To celebrate the 5th installment of this yearly tradition, I added a new question. I'm tired of reading about bad news on those news websites and figured that a "best acquisition" question would bring me (and maybe some other members) some momentary cheer. Of course, you don't have to answer that, or any of these questions if you don't want to.
And..on with the questions...
1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.
2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.
3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2010?
4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.
5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2011.
6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2010?
(see http://www.anime-beta.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=26770 for quick reference)
1. The best thing that's happened to your gallery/collection.
Not so much to my gallery/collection, but, I think the best thing that has happened to me is getting to know my fellow collectors a lot more. This year, I was able to team up with several other collectors and work together to acquire items that we wanted. Yeah, it stung a little knowing that I wouldn't get everything, but, it was nice being able to get one of several items for (perhaps) a more reasonable price. I'd like to continue this networking into 2011 & expand it even more.
Gallery-wise, similar to last year, I'm still working on animated gifs for all entries on the gallery. It's time consuming, but it's nice to see how your artwork was used without scanning through the episode.
2. The most surprising thing that has happened to your gallery/collection.
It grew, and larger than I thought it would. I went into 2010 thinking that, since I intended to spend less money than in 2009, that that would mean that I would also be able to add fewer items. But, thanks to the artists at Anime Expo & a hefty purchase in Japan, I was able to add quite a bit to my collection.
3. What art piece are you most proud of acquiring in 2010?
Let's go with Mamoru Yokota's original drawing of Light Yagami from "Death Note". Hawt.
4. Thing that concerns you about your collecting experience.
Two things - exchange rates and forgeries.
I think a lot of US collectors who buy items on Japanese websites are concerned about the dollar/yen exchange rate. It really limits you and makes those 'must have at all cost' items far more painful. When I first started, back in 2003, all of my deputy invoices would come in with exchange rates like 120 yen to the dollar. It used to be that you could easily do a 1 for 1 rate in your head, and then, be pleasantly surprised that, with commission, the real price would be less than the 1 for 1 rate you had estimated. But now, at 79 yen to the dollar, 500 yen really is slightly more than $6. And while I appreciate that some deputy services are cutting their rates to offset the exchange rate, it really hurts when you look at an item and tell yourself that it's not worth the additional $200+ you'll be paying due to poor exchange rates.
Forgeries, though, is a rather new concern for me. I find myself getting away from cels and sketches, and buying more original art. Granted, I'm not trying to acquire artwork from well known artists or artists whose work commands super high prices (Takeshi Takeuchi, for starters...). But, unless I get it personally at conventions from the artist or the item comes with photos/packaging that would indicate its authenticity, there's always that lingering thought in my mind that I could have just bought a copy.
5. A cel/sketch-related resolution for 2011.
I will continue to spend less on artwork than I did in, say, 2006 and 2007. I also plan to continue to shift my focus from cels and more towards original artwork.
6. Did you stay true to your cel/sketch-related resolution posted in 2010?
Yes, I did. I stated that I would spend less money in 2010 than I did in 2009, and, I achieved that. I also wrote that I would purchase more original artwork in 2010, and, I did that as well.
Mission accomplished! 10 Brownie Points for me!
could indeed coexist in a single series. 
I feel that what I'm doing connects with many areas of knowledge, and yet somehow I feel that I'm still largely talking to myself and a very few long-suffering friends. I'd like to get out more often, and my cels are suffering from cabin fever too.
