“it’s a damn pebble in the ocean! What the fuck?”
-Kalligenia
*What a beautiful and poignant quote. Yes, I agree wholeheartedly, my Hans Island fascination is disturbing. A fascination that is inexplicably taking priority over what seems to be an excellent book. One that seems to be right up my alley, with dialogues about Jack Kirby, mid-seventies marvel superheroes, funk greats and detailed descriptions of street games lifted right from my childhood. I should be totally immersed. Yet, instead I choose to methodically work through the 179 google news hits on “Hans Island”.
I suppose it’s the magnitude of coverage that this story is receiving in this country that I find most interesting, not whether or not the joint Country Ellesmere Island-Greenland data collecting missions are endangered. The media coverage and influx of traffic is causing the poor guys at The.Hans Island Liberation Front bandwidth problems. (I actually sent these guys an email, suggesting that the two residents of Hans island, Hans and Hans, be renamed to Han and Han, because two Han make a Hans. Plural. See? Get it? Two of them. No? Nevermind.) The amusingly ridiculous way in which each country is trying to claim sovereignty definitely helps to hold my attention though. (That flag planting, alcohol burying, stone monument building stuff is all true). And just to absolutely clarify, yes I do think it’s ridiculous. Canadians aren’t generally thought of as being as patriotic as Americans, but they can be. It isn’t loud, bombastic, “Go U.S.A.!” chanting though. It’s a more quiet and condescending, “We’ve got it better than you, so there.” attitude. Enormously irritating. I really try not to do that. After all, things like a Liberal government, clean air, Universal heath care and de-criminalized marijuana don’t make for paradise. .. or do they?
The Ancient Undergrad 
I’ve had a “move to Canada” fantasy ever since I got to spend a summer with some Canadians in New York 15 years ago. I just like the people I’ve met from there. The “liberal government, clean air, Universal health care” would just be icing on the cake. I’ll steer clear from The Hans Island Liberation Front, however. That would stress me out.
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Oh, I imagine they are, I just figured anything with “front” in the name might have a little anxiety involved, even if it consists of two guys named Han. I haven’t checked their website yet because I thought I’d do them a favor and go easy on their bandwidth.
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Two bucks on a ten-dollar tab is’nt bad; I would’nt have expected much more. 🙂
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Whoa… you quoted me… I feel so honored. I do agree with you about the Canadian pride issue too. Americans are annoyingly loud but Canadians are kind of quietly snobby. I do my best never to do that but it’s kind of hard living just an hour north of Kentucky!
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As if I didn’t want to move to Canada already. I think you’ve twisted my arm hard enough.
I feel that most intelligent Americans (which in mi opinion, because I know everything, are those who oppose this administration, war, growing Conservative stronghold and subsequent inhumane and just completely crazy laws and measures being put into place, all of the monstrous stuff going on in general) are not feeling too patriortic these days. If so, it’s in an “Oh my f***ing god, what has our country come to?,” way, with the hopes that there will be peace, sanity and moderation again someday. Reading about the psyche of Canadian patriotism was interesting, though. It sounds like a good thing. I laughed about Han, Han, and Hans. I agree.
If one of the most judgmental, gorgeous and honest gay men I know says I am looking good, I believe him. I’ve had a hard week and I look like hell, and stress makes me a little hard on myself. But thanks.
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3 of the above four subscribe to me. we’re such a happy family
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they were all mine first.*grumble*
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welcome back 🙂
thanks for the comment about the comment. i have this knack for reading into these sort of things. anyway hope it was useful during your visit. take care!
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I not only ‘get’ the Han/Hans thing, I thought it was funny. Sigh…
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Hans and Hans, would that make it Hanses? hehe
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Wonderplum, like you, is a Xanga soulmate of mine. Even if she’s not a Scorpio (maybe she is; I need to find out her sign). Just think of it as sharing the love. 🙂
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American’s so called “patriotism” is like being at a High School football rally. Loud, noisy, and pointless.
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lol. Let’s just hope all this reckless Canadian/Danish nationalism doesn’t get in the way of peace. i just don’t like seeing the little ppl get trampled like this. Poor Hanses, or Hans. = P
True though, until now with the island thing, i’ve never seen canadians go all American in their love of country – the ‘our army can kick your army’s ass!!’ stuff on the internet is funny…
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I’m sitting here in the dark, a bit weary, but still content, stumbling around on your site because I always like your blogs. It’s good reading for an insomniac… or anyone in general, really.
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You don’t have to rub it in, dude.
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i’m not familiar with hans island, but you’ve made me curious. also, decriminalized marijuana and universal health care do sound very paradise-esque.
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umm the answer is the alamo
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