May 03, 2006
International Visitor Day!
Okay, we've had TWO of these so far, and by Jiminy, if we don't get someone today to stand up and say hello from beyond the borders, I will call an indefinite halt to this feature, and then where will we all be?!
SO, here's the deal--if you are a citizen of the fair nation which flies this flag:
--you are invited to please give a shout to everyone and to tell us a bit about yourself.
And remember, if you don't, the rest of the world will be denied EVER being saluted in this way again. Yes, I realize you shouldn't be pressured like this since is was the previous weeks' stunning lack of responsiveness by the Limeys and the Frogs, who just couldn't be put upon to even give a simple nod of the head or wave of the hand, that has brought us to this crucial day.
HOWEVER, when you think about it, who better to salvage their soiled reputations than you hardy Canucks, who share genetic material with both of those countries!
One thing I am sad about (I mean besides that thing about not ever being able to make our invasions during the Revolution and during the War of 1812 stick) is that I've never gotten to visit up that way. Then again, I've never been to any of our states north of New York, either--I don't get out much, you know.
I HAVE, however, had a lot of contact with you good folks as you come through on your way to the Gulf and after you've arrived. I must say that every Canadian I've come across has been unfailingly nice, and the ones on the road drive very well. Even those from Quebec. Oh, and how could I forget!? Back during my study abroad tour of Europe in '86, I had dinner with a very nice Canadian girl we came across in Athens.
About the only bad experience I've ever had with a Canadian was that reporter girl who had some guy send me an e-mail threatening to sue me for quoting one of her newspaper articles in a blog post. I know Canadians are wary of being overly influenced by the culture of the big hulk south of the border, and I would have to say this woman's fascination with litigation is one of those peculiarly American pastimes you folks would do well to disregard.
ANYway, if you are a Canadarian (and I know some of you are, because I see your .ca domain names, so don't try to act like I'm not talking about YOU), today is your day! Please drop us a note, say "hullo, eh!" and tell us how you came to Possumblog.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 09:16 AMI live real close to Tennessee which is almost to Canada and I think I once flew over a section of Canada. Oh yeah, I used to shop at the Canadian base exchange when I was stationed in Germany.
Posted by: Larry Anderson at May 3, 2006 10:13 AMWell I've been to Montréal with a couple of friends and my hubby-to-be, where we watched Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta when Larry and I drove out to Montana.
Woo-hoo! Three out of three!
::sigh:: I appreciate the fact that we all have nice memories of Canadavian things and vacations, but is there ANYone who actually LIVES in Canada willing to leave a comment!?
Remember, if you don't, you'll spoil it for every other country who won't get a chance to be saluted...
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 10:37 AMOh yeah, and my Crunch got to pee on Alberta too during that trip.
Posted by: Sarah G. at May 3, 2006 10:52 AMThus turning Canada into the Great Yellowish North.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 10:56 AMDo I need to get my friend in BC to come visit and say hello?
Posted by: Jordana at May 3, 2006 10:57 AMOnly if they want for the rest of the world to be able to continue to enjoy the fine entertainment offered by International Visitor Day on Possumblog.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 11:06 AMI think I went skiing up there in that country somewheres (Whistler / Blackcomb)... Once upon a time.
I'm pretty sure that that doesn't count though.
Posted by: Byron Todd at May 3, 2006 11:19 AMWell, it counts as a fun vacation.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 11:27 AMMaybe you are wanting to come and watch one of our fine 'ockey contests, Non?
Shoot dat Puck, Score dat Goal.
Posted by: Skinny LeDan at May 3, 2006 11:47 AMWell, a brave try, LeDan--especially considering that even pretending to have thrown off your allegience to the Rangers might get you into serious trouble. But it's still not enough to stave off the impending demise of International Visitor Day here.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 12:04 PM
My mother is French-Canadian; naturalised US citizen since the Fifties. I've been to Canada and have tons of cousins, etc, up there. Is that close enough?
Posted by: mike hollihan at May 3, 2006 12:29 PMIt's closer, but I'm still holding our for one of your cousins to drop by.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 12:57 PMPerhaps you should have tried something in French for the Quebecois:
Hein, le hoser, visitent svp le blog de Possum et partent d'un commentaire ainsi Terry ne conduira pas que vieux Volvo vers le haut ici et ne nous rend pas visite. Merci!
Perhaps that will get a reply?
Posted by: Stan at May 3, 2006 02:30 PMWow--that French stuff sure does sound nice. But it didn't work with the French last week, so I can't imagine it'll work with the pretend-French Quebecois.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 02:53 PMI had a friend who moved to Canada then two years later moved back. Does that count?
BTW my impressions based on the few trips I’ve made to Canada—the Frenchy part is fine for those of us with a Southern accent. They don’t expect us to speak the language. However sound like you might be Canadian? Well they forget all English—this was a few years ago and I assume they have mellowed since then.
Again, not quite close enough--and we've only got 15 minutes left before the close of the competition. O, CANADA! Will you let this shame fall on you?
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 3, 2006 04:46 PMI have to say I am disappointed that none of your Canadian readers chose to comment. I hope this will not be a setback to relations between the two countries, but I am not optimistic. Perhaps George Bush and Stephen Harper can discuss this at their next meeting.
Posted by: Stan at May 4, 2006 07:22 AMWell, they had their chance, and now they've gone and ruined it for all the other countries that didn't get a chance to be granted this high honor.
Or honour. Or honneur.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 4, 2006 07:58 AM