GUEST POST: Why Canada is Cool
The final guest post for my trip out to San Francisco comes from the marvelous Tam, who is just as cool in person as she is online.
FIVE REASONS WHY CANADA IS COOL
1. Snow
Okay, this is but one reason Canada is literally cool, more like downright frigid. As much as I whine and bitch about snow and cold, it is pretty cool … when I’m inside with a roaring fire and my mostly-nekkid servant boy Juan is serving me strawberry daiquiris on the bear skin rug in front of the fireplace. Then, I LOVE it. Otherwise, not so much.
But nothing beats snow sparking in the moonlight on a crisp clear night, crunchy snow when it’s -40 and soft fluffy Christmas snow. And there are some amazing snow sports. Skeleton? 100 mph head first on a sled? Holy crap, that’s gotta be a rush! There is freestyle skiing, snowmobiling, snow boarding and assortment of other cooler than cool winter sports.
So while frostbite can be an issue, blizzards really aren’t all that fun and ice storms suck, snow is very very cool (I can’t believe I just said that) and Canada certainly doesn’t lack any.
2. Canadian Food
Yes, we have Canadian food, in general, it’s very unhealthy, and as a result totally delicious. Beaver Tails – mmmmm – fried dough covered in cinnamon sugar or maple butter. A classic meal at a Cabane à Sucre (Sugar Shack) – beans, fried pork rinds, pancakes and sausage, floating in maple syrup. Maple syrup itself. Canada produced 5 million gallons last year, that’s enough to … to … well, to keep you sticky for a lifetime. Poutine – ahhh, heart attack on a plate – french fries with cheese curds slathered in boiling gravy so the cheese gets all melty. Ooey gooey unhealthy goodness. And let’s not forget dessert; sugar pie, butter tarts and Nanaimo bars. I’d kill for a good Nanaimo bar. And to wash it all down there is ice wine, Canadian whiskey, Canadian beer and Tim Horton’s coffee.
So while Canadian cuisine may not win any style or health points, it will leave you purring like an overstuffed kitten in need of bypass surgery.
3. Talented Canadians
Canada seems to spawn no small number of talented people (all of whom defect to the US as soon as humanly possible) and a seemingly larger than average number of comedians. From the comic genius of John Candy to the embarrassment that is Tom Green. There are actors the likes of Captain Kirk and Scottie and then there is Pamela Anderson. Sigh. On the music scene, there is Alanis Morisette and … Celine Dion. I apologise for that, I truly do.
We remain proud of our exports despite their defection, save for the few examples noted and if you want them? They are yours. Free to a good home, kind of like unwanted puppies, cute but leaving a trail of crap in their wake.
4. Hockey
While hockey may not be Canada’s official sport (Lacrosse? WTF?), it is definitely Canada’s most popular sport and our national sport by default. Some have insisted that as a Canadian, it’s mandatory to like hockey and while not exactly true, it’s pretty close.
Hockey is rough and tough. Being body slammed into the boards by a 220 lb guy going full speed on skates hurts. The fights are legendary. There are special tools for scraping frozen blood off the ice. Perhaps I’m not quite selling the sport here. It’s exciting, its dynamic, and its non-stop action.
Canada rules the world stage in hockey. At the Olympics, our men have medaled 13 times out of 19 appearances; the World Junior team has won more medals than any other country including the Soviet Union and they’ve only missed the medal podium 4 times in the last 20 years and have taken the gold the last 5 years running.
But while hockey is rough and tough, don’t let that fool you; it’s not a sport just for the manly men. More and more Canadian girls are playing hockey and our women’s team is 3 for 3 including 2 golds and a silver at the Olympics. Quebec goalie Manon Rheaume was the first woman ever drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL in 1992 and Hailey Wickenheiser played for several professional men’s teams in Europe and was the first woman to score a goal in a men’s league professional game.
To most people: Hockey = Canada, and we’re okay with that.
5. The Beaver
Yes, I said it, the beaver. He may not be the most attractive animal in the world. He’s a little chubby at 12 inches tall and 60 lbs. and he does have a wicked overbite but he has a great personality. Beavers are called nature’s architects. Do you know how long you have to go to school to become an architect? Beavers come by it naturally. A beaver can stay under water for up to 15 min. That’s longer than Michael Phelps. A beaver can chew through a 6-inch tree in 20 min. Try that someday and see how it goes for you. And to top it off, talking beavers saved the Pevensie brats’ asses in Narnia. It wasn’t a talking eagle (Muppets anyone) or a talking kangaroo or a talking Chihuahua (those were different movies), it was the brave, loyal and industrious beaver. Did they resent those little shits for making them abandon their home and having it over-run by wolves? Nooooooo. They put themselves out for those kids and what did they get for their trouble? Nothin’! Ummm, okay, moving on.
On a bit more embarrassing note, the term beaver has become synonymous with female genitals. Wondrous though beavers are, I’m not sure they can really compare to the work of genius that is the vagina. Here is a small video explaining how this association came to be: CLICK HERE!
So while the mere fact that I am Canadian should be case enough for the coolness of our country, I think the above mentioned points merely reinforce the fact. I hope that those of you forced by unfortunate circumstances (such as birth) to live elsewhere will come and visit us soon and experience our amazingness first-hand. My door is always open.
May 13, 2009 4:54 am 115 Comments
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By john, May 13, 2009 @ 7:13 am
The fact that you are Canadian *is* case enough for the coolness of Canada!
We have beaver tails here, but they are called dough boys, at least in New England. I’m still shocked you said snow, given your distaste of cold, but Kermit YAAAAY for giving it some love. Also, the genius that is Shatner was enough for the actor category.
Lastly, Pam Anderson was absolutely beautiful when she first appeared in Playboy, she really was. Then she just went too far. That all started when she came to the States…..
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 7:37 am
I’m with john. Well, not in a biblical sense, but rather that I agree that Canada is *so* much cooler with Tam in it.
And I can’t believe that you forgot to mention that Honda has a manufacturing facility up there. Sheesh. (Just fyi, they build the Civic, Ridgeline, Acura CSX, Acura MDX and produce nearly 400,000 vehicles/year.)
(sorry, the Honda PR guy in me hates to give up an opportunity)
And I just don’t like hockey at all. I tried, but I just couldn’t do it.
But Ryan Reynolds makes up for that.
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 7:51 am
“I’m with john. Well, not in a biblical sense,”
You should be so lucky.
Yes, yes, yes, I’m kidding, Dave S. is abtastic and all muscley, I know. It was a joke people. Man, I suspect Spike’s fans are almost as rabis as Craig’s dancing monkeys.
Hockey is awesome, but more for the action than the actual sport of it. Blood sport maybe. Plus, I have always thought they were the most talented athletes on the planet. Basketball is a game of tall freaks (no offense intended Craig). Football is a game of brutes, Baseball, seriously, *I* can play baseball.
Hockey you have to keep your balance, skate in multiple directions, follow a puck and avoid immolation. Now that is skill.
Oh, and Soccer is a real sport, you have to have smoe serious endurance to play that game.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 8:00 am
john: Dance, bunny, dance.
And I’m all about soccer! Columbus Crew — 2008 MLS Cup Champions, baby! Woohoo!
By Samuel, May 13, 2009 @ 8:15 am
Hi Tam. This makes me want to visit Canada some day. You forgot to include that Canada Polt’s second home.
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 8:51 am
Tam this is AWESOME! I got a few comments (naturally): Why have you never mentioned Juan before now???? Sitting next to you in the scenario is reason enough for me brave the snowy Canadian winters! Poutine is, I’m sorry, digusting. But the butter tarts ARE pretty sweet. John Candy was hilarious, but who knew so much fine eye candy came from Canada? (Well, I SHOULD have known, considering how I go on and on about the hot men of Toronto!) the World JUNIOR Hockey team….hmmm, methinks a Google Images search is in the near future. Beavers? Not my area of expertise, sorry. But like you said, the fact that YOU are there, makes Canada just awesome without any other reasons!!!
HUGS…
By David, May 13, 2009 @ 8:52 am
“The love of David for Jonathan was wonderful, passing the love of women.”
ahem
Poutine! One of the few bad-for-you foods I truly adore.
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 8:53 am
I don’t like watching hockey on TV, but I love seeing it in person. I just get all caught up in the whole crowd thing, yelling, chanting, booing. It’s a hoot.
Oh, and Samuel, what a sweetheart you are to mention me!
Second home…*SIGH*….first home one day, if I’m lucky.
HUGS…
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 9:19 am
$%&* road constrtuction and traffic.
Maybe these will help people feel more inclined to watch hockey:
For the straight boys: Manon Rheume the female goalie
http://www.kuklaskorner.com/images/uploads/manon_r2_thumb.jpg
For the rest of us: Antoine Vermette, one of my boys, giving Dave a run for his money in the abs department.
http://media.canada.com/idl/otct/20080427/47089-15623.jpg
I played intramural hockey in university. I do appreciate the skill it takes to do many things at once, skating, stick, avoiding getting smushed. I think all sports have their required skills but hockey with skates is more unique. Most sports you get to wear regular shoes, except roller derby and that’s a whole nother kettle of fish.
Oh and yes, the automotive industry is HUGE in Ontario, but I don’t have much use for the CAW president. Don’t get me started.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 9:22 am
John: I’ve heard of beaver tails being called elephant ears too. The big deal here was when Obama came for his whirlwind visit he took a Beaver Tail into the limo with him. Did he eat it? Who knows.
Oh and Pammy was a gorgeous girl, now she’s a freakish woman. Blah.
By GoKitty, May 13, 2009 @ 9:31 am
What?? No ketchup chips?? No milk in a bag??
By TwoPi, May 13, 2009 @ 9:33 am
Tam: I’m glad you clarified what a “beaver tail” is. I was seriously worried when I saw that photo.
Give me snow and hockey, and I’m a happy guy. And with Shatner, Pammy A, and Celine Dion out of the country, retiring to Canada sounds like a fab plan!
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 9:35 am
GoKitty: There are just too many cool things.
Same-sex marriage, polar bears, Canadian Tire, the invention of basketball and the telephone, cool flag, toques …. I could go on and on.
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 9:38 am
Tam: Totally! She was very much a girl next door and was perfect the way she was. Now she is just a caricature of herself.
Dave S.: I will admit to being a dancing monkey. I may not have rhythm, but I make up for it in enthusiasm.
By S., May 13, 2009 @ 9:54 am
We get less snow than New York State.
And even though I’m Canadian, I’ve never heard of sugar pie.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 9:59 am
You must be from the west S. Its more of a Quebec and eastern thing since its often made with maple sugar.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 10:22 am
Okay, I gotta tell ya that sugar pie sounds awful.
And what’s a Nanimo bar?
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 10:28 am
Tam: I don’t know, Antoine is nice and all, but having seen Dave S.’s abs in the flesh, I gotta say his are better. And I didn’t know you played hockey? Hockey player, Juan the cabana boy…how many other things dont we know about you?
I can’t skate, ice, roller, rollerblade, board, at all. Just never coordinated enough. Walking is sometimes difficult enough.
HUGS…
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 10:29 am
Tam, I got few things to add to you list: baked beans on breakfast buffets, purple money, cute accents, hot decadent debauched sex with gorgeous smooth, young Asian guys….
HUGS….
By Jonah, May 13, 2009 @ 10:38 am
Tam: I have hooked up with some Canadian babes before and I am proud to have added the Canadian flag to my bedroom!
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 10:45 am
Jonah: Sweet! I got the Canadian flag hanging in my dining room, right next to the American flag and across the room from the gay rainbow flag (the dining room is an odd place to put them but, there’s no place else in the apartment to hang them)
HUGS…
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 10:47 am
Dave: Nanaimo bars – the bottom is chocolate and graham crackers and coconut, then the middle is creamy goodness which reminds me of vanilla Betty Crocker icing, then a layer of chocolate on top. Must be served cold. Nothing worse than a warm nanaimo bar. I’ll bring you some this summer.
Sugar pie is kind of like pecan pie with no pecans, just the filling part. Good in small doses otherwise you go into a sugar coma.
Polt: Actually its my daughter who comes home with the shirtless hockey player pics. Sigh But he plays for our team, that’s all I meant.
However I keep Juan stashed in the basement for occassional use.
Jonah: Yay you!
By Jonah, May 13, 2009 @ 10:48 am
Polt: I don’t literally have a canadian flag hanging. It is an expression for having a canadian notch in the old bedpost…
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 10:54 am
Well damn Jonah, invest in a flag. You’ve made me sad.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 11:22 am
Yeah, Jonah. I mean, c’mon, *everyone* knows you have to own the flag of the country of everyone you’ve had sex with. Or at least display one. Isn’t that why they sell those “Flags of the World” posters?
Which makes me rethink about why one was on my third-grade teacher’s wall…
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 11:23 am
Jonah: I caught the notch on the bed post and laughed! How many other countries are there?
Dave S.: I’m with you, Sugar Pie sounds a little nasty. I’m getting a tooth ache just thinking about it.
By Jonah, May 13, 2009 @ 11:27 am
Dave S: not enough room on my walls to display all the flags…
John: Can’t kiss and tell….but look at the above statement
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 11:31 am
Wimps. Wash down the pie with a little Labatt’s and you’re golden. It cuts the sugary taste.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 11:34 am
Jonah: Oh, yeah. I totally know the feeling…
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 11:34 am
Oh, wait. That was a “w”. Sorry, I thought it was a “b”…
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 11:36 am
Tam: One of my favorite things in the world: Beer and chocolate chip cookies. Yum.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 11:38 am
Wow, the bull-shit is piling higher and higher in here today. Have you guys screwed your way through Europe yet? Better hop to it. *eye roll*
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 11:39 am
Dave: I want to be there for that tattoo. Should be good for a laugh.
Beer and cookies? Now who’s weird?
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 11:45 am
Jonah: You’ve been holding out on us. Not the rest of the globe, apparently, but us.
Dave S.: Good one! But beer and cookies? Eww.
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 11:50 am
LaBatts….*SIGH*….thankfully, they finally got it around here about 6-8 years ago. LOVE. IT.
Well, apparently my flags were the correct metaphor, Jonah, and I didn’t even know it. Canadian, USA, and gay rainbow flags!
oop…gotta get a Union Jack for that one time, in 1995….
HUGS….
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 11:52 am
Jonah: “Cant’ kiss and tell”…why the hell not? Who made up THAT stupid rule?
HUGS…
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 13, 2009 @ 11:52 am
I was confused by Juan until I read the text. He didn’t fit with any of my associations with snow.
By Jonah, May 13, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
Polt: If I told then you all would know what happened when Tam was just in the states….oops, sorry Tam…Guess everyone now knows who is responsible for that Canadian flag
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
Funny boy.
By Mel, May 13, 2009 @ 12:27 pm
I love Canadia! Heading to Montreal pour un congres in just a couple of weeks. Plus they let me get married there.
And why is Juan only mostly-nekkid? Seems you should do something about that. You also forgot the international dancehall reggae whiteboy megastar who goes by Snow. Or was that intentional?
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
Mel: Geez, I mentioned Tom Green and Pamela Anderson, I thought that was enough inflicted pain for one post.
Le Congres de Montreal ou juste un congres? My coworkers are going to Le Congres mais pas moi. 
Oh well, I go to Montreal fairly regularly anyway since its a nice day trip.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 12:40 pm
Oh as for Juan, that’s a very good question. I’ll have to work on that.
You DID get married in Canada or in theory you COULD get married here? If you did congrats, if you didn’t, well go for it.
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Juan must be kept mostly nekkid, cause without the fur lined jockstrap, his cajones would freeze solid in the Canadian winters and fall off. And being from the Caribbean, Juan’s just not used to the cold.
Or at least that would be the case with MY Juan in Canada…just saying….
HUGS…
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 1:04 pm
Canada’s the only time I ever left the U.S. border. I had a business meeting in Toronto, so got to fly in the corporate jet. I only was there for like 3 hours though.
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 1:09 pm
I’ve never been
. My brother and his wife go every year to Toronto. Perhaps when the Mrs. finishes school we can make the trip up north.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 1:30 pm
Americans need to travel more. Expand your horizons.
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Or we need to travel more to expand….the horizons of some cute Asian Canadians! (yes, I DO have a one track mind, thanks for noticing)
HUGS…
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 1:47 pm
Tam: Agreed, but in my defense, I’ve left the country and have been in multiple states, though less than others in Puntabuland.
I will admit, I’m not a fan of traveling. I don’t travel well. The wife loves it and would love to do more.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
John: “I don’t travel well.” What does that mean? You throw up? You freak out? What exactly? Maybe your wife and I should go travelling together.
We’ll send you post cards.
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 2:08 pm
john: I’m an awesome traveling buddy, ask Michelle! If the wife wants to visit Canada, I’ll take her and show her around Toronto! Just so long as she doesn’t mind me disappearing mid-afternoon….and about 10:00 each night…..
HUGS…
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 2:10 pm
Tam: Mostly sleep issues. Sleep hates me and it is worse when I am away.
The Mrs. travels well. She can fall asleep anywhere and has enough Cruise Director Julie in her personality to be fun without being annoying. And, like you, she is travel sized for your convenience.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 2:16 pm
John: LOL Travel sized. Cute. Does help with the leg room on planes.
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 2:29 pm
Tam: Like you, she is vertically challenged. She is about 5′ tall, she says she is 5’1″ but she lies. The funniest thing is folding her socks, they look like baby booties.
Polt & Tam: I appreciate the travel buddy offer, but the restrains on our travel aren’t my willingness. Paying for 2 Masters and an upcoming PhD are the big deterrents, that and time.
Polt: She wouldn’t mind, but satisfy my curiosity, why mid afternoon and 10PM? I get 10PM, but mid noon? Is it just afternoon delight or is it when people get out of work? Inquiring minds want to know.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 2:30 pm
I really want to contribute to this conversation, but I’ve never slept with an Asian, woke up beside a Canadian, or have a problem with insomnia.
I’m beginning to wonder if *I’m* the odd one…
And thanks everyone for the answer to my question yesterday about what songs would be best to strip to.
Lot’s of great stuff. Haven’t contributed yet? Email me at spike@spike300.com.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 2:37 pm
John: Anyone under 5’5″ lies. Its genetically encoded. Don’t be mocking the booties. School fees do have a way of sucking up the $$.
Dave: I didn’t answer because I have no clue. Sorry. Maybe something by Celine Dion or Bryan Adams in honour of my post. (Honour spelled the Canadian way.)
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 3:05 pm
john: I KNOW, it kinda freaked me out how lucky I was during mid afternoon, say 3-7. Saturday night, barely anything; Tuesday 4:15 in the afternoon, beating them off with sticks (no sexual innuendo intended). Crazy! But I didn’t question it, I just went with it…and disappeared for a bit of time mid afternoon.
Travel-sized for you convience. hiLARious!
Or should that be hilaourious, for Tam?
HUGS…
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 3:08 pm
Ooooooh. Don’t make me strangle you with an extra u and beat you with a zed.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
Zed’s dead, Tam. Zed’s dead.
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
ZED! OhmiGOD, i can’t beliEVE I forgot to ask you about that when we were together! I SO wanted to debate…er, discuss that whole thing….but whatever….next time.
HUGS….
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 3:23 pm
Don’t say the zed word.
Dave S.: Is it safe to assume you are over 5’5″
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Oh, and Dave, not saying you aren’t odd, but I’ve never woken up next to an Asian or Canadian either. But don’t feel bad, we all have our own brand of odd.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 3:33 pm
Like, *no one* understands my comment?! Sheesh. I had higher hopes for you Puntabupeople…
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 3:39 pm
Dave: Its vaguely ringing a bell but as it doesn’t appear to be part of the Canadian pop culture lexicon I am exempt from commenting.
John: The ultimate I suppose is an Asian Canadian, or perhaps one of each. Depends which way works for you.
Polt: Spell zoo. zee-o-o sounds dumb and looks like you are grimacing. Try it, sound it out and note the way your mouth has to move to go from ee to o. Zed-o-o sounds way cooler and is more efficient for the facial muscles. Because really, Canadians are thrifty.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 3:41 pm
Dave: I googled it. I’ve never seen that movie. Sorry. I’ll try harder next time.
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 3:43 pm
Dave S.: Um *excuse* me. I guess we can add misunderstood emo to your personality traits too
Tam: Asian AND Canadian? I’m not sure I could handle it.
By Dave S., May 13, 2009 @ 3:43 pm
…sigh…
My incredible, unparalleled wit is wasted on you people…
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
Ya know, strangely, for everything I’ve said and done, I don’t believe I’ve ever woken up next to an Asian or a Canadian either. More the pity, eh?
HUGS…
By polt, May 13, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
Dave S.: We’re all kinda blinded by the abs, methinks. Wit? Knowledge? Intelllect? Sorry….looking at abs right now, go away.
HUGS…
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 3:50 pm
Dave S.: Unparalleled is a word.
Not the word I would have chosen, but a word none the less.
Polt: You now have a goal for next the Toronto trip.
By Michelle M., May 13, 2009 @ 3:52 pm
Those are 5 (6 if we include you) convincing reasons why Canada is cool.
Hockey is one of the few sports that doesn’t bore me to tears. Mr. M. plays both ice and inline and is watching a playoff game (recorded) as I type. And it is very romantic. The fights always seem to end up in hugging. And of course there is hooking, the world’s oldest penalty.
The only flag I fly is of the freak variety.
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
Michelle M.: So, does that make you the freak or Mr. M. the freak? by the way, the oldest penalty – LOL!
Oy, and how could we have overlooked Tam as a reason for Canada being awesome?!?!
By Samuel, May 13, 2009 @ 4:00 pm
Regarding Asian….here I am
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
John: Because its a lame reason? Yeah.
Michelle: What game is he watching? My daughter is having fits that Pittsburgh is this )( close to being out of it. I’ll have to deal with the ranting and raving tonight over bad calls and crappy commentating.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 4:05 pm
Samuel: Thanks for stepping up and taking one for the team.
Now if only you were Canadian Polt would propose on bended knee.
By john, May 13, 2009 @ 4:15 pm
Tam: It is not! Don’t make me come up to Canada….
I’m also not sure Samuel has *actually* taken one for the team, but I assume much of the team might be willing to help him with that.
By Polt, May 13, 2009 @ 4:52 pm
Well helll-LO there, Samuel. how YOU doin? And why is it just now that we’re being introduced? (Dave S.’s abs, Tam’s Canadianness, Michelle M.’s guest post wittiness, Craiggers…just being Craiggers perhaps?)
Tam, I don’t know if it’s proposing I’d be doin’.
And if anyone else from the team gave anything TO Samuel before I did, you an’ me is gonna have words, my friend! 
HUGS…
By Polt, May 13, 2009 @ 4:53 pm
Samuel: “Regarding Asian….here I am ” …. *SIGH*…so near (in cyberspace) and yet so far (in real life…at least I presume he’s so far).
HUGS…
By GoKitty, May 13, 2009 @ 5:02 pm
dave s: It sounds like the line from Pulp Fiction
By Samuel, May 13, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
i have always wondered what it is like to be inside a palace….
By Polt, May 13, 2009 @ 5:26 pm
Well then email me, Samuel, we’ll talk!
I got the Palace, you got the…ah, Asian, what more do we need? 
HUGS…
By Xi_Heather, May 13, 2009 @ 5:34 pm
(Dang, I feel like if I don’t comment in time, then the next time I press refresh I’ve completely lost the train of thought! Not that I ever had it)
Canada — good country. Two of the six people in my department are from Canada, so I’m surrounded by lots of We Love Canada talk, but also butter tarts so it all works out.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 5:59 pm
“I got the Palace, you got the…ah, Asian, what more do we need?”
A Canadian damn you, a Canadian, keep on topic. (I think Samuel is somewhere in the US now.)
Heather: Butter tarts make the day just a little bit brighter.
GoKitty: You win.
By M. Nicodemus, May 13, 2009 @ 6:44 pm
Darn! Tardy to the party again! That darn work thingy keeps getting in the way of commenting, I really got to work on the priorities.
Tam: Great post! My wife is Canadian so I get to hear about how great the Great White North is on a regular basis. Poutine? She would kill for some real poutine down here. Nanimo bars? Coffee Crisps? Aero Bars? Yep, I hear ALL the candy in Canada is better than here. Gotta say I do love the Hockey, although I almost lost a vital anatomical feature when I became a fan of the local team instead of the Canadians.
Dave S.: I got the Pulp Fiction reference; I still wonder why I was the only one laughing in the theater during the movie… Oh, and I want to see a photo of that tattoo
Polt and Samuel: Get a room. And a video camera. I will do all the post preduction for free. Just sayin…
“now, now, Canada has apologized for Brian Adams on several occasions,” one of the greatest movie lines ever!
By Kris, May 13, 2009 @ 7:21 pm
Tam, what the heck is Ice Wine?? We put ice in wine here and call them spritzers.
And Beaver Tail… even with your explanation I can’t even go there. It conjures up that movie scene where a couple of bullies make a kid eat a slice of pizza upon which they’d put some of their pu… Blech!
By Polt, May 13, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Tam: Well I was assuming cabana boy Juan was gonna be there WITH Samuel and I to…serve us? And he’s Canadian, right?
There ya go, Samuel, M.Nicky wants us to get a room too! So it’s like unanimous or something, right?
HUGS…
By Michelle M., May 13, 2009 @ 7:32 pm
Reason #7: Kids in the Hall!
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 7:49 pm
Nico: I remember you now saying your wife was Canadian. She must be from Montreal if she’s a rabid Habs fan missing poutine.
I cheer for the hometown boys, but wherever I live that is my team of choice.
Kris my Sweet: Glad you came by. Ice wine: You let the grapes freeze on the vine, then you work like a bitch to pick them while they are still frozen solid then you quickly press them. The sugar content of the juice is through the roof. Most wine is given a rating from 0, very dry to 7 or something for sweet. Well ice wine is something like 35. Its wild and very expensive because you don’t get much every year. It was discovered by accident.
Beaver tails may not look appealing but seriously, fried dough coated in sugar? How could it be bad?
Polt: Keep your grubby mitts of Juan. You and Samuel can find your own cabana boy. An no, he’s not Canadian. He’s from the Islands so he knows how to make a delish dacquiri.
Michelle: Confession time. I’m not a huge Kids in the Hall fan. They are okay, but we do have some kick ass comedians in general.
By Kris, May 13, 2009 @ 8:00 pm
Tam: So basically Canada is cool for: being cold; alcoholic cordial, dough and sugar; Celine Dion; men playing with sticks; and, small furry creatures that share the same name as chick bits?? Hmmm.
You know I think I would have been more convinced if you’d put “Degrassi High” on the list. I reckon that’s reason enough right there.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 8:14 pm
Kris: ARRGGHHHH!!!! Don’t get me started on the “education system using Degrassi as a teaching tool” rant. But to the other stuff? Basically yeah.
And me of course. That should be the clincher for you. I mean what do you have? Kangaroos? Cute accents? I’ll give you that, best accents. 
My daughter is happy, Pittsburgh is leading 4-0. In honour she’s making brownies. Lucky mom.
By Ray, May 13, 2009 @ 8:25 pm
My God, Tam, the poutine…Must. Have. That. Really, that sounds delicious/sinful and I now want to sit in a big vat of it with a large spoon.
On the opposite end of the love/hate spectrum, that huge beaver gnawing on that tree will be joining me in a rodent filled nightmare tonight.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 8:28 pm
Ray: Maybe he’ll be gnawing on you WHILE you eat poutine. Then my job will be complete, offering you terror and pleasure all in one fell swoop. That’s a skill you know.
By Kris, May 13, 2009 @ 8:29 pm
Tam: Oh, definitely you
, but don’t you get demerit points or something for dissing Joey??
What doe we have? What do WE have?! Hell, we are cool for our animals alone: the were-kanga, the koala, the platypus, the wombat, and the emu (not to be confused with the other tall skinny creature which has messy, dark feathers, a pointy face and smudges of black around their eyes known as the emo).
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 8:36 pm
Kris: Emo goth boys. Mmmmmmm. Sorry, got distracted.
Yeah hell, the were-kanga trumps anything we can offer, even the moose. What is the plural of platypus? And you have a big rock. You can’t go wrong with a big rock.
By Michelle M., May 13, 2009 @ 8:38 pm
Samuel – Do you have a hair thing?
Kris – My inner tween watches Degrassi (in all it’s incarnations). Don’t tell anyone.
Tam -You’re not a rabid Kids in the Hall fan? That’s just impolite and evil.
Not sure what game Harry was watching. He’s recording pretty much all of them. He’s rooting for Pittsburgh, by the way.
I think you just might break 100 (comments).
By Michelle M., May 13, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
Ray – I’d think if you ate the poutine you’d be guaranteed a nightmare.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 8:41 pm
Michelle: I’m trying. 100 here we come. Well, she burned the damn brownies. Hopefully they are still edible. Pittsburgh still ahead 5-1 so she’s in a good mood. Sorry about KITH. I’ll try harder to win your respect and love. I’ll mail you a beaver tail.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 8:44 pm
Mark? Enrico? I miss you guys.
By Kris, May 13, 2009 @ 8:46 pm
Tam: *trying hard to resist the call of the emo twink* The were-kanga beats all for sheer coolness.
Are your fingers broken again?? It’s platypi. And I know Australia is an island and all, but referring to us as a ‘big rock’ is a bit mean, isn’t it??
Michelle: I was barely able to contain myself from buying the entire series of Degrassi when it came out on dvd. I think Tam is being totally unpatriotic.
By Kris, May 13, 2009 @ 8:48 pm
Tam: Would you friggin’ stop bringing up the beaver tail. It makes me want to hurl just thinking about choking down short and curlies..
By Polt, May 13, 2009 @ 8:50 pm
Michelle M.: KITH ROCK!!!!! I LOVE them!
Tam: Since she bournt the brouwnies, is she making soumething outher for you in honour ouf the scoure?
Ray: No matter how good it may sound, pountine looks disgusting. Like some threw a vat of snot all over some otherwise decent fries.
Tam: you find emo goth boys distracting? How did I NOT know that either???? Oh, maybe I did…the kid in HMV kinda had emo-esque hair. And we all know how you felt about him.
“And you have a big rock.” Oh, if I had a nickel for everytime someone told me tha-…oh wait, you said rock. ….nevermind.
It’s gonna be a sad at work tomorrow, cause I work with a whole horde of Caps fans.
Are we too 100 yet?
HUGS…
By Michelle M., May 13, 2009 @ 8:57 pm
You did it Polt. And yes, they do ROCK!!!!!
Dudley Do-Right and Ike Broflovski. Also Canadian.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 8:59 pm
Polt: You made me laugh out loud. What can I say, he did kind of have emo hair.
Quit adding freaking u’s to random words! They weren’t completely burned and actually tasted pretty good. They just cut off the dry edges.
Kris: Not the whole damn island, that hump in the middle. The one with tourists standing around it taking pictures. You’re just jealous you have no beaver tails. Who’s going to eat platypi tails. And why should I google when I have the expert on all things Aussie, aka you?
We’ve passed 100. Yay us!
By Enrico, May 13, 2009 @ 9:06 pm
OMG! Do I need to quit my job?? I got to work and there are 102 comments…..
I’ll read then later. lol.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 9:08 pm
Enrico: Baby, you came to my party.
Work is highly overrated.
By Kris, May 13, 2009 @ 9:12 pm
Tam: Of corse, I’m jst jealos of yor beaver tails…. WTF is going on?! Ok, who’s stolen all my u’s??
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Kris: Its that bugger Polt. He’ll steal the emo goth boys too if we don’t watch them closely.
By Robair, May 13, 2009 @ 9:21 pm
All this blather about Canada is fine, but Patrick Huard, the 2nd most attractive man in the world, is, well, Canadian. If I’m the only person here who has seen the movie J’en suis, well, I’ll just eat a beaver. Or tail.
The 1st most attractive man in the world may or may not be from Long Island.
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 9:25 pm
Robair: Let me get that beaver tail ready for you then. I really must see Bon Cop Bad Cop. I heard its really funny.
By Polt, May 13, 2009 @ 10:05 pm
Tam: He did have emo hair…bad emo hair, mind you, but still he was cute. (oh, and as an aside, anyone having problems with the ‘hairthing’ definition, I’ve added a tutorial to my blog just for you!)
Enrickyricardo!!!! WE missed you, punkin! had to do all your commenting for you.
U’s and emo gothboys…yeppers, I’m a stealing them all!
Robair, I don’t know this Huard person is you speak of, but I definitely agree with you assessment on the MOST attractive (see the last Puntabulous post if there’s any confusion).
HUGS…
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 13, 2009 @ 10:09 pm
I spent a small fortune on car maintenance today. The upside is that it will be a while before I need much more than an oil change.
By Chris D., May 13, 2009 @ 10:33 pm
Great post Tam! One of my favorite things about my trips to Canada was St. Hubert ( http://www.st-hubert.com/ ). I love their food. The gravy was yummy.
I have been to Canada a number of times. My father sister and I drove around the Gaspe Peninsula and visited Prince Edward Island. I have been to Quebec City, and Montreal as well. It was nice, but I did not enjoy traveling with my family so much. One day I should do Canada again, with friends, for enjoyment. It might be nice to explore the central and western parts more. Alas, like John, I don’t travel well. Maybe one day I will…
By Tam, May 13, 2009 @ 10:52 pm
Ryan: Hope no more repairs for a long time. One of the things I like about a new car is no repairs, although car payments are not so fun.
Chris: St. Hubert is pretty good. We seem to hit there when we are in Montreal. Traveling with family is usually less fun than friends. Western Canada is very beautiful. Far west, Manitoba and Saskatchewan not so much unless you like flatness and lots of it.
By Michelle M., May 13, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
I loved the Anne of Green Gables books. And the filming locations in the series were beautiful. Another point for Canada.
By M. Nicodemus, May 14, 2009 @ 12:54 am
Gah! There I go again, letting work get in the way of Puntabulous. I will be very happy once Hospital Week is over and I can get back to my normal life.
Tam: My wife’s family is from the Ottawa area.
The Ryan With The Cupcake: I am bummed, I didn’t get my daily random Zim quote! oh, and I hope the car thingy is all better now
By The Ryan with the Cupcake, May 14, 2009 @ 3:26 am
Tam: I had some things replaced primarily because I wasn’t sure if the previous owner had replaced everything on schedule. I only drove about a mile to get home, but I noticed some differences.
M. Nicodemus: I just left you to your moosey fate.