TCAF 2018

It's been a week since I was at TCAF (Toronto Comic Art Fest) and now that several appointments are out of the way, I can get down to writing about it.

Two years ago, I had written that the event was getting too expensive and that year would be my last. Well, I was right on one count. It was indeed expensive, but 2015 would not be my last year attending TCAF.

After what seemed like an exceptionally long and depressing winter, I just felt like getting away for a bit. So I saved a bit extra and went for it! To save a bit of money, my Mom suggested taking some snacks with me, so that cut down on food costs a lot.

I left on the train last Friday morning and took business class, which is always fun and relaxing. Quick shout-out to VIA Rail Canada for always being accessible, friendly, and accommodating! I also got to try out the camera on my new phone.

Got to the hotel in Toronto mid-afternoon. I was in a room on the first floor, right next to the vending machines and just down from where a lot of TCAF's events were being held, which was super convenient! Got in the room, unpacked, relaxed, then went out exploring.

Only a few days before I left, it was calling for torrential rain on the Saturday, so I tried to get quite a bit done Friday evening just in case. With the exception of finding that a favourite burger joint had been closed down, it was a good first day. Went to a nearby market and Starbucks to supplement the food I brought with me which created a couple pretty good meals, shopped at a comic shop next to TCAF's venue and treated myself to a couple books before the main event, and then got some dinner. I went back to my room soon after and relaxed the rest of the night, which is when I got one amazing shot of the city at sunset from my window.

After sleeping in in a very relaxing hotel bed, I enjoyed some breakfast and went out to the big event. Turns out the forecast was way off, and the Saturday ended up being nice and sunny! Once in the library where TCAF is held, I hooked up with a couple friends I was meeting. We went around and got some books, then went for lunch. Not as crowded as the last time I attended, but still pretty packed.

While I was going around to the different vendors, I happened to find a book called Monsterology 101. I saw the title and the term cryptozoology on the back cover and immediately had to have it (monsters are kind of my thing)! I flipped through it briefly on my way out and immediately ran back to the hotel, grabbed some more money, then ran back and got the second volume.

My friends and I parted ways later and I went back to the hotel where I got the writing bug and got into a bit of a zone over dinner. This lead to the development of a social media plan for things I will definitely be writing about later.

Once my brain was sufficiently emptied, I decided to go out for one last trip to Starbucks, where I slunk into a corner and read comics until the sun set. My last TCAF weekend ended with many snacks, a couple movies on TV, and assessing that afternoon's spoils.

Left for the train station the following morning, where I nearly had a travel companion.

Pigeon in a train station because, why not?

Coming back wasn't nearly as enjoyable as going there, but I still made it home in time for dinner.

The entire weekend was great as usual and, who knows, I may decide to go back some day. For now though, I think it's time to call TCAF a win and move on to some new experiences and adventures.

Cheers!