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.

...if you can guess why I cringed at the thought of eating at the Poseidon Seafood Buffet.

But I googled it upon returning home, and apparently it's got pretty decent reviews! So now I kinda want to go there -- once.

Which is fitting since it might be the kind of place one can only visit once.

BECAUSE AFTER THAT YOU DIE.

Unless you post a favorable review online, in which case maybe they'll give you the antidote.

(That was a hint!)

Wow -- it's been a rather long time since I wrote in the old blog, eh? Let's see what's happening with me...

1. I have gone two weeks without buying any action figures! My last such purchases were on January 1, and since then I've actually returned two figures and sold one, so I actually have fewer toys than I had before and have spent negative money on them. This will not last, since I intend to spend $7.05 on Hasbro products by the end of the month in order to qualify for another free item (through January 31, Hasbro is offering select free items for purchases of $20), but still. Two weeks without buying any toys! Considering that I averaged nearly a toy a day from mid-November through December, that is pretty impressive.

Note that my purchase of the Doctor Who Christmas Adventure Set last week does not count, since that was reserved back in December and I had already set aside the necessary funds for it. Also, as it is a reserve item and won't ship until I've accrued $60 worth of merchandise, there's no telling when I'll actually see it. 🙂 (more...)

And to me, as well. 🙂

Went to The Cheesecake Factory yesterday for a dual birthday lunch with my dad -- when we ordered a slice of cheesecake, they brought it out with a candle and sang and everything. I know some people find that sort of thing embarrassing, but I think it's rather sweet! I miss candles, too -- I can't remember the last time I got to blow one out for my birthday. I really enjoyed it, such that I think I'm going to buy some scented candles for my room so I can light them and make wishes and blow them out whenever I feel like it. (more...)

Yesterday was my mom's birthday, so we took her to the Glory Days Grill for an early dinner (in addition to a couple of stores and a local festival, where I picked up a carded Star Trek Jadzia Dax figure and used copies of S. Darko and "Red Dwarf" Series 1 for $2 each). Granted, Mom chose the restaurant because she had a birthday coupon for a free Oreo sliders dessert -- and because she'd gotten a free submarine sandwich earlier at another place, she only ordered sweet potato fries for her "meal" -- so it wasn't exactly a proper birthday treat on us, but still. It seemed like a restaurant; I'd go there again.

And our waitress? Bloody gorgeous. Mom adamantly protested when I tried to order her a glass of sangria to help her celebrate (and also because it'd be nice to see her get over her weird fear of alcohol; she seems to think that a single glass of wine can make one stumbling, vomitously drunk and effect extreme, nutty behavior), so I ultimately told the perplexed waitress that I'd take the drink if Mom wouldn't touch it. At that point, the waitress gave me a quizzical look and asked if I was of drinking age, whereupon I presented my ID. She remarked that she'd thought I was younger than she was.

And then I stupidly asked how old she was. Perhaps even more stupidly, she said, "Guess." (more...)