Most of the time, downtown Toronto is a bustling metropolis. But right now is not most of the time. During a past Saturday afternoon post-pandemic, Steff and I had to make a trip into the city to get a few things she needed from her work. What we saw was certainly…different.
Last week, myself and many others made the trip to SickKids Hospital in Toronto for the annual Extra Life Kick-Off party. It served as an opportunity for existing guild members to reconnect and for newcomers to learn how to get involved. Most importantly, it was an opportunity for all of us to reflect on why our fundraising efforts are so important.
The Enthusiast Gaming Live Expo is the largest video gaming convention in Canada. Though the event has been taking place for a few years now, this was my first time attending. Here’s an assortment of pictures and a recap of what we experienced!
Located in the theatre district of Toronto, Par-Tee Putt combines the joy of mini golf with pop culture and alcohol. With holes based on Pokemon, Game of Thrones and The Price is Right among many others, this attraction has created a lot of buzz in the city. With a few hours to spare before the Lizzo concert, my wife Steff and hit the back nine for a few hols of geeky mini putt.
Next year, Overwatch League will be taking its show on the road, and my brother and I will be there! We got our tickets to their April home stand and I’m pumped!
Originating as a Sailor Moon convention years ago, Pretty Heroes in Toronto has expanded in size and scope. More fandoms are represented, though Sailor Moon is still the star of the show. The convention has moved to a larger venue just east of the downtown core. And it’s also the first year my wife and I were in attendance!
During my formative years, the Woodbine Centre mall just outside of Toronto was the most magical place on Earth. Featuring an amusement park inside, I loved playing in the ball pit, sliding down the tall slide that starts three stories up, and riding on the park’s iconic carousel. Had to ride the horses that bobbed up and down, of course.
As a kid, my mom took night school courses in the area for a few years. Because the timing didn’t work out for my dad, brother, and I to go home, we hung out at Woodbine Centre instead. My brother was peak age for the amusement park, while we both got a kick out of playing at the arcade. This arcade is where I got my first taste of such classics as Street Fighter II, Mortal Kombat, and NBA Jam.
Since those days of making regular visits, I’ve seldom returned. I’m rarely in the area and haven’t had a reason to go back. That is, until the mall’s Baskin Robbins got converted to Scoops Ahoy for a limited time. Re-themed to match the look of the ice cream shop prominently featured in Stranger Things 3, my wife and I made a visit to the mall that was a pivotal piece of my childhood.
Over the weekend, Steff and I attended the Game X convention. Taking place just west of Toronto in a hotel ballroom, it was the first convention I’ve been to that was dedicated solely to video games. Let me give you a peek at what you missed!
Last week, I attended the Extra Life Toronto Guild Kickoff Meeting at SickKids Hospital. With dozens of gamers in attendance, the staff at Sick Kids and the Extra Life Toronto Guild gave us an inspiring presentation that demonstrated how important our fundraising efforts are. It served as a wonderful reminder that video games and our interactions with them can mean so much more than just the immediate gratification we get from playing them.
On November 4th, 2004, Vaughan Mills Mall opened its doors to the public. Located just across the street from Canada’s Wonderland, this shopping centre features hundreds of stores, a Legoland park and even a bowling alley. It’s a great place for shopping, but how is the Pokemon Go scene over there?
In Third Person 