Seven years. I was one of the first people through the door. I was account #10.

And it was everything I wanted in a comic shop. Nice staff that could talk nerd with you at the drop of a hat, talk friendly and helpful to all folks that came through the door, and never talk down to anyone. Elfsar comics strove to have something for everyone and they were always happy to help you find it. And now it’s dead. Like someone poisoned, it will continue until May 23rd, but then it will collapse and be no more.
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Yay! Summer is approaching, which means the Twilight Drive-in is slowly powering back up for the Summer months!

I grew up going to drive-ins, which was largely luck, as even in the late 70s, early 80s, Drive-ins in Canada – already hampered by seasonal weather considerations – were slowly dying out. When a refinery fire in Calgary crippled then closed the Corral 4, that was pretty much it. It’s only been in the last few years that I got to hit the Brackley Beach Drive-in on PEI, and then regularly attend the Twilight Drive-in in Langley – a mainstay in the lower mainland, it closed for a few years, and then re-opened under new owners, and so far, so good.

The trick, at least for me, is getting a movie line-up that is perfect for a drive-in. Art films and Oscars winners need not apply. Instead, the B-grade and sensational films, films you regard as “renters” are perfect. This weekend’s line-up of Brooklyn’s Finest and The Crazies has “drive-in” written all over it. And if that’s not enough, they have a regular Sunday swap-meet!

So, if you’ve been looking for a good reason to get that Zipcar account, this could be something to seriously consider – screw trips to IKEA. The age of the drive-in will not last forever – enjoy it while you still can.

Never heard of this! Why!?

Hidden near English Bay, along with the HR McMillan Space Centre and The Vancouver Maritime Museum, is the Museum of Vancouver, which is definitely an alternative to the Vancouver Art Gallery – hands-on and interactive versus stand and stare. Not that I’m saying one is better than the other, I’m just delighted to discover the MOV.

With tickets ranging from ten to fifteen bucks, depending on the event, you can enjoy everything from a family night of making cardboard animals to Friday’s screening of Handmade Nation.

A Documentary By Faythe Levine

Handmade Nation documents the new wave of art, craft and design that is capturing the attention of the nation. It is the feature film debut of director, author, artist and curator Faythe Levine. Levine traveled to 15 cities and covered more than 19,000 miles to interview artists, crafters, makers, curators and community members.

Today’s craft world has emerged as a synthesis of historical technique, punk culture, and the DIY ethos, also influenced by traditional handiwork, modern aesthetics, politics, feminism and art.

Director Faythe Levine captured the tightly knit community that exists through websites, blogs, and online stores that connect to the greater public through independent boutiques, galleries and craft fairs.

Interviews were conducted on-location in artist studios, homes, boutiques, offices and craft fairs, giving the public an exclusive and rarely seen look into the lives of these creative individuals.

Screening will be followed by a reception in the MOV Studio.

Tickets will be sold online ($12) until 5pm, Thursday, March 18. Remaining tickets will be available for purchase at Visitor Services on the 19th. No Refunds. No Latecomers Permitted.

[VIA VIA]

I had no idea, until I read this post at Senses and Style – apparently there’s a trend (or movement, or what have you) for surprise dining. Dining without a helmet. Ultra-spontaneous dining. Let me elaborate;

No Fixed Address is where you email reservations (to nfa.reservations@gmail.com) and that’s it – your involvement is done until chewing is required. You know the date you will be dining, but you do not know where dining will occur until the day before (so you can plan transportation appropriately) and you don’t know the menu until the day of (so you can… I’m not sure why? Maybe so you have some option to say “Strawberry’s will kill me” and adjustments can be made for you, or you can back out.) Once there and seated all you have to do is enjoy. I like it.

Have a look at S&S’s adventure in mystery dining here, complete with pictures.

photos by Senses and Styles

I realize it’s probably a bit tacky to suddenly return after not posting for a long while to try to drive more traffic to a video I made, but hey I still have the most posts on Vancouver Metblogs so I figure it should be allowed.  Granted most of those posts were just a video of the sea otters at the Vancouver Aquarium floating around their tank holding hands, but it’s hard work making that seem new after the fourth hundred time.  And gosh aren’t they cute?

In exchange for housing during the Olympics an out-of-town friend of mine provided me with tickets to see the Men’s Olympic Ice Hockey game between Canada and the United States of America.  Inspiredby the righteously awesome “A Night At The Emirates” video [yt] I set out to make my own fan’s perspective video.  It’s hard to say how it turned out because I’ve spent too much time on it to see it clearly and my wife loves me just enough not to insult it to my face.

So enjoy the video as you prepare to watch Team Canada (hopefully) beat up on Germany tonight.  Looking on the bright side it was a valuable wake-up call early in the tournament that hopefully will let us adjust before facing tougher opposition like Russia; though to be fair that’s what the game against Switzerland should have been.

Ever wanted to see The Colbert Report live?

Well, if you can get down to Science World by 9:15AM on Wednesday and Thursday, you can!

Start Time:
Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at 9:15am
End Time:
Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 9:15pm
Location:
Creekside Park next to Science World
Description
The Colbert Report is taping at Creekside Park next to Science World on Wednesday 2/17 and Thursday 2/18 at 10am to a live audience. Please arrive by 9:15am if you would like to participate. Keep in mind there is no parking in the area so public transport is the best option

Like it or lump it, the Olympics are here and the city will never be the same. I wasn’t going to start this, hopefully, ongoing feature until later tomorrow, after I’ve had a chance to check out the Panasonic Pavillion and their swank 3D technology, but already the tales are upon us and it’s time to catalog them;

– Word is the events are being broadcast in HD, for free, to anyone with an HD TV and a little tinkering. I’m trying to find out more, but in the meantime, has anybody heard of this, or is this the topical equivalent of “Email this to 10 friends and Bill Gates will buy you lunch?”

– Not everything during the Olympics costs money or requires a lottery draw! Check out Where 2 Be For Free! Free Wilco concert on Saturday! Robson Square has a zip-line! And more!

– Have you seen those big, red, no stopping bags dropped over parking meters (like on the Broadway corridor or Main Street)? Well, they mean it. One part security and one part keeping a lane open for critical bus lines, the city is enforcing their temporary no-stopping policy with a (get ready) $1000 fine. I found this out from a local business who’s deliveries got upset by the truck’s inability to stop right out front of the store.

– That helicopter is keeping me up at night. I’m just saying.

– UBC students are getting some time off. Which seems a considerable road bump mid-semester. I haven’t heard any information about how the departments are taking this into account, but at least Greek row has figured out how to capitalize on the events.

– Olympics, this is the Internets. Internets, these are the Olympics. And hilarity ensues, as Pedo Bear becomes the unofficial fifth mascot for the Vancouver Olympics. Take THAT, Hidy and Howdy!

OK, there’s lots going on – what have you seen or heard? Send in your Olympic links and tales.

It’s never fun when the title of a post encompasses the sum total of information, but that’s the case here. Next Thursday, the Olympic torch hits town – if you’d like to see it run by, route and times have been released online. It’s a fairly clever route, that seems to provide ample viewing opportunities without having to travel too far (unless you live above or below Vancouver, otherwise you’re making a trip no matter what – bring lunch.)

Are you a critical thinker looking to meet with like minded individuals to share information and good conversation? Are you a self-righteous windbag who knows it all and is looking for real-world validation over your usual Internet diatribes? Well get ready, cuz Vancouver SkeptiCamp is coming to UBC. Saturday, March 20th if you’re the former. Saturday, March 27th if you’re the later – don’t worry if no one is there, it’s only because they’re intimidated by you.

SkeptiCamps are informal, community-organized conferences borne from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. Everyone from casual skeptics to the experienced participate, give talks and get to know each other.

Date: Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 10 am to 6 pm
Location: UBC’s Victoria Learning Theatre (Room 182) at Irving K. Barber Learning Centre, 1961 East Mall, Vancouver [map]

Speakers: Anyone can volunteer to give a talk, but space is limited. Talks can be as short as 5 minutes, or as long as 20 minutes, but there’s always an opportunity for questions and audience interaction during and after the presentation. Register now and indicate your desire to give a presentation and email us your intended topic. Do you know an interesting speaker? Get them to register!
Admission: Free, but space is limited. Register by email now to guarantee your spot.
T-shirts: $10 for those who register early and email us their shirt size preference. Extra shirts may also be available at the event for a slightly higher price.
Wifi Internet: Free for anyone who registers and requests access, emailing us their full name, email address and telephone number.
Registration: Email vancouverskepticamp@gmail.com

Feel free to Twitter during the event and post photos to Flickr. Use the tag “VanSkeptiCamp” so others can search for your tweets and pictures.
This will be Vancouver’s third SkeptiCamp event, and we expect it to be the biggest and best yet. Come out to see and hear local skeptics give presentations, perform demonstrations, and discuss a wide range of topics related to science, skepticism, and critical thinking. Your participation will help make this event a success.

For those now scratching their heads, here is a definition of Skepticism.

It’s a little self-indulgent, but then, the filming of the CW show, Life Unexpected, is literally across the street from my place; I don’t know if a post about it is indulgent or unavoidable.

The people across the way basically got their house overhauled, on the outside at least, all on Warner’s dime – the only cost to them is having to go stay at a hotel every once and awhile.

The crew was still setting up in the morning before this photo, and as I left for work I passed by the location manager, who I’d spoken to before, during the early days of prepping the property – she gave a friendly smile and hello, but I’m pretty sure all she got back was a cold, blank, bleary-eyed, half-awake stare. Poor thing.

Anybody else getting a lot of production in their neighbourhood? I wonder what will happen when the Olympics butt heads with Hollywood.