I have been away, so kinda late to this party....
This is a Good topic and is always interesting to refer back the resolutions & goals of the previous year; see how well one did in achieving those resolutions.
1. What was the best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection in 2012?
Looking back, I would say one of the best things that happened in relation to my collection was that despite being a bit of a tough year, I was not only still able add some quality cels to existing series' collections, but was also able to expand out to include other anime series in which I had watched & enjoyed for the first time through the year.
2. What was the most surprising thing that happened to your gallery/collection this year?
For me, I suppose it was how 'quiet' this year seemed on the cel-side, especially for the series' I most liked to collect from. The amount of cels for these series made available was significantly less than previous years.
As a result of this lack of variety from the usual auction sources, mid-way through the year I started to branch out and look for private collectors in both Japan & Europe. Since then, I am pleased to say I have built-up a rapport & friendships with some, all through the medium of collecting animation works.
3. Which piece were you most proud of acquiring in 2012?
There are a few items I could actually pick for this..........but if I had to choose only the one, then it would have to be this
Martian Successor Nadesico End Credit Cel:
http://celsphoenix.rubberslug.com/galle ... mID=351417
4. What's something that concerns you about your collecting experience?
I believe my most pressing concerns have already been voiced by fellow members.
The woefully poor USD-JPY exchange rate that has plagued us for the past 2/3years should start to ease & reverse itself this year; since the recent election of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose political party is very Pro in having a 'weak' Yen. As an example, over the last two weeks the USD-JPY conversion rate has crept back up to where one USD is around 88.1 Yen. That is ALOT better than the 74/75 Yen from the last two years! (For the Aussie's amongst us, the AUD-JPY is even better, coming in 92.34 at the last close). Running my charts, this trend should continue, so hopefully this time next year some us will be commenting upon items we never thought we could have afforded in the previous two years?
My personal hope is that due to this strengthening of the currency rates, this will allow fellow collectors to purchase more items at much higher Yen amounts than they may have considered recently, which in turn because of this strong buying, entices more Sellers to the markets so that more items do become available.
5. What cel/sketch-related resolution do you want to make for 2013?
Hmmmm let me think......a Cel/Sketch resolution.......
To relax & enjoy the 'hunt' - to seek out more of those ever elusive "Oh Wow! Got to get that!!" moments & to not be afraid of chasing after the higher quality items
Last year......was a tough year, especially towards the end; it felt like I deliberately held back from a few items even though I could have purchased them as I was continuously thinking & worrying about work matters.
6. If you posted a cel/sketch-related resolution in 2011, how true did you stay to it?
Let's see, what did I post the last time:
I hope this year that the Business project I have been working upon comes to fruition; hopefully within the next six months actually.
I honestly would not mind going a little crazy on the cel purchases again ala 2008/09 and chase after everything that takes my fancy. Also aim to start expanding out into new series, diversifying the gallery to cover more genres.
Not a bad effort? The 'Business projects' are now ongoing, so that is a good thing.
Unfortunately I wouldn't say that I went a "little crazy" on the Cel purchasing, well not as much as I would have hoped to - but at least I continued to expand out my collection, to include new series' which I liked, such as "
Shuffle" and "
InuYasha".
It was all just a very weird ordeal.
