tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64658469263588350882024-03-18T22:07:36.119-04:00The Toy BoxUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger2557125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-71454438852301580262024-03-18T05:00:00.075-04:002024-03-18T05:00:00.335-04:00Blue Thunder (MTC aka Multi Toys Corporation)<p><br /></p><p>Blue Thunder<br />MTC<br />1983</p><p>When the Roy Scheider led Blue Thunder hit theaters in 1983, it quickly became the number one movie at the box office, and would remain in second place during its second and third weeks. The film would all but double its budget of twenty-two million by bringing in forty-two million, which ironically, by today's standards would qualify as a box office flop.</p><p>However, twenty million certainly went a much longer way in 1983, and with the film's success, a television series was quickly put into production. The show was headlined by James Farentino, and a relatively unknown Dana Carvey were cast as the pilot and engineer of Blue Thunder. The duo were aided by their ground control crew member played by Bubba Smith, and answered to their chief, played by Sandy McPeak. Additional cast members included Dick Butkus, and Ann Cooper.</p><p>Unfortunately, the series didn't pan out to be as popular as the feature film, and the show was cancelled after eleven episodes were completed. It probably was not helped that the series didn't air as the normal fall lineup. Instead, it was among the mid-series replacements, shows which typically aired between December and May, most likely developed as result of another show being cancelled mid-season.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMgVGPSm2lk7p3CanNu_NB-87VEOad6Z4A-59Q_Y-OuZSHIFyPbbpL2ayQcWucb_fsD48SATjFIDqFehjVcKvvLnK_LmNBRSfXY11hCiTfVoiCFDY5FNEIWIJRpY05J1CVCKGxa7Cj23I4RD9-oUnotR08Aes6pLvBsvYJzU9prbZXR_9Wc29oY-PJcoI/s960/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMgVGPSm2lk7p3CanNu_NB-87VEOad6Z4A-59Q_Y-OuZSHIFyPbbpL2ayQcWucb_fsD48SATjFIDqFehjVcKvvLnK_LmNBRSfXY11hCiTfVoiCFDY5FNEIWIJRpY05J1CVCKGxa7Cj23I4RD9-oUnotR08Aes6pLvBsvYJzU9prbZXR_9Wc29oY-PJcoI/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>Multi Toy Corporation produced a very small line of toys based on the show, and while the company intended to make more than was was ultimately released, the series cancellation also resulted in the toy line being shelved. However, this was not before MTC produced prototypes for additional figures of the cast, as well as a handful of ground vehicles.</p><p>The first piece to actually hit store shelves was the 3 3/4 figure sized Blue Thunder helicopter. Though it looks like it could fit in with your average G.I. Joe figure, I've read comments on other sites from folks who received this toy as a child, and were none to impressed, returning it to the store it was purchased from. The now adults remember the toy being cheaply made, falling apart in their hands, and lacking any seating inside the cockpit for the figure to even sit in.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUQwZ_-9EnRd49rdZUbCan9aihGto3P17TjB3-NTUYAyVIKKMTLm22S68RPOowRHUiZ0HtDgEAk7F6R1uPqSdhgRL-kQiCHOJSuutDCIH437i-eXtYGRV2droLghP-x0Dn9J-HysK3HXzEGUUghFcaRzQTZkQrbb-O8e7ydEowm6Wtu12LTDLMIa8BbFg/s960/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSUQwZ_-9EnRd49rdZUbCan9aihGto3P17TjB3-NTUYAyVIKKMTLm22S68RPOowRHUiZ0HtDgEAk7F6R1uPqSdhgRL-kQiCHOJSuutDCIH437i-eXtYGRV2droLghP-x0Dn9J-HysK3HXzEGUUghFcaRzQTZkQrbb-O8e7ydEowm6Wtu12LTDLMIa8BbFg/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>What's interesting to note is that there are two known versions of the copter to have been produced. The first features a figure decked out in an all blue flight suit. The second version features a character which has an orange vest over the flight suit. Is this meant to represent Farentino and Carvey? I have no clue.</p><p>MTC also released a smaller Flying Helicopter which came with a launcher, and boasted the craft could reach upwards of thirty feet in the air. However, this vehicle was not compatible with the figures produced for the larger vehicle above.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew1Lk9-nJ0g9NPqqngYiV8ZX5QNbA5eIxADMYe01rPUAl57egqhlWPQos_XtGxzPzhtSteqj-k4Q040FTscaRLR3s6pB2BBYucOtxbk8DU7UzOUWXm0QttpUleyyIV3kJ_IpwlkQNhI4o0WS_y89Z12A3omwkBYzFR3qhpGo9YkzjQl2bFZ8tbkvyHMK2/s960/Slide4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgew1Lk9-nJ0g9NPqqngYiV8ZX5QNbA5eIxADMYe01rPUAl57egqhlWPQos_XtGxzPzhtSteqj-k4Q040FTscaRLR3s6pB2BBYucOtxbk8DU7UzOUWXm0QttpUleyyIV3kJ_IpwlkQNhI4o0WS_y89Z12A3omwkBYzFR3qhpGo9YkzjQl2bFZ8tbkvyHMK2/s320/Slide4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>The launching mechanism worked much like the traditional launching toy of the era. Put it on the stand, pull the zip cord, and watch it fly...and then crash to the ground.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzujXe7DG-BpmcM3pjmT-FGNciBSiymypOHk7heHXXqv0H1_lVh-7kdhekCOQewXIZwYuhJuzaVw1eakEhqpxEm46oEzKPDe7Q7ZXZVY8Aqw8DyGdJiUvaljiOwhDFhZbie1SY08YUhn4fIQbYcJ4oj_LRsYKYoJKohH2Lf9VTQjFf3os19lRyirBFc6Rt/s960/Slide5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzujXe7DG-BpmcM3pjmT-FGNciBSiymypOHk7heHXXqv0H1_lVh-7kdhekCOQewXIZwYuhJuzaVw1eakEhqpxEm46oEzKPDe7Q7ZXZVY8Aqw8DyGdJiUvaljiOwhDFhZbie1SY08YUhn4fIQbYcJ4oj_LRsYKYoJKohH2Lf9VTQjFf3os19lRyirBFc6Rt/s320/Slide5.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The larger helicopter is by far more common than the smaller launching version. In fact, I've never seen the latter on any secondary markets. As such, I have no clue what one would set you back, if you found it.</p><p>The larger copter, on the other hand, comes and goes relatively often, and can range from one hundred dollars loose (without the figure), and upwards of five to six hundred dollars complete in the box. Despite its lackluster appeal to kids of the 80's, clearly adults of today want this item.</p><p>C<span style="text-align: center;">lick "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-56236299598083424862024-03-15T05:00:00.000-04:002024-03-15T05:00:00.132-04:00Retro Spins: Queen - Innuendo<br />
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I need to call a time out after last week's Retro Spin. Give myself a moment to regroup before moving on in full swing. As such, please indulge me as I take a free throw with this week's album.<br />
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I've said it a hundred times over here at The Toy Box, I love Queen! They're my all time favorite band...Which is why I wish Brian May and Roger Taylor would really stop trying to kill their legacy. One of Freddie Mercury's last wishes was that nobody made him boring in death. I fear with an oversaturation of greatest hits releases, a "new" front man that Queen purists won't pay a dime to see and a plethora of potential live albums which the surviving members refuse to release, they're doing just that.<br />
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1991 was both a tragic and amazing year for Queen and their fans. The world lost Freddie Mercury to AIDS, but also got the amazing album, Innuendo. Driven by some of the best tracks since the band's work in the 70's, this final album to have Freddie's fingerprints on it was a masterpiece. Nay, <u>IS</u> a masterpiece.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95hSybtBaX4/XO9B1JSRiDI/AAAAAAAAa9w/Vxz89cZnKusVQ32Ch4H1ZxUrUNGsa6qyACLcBGAs/s1600/3.12.24%2BQueen%2B-%2BInnuendo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-95hSybtBaX4/XO9B1JSRiDI/AAAAAAAAa9w/Vxz89cZnKusVQ32Ch4H1ZxUrUNGsa6qyACLcBGAs/s320/3.12.24%2BQueen%2B-%2BInnuendo.jpg" width="320" /></a>It features deep and emotional songs which we can hear Freddie saying goodbye to his many fans across the world, while also dishing out peppy and straight up rock and roll songs which say, "I still want to entertain you, darlings."<br />
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The band knew this would be their final outing with Freddie, and their collaboration shows. Each member brings their all to the table. Brian May provides a mixture of guitar work from classical, Latin and hard rock, while Roger Taylor and John Deacon work in unison to lay down a mixture of subtle when necessary bass lines, and hard, power packed ones when they're called for.<br />
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Each one of its twelve tracks is crucial to the next, so much in a way that I can't personally imagine not hearing it back to back in its entirety each time I play it...And I've played it a lot. Not as much as my brother played Alanis Morissette, but a lot nonetheless. Actually, that may not be true. I may have broken my brother's record. Just not in consecutive days like he did.<br />
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Though Queen did go on to release one posthumous album on behalf of Freddie in 1995, to me, Innuendo feels more so like the perfect finale to the band's studio catalog. It takes twenty years of Queen and delivers a wonderfully satisfying conclusion to an era of rock and roll that will probably never be repeated or replicated.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-30518781222776047272024-03-12T05:00:00.003-04:002024-03-12T07:37:12.236-04:00Retro Spins: George Michael - Faith<br />
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Sick of singing bubblegum pop songs, George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley called it quits with Wham in 1986. Michael went on to pursue a lucrative solo career, while Ridgeley opted to step out of the limelight and lead a quite life, something which can be easily done when you report that you've amassed ten million plus dollars since 1982.<br />
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Faith, George Michael's first solo album, and the subject of today's Retro Spins, took the world by storm in 1987. Lead by the title track, which peaked at number one in December of 1987, the album would go on to sell more than twenty million copies to date. Additional singles to peak included, I Want Your Sex (peaked at number 2), One More Try (peaked at number 1) and Father Figure (peaked at number 1).<br />
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It's worth noting that the version of I Want Your Sex which charted wasn't actually the nine minute Part 1 and 2 album version. Rather, it was the single version used for the film Beverly Hills Cop II soundtrack. <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsLxZc3gXys/XtFl4KupDfI/AAAAAAAAiYs/bp-9GI61F3wtTuWXM4MFwbaDVG8mrZ1lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3.12.24%2BGeorge%2BMichael%2B-%2BFaith.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CsLxZc3gXys/XtFl4KupDfI/AAAAAAAAiYs/bp-9GI61F3wtTuWXM4MFwbaDVG8mrZ1lwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.12.24%2BGeorge%2BMichael%2B-%2BFaith.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Listening to the album, I guess I could say it's more mature than what Wham was peddling, which don't get me wrong, I liked. However, I still see his first solo attempt as nothing more than a pop record. Nothing more or less than what the likes of Madonna, Michael Jackson and even Prince (to an extent) were delivering in the late 80's.<br />
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It seems to unload the best of what it has with the first four songs, which are the above noted chart toppers. Mind you, that's taking One More Try with a very large grain of salt. There were also two additional stand out tracks for me, Monkey, which is probably my favorite from the record and Hard Day. Overall, it was a pretty solid album. I didn't hear anything I didn't like.<br />
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Admittedly, I was never really a major George Michael fan, and if I'm being honest, I didn't keep track of him beyond this album in the eighties, or even now. I don't know what else he's done in his career, song wise. I'm not particularly interested in finding out either. Faith is an 80's staple, and I'll take it for what it is.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-84363703487025261582024-03-11T05:00:00.024-04:002024-03-11T05:00:00.235-04:00Just Doodling: Disney's Wind In The Willows AKA The Adventures Of Ichabod And Mr. Toad<p> </p><p>I love it when a plan comes together.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZlcUPPlack2Txm5j7rt_jKQnzQHRMMw5z0siZ0OeInYaXxy2itpzhZCJQ5tTLVs92izfw8MioO5MjjuxzSErMq9LKUW8X00QbUcxW_QZ-dC0c0AqnG9KefF2Qo_G9R63U9Qgp-QVP93iVqwP3DG1ca_NGfB659S5LjVRpkktWJ9HkgweX5MOZIgahOUt/s1600/Wind%20in%20the%20Willows.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKZlcUPPlack2Txm5j7rt_jKQnzQHRMMw5z0siZ0OeInYaXxy2itpzhZCJQ5tTLVs92izfw8MioO5MjjuxzSErMq9LKUW8X00QbUcxW_QZ-dC0c0AqnG9KefF2Qo_G9R63U9Qgp-QVP93iVqwP3DG1ca_NGfB659S5LjVRpkktWJ9HkgweX5MOZIgahOUt/s320/Wind%20in%20the%20Willows.tif" width="240" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>C<span style="text-align: center;">lick "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-62523162987026524352024-03-08T05:00:00.000-05:002024-03-08T05:00:00.233-05:00Retro Spins: Alanis Morissette - Jagged Little Pill<br />
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In the summer of 1995, Saturday and Sunday in my parents house were signified by my brother waking up the house to a blaring Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill. I heard this album so many weekends over the course of the remainder of the year that I wanted to smash it by Christmas.<br />
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Even as I type this I can hear that guitar and harmonica intro of All I Really Want.<br />
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When the album first dropped, it was actually pretty okay. It was raw, edgy, angry...Everything the opposite of what I said about last week's Arrested Development. However, when you hear the same thirteen songs, sometimes two to three times a day every weekend for twenty-one weeks, it wears thin...Fast.<br />
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This Retro Spin is actually the first time I've heard the album since my brother finally retired it - which wasn't for a year or two after getting it. Hopefully enough time has passed that I can find some enjoyment in it...<br />
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...I can't. I really honestly can't.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT0OBz17d70/XO84t8GRN6I/AAAAAAAAa9o/c6g79Ar_1gMdi5krvvHBdDx_YyRtr5t-wCLcBGAs/s1600/3.5.24%2BAlanis%2BMorissette%2B-%2BJagged%2BLittle%2BPill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tT0OBz17d70/XO84t8GRN6I/AAAAAAAAa9o/c6g79Ar_1gMdi5krvvHBdDx_YyRtr5t-wCLcBGAs/s320/3.5.24%2BAlanis%2BMorissette%2B-%2BJagged%2BLittle%2BPill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As I start listening to it, I immediately noticed a couple things:<br />
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1) The album still grates on my nerves from being overplayed.<br />
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2) Alanis Morissette can't sing. She sounds like a yodeling donkey that's been kicked in the head. Her voice cracks and strains left and right throughout each song. It's almost shrill to my ears.<br />
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I made it to the one minute thirty second mark of song two before I said, "I just can't. I've had enough." I couldn't take it. I had to shut it off. The songs were coming off as a cross between whining and nagging - Two things I really have no patience for hearing and Morissette's grating voice wasn't helping matters.<br />
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It's a shame really. With how many accolades and awards this album has won, I want to feel like there's a solid album in there somewhere. I just can't bring myself to be subjected to finding out. I don't think I ever want to hear Jagged Little Pill ever again.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">I went ahead and let my brother know he'd thoroughly killed this album. He was pleased with himself.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-15386732819344509212024-03-05T05:00:00.000-05:002024-03-05T05:00:00.240-05:00Retro Spins: Men At Work - Cargo<br />
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Men At Work's 1983 album, Cargo, has been on my want list for quite some time. I'd been wanting to hear it since first listening the Men At Work's 1981 album, Business As Usual. Despite this, it took me a really long time to get around to it. Mainly because I wanted an original copy, and not the deluxe or re-released versions which had flooded the market.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrF3P9bA6rs/XtFgMNGzLxI/AAAAAAAAiYk/f9exf9pJ-UENTPqHmWkB5k08ij20SZW8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/3.5.24%2BMen%2BAt%2BWork%2B-%2BCargo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FrF3P9bA6rs/XtFgMNGzLxI/AAAAAAAAiYk/f9exf9pJ-UENTPqHmWkB5k08ij20SZW8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/3.5.24%2BMen%2BAt%2BWork%2B-%2BCargo.jpg" width="320" /></a>After finally getting a chance to hear it, I was admittedly a little bummed out. Out of the ten tracks, only two stood out - Overkill, which is the song I bought the album for, and High Wire, which was a song I never heard before. The rest, while not terrible, simply didn't deliver.<br />
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Overall, it was decent for background noise, but honestly served as just that. I dare say I barely paid attention to it.<br />
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Well, I guess this one can be short and sweet. This may very well be one of the shortest Retro Spins I've ever written.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-54164013249764561402024-03-04T05:00:00.110-05:002024-03-04T05:00:00.131-05:00Legends Of Laughter (Nacelle)<p> </p><p>Legends of Laughter<br />2023 / 2024<br />Nacelle</p><p>I don't admittedly know much about these six inch figures, nor would it be honest of me to say I have any interest in them. Rather, I came across these online while farting around on the ineter-web, needed a post, and well, here we are.</p><p>Nacelle are more known in the toy world as the company who retooled and brought back classic lines such as Sectaurs, Biker Mice From Mars, Madballs, and Barnyard Commandoes. However, they've also dabbled in a few other series, Legends Of Laughter being among those.</p><p>The line is relatively small (for now), featuring three real life comedians in plastic form.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIOI1MlBxJcCBfav2D1oLn5J34vD5Hm5jHxYJkHjJXAhvwgJqqKMyCOOf4kHrHJ_9yGLMvmKuvH074SI4Eht16hGjDpTH0T7QfqI08D3-2qyD7YMR1okHxU-m24V6P2_8K1IEKRB69a8aZ_eulpE5V1lK0Q9HRcl_NX-qcMVpnSVmftm3ln9f7NYg9XMC/s1280/Slide1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjIOI1MlBxJcCBfav2D1oLn5J34vD5Hm5jHxYJkHjJXAhvwgJqqKMyCOOf4kHrHJ_9yGLMvmKuvH074SI4Eht16hGjDpTH0T7QfqI08D3-2qyD7YMR1okHxU-m24V6P2_8K1IEKRB69a8aZ_eulpE5V1lK0Q9HRcl_NX-qcMVpnSVmftm3ln9f7NYg9XMC/s320/Slide1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Lenny Bruce’s open, free-style and critical form of comedy catapulted him into legendary status as a comedic pioneer that showcased satire, politics, religion, sex, and vulgarity in his act. Lenny’s 1964 conviction in an obscenity trial was followed by a posthumous pardon, the first in New York State history, by then-Governor George Pataki in 2003. He paved the way for future outspoken counterculture-era comedians, and his trial for obscenity is seen as a landmark for freedom of speech in the United States. On February 3, 1961, in the midst of a severe blizzard, he gave a famous performance at Carnegie Hall in New York. It was recorded and later released as a three-disc set, titled The Carnegie Hall Concert.<p></p><p>(<a href="https://okkto.com/products/legends-of-laughter-collectible-figure-lenny-bruce?_pos=3&_sid=34880d927&_ss=r">source</a>)</p><div>Lenny Bruce could be purchased either as just the figure, or directly from Nacelle's website as a bundle which included a vinyl copy of Lenny Bruce Is Out Again.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8v6ZYmqbFBFtauAQSDgCSyjVv8nCD-uuRHrGE37y_QVINrwZJYFws4gklgVvSQeK_9C8oJ2gBPzZlT3q1VpdCjj2Pqkw2ETWPZDN6ac5JttI7nxm4KNif8s700uSCgz-eliaxhF8InZ7rObwFhnsuz4AZDToXLif57GtSyvVoqtP8HUM-vBAAOJ8YXAx/s1280/Slide2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF8v6ZYmqbFBFtauAQSDgCSyjVv8nCD-uuRHrGE37y_QVINrwZJYFws4gklgVvSQeK_9C8oJ2gBPzZlT3q1VpdCjj2Pqkw2ETWPZDN6ac5JttI7nxm4KNif8s700uSCgz-eliaxhF8InZ7rObwFhnsuz4AZDToXLif57GtSyvVoqtP8HUM-vBAAOJ8YXAx/s320/Slide2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Joan Rivers is more than just a comedian, she is a force of nature and an unparalleled legend in the entertainment industry. For over 50 years, Joan pioneered her own brand of irreverent, unconventional comedy, leading her to become an internationally recognized celebrity, Emmy-award-winning talk-show host, Grammy-award-winning performer, Tony-award-nominated actress, bestselling author, playwright, screenwriter, film director, columnist, lecturer, radio host, jewelry designer, entrepreneur, and the renowned creator of the modern-day “red carpet,” Joan is also the first woman to break the glass ceiling of male-hosted late-night television.</div><div><br /></div><div>(<a href="https://okkto.com/products/legends-of-laughter-collectible-figure-joan-rivers?_pos=1&_sid=34880d927&_ss=r">source</a>)</div><div><br /></div><div>What's interesting about the Joan River's figure is that Nacelle doesn't have this one listed on their website. Further, she also appears to be the only character to have a variant offered as an exclusive. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3H0g-b-XA_ZCv_K8sPIxRLXp3MFSUii_aH40A7_Vt98pxN0cMIe5Frz4DUpffEHVTS4R8n-L7PQEGMnFCFPcBdKKlW3Nr2EzUg_66_TWyvjuu2lb6IglbwOeLRtQTVLNfSVEqIVMfS4V7WBK3Df8c8ok9Dp04M4L3leNA3FYrT6zCrLgf5UGMyXLvBW9/s1280/Slide4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge3H0g-b-XA_ZCv_K8sPIxRLXp3MFSUii_aH40A7_Vt98pxN0cMIe5Frz4DUpffEHVTS4R8n-L7PQEGMnFCFPcBdKKlW3Nr2EzUg_66_TWyvjuu2lb6IglbwOeLRtQTVLNfSVEqIVMfS4V7WBK3Df8c8ok9Dp04M4L3leNA3FYrT6zCrLgf5UGMyXLvBW9/s320/Slide4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Stand Up! Records teamed up with Nacelle to offer a version which not only came with a pink feather boa, but also an exclusive CD version of The Next To Last Joan Rivers Album.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>The packaging of this variant has been redesigned to represent several aspects, from a new box featuring Joan on the red carpet, to having her in front of a late night show curtain backdrop, and a custom repaint to match the colors of her outfit on the cover of her 1969 bundled CD. The edition of this figure was strictly limited to 500 units, but as of this writing, appears to still be available from Stand Up's website.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGANploxguCy5bL2_3OgFHTr2VMsJ35CLuHD1NE-_7YpKVt43spxMmy_FXJlApDadl6Sgfq5WOmsMOvcSBFU72sJUDvlPGB-2s7TreUrtUry69q4OcvBxOzbGCFZNsqV2TF2LF1zcAzqtnhk-e5mynxJLxOgpVVx14741oh2PEFFLUTrxpPsEWDjRhW9m/s1280/Slide3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbGANploxguCy5bL2_3OgFHTr2VMsJ35CLuHD1NE-_7YpKVt43spxMmy_FXJlApDadl6Sgfq5WOmsMOvcSBFU72sJUDvlPGB-2s7TreUrtUry69q4OcvBxOzbGCFZNsqV2TF2LF1zcAzqtnhk-e5mynxJLxOgpVVx14741oh2PEFFLUTrxpPsEWDjRhW9m/s320/Slide3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bill Hicks is one of the most influential artists of the twentieth century, hands down. He is considered as one of the masters of dark and observational comedy. Much of his comedy acts involved direct attacks on mainstream society, religion, politics and consumerism. He is the sarcastic and satiric voice of society which altered people’s perception of events and made them see things from a different angle. After his death, his body of work gained a significant measure of acclaim in creative circles, and he developed a substantial following. He is brutally honest in terms of describing society. His famous philosophy on life, ‘It’s Just a Ride’, is a perfect reflection of his personality and continues to encourage his fans to live life with conviction, integrity and love.</div><div><br /></div><div>(<a href="https://okkto.com/products/legends-of-laughter-collectible-figure-bill-hicks?_pos=2&_sid=34880d927&_ss=r">source</a>)</div><div><br /></div>Bill Hicks could also be purchased either as just the figure, or directly from Nacelle's website as a bundle which included a vinyl copy of Intricate Stories.<div><br /></div><div>Overall, it's a unique line with an extremely niche audience. Personally, I think it's also a mistake. It reminds me of the late 90's / early 2000's, where fly by night toy companies were formed, released incredibly obscure figures, and subsequently went out of business due to the lack of an audience for them. I'm glad Nacelle has a larger pool of brands to pull from, many of which cater to the nostalgic crowd. Otherwise, I fear this line would have ultimately tanked them.<br /><div><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p></div></div>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-57500704451889494922024-03-01T05:00:00.000-05:002024-03-01T05:00:00.129-05:00Retro Spins: Arrested Development - 3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of...<br />
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When I think back on Arrested Development's 3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of..., I don't actually remember many of the songs from the album. Instead, I remember great times spent with my brother. We would sit in his room playing his Super Nintendo, typically Act Raiser, Contra III: The Alien Wars or Ghouls And Ghosts (among others). So many hours were spent just hanging out.<br />
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When I found the album in ol' dollar bin in Timonium, I decided I'd add it to my collection. Not necessarily because it was a CD I wanted, but rather for the memories it brought with it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab13IVsvJBM/XO80gZ_W_GI/AAAAAAAAa9g/oHYSsWHcHRIB-navab5ni87MHUMIR5h8QCLcBGAs/s1600/2.27.24%2BArrested%2BDevelopment%2B-%2B3%2BYears%252C%2B5%2BMonths%2BAnd%2B2%2BDays%2BIn%2BThe%2BLife%2BOf....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ab13IVsvJBM/XO80gZ_W_GI/AAAAAAAAa9g/oHYSsWHcHRIB-navab5ni87MHUMIR5h8QCLcBGAs/s320/2.27.24%2BArrested%2BDevelopment%2B-%2B3%2BYears%252C%2B5%2BMonths%2BAnd%2B2%2BDays%2BIn%2BThe%2BLife%2BOf....jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As I made my way through the album for this write up, I actually found myself not remembering very many of the fifteen songs from 3 Years, 5 Months And 2 Days In The Life Of... In fact, there were only three, Mr. Wendel, U and Tennessee. It was great to find these tracks were still rather enjoyable.<br />
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The album felt rather spiritual in a way, and I didn't hate that. It was refreshing to hear hip hop music that didn't have any ill will or nasty undertones behind it. Overall though, it wasn't really for me.<br />
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Despite its "clean" tone, the songs really didn't resonate with me beyond the three I noted above. I don't hate on Arrested Development for that. Instead, I'll just chalk it up to it isn't for me. I also have plenty more music to thumb through and listen to, so I'll take the three tracks I got from it and keep digging for something "new".<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-35793232534536579542024-02-27T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-27T05:00:00.125-05:00Retro Spins: John Fogerty - Centerfield<br />
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John Fogerty is no stranger to the rock and roll scene. As front man for Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR),he saw major success from 1968 to 1972, and then once again as a solo act from 1973 through his 2013, and latest album, Wrote A Song For Everyone - Which peaked at number three in the USA.<br />
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Unfortunately, John Fogerty is also very familiar with lawsuits. Having signed the rights of all CCR's music to his record label, Fantasy, the multi instrumental and singer / songwriter found himself being sued for his 1985 track, The Old Man Down The Road. Fantasy alleged self plagiarism, stating that the song was identical to the 1970 CCR song, Run Through The Jungle. While the two songs certainly have their similarities, Fogerty was able to win the lawsuit by playing both tracks live in front of a judge. However, it would take escalating the case to the supreme court before Fogerty would be awarded all compensation for his legal fees in 1994.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqYO1H2sRIY/XtE6RT1e6-I/AAAAAAAAiWs/85hMGAw4NQc6tge2DCWxlUGVQ9olA3yVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2.27.24%2BJohn%2BFogerty%2B-%2BCenterfield.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lqYO1H2sRIY/XtE6RT1e6-I/AAAAAAAAiWs/85hMGAw4NQc6tge2DCWxlUGVQ9olA3yVQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.27.24%2BJohn%2BFogerty%2B-%2BCenterfield.jpg" width="320" /></a>I wanted to hear this album which caused so much controversy for the man behind it, so today I'm listening to Centerfield by John Fogerty.<br />
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The record certainly has a bluegrass / country roots style sound to it. Something definitely reminiscent of his 60's and 70's work with Creedence Clearwater Revival. It's an okay sound, but one you definitely have to be ready to listen to when comparing it to other albums of the 80's.<br />
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There were only three standout tracks from it, and coincidentally they're also the only songs which charted - The Old Man Down The Road (peaked at number 10), Centerfield (peaked at number 44) and Rock And Roll Girls (peaked at number 20). As for the remaining six songs on the album, they just don't do it for me. They're quickly and easily forgettable. I suppose since I was never really a big CCR fan either, this is no surprise that I would take this stance.<br />
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Am I a fan of John Fogerty? No, not at all. Does he have some good music which I can listen to? Absolutely. Will I seek out more music from him? Probably not any solo work, but there are still some CCR albums on my list to get around to at some point.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-14813905221568434842024-02-26T05:00:00.027-05:002024-02-26T05:00:00.148-05:00Spider-Man Comics Reorganized<p><br /></p><p>Sometimes it's not about collecting, but rather upgrading the way your collection is stored or displayed. I'm so happy to have transferred all my Spider-Man comics to Mylar bags, and upgraded from those cardboard short boxes to these more durable BCW comic bins.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ue5IJKgPwOxxM340NyaKZLjyHN6GV4XgoUNFdqvcb6CRun94avjLgElqS_xYqvECku_YE0CP-GGcDjxitkwdNzk4jIw7CXjTQIFp-GIgwkWd1Lk2wDffetu7oFhM6RtHdD6flfiKNGqsPRErSH_0Fi9YM3Bw7rYtb3fM_YQGVY21_Q_kaoSy4e8bBlg/s3024/20240111_191759.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW4ue5IJKgPwOxxM340NyaKZLjyHN6GV4XgoUNFdqvcb6CRun94avjLgElqS_xYqvECku_YE0CP-GGcDjxitkwdNzk4jIw7CXjTQIFp-GIgwkWd1Lk2wDffetu7oFhM6RtHdD6flfiKNGqsPRErSH_0Fi9YM3Bw7rYtb3fM_YQGVY21_Q_kaoSy4e8bBlg/s320/20240111_191759.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Just seeing them all lined up makes you want to come in for a closer look. They present themselves like something special, and they are!</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb67FFEcUApRUCjo4i8EShFZ3_57odHz-6HdSSc_upgKUZ05N8P2zJfCkQyUaPZqipyZ6tVQD-ihdxPgWF0ttN9FiCrgFrZfi36J41viCZcIFupIZB9_jdcbz7GCsezLz3d9PTUq2zQW6N7jOHM8aTNDDtDAM-qCb-3qeNJu7AZFpvY8cpMS7rqqgBwpt/s3024/20240111_191823.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggb67FFEcUApRUCjo4i8EShFZ3_57odHz-6HdSSc_upgKUZ05N8P2zJfCkQyUaPZqipyZ6tVQD-ihdxPgWF0ttN9FiCrgFrZfi36J41viCZcIFupIZB9_jdcbz7GCsezLz3d9PTUq2zQW6N7jOHM8aTNDDtDAM-qCb-3qeNJu7AZFpvY8cpMS7rqqgBwpt/s320/20240111_191823.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>It took four boxes to house my collection of The Amazing Spider-Man. Though I only own thirty issues between one and 74 of the run, I have a consecutive run from issues 75 through 441 (which is the last issue, as far as I'm concerned). Though I'm still able to afford an issue here and there in the lower numbers, it's getting to the point that they're out of my price range. I never expected to ever own a complete run, that's simply not feasible. Thank goodness for reprints and Masterworks collections.</div><div><br /></div><div>Two more bins house my Marvel Team-Up books. This collection is complete from 1 through 150, and Annuals, as well as the short lived volume two, and three.</div><div><br /></div><div>As I made each box, it was important to me to capture an image of Spider-Man from that era, more specifically, the artist most notable for the run. I also made sure to utilize all those transitioning title logos from the passing decades. This helps make each box unique from the outside, and overall more interesting. I'm half tempted to start finding me some Spider-Man stickers to plaster around the boxes, but I don't know. I'm torn between wanting to go over the top or keeping it classy (like they are now).</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvFefWiVkklv92pSSPsvDiOHcaYl6ZtNzVDGd28SaeHnSoeLlTLkLRNso06EL30g-zroJ9J2HxF5GBQStjzzbWLN5xxVHA4SdNW5moc0cZLURYeQ65Leb2QH7oXkKw8QGvwVTeQhETK5muhS0hXDlSURsaZkt7uEQovMvEb2RAQTksKFG88r-RtPykDkM/s3024/20240111_191920.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmvFefWiVkklv92pSSPsvDiOHcaYl6ZtNzVDGd28SaeHnSoeLlTLkLRNso06EL30g-zroJ9J2HxF5GBQStjzzbWLN5xxVHA4SdNW5moc0cZLURYeQ65Leb2QH7oXkKw8QGvwVTeQhETK5muhS0hXDlSURsaZkt7uEQovMvEb2RAQTksKFG88r-RtPykDkM/s320/20240111_191920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'm weird when it comes to The Spectacular Spider-Man series. I keep Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man, with its Annuals, separate from when the series shortened the title to just The Spectacular Spider-Man. Though the numbers continue from each other, they just feel like two different series.</div><div><br /></div><div>While I could fit the entire run of Web of Spider-Man in one box, I had to move the Annuals for this series, as well as The Spectacular Spider-Man to their own shared box. It was just too tight to fit them in behind their respective series, but it did help with having a nice symmetrical two layer row of bins. It also gave me the opportunity to use that classic Web of Spider-Man logo which came about midway through the series.<br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbesNDvIarWk1Bugf4rA9aLSBSrgKiWzX4cOSUAih8O5vMki9o9dPHd4BIPQjtpWDnqSsaMsS3Nn9LTMhHJiP5S-a7tmcG63VfBcVTi5guoGocdVG0B6S3XiU4YESBV8SXgSquXKXFJmMC5WThuKwZ2CiCKoycrXAOnrkG-bga9nNRIoJ2uwVVwmZhEGk/s3024/20240111_191854.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCbesNDvIarWk1Bugf4rA9aLSBSrgKiWzX4cOSUAih8O5vMki9o9dPHd4BIPQjtpWDnqSsaMsS3Nn9LTMhHJiP5S-a7tmcG63VfBcVTi5guoGocdVG0B6S3XiU4YESBV8SXgSquXKXFJmMC5WThuKwZ2CiCKoycrXAOnrkG-bga9nNRIoJ2uwVVwmZhEGk/s320/20240111_191854.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="text-align: center;">I have a box strictly for my McFarlane Spider-Man issue 1's, and I intend to fill it (it's almost there). The remainder of the series, including when the title changed to Peter Parker, Spider-Man, fit in a separate box, along with the few Annuals.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">The last four boxes are reserved for my miscellaneous Spider-Man titles, which consists of micro series, mini-series, and one-shots. My favorite is probably the complete run of Spider-Man 2099, which are all signed by artist / creator, Rick Leonardi, from the first to the very last issue, along with all variant covers, and the single Annual.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">At this point in my collector's journey, I've really switched from obtaining more to focusing instead on the best way to store, display, and preserve what I have. This is where I get my joy from the things I've amassed over the years. I spent the time obtaining. Now it's time to enjoy. This upgrade makes me happy.</span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-36926777546457688632024-02-23T12:49:00.007-05:002024-02-23T13:01:29.270-05:00What's All The Hub Bub With Palworld?<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrO6FDee5lcx9JMh5AZ8eIpXZV889IH6SfuN8LHTzzBvsFIitDOoMqN8LerGsdEHGViy1JQ8pPyWskNSpSBF0lEXV7RrnTY6bZGo2z7TwHb84j964Chx89FS5U1hRebJxoAC-G_kWdvlwAmiqUBSi52y0y25czx2ZFqHaeBk_QXLsw5tG7cpg31_LRmky/s616/Palworld.bmp" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="353" data-original-width="616" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrO6FDee5lcx9JMh5AZ8eIpXZV889IH6SfuN8LHTzzBvsFIitDOoMqN8LerGsdEHGViy1JQ8pPyWskNSpSBF0lEXV7RrnTY6bZGo2z7TwHb84j964Chx89FS5U1hRebJxoAC-G_kWdvlwAmiqUBSi52y0y25czx2ZFqHaeBk_QXLsw5tG7cpg31_LRmky/s320/Palworld.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Forced into mandatory use or lose time, I found myself with a week to do nothing. With Awesome Con 2024 quickly approaching, I wasn't necessarily interested in spending money, but definitely didn't want to sit around staring at the walls for the next five days. I opted for a happy medium which saw me spending a little money, for something that would hopefully keep me occupied for hours, days, the whole week, if you will. That was, Palworld.</p><p style="text-align: left;">My introduction to the game came via the YouTuber, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQJYHSlz4Ss">Let's Game It Out</a>. I've been a fan of his content for a while, but found that the majority of the games he reviewed were limited to Steam, which I don't have or use. So, when I saw Palworld was available on Xbox, things just kind of aligned between that and my vacation time.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The game starts off with you washed up on an island, but quickly prompts you to start gathering supplies, and start building the basics. This included a work station, a Pal box, then simple tools, and from there, it just keeps building. Food, shelter, materials, all of this comes into play as you progress, while also hindering progression should you not have the materials to begin with.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cv-UGnu9oM8C9n1zD7r24NKKEnMUlJDXmKrvH2SrM0pNJt1DcUnrMfbzfFXaDdZojOgQfpFB5i6esTHERYS9Zz60_vM3epTAHaUOhHwmJL_RDM8IZ87tEK8xbQPH_LtYyr6ivOIJiQp3yjJs3tL2HWT01rqP93xhR69MSm30iFW6QlxNUsg_vfvMQ1BA/s825/Palworld%202.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="825" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cv-UGnu9oM8C9n1zD7r24NKKEnMUlJDXmKrvH2SrM0pNJt1DcUnrMfbzfFXaDdZojOgQfpFB5i6esTHERYS9Zz60_vM3epTAHaUOhHwmJL_RDM8IZ87tEK8xbQPH_LtYyr6ivOIJiQp3yjJs3tL2HWT01rqP93xhR69MSm30iFW6QlxNUsg_vfvMQ1BA/s320/Palworld%202.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Work or die!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Throughout this process, the game also prompts you to start capturing Pals to work on said tasks of building and gathering. While the game's promotional videos and photos feature multiple variations of these characters battling it out with guns, the truth of the matter is that the majority of their, and your, time, will be spent material farming.</p><p>With everything being tied to skill stats and levels, you naturally start out with slow Pals, and eventually branch out across the excessively large map to find bigger and better indentured servants to work in your base. Your time will literally be spent going in circles.</p><p>Farm materials - Build weapons and spheres - Find better Pals - Capture - Return to base - Switch out Pals - Repeat</p><p>Working for materials to craft items, to catch Pals, with minimal reward, and ultimately no grand prize.</p><p>It didn't help that everything is tied to a timer. I hate games like that. Just let me play. If I have the materials, then it should be instant. Making me wait thirty seconds to a minute (or more) while I hold down the "X" button to craft something is tedious and boring, and that aspect is probably the worst thing about the game. Sure, I can assign a Pal to do the crafting, but I still sit and wait behind a timer, and this speeds up ever so slightly if I join in, which again has me sitting there holding the "X" button.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdee8MzzdL0MlV8TsDvkvCHcWv2KjFpektqVCO9bYzkGQOQoOGGTvXkW9Km4i79kyQVub3gepenK-fYa0qIxruVV8T0LBtyQwrlQ6Y00StLLuFpeQA9NWKAECE7vRshRVdbk-2LK2c4LMZf6i5G-iCDb4ZV5NfxwdHcQduDF26gp1lQwlXqQLTizzmKH5p/s1600/Palworld%203.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdee8MzzdL0MlV8TsDvkvCHcWv2KjFpektqVCO9bYzkGQOQoOGGTvXkW9Km4i79kyQVub3gepenK-fYa0qIxruVV8T0LBtyQwrlQ6Y00StLLuFpeQA9NWKAECE7vRshRVdbk-2LK2c4LMZf6i5G-iCDb4ZV5NfxwdHcQduDF26gp1lQwlXqQLTizzmKH5p/s320/Palworld%203.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Regardless of this, I pressed on.</p><p>Eventually, I leveled up, and had materials flowing from branching out to additional bases, and putting more Pals to work, or slaughtering them to harvest for food if they opted to resist being captured. I then decided it was time to go exploring.</p><p>To assist with this, I opted to first hunt down Jetragon, AKA, a flying creature with the highest speed in the game. This would aid in not only having a powerful ally to battle along side with, but one which would also make mapping everything out, collecting Lifmunk Effigies, while also tracking down all fast travel points.</p><p>While this certainly made the second and third items easier, I was way wrong on the help it would provide in battle. When not seeming lost in the background, my Pal would either circle in front of my target, blocking me from attacking, or simply staying glued to its hip. All scenarios resulted in the same thing - No help. Fortunately, I too had the option of crafting guns, and this is what ultimately aided me the most.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir13HQqh8RKdo-cxQqtKA0lrHaHJlG1VuEV5zM1yCR2T5RnDon5eZRUKYdL40giXfWv4WBTjlnkLFm8fTnsDJoiXNKE7RztprPwpeqfnoMmDaIFQ72Oa6DZgF_Lci-fWzQBl9uTzkYkgDIj3KeA9i9w9vEXxKeUy8b4qnPWm_3nX7wsXS5NAA65YJS5KDS/s1200/Palworld%204.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir13HQqh8RKdo-cxQqtKA0lrHaHJlG1VuEV5zM1yCR2T5RnDon5eZRUKYdL40giXfWv4WBTjlnkLFm8fTnsDJoiXNKE7RztprPwpeqfnoMmDaIFQ72Oa6DZgF_Lci-fWzQBl9uTzkYkgDIj3KeA9i9w9vEXxKeUy8b4qnPWm_3nX7wsXS5NAA65YJS5KDS/s320/Palworld%204.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">♪</span></span> Let's get it on! <span class="ILfuVd" lang="en"><span class="hgKElc">♫</span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">After mapping out things, I opted to return to my base to try my hand at breeding Pals. This is a big facet of the game, as the whole point is to essentially create legendary versions of the animals, with four legendary stats. I opted to start with a Vixy, as its abilities seemed would ultimately be the most helpful around the base. Hours, and well over a hundred cakes later, I was able to churn out two female legendary versions (though I wanted one male and one female), and over a hundred duds. That was okay though. I simply took those duds and blended them in my condenser to boost the stat levels of my God tier versions. There was only one problem.</p><p>By this point my bases were already efficient. Everything was built, materials were flowing in at an acceptable rate, and all roles were being fulfilled. I didn't really see the point, or need, for a God tier Pal that's sole function would be to do what was already being done, but faster. As such, breeding too ran its course.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdcUEY2q4yxL-cLeDK41ZdYRs8Bg5i3MFTGkqRUkcb47Q_M8-M5uxOl4ZQPVWTHjWT0-wrRp9BW5S4CseuKuIBGKv555EZRzqXoRiXqBSSx5KMiN5U_JVCR4K24CRcd4GsOhJai87q8G5dIAcS7vYKdFgWDdGLafvJGpXcNMeL5LfGGd-D_EwpVZH_K_r/s1200/Palworld%207.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbdcUEY2q4yxL-cLeDK41ZdYRs8Bg5i3MFTGkqRUkcb47Q_M8-M5uxOl4ZQPVWTHjWT0-wrRp9BW5S4CseuKuIBGKv555EZRzqXoRiXqBSSx5KMiN5U_JVCR4K24CRcd4GsOhJai87q8G5dIAcS7vYKdFgWDdGLafvJGpXcNMeL5LfGGd-D_EwpVZH_K_r/s320/Palworld%207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Returning to the map, I decided to go for broke and hunt down every boss Pal, and complete all the boss towers. Using my deliciously speedy Pal in conjunction with all the convenient fast travel points I unlocked while mapping things out, I sped from location to location capturing where I could, and shooting in the face where things resisted. Death or servitude, that was their only options. Even with legendary spheres, many opted for death.</p><p>Wiping all the bosses out took far less time then I expected, and this put me in an odd spot. One where I simply didn't know what to do at that point. I could return to my base and continue to farm for materials I didn't necessarily need to capture Pals I didn't necessarily want, and continue to breed unnecessary God tier Pals, thus keeping the circle going. However, this seemed pointless. The thought of doing this was the literal definition of wasting time. Doing a whole lot of nothing to accomplish nothing.</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjginWWkKZj11zgLXwB-ln59PKPxUg1GsrUClXiqBczBSOnPses10CVXX7eBEzcEizG-37Dg5mDL7RjsEX4vQSNhMEZtAcguiAJIMUPEpuoXROYz7zILZnfPMeuDROEA1sk1kTVUNnMARiFLbGpgCgaiHN6My-RMKs6P_OwyA3nXWQEeUyWo8srjqO2OoNh/s1920/Palworld%206.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjginWWkKZj11zgLXwB-ln59PKPxUg1GsrUClXiqBczBSOnPses10CVXX7eBEzcEizG-37Dg5mDL7RjsEX4vQSNhMEZtAcguiAJIMUPEpuoXROYz7zILZnfPMeuDROEA1sk1kTVUNnMARiFLbGpgCgaiHN6My-RMKs6P_OwyA3nXWQEeUyWo8srjqO2OoNh/s320/Palworld%206.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They all look as bored with this game as I am!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Having more materials, and all the legendary Pals, ultimately accomplishes nothing in this game that I hadn't already accomplished with common ones. There was literally nothing left to do except to exist in a virtual world, farming digital items which at the end of the day only serve to make more items I don't need.</p><p>In fact, by the time I reached this point, I hadn't even crafted the top tier armor sets, or their legendary versions. These items simply weren't necessary. I never felt like I needed a rocket launcher or a legendary assault rifle to handle business with bosses.<br /></p><p>Speaking of bosses, even if I wanted to go back and farm them for said legendary plans, or to capture them, I would once again find myself bound to a timer, a cool down process if you will, waiting for the game to graciously let me play it. Between timers and everything being a random drop, it just ultimately feels like it would be a waste of time, and that's basically what Palworld feels like - A waste of time.<br /></p><p>Regardless of how much time you put into it, you are essentially just wasting time. Even when you've done what there is to do, you have still done nothing because the game expects you to continue this madness ad nauseam for eternity. There is no final boss. No role the credits moment. No real sense of accomplishment. I still don't even know where my character came from, or where this island with all these strange creatures came from. This place just exists for the sole purpose of going around and around in a circle. I have no interest in wasting that much time to get all legendary items and Pals, which at the end of the day serve no purpose both in game and real life.</p><p>Yes, Palworld kept me occupied for the week I was off. But did I accomplish anything worth while? Reach any major milestone? Absolutely not. I simply wasted a week of my life which I will never get back.<br /></p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span> <br />The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-86949041572640892882024-02-23T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-23T05:00:00.258-05:00Retro Spins: Aqua - Aquarium<br />
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You know what? I like Aqua, and I'm not ashamed to admit that one bit. Their sound is bubble gummy and fun. It's got a great dance beat, and doesn't take itself too serious. Their album Aquarium was a refreshing surprise in the midst of the 1990's.<br />
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I was introduced to the Danish-Norwegian band when a friend of mine brought the CD along for one of the many car rides we took to nowhere in particular. Several trips and plays later, and I was hooked. When I got my own copy, I played it back to back repeatedly. Three very long years later, Aqua finally released a follow up album, Aquarius and while I didn't necessarily like it as much as Aquarium, it was a decent record. It would be eleven more years before the band's third, and what appears to be final album came out.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiBZw2DfpOw/XO8lIxTHdjI/AAAAAAAAa9Y/Q_1ALd047KQ8G_wtbrxh3D_LpY3k5rODQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.20.24%2BAqua%2B-%2BAquarium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LiBZw2DfpOw/XO8lIxTHdjI/AAAAAAAAa9Y/Q_1ALd047KQ8G_wtbrxh3D_LpY3k5rODQCLcBGAs/s320/2.20.24%2BAqua%2B-%2BAquarium.jpg" width="320" /></a>For as much as I enjoyed everything Aqua back in the day, it's probably been about ten years since I've heard their music. Today's Retro Spin felt like a good opportunity to reunite with the band and have a play.<br />
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Everything stands up to what I remember. Out of the eleven tracks, the same three, which were my least favorites, remain as such. Those are, Good Morning Sunshine, Be A Man and Turn Back Time. Mind you, these aren't bad tracks, they're just not as good as the remaining ones, which are far more up tempo and peppy.<br />
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My all time favorites from the album remain Happy Boys And Girls, Dr. Jones, Lollipop (Candyman), Roses Are Red and Calling You. Meanwhile, My Oh My, Barbie Girl and Heat Of The Night round out the album to a very near perfection.<br />
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Playing this album after so many years was a treat in multiple ways. The music is still really fun to listen to, and it also took me back in my mind to days long forgotten with friends from the past I don't unfortunately see anymore these days.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-4166231536976369292024-02-20T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-20T05:00:00.131-05:00Retro Spins: Katrina And The Waves - Katrina And The Waves<br />
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The history of Katrina And The Waves is kind of interesting. They seem to have had a few false starts before finally landing with their most successful song, Walking On Sunshine. To trace the band's roots, you would first need to look to their 1982 album, Shock Horrors, which was released under the name, The Waves. From there, they followed up with the 1983 album, Walking On Sunshine. While this record did indeed include the title track, it was shorter. Try as I might, I could not find this song on any of the typical sites, Youtube, Vemo, etc. to hear it.<br />
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Though it was technically their third album, in 1984, the band released Katrina And The Waves 2. However, it would be their 1985 self titled album, which would finally give the band success. Being the first release on a major label, the album featured a lot remixed and overdubbed songs from their prior records. The most notable being the re-recordered Walking On Sunshine, which would go on to peak at number eight.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLCT5efhSP0/Xrl1ToGGFzI/AAAAAAAAhr0/CBsMBnUXJ70ZefL5oplxVbTtDeIK_RHZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2.20.24%2BKatrina%2BAnd%2BThe%2BWaves%2B-%2BKatrina%2BAnd%2BThe%2BWaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLCT5efhSP0/Xrl1ToGGFzI/AAAAAAAAhr0/CBsMBnUXJ70ZefL5oplxVbTtDeIK_RHZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.20.24%2BKatrina%2BAnd%2BThe%2BWaves%2B-%2BKatrina%2BAnd%2BThe%2BWaves.jpg" width="320" /></a>With that said, it also wasn't their first song to show up on the charts. That honor goes to Que Te Queiro, which peaked at number eighty-four in 1984, and was the original version from their 1983 album, Walking On Sunshine. Additionally, they had a second single from their 1985 self titled album, Do You Want Crying. Unfortunately, this would only peak at ninety-six. From there, the band continued to have minor chart success in 1986 and 1989. 1997 would feature their most successful chart success to date with, Love Shine A Light, peaking at number three.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Whew, that's quite a bit to keep up with. Especially for a band that is relatively only remembered for one song, and not one that's really considered all that good. It's more so a campy anthem for how excessive and fun driven the eighties were.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">But, what about the album as a whole? Where does it stand? Well, it's not bad. It's peppy. You can definitely feel happy listening to this one. Meaning, there's only one melancholy and depressing track, and it feels out of place with all the others. Other than that, the remaining tracks are upbeat and seem to promote toe tapping. I can definitely see why people were interested in hearing more from them after this release. It's not bad.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Now, with that said, I don't see myself throwing Katrina And The Waves into my normal rotation. Truth be told, I'm not a major fan of Walking On Sunshine and only picked up the album when I did because it was in a quarter bin.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-39926001242382552862024-02-19T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-19T05:00:00.133-05:00Just Doodling: Spider-Man's Rogue Gallery<p><br /></p><p>My ability to post content may have been hindered for a bit. A couple days after Christmas, my external hard drive, which housed all of my Toy Box and Retro Spins stuff died. Man, I lost so much personal stuff. Fortunately, this series of pictures were sent via text a while back to my pops, so I had them preserved to download and post today.</p><p></p><p>This one took me a ton of time. Spidey and the background colors were two separate elements.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbLDCvGhrB-iwIq661AZ5KieqUT7KtS3vno9l5UKwIMZ17RgFfL5nELKYeLD3748QWyyUO-p-UL8Duo1E-WmOuJGaW888rzcD09NoxH3WRmzhCsayoe92vJK8PxYCUHHUPnNLgUS-cx7KI-NeSCUDMy3fdHr1iC0Q26tLtwZTU88c9UipgkrIdVhNoB81/s1600/Spidey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbLDCvGhrB-iwIq661AZ5KieqUT7KtS3vno9l5UKwIMZ17RgFfL5nELKYeLD3748QWyyUO-p-UL8Duo1E-WmOuJGaW888rzcD09NoxH3WRmzhCsayoe92vJK8PxYCUHHUPnNLgUS-cx7KI-NeSCUDMy3fdHr1iC0Q26tLtwZTU88c9UipgkrIdVhNoB81/s320/Spidey.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>But, the true work like in the intricacies of the rogues gallery behind him. That webbing in between all of the circles took quite some time too. Overall, it was worth it for the end result.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWHUCxibo054CoRrvviUM31t6E0dwGn6rM6dVS9OXolbYwyLXHJBLAXAaw5Dh1lUooi45WNXK0tdAudzwG7CdMCEckvSXxxVMz4mZK3TqnOsSG_vpbFb4IIxhnWMGfWMZHMPzc213Ho1g8J8-rfNk9zDDhjU_BM9NKCANLBpjWFeuLD6Lzd8Q76_Cxoyw/s1600/Spidey%20Background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWHUCxibo054CoRrvviUM31t6E0dwGn6rM6dVS9OXolbYwyLXHJBLAXAaw5Dh1lUooi45WNXK0tdAudzwG7CdMCEckvSXxxVMz4mZK3TqnOsSG_vpbFb4IIxhnWMGfWMZHMPzc213Ho1g8J8-rfNk9zDDhjU_BM9NKCANLBpjWFeuLD6Lzd8Q76_Cxoyw/s320/Spidey%20Background.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> The end result is one that I would love to frame, and stick on my wall.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhyCt0S3j-ftwNOqZSLfP7jYu32Qp6EH7gW6j54htkX4KM46zi6m1TbKJw-qMCdE1ftuTpUO3TIpEY8BtXMj2IhaBCt1x10ztaEVz6G_Zq9QsyjCTYHNC98i7hf6ieeEfDtpp8JTI6Qnfbt6ltOzLyxC2BYMLoazv0PHn5_wFAknzjjhfMLI_XTeydgO4/s1600/Spidey%20Complete.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhyCt0S3j-ftwNOqZSLfP7jYu32Qp6EH7gW6j54htkX4KM46zi6m1TbKJw-qMCdE1ftuTpUO3TIpEY8BtXMj2IhaBCt1x10ztaEVz6G_Zq9QsyjCTYHNC98i7hf6ieeEfDtpp8JTI6Qnfbt6ltOzLyxC2BYMLoazv0PHn5_wFAknzjjhfMLI_XTeydgO4/s320/Spidey%20Complete.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-41634875011918543782024-02-16T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-16T05:00:00.122-05:00Retro Spins: Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch - Music For The People<br />
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I have a guilty pleasure in songs from this album. Specifically, Music For The People, Good Vibrations and Wildside. I've liked these tracks ever since the 90's, when I heard my brother pumping them through his speakers. However, I never actually got around to hearing the whole album. With Retro Spins visiting the 90's this year, I thought, why not.<br />
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This CD came into my possession during one of my many Timonium visits to see, CD Guy. As I've said in the past, that's actually not his name. I didn't actually expect to come across this album, nor was I actively looking for it. However, when I did, I nabbed it up quicker than quick and added it to my pile.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUY8r53XdPQ/XO8gI_TgiiI/AAAAAAAAa9Q/CgqbPd20Mp0K_8aw0DXD91Y41uBOTqG4QCLcBGAs/s1600/2.13.24%2BMarky%2BMark%2BAnd%2BThe%2BFunky%2BBunch%2B-%2BMuisc%2BFor%2BThe%2BPeople.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUY8r53XdPQ/XO8gI_TgiiI/AAAAAAAAa9Q/CgqbPd20Mp0K_8aw0DXD91Y41uBOTqG4QCLcBGAs/s320/2.13.24%2BMarky%2BMark%2BAnd%2BThe%2BFunky%2BBunch%2B-%2BMuisc%2BFor%2BThe%2BPeople.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After hearing Music For The People, the album, again after all these years, I can fully understand why my brother only played the first three tracks mentioned above. It's not very good. In fact, I'm not even a fan of Wildside anymore after hearing it again. It has not aged well, and its message, while deep in 1991, is a little corny now.<br />
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Music For The People and Good Vibrations? Well, that's another story. Those two tracks are still pretty solid. Dope if you will. With that said, I won't be rushing to hear them again any time soon.<br />
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I can also understand why Mark Wahlberg has distanced himself from his Marky Mark persona and music. If this album was hot in the 90's, it hasn't aged well over time.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-89725831157722137492024-02-13T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-13T05:00:00.138-05:00Retro Spins: The Romantics - The Romantics<br />
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It's the album that officially started the 1980's. Released on January 4, 1980, The Romantics album would not only serve as the band's debut, but also usher in an era of pop and new wave music like no other.<br />
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The group released the majority of their albums throughout the 80's, venturing out only briefly in 2003 with their album, 61/49. That album appears to have been well received by fans, so it's surprising to see that they've not really done much since then - Well, with the exception of attempting to sue the makers of Guitar Hero for the use of their song, What I Like About You. That lawsuit was eventually lost, with the judge stating the creators of the game had secured all the necessary approval to use it, and that the band held none of the rights. Let that be a lesson, kids. Always maintain control of your music.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iObcNk6rXj4/XrBS-7ZQ0gI/AAAAAAAAhjU/DFDKgf0f9e8cshVy8-49fCgvu4OLfAJdACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2.13.24%2BRomantics%2B%2528The%2529%2B-%2BThe%2BRomantics.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iObcNk6rXj4/XrBS-7ZQ0gI/AAAAAAAAhjU/DFDKgf0f9e8cshVy8-49fCgvu4OLfAJdACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.13.24%2BRomantics%2B%2528The%2529%2B-%2BThe%2BRomantics.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As I cranked up their album, I got the immediate sense that the style would be more so reminiscent to that of the fifties, Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens type music. Early rock, if you will. It easily felt like something that could have been playing over a jukebox at the local soda shop. Not necessarily a bad thing in my book.<br />
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With that said, I didn't necessarily hear many songs that I felt were "hits". Enjoyable, but no long lasting songs. Well, with the exception of What I Like About You. Oddly enough, for how iconic that song has become to the era, it only managed to top the charts at number forty-nine in 1980. Ouch.<br />
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For being only thirty-eight minutes, the album somehow manages to feel really long. Not in a good way either. It's one of those where you're kind of like, "Come on! Get moving!" Again, it's not a bad record, it's just now all that impressive either.<br />
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Truth be told, I'm not a major fan of the band. I think I only know and like two songs from them, What I Like About You and Talking In Your Sleep. My major push to own this particular album wasn't at all driven by anything more than being curious one day as to what the first album released in 1980 was, and upon finding out it was this one, deciding the one song was worth making this a part of my collection.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-45522535868739928682024-02-12T05:00:00.213-05:002024-02-12T08:05:18.157-05:00Homemade Meatballs For Spaghetti And Meatballs Or Meatball Subs (With Optional Meat Sauce)<p> </p><p>While traditionally, we would have cooked a rib roast for Christmas dinner, my girl developed an aversion to beef, which would make her physically ill if eaten. As we thought about it, we decided we really wanted to keep things simple. As such, we opted for spaghetti and meatballs.</p><p>Now I admit, I'm not the kind of guy that makes his own spaghetti sauce or noodles, though I certainly would like to. However, what I do take the time to do is make my own meatballs. This recipe I concocted originally started out with beef, veal, and pork, but had to be tweaked as the above noted issues with beef were discovered. As such, there are two options here for those of you who may want to attempt this.</p><p>INGREDIENTS (MEATS)<br /></p><p>1 Pound 80 / 20 Ground Beef (Option 1)<br />1/2 Pound Ground Veal (Option 1)<br />1/2 Pound Ground Pork (Option 1)</p><p>1 Pound Ground Turkey (or Chicken) (Option 2)<br />1 Pound Ground Pork (Option 2)</p><p>The remaining ingredients consist of the following:</p><p>2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil (Chopped)<br />2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley (Chopped)<br />1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic<br />1 Teaspoon Salt<br />1/2 Teaspoon Pepper<br />1/2 Cup Fresh Parmesan Cheese<br />1/2 Cup Fresh Romano Cheese<br />1 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs (Separated into two 1/2 Cup measurements)<br />4 Slices White Bread<br />1 Small Container Heavy Whipping Cream<br />1 Egg (Whisked)<br />2 - 24 Ounce Jars of Spaghetti Sauce (We use Rao's Tomato Basil)<br />3 Tablespoons Olive Oil<br /></p><p>In a large flat dish, I use a 9 X 13 Pyrex dish, pour your Heavy Cream until you have 1/8 an inch of full surface coverage. Then add your four pieces of Bread.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEVRD_xS0OfyutlYJ-KhX-8P5uZ_IHgqp_0g0sEMI_SlDQ-ViCCjInVua_OP8maRZpWDVlVnTtC2lytL25TK0PUpo9A3RDfL1zL9VbalgF1aGLQVvIgpjUPQHVuL-JqYjR4VkZuRDzvGjpGfiS-T8OI1Zze1AXmRT47vn1Kk6k-79gPdApl1FhFEsfIy0/s3024/20231225_144845.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEVRD_xS0OfyutlYJ-KhX-8P5uZ_IHgqp_0g0sEMI_SlDQ-ViCCjInVua_OP8maRZpWDVlVnTtC2lytL25TK0PUpo9A3RDfL1zL9VbalgF1aGLQVvIgpjUPQHVuL-JqYjR4VkZuRDzvGjpGfiS-T8OI1Zze1AXmRT47vn1Kk6k-79gPdApl1FhFEsfIy0/s320/20231225_144845.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Let these soak for five minutes, then flip them.<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72HmmRotXcWoDgqGHxc907z-Xd7o9jJ89ufs_BvE_xg1fovmHxL2inEgm_IeLirYQax0gh091PJRYOKYQw1u6Kjgk0fioE5J-5hIXMQWvqJiXan2ikjGpQ9cjz99bN4yCtgt-TeBA8UOl98wKJ-hPaPEHpCM1QvTOBr2zlGQV00W8f-Oa7zEagPwUvvZT/s3024/20231225_144916.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh72HmmRotXcWoDgqGHxc907z-Xd7o9jJ89ufs_BvE_xg1fovmHxL2inEgm_IeLirYQax0gh091PJRYOKYQw1u6Kjgk0fioE5J-5hIXMQWvqJiXan2ikjGpQ9cjz99bN4yCtgt-TeBA8UOl98wKJ-hPaPEHpCM1QvTOBr2zlGQV00W8f-Oa7zEagPwUvvZT/s320/20231225_144916.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Let them sit in the pan while you move on to the following steps:<p></p><p>Add your meat to a large bowl, and your chopped Basil and Parsley.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzCURiSHPGha2pEqhZCViUptrPjZuBd5Fb3YZRlOA2ZnwOqg7_lnlBqf8i_3-wbvFwCLfEDhLw9dXH21Dhl9mRMwgSoEcfiJj5A0_JZyQz0YkLSoN97hLlIlzYSWFrxCXNTElDClRWjsm7LNTsS-KmFLfS9wz8jxZmtkU22x0ECRddqmHy8OdkpBEnIjY/s3024/20231225_144636.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkzCURiSHPGha2pEqhZCViUptrPjZuBd5Fb3YZRlOA2ZnwOqg7_lnlBqf8i_3-wbvFwCLfEDhLw9dXH21Dhl9mRMwgSoEcfiJj5A0_JZyQz0YkLSoN97hLlIlzYSWFrxCXNTElDClRWjsm7LNTsS-KmFLfS9wz8jxZmtkU22x0ECRddqmHy8OdkpBEnIjY/s320/20231225_144636.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Now add on top of this your Minced Garlic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMpv6do646hngbX5NMgZ9own0CPFzsHTs6b5_2TFsjZIXS36unk69ac8FgbQw5v6y6J4Q7cFndBQvfpFId-YJqxFrpIw6P66kwqFLPx2h9abCQdTI1-nbzvsnl_a1W6dSSFarlgSb_Pj4NGzd_O_Ly3_WktQeTyaMxCaSQbdjdlOJUsWtg_ZEZsbC7AmP/s3024/20231225_144704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAMpv6do646hngbX5NMgZ9own0CPFzsHTs6b5_2TFsjZIXS36unk69ac8FgbQw5v6y6J4Q7cFndBQvfpFId-YJqxFrpIw6P66kwqFLPx2h9abCQdTI1-nbzvsnl_a1W6dSSFarlgSb_Pj4NGzd_O_Ly3_WktQeTyaMxCaSQbdjdlOJUsWtg_ZEZsbC7AmP/s320/20231225_144704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Tear up your Bread pieces into small bits, and add them to the bowl.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWht27_PNZ8s7M__AYUvHL0pkCiLNWOEwrN68vzm9NaQwf0fLM9EArsx4MP6K_Byi9tIHUpfDogwviUK7DqTFRGBbVH2Cs4gLVfSbI6eF1EBWL9CIMW5hQdiKC_N6K8dmaxY8N8UcpssFWPrvm2Jr4mRyelurDlhJNGM43znqMXw9lGgfA3BKahZUFETJ/s3024/20231225_145341.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLWht27_PNZ8s7M__AYUvHL0pkCiLNWOEwrN68vzm9NaQwf0fLM9EArsx4MP6K_Byi9tIHUpfDogwviUK7DqTFRGBbVH2Cs4gLVfSbI6eF1EBWL9CIMW5hQdiKC_N6K8dmaxY8N8UcpssFWPrvm2Jr4mRyelurDlhJNGM43znqMXw9lGgfA3BKahZUFETJ/s320/20231225_145341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You should have some remaining Cream at the bottom of your dish, which you're going to also scrape into your bowl.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X7txrU9iJyJ_9dKCDy0Riewb59g17dXVgG62v-pS8muMeOfvmkmh7TWk2NbdCQOT199HOYqGWhp90fMdu5XaAorYenJ5rm5TgU1az-Df9Tz-E289x3Jc6-FCoQpfnXahluSpL7bsrHlpzamajZ2f_DtDEXsKQkFrngJZmSeGbB_BD8SXkBM2yYAeHu8C/s3024/20231225_145338.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4X7txrU9iJyJ_9dKCDy0Riewb59g17dXVgG62v-pS8muMeOfvmkmh7TWk2NbdCQOT199HOYqGWhp90fMdu5XaAorYenJ5rm5TgU1az-Df9Tz-E289x3Jc6-FCoQpfnXahluSpL7bsrHlpzamajZ2f_DtDEXsKQkFrngJZmSeGbB_BD8SXkBM2yYAeHu8C/s320/20231225_145338.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Add both your Parmesan and Romano Cheese, and 1/2 Cup of your Bread Crumbs. Stir to combine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsBgncD2fJVQJYw77io2S9v__zuHdyRySfk25OIgUIJIA4iBmWiXN9291J-RrTM4A_TYwJkg0TnzxM1FTYqVuFSdnauOj8foIdpfVhyphenhyphenyjaDMMtWejXiqDnBC8tdGne7cYFo1qM4tCngPbF0eVXBRak7559Vl-iuUeqsKIMPhPawra5ada5UtxPlOWNOR3/s3024/20231225_145422.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigsBgncD2fJVQJYw77io2S9v__zuHdyRySfk25OIgUIJIA4iBmWiXN9291J-RrTM4A_TYwJkg0TnzxM1FTYqVuFSdnauOj8foIdpfVhyphenhyphenyjaDMMtWejXiqDnBC8tdGne7cYFo1qM4tCngPbF0eVXBRak7559Vl-iuUeqsKIMPhPawra5ada5UtxPlOWNOR3/s320/20231225_145422.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />It should keep a soggy consistency.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFENF2Rz-cEj-Gyc2IJSlPdP4JsiCL8n6OvYKhvy3YEdwEO7hJEYf0OdpsJBgtX6kj1GYz5VXUbkeAMpEfV4jE4g-PyM7F3k4iNgJXnZSRVgixPgjUzRUkgmYYl3Yo7e2rrzmfZXcYKBQqvqoB0i_qfYg7W3u3Hp5eYE_k5EUiz-vssnnWPuS1F4T-7ibW/s3024/20231225_145607.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFENF2Rz-cEj-Gyc2IJSlPdP4JsiCL8n6OvYKhvy3YEdwEO7hJEYf0OdpsJBgtX6kj1GYz5VXUbkeAMpEfV4jE4g-PyM7F3k4iNgJXnZSRVgixPgjUzRUkgmYYl3Yo7e2rrzmfZXcYKBQqvqoB0i_qfYg7W3u3Hp5eYE_k5EUiz-vssnnWPuS1F4T-7ibW/s320/20231225_145607.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Add your Salt and Pepper, sprinkling it around the bowl, versus dropping it in one central location.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS52XB1G-l_4PTWOTrHGaIUxxfW-HVCjRtZk7kpvuu4XgZhuLOCzYwixp_FJUclg6dcDzJHa2K63mc9WlfA2uq2RATzbW8oAnwVAeN-ncHZv6m2irSlba9WQuUuLCwrQcXxT5WXi1w0vUE3uzUz189PseLalMfVucGGgTf2rpT7zogNLIdBrCV8tyd6P2/s3024/20231225_145704.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS52XB1G-l_4PTWOTrHGaIUxxfW-HVCjRtZk7kpvuu4XgZhuLOCzYwixp_FJUclg6dcDzJHa2K63mc9WlfA2uq2RATzbW8oAnwVAeN-ncHZv6m2irSlba9WQuUuLCwrQcXxT5WXi1w0vUE3uzUz189PseLalMfVucGGgTf2rpT7zogNLIdBrCV8tyd6P2/s320/20231225_145704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then add your remaining 1/2 Cup of Bread Crumbs. Again stir to combine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDrVS5n9Mwh3g4IrL_cNO3CWinOMOAyqFUZzM4RBDxcBYdfNv214KHxVyX-D2U470pMgjIcixBU-snidyPnsct0aF9ugrmTcPTEjkjh81wSgz7aFWYQYQDRBBJNwuQo5-1lxfTHNsL8T0X2n2swN2oZlFQG3FRhTC4czrqNoH8zXgnMCQp-al2cwmjVrV/s3024/20231225_145749.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDrVS5n9Mwh3g4IrL_cNO3CWinOMOAyqFUZzM4RBDxcBYdfNv214KHxVyX-D2U470pMgjIcixBU-snidyPnsct0aF9ugrmTcPTEjkjh81wSgz7aFWYQYQDRBBJNwuQo5-1lxfTHNsL8T0X2n2swN2oZlFQG3FRhTC4czrqNoH8zXgnMCQp-al2cwmjVrV/s320/20231225_145749.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The mixture should look a bit drier than before, so bring back the wet by stirring in your whisked Egg.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsy1PnHvEE06sPGdbEsVu2zYao6-z1M1yS1cyUsak65L9hhSFL-1XJUBrpvOWwCfd_bRBBZCZ9chC4uAHQ0Y3P3XD13GOcSG_1JZ-19oTXfwRgdmUhUnMqlg_9J0nlsaVVEuQyus48MWYsaq2TJ8zSYKIO0LsIgiMPsiWrY1X4L4XKL1-SiNxJZyY_yrh/s3024/20231225_150007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJsy1PnHvEE06sPGdbEsVu2zYao6-z1M1yS1cyUsak65L9hhSFL-1XJUBrpvOWwCfd_bRBBZCZ9chC4uAHQ0Y3P3XD13GOcSG_1JZ-19oTXfwRgdmUhUnMqlg_9J0nlsaVVEuQyus48MWYsaq2TJ8zSYKIO0LsIgiMPsiWrY1X4L4XKL1-SiNxJZyY_yrh/s320/20231225_150007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />The mixture should now be perfect for forming into meatballs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IRltTrZWmvCzTu6JW1GEBFYhW4nzl0ARzS4U2amABUwKO47SHZkzWUy7m0LK7XkW4GpcQnDYblUCIh9YmshMjGCQasegE9mWkKFmuhK6NOtk0hKmk8RQdnT5PnABC7AHn6jv7H3BpeI6Fddy9lhU5V_KN6bY2aiyIVMZDnkzrjDfDzqX09Tm_-bGffFN/s3024/20231225_150117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0IRltTrZWmvCzTu6JW1GEBFYhW4nzl0ARzS4U2amABUwKO47SHZkzWUy7m0LK7XkW4GpcQnDYblUCIh9YmshMjGCQasegE9mWkKFmuhK6NOtk0hKmk8RQdnT5PnABC7AHn6jv7H3BpeI6Fddy9lhU5V_KN6bY2aiyIVMZDnkzrjDfDzqX09Tm_-bGffFN/s320/20231225_150117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />With this recipe, you should be able to roll out eighteen balls that are about two inches in diameter.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuaM8tMd29n2GFF2atorNyvzAof_nOfaBcsyJBnfaBrttoxIO4QT5OoU1yenZXKZXxh1XqJgB8hsi2hTbLriUehFqVB30zPu-R-Xe0CGGKbAdUfRg1ylF021lYOWULSYS0hJiqYtO9hRvbIwAx2KH0djqzPG9U_7ttL2apfCAXBGdwjc5MoHgvmjDW5KQ/s3024/20231225_151002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuaM8tMd29n2GFF2atorNyvzAof_nOfaBcsyJBnfaBrttoxIO4QT5OoU1yenZXKZXxh1XqJgB8hsi2hTbLriUehFqVB30zPu-R-Xe0CGGKbAdUfRg1ylF021lYOWULSYS0hJiqYtO9hRvbIwAx2KH0djqzPG9U_7ttL2apfCAXBGdwjc5MoHgvmjDW5KQ/s320/20231225_151002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />You will need to sear your meatballs, and for this, I use a large electric skillet set to 350 degrees. Alternatively, you can use a non-stick pan on the stove, but this method will take longer because you don't want to overcrowd the pan. Additionally, you want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJjry0O0RDt6bHif4XkH6h2A1Ss1x20Vsv2K_jwM8IMaFChPRq1SIwoV4ygaAB3uVcMGdxgeS1mdnQ34cyhKyF0UzCnohKp6wL4a5OfYZ-XB8J9OPFcQso_UaGIr1f9JuB6fzUZWRJcG6qtI17_NRqhJyThRCUxKjvJ2Zo0Ruo0zZVRDhjvwZ6NLlkRqc/s3024/20231225_152117.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJjry0O0RDt6bHif4XkH6h2A1Ss1x20Vsv2K_jwM8IMaFChPRq1SIwoV4ygaAB3uVcMGdxgeS1mdnQ34cyhKyF0UzCnohKp6wL4a5OfYZ-XB8J9OPFcQso_UaGIr1f9JuB6fzUZWRJcG6qtI17_NRqhJyThRCUxKjvJ2Zo0Ruo0zZVRDhjvwZ6NLlkRqc/s320/20231225_152117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Adding my three tablespoons of Olive Oil to the skillet surface, I let this warm, and then spread it across the entire top with a pair of tongs.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbqEZE6oAIxdJqfnspywc5BT_Z7BmRwjiDrQDcr6uS37KEYqx68Op4K_vNtzigvDNoSqTWlkZm6E3zTgfgkja9xtnqUgMfPaxN_-eP2gJs-VrCpc4JEz2Okb9-7sidFWuXXUOsxjeUsTRdz0nUKXZQINWL4w0_EMNmBP9LHuFrA8HeKtj-LSr_ATfp0Sw/s3024/20231225_152146.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBbqEZE6oAIxdJqfnspywc5BT_Z7BmRwjiDrQDcr6uS37KEYqx68Op4K_vNtzigvDNoSqTWlkZm6E3zTgfgkja9xtnqUgMfPaxN_-eP2gJs-VrCpc4JEz2Okb9-7sidFWuXXUOsxjeUsTRdz0nUKXZQINWL4w0_EMNmBP9LHuFrA8HeKtj-LSr_ATfp0Sw/s320/20231225_152146.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now I add the meatballs, and let them sear about two to three minutes on each side.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6VhlHra0bsrCEkMcujZ7u-pUug_Ru6JKc41qK3VFyKaxcx-EidMZA4aGXGA3y3i9j2m0mMLgQhG6H5FOKV6TRCxEcGv-npyUIYDR49PSFCWQkmBuTBcQOn8wDGylkXb62RajTF8aPwykpt3nU98xWseNbHjYr5IhjSm6fZGz2705Z7dfZWQ-Au9Cmy_X/s3024/20231225_152509.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6VhlHra0bsrCEkMcujZ7u-pUug_Ru6JKc41qK3VFyKaxcx-EidMZA4aGXGA3y3i9j2m0mMLgQhG6H5FOKV6TRCxEcGv-npyUIYDR49PSFCWQkmBuTBcQOn8wDGylkXb62RajTF8aPwykpt3nU98xWseNbHjYr5IhjSm6fZGz2705Z7dfZWQ-Au9Cmy_X/s320/20231225_152509.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />I'm not trying to cook these through. Rather, just get a nice brown color along all sides.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2PUSlIObzc72qwBJn6Kjw3LmlZ6gs6bXDZ5PlBRSWYvGp7ZT0FxTBbArCsEYfHPH6bUNJ8N7JiYFrSN_mCqxBkX077zITCjZblC3Et-O21AWcWqVrGZaX1ODruyyC3aL7RQLTAK-bgUEkDs_sjUtljCayL-5iF5c9TWGmPGOXK8J9PA7-f8QWFMGIB5g/s3024/20231225_153004.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2PUSlIObzc72qwBJn6Kjw3LmlZ6gs6bXDZ5PlBRSWYvGp7ZT0FxTBbArCsEYfHPH6bUNJ8N7JiYFrSN_mCqxBkX077zITCjZblC3Et-O21AWcWqVrGZaX1ODruyyC3aL7RQLTAK-bgUEkDs_sjUtljCayL-5iF5c9TWGmPGOXK8J9PA7-f8QWFMGIB5g/s320/20231225_153004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile, I've popped the lid on one of my spaghetti sauce jars, and dumped it into that same 9 X 13 pan I used for my bread - After cleaning it, of course.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5YPqey3-ddc0XvIPY_NxQrDHgPjwYdr3aXB9WSbdtbsLB4xL6nhWnRtIcCpwqbGwKp5zHEWJbuCajSp2UIf9cZ4g0vZFOLM2ijFIYos9I4s1kuksO1w4qPlSa7NCCBt4jNQsnGA-GAPFtteTanwjcRl0X7D3u_e_9441t_tG3e1C-7ex1tUc4Ov7TaZQ/s3024/20231225_153048.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5YPqey3-ddc0XvIPY_NxQrDHgPjwYdr3aXB9WSbdtbsLB4xL6nhWnRtIcCpwqbGwKp5zHEWJbuCajSp2UIf9cZ4g0vZFOLM2ijFIYos9I4s1kuksO1w4qPlSa7NCCBt4jNQsnGA-GAPFtteTanwjcRl0X7D3u_e_9441t_tG3e1C-7ex1tUc4Ov7TaZQ/s320/20231225_153048.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Add the meatballs to the sauce.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9_jV5r6nenTTyoaUQgVOzRBSHgoA8Jp7Az7E5egfLlksnvr7InRqm1ur-N3TzRrh7v6WUU7BRXVcgnyPzGz7eLpiP3PygjDmFYKkU9HqomAk7hwrQVWGR_4cYTAIpjzRvwvo1m2lSbY2eLAPCHpDyXinYJa2stBtxJUg9dP_ihoIvy6Ickl8LKif-QTb/s3024/20231225_153448.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc9_jV5r6nenTTyoaUQgVOzRBSHgoA8Jp7Az7E5egfLlksnvr7InRqm1ur-N3TzRrh7v6WUU7BRXVcgnyPzGz7eLpiP3PygjDmFYKkU9HqomAk7hwrQVWGR_4cYTAIpjzRvwvo1m2lSbY2eLAPCHpDyXinYJa2stBtxJUg9dP_ihoIvy6Ickl8LKif-QTb/s320/20231225_153448.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then top them with your second jar of sauce.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLEcRHcdMTlAFlFcjZJeJwED6yKeS98yysqGAMiatonMvSIK4tUYvdOBG_vi_MIwW4u7Y1xYolB734KahRvehZWY5EAWqTHxbLramtTbeZDEC3cCKPJSX5l0YTZC3_HHFih1_ho2n8aVQX5NOVOAr-n4XIXJ4sXj6UFZJ3EhLdSHYWSKWzBbf38sT0DZL/s3024/20231225_153543.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDLEcRHcdMTlAFlFcjZJeJwED6yKeS98yysqGAMiatonMvSIK4tUYvdOBG_vi_MIwW4u7Y1xYolB734KahRvehZWY5EAWqTHxbLramtTbeZDEC3cCKPJSX5l0YTZC3_HHFih1_ho2n8aVQX5NOVOAr-n4XIXJ4sXj6UFZJ3EhLdSHYWSKWzBbf38sT0DZL/s320/20231225_153543.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Cover the pan with foil, and place it in your preheated 350 degree oven for one hour.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptLsOYaMxtjonFdeB7WrHrdR9T7_qSrH4QSSqGMRuTCyeAqsKSdljKg08JO4uOCe9lDx8Wdi_ZHoLM4Mt2Cp717iU-MxiEoHi_ekk-hO96XJ4gxVSJWAXQFhdmoYrBlGb6zxuVNcbSEdGqrmRwKZm16ser9SsOAGffqsLM9o6HmNJydN5lcM6iE8l3lrR/s3024/20231225_153710.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptLsOYaMxtjonFdeB7WrHrdR9T7_qSrH4QSSqGMRuTCyeAqsKSdljKg08JO4uOCe9lDx8Wdi_ZHoLM4Mt2Cp717iU-MxiEoHi_ekk-hO96XJ4gxVSJWAXQFhdmoYrBlGb6zxuVNcbSEdGqrmRwKZm16ser9SsOAGffqsLM9o6HmNJydN5lcM6iE8l3lrR/s320/20231225_153710.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>These would be perfect on their own to top on any type of spaghetti, or to make delicious meatball subs with. However, for me, if going the spaghetti route, I like my sauce to have a bit of substance to it. This means, I'm also making meat sauce, which in essence is the majority of the steps above. Again, you have two options on the meat mixtures.<br /></p><p>INGREDIENTS (MEATS)<br /></p><p>1 Pound 80 / 20 Ground Beef (Option 1)<br />1/2 Pound Ground Veal (Option 1)<br />1/2 Pound Ground Pork (Option 1)</p><p>1 Pound Ground Turkey (or Chicken) (Option 2)<br />1 Pound Ground Pork (Option 2)</p><p>The remaining ingredients consist of the following:</p><p>2 Tablespoons Fresh Basil (Chopped)<br />2 Tablespoons Fresh Parsley (Chopped)<br />1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic<br />1 Teaspoon Salt<br />1/2 Teaspoon Pepper<br />2 - 24 Ounce Jars of Spaghetti Sauce</p><p>In a large pot add your meat, and turn the heat on medium. Then add your Garlic.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV71B5FSWJXArccuBDig6t_u0mBIxRTFnZxDrqJ4O6SAwMEWI_Ofbo5FzRixC_VcKGxZPcgX6s8qc666092kggnuXIuT2Z0fov2TvxjLMSdB6UVsgXc62NwGfL1Cv7h4dHcAXZYVw2DhhZVPCOd9oPBPe_o7XngzdXxCFvX2Dj7iFKi64TMeZmJRgZJMo/s3024/20231225_153809.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV71B5FSWJXArccuBDig6t_u0mBIxRTFnZxDrqJ4O6SAwMEWI_Ofbo5FzRixC_VcKGxZPcgX6s8qc666092kggnuXIuT2Z0fov2TvxjLMSdB6UVsgXc62NwGfL1Cv7h4dHcAXZYVw2DhhZVPCOd9oPBPe_o7XngzdXxCFvX2Dj7iFKi64TMeZmJRgZJMo/s320/20231225_153809.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Next add your Basil, Parsley, Salt, and Pepper.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtDnhvdvZt9E3QhHNDH5413s3prnnhVZDNDgVW4zl0RmOKcXPF-BFYiNUSH81HbRk0rX8XRCNGAVFEthPRFAyGvpfsyshCq6oLY_UMtbcDrl34I1ork4lUPTvN8w-hLy9SSSInOur8P5CkNjVxPQBeMLmxKNSTLgbDzCpkyAd4e5j2fMXXUzzVF8BmV3J/s3024/20231225_153930.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXtDnhvdvZt9E3QhHNDH5413s3prnnhVZDNDgVW4zl0RmOKcXPF-BFYiNUSH81HbRk0rX8XRCNGAVFEthPRFAyGvpfsyshCq6oLY_UMtbcDrl34I1ork4lUPTvN8w-hLy9SSSInOur8P5CkNjVxPQBeMLmxKNSTLgbDzCpkyAd4e5j2fMXXUzzVF8BmV3J/s320/20231225_153930.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Stir this all up to combine it.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CoYLF2-kkE6kPenpcbfVh_xK2LVygNulcwDzTaJpxxCPNcVOQYzoR0Bp6CyevuNxz3FS-klv_m_hFrOGJF29TgTwpSzs9dz7DAK8aCI3x1Bpte82H6vNyFZAQsNYnmnFqXhcZWyLSTQndCyVNdr_o4wirWjB7RXtO__ahnPCli8Y4gWF0o4DIJyNQ-vm/s3024/20231225_154027.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0CoYLF2-kkE6kPenpcbfVh_xK2LVygNulcwDzTaJpxxCPNcVOQYzoR0Bp6CyevuNxz3FS-klv_m_hFrOGJF29TgTwpSzs9dz7DAK8aCI3x1Bpte82H6vNyFZAQsNYnmnFqXhcZWyLSTQndCyVNdr_o4wirWjB7RXtO__ahnPCli8Y4gWF0o4DIJyNQ-vm/s320/20231225_154027.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then cook your meat until brown, stirring frequently to break up the bits.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLZS5Lo2e2_64PV7oaN8-W5YnchML8oeF1b_-AezUJJ2pPJik4Eu4qhfXeCf9Mz4s8WJWZyrFVEiiIazDDS7EBnvAI6ceH5P-r31NO6oxlC_9tGm-TotggSCz6TmwodyodedkvF1MHmlKcPuCGV-PbCO_pIXv7dv-HVreLl6vBFhWN3laLgyTGTSjaAl/s3024/20231225_154614.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLZS5Lo2e2_64PV7oaN8-W5YnchML8oeF1b_-AezUJJ2pPJik4Eu4qhfXeCf9Mz4s8WJWZyrFVEiiIazDDS7EBnvAI6ceH5P-r31NO6oxlC_9tGm-TotggSCz6TmwodyodedkvF1MHmlKcPuCGV-PbCO_pIXv7dv-HVreLl6vBFhWN3laLgyTGTSjaAl/s320/20231225_154614.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Add both jars of sauce, and stir it to combine thoroughly.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTU-ryoPkRTDxLRHFQ2Iv_eKCvGOXIs6WKUz-Y-l5WJQeCzWQDjDBEo7xKWGbX5aOVAcm_U3YbdbAT32tXi12_DsPLFT3QBNcUblsHdQm8lwWV4Op_x_OISVP1frK0kSIOXjpuBeCmzqA8DCP54yhdcwyY4BFGeTjRZsACTpkMR0S0AYwX_0Cqg40owtO/s3024/20231225_154648.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTU-ryoPkRTDxLRHFQ2Iv_eKCvGOXIs6WKUz-Y-l5WJQeCzWQDjDBEo7xKWGbX5aOVAcm_U3YbdbAT32tXi12_DsPLFT3QBNcUblsHdQm8lwWV4Op_x_OISVP1frK0kSIOXjpuBeCmzqA8DCP54yhdcwyY4BFGeTjRZsACTpkMR0S0AYwX_0Cqg40owtO/s320/20231225_154648.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Everything should come together nicely.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4uuzR3QiIGOjcwaVyaQASfD79xSzROao9FwMblaPRCLS4JHO_NM6_C3R2-VqMp8bk1YyMuN-QQOrg8v_ONZlF7M9jKRNwu-3RGDC1LmqevY3TKA7eN486IeQdkKBNz7QlB_t4jcXZsX-phVHiFcjh_VIxlsf-gK00cvs1O0NJUMZOvawFrVwZXJ1y8xW/s3024/20231225_154727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu4uuzR3QiIGOjcwaVyaQASfD79xSzROao9FwMblaPRCLS4JHO_NM6_C3R2-VqMp8bk1YyMuN-QQOrg8v_ONZlF7M9jKRNwu-3RGDC1LmqevY3TKA7eN486IeQdkKBNz7QlB_t4jcXZsX-phVHiFcjh_VIxlsf-gK00cvs1O0NJUMZOvawFrVwZXJ1y8xW/s320/20231225_154727.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Cover the pot with a lid, and reduce the heat to low. Let this simmer
while your meatballs cook. After completing the steps above, this was
about forty-five minutes for me.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGdW0Q9_No1Za4LkncLXkXq8MwkMZBzYN4s_0Rq4nyN1AszsscqwLUPOZS3DI2Eopdmq0VjrQsg_pWRWSzX-Twlj_N1_jt8-TuWSzBsYbM-z0tvj3w1NUxoWKsLzBECbgbCIaAaO6BkbCAs3wJLOb0FpePh6-CPpgJnLWKk7M9FZC4h0CUSOPA2ppE7Gq/s3024/20231225_154741.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGdW0Q9_No1Za4LkncLXkXq8MwkMZBzYN4s_0Rq4nyN1AszsscqwLUPOZS3DI2Eopdmq0VjrQsg_pWRWSzX-Twlj_N1_jt8-TuWSzBsYbM-z0tvj3w1NUxoWKsLzBECbgbCIaAaO6BkbCAs3wJLOb0FpePh6-CPpgJnLWKk7M9FZC4h0CUSOPA2ppE7Gq/s320/20231225_154741.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />As you get down to the remaining time of your meatballs cooking, you want to make your noodles. When you start will depend on how much time you plan in advance for this. We like to use the fresh pasta in the cold section of our grocery store, so for us, this is simply a matter of boiling water, and letting it cook for two to three minutes. Makes all the difference using fresh pasta as compared to dried.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7DdNMIV3uD9or2DJmaU-hnC0CjtDwZfes8hgbTAM8VxSCW3iGm1k9UzLfR8QpODPymKntU5iZGUNeGwkT0Sd6C_uFMXR8oIrYIA5vuxET95pTBRjAu63h2nXL-pHkC8_5lS3yKN1ZV1K49TYu8huqlulj56r6vUF0BBes4cb2UYj9h-6_v9XeqIzuTpY/s3024/20231225_164425.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX7DdNMIV3uD9or2DJmaU-hnC0CjtDwZfes8hgbTAM8VxSCW3iGm1k9UzLfR8QpODPymKntU5iZGUNeGwkT0Sd6C_uFMXR8oIrYIA5vuxET95pTBRjAu63h2nXL-pHkC8_5lS3yKN1ZV1K49TYu8huqlulj56r6vUF0BBes4cb2UYj9h-6_v9XeqIzuTpY/s320/20231225_164425.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />With the meatballs done, it's time to get busy on constructing a massive pile on a plate, and topping it with some more of that Parmesan and Romano cheese.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUT6h06OB4p00rh1D2Zl6Gk4h6MYZ_G84MD8Kww1PR_H8ZTjrWjKlzi-GFGT2scA_eEHclHXQKwbuNWPKlkBgOZbocfP5xQ03Q_QVZCB2f629DgpVOp6fhQJ3OMTwqDGyJGSwNicOcRpgH1BlStwRgzOMBkOHljeYYA_nONxsgnzFBUwdJonBrKYyegTS/s3024/20231225_171002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLUT6h06OB4p00rh1D2Zl6Gk4h6MYZ_G84MD8Kww1PR_H8ZTjrWjKlzi-GFGT2scA_eEHclHXQKwbuNWPKlkBgOZbocfP5xQ03Q_QVZCB2f629DgpVOp6fhQJ3OMTwqDGyJGSwNicOcRpgH1BlStwRgzOMBkOHljeYYA_nONxsgnzFBUwdJonBrKYyegTS/s320/20231225_171002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Then all that's left to do is get you some, and dig in!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbdmvNTBp9CbqcjWxFXQRPNQAOFxAWLN2M0V6DCC2GBOUxz_RB-7Ehkq3azi-0GrNfKojGPrYblyw3qCb_1gXt5SPKpVthmX3qXiRQ56Hrk08Vxj4k_AvvpisvbXHgyHqB28JTTG9PebAXsMqYDnJA52HbmrPSXdkV0W3QW2I0PnU2TnrLYtPTEioy3xE/s3024/20231225_171518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbdmvNTBp9CbqcjWxFXQRPNQAOFxAWLN2M0V6DCC2GBOUxz_RB-7Ehkq3azi-0GrNfKojGPrYblyw3qCb_1gXt5SPKpVthmX3qXiRQ56Hrk08Vxj4k_AvvpisvbXHgyHqB28JTTG9PebAXsMqYDnJA52HbmrPSXdkV0W3QW2I0PnU2TnrLYtPTEioy3xE/s320/20231225_171518.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Now, like I said above, we use Rao's Tomato Basil sauce. If I were so inclined to make my own sauce, which I am, I would personally start with <a href="https://www.marthastewart.com/328007/raos-marinara-sauce">Martha Stewart's copycat recipe</a> for the brand's marinara. From there, I would taste, and tweak into my own Frankenstein.<br /><p>Her ingredients call for the following (and I put this here more so for myself for future reference):</p><p>4 - 28 Ounce Cans Whole Tomatoes with Basil (preferably from San Marzano)<br />1/2 Cup Olive Oil <br />6 Tablespoons Minced Onion<br />4 Cloves Garlic (peeled and minced)<br />Coarse Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper<br />12 Leaves Fresh Basil (torn)<br />Pinch of Dried Oregano</p><p>She then provides the following instructions: <br /></p><p><i>Remove tomatoes from can and place in a large bowl, reserving juices. Crush tomatoes using your hands; remove and discard the hard core from stem end, and any skin and tough membrane; set aside.</i></p><p><i>Place oil in a large, nonreactive saucepan over medium-low heat. Add onion, and cook until soft and just beginning to brown, about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic, and cook until softened, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes and reserved juices; season with salt. Increase heat and bring to a boil. Immediately reduce heat to low and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 hour.</i></p><p><i>Stir in basil (if using), oregano, and season with pepper; continue cooking 1 minute more. Remove from heat and serve. <br /></i></p><p>Right off the bat, I can tell you I would simply substitute the four cloves of garlic for four teaspoons of jarred minced. As for the Oregano, I would equate a pinch to about 1/8 a teaspoon.<br /></p><p>It's not helpful that she provides no measurements for the salt and pepper. These can make or break any dish if too heavy handed, or on the opposite spectrum, not generous enough. For me, I'd start with a teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 a teaspoon of pepper, and increase from there to (a maximum) of two teaspoons salt, and one teaspoon pepper.I'm not looking for a sodium fest here.</p><p>I would also consider, after tasting, to add some sugar to help bring out the natural sweetness of the tomatoes. Again, starting at 1 teaspoon, and going from there.</p><p>Lastly, after adding the basil, oregano, and pepper, I would let this sit covered (off the heat) for an additional thirty minutes (if not overnight). I want these herbs to infuse into the sauce, not be an afterthought. However, I do agree that you don't want to simmer these with the sauce for the hour cook time, as this could make the flavor unbearable.</p><p>Since I am adding these at the end, I also want to substitute fresh oregano for the dried. A standard rule of thumb is to use 1/3 dried to fresh. So since her recipe calls for a pinch (1/8 teaspoon) of dried, I'll start with 3/8 fresh.<br /></p><p>Everything, at first, is going to be a season to taste experiment, so we'll see where we end up when it's all said an done. Of course, that's a post for another day.<br /></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-81246569045048029842024-02-09T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-09T05:00:00.339-05:00Retro Spins: The Time - Pandemonium<br />
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The majority of my exposure to The Time is via Prince's Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge. While I'm sure in 2023 I wrote a post about an 80's The Time album, the truth of the matter is I wrote all the 2024 posts before any of those. This makes Panedmonium the first album from The Time I've actually heard.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOoymFxTzgc/XO3fvKPetZI/AAAAAAAAa9I/ISWOqbGcYuItNwfqDsniFJ5BVFZp7ALmQCLcBGAs/s1600/2.6.24%2BThe%2BTime%2B-%2BPandemonium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TOoymFxTzgc/XO3fvKPetZI/AAAAAAAAa9I/ISWOqbGcYuItNwfqDsniFJ5BVFZp7ALmQCLcBGAs/s320/2.6.24%2BThe%2BTime%2B-%2BPandemonium.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Panemonium starts out on a really strong note, and I found myself really enjoying the album title track of the same name, Jerk Out and Blondie. However, that's were things really stopped for me. As the album kept going, I was expecting to hear something as good as what these first few tracks offered, but it never came. I even went back when the album was done and played sections of the aforementioned songs to make sure I did actually enjoy them just to be sure. I did.<br />
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So, what happened? Why did the tracks suddenly drop off for me?<br />
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I think part of it was that the remaining songs turned more serious in tone from that of the ones I mentioned before. That niche comedy styling that The Time has become known for just wasn't there for these remaining tracks.<br />
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Additionally, I think the album suffers from the same issue a lot of albums from the 90's do - It's too long. At one hour five minutes, that's just too much material for any record. Some of the best albums I've ever heard have been around the thirty-five to forty minute mark. I think this "forces" musicians to pack in only the strongest of their tracks, while leaving the filler out.<br />
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I'm pretty disappointed that Pandimonium set the bar so high when it first started, but then continued to lower and lower and lower and lower the bar until it was dragging on the ground. I really had high hopes based on my first impression.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-7944176933384122432024-02-08T05:00:00.013-05:002024-02-08T05:00:00.237-05:00Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 79<p> </p><p>Title: Marvel Team-Up<br />Issue Number: 79<br />Release Date: March 1979</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOtMIOEEd8qUzjIMwnJoUuwLiiZIxsZ-BHVImk7r7m5C19iex9bAbtNS0XmlxZeWAp9gwgbGsWBPfe0GsxI6J1gxX-fZ2rTIXULVVSOhyM5jsWgAJhAivES-86SsAfSVyu8rABG3Yqa2ehOk6V_q5I2MM-IhEU-pynvIiwHJ2wswEB0DrHe0MV3O5jmV0/s960/Marvel%20Team-Up%2079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOtMIOEEd8qUzjIMwnJoUuwLiiZIxsZ-BHVImk7r7m5C19iex9bAbtNS0XmlxZeWAp9gwgbGsWBPfe0GsxI6J1gxX-fZ2rTIXULVVSOhyM5jsWgAJhAivES-86SsAfSVyu8rABG3Yqa2ehOk6V_q5I2MM-IhEU-pynvIiwHJ2wswEB0DrHe0MV3O5jmV0/s320/Marvel%20Team-Up%2079.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><u><b>Highlights</b></u></p><div><ul><li>First appearance of Charlie Snow</li><li>Reference is made to Ms. Marvel 22, and Giant-Sized Dracula 2</li><li>Mary Jane Watson is possessed by Red Sonja</li><li>Fun story</li></ul><u><b>Low Points</b></u></div><div><ul><li>None</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Oddities</b></u><br /><ul><li>None</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)<br /><br /></b></u></div><div><u><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HC6KnhOQoFg/X69qm_3D7UI/AAAAAAAAlHc/or8dXtCzDdsSLV4FGq3PR2OctJWCK_8KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1102/4%2BStans.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="1102" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HC6KnhOQoFg/X69qm_3D7UI/AAAAAAAAlHc/or8dXtCzDdsSLV4FGq3PR2OctJWCK_8KQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/4%2BStans.png" width="320" /></a></div></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-40117280451800333332024-02-07T05:00:00.021-05:002024-02-07T05:00:00.267-05:00Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 78<p> </p><p>Title: Marvel Team-Up<br />Issue Number: 78<br />Release Date: February 1979</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GncY8QM5pEHIoSgORjlZ2erxsfsjtTzLo617wrBWEijRtZaqtwmtpQJxCbWCeD77moDXB7hEGac2yAHo5vt5wR0QBl9vmMxAZ3_ckzvAAUmhH_JimSu6yVxZ8ho0MIEBoUst3lgFZCYKkKYWPoJGZKlab03qH2gmUmihx1STdfC2odCe_bK9yCU1gU65/s960/Marvel%20Team-Up%2078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2GncY8QM5pEHIoSgORjlZ2erxsfsjtTzLo617wrBWEijRtZaqtwmtpQJxCbWCeD77moDXB7hEGac2yAHo5vt5wR0QBl9vmMxAZ3_ckzvAAUmhH_JimSu6yVxZ8ho0MIEBoUst3lgFZCYKkKYWPoJGZKlab03qH2gmUmihx1STdfC2odCe_bK9yCU1gU65/s320/Marvel%20Team-Up%2078.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><u><b>Highlights</b></u></p><div><ul><li>Reference is made to Marvel Team-Up 38</li><li>Retelling of Griffin's origin</li><li>Griffin evolves into a full fledged beast, leaving his human side behind</li></ul><u><b>Low Points</b></u></div><div><ul><li>None of these Marvel Team-Up stories are developing Spider-Man any further - He's just there to battle villains of the week</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Oddities</b></u><br /><ul><li>Spider-Man is on his way to chemistry class for a make up exam - Why? How many times do I have to keep saying that the only course he failed was gym?</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)<br /><br /></b></u></div><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgUeBgLs4uRQ8GaL53pcWG6F_yA1DLjJoXsGPGs-d6aCbGkfj1yyV9ndHSIxTqSvBHOn1MFP1435ZwV1ljXqO3b3lAgHyAXGm-ioPJHD6VZBYNq7SX-0Ef1Dfi-r_JFuqX9xpFXqSkiDYpC1Qg8c1hlydJ9U5d1zP3EIJ3riRaJvBsvviylz0GrD2dTBu/s1102/2%20and%20a%20half%20Stans.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="1102" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGgUeBgLs4uRQ8GaL53pcWG6F_yA1DLjJoXsGPGs-d6aCbGkfj1yyV9ndHSIxTqSvBHOn1MFP1435ZwV1ljXqO3b3lAgHyAXGm-ioPJHD6VZBYNq7SX-0Ef1Dfi-r_JFuqX9xpFXqSkiDYpC1Qg8c1hlydJ9U5d1zP3EIJ3riRaJvBsvviylz0GrD2dTBu/s320/2%20and%20a%20half%20Stans.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-74249059614219315092024-02-06T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-06T05:00:00.230-05:00Retro Spins: Slade - The Amazing Kamikaze Syndome<br />
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Slade was all new territory for me in late 2018. Though they'd been around since 1969, and continued to release albums through 1987, I didn't come across them until hearing the song, Run Run Away from their 1983 album, The Amazing Kamikaze. Which for all you astute readers, brings us to today's Retro Spins.<br />
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What drew me to Slade was hearing someone in a high profile band saying that they were who they listened to. I honestly don't remember who said it. Anyway, a search on Google for "Slade hits", resulted in the usual results of list. On said list, I saw that some of the songs were from the 80's. It was these I chose to focus on, eventually landing on Run Run Away. It was a solid track, and the album was put on my list of albums to collect.<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ct943Ofl5X8/XrBKFBvoVmI/AAAAAAAAhjM/yfaN7JQ-ACYYYnDIl43fGrq8WoyJRgXvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2.6.24%2BSlade%2B-%2BThe%2BAmazing%2BKamikaze%2BSyndrome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ct943Ofl5X8/XrBKFBvoVmI/AAAAAAAAhjM/yfaN7JQ-ACYYYnDIl43fGrq8WoyJRgXvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2.6.24%2BSlade%2B-%2BThe%2BAmazing%2BKamikaze%2BSyndrome.jpg" width="320" /></a>Fast forward, and today I'm firing it up for the first time.<br />
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It definitely has that hard rock / metal sound of the early 80's, reminiscent of early Ozzy Osborune / Mötley Crüe. Edgy, hard, but not excessively loud - Such as today's metal has become. Overall, it was a satisfying album to hear. Lots of solid guitar work and delightful backing drums and bass.<br />
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Though I initially started out with the aforementioned Run Run Away being the song which drew me to the album, I have to say that Razzle Dazzle Man may be my favorite. It starts out hard, rocking and thrashing, but then slows down with a haunting echo of vocals before kicking things back up again.<br />
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While I can't say I'll be rushing into more Slade in the near future, I will say that they're not a band I'll be forgetting. I'll definitely have to see what else they have going on. They are after all the group that originally brought us Cum On Feel The Noize, released in 1973. Granted, Quiet Riot's version is better, but still. Can't hate on the original.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-57742863733535169482024-02-05T05:00:00.090-05:002024-02-05T05:00:00.147-05:00Christmas 2023, Part 3!<p> </p><p>With family gone, my girl and I were able to sit down to a nice quite day after Christmas, watch a movie together, and open our gifts to each other. Well...So we thought.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA_6dVCogLBbuvzyuxhPPvn4I78091z3ae6qSmgP9WIKJKb0tT7_JqCb-kw1njm0HwzBK8kumpr0cdBoQI-FJ9EJjJBlfA01qpzoU9ZmaKCgxgiffRyGApAJhC4Qt1BTnVF4FDIMNdGHpI_cUG9JkR9gBOPSKuUQtMZ5nSzKSmlE2OV2uVpvzpDOKGKab/s3024/20231226_150702.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNA_6dVCogLBbuvzyuxhPPvn4I78091z3ae6qSmgP9WIKJKb0tT7_JqCb-kw1njm0HwzBK8kumpr0cdBoQI-FJ9EJjJBlfA01qpzoU9ZmaKCgxgiffRyGApAJhC4Qt1BTnVF4FDIMNdGHpI_cUG9JkR9gBOPSKuUQtMZ5nSzKSmlE2OV2uVpvzpDOKGKab/s320/20231226_150702.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Unbeknownst to us, we had created a monster over the years. He was hyper, ready for gifts, and tore them all open like a rabid stray going after a meal.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzroHqdB14mxgluwQ8ohAS6f2NauvJLDU6gm3guYhJ8ABE91rnX5NRaE4sE_KYG94hnV5_Gjqk8QSjsVjnx9w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><p></p><p>Despite receiving over ten gifts from us, this simply wasn't enough, and he soon turned his attention to helping us open ours.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp6G08p_kVx8hLlck5_-5Pog-OTjQaatcoWOru57kz11ww_XXP4zUS__t5jXxqVpKkYDOX3qPPTpKhS-N7AsdWvk__iCxR9w1TSu6OwscnNGR7iSCXFUkw-sMpDhJP34GQVOusFoiWIgxpfcV99XGulJPOukUpENk7GdcLLXjhuuNs3vXCizvhuSh6zOI/s3024/20231226_150317.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilp6G08p_kVx8hLlck5_-5Pog-OTjQaatcoWOru57kz11ww_XXP4zUS__t5jXxqVpKkYDOX3qPPTpKhS-N7AsdWvk__iCxR9w1TSu6OwscnNGR7iSCXFUkw-sMpDhJP34GQVOusFoiWIgxpfcV99XGulJPOukUpENk7GdcLLXjhuuNs3vXCizvhuSh6zOI/s320/20231226_150317.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Excuse me, that's mine!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>When paper wasn't available, he took to chewing through boxes.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOCEqdtbiJ51KkfeIntZapPq8jxyXQNxbFAkKowaTirRm-7iZVgCf_8FKmpd7D7U_JDP39fAdshGCdsiCFONNi5yxHkhVtSHgjx4VEiXmM6Yzm5wYhI7iXXduq0J3cmRD9o4ctDxIktyapFbCvSPDNq1b61trVUsnv9bSjkVfUw7dSjzUr_CVEPSMFL6s/s3024/20231226_151520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKOCEqdtbiJ51KkfeIntZapPq8jxyXQNxbFAkKowaTirRm-7iZVgCf_8FKmpd7D7U_JDP39fAdshGCdsiCFONNi5yxHkhVtSHgjx4VEiXmM6Yzm5wYhI7iXXduq0J3cmRD9o4ctDxIktyapFbCvSPDNq1b61trVUsnv9bSjkVfUw7dSjzUr_CVEPSMFL6s/s320/20231226_151520.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTyQTmP5Bh_jkWMdCMlHBZVo38nlu-5rL8wKnPlZi2OnJzpXZeQhOy1A-pESH8vF7FvbBOPVhyXOrZ8FF9clBoklpkz9bNYV_TDD016DRQNfGaBnRV0OyzW-nltNyFywex2vIArqGsc8L4cSGZIxzK36eQTS6OT8BVNOGUkSBjgxB723VB8kWhw51Je6i/s3024/20231226_152008.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTyQTmP5Bh_jkWMdCMlHBZVo38nlu-5rL8wKnPlZi2OnJzpXZeQhOy1A-pESH8vF7FvbBOPVhyXOrZ8FF9clBoklpkz9bNYV_TDD016DRQNfGaBnRV0OyzW-nltNyFywex2vIArqGsc8L4cSGZIxzK36eQTS6OT8BVNOGUkSBjgxB723VB8kWhw51Je6i/s320/20231226_152008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>And when it was all said and done, whew...there was a mess.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbHj7CT1JxJYSzXy2eMBWRqneBSzLRUTzws4EGdYYZOFMi4f7q710v4ejEVmGJe-BtaHjVubgrfFhOz-Pjlf0joZT5DjvRhZaaNBcyLMC8najVqnQdYu8d8aL5yrMcQw2srBQMdMP3oIDlZ68TJygxyD0rK7rF48ekldQ8F36G0sAuYqm_YwqHL9rxHjD/s3024/20231226_155307%20-%20Copy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2505" data-original-width="3024" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbHj7CT1JxJYSzXy2eMBWRqneBSzLRUTzws4EGdYYZOFMi4f7q710v4ejEVmGJe-BtaHjVubgrfFhOz-Pjlf0joZT5DjvRhZaaNBcyLMC8najVqnQdYu8d8aL5yrMcQw2srBQMdMP3oIDlZ68TJygxyD0rK7rF48ekldQ8F36G0sAuYqm_YwqHL9rxHjD/s320/20231226_155307%20-%20Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>We weren't upset by any of this, though. See, recently our pup went into a critical diabetic condition, and we thought we were going to lose him. This was how we learned he had the disease, and is now very diet regimented, as well as insulin dependent the rest of his life. We were glad to see him so energetic and happy. We know the reality of the disease, and the unfortunate "side effects" which can lead to other issues, so want to enjoy as much time as possible with him, and ensure he has a good life.</p><p>What I could wrestle from the dog, I found that I had received some great gifts from my girl.</p><p>Apparently, the Christmas elves were talking, because she got me a bunch of mylar bags to re-bag my comic collection. I used to use standard poly bags, but after seeing how much better they display in mylar, and knowing I won't have to change the bags again in my lifetime is necessitating the change. Plus, as I slow down from physical collecting, I'm finding myself just wanting to organize, and present my things in the best manner possible, while keeping them well protected. Mylar accomplishes all of this.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYREeIbth7cUNiHwn-HjZxIMa4pfbC_gJ_B-gw-pWfbQ77SR-X6sIRFm1YGSDOJdxj7WhOgZ5QcCn559Nq89ddD29T8adgkOyjwrs88CibXAebb_dWXqSd301xXicy5CNC48n_uW80DXwPDKs2dh6hlob1gBDbnZ-HpIEDcNTf8P_gtur9gEs5Ljc2pQDT/s3024/20231225_181516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYREeIbth7cUNiHwn-HjZxIMa4pfbC_gJ_B-gw-pWfbQ77SR-X6sIRFm1YGSDOJdxj7WhOgZ5QcCn559Nq89ddD29T8adgkOyjwrs88CibXAebb_dWXqSd301xXicy5CNC48n_uW80DXwPDKs2dh6hlob1gBDbnZ-HpIEDcNTf8P_gtur9gEs5Ljc2pQDT/s320/20231225_181516.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>She also picked me up a (second) copy of the Fallout 4 Vault Dweller's Survival Guide. She had already bought me a copy of this last year for my birthday, but knew the used copy she picked up was missing a component that I really wanted.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsq7qtU8ttkxkQJMUw-l2IM64olSzhHZuJ6dj8ScHp7El4Kuy3idkUM3PXkG13WyZDa1cWjX-MiATOR-lDMYjU42xT2jqJJfQMtRb1rzlvSM9G35vFLXtpWSr3c1m8dVmy5BtNkdp0l0GNpBqwhi_ebE3-ixR5XXAAh3lu0aoI281KqMOcJnIiVlpvn7O/s3024/20231226_145842.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMsq7qtU8ttkxkQJMUw-l2IM64olSzhHZuJ6dj8ScHp7El4Kuy3idkUM3PXkG13WyZDa1cWjX-MiATOR-lDMYjU42xT2jqJJfQMtRb1rzlvSM9G35vFLXtpWSr3c1m8dVmy5BtNkdp0l0GNpBqwhi_ebE3-ixR5XXAAh3lu0aoI281KqMOcJnIiVlpvn7O/s320/20231226_145842.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>That component is this map. I'm going to frame this bad boy, and hang it up.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwABxHegRmweVoQZKWsrPNS4wPwUcoPuPLr6C_LvzjcgP49kMqOgaU0OA1MPW5yyyO_EJR9jcHDq428UEQu7ZbUpUTyK0WSeecdj8et3ioXwoCet089zTXBxiT8bLrWUhnr-YC-Y8swgiRSmHItz9sil4GkX92IlinKxnc6z3wrFo4cRFWb8HQVtslLaN0/s3024/20231226_145940.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwABxHegRmweVoQZKWsrPNS4wPwUcoPuPLr6C_LvzjcgP49kMqOgaU0OA1MPW5yyyO_EJR9jcHDq428UEQu7ZbUpUTyK0WSeecdj8et3ioXwoCet089zTXBxiT8bLrWUhnr-YC-Y8swgiRSmHItz9sil4GkX92IlinKxnc6z3wrFo4cRFWb8HQVtslLaN0/s320/20231226_145940.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>She also got me a custom nuclear blast model which includes a miniature city. It lights up via USB.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvDydUn4K06mwqr9lj_FB_nanc9Zb_zejBQBlN_UJ9QpDtjIdrNnqwkhBs33Dk3JRGlaEAiylrde_DMKzDnqwWlNvcF29BjEjzH_Y84niR5gJtvZa3uWNOOujAOVoPsnj-gK5_527IeIslJgTw9ilH4Vy0QBZb0EnU8aTX7vviVeW15CqkEVUXpZf_o_C/s3024/20231226_150548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAvDydUn4K06mwqr9lj_FB_nanc9Zb_zejBQBlN_UJ9QpDtjIdrNnqwkhBs33Dk3JRGlaEAiylrde_DMKzDnqwWlNvcF29BjEjzH_Y84niR5gJtvZa3uWNOOujAOVoPsnj-gK5_527IeIslJgTw9ilH4Vy0QBZb0EnU8aTX7vviVeW15CqkEVUXpZf_o_C/s320/20231226_150548.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Those of you who know me well, know I cook. I've been wanting a good salt and pepper grinder for a while, because I've had two which were made of plastic in the past, and broke them both. They would either fall and bust, or simply snap into pieces when unscrewing them. Hopefully, these wood ones are more durable.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuO4rlu4amb6b9dVp0WxE9vIftdCZcHyJ6AyiqurP66FqSvaIQWyfQa237-Uld98gVPwJlg040iBQ6-5ZKHv_a2QjoaWtS3bo4QqGibAN6FpTK5pbaQBBq_FCTeC6mJjF3lGvUV8MYRTDV8J2sqSV94xXfBOh5qXx2ebmVxYmxpOpLQ7FjevY_3Xiv9PD/s3024/20231226_151234.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuO4rlu4amb6b9dVp0WxE9vIftdCZcHyJ6AyiqurP66FqSvaIQWyfQa237-Uld98gVPwJlg040iBQ6-5ZKHv_a2QjoaWtS3bo4QqGibAN6FpTK5pbaQBBq_FCTeC6mJjF3lGvUV8MYRTDV8J2sqSV94xXfBOh5qXx2ebmVxYmxpOpLQ7FjevY_3Xiv9PD/s320/20231226_151234.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Again the Christmas elves huddled, and I also got an additional case of BCW plastic comic boxes.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrSR-ZeuzY_aKqOy60u7B0XjlwQVeUz-RoIlFeueirFNQ5DbKoJG56X4XN24-57YOAYMLvEBmrHVl6ALbR4nHc9NoVM1anHhine_xV8F60umtgjNc9BavjeK2Kg-gMADgN0mWYaugyWe6NHYk9rqGvpxzEr1vQPKT7Jwb0XgQK-taRYcfsRLTygOuj-I6/s3024/20231226_151523.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqrSR-ZeuzY_aKqOy60u7B0XjlwQVeUz-RoIlFeueirFNQ5DbKoJG56X4XN24-57YOAYMLvEBmrHVl6ALbR4nHc9NoVM1anHhine_xV8F60umtgjNc9BavjeK2Kg-gMADgN0mWYaugyWe6NHYk9rqGvpxzEr1vQPKT7Jwb0XgQK-taRYcfsRLTygOuj-I6/s320/20231226_151523.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I got Weird, The Al Yankovic Story on DVD, and this was the movie we ended up watching. While I knew it was a parody of a biopic, it sadly wasn't as funny as I was expecting. You expect the unexpected from the artist, but this was so far out in left field that it actually derailed itself. Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story definitely did parody biopics better.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ngedSJ6fXtMj8Bt0uR_FGLZ5STRFiN4AuJ66a3Oa73Y0TnHy0KTJX2Ae3vhkL0VlxruxvjXAmplRStNg3I6tGdShhq4MGnQScQpGTzp7A0rnRJOKV-ahby60-CvMBuBIfbwXlkyp9Qr4VXOiTklfgqnExsSJLhYLZjGkGDQ6Ku-OkmFop9jERERr2UWZ/s3024/20231226_155411.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ngedSJ6fXtMj8Bt0uR_FGLZ5STRFiN4AuJ66a3Oa73Y0TnHy0KTJX2Ae3vhkL0VlxruxvjXAmplRStNg3I6tGdShhq4MGnQScQpGTzp7A0rnRJOKV-ahby60-CvMBuBIfbwXlkyp9Qr4VXOiTklfgqnExsSJLhYLZjGkGDQ6Ku-OkmFop9jERERr2UWZ/s320/20231226_155411.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In hindsight, it was rather stupid of me to go to Baltimore Comic Con this year, and buy Ultimate Fallout 4, get it signed by Brian Michael Bendis, and not pick up the other five issues in the series and do the same thing. Well, thanks to my girl, I at least have the books now.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOJbhu11bVSP5xQ331zzW81KD9akFYZWKUc3ch_KWieVaZIepUp1NLw1aEvIgZljlEbatI3Ol-MrzLRb65SFAOrmPlIcap7Ndj3q3Abo6e4telxeT8P8xCnQKSW32-X0p0I3hs8hRXo1m-qzMmce2f_PIdupF8EoKrjQBR_q7DX49UMWS5LtFm02oU_Di/s3024/20231226_155742.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzOJbhu11bVSP5xQ331zzW81KD9akFYZWKUc3ch_KWieVaZIepUp1NLw1aEvIgZljlEbatI3Ol-MrzLRb65SFAOrmPlIcap7Ndj3q3Abo6e4telxeT8P8xCnQKSW32-X0p0I3hs8hRXo1m-qzMmce2f_PIdupF8EoKrjQBR_q7DX49UMWS5LtFm02oU_Di/s320/20231226_155742.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>In part 2 of my Christmas 2023 series, I stated that <a href="http://gijigsaw.blogspot.com/">G.I. Jigsaw</a> may have won best Christmas gift ever with his little people renderings of Spider-Man characters that he gave me. Well, sorry, George. You have been unceremoniously dethroned. As much as I love those little figures, and I'm still going to hit you up for a wave two...and apparently beyond with the 75 characters I wrote up yesterday...My girl has taken the title from you.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgRfsmBtAakzZYFvJ6UZj-z6CRK3fwfnrWVgEbp-utA6kgsO0xug_z4GIv-Ci83FVeTr5Y1Attef-ndC9q4agGYGF82-yGrMif92duUmhjRc37YUvM-7yHiAJae_vmzcmUjcbmcXsFW8qua6ODDBsrBW3FbN73GxtRIuew0I2RmINHGkuJ-SeNiQMltPG/s3024/20231226_160541.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNgRfsmBtAakzZYFvJ6UZj-z6CRK3fwfnrWVgEbp-utA6kgsO0xug_z4GIv-Ci83FVeTr5Y1Attef-ndC9q4agGYGF82-yGrMif92duUmhjRc37YUvM-7yHiAJae_vmzcmUjcbmcXsFW8qua6ODDBsrBW3FbN73GxtRIuew0I2RmINHGkuJ-SeNiQMltPG/s320/20231226_160541.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I have wanted something signed by Stan Lee for a very (VERY) long time. Even when he was still alive it was my goal to get something. Sadly, he never seemed to come to my neck of the woods, or even within driving distance. Then...well...he kind of passed away. Prices on his autographs skyrocketed, and though I still wanted something, couldn't justify the cost.</p><p>Well, now I don't have to. My girl took care of it for me, and presented me with this awesome 11 X 14 signed poster of Amazing Fantasy 15.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19FrZENyzaE8D_q-lK0FcH1DgSq3pnawwAf1MliTFR7tGTHOTaODUXCjtq_q46K53h4o__7bblmoEHd3O6FPyeFfDzjHI3pz8GryrlQoR7KItWG1QrOop7pcqXp9yxpwxfSom-qkbtvSReZBxKiMjj0SWt-7AxxbAn62pBvjz-cYSlbBy2KEPsvoRTYBx/s3024/20231226_160544.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19FrZENyzaE8D_q-lK0FcH1DgSq3pnawwAf1MliTFR7tGTHOTaODUXCjtq_q46K53h4o__7bblmoEHd3O6FPyeFfDzjHI3pz8GryrlQoR7KItWG1QrOop7pcqXp9yxpwxfSom-qkbtvSReZBxKiMjj0SWt-7AxxbAn62pBvjz-cYSlbBy2KEPsvoRTYBx/s320/20231226_160544.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>I went out frame hunting the next day, and after not being able to find one that suited my wants, specifically with the mat, I decided to do a little custom work with some red and blue paint, and a white and black gel pen. It turned out great! I mean, I like it.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wAPkNfwJUbKGXTfHVVWnaO1WHtEX3ZAi_22wOCWySEL0Z8Jl92UiIy6EqWxJeV8unvCKhuXZ7WNVbq3DeYL9fcCtd2eOj9vrbUJJKxv1eRqOGwrz1z8j53l5sVdZyH9b-D7kwtg4oPo-GnLzpRsmbXa0TxhNhRfT8aumAvZMvZa_nRRMnyTKlSXlNj5K/s3024/20231227_144646.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7wAPkNfwJUbKGXTfHVVWnaO1WHtEX3ZAi_22wOCWySEL0Z8Jl92UiIy6EqWxJeV8unvCKhuXZ7WNVbq3DeYL9fcCtd2eOj9vrbUJJKxv1eRqOGwrz1z8j53l5sVdZyH9b-D7kwtg4oPo-GnLzpRsmbXa0TxhNhRfT8aumAvZMvZa_nRRMnyTKlSXlNj5K/s320/20231227_144646.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Then I went back to bagging and boxing comics. As you can see from the pictures below, the upgrades make all the difference.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuR2rrs1dz9LgkIQ_RjA_mrNLEwFldKBCCsTm0tuUI9Am7Xb2uVB7j9KtJkuzZsTQJmTSAg9OmZqn_AQX4WZZQ_k8iowrOD_AxhpcJMrqVN4jZKsbxecO1wpya08JmtaqULn0k_kuwWgcrj_T-0y666-1gkiL91cMw_OfUlRTm9kaIZEQOjWRt35lAtFZ/s3024/20231226_104806.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiuR2rrs1dz9LgkIQ_RjA_mrNLEwFldKBCCsTm0tuUI9Am7Xb2uVB7j9KtJkuzZsTQJmTSAg9OmZqn_AQX4WZZQ_k8iowrOD_AxhpcJMrqVN4jZKsbxecO1wpya08JmtaqULn0k_kuwWgcrj_T-0y666-1gkiL91cMw_OfUlRTm9kaIZEQOjWRt35lAtFZ/s320/20231226_104806.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo_cxdOPxcR6K2ie6TSvxq093Q-sguviSkmZcRDNX5x25iYSjCDYZVJMo-Th8nzwfsVPSDLjt4cNel4yQ_XaFVoq1lssPCvvZpmkMJ0Fyj0z7NRV3-HOiSqPOvreOR5MmMDFZYDYphwsflfUOSU3zpNnInRAJCkrB_X5EIk9iCdcjMn2ewCTZL2w1_QxO/s3024/20231226_185241.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo_cxdOPxcR6K2ie6TSvxq093Q-sguviSkmZcRDNX5x25iYSjCDYZVJMo-Th8nzwfsVPSDLjt4cNel4yQ_XaFVoq1lssPCvvZpmkMJ0Fyj0z7NRV3-HOiSqPOvreOR5MmMDFZYDYphwsflfUOSU3zpNnInRAJCkrB_X5EIk9iCdcjMn2ewCTZL2w1_QxO/s320/20231226_185241.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>And I'm only about half way...<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span> <br /></p><br />The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-79546573645644328972024-02-04T05:00:00.013-05:002024-02-04T05:00:00.163-05:00Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 77<p> </p><p>Title: Marvel Team-Up<br />Issue Number: 77<br />Release Date: January 1979</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJWycdo77-u9Hae6fhl1K0ZaTVvvgWk1FgO4V6tvqIARudydqXVZaWsPa5ADhH364BD7LpWvhsiWdlPpaunSOInIrjH-qO4khFJC6p0olVK6M6zPcRxuWPwbepXhPjAaJn2aLLG0mN4gxwN6UACUae52hEQROGAlnEDK9U5uHRZzK_4TcIXnw2FLW57w3/s960/Marvel%20Team-Up%2077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJWycdo77-u9Hae6fhl1K0ZaTVvvgWk1FgO4V6tvqIARudydqXVZaWsPa5ADhH364BD7LpWvhsiWdlPpaunSOInIrjH-qO4khFJC6p0olVK6M6zPcRxuWPwbepXhPjAaJn2aLLG0mN4gxwN6UACUae52hEQROGAlnEDK9U5uHRZzK_4TcIXnw2FLW57w3/s320/Marvel%20Team-Up%2077.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><u><b>Highlights</b></u></p><div><ul><li>None - I wish this were a typo</li></ul><u><b>Low Points</b></u></div><div><ul><li>Nothing here really advances the story of Spider-Man - Instead, it's more so about Doctor Strange, and I'm not too interested in his character or the mystic arts</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Oddities</b></u><br /><ul><li>None</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)<br /><br /></b></u></div><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-eRMd58qxUNvfHuaMf63jH6cMAVSxBJCrE7FVdXRp-KYNtTVqer3qv70_qZRoXQHPCRvB3uXI_HBFKSLVgtVfHAIgruaezOn3JZxmWIfaeMTacISrCFZxaouuSewU3-5M7u1pPkuotDcxAGHGwanNhCIfEjk1S8zQYROaEK1VdoXrUAfrNLAPvjfpyOd/s1102/1%20and%20a%20half%20Stans.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="1102" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-eRMd58qxUNvfHuaMf63jH6cMAVSxBJCrE7FVdXRp-KYNtTVqer3qv70_qZRoXQHPCRvB3uXI_HBFKSLVgtVfHAIgruaezOn3JZxmWIfaeMTacISrCFZxaouuSewU3-5M7u1pPkuotDcxAGHGwanNhCIfEjk1S8zQYROaEK1VdoXrUAfrNLAPvjfpyOd/s320/1%20and%20a%20half%20Stans.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-77021864517103799802024-02-03T05:00:00.017-05:002024-02-03T05:00:00.135-05:00Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 76<p> </p><p>Title: Marvel Team-Up<br />Issue Number: 76<br />Release Date: December 1978</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejwtv-kOnspaIiaxFozs7CFkQ1YmC-mekq4L6ME2o_00SY_sqADrQXuX1cQUO_83_pJXGr2MqolMT5hGt6X9M3y_ZUZmqbB36U3CAaSfqnBL5fiKG96xR6q3suuuLT3TtCdSnc3voEQlIMk49pDc2IE5LilREaJTR9wfxnjx5SNZ1Q0DLBurcIf_zl-uj/s960/Marvel%20Team-Up%2076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejwtv-kOnspaIiaxFozs7CFkQ1YmC-mekq4L6ME2o_00SY_sqADrQXuX1cQUO_83_pJXGr2MqolMT5hGt6X9M3y_ZUZmqbB36U3CAaSfqnBL5fiKG96xR6q3suuuLT3TtCdSnc3voEQlIMk49pDc2IE5LilREaJTR9wfxnjx5SNZ1Q0DLBurcIf_zl-uj/s320/Marvel%20Team-Up%2076.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p><u><b>Highlights</b></u></p><div><ul><li>Reference is made to Defenders 57, Marvel Team-Up 62, Doctor Strange 1 through 5, and Defenders 58 through 60</li><li>First appearance of Ms. Marvel in her new costume in the pages of Marvel Team-Up - Spider-Man doesn't even recognize her</li></ul><u><b>Low Points</b></u></div><div><ul><li>Lots of buildup, but very little action</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Oddities</b></u><br /><ul><li>Once again Peter talks about hitting the books and writing term papers - But, again, the only class he didn't pass was gym - What term papers are required?</li></ul></div><div><u><b>Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)<br /><br /></b></u></div><div><u><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBmhIGjaTIIVzIoQYKdSZ8MbR2UFOUGepKNWpolgjx9DCSkwwVH0Ty83fb6eA1qnaZ20UuVtEH291EgxlB1mJFI6llQ9a0ZQKlZVVWe2jbNFWdeyjxw7FpfF7nGDL-Hp0R7z9h0zVBbwzAAxm15dy2u6OlM6NCPtGwAZaL83cyg3xNXdcsxvj-Ib3bywB/s1102/2%20and%20a%20half%20Stans.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="294" data-original-width="1102" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWBmhIGjaTIIVzIoQYKdSZ8MbR2UFOUGepKNWpolgjx9DCSkwwVH0Ty83fb6eA1qnaZ20UuVtEH291EgxlB1mJFI6llQ9a0ZQKlZVVWe2jbNFWdeyjxw7FpfF7nGDL-Hp0R7z9h0zVBbwzAAxm15dy2u6OlM6NCPtGwAZaL83cyg3xNXdcsxvj-Ib3bywB/s320/2%20and%20a%20half%20Stans.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><p></p><p><span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span></p>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6465846926358835088.post-20040116160483103182024-02-02T05:00:00.000-05:002024-02-02T05:00:00.133-05:00Retro Spins: Deee-Lite - World Clique<br />
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Back in the day, I had a co-worker who her and I thoroughly enjoyed phrasing questions with, "How do you say, de....<insert random word here>." We would then laugh at our inside joke as people stared at us like we were lunatics. All of this was derived from the music video of the only song I've ever known, until today, from house group, Deee-Lite.<br />
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Ever since seeing the video on MTV, I've been hooked on the song, Groove Is In The Heart. Everything about it was fun, from the music to the visuals. It was different from the emerging Seattle rock, and at the same time took me back to the 70's in a way. The inclusion of Bootsy Collins on bass only upped its charm for me.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rC0xF4JdBjk/XOwxMNevRfI/AAAAAAAAa70/n9z0eqr-6ocopCHWHQo_5Ln_fgJlpos_gCLcBGAs/s1600/1.30.24%2BDeee-Lite%2B-%2BWorld%2BClique.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rC0xF4JdBjk/XOwxMNevRfI/AAAAAAAAa70/n9z0eqr-6ocopCHWHQo_5Ln_fgJlpos_gCLcBGAs/s320/1.30.24%2BDeee-Lite%2B-%2BWorld%2BClique.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
As I listened to World Clique for the first time, what I found myself enjoying the most was the music itself. While Lady Miss Kier has an amazing and unique voice, it really wasn't the lyrics which were drawing me in, but rather the beats and melodies. I found this interesting since I'm really not into heavy beat and bass driven music. It had a lot of funky soul to it, and, for lack of a better word, was just groovy.<br />
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Unfortunately, it didn't hold my attention all that long, though I did get excited when Groove Is In The Heart finally came around. I also got giddy to hear What Is Love?, which features the spoken portions at the beginning of the music video for Groove. I didn't know this until today.<br />
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Overall, I don't see myself becoming a fan of Deee-Lite. I dig Groove Is In The Heart, and that's really enough for me.<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">Click "</span><a href="http://thetoybox1138.blogspot.com/" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="text-align: center;">" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: center;">Disclaimer:
They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins
posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None
of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or
distribution.</span></span> </span>The Toy Boxhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15388826499722972069noreply@blogger.com0