Man, it’s been too long since I’ve written anything! When I don’t show up around here, it’s actually because I’m busy with work, which is a GOOD thing, or I’ve been hit by a bus, which is NOT so good. I own my own graphic design business, and the work load is constantly ebbing and flowing. When you see me post articles every day, you can bet that business is slow (which is BAD). Lately, I’ve been been busting my hump, and this site has been nothing but crickets, but I’ve had a break in the action and you can see that I’ve been rearranging the furniture again… the site has yet another new look. I liked the old layout but it just seemed too highfalutin’ for what it is. Let’s just cut out the fluff and talk about cool stuff, okay?
This has got to be the most religious Christmas ornament ever made, right? Thanks, Santa! I’m sure there’s some correlation between the Virgin Mary and the Alien Queen but it hurts my head to think about it. There is sooooo much Alien merchandise being produced these days — there are figures being made by NECA, Hiya Toys, Funko ReAction, Minimates, Eaglemoss — it’s too much!
Over the holiday break, I decided to rearrange the cave completely, and part of the process was putting a good chunk of my collection in storage (and possibly selling it off entirely). I’ve decided to pretty much stop buying anything new (gasp!).* No, no, it’s true. After spending some serious time thinking about what I really enjoy collecting, it became apparent that all the money spent on new items could be better served if it went towards vintage items. We’ll see how long this “resolution” lasts, but with all the toy companies looking to cash in on the nostalgia factor, there is just way too much out there to keep up with, and I just can’t do it.
For example, the new King Kong movie is coming out soon, and some of the toys and merchandise is already starting to appear, but I will not be buying it just to have it. I’m also on the fence about the new LEGO Batman Movie minifigs and sets because there is simply too much, and it would cost a fortune to try and complete a set. I’ve never been a big collector of new toys, but man, I don’t know how you guys do it. Spending $25 on an action figure might seem like a little thing, but when there are a dozen figures in the series… ouch.
*Having said all that, there is one thing that I will continue to buy in stores — Hot Wheels. The Entertainment and Screen Time cars are just too great to pass up for a buck. When I saw the Halo Warthog on the pegs, I was blown away — I want a whole fleet of these!
At the start of a new year, like many people, I take stock of my life and where things stand. I’m not big on resolutions, but when it comes to my collection, this year I want to focus even more on super hero toys and collectibles from the 60’s and 70’s, and seek out more uncommon items rather than the standard things you find regularly on eBay. I’d like to find more collectors who would be willing to trade, because that really is one of the best aspects of collecting anything.
What are your planning to collect in 2017? Have your collecting passions shifted lately?
Hey there Brian….nice to have you back writing stuff. Glad you weren’t hit by a bus.
First off, that’s a mighty fine Alien ornament!
Yea, just like you I was a bit hesitant to collect all of the Batman LEGO minifigures but somehow I ended up with 12 out of the 20, those that I really really want anyway. You see, when a grown man comes across a freshly opened LEGO minifigure box and there’s no one else remotely near you….. =p well you know how the story goes. But it is a tad bit expensive at USD5 a pop….and when converted into my local currency that can be quite a pain (darn forex decline)… so I decided to convert all of my loyalty card points into some vouchers so those kinda ease the pain of forking out my moolah so much.
My man cave is in quite a mess too right now. What started out as a 2016 year-end resolution quickly became a ‘beginning of 2017 resolution’ but I don’t see myself finishing what I started anytime soon….hah!
My collecting focus hasn’t shifted much. I have been trying to get the ones I’ve missed out previously to complete whatever gap in my collection. I’m still pretty much an action figure man with random mish-mash geeky stuff thrown in between.
Yup, the price of action figures have really sky rocketed lately and sometimes I don’t even know how I do it myself. God help us all!
Avoiding those Batman minifigs is going to be a true test for me. The full set is available on eBay for $90 but a big part of the attraction of the blind bags is lost by doing that, especially when I’ve been buying the previous series for years. Heckuva a lot cheaper though!
I want to see your cave cleaned up this year! 😉 It’s amazing how great it feels, sitting in a room without boxes and collectibles piled high in every square inch. I’m about halfway there, but it’s already starting to look so much better.
Best of luck to you in 2017!