My name is Ryan; I'm 22 years old and live in Austin TX, where I'm in my final semesters of studying Civil Engineering. I'm getting married to my wonderful fiancee Katherine (who is supportive of my hobby, even though she doesn't really understand it) in a little less than two months, and looking forward to graduating this coming December. When I'm not collecting Joes, I really enjoy reading, camping, and generally being outside. I run, bike, and swim quite a bit to try and keep fit, and also spend a lot of time just hanging out with my fiancee.

I grew up in Houston, where I fell in love with G.I. Joe as soon as a I got my first figure (either Recoil or Dogfight, can't remember). I really got into G.I. Joe in 89-90, so I still have a soft spot for all of those figures. Once I got "too old" to play with them any more I immediately decided to start collecting, so I'd have a reason to hang on to my prized Joes. I've drifted in and out of the hobby since then, and have had interests in most every scale and era of at some point. When I entered college in 2003 I was sort of on a hiatus from collecting, but that all changed about 2 years ago. Believe it or not, it was the Greenshirts 6-pack that awakened me to the fact that new Joes were coming out and convinced me to start collecting again. I finally found my collecting "niche" in vintage and new classic-sculpt 3 3/4" figures (recently expanding to vintage/modern 12" AT as well). I started taking pictures of my figures about a year and a half ago, and before long I found this site and was blown away by some of you all's work. It inspired me to push the quality and creativity of my photos as far as I could, and learning to do so has been such a great way to have fun with my collection.

My tiny apartment here in Austin doesn't have much space for Joes, so most of my collection is in Houston at my parents' house, which I visit pretty frequently. My dad and I enjoy taking photos together; it brings back lots of wonderful memories of childhood battles and the like. I love this hobby and am really excited at what a wonderful community you have on this site. Thank you all for making me feel so welcome!

There's more about me, my other hobbies, and my Joe collection over at my website

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"Possibility and impossibility are states of mind. In my mind, there is only the possible"
-Spirit

Welcome! Your fiancee isn't by any chance from Minnesota, is she? I have an ex named Katherine who moved to TX a few years ago. If it's her, you're a lucky man!

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KungPhu (personal site)

Hi there!
My real name is Adriano Oliveira and I live in Brazil (but a bit too far from TG unfortunately).
I'm 29y.o. , married and have a daughter.
I don't write often as I wish ´cos my english sucks as I've never studied english language but make an english course is in my plans ....
My collection is not giant but increases each month a little more (which reminds me that I have difficulties to pay my credit card due my vice)
I'm one of the founders of Yo Joe Brazil! which is a fan club dedicated to "Comandos em Ação", the brazillian version of G.I. Joe (if you have some time I'd glad if you visit http://www.yojoebrazil.com - you can see the only complete catalog of brazillian figures in the world and others informations).
A have a small collection of Matchbox cars and few Playmobil too. I have some 12' figures too, most of them World Peacekeepers. My wife has a small collection of Barbie which makes a perfect pair with my 12' guys
I had a rock garage band when I was younger and I like music a lot, I sang in the church too but now I'm only sing songs to make my daughter sleep ... LOL
I stay in MSN from 8:00a.m. to 18:00a.m. from monday to friday and randomly on weekends so feel free to add me in your contact list
adriano_suporte@hotmail.com

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Gatilho

http://www.flickr.com/photos/97583331@N00
http://gijoe.19.forumer.com

Nope, she grew up in Houston too, just a few miles from me!

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"Possibility and impossibility are states of mind. In my mind, there is only the possible"
-Spirit

Good luck with the wedding Ryan. If you're lucky, like me, it will be the best thing you ever did.

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"The future's uncertain and the end is always near." - The Doors "Roadhouse Blues".

lol never seen this thread.......but..

my names Levi i live in Ga i've been collecting joes since 2000 i started a little late but hey i've built up my collection since 2000 but anyways what got me to collecting joes was a T-crotch heavy duty from the heavy duty and cobra claws 2pack but ever since then i've build my collection up with some vehicles and a bunch of old sculpt joes my oldest one is from 1984 which is a general hawk

this is a pretty cool thread

NEXT!!!

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"For it is written that a son of Arabia would awaken a fearsome Eagle. The wrath of the Eagle would be felt throughout the lands of Allah and lo, while some of the people trembled in despair still more rejoiced: for the wrath of the Eagle cleansed the lands of Allah and there was peace."

Hello, my name is Jay. It's not my real name, but I don't care, my real name sucks.
I'm 22 years old, I live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

I've been "collecting" since I was little, I bought various toys as a kid, many of which I still have (but a strong percentage still had to go during many spring cleanings... ).. Right now I mainly focus on three things: GIJoes, Transformers, Super Robots and martial arts-related figures (I have a nice little Bruce Lee collection).

Aside from that, I don't really do much. I'm a stockboy at Future Shop (or I will be starting Monday), don't really have many friends and the ones I do have are often too busy to do much more than MSN chats with me.

My MSN Messenger is ** and my AIM is AutobotDJ. Message me anytime!

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RIP Minouche, 1994-2009.

Thanks, Craig! It's great to hear things have worked out so wonderfully for you; I'm banking on the same for me

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"Possibility and impossibility are states of mind. In my mind, there is only the possible"
-Spirit

A Ha! Your Adriano!! Wowsers.. I should change your MSN nickname to Gatilho now I know who you are

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"I can glide silently and land without a sound, I am the eerie presence in the pitch black room"