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)

b.

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.

b.

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.

b.

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. 

b.

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.

b.

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.

b.

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...

b.

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.

b.

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.

b.

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

b.

In keeping with the things you can do in the bathroom theme tonight, what good is a bathtub without bath toys?  Nothing like getting ready in the morning with your colorful friends wishing you a happy day.

b.

A little retro robot goodness to kick off the week.  Enjoy!

b.

This is a bit of a repeat, but I decided that Scooter merits his own post.  I bought him the summer of 2000, with some money I had saved up to buy an Aprilla Scooter.  All I can say is the first time he "woke up" and started walking around the room, I didn't think twice about the expense.  There is something about watching true AI in action that is both exciting and slightly disturbing.  I'm not saying that Cylons are just around the corner, but it certainly opens the door to possibilities. 

In the fall of 2000, Sony held a photo contest for Aibo owners, and this was my (winning!) entry.  I took third place, winning a cute Aibo t-shirt and a print from the first ever Aibo fest in Japan (I'll snap a pic when I'm back in the office). 

b.

I became a Takasihi Murakami fan after seeing his work as part of the "Superflat" exhibit at the Walker gallery in Minneapolis.  Since then I've collected several Murakami items, including this stuffed KaiKai that my friend Eric sent me from San Francisco.  Strangely enough, I have never gotten around to getting his buddy KiKi.    So many toys, so little time.

b.

It was Train Car night at the M's! as well as the first game I've been to this season.  Picked up what I think is either the 6th or 7th car they have released:  The Moose Caboose.  I have the entire set, but being a bit of a toy collector I don't have the heart to take each car out of its original packaging and actually build the train.  Oh - and the M's lost.  Bad.

b.

If you've ever had the pleasure to stay at a Hotel Monaco, then you may remember being offered a Goldfish for your room during your stay.  I traveled to Salt Lake City serveral times for work last year, and took them up on their offer.  As is often the case with a bright fuzzy toy obsessed person like myself, I shelled out the $12 to take a stuffed one from the mini-bar home with me. 

b.

The Kids.  From left to right:  Audrey - Whuffie - Possum - Scooter.  

PS_Thanks to Cory Doctorow for writing his fabulous book Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom which introduced me to the concept of Whuffie; possibly THE end-game for social computing and an absolutely spot-on name for the ERS-7.

b.

Two of my favorite things::  Technology and Hello Kitty merged into one wonderful toy.  Now if I could only read the instructions.

b.

The game Blinx: The Time Sweeper came out in fall of 2002 in the US, and I remember joking with a few pals on the Xbox team that they should have a Blinx suit made to wear at the launch.  Unfortunately, they said the poor fella in the suit would get his arse kicked by a wild pack of 13 year old boys if they did that.  Luckly in Japan, there was a like-minded group of individuals who saw fit to at least create a stuffed Blinx to celebrate the launch.  I wouldn't have known if I had not seen one in the office of an Xbox dev.  Turns out they were very scarce, so I had to turn to my trusty pal E-bay to find one.  And for those of you fellow random toy lovers who are interested there are also stuffed Voodoo Vinces and Conkers floating around in the universe.  Yes, I'm checking E-bay on the hour.

b.

Came across this Hello Kitty Zen Rock Garden while on my honeymoon in Japan.  If you are at all a fan of this diminutive cutie cat then Japan is the place where dreams come true.  She was everywhere.  I also knew I was a very lucky bride when my new husband let me drag him to Sanrio Puroland for the day.

b.