Aug 2017 – Oct 2018

You may remember that Nicholas and I have spent quite some time gaming in VR. So naturally when Magic Leap was showing off it’s futuristic new AR devices, we had to get in on it. Since we pre-ordered the ridiculously expensive, silly looking, and mostly useless device, we got invited to their over-the-top party in LA, hosted in the hangar where they store the US Endeavor space shuttle. Count this bear IN.

Little did we know that the party would actually be UNDERNEATH the space shuttle! This is the best possible waste of company money. I approve. Even if it bankrupts the company, which it almost certainly will.

Today we are hiking Joffre Lakes, another of my mountain haunts. Pokin’s been wanting to come here since she went to SFU, so she was pleased to finally make it.

What she remembered was the hike was rated strenuous, so she never felt like she was ready to tackle. Turned out quite acceptable, but she was not prepared for the crowds. The trails were definitely very busy. Too busy, some might say.

We’re in town for our friend Mike’s wedding up near Whistler, and I’m taking the time to show my bud the mountains I grew up flying around.

Since no one had wings like me, they had no choice but to take the Gondola up.

My bud, myself, and our friend Linda - we are all Harry Potter fans.

So we decided to go to University Studios to check out Harry Potter world.

We somehow decided to pick a wet and dreary day. Sounds on brand.

We’d been listening to an audiobook - Blood, Sweat and Pixels.  One of the chapters was dedicated to one of my favourite gaming companies – Blizzard.

So naturally when we were in town for a conference already we decided to pay a business visit to our friend who works there.

And here’s the campus.

I mean, you only had to get through chain linked fences and a security guard to get to this point of the premise.

Rounding the corner brings you to the famous orc statue.  You can read about the making of this orc statue on the Blizzard web site.

Naturally I posed in front of it.

Normally the Orc isn’t covered by knitting – it’s only there for Christmas but they’re a little slow.  So it’s like we got to see the special spawn!

And here’s the lobby.

After that, we got a tour of Blizzard – including a glimpse of their special operations command room where they can see server stats around the world!

UNfortunately most of the areas were blocked off and closed - even for a VIB like me.

Another time.  One day I shall OWN MULTIPLE game companies.  Till then I’ll just selfie in front of this one.

Another year, another cruise. This time it was a work cruise. My bud took Michael, who brought a friend with him. The idea was to work on the newest bingo game, Abradoodle. We also took my bud’s dad and his step mom Jane. Because we stopped in Belize, there were many a Belize pun. Probably too many. Despite the fact we technically stopped at Belize, we didn’t see much of it. Nick’s dad on the other hand, went on a whole visit with some nuns so they had a real sense of the city.

The whole thing was a blur. All I remember is Peep DIDN’T make it on this cruise, and we also stopped in the very touristy stop in Tulum.

Today, we just decided to fly to San Francisco for a day trip.  Mostly because it was basically free thanks to a Jetsmarter free trial.

We pulled up to the Atlantic Private Aviation terminal, where I chilled out in the lounge.

Shortly after, our pilot came into the lounge and it was time to board our plane, a Bombardier Challenger 300.  This is a 8 seat, $17.4M jet, and our flight was operated by XOJets.

The flight wasn’t too crowded.  There was our group, plus two other passengers.  I got comfortable right away.

Today I met Puppy for the first time.  Puppy’s Linda’s dog bud.  It might have been his first time flying private.

Given that it *wasn’t *MY first time around the block, I gave him some pointers.  I even sat with him, you know, being a helpful bear and all.

This is the way I should always roll.  You got that, Nicholas?

I’m a fan of hockey.  As a Canadian bear, it’s sort of required.  So obviously I was happy that we were finally getting a hockey team in Las Vegas.  And when the opportunity came up to watch our Las Vegas Golden Knights team train before the seasoning opening, of course I dragged my bud there.

GO KNIGHTS GO!

Training is held at the City National Arena, a brand new ice hockey rink built for the team to practice.  That’s the right attitude.  There needs to be a gaming facility built for bear gaming practice.

I enjoyed myself.  Now take me to a real game bud!  I got my practice cheering ready.

This weekend my bud and I decided to sponsor our first game jam event.  This fellow that we knew was organizing it, and we all know I’m in full support of more gaming activity in Las Vegas.  It was held at the Reflint experience centre.

Here’s us getting set up.  Donuts?  Check.

Game developers? Check.

Giant banner giving us full credit?  Almost check.  My name wasn’t on it.

Well still, it’s nice to see this type of activity happening in Las Vegas.  I might do it again.

Today my bud and I are taking a break from gaming Super Sumi Sunday.

Instead, we’re going camping!  My bud’s been wanting to have some quiet time away from the computer and other people, so we’re packing up our camping supplies and heading up to Mount Charleston where it’s quite a bit cooler temperature wise than anywhere else in Las Vegas.

While they have camp sites up there on the main road, my bud wanted to go down a more rugged path - one that needs a 4WD.  Thank goodness we’ve got the trusty Sumi-mobile RAV4!  (Which is technically an AWD, but it’s not like we’re traversing mud or anything.  Plus anything with the Sumi stamp of approval is going to do just fine anytime, anywhere! )

I approved of most of the camping supplies we took.

And then I saw this spray can.

What is this?  BEAR SPRAY?  I’m a bit offended.

Wait, are there real bears in the territory?!?!?!  I push this thought out of my mind.

We get there and pitch camp.  My bud set up his tent.  Then he sets up mine.  I get in my tent right away, make sure it’s set up the way I want.

Here we are, perched on a hilltop, overlooking the mountains.  My bud and I, king of the mountain.

Just the way things should be.