It's a number. That's all it is for me. I won't start wearing Depends when I hit that number (unless I get into some kinky shit that I can't fathom right now) or suddenly wear a suit and tie everyday and carry a briefcase. It just won't happen. My brain won't let it.
Confession: I'm nostalgic. No, really, horribly nostalgic. I live, eat, sleep and breathe stuff from years gone by and, apparently, I'm not the only one.
I think companies know this about people like me from my generation because for the past decade I've seen pretty much everything I used to love resurrected in some form or fashion.
The Transformers have been back in full force, albeit with mixed responses, since Michael Bay's first movie in 2007 where a bunch of metal pieces fought each other, Shia Lebouf did some shouting and Megan Fox did some... well, she did something. The Thundercats made their way back with a cartoon last year and He-Man made an even earlier comeback in 2003. One of my other favorites, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, of which my younger self was absolutely obsessed, have been on and off television and the big screen ever since their original show ended. They've been published in comics as well, so I never felt the were out of reach.
But still, anytime I hear of a TMNT revival my heart skips a beat. I'm instantly transported to Birthdays or Christmases of the late 1980's and early 1990's where my presents were pretty much all green and had the word "Cowabunga" on them.
Full disclosure: When it came to toys I was spoiled kid. I know it. I admit it. I was fortunate and I'm not bragging (it didn't necessarily contribute in positive ways later in life). If it was an action figure, I usually got it. My parents weren't rich by any means. No, I'd say we were lower middle class all the way, but I was an only child and they were eager to please (or just shut me the hell up). They were good, however, about making sure I didn't overextend myself. They drew a line and wouldn't let me collect too many different sets of toys at the same time. I honestly don't know how they did it, but I'm extremely thankful for it. I didn't have any siblings, so make-believe was up to me and my action figures.
Anyway, it's that time again: TMNT are back on the shelves. I'd heard the rumblings for the past six months or so ('cause, damn it, I keep up with this shit! It's important!), so I've been creeping through the toy aisle at Wal-Mart for a while. If you ask my wife, I never stop creeping through that aisle.
Today? Today, my friends, the eight-year-old inside me (insert pedophilia joke here) got the semi-long-awaited reward he'd been wanting:
That's right, I got Raphael (my favorite turtle, thanks). Yeah, I'm pretty badass for buying this, I know, considering I don't have children and, ahem, WILL BE 30 NEXT MONTH!
What's that? Another photo? Sure!
Look, I make no bones about it: I'm a big kid. I don't exactly play with this stuff, I put it up in my "Nerd Cave", but in my mind I might as well be having the epic action figure battles I staged as a kid. I don't care what anyone says or thinks. If you get too old to enjoy things, even small ridiculous things, then you might as well pack it up and get the coffin ready.
Me, though... I'll probably buy Raphael when he's re-re-re-re-released when I'm in my 80's.
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