Oink

I was meant to go fishing today with two ‘friends” but something came up and I couldn't go, but they insisted they should still be allowed to go out, so the two bastards are enjoying themselves on a nice sunny day. They said they’d put gas in the boat but I won’t be holding my breath. And then one of the cheeky cads, said, as he was picking up the bait I'd brined, was wondering if they should not take the sandwiches and sausage rolls I’d made with them.

rivingtonpike

Sounds familiar. I remember having "friends" like that in the UK as well, so I don't think it's exclusively a Canadian thing (not that that makes it any better!).

Oink

One has just called as he thought I'd left beer in the cooler. I suggested they might want to stop at Ambleside as there is a dock and a liquor store very close. Of course that'll mean they have to put their hand in their pockets.

scrubbedexpat091

I am a lot better at it online. In real life, I get anxious with groups and become the quiet one in the back who doesn't say much.

I am better with just 1 or 2 people, but still hard to break the ice since my interests are not what you'd call main stream.

(airplanes, fish, disneyland, reptiles and such.)

Oink

I'm glad you clarified.

scrubbedexpat091

My entire social life since 1998 has revolved around the internet in some way.

Prior to that, I did pretty much nothing but school since I was still a kid and teenager prior to that. I did try a couple camps back when I was a youngster, but I didn't like them and more or less forced my parents to pull me out.

xxdb

People make the mistake of thinking that moving is going to make them happier. It doesn't work. The place doesn't make you happy. I personally am I grumpy bastard and I'm good with it. I'm also good with the fact that Canadians annoy me. I'm also good with the fact that fellow Brits back home annoy the hell out of me. I can live in either place because I've accepted that both are shite. Just different kinds of shite. All in all, I'd rather be in Canada if the money is good. If the money is not good I'd rather be back home IF I can get enough money back home to make the shite things tolerable. Unlike some other posters here who can be content with making buttons and just surviving and I surmise just enjoying the simple things in life, I guess I must have been a spoiled bastard and I consider myself to be poor when I have to count my pennies and I don't like that. I don't know how to make you happy mate. I think happiness is elusive. I think the yanks were very smart when they talked about "life, liberty and the *pursuit* of happiness" because it seems to be the ones on here who are just trying to enjoy small things who are pursuing happiness and making do. Anyways. End of. Rant.

scrubbedexpat091

Oh trust me, I would bet a many who are making buttons and just surviving would love to make more and not have to just survive, but at the end of the day, us average folk don't have a whole lot of control over our income, we live in a take it or leave it world, the employer dictates pay with no negotiation room.

Those who can negotiate pay, and earn enough to not just survive, are lucky indeed.

xxdb

If you're average how did you get in to Canada? Because the points system is pretty hard to pass.

scrubbedexpat091

Family Class. I was married to a Canadian at one point in my life who didn't want to move to the US.

bats

What a bizarre concept, that average people can't get in to Canada.

Goody86

What a bizarre concept, that people view themselves as average

Shard

What about normal people?

Zoe Bell

you know that, statistically, some people are ?

xxdb

Fair enough. In my own personal experience most Brit immigrants I know came in through the points system.

Good luck mate and I'm glad you like it and are doing better than in the US.