On the Road Again/We are Family

I've been living out of a suitcase for a couple of weeks now and there is still no end in sight to it. Last night marked the 7th Whistler gig in a couple weeks and couple that with a family renunion in Quebec and a trip to Ontario this week, that adds up to a lotta road livin. I love the road. I love travelling. Even in the most remote areas and reaches of our country (Mattawa, Ont. for instance this week). My job has allowed me to travel the world free of charge. Now, with running through all of the cities and towns that I go to, I feel as if I'm really "seeing" them.

My family reunion was so awesome. It was so great to see the whole family although there were key members missing. First of which being the loss of my Dad, Uncle Bruce, and Uncle John. Cancer and death has hit my family hard since the last family reunion and it was a weird adjustment for everyone, even though our pining was tacit. Quebec is always amazing and fascinating and I had a ball with the staff of my hotel, the St Christophe, even when the barrier of language got in the way.

The initial 10 minutes of any family renuion is always the hardest. There's that uncomfortable feeling of "hey, I should totally know who you are but I don't. I'm such a horrible relative for not keeping in touch. I'm certainly gonna change that after this reunion." Then you discover that that guilt is a two way street, which makes things a whole lot easier. 20 minutes later you're shaking hands guilt free and re-introducing yourself to everyone that you don't recognize anymore. This was especially true of me. Not for nothing, but I'm basically a new person physically and it took even some my closest relatives a minute or two to adjust I think.

All in all. Tons of fun. Now for a big week of re-hair rocking and my first steady teaching week in a while.