Happy “Friday Jr.” — Andrew from Narcity here. ☕
From above: Truckers, drifters and traveling families were treated to an odd sight this weekend at the Big Texan Steak Ranch off the highway in Amarillo, Texas: Comedy legend Will Ferrell, decked out in Sherlock Holmes regalia, plowed through a 72-ounce steak .
The performance is rumored to be part of a documentary project, but the stunt begs the question: If Ferrell ever had a full-on mental breakdown, how would anyone know?
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In case you missed it
An airplane takes off.
Michel Bussières | dreamtime
Thanks to a number of factors including demand, staffing shortages and fluctuating fuel prices, the best time to book a flight in North America is even earlier than usual – between 1.5 and 5.5 months before your flight departure, according to CheapAir. This information comes from analyzing nearly a billion airfare prices, which revealed that the price changes, on average, about 49 times from the time a flight officially goes on sale. Here’s Sofia Misenheimer with the latest.
- go deeper: The prevailing wisdom also applies – that booking a flight during the week is usually cheaper than flying over the weekend. Wednesday is the cheapest day to fly, saving an average of $136 compared to Sunday, the most expensive day.
- What else? It’s also cheaper to fly earlier in the year, with February and then January being the cheapest options.
- My take: Add it all up and it sounds like the best hypothetical flight deal is a Wednesday February departure booked in early fall.
- READ THE FULL STORY HERE
La Ronde in Quebec. Right: A roller coaster at Canada’s Wonderland.
Rodrigolab | Dreamstime, @canadaswonderland | Instagram
Disney World is expensive — and that’s before you factor in the possibility of a freak alligator attack in the parking lot in front of your off-park motel. Fortunately, Canada actually has a number of really solid amusement parks. Canada’s Wonderland, north of Toronto, is arguably the most well-known destination, but there are other fantastic day trips in Montreal, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton and even New Glasgow, PEI. Katherine Caspersz has the facts on what to expect.
Patrick takes a selfie. Right: A sign by Tim Hortons.
Patrick John Gilson | Narcity, Ken Wolter | dreamtime
Patrick John Gilson saw some things. ugly things. Things that would make an inferior man sweat through his sheets in a night of anxiety attacks. That’s because Patrick spent seven months working at Tim Hortons in a small town during his teenage years — and yes, dear reader, he’s seen firsthand how the proverbial sausage is made.
I won’t spoil the story (or your breakfast). Read on for the six things Patrick wished he hadn’t known about some of Tim Hortons’ most famous menu items.
What else you need to know today
🐠 SMELL FISH
Montreal’s Saint-Laurent neighborhood will have a “world-class” “immersive” aquarium sometime next year. According to Thomas MacDonald of MTL Blog, it is part of the Royalmount mega mall project. Details surrounding the “Aquarium de Montréal” are a little sparse, but here’s what we know so far.
🦖 TORONTO FUN
You shouldn’t have to break the bank to have a fun day outside the home. Unfortunately, these days it’s just impossible to do pretty much anything without having to part with a kidney… unless we take note of Madeline Forsyth’s latest play! Here are nine great things to do in the Toronto area for less than $30 per person — including some options that are completely free.
🙄 WHAT THE FUCK
Fox News anger monger Tucker Carlson recently appeared on the popular show Full broadcast podcast — and began a lively discussion of Canada’s shortcomings. Curiously, Carlson declared that Quebec was his favorite province — before immediately taking Quebecers with him for their dedication to the French language. MTL Blog’s Mike Chaar breaks it down for us.
🏠 SURREAL REAL ESTATE
Would you buy a bungalow in Vancouver without ever setting foot on the property? Perhaps? Okay, well, here’s the kicker: The Oakridge property is listed for a whopping $10.5 million. Apparently the sellers are under no illusions that a potential bidder would actually want the current structure and instead choose to develop the land. Sierra Riley has additional information that should give a potential buyer pause.
🎂 BIRTHDAYS
Star Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. turns 24 today. Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid is 29. Detroit-born rapper Danny Brown is 42. R&B artist Blu Cantrell, famous for the ridiculously catchy “Hit ‘Em Up Style (Oops!)” is 47. The ubiquitous Character actor and voice artist Alan Tudyk turns 52. 30 rocks‘s Judah Friedlander is 54. Gilmore Girls Star Lauren Graham is 56.
Gore Verbinski, whose directorial credits oddly include entries in the Pirates of the Caribbean Franchise, horror staple The ring And Animated Animal Western Rangois 59. Canadian Spawn Creator Todd McFarlane is 62. Watch-wearing hype man Flava Flav is 64. Canadian acting legend Victor Garber is 74. Game show host Chuck Woolery is 82. The late “King of Comedy,” Jerry Lewis, was born on this day in 1926 born .
Thank you for reading Narcity’s Canada Morning Brief — the newsletter with more diverse interests than Gore Verbinksi.
Do you have a question or comment about today’s issue? Let me know at andrew.[email protected] or contact me on Twitter if you’d like @andrewjoepotter.
Have a nice day and see you back here tomorrow!
