Journal Entries
The Canadian language
Posted Aug 9, 2000
Although most people know that Canadians speak English and/or French, few realize that we have a very common third language: Franglais. This comes from years of what many call "cereal box bilingualism" (caused by laws requiring both French and English to appear on product labels).
For those of us who are 'officially' bilingual, inserting words from the other language into our sentences is quite common (e.g. "My French improved once I was living in a francophone milieu." or "Qu'est-ce que vous avez fait ce weekend?") For those who are not considered bilingual, the 'other' language on product labels has given them a vocabularly that is native to Canada. Many people refer to their favorite cheddar as "old fort cheese" or even as "fromage cheese." Some use "clous nails" when making repairs to their homes. Every morning, these people pour their milk out of a "bec spout" and sprinkle "sucre sugar" on their cereal. They drive to work after filling up with "essence gas" and spend the day arguing with their co-workers about Quebec separatism.
You just can't help but love this country! 
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Latest reply: Aug 9, 2000
quotes
Posted Aug 6, 2000
The other day I finished a filling a 160 page "college ruled" (lined)book full of quotes. I have consistently added quotes, poetry, and intriguing phrases to it for over six years. Things that I really liked when I read or heard them and wanted to remember them. A few examples:
"The world is an oyster, but you don't crack it open on a mattress."
-Death of a Salesman
"In the haunted house of life, art is the only stair that doesn't creak." -Tom Robbins 'Skinny Legs and All"
"Never shalt thou build again these walls of pain...Ye suffer from yourself...and whirl upon the wheel, and hug and kiss the spokes of agony." -E. Arnolds
So now I suppose that I should start a new book. Flipping through this completed one, I see how my tastes have changed- there are things in it that I wouldn't add now and some that I still would add, but for different reasons. Because I've never been one to keep a diary- this book is one of the best records I have of the past six years. I can't wait to see what the next book will record, and reveal.
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Latest reply: Aug 6, 2000
Consultants
Posted Aug 3, 2000
Consultants seem to always be making my job harder than it really is. Why is that? Aren't Consultants supposed to be all knowing, helpful people? Why are they being paid so much more money than I, if I'm the one correcting and improving upon their work? The Consultants with whom I work never seem to consult me about anything- they just take a really long time to get anything done and I end up scrambling at the end. Does anyone know what a Consultant actually does? Are they from another planet, because that would make a lot of sense.
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Latest reply: Aug 3, 2000
just this girl, you know
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