Mascot Race 2010 at Hastings Racecourse
More Mascot racing photos on Flickr >
Mascots In the Winner's Circle
It was the second inaugural Mascot Race at Hastings Racecourse, raising money for Variety, the Children’s Charity.
This year I got a bird’s eye view from the roof, multi-tasking in the control room.
Rennie the Fox greets Philbert, while Peter the Pin battles Winger
There was a cute training video from Purdys’ Philbert the Hedgehog on Youtube >
(Mind the push-ups…)
Various participating mascots
There were a few stumbles by some mascots on the dirt track during the first three heats.
And again this year, Bread Head from Cobbs took first place.
The Final Race
Tip for next year’s mascot race: To figure out the winner to place your ballot for, be sure to observe how heavy their mascot outfit is and how much flexible leg room there is while they are walking in the paddock.
: )
Curling at Marpole Curling Club April 2010
Ok, so I know “working lots” cannot count toward my daily time for “staying active”.
I don’t know how much longer I can say, “Window shopping is my active time…”
For the month of April, on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 6:30PM, there was drop-in curling offered at the Marpole Curling Club over by Marine Drive and Oak in Vancouver.
Forgetting times that we were in fact in an indoor rink, we kept ourselves warm by sweeping and yelling “harder!!!”.
Similar to bowling, however there is a need for a lot more patience and accuracy in throwing. It was a challenge to score because I either kept throwing the stone too hard, or it kept hitting the edges.
WTD with heavy broom
Eventually we got a handle on the basics and went back as much as we could.
Jess and Dave sweep
Team A
Team B
The Club is now closed and will re-open in September.
I still don’t understand how everyone else got bruises on their legs…
The rest of my curling photos are on my Flickr set >.
I hope the weather gets warmer soon for some pitch-and-putt.
The wii doesn’t really offer “fresh air”… unless I threw a TV and the wii outside on the lawn…
Go Curling!
Jamie Cullum + Imelda May at Commodore Ballroom
Imelda May and Dave Priseman
So Anna and I were somewhat late in arrival to the Commodore on Saturday night.
Oh the time she sacrifices for the Canucks!
We caught the end of Imelda May’s rockabilly act.
They were really great, I wished at the time that I dressed in my polka dot dress instead.
Jamie Cullum
We slid through the crowd to get closer to the front.
It was hard for us to see, so we got close to the stage as we could.
Tom Richards
Actually, thanks to Monica and Leslie, they let me stand in front of them to take pictures for the rest of the night at the edge of the stage. Jamie early in the act played a lot on his piano, so I was lucky to see the top of his head when he was over on stage right.
Jamie Cullum
We had a lot of fun and laughs, and I got a lot of snaps of him and his band-mates when they performed in the middle of the stage. And I couldn’t help sing along to almost all his songs…
Rory Simmons with Chris Hill
And of course, Jamie rockin’ ends the night jumping off his piano.
This time Anna and I did not stay after the show to get our pictures with him – we froze our sorry butts last time.
Jamie Cullum jumps
I hope Matt Dusk comes to Vancouver and plays at the Commodore this year…
So far I only see dates in Ontario…
And I’m contemplating whether to go see BNL again in April at UBC, even if I already saw them at this Winter Games Victory ceremony…
More photos are posted of Jamie Cullum’s concert on my Flickr set >
My time at Vancouver’s Winter Games
The Winter Games has rolled into dear Vancouver, BC Canada.
There is a LOT of stuff and events to see.
I have decided to attempt to visit one event, pavilion, or place a day and try to go to as many LiveCities as much as possible.
Lines are getting longer and longer.
Expect to wait at least 1.5 – 2 hours to enter any free pavilion.
I’m excited to visit all the different Canadian pavilions all over Metro Vancouver.
So far I’ve been from Richmond to Surrey, and dashed someplace in Downtown Vancouver after work since the Opening Ceremonies on Friday the 12th.
This is once in a lifetime for most of the world to come visit your city instead of yourself visiting every country.
I’m going to try to snap photos and stick them up on my Flickr album.
I’ll see if I’ll make it to any live sports events, or else I’ll stick to watching finals on TV or at LiveCity venue.
I’m going to cross my fingers for Canada, and for more snow at Cypress.
Go athletes and GO CANADA!
A quick story with pictures: Dog vs hat vs dog vs toy?
Happy belated holidays and Happy New Year everyone.
I fell behind with the holidays and the new year flew right in.
I thought I would restart organizing my photo archive of all my Christmas photos last December.
During lunch today I was watching a beautiful black Lab jump constantly in the air for his purple frisbee so I thought I would start off with: Dog vs hat vs dog vs toy?
Oops, that Santa hat is for Zee
It was a struggle to get the Christmas tree on...
Zee had his reindeer antlers and Santa hat back on
Guess who thought the hat was a toy?
And as usual, having the best of both worlds
Favorite shots from Vegas – Day 1
Dos Caminos Las Vegas dining area
I was itching for Mexican corn from Dos Caminos once we landed and threw our suitcases in our room.
Ok, I unpacked really quickly and Travis and I dashed off to the Palazzo where the incredible Dos Caminos resides.
I didn’t know that their Mexican corn was only served during dinner, but our server was so kind to provide us the alternative for lunch. Instead of one whole Mexican corn cob for each, we each had the lunch side order of it. Mmm..
The Venetian with gondolas
We walked down the Strip for a bit, and decided to grab tickets of ph’s Peepshow.
Because it was windy, we were not able to visit the new Balloon ride by the Mandalay Bay to see the view of the Strip.
Paris Balloon
Luckily we found 2-for-1 coupons in one of the Vegas mags, and went up to check out the Eiffel Tower experience.
It was so windy up there, but I managed to grab some shots from around the tower.
I though Vegas never got cold, but it felt like spring time in Vancouver without the rain.
Planet Hollywood and The Strip
Peepshow was amazing, it’s a definite must-see.
Like most shows, be warned the audio gets really loud.
However it had awesome choreography with adult humor and song and dance.
It was a little take on our childhood fairy tales with a strip-tease-burlesque-like song and dance extravaganza. Peepshow was really fun.
Peepshow entrance mosaics
Whose Live Anyway at Red Robinson Show Theatre November 2009
Whose Live Anyways - November 22nd, 2009
This was our first time to the Red Robinson Show Theatre, which actually felt and looked the same as the River Rock Theatre at the River Rock Casino in Richmond.
If you ever want to sit front row centre at either theatre, looks like seats 39 and 40 in row A, “Golden Circle” will do. Holy moly, we were really close.
Shockingly, yes I did not take pictures during the show. I always try to get a snapshot, but again we were really close.
Greg Proops, Ryan Stiles, Jeff Davis and Chip Esten, as known as appearing on Whose Line is it Anyways were absolutely amazing. (As Greg Proops opened with poking fun at our winter Olympics: “Yes, we’re missing the fat, bald and black guys).
My eyes watered so much, I put on the wrong eyeliner.
I realized when I got home, my non-waterproof eyeliner transferred itself from the top of my lips to the bottom. Extreme raccoon eyes…
I have no idea how they spit out hilarity so fast on the spot.
They did so many improv games.
During the Jeopardy game, I was so surprised the cast came through when Ryan Stiles asked the audience for a “name of a Canadian Football athlete”.
We were at the Lion’s Den earlier in the casino next door, and I remember looking at Lui Passaglia’s jersey while explaining to Travis that one of my principals was related to the BC Lion’s punter. I yelled out “Passaglia”, and it was so funny to see bewilderment on the other improvisers’ faces.
After a few seconds of silence, Chip playing a water bottle contestant buzzed in.
“Passaglia.
What do you do when you drink too much aglia?
You pass-aglia.”
The night was so punny.
And I couldn’t believe that there were so many Hastings horseracing references and suggestions.
“Bred for excitement” during the “Brazilian Funk” skit and singing “Songs of the Jockey”.
And I’m glad I wasn’t dragged on stage.
I couldn’t even come up with a decent suggestion when asked directly… oh the pressure!
I accidentally said “cleaning the garbage” instead of “picking up garbage” like waste collectors with garbage trucks.
Oops.
It ended up being a really funny “moving bodies” skit with Chip and Jeff.
I guess I’m stronger putting things together visually in my mind instead of describing them out loud properly.
: )
Las Vegas Nov 2009- Pacquiao vs Cotto
Entering the ring - Pacquiao vs Cotto
More photos to be posted.
Hilarity in the making- Punchout at the Paddock 2009
Friday nights at Hastings Racecourse at times can get pretty rowdy and fun.
Usually there’s live music by the paddock with people at the beer garden having a good time.
River Rock Casino Ropes
I laughed so hard when I saw the boxing ring setup by the beer garden.
Hastings Racecourse with River Rock Casino and West Coast Promotions brought “Punchout at the Paddock”, east of the finish line.
Punchout fight schedule
There were “bouts” of sparring (ie: boxing practice) happening in between the paddock show and races.
I wasn’t sure what to expect, but there were a lot of skillful punches thrown throughout the night from various Canadian boxers and champions.
Pedro Alvarado warming up
Right after winning the second race on Twolbit’n Billie (#6), Pedro unexpectedly made a surprise appearance in the ring. And right after the fight, he ran off to get ready for race three.
Please pardon our commentary, and my “OMGs” during round two in the video.
I think that’s why my friends don’t take me to Cirque du Soleil productions anymore…
Maybe I’ll stick with “ooOOs” and “aaahs”.
Anyways, it was a fun night.
I hope Hastings brings more original and unique types of entertainment to live racing days.
: )
Mascot Race at Hastings Racecourse 2009
First Mascot Race at Hastings Racecourse-Wingers
Besides my trip earlier to Disneyland this year, it had been one of those days where I was constantly giggling and going “awwwwww”.
Jack from Vancouver Giants and CFOX rocks!
And I wondered if the mascots had cooling systems inside as they “warmed up” in the paddock. Jack from the Vancouver Giants was hilariously causing such a ruckus- he ran into Mike Head’s booth (track announcer) blocking the camera with his giant head, he played around with Farmer Kin’s hat, rough-housed it with Mr. Peanut and many other hilarious things.
Jack's peanut allergies got to him...
Could you bet which mascot won that day?
The finish line at Hastings Racecourse
More of my shots of the day can be viewed in my Hastings Racecourse Flickr set >
Just in case you missed the race, here it is on YouTube >
Worldwide Photowalk 2009 in Vancouver
I was so excited this year when I got on the list of 50 people to participate in this year’s Worldwide Photowalk.
I wanted to join last year’s for Vancouver, but by the time I found out about the event the signups were closed.
This year, which is the second annual Photowalk, the group of 50 photowalkers of Vancouver walked around Stanley Park from the Sylvia Hotel (near English Bay) to Third Beach.
Man, was it hot from 6PM-8PM. I was boiling under the hot sun.
Thanks again to David duChemin, his models and his crew for leading such a fun walk!
Now it’s time for me to decide which photos to enter…
I’ve uploaded my favorites to my Flickr set >
I’m liking these three photos… which two do you like best?
Help me pick.
: )
Now Wall
Stoney Vancouver
Silver branch
Fave snaps of Canada Day 2009
This Canada day I tried to snap different photos of the parade that went through Steveston Village this year in Richmond.
The photos from last year can be seen on Flickr >
And below are few of my favorite snaps during the hot early afternoon of the Canada Day parade.
The Salmon Festival program may say the parade runs from 10:00AM to 12:00PM, but the locals know it always runs for three hours.
More photos of the day can be seen on my 2009 Canada Day Flickr album >
Hey ladies...
Working through the holiday
Vancouver Traveling band drummer
Flowers aren't garbage..
Nutty about chipmunks and food
“In Food, Inc., filmmaker Robert Kenner lifts the veil on our nation’s food industry, exposing the highly mechanized underbelly that’s been hidden from the American consumer…. Food, Inc. reveals surprising — and often shocking truths — about what we eat, how it’s produced, who we have become as a nation and where we are going from here.”
From Food Inc. online >
I just came home from the Vancouver screening of Food Inc. at Tinseltown.
It’s really scary how animals are “manufactured” and “processed” in the US…
I guess Canadians can be thankful for a stricter Food and Drug administrator, even though there are so many products advertised on US TV, there has to be other reasons besides patents and trademarks on why they are not available in Canada at the same time….
This film focuses on how food in the US, but Canadians will also have reasons to worry about soon.
Although Canada is pretty self-sufficient, especially BC, in producing more than enough food abundant across the nation… the way the climate is changing and impacting our environment… who knows what food we’ll have available in ten years.
One of the biggest points I had taken away from the movie tonight was the overall price of cheap.
I admit, I am frugal the majority of the times I go grocery shopping.
Coupons are constantly busting out of my wallet, and I keep an eye out on what’s on sale in the weekly flyers.
Sometimes I skip over the fruit and vegetables and head straight to the frozen aisle because I’m too lazy to cook, or head over to McD’s and have a burger for $1.39.
I don’t eat like that everyday, but there is a lot of sugar in my diet from snacking constantly.
Why is pop, candy, chips, and fast-food so cheap?
The majority of the ingredients in derived from corn.
High fructose corn syrup (sugar) in pop and candy which is also known as “Glucose-fructose” in Canada…. corn is fed to cows when they should be eating straight up grass, but the corn helps them get fatter faster, and there are so many other things derived from corn.
I can’t believe my favorite vegetable/fruit (technically anything that “produces” its own seeds is a fruit…) is the culprit of mass industry, which negatively effects many aspects of our lives such as health (too much sugar can lead to diabetes, obesity…) and the environment (all the equipment and factories running to mass produce…). The big bag of chips for $1 compared to one apple for the same price may seem like a bargain, but one end of saving might not be good for the long run for the future.
This is a definite watch.
And another reason why to get yourself out there to either
a) Learn to garden.. or else join a community garden
b) Buy fruits and vegetables seasonally as much as possible, and go for local products to support our local farmers.
The trailer can be seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eKYyD14d_0
On a lighter note, I thought this would brighten your mood.
(Especially you Star Wars fans.)
Super-close encounter with Diana Krall
Diana Krall back of Quiet Nights program
To the song of “The Boy from Ipanema”
“…Tall and (not so) tan and young and handsome
The girl from Na-nai-mo goes walking
And when she passes
Each fan she passes goes – ah
When she walks
She’s like samba
That swings so cool and sways so gentle
That when she passes each fan
She passes goes – ah
Ooh, but I watch her so sadly …”
Why sadly?
Well… I thought it would be nice for Ryon to quickly say hi to his cousin and have a quick pic before she ran off to her other engagements.
Cousin of Diana Krall?
I didn’t buy that either when I first met Ryon awhile back working in Downtown.
And no, she doesn’t know they’re related.
Don’t ask me, ask Ryon on how he’s related to her.
Apparently third cousin, something to do with his mom’s side.
I was so happy to see her live performance in person finally in Vancouver!
Diana is hilarious! I couldn’t believe that she’s a big Canuck’s fan, too.
“…I was ready to paint my toenails with the Canucks logo…”
I was blown away by the VSO orchestra, Anthony Wilson on guitar, Jeff Hamilton on drums, Robert Hurst on bass.
“Are you in a rush?” Ryon asked as we sat in our seats while the rest of the audience was filing out the door.
“No why? Hey, I wanna go buy a program and get her autograph.
OMG, let’s get a picture of you two together to send to your grandma!”
One of the ushers asked us to finally leave, and I asked if she was going to sign CDs after.
We learned that she was going off to a couple of galas right after the performance, so it was going to be unlikely that she’ll sign stuff.
At the merchandise stand, I was a little disappointed that her signed programs were sold out.
Darn…
I thought why not stand outside the stage doors?
There were about 20 people already waiting outside by the stage doors, and we were informed by crew to stay out of the way while they were packing equipment.
Minutes passed, and a crew member told us that she would likely be out in 40 minute- 1 hour.
10 people left.
I asked Ryon, “Are you sure you want to wait?”
20 minutes pass, 5 more people left.
We stood in between the stage entrance and the entrance by Seymour.
I saw a black car rental waiting by the Seymour entrance and I thought, hm I wonder which side she will exit.
This young lady with us was so excited that earlier when Anthony Wilson and Jeff Hamilton signed her CD.
We chatted, and suddenly she said,
“THERE SHE IS!”
I think I need to take lessons in running in heels…
She tore down that half-block to the entrance Diana Krall and Elvis Costello like a maniac.
Ryon and I hustled over, and we waited patiently right beside the young lady.
Aw, Diana was so nice- she signed her CD and took a picture with her.
I stepped up to the plate, then
WHOOSH!
Into the car she went.
!!!
One autograph and one picture…
We were next, and she was gone.
My heart hasn’t sunk since the security guard deleted the majority of my photos during the Michael Buble concert in 2008. (See recovered photos here >)
Sigh…
So close.
gah!
First trip to Vancouver Aquarium
A couple weeks ago, I suggested to Travis that we should go visit the Aquarium because I never went before.
Plus, my Entertainment Book for 2009 was still fresh and I wanted to use my 2-for-1 coupon might as well.
We were going to drive and park in Stanley Park, but I asked about the issue about paying for parking.
I had always heard it was pretty expensive, but Vicky brought up the point that by the time we get to the entrance, it would be the peak of rush-hour.
Bussing up to Stanley Park was peaceful on the #19 from Downtown.
Less than a couple minutes, we ended up at the entrance of the Aquarium.
We literally ran out of the house, so we grabbed a couple of hotdogs for breakfast from the cashier playing on his Nintendo DS to pass his time.
The Aquarium was closing at 5PM on the day we went, and we learned that if you come during the last hour you get to pay half price. Realizing how large the aquarium is, I guess in an hour you really would enjoy half of the sites and sounds of the aquarium.
He's huuuuuuge!
Started off with the “tropical” rainforest area with giant catfish, birds, little monkeys, spiders and so many other creepy critters. Travis thought that it would be funny to tap on the glass to tick off the tarantulas… It’s pretty dark in this part of the aquarium, so I warn about blurry pictures if you don’t use flash.
Sandy and real close...
Fish fish fish and more fish!
Travis got mad that I wasn’t in front of the same tank as he was when he was looking at the Lion Fish.
Once I came by, the Lion Fish decided to hide toward the hidden top part of the tank.
Oh well.
So orange!
There are about three separate areas for different ocean life- Tropical, BC Coast, and more of the strange Jellyfish matter.
Flowing Jellyfish
Fifteen minutes were left, and that’s when I started to panic a little.
We didn’t see the sea lions, belugas and the new frog exhibit yet.
I snapped as many photos as possible, and rushed over to check out the belugas and sea lions.
I completely forgot about the fact that there were no orcas at the aquarium anymore. It’s been a long time since Travis has visited the aquarium….
The frogs were hard to find in the frog exhibit.
It looked like in the majority of the tanks that they took out the frogs and forgot to place a sign for visitors to let them know that there are no frogs….
Mexico's chicken of the sea?
The most interesting creature in the Frog exhibit was Mexico’s version of their “chicken in the sea”…
Eek.
Canstruction ‘09 Vancouver
Whole world in our "can"
Between April 23rd- May 3rd, 2009, cans were arranged in such amazing structures at the new Vancouver Convention Centre.
From Canstruction Vancouver site:
“Canstruction Vancouver is a spectacular competition and exhibition that showcases local teams who compete to design and build the ultimate giant sculpture out of canned food. After they’re exhibited to the public for a week, all the cans from these 2-metre high sculptures are donated to the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society for hungry families.”
I took a short break from tending to the Metrotown Media Productions booth on the second day of the Spring Vancouver Wedding show during its last hour on Sunday April 26th in the convention hall next door.
Scrabblum
At the entrance, there was a giant Scrabble board to play with.
Each tile was actually a covered box of “nutrious pablum for infants in need” with a letter on it.
I slid S-T-O-R-A-G to the top of the E on the board and checked out the rest of the public exhibit.
The structures were incredibly well built…
However while I was passing by the PNE coaster made of food.. a bit of it fell apart..
At least the whole thing didn’t collapse!
Wall-Y?
I saw a cameraman grabbing some B-roll with his broadcast camera on a tripod.
Honestly I was constantly trying to stay out of his shot.
For some cans, I squatted or even laid on the floor to get a different angle in my “shopaholic” dress…
Eek, John emailed me the next morning saying he saw me on a Global morning broadcast for Canstruction Vancouver 2009….
I rushed back to the Wedding Show next door to wait the announcement of the Grand Prize winners and to help pack up.
Let’s just say, we need two vehicles or a larger truck to rent next time.
Another Disney influence!
My mac is back!
Close to the entrance of the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park
Yay!
I survived the week without my Macbook Pro!!!
I took so many pictures of this week and weekend with being at the Spring Vancouver Wedding Show at the Convention Centre, Canstruction, and Stanley Park.
I just started on organizing my photos, so I’ll be posting more as soon as I get around to them.
I’m so glad the weather has been so sunny in the usual-Vancouver.
Secretly I hope it will rain this weekend, because I know that I will be inside most of the day editing video.
: )
Happy Vaisakhi Day 2009 on Main Street Vancouver
I had none of Naan (I wanted to use that joke somewhere...)
Tents were set up amongst on SE Marine Drive, and along the southern streets of Main and Fraser.
Nila and I felt like we were in another country.
It was crowded on Main Street around 49th Avenue.
We took Bus #003 south, heading toward Main and 41st.
I thought perhaps we would grab another bus.
Turned out all transit buses were stopping for the large festivities.
Chai me!
There was such a variety of East Indian eats and treats to have.
I became full after the fourth tent.
Today was really a day for chai.
Chai here and there. Mmm.
We passed through the parade coming along Main to check out the rest of the tents.
I’ll be back for more next year.
: )
Mi Jung Lee and Pamela Martin TV parade float
Happy Vaisakhi day!
Thank you everyone who was involved and gave away such delicious food and drinks!
More photos are part of my Vaisakhi day photo set on Flickr >
Livin’ it up in 3D for a day
I didn’t want to miss the final week of the “Wild Ocean 3D” IMAX performance, so I dragged Travis to downtown Vancouver for an afternoon viewing at Canada Place.
The only way I am able to drag Travis to a movie theatre is if there is a movie playing currently that he cannot replicate the sheer quality in high definition or surround sound with his home theatre system.
I agree in some aspects of being “anti-movie” theatre:
- Can’t choose your seats (unless you’re willing to come early)
- No pausing in movie (risk missing a crucial part of a movie for a “potty break”)
- Can’t laugh out loud (unless you laugh on cue with everyone else, or else you’ll be that weirdo who laughs too early or too late.)
Hm, I guess there are not many good reasons to leave the comfortable setup of your own living room.
However, after our home 3D-movie-viewing fiasco a few months ago (we didn’t get quite the same effect by buying the 3D version of Polar Express with the included glasses), we return to the outside world to watch three, 3D movies on a slow Monday.
Wild Ocean 3D movie site screenshot
First up: Wild Ocean 3D
This was the main reason for going to the IMAX theatre in Canada place, because the last showing was on April 9th, 2009.
I think there were about less than a dozen people at this 3PM showing of Wild Ocean 3D.
I loved how they told the story of Man VS Nature.
Well, the focus seemed to be more on the sardines off the coast of Southern Africa.
So I guess it was Sardines VS Every-other-animal-in-the-food-chain VS Man.
It was so cool to see the crazy sardine run, with people running from the shore with crates and crates of sardines, and under water with all the creatures hunting to eat the sardines.
The ugliest creature I have ever seen move under water- Cape Gannets. The most ungraceful creature underwater, yet when they’re diving from the air, it’s such an astonishing site and such a strange sound experience. It felt like I was watching a war movie, with water animals.
IMAX Under the Sea 3D movie poster
Next: IMAX Under the Sea 3D
Do you think Walt Disney has brainwashed me completely?
Every time I hear the words “Under the Sea”, I picture that crab orchestrating sea creatures playing “Under the sea, under the sea…”
Anyways, quick break and we went back into IMAX to watch another 3D flick, this time narrated by Jim Carrey. (Sorry ladies, this edition was not narrated by heart-throb Johnny Depp.)
Travis and I were glad to have seen Wild Ocean 3D first, Under the Sea was so much more bright and colourful. For the promo, he yelled “Holy F*ck” when one of featured creatures snapped out and grabbed lunch. Just remember, there are likely going to be children with their families around, especially with summer break coming really soon….
For some odd reason, we thought perhaps they “layered” and retouched Under the Sea for 3D viewing differently. A lot of elements seemed to pop out at us more.
Before the movie, I viewed sea turtles to be such gentle and slow creatures…
I was such in shock to see one eat a jelly fish ever so slowly.
Ow, that poor jelly fish.
Monsters vs Aliens
Last: Monsters VS Aliens
(warning: make sure your system sound is down low when you visit the site)
Yay!
We squeezed three 3D movies in one day.
Technically, two viewings in the afternoon, a walk around downtown, and raced to Richmond to view the last showing of Monsters VS Aliens in 3D around 10PM.
We watched the “behind the scenes” promo on TV about a couple weeks ago, so I was so stoked to go see Monsters VS Aliens.
Okay, maybe it was also because of the star power behind it.
Who doesn’t want to go see a movie featuring the voices of Reese Witherspoon (tooooo many movies to mention… sadly Legally Blonde is the first that comes to mind), Seth Rogen (Knocked Up and others), Hugh Laurie (House), Will Arnett (Arrested Development), Kiefer Sutherland (24), Rainn Wilson (The Office), Stephen Colbert (The Colbert Report), and Paul Rudd (I Love you, Man).
Could you tell I liked it?
I broke the rule of not giggling out loud… too hard.
Travis rolled his eyes when we left the movie.
Gee- I’m just THAT INTO puns.
: )
Luckily there were just a few people, like around ten of us in the theatre.
We thought there would be more people, who knows whether there were more people in the other “viewing” areas: regular, digital, IMAX, and Digital projection 3D.
For those wondering what were the differences between the types of viewings:
Regular viewing: costs regular ($11.95), looks regular. Sometimes I’d rather wait to see movies on DVDs so I can see extra behind the scenes stuff.
Digital viewing: costs a little more… depending. Again, I’d rather wait.
IMAX VS Digital Projection for 3D: Apparently, IMAX is a much larger screen in height so you would feel like you’re IN the movie, and Digital projection offers the viewer a much more crisper experience. It’s about a couple dollars difference (IMAX was around $14, where Digital 3d).
I like watching all three of the movies.
The way the promo hyped up the Monsters VS Aliens movie made us expect the 3D viewing to be such a mind blowing experience.
Travis summed up what we both thought about Monsters VS Aliens:
“Maybe we shouldn’t have gone to watch the real-life showings of animals in 3D first.
MVA was good, but I couldn’t really buy into the whole experience because this is an animated flick.”
Until consumers have the ability to install and setup their own quality 3D home theatre experiences, in the meanwhile it’s fun to go out once in awhile to check out the latest in the theatres.
If I had a million flavors…
Earlier this year, I was heartbroken to learn that to hear that Steven page was leaving Barenaked Ladies.
As stated on their official band site >
A MESSAGE FROM BARENAKED LADIES
“By mutual agreement, Steven Page will be parting company with the remaining members of Barenaked Ladies. Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart will continue recording and touring together as Barenaked Ladies. Steven Page will pursue solo projects including theatrical opportunities while the band enters the studio in April 2009, and hits the road in the fall.
Page says “These guys are my brothers. We’ve grown up together over the past twenty years. I love them and wish them all the best in the future.”
The band also wish Steven well in all of his endeavors. Ed Robertson says: “It’s the start of a new chapter for all of us. Here’s to the future!”
Everyone is looking forward to making new music and thanks their fans for their support.”
I guess breaking our old mop was a way for me to find this flavor in the ice cream aisle.
Can an icecream have a million flavours?
After I finished dinner off with the new BNL inspired ice cream, I was happy to find in my inbox news about a new download!
Why do they have red splotches on their jeans?
Yippee!
Until March 27th, you can download the recording of their live March 7th, 2009 Mardi Gras performance at Universal Studios for free of the remaining foursome of BNL!
Visit bnlmusic.com
And the download link from their website for the album is here >
Back to encoding I go with the live album playing in the background.
My first Universal Studios tram tour
The cliche is, you have to look a horse in the mouth before you buy it, but what about eyes?
That’s my favorite still from going through the tram tour. The “black eyes” made me laugh so hard, Travis was afraid that I might drop my camera in the water as we went through the tour.
Before my trip, my pals told me that a visit to Universal Studios was a must.
The second must was the studio tram tour.
As I was waiting in line with Travis I wondered,
“Wow. The trams must be going through sound-proof tubes through all sound stages so we could see what’s going on live on set.”
I really wanted to see the latest equipment on several sets.
I wondered if anyone was currently shooting with the RED camera yet, or what kind of cameras they used to shoot for broadcast?
Well, after all that anticipation, it turns out that it was a studio tram tour…
Maybe I was expecting a bit too much. After all, Vancouver is North Hollywood and often times residents walk by shoots happening around various areas in Downtown Vancouver. (See current list of films, updated regularly at BC Film Commision >)
We were guided through a vast history of movies that were shot on the various areas of the Universal Studios lot. With sound stages, there were also many exterior sets all around.
Our guide was delightful and fun.
The various ‘closed’ off sets meant for the tour were entertaining.
I think I focused too much on the fact that the cast for the tour were right on timing, and the mechanical props, like when the truck exploded in the underground subway set.
I admit, it’s such a zany idea to have an amusement park built right into a studio lot.
I wonder if crew members get sick of the rides, as I did when PNE started up every summer as I worked at Hastings Racecourse upstairs in the TV department?
Snapshots around the Simpson’s Ride at Universal Studios
The Simpsons...
Continuing with my photos of my Universal Studios trip back in January 26th, 2009.
As soon as our tour group got through the entrance, we ran straight toward the Simpson’s ride toward the back part of Universal Studios.
I snapped some pictures of the Marge and Homer Simpson mascots on our way to the ride, but we hustled over as fast as possible.
I was excited entering through Krusty’s mouth and into the long winding waiting area, which luckily there was only three people ahead of us.
The safety instructional video was hilarious and we felt queasy after got off the simulated ride.
We sat in a car, which then lifted us up to a giant screen, and I the car jostled around like crazy.
I think the graphics on screen made me feel really queasy as I our car tilted to every turn we made.
Simpsons and Duff Cans of energy drink
I missed the time when all the 7-11 around the States and one in Coquitlam, BC were decorated like the Simpsons’ Quik-E Mart. The merchandise store was fully branded as another Quik E Mart by the ride and had so much stuff. Too bad that the Duff cans did not have beer in it, I guess it’s energy drinks from now on.
March is nearly here
Hulk SMASH!
It’s already the last week of February.
I wonder why February always has to have only 28-29 days, depending if it’s a leap year or not….
Going through HDR processing for the Hulk Statue photo, the bright green reminded me of St Patty’s day coming up soon.
CelticFest has made a couple of big changes for the annual Patty’s day parade.
It’s always held on the Sunday closest to March 17th, when St Patrick’s day usually is.
This year it’s on Sunday March 15th, 2009 and it starts at 11:30AM.
The other big change is that the parade route is along West Georgia Street in Downtown between Broughton and Howe, which is about six blocks.
More info is posted on the CelticFest Vancouver site , with the picture of the parade route.
Wouldn’t it be funny that we would find someone dressed in a Hulk costume walking in the parade.
Talk about being green…
Mellow Yellow I fear not
POW!
I going to do my best and continue to go through and process my photos from my visit to LA and Anaheim last month. All three days of Disneyland are posted, now comes my visit to Universal Studios and Downtown LA in the next few posts.
I had some fun with “punching up the yellow” of this yellow taxi cab that is part of the “New York-themed” set in Universal Studios. Whoo, that’s bright!
More to be posted.
