vicky lam

So where have I been?  Well, I disappeared for the last couple of weeks back west to Alberta.  I actually came back last week, but I'm one of those people that get sick while on vacation.  So I spent most of last week recovering.  I was coughing out my lungs for the remainder of my trip in Alberta, so I found it rather difficult to do a post or stand up straight to take pictures with my real camera. So unfortunately, iphone snapshots are all I have.  Toronto is disgustingly humid, and Alberta is the extreme opposite. Could it be possible that I've become allergic to the dry summers of Alberta?  Possibly so.  

So between coughing my lungs (ribs) out, I spent most of my time hanging out with my young nephews and family.  If anyone out there has kids, then you'll know how a child can really take over your time and energy.  I'm never usually around little ones, so the remainder of my trip was interesting.  I think I have gained even more respect for parents out there after this trip.  I was only the aunt - which means I only played with them.  I didn't have to feed, clean or actually take care of them, yet I was absolutely exhausted!  

It seems to me that when people have children of their own, they tend to talk about their kids all the time.  I can finally understand this point now, as I've become the aunt that can talk about her nephews all the time.  Go figure.  I've come to a conclusion that kids become your life and they are so interesting.  It was so neat to see my nephews' personalities really evolve.  The boys are aged 6, 2, and 1, yet each one of them has a distinct character already.  

I find it really refreshing to be around little kids because they keep you on your toes, and you just never know exactly what they're thinking about and how they come up with things.   According to my oldest nephew, Mario and Luigi's last name is "spaghetti" . When I asked why, he simply answered; "Because they love eating spaghetti! Didn't you know that?"  Well, no I did not.  Nonetheless, I liked his simplified answer ending the long debate whether the Mario Brothers' have a surname or not.   For that reason, I'll accept his answer instead.

I found it pretty humourous that I was driving the rental mini van for most of our trip.  Common van conversations sounded something like this: "Put that down!", "Nooooo!", "Ok, who pooped this time?" I realised that all of a sudden, I had been immersed into a very rambunctious family environment - and was very happy to be so.  It was great to check out the Stampede, tour bits of Alberta, to see the mountains again and even check out the West Edmonton Mall.  We got to stay at the hotel in the mall and was able to bring the kids to the indoor water park, amusement park, mini-golf and underground aquarium. Definitely your one-stop shop.  Don't underestimate the WEM.  

I actually meant to put this into one post as a wrap-up of my trip to Alberta, but tumblr won't let me post more than 10 pictures in one post.  So, I've decided to dedicate this post to: New Kids on the Block (and Backstreet Boys).  Yes, for real.  (sorry guys)

But seriously, I may be a fan, but not as much of a fan as my sister. It was a good trip to Alberta and my sister had an extra ticket to see NKOTBSB in Edmonton and I said sure why not?  After moving out east, it's gotten harder and harder to see my family and friends.  I haven't seen my sister in a couple of years now, so I thought it'd be great to spend some time catching up and watching a boy band concert.  Another thing off of my check-list of things to do before I die.

Although I can't say I'm a die-hard fan of New Kids, nor the Backstreet Boys, but I definitely thought it was worth the three hour drive up north to catch them live.  It brought back a whole slew of memories from my childhood and teenage days.  Even though I was never a die-hard fan, I have to admit that I knew the words to almost 80 percent of their songs, but who doesn't right?  There was a good mix of women at the concert - 30 somethings there for New Kids on the Block and then the mid 20 somethings there for the Backstreet Boys.  Regardless though, there was a lot of screaming fans and a lot of estrogen in one place.  

The idea of watching a boy band concert is cheesy and almost embarrassing, but it was still a good time.  Both NKOTB and BSB brought out their boy band outfits (think all white suits from BSB's Millennium album) and women swooned over them left and right. Since the NKOTB are heading closer to their forties now, fan signs have evolved appropriately.  Rather than something like "I love you Joey!", one fan sign read: "Joey, let's wife swap!"

 The Backstreet Boys serenaded four lucky girls from the audience on stage.  Each girl sat on a stool and had a rose in hand, and one boy singing to them.  Of course, each girl sat there with a glazed-over face and even tears flowing from their faces.  Teenage dreams were coming true on stage.  

At one point, the NKOTB dispersed into the audience, and yes we were close enough that we touched Donnie Wahlberg's hands! (gasp!)  And at that moment, a woman in her mid thirties appeared from down our row and muscled her way down the aisle and climbed over the front row just to give Donnie a hug and a kiss. You know, just another grown woman chasing her teenage dreams. Nothing new here.  

I had a great time and would even go so far to say that I'd see them again. It definitely brought back a lot of memories for both my sister and I. The guys may be older, but they're still great entertainers.  My sister has been a die hard fan of NKOTB for the last 25 years and continues to surprise me with her collection of memorabilia.  This time we even picked up a solo cd from Jordan Knight and were told by the sales girl that he personally 'kissed' each cd.  And yep, there's a lip mark on the cd case. Could it really belong to Jordan's lips?  I don't know, but I have to admit it's pretty hilarious.  

A collection of snapshots from this year's Calgary Stampede.  I still feel full from yesterday's events. We started the day off early with the free pancake breakfast at the grounds at 7:45am.  Free pancakes for 20 000 people!

We then made our round on the grounds, played some free bingo at the beginning of the hour. Caught an ice skating show and then tried our luck at the casino and fair grounds.  I loved watching Despicable Me and the little minions.  So I was keen on winning one to bring home.  Actually, who actually keeps all those stuffed animals you win at the fair anyway?  It's really the glory of winning something with your own hands that makes it fun and exciting isn't it?  Anyway, $13 dollars later, I finally won what I wanted!  Thanks to Benny for the tip on playing the horse race game to make it happen!

A shot in this week's issue of The Grid. This here is Brendan Canning's guitar from Broken Social Scene.  I don't know how to play a guitar, but if I owned one, I'd want this one.  I LOVE the colour combo of this baby.  I was told it's one of a kind made specially by Daddy Mojo in Montreal.  Actually Daddy Mojo is known to make custom cigar box guitars.  Very cool! Check them out: http://www.daddy-mojo.com