This past summer, I made it an effort to travel and enjoy life.  A lot of times…we just work, work and work.  I’m no different myself, having worked an average of 64 hours a week for the past year and a half.  I wanted to recap and share some of my travels this past summer, which I haven’t done in a while.  Let’s take a look.

July 16 – WWE Monday Night RAW in Buffalo, New York

For those who know me,  I am a long time wrestling fan.  I don’t get out that much to watch the product in person, instead I follow online and catch up with the recaps through news boards.   An old friend of mine from my early dairy industry days, invited me for a one day mini road trip to Buffalo, New York.  I agreed and told Eddie that we were due for a reunion,so we caught a Monday Night RAW show.

So I went on Stub Hub, bought some tickets for us (he has no idea I paid above market value for them lol) and got us ninth row ringside.   I figured if we were going to travel for an hour and a half across the border, we better have some decent seats!

Overall it was fun night, watching the current roster of wrestling superstars do their thing on RAW.   We both agreed that Buffalo was our least favourite town for multiple reasons.  But at the end of the day it was about reconnecting, sharing some old stories and catching up on life.

Probably the biggest disappointment for me was the WiFi inside the arena, it was terrible!  It kept kicking you out after you logged in.  How am I supposed to share social media content with my audience?  I’m not using my own data in this town! Lol.  Check out some pictures and videos below.

Trying to find our way into backstage catering lol

Seth Rollins has one of the most energetic ring entrances in pro wrestling today

July 19 – Convenience bar in Toronto

One of the coolest themed bars I have had a chance to check out in recent memory was Convenience, located in the Queen West area.   What was interesting about this spot was when you first walk into the venue, there is an actual variety store in the front!   Once you pass through that section, the resto/bar area appears.  Their food and drinks menu offerings were decent.

Probably the most appealing element about Convenience is when you make your way downstairs to the restroom section.  They have one of the best set ups I’ve ever seen.  It was propped up with a set of old school telephones, which reminds you of a cool, 1980’s nostalgia vibe.  This is the perfect social media post, decorated with hot pink lighting and signage that makes for a hip background solo or group shot.

I would have to say the biggest kicker was that the lower section of Convenience has a surveillance camera (like an actual variety store) feeding the TV screens upstairs in the main bar area.  This means patrons can watch you make your social media pose in real time.   This can be either intimidating trying to get the right shot knowing you are being monitored.  Or you could be care free and just keep on shooting in there!  I recommend you guys check the place out!

July 20-24 – Las Vegas

The next day without telling any of my main circle of friends, I hopped on a plane to Las Vegas, Nevada.  I wasn’t going to let my summer pass me by.  I wanted to do something interesting and when my mom invited me to come visit for her birthday, I could not pass up the opportunity.  So me and my dad flew up to see my mom, who was attending a realtor conference earlier in the week at the famed Bellagio hotel, where we stayed as well.

This was my third excursion visiting Las Vegas, but my first time going without any group of friends.   I was a little nervous about going there solo.  But this was a family vacation, my parents first time going while I played the role of tour guide for them.   I had no problem doing that and watching them enjoy.  But if this had been my first time visiting, that would have totally sucked lol.

Overall I wanted to be there for my parents, as they rarely travel and are the simple stay at home type.  Just to see them explore Las Vegas boulevard, take pictures and take in all of the lights and atmosphere Las Vegas has to offer, was worthwhile for me.

I had such a fun and relaxing time in Vegas.  Making an itinerary of places I wanted to go that I didn’t do during my first two trips and accomplishing all of them was blessed.  I don’t think it would have been possible to do my planned agenda if I was there for a bachelor party, as you are usually following the plans for the groom.  And the icing on the cake was receiving all of the responses from my friends who were watching my Instagram stories, wishing they were in sin city was priceless lol.

Interesting enough, something that I rarely do when I’m back home because I drive my own car was that I used Uber and Lyft a lot.  After totaling my receipts, I spent over $300 plus in travelling fees.  Honestly it was definitely  well worth it and a time saver for sure.

Instead of writing a massive passage of a blog diary, here are some pictures below from my time in the 702.  Click here to view my entire Las Vegas gallery that should satisfy the visual communications enthusiast.

July 28-29 – Erie, Pennsylvania

I went for another mini road trip to visit my aunt and uncle and their kids in Erie, PA.  My family and my brother’s family made the three hour trek for this small get away weekend.   It was nice to visit our states side family and catch up.  To be honest, it is simply a small town and there’s not much to do there!

It has been about four years since I last visited Erie.  I can honestly say that I don’t think I’ll be coming back anytime soon lol.  The reality is that it’s just a small town and I’m a big city type of guy.  Although the Grove City Premium Outlets could quench a shopper’s thirst which was just a 45 minute drive away…Anyways here’s some pictures below.

Outro

I think it is important to get out of the everyday routines of life.  It’s about living your life and not letting life pass you by.

The Las Vegas trip was much needed.  I didn’t splurge too much and I was very happy to get out of town for a few days.  I did what anyone should do on a vacation…which is: catch some sun, do some shopping and take in the local eats as I am a legit foodie!

Next month I’ll publish the second half of my summer travels.  And just a few weeks later, I was literally travelling again to some of my favourite places.  Stay tuned!