Mr ForbZ

New Pad comes with a major bonus...well, for me anyway...

2009-09-14T12:47:00.000-07:00

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaamn... that's fast....

Renos :)

2009-09-07T10:25:00.000-07:00

It's have been a busy couple months... I'm talking house hunting Squash tourneys, picture taking, picture editing, do walking, home buying, renovations which include flooring, closet organizers and paint, furniture shopping, and now finally, next week end, MOVING! :) Bozlee doesn't know anything yet so don't let on...

Next big adventure is Photography school for 6 weeks and my first wedding job at the end of Oct... Drop my a line :) It's not that I've forgotten you, I's just got a lot happening is all...

Home Again

2009-07-03T17:31:00.000-07:00

No matter how long I stay away from the East Coast it still feels like home... maybe it's the random smiles, the friendly drivers or all the fried everything... whatever it is, I missed it. Since Monday, I have indulged in many pounds of lobster, scallops and lobster... :) Life is good. I have caught up with many family members and taken hundreds of pics already. Ahead of me is a trip to Halifax to see friends from school and I'm sure more good food :) I have started a set on flickr HERE which hopefully will get it's regular update as I come across pockets of wi-fi and 3G access ;P

Let the Seafood Debauchery Begin

2009-06-29T05:40:00.000-07:00

Boz and I made it home to Moncton! With the exception of a 30 minute lightning delay on Tdot, the flight was pleasantly uneventful...

Bozlee's first trip was a success but I don't think he's a big fan of flying...

Nature's Stairmaster from hell...

2009-06-12T13:00:00.001-07:00

I don't get it... with the plethora of trails available within the lower mainland, Vancouverites seem to flock to the Grouse Grind for some sort of fitness satisfaction.

The grind is simply nature's stair master, literally... I have no idea why people call it a "hike", when the stairs have been built, placed and groomed into the hill. It's to the extreme where at one point I actually looked up the hill that laid in front of me and was reminded of a broken escalator with nature's mall...

I love hiking and love the mountains as well as nature, but the grind disappoints me. It feel like commercialized "nature" and goes against what I enjoy about hiking... I was reminded yesterday of why I don't go "the Grind" anymore. At least the company was good and I worked up a sweat... but I think I'll stick to the path least travelled in the future ;)

Mune update (May-June= Mune)

2009-06-08T13:11:00.000-07:00

I'm not yet sure what I'm going to write about so if mid-way through reading this you realize that you cannot follow my thought process, know that you a

re likely not alone... Given the month I have had, I'm not sure where to start... why not oldest news first...

My best buds at Corsiworld started a new chapter in Singapore... Leaving behind hundreds of loved ones (literally). They flew half way around the world for Gio's chance of a lifetime to work for Mr Star Wars himself... he'll no doubt blow them out of the water with his autistic knowledge and creativity... I mean artistic... or do I?... ;P (It's ok, he'll never read this...) See you in December when I drag myself halfway around the planet to see the new digs :) Have hot wings and a towel waiting...

Shortly after they left I turned to a life of drugs and violence... not really, this is a pic of what I think is my first black eye caused by stepping into a moving squash racquet while playing in the Whistler Squash open (yes I was wearing goggles...)... one of my best week-ends on record. Spring snow conditions allowed for snow boarding when not on court... or in a bar... :) Oh, and I won a week-end for 2 in Whistler in the tournament :)

May, also marked my first JAPA dog experience... Unreal! It truly is an experience that everyone should have... Gourmet hotdogs are only the beginning of this truly unique vendor experience.

I began house hunting for a place to buy, but there has not been anything worth mentioning thus far. I'll keep you posted.

And Finally, June 1st marks the first day in 34 years that I began living on my own... So now who's going to pick up all my junk?...

Not Convinced a game was in order...

2009-04-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

Dexter the series is brilliant! If you haven't seen it, do yourself a favor, stop watching crap like America's top whatever and take in some truly artistic TV writing, acting and filming...

A Game on the other hand... not sure how I feel about this. Kind of knocks the show down a rung for me in attempt to "get paid"... I guess we'll see how it goes... I'll probably buy it anyway ;)...

34 Years Old... Feels a lot like 33....

2009-04-19T15:55:00.000-07:00

I have some pretty amazing friends... friends that pay far too much attention to details in my life...

All the cards I got for my birthday were awesome, but I wanted to share the top 3 that made me shoot my absinth cocktail out of my nose friday night at cascade...

Seriously, when are these just going to die?

2009-04-17T10:48:00.001-07:00

I mean c'mon, does anyone know ANYONE that has one of these? Microsoft needs to stop... just stop making stuff you have no business making... seriously, you don't have a clue what people want and when you think you do, you're wrong... really wrong...

And that's all I have to say about that...

If you have a ZUNE... I'm sorry... that you have a Zune... ;)

Bout F'n Time

2009-04-15T16:37:00.000-07:00

Well, Spring is FINALLY here... Only 3 weeks late...

And I've started a photo set on flickr to celebrate...HERE and of course you can always find the same great pics on my website somewhere...

2009-04-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

Whistler/Blackcomb's latest and greatest attraction (second to the snow of course) is the Peak to Peak gondola. In eleven minutes the peak to peak will transport you over 2 miles from the peak of Whistler to the peak of Blackcomb... and at some point you are suspended over 1400 feet in the air... faint of heart folks... ;)

Deadmau5 (Deadmouse) @ the Commodore

2009-04-08T12:51:00.000-07:00

To one or two of you, this post may actually be redundant as I also posted this video on my website. But IMHO,it is worth mentioning twice as it was the highlight of 09 for thus far :)

New Adventure

2009-02-04T22:02:00.000-08:00

Might not seem like a huge deal to some, but, I purchased my own domain last week...
yup, that's rite, I am now part own of the internet community. Now they have to listen to me...
MrForbz.com is it's name, however it is very much in it's early stages and heavily under construction while I learn a plethora of new information on how to build a website even though I am backed with the wonderful support of my mac and iweb... Stay tuned, I am working out the kinks and plan on bringing you with me through them :)

Star Wars from Bits and Pieces

2009-01-24T10:04:00.000-08:00

My friend Kim just posted this and I had to share...
It's the star wars trilogy as told by someone who's only seen bits and pieces over the years...

Is Funneh.

No Longer a Baker Virgin

2009-01-18T15:02:00.001-08:00

With 2hours of sleeps and head cold I pulled myself together Saturday morning at 6am for a roadtrip with my very good friend Alison to hit the slopes of Mt Baker in Washinton state, and the day couldn't have been better...
The hill is a great size rolling hills all over the place making for some really cool runs. We spent most of our day on the White Salmon side of the hill trying to stay in the sun for as long as possible and away from the crowded green runs...
After a full day of short lines and many runs it was time for the best part of the day... The apres ski... I love this tradition
For those who have not indulged in an apres ski, it is simply this... drinks and food.
But, for some reason, the drinks are never as good and the food never as tasty as after a full day of boarding... actually the effects are really same even after one run...
Our first stop on the apres circuit was the tiny podunk (termed used by a local we met on the chair referring to hillbillies) bar called Holy Smokes where after reviewing a les the impressive menu we decided to at least have a quick pint.
"What do you have on tap?" I asked almost expecting a lengthy list of specialty washington beers...
"Bud, Bud Light, Coors and.... Coors Light" he says with a straight face...
I glanced over the Richter trying not to smile and went with 2 ice cold pints of Bud...
Now, it could have been the affects of the apres hitting us hard but we looked at each in amazement following our first sips. It was was clean and smooth and DELICIOUS!! Our Bud's were DELICIOUS?!!... "This never happens at home" Richter says to me... "I can't explain it either" I replied...
We paid the bill and quickly hit the road in search of our locally recommended spot in North Fork....

Math doesn't get easier then this...

It was in North Fork that we find an an oasis of micro brewed beers and home made pizzas that would make a grown man weep out of sheer happiness...
The North Fork Beer Shrine: Micro brew pub/ pizzeria/ wedding chapel... yes, wedding chapel. We were in awe of the absolute awesomeness...
Both Alison and myself tried the India Pale Ale and sorry Alexander Keith, but you couldn't even hold a flame to this stuff... It was like drinking liquid unicorn it was so awesome!
Yes the beer was without a doubt unreal, but what really threw us for a loop was the pizza... We shared their specialty called the monster...
It was the perfect melange of pepperoni, jalapenos, pineapple, sardines, GORGONZOLA!!! and finally parmesan...covering a crispy and delicious home made crust and home made marinara sauce...
O.....M.......G.......!!!!!
It was Fu@#ed up good!!! It was, for lack of a better word, perfect... the ingredients did not over power each other and they were in perfect balance and ratio... someone really took their time creating this beauty... and I can guarentee u I'll be back.
I miss you already Beer Shrine... I think I love you, see you soon...

Pics or the awesome day are HERE.

Canucks vs New Jersey

2009-01-14T12:13:00.000-08:00

Went to see my third live hockey game ever... I don't know what it is about seeing it live but even when we lose, it's still ridiculously fun. Cam and I bought each other tickets to the Vancouver vs New Jersey game last night for Christmas...awesome... we lost 5:3 but it was still awesome... maybe it was the 2 beers per period, maybe it was the energy from the crowd (nope, that would have been anger now that I think about it), I don't know... but it was a great time had by all ( especially any NJ fan that was in the house...jerks)

Wiked Whistler Week-End

2009-01-11T15:58:00.000-08:00

Cam, Summer, Jessica and myself hit Whistler Mountain this week-end. And in true Whistler fashion, we partied like rock stars Friday, boarded Saturday and returned home mostly uninjured Sunday. I hope to get back up there next week-end :)

Inside the Creekside Gondola

This was about as low as he could go

Damn Tourists

Going Old School

2009-01-09T15:16:00.000-08:00

Thank you Corsiworld for next adventure... film... feels like a step forwards, although in the eyes of science a huge step back... Stay tuned, something good may come of this yet... :)

What do you do when bungee jumping, sky diving and base jumping get boring?

2009-01-05T16:03:00.000-08:00

wingsuit base jumping from Ali on Vimeo.

You buy a wind suit...

Happy New Year! ...and I Really Mean That

2009-01-04T11:32:00.000-08:00

2008 was a monumental year for me in many ways. In one year I managed to hit both the "top" and "bottom". Not wanting to look back at the past and only forwards towards the future this year, I have already made difficult decisions for myself in this new year that I truly hope will help in moving forward... OK, enough with the cryptic BS...

I'm planning on making 09 my year (sorry if others had dibbs, but I did already lick the handle while you guys were in the bathroom).

Cam and I already started 09 with fresh shoes...

I'd also just like to say thank you to all my family and friends that made 08 manageable. You really see who your friends are and how much you cared for in a crisis... so, thank you and I Love You.

2008-12-28T19:27:00.000-08:00

Went to my first Canucks game of 08 with my friend Alison on Boxing day. It was AWESOME!! Except we lost 3:2... Stoopid Oilers....

Seriously, WTF...

2008-12-21T16:31:00.000-08:00

You know what I love about fresh snow in Vancouver?
Not a whole lot... just that I get to pull out my new Board and Bindings and hit the hills!!!!

No!.... I'm not running out to get one.... but I want to ;)

2008-12-02T07:47:00.001-08:00

Introducing the rediculously powerful new Ducati Monster Streetfighter 1100S....
You are looking at 155 HP with 85 ft lbs of torque at 9500 RPM... basically that means hang on tight...
Seat belts not included... or an option...
My favourite fantasy site DUCATI

Halloween 2008

2008-11-02T09:29:00.000-08:00

So I decided to avoid Halloween this year... that was until about 3 and a half hours before I ended up in costume at a modest party of four hundred on the penthouse over looking Vancouver...
It was shaping up to be a great night. With my room mate Cam's help I threw together a 70's porn photographer outfit, grabbed my camera gear and headed to the party to document the event. Then 2 hours into the shenanigans I reached back, into my pocket looking for my wallet only to realize it was no longer with me... that's when pictures and mingling took a close second to looking for my wallet...
but then, 15 minutes before the evening wraps up, the DJ informs me he has my wallet... with everything in it! Cash, cards... the works...
Those last 15 minutes were the best of the night :)
The guys from "Got Made" threw an awesome party and the pics can be found HERE

New Whip and Expanding the Hobby

2008-10-20T20:25:00.000-07:00

80% of the week end was the regular run of the mill week end... squash, personal trainer, dog park, splitting a 2.5 lb roast with Cam for dinner... you know, the usual.

the other 20% was spent expanding the boundaries of my hobbyist photography to include photographing bands... for an actual website and blog called MediaWest (you can find my profile under the "who are we")

Pics can be found HERE

and... I also bought a new used vehicle... which I love... I know it's wrong and it can never be legal, but we love each other and that says a lot...

Happy Birthday Mr Corsi :)

2008-09-26T08:06:00.000-07:00

Delayed post :( Tuesday was my good friend Gio's Bday. To celebrate we went to this rad little place names Me & Julio. The drinks looked very good and the food was excellent!
Happy Birthday pal, see you Sunday for birthday week Dim Sum :)
Pics are HERE

Nouveau Canadien!!!

2008-09-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

Congrats Mel on completing your final citizenship test and becoming a true Canadian...

Now for the final step,
Wrap yourself in a Canadian flag, grab a 6-pak of Molson Canadian and watch Strange Brew while listening to a hockey game on CBC :) Then your transformation will be complete!

Taureau Rouge Soap Box Races last Sunday

2008-09-11T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday September 7th was the Redbull Soapbox races...

the "Golden Shower" team won... :)

I took some pics HERE

and below is a brief utube summary and the link to the event itself...

boring post, i know, get over it...

What are the Red Bull Soapbox Races? (you just passed the link....)

~1000 KM overnight on Isabella :)

2008-08-26T19:50:00.000-07:00

So I joined this motorcycle "gang" on facebook...

And this was what we did for our first ride together :)

It was awesome (in every sense of the word)

It was fast, it was "turn-y", it was beautiful, and I have every inclination to believe it was solely built for motorcycles... waving to other riders actually became a chore there were so many bikes on the road... cops didn't even give you a second look as you were obviously breaking the sound barrier with your knee inches from the ground and your bike in a suspicious lean that shouldn't be possible unless you were picking it up from a stand still... (let's just say no one dropped their bikes this trip ;P)

8 Bikes in total set out Monday morning at 10:30 from Maria and Chad's place in Surrey, destination, Maple Falls for a quick bite and the most amazing Mocha Milkshake!!!!

Then 5 of us broke off for a rip up Mount Baker before heading through the Cascade Mountains ending in Winthrop, Washinton for the night before turning the bikes around and doing it all again.

Big thanks to Maria for organizing this!!! It was amazing and the company was stellar!

Pics are HERE

Shazam!!!

2008-08-24T18:08:00.000-07:00

Burms, transitions and speed were the agenda for this past week-end.

My good friend Cam and I loaded up the car with 2 bikes, armour and Bozlee and hit the highway in search of Silverstar...

About 30 minutes out of the small town of Vernon, B.C. lives the resort by the name of Silverstar.

The trip started out a bit rough on Thursday with Hail, rain and lightning... suddenly riding 50 lb metal bikes down the hill was a great idea... instead, Thursday was spent meeting new people and enjoying all Vernon had to offer ;)

Friday morning, all bight eyed and bushy tailed, we packed up the car, dropped Boz off at day care and hit the hill for my first downhill experience on a bike...
OMG!!! It was too much fun! It just felt natural, leaning into the banked burms and riping through the trees grabbing air off of everything... and that was the only the trail to the chair lift :)

After a brief lecture from Mother Cam to slow down, I decided to take it a bit easier...but just a bit :)

It was amazing! I didn't get through any black diamonds this trip but I can see them in the near future...

Saturday morning was more of the same before loading the car and heading back the Vancouver with some well earned bruises and sore muscles :)

Needless to say, on my first downhill ride on the mountain I didn't think it would terribly smart of me to pack along my beloved camera (and it was good thing I didn't)... so what you see is what you get :) Maybe some pics of the action next trip...

Thanks for a great week end Cam, this kicked Mexico's A$$!

Successful Flickr Video Post

2008-08-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

New Pad, BBQ Pizza?!, Dead Squid, Leighann/ Nicolle and the Gift of Gab... catch up time

2008-08-09T08:55:00.000-07:00

K ready go...

Cam and I are all moved into our new place... pics HERE

Jon and I did a BBQ and beer pairing cooking class on the long week-end... pics HERE

Had a great visit with friends from childhood... pics HERE

Had lunch with "DeadSquid" and "Corsiworld" from the land of Flickr :)...

Saw Mighty Underdogs live at Richard's on Richards with 70 of my now closest friends :)... pics HERE

Playing Catch up

2008-08-08T09:40:00.000-07:00

PoCo Qin'

2008-07-21T23:37:00.001-07:00

Got together with a few long time friends now burbanites... on Sunday, after a Stag on Saturday evening (photos confiscated) followed by my good pal Schwartz' Mid Way to New Year's Bday bash....I'm Tired...

Pics of the Q are HERE

Happy Birthday Buddy

Bridgez, Beerz and the Boyz

2008-07-19T16:55:00.001-07:00

Nothing says summer in Vancouver like sitting on a patio drinking beers with your boys... pics are HERE

Casa del Chameron

2008-07-17T08:09:00.000-07:00

August first begins a new chapter...

My long time friend Cam and I are becoming room mates... wow, I haven't said that word for over ten years now... it's going to be...AWESOME....
We just found a place in our most desired location in Vancouver...

Wanna see our new place sans furniture? click HERE
The kitchen still has the wrapper on it :)

Hang Drum

2008-07-10T08:06:00.000-07:00

I saw this guy in the street in Amsterdam. Who knew that playing the flying saucer would sound so cool?

There is nothing like a squash buddy...

2008-07-02T09:57:00.000-07:00

The Summer Drink to End ALL Summer Drinks

2008-07-01T12:43:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for something to quench that summer thirst? Something that will not leave a lingering after-taste in your mouth or knit you a lovely sweater for you tongue?

Well look no further! It is called the GIN BUCK

Remember the name people because it will be on the tip of your tongue for the entire summer!

Recipe:
1 tall Glass (8-10 oz)+ 1 for each friend you have over
3 Large Ice cubes (optional actually as the beverage will not be in your glass long enough to use the ice to its full potential)
1.5 oz of you favourite GIN (may I recommend Bombay Saphire, it is deeeelish)
1 Tbsp of lemon juice (the fresher the better)
6 oz of Ginger Ale (or Diet GA for those watching their bathing suit figures)
Stir stick

Method:
....drink it all separately...
wtf do you think the method is?! put it in the damn glass
tilt head to 45 degrees
pour tasty beverage down your throat... repeat if necessary

ENJOY!!!!

The Famn Damily

2008-06-30T09:46:00.000-07:00

Great weather, great friends, great week-end.
Highlights...
Other then the free flowing Gin Bucks (the Essential drink of summer, recipe to follow in the next post) the week-end consisted of amazing friends, sun and 30 degree weather, motorcycle riding with no traffic (everyone was out of town for a change :)) air conditioned movie theatres (Wall-E and Wanted).
Bozlee got his first taste of pacific spirit park (his new favourite walk) followed by an unreal BBQ chez Corsiworld where Carmine, Laverne and Bozlee ran, and ran, and ran, and ran, and wrestled, then ran some more... then crashed...perfect :)...
Now it's back to work on Monday just in time for another break on Tuesday for Canada Day and some rental unit shopping....

Whoever said money can't buy happiness...was buying the wrong shit...

2008-06-24T15:53:00.000-07:00

Above is the latest addition to the camera bag... for the moments where a video might be appropriate and such, I had to promise myself it will not interfere with my SLR development...
and... while on the topic of cameras... I would like to take a moment to welcome back my pride and joy (canon 24-105 F4 L IS Lens), who had to go in for some reconstructive surgery... ahhh, it's nice to have her home... we haven't seen each other since Venice...

OverKill?

2008-06-19T08:49:00.000-07:00

I'm not sure what this guy did, but is that final shot really necessary? And another thing, When did she get dressed and where the hell was she hiding that gun?!

The UNBELIEVABLE Hulk

2008-06-16T22:59:00.001-07:00

Drop the mouse and go see this flick... seriously. Forget that there was ever another hulk movie made..."forget what?" ... exactly.

Mixwit, Thanks Beadle

2008-06-11T10:17:00.000-07:00

Just when I thought I was going to get work done today, Thanks Beadle :)

If You Don't Know JACK... Updated

2008-06-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

I even look happier... if this picture doesn't sell you on Jack, nothing will... :)

If you don't know JACK....

2008-06-10T10:05:00.001-07:00

make and appointment...

as of yesterday, i hadn't had a haircut for 3 months!!!! my last cut ended up being so short I could see my scalp and was actually able to go 3 months before needing another... was not impressed...

yesterday, on the other hand... I was impressed... after a quick google search for "vancouver men's haircuts", i came across a forum offering recommendations to men for places to get a reasonably priced cut. Is there anyone else that thinks 50 bucks plus tip for a men's haircut is ridiculous?!! (even if it is every 3 months)

Jack The Modern Barbershop is the spot but, sorry ladies, they ONLY cut men's hair.

How awesome is that?! That's just the start... the stylists are beautiful and friendly, there is satellite TV at EVERY chair, you get a head and shoulder rub (that's it...) a eucalyptus hot towel wrap, cut and style for only 40!!! The best part, using only scissors, she masterfully cut my hair in under an hour (45 min).

I'll be back Jack, you can count on it!

OMG OMG OMG, July 11th!!!!! Retail Therapy Will Prevail!

2008-06-09T12:11:00.000-07:00

FINALLY!!!! I have been patiently waiting for a year now. Well, my wait is over and the iPhone is finally coming to Canada! I will sleep in line if need be to get my hands on this little beauty. I can't even begin to tell you how excited my inner (and outer) geek is rite now. 32 sleeps to go!

The New Forbz Lite

2008-06-08T20:59:00.001-07:00

2008 is bringing some major changes and with major changes come some interesting and thought provoking stories...which I will try to articulate here... might be funny, might not.. I guess we'll see.