Why americans need to know more aboot Canada

[Sprailenes 47]

Spirit, maybe thats who you are, and thats totally fine. But it's not who I am. I will not cradle misery. You don't think I tried to help this girl? Omg I would listen to Midnight Oil with her... I HATE MIDNIGHT OIL!!!!!

I would listen to her stories and look at her pictures and for a year... A YEAR.. I would listen to her go on and on about how much Canada sucked.

Anyways... that was the tip of the iceberg really. The truth is, I can be a bit of a b1tch sometimes, I'm not proud of it, but I'm not ashamed of it either. It's just who I am.

There's no going back to change the things I say, but I do think a lot before I say the things I say, even though some may find that hard to believe. I don't just blurt things out like that, it takes a lot.

[SpiritAlight 1]

I disagree spirit. The world can't be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time.

I had a friend move to Canada from Australia and every time something bad happened to her she'd blame Canada. It would rain and she'd say it smelled funny and talk about how the rain in Australia smelled better. She complained about Canadian television, Canadian politics, and pretty much everything in Canada.

So finally, one day while standing in a plaza waiting for a cab... she was going on about how Canada was like a little America and we had nothing to be proud of... well I looked at her and took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs:

"WELL GO BACK TO F*CKING AUSTRALIA THEN!!!!!!!!!!"

And then I walked away, and never talked to her again.

I could care less if someone finds me uncompassionate and rude for doing that. I can only put with so much ####### before I give it back to that person.

I don't know, I think it can be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time, for some people (I don't read Spirit that way - but that's not the point).

Thanks Trailmix.

I am a complex creature.

I feel like I am all people....well almost all.

I can take any side and argue for it.

Chameleonesque....it's boggles my own mind at times. Hee, hee.

And so, I believe this:

We can all create exactly the world we want to live in.

Keep fighting and guess what, we live in war.

Keep perpetuating ####### like, the war on drugs, the war on cancer, the war on x...

How many years have we been listening to this drivel?

Has anything been healed?

Ha!!!

The only way to heal things to repair things is by changing the language (vocabulary).

If each and every one of us wakes up and becomes super conscious of the words we select to spew/say/pour out...then we get to choose.

Will it be poison?

Or will it be healing?

You really get to choose.

AND

the world will change, on a HUGE scale, when people realize that each of us has/is a part in/of it.

Well?

What will you do today?

Love people...spread love....or ####### on people...make war.

Choose baby.

(F) (F)

Edited February 5, 2009 by SpiritAlight

[Sprailenes 47]

I can't bowl with the big balls. I can only do 5 pin.

Dork moment: I was in a bowling league when I was a tween.

But thanks to that league I can kick butt in the "sport"

I started out as a little kid with 5 pin like probably most then migrated up to regular bowling as I got older and could handle the balls better. All I remember in 5 pins they have a weird counting system where each pin is worth different points and such. I found it a lot easier game to play (hence why I think it pertains to children more)...

Yea I used to love to go bowling but not here.

I even have my own pair of pink bowling shoes... sitting in the closet, now collecting dust.

And yea I would wear them out but theres no traction on the soles so its easy to slip and fall.

[SpiritAlight 1]

I disagree spirit. The world can't be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time.

I had a friend move to Canada from Australia and every time something bad happened to her she'd blame Canada. It would rain and she'd say it smelled funny and talk about how the rain in Australia smelled better. She complained about Canadian television, Canadian politics, and pretty much everything in Canada.

So finally, one day while standing in a plaza waiting for a cab... she was going on about how Canada was like a little America and we had nothing to be proud of... well I looked at her and took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs:

"WELL GO BACK TO F*CKING AUSTRALIA THEN!!!!!!!!!!"

And then I walked away, and never talked to her again.

I could care less if someone finds me uncompassionate and rude for doing that. I can only put with so much ####### before I give it back to that person.

I don't know, I think it can be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time, for some people (I don't read Spirit that way - but that's not the point).

Yes and for some its not, so people don't need to act like they're better than the people who live in reality.

Oops did I say that with my outside voice? I think I did.

Anyone who portrays (exclaims) a better-than-you attitude has an inferiority complex.

Think about it.

The only thing I ever complain about is when I go and visit Canada and can't understand the backwards lingo or how things are done for simple day to day things.

I love Canadian drivers, driving in Windsor was awesome, I could overtake anyone, for once in my life I ruled the streets!

My funniest memory of Windsor was the cop in the bowling alley. I don't know if he was there in official capacity or not, but he was going around informing adults that they were not to use the childrens bowling balls. Canada's a riot, in a good way.

AJ, you crack me up.

Thanks!

[Sprailenes 47]

I disagree spirit. The world can't be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time.

I had a friend move to Canada from Australia and every time something bad happened to her she'd blame Canada. It would rain and she'd say it smelled funny and talk about how the rain in Australia smelled better. She complained about Canadian television, Canadian politics, and pretty much everything in Canada.

So finally, one day while standing in a plaza waiting for a cab... she was going on about how Canada was like a little America and we had nothing to be proud of... well I looked at her and took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs:

"WELL GO BACK TO F*CKING AUSTRALIA THEN!!!!!!!!!!"

And then I walked away, and never talked to her again.

I could care less if someone finds me uncompassionate and rude for doing that. I can only put with so much ####### before I give it back to that person.

I don't know, I think it can be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time, for some people (I don't read Spirit that way - but that's not the point).

Thanks Trailmix.

I am a complex creature.

I feel like I am all people....well almost all.

I can take any side and argue for it.

Chameleonesque....it's boggles my own mind at times. Hee, hee.

And so, I believe this:

We can all create exactly the world we want to live in.

Keep fighting and guess what, we live in war.

Keep perpetuating ####### like, the war on drugs, the war on cancer, the war on x...

How many years have we been listening to this drivel?

Has anything been healed?

Ha!!!

The only way to heal things to repair things is by changing the language (vocabulary).

If each and every one of us wakes up and becomes super conscious of the words we select to spew/say/pour out...then we get to choose.

Will it be poison?

Or will it be healing?

You really get to choose.

AND

the world will change, on a HUGE scale, when people realize that each of us has/is a part in/of it.

Well?

What will you do today?

Love people...spread love....or ####### on people...make war.

Choose baby.

(F) (F)

This is YOUR opnion and you're entitled to it.

I don't agree. I don't think you're right, nor do I think you're wrong. It's just you and what works for you, works for you. However, your state of mind, does not work for me.

Simple.

Now back to the topic we were originally discussing.... or do we need to continue this further? If so please PM me.

[SpiritAlight 1]

NJ is such an odd state. My friend from Philly constantly makes fun of me for living here, yes I am in the joke state... laugh on.

Though in the past year I have found the things I love here... and that certainly does help.

Still could give you a list of the things i dislike as well though.

Here, this is exactly what I'm talkin' about!

Yippee!

If you concentrate on the things you like and are in alignment with and talk about this, you create more of it.

AND

people start to see things differently along with you.

When we are slagging something, we are trying to bring people aboard...and hence more slagging.

Bleh!

[SpiritAlight 1]

I disagree spirit. The world can't be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time.

I had a friend move to Canada from Australia and every time something bad happened to her she'd blame Canada. It would rain and she'd say it smelled funny and talk about how the rain in Australia smelled better. She complained about Canadian television, Canadian politics, and pretty much everything in Canada.

So finally, one day while standing in a plaza waiting for a cab... she was going on about how Canada was like a little America and we had nothing to be proud of... well I looked at her and took a deep breath and yelled at the top of my lungs:

"WELL GO BACK TO F*CKING AUSTRALIA THEN!!!!!!!!!!"

And then I walked away, and never talked to her again.

I could care less if someone finds me uncompassionate and rude for doing that. I can only put with so much ####### before I give it back to that person.

I don't know, I think it can be daisies and sunshine and naked hippies all the time, for some people (I don't read Spirit that way - but that's not the point).

Yes and for some its not, so people don't need to act like they're better than the people who live in reality.

Oops did I say that with my outside voice? I think I did.

Yes, for some it is not, for some it is - we are all different. Everyone's reality is not yours and vice versa - which is nice really.

It seems a bit hypocrital to, on the one hand, criticize someone for 'acting like they're better' than other people, for putting forth their ideas, then on the other hand insult them by saying they are not living in reality - because they don't conform to your idea of what 'reality' is. It implies that your ideas/reality are superior?

I'm not talking about disagreeing with someones point of view.

Oh really? Did you not read her post that basically told people to "run" from people like me?

Whatever Tmixy, I am not going to debate this with you, because the post had nothing to do with you.

Simple.

Besides Spirit is a big girl and can speak for herself.

Oops was I being criticized and I miss it?

Hee, hee.

I did not mean to make you feel like I was attacking you Sprailenes.

I happen to like you, BTW.

Well, what I can see here on-line...virtual friends.

And I am slowly catching up with each post so bear with me.

I'm going in order.

I seriously do not do well with polarizations.

good/bad

right/wrong

etc.

And so, I tread carefully...

Sprailenes, next time someone makes you feel like yelling at them, take a few deep breaths, tell them that ("I feel like yelling at this moment.") and then see what happens next. How could anyone make someone so angry unless they physically hurt them? We allow anger. We are not handed/given it.

more in a minute....I am going back to page four to finish...

[Krikit 1,165]

I do not think you need to remain friends with a miserable person.

And imagine if you had asked what she was in pain about?

What if you dug below the surface?

What if...?

And even if she did not answer, you could leave this relationship clean.

Know what I mean, jelly bean?

This is not intended as a comment to Sprailenes but more of a response to what Spirit says. I really do believe that people in pain strike out and get angry at things which don't matter. When that kind of thing happens, it's not about the US process or people or weather or whatever the gripe-of-the-moment is. But it is about being homesick and missing who/what/where and frustration with the learning curve because you have to throw everything you know out the window and start over. You're kind of reduced back to being a child again, only without the benefit of being able to throw yourself on the ground screaming "But I don't WANNA do that!!!!!"

I used to be on a 5 pin bowling team

Does that make me an athlete?

I used to belong to the YBC too, Sprailenes. I even got a trophy for highest score. I much rather would have had the 10 lb chocolate bar that my friend won, though, for bringing in the most money in a fundraiser. But it all turned out well in the long run because she was my best friend and liked to share.

[SpiritAlight 1]

I will agree that Spirit's post, although I'm sure not intended, was pretty blunt and questionable. I think she may have gotten the image of people just screaming "Get back to your own country" in her head. I don't think that is what any one, including Nevada, really meant by what they were saying.

I think there is some middle ground that can be reached by which both sides try to stay away from being ignorant, rude or repetitive.

We all go through adjustments and I had a lot of bad things to say about moving to the US at first, now I don't think about it really as much as I have too much to do.

However, some ppl do choose to constantly complain and I think that is wrong, hurtful and unnecessary.

On the other hand, "go back to your country" may be okay if said in a joking manner, especially if you are friends with someone, but it could probably be better said another way.

Eh. I don't know. In Jersey we would just say, "Hey, I live off exit 155 and go #### yourself" haha

Bahahahahaahahahahaahahaahaaaahhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhahahahaahahaahaaaaa!

I love this!

And yes, I have seen and heard too many racist instances with that phrase and so...(the one about go back to your country).

[Sprailenes 47]

You're still counselling me Spirit. Please stop.

[SpiritAlight 1]

Spirit, maybe thats who you are, and thats totally fine. But it's not who I am. I will not cradle misery. You don't think I tried to help this girl? Omg I would listen to Midnight Oil with her... I HATE MIDNIGHT OIL!!!!!

I would listen to her stories and look at her pictures and for a year... A YEAR.. I would listen to her go on and on about how much Canada sucked.

Anyways... that was the tip of the iceberg really. The truth is, I can be a bit of a b1tch sometimes, I'm not proud of it, but I'm not ashamed of it either. It's just who I am.

There's no going back to change the things I say, but I do think a lot before I say the things I say, even though some may find that hard to believe. I don't just blurt things out like that, it takes a lot.

I would never tell you what to do, or presume that you have done anything wrong/bad/etc.

No one can tell anyone what to do...we are all unique and we have not walked in each other's shoes.

You do not need to defend yourself...that you did so much...all you could.

We all do that at all times.

And it is always on a different capacity, depending on our energy level, etc.

The fact that she pushed you over your edge...well, you allowed the anger to make you lose it...lose your temper and yell.

Believe me I know of what I speak...I am far from "perfect".

The only reason I can talk about something is because I have had experience with it.

My (spiritual) path is to not allow anger to polarize me so much that I feel sick to my stomach and/or yell at someone.

I happen to have a very loud voice and a strong presence...and so I have more work to do than say a more timid person.

Hee, hee.

I wonder if I am expressing this in a way that will make sense and show that I care and just want to share love.

That's all.

If there is anything any of us is doing (even in the moment) that we do not feel like doing, and that brings regret later and "bad" feelings towards that person that "made us" do it, well, know that you have a choice! Always. You do.

No regrets.

There are only experiences....not mistakes.

You're still counselling me Spirit. Please stop.

Oops...got this after my last post.

Okay, it is done now.

No more.

Edited February 5, 2009 by SpiritAlight

[SpiritAlight 1]

I do not think you need to remain friends with a miserable person.

And imagine if you had asked what she was in pain about?

What if you dug below the surface?

What if...?

And even if she did not answer, you could leave this relationship clean.

Know what I mean, jelly bean?

This is not intended as a comment to Sprailenes but more of a response to what Spirit says. I really do believe that people in pain strike out and get angry at things which don't matter. When that kind of thing happens, it's not about the US process or people or weather or whatever the gripe-of-the-moment is. But it is about being homesick and missing who/what/where and frustration with the learning curve because you have to throw everything you know out the window and start over. You're kind of reduced back to being a child again, only without the benefit of being able to throw yourself on the ground screaming "But I don't WANNA do that!!!!!"

Yes. Exactly.

Thanks Krikit.

[thetreble 19]

I do believe in what krikit says. That often anger comes out as the face of pain. I know it is certainly inside of me that one, deep and hurtful thing that can bother me for days, weeks, months!! often comes up as something petty to my husband. Some times it will take me hours to explain what the root of the issue really is.

Spirit, I enjoy your philosophies. However, I will admit that having to work 9 or so hours a day most weeks out of the year, rubbing elbows with people for 50 hours a week...you would have to seriously be a robot not to let anger get the best of you.

I agree that we have control or should have control over our anger, but I think if we do not express it once and awhile it becomes a WMD. Often time children and adults alike can't express their pain or their anger and then they act out in destructive ways. Me expressing my disappointment or my anger with something or someone often saves me from not screaming at the world.

I don't think we are the kind of people where anger polarizes us every day. But as I was trying to say before, I also think we can become a product of where we live. I would allow any one, on any given day, to see how frustrating your day can be here in this state.

Example?

I was EIGHT, count that.. EIGHT minutes off my regular departure time for work this morning and got to work FOURTY-FIVE minutes late. Almost two hours to get here because I could not get my foot on the pedal at exactly 6am.

I'm trying to take out the garbage, make sure my dog is okay, etc., my mother calls me..etc. and already the stress is pouring out at 6. Then I get in the car. Accidents, people beeping at me for...doing..nothing. Stuck in traffic and people riding the boot of my car like it's a merry-go-round.

Finally...I get to work. One of the employees is complaining about a silly issue, etc. etc.

Then at 4pm I get in my car and do again what I did in the morning, just in reverse. There are days where I'm surrounded by pettiness and things that drag me down. For me to stay afloat on top of them, I'd have to be superwoman. OR-I'd have to quit my job, move to a different state....

Do you know what it feels like to wake up with a smile and happy..only for 30 minutes later someone pulling down their window and telling you to go BLEEP yourself for no apparent reason?

That is the society in which I live in and I must be responsive to it. It is my reality. My reality can't be taken standing down! Do you know why? Because if you take it standing down, you will never survive this place. When I first moved here I was blindsided by these things and had to adjust myself..my personality even, to just get by. There were days where I would be going about my business and someone would be so incredibly rude to me I would go home and cry. That never happened in my life until I was here so I had to adjust..and part of that adjusting is getting a little bit more aggressive, a little more rude, giving a little of what I'm taking.

That is my reality. That is just the way it is.

Edited February 5, 2009 by thetreble

[trailmix 77]

I do believe in what krikit says. That often anger comes out as the face of pain. I know it is certainly inside of me that one, deep and hurtful thing that can bother me for days, weeks, months!! often comes up as something petty to my husband. Some times it will take me hours to explain what the root of the issue really is.

Spirit, I enjoy your philosophies. However, I will admit that having to work 9 or so hours a day most weeks out of the year, rubbing elbows with people for 50 hours a week...you would have to seriously be a robot not to let anger get the best of you.

I agree that we have control or should have control over our anger, but I think if we do not express it once and awhile it becomes a WMD. Often time children and adults alike can't express their pain or their anger and then they act out in destructive ways. Me expressing my disappointment or my anger with something or someone often saves me from not screaming at the world.

I don't think we are the kind of people where anger polarizes us every day. But as I was trying to say before, I also think we can become a product of where we live. I would allow any one, on any given day, to see how frustrating your day can be here in this state.

Example?

I was EIGHT, count that.. EIGHT minutes off my regular departure time for work this morning and got to work FOURTY-FIVE minutes late. Almost two hours to get here because I could not get my foot on the pedal at exactly 6am.

I'm trying to take out the garbage, make sure my dog is okay, etc., my mother calls me..etc. and already the stress is pouring out at 6. Then I get in the car. Accidents, people beeping at me for...doing..nothing. Stuck in traffic and people riding the boot of my car like it's a merry-go-round.

Finally...I get to work. One of the employees is complaining about a silly issue, etc. etc.

Then at 4pm I get in my car and do again what I did in the morning, just in reverse. There are days where I'm surrounded by pettiness and things that drag me down. For me to stay afloat on top of them, I'd have to be superwoman. OR-I'd have to quit my job, move to a different state....

Do you know what it feels like to wake up with a smile and happy..only for 30 minutes later someone pulling down their window and telling you to go BLEEP yourself for no apparent reason?

That is the society in which I live in and I must be responsive to it. It is my reality. My reality can't be taken standing down! Do you know why? Because if you take it standing down, you will never survive this place. When I first moved here I was blindsided by these things and had to adjust myself..my personality even, to just get by. There were days where I would be going about my business and someone would be so incredibly rude to me I would go home and cry. That never happened in my life until I was here so I had to adjust..and part of that adjusting is getting a little bit more aggressive, a little more rude, giving a little of what I'm taking.

That is my reality. That is just the way it is.

Ahhhhhh Amanda!

I am sorry that the place where you live is so .... angry

[Krikit 1,165]

Wow.

*makes mental note never to move to Jersey*