Hiya!

[AnnetheCatDetective]

Hey, I'm Anne (the Cat Detective), turning 28 this weekend. I live in the middle of CA.

I was a theatre major but had to drop out of college when my dad died a couple years back. Right now, I help my mom take care of the house and my younger siblings (and our two cats), and I am a volunteer speaker about autism, and about how drama classes can help some kids on the spectrum.
 

I used to collect ponies back in the day, though I suspect I lost a lot of them during moves. I hold out a little bit of hope that I might open up a box from the garage one day and find some G1s... But, it's G4 and the cartoon that brought me back to ponies.

I love ponies because they remind me of the good parts of my childhood. It took me some time to get used to the new aesthetic, but I enjoy the new show and that really helped me to embrace G4 instead of being stuck in the past. I think there's room to love old and new.

I chiefly collect the blind bagged ponies. Space is at a premium for me, and I also collect dolls, so with the tiny pones, I can have a whole bunch without taking up every surface, and I can take pictures of my dolls playing with 'big' ponies. I also have a full set of the most recent McDonalds Happy Meal ponies. I don't know if I still have any of my old ponies or not, but I like the nostalgia I get even from building up a collection of G4 ponies.

And I love Rarity.

[SourdoughStomper]

Good evening and greetings, AnnetheCatDetective. to the Arena.

[kittybethy]

Hello and welcome to the Arena!

[achab1984]

Welcome to the arena

[AnnetheCatDetective]

Thanks much! It seems like a really friendly place so far-- my brother was shocked I found a forum for collecting a specific kind of toy that had subforums for totally different ones, let alone an all-gen-friendly one... I should pass the link along to him because he could use a swell place to talk toys too.

[kiwimlp]

visitors can't see pics , please register or login
 to the Arena!  I grew up with the G1 ponies too so I really hope you stumble across your old childhood friends again one day.  Either that or you could buy some nice replacements of your favourites

[Tiella]

Welcome, I hope you have fun here!

[kaoskat]

Welcome to the arena!

[Diamond]

and welcome to the Arena.  Yeah we have loads of folks who collect other toys as well as MLP's.

[Marigold]

Hi!  I am familiar with drama being a good use for people with autism.  It is also helpful for people with speech impediments.  Something about acting, reciting,  and even singing seems to help a lot of people.  I am a firm believe in drama being good for everyone.  I'm a particularly shy person, but on stage I feel like I can be and act apart from my normal self.