Bittersweet Infamy - #131 - The Big Skookum Bittersweet Ambush

Episode Date: August 24, 2025

Big Skookum B.C. Road Trip! In this special episode recorded at the Arthur O. Wheeler hut in Glacier National Park, Taylor and special guests Lucia Misch and Ruy Gonzalez ambush Josie with a game show all about the beautiful province of British Columbia. Watch the plan come together, and play along from home to prove your B.C. bona fides!

Josie here. We hope you enjoy this episode of the big, scookum-becy road trip. Just a heads up that for the rest of these special episodes, rather than adhering to our usual release schedule of Sundays, we'll be releasing each episode as it's completed. We'll give you updates in the show description and on Instagram at Bittersweet Infamy, and we recommend subscribing on your podcast service of choice to get each episode delivered directly to your device as soon as it releases. This will allow us to hand polish each part until it gleams like a glacier. Thanks for being chill. Now, let's hit the road. Everyone ready? Ready. Ready. Ready.

Let's get Skookum. Buckle up for the bittersweet infamy, big skukum-BC road trip. I'm Josie Mitchell. I'm Taylor Basso. We'll be joined by our friends, Lucia Mish and Rui Gonzalez, as we explore Canada's beautiful westernmost province. From mountains to valleys, glaciers to hot springs, rainforests to dead. Deserts. Along the way, we'll tell you some of British Columbia's most infamous stories.

The truth may be bitter, but the stories are always skookable. Hey, it's Taylor. Josie doesn't know I'm recording this introduction, but I'll let you in on a secret. Back in episode 90, I surprised Josie with bittersweet ambush, a lavish game show complete with other contestants, multiple rounds, and a devious twist at the end. To say it got a big reaction would be an understatement. Josie, there was no baby Ajax. Was there a fish at all? No.

No. No. I've always known I'd ambushed Josie with another game show when the time was right, and when we committed to the big Skookum BC road trip, I knew that the moment had finally come, especially with our friends Rui. Oh, they're Paskas, hell yeah. Aww. And Lucia...

I'm not eating sushi in the interior. To act as contestants and co-conspirators. And this time, all of the questions would be about the beautiful province of British Columbia. Because an ambush is no fun without a deception, I got to thinking about what would be the weirdest and funniest way to set up this reveal that would also not cause Josie any unneeded stress in the context of a vacation. I'm not a total sadist. I thought it would be funny if we could convince Josie that one of us had written a

song about the road trip and spring the game show on Josie at the moment of the supposed performance. I also decided that Lucia, Josie's former roommate and close friend, was the road tripper least likely to draw Josie's suspicion and most likely to enhance the comedy of the situation. To my delight they were in. Let's go back in time to the beginning of the Big Skukum DC road trip as Rui, Lucia and I head up the sea to sky highway to pick up Josie at Horseshoe Bay. Watch out Josie. Your ride is an ambush on four wheels. Before Josie gets in the car What have you been able to lay any groundwork for the ambush

I dropped a couple of hints but I don't think she was really I don't think she really was paying attention No Yeah dial it up But also yeah It's kind of almost ideal that she hasn't picked it up Because that's that makes it settle What's your angle on this so far

So I was like some ideas I've been brewing Has anyone ever done like a theme song for an episode Oh that's funny The idea is sort of to be like, well, I think maybe a special surprise that we'll add some levity and, like, be a fun silly thing. Yeah, that makes perfect sense. Yeah. Sweet. Okay. Unfortunately for all of our scheming efforts, Josie was completely uninterested in any bait we put out for this ambush. For example, here's us dropping some hints on the patio at Canuligans near Shoe Swap Lake.

You were saying before you were working on some kind of, kind of like other creative project for this? Well, oh, 540 bell. Oh, that's the, oh. Yeah, that's the, it's a secret bell. I might, I might be. There might have been some, some ideas of percolating. Okay.

Some trouble of brewing. Sweet. Um, but I can't say too much. You can't disclose too much more than that? Not too much more than that. Okay. Yeah. Yeah.

Well, you could try. I'm not gonna. Okay, good. It was just fresh. I have strong boundaries. Good. Yeah. I don't.

Someone needs to. Taylor, you should take some of the... Yeah, I have bad boundaries. You know what you didn't hear in that clip? Any curiosity whatsoever from Josie Mitchell. Probably didn't even care what we were talking about. After a few such moments, we knew that we had to turn up the heat. Let's pick back up where last episode left off.

While Josie enjoyed a blissful nap on the front porch of the A.O. Wheeler Hut under the beautiful sky of Glacier National Park in the Canadian Rockies, Rui Lucia and I schemed by gaslight in the kitchen. By this point, it had been decided that Lucia's song would specifically be about her friendship with Josie. We thought this might pique Josie's interest. It did not. Close the door.

Close the front door. Yeah. So it turns out Josie is like a very hard person to like plant hints with because I keep trying to start. Like on the hike I was like, hey Josie, did you bring any like fancy clothes on our camping road trips because I had this whole idea

by Roo's being like because there's going to be a special presentation and we might need you to like dress up to receive a particular important and she was just like I have a squirt and they can't walk in

Oh my God and I was like well I fucking try oh that's so funny I'm not going to be like you're not going to be like why do you ask Lucia here in the woods you got to be blunt

I was like, something you might, like, I don't know, where to a gala. And she was like, I've worn a jumpsuit to a gala. Oh, that's what that was? That's what that was. The evening's court discussion. That is a riot. That is a riot. Damn.

So I was like, well, I think I'm mean. Yeah, I think I'm mean too so. Yeah. You might need to just be like. Yeah. I wrote you a song. How about a friendship? The other thing that you must know about the ambush set up is that the last

time we did it. Josie also did not in any way pick up the trap I laid down for her. Okay, but still lost her mind. Oh, fucking lost her mind. Great react. Like killer, killer reaction. It's like one of the many great things about Josie. It's just that you could be like, she's just like, she's just like, has no idea what's going on. So we do it. Yeah, so into it. When you're on a roller coaster, she's really, really, really scared. When you, when you're prank her, she's real, real surprised. It's good shit. When she tell her a joke, she laughs. It's real helpful. As like a creative collaborator and a performance-based thing, it really helps. Yeah. And like on like a very like genuine note to one of the things that I've always noticed

when I have with Josies, I'm like, oh my gosh, I like myself more. Yeah, no, I agree. I agree. The way that you react to me like brings out the things, like the loveliest bits, like my goofiness. Yeah, my mischief and my, my. Oh, are we recording? this? Oh yeah. Okay. This is, uh... A planning meeting, yeah. Now that we're recording it, Josie's great. Yeah, yeah, 10.10, you would meet. The problem with conducting an ambush that involves a microphone and laptops in a hut with no electricity is that if your electronics aren't charged when you get there, you're screwed.

Doubly so when the jumpstart you're using as a generator isn't compatible with your devices. I ended up going back and forth to the rental car, charging my laptop moment by agonizing moment. Thankfully, this left Rui and I alone, so Rui could explain how they finally broke through to Josie using the magical power of Chiesmiss. So, I just mentioned to Josie that Lucia mentioned to me that Lucia was writing a song for her or the podcast. I wasn't sure. You should maybe ask her. Yes, do some... Thank you, Rui. Do some inquiries, Josie. Be curious. Okay, perfect. That hopefully landed.

She did. She was like, oh, did she mention it? Oh, good. Or maybe wasn't paying attention. Ha ha ha ha ha ha, ha. Yeah, yeah, I got you. Shubi, yeah. So, um, she, it seems to be, I got the ball rolling. Oh, you're so smart, too.

Thank you. No problem. With my laptop now charged to 40% and Josie now concretely informed of the ruse, it was finally time to spring the ambush. Here, this will record while I get ready and get my shit together, because, you know, it should be some proper micage. It's my vocal warm-up. There's the mic. Quickly, everyone will get the popcorn and record closed to be a...

And I like this because it justifies my decision to bring the mic, you know? That's most important. You don't need an excuse for that. Sweet. So I want to use it sometimes. Josie, do you have fancy clothes you can dress up and please? Yeah, do you have fancy clothes? Like, like, did you bring a kimoner?

I have my informal scor. Oh, you didn't bring your dress score? At home. Sorry about that. This jacket's kind of... Here, I'll do the collar, right? Oh, could you? Yeah, pop the collar.

That'll be good formal. All right, so we're live from the Illeselot, aka A. A.O. Weller Hut. And it comes to pass that Lucia has prepared some sort of... Shenzal? Is it a chance? Is what do we... I'm kind of in the dark about this. I got the 104 from Rui. Brewy as we had it down to the parking lot.

Bruce's been telling everyone. What of the whole gossip? I'm a little snitch, yeah. Yep, that's what I'm alone. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Okay. Are we ready?

We're ready. It has since been, I've since been brought into the fold and I have the thing. Okay. You have a, Josie. But I don't even know what's happening. Josie, take my hand. Both are. Is there any sort of introduction that you need to give to this piece of, I guess, art?

What's work? No, just. Whatever you're ready, the backing track. Uh-oh, Josie. Once you hear that wacky game show music, it can only mean one thing, another ambush. Wait, they're so far. Welcome to the big skukum bittersweet ambush.

Game show you didn't know you were going to be on. We've been enjoying our tour of beautiful British Columbia, but how much do you know about the place you once called home? Get ready to find out in this bespoke quiz show, highlighting the history and infamy of Canada's westernmost province. First, let's introduce our contestants. This Bay Area Transplant wrote a book of poetry called The Problem with Solitaire. Let's hope she doesn't have any problems working on her own to secure a win today.

today it's lucia mish round of applause round applause hi's your daughters our next contestant hasn't been cramming for the quiz but they've definitely been cramming with the host is it enough to guarantee victory give a warm welcome to the pride of quernivaca mehiko rui gonzales round applause right applause that's for me isn't it that's so cute that's fun finally she's the reigning and defending champion of bittersweet ambush having notched her first win back back in episode 90. Is she skukum enough to score a repeat W?

Battling to prove her BC bona fides. It's Josie Mitchell. Round of applause, round of applause, round of applause. I'm your host, Taylor Basso, and I'll be your guide through the BC Wilderness as we get ready to play the big, skukum, bittersweet, ambush. Let's get started.

Josie, welcome with the bittersweet ambush. Ambushed. That was the intention. But again, hopefully a happy one. The ambush was real hard this time.

We kept trying to drop hints that Luch was doing something weird for you, but you were just kind of like... Sure. I'm on vacation, baby. As well as you should. And I was when they were like,

just be blunt with it. I would promise that you would be delighted to be ambushed. I never said anything of the sort. Not that you would take off your glasses and put your head in your hands and say, I hate this so much. I didn't think.

That was going to happen. All right, so let me set up the rules for this game. Very famously, the last time we played this game, there was a big twist at the end where it was like a big, we're trying to get you to cheat thing. We're not doing that this time. Baby Ajax. Baby Ajax.

No baby Ajax this time. I'm not a cheater. Straight ahead game. The winner gets a treasured local good that I attempted to acquire in time for this trip, but didn't get in time, but I'll give it to the winner afterwards. Okay, a mesh t-shirt. Is that it? It's close.

So last time Josie and I were in B.C. together, Josie shipped a rug, and she shipped a rug from a UPS store where they also sold French boyfriend hats. So this is a local brand. It's just a hat that says French boyfriend on it. We were very taken by it, both of us. It's quite cute. It's very cute. So the winner of the Big Skook on Bitter Sweet Ambush gets a French boyfriend hat to enjoy. All right. What do you start? You may know that B.C.'s official flower. the provincial dogwood or that its capital is Victoria but how deep does your provincial knowledge truly go get ready for the Purdy's chocolate variety box that is round one general knowledge number one musician Jimmy Hendricks

frequently visited his grandmother Nora in this neighborhood which was a seat of Vancouver's black community which was torn down circa 1970 to accommodate a freeway that was never built whichia what do you got Hogan Zelle all right Josie what do you got Strathcona Strathcona I put that East Hastings on Overpass area. Closest is correct, Lucia Hogan's alley. Woo! Who!

Point for me! All right, I thought to start... Not going to do that every time. Well, you can't if you want. I was promised a song. That's true. Do you-de-de-d-dee-dee-dee. Next question.

1862 Englishman Billy Barker struck gold in the Caribou Mountains leading to the overnight construction of this Gold Rush Town, now a tourist attraction featuring actors in period costume. We talked about this on the car ride out. What do you got? Ruy? Quinell slash Beaverton. Okay. Josie, what do you got? I can remember the name, but I know it starts to be Brawley? Barkerville.

Barker... I'll take it. Fuck it. Barkerville. Two points for Looch. I was about to split a real fine hair there and I thought, you know what, we're on fucking vacation. Next question. In 1968, former RCMP officer, Jim Trilliving, opened one of the very first franchises of this Canadian chain restaurant. in Penticton, BC.

Now the chain has nearly 400 restaurants in three countries, brings in $1.2 billion in revenue, and Trill Living, along with a few partners, owns it all. Canadian chain restaurant. Any guesses, let's start with Rui. Boston Pizza? Josie. I said White Spot, but it's from.

With Jia? I also said White Spot. Boston Pizza, Ruy gets the point. Why is it cut Boston Pizza? No one knows. No one knows. Nicely done. Good job.

Thank you. Thank you. I guessed. The only Canadian restaurant I know. There you go. What was a good guess? He's on Shark Tank, Jimcher Living. Oh, that's the guy? Yeah.

Oh, then I know. Yeah, Boston Pizza. Okay. Did not know. Boston Pizza. You know, you think it was from Boston, but no. Yeah. Next question.

On September 4th, 20204, the Kakas Solas Totem pole, carved by Kwokwakiuwak artist Ellen Neal, was moved to the UBC School of Anthropology after spending 40 years standing in this iconic Vancouver. location. And I know this one. I was just at that museum. Oh, God. The Kakasola's totem pole, parked by Elanil, was moved to the School of Anthropology after 40 years standing in which iconic Vancouver location. Start with Josie. Stanley Park? I also said Stanley Park. Me too. Well, you all three get the point. It's Stanley Park. Very famously has a lot of totem poles at Stanley Park.

Next question. In 1984, Vancouver girl Lori Fung became the first ever athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in this gymnastics event. So it was brand new in 1984. What if I don't know what it's called? Can I put a description? Yes. What? I'm going to cheat.

It's allowed to try to cheat, yeah? I didn't hear what you said, though, so it's hard to read lips under these gas lights. I did just help Lucia cheat briefly. But because of that, Josie and Ruiz, you both get a cheat now. I'm benevolent, I'm benevolent. So, Lucia might have just wasted that. We don't know. All right, what do you got, Lucia, since I just helped?

Oh, what is the uneven bars? Uneven bars. Phrased like a jeopardy question. Josie, what do you got? I did, like, the floor routine, the floor dance, what's that called? I guess that's wrong. That's the floor routine, I think. Floor routine.

Yeah. I did that little saddle horse where they like, try to see. The pommel horse. Yeah. Okay, so the answer is rhythmic gymnastics. Is that what Josie's talking about? Give Josie the point. Josie gets the point.

Temper. we all got a point. No. Next question. The Green Party of Canada reliably has a seat in the Canadian Parliament thanks to the BC District

of Sanage Gulf Islands who have elected and re-elected this Green Party president as their MP since 2011. Oh, I got this one in the bag. You can see her face in your head. Uh-huh.

Oh. And I just gave away that it's a woman, so that should help. Yeah. With my... Sarah Jessica Parker. Yeah. Thank you.

Pam Anderson. She's a local girl. She is a local girl. That's very true. All right. Josie, what'd you get? Nothing. Lutcher, what you get?

Despite the fact that I know, I've seen the signs, I know the name. I'm drawn in big old blankety, big old embarrassing blankety blank. So this is the conundrum. It's coming Elizabeth May. It is Elizabeth May point to rewry. Oh, man. Next question. This iconic Vancouver landmark appears on the cover of here and now the 2011 album by Canadian

rock royalty nickelback. So we're looking for an iconic Vancouver landmark that appeared on the cover of a Nickelback album. I put the like the Gastown Clock. Canada Place. Canada Place. I have two. Do I have to like stick with one? Yeah. I'd love you to, I'd love you to say what both are and then I'd love you to say which one you're picking. I have the East Van Cross or the spinning restaurant. Those are both good picks. I'm going to go with East Van Cross. It's the Gastown Steam Clock. Oh my gosh. Josie! I think we're talking.

We are tied three, three. We are tied three, three. No, I know. We should have cheated. Like Lucia, that cheater. It's only cheating if you indulge me. Otherwise, it's just trying. That's true.

You're right. Next question. This retail giant founded in Vancouver in 1998 has had several brushes with infamy over the years, including a class action lawsuit. action lawsuit in 2013 over C-through yoga pants. It's Canadian tired. Ruey and why don't you start us off?

Lulu lemons. Josie? Lulu lemon. Lulu lemon is correct. I did hear you say Lulu lemons, but I gave Lu Lucia Barker's bill earlier, so we're letting the superfluous best slide. The president has been established. You said no problem with the spelling. That's true. Next question. Artist and writer Douglas Copeland, who grew up in West Vancouver, is credited with popularizing this nickname for the generation born from 1965 to 1980 between baby boomers and millennials. Josie, what

you got? Generation X. Rui, what do you got? Silent generation. What do you got? Gen. X. That's before boomers. Gen X is correct. Rui who fumbles in an easy bag. I do that all the time. You're not special. Yeah. I fuck everything up. I'll have you know. All right. Next question. In the town of Gibson's on BC Sunshine Co. you'll find Molly's Reach, a real-life diner based on the fictional restaurant from this iconic Canadian TV series, which lasted 19 years and filmed over 350 episodes on location in Gibson's. And I know this one. I watched it with you. I haven't watched it with you, so...

It was Justin Gibson's at Molly's Reach. Yeah, yeah. Let's start with Lucia. Trailer Park Boys. Rui. Uh, Seinfeld. Even though that's not Canadian. what's the deal with the fairy it's mamma mia uh what do you got josie beachcomers it is the beachcomers

point to josie mitchie is up with six points luci at five ruby at four i told you what i'm here to make josie look better your enhancement talent is what we call that in the wrestling business you feel in the podcast all the time i'm in new zealand sadly all right last question in the round on june 21st 2021 this village of two 100 and something residents endured the highest ever recorded Canadian temperature of 49.6 Celsius slash 121.28 Fahrenheit the next day the village burned to the ground. All right, Josie, start us off. I know you've talked. Would you talk about it on the podcast? We talked about it on the car right up. Yeah, and I can't remember it. We drove past it. What are you got? Litton, B.C.

Litton B.C. is correct. Drove past it? No, we drove past the road that you take to go there. So, as we head out of round. one the scores are luci and josie tied in first with six we're right behind at five so anyone's game very much here so this is a bonus observation around we got a couple of these they are based on things from this hut that we're staying in in this room it sure some of them i haven't read any of the informational plaques you should always read the informational plaques we are currently staying the leila silhouette hut and also known as the arthur o wheeler hut backcountry alpine

hut and glacian national park here the hut is overseen by the alpine club of canada of which Mr. Wheeler was co-founder. As such, the HUD is liberally decorated with wall plaques, announcing Wheeler's biographical information. Come to the wood to read biographical. Okay. What does the O and Arthur O.

Wheeler stand for? All right. Joswold. Oliver? Oliver. It is Oliver. Hell here. Oh, I really thought it was.

I wrote Oliver. Look. Oh. Oh. All right. Get ready for round two. By now, we know that Pam Anderson is from Lady Smith and Kim Cottrell is from Courtney. But what other big names were born, raised, or both in beautiful British Columbia?

Let's find out in round two. They're from B.C., you know? The answer will always be a person's name or a stage name in this round. Points are double the correct answers worth two points. Question one. And Josie and Rui, Lucia's cheating to beat the band and it's working. I'm just good at... Game theory.

Oh, John Nash over here. Great. Question one. This Maytee woman who won the crown at the Miss English Bay Beauty Pageant in 1952 is the namesake for one of Canada's premier makeup, fashion, and beauty institutes. You can find its downtown Vancouver campus on Robson Street. I haven't been to my tongue. I did my nail degree there. Oh, you have a degree from this place. Well, this makes it extra spicy. You have a nail degree?

Yeah. I don't know that. I can't fucking dave you. That's dope. Wow. No wonder your name is like so good. Thank you. They're all chipped right now.

We're camping. Okay, I remember it, so let's quit stalling. Okay. Josie's like, now that I'm doing well, fuck it. Lucci, what do you got? Laura Merci? Okay. Blanche?

Blanche. And last name? Nope. Josie? Blanche McDonald. It is Blanche McDonald's. Can I get a half point? I'll give you a half a point because I adore you.

Josie gets two points though. Oh. All right. Next question. One of our label mates over at 604 records is this former Canadian Idol contestant, born and raised in Mission, B.C., who exploded to international fame in 2011 after Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez hyped her song on Twitter. Lucia, what do you got? Who is Carly Ray Jepson?

What do you got? Carly Ray Jepson. Okay. Awesome. We all get two points? Two points for everyone, yeah. No one's checking the notebooks. Next question.

This music and celebrity journalist, known for his deep research, eccentric mannerisms, and signature Tam O'Shanter Hat, got his start at the University of British Columbia's radio station, CITR 101.9 FM. Oh my God, I'm going to be so embarrassed. I'm already so embarrassed. I can't remember his name. Welcome, but inters me to ambush. Embarrassing the fuck out of you for no reason. I'm going to need some answers. Luch, what do you got? Hunter S. Thompson. What did you got? I didn't write anything. I can't think of it.

Nardwar, the human serviette. Oh, Nard war. Sorry, Nord War Yeah, Josie's really upset Next question This actor, best known for his work in stoner comedies, actually started out as a musician

in Bobby Taylor and the Vancouver's A Vancouver-based soul band that opened for the Jackson 5 in the 1960s Okay, so that's not going to be that one No, not Seth Rogen. No, I thought of it was Seth Rogen, okay. Another stoner. It's either cheat or chung

We're going to need an answer Cheech or Chong What do you got, Josie? I'll say cheech. I also have I have Cheech and or Chong I'm going to need whether it's Cheech or Chong Oh my gosh, who did I have to

Joezy did Cheech Who do you figure? Oh God, Josie's winning, so Cheech It's Chong Hey! Very gets two points Next question Known for novels like Monkey Beach

and sung of a trickster this award-winning Kidamat, B.C. Born writer is a member of the Heisla and Halesuck First Nations. Eden Robinson. I wasn't sure. Eden Robinson. Just gets a point. This Vancouver-born-raised teen heartthrob of the 90s couldn't survive death in the very first final destination,

which might explain why he shows up as a ghost in 1995's Casper. This is why I turned my glasses off and cried. It's hard. It's hard. Jonathan Taylor Thomas. No. That's who I said too. I had such a crush on it?

No. I did put nothing. So who was it? Devon Sawa. Oh. That's true. Next question. Known as the youngest flexor of the century, this flower-mouthed Vancouver

I rose to internet prominence in 2018, when she began posting images and videos of herself surrounded by luxury vehicles and boasting of her wealth, despite only being 10 years old. I'm sticking with Jonathan Taylor Collins. She's dancing with the girl Dancing with the girl at Runger What do you got, Josie?

I'm thinking of like famous 10-year-old's honey-boo-boo. Okay. Which I know. A little tag. Yeah, that's right, Rory. Next question. In 2018, this Burnaby-born singer of pop standards

released a same-sex version of Santa Baby with the lyrics changed to Santa Buddy. I hadn't heard that one actually. Santa Buddy. Think of... He falls out every fall. Why are you helping your fellow contestants? Help me, help me.

He does whatever call? He's in the same category as... They're turning against me. That's fine. We're unionizing over again. Yeah. It's solidarity. What's your name?

Ryan Carey. Yes, it's the same tier as Miracieri. The same tier is... I'm going to need an answer. There's a can of drink that have similar... Oh, my God. Woutain clan? All right.

Uttain can. Uchiya, your first. That's your answer. Is it Wutankan can? No. Ruey to try one more time. No, it's over. Touched it.

I've spent too long with this question. Rui... Michael Bookely. That's correct. Josie, what did you get? Kepsy. Kepsy. It sounds like Pepsi, but with a Kepsy?

It sounds like a brand-new drink, so you wrote Kepsy? First I wrote Pepsi and then I crossed out the P and okay. We'll go on to the next question. All right. Last question of this round. For in Claire, Elise Boucher, this Vancouver-born-and-raised Juno Award-winning, electronic music artist is also well-known for having three kids with one of the world's most powerful and mercurial men. It's like their stage name.

That's from BC. They're from Vancouver. Oh. Everyone here is from BC. Oh. That's the game of the whole round. Who are you got? Grimes.

Jers who you got? Grimes. Who you got. Grimes. Grimes is correct. Everyone gets two points. Woo. 18 Rui

14 Josie Oh my goodness 11 Lucia Sorry 18 and a half Ruby Because I gave Rue that half a point too Oh take it away Well that's what you get So 18 and a half

That's true Yeah All the benefits I love it I love it All the life's pleasures at your fingertips So we didn't do our usual April Fool's fact or fiction

Minfamous this year due to circumstances Beyond Our Control A.K. Titanic April Yeah, out of our control. But it's back for a summer sequel. In this round, I will tell you two stories about BC icons. One of them is a true fact, and the other is a bunch of BC bollocks. It's up to you to decide which story's true and which is false, to win three points.

It's just so stressful last time. Okay. Story one, here at Bitter'sude Infamy, we love Canada Post. When they're not on strike, they faithfully deliver the mail. Rain or shine. You know. It gets there. the best. And they put cute little pictures

on the postage stamps, too. Case and point, in 2019, they released a set of stamps celebrating five iconic Canadian desserts, butter tarts, tarts, or saskatoonberry berry grunt, and of course the Nanaimo bar. Is it a blueberry grunt? Blueberry grunt. It's like this little blueberry thing in a pan. I don't know what it is.

Think of a cobbler. And they grunt when they do it. And of course the Nanaimo bar, the beloved concoction composed of chocolate custard and coconut. However, the stamp's depiction of the stack, and in particular, its ratio of layers left much to be desired for some Canadian aficionados, said Jeff Noctagale, owner of Sugared and Spiced Bakery. I was so excited to hear there was a set of dessert stamps. The

Nanaimo Bar especially bought my intention. I, with a great excitement, opened this package of ten stamps and discovered an imposter. Speaking of the Nanaimo Bar depicted in the image, Noctagale says, the base and custard filling should be about seven-eighths of the bar combined with a not too thin layer of chocolate on top, but this Canada Post-Imposter has more than half the bar represented by filling. I do not know what this is. Is it a cheesecake? Shots fired. Even the mayor of Nanaimo Leonard Krog added his two cents. Unfortunately, no one apparently consulted with anyone here in Nanaimo. We should never look a gift horse in the mouth, and one hesitates to be critical. I'm a great supporter of the Postal Service in Canada

Post, but it's not a very accurate depiction, and most people in Nanaimo know that. Now, it's uncanadian enough to vocally criticize something even in an incredibly mild and polite tone of voice. It's another thing entirely to phone in bomb threats. To every single, single one of the dozen Canada post offices in Nanaimo demanding that the stamp be changed. Wow. But that's exactly what one enterprising and vengeful soul did, said Natasha Fong, who worked for the Canada Post attached to the shopper's drug mart on Fifth Street. It was ridiculous. We had to close the store for half a day while the RCMP investigated. I talked to the person

myself on the phone, and he didn't seem to understand that we aren't responsible for the pictures on the stamps. No one was able to post mail that day. It just heard other Nanaimoites. the bomb thefts seem to have been a fabrication however the culprit was never identified or caught the stamps went unchanged says fong summing it up i'm always proud of my city and glad i grew up here but i bet they never do this disaster tune story number two okay fort st john is something of a capital of northern bc as the most populous city in the peace river district with about twenty two thousand citizens fsj naturally need to reflect its distinct history in the time-honored form of a municipal mascot enter frozen john Pitched the City Council by arts advocate Sue Popeskew in 2005, Frozen John is a cheery sprite in an orange winter jacket, perfect chap to interact with the kiddos at Fort St. John's many winter events. Unfortunately, after 20 years of tooth-chattering service,

Frozen John came under scrutiny when rumors spread that the mascot was based on the story of an indigenous person who died of hypothermia in the area's cold winter. City Council, not wanting to lay a foot wrong, consulted with both the North Peace Museum and the Doig River First Nations. The resulting combination of research in oral history confirmed that Frozen John was actually a trapper named Honest John, Although John wasn't his government name, August Healmer Milquist was a Swedish immigrant who died of exposure in March 1918. His corpse was found by two members of the Doig First Nations, Akku and Jepesia.

Given that this guy wasn't indigenous, you might think that the city was clear to move forward with the mascot, but counselor Sir McDougal points out that making light of a European dude who perished tragically isn't much better. Quote, I don't think we should be having a mascot that talks about how someone died. It sounds like this was a great local historical figure in our community. He was nicknamed Honest John He was like many of us are in this peace region Kind of a go-getter He came across from Sweden and forged a new life in our area Counselor Byron Stewart on the other hand

Believes the mascot shouldn't necessarily be changed Although he's open to tweaks Frozen Honest John I think could be something We could transition to He says I don't think we actually need to do a change It's just something that we as a council We as a staff

We as community members Could carry on as a reference The hull of blue happened last winter, 24, so it's yet to be seen if old honest, tragic, frozen, dead John will carry on as the winter mascot of Fort St. John. Either way, we encourage those sweethearts listening from frigid environments to take safety seriously, and by all means, bundle up. Stay toasty and stay sweet. So you've got the Nanaimo Bar postage stamp bomb threats, or you've got Frozen Honest John. One of them is true. One of them is false.

Three points on the line. Shosy, what do you think is the true one? The true one? I think the Frozen Honest John is true Is true I agree with Josie I want to say the Nanaimo one The Namo bar explosion

Extravaganza Is true True Frozen Honest John is true Yes So the Denimo Bar stamp Did have a bad ratio But the bomb threats

They're taking it a little far Yeah Even in the city of the NIMO No they're not like that over there Quick observation quiz for two bonus points how high in meters above sea level are we it's posted outside of the cabin 917 you should write it down instead of just saying immediately the first thing that you think of rearing out loud you're just saying 917 are you okay what is what's your answer in meters

i love you i love you too babe what's your answer in meters 900 josezy 916 Oh, Lucia? 918. The answer is 1,250. And shea gets too long. Yes. Yeah. Woo.

Keep in time, it's quiet Alice. Oh, that's hilarious. Why do we trust you? See, Rui, I told you not to say you thought out loud. It made you sit and tuck. It made you a target. Remember when I ate those berries? You were like, these are fun.

And you were like, wait. Those are blueberry. I don't know he did. They're huckleberries. I Google but it's huckleberries. Oh, I'm gonna pee my little libido short. One last, this is it. You got one last thing to hang in here for and then it's over.

You can go piss everywhere. All right, gang, current score. Rui at 18.5 in the lead. Josie at 17. Oh, that's more than I thought. Yep, there you go. Oucci at 14. So round four comes in two parts.

arts first round a little bit of arts and crafts I checked some uh poscas on the table and I grabbed a piece of cardboard for each of you go on the British Colombian flag was introduced in 1960 by Premier WAC Bennett based on a design by Arthur John Eanlands you're not gonna do this wait you can't just grab all the colors you need I'm just saying we're gonna share them okay okay so you now have five minutes to replicate the flag of VC using POSC markers and cardboard. Whoever is able to give the most accurate depiction wins three points.

Everyone else gets zero. Okay. Okay. Three, two, one, go. I remember nothing. You went through the, like, BC educational system too. Uh-huh. And I have a license that has a literal BC logo on it.

I think I'm just making it out at this point. I think that's nice. It's a colonial flag. Fuck it. All their flags, if not made up. Did you just draw a dick? dick no and just he can prove but I know yeah and so I'll be grading you and like who has the most correct elements in roughly the correct place oh shit what wait you didn't know it had to be

correct huh no no no I remembered one one one thing got it so because you looked at mine nope because I remember there's a book in it there's a book in it oh where okay I'll pop a little book in mine you're suggestible Do I have the white back for your book? Yeah. Oh wow, Josie really did put a book in there. So Rui, would you hold up and show to me your thing and explain what elements you... Just kind of explain it for the people.

I remember that there is like little red stripes coming from a sun that has a little book in the middle and then there's like little ocean waves at the bottom. Okay. With a yellow and white. Josie, what'd you get? Okay. So I remember the colors. red and blue and yellow so i i did that but then everything else was a bit of a wash i knew there was a yellow sun and some blue waves yeah and some red something and then we mentioned a book so i

you added the book i had an empty space and luci what you got so i had the little blue and and the little blue waves blue white stripes under there at the bottom with the sun rising the yellow sunrising behind them And I did actually put a book in the corner. Why? Because where you said there was... You're all, there's not a book. There's no book. There is that.

There's no book. I mean, I did not put a book, as you can see. Yes. But I did put a maple leaf because I figured there might be one. Something. Yeah, you might slap it under it. It seemed like not enough elements for a flag, so I put a little maple leaf up in the sky.

Right. No, no. It's kind of, it's kind of interesting. There's a busy flag. It's a very busy flag. This is interesting because they're all equally good slash bad in terms of like the amount of elements. So this is what we were actually looking for.

Oh, God. Oh, the Union Jack is on there. You all entirely omitted the Union Jack. And in fact, I should say in the original draft of this flag, it was the sun on top of the Union Jack. That's what I remember, yeah. But they changed it because the sun never sets on the British Empire. I mean, oh.

Because you can't trust the English in the dark. Yeah, I think Josie wins. What? Look at that. Yeah, you forgot the Union Jack. At least Josie put a book. There's no book. Joseph says a rainbow.

Can I use my second cheat to get Josie elected? Elected? What do you think this game is? I mean, I don't think. More complicated than the US one. Yeah, but you both put this fucking book in there. So what we're going to have a book? You were bragging about your book.

Can you see the book? No. I'm going to say no points. I'm going to say no points. Do the hell of a thing? It's the high-nice. I think everybody gets 100 points. No.

So we still win. Which is the same. There's still one part left in the final. Okay. So you get to draw? No. You can't be trusted with that. It's obvious.

All right. Going into the end here, Ruiz at 18.5, Josie's at 17, Lucia's at 16. Ooh. Anyone's game. Bet the amount of points that you are comfortable with betting. I'll tell you that the final question

is in some way tied into the history of this flag. So, Bet, decide how confident you are, accordingly. All right, Rui, how many points do you betton? My answer is whatever Lucia said. All right, Lucia, what did you say? I said all of them. Oh, fuck's sake, okay. So all of them.

Chose you ready button? I did 13, fucking number 13. You just drew the BC flag on what? Sort of. Well, you attempted. Efforts were made. I do my best. On what type of distinctive transportation vehicle did this flag fly for the first time?

Ferry. Josie? I said a BC ferry. I said a ferry boat. You are all correct. Great. Final results, with 30 points bringing up the rear, Josie Mitchell. Okay.

Coming in second, 32 points. Lucia Mish, which means that our enhancement talent, Rui Gulli, Gonzales has won the day. Congratulations, Ruri. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. First time I'm here. Number be back. And with that said, thank you so much for tuning into the second episode of Bitter Sweet Ambush. A huge thank you to all of our contestants and an even huger congratulations to our winner, Rui. And as a matter of fact, we're so pleased with the efforts of all of our contestants that you'll all be getting French boyfriend hats.

Upon our return to Vancouver, you're all my French boyfriends, all free. I would also like to thank and congratulate Taylor Basso for putting together a wonderful bittersweet ambush for us. Thank you. Thank you so much. So much work. So much love. Thank you. And on that note, we'll see you for the next ambush and remember Josie, the next ambush could be lurking around any corner.

Take care. Are we doing another one on this trip? Who knows? Shrug. Luke Shia, you will tell me. I'll tell you. After you write the song. Okay.

Yeah, there's a song. See, Lucia was in on it. You can't trust Lucia. Oh my gosh. If you want more infamy, we've got plenty more episodes at bittersweetinfamy.com or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you want to support the podcast, shoot us a few bucks via our coffee account. At K-O-HifinFi.com forward slash bittersweet infamy.

But no pressure. Bittersweet infamy is free, baby. You can always support us by liking, rating, subscribing. Leaving a review, following us on Instagram at Bittersweet Infamy, or just pass the podcast along to a friend who you think would dig it. Stay sweet. Thank you so much for another excellent episode of the Bittersweet Ambush. Huge thanks to Lucia, Rui, and Josie for putting up with that.

Some quick corrections. The flower... The provincial flower of British Columbia is the Pacific Dogwood, not the provincial dogwood. And, of course, Jim Trilving is on Dragon's Den, not Shark Tank. The information in the fact of fiction, infamous, the Nanaimo Bar story, the part of it that was true, came from the article Nanaimo Bar fans going postal over Imposter Square depicted on new stamp on CBC News, April 30th, 2019, and the information on the Frozen John's story came from the true story of Frozen John, a fort St. John's winter mascot that was written by Tom Summer, February 13th, 2024 for the Prince of George Citizen. British Columbia exists on the unseeded lands of 203 First Nations. This episode was primarily recorded in the Kootenie region of the Canadian. Rockies, Home of the Dunachahe, Sech Weppum, Sainx, and Seil, Okanagan. If you want to support the show, become a coffee subscriber over at K-O-hyphen-Fi.com

slash Bittersweet Imphemy. You join the Bittersweet Film Club. Get access to episodes of our film discussion podcast and the chance to suggest films of your own. Become a member like Terry, Jonathan, Lizzie D, Erica Joe, Sof Dylan and Satchel. Bitter Sweet Infamee is a proud member of the 604 podcast Network. This episode was edited by me and Josie. cover photo by Taylor, Josie and Lucia.

Musical cues include Danilo Vicari's Riffs of Win Prize Mary and Cross Town Traffic by Jimmy Hendricks. A Boston Pizza ad for 2009. A BC Ferryhorn from Ferry Horns 2017 by YYJ Transport on YouTube. Call Me Maybe by Carly Ray Jepson.

Young and Alive by Diamond underscore tunes. Bingo Crazy by Richard Bodgers. The Game Show music by Waiterman royalty-free music. There's Been a Murder by Mitchell Collins. the British-Columbian provincial anthem, which we apparently have, and of course the song you're currently listening to, T. Street by Brian Steen. We'll get you the next episode of Skookum as soon as we can. Thank you for your patience. We really appreciate it, and we hope you're enjoying the ride.

Thank you. I don't know.