Great topic, this is something I've been wondering about lately too.  Personally, I don't really use my degree, but I do use some of the things I learned in college.  I changed my major a few times (started with Computer Information Systems, then went to Business Administration, ended up with Exercise Physiology...I know, big change!).  Although I really enjoyed my classes in Exercise Physiology, unfortunately I found out there isn't much out there for jobs, unless you are able to go on to further schooling, and even then it is only in the medical field.  I could go back and save a little bit of time if I pursued something like Radiologic Techology, Respiratory Therapy, Nursing, etc....but I could have just went to a two year school in the first place for that.  Anyways....I don't really use my Ex. Phys. knowledge in my job (although sometimes in my daily life, or when people ask me questions), but I do use some of my Business and computing classes now.  I probably should have just continued to get my business degree, seems you can go a lot of different directions with that.....live and learn I guess.

After recently reorganizing my collection a week or so ago, I got to looking at some of my figures, and kind of wondering why I bought a few things.  Do any of you have any purchasing regrets....whether it be that you overpaid for a certain item in retrospect, or you maybe purchased a figure because it was the ONLY new thing you have seen in months, or maybe a certain figure was an "impulse buy"?  I noticed a few figures that I had purchased that ended up being either packed away, or tucked in the back of the display it seems.  Here's a few that caught my eye, personally:

"Total Control" Mace Windu - Ok, it is kind of fun to play with, and honestly, I never would have gotten this figure but for the fact that I hadn't seen anything for awhile, and I had read quite a few reviews from people saying it wasn't that bad, and was pretty fun to play with.  I only paid retail for it, but looking back now, and with the space issues I have, it probably wasn't necessary.

Anakin vs. Geonosian Deluxe - This was one of those periods where I hadn't seen much new for awhile, and I was still all hyped up from Episode II.  I really don't know why I bought this...the Anakin is horrible, and I don't even have either of these figures displayed now.

Jedi Council Yoda - I buy every Yoda figure pretty much, since he's one of my favorites...so I guess in some ways I don't regret it...but looking at the figure now, it just doesn't seem like that great of a figure...and a rehash to boot anyways.

Tusken w/ Massiff - Ok, not a horrible figure, but it is tucked back behind the Republic Gunship right now due to lack of room.  Also, another rehash...and the newer Saga version of the Tusken (removable head one), is so much better IMO.

C-3PO with Removable Panels - Again, not terrible I guess...has some fun "play value" to some extent.  I am always a sucker for characters that were in the OT as well too...but this is another figure that gets "tucked to the back"

For a non-Saga example: I once paid $20 for an Episode I Obi-Wan (soft goods skirt), only to see this figure at K-B about two weeks later for $1.99.  Ouch .

Since this is getting long, a few others that get "tucked away":

4/23 Padme Arena
OPD Anakin
Geo Rescue Mace

Anyways, have any of you ever experienced any situations like this?

Yeah, there have been quite a few of 2003 figs that I have never seen, although things have been getting better lately.  Here's some that I have never seen though:

1. Holiday Droids, I never saw any sign of these whatsoever
2. Ephant Mon, ditto
3. Aayla Secura/Barriss Ofee (Thanks to some preorders shipping from Kebco lately, these are actually almost the only two figures I need to get "caught up"...I didn't get in on Kebco soon enough to get these preordered at the time)
4. Wedding Padme (My brother found the rest of this wave for me, but not this fig)
5.  Acklay (saw once, trashed box and trashed figure inside as well...but it was the only time I ever saw it)
6.  Trash Compactor (Saw the Leia and Chewie one twice, never saw Han and Luke, but received it from Karma...thanks!!)

I sure hope that Roboto won't be impossible to find.  He was by far my favorite character as a kid, and I really like the design of the new figure/character as well.  I haven't bought any MOTU figures for awhile now, due to actually finding Star Wars in the stores and having a few preorders ship (as well as buying my first two LOTR figures)...so money has been tight, but I really hope the line continues.  I'd like to be able to pick up the figs from my childhood eventually, specifically Mr. Roboto .

Hope this is the right place for this....sorry if not.  There are a few still shots from the new Clone Wars cartoon posted over at ToonZone...I'm kind of getting excited to see this, I hope it lives up to expectations.  Check out the pics here:

Clone War Pics

I just saw that lineup too, and I was also a little surprised by the amount of Blade figures.  I guess I didn't see that figure being the most sought after out of that lineup.  Colossus, I can of course understand...and he's the one I'm looking forward to the most as well...but I think it would be better suited to have some more of Mr. Fantastic, etc.

I was looking for any opinions from those of you who have purchased the super-poseable Gollum/Smeagol from the ROTK line.  I happened to see this figure last weekend, but I ended up picking up the "bendy" version.  I thought about picking up the SP version if I see it again, but was wondering if you were very impressed with it or not.  I know all those joints are great on some figures, but sometimes they tend to get a little loose too in some cases.  Anyways, I was just wondering if any of you have it (and have opened it), and if you were happy with it.

Also...to add to this discussion, even though I am a new collector...I kind of hope they avoid repacking too many figs in that trilogy assortment too, that could really hurt the line obviously, and I want all of you to be able to find the new characters/figures you are looking for.

I originally saw someone post this on the RS forums, but thought I'd bring it over here.  Its a site that generates your "hobbit" or "elven" names.  I thought it might be fun to see what everyone's names turned out to be.  For me its:

Hobbit: Todo Burrows of Tuckborough

Elven: Maeglin Eledhwen



Here's the links, by the way:

Create Your Hobbit Name

 Create Your Elven Name