Items Photographed At The Nostalgia and Collectible Show

Photos taken at the Nostalgia and Collectible Show at the Nepean Sportsplex on March 18, 2012.

It was eBay, in real life!

Or like a more-organized and commercialized version of Hoarders.

Shows like this encourage people to fill up their basements with stuff because "maybe it'll be worth something some day".

But that's too cynical.  Most of the vendors were passionate about their collections, and told interesting stories about the items for sale.

And it's far more interesting to collect old stuff than to just chuck it in the garbage.

Here are some photos I took.

A Colonel Saunders piggy bank. You put the coins in his back.

Classic collectors item: buttons.

I think these were sold at Burger King.

Unopened cans of Coca-Cola.  Saw a lot of Coke memorabilia, not much Pepsi.

Besides cans of Coke, cans of oil are also popular collectors items.  

I've probably read every one of these.

Included here in the interest of balance.  I haven't read any of these.

Nothing makes you feel old like seeing toys you played with as a kid labeled as "collectible". (And the barn doors still moo.)

Finally figured out why they're called "Matchbox Cars".  Because they originally came in match boxes.

Early, clumsy attempts at artificial intelligence.

Just some hints, he's not giving everything away.

Creepy trolls.

People will try to sell anything.

People will collect anything.

Not a real ray gun.

From a binder full of old Valentine's cards.  Don't you love vegetable puns?

Theory: Given enough time, every doll will eventually look really, really creepy.

These ones are approaching the creepy stage much faster than the typical doll.

The cutest robots are always the deadliest.

World's Smallest Pancake, November 27, 2011

Created in Stittsville, Ontario. This is a standard-sized dinner plate and fork.  Photo has not been altered in any way.

VIDEO: Creepy dancing Santa Claus, seen today at Lowe's

Dancing Santa, seen today at Lowe's Home Improvement retail outlet in Hazeldean Road in Stittsville, Ontario. Retailing for around $129.99 (I think). The children were scared.  Hip swaying like this is still illegal in several U.S. states and parts of Alberta.

This year's hot carnival fair prize: Plush Michael Jackson

Somebody go win one of these for me, ok?
Last year they had a plush Obama up for grabs.  Maybe next year a Will-and-Kate pair?

Seen at the Kanata Canada Day Festival on July 1.

UPDATE: I have retired my old cellphone

This cell phone served me well for five years.  It was an emergency replacement phone after my previous one was lost in a suspected diaper genie accident.  It made phone calls, it texted, and I could even tweet with it.  All for $15/month with a pre-paid plan.

The ringtone was a polyphonic version of Girl, by Beck.  I still instinctively reach for my cell every time the song comes on my ipod.

Once, it was dropped in a puddle.

Once, it was chewed on by a teething baby.

Once, an 11-year-old called it "cool" and "retro".

I was committed to keeping it until the numbers and letters rubbed off, which was only months away.  But then it stopped receiving calls.  That was the final death blow.

Goodbye, old cell phone.

Exclusive photo of my home office

1. Table and chairs from IKEA, a Swedish company that specializes in efficient packaging and requires purchasers to assemble the furniture at home.
2. Three laptops.  Two Dells and a IBM Thinkpad.  At least one human is often sitting at one of these devices, interfacing with the web or accounting software.
3. Two blue file folders, the contents of which shall remain undisclosed.
4. Aerius allergy pills.  To relieve sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes.
5. External hard drive, containing photos, music and video.
6. Ipod.  Audio playback device constructed by Apple.
7. Various cables, all USB.
8. Bic Z+ 0.5 pen. Black ink.
9. Wireless mouse, Microsoft. This is a pointing device, used in conjunction with the laptop keyboard to navigate screen menus and other screen interfaces.
10. Cordless phone, General Electric.  Connected to land line.  Like Skype but without the visuals.
11. Samsung flip phone.  For receiving phone messages to secret business phone number.
12. Blackberry, recharging.
13. Stack of CD-R's.  Archaic storage device, can store up to 700MB of data.  Commonly used to store and play back audio for use in devices like mini vans and Hyundai's.
14. Items in background blurred for security reasons.
15. Dog is out of frame, please infer his presence about 2 metres to the right of this image.