Back for seconds.

Yeah. I know what I said last year...but it's the Taste of Buffalo. As long as I have feet to walk on, money and an appetite, there's no way I can stay away.

This year, I had a yen to revisit a technique that - I believe - served me well in the past: partake of the Taste’s bounty, steal away to the nearby movie theater and take in a flick, then return for any remaining repast. Foolproof! Seemingly.

I found my usual parking area some blocks away. It helps to get some exercise in with all the food I'll be eating.

When I got up to Delaware, there was a huge line. After a few minutes, I couldn't help but ask about the nature of the line. As it turns out, this was the line for buying tickets with cash. However, I was in the mood for paying with credit. This line turned out to be much shorter.

Eight sheets (of tickets) to the wind, I head off to sate my appetite. I keep hoping that I am able to try these dishes in the style of a feast: first, an appetizer, then the main course (with sides where applicable) and finish it off with dessert. Despite my desire to lose weight, that is (given the layout of the stands) far too much walking than I am willing to put up with.

Still, the first meal of interest indulges my desire somewhat: the Chicken Wonton from Sidelines Sports Bar and Grill.

The ratio of chicken to wonton was hopelessly unbalanced in favor of the latter, but the tangy dipping sauce helped to paper over any design flaws.

A good deal more walking (through crowds that seem to get thicker every year) led me to the Impossible Loaded Taco Nachos from Avenue29 Foods.

If the scanty nature of the dish had been its only problem… Now, I like nachos, especially when they’re not too spicy like these were. I found myself eating around things more than eating them. Some people like hot peppers and jalapeños, but I’m not some people.

Just across the street were the Steak & Cheese Logs from Steaksters.

Available with three dipping sauces and blue cheese was the only non-objectionable choice. Very tasty. Still could be considered an entree.

And what better side dish than the Macaroni Tuna Salad from Brodies of WNY LLC?

Despite the name, there seemed to be a lot of egg salad in its DNA, which is always a good thing. 

Wanting to keep the fun train going, I stop at Restaurante Mi Isla to try out the Arroz con Gandules. 

The only thing missing from this dish: spices. I suppose I understand wanting to move more product so as not to offend the rubes, but man! A dash of salt, at least!

One of the things I loved about Tastes of old were the offerings from the (now-defunct) Jack Astor's. One of them was Garlic Bread. Dripping with butter and full of garlicky goodness. Good times.

I guess I was desperate for that same magic from the Garlic Bread from Anchi A La Carte.

Edible, but a bit less magical than I wanted.

As this was the 40th anniversary of the Taste, Tops was offering attendees birthday cake. The pieces were small, but still quite delicious.

I wanted to get to the theater at a reasonable time (i.e. about 10-15 minutes after the listed showtime; I trudged through the hot, hot sun and desperately needed to evacuate my bowels. The last thing I wanted was to suffer through condescending trailers for youth-aimed pablum.), so I headed back the way I came. However, there was one last item I wanted to try: the "Chicken Coop" Loaded Potato from Dirty Bird Chicken N' Waffles LLC. 

Even with the long, long line, I just had to get some for myself. All I can say is that I miss the Dirty Bird Sandwich that's a part of the food truck's normal menu.

Then, it was off to the movies for Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken. I really wanted to see it before it ended up on streaming...July 18th. (Which was announced on the film's theatrical release date of June 30th. This streaming thing is backfiring on studios in a big way and if they don't figure out that their writers and actors need to be paid a fair wage, they're sure as shit never figuring this out.) A no-prize to anyone who guessed that I was the only person in the screening room. The film is undeniably derivative - if you've seen Luca and Turning Red, you've pretty much seen this movie - but still quite charming. The character work, effective scripting and rubbery animation make it entertaining.

After the movie, I returned for more food. Sadly, as it was getting quite late, some of the vendors I wished to patronize were running low on their dishes.

Because I just couldn't stay away, I returned to Steaksters for their Chicken Wing Dip Logs.

For real, I need to look this place up. They've got something.

I had next hoped to hit up A'mano Fresh Pasta Kitchen. Their line was crazy long, so I instead tried my hand at WBBZ's booth. Three chances to throw a football through a hole in the hopes of winning a prize. I missed three times, especially demoralizing when you consider that some punk kid made it all three times.

Frustration is setting in. To alleviate that, I get the Alu Tikki from New Jewel of India, which is described as a 'deep fried potato pancake stuffed with peas'. What have I got to lose?

Apparently six tickets. The spice problem asserts itself yet again...and this was an Indian joint!

I get back in line for A'mano's, figuring that I truly have nothing to lose, by this point. By the time I get up there, what I want from them is still cooking and wouldn't be ready for quite some time. That they're sold out of another of their items is a sign. 'Maybe, I can salvage this with some dessert', I find myself thinking.

Nope. Golden Hour Treats is on break.

Feeling that I have had all I can stand and unwilling to spend more time here than I need to, I decided that the Piggy Mac'N from The Cheesy Chick would be my last entree of the day.

This was okay; perfectly cromulent, but nothing special, a feeling I’ve had for a number of this place’s offerings.

Realizing I had been licked, I went to Just Pizza to pick up some Cajun Honey BBQ Chicken Wings for my mom. Good thing I remembered to bring a Ziploc bag to keep them in. Of course, walking all the way back to my car wiped me out, but if I could get home, decompress and whip up a strategy for tomorrow, I'd be just fine.

Cut to Sunday. Less hassle (I hope). Less people (I assume). More of a focused meal plan (I’m sure).

I garnish my leftover tickets with a fresh new sheet and I’m off to work.

First, I head for the Kith and Kin Bakeshop & Bistro to try their Meatloaf Sundae.

Wow. To think this was actually in my ‘maybe’ pile as far as the weekend’s offerings. So damn good. I’d take it over half of the meals I was drowning in sweat to obtain yesterday.

Once again, I went to the WBBZ booth to try my hand at a prize. Three more misses. Ugh. (Didn’t go home empty-handed, though. Got a tote bag from the WUTV booth from their faux-Plinko game.)

I went back to A’mano Fresh Pasta Kitchen’s stand. The line was much shorter today. It took a whole freaking day, but I finally got my Rigatoni Alla Bolognese.

It was…fine. Maybe, I’d grown too accustomed to the pesto in Stouffer’s Rigatoni dish, but the marinara just didn’t compare. 

Just as I'd hoped to do on Saturday, I finished my jaunt with dessert: Banana Pudding from Golden Hour Treats. The cost was ten tickets and it was worth every single one.

Having had my fill, I trudged back to my car and made my way home, where it took me two weekends to finish this post. Be glad I didn't wait until August. I'd have totally forgotten the specifics by then.

All in all, this was one of the more interesting, frustrating and just plain unusual Tastes I've experienced and I can't promise I won't do it again next year.

But will the strike affect Fan Expo Canada?

This schedule was drawn up before the SAG went on strike. I will not update it, because there's too much cool stuff hereabouts.

Thursday

15th Annual Behind the Music Panel: Supersonic | Room 25ABC | 10:00a - Primarily TV composers, but who says I can't learn anything from them?

Ninth Annual Musical Anatomy of a Superhero: Film and TV Composer Panel | Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront | 11:15a - Beck, Karpman, Krlic, Lennertz, Russo and Wallfisch in a panel moderated by Giacchino. What more can I say?

The Owl House: Us Weirdos Have to Stick Together | Room 6A | 12:30p - The voices of Luz, Lilith and Raine talk about the show. Sounds fun.

Master Class: Writing for Animation and Comics | Room 10 | 1:30p - Because one can never learn too much about how to do this.

Celebrating 1982: Greatest Geek Year Ever on the CW | Room 5AB | 3:00p - Been enjoying the series on the CW. Another of those things that makes me feel I was born too late.

FX’s What We Do in the Shadows - In lieu of the actors talking about the craziness of the fifth season - which started with a bang, I think - they’re offering 'A Familiar Weekend'; a stroll through Laszlo’s garden,  and I suppose that could be just as good. It’s on the Hilton Bayfront Lawn, which I imagine would get a lot of traffic for the network's programming. 

35th Anniversary of Beetlejuice | Room 25ABC | 6:00p - Mainly a chat with the make-up artist that created Michael Keaton's look. Still might be worthwhile.

Ghostface's Killer Trivia | Room 25ABC | 8:00p - The voice of Ghostface, Roger L. Jackson, hosts a horror trivia contest. What I wouldn't give to have this experience.

The 26th Annual Comic-Con Superhero Kung Fu Extravaganza | Room 6A | 8:00p - Yes, a conflict, so why is it listed here? Because I'm convinced I can sneak in once the previous panel is over. Hell, I think I can.

Friday

A Look Back at Animated Series of the 80s | Room 32AB | 10:00a - Looking at various title sequences on YouTube (especially from the beginning of the decade), a lot of shows of the era were mercenary crap and that's before the 22-minute commercials entered the picture. Still, living vicariously.

Is The Orville the Greatest Science Fiction Show on Television? | Grand 10 & 11, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina | 11:00a - Would it be disingenuous to attend this panel if I've only seen a handful of episodes? Asking for a friend who also happens to have my name and body type.

Spotlight on John Semper | Room 4 | 12:00p - How's this for a sweet gig: writing and showrunning an animated series and pretty much being left alone because the parent company you're working for is staring down the barrel of bankruptcy? I can only imagine what over stories he has.

Rick and Morty 10th Anniversary | Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront | 2:00p - The sixth season rebounded nicely from the tasteless, pointless fifth. Here's hoping that the new voices for the title characters sound more like the original than impressions, which - let's face it - is a very thin line to tread.

The Blerd Panel | Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina | 3:00p - I got to get on one of these one day.

You’re Wrong, Leonard Maltin | Room 23ABC | 4:00p - As wrong as some of his reviews have been over the years (hello, Cats Don't Dance), I really do miss his yearly book. Still, would be interested in hearing what others have to say to him.

Bob’s Burgers | Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront | 5:00p - The last season has had its problems (Linda going Annie Wilkes on the children's author and the snarky police operator refusing to believe the woman's Nazi report in the WWII flashback episode are noted examples), but I can't help but wonder if the show can get back on track.

Q and A Writing Workshop with J. Michael Straczynski | Room 11 | 7:00p - The man's worked in film, television and comics. It'd be foolish to not want to hear some tips.

Yippee-Kai-Yay, or Nay? Is Die Hard a Christmas Movie? | Room 29AB | 8:00p - What even constitutes a Christmas movie? 

Saturday

That 70s Show 25th Anniversary | Originally, Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp were going to look back at the show and the effect it had on their careers. All things being honest, the first four years were the best. The last four (pro tip: these episodes are all named after songs)...were not.

Futurama | Ballroom 20 | 11:00a - The show is back for (I presume) the final time thanks to Hulu. I really hope the ratio of good episodes to dull ones is better than it was in the Comedy Central run. (It was nice to get a Prisoner of Benda or Saturday Morning Fun Pit, but having to sit through five Zapp Dingbats to get to them? Life is too short.)

Cartoon Voices I | Room 6BCF | 1:00p - While I'm glad that Fan Expo has had these panels (though not last year, for some reason), it'd be nice to revisit this one.

Defiant: the Robert Smalls Story | Room 6DE | 3:00p - A movie may never be produced of this incredible true story, but a graphic novel is just as good. Can't wait to pick it up.

From The Dark Knight to Count Crowley: David Dastmalchian's Journey from Comic Book Movie Actor to Comic Book Creator | Room 6DE | 4:15p - From a scene stealer to a comic book writer. If his Fangoria article is anything to go by, he's seen some shit. I imagine those experiences translating well to comics.

Adapting Comics to TV and Film | Room 29CD | 5:30p - The challenges of adapting comics to the big screen...though I see a real blood in the water scenario having the panel anchored by the writers of Morbius.

Live Celebrity Gameshow: ITATYWOYCTSATATIWOMC | Room 7AB | 7:30p - Or (deep breath) "Is The Answer That You Wrote On Your Card The Same As The Answer That I Wrote On My Card?". Okay, was somebody paid by the word? "The Match Game" with voice actors. Cool.

Sunday

Cartoon Voices II | Room 6A | 11:45a - More talented VAs putting their spins on some kind of script.

Spotlight on J. Michael Straczynski | Room 5AB | 1:15p - There's a new "Babylon 5" project on the way, so what better time to get to know the man and his career?


Conflicts:

Superheroes and Not-So-Super Villains with Patton Oswalt and Friends | Room 6DE | Thu 3:15p - Any opportunity to hear Oswalt speak is a good one, especially if he has a comic book in the chamber.
From the Screen to Your Plate: Food in Pop Culture | Room 24ABC | Thu 6:30p - A discussion on how 'favorite fandoms inspire culinary creations'. Neat.
The Black Panel | Room 5AB | Fri 10:00a - I got to get on one of these one day.
Mobile Filmmaking: How to Make a Movie Using a Smartphone | Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina | Fri 4:45p - Most years, I list the various filmmaking panels as something I might want to attend, but, really, all I need is this one. I'm sure.
History of Cartoon Voices | Room 7AB | Sat 4:30p - The 'history of how cartoons learned to talk'. What a neat chance to hear about some of the all-time greats of the genre.
Looney Legends: A Conversation with the Voices of Bugs Bunny and Other Favorite Characters | Room 29CD | Sun 1:30p - Ostensibly, a documentary focusing on Noel Blanc and Jeff Bergman (the latter in person) talking about classic cartoons. Awesome.

That's all, folks! (until next year)

No false reassurances.

I’ll be the first to admit that the things I enjoy in all facets of life are rather arcane. Even now, one of my all-time favorite movie tropes - and one I so wish would come back - is the one where the heroes have killed or thwarted all the bad guys, but there’s still one left over hiding out and they end up giving themselves way through some unseen word or action. cf. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three, Diamonds Are Forever.

Another oddly specific trope I’m fond of is the end credits music in horror movies that more or less tells the audience, ‘Don’t worry about the survivors. They’re gonna be just fine.’ David Newman’s The Kindred is a strong example, but another one that caught me by surprise in the last year or so was Danny Elfman‘s Nightbreed.

The first 3:02 typifies the creepy/violent nature of the film - and was a favorite whenever I’d listen to the composer’s compilation “Music for a Darkened Theater - Vol. 1” - but then (as I discovered when I first saw the film a few years ago), there was a delicate, achingly beautiful variation on the main theme afterwards. Harp, flute and strings unite for one of Elfman's most underrated cues. (BTW, yes, I am eagerly awaiting Intrada's imminent expansion of this score.)

I guess I just miss horror movies where the villain was defeated at the end because it wasn't some arcane force that could never be stopped and the characters were pretty much ass-fucked from before the first studio logo. We need more of those again.