Ren & the Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo

It's no secret that I really like comic books. So it should be an easy extension to say that I really like Comic book conventions, but that is not always the case. In general, I like the spectacle of it all; browsing for merchandise, searching for cheapo trade paperbacks, and marveling at co-splay but I also can't take incessant line-ups, repetition, and the never-ending crush of crowds. It is a love/hate relationship.

So for this years Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo I thought it would be good to witness the festivities through new eyes. So, after a couple conversations with my sister Monica, I ended up accompanying my nephew Ren to this years Expo.

For those who are considering going to a comic convention or entertainment expo I must recommend public transportation. There is truly something special about seeing Spiderman or Sailor Moon on the train. Our LRT ride had a few good costumes but Ren didn't seem too impressed.

As we arrived at Northlands we followed the waves of people into a line-up for wristbands. At this point my pessimism was on full tilt....damn lineups. However, much to my surprise the line-up moved exceedingly fast and was my only one for the day. Bonus! 

TV and Movie celebrities seem to be a big draw for people at the conventions but with the rare exception I have no desire to meet any stars or get anything signed. Ren and I walked through all of the celebrities assembled pretty quickly which I think suited him fine as he didn't know who any of them were. I briefly paused to gawk at Alice Cooper who is of course a legend and Amy Acker who is thinner than my pinkie before finally stopping at Dwight Schultz to snap a picture from afar. I mean c'mon, the dude is Murdoch from the A-Team and Barclay from Star Trek Next Generation. 

A LIST!

With the celebrities behind us we went in search of my list of desired Trade Paperbacks and cool chachke's / junk the wife will hate.

Love the vivid color of the t-shirt wall

Cosplay

I had limited success in finding the actual comics I was looking for but 'settled' for some cool ones I didn't even know I wanted. Satisfied that I had seen enough of the vendors, Ren and I wandered around taking in my favorite part of the event: Cosplay. 

How amazing is that Wild Wild West steampunk wheelchair? I can't imagine it would be comfortable tucking your legs back under yourself for so long but kudos to him for doing so. Also, I was totally amazed by the Groot costume. The movie was only a couple of months prior and I am guessing this individual wasn't sitting on a Groot costume at home before the movie. Really remarkable to see just how good it looked in what I am guessing was so short of a time.

Finally, the straight up ridiculous Kay Pike of Canada Cosplay. She was gladly posing all day for pictures with all comers. Obviously, she is beautiful but her proportions are more unreal than alluring. For example, in the pose below I think she looks more like a full size action figure than an actual woman...ok, she definitely is a little alluring :)

Ren's Favorite

I think Ren was a little overwhelmed by all the people and the overall weirdness of seeing Batman and Darth Vader just wandering around talking to each other. It doesn't help that I when I get excited I walk super fast for hours on end and have no need for food or water. Much like the wife, he was good at pointing out when he was tired and needed a break. At this point I wasn't even sure if he was enjoying himself at all.

However, nearing the end of our day and shortly after a break we came across what I think was Ren's favorite display at the event: Two huge Lego Star Wars scenes. 

The Battle of Endor

The Battle of Hoth

Both scenes were brilliantly laid out and had so many tiny details. I think Ren could have stared at them for hours. My favorite design element was the gruesome scene of Wampa versus Storm Trooper.

Star Wars Lego for the save to appease Ren and salvage the day.

Overall, I think that the event was extremely well run and put together with a good mix of vendors, artist and pure goofiness. Perhaps in a couple more years when Ren has reached more of a geek stature (like his uncle) we will attend again.

BTW - I actually think Ren's favorite part of the day was the subsequent trip to McDonalds. Those Happy Meals are aptly named.

Liam and the Busy Edmonton Weekend

During the summer my nephew Liam from Saskatoon came up to spend a week with my sister Monica and myself. Most of the week he hung out with Monica's family doing cool stuff like hanging at Galaxyland, Launchpad, Vertically Inclined, and watching the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. As the weekend approached I scooped him up to accompany me to a couple of events going on in the City.

Under 20 Women's World Cup Soccer

During August, Edmonton was one of the host cities of the U-20 Women's World Cup soccer tournament. On a rainy Firday night Liam and I attended a big double-header Group B matchup.

The steady rain led to a bunch of empty seats as the masses headed under the overhang of Commonwealth Stadium. Liam didn't seem to mind the rain so we ended up hanging out near the edge of the playing field for the barn-burner 5-5 draw between China and Germany (Eventual Gold Cup winners) and the slightly more tactical 1-0 USA win over Brazil.

Aside from the actual games their were multiple soccer based activities in the fan area including an impromptu pickup soccer game (Liam had a couple goals) and penalty kicks.

Downtown and Whyte Avenue

Probably my favorite summer activity and what I consider a "must do" for any visitors to the city is a trolley car ride between the downtown and Old Strathcona. 

In Old Strathcona we checked out the Farmer Market for deals and stopped off at Hub Cigar for a Pop Shoppe before heading back downtown. I think Liam picked a Lime Ricky just because it matched his Brazil shirt.

Getting off the trolley we stopped at neighboring Legislature Building and it's fountain to cool down.

Cariwest Parade 

From the Legislature Grounds we headed straight north upto Jasper Avenue to see the Cariwest Festival Parade.  As an impatient man I forced Liam to walk the parade route with me as opposed to sitting in one spot and watching it go by. He took no issues in my parade watching approach - apparently I share the same attention span of a pre-teen :)

Miss Cariwest 2014

Liam the ladies man

We finished our walk before the parade hit it's end point of Churchill Square so as we waited for it to finish we had a quick game of HORSE in Centennial Plaza.

The kid put up a good fight but after my 2 consecutive wins I took mercy on him and we proceeded back to the Cariwest festivities.

The Square was beyond packed so we only stuck around for a couple stage shows concluding (for us) with a capoeira demonstration.  

Animethon

Walking around downtown over the weekend you would occasionally run into young folks walking around with a tail pushing out of the back of their shirt or fuzzy elongated ears. The proliferation of cosplay steadily increased the closer you would get to MacEwan University. This could mean only one thing: Animethon!

I know nothing about Anime but I do love a good costume. So, Liam and I took a walk to people watch in the plaza area along 104th Avenue in front of the University.

Hanging with the Family

After power walking the centre of the City we headed back to Monica's place to meet up with her family, Chrissy and the recently arrived Stephanie. 

Not soon after arriving I was challenged to a water fight. My aqua warrior honor dictated that I accept. While I put on my gameface, Ren didn't take it quite so seriously.

Water fill up break for Liam; Chrissy chooses another liquid.

Stephanie wasn't too enthused about the water fight, she had her eye on another backyard activity: Playing on the Geodome. 

Very impressive Stephy! I think I can safely say you would make the best gymnast out of all of us siblings. 

Calgary Stampede 2014

I have now lived off and on in Alberta for nearly 10 years and prior to my 35th birthday I often lamented that I had never been to the Calgary Stampede. So, this year for my birthday Chrissy surprised me with a special belt buckle gift and a note proclaiming that my true birthday gift was that we were going to the Stampede.

First off - I love this belt buckle! A man fighting a bear sacrificing the left arm to attack with the right is badass. Completely unknown to Chrissy I have an affinity for this image as it nearly mirrors one of my favorite comic books of all time; Weird Western Tales #32 where Jonah Hex fights a bear in a similar manner. As soon as I saw the buckle I ran downstairs to my comics and showed Chrissy the image below. I don't think she realises some days just how much of a nerd I am.

Wearing my belt buckle proudly we attended Stampede. Our activities while there include:

Stampede Parade

Chrissy and I stayed downtown on the Thursday night so I could take in the parade and Chrissy could attend some work meetings on Friday morning, After watching the parade on TV for so many years I was looking forward to seeing the spectacle live.

Even the horse poop street cleaners were decorated

Those of you who know me well know that I can't stand still for long, let alone a whole parade. Eventually I started walking towards the beginning of the parade route to get the full parade experience at half the time. As I was walking I noticed people watching the event from the sides of parkades. Nearing the start point I climbed the stairs to the 6th floor of a parkade and took in the birds eye view.

Chuckwagon Racing

As near as I can tell it's been about 25 years since I last seen a chuck-wagon race. I don't really remember much of my previous experience with the exception of the excitement watching cowboys standing on those rickety wagons hooting and hollering at their horses. On the opening night of the overall competition we arrived to the venue early and were treated to an impromptu interview with the Calgary Stampede Parade Marshall, William Shatner.

Suspenders were a good purchase

Following a delay (apparently PETA protesters slowed things down) the races began.

Some of us couldn't contain our excitement - others simply played it cool.

Midway

Neither Chrissy or myself like midway rides. However, we both love the ridiculous greasy food, games of chance and the lights and cacophany sound that comes from the midway. 

Cowboy Cuisine

Looking to get the full Stampede experience I found a place serving the pinnacle of cowboy cuisine, Prairie Oysters (aka bull testicles). 

They were served pate style on a cracker and were completely and udderly (cow pun!) disgusting. I held them down but it was a struggle. I have no desire to ever have them again.

The Peace Bridge

When not revelling in "Cowboy Halloween" on the Stampede grounds we wandered through downtown Calgary taking in the sights. Eventually we found our way to their trails along the Bow River and at the Peace Bridge. The bridge has been quite polarizing between those who believe in hawkish financial restraint and those who advocate for aesthetics in public projects. I think it looks great and as an Edmontonian am very jealous of the beautiful river crossing.

Other Highlights

Browsing through a 'few' boots at Riley & McCormick Western Wear

Working dog competition

Creepy mascots

Retaining my mini-golf championship

I thoroughly enjoyed the Stampede but it is not an experience that I feel I need to repeat every year. Maybe in a couple more summers we'll head south and do it all again, except for the testicles,,,