Thursday, May 9, 2013

Canadian powers, activate! Form of: A Maple Leaf!


I'm a leaf on the wind. Watch how I...

Wait. That didn't turn out so well for Wash, did it? For those of you not in the know, Wash was the unfortunate pilot from the wonderous geek flick, "Serenity". The moral of this is that you should never guide a spacecraft into a rough landing and chant "I'm a leaf on the wind, watch how I soar", since it's more than likely you'll find yourself soaring right into a jet engine, or window fan, or just getting shredded. Leaves on the wind rarely wind up in pristine condition. Remember that.

So I'm Canadian. Not entirely Canadian- but I think it was my grandfather who I never met that was, if I remember correctly. It'd be kind of kick ass if that entitled me to dual citizenship (So I could just run around flashing this cool card and say 'Hey, man, I'm a citizen of Canadaus. Or Unitada. Whatever's easier for you to pronounce). But of course it doesn't, because my mom had to go and have me in the United States, leaving me to just be one of millions who can say 'Hey, I was born in the good ol' US of A!'. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it isn't nearly as cool or exotic as saying you can legally live in one of two countries without taking some crazy test with questions NO ONE WILL EVER NEED TO KNOW AGAIN. I mean, I certainly can't tell you the opening lines of the Constitution, but that immigrant who wants legal status better be able to (I don't know if that's true or not- them needing to know. But I hear it could be?).

Anyway. So now that I've been reminded that I'm part Canadian, here are several reasons why Canada is awesome and that I'm awesome by extension of being part Canadian (for future references, lets just say 'half-Can').

Stana Katic:

Now, she's not the most well known of actresses. More so in recent years because of "Castle", and the third (I think) Librarian movie, but still. I say her name and people don't immediately gasp in recognition as they would with, say, Jennifer Garner. Who isn't Canadian. But Stana Katic is Canadian, and while her origins may or may not be a contributing factor in her acting skill...well, it gives Canada some cred. Because she's beautiful, and sweet, and kind, and so on.

Nathan Fillion:

The geek icon himself is Canadian. And if you notice I've given you two general references to Firefly, what with my mention of "Serenity" and Nathan Fillion. You can thank me later. He's the essential geek god, a title bestowed upon him by Entertainment Weekly, and is also (or so I read) a nice, kind, generous person. Were it within his power, he'd bring "Firefly" back to life. As it is not, however, he plays 'Captain Hammer' in "Dr. Horrible's Sing Along Blog" and brings great joy to us all by singing things like 'A Man's Gotta Do'. I mean. Please. Yes, a man's gotta sing in a tight t-shirt while looking all dorky and dashing. A Canadian man.

Yes.

Becky

You may not know Becky, but I know Becky. She's one of my closest friends and favorite people, her family is adorable and wonderful...and she's Canadian. And she's not a celebrity, so I can safely say that I've given you a realistic and practical reason why Canada is good. Because they gave us Becky, too! Becky doesn't run around screaming 'eh', and 'aboot' (the only examples I can think of. I know.), but she can speak Canadian french without sounding like she's mangling it bloody, and she can just stand on the border and hop back and forth if she wants to, because she has that cool little card (or Canadian superpower...I'm not sure. Like the power Superman gets from the sun?) that lets her do that. Whenever she wants.

So there. I've only given you three examples, and two are from "Castle", but you don't have to take my word for it (That's a lovely "Reading Rainbow" callout- but I don't think LeVar Burton is Canadian...so it's not really relevant).

Eh?