Wizard World

This Saturday I reached a personal plateau in geek-ness. I attended my first Wizard World convention. The convention run by Wizard Magazine, a mag entirely devoted to previewing, reviewing, and pricing comics, action figures, and comic related collectibles. My personal interest in the convention is tied to the "Magic: The Gathering" TCG, but I won't bore you with the details of the game. I'll just let you explore that one on your own.

I went with Jeremy, a very dear friend of mine who used to be my roommate back in grad-school, Roger, one of my current students and avid Star Wars and comic book fan, and met up with Paul, one of my former students who is now almost done with college.

We spent the day looking at comics, toys and costumes and eating at Reading Terminal Market (a must on any trip to Old City).

I got some Star Wars toys for the kids, a Wonder Woman limited edition collectible figurine (not a doll) for Jess and a couple t-shirts for myself.

One of the best things about the day, though, was the annual costume contest. Always prepared ever vigilant, I of course left my camera at home. But fear not! Thanks to modern day technology I was, with the help of my cell phone, able to take some really bad pictures to share with all of you. So without further ado, my cell phone photo essay.

Security was really tight that day. This poor kid tried to take an extra post card when the Halo guy just ran in and nabbed him.

I don't know about the rubber rain boot Cyclops back there, but that Sean Connery/Dr. Jones guy has it going on!

Okay, this isn't a costume, but it's a major geek related item. A flail with 2d20 on the end instead of spiked heads! Wow, I'll bet those lvl.4 Dark Elves won't know what hit them!

Oh Kong...those eyes...those lips...kiss me you fool!

Found him!

Wow buddy. I don't know what your secret is, but you want to let us in on it?

Who ya gonna call? This guy!

Yes, it's really him, Lou Ferrigno. And for just $30 you can get a Polaroid of him. Or, if you stand a little to the right you can use your cell phone and get one for free. I hope I didn't get him angry.

I'm not even sure this character even had a name but that didn't stop this lady from making it a costume.

If you want to leave you gotta get past this guy first...

...then this guy.

I really wish I had brought my camera. Then I could have shown you even more of these costumes. I could have shown you a bald, 275 lb Robin in a speedo, the Flash in his pajamas, Iron Man reduced to "Cardboard and Tempera Paint Man", the Stay-Puft Storm Trooper, a 5'2" Batman, a half dozen Jokers, two dozen Storm Troopers, and, of course, the obligatory Princess Leia in the slave costume. I'll just have to leave it to your imagination.

But it really was a lot of fun to go and enjoy yourself and not worry about what people around you are thinking, because clearly they're not thinking anything.

The best part is, Jeremy and I plan to go as the Hulk and Captain America next year. Just gotta find myself some red speedos and bright blue spandex first...

P.S. Check out the new polls in honor of this geek-centric weekend.

Memorial Day in D.C.

Here are photos of our trip to Washington, D.C. with Grandma on Memorial Day. It was a very touching moment when Grandma was at the World War II Memorial and saw Grandpa on their website, knowing he will always be a part of the Memorial. Thank goodness there was a low screen so she could read the blog, or else Joe would of had to put her on his shoulders!

It was great seeing Jeanna in her apartment in Virginia too! She has been busily decorating it to her taste, and it looks great. We are going to start calling her Mary Tyler Moore.

The Rolling Thunder motorcycle group were once again in Washington D.C. honoring the veterans. About 40,000 bikes road down Constitution Avenue and it really sounded like rolling thunder.

Take note of the photo of a helicopter. We assume the President was on board because it took off from the White House lawn, and they closed down roads and streets.

Now let's talk lunch - we met up with Lori and Rodney and all went to Uncle Dom's favorite spot for lunch - Cosi. Jealous Dom?

Enjoy the pictures!

America's Voters

Global warming, stem-cell research, abortion, church and state, oil prices, racism...so much political tension. And now this...the newest poll here at Meatballs and Ravioli.

Vader Victorious!

We join our heroes on the forest moon of Endor...

...keep watching for the exciting conclusion!

Credits

Directed by - Carmellina

Cinematography - Jessie

Digital Effects - Joe

The Saga Begins...

This weekend was a banner one for the Sinagra family. As part of my on-going effort to turn my children into geeks (and thereby prevent all those pesky "dating" issues) we went Saturday to see the Star Wars exhibit at the Franklin Institute. Of course the wait was outrageous so we got tickets for a later time (6:30pm) and went out for lunch after a few quick photos.

Joey was fascinated by Chewbacca, Carmellina was a little overwhelmed by everything.

We made a stop at Brave New Worlds, one of my favorite comic book shops in Old City. Saturday was National Free Comic Book Day and Rosemary and I (Carmellina wasn't interested) went in and got a couple issues for ourselves. Rosemary also learned a little about the Silver Surfer.

We had some lunch at Ikea (really...it's not bad)...

...and then headed back to the museum.

We explored the kids exhibit and finally got in to see the Star Wars exhibit. This was our fourth and final attempt so I'm glad we finally got in. There's plenty of pics in the slide show to the right.

On Sunday we went to church and then had lunch out and Ben & Jerry's ice cream in Rittenhouse Park.

Then we went home and I took a long nap.

What a weekend.

Bored?

Looking for a way to waste some time? Try this:
These are a few movie previews that I think look pretty good.
Anyone else have some suggestions to add to the list? Let me know!


This one looks pretty funny: The House Bunny

This one I'll never get to see because Jess would be WAY too scared to watch it: The Strangers

These movies are always good for a little fun: Hellboy II

This looks pretty good. Magnolia Pictures makes some excellent films: The Life Before Her Eyes

This looks good: The Happening

If I didn't know Mr. Costanza was Ben Stiller's dad,I would think something was very wrong with this guy: Tropic Thunder

And of course the obligatory comic book movies: Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk

There. Did that help you waste enough time?


Always happy to help.


OH YEAH! Thanks to...I'm guessing that was Diana...for reminding me about WALL•E! I can't wait to see that, it looks visually amazing. I hope the story is as good!

8 Months

8 months old today!

...and still counting...

Today (April 23rd) Rosemary is 67 months old! (5 years 7 months)

There and Back Again

This weekend I was left to watch Rosemary and Carmellina by myself while Jess went out to a surprise birthday party and then to a wedding shower.

After exhausting every possible excuse and attempt to escape this duty, in the end I was left alone with them. So I did the only thing a father could do...I got help from my sister.

The girls and I made a trip down to Virginia to see Jeanna for the day. After nearly 4 hours, one bathroom break, and one very small potty accident, we got to her apartment in Arlington for some PBJ sandwiches. After that we headed for the National Zoo in DC. We walked, and walked, and walked, oh and then we walked. Somewhere in between we took the Metro too, then we walked some. Eventually we got to the zoo and it was a nice time.

We saw some panda bears

Rosemary and Jeanna had a nice time hanging out


Carmellina, on the other hand, had a different opinion of the zoo.

Unfortunately it wasn't long before everyone was very tired and we walked, and walked, and walked back to the metro and walked back to her apartment, before we walked to get some Wendy's and had to head for home.

If you get the chance, you should ask me about an episode that I can only call "Carmellina and the Terrible Escalators." I wish I had taken some photos but I was too busy running away from an out-of-control stroller while trying to scoop up a petrified 4-year-old before the grates at the bottom got her.

All in all it was a nice time, of course. The girls want to go back with just my parents and spend the night. That's fine with me. I don't think my legs could take another trip there for a little while.

P.S. It's a good thing we didn't bring Alice. Apparently schnoodles are not allowed at the zoo.

The Polls

Well...the results are in and there is a CLEAR winner this time! Me! I guess most people think Joey looks like his dad! Now if we could just draw a little goatee on him...

Happy Birthday Aunt Cira!

Today (April 15th) is Aunt Cira's birthday.

The Sinagra family wants to wish her a happy XXth birthday!

Spring Cleaning

Ahhh. The spring is finally here (75 degrees here in Philly!)

How about a new look for the blog...something "springy"!

Happy Birthday Carmellina!

Today (Wednesday, April 9th) is Carmellina's 4th birthday (that makes her 48 months old for those you who are still counting). She enjoyed cupcakes at the womens' Bible study at the church and lunch at the Herches' house, dinner at Chik-fil-a and presents followed by ice cream for dessert.
Whew!

By the way, these videos are here especially for my Fallgren cousins to enjoy.

(...i'm in charge of the stars and i'm here to say...)

Better late than never.

Okay, so I've been a little behind this week. Nevertheless, here's a new post.

This past weekend we went back to New York (again) and celebrated my grandmother's 88th birthday. A number of us helped do a little spring-cleaning for her. We scraped radiators, stripped wallpaper, painted, washed and Lori even got hold of a tree service to remove some very large trees from her back yard. We then had a lovely birthday dinner consisting of too much pizza followed by too much cake.

It was a good day.

Now most of them will be back here in Philly for Carmellina's birthday party on Saturday.

And now...Hula Hoopin' Mama!

The Heated Debate

Another new poll! Check it out on the right.

P.S. A new blog is coming...been a little busy.