Sunday, September 24, 2000: Still In Canada

The best laid plans of mice and men... Here I am still in Canada. I will be heading back to Manila in October. Why did I stay? Well, I haven't decided if it was instinct or impulse. Perhaps a bit of both. More on that later. I will be heading back down to Toronto tomorrow. Strange.

Friday, September 22, 2000: Last Night In Canada

Today is my last day in Canada until who knows when. I know there are some big changes about to happen for me, and I'm not really sure what returning to Manila will bring.

Oh well.

As they say, ONLY TIME WILL TELL...

Tuesday, September 19, 2000: Kingston Visit

On Saturday, Michelle and I rented a car and drove down to Kingston to visit with Drew, Carean and Era. We arrived in Kingston at 4:00pm and were welcomed by the very pregnent Carean. Drew had just returned from work so after a undated tour of the many improvements and changes the house had gone through, we headed over to the Kingston Exhibition. There we ate, wandered around, looked at the tractors (nothing runs like a deere) and watched Drew take Era on rides.

Michelle and I went on several rides; oddly the one that scared her most was the ferris wheel. Yet she went on one barf-inducing thing that I refused to go on. We left, Era's face coated in cotton candy, and drove 2 blocks back to the house.

Arrielle and Jeremy are now also living in Kingston together, so they stopped by for the evening once we were back. Arrielle made some amazing garlic bread and we ate the chili that Drew and Carean had been working on before we went to the fairgrounds. It was an excellent meal.

We watched Fight Club on video, which is a movie I've avoided seeing, but ended up enjoying. We stayed the night and drove back to Ottawa Sunday afternoon. I left my toque behind.

Thursday, September 14, 2000: Picking Flowers

Michelle and two co-workers, Val and Gaetan, had to go to Montreal to check out a floral sculpture and mosiac show. I tagged along with them. We left at 7:00am and drove to Quebec. Our first stop was in rural Quebec at a greenhouse that supplies Public Works with plants. Michelle and her coworkers looked around while I sat outside in the sunshine and enjoyed the freshness of the air and the beautiful scenery.

Our next stop was the Montreal Botanical Gardens. It is located on 75 hectres of land right next to the Montreal Olympic Stadium. It was simply too big for us to see everything, so we visited the greenhouse gardens that housed tropical and desert plants as well as the outdoor Japanese and Chinese gardens. Michelle was worried that I would be bored by the whole expedition, but I wasn't. After being in the heavy smog and noise of Makati for months on end, this was like going to heaven.

We headed to old Montreal at around 2:30 and had lunch. Then it was off to the waterfront to see the floral mosiacs and sculptures. There were displays from all over the world, although I would say that China seemed to have the most impressive displays. We were there until 5:00pm or so.

We walked back to Old Montreal, but not before spending some money on a painting or two by a local artist. I bought a bright but erie painting of a man walking on a cobblestone road and passing between 3 houses. I felt it reflected my own situation quite well.

We ate dinner and then headed back to Ottawa.

Tuesday, September 12, 2000: Toronto Weekend

Michelle & I travelled by train to Toronto on Friday night. Once at Union Station we took a cab to THE GRAPEFRUIT MOON. Justin Morrison was spending his last night as a single man out on the patio with a selection of Toronto Morris Men and a large quantity of beer. Michelle and I joined them and listened to them sing sea-shanties and folk songs. At 12:30 or so we walked over to Sandy's new house, which is just west of Christie Ave. This is where we spent the weekend.

Saturday morning Michelle and I had brunch at GFM. It was strange to sit on the patio while the traffic on Bathurst moved by. Michelle and I then headed down to Queen St., where she shopped for a purse to go with her dress, and I shopped for a tie. Unlike Bono from U2, we found what we were looking for.

Justin and Kim's wedding was held at The Banking Hall, on Yonge St, just north of Queen St. As the name suggests, the Hall was once a bank, which might seem strange until you see the incredible marble and metal work inside. As I was designated to MC the event Michelle and I arrived early and I was given my instructions. Violinist Rod Booth was warming up when we arrived. We were also pleasantly surprised to find truck drivin' cousin Rob walk in.

The ceremony took place at 7:15pm and was followed by a brief photo opportunity, and then a receiving line. Justin had ordered a whole case of Wellington "Iron Duke" beer just for yours truly. As I was still suffering from the Makati Fever, I didn't manage to finish it. A few of the evenings highlights included The Toronto Morris Men performing a Morris Dance, then forcing Justin to join them in his suit. Justin also did a solo dance which was quite impressive. Kim's belly dancing instructor also danced and pulled Kim up, who demonstrated how well her lessons were going. Justin had burned a series of mix CDs which removed the need for a DJ. Dancing, eating and drinking went on until 1:00am.

Sunday was another whirlwind day. Michelle and I slept in until 11:00am, then headed over to GFM. I had sent out notice that I would be on the patio from noon until 5:00pm. Thanks to all of you who came out. It was good to see my friends again.

Sunday evening Michelle and I went up to Michelle's Mom's, where I met her brother Chris who's just moved back from the west coast. We had dinner then Chris, Michelle and I went to the Cameron House and caught Kevin Quain and the Mad Bastards. We were later joined by Chris and Michelle's friend KD and the newly weds Justin and Kim. Kevin Quain stopped by our table to say hello and sign the many copies of his new CD that we had purchased. It was an excellent night.

Monday I picked up a supply of contact lenses which should last me until the futuristic year of 2001. Monday evening we headed back up to Ottawa on the train.

Thursday, September 7, 2000: Home Again Home Again Jiggity Jig

I have returned!

Rene picked me up at 7:00 on Wednesday morning and drove me out to the airport. I flew Northwestern Airlines this time so I travelled a different route than before. I was put in business class for the first leg of my trip; from Manila to Osaki in Japan. The three hour flight was on board a Boeing 747 and being in business class meant I got to sit in that bubble upstairs part of the jumbo and saw how the other 5% live...or fly... It was wonderful. Room! Service! Food! Free Drinks! and the comforting thought that if we crash we'd go first.

Osaki was beautiful. The airport wasn't as huge as Hong Kong's. I was searched, but unlike Hong Kong the security staff apologized the whole time they searched me. Being from Manila, I'm used to security checks now. A trip to the shopping mall means I can expect to be searched at least twice. So it was strange to have someone apologizing for it. I also saw an amazing sight there. From the window as I headed to my departure gate I could look out onto the water. There I saw a hydrofoil going by full-speed out in the bay.

The flight from Japan to Detroit was in a Boeing 747-400. I was in normal class, but had an empty seat beside me, so it wasn't too bad. I enjoyed the flight a lot more than the last one. I must say I'd rather fly in a Boeing than one of those rattley Airbus planes. Even at the bumpiest times, I never felt as if the plane was about to come apart at the seams... unlike the Airbus, which rattles and clatters like its being sucked through a blackhole.

We arrived in Detroit at 2:30 on Thursday morning for me... but due to our crossing the international date line, it was Wednesday afternoon again. The Detroit stop-over was pleasant, and at 5:00pm I boarded a 39 twin engine Saab-Fairchild turbo-prop and headed off to Ottawa. On take off I saw a parked WW2 vintage B-17 (Memphis Belle style) Bomber by a hanger.

It was a wonderful flight. Smooth and clear all the way. We flew over Toronto and I could see the CN Tower, and all the downtown buildings. I looked down and could see the line that would have been Bathurst St. Strange!

We landed smoothly in Ottawa at 7:15pm. I exited the plane, walked down the gang-plank thing like one of the Beatles and was hit by the freshness and coolness of the air. It was absolutely sweet to smell. I entered the gate and after clearing customs found my Michelle waiting for me! It was wonderful to see her again, and to hold her. Michelle's Dad was waiting out in the parking lot and he drove us back to Chez Michelle's. Amber the cat was also happy to see me. But not as happy as Michelle.

Friday, September 1, 2000: A Few More Days!

There's only five days left until I climb aboard a big ol' jet airliner and fly robin fly back to my baby (how many 70's song lyrics can I fit in one sentence?). All the arrangements have been made and I look forward to arriving in Ottawa, then hopping aboard a Via Rail train to Toronto for Justin and Kim's big day.

Karate continues to be the highlight of my time here. I feel as if I am making some headway, although the kicks still confound me.

On Wednesday night, I purchased a KORG ER 1 drum synthesizer and have been messing with that unil all hours.

More later...