About 3 years ago we interviewed 3 very active and community-involved Transformers collectors’ wives to find out How The Other Half Live. For my 200th TFSource Blog Article (not counting interviews), I decided to once again ask those closest to me how they viewed my collection of robots. I’ve asked my wife. my three year old daughter, and for a bit of distance, the partner of a very close friend. I’d like to say I am not concerned about how others see my hobby, but having recently discussed the implications of what happens to our toys when we die, I feel as though I have a greater responsibility to those around me to know where they stand with respect to my toys and how it affects them. The growing feeling that I own too many toys that cannot be adequately housed also weighs heavily on my mind, as the pictures in this article will demonstrate with how my place looks currently. Admittedly I asked my daughter for comic value, but I still respect what she had to say. What Do They Think? | Source Blog <- CLICK TO READ All the best Maz
Nice article that really hit "home". It's great to have a supportive family. My 2 year old daughter has been playing with some of my vintage G1 stuff that I uncovered recently and can transform some or at least mess around with them without breaking anything. Everytime we get in the car and she is strapped in and ready, she says, "Let's roll out Transformers!".
Thanks! The little corner of the playmat showing in your pic reminds me of my daughter's room: Can't really see the floor in most the pictures but here's some evidence of it:
That is an absolutely MAD room, does she ever come out of there?! Thanks so much for sharing, bud. All the best Maz
Thank you, it's a pleasure, mate. I do wonder if the more personal ones are less interesting to most people who read them and I was also concerned it was too close to subjects already covered ad infinitum over the last 4 years. All the best Maz
Haha, Yeah she definitely does...but you haven't seen the rest of the place, lol . My wife is actually helping me figure out more ways/places to display my stuff. She says if I'm going to collect so much, it's better to enjoy them and have them displayed and out than boxed away.
Wow, she is clearly awesome also. Actually that's a good point, I was going to go with an alternative theme this week called "The Hidden Collection" where I talked about how much we all have in storage and how when we sell something direct from storage, do we really miss it?> Have we ever appreciated it etc? It's all connected. All the best Maz
It's an article that's really interesting in that if you were to interview 20 couples, you would probably get 20 different scenarios. I think it runs the gamut from people literally hiding their collection from view of their SO, to people collecting together. In my case, I have it semi-good where she hated at first, I had to pull a fast one while she was out to setup my detolfs in the basement, and now just let's me get new figures without saying anything. Either way, I was going to collect these and if she couldn't accept it, we wouldn't work out because it's important to be allowed to do what you love in life. You don't have to love it like I do, but at least tolerate it within reason.
I would argue that in a way it is appreciated. Just knowing I have certain things in my collection is enough satisfaction for me because I know there is no way I can display everything and even so, I'm not actually going to be picking up and "playing" with each toy very often. I probably won't miss some things because there is so much I don't even know what I have but that is part of the enjoyment to me. Digging through my storage is like finding buried treasure. Every box I open is filled with stuff that makes me smile...Last time I did this recently, I came back in the house completely mesmerized and just chanted, "ridiculous, my collection is ridiculous". Opening and playing with toys is satisfying and definitely should be done often but having a lifetime worth of minty fresh toys stored away, ready to open and enjoy whenever is also a great feeling. I just recently opened a Yamato/Arcadia VF-1 and experienced it for the first time. As one of my all time favorite transforming figures that I have too many versions of to know, I was blown away by it and yet I don't feel like I was missing out by not opening it sooner. I'm happy to know I have others in pristine condition boxed away. My current goal is to focus on only getting new things that I will open right away and enjoy, while selectively pulling stuff out of storage. I've never sold a single piece but it's way past the point where I should consider at least selling some duplicates that I'm probably never going to use.
I felt this way too, the knowledge of owning something was appreciated and actually, even though I wasn't seeing them on a daily or even weekly basis, just knowing I had it was enough to deter me from selling them. However once I did sell them - especially toys that have never really been on proper display and yet I have owned for a decade - I realised that knowledge wasn't enough. I didn't miss them because literally the only change to my life was a switch that said I don't own that thing any more. Maybe the difference is I have always had to sell to buy because of my budget and focus, and the fact that I know every single piece I own, so there are no surprises, in fact it's almost sadder because I know what gems were hidden away for years not being appreciated how I wanted to appreciate them. Many kind thanks, I really appreciate it Haha yes indeed, there are so many damn big windows in our property something had to be done! It's perfectly made to cover one whole Detolf, but then I got a second one when we moved into the current flat so it's being used as a front cover. It's a poor substitute for 2 covers, but my aunt who made it to order is a busy lady All the best Maz
Maz really like how you constructed the article in an entertaining and unique way. Too me its like a perfect hot and sour soup, because the article has a lot of different dialogue and it could of gotten confusing if done by someone else (even with Italics) but its done it in a perfectly harmonized way, with each persons' inner thoughts. hope that makes sense. Wheres the unedited version?, Maz's wife : "You got time too ask me these questions but you dont have time too take out the trash" "what do I think? what do I think, *takes Mp-10 and rips it apart into two halves* haha only joking
That's very kind mate, thank you so much. Just keep in mind you've contributed to this collection! As for the outtakes, well let's say that you're not a million miles off hah! Maybe I shouldn't have sold the white Sixwing chase variant she so liked. All the best Maz
Maz, Your a brave man I don't know if I would have the balls to ask all of those questions. My collection is all contained in one room and what doesn't fit get stored away or sold. Thanks for sharing.
Still regret selling you that Black Tracks Just remembered you must have a pretty comprehensive Animated collection ,it is a crying shame you cant display them cause like many would love too see it. What I know from experience from my friends/ex. I made a conscious effort to change alot of things based on past comments. Alot of the changes I think universally apply to all collectors.Its good too be reminded of this perspective from a non-collector from the article. Space is a big issue. I use too have four detolfs and always got comments of how much space it took up, so I converted to a glass cabinet which is roughly 2.5 detolfs in width. It fits more and allows for a more cohesive and compacted look. Did I mention it reduces alot of space and fits heaps more in. 2nd hand ex retail displays are a prefect way too go. Money is a big issue. It always seems you have expensive 3rd party toys in your possession. Im guessing there is a mutual agreement on a budgetary limit for each month's purchases? The fact there is no rant from your wife means that you have done well on the spending front Maz Your friend mentions money, that is always the first thing people ask/mention when they see my collection of anything, "is this stuff worth anything","is it worth alot of money", "how much did it all cost " , funny people outside the hobby always see collecting through those lenses. For me a budget and cooling off periods are vital, reduces buyers remorse and being burnout. and keeps the joy going, routine purchases kills the joy of receiving items in the mail.
Good read squire... As you know, it's a touchy subject for me. This will change though. As an aside, I am starting to cull my collection. Anything not absolutely brilliant or that has been in boxes for over a year is going. A clear out is good for the soul. I did it 10 years ago and I think it's time to do it again.
I hope so, mate, because I know the one time I was facing a full on "This needs to be over" and a general lack of understanding from the in-laws, I pushed back really hard having teetered on the edge of relenting and even cancelling my trip to AA last year, and I don't want to have to do that again. I am not at all against the idea of giving up and moving on, I've considered it many times, but maybe I'm being selfish in wanting it on my terms when I am ready. Not because somebody told me to out of a lack of proper understanding of the significance. After that occasion things have been much better. But as you can see from the interview, not quite yet where I want them All the best Maz
