So I posted a lengthy blog entry on Scary-Crayon -- the first not attached to an article/feature, I think -- that details my thoughts on (and purchases from) the toy and collectibles show I attended last weekend in Timonium, MD. I think one of the great tragedies of my life (and there are many) is that I largely despise the cultures surrounding and the people involved with the things I enjoy the most.

My dad often says that I should open a toy shop, and sometimes I think that that would be cool. But then I remember that not only would I have to deal with people I loathe on a regular basis: I'd essentially have to become one of those people just for my business to remain competitive. And that would not be cool at all.

The sickest thing? This isn't even all of the ponies I bought last week.

Of course, all of the ponies but Rarity at the top were B1G1 free. I haven't completely lost my mind, you know.

Also -- BONUS VALUE! -- they came with DVDs. Granted, every pony came with the same episode, but hey. If you're among the folks I send packages, you know what'll be included in your next one. 😛

I shampooed and conditioned Fluttershy's hair! And then I curled her hair at the ends by way of a straw set (or at least that's what my sister says the technique is called).

Stop judging me. 🙁

I've been watching a lot of "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" lately. I don't think I like it nearly as much as a lot of the nerd set -- you won't catch me declaring myself a "brony" or joining MLP fan communities -- but it is a cute show and the characters are endearing enough that I've picked up a couple of the toys and plan to grab a few more. I've also bought a couple cheaper not-MLP toys, as seen above! Lanard's Pony Tails Collection offerings may not have the MLP name, but -- unlike some other Lanard me-too lines (compare Lanard's The Corps figures to Hasbro's G.I. Joes) -- they're largely on par with the Hasbro toys in terms of quality. Brand names and character backgrounds notwithstanding, an adorable soft plastic pony with rooted hair and a swivel neck is an adorable soft plastic pony with rooted hair and a swivel neck.

You don't even want to know how long this post has been in draft status -- though there are a couple of posts that have been there even longer. Anyway, here's the latest (but unfortunately not the late-est) Totally Crushing entry: Helen Cutter!

(more...)