November 11, 2001

      i feel like i've been on a roller coaster since the 31st of October.  We've been going non-stop and it's only just now that i'm feeling alert enough to  write something here. 

     The craziness started out by driving to the states.  To get there we split the driving time in half by staying overnight at a friend's house, but coming home we drove the entire 10 hours - well Himself did the driving, i was just the entertainment committee. The person who reached into the cooler and produced the food.  The person who discovered Himself likes red licorice (sp?).  The whole bag of it. 

     But the trip was worth every minute of the long drive.  i got over my fear of using the Windsor/Detroit tunnel - barely -, was treated to a wonderful Japanese meal, attended a delightful wedding, watched Himself teach an aikido class and spent the rest of the time doing absolutely NOTHING.  Perfect.  

     i didn't know we were going to cross the border via Windsor until the night before we left.  For some reason i had it in my mind that we'd be using the Niagara Falls bridge, and i was trying to psyche myself up for it.  i hate bridges.  Especially large, high ones.  Then it was announced we were crossing in Windsor.  Oh, i thought.  That's cool.  Then i remembered the tunnel.  Bleck.  What kind of options are these then?  i can cross via the bridge and risk it being blown up or us having an accident and we fall off the side to a watery death - or i can go under the water and risk the tunnel falling apart and the water rushing down on us. 

     In the end we chose the tunnel.  Well i did actually, since Himself made me do the choosing.  And it wasn't bad at all!  Much shorter than i remembered it to be and even i admitted that it was much better than the bridge.  It actually felt just like another part of the road.   

     So without any problems at all, we were stateside.  And thrown into a world of patriotism that was absolutely amazing.  Everywhere we looked was an American flag.  Some of the cars and trucks had two or three attached to windows or antennas, all flying bravely in the breeze.  Houses had flagpoles or front windows adorned.  People wore patriotic t-shirts.  It was pretty amazing.  i know that the majority of Canadians are indeed proud to be Canadian, but we aren't quite so visual about it.  In fact, i know how proud i am of my country, but it's never occurred to me to put a Canadian flag in my window.  Something to think about.

     We arrived at our first destination, which was the home of one of P's aikido friends, complete with Japanese wife and energetic children.  It was also Hallowe'en, so Himself and His friend took the kids out trick or treating, and i handed candy out at the door.  i haven't done that for years!  We also had an authentic Japanese meal that was delicious and there's not a chance i can repeat, never mind spell, the names of the dishes.  And for the first time since i can remember sleeping with the big guy, we both wore something to bed - probably because said bed was the living room pull-out couch and the kids fully intended to visit first thing in the morning!

     So the next morning we were off to Indianapolis for the rest of our adventure.  i panicked that we were going to be late for the wedding (which Himself was not happy with me about) but we did make it just fine - actually the wedding was late, not us. 

     i wore my Chinese dress (complete with a new black shawl!) and Himself wore His kilt.  i love seeing Him in it - He always looks so stunning and in fact the groom commented that it wasn't nice to upstage him.  (He was joking of course.)  The groom was also wearing a kilt, and the bride had a beautiful soft grey kimono on, over a slinky black dress.  She of course, was appropriately glowing. 

     The wedding was held outside, and Himself started it with the reading of a poem that was a favourite of the bride's.  When He was finished He stood behind me and held me in a big hug as we watched the rest of the proceedings.  All of it was perfect.  i struggled not to get too teary eyed - i'm an emotional sop at these things.

     The funny moment came just before the bride and groom were leaving the party.  Everyone else had given them gifts, which they'd opened in front of us all.  However, our gifts couldn't be shared so publicly, since we'd gotten them a cane and a flogger.  Said toys would definitely "out" them if seen, so there was nothing to do but find a private spot to give them.  And the only spot available was the bathroom.  

     So there we were - four adults crowded into a tiny bathroom, handing out wedding presents.  It was fun to see their eyes light up in anticipation when they saw what we'd brought.  And i'm sure the other guests were wondering what the heck was going on!

     The next day we had a leisurely breakfast, then a tour through the local museum.  There was an exhibit of various types of gifts given to Russian Tsars in and around the 1600's.  Very fascinating - especially when you realize that the value of these gifts in today's market would be huge.  Gemstones the size of your average pink eraser were pretty impressive to look at, even if the pieces did seem a bit gaudy.  i imagine back then though, that bigger was always better in order to get the Tsar's approval.

     That night all the members of the wedding party, plus all the rest of the people who'd arrived for the seminar, went out for a very elegant dinner.  Problem was there were so many of us that the service was a bit slow to our table.  Actually, on hindsight, i think the waitresses did a pretty good job, considering the place didn't know 40-some people were about to arrive en-masse.  But after an hour and a half and a full bottle of wine gone, we were beginning to wonder if we were going to get fed.  Himself asked the wait staff, who suddenly realized what was happening and were appalled.  And found it necessary to give us another round of drinks on the house.  Yikes!  Another full bottle of wine, and only Himself and i were drinking it.  i think we floated back to the hotel.

     Saturday morning Himself was up bright and early to attend the seminar. Basically it was a series of classes being taught by different people, in order to learn new techniques of this martial art.  While i find it fascinating to watch, i've never quite understood the need to wear funny white suits and get tossed over someone's shoulder.  But hey, it makes them happy.  i did the only sensible thing in this situation - i stayed in bed.  Himself brought me tea and yogurt and bagels and i had the trusty remote control for the tv in my hot little hands.  Perfect.

     i literally spent the bulk of Saturday flipping through tv stations and watching movies.  Just relaxing and enjoying. Every once in awhile i'd go look out the window at the planes flying into the airport next door.  Or i'd pick up the laptop i'd brought along, intent on doing a post.  i did get the beginnings of a story started, but the tv kept occupying my mind instead.  It's probably a good thing we don't have one, or i'd never get anything done.  Well - at least in the beginning.  i'm sure the novelty would wear off soon enough.

     i did get to watch Himself teaching a class though, and that was interesting.  He has such a 'bigger than life' presence when teaching and people seem to really listen and understand what He's expressing.  i heard a few complimentary comments from people about His technique, which i thought was very nice indeed.

     Saturday night we went out as a group for dinner again - this time a Chinese buffet.  The hosts had a small 'awards' ceremony and then we traveled back to the hotel and gathered in the hospitality room.  Himself and i didn't stay up late though - He was starting to feel sick with a cold and we knew we had the long drive home the next day.

     Sunday was bright and sunny; a perfect day for a drive.  We managed to get back across the border before the sun went completely down, which was Himself's goal, and we were home by about 9:30 p.m.  The usual mantra applies here:  it's nice to go away, but it's really nice to come home.  i unpacked the things i'd need for the next morning, we read our email and off to bed we went.  

     Monday morning was looming - my first day at the new job.

     More later ...

                

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