We Take Ourselves With Us

The Starbucks in our hotel was closed for renovations, meaning I got to trek up the block to Tim Horton's to grab everyone's breakfast.  The line was already forming for the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) single tickets, and I swear it was led by the same two older women whom I saw last year.  We all have our own versions of Fan Expo--some of us wear capes, some of us wear lawn chairs. After we fueled up on Horton's Dark Roast (us) and Birthday Cake TimBits (them), we hit the street.  I t was Force Friday across the Star Wars universe, so Penn  wore his new SW caped t-shirt (thank you, last minute trip to Wal-Mart for all the $10 caped shirts you will see over the next few days) as we set off for FE.  Ned likes his space cowboy dramas with more Whedon, so he went with a Jayne hat and a Browncoats t-shirt (one of last year's FE exclusives!) We got to FE right as it opened on Friday, so the crowds were at a minimum.  Dear reader, you may wish to c...

Sunday morning, and Harper (aka Lumpy Space Nesmith ) and Penn (aka the 11th Doctor) made their way to the Convention Center for the last time. Penn was in his element and got asked to join a few photos in this ensemble :) He even charmed Stormtroopers. We had basically bypassed the North Building each day, using it just for panels or to cross over to the South.  So, on our last day, we spent a bit of time there.  First, reconnecting with the always amazing and generous Doctor Who Society of Canada.  They are great people who always bring it for FE!  As this collection of homemade Daleks shows. This year, they were collecting funds for the Sick Kids Foundation, a Canadian charity.  Donors could take unlimited photos with the Daleks and record their Dalek voice.  Penn couldn't resist: We then split because Harper realized that an enormous Intel installation devoted to competitive gaming and other tech filled up...

Let's start at the end.  Arrayed in the cubbies above our beds at the mod Hyatt are our purchases from Friday.  You may notice a bit of an Adventure Time theme ... you wouldn't be wrong.  You may notice a lot of Pop Vinyl ... you wouldn't be wrong.  So, how did we get here? I am the breakfast gatherer at FE.  This year, we switched it up from our usual Fairmont and stayed at the Hyatt because I grew a little tired of the limited food choices in that area.  Our hotel has a Starbucks on site, which made breakfast pretty darn easy.  So, filled with baked goods, oatmeal and latte, we set off.  Ned proudly wore his Jayne hat , Lumpy Space Princess glasses, Ice King tattoo, and "I Am Groot" shirt.  Cosplayers, beware! We had learned on Thursday that the only way to get the Fan Expo special LEGO set was to get one of the ~200 tickets distributed each day at 10 am as soon as the Expo opened.  That meant rushing to t...