Midmorning
Today's going to be a busy day. I have family coming to the show today...my two sisters and big Sarah fans, Trish and Lynda, and my brother Warren and his wife Clare. There should also be a few people here from the Nettwerk Vancouver office I haven't seen in a while. Something about being in a city I know makes this show day feel more based in reality than almost any other.

Noon
Jennifer, Jill and I decide to take a cab downtown for a couple of hours of shopping. We have to be back at the venue by 2 pm, so it will be a quick trip.

12:30 pm
We take the cab to Queen Street West-- my old shopping haunt. I haven't been here in about 4 years, but it doesn't seem like much has changed. We see a crowd gathering outside of Starbucks, and there's Abra Moore doing an "instore" outdoor performance. Jen and I are a little upset that we didn't bring one of the digital cameras with us. Oh well.

1:30 pm
We've hit most of the good stores within two blocks, taking a quick peak in each, since our shopping time is limited and we have to use it wisely. Jill and I buy more bath stuff at Lush, a shop we love but has yet to open one up in New York. Must stock up!

1:45 pm
We lose Jen for a few minutes, and I start to get a little panicky, since we really need to call a cab and get back to the venue asap. Shopping time is up.

2:15 pm
We're back at the venue and I quickly down some lunch since I have to meet my family in a few minutes.

2:30 pm
There's a huge, HUGE line at the main gates where I'm to meet everyone, and I'm worried I'll never find them. I start walking down the line, scanning faces for my siblings. After a couple of minutes, Warren walks right by me, then does a double take and we find each other. Trish and Lynda haven't shown up yet, but Warren says their tickets aren't at the will call booth yet. What??? Uh oh. I run to the production office to find out what's going on.

2:45 pm
All the tickets are still being sorted at production, but I'm able to pull the envelope for Lynda Hillis+3. I run back to find Warren and Clare, and Trish and Lynda have just arrived. I give them their tickets and passes and they are thrilled. I'm so relieved that the tickets were there and this part is taken care of . I take everyone over to the bus for the grand tour. They're a little surprised at the lack of space and cramped sleeping arrangements, but I'm glad that they can get a better idea of what I do and where I am when I'm "on tour." I take a group shot of them in the back lounge. Jill, sorting her laundry upfront, graciously welcomes them and they chat about bus life.

3:00 pm
We head for the venue on the way to find their seats and we walk by the tent where the press conference has just finished. Sarah, Emmylou and Liz are walking out, so we all get a close up glimpse of them-- Lynda's the most excited about seeing Sarah and wants a closer glimpse. After star gazing, we head over to find out where they'll be sitting and the seats are probably some of the venue's best-- center, row G--close but not too close. Amazing. Lynda says this is better than Christmas.

4:00 pm
After a tour through the village, I have to run and actually do some work, so we make arrangements to meet a short while later.

8:00 pm
My family's having a great time, and I've also seen a few familiar faces from Nettwerk. Catering is incredible today -- I wonder if they made arrangements to have better food than usual because of the importance of the Toronto shows...lots of Nettwerk people, press, friends, and family. The desserts are especially impressive, and there's even a crepe table where a woman is flipping crepes, warming peaches in syrup, refilling bowls of blackberries and whipping up some sort of creme sauce for topping. Crazy.

9:30 pm
Trish, Lynda, Warren and Clare meet me for a last backstage visit, and since I have to leave for the hotel tonight before the show's end, we make arrangements to meet for brunch at the Rivoli tomorrow morning. They had a great time and are very appreciative -- and I'm happy that they've had fun and we were able to have a little family reunion today. Time to hop on the bus to the hotel where I'll drop off my stuff, and although I'm tired, I'll be calling Jill up for a late night drink and snack. It just wouldn't feel right going to bed early when we're in Toronto on a Saturday night.