Here's some pictures from Thunder Bay and Winnipeg - The Sleeping Giant, the Finnish restaurant, Hoito, where we had breakfast in the T-Bay. Who knew Thunder bay had a large Finn community. I didn't. Sauna (pronounced sow-na) shops everywhere. The restaurant was packed at 9am on a Friday morning. Those Finns love their breakfast and dry heat apparently. Also some shots of the beautiful old buildings in Winnipeg. And of the venue where we played, The Burton Cummings. "These eyes cry every night for you. These arms long to hold you again ..." 

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Well, I'm back from Winnipeg. What a whirlwind. I feel like I've been in a minor car accident. In a good way. I did have a great time. The shows went so well. I was extremely pleased. The Thursday night Gala was amazing. Gut wrenching but amazing. I'd never done the monologue I wrote for it in front of an audience before and there I was doing it live for a TV taping. Might as well just dive right in? What a thrill. It was terrifying and thrilling all in one.

Then I had to race over to the MTC Warehouse and improvise with Roman Danylo and a great group of Winnipeg improvisors. As Roman said it could have been absolutely horrible. Six people who'd never improvised together before doing a show. So we decided to start with a couple of games and then do a longer form improve. Just getting a few suggestions and going from scene to scene. Very open. Roman did a great job running it. Everyone just rose to the occasion and it was loads of fun. Plus I was so numb from the Gala taping that I was completely relaxed and open which is perfect for improvising. 

I got to relax Friday. Wandered through the exchange district. Shopped, went to book and antique stores. It was great. And the weather was beautiful! Then I went to the Friday night Gala which the amazing Geri Hall was performing in. She was incredible. So funny, as always. Dennis Hull, Bobby Hull's brother and Brett Hull's uncle, hosted first half which was the sports theme. Of course for you hockey fans (and sadly I did not know this) Dennis played on Team Canada in the Canada Russia series in '72. He was absolutely hilarious. Honestly I haven't laughed that hard in a while. What made him so funny, and this is a lesson to comedians everywhere, is how much he was enjoying himself. Sometimes too much when he couldn't even get through a joke from laughing so hard at himself. But not in an "I'm so friggin' hilarious way". It was so genuine. Really special to watch. 

Saturday I did my first Debaters taping for CBC radio. Yikes! The show pits two comic performers against each other to debate a topic. The audience picks the winner based on who debated the strongest using logic and laughs. I was debating John Wing Jr. and our topic was "A woman is not complete unless she has a child". Of course I was against. We were the third debate up and to be quite honest I was crapping my drawers a bit. I knew it would be fine but once again jumping into the unknown. It was better than fine. John and I had a great time debating. I couldn't believe how riled I got. I kept telling him before we went on to go easy on me and then in the "bare knuckle" round where you openly debate your opponent's arguments I went a bit nuts. Okay not nuts but I really got into it. So fun. And I won. John was very kind and generous. And I did have the easier side of the argument. 

So I'm home and pretty exhausted.

 Back out on the road later this week. And back to Winnipeg!

T

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Got home Thursday. It was nice to come home to spring. Wow. Shocking. There was still a little snow in my backyard. Hard to believe it was warmer here than in B.C. But I do miss the mountains and water. 

The tour was a great success. I can't wait to go back again. April is actually turning into a pretty busy month. Two trips to Winnipeg. Woo hoo! Love the Peg! I leave for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival next week and then WFC is back in Winnipeg April 18th. I do love Winnipeg. I'm not kidding. There is the best sushi restaurant in Winnipeg. I know. What? But yes. It's called Wasabi and it is fantastic. Looking forward to that. It's in Osbourne Village - a very cool neighbourhood. Lots of shopping, cafes, very cool. 

My friend, the amazingly talented actress and comedian Geri Hall, will be appearing at the festival as well. She played Jane's nemesis, Shelley, on The Jane Show. She's currently on This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Can't wait to hang out with her. Lots of great people in the festival this year. 

I uploaded some more pics from out West. Including one of my friend, Sarah, who is currently working on her fourth cook book - Vegan A Go-Go. It will be fabulous! I love the HUGE hockey stick and puck taken in Duncan, B.C. And the reflection of the gorgeous Fairmont Hotel Vancouver where we stayed in ... yes, Vancouver. 

 'Till Then

T

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We had our second last show of the tour tonight in Nanaimo. I can't believe it's gone by so fast. Yet not. I feel like we've been away for weeks. And not in a "What a nightmare! I hate these people!" way but in a "Wow, we've done so much and had a great time!" kinda way. You know. It seems when you're away from home and far from your familiar surroundings everything seems new and exciting. That is why I absolutely love traveling. I really feel like I could live the life of a rock star. And I don't mean a never ending supply of hookers and blow. Well, uh ... no. I mean fancy hotels, cool restaurants, shopping, meeting new people, exploring new cities, adoring fans ... that stuff.  

We have been really well received out here. What a great feeling. The crowd tonight in Nanaimo was incredible. And the theatre manager used to be the house manager at the old Second City back in the day. He was there during both Deb and Kathy's time on mainstage. He brought some old photos that were really amazing. Time. It changes things. Wow, how very profound. Or punchy. Can't tell. I was up at 6:30am to do a voice job patched in from Toronto this morning so I'm pretty exhausted. I'm going to try and get up early tomorrow and go for a run down by the water front. I need to take advantage of the scenery before we leave. Fill my lungs with fresh air before I head back to my dear, flat, polluted Toronto. I do you love you, Toronto, but you hurt me so. 

More pics to peruse. Bigger this time. The last ones seemed a little small. One from Horseshoe Bay awaiting the ferry. One on the ferry and one from on stage. Sadly can't remember which theatre. It's all a blur, man. 

'till then.

 T

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Great show in Duncan. Lovely people and an amazing reception. The ferry ride from Nanaimo to Vancouver wasn't great. The weather hasn't really been holding up it's "springtime" end of the bargain during out trip.

We are in Vancouver. The show Friday night went great. Such an amazing response. Lots of friends were out to see it. And strangers as well. The venue, The Vancouver Playhouse, seemed huge at first but apparently it was still intimate and we managed to fill the stage with our big faces, I mean, excellent characterizations. 

We had today and tonight off which has been great. I went to Yaletown with Deb and Jayne. Then did some vintage shopping in Gastown on my own. I do love this city. Found one of my favorite lunch spots, The Finch Cafe, and had an amazing veggie sandwich. Strolled around some more until it started to SNOW! What the ... ??? Didn't I leave that behind in Toronto? Oh well. 

We went to Delilah's for dinner. It was great and managed to catch the drag show while we were there. Saw Bette, Liza and Dolly - all in one night. Amazing!

 I've uploaded some pics to peruse. More to come!

 'till then, 

T

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Wearrived in Victoria to the smell of cherry blossoms and the brightyellow of daffodils. We are staying at the stunning Empress Hotel.Where the Queen stays. Oh yah. The sun was shining and the sky was aclear blue. It was like we’d all been released from some Siberianprison as we walked around fondling the green leaves on the trees andcaressing the budding flowers.

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