Alien13z wrote:So is taking over Detroit an accomplishment? Isn't that more or less the same as stealing a Yugo?
It's definitely harder than taking over, say, Vancouver.
So would be breaking into the White House and stealing George Bush's underwear. But that doesn't mean it's a meritorious activity.
Here's my view on the difference between Canada and the US:
On my last trip to Victoria, my wife and I were looking for coffee at 6:30 am on a Sunday. We finally found a shop and as we approached the door we noted that they wouldn't open for another 30 minutes. Should we wait or...someone's coming to the door. We're greeted by a pleasant young man who offers assistance. We explain that we were simply looking for coffee and that we'll just walk around for a bit and come back when they open. He says that he just started brewing the morning's first batch and that we were more than welcome to come in *right now* for a cup.
In the US, a different young man would notice us, point to the hours posted on the door and shrug, "sorry, we're not open yet".
Ahhh, Victoria was our other choice, but we picked Toronto because we're both still young and the career development prospects are better. But someday....
They also don't like to admit they need the US as a neighbor (trade, protection, etc.)
To avoid this thread being moved to P&C, I'll avoid posting how you guys need us in a lot of ways too (though the US will never admit dependence on another nation.)
They have several doughnut shops...but it's the coffee shop they're proud of. Their answer to Starbucks or Seattle's Best is Tim Horton Coffee (affectionately known as Timmy's).
I have Tim Horton's every day and the funniest thing about it is that it isn't even really good coffee (though I think Starbucks is overpriced swill too.) Yet, almost every Canadian who drinks coffee loves the stuff. There was speculation a while back that they were actually putting nicotine in the coffee to hook people on it but I think that was proven to be a myth. Tobacco regulation is so rampant up here (don't get me started) that they'd never get away with it and not having it for a few days doesn't cause any sort of withdrawal symptoms unless you already have a caffeine addiction. My advice though is to avoid their sandwiches (both the lunch and breakfast sandwiches.) They're overpriced and not very good.
Torontonians, while having living in Canada all their lives (for the most part) still don't understand what "snow" is. Expect the city to shut down when more than a few centimeters of it fall ;)
Yep, that's happened many times and there was a huge national joke a few years back when then-Mayor Mel Lastman (who is considered literally mad by many) called in the Army because something like 25 centimeters came down in one day (that's considered just a pain in the ass here in Ottawa.) Toronto while considered a very diverse city is also disliked by a lot of Canada because it's considered to be grossly over-represented in government (particularly Ontario Provincial) and many people there tend to walk around acting like they are better than the rest of the country. I personally haven't experienced this much but its the common belief. It is a nice city but large parts of downtown are kind of a hole.
Living in Toronto you are now a 6 hour drive (?) from Ottawa and an 8 hour drive (?) from Montreal. Take advantage of this. Both cities, especially in the summers, are gorgeous.
Yes, they definitely are. I absolutely love Summer in this city, particularly around the Rideau Canal area. Montreal also has the Just for Laughs comedy festival in the Summer which is a blast and something I recommend for everyone to go to at least once. A lot of the best games in the world are developed there too. Summers in Toronto can sometimes be pretty brutal as it is a dense city and there's a lot of smog there but we usually don't get too many heavy heat waves here.
Welcome from me as well. If you come up with an open mind (and it seems you are), I think you'll really enjoy yourself here.
It is a nice city but large parts of downtown are kind of a hole.
Ah! A good point. We will probably be living in the city for convenience's sake. Are there good neighborhoods to live in? To avoid? We're reading books about this, but it would be good to get some good advice from people that know. Is public transit good in the city? I get the impression it is.
Man, the Minnesota similarities keep coming.
Anyway, I get the impression that a lot of Canuckers think of Torontonians the way we think of New Yorkers.
As for looking for coffee, when I've been in that hunting scenario in Canadia, I find myself more likely to be questioned by someone who had already called the cops. I guess I give off the wrong vibe. Either way, they always start off with a "May I help you?" Only if you have coffee, Jack.
I should say one positive thing about state #53 (Ontario, after Puerto Rico and the UK): The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is pretty good stuff.
I could be wrong, but moving from Cali to Canada you'll probably have fewer cultural difficulties than you would if you moved to someplace like Alabama.
Go to hell Funkenpants.
Have fun in Canada, necroyeti! I agree with the "don't be an asshole" comments
Do not ever call the CN Tower the Space Needle...Not only will they laugh at you, you will be luckey not to get maple syrup spit in your eye, and pummeled with ice balls like a middle eastern stoning...
The Canadians also controlled Detroit for about a year, well into 1813.
Of course before Motown...Let the Mounties try it now see how long it takes them to get smacked back across the river; I doubt they're ready for this...eh? (*This could also possibly be a picture of the only four people in Detroit with jobs - not sure for now, I'll get back to you after all of the employment stats are tallied...)
So is taking over Detroit an accomplishment? Isn't that more or less the same as stealing a Yugo?
Uff dah yah; hey watch it "Fargo"; quisling lemming!!! Nudge me like dat once more yngling and ya may be in da silt den, yah... 
A Yugo, heehee...Oh, like you come from the land of "milk and honey"; Fiat -ch!!! ROTFL 
1. Try not to say Quebecois when you mean Separatist; they're not the same thing (the latter is a subset of the former).
2. Although being in Toronto may never expose you to the fact, there is, in fact, a fair chunk of Canada that's east of Quebec city.
3. Make friends with any Newfies (folks from Newfoundland) that you find. Newfies are, as a group, the best bunch of people you'll ever meet. (I'm not a Newf, but I've never met one I didn't like.)
4. Timbits are good.
5. Don't be concerned if you start wishing you were Canadian; it's a totally natural reaction. (Although, again, being in Toronto you may not feel that way until you go other places.)
6. The joke-telling pecking order for dumb-person jokes: Newfies. (We don't make fun of anybody else.)
The joke-telling pecking order for I-don't-like-those-guys jokes: Americans, Upper Canadians (people from Ontario or Quebec), Torontonians, specific districts in Toronto (that only friggin' Torontonians care about).
You'll be right at home in Toronto. The rest of the world hates America, so to the rest of Canada Hates Toronto. 
jk
There are alot of really nice areas to live in Toronto, but it just depends on how much your looking to spend on a home. The public transit system is pretty good, so you shouldnt have much trouble getting to the downtown campus for your classes from where ever you are.
You buy your beer from "The Beer Store" and your liquor from the "LCBO", There the only places that sell the stuff.
Marijuana is still illegal (but you wont be thrown in jail for it).
Get used to saying "eh" after your sentences, it will seem weird at first, but youll get the hang of it.
Other than that welcome to Canada, eh.
All funny jokes aside (it's always fun to sensationalize the differences) there aren't too many notable quirks. Just pretend it's like going to another state that's a bit different than yours, except there's less random neck stabbings, and even if we do get stabbed in the neck, we get it stitched up for free.
I think in general there's a bigger difference comparing North American east coast/west coast vibes and lifestyles than it is comparing "above and below"
Man, the Minnesota similarities keep coming.
Anyway, I get the impression that a lot of Canuckers think of Torontonians the way we think of New Yorkers.
As for looking for coffee, when I've been in that hunting scenario in Canadia, I find myself more likely to be questioned by someone who had already called the cops. I guess I give off the wrong vibe. Either way, they always start off with a "May I help you?" Only if you have coffee, Jack.
I should say one positive thing about state #53 (Ontario, after Puerto Rico and the UK): The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is pretty good stuff.
I count three anti-Minnesota comments from you now. I imagine one of us would've bitten back by now but we're all too busy enjoying our urban lifestyle without the bullshit that you will never know anything about.
I got all your Toronto living info right here.
Go to a bar that's playing a Maple Leafs game, or better yet, go to a Leafs game. Let everyone know you're from LA (they don't know where Santa Barbara is, it's close enough).
Talk about the fun times you had watching local teams play in Stanley Cup Finals games in this half-century.
Then ask if Toronto ever plans on joining the party.
wordsmythe wrote:Man, the Minnesota similarities keep coming.
Anyway, I get the impression that a lot of Canuckers think of Torontonians the way we think of New Yorkers.
As for looking for coffee, when I've been in that hunting scenario in Canadia, I find myself more likely to be questioned by someone who had already called the cops. I guess I give off the wrong vibe. Either way, they always start off with a "May I help you?" Only if you have coffee, Jack.
I should say one positive thing about state #53 (Ontario, after Puerto Rico and the UK): The Stratford Shakespeare Festival is pretty good stuff.
I count three anti-Minnesota comments from you now. I imagine one of us would've bitten back by now but we're all too busy enjoying our urban lifestyle without the bullshit that you will never know anything about.
I'm just too busy ice fishing.
3. Make friends with any Newfies (folks from Newfoundland) that you find. Newfies are, as a group, the best bunch of people you'll ever meet. (I'm not a Newf, but I've never met one I didn't like.)
I distinctly remember you starting an entire thread up over the gross mis-use of English words when I used "irregardless" in a post. My feelings were distinctly hurt that day because I thought you did not like me
6. The joke-telling pecking order for dumb-person jokes: Newfies. (We don't make fun of anybody else.)
The joke-telling pecking order for I-don't-like-those-guys jokes: Americans, Upper Canadians (people from Ontario or Quebec), Torontonians, specific districts in Toronto (that only friggin' Torontonians care about).
Oh, we have our fair share of jokes about "mainlanders" as well. Interestingly enough, the majority of those jokes begin with the Newfoundlander looking stupid, but then outsmarts everyone in the end with extremely creative thinking.
I distinctly remember you starting an entire thread up over the gross mis-use of English words when I used "irregardless" in a post. My feelings were distinctly hurt that day because I thought you did not like me ;)
If I'd known you were a Newf, I would have forgiven you your blatant assaults on the English language. It's not your fault; it's a cultural thing.
Oh, we have our fair share of jokes about "mainlanders" as well. Interestingly enough, the majority of those jokes begin with the Newfoundlander looking stupid, but then outsmarts everyone in the end with extremely creative thinking.
Yep, and we can even tell those jokes if we're mainlanders. Even we like it when the Newfies win. 
6. The joke-telling pecking order for dumb-person jokes: Newfies. (We don't make fun of anybody else.)
The joke-telling pecking order for I-don't-like-those-guys jokes: Americans, Upper Canadians (people from Ontario or Quebec), Torontonians, specific districts in Toronto (that only friggin' Torontonians care about).
Oh, we have our fair share of jokes about "mainlanders" as well. Interestingly enough, the majority of those jokes begin with the Newfoundlander looking stupid, but then outsmarts everyone in the end with extremely creative thinking. [/quote]
And the judicious use of Screech.
Yeah, Newfies are a special breed. Good folks.
If I'd known you were a Newf, I would have forgiven you your blatant assaults on the English language. It's not your fault; it's a cultural thing.
I believe it is more than just a cultural thing. It's alright Chumpy, ain't nobody perfect
Man, the Minnesota similarities keep coming.
I agree, but Canada is way better, at least they eat good food and drink quality beer, and have some sense of style...
Com'on Sheesh, in Minnesota there is far less quality...
For example: They enjoy drinking Milwaukee's best (by the case full), eating lukefisk, Ice fishing, using grampa's tractor as a family vehical, and re-hashing Jesse "the body" Ventura's glory days as governor...
So as you see, Canada has far better tastes, is more civilized, and has a lot more to offer than the northern version of Alabama (which is also better than MN too btw)...
*just remember you started this war Nord...
The Canadians also controlled Detroit for about a year, well into 1813.
Can we give it back to them?
I'm just too busy ice fishing.
ROTFL - see what I mean...
I kind of like lutefisk. 
we're all too busy enjoying our urban lifestyle without the bullshit that you will never know anything about.
Now, by "bullshit" do you mean "winning sports teams", or is it "not being socialists"?
Did I mention that on top of the Sox and Bears, I'm a UW fan? I've got a whole (hired) truckload of Minnesota jokes over here.
You don't really want to do a White Sox - Twins comparison, do you?
Chumpy_McChump wrote:If I'd known you were a Newf, I would have forgiven you your blatant assaults on the English language. It's not your fault; it's a cultural thing.
I believe it is more than just a cultural thing. It's alright Chumpy, ain't nobody perfect ;)
Hey now, that's perfectly acceptable and correct english. You made blatant assaults; I forgive you for them. Totally correct. Wordsmythe, wanna back me up on this?
Did I mention that on top of the Sox and Bears, I'm a UW fan?
University of Washington?
I believe it is more than just a cultural thing. It's alright Chumpy, ain't nobody perfect ;)
Hey now, that's perfectly acceptable and correct english. You made blatant assaults; I forgive you for them. Totally correct. Wordsmythe, wanna back me up on this?[/quote]
Irregardless Chumpy, we can agree that Newfies rock If you ever visit the Rock, drinks are on me
You don't really want to do a White Sox - Twins comparison, do you?
Oh pipe down "Fargo"...Until a Cardinals fan chimes in, I trump all and you sir are still my Fiat -ch!!!
Alien13z wrote:You don't really want to do a White Sox - Twins comparison, do you?
Oh pipe down "Fargo"...Until a Cardinals fan chimes in, I trump all and you sir are still my Fiat -ch!!!
You're making about as much sense as Sparky Anderson.
Hey now, that's perfectly acceptable and correct english. You made blatant assaults; I forgive you for them. Totally correct. Wordsmythe, wanna back me up on this?
"Affirmative. Yes. Yo. Right on... my man. "
wordsmythe wrote:Did I mention that on top of the Sox and Bears, I'm a UW fan?
University of Washington?
No, the real one. Go Badgers.
Chronic, that D looks a lot like a Cubbie C to me. Funny, you're both really good at ruining young pitchers, too!
You don't really want to do a White Sox - Twins comparison, do you?
Sure, go ahead. How'd you do last year? How about the year before that? How can you feel at all masculine playing under a dome? Why do all your players have girl names like "Torii"?
Chumpy_McChump wrote:Hey now, that's perfectly acceptable and correct english. You made blatant assaults; I forgive you for them. Totally correct. Wordsmythe, wanna back me up on this?
"Affirmative. Yes. Yo. Right on... my man. "
Quintin_Stone wrote:wordsmythe wrote:Did I mention that on top of the Sox and Bears, I'm a UW fan?
University of Washington?
No, the real one. Go Badgers.
Chronic, that D looks a lot like a Cubbie C to me. Funny, you're both really good at ruining young pitchers, too!
Alien13z wrote:You don't really want to do a White Sox - Twins comparison, do you?
Sure, go ahead. How'd you do last year? How about the year before that? How can you feel at all masculine playing under a dome? Why do all your players have girl names like "Torii"?
Seems to me we get to the playoffs almost every year paying our players with the change left over from under the seats in the Metrodome. And I'll take two championships since 1987 over one for your entire city since the end of World War One.
You think the Sox were well-payed before 2005? They've been underpaid since Comiskey was built, if not longer. There's a reason some of them took money not to win the WS.
And we would have had it in '94 too, if not for the strike.
Now I was considering that I'd changed my sig too recently already, but I feel like I have to again.
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