A Few of My Favourite Things: Oh, Canada! Edition 2014

July 1 wouldn't be complete if I didn't at least take a few minutes to share a few of my favourite things about this incredible country that I call home. Yes, I realize that I have been slacking hard with A Paper Voice as of late, but I've been a little busy with a wonderful Canadian right and freedom: Education. That's right, I'm back in the classroom, so something, unfortunately had to give. But I digress. It's all in the name of increasing my knowledge so I can get the job I desire. What can I say? Editors help people use their power of speech to its fullest potential.

Anyways...

To start you off is some Canadian music. Yes, I realize I did a list of epic Canadian tunes last year, but there are a few that I've been listening to lately that I just can't get enough of. These last few weeks, I've been loading up on April Wine "Enough is Enough:...

...Blue Rodeo "Till I Am Myself Again"

...Gowan "A Criminal Mind"

...and The Kings "This Beat Goes On/ Switchin' to Glide"

Within the last couple of years, I've read some wonderful pieces of Canadian literature. A few I highly recommend include Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King

Who Has Seen the Wind by W.O Mitchell

and Generals Die in Bed by Charles Yale Harrison.

This year, Toronto, in Ontario, Canada, hosted World Pride 2014. Whether you're LGBT or an ally, like myself, it is definitely something that I think many can be proud of (no pun intended, but it is rather convenient).

 

2014 marks the 100th anniversary since the start of the First World War. With that in mind, I'd like to take a few minutes to praise our roles from 1914-1918. I realize this would normally be showcased in November, but there are some things that ought to be shared more than once a year.

Canada has many moments to be proud of. Anyone who's ever followed this blog is well aware of my admiration for our role at Vimy Ridge.

Along with Vimy Ridge, Canada played major roles at the Battle of the Somme,

Passchendaele (the story of which has also been made into a film which I sadly, have yet to see),

and the Battle of Amiens, which many try to deny.

We also have notable military men. I'm certain you're all familiar with "In Flanders Fields" and the man who wrote it, Lt. Col. Dr. John McCrae, who was killed in action shortly before the end of WWI.

Capt. Arthur Roy Brown, the man who shot down the Red Baron, was Canadian.

And, of course, who can forget the second greatest Air Ace of all time, eight kills behind the Red Baron himself, Canada's own William Avery "Billy" Bishop?

For a country that was still fairly young (remember, we became our own nation in 1867, but you already knew that), we certainly made a name for ourselves.

Now, go watch a Molson Canadian commercial or two (found with last year's Canada Day posts), enjoy some fireworks, and embrace all that makes this country great. As for myself, I'm already decked out in my 100% Canadian shirt (the following picture is a few years old, but the shirt still fits and is as awesome as it ever was).

Happy 147th Birthday, Canada! Sing the anthem loud and proud (like hockey gold 2010 loud)! 

Speaking of hockey gold 2010 loud, I think this guy's YouTube video captured the essence of our country perfectly...

For more, please refer to my Canada Day posts from previous years. Videos are compliments of YouTube, and all pictures, except for the one of myself, are from Google.