Category Archives: Events

05.21.13
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A Day of Scottish Celebration

150th Annual Victoria Highland
Games & Celtic Festival 
May 18 & 19, 2013 
Topaz Park 
Victoria, B.C.

J: After years of inopportune moments, Ed and I have finally managed to visit the Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival at the same time. It’s a place where asking for a loonie in change will either get you a giggle (a loonie in Scotland means a small boy) but hopefully not a Glasgow smile (a cut across the face).

After finally obtaining time off through my boss, I found I was left to wander Topaz Park for a time on my own as Mr. Ed Sum decided it was within his best interest to sleep in. I’d hoped I would be able to spot H.R.H. Prince Andrew, the Duke of York during my rounds, but in all honesty a chance to spot his royal highness wasn’t my main reason for attending the games that day.

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04.15.13
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The Morning After, a Roleplaying Adventure

Medieval Cosplay Day
Sunday, April 14, 2013
12pm – 8pm

J: Many questions have been asked down throughout the years, century after century, driving men’s minds, spanning a millenia. Eternal questions like the daring “does a Scotsman wear anything under his kilt?” or the more thoughtful “Why does fluff appear in my navel?” are raised.

I wonder if Henry VIII asked himself that last question. But one that always puzzled me was “Can a LARPer (Live Action Role Player) party?”

And at the event, held at Victoria’s Brickyard Pizza, Ed and I discovered yes, yes they can.

E: I should warn that anyone standing near them or just hanging out in the tight space at the rear of the shop to be ready to duck or swerve out of the way, especially when those medieval foot soldiers are drunk. In the group that showed up early, they were partying it up at 2 pm. But with a few errands for me to do in town, James and I took a bit of a break, We returned to find the group getting louder around 5:30 pm when the anticipation of food was looming near.

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09.04.12
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Fly over to Greece for Consistency

Victoria Greek Fest 2012
4648 Elk Lake Dr.
Royal Oak, BC

J: When Ed asked me if I would the return to the annual Greek Fest, my exuberance knew no bounds. To me the Greeks are a wonderful and beautiful people who I find have many similarities to the Portuguese and Italians. Many of them have a passion for food, love and their religion. The last of which I most admire.

I was hoping to find 2 out of 3 on the recent Blokes outing (I was already spoken for). My natural curiousity to view the grandeur that is the Greek Orthodox Church had not waned in the two years since my failed attempt.

On my stroll to the occasion I took a moment to observe the Churches of both peoples, the Greeks and the Portuguese, as they stood proudly against a Saanich summer sky. They reminded me more of two embassies than churches, steadfast and a better representation for their people than any diplomat could offer.

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09.06.11
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Greek Fest 2011

10th Annual
Victoria Greek Fest
4648 Elk Lake Dr.
Royal Oak, B.C.

Either James is still recovering from our last outing or he’s hard at work at his day job, while I’m partying like it’s 1999. My counterpart is showing his age and slowing down, but yet, I’m moving at warp speed and I’m older!

Sunday’s weather topped at 25 degrees Celsius when I was at Greek Fest 2011. I met up with Mike from 28 Days Later Analysis, the horror news and reviews website, to hang out with and to enjoy the atmosphere. But more importantly, I didn’t want to miss out from what I didn’t try last year.

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07.02.11
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Thrifty’s Back Bacon Day

b0180-thrifty2b008J: I only had one thing on my mind the day before Canada Day and that was back bacon! The idea of heading down to Thrifty Foods for some BBQ grilled Freybe’s back bacon. It had my mouth watering. I arrived at their Colwood location with money to donate (it’s suggested in their advertising).

E: And for those roosters out there, a great way to start the day. I’m more like the owl and I was yawning all the way to take a look at what’s happening at the Tuscany Village and Saanich Centre location since they’re nearby.

For this event, it’s all about location, location, location … any other detail doesn’t matter.

And quite simply: helping local communities. In Victoria, the money raised will go to Jeneece Place and on the mainland, to the BC Children’s Hospital. It’s great to see these grocers support these local causes.

J: And goodness knows I did my part. But I was a little disappointed I could only eat two before my stomach said, “no more!” Come on stomach, the back bacon was delicious! The staff were very friendly and I chatted with a few of them. But alas all good things must come to an end. Work was calling and I had to shuffle off (which was all I could manage on a full belly).

06.28.11
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Fernwood Bites Back

Fernwood Bites 2011
Fernwood Square
Victoria, BC
June 26, 2011

E: At the rate I was flying on a Sunday, the early evening couldn’t come any sooner. Expectations were very high between James and I for Fernwood Bites, and I must say, we weren’t disappointed. It helped us identify what the best of Fernwood is all about: locally grown products and innovation.

Aubergine Speciality Foods, a quaint grocery store, was our first stop and we were greeted with rustic tomatoes and Cherry Coke from Great Britain!

J: I was keeping my eyes on the groceries from the UK, the locally grown produce and those South African teas. But let’s not forget the baked goods and fair trade coffee. Mmmm, cookies with macadamia nuts.

I walked away with something for almost everyone in my family. My dad loved that Heirloom tomato.

While Ed rushed off after forgetting his wallet and apparently his pants too (he was flashing knees in khaki shorts), I took my mark near the Fernwood Bites starting line.

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