| ECMAs Whirlwind Weekend 2004 |
| Thursday What a whirlwind morning! I told Chris, our principal that I’d be there in the AM and only have to take a day and a half off. Vic and I said our farewells in the morning and Karen accompanied me to school. She would drive me to the airport at 1 PM. There was a lot to do on Thursday. I had to have everyone’s Valentine’s Projects done and there was a reading exam and the CADE and DARE programs, plus it was picture day for the school. The kids wanted to write notes to Jim Fidler as congratulations for being nominated for an ECMA. By the time they were done, almost all of the kids had wished him well in writing. Even the ones who usually have so much trouble expressing themselves! He and his music has truly touched their lives and they are appreciative. So am I. My sub, Mrs. El-Mekki was very interested in the nominated song, “Salama,” as she had a friend whose daughter had the same name. She gave the song two thumbs up and asked to hear our Salém song, with which we obliged her. She was delighted to discover that several songs on the album were in Arabic and the kids requested that Jim’s Musaïk CD, “In This World” be background music for their reading test. With Karen’s help on the Valentine’s projects and my wonderful student teacher’s assurance that it’d be okay to leave them, I excitedly left to pick up a Philly Care Package I was taking with me on the trip – 2 Italian hoagies, 2 Philly cheesesteaks, Butterscotch Krimpets, Tastykake Chocolate cupcakes, 4 soft pretzels, Goldenberg’s Peanut Chews and 2 cans of Black Cherry Wishniak soft drinks. Dinner’s on me tomorrow. Got to the airport in plenty of time but they had to unpack one of the food boxes to make sure I wasn’t carrying Dry Ice aboard. I didn’t know it was hazardous to pets on the plane. There was none – it was cooled with reusable ice packs. Of course my gate was the last one in the terminal – it always is no matter whaere I am going! Sat at the window, next to a nice young man named Anthony. Anthony was fourteen, making his way back to Montreal to visit after having moved here in 1999. He brought his skis with him since there was snow in Quebec. This was his first trip alone. Come to think of it, it was my second trip alone! I offered to trade seats with him but he didn’t want a window seat “because the houses are too far down.“ But he did enjoy the occasional glimpse out the window. Once we left the immediate airport area, I was surprised to see so much snow. I guess we’ve been lucky to have most of it melt away or be washed away by the rain. It’s pretty much gone in my neck of the woods now. The clouds parted long enough for the two of us to glimpse the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and the Statue of Liberty in New York City. Too soon we reached Montreal and watched the houses of the city come to be a reasonable distance below. Anthony was excited to be “home” and asked me about Customs. I was so glad I spoke to Vic about that last night and I could give him some info about it. He suggested that we stick together because I had confidence we’d get where we needed to go and he could speak French. Worked for me! It felt like forever till we got to Customs. The line snaked a good long way around the terminal but moved fairly quickly. I got red-circled because I had brought meat with me and had to go to another room and be questioned about it. When the man found out it was just 4 sandwiches worth of meat, he laughed and let me go. I collected and re-checked my bags for the flight to St. John’s. When I commented to the lady at the counter that the walk to Customs had taken forever, she informed me that indeed I had walked 976 meters and then patted me on the back “You have another half a kilometer to go to your gate!” she informed me sympathetically. At least there were 2 hours before the flight and I didn’t have to rush. Now I sit and wait. Five more hours and I’ll be in Newfoundland! May the flight be uneventful. It was. I met a family on the plane with three kids under three years of age. Elena kept me entertained for a good long time on the plane. The kids were so good – they had been traveling since 4 AM that morning from San Francisco and were still pleasant! For the first time in my life I watched a plane being de-iced! It was fascinating and made the delay taking off more tolerable. I knew Newfoundland was close when the man behind me ordered his drink with “plenty of ‘oice’ in it.” First the plane was due to arrive early, then all of a sudden we were on time, then late, then later! By the time we got there to Torbay,NFLD, the snow was howling. It seemed to take a really long time to stop on the runway. And we had to sit on the tarmac for 30 minutes waiting for a plane to vacate our gate. It was so frustrating being on Newfoundland soil and not being able to get out and celebrate. Because we arrived so late, my rental car place was closed. There was only one place open to get a rental, so all that reserving online did me not one bit of good! The lady took a long time to get my credit card to “take.” And it was 2 AM before I made it out of the terminal. Not wanting to wake Lillian at home, I went to Erin’s Pub to seek out Jim. He was there in his usual spot and they open the door to let me in when I knocked. Mike Hanrahan was there singing and Trevor bartending. I finally got to meet Ed Barnes in person instead of in Jim’s chatroom. Nice guy, that Ed. Jim chided him for using the phrase “Up here in Canada.” He was gently reminded that they were NOT in Canada but in Newfoundland. Boy, talk about touchy! Reminds me of the song The Islander - “I’m a Newfoundlander born and bred and I’ll be one till I die.” Many things were discussed and we came to the conclusion that “Barstool Theories Change the World.” |
 |
| As is my custom when I am out with Jim, we closed the bar at 4 AM and went home for some shut-eye. ( I am trying to find a better way to say that - he slept with his wife and I slept in the guest room). It was snowing and Gypsy the cat greeted us as we walked up the steps to the front door of the light blue house. The room I am sleeping in has the moon, sky, stars and sea on the walls. I feel right at home. |
 |
| Jim at his usual spot |