Comes Full Circle.

I woke up and started packing myself. It was sort of a sad affair to say the least. I called up Kelly and told him to show up later on to say some good byes. I packed up my clothes last night, so this morning I thought I would get the dishes done and out of the way and then get my computer all unhooked. My father was suppose to be coming at around 16:00 hours. I get a call from my mom at around 12 noon and she tells me that he is on his way over now. "What?! I am no where near ready, why is he coming now? I haven't got like anything ready to go, he said four o' clock!" I exclaimed. Nothing could be done though, he was coming early. I started to rush now, I had an hour before he got here. I cleaned up the house as best I could by throwing away the garbage out in the bins by the street. I then went to my computer get it all unhooked. I was starting to sweat now, so I walked to the G&P Milk Variety to get some pop. I am liking the new black cherry vanilla coke. When I get back my father pulls into the parking lot. I automatically scold him for coming early, but he shrugs it off. I tell him I am no where near ready to go, he says it's fine and just tells me to get back to packing.

I move a bunch of things down by the bottom of the steps for my dad to carry to the car. Kelly arrives at the door and we chat for a bit. He wants to talk about this girl with me, and I tell him to hush up around my dad. In case he gets carried away. My father and Kelly chat for bit around the car while I pack away more stuff into boxes to put at the bottom of the steps. I move down a couple more and then my dad instructs Kelly and I to put on the plastic bag for my matress. So we do, struggling to put it on by scrunching it and then shimming it down the length. "Kelly, this is just like putting a condom on a big dick." I joked to get some laughs. "Only this mattress is white!" I said to get more laughs from Kelly and a "Hey now!"

I get to the dishes and clean them up and dry them off in a hurry and then putting them into an empty cardboard box. It didn't take me long to do so, but my mom kept calling on my cellphone wondering when we are going to leave. I give the cell to my dad who fumbles with the keys. "Just press the big black square dad," I said. I also wished my mom a happy birthday before getting back to work.

After everything was all packed I did one more round around the place to make sure everything was in order before I left it. Everything is check. I shut the door and locked it and went in the Buick. We took the usual route out of town, south on Parkhill, then west on Television road which turns into the 35/115. On the highway.

And just like the first day I went to University in the back seat of this very same car, I fell asleep and started dreaming.

Ghosts Of Myself.

I left the curtain open so that in the early morning the sunlight would shine on my face and eventually get hot enough to wake me up. I didn't want to set an alarm for the last day of my University career. I eventually got out of my bed and made my way down the stairs to the kitchen where I opened up the fridge and grabbed the 2L jug of OJ out from the rack and started to chug a bit down omitting any thought of using a glass. It's just more dishes to do. I got changed and then did my usual run of the blogs online and e-mail inbox checking. I also put on my exam song, P.Diddy - Let's Get It. Ever since my first year I have always played that song just before an exam. Every single time I am not even kidding you. It was a silly tradition I had because when I wrote my first exam I had that song in my head in 2001.

I finished what was left of my Assignment 2 so I got all my books in my backpack and rode out to hand it in to the professor in person. No more sliding under the cracks of doors business. It was a bright sunny day and I was in a contrived zen-like mode as I was riding down the Rotary Trail towards the school. Nodding my head to everyone and smiling the whole way there. They must have thought I was high. I took in every sight while on the trail, from the flowers in the grass to the birds in the sky.

When I got to the campus it was pretty empty, there were no persons to be seen anywhere. My mind would make images to fill the voids in the scenery. Memories of that time I walked to Blackburn Hall for the first time. The times I would walk into the athletic complex with my Jitsu stuff ready to train. The path to the athletic complex that would be filled with students walking to their exams. I rode my bike up the ramp to LEC, I could see myself standing out there throwing a snowball to Jessie's window to get her to let me in. I rode up further to the podium and see myself dancing with everyone when the first heat waves started coming after the long winter, and the sound of the drums that the students would beat on that would be heard all over campus in raw perfect rhythm. There faces like stone, big sunglasses covering their eyes as they beat the drums, and their full black beards. There is the bridge crossing the Otonabee river, I look to Champlain College and look at my old residence buildings and remember all of us playing in the snow after a night of drinking. And of course another vision of when I sat on the stone steps by the river by myself looking out in the waters wondering to make of everything. I never really figured it out just yet.

I finally made it to Gzowski College and I locked up my bike to the railings and walked up the steps. I went into my profs office and he greets me. I show him my Assignment 2 and he says thank you and asks if I am ready for my exam. "Oh I better be ready," I said, "It is my last one ever!" I exclaimed.
"You're last one of the summer?"
"Last one for good." I corrected and motioning my hands parting from one another.
"Well congradulations!" He said and shook my hand. "You'll be just fine, don't worry." He said.
That's all I wanted to hear. I went to the business resource room after and sat with Alison for a while. We traded knowledge of the class and gossiped a little bit too. When 18:00 hours came around we headed downstairs to write the exam. We sat outside the doors on the benches with a bunch of other people in the class. The song played in my head. Make this money, make this money, ain't no way they can take this from me... Finally the prof invited us all in and we scrambled to get a seat with a peice of paper. After doing some simple explaination he said begin and all the students flipped their pages.

The exam was all multiple choice so I circle methodically, and whenever a question requires some accounting math I work it out on the scrap peice of paper. Some questions I second guess myself and cross out previous answers and circle other answers. I am a sucker for "all the above" option, I always circle that answer. Which is usually assigned the letter D. After about an hour I check it over throughly and hand it in. I wanted up the steps without looking back and got on my bike and rode home. The sun was setting in the sky as I crossed the bridge. It was all over.

When I got home I had to celebrate by getting a pizza at 2-4-1.

So the parents called me up to ruin my celebration and to inquire about the exam. I give them the best details I could to satisfy them. They told me that they are picking me up in the morning and to pack as much as I can. So of course that night I did the exact opposite and just eat pizza all night and watch TV.

As I lay in bed to fall asleep, I looked at the ceiling of my room because I was too excited to sleep.

It was all over.

When I Should Be...

I was in my room by myself as usual, with my notes all spread all over my bed, looking at my computer and typing up some parts to my assignment. The occasional glance outside when a noise is heard. It is getting pretty late and I am just doing the final touches on my assignment. I can't believe my final is tomorrow, seems unreal. Nick called me up on the cellphone to tell me that his computer is not working. I needed to get out of this place. I got on my bike with all my computer software in my backpack and rode out on the Rotary Trail towards Nick's house. It's a calm night as it usually is in Peterborough. The trees create their shadows along the path, and people still can be seen on the sidewalks and on the trail, even though it is 01:00 hours at night.

When I get to his house he opens the door and looks like crap. I found it necessary to tell him this and he got a chuckle. His excuse was something to do with the strange shift hours he has at his job. I get upstairs and look at his computer and try to fix it. He pours me a beer, which he knows I can't decline, and sip that away while he lays in bed. "Man. I am beat. I don't know how much long I will be able to stay up." He said. I continue to work on the laptop and actually get some progress. "Alright, I fixed it up as best I could, I really need to install my anti-virus software though." I said. He told me he would rather I didn't cause he just purchased some software from McAfee. Uggh. I told him there was nothing I could do further and he understood that. We then played a little bit of PS2 and I totally realized that I should get some sleep and more studying done for my final. I bid him farewell and went back home.

So here I am now, it's around 10:30 in the morning. I pretty much finished my assignment 2 the best I could. Now I just need to do some more studying. I will write about it tomorrow.

So wish me luck!

Peace.

Skip.

Again for some reason my father thinks it best that I wake up really early to go back to Peterborough. It’s not like I’ll miss my class at 18:30 hours anyways. If I am going at that. It is just a question and answer session for the exam, no new material. I think I will take the day to try and get this Assignment 2 done; I really have trouble with the budget section (chapter 9). Anyways, the Jays game was amazing, it was so exciting. Funny at some points too. We were so close to the action it was ridiculous. I also love that feeling when you walk up towards the inside of the stadium, it is so overwhelming.

Anyways I gotta get this done faster so I can do some moderate studying for my exam on Wednesday. I can’t believe it’s almost over!

Peace.

Take Me Out.

I ended up getting picked up Friday evening and driven home. I did not have much time to pack for things, just a bag of clean clothes, my books, my GameBoy Advance, and another bag full of dirty laundry. When I get home I automatically get the call from the friends to see if I want to come out. I happen to agree and convince my brother to come along too. We all agree to go to Nelsons to drink for a bit. John and I drive to the LCBO to prepare for the night. John and I split on some bottles of Grolsch beer in the swing top bottle form. Later on that night Jordan picks us up and we head over to Nelsons house where Jay and Peter are already there. We sit around Nelsons table, the usual oval round kitchen table with blue checkers on a white surface, and then covered in a transparent plastic. John opens his warm beer and some of it geysers up into his face. I was downstairs talking with Nelson at the time it happened, but he was sure to warn me when I got back. I aimed my beer neck towards the sink and outstretched my arms putting all my strength into my thumbs to open the bottle. When it gives the beer shoots out and misses the back end of the sink and falls to the floor and a bit on the table itself to draw some laughter. I quickly clean it up so Nelson doesn’t get yelled at by the folks in Portuguese.

Jay starts to drink his big bottle of Fireball whiskey by doing shots, and over the night he seems to drink more and more until the bottle is just past halfway. He is becoming noticeably drunk, but not too bad. Peter has a small micky of white rum which he mixes almost half and half with some warm ginger ale, a brave poison. He drinks it slowly to not be overwhelmed by it. Jordan finishes the other half of his ginger ale without alcohol because he has to work early tomorrow. So after all of our catching up we decide to go to the Tartan.

Of course Jordan could not come out to the bars with us because he had to work the next day. So it was just my brother, Jay, Nelson, Pete and I going to the Tartan that night. Since we were all drinking that night we all walked from Nelsons house to the bar which was in the Rossland Square. I am hanging back with Nelson and chatting about things, and he is complaining about physical problems and wants to relate due to our similar design in appendages. As we walk down towards the bar, the night becomes really muggy, and quiet. As expected there are lots of cars on the streets at night, but only becoming moving lights brighter as they draw near, and then vanish. They are the background noise to our setting, and we laugh and share stories as we stumble along down the sidewalks side by side. I call up Kate just before I enter the bar to see what she is doing for the night, and she tells me that she will see what is going on with the people she is hanging out with and try to swing by. “Ok, hope to see you.” I said, and I hang up by closing the flip on my cell phone.

Nelson and Peter stay just outside the bar because they want to go to the nearest convenience store. The rest of us pick out a booth at the far wall just beyond the pool table. I asked the waitress for a pint of Murphy’s but to my dismay they don’t have it. I ask her what kind of stouts they have and she lists every beer they have on tap. I get a Guiness. We sit and chat and Jay is increasingly more drunk when he is sitting at the table with us. Peter and Nelson have been outside for almost 30 minutes it seems, I called Pete on his cell phone and he tells us that they are just outside and waves to us through the translucent glass windows at the front. I see a blur go in an arc-like motion. They finally come back inside and order some beers. After a little while Jay goes outside with Peter. I assume it is due to the large amount of Fireball whiskey that he just drank that needs to be emptied out of him, but no details emerge.

We all left the bar because it was getting late and everyone was already partied out. As John and I wait for a taxi cab ride home we stop into Square Boy for some pizza slices. After we get our slices Jay, Pete and I stay outside in front. It is strangely cold outside for a late spring day. We hunch our bodies to preserve the warmth while we scarf down the pizza. Looking into the window we can see John and Nelson who wanted to eat inside. Both of our parties are silent to the other through the large plexi-glass window surrounded by neon light. The backlit sign for the Square Boy logo is buzzing in an odd matter and it makes me and Peter a little uneasy.

Nelson and John finally come outside to join us and Nelson lights up a cigarette. Our cab finally arrived and we waved our good-byes and hopped in the cab. The trip home was quiet, and the driver let us off just where McClure Court begins.

Leaving John and I to walk to our house and sneak in so the parents can not find out our time of arrival. They are always ever curious to know this piece of information and find dubious ways to figure it out. But over the years we have outsmarted every means.

Like fucking ninjas.

Scholarly Tradition.

It was Friday afternoon and I was still doing the final touches on my rushed-out-late assignment for managerial accounting. I look at my cell phone clock which read 15:40 hours. I figured that the prof might be in his office still, or the secretary would be at least. I got on my bike as usual and rode as fast I could down the Rotary trail to hopefully get my assignment in person to someone. As I crossed Water Street into the next section of the trail I changed gears and the chain fell off its track. I nearly wiped out from the sudden stoppage of my chain, but I maintained my balance and squeezed the brakes to halt my ride to a stop. I jumped off and inspected my dilemma by squatting down. The chain was wedged in between the gears and the frame that connects the back wheel’s axel. I reef on the chain with my hands until it finally gives, doing so causes my knuckles to scrap on the gears. I put the chain back on its track and continue along my way. I consider biking back to wash my hands but decide to do it in the school’s washrooms instead.

So continuing along my way I see the normal amount of trail goers going the opposite direction of me. I laugh to myself because I am visualizing me waving to everyone passing by with my black grease palms to get some reactions. I don’t actually do it though, and writing this now: I wish I had. I look to my left and see the sun sparkle on the river that follows the path; it can be barely seen through the foliage of the trees. I think about getting my hands wet to get some of the grease off but I really do not want to go rustling through some bushes and get all muddy. I finally got to campus and carried my bike up the library steps because I wanted to park it over at Gzowski College. When I put the bike back down on the concrete I left black fingerprints all over the frame from where my hand was.

I locked up my bike on the steel railing just outside the building and ran up the steps to the Business Administration Wing. Before seeing the professor, I jutted in the mens washroom to wash my hands. It is really difficult to get the grease out with the cheap foam soap that comes out of the dispenser, but I tried my best and got a lot of it out. I still had to resist rubbing my eyes.

Walking down the hallway I see other professors hanging in doorframes and bugging other people in the department. Obviously nothing better to do in the summertime. I looked left and right on the various name boards to see where my professors office was located. I finally saw his name, Jamie Morales, and knocked on the door loudly. No answer. I tried again, and stood there motionless with my right ear cocked upwards to listen to any sound. Nothing. I walked back to see if the Business Administration secretary was in her office and could timestamp my assignment before I hand it into a drop box. No one is there either and it is just after 16:00 hours. I shrugged my shoulders and did what I normally do here at Trent and slipped the assignment under the crack of the office door belonging to my professor.

I rode my bike back home and washed my hands thoroughly some more until it was finally reasonable.

Well that’s it for now, I will write about the Jays game next.

Peace.

Blue Jays.

So my dad calls me up today, and normally I would dread the normal ramblings of the old guy asking me how the accounting is going. Everday, no joke. However this time he is calling me to tell me that he has four tickets to see the Blue Jays on the 10th, 25 seats back, row 118. He asks me to look them up online to see if they are good tickets. I immediately stop what I was doing and looked them up online and sure enough they are amazing tickets. I called him back right away to tell him that I am a go for the game. Now I just got to figure out how I am going to get this report finished in time.

It is a 1500 word essay type report on Activity-Based Costing versus other methods. Our research is an article he provided and the textbook. It doesn't seem that bad, just getting started is always the issue. Plus my stolen internet isn't quite up to snuff.

I biked up to campus to use the school's computers for a while, which I used to get the .pdf file online of the article. Jordan also sent me a photo of me running to Jays car from last night. Pretty funny.

Anyways that's it for now.

Peace ya'll.

Art In Dark Alleyways (Part 2).

I skipped class today Wednesday, June 7th, 2006. I had to finish up some assignments that are already late. Eek! This class is really coming close to an end. I really got to get a hold of things. Anyways on to part two.

Gertis is really packed for a Tuesday night surprisingly. Aside from maybe one booth that has a high turnover rate, the rest of the place is filled up. We sit on the stools and order some drinks. I get my usual pint of Murphy’s while Jay and Jordan both get a Long Island Ice Tea. The cute barmaid puts my drink down and looks at the glass for a second and takes it back. “Oops! That ain’t a Murphy’s! Sorry about that.” She dumps the unknown contents into a drain. In my head I picture myself reacting as if to save the beer from such a dishonourable demise. Instead I sat there quite baffled at what just took place. She eventually returns with my drink and we all noticed that one of the spots on the patio outside was available. We picked up our glasses and pounced on it quickly. The tables outside are square, high and made from a cross-woven black metal. The outside atmosphere was alive with strange characters walking past us, people enjoying their stay at a café patio beside us, and of course a bunch of people like us having conversation while drinking.

“Here, let me take a picture, pretend you’re having a normal conversation.” I said while picking up the digital camera off the table.
Jordan looked at Jay with his usual smirking face and Jay striked up what would be their normal conversation:
“So Iraq, weapons of mass destruction eh?”
“Yeah-” Jordan started and they both started laughing. I eventually got a good picture out of this tomfoolery.

As we continue conversation these two girls walk by dressed all in black. Black tank tops, black mini skits and stockings past the knees. Some with black hair, some with blonde and of course your classic dude with them also dressed as a Goth. Jay inquired about what is going on tonight and I speculated that it could be a fetish night that the bars around Peterborough have once in a while. Jordan was right on the money however by noting that today was June 6th, 2006… which is the opening date for the movie The Omen, and a supposed devil’s night cause of the number significance. I tried to take their picture but the crowd on the patio seemed to get in the way.

We finished our drinks and I told them that they gotta try out the pizza at Night Kitchen. Jordan is an avid reader of this blog and has read countless times of my trips to the pizzeria. We both order my favourite spinach, feta cheese and leek pizza. Jay doesn’t order a slice because he isn’t hungry. “This is the only time in your life that you’ll be able to have this pizza though!” I exclaim. “This is no Pizza Hut type thing man!” Despite my pleas he stands on his decision, so we move on and walk around downtown scarfing our pizza. Throughout the walk I point out places to the guys and funny events that have happened. Like the phone booth that I received the mysterious request, the Double Double pizzeria which was Aiden’s favourite place to go, Hot Belly Mamas, and so forth. I ask if they want to stop in any other bars but they tell me that they are just interested in walking.

I show them the enterance way to the Junction, which is pretty much the place to go on a Saturday night. I begged Jordan and Nelson to come to the dance club one Saturday. Nelson was the only one to take me up on that offer. We circle round to Water Street where I show them more spots along the downtown core. When we get to Hunter Street I tell them that they have to go to Sapphire Lounge. They tried to get out of it but I wasn’t going to give in this time. We walk in and sit at one of the tables; I walk up to the bar and order a dark rum and coke, and a long island for Jordan. Jay is driving back home soon, so I don’t get an alcoholic drink for him. I offer him a coke when I sit back down but he declines and eventually gets some water.

As we sit there laughing about inside jokes, we take notice to the set up at the front of the bar. Two turntables are set up with milk crates full of vinyl records. They start to play really awesome tracks too. I notice that JR is up there too bobbing around to the music. He is the owner of the Bluestreak record store on George and probably the best DJ in Peterborough. He walks by our table and I nod in his direction. “Hey man thanks for coming out tonight!” He yells. He is drunk again, but at least he noticed me. We shake hands. Brian Costello walked in the bar too and we said “Hey” to each other too and did the handshake. “The Ice Tea at Gertis was better, it had a sort of tang to it. This is alright, but ya, that tang.” Jordan said, analyzing his drink.
“Oh really? I thought it would be better mixed here because this is a cocktail bar. Hmm.” I responded in thought. Oh well, maybe they have declined over the years.

After finishing our drinks and enjoying the music a bit more we walked back to my place at Peter Robertson Place. Across the street however we took note to a dark alleyway, the road entering it looked like cobblestone, and on the brick walls you could read faint graffiti and other markings from vandals and young people of days past. At the end of the alley was an even darker scene of a scantly darkly light parking lot with shady cars and dumpsters. Jordan entered halfway to use the wall as a washroom. When we got back they gathered their things and got in the car to head back home.

“See ya guys, thanks for coming.” I said.
“Yeah man, see you soon.” Jay responded. As they pull out the driveway to George Street I rush to meet them on the other side by running. Sure enough we meet on the street and they are stopped at the red light to turn left. I picked up a pinecone and underhand tossed it towards Jordan’s window but missed and it lightly bounced off the top of the frame. Jordan snaps photos of me. With my camera! They turn left but are met with another red light and so I went on the middle of the road running towards their car screaming and Jordan leans out to take more photos of me. With my camera! We all laugh as I just reached their car when they pulled away due to a green light. I walked back to the sidewalk and got a pizza slice at 241 Pizza.

It was delicious.

Art In Dark Alleyways.

With the possibility of Jordan and Jay coming down for a visit, I thought I would sneak over to the LCBO to get some beers for the night. I got on my bike and rode downtown taking the Rotary trail most of the way. It was a bright sunny day as it has been all week. Yesterday was mostly uneventful, just had to attend another class with Managerial Accounting. I can’t believe it is almost over, we are doing chapter 12 already and that mean we have one more chapter to do on Wednesday, chapter 14. I still had to finish up a couple late assignments though; I don’t even think I will be able to hand in the first Case study. Oh well.

I get to the LCBO and park my bike against the railings for the wheel chair ramp and put the bike lock on by wrapping it around the metal poles. I struggle, like I always do, because the bike lock is in a coil and wants to spring back to its original state when it is stretched out. A person is sitting in front of the LCBO with a little flute that he occasionally puts to his lips. Another performer is lingering about probably to have his turn at a hot spot to gather change. I step in front of the doors and wait for them to automatically open. I browse around the store not entirely sure what I really want to buy. I think about getting some Strongbow cans, but then decide to look at the rum section instead. I pick out a 26oz bottle of Capt. Morgain’s Dark Rum and hold it in my hands at the neck of the bottle. I then cradle it like a bottle of wine and observe it. Choosing would be so much easier if we were able to smell them. I carry it around with me in the store and humour the wine section of the store. This LCBO is really lacking in that department and nothing really catches my eye for something for the night. I walked all around the store, looking for anything to satisfy my craving. I entertained a few offers from the different sections of the store, and eventually put down the dark rum for some Strongbow cans.

I loaded up my loot in my Adidas backpack and then went on my bike to head back home. Opening the door with my key and then backing in my bike into the living room has become a habit now I could almost do it with ease. If only that damn screen door would get out of my way when I attempt it. I put the cans of Strongbow in the fridge, but open one right away as I feel like a nice cool beer after my journey. My cell phone rings and it is Jordan on the other end of the line saying that he is almost in Peterborough and wants directions. I told him that I would meet him at the Subway at the corner of Water and Parkhill. He tells me he will be about 15 minutes. I hung up and rustled around my living room and bedroom to make sure it is clean enough so people are not tripping over anything. Plus I don’t want them to think it is a third world country living situation here, even though it really is.

I walk over to Subway and lots of cars pass me by on the road beside me. The sun is still bright this late in the day but it is not overly hot outside. I stand in one of the parking spots looking into the distance east of Water Street. I can only make out the odd car but I could not see Jay’s Echo anywhere. Just then Jay pulls up beside me and Jordan is chuckling in the passenger seat claiming to have been taking pictures of me like some sort of covert operative. With my camera! I get in the back seat and give Jay continuous directions to my place up until we get into the parking lot which is beside our building. We get out and walk towards my Unit. “Wow it looks exactly how I pictured it.” Jordan said.
“Oh ya?”
“Yeah, U of T has some residences that are similar”
We get into my pad and sit down on the furniture surrounding the table. I offer them some Strongbows to which they gladly accept and we all crack open our cans. Cheers. I give Jordan one of my Toronto Star newspapers to show him the picture I noticed of the Convocation Hall from U of T. It also had an interesting write up about some Russian diplomat that came to speak at this Hall and was interrupted by a swooping pigeon. After sharing stories and finishing out beers I tell the guys I wanted to show them something in my room. While we are up there I show them the other rooms in the place and they both agree that it is a pretty cool place. We all chill by my computer and I play them the video from the 2006 e3 convention, specifically the Nintendo conference. Why? I wanted to show them the new console that is coming out by Nintendo called the Wii. Much like Kelly, they were instantly impressed, especially with the demo of the Tennis game.

“So did you guys want to check out a bar?” I asked.
“Yeah man I’m up for it.” Jay responds.
“Yeah, sure.” Jordan says with a shrug.

I lock up the place and we all walk down the Rotary trail to the downtown sector. The night sky came faster than expected and it is near completely dark outside. When we arrive at Gertis it turned into the night, and we all sat at the bar, envious of those out on the patio. But it will be ours soon, oh yes, it will be ours.

Part 2 soon.

Get Lost.

I forgot to mention a few details about last night. I brought that umbrella that Nick lent me after the yard sale adventure with me everywhere that day. Sure enough I thought it would be a great idea to take this along with me to the bar. I lost it somewhere that night. I can’t believe I forgot about that whole thing. I guess another damn moment that won’t make it into story mode.

Well today I rode my bike up to Wal-Mart to get a new one for him that would look almost the same. I got on my yellow bike (Tanya) with my Adidas back pack on and rode out at around 17:00 hours to the store. I took a bunch of side streets to avoid doing too many hills and heavy traffic. I made my way around town and darting in and out of various side streets. I had a general direction of where I was going. It was pretty relaxing to just ride the streets in the sun and see what is going on in the neighbourhoods. I was going pretty good getting towards Wal-Mart, but eventually I made a wrong turn and had to turn my bike around and go back the other way. The suburbs in this area are your classic brick houses with trees lining the sides of the road. Chalked up sidewalks from children, old people waving hi to you, and the grown littered with buds from the trees.

I turned onto Sunset Blvd, the connecting street to the Chemong straight. Nothing is too exciting about this road despite its famously stolen name; a few houses on one side, and a park on the other. I go on Chemong and ride on the sidewalk beside the traffic, cars and SUVs zoom past me as I bike uphill towards Wal-Mart. When I get to the top I rode around the parking lot to the very edge because of the elevation you can see almost all of Peterborough from this height. The town looks like a miniature model from afar; everything is shrouded with bubbled treetops with the occasional building popping out, most notably the classic building with a cylinder obstruction for a roof, the ones reserved for important historical buildings.

I walk into Wal-Mart wearing my grey tank top and shorts, plus the usual accessories like shoes, shades and Jays baseball cap. I walk around the store hopelessly looking for an umbrella. I dodge moms with shopping carts and runaway kids in the narrow walkways as I made my way to the clothing and accessory section. I couldn’t find anything remotely like an umbrella so I asked one of the confused workers who eventually asked someone else who lead me to a small stand of where the umbrellas were located. I picked up the cheapest one and took it to self-checkout. After paying for it I went back outside and hopped on my bike to ride over to Nick’s house.

I stopped suddenly on Chemong at the sight of paved trails going either way. I turned my bike to the trail leading west and headed down it. I called up Nick after a few minutes to let him know I am on my way over to his place. “Ok here’s the deal.” He started. “Mikaela kinda recruited me into going for a walk, so I recruited my buddy Mark, and now I am going to recruit you.”
“I’m going to be a while though; I actually don’t know where I am right now.” I said.
I wasn’t lying, I was actually wondering if it was a bad move to go on this paved trail.
“What do you mean you don’t know where you are?” He asked.
“I thought I’d take a side trail to get to your house, but now I am thinking it was a bad idea.”
“Is it paved?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t worry then, it will lead to my house.”
“Ok, I’ll call you back.”

I continued for another fifteen minutes and actually ended up more West than I should have been. Oops! I recognized Parkhill road so I decided to take that back to the main roads so I can get to Nick’s faster. When I turned onto Parkhill road I noticed another paved trail that spiraled downward on an elevation, with the end not visible. I turned my bike down the spiral and it picked up speed down the curving slow which eventually straightened out and curved back through some woods. I was really going fast at this point but it was thrilling so I continued at the speed. I rode over an all wooden bridge with a roof and jumped off the end of it onto some gravel path. I took this path further going in some unknown direction. I am thinking at this point that I found some path I’ve never seen before, and thought it really cool, so I continued along. I had no idea what direction I was going, but I figured it would take me to a street which I could get off at and then figure out how to get from Nicks from there.

The gravel path was really secluded; to my right the trees were right beside the trail the entire way. I would look inside the foliage as if to see if there was anything to it, but I can derive that it was only condense wilderness. To my left there was a river and often I would pass over a small bridge. I could see some teenagers on the other side of the river with mountain bikes talking on cell phones. The occasional person would pass me on the opposite direction so I anticipated finding a road soon.

No such road would show up though and I eventually had to stop a middle aged woman walking down the trail to ask her if a street was coming up. She asked if I was around here before. I didn’t want to say yes because then she would just think I am stupid, so I said no. She told me there is a street up ahead, so I continued on my way. I see an old couple walking towards me from the opposite direction, I get to thinking that there is no way that these old folks have walked that far and a street was coming up. I nodded at their presence and pressed on. The sun was behind the trees at this point and I could really hear the wilderness sounds all around me. I see a mother walking with two children towards me and I smile as I pass them by. Ok, there is no way that kids would walk that far, there must be a way off this trail into the city. Right?

I see a small stream that made its way across the gravel trail, I jut to the side to avoid most of the water so that it doesn’t splash up on me. I get my tires wet however so I slow down and let the gravel sand collect on the wheels. I turn around a bend and the scenery totally changes. It now looks like a setting from a wetlands brochure with tall whips protruding out of lily pad infested murky water. The water was on both sides of the trail which now has straightened. No road in sight. I call up Nick at this point and tell him about my location and the details. He has no idea where I am or where I am going. I see a couple of girls pass me by on bikes so I stopped one of them and asked them about a road, and they tell me there is one just up ahead. She rushed off to catch up with her friend. I told Nick that I’d call him back.

I ride for another fifteen minutes and get to the end of the trail. I was so relieved to see cars going back and forth on the road. The girls were at the end of the trail too and they asked me where I was going. I told them that I wanted to go downtown. They looked at me with gawking eyes and started to chuckle. “Yeah you have to go back, this road leads to Lindsey.” One of them said.
“You got to be kidding me.”
“Nope, this is the very outskirts of Peterborough.”
The cute one told me about going left will take me to Flemming College, but it’s a long bike ride. They argue a bit about the truth of the directions and eventually come to the same conclusion. I should bike my buns back. Her words, not mine.

I call up Nick to tell him I have to bike all the way back the way I came on the trails. He offers to pick me up, but I wasn’t 100% sure on my location. So I rode back. I started thinking about where that old couple came from, or the mother and kids, cause it was a least 4kms from where I ran into them on the bike. A couple of guys rode past me on motorized scooters which almost deafened me. The bugs were starting to come out and I was actually worried that I wouldn’t beat the night sky. I didn’t bring my LED lights with me on this journey. So I biked as fast as I could to get back to my old location. Passing people again on the way there, over the same small stream, over all the same bridges with the chain linked fence. I get to the park area again after around thirty minutes and see a circle of kids playing a game. I look over to my right and see more paths going all around. I make a sharp right which makes me drift a little on my back tire. I start biking up this trail that was a steep hill. I got about halfway and thought better of it because it would have worn me down. I rode back down the hill and turned to another trail that went deeper into the forest. I figured what do I have to lose?

It actually worked in my favour this time because after passing by some kids I found myself underneath a stone bridge which leads to a park. A park I was familiar with cause it is right near the Rotary Trail which runs through the city. I bike on the Rotary Trail and eventually get to Nicks house. I was so happy I was able to get there. I ran his door bell and he chuckled at my sight. I handed him the Wal-Mart bag with the umbrella. He looks at the bill. “Wow, five dollars, you really went all out.” He said with a laugh.
“Hey man, it looks exactly like the one you lent me.”
He agreed.
I went upstairs and met Mark and we all watched some TV until Mikaela came over, to which we omitted the walk and decided to drive to McDonalds instead.

We pile in Nick’s low-to-the-ground-80s Honda Civic and get to the McDonalds on Chemong Street which is right near the Wal-Mart. “You know,” I said in the car, “I really didn’t think I would see this part of town for a long while.”
We all laughed, they couldn’t believe my story as I recalled it in the car. Nick drops off Mikaela at the Blockbuster and we all go to McDonalds and sit down for some food. We joke, talk about women, and funny happenings. After we finished our meal we laughed at how sick we felt afterwards. We picked up Mikaela at the near DQ, and then drove back to Nick’s house.

I got on my bike and made my way home. Without any shortcuts.

Back In Time.

I sat around my computer doing nothing, staring at the screen trying to get a good strength in the stolen connection while refreshing websites. Nick finally gives me a call at around twelve noon to see if I wanted to check out some yard sales. I of course agree over the cell phone and we agree to meet at the G&P Milk Variety store where he can pick me up. I’m wearing regular jeans and a shirt, and knowing that it is raining a little bit outside I put on my Reebok warm-up jacket. I get across Parkhill barely, as the traffic was pretty heavy. I lightly jogged towards Nick’s car which is already parked awkwardly across several yellow parking lines. “How’s it going?” Nick says dryly.
“Not bad, not bad.”
“So where we heading?”

We discuss several options which lead me to suggest we check out the East city first and then make our way back to University Heights later. He agrees and starts to drive downtown. The car zips along and the rain starts to drizzle a little heavier, people are smoking in doorframes along George Street, and to top things off the classic guy with a white t-shirt is running down the sidewalk to his location. “Which street do I take?” Nick asks. I tell him to take his next left on Hunter. The car tries to pick up speed over the Hunter Street bridge and we hit the East city just past the Quaker Oats building. This section of the city looks completely different than the rest of Peterborough. It almost is comparable to seaside towns in Ontario. Much more pleasant and less run down, and has that home-like cottage feel to it. We drive around the suburbs and stop at a few garages sales. We look and pick up the odd thing on the tables, one guy had a working organ player for sale too and he started to play it. I bought a CD by The Doors which is sort of a “best of” compilation. We pop it in Nick’s car stereo which was currently playing nothing at the moment. We weave around streets until Nick spots a wooden bridge. “Man, a wooden bridge, should I take it?”
The car is stopped in the middle of the road.
“No, don’t bother, probably nothing over there.”
“Man, it’s a wooden bridge, I have to take it.” Nick says and pulls up to it and makes his way over.

Once we got over the bridge the scenery totally changed. The overcast clouds were greyer, and all the houses were made from aluminum panels along the sides, some white, some light blue, some even green… with the odd brick house in between. We stop at a house having a yard sale. We get out of the car and look around, light rain falling on us. A couple was outside near their junk and all their stuff was from the seventies. Even their vehicles and clothing were from that era. We poked and prodded and found nothing of interest. Though the guy did show us this vegetable oil fuel system he implemented for his car which was really cool. As we got in the car the Doors began to play again and we went back over the bridge. “Man that was so weird.” I said.
“Why’s that?”
“Well, with this music playing, and all that stuff. It was almost.” I stop my sentence to think.
“Well it was almost like we traveled through time, which the houses, his cars and all that.”
Nick started to chuckle and agreed with me. “Yeah that’s kinda funny.” He said.

We looked in other areas in the East City, further along we kept on the road that ran underneath this giant stone bridge. It had huge narrow arches and ran parallel to the river. “Wow, I have never seen this part of town before.” I said. We look to our left and right at the foreign place we were at. Large fields, a bunch of boats at the docks, chip trucks every few miles, and an elementary school made from red brick. Continuing around this area we found more cottage-like houses with aluminum panels on the exterior. All of them were up top of hill with streets curving all around, and each were coloured in various pastel-like paint. They overlooked the river to the West, and in the grey rainy sky it almost looked like a great view.

After we finished our yard sale adventure on the East city we drove all the way back to University Heights to check out if anything was around there. Before we got there though, we noticed a yard sale sign pointing towards the country road North West. We decided to take a small trip there. We looked around everywhere but couldn’t actually find the yard sale. The rain started to pour really heavy no when we were driving along the road, so we decided to turn back. When we finally got to University Height we saw a giant sign telling us of a big street sale. We looked around and it looked like everyone was packing up. I notice one house that still had some stuff out so me and Nick get out and walk towards the door. Two little kids look at us and head out the door and run about with no one around. I’m starting to get a little nervous because I’m thinking “what if this isn’t a yard sale.” But a girl came eventually and told us to look around. We did and I noticed some old computer hardware that peeked my interest. Nothing I could use though. The rain started to pick up heavier just then as we were walking back to the car so we rain the rest of the way and jumped in.

Satisfied with our finds, we drove back to Nick’s house where he invited me for some beers. We sit down at his kitchen and he cracks open a bottle of his homemade beer and pours it into some frosty glasses. Cheers.

“That vegetable oil car was kinda cool eh?” Nick asked.
“Yeah, that was cool.”

After enjoying some beers with Nick I decided to head back home with my loot. It was raining outside so Nick let me borrow his roommates’ umbrella. It was a long walk home, all my stuff was in a price chopper bag that Nick gave me, tied up at the loops and held by my index and middle finger. I took the shortest way possible, meaning of course, the rotary trails. I finally made my way home and left the black umbrella open outside while I put stuff away inside. My cell phone rang.

It was Andrew on the other end. We talked for a bit and apparently he was in town and wanted to meet up. Andrew was my next door neighbour when I was in Champlain College residence for my second year. He was in town signing a lease for a place for next year. I took him up on the offer and we agreed to Dreams & Beans on Hunter Street. Even though I had plenty of time, it was soon later that I realize that I am running late so I put on my white Reebok jacket, pick up the umbrella outside and jog down George Street careful to avoid any puddles along the way. I finally get to the coffee shop and see Andrew at a table. I get my coffee and sit down and we have our usual conversation about games that we are playing, funny stories, preposterous ideals, and various other boondoggle subjects. I usually come to this coffee shop when I go on dates with girls, it all started in first year when I went on a date with a girl from San Francisco; Davida was her name. The entire place is composed of wood, from the furniture to some parts of the walls. Very obscure photos line the sides of the yellow-grey bricks, and in the front is a black iron patio. The actual coffee counter is in another room separated by a door frame with no door.

We finished our coffee and made our way around town, stopping in at some local used gaming shops before they closed up. It started to rain heavily now and we decided to get some food from a place near Night Kitchen called Caribbean Cuisine. I tried to persuade him into pizza, but he would have none of it. We both ordered a rotti with some banana soda. It was very spicy and overwhelming with curry. It was not too bad though. After that we went back to my place at Unit 5 where we had some beers and wine. I invited Kelly over too who showed up soon after. We all had some laughs and then Kelly wanted to head out to the bars. We convince him to come to Gertis with Andrew and I.

Gertis was fairly busy this night but we all managed to get a spot at the bar and ordered our drinks. I of course got a pint of Murphy’s, Andrew got some Creemore I think, and Kelly didn’t get anything, but the bartender gave him some water anyways. Cheers. We all had some laughs and got to tell Kelly some stories about our residence year together. Those days will certainly be missed.

After we had our drink Andrew parted ways with Kelly and I who walked back home. Laughing and joking the entire way.

Small Sins (Part 2).

I invited Kristen in and she looks stunning. She is wearing a light green dress that flares at the knees, but not in a tacky way. She is totally done up too. I'm wearing my stripped black golf shirt that is sort of wrikley, but at least my unmanagable hair looks good after I gooped it with wax. "Geez if I knew you were going to look this good I would have dressed up too." I said. She told me not to worry cause only her and Dave were dressed up cause of having a dinner with their families. She snoops around the place like a cat entering a new home, checking every nook and cranny. She sees Adam's room and awws. "I miss him." She said.
"What?! Are you serious?"
"I shouldn't miss him, should I?"
I shake my head.

I get into her car and she takes me to Riley's pub which is right beside the Junction. Unlike Gertis, which tries desperately too look like an Irish pub, this is one. Nothing against Gertis though, I still think it's the best place around. We get inside and see a table with Stef, Dave and Henry. Henry is an international student who was in my 410 class. We all sit down and start talking and they are all exstactic about graduating. The waitress comes up to take our orders. "Heikenen." Henry asks. "Sorry. We don't have that." She replies. He looks around the table and shrugs, thinking of another beer.
"Blue?" He asks.
"Blue?" She replies.
"Yes."
And then she looks at Dave who asks for a Coors Light.
"Sorry. We don't have that either."
We all start laughing, and we can tell that the waitress is starting to get nervous.
"What light beer do you have?"
"Ummm... Bud light and Blue light."
"Ok I'll have a blue light."
She looks at me.
"Murphy's." I say confidently, it's my fav thing to order at Gertis.
"... Sorry... we don't have that either."
Dave cracks a joke about how we are all getting shut down.
"What stouts do you have?"
"Guiness."
"Ok one of those."
Kristen jumps in and orders two Tree Frogs. The rest of us raised an eyebrow.

After we get our drinks they raise a toast to graduating. Cheers. And then realized I haven't graduated yet and added in "... and soon to be graduating." Cheers again. Everyone but me shared in a laugh about the working world cause they all have special titles that go with their job. Human Resource Manager, Communications assistant... etc... I think it's kind of funny to have a job title. I look forward to my first official one.

Henry and Stef eventually had to leave. So I was left with Dave and Kristen. "Are you getting another beer?" Kristen asks me. I told her I wasn't cause I know she has to get up really early in the morning for the ceremony. We start to get up and then Kristen covers her forhead in disbelief because her and Dave's family have just arrived. "Are you going to stay?" She asks. I tell her that I was thinking about going to 2nd Floor Lounge cause I believe Kelly is there. She tells me to stay. "No, no, I don't want to impose." I said. She tells me it's "ok" and to stay. So I walked out the door to the other bar to get money out of the ATM. I get $20 dollars out cause I figured that's all I needed. I went back to the bar and ordered a pint of Kilkenee. Kristen's father comes up and tells the bar tender that he's going to cover for it. "Thank you." I said. Kristen comes up from behind to tell her dad what everyone else has ordered. "So who is this guy?" Her dad asks. She explains how I'm her friend at Trent and I'm going to be the guy that will come up and network their printers. "Oh, what do you take at school?"
"I'm in business and computer studies."
"Oh? And what do you want to do after."
"Well I plan on getting into information systems-"
I get cut off with someone else talking to her dad. Why do I always get cut off talking about this stuff.
"Yeah so it's like networking." I say simply.
"So a good guy to hang around." He says to Kristen.

We sit at the table and talk some more and her dad keeps buying me beers dispite my protest of taking out twenty dollars. I even offer a round. He explains to me more an aspect of business that could benefit me in the future. I'd detail it here, but, well you know.

After I could tell everyone is finished I said goodbyes to everyone and hugged Kristen goodbye.

I walked my way to the 2nd Floor Lounge to see if anyone is still there. I look at my cell phone and it is past 1am. I couldn't believe I was at the bar that long. I am just blazed though after all those pints. I walk up to the bar and there is Kelly walking out and towards me. "Hey!" He says.
"Dude, what's going on? Why are you leaving?"
"Oh, total meat market in there."
"Man, I really wanted to drink."
"Where are you coming from?"
I tell him the brief version. We decide to head back to our respectful houses. I manage to convince him to stop into Sapphire Lounge though cause I really wanted another drink. I order a southern comfort and gingerale and it was mixed to perfection. The bartender gave Kelly a free water cause he was just sitting there with nothing. After the drink and conversation we head back. And I fall asleep no problem.

Peace.