Captains Log: Friday 4/27/12 Calgary

Hey there friend thanks for checking out the blog. Thanks to social media outlets Facebook and Twitter I was able to document my recent trip to the Calgary Comic And Entertainment Expo 2012. It was quite the quest filled with misadventure, good times and a few bad. Among my many activities that weekend it included the fact I got drunk with 'The Honky Tonk Man', I got to meet Stan Lee and most of the cast of 'Star Trek: The Next Generation', and I had a talk with comic book writing icon Peter David. 

The following is a log of each days activities with pictures included, with more blogs and pics later in the week. Enjoy and please leave a comment!

Captains Log: Friday 4/27/12 Calgary:

* Leaving for the Calgary Comic Expo in the am.

* At Gasoline Alley at Humpty's having lunch. There are more 'uber' nerds here too probably on their way to Calgary. There is a 'World of Warcraft' discussion underway at the table beside us.

- Now their arguing why their not 'geeks'. I'm a geek and they are way geekier than me!

* At the hotel in Calgary. Soon will make the Trek to the Con!

* in line to get our picture taken with Dr Crusher!

* may be getting in line for Wil Wheaton... Their photo-ops are very f#+_)#g disorganized!!! Chris smash now!!!

- (Aunt) Lori Flood: did you take your own camera, you could be making some extra cash be a photo man there

- Chris Lockhart They would probably throw me in the brig. Geek Mafia is in control

-Chris Lockhart Had to wait in line for the actual line up for Wil Wheaton! Have to wait till tomorrow to meet Stan Lee...

* Gonna be doing a Blog experiment this weekend. I'll be updating my Facebook with reports from the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, then reposting them next week on my blogs. Please feel free to leave comments and they too will be posted on the blogs! Have a geek weekend!

- Gennie Hibert-Williams love it

- Chris Lockhart I like experiments. I'm like Doc Brown from 'Back To The Future'

* Just seen Wil Wheaton. He took a sharpie pen and corrected the sign for his photo-op line up. They had him spelled 'Will' and he crossed out the extra L. Classy! Seems like a nice dude!

* Wil Wheaton walked past again and the crowd cheered! Moving too fast and couldn't get a pic... Will have to wait for the actual pic with him.

- Gennie Hibert-Williams tell him kaitlyn says be nice to sheldon

* Marina Sirtis (Troi) just walked past us in line and asked why we're in line for Wil Wheaton. Lol

- Brianna Lockhart Rydvall I used to have a crush on Wesley Crusher

* Finally got our pic taken with Wil Wheaton. Very nice guy!

-Gennie Hibert-Williams cant wait to see

* Day 1 at the Calgary Con. Having a rye and coke and waiting for our pizza to arrive. Got our pics taken with Dr Crusher (Gates McFadden) and Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton). Tried to get our pic with Stan Lee but I guess it will be tomorrow. Met an old school WWF wrestler in the lobby, feel bad cause I don't remember him. Also got Richard Hatch's autograph (from both BattlestarGalactica series)

* Gonna check out the lounge later while celeb searching. Met an artist inb the elevator...not sure who he was but the others in the elevator knew he was a celeb.

* Having a Big Rock Dark (beer) at the hotel lounge while Bailey swims at the pool. Win win. Also saw Larry Hama, who writes 'GI Joe' comics!

* Next year I hope some of my friends and family will join me on this Geek Weekend Adventure. I'll start a facebook event soon with all the details. This is a fun experience. Even if your not a super geek like me you'd probably still have fun.

- Brianna Lockhart Rydvall sounds like fun

* the 'Honky Tonk Man' just sat down beside me at the bar!!!!

-Chris Lockhart Just getting up the nerve to ask him to take a picture with me...

-Chris Lockhart He's busy talking with a friend, don't want to interrupt him. Just waiting for an opportunity... More liquid courage!

- Chris Lockhart Shook his hand. I think he may be fighting with his wife. He just asked me about 'Old Stock' beer.

- Chris Lockhart I'm realizing sitting next to the Honky Tonk Man that I actually think I'm bigger and more muscular than he is... No doubt he could still kick my ass but I'm thinking I might have a fighting chance...what the hell am I thinking? It's the beers texting right now...

- Chris Lockhart But seriously I'm bigger built than the Honky Tonk Man. His old lady was super drunk, kinda reminded me of my mother-in-law (she who shall not be named). Call her Mrs Voldemort.

- Chris Lockhart Talking wrestling with the Honky Tonk Man!!!

- Chris Lockhart Talking hockey with Honky Tonk. Then his wife had a weird conversation with me about growing up in rural Alberta and her being Cinderella. She actually grew up near Barrhead

- Chris Lockhart Honky Tonk offered me some Calamari

- Chris Lockhart Got my pic taken with him. Hopefully it uploaded...

- Chris Lockhart Talking hockey with Honky Tonk Man

- Chris Lockhart Last call with The Honky Tonk Man!

- Chris Lockhart Talking wrestling life, his Canadian Wife and life withb the Honky Tonk Man. And I am drunk...

- Chris Lockhart Well that's a wrap for my night out. Got to hang out with The Honky Tonk Man and talk wrestling, hockey, Billy Dee Williams and drunk Canadian women! It's now almost 2am and I am drunk. Bedtime then back to the con for 10am. Definitely gonna be checking out The Honky Tonk Man's table!!

- Brianna Lockhart Rydvall sounds like u had a blast

- Chris Lockhart I did. It was very cool to meet and have a conversation with him and his wife and another fan. But I'm going to be paying the price today because I only got 4 hours sleep. But at least I'm not hung over! But these day's I'm a light weight when it comes to drinking. But my bar tab (with buying a round of beers) only came to 54 bucks! Very affordable!

Blog #26: Family Matters, Part IV

I am continuing with my stroll down memory lane with my family. Here's a couple tales of intrigue, suspense and good ol' family fun. Enjoy:

 

 

Ice Fishing

 

I was about seven years old the first time I went Ice Fishing. Grandpa Leonard, Uncle Ron, Cousin Lenny and myself went to Goose Lake to ice fish. I was so excited, I had always wanted to go ice fishing with Grandpa. We got there and Grandpa gave us our ice fishing hooks he had made for us. He dug our holes in the ice, we put our hooks in and waited....We watched from the car for the fish to bite and we waited. And waited. At seven years old I didn't understand that ice fishing took time and patience. Time was at a stand still, Lenny and I were bored.

 

Then suddenly the fishing hook moved, we had a bite. Uncle Ron same out with Lenny and I and we pulled up our prized fish. I had thought when you hooked a fish it died so I was a little shocked when we pulled out this fish and it was squirming all over the place. I believe Uncle Ron told us "Hit its head against the ice so it will die then bring it to the car". Then he turned around and got back into the car with Grandpa.

 

Lenny and I looked at each other. "You do it" and "No you do it!" was being exchanged between us but neither of us could do it. I'm sure Grandpa and Uncle were getting a chuckle out of us standing there trying to decide what to do. Uncle came out and did what had to be done, we went home and showed Grandma our big catch, Lenny and I were proud fisherman. I think that was the only time I went ice fishing. Wish I had gone more with Grandpa, but kids don't have the patience to sit there for hours at a time staring at a fishing pole. One day I'm sure I'll see Grandpa again and we'll go ice fishing.

 

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My favorite moment from Easter Holidays 1994

 

(Parental Advisory Warning: The following paragraph has adult content. Parental discretion is advised):

 

When I was 14 years old my folks took my sister and I to Disneyland for Easter holidays. The most memorable moment at Disneyland was waiting in line for space mountain, man was it totally worth it. Not for the ride itself but for what I saw while waiting. We were outside on the steep steps leading into space mountain. The line was long and the day was hot. Dad and I were standing side by side in line and Mom & Bri were behind us. In front of us was this ugly nerdy-type guy with this real smoking hot blond woman on his arm. This guy had to be loaded because there is no way a guy that ugly could get such a hot babe unless he was rich. If he was famous I didn't recognize him. Anyway I was busy staring at the ground below (because we were probably 3 stories above ground level) when the line advanced. As I looked forward realizing the line had moved up several steps the smoking hot blond (who was wearing a very mini skirt) was bent forward tieing her shoe I think. Well her skirt was hiked up and she was wearing NO UNDERWEAR ! I gasped in excitement and joy, staring me right in the face was a real life naked vagina, which was on the body of one of the hottest women I had ever seen. I was frozen in time, my heart pounding and thoughts racing. I couldn't believe it...it was like looking into the face of god. Dad bumped me on the shoulder and time resumed normally again. I looked at him and he had a smile on his face.

"We better move up" I think he said to me.

I don't know if he saw what I saw, but God bless Space mountain

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Have a great week and 'Live Long & Prosper'

 

- Chris

On The Menu #4: Breakfast Cereal Time!!

Last month on the 'Nerd Lunch' blog CT wrote about a book he received and it got me so intrigued I went out and purchased it for myself. It is called 'The Great American Cereal Book'. Canadians and Americans love their breakfast cereal, which believe it or not is second only to milk and soda in supermarket spending. Cereals and their cartoon spokes-characters (Tu-can Sam, Tony The Tiger, Snap Crackle And Pop, etc)  are some of the most enduring pop-culture icons of the 20Th century. This book is the definitive compendium of breakfast cereal history, showcasing recognizable brands and packaging, such as Cheerios, Cocoa Puffs, Frosted Flakes, Grape-Nuts, and Trix. The authors of this great book provide behind-the-scenes stories about the creation of these iconic kitchen-table companions, with 350 images of cereal boxes, vintage ads, and rare memorabilia. Although this book has 'American' in the title we Canadians can identify with this book too. Canada does not really have any of its own cereal brands, as far as I know all our brands are American brands so this book applies to us in the Great White North too. Reading this book has definitely renewed my interest in the breakfast cereal, because to be honest the last few years I've only been eating Raisin Bran. But seeing all these cereals again in this book I went out and have been munching on some of my favourites including:

Lucky Charms: As a kid I loved this cereal. The colourful little marshmallows, they truly are magically delicious.

Honey Nut Cheerios: This is still a classic and my kids love eating this cereal too.

 

As I continue to read 'The Great American Cereal Book' I'm going to continue to buy some of the cereals of my youth and sample them again. This book really has renewed my love for these sugary-goodness foods. If you are a fan of cereal be sure to check this book out, and watch for future follow-ups on the subject on this blog.

 

Till next time!

Blog #25: School Time

I'm taking a stroll down memory lane. this time I am discussing my Grad back in 1998. Hard to believe it has been 14 years since I was in school. Wow where has time gone?

The Fort Assiniboine School (picture from the late 90's-early 2000's)

 

Grad 1998

 

I graduated from Fort Assiniboine High School in 1998, but I almost didn't make it! It wasn't that I was dumb I was just lazy when it came to school work. Where I was lacking was in the science and math departments. In the first semester of grade 12 I failed Biology 20 so I had to drop down to science 24 so I could get my science credits for my diploma. I hated math so much that I waited till the last semester to take math 13 and 24 by correspondence. I'm just one of those guys who has to wait till the last minute to finish my tasks, I do better under pressure.

 

However by mid April I was called into Mr. Hardcastle's office, he was the Principal.

"Chris I have received several complaints by some in your Grad class that you might not meet the grad criteria and deadlines to participate in ceremonies." he informed me. I suspected who was behind these "complaints".

"No need to worry, I'll have everything complete by the end of June" I told him.

"How far are you with the math?"

"Oh I'm about half done both courses" which was a total lie. I had 2 units done in math 13 and 1 done in math 24.

"Good, bring them in tomorrow and we'll send them away for grading. If you are passing both courses I'll have no problem with you participating in grad ceremonies"

"OK. Thank you" and I left his office freaking out, I was so screwed!!! So I did the only thing I could think of...I payed my little sister to help me do my math units. She was only in grade 8 at the time but she was smart and ready to help for $15.00 per unit completed. So that night my little sis and I worked into the wee hours completing my math units required. I handed them in the next day and I got the green light for grad ceremonies.

 

My Mom and Dad always believed in me that I would graduate even when others in my class said I wouldn't make it. I had 2 math finals to write after our graduation ceremony (I like to put math off cause I hate math) and in mid June certain members of my class went to Mr. Hardcastle and complained again about me participating in ceremonies. They felt I wouldn't pass both my math finals, so they didn't want me going through Grad ceremonies. I was a little ticked off because some of them still had diploma exams to write and who was to say they would pass those? For some reason my school work was brought into question, but I passed all my finals and received my diploma at the end of August. I found out after that certain others didn't get their diploma's and they also participated in Grad but they were never called into question...but oh well I like being the underdog. Our Principal Mr Hardcastle was a great guy and he too knew I could do it and let me participate in Grad.

 

Uncle Ron & Aunt Rita, Aunt Betty, Barb, Grandma Yvonne, Granny Lockhart, Aunt Margaret, Aunt Elaine & Uncle Glen, Cousins Lenny and Irene (with her then new boyfriend Colin) were there that day for me. It was one of the greatest days of my life!. Our MC Mr.Tisdale told a great story about me from my Uncle Gord: I guess when I was very young about 3 years old I was out to lunch with my Uncle and I had to go to the bathroom. Uncle asked me if I needed help and I said I didn't. Apparently I did need the help and I opened the men's bathroom door after doing my business and with my pants down at my ankles and said "Uncle Junior...Can you help me!"

 

My buddy Clayton also did a poem for his classmates, he truly is a gifted poet. I remember my lines in Claytons poem:

 

Chris, the friendly giant,

Parties through the night,

A liquor bottle in each hand

You know he'll be all right!!

 

My Grad escort was the beautiful Brandy Lagace. I have been informed since then by several people that I had the best looking Grad escort, but I knew that that day. I actually had a hard time finding an escort for Grad because there is not alot of people to chose from in a small town. Originally my Grad escort was Gynni Lehman who was going to another school at the time but moved back to the Fort in the second semester. She was escorted into the ceremonies by my cousin Brian, whom she was dating at the time so I needed a new escort. But Brandy is my cousin Lenny's cousin and my sisters friend so I was able to ask her and she agreed and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect Grad escort, Thank you again Brandy!

 

The food at the Grad ceremony supper kicked ass!! We had all the good stuff including perogies...I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! My Mom gave the speech from the parents and she did a great job. I did the thank you to Mr Wold who was our guest speaker. He's a great man and I still see him from time to time here in Barrhead. I just found out recently that Mr. Millar just lives down the street from me. It is now ironic because most of my grad gifts consisted of a microwave, coffee maker, plates, etc...all the things I would need when I went to college. College never happened....but that's OK. I have made a good life for myself without it.

 

The only real shitty thing about our grad was the party, it just plain sucked. There was no parents there, it was in the middle of nowhere and it was a small turn out of people. Lenny graduated a year later and they actually had a social dance with a toonie bar which kicked ass and that is what we should have had! I had a blast at Lenny's grad dance, ours needed to be so much better than what it was.

 

Also that year in Fairview Alberta my wife, Crystal Oliver also graduated from high school. I've seen pics from her grad and she looked amazing in her dress, wish I had known her back then, but I had no idea where Fairviewwas back then. One strange connection Crystal and I did have back then was my cousin Irene's then boyfriend (now husband) Colin. He had previously lived in Fairview and was Crystal's neighbor and friend! It is a small world after all!!

 

Now its 14 years later and all is well. I've kept in touch with most of my classmates and those I don't see are my friends on Facebook. We missed our 10 year anniversary reunion, I started a group for our Grad on Facebookalmost 5 years ago and we had started planning a reunion. But I got busy with working overtime and we missed our 10 year, maybe we'll have something planned by our 15th anniversary.

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And that is all folks!

 

- Chris

Blog #24: Calgary Comic Book & Entertainment Expo 2012

Bought my Photo-op tickets for the Calgary Expo, April 27-29th. Had an issue with my VISA getting double billed but it is now resolved. The tech support for the Calgary con were able to address the problem with my visa getting double billed quickly, so I was very relieved. 

 

I'm getting my picture taken with 3 Star Trek: TNG stars: Brent Spiner (Data), Patrick Stewart (Captain Picard) and Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher).  But the entire cast of TNG will be there that weekend for a special 25th Anniversary Reunion Show called 'Star Trek: TNG EXPOsed', which is part of the Calgary Con but a separate ticketed event. Got my ticket for the Star Trek: TNG EXPOsed Reunion Show for Saturday April 28!!! Row 25 on the floor seating!!! They are offering photo-ops with the full cast of Star Trek: TNG at the con, but sadly a photo op with the TNG cast is $500!!! Way out of my budget...

 

Other stars I'll be getting my pic with are Jon Bernthal (Shane from 'The Walking Dead'), Adam West (TV's Batman!!), Katee Sackhoff (Starbuck from the newer 'Battlestar Galactica'), and John Noble/Jasika Nicole (from 'Fringe').

 

And I'll be getting a pic with the legend Stan Lee. If you are not a Comic Book fan you would still know Stan Lee, maybe not by name but by what he has created. He is perhaps the most famous Comic Book Writer and Creator and his most famous creation was 'Spider-man'. He's a man who will be turning 90 this year!! Yet his personality and stamina is that of a 30 year old. Really an incredible person who I am looking forward to meeting.

 

April 27-29 in Calgary at the BMO Centre. Other Celebrity Guests include Robert Englund,  Adam Baldwin, James Marsters, Hayden Panettiere, Dave Prowse, and Amanda Tapping, and Richard Hatch from 'Battlestar Galactica'.

 

Also some very great comic book creators and animators will be there including: Peter David. His 12 year run on 'The Incredible Hulk' is the best run in comics in my opinion. Comic Artist's George Perez and Tony Moore will be there too! Very excited to meet these men!

 

But there are more celebrities and creators and vendors to check out at the con. Check out their new website: http://www.calgaryexpo.com for all the details!

 

Looking forward to the Calgary Comic Book & Entertainment Expo 2012!

Meeting Kate Vernon and Michael Hogan from 'Battlestar Galactica' at the 2011 Calgary Expo

My wife Crystal and I meeting 'Elvira' at the 2011 Calgary Expo

This & That: Remembering 'Wheels'

Being a Canadian kid I grew up watching the following shows: 'Kids Of Degrassi Street', 'Degrassi Junior High' and 'Degrassi High'. These shows were must see TV for many Canadian youth, and I was fortunate enough to have parents that allowed me to watch the series as it dealt with many serious topics such as abortion, sex, aids, drugs, etc. But some parents didn't allow that show to be shown in their homes. Anyway one of the main characters of that series was 'Wheels'. Wheels had a troubled life. His parents were killed by a drunk driver, then he himself had issues with alcohol and drugs and he alienated his Grandparents who were raising him. By the end of the series he had become an alcoholic and he himself became a drunk driver who killed. 

Sadly real life mirrored his fictitious life for the actor who played Wheels. Guess the Cops found his body 5 years ago but didn't realize until just recently that he had been a teen Canadian celebrity. He had alienated his family so badly with his real life problems with booze and drugs (like the character Wheels) that they haven't talked with him for years and they themselves didn't know he had died 5 years ago. But one article I read said they did know he had died but didn't go public with it. Real sad. The actors name was Neil Hope. 

Wheels, Joey and Snake. All part of the 'Zit Remedy'

May he find the peace in death he didn't find in life. 

On The Menu #3: 'Spring Sun Restaurant'

I am a huge fan of Chinese food when it is done right. In my home town of Barrhead Alberta the best place for Chinese food in my humble opinion is the Spring Sun Restaurant. They have a wide array of Chinese and western cuisine, and often have daily specials which come with soup or salad and ice cream for dessert.

 

On special holidays like 'Mothers Day' for example they usually have a Chinese buffet. I regularly order the combination 'B' which consists of Chicken Chop Suey, Chicken Fried Rice, Sweet & Sour Boneless Pork and Sweet & Sour Chicken Balls. And being a big guy I have a healthy appetite and this combination fills me up.

 

The Spring Sun Restaurant is located 4816 53 Ave, Barrhead, AB. If you are ever in the area and in the mood for Chinese Food be sure to check this place out!