Let’s just say “See you around”

For 30 years, I‘ve lived in the prairies. From birth until now, my hometown has been Regina, Saskatchewan. Usually once you reach my age you start to re-evaluate your priorities. You start to tell yourself that maybe you should settle down and buy a house. Instead, I’ve sold of good portion of my possessions and am heading west to Vancouver. Maybe it isn’t the most logical decision based on our current economy in Sask., but it’s happening regardless. Now that I’m leaving, I feel like I can finally get some things off my chest – things I would never usually dare put on DODOlogic. First confession: I don’t like the Roughriders. Neither the game nor the fandom appeals to me. Second: we have entirely too many country music radio stations. I say this because new country music is awful. I don’t know how we got from Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings to where we are today, but I don’t like it. I also wanted to make a comment about beer, but honestly, Sask. beer is getting way better. So, now that I’ve gotten what I’m not going to miss out of the way, I can tell you what I am going to miss.

I’ve been around the import car scene in Saskatchewan in some shape or form for roughly 17 years – or maybe longer. But it’s the last 5 years that I’ve appreciate the most. Through the help of DODOlogic and just an all-around amazing car community, I’ve met some unreal people. I’ve  had the opportunity to watch the scene grow in ways I never could have imagined. So even though I’m leaving the province and the community, I like to think there are some valuable lessons I’ve learned being an automotive enthusiast in Sask. And these aren’t the obvious ones like lack of resources, wait times for parts, or how start a car in when the temperature dips to -50 C.

Never let where you live limit your possibilities and always be genuine with people.

The internet is kind of like a prison yard and thus prison rules apply.

Don’t be afraid to change things up and always bring your ‘A’ game.

If you have a project car, make sure you have a reliable daily. On that note, always keep a positive attitude and always be yourself.

Be patient, good things take time.

Always strive for excellence.

Don’t pigeonhole yourself…

… Just because you started out as one thing doesn’t mean that’s where you’ll end up.

Prioritize. Know what you want and don’t be afraid to work really hard for it.

If you’re going to be unconventional, be informed. Do what makes you happy and try not to worry what others will think.

The only people who should drive rotaries are engineers, or maybe people who know engineers. Because in the prairies, you’re on your own.

‘Lawn furniture’ is not the best colour for a car.

Never park next to the showstopper at a meet, unless you want to be white noise.

Just because someone has different taste than you doesn’t make them wrong. Listen to them and you might learn something.

V-necks aren’t for everyone, but more importantly be open to advice. Chances are you don’t know everything and you can still learn something, especially if you only have a BFA in film.

Don’t try to control everything and be sure to recognize talent. After all, collaborating is better than commanding.

Just because someone thinks you’re a dick doesn’t mean you can’t change their mind.

Always be sure to back up your words with actions.

Always think things through. There are few things as valuable as a good sense of reason and sound logic.

If someone knows better than you, don’t be too proud to ask for help. It can save you a lot of time and effort. Also, you are your friends. Their influence will inevitably wear off on you, so always try to surround yourself with people of character.

Truth be told, most of these lessons didn’t have to be learned on the prairies and maybe they’re more personal than generic. But the prairies is where I learned them and these experiences and individuals have helped shape me into the enthusiast I am today. That is a part of home I will take with me wherever I go.

I dodged using our earlier, more embarrassing pictures from the last 5 years. However, I guess I owe you one embarrassing photo. It’s only fitting to reflect on where this all started before we start the next chapter of DODOlogic.