A new reference book for ESL learners…

I’m very excited to announce on here that I have a new book titled 150 Common Written & Spoken Errors Made by ESL Learners (with Suggested Corrections & Explanations), which will be extremely helpful for ESL learners as they try to master the English language.

Having taught and helped thousands of students over the years, I’ve come across the same types of errors that many students seem to make – and I’ve compiled a list of 150 of those common ones in this book. Before publishing it, of course, I used several of those “lessons” in my classes and my students thoroughly enjoyed them.

What I can say that this book will help you, and if you go through the examples and explanations in each section – and learn them by heart – you will find that your English will gradually improve.

Pick up a copy of the book today!

Fast Food Review: McDonald’s Western BBQ Burger

I’m currently not working on any fiction, but still want to have fresh content on this site in the meantime. Therefore, I will be posting some items from one of my other sites. The following is a review of McDonald’s Western BBQ Burger, which I had recently posted on my blog, “Let’s Eat Out Once A Week.”

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McDonald’s so-called “Great Canadian Taste Adventure” of 2015 continued June 10-June 16 with the “Alberta” Western BBQ Burger.

I was at the Langley Walnut Grove location on 88th Avenue, and on this evening the wait was extra long – not sure what was going on in the back. Apparently, the staff felt it too and, on their own volition, they gave me a “free fries” voucher for my next visit.

This burger was actually delicious! The BBQ sauce was very tasty, with crunchy frizzled onions. I liken this burger to Triple O’s Smokehouse Burger from several months ago. This McDonald’s Western BBQ Burger tasted just like it – very yummy indeed! It was actually a very simple burger, but delicious.

At this Langley location, this Alberta burger combo was C$8.29. I would imagine, based on past experience, if I were to go to the McDonald’s in Vancouver, it would be 10 cents more expensive (and 30 cents extra for the same item in Richmond).

McDonald’s Western BBQ Burger Combo (includes fries and medium drink) – C$8.29 (combo price at Walnut Grove Langley location)

Anyway, I liked this burger, more so than the Ontario burger from the week before. I guess it’s a good thing that McDonald’s will have it for just a week, though. It could be addictive, and I wouldn’t want to stop by Mickey Dee’s on a regular basis to get it. According to the McDonald’s website, this Western BBQ Burger “brings you the taste of the Prairies with sweet and smokey BBQ flavour.” Can’t argue with that, and if I were to make a comparison, then Alberta’s burger flavour is definitely better than Ontario’s, based on what McDonald’s has been serving.

And oh, they had flatscreens showing Game Four of the Stanley Cup Finals on this night at this particular Langley location. I caught parts of the second period – and saw Tampa Bay’s tying goal (though I missed Chicago’s opening score from just a few minutes earlier) – before taking off. Good burger, hockey game, and a good place to relax for a little bit. Not bad at all!

Fast Food Review: McDonald’s Maple & Bacon Poutine

I’m currently not working on any fiction, but still want to have fresh content on this site in the meantime. Therefore, I will be posting some items from one of my other sites.

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(This post originally appeared on my food blog, “Let’s Eat Out Once A Week.”)

I stopped by at McDonald’s wanting to get a salad and hang out for a bit to use their free WiFi,… only to notice their display signs at the till and on their menu board that they were having this “new” Maple & Bacon Poutine.

I’m not sure anymore what’s “new” or what’s recycled at McDonald’s since I don’t keep up with their items, but I did get suckered into wanting to try this poutine. So, scrap the salad idea.

This maple & bacon poutine featured French fries with cheese curds and gravy, along with bacon pieces, maple BBQ sauce, and maple brown sugar. It cost C$4.59 plus tax.

McDonald’s Maple & Bacon Poutine – C$4.59

The poutine was okay, with plenty of gravy. It was certainly better prepared and better tasting than one of their other ones that I had the previous summer. I think, for me, the thing that stuck out the most was the amount of gravy they put in there. And the price was all right too, less expensive than the specialty poutines that Triple O’s has (their Smokehouse poutine was six bucks plus tax). Oh, I also got a pop too, as McDonald’s was having its summer special with all soft drinks at a buck.

As for the all-important question of whether or not I would have this McDonald’s maple & bacon poutine again… I suppose I would, but the best thing would be to have more salad. That was the original purpose of this trip – until I got suckered in by the in-store advertising. These types of poutines can get addictive so it’s best to not even think about them.

When: May 2015
What: Maple & Bacon Poutine; pop
Where: McDonald’s
How Much: C$4.59 + C$1.00 (total C$5.87 including tax)

Food Review: Tacofino Taco Bar (Vancouver, BC, Canada)

I’m currently not working on any fiction, but still want to have fresh content on this site in the meantime. Therefore, I will be posting some items from one of my other sites. The following is a review of Tacofino Taco Bar in Vancouver, BC, Canada, which I had posted on my blog Let’s Eat Out Once A Week recently:

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Lamb Birria and Fish Taco

It was time for another meetup with Valerie as part of our regular foodie get-together. This time, we picked Tacofino Taco Bar in Gastown on Saturday.

They open at 5 p.m. and when we got there, it was around that time and not busy yet. But soon enough, all of the tables were taken – Tacofino Taco Bar is THAT popular!

Both Valerie and I were impressed by the modern design in the interior. We really weren’t sure what to expect but we found the atmosphere nice and cozy.

We were served water and handed the menu right after we were seated. After having a few minutes to discuss our ordering strategy, we decided to share a Fish Taco, Lamb Birria, and Salmon Ceviche. Then it was time to sit back and chat as we waited for the food.

The Salmon Ceviche, according to Valerie, is prepared in a way that the salmon actually isn’t cooked but is marinated in lime juice and served with tortilla chips – and makes for a great appetizer. She was right, as I thought that it tasted delicious.

As for the tacos, we split them so that we could share them!

I really liked the lamb birria, as it was really juicy and dripping all over my hands! I wasn’t the only one with that problem, as Valerie also had the same thing happen to her! But she agreed that it was a great taco. As for the fish taco, boy, it was really nice and crunchy. It was served with pacific cod, salsa fresca, and chipotle mayo. I loved it!

Apparently, when Tacofino first opened, it was just a simple food stand in Tofino, BC, and then soon enough a restaurant-style establishment was opened here in Gastown. When you first walk in here at this Gastown location, you see the “Burrito Bar,” which has a different menu and is for takeout. Then you walk through the store – or the “blood alley square” as it’s called – you enter the Taco Bar where we ended up sitting. The “Burrito Bar” is open daily at 11 a.m., but the Taco Bar opens at 5 p.m. Like I said, at the Taco Bar it’s a nice and cozy place to have a conversation with your friends and enjoy some decent food. Valerie and I discussed quite a few interesting things on this evening – we both talked about how we like to be challenged with thought-provoking topics and we roll our eyes when people talk about juvenile pranks and “jokes.” Fun times for sure!

Oh, we then decided to try both items on the dessert menu, the Churros and Lime Curd Vaso. I had some familiarity with churros but not the lime curd vaso, which turned out to be a delicious cake-type dessert that had three layers, including lime at the bottom. It was great.

The churros, meanwhile, were these hot little cinnamon donut things that were hollow inside but they tasted nice. It wasn’t too spicy.

It was another great evening of good food, awesome conversation, and just fantastic to catch up. The service was good too – even though it got really packed by 5:30, I thought we got pretty good and attentive service. We didn’t have to wait long for anything. And as far as whether or not we would return again – always the big question when it comes to reviewing food places – both of us figured we would. Tacofino Taco Bar is a definite winner!

When: Saturday, April 11, 2015
What: Fish Taco (C$6), Lamb Birria (C$7), Salmon Ceviche (C$10), Churros (C$6), Lime Curd Vaso (C$4).
Where: Tacofino Taco Bar, Blood Alley Square, 15 West Cordova Street, Vancouver, BC, V6B 1C8
How Much: C$16.50 per person (before taxes and tips)

2015 BC Major Midget League coverage – Interviews with BCMML Champions Vancouver NE Chiefs

I’m currently not working on fiction, but in order to have fresh content on this site in the meantime, I’ll be posting random content from one of my other sites. The following is a series of video interviews I had done back in March 2015 with the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs hockey team, a Major Midget hockey club in BC, Canada. The Chiefs had just won the league championship, and I spoke with five of their players as a member of the media with the website MidgetAAACanada.com.

The new season begins in September. Until then, enjoy the interviews!

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Though I didn’t travel to Prince George, BC, to cover the 2015 BC Major Midget League finals, I did get an opportunity (as a member of the media with the website MidgetAAACanada.com) to speak with several members of the league champion Vancouver NE Chiefs when they returned home.

The Chiefs, by the way, went undefeated during the BC league playoffs, going 6-0 and becoming the first team in league history to accomplish the feat. They swept the first-place Cariboo Cougars in two straight games to win their first ever league title.

These interviews took place following a team practice on March 25, 2015.

First up, Chiefs forward #10 Parker Colley:

Next up, forward #4 Jeffrey Wong:

Now, here’s forward #15 Kyle Johnson, the club’s leading scorer (3 goals, 12 assists) in the playoffs:

Next, Chiefs forward #11 Caleb Fantillo:

Last but not least, forward #18 Matthew Davis:

Congratulations to the 2015 Vancouver NE Chiefs for their BCMML championship!

(Note: For more coverage of Major Midget Hockey in Canada, please visit MidgetAAACanada.com.)