McDougall Drive
A lot of people feel they lost time during the lockdowns in 2020 and 2021, but I didn’t lose a second at McDougall Drive. I didn’t lose anything at all. What was a depressing time for some, for me turned into a series of memories that will be the foundation on which I have built lifelong friendships. When reflecting, I find I'm at a total surplus of positive moments from the last 2 years, and so, I thought I should give a few back.
It didn’t take us long to warm up, within the first month we were using the S.L.U.G analysis to help Jackson decide which girl he wanted to keep seeing, an acronym that when explained is about as palatable as Lachie's pad thai.
Eventually, rituals began. It's going to feel weird coming home from work and not being greeted with a hug from Chris or listening to him imitate the last interaction he had with his dad. It'll also feel weird telling someone "I'm tired" and not having Tom shake my hand immediately after. And Tim, how will I pretend I know the answers to the questions on 'Hot Seat' if you're not next to me answering them first.
For all the stupid memories I have, I'm so grateful to have lived with such kind people too. Even though they didn't know it for the first few months, they helped me through a break-up that almost lasted longer than our tenancy.
I'm going to miss my housemates.
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I've always liked moving, especially as a kid, and for some reason that’s still the case. I am glad I'm leaving. It's time. I want the closing of the door at McDougall drive to open one somewhere on the other side of the world. I'm excited for what's to come. So fucking excited.
It sounds a bit silly saying this considering I'm currently writing a eulogy for a house, but I've never considered myself to be someone who gets attached to places.
In saying that, as spring settles in for a final time, and our last month officially begins, I can't help but be overcome with a sense of sadness.
Elvis had it right in 1962 when he released a song called “Home is where the heart is”. Houses aren’t homes, the people we love are.
And yet, while it is undeniable that my attachment here is to the people I love, not to the organisation of wood and nails that sit atop this patch of dirt. I must admit I’ll miss the tight little corner where I’ve studied for the past two years, the garage where we played hours of ping pong through the summer, and the spot on the balcony that perfectly soaks in the afternoon sun.
I said before that I hadn’t lost anything since being here, but I think that’ll change when I leave. A piece of my heart will always remain at 30 McDougall Drive, and a little bit of ‘home’ will too.
Some honourable mentions:
The illegal burlesque dinner parties we had during covid lockdowns
Project X: comfortably two of the best birthdays I've ever had
Daren Ganga (a famous West Indies cricketer) crashing our party and smoking cigars in our garage
The three weeks we were obsessed with Industry Baby
The COVID Olympics
-Sam
