- I get so many job offers that I have had to turn down a few. I expected to get jobs after my studies, but not that quick.
- No Joes in Norwegian stores, ok, but when I have good friends in US that pick Rattlers and DVD packs up for me, it's all good.
- I have vacation for a week.

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Hmm.

Got a World Peacekeepers Little Bird, it isn't the Bbi one, but it didn't cost ME anything, so there is that, plus it leaves me just needing the head to finish my ARAH female Cobra helicopter pilot.

Thinking i might add a couple of Road Block M2s as well.

So, that's all pretty sunshiny to me.

That reminds me. The BAT, Flint, the Ram set, the DVD set with Lady Jaye? All bought on a Canadian toy shelf. It's an awesome feeling, and strange to not have the majority of my latest Joe purchases imported by Viperlord.

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No negativity, that ruins what I was gonna say...

OK, consider the first part of this just a cloud passing in front of the Sun.

I wasn't a fan of the early 25th figures. To me it just seemed like the waist and torso proportions were just off. They just didn't look right.

I held off as long as I could, and the first 25th I got was a clearanced Legion set (intending to trade for stuff).

As glad as I was to see new GIJOE on the shelves, I just wasn't getting that warm & fuzzy feeling like I used to get when I found the ARAH stuff.

I started to see some very nice customs being done. Little by little I began to look at each character being released and thinking about the original version, then seeing how well it was pulled off in 25th.

Lately I have been looking at the figures and doing the 'Six Degrees Of..." meaning that once we get a certain part, it could then be re-used for something else just like Hasbro did with the ARAH parts.

Examples:

-Big Ben can be used for Schrage or Crossfire.

-Steel Brigade from Duke and Airborne.

-Colonel Brekov or Stormavik from Red Star.

-Big Brawler from Outback.

While I still don't jump for joy at the latest figures, I have appreciated the designs and spirit of the line.

And, based on my Six Degrees thought, I have looked at figures and said to myself, "Hey, that part would work great for this character or that character."

Right now I have a small baseball card box with my 25th fodder (picked up from here), a spare Red Star/Duke set, and a spare Dreadnoks set.

I have been brainstorming on how to make a custom of my favorite Dreadnok [see avatar], since he has not been made yet.

Since my idea is to keep it as simple a LBC as possible (due to my non-existent skills) , I think I can get away without cracking the torso and just swap out legs and the head.

Head- Modded Torch?
Waist/Torso-Torch (or the shirtless CP Storm Shadow since it's the same)
Arms: Torch (paint on the gloves)
Upper Right Thigh: Beachhead?
Upper Left Thigh: ?
Lower Legs/Feet: Barbecue
Vest: Modded Torch or Gung-Ho?

The issue is I need a URT with a holster and tie-downs, and a rather plain looking ULT. I can paint on the patches and just use cloth for the bandannas on the lower legs. The head I'm not sure about-probably have to go through the Critique Section to see how someone else did theirs. Also not sure on the vest either.

I guess the very fact I can actually visualize even customizing a 25th figure indicates a definite changing of the mind.

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I will be having supper at my parents place tonight. I haven't seen my family in a while and am looking forward to seeing my mom, my dad, my little sister and my 2 1/2 year old godson.

It was a great week at work. For some reason, everyone was in a good mood at the same time and we had a lot of fun.

BBTS has shipped out a couple of my piles o' loot. In the next couple of weeks, I will be receiving, wave 10, DVD packs wave 2, firebat, AWE Striker, Fang and CLAW, extreme conditions 7-packs and Transformers Classics 2.0 Galvatron, Ironhide, Bluestreak, Sideswipe and Acid Rain.

My local TRU has received HISS tanks ans Armadillo/Air Chariots. They have set up the planogram in a way that I suspect that they will be receiving single figs and comic packs very soon. Also picked up two more BATS from my local comic/collectibles store this week. It's great to finally being able to find Joes in Canada!

Customs-wise, it seems like ideas are coming faster than I can execute them. I'm working on my first Group Project and having a blast. At the same time, I'm working on two other custom projects with multiple figs including custom army-builders. All told, I have about 35 figures, 5 vehicles and 3 dioramas in the works. I'm hoping I can start showing off the first of these in the next couple of weeks.

I like this thread, I think it's really important to stop and take stock of what we have and what is going well once in a while. It is way too easy to get caught up in all the negativity around us. Thanks Scramble, great idea.

OB

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I finally got a Gristle (sure no gear but I've always wanted one)

Snagged a firebat at hts 20% and free shipping

Even just about as broke as broke gets I was able to buy a rattler, and man is it cool.

I watched revenge of Cobra for the first time since I was a kid and still loved it no matter how hokey it is.

Watching joe episodes with my 3 yr old son and how exited he gets while watching it. And listening to him sing the song as he plays with his figures. It just takes me back to a more innocent time when you had no care in the world.

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Just scored major brownie points with the wife for her birthday present.

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My house has a front wall again. That's always good.

I have a somewhat better internet connection (Phone company will be coming Tuesday to rewire the main line so I should be "fully functional" then).

Almost every new 25th Joe makes me squeal in delight.

I love my job. Doubly so since my "new" (Read that as old coming back) boss started last week.

JC.Con/North

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Yesterday at work, we had our annual Truck Rodeo, and even though it started early on my day off, I decided to go down and compete. I knew I didn't stand a chance of winning, but it was a chance to pick up a pretty good chunk of overtime, which is scarce lately.

I came in first, won a 32" plasma TV and a trip to Florida in January to compete in the National competition, plus a bunch of attaboys and a really good bullet for my annual review, which practically guarantees me an hourly rate increase come February. To say that I pleasantly surprised myself is an understatement.

I recently decided to start collecting Star Wars figures as well as joes, but only certain ones. I set limits, and have so far stuck to them, but the happy thing is, I thought that some of the things were going to be hard to find. I haven't had much trouble finding the figures I've been after, and I haven't had any trouble resisting picking things up if I didn't like the price. Succeeding that way with the SW line has actually helped me kind of reign in on my Joe mania, too.

I'm so gonna do the same thing on Friday!

COOLNESS!!!!

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My 3rd Flagg came in the mail this week.

I'm moving into a new house soon with a 1,200 sqft basement devoted to my Joes.

And I still have yet to find any 25th Anv. figure that I don't love on some level.

Joe wise life is about as good as it's ever been.

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I like the Rattler. At some point I need to open it up and put some pilots in it. I'll probably like the Firebat too when I get it.

I like Hasbro's Astro droids. I'm debating getting extra BAF parts to mix & match with. I enjoy a lot of the SW stuff they do.


bearcatcc

Its almost pumpkin picking time. Which means its almost pumpkin carving time.

I get to wear more orange than usual.

I get to spend all day sunday watching football and customizing.

With a small hammer, small flat screw driver, and a philips screw driver I can customize a 25th figure in about 2 whacks and 4 turns.

My work table is gettign cleaned up. My man cave is getting cleaned up.

I got Direct TV so I cna record movies and shows to watch later without recording it to a tape or dvd. I spend all Sunday flipping between football games.

There is actual sunshine outside and mid 70s with no wind or fog.

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