Special Canada Day Report: How Canada stole the American DreamThe numbers are in. Compared to the U.S., we work less, live longer, enjoy better health and have more sex. And get this: now we’re wealthier too.
After more than 20 years of talking about sex, Johanson knows that the stereotype of the Canadian as frigid northerner — who prefers ice hockey to other, more steamy pursuits — is far from true. The numbers agree: compared to our American cousins, Canadians have more sex, with more partners, in more creative ways. But the numbers also tell us that we have fewer teen pregnancies and we’re less likely to get sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)… [snip]… All in all, it seems we have more sex with fewer negative consequences because we’re less afraid of it. According to McKay, “countries with more liberal attitudes to sex tend to have lower teen pregnancy and STD rates.”
And here’s one of my favourite episodes of Cute with Chris
I went to get tomatoes for sandwiches. You know: the North Carolinian Delicacy of the Tomato Sandwich. I’m given to believe that some 0.000127183392 out of every 100 Americans have developed an illness in connexion with this fruit.
And for this… NATION-WIDE TERROR!
AND HIGHER FOOD COSTS!
Anyway…
So I bought some Tomatoes for a Tomato Sandwich.
And I discovered the source of our trouble: the tomatoes were labelled “Grown in Canada, Safe to eat!”
Clearly, our friends across the river have learned how easily frightened we are and have found a way to off-load some unwanted produce on a weaker neighbour.
In visiting Brodie, I’ve fallen in love with Kinder Surprise: these toys available in Canada - but not in the USA. I think the problem is they’re nothing but small parts. And, of course, they are hidden in chocolate eggs. In homage to what, I’m sure, is a fear of choking children, I usually but the entire egg in my mouth, let the chocolate melt and then spit out the plastic capsule that contains the tiny parts to the tiny toys.
I usually buy one or two any time we go to a corner shop. They cost about $1.50 US. Each toy is a very cute little puzzle of sorts: assemble them yourself following our easy-to-follow no-words instruction books. It’s like that. There are many pictures of Kinder toys on flickr, but because of lighting and lack of a tripod, I’m not getting good pictures of my collection.
Instead, I played with a kaleidoscope that I got out of one Kinder Egg - and I made these shots playing with the tiny kaleidoscope and various things around my room (you can click on ‘em for bigs): More
I’m asking a little help on behalf of my former housemate, Todd, who’s now living in LA. The economy tanked just as he arrived there to be with his fiancee so I’m doing a little West Coast networking.
I’ve got readers all over the world so I’m hoping for a little LA connexion. A friend of a friend? A cousin’s ex? Anyone?
He does graphic design (currently earning a degree in same) and that’s where he’d like to be. But he’s also good with tech - cables, machine support, etc. Worked installing/supporting cable in NC.
He’s been out there a couple of months and, at this point, he’s actually looking at standing the queue with all the day-labourers - which will make him very popular in LA, I’m sure.
If you have any help, let me know and I’ll get you in touch with him, or you can also find Todd Ricker on my facebook friends.
Feel free to pass this note along to anyone and everyone.
It’s making the rounds. It’s awesome: the message of “I don’t care what you think” is coupled not with (eg) political anarchists or sexual revolutionaries, but largely by total misfits. Miss South Carolina gets her revenge - as do several other folks for whom the internet has been a scourge. Also making appearances are screw ups who did totally stupid stuff and got to be famous for it. And there’s a cameo by Kelly and her Shoes.
The total triumph of hoi poloi. Ie: exactly what Christianity was about before it got Platonised, Romanised and Constantined.
The idea is to take Beethoven’s 9th Symphony and slow the playing down to make the thing 24 hours long - but to play it in pitch. It’s hauntingly beautiful. But I’ve never heard it all before because, well… it’s hard to get that much audio.
This is the self-ruled blog of an Christian attempting to follow God in the Way of Jesus... sometimes. I most identify with the Anglican and Liberal Catholic flavours.
I who have written this story, or rather this fable, give no credence to the various incidents related in it. For some things in it are the deceptions of demons, other poetic figments; some are probable, others improbable; while still others are intended for the delectation of foolish men. (Closing lines of the Táin Bó Cúalnge)
