If you read this, whoever you are, wherever you are: I hope youโre doing okay. I hope you find happiness. I hope you choose kindness, every day, for yourself and for others. I hope you forgive yourself, and forgive others. You probably only have this life. Treasure it.
I’m running out of clever titles for my Jurassic-haul related posts… Anyway… my Jurassic Park Switch case by Numskull Designs arrived! This is one of my favorite items in my entire JP/JW collection. I collect Switch cases, but donโt have many because Iโm picky with them. I have a Pokรฉmon one, an Animal Crossing one, a Super Mario one, and now this one!
My only gripe is that it doesnโt have a stand like my others to hold the Switch while I play with a controller, something I do a lot in the backseat during road trips. But quality wise itโs amazing. No cost spared in materials and construction.
Hereโs a little video so you can see the wonderful texture of the case. Itโs truly my most beautiful case by a long shot, a true collectorโs item.
I was surprised yesterday to find another Good2Grow #JurassicWorld topper! Now I have five different ones in my collection, not counting any of the Podz.
โจ๐ Atrociraptor ๐โจ
Itโs here!! Such a cutie!
Lookit those liโl chompers ๐
He doesnโt come with batteries so I havenโt tested him yet, but I do look forward to it.
The next Jurassic item I will share is bound to be one of the Build-a-Bear plushies. I have a $10 certificate to use, but haven’t decided if I want Rexy or Beta yet. I’ll probably go tomorrow, though.
After that, expect the next batch in July. It’s my birthday and I’ve naturally asked everyone for more Jurassic junk. ๐ It is “Jurassic Summer” after all!
As time goes by, Iโve become really passionate both about the Jurassic franchise and about paleontology. These are completely different things, obviously. I have to say though, JP/JW absolutely had a major impact in my interest in actual, fact-based natural history.
Of course, Jurassic Park / Jurassic World, the franchise, is almost entirely pure fantasy โeven more than I realized as a kid. But finding that out didnโt bother me? ๐คทโโ๏ธ I love both things (fictional and factual dinosaurs) equally for different reasons. As I participate more in these Twitter communities though, Iโm honestly saddened by the vitriol and the hate towards Jurassic Park / Jurassic World.
I see it mostly come from people seriously into paleontology and natural history, and to me it seems misplaced. Iโm not the only person I know who became interested in the scientific aspect because of โcool monster dinosโ as a kid. I dunno.
Expecting the movies to be realistic documentaries seems odd to me. Seeing the infighting / hate makes me sad. Itโs easier to enjoy things for what they are and find common ground as we celebrate what makes us happy and passionate without always taking dunks at what others love.
Hey everyone! ๐ป๐๐ข You might remember that our big family vacation (a cruise) was postponed two years in a row. Then, the consolation trip planned after that second cancellation was botched as well. After so much disappointment, Iโve held any talk about it in –until now.
The cruise is (maybe? finally?) happening beginning next Thursday. Iโll be away for over ten days. During that time (6/23 to 7/5) Iโll be basically completely unreachable. We will have a friend stay over at our place to take care of our house and animals during our absence.
As the day draws so near, I have to start making final prep, even as my excitement will continue to be held in until weโve all tested negative and safely boarded. I canโt help but brace for disappointment again. But there is a tiny hope burning inside me.
Already there was a disappointment: my mom can’t attend (USCIS still hasn’t completed her paperwork) and this means a $1,000 fine from the total cost, which is terrible. But it’s something we knew from the start might happen.
Apprehension aside… I had to smile today looking at my little Dante, the bear I intended to bring on this trip from the start, wearing his brand new travel clothes! I think he looks pretty dapper.
Really, the only potential complication is someone testing positive. So we are all trying to be as careful as possible regarding crowds and such. If it all goes through, I hope to have a lot to share with you when I get back!
CW: Calorie counting and/or weight tracking after the cut. Please do not proceed if you have an eating disorder and/or find posts of this sort triggering.
(Please do not color/edit this line art if you are not the person featured unless they asked you or gave you explicit permission. Thank you!)
๐ Artwork is ยฉ 2022 by Marina Neira McKinzie. You may NOT copy, color, reference, repost or use this artwork in any way or claim it as your own. Only the commissioner/giveaway winner & those featured in the artwork may repost with credit and following my Terms of Use.
With all the excitement, I forgot to open my giant Jurassic World Dominion Captivz egg! I meant to do it the night the movie opened (which is when we went to see it). I finally did it a couple of days ago, and took photos and video to share.
Here is a video of the really neat holographic eye which opens and closes:
The egg had a plasticky playmat and stickers. I don’t care for the game at all so the playmat was discarded ๐คทโโ๏ธ The stickers are nice. There was supposed to be a dice for the game but it was missing in my egg.
Rexy on wheels!! This thing is hilarious.
Little Jurassic logo box with a dino inside. Very cool looking, I kept it for my shelf display!
And here are the little dinos. Lovely paint jobs and level of detail for such small figures!
Much as I love them this is probably all the ones I will buy. But I am glad to have them!
Been a while since I last worked on a fully rendered multi-character piece! This commission was for Tomazilla!
๐ Artwork is ยฉ 2022 by Marina Neira McKinzie. You may NOT copy, color, reference, repost or use this artwork in any way or claim it as your own. Only the commissioner/giveaway winner & those featured in the artwork may repost with credit and following my Terms of Use.
CW: Calorie counting and/or weight tracking after the cut. Please do not proceed if you have an eating disorder and/or find posts of this sort triggering.