I was munching on my Cheerios the other morning when the Today show announced a massive recall of wooden Thomas the Tank toys from RC2. It seems the factories in China used a little too much lead when painting the toys. The ending of the short piece, however, revealed that one has been affected at the time of the recall. (But I’m sure someone is trying to get money now.)

Now I realize that lead-tainted toys is not the best thing in the world, but it seems as if today’s ultra-protective social watchers go a tad overboard with some of the toys being produced. What happened before all of these restrictions took place? Were kids developing massive ailments left and right in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s? Funny, my parents never mentioned anything of that sort. Heck, their homes and schools were supposedly death traps, too, but they seem to have survived.

I’m surprised that many of the plastic pieces found in play sets and as accessories for action figures haven’t had to be attached to large objects to alleviate swallowing concerns. And, boy, you sure can have any more toys featuring animals that “chew” their food.

I’m glad the world is a safer place, but sometimes I feel the powers that be are a little too controlling. In the meantime, I’ll keep playing with my blaze orange-tipped cap pistol so the neighbors don’t think I’m going hunting.     

From San Diego to Orlando to Boston, I’ve been to a fair number of toy shows — mostly centered in the Midwest. Some of these shows were quaint affairs held in community high schools. Others were more like a pop-culture mob with a few celebrities thrown in to add to the craziness.

I’ve been to shows that were more of an antiques show than anything resembling a toy show. And I’ve been to shows where I couldn’t possibly see everything and still fulfill my Toy Shop duties.

One of my favorite shows I’ve attended is the Toledo Toy Show. This wasn’t a huge affair, but it brought people from throughout the Midwest, and it was all older toys — no Tiffany lamps here. I met many collectors, along with some old acquaintances from shows past.

But one thing I remember from the show was speaking with the promoter and him telling me about all the changes I’ll see in this hobby, having been involved at a relatively young age. It’s a thought that has always stuck with me since, and I’ve tried to think about that idea at every show I’ve attended since.

I’ve seen a lot of amazing toys, but that show changed my perception a bit because it made me look at things differently. Now when I go to shows, I pay more attention to the types of people attending, what toys have come and gone and how people’s perception of the hobby has changed.

So this isn’t your typical show memory that stays with you for some time. It’s just my memory.

And I now I ask — what has been one of your favorite toy shows and why? Did you pick up the Holy Grail of your collection? Was it your first show that got you hooked? Perhaps it was the time you brought your son or daughter and showed them your childhood toys?      

This blog is going to straight to you, the reader — what's the most important factor in buying a toy? There are many reasons to buy a toy, but I'd like to know what the driving factors are in purchasing a toy.

First, let me clarify. I realize that nostalgia is a driving force in many toy purchases. I also realize that many collectors have a particular area of interest. If a toy fits that interest, they will probably pick it up. But I'm looking for something a little deeper.

Do you buy toys based on condition?  Do you buy toys based on the need to complete a series or fill a void in the overall collection? Or perhaps this is a dream toy you've been waiting your entire life to get your hands on? Maybe it’s just the attractiveness that puts you over the edge?

Since there are so many toys out there to choose from in any given category, I'm looking to get into the minds of our readers. I think it would be fun to get differing views from collectors on their habits. We're all crazy for toys — I just want to see if the diagnosis is the same.

For me, I pick out toys that I find unique and fun. Condition doesn't matter that much to me. Often, I'll read about some unique toy from a reader or columnist, and then I'll happen upon it at a sale somewhere and pick it up. Knowing the background on the piece's production and how kids enjoyed it when it was originally available is a real treat for me.  So while a nice example of a Popeye Rowboat would be nice, I'm just as happy with a worn-out version of the Odd Ogg.

I guess that’s what makes this hobby so unique.

As I type this, I'm putting to bed the August 2007 issue of Toy Shop. (Like the journalistic speak there?) There's a lot of great articles in the upcoming issue, but I'll allude to those in a future newsletter (did you sign up yet?) and on the Toy Shop Web site. One of the articles concentrates on Pirates of the Caribbean collectibles. And since it's Friday and I saw the movie last weekend (man, was that a crowded theater), let's discuss all things Pirates.

Everything was brought together in this last one, and perhaps it won't be the last one. I enjoyed the flick, though some of the scenes were almost laughable. The marriage proposal and Miss Swann rallying the troops made me chuckle. But then again, this is a Disney movie. But now I'm just waiting for collectibles of that darn monkey and the midget pirate. Actually, The Noble Collection has a letter opener featuring the monkey, but I'm sure more are on the way.

I also think someone will do prop replicas of all of the special pieces held by the pirates from around the world — something like the "eight pieces of nine?" These were hardly stately items, but they were important nonetheless. Perhaps a Keith Richards figure holding all of the pieces would do the trick.

And as much as I like the Black Pearl, I would sure like a replica of the Flying Dutchman. Zizzle does some pretty good ship reproductions, but these are not quite the high-end pieces I'm looking for. I think a 2-foot representation would look nice in my living room. And if anyone can make a bathroom toy to replication the swirling sea scene, I'm in.

Now, I'm off to see Shrek the Third, and I still have to see Spider-Man 3 before those other blockbusters come out. I'll have a toy wish list for those, too. And if you have any toy suggestions based on the summer movie lineup, add your comments below.