It is Canada’s 153rd Birthday. A fairly young nation when we consider the ages of other countries. Yet, despite its young age, Canada has experienced a lot culturally, geographically, and politically. While it is a good time to reflect on the highs and lows of the nation, I am choosing to focus on the interesting.
For instance, did you know that the Hudson’s Bay Region has less gravity than the rest of the planet?
Yup, less gravity. So we can all flock to the area to lose that last bit of weight, or to feel slightly lighter as we walk around and explore the region. I have not explored there yet, but it is on my travelling list.
We returned to Canada about a month ago, hence the silence between the testing, quarantine time, and setting up the fundamentals of our home. But now summer is here, and every Canadian knows we must run out and embrace it, because soon enough it will be autumn and cool.
Long Lake, Athabasca County
Where we spent the weekend ATV-ing through the forest and boating on the lake. Our first weekend out of the city.
The Establishment’s Funkmorphosis & Fallentimber’s Meadjito and Mr. Pink
Summer is also the time to enjoy local, artisan beverages. Fortunately for me, there are many available in the Calgary Region.
So we have nature and beverages; all that is left is entertainment. Usually, I will suggest books to read, and yes I will find some to share later this summer. But for now, I want to re-explore my local, watch the birds above me in the clear blue skies, and the squirrels, deer, and coyotes in the forest. So instead of books — though audiobooks would totally work here — I will share music.
What should I share about this band? We usually call them the Hip. Why waste all the syllables when we all know who we are talking about in one? A 1990s Canadian rock band with poetic lyrics focusing on aspects of Canadian history. They have over two decades of platinum albums and we all mourned and celebrated the life of Gord Downie upon his death from brain cancer. Their final farewell show was streamed and broadcast to over 11.7 million people, Canada’s population is 37.59 million, so almost 1/3 of us watched.
Their lyrics were political and emotional, asking us to remember our history and consider our futures. I will leave the post with their final album, Man Machine Poem, and the song, In a World Possessed By the Human Mind. A song seeming to explain fears, created through irrational thought, should not be trusted. Everything is not as it appears, it’s all fine.
In a World Possessed by the Human Mind
Just give me the news
It can all be lies
Exciting over fair or the right thing at the right time
Everything is clear
Just how you described
The way it appears, “A world possessed by the human mind”
Then I think I smiled
Then I think you said, “it’s fine”
And quietly I dressed, in a world possessed by the human mind
We’re in awe of NO ONE
We’ve none of their FEAR
Fighting’s goin’ nowhere and we stay right here
Where’s everything is quiet
A little SUPER-DANGEROUS
“In the shadow of the law and with colours of justice”
Then I hope I smiled
Then I’m sure you said, “It’s fine”
They got no interest in a world completely possessed by the human mind
Everything is quiet
A little SUPER DANGEROUS
Quiet enough to hear God rustlin’ around in the bushes
Oh, but it was you
Girl, I was so afraid
You said, “You shoulda seen the look on yer face.”
Then I hope I laughed
Then I hope I said, “it’s fine”
And quietly undressed in a world completely possessed by the human mind
Oh it was you
Girl, I was so afraid
You said, “You shoulda seen the look on yer face.”
The Tragically Hip
So go outside and find joy in the world you live in. Happy Canada Day!