Perugina Rossana Candy

One of my favorite candies are Rossana hard filled candies.  They have almond and hazelnut flavor, and are filled with a delicious creamy filling.  They’re made in Perugina, Italy and are individually wrapped in this colorful red paper.  Their flavor is unique and unforgettable; I honestly can finish a whole bag of candies in one evening; they’re that delicious.

Perugina Rossana:  https://www.fidacandies.it/en/content/rossana

Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon

Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon for the Nintendo 3DS released on March 24, 2013 in North America.  It`s the sequel to Luigi's Mansion on the GameCube.  When the first game released, I was not a fan because I wanted a Mario game not a Luigi game. But as soon as I started playing Luigi's Mansion, I enjoyed it so much that I became a fan and I understood why Nintendo made it a GameCube initial release game.  The graphics were good, the puzzles were clever, the music was memorable and the game was fun.  So I`m glad that Nintendo decided to keep supporting the franchise and release a sequel (and third game) because to me, Luigi's Mansion is a solid franchise.  Update:  This game really sucks.  Honestly it's the worst game I have ever played.  It's got bad controls, no mid-game saves so if you die you have to start from the beginning of a level, and the graphics aren't as  good as  the first game.

Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon:  https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/luigis-mansion-dark-moon-3ds/

YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4LO92cPGsw

WWE Hell in a Cell 2020

Congratulations Randy Orton... on becoming WWE Champion! (after a long drought) 14x

Transformers Reveal the Shield Special Ops Jazz

Jazz is one of my favorite Transformers because he’s a sports racing car.  There’s something so cool about seeing a Transformers sports car.  This version of Special Ops Jazz was part of the “Reveal the Shield” toy line and it released in 2010.  At the time, I hadn’t seen a Hasbro Transformers retro inspired Jazz featuring the rub sticker so I knew this would be popular and a hard one to get because it was unique; and I was right.  I kept visiting Walmart in the hopes that I would find him, but I never did.  And so I did what every collector eventually does when they become desperate, I bought it from a reseller.  Thankfully the reseller wasn’t too harsh and I was able to buy it for a couple of bucks over retail.

I’m glad I was able to add him to my collection because he’s a really well made toy.  He comes with blue tinted windows and windshield, the classic rub sticker that you need to heat up to reveal their alliance, and he looks pretty awesome in robot mode.  At the same time he’s not perfect; the rear end could have used some paint to accent the lights and pipes, and the body is made of white plastic which has been yellowing over time.  But despite that, Special Ops Jazz is still a fun toy to transform and play with, and in the end that’s what is most important; having fun.

Jazz Wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jazz_(Transformers)

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UitRfvEzz0g

Sota’s Knife

I’m currently reading Sota’s Knife (Souta no Houchou).  I discovered this manga by accident.  Last year Uniqlo released a special UT Collection of Shonen magazine featuring Shota no Sushi (Shōta no Sushi).  I’ll admit it I didn’t know what Shota no Sushi was, but I was intrigued because the shirts featured illustrated sushi on the front and back.  I bought a couple of shirts and when I went home I tried researching Shota no Sushi, so I could read it myself.  Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find an English version of Shota no Sushi, however I did find Sota’s Knife.  Initially I assumed they were the same manga (they had similar names, and were about sushi), but as I researched more I realized they weren’t the same.  Regardless of that, I decided to read Sota’s Knife anyway.

Sota’s Knife was created by Yuichiro Sueda, and illustrated by Kei Honjo.  It’s based on Sota Kitaoka, a young kitchen hand or dishwasher who works in a sushi restaurant. The story focuses on the day to day routines of working in a sushi restaurant.  There’s no mystery to solve, no super powers to obtain and no city to save; it’s literally a story about working in a sushi restaurant.  While that might seem boring to most, I found it fascinating because it’s such a relaxing story to read.  Sota is a noble character and put’s his entire heart and energy into everything he does, and that for me is inspiring.  His tenacity is constantly put to the test because the sushi restaurant demands that he be flawless, knowledgeable and always learning (suddenly his life isn’t so boring and monotonous).

Besides Sota, what I loved the most of this manga are the illustrations.  Kei Honjo is a master.  He adds so much detail to the drawings, especially of food that it makes you hungry (if you love Japanese food than this is the manga for you).  I have literally spent time starring at some pages in awe and wondering why he went into so much detail; he spoils us.  I honestly have even printed out some pages and framed them because they’re so beautiful; I would buy original copies if I knew where he sold them.  I can’t recommend this manga enough.  If you’re interested in reading it you can find copies on Amazon; they’re translated into English and are easy to follow.

Sota’s Knife: https://www.comixology.com/SOTAS-KNIFE/comics-series/108485?ref=Y29taWMvdmlldy9kZXNrdG9wL2JyZWFkY3J1bWJz

Super Mario 3D All-Stars

Super Mario 3D All-Stars for the Switch is a collection of Super Mario games that include games such as Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, and Super Mario Galaxy.  This Mario collection released on September 18, 2020 and Nintendo made it a limited time physical and digital release.  While many people weren’t happy with it being limited, there are still plenty of copies left in the stores.  Many people also didn’t appreciate that the graphics weren’t remade, but I prefer games to be left as close as possible to the original when I replay them.  My only criticism of this collection is the lack of a physical manual, which unfortunately is now the standard.  I think if someone buys a physical game it should always include a manual and inserts, otherwise I would just get it digital.  Hopefully Nintendo comprehends the importance of manuals to collectors and starts including them next year.

Nintendo: https://mario.nintendo.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HK3m_dOY0gQ

Batman: Three Jokers

Officially released on August 25, 2020 Batman Three Jokers is the latest comic that adds a new story to the infamous life of the Joker.  Before it released, all we knew was what the images shown at San Diego Comic-Con 2018 had shown us, 3 different Jokers.  Immediately people started coming up with theories of where they came from and who they were.  I was just excited because this new Joker storyline seemed original and mysterious.  I’m not much of a comic book reader (weekly), but I do like to read the popular stories, so I decided to get this issue before it became a classic issue.

DC Comics:

www.dccomics.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6YOv6VpWBw

Zelda Breath of the Wild Collector Pin

I bought this Zelda Breath of the Wild collector pin because it features the same artwork from the special edition Switch big box game; so I thought it would be cool to own a mini version.  Unfortunately it is a blind box, meaning that the pins are random.  I was hoping to get the Sheikah Slate, but I wasn’t lucky enough, so I just bought it online instead.  The quality of the pins are nice, but the back stud does worry me that it might fall off because the pins have some weight.  Overall they are awesome, and I can’t wait to display them on my jean jacket.

PowerA:

www.powera.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNdRR_4cVOE

Nike SB Tiffany Dunk High and Low

Probably one of the most popular sneakers of the Nike SB collection are the Tiffany dunk lows and highs.  They were first created by Nike in collaboration with a skate shop called Diamond Supply Co.  They took inspiration from the high end jewelry company Tiffany & Co.  Featuring the iconic colorway of Tiffany blue, they were then matched with faux crocodile skin (which is really black leather).  And they topped it off with a diamond logo on the tongue.

The lows first released in 2005 in low quantities, and sold out very quickly because they were extremely popular.   I wasn’t able to buy them at the time, but I was fortunate enough to buy them a few years later for a fair price.  Due to their popularity (and probably being lazy and wanting quick cash) both Nike and Diamond Supply Co. decided to collaborate again in 2014 and release the Tiffany dunk high version.  However, the quality wasn’t as great as the low so they didn’t sell out so fast.  Thankfully that made it easier for me to get a pair.  Honestly I’m a fan of both high and low versions.  These shoes definitely deserve their hype among the greats.

Diamond Supply Co.:

www.diamondsupplyco.com

Tiffany & Co.:

www.tiffany.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH25z-PRrHc

Ketchup Chips

So it’s Canada Day today.  So Happy Canada Day, Canada!  So, earlier today I was about to open a bag of ketchup chips when I decided to also make a video.  I grew up eating ketchup chips and believing they were the most popular flavour of chips in the world.  But then one day I went to the US, and discovered that they weren’t sold there, and were only a Canadian snack food.  That sucks because it’s such a delicious flavour, that I can’t imagine going a few weeks without eating some.  In fact when I travel to other countries I always make it a point to bring a bag of ketchup chips as a gift to friends, which of course they love.  What better way to spread Canada love than with ketchup chips.

Hostess Chips Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hostess_Potato_Chips

Lays:

www.lays.ca

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fg2kk7UFN8I

Current State of Game Collecting June 2020

A few weeks ago I was looking online for games when I happen to notice that my current Nintendo 3DS model (Pokémon 20th anniversary bundle) was selling really high on eBay.  This concerned me because I felt that I couldn’t use it anymore as my everyday beater handheld.  Besides the monetary price, I was also afraid that if I ever did lose it or if it broke, I wouldn’t be able to find a new one at a good price.  That’s when I decided to act swiftly and find a 2DS XL model while they were still available at retail.

To my surprise I was able to find one on sale, however when I got home and did a little research on this model I discovered that it was also being discontinued.  This meant that this would be the last Nintendo handheld from the DS lineage.  Ever since then, Nintendo has always had a handheld alongside their consoles; and with the Switch it would no longer be needed.  While I did initially purchase this 2DS as a beater, I also feel like its significance will also make it very collectable.  Its gaming library is pretty large ranging from the original DS 2004, to 3DS games 2011, and of course the numerous games you could download.

While I am happy that I was able to get a 2DS XL, I’m also amazed at the current state of game collecting and how popular Nintendo games have become.  Most GameCube games have skyrocketed in price, and the Switch is selling like hotcakes.  I do recognize that most of it is because of the pandemic, but I still think that prices won’t be going down much either.  I can’t image what it would be like to start collecting games right now.  However this 2DS XL also proves that even in a crazy pandemic, there are still deals to be had.

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJds37JOGAs

Adidas Superstar

A few years ago I became irritated with sneaker collecting because limited edition sneakers where becoming more expensive and harder to find in retail stores.  But besides that, what I hated the most was the way current sneaker designs were going; I thought they were banal and ugly. So I stopped buying sneakers for a while.  I had my “old man moment” and kept thinking why can’t sneakers be as cool as they used to be when I was growing up.  And that’s when I realized that those same sneakers that I grew up loving are still around, and that I should continue buying them.

Funny enough one of my favorite sneakers was the first one I bought; Adidas Superstars (2019 version).  I have owned this shoe many times, and the last time I bought them they lasted many years because I cleaned them regularly.  But regardless of how much you take care of a sneaker, they will eventually all break down if you use them a lot.  The only difference that I noticed about this new Superstar compared to my old one’s was that they feature a gold logo on the tongue, and that the leather feels a little more synthetic.  Other than that, these sneakers are classics, and they have reinvigorated my love for sneakers.

Adidas Superstar Wiki:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adidas_Superstar

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/mmUYFBkq1Lg

Viva Puffs Cookies

Viva Puffs are cookies that are filled with strawberry filling, marshmallow and coated with chocolate.  I eat Viva Puffs like a vacuum.  I barely open the box and I start vacuuming them down my mouth like they’re pills to swallow.  I don’t know what it is, but I love them.    These are the best (or worse if you’re on a diet) when you’re gaming because, you just open up the box and start jamming them into your mouth.  The best gaming junk foods are the ones you pop in your mouth blindly (and don’t leave you with messy fingers).

While Viva Puffs have been around for a long time in Canada, it wasn’t until I was older that I started to appreciate them.  It’s like one day I just decided to start eating them, and now I can’t stop.  Besides strawberry filling, Viva Puffs come in other varieties such as raspberry, fudge and candy cane.

Viva Puffs:

https://www.darefoods.com/ca_en/brand/viva-puffs/19

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/B71YAcUoPKA

'47 CLEAN UP Adjustable Hat

I’ve been a die-hard '47 Brand fan for years now, specifically their “Franchise” style hat.  I’ve owned various teams and colour hats, but always in the Franchise style.  Yet I never bought an adjustable version because I didn’t see the purpose of buying another style hat if the Franchise was already perfect.  This all changed recently one day when I noticed two Maple Leafs hats that came in the current Leafs logo from '47 Brand.  However I was shocked when I picked them up to find out that they weren’t the Franchise style, but rather an adjustable style called '47 CLEAN UP.

While in my hands I noticed that the quality was really good.  I then tried them on, and they also looked good on my head (after a little adjusting).  I then decided to give them a try, and so I bought them.  My only concern was the buckle on the back.  When I was younger I owned a Celtics hat that had a leather strap-on, and the metal buckle would always dig into my head when I hit something.  Anyway after a few weeks of wearing these hats, I have to say the buckle and strap hasn’t been a problem and in fact I haven’t even noticed it (I sometimes forget that I’m wearing it).  So overall I’m glad I bought the '47 CLEAN UP and I highly recommend it.

'47 Brand:

www.47brand.com

YouTube:

https://youtu.be/ke0WvsSnSSg