* I’m not kidding. People have also emailed me before asking if:
- Canada “celebrates Christmas”
- If people really lived in igloos
- How it felt to live in a country not involved in a war
- Who our President is
- If I get lonely (presumably because only 10 people live here. And we all wear plaid, drink beer and play hockey. Sigh, this is not true people, only in my dream world does such a country exist).
For those of you who dislike Canada (and sadly my twitter stream has had a few rather, unpleasant declarations- the Olympics really makes people nutty), just keep in mind- we are the country who created this:
You. Are. Welcome.
Blogging break officially over! Remember to email your secrets for The Secret Project at brandyismagic (at) gmail.com!
I looooove that ew cover. *drooools*
Meanwhile, I’ve kinda always wanted to visit Canada. For the igloos. Kidding. :p
Thanks Canada! The video montages make me want to visit. Glad to see you back Brandy!
Hahaha, you crack me up. Great cover. I am very gracious.
I’m really disappointed you don’t live in an igloo because that’s really the only reason why I wanted to be friends with you.
I really wish there was a “like” function for blogs.
And I don’t know about you… but it’s been very disappointing having such a warm winter – I haven’t been able to take my dog sled to work. Lol.
My igloo started melting early too.
I’m really hoping the igloo comment didn’t come from an American.
That video clip is a great one! Thanks for sharing it.
Are you kidding me??? What are Americans taught over there?? (Um, we have a Premier, not a President, LMAO)
Did you see the US ad for the Olympics reminding US citizens to bring their passports if they were attending events because Canada is actually another country? Surprise!
I saw that clip before the Olympics. I really like Canada and would love to visit. I was really touched when they talked about 9/11 and planes flying to Canada after it happened. I almost cried.
I really like that the US and Canada are chums.
And I never realized that Ryan Reynolds was from there. More reason to love ya’ll.
And I think Canada is doing a lovely job with the Olympics. This has been one of my favorites so far.
So, I personally apologize for the other dumb Americans.
The best answer I’ve ever had for the igloo question…
“Yes. And our electricity is generated by a mouse on a wheel.”
Oie.
Some people would find it surprising how similar Canada and the US are. And we have bread a lot of great actors and musicians aside from Ryan Reynolds :)
Hahaha.. I can’t believe people ask you that stuff! Crazy Americans! My hell!
.. and I LOVE Ryan Reynolds.
Thank you Canada! :)
Wow. That’s all I can really say. (About the leader AND Ryan Reynold’s body.)
FYI canada is awesome. I mean the hockey players from Canada that played at NU were BEAUTIFUL. Most of them at least.
And you know, Ryan Reynolds. He’s quite the hottie too :)
My son is in med shool in the US and boy does he get the Canadian questions too. I am doing a post “Oh Canada ” girls who blog with Style
and I would love to include you. Let me know if this alright with you. There is actually more of us than I thought. I will have to borrow an image from your blog for you section. Post is for Monday so if you can send me a quick reply I would be most grateful. Love your blog, but mostly your humor.
Mmmm….I may now need to get a poster sized version of that picture to hang above my bed.
Also, Canada rules. It also gave us Michael J. Fox, who I’ve been weirdly obsessed with since I was 5. So thanks for that as well :)
My cousin who lives in NYC scares his 5 year old to behave by telling her that if she doesn’t, he’ll send her to CANADA, as if Canada is a scary, scary place where all the misbehaved kids go… I absolutely love it here..
I love Canada solely for the men it creates..(ok, I like it for other things too) I’ve dated my fair share certainly and done the long distance thing from Seattle.. it’s sooo worth it. Tho if they were as hot as RR, well, i would’ve tried a lot harder. It’s high-larious people ask those questions.. Vancouver is one of my favorite cities ever and so much more hip in less space than Seattle.. the people are stunning there and just have a different demeanor and perspective of the world. I did almost get run off the road by some hicks in Surrey who told me to ‘go home Yank’ once.. but I usually hear they think I’m pretty cool even after they find out I’m American. Yay me!
How can people not like Canada? It’s apparently so similar to Australia. Hearing that people don’t like Canada, is like hearing that people don’t like Australia. And that makes me sad to my core.
What is not to like about either place?
First of all OMFG, people are idiots! Who the hell would have beef with Canada? All kidding aside, right before the opening ceremonies NBC news did this piece about what a unique relationship the US and Canada have in terms of friendship. They talked about Canada’s brave soldiers and they talked about what Canada did for us on 9/11 (something myself and a lot of other Americans were unaware of). The piece seriously made me cry. Also, everyone I know is excited for Canada to do well and I heart Alexandre Biladeau!
Secondly, I think I speak for many of your readers when I say, thank you for writing in English and Not in Canadian so that us Americans can read it, though you do misspell some English words from time to time (ie colour and cheque), but overall your English is very good ;-p
First of all OMFG, people are idiots! Who the hell would have beef with Canada? All kidding aside, right before the opening ceremonies NBC news did this piece about what a unique relationship the US and Canada have in terms of friendship. They talked about Canada’s brave soldiers and they talked about what Canada did for us on 9/11 (something myself and a lot of other Americans were unaware of). The piece seriously made me cry. Also, everyone I know is excited for Canada to do well and I heart Alexandre Biladeau!
Secondly, I think I speak for many of your readers when I say, thank you for writing in English and not in Canadian so that us Americans can read it. Though you do misspell some English words from time to time (ie colour and cheque), overall your English is very good ;-p
It baffles me that someone can use the internet to email you, but not to do a quick Google-ing of Canada.
I got questions like this all the time working retail in my tourist attraction hometown. Some people were SO irritated when I didn’t have American money available to give them change. It took all my self-control not to shriek “You’re in a different country! With different money! If you can’t make peace with that, stay home!”
I was also informed by a visiting American woman that I had an accent. Her mind was blown when I suggested that she did too.
Every time I’m off traveling somewhere alone, I always say I’m Canadian. Obvious reasons, but also Canadians? You’re just nice people. Really nice. I’ve never met a Canadian that I wasn’t amazed by their friendliness. :)
But you did forget one question….do your polar bears drink Coke too?
I did a whole week on Why Canada is Awesome leading up to the Olympics with more to come as the Olympics wrap up. Responsible for my first 2 teen crushes (Devon Sawa/Joshua Jackson) I have nothing but love!
I think Canada is a fabulous country & I (not so secretly) wish I lived there. This may or may not have anything to do with my hockey obsession.
I’m totally rooting for Team Canada tonight too.
I think I speak for most of the women in the United States, as well as some of the men, when I say “Thank you, Canada, for Ryan Reynolds”.
I’ve never understood people making assumptions about other places/countries. I mean, if you think about it, you have to know most of the things you hear are ridiculous.
When I went to South Korea, it was the most amazing experience. Did anyone tell me that it would be awesome? No. What did I hear? Tons of crazy negative things I should expect to encounter. *eye roll* Everything was amazing and different, but people are all the same, all just people. I loved it. I want to travel the world, and learn all about new places.
great youtube flic…except for that last little bit about Harper’s request that we be a little less modest, cuz honestly…you can’t move out here without running into to someone wearing garb with CANADA emblazoned across it…doesn’t matter if it’s the grocery store, your workplace…or a hiking trail. (And in downtown Vancouver, it’s a 4 HOUR wait to get into the Bay to buy more official Olympic wear.)
BC really is one of the most beautiful places in the world (as is all of Canada) and i am so delighted that the rest of the world is getting the chance to see it at its best :)
haha LOVE this post! I agree that the Olympics have made people nutty. Matt has been addicted. After a few too many cheap beers, he proclaimed that if a magic genie came and granted him one wish (yes, only intellectual conversations are had at our house), he would wish that the United States would win every medal in the Olympics. I looked at him in complete disbelief. I understand team spirit, but jeez, you would use your ONE WISH on THAT?!?! Un-be-lievable. Boozed or not, that would be a horrible choice.
And p.s. Thanks for Ryan Reynolds. :)
I love to pick on Canada… kinda like how an older brother picks on his little sister…
For those who are uninformed… Traditionally the Head of State opens the Olympic games… Now here’s where it gets tricky for us Americans… Our Head of State and Head of Government are the same person, the President. For many, if not most, countries they are two different people. The head of state for the United Kingdom is the Queen of England. The head of government for the United Kingdom is Prime Minister Gordon Brown… Head of state for Ireland is President Mary McAleese, head of government is Prime Minister Brian Cowen… Head of state for Germany is President Horst Koehler, head of goverment is Chancellor Angela Merkl.
Technically, the head of state for Canada, as it is with most countries of the British Commonwealth, is the Queen of England. Each country in the Commonwealth has a person who represents the Queen… The Governor General.
Since the Queen couldn’t be bothered to make it to Vancouver to open the Olympics (really I like the British royals, despite my being Irish, Harry is my favorite), Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General of Canada, as the Queen’s representative, opened the games…
The past 10 days have made me the most patriotic Canadian ever – the Molson Canadian commercial that runs like a million times a day? Had me weeping! Thanks for sharing the video!
OK I just need you to know that I am not a complete idiot. I read your post on my Blackberry and the video didn’t show up at all which is why I mentioned it in my comment. Argh, I really need to get a new computer!
Ummm, I don’t even know how to respond to this other than “I’m sorry so many of my fellow Americans are as dumb as a box of rocks.” (but how cool would it be to have an igloo as like a weekend place? :-P)
I LOVE Canada! Of course I’m rooting for the American athletes first, but if they can’t win, I’m rooting for the Canadian athletes. I wanted to be at these Olympics so badly, but alas it was not in the budget this year! I can only imagine how wonderful the games are in Vancouver.
Canadians created Entertainment Weekly?
Thats weird.
Wait, you guys don’t all wear plaid? But you are afraid of the dark, right? Is nothing I’ve learned from How I Met Your Mother accurate?!
I thought the Brokaw piece was excellently done. Sad that it has to be explained so thoroughly to us silly Americans.
Would it make you feel better to know that we misunderstand (are ignorant about?) our own country too: I grew up (and still reside) in Oregon. One time on a plane to Washington DC, someone asked me where we left our horses when we rode them to school (I did grow up in cowboy country, and no, no one ever rode a horse to school) and if we still “had to circle the wagons during Indian attacks” – this was said in seriousness, and during the 1990s…
Canada: America’s Hat.
You don’t live in an igloo? My entire life is made of ice-lies!
No lie, I have a friend who thinks Canadia and Canada are two different places.
I, for one, love Canada (and Canadia!), and Canadians!
I spent all weekend long at the Olympics trolling for Ryan Renolds and Wayne Gretzky to no avail. But I shall be back next weekend to look for them too (where there is a will to stalk hot Canadian men, there is a way).
This American happens to love Cananda. I’ve never been there, but I’ve totally romanticized it in my head. And, in my head, all the men look like that. Please just lie to me and tell me that’s true.
I hate it when people think Maine is part of Canada. (Some people really do! They dont realize how far north Maine goes.)
I love Canada!!
i watched that video last night and cried cause im so proud to live in canada.
ps= ryan reynolds is hott !!!
LOVE Canada – the nicer cleaner version of the U.S.
While Vancouver has the olympics and immense beauty….I’ll take Toronto any day. My favorite N.American city by far. Montreal is like going to Europe, Vancouver like Seattle and Saskatchewan is like going back in time. :-) (sorry Saskatchewan)
Are Americans so dumb that we don’t know our great border country to the north? And how can someone say they have never been there …..it’s right there…c’mon!! Man that saddens me.
Really someone asked if Candians lived in Igloo’s, celebrated Xmas, a country not involved in war? I am hoping it was a joke because if it weren’t – how pathetic is that? Jeez. Or let’s hope it was 6 yr olds.
And yes, Ryan Reynolds is hot so you can leave that photo up there for awhile. :-) And Molson XXX
I need more Ryan Reynolds on the big screen!
Haha, at least most people can point to Canada on a map. I get of lot ‘oh, New Zealand? That’s like, near England, right?’ and then there are a whole bunch of random comments, like ‘you’re wearing clothes! That must be pretty different for you. Don’t you guys usually wear grass skirts?’ :) It’s kinda crazy how some people actually lack basic common sense
ryan reynolds, ryan gosling and joshua jackson are three of the hottest canadians around and i love canada for it.
People are so silly. I love Canada, partly for Tim Hortons, which I wish would branch out into more parts of the States!
(I’ve heard rumors that they have it at the Canadian Embassy here in DC….maybe I need to get a job there?)
Thank you, thank you, thank you, Canada. You have contributed more than most countries to the beautification of the world.
Also, I’m coming out of the blog shadows. I love your blog, keep up pretty religiously.
Hey Brandy! So I found your blog through an older post about your “hot boyfriend” while I was randomly going through blogs on Blogger. It was touching and I hope everything worked out for you.
I actually got a chance to meet Tom Brokaw at a conference in January and I got a picture with him, although I think he was a little confused when I swooped in and grab him to pose for a quick flash. And also, THANK YOU. =)
1. How did I not know that Ryan Reynolds was Canadian?! Among many other fabulous people. Thank God Vancouver’s all about shameless self-promotion to us Americans these days — without their tourism commercial I never would have known that most of Hollywood is actually Canadian.
2. I adore Canadians. And Canada. Seriously. Your country rocks what with its healthcare and legal marijuana (which I don’t even smoke, but whatevs) and other happy liberal tree-hugging ways. I have Canada-envy for sure.
Thank you for sharing the EW cover. I kind of needed that right now.
Also? I don’t know THAT much about Canada (I blame this on me never having visited… I do lots of research when I visit places), I’m learning. My sister’s Canadian boyfriend is teaching us, and it is amazing.
I am all for Canada! I heard their “walk” signs when crossing the street take awesomely large strides
http://www.deforge.com/writings_001/writing_v0008.html
Also, they invented poutine and I’m sorry, french fries with gravy and cheese curds is like an orgy of deliciousness.
I used to work at the National Gallery, I had a guy from Philly show up with skis on the roof of his car.
It was July. Just sayin’
YES they ARE welcome.
Some people are so stupid sometimes, it makes me want to punch myself in the face.
CANADA RULES.
I might be overly patriotic.
It amazes me how naive Americans are about Canada. Really? Is it really difficult to get to know one of our neighbors? I would guess for as little as the average American knows about Canada, it’s even less for Mexico.
Oh wow. I laughed so hard when I read this. I’m a Canadian who has traveled overseas a lot. And I got quite tired of the stupid comments and questions about Canada. I loved answering then with really really stupid answers. And I looooooove our men. And nothing beats a hot cup of Tim Horton’s Coffee just as our men (and any other nation over there) in Afghanistan!
sorry our men and women!
How could anyone dislike Canada? Sheesh, I was there for two weeks and trying to figure out how to move there! LOL
I *heart* Canada. And Cute Canadians. That was one of the best issues of EW evah. It was about five different cover shots of that fine Canadian boy, Ryan Reynolds. I showed it to my kids’ babysitter one day and mentioned something about eye candy and I had to shield my face from her stream of barf as she exclaimed, “Ewwww! Gross! What is he, like, FORTY?!” Yeah. I feel old.
Bwahaha. Well it could be worse. You could live in South Africa and ppl could ask you if
1) You lived in a hut
2) You had an elephant as a pet
3) If you live close to Chile
Or my all time favourite: I thought only black ppl lived in SA.