Grad Said 2007:
Katimavik’s version of welcoming in the new year differs from the
traditional way of getting fully loaded. Instead, all the groups in
an area have a dinner party and play icebreaker group games
and drink fruitpunch and mingle as we learn from each other
across Canada. I thought it would be nice to exercise my anti-
modernism of getting tanked and maybe partake in some of the
youth programs alternative festivities.
No. No I couldn’t. After the past weeks of insanity this was the end and i didn't give a fuck.
He hoped in the van as there was some confusion of why the
fuck Katimavik would not allow M's friend, Malissa, to
accompany us. We smuggled her in the back seat and headed
to London, the van singing along to the AC-DC on the radio, As
we drove through London, I questioned Pl in to if we were
actually allowed to be driving in the empty parking lane. He
explained because its empty we’re allowed driving in it. We
landed at the house and the dinner and mingling soon started
to partake. As the night went on we learned that Malissa, could
not stay and with that we were all reassured that this program
was making no more sense. They left with the energizers starting
and I knew I was going home Tuesday. If the one remaining person
who is keeping me saine, is going to get “in trouble�? / kicked out,
then it was only downhill from there. They drove the first batch
down to Victoria Park at 9:30, myself included. “Meet back here
at 11:30, and NO DRINKING.�?
London was pouring. We entered the park gates to find all the
trees lit up and a stage surrounded of a audience of umbrellas.
Abba -cadabra poured out of the speakers and they even had
one of those cheesy cameras on a crane arm doing crazy
pan-outs and the lot.
I just kept walking in a brigade of 3: Randy from Yellowknife Yukon,
Eric from Abitsford BC, and myself. They seemed a bit new to
the “buying booze on a booze driven holiday�? and were in surprise
when we came to the mall that held said liquor store was closed.
We then wondered the main streets until we saw the Labbat factory.
“yeah,�? I thought, “Lets go buy booze from the people who make it at
10:ish on a stat holiday.�?
It was again closed. Again the shock.
We came to Richard's tavern, where we told eric to wait to see if
they sold off sales, not thinking any logic in this plan. We got drinks
and when asked of off-sales the bartender looked puzzled and said
“where the fuck do you come from buddy?�? I told him we were from
Yellowknife and took out seats. We then realized could not go back
out and tell Eric that we couldn’t boot for him, for that was just too
stupid, We sat looking out the windows as to a rained out Eric paced
back and forth and we went to the bar for seconds. Randy and I did
the whole “guy talk�?, I explaining that I was probably getting kicked
out tomorrow and could give a shit less. Randy informing me that he
is in Katimavik to avoid going to court for his robbery conviction.
Actually more so I felt ballsy enough to ask why he was here prying
for such reply.
The night went on and Karaoke started up. Lame Political Major-types
in bad pressed suits started in on not even the classics, but more
such new-metal and possible Barney Bental, or Joan Jett, or something
completely out of their league. A old timer in cowboy apparel started
in with a Hank Williams number and the assholes started slow dancing.
An old local walked by and dropped a bag of pre-popped popcorn form
his back, obviously his form of rebellion in the same sense of sneaking
in snacks to the movies. I picked it up and put it at his table as he sat
down, him thanking me profusely. I figured it was the most helpful thing
I had done yet in the past 3 weeks of Katimavik, if not the entire program.
The clock hit 11 so we decided to start out to the park, and join a now
shriveled Eric. I took a piss to a standing yet passed out geezer. My
urinal being too close for comfort I was waiting for the sexual harassment
and me to have caused my first bar fight in this Courtry-esque bar bathroom.
Nothing.
I went out side to see Randy smoking a cigarette and Eric talking to
a figure who’s back I somewhat recognized. It was M. I was so
happy to see her not because of booze, but just familiarity, in this
new wannabe city, full of rain, with strangers that would be my
drinking buddies for the night.
“drinking buddies.�? “wannabe cities.�? - There's more to life then this.
We gave my vodka that M had been carrying to Eric for
being such a good sport, said goodbye to R&E and then went
back to the Pub to meet up with Malissa who was already inside.
We drank ameretto and cola, while M explained she wasn’t
quitting or anything such as that. I explained that we were both
were kicked out if we didn’t haul ass to the park. We finished 3.
And made our way back, being young drunks in the street. We
got to the park to find the group waiting for us, somewhat worried.
We wondered to the stage dispersing everywhere as the Project
Leaders shitted bricks because of this. I talked with Emily and
Meg from another group, the “keeners�? of said group. I explained
my stance on being treated like a 17 year old and how we really
do fuck nothing and how I have gone insane. We compared thoughts,
agreeing with both statements, myself talking into holes because
of more so intoxication.
We counted down and the fireworks went off and I complained of
the kids in the factories making such crap, again to a blank
audience of “ooous�? and “Ahhs�?
As we headed for the vans, Laurianne and Virginie told me I
needed to stop talking and I took that as a sign. We got back
to the vans and threw Malissa in between the last seats. I sat
in the back with my legs somewhat on top of her with Morgan
sitting beside. The van started moving. Success. M was
in the front talking up PL with theory.
We got 7 minutes out of London and Malissa started covering
her mouth and puking. I completely forgot people actually got
sick from drinking. I quickly took off my bandana and handed
it too her then took off my vest and hoodies to mop it up with,
feeling around for my toque for the patience “if you need to
spew, spew into this�? line. She informed me she had puked
everywhere and proceeded to pass out. Morgan sat there
horrified and the van rolled on.
We got home and piled in the house, all, knowing what had
happened. Pl went to the bathroom and we got Malissa in the
front door and to bed. We sat in the kitchen,talking that fun
after drunk mindset you get in that totally rules.
Being punk and talking.
But sadly i wasn't gone Tuesday. And it was then 2007
and it wasn't looking up.