Jesse Rivest's Blog
This blog is old and is now sealed off for historical preservation. As a result, neither new posts nor new comments are possible.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Dear Canada
You know the saying "the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence?" Sure you do. Well, when I was in Queensland, Australia the past months, as the tropical build-up began, I was surely heard to say "krikey, this is hot, too hot to do anything, and too humid!" and "in Canada, we can moderate our temperature by adding or removing layers of clothing!" Well, now I am in Canada, where it is cold, and I am caught saying "I can't stand all of these clothes, one minute you are warm, the next you are too hot and sweaty!" I can't realistically be adding and removing layers each time I enter and leave a shop, or turn a street corner into the wind!
I find this silly - that I was so quick to think that there was something better than my current situation. Whereas before I was in sandals, shorts, and a light shirt, and was near the refreshing ocean, often searching for shade, and finding air conditioned shops to be too cold, now I am in thick socks, warm shoes, pants, second pants, shirt, jacket, second jacket, scarf, and toque, and sweating while I walk, yet near-comfortable when I am still. This little rant about striving for a comfortable body temperature leads me to my realization.
Nothing is ever perfect and, if I think it is, it won't seem that way for long. I should realize and focus on what is good about where I am, wherever I want to be. Utopia is not a place, it is a state of mind - I'm sure that is a quote, I just don't know who I am quoting.
I would now like to write a suggestive and hopefully convincing letter to Canada:
Dear Canada,
What's the deal with pennies? Aren't they a bit old-school, a bit of a nuisance? If I tried to pay a cashier with one-hundred pennies, he would likely not accept my payment! And can we as a nation agree that GST is to be included in all listed prices? Let's have all taxes in each province included in all listed prices!
I was just in Australia, where the grass is greener, and where pennies are no longer circulated. A cashier will round to the nearest five cents. And all taxes are included in the listed prices. It's so wonderful in Australia!
Sincerely,
Jesse Rivest
Here is the reply from Canada:
Dear Jesse Rivest,
If you think the grass is more green on the other side of the fence, then why don't you cross the fence instead of whining to us?
Sincerely,
Canada
Back to http://www.jesserivest.com/
I find this silly - that I was so quick to think that there was something better than my current situation. Whereas before I was in sandals, shorts, and a light shirt, and was near the refreshing ocean, often searching for shade, and finding air conditioned shops to be too cold, now I am in thick socks, warm shoes, pants, second pants, shirt, jacket, second jacket, scarf, and toque, and sweating while I walk, yet near-comfortable when I am still. This little rant about striving for a comfortable body temperature leads me to my realization.
Nothing is ever perfect and, if I think it is, it won't seem that way for long. I should realize and focus on what is good about where I am, wherever I want to be. Utopia is not a place, it is a state of mind - I'm sure that is a quote, I just don't know who I am quoting.
I would now like to write a suggestive and hopefully convincing letter to Canada:
Dear Canada,
What's the deal with pennies? Aren't they a bit old-school, a bit of a nuisance? If I tried to pay a cashier with one-hundred pennies, he would likely not accept my payment! And can we as a nation agree that GST is to be included in all listed prices? Let's have all taxes in each province included in all listed prices!
I was just in Australia, where the grass is greener, and where pennies are no longer circulated. A cashier will round to the nearest five cents. And all taxes are included in the listed prices. It's so wonderful in Australia!
Sincerely,
Jesse Rivest
Here is the reply from Canada:
Dear Jesse Rivest,
If you think the grass is more green on the other side of the fence, then why don't you cross the fence instead of whining to us?
Sincerely,
Canada
Back to http://www.jesserivest.com/
