"You're gonna hurt so much! I'm so excited!"
~ A, making me re-think what exactly I've gotten myself into.

I know, can't whine within reason since coming up is a long weekend... and I'll have had a work week of one day. But this one day is a doozie so far. Lots of emails, and I'm a little scared to check the phone. Nice though that there were personal emails too. I was not forgotten! (Whew.)

Now back to the real world: Congratulation wishes to Jasmine & Howard - married on the 23rd!

Weekend To Do:
- Feast!
- See the Sorefeet gang - Rini's birthday surprise!
- See Fringe holdover shows: "Hamlet: Solo" and "Killing Kevin Spacey"
- Buy school supplies for the kids
- Register for the next course (maybe)

Back to Edmonton

From the top bunk, I say: "Lights! Cameras! Action!" Rem starts dancing. Almost simultaneously, Steph emerges from the washroom, and looks confused - understandably so. For people awake for less than a hour we are pretty perky. While packing we start having a "sock contest" (brand names loose, purple wins!) and Rem remarks that "Strategically-placed Muffins" would be a good band name.


Out in the parking lot: The two vechicles had to be reorganised for the crew it was taking home. We unpack and repack and organise. Untangling all our stuff that had become so intermingled.

Then it was onward to Wild Flour Bakery. The breakfast choices were many, and I stood there wondering if I should have the Whole Wheat Flaxseed Waffles like Rem and Malcolm, or tea with a croissant... and or a scone... and or a square... finally deciding to have their Toasted Breakfast Sandwich (after Sophie explained "frittata"). Rem and Malcolm, who are finished eating, pose for me - they are the (infamous) Nostril Flare and Legend of the Chin!



Getting down to business



After breakfast we separate. Chris and I are with Sophie in her car. I start taking photos of them almost immediately, but had not expected my declaration of "It's picture time!" to have so many giggles. Apparently, it reminded both of them of Flight of the Conchords and this song.


We take a side trip: to Cochrane! We go to MacKay's for ice cream and walk "the strip". The ice cream shop and antique shop were familiar from the trip with Uncle Raymond, but nothing else. We also end up in a tea shop, that seemed incredibly big in comparison to the size of the town.


Back on the road, we drive past Olds, Bowden... and I doze off. When I awake: tires larger than thought, and bits Van Gogh.

We drop off Chris first. When we gets to my place, I invite Sophie inside. All the women in my immediate family were crowded there in the kitchen! In the car we had talked about how intense it could be with a big family. I didn't think mine was that big, but between Mom, Angela, and Theresa and the kids all wanting to know more about Sophie - it was probably a bit overwhelming. They were all delighted to meet her. I used this as my chance to tell her to "Eat! Eat!" (reversing our usual roles.) Hopefully I didn't scare her from visiting again.

I clean up and do some unpacking. A little later, we all go out for Dad's birthday dinner.

Afterwards I retreat back into my room for more unpacking. It's a different kind of quiet, but familiar. I can't quite believe it's the middle of the week, and tomorrow, I get to sleep-in.

Day Four - 90 (Part 2)

Lake Louise - Mirror Lake - Lake Agnes Tea House - Banff

Mission completed! The group made it to Lake Louise and here they are with the bikes. This was the end of the biking portion of the trip. But definitely not the end of the adventures. After locking up the bikes, we headed up and up. To the Tea House!

I don't know where they found the energy. We hiked up the trail and made brief stops. One of the reasons: to touch things. I was totally not o.k. with this. Yes, I continued to be in awe of the different colours and shapes around me, but touching seemed wrong... and dangerous! Steph, however, was brazen and loved the textures... she said it was fun. (Right: Something Steph touched. And she survived to tell about it.)

Mirror Lake

Even more brazen: the Golden-mantled ground squirrels (I had prior incorrectly identified them as chipmunks). At Mirror Lake, while Chris was inspired by the beauty of nature, one of these creatures decided to come right up to Meaghan. We didn't offer any food, so it scurried away.

Lake Agnes Tea House

First there was a waterfall, then there was the lake. It was strange to think of a lake so high up, but there it was: Quiet and glassy. We didn't stay long to admire it. It had started to snow and we gladly went inside the warm Tea House.

The Tea House seemed to precariously perch on the mountain, and was made mostly of wood. It had an upper level (where the staff lived), and musical instruments that we later found out were only decorative. The outhouse was even further up the trail. Supplies had to be sent by helicopter. We enjoyed the warmth, the tea, and the scones. When we had our rest, we decided on the next course of action - head back down and to the hot springs.

(Above: Rem contemplative, or just tired?)

(Right: Apparently Malcolm was still hungry after leaving the Tea House).

Banff

Sophie, Rem and myself are back in the car. I'm in the driver's seat and we're heading to the Hot Springs - what we talk about: The next bike tour!

I was so happy to be soaking in the warmth, stretching, and laughing all together. And when we get out of the springs, I go to the showers, ecstatic - yes! Clean hair! Meaghan and I sing. I take much too long to get ready, and I am the last one out.

I don't remember being in Banff when it is dark. It's pretty, and I want to explore the stores (the renovations that were in progress last year look completed): a high-tech looking tattoo / piercing place, a large toy store... We have dinner at Coyotes Restaurant, and go to the hostel - making it just in time for check-in. The place is beautiful and new. Our group got 2 rooms. Each had 2 bunkbeds, its own washroom, a writing desk, pillows and sheets (in what I thought would be "steal-able" colours), and in one an extra "surprise" - it's like a hotel! I definitely didn't expect this luxury.

It's time to turn off the reading light.

Day Four - 90 (Part 1)

Mosquito Creek - Lake Louise

"What were you thinking woman, sleeping without a hat!" ~ Malcolm

It was cold in the cabin. The 4 other people who shared the cabin with us had turned off the heaters and at some point in the night opened a window too. I was bundled up in blankets and did not want to leave my bunk. I could see Malcolm's glasses hanging off of a string from the ceiling. But with minimal grumbling we all get dressed and pack.

Once we were back in the kitchen, we were back in the musical! We made french toast, used up the eggs, boiled pots of water, and took over the kitchen. All with a lot of song. Singing "Tea and I" to the "The Water is Wide" improvising the words as we went, and a small insertion to "Blue Skies" to include "a little bit of rain." Other guests may have stepped in, but they probably just turned right around and left. It's nice to think that maybe, we were part of their bit of surreal for the day.

After we had made our plans, Steph and I stayed behind to finish up the dishes. She washed and elaborated a little more on "Hostel Karma"; I danced along while drying. And then they all head out into the rain.

Lake Louise

I stop the car and get out to take a photo of the sign "Great Divide". I am very careful to pull the parking break - this was a very, very steep hill. And then, I'm at Lake Louise. I walk around, take a couple of photos, and then head over to the Chateau. It was nice and warm inside. And indeed beautiful, opulent. Dark glowing wood, stained glass windows, plush carpets that I could feel through my shoes, and faintly in the air sounds of classical music with violins. With one ear still listening to Chris's iPod (keeping me down to earth), I searched for the ballroom. Unfortunately, they kept that under locked doors.

Day Three - 60 (Part 2)

Bow Summit / Peyto Lake - Mosquito Creek

By the time I reach the Bow Summit area it is raining hard. Water pools in the parking lot, and I can see other people leaving. I park, open the window, and eat lunch. When the rain slows down to a splattering, I head up the trail. It smells green with a hint of pine. Small flowers and mushrooms catch my eye along the way. And I'm surprised when I finally reach the platform. There is a large group crowded against the banister, taking photos. I look to where they are aiming and see the a blue uncommon. This is Peyto Lake. The info sign says the colour is created by all the silt in the water which diffracts the light to this particular shade.


It starts to snow, but I continue walking on the trail until there are no people, just rocks and this view (left) of the lake. And I keep climbing. I pass more signs with information on the native flora and fauna, more interesting-shaped mushrooms, and other greenery... And then, I'm stuck. Surrounded by knee-high greens, but no way to go on. I pause. With Sarah Slean's "Looking for Someone" in my ears, I stare down to where I've come.

It starts raining pretty hard. I retrace my steps until I'm on a major path. This leads me into, then out of the trees, and into a parking lot - but not the one where I was parked. Retreat again, and this time I see Rem and Meaghan on the trail, and we all head back. The group had arrived and was waiting! Despite all our luggage and my sprawl, Sophie and Steph (and at one point Malcolm too), managed to packed themselves inside. My empty sardine can had been safely encased in plastic. Socks and other wet garments had been draped over the seats and bags.


We head out. But a little ways down the road, there were problems. Steph's hands had gotten too cold to safely ride. In the rain, and wind whipping us about we get her bicycle locked onto the rack.




Mosquito Creek


"If asparagus was native to England, it would have a name like splogwort." ~ Meaghan

We arrive at the hostel and begin unpacking. The common area had a fire place, and we took over the space with clothes that needed to be dried. The manager (who had the Chinese rat/mouse character tattooed on his calf, and actually seemed to be happy about the rain) explained that water had to be pulled from the creek and boiled for drinking. We managed to make tea before collapsing near the fire to warm up. After this small break, came scrambling to get bedding and more things out drying in our sleeping space.


"That's the noodle wagging of acquiescence!" ~ Malcolm


Rem meanwhile made dinner. Pesto and noodles with asparagus and pine nuts... delicious. And plenty of it so, we were able to offer some to other guests (including some kids, the noodles under the guise of spaghetti).



Later on, I joined Malcolm, Sophie, and Steph in the dry sauna. Sophie leads us through a couple of yogo moves. And in there, I finally felt all the cold melt away.


Still feeling vaguely warm after skipping back to our cabin, I set about reading a couple more pages, and going to sleep. We are now past halfway. Tomorrow will be another long day.

Day Three - 60 (Part 1)

Rampart Creek - Saskatchewan River Crossing - Waterfowl Lake

We have breakfast all together and somehow the "Bears are People" (a misread of the pamphlet "Bears and People") talk from yesterday has become a talk about "Sombreros and People" Hm... attacks by sombreros... indeed we needed more sleep and tea, or less of something else...

It's overcast and faintly sprinkling. The cyclists repack to include rain gear.


Saskatchewan River Crossing

It is cold, and wet, and the wind is blowing hard. I'm very glad to be in the car. I've stopped for gas, antihistamines, and a post box, and half want to go inside the restaurant for some thing hot to drink. Unfortunately, if I did that I might not have the willpower to leave again. Best stay outside. The bicyclists have already come, changed into some of their wet gear, and gone. What a rough morning.


Waterfowl Lake

I stand in a ditch waiting for the bicycles. At this point I've either passed the clouds, or they've passed me - either way it's good! It's only mildly damp and there's a bit of sun in the area. I've walked into the camp grounds but didn't want to head in to find the actual lake.

Have been listening to Chris's iPod. It's a strange soundtrack at times, but magical too when observing the sunlight break through the clouds an uplifting choral piece played.

Day Two - 60 (Part 2)

Icefield Centre - Parker Ridge - Weeping Wall - Rampart Creek

Between the Icefield Centre and Parker Ridge there's Sunwapta Pass, the boundary between Banff and Jasper National Parks. The view in this area is spectacular and there's enough of an elevation change (and no cars behind me) that I shifted into neutral and just coasted for a while. I saw Malcolm heading in the other direction - so I knew he was going to find the group at the Centre.


Parker Ridge


The group arrives and we take an official lunch break together in the shade. Chris who's been preparing some pretty healthy lunches, shows off how "hummus rosettes" can complete a meal - but I don't think this convinces Steph to add an icing pipette to my future packing list.

Steph and Rem opt for naps while the rest of us decide to hike Parker Ridge Trail. Steph lends me her jacket which seemed unneeded at the start, quickly became appreciated. Vegetation (early sections were blocked off and protected), became more spindlely until there were only grasses and the occassional bush, and the wind was more fierce as we climbed. Malcolm still had tonnes of energy and lead the pack.

(Above: Part way up and looking down at the resting area.)


(Right: Sophie and Meaghan)


(Left: Meaghan, Malcolm, and the Saskatchewan Glacier - the start of Saskatchewan River).

The descent was much quicker. When we all made it back to the resting area, and Steph had awaken from her nap and was many times happier.



Rampart Creek


We made a short stop at Weeping Wall, and then head onward to Rampart Creek hostel. After minor unpacking (all of us are in one cabin, split into 2 rooms), we prepare for coming rain, and then concentrate on washing-up. Water was boiled, but Chris chose to go into the creek. I decided to just cool off my leg and bug bite (picture left by Steph) and inadvertantly do the hokey-pokey.


The kitchen and dining area are all in one cabin. Chris and Meaghan prepare a delicious curry with rice for dinner. Some of us help by skinning chickpeas. I've never done this before, and squeezing them between my fingers was a strange sensation. Almost all ended up in the bowl where they were supposed to.


We sit around the table eat and talk. Together we have tea and do dishes. And it's warm and cozy inside. Outside it had darkened, but Malcolm gets us all to go out. There is a fire pit, with a fire, and we attempt making s'mores (and s'malcolms) - not an easy feat! Chocolate would melt too fast, and marshmallows would either burn or slip off the sticks. After one (half?) I leave the fire to brush my teeth.


Getting ready to sleep, I remember Russ from Shoebox Blog:"You can look but you'll have a hard time finding a romantic poem containing the word 's'mores'". We might not be able to find one, but with our group, I'm sure we could write one. And sprinkled in the stanzas would be Meaghan's word ponderances: "s'less" and "s'fewer".

Day Two - 60 (Part 1)

Beauty Creek - Tangle Falls - Icefield Centre

I did not sleep well. In some ways it was for the better. I woke up in the middle of the night needing to go to the washroom. Thankfully, having forgotten mine, Sophie had lent me a flashlight earlier. I scrambled from the bed, up the path to the outhouse, and when I reached the landing was presented with clear dark sky and stars. So many stars. It felt as though I had arrived. I didn't think I would tire of looking at them in this little space with no one around, where it felt like it was all mine, but I got cold and went back to bed.



In the morning, I am tired and achy. When I reach the kitchen to brush my teeth, almost everyone was awake and eating pancakes. I stretch and rub at my neck, and another guest notices.

(Right: View from the top.)

Ellie from New Zealand, white-haired probably in early 50s, was visiting the sites after her conference on alternative medicines, and she wanted to help me. For the next 20 minutes we stand in the common area and she tells me about meridians. What I gathered: We all have electric fields running in our bodies, and sometimes there is a blockage that stops the energy, and this would manifest itself in unrestful sleep, or other health problems. Since I wasn't sleeping well, she figures this is my problem. She was going to test me, and unblock the meridians (essentially like resetting a electrical box). I was skeptical, and still am a little. But her demonstrations and tests did have me puzzled. Was my body really that weak that I couldn't resist her pushing and pulling (but then becoming stronger as she "unblocked")? Or was she targeting natural balance points where it would be difficult for anyone to resist? But on the second time with knowledge of where the force was coming from, it became easier? Nevertheless, I believe she believed. And I couldn't see why this would hurt.

Her last demo was very strange. She wanted me to hold out one arm and resist her push (easily done). Then I was to hold up my cell phone to my ear, and resist the same push - and I couldn't. She turned away from me and told me that the cell phone has its own electrical field and this was interfering with mine. She hands me back my phone and says try again. This time, I resisted! She showed me what she had done: A small laminated piece of paper with lines had been slipped into my phone. She said this piece of paper with its markings re-aligned the phone's field so it was no longer disrupting mine. She said I could keep it, and should notice fewer headaches.

"Oh, no! Gaston has met with his mortal enemy: Velcro!" ~ Chris

(Left: Chris and Gaston)

I re-enter the kitchen, a little dazed, but definitely ready for breakfast. "Don't panic!" In a flight of fancy I imagine we're all part of an action/spy movie (with a French protangonist). With his cry, Roger would have grabbed the offending smoke alarm (with spatula in other hand), flung it out the window where it would have exploded harmlessly. In reality though, those still at the table waited out the beeping.

"It takes a lot of brain power to eat this many pancakes." ~ Malcolm on pancake #8

I think I even surprised Roger when I finished off pancake number 4, despite his ribbing and earlier stories of how small Asians were really able to pack it in.

We clean up and say good bye to Kayla, the fine arts student on vacation from the east, who shared our room, and head out.

Tangle Falls

The map says to watch for sheep. What I saw were people running across the Parkway to get a photo of themselves and the Falls. Thankfully no accidents.

Icefield Centre

I make it to the Icefields Centre (our first meeting point) before noon. It's mostly sunny here, but a lot colder with the wind blowing off the glaciers. Rem had already warned me there would be many many people inside. I go inside and enjoy it emmensely for the "What is a glacier?" info displays, the postcards at the souvenir shop, and the flushing toilets and running water.

Parks Canada also has an info booth there. I wait in line patiently, and then almost lift my foot onto the counter for the lady to inspect. But, before my actual achievement of the act, she assured me that there are no dangerously venomous bugs in the park, and that I'm going to recover. O.k. so I'll curb my whining.

(Above: Rem, Meaghan in Einstein hat, and the glaciers.)

The group gets here in practically no time. We eat some cookies, and I go off to find Malcolm.

Day One - 90

Jasper - Athabasca Falls - Sunwapta Falls - Bubbling Springs - Beauty Creek

Moments after the lights go out, people from Car 2 arrive. Come morning, we make breakfast in the communal kitchen, repack the coolers, take showers, and get the bikes ready. And then, they're off!

Athabasca Falls

I arrive before noon and begin to explore. The whole place smells green and I'm fascinated by all that's growing (a tree from the rocks, ground level plants with leaves that look like flowers, mosses...). The sky keeps changing from sunny to overcast. I head back to the car to wait when I bump into Rhianne and Brendan. What a surprise! They're in the area to camp.

In the car, I write postcards and start reading The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov to avoid the cloudy sky and impending headache, when I see a flash of colour in the mirror. They're here!

Steph: I'm going to sleep in a ditch.

Rem: No, you're not allowed.

We have lunch together. Water bottles are filled, more sunscreen is applied, and chocolate is shared. I make them pose for photos. And then they're off!

(Right: Rem better than a ditch.)

(Left - Malcolm: I'm taking over this tour!)

Sunwapta Falls

I've written to Catherine to tell her about jutting tree roots that make me think of bones, and that I haven't found any orchids. Truly though, I'm not really looking for them anymore, as by Sunwapta Falls it doesn't feel like the right climate. It's cooler here and I put on my jacket. I look down into the falls and feel extremely small.

I start walking one of the trails with the sound of water crashing to the side. It's otherwise quiet, when I hear chirping. Birds? I look up into the trees and can't quite figure it out. Then I see it: A squirrel! I looked at it and I figured it looked at me. Finally, having taken many many shots, I look back to the ground. Tiny mushrooms hide in the middle of moss, and there is another squirrel.

Bubbling Springs

I eventually pull myself away from the flora and fauna and head to the next meeting place: Bubbling Springs. I have the trunk open and perch on the bumper to stay out of the sun. Sophie and Malcolm arrive first and we check out the spring - it really bubbles!

The others arrive shortly. Steph has decided to join me in the car. And we make our last leg to Beauty Creek.

Beauty Creek

Steph and I arrive first (of course) and we meet Dianne and Roger the hostel managers. They are in the middle of dinner but Roger guides us to the room we'll be all sharing and the linens to the beds. In the kitchen, drinking water and washing water is separated along with associated basins and pots.

There is a shower! The mechanics of which sound complicated. Steph and the others take advantage of this ammenity while I attempt to do my part in the cooking duties (i.e. reheating Sophie's delicious lentil curry). We unpack Sophie's car and Malcolm's car (which he had driven in first thing in the morning then biked back to meet us). When we finally all sit down to dinner, it was already dark. We eat and talk and laugh. They've made it through the first day!

I could only imagine how tired they all must be. I stretch out on another top bunk almost ready for sleep. Malcolm and Rem though, are still in the common area reading the maps by lamp light.

"I miss travelling." ~ Sophie on the road

We (car 1) made it! Early afternoon Sophie, Rem, and I meet up, packed the car, set up the bike rack, and headed off. Laughing and finally relaxing, Sophie relays the car's other challenges during the week (oil changes, problem bike racks...), and Rem recalls his trip to Brazil in 1997 (an opthamalogy project, canoes, and a crocodile encounter). We don't take the "Scenic Route to Alaska" even though we saw the sign.

It drive was fairly uneventful, but once in Jasper, we came across another challenge: finding Meaghan! The original meeting place had closed early for Friday, and Meaghan was no where in sight. Where was she? Had she missed our message and decided to go to the hostel on her own? We search through town looking into other cafes and restaurants and the bus station... and go to the hostel to check in. We return back to town, and there she was. Relieved, we go for dinner (pizza) and settle back at the hostel.

The other car hasn't shown up yet. Meaghan and Rem are upstairs in the kitchen having tea. I am in the top bunk trying to get comfortable. Sophie says I have nothing to worry about aside the ceiling falling in. The room is much bigger than the one in Victoria and has over 10 bunks beds. It smells like wood, and I can hear the fan/heater and people getting settled. The lights are soon to go out. I have read another couple of pages from The Drifters, this time about Britta and her escape. I am still in the beginning, not making a dent. I tell my brain not to think, but Britta is there.

Things are in a bit of mess. I'm not exactly panicked about the trip, but I am realising there's probably a lot more to it than I'm expecting. It's a longer trip with limited electricity and running water... unlike my other trips where anything I needed could be obtained with cash and a short walk. But I'm going to be away! Some quiet. Some peace.

In the middle of my excitement, Tip Tip tells me she is sad. Posting, application, and interviews all happened in a week for the QA positions, but it's been almost a month since then and no offer phone call. She figures she didn't get it and she really wants it. I stayed quiet, not sure what to say (I had promised I wouldn't say anything).

Susan's good-bye luncheon was also today. I had admired her so much, and was so impressed by all the things she did. She was a force: articulate, assertive, intelligent... So how is it that there's nothing for her after the re-ogranisation? Admittedly, I don't know the whole story. She says she'll take a vacation while she figures out what next. I'm just sad to see her go.

A few more hours of work, then one more Fringe shift, and then home to packing! Tomorrow, we're off!

"Yarmaka? Yakama?"

The thunderstorm definitely cooled things down. Today's predicted high is 20 degress and tomorrow is only 11 degrees with cloud cover, rain, fog. Hm... may have to deviate from Steph's packing list for more warm things on the trip...

Andrea and I met up yesterday to watch Rainer Hersch. We enjoyed his Victor Borge show last year so much we booked tickets days and days in advance for "All Classical Music Explained" (which was supposedly his original show, before he even knew about Victor Borge). We did roll our eyes quite a bit because it was all so silly, but mostly we laughed. In one part, after dividing us into instrument sections (Andrea and I were part of percussion), he showed us what really was happening when the conductor turns his back to the audience... and sent me into a flashback: Mr. Gaudet (Junior High band) who, after bowing to the audience, would turn to us, make faces (threatening/encouraging), and pick his ear with his baton, all the while conducting. And so there is, at least, this note of truth.

After the show, I was off to Remedy for *drumroll* "Bike trip planning... live!" All the players (aside from Meaghan still in BC) were there. A last minute drop and a last minute addition meant there were (still) to be 7 cyclists, 2 vehicles, and 2 start times. I find out I'm the "sag wagon" (I definitely need to find a sexier moniker). We talk more about food and cooking, what needs to be packed, and what will be provided at our "rustic" hostels. Chris confirms tools and parts. Rem draws me a map and assures me I won't get lost between Jasper and Banff. And all together, it finally feels like it's really all going to happen. Yay!

Did not think it was possible, but it was even hotter. The air felt thick, so that walking was almost like wading. The radio says it was a record high of 35 degrees. The Memorial clock on the Fringe site had said 42 degrees... and people were still standing in the sun in line for their shows! That's dedication.

Erik had substituted Movie Night with a play called "Mathemantics". After my shift, I waited for them outside the venue, thinking about "Green Eggs and Kerouac" (a play with a great title, but I didn't have time to catch). The group emerged with mixed reviews. We wander the site for food. I break off and head to Block 1912 and get a mango tofu-latti. Very, very tasty - I would not have thought it was tofu. I'm pretty sure the caloric difference is negligible, but I still felt better for eating it instead of an original.

I sit outside in their patio area, a strip of concrete sidewalk in front of the bus stop to enjoy the cone and people-watching. Someone was watching me too. A man asks if he could buy my half empty (half full!) water bottle. I give it to him. But a few moments later, I'm not sure if I had done good: he was using it to cut a bottle of alcohol.

I hop on a bus right as the thunderstorm started.

Fruit Flower Fringe

"Would you please make it look like a bunch of flowers?" The lady at Sobey's Urban Fresh stared for a second; Beth stood by ready to explain. It was Rem & Steph's 4th anniversary (the fruit & flowers anniversary) and I was determined to bring something special. The venus flytraps didn't look in season (and may send the wrong message), so pineapple it was!



Once there, we all enjoyed the recreation of their "make your own sundae" wedding cake. Talk turned to anniversary gifts, the seeming bias towards women... and the unbias of leather. The answer: Yes. Year 3 (Traditional), or Year 9 (Modern). Or really, any/every year.
_______________________

My Fringe volunteer shifts started this weekend. Most volunteers were dressed for the Hawaiian theme and the weather cooperated nicely (plus 30s, phew!). In my mind, everything had to work around my must sees "Maggie Now! Part 3: Claude" and "Maggie Now! Part 4: I'll Bury Youse All", even the running around involved with my Front of House duties. Anything else was a bonus.



Bonus 1: Off-shift and finding food, see Erik in line for a show. Waited with him for a while and was convinced to join. The one-man show "Sev" is about love, loyalty, an over-active imagination, pursuance of dreams, and working at Seven Eleven. It was a little difficult to follow during the quiet parts where he played both protaganist and love interest, but he was amazing at timing. Impressive were all the slow-motion takes: experiencing the moment of an old lady counting out exact change, and dramatic fight scenes and explosions. Wow those explosions. And the B Scene Studios location had air conditioning.




Bonus 2: Also in the "True Fringe Spirit" of choosing a show last minute, I managed to get a ticket to Wooster Sauce. This one-man show featured the amazing actor from (last year's) Underneath the Lintel playing out two of Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster stories. Fiancee Lady Florence Craye, she with the "won-der-ful profile" (I would foolishly attempt to imitate with official Fringe Portrait Photographer Frank Grisdale's photography skills and airbrushing), also made an appearance. I enjoyed myself thoroughly even though the second floor of the Strathcona library was very crowded and hot.


Bonus 3, 4 and 5: On duty I see Krystal and Julie lined up for a show. We chat and I find out there is another Minou! After Maggie 3, I spy Chris & Shannon next to the gazebo stage. The three of us enjoy "My Heart Will Go On" Be Arthurs style.



And Maggie Now! Parts 3 and 4? Lovely and touching as expected. I laughed, I cried, I got really frustrated with Claude. It was good. Now that I've seen them all, I'm allowed to read the book.

_____________________

Returned home Sunday night and immediately noticed the tree looked strange (did Mom and Dad actually decide to prune in this heat?). While staring up at its flat top, I see a falling star in the sky. And then there was another! I made a racket so that Mom and Dad would come out and look too. But when they make it outside there were no more. I still made a wish.

Here be:

Arthurs, Monkeys, Transcendence, and a Machine of Destruction

The 27th annual Fringe Festival "The Big Kahuna" started yesterday! Kirsten, Catherine and I went to the opening ceremonies, and was treated to eye- and ear-fuls. We had missed the official parade, but still saw a procession of zombies, princesses, fairies, etc. as people in full costume gathered around the outdoor stage near the gazebo.



The Be Arthurs were the hosts for the night. They're a ukele cover band! I'd be looking forward to seeing them live since they performed "Toxic" on CBC radio, and they didn't disappoint. They treated us to a version of "Sexy Back" and others in between introducing artists and letting them do a short preview of their shows.


Jem Rolls was first (his show this year "How I stopped worrying and learned to love the mall"), followed by a clown love story. We decided to go pick up tickets and walk around the site. Encounters with some cute monkeys (The Monkey King and the Iron Fan Princess), and (below) some other characters followed.



Before leaving, of course we had to visit Shoppers Drug Mart for their magazines. Dangerous things! A new magazine call "Boho" caught our attention. Inside, a picture of Audrey Hepburn: extra points!

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Janet, my new supervisor, came by to ask about Mom's doctor's appointment this morning. Her mom had died a few months ago and I was touched by her concern. I said Mom had to go in for some scans because she had some pain. I wasn't worried, because it didn't seem serious. She had responded, a little disturbingly, "That's how it starts."

The phone rings in the next cubicle, and I totally expect Lidia's voice to answer. Instead it's Michelle's. It feels really different now, another person here in the office. Already we've talked about what is shared space, if she's o.k. with me and my music, my strange food...

Lidia has come by - and with the baby! She is so happy and smiles despite having hurt her leg again. I meet Karolina (Lidia's daughter) for the first time. She let's me hold Tristan, and I do not drop him.

Push has come to shove and Lorena and I finally have my annual review. I spend hours preparing the document, getting annoyed and worried. But I passed! From that, I get enough courage to finally check my mark for FA4. Pass! Yes!

Kirsten was traumatized (and Erik narrowly avoided a similar fate when I inadvertantly blocked the screen), and recinded her sympathy for me when she found out I had technically picked Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay for movie night. In my defense: the first one was good. Surprisingly good (or else I've blocked out the trauma). And this one, despite everything that made it bad, still made us laugh, had Neil Patrick Harris, and a killer math poem.

Paper, Plasma, and Plastic

Sunday:

"I'm in a bookstore with Lana." Unspoken, but apparent in the tone was a desperate "Save me!". O.k. this was the second bookstore Jeff and I visited today, but he was the one who said he wanted a to find a book on how to learn Mandarin (rare)... and to ease heartbreak (overly abundant). Anyway, shortly after, Vince vrooms by and they make an escape. We all met up later for a family dinner in honour of Mom's birthday. The kids love their cousin (and cousin x-removed?) if not only for their cell phones and games, then for their card playing abilities. We eat, and after some awkward attempts at family photos in the parking lot, Angela, Patrick and Jeff head back to Calgary. I was exhausted and glad to go home too.

The day before:

Three cookies (by George) eaten in a row and almost fully excusable after donating blood. Through the whole (slightly changed again) donating process I was pleasantly entertained by a new edition of National Geographic.

Michael met up with me and we headed down Whyte Ave. The sun was shining, my camera was ready, and I had energy. We didn't have was a plan... but it was Whyte Ave! Soon we were in the Junque Cellar. Michael endured as I tried on (and bought), yes, another dress. And we laughed at some of things that are now considered vintage. It was then a short walk to Happy Harbor comics. A skip and a jump away was Sanctuary - and they were having a sidewalk sale! So much plastic! So uncomfortable in the heat... but curiousity won out. Michael tried this supervillian look, but decided not to add it to his repertoire. Naturally, thoughts ("PVC", "sale", "supervillains"...) turned to Erik - so we called him up for dinner.

I still went swing dancing that night. Jeff came out too despite a hurting foot and having only arrived a couple of hours ago. I suspected it was to get away from the family as much as trying out the dance. It was so incredibly hot and soon hands were slipping from the sweat. I had a great time, hardly noticing that a rainstorm had started.

Jeff, Beth and I start heading home, but end up at the Dream Tea House. It's then past midnight and questions are still unanswered/unanswerable. But Jeff talks and Beth says the things that need to be said. I look at them and feel for a moment it's all right.