My formative years were in Thorncliffe Park.

As a kid, I thought that was the most inconsequential place in the universe.

I know that’s a common feeling.

I used to hang out in in the park, around the Don Valley, all the time. With my friends.

We would play Star Wars, pretend to be soldiers, go for Cub Scouts, or do whatever. 

The carefree experiences I had as a child seemed mundane to me at the time.

Then I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my animation career. I lived down there for seven years.

In LA, the it was so beautiful all the time. But sometimes I just wanted a cloudy day!

I remember one day thinking, “this looks like the Don Valley!”. And I would feel happy all of a sudden.

It was there that I realized that the joys I found in LA were only in reference to the glorious times I had being a kid back home.

The places you think are not important, actually are.

Thanks to Peter for sharing his story. Check out his short film, ‘Surly Squirrel’, and his feature film, ‘The Nut Job’!

Hogtown Stories is a project by Jeremy Korn. Follow Hogtown Stories on Facebook and Instagram!