Unexpected "Fame"

Just today I've had my face and an interview published in the Hamilton Spectator. I thought it would be pretty cool, a bit of shameless self-promotion in a very competitive job market. What has actually happened is actually a lot more daunting! Not daunting in the scary sense of the word; more so on the overwhelming side! People I don't know are sharing the article across the net; hundreds or thousands potentially reading it online and then 100,000s more in the print edition!
Now what I find truly unusual is how proud people are of how I'm affiliated with them. My old high school posted the article, a twitter follower I've never actually met tweeted a photo of something I said and called it good advice! An old family friend and prominent member of the Hamilton business scene emailed me congratulations!
I didn't really know what to expect, going into this. I imagined a few close friends who I had told about the upcoming article to maybe text me or say "hey I read that, pretty cool." the next time I saw them.
So what am I saying?
Thank you! From a co-worker bringing a cut-out of the article to work, to my mom leaving it open at breakfast to the Hamilton Hive posting it and Chris Farias sharing it; thank you to everyone! Also a special thank you to my employer; Greenhorizons Sod Farm. It turns out, to be a Young Professional, one must be employed professionally!

If you're wondering what I'm on about, here's the article:
http://www.thespec.com/news/business/article/723039--ben-verkerk-22

Hamilton's Finest!

Alright well it's about time i wrote a bit more. There's a good chance I transfer this to my other, work blog in time, but for now, before it get's pictures, it can stay here! On the topic of pictures, if you have some nice ones of these locations, email them to me and I'd love to include them! ben.verkerk@gmail.com

Many blogs write about the bounties of the city and all from the perspective of the writer. Well, this is no different; this is my top 11 favourite spots in Hamilton! 5 are “natural” and 5 are businesses/things. 1 is a bit of both. Also, 11 as it's my favorite number (it's number 1. twice.). They're in no order of preference as they all have their own unique characteristics.

1.    Cootes Paradise wooden boardwalk behind mac

This is part of a short trail behind some of the North Quad residences of McMaster University. It’s serene and quiet, traipsing through a marsh that opens into the very end of the bay. It has a beautiful view of the sunset and is perfect for jogging, peacefulness, or even romance!

2.    The bayfront trail (from HMCS Heida to Longwood Dr.)

This is the perfect social, wheeled activity location! It’s plenty long, features beautiful scenery via the bayfront and is maintained excellently (aside from a large quantity of goose poo). Whether rollerblading or longboarding or biking or even treading it on foot, the path is comfortable for all speeds and transportation methods! Plus, if you hit it on the right day, you can see rowing teams from mac, dragon boat teams and a plethora of other events going on, over the rolling hills of the park! Plus if you go to the tug-boat playground, there’s a water fountain during the summer months! Score!

3.    Canterbury Hills (Ancaster)

This is a nice forest-y trail featuring a beautiful waterfall right at the start. The falls are scalable if you don’t mind getting wet or risking broken limbs and the trail swoops through the Dundas Valley towards the conservation area. If you can make it down the whole trail (bring some water!), you’ll arrive at an old train station turned tourist shop, featuring a few old train cars and an all-important water fountain! While on the trail, be sure to stop and gaze into the lush greens of the valley; maybe you’ll spot a white-tail or two, bounding through the trees!

4.    The Dundas Lookout

The officially unnamed feature of the Tews Falls - Webster’s Falls trail, you can see the entire city from this point! A few hundred feet up from the town of Dundas, this is a great place to take in the city with friends, and if you’re a crazy free-climber like I am, there are a few routes that can be tackled with relative ease! (be warned, a friend fell about 50ft from this area earlier this Spring; mostly uninjured, but venture at your own risk!).

5.    The Devil’s punchbowl

Much like the Dundas Lookout, this park overlooks the entire city of Hamilton. The only difference is the closest area is better known as Stoney Creek. Just off Centennial Parkway, the most obvious landmark in the park, barring the punchbowl, is a ~30ft tall lit up cross. Hard to miss it, even from the valley! The Punchbowl itself, named for the reddish hue of the stone/clay making up the walls of the bowl, is best viewed from behind the guardrail. Throwing knots into the bravest man’s stomach, the drop is quick and sheer!

1.    My Dog Joe, coffee shop (Westdale)

Chess board tables, couches and 50s style kitchen tables make up the Westdale space known affectionately as Joe’s. Although it’s nearly 2 bucks for a cup of coffee, the cozy and homey environment make it the perfect place to read a book, skype a friend or maybe even crack into some homework!

2.    NaRoma Pizza Bar (Locke St. N)

Typically Pizza is thought of as the stuff you pick up with dipping sauce and eat in front of the TV with a nicely shook up can of Coke. Well, no longer, Hamilton! NaRoma Pizza is the artisan venture of delicacy. The food here is better paired with a nice red wine, (of which they have several unique labels) than that shook up coke from Little Caesars.

3.    Baltimore House Bar and Lounge (King William St.)

What I originally thought to be reclamation of some entrepreneur’s youth, Baltimore has become a pretty rad joint! From a Hip-hoppin’ dance throwdown featuring liquored-up snow cones after April’s Art Crawl to a calm and classy art exhibit of local talent, Baltimore House is a great place for a night out! Just be sure to check their twitter or webpage prior so you know what to prepare for! Oh, did I mention the cheapest Guinness I’ve stumbled across?

4.    The Farmer’s Market (York St./back of Jackson Square)

This is good for so many things! Fresh foods – meats, cheeses, breads, vegetables and all sorts of international products! I once got a glass bottled 500mL Coca-Cola imported from Mexico, for a buck! This is also a great place to brush up on your bartering skills, talk to the most interesting of characters and altogether feel great! It’s hard to put into words the greatness of the Farmer’s Market.

5.    Value Village/Talize/Salvation Army Thrift Stores

Your only options for discount, quality, everything; especially clothes. I’ve found my favourite shirts, pants and shoes here, not to mention my teapot! Both Talize and VV feature monthly 50% off days for the overly frugal as well! A final point is to know a seamstress/tailor. As awesome things typically only come in the size that you find them in, bringing in the body of a dress shirt will make all the difference the next time you’re at any of the previously mentioned Hamilton Hotspots!

1.    Dundurn Castle Park/Gardens

I list this as business and nature as the business bit is what draws me in, but the nature is what would make me go back! A nice place for weddings and photography, the gardens of Dundurn Castle represent some of the beauty that can come from many years of maintenance and care. Walking through the trees feels more like middle earth than a city and the panoramic over the bay and harbour is nearly as encapsulating as the Dundas Peak or Devil’s Punchbowl!