ENJOY LIFE, MAKE IT AN ADVENTURE! (photos)
Monday, March 25, 2013 by: Joseph Corbiere
I admire my son Brett. His life seems to be an ongoing adventure. He has travelled to parts of the world that I will probably never go to. A year in Japan, through the Rotary Exchange program was followed be a semester on a South Korean adventure.
Not only did he develop a working knowledge of Japanese and Korean, he also got to learn about the local history, culture and developed an appreciation for some interesting cuisine. While in Japan he was deeply moved when he toured Hiroshima. In South Korea, he met an American Marine, while working at a country bar as a DJ. Brett I think worked for drinks. The Marine was a developing tattoo artist and Brett ended up with 3 tattoos, much to the delight of his mother and grandmother.
He also has a working knowledge of Russian, Chinese and French. French of course he learned from his lovely mother’s family. Chinese and Russian he learned while dating women from those backgrounds.
At some point, he took up grappling. Grappling is essentially wrestling with submission holds. Brett and his baby brother, Greg terrorized Beaupit’s Mixed Martial Arts in Niagara falls. The boys went to some tournaments and training sessions in the Boston area. They met some interesting characters in the world of Brazillian Jujitsu. Brett won a tourney. They got to train with some blackbelts from around the world.
Brett went to university and got a Linguistics degree. He also earned a certificate in teaching English as a second language (ESL). He taught at Algoma U for a few semesters and became good friends with his Japanese and Arabian students. He quickly got disillusioned with academic bureaucracy.
He then decided to return to the halls of academia as a student. Now of all things he decided to enter in the Brew Masters program at Niagara College. I couldn’t figure out the connection between linguistics and beer. I understand that beer makes some people talk more and also makes some shut up. Anyways, he hooks up with the Alley Cat Brewery in Edmonton.
In the first few days, he ends up on an Edmonton newspaper web site. In the video he is stirring some big beer vats. While in Edmonton he gets involved with aerobatic yoga. He sent home some pics. He got to hold up some women while they did yoga manoeuvres. I thought this is neat way to meet the opposite sex. I guess I was wrong. He was actually doing it for yoga’s sake.
The reason I know, is at this time, he was doing long distance courting of the lovely Aimee-Leigh. Aimee is a real sweetheart and is a great addition to the family. They compliment each other and make each even better. A smart young lady who makes the bestest jalapeno poppers, Ever.
While in Edmonton, Brett was walking down the street and he was asked to help judge a beauty pageant. I think Brett was asked so that he could give the man on the street perspective. I’m guessing the real reason is that he has very distinctive facial hair. His beard grows quickly and thick. He told me that sometimes the Orthodox Jewish people stop to admire his luxurious facial hair.
A few years back Brett got a chance to catch Darren Zack in the GR Retro league. Darren was throwing a bit hard that day. He had dislocated one catcher’s thumb. The second catcher didn’t want to stay in after a few went whizzing by his head. So being the astute coach that I could be, I sacrificed my oldest child.
During the warm up, he took 3 straight balls off the chest. I flinched each time he got hit. Darren kept telling Brett “keep your glove still and I will hit it”. Brett replied “I still love you uncle”.
Anyways, I think Brett will continue having adventures with Aimee-Leigh.
Who would have thunk? A son that makes beer, now if I can get him to make me some beer that I like. LoL
