Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Homies, Toy Fair And Things That People Collect. Like Zippo Lighters.



So in my list of 25 things about me I mentioned that Homies were something I used to collect but don't anymore. A few people asked what Homies are. Homies are little plastic "home boys" that were available in gumball machines. I'm not sure if they're available still or not.

Honestly, the sculpting on them used to be great then it looks as though the sculpting was done in China because it was far inferior to the original pieces.

I actually met the creators when I went to the International Toy Fair for work a few years ago. They were really nice guys that came up with a cool idea at the right time.

What do you people collect?

And remember, I still collect zippo lighters so if you're ever looking for a gift for me - that's what I want. Just don't be cheap. You can get them on Ebay. Or maybe even ask your friends and family if they have any that you can have. You might want to try that too. Either way, get me a Zippo.

24 comments:

Jennifer and Sandi said...

Wow those are cool!

I use to collect Lady Head Vases. Recently sold them on EBay after moving them all over the world for 20 years.

Now I collect Poop! "Luna's" twice a day.

I need to find a new collectible!

Happy Tuesday!
- Jennifer

rachel... said...

I've never seen those Homies. Why did you stop collecting them and what did you do with your collection?

I love the smell of Zippos. I used to have one. I'd send it to you if I knew where it was.

SkylersDad said...

I collect peoples souls.

Dr Zibbs said...

Rachel - I just saw them in a gumball machine when I was at the toy store and started collecting them.

They now reside safely in my attic. Hidden away until the day I'm up there and I find them and say, "Oh yeah - I used to collect these things."

Swedish Chef said...

About a year ago I bought a whole trashbag of Homies for a friend that collects them. There were hundreds for like $20.00

I guess the only thing I really collect now is dead hookers.

Dr Zibbs said...

Swedish Chef - DOTS A GOOD VON! You had me laughing out loud on that one.

Now go write a few posts for your blog damn it.

And anyone reading this please visit his blog and bug him to write something new.

MJenks said...

I wonder what the inspiration for making Homies was. I'm sure the guys weren't laying around drunk one night watching Clerks or anything.

Dr Zibbs said...

MJenks - they were hispanic guys from LA that came up with the idea.

Anonymous said...

I used to have a pretty good stamp collection going until it got lost during a move. Don't collect anything now, except cobwebs. :-)

diane said...

Zibbs, that is a cute homie collection. I like Zippos too, but I only have two. One is just like the brass one my dad carried in the war (#2), and the other has an abstract ocean wave on it (it appeals to the hippie side of me).

Dr Zibbs said...

Diane - Great! I'll take the Zippo with the ocean wave.

Thanks.

Vic said...

I collect bad art, and other bad taste artifacts.

diane said...

No dice. I'll keep my two Zippos, you keep your two scarves.

alexa @clevelandsaplum said...

i collect homies and men.

i have 80% of those homies you have pictured.

Michelle said...

I collect blogs!!!!

Love
Stalker

Megan said...

You can't have my zippo but I've got a box of the offspring's tek dek dudes?

dmb5_libra said...

i'm ashamed to admit i know what "homies" are thanks to an episode of "the girls next door" on E!

also, i collect souls.

Jeannie said...

I collect shot glasses.
Never heard of homies. Maybe they never made it to Canada.

Andrew Rodriguez said...

As a Hispanic, I was never quite sure if I should be offended by them, I mean, where was my homie? Where was the Financial Planner homie? The Lockheed Martin Engineer homie? The Major in the USAF homie, the assimilated, nerd who could quote lines from Cadyshack and Monty Python homie? THE BLOGGER Homie?

I don't collect things per se, but is there anything, more satisfying, than the clicking sound, the metal rubbing against metal sound, of a Zippo being opened and closed? It's my Dad about to smoke a cigar, it's Brock Sampson from The Venture Brothers about to light a cigarette, it's Vietnam, Sergeant O'Neil lighting Sergeant Barnes' Cigarette before going out on patrol in the movie Platoon....the apotheosis of cool.

Kate said...

I have a small collection of die-cast cars. And Breyer model horses.

I worked for a toy store for many years, and somehow I acquired a lot of those stupid beanie babies, too. I've been giving them away for years and I still have a garbage bag full of them. Please, make them go away.

I'm glad I've never come across Homies before, they're too cool.

J.J. in L.A. said...

I save state and country decals and have everyone I know pick me up one when they're on vacation.

That way, I can brag about all the places I've been without getting off my @$$.

Just Dave said...

I used to collect stamps but now I mainly collect dust. And some mold when it is wet.

Fancy Schmancy said...

I stopped collecting because I ran out of room. I have my dad's old Pratt & Whitney Zippo, made in PA, with the eagle logo on it, In It's Original Case, but you can't have it!

Fancy Schmancy said...

Ha-ha, I just looked and you can still buy the exact same Zippo at the Pratt merchandise website for $19.00. So much for something old and valuable. Too funny!