What I Learned From Peterborough And Trent And Trent Radio And Crescent Street

1. I learned that I can survive the best of times and the worst of times.
2. I learned that people from all over the world are good and strong and brilliant.
3. I learned that bigger isn't better, but in certain cases, small can be suffocating.
4. I learned that I am good at things - at guitar, at music, at politics, at love - and that the things that have happened to me, for better or for worst of all, have made me who I am.
5. I learned that University can just be a place to meet people, to exchange ideas, and to grow. That's all you need, and that's why you're paying the big bucks.
6. I unlearned all the fake bullshit I learned at Carleton. All of it. Sorry guys, you have it all wrong.
7. I learned that community is the most important thing. It is a way to recreate society on your own terms. It can be liberating.
8. I learned that drugs can bring people together and tear a person apart.
9. I learned that my animals raised me to be who I am now. Them and Jewel.
10. I learned that love can lift you up, throw you down, shake you up, recreate you. I learned that love is all that matters. I learned to love.
11. I learned that the things we have in common are endless and no one is ever alone.
12. I learned that anal retention is the sign of a high-firing mind.
13. I learned that binder decoration is vital to one's general academic well-being.
14. I learned to let go.
15. I learned to hold on.
16. I learned that a picture is worth more words than all the world can speak in a day.
17. I learned to dress well.
18. I learned Romance D'Amour, In My Time, Redemption Song, Crimson And Clover, a bunch of sweet blues songs, and much much more.
19. I learned how I learn, which is one way - RECKLESSLY.
20. I learned that children are hope manifested in miniature form.
21. I learned that most people love their kids and their family to life, not to death.
22. I learned to use certain sponges for certain cleaning jobs, and not to use tea towels to clean the toilet.
23. I learned to cook... a bit.
24. I learned that poverty is inches away from anyone's nose, and we should all understand just how precarious our privilege is.
25. I learned that fear can motivate change, but it's rarely for the better. Motivations are better set on love and determination for a better life.
26. I learned that the hard road is almost always the better choice.
27. I learned to roll a decent joint.
28. I learned that I don't need to know how to roll a decent joint.
29. I learned how to fight dependency in the form of addiction.
30. I learned to trust fully until proven otherwise.
31. I learned the nuclear family is altogether overrated.
32. I learned about Gramsci, Mills, Foucault, Derrida, Dostoevsky, H.L.A. Hart and his critics, Peak Oil, Cixous, Irigaray, Lacan, the community-building power of the Corporation (oddly enough) and Melanie White (ohhh, Melanie).
33. I learned that I like sex stores.
34. I learned that my body is important.
35. I learned to appreciate country music.
36. I learned to make coffee with a pinch of cinnamon and salt over the grounds.
37. I learned to write EVERYTHING down.
38. I learned to be obsessed with blogging.
39. I learned that crayons are my favourite medium.
40. I learned to get angry at the right people.
41. I learned that I'm a jealous person.
42. I learned that I deserve love.
43. I learned that friends can be more dangerous than enemies.
44. I learned that I still need friends.
45. I learned to trust someone in this fucked up world, and that says a lot.
46. I learned to label and digitize a CD ultra ultra fast.
47. I learned the excitement of baby hamsters never wears off.
48. I learned that someone you lived with for a whole year and kinda thought was decent will fuck you over and hate you for money's sake.
49. I learned that Amanda Marshall was right - everybody's got a story that'll break your heart.
50. I learned that I've outgrown this lovely little place, but that I consider it one of two hometowns I've ever known. I will always feel safe here, I will always love it here, and when I'm rich, I'll donate money to Trent before any of the other educational institutions I have and will set foot in.