Event Reviews

Canadians huddle for hockey
By ROXIE MARTIN

SecondLife may be a world unto itself, but for some, the flavor of the game tends too much towards hamburgers and apple pie. Now, a group of Canadians is looking to add some Canadian bacon and poutine to the mix.

"Attending events in SL, I find that a lot of them are American-centric, with trivia and such dealing with American history," said rynox Zapata, an officer of the Second Life Canadians group.

Zapata formed the group as part of his quest to find more Canadians on line. A week after the group constructed its Canadian Embassy in Ebisu, the group had garnered 46 members. Many of them gathered there on the evening of June 6 to watch game six of the Stanley Cup showdown between the Calgary Flames and Tampa Bay Lightening.

Eight group members, wearing red Calgary jerseys, gathered around the television to talk hockey and pass along the action. Most of them hailed from Canada.

"I am a very patriotic Canadian," Zapata said. "You see how Americans are overtly proud of the fact that they are (American). Canadians are just as proud, but we tend not to show it as well. This is my way of getting the fact the (we) are Canadians and we are proud of it."

So far, the group has built an embassy and plans to build other features of the Canadian landscape, such as the CN Tower, beaver and moose. There will be Canadian-themed events, too, including trivia and building contests. It’s not too late to start studying up on the Yukon – or to learn what poutine is all about.

Americans and citizens of other nations shouldn’t feel left out, Zapata said. There’s also a group for honorary Canadians. Anyone interested should send him a message online.

"You see how Americans are overtly proud of the fact that they are (American). Canadians are just as proud, but we tend not to show it as well.

Rynox Zapata: True Canadian.