May 1st I quit smoking weed and drinking coffee. I'm glad to say it's been rather easy. Clear thinking, a less groggy wake up and the ability to dream and remember those dreams is something I can get used to. Since moving to Vancouver I've wasted too much time sitting around getting high and doing nothing to write home about.Now that my brain is clear my decision making skills are less wishy washy so I've put them to good use. My first and most important decision was to make a move and move I shall. To Winnipeg. In September. Vancouver is just not my town. Yes we all love the extended summer but I couldn't think of any other reason to stay.
In Winnipeg I have a brand new nephew and a step-nephew. I also have a brother and a sister-in-law I've only met once. Add on the many friends, the cheap rent, my previous enjoyment of Winnipeg and my extreme love of snow...well I just no longer have any excuses to not live there. My excuse used to be Winnipeg's too seasonal film industry but I've quit that racket so it's time to head home.
I miss the sense of family I've been lucky enough to have in every other place I've lived. I've always had a family of friends even when my blood kin weren't around. Out here I'm a part of nothing and I don't quite fit in when an opening has been presented.
I'm so excited about the snow!
6 comments:
I spent my high school years in Manitoba. Then I moved to Vancouver. But after a year, I didn't feel connected so I went back. It was the worse move I ever made. I ended up in jail. It's true that I have a specific issue that is not redneck friendly, but I couldn't stay in Manitoba for lots of other reason also. Too many bad memories.
So I came back to Vancouver. It took awhile at first to find new friends and things I like. But I love the city now and would only consider moving back to Manitoba if my future career took me there. And even then, it would have to be temporary.
Perhaps now that you are thinking clearer, you should try to give Vancouver a second chance. I am sure you will find everything and more of what you could in Winnipeg. (Well, except for your family. Vancouver can’t compete with family). New friends for sure. And opportunity. Vancouver is a gateway city. (Plus I’ll need help with a documentary series I am producing). And where else is the beach only half a mile away from the snow?
The pull of family is just far to great. Somebody has to be there to teach the boys the joys of boogie-ing to Rock Lobster.
My brother also wants to start on some music projects with me (he's an amazing piano player) and my Dad may have found me a comic book artist!
I am definately going to give Vancouver a chance through the summer so I can leave with a high opinion of the place but I think my creativity will be better nurtured in Winnipeg.
What's your documentary series? If you care to share in a public forum, that is.
It's a doc series about the evolution of transsexuals. How they as individuals came to the point of transition and the pros and cons of their new lives. I want to do it from a trans person’s point of view as most of the docs and movies out there are made and written by people on the outside looking in. Very few get it right.
I want to start with an introductory episode where I would give brief introductions of the subjects. Then the follow up episodes would be more individualized. And I don’t want to shoot in a studio. I want to have interviews on location. Place like coffee shops, restaurants, beaches and parks. I want to show that trans people are everywhere and not hidden away.
Right now I have plenty of people who want to talk about their experiences transitioning. The issue is securing a suitable camera package and editor. My good editor moved to Toronto and works for Much now.
So it’s mainly in development for now.
Eve,
You are one wise chica. I completely applaud your decision. Having just returned from my hometown for my grandpa's funeral, I FULLY support people moving to be near family-- especially when there's not much convincing them them to stay elsewhere. Life is too damn short. And if you have nephews there, well, case closed!
In 2001 I took time off from school, left BC and moved to Minnesota to be near sisters, nephews and old friends and such. I have never regretted it. I returned to BC in 2003 with a full love tank and renewed family bonds that gave me the strength to continue my studies.
Like you said, the film industry and the long summers were the only things keeping you here-- and I can promise you that neither of those things would be on your mind when you're an old woman in her last days. You are making a very wise choice, one I can completely relate to.
Not only the moving, but the decision to be clear-headed, too. It's not easy. It's one I still struggle with on a daily basis. Even though I know it's better to have a clear mind, I still am tempted all the time to go back to the comforting, numbing fog-- but then I rememember that smoking contributed to my inability to made good decisions and also has impaired my memory. Big time. My 98 year-old G-Pop had a better memory than I do at age 30! Scary, eh?
Perhaps knowing that your days in Vancouver are limited, you might be more motivated to take advantage of your surroundings before you leave.
P.S. By the way, I DO like kids-- I mean I'm in special ed for chrissakes-- I guess I'm just frustrated with bratty spoiled kids who have over-indulgent parent who don't like to use the word "no."
wow
i just read this now
winnerpeg you say
Haily - That sounds awesome! I wish you the best of luck. I will definitely take the time to watch it when it eventually airs on CBC or the documentary channel.
Nerf - Thanks for the supportive words. I agree with you 100%. It'll be so nice to be home and to get back into the family life - I've been away from it far too long. I'm also really enjoying the clear head. My dreams are better than the movies I've been watching lately. It's so nice to have my nighttime imagination back at full speed.
And I'm glad my brother has a good handle on saying no to kids. He's had some early practice with his step-son who comes back from his birth father and paternal grandparents home all full of the gimmie-gimmies.
Nessie-V - Yep, the peg. We'll have to hit the beach and a few other Vancouver hot-spots before I head out. And get a good drunk on wit yer Mum!
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