My Favorite Black Friday Find Ever

 I don't even know if this was on sale or not, but many years ago I actually did the whole "Black Friday" wake up early to face mass insanity bit.  One of those stores I ventured into happened to be Shopko, which I rarely visit.  I was in the game section when I spotted this Iron Chef Board Game from the original Japanese series.

The game honestly has the worst game play of any game I've ever played.  Ever!  Overwhelmingly terrible.  And boring.  And repetitive.  Etc, etc, etc.

But I miss the original Iron Chef.  That show was amazing!!!  I still remember discovering the show back in the late 90's when it was still being produced.  I was babysitting, trying to find something to watch, when an advertisement for Iron Chef came on.  I had to watch it.  And we did, a couple hours later.  My parents were dumbfounded when they got home, seeing us watch a cooking show with deep concentration.  Soon they were hooked as well.

Sure, Iron Chef America is good and all, but it will NEVER compare to the original.  I wish it was in reruns somewhere, so I can re-watch and relive the awesomeness.

This game is nostalgic, even if it only serves as decoration.

 This year my main focus was Pinkie Pie, because they stopped selling her at Build-a-Bear, and I had to get her for my families My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic collection.  They brought her back for Black Friday.  Fluttershy was released for the first time as well, so my Mom and I had to get her.  Now they just need to release Apple Jack and Rarity so the collection can be complete.

Disney Store, Sees Chocolate, Bath and Body Works, and several hours at Archiver's printing pictures and making ornaments (took so many hours!), and our Orem University Mall trip was over . . . after which we decided we weren't quite finished and drove to The District in South Jordan to visit Charming Charlies.  12 hours total!  The longest Black Friday ever, but very, very fun. 

My Little Pony goes to High School

The new "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" is growing on me.  It's well produced with good morals, fun music, and a very enthusiastic fan community who keep it all fresh.  Still, when I first found the trailer for the movie "My Little Pony: Equestria Girls" I didn't know what to think.  It's an interesting concept with Twilight Sparkle heading to an alternate reality where she is more human then pony, but still very colorful.  The new character designs fit the show . . . but I find them a little creepy.

Case in point: The Dolls.

 Now, I haven't seen the movie all the way through.  When I found one of my brothers watching the movie it looked cute, and I stopped to watch a little, until getting distracted by something a little more interesting . . . 

But still, I really wonder how kids have responded to My Little Pony going human, if only for a period, and if the dolls will sell or flop.

The dolls have one thing going for them: They're cuter then those freaky Bratz dolls.

Learning to Understand Bronies

Looking at the picture of this cake you would think the birthday that happened this last week was for one of my nieces.  If you assumed this you are wrong.  This cake was for my brother Michael, who is closer to 30 then 20.  Then you might assume that being the father of two little girls is starting to get to him . . . and you would be partially right.  Just partially, because there is a phenomenon sweeping the geeky nerd World that I don't yet understand.

You see, my brother is a Brony.  And what is a Brony?

(Taken from the Urban dictionary:)

The male, older fans of my little pony: friendship is magic.

Bronies internet convo=

Brony "yo man, you seen the new episode last night?"
Brony 2 "totally, midnight sparkle was the bomb with that friendship blast."

Micheal's a Brony.  Michael and Robbie's friends are Bronies, and I'm not talking gal friends, it's all their guy friends who love My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic.  Robbie went to a friends birthday party and every one of his friends presents were my little pony gifts!  Shirts, toys, etc.  

So to enlighten my Mom and I, who still have a hard time believing the core audience of the new My Little Pony series are teenage/young adult guys, my brothers showed us the first two episodes of season one.  My Mom and I kept looking at each other in shock.  This show is what's causing this craze?  

Apparently, according to Robbie, the show really takes off after episode 13.  And I must say I do like the animation style.  A lot of animation these days are just plain bad ( *cough* Sponge Bob *cough*).  Back in my day we had Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Darkwing Duck, Duck Tales, and a few other great kid shows. And I did watch the original My Little Pony, Strawberry shortcake, Care Bears, and Rainbow Bright.  I had it pretty good as a kid, so I am glad that the younger generation is getting quality, new animation.

I don't know, I need to see more episodes to decide if I'll become a fan.  Chances are I will, and I'm just avoiding the inevitable.  Though I got to say the below clip, with John de Lancie channeling Q through Discord, is pure awesome.

   Sarah