Crazy white stuff

...it's all over the ground! And blowing through the air! Down! Up! Sideways! What on earth could it be?

Cure for a fever: stand outside on a corner in the aforementioned crazy white stuff for 20 minutes, wearing only one jacket that's not quite warm enough (this is key), and letting 20 mph winds blow right through your body while you wait for a bus. According to the thermometer I finally bought today, my current body temperature is 93.9 degrees! Voila -- fever gone. And I didn't even go to medical school. Consider this my contribution to modern medicine.

Is it common for the same woman to be awarded an Oscar, a Grammy, and a Nobel peace prize?

I explored yet another new part of town today. This new part of town is what they call the "anglophone" part of town. It was like being on a different planet. I met with some important people (important according to Francois, and important that I be there because Francois doesn't speak English). I mentioned to one of the important women that I'd lived in Wisconsin for awhile. She replied, "I have cousins in Waukesha and my husband was just at the Badger game last weekend!" My mom grew up in Waukesha. Considering most people I've met in Montreal don't even know where Wisconsin is (much less that it's a state), this was a big deal. It also provided me with the opportunity to break out my Wisconsin Badger-branded winter head thing (not earmuffs or a hat - it's more of a headband you put over your ears). Everyone said, "Ooooooooh!" I felt like fireworks. Up until now, I've been wearing the head thing inside out here in Montreal; otherwise, I get too many questions about why there's a "W" on my forehead. Most people assume it's a political statement.