I waited up until after 1:30 and Sheldon was still not here so I went to bed and didn’t sleep well as I was concerned that he didn’t pay his rent as he had promised on Friday. Just after 7 am I could hear the texts coming in so I checked and found he wanted my email to send me money. I got up and found his stuff was still here so I let him know it wasn’t working for me. He was supposed to leave today and I need some alone time. I am very peopled out. It turns out that the self professed good looking so staying here with the family is a cop and his Mom told me he had taken a picture of Sheldon’s license plate just in case. I wish I had known sooner as it was a relief to know they had my back. Sheldon came back and got his stuff, stayed until the payment went through and was very apologetic. I met Rae at Fenwick & Baker for breakfast and we had good food and a good visit. She took off for work and I came home with intention to have a nap but I was called by Gene that he had slept through his alarms and could I drive him to work. I did and then came home for a lay on the couch for a bit as the biking family took off for Kaslo. After doing laundry and tidying up, making good headway cleaning the pool etc, I headed to the park, stopping to get the ice from Arbys.
I was the site manager and emcee tonight. The three acts were Emma Kade, Doug Mitchell and Wally followed by Judy Brown and her band. During the sound check I noticed the guitar player for Judy looked familiar but I couldn’t place him when suddenly I realized it was Sam Hurrie, Doug Cox’s friend and a musician who is often at Vimf!! We made a connection and it was so great. I found out he lives in Riondel since Oct 2018. The band was great, the crowd was small but appreciative and in spite of several miscommunications it was a success. It only rained for a short time, but it helped to take the heavy out of the air. Gene came and played water boy which was lovely.
More lovely than all of it was coming home to an empty house. I am on the couch with a glass of wine, watching Feel Good. It is interesting so far
I thought it funny earlier today when I went past the theatre and saw that the new sod was not all put in the same direction.
I was glad to be ready ahead for the guests arriving tonight so I could be at work at a decent time. I managed to get a lot done including in person assistance with a prior client of the firm I used to work for. I always enjoy my visits with Funke. It was another scorcher of a day and it makes me sad to see my car without the rack on it. I can’t go out on the water and it looks odd without anything on top as well. I received a call from ICBC to tell me an adjuster would need to call me and could I please send pictures. I was to keep my appointment at the Body Shop but wait for final approval to go. This made me nervous. I was very grateful when the adjuster called not long after as it would have been hard to wait all weekend to find out what was up. They just wanted to decide if my rack would be covered and it will not be. It never even occurred to me that it would. I will go after the dealership/Thule once I find out where the error was. They did confirm to go ahead and get it fixed. Phew!
I came home and was making dinner when tonight’s guests arrived, an elder couple on a Spyder trike and two of their 6 kids (grown men) with one of their girlfriends. I forget the Dad’s name but not the moms as she made a point of explaining that one of the son’s names was Janson, or Jan’s Son. Clever. They turned out to be really nice people and we’ve had some great conversations. They will go to Kaslo tomorrow night and be back Sunday night. I was glad she told me not to change out the bed in between as I blocked the night from other guests. I started to drain the pool as the chlorine treatment has not solved the bloom. I will clean it tomorrow and refill it as I think Jan was disappointed it wasn’t useable.
Sheldon had not come back by midnight and he was supposed to pay me today for the week and be gone tomorrow. I am beginning to think we don’t have that same understanding. I just texted him to ask if he is back tonight and he said yes, that he is out with the guys. I do appreciate the money but not the stress of someone in my space randomly and regularly. I need to let him know it is time to move on. That or pay in advance through the site and I will let him stay long term in the tent trailer. In the meantime I wish he would get here as I want to go to bed.
I found a pair of legs in the back alley and hung them in a plant at work to see if anyone notices
Nothing else matters about today except that I have positive news about my car. I called Thule with my case number as I had not heard from them yet. I spoke with a guy who took all the details, ensured me that within two weeks I would hear from a department the deals with claims that are not specifically warranty and that I would hear sooner if my system was supposed to fit my car. I took photos and sent them along. Next I called ICBC, our provincial insurance company and started a claim. The woman who helped me was amazing and she ended by informing me that I have to pay my $500 deductible but it would all be covered as a Cargo Shift under my comprehensive coverage which does not have an impact on my rates going forward. She also said that an adjuster will be calling for more details as they will go after Thule or the dealership to recover costs. I will confirm with Thule about the model, then follow up to make the dealership pay my deductible at the least. I have an appointment on the 30th to take it to Signal Collision whom I trust in town and will get a courtesy car. This all took so much stress off me… a huge relief. Too bad my mental state didn’t give me the energy to get this good news sooner. All good moving forward though!!
I went for lunch with Stacey today at the Fenwick and Baker. It was a first for both of us and I really enjoyed the renovation of the space, the atmosphere and the food. Win-win! We had a good visit and it was nice to get out of the office for a change and taking a real lunch. Once I got back to the office, I finished all my volunteer reports and even managed to get a few client items off my list.
Tonight was MMA class but my neck is still a bit sore so I gave it a pass. I happened to text Rae just as she was taking the three younger boys disc golfing up at the college so I joined them and we had a lovely visit. I am terrible at it but have fun.
I am still confused about whether Sheldon has a plan to leave this weekend. I am finding the need to soak in a bath, wander naked and enjoy my time alone. I am going to have to put my foot down.
Too little brain power. I am finding myself low on tolerance and easily annoyed with everything. I have had little to no say in a few things for a while now and yet am expected to write reports, complete payroll, train people. I don’t want to… There was a very clear picture in my mind when I went fully self-employed, that I would choose whom I worked for and what type of work I did. Slowly, through my spot at the Co-working space, clients still from the firm and my current commitment to my volunteer responsibilities, I have found myself struggling to even take a day off. Tomorrow I am to have Emmy overnight to help Danika out and get a good visit. Unfortunately I still have Sheldon here so I will have to work around him and have her stay with me.
Still no word from Thule or Hyundai. I think I will open a claim with my insurer tomorrow so I can at the least get a quote as to how much the responsible party needs to pay and otherwise get busy moving forward. I dislike that the shine has come off my love for my new car. I have to get that back.
I was home later as I popped out for a brow wax which was a nice walk away and then returned to get all my reports done as Treasurer for the AGM and my final Board meeting. All I will have to do now is the other report I was asked to do as someone is on vacation, and draw up my contractors agreement with the Theatre Society for going forward after the AGM.
It is a real struggle to not drop the ball when I am recovering from the adrenaline rush of Sunday. It is hard to explain that being strong at the moment, mentally and physically, makes me weak for days after. It is probably why I have no tolerance for anyone else right now. To be fair I probably owe the theatre for allowing me to step down as Tech director when I had my surgery. I just need to take ownership of my time and block some off for a rest. I probably am peopled out in my home as well.
Today is the 5th anniversary of the murder of my eldest girl cousin, my dear friend, Kelly. It is hard to process that she has been gone that long already. There were so many moments I wanted to share with her along the way. Life after loss is so damn complicated.
I intended to head to the dealership this morning but had much to do at the office so went straight there instead. I did get a lot done even though my soul wasn’t really in it. I did take time to Google Thule roof rack fails and found there were very few and not in years. The load rating for my system is 165 pounds but I still don’t believe it was installed correctly or maybe it wasn’t the right one in the first place so I reached out to Thule and they have opened a case and will have someone contact me. I decided to find out more from them before approaching the dealership again. I did have the salesman tell me months after when I discovered the side of the cargo basket was scratched that it was off the bosses daughters. I can’t believe they put a used system on my shiny car and sold me it all as a special Kootenay Edition. There will be fallout. My sadness is definitely turning to anger. I shall continue my research and follow through.
I was happy to have plans to go with Tracey to see Bullet Train tonight. We have found we like the 6:20 show on cheaper Tuesday night. It was weird to come out to dusk this time already. The movie was great. Brad Pitt’s character is fabulous to watch. It was bloodier than I usually enjoy but the story lines that wove through it were excellent and I recommend it.
Odd to come home to Sheldon cooking in my kitchen. He has permission but it is still strange for me. I sure hope he follows through on paying and leaving Saturday morning as it would be nice to have my privacy back again. At least he’s a good guy.
I realize now that my problem breathing yesterday was stress. After my misadventure I stuffed down the response so I could be present with the family. I woke up early, made the bed for tonight’s guests and headed to the car wash. Up until the moment I exited and did a full inspection of my car I had been holding in my reaction. That is super unhealthy for me and as it happens I had very good reason to react. The top of my car is very damaged as well as other spots down the side of the windshield and on the hood where I couldn’t fully support the weight load as I was moving it all off yesterday. I am only 5’3” and although strong, it was at least 100 pounds, best guess and over my head with the most of the load on my non-dominant arm. I suspect adrenaline aided me at the time but today my neck and part of my left arm really ache.
Once I saw the true damage That was done, The emotion completely overwhelmed me. I drove straight to the Hyundai dealership to see what they would do about it. I bought the car with the roof rack installed and I have never heard of a Tulle system failing. All I remember is them giving me the key to remove the racks should I choose to and there was no instruction otherwise. The guy in the service department came out to look and was very dismissive telling me to call my insurance company. I told him I was not willing to put it on my insurance for the next 10 years when it was their installation that caused the problem. He said it was on me to make sure it was tightened. I check the security whenever I put my kayak on, pulling back and forth to make sure it is secure, never in my wildest imagination did I think the whole thing would come off. He said he would email the Gm, Josh and see what they were willing to do. I started to leak tears as I was so terribly disappointed that my shiny new car is so damaged and they were not willing to take any ownership. I reminded him they were lucky I didn’t die, or have it come off going down the highway. …. No considerate response whatsoever. I shall return tomorrow morning and every day until they are sick of me. Should I not get a satisfactory response, I will contact Tulle and let them know what happened and that the dealership is selling them without proper install or instruction.
The rest of the day was very challenging as I was recovering from the emotions, very tired and needing to concentrate which makes me have tone. I don’t mean to and I have to explain and apologize in advance to my clients as I really have a hard time faking it when I am that deep in the feels.
I did get all my necessary payroll done and then came home to welcome my new guests. A lovely man from Olympia Washington and wife from Ecuador who now live in Saskatoon! I did eventually ask them if they had a K1 visa as I am addicted to 90 day fiancé but they got married in Ecuador and apparently it came with it’s own shit-show.
I am about to head to bed after a delicious meal. They forgot to put in the tomato but I have crown so i will survive. I hope tomorrow is a better day.
I got up this morning and got ready while the ladies were checking out. After they left I stripped their bed and got laundry going before finally throwing my clothes and snacks in the car, stopping at the liquor store and heading for Moyie lake. It is my eldest child’s 38th birthday today and I was invited out to her Dad and step-mom’s cabin to spend time with them all. I was really looking forward to playing in the water, kayaking and possibly tubing behind their pontoon boat. I had been invited to stay over so even threw in my jammies.
All started getting complicated when I missed the turn off towards their place which is down a 7 km gravel road. I was instead on a different forest service road and ended up way out of the way, searching for a good spot to turn around. As I was coming down, suddenly my kayak shifted way forward and I got stopped as soon as I safely could to find the kayak was still perfectly attached but the rails had come loose and were scratching the roof of my car. I am fortunate to be as strong as I am as I had to lift the entire set up all in one down and place it on the side of the road. The kayak itself with my gear in is at least 55 pounds plus the Tulle j racks and the rails, well over my head was a lot for me to maneuver but I had no option as there was no cell reception to even call for help. I had to leave it in the grass on the side of the road in hope no one would come along and take it and head down to find reception and assistance. Bill and Lukas came to meet me on the quads once I got back to the turn off to their place that I had missed. We arranged Roger to come with a pick up and Will and Deanne who met us to so Roger and I could go retrieve the kayak, Deanne took my car to the cabin and the boys drove the quads back with Bill. Ultimately it took 4 hours to get to the cabin and it usually takes an hour at the most… sigh.
The whole time I did manage to stay calm and was grateful to finally get there and go swimming with the boys and play on the big yellow mat. It was pretty windy so when there was a calm moment Lukas and I headed out on our kayaks to go from one Moyie Lake to the other through the narrows. It has been on my bucket list of kayak adventures. We had such a great time! It was incredibly beautiful, we had great conversations as he is one smart and observant 12 year old and overall we were out for over two hours.
I picked pretty Lily pad flowers for Deanne. We made it back for a delicious bbq chicken dinner and cake for Rae complete with a fake candle made from a napkin. Ash had arrived while we were gone and only Gene was missing who had to work late. After dinner Bill took Lukas and I tubing as we had missed it later. We had a blast and Sawyer even joined us at one point. He is a brave little swimmer. They stopped the boat at one point and I swamped over as I had just pulled myself forward. I was wearing my kayaking life jacket and it boxed me to the surface easily but I could almost fall out of it and it was very heavy to swim in. I ended up taking it off and paddling toward the boat but I had an asthma attack and they ended up backing up to me in the end. I was ok, just done in.
I tried to reattach my racks so I could bring the kayak home but the roof is so damaged that I want the dealership to see it as they sold it with them attached. I loaded all the peripheral items into my car and Bill is going to bring it out for me on Wednesday when they come back to town. In the meantime I will go to the dealership and let them know what happened and see what they will do to solve it.
Over all it was a good day with the grandsons but I am exhausted and saddened that my 2022 vehicle is worse for wear. I decided to come home as I just need a sleep in my own bed.
I got up at a reasonable time today and discovered that my guest had not actually checked out. His stuff was all still in the trailer and his food was in the fridge. The problem was that I had to clean and wash and remake for the guests arriving tonight. I texted him asking his intention and found out he was at work and asked if he could stay in my spare bed as he hadn’t made other arrangements after being asked to stay and work. By now it was after noon and I had mowed the lawn etc getting ready and got permission from him to move his stuff. I set up a bed for him in a crowded den and then made busy getting the rest ready. I borrowed the neighbour’s weed eater as mine wouldn’t start and got the yard tidied up. Next was cooking a decent meal as I was living on coffee only. I packed it up to take with me to the park where I was the DIC (director in charge) and Booth Director. It was an interesting evening with fewer people than usual but they really enjoyed the last band especially, Turtle Valley from Salmon Arm who had everyone up dancing. I left the site after 8 to check in my guests, two lovely young ladies, who came to the park first to enjoy for a bit. The night went long but was most enjoyable and I was surprised to get home and see that Sheldon wasn’t here yet. I began to wonder if I had once again misunderstood his plans when I got a text and then he pulled up. We had a good talk and agreed on a weekly rate for him to stay through until next Saturday morning. After that he is hoping to get an apartment with a co-worker. As nice as he is, sorting these things out and trusting he will pay next week is a lesson in trust… ah week, off to bed.
I was up and at the office at a decent time to get things done before heading to my dentist appointment at 11. I have been having pain and bleeding in the lower right and there was likely some food caught around my crown. Dr Tom took care of it and put fillings in the ‘trenches’ forming on my bottom two teeth. They are wearing in the same way my Dad and Grandads did. he did the fillings without freezing which is always unnerving. It went well but I felt like I had done Pilates when it was over from holding in the stress and running through my head was: No matter what, don’t hit him. It was funny to read later one of my Facebook memories that I had freezing less fillings 8 years ago today as well! My Pair rim that was the wrong one in my original order arrived last night and I love the flamingos
I went back to the office for about an hour before signing out and heading to Studio 134, my friend Jills studio in her basement. I decided yesterday I wanted to get closer to my true colour without getting rid of all the grey, and have a health trim. We had a great visit while she did an awesome job that I am thrilled with. 3 inches lighter and a lovely depth of colour, I shall be back!
BeforeAfter
After that I popped home to have a quick bite to eat before heading to my onsite client to finally get his 2020 year end ready to send to the accountant. We high-fived when it was done tonight and I shall be back to move on with the 2021.
The day was challenging as the AC is down at the office, for the third day in a row and there is none at the clients. It was good to get home and relax in the cool. I should have mowed my lawn but will do so tomorrow. Sheldon is leaving and Emily is arriving tomorrow night.
Part of the win for the day was asking my friend Bear if he had a friend who would like to join him being paid security overnight for the Friday of our Peak Music Fest. It was stressing everyone out so that is a relief to have off our plate and I know he is super responsible.
Today was productive, met with people and got shit done. Then I came home, made a tasty dinner and after eating, headed to my martial arts class. Keith was running it tonight as Guru Joel had company from out of town. There were only of us there but it was fun and we learned some new moves. One was especially good for taking the legs out from under someone trying to punch you on the street. I really need to practice more outside of class as I do want to go for a belt in Escrima. It is a Philippine style. I know me well enough that I need a goal and a prize. I am proud of me for getting involved at all and that will be the next perfect step. For now, I am worn out and it was warm in the gym so I am literally chilling on the couch.
I was amused by waking to man items in my bathroom. One was left behind last week and one is Sheldons who is currently staying here. I admit that man reminders are lovely. If only a handsome single man of my dating range would show up! These younger men and I are having amazing depths of conversation, they are sexy as can be and yet… my position as hostess and my age, likely seen by them as beyond keeps me in Uber control. It is funny how many of the men show up indoors barely dressed. One came out of the shower only in his towel, another shows up shoe and shirtless, hot as fuck. I had a good laugh when a friend said that was an invitation. I just think it is more likely that two things come into play. They see me as too old to be a prospect and the age range has total body acceptance, therefore lack of clothing is not a signal for anything but sun screen.
I had a pretty good day, got a lot done, paid and unpaid. The plan was to go kayaking with a group, following friends out to Lazy Lake. The plan was also to meet Shannon and Teri at the Blind Pig for wings and a bevie first. I was having a great time finally getting time to hang with the ladies and having a good time so I decided to skip the kayaking. That was a good plan as I got home to have a great visit with Sheldon and make a plan for him to potentially stay here through to December as he is a pipe fitter on a local project. He would stay in the trailer as long as is weather comfortable and then I would give him a monthly rate to use the den. I think I could handle that with some adjustments to my routine. He is out for work before my alarm so that helps, it would mostly be my nighttime routine… may have to use earbuds to fall asleep to the TV or podcasts. We shall see.
I had to text Mary Lynne, my friend on Salt Spring as years ago four girlfriends went to see Nearly Neil at Artspring on Island. The memory of Annie reaching into her purse during the intermission and pulling out her home phone made me literally laugh out loud. Those were such good times when I had a woman posse.
I had a terrible toss and turn night that culminated in a nightmare that had me stressed out at 5:30 am. I haven’t had one like that in a long time, one that left me shaken. I even tried to yell in the dream, to stop them from touching my bike and wanting to wake up at the same time. I struggled to fall back asleep and finally decided to get up and on with the day. It was a good choice as I was at the office an hour early after spending over an hour on the treadmill watching the final episode of Inventing Anna. That Shonda Rhimes, she sure makes quirky character magic.
The day was irksome at moments and I was likely curt a few times but got my jobs done. I decided to whip home at 5 to make dinner and I did enjoy it but forgot to take a good after picture. My leftovers are going to make a great lunch tomorrow.
Next on the list was a board meeting to mostly discuss our plans for Peak Music Festival, the Friday night and Saturday of the September long weekend. I have a good sized task list for the next couple days but was thrilled when it was agreed I am to be the Emcee for the event. I will also fill other jobs where needed to help make it a success. It is nice to have something important and fun to look forward to. I am glad I finally spoke up that I would love to as I may have been holding back too much at first. I do love our little group of humans that put this music in the park on all summer. Now, I hope we get the volunteers to lighten the load!
I couldn’t resist taking photos of all the colour variations in my Hollyhocks, so beautiful!!
I slept right through my alarm today but that did not panic me as I have the tent trailer ready and things organized for my day. A quick shower and off to the office. There was much to do but this month is mostly fixing other peoples stuff and finishing things I put off last month. There is not as much pressure at this point.
I decided to head to my recently acquired client’s shop as he is still struggling to complete 2020 so he can send in his year end and continue on. He is kind and thoughtful and I agreed to take his case. I worked for an hour or so and then headed home to meet my guest, Sheldon. Once he was checked in, I headed back to the shop and worked until 9. Two more months to go and a review before sending it to the accountant and then on to the 2021 file. We agreed that me going home from the office first and having a break and dinner before going there is the best idea. I have a board meeting tomorrow night, plan to go on a group kayak Wednesday and then have my Shield Maidens class Thursday but I will get it done… soon. I have to remind myself that someone else’s falling behind doesn’t make it my emergency. At least he’s a nice human that I am happy to assist and he pays the second I send him an invoice.
The wildfires are kicking in around us but at least not too close to be feared. The air quality goes from bad to okay dependent on the wind direction. It is later in the year for the most part.
I slept well and long enough, awoke to accomplish some chores in the house and then headed outside to deal with my nasty pool. I haven’t been maintaining it properly and on top of it, little miss Emmy came down with hand foot and mouth disease and she was in it last weekend. I left it covered and intended to get chemicals and deal with it sooner but by the time I opened it up this afternoon, it was pretty green, sigh. I had bought a kit yesterday to shock it so I followed the directions and have to wait 48 hours to see how it worked. I seriously hope I don’t have to refill it, such a waste of water. I will perhaps have a greener lawn though, so that would be an advantage.
I slept through the cool part of the day so didn’t get the lawn mowed, again. I had tried to start my weed eater last time I was doing lawn maintenance but it wouldn’t run. I need to trim the lawn edges more than mow but it will have to wait for another day. My roses have recovered from the deer attacking them and I am still getting a few raspberries daily which is a blessing.
Through late afternoon and evening I took down one of the ceiling swag curtains in the trailer and put the beautiful piece of material I picked up at Fabricland. I then spent the rest of the time making two new curtains out of it for the side windows as they got some mildew stains I can’t get out. I haven’t sewn in a while but it was very enjoyable. They are not fully finished on all edges but I have a guest for the whole week so I had to get them finished ‘enough’ and hang them.
I made a Hello Fresh meal for the first in a long time, California Style Fish Tacos and it was so great in the texture and taste department. I will see how well that transfers to my lunch tomorrow, though.
While I was doing all the indoor things today I watched the limited series on Netflix, Inventing Anna. It do is something that would be completely unbelievable if it wasn’t true.
I tried to sleep in this morning but found myself up at a decent time and working my way through some chores. I decided to get myself prettied up in a sun dress and head into the office to finish my data entry and reporting for Tuesday’s FPPAS board meeting. I intermittently dropped things off at the park and accomplished many chores, picking up prescriptions, purchasing chemicals for my pool as poor Emmy was in it last and came down with Hand, Foot and Mouth disease (from others, not the pool), and shopping for a punching bag to hang on the stand I was able to get for free from an acquaintance.
I am going back for this one
Once I got myself settled at Rotary Park, I learned the stage manager preferred me to MC. I admit, I really love doing it. Over the years I have been blessed to do so in front of 10s of thousands of folks at EXPo 86 and many other moments. It is a different kind of performance, more like stand up and it is more awkward as the audience is at quite a distance but I really do love it and am honoured that our team has that faith in me. It is also fun to do the announcements with Maureen as our banter back and forth works well.
Sackboy on a local adventure
I knew it was my official night off and that I could mostly hang out so I had messaged my friend Steph and asked her to join me. We had a great night of chat and encouraging each other in our life goals etc. We acknowledge each other’s ethics and desires for the good and full life we desire. It is good to have a top tier friend like her. At 59 and 45 it is wonderful to find such connection.
I came home and have been watching Amazing Race Canada which has been nearly local in Fernie and Sparwood. So fun to watch.
I ask your forgiveness for dropping out of sight. It has been nearly a month since my last missive! I have been processing this whole ‘what is my story and what is not’ and decided I just need to catch up and carry on. I will do a separate entry eventually to record the hot spots of what has gone on previously but decided that the stress of that was keeping me from my daily. So, here I am.
I was motivated to share tonight by a lovely young couple staying in my Airbnb. Oriana and Lucas were super cute and friendly. I was prepared by saying goodnight and goodbye as I will not be setting an alarm before they are likely to leave in the morning. As it happened I was engrossed watching Clickbait when Lucas came in for a shower and in a random conversation as he was heading out we connected that Oriana also grew up in a houseboat in Queensborough. He ran out to get her and we discovered so many connections including him going to theatre school at Uvic and her working here at Fort Steele in the past! We ended up having a great visit and it reminds me why I do this Airbnb thing; not for the money, but for the relationships.
Meanwhile IRL, today was not easy, but I adore that an onsite assist client stepped out and brought me an Ice Cap, asked if he could book me for his year end and compliments me big time about my abilities. It makes what I do feel meaningful, especially when I feel left out of the clique back at the office.
Rae texted me for a ‘red chair in the yard’ visit which I always wish for more of and we had a good catch up before she had to go back to work to help close due to a sick employee. It was great to get her perspective on what has been going on for me and hear all about her work vacation to Ottawa and Montreal. I miss our long conversations when I would be driving to a job and she had her own shop and time to talk,
I believe I am back for a while now. It is hard to know what is my story to tell and what is just the reaction to others stories but I know that I have obsessed about not doing this. Each night the thoughts rush through my brain on a loop because I have not ‘penned’ them here. I believe it is good for my mental health, so I shall continue.
Goodnight, my friends, I have missed you.
OH yeah, beware blueberries, I turned my smoothie into pudding this morning. I had to use a spoon rather than drink it, lol
Again there is so much to tell but I am pretty done as it is 1:36 am and earlier this evening three members of one of our local bands were hit and run on their bicycles. A guy is in custody. We think they will all be fine but one was airlifted to Nanaimo.
I had amazing moments with Taj Mahal, Jim Byrnes and so many more that want to remember. I will try to recall them in the coming days. Tomorrow is already here, must sleep.
Be safe out there and hug someone you love.
Oh, and Eric apologized and said he was mean and drunk and very wrong, so there’s that.
Doesn’t work as well when working at a festival. Today was very full. Things were running behind but ended up successful in the end, grateful am I. Many hands came together to build this village, set up all the gear, feed the hungry (physically and spiritually), and give the people what they want. I am grateful for all the people that made it happen, the crews that jumped at everything they were asked to do and the people that are above me and yet somehow supporting me in all I need to do. I met some artists who made me smile and laugh and none who brought grief along with them. It was a day of triage and putting out wee fires. The performers this evening were incredible with HER Majesty finishing out the evening in glorious style. I will post pics and videos when I have better wifi and hope you are as entertained as I and thousands of others were. It is 1:30 am and the alarm rings whether I want it to or not. There are 5 more stages to get all up and running by 10 am.
The only thing I am trying to shake off is drunk Eric telling me ‘you just slide in, don’t you Marnée, after all the work is done.’ I simply replied, ‘I guess that is your perception’ and wandered off to bed. As usual, I guess I made it look so easy, it doesn’t look like I am doing much at all… sigh.
My bed set-up worked great and I was baked out around 8. My stomach does not agree with me today, unfortunately but I have enjoyed lingering and meeting with Doug to go over all the stages. Unfortunately we have already had two artists and a techie have to drop out due to Covid tests. I feel bad for the guy who came from England, only to be found positive in Vancouver. I hope he had a negative one and can still make it but it is not looking promising.
Ashlée and KC arrived, set up their tent and went for coffee and distilled water for me as I didn’t get the make out this morning. It has tried to rain a little but the sun is out again and the breeze so hopefully that bad weather will move along.
The day was a bit discombobulating as things are behind where I am used to at this stage. It is a lessen in patience and understanding. As more familiar faces arrived it became more real, that we are going to make this happen. I spent time with Doug going through all the schedules and ensuring I knew of any things out of the ordinary. It is one of my favourite times as I am filled in by him on who each person is in the music world. His knowledge of artists and their place in this universe is outstanding. I took time to rest and ready, was grateful for a hot shower and began preparing my mind for the speech I had to give as a coordinator at the volunteer meeting. Not long before that I was standing beside Doug who was sitting at the picnic table and he mentioned he really wasn’t feeling well and it felt like his heart. His son and I took him to First Aid being careful not to alert any one, especially his wife who was very busy at the time. They recommended he go to the hospital so I got my daughter to get the car and we took him up to the parking area where she picked him up and off they went. It was a large and fearful burden to keep the secret. My comfort was that Ash was with him and would stay as long as necessary. I walked over to where the meeting was and met Cresslynn on the way so made the decision to tell her as she and his wife are very close. I got up on stage, did my introduction and waited until it was time to have a crew meeting and orient those who had attended. While under way, Ash walked up and my brain erased momentarily. After the meeting I found out that she had called Doug’s daughter and his wife was soon on her way to the hospital. He is fine and I don’t know all the details but it was so good to see him come back and be able to carry on.
I was standing chatting with Clay, the owner of the sound company that attends the main stage when he mentioned he really wanted a coffee so I grabbed my maker and headed to his trailer. One good cup of Peruvian coffee and he was a happy camper. I sat for a while enjoying a piece of pizza and a visit before heading back to my camp. I love sitting here listening to the banter of the site crew in their party living room campsite. I shall tuck in and get some sleep as tomorrow promises to be a long busy day.
