So I’m back from Toronto and actually going to blog!  CAiNE (Canadian Annual National Event) is the big con for a gaming group I used to be part of.  A few years ago I parted ways with the group for my own reasons and this year by events I’m still not sure how they came to pass I ended up getting back into it.  I never thought I would be part of that group again when I left but going again, playing, and most importantly seeing old friends was really good.  Those that went for the first time in a few years have called it “Coming home”, and I think that is the perfect words for it.  And we were welcomed home with open arms.  So thanks to everyone that made us feel that way.

Now on to a quick recap of the trip.  We went by train which was a 24ish hour trip.  Which although fun in some aspects is not something I’ll do again.  Just too long for my long legs!  Going through Montreal’s big station and Union Station in Toronto was pretty cool though.  Thursday when we got there Jody picked us up and drove us to the hotel.  Many thanks to him!  We spent that night just getting caught up with some friends and taking it easy.

Friday I woke up not feeling that well but it soon past.  Jess, Jared, and I took the bus downtown to the subway which led us to Union Station.  It was not hard to find our first stop, the CN Tower since it loomed over us.  While waiting in the rather short line for the elevator I started to feel ill again but figured it would pass.  We got up to the top and I had to run for the washroom, but after being sick I felt fine again.  I took some pictures and we headed up to the Skypod, the highest point you can access in the Tower.  Everything looks fake from that height… it’s kinda odd.  I think the pictures do it justice as all the buildings look like models.  Our next stop was the Hockey Hall of Fame, which we had to travel back the way we came from to find.  Again, while waiting in line I had to run for the washroom.  Maybe my stomach did not like lines… I prefer to think it hated the idea of the 100th Anniversary of the Montreal Canadians exhibit that was inside.  We did get to look around and see most of the displays but my stomach would not allow me to do the interactive things.  Twice I’ve been to the HHoF and twice I’ve been unable to do the interactive bits… gives me a reason to try a third time in the future I guess!  Finally we headed back to the airport by cab.  I spent the rest of the afternoon sleeping and happily felt well enough to play Requiem that night and hang out with friends til the wee hours.

Saturday Phil took Jess and I down to Chinatown for Dim Sum.  I had never had it and to be honest had no idea what it was!  Come to find out it’s a way of serving Chinese food.  You sit at your table and they circle around with carts of food.  You take what you want and they mark it off on your food scoresheet ;o).  I learned to eat with chopsticks and really enjoyed the experience!  It was great food and really cheap.  We checked out the shops along Kensington which were all very cool retro shops before heading to the Silver Snail.  It was HUGE!  Felt like a storage house for everything I’ve ever seen in the Previews catalog.  Saturday night I played Requiem again and we finished off a plot we’d been chasing since I made my character.  It was very cool.  Also got to interact with the Unholy a bit, which probably does not mean anything to most but it was pretty awesome.   After game we stayed up til the wee hours partying with friends and drinking Jody’s evil Black Rum.

Sunday was the closing ceremonies and a lazy day of just hanging out before taking the very long train ride home Monday morning.  Jared being the silly monkey he is missed his plane but managed to get home eventually.  All in all the trip was well worth it.  I had a blast the whole time (even while being sick).  Really looking forward to seeing everyone next year at Trois-Rivieres!

All the pictures of my Toronto adventures can be found here.  Feel free to check them out and comment!  Also here are pictures from Mortal and Changeling.

This past weekend Greg and Chris hosted the sequel to the murder mystery we played last year “Murder at the Four Deuces”. 

A lot of people got out to play in this one and reprise their characters as well as having a few new faces to add to the mix.  It was great fun!  Just enough LARP to remind me why I enjoyed playing but conversation afterwords reminded me of why we don’t bother anymore. 

The best thing as usual was seeing friends from out of town.  It was really fun to get Chris & Anita down for it, if only as an excuse to see them.  Hope peeps enjoy the pictures, as always please feel free to comment on any of them.  I like the feedback!

(For facebook users click either of the pictures to see the full album hosted on my website.)

So for the last week or so I been kinda blah… unable to shake it for any length of time.  Nothing wrong per say just feeling drained without a reason.  Wishing I had some creativity to do some photography or photoshop or something like that but I got nothing.  Been doing a lot of painting on Warhammer 40k miniatures.  Yet another hobby I seem to have picked up.  Might post some pics of those when I get some done.  Painting them seems to be the only thing that keeps my attention and my mind from wandering to strange thoughts. 

Seriously need to break this funk so I can get some good ideas for my Dark Ages game flowing… and get back into the LARP games.  I just haven’t had the mental energy for it the last few weeks… but feel bad for not going and missing out when I hear how much fun the games are afterwords.

Also want to do some creative photography… still want to get people in costume or poses to photoshop over into sci-fi / fantasy picutres…  Want to get out and take pictures of fall before all the pretty leaves are gone.  Want to go to some Sea Dog games to take pictures… and even try some studio style photography.  Perhaps not sit down school type pictures but more like fashion magainze photos.  Just a matter of finding the time and volunteers to do it I guess.  I’ve had people say they’d be interested but I guess without them following up to say “When would you like to?”  I just feel like they’re being nice and dont’ really want to…  guess I’ve just been mentally odd as of late… feeling alone even in a group of my closest friends.  *shrugs*  I’m sure it will pass, it always does.  And I promise to keep this blogspace better updated and more full of creative and happy things then this post of kinda sad thoughts.