This is not an anti-American web site, nor am I anti-American. Now, for those who seem to have missed it the first time, I will say it again. I am not anti-American. Don't bother saying I am. I'm not. You don't know me, so please don't put words into my mouth. I have a number of close and trusted friends from the USA - and a couple of friends in Texas even provided feedback on the final design. These shirts are merely designed for folks from around the world - especially Canadians - to point out that they are not, from the United States. Though there's nothing wrong with coming from the good ol' U.S. of A, in the current political climate this shirt may come in extra handy, especially if you disagree as I do with George W. Bush's beating of the war drums.

It should be pointed out that this is a personal project. I had planned to do it for years and finally decided to act, so I created the design, borrowed some money and had a small run printed. Now, of course, I just hope I can sell enough shirts to make my money back...and if I make a profit, that's even better.

What's this site all about?

This site was originally intended to have tools and tips for Canadians...and others...traveling overseas. While they're not here now, they may be added at a later date. As most non-Americans (and a large number of American backpackers) know, Americans don't really have the best reputation as travellers overseas, especially throughout Europe. That's why American backpackers started putting Canadian flags on their luggage.

The inspiration to design and sell t-shirts developed in June of '92 when, while fortunate enough to have been on a short trip through Europe, I got in a minor disagreement with someone over my reserved seats on a train. Eventually this person, a European, realised I was right but as he was leaving, he said "Bah! Americans" at which point I replied "Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm Australian." That's why I decided to make this web site and design the t-shirts.

In September of 2000, I printed up a small number of shirts and stickers, selling them to friends and acquaintances. After being successful with those items (I sold every one...all 50 of them), I had planned to go 'world wide' in 2001. My plan was to launch the web site on a day that was both the first anniversary of my original print run and my birthday. However, just five days before my 'release date', two planes flew into the World Trade Centre towers.

Out of respect for the victims of that horrible day and with a logical appreciation of the fact that my designs may be misinterpreted, I held off on the release of my web site and my designs to a larger audience. However, in mid-2002, I decided I had waited long enough and opened my web site for business and had a new run of shirts professionally printed.

The original logo (Canadian flag) shirts are produced to a high standard. Featuring pre-shrunk, 100% cotton t-shirts and printed by professional and experienced screen printers in British Columbia, these shirts are of a similar quality to those found in retailers world-wide. In an intentional example of irony however, though other options were available, the shirts themselves were all made in the USA by 'Fruit of the Loom'. Of course, at present the 'new logo' items are produced by a US company because no Canadian company can offer me the same ability to offer a large range of products without needing to produce and hold a large inventory.

Why is this design of this site so basic? To be honest, it's just because I don't believe you should need the fastest computer or the latest version of a web browser in order to view a web site. I believe that anyone should be able to view a web site and experience the wonders of the internet. The very fact you're reading this now demonstrates that a site doesn't need things like 'Flash' or 'Java' in order to get a basic message across.

Thank you for your support.

Trevor W, designer.

For the record: since November of 2002, I have held dual Australian & Canadian citizenship.

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