

 

a cemetery in playa del carmen

Speaking of cemeteries...

dead man's bones' name in stone

I also enjoy anything related to the Day of the Dead, or Dia de los Muertos. The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday observed the world over. An occasion to pray for and remember dearly departed friends and family, the holiday is a source of inspiration for many artists, including Kat Von D, who also happens to be one of my greatest inspirations.

Speaking of Kat Von D...  

kat von d's exorcism

*I just checked that Wheel of Fortune reference and it turns out I'm wrong! Like me it premiered in 1975 but it continues to air to this day.







 

Orange you glad I didn't say banana!

Knock-knock jokes aside (please), the Orange Julep really is one of the most, shall we say, interesting landmarks the city of Montreal has to offer. 

Shaped like, well, a giant orange, and visible as far as the eye can see, it is the purveyor of many an earthly delight, including the aptly named Orange Julep drink.

Fresh, frosty and refreshing, the "julep" tastes like a mix of milk, or ice cream, and orange juice. 

Its exact ingredients, though, are unknown.

my very fresh, very strong, friend

When an equally fresh, though decidedly less frosty, friend asked our waitress (who, unfortunately, was not on roller skates as used to be the case during the Orange Julep's heyday) what - exactly - the julep was made of, she replied "it's a secret."

And she wasn't kidding.

Built by Hermas Gibeau in 1932 to serve his trademark drink, the Orange Julep's tasty elixir is a faithfully-guarded family recipe.

Aside from mysterious juleps, the Orange Julep also serves delicious hot dogs, burgers, french fries and poutine. Since Mondays to Fridays are now carb-free (for me), weekends are best enjoyed with a hefty side of cheeseburger.  

three cheers for cheeseburgers!

Interesting side note: The beau has been staying with me for the past few months. When asked where he lives, he usually replies something like "five minutes from the Big Orange." This is interesting because the beau is a pilot, and the Big Orange once served as a landmark for a pilot whose radar system had failed. 

The reason for my recent visit to the Orange Julep, other than it being carbfest the weekend, was that it was on the way home from a nursery where I bought my first ever black flower, in honour of Kat Von D. 

i swear it's black

I guess orange really is the new black!