Places you never really thought about going

For me, it's San Francisco. I mean, it's nice. Golden Gate Bridge, thriving arts community, ummmm... Fog? Sure, sounds like a really great place, in theory. It's just not a place I ever actively anticipated visiting. No offence, City by the Bay (that's what they call you, right?). It really didn't register. Like Leuven, Belgium.

But, like Leuven, we were invited to San Francisco to perform at an Improv Festival, and suddenly interest is piqued, guide books are purchased. Ok, I never bought a guide for Leuven, íf one exists, I'd be surprised. Leuven is more likely to be a footnote to a chapter about Belgium in a guidebook about Europe. And it would read "birthplace of Stella Artois". And that's good enough for me. Hooray for beer.

Through the grace of some beautiful people, and a lift to Buffalo from the best ex-boyfriend ever, I find myself becoming increasingly excited about the prospect of getting away from Toronto for a few days and the opportunity to shake loose some ghosts and get a bit of a battery recharge.

There's something terrifying and delicious about playing in a new town. There's a certain thrill about playing to a crowd who's only opinion of you is "Who the hell are they? Well let's see if they're funny". I love the challenge of slowly luring them in, it's a mass seduction. Sure it's nerve wracking. Heck, what if that's a night where we aren't clicking? What if we're jetlagged? It could go dreadfully awry. But the opportunity to rise to the occasion, the chance to work your ass off to bring them around? I wouldn't give it up for the world. And so we go.

There is also the social element to the festival. Just the straight up, checking out a new city, hanging with some talented people, staying out a little too late, and drinking a little too much, and if you're lucky, a little harmless flirting. Good times, right?

Yes, I've got it. Festival Fever. And the only cure is a Trolley Tour and a visit to the Ghirardelli Chocolate ... place... Crap, I've got to read my guide book a little more carefully.