Category Archives: Canada

blogging, Canada

Vancouver and WordPress sittin’ in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G

Today, I had a major breakthrough regarding my understanding of THE WAYS THINGS WORK with Movable Type 4. Finally. I was so elated that I not only sent a tweet out about it, I had to bug Wil at work about it as well. That’s just the best feeling, isn’t it? Figuring something out. There is a huge lightbulb over my head right now.

So, there is a large and active blogging community, here in Vancouver. If a community existed, like this, in Seattle, I did not know about it. Which is a shame. I “met” some of them at Northern Voice: 2008. And by met, I mean I saw their name tags or heard them speak. I only met two people: Airdre whom I’d know from her blog, and Catherine.. But I added a lot of the people I saw to my RSS feeds. And I’ve gotten to know few more bloggers by association.

So, as an outsider looking in to that community, I can tell you – Vancouver area bloggers LOVE the WordPress. They hold regular gatherings they call WordCamps. This is awesome. Raul, who follows me on Twitter and comments on my blog, is speaking at the upcoming WordCamp on the 16th. He’s watched the regular tweets of despair I have sent out, while struggling with MT4. And he, like a few others, are of the opinion that I should consider moving over to WordPress. And I’ve thought about me. But… you know how I feel about it. I’m a Movable Type girl.

Raul has challenged me to come to the next WordCamp, and if I don’t switch over to WP, he will buy me a coffee. I might do it. But he’ll need to buy me a Dr Pepper, because I don’t drink coffee. I don’t think it will make me switch. I am extremely stubborn and can be quite tenacious about things. And I’ve set my mind to figuring out MT4. I wonder if he gets a free toaster for every convert he brings over to the WP side? Do you think they are going to be testimonials? I’m not worried, the Southern Baptists didn’t git me in Oklahoma, WP won’t git me here.

I kid. I’m jealous, actually. I ask you, are there no other Movable Type bloggers in Vancouver? Where is our clubhouse? Why don’t we have t-shirts and secret handshakes?

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Canada

Happy Canada Day!

I shall celebrate by having a swim lesson and playing Civ with Wil, when he gets home from work.

It’s been very hot here the last few days. I’ve been miserable, physically. If you know me at all, you know I start wilting at anything above 76 degrees. 74 is my preference. Add to the heat complications due to having what appears to be a fully functional set of female reproductive organs, if you know what I mean, and you’ve got a cranky girl.

I realize my complaints about the weather would probably make other parts of Canada and the US laugh. They are dealing with weather in the 100’s. Or in the 30’s, if that’s your unit of measurement. I think we got up to 90? I’m not sure. I didn’t want to know, so I didn’t look.

But today? Today is awesome! What a gorgeous Canada Day here in the greater Vancouver region. It feels like low to mid 70’s, with a delicious breeze. Not a cloud in the sky. Lovely.

I don’t know why I blog about the weather. I always feel shallow when I blog about the weather. It’s small talk blogging. Mostly I just wanted to say Happy Canada Day to my Canadian friends. And my American friends, as well. You can join in the celebrating of Canada. Consider it a warm up to the 4th.

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Canada

The answer to the beaver question.

Some people have asked me how one would go about punching a beaver in the face. First and foremost, I want to remind you it was not my idea to do so, but Stephen Colbert’s. However, I can think of 3 ways right off the top of my head.

First, find a beaver and then do one of the following:

  1. Point and yell “Hey look! Free wood!” and when he’s looking away, sucker punch him. Run away.
  2. Take him out for a beer, when you are both drunk, become belligerent and start insulting his woman. He’ll probably start the punching for you.
  3. Sneak up on the beaver, from behind and pick him up by the scruff of his neck. Raise him up to your eye level and watch his short little legs wave uselessly in the air. Start punching. It would help if you have long arms. I do not, so I’d probably choose #1 or #2.

There you go.

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Canada

Punching Beavers In The Face

This is a big deal in Canada. The loss of the Hockey Night song. I guess, it’s considered almost a national anthem. I’ve never heard before now.
Nonetheless, when I saw this on the Colbert Report the other night, I watched it 5 times and laughed every time, in the way only an American living in Canada truly could, there was a bit of a snicker to my laughter.

It’s hard to explain why that is so funny to me, given my particular situation. It’s not that anyone is mean to me because I’m American. However, there are times when they discuss America, and Americans, and it makes me feel … engulfed, in a way. It’s somewhat “underdoggish” type of feeling, only not nearly as competitive. I’m not sure I am able to explain it, without making it sound like a US vs. Canada thing.
It’s really more of a foreigner in a foreign land thing. Trying to fit in and find a place for yourself. And one of your own, one of your peeps, comes along and stakes a tiny little claim. While being as stereotypical an American as possible. (American things = waving a gun around. I do enjoy hot dogs, tho.) I imagine a reverse scenario would be as funny to a Canadian living in the US. If Rick Mercer stole the theme to ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
Ok, that show isn’t even on anymore, but it’s the only iconic American Sports Theme I could remember.

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Canada, William

New Downtown Vancouver Apple Store

On Monday we went down to see the new Vancouver Apple Store. Wil had never been to one. And I never miss and opportunity to surround myself with Appley goodness. Well, sometimes I do. We had planned on getting up early on Saturday, which was the Grand Opening. We were going to get in line with all the apple geeks, and hopefully get one of the free t-shirts given out to the first 1,000 people. Because that is just the kinda Apple whore I am. However, I am also the type of Apple whore who likes to sleep in, so it didn’t happen.

This is the 5th Apple store in Canada. Three of them are in Toronto and the fourth is in Quebec. So, finally some west coast Apple love. And here is my official in-depth review of the Apple Store. Are you ready?

It’s bigger than the store in Bellevue Square, smaller than the University Village and NYC stores. It might have been my imagination, but I think it had a slightly smaller selection of software than the stores I have visited previously, but a wonderfully large selection of iPod cases, covers and such. Including some fabulous Paul Frank stuff.

And that’s about it. What did you expect? Ok, it’s gorgeous. But all the Apple stores are gorgeous. I was thrilled to be able to play with an iPod touch with wifi connection. It was good practice for when I get my iPhone. (Oh god, I need one more than ever.) I pulled up my blog on the browser, but I was too chicken to leave it up there for the next shopper. I should have. I suck at self promotion.

I was sorely tempted to by a Time Capsule, but wanted to do more research. Which, I have completed and now know for sure we NEEED one. I had no idea that a Time Capsule could act as a router. I would have purchased one last winter when our Airport Express died. I’m a big fan of back-ups, having lost stuff before. Not to mention Wil’s PowerBook is slowly dying, it would be upsetting to lose everything. ( It used to be my PowerBook and I was hard on it. I dropped it on it’s head several times. )

Speaking of Wil’s PB, we took time to play with a black MacBook and confirmed what we already know – that’s the laptop Wil wants when the PB is gone. Actually, he wants it before the PB is dead. He wants it now. He is starting to run into where he can’t use software because he is not Mactel. Like iLife 08, for example.

We didn’t stay very long. It was pretty crowded and someone wasn’t feeling very well. So we went home and built a fort, with pillows and blankets, on the couch and watched the rest of Angel Season 5 on DVD. And ate sammichs.

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Canada

Vs.

A few weeks ago I was buying some books at Chapters, using my WaMu MasterCard card. My wallet was open, on the counter, and the bookseller could see my driver’s license. He noticed I was from the states. Usually, when retailers notice this, they ask me if I am visiting. When I tell them I live here now, they ask me how I like it, etc. This guy asked me something completely different, and it rendered me speechless for a moment.

“So, do you like it better up here?”

Uhh… how to answer that politely. Because, let’s face, I am Canada’s house guest, and I don’t want to offend. And the truth is, no, I don’t.

To be fair, this is not a US vs. Canada issue. Or a Seattle vs. Vancouver issues. This is a Seattle vs. everywhere else on the planet issue. And no one has got a chance of beating it. Of all the places in the world, I love none so much as I love Seattle. I have never found another place that makes me feel like I am “home,” like Seattle. It fits me.

It just so happens I found someone I love more than I love Seattle. And so here I am. And it’s great. I do like it up here.

First of all, Seattle and Vancouver? Not that different. Or at least similar enough to suit me.

And living in a country that truly does consider all men created equal, allowing anyone to get married, not just the heterosexuals? AWESOME. Even though I am not looking to marry a woman anytime soon, I can’t help but feel that Canada is the enlightened one on this continent. (Really, U.S., it’s embarrassing, we have to start taking those “self evident” truths more seriously. In all manners of speaking.)

Thirdly, wheat thins taste better here*. They do, I don’t know why. They are crispier. Taste more baked than fried. Bring me a box of US Wheat Thins and we’ll have a taste test at my house. I will make you some cream cheese and Pickapeppa sauce dip, but you have to bring the Pickapeppa sauce, because I can’t find it here.

One of my favorite things? Skytrain. I WISH Seattle had something like the Skytrain.

I hear the beer is better here, which really does not matter to me, but I have to give it props for that. However, don’t get me started on the price of gas. No, don’t. Because I was listing off things I like about Canada.

So like it better? No. But I like it just fine.



*things really do taste different. Conversely, Double Stuff Oreos do not taste good. I’m sorry, the “stuff” is weird up here.

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Canada

Won’t you be… won’t you be… please won’t you be, my neighbor.

In and effort to a: get out of the house more and b: socialize, I have signed up for knitting classes at the local Michael’s craft store. This Thursday evening, and next, I will learn to knit a scarf.

I have to be honest, I don’t really care about knitting. Many people have tried to get me to knit. But I can’t hold a book or type while knitting, so it seems impractical, at best. A few months ago I agreed to start knitting with my cousin. It was going to be our new hobby, she in Washington, me here in Canada. She even sent me some yarn and needles and a book. Which is the sweetest thing. But I could not even understand the instructions for casting off. I’m sure I will benefit from a teacher who can stand over me and show me.

However, it’s not about knitting. It’s just something to take. Something to get me out of the house. And, maybe, allow me to meet people. I miss my friends. I miss spending time with them. I need to make some local friends. Preferably ones with wicked senses of humor and an interest in shoe shopping.

I do really like scarves, however.

In my dreams I make a friend in the first five minutes. Maybe she’ll be an American as well. Post immigration process, she’ll be able to travel to the states. Someday, when I am post immigration process, I’ll be able to call her up and say “Target?” and she will know exactly what I am talking about, and we’ll go down to Bellingham. Where we will also need to visit Nordstrom’s shoe department. (She’ll understand that as well.) In the meantime, she’ll kindly bring me things like Red Vines and Benefit’s Honey Snap Out of it Facial Scrub.*

American is certainly not a requirement. Evidence found in parking lots in Bellingham have shown that many Canadians understand both Target and Nordstroms.

*I have found Benefit at a Shopper’s Drug Mart in Burnaby, but not the entire product line, and not the Honey Scrub, which is THE BOMB.

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Canada, William

Escape to paradise

We just got back from a quick jaunt over to the island to see Wil’s daughter and some of his friends.

You know, you reach a certain point in your life where you have to shell out BIG BUCKS to stay anywhere that rivals the comfort of your own home. We did not. It costs $125ish dollars just to travel back and forth on the ferry, if you take your car. We go cheap on the hotel. Even in really nice places, the bed is rarely more comfortable than the Most Comfortable Bed in the world. Bigger maybe, but not more awesome.

Now that we have the HD digital cable box/ DVR tivo wannabe thingy, we have lots of pretty cable channels. (my favorite is the biography channel) so hotels rarely have better tv. There is even porn on the Video On Demand, so nothing special in that unless the hotel room wants to give you FREE porn.

Now, what we don’t have is a mini bar, but if we did we wouldn’t have to pay $9 for a bottle of beer, so that’s no real fun.

About the only thing you can give me I can’t have in the comfort of my home is maid service. And possibly a jacuzzi jet tub with ocean view.

That’s why, when we take our road trip over to Alberta and back this spring, we are going to stay here! The West Edmonton Mall (bigger than the mall of America people) Fantasyland Hotel. I’m leaning towards the Polynesian room because of the tub. Wil wants the Truck room. Too bad. No tub.

The point is, be it ever so humble, small and messy, it’s good to home. The kittens missed us.

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Canada

In answer to your questions: Smarties vs. Smarties

In the United States, this is what we call “Smarties.”

Smartie Us

In Canada, they call them “Rockets.” This is what they call “Smarties.”

Canada Smarties

They are like M n’ M’s only, in my opinion, more sugary tasting. Don’t try to get an m n’ m blizzard at DQ in Canada, they don’t have them. They have Smartie blizzards. In my opinion, they are two very separate candies. Smarties are not m n’ m substitutes, they are their own experience.

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