Steppesister
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2013
Hope classes are going well, Meghan!!!
Hope things are going well with school. Have you started your clinical's yet?
Hope classes are going well, Meghan!!!
That sounds both very interesting and very rewarding.This term we get to do the equivalent of 5 practicum days (5 full days, or 10 half days.) I'm assigned to a private practice clinic, so we're seeing lots of cute kids and a few adults, too, all with various speech and language goals. My supervisor is nice, and very thorough, so we're learning a lot.
Love the Song of Ice and Fire! When N does the figures, does he make custom stencils? I've watched some of his insta videos but they are all the short, more generic (though equally beautiful) ones!
Ok, that's just adorable!Also, this is where I made one of only two comic con purchases all summer: his name is Fleevee (because he's an Eevee dressed like a Flareon), and he was stupidly expensive. Honestly, I'm only a casual Pokemon fan at best, but I thought he was adorable.
For those, does N get an order and then he does it that day, or is it a while in advance? Sorry - just curious about the whole process!At this con, N also painted one of the coolest pieces I think he's done. It was on a 2'x3' canvas for a woman who was disappointed at the lack of Batgirl merchandise at cons.
Hilarious! All of your hank photos are great.
You make me want to go to Niagara Falls!We did the Niagara Falls Comic Con—see evidence of the new sign I made!—went to Marineland, stayed a night at a hotel overlooking both the US and Canadian sides of the falls, had crazy awesome burgers at Works Burger, went to African Lion Safari, and had crazy awesome sushi at Sushi Ai.
And a ribfest!It's...well....a lot of ribs. N has worked at a lot of ribfests over the last few years, and he's gotten to know quite a few of the "ribbers," as they're called, personally. We...ate well that weekend. Much BBQ. Nom!)
Glad to hear school is going well but i'm sure it is keeping you crazy busy. Hang in there!With the glacial pace this TR has been moving, and with how busy I've managed to stay with my school work
Funny I saw that and thought couldn't an artist do a little bit better than that
Don't worry, it didn't take me long to make him a much better sign than that.
This sounds amazing!!!!! Who doesn't want a carnie version of Sea World.If you're unfamiliar, you're not alone. Most people have never heard of it, especially if they didn't grow up in Canada with the catchy commercials on tv. It's kind of like what would happen if Sea World and a dated-looking travelling summer carnival had a baby. It's not particularly thrilling, but the animal shows are neat, and I was obsessed with going as a kid, so I'm glad I finally made little past-Meghan's dream come true.
Gorgeous picture !
Speaking of gorgeous....
That ain't a Marine animal
Oh your summer sounds amazing. Especially jealous of PEI. I need time to slow down and lobsters and beaches and Green Gables and did I mention lobsterIf you've never heard of/been to PEI, it's a small island province (Canada's version of a "state" ) on the east coast of Canada. Anne of Green Gables, lobster, potatoes, and red coloured dirt are its main exports. It's a beautiful place. Time seems to slow down just a bit
Wow!!! That is insane for that far north
Lest any of us worry if a woman is on the job"Don't worry. You have a woman to help you!" It summed up the theme of the summer nicely.
These are awesome!!!! Nate is definitely talented. I got to see Hamilton this summer so this one especially speaks to me.
I dont think you can be a Canadian Kid if you have never been to Marineland- I mean "Everyone loves Marineland!"... Glad you had such a great summer!Hello, friends!
Really, let's be real...I mean, do you guys even still remember me?? So...it's been a while. Sorry.
Also, a shout out and an apology to the many commenters I haven't been very faithfully responding to this last little while! I'm reading all of your responses, and they have been making me smile. I will try to make time to be more attentive in future!
With the glacial pace this TR has been moving, and with how busy I've managed to stay with my school work, I'm making an executive decision—I can do that! Cuz this is MY show!—that I won't have time to include a full report of my summer stint as a travelling artist's sidekick. I'm sure you're all heartbroken about this. But seeing as this is the DIS, where we talk about DISney-related things, I figure I should spend my limited time focusing on the absolute best material I have here, which is OBVIOUSLY the Disney stuff! As a compromise, though, before I get back into that, I'm going to include just a few photos/highlights from our summer travels. (JK, it's more than a few...) Then my next update will resume the solo trip adventure.
(Also, just a hint for reading these little vignettes—if you haven't heard of a place before...it's probably because in Canada. We did a bit of US travel, but most of the summer was spent travelling across the eastern third of our beloved home country.)
"You've Got a Woman to Help You"
So before this whole solo trip fun started, N and I had already been getting ourselves accustomed to the travelling life. We started with a short trip to Moncton, New Brunswick. It's only a few hours from home. Then our next trip together was to Ottawa, Ontario, for Ottawa Comic Con.
Don't worry, it didn't take me long to make him a much better sign than that.
I was very helpful with set-up and tear down this summer!!
N does the hard work. I play with the dolly.
While in Ottawa, we saw Parliament (where the Canadian federal government does governmenty things.) And we got to enjoy the beginning of the tulip festival that takes place every spring in Ottawa.
Then we were back in New Brunswick again, before making the trek to Orlando for the comic convention there, MegaCon. (This is where the solo trip report stuff should be inserted!) Following MegaCon, N returned to Canada for supplies and made his way to his next show, while I stuck around at WDW for some solo trip fun. Then I flew to Toronto, Ontario to meet him at the airport, and together we drove to Niagara Falls. I had never been, and some of you may already know that I was totally excited to go...not to see the Falls...but to go to Marineland!! (If you're unfamiliar, you're not alone. Most people have never heard of it, especially if they didn't grow up in Canada with the catchy commercials on tv. It's kind of like what would happen if Sea World and a dated-looking travelling summer carnival had a baby. It's not particularly thrilling, but the animal shows are neat, and I was obsessed with going as a kid, so I'm glad I finally made little past-Meghan's dream come true. )
We did the Niagara Falls Comic Con—see evidence of the new sign I made!—went to Marineland, stayed a night at a hotel overlooking both the US and Canadian sides of the falls, had crazy awesome burgers at Works Burger, went to African Lion Safari, and had crazy awesome sushi at Sushi Ai.
Other than going to Disney, this was easily one of the highlights of the summer. We also house-sat for friends of N's family who have a home near Niagara, and after mostly living out of hotels for weeks, it was nice to have a chill place to stay, with a full kitchen, and space to spread out and settle in.
I flew home to Nova Scotia for a couple of weeks then, while N stayed in Ontario for more work. I had a few things to do at home, including some family visiting, and running a local women's 5K with my mom. Then N came back and we went back to New Brunswick again so he could paint at a bike rally and ribfest. (Also, if you've never been to a ribfest...it's not your typical food festival! It's...well....a lot of ribs. N has worked at a lot of ribfests over the last few years, and he's gotten to know quite a few of the "ribbers," as they're called, personally. We...ate well that weekend. Much BBQ. Nom!)
...continued...
Love the Song of Ice and Fire! When N does the figures, does he make custom stencils? I've watched some of his insta videos but they are all the short, more generic (though equally beautiful) ones!
For those, does N get an order and then he does it that day, or is it a while in advance? Sorry - just curious about the whole process!
Hilarious! All of your hank photos are great.
You make me want to go to Niagara Falls!
It sounded like a great way to spend the summer together.
Glad to hear school is going well but i'm sure it is keeping you crazy busy. Hang in there!
Funny I saw that and thought couldn't an artist do a little bit better than that
This sounds amazing!!!!! Who doesn't want a carnie version of Sea World.
Meet my Marineland as a kid. For this one Disney and the county fair mated in Amish Country and it was as bad/good as you can imagine.
That ain't a Marine animal
Oh your summer sounds amazing. Especially jealous of PEI. I need time to slow down and lobsters and beaches and Green Gables and did I mention lobster
Wow!!! That is insane for that far north
These are awesome!!!! Nate is definitely talented. I got to see Hamilton this summer so this one especially speaks to me.
I dont think you can be a Canadian Kid if you have never been to Marineland- I mean "Everyone loves Marineland!"... Glad you had such a great summer!
The artist at work! Love it, and the fact that you made him a better sign LOL
Don't worry, it didn't take me long to make him a much better sign than that.
I mean, everyone needs to have their purpose!N does the hard work. I play with the dolly.
I always wanted to visit there!! I was obsessed with reading all of the Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea books!! Do you remember the Anne of Avonlea tv series? I almost thing it was on the Disney Channel, but I could be wrong. In any case, I was equally obsessed with that.Prince Edward Island!
Really, let's be real...I mean, do you guys even still remember me??
I'm reading all of your responses, and they have been making me smile.
I won't have time to include a full report of my summer stint as a travelling artist's sidekick. I'm sure you're all heartbroken about this.
As a compromise, though, before I get back into that, I'm going to include just a few photos/highlights from our summer travels.
if you haven't heard of a place before...it's probably because in Canada.
Don't worry, it didn't take me long to make him a much better sign than that.
While in Ottawa, we saw Parliament (where the Canadian federal government does governmenty things.)
And we got to enjoy the beginning of the tulip festival that takes place every spring in Ottawa.
Niagara Falls. I had never been
I was totally excited to go...not to see the Falls...but to go to Marineland!!
Most people have never heard of it, especially if they didn't grow up in Canada with the catchy commercials on tv.
It's kind of like what would happen if Sea World and a dated-looking travelling summer carnival had a baby.
running a local women's 5K with my mom.
Also, if you've never been to a ribfest...it's not your typical food festival! It's...well....a lot of ribs
We hit the road again, feeling fortunate that our work travels were taking us to one of our favourite places: Prince Edward Island!
I highly recommend a visit if you can ever swing it! Especially in the summer.
North Rustico (which the locals informed me should actually be called "The Crick"??)
Things got a little tense at our table toward the end of the Canada Day event when an agitated drunk woman got upset at us for not allowing her to leave her drink on N's painting table, or to speak to us disrespectfully, etc.
the famous Cow's ice cream (really, it's a thing. Look it up.),
This went down the same week that a scary heat wave hit the area, and we were hearing reports of people with underlying conditions who had gotten ill or passed away.
With humidity, the temperature the day we arrived in Montreal felt like 42 C (108 F).
The small silver box in this photo holds four spray cans. And the large brown boxes are filled with the silver boxes.
"Don't worry. You have a woman to help you!" It summed up the theme of the summer nicely.
It was a 39-minute flight on a very tiny plane. Do not recommend.
"Buskers," as it's affectionately called, brings in buskers and vendors from all over the world
I loved the "job title" N had sent them for my Exhibitor badge there. We always joke that he's the talent, and I'm the organization, and together we make up "Painty and the Brains."
Honestly, I'm only a casual Pokemon fan at best, but I thought he was adorable.
At this con, N also painted one of the coolest pieces I think he's done. It was on a 2'x3' canvas for a woman who was disappointed at the lack of Batgirl merchandise at cons.
I always wanted to visit there!! I was obsessed with reading all of the Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea books!! Do you remember the Anne of Avonlea tv series? I almost thing it was on the Disney Channel, but I could be wrong. In any case, I was equally obsessed with that.
What an awesome summer you guys had together!! I enjoyed all of the pictures of your adventures (and your Septapus friend, too!) I hope some day N travels to Chicago for a show, so I can get a painting
I should hope so!
"Hi! I'm a painter, but I can't paint a sign to save my life."
Did you go inside? It's quite impressive.
Lucky. I've been to Ottawa a few times (4?) and never at the right time. I almost saw the tulip festival once...
All that was left were the stalks. So... it was kinda like the dead tulip festival.
Someone looks perfectly pleased.
How was that? How did you guys do?
Nice! Bucket list destination for me. Who knows.... maybe next year's road trip?
I don't think I knew you had a tat. (types that very carefully)
Is there a story behind it?
Yeah... way too hot for that neck of the woods.
Just another day in Florida.
And yet... twin engine turboprop. Not that small.
Hey! There's a CN Tower growing out of your head!
You can get those removed, I hear.
Wow you guys had a busy summer. Hank got to see so much!! I remember going to Marineland in California years and years ago, I didn't know there was one in Canada. How exciting that you are getting to work in the clinic this term, it must be cool to get out of the classroom and start working with patients!!
Those paintings are fantastic!! Love getting to see a bit more into your summer - sounds crazy busy but also so much fun!
Exactly!! I often find myself shaking my head sadly at this man.
I wanted to, but we didn't have much time. If we get back there any time soon, I'd really like to go in! I had so many things on my wish list for our Ottawa trip (markets, the Diefenbunker, other museums, etc.) and then we ended up only having a couple of free hours the first day we arrived after the show setup. So I'm very interested in going back!
Of course! Marineland belugas are definitely pleasing. I mean, all you have to do it "reach out, touch, give them a smile," and "you'll make a new friend for a long while!"
It was...a little exhausting. I'd been struggling to keep up with training after being busy and on the road. But it was more of a fun run, and untimed, so we just did about half and half, walking and running, and we had fun! We're planning to do it again this coming summer.
I hope you get there someday soon! It's really lovely. If you're ever in the Maritimes again, give me a shout!
Haha I don't. At least not yet. Though possibly someday! I'd like to get an Epcot World Showcase tattoo at some point.
But this was just henna, so very temporary.
When we were at the Charlottetown market earlier that weekend, there was a young woman originally from the Middle East who was going to the University of PEI and was doing henna tattoos at the market through the summer to save money for school. I thought she was a lovely girl, and she was doing a beautiful job, so I asked her to do one for me. (And she charged MUCH less than the ladies who do this in the Morocco pavilion in Epcot! I had also gotten one done there on my solo trip.)
I guess I can't complain! There were even two seat on EACH side of the aisle! But boy, did that plane ever vibrate!
Fortunately, we all had lots of room to spread out, because strangely enough there didn't seem to be many people who opted to fly from Halifax to Sydney...since it's only about a 4 hour drive.
I really should look into that! It really interferes with my ability to wear a hat.
I most definitely plan to. I was not pleased at not being able to see you last time.
uh huh.... remind me to tell you of my small plane experience.
Um... let me put it this way... I don't ever throw up. I will do almost anything to not.
I whoofed my cookies on this one. (similar to that one, I mean. maybe not that exact one... I think.)
4 hour drive? That's like 1/3 the distance I normally drive.
What a great recap of your summer! Sounds like it was a lot of fun- and the pics are awesome!
N is so talented, his artwork is incredible!
I'm counting on it! We really owe each other a Dismeet at this point.
If I ever make it to Winnipeg, I'll make sure to let you know! Under different circumstances, Nathan (and possibly I) would be there this weekend for C4. But sadly Halifax's only major comic con is also taking place this weekend this year, and it's right in our backyard, so that's where we'll be.
Oof! That sounds rough! As a highly vomit-phobic person (only once in the last 14 years, and I was VERY disappointed to break my streak! )...I'd take a hard pass on that one!
Right!? Even I got used to driving (or passenger-ing) 10-15 hour days over the summer. But it was the kind of situation where the flight was inexpensive (not much more than my gas,) and Nate was already there with his truck, so I didn't want us to drive two vehicles back home.
I will try to make time to be more attentive in future!
If you've never heard of/been to PEI, it's a small island province (Canada's version of a "state" ) on the east coast of Canada. Anne of Green Gables, lobster, potatoes, and red coloured dirt are its main exports. It's a beautiful place.
As N was staring at all the heavy boxes and wondering aloud how he'd ever get them all in his truck, one of the girls chuckled and told him, gesturing to me, "Don't worry. You have a woman to help you!" It summed up the theme of the summer nicely.
I flew out to Sydney Nova Scotia to meet him for another ribfest. It was a 39-minute flight on a very tiny plane. Do not recommend.
We always joke that he's the talent, and I'm the organization, and together we make up "Painty and the Brains."