KISS Cups (pre-Dragon Con)

So I just wanted to mention undertaking that was the Kiss Cups on promotion at 7-11 stores in the US. Buy any pop and get it a FREE KISS CUP!

Firstly, with less than 24 hours until our 6A.M. flight departure time, I had to work out where the stores were located on or near our route to Buffalo airport. I also needed to phone each of these stores and ensure they had the much coveted items. I was insanely busy at work but "luckily" my other half knew I'd keep my priorities in order and get the important stuff done.

As it turns out there were only two likely stores, one on the route and near the airport, the other out of our way by 30 minutes or so but also near the airport. (I'd like to remind you that our flight was at 6am and we live approx 3 hours from Buffalo airport.)

So we pull up to the first store at some ungodly hour. Needless to say, I'm totally breathless with anticipation so you can imagine the crushing agony when we couldn't find the cups. I was desperately hoping that the cups were behind the counter. Or maybe in the safe with all the money and other super-important stuff that you don't stolen. So best thing to do is ask the guy who works there. Said guy was clearly not employed for his customer service skills as he ignored us and the other customer waiting at the cash register in favour of emptying the garbage out front. This chore was performed with the reverance and slow pace that I would associate with the coronation of a Queen of England. But then I'm not an employee of 7-11 so I have no idea how the employee hand-book requires these things to be handled. Eventually I ran out of patience and went out and asked him as politely as my "you'd better be the one willing to get in the car with my pissy spouse if you answer incorrectly" attitude would allow about the damn cups. Unfortunately the response was not what I'd hoped and caused much anguish. Garry even suggested that I should have called the stores more recently than 13 hours ago at hours and in fact that maybe I should've done it at midnight when I gotten up for this clearly godforsaken trip! You can imagine how much I loved him at that exact moment.

So with muttered recrimations and the air awash with tension we headed on to the second store. It seemed like we drove for eternity. I started to wonder if Buffalo had inbred red-necks, the movie ones who would rape me (not so good) and murder Garry (not such a bad option right now) as I was sure we'd never make it to the airport. Finally we got to the 7-11 and guess what! They had the sacred cups!! Right there, beside the soda fountain for the whole world to come and look at and for the blessed few to actually buy!! YES!

Finally we can start the vacation part of this escapade!

L

This was the first day and already Liz was wondering what kind of a fool is she involved with..lol
Off we go to Dragon Con
garry

Dragon Con 2010

Dragon Con 2010

Liz and I love this con. It's in Atlanta and it's HUGE.This is one Con that we plan to go to every year. It's always on the long weekend so we take an extra day off and fly from Buffalo on the Friday. The flight from Buffalo is always early so we leave the house at like 2am and the flight is 6am. Leaving this early is easy for me but a bit early for Liz. Getting to airport and boarder was really easy and the flight was fast. Off the plane and we went to the hotel which was great because they let us check-in to our room early. Then off to get our pass which was the only shit part of the con....it took 2.5 hours to get my pass and that was the only problem with this con. I hear they're going to change things up next year which I really hope they do.

A big part of the weekend was just walking around and sitting in on different panels. And the best part is all the people dressed up and just watching what's going on. The other great thing this year was Liz paced herself had a mid-afternoon nap which helped us stay out later which was different from last year and I really enjoyed it.

some highlights from the con are:

Stan Lee's talk

All The Star Gate Panels

Crux Shadow (one song I saw)

Star Trek The Next Generation panel with all the stars

True Blood Panel (Lafayette was so quiet and Sam was great)

The Klingon panel with them dressed in full make up - should have done a picture with them

Liz buying Star Wars stuff (hey I thought was my thing)

Chick-fil-A the best chicken sandwich on the FUCKING planet

watching Claudia Christian walk out of the Babylon 5 panel - very weird

Larry Hagman was there and looked okay for an old guy

10 minute walk through art show- thats all I need

walking a bit around downtown Atlanta

Steam Punk Party

thats all I can think of...but I know I am missing lots as it was just so busy.

The flight home was easy and I got to have Chick-fil-A again - yummy. I was worried about crossing the boarder, that it would take forever on the Monday evening of a long weekend.But what we did was drive over to the Peace Bridge and crossed over there which was a breeze. I think we were at the boarder for about 10 minutes it was fucking great - that is the way we'll always come home. I think we got home by 9pm which was amazing.

Well we bought our tickets for next year's con and I can't wait. I plan to be there every year that I can and I think I can drag Liz with me.

garry

It was loads of fun and the entertaiment never stopped. Next year we're thinking of going a day early so that we don't have to miss stuff on Friday. We were so excited to get there that spending 3 hours in line (some of it in separate lines as we eventually line up based on our last names) really took the wind out of our sails. And also for next year: remember that we need our ID to get our passes. I knew that but STILL left Garry's wallet in the hotel and had to run back for it. It's waaaay too hot to be running anywhere in Atlanta but at least the crazy line-up meant I didn't have to kill myself lol. After going for our first Chick-Filet, Garry got to see lots of panels while I saw a few, checked out the art show and napped so that we could go out late every night (from 9/10pm til 2am) watching all the night life. I ate a lot of junk but also had the odd salad and drank a lot of water so I managed to keep going. I also got in line for things so that we could get better seats which worked out nicely - we never sit near the front but we like aisle seats with lots of leg room so it's handy not to be too late lining up. Although not a big deal if we're late either. The lining up was also good as it meant I chatted to lots of people which was fun. I love the bumper stuff that the Con puts on the screens before panels, some of it is hysterical and you tell they've put a lot of work into them. Must point out that very large police officer in front of me at Starbucks who ordered a rasperberry mocha is NOT the reason that I feel safe in downtown Atlanta lol. And Stan Lee rocks! Looking forward to next year already!

L

Notes for next year:

book flight for Thursday

leave at 1:30am if you have a 6am flight - this year we got to the airport at 3:50am which was shortly before the check-in counter even opened.

Toronto Maple Leafs vs Ottawa

Wednesday September 22, 2010

Leafs vs Ottawa

I got some free tickets to the second Leaf pre-season game of the year. Pre-season game kinda suck as most of the good players sit out from both teams so you end up seeing alot of guys that won't even be playing for the team this year. But at least I got to go to the ACC and see my team. The game to be honest was a bit boring and my team seemed a bit slow. But Liz and I had fun and my team won so that's cool.

Leafs beat Senators 4-1 in pre-season play..is this OUR cup year? (PLEASE GOD)

I hope I get too see another game this year.

garry

Toby Keith @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

Thrusday September 23 2010
Toby Keith Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

I've always liked Toby but sometimes when I listen to him I feel my IQ drop. Still, I like his basic, fun country tunes. There were alot of people at the show and some of them wore cowboy hats which I have to say really made me laugh. I was a bit pissed that I didn't wear my cowboy boots as I really miss wearing them but Liz won't let me. I get a feeling that the boots are going to make a come back though and I'll be ready when it happens. The show had alot of smoke and fire and was very entertaining. Opening the show was Trace Atkins who I really only know from the apprentice. He was okay but I really didn't know any of his songs.
It was a good night and worth it. I don't think I'll see either of them live again but I'll watch the videos and buy the cd's.

Toby was 3 out 5
garry

SET LIST:
Bullets In The Gun
American Ride
I'm Just Talkin' About Tonight
Whiskey Girl
I Wanna Talk About Me
God Love Her
Get Drunk and Be Somebody
Trailerhood
You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This
Who's Your Daddy?
As Good as I Once Was
I Love This Bar
Should've Been a Cowboy
Weed With Willie
Beer for My Horses
How Do You Like Me Now?!
ENCORE:
A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action

Our Town

Liz and I decided to do something different so we went to the movies. I know, so rare for us. There was no Superhero or sci-fi movie so we went to see a real adult movie THE TOWN. It was a story about Irish guys in Boston who happen to make a living robbing banks. The movie stared Ben Affleck who I really like and he also directed the movie. It was really good and the story was great. I usually don't really like these kinda movies as they are too real life for me but this movie was great.

The basic story is: "as Ben plans his next job, a longtime thief tries to balance his feelings for a bank manager connected to one of his earlier heists, as well as the FBI agent looking to bring him and his crew down". That's it in a nut shell. I love the scene at the baseball stadium and after seeing this movie I think I would like to go to Boston

Anyway....go see this movie

4 out 5

garry

I liked this one. Not too slow or too silly but nicely done and well worth seeing. And Ben is very easy on the eye - never hurts.

4/5

L

Roger Waters The Wall Live

ROGER WATERS--THE WALL LIVE

Wednesday September 15 and Thursday September 16 2010

The Wall is my favorite Pink Floyd album and could be my favorite album of all time so I was very excited to see it played live on stage. I decided to go see see 2 out of 3 Toronto shows. The first night I was on the floor and the seats where kinda far back but we could see everything and the show was okay. The second night I was up higher and I could see the full stage and it was fucking great. The wall was an amazing thing. At the start of the show the band play and then they start to build the wall so by the end of the first part of the concert the wall is all you see on the stage. It is huge. As the wall goes up the visuals on it are just breath-taking. There was a bit of a political messenge about ending all wars and I mostly just don't pay attention to that shit but this message I get behind 100% - wow look at me, all serious lol.

But the show was fucking great and my only regret was not seeing it on the 3rd night but something tells me he will bring it back through Toronto before this tour ends - I hope so. I was just a little surprised there was no other Pink Floyd songs in the encore but after the second night I understand why.

Wednesday night--3.5 out 5

Thursday night -- 5 out 5

set list
In The Flesh?
The Thin Ice
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 1
The Happiest Days of Our Lives
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2

Goodbye Blue Sky
Empty Spaces
Young Lust
One Of My Turns
Don't Leave Me Now
Another Brick in the Wall, Part 3
Goodbye Cruel World
Hey You
Is There Anybody Out There?
Nobody Home
Vera
Bring the Boys Back Home
Comfortably Numb
The Show Must Go On
In The Flesh
Run Like Hell
Waiting For The Worms
Stop
The Trial
Outside the Wall

garry

KISS @ Molson Canadian Amphitheatre

KISS Friday September 10, 2010

So the 33rd time I've seen Kiss and you know what.....it was one of the best concerts I have ever seen. The band was having a great time and really seemed into it. The venue was packed and I had great seats, 14 rows from the front and dead centre, pretty close to the best seats I've ever had to see the worlds greatest rock band. Gene was great with the blood and fire and the sound was just amazing. I was really thinking before the concert began that maybe I had seen them too many time but this was the best concert I have seen. If they were to come back next week I would go again. Actually no matter what I will be going back every time they play Toronto or anywhere near here.

Kiss fucking ROCKS..

SET LIST

Modern Day Delilah

Cold Gin
Let Me Go, Rock 'N' Roll
Firehouse
Say Yeah
Deuce
Crazy Crazy Nights
Calling Dr. Love
Shock Me
I'm An Animal

100,000 Years
I Love It Loud

Love Gun
Whole Lotta Lovesnippet (Led Zeppelin cover)
Black Diamond
Detroit Rock City

Encore:
Beth
Lick It UpWith "Won't Get Fooled Again" snippet by The Who

Shout It Out Loud
I Was Made For Lovin' You
God Gave Rock 'n' Roll to You II (Argent cover)

Rock And Roll All Nite

So Kiss 5 out 5

33 down and before I die I want to hit 50 = 17 to go

garry

Resident Evil: Afterlife

Resident Evil: Afterlife--IN 3D

Now the dates are getting mixed up so I'm just going to post things as I remember them. It was a Saturday and Liz was going to see some TIFF movie about something serious (ie boring) subject so I thought, let's go see a Saturday afternoon popcorn movie like...Resident Evil: Afterlife in 3D. I've seen all the other Resident Evil movies and I enjoyed them all and this one was just as fun.The 3D was not great and kinda funny, in fact all the 3D effects were done in slow motion and I am still not sure why. But the movie itself was fun and I really liked it. I love Milla Jovovich in these movies and she really kicks ass and she seems toenjoy herself.

I'm sure my movie was better then the artsy movie Liz saw.

Resident Evil: Afterlife - in 3D go see it if you want a fun time at the movies.

4 out 5

garry

Fan Expo 2010

Friday August 27 to Sunday August 29 2010

FAN EXPO

So Liz and I went to Fan Expo again this year. As I've done for the last 10 years. This year it was back in the small part/north building of the convention centre. That was a huge mistake. I'm not sure why they put it in the samller building as last year the larger south building has issues coping with the crowds, needless to say this move proved to be a disaster. The initial line up to get in was annoying but it was not that bad for us really. Saturday was the worst day for crowds. At one point Liz went out to grab lunch and almost couldn't get back in, she begged, the gods smiled on her and got back in but reading on-line lots of people went out (to get food mainly as there was really notthing in the expo) and they ended up getting stuck outside for 3-4 hours. The shit part was I heard people who bought tickets on the day of the event jsut walked right in - now that sucks. They say next year they're going to fix this problem - I say let's wait and see. But they have to do something as there are TONS of pissed off people on-line.

Now on to the con.

Friday, Liz and I just walked the floor and saw what was happening and what I might want to buy. The funny thing is that every convetion I go to, I save lots of cash to buy lots of stuff but you know what, I hardly buy a thing. This year I bought some cheap dvd's and thats about it. I can't rememeber but I don't think Liz bought a thing.

A few notable things we saw at the con were:

Summer Glau - nice girl but a terribly boring interview

William Shatner - blow hard but I do like to listen to him talk

Seeing Greg Lamersons film - Slime City Massacre and talk with Greg

Lance Hendiksen - great Q and A

The Wild Hunt - movie, seeing it finally

Tron Preview in 3d and their booth on the floor

Aliens seeing a preview of the Blue Ray

That's all I can think of for now. The con was okay, just too busy. Saying that I know I will be back next year and if I am going you know I'll dragging Liz with me.

garry

Blue Rodeo Part 2

Blue Rodeo Molson Amp August 26-2010

Dave Stock and myself

In March I took Liz to see Blue Rodeo in Oshawa and I had a problem with the lady behind me talking non-stop. Well I think I may owe her an apology. Last night the first 7 songs all I could hear was people talking and then I realized why - all they played were new songs, one old song that people knew, that was it. People weren't paying attention and just talking to each other. So Oshawa housewife - SORRY.

The second part was way better and therefore the crowd was way better. I liked the second half but to be honest I was getting kinda sleepy and didn't really get into it. They played some songs I love and that was cool but the damage was done. Then when the encore came they sang an old hit and then a new song....as soon as the new song started we left....a new fucking song most people don't know in the encore - bullshit.

So Blue Rodeo are on the list. The list is bands I will proably never see again. I would go see them again if they play hits only.

I would say 2.5 out of 5. I should have arrived 30 minutes late and left 15 minutes early. Too bad.
garry