I have recently come to grips with the fact that I have a problem. I have always and will continue to love My Little Ponies. Not necessarily the show. I do have a couple of the original series shows on DVDs and do really like the new Friendship is Magic [FiM] (they’re all real bitches to each other).
I love the dolls.
Generation One [G1] especially. Not really the first couple of runs with the My Pretty Pony bodies though. I have a large number of G1 ponies and have started amassing more (again…).
When the G3 line started, I abstained. Much as any recovering alcoholic night avoid the liquor store. Then my mom got me one for Christmas! And that was all it took. I have three or four very large boxes and plastic tubs filled with G3 ponies. They never truly got into the crystal ponies and were no where near introducing the brother, flutter, or sea ponies. Then FiM took off and they started the G4 line.
Have to admit, not a big fan of G4s. Not of the off-the-shelf variety anyway. I do not like the G4 Brother design at all and will not be purchasing any of that unless its for customizing purposes. Which is probably a good thing, all considered.
Because I’ve started finishing my collection of G1 Brothers.
I now have almost every G1 male pony in existence. I have all the US Big Brothers. I have Tux ‘N Tails (which I’d saved up my Pony Points for as a kid to get to go with my Bride pony). I have all three US families and their children. I’m trying to get the UK Apple Baby Brother variant. I have most of the Baby Brothers (only like 2 more to go!) and almost all of the mail order boys (UK). I even have two of the Mountain Boys (UK)!
I’m finding the ponies’ hats and helmets. I’m trying to complete the UK families.
And I have come to the conclusion that finishing my quest to have all the G1 boys may not be monetarily feasible.
There are four Mountain Boys I haven’t found/won yet. I crapped my way out of getting an Ice Crystal then didn’t read the fine print and had to back away from a second (stupid not shipping out of UK!) when I caught myself. I know of a Fireball but he’s $120 plus high shipping cost.
The UK Families have non-Clydesdale Dads. I’ve bought the moms (waiting on shipping) and the Meadowsweet baby. I can get the Sunbright and Berrytown babies pretty inexpensively. But I missed out on Daddy Meadowsweet because I balked at $100. My Thundercloud was $80 (£50) but he was the most expensive one by far. There’s a good looking Daddy Berrytown on offer for $95 and a questionable Sunbright for $202. Not doable by a long margin as far as I’m concerned.
Especially since I’m trying to get Baby Brother Leaper right now. I have fond memories of playing with a friend back in pre-school who had that one and Paws. I brought my Drummer and Racer and we’d go on sometimes very dirt-filled adventures that would end poolside (a nearby sink) with icy drinks (Capri suns or Koolaid). I have Paws. I will get Leaper.
So what am I to do about 7 ponies I may never be able to rationalize affording?
Customizing.
It’s something that’s being done so much more. It’s doable for half or less than what you’d need to pay. And you can recreate originals or make your wishes. And that may be how I get my collection to be “complete”.
Thundercloud was the only male purple pony made which is why I grabbed him when i could. QB or Barnacle could become Tornado. Steamer could be enhanced to become Fireball. WigWam could be a Lightning. Sweet Celebrations could make a good Ice Crystal. I might have to do some re-hairing (scary proposal) and would need to clear and redo cutie marks but at least I wouldn’t need to do any more dyeing than some color enhancements. Definitely doable by a beginner.
As per usual, after planning all this out I became afraid and needed to talk to someone (even if only myself) but shied away from posting my thoughts on the forums I’ve joined, even though I know they’d be generally receptive to the idea.
Whichever Big Brother base I get first will be the one I start with. I think I’ll just make the UK dads into US Clydesdales too. And when I get enough courage I’ll make myself a G1 Big MacIntosh
I’ve seen pics of “all grown up” Baby Brother ponies and want to try a version where they have moms & dads. Like Leaper having a dad named Bullfrog and a mom named Treefrog. Or Lucky with a dad named Chance and a mom named Clover.
I also want to do some baby friendly plushes. Maybe not ponies at first. Just animals stylized for learning and ease of manufacture.
We shall see what I get done with me trying to get the bedrooms moved around.