It all started with one of Pure's stories. That's her Subetan name, anyways. On the planet known as "Earth" she's called Amy. I think it's pretty awesome that we share a name.

She's told me some fantastic tales of her childhood adventures. Collecting rocks from forests, rivers and streams, then polishing them to a high sheen. Tracking down pencils with company logos, funny erasers and a rainbow of colors. She had whole shelving displays of something called baby beans.

Oh...I guess they were called Beanie Babies. Earth can be a very confusing place, with all the different names for things. Pure says I shouldn't feel too bad. Even Earthlings get confused by something she calls "weird changing street names that make absolutely no blasted sense".

Whatever that means.

Why don't they just have simple names like Lain Lane and Sheeta Street, like we have in Centropolis? Why throw all those numbers in the mix?

(Pure warns me not to bring up her book collection because that monster is still growing.

I decided I wanted a collection of my own but what to choose? I knew it had to be something fun. No bits of cheap plastic...but also no gold-plated mega-weapons from the Ancient Shop. (Pure shudders every time we walk past that place.)

I begged her to take me to Toy Box...and found true love in flopits and blob dolls.

Then blubs started popping up all over Subeta.

Instant. Love.

I've visited every land in pursuit of putting that last treasured item on the shelf. Pure says a travel journal is invaluable when you see the wonders of the world so here's my list of tips based on my own journey from the snow fields of Arctic Frost to the gaping craters of the Galaxan Wastelands.

>>An Arctic Frost Tree Blub looks a lot like the frozen banzai trees Mama Mush grows in her garden. Make sure you've got an actual blub and not a tree or you will have an angry arctic anyu chasing you.

>>Moon Blubs can often be found hovering around grumbling philosophers in Shinwa's Temple. If you praise her beauty and offer her a gift from All That Glitters, she'll loan you a temple worker or two to capture one of these shifty blubs.

>>Wild Radioactive Flopits are everywhere in the canyons of Darkside. Unlike their decontaminated cousins that stock in Toy Box, these guys are volatile and must be handled with extreme caution.

>>Great White Blubs will go for any bait. I can tell you from personal experimentation that using your own tail is not the preferred method. Those small jaws pack a massive bite. I've got the scars to prove it.

>>Ninja Flopits are never far from Blobssoms. Both make their homes in Shengui Guo. Blobssoms believe these dolls contain the spirits of ancient ninja warriors that will protect them from dreaded minion wranglers.

>>Slubbu Blob Dolls are the preferred toy of children from the Omen Islands, whether they be Islanders or Pirates.

>>Crystal Blobs love to mess with tourists in Coda Caves. They'll keep perfectly still until someone reaches out to pick a crystal. They'll pop out of the wall at the last possible second and go rolling away. Their giggles sound like a fork striking the edge of a champagne glass.

>>Skeleton Flopits are a beloved Morostide decoration, not just in Shadowglen but in homes across Subeta. The true holiday enthusiast can also put out a Pilgrim Flopit for Fireside, a Seasonal Flopit for Luminaire and a Bunny Flopit for Vesnali.

Behind every great collector is a great supporter. Mine is my husband, Nerd. While I'm out scanning every acre for the newest collectible, he keeps our household running and works on his own impressive collection of video games, gaming systems, booster packs and collectible dolls. (Er...I mean action figures.)

There may come a day when I'll place the last item of my current collection on the shelf. Some would consider this a sad day but I greatly look forward to it.

I'll get to start a whole new collection!