America is in crisis! This country is on the brink of disaster and only you can help prevent it! The Beloved Hostess company filled Chapter 11 bankruptcy to try to remain afloat. As Americans we must do our part to help ourselves out of this crisis and save lots of jobs. In order to help Hostess out and save the Twinkie I have been doing my part not only buy buying delicious treats (and sharing them with coworkers), but by spreading word about the wonders of such delights as their cupcakes, Twinkies, fruit pies, and Ding Dongs, so I’m pleased to announce this contest that will help me with my goal:
We’re Having a Contest!
I’m giving away coupons for a free Hostess product of your choice! First place winner will get 5 coupons and ten others will get 1 coupon. That’s right, you can get a whole box of Twinkies on me (and Hostess)!
How to Enter:
1. Write a poem about Hostess treats. Haikus, free verse, anything counts. Parody poems would rock too, especially ones based on on the works of Robert Frost, T.S. Elliot, Sylvia Plath, Allen Ginsberg, or William Carlos Williams.
Here’s an example of a parody based on The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams:
So much depends upon
a Hostess Snowball
covered in marshmallow
beside the white milk
2. Email your entry to, “RobotsPajamas at gmail.com” with the subject line “hostess contest”.
3. A panel of judges will vote and a winner will be announced!
More details: Enter as many times as you want, but you can only win once. Sorry, but the contest is only open to those in the U.S.A. Contest Ends 2/29/12.
Our friend Matt Guzy of Awesome Toy Blog sent this super awesome pic in of a Lego Herman (our friendly robot mascot).
Apparently, you can build him by combining two of the mini-figures in series six of the nifty mini-figures. The only problem? They’re blind bagged. Finding Herman in Lego form might prove to be a bit difficult.
While I like playing video games as much as the next guy, there’s nothing like the feeling of playing a great pen and paper RPG or board game. I recently had the opportunity to bust out an old favorite from West End Games called Assault on Hoth. And by opportunity, I forced my lady to play it with me. Since I’m naturally evil, I played the forces of the Empire and she controlled the Rebellion. Who would win?! The fate of the galaxy rested in our very nerdy hands. And yes, it was probably one of the few times this game was ever played by a female.
Assault on Hoth does a great job of replicating the battle of Hoth seen in the film, albeit it took longer to play the game than it did to watch The Empire Strikes Back. It’s a two person affair with one person playing the Empire and the other side playing the plucky Rebels. The goal of the Empire is to destroy the shield generator before the Rebels have a chance to launch all five of their transports. The goal of the Rebels is to launch all five transports or destroy all the Imperial ground units, which is nearly impossible yet the lady almost accomplished that goal.
Hasbro is launching some new Star Wars toy line for little kids called Fighter Pods. I’m not sure what exactly its all about, but it seems to be trying to cash in on some other popular kids toy line that I don’t give a fuck about. What does interest me is that this toy line is making super cute Star Wars toys. They’re even cuter than their Galactic Heroes line!
While I enjoy sharing cosplay pics with you folks, it’s not often that I get to know the cosplayers who fulfill our nerdy fantasies. I purposely keep some distance so I can freely comment on them (by either making disgustingly lewd or snarky comments). In the case of today’s post, I got to know Teeny Geek on Twitter before I knew she did cosplay. Not that I’d ever make fun of her, rather comments I’d probably make (and ones you’d expect me to make) would probably fit in the lewd comment category. Instead, I consider her an internet friend and present these really cool cosplay pics of her without comment. So here we go! Teeny Geek dressed like Batgirl, X-23, and Wonder Woman.
You’ve patiently waited, so now you’re wait is over with the results of the rest of my post Christmas toy hunting orgy. Enjoy!
Vintage Style B-Wing:
I realize that I’m a fool, but at least I admit it. The vintage style packaging on the Star Wars vehicles beckon me like a Siren’s song to a horny sailor. Since I’ll never be able to own the actual vintage vehicles in the package, it’s a nice substitute. One of my must haves since they started doing this vintage style packaging was the B-Wing. After finally breaking down and deciding to buy a B-wing, that very day my Power of the Jedi version sold on my online dealer booth Dinosaur Toy Vault. Fate? Yes!
I really can’t comment on the ship itself other than that it’s going to probably stay in the package since I still have a second Power of the Jedi B-Wing loose… so unless I sell that one this one is staying firmly taped shut.
The package art is fantastic, just like the other versions. This one is a K-Mart exclusive and it bears the K-Mart logo on it. I’m fine with that, K-Mart should get a little credit for having the good taste as picking this one to be their exclusive. I love the Kenner logos and the pics of the kids hands holding it up really sell it as a vintage style vehicle.
Of course, it doesn’t come with any “free” figures, but the old Kenner versions never did either.
Score: 5 out of 5 R2-D2 whistles (based on packaging and nostalgia rush)
I’m still on a collecting low thanks to tough finances and space considerations, so it’s far less often that I manage to pick something up that is toy related. Thanks to some Christmas cash I was able to get my hands on some stuff I’ve had my eye on for awhile, so I went on a bit of a post Christmas toy collecting orgy. Of course, I only got a few things, yet it was much more than usual so I figured I’d document it here in two exciting posts. Now onto the toys!
Vintage Style Logray
I’m a sucker for Ewoks and since I’m still open to adding new ones to my vintage Ewok village, then Logray is a no-brainer. Logray was one of the three Ewok action figures that I had to populate my childhood Ewok village, so to me he’s one of the core must haves. I can’t wait to get him in that village demanding the brutal death of Imperial types to appease the Ewoks’ pagan gods.
Logray comes with his shaman hat, a pouch, and a magic staff thingy, basically the same accessories he came with so many years ago. He also comes with a spear, but since I don’t think he’s the spearing type I’ll just consider it a bonus accessory for some other Ewok. And yep, I’m going to harp on the fact that you’re paying mostly for the package on these things. The least they could do is to throw in a stand.
Our furry friend Logray comes with lots of articulation for a figure so small. It’s really amazing what Hasbro can do with this scale.
Overall Logray is a great figure, despite the premium price for the packaging.
Geeks and non-Geeks alike love to shit on the Star Wars prequels and for good reason! However, I’m not one to say that everything in the Star Wars prequel trilogy is terrible. There are lots of bits and bobs that I enjoy. I decided to cobble together a list of the few things that are actually pretty good.
1. Jango Fett
Jango Fett is a total bad ass. It’s almost like he comes from a different movie, like one about kick ass space ninjas, and not Attack of the Clones. Of course, it doesn’t take a lot to be awesome considering he looks like Boba Fett, but blue. Still, Jango holds his own in the cool department, especially in his battle with Obi-Wan on the water planet. You know the water world where the aliens from Close Encounters of the Third Kind live? If only the rest of the film held up to his standard of greatness.
My how time flies! Especially when you’re lazy! The boys return in another late adventure, this time it’s a bit shorter on the top end to make room for a lengthy interview with a photographer named Ryan… well we know you don’t care about dudes, so the big sell here is Ryan is joined by Ashley Pridgen, who models for Snorg Tees and is an internet sensation (also, she’s hot)
Topics Discussed: Geeks for Tots, Weird Science, Tucker and Dale vs. Evil, The Legend of Hell House, The Fog, Barely Legal (on Netflix), Robocop, an old dating update and some dating tips, and a long interview with Ryan and Ashley.
While cruising around eBay looking at prices for an idea of what to charge for things on my fine online toy dealer booth Dinosaur Toy Vault, I ran across this lovely custom of Baroness from G.I. Joe. This Baroness is unique for two reasons: giant ass titties.
Why someone would need to own a Baroness from G.I. Joe with giant jugs is beyond me. Okay, maybe there is a joke factor her, but this fine beauty went for 80 dollars. That’s far beyond joke range, that’s really sad and depressing territory.
It’s important to respect and keep traditions, therefore I will honor Christmas as I have the last several years by sharing this video of Gunther and his fabulous Christmas Song. After all, there’s nothing else that says Christmas than a scummy Euro trash dude and midgets.
Ding Dong, it’s a Christmas song!
Hope everyone who celebrates Christmas has a good one. I’m writing this post ahead of time, so I’m not sure how mine is going to go yet. If Crom is real, and I know he is, I’m currently rolling around in a pile of toys, video games, and discarded gift wrap. If you don’t celebrate Christmas, have a very merry Winter Solstice!
Remember that time that David Bowie stopped by Bing Crosby’s house and they sang themselves a duet? Well here it is! Fun Fact: Bing died a month after this video was taped. He was raped and eaten by a Komodo Dragon or at least that’s what I’ve heard.
Every year (when I remember) I try to bust out some of my favorite Christmas memories to try to get in the Christmas spirit. Previously I told the tale of the Sega Spider-Man game which you can check out here. This year I’ll retell one of my old favorites that was previously published on the now defunct toy collecting blog Toy Bender along with one I haven’t told yet. Now warm up the hot cocoa and sit next to the fire, it’s story time! Hopefully you have a fireplace. If not just bring your grill inside and light it up!
The Tale of Rudolph The Red Nosed Gift Giver
While Christmas shopping with my parents (perhaps in 1984?), I had the idea to give Rudolph (who some of you will know is my favorite Reindeer) a gift. I thought that he could use an ornament to hang on his antlers. Hey, I was both adorable and thoughtful.
So the big night approached, Christmas Eve. We’d leave out cookies and milk for Santa and Christmas morning we’d get presents. On this night I left the ornament with a little note to Santa to please give it to Rudolph.
The next morning there was a gigantic present next to the empty plate of cookies and glass that formerly held milk (which unquestionably proves the existence of Santa Claus). The tag said it came from Rudolph. Unwrapping this enormous present revealed the Ewok Village! One of the biggest playsets I’d have ever seen up until that point. I learned my lesson that day, Rudolph returns kindness in spades.
The Tale of The Missing Present
I believe it was 1983 or so and I was a wee lad when I got a ton of Return of the Jedi figures that Christmas morning. I don’t know if there was a sale or something, but there was even a figure in my stocking, something that was almost unheard of. A figure is something you wrap! That’s a main present! But no, figures in stockings is a sure sign of bountiful Christmas.
Anyway after all the presents were open and I was completely satisfied with my Christmas haul, my parents started asking each other in a trying not to be obvious way if that was ALL the presents or not. I can’t remember exactly what happened at this point, but I believe I was distracted by the lure of breakfast. After all, my hierarchy of needs was: 1. Presents 2. Shelter 3. Food and since the first two were satisfied I could move on to item 3.
After a time I returned to the tree because my parents indicated that I had missed something! How could my present seeking skills be so off?! I had to rectify this immediately. Sure enough, behind the tree in the corner was an extremely large present. I opened it quickly and found that I had gotten the Millennium Falcon. Oh joy of joys!
Had my parents forgotten the present, or did they just have a flair for theatrics, or was it Santa who came back while I was distracted? Who can say! All I know is that someone bought my love that year!
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I hope you enjoyed these tales of Christmas presenting. Feel free to share your own in the comments below!
Luke’s Toy Store is a nifty store on the internet that specializes in the Minimate line of toys. We’re glad to have them back as a sponsor and if you like Minimates and don’t shop from them, you’re insane. Let’s check out some of their offerings!
Backstage Toys is one of the generous sponsors of this years’ Geeks for Tots contest. You know how we gave away that Lego Advent calendar at the end of Novemeber? Backstage Toys made that possible.
Backstage Toys has a wide selection of toys available on their site, ranging from Star Wars to Phineas and Ferb. They also offer Amazon Prime shipping on some of their items, meaning if you’re an Amazon Prime member - you get the same super quick (and free) shipping that you’ve become spoiled with.
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