Darrel
I have gotten a job in Canada as a Electrical Maintenance Tech at a Factory in Brampton. I am going next week to star the immigration process (they told me it would take two months).
I dont know anything about living in Canada. They are putting me up in company housing for a few months while I find living arrangements. I work 3 days of 12 hour shifts and three off at 27.50/hr (Canadian). What are somethings I should be aware of when moving? Crime? Areas to live in? Things to do? The housing building (Really just a longhouse style building with 8 rooms for the folks they bring in from the states) is in Mississauga.
thank you!
Answer
Well I'll start by suggesting I live in Canada and I was floored when I read a box of chocolates costs $75. The box must have been made of gold or platinum.
Rest assured you can buy chocolates packaged in boxes made of cardboard that cost about $3 also.
Granted tournaments may not always 'pay out' but that's what casinos and lotteries and office pools are for; quite often Canadians play games and sports not for monitary reward but for the mere fun or challenge and sportsmanship of it.
"Things to know about living in Canada?"
Generally speaking things are slightly costlier than they are in the USA; the Canadian climate for example doesn't lend itself to year-round agriculture so we import fruits and vegetables, imports are always pricier than domestic.
Conversely Canadians tend to earn a higher wages than their US counterparts so often things balance... a US dollar internationally [todays quotes] is worth .99c compared to a Canadian dollar - that makes a difference also even if just cents.
"Canada at top five in world economic freedom ranking, US sinks to 18th"
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/18/canada-rises-to-top-five-in-world-economic-freedom-ranking-as-u-s-plummets-to-18th/
Culturally... Canada is big on multiculturalism and always has been. It's where black slaves came to escape the US, it's where Native Americans came to escape Manifest Destiny, it's where the Brit United Empire Loyalists fled to, it's where US civilians trying to escape the US Vietnam War draft came to seeking sanctuary.
It is socially unacceptable to disparage anyone based on skin tone, country of origin, what God or Prophet they worship, what gender they are, what their sexual orientation is [unless it involves children]. People ideally aren't judged, period - but if so it's personal merit that we measure - only.
Much is made of Canada having gun control. Fact is the same weapon used in the Colorado theatre shootings is available for sale in Canada. We don't hate guns, we hate violence against our fellow human beings. If you're into weapons keep this in mind, and if you wish to bring any weapons across the border ensure you know what is allowed lest the weapons be seized at the border.
Don't try to sneak any in, that's attempted often and the Border Guards are wise to it.
Canada is a Parliamentary Democracy with Queen Elizabeth II as our Head of State.
She is the Queen of Canada, a Canadian citizen - a right granted to her by Canadians... there is zero British connection in any way shape or form.
In her role as Head of State our Queen follows Canadian law passed down by the Canadian Parliament, the country ruled by the Prime-Minister - put there, or in lieu of voted out of office by Canadians.
If you are one of those US people who think Canada is somehow subservient to Britain, rest easy lol.
Crime...
Los Angeles advertises itself as one of the USAs safest big cities; only 300 murders last year.
Vancouver, where I live - a city of millions had 14 murders last year; 9 the year prior. All Canadians cities have stats like that... random street violence definitely more the exception than the rule.
If you experience crime it'll be property crime, some lowlife smashing into your car and stealing your stereo or valuables type thing.
We save our violence for hockey and lacrosse games.
"Canada's overall police-reported crime rate dropped six per cent in 2011 from the previous year, reflecting the lowest crime figures recorded since 1972. Statistics compiled by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) and released Tuesday by Statistics Canada showed that the crime rate in 2011 was at its lowest level in 39 years. The decline continues a downward trend that began in the 1990s"
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/07/24/crime-stats-canada.html
The beer is excellent.
The people are fun and social.
That said every village has an idiot regardless of what country you live it, we're not perfect.
Climate is extreme - summer is very very hot and winters literally deadly cold (but we're masochists, we still go outside)
You'll see lots of spelling mistakes up here. That's because we use a different form of the English language than the US does:
color = colour
favor = favour
center = centre
theater = theatre
Ticks me off when spell-check tells me I'm messing up words I'm actually spelling correctly.
You'll have a blast I figure, your wage a half decent one, and everywhere is a good place to live be it in the heart of a city to totally rural - good, just for different reasons.
Best of luck to you while here.
My pleasure!
Well I'll start by suggesting I live in Canada and I was floored when I read a box of chocolates costs $75. The box must have been made of gold or platinum.
Rest assured you can buy chocolates packaged in boxes made of cardboard that cost about $3 also.
Granted tournaments may not always 'pay out' but that's what casinos and lotteries and office pools are for; quite often Canadians play games and sports not for monitary reward but for the mere fun or challenge and sportsmanship of it.
"Things to know about living in Canada?"
Generally speaking things are slightly costlier than they are in the USA; the Canadian climate for example doesn't lend itself to year-round agriculture so we import fruits and vegetables, imports are always pricier than domestic.
Conversely Canadians tend to earn a higher wages than their US counterparts so often things balance... a US dollar internationally [todays quotes] is worth .99c compared to a Canadian dollar - that makes a difference also even if just cents.
"Canada at top five in world economic freedom ranking, US sinks to 18th"
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/09/18/canada-rises-to-top-five-in-world-economic-freedom-ranking-as-u-s-plummets-to-18th/
Culturally... Canada is big on multiculturalism and always has been. It's where black slaves came to escape the US, it's where Native Americans came to escape Manifest Destiny, it's where the Brit United Empire Loyalists fled to, it's where US civilians trying to escape the US Vietnam War draft came to seeking sanctuary.
It is socially unacceptable to disparage anyone based on skin tone, country of origin, what God or Prophet they worship, what gender they are, what their sexual orientation is [unless it involves children]. People ideally aren't judged, period - but if so it's personal merit that we measure - only.
Much is made of Canada having gun control. Fact is the same weapon used in the Colorado theatre shootings is available for sale in Canada. We don't hate guns, we hate violence against our fellow human beings. If you're into weapons keep this in mind, and if you wish to bring any weapons across the border ensure you know what is allowed lest the weapons be seized at the border.
Don't try to sneak any in, that's attempted often and the Border Guards are wise to it.
Canada is a Parliamentary Democracy with Queen Elizabeth II as our Head of State.
She is the Queen of Canada, a Canadian citizen - a right granted to her by Canadians... there is zero British connection in any way shape or form.
In her role as Head of State our Queen follows Canadian law passed down by the Canadian Parliament, the country ruled by the Prime-Minister - put there, or in lieu of voted out of office by Canadians.
If you are one of those US people who think Canada is somehow subservient to Britain, rest easy lol.
Crime...
Los Angeles advertises itself as one of the USAs safest big cities; only 300 murders last year.
Vancouver, where I live - a city of millions had 14 murders last year; 9 the year prior. All Canadians cities have stats like that... random street violence definitely more the exception than the rule.
If you experience crime it'll be property crime, some lowlife smashing into your car and stealing your stereo or valuables type thing.
We save our violence for hockey and lacrosse games.
"Canada's overall police-reported crime rate dropped six per cent in 2011 from the previous year, reflecting the lowest crime figures recorded since 1972. Statistics compiled by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS) and released Tuesday by Statistics Canada showed that the crime rate in 2011 was at its lowest level in 39 years. The decline continues a downward trend that began in the 1990s"
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/story/2012/07/24/crime-stats-canada.html
The beer is excellent.
The people are fun and social.
That said every village has an idiot regardless of what country you live it, we're not perfect.
Climate is extreme - summer is very very hot and winters literally deadly cold (but we're masochists, we still go outside)
You'll see lots of spelling mistakes up here. That's because we use a different form of the English language than the US does:
color = colour
favor = favour
center = centre
theater = theatre
Ticks me off when spell-check tells me I'm messing up words I'm actually spelling correctly.
You'll have a blast I figure, your wage a half decent one, and everywhere is a good place to live be it in the heart of a city to totally rural - good, just for different reasons.
Best of luck to you while here.
My pleasure!
Is this a good prologue for a thriller novel?
This is the prologue of my new thriller project - 'ZERO HOUR'
July 20, 1996
Ain Sokhna Hilton Resort, Suez, Egypt
He decided to come in the evening.
Hassan Abbas pulled his Mercedes SL-600 into a tight turn, before accelerating into the courtyard of the resort, the suspension expertly absorbing the cobblestones. He glided to a halt just beside the reception block, where he switched off the ignition, snatched up his jacket, and climbed out of the low convertible sports-car.
Walking round to the back, he used the remote locking system to electronically open the boot. The hydraulic arms lifted the carbon-fibre shell, allowing Abbas to pull out his leather attaché briefcase.
The resort just happened to be one of his favourites in Egypt, and the location â just off the Suez canal â could be stunning. He wondered who had recommended the hotel to the man he was here to visit â a man who Abbas knew was a complete sand Arab.
Walking briskly, he made his way across the courtyard, heading for the area where the swimming pool and bar were situated. The heels of his shoes snapped gently on the cobble-stones, giving a steady beat for Abbas to walk against. Walking around the entrance gate, he walked down the brightly illuminated path that led around the swimming and onto the bar that was atop and island in the middle of the water.
He wiped his forehead from the heat â twenty-five degrees Celsius. Even for an Egyptian night, that was very warm. Even he â a man who had lived in Egypt nearly all his life, didnât like this type of heat. Surprisingly, he preferred the British climate.
He walked along the bridge over the pool, and glanced around as he did so, looking for the person he had arranged to meet tonight. Sitting at one of the straw tables, was him.
The man definitely look like an Arab. More of a tradi-tional Englishman than a traditional Saudi. The immaculate grey suit was a direct contrast to Abbasâs relaxed polo-shirt and cream trousers. The shoes the Arab was wearing too, where obviously English leather.
Abbas stopped for a moment and looked around at the location where he was sitting, checking whether there were any other people in the proximity. After assuring himself that no-one would be listening on their conversation, he walked towards the man sitting at the table.
âAh, Hassan.â The man said warmly, standing up from his comfortable seat. He outstretched his hand, and Abbas shook it gratefully.
âSadoun Khamil, old friend, itâs good to see you.â Abbas replied in greeting, as both of them sat down at the small table.
Abbas placed his briefcase onto the ground, leaning it against one of the table legs. He glanced at the table itself. There was all the usual things that one would expect to find on a bar table, joined by an exotic looking cocktail.
âHassan, may I offer you a drink?â Khamil asked, his tanned face stretching into a grin.
âGratefully.â Abbas replied, wiping his forehead again. âPreferably something ice cold.â
Khamil clicked his fingers, and instantly a waiter strolled over to them.
âMojito?â Khamil cocked his head towards Abbas. âWhite rum, sugar, sparkling water, and spearmint. Original Cuban, and all ice cold.â Khamil gestured towards his own cocktail.
âYeah, that will be good.â
The waiter nodded, bowed, and walked away towards the bar, where three other men were sitting.
âAnyway, Hassan, we need to talk.â
âIndeed.â Abbas agreed, leaning down to reach for his briefcase. He picked it up, pushed himself away from the table, and clicked it open. Inside was a Apple laptop computer, a set of pens, and two identical files, each one marked with a simple phrase in Arabic.
Abbas took them both out, placing one on his side, and handing the other to Khamil, before snapping the briefcase shut, and placing it back on the ground.
Khamil had opened the file, and was flicking through the pages. âIâm guessing this is the research you told me about two nights ago?â
âYes.â Abbas nodded, opening his own file.
Khamil nodded too. âIâll tell you now, Iâm not happy about it. Even now, before we have made any contact with them, Iâm not comfortable about it.â He paused for a moment. âIt just seems so, unusual.â
Abbas sat back, taking in what he had just heard. âI too, am unhappy at the implications of working so closely with them, Sadoun, but we must face the facts. We cannot develop this technology for ourselves, at least not within the foreseeable future, and if even if we buy what we need we are still faced with the very difficult and important problem of delivery. My analysis in this report suggests that co-operation is the only option which offers us even a slight chance of success.â
Abbas stopped and waited. The two men were best friends, but Abbas worked for Khamil, and just there he had staked not only his career, but also his life on that single mo-ment. Despite his western appearance, Khamil was a ruthless, barbarian person, and he had extreme powe
Answer
As one thriller writer to another. It's my opinion but I think you overdo the product placement, the adjectives and the adverbs. This is basically good stuff but over-embellished. Setting a scene is necessary but should be done with an economy of words. A good edit's in order.
Talking of words heels usually clip or tap but not snap.
I guess this is a first draft so you won't have picked up the obvious mistake in the passage about the arab who looked like an arab but was dressed like an Englishman.
I find it hard to believe that two Muslims would drink alcohol together. I know they serve it in hotels in Egypt but mainly for the tourists.
I'm not worried about it being a prologue if, as you hint, it takes place some years before the actual happenings in the novel.
I can see where this is going. I can't see them doing a deal on WMDs with the Israelis so it will have to be either the Russian Mafia, the North Koreans or the Iranians. It would be interesting to find out.
As one thriller writer to another. It's my opinion but I think you overdo the product placement, the adjectives and the adverbs. This is basically good stuff but over-embellished. Setting a scene is necessary but should be done with an economy of words. A good edit's in order.
Talking of words heels usually clip or tap but not snap.
I guess this is a first draft so you won't have picked up the obvious mistake in the passage about the arab who looked like an arab but was dressed like an Englishman.
I find it hard to believe that two Muslims would drink alcohol together. I know they serve it in hotels in Egypt but mainly for the tourists.
I'm not worried about it being a prologue if, as you hint, it takes place some years before the actual happenings in the novel.
I can see where this is going. I can't see them doing a deal on WMDs with the Israelis so it will have to be either the Russian Mafia, the North Koreans or the Iranians. It would be interesting to find out.
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