It has been one day and, of course, I am still in awe of where I am, but I certainly do miss Minnesota. I have become familiar with the Twin Cities like no other place in my life, thoroughly explored the St. Croix River and several of Minnesotan state parks and forests, spent five weeks straight in Duluth but herein lies the real tragedy… I was SO close yet I have never made it up to the boundary waters!!!  People who know me think it’s absolutely crazy I’ve lived in Minnesota for ten years and haven’t ventured into that wilderness. I know! Lame.

I’ve had several friends ask me along (they had all the gear and canoes I don’t have), but I always had something I couldn’t get out of. And it sucks. Because now I’ve left without seeing it with my own eyes. I see videos like this and I kick myself:

Boundary Waters Part 2

That said, next time I’m in MN for an extended period I will get an expedition together, or join one, and explore those International waters. But now that I think of it, maybe there was something in my subconscious that has prevented me from going knowing that if I did I wouldn’t come back. Maybe keep heading north… you know, in case of a zombie attack? And then I’d not be much help, at least not in the initial break out, and I have lots of people I care about in Minnesota that I’d want to help defend against the bloody hordes. So, yes, that must be why I haven’t found my way up there yet. Still, it would probably be good to do a little reconnaissance before the apocalypse so as to find a safe route away from big cities and into Canada. Preparedness is key.

First morning in Brussels, my new home. It feels weird and not at the same time. Helps that I have been here a few times before and even had a drink last April at the bar down the street from the place I am living at for the next three months or so.

A new start. I have some things on the agenda this coming week: get phones, work out(Ultima Vez has gotten our cast gym memberships to get our asses in shape), check in with the Belgian emassy, relearn choreography I learned last time I was here before I start on the 19th, eat some good cheese and good chocolate… But for the first time, outside of when I’ve been on tour, I have space in my schedule. I do want to keep it like that as long as possible, because I know full well life will gobble it up. But I think it will be nice to sit and read and not feel like I’ll pay for it later.

I also have time again to write. Something I have not done for ages, it seems, but has always been therapeutic. I can already tell I’m going to need some oiling, but I have poems and short stories in me that need releasing! Novels even!!!  Maybe. Ha!

Anyways, good morning, Europe. Let’s be friends!

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Yesterday is gone and took away its tale.
Today we must live a fresh story again! – Rumi