On May 11, 2007, Playtrek celebrated its 10th anniversary. Although not nearly as active as it was in its prime, the list was still active. Roberto had abdicated and Dean was running the show. Toys were still being traded. But Playmates had ceased production of their line and the focus of the community had shifted somewhat. Still, things were moving along and Dean had posted: Ten years ago, Roberto said "Let there be Playtrek." to mark the occasion. Below are the responses.
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It is hard to believe its been 10 years! Those days on RTAF, looking over posts trying to find those who needed help with their collection (and asking for help as well). From there it seems that two things happened, Playtrek and then SOFTT - who will also be celebrating a 10 year anniversary soon. Although I don't post as often, I do lurk and seeing familiar names always puts a smile on my face. We Are Playtrek ~Aries |
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Hi all, Dean wrought thusly: >Ten years ago, Roberto said "Let there be Playtrek." Wow! This anniversary snuck up on me. I was wanting to prepare something touching and profound to say, but that apparently never happened. So by the seat of my pants here... Ten years! Gee, I feel old(er). What fun memories along the way. I still think of those early days and all the angst we felt over the Playmates Dress Uniform McCoy, Generations Crusher, T&T O'Brien, et al. They seem so far away, but I remember them easily as we were all in the same boat-- desperately wanting these toys and attempting to band together to avoid the scalpers. It's funny to think about the worries we feel over a collectible toy, but then I guess that's the collector mentality. I still experience that feeling today. Along the way, I suppose when Mara Hart became an integral part of Playtrek, the list grew from just a bunch of fans banding together to avoid scalpers. It grew into something bigger than I think any of us imagined and we actually had a tangible impact on the hobby. We influenced many of the products being made, including such things as Keiko O'Brien, Intendant "surfer" Kira and Species 8472. This culminated in the creation of the Flashback Janeway. That, to me, is still an ultimate symbol. For asthetic reasons, it's not my favorite figure, but it sure holds a special place in my collection. Throughout the journey, I've made a lot of good friends. Many I have never met face-to-face, but we have exchanged private emails and shared life's milestones. It's beyond Star Trek toys. We've shared marriages, divorces, births, deaths, graduations, tornado and hurricane disasters, and now shipping off to the Middle East. Many of you I've met and hung out with in person, beit at a Playtrekfest or just an ordinary get-together-and-hang-out time. Heck, I've even seen a few of you in your underwear! It's the shared experiences that makes it fun. Phrases such as "Bina", "LilQuestie", "Secret Spock" and "NewForce" are all instantly recognizable many of us. (As well as "raggies" and "GMBills"...) And that Playtrek party in Vegas-- oh what a cherished memory as we all stood in wonder on the bridge of the Enterprise and thought, "is this really happening?" Playtrek is more that just an email exchange list. It's more than a bunch of Star Trek toys. Simply put, Playtrek is a community of people with a shared interest and ultimately, shared experiences. If I experienced a disaster tomorrow and lost all my favorite Star Trek toys in an instant, I'd still have my memories. That's my favorite part of all. It's been a fun journey and I genuinely want to say "thank you" to all of you for making it so worthwhile. Keep on Playtrekkin'! Robert Porter The Playtrekker formerly known as King Roberto, Roberto Jinx, Senor Roberto, Zlurph of the Gr!akt Cluster, Buffalo de Amor, Sleestak of Love, etc. |
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>WOW! Now that makes me feel even older..ahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha My old handle >was Trekofile at webtv dot net. Ah, yes. The Original WebTV Bastard Child. We'd be talking about all sort of fun little things found on websites running Javascript and poor Michael was left out in the cold with his WebTV service. :) -R |
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Tear E. Mensa Man >Is there a way a member can find out when they joined Playtrek? I know Dean had volunteered to help people with answers to this question if they joined in the first five years. I have the rest of the archives (the next five years) if anyone wants me to look up their first post. I just need the email address you were using at the time. Robert |
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Ten Years? In some ways I feel 20 years older, and in others it should only be six months ago. I have met some fabulous folks in PlayTrek and though I am lurking now, I do read and try to keep up with many of you. Losing the house (divorce) forced me to reduce my collecting habit, though the new TOS figures are piquing my interest once again. LilQuestie, please come back safe from your deployment. Owl (founding guinea pig) |
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10 years. Wow. It seems like almost yesterday that Bill was complaining about the lack of Picard figures, Ted was in high school, Michael was buying anything with a Star Trek emblem, Ian was correcting people, Roberto was obsessing about some Saturday morning kids show, and Kelly was writing a book about the obsession we all have. : ) I also discovered Playtrek thru rec.toys.action_figures and was so glad I did. I've been on the receiving end of some wonderful folks generosity (Don and Louis to name just two). And we can't forget Rick catering to us so much by getting exclusives and offering them to us at a much lower cost than anywhere else. [Raising a glass of prune juice] Here's to Roberto for starting it all, to Dean for taking over the day-to-day operations, and to all the other members that make this list a fun place to belong! -Jeff |
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omg I must be old. What figures was I talking about? I remember in 96 I think, going to a big convention in alamaba. a 25th anniversary thing. The entire original cast was there and did a skit, I remember really enjoying that. Part of the reason we went was to get the exclusive sulu and chekov from where no man has gone before. I bought several cases (I still have extras even). But in summer 97 I can't recall any convention exclusives.... Theron |
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Jeff wrote: > Ian was correcting people That's how I'm to be remembered? Gee, thanks. ;) How about "Ian was amazing people with his vast knowledge of Star Trek"? Regards, Ian (still correcting people after all these years). |
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hello all... hmmm...10 years ago...well, I am getting up there in age (will be 40 this year)...so, I somehow have trouble remembering yesterday... but, maybe dean will email me my first post, and that will job my memory... I do recall some AOL board discussions...prompted by our Huntsville offering of the Sulu/Scotty sets for about cost to folks that wanted....I remember being "attacked" by some folks that had gone to the con and that were trying to sell the sets ffor $200-300, and I was offering for like $35 a set + shipping (which was just about taxed cost)....I also remember having about 200 Red datas and selling for $25 each (I had picked them up from a Miami JCPenny outlet for like $20 for all 4 figures in that 4 pack they offered in xmas of 95?), when folks were charging $300+....ahh, the "good" ole days rick |
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