The Bolt

When the Red Hot Chili Peppers came out with "Under the Bridge", the timing was perfect. The song personified a city and described the relationship between an individual and the city - I felt it. I felt the connection to Vancouver as I was driving around, amazed at the sights and sounds.

I explored many areas of the city by myself. I would drive into an industrial district and just wander around on foot (if you weren't causing damage, people would mostly just leave you alone). I drove across the majestic Lion's Gate Bridge and found a shopping district full of quaint coffee shops and cottage industries. I ventured to the Vancouver Planetarium and took in their awesome Pink Floyd laser show. From night clubs in Kitsilano to fireworks displays being shot off ships in the harbour, I tried to explode my brain with new experiences - some of which were stupid and dangerous, but all of which were worth it.

Throughout all of this and more I was solitary, yet I felt a connection to the city that I really couldn't adequately describe in words. Only when Under the Bridge was playing did I feel that someone else shared that experience with me. If I close my eyes these days, I'm still driving around the streets of Vancouver with the Red Hot Chili Peppers cranked up...