Prosaic Paradise

Me [1:06 PM]: Because I can never do anything halfway: looking at dates for pen shows in 2009.
Friend [1:06 PM]: Awesome!
Me [1:06 PM]: Also file under: Because I am my father’s daughter.
Friend [1:06 PM]: I sadly missed the most recent one due to sickness
Me [1:07 PM]: As a kid I spent many weekends at gun shows, train shows, stamp shows, coin shows, antique shows, gem shows…
Me [1:07 PM]: never pen shows though, i have to strike out on my own

Yup, I spent many a weekend at the Virginia Beach Pavilion, now the VB Convention Center. (Note: Also where I had my one and only Big Ballet Recital, hateful thing that it was.) Nowadays it’s this huge ridiculous and comparatively elegant glass enclosure – but back then it was a kind of ugly humpbacked  building of which you could only see the rear end from the highway. I have been looking for a picture of its old facade before it was razed, but the best I could do is this picture of its destruction. If you can find me a picture of it in its former glory, I’ll give you some kind of prize!

The gun shows were probably the most frequent. I was always greatly amused by the fact that the gun shows attracted people who dressed just like my dad – Members Only jacket, short sleeve plaid shirts, khakis, white sneakers and dark socks. I think it was from a training course on what to wear when you retire from the Navy and enter civilian life. Whatever it was, all these guys at the gun shows dressed just like my dad.

So now here I am, carrying on the family tradition dutifully – I think I’ll either take a day trip for the January pen show in Philly, or have to wait an excruciating 9 months for the August DC Supershow. I wonder if I can force my parents to join me?

(Notice! for folks who read this blog on Livejournal: I can no longer access Livejournal at work. If you would like me to see a comment same-day as I made my post, make it on my WordPress blog! Thanks!)

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