My Adventure at the Pasadena City College Flea Market (April 2012 edition)
Today, I had an AWESOME time at the Pasadena City College Flea Market!
Although morning dawned a little chilly, the sun was out to warm up the edges. Having left early again today, I was at the show in time to beat the lazy crowds and relax amongst the earlier birds.
This guy was delighting the crowds with his ivory-tickling abilities, playing everything from show tunes to classical repertoire. A wonderful accompaniment to one's flea market experience! :)
Anyone need a skateboard? This looks like a teenaged boy's paradise!
As it was so chilly and I was only wearing a t-shirt and hoodie, I was on a bit of fast-forward today, so I headed more quickly into the parking garage to more delights.
This is my absolute favorite King Crimson album, Lizard. I'd never seen it previously on vinyl and finally being able to see the gorgeously ornate cover delighted me greatly. Each illuminated letter corresponds to a song on the album and it was even more utterly beautiful to see the artwork as it was meant to be seen, instead of crammed onto a tiny CD cover.
This was a surreal moment for me. I actually got to hold one of my favorite musicians, Pete Sinfield's first and only solo album, Still in my tiny hand. Although mostly known as the master poet for progressive rock groups King Crimson and Emerson, Lake, and Palmer, Sinfield went on to pen songs for everyone from Cher to Bucks Fizz. Still is absolutely brilliant and charming, filled with the most "Pete-like" songs about everything from his bitter end with Crimso to relationships to vegan food! It's one of my favorite "feel-good, go-to" albums and I've always wanted it on vinyl. As my funds are low, it was enough just to hold today and I really want to get the best version to add to my collection (i.e., Japanese pressing with obi or rarer blue cover, etc.).
By the by, Pete's also responsible for commissioning the artwork for the aforementioned Lizard and penning its intricate song lyrics.
Here's a taste of the delicious Pete in his younger years:
Click to viewThese days, he's an adorably snowy old codger living in England, who still writes songs (and poetry, especially haikus!) and posts photos of his impressive garden on his Facebook page.
Vinyl Alley had me drooling today for more than the records. Have I mentioned record-collecting dudes are totally cute? It was a veritable babefest today, so I had more than enough eye candy to keep me busy! XD
The moment I saw this album, I instantly thought of theoddbirdrant and had to get a pic for her. :)
You never know what you'll see at the PCC Flea Market!
And now...a story
Soon after I moved to Los Angeles, I visited the Griffith Park Planetarium. Being a fan of anything glittery to crowlike proportions, I was instantly taken by their long hallway, which is made up of a "milky way" of various bits of jewelry and other shiny trinkets. A largish pin in particular caught my eye. Thinking this was a one of a kind I'd never see again, I lingered over it, examining its fine details and putting them to memory. With a smile, I left the planetarium, thinking I'd never see this delightful piece again.
Cut to last month. Glendale. The community college swap meet. Hovering over a jewelry case in the grey mid-morning, I gasped as the same pin stared back at me from the black velvet. Querying its price, the woman told me it was a mere twelve dollars, but having been out of work for awhile now, even that was too dear for me. Taking several photos, I promised myself that if I saw the pin again, it was meant to be mine and I'd buy it.
Having done some research, I knew that it was definitely "costume jewelry" and not incredibly rare, so the chances were half-decent that I may see it again. Sadly, after several GCC meets and two PCC flea markets without nary a whiff of it, I was losing hope that I'd ever see the pin again.
But the universe smiled on me today, my friends.
Halfway through the parking garage, I found the pin again. Oddly enough, it was a gold-plated version, which I contemplated buying anyway, since it's the style of the pin I absolutely adore and also since this dealer wanted ten for it. Then again, I figured if I could find it in gold-plate, I would hold out for my favorite, the silver. Even if I didn't find it today, I'd eventually find it.
Absolutely frozen with cold, I shivered my way through the lower level of the parking garage. Just as I was about to escape back out into the sunlight, it happened.
There, sitting in a small jewelry case, was the silver version of my pin.
Without hesitation, I snatched it out of the little case and scanned the booth for the dealer. A friendly, chunky man grinned at me as I asked the price.
Five dollars. He wanted five dollars for it.
Fishing around in my small purse, my trembling fingers hit the five dollar bill I had been saving just in case I found something and proudly handed it over to him. Clutching my precious prize, I stowed it safely in my bag. Thanking him profusely, I danced into the warm sunlight.
Sometimes I believe you are meant to have things. This is one of those times. And I have the PCC Flea Market to thank for it. Thank you, kind dealer, as well, for enabling me to own my prize for a price I could afford. *sighs*
Spoiler alert! Now that I know what happens, why should I bother reading it?
Speaking of awesomely-titled books, check these out. Ooh, maybe I should've bought that Lovecraft! And what's a "geezenstack"? Sounds like some odd sexual maneuver for old people!
Yes, my friends, music was everywhere at the PCC Flea Market today!
I'm guessing that's Susan Sarandon's autograph on the Rocky Horror still or someone could have just been testing out a Sharpie.
Think I need one of these, but hold the grammatical error!
Oh hello, it's me, looking chilly, yet happy! :D
Hope you all enjoyed coming along with me today!
*Missed out on reading my adventures from previous shows? Check out the 2011-2012 reports here:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012