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August 31, 2006
In The Neighbourhood
Mason and I are sitting here surfing our new neighbourhood online, and we just found out that the park right by our house (within walking distance) has a fully functional ice rink in it. They offer Adult Learn to Skate classes every Thursday night starting in January. Mason and I looked at each other and were stunned - it's just so different to have something like that so close...so we're going to do it. It'll get us out of the house, learn to skate and check out our neighbourhood too!
Posted by Nikolas at 08:12 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBackGood Night & Good Luck
People seem to automatically think that when I move to
Today, while driving to my last home visit in a rural
It's a bit long (six minutes) but well worth it - no matter what your political affiliation is:
Posted by Nikolas at 04:27 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBack
August 30, 2006
Finding My Niche
Setting up services in the new house in Toronto was a snap, but I want to know more about the things that surround us and the people living around us. Checking out my new neighbourhood online using google I've been able to find out that within a couple of blocks:
There are two Pizza Places, a couple of dry cleaners, tons of restaurants, a neighbourhood bakery, a number of drug stores, a Tai Chi society, a flower shop, a seniors citizen center, an Irish senior's center, a funeral home, a gay holistic healing center, two piano stores, a physical rehabilitation center, a deaf advocacy center, two day care centers, a music studio, an accountant, an adoption center, two pest control shops, a karate studio, two gyms and a soccer club...and that's what I could find in 10 minutes of searching...
I also wanted to know who was living in our neighbourhood. Right now our current neighbourhood is 70% Hispanic and 30% White with a few Native-Americans and African-Americans thrown in. In Canada....
The top five languages spoken other then English or French are Chinese, Urdu, Italian, Vietnamese and Greek.
The top five immigrant groups living in the neighbourhood are Chinese, Pakistani, Indian, Philippino, Vietnamese, Jamaican, Bangladeshi, American (Seriously!), Russian and Saudi Arabian - and 86% are Canadian Citizens
The coolest part?
My representative to Legislative Assembly of Ontario is Peter Tabuns - an NDPer!
My representative to the Parliament of Canada is none other than 
Jack Layton - National Leader of the NDP
It's amazing that I finally will live in a place where my politics are truly represented :-)
Advice - Part II
So now that I've had some time to process (and freak out) from my trip to Toronto I thought it might be helpful to put out some new advice about immigrating:
Banking:
Banking is very different in Canada from the U.S. Every bank (with the exception of a few private ones) will charge you a monthly fee to use their services, and they won't waive it if you get direct deposit. In addition, they have a different type of debit system then we do - most places use Interac whereas we use VISA...so your Debit Card doesn't look like a Credit Card.
You don't need a SIN number to get a bank account but you do need your landing documents and Passport Visa showing that you can legally reside in Canada (even though you haven't landed yet.) I was able to enter Canada this last time on my birth certificate and ID, which bypassed me needing to show my passport which would have required me to land. This is all going to change January 1, 2007 when all airline U.S. passengers entering Canada will need a passport, and on January 1, 2008 when all U.S. land border crossings will require a passport too.
If you have the time, means and ability I advise you go and open up an account at a Canadian Bank before you land. Bring a friend with you who will allow you to use their Canadian address (they have to show proof of address.) I opened a chequeing, savings and U.S. Dollar Account using Bob & Geoff's address. The U.S. Dollar Account will be helpful in allowing me to pay my student loan in the States and the one credit card I'm keeping in order to keep my U.S. Credit active.
The other benefit of the U.S. Dollar Account and in opening up a bank account in Canada is the fact that I will now be able to do a wire transfer from my U.S. Credit Union directly into my Canadian U.S. Dollar Account before we leave. No need to carry big wads of cash over the border, and I'll have access to the money right away once we land.
Finally, one difference in culture between the U.S. and Canada is online banking. At least in Colorado, we are still very big on writing checks for bills and purchases, and on-line banking is not very friendly or secure. Canada on the other hand has embraced on-line banking - Bob showed me how he could even pay his rent on-line. Perhaps it's because of the fees the accounts charge per transaction and on-line banking is fast, simple and free, but Canada is leaps and bounds ahead of us.
Posted by Nikolas at 08:34 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBackAugust 29, 2006
Faith
If there is one piece of advice I can give to all the couples or individuals out there who are immigrating to Canada it's this....stock up on antacids or perfect your meditation technique. The one thing that has never changed throughout this experience has been the stress, and it seems the closer you get to the big day the more often it presents itself.
I was down in the dumps in my last post because I allowed myself to be swayed by others perceptions of my choice in which way my future will head. Then today, as if the Universe needed to remind me that the pendulum can swing just as fast in the other direction I found this post by The Idealistic Pragmatist.
Reading her words, and also the comments by M@ and Tom, buoyed me and made me realize what an enormous acheivement this has been for us and what a wonderful adventure awaits us in Canada. Yeah, there are some potholes in the road ahead, but I have faith that it will all work out - one way or another.
One of my favourite quotes that I have tacked up in numerous places in my life talks about faith, but not necessarily in a religious tone but more of the challenges we face in everyday life and how we choose to act. Really, in a way, it has been a very simple explanation for my life thus far, in more ways then just moving to Canada:
all one's days as if it were easy...
that is faith.
~Wystan Hugh Auden, 1944
Posted by Nikolas at 06:15 PM | Comments (5) | TrackBackFarewell Tour - Day 1
[MASON ENTRY]
The Nick and Mason Farewell Tour begins.
When my former boss (the guy who hired me seven years ago) left the office about a year ago, we joked that he was so popular that his going away seemed to last for a month. It seems that from the time he announced he was leaving, there was a going away party at least once a week for over a month. Well, now the same seems to be happening with me. I hope you all don't think I mean this egotistical, but this next month is going to be a very, very long month.
Saturday night, our friends Mo and her hubby Jared threw their going away party for us. It was so nice to have everyone show up and be part of our farewell. We kept joking that the house was becoming "Wrangler East" (the local gay bear bar) with all our bear-ish friends that showed up. The mix of our friends with many of our work friends was pretty funny and dynamic!
My new drink of choice is now Canadian Rye/Whiskey and ginger ale. Our friend Bobby in Toronto turned me on to this tasty cocktail that is going to now replace my standard gin and tonic.
I realized that drinking more of that tasty cocktail didn't make saying the goodbyes any easier, but they gave me an excuse to walk away from tables and groups of people when the tears started welling up in my eyes when the overwhelming emotions overcame me that it was probably the last time I would see may of our friends for quite awhile. I found it easier to blame the booze on my being flighty than the fact that I just couldn't bare to say goodbye right now.
I am truly a blessed man - the friends that have come into my life have left such a lasting mark on my soul. I can thank you all enough for being part of my life. You will be missed - thankfully only by distance, not by memory.
Sunday was yet another of my infamous Denver Bronco pregame tailgate parties at work. I was in such a bitchy mood today and everyone seemed to deal with the brunt of The Mason. I guess after last night and then the realization that this would be one of my last events with my colleagues and friends was starting to wear on me. I will miss my friends at work so much, I sometimes just can't bare to leave them.
It also didn't help that my sister Char was there and broke down in tears during the party and kept me in a bear hug for a while while she was crying.
The tailgates were one of the first "things" I started - they are "my baby" that mean so much to mean. They will be the mark I leave on this office well after I leave. My staff are starting to get tense and touchy as the day I leave gets closer and closer. Thankfully I have a couple more tailgates to go before I leave.
It's hard to believe that Nick and I only have FOUR more weeks to go before we leave for Canada. It was so funny picking Nick up from the Wrangler Beer Bust today and heading over to Hamburger Mary's for dinner. The whole night he kept saying "We're moving to Canada!" with this twinkle in his eye and excitement in his voice. Believe me - I'm just as excited, but there is so much racing through my mind these days (as you've read above.)
I'm excited about this more - I'm REALLY excited about this move. It's just going to be tough saying goodbye.
August 28, 2006
Crawling Into My Head
Returning to work today was more difficult then I imagined. Riding my high from Toronto and the weekend was great and kept me fueled for the first part of the morning, but by the afternoon I was getting sick of rehashing the trip and my accomplishments only to have co-workers and strangers warn me about moving there without a job. By the end of the day I was so defeated and introverted that I started to avoid people because I didn't want to hear about how "bold" or "dangerous" or "crazy" I was being. Add to that, two very difficult terminations with kids that I have been in charge of for over four years and I was a bitch-on-wheels when I got home, and poor Mason was in the line of fire.
I'm better now, but I'm still smarting a bit and feeling vulnerable and nervous about the move. I know it'll be OK, but right now I just am really jumbled about everything.
August 27, 2006
...and so it starts
Mason and I went to Mo's yesterday for the party - we went early to set up and get things organized. We went with a Canadian theme and had red and white tablecloths, a big Canadian Flag on the house, small provincial flags on the tables, served Canadian Beer (Molson, Labatt's and Moosehead...I think we cleared out Argonaut's Canadian selection), Canadian Vodka for the Caesar's and Canada Dry Ginger Ale with Canadian Rye for other drinks. Mo and I had decided to come up with a Poutine Bar (which was a big hit), and "Alberta Burgers" with Canadian Bacon, along with a Toronto Tortellini Salad. Mo topped the evening off by getting a cake with Maple Buttercream Frosting (very tasty) with a big Canadian flag on it with the phrase "America's Loss, Canada's Gain" in frosting and "Good Luck Nick & Mason." That was truly the most touching part of the evening.
People started showing up, and at one point it looked like The Wrangler was going to have a slow night because of all the bears at the party. Not everyone who RSVP'd showed up and that was a little dissappointing, but it ended up being a good turnout and we got to say goodbye to alot of our dear friends and pass on our new address, phone number and e-mail. Mason had a bit too much Rye and Ginger Ale and ended up needing to pass the keys along to me to drive home. By 11:30pm, everyone had made their way out of the party but their were a few die-hards left, mostly those closest to us. That's when it got to be hard, I didn't expect it and the emotions kind of hit me from out of left field. The hardest being when my "sister" Rebecca gave me a hug, that's when I lost it on the inside. Rebecca was the only person I knew when I came to Colorado, she was my sister, my confidont and my friend, and now after 12 years, I'm leaving.
We said our goodbyes and talked about getting together one more time before we go. Mason and I packed up our decorations and unexpected gifts (someone found us a bottle of Ontario wine, but by far our favorite was a sneering portrait of "W" saying "Hurry back soon, Nick & Mason...love Dubya!") and headed home.
I'll get the pictures up sometime today, but I felt truly blessed by the friends and family surrounding us. While I can't wait to move to Canada, it just got a little harder.
August 26, 2006
Home, for now
Made it back last night after a brief delay at the airport. I immediately knew I was back in the United States though, one because of the drill sargent from homeland security at immigration and two, because of all the rude and nasty people in baggage claim. I made my way out and found Mason, that put a smile on my face. We went out for a quick bite to eat, and we updated each other about what happened while we were gone. Then it was home and off to bed...there really is no feeling like your own bed and pillow - I instantly fell asleep.
Then six am hit and I was up like a light. I tried to go back to bed, but I couldn't as it seems my body is determined to stay on Eastern Daylight Time. Ugh.
The one nice thing is that our Bon Voyage Party is today! Mo is throwing us a goodbye party and we have to go help set up and get stuff for it this morning. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone and sharing my stories of Toronto with them today. I'll make sure to bring my camera and take pictures :-)
Allright, I need some coffee if I'm going to stay up this early.
Posted by Nikolas at 07:30 AM | Comments (1) | TrackBackAugust 25, 2006
Rose Coloured Glasses
I had a really nice time last night for my last night in Toronto till we move here. Geoff invited over Rick, Alberto, and Chris for some drinkies and conversation. It was really nice to just sit back and chat. I got introduced to Great Big Sea, which I now want a copy of their music, and I slowly came to the realization of the fact that there really is such a thing as Canadian culture. Many Americans will simply say there is very little difference between our two nations and cultures, but in reality there is a chasm as wide and deep as is long our shared and undefended border. From the way Canadians talk, to their politics, to their economy and citites, to the music they listen to and their role in the world's affairs, from the foods they eat to the homes they live in, to the way they get around - they couldn't be more different then Americans. Having been here this week has really opened my eyes to that.
Which leads me to another point I've wanted to make. I realize that most of my posts this week seem to be posititve and fluffy-bunny and of me praising this city and it's attributes, but I'm not that naive. I know that Canada has it's problems, and I know that Toronto has it's fair share of issues. I'm not that glossy-eyed to realize that things will be that easy and perfect, every place has it's burdens...including Canada. The difference is (and I've said it before) that Canadians seem to at least try to better themselves and their country - something I have not felt in a long, long time.
Well, it's time to pack and get myself to the airport. I miss my honey and the puppies (and kitties). While I'm sad to be going, I know that I won't be gone for too long.
August 24, 2006
Home Sweet Home
It's been another whirlwind last night and this morning. I went out and saw Allen & Laura of "We Move To Canada" fame last night. We had a really nice talk over beer/wine and food at a cute little pub on The Danforth. I am consistently amazed with Toronto's secret back gardens, it seems that most restaurants and pubs seem to have open air patios (for smokers) but in reality they are beautiful little areas with great big trees and shrubs. L-Girl, Redsock and I enjoyed one of these last night. We talked about moving to Canada, and they shared their past year of experience of living in Mississauga and crossing into Canada last August. Odder still was our conversation about the slow but growing population of Americans making their way over the border - most seem to be GLBT couples, but all are searching for a better life. In my mind I hypothetically envision a "Little America" somewhere in Toronto one day - even though it's not going to happen. It was just nice to share my hopes and fears with someone who has experienced them already. The one thing we both marvelled at was the fact that Mason and I are the first wave of immigrants coming after the 2004 election, and behind us are quite a few couples (Moving to Vancouver, Two Mom's, WCR, Canadian Hope and WBC) waiting to follow in our steps - it truly is humbling.
This morning I went and picked up my final lease and then I met up with Andrew's husband Scott, and went for a walk in The Beaches (or The Beach) Neighborhood. It reminded me a great deal of a small town in Cape Cod. Almost like a place you'd find in Hyannisport. It was really kitchy and pretty and we ended up having lunch at the famous Lick's. We walked south to the Boardwalk and walked around the Lake. Surprisingly, my feet are no longer hurting me and I think after a week I've acclimated to the pedestrian lifestyle - which sucks that I'm going back home to the driving lifestyle. I really enjoyed being by the water today and defintely felt the energy of the Lake Spirits today - quite an interesting shift from my current home - it's going to be interesting to work with.
In the end, I'm really happy about this week, and Geoff and Bob have been wonderful to me and I am truly thankful for their hospitality. Andrew & Scott, Laura & Allen, Alberto, Kyle, Kosta and Rick have also been great and helpful - thank you guys. I'm ready to start my life here with Mason and the dogs - only 36 more days to go.
Posted by Nikolas at 02:24 PM | Comments (8) | TrackBackAugust 23, 2006
Yes Virginia, There is Such a Thing as Customer Service
My experiences setting up services for our new house in Toronto have been nothing short of unnerving. Starting with the phone calls this morning to Toronto Hydro - a new account requires a deposit of $190.00, but a letter from my current provider (Xcel Energy) would void that. "Ann" gave me a number for Xcel Energy to fax the information to and ended the phone call with a "Welcome to Canada, Mr. Xxxx." I hung up the phone in awe, and decided to tackle Enbridge Gas next - surely a big, corporate energy giant would be heartless.
I called Enbridge and the woman on the other end of the phone was polite and perky. "Leslie" told me that there was no need for anything on my end as the "current occupants transferred the service to your name yesterday effective September 1st - so you're all set, and welcome to Canada." I again hung up the phone in awe thinking that surely my experience at the Cable company was doomed to failure.
Bob and I walked down to Rogers Cable which is down the street and went into the corporate head office. I thought for sure that we would be pushed around to ten different people, or told that they don't process new accounts here...after all it's the corporate HQ. We walked into the wireless store and saw a counter with the words Internet/Cable/Phone over it. We waited in line and when I was called up spoke to "Mary." She was polite, friendly and helpful. She set up our cable, internet, and phone in a matter of 10 minutes, gave us our new phone number, a year's worth of free North American Long Distance, a 10% discount and scheduled the install date for the day we move in (Bob's going to be there for us.) In the end she only asked for a $20 installation fee and while we waited for the information to process we chatted about moving to Canada, and to Toronto. When I mentioned that I was surprised to see that Roger's offered Greek television in their cable package and let her know about my dismal experience with Comcast and having to buy a satellite dish and subscribe to Dish TV for Greek television, she cooly and with a smile said..."yeah, there is a lot of advantages to living in a multicultural city like this." When we were done she handed me a "Welcome Kit" and as we left welcomed me to Canada.
I have to honestly say this was the most pleasurable experience I ever had getting utitilities set up.
Toronto The Good
I woke up this morning at some ungodly hour - I can tell that going home is going to fuck up my internal clock. I'm just now getting use to the time zone only to be thrust back two hours on Friday. Ugh.
We went out for Sri Lankan food last night. It was incredibly good! I'd never had that type of food before and it was quite tasty, and we ended the night with some ice cream at Baskin Robbins while watching all the queens parade down Church Street. A quiet night last night, I watch The National with Bob on CBC and marveled at the difference in Canadian and American news coverage.
So far the weather here has been wonderful, a cool day on Sunday when we went to The Ex (with some rain spittle), but other then that it has been sunny and clear. A woman I work with in Denver grew up in Buffalo and when I told her about my move she said quite crassly how overcast Toronto must be and how much she disliked it, that's why SHE'S (her emphasis not mine) in Colorado. Good for fucking her, I miss the days where it rains non-stop for 2 days. Sometimes you need that - and the greenery here is a testament to that. Our new house has a very cool Maple Tree in the back yard (right on the property line) where it looks like four trees grew out of one seed. I can't wait to see what color it turns in the fall.
Bob's off from work this morning, so he is going to help me get my Toronto Hydro, Rogers Cable, Enbridge Gas and Recycling set up for the new house. All that will be left is to move in :-) So it'll be a nice and slow day today I think, and then tonight I finally get to meet Laura and Allen who were instrumental in helping me with all the immigration stuff, and in a way are pioneers of the American move North. In fact Laura has earned the nickname "Grande Dame of Immigration" from some of our other immigrant bloggers...and I think she may secretly like it :-)
August 22, 2006
Royal Canadian Air Farce
This show is genius, why didn't anyone tell be about this!
I love Canadian Television...
Posted by Nikolas at 01:17 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBackSocial Workers of the World Unite!
I had a relatively stress-free morning today, it was the first chance I had since I got here to really sleep in. Bob was gracious enough to leave me some hot coffee and his keys, so I poured a cup and watched Marilyn on CityLine on City TV (I LOVE HER!) Wouldn't you know it, that the topic this morning was all about moving into a new house. I learned a long time ago that there are no such thing as coincidences so I thanked the Universe and jotted some notes all the while enjoying the show.
I eventually got my ass off the couch, showered and went in search of the Ontario College of Social Workers. It actually wasn't too far away (about a 10 minute walk) and when I got there the women were extremely polite. I told them about the lack of real social work registration and licensing in Colorado and how we just started - they told be about the regulations here and I am thoroughly impressed. They have 11,000 social workers registered in Ontario alone! They were quite helpful and gave me some links to some job sites and my counselor told me to check in with her on Friday as my registration should be done by then and I'll be able to access the services of the Ontario Association of Social Workers, who can also help me find a job.
I left the building, picked up a Toronto Star and made my way to a small restaurant for a quick lunch before heading back to Geoff & Bob's. I walk by all these buildings and people, seeing Canadian flags and hearing the conversations and I feel at home. I feel peaceful and blessed and I can't wait to move here. The next 36 days are going to be interesting.
August 21, 2006
The Greek goes home to Greektown
I didn't want to say anything earlier, that's why I have been somewhat cryptic in my postings as of late about finding a place to live. However, now it seems like a done deal so I feel like I can share it.
We found a home to live in :-)
Actually, Geoff and I found the home Saturday morning, it was the first place we saw and it was really perfect. All I can say is that magick works, because that little mojo bag I made really packed a wallop and did it's job right. The house is owned by two lesbians and they are leaving the country for a while and need someone to look after their home. It's got plenty of room for us and our things, they take dogs, have a yard and are about 2 blocks from a dog park! It's a little more then we wanted to pay, but after seeiing some of the other crappy offerings later this weekend I am truly thankful these ladies came our way. Geoff told them our story about immigrating and they seem to instantly like us and felt a kindred connection. I signed the lease today and the specifics will come later (Bob & Geoff have been kind enough to help us in that regard while we're absent.)
Ironically, the house ends up being on the East end in Danforth Village (aka Greektown.) Even though not that many Greeks live there anymore it's surrounded by markets and restaurants and is right on the subway line. I find it kismet that this ends up being our home.
I also set up a bank account today at Scotiabank, and the banker there was a hoot. She really made the whole event fun and lively and welcomed me to Canada when we were done. I have to say that the whole process so far has been wonderful and the people really, really great. Thank you all for the mojo and well-wishes.
I capped off the night tonight with some beers with Genet, and then going with him to celebrate our culture on The Danforth. We had a really good Greek dinner (something I haven't had in a looooooooooooooooooooong time) and some great conversation. It was really nice to be able to sit down and talk Greek with someone, not to mention someone who could be catty and gossipy with me. It was a really nice night, thanks Genet! I eventually made my way home, getting lost along the way, but eventually finding home.
With this ginormous weight of my shoulders and an address under my belt I'm going to take it slow tomorrow and explore the city, offer the mojo bag to the Lake along with going to the Ontario College of Social Workers to get my registration in. With all this done I can start to focus on a job now. Yeah :-)
Thank you again for all the nice comments, I will try to catch up on comments tomorrow.
A Canadian Day
Yesterday I got up at the crack of dawn because of a number of things. I was nervous, stressed, lack of sleep, strange bed, and jet lag. Regardless, I got up early and was able to sit on the balcony and meditate in the cool morning air, which seemed to help. Soon it was time for us to head out and start the day and my feet were dreading it. You see, there is a little inside joke my good friends have on me in Toronto. As an "Auhmurikan" (American) we love our cars, and in many cities across the US (Denver included) people would sooner drive to the corner store then walk there. So the ongoing joke has been that my poor "Auhmurikan" feet are not use to walking so much in a city and culture that is designed for it. I got crap for it when we visited in 2004, and again at Pride in 2005, but I was determined to make up for it today.
Make up for it I did. We took the streetcar and subway through most of the city yesterday. I got to see places I hadn't seen before like Leslieville, Little India, Chinatown II, back to Danforth Village (aka Greektown.) The thing that struck me the most though was how diverse everything was. While on the subway at one point I could hear Greek, Arabic, Spanish, Italian, French and Chinese being spoken. I saw women in Burkas sitting next to women in Saris next to a girl wearing a thong all in the same subway car. For a moment I was taken aback and I realized that I was truly not in the United States anymore. While places like New York and Los Angeles can lay claim to having diverse populations - I have never seen either city get to the point of total immersion of peoples like Toronto has. Whites next to blacks, next to Indian, next to Latino, next to South Asian - all co-existing and at times inter-marrying.
All this was evident even more in the fact that Toronto has Festivals exploding everywhere. Leaving the Gay Village in the Morning we walked through the Fetish Fair and saw the remnants of the Leather Ball the night before. On the Streetcar we passed by the South Asian Festival and on our way back we decided to go to the National Canadian Exhibition.
What an incredible event! Think of every state fair and city celebration you can think of all rolled into one right of the downtown core. It was a great deal of fun and I got to fill myself up with Poutine, Tiny Tom's Doughnuts, but I bypassed on the Beaver Tail because I was so full. We got to ride the Polar Express and the Ferris Wheel and saw some incredible views of the city. We eventually made our way across a highway and into Ontario Place where the Chinese Lantern Festival was being held. Don't ask me how, but we got into the place without having to buy tickets. It was gorgeous! All this beautiful lanterns spread through out the park on an island in the middle of Lake Ontario. We walked around, had some authentic Chinese Food and then found a bench and watched the fireworks from the Exposition at 10:30. It was a wonderful way to cap off the day.
August 20, 2006
Y'all Set?
My friends are absolutely amazing.
After walking with me all over creation yesterday, Geoff was still speaking to me. I made the stupid mistake of booking appointments at opposite ends of the city, but the nice thing was that it let me really appreciate how large Toronto is. I also got to understand the subway better and I think I'm starting to understand which streets are E-W and N-S. That's one of the weird things to get use to. In Denver we orient ourselves with the mountains - find them and you're pointing West. However, here, everything is oriented south to Lake Ontario...and the only way to find the lake is by looking for the CN Tower - find that and you found South and Downtown. Lot's of changes coming...
So after our adventures in house hunting we came back home and chilled out for a bit and then made our way to a BBQ at Andrew and Scott's house. Alberto and Genet showed up as well. The boys had cooked up an incredible dinner welcoming me to Toronto and in order to not miss home too much, they made it an AUHMURICAN (American) dinner: Ribs, corn-on-the-cob, fried chicken, cornbread, potato salad and for dessert peaches and creme and watermelon. I have never felt so touched by an act of kindness in my life and I am truly thankful for each and every one of them being in my life. Mason and I are going to be so lucky when we move here, we really are.
So, we eventually made it back to the homestead after copius amounts of wine where I promptly collapsed into my makeshift bed.
August 19, 2006
Overwhelmed
The subject title of this entry can go so many ways today. Simply said I am overwhemed for a number of reasons:
1) Overwhelmed by hospitality: Geoff and Bobby have been so great to me so far. They are putting me up for a week, have let me shower and eat and then tonight Geoff and I went out to O'Grady's for a couple of beers and to watch all the cute bears and cubs. I even got to run into 
velnich. It's such a nice feeling to know that you have friends out there who care so much about you.
2) Overwhelmed by reality: For the first time in this entire process of immigrating I was grasped and held by fear today. I'm not sure if it's because I am in the city I am choosing to move to, or because I sat on the balcony tonight listening to the sounds of the city and looking at the CN Tower. However, for a moment I felt like a little kid on that first day of school and I was petrified about moving here. It suddenly became real - that this is really happening and it scared the crap out of me.
3) Overwhelmed by pressure: So much do to this week, but yet again so little to do. Something as simple as finding a place to live, opening a bank account - yet at the same time they are such huge steps and carry such an incredible burden. It will be interesting to see how things play out tomorrow. Geoff and I are going to look at three places tomorrow...
4) Overwhelmed by loss: I really don't want to get into it right now, but something happened today that really shook me to my core. I don't think it's truly hit me yet because I have so much going on right now, but Mo called me in the middle of all this today to let me know that my LCSW instructor was found dead in his apartment today. That needs to be an entry for later...my mind just can't process it all now.
Wish me luck tomorrow, and send some mojo my way :-)
August 18, 2006
Canada, here I come
Well folks I'm off to Toronto to go house-hunting. Wish me luck! I'll be gone for about a week, but I'm bringing the laptop with me so I'll be sure to update from the Great White North :-)
Posted by Nikolas at 05:48 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBackAugust 17, 2006
Goodbye Samantha
I don't know what it is about men and naming their cars. Maybe it's something that is bred into us from a very young age because I can remember lovingly caring for each of my matchbox cars (even though I ran them through the dirt and off cliffs) and naming each one. When I got to be older and got my license I was excited at the possibility of getting to own my first car and naming her (...it always had to be a girl's name too!) The
The first car I bought was a 1985 Red Ford Tempo, back in 1992. Her name was Rhoda and she was a nice piece of work. My first car, my first stick shift, my first accident. A drunk driver hit me (almost killed me) and poor Rhoda was beyond repair.
I needed a car because during the time of the accident I had gotten kicked out of the house because I was gay and public transit in
I remained carless for quite a few years. I moved to
How coincidental that her lease is up just as we decide to move to
So here is to Samantha, thanks for the last four years.
Posted by Nikolas at 04:47 PM
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August 16, 2006
Termination
It's been a rough day today for a number of reasons, but right now I only want to focus on one of them and it deals with termination.
Termination is a term we use often in social workese, it's defined (hopefully) as the healthy and successful end to the therapeutic relationship. At some point in the client-social worker relationship we come to the point where for what ever reason we part ways. Many times it's beyond my control - the kid turns 18 and leaves the system, or they commit a crime and get sent to jail, or the case gets transferred for administrative reasons. For many of the kids I work with it's just another adult in their lives taking off, but it still stings each time.
This time it's different though, I'M the one leaving and forcing this change on them. I knew that I would need to start doing terminations with my clients; that I would need to let them know about my departure, and for some they would need to know more. So far the cases have been easy because the clients I have spoken to were only on my caseload for less then six months. Not enough time to really build a close relationship with them....we were still in the "feeling things out stage." However, today was different. Today, I had to tell one of my 16-year olds who I have had since he was 12 that I was leaving.
I didn't think it would be that bad, but then I saw his body language as the words left my mouth and it looked like I had sucker-punched him in the gut. I switched into therapist mode and processed some of the feelings with him. When we got to the point where I felt he was safe and stable I let him know it was time for me to go, possibly for the last time. He instantly got up and gave me a hug (something I was not prepared for from this straight, rural, football-playing jock) and he told me how much he would miss me and how good of a worker I was to him. I thanked him, promised him a postcard from Toronto, and bid him and his foster father goodbye.
I got in the car and drove down the dusty farm road in this town way outside of Denver, and in about 2 minutes I had to pull over and put it in park.
I cried. I cried like a baby. I mourned the loss of the relationship I had formed with this wonderful kid, and I cried for progress and achievements he has made in the past four years. That's when I realized that I'm really leaving. As much crap as I give my job, I love it. I love what I do, I love the kids I work with and the families I help...and I'm scared that I will not find another job like this in Toronto. I'm scared that I will be useless and untapped.
I eventually pulled myself together and made it back to the city. They prepare you in school and on-the-job for the aspects of termination, but until you experience it there are no proper words for it.
Posted by Nikolas at 10:32 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBackAdvice - Correction
I knew it was too easy at the DMV...sigh.
Matt was gracious enough to leave a comment in my advice post regarding his experiences moving from New York to Toronto. I checked my record and indeed it had my issue date as last year when I renewed my license...so it looks like I only have one year's worth of driving experience.
I went to the Colorado DMV Website, and found out that yes indeed, Colorado does offer CERTIFIED Driving records. Apparently, "Joe" down at the DMV on Monday must have not had his afternoon break and forgot to tell me, but they are only issued at the Main HQ.
So, I make my way down there and find myself in a government sponsored habitrail system. I eventually made my way through a maze and drew number 194 (they were serving 152.) When my number was called, like a parched man making his way to an oasis in the desert, I got to the counter. I explained my situation and "Margo" the lovely DMV Lady told me I needed a FULL CERTIFIED Record which goes back 10 years and shows renewals. Sure enough, a few minutes later I had a notarized, certified and bonafide driving record showing my three renewals since 1994 and also my three speeding tickets during the same time (damn...)
So, to those soon to be ex-patriates please take note and correct my last post.
:-)
Posted by Nikolas at 02:58 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBackAugust 14, 2006
I AM CANADIAN
I was putzing around Youtube and found one of the old Molson commercials. They had a series of "I Am Canadian" commercials back in the 90's I believe, and this one always brings a smile to my face...
Posted by Nikolas at 10:54 PM | Comments (0) | TrackBackAdvice - Part I
I have the feeling that the advice "Title" will be showing up more often in the next few weeks as I make more posts.
Today was the first full business day since getting our Visas so I set out to take care of some business. I did my research this weekend through a number of websites and blogs in order to come up with a master list of the things that need to get done. I even got a portable file folder so that I could organize all the crap I need to get done. Can you tell I work for a bureaucratic governmental organization?
Driving Records:
Before you leave you need to get a copy of your driving history. It's not one of the things you instantly think about, but in reality how is Canada going to access your states' driver database? Some places may call it an "abstract", but more then likely it's just your driving history (at least that's what they call it in Colorado.) You'll need it in order to get Canadian auto insurance.
So I made my way down to the Denver Department of Motor Vehicles...that in itself earned me the right to some Ben & Jerry's tonight. After waiting for about an hour in the cramped quarters, I paid my $2.20 and got my driving record. When I asked them to certify it with a stamp they looked at me like I was speaking Japanese. Oh well...it'll do, I hope.
I've lived in Colorado for 12 years so this was enough for me, but if you recently moved, or haven't lived in your state for more then 7 years I recommend you try and get your records from the other places you lived.
Credit History:
Most books and websites recommend that you bring copies of your credit report from the big three credit bureaus - Equifax, TransUnion & Experian. After emigrating, you will have no credit! (Great for bankruptcies I guess...) Some books I have read state that if you give your Social Security Number to Canadian Banks and ask them to run a US credit report they can since they only use one of the companies - Equifax. Don't chance it. You can easily print out a copy of your credit reports online now.
A second recommendation was to get a "Letter of Credit Standing" from your main banking institution and any credit cards you use. I decided to go to my Credit Union and see if they could help me out. After the whole, "Wow, Canada huh? Why?" they got to work. It took a few phone calls to the main branch but eventually they figured it out and gave me a letterhead with a paragraph stating I've had accounts with them, I paid on time and they considered me in "good standing", I think that'll do.
Whew...and that's just the tip of the iceberg.
August 13, 2006
Approval...in so many ways.
I'm a bit in shock right now because the doorbell just rang (at 8:15am on a Sunday) and I groggily made my way out of bed, fully expecting to be accosted by Jehovah Witnesses or a vacuum salesman. Instead, I opened the door to see a bright and chipper postman with an overnight package in his hand...the self-addressed stamped one I had included in my paperwork with the passports.
I hastily signed the form, thanked him and was immediately awake. Opening the package...out spilled our passports with Canadian Visas firmly attached in them, along with our landing documents, fingerprints and some of the school transcripts I had sent. Also, a letter...a glorious letter saying:
We are pleased to inform you that your application for permanent residence in Canada has been approved...we wish you every success in your new life in Canada.
I sit here dumbfounded. It's all over. 18 months of waiting is over. The entire process is over. The only thing left is to land. Wow.
So here is the completed timeline:
Application Submitted: 02-14-2005
Application placed in queue: 03-21-2005
Transferred to Seattle Consulate: 02-09-2006
Initial Assessment Complete/Request for Additional Info: 03-07-2006
Medical Examinations: 03-13-2006
FBI Clearances Received: 04-07-2006/04-20-2006
Second Round of Documents to CIC-Seattle: 04-20-2006
Request from CIC-MSB in Ottawa for further medical: 05-12-2006
Application approved (WE'RE IN!), Requests for passports: 08-07-2006
Passports returned with visas; we now have permanent resident status: 08-13-2006
We move to Canada (to borrow a phrase L-Girl): 09-28-2006
Holy Shit this is happening!
Posted by Nikolas at 08:25 AM | Comments (13) | TrackBackAugust 11, 2006
Landing
In the grand scheme of things I realize this is a mute point, given that we still haven't found a place to live or jobs yet. However, Mason and I needed to do this tonight because it put the move just that much more into our heads. That this is really happening.
We've decided to do our "landing" at the Port Huron/Sarnia border crossing over the Blue Water Bridge rather then the busier crossing at Detroit/Windsor.
Pretty, eh? :-)
Posted by Nikolas at 11:08 PM | Comments (2) | TrackBackAugust 10, 2006
House, House...find me a House
So the trip to Toronto is booked for next Friday, so I have spent the last few days coming up with a list of things that need to get done. Number one on the list was looking for a house to rent...
I've been checking Craig's List, View-it.ca and MLS.ca, and trying to find a house in the city, that takes dogs, and is in our budget has been a challenge. I've gotten a trickle of e-mail responses back, I'm hoping that when I get there people will be a tad friendlier. Sigh. We could easily live in Mississauga and find a nice place that's affordable with a yard, but our hearts are set in Toronto... and we are city boys to boot. So wish me luck next week :-/
In other news, our respective jobs have had a chance to digest the fact that we will both be leaving. I've had few more people come and talk to me and let me know how surprised they are, others are having a hard time figuring out where Toronto is on a map. Either way the response has been positive.
August 09, 2006
It Really Happened!
-MASON ENTRY-
First I want to thank all of you for your wonderful comments and support through all this process. I realize I don't post here often - mostly because I do most of my 'blog' posting on my other, personal site. But, since this site is mostly about our move to Canada, I thought I would share my recent posts from Live Journal.
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[Aug. 7th, 2006|05:50 pm]
SUBJECT: 539 Days Later....
I feel like I'm going to throw up. Seriously.
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[Aug. 7th, 2006|09:04 pm]
SUBJECT: I Still Want to Throw Up, But...
For 18 months we've waited for this day and I can't believe it's here. I guess what is quizical for me is that it was nothing like I expected.
I had already picked Nick up from the airport - he returned from his trip to California. I dropped him off at home and had to stop by the football stadium to record the gate announcements for the next four Rapids games. (I'm the stadium announcer for our MLS professional soccer team) I got back to my office and was so engrossed in something on my computer I didn't notice Nick had walked in and plopped right down in front of me. In his hand - a thick, yellow envelope.
Silence.
Nick opened the envelope and started reading and then that word hit: "approved."
I don't know what I expected to feel/do/experience/look forward to when this day arrived. Part of me envisioned shouting and screaming. Another thought I would break out in tears. Still another part of me thought I'd start laughing and singing and jumping up and down. So after 77 weeks and a day, what do I do?
I sat there.
I just sat in my chair staring at Nick in complete silence. I'm surprised he didn't reach over and slap me to see if I was even awake. Then I felt like I wanted to throw up - and this from someone that never tosses his cookies.
It's not that I'm not excited - it's not that I'm scared - it's not that I'm worried or sad - it's pretty much all of the above. Nick described it best when he said he felt like 22 emotions were rolling around in his body - none of them knowing when or where to land. We looked at each other and with the tears welling up in my eyes, we hugged and then he asked if we still wanted to do this and of course the answer is yes.
Then it was the trip across the hall to my bosses office and he knew right away when Nick was with me with a letter in his hand. I didn' have to say a word - he knew exactly what I was coming to tell him. I felt like the warden of a prison coming to tell the death row inmate that his pardon from the Governor wouldn't be coming.
After Nick left, it seemed that every time I talked to someone at work, I would begin tearing up - all with the thought that I wouldn't be seeing and working with these people in less than eight weeks. Only a select few of my fellow managers know right now and those that do were difficult to look at or talk to because all of us were holding back tears. This isn't going to be easy for the office or me. We're going to wait a week before informing the staff.
Nick and I decided to go get dinner and digest not only the food were were going to eat, but this flood of emotions and feelings and everything else that has consumed us since opening that letter this afternoon. After I picked Nick up, we just started heading downtown without a destination in mind. It then dawned on me where we should go to celebrate and I headed that direction. Tonight's dinner would have Canadian and specifically Torontonian roots. The Keg.
So with a belly full of rib eye and three gin and tonics, I sit here on the couch realizing that my/our life just went into hyperdrive.
I think I'll just go open that bottle of wine we've been saving for this very night. I just wish it could last seven weeks.
Posted by Mason at 08:23 AM | Comments (2) | TrackBackAugust 08, 2006
The Day After
First off, I want to thank all of you who have left me such wonderful messages of good will and well-wishes during the last two posts. It's nice to know that you guys are just as excited as I am with all of this. It's nice to have you along for the ups and downs, and yesterday was definitely both.
I went into the office today and gave my 30-day notice to my boss. She was really nice about it, and gave me some kind words as well. Most of my co-workers were also happy for me. I think they were in as much shock as I was or maybe they were happy to know that I was finally going to stop whining about not hearing from Seattle. In either case, it was surreal today to start to go through my cases and prepare them for transfer. To write e-mails to colleagues and clients telling them that I would have to cancel our meetings set in September because I would not be around. For the first time in over 12 years I'm going to be unemployed again and it scares the shit out of me! Two things that I desperately need to feel safe and content is a house and a job - and right now I'll have neither.
I came home and started making a list of the things we need to get done before we go. Responsibilities to be assigned and goals we need to make. I got up at 5:30 this morning because I had so many things running through my head - now all I want to do is go to bed and dream.
Why do I have the feeling that the next 60 days are going to fly by...
Posted by Nikolas at 08:26 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBackAugust 07, 2006
A Chance to Breathe
Mason and I had a chance to go out and decompress over this whole situation. We decided to go have a nice dinner at The Keg (which incidentally is a Canadian franchise) and talk about some of the stuff running through our heads. It amazed me the tremendous amount of feelings I had flood my brain at once when I got home - elation, sadness, guilt, excitement, happiness, worry, fear, anticipation, anxiety and many, many more. I didn't even know it was possible to feel all of these emotions at the same time. I went from reading the letter over, and over again, to crying to bouncing off the walls. The reality of the situation is starting to sink in. The big question is what's next...
First off, I mail the passports off to the Consulate in Seattle tomorrow morning - they state they will have them back to us in 15 business days.
Then tomorrow I give my boss my 30-day notice (literally), since I was hoping for September 8th to be my last day of work.
I've just booked a flight to Toronto using Mason's United Miles for August 18th through the 25th - giving me a week to try and find a place to live for both of the dogs and us. This is going to be the most stressful part I think, and the part I am most worried about. (A Cancer needs his shell, er...I mean home.)
The plan for right now is to leave the State and begin the move to Canada on September 26th or 27th for a three-day drive ending us up in Toronto by October 1st.
Ugh, my stomach is killing me know.
For those of you keeping track at home, here is the timeline so far:
Application Submitted: 02-14-2005
Application placed in queue: 03-21-2005
Transferred to Seattle Consulate: 02-09-2006
Initial Assessment Complete/Request for Additional Info: 03-07-2006
Medical Examinations: 03-13-2006
FBI Clearances Received: 04-07-2006/04-20-2006
Second Round of Documents to CIC-Seattle: 04-20-2006
Request from CIC-MSB in Ottawa for further medical: 05-12-2006
Application approved (WE'RE IN!), Requests for passports: 08-07-2006
Welcome to Canada
We got a letter from Seattle in the mail today, and I immediately dropped everything and drove over to Mason's job. I walked into his office and we opened the manila envelope together...
This concerns your application for permanent residence in Canada. The processing of your application is complete. We require valid passports for you and your spouse before we can issue your permanent residence visa(s)...
We're in, and I'm speechless.
Posted by Nikolas at 05:31 PM | Comments (13) | TrackBack
