ONE MORE SLEEP ...

... and hopefully, we won't sleep in tomorrow. We have to be out of here by 7:00am to get to where we're leaving our car. From there my girlfriend will drive us to the train station and it's off to TO ... for the Back2Back Reunion weekend.

Again last night, my "wearing of the jersey" wasn't very successful against the Yankees. John says the Jays are waiting for the weekend when I'm right there wearing the jersey. Sure hope they do win the games we're at (just for the record, I have not attended very many live Jays games where we were on the winning end -- apparently my presence in the stands has a jinxing effect). Maybe the addition of the jersey will make the difference?

I'll spend today getting ready, of course.

Have to make sure I don't forget anything.

Like my Carter hat.

And my Carter Jersey.

OK, I'll take other clothes and stuff too.

John is in charge of packing his own stuff (including his baseball glove).

Four years ago, we were also on a train for my birthday, but on the west coast.

That year, my job required that I be in Castlegar for an event so we made a holiday of it and flew to Calgary to "start our trip."

We took the train from Calgary to Kamloops, through the Rockies. It was spectacular! We were guests of the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours - http://www.rockymountaineer.com/ - what an awesome experience (thank you again Peter, your generosity has not been forgotten).

We happened to be enjoying this experience on the very day of my "25th" birthday too! After lunch, the crew gave me an autographed souvenir book of the railtour (the owner had already signed it), and they served birthday cake to everyone on our car (which all the other riders really enjoyed!) In Kamloops that evening, when we arrived at the dinner theatre (included with the tour), the staff were waiting for us ("Are you the Fowlers?"). We were escorted to a table that had been reserved for us at the front of the room so that we would have an unobstructed view of the production. We were treated like royalty all day!

After spending the night as guests of the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours at a Kamloops hotel, we reluctantly had to split from the tour (it would continue to Vancouver). We rented a car and drove to Castlegar to meet my work commitments. For our return trip, we drove to Calgary and flew home from there. In all my work years, that was without a doubt the most incredible trip I've ever "had" to take!

But, I've certainly had a few memorable birthdays over the years:

• In 1975, I spent the night in the hospital trying to have a baby (false alarm). My daughter was born 20 days later but I still think that qualifies as a fairly special birthday present.
• In 1994, I took me to Toronto to see the Blue Jays for my birthday (to catch Joe Carter's balls!) The infamous strike -- the one that ended what would have surely been the Expos' run for the World Series -- started the next day! Some birthday present that was!
• In 1995, I met John the day before my birthday. I figure that was a not-bad birthday present that year!
• In 1996, I landed my "dream job" one month after my birthday. Following three years of unemployment, that was a fabulous birthday present that year!
• In 2005, I spent the day of my birthday on the Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tour (for free -- a spectacular birthday present)
• In 2009, I will be in the stands of the Rogers Centre at the Back2Back Reunion weekend ...

... And yet, I WILL STILL BE just 29 ...

In other news:

Welcome home to Euna Lee and Laura Ling, the two American journalists who were held captive in North Korea for four months. It's been painful watching their ordeal and we're glad to see them back home with their families.