Canadian Expatriates, its contributors, and readers have been invited by Foreign Affairs Canada to participate in a series of eDiscussions. The current topic is “Showcasing Canadian Culture and Know-How Abroad”.

We are asked to consider the following questions:

What role does Canadian culture and know-how play in our foreign policy?

How might the government best promote Canadian talent and expertise in the world?

The eDiscussion runs from April 4 to May 6, 2005. At its conclusion, a summary of the discussion will be sent to senior policy planners.

The Expat admin team encourages its readers to join in the eDiscussion at the Canadian International Policy website.

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Posted by Admin

The administration team is currently searching for Canadian expatriates who would be interested in contributing to the Expat Blog. The subject matter is wide open, but must remain family friendly.

If you are interested in joining our blogging team, please send an email our way!

Thank you!

Who has to take the dog out in the rain?
Scissors beat paper.

Who gets the bigger piece of chocolate cake?
Paper covers rock.

Who is going to move the trash out to the curb?
Rock puts the hurt on scissors.

We have all solved our fair share of disputes through the time honoured decision making process known as Rock, Paper, Scissors. Ordinarily the process is fair, but sometimes simply observing the habits of one's opponent can pay off.

One summer, while working for historic parks, I learned the power that simple observation plays in this game. Having to decide who would walk the mile up to the house at the end of the historic village, my co-worker and I got down and dirty.

"One, two," we counted. When we reached "three", we both drew our weapons. I had chosen paper; whereas, my co-worked went for rock. Needless to say, she was obliterated.

"Enjoy the walk!" I said.

Later that day we had to decide who would have to haul the water from the well.

"One, two, three," again she chose the ill-fated rock.

"Best two out of three?" she asked.

My co-worker had no idea why she continually lost. Eventually I felt the need to tell her that her first inclination was always to choose rock, which made the rest of us respond accordingly with paper.

I used the lessons that I learned that summer well and now whenever faced with a Rock, Paper, Scissors challenge, I commit to memory the previous moves of my opponent. Little did I know, that if I stuck with my strategy and put myself through grueling daily training, I would one day have a chance to represent Canada on an international Rock Paper Scissors stage.

Well, maybe not.

I didn't have that chance because I just learned about the Rock Paper Scissors Society and its International World Championship this morning. But trust me, had I known about it, I could have been a contender! I could have been somebody!

So who is the champion? Who Rock Paper Scissored himself to the top? I am happy to report that he is a Canuck! The true champion is a Toronto lawyer by the name of Andrew Bergel, who beat out approximately 500 other competitors to win the $7000 prize, a gold medal, and most importantly the title.

Congrats Andrew! I am glad that I don't have to Rock, Paper, Scissors you to determine who has to clean the bathroom. ;)

For Fun:
Play Rock Paper Scissors Online!