The Going (Exchange) Rate

If I knew the words to "O Canada", I would sing them for you now. Somehow, when I begin with those words, they take on the tune of "O Christmas Tree" and it just loses something. Besides, I don't know any other words... ahem. True story folks. And yes, I do have a point here.

To preface my little story, you must understand that I am fickle. I get involved in things, ideas, and sometimes people and I just do a full ambush. Generally, it is well intended. I live my life like my every breath is hinged upon absorbing everything possible about these things, ideas, or people. I feed on it. When I cannot have that fix, I get cranky. Kind of like I would imagine Ghengis Khan got cranky. It just becomes such a pivotal point in my life that I don't know how to live without it. And then, just as quickly as the immersion began, I am shaking off the last drops of water with the memory of it no more than a fading mist.

With that little bit of history... here we go.

Several months ago, I ran off to Canada. I looked at the major freeways to get me there, took my cell phone, hit the bank and jumped on the silver string. I made it a point to not tell anyone where I was going. I had been having some problems and really feeling like I was so tightly coiled that if one little thing happened, someone was going to get hurt - and I didn't care. I had to see if, under the circumstances, I could pull off a solo trip. Why Canada? I live in northeast Ohio and am fortunate enough to get a great Canadian radio station which is how I heard about the towns I went to like Sarnia and London. They have cool music, love hockey, and say 'eh' alot. Another bonus is that the further north I go, the less noticeable my pale complexion is: I actually blend! I figured it was a natural choice, especially since I wanted to get away from the States and the upcoming election propaganda. (And who is it out there that really believes "W"? This is the person that just 4 short years ago rivaled Dan Quayle in his public speaking ability.) Well, I have to say - I HAD A BLAST! I did nothing exciting, but I did it on my own and as a bonus, survived to write this. When things make you question your own ability and potential, you have to do something that forces you to face that and either sink or swim. Either way, you learn alot about yourself, which is always a positive step. You may not like what you learn, but it gives you a starting point to work from. Anyway, there were certain individuals at home that didn't agree with my methodology, but then again, perhaps that is because I told them nothing of my plans. Come to think of it, I HAD no plans - I just went. I am used to people not understanding me, including myself, if that's possible. But I knew that I had to go there. My northern Mecca. The Promised Land, 'eh? And why, oh why, was this such an important destination? What was the draw? Simply put, I wanted new CDs. What I wanted was not here and Canada was not far, and it was in Canada. I have always been a huge music fan so this was, in my opinion, a valid reason for going. At least it was valid to me and this was my trip...

Referring to the beginning of this story, I figured that soon I would grow weary of my little adventure's memories, barely able to recognize the hazy outline of the KPH signs on the Queens Highway. Interestingly, it has been quite the opposite. It has been ennervating at best being stuck here in Ohio through this winter. London is so close, but I know it is not practical to go now. Years ago, pioneers went cross country in the elements with approximately 10 pounds of flour, 3 puny chickens, and a daughter nicknamed 'half-pint', but I am not that determined... I won't even hop in my Camry and head north to face -40F wind chills. Wimpy? Perhaps. But the way I see it, if I still have such a drive to go back now, I feel certain that I will jump at the first chance to go back when it gets a little warmer. The trip I made in the Fall is still with me, and as far as I can tell, the desire for a repeat performance is ready to pounce at the first opportunity. It is amazing when I realize the exchange I experienced had no monetary value and was absolutely priceless.

A few days ago, a co-worker asked me where I went to get new music. Another co-worker piped up and said "Canada"! At first, I laughed like hell...then I felt something not unlike pride because for the first time in many months, I realized that the part of me that I had forgotten about made a comeback with one little trip.