TEA & TWO SLICES: On Hating Bieber And The World’s 4th Least Stylish Neighborhood
October 12, 2012
by Sean Orr | An insult to sell-outs everywhere: Chairman Harper and the Chinese Sell-Out. I read so much news I am turning into a bitter, jaded old man. I mean, this is super important, and I’m sure I could be called out for doing a similar thing, but god damn if this doesn’t come off as paranoid hyperbole. I mean, “economic treason”? He’s just a fat corporate dweeb and we would do well not to make him into some terrifying shadowy figure. Besides, I’m voting for Strange Women Lying Around in Ponds Distributing Swords 2012.
Reality has always been virtual: Bieber fan feels wrath of Twitterverse after Rick Rypien memorial graffitied (w/ video). I don’t know…maybe that we’ve made it into a sub-reality with it’s own cute little name (“Twitterverse”) is what’s wrong in the first place. Case of mistaken identity? Delete your account and chalk it up as the price of using a free technology that connects you to millions upon millions of complete strangers.
That being said, this is awful. Cyberbullying: Outpouring of grief over teen’s suicide (with video). Not just the teen’s suicide, but also how all the media outlets keep showing her video. Perhaps the focus should be on how we deal with bullies instead.
The lost Canadian toast. Cultural appropriation is da bomb!
Gastown named 4th most stylish neighbourhood in the world. And with that, Gastown is no longer the most sylish neighbourhood in the world. I’m going to start wearing Columbia Rain Jackets and tear-away fleece yogapants to make it worse.
But wait, a new contender has emerged! Canada’s Next Great Neighbourhoods: Hastings-Sunrise, Vancouver. Why can’t we just be happy with who we are? “Over its 140-year-history, the area’s primarily working-class base has kept things down to earth, even when the fervour of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games ushered in shiny condos, a trendy foodie scene and a rebranding as the East Village”. So you mean Hastings-Sunrise has, in fact, failed to keep things down to earth? Am confused.
Blame Toronto? Blame Vision? Toronto bankers put the squeeze on Vancouver real-estate developers. Although this reeks of western alienation it presents us with a quandary: while more regulation of the economy by the Conservative government may prevent a bubble, it also prevents bankers from taking risks on lower income families. But that doesn’t mean it’s an oversight on behalf of Vision, and I still don’t understand why people are freaking out about thin streets. I really don’t.
Ottawa to consider penning oilsands caribou. OMG! I am such a genius…(read aloud in the voice of Dr. Steve Brule)…instead of pipelines…get the reindeer to carry the oil, silly!
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Right so I read this. Though I don’t think that you’re a “bitter jaded old man” I do find your reverse elitism rather interesting. You really need to look at the province of British Columbia in its real history and glory. This province, is founded on what you call “working class” and well, I beg to differ.
Everyone, in this day and age is working class. Really. We don’t have royalty coming to block off streets, in very many neighbourhoods anywhere in the world as a matter of fact. Nope, not even Europe my friend. There hasn’t truly actually been an elite class at all from the 2nd world war onward.
This province is based upon (and yes they are indeed hard working, but again, don’t mistake hard working with working class) lumber, mining, fishing. Really.
Now what comes with that? It means that it is quite normal to hold your fork like a spear and stab the already dead meat on your plate, as though it were squirming. It means that you can chew with your mouth open. It means that wine comes in a box.
I means that the literacy levels include phrases like ‘top shelf’…
I don’t blame the people for wanting to be what they’re not, or even trying to emulate the very things they see on television, and than attempting to than propagate those as reality within their neighbourhoods.
And foody? Really? Have you tasted the food here? Have yo u been anywhere else in the world to taste it in its original formats?
It all tastes exactly the same. Really. All the food that is considered foodie, is flat, bland and boring with a price tag to give it credibility, eaten by folks who use the phrase “top shelf”
This is quite honestly one of the few cities in the world where it isn’t a difference to eat at McDonalds, or Coast. Really. I did make that comparison. Actually, yes, I did.
The food tastes exactly the same. It’s bland and boring, with the only difference being an extra zero on the happy meal so it’s 50.00 instead of 5$
So if they want to do yoga, and wear tear away pants, just to have a semblance of value, and self worth. Than let them.
They came from small villages, in the interior, where White Spot was their Sunday staple, and sneakers and flannel is all they know. Than they come here, to Vancouver, and this is the only exposure they have to give any subtle emulation of what a “city” is and how a “city” functions. Than they watch a reality show, the house wives of Vancouver, and think “Hey! this is how the stars live! this is how they’re suppose to live! We need to copy that!” because they have no sense at all, that those are shows. And really, people don’t actually at all live that way.
Don’t be a reverse Bigot. After all, lets be pragmatic and look at how your family came here, and what they did, and guess what? they most likely earned the right to be here. While you write about it, flipping your nose to it, with no reference for precedent, to even begin to criticise it, drinking your Okanagan Wines, from a box, wearing crocs, and playing on the iPhone you don’t know how to program.
might “top shelf” of you dude.
Woah some dude named James was on a drunk rant and admitted that he 1. is ignorant to the statistics of an elite in fact existing and 2. he can not tell the difference between Mcdonalds and Coast. and 3. being so unaware of clothing that he believes people in Vancouver are a croc wearing culture or maybe he was just referring to Sean being a crocs fan (are you)?
Either James is a troll or the ignorant really are rarely wordless.
BWAH HA: “Everyone, in this day and age is working class. “
I’ll just steal a quote from James’ facebook profile as my rebuttal: “Few are those that see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts”. I couldn’t agree more.
So here’s a question for you Sean, and Antonio. Have you been anywhere else in the world, to work? Have you done anything else besdies sit behind your computer, and surf the web and calling it a job? Can you speak any other languages? Can you read in any other language? Or maybe a few languages? No huh? Yup, didn’t think so…
There are three distinct classes, four if you count those bred from the top 1% of the ruling – or previously ruling classes – and trust me, Vancouver? Isn’t elitist. It isn’t even working class. Its low class. Money and class have little to nothing to do with each other. Vancovuer, is an excellent example of what is considerd a suburb in every major city. Yes, major city.
And yeah, you all do wear crocs, and ugg’s, and juicy pants, and whatever else is on TV these days, and yup, you all carry little dogs, because someone watched Paris Hilton do it once.
Really, you have no clue how incredibly accurate, and real life sterotypes are in the city of Vancouver. In every part of the city. All you to do is perch on any bench, in any quaint little district, and you can catalogue them.
Even the environmentalist tree huggers here, come out of a brooks brothers catalogue, to the point that it’s almost teary how pathetic and sad it is.
And yes, Coast? to Mention a single restaurant? Yeah the one with the owners aren’t paying their employee’s and they all hav to share the tips, after owners rip their percentage? That IS A Vancouver thing to do.
This is what this city is – truly.
So if the best that either of yo can do, is insult me rather than give an intelligent response? Guess what? You both completely proved my point for me.
A perfect example of Vancouverites, hating on other Vancouverites, so that they can feel better about themselves, and appear sophisticated, rather than actually being sophisticated.
I don’t fault Vancouver for trying. I fault people like you who’s on insecurities, and self loathing can only be waylaid, by pretending you’re better than anyone else in this same city – where you were likely born, and raised..
Your article was likened to this:
A farmer, sitting with a farmer, watching another farmer walk by and saing, “Oh my god! Do you see that guy? He’s such a farmer. How common and low class”
Becuase that is what this article said, and did, and that is what you both proved with your response. And yes, this is going to make my blog as well, as both your comments. I think it’s important that your ignorance is shown for what it is.
and btw, fuck spelling and grammar. Unlike you both I actually work and employ others, and taking the time to reread my own response, is of little value. the content has more weight than whether or not i spelled a word correctly.
PS: English, is my 6th language – so you know.
I have a few questions of my own: 1. Have you ever read my column? 2. Did you in fact realize that I was also criticizing the faux-working class elitism of Vancouver? 3. Are you trying to outdo me in cynicism? 4. Do you realize the massive contradictions present in your logic? eg. “, you all do wear crocs, and ugg’s, and juicy pants, and whatever else is on TV these days, and yup, you all carry little dogs, because someone watched Paris Hilton do it once” and “So if the best that either of yo can do, is insult me rather than give an intelligent response?”
Also, I gave a response on your little website:
This is full of ad hominem logic, glaring assumptions, stereotypes, and just bad grammar. I’m not even entirely sure what part of the article you are referring to, as it seems that you take issue with my entire existence. A quick look at your facebook profile and I could assume it’s because I’m Irish: “Right so what would you say if you lived your entire life and than suddenly found out your sister was your mother and your mother had twins and your twin came to ruin your life – that my friends is a plot to an Irish movie – no wonder they drink”
It seems equally possible that your resentment comes from the fact that I am simply an end user of technology: “We’re curious and inventive. You call us geeks. I’m smiling cuz we own your ass – so go ahead – text, tweet, let a car park u, online date, surf ur phone, read your email #owned #bitch”
It seems most likely however that you are a reactionary. I think what you are talking about is actually a quote form an article that I linked to, which is in fact the entire premise of the column: ” “Over its 140-year-history, the area’s primarily working-class base has kept things down to earth, even when the fervour of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games ushered in shiny condos, a trendy foodie scene and a rebranding as the East Village”. You do see those quotation marks, right? And in those quotation marks, you see that the author completely contradicted themselves, right?
If that’s not it, please elaborate.
my problem isn’t with your criticisms. I believe in due diligence. You were born here, and you live here, and you are all about here. You are a perfect example of what I’ve experienced in Vancouver, in the last 4 years, from those who are not contributing members of society, and from those who have no idea whatsoever, what it means to:
pay taxes
employ others
run a business
own a business
manage others
have a real life
travel
speak any other language
get a hair cut
really dude. I came here four years ago. In that time I have employed others, empowered others, run douche bags out of town, and change the face – ever so slightly – of an industry.
what you done? Blog? And you call that an article? I bet you hang out on the drive, and around main and broadway, talking about how the world needs to change, while drinking a becks. and leering at girls that you can’t impress with your looks so you need to baffle them with bullshit.
Life – anywhere on earth – is an uncomplicated reality of those who do, and those who bitch.
You fall into the bitch category.
I have definitely witnessed things here I didn’t like, and yup, even been frustrated at times, and anyone that pissed me off? I didn’t blog about it. I knocked on their door or asked them to meet me for a drink, so I could say it to their faces.
That is – STILL – what men do.
And with all the flaws and head shaking i’ve done here? I don’t find the majority of people here a problem. But people like you? Who rant so that they can hear themselves rant, and try to make themselves feel better as human beings by pretending a sophistication which has no foundation, or relevance, or value? Because mommy and daddy paid for their education – an education which they barely managed to acquire?
No I don’t think so.
I was mocking your mockery. Because it was banal. Weak minded, and an excellent explative of your personal characteristics, and very little regarding the city of Vancouver.
So blow up someone else’s ass, or hey here’s an idea…. do something to make a difference. Rather than blah blah blah about nothing, because yo u simply have nothing to say. If you had something to say, you would have been making a living at this blog. Not writing it for free.
seriously.
and btw. i deleted your comment. If you don’t have the balls to leave a real email address which can be traced, than you don’t have balls, and don’t deserve my respect, to respond to your “comment”
seriously. I haven’t hidden, who what are why i am. so show me the same respect. I deserve it. If you want it, than learn to give it, because all i’ve seen from you is flapping in the wind, without the decency to even have a scent.
Let go, Luke.
I did leave my real email address you dolt. Other than that I don’t have to qualify myself to you. All your assumptions are fucking wrong and your use of logic is just embarrassing. One example: “I have definitely witnessed things here I didn’t like, and yup, even been frustrated at times, and anyone that pissed me off? I didn’t blog about it. I knocked on their door or asked them to meet me for a drink, so I could say it to their faces”. Actually you DID blog about it. And if you would like to have a drink with me I’d gladly take you up on your offer. If you plan on shit-talking me to my face, prepare to meet the whirlwind of wrath that is Sean Orr. Seriously. Ask around.
ok than, whats your number
cuz at the end of the day? not worried about it
and in regards to your email – the system kicked it out. maybe you’re on a spam list, who knows, i don’t care enough to find out.
“You can’t win. But there are alternatives to fighting.”
fighting? seriously? i’m not fighting. I have far too many people who depend upon me, and far too many people to whom I must demonstrate an example, beyond rant bitch rant bitch wah my city i hate it wah bitch rant.
I said – and you’ll have to scroll up for it – said I’d say it to their faces. Children fight. I’m not born here, I”m over the children need to show who owns the playground bit.
I’ll def meet him though. I want to see if he’s just another ranting Vancouver malcontent angst whiner, who is a zero contribution to the solution. Because everything about ” Sean Michael David Orr” on Google and Facebook stink of a little boy who didn’t spend enough time at the teet.
Whopping High School education and not a single contributing solution to Vancouver, or BC, or Canada for that matter, beyond rant rant rant, and a walking tour of “everything he hates about Vancouver”
Those are not credentials of a man deserving the title of a man. Those are the credentials of a boy who should figure out his mommy and daddy issues, so that he can actually be a solution to th problems that bother him, instead of a whiner about the problems, while doing nothing buy yelling on a soap box.
Seriously dude. This isn’t complicated.