Yesterday the first non regular cruise ship came. I believe the city pulled out all the stops. I heard planes and drums and festive sounds. Looked over at my backyard casino deck and folks were out taking it all in. It felt so right.

I sense that the effort was a very thorough one and that we should be satisfied that we gave it all we had. Hopefully it was enough and if there is a chance the line to choose us that they indeed do so.

After all that was the reason the community as a whole came out for all the hoopla pomp and ceremony.


It is in this spirit and not in personal ego that I write today. I had a wonderful day and previous week actually preparing.spring cleaning, catering to my happy B&B guests and as always loving and appreciating my amazing small hair clientele. What a beautiful life!

This life venue is awe inspiring. I am truly and constantly in praise and gratitude for having lucked out with such a rewarding balanced, serene and mystic life. All this in a location so breathtaking that only God Himself could have chosen for me. I could not have done any better myself. As they say “Some time thank God you don’t get what you ask for”.

I experienced a dry run, a dress rehearsal. Not one person came. It’s a precarious position I put myself into and not for the faint of heart. When you opt into an agreement to provide entertainment, in this case as part of an effort sponsored by the city [or an arm of the local gov’t maybe tourism and economic committee I’m not sure] there are no guarantees, one has to have tough skin.

Upon being contacted I agreed to take part. I have made countless ambitious efforts in the past at devising exciting attractions and have pulled out all the stops, I continue to do so but I invest a little less heart and have realistic expectations.. I try to be prepared for all eventualities. I have developed a thick skin, and have stared failure in the face but have also tasted just enough success to know that if it’s meant to be and you believe in yourself keep it up, enjoy and it will come .

In effect neither me nor my show are mentioned on the busking list. Apparently the busking list mentions Pillsbury Gardens which is a public grounds and where they intend to send buskers. The organizing committee is paying each busker including me 20 dollars a day and requesting either 2 shows an hour of 20 min duration or 3 ten minute shows an hour. So I said I would do the 2 shows an hour for a total of 8 shows during the 4 hour time the ships are in port.

We are to hope to generate enough in tips to make our efforts and precious time worthwhile and hopefully profitable.
I plan to work this into my schedule all tourist season on cruise days. I will find a way to enter this into my busy life of bnb and hair and enjoy it.

I am however sad that I am not mentioned as a busker specifically. I heard some folks holler as they walked past on the way to the mall there’s the Pillsbury garden. At that moment I happened to be outside in costume picking up my sign and all my strategically placed lawn chairs which had been blown down by the chilly wind. While there with my “fascinator” and frilly collar flopping in the wind, trying to overcome the old harlot look, I actually tried to coax a few passers by to come in but one group looked at me and said a curt “no thanks” and the other individual and her hubby she said I’d like to but we’ve booked a boat tour leaving in minutes gotta go. I never went back out and no one came to the grounds as I sat by the window watching, waiting.

I had seating for 30 people in a squeeze.
I am not a musician nor a story teller per say [yet], I neither do magic tricks or juggling. Busking doesn’t lend itself to a character singer/ comic and hospitality host who works connected to a sound system.

For that reason a few season’s ago I went though the application procedure and protocol to become accepted as a cruise ship ground excursion with promo aboard ship but was turned down and told they would reconsider if I could make a success of it on my own. I felt I needed them to generate the audience then I could succeed.
What I am is a motivated motivator I’m not naturally a competitive go for the jugular destroy the enemy competitor. The times in life, in games, when I come out on top I feel oddly bad for the competition.

When working for myself if I feel someone’s competing and has picked up on my idea, rather than stay and fight I just invent something new to do and move on to another creative pursuit. I always want everybody to win. I love to share in everybody’s success if it’s fair. I respect that “competitiveness” is a very commendable and acceptable way to be and I applaud those who are.

So I had made some little pastries which are not lost as they are now frozen and will be used in hospitality. I had a big tea maker of what turned out to be delicious tea which I enjoyed and a pot of coffee which I will reheat and enjoy today. I had a full punch bowl which I bottled and refrigerated. My effort was not wasted.
Lovely CD music was playing, I had a new fairly local and Canadian content script as well as my Piaf songs and Fifi jokes..... all was in the ready.

I love to keep Fifi current and in tune adapting her to the times and occasions. So I made her a ridiculous [over the top as always] “fascinator hat” with a few English royal wedding aristocratic jokes.

I concocted a new outfit less formal than the red hat dress was]. It is a bit more demure as Piaf might have worn and very roomy and comfy for me [but for the shoes ouch].

So I was able to complete my day of BnB and Hair styling, and have myself and house all set up and ready. I was seated at the entrance in my little porch hair shop, at desk with “open” sign on door watching and waiting. I think I have worked out the glitches and know what I have to do for the up coming season

When I saw that no one was coming I decided to make hay anyway and took photos Having the photos for my keepsakes and records made the costuming effort worthwhile. I then took out my Mac, having put all technology out of sight and reach and having somewhat taken down my shop.

So I comfortably sat there uploading and enjoying my ‘puter. One of the things I realized was that I can incorporate all this. If they don’t come I can still juggle all and proceed with what I might otherwise be doing ex. get to watch “America’s got Talent” this season.

Seriously I have some great visions for how this garden / slash tour tea show could go in the future. It’s my original vision which has yet come to pass but i had a very stimulating, out of the ordinary day. I feel fully alive and functioning at my peak. All I need is for those who would like this sort of thing to be made privy of it’s existence and to come and enjoy.

I am very deeply proud of the caliber of all our scenic and whale watching water excursions it’s very,] well done as is everything we have to offer. While speaking strictly for myself as a tourist [assuming that there may be a few more like me on board], after hours on the water....upon getting off a cruise ship I would love to come to a place like this [ wireless compatibility] and be regaled and entertained with warm hospitality and real performance.

The gardens, the house and it’s entire experience would be such a nice change of pace even for the cruise ship staff.

I’m carving out a niche for myself and hopefully it will catch on. I plan to keep doing it and be ready. If it’s not attended at least I can have the satisfaction of saying I tried and not have that awful guilty feeling I get when we lose our tourists. That “regret” of having wanted to help, take part, create but no one would support me. I will do my part regardless and will have a clear and happy conscience. As Piaf’s song says “No Regrets” “Je ne Regrette Rien”I know some folks really enjoy what I offer as my ever returning, cosmopolitan guests attest to.

I recall a specific case as a matter of fact it was on a season’s first cruise ship day when all the community had been geared up to put their best foot forward and as always I enthusiastically complied. Must add it never occurred to me to charge

I had made available an assortment of local historic and current local info I had a little script praising and honoring Pr Rupert and Canada. Luscious treats and beverages in the gazebo.

I watched with heart sinking as people resembling sheep to me, filed in hoards toward the mall. They had been given a booklet of attractions and Pillsbury house and or gardens was not on it.
I had set up my little sound system in the grounds. It was a spectacular day sooo beautiful it brought tears in my eyes. I sat there alone, overlooking the awe inspiring beauty and colors of the sea, sky, greens vibrant and fresh while in the background I played tapes of old hits and ‘Have you Ever Been Across the Sea to Ireland by Bing Crosby came on. Oh and no one to share this moment with!

One lone visitor stumbled on to this place he was blown away as I showed him through the house and he took in all this place has to offer. He claimed adamantly that this was the best thing this town had to offer.... He wanted his wife to come see they had gotten separated. He didn’t have much time as the ship was leaving soon.

He bad mouthed his overall experience and dissed the Highliner building as an ugly landmark which marred the view from Totem hill [I was surprised did not know should I be flattered or insulted at this..... he was very vocal in his opinions].

To my surprise he fetched his wife and I had time to tour her through and took pics some from upstairs bay window etc. They were happy. She had been a hairdresser and I showed her the antique hair tool collection in my display from my mom in 1920’s. The experience was rich, full and short. He made me promise to watch the ship leaving .

Some time passed and I almost forgot and just as an after thought i stepped up to the landing just in the spur of the moment as the ship was passing by. I stood there breathless and waving at the mammoth ship, barely made it in time to discern something over the distance.... a sound carried by the waves..it was a man’s voice thundering for all to hear “THANK YOU COLLEEN !!”

A few days later I received a phone call from a man who had stood beside him on the deck. He claimed this couple raved about his discovery to everyone within hearing for the rest of the trip. The stranger calling was now back home in New York and wanted to reserve a stay for himself and his grandson the following year.

They were the only persons I saw that day except for one other lady, a true typical American, leathery tanned skin and gold sun bleached hair. She also had the stereotype “attitude” she was lost frustrated and vey irate.

She was wagging around the little booklet and asking directions. I calmed her down. I complimented her, found and discussed her sensitivity [fashion style] brought her in, gave her the tour.

I did a neat little photo shoot for her memories, posing her in picturesque places in and out of the house . She turned into a sweet grateful angel who claimed she would never forget her visit here . I have many such stories and a guest book full of these testimonies.

For circumstances beyond my control I remain below the radar, I suppose in trying to make light of this “failure to attract” I can attribute a small percentage to personal shunning ...but better people than me have suffered shunning historically so I won’t flatter myself.

I do remain oddly contented and loving the pace of my life. Once it came to my attention that someone locally influential had derided me as an opportunist I was insulted and deeply hurt . As I tried to see the logic of his deduction and apply it, It just didn’t fit me. I have given hundreds of dollars even thousands and ego boosts and compliments and physical labor and my time to anyone kids in my vintage fashion shows, anyone helping with my events in any way the Mission and soup kitchen, everyone and I have never asked anything in return.

For over 15 years I gave hours,sometimes baked around the clock for charity.
Except business is business and as one must in businessI perated accordingly. I barely took pay often not, certainly not until after I paid others. I see myself as a humble, self deprecating giver. How can I be an opportunist?

Then came the “ah! waiiit a minute why am I insulted here?” I thought “who in their right mind rejects a good opportunity? Certainly not my accusers”.

Enough said I have sooo much more to share but for this Saturday I’m just sitting here, meditating praising,thanking God, filled with contentment and love. Oh and getting inspired!