My Brush with (Vice) Royalty

So here's the difference for me between Canada and the United States.

In the United States, I am one of several hundred million people.   Just one of the common masses, you might say.  The chances of my meeting the President or being invited to the White House any time soon?  Nil.  I knew someone once who was invited to the White House (by George W. Bush, no less), but he and I aren't even friends anymore.  (Me and the guy who got invited to the White House, I mean, not George W., who I never really was friends with, to say the least.)

But in Canada, you see, I am part of the elite, a member of the socially privileged class, practically an aristocrat.  Case in point--my connection to the incoming Governor-General, the prolific author and widely-respected legal scholar, David Johnston.


I love books so much, sometimes I just hang out in the stacks at the library.  Cheerioh!

Professor Johnston taught law at McGill University a number of years ago when I was a student there.  I remember one occasion in particular when I met with him in his office because I was applying to another university where he had studied years before.  He was jovial, inquisitive, and very down to earth.  We talked about his experience at that other university I was applying to and how it prepared him for what he was now doing at McGill; we also chatted about what it was like hosting The Editors, a weekly show about current U.S.-Canadian events that he hosted and which aired on PBS back in the day.
 
(Incidentally, another participant from that show who went on to a fair amount of fame himself--although not necessarily for the right reasons--was former Vermont Governor Howard Dean, whom I remember most for his clarity of thought and level-headedness as a contributor to The Editors.  So ironic.)


Aaaaarrrggghh!

Now, don't get me wrong, I am not suggesting that his Excellency, David Johnston, will be inviting me to Rideau Hall (the luxurious mansion where the Governor General and his spouse will reside) next week or even the week after; I mean, first of all, he doesn't actually take office until October 1 of this year, so he can't invite me at least until then; plus he doesn't have my current mailing address. 

All I'm saying is, I'm a lot closer to the pinnacle of society here in Canada then I ever will be in the U.S. because, at the end of the day, Canada is about one tenth the size of its giant neighbor to the south, so it's easier to know more people here in Canada and, as a result, reaching the "top" here is just a much easier climb.

Next stop--Buckingham Palace.


Croquet, anyone?