e'town

This week has served as a reminder, an illustration, of how much I can simultaneously love and hate this town I live in, this northern city that is now my home in spite of being too far from my ocean... or any ocean at all.

First my car was broken into and a bunch of stuff was stolen. I am only thankful that I no longer keep music easily at hand in the car as that would have been too much. The things that were stolen were things that one at a time, in isolation, may seem unimportant... no big deal. But they were things that meant a lot to me... collected over time, some for a purpose: my "tools of the trade" for my beloved sideline "job", put together over years of experience - and some simply for sentiment: a personalized leprechaun keychain from Ireland brought home by a friend, my favourite gig shirt ever and (believe it or not) my collection of band buttons that adorned the ceiling of the car itself, collected over a decade or more, some bands that don't even exist any more....

It made me angry and sad. And as much as I know car theft could happen anywhere, it happened to me here, in broad daylight, in the parking lot outside my workplace... and the things stolen had very little value except to me... and I felt myself resenting the people who did it and this city where I live for producing them.

Irrational? Perhaps... but I was very angry, and simply disappointed that this could happen - here. And I hated it.

But then came the weekend. The sun shining and the first of many outdoor gatherings with live music and happy, beautiful people frolicking in the sun.

And this gathering was extra special in a myriad of ways. Put together by a local filmmaker as a Project on sustainability. Starring a cast of characters including three members of one of my favourite bands in town, and our very own poet laureate (who's induction as such was another reason I love this city), the coolest looking string section ever and a full stage that even included kettle droms. This was a unique hipster symphony of original music focused on this city, ideas of sustainability and this generation and how it can get over it's apathy and love the city enough to become responsible representatives and to simply try... try to be more aware, try to be more vocal, try to realize that you are a voice that will, in fact, be listened to. An anthem to stick it out in this western city and work from within. In spite of it all.

It was wonderful day - perfectly sunny and hot with abundant fresh lemonade available and lots of beautiful people, dancing kids, bare skin and parasols of every colour to protect from the sun. (Even a Nova Scotia tartan umbrella which made me extra happy - I want one!)

And, again, I love this town.