Expect a lot of Transformers memories to come flooding in in anticipation of next month's bigscreen debut. In chatting on AIM with my friend Josh, and was reminded of this particular tale. In a fit of supreme laziness, I am copying and pasting it here. Screen names have been changed, though.

Me (12:16:04 AM): did i ever tell you about the time my parents got me "Soundwave?"
Josh (12:16:34 AM): nope
Me (12:16:50 AM): I guess I must have made it clear to them that Soundwave was the most awesome, coolest, must-have Transformer ever ever ever
Me (12:17:02 AM): so they got me him for my birthday one year (or maybe Christmas, can't remember)
Me (12:17:10 AM): only, it wasn't Soundwave
Josh (12:17:19 AM): hah
Me (12:17:20 AM): it was some knock off named "Radiocassette Man"
Josh (12:17:27 AM): hahahhah
Josh (12:17:30 AM): awesome
Me (12:17:35 AM): I didn't have the heart to tell them
Me (12:17:43 AM): It was the same mold, but he was purple
Josh (12:17:48 AM): HAHAH
Me (12:17:49 AM): and he came with headphones
Josh (12:18:08 AM): oh that's great
Me (12:18:29 AM): there were tons of knockoffs in 1984-85
Me (12:18:37 AM): i felt bad for parents clearly in way over their heads
Me (12:19:22 AM): i remember thinking the same thing when Power Rangers hit big
Me (12:19:45 AM): How can some poor grandma be expected to know whether or not she's buying a legitimate Mega-Zord?