In Contention...

I think the actual longest day of my life was when Nolan and I missed the plane home from Gatwick in the UK, but Thursday, June 21st is now in the running for being one of the longest days of my life. Here is an extract from my journal that I wrote while driving...I HAD to start writing otherwise I would have jumped out of the car while laughing hysterically and since NO DYING is rule #1 I instead had to write and laugh hysterically.

Today was potentially the longest day of my life. I am told thought that one day driving through Ontario is likely to rival today and any other day that sits on my "longest day of my life" list.

Today would never have made the list, however, a number of small details that manad\ged to all happen in the surrounding 24 hours pushed this day into contention. It's funny how small details can change a whole day. For example, the weird french lady who came into the hostel room at 3am, snored all night long and switched beds at her leisure...she changed the whole night. Extrememly squeaky bedsprings, another small detail that doesn't promote a good night's sleep. Neither does a window that doesn't close when a pub is 2 doors down the road and people never really know how loud they are when they are drunk. Alcohol must effect our auditory system and cause temporary hearling loss, thus requiring everyone to yell- much to my chagrin and sleeplessness.

Of course it doesn't help matters when one chooses to stay out late, drink beverages and practice your french with Quebecois people all the while a very loud band is playing Irish folk tunes and dancing fools spill their beers down your back.

As you sit inthe moment of decision, I find that often enjoying the moment; living in the now, winds over what some might call common sense. I say you only live once and sometimes you need to make the non-sensical decision and seize the day (or the night as it was).

Small detail, let's call it #6...drinking a second beverage and being the owner of a small bladder...bad news because it means less sleep. Getting into the car at 8am knowing you've made a prior decision to drive 1100-ish kilometres seems extremely painful and of course it is going to be a long day. #8-leaving without breakfast. Tired and hungry, not a combination that I am especially good at. #9...forgetting to call Moncton friends to tell them you need to get into their house to pick up your belongings and they work so....will the door be open or locked? Dear Lord, favour please, let the door be open. It also helps if MAYBE, just maybe the navigator and the driver discuss the route of choice for travelling westward. If the driver has one route in mind, but the navigator thinks we"re going a different way the...the lefts and rights we take, just might be the long way! oops...tired minds don't operate at 100%.

So 12.5 hours later we are still driving and we are in good spirits despite the fact we are running on very little sleep, 3 bowls of fruit loops, 1 bottle of gatorade, 1 shared powerbar, 1 side of friens and chicken nuggets, 2 lifesavers, 2 oranges and a bit of trail mix that desperately needs more chocolate in it. OH! and 1 cup of coffee and 1 iced cap...neccessito today!

We have laughed hysterically (I was actually beginning to think that Kim was losing her mind), we've attempted to believe our own lies ("It will only feel like 1/2 hour"), we've worshipped God, listened to good music and cursed Ontario drivers (who were actually driving the speed limit in Quebec which no good Quebecois ever does!) All in all it was a good long day. All I can think about now it a real meal, a real bed and a real shower and seeing some really good friends tomorrow.