Canada Day, Washington, DC

[Sprailenes 47]

I know you didn't, it was a joke.. because you said 'harsh crowd'...

[trailmix 77]

Howdy Wyatt,

I liked your posts when you posted all the time (mostly ), I thought your post here was funny - don't care if you post all the time or once a year, nice to see you.

[lgg 2]

yeah, let's get back to topic, that totally digressed in an unnecessary way...

Bygones, moving on -- there's a place to air grievances, this ain't one of them. i'm chastising myself mainly.

Okay, back to topic...

Poutine and unibrou, eh? Like fin du monde kinda deal? If so, keep that away from me, it makes me drunk way too fast.

[Sprailenes 47]

I believe last year it was blanche de chambly. It's going to be great, what's greater is wandering around the city a bit afterwards and taking advantage of the free museums... like the museum of natural history... DINOSAURS RAWR!!!!!!!!

Edited May 30, 2010 by Sprailenes

[OBX 51]

Wow what happened to this thread...gone for two days and I missed all of the excitement!

Sounds like a great time...hope everyone has a great Canada Day / VJ celebration

[The_Dude 1,142]

I just think it's sad that I made a tongue-in-cheek comment that got taken the wrong way, solely because I don't post here much anymore. There are countless people from VJ that I did indeed go through a very difficult process with, and I'd like to think my own input has helped more than a few folks with THEIR journeys as well. But the fact of the matter is that things DO change, and people get busy...and while I mused aloud (well, textually...) back in February about why so many people stop being regular VJ posters once they finally finish their "journey", I now completely get it. Living and working in a new country, having a busy job, spending all of my spare time enjoying the company of my wife...it makes it hard, and slightly undesirable to be a regular reader of / contributor to a message board. I've certainly tried to arrange VJ get-togethers, as well as one-on-one get-togethers, even offering a night at the opera with my wife and myself no fewer than three separate times.

But I guess that's an unfortunate by-product of message board culture. No matter how well-liked one was, or how much one's input and advice was appreciated, once a person no longer posts regularly, it's easy to simply dismiss that person as an outcast.

VJ has been invaluable to me. Truly. I'm still rather surprised at the reaction to my comment earlier in this thread. Being a "douche" has never been my style.

It's what you posted, not how much you've posted. Nothing could have mitigated the fact that what you said was a bit douchy. How much you post or how busy you've been since you're move has absolutely nothing to do with it.

But back on topic. I'm looking forward to Canada Day now. I have to submit a request to take it off. My last boss's parents were Canadian (from Nova Scotia) and would give me the time off, no questions asked. My new boss is a bit more strict.

[OBX 51]

It's what you posted, not how much you've posted. Nothing could have mitigated the fact that what you said was a bit douchy. How much you post or how busy you've been since you're move has absolutely nothing to do with it.

But back on topic. I'm looking forward to Canada Day now. I have to submit a request to take it off. My last boss's parents were Canadian (from Nova Scotia) and would give me the time off, no questions asked. My new boss is a bit more strict.

Maybe you can present your request as an early start to the July 4th weekend celebrations

[Moosker 7]

I'm so glad I work so close to the city. My boss is really cool about me going on the 1st. (one more month from today!) I have a Canadian flag in my cubicle and when people come to the office and I'm introduced to them, he'll right away say "she's Canadian..." and say something funny about the Olympics or, you know, the typically awkward "she says eh". At least he's suppportive--eh?

[Moosker 7]

Also -- anyone get these emails? http://www.meetup.com/expatcanadians/ It's a local DC'er group of Canadians that meet up. I get the emails - just have never gone!

[zenaxe 22]

As one who believes in complete assimilation into the country/culture you are moving to/choosing to live in, then yeah.

Disgusts me to see people flying Mexican, Canadian, UK, French, etc. flags outside of their homes at all times of the year.

This is the USA, not your home country. If you love your home country so much, go back to it and be a part of it. It's truly that simple.

If I was to make the effort to move to another country and wanted to be there, I'd assimilate the same way.

Now that's not to say you cannot be happy for another country in their founding/independence on certain holidays like Canada Day, but it should never be one of those things that makes you proud/excited/go out of your way to celebrate --- unless you of course do the same for the 4th of July here. but that should be bigger though.

Here's a concept, one can like chicken AND beef. Does your world have only one item on the menu? What's wrong with people valuing their own customs and traditions and still be proud to be in the USA? I can't say that I fully agree with your position but I understand your point.

[Sprailenes 47]

I don't get what one is supposed to assimilate into when coming to America. anyways It's a country with no official language, and many many cultures. In one sentence people talk about the greatness of freedom in this country, in the next they're telling us what to do and how to act.

[lgg 2]

My husband got me a Canadian flag for my birthday -- the plan is to fly it on Canada Day and any other day I see fit. America is a country of immigrants and while it's cool to fit in and respect the way that is America and it's societal norms and memes, I do not see why one can't respect and tout the country from which one came.

[SupportGeek 21]

I like the whole, "If you love your home country so much, go back" argument too.

Its such a black and white statement

Cant I love both? Or even love my home country, and enjoy living in the USA, and more importantly, enjoy living in the USA with the one I love?

[lgg 2]

Exactly! Why can't I love both? I mean, i can't say I love the USA yet, but I certainly do like it and respect it, you know?

I can love both countries and I will.

I like the whole, "If you love your home country so much, go back" argument too.

Its such a black and white statement

Cant I love both? Or even love my home country, and enjoy living in the USA, and more importantly, enjoy living in the USA with the one I love?

[Sprailenes 47]

Hey guys, I found us a visual aid! We must learn from it!