paraka | Pre-Meta Post, and a call to my Canadian Flisters!

Pre-Meta Post, and a call to my Canadian Flisters!

First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY

xdigital_kittyx! I hope you've had a great day! :D

In other news, I think it rained blueberries when I wasn't looking. Seriously.
When I left work today there were blueish/purple spots all over the ground and on people's cars. And some of them had what looked like the skin bit of the berry. I have no idea WTF happened :-/

In other, other news, I've been talking a lot lately with

paradise_city. We seem to spend a lot of time having... "deep" meta conversations (so what if some of them involve how hot Colby is...).
One of the things that we were talking about was some of the wank that has gone on in fandom, like the race wank from earlier this year, or the more recent thing about

yuletide being anti-semitic, and how a lot of this could be avoided if people took the time to explain what bothers them in fandom to other people. My most common complaint is how fandom represents Canadians (which is funny, since they don't much :P). In the interest of not being all talk and no walk, I've been thinking about making a post about it. Post about what it means to me to be Canadian, and how we're unique. Talk about how I see Canadians represented in fandom, and fanfic, and how people get us right/wrong.

Saying all that though, I mostly just whine about it because it's something I can relate to and not because I have rage issues against fandom associated with it, so in the interest of not being boring, I'd like to ask the people on my flist for help.

So, what kind of representations of Canadians have you seen that strike you as off, or make you angry or roll your eyes? And particular trends, stereotypes?

Hell, even if you're not Canadian, feel free to add your input. Things that you used to think, but now know to be untrue (what do you know, it's *not* always winter up here), or things you still think to be true (and they might be!)
If you have any questions about Canada that you've wanted answered but didn't know how to ask, fire away. I promise not to be offended!

I think it'd be especially interesting to hear from people who are in the due South fandom, since that show was stereotypes personified.

I'll start off by screening comments, in case anyone is shy but will probably unscreen them as I go, depending on the content.

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I can't really think of any representations off the top of my head that annoy me, but there are couple of things that point to a lack of research that can irritate me when I come across them:

- The tendency to use 'college' instead of 'university'. It drives me nuts. Rodney McKay did not go to college, and he wouldn't think of university as college!

- 'The good Canadian beer' as Labatts Blue or Molson Canadian. ARGH. This is not the good stuff! It's the swill!

- I sometimes see this weird 'Canadians say 'about' as 'a-boot'. Maybe in some parts of Canada, I don't know (I can't claim to be a linguistic expert here), but in my daily life, I've never heard that (although, again, I'm just familiar with a selection of Canada). But seeing it again and again gets old. Although this is not just a fandom-specific complaint.

- The tendency to use 'college' instead of 'university'. It drives me nuts. Rodney McKay did not go to college, and he wouldn't think of university as college!
Yes! There is a difference!

- 'The good Canadian beer' as Labatts Blue or Molson Canadian. ARGH. This is not the good stuff! It's the swill!
Now that's not actually something I would have known (I don't drink beer). What would you consider good Canadian beer?

- I sometimes see this weird 'Canadians say 'about' as 'a-boot'. Maybe in some parts of Canada, I don't know (I can't claim to be a linguistic expert here), but in my daily life, I've never heard that (although, again, I'm just familiar with a selection of Canada). But seeing it again and again gets old. Although this is not just a fandom-specific complaint.
The accent thing is actually what first made me feel... I don't know, misrepresented. On an SGA Yahoo group I'm a member of, someone started a conversation about Canadian accents, and I was like WTF? Canadians don't have accents. I mean sure, if you're in the Atlantic provinces, they have a bit of a lilt, and Quebec is it's own ballgame, but for the most part, the average Canadian doesn't really speak any differently than the "American" accent that is used on TV (I know that the US has a boat load of regional accents, but the "American Accent" that is considered mainstream and again, the one used on TV doesn't sound really any different than a Canadian accent).

I thought that maybe I just didn't listen closely enough, but it looks like I'm not the only one to think so.

What would you consider good Canadian beer?

Creemore Springs. Steamwhistle. Some microbrews!

The accent thing is actually what first made me feel... I don't know, misrepresented.

I just hate the talking about the 'aboot' thing. This makes me particularly annoyed in the SGA context, where Rodney's pronunciation (other than the 'Zed' thing) doesn't sound different to me than John's, Ronon's and most other American actor's.

I just hate the talking about the 'aboot' thing. This makes me particularly annoyed in the SGA context, where Rodney's pronunciation (other than the 'Zed' thing) doesn't sound different to me than John's, Ronon's and most other American actor's.
As I said so someone else, I generally only see people talk about Rodney's accent, never really the others. In season 1, Joe was the only American in the main cast, now there's Jason too, but you never hear anyone mention Elizabeth's accent, and Carter actually made a joke about how Canadian Rodney and his sister sounded, even though Amanda is Canadian too.

Carter actually made a joke about how Canadian Rodney and his sister sounded, even though Amanda is Canadian too.

Yeah, that annoyed me.

It more made me roll my eyes, which is surprising, because I find I get irrationally pissed off when it comes to people talking about Canadian accents....

Also, did you hear the news that the government is thinking about bringing ParticipAction back? :P

The one thing that still nags at me is the whole "Canadian accent" stuff and how Canadians supposedly say "oot" for "out" and "aboot" for "about". Yes, I know some regions do have pronunciations like that, but not all Canucks do! But McKay has certainly broken the stereotype of polite and quiet. ;)

Wow, good to know I'm not the only one who's *really* bothered by the accent thing. I was going to bring it up, since I've been told and told by a bunch of different Americans that yes, Canadians *do* actually have accents, I must not hear it, but so far everyone Canadian who has left a comment has mentioned the accent thing.

And yeah, I love how they went and made McKay so different from normal Canadian stereotypes. I also love how they keep throwing little Canadian jokes into the show, like the Cliff/Coles notes thing, or ParticipAction. Did you hear that they're thinking of bringing ParticipAction back? :P

Does this have to be fandom-specific? If not, I have too many misrepresentations and not enough time. Please direct all questions to my ~~babydaddy-in-training~~ spokesperson, Rick Mercer.

Does this have to be fandom-specific?
Well, I'm thinking of touching on stereotypes in general, but I'd like to focus on fandom interactions more, since fandom while not always more knowledgeable, is generally at least less obnoxious about it.

And I plan on linking to some Rick Mercer stuff, and will probably post Arrogant Worms songs.

But I'd really love to hear more input from you if you have time. I couldn't help but remember you telling me about that one fic where Brian went up to Canada and was puking into the grass on the side of the 401, or wiping out his credit card at the hospital. If you had any other thoughts, I’d really like to hear them. Right now I haven’t much to work with.

Question: How do you feel about the whole Canadian accent thing?

Most of what irritates me in the fandom-specific stuff is the sheer laziness in fact-checking. I can understand that Americans would not necessarily know how the Canadian healthcare system works, or that North York General Hospital is probably not where Gus would go in an emergency (it's in the ass end of nowhere, and I think of Mel and Lindz as being the type who would live in The Annex or Cabbagetown or somewhere urban and neighbourhood-y, not the cement wasteland that is North York), but they don't even seem to try to research this stuff! There are so many Canadians who are active in the fandom, that all it takes is a quick post in the BJfic group or something saying "Help! I need a Canadian beta/fact-checker!". Or at the very least, Google!

I know they're just stupid little details that don't matter to most people, but to those of us who know how wrong they are, they ruin the fic!

As for the accent thing, I think it's completely ridiculous to say that all Canadians say "aboot", or that we even talk the same at all. That's like saying all Americans talk like Texans. Put someone from Alberta in a room with a Newfie (and I use that word with the utmost love and respect) and someone from Ontario, and they're all going to sound different! It's a really freakin' big country, there are different accents and dialects, just like there are everywhere else in the world. Plus, due to our vast multiculturalism, those regional lines are blurring even more.

Most of what irritates me in the fandom-specific stuff is the sheer laziness in fact-checking.
:P I remember when I first got into the HP fandom, and I would see people complain about how people would write Harry as American, or at least, not as a Brit, and I'd roll my eyes. But now that the tables are turned, I understand it a lot more.
Word on the beta thing. Something that the author don't even realize can really throw someone out of a fic. I remember once reading a QaF fic written by a Brit, and she had Brian "throw down some notes" to pay for his lunch. In my head, the "notes" were bright pink IOU notes. I know that Brian fell on some hard times in the series, but that's just silly :P
I *know* that in the UK they use pound notes, but still, it throws you off.

Newfie (and I use that word with the utmost love and respect)
Do people take offence to the term Newfie? I didn't know that. I use it all the time. :S Because how can you *not* love Newfies.

I forgot to tell you that since you keep going on about it, but I started watching SGA in the summer. I've just started Season 2 now, but it's going pretty slowly because of all the other shows starting back up again. I should just rent the DVDs and watch them on the weekend. Maybe I'll do that.

Hah! That's awesome.

Are you watching them on TV? Or downloading them? If I lived closer to you, I'd so lend you my DVDs.

What do you think of it so far?

I was downloading them, but now my internet connection at home is not reliable enough. I'm trying to fix that, but in the meantime, I think I'll have to rent the DVDs. Unless I can find season 2 on tv somewhere, but I have basic cable, so that's a long shot.

I've been enjoying it quite a bit. I miss Ford, though. :( I'm at the point where Ronon has just joined them, so it'll be interesting to see how he fits in.

Hmm, how fast is your internet connection? I have all of season 2 up here, and if it's just a matter of your internet blinking out, you could try a download manager that will allow you to resume a download, or, if it's a time thing, I don't mind you using an accelorator on my site. I know with DAP I was able to get a single ep in about 15 minutes.

I could also burnt them to a DVD and mail them to you if you'd like.

Unless I can find season 2 on tv somewhere, but I have basic cable, so that's a long shot.
How basic is your cable?
The Movie network is the first to get the eps, they're currently showing season 4.
Space shows them too, but according to their webpage they're currently showing season 1 Sundays at 9pm and Mondays at 8.
I've also seen season 2 airing on Fox on the weekend, but I don't know where they're at, or at what time.
City TV (Toronto) plays it Tuesdays at 10 (after Reaper!) but I don't know what season they're on. I know they're behind the movie network, but they might be at season 3 right now.

I've been enjoying it quite a bit. I miss Ford, though. :( I'm at the point where Ronon has just joined them, so it'll be interesting to see how he fits in.
Ronon is so much cooler than Ford, don't worry, you won't miss him for much longer. :P
SGA is so fun though, and soooo cracky. If QaF had a lot of Bad!Fic, SGA has a ton of Crack fic, and THEY MAKE IT *WORK*. :D
Should you ever want to join the fandom, let me know, and I'll hook you up with some good fic. ;)

And let me know if you'd like me to send you the eps.

Heeee! PancakeHead!Rodney is adorable.

Oooh, thank you! I'll try downloading them with a download manager thingy first.

I went to zap2it.com and found all the channels that are showing eps in my area in the next week or so, and I think I should be able to get most of the channels showing. I have a PVR, so I'll be able to record whatever I can get, and just watch it whenever.

If and when I feel the urge to read some SGA fic, you will definitely be the first person I come to!

Heeee! PancakeHead!Rodney is adorable.
Someone, somewhere on LJ made a post where she had pics of the entire cast with pancakes on their head, but Rodney's turned out best. There's also an animated one where Rodney has the pancake on his head, and John smacks it off. :P

I went to zap2it.com and found all the channels that are showing eps in my area in the next week or so, and I think I should be able to get most of the channels showing.
Cool. That would probably be the easiest thing to do if you're not in a rush.

Also, I have a really random question. Did you used to live in Kingston?

Lol. That is a random question! Yes I did used to live in Kingston, but then I dropped out of school and had to get a full-time job, which I discovered was pretty sucktastic when you don't have a car and Kingston has a crappy transit system. In addition to just being a generally crappy city. Nice place to visit, though.

I ask because....

Well, remember way back when I did that RL meme, and I said I'd send you a letter? Well in the letter, I wrote about visiting Kingston and thinking of you, and then when I got home and started to write your address on the envalope, I saw you lived in Toronto and had a freak out, because I thought I was making things up.

I still have that half written letter... :S

Lol! At least now you know you're not going crazy. I moved back at the end of January.

See, I remember once we had a conversation about me going to jail, and the commute being kind of long for you to visit me. I had meant the commute from Toronto to Kingston ('cause I thought you lived in Toronto), and you thought I meant from Kingston to China ('cause that's were I was at the time). Then it came out that you were in Kingston, and I felt really stupid.

And then I saw that you were living in Toronto, and though "OMG this poor Kingston person on my flist, I never know where they live! I probably *still* think they live in Toronto!" :P

Ok, not Canadian here, but like

pixiesio says, Rodney is the opposite of the super polite stereotype. Love that. Rodney does have an accent which you can specifically hear when he says "sorry"--remember in McKay and Mrs. Miller, Sam mentions how cute Rodney and Jeannie sound.

I've seen you talk about

paradise_city before and I think I'll go bug her to friend me sometime. The first time I saw you mention her I went poking around in her journal and there was only one post that wasn't friends-locked. I distinctly remember some discussion about why it's ok to use the word Hispanic and I was looking forward to replying but it's now friends-locked.

remember in McKay and Mrs. Miller, Sam mentions how cute Rodney and Jeannie sound.
Know what got me most about that scene? Amanada Tapping is Canadian.
Actually, in season 1 the only non Canadian in the main cast was Joe (Jason now too).
I find it telling that people generally only comment on how Rodney sounds Canadain. I can understan why no one would comment on Teyla, Carson or Zelnka since they have different accents, but I've never heard anyone comment on Weir, Ford, or Lorne's accent. Even more so out side of SGA, since there are a ton of famous actors out there who are Canadian.
I think it comes down more to a vocabulary thing, and, if there is an accent, and I've been told repeatedly that there is, it's something you have to really listen for in order to hear.

I've seen you talk about paradise_city before and I think I'll go bug her to friend me sometime.
Oh she's super nice, I'm sure she would love to have you on her flist. She took part in the SGA friending meme where we met, you could try tracking her down there to ask.

Oh no, I've noticed Torri's accent too. I've seen some snark about it too, and how people wish she's make an attempt at hiding it since she's supposed to be playing an American. To tell you the truth, I've never noticed an accent on Teyla or Ford or Lorne.

Oh no, I've noticed Torri's accent too. I've seen some snark about it too, and how people wish she's make an attempt at hiding it since she's supposed to be playing an American
Hmm, I'm glad I never ran across that. I seem to get irrationally annoyed when it comes to the whole Canadian accent thing. I think it just frustrates me that I can't hear it. I really need to get over it though :P

To tell you the truth, I've never noticed an accent on Teyla or Ford or Lorne.
Well I wouldn't really expect anyone to hear it on Teyla (or Carson or Zelenka) since, on the show, she speaks with a different accent. It would be hard to pick up since she speaks so precisely.

Lorne hasn't spoken that much period, but Ford has.

Random story, I actually met Rainbow once. Before he was on Atlantis, my high school music class went on a field trip to Much Music and we met up with him for a little bit, and he acted all long suffering, because everyone wanted to meet a different VJ and didn't really care about meeting him. :P Now I kind of wish I had gotten a pic with him or something, but too late now. *shrugs*

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Pre-Meta Post, and a call to my Canadian Flisters!

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