G.I. JOE INVADES MINNEAPOLIS

Pioneer Press ^ | 6-24-05 | beth silver

[Rakkasan1]

You could say Joe has been there for Ace Allgood his entire life.

In first grade, when all-day school seemed daunting, Joe persuaded Allgood to march on. When Allgood proposed to his wife-to-be, Stacey, at the top of a roller coaster, Joe was there to lend support. Joe even appeared at the hospital, dressed as a doctor, when Allgood's daughter was born.

Think of Joe, as in G.I. Joe, as more dude than doll.

At least Allgood and Hasbro, Joe's manufacturer, would like you to.

Five well-lighted cases of the foot-long figurines line the basement in Allgood's Minneapolis home. He calls it the Joe room. Naturally.

But the miniature soldiers will come out to play, or more likely to be shown off and traded, when Allgood and a few thousand others gather their toys and talk of Joe this weekend at the International G.I. Joe Convention in downtown Minneapolis.

[Rakkasan1]

I don't think he'll stay for the gay pride parade this weekend.

[Borges]

Knowing is half the battle.

[Uncle Fud]

This is seriously weird. And it's not just army-man dolls, it's NASCAR diecasts and R/C aiplanes too.

I jus't can't remember anyone in my dad's generation (Korean War vet) who did not manage to outgrow the children's toy phase by the time he'd discovered girls.

[Rakkasan1]

after a certain point you revert back to juice and diapers ,but not usually until much later. oh well, to each their own.

[wallcrawlr]

Yo Joe!!

[af_vet_rr]

I jus't can't remember anyone in my dad's generation (Korean War vet) who did not manage to outgrow the children's toy phase by the time he'd discovered girls.

I don't think it's so much a toy thing, as a hobby thing. Our father's generation - they had hobbies (not just fishing!), whether it was working on an old truck, whittling, always building something. Times have changed, and the hobbies have as well.

[Uncle Fud]

Those were creative hobbies. I myself spend a couple hours a week developing film in my basement darkroom, and as much time keeping two vintage British cycles running.

I see that as more fulfilling than buying and selling toys - maybe it's just me.

[Spruce]

We blew-up, burned, or smashed all of our GI Joes. I bet the stuff we destroyed was worth thousands of dollars today.

[af_vet_rr]

I see that as more fulfilling than buying and selling toys - maybe it's just me.

Actually I see your point - these newer "hobbies" don't require anything other than money, whereas film photography, or working on vintage motorcyles, while still taking up quite a bit of money, do require some knowledge and skill.

[AmericanChef]

-I jus't can't remember anyone in my dad's generation (Korean War vet) who did not manage to outgrow the children's toy phase by the time he'd discovered girls.-

Har! I've known quite a few train enthusiasts. But, those are cool.