Praying Mantis Sighting In Wildwood, NJ On September 26, 2025

As I walked away from the Italian Festival, The Elegants concert and the boardwalk in Wildwood, New Jersey on September 26, I saw a praying mantis on the sidewalk.  I had never seen a praying mantis down the shore before.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/VC865TrslTI

Keywords: prayingmantis, mantis, mantodea, mantidae, insect, animalia, arthropoda, insecta, dictyoptera, wildwood, wildwoodnj.

Sons Of Italy Olde Time Italian Festival With The Elegants In Wildwood, NJ On September 26, 2025

On Friday night, September 26, 2025, Sons Of Italy held their annual Olde Time Italian Festival in Wildwood, NJ.  The headline act was The Elegants featuring original members Vito Picone and James Moschella.  The Italian-American Doo Wop group had a number one single titled "Little Star" in 1958 ... 67 years ago. Vito co-wrote the song too. Some of you will recall when I embarked on my Operation: Last Chance Tour to see Doo Wop and other Oldies acts in 2013 and 2014.  I saw The Elegants in 2014 at this very event and location.  Great to see them continuing on.  They performed a full set of songs with their big hit as the final number.  There were two milestones that evening: 1.) at 84 and a half years of age, Vito is the oldest musician whom I have met and 2.) my concert streak continues with this being my 39th year of seeing gigs without missing a year beginning in 1987.

Are Democrats Truly Leaving The Party Post Charlie Kirk? Not In The Arizona 7th Where Dems GAINED.

Hello.  Michael The Researcher here.  It is September 24, 2025.

Did you read the articles claiming that the Democratic Party is DONE post 2024 election?  Have you seen the social media posts of the past week and a half declaring that Democrats are leaving the party in droves?  Well ... apparently, NEITHER is happening.

Behold the recent election result in Arizona.

Video:

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/LknEtlSvzo8

This is the current tally of the Arizona 7th District Election based on 87% of the vote.

In 2024, the Democrat won by 22 points.

In 2025, the Democrat won by 39 points.

You can see the comparison from November of 2024 to September of 2025. 

Not only have Democrats RETAINED their number since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, they have actually GAINED points.

Democrats gained seventeen points post the claim of being done.

Democrats gained seventeen points since Charlie Kirk.

This is the same as those "Leaving The Left" posts.  Are some leaving?  Yes, some ... a few ... a minute few.  Certainly, not enough to change this particular area.  The election result confirms this far more accurately than a social media trend.  Similar to Charlie Kirk's memorial not far from where the election was held.  That massive turn out was absolutely meaningless when it comes to this election result. 

The internet constantly inflates these claims.  Add that to people who make those kinds of claims simply to get views.  If Democrats are truly leaving the party, it certainly is not happening in Arizona's 7th District.  On the world wide web ... believe NOTHING ... except for my posts.

Thank you for watching.  Goodbye.

International Wrestling Championship Giant Figure Early 1990s Knock-Off Action Figures Wrestlers

Here is the set of IWC International Wrestling Championship Giant Figure Early 1990s Knock-Off Action Figure Wrestlers.  Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Sting, Iron Sheik, Ivan Drago, A combination of Ultimate Warrior and a guy with a mustache (Rick Rude maybe), Octagón, Atlantis and Rayo de Jalisco Jr.  The funniest part of this might be Hacksaw Jim Duggan representing the USSR on the back of the package.  10 inches in height.  

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/N0LgXsn_sw0

Photographs ...

More toy-related content can be seen at my Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeltheresearcher

and Threads: https://www.threads.net/@michaeltheresearcher

and Twitter X: https://x.com/researcher_mike

Keywords: wrestling, wrestlingtoys, wrestlingfigures, vintagetoys, vintageactionfigures, wrestlingactionfigures, 1990stoys, 90stoys, 1990sfigures, 90sfigures, fandom, wrestlingfandom, oldschool, hulkhogan, hulkster, terrybollea, ultimatewarrior, warriornation, mexican, luchador, enmascarado, octagon, atlantis, rayodejalisco, rayodejaliscojr, hacksawjimduggan, jimduggan, hacksawduggan, wrestlingculture, instagram, wwf, drago, ivandrago, rocky4, rocky4drago, wwfwrestling, luchadorwrestling, worldwrestlingfederation, luchalibre, luchawrestling, 

WWF Star Toys Spain 1991 Hogan, Warrior, Snake, Duggan Wrestling Action Figures

WWF Star Toys wrestling figures for the market in Spain from 1991.  Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, Jake The Snake Roberts and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.  14 inches in height.  Looks like Hacksaw is yelling becuz he got hit in the crotch with that 2x4.  

Video:

 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/mXDKcWb0wZY

Photographs ...

More toy-related content can be seen at my Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/michaeltheresearcher

and Threads: https://www.threads.net/@michaeltheresearcher

and Twitter X: https://x.com/researcher_mike

Keywords: wrestling, wrestlingtoys, wrestlingfigures, vintagetoys, vintageactionfigures, wrestlingactionfigures, 1990stoys, 90stoys, 1990sfigures, 90sfigures, fandom, wrestlingfandom, oldschool, hulkhogan, hulkster, terrybollea, ultimatewarrior, warriornation, jakeroberts, jakethesnakeroberts, jackthesnake, hacksawjimduggan, jimduggan, hacksawduggan, wrestlingculture, instagram, wwf, wwe, wwfwrestling, wwewrestling, worldwrestlingfederation, 

Smurfs Under And Near Real Mushrooms With Visits From A Bee And A Fly In 2025

I saw mushrooms growing near my residence so I thought to place some Smurf toys under or near them.  This footage was filmed and photographed on June 23, July 21 and August 08 of this year.  A bee and a fly stopped by for visits.  The one Smurf is modern.  The rest are from my childhood back in the West Germany days.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/WEPBxVCMVQg

Photographs (when you click on them, they will enlarge) ...

Keywords: smurfs, smurf, papasmurf, smurfette, bee, fly, insect, insects, 1970stoys, 1970stoy, 1980stoys, 1980stoy, vintagetoy, vintagetoys, smurfhouse, smurfmushroom, mushroom, mushrooms

Justice League Of America 1 First Issue Comic Book 65th Anniversary 1960 2025

This content was photographed and filmed yesterday (September 02, 2025).  I am a bit behind on my posts.  I spent a good portion of the year at the Party City and JoAnn Fabrics liquidations.  The rack seen in this blog entry was purchased at JoAnn.  I wanted to post this video on August 25 of this year because, on that day, 65 years ago, Justice League Of America #1 debuted on newsstands.  This year marks the 65 anniversary of Silver Age key DC comic book.  I purchased this copy in September of 2002 via eBay.  The starting bid was $100.  No one bid against me.  I paid in the vicinity of $108, $109, $110 after the shipping, money order and stamp fees.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/oFkPfAJtitU

Photographs ...

The Flash looks like the snake in the snake in a peanut can prank/gag:

Cool dinosaur art:

See the pyramid structures?:

Did any of you write to The JLA Mail Room?:

Revolutionary War Soldier Toys.  Very fitting and apropos given that we are currently in the 250th anniversary of The American Revolution.

Keywords: jla, jlacomicbook, jlacomic, silverage, silveragedc, silveragedccomic, wonderwoman, flash, theflash, superman, batman, thebatman, martianmanhunter, jonnjonzz, greenlantern, aquaman, justiceleague, justiceleagueofamerica, justiceleaguecomic, justiceleaguecomicbook, dcsilverage, silveragecomicbook

Amazing Fantasy 15 63rd Anniversary 1962 2025 Spider-Man First Comic Book Appearance

It is September 02, 2025.  I am very behind on my blog entries.  The liquidations of Party City and JoAnn Fabrics took a lot of my time this year.  I made tons of purchases, merchandise and fixtures.  I wanted to post this on June 05, 2025 because on that day, 63 years ago, Amazing Fantasy #15 debuted on newsstands.  This comic book features the first appearance, introduction and origin of The Amazing Spider-Man.  I procured this copy in September of 2002 via eBay.  I have owned it for 23 years now.  It was an auction with a Buy-It-Now feature.  The starting bid was $665.00 with the Buy-It-Now for $765.00.  I was over someone's house.  I did not have a computer or the internet at the time.  I was busy buying comic books.  I hesitated to see if I could get it for $665.00.  As I was contemplating, he said, "Do it.".  Click.  It happened.  That $665.00 to $765.00 was a big jump.  $100.00 was a lot of money for me back then.  The fees which involved shipping and a money order and a stamp were under $12.00.  It was those days back then.  I sent the money order in an envelope.  I hope that I can find the money order stub.  It might be around somewhere.  When it reached my house, the mailman just threw it on the porch.  When I came home from work, it was on the porch.  Many people want this book.  I have been asked to sell it.  I bought it because I wanted it.  I am a collector, and it is for life.  There were opportunities to get it over the years and over the decades.  It was twelve cents at one point.  It was only in the three digits in the early 2000s.  The opportunities were there.  People need to go for what they want.  As for this comic book, I photographed it in a rack that I bought at JoAnn's liquidation.  I knew that it would be great to display or sell comic books.  Note: There will be no spoilers below.

Video: 

The url in the case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/mCyON8hbYLs

Photographs (clicking on them will enlarge the images) ...

In my room with my other room behind me:

This is it - the spider bite:

The first appearance in costume:

The additional stories are great ...

Shock ending in this one:

Keywords: marvelcomic, marvelsilverage, silverage, silveragecomic, silveragecomicbook, spidermancomic, spiderman, spidermancomicbook, marvelage, comicbook, comicbookcollecting, comiccollecting, silveragekey, megakey, amazingfantasy, amazingfantasy15

The 50th Anniversary Of My First Haircut 1975 2025

Hello everyone.  I present, to you, some personal history.  I celebrated a milestone yesterday.  August 17, 2025 was the fiftieth anniversary of my first haircut.  Fifty years ago, August 17, 1975, was the date.  My paternal grandfather was the barber.  I actually have samples from that day.  It was a tradition, back then, for the first haircut to be saved.  There were two pieces separated.  I am assuming the family wanted the curls cut first and then the bulk of it second.  You can see that my hair was quite blonde.  Included with the hair was a note in German written by my mother: "Michael's erster Haarschnitt ende August 1975".  Translation: "Michael's first haircut end of August 1975".  Five decades ago.

Very, very special - in honor of this half century commemoration, I cut a sample of my present hair.  Hair from 1975.  Hair from 2025.  I hope to see you on August 17, 2075 for the 100th anniversary of my first haircut.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/fV5U8eUVZZc

Photographs ...

The 250th Anniversary Of The Battle Of Concord With First Hand Accounts Of The Skirmish

The Revolutionary War Semiquincentennial continues.  The 250th Anniversary of The Battle Of Concord took place on April 19, 1775.  This blog entry includes first hand accounts from people who were there to witness the Battle Of Concord.   These accounts were taken from The London Magazine: Or, Gentlemen's Monthly Intelligencer from June of 1775.  It would have been sold in July of 1775.

Video: 

The url in case the video does not embed properly: https://youtu.be/knNbpHhaaJY

Photographs ...

Thank you for observing the 250th anniversary of The American Revolution.