Well said JP! That's my relationship with Trek as a whole,this kinda love/hate kinda thing.
One of my fun times collecting Playmates figs is this one.
On one of my many London trips way back when,I went into Forbidden Planet when they were still at New Oxford Street. They had JUST got in a new batch of figs from TNG and DSN and me and this other guy were filling up with figs. Suddenly a figure fell on the floor,as we were just putting them in our arms. We both looked down at it,then looked up at each other and just smiled. I said,I think that's yours,and he said,no you go ahead and take it. So I picked it up and said,wait,let me check if I already got it. So I checked my batch of figs and I had it so told him he could have it,to whcih he said thanks,and we carrid on loading up our full arms,LOL! It was just a fun moment in time,and it's the only time I've been able to pick up that many new figs in one go.
Of course,I did fill up an ice hockey bag first year I went to Comic Con,and the funny thing was when I went to Portland after the con and went by a Hallmark store to pick up some orny's and was standing in line to pay,this guy said,oh you play hockey,and I had to say no,it's full of action figures. LOL! He was actually more impressed by that,so told him I'd just got here from Comic Con and so on. Another fun time,lol!
But yeah JP,those days are far gone and will never come back. But it was....fun. lol. First time I went to FAO Schwarz in New York in 98,Christmas time,I picked up the Harry Kim and Species 8472 two pack,SO happy seeing that on the shelf there! With some other figs too. I really do miss those days when you excitedly went to a toy store in the US hoping to find some new figs. And the total WEEEEE when you DID! And I miss KBToys!
Ooops,better stop writing or it'll turn into a novel,lol!
Keep up the great work JP!
J-R!