Happy Birthday Mom

Posted on November 22, 2011 by GusF

Mom.JPG Today is my mother’s birthday and last year we’ve spent my mom’s birthday in a hospital right after her stroke. A year later, she’s out of the hospital, but now in a full care home and not sure she knows that today is her birthday.

It has been a tough year for all of us in my family, and we’ve all had to make adjustments in our lives. I haven’t spoken to her in sometime and the last time I did she cried on the phone, so I don’t want to upset her today.

I’m just so glad she’s still around, even though she might not fully be aware of what is going on. So mom, I wish you an amazing 75th birthday and I hope you at least know in your heart that you are loved by so many.

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Vancouver Aquarium’s 2011 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Champion

Posted on November 21, 2011 by GusF

This Wednesday November 23rd, 12 Top Chefs from across British Columbia will compete in a cook-off to be named this years Vancouver Aquarium’s 2011 Ocean Wise Chowder Chowdown Champion.

The top 12 chefs that will be competing are:

  • Eric Pless – Coast Restaurant
  • Tyler Groenestyn – Codfathers Seafood Market
  • Jennifer Dodd – Edible Canada
  • Daiji Tanaka – Hapa Izakaya Kitsilano
  • Paul Cecconi – Local Lounge-Grille
  • Nicholas Croooks – The Noodle Box
  • Chris Whittaker – O’Douls Restaurant and Bar
  • Chester Velas – Pacific Institute of Culinary Arts
  • Natasha Harris – Sunset Bay Yacht Group
  • Ron Gibb – Westward Ho! Public House and Grill Room at the University Golf Club
  • Myke Shaw and Kelsey Timler – Vancouver Aquarium
  • Ned Bell – YEW restaurant + bar at the Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver

Unforutnately all tickets are sold out to this event, but I will be one of the lucky few that will be able to taste these awesome chowders as well some crafted beers and vote for my favourite in the People’s Choice award.

Thanks to the Vancouver Aquarium for including me in this event.

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MOvember 2011 Update

Posted on November 21, 2011 by GusF

GusMOBro Yes I’ve been a bad MOBro. I haven’t really pushed a lot of posts or photos of myself this year while growing the moustache, so I thought it was due for an update.

As you can see the moustache is pretty much there. Not hugely styled or amazing per-say, but it there.

With only 9 days left in MOvember, it’s great to see Canadians doing their part. As of this post, Canada is leading in the international campaign with raising over $21,664,054 so far for prostate cancer research. Below are some of the standings so far.

Country Money Raised
Canada $21,644,054
United Kingdom $13,208,192
Australia $12,815,848
United States $8,010,218
Ireland $719,170
New Zealand $435,919
South Africa $179,226
Netherlands $174,341
Norway $123,892
Denmark $107,723
Finland $50,830
Belgium $28,375
Spain $13,938
Czech Republic $6,381

So please consider helping me in my cause by donating at http://mobro.co/gusf

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MOvember Season 2011 Begins

Posted on November 1, 2011 by GusF

Don't be scared, starting #MOvember early So it begins again – MOvember the movement to change the face of men’s health and rais funds for prostate cancer research by offering our clean shaven faces to grow mustaches throughout the month.

This is my third year with MOvember and it still doesn’t get any easier shaving off the goatee and being clean shaven. I don’t recognize myself in the mirror and hate looking at myself much like us men hate having to go for that physical ever year, luckily there is now a blood test for it.

We’ve lost some many great people to prostate cancer this year. Both our loved blogger Derek K. Miller and Jack Layton who lead the NDP in our countries past election. It truly is because of their courage and fight with the disease that I’m doing what I’m doing. My clean shaven face is so small in comparison.

This year I’m part of a bigger picture, our company; Marketwire & Sysomos, is participating country wide and I’m the captain of our Marketwire & Sysomos Team Canada West. My team is small with only 3 of us participating – Marc Boudreau, Jay Cloutier and myself.

You can sponsor our team or sponsor us individual and every dollar pledged is another hair on our lovely upper lips as well as a dollar to fund research for Prostate Cancer Canada.

As usual I’ll be updating throughout the month so come back and visit often to see our progress. What mustache I’ll grow this year is still undecided.

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Happy Halloween

Posted on October 31, 2011 by GusF

While the kids today get to dress up and go tricker treating, the adults seemed to have jumped the gun and celebrated their Halloween over the weekend.

Though I personally didn’t get dressed up (I haven’t in YEARS and I think it requires far too much effort), Russ and I did want to go out and see the costumes that people where wearing. Since we live downtown, the best place to go costume watching was along Granville Street in the heart of the Entertainment District.

We were not disappointed. Since it wasn’t raining we were treated to many great costumes. From Pirates, to mommies, vampires, cowboys, men in dresses, women in not so much clothing, Pandas, Sheeps, Romans, nuns and video game characters. Everyone was having such a great time and enjoying all the costumes.

Have a great Halloween everyone! Ghouls and all!

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Celebrating My 10th Anniversary in Vancouver

Posted on October 22, 2011 by GusF

Photo Walk 17

It’s not often in our lives we reach great milestones. Today is one of those live milestones for me. 10 years ago on this day I packed up what little I had; a suitcase, 2 big boxes which housed my computer back then, and headed on a plane to new adventures in the West Coast.

This was to be an experiment. I was going to give it at least 3 months to see if I could make a life here. The only person I knew coming here was Russ and moving in together was scary as hell for the both of us. Now 10 years later I couldn’t think of my life any differently. Things just played well off each other and continued to blossom from there. We have a wonderful home in trendy Yaletown. We have 2 amazing pets – Junior and Syd (but we will never forget Chelsea).

I have amazing friends that have stuck with me through out this whole journey are still very important members of my inner circle. They have helped me in so many ways that I am so thankful for.

The only drawback to my move was moving so far away from my family. This past year has really showed me how important they are to me and how much I love them and miss them.

So Vancouver thank you for making my last 10 years here so wonderful. You have helped me grow up into a responsible adult. You have shown me amazing things. Your beauty is outstanding and no one can take that away from you.

I <3 you

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Junior Wants To Be A Star

Posted on October 21, 2011 by GusF

So our little boy Junior wants to be a star and with your help this can happen.

Fido Mobile has launched a Casting Call to find their next star and they are letting the public decide who that should be. They are currently touring the country where your little four legged friend can be photographed and entered into the competition.

Photo Walk 289 Not only does your vote help Junior become the next Fido star, each vote you click, Fido will donate $1, to a maximum of $200,000 to the Lions Foundation of Canada Guide Dogs.

So if you have ever met Junior before, you know he’d be a perfect star, since he is so humble and yet so stand-offish :)

You can vote for Junior until November 17, 2011 and please vote daily.

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Sexy and I Know It – LMFAO

Posted on October 17, 2011 by GusF

The other night while going through my VEVO App on my iPad, I came across one of the funniest and catchy videos I’ve seen in some time – Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO. DJ Redfoo and SkyBlu, both from Los Angeles formed the group back in 2006 and refer to their sound as “party rock”. They also happen to be son and grandson, respectfully, of Motown founder Berry Gordy.

The video pokes fun at those who just might think they are sexier than anyone else. Be warned the video shows a bit more bumping and speedo grinding than you might want to see, but the tune sure is catchy.

Some might think of Right Said Fred’s 80′s hit of I’m Too Sexy as comparison.

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Happy Thanksgiving – Canadian Style

Posted on October 10, 2011 by GusF

Every second Monday in October, us Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s a time when we celebrate with loved ones and give thanks.

Historically Thanksgiving was to give thanks after a great harvest. Since our Canadian harvest is sooner than our American cousins, we celebrate it earlier. After World War I, in 1921, Thanksgiving and Armistice Day (which later would become Remembrance Day) was celebrated on the Monday where November 11th took place. After 1931 both days where separated and became their own holidays. Thanksgiving was set by proclimation until 1957 when it became a national holiday landing on the second Monday in October.

This year we celebrated it twice over the long weekend. We had a couple of friends over to help us celebrate on Saturday with a traditional turkey feast and on Sunday we were graciously invited to a friends place to have a traditional ham feast.

I’m thankful for so many things. I’m thankful for my family and friends. I’m thankful for being able to live in a wonderful city like Vancouver. I’m thankful for having 2 loving pets – Junior and Syd. I’m thankful for a roof over my head when so many don’t have one. I’m thankful for being able to travel.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

 

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Happy Birthday To My Sister Gladys

Posted on October 2, 2011 by GusF

IMG_3024 Today is my sister Glady’s birthday. She is an amazing wife and mother who has brought into the world two amazing kids Amanda and Adrian, who would do anything for their mother. She’s an amazing daughter who has been there tirelessly for my mother and helping out my father, especially after my mother’s stroke. And she is an amazing sister who has been there for me and my other sister when we’ve needed her.

I’ll admit it’s hard being across the country when a family member has a birthday. We are a close family and we’ve always been around when someone has their birthday.

Happy birthday Gladys. May you have an amazing day today. Love you!

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