tim’s thought property

So today was the Nation’s 138th birthday, founded in 1876 as one of Britain’s colonies. And years later through mostly non-violent means, we’ve out-grown our need to be the subordinate of an old mercantile system, and were given the grace to be a constitutional democracy, the end.

So as I celebrated the event of my nation’s founding, I have some interesting little asides to re-count from the evening.
Firstly, there was much celebration in the form of drugs. Many times wandering amidst the throngs of people crowded to watch fireworks, did we smell pot from varying directions. Also, there was the standard tobacco smell and beer smell from the other groups of people, all crowded to watch the fireworks. So, to some people, the celebration of a nation means that all self restraint and care for the law can be suspended on the day that the country that makes these laws, was created.

Secondly, Fireworks need not be lit by professionals. Numerous times as we waited the colouring of the skies with ancient Chinese tradition, there were random and piddly fireworks shooting upwards from varying locations. Not too wise or too safe. Yet, as the real fireworks were set off, the gradual wind blew bits and chunks of the mortars and ash from the delightful pyrotechnics. Yes, the fireworks were more than a spectacle, they were interactive! Both Tim (Penner) and I came out of the Forks with a souvenir from the shell of a spent explosive.

Thirdly, people are friendly on days like this. As the celebrations went on, the gaggle of us went down to Osborne Village, to see their Street Fest. This will go on until Tuesday, but tonight was the big excuse to smoke more pot and get more drunk. People are not intimidated in the least to shout out things like “It’s Canada Day!” or “Woooooo!” or even “Wanna buy some Hash?“. That last phrase was said to my group as we walked into the Village, and the man selling whizzed by on his bike. Obviously, he wasn’t really selling. Or else he would have made more of an effort.

Fourth, I have a gift for accidental poetry. As Tim (Penner) and I were deciding where would be best to get a spot to watch the fireworks, I suggested that we shouldn’t go to the river. It’s flooded the walkways and is quite wide, deep and fast. But I said it like this:
We can’t get too close
To the river, cause the ri-
ver’s too close to us.
Strange. I didn’t realize it until Tim pointed it out. Needless to say, I was impressed.

Finally, I learned that even for all it’s strangeness, Canada is a swell place to live. We may have a slow form of government. What with a Democratic, Conservative, Socialist, and Separatist party in office. And sure we may have the threat of too much diversity that lacks a sense of national unity. And sure there are a slough of many different things that make it frustrating to do anything in the realm of politics, but through it all, Canada is an o.k. place in my books. Here’s to you, oh Canada. Happy aging.