Bethgo’s Weblog

Ugly Dolls remind me of the comic book series, Beautiful Stories for Ugly Children - dark and unique yet vaguely commercial.  Don’t get me wrong I adore my OX key chain, and his little green body makes it virtually impossible to lose my keys anymore.  It’s just interesting to note that "on the edge" toys have gone the way of of almost all things different – strangely the same.  (*see William S. Burroughs does Nike)

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Starbucks!  It’s not just for coffee anymore.  If you haven’t been inside a Starbucks in the last – oh – five years, you probably didn’t know that they now sell much more than just $3 lattes.  They hawk games, Cds, dishes, and my all-time favorite the Starbucks’ Bearista Bear.  Seven years ago, I couldn’t resist picking up a brown bear in a polar bear suit sitting in a basket at the Queen Anne Starbucks’ check out counter; who would have guessed this would be the first of many, many bears to follow.

These pictures are of the bears I keep on my office windowsill and does not include the seven Christmas/Winter themed bears I have stored with other yuletide decorations. 

They don’t seem to be making them anymore, but have no fear!  If you missed out on the fun – there is always, of course, that playground that is Ebay.

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While visiting with some members of another team at Microsoft, I came across this wonderful find.  The inhabitant of the office kindly let me gush for five minutes and then take this picture for my blog. 

It’s amazing to me that there are still so many undiscovered toys in the world.  I had never heard of Afro Ken or San-X (even though I have been a Tarepanda fan for awhile). 

Of course, as is often the case with unique toys like this one, it’s only a matter of time before I break down and get one for my office.  Clock is ticking – I’ll post a pic of mine if (when) I get one.

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If you ever wonder whether or not you are ready for the joys of parenthood, you actually don’t need to go as far as bringing home a dog or a cat; just go out and buy yourself a Tamagotchi.  I realize I’m a little late to the Tamagotchi party, but better late than never having the chance to own a strange virtual beeping pet child thing. 

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ps_ that is not my hand.

Hidamari no Tami.  Mesmerizing, simply mesmerizing.  Any maybe a little disturbing.  Described as:

Today, tomorrow, always taking it easy in the sunshine…

"Hidamari noTami" are always easy-going in the sunshine.
They seem to enjoy sun-bathing.
They look pleased and smile with a swaying head.
Somehow, although they are just happy-go-lucky.
Why do I feel so calmed when I see then?

It is no lie that watching the little bobbing head can lull you into a complete state of relaxation, but what if this toy is part of a sinister alien plot to take over the earth after the entire population has been lulled into a near coma-like state?  That is if the new onslaught of summer reality TV shows doesn’t do the trick.

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The Bag Of Love is a wonderful daily reminder that someone out there loves you and thinks you’re gorgeous.  I keep him in my office by my computer for a little mid-afternoon cheer up; especially so when my in-box starts to look like I’ve played a really bad round of Space Invaders and lost.

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Oh what I could do with 5 friends, unlimited sandy terrain, and a neverending loop of The Clash singing "Rock the Casbah".

Oh and speaking of the Clash and Mick Jones, that reminds me there is movie you HAVE to see…

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Recently we spent the day doing spring cleaning:  clearing shelves, dusting windowsills, vacuuming behind the TV (gasp), etc.  We decided to move all of our board games downstairs for storage; all of them that is, except Mastermind and Othello.  These were the games of my childhood; granted I can’t say I knew how to play them in any sort of strategic way.  That said, I’m not even sure I do now, but it’s a heck of a way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

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This is about the toy that got away.  The toy that for whatever reason you decide not to buy at the time and later regret it for years on end.  I’m writing about the original wooden Zolo which was designed by Sandra Higashi and Byron Glaser in 1986.  The sad thing is when I was a freshman in college I bought a set for a little over $100 and then promptly returned it the next day with buyer’s remorse.  At that time $100 seemed like a crazy amount to spend on a toy….I write this looking over at my four robot dogs with a heavy sense of irony.

I’m putting a call out to anyone who either has one of these sets, or knows someone who does that might be willing to part with it.  I can guarantee you I’m more than willing to part with at least a C-note this time.

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Here is the Aibo poster I mentioned winning the other night.  It’s one of my most favorite things in my office at work.

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