Tag: united kingdom

Duel Citizenship

I have had three people recently tell me that they might qualify for citizenship to a country in Europe. Given the direction the USA is heading, I am seriously jealous. In 2017 there was talk of Ireland offering levels of citizenship to people whose family originated there. My paternal great-grandparents were from Ireland, but that was too far removed for me to qualify for anything.

Today, purely out of jealousy, I looked to a couple of other options. My maternal grandparents were born in Newfoundland. At the time it was still a British Dominion, not a Canadian province. What the hell, I checked on both options. Canada was a no. It said there might be possibilities if my grandparents served in the armed forces or worked for the government. My grandfather was a fisherman. He planned to enlist in the navy during World War I but the war ended just before his 18th birthday so he did not sign up. My grandmother was a house keeper. No government service at all.

I looked at the UK too, though after Brexit why would anyone want to sign up for UK citizenship? Since Newfoundland was British when my grandparents were born, the Google reported to me that there was a 13% chance I would qualify. How it came up with 13% I don’t know, but when I dug even a tiny bit deeper it was clear the answer was no.

Maybe I could hire a lawyer to dig a little and pull some legal strings. You know… just in case the USA continues it’s trend of flushing itself down the crapper. Just to have options, you know? Not that I would ever leave… it would be nice to know I had somewhere to go if I needed to… not that I would.

Sad Day

One of my father’s friends, who also used to be my boss (twice), passed away this morning. I haven’t had a chance to talk to my father yet. His friend (my former boss… twice) had been ill for a while. This isn’t a surprise. It sucks though.

It’s also sad that Queen Elizabeth II has passed away as well. It doesn’t effect me at all, but to all in the United Kingdom, my sympathies. 96 years old and 70 years on the job? I think that qualifies as a “good run.”

I am 51 years old and I have never lived in a world where England had a King. Is the correct saying now the Queen is dead, long live the King? I’ve never heard it said that way, but it makes logical sense.

Rest in peace, Charlie. Rest in peace, Elizabeth.

ADDENDUM: I should clarify that my father’s friend’s name is Charlie. Saying rest in peace Charlie was not a political commentary on the future of King Charles III.

Historical Significance

There are two events of historical significance happening today.

First, in Scotland people are voting on whether or not the country should remove itself from the United Kingdom. I can’t really have an opinion on this, not being Scottish or from the UK myself, but I think if Scotland leaves it would feel a little like Jack Bruce leaving Cream. Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker would still be staggeringly amazing, but without Jack? It just doesn’t work.

Second, Bruins training camp opens today. The cleansing of last year’s intolerable playoff defeat at the hands of Montreal begins in earnest. I want hockey revenge!

Back to Scotland, the best joke I’ve come up with in ages is that if Scotland becomes independent they should join up with Ireland. They can call themselves U2K.

Get it?