it turns out s's idea of a good vacation is to paddle in the south end of lake skaneateles, to see cliffs of fossils of a colony of carnivorous palaeozoic corals that are remnant of a massive extinction event 440 million years ago. i'm half-thrilled (but a little nervous -- i'm certain i'll capsize my kayak -- query to self: do i even know how to kayak? i know i had to go to obs back in secondary school but memory does not throw up a card) and half wondering why i'm going on vacation with an ex-geologist.

i also think that my idea of boating is really, you know, oxford punting and picnic baskets and arranging my skirts and someone else pushing things along.

also pausing to reflect that i may be so chinese that the word 'cliffs' make me think of ancient battles.