15 SECOND MEMORIES

Lately I have had old commercial jingles running through my head. I think it has been prompted by the bankruptcy filing and subsequent closures of many Toys R Us stores. It all started with the Toys R Us jingle, “I don't wanna grow up, I'm a Toys R Us kid” and went on from there.

Do you remember the tootsie roll jingle or even the Oscar Mayer bologna song? It is strange how those 15 second songs can become engrained in our heads and define a small piece of our childhood.

Many of the jingles from those commercials got us to buy the product that was sold.  Many of the product pitch lines stick with us as well.  If someone says “LETGO” does not “my Eggo” enter your mind?  What about “Follow my nose”? Does not “It always knows” come to mind.  These advertisers knew what they were doing.  Modern day advertisers are getting back into that mindset as well.  Taglines and jingles must be memorable for us to buy a product.

The same goes for cartoon related toys.  Tell me that the G.I. Joe theme song does not still resonate with you.  Do you remember the intro to Captain Planet?  Star Trek anyone?  “To boldly go where no man has gone before” (y’all know that they changed “man” to “one” for Next Generation right?).  The sound of a transformer transforming brings chills to the skin of any fan.  Toys are just one of the many products that a good jingle or tagline can entice a person to buy.  

“Thunder. Thunder.”

You finished the line, didn’t you?  

Be not embarrassed the next time someone says “Well now you know,” and you blurt out, “and knowing is half the battle.  G.I. Joe!!!”  It is okay to let that flag fly.  Why is it okay?  Because a lot of the people around you that hear you say that, they were thinking the same thing.  It just might lead to you making a great, new friend.

Remember my friends, don’t hide who you are.  Collect what you love.  Surround yourself with people who respect you.  Don’t sweat the small stuff.

Have an excellent day everyone.

CHIMICHANGA!!!!!         

Anna D

First Lady of the ROC

What’s Next?

Doing some inventory today, I realized just how close I am to finishing my Masterpiece scale Transformer collection. I’m quite literally only a few figures away, and I’d like to upgrade a few. I need to sort out a selection of Dinobots, and I’m missing a couple of the G1 movie cast. Once that’s done, I’m a couple minibots and some combiner upgrades away from being done.

So that leaves me with a dilemma, what happens next? This collection has been my primary focus for the last couple years. Sure, I’ve bought a few other things, and my wife and I always collect video games and related merch, but the effort has been primarily on my G1 crew.

Another wrench was thrown in when I started following and participating in the ROC Instagram push, #realmofcollectors. I see amazing shots from very talented photographers, and a lot of the best aren’t of Transformers. Oh, don’t misunderstand, there is a ton of great TF photography, but some of the things done with other lines is simply mind blowing. And, let’s be clear, I’m a nerd of diverse tastes. From anime to gaming, comics to traditional cartoons, I love all things nerdy.

With my G1 collection winding down, I’ve decided to look heavily at other lines. Sure, I could continue with Transformers, and I’m sure I will with things such as the IDW figures from MMC. However, I’d like to shift my primary focus towards something different. Something that will allow me to shoot some of these crazy photos, and allow me to bond with other characters I already love.

I’m sure this is an issue faced by many collectors as they finish a primary line. I mean, part of the collecting hobby is the act of collecting itself, and there’s just no 12-step program for plastic crack (yet…). There’s nothing like opening that new figure, and putting hands on the toys for the first time. It’s a rush!

Here’s where I’m at: I have a few lines to consider, and some of them may be a challenge.

1. SH Figuarts has some great stuff from several anime, as well as the video game figures. My wife says we need more video game related things… This one may win.
2. Figma, same deal as SHF. Have you seen their Samus Aran figures? Perfection! Plus, my wife really likes their Mario and Zelda figures (hmmm… I think I see a trend.)
3. Hot Toys. Prepare for wallet devastation! But the Marvel stuff is simply amazing!
4. More Gundam, you can never have enough! But I could graduate to the higher end kits
5. GI Joe, which I already do collect. The problem is that I sort of relate this to my Transformers collection (and they’re displayed together). Plus, the vehicles take up a LOT of space.

No matter what, collecting has become a fun and challenging hobby for me. It has replaced a couple more expensive ones, and it has allowed me an avenue to bond with my kids. There is a treasure trove of wonderful things to discover, and by branching out, I hope the fire continues. I’m even debating ways to turn a part of my garage into a diorama area, as well as making some modifications to my office for the same reason. The photography aspect has added a whole new dimension to the hobby as well, and I need more diversity in my subject matter.

So, while one collection may be winding down, the hunt continues.  

Rob Milton

Instagram @Robsrobits