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Discussion in 'Whatever' started by brobles, Jun 5, 2017.

  1. brobles

    brobles S7 Royalty

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    Brian
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    I wanted to share an experience I had a few years ago, since I have noticed that I have not been posting as often as I used to in my more active years on this forum.

    2 year ago, I was invited to a show in NYC. It wasn't my first time going to NYC so naturally I was very excited to go back. The company I work for holds mandatory workdays, coincidentally, during the same time as NYCC every year (just my luck). Fortunately I figured out a way to avoid it and fly out very last minute. My plane landed in New Jersey, just a few hours before the event. I was ecstatic and extremely tired already. When I got to TT, everyone was there! People I’ve known for years, whom I communicate with frequently but get to see maybe once or twice a year, if that. At the show I still remember how I was frantically trying to get an Itamu. I managed to score the last one available for purchase. I had met Hirota San the previous year (seriously one of the most humble individuals you’ll ever meet) and have been a fan of his work since I first saw the MG sculpt. We exchanged emails a few weeks after the event, when he informed me that my pick was actually the first pull. In other words a prototype, which completely blew me away! Pushead was a class act and accommodating like always. He signed all my headers chatted briefly. After the show we got dinner. It was getting late; Minh took Marcello, Michael, Robert, Arin, and myself to get some food, hung out and ogled over our spoils. That same night I took a cab to the airport, slept a few hours on the floor, and flew out after. I arrived home on Sunday feeling like a bus ran me over but I was happy.

    This entire experience is my favorite and the most memorable I have ever had in the 7 years I have been a part of this hobby. There is no better day that has encapsulated what it’s meant to be a toy collector for me. From flying out to the east coast by myself for a day, scoring some great toys (getting lucky more than once), spending the evening admiring Pushead’s original artwork, and getting to know my friends a bit better, everything couldn’t have been more perfect. Similarly, I have enjoyed many other events; like the first time I attended SDCC/NYCC, eating tacos at PK’s annual events, getting called #8 (earliest I’ve ever been called), visiting old Lulubell in Tucson in my earlier years, meeting family after Rich’s event in CT (awesome vibe and tons of new faces), and my trips to New Mexico have all been amazing.

    All this to say; hype, bs, and drama aside, lots can be had from the experiences that go along with the hunt. At the end of the day, it’s not just about the toys. Newer members will hopefully learn this after a few years of sticking around. I know the old members, regardless of how jaded some have become, still appreciate this as well.

    Anyways, the figures below encapsulate my experience, and as such, are my favorite toys in my entire collection.

    [​IMG]
    Marbled Cococroc


    [​IMG]
    Flesh color ITAMU




    tl;dr Toy collecting is not just about toys. Make friends and enjoy the hunt. Check out the cool toys above!
     
  2. Headhunter

    Headhunter Line of Credit

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    Great story and good to see some positive vibes on this board for a bit.
     
  3. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    That's a great story, Brian, and I really appreciate you sharing it. It's very true that people can get so bogged down with the materialism in the hobby, which is really sad. In the end, it is about the experiences, as well as the toys. Unfortunately, not everyone is in a place or has the capability to do such traveling and attend these types of events, which is a real shame, because getting that 'human' side of it is so essential to building up the wonder of the community. I do recommend that people who are so fortunate because of geography, etc., take advantage whenever they can. Thankfully, for the rest of us there is this silly electronic board, and virtual though it might be, hopefully it allows for some analogy of the interaction which you've referred to. I know the the friendships I've cultivated here over the years are much more valuable than any one toy or collection I have built from it. As I tried to say in the Thank You thread, it's the people that really keep it all going, far after the toys come, go, change, etc. I am glad that you have had such a wonderful and memorable experience as part of this hobby, and will carry it with you forever. I wish this kind of happiness for everyone.
     
  4. xSuicide Squadx

    xSuicide Squadx Super Deformed

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    Wonderful story, Brian. So detailed and play by play, that you can absolutely tell how much it still means to you, and how well those memories stick.

    As short as I can make it, this hobby has garnished some of my closest friends and some of the best times of my life. Amy, Luke and David with Lulubell have legitimately changed my life in the most positive way, more than anything else ever has. I'm a much less angry person, albeit still angry(just not as bad), since meeting them, learning from them, and I'm still learning from them all daily.

    I achieved a childhood dream of visiting and staying in Tokyo, as well as getting to work hands on in a factory and have an incredibly immersive experience for behind the scenes. I've met phenomenal artists, wonderful, talented and amazingly creative people. Meeting members of this community for the first time, as well as repeatedly, through events and conventions is continuously one of the best experiences in this hobby for me.

    And while the toys do represent a very materialistic aspect, they also serve as a tool for me to create my own world around me when I majority don't like going outside. And the work I do with Lulubell has also become therapy of sorts. Cutting and assembly of toys has helped ease my anxiety and aided in distracting me from meaningless manic depression.

    I'm sure there's so much more I can mention, but when I begin to think of all of the positives I become easily overwhelmed. There are admittedly people, aspects and situations I'm not at all very gleeful about with the hobby, but they're absolutely dwarfed in comparison to how amazing and kind the hobby and its patrons have been towards me.
     
  5. chimmychazz

    chimmychazz Comment King

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    couldn't have said it better!
    and I remember you telling me about how it all came together at the very last minute so that you could come out for it... that event really was special, I'll def never forget it. glad you (and so many others) were able to make it out for it.
     
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  6. gazpacho

    gazpacho Comment King

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    Sale to me?
     
  7. RyanM

    RyanM Toy Prince

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    You ruined this beautiful moment ;)
     
  8. gazpacho

    gazpacho Comment King

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    Sorry. I did it for the likes.
     
  9. coma21

    coma21 Mini Boss

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    and I am giving you them.
     
  10. EastEndFrontier

    EastEndFrontier Toy Prince

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    Anything for sell?
     
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  11. coma21

    coma21 Mini Boss

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    Copy cat ;):lol:
     
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  12. EastEndFrontier

    EastEndFrontier Toy Prince

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    I just couldn't resist :lol:
     
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  13. JoeMan

    JoeMan Mini Boss

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    [​IMG]
     
  14. ultrakaiju

    ultrakaiju Die-Cast Staff Member

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    ^ You joke, but just wait 'till Brian starts posting the private messages and 'enquiries' I am sure he is going to get (and probably has already since owning these). :razz:

    EDIT: Nevermind, I have been hepped to the joke here by a more astute SBer. Pardon my ignorance, I am old and out of 'it'; and hat tip to Joe for that one. Wow, this hobby really does have some odd corners. :|
     
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2017
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  15. Vinyl Skin

    Vinyl Skin Toy Prince

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    @brobles You nailed it by encapsulating all of the nuanced details of a truly amazing experience. A special day indeed!
     
    Last edited: Jun 7, 2017
    brobles likes this.
  16. Anti Social Andy

    Anti Social Andy Die-Cast

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    By way of balanced reporting and as a representative jaded old member (fnaar fnaar) . . . I (heart) toys and good times > I (heart) convention/show shenanigans and passive-aggressive toy nerds!

    :lol:
     

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