Jack Slater Is Actually Worth Something........

Today I went to the Columbus toy show with Geof, Calieb, and Scott. In a nutshell, I was there to pursue a hobby of mine: collecting comics, bootlegs, and action figures. Seen a lot of stuff I had when I was kid and alot of stuff I would have liked to have as a kid. But I also seen something that really didn't make any sense to me.

After about 2 hours, I had gathered some nice items for my collections. I headed back to this dealer's table that had 2 options laid out for me. Option one: A 12' Jack Slater from the movie Last Action Hero. Option Two: A "FX Maxx" changable Freddy Krueger action figure. Both of which where still in the package. First I asked how much the Freddy one was, the man told me he'd give it to me for 15 bucks. Couldn't pass up that deal considering the tag said 20 and the last time I'd seen this figure it was about 50.

Then I asked about the Jack Slater, he told me 50. Now, before I went to this table my brother suggested I huggle the man. Had full intention to but something in his voice told me he was not going to lower the price or bargin with me. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the Last Action Hero but was their anyone else who did ? Enjoyed it enough to get the merchandise ? Puzzled and slightly dissapointed I walked back to join the rest of the guys.

When I met back up with the fellas, a dealer from the next table walked up to me and asked me what I got. Of course I showed him and told him what happened. He was puzzled considering the movie didn't do all that well figuring the value of any merchandise would not be worth much and evidentally what I had was a extremely rare collector's item.

The dealer told me that Matchbox {yes the company that makes cars} was going to release a line based on Dracula, Alien {from the Ridley Scott Movie}, Frankenstein, The Mummy, Werewolf, The Caveman, The Creature From The Black Lagoon, Jason, and Freddy Krueger. Each figure would include an figure that was supposed to be a "actor" that you dressed in one of those characters. Pretty much telling children that behind the monsters in the movies are actors in make-up and costume. A very smart and cool idea I think. Matchbox only relased the Freddy Krueger one and stopped production on the line due to the controversy surrounding another Freddy Krueger doll that was already out. Hence making this one a collector's item.

In any case I had a lot of fun. It was like taking a trip down memory lane but if you want to relive some of those fond memories of your childhood; be prepared to open your wallet.

Mixtapes...........

I was watching the movie "Adventureland" last night. The film itself is set in the 1987 which means MP3 Players, touch screen cell phones, facebook, GPS systems, and flat screen televisions are no where to be found in this film. For some of us, we remember the simple times and wish today was more like those days. For the rest of us however, its hard to believe that there was a time before myspace and the Ipod.


Anyways, in the movie the main character gives the girl his slowly falling for a mixtape of his favorite "bummer songs". Of course mixtapes back then where cassettes, now days they come in CD or via the internet through your MP3 service provider. While I watching the movie I got alittle nostalgic over the cassette mixtapes. I kind of miss them.


Making a cassette mixtape could be considered a process by today's standards. After figuring out the theme and or purpose of the tape is, figuring the perfect arrangement of songs, gathering the sources {CD, vinyl, or other tapes}, putting songs on the tape, and then writing the songs on the label. Actual work involved unlike today where you can sit at the computer and from start to finish takes 5-10 mintues.


I use to make a shitload of just random mixtapes but only one of those actually made it in the hands of a girl I had a crush on. I was in the 5th grade and she was in the 7th grade. Besides the fact I found her attractive, she was a badass; smoked cigarettes in the alley of a church across from the school, cursed aloud, hated her parents, and constantly questioned authority. I remember we use to walk home together sometimes and one day I gathered the courage if you will to give her a mixtape I made for her. Aside from the bad handwriting and my phone number plastered on it the tape was chalk full of Aerosmith's Big Ones, Metallica's Ride The Lighting, maybe some KISS. Not much variety considering I was young and my musicial taste had not expanded yet. As for the mixtape, not the great success I was hoping for.



Yes folks, mixtapes on cassettes are a thing of the past. Just like Vinyl, they could make a comeback but I doubt it........