What A Slacker!

I Want It Wednesday: LEGO Mindstorms

Add comment June 18th, 2008

I love robots and I love Lego. So what better combo for me than a Lego Robot? I have the first version of the Mondstorms system and really need to get myself the new one. I love the new functionality and the new look (not such a fan of the technic sets so I was disappointed when this was first announced, but I guess there is only so much one can do with the good ole brick).

What Are These Naked Guys Doing

9 comments May 17th, 2008

Naked headless star trek toys!

Hey, what do you think these two are saying? Leave a comment with your conversation for naked, headless Captain Kirk and Klingon.

I Want It Wednesday: Pleo the Robotic Dino

1 comment May 14th, 2008

New feature for me. While I could fill this blog with a daily I want it post I think I will stick to just Wednesdays (mostly). I cannot help it if I am overcome with the feeling of ‘I has to have this’ therefore making me post on other days to, but I will try to stick to just Wednesdays (but I won’t promise not to post more than once each Wednesday). Since this is the first ‘I Want It Wednesday’ I thought I would post something pretty sweet. I have been reading about the robotic dinosaur known simply as PLEO for awhile now and he is finally here and I want one! He is a little out of my price range so if any kind souls wish to donate one for further tests and studies I am the slacker for the job

Remember the Furby? Well Pleo is a Furby to the 100th power. He learns, plays games, sings, walks, and can even talk with other Pleos. There is a whole community out there for Pleo owners at PleoWorld.com. People and animals really respond to Pleo. Check out this video of a Pleo at SeaWorld. The dolphins just don’t seem to know what to make of this little dino. I just gotta get a Pleo. Thanks to the folks over at BotJunkie for reminding me I wanted one of these bad boys.

Pleo will set you back about $350, but after you see this video you won’t mind.

I Wanna BB Gun

Add comment May 13th, 2008

I may have mentioned this before; as a kid I always wanted an airgun, well we never called them that. To us they were simply BB guns and I wanted one in the worst way. I grew up in a family full of hunters and maybe I wanted to be like my Dad after all I was his little shadow. Then again maybe I just wanted to shoot stuff like cans, targets, or toys not really into hurting anything. (That’s a lesson I did not truly learn until I was old enough to actually go hunting with my Dad and found I could not pull the trigger when the deer was in my sights.)

The BB guns of my day are nothing like the variety of airguns you can get today. Boy, just shopping around online gets those old juices flowing again making want a BB gun even now. Not that I could rationalize my having one in the city, but if I was still out in the country I would have one, or more, in a heartbeat. I would have a row of cans sitting on a fence and start blasting them away like I remember seeing in old movies.

Then I get to wondering what kind I would get if I were to buy myself a BB gun. Would it be a pistol or an automatic like the cool Tactical Force TF11 from Crossman? Even though a rifle is what I always wanted as a kid I don’t think I would get one now though. Funny how that works isn’t it?

High Cost of Oil Takes Its Toll on My Toys

Add comment May 13th, 2008

I noticed the scale of action figures seems to be going back down in size. Instead of all the hulking, big seven inch pieces of plastic we are once again seeing smaller three inch scale figures in the toy stores.

Since plastic is basically a petroleum based product do you think the trend in smaller toys is being caused by the higher oil prices? I know the cost of action figures and toys is going up. So where does that leave me and my collecting days? Are they numbered? Will I have to stop collecting or simply cut back in the amount of toys I buy? Honestly, I don’t like either option. I don’t want to stop or even reduce collecting my Star Trek figures. Maybe I just need to stop with the other items. No more Indian Jones. No more monsters. No more Lego. NO!

Steampunk Star Wars Figures

Add comment May 11th, 2008

I have always been a fan of the folks who can make custom action figures especially when they are such high quality as those over at Sillof’s Workshop.

But these are no ordinary custom figures. What do I mean by ordinary? I guess to clarify; I would say in this case ordinary means creating figures of existing characters not already in action figure form.

So why are Sillof’s figures so extraordinary? Well these figures are of existing figures and/or characters but they are totally re-imagined. Below you will see what I mean with the steampunk Star Wars figures, which are just stunning in design and workmanship. But don’t just take my word for it head to Sillof.com to see more detailed pictures and to read a little about the inspiration behind each figure. While you are there be sure to take a look at the Victorian Avengers and Gaslight Justice League figures they’re amazing.

I Loves Me My Mini Figures

Add comment May 9th, 2008

I love miniatures. Anything in a small scale is great to me. I have been fascinated be mini stuff since I was a kid. Maybe that’s why I like LEGO so much, the mini figures that come with each set.

Most recently I was very excited to hear Playmates toys would be getting the license to make the action figures for the new Star Trek movie. Even more excited when I heard that one of their new figures would be in a 3” scale. Yeah! I saw they have a small 2” line of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and just introduced new small-scale play sets for these mini figures too. So perhaps in this day of the mini block figures (Kubrick and Minimates have been all the rage for the last few years) I am not the only one who likes small things.

Hasbro brought us the mini 2” Galactic Heroes in their Star Wars line a few years ago too. While these are geared more for the younger kids they are still a must for me. Then they gave us Marvel heroes and now Indiana Jones. I picked up three of these sets already and since they have a mail-away exclusive figure I will be getting at least three more as well. Since I have these little guys stuck to my car’s dash with Velcro I can swap they out every once in awhile. So the more the merrier!

Indiana Jones Lego Sets Keep On Coming

Add comment May 7th, 2008

May 1st brought a slew more Indian Jones LEGO sets.  We already had the The Temple Escape ($60),  Race for the Stolen Treasure ($30),  The Lost Tomb($20) and the Motorcycle Chase ($10).  the only one of those three I still need to get is the Race for the Stolen Treasure set and I might have to put that one off for a little while as these new sets have me all excited!

The Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull Lego sets available as of May 1, 2008 are: Jungle Duel ($10), River Chase ($20), Jungle Cutter($40), and The Temple of the Crystal Skull ($70). So far the only one I have picked up is the cheapest one The Jungle Duel set. Fun little set that includes three minifigs. You get Indy, Mutt and Spalko. The cloth tent is pretty cool. I could see a whole bunch of these set up as a military camp or boyscott troop. I can definitely see the steampunk and diselpunk lego fans making some fun stuff from all these Indy sets that’s for sure.

I really hope LEGO keeps pushing out the Indiana Jones sets for us adult fans as well as the kids. So far these are available at Toys R Us and Wal-Mart. Target hasn’t jumped on the band wagon yet as they only have the first four Lego sets none of the new ones and none of the action figures either. If you are looking to pick these up I don’t recommend TRU as their prices are $2-10 more than any where else including LEGO.com and EntertainmentEarth.com.

AntWorks Illuminated Ant Farm Too Cool for Kids

Add comment May 6th, 2008

As a kid I always wanted an ant farm. I never got one so maybe that is why I think the ant farms of today are really pretty sweet. Heck these ant farms are not just your average ants and dirt sandwiched between two pieces of plexi-glass, oh no! These suckers are high tech.

AntWorks Ant Farm uses a gel instead of dirt. The gel doubles as nutrition for your little insect buddies as well as their home. Boy are those tunnels cool in that gel. Now you can see all the ant activity. There will be no hiding in the dirt for you my little chums.

If the way cool blue gel wasn’t enough for you the base contains an LED light so you can see your bugs in the dark too. Check out the video for just how cool this ant farm really is. This is recommended for age six and above, but I think any responsible ant fan of any age would enjoy this as a gift. [Hint, hint. I think it would be perfect sitting on my desk at work.] Just a heads up the AntWorks Illuminated Ant Farm is a Bring Your Own Ants [BYOA] project so you may have a little hunting and catching to do as well, or you might see if they have live ants available for purchase so you can start the fun right away.

This post was made possible by the fun folks over at Vat 19 purveyors of curiously awsome gifts. They really do offer up a bunch of unique gift ideas for anyone on your shopping list.

Is Your Dog Dragging You Around

Add comment May 2nd, 2008

I have been hearing so much about the Gentle Leader Headcollar from Premier pet but never quiet got the gist of what it did. I guess that’s because I don’t have a dog, but as I have said many times before I am related to plenty of pooches.

I am always seeing people struggling with their dogs as they try to walk them. It is more like the dog is taking them for the walk or perhaps I should say for a drag. From what I just read about the Gentle Leader over at PetSaverCoupons.com I take it that is what this headcollar does. It helps better control the dog so he his not pulling you.

Heck if it can help Sandy stop pulling it should be able to work for almost anyone with a feisty pup.

The gentle leader comes complete with an instructional video to teach you how to use this unique dog collar. It really is kind of odd looking but who cares if it works. The gentle leader is designed to keep your dog beside you or behind you instead in front of you pulling you along.

Regina even said that the gentle leader reduced her back strain her dog caused her when they would go for walk. With those kinds of results all I can say is the Premier Gentle Leader Headcollar is the dog collar for me (if I had a dog that is.) I know I will be telling all my canine loving friends about this great product.

If you have used the Gentle Leader be sure to let me know what you think of this product by commenting on this article.

Now My Cat Has Fleas Too

1 comment April 29th, 2008

So your kitty has put up with the combs, she’s put up with the shampooings, she’s even put up with the drops. Now it’s her turn for revenge on that little pest that’s bothered her so long.

Get your kitty this adorable little plush flea catnip toy and watch her go crazy. The flea catnip cat toy is 3” long and filled with genuine organic catnip from the fine folks at Multipet who know pets just wanna have fun.

Give your kitty one of these and she won’t mind you asking her in your kitty voice, “Whose got fleas? Who’s the kitty with the big bad fleas?”

Your cat will love getting the bite on this cute critter.

Last week I told you all about the dog toy I bought without having a dog just because it was so darned cute. Well now my kitties get to have fleas too and they just love it! Thanks to the fine folks at CatToys.com.

Megabloks is Giving Me the Kreaps

Add comment April 24th, 2008

 I picked these up a few weeks back for my monster toy collection [it is not all Star Trek you know]. I got the ghoul, gargoyle, and mummy, but there are six all together. The other three are a werewolf, vampire, and zombie. Of those three, I think the only other one I might get would be the zombie.

The Plasma Kreaps come inside a rubbery bag inside a plastic crate. Once you free all the parts you get to put your monster together. Best part is you can mix and match your Plasma Kreaps to make other strange monsters. The bits and pieces are interchangeable with other Plasma toys to make some rather interesting creatures. Each toy stands about 3″ high.

Earth Day is Going to the Dogs (and Cats Too)

Add comment April 22nd, 2008

Today is Earth Day and it’s going to the dogs. I have already written about my favorite eco-superhero Captain Planet and his trusty sidekicks the Planeteers the other day listing a few helpful things you can do every day to make our planet a better place to live.

Today I want to write a little about our pets and what we can do to help them help us on our quest for a more environmentally friendly planet. I just think it is important that we make changes in every aspect of our lives and this includes our pets.

First and foremost are the toys besides treats this is what we buy the most of for our furry little friends. Pet toys vary in product types and the materials used to make them.

Look for toys that are either recycled or can be recycled. These can include plush, rubber and plastic toys. Remember to recycle the packaging too. Most packaging is made of recyclable cardboard and plastics. Be mindful of what you send out to the landfills.

Try to find all natural alternatives to pest control instead of using harsh chemicals. This is better for the environment and for your pet.

Organic treats will not only be healthier for your pets but will not add unwanted chemicals and fertilizers to the soil thus reducing ground pollution.

AKC’s Green Planet Collection of toys are made of recycled materials and so is the packaging.

West Paw Designs Eco Toys are made from recycled plastic bottles. Not sure how they do it but the material and the stuffing used to be plastic bottles. Pretty cool huh? They also make beds and rubber out of the recycled materials too.

EcoPure Naturals makes natural products for your pets from flea and tick spray to aromatherapy for dogs.

Robbie Dawg makes tasty organic treats for dogs and cats.

Whole Life treats are freeze dried treats with basically one ingredient. Those ingredients come from free range or wild caught animals.

These great toys, treats and other fine products are available at DogToys.com and CatToys.com check them out today!