Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Copied by a bigger blog. Should I feel honored or insulted?
I checked one of my favorite blogs yesterday, and my jaw dropped. It's been exactly two weeks since I posted my list of "Top 10 Collectible Lego Minifigures". So imagine my surprise when I clicked into Topless Robot to find this.
Now, this could be nothing but coincidence, had it not been for the fact that I know the TR people read my blog.
Sure, the author of that list has made adjustments (top 21 figures instead of 10), and has used the digitally drawn pictures from TLG instead of using their own figures and pictures. I also know the author already has written a few pieces on Lego....
But really... who hasn't?
Admittedly, the nature of my original list is not very original, but the time frame, the way it's written, the way it's presented makes it just too apparent.
This is no coincidence.
It is normal procedure among bigger bloggers to steal from lesser known ones. We see it every day. And it had to happen to me (it probably already has, I just haven't seen it until now). So when it finally happens, I guess I should feel honored. But at the same time it's damn annoying to not at the very least be credited for inspiration.
Now, this could be nothing but coincidence, had it not been for the fact that I know the TR people read my blog.
Sure, the author of that list has made adjustments (top 21 figures instead of 10), and has used the digitally drawn pictures from TLG instead of using their own figures and pictures. I also know the author already has written a few pieces on Lego....
But really... who hasn't?
Admittedly, the nature of my original list is not very original, but the time frame, the way it's written, the way it's presented makes it just too apparent.
This is no coincidence.
It is normal procedure among bigger bloggers to steal from lesser known ones. We see it every day. And it had to happen to me (it probably already has, I just haven't seen it until now). So when it finally happens, I guess I should feel honored. But at the same time it's damn annoying to not at the very least be credited for inspiration.
Monday, June 25, 2012
Cucumber trick
Is your cucumber going limp? Has the juices stopped flowing in your vegetable? Let me share some knowledge.
Let's say it looks like this. Clearly, this has been lying unused for far too long. But it's not rotting, it's just drying up. Fear not, it's not all lost.
Trim it a bit, you want to remove the dry crust. Prepare it for the water.
Put it in a body of water. Could be cool, could be warm. Doesn't really matter. It's the liquid you want. Let it sit there for a while. Don't rush this. Take it slow.
Your cucumber is now juicy, rejuvenated and ready for more action and adventures.
For instance being consumed.
Enjoy!
Let's say it looks like this. Clearly, this has been lying unused for far too long. But it's not rotting, it's just drying up. Fear not, it's not all lost.
Trim it a bit, you want to remove the dry crust. Prepare it for the water.
Put it in a body of water. Could be cool, could be warm. Doesn't really matter. It's the liquid you want. Let it sit there for a while. Don't rush this. Take it slow.
Your cucumber is now juicy, rejuvenated and ready for more action and adventures.
For instance being consumed.
Enjoy!
Friday, June 22, 2012
Figure Friday: G.I. Joe Desert Fox
Desert Fox was my favorite vehicle in the G.I. Joe line. And that's as personal as I'll get this Friday. Sure, I can come with arguments to why I liked it, but I find it rather universal. No one can not appreciate the way this armed off road car was presented.
I'll explain inside...
I'll explain inside...
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Soundwave
There's a chance this could turn into a Figure Friday styled article, but if you're reading this, you don't mind.
Soundwave - quite possibly the only Transformers character everyone likes. There's something universal about him, and there's something archetypal "Transformers" about him. I'll explain what I mean inside, but what I can say is that when Takara now releases their Masterpiece version of Soundwave, it's about time. Because more than any toy, Soundwave really did work as a "robot in disguise".
Step on in for more on Soundwave!
Soundwave - quite possibly the only Transformers character everyone likes. There's something universal about him, and there's something archetypal "Transformers" about him. I'll explain what I mean inside, but what I can say is that when Takara now releases their Masterpiece version of Soundwave, it's about time. Because more than any toy, Soundwave really did work as a "robot in disguise".
Step on in for more on Soundwave!
Monday, June 18, 2012
Pavlova (another meringue-based cake)
Apparently, it's the season for birthdays, and coincidentally, the season for cakes.
This is slightly similar to the one I showed from my own birthday. It's a dessert called "Pavlova", named after a Russian dancer, I was told. I like that. I like cakes - any dishes really - with a certain history attached to it. It's a conversation starter for sure. I know little about Anna Pavlova, nor do I know how to make the cake. But it looks simple enough, and I appreciate the original idea of the cake as well as the way it was presented to me today.
Crisp meringue bottom, whipped cream in the middle and fruit or berries on the top. This one had the vanilla custard added to the whipped cream too. Delicious.
This is slightly similar to the one I showed from my own birthday. It's a dessert called "Pavlova", named after a Russian dancer, I was told. I like that. I like cakes - any dishes really - with a certain history attached to it. It's a conversation starter for sure. I know little about Anna Pavlova, nor do I know how to make the cake. But it looks simple enough, and I appreciate the original idea of the cake as well as the way it was presented to me today.
Crisp meringue bottom, whipped cream in the middle and fruit or berries on the top. This one had the vanilla custard added to the whipped cream too. Delicious.
Friday, June 15, 2012
Figure Friday: Expensive announcements
I'm on the road, and unable to write something major. But take comfort in Wednesday's article on Top 10 Minifigures.
Yes, Takara announced Masterpiece Soundwave. The upcoming MP versions of Sideswipe, Red Alert (and hopefully Sunstreaker) already has Transformers fans - me included - drooling. Admittedly, I have passed on several of the Masterpiece robots, for various reasons. I do have the MP04, which is Optimus Prime with trailer, and I have a couple of the Seekers - Thundercracker and Skywarp. Why I never got Starscream, I couldn't tell you. Maybe I'm just not into repaints costing $100-200. MP Megatron has a rumor for being extremely difficult to transform, and very fragile, so I have passed. MP Rodimus/Hot Rod looks amazing, but it never was a favorite character of mine.
Soundwave on the other hand. I'm sold. The prototype pictures show us an extremely detailed sculpt, yet it's remarkably close to the G1 design. Obviously he's bigger, has more articulation, and looks a lot closer to his cartoon/comic version in robot mode. There are already pictures floating around the internet of a painted version shown in a Japanese toy show. But the high resolution pictures of the prototype can be seen on Seibertron.
He looks to be coming with Lazerbeak. Expect more cassettes in the future. We can also assume there will be a Soundblaster repaint.
In other news, we also saw Hot Toys release an images of their stunning Black Widow. We have already seen Loki, Thor, Iron Man, Nick Fury and Hawkeye. For those of you who don't know, these are extremely detailed 12" action figures. Hot Toys is famous for getting the face sculpts right, and for being expensive. But most fanboys out there would say they are more than worth their price at around $200.
What do you think?
Masterpiece Sideswipe/Red Alert/Sunstreaker, Masterpiece Soundwave.
Hot Toys Avengers.
It will be an expensive fall for a toy collector.
Yes, Takara announced Masterpiece Soundwave. The upcoming MP versions of Sideswipe, Red Alert (and hopefully Sunstreaker) already has Transformers fans - me included - drooling. Admittedly, I have passed on several of the Masterpiece robots, for various reasons. I do have the MP04, which is Optimus Prime with trailer, and I have a couple of the Seekers - Thundercracker and Skywarp. Why I never got Starscream, I couldn't tell you. Maybe I'm just not into repaints costing $100-200. MP Megatron has a rumor for being extremely difficult to transform, and very fragile, so I have passed. MP Rodimus/Hot Rod looks amazing, but it never was a favorite character of mine.
Soundwave on the other hand. I'm sold. The prototype pictures show us an extremely detailed sculpt, yet it's remarkably close to the G1 design. Obviously he's bigger, has more articulation, and looks a lot closer to his cartoon/comic version in robot mode. There are already pictures floating around the internet of a painted version shown in a Japanese toy show. But the high resolution pictures of the prototype can be seen on Seibertron.
He looks to be coming with Lazerbeak. Expect more cassettes in the future. We can also assume there will be a Soundblaster repaint.
In other news, we also saw Hot Toys release an images of their stunning Black Widow. We have already seen Loki, Thor, Iron Man, Nick Fury and Hawkeye. For those of you who don't know, these are extremely detailed 12" action figures. Hot Toys is famous for getting the face sculpts right, and for being expensive. But most fanboys out there would say they are more than worth their price at around $200.
What do you think?
Masterpiece Sideswipe/Red Alert/Sunstreaker, Masterpiece Soundwave.
Hot Toys Avengers.
It will be an expensive fall for a toy collector.
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