I really couldn’t have started this blog at a better time.  Today I had some pretty good finds.  I started off at a Goodwill that I don’t usually have the opportunity to check out. Its about half an hour away, and I had an appointment sort of near the area, so I decided to go up there, knowing that I was bound to find at least something to make it worth my effort. 

I arrived, and it was packed.  I headed straight for the toy aisle, reminiscing with slight regret about passing up the Mattel Dazzle boxed play set I saw last time I was there.  Right of the bat I found a MIB Xuxa fashion doll perched high upon a shelf that was overflowing with generic, rejected, carnival-won stuffed animals.  I immediately grabbed it with a laugh and decided for $2.99 it was worth it.  After further perusing the aisles filled with VHS tapes and miscellaneous junk, I grabbed a copy a The Chipmunk Adventure solely for the fact that the cover art was too cool to pass up, and a plastic envelope of unused vintage Lisa Frank stationary. 

All of that was pretty good I thought. Nothing fantastic, but still good. I thought that would probably be the high point of my  day. Until I stumbled across a Value Village that  I was unaware was in the area….

In this particular area that is north of my usual stomping grounds,  much to my disappointment, the thrift stores are  overflowing with swarms of ultra-trendy hipsters. The kind of people who truly think that its bizarre and unpractical to have such a sincere interest in nostalgia and random junk, but who laugh in a sort of ‘I’ve been told this is cool, so now I have to fall in love with it’ sort of way, and they inevitably end up being tough competition. 

I gazed out across the store, attempting to come up with a route to cover.  After being distracted by 5 boxes worth of VHS tapes lying on the ground, I picked up a Hugga Bunch tape, and  I set out to see what the rest of the store held. En route to the toy section, I overheard a group of several teens laughing at how incredibly ironic it was that their hip, modern friend of about 17, who is sporting facial piercings, was holding up an “I love Bingo” Tee.  I tried to stop myself from rolling my eyes and continued onward, I figured I’d loop back again and see if I missed anything. 

After looking at some miscellaneous household goods I tried to dodge the crowds and nearly ran directly into another customer’s cart.  As I passed by, I noticed the massively overfilled cart was toppling over with expensive, mainstream, trendy designer brand clothing (think Abercrombie, Calvin Klein, etc.) I was surprised to see that it was being hauled around by a true  edgy hipster couple. The woman had neon pink hair and a mini skirt, and he rocked the messy unshaven look.  The kind that don’t even have to try, they just automatically know they’re cooler than you.  I was a bit saddened by this. Because I know that no one ever expects me to be carrying around all the dorky knowledge I have in my head, and all because I’m *sigh* boring, and ‘normal’ looking.  My ears perk up when I hear Devo come over the speakers. This brings me comfort.  I give myself a small smile, and head back on my quest of returning to the toy section.

This section of the store wasn’t particularly organized very well. There were small plastic bags of assorted toys dispersed throughout 5 or 6 small racks on the end of the clothing aisles. I did a once-over and decided maybe that was it for today. Sometimes I become a bit distracted while thrifting, due to the crowds and the terrible fluorescent lighting. ( I have sensitive eyes) so I always feeling like maybe I’m missing out on finding things. Suddenly, something caught my eye.  A bit of pink doll hair jumped out at me. Devo was still playing, and my hopes were high. I untangled the bag and just as I had hoped… it was a Jem doll! Victory!!!  I’m constantly on the lookout for *any* sort of Jem merchandise. My radar must have really been on today. It has been over 5 years since I last found a single Jem item in a thrift store.  I kept looking, knowing there was a good chance that If I’d found one, there could easily be others. Within seconds I managed to score a Rio doll, and another version of Jem.

 It was exciting. I think I may have even vocally expressed it with some cheers of ‘awwww cool!’ and ‘yessss awesome!’ I was going through my stuff when I looked up on the shelf in front of me only to find a bag full of Wuzzles figurines. Icing on the cake. Pink icing, I’m sure. 

I decided to grab a snack on the way home. I decided since I was in the area, I’d treat myself to some Dick’s. Yes, Dick’s Drive-in is a true Seattle classic. It is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’re going to gain 5 lbs just by driving past it.  I gave in and ordered fries and a strawberry shake.