Home again, home again, jiggetty-jig

Ok, for those of you that are culturally challenged and don't know what I'm on about with the title to this blog, it's a children's verse that goes:

To market, to market, to buy a fat pig
Home again, home again, jiggetty-jig

Consider yourself enlightened!

So, just got back (well, yesterday) from my brief trip to Canada. Got there on Saturday afternoon, headed straight to my hair stylist for a cut. He's totally awesome! His name is Wayne and he works at Jibreal Salon, in Bridgleand (where the General Hospital used to be). So, got a cute new hairstyle, and got a manicure while I was there, too. So cheap compared to London! Home to Linden and the Country Cousins Restaurant for some yummy honey-lemon chicken, as only the CCR can make it! Not much changes in Linden, it's very comforting for someone like me who is always traveling around. I love the atmosphere and the people and just everything about the town. I always feel like I want to give it a big hug (that might be a bit tough)!

Church on Sunday in Linden was amazing, as always. A lot of people were surprised to see me, and I was warmly welcomed. The sermon was fantastic and very thought provoking, as usual. We went to Calgary to do some shopping afterwards - things are so cheap compared to the UK - it was great! Mom and dad made a wonderful Alberta beef steak dinner that night, with Greek salad (my favourite!) and saskatoon-rhubarb pie! I felt very spoiled!

Monday morning early I was driving into Calgary. Had a fair bit of stuff to get done before the board meeting the next day. I went into Gentry to get set up, and found out their receptionist had called in sick, so I sat at her desk and answered the phone! I hooked up the computer to do some work as well, but so many people wanted to chat with me and catch up, that I had trouble getting anything done! It was nice to see everyone, though. We all went out to lunch at Palimino's across the street - it's a very fun place and has great BBQ! Back in the afternoon to madly dash around to get everything done that I didn't get done in the morning. Connie Nischuk, my counterpart at Gentry, was an enormous help! My brain was a bit scattered and she was invaluable to help keep me organized!! I don't know what I would have done without her!!

Went out for after-work drinks with some of my CIRI friends - so much fun!! I wanted to stay all night - it was so good to be back with the gang. However, I had a directors dinner that I had to go to, so left and was late meeting the guys at the hotel for that. I still had to get changed, so I sent everyone else off in a cab and told them the driver would know where the River Cafe was. I forgot I wasn't in London, where the cabbies actually know the city! The cab driver didn't know where it was, even though it has been there for ages and is quite well-known. Better training regulations really are needed - its ridiculous that someone can walk off the plane to Calgary and start driving cab the next day. They really should have to do some training. In London, the cabbies have to train and study for at least 3 years! It's called "The Knowledge", and makes taking a cab in London a pleasure!! I don't mind paying in the least if I can say the destination and then sit back, confident that they will get me where I'm going without me having to direct them all the way. Thus endeth the rant.

So the cabbie drops them off at a different restaurant, "QHaute" (used to be "La Caille on the Bow"), which is a fair distance from the River Cafe, although they are both on the river, and they have to walk all the way to the restaurant from there, in minus three degree weather. I never heard the end of it, when I finally got to dinner, moaning on about having to walk 5 miles in the freezing cold, etc, etc! My cabbie didn't know where it was either, but fortunately I did. Lovely dinner, but completely knackered by the end of it (jet lag) and was glad to get back to the hotel and into my bed - very comfortable beds at the Hyatt, by the way!

The next morning was a mad rush of Audit Committee meeting, Board meeting, getting everyone sorted with cabs (which I screwed up royally!). My cousin, Kevin Esau, took me to the airport. It was great to catch up with him - we get along really well and used to go for lunch in Calgary every so often. He is someone that I feel quite close to. So it was nice to be able to spend some time with him.

Overnight flight back to London, straight into the office. I am still tired today!! Thank goodness the weekend is close! I have an extra choir practice tonight with just the sopranos. Not looking forward to it because I'm tired and have a great wodge of laundry to do, but I am not even close to ready for the concert next Saturday, so I need the practice! And, I know that I'll enjoy myself once I get going.

Later, gator!!