tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59301288771226609172024-03-13T00:40:25.910-07:00Goodwill Hunting 4 GeeksDerek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.comBlogger473125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-58873884437215100422020-06-06T15:07:00.000-07:002020-06-06T15:07:27.266-07:00You know it's bad when... <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't really have much to write about right now, to be honest, but I wanted to make myself do it anyway. I can't think of a better reason to start blogging right now than the fact that we're experiencing some terrifying stuff, hiding from a virus in our homes while the world seems to be literally trying to destroy itself. </div>
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So here it is. A return to the blog. This may not end up being what it ever was before, but I am not the same person I was when I was writing this blog before anyway. Be gentle. I'm just dipping in my toes here. It will take me some time to focus up and get some good ideas for actual posts. Until that happens, I thought I'd just share some fun pics from my Instagram account. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-nGttb2iy3ZzepNVi_TD7O4tLQ9JmB9Q4FbpPLgxi-ltyqgk-bUVr8_ZgVoVMNP6PMqporwpaq9m0eYrvwUizaVD5gvCpSSiSPrxRgIFqxTfxPZp55CjsrmrolFPmtkvAUwMeh9gj9g/s1600/Potato+Heads.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="273" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-nGttb2iy3ZzepNVi_TD7O4tLQ9JmB9Q4FbpPLgxi-ltyqgk-bUVr8_ZgVoVMNP6PMqporwpaq9m0eYrvwUizaVD5gvCpSSiSPrxRgIFqxTfxPZp55CjsrmrolFPmtkvAUwMeh9gj9g/s400/Potato+Heads.PNG" width="393" /></a></div>
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I really just wanted to post some fun pictures today and be able to say: "There, I did it. I blogged again." So that maybe I will keep doing it and keep adding a bit of positivity to the world instead of being scared of it. Here are my two potato heads. They were both Goodwill finds. The one on the left LOOKS like he's super old, but he's actually a reproduction released somewhere in the early-to mid aughts. The guy on the left is practically BRAND NEW and I bought him mainly because I wanted one that looked more like the guy in the Pixar Toy Story films. They look ridiculously happy together and that's what I wanted. I don't ever really remember caring all that much about Potato Head toys when I was a kid, but they have so much nostalgia wrapped up in them anyway!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunfnR0RkL60jMtCm4zr3kolk1KLu8HMzCTWmiPuuU5zzc6xxj6SzItD81M6nYw2fRacTOYRyR-ijf9RLRiCZtuKP-2sFulUGef-X9A4HEgLZAcd1qme7-Ee89aEInsNbvNnLtrk3W8Y8/s1600/Pennywise+and+Mike.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="490" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgunfnR0RkL60jMtCm4zr3kolk1KLu8HMzCTWmiPuuU5zzc6xxj6SzItD81M6nYw2fRacTOYRyR-ijf9RLRiCZtuKP-2sFulUGef-X9A4HEgLZAcd1qme7-Ee89aEInsNbvNnLtrk3W8Y8/s400/Pennywise+and+Mike.PNG" width="356" /></a></div>
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Here we have a couple of the NECA "Toony Terrors" action figures. These guys were NOT thrift finds. Sometimes I buy new if the item is exciting enough, and boy do I love these figures. They are colorful and goofy and menacing in all the right ways. I own Pinhead, Leatherface, Jason, and Freddy as well, but this one pic encapsulates everything I love about this line.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eTORC56bJRnRRcWvO9wA8gIiYl0F-aKOJ9ArCg73FecCrf00vI_XayEzNPVmwl_NSqTJ8wJBihKa3VPI74d4YLgr_nbAzblBPQXSJkrdXST9_qi3VdhxNollyPcjkLC4kEiAdP4KKH8/s1600/Netflix+Defenders+Legends.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-eTORC56bJRnRRcWvO9wA8gIiYl0F-aKOJ9ArCg73FecCrf00vI_XayEzNPVmwl_NSqTJ8wJBihKa3VPI74d4YLgr_nbAzblBPQXSJkrdXST9_qi3VdhxNollyPcjkLC4kEiAdP4KKH8/s320/Netflix+Defenders+Legends.PNG" width="311" /></a></div>
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When Amazon finally put the Luke Cage/Claire Temple 2-pack on sale for 20 bucks, I snapped it up. Then I promptly bought Luke a tiny hooded sweatshirt to wear like he does on the show. He looks great up here with Matt and Jess. Jessica Jones was absolutely my favorite show out of these three series... but Daredevil and Luke could hold their own for sure. I've kind of made it my goal to stop collecting so many different scales and versions of characters... and to star focusing MOSTLY on 6 inch scale figures like the Marvel Legends and Star Wars Black Series figs. It makes it harder for me to track down the figures I like... but I think in the long run it will help make my shelves look nicer. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-K7TUWBUT7RfGtKLEKzTXr3J3l-5ja-MqhAdkIPFybRj0PzftJcBeLkeFQfQdZiScASoTlOpsFm3pKRPjPyq4IXUNDuLlzJy6aWWiFs-4buluP2bsjZMkO94gfW_Gs3PM1Sg_vujT_I/s1600/Husky+Helpers+Wedding.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="472" height="376" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4-K7TUWBUT7RfGtKLEKzTXr3J3l-5ja-MqhAdkIPFybRj0PzftJcBeLkeFQfQdZiScASoTlOpsFm3pKRPjPyq4IXUNDuLlzJy6aWWiFs-4buluP2bsjZMkO94gfW_Gs3PM1Sg_vujT_I/s400/Husky+Helpers+Wedding.PNG" width="400" /></a></div>
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There was a classic Fisher-Price wedding at my apartment! Two of my Fisher Price Husky Helpers have discovered that they are more than just co-workers or even friends. There was a huge Fisher-Price celebration with all kinds of Adventure People, and a few other Fisher-Price characters in attendance. What's funny is that I had to travel to a Maryland fleamarket to find one of these construction workers in order to unite him with the other that I found here in Maine. So it's a true story of love and triumph. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Whelp. I think that's enough dipping my toes in for now. I'm shaking off dust and stretching muscles I haven't exercised in quite some time. So I'm striving more for repetition and habit building than quality right now. I hope you guys will be patient with me. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">But I'll be back sooner rather than later this time, with more Geeky Goodwill Goodies! Until that time... Happy Hunting! </div>
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<br />Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-14280909275097546562018-02-12T17:25:00.002-08:002018-02-12T17:25:19.495-08:00The Prodigal Blogger Returns...?We shall see...Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-38253732083180292422016-04-24T17:46:00.001-07:002016-04-24T17:46:02.686-07:00Not Dead... Just not Blogging Much Right NowIt has been... a rough year so far. And I don't mean the "<i>Man it sucks that David Bowie and Prince died...</i>" kind of rough (<i>although aaarrrggghhh!!!</i>). I mean the "<i>Wow, I may be changing absolutely everything about my life in the next few months and my entire future is uncertain...</i>" kind of rough.<br />
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My collection has taken a major hit as my lifestyle has changed, and so has the cave. I would say I have dumped a good 65% of the collection that once stood here in the Goodwill Geek Cave. My trips to Goodwill have dropped off significantly. In fact, in the past almost-four-months I only started going back out thrifting in maybe the last two weeks or so at all.<br />
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If you've been following my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thegoodwillgeek/">Instagram</a> account, you'll know that I've certainly still been collecting toys (I know it's lazy blogging to just screen capture my Instagram pics and repost them here... but I'm cutting myself some slack... Please follow suit.):<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDb8ox-hAHtqxQZ9LxyJ0ZPh9-dTEEJCLB3K4KAaOwi49ygkJ-f67CKRvS1GPo5JUhxxQcoI6rTv9LGJK2jlEbyx6PYXtM6RRIokj36ey9fs8Nt2dKAbJXKTaauPkI9uwBZBbW7Cvt_U/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDb8ox-hAHtqxQZ9LxyJ0ZPh9-dTEEJCLB3K4KAaOwi49ygkJ-f67CKRvS1GPo5JUhxxQcoI6rTv9LGJK2jlEbyx6PYXtM6RRIokj36ey9fs8Nt2dKAbJXKTaauPkI9uwBZBbW7Cvt_U/s200/001.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGUxN50Vn5A4CJNjwDXaYt_Aeo4V9WcL6uLdsbIL7tBBzj7wN-DwUlipeumqnaACQO75VAVCuKF8qPa-imNyekCyQ_bQ8rPVZxYtKZuLvLCybnvZGqfsGurMnoEWZqSoW52X-zCWCE1U/s1600/010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGUxN50Vn5A4CJNjwDXaYt_Aeo4V9WcL6uLdsbIL7tBBzj7wN-DwUlipeumqnaACQO75VAVCuKF8qPa-imNyekCyQ_bQ8rPVZxYtKZuLvLCybnvZGqfsGurMnoEWZqSoW52X-zCWCE1U/s320/010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I've certainly been adding more Funk POPS! to my current collection. Roller-Derby Harley Quinn, April O'Neil, Snakeyes, Cobra Commander, Ms. Pac-Man, FN-2187, Watson, and Sherlock all came home within the last month or so. Other recent additions not pictured here: Pinhead, Twisty the Clown (<i>from American Horror Story: Freakshow</i>), and the Crow. </div>
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My daughter and I have started collecting Tsum Tsum toys together. These little guys are addictive! She loves them and there are characters that I consider must-haves like Perry the Platypus, Eeyore, Stitch, and Baymax. Since I had a HUUUUGe crush on the Little Mermaid when I was younger, I wanted hers, and Dumbo, the Chesire Cat and Bing-Bong were too cool upon noticing them that I decided I NEEDED them. The classic Disney characters like Minnie, Mickey, and Goofy don't really do much for me, and neither does Olaf from Frozen... but I gotta have complete stacks of three. It's a weird thing for me with these toys. Also not pictured are recent additions, Hiro (<i>Big Hero 6</i>), Flounder, and Scrump (<i>Lilo's doll from Lilo & Stitch</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ5cB7OUyanJQtAj7ey4dRufgS3a1UthNvE-i-x-hG_rbrHD_PNwM4JURKWaMpC1PdGGfMMOv_8wxGRu_vm-vLX-I2E7GuJ_0nf4Mv90g6FzUN5dUulvfOBK8n0ACUEPr0d27tc-n8qI/s1600/003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmZ5cB7OUyanJQtAj7ey4dRufgS3a1UthNvE-i-x-hG_rbrHD_PNwM4JURKWaMpC1PdGGfMMOv_8wxGRu_vm-vLX-I2E7GuJ_0nf4Mv90g6FzUN5dUulvfOBK8n0ACUEPr0d27tc-n8qI/s400/003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I'm more in love with these two new Bebop and Rocksteady action figures from the new movie line than I care to admit. I genuinely feel like these are the Bebop and Rocksteady that we DESERVED on the Nicktoon. The Nicktoon and I are not currently speaking anyway. My interest dropped off intensely when the Turtles took off into space and left behind everything they've spent the last few seasons developing. I am in no way interested in seeing either of the recent live-action TMNT movies, but I'm developing a taste for nice looking action figures based on moves I have no intention of seeing (<i>more on this later</i>).<br />
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I like the new Force Awakens Galactic Heroes figures from Hasbro. They don't go well with my classic Galactic Heroes figures from years ago... but I don't feel like they all need to interact anyway. New generation of Star Wars heroes... new generation of minifigures to represent them (<i>not pictured are Captain Phasma and the First Order Stormtrooper figures I also own... and I am still hunting for the Kylo Ren single pack</i>).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLZF7rKvclRHWyTQVMVKXwjSRbunS8JIGkAsvOBm81iZ5a5To0IuczxQcvjSCH02njRk-BEiTLes5g2xE8tWrN0bGY11MWjCh8ukj-lPhkU9i3D8NUYb9M3v-haKUzH_fZZIm22TlxRk/s1600/006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRLZF7rKvclRHWyTQVMVKXwjSRbunS8JIGkAsvOBm81iZ5a5To0IuczxQcvjSCH02njRk-BEiTLes5g2xE8tWrN0bGY11MWjCh8ukj-lPhkU9i3D8NUYb9M3v-haKUzH_fZZIm22TlxRk/s400/006.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
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I've started a new love affair with Marvel Legends figures too. Until recently, I only owned a handful of figures, mostly gifts from friends or stuff I found at Goodwill. I tracked down a complete set of the Guardians of the Galaxy figures when those came out, but haven't really felt the need beyond those. And then... I got Captain Marvel sometime last year... and then Spider-Man 2099 was a MUST HAVE. And then the beautiful Spider-Gwen! After her, I picked up The Scarlet Witch and Machine Man on clearance. And at this point I own 14 of these things.<br />
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I am verrrry selective when it comes to what characters I want to add to the flock however. But I think if they do a 6 inch Spider-Man Noir, I will have to own that puppy.<br />
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Also pictured here are a couple of Wonder Woman toys. As I mentioned with Bebop and Rocksteady above, I've been falling in love with some toys that represent movies I have no intention of seeing. All of the Wonder Woman toys from the new Batman vs. Superman lines fall firmly into this category. I love Wonder Woman, and I really love the design of the character in these toys. I even snagged a PEZ dispenser!<br />
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I haven't completely lost my will to thrift... I hit the antique mall a couple of times in the past few months, and found some really fun stuff, like these puffy Michale Jackson stickers, and this old Advanced Dungeons and Dragons: Dragonlance Adventures Hardcover! (<i>I also got REALLY vicious trimming down my roleplaying manual collection... maybe a little too vicious. I'm regretting some of the stuff I dumped... but I think I'll be fine in the long run.</i>) </div>
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I still haven't lost my taste for random crap either! I love this little Teen Titans GO! minifigure pack, and as Poe Dameron demonstrates here, I am still collecting Star Wars Action figures. I picked up the Kroenen and K-9 figures the same day as the puffy stickers and Dragonlance book above.<br />
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Even with all the adapting I've been doing to events in my life recently, I've managed to have an adventure or two. I didn't go to Monster Mania in New Jersey this year, even after purchasing my tickets, but I did get to go to a local comic convention in Bangor Maine. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuUhYkbap1wm_WIQo6wJwLxOH4S5ZZuIVvgMINboPky88KhcxbSj3LOcHANLy2lj4SJ6SpcXr_TT7Ca5GFqEZqZN24kWwmdSVOlLuT3y7e_HBPh-dkPH8qsk9Gv4gwzJ2XwGJccLEiGk/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjuUhYkbap1wm_WIQo6wJwLxOH4S5ZZuIVvgMINboPky88KhcxbSj3LOcHANLy2lj4SJ6SpcXr_TT7Ca5GFqEZqZN24kWwmdSVOlLuT3y7e_HBPh-dkPH8qsk9Gv4gwzJ2XwGJccLEiGk/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_dIblMVXlaHupz9t0DxaCuDL8Ey5uimucfOoerYU9ylaSDcp9D1pjseD99w2mEVa6uyAH3VrfBwNiWhg5AZDPhI94buAn9wV_z_ZoykuK0_Cfthsfr0y3RT6PLUYP-WgW81Xbl9Dshk/s1600/IMG_0287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv_dIblMVXlaHupz9t0DxaCuDL8Ey5uimucfOoerYU9ylaSDcp9D1pjseD99w2mEVa6uyAH3VrfBwNiWhg5AZDPhI94buAn9wV_z_ZoykuK0_Cfthsfr0y3RT6PLUYP-WgW81Xbl9Dshk/s200/IMG_0287.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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It was my very first convention ever, and it was a blast!<br />
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My friend Brandon came along for two reasons: 1) He is a classic game collector! NES, Super NES, Genesis, you name it, and Brandon collects it. I have a weekly date with him at his place where we play old games and bitch about our problems. (<i>I'll fill you in on reason #2 in a bit</i>)<br />
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I loved the geeky photo opportunities! Here I am with the TARDIS and R2-D2.<br />
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There were Mandalorians in greater numbers than I expected in attendance... <br />
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As well as different chapters of Ghostbusters.<br />
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Brandon was determined to meet Troy "Mini-Me" Verner. The above picture (<i>the best shot I got IMO</i>) is of Troy warning me not to take the picture yet because Brandon's card had not been run through yet. </div>
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Here's the official, "legal" shot. Brandon had had high hopes that he could get Troy to hang off his arm or sit on his shoulders or something... but he immediately got the vibe that these requests might be frowned upon. I also sneaked a shot of Troy from afar TOTALLY BY ACCIDENT while taking shots of the convention floor.<br />
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This booth was magical. It featured several vintage roleplaying game accessories, including the mounts for the Warduke and Strongheart vintage action figures, the "Good Destrier" and "Evil Nightmare" toys. </div>
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I had to physically peel myself away from this table! Of course, when the guy saw me ogling his supplies, he let me know he had a box full of action figures under the table that he would let me pick through (<i>more on that later...</i>).<br />
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There was a healthy but-not-overwhelming amount of cosplay. Lots of Whovians because Colin Baker <i>(the 6th Doctor Who</i>) was in attendance... but still a lot of cool costumes and ideas.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1oww2GaEd2sq0T8mDsIS1UhKFWf2spiLc8y3wJlVdkNCIZpdu_UCJ7cHzAGIvZI0zvqeYaf2mRULHOaoAVFEHRA4CUfHRMAgxmtyIwHxtxk5Wjkxx-3RwKYLXFGdQ3xHAQTJLnwFkN0/s1600/IMG_0321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ1oww2GaEd2sq0T8mDsIS1UhKFWf2spiLc8y3wJlVdkNCIZpdu_UCJ7cHzAGIvZI0zvqeYaf2mRULHOaoAVFEHRA4CUfHRMAgxmtyIwHxtxk5Wjkxx-3RwKYLXFGdQ3xHAQTJLnwFkN0/s320/IMG_0321.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdrhrBEEGcC6OvdLfW2nbGMVs0HC10ubbzQneErrre-Z3jdicJd9qUVWWvU2XazykmwKXgnystM7AZaTPIn3dABmsrJRbDUIiErdJADHlnTW5RMI_s19aAwf_-PoZqAWECewZePQPmUQ/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirdrhrBEEGcC6OvdLfW2nbGMVs0HC10ubbzQneErrre-Z3jdicJd9qUVWWvU2XazykmwKXgnystM7AZaTPIn3dABmsrJRbDUIiErdJADHlnTW5RMI_s19aAwf_-PoZqAWECewZePQPmUQ/s320/IMG_0323.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I was particularly infatuated with this table of custom designer toys. I was severely tempted to buy this 40 dollar Muck Monster... but ultimately couldn't pull the trigger.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8lJMfsA8qy05GMs-KPopcoENGoaR3J36gQp42bFZ9CaQNag9UBJ0KtfQsxAfzevuSi70tuWt_RHy_rk98943HQ_Mcj4TnZLABkBoa28LNCGcEiUmxLPkbjkySYhAiDrWOhdW0wVsGpg/s1600/IMG_0324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8lJMfsA8qy05GMs-KPopcoENGoaR3J36gQp42bFZ9CaQNag9UBJ0KtfQsxAfzevuSi70tuWt_RHy_rk98943HQ_Mcj4TnZLABkBoa28LNCGcEiUmxLPkbjkySYhAiDrWOhdW0wVsGpg/s320/IMG_0324.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTdDy68Cn2DcoHiLjyVTwRpklYlevErC-DiNNyd-dcck_sHUxOmVU0QfSWvTOMIERf3QOzPQZqYswrKJ2uiwB04_kbaJrkNeJtdAeFSVGQHcs3g3c8E3_pB4hyphenhyphenrvqgbmH5cmBf6bXSiA/s1600/IMG_0325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirTdDy68Cn2DcoHiLjyVTwRpklYlevErC-DiNNyd-dcck_sHUxOmVU0QfSWvTOMIERf3QOzPQZqYswrKJ2uiwB04_kbaJrkNeJtdAeFSVGQHcs3g3c8E3_pB4hyphenhyphenrvqgbmH5cmBf6bXSiA/s320/IMG_0325.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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In the end, I walked away with this one eyed fellow from the same table. He was 5 bucks and adorable so he came with me. Limbless as he may be, he helped me wave goodbye to good old Paul Bunyan as I headed to Chili's for lunch with Brandon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yyuxIV3elYRfBe4MOP_j6fvlJsnZK2rZ7LKHwg36GMTeVNHicrD7VYIwTJAqfaHyXA4uETORpzbZVx3dl5jJPDaYhzyOw_-1JfUTSGqCVuGM0IEmAwtKhXotLFGxK9F1739kIHV1RnQ/s1600/005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="395" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2yyuxIV3elYRfBe4MOP_j6fvlJsnZK2rZ7LKHwg36GMTeVNHicrD7VYIwTJAqfaHyXA4uETORpzbZVx3dl5jJPDaYhzyOw_-1JfUTSGqCVuGM0IEmAwtKhXotLFGxK9F1739kIHV1RnQ/s400/005.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This was the pile of stuff I ended up bringing home with me from the con... some respectable loot. Some Secret Wars figures, a Robo Cop with his helmet... a Super Powers Flash, a vintage Lando Calrissian, a Sectaurs figure, a Dreadnok, a pile of TPBs and dollar bin comics... AND a Hook Horror action figure to add to my D&D vintage collection!!!<br />
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I'm going to end this here because I've already gone way longer than I had planned to. Don't know when I'll be back again... or IF I'll be back again. I'm not going to quit blogging... but in the near future my blogging goals may be changing. My life goals certainly have. We shall see. No promises then, about being back soon with more Goodwill Goodies. But I will certainly still wish you Happy Hunting!Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-52665905518001090492016-01-10T10:56:00.000-08:002016-01-10T10:56:57.217-08:00A Trade With Adam Nori!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You know how I'm always cracking wise about how "timely" my posts are... like when I post about Christmas a month after the fact, or Valentine's Day in April or some crap? Well, yet again, this is one of those posts that are WAAAY past due, and this time it is almost criminally negligent. </div>
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I received a package from Adam Nori of <a href="http://whoyagonnacollect.blogspot.com/">Who Ya Gonna Collect</a>, as well as the author of a book, <a href="http://www.adamnori.com/" style="text-decoration: underline;">Adventures of a Ghost Hunter</a>, in which he details some of his career as a professional Ghost Hunter! It is safe to say that Adam has a bit of an obsession with 1) ghosts and 2) Ghostbusters. </div>
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I don't originally remember what put Adam and I in contact, but as happens with the many folks I interact with online, a trade of goods was discussed at one point. So we sent each other packages full of junk, and <a href="http://whoyagonnacollect.blogspot.com/2015/06/toy-trade-with-goodwill-geek.html">you can see what Adam ended up with over on his blog</a>. </div>
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So I received my package from Adam sometime last SUMMER. Like in JUNE. So this one is WAAAY overdue. I genuinely owe Adam an apology because this one got forgotten about and I hate to think that he for a second thought that I wasn't INSANELY grateful to receive this package:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VHU9mQCOzexRZt0iT94n-3SYfWAz0qTAUKp-2O4WVv3WiH5b5l0Wle4mhyQu0DJnZjTWEV8kc2Sm3qRccz1WHgD66LKyhzs27fP0mlKepr07pn2ayQfUKjAyA0nqz7af14PCBpdDzcw/s1600/IMG_3532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4VHU9mQCOzexRZt0iT94n-3SYfWAz0qTAUKp-2O4WVv3WiH5b5l0Wle4mhyQu0DJnZjTWEV8kc2Sm3qRccz1WHgD66LKyhzs27fP0mlKepr07pn2ayQfUKjAyA0nqz7af14PCBpdDzcw/s640/IMG_3532.JPG" width="598" /></a></div>
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First off, kudos to Mr. Nori for repurposing his Nerdblock box for this package! He made a lot of stuff fit in this space! Let's explore.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM56TlPaE0y0HnhJ4eYsHK2RdSzwSLj9bTFm3KAG4xhrvjUtkm2LLzFZXH5QFwqyDdtl9x6vs06knL8lHDisD_JP0eyCzxeR2DqM3jO8CxVM8C5OYMDDa5uwO4s_nfWUoFhfpyTNr5Mq8/s1600/IMG_3533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM56TlPaE0y0HnhJ4eYsHK2RdSzwSLj9bTFm3KAG4xhrvjUtkm2LLzFZXH5QFwqyDdtl9x6vs06knL8lHDisD_JP0eyCzxeR2DqM3jO8CxVM8C5OYMDDa5uwO4s_nfWUoFhfpyTNr5Mq8/s640/IMG_3533.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Comic books, trading cards, and VHS tapes are all standard-issue staples for these sort of trades. A lovely assortment was included, and if I'm playing favorites, that pack of Rocketeer cards had me drooling at first sight!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJcIpc9rXZY6BPdOuqz0jOKjCsc_m2qIDHrYzsS26Vc-fpMymMX7vpxHJF4SVAuckjzNCfxIftehntF1IeUQyV3sx4O5gOsWeSyyoVSgvlSErBCXYIlthQZLcsMB3L4jNl__I5WojvZ0/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="514" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJcIpc9rXZY6BPdOuqz0jOKjCsc_m2qIDHrYzsS26Vc-fpMymMX7vpxHJF4SVAuckjzNCfxIftehntF1IeUQyV3sx4O5gOsWeSyyoVSgvlSErBCXYIlthQZLcsMB3L4jNl__I5WojvZ0/s640/IMG_3534.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There were some awesome fast-food and cereal premiums in the box, including this Guardians of the Galaxy bag from Subway, and these Dinosaurs toys from McDonald's! In an ultimate act of heresy, I removed the hoses from Fran and Earl and used them as figurines on mt Henson shelf (they go back in pretty easily, so I'm not too worried).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwmjXTPjgt4OicCWl7TFv5SpT2zK346B-aqZ5Nz0E97-n3NBl2fQ5dVOBahqWsT0WXFjREDJrOQ0TGt_VjGPUmh6NYbLdL8vbvXGg78krlaHW2jJLlpMrPc_DZsmQ0iZfz5QiH7-oHEE/s1600/IMG_3535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXwmjXTPjgt4OicCWl7TFv5SpT2zK346B-aqZ5Nz0E97-n3NBl2fQ5dVOBahqWsT0WXFjREDJrOQ0TGt_VjGPUmh6NYbLdL8vbvXGg78krlaHW2jJLlpMrPc_DZsmQ0iZfz5QiH7-oHEE/s640/IMG_3535.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So many toys!!! Here's the first of three pics detailing all of the toys included. If I had a gun to my head and had to pick some faves from the picture above, I'd single out bendable Shaggy, the Inspector Gadget figure, and the two Busy Town cars in the very front. But there's so much here! Muppet Babies! Toy Story! LEGO!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqhUClAuhSzfHTNDGlRDLC8Qbseh-7VEdo6Xm8VDeQC9P9Gs2TbD60D_EeM73-xJO2uBT03qvZgu0KZaoPM0D8hIi5ql65jCsKfNRjrizJ8HX4_myor2QuuMp8A1IpIry2wV5TdNHmic/s1600/IMG_3538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="574" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUqhUClAuhSzfHTNDGlRDLC8Qbseh-7VEdo6Xm8VDeQC9P9Gs2TbD60D_EeM73-xJO2uBT03qvZgu0KZaoPM0D8hIi5ql65jCsKfNRjrizJ8HX4_myor2QuuMp8A1IpIry2wV5TdNHmic/s640/IMG_3538.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This fleet of vehicles is AMAZING! from some awesome Hanna Barbera characters, to Fraggles, Rugrats and Robin... But again, if I'm being super honest, my absolute FAVE in this shot is Snaps of the Burger King Kids Club riding a purple cricket/grasshopper/locust/something. I already have Kid Vid riding a scorpion and I/Q riding a millipede, so now that I have Snaps, I only need two more toys to complete the set! (<i>Jaws riding a Spider, and Boomer riding a dragonfly, if you're curious...</i>)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkiTgwM3Xu6sHPpEYLoD7xBIDVe2b9qujVe5wwu5XpgdlTCS-M5eSBzggnIavMAANtN7Q7CG9q4KbyFrIkz0hqnBxzsUHUi5wRxpDdyowJOnIGYr5CRUT8Iw0s_92-byZ9wDTRCU1Wn0/s1600/IMG_3537.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwkiTgwM3Xu6sHPpEYLoD7xBIDVe2b9qujVe5wwu5XpgdlTCS-M5eSBzggnIavMAANtN7Q7CG9q4KbyFrIkz0hqnBxzsUHUi5wRxpDdyowJOnIGYr5CRUT8Iw0s_92-byZ9wDTRCU1Wn0/s640/IMG_3537.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, I sorted out some of the crème de la crème of the package for this final shot. I now officially own one of the movie-Turtles which I've been eyeing but not pulling the trigger on. The C3-PO is a bobbler and looks great on my Star Wars shelf. Solomon Grundy, Snap from Rice Krispies, a McDonald's Changeable, Snoopy in his flying Ace outfit, a Rizzo Disney Vinylmation Muppets toy, a Mr. Burns from the Burger King Treehouse of Horror line, and a couple of DC Scribblenauts, Blue Beetle and Bizarro are all welcome additions to a bunch of other collections I have stacking up in the Geek Cave.<br />
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This package was SUPER generous, and full of fun! I can't thank Adam enough for sending me these things in exchange for the box of junk he received!<br />
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I'll be back soon with some Geeky Goodwill Goodies to share! So until then, Happy Hunting!<br />
<br />Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-40115907283592918112016-01-07T17:51:00.003-08:002016-01-07T17:54:47.493-08:00The Christmas Post That Almost (Not Almost... ACTUALLY) Wasn't...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So yeah... I said I wasn't going to blog during the Christmas season... and I was fine with that... I stuck to it. Then I realized I would have to share all the Christmas stuff I've been saving up for my December posts... when exactly? </div>
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Next year? No thank you. I decided I'd drop this in early January for some unknowable reason.</div>
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So here we are. This is where my life choices have led us. </div>
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Here are a couple of piles of Christmas junk I wanted to talk about on my blog. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhG_mT7GTadKveRMg41FtOcSyxQ3YSkS92Q9iBNm5c76o9CLk2BY1-IS3mITir4T-NaHPtJV5DJbG5SPKbNXJnFbRyXZDKfRYnSjIFrxm_9vUKoiGxvY-I0OjpLP_7YAQ0TIBUd8NUXc/s1600/IMG_0078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLhG_mT7GTadKveRMg41FtOcSyxQ3YSkS92Q9iBNm5c76o9CLk2BY1-IS3mITir4T-NaHPtJV5DJbG5SPKbNXJnFbRyXZDKfRYnSjIFrxm_9vUKoiGxvY-I0OjpLP_7YAQ0TIBUd8NUXc/s640/IMG_0078.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First up we have some decorative items. Some pretty neat stuff, right? Let's explore them together...<br />
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Just you and I.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK5H-Qex1XnoKhMCyy0q1hVkdSBQ7VAK2THjWN9WoOEgZwrnhWTZbTOc_OYbnIxTjpPUbThBjsKNcnyL5b9vKZoPjAK9fdStT8XQEoTIL83RmC5DzwnqdrLriZBoe8DbR1059aXyv6aM/s1600/IMG_0079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMK5H-Qex1XnoKhMCyy0q1hVkdSBQ7VAK2THjWN9WoOEgZwrnhWTZbTOc_OYbnIxTjpPUbThBjsKNcnyL5b9vKZoPjAK9fdStT8XQEoTIL83RmC5DzwnqdrLriZBoe8DbR1059aXyv6aM/s640/IMG_0079.JPG" width="362" /></a></div>
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First up we have this "Santa on Summer vacation" Pepsi glass. This bad boy is from around 1990, when they were also producing cans with this design on them. Chad over at the <a href="http://www.horrormoviebbq.com/">Horror Movie BBQ</a> and I have an ongoing, almost competitive, Pepsi glass-spotting fetish that seems to be going on a lot longer than most normal people would find appropriate.<br />
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I post this here for him.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jV4h7SbksbuxHnXbNZPxsO02yeH7emXJ0EARRkJIXz6V1G1x139LzIG_GYoiUv7Ua1n9Eg8ehyphenhyphen8ht03L9ixXuL04r4W7-tqtt397aESpTIp5dcKSJxgBK4YcG7S5WidAhDbE_1V3PtE/s1600/IMG_0080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jV4h7SbksbuxHnXbNZPxsO02yeH7emXJ0EARRkJIXz6V1G1x139LzIG_GYoiUv7Ua1n9Eg8ehyphenhyphen8ht03L9ixXuL04r4W7-tqtt397aESpTIp5dcKSJxgBK4YcG7S5WidAhDbE_1V3PtE/s640/IMG_0080.JPG" width="506" /></a></div>
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I am probably more excited about finding this Sugar Bear Christmas ornament than anything else in this post. This guy was produced back in 1993 and Just. Look. At. Him.<br />
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Of all the crap in this post, this was one of the few items that got me to burst out with a loud, "Oh!" in the vicinity of other humans with ears capable of hearing my childish exclamation.<br />
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I would not have bought this Lindt Snowman tin if the donated Christmas decorations had not been half off. But they were, so I did. He's fun... and so fancy. Now people will think I'm classy and I buy Lindt. (<i>But between you and I, dear reader, I am in fact completely UN-fancy. I am much more prone to the vulgar world of second-rate CHEAP chocolate than any other... to my utter shame.</i>)<br />
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Another ridiculously exciting item in this lot is this boxed Dodger ornament from Oliver and company, from back in 1988. I find myself getting ridiculously enthusiastic about these Disney collectible ornaments. I found a Sebastian the Crab from The Little Mermaid awhile back, and this guy had me almost as excited as that. On a sidenote, I could not BELIEVE that Oliver and Company is actually an older movie than The Little Mermaid. I checked and double checked that fact a few times before I let myself believe it. Why does Oliver and Company feel like it was a 90's movie?<br />
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I find myself wishing I had written about this tin Santa ornament/figure/thing earlier in the post. Get that crap out of the way earlier. I mean... I liked it enough to buy it but there's not a lot of material here to work with honestly. So here's this tin Santa ornament/figure/thing. Enjoy!<br />
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Now on to the media items. Some books, a comic, and an... 8-track!?!? I don't collect those!?!? Let' dig into this pile.<br />
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Take my hand.<br />
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First off, we have this precursor to the animated television special, "Mickey's Christmas Carol". This one is performed by the "Walt Disney Players".<br />
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The only real major changes to the cast are Merlin as the Ghost of Christmas Past, and the Witch from Snow White as the Ghost of Christmas Future. I'm trying to imagine those characters in the place of the ones in the TV show... and I find them lacking. I'm just so used to Jiminy and Pete at this point that anyone else in those positions seems like sacrilege.<br />
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Apparently the televised animated special also spared us the pain of MANY musical numbers. There were quite a few on this tape. Goofy's song, "Being Tight Is Not All Right" seems like it belongs in a different kind of show.<br />
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Found this awesome book, "Snow Party" for the Christmas kids' book pile. It's not a Christmas book per se, and it was probably very carefully crafted to be a winter holiday book for folks not celebrating Christmas... but I'm not worried about "The War on Christmas," so this beautiful little book is a nice addition to our holiday season.<br />
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This is a book where snowmen get together to hold a huge celebration on the first snowy day of winter. The celebration is beautifully illustrated.<br />
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Such a fun and simple little book with a nice feel to it. My kids liked it quite a bit. This will definitely be added to the rotation every year. <br />
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I also found this beat up copy of the Beetlejuice "Horror-Day" special. In which Delia's and Beetlejuice's Christmas celebration gets sidetracked by a pickle he's gotten himself into with a ghostly engagement to be married.<br />
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Here are some of the more notable panels from the comic, the most holiday-themed ones, and a couple of VERY questionable panels from the story.<br />
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This final book is honestly something I've been trying to track down for YEARS. I LOVE Christmas mythology, and any reading materials I can find that describe traditions and myths from around the world pertaining to Christmas are must-haves. I also really enjoy the Time/Life series of books entitled "The Enchanted World." And I've been keeping an eye out for "The Book of Christmas" ever since I discovered that my high school library had a set of these books and this was included in the collection.<br />
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It wasn't all I dreamed it would be, if I'm being strictly honest. It was nice to cross this one off the list finally though. And a lot of the illustrations are really fun. They don't delve into the darker corners of the Christmas mythos as much as I would have liked. No appearances by Black Peter, the Yule Cat, or Krampus for instance. But the Kallikantzaroi make an appearance! Although, they do make the mistake of confusing/blending the name with the Callicantzaroi which were a sort of Greek Christmas Vampire if I'm not mistaken.<br />
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And last but not least, I did actually put together a 2015 Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks Toy Nativity Scene. I was not even remotely happy with how it came out, so I didn't give it ANY fanfare and I look forward to doing a better job next year.<br />
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The Three Wise Men are Han Solo, Mal Reynolds, and Peter Quill. They come bearing gifts of Gold (Nuggit), Frankenstein, and MURDER (CLUE). Murder was a last resort honestly. I wanted it to be Gold, Frankenstein, and Murray... but my minimate version of Peter Venkman is strictly the animated version which was voiced by Lorenzo Music, whose portrayal of the character Murray famously decried. So I just couldn't say he was "Murray". (<i>On a side note, I got the Ecto-1 Ghostbusters LEGO set for Christmas so next year, look out! It's the movie version of the 'Busters and this Venkman is ALL MURRAY BABY!!!</i>)<br />
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The shepherd is Bo Peep from Toy Story. She's played this role in years past, and I was kind of kicking myself for not finding an original character for my shepherd... but she's literally the only shepherd character I own who comes with her own mutant, three-headed sheep. I have a few pig toys I added just for the heck of it, and to round out the animal population I added the Gladys and Buster figures (or the figures I INSIST represent those two characters) to the creche.<br />
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The energizer bunny plays the role of my little drummer boy this year, and a Weeping angel watches from above.<br />
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That leaves only the starring family left to describe, including Mumm-Ra as Joseph, the Wicked Queen from Snow White as Mary and Bill Cipher of Gravity Falls infamy as the center of the tableau. I went with a slightly evil bent for some reason. I have no explanation as to why I did this.<br />
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So... welcome to January 2016 everybody! We're like a week in, and things seem to be going fairly smoothly.<br />
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<a href="http://nemmc.org/2016/01/06/sifting-technology-trash-digging-for-memories/"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nBNuu-Umedn-ityo3stBx2wjgHCKniYO6aFkkjbKZyvD67jTs0U1qRUcuZg-bG4G7ksJCTn1jPqNbxXCb3bhLg_CZO3Lv3bOeJpLs5Lne96RAxw8pp8Pdbf9SF8FeeJ-9F4jKLTLWxE/s640/NEMMC.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In other news, my good buddy Brian Farrell of <a href="http://poppopitstrashculture.blogspot.com/">Pop Pop! It's Trash Culture</a> fame has been interviewed by the <a href="http://nemmc.org/2016/01/06/sifting-technology-trash-digging-for-memories/">NEMMC (New England Media & Memory Coalition)</a> about the concept of "Trash Culture". It's a great read, Brian makes a lot of great points, and I really urge you all to go check it out if you're a collector of literally ANY sort.<br />
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2016 should be a fun year! I'm going to try and mix things up here a little bit, and while I'll still be posting lots of "Hey, look what I found!" kinds of posts, I would also like to tackle a few specific topics as well. Things I like and love, people on the internet I find interesting, reviews of things, I dunno, whatever strikes my fancy. So look forward to all of that, I guess.<br />
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I also want to remind all y'all reading this that I co-host a podcast with three of my good friends from these very internets! The aforementioned Brian Farrell, the both wondrous and wicked Miss M of <a href="http://diaryofadorkette.blogspot.com/">Diary of a Dorkette</a> fame, and Jason Roberts of the <a href="http://nerdylifeofmine.com/">Nerdy Life of Mine</a> blog. Together we are the <a href="http://eclecticmayhem.libsyn.com/">Eclectic Mayhem podcast</a>! YOu can dowload us on iTunes, so please be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xtEYz806To9q84M2N5jkYfCg8q1CohF7w4mJQDd3DQ1pjYFYoG_jWo91qZGNawogl2F9liSfCvh1yUqMvQaxMsixxLoscyD3GSLS8CP5BT4fPDRgIeaBvmud4btZGMUOBFCqNNQcUqY/s1600/RobertsMarried.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4xtEYz806To9q84M2N5jkYfCg8q1CohF7w4mJQDd3DQ1pjYFYoG_jWo91qZGNawogl2F9liSfCvh1yUqMvQaxMsixxLoscyD3GSLS8CP5BT4fPDRgIeaBvmud4btZGMUOBFCqNNQcUqY/s640/RobertsMarried.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
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Aaaand... since I haven't mentioned it here previously, I want to take a moment and congratulate Jason Roberts on his 2015 Halloween wedding to Carly Roberts!<br />
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And with that dear readers, I bid you a good night! I'll be back soon with some Geeky Goodwill Goodies to share! Until that time, Happy Hunting!Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-91369503767732066882015-12-07T10:42:00.000-08:002015-12-07T10:42:19.058-08:00This was not what I'd planned... But I'm gonna roll with it. Hey there kids!<br />
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I was planning on participating in another Creepmas countdown this year, and then I got hit with my THIRD big illness of the season so far... and I ran out of steam. It's really a shame, as this seems to be shaping up to be the year of the Krampus, one of the tried-and-true heroes of the Creepmas movement... but I just don't have it in me to participate right now. Heck we're on day 7 and I don't even have the pictures taken I had intended to! <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvyUDhKRRHb7P6dQ1lISRKryPPsCnpU_-lhjjGNJCxuN_l438PncaAy4jNrMylsob8sZ-NGqpy1PXQdDK1hyphenhyphenPgm650b-bZIGsP2e9limJkGr8lBduTxRRbn2twPr2FPmJ2d0Puh1UBA0/s1600/Cotton+Headed+Ninny+Muggins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvyUDhKRRHb7P6dQ1lISRKryPPsCnpU_-lhjjGNJCxuN_l438PncaAy4jNrMylsob8sZ-NGqpy1PXQdDK1hyphenhyphenPgm650b-bZIGsP2e9limJkGr8lBduTxRRbn2twPr2FPmJ2d0Puh1UBA0/s640/Cotton+Headed+Ninny+Muggins.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I feel like a Cotton-Headed Ninny-Muggins!!!</td></tr>
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I blogged every single day in October for that countdown, and I think it kind of ended up hurting my enjoyment of the Halloween season this year, in some ways. In others, I think it actually enhanced my celebration... so I don't know where I'm going with THAT... but this December I haven't sat down to blog once (until now) and I find myself filled with a great deal more Christmas spirit than I had imagined I could be.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSHJn2QwjcmyAJPg-tHmgYCO-roiYNCFyiV2JoNPVFjEgHrIGdkQGU4maVZ6LTW04iQcmOJS6OFEvZPCuTT15p7CEK2Y90t7QiriC43V5g_u34bLQ8rMCOmsfiuCm7fSbKXHWX9k9L44/s1600/Scrooged.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFSHJn2QwjcmyAJPg-tHmgYCO-roiYNCFyiV2JoNPVFjEgHrIGdkQGU4maVZ6LTW04iQcmOJS6OFEvZPCuTT15p7CEK2Y90t7QiriC43V5g_u34bLQ8rMCOmsfiuCm7fSbKXHWX9k9L44/s640/Scrooged.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Like this guy. </td></tr>
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I took advantage of November this year, using it to dump over 20 posts from my other, now dead blog, and all I had to do there was tack on a quick explanation to beginning of each one, and program the auto-posting feature Blogger's got going on, and voila! I haven't really posted any NEW new content since October! And I feel great!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJY18-xstF6ta0t3MvTOYUKBnl_ixb57sCHysY7ZePsoXbbMFC8VpYNulBwSUDVkIFMGfQuTgDpKmWNmDheLNYIRxS68rwyoZZON1_G9b9_StHdvMin3KLbdXHmzA4S-MNnmHSo5OUOoc/s1600/grinch-heart-size.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJY18-xstF6ta0t3MvTOYUKBnl_ixb57sCHysY7ZePsoXbbMFC8VpYNulBwSUDVkIFMGfQuTgDpKmWNmDheLNYIRxS68rwyoZZON1_G9b9_StHdvMin3KLbdXHmzA4S-MNnmHSo5OUOoc/s640/grinch-heart-size.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My heart's grown three sizes! And not due to cholesterol (<i>although that probably helped</i>).</td></tr>
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SO what I'm getting at is this: I had plans. Not big plans, but plans for December. But I'm letting them go. I'm still recuperating from an illness, and I'm kicking off a vacation home with my family this week, so... we'll see what happens. But I feel like I'm probably taking a break until the New Year hits. I think I need it kind of.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD6_DtEXCiK1rvwZAHpT6zlGTzFrVeaHZickVY6-3UdcwU389ptCBnOedbhZUrk9_k12J4w3qTZZ73gltuLT274pzMU5Jb4t0Ie8JDkAeyhBuJPjrZPLQ67OKEwxGYkZJBYGRdG_1_Iw/s1600/Long+Winters+Nap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMD6_DtEXCiK1rvwZAHpT6zlGTzFrVeaHZickVY6-3UdcwU389ptCBnOedbhZUrk9_k12J4w3qTZZ73gltuLT274pzMU5Jb4t0Ie8JDkAeyhBuJPjrZPLQ67OKEwxGYkZJBYGRdG_1_Iw/s400/Long+Winters+Nap.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pretty apt.</td></tr>
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I need to come back fresh to this blog and feel like I have something new to say, not just dump meaningless content in every day. I want to start talking about the stuff I'm finding at Goodwill in a new way as well. So I'm not just going: "Hey lookit what I found! Neat right?" Over and over, lather-rinse-repeat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-WRToliAy2Dsf_I3lJ-Dl82LhNqKjRrwohIdU_jQOHJ8fpZe5HNa8LAIUJCFLpOIenjZYqd-zRGvdkCfSPrniukMdFXpSJAJdPytXlnnY8AG1_Rle2MRboKAOIZKXYms-fTSJegyPZU/s1600/groundhogday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2-WRToliAy2Dsf_I3lJ-Dl82LhNqKjRrwohIdU_jQOHJ8fpZe5HNa8LAIUJCFLpOIenjZYqd-zRGvdkCfSPrniukMdFXpSJAJdPytXlnnY8AG1_Rle2MRboKAOIZKXYms-fTSJegyPZU/s640/groundhogday.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just really wanted another Bill Murray reference... but you gotta admit how eerily well this fits.</td></tr>
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So unless something exciting comes up (I may hop on here to review Krampus, or the Force Awakens, when I See them, or maybe not!) I will see you in January dear readers! I have a LOT of Geeky Goodwill finds from 2015 to catch up when that comes along, so I'll be getting pretty busy. Until then, Happy Hunting!<br />
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Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-18784223253828899602015-11-27T13:30:00.000-08:002015-11-27T13:30:01.207-08:00Randomly Received: Trade With Mason of D.I. Treasures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on January 20th, 2014.</b></div>
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A while back, before the Holidays... I set up a trade with Mason of <a href="http://ditreasures.blogspot.com/">D.I. Treasures</a> fame. He noticed that <a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/12/this-is-why-i-love-goodwill-so-much.html">I had an extra mace that I had picked up in a recent MotU find at Goodwill</a>, and he wondered if we could trade that mace for a battle-ax he had for He-Man. This sounded acceptable to me, but then I upped the ante to make this interesting: I asked Mason to pick 5 other small items for trade and I would do the same in a sort of blind-box package swap. <a href="http://ditreasures.blogspot.com/2013/12/axe-and-you-shall-receive.html">You can see what I sent him over at his blog, since he did a good job of actually posting what he received before Christmas got here</a>. The reason this is significant is that the items that Mason sent me were all sort of subtly Christmas-themed. Let's take a look at what he sent me: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCUlkSWKrb3jW_EjYf6znYWXUqDzqyTHToZ_dDw0U8z1wdMJOXhFqf53Z3diuU0kGh2mO6dGTrDYYJS_mQjm7lr4At37rZjFxgOv8lvfRuCBO1qbnWK6uonblOSz-EtN0jaW5bySkytCd/s1600/IMG_8797.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCUlkSWKrb3jW_EjYf6znYWXUqDzqyTHToZ_dDw0U8z1wdMJOXhFqf53Z3diuU0kGh2mO6dGTrDYYJS_mQjm7lr4At37rZjFxgOv8lvfRuCBO1qbnWK6uonblOSz-EtN0jaW5bySkytCd/s1600/IMG_8797.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a group-shot of everything he sent me to start. A nice, colorful lot to be sure, you can already see the holiday cheer bleeding through. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlITicPfx1p2Cn8Qjhw1AP0tMZV0Y7R4Qpaa3wjrqkm4xpxy8BnLskVwhDNONdBR9RRY7jSH-VCbxL-3hJG7ydngENZ0vdNxNIeZf6_gEEV8-8MRC_A2SU2y74X-7jDFTRIqIIdcdr5989/s1600/IMG_8801.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mace ax you a question? Mace I ax you... no... I give up. Puns are hard.</td></tr>
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First up let's talk about what got this whole thing kicked off. Here is the beautiful baby-blue battle-axe that Mason sent me in exchange for a mace for his Moss-Man. It is now in the hands of He-Man as he sits astride his loyal Battle Cat. And all is as it should be. </div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OE9VX_5785M7DzDUpXGZWWdBfe0KOR-eQXX8awkzbjc-5NU4tFKCAcTX626DxR_3hBXwo6A8deTavkkEsbCYxaye9cCOCFnnlBrc3XAKw_7aO1GVu6wPDKvw9RYjhUxlUUqdsuOMU2kP/s1600/IMG_8798.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" height="474" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1OE9VX_5785M7DzDUpXGZWWdBfe0KOR-eQXX8awkzbjc-5NU4tFKCAcTX626DxR_3hBXwo6A8deTavkkEsbCYxaye9cCOCFnnlBrc3XAKw_7aO1GVu6wPDKvw9RYjhUxlUUqdsuOMU2kP/s1600/IMG_8798.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
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Next up we have a Z-Bot! This is Turbine and he was actually a Burger King Kid's Club meal premium from 1994. I don't remember Z-Bots from when I was a kid... but they would have come out right around the time I was ending my love-affair (for awhile) with mini-figs. Which, knowing me, is kind of a shame because these look like they would have been right in my wheelhouse. At roughly the same size as Battle-Beasts a collectible line of little robots seems like something I would have obsessed over. I love the look of this little guy in particular, and it isn't hard to see why Mason included him, since the color scheme not only screams Christmas with all that red and green... but that drill arm looks like it could literally be a Christmas tree. Mason also knows how much I enjoy collecting little robots as well, so this is perfect. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdmgM8VzGjCAlF_6eSFrm5RImAEedkWaEnJ1fXDlGETUswVnsDQHKGjnnZdZoqZLUta4oj7rMyYm8T1InGq1PHpIYKt19O6G9k-PoffJM0_XF7FHxolxt5SzdB9jGbzB6rdwsVsXDn8Ym/s1600/IMG_8800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMdmgM8VzGjCAlF_6eSFrm5RImAEedkWaEnJ1fXDlGETUswVnsDQHKGjnnZdZoqZLUta4oj7rMyYm8T1InGq1PHpIYKt19O6G9k-PoffJM0_XF7FHxolxt5SzdB9jGbzB6rdwsVsXDn8Ym/s1600/IMG_8800.JPG" width="586" /></a></div>
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Next up we have a Rock 'Em Sock 'Em robot thumb wrestler. This guy fits down over your thumb and one can only assume that there is a blue counterpart out there somewhere for an opponent to wear. This guy is great! Again, since I love robots, it makes sense that someone would give me one of these... and in this festive red it's no wonder that Mason included it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwVkh5Z5oxdGAMch9qh-QmOGjqLKOZzAU2eG-4VpCFcSwNIKhOJhu6kjdZ8p1eSU0M7xeTfFGQvzHG6dGqY9CBMLhAbPG3vlpIWISDkvzOBIhGV8miQHGrjsfpD2KTSzuutFmYGEW461M/s1600/IMG_8802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="590" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwVkh5Z5oxdGAMch9qh-QmOGjqLKOZzAU2eG-4VpCFcSwNIKhOJhu6kjdZ8p1eSU0M7xeTfFGQvzHG6dGqY9CBMLhAbPG3vlpIWISDkvzOBIhGV8miQHGrjsfpD2KTSzuutFmYGEW461M/s1600/IMG_8802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is Lenny, the wind-up binoculars toy from Toy Story. Specifically, it's a picture-viewer toy from a Toy Story 2 Happy Meal premium. This one hits on many different levels for me, such as the Toy Story connection, the fact that it's a view-master-style toy, and the fact that it's a Happy Meal toy. The one thing I couldn't figure out was why Mason might have considered it "Christmas-y" and I came up with nothing. I think this one was just included for the neat-o factor. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBswEAPoSIgLVQuyvvGdtgbciiJHXM5oK4eojuMSP1vazWRTqO17jyA0F3hlZA1YFfzVA1q3-GotZ7smPhueEcl9Z6l9JtpozYTBVmiLjB82wu_0kz2sf3jr9yn_PQ0ZU3cB8jB2VKSwIB/s1600/IMG_8803.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBswEAPoSIgLVQuyvvGdtgbciiJHXM5oK4eojuMSP1vazWRTqO17jyA0F3hlZA1YFfzVA1q3-GotZ7smPhueEcl9Z6l9JtpozYTBVmiLjB82wu_0kz2sf3jr9yn_PQ0ZU3cB8jB2VKSwIB/s1600/IMG_8803.JPG" width="430" /></a></div>
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The penultimate toy of the pack is this Power Rangers Megazord figure. I'm not a Power Rangers fan at all, but I can appreciate a nice giant robot toy. messing around on Google I see a lot of references to this megazord being called "OhBlocker". It doesn't take a lot of imagination to figure out why Mason included this one, as there's a giant star in red, some green and gold highlights, and overall, he feels pretty Christmas-y. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhZrXPHT2hg9c8Jir9Sxtmh4VFj6CxGwN-4tG_4q3-ZJFtrMosOyb_b0E2a1qpCsUkNy_h5q94fPhzRUx4b4FlKBrpnL0Dlxnoki6O36SPN96BpMUzpAdI6BttoKu3mtd18zK8x4zkoBG/s1600/IMG_8804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQhZrXPHT2hg9c8Jir9Sxtmh4VFj6CxGwN-4tG_4q3-ZJFtrMosOyb_b0E2a1qpCsUkNy_h5q94fPhzRUx4b4FlKBrpnL0Dlxnoki6O36SPN96BpMUzpAdI6BttoKu3mtd18zK8x4zkoBG/s1600/IMG_8804.JPG" width="582" /></a></div>
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Finally, we have Mr. Strong from the Mr. Men series! This is a kid's meal premium from Arby's whom I absolutely adore. The Mr. Men and Little Miss characters are all pretty geometric and basic in design, and that kind of aesthetic is just awesome to me. I could see myself tracking down more of these. And of course, Mr. Strong here is done in red and green, because Christmas!<br />
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So, I'd like to finish up by first apologizing to Mason for not getting this up on a blog for people to see before Christmas got here... but also a HUGE thanks to him as well for obviously putting so much time and thought into his selections. I had such a fun time discovering the contents of this package! Be sure to check out Mason's blog over at <a href="http://ditreasures.blogspot.com/">D.I. Treasures</a>.<br />
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I have a couple of other packages to feature here in the coming days, so keep your peepers peeled here folks!Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-56219171221027088202015-11-27T13:00:00.000-08:002015-11-27T13:00:05.186-08:00Randomly Received: The Trash Man Giveth<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on January 23rd, 2014.</b></div>
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I know this budding blog appears to be turning into the repeated tales of a blogger being showered with gifts from folks all over the internet... but these posts are LONG overdue. The folks who sent me all this great stuff really deserve a big thank you, so I'm dedicated to making sure they get it. </div>
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I want to take a moment to thank the Trash Man over at "<a href="http://poppopitstrashculture.blogspot.com/">Pop Pop! It's Trash Culture</a>" for the awesome package he sent me shortly before Christmas this past December. I felt like such a heel because not only did I not get him anything... I snuck into his house and stole his last can of Who-Hash on Christmas night. FYI Trash Man looks like this when he wakes up in the middle of the night:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption">"...there's a light on this tree that won't light on one side. <br />
So I'm taking it home to my workshop, my dear. <br />
I'll fix it up there, then I'll bring it back-- <br />
You know what? Just shut up and get back in bed." </td></tr>
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But that is neither here nor there. What IS here? This pile of goody-goody-goodies:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5p1BTmG_SSwZVzA6oTXanHwdN_Mpnzcd4uEtqApwSfODkQHshKo1TKlOVKunQdDf3Oic5_7xecfS4XvGN30pzXSKoyLXfooY3ZjULSoRcokepV3ipRo9oYMXKfjYVHTMmdmIU6ROv_K5/s1600/IMG_8806.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq5p1BTmG_SSwZVzA6oTXanHwdN_Mpnzcd4uEtqApwSfODkQHshKo1TKlOVKunQdDf3Oic5_7xecfS4XvGN30pzXSKoyLXfooY3ZjULSoRcokepV3ipRo9oYMXKfjYVHTMmdmIU6ROv_K5/s1600/IMG_8806.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see, he was yet again very generous to me, and intuitive to boot as to what would make me squeal like a little girl with bladder control issues. Let's take a closer look shall we:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gmo_-IBzLSIF-EAi9zVrHcOyq93bgiOzW4trju0Z1xiiAsRP5LNIng18zpTO_OdN_x2TzGUQYy1cAW5zqi1O5I0-msovGqTbkyRIE81jsT53Iv_JUcCxOqvcdRKdCE84YPEmaZqT2uP_/s1600/IMG_8807.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Gmo_-IBzLSIF-EAi9zVrHcOyq93bgiOzW4trju0Z1xiiAsRP5LNIng18zpTO_OdN_x2TzGUQYy1cAW5zqi1O5I0-msovGqTbkyRIE81jsT53Iv_JUcCxOqvcdRKdCE84YPEmaZqT2uP_/s1600/IMG_8807.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First up, Trash Man always knows that one of my greatest weaknesses is Choose Your Own Adventure Books. And so, here we have CYOA #66: Secret of the Ninja. In the same vein, we also have Wizards, Warriors, and You Book 2: The Siege of the Dragonriders. I am a HUGE fan of gaming books in general (gaming books = books that require you to make choices and turn to corresponding pages ala CYOA) and I've never read a WW&Y book before so I am intrigued to be sure. Nothing takes me back to my childhood and/or teen years better than a good gaming book. Nothing says "I have maturity issues" like an overweight 35-year-old reading a CYOA on the bus during his morning commute. Like a BOSS. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhianhei5n7VV1CyJFvkvSMrme06Sg_dSc7H_SX1hJm8eG9vqvExMPjR7QdbGIupJfqnBxDst1dYQs_wFX3nL0nRFscj9goKsQYgsJkYXa5WrpkhZ5gHH3iBRfeM02Vt-1L6g7WuJ7JKEzt/s1600/IMG_8808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhianhei5n7VV1CyJFvkvSMrme06Sg_dSc7H_SX1hJm8eG9vqvExMPjR7QdbGIupJfqnBxDst1dYQs_wFX3nL0nRFscj9goKsQYgsJkYXa5WrpkhZ5gHH3iBRfeM02Vt-1L6g7WuJ7JKEzt/s1600/IMG_8808.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next up... another particular obsession of mine (of course) Golden Books! And not just any Golden Books, but Darkwing Duck and Sesame Street Golden books! I received two copies of "The Silly Canine Caper" starring Darkwing, and "The Day Snuffy Had the Sniffles". I'm not going to go into great detail over why I've become so obsessed with Golden Books right now, as I have a planned upcoming post about them... but suffice it to say that Trash Man has me dead to rights. Because that's what makes this the hottest blog on the NET. Golden books. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8O2fsjbPtRhyphenhyphen1HczOlC47z1cZ3SguuPNKaDqpXS7n85vVj-rN2jNioXg57oYnaP6ZWmSSKLOMpBZPn2qgqAM0zdLB_2-T-XI4QG1MLJf2mZrCTNoW-ds-f3qvx6mefLM9BypcK37iaQI/s1600/IMG_8810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-8O2fsjbPtRhyphenhyphen1HczOlC47z1cZ3SguuPNKaDqpXS7n85vVj-rN2jNioXg57oYnaP6ZWmSSKLOMpBZPn2qgqAM0zdLB_2-T-XI4QG1MLJf2mZrCTNoW-ds-f3qvx6mefLM9BypcK37iaQI/s1600/IMG_8810.JPG" width="580" /></a></div>
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Probably one of my absolute favorite themes in the package was the small collection of Garbage Pail Kids stuff! Trash Man sent me a pair of vintage GPK buttons featuring Crater Chris and Janet Planet. These are destined for the ceiling of my car where all of my other buttons live. There was also a 4-pack of GPK MiniKins which are sooo reminiscent of the old GPK Cheap Toys (With Crummy Candy) that I've made it my life's mission to own them all. I... don't have a lot of legitimate goals like most people. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIe9tRwTzbDYCnxzkYRTH2M9vovMRH7rxPexINVFjMsE3m8NYYv9ar-moiPvhyphenhyphenA2aCaghe_i-SPQOlBK6malIuFjm6GgLgyzb78Ec_U7N_NmpjtT6jfCm6qibyrNIjStboEgQ0vKnA4lu2/s1600/IMG_8811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIe9tRwTzbDYCnxzkYRTH2M9vovMRH7rxPexINVFjMsE3m8NYYv9ar-moiPvhyphenhyphenA2aCaghe_i-SPQOlBK6malIuFjm6GgLgyzb78Ec_U7N_NmpjtT6jfCm6qibyrNIjStboEgQ0vKnA4lu2/s1600/IMG_8811.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKoOm9hTHAhLbtiRRiNAsqte-h68cJegc4QzK1BpW_HcokrHArrXmVY3R7JOy3eJ3goL96O0KUaOab6YFAswXJOdPjAJ7QNKqqX91xD3cz6G2iELkiBPbzn9UMIb2m6P0ZEmEqKf6SQ49/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDKoOm9hTHAhLbtiRRiNAsqte-h68cJegc4QzK1BpW_HcokrHArrXmVY3R7JOy3eJ3goL96O0KUaOab6YFAswXJOdPjAJ7QNKqqX91xD3cz6G2iELkiBPbzn9UMIb2m6P0ZEmEqKf6SQ49/s1600/IMG_5594.JPG" width="264" /></a></div>
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Speaking of... Trash Man also included THIS!!! I'm almost 100% sure it's some sort of bootleg... but that just makes it COOLER. This is Petey Graffiti (or New Wave Dave if you're into that sort of thing) from the old Cheap Toys line in a rubbery yellow that I'm certain the toys were never officially produced in. I'm showing him side-by-side with my flesh-colored Petey (He's not actually smaller... I just suck at scaling photos). The yellow is vaguely reminiscent of something produced by the human body... like phlegm or ear-wax or pus or something vaguely upsetting of that nature. I LOVE IT. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LB3hopIHFXpM-A0jXxTeLCXg_ql-Rea-bUm8TnnvA8Uh65D16ILcoshyphenhyphenxQjvNzQehpEvNRABKxz34LNNRt8I7WkUVYkhQcupAX1UBXBSmlnPGk1_no2aCazNxKD1tlQ9H0GhWFpwc3hE/s1600/IMG_8821.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LB3hopIHFXpM-A0jXxTeLCXg_ql-Rea-bUm8TnnvA8Uh65D16ILcoshyphenhyphenxQjvNzQehpEvNRABKxz34LNNRt8I7WkUVYkhQcupAX1UBXBSmlnPGk1_no2aCazNxKD1tlQ9H0GhWFpwc3hE/s1600/IMG_8821.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next up, Trash Man included a cannister of Trash Pack figurines. My two sons collect these like CRAZY so I actually let them have the figurines while I kept the packaging for myself. While I do have a handful of these of my own... I can't afford to go whole-hog into collecting them or I will literally drive my wife insane. But I appreciate their pedigree, to be sure, with ancestors (or at least inspiration) including Madballs and MUSCLE Things certainly. They're like the bastard descendents of Monster in My Pocket and Garbage Pail Kids. They are a welcome addition to my family, THAT'S for sure. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHX31McXJOhbkRaQw8mbTCYZCMaMCclgxLksnhO1ThAYMXS3CKS7DRNdxcZCDQmqzIE5JP_QLR11JgvNN-MO03pvj_LXqR-5djY-XbEBh0cGs_c7Am9cChoaw8MqMKeV1spmLUuII9lSr/s1600/IMG_8812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDHX31McXJOhbkRaQw8mbTCYZCMaMCclgxLksnhO1ThAYMXS3CKS7DRNdxcZCDQmqzIE5JP_QLR11JgvNN-MO03pvj_LXqR-5djY-XbEBh0cGs_c7Am9cChoaw8MqMKeV1spmLUuII9lSr/s1600/IMG_8812.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here you see a set of ghosts with the most! The two viloently purple and orange fellows in the front are a pair of Real Ghostbusters toys from when I was a kid. These are actually spring loaded traps that bite down on Ray, Egon and the others. Open their mouths to set them and then touch their tongues to snap the trap. I used to torture myself as a kid by snapping them on my fingers repeatedly. I was some sort of pain freak at an early age. Man those suckers left a mark on my knuckles. ANYWAY. Then we have Beetlejuice there in the middle. I remember Trash Man posting about this guy on his own blog at one point, and being fiercely jealous of him. Now he's MINE. This is Beetlejuice from the animated series, and he appears to be "snake-charming" a Sandworm. I love this rubber figurine with a fearsome passion that rivals the love of a mama bear and her cubs. Is that weird? It doesn't feel weird. It feels RIGHT.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiialTV1hDSy2hmq1yEaViCH_U__rc1XPHBOMylVD1bLjPhnzEp1LRrLHvyHUJ8Bd8dGNBwRAPj3K3bCAfJcfTniZv_1509UXX8pah9OnnArWmHvD04fth7qgceP_Eu-mHqmTRFUpqYlK0F/s1600/IMG_8813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiialTV1hDSy2hmq1yEaViCH_U__rc1XPHBOMylVD1bLjPhnzEp1LRrLHvyHUJ8Bd8dGNBwRAPj3K3bCAfJcfTniZv_1509UXX8pah9OnnArWmHvD04fth7qgceP_Eu-mHqmTRFUpqYlK0F/s1600/IMG_8813.JPG" width="392" /></a></div>
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Probably the most AMAZING item to come out of that box was this INTACT piece of glassware. Another of my fatal flaws is a deep love for all things McDonaldLand, and the collector's glasses are a HUGE piece of that. GRIMACE YOU GUYS. I don't even care that he seems creepily somnambulant in this image, in a sort of "I'm approaching you like a Romero Zombie but with NOSTALGIA" kind of way... I love this glass with every fiber of my being. I actually know right this moment where I can go and find a Hamburglar glass for 3 dollars... and now that I own Grimace and Ronald... I may need to make the 1.5 hour pilgrimage out to buy it sometime this weekend. Or actually next weekend. </div>
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After I get paid. </div>
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And I get permission from my wife. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN-tszbVtbUCD9p30xRbIHQwBRnYVp-NcuwW0JAjM34pSmJqQ4-vlc18becaDs5EywH2cyd19LsxbhABWIezMSnZo2QXNHHAOuRSDtvWKeClJ-Rkc75naevjRLy4a2Tj60s41wyBQZKbC/s1600/IMG_8819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN-tszbVtbUCD9p30xRbIHQwBRnYVp-NcuwW0JAjM34pSmJqQ4-vlc18becaDs5EywH2cyd19LsxbhABWIezMSnZo2QXNHHAOuRSDtvWKeClJ-Rkc75naevjRLy4a2Tj60s41wyBQZKbC/s1600/IMG_8819.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This motley trio from left to right: Plutor from the Trash Bag Bunch, a Two-Face vehicle Happy Meal premium, and a Battle Beast that has been painted in some sort of bizarre black and gray camouflage pattern. I was convinced at first that the guy on the far left was a Z-Bot to begin with... and it turns out I was close. Galoob was responsible for both the Trash Bag Bunch and the Z-Bots lines. In fact Plutor here was produced in 1991 and the Z-Bots debuted in 1992. I'm genuinely shocked that Galoob didn't reuse the mold for the Z-Bots line. In fact, a number of the Trash Bag Bunch figures (<i>yet ANOTHER mini-fig line that I failed to collect for some reason, and that would have been PERFECT for me... I mean I collected the HECK out of Monster in My Pocket, and they came out in 1990!</i>) would have made perfect Z-bots. The Two-Face vehicle actually transforms a little so you can flip over the front and rear of the car to show good and evil qualities. Aaaaand... I'm seriously thinking about trying to strip the paint OFF of this Battle Beast... but I'm not sure I can do it without ruining the original paint job. I hope that Brian didn't paint this thing specially for me because I would hate to think that I am stifling his artistic voice. But hey. Omelet. Eggs. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN-tszbVtbUCD9p30xRbIHQwBRnYVp-NcuwW0JAjM34pSmJqQ4-vlc18becaDs5EywH2cyd19LsxbhABWIezMSnZo2QXNHHAOuRSDtvWKeClJ-Rkc75naevjRLy4a2Tj60s41wyBQZKbC/s1600/IMG_8819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YJ_e-384QnfOLAvjAjGW7S9uJjjRUEJyjf4__qgXJBpA39MSV3oFdLnBmP8l4ekwJJ6rWNWiHy8PFyaeTZ_PLlm7g3lZ81NCarNw9EPoXF-IU1tWjd50MOo-EHmbwpraHtQ9PqTOVazh/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5YJ_e-384QnfOLAvjAjGW7S9uJjjRUEJyjf4__qgXJBpA39MSV3oFdLnBmP8l4ekwJJ6rWNWiHy8PFyaeTZ_PLlm7g3lZ81NCarNw9EPoXF-IU1tWjd50MOo-EHmbwpraHtQ9PqTOVazh/s1600/IMG_8814.JPG" width="580" /></a></div>
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Who is the most adorable Anti-Life equation hunting lord of Apokolips? This Darkseid from the Funko Pop! line, that's who! What is hilarious about this you ask randomly without really knowing why except for narrative reasons? Let me tell you! I stood in Hot Topic the first week of December and AGONIZED over whether or not I should buy this guy for myself. I ultimately decided not to at that time because I don't have a ton of DC Funko stuff (or didn't at the time anyway) and even though he's a Jack Kirby boy and ultimately one of if not THE baddest BAD-@$$ of the DCU... I just wasn't sure where he'd fit in with my collection... and I wanted some Funko Horror Classics figures more. So I bought those instead. But I have never been so excited as I was the day I heard the BOOM and saw my package from the Trash Man drop from a tube in the sky because I knew that Darkseid was here to STAY. I have to say, he is beautiful. I plan on buying a Funko Hordak to go up with him and the two shall have an EPIC friendship to last the AGES!!! Plus, Darkseid rocks that go-go girl outfit pretty nicely. He looks like an Austin Powers fembot a little bit.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadwpJ_2BQ0WxlJRZwiB_bewx1Uz1Bi0vz-lHWbMq0n19m5QruuMX8wS1YQGkLemSi36PEQf9mUXsYgRNYFP_k7oEIuMB30PL1OzWTup2zW8jvplJgrGHR8SXmRNXaS1r_qJsqx40hjI_g/s1600/IMG_8815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadwpJ_2BQ0WxlJRZwiB_bewx1Uz1Bi0vz-lHWbMq0n19m5QruuMX8wS1YQGkLemSi36PEQf9mUXsYgRNYFP_k7oEIuMB30PL1OzWTup2zW8jvplJgrGHR8SXmRNXaS1r_qJsqx40hjI_g/s1600/IMG_8815.JPG" width="448" /></a></div>
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And HOLY COW IT'S... that OTHER... transforming... Masters of the Universe... rock guy... (Googles for a moment)... Stonedar! Now I have the pair!!! I have a pair of stones!!! They really have a great heft in my hands. This is actually, seriously one of my favorite things in the box (not counting all my other favorite things in the box) because I LOVE tracking down old MotU toys! And Trash Man gets that! I love that he gets that! And I love that I have the TWO transforming MotU rock guys now! (<a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/12/this-is-why-i-love-goodwill-so-much.html">I recently found Rokkon in my HUGE MotU/Goodwill score back in mid-December</a>) I love how stoic and disinterested he appears to be... as if he had a hard made of... something... hard and cold... I got nothing. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIU65BDE3hOTrDBKpae34clBXihpr6K0KbcuUrka6cyfI29jt-NTbdNtnDNr1UVNPZF7edlLc4FBNSIjy0haNsXt93fEVa_SMKZMFliJ-RLTeZZYlobWltcXfEupmWq3-B7YdYiS8uOOq/s1600/IMG_8816.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIU65BDE3hOTrDBKpae34clBXihpr6K0KbcuUrka6cyfI29jt-NTbdNtnDNr1UVNPZF7edlLc4FBNSIjy0haNsXt93fEVa_SMKZMFliJ-RLTeZZYlobWltcXfEupmWq3-B7YdYiS8uOOq/s1600/IMG_8816.JPG" width="468" /></a></div>
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And last but definitely NOT least... a Funko Horror Classics Mini-fig! This came sealed and they are blind-boxed, so Trash Man didn't know he'd sent me Jason Voorhees... but I couldn't be happier!!! There were only a very small handful of these that I really felt were MUST-haves... and Jason was one. I can now add him to my collection including Pennywise the Clown and Sam from Trick R' Treat! I wasn't initially a huge fan of what they'd done stylistically with these characters, but I have to admit having them in hand, in person, they look VERY cool. Jason here looks ready to go menace some of my other mini-figures, like the Indiana Jones crew or whomever... Ch-ch-ch... Ah-ah-ah...<br />
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So Oh MY GOSH that about wraps up this post! What a haul! The Trash Man is an incredibly generous gift-giver, and I will have to find the time and the resources to put together a fitting thank you package sometime in the future. Be sure to check out his blog over at <a href="http://poppopitstrashculture.blogspot.com/">Pop Pop! It's Trash Culture</a>, and keep your eyes peeled for our future plans for a big Gremlins blogging event coming up this Summer! ALSO at the time of this posting, he is currently<a href="http://poppopitstrashculture.blogspot.com/2014/01/the-new-year-new-trash-free-giveaway.html"> starting up another one of his EPIC Trash giveaways</a>... which are filled with ANYTHING BUT TRASH!!! Go enter the contest right away!!! I really can't begin to thank him enough for all he's given me, stuff-wise and blogging-buddy-wise as well. I truly appreciate his humor, his heart, and his... h... he... haiiir...style...? Some other h word. Thank you man. I truly mean it.<br />
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The next post I plop on here will be about the package I received from a certain Texan Lady who I also adore... so keep your eyes peeled dear readers! It's gonna get random up in here.Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-74465616054559972522015-11-26T13:30:00.001-08:002015-11-26T13:30:00.722-08:00Randomly Received: A Package from "Dave"! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on January 17th, 2014</b></div>
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So back in May of last year I was contacted by a gentleman named "Dave" via e-mail. It was all very clandestine and mysterious... but what it boiled down to was that he wanted to sort of set up a "Toy Karma" trading system. So he'd send me a bit of stuff and I'd send a bit of stuff back. I'm still working on my bit of stuff (there's a handful of stuff he's asked me to keep an eye out for and I am diligently doing so <b>(Not sure if I ever sent Dave his package of stuff, to be honest... Dave... Dave? Did I send you your stuff?)</b>). Dave doesn't have a blog of his own so he asked that I keep the details on him light, personally, but I definitely plan to show off the great stuff he sent me this past November:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuHpqvZ6_Wpy9kHS3R9SMolJHwpuX-LEWpPxeoTFIJulbixq_Cv7D-CTZuoKUdw6hpxtNoQn14PBtM_2csie6HWDFm10JNtkdcp2g_xnSW_p-QLemui103TP9LvIbCUwsEpVUfSAmK8Pv/s1600/IMG_8175.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfuHpqvZ6_Wpy9kHS3R9SMolJHwpuX-LEWpPxeoTFIJulbixq_Cv7D-CTZuoKUdw6hpxtNoQn14PBtM_2csie6HWDFm10JNtkdcp2g_xnSW_p-QLemui103TP9LvIbCUwsEpVUfSAmK8Pv/s320/IMG_8175.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Honestly, when Dave contacted me to let me know he's sent out the package, I had forgotten about our agreement. So it was with great curiosity and profound excitement that I tore open the box. As you can see from the picture above, it was an eclectic mix... but not one so hard to figure out. Dave obviously paid close attention to the things I've featured over on the Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks blog, such as Sesame Street stuff, McDonald's toys, and various other sundry items. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtPcML_3xNGV1L-ZJcDqjGa11NjDW4UEhBplco5sE4noQG4WsyMf3arlZ5nDJxGgauL4i5PVbMJlF1KJPbB6OLXcE4XJxTd2dg8XObApX1-4RBPZbNpk_cyMYQOu5Oh0sA0TROLXjNPuA/s1600/IMG_8176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtPcML_3xNGV1L-ZJcDqjGa11NjDW4UEhBplco5sE4noQG4WsyMf3arlZ5nDJxGgauL4i5PVbMJlF1KJPbB6OLXcE4XJxTd2dg8XObApX1-4RBPZbNpk_cyMYQOu5Oh0sA0TROLXjNPuA/s320/IMG_8176.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First up was this AWESOME advert for the Sesame Street movie, Follow That Bird! It looks like it may have come from a press junket or maybe just something handed out an movie theaters to get people jazzed about the film? I don't know but it is awesome. I love little pieces of promotional history like this that remind you of a time when films that NOW have been around for ages were still something "COMING SOON". </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvw8JzawYVZAVd7soa0WsoVeLa4bgtBweiynPlG20qKDAjw95hjOChOWr02TSjia4u6IOoAQ1y2IM038ZbSjnEnAuvEth809XRhYSDH79hzC-eeUMs7YDH9oM2PRywhclGmk45D9UKXT/s1600/IMG_8177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Qvw8JzawYVZAVd7soa0WsoVeLa4bgtBweiynPlG20qKDAjw95hjOChOWr02TSjia4u6IOoAQ1y2IM038ZbSjnEnAuvEth809XRhYSDH79hzC-eeUMs7YDH9oM2PRywhclGmk45D9UKXT/s320/IMG_8177.JPG" width="534" /></a></div>
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Two particularly exciting items were this Ewok PEZ dispenser and a LEGO Batman McDonald's Happy Meal toy! I'm a big Star Wars OT fan, and PEZ enthusiast... so Wicket here is a welcome addition. And LEGO Batman is absolutely one of my favorite games of ALL time. LEGO Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter... pretty much ANYTHING LEGO is my favorite game of all time. But Batman ESPECIALLY. This was VERY exciting for me. I'm... not really a gamer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38VYXDhBGGQdXIQtCcOLUqpgfx8Le7J0F9YCS9glSpmlr2wfSpPi-Txys6pMubVJvK9u6YuYqeqqE6oBV-IBjtwgp3tEXWxbwfRbU51c8DV3qRr4sfuFHrvEXdJeabVhwRIcHcuvz8jX1/s1600/IMG_8179.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38VYXDhBGGQdXIQtCcOLUqpgfx8Le7J0F9YCS9glSpmlr2wfSpPi-Txys6pMubVJvK9u6YuYqeqqE6oBV-IBjtwgp3tEXWxbwfRbU51c8DV3qRr4sfuFHrvEXdJeabVhwRIcHcuvz8jX1/s320/IMG_8179.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here is an assortment of mini-figs that Dave tossed into the mix as well, knowing that I ADORE mini-figs. I think my absolute favorites of the bunch are the bendy Ronald McDonald, the Adventure Time BMO figure, and the absolutely AWESOME washing-machine/robot figure in the middle there, who, when rolled back and forth, agitates the teddy bear inside it. I was also particularly excited to add the Flash's ring to my collection of DCU rings (even though it was technically just a Lantern Corps ring collection before now).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimO-5rofZcXlD2zvISTdgi0DjOM2aVWgTjCfzAWHH_JdKNQkqQMfFtewAR9gdnvQMf0nwdt9k0g98BcWTuCjfbaa_6wlU3YGckjIER5AgQwLfhUqfFYkUrJyYkD_7WTrZAUuf0s5NRQ3oD/s1600/IMG_8180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimO-5rofZcXlD2zvISTdgi0DjOM2aVWgTjCfzAWHH_JdKNQkqQMfFtewAR9gdnvQMf0nwdt9k0g98BcWTuCjfbaa_6wlU3YGckjIER5AgQwLfhUqfFYkUrJyYkD_7WTrZAUuf0s5NRQ3oD/s320/IMG_8180.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next up, this Ghostbusters mini-book, right out of an 80's Scholastic book order. (I have no idea if that's where it came from, but that's all it makes me think of) this went up in a place of honor on my Ghostbusters' shelf. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BdYcNeVJhDwDcmcIEdaQa2Cp1xMnIDEPwELJqdaIl_qgedF8ywT2XUfa_o4Qvv7YuAxI2pstvGJkXh40XNswEPV6UJky_p0qYhiT07GVBSfWGKS3d8uvsbSzwuHSXUnlazhGQQ-aWvsD/s1600/IMG_8181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8BdYcNeVJhDwDcmcIEdaQa2Cp1xMnIDEPwELJqdaIl_qgedF8ywT2XUfa_o4Qvv7YuAxI2pstvGJkXh40XNswEPV6UJky_p0qYhiT07GVBSfWGKS3d8uvsbSzwuHSXUnlazhGQQ-aWvsD/s320/IMG_8181.JPG" width="632" /></a></div>
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Then there's this 6 hour-long DVD of "Old School" highlights from Sesame Street years 1979-1984, which would actually account for a pretty large chunk of my actual viewing years as a child. I haven't popped this in yet, but I can't wait to sit down and watch it with my smallest boy, who is my one true Sesame Street convert out of my three kids. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDG1a_8Z9rmxzrZFLgqbCZiqO-heTmXKyXwZD1zrPNvhN_dyX-aHwt9_SZ9wvImdusvioG-P6OpgRqC1sIG7TXA7RPuFDyXvuECW43ff5-dJ07Rwiy5LbSlUeumkxXauu4Vlk0tKNX40r/s1600/IMG_8182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDG1a_8Z9rmxzrZFLgqbCZiqO-heTmXKyXwZD1zrPNvhN_dyX-aHwt9_SZ9wvImdusvioG-P6OpgRqC1sIG7TXA7RPuFDyXvuECW43ff5-dJ07Rwiy5LbSlUeumkxXauu4Vlk0tKNX40r/s320/IMG_8182.JPG" width="566" /></a></div>
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And finally, I have the first volume of the Sesame Street Treasury. This is a later version of the Sesame Street Library, both of which were sold serialized in supermarkets. Since there were so many reprinted stories from the "Library" books in the "Treasury" books, I've never taken the time to track them all down... but after looking through this first book, I may just need to change my position. </div>
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Well, that's it folks! I can't thank Dave enough for the great goodies, and I can't wait to get a package together and off into the mail for him. I have a HUGE BACK-LOG of exciting stuff that has been sent to me from fellow bloggers so I'm going to be focusing on that for a little while here on RRRG... but soon enough I'll be posting some other stuff in other... more random areas that I'm pretty excited about as well! So keep your eyes peeled here dear readers! </div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-5890157937555553392015-11-26T13:30:00.000-08:002015-11-26T13:30:01.297-08:00Randomly Received: A Timely Valentine's Day Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on February 28th, 2014.</b></div>
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There's nothing like posting about Valentine's Day two full weeks after the fact. And the sad thing about this particular post is that I received its contents BEFORE Valentine's and I honestly had plenty of time to get it up on the blog days before V-Day even GOT here. But erm... I seem to making a habit on this new blog of posting about holidays waaay after the fact. (I assure you that my Halloween Countdown will NOT be taking place in November)</div>
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So anyway, I received this in the mail from Tommy Day of <a href="http://tophatsasquatch.com/">Tophat Sasquatch</a> fame: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-tXn2qND0_NxluhuLC408pZibhm8l07XaGoP-TmFcH8VxtHGrsGWk36Xa6o-6aECqC1szBdvvzEpVqo_b_jmT4zt8YUJcgP3NggIGl9DqvJ7HU7bCgIGyCftygEG6qix7s6Oqd-_u6_5/s1600/IMG_9051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="446" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS-tXn2qND0_NxluhuLC408pZibhm8l07XaGoP-TmFcH8VxtHGrsGWk36Xa6o-6aECqC1szBdvvzEpVqo_b_jmT4zt8YUJcgP3NggIGl9DqvJ7HU7bCgIGyCftygEG6qix7s6Oqd-_u6_5/s1600/IMG_9051.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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He had <a href="http://tophatsasquatch.com/vintage-valentines-cards/">posted on his site</a> that he'd tracked down a bunch of old vintage Valentine's packs, and he wanted to give them away! I signed up immediately. He even gave the option of selecting the properties I wanted included. There were a LOT of great properties to choose from so I tossed a few ideas his way and promptly forgot about it. Then the envelope above appeared in the mail just a few days later! (Take a moment to appreciate Tommy's pixelated self-portrait on his address labels). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFJmXOQuzwCKnnbwDqVba7Iw7vCEwu67RLicblLoh4GU79gJNuSGkKwhqnwzM2pCQTExQSBvWFwG2cUOkceK_N1PH5O5WLWtY6q7qdblQPIVEduRAJOvFt9B-axX3JpuWJ_jWOr5bhg1S/s1600/IMG_9053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjFJmXOQuzwCKnnbwDqVba7Iw7vCEwu67RLicblLoh4GU79gJNuSGkKwhqnwzM2pCQTExQSBvWFwG2cUOkceK_N1PH5O5WLWtY6q7qdblQPIVEduRAJOvFt9B-axX3JpuWJ_jWOr5bhg1S/s1600/IMG_9053.JPG" width="488" /></a></div>
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First up is this AWESOME Top Hat Sasquatch (.com) sticker! Someday when I find a beat-up old Trapper Keeper at Goodwill, I'm totally going to cover it with all the cool sticker's I've collected from sites like Tommy's! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIJvYKSjHcMTIz0vb7zZKBnwuQdDQ6ooMSg38mKxSwesroUisy4kNi80iFpVUN1eNMYockKm6hxAIK0VJxR2BHVYCCt_ky-LZ4gZvmv4t2SgTcGgB8eNHIzOOVVgHxIPmVAq0tBTclSvd/s1600/IMG_9054.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaIJvYKSjHcMTIz0vb7zZKBnwuQdDQ6ooMSg38mKxSwesroUisy4kNi80iFpVUN1eNMYockKm6hxAIK0VJxR2BHVYCCt_ky-LZ4gZvmv4t2SgTcGgB8eNHIzOOVVgHxIPmVAq0tBTclSvd/s1600/IMG_9054.JPG" width="510" /></a></div>
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Next, a Valentine from the Rescue Ranger, Gadget! I was SUCH a huge Rescue Ranger fan when it was a part of the Disney Afternoon. It took second place only to Dark wing Duck when that came along. And Gadget? Well I'm not going to ADMIT to having a weird little crush on an anthropomorphic mouse now am I? Let's just say I was a fan. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadRwUFpEyc3b9o3FKq9Y7wi3V07SrQLFbQ62QS4aSLOyVahX7cIbIhem518z3dXOYyUz7TbgMFQdZlxtg0QNOIzeTzYVIOJUorQ85uwD4B7r0-cOcl9y4-ahf-uXC7FVX3d9rM7hMzT0O/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadRwUFpEyc3b9o3FKq9Y7wi3V07SrQLFbQ62QS4aSLOyVahX7cIbIhem518z3dXOYyUz7TbgMFQdZlxtg0QNOIzeTzYVIOJUorQ85uwD4B7r0-cOcl9y4-ahf-uXC7FVX3d9rM7hMzT0O/s1600/IMG_9055.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I specifically requested a "Muppets TONIGHT" Valentine because I genuinely feel like it was under-appreciated in its time, and there are a lot of great characters that we've forgotten about from it. When I asked for a Muppets TONIGHT Valentine I was secretly wishing that Tommy would send me one with <a href="http://muppet.wikia.com/wiki/Clifford">Clifford </a>(The host) on it... and HE DID!!! In fact, it has both Clifford AND Kermit together!!! Awww KMUP TV... I miss you. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA03DZTXvMMGXVLXAbQ_Q1iGXY5U2DFMfFKSav3_jkaBeOwrvs93Am0H29wuXXyaHKxey6eojcNHE8BlwyNNAXdVgJP3XZtsn1sclr3Bgc2A7onX23lMpyZuLBlzDPQSiivkUK8xr5HNO/s1600/IMG_9057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwA03DZTXvMMGXVLXAbQ_Q1iGXY5U2DFMfFKSav3_jkaBeOwrvs93Am0H29wuXXyaHKxey6eojcNHE8BlwyNNAXdVgJP3XZtsn1sclr3Bgc2A7onX23lMpyZuLBlzDPQSiivkUK8xr5HNO/s1600/IMG_9057.JPG" width="560" /></a></div>
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For some folks, Charlie Brown, Snoppy, and the Peanuts in general define their Holidays. For me, it's Garfield that defines my holiday childhood experiences. The Halloween and Christmas (and to a much lesser degree, Thanksgiving) specials are force-fed to my children absolutely EVERY year. So getting a Valentine with this stripey orange guy on it is especially awesome. It's a great, iconic shot of him too, so I LOVE this one! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDRu5uIFNvimtkazOlQItGw0itg76cW4LODK0eDJOV96TavXYLKCdRD_5i4mU8r7qUMfiTUOUl2_iGXj8KbkyJm16uGK3iBvaOgJjkeTWxasiSibmQTvrV8whcuRe0oN28aKpokQuQnQh/s1600/IMG_9058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDRu5uIFNvimtkazOlQItGw0itg76cW4LODK0eDJOV96TavXYLKCdRD_5i4mU8r7qUMfiTUOUl2_iGXj8KbkyJm16uGK3iBvaOgJjkeTWxasiSibmQTvrV8whcuRe0oN28aKpokQuQnQh/s1600/IMG_9058.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's one with just Kermit, which as regular readers of mine probably know, is one of my absolute favorite Muppets and characters in general, of all time. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9Ldw4Z0wtK3wcbkbwbzSN88Y9lWAg1WcX6heSwGvewxlZCU124bxO3gBc8W9n0FImFWoFeRqbY9mVDKaOrZLK3KDkNX2Oq-dLmhuVFdWL6S_8ytp7m-ZLfGbRxXy8lULGQVQEpDCZxf0/s1600/IMG_9059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9Ldw4Z0wtK3wcbkbwbzSN88Y9lWAg1WcX6heSwGvewxlZCU124bxO3gBc8W9n0FImFWoFeRqbY9mVDKaOrZLK3KDkNX2Oq-dLmhuVFdWL6S_8ytp7m-ZLfGbRxXy8lULGQVQEpDCZxf0/s1600/IMG_9059.JPG" width="530" /></a></div>
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And finally, here's a Californian Raisin Valentine, which just BLEW MY MIND. Again, regular readers of my old Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks blog probably already know, the C.Raisins are one of my absolute favorite childhood properties. There is NOTHING I don't love about this valentine. </div>
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So a BIG thanks to Tommy Day, who always has something cool going on over at his <a href="http://tophatsasquatch.com/">Top Hat Sasquatch</a> site. And Happy Valentine's Day everybody!</div>
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That's it for tonight kids, but keep your peepers peeled here for more randomness to come!Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-43392924076796734702015-11-25T13:30:00.000-08:002015-11-25T13:30:01.653-08:00Random Buys of a Random Guy: Old toys!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on February 12th, 2014.</b></div>
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Just a quick post to show off some vintage finds I made at Goodwill over the past weekend: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LVtLI-zLpZNf8hyphenhyphenIKeB9_5R5aaNtcw7vIuqJQZwrjxFdTS4LNNkVm9MmhZe3kiHWE_EE0FEf_QN0CKxD6aIwsRM5B5xK7I7Cx4uWr__BfJZ2PZiu8DYUpALka-b8daxsfxeRCLJ2wbrY/s1600/IMG_9075.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LVtLI-zLpZNf8hyphenhyphenIKeB9_5R5aaNtcw7vIuqJQZwrjxFdTS4LNNkVm9MmhZe3kiHWE_EE0FEf_QN0CKxD6aIwsRM5B5xK7I7Cx4uWr__BfJZ2PZiu8DYUpALka-b8daxsfxeRCLJ2wbrY/s1600/IMG_9075.JPG" width="560" /></a></div>
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I think I paid a total of 5 dollars for the three items you see here, and I was pretty happy to find all three. Let's take a closer look, shall we? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqTeEyYNFyWsMhmM9rneru5yh_LPQm5BzlhdjFw63xLoc73928UePFyrTUHleE9fRuDCUzF_d9SeJeUtKk1m37M7us5lP_IpZcxPucYLvscGtgisHrgZ18i2GcJkosmVk2y2-kcoa9YJT/s1600/IMG_9074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqTeEyYNFyWsMhmM9rneru5yh_LPQm5BzlhdjFw63xLoc73928UePFyrTUHleE9fRuDCUzF_d9SeJeUtKk1m37M7us5lP_IpZcxPucYLvscGtgisHrgZ18i2GcJkosmVk2y2-kcoa9YJT/s1600/IMG_9074.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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First up was a pile of girly-girl stuff for my wife. A grab-bag of vintage Barbie clothes (which included the pair of baby My Little Ponies) and a vintage Strawberry Shortcake trolley. My wife's not huge into collecting vintage toys, so I may even end up passing these all along to a good home. I especially found the Ken-Doll Cosby sweater in the bottom left corner to be hilarious. The whole pile was pretty ridiculous though. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCU9mDs1_tpCfL85N_h6mCACSPMqy5FU6cQBBUk6VN3UFawtkGHl6Kcp7FQdczBL0RrMIGPifyO8BJF8mN15uIxzQk397nipMgm8YAhcxLB3HKWSMMONi1cLdaIQ4ki9h1c7ciko52Szf/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCU9mDs1_tpCfL85N_h6mCACSPMqy5FU6cQBBUk6VN3UFawtkGHl6Kcp7FQdczBL0RrMIGPifyO8BJF8mN15uIxzQk397nipMgm8YAhcxLB3HKWSMMONi1cLdaIQ4ki9h1c7ciko52Szf/s1600/IMG_9076.JPG" width="562" /></a></div>
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First up, is this See 'N Say from Mattel. I was all agog when I saw the date stamp on the back said 1964. So I was a little disappointed when I saw the date on the large animal sticker running around the front of the toy said 1978. I don't typically make my old toy purchases based on age or value, I just buy stuff I like, or that bring me back to childhood, or that I think someone else might like. But the idea of this See N' Say being from the 60's really did get me excited. But still, it being from 1978 was pretty awesome too (I was born that year so... it was a good year). Then I noticed the copyright on the Zoo Keeper sticker in the center had 1983 on it. Sigh. I still smiled when I bought it. I actually had one of these as a kid, and THAT was why I wanted it anyway. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtrd_rK2FsoFINNmi2sFcFX4w0J9i3czRUh4Wie7LucuxI-3wmG5u9bHqySgxrXJ5VoHdyNhjg4mKo0ZVZ1isQK9DoRe5zJFMPLArf887MEJuQry6cupnAkOM_Pq_Hr2Gb4ME1k25fQ0_/s1600/IMG_9077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAtrd_rK2FsoFINNmi2sFcFX4w0J9i3czRUh4Wie7LucuxI-3wmG5u9bHqySgxrXJ5VoHdyNhjg4mKo0ZVZ1isQK9DoRe5zJFMPLArf887MEJuQry6cupnAkOM_Pq_Hr2Gb4ME1k25fQ0_/s1600/IMG_9077.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next up is this Fisher-Price Fire Engine which looks like it has a little person sitting in the front, but really just has a head attached. I've seen these for sale in antique shops in MUCH better shape... but I really love the look of this thing, and don't mind how beat up it looks. The ladder is missing, but the wild shoestring hose is still attached! This little guy is from 1968. And finally, drum-roll please...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEJUfViH2He0PR1F-sAZ1r2mebNwFjE0Qihd2o0oFH0G6ihmLIb-kyVjiZox-cqUgqsvayDH6tPNy7a_n3lFCZYU1TwdXvhTVWLepWGWc1vUh1AyKJAkxxNwfEinLtrq8rh1FqWz2UXJX/s1600/Kermit+Puppet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNEJUfViH2He0PR1F-sAZ1r2mebNwFjE0Qihd2o0oFH0G6ihmLIb-kyVjiZox-cqUgqsvayDH6tPNy7a_n3lFCZYU1TwdXvhTVWLepWGWc1vUh1AyKJAkxxNwfEinLtrq8rh1FqWz2UXJX/s1600/Kermit+Puppet.jpg" width="472" /></a></div>
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A Fisher-Price Kermit THE Frog hand-puppet from 1978 (again... a good year). I've stuffed his head full of tissues to keep it from crumpling for display purposes, and honestly, it sketches me out a little bit sticking my hand in a hand-puppet that is 35 years old (it FEELS sketchy) but it was the item I was most excited to find. Now when I sing karaoke in my best Kermit impression, I can have a Kermit puppet to lip-synch with. (This is not a joke. It is something I actually do. I once did a version of the Carpenters' "Close to You" as Kermit the frog at my company picnic. I followed it up the next year by singing Dolly Parton's and Kenny Rogers' "Islands in the Stream" as both Kermit AND Piggy... I'm not bragging... but it was a pretty epic performance. Let's just leave it at that.) </div>
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ANWAY! That's it for tonight kids! I've got some Valentine's Day goodies that arrived in the mail courtesy of Tommy Day over at Top Hat Sasquatch that I want to share tomorrow... And I'm currently working on a MASSIVE post about Scooby-Doo... but for now, this is all you get. Keep your peepers peeled here for more randomly random randmoness!</div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-88369994111786554622015-11-25T13:00:00.000-08:002015-11-25T13:00:03.584-08:00Random Buys of a Random Guy: Murder, She Wrote the Game???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on January 31st, 2014.</b></div>
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So even though the blog is no longer Goodwill-centric, <b>(Ha ha ha! Goodwill Geek, you ignorant fool!) </b>I definitely plan on continuing to showcase the many finds and buys I've made there. Today's post focuses mainly on this beauty:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOQ5l8WOBTBINizM6HSEUFHMk4qb7GC8vEyHoyUbSj8iEAsJgFZCQGmDvYVNDz27IZfm5ejg7bENNsTF2i0Loy8J6Z68NN5W5dWlyIyI9ZXE8yE_FzE49vQKlQyxpUUmrK4C5rqDzaMLu/s1600/IMG_8860.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghOQ5l8WOBTBINizM6HSEUFHMk4qb7GC8vEyHoyUbSj8iEAsJgFZCQGmDvYVNDz27IZfm5ejg7bENNsTF2i0Loy8J6Z68NN5W5dWlyIyI9ZXE8yE_FzE49vQKlQyxpUUmrK4C5rqDzaMLu/s1600/IMG_8860.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like how it's billed as a game of strategy and PURSUIT, <br />
and then you see the murderer running in the back, gun in hand,<br />
while Jessica just toddles towards us smiling vacantly in the foreground.</td></tr>
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Murder She Wrote, the Board Game!!! This beautiful boardgame is circa 1985 and stars Jessica Fletcher out-wiling a murderer. I was going to make a joke about her catching a killer who's gone off the <i>deep end</i> while simultaneously trying not to leak through her <i>Depends</i>... but making fun of elderly incontinence is just low-hanging fruit, insensitive... and I will not stoop so low. I am however tucking a "Taking a bite out of crime" dentures/Poligrip joke in my back pocket for later, so keep our eyes peeled for that. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQz1dD8INhLX9pelaOeY0zyCkFNY7S4NzMrPBs7VmT2Fk_UKiSvWLTyX95rXOvGXmIAB6M04MVM39FdSzTVe2lDv8Qqp9C6empTamgl-8QYv7qmYPxC17woLOjPslucBK2y1LvrgId3wu/s1600/IMG_8863.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPQz1dD8INhLX9pelaOeY0zyCkFNY7S4NzMrPBs7VmT2Fk_UKiSvWLTyX95rXOvGXmIAB6M04MVM39FdSzTVe2lDv8Qqp9C6empTamgl-8QYv7qmYPxC17woLOjPslucBK2y1LvrgId3wu/s1600/IMG_8863.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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As a kid I remember reading a spoof of Murder, She Wrote in MAD Magazine. At the end of the spoof they take Jessica into police custody because it's glaringly obvious that everywhere this woman goes, someone gets murdered and she's prime suspect number one. In retrospect I wonder why people didn't make this connection on the show more often. Even if the police didn't have the evidence to arrest her, I don't think anyone would be inviting Jessica Fletcher out to their island resort. Murder follows her around like old people smell. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvUs7q0mp3cO2dQK8PXKuqjDQ323NoIz2uqT4vWJSXm1XZWKSU17CKkDekIrA-bhreTwZmW-4BurQxGINQlENf0ia2f98vs1LwkwycygyR6o8epR01PYdRva-sNnmUicw86y8xvreqMCU/s1600/IMG_8861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvUs7q0mp3cO2dQK8PXKuqjDQ323NoIz2uqT4vWJSXm1XZWKSU17CKkDekIrA-bhreTwZmW-4BurQxGINQlENf0ia2f98vs1LwkwycygyR6o8epR01PYdRva-sNnmUicw86y8xvreqMCU/s1600/IMG_8861.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's a shot of the game board, which is nicely illustrated and colorful. They did a pretty good job with this one. M,SW was so ubiquitous when I was a kid it felt like it was on for a solid block of six straight hours during day-time TV. Or maybe that's just because it was in a block with Matlock and I get the two confused. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1Z14rF0VKfRbJhDx8w8hLFqHV-xTBDnSk18tN4PG5QrZG1wc_MBVCUGQ9UZaRv5zRE5AmXIAPLxIT4NyEEuxffe-rrORMfOK3fAG8i6PsF5-pYcO_CWwreulDTU0qUdlrhikzU6ehjuI/s1600/IMG_8866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1Z14rF0VKfRbJhDx8w8hLFqHV-xTBDnSk18tN4PG5QrZG1wc_MBVCUGQ9UZaRv5zRE5AmXIAPLxIT4NyEEuxffe-rrORMfOK3fAG8i6PsF5-pYcO_CWwreulDTU0qUdlrhikzU6ehjuI/s1600/IMG_8866.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have no idea if this game is "complete" or not, but it looks to be pretty close. I see copies of this game up on eBay and Etsy for around 25-30 dollars. So I feel like the 1.99 I paid for it was a pretty good deal. This is just one of those finds that you can't turn your nose up at, whether you're a fan of Murder, She Wrote, or not. Just the sheer weird factor alone was enough to make me pick this up. Actually... now that I think about it... maybe I shouldn't have picked this up. Maybe even just having a game with Jessica Fletcher <i>represented</i> in it is enough to put me in danger...?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You're going to be quite dead, you know.</td></tr>
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That's it for tonight folks! I'll be back soon with more random stuff, so keep your eyes peeled here!</div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-17975280844874831352015-11-24T13:30:00.000-08:002015-11-24T13:30:00.927-08:00Random Reads: Starlog Magazines from 1984!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on February 7th, 2014.</b></div>
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I've mentioned Scottie's Books on more than one occasion in the past, and almost never fail to find something fun when I go in there. A few weeks ago I stopped in and found a couple of issues of Starlog magazine for a few dollars apiece. </div>
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Back in the day I was never a fan of Starlog as I associated it too much with Fangoria which scared me so badly as a child that it made me physically ill to even see on the newsstand. That last sentence probably sounds like an exaggeration, but I assure you it was not. I was shocked when I googled it to find out that it actually only went out of print in 2009 which feels way too recent. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic40HFg-89s3-OY-szh9mmUh4OKnf_WOBfB43SCT391ReaXwmWuE9znf5mhWt2gYMO6IAboaKU-8Tz9be1ipKy61kGNqGd64AtWFDnL-JwkQKcQAgtmM9sIbH9VpMC7kTRO2boiKswltpC/s1600/IMG_9008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic40HFg-89s3-OY-szh9mmUh4OKnf_WOBfB43SCT391ReaXwmWuE9znf5mhWt2gYMO6IAboaKU-8Tz9be1ipKy61kGNqGd64AtWFDnL-JwkQKcQAgtmM9sIbH9VpMC7kTRO2boiKswltpC/s1600/IMG_9008.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since I normally wouldn't have been interested in Starlog in the past, I didn't even pick these up when I initially saw them, and then finally I saw the word "Gremlins" on the covers of both magazines, and that pretty much did it for me. Upon closer examination I saw features inckuding Ghostbusters, Indiana Jones, The Neverending Story, Cloak and Dagger, Muppets Take Manhatten, and the Last Starfighter. And this was all just from a cursory scan of the covers. (Completely ignoring the Buckaroo Bonzai and Conan the Destroyer photos on the covers) I didn't even open the poly-bags on these until I got them home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmi9Lyt_DKS2qYYAHxbFqgfh0rIFbDK3VU0jyuuBQGodaxEgB8K5-S8E6pRYwOnCjL-HMGQrmjWT2Av6OS2FdUzdzlqls47NpJRdqX380HrhNz6xLvJZGvuorrq6rrxzyDcdoDYZt2Ryu/s1600/IMG_9009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmi9Lyt_DKS2qYYAHxbFqgfh0rIFbDK3VU0jyuuBQGodaxEgB8K5-S8E6pRYwOnCjL-HMGQrmjWT2Av6OS2FdUzdzlqls47NpJRdqX380HrhNz6xLvJZGvuorrq6rrxzyDcdoDYZt2Ryu/s1600/IMG_9009.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Now, I'm going about this a bit bass-ackwardsly because I'm actually featuring shots of issue #86 first (with the cover shot of Buckaroo) and then I'm going to get to #85 second. Honestly, I don't even have a particularly good reason for that. But look at the fold out poster in the front of issue #86! Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom! or, as the kids nowadays are wont to call it, "STARLOG Science Fiction Classic #20". And check out the facing-page ad! A Star Trek III tabletop paper-and-dice game that is "a simulation of Starship combat in the final frontier" which I highly doubt could possibly be as intense as they are hoping you'll think it is. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfm5uzCG53-r8fNbYZWi2i-LF9TcsktOgX-cWj4w4dYMVj-vU2XjwRA-cw2PnLJlr5bOahwPdc55C7Ju2YxvuJVHTPNfmnxFbAUjzNpT3leZO0RZninqsKu6vY3O117qNprI6d8RIGXsco/s1600/IMG_9010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfm5uzCG53-r8fNbYZWi2i-LF9TcsktOgX-cWj4w4dYMVj-vU2XjwRA-cw2PnLJlr5bOahwPdc55C7Ju2YxvuJVHTPNfmnxFbAUjzNpT3leZO0RZninqsKu6vY3O117qNprI6d8RIGXsco/s1600/IMG_9010.JPG" width="472" /></a></div>
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You guys... YOU GUYS. A Cloak & Dagger article! Now admittedly, it's a pretty light piece, being a plot synopsis, list of actors in the film, and a mention of the inspirations and creative team behind the movie... but YOU GUYS. Once upon a time, people could just go out and buy magazines with articles about Cloak & Dagger in them??? I want to go to there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiWvOUo1hxK2ltMJoJeZts2z4MkCqzn0EFygwmd81F0lXxBYI7tUQHk3HMc28iEbXPFcaV5OZQhudwlA0nNXEUrSgKE44j9gD8TyNmXvw1ewfJuP-c8XXfRAYeby5nN8DzFQ6ZxdFBwCX/s1600/IMG_9011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbiWvOUo1hxK2ltMJoJeZts2z4MkCqzn0EFygwmd81F0lXxBYI7tUQHk3HMc28iEbXPFcaV5OZQhudwlA0nNXEUrSgKE44j9gD8TyNmXvw1ewfJuP-c8XXfRAYeby5nN8DzFQ6ZxdFBwCX/s1600/IMG_9011.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Then this. "Dan O'Herlihy: Full-time actor, part-time iguana." Actually, the other issue I picked up had a Starfighter article in it as well, but in a crushing moment of disappointment I realized that the issue had somehow been printed without a page #59/60! It was a pretty in-depth article, too! In fact, page 59 was the second half of an article about Robert Zemeckis trying to turn "The Shadow" into a feature film... in 1984!!! Instead we got the Alec Baldwin version (which I am actually a fan of) 10 years later. But I can't help but wonder... Anyway... Yeah... Dan O'Herlihy. Moving on. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fe4P7WSkQ1ZBJypRM1Bz5pNVQ3ZWMN48_xNtEFE4BJzmg6LpKewNZTv0qxfNPkEJuGL7obUipuhpC0B-XGetHkEiyj4yO_-WnMuUM4usnPBpKihSG_QSY61WsPbaB9_cNaQWdjeb7u6v/s1600/IMG_9012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fe4P7WSkQ1ZBJypRM1Bz5pNVQ3ZWMN48_xNtEFE4BJzmg6LpKewNZTv0qxfNPkEJuGL7obUipuhpC0B-XGetHkEiyj4yO_-WnMuUM4usnPBpKihSG_QSY61WsPbaB9_cNaQWdjeb7u6v/s1600/IMG_9012.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was a pretty great feature on the special effects behind the Rancor... This stuff has probably been archived and bandied about by die-hard-hardcore Star Wars fans for decades now, but did that awesome concept art up in the top left corner! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4si9Uh5QCAuiwunipOay8Lx5lI-mjWNUczGEA62n4SVJiqJGwuZrBeFG9kNoH3k_7Nw_SyqZpJfAswZjVFk6ZPkeLLqEC7cUBZD_-OYqG5By5tZz5Txn69xNHLK3sJiXBddVzGe67zWj/s1600/IMG_9013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_4si9Uh5QCAuiwunipOay8Lx5lI-mjWNUczGEA62n4SVJiqJGwuZrBeFG9kNoH3k_7Nw_SyqZpJfAswZjVFk6ZPkeLLqEC7cUBZD_-OYqG5By5tZz5Txn69xNHLK3sJiXBddVzGe67zWj/s1600/IMG_9013.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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An interview/focus piece on "nebbish, ner, & famous hoser" Rick Moranis! I love the caption under his photo: "Moranis as nebbish in Ghostbusters". Which pretty much sums it in the weirdest way possible. I like how the photo also seems to be Moranis in a very out-of-character moment. No trace of Tully in there at all, even though he's obviously in costume. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGo1-iMOEjBB2XtwJxBflDHBOtEU1D30phafk_917UlbXqKF5edgVYCOzuKe3HyoK5M6tRoBShBA0jm6BWc2l4DK6nbfvFsJMqWLDZopDOW8H8EkGmLHwGJgRCAKkarvf6a4OBPiY-NZ0/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGo1-iMOEjBB2XtwJxBflDHBOtEU1D30phafk_917UlbXqKF5edgVYCOzuKe3HyoK5M6tRoBShBA0jm6BWc2l4DK6nbfvFsJMqWLDZopDOW8H8EkGmLHwGJgRCAKkarvf6a4OBPiY-NZ0/s1600/IMG_9014.JPG" width="620" /></a></div>
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And article about "The Brother from Another Planet" Someone honestly tell me if this was worth watching. I <i>think</i> it's on Netflix right now. That's... all I've got to say about this. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreerSlMu85VBIn-km2CtiQqqEZQGQ3k_fkl6-zgcfmKw8TdnmDBfxmLu-CKcs_7DFSvlSN6TCEk2TJ3nej7rhL8h5WrheDpb99_8d9qaPCBHHQ7FRcwwCUO7JX8G7WcVW2mCanQjkKzwJ/s1600/IMG_9015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgreerSlMu85VBIn-km2CtiQqqEZQGQ3k_fkl6-zgcfmKw8TdnmDBfxmLu-CKcs_7DFSvlSN6TCEk2TJ3nej7rhL8h5WrheDpb99_8d9qaPCBHHQ7FRcwwCUO7JX8G7WcVW2mCanQjkKzwJ/s1600/IMG_9015.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
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GREMLINS!!!! That is all. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn16epHRBQFhJhncK2Z7jeDZC74VMsKbQmylt3W58KYjJOj-TsXfi5dRvuErQY_n5Ke2HGOgMtWNNeAYTQKm2EBhhFhKwdSb_IEtYDk7Ly4bXktaIqInXJYsTROdi5HAhofFYDcTr1ao1/s1600/IMG_9016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhn16epHRBQFhJhncK2Z7jeDZC74VMsKbQmylt3W58KYjJOj-TsXfi5dRvuErQY_n5Ke2HGOgMtWNNeAYTQKm2EBhhFhKwdSb_IEtYDk7Ly4bXktaIqInXJYsTROdi5HAhofFYDcTr1ao1/s1600/IMG_9016.JPG" width="434" /></a></div>
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Aaand an article on the Neverending story. I can rest in peace now. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHaD5Hr8UeJSTF-Kmj5sG_od2H0Vf8cEsiJ2rWBOS6qHDXIQornN9H9GPt00AGgZwUB1vFs82_Gwkn6wR92FJlevaTSV7XR1B3EWfPo4SqXv7Z31oZvGNUeuFWsxL1QHypTwgvgvAayiq/s1600/IMG_9018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHaD5Hr8UeJSTF-Kmj5sG_od2H0Vf8cEsiJ2rWBOS6qHDXIQornN9H9GPt00AGgZwUB1vFs82_Gwkn6wR92FJlevaTSV7XR1B3EWfPo4SqXv7Z31oZvGNUeuFWsxL1QHypTwgvgvAayiq/s1600/IMG_9018.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Okay, so onto issue #85 (With Conan on the cover and tragically missing a VITAL page...) here we have a very nice gatefold Bladerunner poster or as it is known more commonly, "STARLOG Science Fiction Classic #19".</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa9S1IxKlV3tAXAC0Z_OKZGEl9mweOIkKUhig6azAMpnU-czSQNVC-cPWjxuUfc-YKCIvW4TzJcRhbkzmQcRYxh9k95K3wWdroso_3w5cklggiYeEVNe4gIRmPkVcNBvegUiYerRr5nyT/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSa9S1IxKlV3tAXAC0Z_OKZGEl9mweOIkKUhig6azAMpnU-czSQNVC-cPWjxuUfc-YKCIvW4TzJcRhbkzmQcRYxh9k95K3wWdroso_3w5cklggiYeEVNe4gIRmPkVcNBvegUiYerRr5nyT/s1600/IMG_9019.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Not surprisingly, there was a big Conan the Destroyer article. With lots of greasy half-naked people flex-posing. This didn't really do a lot for me (also, I hope, not surprisingly). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu753aLBn-XAER9aWv9p3gXGDroakLeIre0dFPDndIiFtiakKgRmG_GEmpOFKYnU3mihX5-QmQJVIITrRJAyyZTFW4ZipWHiIiJZPpFfMvLbFzyqFK6m0FQTRFtMlqRdKisT3450QQdSWH/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu753aLBn-XAER9aWv9p3gXGDroakLeIre0dFPDndIiFtiakKgRmG_GEmpOFKYnU3mihX5-QmQJVIITrRJAyyZTFW4ZipWHiIiJZPpFfMvLbFzyqFK6m0FQTRFtMlqRdKisT3450QQdSWH/s1600/IMG_9020.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Aaand then I pooped my pants. In this article, Jim Henson is talking about a little film called "Labyrinth" which they are currently developing with Brian Froud. None of the cast members have been cast at this time. It boggles (Hoggle!!!) the mind to think back on a time when Labyrinth was still just... just... an IDEA. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BbwijX_ydZCRCIeaEz8rt99JvAhvFMq3bgMUb_hfyKZX0U_hoG_S3yygkgfOcdlU5Cg8ANdyw8MtQPpNo_-ZV7KsM8ThtOEdVvuC2KkG8x_5pSEaEl5wmP3YiOXfsBBgNBU4br8tBKWN/s1600/IMG_9021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BbwijX_ydZCRCIeaEz8rt99JvAhvFMq3bgMUb_hfyKZX0U_hoG_S3yygkgfOcdlU5Cg8ANdyw8MtQPpNo_-ZV7KsM8ThtOEdVvuC2KkG8x_5pSEaEl5wmP3YiOXfsBBgNBU4br8tBKWN/s1600/IMG_9021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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There was a Harlan Ellison article that would not have made sense to me before I started watching Scooby-Doo: Mystery Incorporated with my boys. As Harlan Ellison has just always looked like this to me:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7gOD5ms9d87fhl3yq6w-HYrZdDbzkonVY7AN7-BRiQkYJqfO9vJfXXdS29HZMvU_tWP1hy93jRUHEzGLc2qQStgbRBu03p6m8c0yg41gW6mK3Qeb_HeAQtmjkO46ZSRrraAKoVXoeoca/s1600/Harlan_Ellison_by_mbc12_5_58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7gOD5ms9d87fhl3yq6w-HYrZdDbzkonVY7AN7-BRiQkYJqfO9vJfXXdS29HZMvU_tWP1hy93jRUHEzGLc2qQStgbRBu03p6m8c0yg41gW6mK3Qeb_HeAQtmjkO46ZSRrraAKoVXoeoca/s1600/Harlan_Ellison_by_mbc12_5_58.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And nothing like this:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYD35yFo8QOOna93QK_gQMGOwOrRN445mU20joIQps4Jk0LSjrYCgvX6MLF6dgpmHt7jeo8DCKzBG7yCg3aaMjlQeGcTJoN0t8nfVn9uLd81uYTdX4T5whpHpybCx_j6bA1kiZdShvPQE/s1600/images+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtYD35yFo8QOOna93QK_gQMGOwOrRN445mU20joIQps4Jk0LSjrYCgvX6MLF6dgpmHt7jeo8DCKzBG7yCg3aaMjlQeGcTJoN0t8nfVn9uLd81uYTdX4T5whpHpybCx_j6bA1kiZdShvPQE/s1600/images+(1).jpg" width="372" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Because Harlan Ellison is EXACTLY the kind of Scooby-Doo celebrity guest<br />
that the kids these days are going to feel is relevant.<br />
(I know, this one was for the adults... but still, weird, right?)</td></tr>
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The article is all about Harlan Ellison's effect on the sci-fi landscape, not just as an author, but as an editor, as a personality, as an educator, and as a bona fide creative genius celebrity madman. It was a nice read. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-rK3orZdt3FLFy8h5SUC5gnRrsxjzibUhhAbnxrDI8HowT3qQUOiXWjEs3DBW5d3vnmmw1oN7LaVS6BASanNNOPA1P8ArOq1jR0-iF7czXrZuJUcvLPHsPLQLT-fhgcLH_Ss1k1FsbOz/s1600/IMG_9022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-rK3orZdt3FLFy8h5SUC5gnRrsxjzibUhhAbnxrDI8HowT3qQUOiXWjEs3DBW5d3vnmmw1oN7LaVS6BASanNNOPA1P8ArOq1jR0-iF7czXrZuJUcvLPHsPLQLT-fhgcLH_Ss1k1FsbOz/s1600/IMG_9022.JPG" width="502" /></a></div>
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MORE Gremlins!!! This time focusing on Joe Dante instead of Chris Columbus. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyzKJ6bT2Ybhp4vB1kXor_F2wzDOZGMgpVYH7GelUFjmZxps-_HYVMjHGL86lEcQPmYc3ba9f6R9I8OAgZ6YKjy6JswdHvFVv8xmoGyGoj6dIKxLWZW7w-gkyF1bqhDMEevpQ3hUZfQQA/s1600/IMG_9023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyzKJ6bT2Ybhp4vB1kXor_F2wzDOZGMgpVYH7GelUFjmZxps-_HYVMjHGL86lEcQPmYc3ba9f6R9I8OAgZ6YKjy6JswdHvFVv8xmoGyGoj6dIKxLWZW7w-gkyF1bqhDMEevpQ3hUZfQQA/s1600/IMG_9023.JPG" width="528" /></a></div>
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And to wrap it all up, a nice Ivan Reitman piece with lots of focus on Ghostbusters. Phew! </div>
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All in all, I never knew what a great treasure trove of old pop-culture goodness a couple old issues of Starlog could be... but I will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for more copies in the wild from now on!!!</div>
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That's it for tonight kids, but I'll be randomly popping up on here in the future, so keep your peepers peeled! </div>
<br />Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-81736275608059441262015-11-24T13:00:00.000-08:002015-11-24T13:00:03.746-08:00Random Reads: Star Wars Books!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on February 19th, 2014.</b></div>
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A real blink-and-you'll-miss-it post tonight kids! Here's a handful of Star Wars books I've picked up secondhand:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmqtbyBxEq_XFzH-MHnZGZW2h7rpLsZFEUp_AvyDXdS0nExlAuZ4JM46XtbQ3U2izz3dnayhuZXh3DoGoGSmbSESQGfagehyphenhyphenKmoIqii779G83sg3cN2sHzzXpDlV4EuF0YKwIkN-bYykD/s1600/IMG_8888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="470" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmqtbyBxEq_XFzH-MHnZGZW2h7rpLsZFEUp_AvyDXdS0nExlAuZ4JM46XtbQ3U2izz3dnayhuZXh3DoGoGSmbSESQGfagehyphenhyphenKmoIqii779G83sg3cN2sHzzXpDlV4EuF0YKwIkN-bYykD/s1600/IMG_8888.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here are a couple of highly educational books starring C-3PO and R2-D2. I always find it exceptionally weird when they use fictional characters from other galaxies to teach kids about things from the here-and-now. I mean, I get that they're using characters that appeal to kids... and in a backwards sort of way it does make sense that the droids from Star Wars would be the experts on both robotics and space travel... but they seem a little over-qualified right? Like Earth robotics and space travel both seem a little beneath them when you compare them to protocol droids and hyper-drives. Both are a pretty fun flip-through however, as the ideas behind both robotics and space have come pretty far since these books were put out. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ070NWa2ALcK1amV-MIqygjTwsRD0io_ZteEMnOcwzNSqLubbfhyphenhyphenwDFRw6Xr0YAJiSw0729-oDAwUciis4Zs-t-E2HkSr8WATtaID_Kdk_Qk78ZW8R8RueAFC3n284wj8nLp_vc_q_Sq/s1600/IMG_9122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJJ070NWa2ALcK1amV-MIqygjTwsRD0io_ZteEMnOcwzNSqLubbfhyphenhyphenwDFRw6Xr0YAJiSw0729-oDAwUciis4Zs-t-E2HkSr8WATtaID_Kdk_Qk78ZW8R8RueAFC3n284wj8nLp_vc_q_Sq/s1600/IMG_9122.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next, this pair of novels I picked up at Scottie's Books. I picked these both up for half the cover price (which was originally 1.95). I've never been a huge fan of the ideas behind the "expanded universe" for Star Wars, and these two novels make the second time I've really gone outside of my comfort zone and picked up books based on the original trilogy. They look goofy enough to enjoy, and the price was right, so I figured, "why not?"</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJtA2eM_8s18mP-g3n273LsfshCBvYTnY2xL6ZTQLWdnhYGALlbjhlvuDnY1Pt6u0lN7vV65llQQQ1y-K0KRHzQBzinnU1YYh0LmVEwMyg7jO0jFla6YAhE0fLXuYYgwSlzHD6c49rUZt/s1600/IMG_8887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyJtA2eM_8s18mP-g3n273LsfshCBvYTnY2xL6ZTQLWdnhYGALlbjhlvuDnY1Pt6u0lN7vV65llQQQ1y-K0KRHzQBzinnU1YYh0LmVEwMyg7jO0jFla6YAhE0fLXuYYgwSlzHD6c49rUZt/s1600/IMG_8887.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, we have a book that I almost didn't buy: Star Wars A More Wretched Hive: The Mos Eisley Cantina. At first glance I almost just dismissed this as a part of the drek that came out around the re-release of the (remastered) Original Trilogy in the late 90's. And in fact, this one is from 1997 and features a few of the "improvements" that George Lucas shoe-horned into the film. But then I noticed two things: 1) It's about Mos Eisley, which is quite possibly one of the absolute best things about the original Star Wars (even with the alterations). and 2) IT IS A SCRATCH AND SNIFF BOOK. And boy it does NOT disappoint. If you've ever wondered what a wookie's "strong, swampy odor" is like, or what the "sharp electrical scent" of a lightsaber might smell like right after it slices off Ponda Baba's arm, well then this book is for you! Also included? The general odor of the Cantina from outside, a frothy fruit beverage from the bar' "The only pleasant smell in the whole place!", Greedo's breath (!), the exhaust of THE one-and-only Millenium Falcon, and of course, Jabba the Hutt's morbidly-obese-shut-in-corpse-from-SE7EN body odor. </div>
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Gosh, next to that I have very little to say about the kid's book version of the Ewok's complete ruination of the final film. (Actually, I'm not an Ewok hater by an means. I was totally on the Wickett bandwagon as a kid.) Ummm... it was nice? Both of these books ran me .99 cents.<br />
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Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-36278378854758624772015-11-23T13:30:00.000-08:002015-11-23T13:30:01.194-08:00Randomly Received: The Boo Bobby Blogger Box<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on January 30th, 2014.</b></div>
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So... this package showed up. And it was from my friend Laura over at the <a href="http://boobobby.blogspot.com/">Boo Bobby Blog</a>. If you've never been to the <a href="http://boobobby.blogspot.com/">Boo Bobby Blog</a>, you really should go and <a href="http://boobobby.blogspot.com/2013/12/take-one-part-joy-and-one-part-loss-and.html">check it out</a>. It is a sort of combination between a slice-of-life confessional blog and a "hey look at this cool stuff I found for CHEAP!!!" sort of blog. And somewhere between those two is where the magic happens. I dare you not to go over there and simply fall in love with Laura and her husband Jerome, and their kids and their friends. Join them for a family game night of charades or out roller-skating, and then see how Laura has decorated the built-in bookshelf in their new house with cool vintage toys and kitschy knick-knacks that you've seen a million times at old antique stores but NEVER LIKE THIS. I have so much respect for Laura and her natural photography talents and her easy, effortless way of writing like she's talking directly to you. It ENRAGES me with pure JEALOUSY that her blog is so ridiculously good. </div>
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And then she sent me some stuff in the mail and it just made it WORSE because she's GENEROUS TOOOO!!! Will she stop at nothing? Let's take a look at what she sent me, shall we?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l8Lk162QVQpNyZN_3rMfIfc5jCBSHh64Ip0bborLWdqOumQxwWgzRMb1QilE_ZBE5n1b9MTHbPsJ3U1ZrvuyFmubmOPONT3gu-Pz0DDpPZ66zv1LM4GvPcvpGQislIc7hEqEgIXmgKxI/s1600/IMG_8823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0l8Lk162QVQpNyZN_3rMfIfc5jCBSHh64Ip0bborLWdqOumQxwWgzRMb1QilE_ZBE5n1b9MTHbPsJ3U1ZrvuyFmubmOPONT3gu-Pz0DDpPZ66zv1LM4GvPcvpGQislIc7hEqEgIXmgKxI/s1600/IMG_8823.JPG" width="612" /></a></div>
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First up, we have to take a look at the decorations on the box. I get the feeling that Laura literally doodled on this package while she stood in line at the post office and did I mention that she is also an incredibly talented artist who recreates giant-sized Disney-and-other-kids'-characters decorations for parties? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK-1uG-ymBPQBuLHcYjiUNSVddC9vJAIzkkVkqiAuUBTmG7WETGipBSHCfprXxS7XhS3BtlhllAHfNVKD8HNLzBPkru5cEVsUOaL5JkQVjA0kN9ih-woImZdI8G6QLMaIi6_dljvQaP8E/s1600/IMG_8824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpK-1uG-ymBPQBuLHcYjiUNSVddC9vJAIzkkVkqiAuUBTmG7WETGipBSHCfprXxS7XhS3BtlhllAHfNVKD8HNLzBPkru5cEVsUOaL5JkQVjA0kN9ih-woImZdI8G6QLMaIi6_dljvQaP8E/s1600/IMG_8824.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Spider-Man, ladies and gentlemen. And we haven't even gotten INSIDE THE BOX YET.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLZJ3eyLsq-_cLNwrAZtS6nhjiVn_LRnjIOimahsVDIeYxnt3XrPINA7jVUwkwJwJMm78u6sBlqHcLLHz7iC23IXytMeIBepQjZ0DaOao2XAxLRR4V5Jkl__d7OmZ0fnZQKmvyudMaQYK/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFLZJ3eyLsq-_cLNwrAZtS6nhjiVn_LRnjIOimahsVDIeYxnt3XrPINA7jVUwkwJwJMm78u6sBlqHcLLHz7iC23IXytMeIBepQjZ0DaOao2XAxLRR4V5Jkl__d7OmZ0fnZQKmvyudMaQYK/s1600/IMG_8825.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here we go! Look at this pile of goodies y'all! Let's look closer.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT92khRdMIHjf-RG6YnRJz72t2QmyQGblyKvoN4lLsmq66Zcu7a-g3zxdcjeAl7weQXKq-m90cioa0P7nswxcKS0ZiWhcmLoDngDMqyWSmaCwhxG1ulMKxUAiKpY9FxCYUxwnPD5gKmVs6/s1600/IMG_8827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT92khRdMIHjf-RG6YnRJz72t2QmyQGblyKvoN4lLsmq66Zcu7a-g3zxdcjeAl7weQXKq-m90cioa0P7nswxcKS0ZiWhcmLoDngDMqyWSmaCwhxG1ulMKxUAiKpY9FxCYUxwnPD5gKmVs6/s1600/IMG_8827.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First up we have these adorable little Mini Bean Sesame Street Characters! Laura and I share a deep and abiding love of all things Sesame, and she knew these little guys would be a shot right through the heart! Bert and Ernie are great, that's a given... but a Twiddle Bug? Come on! That is the cat's pajamas people! What a random character to give the mini-bean treatment! I love it!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMLRQg-isRLphgboCr1ZAULjLlT_CmgRtiWaMNYeOEJD-pxMC86j68DGsQuYZotEgU1f94FFyn_3ylvL_TTeGjGjLlY6zjf4xeDXcT4zk9zC-IdcuxGGpQDlYOB09UIdjZ965N29hrOGD/s1600/IMG_8828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmMLRQg-isRLphgboCr1ZAULjLlT_CmgRtiWaMNYeOEJD-pxMC86j68DGsQuYZotEgU1f94FFyn_3ylvL_TTeGjGjLlY6zjf4xeDXcT4zk9zC-IdcuxGGpQDlYOB09UIdjZ965N29hrOGD/s1600/IMG_8828.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next up are these seasonal Snoopies. These guys are just spectacular. I actually have a bunch of these Snoopies for the Christmas tree already... but amazingly NONE of these ones! And the Halloween Snoopy stirring a bubbling cauldron of green slime? Excellent. These are Russel Stover premiums that were (and may still be...) sold attached to little boxes of chocolates around their respective holidays. Obviously the Christmas ones are meant to be hung on the tree. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0tBLTZeRI3ZEuwFdRf-lvdT11XZjqKxAePplk40AtLD9m8ktwPsj9Ogns2BBEOeCAI9A5-2VMgmplB8FIIT92ka5pH-wTaoygXgc8a3UBDoOSmMMYbj030_UJQyqyrifN4AP1kqoohpS/s1600/IMG_8829.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0tBLTZeRI3ZEuwFdRf-lvdT11XZjqKxAePplk40AtLD9m8ktwPsj9Ogns2BBEOeCAI9A5-2VMgmplB8FIIT92ka5pH-wTaoygXgc8a3UBDoOSmMMYbj030_UJQyqyrifN4AP1kqoohpS/s1600/IMG_8829.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Mini-figures! Little plastic guys! Gotta love these. I've seen these featured all over the internet in the last couple of years. The bigger guys, the astronauts, Turtle/snail/alien guys, and the white robot are all from a set of Tim Mee toys "Galaxy Laser Team" figures which I must now track down the rest of. The little tiny arm men? No idea. But I LOVE them. I mean, look at those beautiful bast**ds. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq00sVPGPjHtEq6n5vr1Y355o5dVHajwxTzo36RRU4h_CWYik-mwIk3gbqPXfckULmAvoGwuiT3a8l_bR5l00t0CjQ5ruGjsXIyc2I_RyYm59i7LA94u03o0W_Uu37qwloAmmm1Vp-j-Io/s1600/IMG_8830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="586" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq00sVPGPjHtEq6n5vr1Y355o5dVHajwxTzo36RRU4h_CWYik-mwIk3gbqPXfckULmAvoGwuiT3a8l_bR5l00t0CjQ5ruGjsXIyc2I_RyYm59i7LA94u03o0W_Uu37qwloAmmm1Vp-j-Io/s1600/IMG_8830.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Laura is a big fan of old, kitschy items and uses them in ALL of her decorating. So naturally this overflows into her Christmas decorating as well. So it was no surprise at all to me to find these fun little guys included. These are going on the tree next year! </div>
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Muppets and rodents are both woven intricately into my life. Laura is yet another of my online friends brave enough to mail me glassware. This Rizzo the Rat juice glass is actually a Smuckers Jelly jar from back around '99, promoting "Muppets from Space". The mice are... well they're just mice. But they're PULL-BACK mice!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq92ILlYcQLKNh_XnNQdvKRHEg-M2HQl6nXHmueW77rJDmZGwcbv_CoPMEmVo66m7U7-MKq-09nRIVjSe52D76gJnxZ-EqpxOBuAbDIhcPt-E9XSWeDG5Ur8kcIV0TUwS8h3dKRy-aCZI/s1600/IMG_8833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSq92ILlYcQLKNh_XnNQdvKRHEg-M2HQl6nXHmueW77rJDmZGwcbv_CoPMEmVo66m7U7-MKq-09nRIVjSe52D76gJnxZ-EqpxOBuAbDIhcPt-E9XSWeDG5Ur8kcIV0TUwS8h3dKRy-aCZI/s1600/IMG_8833.JPG" width="450" /></a></div>
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I had a bunch of these Dick Tracy action figures as a kid. I think I liked them back then because they were made by Play-Mates in the same style as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles figures. I had them pretty much working for the Shredder and Big Boss from C.O.P.S. (both of whom, in my imaginary universe answered to Hordak). I wasn't a <i>huge </i>fan of the Dick Tracy movie, but I loved the bizarre nature of the gangsters in the Dick Tracy canon. They weren't <i>quite</i> supervillains... but they were close enough. And most of them ended up with powers when I played with them anyway. Flattop was one of my absolute favorites! This is a straight-up blast from my past! </div>
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I think this is probably my #1 favorite item from the package. ZOAR!!! Laura knows of my deep and abiding love for all things MotU and this little lady-bird is proof of it! Fun-fact: Zoar started off as a boy-bird, and a completely independent character on his own in the mini-comics packaged with the action figures. Then he became a lady-bird when it was revealed on the TV show that this was an alternate form of the Sorceress. When I was just a little guy I actually pulled the wings completely off of my Zoar and cried for DAYS. I <i>probably</i> won't be doing the same with this one. But I am a huge man-child... so who knows?</div>
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Aaaand now we're onto the REAL reason you people come to my blog... The freaky-tiki stuff. Or in my case, the Advertising Mascot soft-goods. These oven mitts featuring the Poppin' Fresh Doughboy and Sprout are honest-to-goodness ALWAYS going to be on display in my cave. There will be no scorch marks or boil-over stains for these mint-condition mitts! These paw protectors are staying pristine! And Mr. Peanut? Well I have documented in depth my love for this chap. He's going on the shelf with the other bean-bag mascots. </div>
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Who ya gonna fall... asleep on??? That was terrible. But this pillow case isn't terrible at all! I'm assuming this was from a Real Ghostbusters (cartoon) sheet set... but I really don't know. (I'm so lazy... hold on.. I'm Googling it...) Yes! RGB indeed! loveLoveLOVE the Real Ghostbusters cartoon and toys and memorabilia... so this one is a real coup! Not sure if I'll display it or just go ahead and USE it! I'm leaning towards using it though. I ALWAYS forget to check the bedding sections at second-hand places but I totally should because I'd love to find some old Star Wars sheets or Ghostbusters, or even California Raisins! </div>
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Christmas Golden books! Here we have the version of the Night Before Christmas that I remember the best from when I was a kid... Disney's Santa's Toy Shop, which is loads of good fun, and Frosty the Snow Man! If I'm being honest, this version of Frosty always creeped me out. I couldn't really put my finger on why until it dawned on me: The weird coal-chips for lips. They look... sinister in some way. </div>
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And a couple of non-seasonal Golden Books, including "I Think That It Is Wonderful" from the Sesame Street collection, and "The Neatos and the Litterbugs in the Mystery of the Missing Ticket" which sort of sounds like there would be other mysteries in the series, right? Like Nancy Drew in the Mystery of the Cackling Cankles (or whatever) is just one in a series. But nope. This is the only appearance I can find of the Neatos and the Litterbugs, mystery solving or otherwise. It looks fun though. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixyHR7uNUjPKT6Hn9rYSeCUp57hZoR1k1DMM_9kTYx-LLGasNAAR-ZCOCKx2Ecq2QAy-jV_XKDKpQCKQdrB-bG7ozy8C_ChAlArUVe5Wdof-9o7V-TLlsrWoGG9pZjU4kQbBvt04DMcHc/s1600/IMG_8840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhixyHR7uNUjPKT6Hn9rYSeCUp57hZoR1k1DMM_9kTYx-LLGasNAAR-ZCOCKx2Ecq2QAy-jV_XKDKpQCKQdrB-bG7ozy8C_ChAlArUVe5Wdof-9o7V-TLlsrWoGG9pZjU4kQbBvt04DMcHc/s1600/IMG_8840.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And this is a book about Mountain Monsters. Because Laura just... "gets" me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn4k-V0zi_6SEVxKbPbdGOcbcwegiyqyfoxZ2IxCBGEKAmeJLmS51KA3NRhIaz06ji3nZaC8GR6K79_yLOVlij6q41V2Mg7QtXemZ-3MK0LJekrbyy0wYIopkl4JKxNafLEx643_u5YUz/s1600/IMG_8841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQn4k-V0zi_6SEVxKbPbdGOcbcwegiyqyfoxZ2IxCBGEKAmeJLmS51KA3NRhIaz06ji3nZaC8GR6K79_yLOVlij6q41V2Mg7QtXemZ-3MK0LJekrbyy0wYIopkl4JKxNafLEx643_u5YUz/s1600/IMG_8841.JPG" width="566" /></a></div>
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And look at this thing. This is a vintage Christmas Card in which Laura wrote an incredible message to me in AND bemoaned the fact that she was defacing a beautiful vintage Christmas card! I felt her pain believe me, but I'm so glad I was card-worthy, because this beautiful reindeer has earned itself a spot among the valuable wall-space items of the CAVE. I only have 4 Christmas cards hung up in my cave, and this is one of those 4. Because... look at it. Just LOOK. Bask in its glorious light. </div>
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Welp... that's it for this addition of RRRG kiddos! I want to send a huge THANK YOU!!! Out to Laura at the <a href="http://boobobby.blogspot.com/2013/12/take-one-part-joy-and-one-part-loss-and.html">Boo Bobby Blog</a> for the amazing gift-package. I LOVED it. Everything you sent me was obviously thought about and considered for quite a while before selecting it to be included. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. It was so thoughtful! </div>
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I'll be back soon with a reveal of the new-and-improved Geek-Cave, which has been undergoing renovations since I revealed it last year! I'm pretty excited with the semi-new look (although a lot of it remains mainly unchanged... there's still a LOT to share!) and I can't wait to post about it here! Before that happens I may hop on here and post some stuff about books I like, or characters I've been thinking about, or heck my favorite flavors of Jelly Beans... who knows? Keep 'em peeled here folks!</div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-9623078626425078202015-11-23T13:00:00.000-08:002015-11-23T13:00:05.463-08:00Randomly Received: Laura Huey Just saved me 15% on My Car Insurance*<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published back on March 7th, 2014.</b></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>* Title-Asterisk Pay-Off: This is a false claim for comedic purposes only. Laura Huey saved me 2 dollars, some tax, and gas money for a trip to town. Which is still pretty great though. </b></span></div>
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So when I arrived home tonight I was greeted by a small yellow package that I assumed was something I had ordered off of eBay and forgotten about, or my mail-order-bride (which I was going to use once but keep the tags on so I could return it the next day...) or something of that nature. Instead I opened it and found this AMAZINGNESS:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixStwG06xady5rWn1QsotZLduNl6MDa2TPjAWCNChGM4SXGkeQ413tydriJB98GciTC9aEZLrR1sGVYgqLSze_xemSNNHiye2cE0Cl5vmDeCzwBIEn273XkKDXhKe0Obdb3auISlZfWX-V/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixStwG06xady5rWn1QsotZLduNl6MDa2TPjAWCNChGM4SXGkeQ413tydriJB98GciTC9aEZLrR1sGVYgqLSze_xemSNNHiye2cE0Cl5vmDeCzwBIEn273XkKDXhKe0Obdb3auISlZfWX-V/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Which, if you are in need of a run-down includes two Muppet key-covers, a cowgirl Fry-Kid, and a Blackstar Alien Demon. That last one I just mentioned a few posts back as being something I had planned on returning to the Dream Catcher Antique Mall to buy, because it goes with the Neptul Action figure I found there. Laura, upon seeing that post, sent this little guy off to me post haste and now he is MINE!!! The cowgirl Fry-Kid looks amazing with my McDonaldLand/Happy Meal collection, and I will actually be using the Kermit key-protector (but just displaying the other one). There was this lovely note included as well:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pp7CTlBzpZanP8wDflxxGUrf6wDVRrxBYYTzHNkcdwYDvQxj8IrdP96QJGJuNCuz-TaJVeFTh7y5qo4SKUmcy-FgvF2C3oK4PW3a4jB6-5L84AAgmU-C6ouUQdK1sQQf5qhqzwz7oTLp/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Pp7CTlBzpZanP8wDflxxGUrf6wDVRrxBYYTzHNkcdwYDvQxj8IrdP96QJGJuNCuz-TaJVeFTh7y5qo4SKUmcy-FgvF2C3oK4PW3a4jB6-5L84AAgmU-C6ouUQdK1sQQf5qhqzwz7oTLp/s1600/photo+1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since the moment I started corresponding with Laura online, she has proven herself to be one of the most generous and upstanding folks I have ever met. This is just such a Laura thing to do and I am incredibly thankful. I have had a rough week folks... and this was the perfect way to come home on a Friday afternoon: to fun mail from a friend (And then a Scooby-Doo Mystery Inc. Marathon). Be sure to check out Laura's blog over at <a href="http://boobobby.blogspot.com/">BooBobby.blogspot.com</a> for a glimpse at some of the fun stuff she's tracked down at antique shops, rummage sales, and the like. Her blog is also filled with fun and funny family tales that will warm you up on a cold March night. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-wa2TFOA1_mnNOdty_NI1Ha7KGDPN2jvOODj6Uo55aAqYfxJ8b0INL0yOYqVVTAB4rwC4kzcGHYrByTZNL6f7u65tzMKFnGBkyC4RARnzmDjzYCO6d57NoaRabaUcUwtHBWzHW3g-wWP/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6-wa2TFOA1_mnNOdty_NI1Ha7KGDPN2jvOODj6Uo55aAqYfxJ8b0INL0yOYqVVTAB4rwC4kzcGHYrByTZNL6f7u65tzMKFnGBkyC4RARnzmDjzYCO6d57NoaRabaUcUwtHBWzHW3g-wWP/s1600/photo+2.JPG" width="454" /></a></div>
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And speaking of families... look at this beautiful reunion. I'm... I'm misting up a little. Thank you again Laura. You made me smile today and you have no idea how much I needed it. </div>
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Well that's it for tonight kiddos! Keep our peepers peeled here for more random receivals in the future!</div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-32857084014080992312015-11-22T14:05:00.000-08:002015-11-22T14:15:57.574-08:00League Post: My Latest Obsession!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>I should also point out that the "League of Extraordinary Bloggers" is also OLD and DEFUNCT. This post was originally published back on March 13th, 2014. (And yes, I am aware that I posted these out of order... I just don't care.)</b></div>
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The League is back!!! And this is the first official time I will be writing a <a href="http://coolandcollected.com/the-league-of-extraordinary-bloggers/">League of Extraordinary Bloggers</a> post on the new Really Rather Random Guy blog!!! What's the topic this week? Well... look right up above...<br />
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<b><a href="http://coolandcollected.com/this-weeks-assignment-from-the-league-my-latest-obsession/">"My Latest Obsession"</a></b></div>
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But here's the thing... I've really been struggling with this topic! Usually I'm OBSESSED with a whole FLEET of obsessions! Obsessions that send me to eBay on searches for LEGO pieces to complete custom mini-figures:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69vGYXNbNvZAuXfniCVTLZ4PcyFInEsmZ19pdpkICExbQ2YXNUvhindmAS5f1PzVaLIb3pbjOBynobnOpEUIRWYcbghMEgtOYucoFLfD_Vr8HTiemQVvVuv_fpez3Bj9PAA1s7WcVlOl9/s1600/LEGO+HEadless.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="472" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69vGYXNbNvZAuXfniCVTLZ4PcyFInEsmZ19pdpkICExbQ2YXNUvhindmAS5f1PzVaLIb3pbjOBynobnOpEUIRWYcbghMEgtOYucoFLfD_Vr8HTiemQVvVuv_fpez3Bj9PAA1s7WcVlOl9/s1600/LEGO+HEadless.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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or Happy Meal toys featuring the Ice Age characters... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1JYxQEuqX9WWdhW94wDc9AohMZpTweyJmPbqDKtU_79BR6z4zlla0W5LaOhTM3qeMgIjsm6GUlBBjPGdd4vK5PuuBMT96VYDzLxzgT_mwgCjKD9T8t-B2Y-eionTGHWuo8UAlp3Vcx2z/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr1JYxQEuqX9WWdhW94wDc9AohMZpTweyJmPbqDKtU_79BR6z4zlla0W5LaOhTM3qeMgIjsm6GUlBBjPGdd4vK5PuuBMT96VYDzLxzgT_mwgCjKD9T8t-B2Y-eionTGHWuo8UAlp3Vcx2z/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" width="474" /></a></div>
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or even just the obsession of hitting Goodwill as often as possible in an attempt to make the next big "Find". </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8Co7jSOeEHsSLhHpO4X9_idBlYUsFphyphenhyphenwxGzpNr6vEukTNc40JexyAvtJ-4UmViCqNIoUzAxfUYDLLjkyaZBaQTgPJVCrcLa_tUKYb3dBvMPEp_KX8ieCGzvkmgBiZ1TUQHwZIG7DyAS/s1600/IMG_8313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8Co7jSOeEHsSLhHpO4X9_idBlYUsFphyphenhyphenwxGzpNr6vEukTNc40JexyAvtJ-4UmViCqNIoUzAxfUYDLLjkyaZBaQTgPJVCrcLa_tUKYb3dBvMPEp_KX8ieCGzvkmgBiZ1TUQHwZIG7DyAS/s1600/IMG_8313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep... just gonna keep trottin' this one out 'til I die.</td></tr>
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But now, I find my passions cooling. My obsessions... waning.</div>
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What am I obsessed with? Not much at the moment. I was obsessed with Scooby-Doo for awhile, directly after discovering the new Mystery Incorporated series. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZoCDFn0__8qrdLfQBz2neZZ1vZ_Kv6oNL_xts8-dcivN9JgvEGMmXjqKsGSiimAuk1UJHTwnyWZGKR8UpGZhrz0K368p48fSMLa40wZrxW8h-1uhi1UPV2XSDBfVviDXOwkL8h_tS_sU/s1600/Scooby-Doo-Mystery-Incorporated-Season-2-Episode-20-Stand-and-Deliver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuZoCDFn0__8qrdLfQBz2neZZ1vZ_Kv6oNL_xts8-dcivN9JgvEGMmXjqKsGSiimAuk1UJHTwnyWZGKR8UpGZhrz0K368p48fSMLa40wZrxW8h-1uhi1UPV2XSDBfVviDXOwkL8h_tS_sU/s1600/Scooby-Doo-Mystery-Incorporated-Season-2-Episode-20-Stand-and-Deliver.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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But now that I've bought the second season on DVD and we're making our way through it... I feel a little less obsessed about it. I still LOVE it... don't get me wrong, but having the DVDs here and knowing we're going to watch our way through them makes me a little less anxious and fixated on all things Scooby-Doo right now. </div>
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It's not close enough to Halloween yet for me to be obsessed with ALL THINGS SPOOKY (though I'm always in a little bit of a Halloween-y mood...) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNOo-pBH6xbYshPiuS0MECelD4Dn5DuyiomC_WmmloAuNw3o49R-FF4UrEWp-0BQIW0C7vgT119NDPJwStUafSXd2ES9wj0fpEmm4LKF3sUuAkQNhyphenhyphenCcPYcJugcrdMVpK0smii8JDBXez/s1600/Halloween+Shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGNOo-pBH6xbYshPiuS0MECelD4Dn5DuyiomC_WmmloAuNw3o49R-FF4UrEWp-0BQIW0C7vgT119NDPJwStUafSXd2ES9wj0fpEmm4LKF3sUuAkQNhyphenhyphenCcPYcJugcrdMVpK0smii8JDBXez/s1600/Halloween+Shelf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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and I'm not currently trying to track down that VITAL piece to any of my many vintage action figure collections or mini-figure collections... or Horror movies... or Hotwheels... or PEZ... or comic books... or Little Golden Books... or FUNKO toys... or whatever... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeFAk-1uM_vsWRQJoYOJKQGCetJUxQpjlSrl1yFPwfxVaXKNoFCeFI2juGC4ufgjaN1Um98Bgz7kzKGenhvgfITHFerCayosf0zsbaxtXPK0JD4ESpySzWNkkwXMMNvpeTG9QXAfbHJBc/s1600/IMG_8993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyeFAk-1uM_vsWRQJoYOJKQGCetJUxQpjlSrl1yFPwfxVaXKNoFCeFI2juGC4ufgjaN1Um98Bgz7kzKGenhvgfITHFerCayosf0zsbaxtXPK0JD4ESpySzWNkkwXMMNvpeTG9QXAfbHJBc/s1600/IMG_8993.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pictured above: The room of a man with ZERO obsessions.</td></tr>
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I ALMOST felt myself getting obsessed with tracking down more of the Sesame Street Fisher Price Little People figures... but then the eBay prices very quickly de-obsessed me with that. Right now I'm just not very obsessed with much at all. </div>
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So what is a poor man-boy to do when obsession in all its forms has abandoned him???</div>
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Obsess over it. I guess I'll obsess over the fact that I have no obsessions at the moment. Or maybe... I'll come to the realization that I have SO many obsessions that they're all just duking it out right now in my subconscious to see who will be the next leader!!! I think Funko's ReAction figures are going to be a looming threat in the near future:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQGfNefQiOhG38LhHpdhX7VqotBMMwQ6fZhTeWP1w7jM6rzbB0BmwZExc9GNDnDRDhZEcKprMlYXeL_ZjZyrFShxaYN4MjVe23GezqaR2iBnLWbh0o9vJVzj2qdQ3lsPF9MHvNADPU9Mt/s1600/ReAction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzQGfNefQiOhG38LhHpdhX7VqotBMMwQ6fZhTeWP1w7jM6rzbB0BmwZExc9GNDnDRDhZEcKprMlYXeL_ZjZyrFShxaYN4MjVe23GezqaR2iBnLWbh0o9vJVzj2qdQ3lsPF9MHvNADPU9Mt/s1600/ReAction.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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as are the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Half-Shell Heroes figurines but those are in the FUTURE...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrkB7ebe-j4yQQFVi7Fm0EYYuVLixFAIlnFSSeZbTQTDxBd8VnweyJkeDGI7nLX3r_03bu_y5g4VUqvDf9YpDY6N7J1UuHqGceP5_bzM-CMkU0Gd8kJXc7KWqlHm0QychAiTPMjJzS1D4/s1600/Half-Shell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzrkB7ebe-j4yQQFVi7Fm0EYYuVLixFAIlnFSSeZbTQTDxBd8VnweyJkeDGI7nLX3r_03bu_y5g4VUqvDf9YpDY6N7J1UuHqGceP5_bzM-CMkU0Gd8kJXc7KWqlHm0QychAiTPMjJzS1D4/s1600/Half-Shell.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Of course I loved the LEGO Movie, so getting more of those sets wouldn't be bad... </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyibrZliPIMP6v0dEdnExSmSNVvRWVDyUkEGpGoAVGvxx-1s9Cj_IEYwaVgpdxNTGNo-fkg2RYxpQ6qXYp8tjLhb7Vr_AP2Imny3OFcue_cOr9v7SA2redNhkdDBonTKP_Kx5UGNgzMeK/s1600/LEGOS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgyibrZliPIMP6v0dEdnExSmSNVvRWVDyUkEGpGoAVGvxx-1s9Cj_IEYwaVgpdxNTGNo-fkg2RYxpQ6qXYp8tjLhb7Vr_AP2Imny3OFcue_cOr9v7SA2redNhkdDBonTKP_Kx5UGNgzMeK/s1600/LEGOS.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I guess what I'm also realizing is that it's not really that hard to drum up a new obsession in no time... and I'll probably blog about it here when that happens... so just keep your peepers peeled here for more random obsessions to come!</div>
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Let's see what the rest of the League had to say about their Obsessions this week:</div>
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- <a href="https://jathniel-velazquez.squarespace.com/journal/3/10/2014/my-latest-obsession-welcome-back-to-the-league">Jathniel is obsessed with finding Spider-Man #33</a></div>
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- <a href="http://thedustyshelf.weebly.com/the-league.html">The Dusty Shelf wants to fill up with Fantastic Four comics and Megos!</a></div>
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- <a href="http://calvinscanadiancaveofcool.blogspot.ca/2014/03/what-are-you-obsessed-with-these-days.html">Calvin is obsessed with... Hugo. Brrr. Those cold, dead eyes.</a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.nerdcantina.com/1/post/2014/03/my-latest-obsession-scarrrrrrrrry-stuff.html">The Nerd Cantina is obsessed with Scarrrrrrry Stuff!</a></div>
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- <a href="http://aceduck.com/2014/03/13/league-of-extraordinary-bloggers-my-latest-obsession/">That Yellow Duck is obsessed with The Big Lebowski</a></div>
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- <a href="http://coolandcollected.com/binge-watching/">Our fearless leader Brian at Cool & Collected is obsessed with Binge Watching!</a></div>
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- <a href="http://www.poprewind.com/the-league-my-latest-obsession/">Pop Rewind is obsessed with McDonald's Orange Drink!</a></div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-88123548841792604432015-11-22T14:00:00.000-08:002015-11-22T14:12:30.748-08:00League Post: My Life in 1X1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSSZDjL3gImBrPPiGv_HiEivYHu_eOqc7Lnxr3fazSH3j_iENWD2RdPINJTpJbZv92M8iBKg7xF1H9de-tkpqjPFgGwWoveFWaSLNPFt-QVO89yfjtbcCACQxEmOEpdyF_0ge-EWrESgU/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>I should also point out that the "League of Extraordinary Bloggers" is also OLD and DEFUNCT. This post was originally published back on March 29th, 2014.</b></div>
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<a href="http://coolandcollected.com/this-weeks-assignment-from-the-league-my-life-in-one-square-foot/"><img alt="This week’s assignment from the League: My life in one square foot" src="http://coolandcollected.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/one-square-foot.jpg" height="156" width="640" /></a></div>
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Wow, I've been out of the blogging loop for a little while now... since the last post on here is from a League post... the week before last. </div>
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I can't even begin to tell you all that's been happening here in Really Rather Random Land... but suffice it to say I've barely had time to catch my breath. But enough about all that for now. I'm here to write about this week's <a href="http://coolandcollected.com/the-league-of-extraordinary-bloggers/">League of Extraordinary Bloggers</a> topic! And as you can see above the topic is an interesting one. We have a photo challenge this week!</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #7a7768; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 15.555556297302246px; line-height: 27.77777862548828px; text-align: start;"><b><a href="http://coolandcollected.com/this-weeks-assignment-from-the-league-my-life-in-one-square-foot/">Arrange items that describe you within a 12″ x 12″ space and take a picture.</a></b> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTskFBg3FFXLdR6oQHWJ6QDxXUCCoSTXQ4Y-bNknLaCuzmYh3Va18Qc-IsiKDD4aD0NOzDjVDSgzySn2o6wsoEO8KSa3OdBl-9xh4G_86oEo5rAmfeMSFh7hWbT7h1YQPjkEJqd-6iuUi/s1600/photo+2+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOTskFBg3FFXLdR6oQHWJ6QDxXUCCoSTXQ4Y-bNknLaCuzmYh3Va18Qc-IsiKDD4aD0NOzDjVDSgzySn2o6wsoEO8KSa3OdBl-9xh4G_86oEo5rAmfeMSFh7hWbT7h1YQPjkEJqd-6iuUi/s1600/photo+2+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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So here you have it. Now... full disclosure... this is not EXACTLY a square foot. The surface I grabbed to set everything up on was slightly shorter than a foot up and down and slightly longer side-to-side... so it's not a true square foot... but I was in a hurry so you'll have to forgive me for being close-but-not-quite. </div>
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Some of the highlights:</div>
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1. Anything Halloween or Horror related. You'll find Jack Skellington, Sam from Trick R' Treat, Garfield from his Halloween TV special, and various other little Devils, skeleton pirates, zombies, and Horror Icons in the mix. I am such a big kid when it comes to Halloween and Horror, both for similar but sometimes different reasons. Halloween is all about darkness and light melting together like orange candle wax, blurring identities and swirling danger and fun together like autumn leaves on the wind. Horror is all about tension and relief, shock and electricity, and reminding yourself that you're alive. The best horror and the best Halloweens are a perfect balance of wry humor and fear and the sense that when it's all over you'll still be (mostly...) safe and sound. </div>
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2. Anything Comic book or Super-Hero related. Imaginext Harley Quinn is a new (and beautiful) acquisition in my collection, and you'll also find a custom-painted Red Lantern Dex-Starr done by Reis O'Brien (of the now OLD and DEFUNCT <a href="http://dorkhorde.blogspot.com/">Lair of the Dork Horde</a> blog) a Super-Hero Squad Iron Man figurine, and of course one of my all-time favorite and personally iconic issues of Uncanny X-Men, #234. Comic books saved me as a child. I rode out some of the hardest, loneliest, horrific and painful times of my childhood with my nose (and the rest of my face... and let's face it my brain) buried in a comic book. They allowed me to celebrate my otherness, my misfit nature in a way that no other medium did at the time. Comics play out in your mind like reading a book does, but it also bolsters the imagination with visuals that support and enhance the experience. </div>
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3. Saturday Morning Cartoons! Well... cartoons in general. You'll see some classic in there, like Velma from Scooby-Doo, Egon from Real Ghostbusters, Darkwing Duck, Finn from Adventure Time, Lil' Leo from TMNT, Scrat from Ice Age, and Emmet from the recent LEGO movie. Bert from Sesame Street is in there, and I lovingly include Garfield in some of my warmest childhood cartoon memories too. Animation is sooo important to me, as is anything created with a child's imagination in mind. </div>
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4. Toys! So many toys are represented here, (too many to talk about ever single one) including my burgeoning love of LEGOs, my fondness for old action figures and mini-figures from my youth, and pretty much any cool, plastic representation of any character I have loved. Cheap toys, expensive toys, bootleg toys, licensed toys, vintage toys, brand new toys, it does not matter... I just LOVE toys. You may notice I have included every single one of the old gang that I used to play with almost exclusively, including Petey Graffiti, Chicky Baby, a green LEGO man, a yellow Ghostbusters Ghost, a gray and purple robot, and a blue MUSCLE man... their story can be read <a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/03/league-of-extraordinary-bloggers-young.html">here</a>. They were six of my absolute favorite toys of all time. Fisher-Price Little People, Construx, Adventure People, Battle Beasts, Dino Riders, Funko Minis, Imaginext figures, Mini-Mates, cereal premiums, fast food premiums... they're all represented. </div>
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5. Books, science fiction, childhood, nostalgia, Goodwill... you name it. I have a couple of examples of Star Wars toys in there, one fairly old, one relatively new. California Raisins which were an obsession that branched out to many other food-related mascots... I even have ol' Ronald McDonald in the mix as well as a mini PEZ dispenser, childhood obesity be damned. Petey Graffiti is in there to represent a dual love of the toy itself but also Garbage Pail Kids in general, which I collected like an ADDICT as a child. I have a flyer from a Goodwill store (you guys <i>do</i> know I like shopping at Goodwill, right?) and while not my favorite <i>book</i> from the Borderlands/Bordertown series, definitely my favorite <i>cover</i> from that series... which is quite possibly my favorite book series of all time. </div>
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This foot by foot picture is a snapshot of the geek me. There are lots of other square feet I could fill with my family, or my job, or the secret wishes that I make in the night of what I wish my life could be. But one square foot can't hold all of that, so I just went with the geeky stuff. </div>
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Let's see what the other members of the League have squared away:</div>
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- <a href="http://ditreasures.blogspot.com/2014/03/this-weeks-assignment-from-league-my.html">D.I. Treasures</a></div>
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- <a href="http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2014/03/league-post-square-life.html">AEIOU and Sometimes Why</a> </div>
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- <a href="http://coolandcollected.com/this-is-my-life/">Cool & Collected</a></div>
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- <a href="http://rgendres.blogspot.com/2014/03/square-foot-of-me-photo-essay.html">Achievements in Gaming</a></div>
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- <a href="http://happyhauntedsunshinehouse.blogspot.com/2014/03/league-topic-my-life-in-one-square-foot.html">Happy Haunted Sunshine House</a></div>
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- <a href="http://stuntzombies.blogspot.com/2014/03/me-in-square-foot.html">Stunt Zombie</a></div>
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- <a href="http://stuntzombies.blogspot.com/2014/03/me-in-square-foot.html">Jathniel</a></div>
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- <a href="http://fortuneandglorydays.blogspot.com/2014/03/loeb-my-life-in-one-square-foot.html">The Nerd Nook</a></div>
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I guess it's hip to be square! Anyway... I'll be back soon! Keep your peepers peeled for more randomness right here!</div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-30602916215098891842015-11-21T11:05:00.000-08:002015-11-21T11:27:50.265-08:00Random Buys of a Random Guy: Dream Catcher Finds!<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5tw1IafnZ0Ui1PHETfbBUPZMiT3y6FWev4kPmV15-rc_dne1jzuxMF5VPtqmQBZ53fgvFvALHcrEuo6AMwY6A7Wk7zeVOcwkJ0iAbEGR0PXVq-n7Wd0fBl3xiqmrxThQHl5ZqdVrvos/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5tw1IafnZ0Ui1PHETfbBUPZMiT3y6FWev4kPmV15-rc_dne1jzuxMF5VPtqmQBZ53fgvFvALHcrEuo6AMwY6A7Wk7zeVOcwkJ0iAbEGR0PXVq-n7Wd0fBl3xiqmrxThQHl5ZqdVrvos/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published on February 24th, 2014.</b><br />
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I've mentioned <a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-dream-catcher-antique-mall.html">before</a>, more than <a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/08/random-handful-action-figures-from.html">once</a>, that there's an antique mall in downtown Ellsworth, ME called the Dream Catcher. It's three stories, and the top floor has one area that is solely dedicated to comic books, lunch-boxes, toys, collectibles, magazines, ANYTHING a geek might like. I don't go there nearly as often as I do Goodwill, simply because the guy who runs it doesn't get new stock in that steadily (or it seems that way at least).<br />
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<img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwkmNVm27bJ9cJlnDVAciXUDmy2oJUwMCXFwaJSR1zVFRzpZb7x-V0P8pn0FDsKvZcGkHYuNrNaDTJvmxhepLUpu3hfyl9Zf4LxiMJnMOtWm06KEi6wlOhxDxxSw25qoeQnWsPeq8Ips/s640/photo+(1).JPG" width="640" /></div>
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Anyway, I've strolled around in there before and taken pictures of things I've been drooling over in the past, mainly the collection of vintage lunch-boxes that I (mostly) REFUSE to start collecting. Yesterday I found a bunch of boardgames I also (mostly) refuse to start collecting, but thought I'd share.<br />
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But wait! There's more! Down past all the boardgames in this post there are a few other shots from the store, and then a few shots of the loot I actually brought home.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV74VBDNPnbAsKKloZzKzXT_Xgh8O7PXUw2X8pRcQCfZ3f2qMc3YR8imMeCF5ivX89HcgH2okHoD6l5K3Z6DY1_k22vX-5WQruWmNAryxsIvGp_ysT15AuFT447PUiByAtTa9DyEcQJKz/s1600/Bonanza.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnV74VBDNPnbAsKKloZzKzXT_Xgh8O7PXUw2X8pRcQCfZ3f2qMc3YR8imMeCF5ivX89HcgH2okHoD6l5K3Z6DY1_k22vX-5WQruWmNAryxsIvGp_ysT15AuFT447PUiByAtTa9DyEcQJKz/s1600/Bonanza.JPG" width="592" /></a></div>
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First up Bonanza, which is less a game based on a show, and more a game based on a game they play in the show. I LOVE how they've shoe-horned in the chip-tray from this game awkwardly into the photo on the cover of the box... because everybody knows cowboys had plastic poker chips and plastic blow-form trays to keep them in. Don't look at it too long because the perspective starts to hurt your eyes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYsicrnGYb9mxkpe2rAx1469uL1cjJNe5XsLEQ4pXI30vJVFuK8wSuYehiM4Xr34K9S-g0hAXmvtuBJUKZHLGILK8Y84Ux8Lota_wLe8qIwUP1WkWtoclOYb1ugRzbtyRJJP8LOVJJZKR/s1600/Chitty+Chitty+Bang+Bang.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYsicrnGYb9mxkpe2rAx1469uL1cjJNe5XsLEQ4pXI30vJVFuK8wSuYehiM4Xr34K9S-g0hAXmvtuBJUKZHLGILK8Y84Ux8Lota_wLe8qIwUP1WkWtoclOYb1ugRzbtyRJJP8LOVJJZKR/s1600/Chitty+Chitty+Bang+Bang.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I kind of wish I'd taken more time to open these up and see what the game mechanics were... but here is a game based on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. No idea what the gameplay is like.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2Rpx60x6IRBRTGGRfq8M8nuif40_u_BRh4Vq3l2Rnp_qWqAl7SsEwSzQZcw7OI9oKZ6MdjOpM8oZUjINCM7U5AkFihaL27nAZHMo03wZl3jLIL4QwYcyGIHKT2EpBF_hoeWklFTlihok/s1600/Dr+Kildare.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="368" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-2Rpx60x6IRBRTGGRfq8M8nuif40_u_BRh4Vq3l2Rnp_qWqAl7SsEwSzQZcw7OI9oKZ6MdjOpM8oZUjINCM7U5AkFihaL27nAZHMo03wZl3jLIL4QwYcyGIHKT2EpBF_hoeWklFTlihok/s1600/Dr+Kildare.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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A "Medical Game For The Young" because kids needed more excuses to play doctor with each other. Starring Thorn-Birds-sexy-priest Richard Chamberlain. Because just having a doctor game isn't enough to get the blood all riled up and pumping. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfXQJYSaMfE1GevDNgL_P5f5O4mxTcyDjdMKhXQ9P4lgqIWrYV03jA-e3wlulJS-Z1tecd7-nW5MTafuhxCMJKZjOokitLt5lBRExf-SG8V_V2uVdR7_khdBN2LylT33887De5nh12llL/s1600/Ewoks+Save+Trees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfXQJYSaMfE1GevDNgL_P5f5O4mxTcyDjdMKhXQ9P4lgqIWrYV03jA-e3wlulJS-Z1tecd7-nW5MTafuhxCMJKZjOokitLt5lBRExf-SG8V_V2uVdR7_khdBN2LylT33887De5nh12llL/s1600/Ewoks+Save+Trees.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Ewoks were Green before it was cool. They were hippie, hipster, tree-hugging, teddy bear, jerks. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMrYO4AuEVY1X8bj62jPw6x6gEDWk-eoWJyffklx92BIIupMltrgleB7gARl5GJOy_gR4nuTj-1A8eIwMj11cIr4tA-1b6eaKjFrnCV724Kk1-_UIKFAZpVi9I6XVJMINvSEnwaRnh9cW/s1600/Hair+Bear+Bunch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFMrYO4AuEVY1X8bj62jPw6x6gEDWk-eoWJyffklx92BIIupMltrgleB7gARl5GJOy_gR4nuTj-1A8eIwMj11cIr4tA-1b6eaKjFrnCV724Kk1-_UIKFAZpVi9I6XVJMINvSEnwaRnh9cW/s1600/Hair+Bear+Bunch.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I apologize for the crap quality of these photos, which were taken with my iPod. This one is just the worst, and it's too bad because the Hair Bear Bunch deserve better. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e8s6XVAQfTHi-gMGBi3ZHWO2_tk6t3q5A4_fYlDfckIlPa-QBorp0dP31OTKjUvELNhUDx_hWPsbNy5uuIWusFmFjd_IMgTb4ew93TXjZk__amnZF8Z1FEzttzAdglx6ibCuS4BE15Dz/s1600/Happy+Days.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3e8s6XVAQfTHi-gMGBi3ZHWO2_tk6t3q5A4_fYlDfckIlPa-QBorp0dP31OTKjUvELNhUDx_hWPsbNy5uuIWusFmFjd_IMgTb4ew93TXjZk__amnZF8Z1FEzttzAdglx6ibCuS4BE15Dz/s1600/Happy+Days.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Happy Days! This (according to the box) is "Fonzie's Real Cool Game" which is all I really need to know. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LYp2A9al8Op4VMX6I5tlFz6BIrsfz2znet0uoNgnj791e2BeLw1phYjBRccw8jejMUrBt2ju7aZjlobnxCBm3qgEWDAsNzGKV-9kC8stkJayev4D8JXLSx5sx58XbsLU6pjgp0XSbDzr/s1600/Jesse+James.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LYp2A9al8Op4VMX6I5tlFz6BIrsfz2znet0uoNgnj791e2BeLw1phYjBRccw8jejMUrBt2ju7aZjlobnxCBm3qgEWDAsNzGKV-9kC8stkJayev4D8JXLSx5sx58XbsLU6pjgp0XSbDzr/s1600/Jesse+James.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The Legend of Jesse James. Too lazy to Google if this is based on a specific film or show about Jesse James, or if it's just about the "real" Jesse James. I used quotes there not because I question the reality of Jesse James. He is neither the Loch Ness Monster nor is he Santa Claus. I used them because undoubtedly the Jesse James depicted in this game is nothing like his real-life counterpart. I mean, look at that Brady-Bunch lookin' mother-f**ker on the cover of the box. Nope. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO4YS9nH0dFdIcJRVuiTT-yWq7aDFlL8CSThLsKZPoQmH1ZkTZcNBG9LH0a0VcQgPZvEHeDHUbRKsm8Rp_h_IR7SHSJ1jUFOaSFz-E1-l7XRnB1ohzKqal9OyWigqy6sYeLGwIhgWEc4k/s1600/Miami+Vice.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcO4YS9nH0dFdIcJRVuiTT-yWq7aDFlL8CSThLsKZPoQmH1ZkTZcNBG9LH0a0VcQgPZvEHeDHUbRKsm8Rp_h_IR7SHSJ1jUFOaSFz-E1-l7XRnB1ohzKqal9OyWigqy6sYeLGwIhgWEc4k/s1600/Miami+Vice.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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I am probably just going to go ahead and buy this the next time I go. I didn't want to blow half of my cash on just a board game today... but I WILL own this in the near future.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKEKoAY2WI6nq-AAwOZhjgVKQiP-eegmzqG37nAoJZGLCdJI82LNxrf6mTm_TFhGRtQ6A605p2CAFk58m9N2DhbHpogCSm_uJBxaRNSGSrVzOgBhdyDb3TYrYyNvdGzk1n0F-XYxW1UHp/s1600/Mork+and+Mindy+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="444" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzKEKoAY2WI6nq-AAwOZhjgVKQiP-eegmzqG37nAoJZGLCdJI82LNxrf6mTm_TFhGRtQ6A605p2CAFk58m9N2DhbHpogCSm_uJBxaRNSGSrVzOgBhdyDb3TYrYyNvdGzk1n0F-XYxW1UHp/s1600/Mork+and+Mindy+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Same with this one. For no other reason than the fact that they made it. If you look right below it you can also see an Ewok paint set that I forgot to get a shot of on its own. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuRqG3mVUbvVeJFrnZUNL1KZ9NyiFCoOnSXOm6YiE9L50JiVipteRc_u6vR3CRpgAxYHTgY8cAcAXSjVwpmVF6CicS-jZdzpj6-RkP1N3LvafpboQb2_q2TTWCJUdrNyv6TlCALHapkY3/s1600/Mork+and+Mindy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMuRqG3mVUbvVeJFrnZUNL1KZ9NyiFCoOnSXOm6YiE9L50JiVipteRc_u6vR3CRpgAxYHTgY8cAcAXSjVwpmVF6CicS-jZdzpj6-RkP1N3LvafpboQb2_q2TTWCJUdrNyv6TlCALHapkY3/s1600/Mork+and+Mindy.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If I recall, this game was featured on an episode of Toyhunter. I remember it being a big deal if all the pieces are included and it still works. I'm not a board game collector for the most part, so I didn't mess around with it too much. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIipYF6MLKbjf0tmXFD7bsfhtc61QQtmdGwlwthvDUzCaCRbXPrm_N3-iXP4VhBWClfz7qMsl692k4Ajkk6HdfF6FEiRKAS3VNf4DnaW0yE9BdI7vUAQq1-Yj5zN084eNaiLdIjYRJ2uF/s1600/Mouse+Trap.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIipYF6MLKbjf0tmXFD7bsfhtc61QQtmdGwlwthvDUzCaCRbXPrm_N3-iXP4VhBWClfz7qMsl692k4Ajkk6HdfF6FEiRKAS3VNf4DnaW0yE9BdI7vUAQq1-Yj5zN084eNaiLdIjYRJ2uF/s1600/Mouse+Trap.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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If I were to buy this it would only be so I could set it up and display it out of the box. Again, I did a really poor job of investigating these games, so I don't know when this copy was produced, but it looks old. Like... IDEAL games old. However old that is. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZOMq-slf1PbyGNdQvD3709GrBOLM6VP-Scl0yFlTE5H-kYKdAvN0u8GMoHn0QWe5covOuYMbSKx885ePZ3atDDL7UqMF_jysma58WafcYrzoYgSQGMh_KR6CvuQpZipHQm-eO8cUDPN_/s1600/Raggedy+Ann+Game.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFZOMq-slf1PbyGNdQvD3709GrBOLM6VP-Scl0yFlTE5H-kYKdAvN0u8GMoHn0QWe5covOuYMbSKx885ePZ3atDDL7UqMF_jysma58WafcYrzoYgSQGMh_KR6CvuQpZipHQm-eO8cUDPN_/s1600/Raggedy+Ann+Game.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Raggedy Ann! Nothing else to say really. Except that horse has no legs, which means Ann and Andy are running (awkwardly, because there's a stick between their legs, to help maintain the illusion). </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfpM2S8Q6vvoSFteeOga3t9xQA7sgwbf4UTHoeSVEd3PbFMA8C4q5HxLyA_wRpL6I8j39ZT-n9Id4is_l3POyMZ2xyVs_LqiixD2rWi3SrlEmoPuVa91AHbUkYxO0EXHzfB8pcwjBXKKl/s1600/Six+Million+Dollar+Man.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipfpM2S8Q6vvoSFteeOga3t9xQA7sgwbf4UTHoeSVEd3PbFMA8C4q5HxLyA_wRpL6I8j39ZT-n9Id4is_l3POyMZ2xyVs_LqiixD2rWi3SrlEmoPuVa91AHbUkYxO0EXHzfB8pcwjBXKKl/s1600/Six+Million+Dollar+Man.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This looks cool from the front. I don't know how it plays or what's in there, but it looks cool from the front. Not the first time I've seen this game there, either. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSuG7IW8mRwADpK__hbgq-8NqceyMSoLCvCirFrMaCMDJDaxaulWbFhPOZPC8DMtiOnOFTuATsxMEydXq4N78o0G7Qo4L5Zzbv03Ba-_E_v1X9sMRcCq_S2oQYNOLKvWanPlXJLA0Jafr/s1600/Strip+Checkers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjSuG7IW8mRwADpK__hbgq-8NqceyMSoLCvCirFrMaCMDJDaxaulWbFhPOZPC8DMtiOnOFTuATsxMEydXq4N78o0G7Qo4L5Zzbv03Ba-_E_v1X9sMRcCq_S2oQYNOLKvWanPlXJLA0Jafr/s1600/Strip+Checkers.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Posting this last one without comment. I just know that at some time in the past, there were people in various states of being naked people handling this box, around it, potentially ON it... and that is terrifying to me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dQmHWpsjOVIQdvyFkmePsm7oFjKiTQ0MwJygjE8tolcEJP-vvPm7vy0ZOMIA3hyphenhyphenrFhiu6OkR20vlUbmPilKC92pTkrjjOK2s4FIvUTR4nXMvBrKoZjlzKsVSCkRw1usCU4drX2jXSW9S/s1600/Duck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3dQmHWpsjOVIQdvyFkmePsm7oFjKiTQ0MwJygjE8tolcEJP-vvPm7vy0ZOMIA3hyphenhyphenrFhiu6OkR20vlUbmPilKC92pTkrjjOK2s4FIvUTR4nXMvBrKoZjlzKsVSCkRw1usCU4drX2jXSW9S/s1600/Duck.JPG" width="506" /></a></div>
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This cross-eyed duck was nearly as big as me. I kept my distance. Seems like it's either a knock-off Donald Duck, or a really cheaply made official one. Either way I wanted it far away from me. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFOjt2LD0vBM8ruay1KplvxAJGh0NqNUWtz-vmeG2gfizfbivCHP5yrjN2I0FhcHCtCP70uokjwj4dgAPz13vUpn4hWY40xcFG4cyvzOZGXFwf0nQ9oQtkdC_dGx4xBZWUZyZfqbemX3y/s1600/Keebler.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="546" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFOjt2LD0vBM8ruay1KplvxAJGh0NqNUWtz-vmeG2gfizfbivCHP5yrjN2I0FhcHCtCP70uokjwj4dgAPz13vUpn4hWY40xcFG4cyvzOZGXFwf0nQ9oQtkdC_dGx4xBZWUZyZfqbemX3y/s1600/Keebler.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Keebler Elf cookie jar. Can't think of a more fitting and appropriate form of merchandising, honestly. Too bad this one appears to be missing its lid. </div>
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On the other hand, this Mr. Peanut peanut butter maker seems to make sense at first glance, but then a bit sadistic upon further reflection. I mean, yes, who else would you rather get peanut butter from but a anthropomorphic peanut, right? But let us not forget what must <i>happen</i> to peanuts to make them into peanut butter. And you force Mr. Peanut to be complicit in the grinding of his people by pouring the peanuts <i>into his head</i> to grind them up. Chilling. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxH_k8RUHyZMElkxeSPvCkP3zNIz4gz3-r_MjUQK3Q8oYsLunay28a4eumLhTCTe3M8usILJQR8e4L_xIug7qghCB2VhPgUiFNgGVQiTmuejwlfvfB2-4JUL4O_ABX4og6Nu2qrPhXXV6/s1600/Turbo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZxH_k8RUHyZMElkxeSPvCkP3zNIz4gz3-r_MjUQK3Q8oYsLunay28a4eumLhTCTe3M8usILJQR8e4L_xIug7qghCB2VhPgUiFNgGVQiTmuejwlfvfB2-4JUL4O_ABX4og6Nu2qrPhXXV6/s1600/Turbo.JPG" width="532" /></a></div>
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If this on-the-card American Gladiaors Turbo is still there for purchase the next time I go I am probably going to bring him home. I just didn't have the funds this time around, and it would have been a novelty buy, plain and simple. But he brought back many a teenage late-night, watching a muscle-bound freak shooting tennis balls at his victims. </div>
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And finally, I'd like to show off the stuff I actually brought home from Dreamcatcher with me. Surely, in comparison to the magical wonders I have shared thus far, the items I brought home must be truly wondrous right? Well... I'll let you decide:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw7n14sd098LuzCwY2WA_uXcnTb6hFBiv3lj_IywfdC-K-oEf_AnyRhO96PRWeZZuLbkVtHqopBcaQarQHv9nEDlcXC-khC9RMNt2ZqoLwo1cyBXSOU3vkrPSRPblK7nag7xG4JIcxHre/s1600/Loot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuw7n14sd098LuzCwY2WA_uXcnTb6hFBiv3lj_IywfdC-K-oEf_AnyRhO96PRWeZZuLbkVtHqopBcaQarQHv9nEDlcXC-khC9RMNt2ZqoLwo1cyBXSOU3vkrPSRPblK7nag7xG4JIcxHre/s1600/Loot.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Here's the entire pile. I'm not going to wax poetic over the two Scooby-Doo plates, because I mainly bought them for my boys and they are only special because we're going through a Scooby-Doo phase right now and they will be excited to see these at supper-time. The Grover's Own Alphabet was also a fun find because... well, y'know... Sesame Street and Golden Books... Let's take a closer look as some of the other items, shall we?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3Nzp7GXN_0UN1rRcxsd3pR39xcCTT3XxtMNXw62m4jsTg20qAv3YCeftBW0cg4heP3yEsMlD1JQ2RUWoRZ04m7UV3EElqErv1sRQ1nNQMEp6_xE0JlvE9D026C1reKDOmCw2iUpGg6Be/s1600/Officer+Big+Mac.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn3Nzp7GXN_0UN1rRcxsd3pR39xcCTT3XxtMNXw62m4jsTg20qAv3YCeftBW0cg4heP3yEsMlD1JQ2RUWoRZ04m7UV3EElqErv1sRQ1nNQMEp6_xE0JlvE9D026C1reKDOmCw2iUpGg6Be/s1600/Officer+Big+Mac.JPG" width="350" /></a></div>
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First up is this Officer Big Mac glass to go in my McDonald's collectible glasses collection. They actually had a Hamburglar glass in another part of the Mall, being sold by a different vendor for WAY TOO MUCH money. So I settled for just the one. But look at it! Isn't it GLORIOUS???</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTxGfX9m_nJRFxB3mE8NhF02dtuucxAXR8WmNC-n3QOKo-esNpeLcF_CTeKv7olVfgrfgN1xESpe_S4NztuMvYkpzOKzsKMX-1eK9KL9aORFGcADzBVKXkWFYJIj4KtabyRcD7sBUgtWp/s1600/TMNT.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdTxGfX9m_nJRFxB3mE8NhF02dtuucxAXR8WmNC-n3QOKo-esNpeLcF_CTeKv7olVfgrfgN1xESpe_S4NztuMvYkpzOKzsKMX-1eK9KL9aORFGcADzBVKXkWFYJIj4KtabyRcD7sBUgtWp/s1600/TMNT.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Just as I was checking out, I had a question about an action figure I had found (see below) and it reminded the guy behind the counter that he had just put together a box of action figures he hadn't put out for sale yet. He offered to let me go paw around in there and see what I could find... which I gleefully did. Most of it was a let-down to be honest. Old Phantom Menace figures and armless 90's Batman figures. But there was this nice trio that I picked up (plus the Shaggy figure you can see peeking from behind the Shredder's shoulder pad in the first picture). I never owned Sergeant Bananas when I was a lad, but I was happy to add him to my collection now (he even still has his snake belt!)... and while I am not a huge fan of the weird costumed TMNT figures, I couldn't NOT buy this Davey-Crockett inspired Raphael figure. Between the Raccoon hat, the fringes on his sleeves, and the bolo tie... I was smitten. But I was by far the most excited about finding a Super Shredder figure from the second movie line. I really did NOT like the original Shredder from the first TMNT line, so when this guy came around, he pretty much just became my "default" Shredder figure. The scale was off so that he wasn't all that "super" anyway, and he looks waaay more bad-ass than the geriatric Shredder we were given before this. All-in-all, I was happy to add these three to my collection. </div>
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Finally, I found this guy. I almost didn't buy him because when I found him he was missing his left arm. Then as I was rummaging around the bottom of the bin I found him in, I discovered the arm was still in there! So I popped it on and took it. I had no idea who he was at the time, but using the "1983 Filmation" stamp on his back, it wasn't long before I was able to Google him up. I discovered he is "Neptul" a villain from the Blackstar series. He's one of those guys that comes with one of those weird looking little gargoyle/gremlin/demons that every kid in the 80's seemed to own at least one of, even if they didn't know where it came from: </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littleweirdos.net/2013/05/blackstar-companion-figures-demon.html">This image belongs to Littleweirdos.net</a><br />
follow the link to read their article about these little guys!</td></tr>
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And the one that came with Neptul here is STILL THERE! I remember seeing him (in fact, if you follow the '<a href="http://goodwillhunting4geeks.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-dream-catcher-antique-mall.html">before</a>' link waaay back at the top of this post (or that one... right there), there's a picture of him in the linked post!), so I'll be going back for him. I love a good toy reunion. The Blackstar line is a REALLY fun line, and according to Shawn Robare of <a href="http://brandedinthe80s.com/12674/childhood-miscellaneous-edition">Branded in the 80's</a> fame (follow the link for more Blackstar love), the show was a kick to watch as well. I think I may start trying to track both the toys and the show down in the near future. </div>
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So that's it folks! I may be headed back to the Dream Catcher sooner rather than later to pick up a couple of items... and if I do, you'll surely read about it here first (because who else would write about that... nevermind)! Keep your peepers peeled here for more random randomness! </div>
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Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-45642213124622539722015-11-21T11:00:00.000-08:002015-11-21T11:18:52.101-08:00Random Buys of a Random Guy: Battle Cat and More at the Schoolhouse Antiques Mall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5tw1IafnZ0Ui1PHETfbBUPZMiT3y6FWev4kPmV15-rc_dne1jzuxMF5VPtqmQBZ53fgvFvALHcrEuo6AMwY6A7Wk7zeVOcwkJ0iAbEGR0PXVq-n7Wd0fBl3xiqmrxThQHl5ZqdVrvos/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG5tw1IafnZ0Ui1PHETfbBUPZMiT3y6FWev4kPmV15-rc_dne1jzuxMF5VPtqmQBZ53fgvFvALHcrEuo6AMwY6A7Wk7zeVOcwkJ0iAbEGR0PXVq-n7Wd0fBl3xiqmrxThQHl5ZqdVrvos/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published on February 4th, 2014. </b></div>
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Shortly before Christmas I went hunting for an elusive place out in Brewer, ME called the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/School-House-Antique-Mall/272223879460641">School House Antique Mall</a>. I had heard there were some old Battle-Cats to be found there, so I decided to go check it out. I've tried to find the place before, but since I am terrible at directions, I had failed on two previous attempts to locate it. But third time was the charm (finally had to stop at a Gas Station and ask for supplementary directions)!</div>
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I WISH I had picture-taking capabilities on my iPod at the time, because it was SO much more than I was expecting! I didn't find much on the ground floor, but moving up to the second I entered a room that was floor-to-ceiling with old 80's toys! Mostly dolls to be honest, but PLENTY of cool stuff to catch my eye, including some fantastic old Fisher-Price Little People pieces and buckets upon buckets of dirty old 90's action figures. I didn't buy too much because as fun as it was to look, a lot of the stuff there was a bit over-priced. I did come away with a few items I just couldn't leave behind. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5wF2spWGdHyJMNbGS53fsbsF8lbA5gN7L8Hyitec5k0tVMdaOzqa2YYDvC3eC1fdf6mip5Rfi1aBU7Xty7QvVlLpa7oCYJ8fMXzz0UzbKnNUgvgOPmf6TwN7nLFxP0_FX-GBXm-ZNqoX/s1600/IMG_8305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha5wF2spWGdHyJMNbGS53fsbsF8lbA5gN7L8Hyitec5k0tVMdaOzqa2YYDvC3eC1fdf6mip5Rfi1aBU7Xty7QvVlLpa7oCYJ8fMXzz0UzbKnNUgvgOPmf6TwN7nLFxP0_FX-GBXm-ZNqoX/s640/IMG_8305.JPG" width="530" /></a></div>
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First up is this Muppet Babies Fozzy Happy Meal figurine. He originally came with a wheeled ride-on horsey but I didn't really care that his was missing. I saw a Miss Piggy figurine there as well, but she was three dollars (what?) where Fozzy here was only one. So Fozzy came home, and that little Piggy stayed at market. Gonzo and Kermit were very happy to have their fuzzy buddy on the shelf with them. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BPG3TxEZPm5nxDvUqpET3r2QyE-qHzlevOvxATCjTswD344XKj24CVUC_zaFLfScAtB9t2MRviJ-BZtcyIdFrY4iV4WyGUYDNBITdcb7o4Yw3XKqNptSwWWCwxETibuwZ7d8N1Z8Yu5E/s1600/IMG_8307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6BPG3TxEZPm5nxDvUqpET3r2QyE-qHzlevOvxATCjTswD344XKj24CVUC_zaFLfScAtB9t2MRviJ-BZtcyIdFrY4iV4WyGUYDNBITdcb7o4Yw3XKqNptSwWWCwxETibuwZ7d8N1Z8Yu5E/s640/IMG_8307.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Next up are a couple of Fisher-Price Little People. A cowboy/jungle safari sort of character (need to look him up) and a second circus clown to go along with the one I already had. I pretty much picked up the clown because I loved him, and the cowboy because he was so cheap. The clown set me back 2 dollars on his own, but was worth it. The cowboy-or-whatever-he-is was another 1 dollar purchase!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8aquiah0-Nrqd6YYHGQ20LWYCVmP6JSOlAlnYaQjdWFfbXOa468mWqVMsx4Z6Oe5znY9ofDYw49Me7zZ7vm9zGsvHT8kz5VoxB-lz1S06zu0CLD76DWXtWsarKPgOAPLYi5OH9dzaWX3/s1600/IMG_8311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL8aquiah0-Nrqd6YYHGQ20LWYCVmP6JSOlAlnYaQjdWFfbXOa468mWqVMsx4Z6Oe5znY9ofDYw49Me7zZ7vm9zGsvHT8kz5VoxB-lz1S06zu0CLD76DWXtWsarKPgOAPLYi5OH9dzaWX3/s640/IMG_8311.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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And of course, the whole point of the journey was Battle Cat! I found a set of Battle Cat armor in my big Castle Grayskull find just the weekend prior to my trip out to the School House, so leaving without a Battle Cat to put in it seemed foolish. There were actually 3 Battle cats for sale. This one was 3 dollars, and had just the tip of his tail snapped off. There was another identical Battle cat there for 3.50 (and yes, identical implies that his tail was also snapped off). The one Battle cat there with his tail intact was 8 dollars, so I decided to save myself 5 bucks and buy this one. </div>
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So here's a shot of He-Man on his properly attired (and finally present) Battle Cat!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCKE2NRKZQdJvDiw8CuTd914PjZB3dGnZPFM0E08j1yTpgVQGNjVocicMU023uu37b7D58Hdpv0mcKPSuOht5HvClHsC3bC2atZMTgDJ3tq-2RCQREffBb4laV-usgVJD1bQetvXCyF36/s1600/IMG_8303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="550" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCKE2NRKZQdJvDiw8CuTd914PjZB3dGnZPFM0E08j1yTpgVQGNjVocicMU023uu37b7D58Hdpv0mcKPSuOht5HvClHsC3bC2atZMTgDJ3tq-2RCQREffBb4laV-usgVJD1bQetvXCyF36/s640/IMG_8303.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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This is the whole pile of loot, including the very old Tom and Jerry Christmas Golden Book that I for some reason neglected to get an individual picture of (and only paid 2 dollars for). I was way more impressed just looking around the School House than I was with m actual purchases there, but the next time I go I will have picture-taking capabilities back and I will be sure to share what I see there! </div>
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That's it for tonight gang, but I'll be back with more randomness soon enough. Keep your peepers peeled here 'til then! </div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-5813110276541203742015-11-18T09:04:00.000-08:002015-11-19T17:24:45.386-08:00Random Ramblings: The Saga of the Replacement Turtles<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b><br />
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So time for me to ramble a bit. Something I promised I was going to let myself do with this "new" blog that took the place of the of Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks site. And one of the things I genuinely enjoy thinking and writing about is how I played with toys as a kid. I mean the ways I used my action figures imaginatively to create whole worlds and epics that took place in those worlds. I had a lot of drama and action in those sessions. I was pretty complex...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...or something.<br />
This wasn't even Halloween.</td></tr>
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When I was a kid, I loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. I loved the cartoon, I loved the toy-line, and I loved the idea of a group of ass-kicking mutant ninjas. But I have a major confession to make:<br />
I found the original four turtles a little boring after a while. My style of play incorporated a LOT of different characters from a LOT of different toy-lines. The main gist of most of my imaginative play was based on the comic books I was reading at the time, the majority of which were from the X-Men family of titles. While all of my other random action figures were developing optic blasts or berserker rages, Leo, Raph, Mikey, and Donnie had a hard time fitting in with teams of super-powered misfits. They were so insular... so designed to be <i>together</i>... that I had a hard time working them into my interior storyline. They didn't get a lot of play honestly.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19JGKzSf_5ZdJ_2UnLicfPCLEhTD0czh_S8604wTlyEHPm_vZKmSI0HNiPPWbJdq3gh67XcapX_btMUKrH_S5b3dpZWH22mBtkxt2gVPbONT7FiOytDhvUoTvM_US5RX3_OeZ1MWp-WwZ/s1600/tumblr_m24zmuw1SO1rojksqo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19JGKzSf_5ZdJ_2UnLicfPCLEhTD0czh_S8604wTlyEHPm_vZKmSI0HNiPPWbJdq3gh67XcapX_btMUKrH_S5b3dpZWH22mBtkxt2gVPbONT7FiOytDhvUoTvM_US5RX3_OeZ1MWp-WwZ/s1600/tumblr_m24zmuw1SO1rojksqo1_500.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And that made them sad.</td></tr>
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Until I read parts of this storyline:</div>
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Which blew me away. I never actually owned these comics as a lad, but I had flipped through enough of the stories while browsing the bookstore that I knew the basic gist: The main protagonists of the story are incapacitated and a REPLACEMENT TEAM is called in to clean up the mess left behind and save the day. The replacement team is made up of a seemingly disparate group of loners who come together to fight in honor of the fallen heroes. And from this seed an idea grew in my head....</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeeeeeeah... we're the replacements! Rock n' rollin' 'til the break of dawn!</td></tr>
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The Replacement Turtles! You will of course notice that with the exception of Mondo Gecko and Metal Head being sorta-kinda-close... NONE of these characters are actual turtles. But IT DIDN'T MATTER. All of a sudden when I would be playing with my action figures, the four main Turtles became VERY clumsy. They repeatedly became extremely susceptible to being taken prisoner by Shredder and his goons. And whenever that would happen, an alert would go out to four of the Turtle's closest allies: Usagi Yojimbo, Mondo Gecko, Metal Head, and Casey Jones! This alert went out... like... once or twice a day I would estimate. The four core turtles became more damsels in distress than heroes <i>very</i> quickly. This was right around the time that April O'Neil developed light-control powers ala Dazzler (Dazzler was a part of the Australian X-Men squad at the time so...) and started kicking ass on her own terms. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was happening in my head.</td></tr>
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Where was I? Oh yeah... let's take a look at those replacement turtles!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs0vKKi__pnGEt3N38z63Ufr3RpE5XVgE5f9Um57_lZVcZnUiyEKfDbe9ayXnEfPDARoSxd3xhVY4kwBCDu3D8gTkQ5MQ-mY-fjytSp5vYuYMhs612PkOD4pTYluuMGpxQfhkuyxnpblp/s1600/IMG_9201.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHs0vKKi__pnGEt3N38z63Ufr3RpE5XVgE5f9Um57_lZVcZnUiyEKfDbe9ayXnEfPDARoSxd3xhVY4kwBCDu3D8gTkQ5MQ-mY-fjytSp5vYuYMhs612PkOD4pTYluuMGpxQfhkuyxnpblp/s1600/IMG_9201.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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First of the replacement turtles was the robot that was designed to emulate a Ninja Turtle as closely as possible. Metal Head! Metal Head was the replacement Donatello. He was the science-guy of the group, but with all the benefits of a super-strong android with lots of gadgets and deus ex machinas up the butt (sometimes literally). My Metal Head wasn't the robot-run-amok spazz they showed on the TV shows at the time, but he did have a bit of a Max Headroom (or, let's be honest, Konky of Pee-Wee's playhouse) stutter that he had no control over when communicating with his team-mates. </div>
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Next up we have everyone's favorite psycho-sociopath... Casey Jones! He was my surrogate Raphael. Again, my Casey Jones was much less informed by the cartoon show, which had him portrayed more as a Dirty-Harry-Travis-Bickle-Punisher mashup played for comedic effect. I had him behaving more like the movie version of Casey Jones played by Elias Koteas (which was in turn, a bit more informed by the original comic-book version of Casey Jones) AAAAND Wolverine. Casey Jones was prone to random berserker rages in battle. I think he also developed a healing factor. I may have even tried to convince myself that he could sprout adamantium claws from the backs of his forearms. Yeah... he was pretty much just Wolverine. And let me tell you, it was HARD to have him develop a romantic relationship with April O'Neil when his hockey mask was not removable. But they managed... sort of?</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The foundation of all my future relationships was this comic panel.</td></tr>
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But I digress. </div>
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Mondo Gecko filled the Michelangelo-shaped hole left by the missing turtles. He was the party animal of the group and quite often his skate-board functioned as a hoverboard allowing him to fly into action. He also shared a power-set with Nightcrawler and the Toad. He was able to cling to surfaces using hands and feet, and his prehensile tail was a deadly whip in battle. He was agile and bouncy, a whirling dervish in combat, and he snapped off surfer-dude one-liners much like a Point Break Spider-Man. I just want to take a moment to appreciate the sculpt on this guy as well. Mondo Gecko was-and-still-is one of my absolute <i>favorite</i> TMNT action figures.</div>
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And finally, we have the Leo of the group... Usagi Yojimbo. I know that this guy was really only a sort of fluke guest-star on an episode of the show (having his own successful comic series completely unrelated to TMNT), and this begat a couple of action figures as well... but in my mind Usagi Yojimbo was Leonardo's best friend the way Raphael and Casey bonded in so many of their iterations over the various incarnations of the show. Ironically, my Usagi Yojimbo never developed many super-powers. I believe he was able to channel energy through his sword ala Silver Samurai... but that was about it. Basically his power was to kick EVERYBODY'S ASS ALL THE TIME. He was the leader of the replacement turtles because he was pretty much just the bunny version of Leonardo.<br />
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And here's everyone all together. I chose to photograph the vintage turtle allies with the modern-day turtle figures for a couple of reasons. 1.) In my personal opinion, the newer versions of the turtles are superior to the old in almost every way. I can't imagine as a lad EVER growing bored with these four turtles. This is how I <i>wanted</i> my turtles to look as a kid. 2.) My vintage turtles are WOEFULLY incomplete. Raph and Donnie are missing their belts and Raph has extensive paint-loss damage to his belly. Almost all of the quartet's weapons are lost to time. 3.) I really wanted to see how the sculpts on the vintage ancillary characters stood up to the modern turtles. And they look AWESOME. I think the only real weak link here is Casey Jones in his weird sweat pants and lime green tennis shoes... and hairy mid-riff. (Side-note... I am STILL on the hunt for a modern-series Casey Jones. If anyone spots one, e-mail me or message me on Twitter or something. WANT. <b><u>UPDATED TO ADD</u>: Since this was written, I have found the new Casey Jones action figure. No worries. Crisis averted.</b>)</div>
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That's all the crazy I have in me for tonight kids! Be sure to keep your peepers peeled here for further ramblings, rants, and other random ravings in the near future!</div>
Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-89619473192046493072015-11-15T12:10:00.000-08:002015-11-15T09:24:22.480-08:00Random Review: Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated Season 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">DEFUNCT </b><b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<b style="background-color: #ff9900; font-family: 'Droid Serif'; line-height: 19.6px;">This post was originally published online back on February 2nd of 2014.</b></div>
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When I was a kid, I would get off the bus and run into my house to catch the last 10 minutes of General Hospital. I wasn't especially interested in General Hospital, but I couldn't stand NOT having the television on for the ten minutes I had to wait for Scooby-Doo Where Are You! The played a solid hour of Scooby when I got home from school, and I sat, glued to the tube for that hour, breathless with anticipation for what monster the gang might encounter next. I disliked the unmasking at the end of each episode because the thrill for me was always the monster and the mystery. </div>
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The show never felt stupid or hackneyed to me as a kid because I was so engrossed in imagining what it would be like to meet the Creeper or the Ghost of Captain Cutler, that the plot never mattered much to me anyway. </div>
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As an adult I've continued craving the same sort of storytelling, and the entertainement industry has been happy to comply with shows like the X-Files and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. </div>
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And of course, my love for Scooby-Doo goes on undaunted, even as an adult:</div>
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My sons and I have started watching Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, which is the most recent incarnation of the show. We've been semi-binge watching it on Netflix (which for a 3-year-old and 5-year-old equals 2-3 episodes 3-4 nights a week) and I will openly and honestly admit that I have become wholly addicted to it. There are some mild <span style="color: red;"><b><u>SPOILER </u></b></span>warnings in effect here, as I won't let any really big cats out of bags, but there are some mild plot twists and turns I want to talk about. </div>
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I was HUGELY skeptical of the format of this show when I first discovered it. I saw a few episodes on Cartoon Network and decided the show just rubbed me the wrong way. It wasn't "my" Scooby-Doo, and there were some things that just genuinely, outright annoyed me about what I saw. So I ignored it and hoped it would go away. Then while my sons and I were looking for some cartoons to watch on Netflix, my 5 year-old noticed that there was a Scooby-Doo show on there. With chagrin I realized that it was the version of the show that I had decided to ignore... but no such luck when these kids are involved:</div>
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<img height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUBmdYEPE5dnZgEkUU7uHv-3feawRKetEYEeTYeuwcT7ih5pWgfS1nWOOmwv9cYeGcSTGNWbjecykK0-SRnVNJxIzJvOqPeegOJMibOX4-oGF7bFxMXeWduLOwg0EckfWKeyMcHqWOBOdB/s640/388253_10150370822281435_610731434_8085616_820688166_n.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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So... we tried it out. And the weird thing about it was... I didn't HATE it!! In fact, I was so impressed by the first two episodes that we made it regular viewing. We found that a few of the episodes were a bit too intense for my 3 year old... so he would pick and choose how long he sat and watched with us. </div>
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Intense? Scooby-Doo? Yes. This was not their Dad's Scooby-Doo. </div>
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Well... not really. Scooby himself is pretty much unchanged. Classic, constantly craving and craven Great Dane Scooby-Doo is his same old design. I think one of the only major changes to Scooby is the fact that there just isn't as much screen time for the big guy these days. But the rest of the gang? Some pretty MAJOR changes. Some great, some TERRIBLE. One of the interesting things that Mystery Inc. is playing around with is inter-personal, romantic relationships between the team-members. More on this later. </div>
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Shaggy is another oldie-but-goodie that they didn't really mess with much. He is still Scoob's tried-and-true best bud, and still sports the same green shirt and brown pants he always has. Just as scared-stiff and starving as his canine compatriot. I can't think of a single significant thing that has changed about this fellow for the new show.<br />
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Daphne is really where the new design of the show starts to creep in and weird me out a bit. The art-style of the show has them lose her lower eyelid (and almost all of her eye) in the tan of her face. Then her pupil-less iris is lavender. The rest of her design is still pretty classic. The headband, purple dress, and (toned down) green scarf of her signature look are all in attendance. Her character is now openly in love with Freddie, and expresses it on a regular, pining-for-the-guy-who-doesn't-even-know-I'm-alive sort of way. It honestly gets pretty annoying. Because the reason Daphne can't get Freddie to notice her is... well, let's take a look at Freddie. </div>
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<img border="0" height="388" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiARWq3zBqWRNZNF12LccDWSTyau3kSM1HRcHzgt3wuJUznMzYemmz-hCgbVz6N9s7tACxj2oHDcAYGdOI8ap-5gufnoXNI3HU9o2B-8LmJ3ygkV76ZfYs3Y2mQvDtg21FxitUrXEDlXxGj/s1600/vlcsnap-2011-05-18-11h47m28s219_1071.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Fred is a pretty big redesign, in his own way. Freddie has always suffered from Cyclops-syndrome, where in newer versions of the property, where the kids have personalities (like in the live-action films) he's just sort of the "hero". They have tried to sort of break Fred out of this shell in the past, and they've also had a heck of a time trying to deal with Fred's ascot, often redesigning his wardrobe to make it look more contemporary (and usually more generic in the process) Mystery Inc. sort of goes back to Fred's roots, OWNING the ascot, beefing up his chin to Bruce Campbell levels, and bulking him up to make him look even more like a jock than before. But one of Fred's most annoying traits in the new series is his complete autism-like obsession with TRAPS. To the point where about 50% of his dialogue is about nothing but TRAPS. It starts off as annoying... but actually has its moments where it works pretty well. It is mostly Fred's distraction over his love of traps and how much he values his friendships that makes him oblivious to the whole Daphne relationship thing... at first. </div>
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Arguably one of the most dynamic re-designs is Velma. She's similar to her old design in that she has glasses, an orange turtle-neck sweater, and is the "brains" of the group. But gone is the old bowling-ball style hair-cut, which is now also graced with a couple of ribbon/barrette things, and gone is the easy going attitude. Velma now brings most of the snark to the team. Where Daphne tends to be the positive princess, Velma takes a bit of a cue from this girl:<br />
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Not to a grating degree, but we definitely get a much more dry and ironic Velma than we ever have before. It isn't bad. It sort of gives her character a bit more... character. But it is definitely NOT the Velma I grew up crushing on. And speaking of crushing on:</div>
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This happens. I like the idea of Shaggy and Velma as a couple. It has a nice, symmetric feel to it, when I always assumed that Fred and Daphne were a couple. What I do not like is what this show decided to do with Shaggy and Velma as a couple. Velma in the first few episodes is an absolute text-book stereotypical harping girlfriend. And when she isn't exerting all of her energy trying to change Shaggy is some way (his diet, his wardrobe, his tendency to like, say "like" a lot) she's spending the rest of it being JEALOUS OF THE DOG. Yeah, Velma is jealous of the relationship that Shaggy and Scooby have. And it's just as horrible as you think that sounds.</div>
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<img height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhivxiOtT9enZgum0qGzsr3-DxQzayQxlGxfeBxDvBgMOyD8av2ZLyxcguAX2dHJMdZEQu3ngDZZ2villVp0lV-yuF8o72M6pRCXqr2175Ak6653m7yDSncvy8sV1CsJeaF68-21-OE6w4/s640/gang.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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So what we mainly get from the girls is boy-chasing. What we mostly get from the boys is their being oblivious to what the heck is wrong with the girls unless it directly effects their working as a team in some way. Which it does. In some pretty major ways. But beyond that, each of the characters actually does kind of get their moment to shine. Much fun is had with Daphne's penchant for being clumsy, often kidnapped, and a delicate flower. They manage to use much of these in new, positive ways. Just as Fred's obsession with making elaborate, Rube Goldstein-style traps in the old show is exploited for often-time annoying dialogue "humor" it also tends to work out that Fred saves the day with his knowledge of mechanics in some surprising ways. </div>
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Added to the cast is Angel Dynamite, a sort of Foxy Cleopatra, Pam Grier sort of character who runs the local radio station. At first you wonder what the heck she's doing on the show, but the pieces start slowly coming together later as it seems almost EVERYONE the kids meet or interact with on the show has something to hide. She brings a bit of fun to the proceedings, and she hearkens back to the 70's hey-day of the Scooby-Gang. </div>
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Also added to the mix is a semi-serial storytelling format that is new to the Scooby-verse. My 5 year old would thrill whenever a message from the mysterious Mr. E would appear, either helping the kids with their current case, or hinting at far larger (red?) herrings to fry in Crystal Cove, the town where all the action takes place. There were definite plot threads that carried over from episode to episode beyond just the typical freak-of-the-week stories. Stories that involved this guy:</div>
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The sinister parrot, Professor Pericles, who used to hang out with his own group of mystery-solving teenagers, the original Mystery Inc! The ultimate fate of the original gang of kids with the Mystery Inc moniker is the real story to pay attention to even as giant crab-men and flaming ghost-trucks are attacking. </div>
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This is one of the areas where the new Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated gets it right. When we're dealing with the underlying conspiracy that is bubbling literally right under the surface of Crystal Cove, the plot thickens, and even as young as my boys are, they could see the threads being tied together in some places. It was genuinely cool to watch my 5 year old try to figure out what the secret behind the red circle around the parrot in the picture above was. </div>
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The new show does NOT slouch on the monster front either. Often the mysteries themselves are incredibly flimsy, with motives and pay-offs being more than a little far-fetched (which they often point at and wink about in homage to the bizarre and illogical lengths criminals would go to in the original series) but the creatures themselves? Holy cow you guys! Some of these were a bit TOO scary for my three year old. The monsters are creepier, the designs are (usually) cooler, and the creature sequences are way more interesting (and menacing) than just watching the gang run down the worlds longest repeating hallway while a green-faced phantom chases them with his arms raised. </div>
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You can often trace the pedigree of many of the monsters back to famous films and other sources. Like the image above where Fred's trapping skills help him to outwit a SAW-like adversary (without losing any limbs in the process, I might add). In this same episode I was grinning as I checked off movies like "The People Under the Stairs" and others while my kids just watched the gang try to survive a secret-passage-and-trap filled mansion that sank into an underground cavern. </div>
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Other creatures, like this Anthropophagi-inspired monster, make the "Ghost of Hyde" look about as menacing as someone's kindly grandpa. One of my beefs with the show is how inhumanly strong and invulnerable they make some of the monsters appear to be, only to have the villain unmasked turn out to be a pimply geek or a teenage girl or something. But this is another detail the show chooses to shrug off with a wink with the occasional explanation of "Pilates" or "helium" or whatever. But that's okay. We're not watching this show for the scientific CSI explanation at the end. We're suspending disbelief pretty high here.<br />
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5930128877122660917" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5930128877122660917" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>One of the things that I genuinely dislike about the show... but which is a necessary evil for the format unfortunately, is the gang's ignorance of how this all works by now. In the first season, they acknowledge that the Scooby-Gang has already had a pretty storied past thwarting crooks in costumes. There is a museum in Crystal Cove run by Velma's parents that features a collection of all the classic villains, like the Creeper, the Space-Kook, and Captain Cutler's ghost, just to name a few. And yet, no matter how many villains the gang unmasks, each new villain is taken at face-value as a REAL monster. </div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5930128877122660917" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5930128877122660917" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx9op-9IqgjMJJN8FnWLZ3rP44qbTxj0C1J84CJleZUoPnn2Oc0Pavyjq7Go_gXAhmZzScLwpe_Dp30WFPigV-P0IUTq5SBvc6qdN7NkeetfRS1Fh3uq67150sWNKz_BQNlOZdlNrv74m/s1600/funny-cartoon-logic-scooby-doo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAx9op-9IqgjMJJN8FnWLZ3rP44qbTxj0C1J84CJleZUoPnn2Oc0Pavyjq7Go_gXAhmZzScLwpe_Dp30WFPigV-P0IUTq5SBvc6qdN7NkeetfRS1Fh3uq67150sWNKz_BQNlOZdlNrv74m/s1600/funny-cartoon-logic-scooby-doo.jpg" width="315" /></a></div>
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There's never just that moment where they all sigh and say, "Okay, who's under the mask this time?" It's always "What could a vampire possibly need with a rare orchid? Let's research it at the occult bookstore!" I mean, in one episode Velma befriends a <i>mermaid</i> and then seems genuinely <i>betrayed </i>when it turns out it's (SPOILER) just a woman in disguise. And let's not even get into Daphne falling in love with a biker gang-leader ORC. I was just like: "Are they seriously just accepting this as reality? What?</div>
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I think one of the greatest offenders has to be the "Que Horrifico" episode where an Aztec demon "spookifies" the entire town's population of children. Including kindergarteners. The solution to this mystery is so mind-numbingly IMPOSSIBLE that you can't help but laugh. Let's just say the idea of herding cats came to mind. But again the solutions to the mysteries are never really the <i>point</i>. They're usually no more meaningful than the punchline to a knock-knock joke. It's the spoofing of horror tropes and of the original series itself where the fun comes in. </div>
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I mentioned in an earlier post that they had sci-fi author Harlan Ellison as a guest star on the show in a sort of bizarro homage to the old guest-stars like Phyllis Diller or Don Knotts. And that isn't where the homages stop! In the second episode "Creeping Creatures" we are treated to a cameo by a family suspiciously similar to the Griswolds of the various National Lampoon's Vacation films. The Chevy-chase-like dad and the Mom who was <i>actually voiced</i> by Beverly D'Angelo (!) riding with their teenaged daughter in the wood-paneled station wagon. There's no mistaking the reference.<br />
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<img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLZmioah9mc36ilXwWiaCleKes65by7GhZ3J570nnDm-XwDi6fTLTiqOy9qtNsjrVcd_hr9xLY5daGiiW1RxgKHSNh6ZGfbgpsmZk0iqogUgdjuSP30iqBRLbwLh7yreooiLF9ThYyLGqe/s1600/697315_1303530366847_full.jpg" width="640" /></div>
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We also see the return of old Scooby-Gang allies like the Hex-Girls, pictured above. I like how much the show tends to embrace all of the aspects of the storied Scooby-Doo history. We get a few quick gag references to Flim-Flam and Scrappy Doo as well, but I'd like to see them do even more. What I think would truly drive me over the top would be an appearance of Red Herring, the recurring character from A Pup Named Scooby Doo that Freddie had an obsession with. </div>
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There are a lot of great gags involving other Hanna-Barbera properties, such as a blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance by Yogi Bear in a prison for criminally insane animals, a very brief Johnny Quest cameo in the penultimate episode of the first season, and the episode pictured above that was JUST. AMAZING. Jabber-Jaw, Captain Cave-Man, Funky Phantom, and Speed Buggy all make a dream-sequence appearance for an episode called "Mystery Solvers Club State Finals". They TEAM UP you guys!</div>
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Another returning ally is Vincent Van Ghoul (obviously no longer voiced by Vincent Price, but the voice actor, Maurice LaMarche, is so dead on that you can't really tell) who also makes a series of cameo appearances throughout the show in a series of b-movies being watched by Shaggy and Scooby. They get to meet the famous actor in an episode, and save him from a monster tailor suited to terrorize him. It's these sort of nostalgic touches coupled with the wink-wink attitude towards older viewers, the higher-stakes, more menacing monsters, and the overall tone of the show that make Scooby-Doo Mystery Incorporated such a rewarding watch for me and my kids together. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkiZYkZPN7fE_IXdV0q8Q0X1epKMEmpCzDKY5-vHeHPIQC_0vKH6JssUeAfGmWLDfTFDQ_tTDDj6NtGYkR1NBilYUAcmk9dFmXVm3rxJkrrQHWGa29HfqhyphenhyphenGlAj6duwGLRVLUY_iUwFDt/s1600/Scooby+Doo+Misterios+SA+Flashlights-grupo-794712.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="530" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkiZYkZPN7fE_IXdV0q8Q0X1epKMEmpCzDKY5-vHeHPIQC_0vKH6JssUeAfGmWLDfTFDQ_tTDDj6NtGYkR1NBilYUAcmk9dFmXVm3rxJkrrQHWGa29HfqhyphenhyphenGlAj6duwGLRVLUY_iUwFDt/s1600/Scooby+Doo+Misterios+SA+Flashlights-grupo-794712.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In fact, my only gripe is that I went out to purchase the first two seasons on DVD and discovered that only Season 1 is collected as a complete set right now. As for Season 2, they're going the route where they release 13 episodes as a "collection" and then a different (sometimes overlapping) set of episodes as a different collection. No complete series collected yet. I say "yet" because I have no idea if they plan on actually releasing the complete second series on DVD at any point. Do and I'll buy it! Cartoon Network has a bad habot of screwing their viewers around with multiple "collections" of episodes before finally releasing a collected season (if at all). I'm still waiting for Batman: The Brave and the Bold to just come out as Season 1, 2, and 3!!! The second season hasn't been released on Netflix yet, so I can't speak to whether or not the quality continues to climb, or if things start to go downhill... but I hope to find out sometime soon. Amazon makes you pay 1.99 per episode (it's not available on Prime) and there's no way I'm going to pay that. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ52OxtidUiN1m4-J2mh8BxQyeii52NTs1wBPFwf_x9vc-ztbfEnwkT3V6dnpquEsFMUojjBY2U3dmDCHocuiPSXE3RgQ5H1ecNwpfaDp1MEWS29jdmzzLsXmcFFUbTYw5T3VHQzMfNZA/s1600/001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbJ52OxtidUiN1m4-J2mh8BxQyeii52NTs1wBPFwf_x9vc-ztbfEnwkT3V6dnpquEsFMUojjBY2U3dmDCHocuiPSXE3RgQ5H1ecNwpfaDp1MEWS29jdmzzLsXmcFFUbTYw5T3VHQzMfNZA/s1600/001.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bad-Ass Scooby Gang by Noelle Stevenson</td></tr>
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But I did happen to pick up a copy of the 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo... so the boys and I will be giving that a try. Right now we're working our way through the first two seasons of Scooby-Doo: Where Are You? the original show. They seem to love it just as much as Mystery Incorporated, so we're going to plow our way through that on DVD. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2HFmbZJPyDZkjJJa89B8wkN76liLkRGkfjyelMrfaqgFQekRT8BAzMo1oZpP9Z9wpdNaO81Vyo25s4Wvjp05dza2eyi2KxrrKVaqVScWxLydUNUvAPFpUUSx4JzRs6GWCGpETJ1kKSNR/s1600/Scooby-Doo-Andrew-Kolb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK2HFmbZJPyDZkjJJa89B8wkN76liLkRGkfjyelMrfaqgFQekRT8BAzMo1oZpP9Z9wpdNaO81Vyo25s4Wvjp05dza2eyi2KxrrKVaqVScWxLydUNUvAPFpUUSx4JzRs6GWCGpETJ1kKSNR/s1600/Scooby-Doo-Andrew-Kolb.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang playing a familiar, classic boardgame. By Andrew Kolb.</td></tr>
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But I'm holding out hope. The kids and I are chomping at the bit to get more Scooby-Doo into our brains through our eye-holes... and that's a great feeling. Every time one of the boys gasps at a monster, or at the finding of a clue, or at an ingenious trap used to foil a villain, that's just one more point on my scorecard. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uobSRJULmIYmtbZ0E9K_Ii6w6Ehivapo4-Od0b0Gx2x9IRoLfPHQJsKQHZCwjTgCezMYBjEIXi_2VIoogNtR0nWjwxDNZOM9EHeuFGkDkUcMi8lXwE_8yHI1PBVpPRx02V9lTOSC8n3l/s1600/25419e6d1ebeeed0e3efb53ce7a440da.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4uobSRJULmIYmtbZ0E9K_Ii6w6Ehivapo4-Od0b0Gx2x9IRoLfPHQJsKQHZCwjTgCezMYBjEIXi_2VIoogNtR0nWjwxDNZOM9EHeuFGkDkUcMi8lXwE_8yHI1PBVpPRx02V9lTOSC8n3l/s1600/25419e6d1ebeeed0e3efb53ce7a440da.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zy3xcORtKfuti-dWf2Y6n0OB9IQCEr2Xnv1Omt1QHloLWE8jnUs2diwFPWewmzgbeguFRx_Hjzl5fdeo3kCiEwtSDTIervg_0bLMbthXI1B2S4rNwmyq8OYmr1Gl3V6bd73aPSIycFsN/s1600/003.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zy3xcORtKfuti-dWf2Y6n0OB9IQCEr2Xnv1Omt1QHloLWE8jnUs2diwFPWewmzgbeguFRx_Hjzl5fdeo3kCiEwtSDTIervg_0bLMbthXI1B2S4rNwmyq8OYmr1Gl3V6bd73aPSIycFsN/s1600/003.gif" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGRMe8XupZaEtVzEXFeHJm7OUvoD9ont6ms11hjXwgQJpPNvaKJUtFQL-uaBXdADYVQcK1OgnZ1Ri5OMIi8keikiAbZQE8cDg2uLn1rKkYmr_qQAZFTUkEnXp_4P9JF-E2ZqtIPWYxnc0/s1600/004.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilGRMe8XupZaEtVzEXFeHJm7OUvoD9ont6ms11hjXwgQJpPNvaKJUtFQL-uaBXdADYVQcK1OgnZ1Ri5OMIi8keikiAbZQE8cDg2uLn1rKkYmr_qQAZFTUkEnXp_4P9JF-E2ZqtIPWYxnc0/s1600/004.png" width="153" /></a></div>
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I thought I'd finish out this review-slash-whatever-it-turned-into with some of my favorite fan-art from the web. NONE of this art is mine... but you can find it all out there by googling pretty easily.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOZEjqJvfAFVj2nYoFiCpv6gYCijHRQ42Iqupgeq_UBuPKh0_o1BME7ExfC2M7iKKInCxe3I_fIlhgpGXxhl6yLErNgSCS56Sj9Dx34QF9v5CPr0dPd4loJQgz_9UwATvbepfgaVN6WkH/s1600/large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhOZEjqJvfAFVj2nYoFiCpv6gYCijHRQ42Iqupgeq_UBuPKh0_o1BME7ExfC2M7iKKInCxe3I_fIlhgpGXxhl6yLErNgSCS56Sj9Dx34QF9v5CPr0dPd4loJQgz_9UwATvbepfgaVN6WkH/s1600/large.jpg" width="151" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0VT-jDNEHn2IsRFJ2bHnoMwYo9icBHpF5ylOzsjLKKj-uRpgU9nqEfUhd5beLLfDLMVuvFnaDyY8wRgNtZ3VwzyP0VMsorAIpBPOA8gRDKU37I0vDedd58dputk9v1kdWvSHcm_Z1W09/s1600/sticker,375x360.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0VT-jDNEHn2IsRFJ2bHnoMwYo9icBHpF5ylOzsjLKKj-uRpgU9nqEfUhd5beLLfDLMVuvFnaDyY8wRgNtZ3VwzyP0VMsorAIpBPOA8gRDKU37I0vDedd58dputk9v1kdWvSHcm_Z1W09/s1600/sticker,375x360.png" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUS_8KEvD5Qrjm7zbMdlBcNWoAUcVp2kIj-NLHoZy8ILa3sccyHiCBHzd5-XdCr0xGsNcB-3rmJBc2EW1IWoOfxUdzPW3GeopKpArtEvzgiUUzJFxbaWyR270aW6XLEqVN7vcShV5LYx3/s1600/il_340x270.545793603_evy6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKUS_8KEvD5Qrjm7zbMdlBcNWoAUcVp2kIj-NLHoZy8ILa3sccyHiCBHzd5-XdCr0xGsNcB-3rmJBc2EW1IWoOfxUdzPW3GeopKpArtEvzgiUUzJFxbaWyR270aW6XLEqVN7vcShV5LYx3/s1600/il_340x270.545793603_evy6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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That's it for me tonight kids! We're hunkering down up here in Maine for an oncoming blizzard, so I have no idea if I'll even have power much less internet over the next few days. But I still have some Valentine's day stuff to post (Late. As usual.) so keep your peepers peeled for that right here! </div>
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Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-67627833650776924122015-11-12T05:03:00.000-08:002015-11-12T14:03:59.906-08:00Random Rant: My Love/Hate Relationship with Ice Age<b>All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD, now </b><b>DEFUNCT </b><b>blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKWPIe1VZ-2CoPuyopImFo_ZLMmv-lYhCNUa-Ej9kvO9tRn6C3-79IzHw7LE5K4MuUHLOJHo_rOjIJKa7hk4LDzIXDxVTyR9uNX6mn3LY7rYBX0Uc9G8wttN9U9ou2hkvpsTmFdPDV54/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKWPIe1VZ-2CoPuyopImFo_ZLMmv-lYhCNUa-Ej9kvO9tRn6C3-79IzHw7LE5K4MuUHLOJHo_rOjIJKa7hk4LDzIXDxVTyR9uNX6mn3LY7rYBX0Uc9G8wttN9U9ou2hkvpsTmFdPDV54/s400/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published online back on March 9th of 2014.</b><br />
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I love the movie Ice Age. I have since it came out. I think I watched it about 200 times with my daughter when she was young, and I have since watched it a few MORE times with my sons as they are getting bigger. It's a Blue Sky Studios picture, not Dreamworks as many folks seem to get it confused. Blue Sky studios has also done movies like Rio, Epic, and Robots... so they've had a pretty mixed bag. But Ice Age is definitely the cream of the crop.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWo-txxFljLyMqfyNsj2J5AzY7M19Sz06nZTJJRv3bZkEpUsBGW9h1GNTav1zuNiCJHqkAV_-ZYlFeK7ogXgyB_2y94cUQ7kXeiloKg0j_-MLRB4Hmh_qhmjik_j2-RuhKcG6k2t7y9NKe/s1600/ice+age+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWo-txxFljLyMqfyNsj2J5AzY7M19Sz06nZTJJRv3bZkEpUsBGW9h1GNTav1zuNiCJHqkAV_-ZYlFeK7ogXgyB_2y94cUQ7kXeiloKg0j_-MLRB4Hmh_qhmjik_j2-RuhKcG6k2t7y9NKe/s1600/ice+age+1.jpg" width="434" /></a></div>
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The first Ice Age movie was simply structured, had a small cast of characters, and was focused on a clear objective. The story was set somewhere around or in the Ice Age, so the color palettes are fairly muted but not drab, and the character designs are sort of angular-yet-organic and lumpy-yet-endearing. And because of all of this, the story had lots of room for themes and subtext, and space for the comedians playing the lead roles to riff and have fun with each other. Portions of the movie feel improvised, and there's a nice natural rhythm to most scenes that doesn't feel too rushed or too desperate to move on to the next big thing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkSooT07Du3gG2mwCwE7Rgg7AckBZAAtrE1PDDYL_w-Ng1QpFEMgBbwT3BJ0XdQBWBlB5VqtZZr7PlbwUDYtFi4mAyv0RBSkFrLoxS42Wn4yu3Bhq4sBUvHoS_-FwRAY06jY_jXO4mKNk/s1600/Ice-Age.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOkSooT07Du3gG2mwCwE7Rgg7AckBZAAtrE1PDDYL_w-Ng1QpFEMgBbwT3BJ0XdQBWBlB5VqtZZr7PlbwUDYtFi4mAyv0RBSkFrLoxS42Wn4yu3Bhq4sBUvHoS_-FwRAY06jY_jXO4mKNk/s1600/Ice-Age.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The story also manages some semi-sort-of-realism... which, yes, is hard for me to justify when we're talking about anthropomorphic prehistoric animals... but there's an internal logic at work, and some rules are followed about what animals are, and are <i>not</i>, allowed to be included. The consultants they used for the "science" of the film all pretty much agreed on one major point: Just don't use any dinosaurs. Any prehistoric mammals were fine because they were still fairly fuzzy on the timelines for when some of those lived... but dinosaurs are a big no-no.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHVLARQnefRXK3YHWXZoZeqTPqh8moQNA_7cWXmVMSuls3uUH1AuXcz1wKGJxaUV1rSjtNsw8xizLHoudZvID-5tLduzd9SYVFP5LBaTU9RQpPzBxWb4pilIl0azmhqwCPdan1KR901An/s1600/ice+age+t-rex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUHVLARQnefRXK3YHWXZoZeqTPqh8moQNA_7cWXmVMSuls3uUH1AuXcz1wKGJxaUV1rSjtNsw8xizLHoudZvID-5tLduzd9SYVFP5LBaTU9RQpPzBxWb4pilIl0azmhqwCPdan1KR901An/s1600/ice+age+t-rex.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This guy doesn't count because he's frozen solid.</td></tr>
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There is a real story with actual character development for all of the three lead characters. We have Manny the mammoth, who has gruff, humorless and despondent after losing his herd tragically, who by film's end is able to let others in emotionally, and form bonds with others in a way he thought he was no incapable of. Sid the sloth, who is a bumbling, needy, useless, clingy imbecile at the beginning of the film finally finds motivation and purpose, and in doing so develops a little bit of backbone and self-respect, and to a lesser degree the respect of his peers. And finally we have Diego the sabretooth tiger, who has never known respect or friendship or honor in any form who then bonds with animals he would have looked down on as "lesser" before his experiences in the film. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzDshPo6sSEkOoaVKhbMTjzsRtE7eg0cDM0OUySZJnWgu3vTl1gNE3OmENTYBdheWtbc_K0-YAm2tq2GkhF5_gtZMd_UNM5wG-oKrGNtseK0uvQ9Ke6Vm15YcQlgoxDPJSLy4N1Y7T-EX/s1600/Ice+Age+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzDshPo6sSEkOoaVKhbMTjzsRtE7eg0cDM0OUySZJnWgu3vTl1gNE3OmENTYBdheWtbc_K0-YAm2tq2GkhF5_gtZMd_UNM5wG-oKrGNtseK0uvQ9Ke6Vm15YcQlgoxDPJSLy4N1Y7T-EX/s1600/Ice+Age+001.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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What we have is "Three Men and a Baby" starring Tallahassee from "Zombieland", Derek Vineyard from "American History X", and... Pestario Vargas from "The Pest" (I guess...?) all on a "Road-Trip" where they become dude-bros forever. It's actually way better than that... but this is what we're going with. Through the film we have fun. Not ridiculous, over-the-top, non-stop gimmicks, but legit fun. From the campfire scenes where the characters nettle each other, to the travel montage set to the rousing, made-a-classic-by-this-movie song "On My Way" by Rusted Root, to the scenes of both tragedy and intense action peppered throughout... we have a really well balanced and fun-loving film. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H324DEu0ZsUQhVh_Q-osHtz99g1Y6zEHbcbgeW3gMr_DvbYtyvBRcI-MmaasMDRwXnGEDJGFvreMNen7jIb0IALmU_94Zyx_59zJMzo2cU3W0-i4fgsPIfpIaSXdlcz-QltKu7olAKxo/s1600/ScratAtTheCommence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6H324DEu0ZsUQhVh_Q-osHtz99g1Y6zEHbcbgeW3gMr_DvbYtyvBRcI-MmaasMDRwXnGEDJGFvreMNen7jIb0IALmU_94Zyx_59zJMzo2cU3W0-i4fgsPIfpIaSXdlcz-QltKu7olAKxo/s1600/ScratAtTheCommence.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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And then we have this guy. Scrat. Quite possibly one of the most brilliant pieces of modern animation this side of Tex Avery or Chuck Jones. He is a perfect homage to the classic Merry Melodies and Looney Tunes shorts where you have one hapless protagonist with one very clear and <i>desperate</i> goal... and an entire world fraught with danger and misfortune working against him. The Scrat sequences woven in throughout the film are nothing short of pure genius. </div>
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But now...? Now we have SEQUELS. And the sequels are NOTHING compared to the original. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJniEYMDoIjzsSDO9QLfGDpKRPcd4hf_9g32gTCKQesQkImPcL4WqrBUJuoYGV6hXMzvSbrQ1rhwzGeaDFodayO6aRhyQ9b2fwejziwkYWUiBoi-DmcX26QoS3EeXN84wfBO8CDtS3PZd/s1600/Ice-Age-2-ice-age-627022_1280_1024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJniEYMDoIjzsSDO9QLfGDpKRPcd4hf_9g32gTCKQesQkImPcL4WqrBUJuoYGV6hXMzvSbrQ1rhwzGeaDFodayO6aRhyQ9b2fwejziwkYWUiBoi-DmcX26QoS3EeXN84wfBO8CDtS3PZd/s1600/Ice-Age-2-ice-age-627022_1280_1024.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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In the second movie we are introduced to Manny's new love interest, Ellie, and her uninteresting otter-or-possum-or-whatever-they-are twin adoptive brothers. Hungry, freshly-thawed aquatic dinosaurs show up in this one, and the whole movie looks like a technicolor acid trip. This movie doesn't feel like it could possibly have taken place in the same world as the first film. Plus the additional characters just make the movie feel hyper and cluttered. I don't even really remember the goal or objective for the group in this one. Build a boat to escape a flood maybe? </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY1W6iyDy_wktc66ZQkYWYzldCIOhtiVUK6bHK4wBhTPcBtIMHKquytElmQlMhd8CxzfbDVIolUd84mXIoPiokinWmrZdKXWy7muOUzgRnBqG45Vzi3JWW3j6HfbFF-cS9UUMFhe0Mq8d/s1600/35138636_700x700min_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrY1W6iyDy_wktc66ZQkYWYzldCIOhtiVUK6bHK4wBhTPcBtIMHKquytElmQlMhd8CxzfbDVIolUd84mXIoPiokinWmrZdKXWy7muOUzgRnBqG45Vzi3JWW3j6HfbFF-cS9UUMFhe0Mq8d/s1600/35138636_700x700min_1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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When I found out Simon Pegg would be in the third film my hopes went up... but unfortunately this movie was just one giant wow-scene after another. The dinosaurs, the environments in the ridiculous subterranean tropical world... it all suffered from ADHD and there were no real moments to breathe and let the characters be characters. Oh, and we meet Manny's kid in this one. Peaches. Plus cute T-Rex babies. Ugh.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCpsNb7n9yEovnxPkgbCOBTOgmYfrB4MmDBxOwyn5gvkU-buWte9siTj2_uY8AoIOBMaCHNUnYwDCQECObo9pizYga2YHJd2wpxWlXEM4bdnzf2LCFt5RNXbdlE0ATZ12YKYcWZ5U49pK/s1600/ice-age-4-continental-drift-poster-ice-age-4-30601567-600-480.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsCpsNb7n9yEovnxPkgbCOBTOgmYfrB4MmDBxOwyn5gvkU-buWte9siTj2_uY8AoIOBMaCHNUnYwDCQECObo9pizYga2YHJd2wpxWlXEM4bdnzf2LCFt5RNXbdlE0ATZ12YKYcWZ5U49pK/s1600/ice-age-4-continental-drift-poster-ice-age-4-30601567-600-480.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Still haven't actually watched this one. Glacier pirates... even MORE characters... I mean come on already. And don't even get me STARTED on the Ice Age Christmas special!!! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzgaKE56_FbbRhJEizgVZPPXjwwIx3IlegALNP7C0Ji7vpqp_jsBmVhkUu6P29nmVV-BYodq4Qrz9ObhnPpmobymxvR8FqfFFfJUhnPBPHkTFSUbD5tloLgkatVCUNSlI1fkJB8E1TDaW/s1600/Downloads1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYzgaKE56_FbbRhJEizgVZPPXjwwIx3IlegALNP7C0Ji7vpqp_jsBmVhkUu6P29nmVV-BYodq4Qrz9ObhnPpmobymxvR8FqfFFfJUhnPBPHkTFSUbD5tloLgkatVCUNSlI1fkJB8E1TDaW/s1600/Downloads1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Since the first movie became a franchise, the creators have done everything in their power to excise what made it such a great film. The ONLY element in the first three movies that feels consistently great are the Scrat sequences. They introduce a female antagonist/potential love-interest in the third film, "Scratte", that was simply BRILLIANT... but let's be honest, the Scrat shorts and sequences are a bit of a gimme. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3xC9sYGT0Y3545ihwLszzOxp7Dlke2HPN2T0k5IiAvVZq9qwM28IhrcOIK4M_fdurPy92MzLwvlgfpFWjCBIJ7hVlIlquj7k6wH8u1MZOyLcg2at-O2JBg-_i58Ucw3LcW9aV2s3t4ph/s1600/Love-scene-ice-age-scrat-and-scratte-15063955-800-432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="344" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD3xC9sYGT0Y3545ihwLszzOxp7Dlke2HPN2T0k5IiAvVZq9qwM28IhrcOIK4M_fdurPy92MzLwvlgfpFWjCBIJ7hVlIlquj7k6wH8u1MZOyLcg2at-O2JBg-_i58Ucw3LcW9aV2s3t4ph/s1600/Love-scene-ice-age-scrat-and-scratte-15063955-800-432.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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The first Ice Age film felt like an introspective indie-flick, free of expectations and formula (for the most part... I mean it's a kid's film so... formula is sort of the standard shorthand... but still) it had real tragic moments that felt free of melodrama and actually asked the viewers to confront some hard truths. It had genuinely menacing villains that made the movie feel like there was something at stake. It didn't pander to the business-executive's idea of a vat-grown child. The fun scenes were fun and the emotional scenes were emotional and the tense action scenes were... well... tense and full of action. The first movie is accurately described as a "darker" film... and it's funny how they've spent the rest of the franchise back-pedalling from that darkness as much as they can. But darkness mixed with sweetness mixed with substance can give you chocolate fudge, where sweetness and brightness and hyperactivity just tends to make rainbow-crunch funfetti with nothing to sprinkle it on. </div>
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I choose FUDGE!!! The movie holds a lot of good memories for me as a dad, but it genuinely holds up as a quality film as well. This isn't me looking back with rose-colored glasses, this is a true animated classic in my estimation. That's really all I have to say about it.... except to shake my head sadly at what has become of the sequels. But of course, this wouldn't be one of my blog posts if I didn't tie toys or other merchandising in somehow, right? So here are some Ice age toys I've managed to accumulate: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uCfQezI8Ituy2_MAmeEOQelPs9Q_T71Nt7MixTGCUhoC3boq5XEp_ig8T5rKZf_eWJPQF8AySiRlnkRRUP-jgr2-996pPOsKK7FqMvg7syQQKd3LfzGbyYvumg0C43QZnyvyJ6JfFAJe/s1600/Ice+Age+Toys+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uCfQezI8Ituy2_MAmeEOQelPs9Q_T71Nt7MixTGCUhoC3boq5XEp_ig8T5rKZf_eWJPQF8AySiRlnkRRUP-jgr2-996pPOsKK7FqMvg7syQQKd3LfzGbyYvumg0C43QZnyvyJ6JfFAJe/s1600/Ice+Age+Toys+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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First up, a couple of random miscellaneous pieces. The Dodos were a hilarious part of the first film, and this Burger King premium was actually a part of a set that could hook together with other sets and trigger off a series of events. The Scrat roller is a Kellog's Cereal premium promoting Ice Age 2. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ojjkbe11-zHwPNbxY7eTQc1YHVnZT32WoFAU-A84a4WP7XDT-GhusFZ279yNRU1p-rramgvaLhmUOKX8HtPgKtR9E5UDCMl9EmUDOHFexzkLXsCt2OJxD92BpUevfdbyTDZuYB5y3rhT/s1600/Ice+Age+Toys+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Ojjkbe11-zHwPNbxY7eTQc1YHVnZT32WoFAU-A84a4WP7XDT-GhusFZ279yNRU1p-rramgvaLhmUOKX8HtPgKtR9E5UDCMl9EmUDOHFexzkLXsCt2OJxD92BpUevfdbyTDZuYB5y3rhT/s1600/Ice+Age+Toys+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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These three came from an Ice Age 2 DVD board game set. The scale is slightly off between the three characters, but I don't really mind. As I've mentioned in the past, I love mini-figures, (as long as they're well done) and these are right up my alley. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0BaFXSN3eU-MSs5Qf6i_uPhYz5d9e2pV9MLQ39WsPUHU5umKhqJoe20pkQmyKMQBhijwJ2MYn39BndioyXK8gHxfjw6NRx7oOQJymHtBCaSacepG6apssJe0OSiu424zx_IHVIU1o2Kq/s1600/Ice+Age+Toys+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp0BaFXSN3eU-MSs5Qf6i_uPhYz5d9e2pV9MLQ39WsPUHU5umKhqJoe20pkQmyKMQBhijwJ2MYn39BndioyXK8gHxfjw6NRx7oOQJymHtBCaSacepG6apssJe0OSiu424zx_IHVIU1o2Kq/s1600/Ice+Age+Toys+1.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>
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I think style-wise these are my absolute favorites in my collection right now, to the point where I have a Sid the Sloth on his way here as I write these words. I like stacking these guys up totem-pole style and once Sid gets here I'll probably poster-putty them all together. I love the urban-vinyl <i>vibe</i> to these, as they are obviously NOT urban vinyl toys, but are very similar to in style to lines like Dunnies or Munnies. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BjiovQT_kPotLhazCq9cbmpTuUQXHxWm6nbZ-IkgHKu7DNxZzLuPKflRZ1EwIfYp1HGwof6RFSKltq4IG_bF6BCpExqi7gSfcaEutz94Ny9D1Yqh6va3Veps4JjI2FGRR7pocvOvuZCM/s1600/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BjiovQT_kPotLhazCq9cbmpTuUQXHxWm6nbZ-IkgHKu7DNxZzLuPKflRZ1EwIfYp1HGwof6RFSKltq4IG_bF6BCpExqi7gSfcaEutz94Ny9D1Yqh6va3Veps4JjI2FGRR7pocvOvuZCM/s1600/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Finally, I have these four toys that my daughter and I used to play Ice Age when she was a little girl. The mammoth and tiger are obviously not licensed items, but to me they will always be Manny and Diego. The other two figures are actually pieces to other toys and were not designed to stand on their own feet. Scrat there was actually inside of a squishy water ball toy that popped... and I just cannot remember what Sid used to be inside of. A snowball or something maybe? I think he was supposed to roll at one point. ANYWAY, these toys are some of the most special to me because I remember many a tub-time with my daughter playing Ice Age in the bubbles. </div>
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So that's it kids, that's all I got. Keep your peepers peeled here for more rants, ramblings, and random ravings! </div>
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Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-57951897205239146462015-11-09T08:00:00.000-08:002015-11-09T17:58:47.256-08:00Random Reads: The Borderlands / Bordertown Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>All right... the time has come. I am officially getting ready to delete the content from Really Rather Random Guy (dot blogspot dot com) and in preparing for that, I wanted to import a bunch of the content that I know will then be lost forever, by bringing the posts over here to Goodwill Hunting 4 Geeks (dot blogspot dot com). So, with that in mind, I thought I would preface these entries with the fact that they are indeed OLD blog posts from an OLD now (or soon to be, depending on when you're reading this) DEFUNCT blog, and cross my fingers and hope that folks will still want to read them.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKtahrmgbSu7HXhQQVvUZ2rF-evyHDOTf-tXsF81eB9raNHf7LFZ3k3drpCv0huKTJdNajvlqMU47ytzS6cbX5PbACz5-I_EkybMORfzTCCcDjg5gPVtXr4vitdc3grWNdVrUjAYqPSY/s1600/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZKtahrmgbSu7HXhQQVvUZ2rF-evyHDOTf-tXsF81eB9raNHf7LFZ3k3drpCv0huKTJdNajvlqMU47ytzS6cbX5PbACz5-I_EkybMORfzTCCcDjg5gPVtXr4vitdc3grWNdVrUjAYqPSY/s320/ReallyRatherRandomGuy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>This post was originally published online back in February 2nd, 2014. </b></div>
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Today I want to take a post and talk about what is potentially one of my absolute favorite book series of all times. It has a convoluted, tangled history, and honestly, it's kind of hard to figure out all of the books that are even IN the series without a guide-map of some sort. Sounds AWESOME so far, right? </div>
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Well, what I'm talking about is the Borderland/Bordertown Series that was created by Terri Windling and Mark Alan Arnold back in 1986. It started out as a series of anthology books with contributors like Charles De Lint and Ellen Cushner. It expanded into a handful of novels by Will Shetterly and Emma Bull, and then a revival of the series happened in 2011 when a new anthology was put out with contributors like Neil Gaiman and Holly Black.</div>
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The series was all based around the idea that there exists a place where our mundane, technology-driven Earth and the magic-based Elfland touch and merge, creating a border between the two worlds. In this borderland there is Bordertown, where humans and Elves mingle. Magic and technology can function in varying degrees, sporadically, unpredictably, and in unexpected ways. The town has a structure somewhat similar to most urban cities... with the haves and the have-nots divvied up into their respective neigborhoods. But what makes Bordertown special is how it draws runaways from both sides of the Border like the Pied Piper. These kids and other lost souls usually end up in the SoHo district. Because of the huge variance in the folks who live in Bordertown, the possibilities for the types of characters that can be introduced, and therefore the types of stories that can be told, are virtually limitless. The elves we're talking about are not the Keebler or Santa's variety, or cutesy winged little pixies. These are snooty, high-born elves that cannot be characterized as frail by any measure of the word. There are various different attitudes on both the human and elven sides of the coin, from heated gang warfare to lovers-not-fighters who just want everyone to get along. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYdMFml2ijctNpgh4Ta-lEPNHz4CxmmE4hYnmhj-rO5KLVkiIIhVFcXwS6QRAfFXRl6JSyu-BoGd36qUVpCgFFk2-83iuDZYMZUETil320zDPTA7D6FoaxQQQvTgX6Uep8evNZA4bk8-Y/s1600/IMG_8980.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghYdMFml2ijctNpgh4Ta-lEPNHz4CxmmE4hYnmhj-rO5KLVkiIIhVFcXwS6QRAfFXRl6JSyu-BoGd36qUVpCgFFk2-83iuDZYMZUETil320zDPTA7D6FoaxQQQvTgX6Uep8evNZA4bk8-Y/s1600/IMG_8980.JPG" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'd never know what kinds of stories are inside this book based on the cover art.<br />
While I love it, I can't help but feel like the Mad Max vibe of this and the next cover image<br />
are a bit wasted on these anthologies. I think if I were looking for the kind of stories<br />
this cover seems to advertise... I might be a bit disappointed when I finally read Borderland.</td></tr>
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I discovered the Bordertown series for the first time at Goodwill, but only two of them, and the rest I had to track down online later on. For the purposes of this post I'm showing them in order, but I read these things ALL out of order the first time, and honestly it worked pretty well anyway. There are recurring characters that show up throughout the stories, as the various different authors build on each others stories and borrow each other's characters. Bordertown is a community with a handful of very prominent residents, so this only makes sense. The true first book in the series is the one pictured above, <u>Borderland</u>. It contains 4 novellas that introduce some of Bordertown's MOST famous, including a hero named Stick, a thief named Gray, and a handful of others. It also pretty well sets the tone for the Bordertown books, which is to say urban fantasy, stories of runaways experiencing the world, and stories heavily drenched in rock and roll. There's a real feel of post-apocalyptic story-telling to the books as well, that have left many fans wondering what the state of the world outside of Bordertown actually is... or if the nature of Bordertown itself is what makes life so rough there. The first two books were put out around 1985 and 1986, and they have that distinct feel of 80's youth culture to them.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sa2dzC4lwjuTzn_Gj7M9Zmi5508Yie05iAHcteHenE7CPsZS7YKmm3C8uwtgKT7KNbJIEtaLPEOE1bKw9KjBKNtSffqoQNcO7qq33C_sXNneYUAPPilNA5HrG9b84vN5yuh6iUAJqGvH/s1600/IMG_8978.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4sa2dzC4lwjuTzn_Gj7M9Zmi5508Yie05iAHcteHenE7CPsZS7YKmm3C8uwtgKT7KNbJIEtaLPEOE1bKw9KjBKNtSffqoQNcO7qq33C_sXNneYUAPPilNA5HrG9b84vN5yuh6iUAJqGvH/s1600/IMG_8978.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two book covers are straight out of my childhood, by the way. <br />
When I had discovered the Bordertown books as an adult and was looking for more of them <br />
I found pictures of the cover art online and realized I DISTINCTLY remembered <br />
seeing the covers to these books in my grammar school Library when I was a kid. <br />
They were nothing that interested me back then... or so I thought. </td></tr>
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There are many stories centered on the homeless kids of Bordertown living and surviving together. Some stories are inspiring while others are gut-wrenching. The first couple of books really seem to focus on the fantasy elements and sort of skim over some of the uglier aspects. Books later in the series take the opportunity to really focus on what life for homeless kids, both human and elfin, might entail. The fact that these stories take place in a town where magic can literally happen around every corner seems to make them even more poignant. The Elves of Bordertown are sometimes friendly, but many of them have been banished there and hate humans with a passion. Elves are not the only magical beings hanging around, but they are the most common. In the first two books alone we meet a were-cat and a demon-possessed young woman, but believe it or not, they pale in comparison to some of the sheer weirdness that transpires between human and elven characters just living their day-to-day lives. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10ASr8fd8_yUKVZg9GpFPbYmbzWFQugJ8Nw3nygJEf57IorsGAH7NGaZFEaJFlid1sMfAPSJ4LIWNzYkF4ctZJJ4goV5k-A7TPh8-g1nukfbYJYdQDoVg1e4GyuhMMHd3C_cf77vjFs7i/s1600/IMG_8981.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj10ASr8fd8_yUKVZg9GpFPbYmbzWFQugJ8Nw3nygJEf57IorsGAH7NGaZFEaJFlid1sMfAPSJ4LIWNzYkF4ctZJJ4goV5k-A7TPh8-g1nukfbYJYdQDoVg1e4GyuhMMHd3C_cf77vjFs7i/s1600/IMG_8981.JPG" width="446" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This artwork is still a bit misleading. Honestly, looking at it I'm inclined to think this is<br />
more a futuristic Blade Runner or Fifth Element style adventure tale...<br />
Of which it is definitely neither.</td></tr>
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<u>Life on the Border</u> is the first book in the series to have more than just 4 stories in it, and is also the first book published in the 90's. The anthology juices really get flowing as the new storytellers start to join in and build on the Bordertown canon and mythos. We get a glimpse of the skater culture in Bordertown and more elements like mythological figures and movie characters who've literally stepped off the silver screen come to play in Bordertown. They play with the narrative a bit here as well, having a framing story around all the other tales that gives us the first-hand experiences of a girl who is exploring Bordertown for the first time. There is rust and grime and heart-ache and comradery and enchantment woven into every story in one way or another. These books really get addictive. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5Jr0qEn2WXLccRSDUTRma_97reiAj_FUwNpBon8W6gRDiFIoMVmy-71qvnrEaBdIxHbNh7nvTHByJMvsNgLl3UhQ8PAi5K-M7G5xdtFUBQhvl4tfXCkHgV_ZPeySX-FKNqzJ7Z4xVbJC/s1600/IMG_8982.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5Jr0qEn2WXLccRSDUTRma_97reiAj_FUwNpBon8W6gRDiFIoMVmy-71qvnrEaBdIxHbNh7nvTHByJMvsNgLl3UhQ8PAi5K-M7G5xdtFUBQhvl4tfXCkHgV_ZPeySX-FKNqzJ7Z4xVbJC/s1600/IMG_8982.JPG" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NOT in love with this cover art... in fact, it almost prevented me from buying it.<br />
But the endorsement from Lloyd Alexander actually did encourage me to look past<br />
and not judge this book by... well you know.</td></tr>
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Now. THIS was the first book I read from this series. I found both of Will Shetterly's books at Goodwill for a couple of bucks apiece, and I have NO IDEA what drew me to them. It was just one of those impulse buys, that when you look back at it in retrospect, doesn't feel like it was random or impulse at all. <u>Elsewhere</u> is quite possibly one of my top 10 favorite reads of all time, and it (along with its sequel, below) made me completely RAVENOUS for all things Bordertown. I think I would STILL recommend reading this book first to anyone wanting to know what this series is all about. It tells the story of how a young man named Ron comes to Bordertown, and the community he finds there and the life he carves out for himself. The world is so perfectly realized in this book that you feel like you can effortlessly visualize every detail. The people, the local customs, the harsh reality of Ron's new living arrangements, they all feel like you're experiencing them in person. And because Ron's desires and motivations are all ones we can empathize with easily, it makes the story seem all that more plausible, even when there are elves lounging around. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWpiEp6EL23Nyc04xH0p4-j68_F4kIWJ4wGknk2iz1ZUD_74vwy58JW6bSm7UjiG0X5OcbcfZD4whidHnfnIi_ZB6a1Xuq4Lwp_WOrC1ycDmKisyuZ04F3FY-dZqx_YPyGRb0wQWMnja3/s1600/IMG_8984.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTWpiEp6EL23Nyc04xH0p4-j68_F4kIWJ4wGknk2iz1ZUD_74vwy58JW6bSm7UjiG0X5OcbcfZD4whidHnfnIi_ZB6a1Xuq4Lwp_WOrC1ycDmKisyuZ04F3FY-dZqx_YPyGRb0wQWMnja3/s1600/IMG_8984.JPG" width="484" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not much else to say about this one, still not a huge fan of the art style here,<br />
possibly even less so than the Elsewhere cover art. These are not the original covers<br />
to these books though. Originally published back in 1991, these are reprints from 2004.</td></tr>
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<u>NeverNever </u>is the sequel to <u>Elsewhere</u> and I can't talk too much about it without giving away the pretty shocking ending to the preceding book. Suffice it to say that Ron returns for another story, and he goes on to become a prominent, and recognizable character in the Bordertown stories after this. The one thing that genuinely irritates me about the series is that Shetterly literally takes stories he wrote in the earlier books and writes them directly into these two novels. The problem is that when he does so he actually contradicts things that happened in the earlier stories, such as omitting characters and in general mucking up the history, timeline, and continuity of the series. These are pretty minor, ignorable problems to be honest, and are not terribly harmful to the overall experience... but still... it niggles at me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-I2GVbZ76pGuFPKcWv_ZX1JJa75bjurmiDEKfnKsOtPWbcT9TJz0cmw65s-0OKc-fC-BWm7l9LEUWAWRot7tviPDyLCFoFZNws9TaAlt4jrj2xiBGMj9GfMJqVtsz-Pk2WInwKlo-y5qO/s1600/IMG_8985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-I2GVbZ76pGuFPKcWv_ZX1JJa75bjurmiDEKfnKsOtPWbcT9TJz0cmw65s-0OKc-fC-BWm7l9LEUWAWRot7tviPDyLCFoFZNws9TaAlt4jrj2xiBGMj9GfMJqVtsz-Pk2WInwKlo-y5qO/s1600/IMG_8985.JPG" width="472" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though this book came out in '94<br />
the cover design just screams 80's.<br />
The title is printed in a metallic silver and was <br />
a nightmare to photograph so you could actually read it</td></tr>
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Emma Bull's <u>Finder</u> is another full-length novel, and shares many of the characters from the Will Shetterly stories, which is not surprising, since Emma Bull is Will Shetterly's wife. This book focuses on a guy named Orient, who has a sort of pseudo-psychic ability that allows him to "find" things. He is drawn into a murder investigation (Bordertown does have its own version of Police and Detectives, though they are much less structured than out in the World) and his entire world is turned upside down. We get a pretty great noir crime story here in an urban fantasy environment, which I find very refreshing. I love the bittersweet but perfect ending of this one. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEHHNADX6mHBlVaIXgJVlWPeTHEo21MYt9nrQp8SmpapClcwBKfBXrvHM-UavWurnH6uqBFXWtu-TW-KN1o5fAg3ll99elGb9ZHTMsS7jY4IqYUJyy4Kpb6MTOpMq30JmjyZ2vArzu27R/s1600/IMG_8986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMEHHNADX6mHBlVaIXgJVlWPeTHEo21MYt9nrQp8SmpapClcwBKfBXrvHM-UavWurnH6uqBFXWtu-TW-KN1o5fAg3ll99elGb9ZHTMsS7jY4IqYUJyy4Kpb6MTOpMq30JmjyZ2vArzu27R/s1600/IMG_8986.JPG" width="464" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Interesting that they went so sort of abstract with the cover this time around.<br />
No figures, no punks, no elves or guns or motorcycles.<br />
Just a dreamy, almost Arabian-Nights looking city.</td></tr>
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Next and nearly last we have <u>The Essential Bordertown</u> which was the last Terri Windling edited anthology, put out in 1998. Some of the usual suspects showed back up to contribute, including Charles De Lint and Ellen Cushner. It's a good collection of stories, none of them terribly memorable in comparison to some of the earlier stuff, but still pretty solid. I know the absolute most disgusting story in all of the Bordertown stories appears in this book, in "Socks" which is a story about a girl with cursed feet... and I will leave it at that. So this was pretty much the dying of the light for the Bordertown series until just a couple of years ago when this came out:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvUL5Ui-PltMwed5t1w52L6IIZVF9XSKfUsIICeXJu0jaaX91vZIGAwrFgoCQ9TdVPFF1xnwys3x48bh8fnxv70c7giMQaoFmTUp3AMbljImLfXOIB7x5KtcHoWMLEIAvPUS55FvI57Cx/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbvUL5Ui-PltMwed5t1w52L6IIZVF9XSKfUsIICeXJu0jaaX91vZIGAwrFgoCQ9TdVPFF1xnwys3x48bh8fnxv70c7giMQaoFmTUp3AMbljImLfXOIB7x5KtcHoWMLEIAvPUS55FvI57Cx/s1600/IMG_8987.JPG" width="490" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahhh... here we go. A motorcycle trapped in vines! That's more like it. </td></tr>
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This new collection was put out 13 years later, near the end of 2011 and was the last book I bought at our local bookstore, <a href="http://www.wcsh6.com/news/article/197814/2/Final-chapter-for-Ellsworth-Mr-Paperback">Mr. Paperback</a>, before it finally closed its doors in 2012. This time around, all the usual suspects from anthologies pas showed up to contribute, along with some newer faces to the series, like Neil Gaiman and Jane Yolen. Turns out they account for the time gap by saying that time moves differently in Bordertown and that while the way to Bordertown has been completely closed off for the last 13 years in our world, time has only passed about a week in Bordertown. It's one of those convenient plot devices that actually kind of makes sense and works eerily well when dealing with stories that take place so close to elfland. So now we have a Bordertown that is just learning about wikipedia for the first time, and is dealing with the fact that the world outside of Bordertown has progressed 13 years while they haven't changed at all. It's pretty great. It's a beautiful continuation of the series, and has me hoping we'll see more in the future at some point.<br />
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So... that's all I got in me for today. I applaud your determination if you read this entire post, and I applaud you even more if you actually took anything useful away from it. I genuinely cannot think of a book series I am more excited to recommend to people than this one. It is criminally under-read, and more people should know about it. That's pretty much all I need to say about it.<br />
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I'll be back with more random awesomeness soon enough, so keep your peepers peeled here!Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5930128877122660917.post-91233615742790923092015-11-01T10:38:00.000-08:002015-11-01T10:38:17.056-08:00After Halloween/November First<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Derek Ashhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01555485192723965604noreply@blogger.com0