Here it is. Video and a podcast...

Citizenship on Vimeo



I crossed the border to Canada on November 1, 1999. I really wasn't sure what I was getting into, especially when I stopped for dinner in Estevan. The waitress offered me gravy with my fries so I gave it a go. Not impressed with the gravy. Really not a great start to my Canadain adventure. Oh well, it is just gravy. I can change Canada into a 'ranch with your fries' loving country, maybe.

Man I had no idea what I was getting into. I am a guy who is into the little things. Don't get me wrong, I love my 50 inch Samsung, but as far as the things I miss not being in the USA it is things that you may find insignificant. For instance, at KFC here in Canada they do not serve those amazing mashed potatoes or the melt in your mouth corn bread. The first time I went to KFC and asked for corn bread the guy looked at me like I was on crack. I almost cried. Now I know you may say, 'Come on Chris, that is just KFC. Get over it.' I am sorry but I can't. When I was in San Jose for the NHL playoffs this year Blashill and me went to KFC and I had corn bread. Again I almost cried. This time for a good reason.

Television in Canada is still another thing that I have some issues with. When Donna told me to call Shaw and order cable shortly after we moved in. I love ordering TV. I called Shaw and spoke with a rep. I told her I want whatever package that gets me ESPN and HBO. She told me that a person cannot order HBO or ESPN in Canada, but she could give me Showcase and TSN. I told her that I did not want them I wanted HBO and ESPN, I do not stutter. She again informed me that it is not available. How do I get them then? You can't. At that point, I almost cried. I called Donna and told her to stop unpacking boxes, we are going back. I just could not fathom how to live with out ESPN highlights in the morning.

The other things that I miss are Dakota Kid seeds, Peanut Butter Cap'n Crunch, Leinenkeugals Beer, Schlotzky's, All of Wisconsin, Mountain Dew with Caffiene, infomercials on the weekends, TNT, College Football, Arena football, and a few other things I can't think of right now.

Don't get me wrong, I am not miserable up here. I like Canada. I have experienced a lot of living up here that I may not have been able to do living in the states. We had both our children here in Canada and that gave Donna the first year to stay home with them. That ain't happening in the States. Health care is great. Living in the States I never went to the doctor because it was way too expensive. Here I went and the doc found a thyroid problem that he said if I had not caught would have done me in. Oh and I did not have to pay for the visit. Unless you consider the taxes I pay a way of paying. Then yes I paid for it but I am okay with that.


Trev, Mike, Me, Kirk, Phil, Jordi, Wes, Adrian

I have met some of the best people here in Canada. Some lifelong friends. Some of which were at the ceremony last Friday. Kirk Heuser drove all the way from Calgary to be there. That was awesome. Kirk signed as a witness on my ballot in the election that George stole from Gore. He is quite proud of that. I worked with Kirk at the now defunkt A-Channell. I get quite proud when I say that. That is another thing about being in Canada. I experienced 8 months of the best and the worst during the A-Channell strike. During that time I experienced the some of the best and worst behaviour in people. I also learned alot about myself and where I stand in life. I wouldn't change any of that. Plus we kicked the crap out of that station. Really proud of that. Adrian, Wes, Phil, Mike, and Jordi all were there for that. I feel a special bond with everyone that I spent time with on the picket line.


Trev taking a pic

Trev I also worked with at the A. He helped me through one of the toughest days I have ever spent at work. The day after September 11th, as the ND was coming up with all these stupid ways to 'tie in' the tragedy to Edmonton, Trev and I were sent on a roadie to some small town about a story that did not even matter. We listened to Packer songs on the CD player, and just tried to forget what happened the day before. I will never forget that day and what he did. Trev is a great 'uncle' to my McKenna and a great friend. The boys from Regina on the BallHawgs are okay, when they are not tearing down my house. James Williams provided the Gretzky Jersey that I wore at the ceremony. He needs to get over the 5-2 thing, I have. Blair and Carey are great friends that are always there when we need them.

I have a great job here in Canada as a sports photographer for a national network. Not sure if I could have landed that in the States. I work for a great company out of Calgary that really cares for it's employees and just doesn't give lip service to that. Through that job I have seen a Stanley Cup Final, the World Baseball Classic, an NBA MVP announcement, a Brier, and cover pro teams on a daily basis.



I have also made a great friend in Mr. Blashill who works for Sportsnet. He has taught me a lot, kept me calm in crisis situations, and is a major pain in my ass on daily. Which I need. AND he came out on his day off and shot my ceremony. I know what it is like to shoot on your day off and I know a guy usually does not like doing it. So thanks Cory for doing me a solid. Plus your editing is okay for a Canadian, wait, oh never mind.


Thumbs up for Canada

In summary, my stay here in Canada has been great. During the Stanley Cup playoffs when the anthem guy pointed his mic toward the roof of Rexall and every person in the place belted out the Star Spangled Banner and then tore up Oh Canada it gave me a great sense of pride. The fact that all these Canadians would sing 'my song' like that made me very proud. I would have never gone near the citizenship thing had I not felt I owed it to the country for allowing me to be around all these great people. Including my wife. I also did it for her because I wanted to show her I am committed to being here in Canada with her as long as we need to be. I know I have said in the past that the main reason why I got the citizenship was to vote Harper out of power, but in reality it is my simple way to pay respect to the country and it's great people. Now when I say 'my song' it means I have two. Thank you Canada.