Talking to Americans

by Martha Edwards on

Canadian TV is has a pretty poor reputation, but there’s one notable exception: Rick Mercer’s Talking to Americans., which is a regular feature on the show This Hour Has 22 Minutes. Now, this might not seem so amusing to some residents of the US, but to us Canadians, the funniest thing in the world is poking fun at how little Americans seem to know about our country, despite being our closest neighbours.

Talking to Americans has been on for a while, and this is only a small sampling of the funny things Mercer has gotten Americans to say. Other gags:

  • Mercer telling Chicagoans that Canada was thinking of changing its name to Chicago and asking them what they thought of the idea
  • Getting Americans to say that Edmonton should be bombed (A particular favourite of mine since Edmonton is the Shelbyville to my hometown, Calgary.)
  • Asking Americans if they thought Canada should get a Navy even though its landlocked.
  • Getting Americans to congratulate Irish Canadians on finally gaining the right to vote.
  • Convincing Americans that during the past 30 years, Canadians used branches and pine cones as voting tokens in elections.

Poach, snowboard, video and win $5000

by Abha Malpani on

There are four resorts in North America that still prohibit snowboarding: Mad River Glen, Vermont; Deer Valley, Utah; Alta Ski Area, Utah; and Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico.

Encouraging a “peaceful protest” against the ban, famous snowboarding equipment company Burton is sponsoring a contest where you must to go to one or all of these resorts, snowboard, and submit a video of it. The best video in each resort will win $5000.

Contests are not meant to be easy, but I don’t think this would even be possible! It’s hard to hide your snowboard so I don’t see you getting past the entrance; if you do manage that, how would you go up the ski-lift without being asked to leave your snowboard behind? The only “ski-resort” I have been to is the one at a mall in Dubai, so I’m the last person qualified to even think about smart ways to enter a snowboarding prohibited center, but if any of you can enlighten, I’d be curious to know.

Also, other than the fact that snowboarding packs the snow in a way not very suitable for skiing, and the general complaints from traditional skiiers, what are the other reasons that justify the banning of snowboarding?

It seems like the competition was launched end of November 2007, and there are no videos up yet. For those who are excited by events that make you eat forbidden fruit, the deadline for this one is March 1, 2008. Videos should be 5-minutes long and in *.flv format.

Make sure you read the “Poaching Commandments”; full details on how to enter can be found here.

GADLING TAKE FIVE: Week of December 22-28

by Jamie Rhein on

Because Catherine is stuck at the Dallas Airport right now trying to get back to Alaska, I’m bringing you this week’s GADLING TAKE FIVE. Stay-tuned for Catherine’s tales of her holiday travels. In the meantime, here’s what happened this week in the midst of holiday mayhem.

Seriously, it’s very hard to choose from what’s written each week so I’m turning to the numbers game. For starters, here are the three posts that have been forwarded the most.

Aaron’s post “Are you smarter than a two-year-old” is one that can wow you or make you feel terrible that your geography skills are worse than a toddler’s. This toddler is also getting her 15 minutes of fame and more as she makes the TV circuit showing off her skills.

Grant’s “Christmas in Saigon” is one indication of how cultural traditions travel and that sometimes when a culture takes on another culture’s trait (Santa hats) it goes even further with it. I’ve seen the Santas on the motorcycles that Grant refers to. The man knows what he’s taking about.

Abha’s “Don’t miss the sky this christmas” gives reasons why it’s good to look up this time of year. The winter sky is perfect for star gazing. Christmas Eve may have been a perfect night, but there are still plenty of others.

Also this week, Neil’s must -read series on traveling in North Korea ended with his post, “Infiltrating North Korea Part 19: A Final Word.” If you haven’t read the series, click here to read it from the beginning.

As a series of sorts to follow, Jerry is embarking on a look at Nauru, a country you may not have heard of. Obviously, it’s one of the world’s smallest. His post appropriately named “A country you’ve never heard of” is the only posting so far, but I assure you there are others in the line-up.

Meandering through Tuscany

by Jamie Rhein on

Although, Amazing Race does afford a glimpse of fascinating places, the pace and editing of a one hour show doesn’t allow time for savoring the places through which the teams are racing. Senses don’t get triggered much, and I don’t think I’ve ever been to a country that triggers my senses like Italy does. Not in a sensual way. India is more a bombardment that can be overwhelming. Thailand comes close. Because Italy–where the teams went this past Sunday— is definitely a place to sensually savor, here is the video “Tuscany, Italy–The Charmed Land” that does just that.

The video shows off the lushness of several Tuscany cities and the countryside through photographs set to music. The close ups of gelati, Italian ice-cream fired up my taste buds for sure. Italian ice-cream is sublime. This lovely and engaging blend of people, artwork, shops, food and buildings will transport you back to Tuscany if you’ve ever been– and make you want to go immediately if you haven’t. Great job to durangowrangler.

Are you smarter than a two-year-old?

by Aaron Hotfelder on

Quick, can you point to Zimbabwe on a map? How about Ghana? Tasmania? If you’re embarrassed that it would take you a while to point these out, here’s a reason to feel even worse. A twenty-three-month old named Lilly can find all these countries and more, while still not having mastered the art of standing up.

She’s been featured on 20/20 and The Rachael Ray Show, and she will apparently make an appearance on Leno when he returns from the writers’ strike.

In a related story, Lilly has been hired to tutor this woman in geography.