The Bobacabana
February 6, 2006 10:57 AM Subscribe
Apparently Gus & Pam enjoy the Star Wars films.
Oh god. Life-size Jar-Jar. MY EYES!!!!!!
posted by lumpenprole at 11:03 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by lumpenprole at 11:03 AM on February 6, 2006
I always wondered what my life would be like if I had went totally over to the Geekside and had way too much money to spend....now I know. I want to make fun, but pathetically, I feel envious.
posted by Atreides at 11:03 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by Atreides at 11:03 AM on February 6, 2006
I think my life was better before I knew what a "Cereal Room" was.
posted by ewagoner at 11:09 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by ewagoner at 11:09 AM on February 6, 2006
Good lord. They have an entire room devoted to cereal!
One question: where did they get all the gold records and why do they have them?
posted by mathowie at 11:10 AM on February 6, 2006
One question: where did they get all the gold records and why do they have them?
posted by mathowie at 11:10 AM on February 6, 2006
With all of those toys, they could never have children.
posted by stavrogin at 11:16 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by stavrogin at 11:16 AM on February 6, 2006
These people own prototypes. They are not your ordinary fans. Give them respect.
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:16 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by Faint of Butt at 11:16 AM on February 6, 2006
"Apparently Gus & Pam enjoy the Star Wars films."
There's no evidence of that. All we can be sure of is that they enjoy collecting Star Wars things. No, wait, there's not even any evidence that they enjoy that. Perhaps the voices in their heads are big Star Wars fans.
posted by Plutor at 11:17 AM on February 6, 2006
There's no evidence of that. All we can be sure of is that they enjoy collecting Star Wars things. No, wait, there's not even any evidence that they enjoy that. Perhaps the voices in their heads are big Star Wars fans.
posted by Plutor at 11:17 AM on February 6, 2006
they have them because the records are Star Wars ephemera. Theme from the Cantina on Mos Eisley, etc... Where they got them is anyone's guess. The two full rooms devoted to prototypes of products make me think these people might have a line on some inside goods when it comes to the world of The Force.
posted by jonson at 11:17 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by jonson at 11:17 AM on February 6, 2006
George Lucas had better hope his car never breaks down in a rainstorm near *that* house.
posted by athenian at 11:19 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by athenian at 11:19 AM on February 6, 2006
The the storm trooper statue shouldn't be in the basement. It should greet visitors when they open the front door.
posted by Clay201 at 11:20 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by Clay201 at 11:20 AM on February 6, 2006
Am I dating myself by saying I remember Gus from rec.arts.sf.starwars?
posted by keswick at 11:20 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by keswick at 11:20 AM on February 6, 2006
Am I dating myself by saying I remember Gus from rec.arts.sf.starwars?
not so much dating as nerding.
posted by jonson at 11:22 AM on February 6, 2006
not so much dating as nerding.
posted by jonson at 11:22 AM on February 6, 2006
I'd actually pay good money for a life-size, cast concrete Storm Trooper. Like lawn deer, only much cooler.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:22 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by nathan_teske at 11:22 AM on February 6, 2006
lumpenprole : "Oh god. Life-size Jar-Jar. MY EYES!!!!!!"
Nothing like creating a room that no one will ever want to enter.
posted by graventy at 11:26 AM on February 6, 2006
Nothing like creating a room that no one will ever want to enter.
posted by graventy at 11:26 AM on February 6, 2006
Every house needs a cereal room.
Also, it's slightly creepy, how this piece in the guest bedroom looks like a crucifix.
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:28 AM on February 6, 2006
Also, it's slightly creepy, how this piece in the guest bedroom looks like a crucifix.
posted by Robot Johnny at 11:28 AM on February 6, 2006
not only do they have a creepy hobby, but they have very poor taste in decorating with anything other than Star Wars crap. How embarassing.
posted by jsavimbi at 11:29 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by jsavimbi at 11:29 AM on February 6, 2006
"Mommy Mommy I scraped by leg!"
"Don't cry sweetie we'll soon fix that up, just hop in the bacta tank for a spell!"
"But Mommy the air breather pipes don't work, they're just for pretend."
"Get in the bacta tank."
posted by 6am at 11:29 AM on February 6, 2006
"Don't cry sweetie we'll soon fix that up, just hop in the bacta tank for a spell!"
"But Mommy the air breather pipes don't work, they're just for pretend."
"Get in the bacta tank."
posted by 6am at 11:29 AM on February 6, 2006
So, Gus, tell me: do you have any Gold or Platinum Star Wars Record Awards?
posted by billysumday at 11:30 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by billysumday at 11:30 AM on February 6, 2006
OK, I wasn't that creeped out until I got to the yearbooks, then it went from obsessive to frightening.
posted by Pollomacho at 11:31 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by Pollomacho at 11:31 AM on February 6, 2006
I love that the house is basically just your standard issue, lame beige kountry kitchen home. except, you know. there's like an r2d2 in the corner. It's just a sheen of sci-fi slathered on top of grandma house.
posted by glenwood at 11:32 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by glenwood at 11:32 AM on February 6, 2006
Well, I'm stunned. First off, they have a cereal room? Gah. Secondly, it's interesting to note that the Japanese poster (as seen in the guest room, which is surely a euphemism) for RotJ shows the droids as heroes.
posted by boo_radley at 11:32 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by boo_radley at 11:32 AM on February 6, 2006
All about Gus. All about Pam. Gus' doctoral dissertation.
posted by fochsenhirt at 11:33 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by fochsenhirt at 11:33 AM on February 6, 2006
You know, it bothers me to no end that I can't afford to buy a house in the current market. And then I see someone not only buying a house, but doing something like this with it, and I just died a little bit inside just now.
posted by Gamblor at 11:34 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by Gamblor at 11:34 AM on February 6, 2006
I want to make fun, but pathetically, I feel envious.
Really? The presentation here just makes it all seem so...lame and fruitless. Hey look. Boxes and boxes of stuff on uninviting 11 dollar aluminum shelving. I guess we can't open anything.
It's like being in the back warehouse at walmart or something.
posted by glenwood at 11:35 AM on February 6, 2006
Really? The presentation here just makes it all seem so...lame and fruitless. Hey look. Boxes and boxes of stuff on uninviting 11 dollar aluminum shelving. I guess we can't open anything.
It's like being in the back warehouse at walmart or something.
posted by glenwood at 11:35 AM on February 6, 2006
First thing I'd do in their guest room if I were to stay there...
Carded figures? Huhn?
Check out my cool diorama!
posted by Samizdata at 11:45 AM on February 6, 2006
Carded figures? Huhn?
Check out my cool diorama!
posted by Samizdata at 11:45 AM on February 6, 2006
What glenwood said. It all seems so dead and empty. If you're going to be obsessive, go the whole whole like the Star Trek Apartment guy. A standard 80's boring house with Death Star stuck awkwardly in the entrance hall and shelves of boxed things in the basement is wholly depressing in a way that I simply don't have the vocabulary for.
posted by nylon at 11:47 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by nylon at 11:47 AM on February 6, 2006
jasvimbi nailed it. They could really stand to take some interior design classes.
posted by DonnieSticks at 11:47 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by DonnieSticks at 11:47 AM on February 6, 2006
It's the 40 Year Old Virgin, but married. I wonder what kind of whup-ass awaits the child with the temerity to play with any of those "collectibles".
posted by mrmojoflying at 11:47 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by mrmojoflying at 11:47 AM on February 6, 2006
In the event of a nuclear attack, do you think they would a) open the collectible star wars cereal boxes, or b) starve?
posted by justkevin at 11:50 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by justkevin at 11:50 AM on February 6, 2006
I started out feeling envious, and slowly transitioned into pity. Seems so...empty.
posted by bullitt 5 at 11:52 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by bullitt 5 at 11:52 AM on February 6, 2006
Since no one else has commented on this yet ... not only is this a nice story on how not to decorate a house, it's an even bigger story on how not to build a website. A little navigation swould actually kill them??
posted by robhuddles at 11:53 AM on February 6, 2006
posted by robhuddles at 11:53 AM on February 6, 2006
mrmojo, they don't seem like they would ever beat their kids. They would simply stop loving them if they ever broke any of that stuff.
but damn, these people have high school yearbooks of the cast, folks. they ain't fuckin' around.
And of course, the anime room is nothing but sailor moon and other teen girl screech fests. what the fuck is it with my chosen subculture?!
posted by shmegegge at 11:54 AM on February 6, 2006
but damn, these people have high school yearbooks of the cast, folks. they ain't fuckin' around.
And of course, the anime room is nothing but sailor moon and other teen girl screech fests. what the fuck is it with my chosen subculture?!
posted by shmegegge at 11:54 AM on February 6, 2006
I feel so much better about my wife's Professor Snape poster, our small collection of out-of-the-box action figures, and my Return of the King poster.
posted by Ber at 12:02 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by Ber at 12:02 PM on February 6, 2006
One question: where did they get all the gold records and why do they have them?
There are entire stores which specialize in music memorabilia. I know of one in particular next to the Aladdin Theatre in Las Vegas. You can also find them from time to time on eBay. Gold records are generally cheaper than other memorabilia , but they're not exactly cheap.
Official gold records are not awarded in any traditional sense of the word. First, an audit is conducted (paid for by the record label seeking gold or platinum "certification") by the RIAA. Once an album is certified, awards are ordered by the record label and are purchased (just like stars on the Walk of Fame), so you can buy as many as you'd like when your record goes gold. Many of these make it back into the marketplace after a while.
posted by wakko at 12:02 PM on February 6, 2006
There are entire stores which specialize in music memorabilia. I know of one in particular next to the Aladdin Theatre in Las Vegas. You can also find them from time to time on eBay. Gold records are generally cheaper than other memorabilia , but they're not exactly cheap.
Official gold records are not awarded in any traditional sense of the word. First, an audit is conducted (paid for by the record label seeking gold or platinum "certification") by the RIAA. Once an album is certified, awards are ordered by the record label and are purchased (just like stars on the Walk of Fame), so you can buy as many as you'd like when your record goes gold. Many of these make it back into the marketplace after a while.
posted by wakko at 12:02 PM on February 6, 2006
Dang! George Lucas' senior picture looks like some satyr or something. If the camera could pan down I'd be expecting to see a goat body & legs. He needs a couple of nubbin' horns to go with those ears!
posted by spock at 12:04 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by spock at 12:04 PM on February 6, 2006
Imagine that kind of passion with a budget. Check THIS out. This was a project that I was in charge of at a company that I used to work for (Dillon Works)
This theater was awesome. 2 high quality fiber optic starfield walls, automatic sliding doors and a large media room with Han Solo in carbonite as a door. The outer hall had a gantry with a mirror effect on the floor and ceiling to create an up/down infinity effect that really looked like ten stories of catwalks. They REALLY let us go nuts with the details.
Also, check out the designer's name on this one...I was actually was in touch with him for a while during the initial build design phase. Not a bad resume to have designing your home theater.
posted by Occams Hammer at 12:06 PM on February 6, 2006
Actually it's pretty cool that they have the real Death Star. I mean, think about it. THE Death Star. I would hang it over the dining room table like a chandelier, but that's just me.
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 12:22 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by _sirmissalot_ at 12:22 PM on February 6, 2006
Really? The presentation here just makes it all seem so...lame and fruitless. Hey look. Boxes and boxes of stuff on uninviting 11 dollar aluminum shelving.
You must lower yourself to view the world through the eyes of a Star Wars fanatic. Once you do so, the the house ceases to be empty, but a loving shrine with required sacred relics.
I once had a bedroom that began to border on appearing normal in their house. Call it maturing, new additions, or intervention, I've moved on from that time in my life. All that remains is a Boba Fett pez dispenser and a small rubber statue of Yoda. Erm.
posted by Atreides at 12:28 PM on February 6, 2006
You must lower yourself to view the world through the eyes of a Star Wars fanatic. Once you do so, the the house ceases to be empty, but a loving shrine with required sacred relics.
I once had a bedroom that began to border on appearing normal in their house. Call it maturing, new additions, or intervention, I've moved on from that time in my life. All that remains is a Boba Fett pez dispenser and a small rubber statue of Yoda. Erm.
posted by Atreides at 12:28 PM on February 6, 2006
Occams, heh. Thats all I can say. Its like asking Widget Works to design your Bag End theater. Nifty.
posted by Atreides at 12:31 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by Atreides at 12:31 PM on February 6, 2006
First row, first picture: Marjorie Likwartz
posted by NationalKato at 12:36 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by NationalKato at 12:36 PM on February 6, 2006
Anyone have an idea what the auction value of that stuff would be?
posted by stratastar at 12:38 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by stratastar at 12:38 PM on February 6, 2006
Occam's Hammer - man, when I win the lottery I'm callin' Dillon Works...
Guess I'd better go buy a ticket...
posted by JB71 at 12:40 PM on February 6, 2006
Guess I'd better go buy a ticket...
posted by JB71 at 12:40 PM on February 6, 2006
spock writes "He needs a couple of nubbin' horns to go with those ears!"
The irony of a person with your username making fun of anyone's pointy ears is not lost on me.
posted by caution live frogs at 12:50 PM on February 6, 2006
The irony of a person with your username making fun of anyone's pointy ears is not lost on me.
posted by caution live frogs at 12:50 PM on February 6, 2006
These people are very different from me and therefore I hate them.
posted by Jesse H Christ at 1:11 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by Jesse H Christ at 1:11 PM on February 6, 2006
The irony of a person with your username making fun of anyone's pointy ears is not lost on me.
although the phrase "nubbin horns" made me laugh out loud.
posted by jonson at 1:15 PM on February 6, 2006
although the phrase "nubbin horns" made me laugh out loud.
posted by jonson at 1:15 PM on February 6, 2006
I must give Pam credit for self-awareness, though:
"In my spare time, I collect toys. Lots and lots and lots of toys. And dolls, too! And little plushies. You'd be apalled!"
posted by selfmedicating at 1:15 PM on February 6, 2006
"In my spare time, I collect toys. Lots and lots and lots of toys. And dolls, too! And little plushies. You'd be apalled!"
posted by selfmedicating at 1:15 PM on February 6, 2006
These people are very different from me and therefore I hate them.
These people are very similar to me and therefore I love them.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:21 PM on February 6, 2006
These people are very similar to me and therefore I love them.
posted by Faint of Butt at 1:21 PM on February 6, 2006
George Lucas' senior picture looks like some satyr or something.
Bwahahahahaha. Or, should I say, Baaaaaaaaaa.
posted by Gator at 1:23 PM on February 6, 2006
Bwahahahahaha. Or, should I say, Baaaaaaaaaa.
posted by Gator at 1:23 PM on February 6, 2006
I bet the worth of their collection has at least quadrupled in the past ten years.
posted by craniac at 1:37 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by craniac at 1:37 PM on February 6, 2006
I started to get scared at the cereal room. I vowed that if it was the only bed left on the planet, I'd never sleep in the guest room. I reeled at the life size Jar Jar statue. I became uneasy at the high school and college yearbooks. And I finally lost control of my unease and terror at the life size guy-with-the-red-and-black-face (sue me for not remembering his name) in the cast and crew section of Prototype Room 2.
I'm sorry if it makes me unpopular, but I find this disturbing and sad and pathetic all at the same time. To spend that much time and money and effort to stack up unopened paraphernalia from terrible movies. . . I honestly don't have the words to describe the nineteen different kinds of "bad" this makes me feel.
posted by jennaratrix at 1:46 PM on February 6, 2006
I'm sorry if it makes me unpopular, but I find this disturbing and sad and pathetic all at the same time. To spend that much time and money and effort to stack up unopened paraphernalia from terrible movies. . . I honestly don't have the words to describe the nineteen different kinds of "bad" this makes me feel.
posted by jennaratrix at 1:46 PM on February 6, 2006
Man, why am I not surprised that this house is in Seattle, a city consisting ENTIRELY of kids that got picked last for gym?
I used to live there, I kid out of love.
Please don't kill me
posted by piratebowling at 1:55 PM on February 6, 2006
I used to live there, I kid out of love.
Please don't kill me
posted by piratebowling at 1:55 PM on February 6, 2006
life size guy-with-the-red-and-black-face
I believe you mean Darth Maul.
posted by jonson at 1:56 PM on February 6, 2006
I believe you mean Darth Maul.
posted by jonson at 1:56 PM on February 6, 2006
Seattle, a city consisting ENTIRELY of kids that got picked last for gym?
OMG, it's the city of all the people who were secretly relieved that the big game was canceled on account of rain.
posted by Gator at 2:00 PM on February 6, 2006
OMG, it's the city of all the people who were secretly relieved that the big game was canceled on account of rain.
posted by Gator at 2:00 PM on February 6, 2006
No wonder they didn't riot when they lost yesterday
posted by piratebowling at 2:02 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by piratebowling at 2:02 PM on February 6, 2006
I'd love to break in there and just open everything and then leave.
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 2:06 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by You Should See the Other Guy at 2:06 PM on February 6, 2006
I'd love to break in there and just open everything and then leave.
True that. I hate when people hold on to sealed collectibles.
posted by EnormousTalkingOnion at 2:23 PM on February 6, 2006
True that. I hate when people hold on to sealed collectibles.
posted by EnormousTalkingOnion at 2:23 PM on February 6, 2006
"I bet their sex life is replete wth Han & Leia roleplaying. If they had an orgy, I bet they'd do it up like the Mos Eisley cantina."
Journey to the Darkside
posted by keli at 3:02 PM on February 6, 2006
Journey to the Darkside
posted by keli at 3:02 PM on February 6, 2006
kindle wins.
as much as I respect people's wishes to do what they want, I absolutely want to flog them for doing that to a decent piece of real estate in Seattle. A town I would consider moving back to if I could bloody well afford to buy a house in town. Gah.
posted by TeamBilly at 3:03 PM on February 6, 2006
as much as I respect people's wishes to do what they want, I absolutely want to flog them for doing that to a decent piece of real estate in Seattle. A town I would consider moving back to if I could bloody well afford to buy a house in town. Gah.
posted by TeamBilly at 3:03 PM on February 6, 2006
I bet the worth of their collection has at least quadrupled in the past ten years.
Eh, I doubt it. I think the bad prequel trilogy killed the Star Wars collectible market, aside from maybe vintage items. There are probably thousands of fly-by-night Star Wars collectors crying over the serious money they've spent "investing" in new Star Wars crap, only to see it sell for pennies on the dollar on eBay (if it gets a bid at all). That said, I bet his collection's into six figures valuewise.
As a collector, I don't understand all the hate flying around here. It's pretty obvious, reading some of their personal info on Gus's site, that he and his wife have worked very, very hard to be able to afford all that stuff. Why some people care if they choose to buy a bunch of Star Wars merchandise and decorating their house with it instead of buying a sports car, expensive clothes, a giant McMansion or something more "normal" is beyond me.
Frankly, I think people that don't collect or at the very least have a fannish enthusiasm for something are pretty bland.
posted by MegoSteve at 3:08 PM on February 6, 2006
Eh, I doubt it. I think the bad prequel trilogy killed the Star Wars collectible market, aside from maybe vintage items. There are probably thousands of fly-by-night Star Wars collectors crying over the serious money they've spent "investing" in new Star Wars crap, only to see it sell for pennies on the dollar on eBay (if it gets a bid at all). That said, I bet his collection's into six figures valuewise.
As a collector, I don't understand all the hate flying around here. It's pretty obvious, reading some of their personal info on Gus's site, that he and his wife have worked very, very hard to be able to afford all that stuff. Why some people care if they choose to buy a bunch of Star Wars merchandise and decorating their house with it instead of buying a sports car, expensive clothes, a giant McMansion or something more "normal" is beyond me.
Frankly, I think people that don't collect or at the very least have a fannish enthusiasm for something are pretty bland.
posted by MegoSteve at 3:08 PM on February 6, 2006
how could they NOT have star wars sheets and comforter? They have all that crap and then they put a frilly flower comforter on the bed? I don't these people are truly invested.
posted by squirrely at 3:34 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by squirrely at 3:34 PM on February 6, 2006
...and I can barely afford to eat every day.
If ever there was a house in need of a fire, this is it.
posted by ktoad at 4:43 PM on February 6, 2006
If ever there was a house in need of a fire, this is it.
posted by ktoad at 4:43 PM on February 6, 2006
squirrely: The original sheets and comforters? They're locked in a vault somewhere along with the other really valuable stuff, like Alec Guinness's jeweled skull and Jimmy Smits in a cage (have you seen him in anything lately?).
posted by Mercaptan at 5:17 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by Mercaptan at 5:17 PM on February 6, 2006
Imagine that kind of passion with a budget. Check THIS out. This was a project that I was in charge of at a company that I used to work for (Dillon Works)
How big a budget?
posted by mr.marx at 5:49 PM on February 6, 2006
How big a budget?
posted by mr.marx at 5:49 PM on February 6, 2006
Seattle, a city consisting ENTIRELY of kids that got picked last for gym?
No, that's Portland, Oregon (where I live).
Sadly, Seattle is where people from Portland go when they think they need to step-up in the world.
posted by kaiseki at 6:03 PM on February 6, 2006
No, that's Portland, Oregon (where I live).
Sadly, Seattle is where people from Portland go when they think they need to step-up in the world.
posted by kaiseki at 6:03 PM on February 6, 2006
Ah, Colt 45 in the kitchen. Yeah, I can dig that... that... that...
posted by CG at 6:15 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by CG at 6:15 PM on February 6, 2006
Man, and I felt dorky for buying a Philosopher's Stone poster autographed by all the cast from a collector friend. And birthday greetings from Sean Astin. At least the third graders think I'm cool...
posted by ancientgower at 6:51 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by ancientgower at 6:51 PM on February 6, 2006
Seems like a bad idea to list your home address on your website that shows all of the unique, one-of-a-kind stuff you've collected in your entire life.
posted by geekyguy at 6:55 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by geekyguy at 6:55 PM on February 6, 2006
sirmisalot said "Actually it's pretty cool that they have the real Death Star. I mean, think about it. THE Death Star. I would hang it over the dining room table like a chandelier, but that's just me."
Isn't that like owning the Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane? I mean they were both destroyed in the film...
posted by Gungho at 7:07 PM on February 6, 2006
Isn't that like owning the Rosebud sled from Citizen Kane? I mean they were both destroyed in the film...
posted by Gungho at 7:07 PM on February 6, 2006
Holy crap. I hope they have good insurance.
I was wondering how large their PAP was in addition to what kind of security they have to fend off those who'd love to come visit. And given Gus' pedigree, I wonder if they have an intarweb database replete with custom barcodes to track all the stuff.
I mean think about it: you go visit in the guest room, how will they *know* something fell off a shelf into your luggage?
Pam could always use some Jedi Mind Tricks though -- "These aren't the platinum record awards you're looking for."
posted by hyperlith at 8:39 PM on February 6, 2006
I was wondering how large their PAP was in addition to what kind of security they have to fend off those who'd love to come visit. And given Gus' pedigree, I wonder if they have an intarweb database replete with custom barcodes to track all the stuff.
I mean think about it: you go visit in the guest room, how will they *know* something fell off a shelf into your luggage?
Pam could always use some Jedi Mind Tricks though -- "These aren't the platinum record awards you're looking for."
posted by hyperlith at 8:39 PM on February 6, 2006
What's in the office that they don't want us to see?
posted by JekPorkins at 8:43 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by JekPorkins at 8:43 PM on February 6, 2006
Sigh. I'd love to own that house. Not, you know, all the crap inside it, just the house.
posted by planetthoughtful at 9:09 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by planetthoughtful at 9:09 PM on February 6, 2006
to clarify a few misconceptions:
-- there's no actual cereal in the boxes. some of these are from the 70's, folks. however, the cereal room has approx 300 different cereal boxes, but most of my boxes don't even fit in the room since I have over 1200 different star wars cereal boxes. see: SWCA cereal box list.
-- the house was not built recently. it was built in 1903.
-- almost all of the memorabilia is opened. in fact, the only sealed in package collectibles are the carded figures in the (everyone's favorite) guest room.
-- the death star was not blown up in filming the first star wars movie. there's this cool trick in visual effects where they superimpose footage of an explosion on top of a model.
-- yes, the address posted on my site, 1111 E. Madison St. *PMB* 256, Seattle, WA 98122 is our home address and we publish this address to the whole world because we're totally clueless and we actually live in a private mail box.
-- regarding some of the personal, mean-spirited, prejudiced, and ad hominem remarks aimed at me and Pam on this thread, well, Pam and I abandoned the endless pursuit of hipness a long time ago, but my advice is discover your inner geek and you'll be free! or spend all day in mom's basement insulting people on the internet who differ from you. whatever turns you on, but methinks doth protest too much.
-- and finally, yes, even Pam hates the friggin' Jar Jar statue. I, on the other hand, think Jar^2 is really the messiah.
Gus
posted by guslopez at 10:58 PM on February 6, 2006
Hey! Where'd everyone go?
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:22 PM on February 6, 2006
posted by Alvy Ampersand at 11:22 PM on February 6, 2006
Gus, may I say, that is one impressive collection. But I want to repeat a question from above...what's in the office? Surely it is not entirely bereft of Star Wars artifacts? Is that where you keep the really good stuff?
Post photos please.
posted by meech at 12:57 AM on February 7, 2006
Post photos please.
posted by meech at 12:57 AM on February 7, 2006
not much Star Wars stuff in the office except trading cards, coins, and books which are not exactly photogenic. but one of my favorite pieces sits on the desk, The Tree of the Force, a ceramic sculpture given to me by the Toluca Star Wars Fan Club in Mexico. it's also visible in the image of the office room.
Gus
posted by guslopez at 1:10 AM on February 7, 2006
Gus
posted by guslopez at 1:10 AM on February 7, 2006
regarding some of the personal, mean-spirited, prejudiced, and ad hominem remarks aimed at me and Pam on this thread, well, Pam and I abandoned the endless pursuit of hipness a long time ago
You fucken tell 'em, Gus. That's an impressive collection.
posted by bunglin jones at 1:46 AM on February 7, 2006
You fucken tell 'em, Gus. That's an impressive collection.
posted by bunglin jones at 1:46 AM on February 7, 2006
It's great, and the best part of it all is the Colt 45.
posted by brownpau at 1:58 AM on February 7, 2006
posted by brownpau at 1:58 AM on February 7, 2006
Gus, my feeling is, if you're going to do something, then, dammit, do it well. You and your wife have chosen to do something with your money that's different than I would--but you've done it astoundingly well. And like MegoSteve says, you haven't spent your money on stuff to impress your neighbors; you've spent it on stuff that makes you guys happy.
You clearly are too comfortable with yourself to need the approval of some random stranger on the Internet--but for what it's worth, I've always thought the truly cool people are the ones who follow their own bliss and don't care whether anybody else approves. That's you.
One thing I'm curious about. What do you DO with all that stuff? I mean, do you take a tour of your collection every once in a while to look at things, or play with the toys? Or is it just enough to know you've got it?
I ask because I am not at all a collector; in fact, I hate having too much stuff. So the psychology is a little alien to me, and I'm interested in knowing more about it.
posted by yankeefog at 3:38 AM on February 7, 2006
You clearly are too comfortable with yourself to need the approval of some random stranger on the Internet--but for what it's worth, I've always thought the truly cool people are the ones who follow their own bliss and don't care whether anybody else approves. That's you.
One thing I'm curious about. What do you DO with all that stuff? I mean, do you take a tour of your collection every once in a while to look at things, or play with the toys? Or is it just enough to know you've got it?
I ask because I am not at all a collector; in fact, I hate having too much stuff. So the psychology is a little alien to me, and I'm interested in knowing more about it.
posted by yankeefog at 3:38 AM on February 7, 2006
Someone keeping a tab on how often someone getting metafiltered buys/obtains an ID and posts back?
posted by NewBornHippy at 5:34 AM on February 7, 2006
posted by NewBornHippy at 5:34 AM on February 7, 2006
Gus: starwars aside, beautiful house. Is that the Queen Ann neighborhood? I've always liked walking about there when I visit.
posted by Mid at 6:23 AM on February 7, 2006
posted by Mid at 6:23 AM on February 7, 2006
I was wondering how large their PAP was in addition to what kind of security they have to fend off those who'd love to come visit.
Check out the corner of one of the prototype room photos. There is a wireless camera in there.
posted by dr_dank at 6:48 AM on February 7, 2006
Check out the corner of one of the prototype room photos. There is a wireless camera in there.
posted by dr_dank at 6:48 AM on February 7, 2006
Gus, your lifestyle and your collection are awesome. Don't be dismayed by mindless haters, or, indeed, by the evident increasing senility of George Lucas. Follow your bliss, keep up the good work, and may the Force be with you.
(And have you seen the Build Your Own Lightsaber Kit? I don't know if I can justify dropping 35 bucks on it, but damn, that's cool.)
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:20 AM on February 7, 2006
(And have you seen the Build Your Own Lightsaber Kit? I don't know if I can justify dropping 35 bucks on it, but damn, that's cool.)
posted by Faint of Butt at 7:20 AM on February 7, 2006
Gus - as long as you're responding in the thread, care to offer your opinions on the prequels?
posted by jonson at 7:23 AM on February 7, 2006
posted by jonson at 7:23 AM on February 7, 2006
Someone keeping a tab on how often someone getting metafiltered buys/obtains an ID and posts back?
And the subsequent backrub they receive on arrival?
posted by glenwood at 7:49 AM on February 7, 2006
And the subsequent backrub they receive on arrival?
posted by glenwood at 7:49 AM on February 7, 2006
Gus, I'm giving a shoutout of support, I don't collect but envy those who are able to pursue it. Good for you! And ignore the haters, they probably wish they had all the cool stuff anyway.
posted by mk1gti at 7:51 AM on February 7, 2006
posted by mk1gti at 7:51 AM on February 7, 2006
You had me at the Death Star in the foyer.
posted by mediareport at 8:14 AM on February 7, 2006
posted by mediareport at 8:14 AM on February 7, 2006
to answer a few questions:
-- although I splurge on collectibles now and then more than I did when I was a student, I do not spend as much as you might think on star wars. most of the items I find are through networking and tracking down people who worked on the films or the toy line. or other fans in 70+ countries who are nice enough to search supermarkets for cereal boxes I need. I know quite a few people who can and do spend way more than I do on this stuff.
-- yes, we have a few security measures in place.
-- I give private tours to friends and family. part of the reason to show this online is that it's not feasible to give public tours so we offer the virtual one and created my site where many collectors share their best items. I also have the Death Star and a few other pieces currently on loan to the Experience Science Fiction Museum in Seattle so that people can see them in person. They'll remain there for at least another six months.
-- neighborhood in Seattle is Capitol Hill
-- I like the prequels, each one better than the predecessor by an order of magnitude. Many Star Wars fans hate the new films though.
posted by guslopez at 8:22 AM on February 7, 2006
-- although I splurge on collectibles now and then more than I did when I was a student, I do not spend as much as you might think on star wars. most of the items I find are through networking and tracking down people who worked on the films or the toy line. or other fans in 70+ countries who are nice enough to search supermarkets for cereal boxes I need. I know quite a few people who can and do spend way more than I do on this stuff.
-- yes, we have a few security measures in place.
-- I give private tours to friends and family. part of the reason to show this online is that it's not feasible to give public tours so we offer the virtual one and created my site where many collectors share their best items. I also have the Death Star and a few other pieces currently on loan to the Experience Science Fiction Museum in Seattle so that people can see them in person. They'll remain there for at least another six months.
-- neighborhood in Seattle is Capitol Hill
-- I like the prequels, each one better than the predecessor by an order of magnitude. Many Star Wars fans hate the new films though.
posted by guslopez at 8:22 AM on February 7, 2006
And the subsequent backrub they receive on arrival?
They aren't real people unless they're members.
posted by smackfu at 12:12 PM on February 7, 2006
They aren't real people unless they're members.
posted by smackfu at 12:12 PM on February 7, 2006
Holy crap nickyskye, I'm so glad I happened back through this thread. You know that stuff about imitation being the sincerest form of flattery? Consider yourself flattered, because I am *so* stealing your line.
posted by freebird at 1:36 AM on February 8, 2006
posted by freebird at 1:36 AM on February 8, 2006
George Lucas' senior picture looks like some satyr or something.
It makes me think more of Tony Perkins in Psycho.
I’d also like to add that it’s their house, let them enjoy it (cereal room and all). Plus, toysrgus is a fantastic (and certainly appropriate) name for his URL.
posted by LeLiLo at 11:51 PM on February 8, 2006
It makes me think more of Tony Perkins in Psycho.
I’d also like to add that it’s their house, let them enjoy it (cereal room and all). Plus, toysrgus is a fantastic (and certainly appropriate) name for his URL.
posted by LeLiLo at 11:51 PM on February 8, 2006
Astounding!
I lived directly behind Gus and Pam until this fall, and often wondered about the Star Wars things I would glimpse in the house through a window here or there. The Death Star!
posted by mwhybark at 11:25 PM on February 11, 2006
I lived directly behind Gus and Pam until this fall, and often wondered about the Star Wars things I would glimpse in the house through a window here or there. The Death Star!
posted by mwhybark at 11:25 PM on February 11, 2006
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This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
"i hope he doesn't notice that i hated the prequels..."
"i bet she thinks I liked the prequels... oh well, anything to make her happy...."
posted by slater at 11:03 AM on February 6, 2006