Canada Day - no long weekend again !!

.S.o.S. — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 14:55:00 +0100

It's the second consecutive year that Canada Day is failing to trigger a long weekend and while some communities are shifting celebration dates you can bet there's one that doesn't bend on the nation's birthday.

"It never enters our consideration," says Julie Rocheleau of the National Capital Commission."We organize Canada Day whether it's on a weekend or a weekday."

On average, 350,000 people visit Parliament Hill and Major's Hill Park in Ottawa on July 1, as well as Jacques-Cartier Park in Gatineau, Que, Rocheleau says.

Weather plays a bigger role in attendance than timing. Last year, when Canada Day fell on a Tuesday, 460,000 people turned out to toast the nation.

With Canada Day falling on a Wednesday this year, others are moving the party to the weekend.

At Walkers Point Marina in Gravenhurst, Ont., residents will be forgiven for thinking it's U.S. Independence Day that's being celebrated - given that fireworks are planned for July 4.

Canada Day fireworks have always happened on the weekend in the Ontario cottage country community, says administrative clerk Michelle Blair, who admits she would prefer a July 1 celebration.

Both Canadian and American flags fly year round at the marina and along the main highway. Several thousand cottagers and tourists have come to past celebrations at the marina to enjoy hot dogs, ice cream, boat rides and the scenery.

In nearby Bracebridge, the Annual Duck Derby Race and fireworks display will go ahead on July 1. Marny Mowat of the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce says some councils switch the fireworks to the weekend, but Bracebridge never does.

"Why would we have Canada Day fireworks a few days before or after?"

Dartmouth and Halifax are planning a little bit of both. The Nova Scotia communities will come together for a full day of activities on Wednesday, but people can also enjoy a Canada Day kick-off this weekend with fiddlers and face-painting.

Billy Comer, an event co-ordinator, says the June 27 and 28 events at Dartmouth Crossing will have a full-fledged Canada Day theme complete with red and white balloons and free cake. At the July 1 event, Comer anticipates a bigger crowd than last year. Headlining the free concert is Joel Plaskett Emergency, a Halifax indie band that opens for Paul McCartney on July 11 at the Halifax Common.

Because the holiday falls mid-week people are less likely to travel to New Brunswick, P.E.I. or the cottage, Comer said. In the evening, up to 100,000 people traditionally watch the fireworks show. "It's the biggest Canada Day east of Ottawa," he says.

On the West Coast, an outdoor street festival in downtown Vancouver features dancers Arassay Reyes and Izaak Smith from "So You Think You Can Dance Canada," and singer Elise Estrada.

In Toronto, a civic workers' strike has created some confusion about what's cancelled. Liz Driver, curator of the Campbell House Museum at Queen Street West and University Avenue, says Canada Day will proceed as usual on Wednesday at Toronto's oldest brick home.

Driver says she's optimistic a mid-week July 1 will see more, not less, revellers in the city. "We're right downtown, and there are always people in the city. In a sense, if it's on a weekend people are more likely to go out of town," she says. "I personally believe in celebrating birthdays on the day. It's Canada's birthday."

Those outside Canadian borders can attend ex-pat celebrations such as that hosted this weekend by The Digital Moose Lounge, a network for Canadians in the Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay area. The website promises an afternoon picnic in the redwoods and "fellow moose proudly saying 'eh?', 'chesterfield', 'aboot', and talking about how warm it is in Celsius."

Moose spokeswoman Barb Lundhild says the event usually happens the weekend before July 1 to ensure a good turnout. Lundhild laughs at the suggestion that Canadians might be more flexible about the date of their party than Americans. "I think Canadians are a little more flexible, period."

In 2007, July 1 fell on a Sunday, and Canada Day celebrations took place July 2 to comply with the Federal Holidays Act.

oh well , happy Canada Day to you all on wednesday anyway , take er easy !!

A bear was chasing a rabbit ......

.S.o.S. — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 01:34:00 +0100

"Stop running and get back here!" yelled the bear.
"Never!" shouted the rabbit.
As the rabbit was running he tripped on a lamp. His soft furry foot brushed the lamp and out popped a genie.
The genie noticed the frightened rabbit was being chased by the bear.
The genie said to the bear,"Hey! If you stop chasing him I''ll grant you and the rabbit both two wishes!"
The bear agreed and was so eager he jumped to go first. He said, "I wish that a had the biggest penis in the world!"
*Poof!* and his wish was granted.
The rabbit went next, "I wish I had a super fast motorcycle!"
*Poof* and the rabbit''s wish was granted.
The bear looked at the rabbit and thought, "What a lame wish!"
For his final wish, the bear smirked as he wished that all the other bears in the world were female.
*Poof* his wish was granted.
The rabbit jumped on his motorcycle, revvved the engine and laughed, and just before he booked it, he said to the genie, "I wish for the bear to be gay"

.S.o.S. blog on Absolute Radio

Canada Day - no long weekend again !!

A bear was chasing a rabbit ......