Wishful Thinking

I am glad that I came of age in the 1980’s.  High school was just as horrible then as it is now, but I am glad that I grew up in a gentler time.  I was bullied and picked on mercilessly.  It goes with the territory when you grow up in a rough government housing complex sporting a Duran Duran haircut and a Frankie-Say-Relax t-shirt. 

However, I didn’t have social media to exasperate my daily torment.  My old neighbourhood, merely known as a rough back then, has morphed into a bleak drug plagued area.  And thankfully I no longer look to John Taylor or Holly Johnson for fashion inspiration. 

Even thought you grow into adulthood, the effects of bullying stays with you.  I am one of the lucky ones though.  Although the bullying made me shy and introverted back them , I overcame it.  But there is still a part of me that likes to appease and reassure my fourteen year old self for all of the crap she had to take on a daily basis.   

For those of you who read my blog, (by the way, many thanks to all three of you), you know that I met The Fella in high school but was unable to pursue my feelings for him because of my crippling shyness.  To ease my teen angst I would lose myself in my walkman with the help of Heaven 17, Depeche Mode, Aztec Camera and China Crisis.  

On Monday night I was able to make it up to this girl.  I went to see China Crisis with The Fella at This Ain’t Hollywood.  She was hyperventilating at the fact that the guitarist, Eddie, and Michael Williams from Much Music (an 80’s dream come true) were standing beside the adult me at the bar before the show.  She was also treated to an amazing show.  China Crisis was absolutely brilliant! 

At the end of the night, The Fella went outside to call a cab while I went in the washroom.  When I came out who is walking towards me but Eddie.   The fourteen year old in my head was chanting “ohmygodohmygodoymygod”.  The adult me reached out and touched him on the arm.  He stopped and I thanked him for a great show and for making great music that meant so much to me thirty years ago in high school (being a total charmer he said, “thirty years ago? What were you two in high school?”…oh, bless him!).  I told him how much it meant being at the show with The Fella and told him that we met in high school but didn’t connect until twenty six years later.   He kissed me on the cheek and told me that was a lovely story.  The Fella had come back inside and I introduced him and he was kissed on the cheek as well and congratulated on our lovely story.   Sigh!

Yes, I think I made it up to my fourteen year old in spades.

 

In the City

I love Hamilton.  My father immigrated to Hamilton with his brother in the late 1950's  - so did my mother with her parents and sister.  Both of my parents paths lead here with the promise of a better life.  Back then, Hamilton was an economic powerhouse filled with job opportunities and vibrant communities.  Since the 1990's this city has unfortunately been in a steady decline.  It burns my ass at the ineptitude of City Hall to try to revitalize downtown Hamilton.  However, the times they are a changing thanks to artists who began opening galleries on James Street North and a grassroots movement.  The advent of the James Street Art Crawls, downtown is slowly making a comeback.   There are new businesses opening on a monthly basis.

The Fella and I spent a rare weekday off exploring the businesses of James North.

We first stopped at Ola Bakery & Pastries (230 James Street North), which came highly recommended by my friend Liz. For an early Monday afternoon, this little jem of a place was absolutely packed. They have to make some of the best sandwiches in the city (and an absolute steal at $3.25 each).  The bread is made fresh daily on site.  We accompanied them with lattes and a Portuguese custard tart which was to die for. It was creamy, sweet and had a beautiful buttery, flaky pastry.  The staff are quite brusque, but the food is so good I was willing to overlook it and plan to return soon.

Ah munna eat choo!  Too good to wait to be photographed

Also, on recommendation by Liz, we pre-ordered the piri-piri chicken to take home for dinner. You must provide them with a minimum of an hours' notice, so we placed our order and continued our exploration of James North.  Being the Instagram nerds that we are,  we spent the rest of the afternoon taking photos of James Street's urban beauty.

 I love the mix of the old and modern buildings

    My fav Christmas movie is "A Christmas Story" - love how this jewellery   shop designed their window around the theme.

 Ooh, new manicure salon!  Must come back sans Fella

Of course I had to make a stop at one of my favourite clothing stores, Blackbird Studios (161 James Street North)   www.blackbirdstudios.ca.   It goes without saying that I cannot leave this establishment without making a purchase.   Their one of a kind creations are original and beautiful and hand made on site. I purchased this 1940's inspired "Jessica" dress. I have absolutely no where to wear this, but when you find such a great piece you have to buy it. A wedding or formal event will always come up unexpectedly & you will be prepared with a fabulous outfit.  So someone, please get married pronto, so that I can wear this little number!

A sudden heavy downpour forced us indoors to have a quick pint (oh, damn, twist our arms) at our favourite local music venue, This Ain't Hollywood.

The downpour eased into a steady drizzle, which unfortunately cut our exploration short (don't even mention using an iPhone in the rain to the Fella...long story).  So we head back to Ola Bakery to pick up our piri-piri chicken and head home to feast.  My gawd - Liz was not kidding - it was absolutely delish!!

This Ain't Hollywood

I shook my groove thang. I think I broke it. Last night we headed to This Ain't Hollywood to see punk legends Walter Lure (The Heartbreakers) and Andy Shernoff (The Dictators). These guys have played with the who's who of 70's punk. They were backed by local punk legends Gordie Lewis, Cleave Anderson & Steev Saint.

I love This Ain't Hollywood (www.thisainthollywood.ca).  They have the best bar staff in all of Hamilton. The spiritz selection is quite impressive for a live music venue. They carry Crystal Head vodka, Dan Akroyd wine along with their own special brew for the beer drinkers.

You have to hand it to owner Lou Molinaro for booking amazing acts. Thanks to Lou our city has hosted legendary performers - Glen Matlock, Slim Jim Phantom, Jello Biafra, Handsome Dick Manitoba, Cheetah Chrome, Hugh Cornwell & Clem Burke (who I actually met & giggled like a little girl!!).  He was such a sweetheart. He patiently posed for a picture with me while my friend Robin tried to stop giggling & figure out how to work my camera phone.

Here's a few shots of the Walter Lure show.

Lou keeps outdoing himself. Upcoming acts include Lydia Lunch & The Rezillos. You can also check out a great mix of local talent. I recommend keeping an eye out for The Mystics and The Beards--two local bands that I am now a fan of after seeing their sets at TAH.

Check out their gig listing today!

           Vivieen, Rob, Robin & Jean in the front row with me dancing up a storm

                                                            The Lassie & The Fella

                                                 Erics, Robin, Andy Shernoff and Rob