10-1-8

Those who know me will think I complain about Vancouver a lot. It's partially true, I do really dislike this city for a number of reasons, most of which are socio-economically based, i.e. it's expensive to live here, wages are very low, there's a lot of crime as a result, good businesses and people are regularly "reno-victed" by greedy landlords, and generally speaking a lot of people in this city seem really absorbed in a lifestyle, more concerned about the brand of outdoor clothing being worn and less concerned about getting into the mountains to stress that clothing. But I've been paying attention to this lately, where the bitterness comes from, and don't get me wrong, I hate this city on a lot of levels, but I also like it too. I've done my best to bury my disdain and focus on the good things (it's January and I haven't had any concerns about studded bicycle tires and I've finally found a shop in town that sells excellent coffee beans, even if that coffee is imported from Chicago and that shop is half way across town which I don't mind riding to because, like I said, no studded tires) and oddly enough the bitterness towards Vancouver comes up again and again amongst those around me.

I had dinner with some really great people tonight and one of the good friends jokingly said I wasn't allowed to come if I was going to complain about Vancouver and I jokingly said, "what's to complain about?" but I made a point to myself that I was going to focus on the positive and just enjoy being among friends but still, the conversations about Vancouver being a less than ideal place to live came up, the bitterness about the gentrification going on in the downtown east side, an anger regarding how many millions were being spent on a glorified play day for adults (the Olympics), it all came up through normal conversation. I'm okay with that, the only way you can facilitate change is through discourse and if nothing was being said then I'd be sadder because I would feel I was the only one noticing and that would suggest I was wrong. I realize I'm wrong about a lot of things and I'm okay with that. I really do accept that the majority of people on this planet want something I don't like. Christ, I watched an episode of The Jersey Shore on the internet the other night and if there was ever proof that I am on the wrong planet that was it.

But I digress.

And I usually have an idea of what I'm going to write before I start and today I don't so I'm not sure where I'm going with this so bare with me.

I will always dislike this city because it genuinely is a mediocre city with lots of issues and flaws and that won't change any time soon. But I've managed to find some really great people to be with here. Some (too many) are, sadly, moving away, some aren't quite here yet but they get here soon. On this night I got to eat, drink, and be merry with a few of them and I'm glad I got a photograph of it.