More G3 updates

With the G3s being the closest to complete of anything in my collection, you would think I'd be happy to just let them be after their recent move and reorg.

Nope.

I wasn't totally happy with the display and started fiddling around with it during Geek Cave weekend.  This past weekend I went back and finished reorganizing everyone again.

I moved the con exclusive and other special release ponies up to the top of the bookcase, where they can hang out with the 25th anniversary G3 set.  I adjusted the playset shelves as well, and finally got the hot air balloons onto a shelf.  Everyone else got a bit of a rearrangement that has resulted in a little more breathing room between ponies on all the shelves.

The G3s are arranged generally by themes.  They're the only Generation where I've done this to this extent, somehow it seems to really work for these ponies.

Tropical and Nature (flora and fauna) Ponies

Miscellaneous Ponies (including art, music, clothing, and fireworks)

Breezies and Castle Ponies

Pegasus Ponies on Butterfly Island

Food Ponies, Winter and Spring Ponies, and a Nursery

Valentine and Halloween Ponies, Foodie Ponies, and Celestial Ponies

I'm much happier with how this section is looking now.  I think the G3s can get comfy now and settle in to their new home.

Elf

Strawberry Party

It's late winter, it's still dark, it's still chilly, it's time to liven things up with a little get together.

Strawberry has invited some friends over for snacks and stargazing.  Strawberry and Custard are getting the rest of the food ready while Frosty Puff and Raspberry Tart set up the telescope.

Everyone else is chatting away in the living room.

Well, nearly everyone is chatting.  Huckleberry Pie is already perusing the snack table.

Don't touch that cake yet, Huckleberry!

Time to get the party started!

These dolls are some of my Brazilian Shortcakes.  They are the more modern Brazilian dolls that were done in the 2000s and are based on the same characters as the Bandai Shortcakes that were sold in North America.  Unlike the Bandai dolls, these ones were made using the same body design as the original Shortcakes, which adds to their charm.  I love the design of these dolls.  They are so cute and the clothes are just fantastic.

Elf

Geek Cave Weekend Wrap-Up

When last we left our intrepid heroes, they were preparing for the annual Geek Cave Weekend.  Since then, things have been accomplished.

OK, this was not the most productive weekend.  There was a fair bit of organization, which makes for a satisfying day, but not much in the way of photo ops.  The biggest change, however, was the switch over of the giant display table.  Grayskull is now on a smaller, but still ample display space while the Berry Happy Home has space on the giant table and still leaves space for other displays and photo ops.

We also got one of the new narrow shelves in.  A second one will go beside it, which will help to balance the room a bit and also give Roomy more display space for the Great Rebellion.

Under the table, there is lots of display and storage space, but it's all being used for storage at the moment.  A lot of accessories were organized and put away this weekend, which was a long time coming.  Several things have been identified to move on to other collectors in due time, and these will slowly be moved out of the Cave. And at some point in the near future, I should finally be able to get my anniversary ponies out on display.

The shelf above the closet that previously held the 25th anniversary ponies is now home to the large and specialty G4s.

Finally, the EQG Minis have a permanent home under the pony minis (and under the table).

I'm never completely happy with the progress on these weekends, because I always want to do at least twice as much as I have time for.  However, I'm really glad we got the furniture moved and some proper organization and clean up done.  Any weekend spent in the Geek Cave is a good weekend.

Elf

Geek Cave Weekend

This is an exciting weekend in my house.  Not only is it New York Toy Fair, with the yearly hope that we'll get some cool reveals, but it's the annual Geek Cave Long Weekend.

For the last few years I've taken a long weekend in February, because everyone needs a break from winter.  If I can't go south, I can at least not have to leave the house for several days.

So much winter.  Too much winter.

I have also started using this long weekend to "play" in the Geek Cave.  One year this meant moving everything into a new, larger room.  Another year it was rearranging, tidying, and general enjoyment.

This year, we're moving in a couple of new shelves and rearranging things to accommodate the GIANT SSC house that joined the collection in December.  The shelves have been purchased and will be built shortly.  We have a rough idea of how we're going to move everything around so that we can move the biggest piece.  After that, it's a lot of rearranging displays, which is always a fun way to spend four days.  I also got a lot of new ponies this week from a local purchase, who need some cleaning, so that will also likely happen.

Geek Cave circa Feb. 2019

Take a last look at the current Geek Cave.  Pics of the new and improved Cave coming in the next post.

Elf

Who's up for some organizing?

I've been fascinated lately by the blow back about Marie Kondo's Netflix show (largely, I suspect, by people who haven't watched it or otherwise familiarized themselves with her method).  If you've been following the blog, it will come as no surprise that I am a fan of the idea of going through your possessions and deciding to keep only those things you really want/need, and organizing what you keep in a way that you can use and enjoy it.

What I find particularly fascinating is how people have such a visceral reaction to the idea of going through their possessions with an eye to getting rid of things.  A meme about being allowed to  keep only 30 books recently garnered a lot of negative comments on my Facebook wall because the idea of getting rid of beloved possessions causes people to lose their minds (also, this was never actually said in the show, and actually goes against the Konmari method).  It highlights to me just how attached we get to our possessions.

Collectors, of course, know this.  Love of items is why we're collectors.  But, as I've said time and again, it is important to look at the pieces of your collection from time to time to make sure that they still bring you joy.  What is the point of having an entire shelf / closet / room for your collection if you don't actually enjoy what you have there?

It can be overwhelming to think about sorting through your items.  It's important to find a way to do it that works for you.  Maybe you focus on one shelf at a time, or one type of item (figures today, plushies tomorrow, merchandise next week).  I tend to focus on one area of the Geek Cave at a time (today I organize the closet!), and that's what works for me.

Also, for collectors especially, I think we are often judged for the number of possessions we have.  The point of curating your collection or using the Konmari method on your house is not to get rid of all your possessions, but rather to identify what you actually don't feel you need/want anymore.  It is important to remember that there is nothing wrong with having a lot of physical items that bring you joy...in principle.  If your bills are paid, you're putting food on the table, and you're enjoying your life for the most part, then it doesn't hurt that you also spend an afternoon each week visiting 700+ My Little Ponies.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go fold MLP shirts.

Elf

Aragorn

"Elendil!" he cried. "I am Aragorn, son of Arathorn, and am called Elessar, the Elfstone, Dunadan, the heir of Isildur, Elendil's son of Gondor. Here is the Sword that was Broken and is forged again! Will you aid me or thwart me? Choose swiftly!"

One of my favourite things, apart from the contents of the Geek Cave, is the Lord of the Rings trilogy.  This love is shared  by one of my friends, who received Aragorn here for Christmas this past year.

Aragorn was made from a Sorin base.  He's kept his original base colour, with some shading added and eyes repainted.  His mane, tail, crown, and armour were sculpted with Apoxie Sculpt and painted with acrylics.  And of course, he's wearing the green jewel given to him by Galadriel.  His crown and armour were based on the look used in the movie version, while his symbol was based on one of my favourite passages from the novel:

"There flowered a White Tree, and that was for Gondor; but Seven Stars were about it, and a high crown above it, the signs of Elendil that no lord had borne for years beyond count. And the stars flamed in the sunlight, for they were wrought of gems by Arwen daughter of Elrond; and the crown was bright in the morning, for it was wrought of mithril and gold.
Thus came Aragorn son of Arathorn, Elessar, Isildur's heir, out of the Paths of the Dead, borne upon a wind from the Sea to the kingdom of Gondor..."

Elf

2018 - A Year in the Life of a Collection or Three

Happy New Year, Readers!

2018 was quite an epic year in the Geek Cave.  Ponies, and Shortcakes, and She-Ra, oh my!

To begin with, I took an unexpected break from the blog for a few months early this year.  This wasn't intentional or planned, it just fell by the wayside for a few months.  But in June I got back on the pony (bad pun, you're welcome) and started writing again.

Roomy and I went to two Pony conventions this year, the MLP Fair in Orlando, and the Canadian Extravaganza in Montreal.  I loved both cons, of course.  As always, it was great to see old friends and new at these cons, and also to have a chance to visit two fun cities, as well as a few interesting stops along the way.

I also added quite a lot to my collection at the two conventions this year.  Many, many, many ponies came home with me this year (as well as a few Shortcakes that Roomy picked up for my xmas gifts).  I won't lie, I had great fun splurging this year.

In the second half of the year, Roomy and I started the re-org of the Geek Cave.  We moved everything around so that we now have a Vintage side and a Modern side in the room.  We also added more shelving, but there's still plenty to do next year.

Roomy also got to enjoy the first major reboot of her favourite franchise, She-Ra, this year.  So far there has only been the new cartoon (which I highly recommend), but we are waiting with great excitement to see if a new toy line will be coming out!

And finally, at almost the end of the year, I doomed us with a giant Kijiji purchase.  I regret nothing!

Thank you for reading the blog.  Sometimes preparing this has felt a little like I'm talking to myself, but the feedback, comments, and conversations some of you have provided have been most appreciated.  I'm glad you've enjoyed the blog and will continue to do so into the future.

Here's to a 2019 full of collection fun for us all!

Elf