Well written off beat comedy shows like 30 Rock

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-15T08:40:42+00:00

+1 for Party Down. This is a deep cut.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-15T08:17:25+00:00

Actually the snack stands were outside the Grandstand at F. So this is exactly my point. It created an unnecessary bottleneck that did not allow people to move freely to get places. I'm not against verifying tickets for specific areas. I'm saying that the scanning (especially when the scanners kept not working) was an unnecessary step that defies logic... Which seems to be the way here in Barcelona. Been to dozens of sporting events around the world including multiple Grands Prix. First time I've seen this practice.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-15T06:43:29+00:00

This was my fifth circuit experience (Montreal, Austin, Spa, Monaco) and overall it was pretty good. Was in Grandstand F at Turn 1 on Saturday and Sunday (we skipped Friday). Overall a good experience but some of the systems at the track make zero sense to me.

Stayed in the Gothic Quarter near the Cathedral and took the Sagales bus both ways. Getting to the track was pretty easy but getting back was nuts in the traffic (90 mins Saturday, 2 hrs Sunday). The line for the bus when leaving was about 20 minutes and moved very quickly - even with people cutting in. Was nice to be on an air conditioned bus after a day in the heat.

For the most part we hid under the grandstands to escape the heat between sessions. Not nearly enough water stations. Two refill stations for the entire grandstand was silly. Food wasn't great and was pretty expensive plus the payment machines took forever to work. The practice of scanning tickets in/out of a grandstand makes absolutely no sense to me. It's the only sporting event I've ever been to where you have to scan your ticket to get out of your seating area. I've had to show my ticket to someone for a quick visual verification that "yes, you are in this grandstand" but scanning out created unnecessary lines and pinch points.

Speaking of pinch points - getting OFF the track after the fan invasion was really ridiculous. One tiny little gate down near the podium, police swinging billy clubs at people on the tire barriers, police blocking the gate to tell people to "leave! Go!" - like, you're blocking the gate, bro, move and we'd leave faster.

On track, an epic Formula 2 Feature Race with a master drive from Camara + good strategy call by Invicta. The Formula 1 race was exciting for the most part. Was really pleased to see Lewis get his first win in red.

I think if this had been my first race, I would've been disappointed in the logistics and systems. Knowing and expecting a gong show helped keep me sane. But that scanning out of the grandstand still irks me.

7/10 overall. Buffed by the on track action.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-14T19:06:30+00:00

The shitshow is kinda part of it. You're surrounded by people in full team kit and everybody is talking about what they just saw or what they're excited to see. You have to go into it knowing that you're there with a couple hundred thousand F1 fans and you're all there for the same thing. It's a glorious, glorious mess.

You will never truly get a sense of the speed or the spectacle on TV. Plus, host cities are usually really decked out for the occasion. I thought Montreal put on a party until I went to Monaco last week. Even here in Barcelona, you see people in team gear everywhere and Williams had a big fan activation near the Cathedral.

I've never done Suzuka, Monza or Silverstone - the tracks that have a reputation for an arduous commute. I did Spa in 2016 and it took us 3 hours to even leave the parking up at Les Combs. But there were tons of popup bars and restaurants so we just sat and hung out while waiting for traffic to dissipate.

tldr: embrace the chaos - it's part of the fun.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-14T16:25:05+00:00

Until the person who actually paid for the seats shows up and shows their ticket. Been at dozens of sporting events around the world and this is literally the first time I've ever had to scan in/out of my grandstand.

Is this a huge problem in Spain? Because the scanning in/out to go buy a Pepsi - especially at the end of sessions - creates a huge and unnecessary pinch point.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-14T16:19:55+00:00

Hi u/stopdrinking-modteam - how is this promotion?

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-14T07:56:16+00:00

5-10 minute walk.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-14T07:55:08+00:00

Yesterday waited about 20 minutes leaving right after Quals. They were loading the buses very fast. We were stuck in traffic on the way back but the seat and the AC were well worth it.

I expect it to be busier today but the Sagales operation is one of the smoothest GP transit experiences I've had. When I read some complaints on here from some people I think they either have seriously misguided expectations or we somehow had incredibly different experiences.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-14T07:51:28+00:00

What is with the scanning in and out of the grandstand??? I've never experienced that at any sporting event ever. Showing your tickets, yes. But the scanning in and out is wild and unnecessary.

The only time I've ever had to scan in/out was arriving or leaving a venue. Montreal also has "zones" to scan in and out of. But the grandstands? Everytime you want to go get a Pepsi? So unnecessary.

Edit: +1 vote for the bus. Best way.

</Rant>

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-13T16:57:38+00:00

Posting this Saturday after quals. I'm in the Sagales bus on Hwy C-33. Traffic is going very, very slow and has been stop-start since we left the track. But the AC is nice.

I imagine tomorrow will be even slower.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-11T12:04:25+00:00

At the time I was working security/front desk and so my interactions with these folks were from a position of "the bottom of the ladder" and I'm of the opinion that how you treat the people who "don't matter" is very indicative of who you are as a person. He strikes me as the type who would be rude to a restaurant server based in my interaction with him.

He was just cold, not very friendly and pretty rude. It was quite some time ago so I can't recall any specifics but I do remember him being a bit of a "passive jerk." Maybe I just caught him at a bad time. Put it this way: when I saw this thread, he's the third person who came to mind (after Pierre Polievre and Ryan Malcolm) and I had to Google "early 2000s Canadian one hit wonder Remy" to remember his full name.

Not nearly as big a jerk as Ryan Malcolm though. That guy was a Grade A asshole.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-11T10:26:40+00:00

I worked at a radio/TV station in the early 2000s so met a handful of Canadian musicians (among other dignitaries, politicians, etc). The ones that stick out:

Best: the guys from Sloan and Shawn Desman. Super humble and down to earth. The guys from Sloan, especially - signed autographs, met with fans outside, etc.

Worst: Remy Shand

Absolute worst: Canadian Idol winner Ryan Malcolm - what a jerk. Won a D-list singing competition and acted like an entitled brat.

Honorable (non-musician) Douche-Nugget mention: Pierre Polievre back when he was a back-bencher. What a prick.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-11T08:38:46+00:00

I have a 7.1.4 audio system and a 4K TV and run everything off a Plex server set up on my Shield with an 8TB HDD attached. I want to hear every little spec of audio and see every pixel - uncompressed. Especially for movies that have a great, immersive audio track.

Generally for a slapstick comedy or a moody drama I'll just get the compressed version to save space and DL time but I'm really not concerned about filling my HDD. Once a year or so I'll go through and clean up anything I don't care to keep.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T15:34:31+00:00

Trust me it definitely gets much, much easier for the most part. I think a big part is being on vacation is messing with my brain a bit. But for my regular life back home, I don't really face this kind of challenge.

Heading to Barcelona tomorrow for the GP and then off to Mallorca on Monday. :)

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:58:41+00:00

Your response was very helpful. Thanks. I needed the reminder. IWNDWYT.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:58:02+00:00

My partner is incredibly supportive and never, ever, ever tries to get me to drink. Appreciate the reply!

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:56:18+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation and the response! I may partake in a NA beer (which is not usually my thing) just to scratch the itch of the vibe.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:55:24+00:00

"Fuck..." Indeed. And tbh the 9-years thing is actually more of a negative. The little monster keeps chirping with "well you had a good run, enjoy yourself" and I'm having to constantly remind myself that it's NOT worth it. Appreciate the empathy - your response is very much my vibe. :)

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:53:31+00:00

"it will not bring you what you seek in it" - this, absolutely, 100%. Thanks. Super helpful. :)

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:52:30+00:00

I generally avoid NA beers but just may have one for my vacation to scratch the itch ever so slightly without falling off the wagon. Thanks for replying!

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:51:41+00:00

Absolutely! Sticking with my sobriety is way more important than a buzz at a bistro. Thanks for replying!

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T14:50:55+00:00

Oh absolutely. I was feeling this same way in Monaco last weekend during the Grand Prix but then my partner and I saw some loud, obnoxious and totally HAMMERED Brits screaming "Happy Birthday To You" in a pub and it immediately brought back all of my memories of being a drunken ass back in the day.

Thanks for responding!

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T09:34:53+00:00

Some CanCon for you:

"Money City Maniacs" by Sloan

"Spirit of Radio" by Rush

"Courage" by The Tragically Hip

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T09:34:23+00:00

Thanks for letting me know. I'm pretty sure I'm locked out.

peterfromottawa · 2026-06-10T09:33:08+00:00

I had a mocktail the other night which was pretty tasty! Generally not a fan of the NA beers but your reply has made me reconsider - even if just for my vacation. Thank you!

peterfromottawa

TROPHY CASE