That is something about Canada that always brought me a lot of joy (I have spent a lot of time there). It’s a small thing really, but it exemplifies an emblematically optimistic world view - of course all our power comes from hydroelectricity (if not the wind turbine at the CNE) - it’s the 21st century!
(back in Buffalo, of course the power is the same hydroelectric Toronto gets, from Niagara Falls, but nobody calls it hydro)
Two great things:
And…
Like “The Onion” articles, I derive too much pleasure from the titles of Chuck Tingle novels to risk being let down by reading the novels themselves.
Pounded In The Butt By This Title
Wait, what? He actually writes the books? I thought he just made up titles and self-“published” them and that was the whole joke.
I’m so out of touch. 
His nom de plume deserves a pulitzer all by itself.
Something to restore a little faith in humanity:
Our city had its first-ever Pride Festival yesterday, with parade, speeches, music, drag shows, etc.
While there had been some grumbling in advance about downtown streets being closed, how many people would show up?, and the usual “why do they get a parade?” comments, in the end it was a big success.
There was a good turnout, including a strong showing of democratic socialists, anti-fascists, etc., but no protestors, and a nice happy positive vibe and very colorful atmosphere. It was a successful community-building event.
My wife and daughter marched in the parade and got their picture in the paper. (I slept too late for that part.) In the evening we went to the drag show after party. It was a good day all around, celebrating inclusiveness and diversity.
Shitty manager who makes a really shitty decision gets the appropriate outcome:
It sucks that the woman’s son is going through this.
Her manager doing something stupid and getting fired for it doesn’t help matters at all
I file this under happy moments…
I’d lined up a sunset cruise for my partner and myself on a schooner tonight. Leave the dock, sail out into the bay, some cocktails, some history on old San Juan, gaze at the sunset. That sort of thing.
Well, it started out like that but about 15 minutes into it, Tessa decided to talk to me.
As most are aware, I’m a 40 something old guy with no children. And in today’s climate, I generally avoid children I’m not related too (which I’m out of as my youngest niece has graduated High School)
But 10 year old Tessa decided to adopt me for the two hour cruise. Her mother tried to pull her way a couple of times, but Tessa had found an ear to bend so she bent it. Every time my partner tried to “rescue” me, the young thing just redoubled her efforts.
Honestly, she probably shared too much, but it was nice to hear all about the things a Fourth grader is interested in.
It wasn’t the romantic sunset Cruise I’d envisioned, but all in all an enjoyable one.
And to you, Tessa, I hope the breakfast buffet has bananas.
A good person treats children, waitstaff, and cleaners with respect. I hope your partner took note.
I wonder if Ireland takes back 3rd generation migrants (or am I 4th?)? Because of the land of my ancestors are kicking ass lately - add another notch to their awesome belt!
I has a disappoint, because my namesake came to Louisiana in 1775. Far too early for me to be welcomed back.
Yeah, I doubt they’d take me back either. From what I hear, if you have a grandparent who came from Ireland, you’re in. It was my great-great, so too far for me too.
For me it was about 1810 or so – at least the one carrying my name. And then there are the other 7 European nationalities (at least, from my dad’s genealogy research).
I always wanted a bumper sticker that said:
“Kiss Me, I’m EnglishFrenchGermanIrishScottishSwissWelsh”
Automatic repatriation requires a parent or grandparent and supporting paperwork from both sides of the pond. Ancestors farther back than that is on a case-by-case basis and is much harder. There is a two- to three-month wait currently. Many Brits who qualify are panicking and getting repatriated so they don’t lose EU citizenship when Brexit crashes.
Nice to know I’m in good company, I’m EnglishIrishScottishFrenchSpanishItalianGreek*
*That I know of.
