On Toys and Disposable Income
I work across the street from a Target, and a few days ago… I found myself walking by the toy section. It struck me that, as an adult, I had a fairly decent amount of disposable income. And as I moved along the outer row of the toy section, I started checking out the various Nerf-related guns for sale.
It got me thinking that there never was a good “sweet spot,” between wanting these toys and being able to afford them. I was either a kid with zero money and wanted everything… or a teenager with a regular paycheck, looking only to score cigarettes and Purple Passion.
I know some tech companies do the whole nerf gun thing as a morale booster. And where I work, that sort of thing happens too (albeit in a somewhat limited way). But that all feels incredibly forced to me. I’m talking more about the sensation of “I want to buy a toy, because I want to play with it.” I guess for me, video games have taken the space once occupied by action figures and nerf guns.
I did have a very enjoyable afternoon, shooting a toy gun with my nephew and my cousin’s boyfriend. That’s more along the lines of what I’m thinking about. It’s less about trying to recapture some part of my childhood, and more about a genuine interest in getting a toy with the sole intent of playing with it. Maybe one of these days, I’ll buy a gun for myself and spend a weekend practicing my aim.
// Edit: But maybe not a gun that costs $42.99. Because while it may look awesome, that is an awful lot of cash to shell out. Do you know how much Purple Passion I could get, for that kind of money?
Related:
Snapshots of Indianapolis
A Surprise Game of Lazer Tag (In My Apartment)
Mr. Imagine’s Toy Store in Wicker Park, Chicago: An Awesome Store Where No Toys Are For Sale
Terrible Toy. Funny Toy. Best Toy EVER!
Fun Slides
I know someone who has a set of laser guns and a large backyard to hide in. :D Aaaand I even know what box they’re in.
Liz (October 10, 2014 at 2:23 pm)