Canada - what comes to mind...

Canada...

For one, it's big. Perhaps some people don't understand the hugeness that it is. I LOVED the comment "Woefully Understaffed", because with a country this big, it's very true!

And it's green, lush with trees in a way that's so similar to, and yet incredibly different, from a rain-forest.

And there's the rocks and the water. Especially here in Northern Ontario, they're everywhere.



But that's just the land, the ground under our feet.

Canadians...

Canadians are Pleasant Contradictions.

We're Proud, yet Humble.
We're Outspoken, yet Reserved.
We're Young, yet our origins extend back to some of the Foundations of the new world.

So when I say that, I mean that we are proud and confident in ourselves as Canadians, but we try to not let that get to our head, and so we remain humble - we know that we don't know.

We Canadians speak our against injustice, against violence and agression, and yet we're remarkably reserved - we understand that people have to make their own decisions, and we should not force them (I agree with Canadians in Afganistan, but I do not agree with their current missions - but that's another topic).

And we're young - definitely one of the newest countries, and as has been mentioned we have lots of potential. Perhaps that's where we get our humility and reservation from. And yet, we have been influenced by some of the oldest great nations in the world today. France, Britain, Italy, Germany, Japan, USA, to name but a few.

A strange effect of those origins is that we're amazingly neutral. Yes we were a British Colony, but with French Origins, "discovered" by an Italian, and populated by people from around the world. We achieved our independance without violence, and were an important supporting nation during both World Wars.

And finally, I think we Canadians are at risk of losing our reputation. I'm worried that a number of us Canadians are abusing our image on the world stage. I'm worried that the current mission in Afghanistan is not helping our image - since it's moved from a peacekeeper to an anti-usurping force, complete with military operations (I believe we should look to improve the Afghan infrastructure - taking the quote from Kingdom of Heaven "What kind of Lord would I be if I did not seek to improve the land I lived on?" - if we're there, we should dig wells, do humanitarian aid. We'll fight if we must, but let's not give a reason for them to fight us).

Anyways... I gotta go... but I guess this was getting too long anyways.

Lots of Snow..

Canada.... the only "european" type country in the western hemisphere,
delightfully cheerful,
curiously socialist,
disturbingly pacifist,

My own tainted little thoughts.

Abdominal, Moose and Booze n Nugs

The first thing... hm..
SNOW.
Snowboard.
Skiing

Everything related to cold weather in general haha!
Just kidding! Besides the snow: Big and clean cities, pubs and a lot of metal shows.

Originally posted by sardion2000


Where did you visit?

Spent time in Mount Royal and it's fairly pretty but they really can't spell

May have been a bit of a jaded response as I live in London and it was 'another city' but it was nice to see that there IS somewhere else with even more beggars. Couldn't comment on friendly ladies as I had a close escort from home with me. The only beaver I saw was swimming away up a river.

It reminded me of cities in Oz - particularly Adelaide

Apart from that we saw a lot of a small bit (maritimes) & reduced the re-sale of the hire car severely. Great scenery and we were still in range of the Propellar Brewery

So not a comprehensive survey - just a snapshot.

We loved Halifax but we did wonder what it would be like in those infamous winters you guys have.

Not a cheap holiday though - EEK

Probably go to BC next time to see another side to the country.

For Brits (and Europeans too?) it's really not on our radar as a holiday destination but I would (and do) recommend people visit.

From what we heard there's a Brit immigration invasion going on too so you must be doing something right

American films? Are you playin' the deke on me or what? That's hilarious... all the colloquial quips... come from Canadian "personalities" often thought to be American in origin. Most of it comes from day to day life experiences in Manitoba, Northern Ontario and Scarberia (Scarborough)... and some SCTV back in the Magder Studios days.

The 'Kee to Bala" stuff happened - not my brother tho'. Stanfield's underware (Nova Scotia) seam-binding is strong enough to support a fully grown drunk Canuck from a balcony for just about 2 minutes...

The rest is just a collage of past experiences - vignettes - 'cept for the sleds on the lake we only do that on-purpose when it's daytime!

I have been down East many times - I love Atlantic Motorsport Park - Shubenacadie outside Halifax 'bout an hour or so. If you can hustle a 600 production bike around that roller-coaster you are having a good day! And the Lobsters, like the hospitality, is all you can eat. Damn fine folks.

What Sardion' says about "the Big Smoke" is true - we are fortunate to live here - and we have all kinds of troubles just like any major international city of 4 million or so individuals. Damn lucky we are.

I've lived in NYC, Pittsburgh, LV and LA - no, I choose to live in Scarberia right smack dab in the largest Arabic North American neighbourhood outside of Detriot. I love the place... I can get so many things and services because of the multicultural diaspora that would simply be unavailable so easily anywhere else. As cities go TO makes the UN look a couple of tomatoes shy of a thick sauce.

Please come for a visit to Canada! At some point we'll need about another 10,000,000 Canadians - our future is bright and we don't have the human-resources to handle the growth and development that's comin' in hot in several sectors.

Great thread,

Victor K.

[edit on 24-9-2006 by V Kaminski]

get a big WATS if there were any to give.

Beautiful statemments and quite true.

Victor...LMAO...what you mean you actually WATCHED SCTV, Royal Canadian Air Farce, This Hour has 22 Minutes....and any slough of other CBC kin programmes??? LMAO

JK...I know...Canadian's in the international "film" markets well...in the USA...we do pretty damn good huh?

It's usually a surprise when it's discovered by an American that his favorite producer, actor, comedian, singer, dancer, songwriter, photographer...etc etc..is Canadian.

Growing up I watched mainly SCTV, Kids in the Hall and sadly Degrassi...LOL

As for the amazingly witty and astute comment on Canada being understaffed...you ain't kiddin' bub. I think a WATS would go to you for that as well my friend.

EDITED to add: to touch on Canada's multi-culturalism...TO is the UN didn't you know? Shhhhh it's a seeeecretttt.

Canadian's bellyache about immigration and how lax it is...but you know what, while there is racism in every melting pot and Canada is not exempt...we DO put a protective wing around our immigrant populations. That is where many Canucks see our investments being returned. Diversity in people, ideas, religions, and culture - it makes us stronger, keeps us young, and prosperous in both dollars and ideas.
While we complain about it on occasion...I think over all we have a true sense of what the bigger picture is.

Our history hasn't been perfect, but I think we've made amazing strides since the first two WWs in that respect.

I also agree that we are a subtle bunch...as well as a slightly subversive bunch.

The pacifists? Oh how true...but you what being a war watcher and not a war mongerer seems to work out well.



[edit on 9/24/2006 by justgeneric]

Originally posted by Strangerous

Originally posted by sardion2000


Where did you visit?

Probably go to BC next time to see another side to the country.

Yes, do come here, we'd love to have you! I live on Vancouver Island, in a city of about 20,000, called Port Alberni. It's your average Canadian rural town, big on forests, small on skyscrapers. We rarely have snow in winter, and it's really hot in summer. Not much here if you want urban nightlife, but if you want to hike, hunt, fish, kayak, whale-watch, anything outdoorsy - we're the place to visit!! Nature at it's finest, in my opinion...

PS. When I think of Canada, I think of trees, lakes, and of course BC Bud...

Just announced this morning:

Monday, Sep 25, 2006
Governor General will launch new chat site to discuss Canadian issues

OTTAWA (CP) - The Governor General is opening a new chat site where she says Canadians can talk with her about issues facing the country today.

"Citizen Voices" will be launched on Wednesday, the first anniversary of Michaelle Jean's installation as Governor General.

The site will include forums, blogs and live chats with Jean and her husband, Jean-Daniel Lafond.

The site was the brainchild of Lafond and a team of young collaborators who were discussing new tools for fostering debate and dialogue in Canada.

Jean says she hopes the site "will be a useful tool to . . . break down solitudes."

Users of citizenvoices.gg.ca will be able to navigate through four themed sections - belonging, youth, women, and culture - and will be regularly invited to participate in forums, comment on blogs or chat live with the Governor General or her husband.

The site will host a live chat with Jean between 7 and 8 p.m. ET on Wednesday.

A chat for Canadians run by the GG of C...should be interesting...the chat will be pen on Wed. at citizenvoices.gg.ca...

Maybe I can ask her about Canada's identity? Official slogan(s)...promo tools Canada uses...?

Kinda cool huh?

What comes to mind?? Well, since I live in Canada I can be even more judge mental
-Very good beer..VERY good.
-pleasant, but rough.
-Quiet, but powerful.
-Underestimated, but huge.
-Cold, but warm hearted.
-Industrialized, but green.
-Plain, but fun.
-Crazy, but civilized.
-Lonely, but social.
-Made fun of, but accurate.

In all, Canada is the only place I would like to be!

I AM CANADIAN!

-Jimmy-

I think of pristine rivers and lakes teeming with walleye and smallmouth bass. Forests. Clean air and beautiful scenery. And of course, hockey. Great ally. Damn glad they're on our longest border. (In fact, the longest undefended international border anywhere).

And ... Crown Royal. The best of all the blended whiskies, IMO.

I THINK HOCKEY!!!!!!

and the movie canadian bacon

Beer, Rush, Hockey, and the Trailer Park Boys. Just kidding, however people don't know about the many advancements Canada made in technology and medicine in the last 100 years. This saddens me a bit that Canada's contributions sometimes go unnoticed in the global community which are taken-for-granted.

I agree with all the sentiments expressed here. Actually, this is pretty cool. Notice the idea that to many the meaning of "Canada" the "us" of it equates with the notion of "good". I like that. And notice that we can talk about anything and not rip each other's guts out and damn the notions of others...

Our "national sport" is "social-interaction-across-culture". But, yeah. "We are no longer "Snow White" geo-politically... "The New Government Of Canada" is playin' with fire in a manic fashion - Def Leppard-style. Do our leaders not live with us? What colour is the sky in their universe? ALL of them.

Ain't nuthin' nobody here can do but vote eh. Many choose not to exercise this mechanism of self-determinate behaviour, nuthin' we can do about that... Aus. has a law that requires the exercise of franchisement. I think I'd be willing to at least think about, and perhaps incorporate some aspects of that notion into a possible future.

BTW: Our real national sport is Lacrosse - Go Colorado Mammoth! Go Gavin! Go!. Did you know we took back the world crown from our valued competitors and real friends to the South after 28 years? Eh? Or that the world professional indoor and outdoor league champions are predominantly made of Canadian born and raised players? Take a look at the NCAA teams... Canucks on scholarships. Or that on some 1st Nations reservations on both sides of the border that there are players who far exceed these skill levels?... sadly these kids and men and women choose not to participate to the extent that might be possible because of a different worldview and a completely understandable hesitance to get burned again. Oh yeah, multi-cultural utopia for some... for others? History tells the tale. Human also connotes the concept of in-human too.

About that undefended border... sorry, this week's announcement from America ends all that. Boeing contract - high tech. Goog it. I tell you true. Sad and perhaps for the best...

www.cbc.ca...

I suspect that if we busted up Canada into autonomous sovereignty-associated areas that we'd still all be Canadian in some way. Oh! Oh! I know: let's engage in our other "national sport" let's strike a Royal Commission and have a "study" - what could be more Canadian eh?

"The New Government Of Canada" - eats it own: www.cbc.ca...

Know what? We ARE truly fortunate and it's up to all of us to take care of each other:

Canada - Don't stay where you're to... Come where we're at!

Super-thread,

Victor K.

[edit on 25-9-2006 by V Kaminski]

strange brew, strippers, and bud in bc.


someday i will visit canada, eh.

Canada is a world leader in training, teaching and student exchange to a HUGE and growing list of countries. Our Tech is awesome and our pharmacological industry is a marvel!!

Companies will send their employees here to learn...and it's big revenue.

The border...well...Canada is about to have armed border guards...and yeah tech is on teh way in to monitor the illegal crossings, border jumping, arms control, and contiban control.

LOL Our guards will have guns but hey yank...we'll make you take that gun apart and lock the peices into seperate containers....and that's if you're lucky.

Hunting in canada? Sure but it's not a BYOG.

People like our lagers. I'm not much of a beer drinker but a Granville Island Pale Ale on a hot day...mmmmmm good.

We are nice aren't we?

Everyone is forgetting the middle of the country...SASKATCHEWAN! COLD winters, HOT summers, wind, mosquitos the size of VW bugs, great hockey, (Go Pats), great football (Go Riders), great sunsets, you can watch your dog run away for days, etc., etc., etc. I have lived here all my life, no regrets! (Met my wife here, built my dream home here, on my 5 acres), never leaving here (except, maybe, to move to Mexico, if I win the 6/49...hahaha!)

Seriously, we have the best beer, hockey, women, beer, views, sunsets, beer, beer, beer, ...oh, by the way, Gibsons finest Rye is the best Rye, tastes like velvet! Crown is good for swilling, Gibsons is good for everything else!
:

Sorry friend...the 6/49 has my name on it

(I love the dancing nanner)

Saskatchewan is very....expansive. It seems endless, yet the scenery whie driving through is captivating... admittedly I've never had the op to stop...just a drive through, but BLUE skies...the only kind you can get on the prairies...lapis lazuli.

Don't recall Manitoba though...any Mantarians here? ( Canada joke)...

I'm hoping to take either the train through Canada or the bus next summer (money permitting) to Montreal...wish I could venture farther East and see the other coast...but Montreal by rail or road is a pretty good trip I'd say.

Kingston Ontario is where all the family originated...born from a rock quarry I'm told...might be interesting to go see the penetentiary and the Regis where my father thought to train as a Jesuit (LOL)...

So much to do...muct make a list I think. Hey anyone travelling from Van across the country??? Let's get us a convoy...

I'm liking this thread...

And you know what...last year just when I was getting into Hockey...the unthinkable happened ...so this year I am going all out...I even have a Canuckles Jersey and seeing as the guys here insist on growing small animals on their faces diring this season, I vow to not shave my damn legs....ewwwwwwwww NOT.

Oh sorry grossed myself out there

So yeah...I'll stop now.

Chrissy

is that what comes to mind huh?

So whaaa Judy (I think that was it - sorry I'm so tired and lazy today I don't wanna re-read the thread My bad)

And Lysergic Chrissy

Anyone else?

You know...I've only dated two real born and raised Candian guys...the rest were Yanks (even a Marine LMAO) or from other continents all together... usually UK or Oz.

You know why? Hockey and skiing. Who could compete?