Comic Saturday #3

 

I recently spent time at a friend’s trailer and took my mountain bike to ride while there.  Good Lord it was so different from riding the tour bike my dad has lent me!

Friend Making ‘Monday’ – Q & A

I’m a day late, but I thought I would join in anyways.

 

Questions and Answers

1.  What is a typical weekday like for you? 

I wake up at 6am, get ready for work and leave the house at 6:50.  Get to work to be open for 7, and set out a few invitations for the children, depending on what is for snack that day I’ll start that right away if it is baking, if not I’ll start snack at 8:30 or so.  Lunch at Noon, off work at 4.  Home to either workout, run, bike or crash depending on the day of the week.  Dinner, followed by a game with Amber and then TV and in bed by 10:30 if it all goes well.

2.  Name one song that never fails to make you happy and one song that you always listen to when you’re sad.

Ti-Cul by Les Cowboys Fringants usually makes me smile, it’s in french and I only understand a few words, but the music is great!  I don’t think I have a ‘usual’ sad song.  I’d say just instrumental music of some sort.

3.  Did you watch the VMA’s last night? 

No.

4.  Share at least two talents that you possess.

I can draw pretty well, well enough to amaze kids at least.  And I can run pretty fast.

5.  Share one thing that you wish you had the confidence to do. 

Sing the Weird Al lyrics to a song at a karoke event!  It would be funny if people got the joke!

6. Tell us about one insecurity that people might be surprised that you have. 

I’m still a bit insecure about my tummy from time to time.

7.  If you could be the CEO of any company, which one would you choose to lead? 

Nintendo.

8. List at least three hobbies that make you happy. 

Drawing, Working Out and Reading.

9.  Is there someone in your life that you wish you could say “I love you” to? 

I don’t need to wish for that, because I have Amber. :)

10.  Share one cool thing that happened over the weekend. 

If you read my last post you know I went to Fan Expo Canada, so that was awesome.  But what you don’t know is this!  i was talking to Tony Daniel, the guy that currently works on Detective Comics and he was there selling prints and doing commissions.  Two kids came up and marveled at his work, and told him the Nightwing he was currently drawing was cool.  He reached over grabbed two card size bits of paper, and sketched out a couple of Batman heads and gave them to the two boys (for a completed drawing of this size he was normally charging $20 I think).  It was pretty awesome of him and I told him so.

Fan Expo Canada

So I sort of missed Comic Saturday #3 because I was away from the house from 6am-10pm yesterday.  I hauled myself all the way from Bridgenorth to Toronto to attend Fan Expo Canada.

It was the first time I had ever gone to an event like that and if I had to describe it in one word it would be “Overwhelming”!  It was just simply sensory overload for the first couple hours I was there until I was able to filter out enough noise to get a hold and focus on only one or two things at a time.

There were thousands of people milling about, some in elaborate costumes, some wearing nearly nothing, and a few just in plain clothes.  I opted for a minimal type of outfit, just my Superman Under Armour shirt under a dress shirt, you know, all Clark Kent-ish.

I wandered around the show floor for the first while just looking at all the art of various forms for a while trying to gauge what I wanted to buy and who I wanted to buy from.  I had scheduled out a few things I wanted to attend and my first thing was coming up, a panel where some of the writers and artists from DC were discussing what was coming up in their titles and what has them really excited about it all.

From there I went back to the floor and bought a few pieces of art.  The first thing I got was a print of Dead Pool for my friend Matt.  I found it much easier to buy something for someone else than for myself.  This indecision on my part was amplified by the fact that I wanted to spend some money on some original art, not just prints.  There were a lot of comic artists there with the pencil and ink pages from their current work, those interior pages cost anywhere from 80-600 dollars!  Covers for books ran as high as 3000!

I have just finished reading Flash Volume 2 and Marcus To was there still with room on his commissions list.  I hmmmed and hawed about it, I chatted with Marcus for a while while he drew a picture of Robin eating ice cream for someone.  I eventually threw down $100 and asked for a picture of the Flash.  I was excited about it.  I often go into Silver Snail (a comic shop) and think about spending that kind of money, but never do, I always walk away feeling mixed about it.  Not this time.  Marcus was awesome enough to finish the drawing by the time the floor closed that day too!

While Marcus worked on my picture and a couple others I toured the show floor again and played the Batman: Arkham Origins Demo that Warner Brothers had set up there.  It did not disappoint! The play is very much like Arkham City and it was cool to get the chance to play it ahead of the October release date.

I then went to another DC panel where the same group as earlier discussed how they got interested in comics and what their break was in getting into the business and their thoughts on what it takes to make it in the business.

After this I toured the show floor some more and got a few more prints that artists were selling.  Earlier in the day I picked up a couple of games, one DC comics card based game and Argricola, that Amber wanted.  I also got my Detective Comics #1 signed my Tony Daniel, the Artist.

Right at about 7 Marcus finished my drawing and I picked it up, we had the chance to chat a bit as he was working, I didn’t want him to feel like I was standing over him though so I would chat and then wander and then come back.  It was very cool to see him work though, I would have loved to just sit and watch the whole time.  It reminded me of when I used to watch my dad draw when I was a kid.

Here are a few select pictures, click on the album to see more!

The sun coming up as I left Bridgenorth

Some Robot Eyes for the car ride

My Clark Kent

Huge Lego Ship

After the Adventure Time Screening

Life sized LEGO Superman

Harley Quinn working at a games booth

Water Armour Link and Gandalf

Marcus and Flash!

A Day at Fan Expo Canada VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Friend Making Monday–School Days

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here and over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

School Days

1.  What was your favourite subject in school?

I liked math and Physics and anything that Mr. Follett taught!

2. Did you attend elementary school and high school in the same town?

No, well, technically yes I guess, my elementary school in Buckhorn only went to grade 6, and then everyone from there went to Lakefield for Intermediate and High School.  So while they weren’t in the same town, all the kids went to the school.

3.  Are you still friends with anyone that you met during school?

I have a couple of friends still from school.  Matt is still my best friend, we met in grade 5!

4. What activities were you involved in as a student?

I wasn’t, I was never on any teams or clubs at school.  We did play a lot of soccer and football before school and at lunch in High school.

5. Did you bring your lunch, or did you get it at school?

I brought lunch most of the time, once in a while I would get fries or something in the cafeteria.

6. Did you enjoy shopping for clothing and school supplies? 

I never did when I was in school, my mom just got all that stuff.  I liked doing it for the second year of my second time at college though, it was great to buy 31 waist jeans and medium shirts!

7. Name a song or a band that reminds you of high school. 

Weird Al.

8. Did you like school? 

I loved high school.  I don’t really understand why people mostly say they hated their high school days.  It was great!  Go to school, hang out with friends, very few real responsibilities, if I wanted to go to a movie my dad would usually just give me the cash to go.  It was all great stuff!  All of it.  I didn’t like University at all! and then college was good the first time, great the second time!

9. How long have you been out of school? 

I was out of school from 2002-2009 working in computer support, and now I have been out of ECE since 2011.

10.  What did you like most about school?  What did you dislike most about school? 

I liked going and seeing my friends all the time.  I didn’t like that work got in the way of seeing those friends. 

Me in my first year at college (1998)

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions.  Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday!

Hey College Students, Check This Out

Susan Martin over at The Best Colleges email me last week about the possibility of sharing something with all you guys. 

Generally it’s about ‘The Freshman 15’ and how people attending college tend to gain a few pounds while on campus.  It’s simpler to head out for meals, your workload increases and time is at a premium because you have to go to so many classes and study all the time if you want to pass.

Staying in shape while at school can be difficult, but it is very doable.  I have experienced both sides of this.  My first time though school I lived with a bunch of guys for our whole second year and we all ate junk, worked and went to school, fitness was not a priority to say the least.

My second time through college during my second year I was a total fitness nut and not only passed with honours, but left school 80 pounds lighter than when I started the pervious year.

Here is the graphic that Susan asked me to share with you all, I think it boils down things quite nicely!

Comic Saturday #2

Not Running, Day 5

Once again my knee has put me on the self from running, or biking.  Basically I can't do much that involves my legs.  It is annoying.  A few years ago, before I got in shape I wouldn't really have thought much about not being physically able to do those things, but once that sort of becomes your life-style you miss it when it is taken away from you.

I realize during these couple of times I have been unable to run just how much I like it!  Especially during a week like we have had in Ontario this week were the daily high temperatures are barely scraping 22°C at their highest!  I could have racked up soooooo many kilometers on my bike or out running, especially with Amber out of town for a few evenings, because there is no schedule for dinner or the evening or whatnot.  It is definitely good that she is around most of the time, not only because she's pretty nice (I did marry her after all) but because I'd probably do so much working out that it wouldn't be good for me if I didn't have some sort of schedule.

Anyways,  How does one stay in an active frame of mind when unable to do basically any cardio?  Strength training!  Focus on what I can do and that is lift things with my arms, and work on core and back strength!  Sunday and Tuesday I did a couple of really good arm and core workouts.  On Sunday I was thinking 'I can't remember when my arms have been this sore'  On Tuesday with Sarah  we did almost the same workout but we had a few more breaks so it wasn't as bad.

I have also spent a good while cutting the grass and building a box and moving patio stones all over to cover our septic tank access lid so that when we need it pumped out again we don't have to dig a four foot hole into the earth!

I am itching to get out and run again.  I have had to make a few dashes out to the car here at daycare to get things and my knee has felt ok with those little 10 second runs.  I am trying to hold off at least until Sunday to run, give my knee a whole week and a massage on Saturday to heal up.  I want to be able to run and bike when I'm off at Amer's Friend's trailer at the start of next week!

Tonight's plan is another upper body and core workout, I'm kind of glad for it actually, it makes me think about when all I did was strength train with a bit of plyo work built in.  What alternate plans have you made when you have been injured?

Friend Making Monday–Have You Ever?

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here and over at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

 

Have You Ever?

 

1. Jumped out of an airplane? 

Nope, and sky diving is crazy expensive, so unless I am on some daring adventure and the plane is going down I doubt I ever will.

2. Lived alone? 

Yeah, it was actually pretty awesome.  Even better was living along and being on EI for a while.  Rock Band at 1am on a Tuesday?  Don’t mind if I do!

3. Met a celebrity?

I’ve met hockey players and coaches, that counts in Canada.

4. Said something to someone that you immediately regret saying?

Oh yeah, lots of times.

5. Had a manicure/pedicure?

Yes, from my girlfriend at the time who was going to school to do that sort of thing.

6.  Gotten a hickey?

Yeah, but not a huge one.

7. Owned a pet that was not a dog or a cat? 

Yes, I had a pet turtle for a long while when I was a teenager.

8. Been outside of your home country? 

Yes, down to the US, and in the Caribbean.

9. Kissed your best friend?

Nope.

10. Eaten food that fell on the floor? 

The five second rule exists for a reason.

11. Met someone online?

Yeah, quite a few people actually.

12. Been on TV?

I was in a movie that was on TV, I never saw it though.

13. Had braces? 

Nope, I do only have three teeth at the bottom front though instead of four, no gaps thankfully.

14. Gone skinny dipping?

Yep, having your own pool is a great thing.

15. Been to the opera?

I’ve been to the ballet though, and a few plays thanks to Amber.

16. Been caught making out by a policeman? 

No, I tend to do make making out in less public places.

17. Sung in public?

Almost every weekday, you always have to sing at Daycare.

18. Handed out candy on Halloween?

Yep, once you own a house you kind of have to.

19. Been snowed in?

Not really, it’s Canada, we know how to deal with it.  The worst snowstorm I can think of in recent memory I was still on time for work, and helped shovel the whole parking lot so everyone could go home.

20. Fallen in front of other people?

Yeah, no so embarrassing when you can laugh at yourself.

21. Cheated on a test?

I cheated on my typing test in grade 9 and looked at the keyboard.

22. Regretted saying “I love you” to someone?

Yeah.

23. Finished a meal in a restaurant and realized that you didn’t have your wallet?

I have finished eating and only had my interac card when their machine was down.  Free meal!

24. Shot a gun?

Yes, lots of times and lots of types.  We had a .22 in the house when I was growing up and I used to shoot at cans and things.  I’ve shot a few skeet with a shot gun and I have sot a pellet gun more times than I can even count.

Best though I a paintball gun since you get to shoot at people though!

25. Heard a song that was written for (or about) you?

Does ‘We Are The Champions’ count?

 

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back here and link up in the comments!  Happy Monday, friends!

Forced Relaxation

Well I couldn’t run today, or bike or any type of cardio really.  See, yesterday I ran just fine after getting over a little soreness from a workout Thursday.  So I ran, everything was fine, I was done 7K in under 35 minutes.  I got home, showered ate breakfast and then went to the car to go to karate.

During my stepping into the car my knee tweaked a bit, during the two hours at karate the pain got a bit more intense and by the time it was over I could hardly even walk. 

It would have been my usual plan today to run and bike, but since my knee is messed up I have had to stay around the house all day.  I did go and do about an hour of arms and abs in the garage this morning, so thankfully I can still do a few exercise types of things.  Since then however I have been not out running and biking but actually playing video games and watching Futurama.

It’s a bit strange not being out and about on a beautiful Sunday, but a wonky knee is what it is and I don’t have much choice in the matter, it hurts to even walk on it for any amount of time.  I see in my near future a lot of strength training!

Comic Saturday

My First entry in the WCP Comics, I think every runner knows the feeling of the sun beating them down during a summer run!

 

I’ll have to do my next comics on paper that is small enough to fit on my scanner so that they are more uniform in size and don’t have shadows on them!

Friend Making Monday–My Community

And The Return of Chris!

Yeah I know I have been MIA for nearly two weeks, what’s up with that?  Well, I was dreadfully tired for a while, just work and all that and then it was like should I work out or should I blog.  Or should I blog here in the morning or be on time for work.  Clearly blogging took back seat to both fitness and work!

So While I had intended to return with the start of the whole comic thing, I have yet to take the necessary pictures, so you get Friend Making Monday instead.  Enjoy.

If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here and at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!

My Community

1. Where were you born? Did you grow up there?

I was born in Collingwood Ontario, place of Blue Mountain, which I don’t actually think is really a mountain.  Then I grew up predominantly in two spots, Coldwater and then Buckhorn.  My dad liked to live in the middle of nowhere!

2. Tell us about your favourite spot in your city. 

Technically I don’t even live in a city now.  I live in Bridgenorth and it’s quite small.  My favourite spot is my house really, I have pretty much everything I need here including a great view of the lake.

3. Do you volunteer for any organizations? If so, will you tell us about it?

I don’t.

4. Tell us about your favourite local restaurant.

I think my favourite place is Matsu.  It’s a sushi place and everything about it is fantastic.  The food is amazing (get sushi pizza) and Mr. Kim is the most cheerful and boisterous owner ever!

5. Has your city ever experienced tragedy?  If so, how did it recover?

We had a big flood in 2004 in Peterborough, just a day after I had moved into my first house.  We recovered with some help from the city and pretty much everyone had a few days off work to get their things back in order.  It wasn’t really ‘tragic’ just a massive inconvenience.

6. Share at least one unique thing about your neighbourhood.

Bridgenorth is the Centre of the Universe.  There is a book to prove it!

7. If you could do one small thing to change your community, what would you do?

More trails to run and bike on.  In fact I was just at a township meeting that was discussing exactly that, I hope my input was valuable.

8. The Powerball is currently up to 400 million dollars. Would you move to a different place if you won?

If I won $400 million, I wouldn’t actually move far that’s for sure.  I would prefer to stay either here or just 30 minutes away in Millbrook.  I’d by a empty lot and build exactly the house I wanted from the ground up!

Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments! Happy Monday!