Our Friend Jordie
Jordie Thomas Lunn
1983 - 2019
There’s only a few times in a persons lifetime that they meet someone like Jordie Thomas Lunn. I think I sort of knew that while he was with us, but I definitely recognize it more than ever now that he is gone.
I first met Jordie in the late 90’s, I had moved to the Parksville/Qualicum area and at that time there wasn’t a huge crew of people who were really, like REALLY, into riding bikes. Jords and I both fell into that category and when you did you were immediately buddies with anyone else who did.
As the years wore on we became great friends, he was wild, he was outside the box, he was as weird as he was funny and different and he didn’t care at all. I remember talking to him by txt one night before one of Claw’s events at Mt Washington, it was during a little lull in his bike career and we had planned to meet the next day to shoot some photos during practice. I can’t remember who they were for but Jords was fired up. Anyways, in our txt thread at some point he asked me ‘What colours should I wear?’ It’s not an odd question in our world because a riders outfit can cause them to either blend in to the surroundings, or, stick out like a sore thumb and ‘pop’. I replied with something generic that I figured would work and he hit me back with a “Haha. K Baxy I have just the right outfit’. The next day we met at the top of the course and in typical Jords fashion, he stuck out like a sore thumb alright! In red and black tiger striped pants with a t-shirt cut into a tank top. As you can imagine, not exactly every sponsors dream, but totally, perfectly, 100% Jordie.
The pic bounced around for a bit between some mountain bike magazines, all of which circling around publishing it. It never made it to print but it found some traction as Photo of The Day on Pinkbike. Something that Jords txt’d me about bright and early thinking it was hilarious. If you look into the comments of that photo online that day there was plenty of hate, I’m not going to regurgitate it but some of it was pretty rough. Most of it was aimed at Jords, his outfit, his trick, his position in the industry at that time. I ran into him not that long afterwards and commented how bummed I was that people were talking shit about him, but how proud I was of the picture. He shrugged it off and said that’s just how the comments sections are, and that people don’t get it. I know he was aware people didn’t get him, or maybe didn’t believe in him at times, or even didn’t like him because of how he was but he never for a minute let them dull his shine. Something that I’m so proud to have know of him.
Last month we gathered in Victoria, people from all over the world came in, to say goodbye to our friend Jordie. It was an incredible time catching up, sharing stories, and starting to heal as a group. It was the type of hangout that Jords would have loved, because that’s what he did, he loved life, and he loved his friends and he especially loved his family. It was therapeutic to have everyone in one place, minus one of course but I’d like to think he saw it all unfold; the tears, the jump jam, the laughs.
The world needs more Jordies, more caution thrown to the wind, more doing things because you like them and even if any and everyone else doesn’t, but you do. It’s been a few months now since he passed away. It wasn’t odd for us to go a few months without seeing each other, or even for us to go a few months without catching up. I guess life is just like that sometimes. But this is around the time when I would see him. I’d run into him somewhere, or we’d txt about something stupid. I miss him this time and I still feel really burned by this all. I was prepared for injured friends, I was prepared to hold my breath and watch them do scary shit. I wasn’t prepared for this and I can’t seem to shake this gutted feeling. I know as time wears on it will get easier, but I also know how much pain his family is in going into this holiday season and I wish for them that I could make it all better.
Jordies sponsors have all kicked down some parts to build up a Jordie dream bike and they’re raffling off tickets with the proceeds going to a foundation in Jordies name. The foundation will help kids get on bikes and learn new techniques on bikes, some Jordie held very near to his heart. If you can spare a few dollars follow the link below and pick up a ticket.
Thanks for everything Jords, I and so so so many other miss you like crazy. Rest easy buddy, I love you.
Thoughts, comments?
The Homelab Year in Review
What a year it’s been in local real estate. As always we’ve been busy busy at the lab, something that in our current market I can attest to nothing more than our constant and at times all encompassing grind.
When I started at The Homelab it took me a little while to come to terms with the fact that my career was switching gears. I’m not sure why, I guess maybe I thought that there was something lame about that. As in, if I had set out to be an action sports photographer, then changing that - before all goals were achieved - I guess sort of felt like giving up. But people change, times change, surroundings, circumstances, paths, they all change and the last three and a half years have seemed like a constant repositioning of my work.
It took us a while to hit our stride, not that that’s super surprising, it’s natural when getting things off the ground. At first I hated the images, they were sort of the real estate status quo: blended exposures, blue light out the windows, bright interiors shot with the lights on and as wide angle as we could manage. Though as time wore on we cut our own cloth, we built own our style and we created our own path. Now, we’re creating media that all three of us (Jamie, Jody and myself) can all really get behind.
So as my focus has shifted, I’ve been home more than ever, I have a solid foundation of work here that I like, so freelance projects aren’t as risky. New goals in action sports and beyond are being made and paths to achieve them created. After all of the worrying and posturing and resistance subsided a new normal has been formed and things are creatively, better than ever. I guess a part of me still thinks that my work is only interesting if it’s in that niche or genre the I started out in. Possibly a construct of the photo industry drilling into young photographers that they need to be one certain type of photographer and stay that course. Something that in itself I have always struggled to fit in to. I’ve always just wanted to create beautiful images, people, sports, fish, and now homes. The process has been a steep learning curve but it’s something that professionally has become so satisfying to create an images I really believe in.
What a year it’s been in local real estate. As always we’ve been busy busy at The Homelab, something that in our current market I can only really attest to our constant and at times, all encompassing grind. Between our team’s incredible staging skills and our new style of photographing the word is getting out, momentum is building, clients are seeking us out and our reputation is constantly growing.
As the year hits the middle of it’s final quarter and the real estate market has slowed, it’s nice to have the time to look back on the year and all of its great image creating opportunities. Theres some big things in the works with us for 2020 so keep an eye on our Homelab socials for all of the updates and images.
Homelab Real Estate
141 E 4th Avenue,
Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 2C4.
Or online at:
Insta:
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Pacific Board Culture Art Auction & Punk Show
November 9th marked the first of what will hopefully be a long standing annual tradition; their art auction and punk show. All of the art was donated and it was astounding how many local artists, businesses and residents poured their hearts Into making this event the success that it was
Pacific Board Culture is an amazing foundation. It’s basic concept is to get boards, be them skate, snow or surfboards into the hands of kids who otherwise couldn’t afford them or have access to them.
November 9th marked the first of what will hopefully be a long standing annual tradition; the Pacific Board Culture Art Auction & Punk Show. All of the art was donated and it was astounding how many local artists, businesses and residents poured their hearts Into making this event the success that it was. My family and the fine folks running PBC happen to be very close so I was able to spend an hour or two following my sons and theirs around the event while the ran the door, sold merchandise, got hair cuts and played with the finger boards.
One of the many cool aspects of the night was that Heavy D’s barbershop from Departure Bay in Nanaimo was fully set up and running off cuts by donation. They really hooked it up too, complete with all of the tools, proper lighting and a couple of dope vintage barber chairs. If you’re ever in need of a trim check these guys out, they’re super active on social media so follow along and support the people supporting our people.
Check their instagrams here
The evening also played host to a very cool milestone for our family. My wife had a piece in her first art auction. She painted it in the weeks leading up to the event and laboured back and forth between liking it and wanting to back out of the event. In the end we convinced her to stay the course and she did, and to only her surprise it sold for well over $100. Very proud moment.
Jerret and Anesa, 2/3’s of the driving force behind PBC. These two - among others as they would tell you immediately so as to not take the credit that they’re due - worked tirelessly to put this event on and to get this foundation off the ground. Now as a result kids in our community will benefit and have the ability to try something new, to foster their skills, and to learn a new passion. Thanks for all of the hard work guys.
Check out the Pacific Board Culture Instagram here
Or on the web
Thoughts, comments?
Last light, night bite.
Hudson is still pretty unsure of the fish themselves but he sure loves going out ‘fissin’. For reasons unknown he really likes to ask the fish to bite him followed immediately by him putting a finger right near or into the fishes mouth.
Few things clear my mind like some time in the tinner wettin’ a few lines. I often leave my cameras at home when I fish, for no other reason than that; if they’re close? I’ll use them.
Having said that, every now and then I sneak one into the boat and every now and then the conditions are just right for a few bangers.
These shots are from a few weekends ago at my parents place. Hudson is still pretty unsure of the fish themselves but he sure loves going out ‘fissin’. For reasons unknown he really likes to ask the fish to bite him followed immediately by him putting a finger right near or into the fishes mouth. I’d like to say something like ‘No idea where he gets these quirks!’ or “Geez, wonder where that comes from?’ but it would probably be easier and much more accurate to just say ‘The apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree’.
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French Press Coffee Roasters
In Qualicum Beach we’re always looking for good coffee and lunch spots. So when I heard that one of the local coffee shops had new owners and was on the mend from a disastrous year-long stint under less than passionate management, I was ecstatic.
Coffee is life. It’s that simple. Also, it just so happens that some of the most newly award winning coffee in North America is being roasted just a handful of kilometres from my front door, so again; coffee is life and for me at least, great coffee is also very convenient.
In Qualicum Beach we’re always looking for good coffee and lunch spots. So when I heard that one of the local coffee shops had new owners and was on the mend from a disastrous year-long stint under less than passionate management, I was ecstatic. I have a great appreciation for The French Press. When it was under its original owners control I hosted my first solo art show there and it was an incredible experience so hearing it was back in action felt a bit like being reunited with an old friend.
Enter Jeremy Perkins.
Jeremy’s passion for coffee is basically as unbridled as it could get and he’s creating The French Press’ coffee from the ground up. Beans fresh from Nicaragua and Ethiopia are being roasted right here in Central Vancouver Island to bring out just the right notes from nuttiness to strawberry and cherry.
On a recent trip to Nashville, Tn, Jeremy entered The French Press’ coffee into the 2019 iteration of The Golden Bean awards, an annual coffee roasters competition held in both North America and Australia. To no surprise of anyone who has had his coffee; he brought home a lot of hardware. 6 medals including 4 bronze, 1 silver and 1 gold. The gold being for the Ethiopian Kilenso Moconissa blend.
The French Press is one of my absolute favourite things about life in Qualicum Beach. We often have our morning Homelab meeting at the shop, taking in the tempered hustle and bustle of it’s loyal regulars. Jeremy has really created an environment and ambience reminiscent of a much bigger market but with the accessibility and community of a small town business. I can’t stress enough just how delicious this coffee is, but don’t take my word for it.
The French Press can be found at:
French Press Coffee Roasters Cafe
692 Primrose Street,
Qualicum Beach, V9K 1S7,
French Press Coffee Roastery & Cafe
2340 Alberni Highway,
Coombs, V0R 1M0.
Or online at:
Thoughts, comments?
Shore QB
Early this year the town of Qualicum Beach put out a call for bids on their long standing waterfront staple; The Beach Hut. Whispers were running wild around town with the news that we’d be getting a new, updated take on this local classic
The beach hut on Qualicum Beach is back; with a breath of fresh air.
Early this year the town of Qualicum Beach put out a call for bids on their long standing waterfront staple; The Beach Hut. Whispers were running wild around town with the news that we’d be getting a new, updated take on this local classic. Around the same time I had an email in my inbox from Lindy - the new restauranteur -saying ‘I’m starting a new adventure and I’m gonna need some help’.
It wasn’t long after Shore QB opened that I got a chance to stop by and try the food. The menu reads like any good beachside haunt should; fish & chips, fish tacos, great homemade burgers and of course coffees and ice cream to perfectly round out any lunch date. As someone who could easily be classified as a foodie I was so stoked to find that Lindy and her husband Steve had really figured the food out before opening. This wasn’t some attempt to rest on the venue and views as the main draw, they did it right and the food reflects their effort.
Lindy and Steve really recognized that there was no need to veer off into foreign territory or risk losing a devoted audience, they just hit the staples and hit them well. My favourite has to be the fresh fish tacos; perfectly seasoned batter with fresh made pico de gallo, a crunchy kale slaw - that’s not overdressed - and then it’s all topped with a chipotle mayo drizzle…a good single word description would be unbelievable. They’re one of the dishes that I would just want everyone to have at least once. Maybe I’ll find a way to give some to clients one day…
Photographically the shoot was super fun, I absolutely love food and I’d been researching food photography for a long while starting to set my sights on some local spots I could reach out to. We had near perfect weather to light the food with natural sources and I was able to us a Mexican blanket for some balance in colour and some reclaimed boards I had in my carport to establish a weathered, textured yet clean backdrop to juxtapose the dishes. I also picked up a macro lens earlier this year so when required I was able to draw right in on the food and shoot nice and close to fill the frame.
So if it hasn’t become clear yet; I’m a fan…and I think you will be too. If you want to check it out Shore Qb is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 8pm March(ish) til October(ish) each year and they’re located right on the seawall beside four poles at Qualicum Beach.
Shore QB
2831 Island Hwy W,
Qualicum Beach, BC, V9K 2C4.
Or online at: