THIS is what religious oppression looks like » « Who doesn't like a 2X multiplier?

Canada, here I come!

I’ll be speaking at four different skeptical groups in Vancouver next week*. Here’s my crazy schedule (links go to facebook events):

Simon Fraser University Skeptics
Thurs. Nov. 25 3:30-5:30 pm in AQ 5037
Atheism and Feminism
Hour talk followed by Q&A
Free & open to the public
Likely impromptu pub night to follow

University of British Columbia Freethinkers
Fri. Nov. 26 7-9 pm in Buchanan A203
My Trip to the Creation Museum
Hour talk followed by Q&A
Free for members, $2 for general public
Post talk drinks and fun at the Frog and Firkin

CFI Vancouver
Cafe Inquiry with Jennifer McCreight
Sat. Nov. 27 11 am-1 pm at SFU Harbour Centre
Tentative topic: Closing the gender gap in skepticism
20 min talk followed by discussion
Free & open to public (donations welcome)

British Columbia Humanists
Sun. Nov. 28 9:30-11:30 am at Oakridge Seniors Centre
Boobquake & Its Aftershocks
Hour talk followed by Q&A
Open to public & donations welcome ($2 suggested)
I’ve never been to Canada before, and I can think of no better way to pop my Canada-cherry than hanging out with a bunch of skeptics and heathens. Especially since my other option for Thanksgiving break was sitting in my apartment dreaming about all the delicious food I’m missing out on since I wasn’t going home this year. A mini-vacation to Vancouver is a wonderful alternative, even though I’ll probably spend my time between talks working on homework. At least I’ll be working on homework in Canada.

…Though to show how much of an ignorant American I am sometimes, it didn’t originally dawn on me that Canadians don’t have the same Thanksgiving holiday as us. I promise to keep the stereotypical questions about bacon, hockey, and Celine Dion to a minimum.

*And by next week, I mean in two weeks. I have no concept of time, apparently.

THIS is what religious oppression looks like » « Who doesn't like a 2X multiplier?

Comments

  4. says

    Also, don’t ask about gasoline prices, the Canadian government, and being “America Light”.Two suggestions for crossing the border:1. If Canadian customs has an entry line called “bilingual”, take that one. The more polite and better trained (and French-speaking) border guards will be found there.2. Allow extra time to get back into America. American border guards are usually surly, and love to take their time letting you through.

  6. SuperHappyJen says

    Ah, but if you’re in Canada, you’ll have missed Thanksgiving all together. Ours is in October. BTW: Next time come to the Toronto area instead. For no reason except that’s where you’ll find yours truly

  8. Jared says

    Aww, I’m busy that weekend. I live on Vancouver Island anyway, so it’s a bit of a hassle to go over to the mainland for just one talk.I hope you enjoy your visit!

  9. says

    Too bad that I am no longer living in Vancouver. While I was there, I had fun with some Christian fundamentalists and priests. I drove away from a meeting just by voicing my opinion about some ridiculous stupid Christian beliefs.If you have time, I highly recommend you to stop by the Robson Square, where there are people playing chess. There are a few atheists there. Sometimes, you can see a Christian church group having a promotion event, and you can have a big laugh at them and their childish beliefs and wishful thinking.

  10. says

    i was surprised that a cavity search wasn’t required the last time i crossed the border back into the us… after going over for dinner after work.

  13. TheEye says

    Yay Jen! I would LOVE to hear you speak….if I wasn’t one province over. :(You should come to Alberta next. Out of all the provinces it’s definitely this one that needs a good dose of skepticism the most. Although we do have a famous paleontology museum and it doesn’t feature dinosaurs with saddles, so I suppose we could be worse.

  15. says

    Bah.. I’m on the wrong side of the Country. I will maintain that the whole “Celine Dion thing” is a reflection on the U.S. and not on Canada.. because you folks embraced her (and Avril, and Nickelback and Shania) yet CONTINUE to ignore the Tragically Hip. *shakes head*

  16. Jean Boisvert says

    I second that plea ! Come to Montreal. Vancouver is great, you’ll love it. But for a different experience, next time, go east !

  23. says

    Here are some icebreakers (ha HA):1) “Driving your dogsled to the post office once a month to get your mail – what’s up with that?”2) “Toque? That’s not how you spell ‘beanie’.”3) “Quebec.”

  25. kimmbot says

    I’m sure lots of Canadians read your blog – just ask the questions on here!a) Bacon: it’s good. We like it. You’ll probably find regular bacon rather than back bacon (I think Americans call it “Canadian bacon”, my mother calls it “peameal bacon”, you may see any of the above terms) in most places, but every once in awhile you’ll hit a diner where you can get it with your breakfast. I’d recommend doing so, it’s tasty.b) Hockey: Here’s a tip from a Canadian who’s lived in several major cities with a NHL team – if you’re not the kind of person who particularly follows hockey, then whatever city you’re in, say you’re a fan of that team. The team in Vancouver is the Canucks. c) Celine Dion is in Vegas most of the time and many of us would like her to stay there. IMO she hasn’t been especially relevant in English Canada since shortly after Titanic came out. If you ever come to Quebec though, you’ll hear her influence on the music.

  26. JM says

    I sent this page link to my daughter’s half brother, who is a student at UBC. Here’s hoping he brings a crowd to hear you. Wish I could go.

  27. says

    As a Canuck living on Vancouver Island….welcome! I’m hoping you’ll do a post or at least comment on what your experiences here were like. All the best, Cheers

  28. Aqua soc@ubc says

    I wish I was still on the coast! Come to Edmonton next time. Would love to meet you. Of course, I may be back on the coast by then. You’ll enjoy UBC. I did when I was there.

  29. says

    Totally go with stereotypical hockey talk. The local team is the Canucks (cus they are SO original; Canadian, Canuck. Get it?). They goalie is Luongo, and they have the Sedin Twins if you REALLY want to fit in. Don’t mention Todd Bertuzzi or Steve Moore. Might not go down well. (google it).Get a poutine. They’re yummy. Forget Montreal, Toronto is where it’s at!Oh and chances are it will be raining. AND you can go visit Canada’s first safe injection site if you are so inclined.I was born in N. Van but haven’t lived there since I was a kid, so let me know how it is! I also fully expect you to immigrate north when you realize how AWESOME we are.

  31. says

    Oh and the REASON we have a different Thanksgiving is because, being further north, our harvest season ends a month earlier. We are battened down for winter up here.

  32. Theindigolemon says

    Come to New York! I’ll stare at your creepily and offer up a secular prayer for an arousal your occasional lesbian impulses… I mean learn from your valuable leadership experiences. Come anyway!

  33. Theindigolemon says

    I mean:Come to New York! I’ll stare at you creepily and offer up a secular prayer for an arousal of your occasional lesbian impulses… I mean learn from your valuable leadership experiences. Come anyway!Jesus, sorry.

  37. says

    Well, in BC, I think you are correct that the local tribal areas are a group that designates their territory as Canuckistan, but the more general term for the broader area is officially Canadistan, I believe..

  41. Jenny says

    In Vancouver, you don’t have to daydream about delicious food. One of the chains, White Spot, will serve you a turkey dinner (on the menu year round, quite good) if you like, or just Yelp restaurants near where you’ll be-Vancouver is very multi-ethnic and many people serve the delicious foods of their old country.

  42. nobody says

    Do yourself a favour, though, and don’t go to the mini-White Spot at Simon Fraser University. :-)

  45. Michelle L says

    Yay you’re coming to my town!!! not exactly typical thanksgiving fare but I would recomend some sushi:)

  46. Xena says

    Yeah, I can think of some Ann Coulter “oppressors” in Ottawa who’d love to have Jen talk at their school ;-)Some of us less brazen folk who weren’t lucky enough to watch Ann Coulter get chased out of our schools would love to hang out with Jen too. Next time.Have fun in BC (tommorrow?) And when you check out Tim Horton’s, try a nanaimo bar. You’ll love them.

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