Edgar's Weekend with the Caseys (((MONSTER POST)))
This will include a mix of photos, some of which were taken with my phone in dim lighting, so please excuse the quality of some of the photographs.
Anyway, if you read my narration, you'll get an idea of what my weekend was like, and you might even be entertained. So, read the story, and find out how and why I was arrested by LA PD.
Enjoy!
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Friday Morning
May 15
I boarded the plane and shoved my carry-on luggage into the overhead compartment. The flight attendant insisted my bag was too large for the compartment. I assured her it was not, and with various blows to the side of my luggage I managed to make it fit like a leather glove on OJ Simpson's murderous hands. "See it fits, just fine," I said and smiled and told her to fetch me a drink.
I then discovered I was to be seated next to a rather large flamboyant gentleman for the duration of the flight. He was quite pleasant and told me about his family he was going to visit. We exchanged the usual pleasantries, expected. I read from my copy of 'The Tarantula Keeper's Gude, and the rest of the flight went on without incident ; though I was happy to stretch my legs when the jet landed as some of the space in my own seat was occupied by my rotund flight-partner. Friendly, he was.
Once at the Ontario Airport, I rang up Dee on my cell to see if she was around, and I found my way outside where she was waiting in her sporty little silver thing. Its a fun and fast little car, but typical of the cars down there.. even the cops drove Lamborghinis. Hey, its SoCal.
Dee greeted me, and we made our way away from the airport. After some navigating mishaps, Denise remembered where she was, and she managed to get us back to her apartment.
I was greeted by three rather excited Minpins who were so very happy to see me. Sean happened to be busy cleaning a firearm when we arrived.
He smiled warmly and welcomed me.
It wasn't long before we made our way into the office where all the arachno/herpetofauna was tucked away. Sean showed me some of his scorpions and I got a few pics of their famous closet of invertebrate goodies.
Sean in the office and working with his scorpions.
The Closet
Denise was nice enough to donate a second banner for us to use.
Here she is hiding behind it to avoid my ubiquitous camera lens.
Cool huh?
Dee then went on to serve us an eggbake that just about convinced me to move in and start paying rent. She then busted out another one of her apple pies and I was convinced. It was so fantastic, I was giddy. lol
Friday Afternoon
We then watched a couple movies, and I took a bit of a nap here and there as I digested. I'd gotten little sleep the night before, so It was all very relaxing and an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon.
The min pins were happy to gather around me to investigate and plead for my affection as we enjoyed the lazy afternoon. They even liked watching movies with us.
Once all the lazying was done, Dee took me out to the stables to meet Mercedes! She greeted us as we pulled up.
I'd say she's looking a lot better. How about you?? Dee's been doing a great job with her.
We headed back to the apartment and Denise continued to spoil us with her food creating skills.
After some more time laying around with the dogs, we headed to bed to rest up for the Bug Fair.
Saturday
The Bug Fair
DAY 1
LA Museum of Natural History, Site of the 2009 Bug Fair
The table space and board that Francisco set up for us. Our new banner in the back.
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Rachel's cool postcards and SFBATS cards that Dee had printed for us.
Denise and Raphaela attracting attention to our table.
Since our table worked just fine, unmanned. I took a stroll through the show while the show critters took a much needed break. Here are some pics of other tables and vendors.
Lots of pinned bugs
Even some BATS!
Some Books
Other goodies
Ken the Bug Guy! rocking the pony tail and air guitar
Sean helping at Krazy 8's Invertebrates
SCABIES! They had a very popular set of tables with a nice spread. I got to meet more of our Southern counterparts.
There's Andrew in the background thinking about granola or something.
Celeste
Eric and Kyle (noexcuse4you)
After a LONG day at the show, we headed to Chris's (krazy8's) to hang out for a bit for some "moist" brownies and handfuls of roastbeef, before heading back to the Caseys' place where Denise made us lasagna at 1:30am. lol Best I've ever had or can imagine anyone having. omg, that is all i have to say about that. Sleep followed.
Sunday
The Bug Fair
DAY 2
Back to work for some edumacating of the public.
Isabella was very popular!
We did a lot of myth dispelling that day. It was a lot of fun, but it tired us out for sure! lol We made it though. My throat was sore by the end of it. :)
Before leaving, I had to check out my other favorite animals at the museum.
I'd always wanted to see those.
We left the show a little early so I would catch my flight on time. It was such a great weekend, I enjoyed myself immensely.
Thank you Sean and Denise for the great weekend, and for having me. I hope you all got some sleep eventually. hehe I know I did.
Thanks again, guys!
Oh, and I didn't really get arrested, I was just playin'
Ricky Ortiz84
Well I for one am extreamly jealous!!!!! Dee if I ever make it out that way I'll be booking a stay at your place I wish I could have gone but then again if I did perhaps Mr. Ortega really would have been arrested awsome post Edgar job well done for all!!!!!!
UglyKid2
Great pics and post Edgar! I liked the pinned bugs and the bug illustrated cups. Looks like the place was a tad bit nicer than the sweatshop we were in up here in SF, lol. Great job, Edgar you make me wish I had been there...
llamamama
Next year, next year...next year we'll skip the Cow Palace and we'll ALL go visit Denise and Sean! (this is your warning to buy a bigger home in the next ten months or so) LOL
Nice post, Edgar! Thanks for showing us what it was like!
SeanCasey
Nice pictures Edgar. And I wasn't cleaning the gun, I was fondling it. And remember everyone, safe direction, finger off the trigger...
There was much fun with scorpions, and my only regret was that there wasn't more time to go through all of my scorps or go find some in the local hills. Next time!
We enjoyed having you visit. It is always nice to share the wonderful food that I get every day!
EdgarOrtega
Oh, that reminds me. I almost forgot to include this photo of Sean waking me up Sat morning.
EdgarOrtega
OH and here's one of Francisco at his table.
Thank you so much Francisco! It would have been nonexistent without your contribution of our table! Thank you thank you!
BayLee
Great pictures Edgar. I like the pictures of you and your man purse and of course I did not care for the guns one bit. Remind me never to stay at the Casey’s house.
They'll just have to feed me outside... lol
Mercedes looks stunning, does not even look like the same horse. What a difference,
great job Dee.
Haha those Dino's look like the ones from the Movie: "Night at the Museum"
sntcruzan
Edgar,
I really like how you narrated your trip withy pictures.It allowed me to go there and experience it without actually having to go.
Dee and Sean, thank you for taking Edgar off our hands this weekend...lol
ftorres
Hello ALl,
Edgar I know what is like to eat at the Casey's.
All I can say is OH MY GOD!!!!! great food and company.
the show was really good, I did not get a chance to spend time at either tables.
I would have love to man the SFBATS table as well as Help at the SCABIES
Edgar lost his phone but it was handled to me before I left on Saturday, I got to hear some really interesting voice messages.
JK Edgar.
I hope more members could make next Year Show so we can get together and spend some good time.
I am jealous I did not get to go to Chris's house for some good time, but I was invited to another BBQ, I also got to meet Dr Wayne Wehling, the main guy at APHIS/PPQ
He was visiting the show for the first time, he was amased on how many people are interested in bugs.
Fred, perhaps we should organise an event where the north and the South are present, combining talents and the love to our bugs and arachnids (and other animals) to educate the public.
; though I was happy to stretch my legs when the jet landed as some of the space in my own seat was occupied by my rotund flight-partner. Friendly, he was. 
And remember everyone, safe direction, finger off the trigger...
