Canadian dream: Red paper clip for a house

Kyle MacDonald had a dream that took him from one red paper clip all the way up to a house. MacDonald, 26, from Canada, had a giant red paper clip, no job, but he had a Web site.

The premise was that he would trade things, one by one, and end up with a house.

MacDonald started with two women from Vancouver who offered a fish pen. So it went from one red paper clip for one fish pen for one door knob, for one camping stove, for one generator, for one instant party, for one snowmobile, for one trip to Yahk, British Columbia, for one cube van, for one recording contract, for one year of rent in Phoenix, for an afternoon with Alice Cooper.

Yes, the Alice Cooper. MacDonald traded the rest of his time with Cooper for a snow globe. Then actor Corbin Bernsen, an avid snow globe collector, wanted MacDonald's snow globe and offered a paid role in his new movie in exchange.

Then the people of Kipling, Saskatchewan wanted the movie role. And their offer? The house MacDonald said he wanted when it all started.

MacDonald said he had never been to Kipling. Well, now he has great incentive to go.

Yes, we've all read odd Internet-type stories, but this story seems somehow Canadian (admittedly with a U.S.-based rock star and actor), especially where Kipling came into it. The friendliness and gentle spirit is something I've admired in my trips to Canada. So when I saw this story, I felt the need to share.