Skate Or Die

30 years later, I still have my Skull Skates deck with me. I remember my dad driving me all the way into the city to PD's Hot Shop on Oak St. to get this. Thanks Dad!

Eastside

Monument For East Vancouver by local artist Ken Lum is a tribute to the city that has sparked a lot of debate.  "East Van" has traditionally been home to the culturally diverse, immigrant, blue collar working class, and has a reputation of being the slightly grittier side of town.  But it's also by far the most interesting - with the mix of Italian and Latin Americans on Commercial Drive, East Indians on Main Street, Vietnamese along Kingsway, and Chinese interspersed throughout.

The East Van symbol has been around since the 60's and does have some gang associations, most notably when I grew up, with the Clark Parkers during the 80's and 90's.  Though some parts of the East Side are slowly being gentrified, the East Van cross has always been a ubiquitous symbol put up as a way of saying, we are here, don't forget about us, and don't mess with us, and Ken Lum's piece is a proud and somewhat defiant reminder.

Freshness

Giddy Up

"Who wants to go FASTER?!?"

Swingers

Every summer, during the last 2 weeks of August, Hastings Park is home to Vancouver's Pacific National Exhibition, better known as "the PNE".  I have fond memories of my dad taking me there as a kid - all the carnival rides, the impossible-to-win games of skill, the rickety giant wooden roller coaster that looked (and felt) like it was going to fall apart at any moment, the funky barnyard smell at the petting zoo, the salesmen demonstrating the amazing Ginsu knives that could cut through a leather shoe, the super awesome demolition derby, and eating corn dogs, mini donuts, snow cones, and cotton candy till my tongue turned blue. Thanks dad.

"Free at last! free at last!.."

KIng Of The Road

I was helping my mom clear out her storage locker when I found a box of my past glories..  

Anyone remember Final Lap?  It was the first ever multi-player arcade racing game, and during freshman year, if we weren't sleeping or eating between classes, we were usually down in the Student Union Building playing either NBA Jam or this.  Our arcade had 4 machines hooked up, meaning up to 8 players could race head-to-head.

That year, the arcade held a tournament - single elimination, top 2 finishers of each race moving on to the next round, until only 8 racers remained. Pro athletes often talk about when "being in the zone" how everything seems to slow down around them, they can anticipate their opponents a split second quicker, and the hoop looks that much bigger.. Long story short, that day, I was in the zone.  It felt like slow-motion going through that last chicane, my heart pounding with excitement, and everyone cheering and patting me on the back as I crossed the finish line.  I felt like Ayrton Senna winning the F1 World Championship.

As I received my trophy and gazed upon the crowd though, my moment of triumph came to a crashing halt, so to speak, as I realized there would be no champagne spraying, no endorsement deals, and my admiring fans were in fact, not a bevy of beautiful women waiting to throw themselves at a winning race car driver, but rather, a bunch of geeky guys who spent way too much time in a dark, noisy room playing video games..

Beer Testing - Round 27 (European Tall Boys 2)

Can this round of Europeans take the win?

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

On a seemingly unstoppable twelve win streak scoring 8.95/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Tuborg Green

Origin: Copenhagen, Denmark

Alcohol: 4.6%

Price: USD3.29/can USD0.66/100mL

Tuborg is a sub-brand of Carlsberg.  The "Liquid Soundtrack" marketing - ya I get it dude, targeting the younger crowd - music, partying, drinking - I'm picturing some old balding guy past his heyday in a bad shiny suit trying to be hip pitching this concept. A bit stinky, not much flavour, and kinda fizzy. A bit of a sour aftertaste?  Final score 4.65/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Tuborg Pure Gold

Origin: Copenhagen, Denmark

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD3.64/can USD0.73/100mL

This "Perfectly Balanced" beer has slightly more flavour than the Green, but basically still pretty watery.  Final score 4.8/10

Challenger 3

Name: Konig Pilesener

Origin: Germany

Alcohol: 4.9%

Price: USD3.44/can USD0.69/100mL

Not much to write home about.  Basically bland and tasteless.  Final score 4.5/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Kronenbourg 1664

Origin: France

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD3.59/can USD0.72/100mL

Tastes a little like a wheat beer.  Not bad.  One of those beers you wouldn't mind getting a pitcher of during happy hour.  Final score 6.25/10.

Asahi "The Master" Pilsner faced little challenge and wins an unprecedented 13 straight!

Beer Testing - Round 26 (Belgian Brawl)

I'm not normally a fan of Belgian beers (a little too strong and heavy for my liking).  I realize Belgian beers are meant more for sipping, but that's not my usual modus operandi, especially on a hot summer's day.  But we thought we'd test a few anyway..

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

Eleven wins and no end to this streak in sight with a score of 8.95/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Duvel

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 8.5%

Price: USD3.37/bottle USD1.02/100mL

Floral wheat beer type scent.  Tastes pretty decent for such a high alcohol content.  Slightly bitter aftertaste.  Final score 5.1/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Maredsous Brune

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 8%

Price: USD3.37/bottle USD1.02/100mL

Nice dark amber colour.  Good head of foam.  Slightly fizzy, but pretty smooth for 8%.  Final score 7/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Bruegel Amber Ale

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 5.2%

Price: 

Nice caramel colour.  Not bad with a slightly nutty finish. Final score 7.05/10.

Challenger 4

Name: St. Martin Blonde

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 7%

Price: 

Light floral/candy-like scent. Not much flavour going down, but has a slightly bitter aftertaste.  And a little too fizzy. Final score 6.45/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Gulden Draak

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 10.5%

Price: USD3.43/bottle USD1.04/100mL

By far the strongest beer we've tested so far.  And as is typically the case, the higher the alcohol content, the more difficult it is to drink.  Hard going down, and an even harder dealing with the aftertaste.  Final score 3.2/10.

Challenger 6

Name: Augustijn Blonde

Origin: Belgium

Alcohol: 7%

Price: 

A huge head of foam on the pour, which looked promising. But the overpowering taste of alcohol made this another difficult one to drink.  Final score 4.15/10.

It was no contest for Asahi "The Master" Pilsner.

Beer Testing - Round 25 (B.C. Summer Classic 2)

Relaxing at home on a Friday evening with the fams, some bbq, and a few brews..

Defending Champ

Name: Asahi "The Master" Pilsner

Origin: Tokyo, Japan

Alcohol: 5.5%

Price: USD2.55/can USD0.73/100mL

Ten straight wins and still going strong with a score of 8.95/10.

Challenger 1

Name: Czechvar

Origin: Czech Republic

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD2.49/bottle USD0.50/100mL

One word - Stinky!  Nice golden colour, but beer's not meant just to be looked at.  Not much flavour,  pretty watery, and slightly fizzy.  Final score 4.4/10.

Challenger 2

Name: Erdinger Weissbier (Wheat Beer)

Origin: Germany

Alcohol: 5.3%

Price: USD3.03/bottle USD0.62/100mL

Good head of foam.  Decent mouthfeel.  No bite or bad aftertaste.  Could have a bit more flavour, but generally a good summer beer.  Not bad.  Final score 7.8/10.

Challenger 3

Name: Whistler Brewing Co. Pineapple Express Wheat Beer

Origin: Whistler, B.C.

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD5.61/bottle USD0.86/100mL

Fruity sweet and fizzy like a soda, with a strong pineapple aftertaste.  Kind of like a shandy.  Not really my thing.  Final score 6.9/10.

Challenger 4

Name: Duchy Originals from Waitrose Old Ruby Ale

Origin: Oxfordshire, England

Alcohol: 5%

Price: USD3.41/bottle USD0.68/100mL

Waitrose is the U.K. equivalent of President's Choice, so I wasn't expecting a whole lot.  Surprisingly though, it had a nice caramel colour and taste.  I'm not sure how much added benefit the 'organic' component had (and honestly, I doubt most beer drinkers care).  But overall, I liked it.  Pass the Duchy (sorry, had to throw in that 80's U.K. music reference). Final score 7.35/10.

Challenger 5

Name: Russell Brewing IP'eh!

Origin: Surrey, B.C.

Alcohol: 6.5%

Price: 

All through elementary school and jr. high, one of my best friends was Mark Russell.  My memories of going over to his house: playing Dungeons & Dragons, shooting bow & arrows in his backyard, his older brother Pete's drum set (he was in a band), his jovial German mom always stuffing our faces with snacks, and his dad experimenting with home brew kits.  Well that beer hobby eventually turned into a small business, and now Russell Brewing Co.  So I always drink Russell Beer whenever I come across it.  I'm not normally a fan of IPA's (too hoppy for me), and this was no exception (sorry Mark!).  Pretty smooth though, and good if you like bitter beers.  Final score 5.65/10.

Asahi "The Master" Pilsner remains victorious.