Reflections...Part 2

So I have been collecting for 7 months now. What an experience. Looking back, I feel that I was a bit too impulsive in cel purchases, and now find that I’m much more selective before bidding on auctions. Sure, there are tons of mistakes I’ve made, but I think of them as learning experiences, and don’t necessarily regret making them. I’ve also found myself making other sacrifices in order to have more funds for cels. Meh, I don’t need to get my nails done, and I never really watched HBO anyways. ^_^

I have learned so much about cels, collecting, auctions, and have met so many super nice people who have offered some great advice, answered my questions, (sometimes more than once^^), and have just offered their friendship. It’s intimidating being the resident newbie. Not knowing any other collectors when I started made things a bit scary at times, but I’m glad I stuck it out and got brave enough to become more active here and on Beta. It’s nice to be part of such a tight community who helps out one another. ^_^

My vocabulary has grown quite a bit, as I now know the meaning of “Bank” and “Harmony” cels, “Hanken”, “Key”, “Tome” “Rilezu”, and finally the difference between “Genga and Douga”. I’ve learned that studios actually destroy artwork on purpose, and how many Naruto repro’s are actually made. I’ve learned the exchange rate for Yen to Dollar, and how costly that extra zero can be. ^_~ I’ve learned that Rinkya translations never work, and those free cel bags they send do not fit any of my repros. >_<

I can’t thank the open house participants enough. I’ve gotten some really constructive feedback, and have met some great people. I was a little skeptical about joining the project, feeling I’m not seasoned enough to offer good feedback to people, but I’m really glad I decided to participate. Thanks again to everyone for the feedback. ^^

I’m working on a major gallery overhaul thanks in part to suggestions from the open house feedback. Yeah, it’s taking longer than expected due to life being a bit hellish the last few months, but I’ll get to it. I’m planning on a new layout, additional links, and a major upload of new goodies, including some major wishlist cels!

I’m not even going to attempt to thank everyone individually here, because I know I’ll forget someone, but you know who you are, and I sincerely thank you for putting up with me ^^, giving advice, granting my cel wishes, offering help with everything from downloading Anime to helping me understand what to offer for artwork, and answering my constant questions from cels to cons, screen capping to paypal, ordering Rilezu to commissioning fan art. And hugs to everyone for welcoming me into the cel community!

OK, enough of my babbling. ^_^

Happy collecting to all!

*EDIT* I have no idea why the font is all funky, nor do I know how to fix it. Sorry. ^_^