I was born and raised in Oshawa, that southern Ontario blue collar suburb about an hour east of Toronto, sometimes referred to as the "armpit of Ontario." I spent my youth trekking to Toronto (by way of the GO Train) for shows, while my friends and I yearned for big city life, often taking jabs from pals for being from "the dirty 'shwa."
Here are 10 signs you grew up in the Oshawa.
1. You're related to, or friends with, at least one person who works for GM.
2. You remember when Oshawa's official motto was "The City That Motovates Canada" (groan).
3. When someone says "The OC," you immediately think of the Oshawa Centre, not the television show about Californian teens.
4. You remember back when the Oshawa Centre still had a movie theatre and when they had the ugly brown floor tiles pre-renovation.
5. When you think of south Oshawa, you think of mullets.
6. You knew spring had arrived when you spotted your first shirtless dude of the season (sometimes with a mullet) driving his car. (Didn't the seatbelt chafe his bare skin? I always wondered.)
7. You know that Billy Madison (the Adam Sandler movie) was filmed at Parkwood.
8. Your high school prom was probably at Parkwood.
9. You probably ate a few meals (at least!) at Teddy's.
10. You know that Cuff the Duke originated from Oshawa and their song "Rossland Square" makes you feel nostalgic and oddly affectionate towards your hometown.
Shout out to The Velvet Elvis, Catch-22, Different Drum and the big Pizza Hut on King St. near the Oshawa Centre. RIP.
What did I miss? Add your 'shwa memories in the comments.
Photo by mbernero
by Wini Lo via blogTO
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