Today I spoke at Fraser Heights Secondary in Surrey. It is my second year in a row talking to the graduating class here and it has been a great experience both times. Thank you to everyone who was in attendance today. Your attention and respect is greatly appreciated. I felt I had you all listening even though I was fighting to keep my voice loud enough… that Guitar Hero Metallica last night took a bit out of my voice today. Mr. Hetfield I don’t know how you do it! I love talking to grade 12 classes and am happy to be speaking again at Fraser Heights to the 2010 grad class next year!

Speaking of grade 12s, I just booked the afternoon of April 14th at Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver. I am pretty sure this will be my first visit speaking at Killarney. There are not a lot of schools where I haven’t spoke yet in BC, so it is always cool to go into a new one.

Sadly I have to announce that my presentation in Salmon Arm next Monday is cancelled. Due to a recent crash involving a former grad the presentation will need to be rescheduled out of respect to the family and friends of the deceased. Although I can’t put a name or face to the person or persons involved, this shakes me up because I have spoken at Salmon Arm Secondary a number of times in the past 4 years. Chances are this person or persons were at my presentation. I could have even met and talked to him, her or them. My heart and deepest sympathies go out to all of those affected by this tragedy.

I would hate to end this on a sombre note, but sadly this is real life. Young people are still dying in car crashes and families, friends, schools and communities are left grieving the loss of their loved ones.

Life is such a precious gift that can be gone in a split second. This is a sad fact of life. It is why it is so important to enjoy life and live every single moment to the fullest. It is why it is so important to be smart and avoid risks that could endanger our lives or someone else’s. I am not speaking directly in relation to the incident in Salmon Arm, as I do not even know what happened there. I just know that the world lost a young person with a bright future ahead way too soon. So please be smart out there.

The next time you see one of those roadside memorials please understand that these most likely represent the loss of a young person’s life. A young person like you with family, friends, parents, passions, hobbies, and a future ahead. I think it is all too easy to just drive by these memorials without more than a thought or two. But we really should be thinking about those lost and doing whatever we can in our powers to avoid becoming one of these tragic stories.

Life is a gift….

Wiggle your toes if you need a reminder.

KB

I am happy to say I got the gallery figured out. I am not all that teck savvy, but I try, and I got some pointers today from my man James. So I’ve put two new albums up for you all to check out.

The first is from my most recent road trip… the one I just got back from… 3600kms in 6 days YEAH YEAH! The Southern Interior and Washington State. man I feel so lucky to be able to travel around and meet all of you cool people…

The second is from October 2008. I had a RAD tour through the Huron County area and neighbouring counties in Ontario. This was such an awesome trip! I found the photo album Mrs. McEwin, SADD Advisor from Goderich DCI who organized my tour, gave me. She is so cool! Thanks for everything Mrs. McEwin and everyone in Ontario. You can see all of the places I went and spoke in one of the posted pics, as one of the schools made me a tour t-shirt with all of the schools I spoke at on the back. Run on sentence or what? Roll on sentence… ohhhh.

I will be posting new albums regularily…

BUT RIGHT NOW I am about to go try out Guitar Hero Metallica!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can sing and play Nothing Else Matters myself… not to mention a lot of other SICK songs.

Over.

Kevy Metal

Home Sweet Home…

What a week!

Two years ago, I did a big Saskatchewan tour. I couldn’t believe that I drove 4000kms in 11 days… well that is nothing now. I drove almost just as far in almost half the amount of time. When I parked my truck last night in the underground at my place, the odometer read just over 3600kms… that’s 1800miles for my many new American friends.

The week started in Clearwater, BC… I was pretty tired and not feeling 100% but after I read your many messages on Facebook I was so stoked to see that a lot of students were feeling our story in Clearwater on Monday. It is such a beautiful place. I hope one day to be able to stay for a visit and check out the sites.

Tuesday I woke up in beautiful Nelson and made my way to Creston. Snow made my arrival time at Prince Charles Secondary School questionable, but I lucked out and just got there in time to set up. This presentation reminded me a lot of the PARTY Program I do on Vancouver Island. It had the same vibe which is a big compliment to Creston because PARTY is my favourite venue. I got a ton of awesome messages and met some really cool people here too.

Wednesday I made my first trip to Lilooet. The audience in Lilooet surprised their teachers, but not me. I could feel the positive energy as I entered the school. It felt like we were just chilling as I spoke and I could tell they were all hearing what I had to say. And even better taking it to heart. Your many messages prove that you appreciated my visit. And I appreciate you all writing me!

Thursday was Revelstoke… hometown of my girlfriend and most of her family. I love it in Revelstoke and felt so very welcomed by everyone in town. What a friendly, warm loving place you all live in. It is such a gem in the… where is it… Kootenays, Shushwap, Okanagan?? Maybe you are your own little region of awesomeness! Thanks for all the great messages from Revelstoke and it was so RAD to see all of the familiar faces I saw and meet some new ones too.

Friday I wrapped up my week of speaking in the SI in Salmo. I felt right at home here. I feel kind of like a big brother to the Salmoians…. I just make up words when I want to… my blog… my rules. I have seen so many people in this school grow so much since my last visit. It was great to feel your energy and the sense of family that your school has. I spoke to you Friday before the weekend and I hope that now that it is Sunday some people can look back and say that our story affected decisions made or Not made this weekend.

From Salmo I made the trek across the entire state of Washington to Camp Casey. I had never shared our story in it’s entirety outside of Canada. I was so hoping that it would go over well. When I arrived at Camp Casey in Coupeville, WA it was late… almost 1:00am. I had just drove over 600kms and spent over 8hrs in my truck listening mostly to In Flames. Still somehow I was feeling mellow. When Jason, from administration, met me at my truck with Gerry from SADD I was feeling like a zombie. Human contact had been not-a for a full work day. People talking to me seemed alien… dude my last contact with humans did too, as I was all but probed coming across the border 8 – 9hrs before.

I will admit, when Jason asked me if I had a sleeping bag I was a little freaked out. I had nothing prepared to make a bed. I found some blankets in the back of my truck thankfully – one a nice fleece a school gave to me and the other a ghetto rag that was left in my truck by a mechanic when my transmission went a couple years back. Inside Camp Casey looked like what I thought it was going to look like… an old army barracks. I was led into my room and saw beds with nothing but mattresses. I had been sleeping in 4+ star hotels with plush pillow top mattresses all week… pansy I know… so I was thinking this is a BIG change. But as I got thinking more I told myself to suck it up Princess because there are so many people in the world who would die for a bed with a roof (pronounced rewf) overhead and not to mention heat and fresh running water. Dude, there are tons of people in BC, Canada, Washington, America… who don’t have these basic things. I found a bunch of pillows and two comforters in a closet in the room and made myself a pretty dope bed. I had an awesome sleep and woke up ready to rock the SADD Conference.

I could not have been happier with how it went. First of all there were so many great people around to help me set up and make me feel welcome. Jason and his family were so good to me as was Gerry and every other person I met… so many… over 100 I bet. I went through Our Story and only really got hung up a bit trying to figure out the transition of kms into miles when describing the crash. People in the audience were helping me out and everyone was just cool. In felt they dug I was Canadian. At the end I got a standing ovation, and my face must have just lit up! I was so stoked to see everyone rise to their feet! Thank you all so much.

The rest of the day was great. I spent it hanging around talking to everyone from the conference and learning where they were from and sharing stories. I felt very welcomed and appreciated. That made my day.

I took a little journey to get gas and do some sightseeing around the Island. I almost buried my truck thanks to man’s second best friend (my GPS). But I guess like man’s first best friend (the dog) sometimes you gotta deal with some sh*t but for the most part it is all good! I had dinner back at Camp Casey and hung out some more and then said my goodbyes. I felt great as I said bye to the many new friends I had met. I left feeling that it was only bye for now and that I would be seeing many of them again in the not so distant future.

As I started up my truck I felt such a great sense of accomplishment. I had covered so much ground in 6 days. I had seen so many places; driven so many roads; talked to and hopefully inspired so many people; ate so much great food; slept in so many cool places; listened to so much music; and ultimately challenged myself day in and day out with great success! I put on Motley Crue’s Home Sweet Home and started North for Canada.

My last stop before home was Deception Pass. Wow! I had heard of this great place before, but really couldn’t fathom how awesome it is until I saw it firsthand. I got there just in time for the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. I couldn’t help but think how far I had come in the past week. I had covered so many different areas to be back to my home… the west coast. I took some great pictures and promised to come back sometime soon.

I had a great sleep in my own bed last night and woke up around 9:30am feeling STOKED! I want to thank every single person who made this week a success. From the students and the teachers at Clearwater Secondary, Prince Charles Secondary, Lilooet Secondary, Revelstoke Secondary, Salmo Secondary and every school and person at the WA State SADD Conference THANK YOU!!!! Also to the sponsors: ICBC and SADD thank you for the opportunity!!! This was a week I will never forget!!!!

Peace.

Kevin

3358kms and Counting…

I am on the Mukilteo – Clinton ferry heading over to Whidbey Island. I cannot believe how much ground I have covered today. I basically just drove across the entire state of Washington and now am back on the west coast.

Today has been another good one. Salmo was an awesome way to end a great week of speaking in the Southern Interior. I recognized faces as I entered the school and they recognized me too. Salmo is a pretty small place with a pretty small school population. The people there are like everyone I met this week, super chill. There were skateboarders, a lot of partiers, and overall just a bunch of good people. The presentation was held in a common area instead of the gym, which gave it a more casual feel… right up my alley. I have checked my Blackberry a few times as I have stopped along the way here and have already got some pretty interesting messages and a bunch of FB adds.

I crossed the border not far from Salmo. I HATE CROSSING THE BORDER! I always get nervous and just don’t feel comfortable with the interrogation. Today I got searched pretty thoroughly, well my truck and everything inside did. The guy was cool, but I still felt a little violated after. It isn’t a good way to enter a country. I always feel unwelcome. I can’t just say this happens for us Canadians entering America. I know it works the other way too. A lot of bands don’t even play Vancouver because our border crossing is such a nightmare. I had a lot of time to think tonight (8hrs and counting I have been in this truck alone) and I couldn’t help but wonder when it got to this point. Was there a time where the borders were a matter of “Ya’all have fun” and “Have a good one eh” or has it always been such an unpleasant experience?

I have to say it didn’t give me the best vibes coming into America. Again, I felt unwelcome. But after driving across the entire freakin state tonight I feel like Washington and I have had a bonding experience.

I listened to In Flames for most of the trip. My buddy leant me the Sense of Purpose album a while back. I put it on my i-POD and occasionally would hear a song on random shuffle. Each song was good, so tonight I gave the whole album a go. It is so SICK! I had nothing else I could think of as rad as it, so I just kept letting the cd start over. I think I listened to Sense of Purpose 4 times in a row.

I passed through some familiar lands… driving through Snoqualmie Pass reminded me of a knarly road trip years back. Me and three buddies drove there to see Rancid and Blink 182. I remember the show fondly but as I got really thinking I couldn’t help but remember how drunk our driver was on the way up there. So many stupid things I used to do. He couldn’t even say Snoqualmie…. He kept saying Snowcookie and we thought it was hilarious. We’re lucky we made it there and home alive.

Well the boat is about to dock. I am hoping to find a wireless connection to put this online immediately. I have no clue if it will happen but fingers crossed.

Thanks again to everyone from Salmo today. You RULE!

~: )

KB

There is nothing like a good sleep in!

I just slept over 10hrs and has the most relaxing morning I have had all week.  I feel refreshed and ready to rock!

Today I am speaking in Salmo.  I have spoke there before and remember mostly that the students were so cool.  I have pics still up on MySpace.  The last time I was there was two years ago, and the majority of the students hanging around afterwards were young - like grades 8 and 9.  It will be interesting to see where they are at now that they are a bit older.

Once I am finished in Salmo, I am driving to Whidbey Island, WA.  In the past, the majority of the driving I have done in Washington has been either to Mount Baker, back in the day, or else down the 1-5 to Bellis Fair Mall or Seattle or straight through to Oregon.  I will be driving through the Snowqualmie Pass tonight.  I am pumped to take the scenic route and am definitely glad I got some new tires for the trek.  I am also stoked about seeing the San Juan Islands… well one of them anyways.  If the San Juans are anything like there sisters from the north (The Gulf Islands) I am in for a real treat.  More than anything I am stoked to tell our story in the US and see what kind of response it gets.

That’s about it for now… I figured I’d write now as I have no clue when I will be arriving at Camp Casey tonight.  Not to mention, I have no clue if there is wireless there. 

When I get a chance I will be posting again… I figure possibly late tonightand if not then tomorrow.

Once again thank you to every single person who has sat in on our story this week and given nothing but respect; written me by email, Facebook, website posts; and/or came up to me after the presentation and just hung out or chatted or told me your story. I do this for you and knowing you appreciate it is what keeps me going strong!  I will be back in the Southern Interior April 5 - 10th.  I can’t wait!!!!  Check my bookings to see where I will be… I will be back in May again too!!!

Peace.

KB

HCIF

Holy Crap It’s Friday!!!… Well almost…

This week has just flown by.  I feel a huge sense of accomplishment after all of the driving, short sleeps and maintained energy level (for the most part).  This week feels like 3 weeks.  I have just done so much.

Today was another great day!  Waking up in Revelstoke this morning, I was definitely feeling pretty tired.  I am a big fan of the sleep-in, but this week I have been up most mornings before 7am.  The sun was shining when I opened the curtains of my room and that got me going.  I was also excited to talk at Revelstoke Secondary.  I knew I would have some friends in the audience and their support was much appreciated, but I get nervous when people I know come to my presentations.  I got over it fast today and just did my thing.  It was hard not to feel comfortable… I felt so welcomed by everyone at the school.  Before I was out of my truck a student named Byron was grabbing my bags for me, then people were waiting at the door too.  The principal seemed stoked I was there, as did everyone else.  The crowd… man you were so good.  And that is a huge room and a lot of people to fill it.  But you were so chill and respectful.  I love the Southern Interior.  Everyone has been so awesome to me!

After the presentation, I hung around the school for a while and chatted with students and then headed into town.  My buddy Jeremy owns a hair salon in Revy called Shear Excellence.  Jer is so chill… such a rad guy.  He trimmed up my hair and then I headed down the road for Remax - Melissa’s moms business.  Half way there I saw a Volcom sign on the sidewalk and kind of got a hunch I might know someone inside.  Sure enough I do.  It must be cool living in Revelstoke.  Everything is so close and everyone knows each other.  It’s so friendly.  I bought a black Volcom tie for the next time I have to dress up ~: )  when I got to Remax Jer came through the door right behind me with a  gift… a drink holder and zap straps for my chair!!!! SERIOUSLY SO RAD!!!!

Everyone at Remax was cool too.  They let me use the printer to make up a bunch of handouts for the SADD Conference on Saturday.  The handouts will hopefully get me into some schools in Washington State next year.  After a short visit and a Christmas gift exchange (I still had Christmas gifts for Melissa’s mom) I headed for the Galena Bay ferry.

What another beautiful drive through the mountains, valleys and seemingly endless waterfront.  There are some BIG lakes in the Kootenays.  The sun was shining and punk rock was plentiful, so I was smiling.  I leave schools feeling so happy always.  It is such a proud feeling to know that you are all stoked and impacted by our story. 

I was also excited today because I was driving through New Denver http://www.newdenver.ca.  If you have never been or heard of it, New Denver is this tiny little town in the Kootenays between Nakusp and Slocan.  It feels like going back in time when you enter because it is such a mellow slow way of life there.  The main strip looks like something out of a movie… I will use the word quaint at the risk of not sounding too tough.  New Denver also has the BEST deli EVER!  It is called the Apple Box (I think)… Apple something.  This place has the freshest, best sandwiches and soup you will ever eat.  I get stoked any time I am going through town.  And once again it lived up to the high pedestal I put this place on. 

With a full belly, I headed for Rossland and my favourite bed in the world.  I am feeling prestigious again as I am staying at The Prestige Inn in Rossland tonight.  Best of all I speak late tomorrow, so I get to sleep in.  I was so soar and tired by the time I got here today… I was just done.  But I sucked it up and rolled my chair to the grocery store to pick up some waters and grapefruit for tomorrow. 

When I finally got into my room, I felt like I had just finished a marathon…  I guess I kind of have… except it isn’t quite finished.  I got into the bed and just vegged and watched the Canucks game.  It kind of sucked so I checked out the Shizniz page.  There are a lot of cool messages on there and I read each one word for word feeling stoked.

This blog is my final act of anything but complete nothing for the rest of the night.  I plan to watch TV in bed and fall asleep whenever I fall asleep.

Super huge thanks to everyone from Revelstoke today… huge thanks to all of you from each school this week.  It has been a hectic schedule but your raddness has kept me going strong.  Thanks to everyone posting on here, Facebook and emailing and messaging me too!

I am out.

Kevy Metal

Another late night blog… 

I had another great day today.  My presentation in Lilooet was RAD!  I had never been to Lilooet until today.  I have driven past before, but that was it.  If I remember correctly the sign as you enter says “Welcome To Our Little Nugget” or something along those lines.  And it is a little golden nugget in the massive Fraser Valley.  Driving in from Kamloops is a very scenic drive.  The Fraser Canyon is comparable to Niagara Falls in my books, and I have been to both.  You really have to see both places in person to fully respect how massive they are and how much water flows through both.

Students were super chill and friendly as I approached the school today.  I also saw a Range Rover in the parking lot with a HUGE NOFX sticker on the back, so I figured it would be a good one… not to mention the basketball court turned Skate Park filled with a pile of wooden ramps and ledges on the way into town.

The principal was a little worried about shutting the lights down fully for my slideshow as I guess the Lilooetians can be a little rowdy…  But I knew they would be chill for me.  I told him that he should make the judgement call at the end of the show,

cuz I was sure they would be cool to me.  Sure enough… throughout the entire presentation it was so quiet.  So much respect was given my way.  Best of all, at the end for the slideshow… lights out completely.  And of course, all was cool.  The principal was a great guy, the teachers were friendly and the students were so cool.  They fed me Subway from the school cafeteria (AWESOME) and sent me on my way with a couple of juices too.  It was so sweet and appreciated.  Subway bfrom the school saved me making a stop and getting my chair out.  These days this is no easy feat as I have to completely rearrange my truck to get out and then in again because of all of he gear inside it!  Before I left the school, I showed some students my truck and how it all worked and how I got my chair in and out. 

I just want to say Thank you all!!! The ones I hung out with, chatted with, you know who you are and thanks or being so cool.  Man everyone has been so solid during this trip.   

After Lilooet, I made my way back to Revelstoke.  I was feeling a bit pinched for time as I had a bunch of stuff I wanted to do today before I went out with Melissa’s fam.

For starters, I wanted to rework my bio and handout a bit for when I go to Whidbey Island this weekend.  I wanted it at least ready for print.

My biggest thing I needed to get done was mechanical… and no not riding a mechanical bull in Merritt.  How would I even get on??  The old S-10 was in some serious need of some loving.  She has seen a lot of kms these past fews days… 2300+ now.

It all started this morning when I was leaving Kamloops and piling my bags into my truck.  I noticed that my front passenger wheel looked mangled.   I looked closer and the rim was all bent and the tire looked a bit warped.  I was a little nervous to drive on it but just kept things slow to Lilooet and thought positively.  When I reached Salmon Arm on my way back I stopped at Kal Tire and got a new tire put on.  I got some new all seasons on the back too, just to be safe.  My rim was actually cracked.  I think I did it in yesterday when I hit a pothole mid-turn between Rossland and Grand Forks.  So $400+ later I have three new tires… afterwards I thought how brilliant it was to get three new tires and not just four.  I drive a truck not a trike. 

The new tires felt good as I drove to Revelstoke.  Conditions were perfect: weather and road wise.  I checked into the Coast Hillcrest Hotel and called up Melissa’s  bro.  He picked me up, as I was thinking I would have a cocktail or two tonight.  We ate at this newly reno’d restaurant called The Last Drop.  It is an English style restaurant and has an awesome atmosphere.  The food was great, as were the tunes.  Of course the company was great too.  I love hanging with Melissa’s fam!  They are such loving people.

After dinner, we hit a newly reno’d pub in town.  We were in for a treat because Yuk Yuk’s comedy tour was rolling through town and we had tix.  It was super funny! The last guy was especially funny.  I had seen him perform before in Vancouver at a small coffee shop.  My buddy Ryan Lachance http://www.ryanlachance.com is a sit-down comedian and he has opened for the dude who closed the show tonight before.  I can’t remember his name though… sorry.  Best of all we ran into a couple of Melissa’s cousins… both awesome dudes: Jer’ and Trap.  Man I love these guys and was super stoked to see both of them.  Apparently I will be seeing a little crew tomorrow too at my presentation here.

Jer wasn’t drinking and gave me a drive back to the hotel a while ago, saving me cab fare.  All in all it was an awesome day and night.

I feel bad that I keep writing this blog so tired.  I’ll try to write a bit earlier tomorrow from Rossland.

Well lights out for me!

KB

Alright… I wrote a blog this morning and am going to paste it in right and then follow up with another concerning the rest of this 18 hour day…

Morning Part I
March 24, 9:09am

It was a short sleep but a good one last night… Or I guess this morning (I didn’t get to sleep until well after 2am). The view from the Prestige is pretty awesome and contributed to a great morning.  Accessibility is almost always a challenge for me, but the Prestige is about as good as it gets. So yeah that was another bonus that made this morning run quite smooth.

It is not a perfect world though and you really can’t predict the weather…

I am about halfway between Nelson and Creston stopped while they do snow removal. I couldn’t say exactly where I am.  There is a lot of snow, a lot more coming down and a big sign warning of elk or dear… Whichever one has the big antlers and appears to be grazing.

I am really hoping I make it to the school on time. I definitely did not predict this. I can’t even make a call or send an email to let the school know, as there is no service here.  I imagine they know the drill with this road. Since I have no service, I will be posting this message later today as all I can do is write it on my Blackberry.

The drive had been quite good until about 10kms back when the roads stopped being clear. I had a pretty sweet reggae / ska mix going that had me stoked. I usually bust the chill tunes out more in the warmer summer months, but nothing wrong with a little wishful thinking right?

It really is coming down up here. The wind is blowing the snow in every which direction, reminding me of one of those Christmas snow globes.

All I see in front of me is one big snowy hill. I think it will be interesting to say the least from here…

SWEET TRAFFIC IS MOVING!!

Until later.

Kevin

Evening Part II
March 24th, 11:53pm

Well today has been a long one… and a great one.  So much has happened.  It seems like this morning was yesterday, tonight is tomorrow and meh… I am too tired to keep that going.

So I discovered on my way back out of Creston that I was in The Kootenay Pass earlier in the morning.  That is where I was stopped waiting for snow removal.  After the roads were cleared and I got going, it was still pretty knarly coming down that mountain.  It was still covered in snow for about half of the way.  I just put my truck in a lower gear and coasted slowly down.  I think today was the happiest I have ever been to see a cop following me.  He was behind me the entire way down.   

Today I covered serious ground.  I started in Nelson, went over the Kootenay pass and into Creston.  I had a sick presentation in Creston (if I say so myself)… I just felt really comfortable.  For starters, the room is pretty much exactly what I would hope for when speaking.  I am all about the 200 maximum audience for starters.  It just seems more personal when you can look everyone in the eye.  I love speaking in theatres.  The audience is comfy (comfier than sitting on the usual rock hard wooden benches from 1939) and sound is better.  Life is good when AV is all set and rocking.  Schools that do have theatres are pretty lucky.  They aren’t the easiest thing to come by.  I definitely feel lucky whenever I get to speak in one.  I felt a definite connection with the audience today.  Throughout today’s pres, the crowd was quiet and just seemed to be feeling it.  I was feeling it too.  After the formal talk was over, I hung around through most of lunch with some cool skater dudes.  BTW… I’ll be posting pictures from this trip soon.  I think I known why I was having troubles with the gallery before.  Of course I left my camera USB at home though, so a few days until pics go up.

I filled up my tank in Creston and set off for the long journey back to Kamloops.  I ended up going the route I was thinking of taking last night.  I am not sure which is faster, but today’s was definitely more relaxing.  The daylight today was nice for sure too.  I cruised through the Kootenay Pass, Salmo, Castlegar and Christina Lake and then decided to grab a bite in Grand Forks.  I wondered where the name Grand Forks came from… two big forks… probably not.  I was really hungry contemplating the history of this fine town’s name, so I stopped thinking and ate lunch with a spoon.  Chunky Monkey was thinking maybe some soup or a sammy would be a light lunch.  There is a big Russian population in Grand Forks and I have pretty thick Russian roots… both my mom’s parents are Estonian and immigrated here after the Second World War.  I have had gramma’s borscht before and though mmmmm borscht.  I went to a place in town I found with my GPS called the Borscht Bowl… has to be good right?  It looked perfect - minus the two stairs in front.  I drove around the building looking for an alternate entrance but nothing so I used the Blackberry to Google a phone number.  I called and sure enough no access for Wheelie Monkey, so I politely asked the waitress to deliver a large borscht to the dude sitting across the street in the black truck drooling…  nah I didn’t tell her I was drooling… But I did do a drive-by borschting.  No way to see a town like eating borscht by the road side, people watching.  It was AWESOME borscht!  Go there… so good. 

Then I was on my merry way.  The next part of the trip took me through a place I can’t remember because I am way overdue for a sleep; Rock Creek and Beaverdell…  umm that place is nothing like what the name might make you think.  I saw no beavers…  I never knew but this road goes through to Kelowna by way of the same road you would take to get to Big White.  It was puking snow up there.  It would be a good day for riding Big White tomorrow.

By the time I was decending into K-Town, hours had passed since lunch and I started feeling Joey’s…. Side Note: I bought a GPS a couple years back and am still so stoked on it.  I just click POI / Near Me / Restaurants / Joey’s… boom.  I am on my way. 

Joey’s have these DELICIOUS and healthy salad wraps that are so tasty.  Get em with chicken or shrimp or just veggie style.  So good.  Things were going good on this road trip.  Things got better when I looked up and the Canucks game was on the big TV in Joey’s.  I was torn between watching the entire game and getting back to Kamloops and to bed at a decent time…  I opted for the decent time… Yet it is almost 1am and I am not in bed.. hmm.  Lovin the blog.  As I left Joey’s I was hoping that somehow I could find a station playing the game on the radio.  I am still shocked that I picked up the TEAM 1040 and listened to it for the remainder of the journey through Lake Country, Vernon and through the connector to Kamloops where the game ended and the Canucks WON!   SICK game!!

To top off my night and sprinkle some sugar on top of an already great March 24th… I got a rad call during my drive.  I got word that I am speaking at the Washington State SADD Conference this Saturday on Whidbey Island!!!  I am so stoked because for years I have been hoping to get into the states to speak.  I had  a little experience with the Tyra Show a couple years back and have wanted to go back ever since.  After I came home from Hollywood and Tyra… she was pretty bummed I didn’t call her after the show I heard.  So I just layed low and stayed out of the USA… We’re cool now though…  Ok I am delirious and totally bs’ing….  

I AM STOKED ON THIS CONFERENCE!!! I am thinking this could be the start of something good.  Cara Filler, a fellow ICBC Road Sense Speaker who lives in Washington, hooked me up.  You may have seen Cara speak, as she travels around BC, Canada and the US telling her personal story www.carafiller.com.

That was the day.  I travelled another 700+ kms, ate tasty meals, spoke to and got to hand out with rad people, got hooked up with a gig in the states and am just now going to bed.  I feel like I am kind of all over the place here so if this is hard to read or if my humour sucks it is because I am not a good writer and am not funny either JJ… oh yeah I am tired too… NJ

Lilloet tomorrow and then off to Revelstoke.

Sleepy Time - High Five

 zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

It is 1:44am and I finally am lying in bed.  And what a bed!  I am staying at the Prestige Lakeview Inn in Nelson.  This place is pimp.  Too bad I am in and out of here so quickly.  I leave around 8am tomorrow… up at 6:45am.  Sleep - totally over-rated.

I think I am actually over tired right now.  I am hoping that writing this blog will mellow me out so I can get a good couple hours of zzzs at least.  I am feeling pretty jacked after my long drive.  I just drove something like 700kms after doing a presentation in Clearwater… which I drove to in the morning and took an hour and a half.  In total I drove for about 10 hours today.  But it is all worth it when I get awesome messages and audiences like I had today.

Clearwater is such a cool place.  I only really get a little glimpse of it, as I have travelled in, spoke and then travelled out in a matter of 3 - 4 hours on both of my visits (today included).  But what I notice in my short time is that the people are just so friendly.  As I approach the school, students say hi and are super polite and friendly; people open doors for me.  When I get into the gym there are plenty of students and teachers totally eager to help set up.  It is just such a good vibe.  The presentation went well today…  I can’t say my best as I was still feeling haggard after my rough morning.  However, I know I am my toughest judge and am stoked that students have been writing me and leaving messages that show I had a definite impact today.  I even got a little emotional near the end.  Thankfully I pulled it together.  “The little sister thing”…  I hear all the time how that tears people up.  Well it gets me too.  Today was a good example.

After the presentation I followed Ingrid from ICBC into Kamloops.  I had some crazy idea that I was going to drive through Merritt, Penticton, Osoyoos, Grand Forks, Trail and then Nelson… that would have taken crazy long.  I also had this crazy idea to eat fast food while I drove.  Thankfully I came to my senses and took Ingrid up on her offer to go for dinner.  We hit a sushi place in Kamloops… I think in the Valleyview area.  It was super good!  I LOVE sushi!

After dinner, I hit up Timmy Ho’s for some caffeine inspiration for my long drive tonight. I drove through Kamloops and took the connector to Vernon, then through Lumby to the Needles ferry.  That highway should be called the Ulcer Hwy because it is SO STRESSFUL.  There are nothing but hairpin corners and the entire road is so dark…  the only good thing is it is so dark you can’t see the huge cliffs and lakes you would plunge off or into if you missed one of the knarly corners.  Seriously if I had to drive that road on even a remotely regular basis I would be getting stress ulcers.

Tonight actually reminded me how knarly the roads are in the Interior of BC.  There is some pretty rough and sketchy terrain that needs to be covered to get from point A to point B.  It is all mountains and river valleys.  The roads are dark and signage is pretty well gospel.  If a sign says 30km around a corner, it is best to go 30kms or even less because there are 90 degree turns… just harsh.  I saw so much wildlife today and tonight too.  I saw at least 3 dozen deer.  Coming off the Needles ferry and heading into Nakusp I nearly hit a herd of elk just chilling in the middle of the road.  Thankfully I wasn’t driving fast and they were in a pretty straight stretch and visible.  Still it scared the crap out of me… and them.  Only the elk literally thankfully.    I saw so much wildlife today… dear, elk, mountain goats… but no freakin Sasquatch… Seriously… this may sound nuts… but when I drive these dark roads for hours on end by myself, maybe my imagination gets the better of me, but I really start thinking and hoping that some knarly Sasquatch will just be chilling by the roadside.  If TV has taught me anything, I guess he or she would be packing a box of Kokanees too.  But seriously, something about the remoteness of the roads makes me think I am going to run into one of these hairy dudes one day.  I keep hoping anyways.

Well, I think I should shut er down.  It is past 2am now. 

I speak in Creston tomorrow at 10am and then am driving all the way back to Kamloops to stay at the Four Point again.  I speak in Lilooet Wednesday and head to Revestoke after.  I am Revestoked because I get to hang with Melissa’s mom, bro and bro’s gf while in Revelstoke.  Did I ever mention I have the raddest, sweetest, most awesome gf named Melissa… she is originally from Revy, so I dig going there big time.

Well that’s it. 

Night, sleep tight; don’t let the Sasquatch bite… aaaaight!

Overtired… Over & Out.

K

I made it into Kamloops last night… early evening.  The drive was great!  The roads were pretty quiet and bare and there was blue sky the entire journey.  It was weird seeing the Tolls gone on the Coquihalla - though I didn’t miss paying the toll.

I had dinner at the Ric’s here (one of my favourite restaurants).  They had a sweet deal on a 3 course meal so I had steak and ceasar salad…  definitely a manly meal.  So much for keeping toxins out of my body.  I washed the meal down with some nice vino from Australia.  My freind Leah works at Ric’s and was hanging around doing homework, so we got to chill together and catch up.  I get to meet some pretty cool people always travelling and Leah and I have been friends a couple of years now.  I first met her staying here a couple years ago.  She was my server every night and ended up taking me out on the town with some of her friends.  There were no plans to hit the town last night… after some eats and a phone call home I went to bed and tried to get rested up for the week ahead.

For some reason, I woke up around 4am and just couldn’t fall back alseep.  My brain was wide awake and I was thinking away.  I tried and tried to fall asleep but couldn’t.  6am rolled around and I was thinking still and really trying to fall asleep, but for some reason my presentation was running through my head.  I was rewriting and reworking parts through the wee hours of the morning.  I think I finally fell alseep around 8am!  Of course no sooner do I fall asleep then my phone starts going off.  Needless to say I am feeling and looking pretty haggard today.  Maybe some fresh mountain air will wake me up…

I’ve spent the morning planning my day and writing this blog….I speak in Clearwater this afternoon.  It is an awesome school with cool kids.  I spoke there two years ago and still have fond memories of my short time there, so it will be nice to return today.  That is about all I am looking forward to, as I have a knarly drive ahead after my presentation.  I am staying in Nelson tonight.  According to Google, the shortest drive is about 7 1/2 hrs from Clearwater.  I was thinking at first to go through Lumby and take the ferry through Nakusp and drive down through the Slocan Valley.  After looking online, I see the route through Kelowna gives a faster time… Not to mention I avoid those knarly roads between Lumby and Slocan.  Anyone who reads this with a good suggestion please fire me an email kevinbrooks@shaw.ca.  I have no idea which route is fastest… maybe you do?

As for my weekend… My cousins came over and we Guitar Hero and Rockbanded it up on Friday night.  It was a late one and they both ended up crashing out on my couch and lazy-boy for the night.  I kind of felt bad all bundeled up in my warm bed with 5 pillows as they probably had crappy sleeps in makeshift beds.  But there were no complaints the next day.  My one cousin and I had Wendy’s for breakfast and watched Harold and Kumar Escape… It was a very productive Saturday.  Melissa came by later and I bbq’d.  We watched the Canucks stink it up.  It was so bad after that one goal, we ended up just shutting off the game and watching movies.  So for the most part it was a pretty quiet and tame weekend at home.

I am pretty stoked about an email I got yesterday morning and the phone call afterwards.  I am going to wait to get into it though until things are confirmed.  I will say it looks like I may have got a big break speaking-wise…

Stay tuned for more on that one…

Well that’s it…  Hopefully I have wireless in Nelson.  I will check in again tonight whenever I get settled.

Over.

KB