Pixar Stock - A Piece Of Pixar History

I had to go into my "Treasure Room" and get this great piece of Pixar history to show you! Before Pixar merged with Disney, I got myself a share of Pixar Stock and had it framed with a quote by Steve Jobs. You could put any quote, but I found one I thought was just right! You can't read it in the photo, so I'll tell you what it says..."Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." Steve Jobs

The stock certificate has Woody, Tinny the One Man Band, Luxo Junior, Red the Unicycle and Buzz. It is a wonderful piece of Pixar history that I wouldn't trade for anything. Do you have any cool Pixar things the average bear doesn't own?

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Disney Pixar Cars - Frank The Combine Cruising From The Orient

I talked to one of my contacts from Mattel today and brought up my latest poll about Frank, Elvis and Todd. I've long known that Elvis is coming out as an Oversized, and Todd is coming out as a 1:55th die cast. I told him that now they just needed to get Frank done and everyone would be happy. I was told Frank is already in production as part of the Oversized line. More importantly, I was told he was probably on a ship heading to the United States as we spoke! No pictures yet, but as soon as I get any I'll post them for you to see.

When can we expect to see Frank hit the stores? Well, that's like having a Carny guess your weight! I may be close, or I may be way off in making a prediction. So, I'd conservatively say we may see Frank by the middle of February. The great thing is we will finally get Frank! I'm off to do some Tractor Tipping.

Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (Ok, Manana)!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Shake 'n Go Mater Could Damage A Child's Hearing

I read an important story about Fisher-Price's (Mattel subsidiary) Shake 'n Go Mater that I felt was important to bring to the attention of those of you who are parents. Here's an excerpt from the Daily Herald's article...
"The Sight & Hearing Association's Noisy Toys 2008 list names 18 toys that make sounds over 90 decibels -- equivalent to a lawn mower, which over time could lead to noise-induced hearing loss. Of those, 14 are over 100 decibels, or louder than a chain saw; six are over 110 decibels, where an average rock concert measures in; and one -- the Fisher-Price Shake 'n Go! Disney/Pixar's Cars Mater toy -- hits a high of 120.8 decibels, slightly louder than a jet plane taking off."

With it being Christmas Eve, some of you may have purchased this toy, or had someone give it as a gift to your young child. This is important news for you to consider since they are still developing and will usually play with toys on the floor in close proximity to their head. The article points out that Shake 'n Go Mater topped the list as the loudest toy with a decibel reading of 120.8, which is louder than a jet plane taking off! Here's a link to the full article from the Daily Herald...Loudest Toys 2008

I hope bringing this to your attention helps you avoid potential problems that could hurt your child. If it is as bad as the Sight & Hearing Association's research states, then I'd bring that toy right back to the store for a refund.

Have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (I think I'll get to it on Friday)!

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Disney Pixar Cars - The Big Three Cars Characters

I can confidently say that there are three big Cars characters that are supremely wanted by collectors...Frank the Combine, Elvis the RV and Todd the Pizza Planet Truck! The question I'll pose to you is this...You can own ONLY ONE! Which would you choose for your collection? I can give you my answer, but I'll wait until I see what you answer and what my next poll yields! Let's take a quick look at the three heavyweights...

Frank has long been wanted by Collectors!


Elvis has been a Hunka, Hunka, Shakin' Metal!


Todd has had a long and illustrious film career!

Now, an in depth look at the contenders!

The common thread these three contenders have is they are only in the
film for a moment. Frank has the most screen time as he gets to act with
stars Lightning McQueen and Mater during the tractor tipping scene.



Elvis was hired to shake his fenders to the musical opening by
Sheryl Crow as he hits her accent "Uhhh!" during "Real Gone!"



Finally, Todd the Pizza Planet Truck has just a small cameo, but
wanted us to see his whole reel of cameos! You'll also see some
other hidden Pixar Easter Eggs of Wall•E and other surprises!

So, it comes down to the big muscle of Frank, the graceful Graceland god Elvis, or the reliable ole Japanese native Todd! Which of these Contenders gets your Vote, if you can ONLY OWN ONE?!

Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (When I dig it out & photograph it)!

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Disney Pixar Cars - Todd The Pizza Planet Truck In Ratatouille & Wall•E

When I wrote my initial article about Todd the Pizza Planet Truck, I only covered his appearances up through Cars. I figured it was time to update our cameo driven star's last two films...Ratatouille and Wall•E! It is interesting how the directors chose to put him in each film. Brad Bird made him tough to find by having him drive over a bridge in the distance while we focused on Skinner chasing Remy on a scooter. Andrew Stanton put Todd square in our face as Eve scanned the Earth for plant life!

Todd drives over a French bridge in the background in Ratatouille


Todd looks a bit "Trashed" as Eve scans Earth for plant life in Wall•E

It is cool how Todd has been, and will be, in every Pixar feature. Where will he appear in "Up?" You can count on me to let you know! I wonder if we'll see the die cast version of Todd by the time "Up" comes out on May 29th next year. Will Pete Doctor make him easy to find? I'm guessing we may see him from above as Carl Fredrickson's (Ed Asner as Carl) house floats over the city. Can't wait to see it and look for Todd!

Coming Next...A Piece of Pixar History (When I dig it out & photograph it)!

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Disney Pixar Cars - For "Customizers" Who Don't Get It

I love genuine, respectful debate. When people disagree and can discuss things in a calm and mature manner, hopefully we all gain some grain of insight. We may not ultimately agree, but hopefully become better enlightened to the issue being discussed. What I don't appreciate is people who flame, insight, insult and act belligerent towards me, or others when they can't stay focused on the topic and resort to making it personal.

This is the last time I'll make this clear...Make all the "Customs" you want for yourself. However, I strongly suggest you don't use copyrighted images and likenesses of Cars items, sell them on Ebay or elsewhere, otherwise you are PROFITING from the illegal use of those images and likenesses.

Nobody needs my permission to do anything. I'm simply writing articles informing the public that it is unwise to be selling "Customs" using Apple's logos, characters from Cars, or any other intellectually protected image because it is copyright infringement.

People keep trying to attack this blog's author by bringing up the fact that I use the Walmart, Toys R Us or Cars logos. I'll site the U.S. Copyright "Fair Use" Doctrine, and direct you to it so you can be better informed. Here's an excerpt from the government's site. "Section 107 contains a list of the various purposes for which the reproduction of a particular work may be considered “fair,” such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research." Visit this link to become further enlightened...Fair Use Doctrine

If I was using the Toys R Us logo and selling items with their logo on them, I'd certainly be infringing on their copyright and trademark. I'm not making a cent, and am in fact promoting them through comment and news reporting! Frankly, I'm a publicity machine for Pixar's Cars!!

People selling "Customized" hauler after hauler and making thousands of dollars, are doing it illegally! People selling bogus Franks over and over and making thousands of dollars, are doing it illegally. So are the people making ONE item and selling it. The only issue is whether the owner's of those copyrights, Pixar in this case, are going to spend thousands to go after the people selling the illegal items. Anyone with a brain realizes there's a cost/benefit to spending thousands of dollars prosecuting small time thieves. That's why people sell these bogus items. Yet, the fools selling dozens and dozens are far more likely to be prosecuted due to their high visibility and blatant disregard for the law. And simply put, they are making a lot of money doing so. This is the point!

Why do I care? Because it is wrong! Because I'm warning you! Because you shouldn't do it! It doesn't matter what the issue is, if I were to write about the fact that you shouldn't shoplift, you shouldn't rape someone, you shouldn't commit battery, it is all to discuss the reasons why you shouldn't do those things. Maybe discussing it will enlighten someone. Maybe it will stop someone from doing something that could get them in trouble. Maybe it will teach someone about something important.

I have obviously struck a nerve! And, I love it!! Thanks Roger X, you prompted me to write another great article. I'm outta here.

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Disney Pixar Cars - The Stores To Find Cars

Walmart and Target have been major disappointments for the last couple months. Promises of pallets filled with Cars toys are more like dreams of sugarplums in some whacked out kid's head! They have let us down! No supply and nothing new!

Who are the New heros of Cars collectors?! That old dump of a store...Kmart! Right there with old glue horse Kmart is Toys R Us! Come on, you agree with me, you walk into a Kmart and it is like a morgue! You keep waiting to hear when they are going to file Chapter 11! Yet somehow, the old Blue Light Special keeps its doors open. Heck, Toys R Us isn't much better really! I don't know how they stay in business. BUT, in spite of the fact Kmarts always look like they are going Out of Business and Toys R Us hardly every has customers, they have come through strong in the last couple of weeks!

Toys R Us has been a consistent supply of New releases! I've found Impound Boost, Chief RPM, and Tank Coat Pitty! I've yet to find the next case with Impound Snot Rod, but I have a strong feeling they will have them very soon as well! So, kudos to Toys R Us for meeting collector demand over the last few weeks! It certainly made it easier to buy five Cars for the N2O promotion!

Today I had a feeling I should go into Kmart and voila! There were the two Over Sized Characters I've been searching weeks for...Mack and Marco! And, they had two of each, which is what I always buy! Not only did I find Mack and Marco, but I also found another Impound Boost! So, guess where I'll be going in search of Cars die cast toys? Well, it's safe to say I won't be going to Walmart until they get their act together!

Hope this gives you some help in your search for the elusive toys! You know, I paid $8.79 for each Over Sized and could care less. They had the darn things I wanted and I was happy to pay Kmarts price! Wouldn't you?

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Alternator Valley's New Original Logo

Unveiling for the first time...Alternator Valley's New Original logo! Here's your first look at it in its clean, rough form! Designed by my friend Martin Arriola, Mattel Senior Manager of Product Design! Martin is also a fine artist who creates Original Paintings in Oil, Pastel and Watercolor. I urge you to learn more about Martin's art at this link...MartinArriola.com

The final cleaned up version will be done at the start of the year. Another talented friend of mine, Mark Mc Intyre, is a former Disney Design Group artist and one of the co-founders of Hitch Critters. Check out his cool animated hitch ball covers at this link...HitchCritters.com

Our logo as been developed to further enhance our identity, and to connect to our loyal readers around the globe! T-Shirts will be available for purchase after the New Year! We may offer other logo emblazoned merchandise as well.

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Disney Pixar Cars - Luigi & Guido Hallmark Keepsake Ornament 2008

Real news about Cars die cast toys is pretty much stagnant. With this in mind, I figured I'd talk about ancillary Cars items. I went to a Hallmark store last week and looked for this year's Cars ornament. It was Guido and Luigi. It costs $15.00 and honestly, it isn't worth it. It is the same boring scene of them as fans. Why doesn't Disney get that we want Originality!! How many Franks would they have blown out the door if they made him?! I know I would have grabbed one of those up! I know you reading this would have wanted one! Anything but the same damn, old, tired designs!! Are you people in business to sell product or not?! Oh well, expect those stupid ornaments to gather dust and end up being discounted because they won't sell.

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