and never the twain shall meet

Oh Canada, you failed me today. Perhaps it isn't fair to blame the evenings mishaps upon an entire fair nation.....

First things first.
Thanksgiving was a myriad of family turmoil and love. My best friend and part of her family were in town. Strickler visits are becoming a Thanksgiving tradition, I think.

Tonight ended the opening weekend of Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the Baldwin. I feel quite fresh as this marks my first experience as a cast member at Stagecrafters. Our director seems to demand the excellence of Broadway, but at the same time, recognizes that it IS community theater. We all laugh a lot. It amazes me how much of a family we have become amidst the 30 second costume changes, breaking jewelry, and wig catastrophes.


Ignore how green I look. I NEVER wear foundation! ick.

After the Sunday matinee ended around 5:15, we set out for Hamilton, Ontario to finally see Jeremy Fisher live (a dream not realized in Pontiac a few weeks ago as planned, but sweetened by the opportunity of meeting the fellow). I had even baked a sweet potato pie for Jeremy, Peter, and Julien.



Thinking nearly 4 hours would give us enough time for the trek to Hamilton, we stopped for gas, then fast food salads (observe our attempt to be healthy), then were stopped dead in our tracks by the HOUR AND A HALF we spent at the Blue Water Bridge border crossing! Naturally, the Acura overheated JUST as we reached the booth. The customs official certainly took his job seriously. He had the gall to have never HEARD of Jeremy Fisher! Imagine! haha. He simply could NOT understand why two Black American girls would want to travel to Hamilton in the dead of night and gave us quite a hard time about it. He was then kind enough to point out that our "car was smoking."

Despite his cool demeanor and mustache, the fellow was quite fetching in his skull cap and bulletproof vest :P When he finally let us through, we wandered around searching for a restroom. First attempt was out of order. Second attempt was at the back of a grocery store and looked as if it had been "out of order" all day. The car had some time to cool and we were on our way. I had no idea how bleak 402 was going to be. No lights, no stops for miles. My eyes were already beginning to droop. Kendall was unable to join me for the trip and Deb didn't feel comfortable driving a stick. We drove another hour before sighting a Tim Horton's sign.


Silly Americans expect immediate availability. We must be so spoiled, because it seemed like we drove forever before stumbling upon the Tim Horton's in Strathmore, Ontario. After more mini-mishaps (first failing to find the drive through, realizing they didn't accept visa, and realizing that the mocha looks different in Canada), we decided to pray about what to do next. We were so behind schedule at that point, we wouldn't have reached Hamilton until around 11. Driving 4 hours home in my state in the wee hours sounded like a bad situation to both of us. Especially since my tired driving abilities are nill. If I am tired, I sleep. Whether I am behind the wheel or not. Not good.

In the end, we turned around, pie still intact and feeling lonely and abandoned. (The pie, not us).
The customs official on the U.S. side, after hearing our dilemma, asked 'WHY in the world did I not slip my phone number into his pocket? Then you could just call him up!' NEVER would I. haha. She did inform us, however, that Sundays are usually the busiest days at the border (who knew?) and that THIS sunday in particular was one of the busiest border crossing days of the YEAR due to Canadians returning from Black Friday weekend shopping. Just our luck. Or, I guess, just not God's will :(

In conclusion, I am infinitely disappointed by having to miss such an epic opportunity, but will never stop being a fan of the wonderful musician, Mr. Jeremy Fisher. I hope tonight's show in your hometown was EPIC. I have no doubt that it was! Kendall and I send our love to Peter and Julien as well and wish they could have enjoyed the pie. Thank you Deb for joining me on this grand adventure and for striving to keep me awake using Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and the Beatles along with your own cunning wit and humor!


I shall now rest my weary bones in preparation for another busy week and try not to let my heart feel too acutely the pain of such a loss. I have decided NOT to blame Canada, but my inability to STOP and live. I can only GO, GO, GO, piling my plate high with more and more lovely life. I'll stop when I die.