Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Mecha Toys: Review: Sluban M38-83387 Morking-Hanries Mecha

Good day loyal friends!  In case I haven't mentioned it here I also blog for Mecha Toys.  Their blog concentrates on mechas of all shapes and sizes.

Here's my latest brick mecha review

Mecha Toys: Review: Sluban M38-83387 Morking-Hanries Mecha




Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Review: Lego 5001621 Han Solo (Hoth)

Whoa!


I went home last night and jumped in glee as this was waiting for me back home:



My friend Kathryn played Santa and decided to send me a couple of Lego polybags:


So I get Lego 5001621 Han Solo (Hoth) and Lego Spring Polybag 40052.  AWESOME!  Someday I will repay this kindness!

The Spring Scene review will have to wait as my girlfriend has already indicated she wants to build it.

Leaving me the Han Solo polybag to play with.  Not a bad deal at all!

Han Solo!



From the head piece we can already see that Han has two faces printed on him

As the polybag indicates I get a whooping 5 pieces!  HAHAH!  But I definitely like this polybag since it gives me access to Hoth Han Solo!


Fast forward to the LONG building process (since i was gleefully staring at what I had in hand).

Here's tha main face print!

Here's the second face print for han with the snow googles....

And for reference here's Empire Strikes Back Hoth Han Solo:


Image from Jedidefender.com

All I need now is the tauntaun Han is riding!

Image from Legowikia.com

Kenny!


So back to Hoth Han:

Here's Han geared up for the fierce winter climate on Hoth:

Or Han Solo doing his best Kenny impression

Kenny!


And here's how he looks like if you use the other face:

Not bad although the facial expression is haha for me :)

In full Kenny mode!



As a Starwars and Lego fan,  I find Hoth Han Solo to be extremely awesome!

The two polybag gift package was EXTREMELY AWESOME!

Now to look for a loose Tauntaun...

(and it creeped up on me, this will be the 50th published post for my lego blog!  YAY ME!  Thanks for reading folks!)









Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Review: LEGO Exclusive Creator 40078 Hot Dog Stand & Minifig Series 11 #2 Scarecrow

Ah happy days!

My former students TJ, who is also into Lego gave me this as a birthday gift!

YOU ARE AWESOME TJ!

Thank you!

Ah my own hotdog stand!

Yep I love those Lego sets in a polybag!

Yay for Lego Set 40078

So while munching on dinner my girlfriend started building it!  (As is the case most of the time now, ever since I convinced my girlfriend to play with Lego, well she wants to build any set I get my hands on.. happy problem??? )

I see the hotdog!!!  And that blue bicycle!

So on the same day I got another great piece of brick news:  The shop called me to tell me they have 1 Scarecrow from Minifig Series 11.  This was the only fig I was missing from the set.  So of I went to the shop to pick it up!  good times!


So I finally got my Scarecrow and I can say that this is one of my favorites from this set (aside from the Yeti!)

OH Scarecrow!

Meanwhile here are the minifigs from 40078:

A chef and a bicycle lady!  With a blue bike!

And here's the Scarecrow!  I really like the Raven on his hat!



Here's the Scarecrow tending the Hotdog Stand!




The chef now tending the stand!










And now bicycle lady drives off with the scarecrow!






A close up of the stand with the compartments opened!



Yep it's a cute and really nice set!


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Public Service: Relief efforts and how you can help the Philippines after Category 5 typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda)

Good day friends.

Here's my little contribution to the relief efforts.  I've culled the posted information as to where people can go if they want to help.

Please spread the information!

Official Government Yolanda updates


************************************************


Rappler's Relief Needs map and spreadsheet:





For our international readers here's information culled from The Huffington Post:


World Food Programme 
WFP has allocated an immediate $2 million for Haiyan relief, with a greater appeal pending as needs become apparent. The UN organization is sending 40 metric tons of fortified biscuits in the immediate aftermath, as well as working with the government to restore emergency telecommunications in the area. Americans can text the word AID to 27722 to donate $10 or give online. Learn more here.
Red Cross
Emergency responders and volunteers throughout the Philippines are providing meals and relief items. Already, thousands of hot meals have been provided to survivors. Red Cross volunteers and staff also helped deliver preliminary emergency warnings and safety tips. Give by donating online or mailing a check to your local American Red Cross chapter. Learn more here.
The Philippine Red Cross has mobilized its 100 local outposts to help with relief efforts. Learn more here.
AmeriCares
The relief organization is sending medical aid for 20,000 survivors, including antibiotics, wound care supplies and pain relievers. AmeriCares is also giving funds to local organizations to purchase supplies. Learn more here.
World Vision
The organization is providing food, water and hygiene kits at the evacuation centers. World Vision was also still actively responding to last month's earthquake in Bohol, which luckily was not struck by the eye of the storm. Learn more here.
ShelterBox
ShelterBoxprovides families with a survival kit that includes a tent and other essential items while they are displaced or homeless. Learn more here.
UNICEF
Anticipating that children will likely be among the worst affected by the typhoon, UNICEF is working on getting essential medicines, nutrition supplies, safe water and hygiene supplies to children and families in the area. Learn more here.
Salvation Army
100 percent of all disaster donations will be used for relief efforts and "to immediately meet the specific needs of disaster survivors." Text TYPHOON to 80888 to Donate $10 or give online. Learn more here
For people in the Philippines here are some of the efforts currently on-going:
Helicopter support!

Proper hash tag use!

Philippine Red Cross

Air 21 delivery

Unicef

UP Cebu

Various agencoes

UP System

Free Viber calls

Cebu efforts


Benefit Concert!  Party and help out in one swoop!



Let us help rebuild the lives and homes of our fellow countrymen affected by Typhoon Yolanda.

You may give your donations to the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation's Brick By Brick Program.

For donation via Smart, Sun and Talk 'N Text, you may text TulongPH <amount> and send to 4483.

For PayPal and Smart Money, please donate through the PDRF site: http://brickbybrick.pdrf.org/yolanda/






ABS CBN Foundation




If you are in the Katipunan area near Ateneo

Project Lightline - a project to donate cellphone charger made from recycled materials




If you know of any information regarding people or need information you can use Google's People Finder:  Google Yolanda People Finder



Your own text donations:

You can donate to the Philippine National Red Cross via Text:

Text RED<space>AMOUNT to 2899 (Globe) or 4143 (Smart)

Smart: 10, 25, 50, 100, 300, 500 or 1000
Globe: 5, 25, 100, 300, 500 or 1000


Please do help out!




And if you want to see where your money is going:  Yolanda Aid Monitor!



LIBRENG TAWAG STATIONS:

The specific locations of Libreng Tawag Centers are as follows: 
1. Smart cellsite in Borongan City, Samar 
2. PNP Headquarters, Tacloban City, Leyte
3. PLDT Office, Jones St., Tacloban City, Leyte 
4. DSWD booth, Tacloban City Hall
5. Smart cellsite near VNG Subdivision, Tacloban City, Leyte 
6. Municipal Hall, Palo, Leyte
7. Smart Store, Ormoc City, Leyte (with free mobile phone charging)
8. Ormoc City Plaza, Ormoc City, Leyte
9. Ormoc airport, Ormoc City, Leyte
10. Municipal Hall, San Francisco, Camotes Island, Cebu
11. Cebu Cultural Center, Bantayan Island
12. Smart cellsite in Sta.Fe, Bantayan Island (with free mobile phone charging)
13. Madridejos Municipal Hall, Bantayan Island (with free mobile phone charging)
Libreng Tawag stations in Tacloban City and Palo, Leyte from 9AM to 3PM as per curfew rules in area except for VNG Subdivision which is open only at night.

Free mobile phone battery charging services are also available at the Smart cellsite in Roxas City in Capiz and Smart cellsite in Old Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan.