What is Multi-Level Marketing?

Otherwise known as "MLM" or "Network Marketing", what is "Multi-level Marketing" anyways? I have heard it described as "the business concept: burn friends for business partners." Recently I found a insightful article revealing the "gospel-like" qualities of MLM and it's practitioners.

Four issues (called "problems") are dealt with:

- Market Saturation
- Pyramid Structure
- Morality and Ethics
- Relationship Issues

Click here for the "deal on the schpeal."


Why am I giving airtime to MLM? Simply because there is an increasing number of those from within my social network who are now double dipping their wage earning potential by hobby horsing on the side as MLM disciples. This grieves me deeply . . . 12 Gauge deep, not the Cheney bird shot type . . . I'm dreaming "slugs".

Obama ~ Jackson

I am so frustrated with this whack, try-hard, political b@$#&%$t! Okay, as an Asian Christian man trying to understand what the Rev. Jesse Jackson is trying to pull . . . now first of all, if he belonged to any Christian denomination of repute, he would have already lost his title "Rev." He also recieved his M.Div back in 2000 after years of putting it off - I wonder, what the hell did he learn in seminary? Come on already, has everyone already forgotten Karin Stanford, the former Rainbow/PUSH Coalition staffer who had an affair with the Rev. Jackson - the result of which was a daughter?

Let me get this straight Rev. - do you really think that Obama is speaking down to black people? Or do you think that he's speaking down to you? Or are you just so overwhelmed with guilt and depravity that you cannot even own up and "man up" to you own vices? Is this transference of denial in the form of anger projected upon another man? Perhaps, a good man (Obama) who actually cares about making good solid moral decisions and choices as a black man. Perhaps, because Obama experienced life without a Daddy - a young black man who grew up fatherless, raised by his white grandmother, only to end up as a strong black man deeply rooted in his faith (a black liberation theology kind - unfortunately, not the biblical Jesus kind).

I appreciate how the NY Times quoted the Rev. "In a statement, Mr. Jackson said, 'My appeal was for the moral content of his message to not only deal with the personal and moral responsibility of black males, but to deal with the collective moral responsibility of government and the public policy which would be a corrective action for the lack of good choices that often led to their irresponsibility.'" Click here for the NY Times post. Yes, it's "Mister" rather than "Rev" - thank you NY Times. Also, note how Mr. Jackson would like to further perpetuate the racist power structure by giving the responsibility back over to government and public policy VERSUS "young black males just need to 'man up'!" (paraphrase from Obama speech).

Why is it, that when a good black man, who (so far, up to this point . . . we'll see) makes good choices, makes a successful run at a race that no other black man has ever succeeded at, gets this close . . . brother just don't got no support from the higher ups. Is this what "black-on-black crime" looks like in the upper echelon? I am so sick of this, it's like a throwback to the East versus West Coast crap back in the day (ala. Biggie Smalls & Tupac). Can't we all just get along?

Jesse, please retire, go home, find another job in another line of work, you embarrassing your peoples. Find another job and support that extra-marital affair daughter of yours . . . get yours and get some child support sent to Cali. Quit hating and perpetuating fatherlessness. Please, just be a good black man (whatever that may mean nowadays).

Fortunately, the son is wiser than the father.

The Emergent Rock of Orthodoxy

"assurgent, convergent, divergent, emergent, resurgent . . . detergent, insurgent, preemergent" . . . current and future names of cool "pomo" or "po-pomo" or "po-po-pomo" movements. "Yee-ahh boyeee" (ala Flava Flav). Epic, just remember I thought of it . . . second.

Currently Playing on the Sansa E260

Each day I drive an average of 70 km (43.5 miles) round trip to church. Because of the side streets and location of our home to the highway, the average one way drive lasts 45 minutes. As a result, I have taken the opportunity to pack my MP3 player with tons of material for the drive (gargabe in, garbage out). I've spent an average of 36 hrs./month on the road or sitting in traffic ~ as a result, my richest learning so far in life has occurred.

Here's a shortlist of what's gone down so far:

- "The History of Christianity I" taught by Dr. Frank James III of Reformed Theological Seminary (33 classes)
- "Humanity, Christ, and Redemption" taught by Dr. Robert Peterson of Covenant Theological Seminary (38 classes)
- Various talks gathered from Together for the Gospel, Acts 29 Church Planting Network, Desiring God Conferences, etc.

Most recently and currently playing on the Sansa E260:

- "Old Testament History" taught by Dr. V. Philips Long (36 classes), formerly of Covenant Theological Seminary and currently at Regent College in Vancouver, BC
- One of the most incredible sermons on "the Holiness of God" that I have heard yet, preached by C.J. Mahaney ~ kudos to Adrian Warnock for reposting "old sermons" (though I sure don't think it's that old)
- Maria Kliegel playing J.S. Bach's Cello Suite No.1 in G Major (BWV 1007)

My Sansa's my new best friend . . . until my FM transmitter begins to act up.

NT Wright on the Colbert Report

Bishop Wright of Durham was talking new heaven and new earth with Stephen Colbert (6/18/08), click here.

"I'll see you in the afterlife and we'll settle it there . . ." (Colbert on Wright).

Signs & Wonders: John Piper Style

Back in the 80s, during my high school days, my sister - who was at Biola University at the time - had to attend worship services of differing styles for a class she was enrolled in. So we decided to go down to Anaheim Vineyard for an evening service one Sunday. All I remember was the Kansas City prophet Paul Cain - strange & weird (apparently, Cain has since been booted by Mike Bickle and Jack Deere). Don't know which was weirder, the testimonies themselves or the fact that 2,000 or so people sat through it with me. He shared about how Jesus showed up in his bedroom of his second story home - which was surrounded by a chain linked fence that was high enough to prevent climbing. Jesus showed up and sat down by his bed and the weight of the second person of the Trinity caused Cain to turn over in bed. Yep, we sang a few of the Vineyard classics that night too . . . feeling weird just thinking about it (80s Praise & Worship Charismatic EMO?).


There were the Kansas City Prophets, the Toronto Blessing, the Brownsville Revival, and now the Lakeland Revival (the last two being from Florida). I admit I had that one weird experience that I just can't shake . . . especially when I hear people sing "I Believe in Jesus" or "Refiner's Fire". But for real, how on earth am I to celebrate with the entire body of Christ?

I'm glad you are with me this far, 'cuz I gots to give props to Pastor John Piper for his opening prayer back in February of 1990 (not too long after my Vineyard experience).

"Oh, Lord, if there is a wind of true, biblical, spiritual power blowing in our day with signs and wonders and healing and prophecy, forbid that I should stand in the way! Don't pass Bethlehem by. Make me the leader you want me to be for the greatest blessing of this church, and the greatest missionary effectiveness. But then, on the other hand I pray, Oh, Lord, forbid that we should lose our biblical bearings; forbid that we become trendy or faddish and begin to substitute the sand of experience for the rock of revealed truth. Show us the fullness of the power of the gospel, Lord, and keep us from preoccupation with secondary things, no matter how spectacular."

For the entire sermon, click here.

Apparently, this guy was in Anaheim that night too. Gheesh, go figure?

What is good theology?

"Being God-centered in one's life is essential to being God-centered in one's thoughts. This God centeredness is the 'sine qua non' of good theology, for, without it, it is impossible to think our thoughts after God, which is what defines good theology."

Taken from the essay, "The Nature & Function of Theology" by Dr. David F. Wells

Good theology versus bad theology is a theocentric approach versus a anthropocentric approach to God, His Word (Scripture), Salvation (therapy/technique versus "gospel power"), Jesus (good teacher or 2nd person of the Triune godhead), etc. If Jesus Christ is not front and center in "the church", who the hell then is that guy we see every week?

"A church without theology and a theology without God are simply not options for the Christian faith. One can have religion without God or theology, but one cannot have Christianity without them." (R.C. Sproul quoting David Wells who in turn quoted Ian Ramsey)

"For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power . . ." (The apostle Paul)

WOW! I sure feel good.

Pastor John Piper said "If I tried to be like him [Mark Driscoll] . . . I would spiritually evaporate . . . I read slow, if I tried to read as many books as you [Mark Driscoll] did, I wouldn't be able to read the Bible . . . [in regards to being relevant] work real hard to feel this [Bible]."

Click here for the actual blurb.

I read real slow.

The Evolution of Dance

Examining Two Enemies of the Gospel

"I am Republican!"

And guess what? Brothers got my supports ~ subports ~ sub-worts! Ahem, yes, I am well aware that pastors ought not to be political ~ "we can change, yes we can." Peace. Honestly, I like him solely becuase he is black . . . not because he is not qualified, nor because of his differing values and theological convictions . . . I just like him because he's a brother. Is that really fair?



Postscript: Another video was made by will.i.am & company . . . "we are the ones" ~ google this video and you'll find an incredibly wide spectrum of opposing responses.



The last president who spoke like this was JFK ~ charismatic, a master "wordsmith". I wanna see where Obama takes us (think "Obamanation"). Unfortunately, someone who would rather speak and open "more" dialogue with the likes of Iran and North Korea might end up bringing it down to the line. I think that's what happen when JFK "talked" to the Soviets . . . we had nukes parked offshore from Florida. Yeah I know, that was a different time . . . but it sure feels the same today. Am I the only one who recognizes that liberalism flourishes in the industrialized nations? How then would the Obama negotiate with the fundamentalist regimes of N. Korea and Iran . . . with his liberal rhetoric? Supporting Obama is like supporting the slow death of our nation . . . "go ahead wit'cho selves."

Men Who Have Made a Profound Impact on Me

I have spent a considerable time the past year wondering "how in the heck did I come to be this way?" Well, with some reflection and thought, I felt that it would be good for me to put forth a short list (I hope) of names that I find myself either quoting or referencing (i.e. benchmarking or compare/contrasting and against/from):

- Rev. Bob Wiebe (retired, pre-Charter RCMP 25-year veteran, 2nd career minister with the C&MA, worked "homicide" among the toughest Indian Reserves in Canada, my mentor and former regional developer of the Western Canadian District of the C&MA, the toughest man I know)

- My Father (an old school Chinese church planter/pastor who "walks slowly and carries a big stick", God-fearing, well-versed in the old ways of the motherland, grew up fatherless, attended Alliance Bible Seminary in HK; Canadian Theological Seminary in Regina, SK, currently running with the name "Ambrose Seminary"; Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando, FL; International Theological Seminary in Los Angeles, CA)

- Uncle Jack Yee (my god-father, a "man's man", taught me to "roll with the punches", self-made, self-taught, from GED to University he pushed himself, from sweat shop to one of the "O.G." supers at BART, taught me the ways of the Giants and Niners, a pillar at SFCAC - deacon for life, though we don't see each other as often now when we do there is always "the nod of acknowledgement")

- Rev. "Uncle" Louie Mar (my 2nd Dad, retired ATF special agent, 2nd career minister/missionary/church planter, taught me to love people and repent, showed me the value of transparency in leadership and accountability, softened my heart to see things "with the eyes of Jesus")

- Brian McLaren (helped me re-locate Jesus and re-imagine my journey with Jesus, gave me words to articulate my frustration, taught me the value of existing and embracing liminal space, introduced me to systems thinking)

- Dr. Stanley Grenz (rescued me from the Gen-X confusion and exposed the seismic postmodern shift in culture, connected with me using Star Trek Next-Gen speak, taught me to graciously appreciate different theological positions, introduced me to theological thinking, passed on the mantle of "post-everthings" to me ~ Leslie Newbigen, Frost & Hirsch)

- Dr. Tim Keller (taught me the gospel and the pastoral task of finding Jesus in everything, introduced me to biblical theology, passed on the wisdom of Dr. Martyn Lloyd Jones to me, taught me "generous humility", taught me how to preach)

- Dr. John Piper (taught me God's sovereign grace, passed on the wisdom ~ "religious affecftions" ~ Jonathan Edwards and the Puritans to me, taught me pastoral authority and pastoral humility in ministry, taught me why I should preach)

- Dr. R.C. Sproul (taught me to think deeper theologically - systematically and biblically, connected me with the early church fathers, taught me the importance of doctrine and orthodoxy, taught me weird Latin terms, made me passionate about "doctrine and life", taught me the weight of a sermon, passed on the wisdom of Augustinian Orthodoxy, John Calvin and the reformers to me)

- Dr. John C. Maxwell (taught me that Wesleyan-Ariminians do truly love Jesus, set the standard and bones of organizational management and leadership, the ebb and flow of trajectory-oriented leadership, the art of "keeping it together", passed on the wisdom of UCLA's Coach John Wooden to me)

- Mark Driscoll & Company (taught me to love the Bible, to love Jesus, to love my wife, to love my family, to love the people Jesus would love, to love the handful of "!@#$%*@#$@s" at my previous church, contextualized pastoral boldness and prophetic ministry, taught me the spirituality of the UFC ~ which I've always been acutely aware of, gave me clarity and direction in the ambiguity and blur that the Pacific Northwest culture is so fond of embracing and espousing)

There are definately other names that I could add to this list: my current senior pastor (a leadership guru), Rev. Daniel Cheung (my sifu/mentor/guide/Yoda figure), Dr. David Wells (who taught me the difference between technique and theology), Dr. Samuel Ling (who clarified my Chinese/American confusion), Rev. Jack To (my homeboy and sounding board currently in San Diego), and Mr. Chuck Johnson (my grade 8 social studies, softball coach, and pro "tough love" advocate).

Canada's 10 most dangerous cities include 5 in B.C., says Maclean's

Maclean's has come up with a list of the 10 most dangerous cities in Canada (pop. 50,000 or more) based on 2006 per capita crime rates. It might surprise you. Five of the top 10 cities are in B.C., although Vancouver comes in at a surprisingly low No. 9. The others are Prince George (4), New Westminster (6), Chilliwack (7) and Victoria (8). Regina tops the list, although it was in a virtual dead heat with Saskatoon and Winnipeg. Only one eastern city, Halifax, made the top 10. The study took into account six types of crimes: murder, sexual assault, aggravated assault, robbery, breaking and entering, and auto theft. According to Maclean's, the break-and-enter rates in Chilliwack and Victoria would put them among the top 10 per cent of all American cities.

What? No mention of Surrey? Gheesh! Actually, I must admit that Surrey is quite the pleasant place to live ~ currently the reigning "Culture Capital of Canada."

Here's the top 10:

1. Regina
2. Saskatoon
3. Winnipeg
4. Prince George
5. Edmonton
6. New Westminster
7. Chilliwack
8. Victoria
9. Vancouver
10. Halifax

What do you think?

The summary of the article is here and the orginal Maclean's link is here.

"A Good Soldier" by Mark Driscoll

8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter

Something for me to look forward to . . . in the distant future. Thanks to search engine archives that save info for eternity, whoever comes looking for trouble in 10 to 15 years, watch your six! Like they say, "great minds think alike."

Written by columnist W. Bruce Cameron, click here for the original article.

Rule One: If you pull into my driveway and honk you'd better be delivering a package, because you're sure as heck not picking anything up.

Rule Two: You do not touch my daughter in front of me. You may glance at her, so long as you do not peer at anything below her neck. If you cannot keep your eyes or hands off of my daughter's body, I will remove them.

Rule Three: I am aware that it is considered fashionable for boys of your age to wear their trousers so loosely that they appear to be falling off their hips. Please don't take this as an insult, but you and all of your friends are complete idiots. Still, I want to be fair and open minded about this issue, so I propose this compromise: You may come to the door with your underwear showing and your pants ten sizes too big, and I will not object. However, In order to assure that your clothes do not, in fact, come off during the course of your date with my daughter, I will take my electric staple gun and fasten your trousers securely in place around your waist.

Rule Four: I'm sure you've been told that in today's world, sex without utilizing a "barrier method" of some kind can kill you. Let me elaborate: when it comes to sex, I am the barrier, and I WILL kill you.

Rule Five: In order for us to get to know each other, we should talk about sports, politics, and other issues of the day. Please do not do this. The only information I require from you is an indication of when you expect to have my daughter safely back at my house, and the only word I need from you on this subject is "early."

Rule Six: I have no doubt you are a popular fellow, with many opportunities to date other girls. This is fine with me as long as it is okay with my daughter. Otherwise, once you have gone out with my little girl, you will continue to date no one but her until she is finished with you. If you make her cry, I will make YOU cry.

Rule Seven: As you stand in my front hallway, waiting for my daughter to appear, and more than an hour goes by, do not sigh and fidget. If you want to be on time for the movie, you should not be dating. My daughter is putting on her makeup, a process which can take longer than painting the Golden Gate Bridge. Instead of just standing there, why don't you do something useful, like changing the oil in my car?

Rule Eight: The following places are not appropriate for a date with my daughter: Places where there are beds, sofas, or anything softer than a wooden stool. Places lacking parents, policemen, or nuns. Places where there is darkness. Places where there is dancing, holding hands, or happiness. Places where the ambient temperature is warm enough to induce my daughter to wear shorts, tank tops, midriff T-shirts, or anything other than overalls, a sweater, and a goose down parka zipped up to her chin. Movies with a strong romantic or sexual theme are to be avoided; movies which feature chainsaws are okay. Hockey games are okay.

Copyright 1998 W. Bruce Cameron

Life Imitating Television

Okay, especially with recent events (shootings at Virginia Tech), the thoughts regarding "how much does media impact and influence?" begin to swirl. On a lighter note, I found this article light-heartedly comparing a disgruntled wife with the dark televsion series "Desperate Housewives." This woman put dog poo in her now divorced ex-husband's curry, check out the article here.

P.S. Is it just me or does Cho Seung-Hui fit the profile of the majority of the guys in your typical North American Asian local church, evangelical college/career group? The same type that attends church but somehow does not fit in with the more culturally savvy and popish "Asian Invasions" at Intervarsity, Crusade or AACF? And to put more pain on shame, Cho's own grand-aunt calls him an "idiot" on international media! Food for thought: how do we meet the needs of the "socially-challenged" & "socially-marginalized" Asian-americans in our midst? How can we biblically deal with Asian shame? Somehow, after reading the Cho family press release, I felt that the sorrow, pain, and shame expressed by Cho's sister was exponentially greater than if a non-Asian wrote the statement. Why is that?

God, have mercy and grace on the Cho family . . . have mercy and grace on the families of the fallen of Virginia Tech . . . have mercy and grace on all of us.

Inspiration Leads to Imagination: "3rd Man in History to Walk on Water"

I was inspired by War to post this (for those of you wondering what pastors do amongst themselves; this is taken from my actual email INBOX - from my daily dose of pastoral "stuff"):

"The 3rd Man in History to Walk on Water"


The 1st was Jesus of Nazareth . .

















The 2nd was Simon Peter, the apostle . . .























Then there was this guy . . . Jose



Did I mention that I received this from an individual of the Hispanic persuasion?

Carlson Gracie Black Belt Roster

More for my own archives than for anything else (taken from ADCombat News):

As told to www.tatame/com.br: 'Because of his passing with many people claiming to be his Black Belt, Grandmaster's Carlson Gracie's wife Marli Gracie decided to release the official list of his Black Belts':

Carlson Gracie's Black Belts:

Alberto dos Santos
André Mendes
Anselmo Montenegro
Antônio 'Tony Malone' Gadelha
Aaron Laponte
Antônio Ricardo Bittencourt Cavalcanti
Alexandre Nascimento de Oliveira
Alexandre Macedo
Allan Góes
Amaury Bitetti
André Pederneiras
Antônio Cláudio Correia Leite Buchaul
Antônio Ricardo Jardim Libório
Antônio 'Tuninho' Rodrigues
Ari Fernando 'Galo' Araujo Rocha
Armando 'Maninho' Alves Gonçalves Filho
Arthur Virgilio Neto
Bráulio Carsalade
Carley Gracie
Carlos 'Penão' Alexandre Conceição
Carlos Frederico Rodrigues
Carlos Antônio Rosado
Carlos 'Bagana' Lima
Carlos Henrique 'Caíque' Vieira Cavalcanti Gomes de Oliveira
Carlos Rollyson
Carlson Gracie Júnior
Christian Kennedy Grandi
Cássio Cardoso
Clayton de Souza
Clóvis de Souza
Crézio de Souza
Djalma José de Santana Filho
Edyr 'Monge' Moreira da Silva
Edson 'Baiano' Carvalho
Elair Gilberto da Silva Reis
Élcio Figueiredo
Fábio Macieira
Felipe Fígalo Barbosa
Fernando Carlos 'Nutri-Baby' Carvalho da Silva
Fernando 'Pinduca' Melo Guimarães
Fernando Rosenthal
Francisco 'Toco' Albuquerque Neto
Francisco 'Grego' Trivelas
Franco Cézar de Camargo
Jerônimo Dix-Huit Rosado Ventura
Gustavo Gussen
Gutenberg Mello
João Antônio Fernandes Filho
José de Oliveira
José Eduardo Vieira Cavalcanti Gomes de Oliveira
José Mario Sperry
Júlio César 'Foca' Nunes
Leonardo 'Leo D'Ilha' Ferreira Borges
Luís Carlos 'Manimal' Mateus
Luís Carlos Vallois
Luís Cláudio Isaías de Souza
Luís Fernando 'Nando' Costa
Luís Roberto 'Bebeo' Duarte
Manoel Maria 'Maneco' Cardoso Neto
Marcel Laguna Duque Estrada
Marcelo Alonso Duque Novais
Marcelo Bustamante
Marcelo 'Bocão' Ferreira
Marcelo Mangueth
Marcelo 'Playmobil' Pache
Marcelo Procópio
Marcelo Saporito
Marcelo Tadeu Domingues de Oliveira
Marco Aurélio Kühner de Oliveira
Marco Aurélio Lisboa Valladares
Marcos 'Parrumpinha' da Matta
Marcos 'Flexa' Neves Mello
Marcus Vinícius de Macedo Soares (got to give props to the old man)
Marcus 'Conan' Vinícius Figueiredo da Silveira Júnior
Mauricio 'Saddam' Carneiro
Mário Cupertino
Miguel Kelner
Miguel Monteiro de Carvalho
Moisés Bormac
Murilo Bustamante
Orlando Saraiva
Osiris Maia
Oswaldo 'Paquetá' Gomes da Rosa
Oswaldo Vianna
Otávio Augusto 'Peixotinho' de Oliveira
Paulo 'Mamão' de Albuquerque Martins Pereira Filho
Paulo 'Paulão' Leite Filho
Pedro Paulo de Secco Freire
Renato Tavares
Ricardo de La Riva Goded
Ricardo Jucá Santos
Ricardo Luís 'Ray' Moraes Diogo
Ricardo Luíz Perrone
Ricardo 'Kiko' Velloso
Rinaldo Santos
Roberto Cardoso
Rocyan Gracie
Rodrigo Medeiros
Sérgio Abimerhy
Sérgio 'Bolão' de Souza
Sérgio Cohen
Sérgio Íris de Almeida
Vauvernargues 'Marinho' Xavier Vicentini
Vinicius 'Vinicinho' Cruz
Vitor Belfort
Wallid Farid Ismail
Walter 'Soldado' da Silva
Walter Guimarães
Wander de Souza

Racism Re:Loaded

Okay, so shock jock Don Imus used the phrase "nappy-headed hoes" to describe the Rutgers women's basketball team. Wow! The response has been overwhelming: Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jesse Jackson, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (a Michigan Democrat and chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus), Julian Bond (chairman of the NAACP's national board of directors), Kim Gandy (president of the National Organization for Women), the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the National Association of Black Journalists, the list apparently goes on.

Anyhow, here is an insightful end quote from the CNN article:

Howard Kurtz, media critic for The Washington Post and host of CNN's "Reliable Sources," said Imus is known for his comedy, but "his comedy too often strays into the offensive." Kurtz, whom Imus once called a "boner-nosed, beanie-wearing Jew boy," said Imus should be held accountable for his remarks, "but there is also a good side to Don Imus, and I don't think that should be completely obliterated in all of this chest thumping."

Again, I contemplate whether or not the reaction would be as seismic if the receiving end was reference regarding another ethnic group . . . maybe Jewish, or Chinese, or Kazak. Then again, why do Black rappers still refer to one another as "fill in with N-Bomb" and their women as "hoes"? Oh yeah, that's not racist (when you make "those" remarks against your own people - check previous post). Man, it's tough being white folk nowadays.

Food for Thought: If you are a white presidential nominee hopeful, don't be caught singing along with your favorite Snoop Dogg album. It'll cost you . . . well unless you are Black, Asian, Hispanic, American Indian . . . so long as you are not white . . . or is that White?

Thoughts from the Overflow Bin

Got to get these out before the brotherman forgets!

Actual quote from my cousin who visited us when we first moved to Surrey last year:

She visited us on a sunny Saturday morning. "Yeah, I just saw K-Fed walk across the street at 10:00 AM with his 24 pack of Budweiser . . . welcome to Surrey."

Now for the listening audience. I will admit it . . . I love beer. Not your Coors Light or Trick-a-fob or not even your Stud-visor varieties. I love the local brew-meisters who get it down on the money - the micros . . . "know wha' I'm sayin'?" Anyhow, I've tallied up a list of my favorites so far . . . yes I am deeply infatuated with the pale ale persuasion (and yes they are mostly Canuckian and listed in order of preference) :

Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale (the grandpappy of pale ale's and also unbelievably Canuckian)
Granville Island's English Bay Pale Ale
Henry Weinhard's Blue Boar Pale Irish Ale (Oregonian, props to the motherland!)
Okanagan Spring's Brewery Extra Special Pale Ale (now owned by Sleeman's which is in turn owned by some foreign company); their 1516 Bavarian Lager gets props too
Moosehead Pale Ale (but I must say I "heart" their all malt lager)
Sleeman's Amber, Cream, Honey Brown, Silver Creek (a class of their own, I love 'em all - I am a Sleeman's Man)
Big Rock Brewery's Grasshopper (wheat ale with a wedge of lemon), Warthog (gots to give props to Cow-town)
Whistler Brewing Co. Classic Pale Ale (will admit that this is the lowest rating on my list thus far)

Currently fridgecasting on the I-Pack:

Cooper's Brewery Sparkling Ale (a Southern Australian crew)
Kamloops Brewery Original Pale Ale (same guys who brew the Whistler brand)

And during the summer months I prefer Strongbow with the occasional Corona (stay close to my Cali surf roots). Completely off topic would be my red wine of choice: Henry of Pelham's Boco Noir (2004 wasn't all that bad) - killer on the ribeye boyee! Boy am I ever glad I got that off my shoulders . . . phew!