Free of Canada

After having traveled across the tundra on a bus with no name I've finally emerged victorious back in the States. I'm looking forward to Jimmy John's, not playing hockey arenas, and having my Blackberry on. I'll miss Robox Platinum, Tim Horton's, and "getting oot and aboot, eh". We crossed back on the Ambassador Bridge. I didn't see it this time because it was 5:30AM and I was asleep until the border guards roused the whole bus to make sure we weren't smuggling any Canadians into the US, aside from the one we're supposed to have with us. Linkin Park had their caravan pass through immediately prior to us so I think the guards were expecting trouble. They came on the bus like gangbusters and when 11 sleepy but relatively wholesome people with passports ready piled out of the bunks they seemed relieved and let us go very quickly with only a few jokes about felines.

Canadian Perks

We've been playing the Great White North recently. In Canada it seems that there are more hockey rinks than theatres. So I guess it only makes sense that we're playing all hockey arenas except for 2 venues. The only perk is the Zamboni. I don't know about anyone else but for me Zambonis are comforting. Giant ice smoothing machines are cool and you look like a bad ass driving one.

Augusta Maine

Ahh, scenic Maine. Too bad it's not summer. Cuz it's freakin' cold. I stayed last night at the ever classy Holiday Inn Civic Center. The view was of the 10' snow banks and the Civic Center. I could actually watch TV from in my shower. See below...

If you didn't already figure it out, we were playing the Augusta Civic Center. A basketball arena. I consoled myself with the thought that at least it wasn't a hockey rink this week. The venue is not great and its only claim to fame was demonstrated by the plaque in the lobby.

Well, gotta go. It's time for this Elvis to leave the building. We've got 10 hours of bad roads, a border crossing and 14" of snow tonight. I'm glad I bought a big puffy coat!

on the road again...

in Trenton NJ at a hockey arena. Stage left was the penalty box. There was actually ice under the temporary flooring that was put down. At intermission there was a cotton candy hawker and kids brought laser pointers and glow sticks. WHAT!!! Also apparently the staff and patrons can't read or listen because there was more breaking of the No Photography rule than when I was last in mainland China. Offsides!

OLD!

I got a new drivers license the other day. My new picture makes me look 40. John said not to feel bad, he thought I only looked 30.

Rascal

A short time ago this person was challenged by their mobility. Then they got over it and went to lunch.

I spotted this outside a restaurant in small town North Carolina.