Thursday Thirteen # 8 – Canada Has Its Own Day

With Canada Day on the Horizon

I thought it would be appropriate to provide a list

of surefire ways of knowing if you are Canadian or not, but I know that

I AM CANADIAN

for sure because………………

1. I not only have Canadian Tire money in my kitchen drawers I also keep it handy in the glovebox of my car for those impulse buys such as the campfire bench I bought there on Saturday.

2. I not only know what a Robertson screwdriver is but I also use one on a regular basis like the weekend in May when I took apart a sofabed so I could get it out of my trailer.

3. I can easily pay for my lunch just by using change – loonies and toonies. And I am constantly trying to get rid of my change due to the weight of my purse caused by said loonies and toonies.

4. I get very irritated when I spell words like honour, labour and colour and they are highlighted by my computer for being spelled incorrectly. Very irritated!

5. I am irate that they would even consider changing the theme song for Hockey Night in Canada. Tum te tum te tum…tum te tum te tum…

6. I have a friend who went to highschool in Ottawa with Alanis Morrissette.

7. I have followed closely the career of William Shatner.

8. I can sing our national anthem in two languages.

9. I start wearing shorts and sandals when the temperature goes above 0 degrees (celcius).

10. Watching curling on TV has me on the edge of my seat and one of my fave movies is called “Men with Brooms” – it was just on Showcase the other night!

11. One of my other fave movies (out on DVD last summer) is called “Bon Cop Bad Cop” – it is hilarious!

12. I am happy to stand in a lineup of 10 or more people at Tim Horton’s at 6:30am to get my daily extra large double cream.

13. I am very loyal to Canadian bands: The Guess Who, BTO, The Tragically Hip, Nickelback, Alexisonfire, Billy Talent, Blue Rodeo, Luke Doucet & White Falcon, Steppenwolf, Rush, Arcade Fire, Jeff Healey, Bare Naked Ladies and the King of them all – NEIL YOUNG!

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THURSDAY THIRTEEN #7

Thirteen Indicators that Your Almost 18 Year Old is Growing Up!

1. She is writing her final highschool English University level essay and asked me to edit it. (She’s never shown me any essay she’s ever written before on purpose! I may have accidentally peeked but that’s a different post.)
2. She tells me on the drive home from school that she’s looking forward to doing her homework tonight because of how good she’ll feel when it’s all done. (Yes, she is my daughter, I checked her DNA!)
3. She is gainfully employed. (In fact, she may have two jobs as she has another interview tomorrow.)
4. She postponed her driving test because SHE feels she needs more time to practise. (Hallelujah, praise the Lord!)
5. She has been going out with the same boy for over a year and he’s the first boyfriend since Gr. 9 four years ago when she chose them for their “cute” factor. (Not that this one isn’t cute, but he is also gainfully employed, also heading off to university in the fall, and wants to be a LAWYER!)
6. She told me not to buy water in plastic bottles anymore and carries a reusable water bottle.
7. After four years of spending her wages on cafeteria food and fast food lunches she now packs a lunch each day with fresh vegetables, fruit and yogurt. (Maybe I should get that DNA rechecked!)
8. She offers to do the dishes. Offers.
9. Anti-exercise all her life except for highland dancing, she now walks, jogs and goes to hot yoga. (Have aliens landed and I wasn’t informed?)
10. Wanting to keep up with world events she watches the news. (This is the same girl who thought Much Music was the only channel on TV. )
11. She told me the other day that if I was having a bad day or was having any problems that I could talk to her anytime if it would help. Awwwwwwwwwww!
12. She has cleaned up her room several times over the past few weeks WITHOUT me asking her to! This is MAJOR!!
13. She bought me a new set of plates because she felt bad about breaking one.

I’m sure more indicators will be forthcoming – I can’t wait until she can kills spiders on her own!

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Thursday Thirteen #7

Like the crazy canuck that I am

here are my belated vacation suggestions.

I am providing a list of the best hostels and locations in Canada.

Many of us will be sticking closer to home this summer due to the high cost

of petrol, so here are some economical yet fantastic places to stay.

Staying in a hostel isn’t just for teenagers. My daughter and I travelled

around Canada during her Highland dancing days and stayed at many of these

hostels for as little as $12.00/night, in a private room. While she was under twelve

my daughter stayed for free.

1. Riviere-du-Loup, Quebec: situated on top of a cliff overlooking the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. My daughter and I tried to go whale-watching while we were here but it was too foggy during our stay. (We were successful while staying on Cape Breton Island two years later!)
2. Why not stay in a heritage building in downtown Victoria, B.C. for as low as $18.00 a night. Do I sound like a travel agent? You won’t regret it!
3. Wentworth, Nova Scotia. Can I just say here that I love Nova Scotia with all of my heart, except for the part I will always reserve for Alberta (see #4)!
4. There is no place on earth more beautiful than “Kananaskis Country” unless its Nova Scotia (see #3)! This was the most rustic of the hostels I’ve stayed in and it was my favourite. My daughter and I played all day in the creek nearby creating a new tributary we named after ourselves (check out “Harrison Creek” when you visit!) all the while keeping one eye out for bears. I lived in Alberta for a year a lifetime ago and will never stop yearning to be back amid the magnificent Rockies.
5. Lennox Island is part of Prince Edward Island and is the place to visit if you enjoy sea-kayaking and inexpensive accomodations that are breathtakingly! ($20/night)
6. I can’t say enough about the quality of the Auberge de Jeunesse in downtown Montreal. We were attending a national competition at the Sheraton Hotel which was located only a block away. I think I paid $10.00 a night and my daughter stayed for free. Needless to say we had a lot more fun shopping than our friends who were paying $200+ at the Sheraton!
7. Can you believe this place? Located at Pointe-a-la-Garde on the shore of the Baie des Chaleurs on the Gaspe Peninsula (just across the bridge from Campbellton, New Brunswick) this castle-like hostel was quite the experience. We stayed in an octagonal tower room and ate every home-cooked meal in a banquet hall lit only by candlelight. Our host who built the castle with his father, cooked & served every meal himself (authentic Quebecois cuisine). Around the table guests were present from all over the world and many an interesting story was shared. Be prepared to hike and enjoy the amazing views. On our last night guests took turns spooking each other with scary tales while the seemingly pre-arranged thunder crashed and lightning flashed & then we dashed (sorry, couldn’t help myself!) back to our tower while the wind howled to find that the hydro had gone out – we shivered and huddled together for warmth and protection from the ghouls in our beds and agreed this was the best holiday ever!
8. You could stay in a doghouse in Quebec City and be happy, but luckily you don’t have to. This hostel was ranked in the top 3 of all North American hostels in 2005. If you are still pondering where to go this summer put Quebec City at the top of your list. This summer they are celebrating the 400th anniversary since the founding of the city. Sounds like a party to me!

9. Whale watching, canyonning, hot tubs on the beach, the very best of the Gaspe Peninsula close at hand. Spectacular! In winter, the mountains are close by for skiing and the hot tubs are still in use.
10. This hostel at Banff was newly built when I was there and top-notch. It has an excellent restaurant and so much to do close by. Hot springs, hiking around Lake Louise, cable cars up into the mountains, lots & LOTS of wildlife. You can’t go wrong visiting the Rockies.
11. What vacation in Canada would be complete without a visit to Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island? This hostel (home) is gorgeous – hardwood floors, cherry banisters, bay windows, home baking for breakfast – more like a cozy bed and breakfast.
12. Here’s a hostel I’d love to visit – the northernmost hostel in Canada located in Dawson City, Yukon. Go panning for gold, visit a gold mine, paddle the Klondike River, enjoy native arts and crafts. This is one place you won’t soon forget.
13. Edmonton, Alberta: we loved this hostel! And we loved Edmonton! My daughter was dancing at the West Edmonton Mall which is THE largest mall in North America and the 4th largest in the world. Not that I’m advocating malls but this place has an ice rink, a water park, a hotel, an amusement park complete with roller coaster, a submersible submarine, indoor golf, movie theatres, petting zoo (etc etc) and over 800 stores and services. My favourite part was Bourbon St. which is of course based on New Orleans. When you’re stuck in one location for a week with 100’s of children (dancers) this was a pretty entertaining spot.

Another cool reason for travelling to northern Canada in the summer is the longer days. I was able to sit outside in the hostel’s courtyard reading past 10 o’clock at night. I really appreciated that after long days of entertaining the kiddies!

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Thursday Thirteen #6

The TOP THIRTEEN Albums of the 1960’s

brought to you by the TOP FIVE (Yes, only Five) BANDS of the l960’s

This is NOT based on anyone’s opinion, but rather album sales,

so don’t BLAME ME if you’re fave 60’s band isn’t represented.

And if you didn’t already know

THE BEATLES RULED THE 60’s!

13. Blood, Sweat and Tears: Sold over 3,000,000 copies. You can click on my favourite song titles to go back in time 4 decades. My favourite from this album is: “And When I Die” . This video is from a 1970 tour in Japan complete with Japanese sub-titles!
12. Crosby, Stills & Nash: this album sold over 4,000,000 albums (and this was pre-Neil Young!) My favourite song on this album is Suite: Judy Blue Eyes and the video is an amazingly good clip from Woodstock 69.
11. Meet the Beatles: Later released as With the Beatles this album sold 5,000,000 copies. I have a lot of favourites on this album, but I’ll go with “I Saw Her Standing There” as it was the best one to wiggle your hips to. I still know all the words by heart. Awwwwww. This video is from the live performance on the Ed Sullivan Show (which I watched as an 8 year old – completely swooning!) Sound isn’t so great – you can hear John attempting to harmonize.
10. Revolver: More Beatles selling again over 5,000,000 copies. Released in l966, two years after Meet the Beatles but so much more sophisticated. Fave song: “Eleanor Rigby”
I chose America Idol contestant David Cook’s version of this song as I am picking him to win it all!

9. The Monkees: Released in 1967 when I was 11 and I fell in love with another bass player – Mike Nesmith (#1 of course Paul McCartney). I loved The Monkees I am not ashamed to say. My fave on this album “Last Train to Clarksville” and the video is from their self-entitled TV show which I used to watch every Sunday night at my grandma’s house because we couldn’t get the channel at my house. Dedicated huh?
8. More of the Monkees: Released in l967 to take advantage of their popularity I imagine this album sold more than 5,000,000 copies including the one I still have in the basement. So many great songs – I’ll go with “(I’m Not Your) Steppin’ Stone” – this version is from their l967 tour.

Either they were badly stoned or the sound is distorted?

7. Rubber Soul: What an album! Released in l965 it sold in excess of 6,000,000! Wowzer! Tough to pick just one but here it is: “Drive my Car”

6. Magical Mystery Tour: The Beatles yet again with another 6,000,000 copies sold in l967 – can you say cagillionaire? I have chosen “Baby You’re a Rich Man” to symbolize their, well, riches!

5. Led Zeppelin I: No l960’s list would be complete without a little Led Zep. Their first album sold a mere 10,000,000 copies, not too shabby. “Good Times Bad Times” represents their short tenure as a band yet their lasting fame. 4. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – released in l967 – the Beatles were nothing if not prolific songwriters. It’s hard to pick one from this album as it’s a start to finish kind of album but here goes: “With a Little Help From my Friends”. Here’s Ringo singing it in 1987 at the Prince’s Trust. Oh yeah, this record sold 11,000,000 copies.
3. Abbey Road: Is this my favourite of all time? Maybe, a definite maybe. Sold 12,000,000 after its release in l969. Take a listen to “Because” -so sad because the end was in sight. So absolutely beautiful.
2. Led Zeppelin II comes in at number 2 with sales of over 12,000,000. Here’s my personal fave – “Heartbreaker!”
1. The number one selling album, a double album no less, was The Beatles White Album, released in 1968, contained thirty songs and sold (drum roll please……) over 19,000,000 copies. There isn’t a bad song, even a mediochre song on these LPs, but I always loved “Sexy Sadie” so here it is.

ENJOY!

Thursday Thirteen #5

Thirteen Reasons Why I Hang at Tim Horton’s

Mostly because I have no choice – one must go somewhere during one’s child’s interminable lessons whether they be dance, piano or whatever

and I don’t enjoy going to malls and wandering around aimlessly

and besides, my daughter’s dance lesson is in a small village

where the only places that are open are the local Candy Shoppe,

Subway, a gas station and Tim Horton’s.

And beside’s, it’s a Canadian Tradition, hence the capital T.

1. The Free Tea Bag: as I mentioned in a previous list, Timmy’s gives you an extra teabag (on the side) when you buy the extra large size. Just add hot water.

2. Foot Stools: not really, but they don’t seem to mind if I put my feet up on the seat across from me, I appreciate that after a long day on my toes.

3. Rolling up the Rims: once or twice year Timmy’s has a Roll up the Rim contest. I’ve never won a big prize but usually win a few free coffees and muffins. I like free stuff… a lot.

4. Cheap…oops I mean Economical: although there was a recent hike in prices a coffee at Timmy’s is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than the more upscale competitors. And I don’t know what to say in those other places – I’m a dinosaur.

5. HOCKEY: It all began with Mr. Tim Horton – called NHL hockey’s “strongest man” by Gordie Howe, Horton is often credited with inventing the slapshot! He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs during their golden years, winning 4 Stanley Cups during his 18 years with the team. As a Canadian and an avid hockey fan, my heart belongs to Timmy’s.

6. Entertainment: yes indeedy, there are some mighty interesting folk coming in and out of Timmy’s at all hours of the day & night. I once whiled away an hour talking to a woman about her divorce woes as she showed me legal document after legal document that told the tale of a long, drawn-out and highly unsuccessful battle. It’s not highbrow stuff, but you get what you pay for.

7. Staff: the staff at Timmy’s are perky and friendly, as witnessed last night as one female worker whizzed by throwing a loud “sick hair” out to the slicked up hairstyle wearin’ customer next in line. (Sick means good these days for you other dinosaurs.)

8. Food: beyond the usual coffee, donuts, cookies and muffins Timmy’s offers some substantial fare that is yummy and nutritious. Everything bagels, egg salad on a whole grain baguette, minestrone soup, chili, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.

9. Hours: no matter the time of night or morning, no matter the day of the week, or indeed, day of the year – you can always find the welcoming lights of the Tim Horton’s famous sign ON! This comes in very handy when you need to pick up a cake at 6:30am for a student’s birthday on the way to school.

10. Ice Cappuccinos: Ice Cappuccinos.

11. Location: you could literally drive from coast to coast in Canada (the TransCanada Highway is 7604 km long!) stopping only at Timmy’s along the way. Although I must confess, there are very few to be found in Quebec! The picture above shows the only one I could find while driving arounr the entire Gaspe Peninsula.

12. Jobs: they hired MY child.

13. Environmentally Conscious & Charitable: their cups/lids are recycleable, they sell only sustainable coffee, and they send thousands upon thousands of kids to camps every summer.

Enjoy your TT, and have a cup of java on me!

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Thirteen Dating Acronyms to Help Save You Time in this Busy Cyberized World we Live in.Any Resemblance to Someone you Actually Know is Purely Coincidentalbut go ahead and use these anyway!These are the guys (gals) you want to avoid – quickly!Oh yes, it’s time to celebrate because tomorrow is POETS day! 1. “No, I won’t introduce you – he’s a real NOONG.” (Not one of nature’s gentlemen) 2. “Sure, go ahead and date him if you like VESTs.” (Very egotistical stupid twits) 3. “Well, you have to take the bad with the good when you date a LOMBARD.” (Loads of money but a real dickhead) 4. For that annoying co-worker – “Let me give you my neighbour’s number, you love him…he’s just a piece of FLUF.” (Fat little ugly fellow) 5. “Meet this guy in a public place – he’s AMAT. (All mouth and trousers) 6. “Yeah, I know, he looked good to me too at first, but then he turned out to be BHNC. (Big hat no cattle) (Female version – FCNK Fur coat no knickers) 7. “Sure, you can have him, I have no interest in LAMPs. (Lower academically-minded person) 8. “He’s cute but he’s LANO.” (Lights are not on) 9. “We’ve been out a few times, but I don’t know, there’s just something NQR.” (Not quite right) 10. “I guess if I run out of options, I’ll go with the SUBARU.” (Still useable but all rusted underneath) 11. “You know, I wouldn’t mind staying home once in a while but he’s TATT!” (Tired all the time) 12. “Well you could always go with a WOOP.” (Well off older person) 13. “Man, everyone I meet lately seems to be a BURP. (bankrupt unemployed rejected person) One more for good luck: “You could have dated him, but I TOBASHed him.” (took out back and shot)

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Thursday Thirteen #2

Thirteen New Great-Sounding Words I’ve Learned From Reading Books by P.D. James and Now Try to Inject into Everyday Conversations 1. Wodge: as in “Carlotta stuffed large wodges of paper towelling into the gaping wound in Hubert’s chest but just couldn’t seem to stem the geyser of blood.” 2. Badinage: as in “failing utterly to amuse Cynthia with his badinage, Wilson’s mood turned black leaving Cynthia’s future looking bleak.” 3. Frisson: as in “plunging the bread knife ever deeper into Garth’s back Gwendolyn experienced an intense delicious frisson and wondered where she had left her cardigan.” 4. Factotum: as in “Chief Inspector Tollerby tossed his overcoat, drycleaning, grocery list, several boxes of cold-case murder files and tea order in the general direction of his factotum, Gloria. as she hunched over to give his shoes a quick polish.” 5. Rebarbative: as in “a smell so rebarbative the uniforms couldn’t control their gagging; it emanated from the bath, where a bloated body had obviously been soaking for far too long…” 6. Plimsolls: as in “Farrell tiptoed down the alley hoping that no one would notice all he was wearing was an over-sized pair of neon orange plimsolls…” 7. Venal: “Trevor, with his usual venal charm, smirked widely as he accepted the usual payoff for his amorous, if quickly efficient, attentions.” 8. Insouciance: as in “with deceptive insouciance, Belinda chuckled as her husband’s blood dripped steadily from a three inch slit in his throat onto her white satin pumps as he lay sprawled across her lap.” 9. Ersatz: as in “would you like some coffee? Well, I don’t know…is it real coffee or ersatz?” 10. Perfidy: as in “by the perfidy of her ex-lover, Barbara’s current lover, Frederick, hung upside down at the bottom of the well, slowly drowning in six inches of mosquito infested sludge.” 11. Effluvium: as in “an unpleasant effluvium of death invaded the outer office as the door swung steadily open causing Edward to back up step by step until he felt the icy tip of a steely blade press into the back of his neck…” 12. Filth: as in “we’d better get out of here before the bloody filth arrive and haul us off to the clink…” On second thought, I don’t think it would be wise to use this one too often. 13. Quartosized: as in “with shaking hands, Timothy opened the quartosized letter, knowing without a doubt it was his long dead wife’s handwriting…how could this be?” I’m rather late getting this list out. I play volleyball on Wednesday nights and then worked all day today. Now I have a lovely four day Easter weekend – what a treat! Happy TT everyone!

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