Beat boredom in Hillsdale and beyond
Tony Gonzalez
Issue date: 3/13/08 Section: Opinion
Sunsets in Detroit surprised me. For all of the city's various intrigues, I didn't expect to also find a wonderfully simmering while setting sun.
Likewise, I doubted the city skyline but gained new perspectives, literally and figuratively, when approaching the city from the south on I-75, when trickling through the industrial parks near Eastern Market, and from the little upriver vantage of Belle Isle.
After a few weeks (of a three-month stay last summer), I found the city curious if not beautiful.
It took longer, but I now think similarly about Hillsdale County, a curious and alternatively beautiful county - a county without an island or interstate.
Even without the arts performances, burgeoning music scene and increased agitation of the Student Activities Board, I think there'd still be plenty to do around Hillsdale.
I'm chock full of memories of what campus life was like in 2004, when there weren't nearly as many student-organized events happening. Even then I would have said what I'll say now: If you're bored, you're boring.
And that's not an equation that needs alcohol.
I once saw a truck rush down the drive at The Academy, spew 'round the snowy cul-de-sac, and disappear again into the night. I've seen Volume One Books open The Annex with rotting floors, install a small stage, host performances, cancel performances, and then move its books from one door to the next. And I've seen Hillsdale from city rooftops, Jupiter and Mars from Hillsdale's hills, and one praying mantis in the street.
I've learned most of the ways to drive away from Hillsdale (heading south try Cambria to Lilac to Hillsdale, and heading north or east try State to Milnes to Mosherville to Moscow).
I listened to roosters at the Saturday flea market, got a free county fair ride from a professor, and once stopped my joyriding car on rural train tracks to listen to the big night and bugs (admittedly foolish).
I can't prescribe a boredom-beating brew. But whereas I took much enjoyment in driving criss-cross in the country, I think it's ultimately the continuously refreshing perspective that keeps me going.
I literally approached from different places and looked at different things, but it could happen even sitting still. Take for example the diligent folks who live in the high rise on M-99. When it's warm they sit under the small trees and watch the traffic pass. Seems to me they're seeing the same things, but I bet they see them in different ways, all the days.
Likewise, I doubted the city skyline but gained new perspectives, literally and figuratively, when approaching the city from the south on I-75, when trickling through the industrial parks near Eastern Market, and from the little upriver vantage of Belle Isle.
After a few weeks (of a three-month stay last summer), I found the city curious if not beautiful.
It took longer, but I now think similarly about Hillsdale County, a curious and alternatively beautiful county - a county without an island or interstate.
Even without the arts performances, burgeoning music scene and increased agitation of the Student Activities Board, I think there'd still be plenty to do around Hillsdale.
I'm chock full of memories of what campus life was like in 2004, when there weren't nearly as many student-organized events happening. Even then I would have said what I'll say now: If you're bored, you're boring.
And that's not an equation that needs alcohol.
I once saw a truck rush down the drive at The Academy, spew 'round the snowy cul-de-sac, and disappear again into the night. I've seen Volume One Books open The Annex with rotting floors, install a small stage, host performances, cancel performances, and then move its books from one door to the next. And I've seen Hillsdale from city rooftops, Jupiter and Mars from Hillsdale's hills, and one praying mantis in the street.
I've learned most of the ways to drive away from Hillsdale (heading south try Cambria to Lilac to Hillsdale, and heading north or east try State to Milnes to Mosherville to Moscow).
I listened to roosters at the Saturday flea market, got a free county fair ride from a professor, and once stopped my joyriding car on rural train tracks to listen to the big night and bugs (admittedly foolish).
I can't prescribe a boredom-beating brew. But whereas I took much enjoyment in driving criss-cross in the country, I think it's ultimately the continuously refreshing perspective that keeps me going.
I literally approached from different places and looked at different things, but it could happen even sitting still. Take for example the diligent folks who live in the high rise on M-99. When it's warm they sit under the small trees and watch the traffic pass. Seems to me they're seeing the same things, but I bet they see them in different ways, all the days.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Joseph McCleary
posted 3/24/08 @ 8:22 PM EST
True, true. It is you who make your life interesting, not your surroundings. Well said, Tony. And I really enjoyed your writing style.
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