I can’t remember exactly what day it was, it’s all a big blur now, but I found out that Italy had won the prestigious World Cup, before I woke up! I don’t really know what the World Cup is but I’m glad that Italy won it… I think.

You see… the other day my dreams were interrupted by hours of honking, shouting and Italian chants from below. I finally crawled out of bed at three and looked down to the traffic below. Every car was decked out with Italian flags and soccer crap. “Where do all these Italians come from?” I wondered. But then I thought for a second…. I’ve lived in the same Burnaby neighbourhood for almost a year now but it never occurred to me that this was an Italian neighbourhood.

What a daft fool I am! Every other shop for about twenty blocks in either direction is Italian this or that. There are Gelato places, espresso bars, Italian restaurants, Italian bridal shops, Italian bakeries, Italian grocery stores, Italian tailors and Italian government social service offices. When I walk down the side-streets I notice that many houses have Italian flags on them.

Although I have a brother named “Gino” I am not Italian, however, when in North Burnaby do as the North Burnabians do. So, in honour of Italy’s victory at the World Cup and the Italian community here in Burnaby I have painted the Italian flag on my face.. with Photoshop.