{"id":4077,"date":"2006-11-26T21:05:40","date_gmt":"2006-11-27T02:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.oafe.net\/blog\/?p=4077"},"modified":"2011-07-02T21:32:46","modified_gmt":"2011-07-03T01:32:46","slug":"the-importance-of-camouflage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.oafe.net\/blog\/2006\/11\/the-importance-of-camouflage\/","title":{"rendered":"The importance of camouflage"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, I went to a toy show today. I found a few good deals, but had to pass on some stuff I really wanted because the prices were just too high. $15 for Avalanche<\/a>? $45 for Iceman? No way.<\/p>\n

Anyway, I stopped at TRU on the way home, on a whim. I've been looking to complete my ML15 collection, so I was excited when I saw they'd gotten the MODOK<\/a> series in. Unfortunately, it was two full cases and no variants - I refuse to buy Thor Buster Iron Man. Still, I spied a stack of four Legends clamshells sitting in the hallway to the stockroom. I ducked back there to see if it was anything I needed.<\/p>\n

Nope. ML14.<\/p>\n

However, they were sitting next to an ML15 case. It was open, but I couldn't tell if it was empty or full; though with four sets already on the shelves, \"empty\" was much more likely. So I moved on to the next aisle (nothing there), but I knew I'd be kicking myself if I didn't check that box. So back into the stockroom I went.<\/p>\n

I lifted the box, and sure enough, it was empty.<\/p>\n

Ha! No, come on, I wouldn't be telling this story if that was the case. It was completely full, and a quick peek revealed that it was a variant case<\/a>. Destroyer<\/a> was right there on top. So I dug through, and got the variants I wanted, leaving the others behind for some other lucky soul.<\/p>\n

Now remember, I was in the employees-only area. As I was leaving with my haul, an employee came into the back. I smiled, gave him a polite nod and was on my way. It wasn't until I got home that I realized why<\/b> he didn't say anything to me.<\/p>\n

It's Christmastime, which means TRU has hired a ton of seasonal help - new employees who haven't even been there for a month. No one knows everyone else yet. Plus, I just happened to be wearing black jeans and a red shirt: at a glance, under a flannel, that's indistinguishable from the TRU employee uniform. Camouflage! As far as he knew, I was a new worker buying something at the end of my shift. Hot damn!<\/p>\n

So, taking a risk + pure luck = great rewards. If you want to sneak into the back room during this holiday season, go in camouflage.<\/p>\n

<i>And now, some more OAFEry:<\/i><\/H5>