How weird is this?
It’s my very first Canada Day, outside of Canada.
Well, technically, since 1994.

But, I do miss my Land of the North.
From far and wide, the land of strong and free.

I am surely going to miss walking downtown towards the “Hill“,
watching the free concerts, Enjoying the street shows,
and meeting hundreds of drunk people, shit-faced to the extreme.

That’s a true Canadian term eh?
Shit-Faced-Drunk.
I don’t think I have ever heard that anywhere else.
The thing is, when you say this to somebody that’s drunk,
they’ll acknowledge it, and they will laugh with you,
then at themselves. (True Story)

Here are other things I miss about Canada. (Excluding the Government)

1. Tim Horton’s – The ultimate doughnut and coffee shop. No one can argue this. Case closed.

2. Canadian Beer – Even though I have been sober for years, this is good stuff. Plus it’s stronger than American beers.

3. Hockey – I have never played the game, but I have enjoyed its excitement completely. (Also, on a side note, A guy can get onto a bus wearing goalie pads, a helmet – everything but the skates, and nobody gives him a second look.)

4. Canadian Tire – You will never meet anyone without a stash of their own Canadian Tire Money.

5. Chapter’s – My ultimate Book Store

6. Poutine – Fries with Cheese Curds and gravy. Oh man! You have never lived until you tried this stuff.

7. Ketchup flavored chips.

8. Toonie Tuesdays at KFC

9. Swiss Chalet – The bowl of lemon water they give you at the end is for you to wash your hands. Not to be taken internally.

10. Beaver Tails – especially with a hot boiling cup of cocoa.

11. The Metric System – I like my distance in Kilometers, thank you. On a side note, people tell their distance in times, like, “It’s about a 15 minute drive.”

12. I miss calling my z’s, Zed.

13. I miss calling RestRooms, Washrooms.

14. I miss calling my “ass”, my “bum”.

15. I miss calling napkins, Serviettes.

16. Nanaimo Bars – a chocolate brownie that is so sweet, it’s major ingredient is tooth decay.

17. Kraft Dinner – For someone who’s lactose intolerant, I have consumed hordes of KD. (see numbers 13, 14 and 15.)

18. Conversations about the weather – A typical weather conversation lasts an average of 17 – 25 minutes.
Depending on the weather condition or the severity of the cold.

19. Block heaters – Electrical plugs sticking out from under the hoods to prevent engines from freezing.

20. The cool factor of driving with gloves.

21. Driving around in the snow, making doughnuts.

22. When it’s freezing rain, then you step on the brakes, you go faster.

23. Health Care – Nobody worries about losing a life’s savings or a home because of illness.
(That’s if you don’t die in the waiting room.)

24. You can go outside at 2 in the morning and still feel safe.

25. Boxing day – Where everything is on sale!

26. The Tulip Festival – I had to insert this here, because Tracy loves them flowers.

27. …and most of all my family and friends.

Happy Canada Day to my peeps up North.
May your barbecues flaming,
and your beers flowing!

God keep our Land,
Glorious and Free.

Oh Canada,
We stand on guard for thee.