Hot Jock

This hot jock in the bathroom illustrates what us guys do in the bathroom each morning (provided we shave) with a little extra thrown in such as flexing muscles in the mirror and such. Check out YouTube for more videos by lockerroomhunk. And perhaps this guy is getting really into it. What do you think? - Volker

Another fine example: Blito

Some lovely example of physical perfection were shown on We love Guys recently. Blito is but one example above. Hit the weights guys if you want to shed those extra pounds and define your image! I am hoping that Brad can offer a post on how he has attained the physical perfection he has: the cut abs! We'll see. Meantime, a tease here and there will have to do. - Volker

More hotties

Some more hot, sensuous examples of physical perfection as if you need more! - Volker

Romeu Rodrigues

Here is another example of physical perfection. Yet another latin model. - Volker

Elian Gallardo, model

Model Elian Gallardo is another fit, hot guy to look out for. There must be something about the hot latin blood that captivates out attention. - Volker

More of model Tiago Botega

Just in case you haven't had enough of model Tiago Botega here is another photo. There have been a lot of hot models coming out of Brazil lately. - Volker

Another pic of Brazilian model, Edilson

I've posted the odd pic of Edilson before. He is now modelling for International Jock as the above photo will attest. I can see why he was a finalist in the Mr. Brazil 2007 contest. Can't you? - Volker

Roses at Sapperton Landing

Shrub roses line the walking path on either side at Sapperton Landing. The Fraser River and the Coast Mountains are in the background. - Volker

Another view at Sapperton Landing

The weather was so great Sunday that I took a whole series of photos that day while at Sapperton Landing. This was before I walked into the downtown area of New Westminster to catch the SkyTrain into Vancouver. The river had all sorts of branches, tree trunks and other pieces of wood floating in the water heading down stream. The brownish colour is from all the silt in the water. Swallows flitted about just above the water and nest boxes were found along the walking trail. Numerous shrubs were in flower too such as roses and scotch broom. There will be more photos to come soon! - Volker

Scene at Sapperton Landing

The "Native" heading upstream on the Fraser River at Sapperton Landing (New Westminster) Sunday afternoon.

Hope for the human spirit

A friend of mine in Pennsylvania sent me this story some months ago, so I thought to share the story with others:

 

"For those who know "dog love", or "pet love", and what it can do for the human spirit..."

"Watch out! You nearly broad sided that car!" My father yelled at me.
"Can't you do anything right?"
Those words hurt worse than blows. I turned my head toward the elderly man in the seat beside me, daring me to challenge him. A lump rose in my throat as I averted my eyes. I wasn't prepared for another battle.

"I saw the car, Dad. Please don't yell at me when I'm driving." My voice was measured and steady, sounding far calmer than I really felt.

Dad glared at me, then turned away and settled back. At home I left Dad in front of the television and went outside to collect my thoughts. Dark, heavy clouds hung in the air with a promise of rain. The rumble of distant thunder seemed to echo my inner turmoil.

What could I do about him?

Dad had been a lumberjack in Washington and Oregon . He had enjoyed being outdoors and had reveled in pitting his strength against the forces of nature. He had entered grueling lumberjack competitions, and had placed often. The shelves in his house were filled with trophies that attested to his prowess.

The years marched on relentlessly. The first time he couldn't lift a heavy log, he joked about it; but later that same day I saw him outside alone, straining to lift it.  He became irritable whenever anyone teased him about his advancing age, or when he couldn't do something he had done as a younger man.

Four days after his sixty-seventh birthday, he had a heart attack. An ambulance sped him to the hospital while a paramedic administered CPR to keep blood and oxygen flowing. At the hospital, Dad was rushed into an operating room. He was lucky; he survived.

But something inside Dad died. His zest for life was gone. He obstinately refused to follow doctor's orders. Suggestions and offers of help were turned aside with sarcasm and insults. The number of visitors thinned, then finally stopped altogether. Dad was left alone.

My husband, Dick, and I asked Dad to come live with us on our small farm. We hoped the fresh air and rustic atmosphere would help him adjust. Within a week after he moved in, I regretted the invitation. It seemed nothing was satisfactory. He criticized everything I did. I became frustrated and moody. Soon I was taking my pent-up anger out on Dick. We began to bicker and argue. Alarmed, Dick sought out our pastor and explained the situation. The clergyman set up weekly counseling appointments for us. At the close of each session he prayed, asking God to soothe Dad's troubled mind. But the months wore on and God was silent. Something had to be done and it was up to me to do it.

The next day I sat down with the phone book and methodically called each of the mental health clinics listed in the Yellow Pages. I explained my problem to each of t he sympathetic voices that answered. In vain. Just when I was giving up hope, one of the voices suddenly exclaimed, "I just read something that might help you! Let me go get the article." I listened as she read. The article described a remarkable study done at a nursing home. All of the patients were under treatment for chronic depression. Yet their attitudes had improved dramatically when they were given responsibility for a dog.

I drove to the animal shelter that afternoon. After I filled out a questionnaire, a uniformed officer led me to the kennels. The odor of disinfectant stung my nostrils as I moved down the row of pens. Each contained five to seven dogs. Long-haired dogs, curly-haired dogs, black dogs, spotted dogs all jumped up, trying to reach me. I studied each one but rejected one after the other for various reasons: too big, too small, too much hair. As I neared the last pen a dog in the shadows of the far corner struggled to his feet, walked to the front of the run and sat down. It was a pointer, one of the dog world's aristocrats. But this was a caricature of the breed. Years had etched his face and muzzle with shades of gray. His hipbones jutted out in lopsided triangles. But it was his eyes that caught and held my attention. Calm and clear, they beheld me unwaveringly.

I pointed to the dog. "Can you tell me about him?" The officer looked, then shook his head in puzzlement.

"He's a funny one. Appeared out of nowhere and sat in front of the gate. We brought him in, figuring someone would be right down to claim him. That was two weeks ago and we've heard nothing. His time is up tomorrow." He gestured helplessly.

As the words sank in I turned to the man in horror. "You mean you're going to kill him?"

"Ma'am," he said gently, "that's our policy. We don't have room for every unclaimed dog."

I looked at the pointer again The calm brown eyes awaited my decision. "I'll take him," I said.

I drove home with the dog on the front seat beside me. When I reached the house I honked the horn twice. I was helping my prize out of the car when Dad shuffled onto the front porch.

"Ta-da! Look what I got for you, Dad!" I said excitedly.

Dad looked, then wrinkled his face in disgust. "If I had wanted a dog I would have gotten one. And I would have picked out a better specimen than that bag of bones. Keep it! I don't want it" Dad waved his arm scornfully and turned back toward the house.

Anger rose inside me It squeezed together my throat muscles and pounded into my temples.

"You'd better get used to him, Dad. He's staying!" Dad ignored me. "Did you hear me, Dad?" I screamed. At those words Dad whirled angrily, his hands clenched at his sides, his eyes narrowed and blazing with hate.

We stood glaring at each other like duelists, when suddenly the pointer pulled free from my grasp. He wobbled toward my dad and sat down in front of him. Then slowly, carefully, he raised his paw.

Dad's lower jaw trembled as he stared at the uplifted paw.  Confusion replaced the anger in his eyes. The pointer waited patiently. Then Dad was on his knees hugging the animal.

It was the beginning of a warm and intimate friendship. Dad named the pointer Cheyenne . Together he and Cheyenne explored the community. They spent long hours walking down dusty lanes. They spent reflective moments on the banks of streams, angling for tasty trout. They even started to attend Sunday services together, Dad sitting in a pew and Cheyenne lying quietly at his feet.

Dad and Cheyenne were inseparable throughout the next three years. Dad's bitterness faded, and he and Cheyenne made many friends. Then late one night I was startled to feel Cheyenne 's cold nose burrowing through our bed covers. He had never before come into our bedroom at night. I woke Dick, put on my robe and ran into my father's room. Dad lay in his bed, his face serene. But his spirit had left quietly sometime during the night.

Two days later my shock and grief deepened when I discovered Cheyenne lying dead beside Dad's bed. I wrapped his still form in the rag rug he had slept on. As Dick and I buried him near a favorite fishing hole, I silently thanked the dog for the help he had given me in restoring Dad's peace of mind.

The morning of Dad's funeral dawned overcast and dreary. This day looks like the way I feel, I thought, as I walked down the aisle to the pews reserved for family. I was surprised to see the many friends Dad and Cheyenne had made filling the church. The pastor began his eulogy. It was a tribute to both Dad and the dog who had changed his life And then the pastor turned to Hebrews 13:2. "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers."

"I've often thanked God for sending that angel," he said.

For me, the past dropped into place, completing a puzzle that I had not seen before: the sympathetic voice that had just read the right article...

Cheyenne's unexpected appearance at the animal shelter. .his calm acceptance and complete devotion to my father. . and the proximity of their deaths. And suddenly I understood. I knew that God had answered my prayers after all.
Life is too short for drama & petty things, so laugh hard, love truly and forgive quickly.
Live While You Are Alive.
Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.  Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second time.

Do share this with someone.
 Lost time can never be found.

Share this story with others.  It may make a difference in someone's life!  -  Volker

Another pic of Tiago Botega

Here's another pic of Brazilian Tiago Botega and his lovely abs. Now go out and shead those pounds so you can look like this! Well, give it a try anyway. - Volker

Deserted

After the very summer-like temperatures over the weekend, Monday was a different story. Temperatures were half what they had been the previous two days. This was the scene at English Bay's Third Beach in Vancouver, British Columbia looking west out into English Bay. There are always freighters in the bay waiting to enter Vancouver harbour, so that is not an unusual sight. Note the dull, grey skies! I love blue skies and lots of sun but even with this in mind, my preferred temperatures are in the 15 to 20 degrees Celsius range. It was at the lower end of that scale on Monday, Not to worry. The sun and warmer temperatures will be back! - Volker

English Bay's Third Beach on Sunday

This was the scene at the Third Beach on Sunday. Just like the main beach, it was practically deserted on Monday due the the rain and cooler temperatures. - Volker

English Bay Beach (main) - Vancouver, BC

This was the scene at the main beach at English Bay in Vancouver, BC on Sunday. The temperature was around 30 degrees Celsius and very sunny. Then came the rain on Monday with temperatures about half Sunday's highs. The beach today looked deserted compared to the previous day. There will be more sunny, warm days but this was a bit of a let down on Monday. - Volker

Eyes

These are the Karshner Triplets! Take a close look at those eyes!!! How fascinating and very unique. Do you recognize them from somewhere? Can you tell the three apart? I've been looking at their photos for a couple of years and still can't tell them apart. And this is not one of my photos but I'd love to do a shoot of them alone never mind other hot guys! Go to http://weloveguys.blogspot.com for photos of more hot guys. - Volker

Raining!

We're back to the rain again today (Monday). I should have seen it coming since the cloud cover was moving in from the Pacific Ocean yesterday evening. Oh well, its still warm eventhough the sun is missing. The rain is not heavy but just a light sprinkle. Back in southwestern Ontario where I grew up it would have been a down pour and then over with. That would likely have included a lightshow (lightning) and plenty of sound (thunder). They don't get much of either out here on the west coast and people tend to freak out when there is thunder and lightning! You can tell the ones that don't since they are likely from back east and used to this sort of thing. - Volker

Rhododendrons in bloom

Here is another shot of some beautiful flowers in bloom: white rhododendrons! These are to be found in Stanley Park at the eastern end near Lost Lagoon. - Volker

Blooms

These blooms have faded but this is how the scene along West Georgia Street looked a few weeks ago when cherry trees all over the area were in full bloom as were the spring heathers. - Volker

Victoria Day Weekend

Well, Saturday I spent my first day of the weekend at home doing things around the apartment and doing much needed laundry! That freed up Sunday to get out and go into Vancouver.

Saturday, I left the apartment late in the morning (nearing noon) walking up hill toward Braid SkyTrain station. The sun was beating down and I was perspiring perfusely but it was the nicest weather we have had in weeks. Up to now its been largely overcast with some rain. The sun only teased us with the occasional showing now and then.

Once I was on the SkyTrain I sat at the last seat (single) at the end of the train. A couple of hot young guys took a double seat next to me. That seat was facing me. They looked like a couple of cool dudes with their shades chatting with each other in Spanish. I assumed they were of Mexican background with the dark hair and such. They were very comfortable, and in the heat as it was, who wouldn't be. One was wearing a red t-shirt and light-coloured khakis and the other a green t-shirt and jeans. At one point the latter dozed off. His right knee brushed my right thigh and he pulled back upright in his seat. Guess he got a bit too relaxed? I chuckled to myself. It all reminded me of a friend in North Carolina, also of Mexican background. Anyway, whether they were gay or str8 matters little. They were nice to have around until I got off the train at Burrard station.

After a washroom break it was off to Stanley Park for a walk on the seawall around the park. I took a slight detour by checking out the Rosegarden area, walked past the pavillion where I saw a peahen making its rounds near the parked cars and then rejoined the seawall downhill just past the pavillion. It was hot and I was still perspiring! There were a lot of people walking, cycling or roller blading along. Some were out in the water at the third beach and other beaches closer to the main beach at English Bay. This was the first weekend where the beaches were open for swimming and manned by lifeguards. I'm sure the water must not have been too warm yet because there would have been more out in the water if warmer water had been the case.

I was exhausted and had a supper at one of my favourite Starbucks outlets at Davie and Thurlow Streets. Nothing fancy, just a sandwich, yogurts with granola and berries plus a rootbeer to wash everything down. Later, before catching the train home, I bought another rootbeer. They taste so good when its hot out. Since I don't have much in the way of soft drinks, it was more of a treat!

There will be some photos once I get around to downloading them later today. Meantime, hope you had a great weekend where you are!!! - Volker

Tiago Botega

We, here's another few of hot abs and another reason why guys should keep in shape by exercising. It does't matter what it is. It can be walking, biking, swimming, whatever! Consuming a balanced diet goes a long way too. Eating a lot of junk food just won't do it and we could probably all drink more water. Salt and sugar laced drinks like pop and such are't good for the body either. Let's keep in shape! Then you could have a physique like Tiago Botega too. Just a thought. - Volker

A Sunday sail on English Bay

Last Sunday I found this tour boat sailing the waters of English Bay heading toward the False Inlet in Vancouver, British Columbia. This photo was taken between above the seawall on a high point between the first and second beach. - Volker

Luke and Noah kiss

Todd X at Iced Tea & Sarcasm posted this vidoe clip of Luke and Noah kissing on "As the World Turns." Some have complained to the sponsor, Proctor & Gamble, but why don't these people get a life. Complain about what really matters such as the true injustice in the world, the gratuituous violence on TV and in film, not to mention the violence on the street, the abuse of children, just to name a few. People showing love and respect for each other shouldn't be something to complain about. There truly is something wrong with this picture if this is what motivates people to complain. What are your thoughts??? - Volker

Horoscope for Gemini and Leo

Well, today, Monday, May 12th (what is left of it) had some interesting horoscope predictions for Gemini (Brad) and Leo (Volker) in the 24hrs,ca and Metro newspapers (they're free). Here go the predictions, starting with Gemini (24hrs and then Metro):

Gemini (May 21 - June 20)

"Put your dreams into motion. If you hook up with others that have your best interests at heart, you can make those dreams come true." (24hrs.ca)

"A comedian demands to have a private place. An official suggests a career shift. A supporter is a true friend to you." (Metro)

Leo (July 23 - August 22)

"You may be briefly conflicted about issues involving trust and compassion. As long as you honour your promisses and don't act upon your doubts everything will resolve happily." (24hrs.ca)

"A unique situation will have unexpected benefits. Take care of someone who is worn out. An issue will be resolved to your satisfaction." (Metro)

So, you decide whether to believe or not. It's interesting to spectulate just the same. As I once mentioned, a natal chart would be better, like a road map of obsticles ahead. Food for thought! - Volker

More Edilson Nascimento

More of Edilson who was a finalist in the Mr. Brazil 2007 contest. If he came in second, I wonder who the winner was and what he looked like??? The winner must have been a real hottie for sure because Edilson certainly counts as one! - Volker

Edilson Nascimento, a hot Brazilian!

Young Brazilian model Edilson Nascimento during a photo shoot. This hottie also happens to be gay and so good at what he does. - Volker

Tiago Botega

Tiago Botega from the Brazilian series "the boy", one of a long line of hot guys that would get notice whether one was gay or straight. Does he vaguely remind you of anyone??? - Volker

Shelter

The film called "Shelter" by here! films March 2008 starring Brad Rowe, Trevor Wright and Tina Holmes is another gay-themed movie showing the struggles of a guy coming to terms with his desires. You can see the clip on YouTube. - Volker