Extreme Kindness

Erik's Journal

Date: October 18th 2002.

Geography: Kitchener and London Ont. (Oomm Pa Pa it's October fest)

Point form day: Up early and handing out breakfast to passersby in front of the 4 Points Sheraton -spoke at a elementary school just up from the hotel (it is one of the oldest schools in Canada established in 1957. There is even a painting of a principal by A.Y Jackson hanging in the front hall) -dressed up in very tight lederhosen and went out on the street handing out flowers balloons and hugs -drove to the Colombia factory in London and toured the warehouse giving hugs and massages -were persuaded that the Oktoberfest was worth going back for. (it IS the biggest in the world outside of Germany) so we drove back to Kitchener -went for a workout -ate -taxied to The Concordia (a very big party in a very big tent with several thousand of your very big German friends) -had a spectacular time -were picked up by a random car and driven back to the hotel (en route we realized we had forgotten both Jon and Kelly) ALL the crew returned to the hotel by about 3:00.

Highlight of the day: Oktoberfest was all time. I talked to a ton of people who were stoked on the tour. Generally it was thousands of people laughing and dancing and talking and I had fun.

Most inspiring moment: The presentation to the elementary school. It was one of our best to date.

Shout outs: Jim Kerstens, thank you for convincing us to stay. That was a night to remember. Mike (?) thanks for the ride home. I'm not sure how it happened but I ended up wearing a pair of your safety glasses and forgot to take them off when you dropped us off. Sorry, I left them at the desk at the 4 Points Sheraton. Jeff Timmons. Thanks for the tour and the gear. You rule.

Classic quote: "Have you ever hugged a man in lederhosen before?" -Me to the general populous in downtown Kitchener.

My crux: Circulation. (Seriously. They were tight lederhosen.

Physically speaking: I have rarely felt better.

Mental stimulation: Read a thought provoking article called "Jewsploitation" in the Globe and Mail.

Big laughs: Being kidnapped in my lederhosen after crawling in to an Explorer to give hugs. The 3 American women were laughing so hard as they sped off down the street. "Have you ever been kidnapped by Americans?" they laughed. (don't worry I managed to escape)

When I finished writing this I was: Feeling great!