Vancouver PRO/AM Fit expo

I had the opportunity to go to the FIRST Vancouver PRO/AM bodybuilding competition and fitness expo. This is the first of a new Olympia qualifying competition, so a lot of big names came out to see the expo, or compete. It was cool, because there was a lot of amateur competitors there as well, so I got to see what some of the local ladies and gents look like. 

The event was the weekend of July 25-26, but I only went on the Saturday. It was actually quite a small event, but it was pretty busy, what with it being the first of its kind.

One of my favourite moments was getting to see some of the champions. Like, Flex Lewis. And Dana Lynn Bailey. Mostly DLB. Seriously. I couldn't go near her-I was both in awe, and terrified I'd embarrass myself. Which I would have. I'll have a video of some of her talk on my YouTube later!

And Rich Piana. Now, if you don't know, yes, this man is on steroids, and he promotes the CAREFUL and PROPER use of them. Despite that, it still takes a LOT of work to get, and maintain, being this big. If you feel the need to talk about how big dudes are all on steroids, or some shit-don't. if you really can;t stop yourself, go somewhere else. I don't want to hear it.

And he is fucking huge.

They also had some pretty cool demonstrations, although  most of them I didn't get pictures of. There was belly dancing, pole dancing, powerlifting, and other lifts. We watched this girl basically giver herself an aneurysm. Well, not actually, but after she got these 5 plates (just under 225kg) up, she gave herself a nose bleed. We decided to leave after that.

And one of the cool things about the expo was all the free samples we got! Don't get me wrong, we bought a bunch of stuff too. Although I forgot to buy protein, which is awful, since I'm actually about to run out. There were also lifting competitions for the guests to win prizes, like shirts or shaker cups. One of my friends had to win me a Pharmafreak tank top because my finger makes me still kinda gimpy. Its so close to being healed, but so far.

Fan expo Vancouver 2015

For the second year in a row, I managed to hit up some of Fan Expo Vancouver! Only a week after Emerald city made for a busy as hell comic con run, but it was a lot of fun. The nice thing about the one here in Vancouver is that it is still pretty small, so its much less chaotic. The downside is that, sometimes, the guests are less than super impressive. And more likely to cancel (*cough* Karen Gillian*cough*)

Anyways, the big draw for me was seeing Jennifer Morrison, who plays Emma Swan on Once upon a Time. She was funny as hell, and I recorded a smidge of her talk. They SAID no recordings but a little one doesn't hurt right?

Did you go to Fan Expo? Are you going to the one in Toronto-which is the big one? Let me know in the comments!

Hair was on point. So was my Loot Crate shirt.

The Delorean, from Back to the Future. I think it was here last year too.

I wish I had this much time on my hands. Like, for real.

I think this was for charity?

Jennifer Morrison. She moves around a lot.

So, i assume you don't know these guys by sight, but the fellow is Brad Swaile, better known as Light in Death Note, and Gohan in Dragonball Z. The lady in the middle is Veronica Taylor, best known as Ash (and his mother) from Pokemon, Sailor Pluto from Sailor Moon Crystal, and April O'Neil on TMNT

Have you watched the cycling anime? WAY better than I was expecting! Little cards are great for all the travelling I do too!

One of my fave, top 10 animes for sure. If you haven't watched it, drop everything, and start. Its amazing. Seriously. Go.

Also drop everything and run to get the Rat Queens comics. As long as you are into badass babes, who put the sexy back into wholesale slaughter. Hannah is my spirit animal.

New deadlifting socks! Now I just need to deadlift more often

And, obviously, I needed the Boba Fett dress. I mean, who doesn't?

Busy!

So, I just wanted to let you guys know that you should be expecting me to be a little quiet over August, and then have a TONNE of stuff just after. I'm heading to Ontario for vacation, and I'll be hitting up several cities (Ottawa, Toronto, Niagara Falls) and have a LOT of awesome things planned, and i will be sharing as much of it as I can with you guys.

So, if I am a little silent, in video and blog form, please forgive me. That said, my Instagram and Twitter will be the place to find me for frequent updates and awesome pics.

Thanks for your patience, and don't forget to follow me in my other social media sites! <3

Twitter @Anteela
Instagram @Sutsuna
YouTube @Anteela

Cirque du soleil Totem

This year is the 30th anniversary of Cirque Du Soleil, a Canadian based circus company that specializes in carnival meet athletic ability performances. I finally got the opportunity to go to one of the main, and the newest show, Totem. I've seen Cirque as part of a show in Vegas with Criss Angel, which was a lot of fun, but this show was totally different.

The big top circus tent

I would have loved to get some photos, of a video, of the show, but doing so endangers the performers, and it's forbidden. Unlike many of the other Cirque performances, this one was different in that it was much less circus and much more organic performance. The actors are so damn talented, its almost unreal. I love how international the cast is as well, choosing talent over any national boundaries.

Some of the awesome stuff available for purchase

My thoughts on being able to do ANY of the things the performers could. Seriously, so talented!

Yum Yum popcorn!

Cirque selfie!

Photography wasn't allowed, but I got a quick snap before the show

the Cirque logo

Aren't these masks just beautiful?

.I don't know where, of even if, Totem is heading next, but if you guys get a chance to see the travelling version of Cirque, or, really, any version, I highly recommend it! There are always shows going on in Vegas, and you can get some pretty cheap tickets too. I suggest the travelling show because then you get to be in a big top. While the big top has less room for the BIG theatrics and technical stuff, it is super magical to see it all in a circus tent, you know?

So, have you guys been to Cirque du Soleil? What did you think?

Here is the official trailer for Totem, give it a watch, and tell me what you think!

The Anniversary-Photo Post!

All just photos! I do suggest a visit to Van Dusen if you are in Vancouver, and want to try something off the beaten path. Admission is about $10.00 at high time, and there is special family rates, as well as youth/senior/student discounts.

 More after the jump!

That Anniversary thing!

Anniversaries-they happen every year, you know? A little while ago, that whole wedding anniversary happened and we went out to celebrate. Now, our anniversary falls between semesters. For those who don't rely on student loans for, like, everything, let me explain the importance of this.

Student loans come the beginning of each semester, and the end of semester and period between semesters is the Dark Place of no money, little food, and being a homebody. Now, we planned for this, a little. We put aside a bit of extra money, and made sure to have enough to go out for the wedding anniversary.
We decided to go to the Van Dusen Gardens, here in Vancouver.

Van Dusen is a HUGE garden in the middle of the city which has a cute little cafe/restaurant, a special area for weddings and events, and an insanely huge collection of rare plants from all over the world. They have separated each area into specific geographic regions, each of which tend to bloom at different times of the year, which is how the gardens are able to stay open year round. We came during the early spring period, but just after the cherry blossom festival.

The gardens feature several festivals year round, which highlight the plants that are in bloom. They also have a FANTASTIC festival of lights during the christmas season to celebrate that whole thing. It is just a huge affair, with winter favourites-including hot chocolate, story readings, Santa and, of course, millions of Christmas lights. I haven't gone yet, but I have heard nothing be fantastic things about this festival.

What I love about the gardens are the little places to get lost, and just get caught up in the beauty of nature, and just BE. The gardens take about 1.5 hours to go through in their entirety, but I suggest taking closer to 2 or 3 hours there. The little cafe/restaurant has afternoon tea available, as well as snacks, drinks and full meals at fairy decent prices. I had an Earl Grey macaron, and it was just sinful.

I have loads more pictures, but I'll put them in another post, which will be the photo-only continuation of this post in a day or so!
Until then!
xo

Fan Expo-Vancouver style

This is way late in the coming, but back in April, I went to Fan Expo here in Vancouver! For interest's sake, Fan Expo is one of the largest comic conventions in North America and the Toronto counterpart is actually the biggest in Canada (which isn't saying much, since we are all of 33 million people up here) and takes place in August. I want to go to that one, but, alas, my travel dates have me leaving right before that convention.

Now, the totally unfortunate thing about this convention is that I dropped the ball. I actually forgot the charge my camera, and my battery died! It actually died in the middle of filming of Billy Boyd singing the Edge of Night. It was tragic!

So, these are the small amount of pictures I managed to get before the camera died, and the video is one that I stole from someone else.

 I LOVED The Last Unicorn when I was young. My parents bought me the new released DVD, but I have to convince the husband to watch it still. But, that is totally the author, Peter Beagle.

Original Star Wars concept art? So awesome!

Billy Boyd, of Lord of the Rings fame

Tom Felton. I had to keep my distance, otherwise I would fangirl too much. Seriously. Sorta in love with him

The reason I can't lose weight-sweet, delicious mini donuts. So good!

Billy Boyd, again.

More Billy Boyd!

The things that some people can do with lego is nuts.

I tried to record this, but my damn camera died, as mentioned. It still pisses me off. But, here is his talk about the song, and the making of it, and, finally, singing Edge of Night (the King Denethor scene for those who don't know)