500th post, 100th figure. Some thoughts.

[Hopper]

So this is my 500th post on BFTB. Hurrah!

I also want to share with you my 100th figure.

But first, a reflection on me, collecting, and BFTB.
I joined on August 9th 2009 after some months of lurking and marvelling at the odd folk that inhabited this place. Basically, after realising that I was just like them... so I came out of the toy collecting closet!
Shortly afterwards I got divorced.
Now, I'm not saying the two are connected, but...

I then realised that, despite playing with my figures for 3 years straight in the early 80s, and still being able to name them all 25+ years later, I had loads to learn...

A variant, you say? Pray tell, what is a variant?
You mean there are more than one type of each figure... oh!

I was hooked, and have not looked back.

I think for me, the very essence of this lark is the simple joy of getting a toy. Small, perfectly formed, designed to be played with - which is why I don't do MOC, though can understand the urge.
But also, they provide, for me, a link to the past, my past. They represent something, a childhood, a lost perfection, innocence, long weekends playing, in the zone, oblivious.
Tomorrow, I have to get up for work, dealing with all sorts of real world, adult, stuff. I have had to deal with a lot of crap, been through some very unpleasant stuff, including the divorce and more, much more.
But looking at the SAS Commando, holding it, moving it, putting the gun into his hand, positioning it... all that crap goes away, it all becomes, for a moment, unimportant.
Archaeologists and anthropologists talk about mnemonic devices, things that help you remember, that can represent a past event, or feeling. And for me Action Force is that.

Anyway, there you go. Some random musings. Don't feel you have to reply, but I just wanted to mark the occasion of my 500th post, and also to say thanks guys. You are a great bunch, and this place is always fun and interesting.

Cheers, guys.
Tim


Now, on to my 100th figure.

Nothing fancy, Z Force Medic Type 2
A difficult bugger to get hold of - I don't know how rare he is as such, just that I have not seen one before on ebay - so I bought him, probably for more money than he is worth, but I don't care (I also got a German Meteor in the same lot, my first German figure, so there's that to start on!)

Here's to 500 more

[Thundershot]

Nicely done

[paul463]

Congrats Tim

[Quickfire]

Congratulations...

Well, only 500 more posts to go ... to the 200th figure benchmark.

Much variant fodder to address in the interim ...

[SteveD]

Not only done, but done with style Hopper!! Every post a good un! If a little mind boggling at times for a variant obsessive like me!!

[Chopper]

Congratulations Timmee. And Happy Australia day.

I agree with all of the mnemonic hocus pocus too.