As I get older, I’ve noticed that my memory isn’t getting any better. I have retained a great deal of key long-term information but for some reason anything short-term is all-too quickly forgotten. A while back when I first noticed this mental health decline (I was in my mid to late 20’s), I decided to employ certain material possessions as “triggers.” The theory had been, if I look at a particular object, I might just be able to recall any memories associated with it.

I believe I started with Orko, from the original Masters of the Universe toy line. I bought it for $50 something on eBay, in its present condition. I didn’t care too much about how the plastic bubble had yellowed with age, or that the card sustained minor wear. Damage or no damage, the figure helps me to remember one of the fondest moments of my childhood. The first time I ever held one in my hands, my mom was shopping in Target with me riding in the top of a shopping cart. I kept talking about how he was my favorite He-Man character, and why. I gradually lost all of the accessories besides the main part, the one that made him spin. I do so loved “winding him up” to see how long Orko could move on his own. It was like magic.

Grizzlor: There was one occasion on which my dad was taking me to bed and I refused to go without him. I know it seems a bit strange that I would want to sleep with a toy monster when most other children would be afraid of something under the bed or in the closet. Perhaps I thought that the only way to repel such creatures was with one of my own. It’s an odd sort of Dream Warden, but as a kid it actually worked.

Joker: I absolutely loved everything about the first Batman film, released in 1989 – specifically Jack Nicholson as The Joker. I suppose that’s why I only ever had that figure, because in my honest opinion he stole the show. To quote Kim Basinger, “I love purple.” The suit made an excellent transition from the comics to the film, and finally to the toy line.

Roger Rabbit: So many different emotions run through me when I look at this one, chief among them my fondness for the movie in general. It’s difficult for me to put into words. Have you ever watched a movie or a television show and consciously made the decision to not define why said forms of entertainment pique your interest? That’s what happened to me. It’s like trying to pick out your absolute favorite movie of all time. It’s nigh-impossible for me to say in great detail why I enjoyed Who Framed Roger Rabbit so much. Between the title character’ sense of hilarity to Eddie Valiant’s tragic back story and beyond, I’ll always think very highly of the film. I feel so strongly that I kind of get in a silly mood when I look at that figure hanging on the wall next to Joker. It’s an exhilarating sensation, as if my mind is telling me “I can’t believe you found it, after all these years.”

As you can see, I have a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles theme on the section of wall above my closet door. There’s the original film on VHS, sealed. Found that at a thrift shop in 2010 for only a dollar. I was (and still am) a huge TMNT fan in part because of how it was a perfect blend of the comics and the popular animated series in regards to its tone. I bought the Baxter Stockman figure at a comic shop in Torrance, CA. in 2008 for a little over $30. Baxter to me had been one of those misunderstood villains, only evil as a result of his environment and not necessarily by his own design. I guess you could say that the manner in which he was bullied, not just by his enemies but his allies as well, that I related to him on so many levels. That’s why I felt secure in my purchase of only one figure from that toy line. It had to make sense.

There are also four buttons that I’ll admit I only hung on the wall because I have no idea what else to do with them. My old Konami handheld game in the corner, which surprisingly still works great. That Donatello figure is the only piece that doesn’t truly belong, as it is based on the 2003 reboot. If you look closely, there is something else different about it…

I discovered this while waiting in line for my meds at Long’s in 2007. The top of the card says Leo, but the figure is obviously not him. I had never seen anything like it. Only cost me $8.

In 2013 I was fortunate enough to attend my first ever Sci-Fi Con with my friend Justin. It was held in Burbank, about 3 or 4 hours away. We split the gas and each brought our own souvenir money. I met quite a few celebrities there, but my interaction with Jonathan Frakes was the highlight o the day. I couldn’t afford this rare talking figure or even a photo op, which started to put a damper on things. Justin kindly offered up the remainder of what I needed just to be able ti talk to him so he could sign the card. We spoke very briefly about how his directing style influenced the pace at which I wrote my comic. He flashed me that familiar Riker smile and expressed genuine respect for my accomplishment (150 pages in a month and a half). I grew up idolizing this man, so to receive high praise from him is something I’ll never forget.

You are looking at the only two Star Tours figures I might ever have. I was unaware upon their respective purchases that the line would eventually be taken off the shelves at Disneyland in favor of one that is more traditional in nature, not a blatant Disney/Star Wars mash-up. Despite this, I stand by my choices. To understand the meaning behind how awesome the Yoda-Stitch hybrid is on a personal note I must first let you in on a little secret – I can do both voices. I taught myself by accident one day when I was playing around with my singing voice and the talent sort of took on a life of its own. Before too long I was also learning how to do other voices – Beavis, Igor, Donald Duck, Sloth, Gizmo, and a rather creepy Grim Reaper type that I created myself. In a manner of speaking, the aforementioned hybrid serves as a reminder of a moment in which I was unafraid to try something new. As for Donald Duck/Commander Cody, that explanation is much simpler. I love Donald and Storm Troopers equally. Buying the figure seemed like a no-brainer.

My Geek Wall as it was before the recent changes I made seemed over-crowded. By separating the cars from the action figures, I was able to offer a more coherent view while simultaneously freeing up space for future additions. I’m not going to stop getting collectibles like these until I run out of room, largely due to the fact that in looking at them provides the same effect as it does when I’m standing on a beach looking out into the ocean.  The set-up is breathtaking, and calms me down whenever the rest of my life gets too chaotic.