Category Archives: Vlog

Photo-A-Day, Review, Toys, Vlog

Talking About New Modarri Cars

Modarri Cars
Photo-A-Day #4579

Thoughtfull Toys provided me with three of the new Modarri Car sets. They are the Delux T1 – Track Car, the C1 Concept and the S1 Street car as well as the Modarri Collector Case. I received these for free and am a huge fan of the toy. In the past I have funded Kickstarter Campaigns and more to support this toy. It is great for S.T.E.M. education and free form play. I have also included some affiliate links to Amazon.com.

Modarri cars are some of my favorite toys ever. I love that you can make all sorts of different cars from a few of them. The more you have the more combinations you can make. It is great how many different vehicles you can make. I also enjoy the designs and like that Modarri keeps creating new designs. There are so many benefits from Modarri cars. Here are just a few of the great features of these toys.

  • Design, build, and drive your very own creation!
  • Mix and match building system allows for BILLIONS of car designs
  • Finger-driven with real steering and suspension mechanics
  • Super quick assembly times – less time building, more time playing!
  • Screws are retained in the components, they don’t fall out – no lost screws!
  • Real 2-step automotive paint for a beautiful, dazzling finish
  • Durable construction – real metal frames, heavy duty plastic, and strong mechanical linkages
  • 11 interchangeable pieces per car
  • Assembled with the included swivel-tipped hex tool (quick turn action!)
  • Modarri is a STEM toy that educates through open-ended play
  • Satisfaction is guaranteed. If you are not satisfied with your purchase, return it for a full refund. If a part breaks, we will send you a replacement, free of charge.

Photo-A-Day, Technology, Toys, Vlog

My Livestream Backdrop

Livestream Backdrop
Photo-A-Day #4549

I’m working on doing more Livestreams either on Facebook or on YouTube. I have been working on a virtual setup but I wanted something new for a backdrop of my livestream. I have all these papers and pieces of boxes from things that I like and wanted to save, for something. I also had all these stickers from different conferences and I even have dozens of my own stickers for BenSpark.com. I decided to pick up a tri-fold cardboard at Target for $4 and a roll of double sided foam tape. I then affixed the tape to a ton of things and got to laying them out haphazard on the cardboard. I had no real endgame in mind here. I just wanted to make something that would be behind me while I talked, showed off some toys and played video games. I do like how it ended up coming out overall. Look for it on Thursdays when I go live. I will have to figure out a regular time for these livestreams but I will be doing more of them, soon.

Photo-A-Day, Review, Toys, Video Game, Vlog

Review: The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game – Nintendo Switch

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Ninjago Movie Video Game
Photo-A-Day #4545

Today I received the LEGO Ninjago Movie video game for the Nintendo Switch for free from Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. I received it so that I could review it, make some videos with it and play it like crazy. I’ve been looking forward to this game because I love the LEGO games and also because the Ninjago Movie game has some interesting game dynamics. It also looks really cool. You not only fight as the different Ninjago characters but then you can also play as them in their Mechs. You can see in my livestream video from this afternoon that I was shocked that I went from training in the Dojo to flying a Mech but it was really intuitive to do so and it looked so cool flying around in these Mechs while switching between different characters and their Mechs. I was going to go and see the movie today but ran out of time. To be honest I don’t know all of the character’s names and I was also sent masks for each of the Ninja. But I can only really identify the Green Ninja. I will get better at this in the future. I also plan to do some more Livestreams of the game like the one below.

My first impressions of the game were that it was funny and fun to play. I got to play as a couple of different ninjas and played through chapters 1 and 2. I like how more new characters can be found and new abilities unlocked. The game is visually awesome. I do not know how to swim under the water yet to get more studs but I will figure it out. If you liked the movie then it is very likely that you will like this game. The game was released today on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One and Steam.

Brian over at Built from Bricks got the game as well ad we may do a Ninjago themed livestream next Thursday.

More about the game launch below. Continue reading Review: The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game – Nintendo Switch →

Comic Book, Disney, LEGO, Movie, Music, Photo-A-Day, Skylanders, Technology, Toys, Travel, Video Game, Vlog

Giving this LiveStream Thing a Shot

My LiveStream Setup
Photo-A-Day #4544

Today I decided to try out some Live Streaming. I have a lot to learn to make this a much better experience for anyone watching. I a using a software called OBS. This can do a lot of things and I got it set up so that I can play video games as well as change camera sizes. I may even grab a small HD webcam to have an additional camera angle to use when showing toys. I’ve also got to make sure that if I am doing any video game livestreaming to turn off the music from the games. I immediately got a copyright ding from Nintendo for the music from ARMS.

In my livestream I unboxed my latest Smugglers’s Bounty box. This box was themed Jedi and it contained items for Jedi like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jin, Aayla Secura, Plo Koon and Yoda. There were good items in the box although I would have liked it if they included the paper inside that details how they decided on the characters and what it took to come up with the character designs for the Funko figures.

As far as Funko figures go I found some little figures for the movie Thor Ragnarok. They are actually keychains but I take the keychain part off to have small figures. I’ll be taking them with me to LA next month for the Thor Ragnarok Press trip that I am attending. I’ve got to write up a post all about it, too.

During the livestream I also played some Legend of Zelda and show a cool little robot that we got for review. So, take a look and I promise I will figure out the whole sound thing for the extra videos and video games.

Photo-A-Day, Toys, Transformers, Vlog

HASCON 2017 Day One Recap and Transformers Reveals

Stan Bush
Photo-A-Day #4532

So, tonight was the Stan Bush concert at Hascon. It was part of a special VIP ticket that I couldn’t afford and so I wouldn’t have been able to go if I had been there, but I am still missing not being at the show today in the first place. So I wore this shirt today.

I really wish that I had taken the weekend off to really be able to do HASCON all three days. Being there on Day 1 and seeing everything was cool. Then I get home add see all that I missed and know that I have a pass that will let me go back but being unable to go because I have to sleep because of work is frustrating. I am seeing more reveals and more cool things. People got to meet celebrities and more. I didn’t take nearly enough photos. I took a lot of video, though. Here is my video that I left early to work on yesterday. Should’ve just stayed.

In the video below I show a bunch of the Transformers toys,
Marvel, Nerf and My Little Pony. I even got to meet and Interview John Warden the Design Manager for Transformers! He was very cool to talk with. I also ran into Amy Pontes of Lite Rock 105. We are old friends from years ago. So that was fun. IT is a long video but there are some cool things in it.

Below are some of the Transformers toys reveals that I saw live yesterday. These are all ones I would like to have in my collection, with the exception of Cloudburst. I was never into the Pretenders line. But the Optimus Prime is incredible and I really want a set of Dinobots that become a combiner. Check them out below. Continue reading HASCON 2017 Day One Recap and Transformers Reveals →

Photo-A-Day, Review, Toys, Vlog

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Micro Mutants Sweeper Ops Vehicle and Playset Review

TMNT Micro Mutants Sweeper Ops
Photo-A-Day #4530

Playmates Toys sent us a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Micro Mutants Sweeper Ops Vehicle and Playset for free to play with and review. They also sent along a Stealth Bike pack with Raphael and Rocksteady and a bag of loose Micro Mutants. Opinions are our own.

I was excited to try this one out because I had just tried out another vehicle that did sweeping up of toys and I didn’t think it performed as well as it could have. I was interested to see how this one worked. It worked really well. The sweeper pushed the toys right onto a conveyor belt that would then deposit the bad guys into a little detention center inside the playset.

Continue reading Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Micro Mutants Sweeper Ops Vehicle and Playset Review →

Photo-A-Day, Travel, Vlog

Our Annual Visit to King Richard’s Faire 2017

At King Richards Faire
Photo-A-Day #4527

Today we went to King Richard’s Faire. This is an annual pilgrimage to Carvershire that is hosted by the King Richard’s Faire PR maven, Julie. We love going to the event, seeing all of the performers from over the years. The kids have grown up at the Faire. Andrew has been every year that he has been alive. He’s been able to have such an amazing experience each time we visit. Even when he has had meltdowns he has had great experiences.

Eva as had even more amazing experiences because she fully embraces the fun of being at a Renaissance Faire. She dresses up, interacts with the cast and just loves walking around. Last year we had intended to go on Labor day but a huge storm closed the realm, so we readjusted. We ended up taking Eva and Andrew to the Faire on Eva’s 9th Birthday. The cast was so fantastic with her.

this year we arrived just as the doors were opening. The cast was doing their welcome to the crowd and we were in for an interesting show. Our friend Ryan was going to have a big part in the musical show that they put on every year. The show is usually in 2 or 3 acts. This year it was in 2 acts. We all made it to Act 1 but we had to divide and conquer for part 2. Allison and Eva went to the show and Andrew and I wen to see Snorkel, the Trained Pig, who will be there for only 4 weeks, so come within the next three weeks to see this cute show. Andrew loved the show. There was “dangerous stuff and a pig!” You can see Andrew’s Antics in today’s video.

Continue reading Our Annual Visit to King Richard’s Faire 2017 →

Food, Photo-A-Day, Toys, Vlog

Smashburger and a Mystery Box of Toys

At Smashburger
Photo-A-Day #4525

On those days when I get dinner for myself and I have the time then I head to Smashburger. I love their burgers and fried pickles. Right now, they are the top of my list of burger places. I have some other favorites like Mac and Walt’s, KC’s Classic Burger Bar and of course Five Guys. Man, do I love burgers!

I also love toys and today we got a huge box with some toys from Just Play. I received an email from my contact there and she simply said that they had toys to send me. So, I had no idea what was in the box when it arrived. There was something for each of the kids and they were super excited. We will do individual reviews with each of the kids at a later date. Opinions are our own.

Disney, LEGO, Movie, Photo-A-Day, Toys, Vlog

My LEGO & Hot Wheels #ForceFridayII Haul & Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Blu-ray Giveaway

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ForceFridayII
Photo-A-Day #4524

Today is Force Friday II. This is the day when there are new Star Wars toys being released. I went to Target after the gym to see what was there. Target actually had two sections for the Star Wars Toys. they were in with the toys and then there was a separate section where they put the seasonal items and there were Star Wars toys, food and clothing. I did not go at midnight as there wasn’t really anything I had my heart set on. I collect Funko Pops but have not been collecting as many lately. I am sticking with the smaller stuff so I picked up some of the new Star Wars Character Cars from Hot Wheels. Here are the cars that were out in The Last Jedi packaging:

1st Appearance: BB-9E™ (Star Wars: The Last Jedi™)
1st Appearance: Elite Praetorian Guard™ (Star Wars: The Last Jedi™)
1st Appearance: First Order Executioner™ (Star Wars: The Last Jedi™)
1st Appearance: Rey, Jedi Training (Star Wars: The Last Jedi™)
New Deco: Captain Phasma™ (Star Wars: The Last Jedi™)
New Deco: Finn™ (Star Wars: The Last Jedi™)

I picked up all of them except for Captain Phasma. I did not know it was a new deco, I will have to go back. I picked up Chewbacca because I thought it was smaller then previous ones and that is not correct. I will probably return that and return Rey because there is a Two-Pack that should be out with Rey and Luke. There is also one with Kylo Ren and Snoke. Kylo Ren is the same as he was in The Force Awakens. There were other cars in the Last Jedi packaging like a Stormtrooper, Darth Vader and the aforementioned Chewbacca.

I also picked up the Star Wars LEGO Resistance Transport Pod. I got this because it was the smallest of the LEGO sets and it looked like a cool ship to build. I’m looking forward to building it. You can see everything I picked up in the video below and then after that I have a giveaway for a copy of the Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Blu-ray.

Continue reading My LEGO & Hot Wheels #ForceFridayII Haul & Star Wars Rebels Season 3 Blu-ray Giveaway →