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10-09-2014, 01:48 AM | #1 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 1,971
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Let me start by saying that I have loved Gi Joe since my first figures in '83, and that they were the dominant toy of most of my early childhood. As with most of us, at some point we outgrew our beloved toys and either gave them away, threw them away, sold them or blew them up. It wasn't until as about 2005 that I began to grow interest in reclaiming my youth. I had just turned 30 and I guess felt that time was slipping by. I had my share of hobbies, from baseball cards to BMX but none of them has kept my interest the way Joe does.
From my title, you probably wonder what that last thought has to do with anything. Just some backstory if you will. I have found that this hobby has become about the "next" piece. Whether that be the next figure I am missing, a part for a vehicle, or finding 85 Hawk's pistol....it keeps me motivated and keeps me wanting more. There is Nothing like completing a year of ARAH, or finding that rare figure. I share this hobby with so few in my life, but it's such a big part of who I am. I think a lot of you feel the same, and the hunt for that next piece keeps our childhood alive that much longer. I have made some good friends along the way too, and that in itself keeps This little crack addiction going for me. Keep finding your pieces, because one day, you will find that last piece, and you will Know as we all will, that you have been a part of something great.
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More than just undercover agents, the Crimson Guard goes deeper, earning the trust of the gullible public who don't know their true loyalty... http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...msonguard.html |
10-09-2014, 02:35 AM | #2 |
Bill Cosplay
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Staying clear of knee-jerk nerds.
Posts: 5,873
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I've been ruminating on something similar, yet opposite in a way. I've come to the conclusion that collecting itself--or, rather, the building of that collection--can often get in the way of actually enjoying these toys. Seems like there's a tendency towards a form of gluttony in hobbies like this. It drives one to be constantly on the hunt for the next thing. No sooner do you have that next thing and you're already onto the next, and then the next...and the next. There's a lot to be said for just taking stock and enjoying what you already have.
I had already come this personal epiphany a few years ago, but I've recently had the point driven home. For my birthday my brother surprised me with a Transformers 4 Optimus Prime. Now, I don't collect Transformers & I certainly don't care about the movies, but my bro remembered I loved my original OP back in the day and he thought it was cool to see Optimus as a cab-over again. And it is. Anyway, left field gift for sure. It reminded me that once upon a time there wasn't always a list. My first G.I. Joe was an MMS with Hawk, my first Transformer was Bluestreak and my first MASK toy was that shitty flying Camaro. I didn't specifically ask for any of that, but they were given to me all the same. And that was awesome. Back then, all I wanted was a G.I. Joe guy, a Transformer and a combination of the two (sorta...at least it seemed that way to my child mind back then) in the form of something from MASK. The funny thing is, later that evening, after messing around with good ol' Optimus for bit (pain in the ass to transform, that one), I found myself searching online for the new Jetfire. I literally had to stop myself and focus my attention back on the one Transformer I had owned for less than a day...WTF? I don't want a Transformer collection, yet there I was, already planning one & looking for "the next." That's some goofy shit right there. Nostalgia, combined with disposable income and a weak will is a dangerous thing. |
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10-09-2014, 10:28 AM | #3 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Iowa
Posts: 4,438
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Quote:
I've sold off all but 5 formers and probably 20 MU figures. Now I'm trying to cut down the Joes, I don't know exactly how many I have, but it's probably around the 3000 range. Is there a toy hoarding support group? I was like the OP for a few years, then I just went crazy and started buying every toy in site. I'll take before and after photos (current hoard and after I sell off a large amount). It'll take a year or more to thin out my collection, but it needs to be done. |
10-09-2014, 02:01 PM | #4 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 1,971
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I see the point of never really enjoying what you have, a point my wife makes quite frequently. I never thought I would be a completist but I find myself trying to do just that. What will happen if I ever do complete everything? I'm a long way off from that but from 82-91 I have at least 75%. Luckily I take breaks now and then and try to keep my purchases small. I have a good friend who is also a tanker, and he too is working towards a complete collection. I love talking joe and breaking down lists of weapons and parts I need. I love trolling the swap meets searching for the "great" find, and ultimately, I feel fortunate to even have the income to keep this hobby alive. At some point, there has to be enough and then I will have to focus on enjoying my collection, and slowly passing it on to my sons. Everyone on here has a story and a mission, I'd like to here yours.
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More than just undercover agents, the Crimson Guard goes deeper, earning the trust of the gullible public who don't know their true loyalty... http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...msonguard.html |
10-09-2014, 04:38 PM | #5 |
Adamantium Grenadier
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 3,630
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You all make great points in this thread, I believe you should enjoy your collection, whether just looking at them hanging on your wall or scattered in a diorama of some kind. We have hobbies cause they're supposed to be fun.
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"Let a brother know once you lasso Hasbro So when he come with Destro he gets no hassle" - MF DOOM ============================================ GI FLOW FEEDBACK http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...8-gi-flow.html GI FLOW's BST http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...ml#post3842778 CUSTOMS BY GI FLOW- http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-jo...s-gi-flow.html |
10-09-2014, 05:14 PM | #6 |
Desecrator of toys
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: On the gulf coast .. punta gorda
Posts: 2,056
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I concur i have a 30 + year relationship with gijoe and i have picked and chosen what i want and what i dont i love making custom vehicles and figures and love when new figures come out so i can get new parts for customs .. And i like the hunt in the wild for everything i collect .
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10-09-2014, 10:33 PM | #7 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: San Diego, Ca
Posts: 1,971
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The hunt is a big part of it!
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More than just undercover agents, the Crimson Guard goes deeper, earning the trust of the gullible public who don't know their true loyalty... http://www.hisstank.com/forum/buy-se...msonguard.html |
10-10-2014, 01:47 AM | #8 |
Over zealous Joe Recruit.
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: NJ
Posts: 4,467
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At around 16... I stopped being a completest.
I still loved toys, but started getting choosy and buying what I thought were cool. And ONLY those. I got back into Joes in 2009. When I left the Navy. My first modern Joe? ROC Shipwreck. Than 25th Shipwreck, than 5 pack 25th Shipwreck, than Chuckles... and it grew from there. But I still only buy what I think are cool. Not my fault GI Joe happens to have tons of cool stuff...
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