I went to see Death Race recently, and it wasn't half bad. I have never seen the original, so I have no basis for comparison - but every now and then I like to watch a movie that doesn't require me to use my brain for a couple of hours and lets me enjoy some gratuitous violence.

Does this make me a bad person?

We're gearing up for the fall rush at work, and things are starting to pick up again. September promises to be a good month on other fronts as well, and I'm happy about that.

Here are a few sets that I think you might like...

Rubix - Biscuits

Lee - Smokin' Hot

Tita - Mystery Package

Niello - Basket Case

Mneylu - Nowhere Fast

...and here are a few sets in Member Review that I think should be on the front page.

Dusti - Polaroid

Malice - Off The Canvas

Shaine & Nikhita - Baby Said

Vesta - Buttercream Dream

I hope that all of you had an excellent long weekend!

You can see all of the pictures from my trip to The Falls on my Flickr page, but here are a few highlights for you:











I've been to Niagara Falls many times before, but this is the first time that I spent more than a day there...and it was well worth it. There is far more to do there than just take pictures of the falls themselves, and I would highly recommend it to all of you as a place to visit.

Saturday and Sunday presented me with fun of another sort - the Fan Expo, Canada's answer to ComicCon. Although the Expo itself was very entertaining, being able to spend time there with friends made it even better. I met up with BrightRedScream, SixBoxes, Kekelyn (and her bottomless purse), and WehrleBoy, and I met Bender99 and end_of_innocence for the first time. We walked around for a bit, spent some time at the SG table, and went out for dinner afterwards with Martini and a few of her friends. Before they arrived, I also ran into Lucy and johnlennon, neither of whom I have seen in some time. All in all, it was an excellent day.

I went back again on Sunday and got a few autographs - Brent Spiner (Star Trek: TNG), Aaron Douglas (Battlestar Galactica) and Edward James Olmos (also of BSG). Edward is a great guy, and I was fortunate enough to have a bit of a chat with him about the show and a BSG related side project that he is working on. Much to my surprise, Erin Gray (who some of you might remember from the tv show Buck Rogers In the 25th Century) was at the table with Edward, so I got to say hi to her as well. I also ran into _LouLou_, which was another pleasant surprise.

Here's BrightRedScream at the SG table...


...and here are SixBoxes and WehrleBoy...


...and finally, here is yours truly.


I can't wait to go on vacation next year, haha.

Niagara Falls was great, and I'm really glad that we decided to go there this year. I've got about 100 pictures(!) to sort through, so I will post a more detailed entry in the next few days once that's done.

The vacation continues, though, and I'm really looking forward to the Fan Expo and getting to see some of you there. Huzzah!

I don't know how the weather has been in your area lately, but it's been rather unusual up here for the past few days. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday presented me with weather more reminiscent of spring/fall than of late summer; it rained pretty well all weekend and I actually had to wear a sweater to work on Sunday. It hasn't been the best summer for sitting out on a patio, but lawns and gardens around here haven't looked this good in years.

I had a pretty good Saturday evening, though, despite the rain. Slingshot and Black122 were kind enough to invite me over to their home for a bit of a get-together. BrightRedScream, SixBoxes, and WehrleBoy were there as well, and it was nice to spend an evening with them and have all sorts of unusual and amusing conversations.

Only a few days left until I head out to the Falls, and I'm looking forward to it. I promise to take lots of pictures, and I shall talk to you again late next week.

This week has been the total opposite of last week. There has been an absence of quietness, which is what I wanted all along...mostly good, but not completely so.

On Wednesday, I went for a bit of a walk through downtown Toronto with my mom and sister - Yorkville, the edge of The Annex, and then into Little Italy where I had lunch at an interesting little Neapolitan restaurant. I shall have to go there again.

Thursday presented more good time, courtesy of an evening out with AandP. III was there as well, which was a pleasant surprise. I haven't seen him in what feels like forever, and I'm hoping that we can spend some time re-connecting. We had a pleasant dinner and a good conversation.

Despite our vow not to discuss it for at least three or four months, we actually started talking about Gala '09 and some very preliminary thoughts about what we might do (I think that we are secret masochists, or something along those lines). The way things are going, we're going to have Gala '10 planned before '09 even happens. Ack!

And for the not so good, you ask? My car refused to do much of anything on the weekend other than make a sound reminiscent of a bad cough. My sister was kind enough to give me a ride to and from work on Saturday and Sunday, and my father took a look at it while I was out of the house.

Since we couldn't quite figure it out, I had to take the day off today to bring it in to my mechanic. Fortunately, it was only the battery and not a serious problem...which is funny, since my dad checked the battery and pronounced it to be in good working order.

As you might have guessed, I will no longer be going to him for automotive advice.

Thanks to those of you who responded to my call for "things that I didn't know about you"; I have returned the favour and told each of you something that you probably didn't know about me. If you didn't get around to participating, feel free to do so at your leisure. I'm always interested to learn a little bit more about the people I've met here.

Before I wrap it up for the time being, here are a few sets that you might find interesting...

Lee - Slippery

Mneylu - Nowhere Fast

...a few in Member Review that I think should go up on the front page...

Solace - Cuisine Cutie

Dusti - Polaroid

Lee - Smokin Hot

Rubix - Biscuits

...and last (but certainly not least), check out Squrl4's fancy new website here. He's a great guy and one hell of an artist.

Alone she sleeps in the shirt of man
With my three wishes clutched in her hand
The first that she be spared the pain
That comes from a dark and laughing rain
When she finds love may it always stay true
This I beg for the second wish I made too
But wish no more
My life you can take
To have her please just one day wake
To have her please just one day wake

- "Gaeta's Lament", written by B. McCreary

It's been a quiet week for me. Work is okay, and things are otherwise fine (for the most part, anyways)...and that's really about it. I wish that I had more to talk about, but I lead a very uneventful life.

Tell me something about yourself that I don't already know, and I shall reply in kind.

I need another three day weekend, damn it! I enjoyed myself far too much.

I met up with Slingshot and Black122 for dinner and conversation on Wednesday night, and I was reminded of why I enjoy their company as much as I do. I'm hoping that we'll get to do this on a regular basis.

Thursday was my "stay home and do nothing" day. That was quite pleasant.

On Friday night, I went to see a Blue Jays game with a few of my fellow local members. It was a lot of fun to sit in the bleachers (something I haven't done in years, as I normally get field level seats) with the gang, surrounded by people who actually aren't afraid to be a little boisterous and cheer loudly.

...and make fun of that dirty man-whore, Alex Rodriguez. That was glorious.

I'm going to assume that you've seen Lee's new set...but if you haven't, I would suggest that you do so as soon as possible. While you're at it, also check out Solace's set in member review.

Can't wait to see The Dark Knight. Even if I don't really believe in Harvey Dent. Ha.

My vacation time was finally confirmed last week, and I'm looking forward to taking a little time off and getting out of town for a few days. The National Fan Expo will be happening when I come back, so I will be able to go there before I have to start back at work. SG will be there again, and this year's guest list is even better than last year's. Should be a lot of fun.

If that wasn't enough, I'm also getting an extra day off this week. I've got a few errands to run, but I will also be spending time with friends and taking in a baseball game with SGTO. I fear for anyone that has to sit near us, haha.

Last (but certainly not least), check out Lee's new set in member review. It's really well done, and Lee is absolutely stunning (possibly the understatement of the year). Watch for a cameo appearance by Rubix as well.

That's it for me. What's new with you?

Happy (belated) 141, Canada! I trust that my fellow Canucks had a wonderful day today. I was at work, but it was a beautiful and sunny day - so I have no cause for complaint.

...and since it is unlikely that I will update before the end of the week, I would also like to take this time to wish my American friends a happy Fourth of July.