yami_samuraiflo | Window-shopping and memories

Still at Paris until tomorrow evening.

After this morning job interview, I decided to got out to change my mind.

Went to do some window-shopping this afternoon - well, it was supposed to be only window-shopping, but I ended up buying a couple of DVD (most notably Rise of the Guardians and La Folie des Grandeurs, one of my favorite de Funès movies) and books I had wanted for a while (T. Pratchett's Going Postal in pocket format and a Tales of the Crypt 'intégrale').

I got lost in the mall -_-

So not funny; I almost panicked before finding the right exit.

And I managed to go to the local Toys R US - and it was impressing; it's at least thrice as big as the other toys shops near my hometown.
I enjoyed looking at everything. Found a couple of funny and cute stuffed toys, lot of disguises, Barbie, Corolle dolls, Sylvanian Families, Transformers toys (though none that pleased me - I really prefer the Animated ones and the Universe models), Lego, board games (including a Hello Kitty version of Labyrinth, which made me giggle), Playmobils... *sighs*

It was really enjoyable.

Then I saw THE toy that made me cringe and want to sob and rant.

Polly Pocket.

As a child, I used to enjoy Polly Pocket. It was, perhaps, my favorite toys. I used to build a 'town' on my desk with my owns and those I borrowed from my sister and play with them all afternoon. It was also one of the main games we played with my childhood best friend.

Yes, I loved those little dolls in a compact, that I could take with me easily anywhere.

Then Mattel struck and ruined them forever.

THIS was supposed to be Polly Pocket, before they got their paws on them :http://ecuriemerveilleuse.forumactif.com/t5764-mes-polly-pocket-vintage

Nice, don't you think? You can see more here: http://www.onlypollypocket.com/

And now, they changed Polly Pocket into THAT: http://www.thetoypallet.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=39

Ruined forever. Really.
Polly is supposed to be one inch tall with a house you can fit in your pocket; not some cheap Barbie clones. I like Barbie, I do. But I grew up with the vintage Polly Pocket, so it doesn't sit well with me to see just how much they changed it. I suppose kids like them anyway, since they're still producing the brand, but still, I just twitch every time I see the newest dolls.

*sighs*

Makes me wants to keep the few ones I have even more preciously...