Can't say I've noticed them that much, I'd say there are less than usual if anything.

Thank the city spray crews that have been killing them in larval stage. They've really been on top of it this year. I've been fishing out near Craven all week and there are tons, also many many woodticks and little noseeums that can bite right through jeans.

We were sitting in our backyard last night with neighbours, and the mosquitoes were out in full force, even with three citronella candles lit around us. Also, what the hell, they are GIANT this year! And will happily stab right through your clothing too. I only lasted about 15 minutes outside, but my parents were out way longer... So far I haven't noticed any bites, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time.

As a city dweller I move from one hermetically sealed environment to the next.
I am ok with this

Honestly,

"The bugs are bigger/more of them this year!" - No there aren't

"The TV is worse!" - No it isn't

"Everything costs more!" - No it doesn't

"The utilities are way higher!" - No they aren't

"The taxes are higher!" - No they aren't

"There's more crime!" - No there's not

"The shops aren't as good." - Yes they are

"It's boring!" - No it's not


I believe I have identified a new psychological condition that I'm going to term: "EWW" which is short for: "Ex-pat Whinging Withdrawal", essentially a condition whereby a person cannot come to terms with the fact they no longer have much to complain about.

The only thing Canadians actually complain about a lot imx are that their hockey team never wins, their cellphone bill is really high, how crap the postal service is and the weather. Oh, and Québec occasionally.

I'm sorry but what's your point?

You think the bolded bit doesn't prove beyond all reasonable doubt, once and for all, that Canada is boring?

Two things here. One is that if you have previously had wimpy mosquitoes that ran at the whiff of citronella you have had it easy.

Secondly, it isn't nice to lock your parents outside as a lure for the mossies.

He is right on a couple of things. Cellphone bills are usurious and Canada Post is dismal.

At least Canada has proper weather. There is some proper weather happening right now. I don't mind that. It'll save me from getting a fine from the city for watering my garden.

At least the Cup should be over tonight. The Kings are 3-1 up in the series and playing at home. Then we can get back into the important stuff of the trading season. I have a bet on with one of my neighbours about who the next captain of the Habs will be.

First para: Yes, those were part of the bolded bit.

Second para: Are you telling me that it is a-raining in Hull? I've already heard that on my shortwave radio.

Third para: Get a (non-Canadian) life.

Which Hull are you talking about?

I do not have much of a life at the moment. Souvette has been away for a week fixing up a house we just bought and will be away for another week before coming home briefly and then pushing off again. I don't really have any friends to talk to.

All I'm doing is working, sleeping, drinking beer and watching hockey, which is now over.

In the past we usually have 6 candles and 4 torches going, so the backyard usually looks a bit like some crazy ritual is going on. It keeps most of them at bay, it's better than nothing. Doesn't sort it 100%, though.

And I didn't lock them outside! They were outside with friends, we came home, said hello, chatted for a bit, then decided to move inside. (We'd just come back from yoga and were sweaty anyway.) My parents and neighbours came in about 15 minutes later.

So you say.m

Those citronella candles, have been less than useless to us. I bought citronella plants and have them in all of my tubs...they smell nice but the mozzies seem unmoved...this is NB and everything is slow and stubborn after all! Two days ago I bought a bumper pack of "Deep Woods Off" from Costco (avert your eyes Oink) and it seems to be working, I smell like hell, and look greasy too, but appear to be non bitten

Jesus, never mind the mozzies, WTF is this huge wasp thing on my mower! The tail on it was a good 6 inches or more!
(Im told that we men sometimes have a hard time distinguishing what exactly 6" looks like, but trust me, it was HUGE!)

Only if your metric for determining boredom is how much you complain about things.