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This set of Apollo vehicles makes me wax nostalgic for the early seventies. That says a lot right there. I haven't applied the decals, because I am a decal weenie. I have never liked decals. Although these models really need them. I'm going to make up better graphics for the bases because the Lego art is bluntly awful. The lander is easily the best one. The moon buggy model is OK, but different tires would have made all the difference. Just doing these tires in grey would have been an easy improvement.











This set was an indulgence, but I love the monsters in each one. It's from the "Orient Expedition" theme. Oo! Scary! Ee! Terrifying!





The reason I ordered any Lego at all. We've been hearing about them for months, the Rakshi. To be officially released in June, these two are available to Lego Club members as a privilege of club membership. I'm also a member of the National Geographic Society. I'm connected, I am! These monsters are chock full of new parts - there's scarcely a retread in there. They are thoroughly articulated. The back-and-forth fighting action is effective. The feet are surprisingly large and heavy. The flourescent head is way cool and will be much sought after just as a piece. The worm-brain is — Hooray! — not painted: the color is cast in the mold.

This thick-ish four-color flyer was shoved underneath my windshield wiper. Mine, and under the windshield wiper of every other car in the parking lot. Notable for its heft, I assumed it was some competitor to the Little Nickel, but I was struck by the photo shoehorned into the lead on the front page. I was prepared to make some unkind comments comparing them to the mutants from Beneath the Planet of the Apes* (“Behold the Truth that abides in us; reveal that Truth unto that Maker: I reveal my inmost self unto my God.”) until I saw the caption. Regard the caption. Regard it, I say! Taking away nothing from the pitiable weirdness, the photo does not relate materially to the article that it is bound to.







On the plus side, Pastor Alamo (rhymes with Col. Bat Guano) doesn't like hypocrites in office.

* To learn more about the Mutant Mass from Beneath the Planet of the Apes, I suggest FilmScore Monthly's CD, Beneath the Planet of the Apes with expert commentary from science fiction film expert, maven and all-around great guy, Jeff Bond.

This re-assembly of parts is not a huge departure from the basic Bohrok idea: press the lever, head moves. The lever comes off more as a tail; the whole construction has bird-like aspect. Sort of a cross between a dodo and a raptor dinosaur. The head bob action is mildly comical. I was able to include almost all the pieces.

I'd like to say that Kitty No found her way to the outside through her own cleverness and not my own carelessness. But I did leave the window open. I was prepared to canvas the neighborhood and put up posters but happily that was not necessary. She behaved in the usual cat manner and came to her feedbowl on the porch. Thus I was denied the opportunity to display my no doubt formidable and still-latent prowess at hunting small animals. Beware errant cat, beware!

The placard I made up myself but the toys themselves are as they were found on the shelf at Target. Last year's present was amusing, too

Sure, I could have just written that I went to see Bill Bryson give a reading, but <mannerism="bookclub">this is so much more in the moment.</mannerism> And I could have gone have snacks and drinks with him, but I have to be at work so I can:

Allegra and Goozle. She is a character from a Saturday morning adventure, Galidor, and Goozle is ... Goozle was meant for young children. If your kids are growing up around the Hellmouth that is! Look at it!

Cough, sputter, wheeze. Too bad. New used car will make its appearance soon.
Geo's fate: the Crusher.

Walking sticks are brown. Appleogue© is yellow through and through. Ridiculously articulated: neck pivots; shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and ankles all rotate 360°.

Another bad news aggregator result:

(The following was scrawled on a crumpled scrap of grocery bag found in my front yard. The tone is certainly evocative of my old friend and the barely legible scrawl is what one would expect of a homunculus with only three fingers, none having more than two joints.)

I'm sure you find it very amusing to MOCK ME by building a little manikin in my image. Although I am content even pleased if not in fact actually happy to be ignored by you as I have been for quite some time now this affront to my dignity cannot stand. Lego? Lego!? Lego!?! The little dolly doesn't even have a beard I have a beard. And bristles! Where are the bristles? If S.M. were here he'd tell you what to do with your action FIGURE. How I loathe you all! What have you done with Hurdrahan! Damn you!