Phil's Thoughts

Boxing it up

Jan 192012

I decided to box up my two Sideshow Collectibles G.I. Joe figures today. Not that I don’t like to display them, of course, but they’re a little fragile and have a lot of tiny parts that could easily get lost. Fortunately, I kept the boxes they arrived in – they’re so nicely designed, how could I not? Window displays that show off the figure and its accessories, glossy images and detailed text, all held together with a magnet clasp. Quality stuff there!

Of course, re-boxing the figures is easier said than done. Sure the plastic inserts can indicate what goes where, but without some sort of guide I could easily get lost. So I used the pictures I took of the figure still in the box for reference. Ah, the long sword goes here! Huh, I didn’t realize the patched were just kind of stuck there like that! It took a little while, but I think I’ve got everything squared away now. I even had the sheet of tissue paper that’s used to prevent the window displays from getting scratched!

Hey, we’ve got something in common!

Tech, Toys No Responses »

Jan 182012

Today I got to talking with a fellow G.I. Joe collector that I’d known for several years. Although we’d emailed, IMed, and even text messaged each other before, we’d never actually spoken on the phone. It’s a weird thing the way internet friendships can develop, and it was nice being able to go beyond the more impersonal methods of communication. That, and I could talk to him about G.I. Joes! You’d think that this wouldn’t be a difficult thing to accomplish, but I don’t really know any local collectors. The nearest people I’ve met are in neighboring counties, and I only interact with them one or two times a year. We definitely could have talked longer, but it was getting a bit late.

Under Pressure

Health No Responses »

Jan 092012

I’ve been dealing with a bad head cold this past week. Thankfully, the worst seems to be over, but there were some very unpleasant moments for a while there. First was the descent down the mountains when I couldn’t pop my ears a week ago, and then there was the unending migraines on Friday. That day was literally spent lying on the sofa, trying not to think. So glad the aspirin took care of that on Saturday. As I mentioned, the worst of it seems to be over, but I still have some lingering phlegm and sinus congestion. Here’s hoping it all clears up sooner rather than later.

The Indestructible Tree

Family, Holidays, Home Upkeep No Responses »

Jan 082012

Taking down the Christmas decorations this week, we came to the last big one tonight – the new artificial Christmas tree we bought last month. The other artificial trees we’d had always came apart easily, so we didn’t think this would be any different. The top piece took a little wiggling, but came off easily enough. Then the trouble again. It took us way too long to even find the next connection joint. And then we realized the metal was so tight, we couldn’t move it. No gentle pulling like the instructions would have you believe, no! Dad brought out a hammer and a few flathead screwdrivers. We ended up hammering a screwdriver like a chisel on the joint trying to create some sort of wedge for leverage. After about half an hour of this, we got the WD-40. With the oil there, dad used a smaller screwdriver, and finally got the metal to start splitting. Finally the top section could rotate, and I could pull it free. Yes folks, we had to break our new tree to break it down.

And so we reach the final curtain

Holidays No Responses »

Dec 312011

In a few more hours, 2011 will be over. Sadly, I think I’m a little worse off now than I was 12 months ago. But no matter – there’s still time to get back on track, be able to move on, and get on with life. After all, isn’t that what New Year’s is all about? Here’s to a prosperous 2012.

Have a Cuppa

Family, Holidays, Tech No Responses »

Dec 292011

My girlfriend and I bought my parents a Keurig brewer for Christmas. We went for one of the lower end models, used a coupon, and split the cost between us so it wasn’t too steep a price. We even got my brother and his wife in on it – they bought a selection of k-cups and a rack to store them. We had a little Christmas conspiracy going! I do believe the parents are enjoying it, too. We made a lot of coffees, teas, and ciders this week! And I just showed dad a reusable k-cup he could buy, so he can just use his own ground coffee if he so chooses.

Why don’t you get things started!

Holidays, Movies, Television No Responses »

Dec 282011

Hope everyone had a Merry Christmas; I know I did! I got to spend time with my brother and his wife, my parents, and my girlfriend. Oh, and the presents weren’t half-bad, either! I’m currently going through the stack of Muppets DVDs my girlfriend got me, and it’s got me itching for more. This could be problematic – there’s only a couple decades’ worth of material out there!

Upheaval in my world

Home Upkeep No Responses »

Dec 192011

We’ve got carpet cleaners coming to the house tomorrow, and for the first time they’re going to clean my bedroom. I could have passed, but my chair’s wheels have mapped out a circle in front my desk – I need this carpet cleaned! So just about everything that’s on the floor is now on my bed, meaning I can’t sleep in my room tonight. Downstairs bed for me! Once the carpet has sufficiently dried, everything goes back down again. I suspect this will take longer than the reverse did.

Checking the Produce

Movies No Responses »

Dec 182011

My girlfriend and I went to the Farmer’s Market in Los Angeles last night, as we were meeting up with friends to see a movie at the Grove later a few hours later. She had never been before, so we spent a while just walking the aisles and checking out the shops. We had Cajun food for dinner, though there are still many places we’d like to try. Yes, a return trip is in order. And oh yeah, the movie wasn’t half bad, either!

Those were the days

Books No Responses »

Dec 092011

We had some friends over tonight and ended up going through my old high school year book – showing our old pictures and embarrassing quotes, even more embarrassing messages written on the blank pages, and the teachers we studied under. This one ended up marrying one of his students (ick!), this one didn’t like me (awww), this one got me into statistics (cool!). It was nice reminiscing with my friends, if only for a little while.

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