For Better or For Worse by Lynn Johnston for September 04, 2009

Good morning everyone, I hope you are all doing well today. The kid has a point, if you dont pay attention, it will cost you.

Hey, mroberts88, you must mean tomorrow morning. It’s only 10:16 here on the W. coast. Don’t forget to go to bed tonite,or you won’t be able to get up pretty soon. Or are you already up?

Its midnight where I am (TX). No class, so no, I dont have to get up early, and I’m pretty much up since there is no class, 4 day weekend with labor day. That and I didnt expect anyone to read this until about early AM, but yeah, like I said, its midnight here, which makes it morning.

Psst Mr. Roberts88 it’s laboUr day ;) labour with a U hehe This is a Canadian strip after all hahahahahahaha

I’ve become sooooo poor, I can’t pay attention anymore. I just can’t afford schooling! LOL

At least this is one day Canadians and Americans celebrate together, the only difference being that U thing, labor or labour. It’s been strange my first year in Canada getting used to holidays at different times and new (to me) holidays. Canada day on July 1 instead of the fourth of July on July 4. The only one left for me is gonna be Thanksgiving in October rather than November.

it wouldn’t matter what difference a holiday falls on as long as people get the day off

Talk about understatement - it’s amazing how many continue to let their school years define the remainder of their lives.

Speaking of which, here’s a geography lesson: Canada and Amerca are next door neighbors. And the sooner each quits looking at the other’s minor differences as if the other one is from Mars, the better it will be. It’s not like the cultures are as different as, say, Finland and Laos.

And here’s a friendly tip for those from south of the border. DON’T refer to cities as “City, Country”. You don’t live in Peoria, America or Bangor, America. You live in Peoria, Illinois and Bangor, Maine.

Likewise, it’s Toronto, ONTARIO and Calgary, ALBERTA, NOT Toronto, Canada and Calgary, Canada. When you say stuff like that, you might as well wear a T-Shirt that says, “Arrogant American”.

Which speaks volumes about the class of the good folks in Alberta, Ontario, BC, etc. who will generally just smile and overlook it. God love ‘em!

They must use UV lighting in the classroom, because Lawrence got a much darker tan since yesterday’s comic!

Blitz, I’m not sure such comments are like wearing a t-shirt that says, “Arrogant American.” It’s just as likely an indication of being an Ignorant American. Considering the percentage of High School Graduates here in the States that were found unable to place the United States on a blank world map, their lack of knowledge (or interest) in any other countries is not surprising (though no less distressing).

Granted, the two traits are not mutually exclusive. A person can still be arrogant while being ignorant. In fact, some people excel at it.

BlitzMcD; thanks for the nod to us Canadians. Having lived in many provinces of Canada, i have always told those from outside the country that i live in “city, province, Canada”. I think some find it difficult to fathom at times. However, from a political standpoint, I really don’t want Canada amalgamating with the USA. I would prefer we stay separate and distinct entities due to our separate histories … and present prevaling attitudes.

Amém, Lourenço.

I agree with Burgundy, I really dont know alot about Canadian geography, so Im not really sure where the provinces are. I do however, know that hockey is a fun sport to watch.

Allan, however you spell it, it means the same thing, which is no school, or work, and thats something, Canadian or American, we can all enjoy.

I’ve always thought of the differences between Canada and the U.S. as the differences between the Simpsons and Flanders on The Simpsons.

This is worth repeating in case you missed it.

From Lynn at her FBORFW site on 8/21/09

“The art you are seeing now is a reworking of the beginning of the strip. The work will soon be running as it did originally without the new material added and the characters will age accordingly. With luck, the stories will continue right up to 2003 and beyond and you’ll see everything again.”

This is important because, this is different than what Lynn told us a year ago when she restarted. I think that her fans have changed her mind about her plans not to age the kids in the strip. The fans definitely want to see the strip as it was.

So, we will see April again when the time is right. And all the Farley stuff.

Thanks for the info summerdog. Everything will happen the way it did originally then, I guess.

there isn’t much difference between Americans and Canadians, which is a large part of why we’re such good neighbours, but as the Quebecois would say, “Vive la differance!”

That is the best explanation I ever heard “‘cause if you don’t it’s gonna cost ya!” So remember that when asked to pay attention! -LOL :-)

yyyguy, although there isnt much, the differences that are there, are noticeable.

Thats hilarious, what a pun!

I haven’t noticed a great deal of difference, for instance not all Canadians say “eh” but some do. There are a few things I’m still getting used to like calling the restroom a washroom and saying grade 5 instead of 5th grade. But I don’t think I’ll ever get used to milk in a bag instead of a jug. Thank God there are some places you can get jugs but it’s more expensive.

Macush, what about milk in a bag? Is it a plastic bag?

Thanks, everyone, for some interesting comments and insights on this issue about learning from one another’s differences. It’s great to see the different perspectives from others who are also as passionate in their interest in the provinces.

But merge the two countries? No, no, no, no and most assuredly no! True patriot love aside for a moment, there are plenty of reasons why the great nation of Canada should remain autonomous:

The Guess Who, Harvey’s Hamburgers, Zellers, the Guess Who, the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver BC, Stanley Park, the Guess Who, Windsor Ontario, the huge mall in Alberta, the Guess Who, Downtown Toronto, the HMV and CD Plus Music Store chains, great churches, Thunder Bay, the Guess Who, MP Jeff Watson, Banff, the Air Force (who put on some phenomenal displays of thunderpower in air shows this summer), the Royal Canadian Air Farce, Peter Mansbridge And The National (real news, instead of the backyard fence gossip that passes for news elsewhere!) and the Guess Who.

By the way, did I mention the Guess Who?

I’m a firm believer in the worth of the individual and that we should celebrate the individual gifts and talents that God gave each of us, rather than just arbitrarily align with some sort of group and/or national identity. But if I had to pick a place that is all around worthy of adoration for its many virtues, well, Canada is pretty tough to beat.

Oh yeah, Macushlalondra, by the way, you can get milk in a regular carton or jug (as opposed to a bag) at either Zellers or Superstore if you have either one in your area. Costco also sells it both ways - bag or jug. And Superstore has a great house brand, President’s Choice. Cheaper, and reasonably good quality, as well.

I take it Blitz isnt really a fan of the USA? That being said, if that idea were to be introduced, it probably wouldnt work. The U.S. and Canada are better neighbors than relatives.

Mrroberts 88, I have no idea on what you would base such an assumption about the States. I made no comment whatsoever about the nation as a whole.