Author Archives: Kieran Phagura

Shohei Ohtani’s Historic Season

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If you haven’t heard, we’re in the midst of an MLB season like no other. Shohei Ohtani is having an absolutely bonkers season this year.

If you don’t know who Shohei Ohtani is, well then I must ask if you have been living underneath a rock. Ohtani is the best baseball player in the world right now, and it’s not even slightly close. He is only two stolen bases and two home runs away from having fifty of each stat, which is something we have only seen twice before in the MLB. This season would add to his already stacked resume. What’s crazy about Ohtani is that he is arguably one of the best starting pitchers and best hitters in the league, and yes that is very abnormal. 

His MLB rookie debut was in 2018, where he would go on to win American League Rookie of the Year. He started 10 games, won 6 and lost 4 and had a whopping 63 strikeouts. On top of his pitching stats, his batting was also unreal. He scored 93 runs, hit 22 home runs, and a batting average of .285. This kind of talent is unheard of and you better believe that he just kept getting better and better. Three years later he won his first MVP, having a .257 batting average, 46 home runs and 100 runs batted in. Two years after that he won his second MVP, and after playing for the Los Angeles Angels for six seasons, he finally signed for the LA Dodgers in a big money move to try and win a World Series.  

Shohei also led Japan to their third World Baseball Classic in 2023, where he struck out former teammate Mike Trout in the final inning to beat team USA 3-2. Ohtani also took home the MVP for the tournament, adding onto his already impressive MLB season. So what makes this season so much different?

Unfortunately he underwent tommy john surgery, which is a pretty significant elbow surgery that didn’t allow him to pitch for the Dodgers this year. However, that didn’t stop him from being a monster at the plate as a designated hitter. So far he’s played 148 games, and he is hitting career highs in almost every batting stat that’s recorded. No one has quite seen a season this good in a long time. 

So what do you think? Will Ohtani join the exclusive 50-50 group? Or will he fall just short? There’s only eleven games left so time is running out, but if anyone can do it I’d put my money on Shohei Ohtani. 

2 weeks down, 16 weeks to go!

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Did your favourite NFL team win this week? Mine sure didn’t.

Week 2 finished last night with a nail biting game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Atlanta Falcons. Eagles fans you might want to look away… because that was a big fat oof. However, that wasn’t the only upset that happened this week. The Green Bay Packers beat the Indianapolis Colts, my favourite team, with backup QB Malik Willis and it’s safe to say that I wanted to curl up in a ball after watching that performance. Along with that, the New Orleans Saints absolutely dismantled the Dallas Cowboys and quite frankly it wasn’t even close.

The previously mentioned Saints huge offensive showing has people turning heads all around the league. After week 1 when they destroyed the Carolina Panthers no one thought twice because well, it’s the Panthers. But after beating up the Cowboys in Dallas everyone is starting to ask what the heck is going on in New Orleans. Could it be the new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak? Could it be Dereck Carr finally finding his stride? No one has the exact answer and I think that’s what is scaring everyone. Now obviously it’s still only week 2 so you probably shouldn’t overreact, but they definitely are making a case for sleeper team of the year. 

Now apart from the upsets, let’s look at some other exciting things that happened this week. Packers running back Josh Jacobs rushed 32 times for 154 yards, absolutely tearing apart the Colts defensive line. I’m sure he broke fantasy football managers’ hearts as well as every Colts fan’s hearts as well. Another great running back performance from Saints RB Alvin Kamara helped them take down the Cowboys, he ran for 115 yards on 20 attempts. Oh and he also scored FOUR TOUCHDOWNS. That hasn’t been done since last October when San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffery did it against the Arizona Cardinals. 

Unfortunately it wasn’t all sunshine and roses for every player this weekend. Quite a few star players were diagnosed with injuries that will see them out of action for as long as eight weeks. Some of those players include Eagles wide receiver A.j. Brown with a hamstring issue, LA Rams receiver Cooper Kupp with an ankle injury, and Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco injured his fibula.

I hope your favourite teams are doing well, because like I said mine sure isn’t and it is ruining my mental health… I do not wish that upon anyone, except maybe if you cheer for the Houston Texans, New England Patriots or the Kansas City Chiefs. 

The 2024 Emmys!

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This year’s Emmys have come and gone, and they were ones for the history books!

https://twitter.com/ComplexPop/status/1835531921243206060

If you’re a big TV person then this is the award show for you. They always have great hosts, great speeches, and most of the time the right person wins. This year two shows stood out above the rest with 48 combined nominations and 29 combined wins, those two shows are Shōgun and The Bear. For anyone who hasn’t seen Shōgun, do yourself a favour and go watch it. The ten episode FX show was released in early 2024 and was showered with praise upon its release. The show follows an abandoned English sailor surviving through seventeenth century Japan. Personally it was one of my favourite shows of the year and absolutely deserves all the praise it’s getting. 

No other TV show has ever won as many awards at a single Emmy awards show. Do you know how crazy that is? In the history of television, we were able to witness with our own eyes a truly extraordinary show get its flowers. It completely swept up the drama portion of the award show. From outstanding leading actor and actress in a drama series to outstanding director for a drama series, this show was getting nominations and awards left right and centre. I have truly never seen a show dominate as much as Shōgun did. The first season is up there with the likes of other great drama series such as Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, and House of the Dragon. Statistically it’s better than all of them! As a fan of this show I can only hope that there are many more seasons to come, and if they are anything like the first season it definitely has the potential to become one of the best series ever. 

The Bear also broke a record in the Comedy series category, previously owned by itself from last year. It came home with 11 wins and 23 nominations. I for one have not watched this show yet but have heard nothing but amazing things, albeit mostly from my mom, but amazing things nonetheless. It is definitely added to my list and I plan to watch it soon.

So what did you think of this years Emmy’s? Did your favourite show win any awards? We’re there any shows that should have won more awards? At the end of the day you have to appreciate the amazing writers and creative minds behind all these incredible shows because without them we wouldn’t have any of this. 

Another September, another Iphone

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Here we go again, fall is right around the corner and Apple has been cooking up their best Iphone yet over the past year. Are you going to buy it though?

Two days ago, Apple finally showed off their most high-tech Iphone to date at the 2025 Apple launch event. It’s safe to say that most apple users will be excited about the new phone, along with the many other new additions to the IOS family. Apart from the Iphone, Apple announced a ton of new colourways, updates, and size upgrades to pre-existing products. The Apple Watch 10 got a sleeker and brighter display, as well as better functioning speakers and the ability to detect sleep apnea, shout-out to all my snorers. The Airpod 4’s got a minor redesign for comfortability issues, but no new Airpods were announced to many fans’ disappointment. The love-hate Airpod Max also did not get a new version announced, however plenty of new colours are now available, including midnight, purple, orange, starlight, and blue. 

Now onto the main event of the Apple launch event. The Iphone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. These phones have plenty to be excited about. They include a brand new ‘action-button’ on the side of them, that can be used to access the camera as well as a zoom in and zoom out function. The 16 Plus includes all the wonders of the 16, but has a much bigger 6.7-inch screen. The new phone also has new colourways with it including, teal, ultramarine and pink. It also will be available in the classic black and white. 

Now what’s weird is a day later after the launch event had occurred. The Iphone 13, the last of the 13 series, was finally discontinued, which ended the 4 year old phone’s life. What I found really weird is that Apple announced the Iphone 15 Pro and Pro Max models will be discontinued this month, leaving the 15 and the 15 plus as the only remaining models from that year. The Iphone SE and the Iphone 14 on the other hand are still going strong, and even having their prices cut down to $429usd and $599usd respectively. 

I go back to my original question, will you buy the Iphone 16 or any of its additional models? Or will you keep the trusty old Iphone 13 that you’ve had for the past three years? If you’re as superstitious as me, you’ll know that Apple likes to start slowing down their older models as the new ones are released. Only time will tell though, how much longer will your three year old phone last?

The new Minecraft movie looks… interesting?

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Well the time has come for the long-awaited Minecraft movie trailer to be released, and safe to say most fans aren’t too pleased with how it looks…

A Minecraft Movie, the title of the upcoming film has shown fans a first teaser of the 2025 film based on the popular game Minecraft. A brief plot of the film has been released along with the trailer, and if you were to go based on what that said you might get pretty excited for what the movie might end up looking like. However that unfortunately is not the case. The animation style mixed with the live action characters just does not mesh well, maybe if they tried a similar approach to the Super Mario movie, which had great success last year, this movie would be received better by fans.

Now if you don’t know a lot about Minecraft, all of this is going to sound confusing to you. But I’m going to try and explain the plot to you as simply as possible. From the sound of things, the four main characters from the real world are going to be sucked into the world of Minecraft through some sort of portal, which looks like a variation of a Nether Portal. These protagonists then begin their journey through ‘the Overworld’ figuring out the ins and outs of how to survive. Again, just hearing this sounds like it could make a good Minecraft movie in theory. There is one redeeming factor for this movie, and that is the star studded cast. Jason Mamoa (Aquaman), Jack Black (Kung Fu Panda), and Danielle Brooks (Orange is the New Black) will all have significant roles in the movie, so hopefully that’s the silver lining.

As someone who has played tons of minecraft and is an avid video game player, I can only hope that this movie works out. Video game adaptations are definitely a big hit or miss in the movie industry. You have huge success like Super Mario Bros and Sonic the Hedgehog, but also huge duds like Borderlands and Uncharted. Sure each of those movies have their supporters but the facts mostly point to them being terrible. It doesn’t help that the Minecraft Movie is being produced by Warner Bros. Given their recent track record with the DCEU, the chances of Minecraft being good are already very low.

So given all that, let’s cross our fingers and make a wish that A Minecraft Movie ends up on the good side of video game movies, regardless how terrible it looks at first glance.

The NFL is back!

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Football season is well and truly upon us! And what better way to ring in this truly amazing time of the year than sitting down and watching the tv all Sunday long?

 

The 2024-2025 NFL season kicked off last Thursday with the Kansas City Chiefs, yes Taylor Swift’s boyfriends team, taking on the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium.

A penalty riddled game to start the season had fans asking questions as to why the yellow flags were flying all over the field from the referees. Nonetheless, a 27-20 win for the Chiefs had the season well underway. Lamar Jackson, the starting quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens, balled out in the loss with 273 passing yards and 122 rushing yards. However, even with tight end Isaiah Likely putting up 111 receiving yards and a touchdown, it was not enough to take down the defending Super Bowl champions. 

After Thursday night’s game the NFL held their first ever game in South America. The Philadelphia Eagles took on the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo, Brazil. This high scoring game was filled with controversy both during and outside of the game. From team colours causing an issue with the locals, to the field being nowhere near the standard most NFL players are used to, the newest addition to the NFL’s International series was definitely something most fans don’t want to see again. The Eagles’ Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, and A.J. Brown led their team to a 34-29 win. Their newest player Saquon Barkley had three touchdowns and 109 rushing yards, while veteran star A.J. Brown put up 119 receiving yards and a touchdown to cap off a tremendous team display.

After the first two games of the week, Sunday brought out plenty of reasons to be excited about the upcoming season. 

The young quarterbacks in the AFC South like C.J. Stroud and Anthony Richardson who played against each other in a thrilling divisional matchup are starting to live up to the hype. Seattle and New England both won their games with brand new head coaches. And you might not believe this, but Caleb Williams of the Chicago Bears became the first rookie quarterback to win in week 1 since 2002 when David Carr won for the Houston Texans. 

So whether you’re hoping your team makes the jump to get to the postseason, or hoping that your team can start a dynasty, there are so many things to be excited about. I for one cannot wait to see what this season brings!

Free barbeque and music festival

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Yet another great festival for you to check out this summer, SummerCamp Rib & Music Fest is coming to Jonathan Rogers Park from June 21st to the 23rd.

Presented by The Narrow Group and The Festival Company, they look to bring not just another event, but an unforgettable experience for you to have this summer. Whether you’re a family seeking quality time together, friends in search of some good food, or a music enthusiast hoping for some old school bangers, SummerCamp offers something for everyone. The festival will have adult sized garden games such as tug-of-war, giant beer pong, and a classic water fight. 

“Adults seem to miss out on all the summer fun that kids have… SummerCamp Festival grew out of our goal of creating an event which would let grown-ups be free, fun, and creative like kids, even with their kids… We’ve brought all the best things about summer days — music, games, food — made them adult-sized and dropped into one place.” Billie Jo Aasen, The Festival Company, Founder.

This will be a barbeque experience like no other at the SummerCamp Rib & Music Fest, where some of the nation’s top rib and food trucks will converge to serve your taste buds with their mouth watering offerings. From savoury ribs to tasty street eats, there’s something for every palate. In addition to the delicious food, lose yourself in the sounds of live music and DJs as they provide the perfect backdrop for your festival experience, so go and soak up the vibrant atmosphere. But of course as most festivals go, definitely go check out the local artisan vendor market, where talented craftsmen and artisans showcase their unique creations. From handmade jewelry to one-of-a-kind artworks, you’ll find treasures to take home as mementos of your SummerCamp adventure.

What’s even better about this festival, is that any money spent there is going straight to raising funds for the Lifted Organization, a charity which supports local youth and mental health initiatives. The organization was founded by Canadian country artist Dallas Smith.

If you’re looking to go, remember, it’s free! All you have to do is show your tickets at the entrance, and you have full access to the event. The SummerCamp Rib & Music Fest will be on Friday June 21st from 12:00pm to 10:00pm, Saturday June 22nd from 11:00am to 10:00pm, and Sunday June 23rd from 11:00am to 8:00pm. You can check out all the details here to find out exactly which food trucks and drinks you can indulge in!

Rosé Disco is back again

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Another FEASTER hosted festival is happening this summer, and for you wine drinkers out there, this ones for you. Rosė Disco, taking place at the PNE Fairgrounds on July 28th, will feature over thirty wineries, artisans, and chefs to discover a try.

FEASTER is presenting Vancouver’s Summer Rosė celebration this year, and you can expect there to be plenty of live music to go alongside the vibrant pink and white decor and landscape. Adam Bloch of FEASTER says that they are excited to share their love of rosė with the people of Vancouver. 

“We are ecstatic to bring back Rosé Disco to Vancouver for its second edition… This event is a testament to our love for rosé wine, music, and creating memorable experiences. With an exceptional lineup and a wide selection of rosé wines from around the world, we can’t wait to turn Vancouver pink once again!” Adam Bloch, FEASTER, president of operations.

Naturally, no summer celebration would be complete without a great soundtrack. That’s why Rosé Disco has curated a lineup of top-tier DJs to ensure the PNE Fairgrounds pulse with infectious beats and positive energy throughout the daytime event. Get ready to party all day with DJs Felix Cartal and BYNX. Their upbeat mixes promise to keep the party atmosphere alive and the crowd moving. From great beats to catchy lyrics and music, their sets will set the perfect backdrop for a day filled with fun and festivity at the fairgrounds.

In addition to the delightful ambiance, prepare your taste buds for a wild yet tasty ride. Indulge in a mouthwatering feast prepared by a lineup of top chefs and treat makers. Sink your teeth wood-fired pizzas from Little Devils Wood Fire Pizza, savour the flavours of Mediterranean cuisine from Loulas, indulge in creamy and delicious risottos from Risotto Party, and satisfy your sweet cravings with delectable treats from Lee’s Donuts, among many other culinary delights awaiting your discovery. From savoury to sweet, this culinary lineup promises to tantalize your palate and elevate your dining experience to new heights. 

Guests who look to participate in the amazing selection of wines, must be 19 plus years old to indulge. The Rosé Festival will be held on Sunday July 28th, and tickets are available for pre-sale purchase on Tuesday April 30th, with the prices starting at $30. 

FEASTER has a great lineup of events for this summer including the Punchbowl Festival, Vancouver Craft Beer and Music Fest, and The Cup at Hastings Racecourse. Be sure to check out any or all of these events if you’re looking for great food, great drinks, and great fun throughout the summer.

Shipyards Night Market

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The Richmond Market isn’t the only night market to check out this summer! 

Located at the foot of Lonsdale Avenue and just east of Lonsdale Quay and the Seabus in North Vancouver, it is a pretty accessible place to get to if you’re looking to transit. Named the ‘Shipyards Night Market’ there is a wide variety of things to do if you are looking for an activity for a nice summer day or evening. 

The market includes: a beer garden, live music, food trucks, and a market to shop for any trinkets that may spark your interest. The beer garden is put on by the Beer Garden Market, a company who specializes in mobile in setting up beer gardens for any size of event. They offer a great selection of local craft and imported beers. It is a great place to chill and unwind after a busy day. They have been setting up at the Shipyards Night Market since the beginning back in 2015. They were founded by a downhill biker, a restaurant owner, a T-shirt printing company owner, and a gift shop owner. Ingrid Doerr, came up with this idea to bring life to the North Shore community and to bring in people from surrounding cities. Unfortunately she passed away in 2018, but now Kyle and Christine have carried on her legacy and have turned this mobile beer garden from one tent and a food truck, to supplying a whole bar, bartenders, and even its own security. There is so much to do when visiting the Shipyards Night Market, but do yourself a favour and go check out the beer garden, in honour of Ingrid. 

The Shipyards Night Market(SYNM) now hosts over ten thousand people every summer, over every Friday starting on May 10th, going all the way until September 13th. The night market has a wide variety of live music throughout the summer, including plenty of artists, bands and dj’s who are all local up and comers. On top of the music, the SYNM is known for its food trucks, including classic night market foods like tacos, potatoes, and street dogs. 

The market stalls are filled with a diverse array of unique products and handcrafted goods. Whether you’re into fashion and jewelry or homewares and artisanal foods, there’s a treasure waiting for you at every corner. Embrace the spirit of supporting local businesses while exploring new finds. The night market offers a vibrant atmosphere, perfect for uncovering one-of-a-kind items and immersing yourself in the lively energy of a busy marketplace. 

Dinosaurs in Vancouver

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North America’s largest dinosaur exhibit is coming back to Vancouver and Abbotsford this May! Vancouver’s dates are May 2nd to May 5th and Abbotsford’s are May 10th to May 12th. 

Prepare to find yourself in a family-friendly adventure like no other, where you can come face to face with these ancient giants through many different interactive experiences. Jurassic Quest offers a wide array of activities including encountering life-sized dinosaurs, thrilling dino rides, captivating live shows, bouncy houses, inflatable attractions, and much more.

With their mission to be as realistic as possible, Jurassic Quest has collaborated with paleontologists to ensure that their dinosaurs are as true to life as possible. Some of the dinosaurs even roam around the event, engaging with guests and providing a glimpse into what it might have been like when these creatures roamed the Earth. Visitors of all ages will be captivated by the Apatosaurus, the Spinosaurus, and the iconic T-Rex, among others. Additionally, you can interact with dino trainers, and witness the spectacle of a live Raptor Training Experience. However if the large dinosaurs are too scary for any young children in your party, there is an amazing baby dino exhibit where you can meet Cammie the baby camarasaurus, Trixie the baby triceratops, and Tyson the baby T-Rex.

Don’t miss the chance to explore the Excavation Station, where you can dig up fossils and find some amazing mysteries from long ago. The Fossil Experience will showcase genuine T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn, and a life-size dino skull, offering a fascinating glimpse into the past. For the littlest paleontologists, there’s the adorable “Triceratots” soft play area, while those seeking a more immersive adventure can embark on “The Quest,” an educational and entertaining journey through the exhibit. And no visit to Jurassic Quest would be complete without a ride on some of the largest touring dinosaurs in North America.

Tickets are on sale here for either the Abbotsford or Vancouver events. Times for Vancouver are Thursday May 2nd, 3:00pm – 8:00-pm, Friday May 3rd and Saturday May 4th, 9:00am – 8:00pm, and Sunday May 5th, 9:00am – 7:00pm. Ticket prices vary from $23.10 – $28.88. Abbotsford only has a three day event going from Friday May 10th to Sunday May 12th. If you’re interested in learning more about these ancient creatures, and immersing yourself in prehistoric times, this is definitely the event for you. Bring your little ones, your friends or your family, you won’t want to miss this exciting exhibit while it’s here for only a short time.