Monday, December 7, 2009

Local Snooze


My Sunday newspaper experience is off the mark here in the great white north. The big weekend paper here in Toronto is the Saturday paper. Unlike the states, where the Sunday newspaper is always available on Saturday. It's catnip for us news junkies (knowing you can cheat and read it a day early is simply delicious.)

Unlike the states, where real news can sometimes shine through and land upon the front page
(LA Times, NY Times both led the weekend news round up with the Afghanistan troop build up.)

Here, the local papers seem to seek out the ole adage " if it bleeds it leads," and here in Canada that means hockey. The front page of the Toronto Star gave front and center to the disturbing story that referees are intimidating young players of Canada's national past time. The next big story on page two- the pressure is just too much for many young hockey players, as many feel the need to perform well for a shot at the big leagues.

Here is a story I would be interested in reading: how many Canadian hockey players ended up not in the professional arena of skating but of dentistry. Seems like a sure recession proof choice of career for those not worthy of that big ice rink in the spot light.

Cruel I know, but a girls' gotta have fun even here in Canada. Poke poke.

So like any good transplant wanting to embrace the local culture and fit in I bought ice skates this weekend. Paired with a goofy hat I could be a local. Even if it's just to blend in and drink spiked hot cocoa rink side.I gotta believe if ya look the part it's half the fun.

The thing I can't embrace, won't try any longer to put lipstick on? The local newspaper or snooze as I so fondly refer to it now. Hello Sunday NY Times and goodbye Toronto Sun.

My psyche has already improved just knowing that my Saturday will be devoid of any hockey, curling, or Steven Harper stories.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Canuck Monopoly


I find myself owning more board games at this juncture of life. Could it be the under age group residing in my household that dictates this use of time and mental bandwidth? It certainly contributes.
The real reason is the weather. As we await the impending weather here in Toronto we do what any California transplant does- buys more non-local wine of the red varietal, and more board games.
The newest of the boxed bunch- City Monopoly. This version allows you to build high rises and sewage treatment plants next door to your neighbors with very little regard for local planning. This newest variety got me thinking about how many genres of Monopoly there really could be. The capitalist bent of the game is always the competitive, capitalistic, money hoarding and free wheeling American psyche brought to it's simplest form: an evening of togetherness. Capitalist tendencies do coincide with Canadian cultural habits but in such a humbled form the tendencies seem like the mere shadow of what they represent.

Enter the newest idea for a board game (yes, it's my own idea) Cunuck Monoploy.
This version of the game has very little in common with it's sibling from the states. First off, it's all about complacency. And hockey.

The rules of my version of Canadian Monopoly would be as follows: If you say something rude to the TTC driver you must attend a class. Instead of jail, we have Canadian charm school where one learns the ever popular passive -aggressive way of smiling and waving at your neighbor vs flipping em the bird.
The real estate around the board is heavily suburban-cottage country focus, since the cottage country adjective is so tightly knit to Canadian Identity that it only seems authentic to the rules of the game to include it. Other key real estate on the game board includes bankrupt hockey teams in Arizona. Don't worry though, you'll never be able to buy them.

The big GO on the American gameboard would be replaced with the LCBO or the liquor control board, which exists on the corner end where collecting a salary would be on the American version of the game. Instead of free parking, there's Canadian Tire.

Chance cards offer the following advice and direction: "Go directly to your television and find a curling game. Watch this television channel for 20 min" (which will seem like 2 weeks.) Another chance card might read "go directly to Swiss Chalet and order the french fries with poutine."
( American's who have never head of this: think Denny's greasy french fries smothered in gray gelatinous gravy.)

The game pieces would be as follows: a mitten, a hockey skate, a hockey stick, a hockey puck, a zamboni, a can of Labatt's beer, a woolen hat in red, a chain saw, and a snowmobile.

The winner of the game will be the one with an average amount of money, driving a Buick SUV, and owning a piece of the cottage county with a winter get away at Blue Mountain.

It's so very nice and civilized, this game of Canadian Monopoly. Just remember that complacency replaces strategy. And don't forget to smile a great deal.

Can you tell that today I miss California?

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Dilettantish Darkhorse


Cozy can be described as anything that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of your soul.

A cafe of recent finding has the cozy affect cornered as my new free wifi hang and coffee connection. Canadian coffee culture is a great deal like the Canadian wine culture: M.I.A.
Why the culinary bitch slap you ask? When placing a coffee order the server always asks "what do you like in your coffee" and proceeds to add the cream or sugar or ? to the cup. Yes, I know it's so wrong on so many levels but that's the long and the short of coffee here.

I consider it a Canadian cultural divide.

The Darkhorse cafe on Spidina has all the charm of an uber chic San Francisco hang coupled with the coffee culture akin to Seattle- A true hybrid. Think capitalistic love child cafe. Why the capitalist slam you ask, well this artistically barista-d cafe is more expensive than Starbucks and if you let me geek out with a purely foodie metaphor the Darkhorse cafe is Sonoma to the Toronto coffee oasis as the humble noir grape is to Sonoma. Okay, it's metaphorically a stretch but I think you get where I'm going.

If anything at all is gonna get me through the great white snowy season that awaits, it's great coffee and a cafe vibe that rivals most metropolitan cities: Barcelona comes to mind. Rome too. Perhaps it's a nod to Canadian civility as conceitedness takes a well placed stance at the back of the que right next to snotty and attitude since none of that seems to exist here at the dark horse cafe.

Today it's mixed mob of fashionistas, artist's, geeks, and office types all basking in the vibe.It looks like a deelicious trail mix of humanity.

The weather promises to offer sunshine and warmth, so the excitement level is somewhere between the Easter bunny arriving and an open bar at the Ritz . Yes, really that happy.

Of course just as I state the obvious with my neglected Ray-Bans getting some long overdue use, tomorrow may bring an entirely different vibe to my coffee experience here at the darkhorse, but today it's about as good as it gets here in the fair city of T.O.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Why Is Your Christmas Tree Parked Next To The Halloween Candy?


Remember when you were a kid, how time seemed to crawl ever so slowly by.. The wait for Halloween catapulted you into the big leagues of countdowns..tic tock Christmas is t-minus how many days away??

I only ask because last week I stopped into Ikea only to find trees trimmed in full Christmas celebratory style-ala-ikea. Whaaat? October...so is it me or is it really a stretch?

Who is responsible for this phenomenon? As an ahhm..American, I used to think my twisted culture was the culprit. But alas, sweet Swedish ikea has succumbed to the capitalist cocktail that America shakes and serves up even in these economic times.

Oh yeah, the economy is still being shaken like a snow globe, so it's apropos to have the holiday cha-ching so early in autumn I suppose..

Yes, I like the change of the seasons here in Toronto. The capitalism I thought I left behind...not so much.

Does Santa accept letters from us a wee bit earlier due to our proximity to the pole. Hope so.

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Casa De H1N1


A virtual bus just ran over me. That's what it feels like. All the hype, all the frenzied CDC reports, and the icing on the cake: tah-dah...it's sitting here, right here in my own home. My two school aged peitri dishes brought it home.. cough cough. The first few daze were awful, maybe even woeful, especially for the harder hit seven year old. The crazy part is we have been hyper vigilant against germs. You can run but you can not hide from H1N1.

So where is that vaccine.. as NY and our Midwestern stateside neighbors form a neat que to receive the N1H1 jab I still can't wrap my head around why the Canadians continue to wait? Hello-Ottawa? Anyone paying attention? Yes, you are all so polite, but perhaps now is not the time to be polite or complacent.

Canada knew this wave of illness was coming, discussing it each and everyday in the media. Yet vaccine is not yet available for the general public. We are told by the Health minister who is like a tamer version of the CDC (the Canadian CDC) that Monday is the day. Yes- as in next week. That's the new improved, sooner that Nov.4th date.

W.t.f.? Why the wait. Stateside has more than a weeks' worth of time under it's belt administering vaccine. Why the wait in availability for Canada? Better yet why is the american transplant residing in Toronto asking this question? Where is the vocal local voice?

Cough cough, no one can hear you.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Off The Hook


When people say they would like to run away and join the circus I always nod in agreement. I get it. I am such a cirque du soleil junkie that my secret pipe dream is to be a part of the troupe. Really.

The healthy channel instead is to be a groupie and see them all over the planet.
Check.

But this week when it was reported that a young performer of cirque died from injuries sustained from a trampoline fall during a practice, it brought it all into perspective. The circus is a dangerous business. Amazingly cirque du soleil reported this as it's first such tragedy after twenty-five years of performance.

Odds are that something is gonna happen if you spend enough time doing dangerous stuff. Remember Evil Knievel. Enough said. But circue performers are artisans who have trained as dancers and gymnasts and paid with due diligence to hone a skill set few mortals dare.

My 7 and 9 year old sons' sat mesmerized during the Sunday performance of Ovo. When questioned about the show, the nine year old said "That was off the hook."

Enough said.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

I Spy


The recent Toronto book fair honoring the written word was a smashing success.

This is something book geek worthy, and yes if the shoe is custom fit- then it is my duty to attend such geekiness, if only to show support to the other five attendees. Much to my chagrin, as I exited the Museum metro platform and ascended the stairs to Queens park I was met by a mob scene. All of this for the written word festival? Why yes indeed. Magazines, socialist wingnut writers, journalism non profits all had booths set up. I have learned that any Canadian festival is always showcasing Canadian. Glad I left my red and white pom poms at home.

Typically book festivals offer lots of free stuff-books out of print, proofed copies.Weirdly enough the only free books available were the ones being hawked by the religious groups in attendance. It seemed to me that even god or Allah is not recession proof. The funny -people- watching -moment of the event: a few Muslim guys arguing about which direction in which to kneel while praying. A couple of opinions and pointing fingers in various directions made the prayer blanket look more like a three stooges skit.

The true high light of the afternoon: Hanging with the cartoon creators of The Possum, and Spy Guy. My own short guys loved watching the creation of a customized piece of artwork, that was an extra goodie for purchasing a grab bag of comics.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Spendy Syrup


As a California transplant here in Canada, few things wield intimidation like maple syrup. Laugh away but, If you are an oenophile (I like to identify as a wine nerd) so comparing maple syrup to french vino: nothing is as expensive (drop for drop than Bordeaux.) Pitch perfect analogy.

Why is this? I am also a foodie, a foodie who found the recent movie about Julia Child as emotionally satisfying as sitting down to an entire tub of ben & jerry cherry Garcia but I digress. The foodie mecca here in T.O. is the St. Lawerence Market.

The weekend farmer market at our noteworthy market the pilgrimage we all seek. Guss it could be worse since this is completely legal with no nasty hangover. The earlier you shop, the more educated and serious the food shopper. An inverse relationship exists in this regard. Later than 8:30, you are automatically tagged a tourist.
Back to my theme this weeek. Maple syrup- Pure maple syrup is graded according to Federal USDA regulations, and is based on both color and flavor. The grades are: US Grade A Light Amber, US Grade A Medium Amber, US Grade A Dark Amber, and US Grade B. Some states use a slightly different terminology, as does Canada, but the legal requirements for each grade are the same, regardless of what they are called. For example: Grade A Light Amber syrup is sometimes called Fancy Grade, and here in Canada it is called No. 1 Extra Light.

Well thank goodness it's not just for breakfast anymore. Baked pairs, braised beef, caramelized root veggies- sorry to geek out but these are all dee-licious with a dash of Canada's maple syrup.

So we'll choose to drink the Chilean reds so we can pop for the dark amber syrup.

All maple syrup grades are better than the artificial stuff. Otherwise it's strictly a matter of personal choice. Ask yourself : Which is better, white wine or red wine? Which is better, light beer or dark beer? Beer can probably be compared most easily to the different maple syrup grades/flavors. A light pilsner beer has a light color and delicate flavor, while a Stout or Porter has a very dark color and strong flavor. It's strictly a matter of personal choice, and there isn't one grade of maple syrup that is "better" than another. Thx for hangin'for the foodie geek out session. Now go sing the praises of the syrup-

Thursday, October 1, 2009

Apples, Peaches. Pumkin Pie


Happy October first. In celebration of seeing my breath this morning I decided to book my travel plans for warmer weather. Funny how things like frosty sidewalks will get ones' attention. Too bad the warm travel plan is months away. Suppose it makes it all the more delicious.
The bright note is we have trees ready to explode in a celebration of color, or colour if you're a local aye?

So where does on go to explore the beauty of mother nature and maybe enjoy a little apple cider? I took my own private straw poll today and was surprised to find that the answers were as diverse as the pocket books of those professing ideas. The deep pocket crowd suggested Montreal or Quebec.. That's nice and we certainly adore the food scene, but a weekend in Montreal is a great way to drop a grand. How about the finger lake area of Ny was another idea. Not so nice in my estimation, since drinking those sticky sweet Niagara wines figures in. The best answer: local farms just out of the city district. King City sounds like a destination but the website for the pick-your-own apples looks a little snoozey.

In this case snoozey is good, so off we will go in search of amazing cider. It's funny how asking such a simple question of where to go casts such a huge net. I'll report back, but don't be shy sharing personal favorites or places off the beaten trail. Have Subaru will travel.

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

My lunchdate


I ventured home today to have a bite to eat for lunch, and make a few free calls on my VOIP line.. Man it's expensive calling stateside on a cell or regular land-line. Just as I sat down a bird of prey flew to my 16th floor window to dine upon a little free-range sparrow that she had just caught. My camera was in my bag so i snapped a few pics. I'm always in awe of any bird of prey. I like the forceful gaze and that amazing hooked beak- all the better to rip you apart (glad I'm not a small bird or rodent.) Amazing too on another level that as a city dweller I was able to experience something so spectacular, awe inspiring. Plus it was nice to have the lunch company.

After a quick google
search lots of data came up about my lunch buddy. She was a kestrel. She lives (most likely) on the Island within my line of vision. She is a fearless yet patient hunter. My google net cast a whole genre of airy-fairy-symbolic & Indian mythology. I'm not one to knock this sorta stuff, especially coming from living next to the airiest-fairest zipcode stateside: Santa Cruz.

So the following is a snippet of mythological brain candy for you to savor or laugh at- after all, it's your snack..
The mystical totem that the kestrel represents: Agility & quickness. A bird that can stimulate a quick, graceful and agile mind. A visit from this bird will teach you how to use your mental facilities more effectively and more patiently(this I could use) to capture what you most need and desire. It not only has excellent vision, but its hearing is amazing (I could polish this skill set)-- so it reminds us to truly Listen and See what is around us, within our lives, and our place/responsibility within situations. I like that.

Next time I think I'll opt for the salad. Watching another carnivore devour her lunch left me wanting to become a bit more herbivore.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Politics & Rock n Roll


Civilized and unrehearsed. These are two words typically not found in the same sentence when a political fundraiser is discussed. My entree into Canadian politics was such a refreshing change from what I know and loath of American spectator sport styled political fundraisers.

Aside from a few big and goofy sounding words (Attawapiskat) the evening fundraiser for the MP Charlie Angus was cordial and congenial for all attending. Aside from Bill Clinton, I don't know too many politicos who can pick up a musical instrument and play well. Evening music was a Canadian potpourri with JASON COLLETT, KATHLEEN EDWARDS, BOB WISEMAN, ANDY MAIZE, and ANDREW CASH (who announced that he is seeking the NDP nomination in Davenport, a Liberal-held enclave.)

The evening line up for the event was a glimpse into the crystal ball of up and comer rock stars and local glitterati.. Peach Berserk designer Kingi Carpenter designed a silk screened dress with Charlie's face. Charlie described the silk screened print photograph of his sweet mug as a mid sentence rant in the House of Commons heckling Bev Oda, then heritage minister. (She is now the Minister of International Co-operation.) Political wonkiness has never been so sexy!

Yet another political first... geez I am a lucky gurl....experiencing this eclectic mix-fashionistas of Toronto's Queen Street West and a mod squad mix of local luminary made for a delicious eve. All in the name of political support. I like this place more everyday.

The other high light of the evening involved an accordion. Yes, an accordion. Oh, did I mention the sock puppets?? Now if I could just find the snippet of last eves' soiree on youtube I could post it here. Magical moments are meant to be shared. Anyone...please forward the url..


Tuesday, September 22, 2009

An invention That Could Only Be Canadian




















Few things here in Canada evoke emotions and stir feelings of patriotic fervour like the king of all things Canadian: hockey.

Find yourself alone in a que, strike up a conversation about hockey and find that everyone around you has something to contribute. It's not a sport or even a mere past time. Think religion.

One short stop to the local Canadian Tire (Genre akin to target stores on testosterone vs mom&pop automotive.) Stroll thru household goods, end of season garden goods, and the hunting-fishing gear area you'll find yourself within a pond sized area of pucks.

Sticks of all sizes and cost, of course skates. No wimpy double runners here. Hockey skates come in tiny baby sized booties. These mini-skates look like something found upon the foot of most sweet smelling infants...then add a sharp blade. Now we can differentiate the true Canadians from the wanna bees.. and once those tiny toddler feet have met the ice most parents must figure why teach them to walk when you can teach them to skate first. After all, they have no teeth to knock out (that comes later on, like third grade team hockey.)

It was said that the fabled Pele was given a soccer ball before he could crawl. Bobby Orr perhaps teethed upon a rubbery puck.. This hockey religious experience; It's like nothing I have ever experienced. Is this a myopically singular fervor in most circles within the latitude of Ontario?
Ive been told it's a country wide phenomena that stretches for nine months out of the year.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Rant and Roll


Okay it's time for a rant. Simple things always seem to be the things that turn into colossal sized pain-in-the-ass issues. Purchasing milk. As mundane as that seems I wanna know what's up with the milk in the bag routine which by the way Canada- no one else does, anywhere. There is no economy of scale buying the gallon or Liter of Leache here in Canada. Trying to pour it into my morning coffee is also a disaster in the making, Pouring it into a pitcher, forget it... This thing called a jug, it works really well.

This needs to change. Can't Canadians embrace the gallon jug or carton?? I just can't wrap my head around this one. Also can't imagine I am the only one ranting about this.

Why no wi-fi? The elusive signal is leaving me longing for stateside bandwidth. Oh little town of MountainView how do I miss you (never thought I would ever find myself saying that.) Google has given the gift of bandwidth to the minions of Mt.View..lucky bastards. Toronto Mayor David Miller- are you listening? Mostly no...But then again that's why Mayor Miller has a current popularity vote of just 29% tolerating him. Tolerating in Canadian terms is about as close as you're gonna get to hate.

My last rant involves the Toronto Film Festival, which begins today. Why the kid gloves surrounding the potential treatment, care and feeding of the stars as they flock to our fair city for the next ten daze of films, fun, and fashionable celeb spotting. The media has had such a ohh-woes-me, I hope the weather stays lovely for the stars. My guess is that anyone from the west coast is just happy to breath air they don't have to see, or worry about the Prius catching fire as the 49% containment of the fires burning could change as soon as the Santa Ana winds kick in again and potential torch L.A.

Honey moon over I suppose. It was sweet while it lasted. Now I can go back to being my mouthy, opinionated self. Sigh of relief....

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

The Major News Story


I can't remember the last time I experienced a local event that received as much media attention as the first day of school opening in Toronto. Yesterday morning the local radio shows all made chit chat of first day of school jitters that ranged from traffic to packed lunches to the weather. For a city the size of T.O. to be solely focusedc upon this seemingly mundane (for most) issue struck me as a nostalgic throw back from the stone age. Im not slamming the media mind you, it's more of a deer -in-the-headlights moment to digest the information that here in Canada things like school are taken quite seriously.

What a concept! The glaring difference of course is that stateside, so many schools start at so many different times. Parocial, private, prep, and of course public..then the off the grid home schoolers who thumb thier noses at the establishment and sharper pencils to the beat of thier own drum. It really would'nt even be possible to give news coverage. But culturally, Americans at least in larger markets like the Bay Area of San Francisco have such bigger issues that the idea of kids returning to school gets lost in the flow of day to day minutia. Not a judgement call mind you more of a wow- that's interesting in a 1950's wholesome way.

The more I learn about how things work here in Canada the more I respect and admire the knack that Canadians seem to have for celebrating the mundane, the simple pleasures of everyday life. American culture would benefit from such a calming introspective moment, but of course Americans would need to put down the cell phone, grande latte and car keys long enough to enjoy the moment. That would be a tall order.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

The Blue Angels, Library Cards and Brunch Oh MY!


Yes, I know how to roll. Being the big swingin'dick in the world of reading, I'm finding it a bit pricy purchasing books weekly. Ive found a new found crush of sorts with the Stanza iphone app, but sometimes (really most times, except on the subway) nothing beats the experience of holding a book. Purist tendencies run deep.
Suppose it comes from an amalgam of senses: the heady mix of content, font, and binding of the book that makes it tough for me to abandon the source of story in its true form. Smell too. I love that crisp paper and ink waft that ensconces page after page. The other sought after attribute, being the book knob that I am... the autographed book. It's tough to have a first edition with a signature when it lives within my itunes folder Stanza account.

The new Sony reader looks and feels like a thin video game. Highly configurable and convenient to tuck into ones' bag, this e-reader by Sony is a nifty gadget, but it's just that...a gadget. The anti technology route? The library. Yes, the library isn't just for blue haired ladies and pedophiles lurking in the teen fiction isles. This is where those of us who burn through best sellers, new fiction work and biographies from the New York Book Review hang out awaiting the next shipment of delicious literature to chew up and spit out. Small city apartments are no match. Welcome the library card.

Except when you are not feeling very welcomed to the neighborhood branch in your new 'hood.
Glad to be as thick skinned as I am. It may have been easier to obtain a Platnium Amex card.

After triple-dog daring the woman behind the library reception desk to a game of "who knows more authors" (I was sadly rebuffed. Bitch.) Where's the love? I was handed a library card as if it was some sacred artifact for humanity's salvation. The saving grace? Today represents the last hurrah of summer with the Blue Angels blasting overhead.. It's time for brunch and a big ole bloody mary.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Good 2 B Home


Just as I was finding my groove here in Toronto, I was called back to California on a family emergency. Maybe it's the mental helmet we all wear that sets our thoughts on a certain track or perhaps the environment in which we happen to find ourselves molds and shapes us to become a chameleon of our surroundings.

Why the weird lizard metaphor you might wonder?

It's shocking for me to say, but my short (so far) stint here in Canada has rubbed off on me. I like to think of Toronto as a big gummie eraser that has softened some of the sharp edges on my nerve-end-blunt personality. This softening was brought into a sharp focus the moment I stepped off the airplane in San Diego. Nothing signifies the American lifestyle quite like the cellphone-airline- wait in line patience(or lack there of ) experience of the airport stateside .

Putting my toes in the Pacific ocean made me momentarily miss all things American, until I returned to board my return flight to Toronto. The airport and it's throng of short fused passengers seems to highlight every cliche about the overweight, tennis shoe wearing, Starbucks coffee swilling American traveler. My jet lagged brain is happy to be dining on the Quay, back in my harbourfront neighborhood (which happens to be my home.) Toronto offers the best of both worlds-a civilized big city with a large body of water. Sure it's not the Pacific, but where else can I enjoy such an amazingly global vibe where the only Americans I spy are tourists. You know the ones: sporting tennis shoes, flabby tummies and grande sized paper cups of Starbucks... Nice to be home.

Monday, August 24, 2009

Smart is the new Sexy


I am smitten. It's not an old school crush reignited. Not a facebook flashback from the past. No this new crush is the one I have on the local newspaper, The Toronto Star.
Before you yawn and go back to your facebook page, you owe it to yourself to pay attention to the amazing piece of journalism by Linda Diebel from the Saturday edition Toronto Star. For you politicos out there, this is a well researched and opinionated piece. Decent investigatory writing seems to be a lost art, or so I thought. An amazing story is unfolding about the handful of Canadians stranded around the globe as the government looks the other way, which is abhorrent. The article can be found here.

The impetus for these recent stories of wayward travelers: Suaad Hagi Mohamud. The good news is she's back home in Toronto after her three month ordeal of being called an impostor. Left to twist in the wind by the Canadian government because her lips looked different from her four year old photo in the passport she held. Note to self: No Juviederm before traveling internationally.

Newby that I am to the area, I can't help but be impressed with the story bylines of the recent weeks dealing with the position that Ms. Mohamud found herself . Impressed that the art of journalism still exists in the old school world of newspaper. The Toronto stars' unparalleled coverage of this amazing saga deserves an applause.
Brava Ms. Diebel. It would be lovely to see you awarded a Pulitzer for your work, or maybe the Canadian equivalent.....the National
Newspaper Awards. Certainly not as glamorous, but better than no recognition.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Can't Cha Smell That Smell?



Life in a high rise apartment building has it's good points, but also it's fair share of not so nice.

Like most of the posh buildings in downtown Toronto, we have the doorman wearing a suit, who smiles sweetly in the morning as he opens the door and bids you Adue. It's like having a surrogate parent wishing you well as you start your day.

The not soo nice? Weirdly enough, there's the seemingly year old Christmas wreath still hanging on the front door of #3406, now August the tired greenery smells like a cross between mildewy socks and a catbox. Then there's the boozey breathed guy on the 18 floor that always has the elevator smelling like a bottle of Tanqueray by the time I step in around 9:00 a.m. I have thought about suggesting he add a little milk to the morning gin & cheerio mix but haven't mustered the courage just yet. The elevator is a small paragraph of sociological intrigue all it's own. Elevator etiquette here in Canada differs greatly than say what I experienced while residing in Chicago. My building on ritzy Lake Shore Drive was home to the media elite (many of us worked at WLUP radio, CBS.) A handful of rockstars including Cheap Trick lead singer and guitarist Robin Zander also lived in the building. Elevator protocol was always to be too cool for school and not talk to anyone vs. today where anyone talks to anyone when the elevator doors open. Decidedly Canadian I suppose. It's sweet but I wonder how that's going to work once the H1N1 virus take hold this winter...hopefully mums the word.

I holdout hope however that the Christmas fans in #3406 replace that god awful wreath when the holiday season rolls around soon.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Sugar Sugar













Comic book collectors are celebrating the long awaited hook-up of that goofy Archie to comic book hottie Veronica. Or are they celebrating? Many collectors of this series are chiming in with differing opionions. Imagine that- public spout offs about nothing of great importance. President Obama must be wondering why he can't shake out more support for his health care plan, and low en behold peoples brains are pondering the outcome of comic book lovers' triangles. Wow, never would have guessed that one.

The Archie Comics website shows Archie proposing to Veronica on bended knee on the cover of No. 600, which hits comic book stores today. Plot the love triangle penned into the six-issue story arc that takes place in the future – when the perpetual high schoolers have graduated from college, to quote Victor Gorelick, editor-in-chief of Archie Comics. He said people all over the world are reacting to Archie's choice and "mostly everyone feels bad for Betty.''

I get Archie's decision. Veronica is the dominatrix type who can work a pair of thigh high boots like no one in cartoon kingdom. Sure Betty is cute, but the bubble-gum blond goodie goodie demeanor is soo high school.

Veronica is a blogger and although not the most articulate, she works facebook like she works the crowd at her evening job as a stripper. Gone are the dayz of high school teeny bop: Comics have made it into the 21st century sporting a nicer edge and better graphics. Otherwise how could an X box game be in the cards if The Archies stayed completely G rated?

I put my money on a twist of fate for Archie and Veronica, or should I say tryst of fate with Betty in the mix by the time cover #610 is in print. The only way to make it even more interesting is to throw another vixen into the mix. My vote would be for a redhead.

Who knew comics could be so delicious?

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Chill The F@*K Out


This seems so silly. Blame British Columbia for this cheekiness: Coors Light declares the beer is "Colder Than Most People From Toronto." Making fun of Toronto is a unity issue that ties together everyone who doesn't live here, apparently a strategy that has been used for years. Weirdly it's not Molson(although they do own Coors) or Wellington poking fun while having a bit of fun playing up regional differences. Geez- C'mon Canadians... this is the battle you pick to fight? You bunch of beer babies can't even drink a decent microbrew, choosing instead to cry into your swilly American branded, Canadian owned beer...Eeew..Boohoo. Get over it.

Weirdly as a Bay Area transplant I find Torontonians amazingly friendly, and polite. What I like the best? I am finding the flirty, funny, and down right friendliness of my new hood' deelicious and I can't even imagine anyone taking offense to something sooo pedestrian. So that Canadian Complacency quip I tossed around a week or so ago needs an amendment of sorts.

Complacency with all things political, economic, and legal ( See this story?)

Pint of Stella anyone? Cheers!

Monday, August 17, 2009

Ohh The Places You'll Go

We all have favorite travel stories. Mine typically have to do with the irritating way travel styles go array. Traveling through Guatemala with someone who found it impossible to lift their nose from the lonely planet book, or Yelp! website addicts who can't decide where to eat breakfast without a democratically elected opinion. Life on the road to adventure can get gritty when one travelers' idea of camping is the Hotel Arts Barcelona but the other partner in crime is free wheeling- get off the plane -train- bus and walk into the world content to sleep where ever, but that too makes for great travel fodder.

A good friend of mine came back from a whirl wind trip that covered a zillion miles and a gaggle of gorgeous locales. I couldn't help but post his work, as he is about the funniest, well read person on the planet. In the spirit of all things summer, Enjoy life in the moment!
What better way than with pictures and captions to sum up the tasty kernel depicting moments on the road.
For me this is the best of an experience distilled down to a tasty snippet- enjoy... This is what summer is all about.
Thank-you to my good friend Dave Benson, Radio Programming maestro and photographer /writer, world traveler. Nice Work. Now get back to work slacker boy.


Caption: i don't even want to know what they cook in here.

everybody needs a place to call their own

even the inside of my hat gives me advice.

view from the rooftop bar/restaurant in Istanbul. it's all well and good until tomorrow morning when some guy decides to put the boom box on 11 and give a shout out on Mohammed's behalf.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

To Dance Or Not 2 Dance


The old saying that excitement is infectious doesn't seem to hold true for concert goers here in T.O.

I was listening to an interview on the New Yorker Podcast with John Seabrook who was discussing the history of rock concerts. The mystic of venue, sound quality and overall experience has changed for concert goers as the music-concert genre has morphed into big stadium shows that lack sound quality and control. Depersonalized.

A handful of sweet little concert venues still exist here in Toronto (The Mod Theater comes to mind with Matt Nathanson putting on an awesome show) The swanky n sweet Drake Hotel is a gem that serves marvelous martinis during music shows. A big exciting part of seeing a live show is experiencing this lost art of showmanship, of course acoustics add to the overall small venue experience of an energized crowd. No small part of this experience is the energy of a crowd turned on by the performer.

My thread of niceness concerning my Canadian hosts has run it's course. Sad to say, but sometimes an edge to ones' personality is a necessary evil. Or maybe just a pulse would be fine here under the red and white flag waving it's friendly maple leaf everywhere.. The concert experience in Canada is about as energy filled as watching paint dry. Okay, perhaps that analogy is a bit harsh. Think airport lounge television experience: the Canadian sport of Curling on every monitor and they've announced a delay for your flight. So after a month here, I can say the experience is pretty similar whether the band is rock, jazz or pop... snore. The scene looks like this: no pushing or shoving, no dancing, not much physical mosh pit like crunch/crush. Sound like fun? Sure, if this describes waiting for the subway but a live music show deserves a better return of our creative investment.

To solve this dilemma? I thought I might ask for feedback, as buying drinks for the entire venue could get spendy.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Is Canada The New China


No, Not due to the recent typhoon. This comparison is purely censorship driven. What does censorship have to due with living in Canada you might wonder. The lock on the telcom/internet world is an arm wrestle between a couple of players here in the great northern enclave of Canada. The carrier that hosts the service in the apartment has a devilish way of blocking out or redirecting DNS searches. I can't access google at the oddest of time. No, I don't have a online porn habit that needs to be curtailed by the Rogers Telephone control freaks, but in the last week (notice my lack of posts??) Weird re directs occur on my machine when I have attempted to google ANYTHING... be it a search, a gmail account, or my urbanfirefly account. In what appears to be a violation of Net Neutrality by Rogers Cable, Digital Home readers ( me included) are reporting that Rogers High Speed Internet service has begun redirecting customers "Server not found pages" to webpages laden with Rogers advertising.

The hijacking of the webpage appears to be attempt by Rogers to use its Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) technology to cash in on the mistakes of its users.

Pissed off is really an understatement. So who do I rant to? Well the first stop was the customer assistance line at Rogers. Of course after feigning ignorance on any re-direct from any where, it was deemed that perhaps I needed a refresher course or how-to- surf the Internet. Even recommended where to find the classes. As if.

My very Canadian service rep soon heard a stream of expletives come pouring from my mouth, I vow to take the censorship to the ether and have it reign down upon f#$K face Rogers Internet for redirecting and basically controlling where I surf. China has this in spades, but Canada...

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

He Shoots He Scores


I think we have a new nick name for Bill Clinton. Catnip. Catnip Clinton was on a "private humanitarian mission" to see his little friend Kim Jong-il and discuss the release of Laura Ling and Euna Lee, of San Francisco-based Current TV. Both women had been taken into custody in March near the border with China while reporting on refugees fleeing North Korea. They were sentenced to hard labor for illegal entry and "hostile acts." Bill Clinton had "expressed a deep apology that the [two female reporters] entered the country illegally and committed hostile acts against the republic." I feel your pain.. but we have cocktails awaiting and a plane to catch.
I wonder if Catnip brought along boot leg DVDs of current Hollywood blockbusters to break the ice and put a smiley face on a situation his wife Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton merely described as petulant and childish (referring to Kim Jong-il and those pesky nuclear tests from a few weeks ago.)

I would have loved to have had the fly on the wall experience of eavesdropping on what I imagine: the scene of Kim and Bill, enjoying a bowl of Kim Chee while watching Hangover, laughing about frat boy antics and comparing notes on the best lap dance in Vegas.

Who else is ecstatic? H.E. Mr. Miguel d'Escoto Brockmann, President of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly has gotta be doing the happy dance. This Catnip Clinton gesture places a band-aid of sorts upon the recent North Korea United Nations resolutions defiance of nuclear arms.

What about that inconvenient tie between Clinton inner circle stiff guy: past VP of The United States of America/past CEO of Current TV Al Gore? Why not invite him along for a few cocktails flying first class. Clinton's spokesman said the former president had left Pyongyang with the two reporters and they were en route to Los Angeles.

Mr. Clinton has gotta be thinking "it's good to be me" today. I couldn't agree more. Especially if this could pave the way to direct nuclear disarmament talks. He shoots He scores- Pure Catnip.

Monday, August 3, 2009

Complacency: A Canadian Cultural Trait













After a month here in Canada, I have an opinion about the overall lack of initiative on the part of environmental groups. The recent strike could have -should have -would have been the catalyst for change. Except no groups stepped forward to seize the moment.
Excuses, excuses. These ranged from :not enough time to organize (37 days) to summer vacation.

The people who consider themselves "environmentalist" must have been up at the cottage. For those not familiar with the cottage concept, picture in your mind a season of three months and a crazed urgency people exhibit for getting away to visit the land of the black fly and mosquito. Seems like a lot of work to me, but then I am used to having a longer runway of nice weather to enjoy. Talk to me in the spring, and perhaps I will be singing a different tune. But really- each and every free moment of the so called summer season for many here in Canada is time spent lakeside.
It's much like the Tahoe phenomenon in California with a highly evolved myopic view of venue.

With the Canadian love of nature, and sustainability worn on the cuff of everyone who weathered this strike for the past month, a few observations came to mind. This could be considered a rant by Canadian terms, so avert your eyes as the following paragraph o' vitriol.

The media places the blame for environmental complacency to: summer vacation. Yes, here in Canada the environmentalist rabble rouses, pot stirrers and soap box fans all take a break from their pot stirring. Hard to believe, but the local press blames this summer vacation phenomenon for the lack of any activist messages aimed at enticing people to make smarter choices when shopping. Puchasing goods with less packaging, being a vocal forefront for changing consumer habits-but instead of seizing the opportunity to make politically charged socially important messages framed by a backdrop of garbage bags we got..... nada.

Sometimes marketing opportunities just don't get any better than the recent visual of football field sized waste holding areas, too bad none of the environmental groups here capitalized.

Complacency accompanied with a fine set of rationalization runs deep here. Of course I'm just a pushy American (suppose that's redundant too.) but at least I know an opportunity when I see one, and that too is very American .

Evoke change? There's always next time.

Sunday, August 2, 2009

The Staycation


Sloth. Couch Potato. Slacker. Today it's an easy fit for any of the three adjectives. Despite the beautiful weather the most productive thing accomplished today: reading the paper. Weirdly enough the Sunday paper here in Canada is pretty thin. I suppose the assumption is that an August Sunday should be spent doing more arduous tasks than reading the paper.

The city is looking it's spit polished self again with the city municipal workers back on the clock. Garbage collection has taken place around the clock, along with ferry service to the Islands that loom just beyond a quick sail across the lake. Even that fabulous view couldn't unseat me today.

I've noticed the media and marketing wizards of the world have coined a term for this sort of no plan, rudderless agenda at least when it coincides with a three day holiday weekend: Staycation.

Unlike a vacation with posh hotel room service, and delicious over priced mini bar delights my staycation culinary highlight of the day was an online pizza order/delivery.

Yes, it is an oxymoron to actually post a blog about sloth like behavior, but hey- it's a cathartic reason of sharing my guilt of missing a beautiful day. Especially when beautiful days are considered a scarce commodity in this part of the world. Maybe a few evening hours left of sultry summer weather can tug me from my ivory tower life here in T.O

Cocktails & Croquet anyone?

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Bless Me Father...


What does Snoop Dogg and the Pope have in common?

No it's not the fondness of wearing big
bling or a cool lid. Weirdly enough, both his holyness and the hip hop rap rock star are represented by Geffen Records. Word is, the November release of Pope Benedict XVI's album entitled, "Alma Mater," will contain songs and prayers to the Virgin Mary. My first question is who did the market research for this one? Will itunes carry the cd, and when will the video be released.

I wish I could throw my hat in the ring for directing the creative for video produced. I envision a pussycat dolls meets his holiness dance video with lots of
cleavage sporting large crucifix necklaces and super short parochial school tartan print skirts. Embellish with high heels (for the dolls, not his holyness.) Sex sells, even the Vatican must see that. Why else choose an American icon of entertainment as representation?

Radio stations typically receive swag or merchandise to giveaway when promoting new albums/
cd's. This is a marketing persons' wet dream: worldwide exposure meets endless open ended promotional opportunities- pope in the pizza, holy water bubble wands. Then there's the tee shirts... Why do I need to write about this you ask? The sheer strangeness of Snoop dogg and the pope receiving record royalties from the same corporation, it's just too bad this isn't an April fools joke.

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Dee-licious


The old saying of you don't know what you have till it's gone? Well I am here to say that the truth rings true in this cliche. My beloved Mini Cooper was sold a few months ago before exiting stage left from California. The California car culture is so tied to peoples' persona's that it's a cliche in and of itself. Of course a few of my favourite people on the planet don't even own vehicles, so I suppose cars and the charisma of automotive muscle is lost on some folks. Not me.

Enter stage right, Zipcar. The stateside phenomenon sweeping the urban set as an option to the unwanted burden of car ownership. Think time share. Think no-tell-motel by the hour set...yeah baby. This is the perfect mix of ease, accessibility and gas fumes all coalesced into a bit sized sampler box: Drive a Mini,(my ride of choice today) an Audi, a Honda... whatever wherever your little heart desires. Did I mention how easy? A credit card from the Zipcard folks unlocks the car. You simply walk up, swipe the card against the windshield. The car unlocks and the key is on a zipline next to the ignition. Adjust your mirrors, apply lipstick and most importantly turn the radio up really loud and off U go! (ipod aux- in available for those too groovy for radio.)

No fuss, no worry about door dings or even where to park.. Grow weary of the car? Drive something else next time around. It's like being single again. Variety IS the spice of life, and Zipcar is a lot like a fling: fun, fast, and on the fly....How can you not be smitten with the frivolity of that?

Did I mention that a gas credit card is included? Yes, cocktails are on the house (it is sort of like that..)

All in all it was great fun. I'm hooked. It's the best of all worlds. Next time you feel up for an afternoon of city driving angst or a quick hop to the beach look no further than Zipcar.

Now if they only offered a surf rack for my windsurf gear-

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Drip Drop


Enough of this rain already.

The romantic notion of misty evening city walks washed down the rain gutter after the third downpour today. What's up? Where is the hot weather, since this is after all almost August... The meteorologist had this to say this morning "We have found summer and it's vacationing in the North." Yeah, and did it happen to mention that it might swing our way east?

I love the calm cool demeanor of the Canadian Culture. What I am not liking, at least at the moment is the lack of summer. Northern California has not really enjoyed a good soaking in a few years. I for one really missed this, as the smell and taste of the air is altered. The ozone and smog washed away and clear sky's beam as far as the eye. I suppose the grass really is greener right now this moment in time. Mean while I have windsurf gear collecting dust as I await the sultry summer season, wanting to be drinking Vino Verde on a beach blanket here along the water front.

Wishful thinking reins as we wait out the rain in Toronto. Maybe Cuba is balmy... I can get there from here. Hmmmm....

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

And For What........


A sigh of communal relief was breathed last night with the news that the strike here in Toronto may be ending this week. Friday will be the day of reckoning when the city council votes.

Well that was so civil. So Canadian. Civility IS the strong suit here, but don't mistake my poke as that is indeed worth a lot.
What makes me wanna pick a fight? Suppose it's the lack of a fight. The seeds of political discontent here in Canada seem planted almost hydroponically- no deep roots. Nothing to really dig your heels into here. The lack of political activism is weirdly missing in such an urbane environ. Did I mention how smiley Torontonians are?

Maybe you can't have it all, but how do things get accomplished if everyone sort of grits their teeth while sporting a smile and agrees affably? The last 33 days of stinky garbage piled to the sky with playgrounds closed (because playgrounds here have become the make-shift dumps.)
Good luck trying to read up on editorials- No really angry opp ed pieces in the paper. No sign of in-your-face opinions from either side. None. Snoore...............

Then just like that....snap snap.... big wordy battles ? Guess not. Never to materialize. No real newspaper coverage unless you count the small one column piece buried on page 4 yesterday, page 2 on Sunday. Apparently all concessions seemingly met (at least that's the early word on the street.)

Soo the question looms: why bother with 32 extra days of discontent? Wouldn't it have been easier to just let the union arm twist and the Mayor and his minions bend over. Posturing?
Not even. Political instincts non existent in Toronto, this is one mayor that will be a casualty of natural selection.

Nice.

The losers? The city of course. Taxpayers will pony up in the end to honor the sick days banked by municipal employees. Never mind that the numbers don't add up. The Mayor will be long gone but his lasting legacy will be the red slimy trail he leaves behind upon the city' spreadsheets, garden slug that he is.

Uggh. What a waste.

I know what your thinking? Why do you care so much, Ms.California transplant? My serious case of American ethnocentric political angst shining through like the sun.

Yep. Stir the pot. Maybe I can teach my Canadian neighbors a thing or two about activism, American style. I will, in turn practice good manners and tone down the rudeness.

Pinky promise.

Saturday, July 25, 2009

J'Adore Contador













Who doesn't love the underdog? The final push of the Tour de France is spinning it's way through the streets of Paris. Ahh, the best bread and by far the best people watching. Cycling at the helm, that cutie pie Alberto Contador. What's not to love- a Spanish (Madrid) mad-dog on wheels. When word was out that the other stud muffin of yellow jersey fame would be sharing the spoke-light of team fame, why was the drama not dished as high as a paella pan full of arroz?
Lance Armstrong announced that he was returning to professional cycling with the express goal of participating in the 2009 Tour de France. Team Astana manager Johan Bruyneel, Armstrong's former mentor and sporting director, said that he could not allow Armstrong riding for another team and later signed him. The announcement by Armstrong clashed with the ambitions of Contador, who insisted he deserved the leadership of Astana, and hinted at the possibility of leaving the team if he was given a secondary role supporting Armstrong.Contador was later given assurances by Bruyneel that he would remain team leader and decided to remain at Astana for the 2009 season. Was this a mistake? Contador later claimed the situation on the team could be sorted out on the road. The yellow jersey never looked better than upon Contador.

I like that kind of drama-rama, especially from boys! Add expensive bicycles, media coverage non stop against the backdrop of the Pyrenees it's hard not to be the moth to the flame.

Can't get enough? Me neither... Toast a glass of Cava s'il vous plaît to the yellow Jersey-wearing drama clad madrileño who makes all of us proud rooting for the underdog.

Friday, July 17, 2009

Day 26


Walter Reuther must be turning over in his grave.
Why you ask?

The striking union workers here in Toronto resemble picnic-ers vs picket-liners. What's wrong with that? A lot. First off, the union has a very staunch stance on workers rights. My very first indoctrination with political strife came from the unionized autoworkers in Detroit. Such strong impressions from that angry vocal crowd of unionized workers left an indelible mark upon my elementary school psyche.

Flash forward today: the garbage strewn park in my Toronto neighborhood (day number 26 of the garbage strike.) It's not awful by any stretch but it's evident that something is amiss. My bigger concern or question comes from the lack of anger, angst, in your-face-signs that spell out a list of what the city workers seek. Instead you find a picnic table of people gathered 'round maybe reading, having some coffee. You might think that it's a family gathering or just a few friends out enjoying the day but no, it's a picket line. Or a picket picnic table. I would have taken a picture but I was on rollerblades and at an age where I can't walk and chew gum let alone rollerblade...

So what are they asking for, these non-picketing picketers? Well in this day in age we go to the source: no, not the president of the union or the spokesperson for the union...or even the bottle-blond dork of a mayor. Go to the website. Sure enough, there it is... The mayor and the unions are equally responsible, as the little bit of budge from either side is negligible. What is impressive? The city has strike information available via pdf in fifteen languages.

Question is will we drown in a sea of garbage bags since the end of this strike looks unattainable.

Thursday, July 16, 2009

Love The Look


North Carolina welcomes it's newest neighbor: Bernie Madoff. Leaving behind the Frette sheets, Irish linen pj's and cashmere socks Mr. Madoff now sports the polyester-blend prison jumpsuit. He's in good company in Butner NC as the following high profile inmates share the pilates studio at this posh medium security federal penitentiary; Adelphia Communications own John Rigas and son Tim, who were convicted on multiple charges,including securities fraud and concealing $2.3 billion in liabilities from corporate investors. Jonathan Pollard, an American who spied for Israel and Omar Abdel-Rahman, the "blind sheik," who is serving a life sentence for trying to kill Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and blow up the United Nations. This is like the all-star squad. Do you think they may form a secret investment-ponzi club? I imagine a marketing idea from the bad boys of Butner to be "Invest all of your snack stash with us and receive an unbelievable 12% return on your ritz crackers." At the very least a prison book club or writers salon to kibitz about memoirs/tell-all books. Evening cups of tea drank together discussing strategies to off-shore amazon booksales proceeds. It just seems like old habits die hard.

What's odd is that many a cottage industry has sprung up around these white collar criminals: prison coaches are the new personal trainer. With all of the security fraud and big fish like Bernie, it's easy to see how a little advice on what it's like inside the big house would garner press and business opportunities for all parties on either side of the bars.

I just wonder if they have to share yoga mats. It just seems wrong for them to have such a posh and privileged penitentiary pad as well as federally subsidized organic bamboo yoga togs.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Potato-Potatoe


It's been said that Canadians are simply dis-armed Americans with health care. But there is more than just the coveted care system. Canada has very little dialect diversity compared to the United States. The phonetics, phonology, morphology and syntax for most of Canada are similar to that of the midwest. Differences abound with simple communication.

Annunciation, pronunciation and syntax of the local lingo takes some practice. Is it Spadina or Spadeena? Que, Quay or Key... The easiest key to this lock on the local language of course is local radio. Between weather and traffic one can pretty much guarantee a spot-on spew of the Canadian scene. There is a reason why Canadians get the elbow jab and snicker delivering the EH- routine. Each and every social interaction with a real live Canadian will elicit this. The farther north one travels you can count on conversation peppered with Eh, Aye, Eye, and 'Dayre. String em all together and you have the friendly form of a hello or at least an informal introduction. I have yet to find my self in a formal setting so I can't be sure that the salutation would be any different. Sure it's cute in an aw shucks kinda way but where did it come from and why is it so damn en grained, even within the urban lexicon?

Enquiring minds wanna know, or at least this inquisitive busy body so here is the drill down on the small but fascinating differences.
  • The Canadian 'accent' can be heard most easily in the following words: out, about, house, and others with 'ou'. For example, canadian pronunciation of the word 'out' is like 'e' as in 'pet' followed by 'oot' as in 'boot', sounding like 'e'+'oot'. American pronunciation of 'out' is more like 'ow' as in 'cow', sounding like 'ow'+'t'. Other words often pronounced differently are 'pop', and 'roof'. Of course, the trademark 'eh' at the end of a statement is a dead giveaway.
  • Canadian spellings can also cause confusion: colour vs color, cheque vs check, centre vs center, etc.
  • Canada uses the metric system, although canadians quote their height and weight in feet/inches and pounds. Industry, for the most part, uses imperial units.
  • For measuring temperature, Canada uses Celsius (rather than Fahrenheit).
  • Although there are many differences in prices of things between US and Canada, two that stand out are the after-exchange lower prices of electronics in the US, and the far lower prices of CDs in Canada. Also, there is a pricing inversion for CDs such that in the US the older CDs are the cheapest, while in Canada it is the newest releases that are usually on sale.
  • The drinking age in Canada is 19 in most provinces, and 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, and Quebec. Note that the provinces where it is 18 alternate as you go west to east. Coincidence?
  • Soda/pop is made with corn syrup in the US, and sugar in Canada---this changes the taste significantly. Maybe this is why American soda drinkers look cornfed.
  • Football rules: size of our footballs, football fields, and one less down
  • Canadian inventions: ski-doos, jet-skis, velcro, zippers, insulin, penicillin, Zamboni, the telephone, short wave radios, robertson screws (square hole)
More than you ever wanted to know about Canadians? Thought so.