issue 17 / volume 40 Twenty-five to life » How I survived in perfect conditions Elliot Chan .. Opinions Editor =) opinions , @theotherpress.ca his year I turn 25. I don't feel a day older than 18— that is, until I stand beside someone who just graduated from high school. I don’t feel that young either, until I stand next to someone with kids, a spouse, a mortgage, a pension plan, and a will. When I look back at all I have accomplished in my 25 years of life, I realize that my achievements are internal. Fora quarter of a century, I’ve been living the Canadian dream and if I could go back in time and tell the six- year-old version of myself what I’ve done, I think he would be proud. I dreamt big as a child, as most children do. I wanted to be an actor, orat least someone : with the opportunity to be creative. Here ] am—not an actor, but definitely creating. I feel pretty accomplished in that sense, not because I have achieved anything extraordinary (anyone with an opinion can write for the Other Press), but because I’m persistent and I’m staying true to my values. Regardless of your age, I hope you are too, and that youre not looking down on me : for doing so. I think reaching the 25- year mark still aiming for the goals I had as a child is remarkable. After all, think : of all the other stuff getting : in my way. Yes, the real life : shit: money, education, : relationships, entry-level : jobs, parents, and peers. I see : my high school friends, all of : whom are turning 25 this year : as well, moving out, getting : engaged, and being promoted. : : They’re settling down with : their lives, and it makes me so : happy to see, because another : trait I want as a 25-year-old : is to be supportive—the : same way I want my friends : to support me and my silly : choices. : But does that mean I’m : a failure because I don’t have : any of those things my friends : have? Not at all, because like : I said, what I have achieved : is inside of me. It’s my own : investment. : If the objective of life is : to get a mortgage, then sure, : I’m failing so far. And by the : looks of it, Pll continue to fail : until, well, maybe my mid-life : crisis. Yet, I have succeeded in : in exchange for travelling or : writing a novel or getting a : robust education. I believe : when I’m 65, I’m going to be : proud that I’ve indulged in : life as a 25-year-old instead of : taking roots in an existence I : have no desire to grow old in. I glance back on my : successes and failures, and : dwell a little bit on the failures. : : Yes, I wanted to be an actorand: ; : dream. Or maybe I’m wrong. : Maybe I'll never grow up. failed. I wanted to bea film : director and failed. I wanted By nikkinakkinoo365 (Flickr) If the objective of life is to get a mortgage, then sure, I'm failing so far. And by the looks of it, I'll continue to fail until, well, maybe my mid-life crisis. : to bea standup comedian : and failed. I made money : asa dishwasher, a barista, : a background performer, a : sandwich board advertiser, : and a door-to-door canvasser. : I look back now and I can’t : believe I did that—the same : way I can’t believe I went : bungee jumping. It’s weird : what I’m proud of: not my : successes, but my failures.I : cant believe they felt like the : right decisions at some point. | : can't believe I did those things. : recognizing that I would trade But I did and I survived and it’s :j : rt of me. : inasmall two-bedroom house ; 7 PO! me Up until now, my life has : been a wrestle with adversity. : But man, what an experience : that’s been. What a great 25 : years I’ve lived. What fantastic : people I’ve met along the way. : What wonderful privilege I : had for being able to chase my : dream and for being able to : continue doing so. I don’t care what your age is, you should still be able to chase your opinions // 17 a ~~) ee ae yea mer: yae Holiday ins and outs Happy Zombie Pirate Free Hug Day! Elliot Chan . Opinions Editor © opinions j @theotherpress.ca he Report Card: Holiday ins and outs Holidays are significant. We look forward to them for various reasons. Perhaps they bring family and friends together, perhaps they ignite a sense of tradition, or maybe we just enjoy dressing up and getting drunk. Whatever your reasons are for celebrating a holiday, remember that beneath the rambunctious fun, there is a greater purpose than merely closing shop and getting trashed. Pass: Unofficial holidays Unofficial holidays are quickly becoming a trend in North American culture. There is a novelty to it unlike Christmas, New Year’s Eve, or Thanksgiving. Unofficial holidays break the monotony of the year and give us something unique to look forward to. With the help of technology and social networks, holiday implementers can come up with a reason to celebrate and execute it. With little to no effort, they can sent out invitations, spread the news, and host a holiday that hasn't existed before. January 21 is National Hug Day, January 25 is Opposite Day, March 14 is Pi Day, April 20 is Cannabis Day, September 5 is International Bacon Day, and September 19 is International Talk like a Pirate Day. There are many more and I’m not exactly sure what they all entail, but we have the opportunity to create new traditions and be inventive with how we spend our time. So often days, weeks, months, and even years blend together into a blurry life, but with unofficial holidays making eventful marks and breaking us out of our daily routines, we can create new memories—ones that have us covered in make-up for the annual Zombie Walk or taking our dog to work on June 20 for Take Your Dog to Work Day. Now, those are memories, unlike getting wasted at a random bar. Fail: Drinking holidays It’s a bit of a shame seeing some respectable holidays turn into an excuse to get drunk. St. Patrick’s Day, a day to celebrate the independence of the Irish people, is now a day where bars serve green beer. Cinco de Mayo, a day that commemorates the freedom and democracy after the American Civil War is just another alcohol-filled fiesta. Finally there is my old favourite, Halloween: it used to be a chance to dress up and get candy, but now it’s just an opportunity for bars and clubs to jack up their cover charges or to make it impossible to get in because the lineup wraps around the block, and Lord knows I’m not waiting in the cold dressed in my Miley Cyrus/wrecking ball costume. It has become customary to stock up on booze for New Year’s Eve and other statutory holidays because the provincial liquor stores will be closed the next day and getting wasted is, well, important and expected. So, what does it really say about our society that the days we consider significant are also the days that we make regrettable choices? I think having fun is important, but anticipating a day just to binge drink doesn’t foster a healthy life. Let’s not forget what holidays are really about. It’s rest, not indulgence.