People, Places And Things

This is long...but worth it.

On a weekly basis, someone around me complains about how Hamilton sucks, or how there is nothing to do here. If you don't like Hamilton, that's cool. I respect your opinion, but of course, I grew up here and love the city that has had a part of making me who I am today. I also went to high school in a little, nothing hick town in Northern Ontario, where the only thing to do there was to drive around and go to Tim Horton's. I still have a soft spot for Blind River, even though I kind of hate the place for different reasons, but I acknowledge that it also had a part in making me who I am today. 

Not too long ago, I was one of those people that I think most people would relate to. The person that bases their life on the "things" they can or can't do. This is why people dislike Hamilton so much. They say there is nothing to do.  I also believed at a time that there wasn't much to do in Hamilton, but over time, I realized that there was much more to do than people think. But that doesn't matter. It doesn't matter anymore, because I'm now not one of those people that bases the value of their lives on the things that they can or can't do. I would much prefer to measure my life by friends and family, the many experiences in between, and the random shit that gets done when friends are together, having a good time. 

Do you think living in Blind River was boring? In fact, the town was boring, but I didn't have a boring high school life. My group of friends weren't the party-ers or drinkers (in fact, the only time I really drank in high school was during Band trips - FUN, or on the Reserve with two friends in a basement, smoking half a pack of cigarettes), we were the Christian group who did really random shit. The great things I remember about Blind River are my friends and the experiences I had. The long drives around town. Something bad happening to the Wiebemobile everytime I was in it, and then praying over the situation (in a semi-sarcastic fashion) and everything being OK. The Galilean Bible Camp bashing. Going to such a small school, and having such tight relationships with the teachers that we could get them gifts such as a "Boyfriends of the Month" calendar. The many times spent in Tim Horton's, with my country bun, just chilling, talking, laughing and looking at all the Greyhound people that came in. Putting random shit, such as a van seat, in between the angels (someone's house had these angels in front of it) in Iron Bridge. The random car washes that looked like they came from a scene in Zoolander. The skinny dipping at Four Sands after Bible Study. The 2 hour road trips to Sudbury, just to get to a decent mall. There are so many more things I could list...but the point is, my life experience in Blind River (the place where there is ACTUALLY nothing to do) was extremely rich. I made lifetime friends, had so many firsts, and did tons of random shit that made life awesome, hilarious, and fulfilling. Everything we did, we made the most of it. None of it was spectacular. It wasn't extravagant. We just made everything fun. We made everything an adventure. It was our mindset, and we had so much damn fun. I wouldn't trade it for anything. 

Is it because we had to be creative in a small town that I realize that places don't really matter? In cities, you definitely don't need the same creativity, because the city has everything figured out for you. I say, stop letting the city have everything figured out for you!

So, to all Hamilton haters, stop living your life based on the things that you do and the places you live. Don't let that be your focus. Stop and look around with who you're with. It doesn't matter where you are, you can always have a good and fulfilling life wherever you are. It's the people around you that makes your life rich, as well as the experiences that you choose to create. If you keep on saying that a certain place sucks, your life will most likely suck there. That's no fun, is it? So, I encourage everyone to start doing random shit and making the most of it. Oh, and laughing. A lot. You don't have to like the place you're in, but you'll notice it less if you're in the right mindset. 

It is true that I love Hamilton. I love that it's a little rough around the edges, and that it's still trying to figure itself out. I will be a forever defender of Hamilton, despite the hate. 

I heart you, Hamilton!