A review of 2007 and preview for 2008

Looking back at 2007, one of the most significant toy events here in Singapore has to be the sudden revived interest in collecting Transformers toys due to the release of the Transformers movie in July 2007.  The resale toy market here had been ‘flooded’ with the Transformers movie toys since just before the movie release.  The local toy collectors tend to follow a trend.  Many years ago, everyone was collecting X-men Animated action figures. Then they moved on to Batman Animated action figures, Star Wars Movie action figures plus vehicles, and Justice League Animated action figures.  Now the in-trend movie toys to collect is still Transformers and the trend looks to be continuing into 2008, until the next big movie with exciting toy mechandise comes along to topple the Transformers movie toys from the top of the local toy chart.

The Justice League toyline continued in 2007 with the Justice League Unlimited series on the more attractive purple cards.  I picked up some of the cool single female figures like Huntress (she’s gorgeous) and Dr Light (slim and short but still cute) at retail prices.  I found Supergirl too but I passed her since I already have her on yellow card.  I nearly wanted to import Black Canary (in original costume) and Shayera (a.k.a. Hawkgirl unmasked in yellow costume) from US Ebay but dropped the desire eventually.  I also found the remaining 3 Justice Lords (Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter and alternate Flash) that I need to complete my set, at a departmental store today but did not buy them.  Perhaps I would get them at a sale next year.  Besides, I have not seen the Justice Lord version of Hawkgirl sold here, except on US-based online stores.  The Justice League Unlimited toyline looks to be ending soon, unless they have yet another new season of their cartoon series next year. 

For Lego castle and knights series, I picked up 2 of the smallest mini sets to have a feel of owning those ‘eerie-looking’ ’skeleton’ knights and horses.  I collect Lego knights and horses mainly for my ongoing Lego toyfic.  My toyfic can still be conceptualized by just looking at their catalog photos.  I thought I could finally conclude my Lego knights adventures toyfic last year but as Lego kept coming up with new knights sets in 2007, my toyfic has to continue as well.  Looks like there will be no ‘peace’ in my Lego knights’ land.  My Lego knights are definitely set to embark on yet more exciting adventures and ‘treacherous’ missions ahead, not to mention more difficult battles to be fought too!*

*This paragraph on toyfic shall be covered more in detail in a later post soon. 

The G3 My Little Pony toyline in 2007 focused more on mini pony figures that came with tiny accessories or small buildings and playsets to match their sizes.  These mini-sized ponies are known as Ponyville ponies.  They are cute to look at and no doubt they look adorable with their mini accessories etc.  Unlike their regular-sized counterparts, they have molded manes and tails, which kills the joy of brushing them.  It is like Hasbro’s attempt to compete with Polly Pocket by coming up with a pony version of Polly Pocket.  However, most collectors like me and children still prefer the regular-sized ponies with brushable manes and tails.  I visited the local Toy ‘R Us today where there was a “buy 3 toys and get the 4th toy free” clearance sale.  The pony shelves were ‘wiped clean’ of regular-sized ponies and were left only with the mini Ponyville sets.  Fortunately, more new pony characters were introduced this year but by the last 2 months of 2007, the ponies kept appearing in the same poses for entire sets.  The new repeated poses for regular-sized ponies make them look slimmer and a bit more like their G2 counterparts.  Nevertheless, I hope to see some boy ponies and seaponies next year!

On a personal side, it has been a mental roller coaster ride for me in 2007.  It was also a time of ‘awakening’ where I finally snapped out of my ‘auto-pilot’ lifestyle and started planning my life and future.  This new task is daunting yet necessary in order to progress.  It represents my readiness and first attempts to step out of my comfort zones and into the unfamiliar yet vast promising worlds beyond.

There have been huge changes in my mindset, thoughts, feelings, actions, educational levels, expectations, results and lifestyle this year.  Armed with these changes of 2007, I shall cross over to 2008 wth new goals and strategies so as to live life to its fullest and with minimum regrets!

I have my goals and timetables to achieve them all set for 2008.  My successes will be measured by the progress made towards each goal and celebrated accordingly.  I really look forward to the exciting year of 2008!  I hope everyone does as well. 

Farewell 2007 and welcome 2008!