Hey, it looks like Luxembourg now has a First Man...

[Rudynate]

I recently took a bus trip in southern Europe. One couple was from Toronto. They said that there were many days this winter when Toronto was colder than the North Pole (like -50)!! Better to live in the middle of the Arctic Ocean than Ontario? But I do agree that Vancouver, at least, is a wonderful, albeit rainy city. It's actually one of the world's great cities in my view. I will never, ever understand why every Canadian doesn't live in Vancouver.

 

I grew up in Rochester, which was cold enough in the winter, but it was tropical compared to Toronto, only 60 miles away, across Lake Ontario.

[Rudynate]

It's actually one of the world's great cities in my view. I will never, ever understand why every Canadian doesn't live in Vancouver.

 

I don't like it quite that much. The central part, with all those high-rise apartment buildings seems bland to me. The outlying neighborhoods, where they have real houses, can be very charming.

[marylander1940]

But is the value proportionate to the cost? All these royals running around doing nothing but ribbon-cutting, vacationing, playing polo, vacationing, putting in an appearance at a garden party, vacationing, etc.

 

The President does exactly the same thing and also has to govern, that's too much... At least in a monarchy, the King and Queen do everything symbolic, while the Prime Minister or (President of the government in Spain) can govern without wasting time cutting ribbons, giving speeches, giving medals to the military, collecting money for charity and trying to sound presidential. The Prime Minister works, while the King or President (Germany, Italy, and other parliamentary Republics) is a symbol of unity and continuity of the country, and allows the Chancellor or PM to do his/her job with a lot more free time and not bothering with the ribbon-cutting.

 

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/chief+of+state

 

The formal head of a nation, distinct from the head of the government. Also called head of state.

[marylander1940]

[TruthBTold]

 

Great pic. Who is the guy married to? I assume he is First Gent of some country.

[TruthBTold]

Sorry, went back to the very beginning of the thread and had my question answered.

[marylander1940]

Great pic. Who is the guy married to? I assume he is First Gent of some country.

 

Sorry, went back to the very beginning of the thread and had my question answered.

 

I just love the contrast of the picture!

 

Btw, why May's husband didn't go there? I've never seen a picture of him.

[LoveNDino]

This made my day. A huge step for the community!

[marylander1940]

This made my day. A huge step for the community!

 

Yes, when will we have a First Gentleman/Dude...?

[LoveNDino]

Yes, when will we have a First Gentleman/Dude...?

I hope within my lifetime!

[bobchitown]

In the 70's, there were whispers about a curiously close friendship between the Prince of Wales and Carl Gustav of Sweden, but I kind of doubt it. Charles is too tedious to be gay.

 

Well, he does look like he has something up his ass.