Author Archives: Brett Roselle

Happy Place = Salmon Fishing

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When was the last time that you spent the day out on the water fishing with good friends? Every year my brother in laws and I head out for a day of Salmon Fishing. It is one of my favourite days of the calendar year. Nothing quite beats a beautiful day with a line in the water and good conversation. This is a big happy place for me, one that I look forward to every year.

It’s not even the actual catching of the fish itself. It’s the entire process, sights, and sounds that make it a notable experience.

My alarm going off in the middle of the night can’t come fast enough when it’s a fishing day. The kind of sleep where you are stirring all night as you know the morning is coming with haste and for something you are excited about.

Driving through the city is so quiet and serene when up at such a ludicrous hour to cast a line. The experience really starts once we get to the water.  As someone who grew up in the prairies, being around the ocean and nautical lifestyle is still novel and intriguing.

We usually take off from Granville Island, and the boat slowly cruises through the harbour at a reduced speed. As we enter the open ocean, we pick up speed to get to where the fishing is good. The fresh salty air and cold breeze wakes you up faster than coffee. I love that sensation of travelling over the water, wind rushing through my hair and nostrils and waking up my soul.

The toughest part about fishing for salmon? Netting the fish once it’s at your boat. Having the net is a huge responsibility. Whoever has the fish on their line has worn the salmon out after a long fight and their job is done. Now it’s up to you to be calm and make sure you complete the process all the way into the boat. Last year we had two get away from us during the netting process, which still haunts us to this day.

Those are small prices to pay for a day with good friends out on the ocean, and I hope this has made you recall your last picturesque day out on the water.

What is your best fishing story?

Stop Thinking. Buy An Espresso Machine.

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Okay, coffee drinkers. Tell me if there is anything better than having that first sip of coffee while listening to the rain on a fall morning. No matter what I will step out onto my patio for my first couple of sips of java every morning. Barefoot, I love the contrasting feeling of cold on my feet with the hot liquid that warms me from the inside.  The smell of fresh rain and coffee is the kind of combination that gets me out of bed in the morning and feeling excited about my day. Are you the same? The sounds and the ritual of getting my coffee prepared only builds the anticipation.

If I have your attention then I’m willing to bet you are either currently drinking a coffee and thinking about your next, or you are actively salivating while reading this and embarrassing yourself if you are in public. I love coffee just like you, and rainy Vancouver weather can be the perfect excuse to make another cup of java.

Speaking of which, it’s time to talk about the elephant in the room. Have you invested in an espresso machine? What on earth are you waiting for? I’m going to get on a coffee bean soapbox and state (in a very privileged context) that you need one, today.

Being able to craft that perfect crema on your shot of expresso from your own house is the gift that keeps on giving. If you are like me and want your cup of joe to be more of a comfort meal than a quick caffeine fix, then an espresso machine is a must. Vancouver has some top-tier coffee spots (49th Parallel comes to mind), but nothing beats being able to craft an artisan cup of coffee from the comfort of your own home. Get out the VISA and stop thinking coffee people, you need this.

PS. If your espresso fix goes beyond, check out these spots to grab an espresso martini!

Guitar Jam: Buy Used and Get Started!

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How many of you have an old acoustic guitar stowed in a case somewhere that doesn’t see the light of day? Such a tragedy that so many great guitars are dormant out there, waiting for new fingers to pluck their strings out of hibernation. It’s an awful situation for any guitar to find itself in, and it is completely avoidable!

If you know of a guitar in a circumstance like this, you can exonerate yourself from this predicament in a jiffy. If you don’t own one yourself? Please go to your nearest guitar shelter or Facebook marketplace and find a poor old guitar out there that needs a new home. Guitar culture is alive and well, and we are looking for new members to join our ranks.

Tongue and cheek aside, I strongly believe in the benefits of learning an instrument. Getting in the habit of connecting the left and right brain to foster creativity is good for our soul (in my non-scientific opinion). It’s the perfect escape for your mind to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Far healthier and superior to other ways to unwind like staring at our phones or watching TV.  Even if it is just learning about tablature and hacking your way through “Smoke on The Water” for the first couple of weeks, you have already taken a couple of huge steps towards learning how to read basic music and learn some of your favourite songs. The best way to go about this new goal of yours?  Find a cheap guitar to start learning on and just get started!

Do something for me right now. Either write down or think about what your top 5 songs would be to learn on the guitar. Then picture yourself around a campfire with your friends…the sun is setting. The good times are rolling. And you are absolutely dominating that song on the guitar. You can get there. Start lessons today and save a guitar!

 

 

Whitecaps vs Sounders: Pre-Game Thoughts

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You must love the promotions team of the Vancouver Whitecaps FC. For the big home game tonight against the Seattle Sounders FC they have a whopper of a deal on. 50% off all drinks until kickoff! I’ve started tying my shoes while writing this piece in anticipation of running down to BC Place to grab a couple of pops.

Looking beyond that great incentive to get people into the stadium, the Whitecaps FC are setting the gold standard and doing one of the most creative halftime events to involve kids and the community I have ever seen. The 100v2 challenge is such a great concept! 100 young soccer players will take to the field to take on two pros in front of a packed BC Place. Elage Bah and Ali Ahmed have agreed to the unmitigated chaos that will ensue. I love these kinds of community-driven elements in live sports, and the Whitecaps FC have done a great job grabbing the attention of a younger audience in Vancouver.

The club is anticipating a massive crowd as they look to keep the good times rolling after a crisp 3-0 win over the LA Galaxy on Wednesday. It’s the perfect time of the season to pack the stadium as the club sits only six points out of a playoff spot with three games left in the regular season. That might seem like a stretch, but it’s a crowded pack of teams with a shot to make the tournament, and the Whitecaps can finish as high as 4th place with a strong finish.

I moved to Vancouver about a year and a half ago and had never been to an MLS game prior to living here. What a great atmosphere the Whitecaps have created for both adults and kids alike. Tonight is a must-watch game as the playoff push continues!

Canadians Back at “The Nat”

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Playoff baseball is back at the Nat Bailey Stadium! For the first time since 2017, there will be fall Friday night baseball in Vancouver. Nothing beats the atmosphere of playoff baseball on a cool fall evening. Tickets are still available for tonight’s action against the Eugene Emeralds who have your Canadians on the brink of elimination.

https://twitter.com/vancanadians/status/1570489955104993281

It was a tough-luck 6-5 loss on Tuesday night in Oregon. The start to the series was even harder to swallow after having a legitimate chance at a comeback win in the ninth inning. With runners on first and second and no outs, Juan Sanchez managed to strike out three consecutive Canadian batters to punch out the side and end the game.

Three straight K’s! And not only that but he got the meat of the order to whiff. Damiano Palmegiani, PK Morris, and Rainer Nunez, the Canadian’s 2-4 hitters respectably, needed to step up with a clutch hit in the moment and couldn’t do so. There is really no excuse for not making some form of solid contact and putting the ball in play with no outs. Instead, the Canadians come back to the home crowd down two games and need some home cooking to get them back into the series.

The man the Canadians needed in the ninth was Dasan Brown. The hottest bat in the lineup didn’t get a chance to take an at-bat in a high-leverage situation, which is a shame as he has been one of the few Canadian bats to torment the Emeralds. Brown is a scorching 4-9 with 3 jacks and 4 RBI in just two games.

The reality is the Emeralds have the Canadians number. Dating back to the final series of the regular season when these clubs squared off, Eugene has taken 7 of the last 8 games. That must be playing on the minds of the Canadians…time to get the offence humming now that they are back at home and start building some new momentum.

Evolution Fantasy Football: Start/Sit Thoughts

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If you are reading this article, you are like me and are already counting down the hours until Sunday. The Thursday nighter is a nice mid-week fix for this seasonal addiction, and now I shift my focus to lineup decisions after an entertaining (albeit somewhat flat for fantasy purposes) Chargers-Chiefs game.

Okay, so you aren’t panicking after what is always a wild and wonky week one of the NFL season.

That is always step one.

I’m not smashing the panic button on anyone just yet, but I’ve got that gleaming red temptation on my radar due to some new developments. Here are some ramblings that hopefully help you make some lineup decisions.

Sit CeeDee Lamb

There is a decent chance that you will feel obligated to start him in three-receiver leagues, including me in my primary dynasty league. If you are in a two-receiver league and have a good option on your bench, like a Brandin Cooks or a Jerry Jeudy, I’d think about plugging them in. With left tackle issues and Dak Prescott out at least four weeks according to “Dr. Jerry Jones”, it might be a tough stretch for Lamb even if he is peppered with targets, Cooper Rush is now the man under center, and I would sit Lamb this week to see how the cookie crumbles.

Never Doubt Kareem Hunt

When will the fantasy community stop viewing Hunt as someone who might sit on their bench? When healthy, he is locked into substantial volume alongside Nick Chubb. The Browns will run the ball until the cow comes home every week. He catches passes, gets looks in the red zone, and although he might not score two touchdowns every week, he is a must-start flex and borderline RB2.

There are very few fantasy managers who are bold enough to sit Najee Harris. I don’t blame you for feeling the need to start the first-rounder. I wasn’t taking him there, so I don’t need to worry about this. But if you did and have good RB depth, fortune can favour the bold. The offensive line, lingering Lisfranc injury, and quarterback play have me concerned about Harris this week.

Good luck to all of you, check back for more fantasy football content here on Evolution.

 

 

Canadians Roughed Up in Game One

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The Canadian’s long postseason run (hopefully) got off to a rocky start in Oregon last night. The Eugene Emeralds handily took game one 10-3 as they flexed their first-place muscles.

The tough part is the Canadians got off to a great start in the first inning.  Dasan Brown absolutely smashed a solo home run only six pitches into the game providing a big spark for the road team.

They were primed to tack on more runs after a hit by a pitch and a base hit had two men on, but those runners would end up being stranded. Despite leaving those runs off the board, this was what I thought the recipe for success would be for the Canadians. Grab an early lead and do everything you can to see more pitches and take a patient approach at the dish.

Unfortunately, that game plan didn’t last long.

The Emeralds had the most potent offence in the circuit this season, and they wasted no time responding in the bottom of the first. After a couple of singles and a walk, Andy Thomas stepped up to the plate and slapped a grand slam to put Eugene up for good. Marco Luciano’s double an out later plated two more runs, and before Vancouver blinked it was 6-1.

Then the Emeralds do what they do and made the Canadian’s arms work extra hard for every out. Only two Canadian’s pitchers made it through their outing without allowing a run, fully demonstrating how difficult it is to work through the Eugene lineup without getting into trouble.

Game two is set for tonight at 7:35 pm at PK park where the Canadians will look to get back on track. Tighter defence and a deeper outing from the starting pitcher are requirements for the Canadians to come back home with a split. Game three is Friday night at Nat Bailey Stadium.

Vancouver Restaurants in Canada’s Top 100: Oca Pastificio

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This May the list of the top 100 restaurants was unveiled with 18 Vancouver locations making the cut. There are some elite chefs operating in this city, with 5 restaurants in the top 25. I will be looking into each of them to help you decide if you are going to open your wallet for an incredible dining experience. Quick PSA, I am doing this from the cheap seats. I don’t have the funds to tour around and eat at every top-ranked spot in town. I can research, research, and research to help me decide if I will go to a restaurant, and I hope this helps you.

Coming in at number 23 is Osca Pastificio, located at 1260 Commercial Drive. This special little spot is aptly nestled into the core of Little Italy, where fresh pasta grows on trees. Pasta is the heart of chef Greg Dilabio and general manager Antoine Dumont’s success. Greg is passionately committed to using local and seasonal ingredients to bring his dishes to life. With nine years of experience in high-end restaurants La Quercia and L’Ufficio, the pasta is worth the wait. I say that as reviews note grabbing a table is not the easiest task. Open Wednesday to Sunday from 5-10 pm with no reservations, anticipate waiting in line to try these hand-crafted pasta dishes. That said, the pasta is made right before your eyes with Greg himself almost always being a part of the line.

This is all part of the Oca Pastificio mystique. Even their Instagram page is more cryptic than anything, with the only posts being images of their food with an update regarding a restaurant closure or special circumstance. Perhaps the intrigue elevates the food into that rarified air, but there is no way to get fresher pasta in Vancouver. If you have been to Italy before and are missing that kind of care and attention to the ingredients and construction of a dish, this is the spot for you. Greg and Antoine are constantly re-creating their menu based on what is available. If you live around Commercial, see if you can catch it on a quieter night (if possible). If you have a special occasion, just go and wait it out. I know I will be soon!

 

Milk Bar Coming to Vancouver

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This news had me pacing around my living room yelling in excitement. Who am I kidding there were also some fist pumps and title belt gestures sprinkled in there. I have been wanting to try the delicacies of the infamous Milk Bar since I came across it on the Netflix series “Chef’s Table” which featured chef Christina Tosi’s story. Well, I will now have that opportunity right here at home as Milk Bar is opening a downtown Vancouver location in Nordstrom Pacific Centre. Construction is underway with the current goal being for opening to be just in time for the holidays.

Merry Christmas to me.

If you are not familiar, this is Christina Tosi’s concept that she conjured up while working at Momfuku in New York. With the credibility of operating under famous chef David Chang’s tutelage, the brand has blown up and has since gone solo spreading its sugary joy to Canada. Milk Bar is not some ordinary bake shop. Tosi was the first to popularize the cereal milk flavour. Using it in soft serve ice cream and cakes as a “new” flavour that everyone knows from their childhood. Her baking is unkempt and outlandish at times, taking on a “messy tastes better” approach to her presentation. This is evidenced in how she dresses her cakes. Shedding the traditional icing and presentation layer, instead showing the naked cake layers for what they are. Prioritizing the flavour and playfulness of Mom’s kitchen rather than the perfection of a Paris bakery.

The one menu item that is a lock for me to try is the now named “Milk Bar Pie”. This was originally titled “Crack Pie” but it has been rebranded after some pushback. The essence of the first name is what draws me in! Supposedly a pie that you just can’t get enough of, I can’t wait to experience the sugar coma that will overcome me after I walk into Milk Bar with a purpose. Get excited. Keep an eye on Nordstrom Canada for updates on the open date.

Horvat Here to Stay?

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Bo Horvat must be one of the most motivated players in the NHL entering this season.

Entering the sixth and final year of the deal he inked in 2017, he is yet to sign an extension with the Canucks. It would be plucking low-hanging fruit to point out that his performance in this campaign will carry extra significance with that shoe still to drop. A big season could alter the trajectory of how the Canucks, and the league, view him before possibly entering unrestricted free agency.

Despite his optimistic and team-oriented answers to his media availability yesterday, deep down Bo must have a fire burning that his current career production hasn’t gotten his services locked up to an extension. The nuances of Horvat’s game don’t always show up on the stat sheet, as he is such a valuable asset on both ends of the ice. It’s tough to say why this new management group is taking a “show me more” approach with their young captain, in the prime of his career. Maybe it is the cold snaps that have plagued Horvat at times. The larger factor may be the recent signing of JT Miller. With Millers’ 8-million-dollar AAV kicking in next year, there will need to be some creativity with the books to make a Horvat deal work without squeezing the earning power of the rest of the roster.

To his credit, he had nothing but great things to say about his teammate and buddy, who just got the deal I’m sure Horvat wants. In an ideal world, the two of them can connect all year and get Bo his new pay cheque while making it work in the grand scheme of things for the Canucks. That seems to be the framework of the current NHL contract structure. Pay the top-end guys everything you can, and make it work down the rest of the lineup. We will see what the Canucks will do, but one thing is for certain. There is a lot on the line for Bo Harvat as the season draws near.