BAMMMMMM!
I’ve blogged before about the occasional gems to be found at antique malls, thrift stores, and garage sales. In the spirit of Two True Freaks’ Garage Sale Gloat episodes, I thought I’d drop in and tell you guys about my latest score…maybe inspire you to embark on a little treasure hunt of your own.
The Kit Stash BEFORE
Last Saturday, I partially crossed off one item from my Nerd Bunker “To Do” list. After our fire, I recovered about 45 kits from the closet where I kept them. All the ones on the top shelf were melted into slag and/or charred beyond recognition, but the ones stored lower survived. Except for the boxes that is. 95% of them suffered water & smoke damage.
Since we moved in, I’ve been recycling boxes when I get stuff from eBay & Amazon and using them to store those kits. So far, I’ve gotten about 1/3 done but still have a bunch of crushed, warped, soot-covered kits on the shelf, as you can see above.
Copyright 2013 Reaper Miniatures
I stumbled upon my first gaming miniatures around Christmas of 1981. I was 13 and had tagged along with a neighbor one Saturday night to a small bookstore named, Book Villa, located in Huntsville, Alabama. They had a pretty impressive selection of Dungeons & Dragons products including a large rack of Grenadier & Ral Partha miniatures. I could (and did) browse those blisters and boxed sets for hours.
They made me a deal I couldn’t refuse…
My lovely wife needed to run by Hobby Lobby for some craft supplies this morning. My son had a $20 bill burning a hole in his pocket and wanted to check out their selection of plastic toy soldiers to add to his already massive army of polystyrene warriors. The model kit aisle is only two away from the army men aisle but, having already been warned that our discretionary $$$ is kinda light for the week, I decided to avoid that particular part of the store. I’m not world-renowned for my impulse control. Let’s just say I’m the reason they put a wall of candy in the check-out lane.
I shoulda done this years ago!!!
Let’s get all mad scientist up in here and do an experiment. First though, I need you to go to the bank and buy a couple rolls of quarters. Then walk down to the river and start chunking them in three at a time. DO WHAT!?! Of course you’d never do such a thing. So imagine how I feel to realize I’ve been doing pretty much the same thing when it comes to buying my new comic books. And I’ve been doing it for awhile. D’oh! Allow me to explain.
What’s up nerds? Just a reminder to all my Googley Analytical Unique Visitors that Free Comic Book Day 2013 is just over two weeks away (May 4, 2013). Here in the Nerd Cave, we’re looking forward to hitting the two local comic book stores, devouring a delicious lunch of steak & shrimp at Logan’s Roadhouse, and then taking in Iron Man 3 in all it’s IMAX glory. Easily one of the best days of the year for Nerd Nation.
If you’ve never been to a FCBD before, not only can you score a huge stack of free comics and related swag, but many stores (if they’re smart) run crazy sales. For me, with the expiration of our insurance claim looming, I’m looking forward to picking up a couple of statues I’ve had my eye on. Let’s just say “Hulk is fixin to SMASH!” And no Honey, I don’t have room for it…but when has that ever stopped me before?
Besides showcasing all the comics, books, toys, and gear, many stores host artists who’ll do sketches and there’s usually several cos-play guys & girls hanging around. Boba Fett and the Ghostbusters are always a huge hit with my kids.
So, mark your calendar and let all your friends know FCBD is coming. And remember to get those kids down to your local store. If we want the hobby we love to grow and prosper, we’ve got to create new fans. And what better way than to give them free comics? Stay nerdy my friends!
Copyright 2013 ItCameFromTheNerdCave
And another one gone…
I recently learned that my local Books-A-Million store is closing down, which, as a book lover, kinda sucks for me. No reason was given, but you don’t need an MBA to deduce what killed off this particular store.
The Nerd Cave Door. You Shall Not Pass!
As the self-appointed “Martha Stewart of Nerd Decor,” I’m always on the lookout for cool stuff upon which I can put my own spin. The Zombie Outbreak Zone caution tape came from Amazon I don’t exaggerate when I say that my wife loves it.
What’s that in the middle of the door? It’s a “Big Glass Eye” I got off Etsy. OK Nerds, remind you of anybody in particular? If you didn’t immediately ask “why does he have an Eye of Sauron stuck to his door,” you need to go back to Nerd School.
Yesterday, while killing some time before heading to the theater to see Oz The Great and Powerful, the Nerd Cave Family pulled into the local antique mall. You probably have at least one in your town. The massive steel building crammed from floor to ceiling with junk, treasures, and everything in between. Like most, this particular store is made up of dozens (if not hundreds) of booths belonging to dealers of everything under the sun. If you’ve ever been to one, you know that one person’s definition of “antique” or “collectable” is often much different from yours.
Always on the lookout for new Nerd Cave decor, I happened upon this little item on a recent trip to my friendly neighborhood Hobby Lobby.
Earth In My Room