I am now in Regina.  It feels good to be back in Saskatchewan.  Like a friend I haven’t seen in a while, I feel very safe and at home when I am here.

I got home pretty late last night from PEI.  Right after my last blog entry yesterday afternoon Adeline picked me up for some more sightseeing.  The weather wasn’t as nice as the day before in PEI.  It was chilly, windy and rainy.  It felt like BC.  Adeline drove me out to the Confederate Bridge that connects PEI and New Brunswick.  It is a huge bridge like nothing I have ever seen before.  I was thinking we should drive across it just to check it out until I found out the toll fee is over $45.  I took some pictures from the sidelines for free!

I ate lobster again for dinner.  When in PEI…  I also had the famous PEI potato I had heard so much about as well as a steak and some scallops.  I love seafood, so I was in my glory there for a couple of days.  I was going to bring some live lobsters home for the pre-Rise Against / Rancid BBQ at my cousin Alina’s but I found out they wouldn’t last until Thursday.  So instead I brought home a belly full of lobster and some lobster bibs to show that I had done the touristy thing while I was on the other side of Canada.

The flight home was pretty long from PEI.  I unfortunately had to stop in Toronto again.  I feel like a grumpy old man when I stop there because I am bitter and just can’t say much nice about the place.  Thankfully I was in and out of there quite quickly.

I finally got to YVR in Vancouver around11:30pm, I think.  By the time I got home it was close to 1am.  I did laundry and got settled and all packed for today’s trip.  By the time I got to bed it was 3am.  That would be bad enough on a normal day, but technically I was now on PEI time and that meant I went to bed around 7am.  One good thing was I downloaded the new Rancid from I-Tunes.  That gave me some get out of bed inspiration when my alarm went off this morning.

My first presentation this morning was at Elgin Park.  I love speaking there and was feeling pretty stoked to be waking up at home and talking nice and close by for a change.  I was feeling pretty lively today with my new tunes blasting, but just to be safe I stopped by Starbucks and got a triple espresso to get me going. 

I felt good when I got to the school, but as soon as I started to speak I felt very faint.  I really struggled through the presentation at Elgin today.  I am not sure if the audience knew I was having a hard time until I told them, but today was one of the most exhausted and worn out I have ever felt while delivering our story.  Fortunately I do not feel that the message suffered any from how I was feeling.  I just incorporated my exhaustion it in and did the best that I could.

The audience at Elgin was great!  Many stayed after the lunch bell to watch my slideshow.  The principal was a lifesaver because she had a huge sandwich plate and cookies for me to eat once the presentation was done.  My biggest issue this morning was that on top of being tired I was really hungry.  My apple and coffee breakfast just didn’t cut it today.  I ate a bunch of sandwiches and cookies after my presentation at Elgin hoping that I would get a boost.

My second presentation was at Semiahmoo.  I was still feeling pretty worn out on the way there from Elgin.  The schools are maybe a five minute drive apart.  I was really hoping the food I ate would kick in soon and give me a boost, but I was so hungry earlier it was one of those where you eat but still feel weak.  I really wanted to deliver a strong presentation because Cara and Jason (my agents) would be watching my presentation for the first time today.  I also saw there being no way that I could struggle through a second presentation feeling the same way I had in the morning one.

Sure enough I got a huge boost of energy right before my presentation started.  The room filled up and there was quite the crowd of grade 12s.  Both of today’s presentations were for grade 12 classes.  As I started speaking I only felt more and more energy.  Earlier I felt like I said a few words and then hit a wall.  The presentation this afternoon as far as I could tell was a goodie.  The one thing that didn’t go as planned, I never even knew until after I was done.  I had no clue but I guess my mic kicked out at the beginning.  Hopefully everyone could hear me speaking.

I finished my presentation at Semi feeling stoked.  I had spoken at two of my favourite schools to my favourite audience both times – grade 12s.  Even though I was hurting at Elgin I felt the message was heard loud and clear.  I felt the same way at Semi.  I was really stoked that Cara and Jason were in the crowd because I felt really on my game at Semi.

I hung out with Cara and Jason in the parking lot for a while after the presentation.  Today was a beautiful sunny day.  We talked plans for next year and about me making a trip down to Portland to visit them in the very near future.  I was stoked too because I had two Nixon hats shipped to their place through DogFunk and they brought them with them.  Apparently DogFunk can’t ship Nixon, among other brands, to Canada so I had them shipped to Cara and Jason’s in the US.

I left Semi for Vancouver Airport for yet another flight.  It felt like I was just there yesterday… oh yeah I was.

The drive was nice.  The sun was shining and I had my window down the entire drive.  I listened to the new Rancid album which is pretty sick!  Traffic wasn’t bad earlier as I just missed the rush.  I got to the airport with plenty of time to enjoy a relaxed check in.

I had a stop-over in Calgary.  I pretty well hate stop-over’s except when they are in Calgary.  I always hit the Chilli’s there for wings and a beer.  Tonight was no different, except I had some chilli too.  I am sure my neighbours on the next flight were stoked on that. 

Another cool thing about Calgary Airport is there are some awesome West Jet people who work there.  Every time I do a stop-over at an airport the West Jetters help me out of the plane.  There is one guy in particular named Brian in Calgary who is awesome.  I met him a couple of years ago.  He has to be in his late 40s or 50s and is a very happy friendly guy with a lot of character in his face and a big shiny bald head.  The last time I was there he was calling me Mohawk, so I started to call him NoHawk.  I guess he remembered and once again we were laughing and having a blast as they helped me off the plane.

It wasn’t long before I was done eating and getting onto my connecting flight to Regina.  I was met in the terminal in Regina by Vonda and Kim.  Vonda has arranged everything here for me.  Both Vonda and Kim were smiling entertaining hosts.  We hit Stupidstore for some apples and water (staples while on the road) and then Vonda drove me to the Regina Inn.  That is where I am now.  I am about to shut er down and get a good sleep tonight so I am not a mess like I was this morning.

I have a triple header tomorrow here in Regina.  I am speaking twice at Johnson and then once at Balfour or vice-versa.  Regardless I am speaking three times and need to get a good rest tonight so I can kick some ass tomorrow.

Thanks for reading.  Sorry if I am not full of meaningful messages or sick jokes tonight.  I am really tired and pretty well done for the day.

Later.

KB

PS.  Thanks to all the students from today!  You were RAD!  It was a great day in White Rock / South Surrey for me.  I hope you all have safe and awesome grads!!  Also if you need a cab you can dial #TAXI from your cell and it will connect you with an operator who will connect you with the closest taxi.  The number for Designated Driver Stop is 778-892-7996.  Tell them I recommended you.

I am still in PEI.  I am actually catching up on some rest finally.  I have slept in two days in a row!

My last blog was written Saturday night.  I do apologize if it was not the norm that the creepers may have gotten used to reading by now. 

I was so exhausted when I wrote the last blog on Saturday!  At about 9:30pm I had planned to write my blog, relax a bit and then join up with the CYAID crew for the last night’s festivities.  Instead, I lay down “for a minute or two” and ended up sleeping for nearly 13 hours! 

I woke up yesterday and everyone was gone.  It was like CYAID never happened, and I somehow was at the University of PEI.  Well it wasn’t completely like that, but the place was empty and quiet. 

I was excited about the day ahead after sleeping through half of it.  Adeline Trainor, an Islander, who planned CYAID was going to tour a couple of us around the Island yesterday.  There was me and a girl named Crystal (Sylvie, Olivia…) from Ottawa on board for the tour.

We left UPEI after 1pm.  The drive was very scenic from the start.  It is very small here.  I’d say quaint but that would not do much for my tough guy image.  The countryside in PEI is amazing.  The Island is very green except for the red sand and dirt.  We drove up and down rolling hills and through river valleys.  At one point the Atlantic Ocean became visible.  I was awestruck!  We also hit the usual touristy spots like the Anne of Green Gables Land and The Road to Avonlea Area…  Two pieces of Canadian culture that I am a huge fan of…  snicker… ummm not really…. but cool nonetheless.

My favourite stops were the beaches and little fishing villages.  Of course our lobster dinner was pretty amazing too.  I can’t remember the name of the place, but we hit up this all you can eat restaurant where everything is made freshly in-house.  They offered all you can eat freshly baked (still warm) dinner rolls, seafood chowder and muscles!  I was in Heaven!  Then once you have stuffed yourself on those goodies, out comes a salad, coleslaw and potato salad.  The topper and show stopper is the lobster!  I am really glad we sat down at 4pm for dinner because I had a lot of food to try and wear off after that feast.  I must’ve looked like such a tourist in my Lobster Bib, eating the special and of course (when in Rome) drinking an Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale….  I took advantage of Adeline driving.

We dropped Crystal off at the airport next.  After goodbyes Adeline and I headed on our way again… and now there were two.   I would’ve had no clue where we were going if Adeline isn’t the champion tour guide that she is.  She named the places where we went and added tidbits of history and even pulled over at any given moment when my camera left its case so I could snap shots of the countryside, beaches or scenery.

SIDE BAR:  I am notorious for calling everything the best…  but the BEST part of the tour was next.

We entered a National Park.  There was a long windy road that followed the beach.  The water was out of view for the most part due to the red sand bluffs between the road and the Atlantic.  At one point I spotted that familiar blue and white wheelchair sign that makes me feel so warm and fuzzy inside…  and also reminds me that I am part of a select crew of humans who have our own “Bat Symbol” no wait we have the “Cripple Symbol”…  I said let’s check this spot out and Adeline the gracious tour guide made the turn.

It was a beach.  I don’t know the name of the beach, but I would call it Sick Beach because this beach was SICK!!!  There was a pathway leading towards the water.  I rarely get onto beaches, so I was thinking at best I could get close.  At the end of the path was the Holy Grail in my books.  There was a wooden ramp that was very well built and switched back and forth down to the sand.  Much like Long Beach in Tofino, on the other side of Canada, the sand on the open ocean on the east coast is also quite compact.  I got to roll onto the beach and even right down to the water to collect some shells and rocks to bring home.  I wrote a little sign in the sand for a special someone that read “Wish You Were Here” and just enjoyed the moments.  I LOVE THE BEACH!  The highlight of my day was sitting on the beach gazing across the Atlantic on a warm sunny day with a belly full of fresh muscles, lobster and seafood chowder.  What a day!  Thanks so much to Adeline for the tour.  It was perfect!

It was a great weekend in so many ways.  I was so impressed with the CYAID Conference.  I met many great people and also saw some familiar faces that stoked me.  Seeing my friends from Fort Qu’Appelle and Unity Saskatchewan was sweet!  It was also cool to see familiar faces from Grassland, Alberta (although I didn’t realize until way later that is where I knew you from) and Invermere, BC!

As well as seeing old friends, I made many new friends from across Canada this weekend.  I really hope to be visiting many of your schools next year!  Let’s make it happen!!!  I feel so fortunate for being a part of CYAID 2009!  Thanks to everyone who made this such an awesome weekend.

There is only one regret I have from this weekend and that is that I was in PEI last night and not back home in Surrey.  Last night was my buddy Chris Whitmee’s birthday.  For those of you unfamiliar with Chris he was the founder of Team Rowdy, a son, a brother, a friend, a father and so many other great things to many people.  Chris was senselessly gunned down a little over two weeks ago by a coward with a gun.  There was a fund raiser to honour Chris’s life and ensure good things for his daughter Lexus last night.  I would’ve loved to have been there.

I have noticed that I have some new blog readers and posters.  Some of Chris’s family and friends have been reading my blogs and posting messages.  I say hello to you all right now.  Chris was RAD and I am so sorry for your loss. 

I’m sure many other people besides those who knew and loved Chris have noticed that I have written about him a lot in the past two weeks since his untimely passing.   I have written about him so often that Google searches of his name are now leading to my blog.  I am glad to know this.  I guess it would be more accurate to say I am as glad as I can be in these circumstances after losing a friend. 

Chris has become an important part of my presentation now.  One of the empty looking chairs onstage beside me is for Chris.  Unfortunately  he is no longer with us in person.  But I know his spirit is alive and strong and well.  Knowing Chris, by now he had to have been kicked out of Heaven or at least suspended for a bit for being his rowdy self… His smile will always get him back in though. 

In my talks to young people, Chris has become a symbol of the victims of the tragic and senseless violence that plagues society, especially BC in recent  months.  I hope in some way his untimely passing and my talking of it can help young people out there steer clear of gangs and guns and all that crap that is killing so many young people – even young innocent people like Chris – not to mention devastating families and friends of those dying too young. 

In my memories I always see Chris smiling wearing a white bandana and white hoodie at the old log house in Surrey during any of those late nights from the craziest summer I have known.  That is his past and I will always have that image to smile upon and also shed a tear.  His future for me lives on through the message I will bring to thousands.  This is a message of a great man who lost his life too young.  In  my own way I will make sure that Chris is never forgotten and that his death although senseless will never be seen as meaningless.  The violence needs to stop and I am going to keep this message alive.

Personally, every time I talk about Chris I speak of his daughter Lexus.  I know that those closest to him see how he lives on through her.  I had read and heard this but never saw firsthand until his funeral.  I can recite Lexus’ speech from “her Daddy’s” funeral almost verbatim.  I have never seen such a courageous and inspiring young person in my life.  She brought everyone at Chris’s funeral to tears just by walking up to the podium.  I’m sure I speak for many when I say that her loss is the toughest to swallow.  I could feel it in the room that the majority of people there were about to completely break down, and then out of nowhere this nine year old girl just starts throwing down one liners.  She cracked jokes that shone smiles through tears and brightened a room that was shrouded in dark.  I will never forget that speech.  I will forever be in admiration of a little girl’s strength.  Lexus if you read this or hear this message I will always have a chair for your Daddy “Whit” with me on stage so people can see the huge losses and immeasurable pain that guns and violence are inflicting on society.  I know right now that means little if nothing to a little girl who misses her dad, but you inspired the heck out of me to try and bring a change.  I commend you for your strength.  You have a lot of people behind you.  Please stay strong and keep you Whit Witt going strong.  Laughter really is the best medicine and your jokes and smiles reach as far and high as Heaven.

This year has been as much of a great one as it has a tough one.  The thing I have learned the most is that our time on this earth is really short.  Sometimes it can be cut even shorter than we expect.  Sometimes we lose people we love way too soon.  We need to appreciate every single second of every day.  We need to fight through the tough days and embrace the good ones.  We need to spend as much time as we can with our families and those we love the most.  We need to never take a second for granted because this is our one shot.  The only thing guaranteed is right now!  Live for the moment – Don’t wait for tomorrow!!

RIP ROWDY!

KB