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Slump
May 6, 2005 7:56:02 GMT -5
Post by mazfan on May 6, 2005 7:56:02 GMT -5
For the first time since I've started collecting SOC's (I began in 2000), I am feeling not so into it... This is really strange because they've become my obsession and source of great joy. I can attribute this to the fact that I have all 26 GX's in color (including the PX's and some variations) and that I have nothing else to get until GX27. It's funny how much collecting what I don't have ties into my interest in the robots. This is kind of twisted since I should be celebrating the fact that I have them all. I guess a good part of the joy that I get from these robots is the "hunting" process. And since I started a couple of years late after the first SOC was released, I had time to catch up. And not knowing where to get them added to the mystery.
Don't get me wrong, I still love these die-cast robots and I still get tons of inspiration from them--I am an artist and they do genuinely contribute to my work. And I still have the BPX-01 Space Battleship Yamato to get. I am really excited about this. My local shop should be getting it soon... Okay, I am getting into them again. Writing this is so therapeutic. It was just for the first time last night; I looked at my collection and realized that I have not been spending a lot of time with my precious collection. Talking about what I do with these robots is another topic for another day. I hope that I would never wake up one day and say, "Why the heck did spend thousands of dollars on these toys!!!" That would be a nightmare.
Thanks for allowing me to vent. I don't know where else to turn to. My spouse would just say I told you so and you could have spent your money elsewhere, if I'd discussed this. And I am not going to share this to my family and friends, they already think that I am crazy for having 30+ robots in my studio.
I've also been really busy and having tons of fun with work lately. Maybe this is why I am not so into my SOC's. But still, this is not an excuse... Start releasing more robots now, damn it!!!
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Slump
May 6, 2005 9:00:56 GMT -5
Post by diecastjunkie on May 6, 2005 9:00:56 GMT -5
Start collecting vintage. It'll keep you busy for a LOOOOONG time. ;D
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Slump
May 6, 2005 9:04:29 GMT -5
Post by mazfan on May 6, 2005 9:04:29 GMT -5
No thank you. I don't want to spend more money. I like the fact that I have a "controlled" obsession. Collecting the vintage would be a free for all. I'd be bankrupt...
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Slump
May 6, 2005 10:13:00 GMT -5
Post by mazingox on May 6, 2005 10:13:00 GMT -5
Hey mazfan, I felt the same way late last year/earlier this year. I have most of the SOCs. The waiting period between Doublus M2 and Gaiking is way longer than it was last year. At least last year we had the black/silver EVAs in March before Zambot in June. The thrill of the hunt ends unless you go into different lines, which I do not suggest, unless you have a lot of coin. Going to stores and online to look for SOCs is not as thrilling as when I started chasing in late 2003 when Getter Dragon was released. The only thing I can probably suggest is to put your SOCs in different action poses or change the weapons around a little. Doing some photos on them might help pass the time or reinvigorate the fascination. Maybe that can hold you until your next purchase
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Slump
May 6, 2005 17:10:58 GMT -5
Post by REX-203 on May 6, 2005 17:10:58 GMT -5
Don't worry. With Gaiking, and eventually Voltes, and who knows what after that, coming up, you won't be in a slump for too long. Til then, enjoy the treasures you have. This may be off topic, but you said you're an artist? Why don't you post some of your stuff in the art section? We'd love to see it, especially if your SOCs inspire you to create it! ;D
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Slump
May 6, 2005 17:24:51 GMT -5
Post by jwm on May 6, 2005 17:24:51 GMT -5
Mazfan: This is an awesome topic, and it's a hugely important one. You are touching on something truly profound- the question of what brings happiness. Acquiring stuff for a collection is great fun. The hunt, the anticipation, the final acquisition- it's a rush. It's a rush we all get off on, or we wouldn't spend so much time here talking about it. But like any high, it can be addictive. Like any high, there is a comedown. Like any high, it is fun, but in the long run it is also unsatisfying. Buying a toy feels almost the same as accomplishing something. But as we all instinctively know, it really isn't much of an accomplishment at all. Collecting is fun but it will not generate happiness. Friendships, relationships, spiritual grounding, and accomplishments generate happiness. I doubt if I'm saying anything here that we all don't know on a gut level. But it's always healthy to ponder the Great Questions.
And as a final note, indulge me in my old-fartedness and I'll pass on some advice. Don't be afraid to box it all up, put it in all in the closet and forget about it. (DON'T EVEN DREAM ABOUT SELLING IT ALL OFF) My collection sat dormant for over twenty years. When I dug it all out it was fresher than the day I bought it. JWM
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Slump
May 6, 2005 19:39:53 GMT -5
Post by Chen on May 6, 2005 19:39:53 GMT -5
I know exactly how you feel, now that I have all the SOC's I wanted (or can afford) I'm left just waiting around to see what comes next. I wish the SOC line was more consistent with figures coming out one every three months or so instead of piling them all within a five/six month time period.
But even if they did I doubt I would ever get the same feeling I got when I recieved my first SOC (GX-04) and just sat there looking at the box and reading the instruction manual a hundred times just to look at the pictures (plus pretending Grendizer was flying around my room in his Spazer ;D).
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sideshowsito
Robot Grunt
[ Dark Lord of the Sito ]
Posts: 86
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Slump
May 6, 2005 21:25:15 GMT -5
Post by sideshowsito on May 6, 2005 21:25:15 GMT -5
I say pack up all your SOC's ... put them aside and dont think about it ... open them JAN 1st 2006.. and enjoy the feeling of seeing them once again after all that time !! worked well for me with tons of collectibles ( star wars , final fantasy ,etc )....
That or get a GF ( sorry not to sound like im ridiculing ) but that is another good way to get 'distracted' ^_^ .. again works for me !!
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Slump
May 6, 2005 22:39:22 GMT -5
Post by mazfan on May 6, 2005 22:39:22 GMT -5
You guys have been so great with all of your feedback. You've all truly given me new insights. Yes, why not repackage my SOC's and re-open them after some time. And of course, true happiness comes from family, friends and doing what you love. I guess in many ways, I am in a really great place right now, both personally and career-wise. I tend to escape and lose myself in my robot collection when things are not so fantastic. And I know that this is healthy--heck, it sure beats crack. And speaking about drugs... Yes, this is a form of addiction. And the joy that one gets from collecting "things" is fleeting. Thank you for reminding me about this as well.
Wow, I wish that I know you guys beyond the virtual, computer world. I really don't know anyone else here in Boston that collects SOC's. I have this dream of someday going to someone's house and sharing/playing with each other's SOC's. This may change thought. I am now in contact with a fellow collector here in Boston--we may meet soon. Hurrah!!!
Thanks again. You guys are the best.
P.S. I didn't know that there is an art section on this site. Where is it?
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Slump
May 6, 2005 23:20:14 GMT -5
Post by sketcher on May 6, 2005 23:20:14 GMT -5
Great thread! I have done the "Put it away method" several times. This does indeed, bring back the joy, later, when you re-open the toys. I have collected since I was about 9 or 10 years old, off and on. I am now 38. There have been times when I lose interest. But I always seem to come back to it. JWM is absolutely right about, never, ever, think of selling it. You will hate the empty feeling later when you don't have those toys. Not just because they are toys, but because they remind you of the time in your life when you aquired it. What you were doing in life, what music was popular, who you were spending time with, how you were spending your days. Those are the things connected to this habit we have, that are important. When I was 17, we were moving, and my toys, that I had accumulated to that point, were stolen. All of my, what we now call vintage toys, were gone in an instant. I have been trying to find replacements ever since! Those toys, to me, are still the Holy Grail items of my collection, because of the way they make feel when I look at them. The hunt is always a fever that burns out fast but the joy that the toy can give you when you look at it is a good thing. Oh, and thanks alot guys, for getting me hooked on this SOC thing!! I have 3 already, and more on the way! I am truly doomed! ;D
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Slump
May 7, 2005 10:39:30 GMT -5
Post by Chen on May 7, 2005 10:39:30 GMT -5
P.S. I didn't know that there is an art section on this site. Where is it? It's in the Fan art and custom section you should check it out there are alot of amazing artists on this board ;D
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Slump
May 14, 2005 2:19:23 GMT -5
Post by lurkerx on May 14, 2005 2:19:23 GMT -5
lately I've felt the same way about my collection, the last piece I bought was the SOP yamato re-issue I started collecting in 1997 when the first SOC GX-01 came out.
Its probably because they haven't come out with anything lately that have caught my eye. Obviously that will change in the upcoming months: gaiking, aoshima dropship, aoshima 1/18 airwolf, 1/48 GBP armor, and 1/48 brown Vf-1a, Voltes V to name a few.
On top of that, my new job's kept me busier then there's my 2 year old kid, then there's my courses which needs at least 20 hrs per week of studying. Then there's the wife wanting to spend most of the weekend in the mall shopping. I do try to keep my daily routine of having my morning coffee in front of my collection, other than that I reallly haven't had time to look/play/relax with my collection.
On occassions, I've even contemplated selling the entire lot off ebay and putting a down payment on a G35
but I still like my collection and I know 5 years from now when the car is worth half its original price my collection will still be worth at least what I paid for it so I'm keeping them. I may sell off some of my toys to increase space but none of the SOCs are going.
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Slump
May 18, 2005 10:52:21 GMT -5
Post by Dragonclaw on May 18, 2005 10:52:21 GMT -5
It's situations like this that make me realize how much I like collecting multiple lines. I have certainly trimmed the fat per-se, but when my interest wanes for one line it usually means I'm feeling nostalgic for another. Since the beginning of this year I was feeling pretty burned out on Transformers, was even thinking about stopping them altogether...but I switched gears to Microman/Micronauts and had a lot of fun with collecting again, then a few weeks ago I stumbled apon 3 of my last few Transformer vintage needs and it sparked up my TF excitement (Just in time as I was running out of affordable Micronauts to get ). I have no doubt that Gaiking will pull my attention to diecast and classic super robots before it again returns to TF or Micros...maybe even Zoids since I've been jonesing to build something...diversity can definately help keep things fresh
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Slump
May 18, 2005 17:56:43 GMT -5
Post by jwm on May 18, 2005 17:56:43 GMT -5
Dragonclaw: If you want to build something, get yourself a PG Strike. But watch out! You want to talk about addictive- the PG experience is the granddaddy of project buzzes. (I've never tried resin kits, but rumor has it that they are worse (better?) ) You will lose sleep, and become a stranger to all who know you before you're done. But it is worth it. I could almost make a case for selling my PG kits just for a good excuse to buy and build them again. JWM
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Slump
May 20, 2005 7:47:10 GMT -5
Post by Dragonclaw on May 20, 2005 7:47:10 GMT -5
LOL Getting into yet another obsession would probably lead to greivous bodily harm It's bad enough that I have outgrown the current collection room (New 'bots linger on the computer desk until it becomes an issue )Maybe once we've got the new house (With bigger collection room...that used to be the garage ) ready to move into...
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Slump
May 20, 2005 18:11:24 GMT -5
Post by 00silvergt on May 20, 2005 18:11:24 GMT -5
"It looks better in the store"
Remember when most of us were kids and it is a week/month/day before your birthday/christmas/hannukah/etc. and you are eagerly anticipating "the GI JOE with the Kungfu grip", Mask Rhino, Transformers Optimus Prime, etc. and {insert your special day here} comes and your highly anticipated toy was not all it is cutup to be? I mean don't get me wrong you may play with it for a while enjoy it and all its glory, but eventually you feel the slump and it gets put in the drawer/displayed until it gets broken or lost is when you all of the sudden feel the urge to want it again. This is a form of nostalgia.
We as human beings have the sense that is summed up with the saying that "I came, I saw, I conquered." It is not unlike saying is this all that I am is there anymore?.
I have a friend who levelled up his charecter in World of Warcraft to level 60-something pretty much making himself a minor deity in the game. When another friend joined him in his glory at the high level, he only simply told him, "congratulation, welcome to oblivion."
My suggestion is expand your horizon. The never-ending quests would always give you the strive for life. For instance: this is simply one of the many lines of toys I collect. Along with Airsoft and other non-robot related items. DVD's, Videogames, Photography and videography. Variety IS the spice of life.
Good luck.
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