LEGO Iron Man Drone Review for Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack

Sitting on this one a bit because I picked it up at a Flea Market but I have not seen it in any stores. So why now? What has change in the world to make me do this review? Well Toys R Us is having another one of their LEGO build events and during that weekend the Iron Man Drone will be a free poly bag with purchase that weekend. So, let's get started.

As usual we are  using the review system established by Mantis King (insert fanfare).

Can you build a frame, or frames, right away? 
When I first got this set I would have said yes but now that I think about it and seen other sets I am more leaning toward no now. The drone would make a great drone for melee dice for a frame but it is not frame material on it own BUT I have half the mind to slap a pair of legs from a Hi-Leg onto that drone and use it!

So in short: No, -5.

Is it below, at, or above the golden ration?
Well as I said earlier I got this from a flee market for only $3.50 while the LEGO store has it for $4.99.
Bag contains 24 pieces so we do a little math and...
Flea Market price gets us $0.14 per piece so that is a clear above for a -10.
Store price gets us $0.20 per piece getting us even more above for another -10.
Mind you I love the buzz saw cutter pieces in this set and this is why I got them. They seem rare piece and so if your after them the hit might be worth it or you can try Bricklink. Oh wait, there it is right here. Looks like you can get them for 2 pennies each...oh this is awkward.

If you can't build a frame right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 
This is a clear yes but just very few pieces in the bag. So +5 points for House Stark.

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?
This is borderline  specially with Stark/Iron Man being in the bag but I am going to say yes. Let's be honest though, if the previous question is a yes, it is hard for this one not to be one as well. +5 points!

So now for our results, drum roll please!
We have a -5 which grades this set at a B- and given the ratio if bought in store I be willing to call it a B. Though if you can get it for free, go for it.

Nation Coming Out Day (2013 Edition)

So today (when this post dropped) is Nation (USA) Coming Out Day and with that date I started a tradition on Facebook where I come out again and again on this date. I started about two years ago, coming out as transgender the first year then the second year pinpointing what that is for me (bigender and/or gender fluid). This year I included my more flexible sexuality on top of everything else.

Why do I do this every year and well for the simple fact is we never really stop coming out. Some like to think it is a big flashy event, we send out inventions, RSVPs, get on a stage, turn on the web feed and tell THE WHOLE FREAKY WORLD OUR BUSINESS but this is far from reality. We have friends, family, co-workers, pets and whoever else we have to deal with which we can never tell all at the same time or want to tell at all. Just because someone comes out to one group doesn't mean they will come out to others and then sometimes you still might split those groups up. It is just a complicated mess.

So that is why I post it every year because it never stops and hopefully one day will will never have to come out, things will just be said and we just all get it.

Though this is not the end of this little old blog entry because speaking having different groups we have to come out to, I have not come out at work about anything. Now I have selected people at work that know but these are friends. Today giving what day it was I was planning to come out at work during lunch but due to timing and work demands, everyone wasn't present so I chicken out.

Though I also realized this isn't a big deal because it didn't have to be today and it doesn't have to be a big announcement, it can just be part of conversation which I think can be better at times. The thing is I have had plenty of chances to drop in past talks but instead chose to avoid it in some fashion. I need to stop doing this and just let it happen. It would be best for me and ultimately make some of my co-workers look at things a bit differently. Could make some things awkward but well...that isn't my problem. Out!

Fandom Resurrection?

So with the new J.K. Rowling/Harry Potter movie announcement I have seen several 'the fandom lives again' memes and such. I don't get it, did we go away? Was there some kind of fan protection program? As we get older and have kids we share the books and movies with them. They are becoming part of lesson plans. There is still merchandise being sold. I, no we still talk about all these things. We have a section of a theme park! 

We never left and we are not going to leave. We will be a generations fandom, we are with Star Wars, Star Trek and Firefly along with many more.

LEGO Galaxy Squad Mini Mech Review for Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack

Keeping up the tradition of using Mantis King's system.

Today we have Galaxy Squad's Mini Mech which I picked up from Target. I have been eyeing this one for awhile because it looked neat and I like the use of orange with it. Let's get started.

Can you build a frame, or frames, right away?
This is going to have to be a no BUT it makes for a great starting point for a four legged walker. -5


Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?
Well we have a retail price of $3.99 with 28 pieces for $0.14 but I saw this coming. In the many times I looked at it I had checked the golden ratio which stopped me from buying it in the past. I decided I wanted the set and not the pieces themselves so I swallowed the G ratio on this one for personal enjoyment. Above for -10.

If you can't build a frame right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 
Yes and in fact if you just kick the minifigure guy out, it might work as a good base platform to convert it into a full frame. +5

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?

This is very true, many of these parts are good for building frames and if you remove the driver I think you have a good base to get started with in fact. +5

So the results! Doing our math we come up with a total of -5 for a B- for this set. This is the worse score I have given and I really don't have any gut feeling about uping it or lowering it either. I think it is pretty much where it stands. If you like the look and think you can use it as a base as I recommend then go for it. I on the other hand will put it on the shelf with my minifigures. Might one more to see if I can turn it into a frame..hmm.

LEGO Friends Animal Set Series 3 Fawn's Forest Review for Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack

I originally planning to to do a review on a different set next but then ran into this set while at Target which demanding to be reviewed tonight for reasons I will discuss a little bit further down. Also this post might aiming to be a bit biased...

This time our review system is a bit revised but still based on the Mantis King and you will see as we go.

Can you build a piece or pieces of terrain, right away?
Yes! This set is pretty much a frickin tree that can be blown apart! +5

Is it below, at, or above the golden ration?
This is where it gets complicated. This set is currently (9-22-13) on sale at Target for $3.99 until 9-28-13 vs the usual price of $4.99. I also get an extra 5% off for having a Red Card. So we have 35 pieces so here is our math.
Regular price is $0.14 so no. -10
Sale price is $0.11 so still no -10.
Red Card with Sale price $0.10 at ratio so +0.

If you can't build a piece of terrain right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away?
Yes, you could use the pieces to build different styles of woodland terrain or some other pieces in frames if you are looking for unique coloring. To be honest I am thinking of putting that bow on one of my Chubs, even if I have to glue it. Also the mushroom could be used on other terrain as well, giant mushroom worlds! Short answer: +5

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?
If you want to make a tree, hell yeah but I would keep off the 'flower and fruit' bits because I would be a bit ticked that I have to 'shoot through' all that before I could really drop the tree or just rule they don't count. Also thinking of putting those cherry looking pieces in a truck for a station. +5

So the results.
Regular Price B+
Sale Price B+
Red Card and Sale A

Though if you really want some tree terrain that can be shot up and don't have a Red Card then I would dare say for you this might be a B++ or A- set just for you so get it while it on sale for the rest of this week.

I bought this because it was on sale and I wanted the tree. Now that I have dissected it I think I will pick up one or two more before the end of the week.

Special mention: The Puppy's Playhouse set has bricks that look like actual mortar bricks. Not enough to justifying the purchase if that is all you want BUT you might want to take a closer look to the Friends line or it up a LEGO Secondary Market.

LEGO TMNT Kraang Laser Turret Review for Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Atack

(After the comment by the Mantis King I have decided to update this blog post by adding additional material that I hope makes this even better post. New material shall be in this font color.)

This is a Review for the Kraang Laser Turret for the Game Mobile Frame Zero: Rapid Attack that I should have posted about first but it is coming soon. Will be using the system established by the Mantis King to do this review, hope I do it justice.

Can you build a frame, or frames, right away?
Yes, sort of. The set itself could be used as a very small scout frame but very limiting so I will give it a +5.
I have to say this because technically it meets the yes BUT looking at our 'pre-built' frame it just doesn't give me a very good fuzzy feeling. I mean it really just looks like random parts with legs and a missile.

Is it below, at, or above the golden ratio?
Due to a weekend special I only payed 3.39 but the retail price at $3.99 at Toys R Us with 36 pieces. The ratio comes out to be $0.11 so above giving a -10.

If you can't build a frame right away, does it have parts you should be able to put into use right away? 
Yes, giving it a +5.
This is honestly the best part about this set. Just about every piece in this bag is an active frame building piece or terrain. The bonus (or minus) is that some of these pieces are in some uncommon colors

Does it have more than a handful of immediately useful parts?
Given that the whole bag is usable minus the minifigure I say yes giving it a +5.
See statement above.

This gives us a total of B+ though the gut is B.
Originally my gut was going with B but after thinking about it I really figured out what my issue is. It was the turret build itself. That was the B hanging in my gut but the reality is minus the recommended build plans this is a great poly bag I think. It above the ratio but at only by 1 cent, $3.99 over all and just about every piece in the bag is a frame viable piece so all that could make it a A- ish or so I think.

If I were to field it straight I would be.

Single Shot Rocket 
Multi-Leg 
Scanner 
Body 

Why my frame layout choice?
Again I really don't like the idea of using the  suggested build as a frame BUT if I did it looks like a scout to me that runs and hides spotting other frames to report back to a bigger gun. It one shot missile is for self defense so it can run or perhaps to ambush snipe an open unaware target. That is what it make me think so based on this flavor in my head is what equals the above build choice.

Icons by Soren.

My Personal Roller Derby Rival

So a few years ago when I was out breaking in my roller blades in again at a roller rink I noticed a sign in the back that caught my attention. Upon arriving home afterwords (actually if memory serves me right I think I got drunk that night and had to wait till the next day when I had my facilities returned.) I did a Google search and discovered The Dominion Derby Girls.

I was instantly interested and was set to buy tickets but had to wait for a few months because the season had just ended. Well I watched the calender and waited for ticket sales. My ticket was bought, I went to the show and was hooked! I loved it and went to every home game that season. Well, do to changes in life and moving to Southside in Hampton Roads I missed the very last home game. Sadly because of changes in life I had to put going to my beloved Derby bouts on hold, in fact it was a few years.

So what got me back into going back to the Derby? A site called Shirt Punch featured this shirt which I had to have! Of course I ordered it but it gave me a need to see the Derby so two months ago I went taking the Significant Other with me and here is her post about it. She was hooked and we have already been to our second game! With my birthday coming up in July I am hoping someone buys me tickets for a present.