#green party of quebec

[allthecanadianpolitics]

Green Party deputy leader Jonathan Pedneault is planning to run for a seat in the House of Commons in an upcoming byelection in Montreal's Notre-Dame-de-Grace--Westmount riding.

The 32-year-old ran on a joint ticket to share the party leadership in November with longtime member of Parliament Elizabeth May.

The party's constitution has not yet been changed to make the pair co-leaders so Pedneault is the deputy leader.

The Notre-Dame-de-Grace--Westmount seat was created in 2015 and the area has long been considered a Liberal stronghold.

It was last held by Liberal MP Marc Garneau, who announced his retirement earlier this year.

A victory for Pedneault in the June 19 vote would see him join May and Mike Morrice as Green Party MPs in Ottawa.

Full article

Tagging: @politicsofcanada

[werewolfpdfs]

sometimes im like since i lost access to local cable news im so uninformed but then i talk to some of my friends here and they couldn’t name the primary 3/4 political parties of canada. hello

[ghost-hawk]

Canadian politics being what they are, I support the bloc Quebecois in it's decision to ask for justin Trudeau to stand down from office, however I ask that bloc Quebecois to take into consideration that the NDP has been taking steps to improving the relations with the indigenous communities more than past elected officials.

If the elections are to continue without Justin Trudeau I hope that all parties continue towards a future recognizing the needs of all Canadians including the native American indigenous.

While I voted for Justin Trudeau into office, I can understand if other Canadians are unhappy with him.

[the-gimmick-archive]

Pinned post. (Will update.)

This is a shared blog made to archive important things that happen in the gimmickverse.

The current mods are: @justazebra (admin), @i-dont-know-how-to-name-this.

If we make a mistake, please tell us.

Please @ us if you see an important event happen, especially wars.

Send us an ask if you want to know about a certain event, we’ll do our best to find it.

If you have the link to something important that we didn't archive yet (especially if it happened before this blog started existing), please send it to us.

Shadowban Survival Guide

(scroll down on the guide)

List of arcs and events:

The color war:

Earliest point in the arc we could find. The purple revolution begins. Green joins the revolution.

That time when figuratively everyone got possessed:

Earliest point in the arc we could find.

The UwU revolution:

Earliest point in the arc we could find.

Sealand dying and being revived:

Death. Revival. Death again, but this time they become death's assistant.

IKEA-Party City War:

Earliest point in the arc.

Goose god vs. Waste management war:

Earliest point. Waste management also declaring war. Goose god and waste management making an alliance to stop @/france-unofficial from attacking bean and making Bean sad.

New Zealand vs. Australia war:

Earliest point. New Zealand changing targets to England instead.

Bean getting kidnapped:

Earliest point.

Bean getting kidnapped again (by gimmick nose thief this time.):

Earliest point. Waste management selling their soul so they can see bean again. Molossia scratching and paralyzing Sealand. Sealand getting their souls stolen by gimmick nose thief.

List of gimmick blogs (copied from @/gimmick-simp, @/antarcitica-official, and @/celestial-same-picverse, and then added some missing ones):

@totally-official-gmail @totally-amazon @pizza-hut-official @spotify-official @truly-jcjenson

@bigbasket-notreally @discorddotcum-official @homedepot @im-pandora-i-promise @femboy-totally-bing

@kahoot-official @100percent-shell-oil @assistant-to-the-shell @truly-bath-and-body-works @definitely-tiktok-trust

@unofficially-joann-fabric @its-sanrio-official @the-real-gmail @apple-unofficial @jack-in-the-box-official

@official-arbys @officialtinder @realgoogleslides @reallytimhortons @officially-ikea

@claires-unofficial @barnes-and-noble-official @realgoogleclassroom @real-sephora @pizza-hut-unofficial

@google-news-official @totally-official-gmail @bingle-official @basically-bumble @def-bjs-guys

@official-opera-gx @official-firefox-nightly @the-mcdonalds @realgoogledocs @mcdonalds-official

@totally-bing @operagxreal @official-fedex @firehouse-subs-fr @k-f-c-official

@the-real-google @totally-ikea @taco-bell-unofficial @spotify-kids-real @the-real-victorias-secret

@subway-official @big-mayo-official @/realsafari @incognito-mode-official @burgerking-official

@definitely-wikipedia @the-one-and-only-pornhub @the-one-and-only-duckduckgo @its-target-official @yes-im-youtube-kids

@walmart-the-official @duothelingo @firefox-official @femboy-hooters-real @fedex-official

@yamaha-official @youtubefr @actually-x @reality-official

@femboy-google-news-official @50percent-shell-oil @yahooo-official @totally-airbus @the-official-spirit-airlines

@100percent-chipotle @unofficialvine

@totally-brazil @totally-italy @very-real-australia @the-province-of-nova-scotia-real @official-new-zealand

@russia-totallyofficial @quebec-official @india-official @india-reblogs @telangana-official

@denmark-official @pakistan-official @definitely-brasil @non-tyrannical-usa @antarcitica-official

@spain-unofficial @definitely-canada @france-unofficial @the-state-of-georgia-official @official-denmark

@denmark-forreal @official-ireland @texas-real @massachusetts-official @new-york-for-real

@definitelytherepublicofireland @true-blue-straya @totally-germany @official-the-united-states @totally-france

@forever-scotland @germany-official @sovereign-state-of-alaska @guatemala-official @republic-of-molossia

@actually-alberta @the-principality-of-sealand @totally-oregon @yugoslavia-official

@the-chill-planet-uranus @the-serene-moon-luna @earth-fan @deimos-moon-of-terror @officially-capricorn

@the-radiant-sun @the-ringed-planet-saturn @the-red-planet-mars @the-real-uranus @celestial-same-picverse

@officially-taurus @the-lovely-planet-earth @posts-with-10000-notes-in-spirit @/i-hesitantly-say-ok

@i-say-not-ok @i-say-ok @the-us-navy-offical

@woo-in-different-lengths @official-garlic-bread @shakespeare-official-reblogs @gimmick-thief @hold-my-dr-pepper

@oscar-wilde-official-account @the-real-illinois @i-say-grape @the-kingdom-of-norway @denmarklandia-official

@i-say-bean @sweden-official @antarcitica-official @gimmick-nose-thief @gimmick-thief-thief

@tamil-nadu-official @tamilnadu-official @anti-totally-bing @antiquitian-empire @rocks-anon

@tagswoman @actual-aspec-military @pansexual-spaceforce @the-aplatonic-cavalry @the-pointing-anon

@bi-poly-space-station @bisexual-airforce @aro-sp-ace-force @nonbinary-coastguard @demi-demolitions

@queer-military-authorities @queer-military-treasury @the-missiles-guy @the-official-goose-god @the-official-gemini

@actual-transgender-navy @genderfluid-marine-corp @real-australian-army @real-hottopic

@same-pic-of-venus-everyday @same-pic-of-the-earth-everyday @same-pic-of-the-moon-everyday @same-pic-of-mars-everyday @same-pic-of-jupiter-everyday

@same-pic-of-saturn-everyday @the-real-uranus @same-pic-of-neptune-everyday @steve-not-anon @metal-frisbee

@earth-fan @not-10-salmon-in-a-png @same-pic-of-halleys-comet @same-pic-of-callisto-everyday @same-pic-of-eris-everyday @same-pic-of-kepler-186f-everyday

@same-pic-of-haumea-everyday @same-image-of-7-iris @book-nonsie-not-anon @celestial-same-picverse @same-pic-of-pluto-everyday

@same-pic-of-juno-everyday @same-pic-of-polaris-everyday @tomblrmartian @same-pic-of-a-blackhole-everyday @same-pic-of-the-stars-everyday

@alpha-centauri-everyday @same-cosmic-cliffs-pic-every-day @rose-nebula-always @same-pic-of-makemake-everyday @same-picture-of-europa

@same-pic-of-the-lagoon-nebula @star-that-eats-the-sun @jupiter-fan

@same-pic-of-triton-everyday @pq-anon @same-pic-of-ceres-everyday @same-pic-of-wolftopia-everyday

@same-pic-of-mars-everyday @same-pic-of-tres2b-everyday @samepicofthewowsignaleveryday @same-pic-of-the-blue-moon @same-image-of-hr8799e-every-day

@samepictureofsednadaily @moon-of-fear-phobos @totally-neptune-official @corvus-the-constellation @official-nissan

@hollowknight-reference @microsoft-edge-official @arethosewordsinthebible @the-gimmick-doctor @i-say-doot-doot

@i-say-ok @discord-marriage-bot-real @literally-leo @literally-luxembourg

@/same-pic-of-a-dictionary-daily @/same-pic-of-mercury-everyday @/hateful-daystar @//court-artist-under-the-stars @/samepicofproximacentaurieveryday @/same-pic-of-the-sun-everyday @/same-pic-of-the-blood-moon @/same-pic-of-uranus-everyday @/same-pic-of-venus-every-day @/same-pic-of-trans-jupiter @/ton-618-real @/same-pic-of-alpha-centaur-24-7 @/same-pic-of-andromeda-everyday @/same-pic-of-a-bagel-everyday @/same-pic-of-titan-every-day

@putting-iris-in-places @communist-usa-real

(Sorry if you didn't want to get tagged.)

[soon-palestine]

A former Chief Justice of Nova Scotia has exonerated dozens of pro-Palestine law students (including my client) who were falsely accused of anti-Semitism by Toronto Metropolitan University.

The McCarthyite witch-hunt against these students was fuelled by 22 well-heeled Ontario lawyers, including National Post columnist @HowardLevittLaw .

In a recent debate with me, Levitt made the unhinged claim that Israel’s genocidal rampage in Gaza is “the most moral war in the history of the world”.

My analysis of this judge’s decision can be read here:

[st-just]

hi I like your blog. I have a question that may be too personal so no hard feelings if you don't answer but could you talk a little bit about more about what you like/don't like about Halifax? im considering Dalhousie for grad school but have never been! and would like to have as much information about where I might spend the next 2 years of my life. thank you!

Oh sure! Though like, it depends on where you're coming from? Everything here is very relative. And also I'm absolutely certain I will forget numemrous vital things, do ask followup questions.

Most important thing is that the housing market is horrifying - the city's population started booming during COVID and the zoning and construction is only really starting to catch up now. Especially within walking distance of Dal getting a place to live at anything approaching affordable is going to be vicious. (This has unsurprisingly coincided with a large uptick in homelessness. Unremarkable to walk by a tent in a corner of some public park now).

Relatedly, the bus system is like - okay I'm not sure it's notably bad for a mid-sized-ish north american city, but it's damn sure not any better. You can get by bussing around on the peninsula, anywhere beyond 20 minute drives turn into 40-60 minute rides.

You will not have a family doctor, figure out the nearest walk-in clinic you can use for anything non-emergency.

The city's economy runs on some combination of students, tourists, sailors and soldiers. There are as many bars as you might expect (had the most per capita in the country for a while, don't know if we still do). Some of them are actually very good!

Relatedly, weed and liquor are both only legally sold by the crown corporation monopoly and a few weird specialty places.

None of them are massive, but there is a very nice amount of parkland and green space scattered throughout the city. The public (botanical) gardens are really beautiful in the spring-summer, and most are well-maintained (they just renovated and expanded the outdoor pool on the city Commons last year, even).

The waterfront has been thoroughly gentrified for the cruise ships over the course of my lifetime, but it's all still open to the public and grabbing one of the armchairs or hammocks to read in during the summer is lovely.

Provincially the government is the most thoroughly domesticated/red tory party in the country (they fairly literally ran to the left of the liberals). Full of corrupt backslapping, constantly getting into pissing matches with the municipal government, will probably govern for the next decade.

For reasons that I assume are downstream of all the students and having the closest thing to a regional theater scene east of Quebec, the whole city is IME very queer-friendly. For reasons I absolutely not understand, pride is in August here.

The public library system is basically the only part of the municipal government I think anyone involved should be unequivocally proud of, but it is great.

I don't really know the crime stats offhand but like, I left my apartment door unlocked probably 7 times in 10 through all of undergrad and it never bit me in the ass?

[if-you-fan-a-fire]

"Once in Hull, the [Communist] internees spent considerable time trying to get out, sending multiple petitions to the government, even though many petitions were initially intercepted by camp commandant, Major Green. Otherwise, it was as an individual that the internee appeared before the consulting committee that would hear the appeal of the internee as to whether he might be released, and make a recommendation thereupon to the minister of Justice. The internees and their lawyers often did not receive all the information presented to the committee by the RCMP. Other than being accused of being a member of the Party, which many internees chose to deny, new grounds for the internment kept appearing during questioning by the consulting committee members. Sometimes, these appeal sessions degenerated into wide-ranging political discussions about war and peace, where internees might be expected to name associates in the Party. In short, the burden of proof fell to the defendant rather than the state. Usually, the  official offence for which he was being held was membership in an outlawed group, that is, guilt by association. Bill Walsh wrote to his wife, Anne, about the nature of his experience with the consulting committee.

The very star chamber nature of the procedure had a stultifying effect upon me… Seeing the indifference written all over their faces at the moment that I am literally turning myself inside-out for them to see and understand; all the time, growing consciousness that your happiness, my freedom… leans so heavily upon such a method of dispensing ‘justice’; it was only with an effort that I could force myself to continue.

Internee Kent Rowley, in fact, refused to participate in a closed hearing wherein his legal rights were denied. Rowley spent two and a half years either imprisoned or interned, never to actually hear any charges read against him."

- Michael Martin, The Red Patch: Political Imprisonment in Hull, Quebec during World War 2. Self-published, 2007. p. 164-165.

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 5.21

Holidays

Afro-Colombian Day (Colombia)

Agricultural Fair Day

Anti-Terrorism Day (India)

Battle of Iquique Anniversary Day (Chile)

Capitol Build Day (New York)

Circassian Day of Mourning

Daylilly Day (French Republic)

Day of Patriots and Military (Hungary)

Emergency Medical Services Day

EMS Health, Wellness & Resilience Day

End of the World Day

Feast of the Triple Scoop

521 Day

Global Accessibility Awareness Day

Hug Your Interior Designer Day

Hummel Day (a.k.a. Sister Maria Hummel Day)

"I Need A Patch For That" Day

International Day of Statistical Literacy

Journée Nationale des Patriotes (National Patriots' Day; Quebec)

Keanu Reeves Day

Lilies and Roses Day (UK)

National American Red Cross Founder’s Day

National Mamey Day

National Memo Day

National Talk Like Yoda Day

Natura 2000 Day (EU)

Navy Day (Chile)

Passion Play Day (Germany)

Pogo Stick Day

Polar Explorer’s Day (Russia)

Purple Star of Jerusalem Day (a.k.a. Jack-Go-To-Bed-At-Noon)

Rapture Party Day (2011 prediction by Harold Camping)

Recommerce Day

Red Cross Day

Saint Helena Day (Saint Helena)

Sanja Matsuri begins (Tokyo, Japan)

Send a Letter Day

Slap a Patch On It Day

United States Cyber Command Day

World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (UN)

World Fish Migration Day

World Meditation Day (UK)

World Tree Kangaroo Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

International Tea Day [also 12.15]

International Tennessee Whiskey Day

National Mourvèdre Day

National Waitstaff Day (a.k.a. Waiters and Waitresses Day)

Strawberries and Cream Day

World Chardonnay Day

Independence & Related Days

Malabon (City Founded; Philippines)

Montenegro (from Serbia, 2006)

New Zealand (Proclaimed a British Colony; 1840)

Southwest Vineland (Declared; 2021) [unrecognized]

Valentia Riqueza and Grandeza (a.k.a. ValeVRG; Declared; 2022) [unrecognized]

3rd Tuesday in May

International Dinosaur Day [3rd Tuesday; also 6.1]

National Stop Nausea Day [3rd Tuesday]

Sex Differences in Health Awareness Day [3rd Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Festivals Beginning May 21, 2024

The Batch Festival (Bath, UK) [thru 5.26]

Sommeliers Choice Awards (Chicago, Illinois)

Feast Days

Adílio Daronch and Manuel Gómez González (Christian; Saint)

Agonalia (Ancient Rome) [also 1.9 & 12.11]

Albrecht Dürer (Artology)

Alexander Pope (Writerism)

Anastenaria (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Greece)

Andrew Bobola (Christian; Martyr)

Arcangelo Tadini (Christian; Saint)

Chen Dayu (Artology)

Christopher Magallanes, and other Saints of the Cristero War (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Twins: Beginning of Gemini (Astrology/Pagan)

Édouard-Henri Avril (Artology)

Emperor Constantine I (Christian; Saint)

Eugène de Mazenod (Christian; Saint)

Felix of Cantalicio (Christian; Saint)

Festival for Vevodus (God of the Dead, Swamps & Volvanic Movements; Ancient Rome)

Festival of Demeter (Greek Barley Mother Goddess)

Festival of Vejovis (Roman God of Healing)

42 Day (Pastafarian)

Franz Jägerstätter (Christian; Saint)

Free Money Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Godrick of Finkley (Christian; Saint)

Green Four-Net (Muppetism)

Harold Robbins (Writerism)

Helena of Constantinople (a.k.a. "Feast of the Holy Great Sovereigns Constantine and Helen, Equal-to-the-Apostles,” Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Communion)

Henri Rousseau (Artology)

Hospitius (Christian; Saint)

John Elliot (Episcopal Church)

Nestinarstvo (Fire-Walking Ritual; Ancient Bulgaria)

Nost-na-Lothion (Elven feast for the birth of flowers; Lord of the Rings)

Ponder Pointlessness Day (Pastafarian)

Rudolf Koller (Artology)

Saint Camping’s Day (Discordian)

St. Luke (Positivist; Saint)

Theophilus of Corte (Christian; Saint)

Hebrew Calendar Holidays [Begins at Sundown]

Pesach Sheni (2nd Passover) [13-14 Iyar]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Umu Limnu (Evil Day; Babylonian Calendar; 24 of 60)

Premieres

Agents of Fortune, by Blue Oyster Cult (Album; 1976)

Alison, by Elvis Costello (Song; 1977)

Annie (Film; 1982)

The Conquest of Everest, by John Hurt (Memoir; 1954)

Curtain Razor (WB LT Cartoon; 1949)

Dead Men Don’t Wear Plaid (Film; 1982)

The Deep Blue Good-By, by John D. MacDonald (Novel; 1964)

Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde (Silent Film; 1908)

The Egg Hunt (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

The Foxy Pup (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Gimme All Your Lovin’, by ZZ Top (Music Video; 1983)

Godzilla vs. Kong (Film; 2021)

Gypsy (Broadway Musical; 1959)

Hassle in a Castle (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1966)

Hot Shots! Part Deux (Film; 1993)

Injun Trouble (WB LT Cartoon; 1938)

I Sing the Body Electric! & Other Stories, by Ray Bradbury (Short Stories; 1969)

Lunch Poems, by Frank O'Hara (Poetry; 1963)

Mad Max 2 (Film; 1982)

Mask of Orpheus, by Harrison Birtwistle (Opera; 1986)

Maybellene, recorded by Chuck Berry (Song; 1955)

McCartney II, by Paul McCartney (Album; 1980)

Mouse for Sale (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1955)

Naked Came the Stranger (Adult Film; 1975)

Notting Hill (Film; 1999)

Ohio, by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (Song; 1970)

The Optimist's Daughter, by Eudora Welty (Novella; 1972)

Pagliacci, by Ruggero Leoncavallo (Opera; 1892)

Past Perfumance (WB MM Cartoon; 1955)

Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be, sung by Doris Day (Song; 1956)

The Real World (TV Series; 1992)

The Return of the Pink Panther (Film; 1975)

The Rhinemann Exchange, by Robert Ludlum (Novel; 1974)

Riptide, by Vance Joy (Song; 2013)

The Road Warrior (Film; 1982)

The Secret of the Hittites, by C.W. Ceram (History Book; 1956)

Shrek Forever After (Animated Film; 2010)

Snow Excuse (WB MM Cartoon; 1966)

Sour, by Olivia Rodrigo (Album; 2021)

Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (UK Film; 1980)

Terminator Salvation (Film; 2009)

Touch of Evil (Film; 1958)

Twin Peaks: The Return (TV Series; 2017)

The Twisker Pitcher (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

Under the Boardwalk, recorded by The Drifters (Song; 1964)

What’s Going On, by Marvin Gaye (Album; 1971)

Today’s Name Days

Christoph, Constantin, Josef, Julio (Austria)

Elena, Konstantin, Kosta, Kostadin, Kostadinka, Lenko, Stoyan (Bulgaria)

Dubravka, Eugen, Kristofor (Croatia)

Monika (Czech Republic)

Helene (Denmark)

Kindel, Konstantin, Kostel, Tiino (Estonia)

Konsta, Konstantin, Kosti (Finland)

Constantin (France)

Hermann, Konst, Wiltrud (Germany)

Constantine, Constantina, Elena, Elene, Eleni, Helen, Konstantina, Konstantinos, Lena, Nantia (Greece)

Konstantin (Hungary)

Angelo, Giulia, Vittorio (Italy)

Ernestine, Ingmārs, Vinija (Latvia)

Vaidivutis, Valentas, Vydmina (Lithuania)

Eli, Ellen, Helene (Norway)

Donat, Donata, Jan, Kryspin, Przecława, Pudens, Tymoteusz, Walenty, Wiktor, Wiktoriusz (Poland)

Constantin, Elena (România)

Zina (Slovakia)

Cristóbal, Virginia (Spain)

Conny, Konstantin (Sweden)

Constance, Constantine, Helen (Ukraine)

Adelric, Adiel, Audric, Keaton, Kendrick (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 142 of 2024; 224 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of week 21 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Huath (Hawthorn) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 4 (Ji-Si), Day 14 (Yi-You)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 13 Iyar 5784

Islamic: 13 Dhu al-Qada 1445

J Cal: 22 Magenta; Oneday [22 of 30]

Julian: 8 May 2024

Moon: 96%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 St. Paul (6th Month) [St. Luke]

Runic Half Month: Ing (Expansive Energy) [Day 12 of 15]

Season: Spring (Day 64 of 92)

Week: 3rd Full Week of May

Zodiac: Gemini (Day 1 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Gemini (The Twins) begins [Zodiac Sign 3; thru 6.21]

Saint Paul (Catholicism) [Month 6 of 13; Positivist]

[ramblingsofaculinarystudent]

Let's Talk About Christmas Food

Christmas is two days away, and like a lot of families at this time of year, I'm helping plan my family's annual Christmas dinner! This year, we've got turkey, the fixings, pies, and white grape bubbly. I've been trying to figure out what to talk about on my blog as well, since I've been absorbed into my own trauma work recently. I decided (finally) to delve into Christmas around the world, and what kind of foods especially are held in high regard during this time of year.

America

Mint is everywhere at this time: peppermint mocha, mint chocolate cookies, everything is mint all of a sudden. Although it's a sweet relief after the storm of pumpkin-everything that hit relatively hard this year (how many damn times was I served something that looked like butterscotch pudding when in reality it was, in fact, pumpkin?!), it'll become old news by January.

Americans also love their turkey: we get it twice a year, at Thanksgiving and sometimes Christmas. When turkey becomes insufferable, we often will go for ham. All the traditional sides come with it as well: mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, veggies (whatever your family likes), and at the end of it all comes, traditionally, a pumpkin pie. It's pretty much second Thanksgiving.

Hell, Americans love Christmas dinner so much, they have a song about it.

Canada/Quebec

The Quebecois have this thing called Tourtiere pie that's eaten on major holidays: it's a basic pork pie in a buttery crust. The filling differs from family to family: some will add turkey to the pork, some will add potatoes. Either way, it's kind of tradition to only have tourtiere homemade, rather than buying the frozen ones in the store. Oftentimes, you will find older generations of the Quebecois using ketchup as a dip for their pie, even though it's kind of taboo.

Quebec also brags about a well-known Christmas market every year, which allows patrons to indulge in the aesthetic of the city as well as the gifts offered by local businesses. Maple flavoured everything is pretty popular, even to the point that the stores where I am (I live near a large Quebecois settlement) also carry the maple candies around this time of year.

In French, the preferred Christmas greeting is "Joyeux Noël!"

Mexico

Mexico has this very interesting Christmas tradition called "Las Posada" which is a procession that occurs from the 16th to Christmas eve where children are given candles and figures of the holy family and go around singing. The houses each turn them away until they reach the right one, which allows them to enter and have a party. Another version of this I learned was that they were not to be allowed in until the reached a local church.

Food differs from family to family: some prefer tamales, while others prefer oxtail soup. Piñatas are often brought out as well, which are filled with candy or small gifts.

A common hymn sung during this time is Que Preciosas Mañanitas.

"Feliz Navidad," like the song, is how to say Merry Christmas in Spanish.

England

England has some interesting traditions, especially when it comes to Crimbo food: first of all, no setting out cookies for Santa: British Santa gets brandy and a mincemeat pie. England also shares the tradition of roast turkey for Christmas, except they often plate it was tiny, bacon wrapped sausages as well. Somehow, this wasn't brought over along with a lot of traditions when the Puritans came. Brussel sprouts are also commonly served along with the turkey, which, okay whatever. Bread sauce is also a mainly British thing which is a sauce that utilises bread as a thickener (a trick that dates back to the Middle Ages, by the way).

Following the meal is something called a Christmas Pudding: a sort of fruitcake that's been steeped in alcohol for the past few months and which is lit on fire in order to burn it off. Christmas pudding is pretty good, although if you don't like an alcoholic flavour, it won't be for you. This is also not to be confused with "Figgy Pudding" which is an entirely different thing.

Around Twelfth Night, chicken pies are often eaten (they contain only chicken and gravy), and Crimbo celebrations tend to be closed out. This is one of my favourite traditions that my family brought over from England and Wales hundreds of years ago.

And of course, bonus info, Mari Lewd for anyone who's interested.

Italy

Italian Christmas starts on December 8th, on the Day of Immaculate Conception (which doesn't represent the day Mary conceived, but the day she herself was conceived). On Christmas Eve, red meat isn't allowed, only fasting (in the medieval sense: a fish on Fridays sort of thing). Baccalà, or salted cod, is a traditional dish that is served on the 24th. On Christmas Day, feasting begins: roast meat, pasta, and traditional desserts. Panettone, a sweet bread, is often served on the 25th, and so is pasta en brodo-pasta in broth. Like many other European countries, Christmas festivities last for 12 days, and bring with them lots of delicious foods.

"Ti auguro Buon Natale" means "I wish you a Merry Christmas" In Italian.

Germany

Germany is kind of the King of modern Christmas: ever since Queen Victoria introduced these traditions to the UK in the 19th century, they've been mainstays in households around the world since. One of the more well known dishes served on this day is Stollen: a dense fruit bread that is dusted with powdered sugar. Germans also really like to have Hippocras (spiced wine) around this time of year, as well as an assortment of different sweets and chocolates from the Christmas Market. On Christmas eve, the more popular choice of main course is goose, although other families might prefer duck, rabbit, etc.

Another traditional drink served around this time is Feuerzangenbowle, or fire punch. It's oftentimes lit on fire when presented.

"Fröhliche Weihnachten!" is how to say Merry Christmas in German.

Japan

Christmas has invaded Japan, and they've created their own customs for this time of year! One of the really interesting aspects of Japanese Christmas traditions is how fried chicken, usually KFC chicken, is commonly eaten as Christmas Dinner. It's become so much of a thing that KFC created an annual deal for a large dinner meal that includes a large serving of chicken and sides, served in a festive bucket, and which comes with a chocolate cake. Another commonly eaten dish for Christmas in Japan is the infamous strawberry shortcake: vanilla sponge cake with whipped frosting/cream and strawberries in the middle! Delicious!

Christmas is also 1-2 days after The Emperor's birthday (a state holiday in Japan).

"Merīkurisumasu" is a common way that folks wish each other a Merry Christmas in Japan.

Happy Holidays to my followers, and I hope you have a lovely Christmas meal and a good end of the year!!!

[spider-xan]

I think one of the biggest differences between Canadian and US electoral politics is how Canadians don't have the same intense loyalty to a specific party the way Americans do, which I guess is related to the average Canadian being apathetic centrists, but the average Canadian will flip back and forth between the Liberals and Conservatives based solely on if they're mad at the ruling party or not, regardless of politics and platform, and then usually regret it a week later, and I guess they forget we have a multi party parliamentary system unless they are a leftist going along with electoral politics with varying degrees of willingness (NDP or Green), Quebec nationalist (Bloc), or fascist and/or anti-v*xxer (People's Party), etc.

[brookston]

Holidays 7.1

Holidays

Air Force Day (Philippines)

Al Adha (Egypt)

American Zoo Day

Armed Forces Day (Singapore)

Balloon Airmail Day

Band Holiday (Taiwan)

Bank Employee Day (Guatemala)

Battle of Gettysburg Day

Battle of the Somme Anniversary Day

Bidoof Day (Pokémon)

Bobby Bonilla Day

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms Day

Cadet Nurse Corps Day

Cherokee Green Corn Ceremony

Children’s Day (Pakistan)

Clove Day (French Republic)

Communist Party of China Founding Day

Day of Freedom (Suriname)

Day of Humiliation Day (Canada)

Day of Officials and Civil Servants (Hungary)

Day to Celebrate All the World’s Creatures

Devotion to Duty Day

Dia del Empleado Bancario (Guatemala)

Doctors' Day (India)

Early Bird Day

Emancipation Day (Netherlands Antilles)

Engineer’s Day (Bahrain, Mexico)

Estee Lauder Day

Feast of Cranks

Fishermen’s Day (Marshall Islands)

Gideons Founding Day

Gurban Bayram (Azerbaijan)

Half-Year Day (China)

Hebe Asteroid Day

Holy Healers’ Day (Bulgaria)

Hug A Cowboy Day (Canada)

Indiana Jones Day (Disneyland)

Intact Day

International Architecture Day

International Joke Day

International Polychaete Day

International Reggae Day

International Tartan Day (Australia)

July Morning (Bulgaria)

Kate Steinie Day

Keti Koti (a.k.a. Emancipation Day; Suriname)

Montreux Jazz Festival begins (Switzerland) [thru 7.16]

Mount Fuji Climbing Season begins (Japan)

Moving Day (Quebec)

National Baby-Led Weaning Day

National Boating Day

National Bubble Day (UK)

National Chartered Accountants Day (India)

National City of Rancho Cordova Day

National Day of Recognition for Registrars (UK)

National Doctors’ Day (India)

National Ducks and Wetlands Day

National Festival of Tree Planting (Van Mahotsav, India)

National Financial Freedom Day

National GSA Employee Day

National Hazard Awareness Day

National ID Your Pet Day

National Make A Difference To Children Day

National Northern Authors Day (UK)

National Pet Safety and Protection Day

National Police Day (Indonesia)

National POPIA (Protection of Personal Information Act) Day (South Africa)

National Postal Workers Day

National Primm’s Cup Day

National Television Heritage Day

National T!LTed Thinkers Day

National Todd T. Bear Day

National Wear White Day

National Wrong Trousers Day

Prosecutor’s Office Employee Day (Armenia)

Ratha Yatra (Chariot Festival; India)

Resolution Renewal Day

RONPHOS Handover Day (Nauru)

Scouts’ Day (Thailand)

701 Day

Sir Seretse Khama Day (Botswana)

Slurpee Days begin (7-11) [thru 7.11]

State Bank Day (India)

Tax Service Worker’s Day (Kyrgyzstan)

Territory Day (British Virgin Islands; Northern Territory, Australia)

Tour de France begins [ends 7.24]

Uncle Jackson Day (Erie, Pennsylvania)

U.S. Postage Stamp Day

Van Mahotsav begins (India) [until July 7]

Virgin Islands Day (British Virgin Islands)

Weasel Stomping Day [Weird Al says June 31]

White Rabbit Day

World Bronchiectasis Day

World Marine Aids to Navigation Day

World Developer Day

Your Council Day (Ireland)

Zip Code Day

Zoo Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Cheez Whiz Day

Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day

Half and Half Day

International Chicken Wing Day

International Fruit Day

Madeira Day (Madeira Island, Portugal)

National Cucumber Day (Netherlands)

National Deep Fried Clams Day [also 11.1]

National Gingersnap Day

Sparkling Wine Day

Thirsty First

Independence & Related Days

Aenopia (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Alubijid (Philippines)

Burundi (from Belgium, 1962)

Canada Day (f.k.a. Dominion Day; 1867)

Constitution Day (Cayman Islands)

Davao Region Day (Philippines)

Dipolog City Day (Philippines)

Hong Kong Administrative Region Establishment Day (Hong Kong)

Iberia (Declared; 1969) [unrecognized]

Madeira Day (Portugal; 1419)

Maramag Day (Philippines)

New Brunswick Province Day (Canada; 1867)

Newfoundland and Labrador Memorial Day (Canada)

Nova Scotia Province Day (Canada; 1867)

Ontario Province Day (Canada; 1867)

Prince Edward Island Province Day (Canada; 1873)

Quebec Province Day (Canada; 1867)

Republic Day (Ghana; 1965)

Rwanda (from Belgium, 1962)

Somalia (from Italy and UK, 1960)

Tagbilaran City Day (Philippines)

New Year’s Days

Second Half of the New Year Day

1st Monday in June

CARICOM Day (a.k.a. Caribbean Day) [1st Monday]

Carnival Monday (Saint Vincent and Grenadines) [1st Monday]

Heroes’ Day (Zambia) [1st Monday]

Mother’s Day (South Sudan) [1st Monday]

Motivation Monday [Every Monday]

Weekly Holidays beginning July 1 (1st Week of July)

Clean Beaches Week (thru 7.7)

International Lace Week (thru 7.6)

National Unassisted Homebirth Week (thru 7.7)

Festivals Beginning July 1, 2024

French Restaurant Week (New York, New York) [thru 7.14]

Gion Festival (Kyoto, Japan) [thru 7.31]

Ice Cream Social & Pie Baking Contest (Manitou Springs, Colorado)

Penang Durian Festival (Nibong Tebal, Malaysia) [thru 7.31]

Wimbledon (All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club in Southwest London, England) [thru 7.14]

Worldwide Festival (Sete, France) [thru 7.7]

Feast Days

Aaron (Syriac Christianity)

Agrimony Day

Antonio Rosmini-Serbati (Christian; Blessed)

Any Bloody Excuse Day (Pastafarian)

Calais (a.k.a. Carilephus; Christian; Saint)

Celebrate the Sun Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Cornscateous Air Days begin

Cosmas and Damian (Eastern Catholic)

Cybar (Christian; Saint)

Day of the Mother of Volcanoes (Pagan)

Day Sacred to Fuji (Goddess of Fire; Ancient Japan)

Denis Johnson (Writerism)

Distressed Elves’ Day (Shamanism)

Eparchius (a.k.a. Cybard; Christian; Saint)

Every Good Boy Deserves a Favour, by Tom Stoppard (Play; 1977)

Feast of the Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ (Christian)

Felix of Como (Christian; Saint)

Gaius, Pope (Christian; Martyr)

Gall of Clermont (Christian; Saint)

Gal the First (Christian; Saint)

George Sand (Writerism)

Godfrey (Positivist; Saint)

Guy Smiley (Muppetism)

Hajj season begins (UAE; Islamic)

Hossein Nuri (Artology)

Ilya Bolotowsky (Artology)

John the Baptist’s Octave (Christian)

Junípero Serra (Christian; Saint)

Julius and Aaron (Christian; Martyrs)

Leonorus (a.k.a. Lunaire; Christian; Saint)

Leontius of Autun (Christian; Saint)

Naga Panchami Festival (for Nagas, or Snake-Gods; Nepal)

Oengus Og (Irish God of Love; Celtic Book of Days)

Oh! Canada Day (Church of the SubGenius)

Oliver Plunkett (Christian; Martyr)

Rhoda Delaval (Artology)

Rumold (Christian; Saint)

Servanus (a..k.a. Serf; Christian; Saint)

Shemute (Christian; Saint)

Simeon Salus (Christian; Saint)

Skiraphoria (Cutting & Threshing Grain Festival; Ancient Greece)

Thierri, Abbot of Mont d’Hor (a.k.a. Theobald or Thibault; Christian; Saint)

Theodoric (a.k.a. Thierry

Veep (Christian; Saint)

Willard Metcalf (Artology)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Taian (大安 Japan) [Lucky all day.]

Premieres

Adventure by the Sea (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1964)

The Age of Innocence, by Edith Wharton (Novel; 1920)

The Air Race (MGM Cartoon; 1933) [Never Released]

Alice and the Dog Catcher (Ub Iwerks Disney Cartoon; 1924)

Anatomy of a Murder (Film; 1959)

The Apple Dumpling Gang (Film; 1975)

Armageddon (Film; 1998)

Bathing Buddies (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1946)

Beau Bosko (WB LT Cartoon; 1933)

A Bell for Philadelphia, featuring Hector Heathcote (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1963)

Beyond Lies the Wub, by Philip K. Dick (Short Story; 1951)

The BFG (Film; 2016)

Big Mo, featuring Possible Possum (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1971)

Big Trouble in Little China (Film; 1986)

Blonde on Blonde, by Bob Dylan (Album; 1966)

The Brave Little Brave (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1956)

Camp Clobber (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1958)

Campus Capers (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1949)

The Catnip Game (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1949)

Chaplin Corps. / Accidents / Gas (A Few Quick Facts MGM Cartoon; 1944)

Cherry Blossom Festival, featuring Hashimoto (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1963)

Clint Clobber’s Cat (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1957)

Cookie’ with the Miles Davis Quintet, by Miles Davis (Album; 1956)

Counter Attack (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1960)

Die Trying 2nd Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 1998)

Dress Rehearsal (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1965)

Electronica (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1960)

Encyclopédie, by Denis Diderot (Encyclopedia; 1751)

Fancy Plants (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1967)

Flipper Frolics (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1952)

For the Love of Pizza (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1972)

Friday the 13th (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1953)

A Howling Success (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1954)

Hula Hula Land (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1949)

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs (Animated Film; 2009)

The Inquisit Visit (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1961)

International Woodpecker (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1957)

Jambalaya (On the Bayou), by Brenda Lee (Song; 1956)

Larry Crowne (Film; 2011)

A League of Their Own (Film; 1992)

The Legend of Tarzan (Film; 2016)

The Lightning Thief, by Rick Rioirdan (Novel; 2010)

Little Anglers (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1952)

Little Red Hen (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1955)

Magpie Madness (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1948)

A Man for All Seasons, by Robert Bolt (Play; 1960)

Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen (Novel; 1814) [#3]

The Message, by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (Hip-Hop Song; 1982)

Minions: The Rise of Gru (Animated Film; 2022)

The Monster Master (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1966)

Music From Big Pink, by The Band (Album; 1968)

Naked Lunch, by William S. Burroughs (Novel; 1959)

OK Computer, by Radiohead (Album; 1997)

Old Glory (WB MM Cartoon; 1939)

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn (Novel; 1962)

Pac-Man (Video Game; 1980)

Patriot Games, by Tom Clancy (Novel; 1987)

The Picture of Dorian Gray, by Oscar Wilde (Novel; 1890)

Police Dogged (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1956)

Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes, by J.D. Salinger (Short Story; 1951)

The Princess (Film; 2022)

Ragtime, by E.L. Doctorow (Novel; 1975)

The Red-Headed Monkey (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1950)

Rock Island Line, by Lonnie Donegan (Skiffle Song; 1955)

Safety Second (Tom & Jerry Cartoon; 1950)

Scaramouche, by Darius Milhaud (Piano Duo; 1937)

The Sea Hawk (Film; 1940)

Seasick Sailors (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1951)

The Secret Life of the American Teenager (TV Series; 2008)

Send Your Elephant to Cap, featuring Sidney (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1962)

Stalag 17 (Film; 1953)

Surprising’ Excercisin’, featuring Possible Possum (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1968)

Swamp Water Taffy, featuring Possible Possum (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1970)

Tall Timber Tale (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1951)

Tess of the d'Urbervilles, by Thomas Hardy (Novel; 1891)

Terminator Genisys (Film; 2015)

Toulouse Street, by The Doobie Brothers (Album; 1972)

Trapeze, Please (Heckle & Jeckle Cartoon; 1960)

Trick or Tree (Noveltoons Cartoon; 1961)

Tripwire, 3rd Jack Reacher book, by Lee Child (Novel; 1999)

Volcano (Fleischer Cartoon; 1942) [#8]

The Wayward Hat (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1960)

When Mousehood Was In Flower (Mighty Mouse Cartoon; 1953)

Zen Arcade, by Hüsker Dü (Album; 1984)

Today’s Name Days

Aaron, Dietrich, Otto, Theobald (Austria)

Damyan, Damyana, Kozma, Kuzman (Bulgaria)

Aron, Estera, Oliver, Predrag, Šimun (Croatia)

Jaroslava (Czech Republic)

Theobaldus (Denmark)

Eha, Ehala, Hämarik (Estonia)

Aaro, Aaron (Finland)

Aaron, Esther, Goulwen, Thierry (France)

Aaron, Dietrich, Regina, Theobald (Germany)

Anargyros, Argyris, Damianos, Kosmas (Greece)

Annamária, Tihamér (Hungary)

Caio, Carolina, Ester, Teobaldo (Italy)

Imants, Ingars, Intars, Teobalds (Latvia)

Julijus, Liepa, Tautrimas, Tautrimė (Lithuania)

Ask, Embla (Norway)

Aaron, Bogusław, Halina, Klarysa, Marian, Niegosława, Teobald (Poland)

Cosma, Damian, Leontie (România)

Diana (Slovakia)

Aarón, Ester, Esther, Leonor, Oliverio, Simeón (Spain)

Aron, Mirjam (Sweden)

Aaron, Aron, Arron, Derek, Derica, Derick, Derik, Derrick, Derris, Derry, Dirk, Inga, Ingrid, Theodoric (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 183 of 2024; 183 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 1 of week 27 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Duir (Oak) [Day 23 of 28]

Chinese: Month 5 (Geng-Wu), Day 26 (Bing-Yin)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 25 Sivan 5784

Islamic: 24 Dhu al-Hijjah 1445

J Cal: 3 Red; Threesday [3 of 30]

Julian: 17 June 2024

Moon: 20%: Waning Crescent

Positivist: 14 Charlemagne (7th Month) [Godfrey]

Runic Half Month: Feoh (Wealth) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 12 of 94)

Week: 1st Week of July

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 11 of 31)

Calendar Changes

July (Gregorian Calendar) [Month 7 of 12]

[shadowsandstarlight]

Thoughts on every Canadian province (by a totally 100% unbiased Albertan):

British Columbia (BC)—It’s pretty. By which I mean pretty fuckin expensive. Nice views, decent weather, Victoria’s fine to visit but don’t ever ask me to set foot in Vancouver. The Vancouver airport is weird and fucked up. The areas in the Rockies are nice, there are some pleasant lakes, otherwise it’s mid. Closer to the coast it’s like the California of Canada. Fuck you for all the snow you don’t get.

Alberta—Home. It fuckin sucks, but in a very specific way that I can survive. Albertans are highly specialized organisms who can survive in this particular shithole but hate literally everywhere else (and for good reason, rest of the country doesn’t like us any more than we like them). Very diverse landscape, though you’d never realize it because most of the middle of it is just eternal canola everywhere around you. Canadian Texas, complete with cowboys. I hate this godforsaken place, but everywhere else is worse.

Saskatchewan—There’s. Things in Saskatchewan, supposedly. Rumour has it that there is at least one city. I believe that it exists and that there are people, if only for the fact that it borders us and I have relatives who live there.

Manitoba—I’m still not 100% sure that this province exists. I’ve met a solid one person from Manitoba. You never hear anything about the place. It may very well be a collective hallucination, I don’t know.

Ontario—Fuck you fuck you fuck you fuck you. 0/10 hell. Bad. Bad. Bad. Toronto? The root of all evil. Ottawa? No. Just no. My boyfriend is the only good thing to ever come out of Ontario, and that’s because he left. There is no good contained in this province. This is not a place of honour. Fuck Ontario, all my homies hate Ontario.

Quebec—Somehow manages to be even worse than Ontario, probably because it also contains The French. Do not ever ask me to even consider properly setting foot in this province. I’ve been in the Montreal airport one time for a couple of hours and that’s more than enough for me. They literally have an entire political party that runs in our federal elections (the Bloc Québécois). At least Alberta’s not serious about wanting to leave the country. Created poutine, and that’s all the good they’ve done.

New Brunswick—I don’t think about New Brunswick.

Nova Scotia—Y’know what, this is a pretty acceptable one. Never been, but from the Nova Scotians I’ve met it seems solid enough. I’m not a Maritime person, but y’all’re decent.

Prince Edward Island (PEI)—I cannot say I understand why this is its own full province. This is like the country’s baby brother who we kinda forget exists. Anne of Green Gables, potatoes, and utterly incomprehensible accent are the only three things I know about the place. Extra points because when I was a kid I heard about the PEI potato museum and wanted nothing more than to visit it. Honestly, that desire has not lessened by much.

Newfoundland & Labrador—Two for the price of one. Don’t know shit about Labrador, but I’ve met a couple Newfies and I’m decent friends with one of them. Accent is no joke, that Canadian raising is. It’s something. But I really can’t judge accents, so. Decent province.

Bonus: The territories—Respect to the residents of the territories for being proof that humans will find a way to survive in literally any environment. I don’t know much about the territories, I don’t think there’s much to know about. I’d like to visit someday to see the northern lights in their fullest glory, though.

[teenageread]

Review: The Best Laid Plans

Synopsis:

A burnt-out political aide quits just before an election — but is forced to run a hopeless campaign on the way out. He makes a deal with a crusty old Scot, Angus McLintock — an engineering professor who will do anything, anything, to avoid teaching English to engineers — to let his name stand in the election. No need to campaign, certain to lose - or is he?

Plot:

Growing up in a conservative household, Daniel Addison was nearly disowned when he started voting for the Liberals, and was kicked out when he started working for the Liberal party. For Daniel his life was on parliament hill, a place where he happily stays writing speeches for his party leader. But when caught his girlfriend of two years, Rachel, doing the nasty with the opposite house leader, Daniel left the hill right then and there. Moving to Cumberland to work as a professor for the University of Ottawa. But with dedication to his party and fellow Canadians, Daniel had to find someone who would run for the Liberals in his new riding, one in which the conservatives had a unanimous vote in the past five elections. Searching high and low he makes a deal with his landlord Angus McLintock that if he runs he would not win, will not have to do any work, would not even have to be in the country when the vote happens, and Daniel will teach English for Engineering, a class Angus hated. With only $157.23 in the campaign fund, Daniel's team consists of Mariel the old Liberal candidate who lives in the nursing home, her beautiful granddaughter Lindsey, and Pete1 and Pete2, two millennial punk heads, engineering students who want to help out. Soon Canadians of Cumberland start realizing that Angus might be their guy. As most politicians are there for themselves first, party second, and the people third, Angus is different as he does not want to be there at all, he just does not want to teach English. With a shocking scandal that sends voters into a tizzy, Angus might have a chance of winning, as Daniel fears knowing that parliament is not ready for this. 

Thoughts: 

For those who believe that Canadian politics are less exciting than their southern neighbors or across the sea, well prepare to be correct.  Background information on Canadian politics: the main party are the Liberal Party (red and currently in power with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) the Conservative Party (blue nicknamed the Tories, last leader in power was Stephen Harper from 2006 to 2015), New Democratic Party (orange, also known as NDP and never in power), Bloc Quebecois (light blue and like their name only exist in Quebec), and the Green Party (green and a joke pretty much). The main two are the Liberals and the Tories as they have been battling it out since Canada became a country (with a few Unionist leaders in the early 19th century). For most of the country this is how voting goes: if you like those in power vote for them, if not vote for the other side, with a few switching over to Green or NDP. For Canadians this book is a riot, as it brings up the classic CBC and CTV, Parliament Hill, and how our government works. As a Canadian myself, this book makes me realize I should probably pay more attention to politics, and that Ontario people need to shut up about their taxes (I come from one of the highest tax provinces so I should be the one complaining). With a romance on the side (Lindsey is just the girl Danial needs), the Petes keeping things spunky, and Danial runs around headless, with Angus blindly going into politics, Fallis deserves a ton of credit for this Canadian masterpiece. Taking an interesting concept (Canada) and something most people do not pay attention to (politics) he creates the best laid plan(s) that Daniel, the underdog, could do, and leads all Canadians in a new direction on how they see politics. 

Read more reviews: Goodreads

Buy the book: Amazon

[excusethequality]

My 2023 in Film

Part 3:

101-150

Am I starting to regret listing all of these on here? A bit, yes!

True to form I underestimated the scope of this project. Also true to form I made it more complicated than was strictly necessary.

But in my defense I nearly started out writing little reviews/thoughts for each one, mentioning notable actors/directors, and putting in pictures before finally acknowledging that all of that would have just resulted in me not finishing it at all.

Link to Part I Link to Part II

* = rewatched

[++] = I loved it [+] = I liked it [=] = I am indifferent about it [-] = Not my thing [--] = I hate it

Click on the list number to get a trailer for it.

101.

Air (2023) ---Biopic Business Drama

A biopic about the man and the team that created the first Air Jordans. [+]

102.

Evil Dead Trap (1988) ---Horror

The host of a late night tv show receives what seems to be a snuff tape. In search of a good story she grabs a crew and attempts to track down where the video was shot. [-]

103.

Falcon Lake (2022) ---Coming-of-age Drama

A French family take a trip with their Canadian friends to a lake cabin in Quebec. While there their kids bond over a local legend about the ghost of the lake. [+]

104.

Ojibwa Warrior: The Legacy of Dennis Banks (2021) ---Documentary

A documentary about the life and legacy of native american activist Dennis Banks. [=]

105.

Terrifier (2016) ---Horror

A creepy clown kills people and generally gets gross about it. [--]

106.

Primal Rage (1988) ---Horror

A newspaper reporter got bitten by a monkey after sneaking into a university research lab and all he got to show for it was this infectious rage virus. [+]

107.

Horrible Bosses (2011) ---Crime Comedy

A group of friends all hate their respective bosses and concoct a murder-swapping plan to solve their problem. [=]

108.

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016) * ---Mockumentary Comedy

A mockumentary chronicling the life of a former boy band member turned solo artist as he tries to recover from a slump. [+]

109.

Antichrist (2009) ---Horror

A married couple go to a remote cabin to try and deal with the grief of losing their child, but things get weird and dark. [=]

110.

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) ---Fantasy Adventure Comedy

A party of adventurers plan an epic heist in order to save the world. [+]

111.

First Love (2019) ---Crime Action

One night a boxer and a call girl become entangled in a dangerous knot of yakuza, drugs, and schemes. [=]

112.

Peter Pan & Wendy (2023) ---Fantasy Adventure

If you don't know what Peter Pan is about by now, then that's honestly kind of impressive, and you should consider seeing the play or reading the book. For everyone else, this one was directed by the same guy who did The Green Knight (2021). [+]

113.

Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986) * ---Comedy Adventure

A high school senior decides that today is his chance to enjoy one last day of true teenage freedom before graduation and he's determined to make the most of it. [++]

114.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) * ---Animated Superhero Action Adventure Comedy

Peter Parker (aka Spider-Man) narrowly stops a madman from inadvertently tearing New York apart with a device made for tunneling into parallel dimensions, but not before coming into direct contact with it. Now Spiders from different dimensions have been sucked into this world and it's up to a teenager named Miles Morales to save his dimension and the Spiders along with it. [++]

115.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) ---Animated Superhero Action Adventure Comedy

Miles Morales discovers a secret society of Spider-people, but soon learns that the cost of membership is higher than he's willing to pay. Now the effects of his meddling may have just destabilized the entire multiverse. [+]

116.

Parasite (2019) *

A poor family cons their way into working for a wealthy one. Now with a taste of a better life they are confronted with the reality of what the true cost of wealth may be. [++]

117.

Spider Baby (1967) ---Horror

Three siblings suffer from a rare condition that causes them to begin to mentally regress when they hit puberty. Cared for by their butler after the death of their parents, he has managed to keep their penchant for murder a secret. However, there's only so long one can hide a secret like that. [=]

118.

Terrifier 2 (2022) ---Horror

That murder clown is back! And this time there's actually kind of/sort of a plot. Also this time it's nearly 2.5 hours long for some reason. [-]

119.

Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) *

[see #114] Watched it with commentary this time.

120.

Moonlight (2016) ---Queer Drama

Over the course of his life a black man struggles to learn how to be safe, accepted, and happy in a world that seems determined to undermine who he wants to be. [++]

121.

Blackberry (2023) ---Business Drama Bio-pic Comedy

The story of men who created the Blackberry and changed the course of communication technology forever. [+]

122.

Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004) ---Coming-of-Age Horror

Brigitte Fitzgerald struggles to keep her werewolf infection at bay, but a misunderstanding lands her in a rehab clinic. Between slowly becoming a monster, being trapped in this clinic, and being hunted by another werewolf, there's only so much a young woman can take before she snaps. [++]

123.

The Cow Who Sang a Song into the Future (2022) ---Magical Realism Drama

A Chilean woman comes back from the dead and tries to make sense of the world, but finds her presence affects her family in very different ways. [-]

124.

The Revenant (2015) ---Western Adventure

A frontiersman in 1820s America fights for survival and revenge after being left for dead. [=]

125.

Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004) ---Period Horror

Two sisters in 1800s Canada try to find a safe heaven after their father and the rest of his trading party fail to return. Although they are soon to learn that monstrous things lurk in the hearts of some men and that things are not always as they appear. [=]

126.

All About Evil (2010) ---Campy Horror Comedy

A meek woman inherits her father's failing movie theater. But in order to keep it up and running she finds she has to embrace her dark side and create her own brand of horror movie. [-]

127.

A Fish in the Bathtub (1998) ---Relationship Drama Comedy

A testy 40-year marriage finally hits the breaking point when the husband insists on keeping a live fish in their bathtub. [-]

128.

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World (2010) * ---Action Adventure Comedy

Scott Pilgrim is stuck in a rut. But when he falls in love with the mysterious new girl in town he's going to have to defeat her 7 evil exes in order to have a chance with her. [=]

129.

Chile '76 (2022) ---Period Drama

During the military dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet an upper-class Chilean woman goes to her summer house to oversee its renovation. But when a chance encounter gives her an opportunity to do something meaningful with her life and skills, she learns that everything has a cost. And safety and freedom often do not walk hand in hand. [=]

130.

Mohawk (2017) ---Period Action Revenge

During the War of 1812 a Mohawk woman is torn between two lovers and how best to handle the war. But a mass killing will soon force her into the fight and one wrong move could have deadly consequences. [-]

131.

Shivers (1975) ---Horror

A man's quest to develop a parasite to free humanity from its prudish shackles has deadly results when it gets lose in an apartment complex. [-]

132.

Pusher II (2004) ---Crime Drama

Freshly out of prison Tonny wants to make a name for himself and impress his father. But when he learns that he might have a son of his own he begins to question his life's path, what kind of dad he wants to be, and if it's too late to change. [+]

133.

Slumber Party Massacre (2021) ---Meta Horror Comedy

An overly aware of itself sequel remake of the 1982 slasher movie of the same name. [-]

134.

Hot Rod (2007) *

[see #87]

[++]

135.

Calvaire (2004) ---New French Extremity Horror

I think describing this movie in a succinct way might be beyond my skills as it has a lot to say and a very dark and unusual way of saying it. Suffice it to say that it's about an entertainer who is traveling to perform at a Christmas special when his van breaks down in the middle of nowhere and...uh...some wild shit goes down. [+]

136.

Grizzly (1976) ---Animal Attack

I mean, it's essentially Jaws...but if Jaws was about a bear and didn't have Steven Spielberg-level talent. [-]

137.

Tremors (1990) * ---Queer Buddy Comedy Creature Feature

Two "business partners" in rural Nevada are all that stand in the way of a pack of monstrous underground worms that want to eat everyone. [++]

138.

Asteroid City (2023) ---Comedy Drama

In 1950s America an odd collection of characters gather in Asteroid City for a youth astronomical science competition, but are held in quarantine when the competition gets some unexpected guests...except not really. [=]

139.

What's Your Number? (2011) * ---Rom-Com

A woman reads a magazine article that makes her self conscious about the number of sexual partners she's had in her life and starts on a quest to investigate if any of her exes have matured since they were last together. [=]

140.

Elemental (2023) ---Animated Rom-Com

Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Currently the four nations kindofnotreally live together in harmony. Then everything changed when this fire lady fell in love with a water dude, which I guess had never happened before in the perhaps thousands of years these beings have been around? In any case it's all a metaphor for immigration and race relations. [-]

141.

Cat People (1942) * ---Queer Horror

An immigrant woman feels different from those around her. She tries to live a normal life in fear that giving in to her true impulses will result in her turning into a murderous panther. [++]

142.

Free Guy (2021) ---Sci-Fi Action Comedy

An NPC in a MMORPG gains sentience and tries to become a hero. [+]

143.

Wolf Creek (2005) ---Road Trip Horror

An Australian road trip goes awry when three friends find themselves stranded in the middle of the desert after their car breaks down. The good news? A local man comes across them and agrees says he'll give them a tow. The bad news? The man has a secret agenda of his own. [-]

144.

My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006) ---Superhero RomCom

A man finds out that the women he's been dating is actually a superhero. But this makes things awkward (and dangerous) for him when he wants to break up. [-]

145.

Highlander (1986) [Director's Cut, baby!] * ---Fantasy Action Adventure

A Scottish highlander discovers he's an immortal and is destined to embark on a quest across the ages to be the last immortal left alive. [++]

146.

Unwelcome (2022) ---Folk Horror

A British couple moves to the Irish countryside. But when they fail to respect the local traditions they might wind up paying the ultimate price. [=]

147.

Johnny Mnemonic (1995) ---Sci-Fi Action

In a future of technology run amok a data smuggler might have bitten off more than he can chew when he accepts to carry a highly dangerous package. [--]

148.

Sound of Metal (2019) ---Drama

A metal drummer begins to lose his hearing and struggles to accept a future so different from the one he had dreamt of. [++]

149.

Vesper (2022) ---Sci-Fi Adventure

A 13 year old bio-hacker struggles to carve out a life for herself in a future where the environment has turned against humanity. [=]

150.

Werewolves Within (2021) ---Mystery Horror Comedy

A forest ranger has only just started a new job in a small town when he begins to suspect that a werewolf in lurking in the town. [+]

[whatilistenedtoatwork]

From December 18th to December 22nd, 2023

18-12-23

THE ZOMBIES “Odessey And Oracle”; RY COODER “Get Rhythm”; PINK FLOYD “The Division Bell”; TAME IMPALA “The Slow Rush”; GRANT GREEN “Idle Moments”; KATE RUSBY “Awkward Annie”; THE CORAL “The Invisible Invasion”; WORLD PARTY “Egyptology”; LAL WATERSON AND OLIVER KNIGHT “Once In A Blue Moon”; SONNY ROLLINS “A Night At The Village Vanguard”; KRISTEN HERSH “Crooked”; RANCID “Indestructible”; SONIC YOUTH “Experimental Jet Set, Trash And No Star”; PERREY AND KINGSLEY “The In Sound From Way Out”

19-12-23

MADDY PRIOR & THE CARNIVAL BAND “Carols At Christmas”; GRANT GREEN “Born To Be Blue”; BURNING SPEAR “Garvey's Ghost”; DONNA SUMMER “Bad Girls”; WOODY GUTHRIE “Dust Bowl Ballads”; PINK FLOYD “The Dark Side Of The Moon”; THE STOOGES “Raw Power”; KATE RUSBY “Sweet Bells”; AUTECHRE “Amber”; WEIRD AL YANKOVIC “Weird Al Yankovic In 3-D”

20-12-23

MADDY PRIOR & THE CARNIVAL BAND “Gold Frankincense & Myrrh”; TOM WAITS “Swordfishtrombones”;IKE QUEBEC “Boss Nova Soul Samba”; KATE AND ANNA McGARRIGLE “Heartbeats Accelerating”; KRISTEN HERSH “Sky Motel”; COUNTING CROWS “Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings”; SPARKS “Introducing Sparks”; BONNIE RAITT “Nick Of Time”; WATERSON: CARTHY “Holy Heathens And The Old Green Man”

21-12-23

BBC RADIO TWO: FOLK ON TWO “Christmas Special, 23-12-1987”; MADDY PRIOR & THE CARNIVAL BAND “Carols And Capers”; MADDY PRIOR & THE CARNIVAL BAND “A Tapestry Of Carols”; WENDY CARLOS “Switched-On Bach”; STEPHANNE GRAPPELLI “Stephanne Grappelli”; DJANGO REINHARDT “Place De Brouckere”; R.E.M. “Collapse Into Now”; AFRO CELT SOUND SYSTEM “Volume 2: Release”

22-12-23

PHIL SPECTOR & ARTISTS “A Christmas Gift For You From Phil Spector��; VARIOUS ARTISTS “Saturday Night Fever Original Soundtrack”; INSTITUTO MEXICANO DEL SONICO “Mejico Maxico”; RICHARD THOMPSON “you? me? us?”; WORLD PARTY “Dumbing Up”; LEONARD COHEN “Old Ideas”; MILES KANE “One Man Band”; R.E.M. “Automatic For The People”; NICK LOWE & HIS COWBOY OUTFIT “The Rose Of England”