Funding!

I got the grant! That means that I'll be able to plan at least one, perhaps two, trips to Canada to meet with folks who've agreed to participate in the "Magnetic North" project. Yippee! Most likely that means that if I can't swing it in October when we have a long weekend, I'll plan to visit Toronto next January (yeah, silly me) when I'm not teaching. I'm going to Portland, OR in April of next year so I may try to add Vancouver to that trip. Rock on!

Hope your weather is as beautiful as ours is here in the Twin Cities!

Yet one more reason...

First, I appreciate the debate over whether hate crime legislation is the way to go. That is, I appreciate the arguments for and against increased penalties when something is deemed a hate crime. "Hate crimes under current federal law apply to acts of violence against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, or national origin." But, it seems to me that if a jurisdiction chooses to pass such legislation, as has the federal government, it should include sexual orientation.

The House, yesterday, passed legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing hate crime legislation. The Senate is expected to pass a similar bill. Now, I know you'll be shocked, but, yes, Bush plans to veto the legislation if/when it reaches his desk.

Let's see - Congress passes legislation to set a timeline on Iraq. Bush vetoes. Congress, it appears, will pass the hate crime legislation. Bush plans to veto. What a @#$%.

Best Places to Live

Check out Money Sense and the "Canada's Best Places to Live" rankings.

Masochism

I happened upon the last twenty minutes or so of the first GOP "debate." I kept thinking, "Someday I'm going to look back and say that the best thing I ever did was get my son out of the country." Somebody wants to eliminate a federal income tax. Somebody, digging at Clinton, spouted off about how horrible national health care would be. Somebody, I think it was evil, evil Duncan Hunter, said that we "had license to take military action" against Iran. Throw in Sam Brownback and a little pro-life rhetoric and the biggest #@$% in the world, John McCain... ugh. Pathetic. Just pathetic.

BTW, the debate was held at the Reagan Library. Nancy "Just Say No" Reagan with there, seated with Schwarznegger. She isn't looking good. Very, very frail.

In other news, did you hear about Joan Baez being denied permission to perform with John Mellencamp at Walter Reed? I don't think a day goes by that I don't hear something that makes me even more disgusted. Is there a point at which it won't be possible to be further disgusted?

Well, so much for the uplifting post.

Vote Kucinich.

Grrrr...

So, there I was. Settling into a hot bath, relaxing, and catching up on the latest issue of Mother Jones. Now I realize it might not make sense to relax with that particular magazine, because so much of the material is distressing. But, it's distressing in a "thank goodness someone can articulate what I think" kind of way.

Imagine my surprise when I read this letter to the editor:
"Although I appreciateed Cameron Scott's 'The Gay Marriage Stimulus Package," what about the fiscal liabilities once you consider Social Security? Wouldn't recognizing those additional marriages put additional strain on the already underfunded Social Security system? And you assume that in same-sex couples, both work and would move up the economic ladder. How about those who might marry the unemployed or quit to raise dependents?"
Nancy Mendez, Silver Spring, Maryland

I'm choking on the heterosexism. And to read that kind of crap in Mother Jones? Spare me.

PR Cards

Just a quick note to tell you all that we are now in possession of PR cards for P and 6YO. It is surely one of the most fabulous things ever to see 6YO's face smiling at me from just below the Canadian flag and the words "Government of Canada." Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Or something like that! Now to get my photo off to them!

Whoosh!

I can't believe my last post was two weeks ago tomorrow, as I sat in my room in Victoria, looking out at the harbour...

I just had to post this quick update - I had a great time in Victoria, met with several of our cyberfamily, and so forth. I took the red-eye back and remembered that I just don't do well on three hours of sleep any more. It took me several days to begin to catch up from a week's absence. Then, last Thursday I thought my head was going to explode. The doctor got a BP reading of 162/108 so I'm back on meds. I don't really know why it's up. Maybe it was the "you're over 50 now, you get to have a colonoscopy!" date approaching. BTW, I will NOT be serving as the colonoscopy poster child any time soon. Anyway, after a week and a half of headaches, procedure prep, post-sedation delirium, etc. things seem to be getting back to normal. Thus, my lack of posts following the trip, etc.

The good news/bad news story is that P's and 6YO's PR cards have arrived. My photograph, however, was unacceptable and I have to send a new one. I guess with everything else having gone so smoothly I can't complain about this little delay!

So, a short post, I know. But, trying to get things on an even keel. And, while I'm not posting much of the way in comments, know that I'm reading the other blogs and loving hearing how everyone's doing.

It's hard to believe that nine weeks from Saturday we arrive in Halifax! Of course, between here and then we have finals, commencement, one week with the mother-in-law (or should that be mother-not-in-law?) in town, two weeks in Europe... I'll post as I can, but know that I'm here! BTW, Tom and Emilio, tomorrow night in my Sexuality and the Law class we're reading some immigration cases and I'm going to show the clip that's on the Through Thick and Thin website!

More as it happens!

Canadian Soldiers

And then there's the bad news. I turned on the tv, anxious for a dose of CBC. It was all hockey until one of the guys said that more Canadian soldiers had been killed in Afghanistan. What was so refreshing, even in the face of the tragic news, was the genuine reaction of the broadcaster to include a comment that I wish I had written down. It was something along the lines of things having to change. You don't see that in the US media, at least I haven't.

Greetings from Victoria, BC!

I thought that it was time for an update. And, since today is the first anniversary of this blog, all the more reason to post, eh?

I arrived in Seattle on Sunday morning and had a delightful lunch with Daniel and Alan of Would Be Canadians. It was just great to meet them in "real time and space" and compare notes, etc. BTW, if you find yourself in Seattle, I recommend a visit to Julia's on Broadway. I then ventured back to the hotel and took care of some odds-n-ends before my next appointment. Since I was going to be working at Seattle University, I stayed at the Silver Cloud - Broadway, also recommended. Although I didn't need to use them, any "regular hotel" room that includes a mini-fridge and microwave is high on my list. Also, it was super clean.

That evening I met my friend and colleague, J, who had recruited me to do the work. We went to Cafe Septieme where I had - I was in the Pacific Northwest after all - salmon on a really good risotto with a balsamic reduction. In a word - yum! Aside from the "work briefing" it was great to catch up. We hadn't visited in several years. And, I finally got to meet her partner of six years. I was really beginning to think she was the imaginary partner. Not really, but it was great to be able to finally meet her.

Fortunately, J had crafted a very civilized schedule for me with my first meeting on Monday at 10:30 am. I spent the day "interviewing" members of the department, met with students, etc. I had a break and then went to dinner with J and two other members of the department. We had a great time chatting about this, that, and the other. One of them is Canadian, too! A bonus, to be sure. They were very interested in my process and project. We at at La Spiga where, no surprise, I splurged on the Tiramisu.

Tuesday was a repeat with a late start and a day full of interviews. I had another late afternoon break and then met J for our debriefing. We wandered over to the Wildrose, a predominantly lesbian bar, for a bite. We debriefed and visited and debriefed and visited. I was able to get caught up on all the disciplinary-dyke-drama that I miss by being in the Midwest. Oh, that's disciplinary as in the discipline in which I teach, not as in "bondage and..." Before I knew it, it was almost 10 pm. So, we said our goodbyes and I got packed for an early departure.

Seattle is always terrific. I didn't wander beyond Capitol Hill at all. Not even to Elliott Bay Book Co. But, I had a wonderful time nonetheless. The department I was visiting is full of incredibly friendly and dynamic people and scholars. The urban campus is beautiful. And, I got to visit an old friend and respected colleague. And, they paid my way and paid me, too. All in all, it was a fabulous trip.

This morning I was up at 5:45, waiting for the shuttle at 7. After a few other stops I was deposited at Pier 69 for the Victoria Clipper. After an uneventful trip - during which I actually got some grading done - I arrived in Victoria. The customs officer looked at my passport and said, "Are you moving back?" Alas, I had to inform her that we hadn't moved to Canada yet, only landed. What do you mean, you might say, "only" landed?!? You're right. We've LANDED! But, we anxiously await the next phase of our journey. Anyway, cleared, off I went.

I had lunch with M, one of the participants in the immigration project. We had visited here almost two years ago and it was great to both catch up and keep going with the project. I won't share details because I am trying to keep the project and the personal somewhat separate - though it's hard with all the gray lines of relationships - but I will say that she is very happy and that living in Canada very, very much agrees with her! We had lunch at Santiago's which, I just realized, as I'm typing, is the place that I think I'm going tonight with Mary and Diane, the women from Canada-is-Calling. The food was tasty, so no problem!

I'm now in my hotel where, from the desk, I can see the harbor. Or, perhaps I should write, "harbour." The Coho Ferry is several hundred meters away and I can see the Canadian flag waving in the breeze. What a view. I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing that. But, then, if you're reading this you probably have a very good idea!

I'm staying at the Days Inn - Victoria on the Harbour. This is where P and I stayed when we did our quickie honeymoon in May 2005. Unfortunately I had to come alone this time. Bummer. If you come to Vic via the Clipper it's a great place to stay. It's across the street from the ferry terminal and within walking distance of much of what you might wish to do here. What isn't within walking distance is accessible via tour bus or public transit. And, for those who prefer, there are car rental locations within walking distance. Also, this time of year I was able to book a room on-line, queen bed with a harbour view, for 79.20 CAD, including a continental breakfast. Pretty good, I think.

So, that brings you up to speed, I think. Hope all is well. It's snowing in Minnesota. Today is 11 April. Our first snow of this "season" was on 11 October. These pictures were taken then. Six months? What's wrong with that picture? I mean, really.

More as it happens! As if you had any doubt.

Family Movie Night

Scene: Mama, Mommy, and 6YO are watching Charlotte’s Web. Fern has just rescued Wilbur, the pig, from certain death. Scene changes abruptly to bacon frying in a pan.

6YO: What’s that?

Mommy: [Having already discussed that bacon = pig, says, deadpan] Pig.

6YO: It’s not a pig!

Mama: It’s irony.

6YO: [With the certainty of a six year old] Yeah, it’s not a pig, it’s irony.

Books, movies, etc.

A few things I'm reading...

Dead Centre: Hope, Possibility, and Unity for Canadian Progressives
Jamey Heath
Interesting, especially for one who doesn't (yet) understand a lot of the details of Canadian politics.

American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America
Chris Hedges
Recommended by another soon-to-be expat. Compelling. Reminds me of the Huey Long quote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the American flag.''

Differences That Matter: Social Policy And the Working Poor in the United States And Canada
Dan Zuberi
Nice piece of scholarship, but readable for the non-academic interested in the issues.

Mercy Among the Children
David Adams Richards
Recommended by a guy in New Brunswick - Richards, now living in Toronto, has set many, if not all of his fiction in New Brunswick - this is truly the most depressing book I've ever read. I don't know if I'll finish it.

The Birth House
Ami McKay
I don't read much fiction, but I couldn't put this one down. One of my favorite books ever, and that's saying a lot. As an aside, I was fascinated by the choice of covers, Canadian vs. US. Check the links. The Canadian hardcover had the woman holding her belly. The US hardcover was a bench in front of a house. Found that curious. Again, I loved this book!

Aside from the kids' flicks (e.g., Flushed Away, Charlotte's Web...) that I see, I don't often get to see movies. Over break I made a point, encouraged by l-girl's post, to see The US vs. John Lennon. I highly recommend it. I also saw All the King's Men (Sean Penn) which was okay. Yesterday I tried to watch The Battle of Algiers, but turned it off after about 45 minutes. It was fascinating. The parallels to today, as many of you no doubt have thought about, are more than striking. But, I just couldn't watch any more of it. Which reminds me, I had the same reaction to last week's issue of Newsweek, "Voices of the Fallen." I am just so sickened by the course of events it leaves me both outraged and hopeless.

In a word: r-e-v-o-l-u-t-i-o-n

Travel, travel!

It's that time of the semester where things get crazy busy and one starts counting the days until Commencement. In particular, I'm thinking about travels. A few things have come up in that regard and I'm just thrilled.

As some of you know, I travel to Seattle and Victoria beginning on 8 April. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you in real time and to just being in places I enjoy so much. On 2 June I leave for Trier, Germany to teach a two week seminar (Social Inequality: The United States) with one of my colleagues. I've booked a ticket to Luxembourg - it's closer than Frankfurt - via a 9 hour layover in London. I fly back on 16 June, via a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. Enough time, barring the unexpected, to run into town(s) for a bit. I really wanted to return via Amsterdam so that I could bring back a stash of old Gouda. Hmmm, maybe stash is the wrong word to use in this context!

While I've known about the trip to Trier for a while, the real unexpected aspect is that I decided to go to Stockholm for the middle weekend. I got a ticket on Ryan Air - an adventure in itself - for 74 euro. I was even able to book reasonable accommodations - no small feat. I have two students who just returned from a semester in Sweden so they're giving me their tips on prioritizing what to do. And, although it's hardly "tourism," I don't know that I can resist going to IKEA just to have been in one in Sweden. Lame, I know...

I get back on 16 June and two weeks later we fly into Halifax! We'll spend a couple of days there - including going to the Tattoo on Canada Day! Then, we spend a few days near Wolfville/Port Williams. Later that week we're going to Fredericton, NB to check things out. We return to Halifax on the 10th and fly out on the 12th. Can't wait!

The only "glitch" in the plans, thus far, is that, apparently, flying in and out of Great Britain they permit you only to carry your wallet, ID, and meds on board. Everything else is to be checked. Thus, I won't be bringing my laptop on that trip. Since I'm not only changing planes, but carriers, I just don't want to risk checking it. I'll have to rely on Internet cafes - generally not a problem in Europe - to post now and again.

So, that's the latest. Right now it's dreadfully cool and rainy here. But, summer is coming! I've got more to post that's less upbeat, but I think I'll save that for later. Nothing personal, just the dreadful state of current affairs. Hope all is well with you!

Friday Evening

Not much news. A week ago we had just landed. Can't top that.

Looking forward to meeting up with folks in Seattle and Victoria in early April. I have a feeling that the next few months will just fly. And, that's great because I can't wait for our trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in July. Can't wait. Did I mention that I can't wait?

I'm thrilled beyond words to have landed and to be one step closer to getting to Canada, but I wish that there was more I could actually be doing! I can't really do much regarding the move, etc. until it's closer. If anything I should be working on the house every day, but can't do that very easily with 6YO under foot. Summer projects, summer projects. Unfortunately, the housing market has really taken a hit. I'm not terribly confident, given the state of affairs in this country, that things will pick up much in the next year either. Oh, well, easy come, easy go...

Well, that's it from sunny Saint Paul where it was 65 degrees today. Hallelujah!

The Wolf

This is one of the coolest things ever...

Last Saturday, we had just come through the border, back into Minnesota. We were listening to one of our favorite CDs; one we picked up in Winnipeg a couple of years ago. It's Aaron Burnett's "Call of the Wild," a CD really meant for kids, but very fun. The song, "I'm a Wolf Hear My Howl" was playing. We were "howling" along. All of a sudden, a wolf loped across the road about 40-50m in front of us. I've seen lots of coyotes, lots of deer, and even several bears, but I've never seen a wolf in the wild. I could see clearly that it was definitely a wolf. It was truly one of the coolest things ever.

I think we'll have to adopt the wolf as our family totem. Check this out: "Because wolf is a teacher and pathfinder, he comes when we need guidance in our lives. . . . Wolf teaches us to develop strength and confidence in our decisions." I thought that was oddly appropriate to having just landed.

Welcome to Canada, have fun!

Greetings from Thunder Bay, Ontario! Here's an account of yesterday...

We left the house around 8 am. After picking up bagels we were on our way. Since we had 6YO and our dog with us, we stopped at Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock State Park, and Grand Portage State Park along the way. You turn into Grand Portage about 100 m in front of the border. We were walking the trail back to the falls when I promptly fell. As I was going down I was thinking, "NOTHING is going to keep me from being able to land today!" That is, land in Canada, not on my ass. Short of some sore body parts this morning and a strawberry on my knee, all is well.

We approached customs, gave the fellow (who looked about 12) our passports and explained that we were landing. He was a bit confused, but then got the idea, did his thing, and directed us to parking. We went inside, told them what we were doing and they directed us to the Immigration window. A nice officer took our paperwork and he, too, was confused. Our paperwork indicates our original destination of Vancouver and we were providing a Nova Scotia address. That lead to a few questions. I was, being neurotic anyway, really nervous! He checked every detail on the COPR and then gave all the other paperwork back and said to go to the Customs window. The guy there was very nice, though he did look closely at the Goods to Follow list and asked a few questions about the B4. He then said, "Few people are this prepared" and seemed pleased. After that, which took about five minutes, we had to wait. And wait. And wait. And my blood pressure went, I'm sure, higher and higher.

With all the posters about traveling with children, missing children, etc. we both thought that maybe they were running a variety of searches. Even though we all have the same names we hadn't thought to bring the birth certificate showing that we are both, in fact, 6YO's moms. We waited. 6YO whined. And we waited. At one point he called me up and asked for a phone number he could put down. After almost an hour - and I was getting very anxious having read about those who breeze through the process - he called us up. He asked, in a friendly way, if we were legally married. I said, "Yes, in Canada." He replied that "a lot of folks were doing that." We initialled that we hadn't ever been convicted of a crime, signed that above statements were truthful, and signed the COPR. He showed us how our passports were stamped indicating permanent resident status and gave us the carbon of the COPR. He THEN said that we were the first people he had ever landed and that that's why it had taken so long, adding that he had to do some reading! Whew! I was thinking, ya' know, it would have been okay if you had told me that to begin with! He then said, "Welcome to Canada, have fun!" Rock on!

So, over an hour after crossing the border, we were on our way! I would have liked to have been able to "enjoy" it more, but after all that time on the road and the wait I was just relieved.

We went on up the road to Thunder Bay and checked into the hotel. Lo' and behold, our dear and sneaky friends, G & D, had called ahead and paid for our room. Is that sweet!?! We ordered multi-grain pizza for delivery - do we know how to party or what - and ate in the room. We had planned to go in the pool, but 6YO was content watching a DVD and we were exhausted. But, I wasn't too exhausted to make a quick run to Chapters to feed my habit.

I got back around 10:30 and crashed.

BTW, just about every single person I've passed in the hallway says, "Hello." As P said, that may take some getting used to...

6YO and P are in the pool now. I'm going to get us packed up. We plan to get breakfast, stop at the Canadian Superstore (which I confess to loving so don't tell me anything bad about them) stop at the cheese farm outside of town and head back. I have to be ready at 8 am tomorrow as I've volunteered - way before I knew we'd be landing - to help with a school event.

That's it. We're permanent residents. I can't quite believe it. It's still sinking in that we got through all the hoops and did it!

More soon!

Tomorrow, tomorrow...

Early tomorrow we will pile into our rental car and head north about 300 miles to Pigeon River. The hotel we're staying at is supposed to have wireless so I'll post an update when I can. Hopefully the next time I post we will have landed!

Regarding Landing

Seems like for 10 people there are 10 different experiences, but...

The instructions for landing suggest that one should have everything like marriage certificate, birth certificates, diplomas, kitchen sink, etc. on hand. BUT, I've never seen anyone's description of landing mention having to drag out anything of the kind. Anyone out there care to share their thoughts.

Similarly, did anyone run into issues with Goods to Follow such as being asked for photos of jewelry, etc?

I'm typically obsessive about following instructions to the letter, but I don't want to go digging through things unnecessarily, taking and printing photos unnecessarily, etc.

We have, at the ready, passports with visas, COPR, proof of funds, and (soon) Goods to Follow lists. Anyone think we should have other stuff on hand?

Thanks!

The Eagle has Landed

Sitting right here, on the dining room table, are three US passports each containing a Canadian immigrant visa that is good until 5 January 2008. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Hard to believe! I stayed home this morning because I had a feeling they would arrive. I heard the mail carrier, saw the brown envelope, saw "Canada" in the font I know so well... I can't quite believe it. 647 days from filing the application. As one acquaintance said, you wait and wait and wait, and wait some more and then, whoosh, you've got 'em! Okay, back to breathing and off to work!

Later: So, being one of the most risk averse people I know... we're thinking that rather than wait until our summer vacation to land we'll drive up to the border and "land" so that it's done. Ironically, the only free weekend we have coming up happens also to be the weekend closest to the second anniversary of our Canadian marriage. So, that's fun, too.

Question - I seem to recall reading that there is some form to get if you anticipate having to re-enter Canada before your PR card arrives. Does that ring true to anyone out there?

Thanks - now back to gazing at my visa... -)

Decision Made

One might be inclined to find it anti-climactic, but not me! I had heard, for ages, that CIC e-client was updated on Mondays. Whether this is true or not, I don't know. But, I checked this morning anyway and, whaddya know, it reads...

"We started processing your application on June 13, 2005.

We transferred your application to the Detroit office on June 13, 2006. The Detroit office may contact you.

Medical results have been received.

A decision has been made on your application. The office will contact you concerning this decision."

We, of course, already sent our passports and they are on their way back to us. But, it is still VERY cool to actually SEE the above on the CIC site. Last week is still said, "The Detroit office may contact you." Woo-hoo!!!

Have a fab day!

Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" now!

If you read one thing from here in the next year, please read this. And, be sure to go here, too.

Though I've not yet seen any coverage in the press, yesterday, Marty Meehan (D-MA) was scheduled to reintroduce legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Regardless of what you think about the military or military service, this is bad law. Bad, bad, bad.

This photo, from the second link above, is priceless - shrub visiting and honoring a war veteran, not knowing that the man he is visiting is gay.

Thanks!