Last night in California
The day started with our last trip up to
Oxnard...
The truck and its driver, Mario, showed up at
Island View Street around 12:30. I "greased" the driver's palm (I've always
really hated that expression), and he was a huge help. Still, there was a lot
more stuff left in the garage than I realised, and it took a bit of time to load
the van... or maybe it just felt that way - I'd stayed up far too late the night
before at our "going away" gathering. In the end, a few close friends showed
up. It was nice, but I really shouldn't have stayed up until 6am. For the sake
of posterity, here's a list of our
attendees:
Mike Raffeld (earlier in the
day)
Steve and Janet (the
newlyweds)
Curtis Page (accompanied by a large
bag of tangerines from a tree in his
backyard)
Chuck Byler (not accompanied by his
girlfriend Tanja, unfortunately - would've been nice to see
her)
Rob and Thalia Ryder (accompanying each
other)
Scott Bachmann (a solo
act)
Anyway... after putting our stuff in
storage, we got back to the Valley at about 4pm. I slept for a half an hour,
and then we went out for sushi with my folks, Elaine Orlando, and Larry
Marinacci. It was a lovely evening and great to see Larry again - a family
friend of about 30 years and my parents' former neighbour who, in the midst of a
nasty divorce, decided just to clear out of his place and stay with friends. I
hadn't seen him in probably six months. Elaine is always a joy to see, too. I
hope both of them come and stay with us soon. Later, Chris and our friend (and
insurance agent), Erika, showed up.
So
that's it... except that it isn't it. It's now 2:16am, and I'm exhausted and
wide awake at the same time. It seems fitting, somehow, to leave L.A. worn and
weary - that's how this city's made me feel so often. Still, as anxious as I am
to get underway, I really had hoped to get a decent night's sleep. I don't know
why I thought that would happen tonight of all nights. Silly me. Graham
refuses to sleep, and Wendy's thoroughly pissed off. Fun, fun. Going to be a
long, long drive.
I kinda thought I might
have something significant or profound to say on the eve of our departure...
maybe something funny or insightful... even just mildly amusing. Nah, not me.
If you were hoping for that, sorry to disappoint you. I've been thinking about
my sister a lot recently; I suppose that shouldn't be a surprise. The room
we're staying in is her old room from years ago and as I close this 20 year
chapter of my life, Heather's sleeping right where my sister used to sleep. In
so many ways, she reminds me so much of Joanne - smart and funny with a keen
understanding of people. Sorry, Joanne, but she dances better than you ever
could.
I know it's going to be difficult
being so far away from my parents and friends, but I'm hoping at least some of
their threats to come up weren't idle... and my parents are already talking
about coming up every three to four months and then moving in about two years.
I hope all of it happens.
I'm planning on
this being my last self-indulgent, reflective moment for awhile. The last few
days - months, really - have been all about that... but when we pull out of that
driveway in the morning and say goodbye to California for a final time, I want
my mind firmly on the road ahead, 1,800 miles due north up the 15, where we'll
open up a new and exciting chapter - a Canadian chapter - a chapter of moose and
mounties... of snow and socialised medicine... a chapter of beer, toques, and
hockey. Okay, hoseheads - I'm goin' to bed, eh. The next time you hear from
me, I'll be somewhere other than California. Damn, I hope it's
Vegas.
Just a last note before I try to
get some sleep: They're having a heat wave up in Spruce Grove - supposed to be
in the 40's tomorrow! Okay, I'm sure you thin-blooded Californians are
laughing, but it's been warm enough to melt all of the snow. It's looking like
the drive might be nice and clear although, as I heard an L.A. anchor say a few
days ago, "season inappropriate". Yes, she was talking about the weather. What
a silly place.
Ciao!
Posted: Sun - December
11, 2005 at 02:36 AM