Author: Topher

I've always enjoyed writing. I see this as an opportunity to share my love of movies, action figures, comics, music, and just about anything else. As much as I enjoy writing, I also enjoy interacting with other folks online. If any of my stories or articles spark an idea for discussion, let me know. I read every email and comment I get! So look around, make yourself at home, and above all, enjoy your visit to my virtual discussion page!

To Open, or NOT to Open?

The world of toys, model kits, and comic books have so many aspects as hobbies. I have been involved in both local – in person-groups as well as online communities. When someone finds a great item – a “Holy Grail” for their particular passion, the question often arises:

“Do I keep it pristine, or use it?

It all really depends on your particular interest. Some people have boxes upon boxes of GI Joes, numbered limited edition memorabilia, or vintage model kits. Some enjoy the feel of being in a store- surrounded by the magical things they love. Others buy them as investments, with the intent to “cash them in” at some point when the collecting market is right. There is absolutely nothing wrong with these activities. I have friends with wonderful hoards of treasure.

My approach is somewhat different. I have a motto.

Kits were created to be built, comic books to be read, and toys to be opened and played with.

I realize this isn’t everyone’s style. To each his own. But it makes it convenient when I come across something at a garage sale or thrift store. I’m way less concerned about something being “mint in box.” I’m going to open it anyway. They saved me the trouble (though busting something out of its cardboard prison is also strangely satisfying!)

I also enjoy finding toys that are used, somewhat “played with,” or missing a few parts here and there. It is sometimes my intent to alter them. I’ve spent countless hours detailing action figures. I drill out gun barrels, add details to uniforms, kit bash parts, and re-flock heads. Part of my “head cannon” (the internal, fictional back story of my stuff) is making different characters. I don’t want to see 12 identical 1972 Land Adventurers in matching camo uniforms. I want each to have a personality (even if I’m the only one who ever knows it.) That means that, in the minds of some, I’ve “ruined” them. And for their hobby, I have. It’s ok. I have a (real world) Jeep Wrangler. It’s about 20 years old, and has 210,000 miles. Many of them were BRUTAL on its appearance and overall resale value. I didn’t buy it to show it off as a classic car. I wanted something to take camping, go off-road, and get dirty. Mission accomplished!

I also have a strong appreciation of re-releases and knock-offs. The “inherent value” of the toy is already less. But to me, it’s even better. I got something great, and didn’t have to spend premium prices on an original. $35 is WAY easier to accept for a re-release than $350 for a “vintage, in box, never opened, still sealed in cellophane, and never exposed to the light of day.” I’m going to open and build it anyway!

The bottom line is – Do your hobby. It’s your money, your time, and your passion. Don’t second guess yourself. Trust me- you’re doing it right!

-Toph

Yep – An early 1970s Aurora Witch.  BUT WAIT…She’s built, and no longer pristine!  And that’s ok.  Really.

 

That One Moment

I was in the first grade when I picked the football team I would follow for the rest of my life. I read somewhere that decisions like that aren’t uncommon. Age 5 or 6 is a pretty significant time in our lives.

In my school, we had a cafeteria, and if we got down there early, the lunch lady would give us whatever football cards came in the Wonder Bread bags that day. Although I wasn’t really “into” football at the time, it was cool to get the cards. They had pictures on the front, and some seemingly useless statistics on the back. I got 3 that year. Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, and Paul Warfield. (For those of you who are unfamiliar, they were all future Hall of Famers who played for the Miami Dolphins in the early 70s.) At the time, as an impressionable first grader, that was FATE herself, whispering directly into my ear,

“You like the Dolphins.”

So, Dolphins is was. How fortunate the timing – that year, they won every game, including the Super Bowl. The PERFECT SEASON! As I got older, I continued to be a fan (though, admittedly, not as dedicated as I was to that season in particular.) A few years later, I started collecting autographs and other memorabilia of the players from that era. First through mail, and later, sports shows, and finally, online dealers, I was able to collect autographs of all the players from that season. They are proudly displayed in my hallway at home.

Now, I tell you all of this because I think it’s a cool anecdote, but also for a more important, and dare I say, more relatable reason. There is a moment, experience, or achievement in everyone’s life that occurred in their formative years. Yours probably isn’t 3 football cards from the 1972-73 Dolphins. But there is something. Think of that event for you. Maybe it’s a certain TV show, or a musician/ band that you just LOVED. Was it standing in line for 4 hours to see Star Wars for the first time? Maybe it’s the first book that really reached out and touched your soul. It could be the time your grandpa took you fishing one summer. Maybe it was holding the flashlight while your dad was under the car, or mom teaching you her Nana’s old cookie recipe, or when the neighbor kid next door helped you build a “fort” out of old boxes and broken crap from the garage.

Take that moment, and contemplate how it worked its way into your modern, adult life. Nostalgia ties everything back to the past. It keeps it fresh, and builds, pointing at something more important. Us.

-Toph

My Dolphins autograph wall
The great Larry Csonka, with my original card.