Since I’m currently in the market for a new home, I’m always on the lookout for new real estate developments in Southwest, British Columbia.  From town homes to detached houses, the market remains piping hot as prices continue to rise beyond the reach of new home buyers.

Whew!  I’m sure glad I got in the market early!

What never cease to amaze me are the laughable advertising and marketing campaigns to promote a development.  You’ve probably heard of statements such as “quality view homes” or “live in the most desirable area”, only to find out later that your future home is located in a crime infested neighborhood full of drug addicts and homeless bums.  Even worse, the dream condo they’ve been talking about is only 480 square feet, which is a typical size of a loft in downtown Vancouver.

Condohype is a blog that looks at Vancouver Real Estate marketing with a critical point of view.  Whether you’re purchasing a home or not, their humorous insight is an entertaining read for anyone looking to learn about our distinct real estate market.  They go beyond the smoke and mirrors of buying property by giving you a cold, abeit, humorous jab with most new buildings up for sale.  Whether you agree with them or not, a fresh perspective is always good, especially when most people invest a sizeable amount of their savings into a new home.  To visit Condohype, click here.

Life is like a melody, sang deep within my soul, sang deep within to me.
And all these chains that shackle me.
They won’t let me take control
They wanna take control of me.
I’ve got to rise above my life.
To find the reason I’m alive.

~ Storm by Saliva

I try my best to be around our positive individuals who look forward to life and the many challenges presented to us each day.  Sure, we all have our unique situations, where life can be such a stumbling block, thereby preventing oneself from moving forward.  But I never let such trivial matters hold me back because there’s always a solution to a problem; you either face it head on or run away from it.

Whenever I feel down, I look back to my life filled with memories and realize that there are people who inspire me to move forward and, ultimately, succeed with anything I pursue.  And the pain that I’m wrapped around eventually goes away because I am reminded once again the reason why I am alive.

Whether it’s becoming a better husband or living a healthier lifestyle, I’ve come to a harsh realization that time goes by pretty fast.  This ticking of the clock does wonders to the mindset.  It’s a constant realization that an upcoming storm is coming.  Will you run away from it?  Or will you simply face it head on, knowing that a serene calm is on the horizon?

I always take the latter. 

The message of life is turning and facing the storm.  The storm may be quick or it may be long but eventually the darkness will go away.  It’s how you navigate through the storm that determines your outlook on life and a reason why you’re a better person at the end of the journey.

Made from 100% Ringspun Cotton, this premium fashion T-shirt is a sight to behold.  Yes, I know.  It’s pretty artsy and a stark contrast to the geeky shirts I purchase all the time.  Well, perhaps looking fashionable (at least once in a while) is a good change.  Plus, the color is a great complement to my already brown skin.

 And no, I won’t reveal where I bought it.  Hehehe….

Most real men would rather watch an action movie than an episode of Oprah.  In short, here are my top five action movies of all time! 

1.  John Rambo – This movie is a swash-bucket full of gratuitous violence, political undertones and, of course, a fitting end to a successful movie franchise.  A film that makes no excuses for its lack of political correctness.  For those left-wing nut huggers who despised the film, the extreme scenes of brutality is actually happening in Burma, the location of movie.  Check out the following clip and you’ll know what I mean.

The Care Bears Loved John Rambo

2.  First Blood – A raw look into the mind of a forgotten hero.  The injustices and mistrials a person must face in order to assimilate back into society.  First Blood is a well written introduction to a franchise that’s over 20 years old!

3.  Die Hard 1 – A cinematic experience that combines humour and sophisticated action sequences.  And who can’t forget the infamous line blurted out by Bruce Willis. 

Ahh… “YippeeYippee Ki Yay Mother F*****”.

4.  Commando 1  – I have only two words to describe this movie, “cheese” and “wine”.  Sure, the plot was extremely cheesy.  In addition, the acting almost tasted like a bottle of stale wine but in the end, Commando showcased a future Governor of California who lacked any real acting skills.  Nevertheless, he made up for his funny accent by shooting up bad guys into smithereens.

5.  Missing in Action 1 – Can you believe that Chuck Norris is almost 70?  The former Karate World Champion tends to plays characters with a moral center, and despite having dangerous martial arts skills, these characters would rather find a better solution than fighting (yeah right!).  Overall, Missing in Action proves that a little bit of M60 loving can solve a lot of the problems in this world.