Canadians win gold, celebrate in SUVs
Im currently disgusted at my fellow Vancouverites. Ive never been a big fan of patriotism, but I could appreciate this for what it was. Canada serving the US at hockey. It was a kind of little brother won against big brother thing, but seriously folks.
Throughout the streets are people celebrating, but the sidewalks are empty. On the corners you can see men drapped in Canadian flags, walking into starbucks for an espresso. The people are cheering, horns are honking, but narry a word is being said.
Im disgusted by those around me, whats new, but in this case there is really something wrong. Canadians have a great victory, and people celebrate it by jumping in their cars and SUVs (THOUSANDS of them out there) to drive around with flags on their cars. At one point Robson street was filled with a dozen cars, all not moving but all with their engines running. There is something wrong here. The only people on the sidewalks are bewildered Asian tourists, and me. But the horns keep blarring.
Maybe this says something for a town whos "character" is an Berkinstock hippie in a black SUV with an espresso in one hand, a cellphone in the other, and is driving the car with his knees. You know the type, those who drive to the nearest logging rally in their SUV to protest the cutting down of trees by a company that they hold shares in. Of course we have a history of good enviromentalists. We got that chinese environmental scientist who flies from the guly islands to Vancouver every day to work in his private helicopter, and we got... a bunch of wining college kids! Of course whats new there.
Perhaps my gripe is more with the attachment to convenience mentioned in <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000738"; target="_blank">this</a> thread. Perhaps Im just another whining college kid, but there is definatly something wrong when your cities idea of national pride is driving around with flags out their windows.
Of course I know one thing. Were not alone.
Throughout the streets are people celebrating, but the sidewalks are empty. On the corners you can see men drapped in Canadian flags, walking into starbucks for an espresso. The people are cheering, horns are honking, but narry a word is being said.
Im disgusted by those around me, whats new, but in this case there is really something wrong. Canadians have a great victory, and people celebrate it by jumping in their cars and SUVs (THOUSANDS of them out there) to drive around with flags on their cars. At one point Robson street was filled with a dozen cars, all not moving but all with their engines running. There is something wrong here. The only people on the sidewalks are bewildered Asian tourists, and me. But the horns keep blarring.
Maybe this says something for a town whos "character" is an Berkinstock hippie in a black SUV with an espresso in one hand, a cellphone in the other, and is driving the car with his knees. You know the type, those who drive to the nearest logging rally in their SUV to protest the cutting down of trees by a company that they hold shares in. Of course we have a history of good enviromentalists. We got that chinese environmental scientist who flies from the guly islands to Vancouver every day to work in his private helicopter, and we got... a bunch of wining college kids! Of course whats new there.
Perhaps my gripe is more with the attachment to convenience mentioned in <a href="http://forums.appleinsider.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=6&t=000738"; target="_blank">this</a> thread. Perhaps Im just another whining college kid, but there is definatly something wrong when your cities idea of national pride is driving around with flags out their windows.
Of course I know one thing. Were not alone.
Comments
It makes him look even sillier now that Canada has won.
<strong>I actually went out and rented a car so I could join in the celebrations. Didn't get an SUV though ... it's not like we won the gold in curling.</strong><hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laughing]" />
Seriously though, I do know the type of loser Toolboi is talking about - latte in one hand, cell phone in the other, birkenstocks on the pedal of some gargantuan POS SUV. What a perfect description, no? Anyway the celebrating doesn't bug me (I would be too if we'd won), but it's clear something was lost on all those people:
The idea is to celebrate together, on your feet, with a Molson in one hand and your lady / man in the other.
As for Wayne, he was a whiny bitch up until game time yesterday. He's lost his image and not for the better. I think being a GM or living here (or his wife or something) has spoiled him senseless. After all he accomplished he should know better than to cry about lack of fan support and all the rest....
[ 02-25-2002: Message edited by: Moogs ? ]</p>
In some ways im glad Canada won. Because if they hadnt I would have died laughing, and you could'v heard it all the way to Regina (hilarious name btw). Its Canada's sport, I dont really feel any shame that they beat us at it.
It's just one step along the way to Canada trying to escape America's shadow.
Though this little brother defeating big brother is a little stupid.
Arguing with you really isnt worth it Scott.
Moogs: You got it. It disgusts me that peoples idea of celebrating involves driving around town. I was all excited at the prospect of millions of people celebrating on the street, but that never happened.
It's just one step along the way to Canada trying to escape America's shadow.
Though this little brother defeating big brother is a little stupid.
I thought thati t was a good analogy, though I admit that I delivered it badly. Do you have a sibling? From my experience when the little brother wins any confrontation over the bigger brother its a joyous occasion for them (lucky me, I was always the bigger brother). The US is very much Canadas big brother, and often Canada feels bullied by them. This was an event that allowed Canadians to cheer at the fact that they could have a victory.
In some ways im glad Canada won. Because if they hadnt I would have died laughing
If I remember correctly Canada hasnt won in YEARS. However they pulled it off this time around, both mens and womens.
Oh I wasnt refuring that your analogy of big brother vs. little brother was stupid, what I ment was that if thats the way Canadians feels about this, then thats stupid.
[quote]If I remember correctly Canada hasnt won in YEARS.<hr></blockquote>
Half a century to be exact. I ment that in more of an if America beat Canada at hockey, it would be hilarious. Not Canada loosing to say my brith country of Sweden.
[quote]Your indignation and utter disguest come off as laughable.<hr></blockquote>
<img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> You'v been kind of an ass around here lately Scott H. And you dont seem to be improving.
<strong>
<img src="graemlins/bugeye.gif" border="0" alt="[Skeptical]" /> You'v been kind of an ass around here lately Scott H. And you dont seem to be improving.</strong><hr></blockquote>
Calls it as I sees it.
I'll take him over that retard Herb Brooks any day.
"Canadians play stupid hockey."
Uh, sure.... If 'dump and chase' is so stupid, why do most of the guys on your team play it every night in the NHL? Oh that's right, he wouldn't know what NHL coaches are doing, would he...
Then crying that they had harder games, they didn't have the jump that the Canadians had, crying about the format, blah, blah.
The guy is a ****ing suck. His team got thumped, and he can't just deal with it. It could have very easily been 8-2 with all the posts they hit, etc. Classless prick.
As for Wayne, he was just saying what no one else had the balls to say. The shit that gets said about Canadian hockey IS bullshit, but no one else with the team could shake off their nice guy image long enough to say anything.
[ 02-26-2002: Message edited by: murbot ]</p>
In a sense it shows the insular relationships we have with each other in society. Instead of just running out in the streets and congratulating the win with neighbors (we tend not to have relationships with our neighbors). We get into SUVs and honk our collective horns...sad.