So, I can't imagine a day getting more cool, than it was Thursday for me as I ventured to the city for day one of my annual "Geek Fest" of the Calgary Expo.

If you're a regular four day straight all-day each day, visitor like me, you get to know a lot of people, and there was quite the reunion as I ran into plenty of friends among the throngs of people winding their way through the Stampede grounds.

But the best part of my day happened shortly after getting to the grounds as one of my first stops after picking up my media badge was to the Big Four building, which is home to a lot of authors and artists.

I stopped by the USNA booth to chat with my friends Allan and Larry Stanleigh.

I've interviewed Allan on many occasions, as we've chatted about his graphic novel "USNA or United States of North America." which centres around a world where Canada has become part of the United States, but isn't happy about it and a rebellion begins.

Much of the first two instalments of the novel is centred around the Calgary area.

But thanks to my friendship with the two brothers, they decided the book needed a new character.

Me.

We had talked about it jokingly last year, but I didn't think anything would come out of it, I was wrong.

I'm the new character "Russ Salinger." AKA "Dr. Future."

It was so cool to see, for years people have accused me of being a comic book character, well now I can point to one and say "See, you were right!"

It's a huge honour and something I'm very proud of, and grateful for, and I can never thank Allan, Larry and the other writers and authors of the books for making me a part of the story!

Me and USNA Author and all around awesome guy, Allan Stanleigh just after he'd shown me the panels of me in the latest installment of his graphic novel series. Poor guy. I think I heard something pop, I hugged him so hard! Photo - Larry Stanleigh.

After lot's of handshakes, picture taking and hugs, I stopped in at the Vulcan Tourism and Trekcetera booth to chat with some other good friends, Devan Daniels and Michael Mangold.

Devan told me they had a "great day" selling tickets for Vul-Con coming up in July, so he's expecting to have a good show both in Calgary and later this year back here in the Foothills.

Getting ready to moderate my first panel of the weekend at the Calgary Expo. The garbage bags being placed on stage should have made me nervous.

But, I couldn't stay long as I had a panel to moderate, where I got to meet pro cosplayer and as I came to find out, wardrobe and props guru for the Marvel Universe of Movies, Riki "Riddle" Lecotey.

She and her partner Chris Dornio were putting on a panel showing how to make silicone parts for costumes, like they did in the new Captain America: Civil War movie that comes out next week.

They talked about some of their experiences on the film, and the work they did with the actors, all while building an Iron Man silicone mask.

Needless to say they had the crowd of a few hundred in the palm of their hands.

of course making silicone props, can be messy and the Expo crew set up the stage like it was going to be a Gallagher concert, with a "splash zone."

But no one got wet!

The amazing Calgary Expo crew setting up the "Splash Zone" shortly before the panel.

Overall a great first day at the Expo!

Friday's all William Shatner day for me though!

I'm hoping it's just as awesome!

I'll also be doing some work with VTV or Vulcan Television over the weekend as their cameras will be following me around the grounds as we have some fun and talk to locals and those visiting from far away as well.

Three more days!

It's going to go too fast!

Hope to see you there!