Archive for the Toys Category

Jackson vs Bean

Talk about Outta Left Field. I’m not sure where this came from (and I totally missed out on all the predecessors), but you gotta check out this awesome stop-motion video featuring Mr. Bean and Michael Jackson:

If you liked that (and what’s not to like?) there are plenty more. Patrick Boivin even has some ‘interactive’ videos, although they aren’t quite as compelling as the sit-back-n-watch variety. Love this stuff- need more! Good work, PB.

New way to bust a hip

Since the Segway hasn’t injured enough users, Honda has released a motorized, self-balancing unicycle to really amp up the hurt. You know it’s up to the task, because Honda included the balancing skills of their Asimo robot. (Fall 1, Fall 2).

Wow- I can close my eyes and picture all the fractured ankles. If you enjoy laziness and danger, the new U3X is a dream come true.

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Check back soon for the second part of my Cairo/Giza photologue.

Legos + 80s Games + 8 Bit music

Wow- that was a long drought. Sorry for the delay. I am back and better than ever (perhaps) and ready to bring you more. Keep an eye out for my latest Photologue. But first…

Do you like Legos? 80s Videogames? 8-bit Music? No? Well, if you did, you would totally dig this Youtube masterpiece. And it was so easy to make- only 1500 hours of work! What could be easier?

There is so much to love in this video, but I particularly enjoyed the Karate Champ references. If you liked this post, you may enjoy my Lego Mario post. And the 8-bit trip video even included a hint to my next Photologue post. Here’s a clue- it is the scene with the pyramid. Oh wait- that’s a terrible clue. Yes, my Photologue features my trip to the Great Pyramids of Giza. Stay tuned.

I’ve heard of products getting bricked, but…

Ouch. Consumerist reports that a Best Buy customer in Texas opened a brand-new MacBook Pro box and instead of a laptop, he found…a paving stone.

World's worst MacBook Pro

Is this becoming a trend? First it was the Chinese newspaper & rocks in a Nintendo DS box, and now this. While Wal-Mart made good on the missing Nintendo DS, apparently Best Buy told the proud new owner of a paving stone that “Apple seals the boxes, not us. Take it up with Apple.” Hmm. I’m gonna go with…the customer gave his credit card to Best Buy for this purchase, not Apple.

Which makes this potentially simple- customer notifies credit card company that he is having this problem with BB and is working to resolve it. If BB still won’t rectify the situation, he gets credit card company to reverse the charge and file a grievance against BB.

Of course there is another important question- could this be a shady customer’s shakedown attempt? Guess Best Buy and the credit card company will work that all out. Maybe it’ll turn out that this guy ends up throwing that paving stone back in his yard where he found it. Who knows.

CrackBaby

Step aside, Crackberry. There is a new game in town, and this one is solely for the tot-on-the-go. Leapfrog’s new “Text & Learn” is sure to redefine the term ‘Crack Baby’.

Leapfrog's Text & Learn

Is this the future of children’s edu-tainment? CNET explains that the device is aimed at preschoolers and it will teach them spelling and basic computer skills. Sounds fair, but it will certainly stretch their dexterity as well. I can’t slam this device, though, because I had a similar device ‘back in the day’. My mini-desktop computer served the same basic functions, and it was surely seen as a sign of the apocalypse by many child advocates at the time. It was great, though, because it built basic computer skills and it taut me to spelle wurds.

So relax and let your kid work with the Text & Learn- it may aid their development. Just don’t be surprised if your child texts you ‘I gotta go potty’.

Suck on This!

Looking to buy a gift for the billionaire-to-be baby in your life? Might I suggest this…

Diamond pacifier.  Yes, I said diamond pacifier.

I GUARANTEE you will be the only person at the baby shower to give this diamond pacifier. YES- I SAID DIAMOND PACIFIER. WTF?!?! Glad to see the recession isn’t quite affecting everyone. At only $17,000, this pacifier has to be a joke, or some sort of conceptual art piece. $17k for something your kid would chew on? Save yourself a couple grand and get your kid a pimped-out stroller instead.

As a side note, the website ’selling’ the pacifier (I am guessing that diamond pacifier sales are a bit sluggish) offers a large lineup of other, more reasonably priced children’s gear. However, beware (or enjoy) their line of political clothing. It seems to target liberal consumers and anger conservative website visitors.

Lego Nintendo

Lego Mario

I love this Lego Mario- what a great way to show your nerd cred. I learned how to make this through the Youtube video below:

Personally I think that Mario looks better with black hair than blue (Mario with a blue moustache?!) If you have the legos, give it a try. If you don’t have a pile of legos lying around, you can find most of the necessary pieces in a Lego Large Brick Box.

There are tons of other Youtube lego creations online. Some ambitious youtubers even posted videos of some more complicated Nintendo designs. Check out these Super Nintendo creations:

If I can find the time, I should really use some extra lego pieces to create another “statue”.

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