complaints issued by: Dorothy-June Fraser

The day after my triumphant return from the Mid-West (see my upcoming however-many-part series on it), I was safely embedded in East Van when the proposition of going up to Whistler for the day was examined. As in: leaving, driving, getting there, coming back. With drop-off and visiting purposes. But really, my main job was to watch my friend Pixie drive white-knuckled down the Sea to Sky in driving rain, make sure she didn't zone out.
Well.

Lemme tell ya, from corn-fed culture shock, to that of my own province, I did get a bit confused.



Where are all the people who believe starch is the only food group? What? Tourists?
Let me explain something about the Mid-West. Yeah. Mid-of-nowhere West really would be a better description, seeing as there isn't anything to be seen, done, whatever. I didn't even see the typical convenience stores that exemplify as many friends/aqquaintances/colleagues put it, "why terrorists hate us".

Brings me to the point, which has sooooooo little to do with the title it's almost shocking. You know the Timmy Ho's in Squamish? The quintessential pee stop and sinking fast food fuel-up that's needed, not only for actual necessity, but the symbolism.
"Ahhh, yes, the Squam. We'll be in Whistler soon."
Breathe that fresh mountain air.
Hold on!
What do my squinting eyes spy?
A brand new Wal-Mart going up in the lot across from TH. Well, serenity of a quiet mountain to hell. DAMNED, says I!
So, how is it, in the state capitol of Indiana there is no sign of life, and yet, the perfect exemplification of all things American the subculture of us excitable urbanites love to hate is…in Squamish?
So, little America is being realized in the strangest of places.
Whatwith the stores, the expansion of war, even with the resgnation of Rummy( YAY!) it is still upon us that our neighbours to the South are creeping quietly up up up...
I may be turning a blind eye to Calgary, hmmm, I guess most of Ontario….well, damn. OK, so maybe my eyes have been a little blind to the Americanization….no, lying. Just didn't want to see it, but it struck me yesterday, maybe because of the Olympics, whatever.
I have been to Middle America and Middle Canada (Although our original constitutional gov't is rolling their graves when I say that) and since it's basically the same, I cry. In our similarities, lie our differing opinions.

Although, if there was any place for a Wal-Mart, I have to say it would be along the highway built on ancient burial grounds. Bad juju all around, that highway is a wrecker. So, appropriately, there goes cheaply made crap from slave labourers. At least they have a Timmy's to dunk their small-town ignorance in afterwards.
After all, isn't cheap B.U.M. gear worth sacrificing one more piece of slight independence for?
Sigh.