The 75th Congress

Day 1: Sunday, May 21

Today, I was travelling from Ottawa to Toronto for the Congress. The Congress doesn't start until next Saturday, May 27, but as the Book Fair coordinator, I apparently have to be here when the company we use to supply all the booths sets up. And since the Book Fair is taking place in the York Lanes mall, and all the stores will be closed tomorrow, I get to work on Victoria Day. I hope all you people will enjoy the long weekend while I work, you bastards. :-P Although it's not that bad since I will be claiming today and tomorrow as overtime.

The trip itself was very nice. I took the train, because I figured it's a nice way to travel. The only minor irritant on the trip was a little boy who was not happy being on the train. But I figure he was about 2 years old, and at that age, kids like to test limits, to see exactly how far they can go. Too bad his parents were letting him get away with everything, but that's a whole different story. So I threw on the iPod and listening to music while looking at the scenery.

Once I got to Toronto, and over the feeling of vomiting that comes over everyone that comes to this city (I'm kidding!), I hopped into a cab and headed to York University, the site of this year's Congress. Now, after looking at a map of Toronto a while back, I noticed that York U was a long way away from the train station, and I told myself "Fuck! this could be a $100 cab ride, cause it looks like you have to go through downtown! Just fucking wonderful!" Well, I don't know if it was the driver or the fact that I can't read a map, but the cab ride cost me $50 including tip. That's a nice way of getting things started. Hopefully, things will stay on the positive side.

That was indeed wishful thinking and it didn't last. Once I got to the Hospitality York offices, or should I say the old offices, there was a sign on the door saying that the offices had moved to the Ross building. First of all, it would've been nice of them to let us know that they were moving to new offices. I doubt this was a last second decision. And second of all, where the fuck is the Ross building? I spent about 20 minutes in the fucking rain, dragging my suitcase and bags looking for a damn map of the campus. Finally found one and located the Ross building, which, of course, was now all the way across the fucking campus from where I now was. Once I got to the Hospitality York offices, the door was locked! I was about to leave and go to the airport and fly back home (kidding) when our HR person, who has been at York since last Thursday, walked by, saw me and let me in. So I was able to get the key to my room and go settle in. And I must say, the room is very nice. It has a full kitchen and living room, and 2 levels with the bedroom upstairs in a loft area. Very nice, I am really impressed.

So, so far, so good. Hopefully, tomorrow will be more of the same. But this being York U, I won't hold my breath. But I have to stay positive, and maybe, just maybe, York will surprise me.

Stay tuned for more updates.