This year’s May 2-4 weekend wasn’t too bad. In fact, considering last year’s experience, it was a great weekend.

It started late Thursday night when my friend Arda randomly asks me if I want to go to New York City. Hmm kinda out of left field but hey, I’m always up for random things, especially road trips. Anyway it turns out Saturday was the Turkish-American Day Parade and Arda, being Turkish, really wanted to go revel in the atmosphere of thousands of his kind. Suuure Arda, sure. I think he wanted to go show the girls some Turkish Delight.

Fast forward to Friday evening, we had mostly everything planned out. Arda had a van so we were gonna go with a group including myself, Arda, Ryan CW, Daveed, and possibly Caustan pending some rescheduling of a show of his. We were set to leave around midnight, do the 8-9 hour drive and arrive in time for the 11 am parade. We figured we’d enjoy that for a while then tour around a bit, check out a concert, then go out on the town at night. Stay one night, then add in some more touristy things Sunday morning then back in Canada by Sunday night.

So we’re all excited about this random road-trip and it definitely promised to be a great time but then disaster struck. There was a flaw in our equation. Around 6:30 pm Arda messages me with the news that his dad unexpectedly took his van. To Montreal. And left his cellphone. NOOOOOOOO! Of all the things to happen, Arda’s dad takes his van without telling him. I mean, had the van blown up, or got crushed in a freak road hockey accident, or ANYTHING other than his dad taking it, I would have been resigned. But this reality was too much to bear.

After a couple hours of sulking, we started thinking of a solution as we didn’t want to give up just yet. We thought of renting a car, but then realized all car rental places were closed that late at night. Then Ryan had the brilliant suggestion of checking car rental places around Pearson Airport. Turns out he was right and they were all open late. But then came the harsh reality that it was the long weekend and every place we called was totally out of cars.

As a consolation prize, Ryan and I decided we’d hit up Toronto to visit Daveed and go out for a night and come back Sunday. We ended up leaving Waterloo around noon and we spent the afternoon and evening touring around downtown. We ended up at the Eaton Centre and there we checked out Hollister. Ahh Hollister, where do I start. Seriously, it’s like they expected me there. The moment I walk in I tune into the music they’re playing…it’s Jimmy Eat World. I’m thinking sweet, I love Jimmy Eat World.

So there I am, navigating my way through the dark chambers of Hollister (if you’ve never been to one, believe me, it’s like spelunking in a deep, underground cave) humming along to Jimmy Eat World. My first thought is that I should have brought a flashlight or a torch. My next thought is that I’m listening to a different song now, but it’s still Jimmy Eat World. Now repeat these two thought processes about 8 more times and that about describes my experience during my time in Hollister. Walking into the store during the 2nd song of the Futures cd (one of my favourite cd’s ever), and then listening to the entire cd was the surest sign that I was meant to be there.

Later that night we picked up a case of beer and went back to Daveed’s place to pre-drink. Now I was hoping to be able to drink with at least a few other locals, or meet them at the bar. None of said events occurred. I blame Daveed. Anyway, we ended up at Madison’s which is on Madison Ave. and it’s basically 2 massive houses transformed into a ginormous, multi-level, patio-covered, pub littered with live music. We ended up running into a few people we knew and despite not knowing many people, it was a good time. A good introduction to what I hope to be a place I’ll go back with a huge group of friends sometime later this summer.

On our way back home from Maddie’s, Daveed and I dropped into some karaoke bar that Daveed has often tried to visit before. I say tried because each time he has entered (drunk, no less), they’ve told him it’s a private party and kick him out. This time was no different and we walked all the way into the place and I just remember hearing everyone say in broken english “private night, private night” and we respectfully left.

Our escapades were not yet over however, as we dropped into a Pizza Pizza shortly afterward and came upon a huge line-up. The line-up consisted of several random customers and then a flock of teenagers. About 6 or 7 of them. They reminded me of the goslings I see around campus. Except they were without their mother. And dumber than the goslings I see around campus. Ryan was taking a picture of Daveed and one of the guys got protective and told us not to take pictures of “his girls” who was in the background. He then walked away to a table. So we made fun of him for being such a douchebag…in front of his other friends still in line.

Like all immature brats who yearn for attention in life – but unfortunately do not receive any from the cruel, cruel world that they live in – he proceeded in being a dick. He startd throwing bits of crust in our general direction while we sat on a bench waiting in line. After a few, I returned the favour and then in a state of pure machismo he walked over and tried to shove me. Except I was sitting so I didn’t exactly move. In any case, I laughed at him and I think Daveed got in his face.

The sad part is that his friends were telling us to back off and to mind our own business…if only they realized how much of a loser their friend was. It must really suck having to stand up for some loser because they hang out together.

I remember thinking how badly I wanted to fight the kid but I laughed it off because being in a drunken state I probably wouldn’t have had any self-restraint. Ironically, he’s lucky I wasn’t sober or I may have had to exercise my right to ill.

The next day we all slept in and had a nice breakfast before going out around town again. We walked through U of T campus where I got to immerse myself in its rich history. I thought it was kind of cool, but even the buildings felt snobby. For example, the following is a picture inside one of the main halls of the Hart House…basically their student centre.

Like…whaaaat? Where are the comfy couches? The littered Tim Horton’s cups? Feels like some boarding school in jolly ol’ England.

My May 2-4 in short: no glorious road-trip to NYC, no mad partying, no fireworks, but some quality time spent with some good friends.

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