Ask a Canadian anything.

[Locut0s]

OK so I'm bored and depressed.

Ask away, NOTHING is off limits

[Art_from_Ark]

1. Is the Main-East Hastings section of Vancouver still sleazy?

Are they ever going to upgrade or replace the Lion's Gate Bridge?

Will there ever be a bridge that connects the West End with North Van?

[Segami]

4. Name the 4 buildings or structures

that are situated on the four corner intersection of Queen St. & Bay St. in Toronto Canada?

[rucky]

177. Starbucks n/t

[Segami]

202. LOL! I misposted my post.

But.....Starbucks,...thats a good one!

[Locut0s]

206. At the corner of Robson St and Thurlow St. here in Vancouver...

there are two Starbucks that stare at each other diagonally across the intersection. Both of them are always jam packed.

[Locut0s]

8. Ahh good questions. Love to see someone knowledgeable about Vancouver.

Yes the lower east side is as sleazy as ever. It may not be as violent as US ghettos but it's hard to beat for shear density of drunkards druggies and homelessness.

They upgraded the Lions Gate about 5+ years ago. But it was mostly a modernization, brining it up to code. No new lanes. However they moved a lot of the iron structure on the sides of the bridge underneath, it now looks MUCH more open and free. They also repaved and widened the causeway through Stanley Park, but it's the same number of lanes.

The Lion's Gate essentially does this. Perhaps you are thinking of somewhere else when you say the west end. Here we think of The West End as English Bay, Denman st , Davie St and the areas between.

[Art_from_Ark]

10. I was thinking of the ferry crossing from the Vancouver Convention Centre, I think,

straight across to North Van. I thought Lion's gate connected with West Van, and you then had to make a big swing to the right and travel a long distance to get to downtown North Van.

[Locut0s]

22. Ahh yes wow you are familiar with the place :D No new bridge. They have talked of one...

Of and on for oh... Forever. North van is becoming increasingly dense so maybe one day. We are so used to that "long" swing to the right it doesn't even occur to us anymore.

[KamaAina]

129. How about a subway tube instead?

That way transit to and from North Van would be faster than the auto!

[Locut0s]

133. That might happen someday...

They are expanding the sky train out to coquitlam for example. But a tunnel would be very expensive.

[Chan790]

2. If, as I've been told, the average Canadian finds seal-clubbing as detestable as imaginable...

how the hell have y'all not managed to outlaw that shit by now?

(I mean the wheels of public policy turn slow, I get that...I was 11 before dwarf-tossing was outlawed in my home-state...and I don't think anybody ever thought dwarf-tossing was appropriate...but how is there no political-will to outlaw something that nobody will admit to supporting?)

[Locut0s]

9. Our global image is sadly scrubbed a lot cleaner than we really are...

Most people are against it but it's so far up North and so far "out of mind" that most people aren't even really aware of it. You know despite our global "green" image we have one of the worst carbon foot prints per capita in the world?

[Chan790]

3. Poutine. I need an explanation, please.

I won't deny that the one time I had it, it was amazing...but it defies logic.

[Art_from_Ark]

7. That reminds me of the time bu$h was campaigning

and he was fooled into thinking that "Poutine" was the name of the Canadian prime minister

http://www.democracynow.org/2000/3/7/g_w_bush_endorsed_by_imaginary

[Locut0s]

12. It's a Quebec thing that has gone nation wide. Like so much from Quebec you are asking too much...

If you want it to be logical Just enjoy it

I've never a actually had poutine. *SHHHH* Don't tell me fellow Canadians!

[Art_from_Ark]

15. I had poutine once

It was at some small town way out in the middle of nowhere, north of Kamloops. I think it took about 3 days to digest it all

[Bannakaffalatta]

13. It's like the bacon-cheese-burger.

The principle is: if too much food is good, add more.

[thelordofhell]

31. Thanks to the Jones Soda Company......it's available as a drink

http://www.thestar.com/business/2013/05/06/jones_soda_debuts_poutineflavoured_pop.html

[Locut0s]

33. *Barf* Jones has some weird shit. Don't like most of their stuff.

[jmowreader]

51. The Geneva Convention says something about poutine-flavored soda

It's on the list of "forbidden atrocities during wartime."

[rug]

5. What does Regina rhyme with?

[Locut0s]

14. Vagina. And all Canadians secretly laugh every time we say it too, don't worry ;)

[Art_from_Ark]

19. That word also appears on current Canadian coins

in connection with the queen ("Elizabeth II, D.G. Regina&quot . Canadians must surely secretly laugh about that one, too

[polly7]

59. Pile Of Bones

Previously named 'Pile Of Bones', in 1882 it was renamed “Regina” in honour of the reigning monarch, Queen Victoria. The Queen’s daughter, Princess Louise, suggested the name. She was the wife of the Marquis of Lorne, Canada’s governor general at the time. “Regina” is Latin for queen, making our present monarch Elizabeth Regina. That’s why Regina is often called the Queen City.

[Art_from_Ark]

67. "Pile of Bones"

Sounds like a great name for a provincial capital

[polly7]

83. .....

Before the arrival of settlers in the 1880s, First Nations hunters came to the area to hunt the roaming herds of buffalo. They used nearly all of the buffalo they killed for food, shelter and clothing. Only the bones remained.

The Cree hunters stacked the bones about 2 metres high and 12 metres in diameter. They believed that the buffalo herds would return to the area to visit the bones. The hunters named the area Oskana-Ka-asateki or "the place where bones are piled."
The explorers, fur traders, surveyors and settlers who moved through the area called it Pile of Bones.

Settlement begins

In June 1882, the first settlers set up camp near the present Wascana Lake. A settlement, called Pile of Bones, grew quickly because the surrounding land was fertile and flat. Under the Dominion Lands Act, new homesteaders could claim 160 acres of land for just $10.
The first residents lived in tents or small shacks, despite temperatures of -40 C in the winter and more than +40 C in the summer. There were no paved streets, sidewalks or roads. Cattle, horses and other livestock often wandered the streets. Despite the harsh winters and sun-baked summers, the small town grew and grew.

The town is renamed

Pile of Bones wasn’t a good name for a town. So in late 1882, it was given a “regal” name.


I lived in Regina for many years, it's a beautiful little city with some great history and a really great park - "Wascana" built around the lake. If I'm ever a homeless person, I've picked out my spot there already!! It's sooo pretty.

[Art_from_Ark]

87. Very interesting bit of Canadian history

It's also interesting that "Pile of Bones" was rejected as a place name, but "Moose Jaw" was not

[polly7]

125. It is interesting.

Quite a lot of Saskatchewan towns were based on the Cree names themselves or some variant of them.

The name Moose Jaw comes from a Cree words for the settlement "moscâstani-sîpiy" meaning "a warm place by the river". Another explanation is that is was named after the local creek, which looked like the outline of a moose’s jawbone ... or possibly, a combination of both.

WASCANA The Cree word oskana means "bones". It referred to the piles and piles of bones near a creek where the Cree killed bison. When settlers arrived in the 1880s they set up camp near the creek. The word oskana became "wascana" and the creek was called Wascana Creek. More settlers arrived in the area when a railway station was build near the creek. When this "pile of bones" site was chosen as the new capital of the Northwest Territories it was named Regina.

http://www.aitc.sk.ca/saskschools/sask/sknames.html

[u4ic]

169. I loved the Cathedral district

but nothing could make up for that horrible water. Didn't matter how strong the tea/coffee/whatever, it. tasted. awful.

[KamaAina]

128. St. Paul, the capital of MN, was once called

Pig Eye.

[Art_from_Ark]

152. There's a Hog Eye in Arkansas

although I don't think it ever came close to becoming the state capital

[steve2470]

181. and a Two Egg in Florida :) nt

[KamaAina]

186. The winner: Dry Prong, LA

which, strangely enough, is in the part of the state filled with fundie whackjobs.

[polly7]

20. huh.

I'd never heard that or anyone laugh about it that way at all. It's "rej-eye-na"

[Locut0s]

23. It's a childish thing. I know at least a few who share my thoughts on it. Maybe it's just me?

[laundry_queen]

45. NO, not just you

at least as kids my brother and I thought it was hilarious on our yearly trek from Edmonton to Winnipeg.

[u4ic]

238. I'm not even sure why we pronounce it that way

Re-geena is how it's pronounced elsewhere (the person's name, not the city).

[Brigid]

6. Is it really as cold up there as I've heard?

[Locut0s]

16. Not here in Vancouver. Only dips below freezing for a few months and not by much...

Lots of rain in the fall and winter here. Amazing summers! The rest of Canada, yeah pretty damn cold in the winter and pretty hot in the summer. Though out east in the Maratimes it's a different story again.

[Bannakaffalatta]

11. What's going on in New Brunswick?

Are they ever going to come back on line?

[Locut0s]

21. What specifically are you referring to?

[DJ13]

17. Where did I put my car keys?

[Locut0s]

25. In your jacket pocket.

[olddots]

18. is Labbot's beer as crappy as it used to be ?

not that it wasn't better than most beer below your border .

[Locut0s]

27. It's Labatts. Hmm not sure what the average Canadian's opinion is but yeah I don't care for them...

I prefer import beers myself. Heineken, Coors, and local microbrews etc...

[Art_from_Ark]

29. What about Molsen?

Do they still have a brewery at the beginning/end of the Burrard Street Bridge?

[Locut0s]

35. Yup and it still looks likes a soviet era communist monument.

[Art_from_Ark]

40. I thought it looked rather... out of place...

"Soviet-era Communist monument", LOL. Any connection with the People's Republic of East Vancouver?

[Locut0s]

50. Lol. But seriously look at the thing...

https://maps.google.ca/maps?q=street+view&hl=en&ll=49.272778,-123.144701&spn=0.004715,0.004962&hq=street+view&hnear=North+Vancouver,+British+Columbia&t=m&z=18&layer=c&cbll=49.27273,-123.144944&panoid=n74i6ruaOkdNnjo0GbHx-A&cbp=12,109.45,,0,2.43

It looks like a power transforming station or smelting factory.

[Art_from_Ark]

54. They should have the company name written in Cyrillic letters

молсон

[Jenoch]

127. Have you had Kokanee?

We can get it in Minnesota. My brother said he would like to move to that part of BC if there was a way to make a living. My father had surgery in Mesa, AZ last winter and his recovery room nurse was a guy born and raised in Kokanee.

[the devil]

140. Kokanee...

When I went to university, we nicknamed Kokanee "panther piss".

[laundry_queen]

221. My former in-laws

lived a couple of miles from the brewery (the town is called Creston). When I first had Kokanee it was a big thing (the provincial borders had just opened up for beer...) and I thought it tasted great (granted I was a teen). Now, not so much. And yeah, that part of the country is short on jobs, for sure.

[Jenoch]

234. After I wrote that post

I realized it was actually Creston but did not edit it. My brother regularly fmdrinks Miller High Life Lite. He calls it 'working man's beer' meaning you can drink a lot of it. I prefer a Belfian wheat or at least something with more hops.

[Nye Bevan]

24. Are you happy that your Head of State is the Queen of England?

Or would you prefer to abolish your monarchy in favor of a republic?

[Locut0s]

30. It's become a thing of pride for most of us. Maybe not so much in Quebec...

We don't think of her so much as head of state really so much as just an icon that has become part of our national image. It would be a big shift in terms of our national identity to ditch her as head of state and frankly I don't think most would see much benefit in it. And there's the fact that most don't want us to become any more Americanized. No insult intended

[cherokeeprogressive]

26. Can I get there from here?

[Locut0s]

37. All roads lead to Ottawa. Warning some roads more hazardous than others.

[Bannakaffalatta]

97. what do you mean, some?

Remember, we have two seasons: winter and road construction.

[Locut0s]

134. I meant I have no idea where cherokeeprogresive lives but...

But I'm sure no mater where he lives there is a way to get here. But the roads under the pacific and Atlantic are, a bit soggy.

[KitSileya]

28. What's worth doing on Vancouver Island as a tourist?

We're contemplating another trip there, as last time we were pressed for time, and only got to see Victoria and Buchart Gardens (sp?)

[Locut0s]

42. I'm afraid I'm not one to ask about Vancouver Island. I personally don't think...

There is a lot to do there. But don't tell any islanders I said so, they will come looking for blood If I were planning a trip I'd spend time in Vancouver wining and dining, great restaurant scene. Do the West End, Stanley park and the local mountains. Then head into the valley to see the Okanogan for wine tasting country.

[Art_from_Ark]

48. Hey, there's always Tea Time at the Empress Hotel in Victoria

$12 for tea and scones when I was there.

And then there's the famous "English Towne" residential district of the city, where the houses look like, well, houses.

The BC parliament (or provincial assembly, or whatever they call it) building in Victoria is kind of interesting.

And the ferry ride between Tsawassen and Vancouver island is neat because of all the little pine-covered islands

[Locut0s]

53. So much EXCITMENT, can't take it all! Brain o-ver load..ing.

They ain't got nothing on this:

https://www.google.ca/search?rlz=1C1CHFX_enCA469CA469&q=things+to+do+in+vancouver&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.46226182,d.cGE&biw=1306&bih=1447&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=aYyIUe-aKuj2iwL9lYHoBQ

again don't tell them I said so, those islanders have beady eyes

[u4ic]

170. You're looking at $48 per person for high tea

I am not aware of English Town, do you mean James Bay, which is the second oldest European settlement on the west coast, second to only to San Fransisco? Did you take a carriage ride through it?

The BC Legislature is beautiful at night, lights up every night. Tours during the day.

[Art_from_Ark]

190. It was called "English Town" in my tourist guide

It could have been James Bay. At any rate, I did not know of any carriage ride, I just followed the walking instructions, which took me to a residential area that was on the other side of the BC Legislature building from the Empress Hotel.

As for the Legislature building itself, I was there when it was all lit up for the Christmas season, and I believe there was a very large Christmas tree inside the building. It was very impressive.

[u4ic]

192. That sounds like James Bay

Behind the Legislature - lots of colourful old Victorian Houses? Don't know if you saw Emily Carr House, it would have been in the area. Yep, that's James Bay. The best place to live, but I'm biased.

I had a friend and her boyfriend travelling all over the world visiting here, and when she saw it, she just squeaked "it looks like a castle! They're both European, I didn't expect such an enthusiastic reaction. (Two real castles here, Craigdarroch, not very far from the Leg, and Hatley, a drive to another smalle city.

Yes, the BC Legislature and the Royal BC Museum next door look spectacular during Xmas, as does downtown. But - with no snow (rare), you've gotta put people into the mood (esp to shop), and appeal to the visitors that still arrive because it's too friggin cold on the Prairies.

[Art_from_Ark]

200. There actually was a bit of snow when I was there

Not enough to impair driving but enough to make it seem "Christmassy". It added a nice touch to the park behind the Royal BC Museum.

I don't remember seeing the Emily Carr House. It sounds like I didn't venture deep enough into that district.

Anyway, speaking of Victoria, I was at an informal talk at a university once that was being given by a professor from U-Vic. He was talking about his experiences in Japan, which I had visited just previous to that. Anyway, he started talking about Hokkaido, and his summer trip to the Sea of Okhotsk. He mentioned that some of the locals had told him that the sea was covered with ice floes in the winter, but he thought they might be pulling his leg. It just so happened that one of the places I had visited in Japan on my own trip was extreme northern Hokkaido, where I had bought some post cards, some of which showed, you guessed it, ice floes. And by the sheerest coincidence, I just happened to have one of those post cards handy. So after his talk, I went up to him and presented him with a post card showing ice floes. "Sir, this is the Sea of Okhotsk in winter!" He got a big kick out of that

[Locut0s]

207. Odd that a professor at a University would doubt...

would doubt something so mundane sounding. It's pretty common knowledge that some bays and rivers semi freeze up during winter and become ice flows. In Greenland you in spring time I hear you can watch icebergs calving from the glaciers.

[Art_from_Ark]

212. He found it odd because the northern Hokkaido coast is at basically the same latitude as Vancouver

That would make them the southernmost regularly-forming ice floes in the Northern Hemisphere. And they don't just form in sheltered bays and rivers, either-- they essentially cover an entire sea, but by summer they have melted away completely. That's what makes them unusual.

[Locut0s]

214. Ahh I see. Didn't think about how far south that is. That is indeed unexpected then.

[u4ic]

237. We get a bit of snow once in a while

None this year, thank goodness. I moved away from that shit!

I looked on a brochure to see if I could find anything that said "English Town", even asked a few people if they'd ever heard the term. There wasn't anything on the brochure nor did anyone ever hear that term before, but residential south of the Legislature is definitely James Bay. Perhaps the tourism board thought English Town sounded more appealing to visitors. (there is an Old Town, New Town - again, locals don't use those terms)

Some profs are far removed from reality! That should have been easy to look up if he had any questions about the locals information - glad you gave him the correct info with proof.

There is the Centre for Asia Pacific Studies (capi) at Uvic - last year they had a wonderful (free) night of Bunraku, Japanese puppetry. I loved it - what a rare treat it was!

[KitSileya]

49. LOL I won't tell if you don't :)

I wouldn't mind another visit to Vancouver - last time, we went to the Sun Yat Sen Gardens - lovely!

We're also contemplating Banff, but the only thing I know about Banff is that it's in Alberta.

[Locut0s]

55. Ohh Banff is beautiful. Especially if you can make the drive up to it through BC!!

https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Banff&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&ei=CY2IUa3xOsOQiQKh2YC4DA&biw=1306&bih=1447&sei=DY2IUfbVKsioiQLXkoGABg

Uhh about Alberta, they are the Texas, Alabama (etc..) of Canada Oil country, cows, conservatives. Actually probably not nearly as bad as the bible belt. And like the bible belt, lots of natural beauty too from what I hear.

[grasswire]

73. which do you prefer? Banff CP hotel, or Prince of Wales, Waterton?

Hmm?

[Locut0s]

79. Sorry you'll have to rely on other sources here. Never stayed in either...

Few times we've been to Banff we usually camp or stay in some really cheap hotel.

[grasswire]

121. oh, I meant for stunning beauty, not amenities.

I have not stayed in the CP hotel in Banff either. But I have admired its setting and beauty!

I have stayed at Prince of Wales in Waterton. It's all in the gorgeous vistas, otherwise it's a typical National/Provincial Park hotel.

I was in Banff as a child, and recall fondly going to the Hudson's Bay store which, then, was not a department store as we know them today. Oh, and that was in the era when you could park your car at the edge of the town dump and watch the bears getting dinner.

[u4ic]

171. I personally love Waterton

Nowhere near as touristy as Banff. Or, during the summer, you can drive up 15 min up the highway to Canmore and get better hotel deals than the hostel in Banff. I kid you not.

Jasper Park Lodge is also another beautiful one, in Jasper of course. As lovely as Banff is, I stay away from it because of the extreme touristy aspect. Drive from Jasper on the Icefields Parkway to Banff. Stunning scenery. It's only about 300 km, but lots of beautiful stops all the way will make it an 8 hr day easily. Sunwapta and Athabasca Falls, the Columbia Icefields, Bow Lake...can't remember everything that there is to see. The Icefields have a wonderful interpretative centre.

[grasswire]

188. you forgot Lake Louise.

Touristy, yes. But beautiful.

I have been out on the Athabasca glacier in a snow cat. That was very cool.

I also recall an aerial tram. Maybe that was at Jasper?

[u4ic]

191. Not at all

If we're talking about Waterton Lakes vs Banff, we're talking National Parks here, not towns. While Banff is also a town within the National Park, Waterton Lakes isn't (Waterton village is, but it's not on the same level as the town of Banff or even Jasper).

Lake Louise is the most photographed place in Canada, it's known worldwide. When someone from outside of Canada envisions us, it's usually an arctic scene (which of course is in the arctic, not all of Canada) or Lake Louise. If someone is visiting Banff (either the town or the National Park), they are heading to Lake Louise as well (but may well not go up to Jasper National Park), the two are irrevocably linked in a tourists mind. (just to clarify, I lived in the province for two decades and worked for a stint with AB Tourism in the research dept, back before the internet was readily available. Even moreso today, do a google image search for Canada and a myriad of pics of Lake Louise show up. I believe Peggy's Cove is the second most photographed)

It was a real eye opener - and a travesty - last time I was at the glacier. It looked to have receded at least half a km from the 1982 marker. Don't know if you could have seen it from the tourist vehicle, but on foot it was very apparent. I don't know if they still have info about climate change in the Interpretive centre and on the walk since this anti-scientific, right wing Bush wanna be gov't got into power. Scientists are being muzzled.

There are gondolas in both Banff and Jasper National Park, so it could have been either one.

[grasswire]

199. when we took the snow cat out onto the glacier...

.....we were allowed to get out and tramp around for a bit.

How cool to have worked in the AB Tourism unit.

[u4ic]

236. Southern Alberta and the Rockies were an easy sell

Central and Northern...not so much. LOL (if you've been there you'll know what I mean. Drive 300 km to see our giant mall!)

[NancyDL]

93. Uh... about Alberta?

There's quite a bevy of arch-conservatives south of Calgary, that's true. Nevertheless, we have great education systems (at all levels), wonderful Medicare, spend more per capita on the social safety net than any other province (in spite of being conservative), and have no sales tax. Not to mention, the province is beautiful and friendly. I came here by accident 25 years ago, but I'm so glad I did. 8-)

[Locut0s]

135. I'm just ribbing you guys. I'm sure it's great, but you guys still do...

Have the image of Canada's conservative stronghold.

[u4ic]

172. Considering all the mainlanders who come here for the weekends

There must be something.

[grasswire]

69. tea at the Empress is traditional nt

[Nay]

114. Go up to Port McNeil and arrange a boat trip to Knight's Inlet on the mainland to see grizzlies

and eagles. Hair raising and beautiful. It was the highlight of our many trips to Vancouver Island.

(Sorry to butt in, Locut0s, couldn't resist.)

[Locut0s]

168. Sounds nice.

(Sorry to butt in, Locut0s, couldn't resist.)

Not at all, be my guest. I don't know that much about things to see and do on the island, despite living next to it for decades.

[lpbk2713]

32. Tip much?

Eh?

[Locut0s]

43. Wat? Do we tip much?

[CK_John]

34. When will BC become the state of New Columbia?

[Locut0s]

44. When New England becomes just New.

Edit... Wait did you say STATE? NEVER!!!

[CK_John]

52. It's just a matter of time.

[Locut0s]

56. I'll be moving to Europe when it does. I'm serious. I love you guys down there but...

I don't want to become part of your country

[DreamGypsy]

36. Is it true that the name of your country came from an attempt to choose a TLA...

...that is, three letter acronym, like USA...for your homeland.

An official drew the first letter out of the hat:

'C', aaa
then the next 'N', aaa,
then the next 'D', aaa.

I am not ridiculing Canadian speech peculiarities. I was told this story/joke by a native Toronton.

[Locut0s]

47. I'll take some of what your Torontonian friend was smoking...

No it's actually a mistranslation of a native american, Iroquois to be exact, word which means village or place.Jacques Cartier, an early French explorer, used the name to refer to not just the native villages but the entire area at the time.

[applegrove]

74. I read in a book my parents had that

the Spanish used to call the east coast of Canada " Cap di nada" (cape nothing) back 500 years ago. Because to them it had none of the riches they were finding in the rest of the Americas. Don't know if it is true. Perhaps old spanish maps would prove it.

[thelordofhell]

38. You know what the best version of Hamlet ever put on film is..............

&NR=1&feature=fvwp

[Marrah_G]

39. So we have Canadian Bacon here in the states

Do you have American Bacon up there?

[Locut0s]

62. lol. I never thought of there being a real difference till I just looked it up.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090419163705AAr6zyf

It's always just BACON FEED ME to me.

[Marrah_G]

65. hehe!

[laundry_queen]

89. I've never heard of anyone calling

regular bacon American bacon. It's just bacon. And Canadian bacon is called 'back bacon' here. So we have bacon and back bacon. That's it AFAIK.

[Marrah_G]

90. Back bacon?

Comes from the pigs back?

And to be honest, I was mostly just teasing when I asked the question

[laundry_queen]

91. LOL I have no idea

that's just what we've always called it...and I assumed you weren't 100% serious...but thought I'd chime in anyhow. I love bacon.

[MattBaggins]

111. Get an American, an Aussie, a Brit and a Canuck

at the breakfast table and each will complain about the others "Bacon".

Belly, Back or Loin
Sugar or no sugar
Light salt or heavy salt
Cured and smoked or just cured

Hint: American belly fat, sugar/salt cured and maplewood smoked beats the others hands down.

[thatgemguy]

112. It's not Canadian Bacon

It's called Peameal Bacon... At least that's this American's observation.

[longship]

41. I have fond rememberances of Toronto in the sixties.

Did you ever go to Grossman's Tavern just off the corner of Queen and Spadina, IIRC?

90 cent dinners. Dollar jugs of beer. Live New Orleans jazz -- Kid Bastion Camellia Band (sp?). Never left the place hungry or sober. And the tunes would be wonderful ear worms for many days.

Those were the days.

[Locut0s]

64. My understanding is if you remember stuff from the 60s you weren't doing it right.

But I digress, that's before my time.

And Toronto is my father's stomping ground not mine. I'll have to ask him about this, thanks. Sounds fun!

[Art_from_Ark]

72. While you're at it,

ask your father about Honest Ed's in Toronto (near the Bloor/Yonge intersection, I think).Talk about a shopping... experience

[Locut0s]

80. Oh yes I know of Honest Eds' still there apparently...

I don't remember going there but apparently I've been. Seems like Vegas strip meets dollar store

[Art_from_Ark]

85. That was the only dollar store I've ever seen

with armed guards standing on the exit side of the cash registers

[Tikki]

46. We went camping in British Columbia and we had an amazing time...

and snacked on lots of different Kerr's. But Kerr's is super expensive in the States.




Tikki

[Locut0s]

66. Kerr?

A google image search brings up only pics of a Miranda Kerr, and from the looks of her I wouldn't mind snacking on... um sorry I lost my train of thought. What are Kerrs?

[laundry_queen]

71. I'm thinking candy. nt

[Locut0s]

81. Ahh I see. Ok. Yes I know the brand. I don't normally associate it with Canada though..

Maybe that's just me?

[laundry_queen]

84. No, me either. It was a guess though.

Although maybe we just take it for granted because it's everywhere here. We just assume it must be in the US too.

[Tikki]

115. Kerr's is in the my area of SoCal in limited selection and is very expensive...

It is definitely Canadian and yummy good.


Tikki

[Bluenorthwest]

106. It is a Canadian company over 115 years old

Not much of their product here outside the specialty shops, same places I'd go to get UK brands or Aussie stuff might have some Kerr's.

[Deep13]

57. How is it that you folks do just about everything better than Americans?

Health care, crime control, democracy, beer, uses for duct tape, not being psychopaths, etc.

[Locut0s]

68. Nah we don't do much better. It's just that you do things worse ;)

Sorry had to rub it in. Statistically speaking though it's kind of true, we aren't all that amazing here. Of the things you listed:

Health care - most democracies have it about as good as we do. Some better.

crime control - It's getting more violent here in Canada. Much of Europe is MUCH safer.

democracy - The only advantage we have is the 3 party system. And... the not psychopath thing you menton. But lots of democracies have multiparty systems. I think Germany does it better for example.

beer - I actually prefer European beers to ours.

uses for duct tape - Ok you have me here. We Do do this best,

not being psychopaths - again, it's the contrast. MOST places aren't quite as... um... Bipolar.

[GoCubsGo]

117. Actually, we have some pretty damn good beers here in the US.

Many of our smaller breweries produce beer that is as good, if not better than anything the Canadians, Europeans and Aussies put out. Don't judge us solely by the crap the big mass-producers like Coors and A-B put out.

[Deep13]

120. true. nt

[LeftInTX]

58. Is marijuana legal?

[Locut0s]

70. As good as. Though somehow you beat us to the punch.

Well Washington and Colorado anyway. How the fuck did you guys legalize it before we did? Congrats

Yeah no cop is going to stop you from smoking it even out in the open so long as you aren't a dick about it. Technically it's not legal, and technically they could stop you though. I smell it all the time downtown.

[limpyhobbler]

60. Who is or was Tim Horton?

[Locut0s]

75. Canadian hockey player and businessman who opened up a chain of coffee houses...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Horton

He died in a car crash at 44. Said chain grew to almost define us as a nation then was bought out by a big US conglomerate. Story of our lives of late it seems

[limpyhobbler]

78. Chin up Canada. You have these things...

[Locut0s]

82. I just threw up in my mouth a bit. nt :P

[limpyhobbler]

86. Sorry, I thought you guys all ate those for breakfast?

I guess Canadians are not such a monolithic group after all

DU can be so educational sometimes.

[laundry_queen]

88. You'd think if they were going to put bacon on a maple donut

They'd at least make it Canadian bacon.

[Art_from_Ark]

95. You can get the bad taste out of your mouth with these

[Nay]

116. Are those....Nanaimo bars????

[Locut0s]

136. Nanimo Bars. Somehow they managed to make something sweeter than pure sugar...

Last edited Wed May 8, 2013, 04:04 AM - Edit history (1)

Every time I bite into one of those I'm hit with a rush of sugar I don't get from anything else, Lol.

[GoCubsGo]

119. Can Tim's still make a proper cruller?

I always looked forward to a trip to Tim Horton's whenever I visited Canada. I knew that when I bit into their cruller, it wasn't going to be a cake doughnut that is shaped like a cruller.

[Locut0s]

137. Tim's wasn't as big here out west till recently...

They started to make their big push about the time they were bought out by Wendys. I honestly haven't grown up on Tims like the guys out east so I couldn't say really.From my more recent ( past 10 to 15 years) experience with their donuts and baked goods I'd say they are pretty good though. But it's not the kind of thing I personally would get addicted to the way some do.

[MADem]

153. Tim Horton's has crossed the border. Wendy's bought them out? Wow.

There's been one in Houlton Maine for eons. There's over seven hundred of them in USA now...who knew!

Stores
As of January 1st, 2012, Tim Hortons had 4,014 systemwide restaurants, including 3,295 in Canada, 714 in the United States and 5 in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The first U.S. Tim Hortons location was opened in Amherst, New York in 1985. The 500th location opened in Detroit, Michigan in 2008.
Tim Hortons restaurants can be found in 11 states:
Delaware
Indiana
Kentucky
Maine
Maryland
Michigan
New York
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Virginia
West Virginia
New York state has the most locations, with more than 200

http://www.timhortons.com/us/en/about/us-facts.html

They remind me a bit of Dunkin Donuts...I don't patronize them very often, because I know that fast food is not good for me!

[Locut0s]

166. As user "the devil" pointed out to me they have been repatriated as of 2009.

[Nay]

232. Holy shit, there's a Timmy's here in VA?? Must go look up where. nt

[laundry_queen]

148. That's about the only doughnut they can make that's good.

I love Tim's coffee, but not a big fan of their food. I do like the crullers though. And the apple cheese danish.

[whistler162]

132. A great, only, place to get Thanksgiving dinner

in Toronto.

[the devil]

139. Tim Hortons is Canadian...

Back in 1995, Tim Horton's made a deal to merge with Wendy's. This allowed Tim Horton's to expand into the United States. However, as of July, 2009, Tim Horton's became a stand alone company and is now owned by Canadians once again.

[Locut0s]

165. Wow thanks for the info, shows what I know. Good to hear :P

[MADem]

183. Who knew you could get Tim Hortons in Kandahar? Or Oman?

Or a Spar over the pond?

As of 1 July 2012, Tim Hortons has 4,071 restaurants, including 3,355 in Canada, 745 in the United States, 20 in United Arab Emirates and 3 in Oman.[9]

Tim Hortons' international presence includes outlets in the United States (including one opened in Detroit and owned by former NBA player Derrick Coleman) and one that was on a military base outside Kandahar, Afghanistan.[10][11][12] Two more outlets are located in military bases at Fort Knox, Kentucky,[13] and Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.[14] Tim Hortons' other international expansions include a small outlet at the Dublin Zoo. Tim Hortons also made a deal with the Spar convenience store chain in the UK and Ireland, resulting in Tim Hortons coffee and doughnuts being sold at small self-service counters in 50 Spar stores as of 30 April 2007.[15]....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Hortons

Full of interesting tidits, this link!!!

[LittleBlue]

61. Fond memories of Vancouver in the early 90s

Haven't been since.

The homeless were very memorable. I was a kid and asked my mom why half the city slept outside. Never seen so many in my life before or since.

[Locut0s]

76. Yeah we have an issue with homelessness. Many factors at work...

Last edited Tue May 7, 2013, 02:28 AM - Edit history (1)

It's a small densely populated city that's very wealthy for its size. LOTS of money constantly flowing in from abroad, mostly Asia. Vancouver is consistently rated as the #1 city in the world to live and so our real estate prices sadly reflect that. Can't buy a detached home of ANY kind within 15mins of the city for less than $800,000 (down from over a million) and that's mostly just for the lot. Lots of energy in this city for young up and coming start ups and businessmen, new tech companies popping up all the time. It's a success driven city. The side effect of that is burn out and what do you do when you aren't successful. Well for one you can't afford to live here very easily.

Second Vancouver has Canada's mildest climate so a LOT of homeless people move here from out east. You can seriously live on the streets here 365 without worrying too much about exposure, unlike much of the rest of the country. I talked to quite a few homeless people when I worked in retail downtown, many of them said they moved here or knew homeless friends who moved here because of the climate.

Then of course you have the lower east side. It's just a cluster fuck of drunkenness, mental problems, and drug addiction. It's not really dangerous there like a US ghetto but the homeless there just spill out into the streets and you have to be careful driving that you don't hit someone. That kind of neighbourhood breads more of the same problem.

There are many other reasons too of course.

[rdharma]

63. WhoTF was Thierry la Fronde?

And why did he like to smack Englishers with stones?

[Locut0s]

77. Wut? Oh I see. French TV show from the 60s...

Before my time I'm afraid. Never heard of it till you mentioned it. Has a Robin Hood like quality to it from what I can see. Interesting.

[rdharma]

124. As a wee lad I loved that show.

I made my own slings. I accidently shattered some poor lady's rear car window. That put an end to my slinging career.

Next question......... Who won the war of 1812? I heard the Americans did!

[sakabatou]

92. Is it true that there are redneck-eque jokes about people from Alberta?

[Locut0s]

138. Yes, though it's more tongue in check than anything. Alberta has long been...

Alberta has long been our most conservative province. They are resource wealthy from oil (especially now with the tar sands boom) and they have long had something of a cow boy culture. They are sort of the Texas of Canada. But as one poster farther up makes it clear they actually have a very strong social welfare net, very good medicare and excellent schools so it's a different flavour than in the US. But yes you will find more conservative, family value, narrow minded types there than elsewhere. But it's not really Bible Belt like.

[sakabatou]

147. I asked because when I took a trip to Montreal

there was a joke about Alberta.

[jambo101]

94. Whats up with Quebec wanting to separate from Canada?

Does the rest of Canada have any say in whether Quebec stays or goes? as it appears to me if Quebec has a yes vote on a separation referendum they are outta there.
Also why does the Canadian government allow/tolerate Quebec basically continuing to eradicate the English language and culture that once thrived in Quebec through the use of draconian language legislation?.

[laundry_queen]

103. The answer to last last sentence

is because once upon a time the Canadian government tried to eradicate the French language and culture that thrived in Quebec (and tried to eliminate it across Canada - my own mother experienced it in schools in the '50s and 60's - her family's first language was French but they weren't allowed to learn it in school). I think it's a bit OTT to say that trying to preserve French is 'draconian' (and I have Anglophone relatives in Montreal). Yes, there are bureaucrats that have fucked up, but overall it's an effective way of helping to maintain the language.

As for a yes vote - not sure what would happen. I guess it would depend on how the referendum question was worded.

[Locut0s]

141. Quebec has a very unique and distinctive culture. And Canada is a lot less bilingual...

a lot less bilingual than you might think. Quebec and New Brunswick are the most solidly bilingual provinces, by which I mean the ones that embrace the french side of Canada the most. The other provinces do to a much lesser degree. French is a mandatory class in schools up to about grade 10 across Canada but especially here out west you don't meet many people who considers themselves bilingual (French, English that is). For example living here in Vancouver I can't remember the last time I actually heard someone speak French. All government documents, forms and signs are bilingual of course but again in much of the country it's just English. It really does feel like a divided country culturally. It get's more bilingual as you go east but even then only to a point. Many Quebecers are fiercely proud of their heritage, culture and language and feel unwanted as part of Canada. That's probably where the sentiment originated from. Over the years the separatist movement has waxed and waned and so has the political attempts to better unify the country. I really think it's something that's more part of the old guard though. I don't think most of the younger generation in Quebec feel anywhere nearly as strongly about the issue.

EDIT: Also see laundry_queen's post above which I'm not as familiar with.

[Tyrs WolfDaemon]

96. Is it true that Canada is preparing to invade Mexico using Vampiric Sasquatches?

and as long as you are answering questions - Ages ago the Vatican stole a very important item belonging to my family. You wouldn't happen to know where they are keeping it?


Thanks for letting me ask!

[Locut0s]

142. *Shhhh* *Shifty eyes*...

Come closer and for gods sake lower your voice...


That's not something we talk about in public.


As for your important family heirloom I'll ask the pope at my next personal meeting with him, let's see, right, next Saturday.

[snooper2]

98. I follow some Canadian YouTubers, is Lucan Ontario really redneckland?

[Locut0s]

143. I actually know nothing about this. Hmm will have to look this up. nt.

[Sancho]

99. Why do Canadians driving in FL get in the left lane and go slow?

And also, why do they form Canadian road blocks where they drive side by side across three lanes all going 50 on the highway...and don't look in the mirror or even notice that they've driven 4 miles with 20 cars lined up behind trying to get around them?

[lpbk2713]

109. It's fairly easy to spot them from a distance and thus avoid them.

Just look for cars driving for several miles with their turn signal on.

[Locut0s]

144. Probably old fogies down there to soak up some sun and retirement? I don't know...

That isn't a Canadian driving habit, that's for certain. Why are there a lot of Canadians in FL anyway??

[Nay]

229. They're snowbirds. They come every winter, and have been coming ever since I was a tot

and that was 60 years ago. My Quebecoise mom was always happy to see them! They are all just trying to get out of the cold winters.

[Blue_Tires]

100. Why are the Canucks and Canadiens mired in playoff suck?

is that plan to move a failing NHL franchise to Quebec ever going to become a reality??

Oh yeah, what are the women like up there?

[Locut0s]

145. I'm actually not a big hockey fan *Shhh* don't tell my fellow Canadians...

they will hand me in effigy

I don't know why, but yeah my father has been watching the Canucks in the playoffs, and yeah... It's not a pretty sight Only time I've really been a hockey fan was during the Olympics. You should have seen this city when we won the gold. Haven't seen that many Canadian flags (and screaming) in my whole fucking life.

The women are HOT her in Vancouver We are considered the California of the north here, for several reasons. I hear good things about the women in other provinces too

[Sanity Claws]

101. Have you ever eaten caribou?

I remember trying it when I went to the Vancouver Fair in 1986 but don't remember what it tasted like.

[Locut0s]

146. Thankfully no. Though actually I imagine it might not be bad. nt

[HughBeaumont]

102. Have you ever spoken to, or heard of, this person?

The Canadian relative/friend(s) which every American conservative seems to either know or have heard of that have been a) wronged by the Canadian health system or b) forced to come to America for "life-threatening" surgery to "avoid the long waiting lists".

[Locut0s]

154. I've actually heard of such people, but don't know any...

The long wait lists aren't a non issue so there ARE stories run in local papers sometimes of someone who needs leg surgury or something and hasn't gotten it in 6 months or something. But they aren't common and I don't know anyone or know anyone who knows anyone like this.

I personally don't think the Canadian health care system is the best model in the world necessarily. Though I'd still kill to keep it. I think several European countries have done it better. It's interesting that American conservative rarely talk about the German health care system for example.

[HughBeaumont]

175. Well, there are reasons for that.

a) Most American conservatives are seriously history, politically and current-event challenged. The German health care system is not only multi-payer, it's one of the oldest such institutions and models in the world for single-payer. Plus, this fact will burn them succinctly: It was devised in part by Otto Von Bismarck primarily so Germans WOULDN'T join the budding Socialists. But since they think in absolutes, there is never a happy medium with them; i.e. "it's either THIS Free Market Economy OR North Korea. It's either THIS system of health insurance or . . .. that one that makes me pay for people I don't want to pay for, because I have no clue as to how private insurance works and FREEDOM!"

It's kind of this same reasoning that they compare America's poor to Djibouti's and DRC's poor instead of, say, Sweden and France's poor.

b) Canada's a closer and easier example for that "Friend of a Friend who had to go to 'murica" crap. No one would believe them if they were talking about "knowing someone from Germany who came here . . . ."

c) While single payer systems do have their problems, they're all still multiple light-years better than the uncaring for-profit cowpile of a health insurance nightmare America wastes it's money on year after year with relatively zero ROI. Let's not lose sight of that fact.

[grasswire]

122. I'd like to know that about the Newfies too.

People have told me that they are the salt of the earth; wonderful folks.

[laundry_queen]

149. They are

Every Newfie I've met (including my best friend) is absolutely warm, friendly and fucking hilarious I can't wait to eventually make a trip to the rock.

[Locut0s]

155. That's all true from what I know of Newfies. It's also WHY they are made fun of...

It's a pretty lame joke though that for the most part doesn't go anywhere. But it's precisely because they are the salt of the earth, friendly to a fault type, that gets them the country bumpkin label. That and they have a fairly strong accent, I actually quite like it:

[grasswire]

189. on you tube you can listen to Newfie musicians singing their...

...protest songs. Like sea chanties. Very touching and interesting!

[kentauros]

219. It's more than just being made fun of.

According to my past-wife, when they moved to Ontario, she was either held back a year, or the school wanted to, on the assumption that all Newfies are less-educated and dumber.

Now, I did hear from her that within Canada, the residents that were "most-hated" were those on P.E.I. I'm not sure why, so maybe you can elaborate

[NCTraveler]

105. How do Canadians overall view the native indians. Not saying they aren't Canadians.

You seem to have much larger and different "reservations". I have heard some stories about how wild and unfriendly they can be about their territories. Not that I blame them.

[Locut0s]

156. The Candian experiment with reservations has largely been a failure...

It's a sad result. I know American reservations have their own problems but from the little I know I think American natives have a better sense of ownership and empowerment. For example the Native American Casinos that you have in the states aren't something we have here. Gambling may not be the best thing morally to have developed and I have no doubt that they did so because it was one of their few avenues to success but it certainly has brought wealth and prosperity to many reservations in the states. There are some reservations here that are successful but the sad truth is that many many of them are poor ghetto like affairs out in the middle of nowhere where the young learn how to drink their lives away. There's a lot of resentment and deservedly so. Perhaps the only advantage of the reservations here is that they have allowed many of them to keep a fierce sense of pride and culture. The reservations also offer some very positive benefits to those who stay on the reservations, things like free education and the like but tying such benefits to having to stay on the reservations has lead to problems (again drugs and alcohol).

[NCTraveler]

180. I have heard from a friend of mine that it is a very different dynamic than that of the states.

My friend lives somewhat close to a reservation in Canada. He says that they are very territorial and it can be frightening for outsiders. He ended up making friends with one of them and they now fish on the reservation together. He told me that he would never even think about crossing their boundary without his Indian friend. They actually met while drunk, and pretty much stay drunk. Their two favorite activities are drinking and fishing.

My friend told me it is different with each reservation and you don't mess around with them until you become educated on their culture. Sometimes when one learns more about their culture, one would stay even further away. While he fishes with his new friend, he says he is not welcomed by the others on that reservation.

Thank you for your answer.

[kentauros]

107. Can you talk Newfie?

[laundry_queen]

150. Oh my jeezus

you got me drove wit'all your questions. I'll be after gitten you your answers when I durn well feel like it, gahd love ya.

[kentauros]

178. You sound like my past-wife!

She's a Newfoundland-born Ontarioan (though she lives in the states now), and can also speak Newfie

[Bluenorthwest]

108. I've spent lots of time working in Canada, also visting for fun. I like Canada.

Ontario is lovely right time of year, but I could live in Vancouver year round, such a great city one of my favorites globally. I've also been to places like Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia.
The food has historically been more sucky than lucious, Vancouver better than the rest of Canada food wise but still. Bland as a way of life.
Love the sense of humor, very exportable and wicked.
The territory that makes up Oregon and Washington was part of the British influence and even at the time Oregon became a US Territory, the majority of residents were Canadians out of BC, Oregon and Washington could easily have wound up Canadian, it was seriously considered, there were few Americans here at all. Had Britain expressed any interest, the US probably would have said 'just take it'.

[Locut0s]

157. Bad food, Vancouver? WTF? When was this that you visited?

Vancouver has become one of the culinary capitals of North America. Actually #1 on many lists:

http://www.amawestworld.ca/westworld/?/articles/six_culinary_capitals_in_canada/

[JaneyVee]

110. True or false, a denim jacket with denim shirt & denim pants is a Canadian Tuxedo?

[Locut0s]

158. True apparently, though I had to look that up.

Never seen the movie Super Troopers. Never heard the term. I like it though, lol.

[LeftinOH]

113. Go ahead and take Point Roberts, Washington. nobody will notice.

[Locut0s]

159. What's with those guys anyway?

Never been there but they have always been a bit of an oddity. Are they like, Candianized Americans? Or are the extra fiercely patriotic because of the separation? I'll have to take a trip there some day just for fun, though I bet there isn't much there.

[steve2470]

118. Are Canadians really polite in general or a myth ?

Exhibit A:

[Locut0s]

160. Ever notice people say that about just about every country? Ohh the people are SOOO nice there!

I suppose it's true in general, whatever that means lol. It depends on the topic of conversation I suppose. We break down culturally eat by west. Out west we are pretty similar to Washtonians, Oregonians, Californians, Toronto is sort of our Missigain / New York, Quebec is unique, and our farther east it get's more maritime. I think we break down in friendliness accordingly too.

[steve2470]

123. kick for answers lol nt

[DonCoquixote]

126. Here is one

why the Hell is Stephen Harper still in power?

Seriously, I used to like the idea of the Parliament, until I heard that the various left parties made up 60% of the vote, but were so divided Harper got the PM because he has the largest chunk of voters. Is that true?

[Locut0s]

161. 60% of the vote looking at it from an American perspective maybe but...

But to us Canadians to be left usually means you vote NDP or the Green Party which are is farther left parties than the Democrats in the US. The liberal party here is central left, but I think still a bit farther left than the Democrats I'd say. Then you have the Bloc Québécois which is a uniquely Quebec party supporting Quebec interests. Add ALL these parties together and you have your 60%, at least as per the last election. The Conservatives won with 37% of the vote in 2011. Yeah it sucks. Harper is a slime ball that I wouldn't trust with safety scissors. But he still can't touch certain sacred things like health care and the like. Though he's slowly eroding other things :'( Still , I'll take our system over yours (no insult intended).

[DonCoquixote]

130. on a lighter note

Which do you prefer: Labatt's, Molson, or Moosehead? I prefer Maudite from Quebec myself.

[Locut0s]

162. Local microbrews and other imports...

Heineken, Corona, Stella, and others.

[KamaAina]

131. What makes you hosers so doggone funny?

Aykroyd. Candy. Kids In The Hall. Frantics. and of course, Moranis and Thomas themselves, eh?

[Locut0s]

163. Living so close to you psychopaths? ;) I actually prefer the Brits...

But I know what you mean, a heck of a lot of the most famous "funny men" have Canadian roots. I don't know what it is. Something in the air I guess, I hope it's not anthrax.

Maybe it comes from the fact that we are heavily influenced by Americans but are just separate enough to be able to step back from the culture and take a different but familiar twist on it? Nah, it's got to be the Anthrax.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

151. Will you give me $1,000,000?

You said, " NOTHING is off limits".

[Locut0s]

164. Sure $1,000,000 Zimbabwe Kwacha, you didn't specify a currency.

Actually that's still just under $200 bucks.

[OneGrassRoot]

167. May I have a hug?

I thoroughly enjoyed this thread. Some of my favorite people in the world are in Canada.

Here's a hug for you. Hope you feel better soon. (Question #2: Why are you depressed? No worries if you'd rather not say).

[Locut0s]

173. *Great big bear hug*!...

I won't go into great detail as this is the wrong forum for that but basically I have a long history of depression and anxiety, an inherited genetic susceptibility, and probably most important my current life situation. I'm 31 live at home with/off my parents. Have been in and out of university 5 or 6 times (in between terms now but I dropped 2 classes). I've had very few if any real friends. I've never been romantically involved with anyone despite longing for such a relationship, not by choice (I have social anxiety). I've managed to work some retail jobs over the years in between school, one successful stint as an assistant manager for 3 years, but my emotional issues would inevitably resurface and ruin that too.

I've struggled somewhat with alcohol and binge drinking over the years. I know I have great potential buried in me as I'm intelligent and an A to A+ student most of the time even in difficult subjects. I love the arts and have some talent as a photographer, I've been told I should aspire to be an author, a scientist, among many things. I'm not trying to seem like I'm full of myself, that couldn't be farther from the truth. When push comes to shove though, I inevitably end up stressing out and having a breakdown. This past few months have been particularly difficult. I have deep seated issues with self hatred. Anyway looks like I HAVE talked too much. You can see some of my posts in the mental health sub group if you are interested, or PM me.

[OneGrassRoot]

174. ...

Thanks for sharing that, though I'm sorry you're experiencing these challenges. So many of us are dealing with chronic and/or situational depression (leading to social anxiety and other issues), these days that I'm sure many empathize with what you shared here.

I agree that you are an excellent writer. I hope you find a way to tap into your passions to help make daily life more tolerable.

Best wishes to you, Locut0s

[JHB]

176. Who's stronger: Tarzan or Flash Gordon?

I usually use that question as a non sequitur, but given your OP I have a chance to use it on-topic for once

[KamaAina]

185. Neither one is Canadian.

Therefore, the question is moot. Neither could possibly be as strong as, say, your average NHL defenceman.

[Locut0s]

223. Superman.

[LWolf]

179. Are you going to allow

neoliberals to take over Canada?

[Locut0s]

194. Not sure if you are joking or not but here that's actually a problem...

At least in BC. The conservative party here in BC basically fell apart and most of the people jumped ship and rebranded themselves as liberals. When you vote liberal in BC it's basically just the conservatives. They do a really shity job at hiding it even in their campaign ads.

[steve2470]

182. If you could change one thing about Canada, what would it be ?

Oh, my bad, perfection can't be improved on

[polly7]

184. Getting rid of *head Harper and his crew would be mine, of course. nt.

[u4ic]

187. Yep, mine too.

[Locut0s]

195. Yeah like my fellow Candians here said get rid of that sh!t head in office...

Besides that? Hmm... Would be nice if we could implement some of the social programs that they have in Scandinavia like free university.

[jambo101]

197. I'd start by throwing Quebec out of the union,

They dont want to be part of Canada,the voting majority dont like the English,
They take huge amounts in transfer payments and give precious little back.
http://nodogsoranglophones.blogspot.ca/

[struggle4progress]

193. Why do Canadians get so upset when I try to speak Spanish to them

or ask what part of Canada has all the kangaroos?

[Locut0s]

196. Make sure you end every sentence with "eh" when you speak to us too..

that's real popular and will make you tons of friends up here

[Danmel]

198. was king biscuit boy really the best blues harmonica player in all of Canada?

And do Canadians really go wild for maple?

[Locut0s]

208. I'm ashamed to admit I had to look him up...

I'm not the biggest music buff. Looking at his wiki page I'd assume he was the best, he payed with all the big names!

Maple Syrup? It's more of a tourist icon than anything. We certainly like it on our pancakes but it's more something outsiders identify us with than anything. It's not like it's a good staple, lol.

[LVdem]

201. Do you like the Sadies?

I think they're great.
Great musicians...

[Locut0s]

209. Who? Not a big music buff. Will look them up.

[riverbendviewgal]

203. where is the longest freshwater beach? it is nine miles long.

It is in Canada. It is my favorite beach and I have been to many beaches along then east coast of USA, Canada, all the coast of Florida and Alabama, miss. , San Diego and in england and ireland but this beach is my favorite.

[Locut0s]

210. Wasaga Beach. I know nothing of it though...

Sounds nice. I'll have to take a trip there if I'm out Ontario way in Summer.

[bluestate10]

204. What is this thing about Canadians and donuts? I happen to feel donuts up yonder are great. Oh,

I see now.

[Locut0s]

211. lol, yeah I don't know either.

[steve2470]

205. is flannel fashionable in Canada ?

Or was that just a 1990's grunge thing and/or confined to more rural precincts ?

[Locut0s]

213. I think it's more a rural thing. I see the occasional person wearing it...

but I wouldn't say it's more fashionable than anything else. But then I'm here out West were things are a bit different than Ontario and out east.

[rufus dog]

215. Why were new rules created for Canadian Football?

Although I like the bigger field I hate the three downs. Come on we didn't mess around with Hockey rules.

[Locut0s]

216. Not a football fan but apparently it has its origins in rugby...

Canadian football used to be much more like rugby and apparently has evolved over time to more closely match American football.

[hrmjustin]

217. When is the next Candian General Election going to be and who is the favorite to win?

[Locut0s]

218. Next Federal election will be in 2015...

It's difficult to say who's the favourite this far out. But the political machinery is already gearing up which is unusual this far out for Canada. A lot of that has to do with the excitement around Justin Trudeau, son of Pierre Trudeau, who is the new head of the Liberal party. People are hoping he will be able to resurrect the party from the dismal loss it suffered last election. There's still great nostalgia among the older generation for Pierre Trudeau and people are hoping that Justin will be able to play off that, so far it seems to be working to some degree. The NDP who got 2nd place last time seem to be still relatively strong but again it's too early to say. I think what most left leaning people here are worried about is a repeat of the last election where the NDP and Liberals will split the vote and allowed for a conservative victory. Sadly I wouldn't be surprised if this happened. As much as the left HATES Harper, Canada has done fairly well financially compared to others in the global meltdown, though he doesn't have much to do with that. People are reluctant to change ships when the general consensus is things are OK, even if behind the scenes Harper is slowly eroding our social fabric.

[hrmjustin]

220. Why doesn't the NDP and liberals join forces and make one party or agree to only challenge certain

seats? Are they that far apart on issues?

[Locut0s]

222. They aren't that far part on most things but you know its politics...

Egos are at stake, it's messy. There has been talk of them working together though. The main differences are that the NDP would spend a lot more on social programs and the liberals. Also it's been a long time since the NDP has actually formed a government and a lot of people don't trust them to run things all that well. They believe in their ideals but whether they can govern well, especially on topics like foreign relations is another issue. There have been a number of provincial disasters with the NDP that have damaged their image as well, though provincially and federally they are not quite the same.

[hrmjustin]

224. What about the quebec party, I saw they were down to just 2 seats? Are they going to come back?

[Locut0s]

225. In the short term I think there will always be a place for the Bloc...

They may never win much federally but they represent a position that is passionately felt by enough that they will always have a seat or two. They are a Quebec only party they get just about 0 votes outside the province. But Quebec makes up a large enough percentage of the total population of Canada that in times past they have been an important factor. Those days are largely gone IMO.

[hrmjustin]

226. I watched the election night coverage of Canada the last time around and it was very shocking.

The leaders of the liberal and quebec parties lost their seats. You don't see that happen often. It happened here in 2004 to the senate leader but it is not common.
Will Harper run again?

[Locut0s]

227. Yeah the sh!t head will run again :P

[hrmjustin]

228. Thanks for the info. I have a few more questions but I can't stay awake. I will ask tomorrow.

[Pharaoh]

230. What is the air velocity of an unladen swallow?

[Locut0s]

231. African or European?

[Pharaoh]

233. wot!! I don't know

That!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!

[Blue_In_AK]

235. Would you adopt Alaska?

Pretty please?

[Locut0s]

241. Only if you agree to take all the republicans living there...

It's an absolutely gorgeous state, but yeah it's sadly pretty red.

[Blue_In_AK]

245. Believe me, we're trying to turn this red state back to it's former blueness.

It's a tough fight against Big Oil's billions. Alaska used to be much nicer before the pipeline. My condolences to North Dakota.

[Logical]

239. Are the Trailer Park Boys popular up there. I love them. Crack me up! n-t

[Locut0s]

242. Yeah they are popular. Though they were much more so a few years back. nt

[akbacchus_BC]

240. Sorry to hear you are depressed, you must be living in TO!

and having to deal with Harper, hope you feel well soon as the weather is supposed to be nice!
Here is my question - we are having an election here in BC on May 14, whom do you think will win, Christy Clark or Adrian Dix? I have always been an NDP supporter.

Hope to hear from you!

[Locut0s]

244. Hello fellow BCer nope I'm a Vancouverite...

Where in BC are you?

I hope Andrian Dix wins. To be honest I'm not 100% sure if I trust the NDP to govern well provincially. My politics are NDP left but I'm a little weary of them after the last NDP provincial government. However Christy Clark is just the conservative party so there's no way I want to see her win.

[treestar]

243. Is it insulting to be called a hoser?

Politically incorrect or a prided nickname, like Aussie or Kiwi?