Booze, Gambling, and Gluttony: Revisiting a Canadian Long Weekend Adventure

Back in May 2008, a delightful personal blog post captured the essence of a Canadian Victoria Day long weekend adventure. This entertaining content was previously accompanied by video footage hosted on Viddler.com under the account "HomeInsuranceQu" with the playful title "booze. gambling. gluttony. PERFECTION. - Cheaper Than Therapy."

The Canadian Long Weekend Experience

Victoria Day in Canada, affectionately known as the "May two-four weekend" (a clever nod to both Queen Victoria's birthday on the 24th and the Canadian slang for a 24-pack of beer), has long been celebrated as the unofficial start of summer. Despite the sometimes unpredictable weather, Canadians eagerly embrace this holiday weekend for outdoor activities, gatherings, and yes—a bit of indulgence.

Wine Country Adventures

The original content humorously documented a visit to Jackson-Triggs winery, complete with attempts to "steal the barrels" and disappointment about needing to wear a jacket during what should have been warm spring weather. This wine-tasting adventure represented the classic Canadian struggle with spring weather that refuses to cooperate with holiday plans.

Casino Thrills

Among the highlights of this weekend getaway was a visit to Niagara's casino, where the author proudly managed to spend hours at the roulette table with just $50—quite the achievement among big spenders. Perhaps even more exciting was being carded at the entrance, a delightful compliment for someone approaching their 30th birthday!

Cross-Border Shopping

No Canadian long weekend adventure would be complete without the quintessential cross-border shopping trip to Buffalo, NY. The journey included culinary indulgences at Dunkin' Donuts and The Cheesecake Factory, balanced with shopping disappointments at stores like J.Crew and the devastating discovery that Buffalo lacked an Anthropologie store.

Despite the shopping setbacks, the weekend concluded with at least one treasured purchase—a fish-patterned cami that brought joy despite the unseasonably cold weather.

A Nostalgic Look Back

While the original video content that accompanied this story is no longer available since Viddler.com ceased operations in 2022, the spirit of this Canadian adventure lives on. It captures a moment in time—complete with cultural references to the Love Boat and humorous observations about fashion—that resonates with anyone who has planned a getaway only to face weather challenges, budget constraints, and unexpected surprises along the way.

This content was originally referenced in Ali Martell's blog post, where readers engaged with comments about their own shopping adventures, weather complaints, and the universal joy of being carded well into adulthood.