Snowbaling away to another place

I am now packing up the bags and hitting the road again with my sister Michelle, it's time to head south again. As we drive through the beautiful Northern Ontario scenery, from Timmins, through Matheson, Temagami, North Bay, and onward to Toronto. The sun is full of radiant energy this day, as we decide to find an old family house in what has become a foreign area to us since we're running on childhood memories; the road decides to end on us, and damn these small town dirt roads... We hit a snowbank and managed to be safe in an unpredictable accident, but now with the car stuck literally off the ground floating on the hard packed snow. An hour goes by and after breaking a shovel and using way too much kitty litter, we get enough momentum to push the car back on the road and keep on trucking as they say.

Back into a road trip groove all is well, for the time being. Only in Ontario do you see so many cops, and I have nothing but respect for people who take pride in their work, although I swear this officer was a robot. Reiterating a condescending speech he's probably said a thousand time before, we did get our deserved speeding ticket. I do have to put my perspective in here, if your not being reckless, I don't believe that speeding is a valid crime worth the price of these tickets... or the emotional attack on ones dignity, making you feel like some criminal. We were just chilling on a road trip minding our own, and these experiences give cops the unfortunate stigma of being assholes. Enough said about it, we have all been there.
    Now sailing on Toronto lifestyle, we are here in a familiar area, and way of life a little more suited for us. I say my good bye to Michelle and welcome my new home for the next couple weeks. I could never thank Jackie Brown enough for her hospitality and caring nature. She put up with me unfortunately getting sick and being all whiney for most of my time there, but we did have some good times, great conversations, and she was good company.
    My time there had a purpose, and work was on my mind, since I'd be leaving for countries I would have trouble finding work in now, and had to take advantage of my situation here. Frischkorn AV was there to help me out. Seems networking with the right people in Vancouver had its advantages for me here in Toronto. Richard a gentleman I met on a KIA show in Vancouver happened to be my connection for a few gigs here in town. So now I'm putting in about 30 something hours in 3 days, and building up the funds to make it to Mexico. I have to admit, this company really knew how to treat a freelancer, and I had it made. Being put up at the Royal York hotel for the night, rigging up the Toyota show, and second lighting guy to Richard, was some hellish hours, but a pleasure to do. Torontonian lifestyle is simple, work, sleep, day after day, with the weekend to play. I fit in for my time there, and play time was great.

    For the first time ever, we had every project3media member in the same room, with exception to Colin who was still in Van. We gathered up the collective consciousness and started our massive brainstorming session of life, technology, progressive thoughts, and global interactions, mixed with a melee of interactive media, design, and environmental issues. I loved every one of them for keeping me sane and feeling good about my future in this world. The idea that there are people out there making things better to live in, designing a brighter future with care and consideration is one of comfort.

Another unexpected meeting of friends was about to occur, and this time it was more of a reunion. As I head down to the International Backpackers Hostel in Toronto to see some old friends gathering for Raymond's last night in town. Raymond is a good hearted soul I went to high school with, he's been DJ'ing in the city for a few years and was now about to leave for Northern Ontario to help out his mother. I admire this man's strength of character. It's great to see all these old friends doing so well for themselves, you know when you wonder what happened to the friendships of old, and where everyone is at... Well this was my moment to have those questions answered. TJ and Erin have done amazing, Megan raising her little girl and still pursuing her career, Empy, Roberts, Stevan, Shawna, they all have their stories to tell and I listened with a keen ear. The night was a late one as the alcohol was distributed freely amongst us, and morning was happening against our wishes at Shawna's place. We left for some rest, the parties are ending for me, they have to I need to get ready to move on to the next place. Hamilton is next, and there's another story to come.