I'm Not Into Collecting Funko Pop!, But I Had to Get These Two Cuties: Stitch and Leo

 

 It seems Funko Pop! collecting is kind of a big deal, though I haven't been into it.  Funko Pop figures have their cuteness and seem to be everywhere, but I just haven't had the desire to get into collecting them.

A couple weeks ago I had to order these two cuties!!

The Stitch one I knew of from the Box Lunch Facebook page, but forgot about due to all the craziness in the World.  And then the Leonardo Da Vinci Pop figure popped up as an advertisement.  It's the first time an advertisement got me to buy something!  But oh my goodness, Leo is so cute, and he's one of my favorite historical figures.  Leonardo Da Vinci is so fascinating as a person.  His creativity was off the chart.

 Come on!!!!

Stitch is seriously the cutest!

Isn't this figure simply adorable?

Yes, yes it is.

I love him so. :0)

And Leo!!

I love the fact this Leonardo Da Vinci figure is holding paintbrushes and papers of his sketches.  Several years ago I got to see pages of his sketches in person at the Getty Museum in LA, and they were so amazing.

Leo will be my creative muse. :0)

And now I'm done nerding out.

(Serious, am I ever done nerding out...??!!)

Nostalgic Over Cracker Jack

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd;
Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack,
I don't care if I never get back.
Let me root, root, root for the home team,
If they don't win, it's a shame.
For it's one, two, three strikes, you're out,
At the old ball game."

A few years ago I found myself sitting at a long table in Bunratty Castle, Ireland, enjoying a classic medieval feast.  Far more classier than the Tournament of Kings at Excalibur Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas.  Clearly more authentic as this was a real Castle built in the 15th century.  We were entertained with music and jests, eating under candle light.  Truly a wonderful night.

At some point a man was invited to the front of the room to sing.  He didn't want to sing, so, very cheekily, he decided to lead everyone in a rousing rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game!"  The room was loud, full to the brim with two tour groups from America.  Ours from Utah and another from the East Coast.  New Jersey, I think.  We belted out the song, loudly punctuating "root, root, root!"  We were all surrounded by history in beautiful Ireland, and what got the room excited?  Baseball.  Nostalgia.  Classic Americana.  And in that song we mention Cracker Jack.

"Take Me Out to the Ballgame" was written in 1908.  Cracker Jack, the delicious American goodie filled with caramelized popcorn and peanuts, goes back to 1896.  But what I remember growing up were the toys.  The popcorn was fun and all, but I ate Cracker Jack for the prizes.

I have a distinct memory of visiting Angel Stadium in Anaheim as a kid.  No idea how many times I went, but my Grandpa A would get tickets for the game and once or twice, maybe more, gave them to my Mom.  The stadium was so big!  And we were at the top.  In my hands was a box of Cracker Jack.  

Toys in Cracker Jack boxes were always the best, the surprise fun, even though they were small.  At least once I got a ring!  And I remember enjoying the rub on tattoos when they were included.

I have fond memories of Baseball and Cracker Jack.  When I was a kid I remember seeing the Angel Stadium sign, the giant red A with a halo, and wanting to see a game as we drove by around town or visiting my Grandparents.  Angel Stadium is also just down the road from Disneyland.  It's just a happy little memory.

Now Cracker Jack doesn't have a toy.  Toys in Cracker Jack boxes started in 1912, but by 2016 the "toys" become digital codes for app games.  Not the same.

Still, I'll always remember those fun days in the sun watching baseball while eating Cracker Jack.  Such good times.

 

Does Having Star Wars: Heir to the Empire Action Figures Make Them More Real? Mara Jade is Still My Favorite Character

Maybe I've been romanticizing the Star Wars Extended Universe, the one Disney removed from canon, more than I should.  In truth it's been quite a while since I've read any of it.  They hold in my mind happy memories.  The question is if I was to reread these EU books would I have the same feelings?  Would I see them in a different light?

It's no secret that the new Star Wars Trilogy has created quite the divide.  Those who love certain movies.  Those who don't.  I'm in the Force Awakens is too much like A New Hope, Last Jedi detoured and killed off way too many elements, and The Rise of Skywalker is... (spoiler in my last blog post), camp, but the short of it is I'm not a huge fan of Disney Star Wars.  Many love it.  Many love aspects of it.  Watching the fall out of this last movie and seeing all the various reactions and opinions has been interesting.  I'm honestly surprised at how many people love The Rise of Skywalker, but to each their own.  If we all loved the same things life would be boring.

After watching The Rise of Skywalker I now want to reread the Star Wars EU, what are now "Legends," books, and also read some of the stuff I missed.  There's a lot I haven't read.  From what I've heard it's a bit of a mess.  Too many authors contributing here and there, adding bits at random while claiming their corner of the Universe.  At some point next year I'm going to reread the Thrawn trilogy.  Ah!  But you know what's sad?  I needed to clear out some room and donated some of my Star Wars books.  And there were others that were so worn the first several pages fell off.  So I have to buy books again, so getting through aspects of the Star Wars EU will take some time.  And I have other books to read and listen to as well.

Still, whatever I think of the Thrawn trilogy the next go through, I do love the characters.  Thrawn and Mara Jade are awesome.  Thrawn is once again canon.  Mara Jade isn't, and I'm pretty sure if Disney gets their hands on her they'll ruin her.  You know, thinking of Mara Jade's character arc, Ben Solo could have gone down the same path, dealing with his past while moving towards the future.  Maybe subconsciously that's why I'm having issues with certain Rise of Skywalker decisions.  Ben could have been a Mara Jade type.  He could have been so interesting.  I've always struggled with Ben Solo's character arc because it didn't make sense.  His fleeing thanks to Luke wanting to kill him is so out of character on Luke's part, I've struggled with Ben's development.  Thank you Timothy Zahn for creating really interesting characters.

For now I want aspects of the EU to still be true.  They were for a good portion of my life.  Just because Disney drops big bucks and changes things doesn't mean I have to accept their reality.  My imagination can have it's own reality.  And in my mind Mara Jade and Luke totally got together.  (Disney... don't go there.  Just don't.  But if they do, I'm super stubborn and can accept what I wish.)

But after all is said and done, I have the action figures, and having the action figures of characters I grew up loving makes them more real to me. 

A Final Wander Through Nostalgia; Visiting Toys "R" Us One Final Time.

Last week I visited Toys "R" Us one final time.  (Or so I think.  There's always the possibility of going and taking a final gander).  But as it stands I've done my final walk through.

As a kid I loved visiting Toys "R" Us.  My family lived in Porterville CA, and the closest store was in Visalia, a 30 minute drive around orange groves and cow farms.  We maybe visited a few times a year.  I remember going right after the Super Nintendo was released and my Dad took my brother and I to get one, surprising us at the store.  And I remember the case with all the collector Barbies, making wish lists of all the ones I wanted.

Toys "R" Us is such a staple of my childhood it's strange to see it go.

Since the announcement that all stores were closing I've made a few trips, walking down rows of dwindling merchandise.  As of this last weekend there's still a good selection. 

So I didn't really get too much.  A remote control Thomas Train for my Nephew.  A couple American Girl display dolls for $60. 

As I write this the song "Video Killed the Radio Star" popped into my head.  "Amazon killed the Toys "R" Us store" isn't so catchy, and I'm not sure it's entirely true.  There's quite a few reasons Toys "R" Us failed.  But that's not what this blog is about.

Times change.  Things come and go.  The ebb and flow of life.  And this is just times changing and life moving on, but the kid in me can't help but look back.

Finally Having a Kinder Surprise Egg in France

I've heard for years about these mysterious Kinder Eggs with a toy surprise in the middle.  They're mysterious because they're illegal in the United States.  So, so dumb.  When I was in France last year I was on a mission to find and then try a Kinder Surprise Egg.  My sister-in-law wanted me to sneak one back into the United States for her to try, but I didn't.  I read a story where a family was fined over $1000 an egg.  I don't have the money to risk that.

Along the Motorway, I think that's what they're called, French Autoroutes? I found Kinder Eggs at a multi purpose rest stop.  Finally I got to try one!!!!

 This is the dangerous egg toy at the center of the chocolate shell.

Scary, right?

I should be mortified for my life.

So, so mortified.

I can't believe I'm defying U.S. reason and eating one.

What am I thinking?

So dangerous.

I can't believe I survived the experience.

 The toys are cute.  And the comic that's included is cute as well.

Are these illegal in Canada?

 Just searched and they're legal both in Canada and Mexico.

Huh.

Super Villain Voodoo Dolls

 All I know about voodoo dolls come from television and movies, therefore I must be an expert, though I haven't consulted Wikipedia, therefore not a super expert.

You know how geologist can look at any rock, strange or not, and tell exactly what it is?  Well, I don't have that gift, with rocks or voodoo dolls, though I'm pretty good at spotting amethysts, though not so good that I could be tricked with purple glass.  Are these voodoo doll?  I'm not sure.  My television viewing expertise makes me think so.

 Aren't they creepy?

For 75 cents I splurged on one and got The Riddler.

I just don't know what to think of it, besides being weirded out a little.

I bet Bruce Wayne would like one. 

 

Getting Sentimental Over Old School 1980's Strawberry Shortcake

 Strawberry Shortcake!!  1980's style!  Just as I remember her.

Early last December, while Christmas Shopping at Toys R Us, I stumbled upon these classic Strawberry Shortcake dolls and friends.  This brought back so many memories.

I don't like the latest incarnation of Strawberry.

Her style seems so cold and boring.

For the longest time I tried to remember what Strawberry was like when I was a kid.  She was cute and adorable, smelled of strawberries, and was one of my favorite toys.  The 1980's had so many wonderful toys and shows: Strawberry Shortcake, Care Bears, Rainbow Brite, Gem, and the original My Little Pony (though I do like the new version).

I was worried the only place I would find old school Strawberry was at an antique shop, which is where I found one back in High School, but I couldn't afford the price.

Strawberry has now been re-released in all her cuteness!

 So, so cute!

On Facebook someone posted a video showing pages of an early 1980's Christmas Catalogue.

(Man, I remember looking through the JCPenney's Christmas Catalogue as a kid, making up a wish list.  Can't remember if I got anything from it, but dreaming is part of the fun.  You know, when I was in High School I remember ordering a couple special edition Barbies, but the memory is really faint.)

In one of the videos was the Strawberry Shortcake dollhouse!  I about died!  For my fourth birthday I got it, and boy was I excited.  I even remember my Dad putting it together.  That thing lasted for many years, until my brother Steven, who is 6 years younger than me, was old enough to walk and stomped all over it.  Sad day.

I would have loved to buy all the dolls I saw at Toys R Us, but money and space wouldn't allow it, so I got these three.  Such a cute reminder of my past.

Cute, cute, cute.

Cute, cute . . . cute, cute!

Cute.

There, sugar overload finished.

The Puzzling Purple Chocolate Head Anna Cake from Disney's Frozen

 I never thought the Disney Store would sell another toy that baffled me as much as the "disturbing to play will" Queen Elinor doll, from Brave, which you stick in a bear, but I've found it: This purple frosted cake with a chocolate man head in a bodice.  It's an added play piece in the new Anna doll set from Disney's Frozen.

I just don't get it, though I'm getting fuzzy memories of seeing it in the movie.

I can't remember!!

Do I want to watch the movie . . . again . . . ?

 I might need to re-watch Frozen just to solve this puzzling mystery.

I'm just not in the mood at present . . .

Regardless, this cake head whatever wasn't particularly memorable, though I think it was in the coronation scene.  Just guessing.

I'll find out in a few months.

Nerd Tuesday! Just Because

I've decided that today is Nerd Tuesday!

Why?

Why not.

I'm tired and it seems like a Brilliant idea . . . 

. . . though technically everyday should be Nerd Day.

Anywho!

it's crazy how things have changed in just the last few years thanks to the book wars.  The dominance of Amazon and online shopping is to thank for that, and I'm just as much to blame, because I find myself ordering online time and again for a good discount.

But there have been consequences, such as the closing of Borders Book.  I still reminisce about Borders and how much I miss it.  I still have the rewards card.  (Don't judge!)  But I do miss that store, both the random meet ups with my siblings, which, for some reason, never carried over to Barnes and Noble.  And I miss the three story Borders store in Santa Barbara.  It's so funny, because my family would visit Santa Barbara, and instead of hanging out all day at the beach, we would spend hours in Borders.  Books are magical and that was a magical store.

With all these changes Barnes and Noble has changed their format as well.  Instead of being filled entirely with books and magazines, there's now a large assortment of board games, puzzles, toys, and nerd collectables such as Doctor Who, etc.

Honestly I'm cool with these changes.

And the other day I noticed they created display cases for some of the figures you can buy.  Being the nerd that I am I had to take pictures to share.

 Sailor Moon.  The memories!  Sure brings back some good times watching toonami with my brothers and reading the mangas.

 D.C. vs Marvel.

Marvel wins by default, thanks to the Green Lantern.

And Gundams!

Gundam.

As much of a fan that I am, it's a wonder that I don't own my own tiny mecha.  I should save up and buy a Wing Zero, and then have fun putting the model together.  I haven't put a model together since I was a kid!  Good times.

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