Home - the GAYCANUCK™

It's OFFICIAL WEEKEND... and B.C. DAY so it's going to be a busy one. There is a blockparty tomorrow on DAVIE STREET and the PRIDE PARADE is on Sunday. We have already been to the PICNIC @ BROCKTON OVAL and GAYDAY @ PLAYLAND. I have my flag in the window and my "gaycanuck" t-shirt ready to wear. AND the CELEBRATION of LIGHT is also tomorrow. It's going to be a wild weekend. I have to also pick up my tickets for our trip to CALGARY PRIDE a month from now. It has been a VERY busy summer!

Today it was almost 30C so I just HAD to take the old BEACH-CRUISER out for a spin around the seawall. Hugo a Go-Go joined me with his radical ORANGECYCLE. I just bought a camera mount for my bike so I can safely ride along AND video at the same time. I have to remember the NEXT time to cover the mic to avoid the wind whistling and rumbling on the vid. We had a great trip around the bike path past ScienceWorld and up to the Olympic Village. We saw these cool metal chaises so we stopped and had some grub and a drink... and enjoy the incredible view. On our way back we stopped for Hugo to put on his helmet, and it was in front of a whole group of young kids. They were oooing and aweing over Hugo's bike and we heard one of them say "That's the coolest bike EVER" That was so SWEET. By the time we got back we were both wiped out...and SOAKED with sweat LOL

Every year, the weekend before PRIDE here in Vancouver there is the annual PICNIC at BROCKTON OVAL. It is located in Stanley Park. Hugo a Go-Go and I went last year and had a great time. This year was even better. With all my distractions now gone, I ws able to really have a fun time. We got there quite early and pitched our beach-tent in a nice shady spot. We decorated it with flags and foam lettering. I had prepared a nice feast of picnic goodies like the usual seafood pasta salad, some smoked turkey wraps and some iced lattes. OOHHH LALA! We were met by some guys we know from the village: ALBERT & GUY, PAT, DON and a few others Hugo knew. The turnout was slow in starting but ended up to be quite a few people later on. There was a beer garden and the usual PRIDE booths set up. It was a hot day in the sun, watching the drag races, tug of war and water balloon tossing. What a fun day we had!

On Sunday was Vancouver's FIRST TRANS PRIDE MARCH. The transgendered community took to the streets to show solidarity for trangendered rights and make their presence known. It was a small but vocal group who gathered with signs and banners to walk down Davie Street. It was a really wild bunch who participated and I was glad to be a part of it. I just HAD to video some of the march as well as the people who took part. Of course Hugo a Go-Go and Johnny were there with me.

What a day!!! Saturday was the annual GAY DAY at PLAYLAND. Hugo a Go-Go and I got dressed in red [the gay colour of the day] and went for a day of crazy rides, hotdogs and general mayhem. There wasn't as many gays there this year, probably because no one has any money anymore! We started off at the old rollercoaster. Hugo got pretty banged up on that one... LOL I just love it... anything that scares the shit outta me on the midway I am totally up for. We went on the Hells Gate, the CRAZY BEACH PARTY [which Hugo got sick after] and the big ferris wheel. I conquered my fear of heights last year and I only had a bit of anxiety before we went on it. While we were waiting in line to board it someone that was on the ride was spitting down at the people standing undernieth. They stopped the ride and tossed them off... JERKS! There was a area specially designated for the GAY party... beer garden and a place to sit and relax. It was casual and fun. We saw our 2 lesbian friends Dillon and Chris, they were already wasted by the time we got to the beer garden. They are really funny girls. Though it was a bit subduded, it was a great day. We also saw DAVID [my buddy in the wheelchair] and his husband Dale. We were waiting in line for a piece of PIZZA and chatted for a bit. I took TONS of videos and pics and I am doing this massive blog. I will post as many vids as I can here, the rest will be on my YOUTUBE CHANNEL. I don't think I have ever taken so many in one day. Hugo and I always have such a great time when we are together. I am glad it is just him and me now. We have gotten so much closer and I don't know what I would do without him. He really is a very special man. It took me a while to see how much he loved and cared for me. I'm happy I didn't blow it. Today I am recovering from all the junk food and the wild amusment park rides we went on, not to mention the miles we walked around the fairgrounds. By the end of the day we were wiped out... You can probably see why!

Every day in Vancouver is a new adventure for me. By bro BRENTAGE, my BFF for over 25 years, and I went for a nice long walk thru STANLEY PARK yesterday. It was a perfct day with a light breeze off the ocean and 23C. While on our way around the seawall we spotted all these rocks beautifully stacked up on top of each other. At first we couldn't figure out how they were staying in place. I first thought some sort of steel rods... or crazy glue... BUT apparently this artist has a knack for figuring out the centre of gravity with these boulders and picks out the ones that will stack perfectly. There was NO GLUE...wires...pegs or rods used. I was totally facinated watching him select the right stone to use. AMAZING!

www.youtube.com/user/thegaycanuck THE GAYCANUCK'S VIDEO HAS GONE VIRAL [almost] My FRINGE Video of the TV show being shot down the street from my house has now gone past 1000+ viewers. My most watched video EVER! I was freaked when 10 people would check out my vids. I am NOW OFFICIALLY PAPARAZZI! Watch out celebs, I'm now stalking you! LOL UDATE ON THE GAY PRIDE PICNIC... I got my dates mixed up... the picnic is on the 24th... tomorrow is GAYDAY @ PLAYLAND AMUSEMENT PARK... it's hard to keep my busy social calendar straight... in fact it's hard for me to do ANYTHING straight!

THE FRINGE television show was filming again in my neighbourhood. It was being shot at Emeery Barns Park just half a block from my place. Even tho the show is set in NEW YORK they are filming it here, using a YELLOW NY TAXI's and a sign that read "Martin Luther King Park" to add to the realism. I just love how many movies and TV shows are filmed in my neck of the woods. Like SMALLVILLE and the new hot show ROOKIE BLUE. I also just watched "CATWOMAN" with Halle Berry and they use Vancouver extensively in it as well. One thing is for sure, this city is never EVER dull!

The poles around my neighbourhood are a great place to see what's up in the community. Every Tuesday they rip them all down, and the dog-eat-dog posterers go at it again. I thought I would show them as they have become a part of my everyday life. I love the art in them as well. There was one about all the gay-bashings that have taken place over the past while and what one can do to protect oneself. ALSO the FRINGE TV SHOW is going to be shooting scenes just down the street from my place at the Emery Barnes Park. I already took some video of the show being filmed a few months back and it is my most watched video. They posted the info on my building. Cool!

WOW!!! WHAT A DAY! I had a great CANADA DAY yesterday. Hugo a Go-Go, Brentage and I went to 3 great events. The Canada Day Party at CANADA PLACE, the Parade [that was kinda boring] and the 420 CANNIBUS DAY SMOKE OUT. Everyone that was there seemed to have a blast. They tossed out free joints and everyone lite up at 420 to show solidarity in the fight to ban prohibition. Mind you the old GAYCANUK doesn't smoke pot anymore, but I do support the use of it as I believe people should have the freedom to do what they want as long as they are not hurting others. There was a blue haze over the entire park as people sparked up their blunts at the same time. Hugo was totally in his element. We did buy a can of BC BUD HEMP ENERGY DRINK which is mad from marijauna. It tasted great. I took a lot of photos and video. I had the best day. Today, my feet are killing me and my brain is fried. It's a down day for me. Just gonna hang out in my apt. and watch Y&R and R&R LOL

A couple NEW photos

I can't help but smile these days...

Well gang, it's official... I have finally achieved "hottie" statice. AMANDAMAGIK left me a great message that I have now made that mark. Holly also sent a great comment encouraging me in my weight loss/muscle building war. And is IS WAR HONEY! I swear, working out is the bain of my existance, and yet it has been my salvation. I "fell off the wagon" 3 times before I finally wrapped my head around a TOTAL lifetyle change. I have been going to full-steam-ahead I hadn't even stepped on a scale or looked in a full length mirror for over 6 weeks. Then the last pictures Hugo took of me I didn't comment on how fat I looked. I could see some change, but it is hard to really know how I look, and percieve myself. When I looked in the mirror I still saw this fat guy staring back. This week was my wake-up-call. Almost everyone I have bumped into on the street has comment on the change in me. I am walking a little taller these days, my confidence has skyrocketed. I know it's vain, but I have had such a bad self-image over the years, I always felt selfconcious. I feel so much better about myself. I want to THANK HOLLY, AMANDA and LWM for keeping my eye on the prize. I have a long way to go, but I feel I have made the fundimental changes needed stay the course. But it ain't easy, I have to psyche myself up every time I go one the BOWFLEX. Anyone who is on the same path, don't be discouraged if you faulter, or backslide into old habits. I did. I kicked myself in the butt for it. Then I just got back at it. I didn't beat myself up because I did succeed the first time... or second time... OR THIRD TIME.... but finally it all came together. Now it's getting easier every day. I hope by the time Vancouver PRIDE comes I will have the guts to take my shirt off in public, on the beach, in front of GOD and EVERYONE. I have NEVER felt comfortable doing that... But I am going to in 44 days...8 hours... 7 minutes... LOL

The diet change... no more chips, burgers and sugary sodas. Instead a smoked turkey wrap, avocado salad, yogurt and club soda. All the more tastier eaten at the beach!

Well gang, I crammed a lot into a few days! Hugo a Go-Go and I went to Victoria for a few days and had a great time. We explored the dowtown, went to some really bad restaurants, and a few gay bars. The city is really beautiful, but at the same time quite flat and boring. I know it was mid-week, but the "gay scene" there is sad to say the least. We went to 2 different gay bars [the Ledge and Paparazzi Nightclub. YAWN!] That's my NEXT BLOG! They were pretty lame. But we managed to have a great time anyway. We went to so many souvineer shops and got some great deals on T-Shirts and chachkas. Our hotel was lovely. We went swimming and had a steam the last night we were there. Our hotel was close to everything and I got a great deal on HOTWIRE [Ilove them] and it was easy to get there ... Took the Canada Line to Bridgeport Station, then the #620 Bus to Tswaassen Ferry Terminal. Then off to Schwartz Bay, On to the #70 EXPRESS Bus to Downtown Victoria. About a 2.5 hour trip. SNAP! I feel so refreshed and alive today. I had some AVON deliveries to do, so I shaved off my beard and went out to work. LOL I needed something to give me a kick-start. This vacation was certainly it.

We walked thru downtown VICTORIA. We saw landmarks, trendy shops and the local TV Station.
VICTORIA was the OLDEST established CHINATOWN in Canada. It is small but at the same time classic. Great signage and ambiance. The food was great [and cheap too!]
The downtown area has a real old city feel. Classic buildings... sprinkled in with really modern architecture

There are literally no words to describe the BUCHART GARDNS. The experience was just overwhelming. I have never seen such outstanding architecture and landscape design. We walked around the grounds for over 3 hours. I was so exhausted after all the sensory overload. I took quite a few photos and videos. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did taking them.

I am literally surrounded by TV shows and movies being filmed on my street. They use my building I live in for the TV Show SMALLVILLE, and they just finished filming a movie outside my door last week. I've also seen filming of DaVince's Inquest, COLD Squad and Saving Silvernam which they were outside my door for a freakin' week! TODAY they were filming the TV show THE FRINGE just down the block. They were mocking up the street to look like New York City LOL Fake cop cars, fake news stands with USA TODAY on display. I couldn't resist taking a few pics and vids. I'M READY FOR MY CLOSE UP!

See the video @ www.theinfamous.ca

Pulled my head outta my ass, finally went out today and enjoyed myself, Hugo a Go-Go took this pic at the Olympic Village skytrain station. This is what I call the "money" shot, LOL

Fans from all over the world!

TONG is a true fan of the ol' GAYCANUCK. He lives in a small village in Thailand. When I first saw the pictures of me plastered in his room I have to admit I freaked a bit. I have had others [guys and gals] who have done the same thing an it didn't turn into some type of fatal attraction. I am flattered... and a just a tad overwhelmed.

My biggest "man-fan" TONG sent me some pictures today and I have to admit I was a bit taken aback. I forgot that in Thailand right now there is serious unrest right now, and my buddy is training to protect and guard his village. These photos are a stark contrast to the ones he sent a few weeks back, during a big celebration where he was dressed in full drag.

That's him in the yellow skirt and orange hair... My heart goes out to him and the people in his country that are fighting for the same freedoms we here in North America take for granted. I couldn't imagine myself in the middle of this situation. I am so happy to be living here in Vancouver... I'm one lucky dude.

Tong sliding down a huge wall at bootcamp.

Prayers...

THE INFAMOUS BLOG

www.theinfamous.ca

BRING IT ON!

Well gang, I actually went to the THICKSET Bear Party alone... Hugo was sick and he wanted me to go anyway... I am not sure why but I was really nervous about going... hadn't been to an event with out a 'chaperone' for years. I felt a little outta place. The party was VERY cliquey but I managed to talk to a few guys... Then Albert and his boyfriend showed up at about 10:30... I was about leave just before they came in. We had a few more drinks and I loosened up a bit. I ended up having a great time. Met a real cute little otter and flirted with him for the rest of the night. Albert and Guy were already pretty cut when they arrived so they were feeling no pain. I left the party feeling great. First time I've been out alone in YEARS! So this was good test for me. I passed LOL

SHAWNO WITH OLYMPIC TORCH BEARER ANGUS PRAUGHT

My Progress...

It's been a month since I started my TOTAL BODY MAKE-OVER. This is how I felt when I first started... It was like I was 200 years old, out of shape and with literally no get-up-and-go. Now, after 30 days, I feel like a new man. I have lost the weight I gained back with my last diet, over 15 lbs. Thanks to the inspiration of my cyber-sis HOLLY, who has been on her own physical tranformation journey, I saw her struggle with her exercise 'Beast' and change of eating habits. When she posted some pics last week I was literally blown away. I don't even think she realizes how much of a change she has undergone. Not only physical, but mental and emotional as well. Going through this with her has turned my struggle into a joy. TODAY I FEEL LIKE THIS!!! I had a great workout even though I didn't really feel like it. After I was done I just couldn't believe how hard I actually worked out. I have changed my diet drastically. No more chips, pop or junk food. I have a protein shake every day. I eat more veggies and even YOGURT! Later on this afternoon I am gonna take my bike out for a spin around the sea wall. The energy I have is amazing. To anyone out there who thinks they can't achieve a better quality of life, stick around and watch Holly and me transform before your very eyes. I have a long to go to reach my final goals but I am so far ahead of where I thought I would be at this point all I can do is look forward to success. OK gang, it's banana milkshake time!

RICHARD & SHAWNO at the VANCOUVER OLYMPICS 2010

There is a "new" YMCA opening up in my area. It is actually a revamped, upgraded version of the original, but bigger and cleaner. Couldn't resist taking a few pics on the way past. Will have to check it out more soon. Hugo and I also went to a restaurant I hadn't been to since 1986. It's called the WHITE TOWER| and it's a greek restaurant at the old TROPICANA HOTEL, where I also stayed in 1986. What a blast from the past. So funny I have overlooked this Vancouver staple for so many years. I had the best ravioli I have had in ages. Nice little patio too. We inadvertently [I did anyway] wore the same coloured shirt, red, so that's why we look like the Bobsie Twins... OMG, it's finally happened. We're fuckin' DRESSING alike already... Matching Matching!

I LOVE it here......

WOW!!! I am in total shock. I JUST WON BLOG OF THE WEEK!!! I almost crapped my drawers. Today I am setting up my new computer and my poor brain is freakin' fried...totally burnt. So winning this award has made my week. YEE-HA!!!

I'm grabbin' life by the balls...

I JUST BOUGHT A MIRRORBALL

WELCOME TO MY PLACE

HI! Thanks for dropping by. I'm Shawno the GAYCANUCK and this is my little home on the web. I have had this website for 7 years and it has gone thru many changes over that time. At one point, when I became ill and all seemed lost, it was the only thing that kept me sane and motivated. I also have a popular blog called www.theINFAMOUS.ca. aptly named for me by a fine young writer from XTRA WEST. This site and my blog are about my life here in VANCOUVER, CANADA. I am always taking pics and videos of my beautiful city and all of my friends. It's never dull here...and it rains a lot too. I also have a page at www.myspace.com/gaycanuck where I post my videos. Tho this site can be racy at times, there is some nudity but nothing pornographic. Check back often for local weather, lottery results, gay news, links, horoscopes + my new pics and blogs. Thanks again for visiting.