Well, Happy Canada Day. I'm not decked out in red, white and facepaint as you can see. I've never been much of a patriot, but I do remember going to Canada Day celebrations as a kid, and they were good fun. These days, I'm pretty pissed off with my country, it has to be said. A few months ago I woke up the day after the federal elections, read the headlines and promptly burst into tears, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't the only one. I wouldn't even know where to start on my criticism of a government that sabotages international climate change talks, cuts funding to women's advocacy, suspends parliament when it seems likely his government will be brought down, muzzles scientists, think of something bad and he's done it or is trying to do it... and somehow got elected three times? And do people get out onto the streets in protest? Hell no, they don't even get out to vote. But they do get out when we lose a hockey game. Not to torch the opposing team's city, which might make some kind of vile sense, but to torch their own. My city, actually.
But hey, Canada, happy birthday I guess. You're a beautiful country. Hopefully you still will be when we've finished extracting the oil from the tar sands. You've got a wonderful healthcare system... hopefully it'll still be there after four years of a Harper majority. Anyway, whatever you are, you're home. I may kind of want to have a barbequeue over the embers of a Canadian flag tonight, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be from anywhere else, either. Everyone there: have a great day!
Hehe, that was probably the most depressing Canada Day post ever. For a more optimistic and less political version that I pretty much agree with, read Maud's.
On the other hand, for more reasons why Canada is on its way to becoming uninhabitable, go here.
Buff, this might have to be the end of the 7 am photoshoots (trying to beat the sun and the crowds).
playsuit (as top) Zara sales, skirt: Oysho sales, hat: the Bay, Yorkshire Tea bag, Primark espadrilles
39 comments:
Je, je, In spanish we have an expression that says "En todas partes cuecen habas" that means "everywhere cooks beans".
Have a nice day.
Nice outfit, the playsuit as a top is really pretty! I get the conflicting views about your country thing, I have similar thoughts for the UK most of the time! x
lovely blog :)
I had no idea you were from Canada! Somehow I assumed your were British..hmm...
Love the jumpsuit/top! The back is so cute!
Not being a patriot is what makes you Canadian ; )
Happy Canada Day
I love this outfit!!!
and so sad...poor Canada, well hopefully when someone else takes over things will get better :)
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I just read the site "shit harper did" it's hilarious and sad. Well at least I am not a Canadian citizen and cant say I voted to bring this lunatic to power. !!!
Yeah, the 4th of July is coming up here in the US and I'm not a big enthusiast about my country, either. I'm not, and never have been, incredibly patriotic. I sorta just feel like "yeah, two lefts don't make a right." Hopefully things get better for Canada when someone else takes over, like the Closet Fashionista said.
I love your skirt, by the way. :)
xo
Maria Elyse
First Impressions
Flying Ships Vintage
Happy Birthday to Canada.
You may be upset over a couple of things, but overall I think Canada is a great country to live. You are luck to be Canadian.
Consider India for example, corruption is one of the highest in the world though it is democratic country. Law and order is also pretty bad.
Take care and enjoy.
Simply Speaking "A" Simple
Blogger
@A: Sure, Canada isn't the Sudan, by any means. But that doesn't mean I have to take it lying down when some lunatic tries to destroy most of what makes us a great place to live. And I don't like the nasty "we're better than you" attitude that a lot of Canadians seem to have these days.
Just because things could be worse, doesn't mean they can't be better!
Hey Emily, I just stumbled upon your blog and I really want to say that everything you say is so true. I love my country and it's sad how politicians who supposedly represent Canada are acting more like less than stellar politicians. I hope things don't get worse and they change for the better.
Happy Canada Day! One fellow Canadian to another.
p.s. I'm now your latest follower. I hope you'll follow me too.
I started out by admiring the pretty blues in your outfit and those adorable shoes, then got sidetracked into your political discourse. I agree with everything you say, it's just funny to hear negative comments about Canada because they're never voiced here (U.S.) and our nation is, comparatively, so much worse. At least you have healthcare!
@Shybiker: True. I think I get so frustrated because people always tell me that Canada is some kind of paradise! We have healthcare... for now. We'll see if our evil Prime Minister (who is kind of the Canadian George Bush, basically, but cold and smart) can dismantle it...
Well, at least you're not from the U.S.A. haha. We're messsssed up.
You know, I didn't even know about most of Canada's problems that you mentioned, other than the hockey riot night. And I spend a good portion of the day at work looking up news. The media FAILS.
Oh I heard of the tar sands. On girl in my class wrote an essay of it (studying environmental science) and I was reading it. Such depressing reading, and I find that stupid of them to do that! I guess, they only have greed in their minds. Bah!
To change subject. I love that bag your having, it is so cute and something I sure can think of owning.
A spiritual traveler look :)
Emily, I feel you. I'm far from pleased with the goings-on in my own country, but in the end I wouldn't want to be from anywhere else. Perhaps we all have a deep-rooted national pride that cannot be shaken by politics, injustices and down-right idiocy. I was reading through some of the stuff on the Shit Harper Did link you provided and I do not blame you for bursting into tears after the election results. Here's to better days for Canada.
And on a lighter note, you look lovely in your ensemble of blues! Two thumbs way up for your button front denim skirt :)
I'm so glad to read this post. People are always saying to me "I know Canadians, they love Canada it is perfect." And I always doubted them. You will never like everything about your country! But happy birthday :) I love that picture with you and all the silhouettes! it is great.
I've always thought you were british! I saw the news about the elections, it's sad stuff like that happening but unfortunately that's the world today, I look at Mexico and feel so sorry for all things going on, I just try to focus in being a good citizen despite the others. Happy bday to Canada!
Cess O. <3 The Outfit Diaries
hats, cuteness and espadrilles <3 perfect summa recipe!
I'm just the same about politics, I try to ignore all the bs as much as I can and I don't even vote because I refuse to participate in all the self important power games and crap those losers try to pull us into. Yuk.
7am?! Thats a crazy early shoot. Props to you. Happy Canada day, hope things take turn for the better in your country. (my country isnt much better)
paying tribute! love it:)
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hola stunner, i just read your blogging authenticity post that was in the links a la mode and you crack me up :)
Wonderfully sunny post. As for the feelings about your country, I just typed something very similar about the US on a fashion blog from Greece. It is a wonder to me that Americans aren't out in the streets...but I think we are being entertained to death.
Oh poop...well the government is never perfect and sometimes does stupid things anyways. Oh well. Happy birthday to my neighbor country up there!
Those espadrilles look super comfy by the way. :)
forte-espressivo.blogspot.com
Jeez, yeah, after reading Naomi Klein's The Shock Doctrine, I'm afraid of living almost anywhere. And the only other country that my husband and I could move to from the U.S. relatively easily would be Canada since we've been told he's eligible for dual citizenship. (His mom was born in Quebec.) Not that Australia's perfect, either, but I have to say I'm jealous that my sister might end up living there just because they have paid maternity leave and much better healthcare and their minimum wage is $23 per hour. California is beautiful and I do feel very attached to my home state, but it's getting scary to be here.
happy birthday canada!! and i love your espadrilles! xoxo
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Hope one day to be in Canada, I am sure it has a lot of wonderful places.
Doesn't sounds like a happy birthday. Hope it will be much better soon. Belgium hasn't any government yet. Maybe we have to sing : a very unhappy birthday than?(from Alice in wonderland)
Oh dear Canada - I didn't even know anything about the politics in Canada till just now. Unfortunately it seems to be a common theme... :( but happy birthday nonetheless!
Interesting post...much of which I didn't realize about Canada but sad nonetheless. Why must so many politicians be so corrupt?! Geez...something needs to change somewhere along the line and soon. I speak for the way things are here in the States as well. Anyways, besides all that junk, I do hope you had a lovely day. You look flawless per usual and your hat, bag, & espadrilles are the icing on the cake...all darling:)
You're all over the world so much, sometimes I forget that you're from Canada! I actually didn't realize Canada had so many issues. Everyone in America always talks about moving to Canada to get rid of their problems. Obviously there's a bit of ignorance going on...
I've been thinking about 7 a.m. photoshoots lately. Might try one for myself sometime. I'm sure it'll be hell. I'm so not a morning person.
Oops, a bit late but Happy Canada Day!! Well, despite Canada's bad things, I am sure it is a wonderful country. And I relate to you on feeling pissed off at your own country but nothing quite gets the same status as your home right?
And damn, I was I was brave enough to have 7am photoshoots! The light is great but I wouldn't be able to get my ass off bed.
This outfit is simply wonderful, seriously you rock summer simplicity and of course I want the gingham ;P
Great post!
Happy belated canada day!
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Happy belated canada day, here's to it still being more progressive than the US! Oh, and its Independence day for us today and I still feel like that.
I've always been intrigued and slightly confused by Canadian politics. I wish that we would have studied it in school...I'm sorry that the governing party is closed minded and regressive. I know the feeling. We moderate Americans are getting pretty nervous for our election.
Hah, I actually mentioned some of the same in my own Canada Day post... love the country, just not the government.
Emily It's refreshing to read your thoughts about the political climate of Canada.
I'm not very patriotic, which has a lot to do with the fact that I'm an uninsured American, and while billions of dollars are channeled to the military the education system continues to suffer significant cuts.
We did wear red for shits and giggles kind just to be obnoxious. Our friends got a kick out of it.
You look lovely as always Emily!
After reading this I realise that every country has it's issues!
Anthea,
Embracing Style
I think finding the flaws in your country's systems is very revealing- the greater feeling of patriotism is loving a country with flaws!Most of the times, I feel like this regarding Greece and the people who govern it!
ps)7am photoshoots? very brave, girl!
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