Maple leafs throughout, however not an Oilers’ jersey in sight.
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On Canada Day, I noticed a person on LeBreton Flats, carrying a gray go well with, costume sneakers and shirt, a tie and a hat, on the lookout for all of the world like a banker from the Nineteen Sixties, standing immobile and seemingly unaware of the celebrations that swirled all about him.
I additionally noticed a Tim Hortons mascot, within the type of a human sized cup of espresso, however with cargo shorts and bushy legs protruding of the underside of the cup.
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I noticed folks on Parliament Hill applaud loudly as planes and helicopters flew previous, which struck me as an odd response. I imply, can the pilots hear?
And I noticed a girl, on Wellington Road, holding an indication that learn “REPENT!!! For The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand,” which appeared an entirely out-of-place Canada Day message, however hey, to every their very own.
For all these odd sights, although, I obtained no factors, as what I actually wanted to seek out was an Edmonton Oilers fan to hug.
By the use of clarification for many who weren’t taking part in alongside, I’d written a column on Saturday about previous Canada Days, on the finish of which I’d included a sort of bingo card/treasure hunt of a dozen issues to look out for or expertise in Canada Day. Most had been borrowed from Canadian stereotypes, and I didn’t actually anticipate anybody to participate and really preserve observe of their rating. And I significantly didn’t assume that I might do it myself, till the Citizen’s editor-in-chief hoisted me by myself Canada Day petard and assigned it to me. However I’m, if nothing else, sport — plus I want the job. So right here’s the way it went…
Yeah, proper. Possibly if I’d performed The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald on my cellphone, somebody may need absentmindedly began to sing alongside, however I didn’t consider that, did I? Plus it might have felt like dishonest. When deputy Prime Minister and cheerleader Chrystia Freeland waxed Canadian to the gang, I very almost thought she would escape in music, however alas. Factors: 0
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2. Seeing somebody drink a Bloody Caesar.
Not at LeBreton Flats or on the Hill, however I did discover a few folks having fun with this Canadian invention at Past the Pale Brewing Firm. John Fagan and Hannah General had been, the truth is, having fun with double Caesars, or Anne Caesars, they known as them, in honour of their pal Anne who serves them at her cottage for breakfast. Factors: 1
3. See somebody carrying a Canadian flag as a cape.
There have been a couple of to select from, however I feel I discovered the perfect. Andrew Larche, who has been “doing” Canada Day within the Hill and LeBreton Flats for a few decade now, had the big cape, a Canadian flag “robe” (for need of a greater description), red-and-white floral leis round his neck, and what jogged my memory of Maleficent’s headwear, had been she a Canadian. Yearly, he says, 1000’s of individuals take selfies and different photographs of him. Factors: 1
4. Seeing a Snowbird jet. Half a degree when you solely hear it.
In the course of the aerial fly-past of quite a few plane, I stood on Parliament Hill beside Jose Izquierdo, who watched every one via binoculars. The planes and helicopters flew immediately overhead, main me to fret that he would possibly tip over as they handed. The truth that he didn’t was worthy of applause. “Are you an plane fan?” I requested. “I’m a fan of July 1,” he answered. Factors: 1
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5. Somebody says “sorry” to you.
I needed to chunk my tongue when one man, who ran into me with such drive that I virtually fell down, didn’t say “sorry,” however moments later, one other man, Patrick Wang, apologized when he by chance hit my digital camera. Initially from China, Wang has been in Canada for 5 years, and says the stereotype of well mannered and apologetic Canadians is “completely” true.
I additionally met Kristen Robinson, who wore a T-shirt that merely learn “SORRY.” The shirt was a welcoming reward from her mom to Robinson’s fiancé, Mark Jennings, when he first got here to Canada from the UK three years in the past. Like Wang, Jennings stated the stereotype is “100 per cent” true. Factors: 1
6. Eat or drink one thing that’s each maple- and bacon-flavoured.
I believed I’d be intelligent and swing by Suzy-Q donuts on my option to the Flats, however they had been closed on Canada Day. In the meantime, the onsite BeaverTails and Tim Hortons had been of no assist. As an alternative, The Nice Canadian Poutinerie, on Financial institution Road, agreed to go off menu and make me an particular order of maple-bacon poutine. Factors: 1 (although there must be a second level for resourcefulness.)
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7. Discover somebody with a poutine gravy stain on their shirt.
I felt like a vulture as I lurked across the poutine truck at LeBreton, surreptitiously circling poutine-eating households, ready and awaiting a dollop of gravy to land on Junior’s T-shirt. However no such luck. What’s improper with youngsters today?
I did, although, run into Tony Caswell, who was carrying a T-shirt with a graphic of poutine THAT INCLUDED THE GRAVY. Talking of stereotypes, the T-shirt, a present from his spouse, learn, “Poutine: The Canadian salad.” I requested Caswell if he likes poutine. “In fact,” he answered, “I’m Canadian.” Factors: 1
8. Discover somebody with a maple leaf tattoo. Bonus if it’s everlasting.
This was one of many issues I regarded for in earnest once I arrived on the Flats, figuring it might be simple. I’ll say this: it’s a unique manner to take a look at Canada Day once you’re principally inspecting folks’s ankles and calves.
I did luck in, nonetheless, once I handed James Manicom tossing a soccer round together with his youngsters. I used to be a couple of metres away once I noticed a maple leaf tattoo on his arm and known as out, “Is that only a momentary tattoo in your arm?” “Sure,” he replied, “however I’ve an actual one, too.” That tattoo, excessive on his leg, reads “Made in Canada” and consists of the initials “PSB.” “My mom, Penelope Susan Brown,” he stated. “She handed once I was 14 years previous. I used to be 19 once I obtained the tattoo, and I believed that the 2 issues I might all the time love and by no means change are my mom and my nation.” Factors: 2
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9. You hear somebody say “Yeah, no, eh” in that precise order.
Yeah, no, eh? Factors: 0
10. You notice a 1972 Paul Henderson Workforce Canada hockey sweater.
What I SHOULD have stated was “You notice a 2010 Ryan Getzlaf Workforce Canada hockey sweater.” My fault for being so previous. Factors: 0.
11. Take a rest room break at any museum (Free admission on July 1!).
Finished. I took a photograph of myself on the sink in a washroom on the Canadian Struggle Museum. Even that felt creepy. Factors: 1.
12. Hug somebody carrying Edmonton Oilers gear.
Oh, my gosh, I regarded in every single place. The worst was when somebody on the Ottawa Senators fan tent advised me they noticed somebody carrying an Oilers cap, backwards. Figuring out there was one on the grounds made it (virtually) inconceivable for me to surrender trying, however after a couple of hours it felt like attempting to identify a one-legged leprechaun. Later, once I was on Parliament Hill, a pal despatched me a photograph of somebody at LeBreton carrying a Connor McDavid T-shirt. I did see gear from: The Philadelphia Flyers; Ottawa Senators, Redblacks, Tough Riders, 67’s and Titans; Montreal Canadiens, Expos and Alouettes; New York Islanders, Yankees and Mets; Pittsburgh Penguins; California Golden Seals; Quebec Nordiques; Toronto Blue Jays, FC and Raptors; Cincinnati Reds; Winnipeg Jets; St. Louis Cardinals; Calgary Stampeders; Chicago Cubs and Blackhawks.
I don’t know if it was just too quickly for Oilers’ followers to go exterior once more, or if their jerseys are simply on the cleaners, getting the salty tear stains out. Factors: 0.
Grand complete for our Canada Day Bingo: 9/12
How’d you do?
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