I enjoy talking to new people to figure out technology problems, and it’s always a surprise when you hear where they are from or what relation they have to where you are.
I used to have a joke, when I’d introduce myself to a crowd of non-Canadian people – “No, I do not know Jeff from Vancouver”.
I generally get an “Oh, you’re in Canada” response when I say where I’m from, which I’m only one of many, and despite all the ups and downs, imperfections, day-to-day struggles, and whatnot, it’s always nice to get that response and have that feeling we’re moving in the right direction. Because it’s not an “I” thing, it’s a “we” thing. When I was a Microsoft MVP for a few years, I loved the fact that our sweater was a great big hockey jersey with a maple leaf on it – that summed up life perfectly.
Last year I went to see a tractor parade on Canada Day (my first), if for no other reason than that it was there and I was surrounded by tons of people I didn’t know and I wanted to see what it was all about. So we were out there with our new community, cheering on locals as they went by, and that was a great and new way to celebrate it.
And that’s what it’s all about mostly.
So to all my fellow Canadians, have a great day!
