Greetings readers of CB's Diecast Museum.  It's an honor to have been asked to be a regular contributor to one of the best and oldest diecast web sites on the internet.  I hope you find my thoughts and ramblings entertaining.

Now that the new year is here, I like to reflect on the year that just passed, and make a few resolutions.  Like anyone else, I usually pack it in on my New Year's resolutions, oh say no later then January fourth, but I do seem to stick pretty closely each year to my "diecast New Year's resolution".  Last year, I decided I was going to cut way back on my trips to the store in search of new stuff.  All that time wasted coming home empty handed could be used for something more constructive (like shopping for redlines on eBay), and all that wasted gas money could be put to much better use too.  Like by converting it into redlines. 

So that was pretty much what I did.  Cut down on the trips to TRU and the other places I went to, and worked on my redline collection from the "spectraflame years",1968-1972.  I'll have to say, I did pretty well with it.  I think I'm probably missing about 20 castings total.  Some of the tough ones, of course, like the Olds 442 and the Cord, but the hot pink 442 I made from a bw Maxi Taxi casting fills the hole quite nicely until I have an extra 500 or so clams burning a hole in my pocket.

And looking back now, if it wasn't for the six Custom T Birds I bought in various shades of the spectraflame rainbow, and multiple Custom Mustangs I bought, besides all the other doubles I bought, I probably could have met my goal.  No regrets though.  And I didn't totally cut out the hunt for the new stuff either.  I actually enjoy it.  I'm off on Mondays, so I really enjoy getting up a little early, grabbing a 20oz coffee at the deli and making the rounds.  Whether or not I find anything doesn't always matter, I just like the time I get to spend by myself after what was usually a hectic weekend at work.

I guess perhaps Hot Wheels collecting has some psycho-therapeutic value to it.

So the new year is a mere 2 days away.  What type of method will I try to place upon my diecast collecting madness this year???  Well, for one thing, redline prices are just going through the roof.  I'm going to slowly chip away at the castings I need to finish my goal from last year.  When I get them, I get them.  Sadly, I've had to convince myself of that, or else think about getting another full time job.  That might make collecting not so fun any more though.  I think I'm going to put this new printer I got for Xmas to good use.  For a long time now, I've wanted to put up flyers on all the local supermarket cork boards saying something like "I buy old Hot Wheels" or something like that.  Got nothing to lose except a few sheets of paper, you never know what might turn up.

I think I'll broaden my horizons a bit this year too.  I've stuck pretty much with HW's over the years, but I see a lot of other stuff in the stores that has made me stop and take notice.  The main thing being, the offerings by Playing Mantis and their Johnny Lightnings.  I picked up a full set of the JL First Shot Corvettes a few weeks ago for a measly $3 a pop.  Opened all of them up, and besides the fact that they have a brilliant mirror finish that reminds me of the old Topper Johnnys, the detail is unbelievable.  I definitely want more stuff like this in my collection.

And for the HW's new stuff, of course I'll keep collecting that, like I always do.  Two each of the First Editions, and any of the open stock cars that appeal to me.  One car stays in the package and goes up on the wall, and the other gets opened by my 8 year old son and played with, which is after all what they are for.

With diecast collecting more popular then ever, and manufacturers competing for collectors dough by coming out with more new stuff then ever before, it should be fun.And fun my friends, IS what this is all supposed to be about.

That's it for now, may everyone out there have a safe, happy and healthy New year.

                    Mike(^RacerX^)