Visiting Corner Gas!!

I've finally (after lots of fiddling) figured out my new digital camera (ta-dah!!) enough to post some pics here on the blog.

We (the family) just got back from our cross-Canada driving vacation and one of the highlights was that both Ruth and I got to visit the set of one of our favourite TV shows, Corner Gas! We got to visit the town that all the outdoor shots are filmed in; Roleau, SK (which doubles as Dog River) The town has a total population of about 450 or so people. Most of the indoor sets are filmed in sound studios in Regina, SK.


Our tour guide was the guy (can I remember his name? Sorry, guy...) who is Brent Butt's stand-in. Do you notice the resemblance? He really looks like a twin from the back.
It was so much fun! I'll publish more pictures of our trip later!!

Why Corner Gas is Profound....

I've neglected my favourite show, next to The Rick Mercer Report. That would be Corner Gas. This show is about small town life in the flattest place on earth, Saskatchewan. (Hope I spelled that correctly...) Anyway, I've haven't laughed so hard for such a long time until this show came along. I am faithfully getting the series DVD's as they become available...I'm that serious about how funny it is. I'm so interested in this show that I've suggested that we tour the town where it's filmed. Maybe we will visit Dog River!

This show does have uniquely Canadian references in it, too, which my wife has to explain to me, but I find the humor so universal. It is more 'small town humour' than Canadian humor. You'll notice as an American in Canada, I sometimes put my 'u' into words like 'humour' and sometimes I don't. (I love Canadian spelling!)

The main characters are:

*Brent - Owner of Corner Gas.
*Lacy - Brent's next door neighbor, owner of the diner, The Ruby
*Hank - Brent's best friend and rarely employed layabout (he must have inherited the house)
*Frank - Brent's crusty, cranky old dad
*Emma - Brent's wise-cracking, eye-rolling mom
*Davis - The cop who likes to 'be real' and relax
*Karen - The newer cop who likes to be careful to follow regulations.

The writing on this show is fantastic and the characters are so small town. There is so much recognition of basic human foibles and follies hiding in this show too. It demonstrates, as true comedy should, how people can sometimes just be plain silly about their obsessions and priorities. In that way this show is more 'real' than the shows that call themselves 'reality'.

The show is proof of that famous quotation: "Never underestimate the power of human stupidity." Corner Gas demonstrates that we can either laugh at this foolishness, or go insane. I'll go for the former. See you at The Ruby!

Living in Canada - An American Perspective

Since I have traveled a bit, I have become fascinated by how different cultures work. I enjoy reading about cultures and I have become more interested in history over the years.

The running joke is that Canadians are just 'misplaced' Americans or that they are just an offshoot of the US, embracing the same culture. I would argue that they are a unique culture, and that this culture that is now in place is very needed in this world that can be dominated by images, ideas, etc. from the US. Canada is in a unique position to be a 'check and balance' to the US. Hopefully, Canada will begin to embrace that concept of being a Berean-like thinker to the US. There are some hopeful signs in the latest Canadian government, led by Stephen Harper.

Anyway, what are the key ideas that float around that make up the Canadian identity. I have found that a lot of it boils down to this quote:

"A Canadian is someone who is always asking, 'What is a Canadian?'"...(will add info about where I got quote when I find it...)

The Canadian identity seems to be wrapped up in the idea of questioning, probing, wondering. Sometimes this does look a bit neurotic, but it really isn't. Canadian culture is more open to other ideas and cultures. They don't usually just 'settle' for an answer...they want reasons.

Being outside of the US for so long, I have noticed that Americans (including me) have a tendency to be more sure. Don't bother me with more questions, I've already figured it out. President Bush's idea of "with us or against us" is, to me, something that is taking the American mindset to the extreme. (Don't get me wrong, either, I love my home country, but all cultures have their failings.)

I am fascinated by the interplay between the two countries over time. How Canada's very existence is due to the USA. How the idea that "Canadians are Americans that rejected the Revolution." (Nothrup Frye said that) is true. I think it is fascinating how the birth year of Canada, 1867, is right on the heels of the end of the US Civil War (1865).

I am fascinated by Prime Minister's and Presidents and how they get along. There's LBJ grabbing Pearson by the collar and telling him to 'stop pissing on my carpet!' (PM Pearson was not a big fan of the Vietnam War and actually talked out loud about it). There's Trudeau's famous 'sleeping elephant' reference.


Essential reading for Americans in Canada:

Coupland, Douglas Souvenir of Canada (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre) 2002

Ferguson, Will Canadian History for Dummies (Toronto: CDG Books Canada) 2000

Ferguson, Will Why I Hate Canadians (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre) 1997

Ferguson, Will & Ian Ferguson How To Be A Canadian (Vancouver: Douglas & McIntyre) 2001


Essential TV viewing for Americans in Canada:

CBC

Spend a week or a month, if you dare, and watch CBC. If you do, let me know...you should be rewarded, or something...

In my opinion, the best, funniest and most informative show about Canada is The Rick Mercer Report

And a word to my Canadian friends: Yes, Rick did "Talking to Americans". Yes, it was funny. However, Rick's moved on. So should you. End of comment :-)



Essential website for all Americans to have under "Favorites" while living in Canada (believe me, you'll need it!):

THE Canadian Spelling Dictionary!!

It wouldn't hurt to get the Canadian Oxford Dictionary, either!!