BS: Are you Too Canadian?

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 02:39 PM

Gnu, figures eh? (About hiking the price of Coleman stoves I mean). Money's all that talks for some people, I guess. I'm glad there's many MANY more who think and act like you do though ...

I've got a little 'Black Cat' propane heater I picked up at - guess where - Canadian Tire! - last spring. It works VERY well in emergencies and some models double as a stove too. Uses those little disposable propane tanks. Guess it's best to buy them 'off season' though.

Stay warm over there!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: CarolC
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 02:13 PM

I'm glad things are getting better there where you are, gnu, and that people did such a great job of pulling together (except maybe the Canadian Tire people). I'm sure there are a lot of people who are very grateful to have you for a neighbor.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: gnu
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 01:43 PM

Wonderful being a Canuck... well, there are seldom any snipers on the rooftops, large tornados or hurricanes, race riots, etc. Too cold I guess. As for the weather, you learn to make the best of it.

Of course, people help each other out wherever you go. And it IS heartwarming. I made a number of new friends last week. Especially elderly people in my neighbourhood with pets. Many stayed at a shelter just up the street. However, the shelter wouldn't take pets, so I ferried the old folks back and forth in my 4X so they could look after them as best they could. Some even ENJOYED it because they got to talk to someone for a change from living alone.

I had a full house because I have a wood stove and lots of cold weather gear. Next purchase is a generator. Being able to use the microwave will be far better than that d*** Coleman stove.

BTW, as far as those Canadian Tire commercials about their relief truck and the aid they provide... Well, I went to CT to get a propane stove and the single burner stove was "on sale" for $80 from a "regular" $100. The two burner stoves were "regular" $80 just a month ago. They put the price up when the ice storm hit. So, as far as I am concerned, they can drive that relief semi right up their *** !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 01:10 PM

Gnu that was heartwarming. And I'm sure it 'warmed' more than just your hearts in New Brunswick! With all the talk of war on the Cat today, it's a welcome relief to hear how people can and do care about each other deeply, and will go out of their way to help one another. Thank you.

We had the worst ice-storm/blizzard of the year in Ontario last week too. The kids have had at least a week of 'snow days' since Xmas - ahh it's wonderful to be a Canuck eh?

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: gnu
Date: 08 Feb 03 - 11:41 AM

I wouldn't be Canehdian without giving a public thanks to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and, yes, even Quebec, for the hundreds of linepersons and equipment the sent to help restore power in New Brunswick last week. With well over 50,000 without power, many for over a week, the help was greatly appreciated. The Red Cross came through too and our thanks go out to them as well.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: black walnut
Date: 26 Jan 03 - 11:51 AM

But without the pollution and the humidity, Hesperis? Wouldn't you miss the sparkling snow even a wee little bit? Or the sun when it shines on metre long icicles?

Brrrrrrr.....

~b.w. (who does spell doughnut like that, too)

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 04:04 PM

Daylia,

My wife and I did visit PEI one summer. She has relatives there and in Cape Breton. We did see an Irish session...even got to play with a guitarist named Grady Poe. I think Tommy Makem was involved in putting it together if I remember correctly although he wasn't there.
We had a wonderful time.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: gnu
Date: 25 Jan 03 - 07:48 AM

Metchosin... my apple tree still has apples on it. They are so frozen to the branches, they may never fall. -19C again this morning.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: TheBigPinkLad
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 05:16 PM

Of course, Metchosin, you and I know one person who wishes he'd stayed home to enjoy the balmy BC winter instead of heading off to Maui, right? ;o)

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Metchosin
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 04:41 PM

hesperis, you're just in the wrong part, not the wrong country. Right now my Japanese flowering cherry is bursting into bloom and the polyanthus haven't stopped flowering all (winter?) (if that's what you can call what we've had here so far this season). Of course you might have to contend with an earthquake or two and low water levels in the reservoirs and water rationing, come summer( we haven't had much rain this winter either, which is a worry).

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:12 PM

Frank when I visited PEI one summer I was delighted to discover that village fairs were held almost every weekend, featuring traditional music (sounded very 'Irish' to me!) and what the locals called 'step-dancing' - kinda like tap-dancing. Colorful indeed! If you search for "Tourism - PEI" you'll probably find exact dates and locations listed.

The locals were a little ambiguous towards 'Taurus' (that's what they called tourists!) but friendly never the less. Just don't wear your white socks on the Island - the sand is a lovely red colour but it's quite fine and stains everything red. Must be how Annie got her hair!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: JennyO
Date: 24 Jan 03 - 12:31 AM

Australia, particularly Queensland and the top end. Too hot for me! Sydney's bad enough in the summer!

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 08:20 PM

I agree with Hesperis on the climate thing. It's too cold here half the time. Handy places to go? There are many. I suggest any place south of North Carolina and north of central Argentina. Trinidad and Cuba come highly recommended, given my experience, but in Cuba you must deal with the occasional hurricane, don't forget. Trinidad doesn't get hurricanes, it seems.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: GUEST,AccordionForever
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 01:38 PM

I think demiquavers and such are only for British music. Certainly not here...

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: hesperis
Date: 23 Jan 03 - 01:08 PM

I got 12 on the test... and I think the Robertson's Doughnut (yes, I know no-one spells 'em like that anymore,) is a great idea!

Canada's too cold for me, and I grew up here! I'm going to have to move elsewhere, I think. I'm only the right temperature in August heat waves. :(

Anywhere in the world that's got temperatures like Canada's August for most of the year? ;D

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 12:47 PM

Hi Daylia,

Thanks for the info on Canada. It's a beautiful country. But I grew up in California so it's hard for me to accept cold weather. My wife and I love the beach since that's how we grew up.

I am interested however in what's happening in the folk communities of Canada these days. I looked into the "Slow Pitch Jam" for the bluegrassers and am a fan of Cape Breton, PEI and Gaspe Peninsula music and fiddling.
I have heard some music which is intriguing from Newfoundland as well.

I understand that there's a style of fiddling in Ottawa and other parts of Canada that is as unique as our Appalachian or Cajun. I have a great record by Ken Perlman on PEI fiddlers.

When we were in Nova Scotia, we visited Cheticamp and ran across the "Country Music Store" which was a treasure trove of Canadian folk music.

One of my fondest memories was playing accompaniment at the Gate of Horn in Chicago for Alan Mills and the incomparable Ti Jean Carignan. Playing behind Jeanny was an education!

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: gnu
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 12:31 PM

Well, I wish I was in Lotus Land (that's what we easterners call the Left Coast, aka, British Columbia) today. The high here in Moncton, New Brunswick is expected to be -16C in the sun with 60kph wind and the drifted snow has to be chipped out of the driveway. That's right: it's now sunny, -18C and the snow is drifting on the wind for the third straight day. I could use my snow blower on the stuff that's drifted a metre deep beside the old drifts because it's not packed so tight, if the drive of my blower wasn't froze solid. My metabolism is just too cold to adapt anymore. Guess I'll fire up da 4by an' 'ead fer da power'ouse... not much work is gonna get done t'day, eh ? 'oo's on d'ice t'night ? Da da da da da dada. (You gotta be Canadian eh.)

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: JennyO
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 10:12 AM

Yes, Daylia, we've had some of that kind of weather lately, and I never get used to it.

Saturday was so hot, we didn't need the barbeque to cook the sausages and steak. (grin)

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 09:58 AM

PS it's easier to handle the cold anyway, imo. You can always just bundle up, layer your clothes really well! But what are you supposed to do when it's insufferably hot every day? I remember wishing I could take my skin off or something ...

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Cluin
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 09:56 AM

Like my grandfather used to say: "It's only off about a half an eighth of a sixteenth of an inch."
Or another one: "It's a cross `tween a bull bitch and a window shutter".

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 22 Jan 03 - 09:50 AM

Frank I'm amazed about that hemidemisemiquaver! Thanks for explaining it - for such a short note it sure has quite the handle!
Even sounds more musical than 'hundred-and-sixty-fourth notes'!

I do remember seeing the Brit crotchets and quavers listed, along with the American names, in glossaries on the back of older "music dictation books" (from the British "Boosey and Hawkes" publishers)when I was a kid, but since we didn't use them I never really learned them well.
But that does explain the accuracy of my guess!

If you're thinking about moving to Canada, don't let the winters stop you Frank. The changing seasons are part of what I love about Canada - never a dull moment! Spring, summer and fall do take up a good 3/4 of the year, and the summers are lovely and HOT, (contrary to the impression of a lot of non-Canadians who think we all live in igloos or something)!

The West Coast is beautiful and alot milder in the winter - hardly a snowflake but it rains all the time. I was surprised at how much I missed the sparkling white freshness of the snow when I spent a winter out there - didn't miss the shovelling but without the snow to brighten up the short, wet 'gray' days I was going stir-crazy by the end of February. Talk about gloomy and wet!

People's metabolisms do adjust to climate changes over time too. I remember spending part of August in Arizona one year and the heat was excrutiating! I remember wondering how people just didn't evaporate or something - it was hard even to move after a while! I felt so 'heavy' and lethargic...

The same happened when I spent a couple weeks with my sister in Florida one August. Except it was so humid it was even worse I think. Every day like clockwork around 1pm all of a sudden the sky would open up, thunder would roar and the rain would pound down in big heavy sheets - like Niagara Falls! - so hard that you had to pull over and wait for it to stop if you were driving. I'd never seen anything like it! It was a relief to go home - didn't have all those hurricane watches either.

My sister, who's lived in Florida for 20 years now is completely adjusted to the climate though. It's funny when she comes to Canada in the summer now - we're all running around in shorts and halter tops and she's shivering away in her jeans and sweaters saying "How did you get that tan!?" And we'll say "hey it's SUMMER! We do have SUMMER in Canada, remember???" If I lived in the Southern US the same thing would eventually happen, I guess.

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 11:17 PM

JudyO, You're purty durn nice yourself! I'm sure that the folks at headquarters are pickin you out a good one.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: momnopp
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 10:30 PM

Well, it still holds true for me that I haven't met a Canadian I didn't like -- although they keep assuring me that if I do it for long enough, I'll find one. But I'm not betting on it! I'd much rather keep likin' the ones I meet!

And I'm all in favor of the 'fetchin' up the womenfolk' plan...

:-D

Peace,

JudyO

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 08:28 PM

Hi Steve,

Just saw a Canadian flick about curling, that's why I asked with a lead actor named Gross and a nice actress named Mollie Parker.
Gross apparently wrote, directed and acted in it. Saw curling in the Olympic events also.

Daylia,

Well, that kind of lingo has been used by the Brits in music classes and I wondered if it was done that way in Canada. 164th note is right. Quaver=eighth note Semiquaver=sixteenth etc. Then there's the crochet and the minum. Anyway, seems as though Canada is on the same musical page with musical terms as the States.

If I could bring the weather from the South US with me, I would consider living in Canada. But I couldn't make it through one of your winters.

Thanks for your response.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: gnu
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 07:20 PM

You absolutely know you're Canadian when you have to shovel the driveway on a SUNNY day, twice ! Driving is treacherous at best and brass monkey b***s have been flying by all day. And it's only half as cold as the 1982 record. I'd even be tempted to drink a large double double if I had to be outside for any length of time. Yuk.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 04:18 PM

Comedy, women singers, Male actors, 60% of "Hollywood" film and TV production. Now Tim Hortons and "Operation Marry Yankees" We're just getting started.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 01:40 PM

First we take over their comedy.

Then we take Berlin...

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: GUEST,Bardford
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 11:13 AM

Steve- "the start of taking over that little country to
the south of us" began when we sent JtS down there as phase one of the 'fetchin' up the womenfolk' plan. :-]

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: black walnut
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 09:10 AM

I'm too Canadian, and probably too Torontonian as well. I can tell if it's a weekday morning if it's Andy Barrie, and a weekend morning if it's Jeff Goodes. Hey, isn't it good they aren't making Natasha Ransahai do her weather reports from out on the sidewalk on these subzero mornings?   

I grew up in a little Ontario hamlet...cows ate the flowers out of my garden and my dog got to run around in big patches of poison ivy. Now I'm scraping salt off my car and screaming at jaywalkers. Yup, I'm Canadian alright.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 21 Jan 03 - 01:28 AM

Tim's is the number 1 fast food place in Canada. Now they are moving into the U.S., could be the start of taking over that little country to the south of us.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 11:31 PM

It dip-ends on the shape of the donut-hole, Carol. It is hereby revealed - right here on Mudcat! - that there's a new law in the works, making the public dip-ping of any donut other than the stunning new "Robertson Donut" with the trademark "square hole" an offence punishable for up to 30 days WITHOUT A TIMMY'S BREAK!

InCANceivable eh?

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: CarolC
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 10:48 PM

Is it considered bad manners to dip donuts in public where you live, daylia?

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 10:10 PM

Toronto can't be American - there's WAY too many Tim Horton's.

Then again, now that Timmy's gone and sold out to Uncle Dave, maybe it's just a conspiracy!

Oh well, it's probably better than Col. Saunders.

Hmmm, and speaking of 'finger-lickin good', I remember how I used to dip those chocolate dip donuts when no-one was lookin...

;-)   daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 05:33 PM

Toronto is anything but American! It's an entity unto itself, actually, and should be declared a sovereign nation, I think. That would utterly transform Canadian politics and possibly destroy the Liberal Party as well, although they could always retrench in Quebec, I suppose. Hmmmm. Naw, better leave things the way they are, I guess! We're fractured enough already.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Cluin
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 04:21 PM

Okay, you're excused then. ;)

But the rest of us in Canada know that Toronto is really an American city inexplicably on this side of the border.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 04:01 PM

Cluin,

Hey, hey. I was actually born in London, Ontario, I now reside about 40 minutes east of Toronto. I will admit that from the age of four until 31 I was in Scarborough. If a Scarberian ain't a Canadian I don't know who is.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Cluin
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 03:53 PM

Aw hell, if you live in Toronto, then you aren't really Canadian anyway.   ;)

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 02:07 PM

Jack,

I don't know the numbers, but I would bet that in the winter there are more Canadians at these Golf Domes and indoor golf schools than there are people curling. Granted, I live in the greater Toronto area and I understand that curling is probably a bigger part of rural communities. I would love to try it some day, it looks like a great support. Maybe I'll call Buddy down at the curling club.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 01:00 PM

Look BUDDY!! I'm a Newfoundlander and I resembles dat remark!!

Athleticly curling is on a par golf.(I just HAD to use that pun.) And Steve, in the winter it is played MUCH more than golf.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 12:32 PM

LH,

It's not only cheap Canadian Restaurants. I was at the Keg last week, our waitress said it over a dozen times. Granted, it was in Oshawa, so perhaps it's to be expected, but it's still annoying.

Another one that drives me nuts is one that has made it's way west from Newfoundland. Buddy, as in "so I says to buddy...". I will often say "Buddy Guy?" or "Buddy Hackett?". It always goes over their heads.

And then there are the creeping Americanisms. I cringe every time I hear someone refer to a Hockey sweater as a jersey or running shoes as sneakers. How long before we're referring to pop as soda?

Yeah, maybe I am too Canadian.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: *daylia*
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 12:18 PM

Frank I'm a 'musical Canadian' and I've never heard of a hemidemisemiquaver! Are you serious?

My guess (if you're not just pulling my antlers!) is that it's a hundred-and-sixty-fourth note!

daylia

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 12:07 PM

"Youse" is a word much favoured by waitresses in cheap Canadian restaurants. It's horrifying, but the poor things are just imitating what they've heard others say around them. They all read the Toronto Sun too, which may have something to do with it. The editors of the Sun still can't understand why people didn't elect Joe McCarthy president for life.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 11:19 AM

Frank,

Curling is't even close to the big one. Canada is hockey first and foremost. Curling has a decent following, but I would guess that the number of Canadians who curl is less than 10% of those who play hockey. Golf is much more popular than curling, a few years ago there was an report saying that Canada has the highest per capita percentage of golfers in the world.

Mooh, as much as I hate to admit it, you're probably right about "yous guys". I cringe everytime I hear it.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 11:08 AM

For musical Canadians: Do they have hemidemisemiquavers in Canadian music?

And is Curling the big one? How does it rate with Hockey? Is it like Cricket in India or England?

This enquring and ignorant American mind wants to know. :)

Drove through New Brunswick and Nova Scotia one time and heard a wonderful radio program(me?) called Atlantic Wave.

Frank

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Mooh
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 09:34 AM

Re getting Cdns out of the pool...wouldn't that be "Hey yous guys...".

(Sorry for that plural of you thread reference.)

There was a long list of school and road closures on the radio this morning, the only kind of morning I listen to anything other than the CBC in this radio wasteland. I noticed however that the Tim Horton's drive-through was backed up to the highway...some things will never cease.

Mooh.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: gnu
Date: 20 Jan 03 - 07:25 AM

Wendy's own's Tim's ? And there was a sale of Shopper's not long ago... hmmm, their not going to invade, their going to own !!!

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: moineau nordique
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 09:51 PM

If you live in Sudbury, you live in the town with the highest crime rate in Ontario.

NO,NO,NO, I refuse to believe T.H.'s is owned by Wendy's, and will pretend I never knew.

Stompin' Tom not g-d? Even Bravo (or was it the Doc channel) had a whole 1 1/2 hour show on Stompin' Tom, filmed at the Horseshoe, in Toronto, in the early 70's.

I prefer M&M's.

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 03:34 PM

I never ran into a screw with a square hole until about 10 years ago. I bought an American motorhome, and here were these silly screws with a square recess in the end. Well I had the most goddam awful time getting a screwdriver bit to fit them stupid things, over here in the good old UK. Must admit though they work real well.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 02:56 PM

The Robertson Donut??? Wow. That is a truly stunning idea.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: Are you Too Canadian?
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 19 Jan 03 - 02:24 PM

Q. How do you get twenty Canadians out of a swimming pool?
A. You say, "Hey guys, get out of the pool".

Of course if you are Canadian you say "please".

Yea Daylia, Lets just hope they don't rename it to Dave Thomas Donuts.

Dave is dead and still Hawking Burgers. That's something the two chains have in common. Memorials to their deceased founders on the wall.


Mmmmmm Doh nuts! mmm