21 March - Sick as a dog in Sault Ste. Marie

I suppose every tour has it's low points, and this time it hits in Sault Ste. Marie. The gig at Loplop's was great--awesome to reunite with some friends there. Met a great couple who have recently escaped the Toronto lifestyle and found an island outside Sault Ste. Marie, where they are constructing their own sanctuary. I tell them about the Ananda Arts House, another sanctuary or island of sorts, and it's fantastic swapping stories about the virtues of grounding oneself in nature.

But by the end of the night, I'm feeling a bit woozy and I wish I could say it was alcohol induced, but it wasn't. I return to my hotel, just in time to get violently ill. For the rest of this sleepless night, I am getting sick (and am thankful I didn't take Frank and Rachel's offer of accommodations. Couldn't imagine exposing them to this!)

By the time checkout rolls around the next morning, I'm in no shape to depart, still confined to bed. So I extend my stay and try to convince myself that I'll be feeling better by the time I have to drive to Sudbury and play the show that night. This miracle does not unfold as planned, and I end up having to cancel the show (hope the Townehouse forgives me...). I spend one more long, uncomfortable, miserable day and night in that hotel before healing up enough to get back on the road.

You'll be thankful that I have no pictures to accompany this entry...