7:32:37 AM: Good morning. 7:30am. Didn’t sleep too well last night. Shuttle to airport is in an hour.

8:06:00 AM: Our shuttle is here in twenty minutes. Waiting for the last guy to finish his shower then we are off.

8:09:20 AM: Tony just came back from downstairs. Printed our boarding passes. We checked in online so we can all sit together this time.

8:38:18 AM: On our way to the airport. Driving through the rough neighborhoods now. Yikes.

8:48:21 AM: Picked up the rest of the passengers. At least I hope there is no more. Officially going to the airport now.

9:05:04 AM: Definitely had too much greasy food this week with not much exercise. Going to eat healthy the next few days.

9:32:45 AM: Made it to the gate. We have more than two hours until take off. Ugh.

10:16:22 AM: http://pic.gd/77b2f1 Sitting and waiting for our flight at LAX

11:04:18 AM: We are hoping to board at 11:15. Only ten minutes.

11:40:51 AM: Finally boarding the plane. Somehow I doubt we are leaving on time. Sigh.

11:50:07 AM: Door is closing. Apparently we are going to make up a lot of time because of wind. See you in Ontario.

4:04:16 PM: Just landed. Half an hour early too. 7pm local time.

4:16:25 PM: Just went through customs. Picking up luggage then it’s home free.

5:22:32 PM: On my way back home. Definitely looks so much nicer than LA in Ontario. Ha. Thanks for keeping tabs on me this week folks! Was fun!

10:21:49 AM: Looks like it isn’t going to be great weather today. Bummer. Hopefully we can at least see some stuff though, even if it’s raining.

10:51:55 AM: I need to install the last.fm plugin on my iMac when I get home. The previously played on my website says its been 44 days. Definitely hasnt

10:57:57 AM: Packing when we get back to the hotel is going to be such a pain. Waiting for the last guy to get out of the shower and then we’re off.

11:16:33 AM: On our way out. Not sure where yet. Probably food.

12:00:05 PM: Just arrived at Hollywood and Highland.

12:23:20 PM: http://pic.gd/f25483 Eating lunch at the California Pizza Kitchen with a view of the Hollywood sign.

1:11:00 PM: Finished the meal. Was good. Now don’t know what we will do. Probably shop a little.

2:31:20 PM: http://pic.gd/e075 Walking the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Waiting to start a bus tour.

5:06:20 PM: http://pic.gd/d893a5 Leaving the hollywood strip. Finished the tour.

5:17:37 PM: So I guess that last picture didn’t send on time. It was taken probably half an hour ago. We’re back at the hotel now.

5:51:51 PM: Despite forecasts saying thunderstorms today and some nasty looking clouds, it ended up being yet another beautiful day. Just a few clouds.

7:09:50 PM: Heading downstairs to eat. finished packing.

9:00:44 PM: Watching Xmen on TV. Just kind of killing time until we go to bed. Full from supper…

10:33:00 PM: Going to watch tv from bed and plug in my phone. Goodnight Twitterland.

9:26:21 AM: Running a little slower today. One more to go through the shower, then we’re leaving. They’re talking about breakfast too.

10:03:17 AM: Getting ready to leave for the convention centre. Guess we will probably be 30 minutes late or so.

10:17:06 AM: Decided to get some bagels. Saw the Ghostbusters guys/girl leave. They are staying in our hotel too.

11:00:52 AM: Going into the expo now finally.

11:19:00 AM: Looks like G4 isn’t filming anymore from E3 today. That’s really lame.

11:34:20 AM: http://pic.gd/60af8e Watching Anthony get destroyed by a professional gamer.

11:40:11 AM: Just saw Victor filming a segment for Electric Playground in the Microsoft Booth.

12:05:23 PM: http://pic.gd/5208fd In line to check out The Beaties Rock Band. The sign above the door says Abbey Road.

12:42:20 PM: http://pic.gd/477fc7 Just had a full demo of The Beatles Rock Band. Now going to play. Looks AMAZING.

1:22:03 PM: Seems like we’ve hit most stuff in the West Hall. Maybe we will go over to the South Hall to finish the day. Lineup for some big titles.

1:36:37 PM: Seems a lot busier today than the past two. Wonder why. Especially in the hallways connecting the two exhibit halls.

1:39:54 PM: Just passed the Jimmy Fallon roving reporter filming in the hallway. Man I wish I could remember what show/movie he’s from.

2:23:32 PM: Anthony and Chris wimped out and went back to the hotel for a bit to nap. I stayed at the Expo. Not even tired.

3:37:56 PM: Longest lineups at E3? God of War 3 for PS3 first, then the new Halo for Xbox 360 second.

3:42:23 PM: Data has been funky lately for some reason. Wouldnt load. Yet it says AT&T is at full bars. Found a wifi hotspot booth to send one.

3:47:37 PM: There has been a lot of emphasis on no one under the age of 17 or 18. Yet I have been seeing a lot of young teens or earlier today. Odd.

3:56:24 PM: Things are winding down. Swag is empty at most spots and a few booths in the hallways are even closed. Getting tired and bored now.

4:21:22 PM: http://pic.gd/64bdb3 Don’t know what this guy is all about but I saw him walking around. Many cameras and a laptop strapped on him.

4:27:20 PM: http://pic.gd/5426b Batman thought he’d try his luck recording a Rock Band video in the main lobby.

4:31:20 PM: http://pic.gd/80b212 Leaving the convention center for the last time. Going to meet up with the guys at the hotel. Farewell E3!

4:38:19 PM: http://pic.gd/5d3141 Waiting for the subway. Another beautiful day in LA. Temp is perfect, especially with the wind.

4:59:17 PM: Back at the hotel. Both chris and tony are asleep on the beds. Sheesh. Guess they aren’t in that great of shape. Ha

6:45:24 PM: Going to head down and get food, whether the other two lazy guys are still asleep or not…

7:01:57 PM: Ended up just going downstairs. Going to get food and watch the basketball game.

7:06:19 PM: Star studded line up of fans at the game. We tried to get tickets but they sold out in minutes. #NBA

7:40:39 PM: Brought my laptop downstairs since there is free Wifi. The other two guys are coming down now too, from the sounds of it.

8:26:21 PM: http://pic.gd/43d314 Lounge singer did her homework and got the lyrics to a coldplay song. Tony is doing a duet with her.

8:48:19 PM: For those interested. The singer is Ana Guigui. Check out her website at: http://www.anaguigui.com

9:40:00 PM: It is weird seeing Fallon and Kimmel on at 9:35pm. Ha. I like it. Can watch it live and not have it at 12:35am

11:39:49 PM: Been watching YouTube videos in the hotel room… Jimmy Fallon opening the MTV Music Awards was a hit with the guys: http://is.gd/ORjE

11:49:04 PM: Getting really tired. Anthony is already out. Chris is wide awake and starting to watch a movie by himself on a laptop. haha.

12:02:23 AM: midnight pacific… Time for bed. Looks like Chris is staying up to finish his movie. Goodnight all.

8:29:30 AM: The lovely alarm woke us up at 8AM. Just starting to get moving. Show floor opens at 10AM today. We may be a little later than open.

8:32:37 AM: It’s funny how it starts off cloudy every morning here, then gets sunny by like 10 or 11.

9:45:35 AM: http://pic.gd/5d76fc The subway station by our hotel is always empty, even when you go down to the platform.

9:52:25 AM: http://pic.gd/c50094 Snapped a quick pic of the marshmellow man as we go inside again.

10:01:37 AM: Standing in line to get a free copy of Battlefield 1943 for either PS3 or 360.

10:35:28 AM: http://pic.gd/6a158b In line to play the upcoming Ghostbusters game. Looks great.

11:36:21 AM: http://pic.gd/fa0a8 At a briefing with Activision telling us about DJ Hero.

11:50:21 AM: Just destroyed the Nintendo rep in Wii Sports Grand Slam Tennis with the new Wii Motion Plus.

11:59:22 AM: Watching a big countdown for Modern Warfare 2. Not sure what’s going to happen, but it’s less than two minutes to go! #mw2

12:15:26 PM: http://pic.gd/e98884 Met the voice of Mario at the Nintendo booth.

12:15:26 PM: http://pic.gd/e98884 Met the voice of Mario at the Nintendo booth.

12:35:58 PM: Lunch break. Seems as soon as noon hit, everyone ran to the food areas. We thought we’d wait until 12:30.

12:42:49 PM: One thing I am really digging about E3: Macs and iPhones are everywhere! Especially MacBook Pros. These attendees have taste.

12:49:48 PM: Are you kidding me? Found free wifi at the convention center. I could have been using this since yesterday to avoid roaming charges. Sigh.

1:03:22 PM: http://pic.gd/22937b In line to get a free 3D scanning of our face for Facebook, etc

1:12:23 PM: http://pic.gd/b91240 My 3D face from the booth. Will upload the jpg online later.

1:19:09 PM: Ends up the free wifi is only in a certain area. Don’t feel bad now. Ha.

2:01:21 PM: http://pic.gd/35ec7f Just played the new Transformers. Way better than last. Now playing Uncharted 2.

2:31:21 PM: Uncharted 2 is impressive. Multiplayer adds a lot. Now Tony and I are going to play the New Super Mario Bros. Wii now

2:39:20 PM: http://pic.gd/2d18d6 THE Stan Lee is signing autographs. Unfortunately we didn’t know about it and missed it.

2:53:45 PM: There are so many members of the media here from around the world. I can’t even count how many times I have been on camera.

3:23:23 PM: http://pic.gd/17fcad Late Night With Jimmy Fallon is filming a segment on God of War III. Fallon isn’t here but the guy who looks so familia

3:33:20 PM: http://pic.gd/9d15 Going to try the upcoming PSP Go.

4:33:20 PM: http://pic.gd/2ec22c Watching G4 film a segment on Fight Night.

5:10:02 PM: Wow. 5:10pm? Time flies when you are having fun. Only 50 minutes left on the show floor.

5:32:28 PM: We just got our picture taken with Mario and Sonic together. Good way to finish the day. Heading back to the hotel now.

6:20:16 PM: http://pic.gd/b88adc For @marcscott. Got a pic with the Firefighters girl, just for you.

6:26:50 PM: Back at the hotel room. Trying to figure out what to do tonight while getting organized.

6:59:32 PM: Was definitely wishing Sims 3 would be here at E3. Isn’t though. Guess I’ll just have to buy it when I get home.

7:22:39 PM: Looking at some pics from the show on the cameras… It’s not even worth calling some of them booths. They are massive! #E3

7:32:21 PM: On a walk to get dinner. Not sure where but probably in Koreantown.

9:05:05 PM: Hanging out downstairs listening to the lounge singer and talking / putting in requests. She’s funny.

10:19:20 PM: http://pic.gd/f7de95 Anthony convinced the lady to let him play a song. Ha.

12:18:57 AM: Well, we’re tired… Been hanging out in the hotel room last little bit. Heading to bed now. Goodnight all.

8:56:11 AM: Well, up and at ‘em. Didn’t have a great sleep last night, probably because of the time change. Waiting for everyone to finish showers.

9:28:06 AM: Watching the Nintendo keynote from the hotel room. Some decent stuff being announced that we’ll be playing later today on the floor. #e3expo

9:40:48 AM: Kingdom Hearts is announced for the Nintendo DS as well as a new Mario & Luigi game. Score. My bro will like those. #e3expo

10:06:35 AM: Heading down to the convention center area now.

10:42:29 AM: http://pic.gd/7870ff This one is for @marcscott. Firefighter game promotion outside the convention center

10:50:27 AM: http://pic.gd/f75149 Big push for the Ghostbusters game. Original car, marshmellow dude, and even Ghostbusters dressed up and walking ar …

11:30:37 AM: Just had lunch in the convention center before going in. Doors open at noon pacific. Chris and I had undercooked pizza and tony had a burger

11:50:16 AM: Ten minutes and we go in. Looking through the windows and it looks insane in there. Can’t wait.

11:59:25 AM: Final minute countdown. Here we go!

12:48:33 PM: http://pic.gd/1d5a21 At the Microsoft booth at E3. Just saw the new Splinter Cell game.

1:13:34 PM: http://pic.gd/584a9f At the EA booth now. SO many games!

2:10:55 PM: http://pic.gd/3f45f5 At the Halo: ODST briefing at E3.

2:41:30 PM: http://pic.gd/6cc146 The new Batman game has an entire booth that is themed after it. Love it.

2:43:00 PM: Keep losing Chris and Tony. Don’t even care anymore. Just ran into Tommy, formally of Electric Playground.

2:49:31 PM: Just bumped into Josh from Engadget. Love that website. Also did hilarious interviews with Jimmy Fallon.

3:17:21 PM: Watching G4 film a segment.

3:42:23 PM: We are in line for something at the Alienware booth. Don’t really know what for but it looks exciting.

4:35:23 PM: http://pic.gd/b9019c The Nintendo booth is absolutely massive. Wow.

4:59:21 PM: http://pic.gd/3ed034 Inside Sony’s massive booth now.

5:19:19 PM: Done for the day. Walking to the subway. So hot again today.

5:55:01 PM: So anyone want to meet up in LA this week? Met a couple people already. I will probably be done most stuff tomorrow. #E3expo

6:12:13 PM: Eating at the hotel restaurant. Not sure what we are going to do tonight. Such a beautiful day. Maybe we will swim.

7:10:58 PM: @joshmcconnell I’ll take a shot of the big marshmellow guy if it’s still standing. Forgot to with my cell today. http://pic.gd/f75149

7:16:25 PM: @marcscott Looks like the firefighters game is coming out the week of August 4th.

7:37:04 PM: Anything you want me to ask or look into here at E3? Let me know and I’ll do what I can.

8:35:48 PM: 8:36pm LA time… going to walk around the hotel and try to find the pool and get some extra pillows

9:37:24 PM: http://pic.gd/bee7b4 Decided to go for a walk and found a Korean arcade. It’s pretty crazy.

10:45:58 PM: Came back to the hotel and hung out for a while… Approaching 11pm and we’re pretty tired. Think we’re calling it a night soon.

11:01:45 PM: Heading to bed. Only 11pm but the whole jet leg thing combined with walking all day takes it toll. Night.

1:40:08 AM: And here we go. 4:40am eastern. Literally just woke up. Going to be a long day…

2:17:35 AM: Just a reminder… All my Twitter posts from now until I get back Saturday are archived at my site (http://is.gd/LkUI) in PACIFIC time.

2:34:49 AM: Leaving now to the airport. The sun is just peaking out.

3:14:03 AM: The CN Tower looks cool in the distance with the sun rising behind it. Approaching the airport now.

4:37:52 AM: At our gate. Boarding is in 20 minutes.

4:42:18 AM: Tony is trying to hack the airport wifi. Not going so well. Haha

5:16:57 AM: On the plane. Taking off in 15 minutes at 8:30am. Watchmen is on the flight. Golden. Talk with you in about six hours. Ugh.

10:57:53 AM: And landed at LAX. Wow. Such a long flight. Ugh. Watched Gran Tarino and a Coldplay concert. Then killed time. Waiting to park at the gate.

10:59:38 AM: Changing timezones is weird. It’s like time traveling. We just spent nearly six hours on the plane yet it shows three on the clocks. Crazy.

12:05:13 PM: In the shuttle to the hotel. Have to drop two others off first. Scorching hot inside. Don’t know where we are. Lots of palm trees though.

1:02:20 PM: http://pic.gd/f99c7c At the hotel. Not the greatest area but better than what we saw near LAX. Ha

1:19:30 PM: Tony had his credit card left behind on the plane. The lady who took his food order didn’t give it back. Called and got it cancelled. Brutal

1:21:08 PM: The hotel is kind of run down, but whatever, we aren’t here for the hotel, right? At least the wi-fi works, using it right now.

2:51:36 PM: http://pic.gd/e00203 At the convention centre walking around. Can’t do much yet cause everyone still is setting up

3:03:58 PM: So much hotter now. Sweating buckets. Tons of cool stuff around the convention centre. Loving it.

3:24:12 PM: At the Rock’n Fish beside the Staples Centre. Ordering some fish and chips from the lunch menu. Digging LA. Initial impressions were rough.

4:31:23 PM: http://pic.gd/5fc9fb Decided to cab it to the Beverly Center in Beverly Hills. Got dropped off underground.

5:02:39 PM: Not busy at the Beverly Center at all. Weird. Thought it would be.

5:21:27 PM: http://pic.gd/bfd931 The Hollywood Hills from the Beverly Center. We could see the Hollywood sign in the distance

6:06:32 PM: Just bought two pairs of shorts from Champs. Buy one get one free. Kind of needed them since I only brought one pair.

6:43:25 PM: http://pic.gd/e36 Walking the streets of LA. Hardly anyone else is. Lots of sunlight when it’s nearly 10pm back home.

7:10:04 PM: Back at the hotel. Definitely tired and sore. ha. Love free wifi though… On my MacBook Pro.

8:07:00 PM: Watching Los Angeles news in the hotel room. Found out E3 show floor doesn’t start till 12pm tomorrow. Nice. 10am final two days though.

10:28:09 PM: Getting ready for bed. Time change is catching up. Ha. More to come tomorrow. E3 begins! Goodnight.

Hello folks. Long time no talk. It seems like blogs are starting to fade with the introduction of sites such as Twitter, hasn’t it? Or maybe that’s just my excuse for not updating. I’ve been pushing the heck out of Twitter for years now, but it has only hit the mainstream within the past few months. I like being able to say the word Twitter and most know what I’m talking about now. Though, at the same time, it’s time to find the next big thing. It’s always fun hopping on board with something at the beginning of its life, then to see it hit the mainstream a couple of years later.

Anyway, to the point of this entry. I’m off to Hollywood! In the very early morning of Monday (4:45AM to be exact), I’ll be leaving my house to the airport and be on my way to Los Angeles. I’m attending E3 (E3Expo.com), which is “the world’s premiere trade show for computer and video games and related products.” Two friends and I have wanted to hit up this trade show ever since we were young and this year we were all presented with the opportunity to actually go on behalf of work. We are pretty pumped. So we’ll be in the Los Angeles / Hollywood area from June 1st to 6th.

The good news for you? I’ve added a US data plan to my iPhone and will be updating my Twitter account with text and picture entries all week. So if you haven’t already, follow me on Twitter. I also have set it up so this blog will be updated each day with my Twitter entries as they are posted, so that way it is easier to see the archive of events that happened throughout each day.

The Wordpress plugin I will be using is called Twitter LiveBlog. It’s a great tool and definitely worth checking out if you are looking for a way to archive your Twitter entries during an event. Very impressed with it:
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/twitter-liveblog/

So hop on board and enjoy the ride! It’s my first time going to the LA area, let alone E3, so I’m pretty excited. Should be fun. Again, here’s the link to my Twitter account so you can follow live:
http://twitter.com/joshmcconnell

EDIT (May 30th): Figured out how to change it so the timestamps appear in Pacific time and not Eastern. So when I start archiving each day of Twitter entries from Los Angeles, the times posted WILL be in Pacific time. I deleted the part above where I mentioned it would be the other way around.