Annual EX Weekend
Aug. 26th, 2013 09:46 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
rusty_armourThis past weekend was the annual EX pilgrimage. As usual, my mom came to stay, and we had a WONDERFUL time. On Friday, we took in Mesopotamia: Inventing Our World at the ROM. It's a fascinating exhibit with a great gift shop. Sadly, my mom and I get equally excited by gift shops as exhibits. Not surprisingly, we spent money in both museum gift shops. We spent even more money the following day at the EX. We both bought new bags. My mom's bag is more beautiful and expensive than mine, but I got a great deal and it's something that should last me for years. My mom managed to find it for me while I was at the Vintage Video booth buying a combo Three Musketeers/Four Musketeers DVD. Actually, I got a pretty good deal on that too, but not as good a deal as I got for the 3-Disc Collector's Edition of Hot Fuzz, which was only $5 before taxes. OMG,
tazzles, I wish I'd seen the light sooner because it's a special features paradise! Speaking of the Cornetto Trilogy, we saw The World's End yesterday! Yeah, Roy! :-D It was funny and clever and we both thoroughly enjoyed it. However, we both agreed that Hot Fuzz was still our favourite of the three. I ended up snapping some pictures at the EX, so, naturally, I'm inflicting them on my flist. The first two are from the cat show. My mom and I always go to the EX on the day of the cat show. Anywaaaaay, I couldn't resist taking pictures of a pile of Ragdoll kittens sleeping in this carrier. If I remember correctly, there were six kittens in total.
Another annual tradition is the International Sand Sculpting Competition. I thought that all of the entries were fantastic, so I snapped some photos.
My favourite sculpture
Cyberbully sculpture. My mom had to point out that the animal is a bull. *g*
My mom's favourite sculpture
Probably my second favourite sculpture -- and not just
because it's by a Canadian artist and came in second
place. It also appeals to me because I'm a Sherlock Holmes fan. *g*
Not surprisingly, this is the winning sculpture.
I believe it was created by a Russian artist.
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Date: 2013-08-27 07:48 am (UTC)Those sand sculptures are amazing. Deciding which one was your favourite must be so hard.
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Date: 2013-08-27 04:47 pm (UTC)That's reassuring because my collection keeps growing. *g*
Those sand sculptures are amazing. Deciding which one was your favourite must be so hard.
I'm glad their beauty came across in the pictures. And, yes, I'm surprised I was able to pick a favourite as each of the sculptures is stunning. I admire the work that went into all of them.
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Date: 2013-08-27 08:04 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-27 04:52 pm (UTC)I can only imagine how much work went into each of them. And they seem to get better every year. :-)
I love the crocodile one, they've always been a favourite animal of mine. When visiting a zoo, I'm always eager to head straight to the reptile house lol.
Great choice -- not that you could really go wrong with any of them. :-) I do admire the complex design of this sculpture, not to mention all the intricate detail. I can also understand heading straight to the reptile house. They're really fascinating.
Glad you and your Mum had such a wonderful time *hugs* :)
*Hugs in return* Ah, thanks,
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Date: 2013-08-27 02:50 pm (UTC)I'm glad you posted about The World's End. Hubby and I plan to see that when things settle down a bit.
I hope you didn't eat a cronut burger. ;) I don't think they're serving them any more, but better safe than sick.
It is really sweet that you and your mom get along so well and have so many common interests. Cherish her.
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Date: 2013-08-27 07:21 pm (UTC)Good point! That's probably why it is my favourite! :-) Of course, as you've pointed out, they're all stunning, so it would be impossible to go wrong with any of these choices.
I'm glad you posted about The World's End. Hubby and I plan to see that when things settle down a bit.
If you enjoyed Shaun of the Dead and/or Hot Fuzz then I'm sure you'll like The World's End. A lot of familiar faces have returned and it really is a brilliant script. Hope you and the hubby will be able to see it soon.
I hope you didn't eat a cronut burger. ;) I don't think they're serving them any more, but better safe than sick.
I can honestly say that we didn't. It didn't appeal to me even before the mass food poisoning, though I just found out that it wasn't the cronut or burger that did it. Apparently, it was the topping. As it looks absolutely disgusting, I'm not surprised.
It is really sweet that you and your mom get along so well and have so many common interests. Cherish her.
I'm grateful that we do get along so well and have so many common interests. :-D
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Date: 2013-08-27 03:21 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-27 07:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-27 05:12 pm (UTC)And like someone else mentioned here, one can never have too many bags (or backpacks). LOL.
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Date: 2013-08-27 07:26 pm (UTC)We definitely had fun. I'm glad you like the kittens and the sculptures,
And like someone else mentioned here, one can never have too many bags (or backpacks). LOL.
I'm happy you think so. It's a very nice bag that should serve me well. :-)
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Date: 2013-08-27 10:43 pm (UTC)OMG those sand sculptures are AMAZING. *boggles*
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Date: 2013-08-28 03:22 pm (UTC)I don't think the pictures capture the absolute adorableness of the fluffy kitten pile, but I'm glad that at least some of the cuteness came through. :-)
OMG those sand sculptures are AMAZING. *boggles*
I'm so glad you like them. The artists do an incredible job every year. In fact, I think the sculptures just keep getting better and better. :-)
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Date: 2013-08-28 09:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-28 03:28 pm (UTC)Thanks,
I have seen The Worlds End yet, but I can't wait. Hot Fuzz is one of my favourite movies! So funny.
I think you're in for a real treat with The World's End, especially considering how much you love Hot Fuzz. :-) I still love Hot Fuzz more, but I'd say that The World's End still has its own unique appeal. One thing that did make me very happy was seeing Martin Freeman get a much bigger role. It was also cool to see Simon Pegg and Nick Frost do a bit of a role reversal with Simon Pegg being the more immature and irresponsible friend, though both of their characters are wonderful.
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Date: 2013-08-29 10:39 pm (UTC)The sculptures are kick arse. But your 2nd fave one-what is it??
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Date: 2013-08-30 03:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-09-01 06:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-08-30 03:31 pm (UTC)Oh, Herne, tell me about it! The same thing happens to me! In fact, I remember one time in a bookstore when my friends were ooohing and ahhhing over baby photos from an Anne Geddes book while I was doing the same thing with a book on kittens. *g*
The sculptures are kick arse. But your 2nd fave one-what is it??
It's a beehive complete with bees and honey. The Sherlock Holmes reference (if you need it) is that Holmes retired to Sussex to raise bees. :-)
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Date: 2013-08-30 11:19 am (UTC)I found World's End to be entertaining but not as funny as the previous two. A good romp all the same. Loved seeing Nick Frost beating the crap out of people with a stool!
Some of those sand castles look pretty awesome!
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Date: 2013-08-30 04:56 pm (UTC)They're even better than I imagined! You can tell that it was put together by geeks who love films and DVD extras. The DVD really does have everything you could possibly want. I mean, I'm still working my way through the special features and I haven't even got to the five commentaries yet.
I have to agree with you about Hot Fuzz being the best of the Cornetto Trilogy. Or should I say the The 91 on Rotten Tomatoes Trilogy, as per Edgar Wright? ;)
I'm glad you agree about Hot Fuzz. Whatever you call it, I found it the funniest and most entertaining of the three.
I found World's End to be entertaining but not as funny as the previous two. A good romp all the same. Loved seeing Nick Frost beating the crap out of people with a stool!
Yeah, that was pretty much my reaction. It's definitely entertaining and stands up extremely well on its own, but it's not my favourite of the trilogy. Of course, it does have some awesome moments, such as Nick Frost beating the crap out of people with a stool. *g*
Some of those sand castles look pretty awesome!
I'm glad you think so. I think the artists did an amaaaaazing job. :-)
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Date: 2013-08-30 02:59 pm (UTC)You must have been delighted to find Hot Fuzz at a bargain price.
A lovely pile of Ragdoll kittens - they look so cuddly: all warm and furry and sleepy!
The sand sculptures are incredible!
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Date: 2013-08-30 07:28 pm (UTC)Ah, thanks,
I understand the fascination of gift shops attached to exhibits, historic sites, etc. I love buying people gifts when I go overseas.
I'm glad we're not the ones who see the appeal. Of course, these shops obviously wouldn't exist if we were...Such shops are great for picking up gifts for people, though I have to confess that what I bought was for ME, ME, ME! *g*
You must have been delighted to find Hot Fuzz at a bargain price.
Oh, I definitely was, especially as I was wishing I had the special edition but thinking it was really extravagant to buy it when I already had a copy of the regular DVD. However, when they're practically giving it away, it's silly not to buy it. And I have a friend who might be interested in the original copy, so that helps justify the special edition as well. :-)
A lovely pile of Ragdoll kittens - they look so cuddly: all warm and furry and sleepy!
I had to resist the temptation to open the carrier door and reach for one. Believe me, the pictures don't do them justice.
The sand sculptures are incredible!
I'm amazed each year how beautiful and detailed they are. :-)
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Date: 2013-09-08 11:43 pm (UTC)Ooo! I look forward to seeing the new bag.
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Date: 2013-09-09 01:02 am (UTC)I have no idea what you're talking about. *shifts guiltily and casts nervous glances over her shoulder* Yes, okay. Fine. I wanted a sand sculpture of kittens. A massive sculpture that reached almost as high as the ceiling. In fact, I think the sculpture should have taken up that entire sandpit. *Stares off dreamily into space* Maybe next year, the theme will finally be kittens...
BTW, if you think I was bad yesterday with that cat on Yonge, you should have seen me today. I went into a pet supply store because I just couldn't stand seeing that big brown tabby in the window (again) without being able to pet her. I went in and just did that. Then, to my delight, I saw that there were two more cats, so I pet them as well. I told the guy behind the counter that I was shamelessly visiting his cats, but would try to make a purchase (for my parents' cats) at some future date. I don't know if he bought it, but it allowed me to make a slightly less clumsy exit.
Ooo! I look forward to seeing the new bag.
I hope you like it. Of course, it may or may not be your bag. *winces at pun* Sorry. That was bad even by my standards. *g*