Nuit Blanche

So, I've got yet another Toronto-centric event to scratch from my list: Nuit Blanche. All the kids in town have attended, save this one right here. Luckily, I made amends and launched an epic adventure through altered, urban spaces with The Crew in tow....

• Silly Moffatt could not find the Kipling subway station. *Shakes head at herself* Sent The Crew off ahead of me and drove around some more, mostly in a tizzy. Managed to arrive at Union about half an hour later than the rest.
• Explored a scent/auditory version of Alice in Wonderland.... staged in Port-o-Potties, if you can imagine it. One smelt like chocolate which was both delightful and disturbing....
• Powered a fountain with my legs! (And a stationary bike)
• Witnessed the Witches' Cradles.... wanted to be hoisted up in one, but the line was KILLER. I guess sensory deprivation is all the rage now.
• Tossed some spare change into a pool of vodka.
• Ate roasted corn and watched an excited crowd rush a massive slide at a street carnival in the financial district.
• Watched a game of Monopoly played with REAL cash. Supposed to have "Canadian celebrities" there.... the only one I recognised was the rapper, K-OS.
• Saw a massive, silver rabbit-shaped balloon in the Eaton's Centre.
• Rush of occurrences: Light graffiti on a building, seventeen caged wrestlers fighting with blindfolds on, giant NO sculpture, bright lights to buzz the eyes.
• Timmies' run: Scored an excellent table and partook in hot chocolate, tea, scones, and doughnuts for a stellar hour of reflection.
• Ship Sharp and The Aussie parted ways with us at 1:10 am -- My Advocate, Napoleon, and I headed to Younge-Dundas Square for cheap popcorn. Marveled over how un-Canadian the square looks. Serious, it looks too cool for Toronto.
• Headed to the Toronto Reference Library to witness this odd dance/martial arts dance course. More distorted lights followed....
• Walked through darkened streets to Napoleon's house. Passed through mist, connected over the desire to kick Canada from our heels and travel the world/Universe (a la Doctor Who, naturally).
• Headed to Liberty Village to witness the apocalypse -- or, rather, an unnamed disaster where us wanderers were the victims. It was 4-5 am, we were cold and tired, and there were free blankets and mugs with the word "MERCY" written across them. Managed to connect with perfect strangers while we huddled around garbage can fires and rearranged tin cans. 
• Passed through the narrow, passive-aggressive, apology lane.... very eerie having people in large, paper bags apologizing to you after you bumped into them.
• Napoleon drove My Advocate and I back to the Kipling Station where I then drove her back to her place.

AND -- BIG NEWS! I came out to My Advocate at 5 am on Sunday morning. It was entirely unplanned on my part -- I point to my sleep deprivation as the driving force behind my sudden sense of confidence. And, as I predicted, The Advocate was supportive, excited, and proud of me. (Hey, she was made My Advocate for a reason here, people). 

She invited me in and we gossiped over some fresh-brewed tea. I got to tell her about all these undergrad moments and experiences that I had never shared with her before which felt marvelous. I love that I'm at this point where I'm so excited to let people know this vital part of me -- and heck, it's getting easier each time I come out, so far. None too shabby, I should say!

Turns out My Advocate knows more queer ladies than I had anticipated -- though she still argues that no one is good enough for me (her words, not mine), she is all for helping a gay gal out. I had to admit how lame I am with the ladies, and she's now on a mission to get me mingling with the queer community. Lord, I won the lottery when it comes to friends and straight allies, I tell you. Suppose it comes with the art school territory.

Crawled into bed as the sun rose at 7 am and still managed to get myself up somewhere between 11 am - 12 pm. I'm disciplined, what can I say? Adjusting to regular hours has been a cinch, though I think I'm coming down with the wicked cold that's been claiming my family members one at a time. I was the last hold out. 

Ah well, it's a minor concession for another stellar weekend. I'm thinking I need to invest in some more late night, modern-art-induced conversations. Definitely inspires a night full of revelations...