anime and greyhounds

The Metro Convention Centre also played host to an Anime Con, where lots of costumed fans were on hand. It was cramed into a small room, and apparently the main star of the show was unable to attend. But, everyone still appeared to be in a good mood!









Some of the fans headed out of the building for a "battle" on the lawn!





Just down the street from the parking lot was the Harbourfront centre, where the Pawsway is located. We decided to check on the event, and found a GINA presentation.
GINA stands for Greyhounds in Need of Adoption, which is a rescue group for greyhound dogs. The dogs come from a life of running, mostly from the states, and are treated well, and have great personalities, even around other dogs.

Once in Canada, foster owners "retrain" the dogs for home life, including teaching them how to climb stairs and that there is such a thing as windows, as with their life of running, they simply see a window as not existing, and want to run outside!

GINA arranges meetings with dogs and potential owners, to give the greyhounds a life after racing.

I was really impressed at how calm these dogs are, and how friendly they are. Here is my brother James, with a dog who was content to simply stand beside him while he pet the dogs head.



Another dog was just tuckered out after a long day, and just wanted to sleep!



You will of course notice the muzzle. I asked why, and it was explained that the dog has such thin skin, that it's easy for the dogs through normal interaction with each other to cut the skin. So its not because they are "mean" dogs, its just to protect them from simple nips.

Its probably not a dog you would think of for adoption, but after visiting them, I would really recommend that people consider them, as they seem like a wonderful animal. And no, they don't require you to take them for fast, long runs!

2 wheel models

One thing you can always find at the Motorcyle show is Models, and I don't mean the newest version of the bikes, I mean the flesh and blood versions!

One group that can always be counted on is Amsoil, as they are at a lot of shows with models, including these four!





Honda had a few models, including one of my favourites, Theresa, a model/sunshine girl who I've seen around lots of shows in Toronto.





Lots of other booths had some models as well!

Motorcylce Show

The Metro Convention Centre was filled with motorcycles of every description, from small childrens bikes, to large riding bikes, to a bunch of three wheelers, and all the equipment needed to play with these toys!

I'm always amazed at just how big bikers are now adays.
My memory of bikes is always of small versions, but now, they are huge beasts!



Ducati bikes had a large presence at the show.



All the bikes were shinny new, and lined up to show off their lines.





Honda also sponsored a BMK bike zone, where a group of 6 riders impressed the crowds with their skills,



including a jump over the host!

cold Santa!

Every year, a collection of brave runners gather at Hemingway’s Restaurant, have themselves a quick beverage, strip down to their Speedo's and take a lap around the Yorkville area!
Matt Freeman, here leading the group of runners,



is the originator/organizer of the event, which has raided over 180 thousand dollars for the Sick Kids organization.

The runners come out of the warmth of the restaurant, into the cold of the street!



The group runs through traffic on Yorkville,



And I bet the drivers on the road where not expecting this when they turned down the street!



After making a few laps, the group gathered for a team shot,



before they broke up into small groups to pose for the crowds.

Mega Santa

Burlington Ontario was home to the most Santa's I have seen in one spot!
The Santa 5k was held early Saturday morning, in the crisp sunshine of the day.
Over 3800 santa's were on hand at the start of the race in downtown Burlington, as they travelled a 5k route. There were so many Santas, that it didn't take long for the last one to cross the start line before the winners had started to arrive at the finish!

women of the MMA

The International Centre was host for a show on Mixed Martial Arts. There were a bunch of guys from the UFC there, but more important was the number of models on hand to keep the crowd happy!

Blah Blah Blah, on to the pictures!