JoeCanuck

Or at least know what you are getting into.

**I originally posted this at Joecustoms.com, but I thought it might be more relevant to Canadians. Also, if anyone can name the toy shop that I was coming out of, I'd appreciate it, as I can't remember for the life of me what it was. They have network gaming and a basement full of models.**

I was visiting a old toy store on Yonge (near Wellsley)in downtown Toronto (I forget the name, but it's been there forever, same crappy figs at $10 each for the last 5 years..) On exiting, I saw a Gi Joe logo sign (Oldstyle script) hanging in a window across the street.

Interested, I climbed the four flights of stairs to get to the place. I was met by a fence with barbed wire on the top. There was a counter at the end with a guy dressed in fatigues. There was nothing else in the hall.

I walked up tp the counter and asked him, "Is this the G.I. Joe place?"

He nodded, and responded "yes".

I so I said, "Do you have any toys?"

He looked at me, and said, "Most clients like to bring thier own."

I was really unable to put his answer into a context I could understand. Why would anyone bring thier own toys to a toy shop? I was confused, and now, looking at the guy behind the counter for the first time, I notice that he's wearing a camo halter top.

I ask him, radiating perplexity, "What is this place?"

He responds: "A gay spa."

I don't remember what I said next, but I was stunned. I couldn't help thinking, how did it happen in the desire to purchase children's toys that I am somehow at the entrance of a gay spa? How did a G.I.Joe sign lead me to this?

I hoofed it back down stairs in a bit of a fog. Wondering how I might inform Hasbro of this sort of copyright infringement.

____

Dear Sirs,

In your efforts to defend the effort that you have made in establishing a worldwide brand for the Gi Joe name, you have gone to great lenghts to eliminate any references to the toy that might tarnish its image as a high quality childrens toy brand.

I might suggest to you, that the GAY SPA that is currently using your trademarked name and logo in downtown toronto might be inconsistent with this image. You may want to look into that.

_______

Now I have nothing against homosexuality or any other form of sexuality that doesn't involve children, former food or former people, but I really think that a line was crossed here. Mind you, anyone that I tell the story doesn't seem to be able to stop laughing long enough to take it seriously...

I got gas at Petro Can in Guelph this afternoon at 1.02 a litre (canadian) and the lady behind the counter suggested that the gas would be as high as $3 a litre and I've heard that it's already $1.75 in Stratford/cambridge.

I go through 2 tanks a week commuting, and $3 a litre would be about another $80 a week to me.  

I won't go into what a scam this is, but it's going to hurt anyone who's hovering on E right now... Petro can should be the best price since they use NO US refining or supply, and any price raises are just gouging.

- Raps

I am looking for the following  figures loose, any help that you can give would be appreciated. I'll pay reasonable prices (unlike I usually do), but hopefully not more than $10 a figure since they are new stuff.  I also have an extra ninja comic pack that I can trade.

Comic Pack 3 or General Abernathy and Double Clutch
Comic Pack 8 or Rock and Roll and Short Fuze

I am also looking for an extra Steeler or extra Double Clutch to give grunt a real body.  

 I would prefer them loose.

Thanks

- Raps  

And yes mike this is similar to the email I sent you, but with a small difference. ;-)

It's midninght, and I have to go to bed, but I wanted to thank everyone for a great day...

I have some great fuzzy and blurry pics to post, but I'll do that over at joecustoms (since damned viper hasn't done that here yet )

I'll post the link.

It was great seeing all of you, meeting some of you, getting soundly thrsahed by a few of you, and trading with many of you.

I look forward to seeing all of you next year, especially Nobody and Tank Girl. ;-)

- Raps

Due to the obvious cost to mike, and the lack of sellers, I have questions for all planning to attend:

Who is willing to pay an entry fee in order to get in?

How much are you willing to pay?

Can anyone suggest a cheap and easy to produce premium that can be offered to those wiling to pay?

- Raptor

Wave 3 has now been spotted in the toy aisle in Stoney Creek Walmart.

They have everything, and I passed on most of it, save the TR/Electric Eel pack that was just too funky to pass up. He's going to lead my toxoviper squad...

I looked at the cobra two pack, and the Bat/Snow guy (with hands that go down past his knees gorilla style) didn't appeal. Wild Bill really should have been a new character.

Raptor