tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35934227159766556212024-03-14T06:06:06.690-05:00From the Pastor's PenMany questions and occasional answers as I muse, think, preach, and listen about science and culture through the lens of my understanding of Christian faith. revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-36436987545339992292023-12-23T21:45:00.000-06:002023-12-23T21:45:27.648-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 23<p>Hah! This was good - I opened the little door and saw the diagram and thought "What is this?" Then I built it, and said, "What is this?" </p><p>Partly because I was thinking the ewok would show up today to have whatever the big special thing is tomorrow; and partly because I just couldn't figure out what this is.</p><p>So I thought for a few moments and then it came to me - it's the flying wings used by the Ewoks!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuES02_gSZsLJONckapAd-h6h6J1W4RNH_agUIW-tDpo_uzDXHkJ5VlLXBkkR7IP63o8Ol6J2M22Een6Jk8xVqlY7EClnVK9a52C0EIZ8JV0OKIgsxtFy3WSj3PN7PEyuaU4NwcAJ1jZ14w76L9Yap0fuoqzWrNj3MnoABrPhaaEFy_YziOXVvPB6o8U/s2048/IMG_8524.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXuES02_gSZsLJONckapAd-h6h6J1W4RNH_agUIW-tDpo_uzDXHkJ5VlLXBkkR7IP63o8Ol6J2M22Een6Jk8xVqlY7EClnVK9a52C0EIZ8JV0OKIgsxtFy3WSj3PN7PEyuaU4NwcAJ1jZ14w76L9Yap0fuoqzWrNj3MnoABrPhaaEFy_YziOXVvPB6o8U/s320/IMG_8524.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKl-QhPmNSIk_-T7ERByVlZR8cBeO4A6aNrxKZbIgag_F46kCnZzEXSTai1cdgXn7o4p0U61iY4oetIX5o-tSyTBheYHA9QE_9Kyi5dMZY8lHOgIn48QU24Ecslyg05rXH6668tuYT7GU6EMWTbSJc5cttS1fmPky8QD73Q7Nx364m2w3kggtiFEBjf4/s2048/IMG_8525.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCKl-QhPmNSIk_-T7ERByVlZR8cBeO4A6aNrxKZbIgag_F46kCnZzEXSTai1cdgXn7o4p0U61iY4oetIX5o-tSyTBheYHA9QE_9Kyi5dMZY8lHOgIn48QU24Ecslyg05rXH6668tuYT7GU6EMWTbSJc5cttS1fmPky8QD73Q7Nx364m2w3kggtiFEBjf4/s320/IMG_8525.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>23 days in - just one more day to go!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-23286637165687649842023-12-22T23:39:00.001-06:002023-12-22T23:39:25.719-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 22<p>Today's build is an Imperial Star Destroyer. I'm assuming this is to be one of the Destroyers as seen in ROTJ, though I don't think there was any difference between those and the ones we saw in Episodes IV and V. </p><p>It's not a bad build - take a look:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixclSHQnfxM5uFhVtVGVDSMvlelRG6GPRinST9z6je8eLHnJ5W56APdBbutdMkw20xCT-gYToMayxbn3Og2M_eiE-zS48KPElJVvxqzBuWSHbROzIt3zW-GX8Vlyk2oO3Dr3BPwk-DQF8LDBWbFxmrR6TVoOcEX-OlSQtidDzzmAwB3Jv9yr7O9VFoRZY/s2048/IMG_8522.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixclSHQnfxM5uFhVtVGVDSMvlelRG6GPRinST9z6je8eLHnJ5W56APdBbutdMkw20xCT-gYToMayxbn3Og2M_eiE-zS48KPElJVvxqzBuWSHbROzIt3zW-GX8Vlyk2oO3Dr3BPwk-DQF8LDBWbFxmrR6TVoOcEX-OlSQtidDzzmAwB3Jv9yr7O9VFoRZY/s320/IMG_8522.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-APfTCoGJ8LNKzSPg1jGDuJGIvxOlYX_uCS7xjmADVN2r6Lg7MaTUam0dtunqql73VSBz28bJeYXsOVNCd9Ym9PSPaHJxLXCDJl5Db3LFBi0aSBrIqO3PvxV_tFWgyhm0vNGuVzSVy72o5abPEsolAr8-tRZAtPJwUllEmbAZAtM6DW0lfR1plIbIXE/s2048/IMG_8523.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-APfTCoGJ8LNKzSPg1jGDuJGIvxOlYX_uCS7xjmADVN2r6Lg7MaTUam0dtunqql73VSBz28bJeYXsOVNCd9Ym9PSPaHJxLXCDJl5Db3LFBi0aSBrIqO3PvxV_tFWgyhm0vNGuVzSVy72o5abPEsolAr8-tRZAtPJwUllEmbAZAtM6DW0lfR1plIbIXE/s320/IMG_8523.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Given the detail of other builds in this calendar, it's a bit of a letdown - it's very few parts. But that's a complaint based more on "Other builds had so much more this time!" than it is based on any objective reason to be disappointed in this one. In previous years' calendars, this would get a high rating. I'm totally cool with it, but it also feels like being at a restaurant and after 21 courses of exceptionally creative and tasty dishes, they brought out some of Aunt Martha's meatloaf warmed up from yesterday. At any other time, Aunt Martha's meatloaf - even warmed up in a microwave - would be an excellent meal, but in this context, it's like a conductor deciding that halfway through the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXC7XcdUayw" target="_blank">Urlicht</a> from Mahler's Symphony No. 2 a couple measures of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZJ4ESU52U&t=12s" target="_blank">"Louie, Louie"</a> is a necessity. [side note: there are times I have seriously wondered if Mahler was actually an angel or demigod or other divine or semi-divine being, and not just a mere human; it seems to me that no mere human could have written such utterly sublime and soul-destroyingly beautiful music]. Yeah, Louie Louie is an awesome song; but it would come as a disappointment in the midst of the Urlicht. </p><p>[[double side-note: Zappa, of course, included a modified "Louie, Louie" in a lot of his music, and so the hypothetical inclusion of "Louie, Louie" in the Urlilcht that I mentioned would definitely not be the Zappa form of it, because such an inclusion would make it even cooler and say to me "Oh, that conductor is a freaking genius if he knows Zappa that well!"]]</p><p>So, anyway, I'm still very happy with this year's Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar! The destroyers are my second favorite of the interstellar ships, exceeded only by the far larger and more powerful Super Star Destroyers, such as the one that Darth Vader got to ride, and which was forced to crash into the Death Star II, the <i>Executor. </i></p><p><br /></p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-26159343362511057072023-12-21T21:37:00.003-06:002023-12-21T21:37:43.691-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 21<p> Yippeee!</p><p>Today the calendar delivers... The Imperial Throne!</p><p>That upon which the magnificent (long may he reign!) Emperor Palpatine sits in the Imperial Throne Room on the Imperial Death Star II and from which he controls the entire Empire, including the entire fleet, and even his sith apprentice. At least, for most of the movie he controls his apprentice.</p><p>Look at this beauty! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyffzq8Pv3ktyrI43VulyHjT_PP9goAg_x_7gCNfN4sZ2wKjREr3v891cFYo1_Q0lhwR2uMnLX722uD_D0fs2TLo9nSDhVs1bWRXKcUpSxDPna7bs2Alr9ZvCr6_dFGZH24Dd0QuKWXBhhcigX5Uv_84Y0zvXGHwRLQsIQ5scI4XyOSj4Pm2l01JQHahI/s2048/IMG_8515.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyffzq8Pv3ktyrI43VulyHjT_PP9goAg_x_7gCNfN4sZ2wKjREr3v891cFYo1_Q0lhwR2uMnLX722uD_D0fs2TLo9nSDhVs1bWRXKcUpSxDPna7bs2Alr9ZvCr6_dFGZH24Dd0QuKWXBhhcigX5Uv_84Y0zvXGHwRLQsIQ5scI4XyOSj4Pm2l01JQHahI/s320/IMG_8515.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMQKOK_3yolutAn3Zh-qsvIvrLcxhmU7wvyNpsSRpHADj_kjiXR5pM8XzraPs3koWol9MUnMffmCe-4NnpvVaHa_Stz4MdUnyaRY-r3yKX16XJVaaVo4ENWgxdCbVuU1IM56kdHuPF3N-bpgT-7TuBUP9K-zLmOzIktXDT9V_vlad04Y131-JwyisDHM/s2048/IMG_8516.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnMQKOK_3yolutAn3Zh-qsvIvrLcxhmU7wvyNpsSRpHADj_kjiXR5pM8XzraPs3koWol9MUnMffmCe-4NnpvVaHa_Stz4MdUnyaRY-r3yKX16XJVaaVo4ENWgxdCbVuU1IM56kdHuPF3N-bpgT-7TuBUP9K-zLmOzIktXDT9V_vlad04Y131-JwyisDHM/s320/IMG_8516.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And of course, Palpatine fits great on it! Look at this menace, with his force lightning, his Christmas sweater, and his cup of coffee. Or hot chocolate. Or maybe it's some liquified <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Ewok_Jerky" target="_blank">ewok jerky</a>. I could see Palpatine liking that, just for the cruelty: "Less taste, but more cruel than other beverage choices - try to new liquified Ewok Jerky(tm)!"</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5ANQcWDxENMRPWmQzW_Ff-zLv5xseiigSheO3GtCFbVN6A8TXID5-qCD_EEh6TYG9PSxe8DZafI4PvFE7BuyJVoqF_DbCIrMc0uvO_ehnmpWQxkL2MHLdYGS62hLeV1I3QiXti9ccqMsWc0TJvKyfaxJTzujmQZUWLQ3hU6GBGd3OlhgB6ouO2Vlz7Y/s2048/IMG_8517.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5ANQcWDxENMRPWmQzW_Ff-zLv5xseiigSheO3GtCFbVN6A8TXID5-qCD_EEh6TYG9PSxe8DZafI4PvFE7BuyJVoqF_DbCIrMc0uvO_ehnmpWQxkL2MHLdYGS62hLeV1I3QiXti9ccqMsWc0TJvKyfaxJTzujmQZUWLQ3hU6GBGd3OlhgB6ouO2Vlz7Y/s320/IMG_8517.jpeg" width="320" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5ANQcWDxENMRPWmQzW_Ff-zLv5xseiigSheO3GtCFbVN6A8TXID5-qCD_EEh6TYG9PSxe8DZafI4PvFE7BuyJVoqF_DbCIrMc0uvO_ehnmpWQxkL2MHLdYGS62hLeV1I3QiXti9ccqMsWc0TJvKyfaxJTzujmQZUWLQ3hU6GBGd3OlhgB6ouO2Vlz7Y/s2048/IMG_8517.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv6ec56inT5hZpRNmUQx6h3Cww7LaU44UCocGgHYyuqf4N3aJoL0b_NaxmyF9dfrCZ8K2t6jQbCEhg2VMhJzGHpxT7ZOQ0ob8_Qhukb7NS5pjCZ5vBjMDW_f-mgiaBOpo7zJd_OZMDFljZpcT8JclY1LWUsKsJdq3I6wNwRsHQxpka8KbLgeW8d7qCYM/s2048/IMG_8519.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitv6ec56inT5hZpRNmUQx6h3Cww7LaU44UCocGgHYyuqf4N3aJoL0b_NaxmyF9dfrCZ8K2t6jQbCEhg2VMhJzGHpxT7ZOQ0ob8_Qhukb7NS5pjCZ5vBjMDW_f-mgiaBOpo7zJd_OZMDFljZpcT8JclY1LWUsKsJdq3I6wNwRsHQxpka8KbLgeW8d7qCYM/s320/IMG_8519.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNainngb6jiMVZ92-dFInxFELuED0UoqOL9W3z6u7_EJtj03mmWO2vpG3IRYi_E3VYHMN8RA48kUdnNwjtvTDw96j-eqd3-5FGoELFTKryyN9omsj8bUnkX0dFg9wZFGbAQP3a9GFNoPImjhO54AGOYZP06LQr_sE6R-LEgsQPsyzL-OaDTNcXc1Ax9fE/s2048/IMG_8518.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNainngb6jiMVZ92-dFInxFELuED0UoqOL9W3z6u7_EJtj03mmWO2vpG3IRYi_E3VYHMN8RA48kUdnNwjtvTDw96j-eqd3-5FGoELFTKryyN9omsj8bUnkX0dFg9wZFGbAQP3a9GFNoPImjhO54AGOYZP06LQr_sE6R-LEgsQPsyzL-OaDTNcXc1Ax9fE/s320/IMG_8518.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div>For my money, one of the greatest sets in all the Star Wars movies is the throne room in Return of the Jedi. It's all metal and sharp edges - even the throne is all sharp edges - exceedingly minimalist. The room only has metal stairways (with lots of openings) and metal walkways (with lots of openings), and a bunch of computer console areas that don't get used because the Emperor doesn't need computers - he has the Force!<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cYxLG_F3Pa18gfTWqKUaCAEDlm1mCiiOx76XkTFcoxE-m0BVR5BBuI-E0f4GCnvcj9NK29ndakryzo28zLEAwPeQ1Q0lGTyhC9VAHl47xqSm0fYI5Bo8XRHs9Xp0i7X96V8_uuifY9nrYTBnnXriAmTVx4J03a1xyCh62JTFk6UKI_rVbTHYy00Sx9Y/s1898/jorgt0pfqcd41.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="818" data-original-width="1898" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_cYxLG_F3Pa18gfTWqKUaCAEDlm1mCiiOx76XkTFcoxE-m0BVR5BBuI-E0f4GCnvcj9NK29ndakryzo28zLEAwPeQ1Q0lGTyhC9VAHl47xqSm0fYI5Bo8XRHs9Xp0i7X96V8_uuifY9nrYTBnnXriAmTVx4J03a1xyCh62JTFk6UKI_rVbTHYy00Sx9Y/w568-h246/jorgt0pfqcd41.jpg" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div><br /><p>I gotta say, best Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar so far, and I think this is my tenth one. </p></div>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-12201639026538531872023-12-21T05:46:00.002-06:002023-12-21T06:19:21.356-06:00A Quick Meditation on the Holy Family and other refugees <p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's important for those of us who follow Jesus to not think of the nativity as a once-and-done moment in time about which we can be angry at the innkeeper for not having enough room, or be angry at Herod for killing the children, and sit back and say "I would have made room for them" or "I would have helped". Through Jesus' incarnation, we ought now to see this situation wherever it occurs, and to consider our own actions toward the holy family when we're being the ones who say "no room" or "they are a threat, let them die" or similar.</span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">If one is so sure that one would have helped the holy family, then why not help those in similar fate right now? Helping those now is the only way to help the family back then.</span></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7jrLdyHEDUkQcNGuNcd115j6zKZhs1K2mj4T6GKYpy1H8oU4biXybAySXOgHGvvZvkTiQXcLtTMj7DQpBcaQ2HWfXi53kqZDv0wQ-bdJ9NnOVhop0SFRB4ysqdrBp_BqLsa70n82oaefqOE05l2BU4ayes1cIowmdkyYjA19TFz1Wvpm1d0N6ycY9Rg/s912/412312545_10159845061481915_1993056461755155102_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="596" height="568" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7jrLdyHEDUkQcNGuNcd115j6zKZhs1K2mj4T6GKYpy1H8oU4biXybAySXOgHGvvZvkTiQXcLtTMj7DQpBcaQ2HWfXi53kqZDv0wQ-bdJ9NnOVhop0SFRB4ysqdrBp_BqLsa70n82oaefqOE05l2BU4ayes1cIowmdkyYjA19TFz1Wvpm1d0N6ycY9Rg/w371-h568/412312545_10159845061481915_1993056461755155102_n.jpg" width="371" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">We have refugees who will be resettled in my home area of Eau Claire, WI, through the help of World Relief. Oddly, even in this pre-Christmas time, many locals (and I'm sure many of them would very much proclaim themselves Christian) have been fighting the city and county to try to keep this from happening, and doing so with some fairly weak arguments based mostly on fear: economic, racial, cultural, and some out of sheer ignorance of the process itself. As they place the baby Jesus in their mangers at home all snug and lovely, they are actively trying to prevent other very real people, who are in very real danger, from placing their babies in safe beds - to set up a nativity while basically supporting Herod is a significant failure to understand the nativity and its implications for us.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Without going into the details that any refugees being resettled have years of vetting behind them, and federal law prohibits communities from choosing who gets to live there, and other legal issues, or economic or social ones, from a theological standpoint there is no excuse not to help the stranger, the foreigner, or the refugee. The requirement to do so is right there in the law in the Bible, and using that very language of "foreigner" and "refugee", and right there in the words of Jesus, and right there in the Holy Family's status as refugees when they were forced to flee the violence of the state (Herod killing the children) by going to Egypt for a few years. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01ezQ43BGbngrLgETVPvu3AHzh5hX-IaxsCJxO7SENZQL3r7yurSKQlUCStlA31a1DYFtHw_ixee2ghN4Lv6y04x76FplzvuqOQba6krSM1xMREnuXBombD2OF2nO-PYZOn3mtbChW5A3Qvn7NLLuepP8xvKcMB1rXr8BtEfiFpUPApAgvGtHzqzqIgI/s526/412123380_10224596082305351_8334049560545180820_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi01ezQ43BGbngrLgETVPvu3AHzh5hX-IaxsCJxO7SENZQL3r7yurSKQlUCStlA31a1DYFtHw_ixee2ghN4Lv6y04x76FplzvuqOQba6krSM1xMREnuXBombD2OF2nO-PYZOn3mtbChW5A3Qvn7NLLuepP8xvKcMB1rXr8BtEfiFpUPApAgvGtHzqzqIgI/s320/412123380_10224596082305351_8334049560545180820_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMJhpfZoLoXgar0tQl6-hhGKSM-0dqvJGbjodCPtKdpfQvm7_QrwvcS3nDCDO1BLtu9IYSUsDm7tvTP6upzHliOUyQAwySmwScg4oph7sOUOp2SL_WqUgECr8k3d2vGCfXFf-86du5N-hfUa7zh05s6yTrQpkBgRQxm9ZIFE278EoOx-wBJ4JVwOYgaQ/s1024/palestine_nativity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXMJhpfZoLoXgar0tQl6-hhGKSM-0dqvJGbjodCPtKdpfQvm7_QrwvcS3nDCDO1BLtu9IYSUsDm7tvTP6upzHliOUyQAwySmwScg4oph7sOUOp2SL_WqUgECr8k3d2vGCfXFf-86du5N-hfUa7zh05s6yTrQpkBgRQxm9ZIFE278EoOx-wBJ4JVwOYgaQ/s320/palestine_nativity.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><br /></div><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">As I said at a press conference recently that World Relief, JONAH, and the Eau Claire Hmong Alliance held, as a voice of our moral responsibility to take care of refugees, "The question should never be, 'Can we help?' or 'Can we afford to help?', but, 'We must help, so, How are we going to make this happen, How are we going to make sure that they're safe and taken care of?'" Love for neighbor is an integral part of all the major religions.</span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;">Helping those who are currently in the same situation as the Holy Family were 2000 years ago is the way to show that we would indeed have helped them back then. But if we create roadblocks to keep those who are currently in the same situation from finding relief, or if we straight out deny them relief, then we're putting up roadblocks for the Holy Family. "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me." Until we see Christ in our neighbor, are we really able to see Christ at all?</span></p><div><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlueDUhVD2cqnQqdre07Diw_Hq5qPD5YKxcnhVlzAllQR75SohyphenhyphenCEgXQ7ZEyofjQE2eo9_jVux7u-8CzSUiLniWx8SSidVBSuqNo8K4oW_Gre9ONH7jqcPnwmdbFHgelTBZkpcwK719T-_1Xm_C_m2AmqLgao2KWZBwymXrBotvrXrrauFZn5F2YgXVo/s1080/411188167_660714236221650_2209847332036149827_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvlueDUhVD2cqnQqdre07Diw_Hq5qPD5YKxcnhVlzAllQR75SohyphenhyphenCEgXQ7ZEyofjQE2eo9_jVux7u-8CzSUiLniWx8SSidVBSuqNo8K4oW_Gre9ONH7jqcPnwmdbFHgelTBZkpcwK719T-_1Xm_C_m2AmqLgao2KWZBwymXrBotvrXrrauFZn5F2YgXVo/s320/411188167_660714236221650_2209847332036149827_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8TFmfgkeKuVejgI8oL42PWkyfyeLXCONkT3c74oTPcd1UoFd4ioJMxc8_GOSd2mDTC-55EfnC0BguL7BNsjhYtnIYGeEu_k-VXR1K8F9IaFJeITGJ1-2fwYN5lDtHugUd7wnewfhka8JuppzM8zGfkBnZ3ainkWvMs3husX4kNeJih47fCS1M2U3FyI/s1108/412105801_10169102680920311_9103270946178558292_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1108" data-original-width="828" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8TFmfgkeKuVejgI8oL42PWkyfyeLXCONkT3c74oTPcd1UoFd4ioJMxc8_GOSd2mDTC-55EfnC0BguL7BNsjhYtnIYGeEu_k-VXR1K8F9IaFJeITGJ1-2fwYN5lDtHugUd7wnewfhka8JuppzM8zGfkBnZ3ainkWvMs3husX4kNeJih47fCS1M2U3FyI/s320/412105801_10169102680920311_9103270946178558292_n.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-29631640646062127692023-12-20T18:26:00.001-06:002023-12-20T18:26:19.648-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 20<p>I found out today why the Palpatine minifigure came earlier than I would have expected. Turns out, Palpatine was behind the door of Day 20, not Day 19. I went to open the door for Day 20 today and it was already opened... I double checked the date... checked the door... checked the date... and realized that I was off by a day yesterday!</p><p>Yesterday should have been this amazing build of the <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/SLD-26_planetary_shield_generator" target="_blank">SLD-26 planetary shield generator</a> on the Forest Moon of Endor! Wow! Another great one! It's so simple, but it really looks like the dish from the movie.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgcW0DfFaIIila-FSh64Gj86xnxROHHGYC65h3TdI-jgcarNDOaNaCZHZeTfe_vjzru0BzluEhyphenhypheng5LA1Nv3gGtHUvx6qJpRAeYlMBJm7Eybt1rMmRp4a8b_ctqjvnNLxvp98x9bPKjaG0-7pI27xe6i20fkSGLwP5ry_kbtvgm5uiP4-LNQSWvOlg-Do/s2048/IMG_8510.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhgcW0DfFaIIila-FSh64Gj86xnxROHHGYC65h3TdI-jgcarNDOaNaCZHZeTfe_vjzru0BzluEhyphenhypheng5LA1Nv3gGtHUvx6qJpRAeYlMBJm7Eybt1rMmRp4a8b_ctqjvnNLxvp98x9bPKjaG0-7pI27xe6i20fkSGLwP5ry_kbtvgm5uiP4-LNQSWvOlg-Do/s320/IMG_8510.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzxWIdz-MhfcyTm87AjG9z8AxnWn_hVGWXtub-TQvV1SJ3WWhagHoHqVQ7vbCPcpWDJ51op9SWAB-fd6BEuRbfUtyRq6-kkVoZpbZo72AG91eeSJHqo0rNirmJxgpG4ZrrFfijpxDmfLSPpt4xdiIAaZZQU-zOSUmORGxCS3WIn8KhyJ0OanXABX95h0/s2048/IMG_8511.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxzxWIdz-MhfcyTm87AjG9z8AxnWn_hVGWXtub-TQvV1SJ3WWhagHoHqVQ7vbCPcpWDJ51op9SWAB-fd6BEuRbfUtyRq6-kkVoZpbZo72AG91eeSJHqo0rNirmJxgpG4ZrrFfijpxDmfLSPpt4xdiIAaZZQU-zOSUmORGxCS3WIn8KhyJ0OanXABX95h0/s320/IMG_8511.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Check that out!!</p><p>Here's the one from the movie: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKNTUqcdrNlbpMMaHZpiG9UwNM09M9agq5e-ntuwNEoXZjJcO5g1x6CJXZfeTSlmVnQWx_sNrwQFOif3m-yU84sG8KuzBLFxwn94HF2bOfh1XTa82FvJ0QDBo5iX-EFDEgDws4xg6D_uTTiKysiJtwl0SvppiUO8m7dZp4d1mXgEt3_HtPY_xswBsuuc/s793/500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="793" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvKNTUqcdrNlbpMMaHZpiG9UwNM09M9agq5e-ntuwNEoXZjJcO5g1x6CJXZfeTSlmVnQWx_sNrwQFOif3m-yU84sG8KuzBLFxwn94HF2bOfh1XTa82FvJ0QDBo5iX-EFDEgDws4xg6D_uTTiKysiJtwl0SvppiUO8m7dZp4d1mXgEt3_HtPY_xswBsuuc/s320/500.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><br /><p>Here it is from a still from the movie:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfEe_SJQbCGUedPonokf6_cRiRVakgQY6Uy5sYGOAxHSu5O04aQmn3Hmsyo011_YvgeEWf_scFlcvdCqwasQF8sLkgKVN4342iPaFpNzhr90HQh4VmlIpQXuuo-VVgdmt2OA-NumViTc9xJIGMYIgWeqJcnNSYURxNb3WOJy-rlPE76GD0VrH-1Dqb5A/s680/EXGvmjoXgAIyZ4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="680" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfEe_SJQbCGUedPonokf6_cRiRVakgQY6Uy5sYGOAxHSu5O04aQmn3Hmsyo011_YvgeEWf_scFlcvdCqwasQF8sLkgKVN4342iPaFpNzhr90HQh4VmlIpQXuuo-VVgdmt2OA-NumViTc9xJIGMYIgWeqJcnNSYURxNb3WOJy-rlPE76GD0VrH-1Dqb5A/s320/EXGvmjoXgAIyZ4c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>And here it is being blown up:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhTmQwaZ2M5Lycedj03VD-cZzhkwbmPRzbvg9W56ksotZ9s7I00Pzf4KnN8j_oEwH-t2tdoN2rEbuuT6U2AihyxTCSaNKP4-n8lZCCRraczUUF7-b0MA3Xy1SQO8__e6LL3vr5s0S-2cDaqclOjYDdYSb_BJ6sLo9xpIEKT34Sh4diQhyphenhyphenySW6yp7112k/s304/main-qimg-d5a8874ff3c3ee3d5cb766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="304" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhTmQwaZ2M5Lycedj03VD-cZzhkwbmPRzbvg9W56ksotZ9s7I00Pzf4KnN8j_oEwH-t2tdoN2rEbuuT6U2AihyxTCSaNKP4-n8lZCCRraczUUF7-b0MA3Xy1SQO8__e6LL3vr5s0S-2cDaqclOjYDdYSb_BJ6sLo9xpIEKT34Sh4diQhyphenhyphenySW6yp7112k/s1600/main-qimg-d5a8874ff3c3ee3d5cb766.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><p>No photo of my version being blown up. Sorry.</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-18668584495321225952023-12-19T05:47:00.001-06:002023-12-19T05:47:53.720-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 19<p> ooh - today we get the big guy himself! And in a Christmas sweater, too! Love it. Lightning in one hand, coffee in the other. Sith are fueled on caffeine, perhaps.</p><p>Welcome, Emperor Mr. Palpatine!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvtptkngkRl-J43_r3xADDGH2VEVVutJy9VOzD2wWtzLHJx3beFtanXKkd357TvkqXCLgiwlPnsQIHIvUGJrUDGKtmyTF6CVPhidjy9HFrdPAeT6gXSY0RU0Pvu3V4-8uOh54-7xhXjLpudPpwnJL32knTAsdD9DZVOe32uPenzIAizBhD8ak2ulfs7o/s2048/IMG_8502.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlvtptkngkRl-J43_r3xADDGH2VEVVutJy9VOzD2wWtzLHJx3beFtanXKkd357TvkqXCLgiwlPnsQIHIvUGJrUDGKtmyTF6CVPhidjy9HFrdPAeT6gXSY0RU0Pvu3V4-8uOh54-7xhXjLpudPpwnJL32knTAsdD9DZVOe32uPenzIAizBhD8ak2ulfs7o/s320/IMG_8502.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0oBphfSw-bQzQXQyj0zbhKTAxsyxq4evgEo_N4CremK9iyxNkdl8w9KYJEcJ7LNkr-P-j2hx_RmLLg8a1JtyJ0MNYMCLYWIa8E9onKHR2XH-y9fHDOD4rVQuZTeyr0lCmcEu3bwQyJwliZ4pA03ciOxNzFNsju5QQos0g8w2opse_5bnEZoXDEKqNO0/s2048/IMG_8504.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0oBphfSw-bQzQXQyj0zbhKTAxsyxq4evgEo_N4CremK9iyxNkdl8w9KYJEcJ7LNkr-P-j2hx_RmLLg8a1JtyJ0MNYMCLYWIa8E9onKHR2XH-y9fHDOD4rVQuZTeyr0lCmcEu3bwQyJwliZ4pA03ciOxNzFNsju5QQos0g8w2opse_5bnEZoXDEKqNO0/s320/IMG_8504.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I normally try as much as possible not to look at the images on the Advent Calendar box so that I don't ruin the surprise of what's in it, but it was very difficult to not see the image of Emperor Palpatine sitting on his throne. So I knew Palpatine was coming. But I thought he'd be closer to the final day. This seems a significant character and minifigure to get while there are still five unopened doors in the calendar. This was quite the welcome surprise today!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-69770495489088978762023-12-18T20:41:00.002-06:002023-12-18T20:41:27.842-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 18<p>We're still on the Forest Moon of Endor, where live the creatures from which tasty Ewok Jerky can be made. </p><p>We've had an Ewok treehouse, Princess Leia minifig in camo, the entrance to the shield generator, an AT-ST, and now today, the <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Speeder_bike" target="_blank">Speeder Bike</a>! (the version that appeared in Return of the Jedi; so I'm glad that we haven't moved to a different move yet. And maybe we won't. Maybe the next 7 days will also be ROTJ stuff!). </p><p>Wonderful! This looks pretty good, and I can see Leia jumping on one of them and speeding away, zipping through the <strike>Redwood National Park in California</strike> <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Redwood_tree#:~:text=Redwood%20trees%20first%20appeared%20in,the%20working%20title%20Blue%20Harvest." target="_blank">trees of Endor</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakqptkPSwu5-TuhsLyS9UZeb4OmvrrGrYyBGBTcCMuICKHR58ofpySNUUMjZfa_a7jSWALDZP6tlX9xheq-735s_eGJMRqmYfGRRA2mPNUZ7fhR6dMI8RN_ZQD8M98Nt7oc1otbHd7hA6BSsOwNEuwIrF5iBmdMlsctaWRRj2PgzwxC4KSWyf4WNn_N4/s2048/IMG_8495.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakqptkPSwu5-TuhsLyS9UZeb4OmvrrGrYyBGBTcCMuICKHR58ofpySNUUMjZfa_a7jSWALDZP6tlX9xheq-735s_eGJMRqmYfGRRA2mPNUZ7fhR6dMI8RN_ZQD8M98Nt7oc1otbHd7hA6BSsOwNEuwIrF5iBmdMlsctaWRRj2PgzwxC4KSWyf4WNn_N4/s320/IMG_8495.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIFpRZQ_5-LleRl4PxfNSV_xNzRssyr-wx8tXdzx-pSTI_u1EfQDTCWsuXG6HExJzShUMDRu2FQrTt2pOAYtaPnjFGkzdyVyo2b5DlCIcv9pOmilMCIA3YoS-fuQltaJ_7iRdhIqkv0H7CwKiZGqJIIKrsctPHJmjvaVFfL-lPJKhQcQ9Jpkk8x6Jhsg/s2048/IMG_8496.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkIFpRZQ_5-LleRl4PxfNSV_xNzRssyr-wx8tXdzx-pSTI_u1EfQDTCWsuXG6HExJzShUMDRu2FQrTt2pOAYtaPnjFGkzdyVyo2b5DlCIcv9pOmilMCIA3YoS-fuQltaJ_7iRdhIqkv0H7CwKiZGqJIIKrsctPHJmjvaVFfL-lPJKhQcQ9Jpkk8x6Jhsg/s320/IMG_8496.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaNGHcy0ZGDi0PpSMjJ1Y09AKsSOcUyxO7bJcouAugxAsFqLUK46pzutdi9tFyu6jB5lQJSQQcJDZxDUNSuzFCxD35gj_n2lBoaU_W4jEPofueXxfmMiwgcI2ml029WyugAsKuazoKBns8Jc2-ZFnoitMU-gkggMoYmiS-h8kzf0LIszbzeTfj37j4As/s2048/IMG_8498.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeaNGHcy0ZGDi0PpSMjJ1Y09AKsSOcUyxO7bJcouAugxAsFqLUK46pzutdi9tFyu6jB5lQJSQQcJDZxDUNSuzFCxD35gj_n2lBoaU_W4jEPofueXxfmMiwgcI2ml029WyugAsKuazoKBns8Jc2-ZFnoitMU-gkggMoYmiS-h8kzf0LIszbzeTfj37j4As/s320/IMG_8498.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Not bad. Not bad at all. Thanks, LEGO! That's 18 great builds in a row!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-55109819505216101632023-12-18T20:30:00.006-06:002023-12-18T20:30:43.365-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 17<p> Day 17 brings us a week away from the final. Not many days or builds left.</p><p>But given the excellence of the daily builds so far, I'm beginning to think that we're looking at some great rest through the entire calendar.</p><p>I mean, look at this one: an <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/All_Terrain_Scout_Transport" target="_blank">AT-ST</a> from Return of the Jedi! And a pretty good one. I wish they had made the ankles out of rotating LEGO like they did with where the legs meet the "pelvis" of the thing, but that's a minor quibble.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEc04Tfim1PQS3l5eqtt8KJ678Tza2tlqESpQ8GJpHfzBidIef95X5CkfDoS_By6epmlw69lm_qzgpmbqS4Ri0vAk94jikMEgj6WMDXMIKLXGt0vC3Moa6oMhAtf_kf0le070nHH9j0Z42BgDZFn6A8LCOcN-OHqmSrQHR0Eht1LXCYovOJrWnODB3dQ/s2048/IMG_8494.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjEc04Tfim1PQS3l5eqtt8KJ678Tza2tlqESpQ8GJpHfzBidIef95X5CkfDoS_By6epmlw69lm_qzgpmbqS4Ri0vAk94jikMEgj6WMDXMIKLXGt0vC3Moa6oMhAtf_kf0le070nHH9j0Z42BgDZFn6A8LCOcN-OHqmSrQHR0Eht1LXCYovOJrWnODB3dQ/s320/IMG_8494.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzQ0ixxyA6PbWU3z16gmJx1dD6NtQ79iZ7dmx0Jfqj3xN7F1zkttV1ZrfgxyRH4Y12gu505_1vxGQozfx4RAlkU5RpBLpgICxgOGgM-eQDe-SZXsdm6xqRJvLc1ydlvaihizMS-EmVCvK4RmOuMx8X9m8rem2T8xzzwlYPxv22lNsB5BhBWXDtqY22JU/s2048/IMG_8493.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzQ0ixxyA6PbWU3z16gmJx1dD6NtQ79iZ7dmx0Jfqj3xN7F1zkttV1ZrfgxyRH4Y12gu505_1vxGQozfx4RAlkU5RpBLpgICxgOGgM-eQDe-SZXsdm6xqRJvLc1ydlvaihizMS-EmVCvK4RmOuMx8X9m8rem2T8xzzwlYPxv22lNsB5BhBWXDtqY22JU/s320/IMG_8493.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Great, isn't it? On the liturgical calendar, today is the third Sunday of Advent - known as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaudete_Sunday" target="_blank">Gaudete Sunday</a>, which means "Joy". I have been an absolute fan of all the Walkers in the Star Wars world since seeing an AT-AT for the first time in Empire Strikes Back. I was giddy with excitement seeing those things walking across the snow. Are they entirely impractical for anything? Absolutely! Truly a terrible design from a functional standpoint, but a brilliant design from a fascist/brutalist standpoint. I was obsessed with the walkers. Such a cool design.</p><p>Then when the AT-ST showed up in ROTJ? I was all woo hoo again! I don't think any design will ever top the awesomeness of the AT-AT, but the AT-ST is definitely close. </p><p>So on Joy Sunday, LEGO's Advent Calendar filled me with joy. Woo hoo!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-32019063315736664272023-12-16T20:34:00.002-06:002023-12-16T20:41:57.519-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 16<p>Another WOW! from me as I opened the little door to the secret cubby hole that is the hiding place of the build that is the LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar for day 16. This is now three days we've been on the forest moon of Endor. We had princess Leia in her Endor battle fatigues; we had the tree houses of the Ewoks yesterday, and today the entrance to the Imperial Shield Generator site.</p><p>And it looks pretty good, too!</p><p>as a p.s. - did you know that Endor is in the Outer Rim territories? That's why the Empire chose it as the place to build the Death Star II. But even more interesting is that throughout galactic history, <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Ewok_Jerky">Ewok Jerky</a> was a popular snack in the Outer Rim and outworlders would often come to Endor to hunt the ewoks to make jerky out of them. Creepy. But then, the little buggers were gonna eat Han and Luke, so, well, it's all fair play I guess. And where did they get the dress for Leia if not from some other humanoid they ate previously? I don't know.</p><p>Ewok Jerky was first mentioned in the Clone Wars series, so I guess that's the tie that LEGO was going for when it switched the Advent Calendar from Clone Wars builds to Return of the Jedi Endor builds.</p><p>I wonder if I get a prize for figuring this out.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRF5BeSLwmCdCjcJ1BKZxP6jvhfzRgpkY9vp7VPAVICbI-KbGBvDt8uRu-1OIRIoW2-EkUVUNXM1jCa4V1OIEGxCy9Lyb0AyYMdmx-XPqEqTD22KOpIKarCzRNJ3z6sB7CID9feSoC7rk1FVAEPouD_mc0jaDPTWHzOyrvmFHOL3-iXL-NX1wHj98tiw/s2048/IMG_8485.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxRF5BeSLwmCdCjcJ1BKZxP6jvhfzRgpkY9vp7VPAVICbI-KbGBvDt8uRu-1OIRIoW2-EkUVUNXM1jCa4V1OIEGxCy9Lyb0AyYMdmx-XPqEqTD22KOpIKarCzRNJ3z6sB7CID9feSoC7rk1FVAEPouD_mc0jaDPTWHzOyrvmFHOL3-iXL-NX1wHj98tiw/s320/IMG_8485.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgateti-h3uevV5q7jEggHjHNzGYyWE-70LYUki4SPFkgrZmlnsmNHYeJCL0gDwI-xqwzyyonOf453jD0enthC3p6Sv2NKhtivEdMQYTKhFJjZ4RjwLJeMhtYGlTORBpESXWrAUsUrLSKPFr0rOWPd4QA7zS9y13wuVhoxpJM3lSfCQjIUXSiu8LrkruXg/s2048/IMG_8486.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgateti-h3uevV5q7jEggHjHNzGYyWE-70LYUki4SPFkgrZmlnsmNHYeJCL0gDwI-xqwzyyonOf453jD0enthC3p6Sv2NKhtivEdMQYTKhFJjZ4RjwLJeMhtYGlTORBpESXWrAUsUrLSKPFr0rOWPd4QA7zS9y13wuVhoxpJM3lSfCQjIUXSiu8LrkruXg/s320/IMG_8486.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Pretty nice, isn't it? </div><div><br /></div><div>Here it is with Leai and the trees:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGuiESqUGBWYbguL5OkWfwQJSxporSzpk9yUpb4tEHSwEe75eSxCuF9mX9rPSsX_8lHC_vRJxAGm-5UlHIkY3F3r5yeQZvBUI4uIMB5Zg5y1SR9x8dkgZuPmX3j42-8S3ozvEh0G-ytpULQUlrdcMAl7VTDSmelFgGL-dwt76cNaKnG_vURlXIrT9yTM/s2048/IMG_8487.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGuiESqUGBWYbguL5OkWfwQJSxporSzpk9yUpb4tEHSwEe75eSxCuF9mX9rPSsX_8lHC_vRJxAGm-5UlHIkY3F3r5yeQZvBUI4uIMB5Zg5y1SR9x8dkgZuPmX3j42-8S3ozvEh0G-ytpULQUlrdcMAl7VTDSmelFgGL-dwt76cNaKnG_vURlXIrT9yTM/s320/IMG_8487.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9D0tIipUoe6-YC1NWiztId0IK6Llfyj4H2n1-eLRIW_xUZCYFDx3e77a2Qmg9Vb9-baCQMFu1OipDs_2XI4QbLEoeIm1yppYY4hyA8YAsLoWrt7uYOuUYpDJJF68R6_196Ceajdb1UXXdLKgc5CPrMBymvPPSSAtl3NL9GpKSQ4Kt_h1voWuEEpZ3Ks/s2048/IMG_8488.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9D0tIipUoe6-YC1NWiztId0IK6Llfyj4H2n1-eLRIW_xUZCYFDx3e77a2Qmg9Vb9-baCQMFu1OipDs_2XI4QbLEoeIm1yppYY4hyA8YAsLoWrt7uYOuUYpDJJF68R6_196Ceajdb1UXXdLKgc5CPrMBymvPPSSAtl3NL9GpKSQ4Kt_h1voWuEEpZ3Ks/s320/IMG_8488.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I know that there is at least one more ROTJ build coming, because the cover of the calendar shows an Ewok minifgure. I really try not to look at the box so that I will be surprised, but some things are difficult not to notice.</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-29934612807358319282023-12-16T20:28:00.000-06:002023-12-16T20:38:59.626-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 15<p> ooh - another day on Endor! Princess Leia yesterday and the Ewok tree homes today!</p><p>Quite a nice little model, really. I'm impressed at how well it looks, and how good it is.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7suc0fi0Wz3O6gAO73Yj9NbQ2Abcf55qQ-7keHLINLl2ORxj2u-lNXm1pN_-_hax3MBn_1jSpnUoGvSND_jBKuaFLIxiOOroowQt1pnR9YusUOFnYjsA0faWZT5dVUPReKwwa6ZHmAAyuKoyyTooFNt3K8brsnGgXXJymqcBhZS-RdWrnrvF9i3DeN7Y/s2048/IMG_8483.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7suc0fi0Wz3O6gAO73Yj9NbQ2Abcf55qQ-7keHLINLl2ORxj2u-lNXm1pN_-_hax3MBn_1jSpnUoGvSND_jBKuaFLIxiOOroowQt1pnR9YusUOFnYjsA0faWZT5dVUPReKwwa6ZHmAAyuKoyyTooFNt3K8brsnGgXXJymqcBhZS-RdWrnrvF9i3DeN7Y/s320/IMG_8483.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQe-LPNzP0DCrKaFT4m6nfnp8qpz0MAOZBNuVktIoPX6FoOD215IaXdVZlgQhkfETEUTm4gUuZOgrXIEMoD2dMrz51snRQL4riMSATn3aZ3BTFbM5L0goTiJMptW2a6F1EWsEZZwTETf5Bb4fq7whRdw6uWOVfWt-n3jkJPYIiL0KIusJOImcSh4Crnw/s2048/IMG_8482.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQe-LPNzP0DCrKaFT4m6nfnp8qpz0MAOZBNuVktIoPX6FoOD215IaXdVZlgQhkfETEUTm4gUuZOgrXIEMoD2dMrz51snRQL4riMSATn3aZ3BTFbM5L0goTiJMptW2a6F1EWsEZZwTETf5Bb4fq7whRdw6uWOVfWt-n3jkJPYIiL0KIusJOImcSh4Crnw/s320/IMG_8482.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gmhfsd2qyn5pt4usVOl9tiANVP3eblQRHbRYAeL_cDF9rIWDcyWdREUHGij3G1shID_pZHar6goA0Rx_PI1nHR5CqlcMqvCt1TYWzvA8TPQtKfrfnDVgGLc8VMuMRBrpcAQHmYFccYk_mgEx0ShomD_SPMUZXYGMg-IKeqno3v71o49N1v40nD3_nKs/s2048/IMG_8480.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7gmhfsd2qyn5pt4usVOl9tiANVP3eblQRHbRYAeL_cDF9rIWDcyWdREUHGij3G1shID_pZHar6goA0Rx_PI1nHR5CqlcMqvCt1TYWzvA8TPQtKfrfnDVgGLc8VMuMRBrpcAQHmYFccYk_mgEx0ShomD_SPMUZXYGMg-IKeqno3v71o49N1v40nD3_nKs/s320/IMG_8480.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Quite happy. We're 15 days in, and other than an initial negative reaction against the battle droids, this year LEGO have really been offering some exceptional quality and quantity.</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-21685546023250497922023-12-14T07:21:00.001-06:002023-12-14T07:21:03.961-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 14<p> WOW!!</p><p>As I put today's together, I thought, "This looks like Leia on the forest moon of Endor" but then I thought we've spent so much time in Clone Wars that there wouldn't be a Princess Leia. But then, yesterday was an <a href="https://revdavidjhuber.blogspot.com/2023/12/2023-star-wars-advent-calendar-day-13.html">Imperial Shuttle</a>, so maybe today could also be from the original trilogy. </p><p>I looked this one up just to make sure that I wasn't missing a character from Bad Batch, Obi Wan, Mandalorian, Clone Wars, Rebels, etc. I don't know any of those shows very well; not in the way that I know the movies, anyway.</p><p>And yep - it is indeed Princess Leia from Return of the Jedi in the outfit she wore to try to blow up the shield generator. And the uniform she had on when she got to return Han's words from Empire Strikes Back, "I know". And apparently in this one she's delivering a pizza. Maybe a fruitcake? A cookie? A tambourine? Or is that supposed to be one of the explosives they used to blow up the shield generator? If it's supposed to be that, it's pretty poorly done. I'm going to call it a pizza and call it good. Given the Christmas theme, it's probably supposed to be a cookie, but I think a pizza is more fun to imagine her carrying through the forest. Thinking that maybe the Ewoks invented pizza, and are the only ones in the galaxy who have pizza, and Leia has discovered something so special that she can't get enough of it and is willing to carry one through the forest.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BF8QYaDhAGaSgUlI50_cevqLmozPu3z1QDu0MFBjth7t8Hz3WYQ0p_Cfr0W8aiBv2pX66gbQacKD5kcA_U0CWw1k8qjfaHgmeNWySqLkvgt9BHleU_LwsW_rktIPggm_zV67MCueOzPaFS4AwlmBm7tuf14R2TQwOFbb9DtNiiY8mbLftfQsXnn9tI/s2048/IMG_8457.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA0BF8QYaDhAGaSgUlI50_cevqLmozPu3z1QDu0MFBjth7t8Hz3WYQ0p_Cfr0W8aiBv2pX66gbQacKD5kcA_U0CWw1k8qjfaHgmeNWySqLkvgt9BHleU_LwsW_rktIPggm_zV67MCueOzPaFS4AwlmBm7tuf14R2TQwOFbb9DtNiiY8mbLftfQsXnn9tI/s320/IMG_8457.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrYCZfMCPjzTuVwOhVrJ-_KOAgkawhNeQYs8lbqGQ7URhrpH3TIwHSY35yGfPBpADdo6WC2QhQeJ3XRRiMDd5l_jxn_8qIrkG3LVSRAnmP5TxZEQiiECF2JcRUjBUgtB1Nw0zKGpljkmSyOw_8PCw2w0KzSMuEeH5o5KO6GtY2_Glz3fCm1kMd6Nzt0E/s2048/IMG_8458.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrYCZfMCPjzTuVwOhVrJ-_KOAgkawhNeQYs8lbqGQ7URhrpH3TIwHSY35yGfPBpADdo6WC2QhQeJ3XRRiMDd5l_jxn_8qIrkG3LVSRAnmP5TxZEQiiECF2JcRUjBUgtB1Nw0zKGpljkmSyOw_8PCw2w0KzSMuEeH5o5KO6GtY2_Glz3fCm1kMd6Nzt0E/s320/IMG_8458.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6Dih9UG6R1B6h4gTjFIT7djY6m5QyzqHp3hLmbkIUp8lPZhY9lx8msX8YSKWEBLXiJTfEgm3GK30PugyvLvqKFEAuQ4eSj_COuZaB1lUK-eH-wmjNnOsa0NPADyACAxV3b6q5EinoOip9OvjXUZeLAuoJLLRgh-VYKjXUB8TglsKy7BaZuRqykCDT30/s2048/IMG_8459.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt6Dih9UG6R1B6h4gTjFIT7djY6m5QyzqHp3hLmbkIUp8lPZhY9lx8msX8YSKWEBLXiJTfEgm3GK30PugyvLvqKFEAuQ4eSj_COuZaB1lUK-eH-wmjNnOsa0NPADyACAxV3b6q5EinoOip9OvjXUZeLAuoJLLRgh-VYKjXUB8TglsKy7BaZuRqykCDT30/s320/IMG_8459.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Way to go, LEGO! I know I keep saying it, but this year's Calendar is delivering every day. Best one yet!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-27268305788151156002023-12-14T07:08:00.000-06:002023-12-14T07:08:40.625-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 13<p> LEGO have done an exceptional job this year.</p><p>Today's build is one of my favorite of all the Star Wars ship styles - the shuttle. The wings that fold up and down, and the cockpit that goes up and down, are beautiful to watch in the films. I think particularly of Darth Vader's shuttle landing on the Death Star II and Palpatine's shuttle landing there a little later in Return of the Jedi. They are so graceful. And that elegance and gracefulness stand out because so much of the Galactic Empire's preferred style is a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brutalist_architecture">Brutalist</a>/<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_architecture">fascist</a> one, designed to reek of power and danger and make people feel small and insignificant against the violent power of the Empire. Consider the AT-AT (another of my favorites) and how impractical they are for anything other than that they can invoke fear and terror in enemies.</p><p>Today's would appear to be an Imperial Shuttle (<a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Lambda-class_T-4a_shuttle">Lambda-class T-4a Shuttle</a>). And it also means that after almost two weeks, we're finally (well, *I* use the word <i>finally</i>) into the original trilogy (meaning Episodes IV-VI).</p><p>This is a beautiful build. Very well designed.</p><p>The quality and size of the items in this year's Calendar is the best that I remember. Really getting my money's worth this year.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzNpz-By86pG8LwTY3nvmoOoau1EggM7Q_SQl0GLjzRKom54kYLmLDbEhDa7U5X_YQzUmMvG_PUxQ-Sr-7GO80bAWeQXxXX4EDj0tj8gRwiGLwCFxoLdvnCMpV5iACOvm0Y0bZ3vfNjDhTvWunhm5j1ZwzVoWiDUircc8lXFgp0-Ie8AU5faz6nRwFA4/s2048/IMG_8451.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqzNpz-By86pG8LwTY3nvmoOoau1EggM7Q_SQl0GLjzRKom54kYLmLDbEhDa7U5X_YQzUmMvG_PUxQ-Sr-7GO80bAWeQXxXX4EDj0tj8gRwiGLwCFxoLdvnCMpV5iACOvm0Y0bZ3vfNjDhTvWunhm5j1ZwzVoWiDUircc8lXFgp0-Ie8AU5faz6nRwFA4/s320/IMG_8451.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn7xNWrnE764x-5U5_1Tca_EtrJAlk0PYxDuA5B8g3jxD9cN_VtcBUW3Vew-qkh3_c37DZv2r8P4GL_BF4B47njnXnMYGxJRhxgTUkoT44CFg5sAp78V8NJ2P-4t1lGgEotqdkPmY0LML5p-MNcM0RQqzYV6NlbETlMLyXRUffoLzvPwug3jUIjM1w9A/s2048/IMG_8452.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIn7xNWrnE764x-5U5_1Tca_EtrJAlk0PYxDuA5B8g3jxD9cN_VtcBUW3Vew-qkh3_c37DZv2r8P4GL_BF4B47njnXnMYGxJRhxgTUkoT44CFg5sAp78V8NJ2P-4t1lGgEotqdkPmY0LML5p-MNcM0RQqzYV6NlbETlMLyXRUffoLzvPwug3jUIjM1w9A/s320/IMG_8452.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lekgR5pxwfmghWimrKySczQwlMgrbdeYjBNgwNB07W8teO8-_ulZiKKxAuyYBIPt6Z91bzlgm1umozH1cvw7gGnjyfxfof5I6apthLq7NBg52M32827BCb6UTUA3JKwCKIkxV8Kf87NpoE8x7iYl_qch_zbxmda4IedO1Fyv4DAQ4UtZVI3yYzjYzLk/s2048/IMG_8453.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9lekgR5pxwfmghWimrKySczQwlMgrbdeYjBNgwNB07W8teO8-_ulZiKKxAuyYBIPt6Z91bzlgm1umozH1cvw7gGnjyfxfof5I6apthLq7NBg52M32827BCb6UTUA3JKwCKIkxV8Kf87NpoE8x7iYl_qch_zbxmda4IedO1Fyv4DAQ4UtZVI3yYzjYzLk/s320/IMG_8453.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcWAdCF2j-_eY4Tm8b32BLZCTFb0r-g4oz_nQkgpIG32Qw5wNBWpBd36Fyt5mRmaOve6ctGXfFfs-sXuJcvRc9kDgWQq2jRKojHqluCsl-V5JWq0GmYQpj3dJGoltgbt1taqVdqmugm6GAUHQmxgfv36dm8Uvhb9tca_5MJbJwTUJJwSMeZxR2Bs9_yU/s2048/IMG_8454.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggcWAdCF2j-_eY4Tm8b32BLZCTFb0r-g4oz_nQkgpIG32Qw5wNBWpBd36Fyt5mRmaOve6ctGXfFfs-sXuJcvRc9kDgWQq2jRKojHqluCsl-V5JWq0GmYQpj3dJGoltgbt1taqVdqmugm6GAUHQmxgfv36dm8Uvhb9tca_5MJbJwTUJJwSMeZxR2Bs9_yU/s320/IMG_8454.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-70613313496301751372023-12-14T06:56:00.000-06:002023-12-14T06:56:03.466-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 12<p>From the Clone Wars we move to ... Santa's robotic reindeer shop?</p><p>I really like when the Advent Calendar builds come with a holiday/Christmas theme (like Yoda in a santa hat from years ago, or minifigures in ugly Christmas sweaters).</p><p>Today's a double win - one of my favorite of all the Star Wars droids, the Gonk Droid, dressed up as a reindeer! A truly excellent idea from the geniuses at LEGO. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5DB5xyttdOTg63pCsZ3jaS0QKuh6hDBbTRPCvkjZ8OvyqCXNft6Qk6Do969rjJfg3xm8hHHsw6UVM1f2ZQYGurCVpkIeaPRY4HMh65RDSB8eCwbsTzktU1Oyai9dR-H7xr1h8DrNHj6GbGpARpZeUnt5a42aK-__G65sb4T8HwFsY3ChoqWiiMiVMbM/s2048/IMG_8449.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR5DB5xyttdOTg63pCsZ3jaS0QKuh6hDBbTRPCvkjZ8OvyqCXNft6Qk6Do969rjJfg3xm8hHHsw6UVM1f2ZQYGurCVpkIeaPRY4HMh65RDSB8eCwbsTzktU1Oyai9dR-H7xr1h8DrNHj6GbGpARpZeUnt5a42aK-__G65sb4T8HwFsY3ChoqWiiMiVMbM/s320/IMG_8449.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA3d9ZQvJIBQEV_kbQZNZawFVKTCM9x2Et8hKhFOWEnH_LQw1nqEfslS2GKK2j_QCsbZbmJIC6E-qUCnwRrUDFydJWwXkYrycNmELFJAmZ2h8v2ISIAYS0BUoRqoc2fS5kL_iFiGqOHaoBZklk_g0HuctVJCtvP-EawuONCPufzHV_SuI3uJp3jvB9AI/s2048/IMG_8450.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikA3d9ZQvJIBQEV_kbQZNZawFVKTCM9x2Et8hKhFOWEnH_LQw1nqEfslS2GKK2j_QCsbZbmJIC6E-qUCnwRrUDFydJWwXkYrycNmELFJAmZ2h8v2ISIAYS0BUoRqoc2fS5kL_iFiGqOHaoBZklk_g0HuctVJCtvP-EawuONCPufzHV_SuI3uJp3jvB9AI/s320/IMG_8450.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p>I wish that instead of a black stud for the nose it had included a red one to make Rudolph. Thankfully, I have a boatload of red ones that were extra parts in other builds, so I tried two of them, a solid red and a translucent red:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdCRmgWh5RvDU15Y2gF6_DaveYM7veEZP4Nusupb1Eb3YA6To7HI7XHwAH8ZW3a90EpeUQKUk5FLjXn9GLRlHl1Wi3_Puk6KTiGFtDHeH-4RbJ31cQpm38lsAA-MrfbrO1wF-6A9n8dtK_CmDMQsGZpaT5IvqGvZIse1I-8gBAPeQNReicoNChMgU-dY/s2048/IMG_8460.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkdCRmgWh5RvDU15Y2gF6_DaveYM7veEZP4Nusupb1Eb3YA6To7HI7XHwAH8ZW3a90EpeUQKUk5FLjXn9GLRlHl1Wi3_Puk6KTiGFtDHeH-4RbJ31cQpm38lsAA-MrfbrO1wF-6A9n8dtK_CmDMQsGZpaT5IvqGvZIse1I-8gBAPeQNReicoNChMgU-dY/s320/IMG_8460.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnYqR8nC7-szbLy39YodnBTjV6qB7vm1hV2pEsmrvsc4wTnweG1HCVeK-4hbxzZ41Ee1m7q-PwzbYKXG06mC7L0MiimJ4zmWIIt-8UFoV1cCzkQ_3s5V7LeQSoWgFSjeh6lbcc57S4sIXhQ5p11E_SPJ0eoxLq98b1eaYP8JZHJzj1vRhj2ExJ4XAUs4/s2048/IMG_8461.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMnYqR8nC7-szbLy39YodnBTjV6qB7vm1hV2pEsmrvsc4wTnweG1HCVeK-4hbxzZ41Ee1m7q-PwzbYKXG06mC7L0MiimJ4zmWIIt-8UFoV1cCzkQ_3s5V7LeQSoWgFSjeh6lbcc57S4sIXhQ5p11E_SPJ0eoxLq98b1eaYP8JZHJzj1vRhj2ExJ4XAUs4/s320/IMG_8461.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>I like the subtlety of the translucent one, but I think the boldness of the solid red one works much better. My version of the Reindeer Gonk Droid now has a solid red nose. Welcome to my home, Rudolph Gonk! I do hereby name you R1G4! (Because I think this is the 4th gonk droid I've gotten in the Advent Calendars over the years). </p><p><br /></p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-51793885886935828632023-12-14T06:38:00.002-06:002023-12-14T06:38:46.036-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 11<p> The Calendar keeps delivering some wonderful treasures.</p><p>Today is another Clone Wars-era vehicle, the Assault Tank (or more rightly, an Armored Assault Tank, or AAT). Pretty good representation! And the turret swivels.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIofs6Ta9uGQ_EYXZwhagCVksx0HbwgIFF0102_uWpfe5HWn_i5h9Qgb3kDnbBLZfKbzCc6gG4qyc19LqyKLUcHyIpzytJR2yQsW2rQAeXrimYGfjYeK9PL_nXxd3aSwHv78vcdWIaXyJGAf_pKN0N4HFsoPCZ0tCpFIZEO49sFBAa9bYJJSBdKuBZ8Ug/s2048/IMG_8447.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIofs6Ta9uGQ_EYXZwhagCVksx0HbwgIFF0102_uWpfe5HWn_i5h9Qgb3kDnbBLZfKbzCc6gG4qyc19LqyKLUcHyIpzytJR2yQsW2rQAeXrimYGfjYeK9PL_nXxd3aSwHv78vcdWIaXyJGAf_pKN0N4HFsoPCZ0tCpFIZEO49sFBAa9bYJJSBdKuBZ8Ug/s320/IMG_8447.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW5ySY19ZhfdrFADPfRy2BalHiZ_ShrXqxQp3BSKVamX2oGlzbsOcOL_A6b1PN1mOgQOhH9v0sKsXLruIqx_zp9h1WgFfMTFKeIy2x2XsM1XuPTKfUngknugtbeLt3H4Cbc1f_oETwNJ3dO31IUqPMJ70UfLF6byAjeVCOH1mh66NI0WrhG2VG6KS2D0/s2048/IMG_8448.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYW5ySY19ZhfdrFADPfRy2BalHiZ_ShrXqxQp3BSKVamX2oGlzbsOcOL_A6b1PN1mOgQOhH9v0sKsXLruIqx_zp9h1WgFfMTFKeIy2x2XsM1XuPTKfUngknugtbeLt3H4Cbc1f_oETwNJ3dO31IUqPMJ70UfLF6byAjeVCOH1mh66NI0WrhG2VG6KS2D0/s320/IMG_8448.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-79054789577151533132023-12-10T20:49:00.004-06:002023-12-10T20:49:49.102-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 10<p>Day 10 of the Calendar and it's another transport. Probably the ugliest/silliest in the line of Star Wars designs (a line of designs that has very, very few duds, mind you), I've had a quite negative reaction to this thing since I first saw it. I don't know why, but I find it to be a ridiculous design, even in a fantasy world that often doesn't care so much whether a certain design would actually <i>work</i> so long as it looks cool.</p><p>But, that's not very important - what's important is that this LEGO build is a very good representation of the thing.</p><p>I give you (or more precisely, LEGO gives you) the <a href="https://swse.fandom.com/wiki/IG-227_Hailfire-Class_Droid_Tank" target="_blank">IG-227 Hailfire-class droid tank</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeW_lhBAC2Dp_EF9jWefG_uN69Nr89_Gt6KqNBr5aMzZYbIjs9S4h8eLrCO20Z0QrU0PRMKUJCJEiYfiDK3P_PkEsiF3Dto96IqXd3NN1yDAZ8czdtD_hZAxCLOs-K2m-Jw6FHzYPoNMUFWwtDMMJJeF4P_L63hj-NAeaJ9AveX9L6ow4oJ9Ik5b0Gzw/s2048/IMG_8435.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdeW_lhBAC2Dp_EF9jWefG_uN69Nr89_Gt6KqNBr5aMzZYbIjs9S4h8eLrCO20Z0QrU0PRMKUJCJEiYfiDK3P_PkEsiF3Dto96IqXd3NN1yDAZ8czdtD_hZAxCLOs-K2m-Jw6FHzYPoNMUFWwtDMMJJeF4P_L63hj-NAeaJ9AveX9L6ow4oJ9Ik5b0Gzw/s320/IMG_8435.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaYbv76F2RB_2lcvMLEng5rzoyqH7nDrfw6nuFiSwgMDUboMbJXkh9nxOVLf4JNl8gOymDnssFvqMM27K5KDDgawed9C4BnZsf7OUPOqLhmJSVIoYq55TUI550HxwCTGf8vjGpE7tWWFy1qlPFyvWVwFJ11Ogmlc60nfOekjpja183n1t880nE-QBQJA/s2048/IMG_8434.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFaYbv76F2RB_2lcvMLEng5rzoyqH7nDrfw6nuFiSwgMDUboMbJXkh9nxOVLf4JNl8gOymDnssFvqMM27K5KDDgawed9C4BnZsf7OUPOqLhmJSVIoYq55TUI550HxwCTGf8vjGpE7tWWFy1qlPFyvWVwFJ11Ogmlc60nfOekjpja183n1t880nE-QBQJA/s320/IMG_8434.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I also give you a little behind-the-scenes look at how well LEGO does with the directions for building these things. The entire set of instructions has to be done in one small square which is the door to the Advent Calendar window of the build. So the designers/engineers have ONE picture to get across complicated builds. It's very impressive how well they do it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwCaq5QqWOEo1WS3vs2f_8McMrhMfa_Qg1p66IML0FRNr_phyCIuJ2h_uT_BdXhjWkk_8g0Z8PVarVGulsZTS-0Flh27Ez5cvUx9VjGRoPzV2VXKZAgBFJfncFTYWkwugE6PglFavtXdepls4hOImusgMZCETipXxA1FbVvrPsooUu-MTJfGx5KDktuk/s2048/IMG_8433%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwCaq5QqWOEo1WS3vs2f_8McMrhMfa_Qg1p66IML0FRNr_phyCIuJ2h_uT_BdXhjWkk_8g0Z8PVarVGulsZTS-0Flh27Ez5cvUx9VjGRoPzV2VXKZAgBFJfncFTYWkwugE6PglFavtXdepls4hOImusgMZCETipXxA1FbVvrPsooUu-MTJfGx5KDktuk/s320/IMG_8433%20(1).jpeg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Good work, LEGO! Even though it represents something I'm not keen on, it's a wonderful build and continues to make the 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar to be one of their best in terms of good builds, many parts, interesting things, and not feeling like they're being lazy or cheap. </p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-51544060522222950202023-12-09T19:19:00.004-06:002023-12-09T19:19:29.998-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 9<p> Hmmm... maybe I was too harsh yesterday about yet another Battle Droid because today's build is actually something for the Battle Droid to use - a STAP Speeder (STAP stands for <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Single_Trooper_Aerial_Platform" target="_blank">Single Troop Aerial Platform</a>). </p><p>This is the thing that Battle Droids can use as transport. Cool.</p><p>And a pretty good representation of it, considering how few pieces had to be used to make it.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGvdByPKY_GY34l82oq5nfFhQlOF_D3-9tPiwJd2mmEzU1I9a4CxxU_7FX8ySXMptfGKehA1fxAOrgAgPWfsybTk7LYcNj5qcZjpsq0585jhOOT68K9K-Z5BrzTf5Qu8sWpxZtLmJqxt95-pNX0LyenXLkvMjPoC4VKnVcat40UTlsWJmBBXXNbGnlbA/s2048/IMG_8409.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGvdByPKY_GY34l82oq5nfFhQlOF_D3-9tPiwJd2mmEzU1I9a4CxxU_7FX8ySXMptfGKehA1fxAOrgAgPWfsybTk7LYcNj5qcZjpsq0585jhOOT68K9K-Z5BrzTf5Qu8sWpxZtLmJqxt95-pNX0LyenXLkvMjPoC4VKnVcat40UTlsWJmBBXXNbGnlbA/s320/IMG_8409.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnMDnqAsa6gGDmAGFsWj1r_qfNj6Q3VxZ43I-sw3bLbQZoTcQl6haittjCuTKl6h0HSd9DELuGtDf2mYPEG7l1y0GZH7PNckg_eGkulZiRiqwzY0ALPjOMbuM6ukcyTauQvIG3dblTNnlmMVeuzRhH8Wl1Y9YmOPIxrsg0WKSF2N9eUb4Y1Dc1kYYDI0/s2048/IMG_8411.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnMDnqAsa6gGDmAGFsWj1r_qfNj6Q3VxZ43I-sw3bLbQZoTcQl6haittjCuTKl6h0HSd9DELuGtDf2mYPEG7l1y0GZH7PNckg_eGkulZiRiqwzY0ALPjOMbuM6ukcyTauQvIG3dblTNnlmMVeuzRhH8Wl1Y9YmOPIxrsg0WKSF2N9eUb4Y1Dc1kYYDI0/s320/IMG_8411.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>And here is the Battle Droid riding it.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFiAorE4tabKljZr4euFiqTe0_YtXJrgPWzk5sP61idix9N9xO89CB8AJbuUyZ_Foi350cLJxLlPA4IM7K23YIdpdYwLiFgmniF9Sw_w9lEJzMmkdmu63xKdhOX2LX0g0LdYX6-5qeRo76SZKMiZzrVknpFX2fr0498aj_LA360hLvGj1J5Mt_2j81s0/s2048/IMG_8426.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFiAorE4tabKljZr4euFiqTe0_YtXJrgPWzk5sP61idix9N9xO89CB8AJbuUyZ_Foi350cLJxLlPA4IM7K23YIdpdYwLiFgmniF9Sw_w9lEJzMmkdmu63xKdhOX2LX0g0LdYX6-5qeRo76SZKMiZzrVknpFX2fr0498aj_LA360hLvGj1J5Mt_2j81s0/s320/IMG_8426.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>And here's the Battle Droid after being shot by the clone trooper.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj_233RfIeJLH67MFNzVOqJzQz2sXQMtyjn4apAB5xZJ3c4ICbCs7e42k_DpUVpR8k2H2D9r36GTPZlXNimaxFkFrCiYK5VL4_a-3SJqwUqTSYdxi2Mo9CKMBtCAjrQirRwDEWDP-n1xgRQIAb8SFqd7PXD9MOquYnLQXHaxxqMLXBtab1RY9yxlKPGM/s2048/IMG_8406%20(1).jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidj_233RfIeJLH67MFNzVOqJzQz2sXQMtyjn4apAB5xZJ3c4ICbCs7e42k_DpUVpR8k2H2D9r36GTPZlXNimaxFkFrCiYK5VL4_a-3SJqwUqTSYdxi2Mo9CKMBtCAjrQirRwDEWDP-n1xgRQIAb8SFqd7PXD9MOquYnLQXHaxxqMLXBtab1RY9yxlKPGM/s320/IMG_8406%20(1).jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>The ninth day of the Advent Calendar is always a special one for me, so I always hope to have something special in the Calendar - and since this build, even though I'm not super excited about other than that I don't own any other versions, redeems the disappointment with the battle droid yesterday, then I'd say it was a special day, indeed.</p><p>Thank you, LEGO!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-9430860423667991142023-12-08T22:34:00.003-06:002023-12-08T22:34:44.870-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 8<p> We made it to Day 8 before LEGO disappointed. It's a minifig today, and that's cool, but it's yet ANOTHER Battle Droid. It just seems like LEGO got a really good deal on cranking out 20 brazillion of these things 25 years ago, so they're including them in everything they can. I think I now have 100 of them from various sets, including from previous Advent Calendars. Or do I have eleventy jillion? Hard to remember.</p><p>So, not a total disappointment - it's a minifigure, even if it's overused and exactly like every other one. So, well, another one to add to the mass battle scene I might be able to create some day with a few zamtilion of these things.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5jFM9SXYidye-T3aa4p-XtsU0ETIP7F41r2BWDOg6Of5fOBE-X9oS8nzrOhcG3ptP0w2i7pOvW4pBsKE2qetGFixyborPRKNaabic-XLbV222l__pJNNQxmutg3EX2QY5AoIHj5YnatkdgMOcpBFtyLcC6zsX-7zZdaeIVoVvfuMylCR3UPdIwxZQy8/s2048/IMG_8402.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5jFM9SXYidye-T3aa4p-XtsU0ETIP7F41r2BWDOg6Of5fOBE-X9oS8nzrOhcG3ptP0w2i7pOvW4pBsKE2qetGFixyborPRKNaabic-XLbV222l__pJNNQxmutg3EX2QY5AoIHj5YnatkdgMOcpBFtyLcC6zsX-7zZdaeIVoVvfuMylCR3UPdIwxZQy8/s320/IMG_8402.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieZm1tasYc9qp-BCZF9MjYYAlVm6Xb49dG7gPMPAh7kFLCNT4DLeb1CXJNcd1mQ5vh1X6qS4J5xWaCdKVRBMrXkFRcLIaJWqTw0vrwIbVXDRuEOblxmH0rYIo8ufuKNRxN4Id2Q1MHEQ0kgp7udKsaf1_Yv4_FPTbKeMTyj7cqyWyszw77oS77eKTwRo/s2048/IMG_8403.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieZm1tasYc9qp-BCZF9MjYYAlVm6Xb49dG7gPMPAh7kFLCNT4DLeb1CXJNcd1mQ5vh1X6qS4J5xWaCdKVRBMrXkFRcLIaJWqTw0vrwIbVXDRuEOblxmH0rYIo8ufuKNRxN4Id2Q1MHEQ0kgp7udKsaf1_Yv4_FPTbKeMTyj7cqyWyszw77oS77eKTwRo/s320/IMG_8403.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>On the plus side, Day 6 and Day 7 gave us a Clone Trooper and a Command Center, so I can imagine the Clone Trooper blowing the Battle Droid to oblivion, Roger Roger, registering our collected disappointment at LEGO tossing in these cheap ... well, basically <i>clones</i>, in set after set... </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi9yBEvFcRbY6qBX102_1-614DIA8_54_W5YximdkedyuTNma_cYRkgoamrYwQPHyA-nx-Xwdk09AmF_QJwzI4v2QBd_zwoRsGVH52GaUavo69EDBKbWqgbNcpp_m0bW34HVJn56G84UsEsLyeEdGTmQbV0ZLC4Aj7GkT9fm8_-NcSyW7HN3rsJkQrkc/s2048/IMG_8405.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJi9yBEvFcRbY6qBX102_1-614DIA8_54_W5YximdkedyuTNma_cYRkgoamrYwQPHyA-nx-Xwdk09AmF_QJwzI4v2QBd_zwoRsGVH52GaUavo69EDBKbWqgbNcpp_m0bW34HVJn56G84UsEsLyeEdGTmQbV0ZLC4Aj7GkT9fm8_-NcSyW7HN3rsJkQrkc/s320/IMG_8405.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-22403614148328941862023-12-08T22:17:00.005-06:002023-12-08T22:17:38.418-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 7<p>Still doing well with this year's LEGO Advent Calendar - today we get a classic Clone Command Station. And by classic, I mean "new" and "from the prequels" and "probably very people would recognize this". I sure didn't. I had to look it up.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMoCFTXp7OnLkMeeBDTRQvDNis1o8N_Ldqhi-swkX_HkG1zigmEFT2oicMPlJyBBWAi0e-oGs2MZQ72TSHBb4W6hiSapLchyphenhyphenpCaW70l2kNfWxaLRYHB9BqEbR8xmuvSs1py9qoZZkLYnN3yX1h7Y84DBcmJMdt9HZt0RGb9lr1s6IiejdrahudD-7NmE/s2048/IMG_8400.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMoCFTXp7OnLkMeeBDTRQvDNis1o8N_Ldqhi-swkX_HkG1zigmEFT2oicMPlJyBBWAi0e-oGs2MZQ72TSHBb4W6hiSapLchyphenhyphenpCaW70l2kNfWxaLRYHB9BqEbR8xmuvSs1py9qoZZkLYnN3yX1h7Y84DBcmJMdt9HZt0RGb9lr1s6IiejdrahudD-7NmE/s320/IMG_8400.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N8mgGkMUurRWDU4ZNQhaWM7VvtG-jsVL_8MlshSevtGqdCBb2xxBQoEAMk5jg5ruN1hHJSYC2bfBnAACoiQZ1P_MB-zJK4ObckEQ2QAh7Q2vy3Zi8ekZF8p2jYQn29joocqe9_NyL2uvvxogEZAgZ-nvXofecTErzTFr1nWqgxpxryTkmIlJWkWY53A/s2048/IMG_8401.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1N8mgGkMUurRWDU4ZNQhaWM7VvtG-jsVL_8MlshSevtGqdCBb2xxBQoEAMk5jg5ruN1hHJSYC2bfBnAACoiQZ1P_MB-zJK4ObckEQ2QAh7Q2vy3Zi8ekZF8p2jYQn29joocqe9_NyL2uvvxogEZAgZ-nvXofecTErzTFr1nWqgxpxryTkmIlJWkWY53A/s320/IMG_8401.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's a weird thing, but it also can do this:</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoFD4Hjdxe6lw1xfpQstW3RuWjaROWVca2ibXfCel0gsD8JLzchhm_GgF4NqddcW-hPvC6tZeUGTD7g4Y60GndgkpXO_fe9hB47uIITEGujkgnGAWNEX_-jnF4tyOLFK7CdL6clb3DrV0s9PB3F1a1W55CLxHJZUJb9GlULS0c_jYUb6NM__QETl58hY/s2048/IMG_8404.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXoFD4Hjdxe6lw1xfpQstW3RuWjaROWVca2ibXfCel0gsD8JLzchhm_GgF4NqddcW-hPvC6tZeUGTD7g4Y60GndgkpXO_fe9hB47uIITEGujkgnGAWNEX_-jnF4tyOLFK7CdL6clb3DrV0s9PB3F1a1W55CLxHJZUJb9GlULS0c_jYUb6NM__QETl58hY/s320/IMG_8404.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>And that's super cool.</p><p>Thanks, LEGO!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-59060754604424999992023-12-08T21:52:00.001-06:002023-12-08T21:52:13.646-06:00 2023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 6<p> LEGO, you are rockin' it this year!</p><p>Today's build is a minifig! Specifically, a 212th Clone Trooper. Look at that beauty.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g1-XX3Tx2aoOXXPgVn7i7BahApZvp1a_3-JgjH6y2zPbEN6mwdk7-g9Tq5o7LiE115l34dbLWgQtlTasrEWQ5opGhf_RfnWfWGBHevSSbeA65lx-vK6Doz0-JDqR87qEN8FVLpu6Vmou2eYNFRnYE85t-2PHdyDJfbzMR6lRMQcwRv0cKSTtjNjPsaM/s2048/IMG_8393.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4g1-XX3Tx2aoOXXPgVn7i7BahApZvp1a_3-JgjH6y2zPbEN6mwdk7-g9Tq5o7LiE115l34dbLWgQtlTasrEWQ5opGhf_RfnWfWGBHevSSbeA65lx-vK6Doz0-JDqR87qEN8FVLpu6Vmou2eYNFRnYE85t-2PHdyDJfbzMR6lRMQcwRv0cKSTtjNjPsaM/s320/IMG_8393.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovDbQhKdYv2O0_ZKwv3KUqMMZpEAfuH7jwm5ZR6VtIXktkGOVKz1PJK8xizmiAoavOQfi2PK00rvSaNFJ08-9ZHHe5cln2kGxw9tkANfQ0fLgscqHKGhVPN0ctb7SZbuKU-1OJqGEdTLCV_olHsJ0g1qL48gKaw91AviBKZwlDHkCfiQPURwmMOOutCU/s2048/IMG_8392.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiovDbQhKdYv2O0_ZKwv3KUqMMZpEAfuH7jwm5ZR6VtIXktkGOVKz1PJK8xizmiAoavOQfi2PK00rvSaNFJ08-9ZHHe5cln2kGxw9tkANfQ0fLgscqHKGhVPN0ctb7SZbuKU-1OJqGEdTLCV_olHsJ0g1qL48gKaw91AviBKZwlDHkCfiQPURwmMOOutCU/s320/IMG_8392.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>This minifigure was previously only available in one LEGO set, and a pricey one at that. So this is quite the winner! </p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-19615431834328392342023-12-05T19:26:00.003-06:002023-12-05T19:44:04.295-06:002023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 5<p> Continuing to open the little doors on the calendar and pull out a bag full of pieces. Five days in, and every day's LEGO treat has had a fair amount of pieces. No stingy builds of trying to make something look like a medical droid with just 5 pieces. And no filling slots with those cheap droid soldiers.</p><p>Today is ANOTHER vehicle! Woo hoo!</p><p>It's the Landmaster from the movie "Damnation Alley"!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREkgzuuVzCIZMx8GX398F49EanoBf153ZMoTDJ7PCk3i_x-TmxlbNPOg0hPiJ3Zppj2H5o7QW123k3lAJF4mEMEaVt_W3PgZGvf0B9Otya2K6f_Ym1hSaNwFqYL6az84QpyKqs_eGqh41sWI6TT-c-ViJouQt6UF6C_MS2TmH72QIdGMu84dE8V3Wr44/s360/Landmaster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="215" data-original-width="360" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgREkgzuuVzCIZMx8GX398F49EanoBf153ZMoTDJ7PCk3i_x-TmxlbNPOg0hPiJ3Zppj2H5o7QW123k3lAJF4mEMEaVt_W3PgZGvf0B9Otya2K6f_Ym1hSaNwFqYL6az84QpyKqs_eGqh41sWI6TT-c-ViJouQt6UF6C_MS2TmH72QIdGMu84dE8V3Wr44/s320/Landmaster.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Look at that puppy!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">No, I kid - that isn't what it is. It's this:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpqFDWjgnMkOeYDXWbhzDtaHONxPqFoqNXXRKOHIe_vI0rTOL8cEbtay6Re6MNVJrgL8aKuBqvdtnDKdWK3YhcCUdjB-Q1QeiCb2wXs_OY3ZNvPS2VpchyVa5xIXr4Saih_t1-2yafFjFWI4OOnnKxdPogJDgCz52-QRdi-zxBgwkQUan7EII7virotU/s2048/IMG_8384.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZpqFDWjgnMkOeYDXWbhzDtaHONxPqFoqNXXRKOHIe_vI0rTOL8cEbtay6Re6MNVJrgL8aKuBqvdtnDKdWK3YhcCUdjB-Q1QeiCb2wXs_OY3ZNvPS2VpchyVa5xIXr4Saih_t1-2yafFjFWI4OOnnKxdPogJDgCz52-QRdi-zxBgwkQUan7EII7virotU/s320/IMG_8384.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi1xFZvJjE3CDth9VAWLcYtMF1-IhKplHzZSd_18QvaRCQfd_f7_JEEFOKJcwK_-nXYwYm1CDkYqp1gwf9tAmMflCTzyfxwMb0S0LE53AQy5X0UnAe38Qnq-qgVNRFlzxyC9geRIfJb0BIOz0NQsk3Ar0fAXKTCBO0RxPjA7fGxHR_1PBUNRxQ6fxcpE/s2048/IMG_8385.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCi1xFZvJjE3CDth9VAWLcYtMF1-IhKplHzZSd_18QvaRCQfd_f7_JEEFOKJcwK_-nXYwYm1CDkYqp1gwf9tAmMflCTzyfxwMb0S0LE53AQy5X0UnAe38Qnq-qgVNRFlzxyC9geRIfJb0BIOz0NQsk3Ar0fAXKTCBO0RxPjA7fGxHR_1PBUNRxQ6fxcpE/s320/IMG_8385.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>And that is the Clone Turbo Tank! Fantastic. Fills me with joy. Also known as the <a href="https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/HAVw_A6_Juggernaut" target="_blank">HAVw A6 Juggernaut</a> to the purists. LEGO released a set of this a number of years ago, <a href="https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/clone-turbo-tank-75151" target="_blank">set #75151</a>. </p><p>As I mentioned, the builds have had a lot of parts. And the bags are coming with a lot of extras. I've already put the extras from Days 1-3 into my "spare parts" drawer in my inventory, so I can't show those. But this photo shows how many pieces are leftover just from today's and yesterday's builds. I don't remember an Avent Calendar having so many extra pieces.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELnlXuI94paNxm9KoQ23PBw1D8W0Ll5QXu0-cR_62NXS6xKSMMTRRlMV7kJG8A01SfEKvcE7uMleYthxDgFLJH25DIzK5-Zf6C4TSydk9U9X1YbLuOyHwijsVY3GFIRLZrai574M8BWG84CKcCEDoU7dDeTkH9Htlnq9Xn55-2feMKSLLayl-h2m2vi8/s2048/IMG_8387.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjELnlXuI94paNxm9KoQ23PBw1D8W0Ll5QXu0-cR_62NXS6xKSMMTRRlMV7kJG8A01SfEKvcE7uMleYthxDgFLJH25DIzK5-Zf6C4TSydk9U9X1YbLuOyHwijsVY3GFIRLZrai574M8BWG84CKcCEDoU7dDeTkH9Htlnq9Xn55-2feMKSLLayl-h2m2vi8/s320/IMG_8387.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p>So far, LEGO, I'm feeling like I totally am getting sufficient bang for my buck for buying this $40 thing! </p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-606250325720648292023-12-05T19:16:00.005-06:002023-12-05T19:16:58.656-06:002023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 4<p> Another banner day! </p><p>Today is this robotic thing with a sack.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCwnYJpUZaKaVJzjQjTfB35i_5-wFp2lIBlHPFGqBgodEW3i3DM-9HUpp2trjJRHvBZ-MsGK5nBL_JZZprN1O-_UesOYnXezJU6V3ahfNvLxYkDdpH2Hd2oDT4duI1bHrfNJBqaVRLv36PLR2qcr2a8uoslVyPWnPJ_nhlCYjnvv8TgxyiTnD_wNMbTI/s2048/IMG_8381.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCwnYJpUZaKaVJzjQjTfB35i_5-wFp2lIBlHPFGqBgodEW3i3DM-9HUpp2trjJRHvBZ-MsGK5nBL_JZZprN1O-_UesOYnXezJU6V3ahfNvLxYkDdpH2Hd2oDT4duI1bHrfNJBqaVRLv36PLR2qcr2a8uoslVyPWnPJ_nhlCYjnvv8TgxyiTnD_wNMbTI/s320/IMG_8381.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2ZFLHhpAG2Am0YS6AJ34xVaUTZlVr4LTvxh_IHnwGIYFyS9AhJuqxltOjLSL_r8GxYAx4fCz9qycxFpGgElokhW5sb3bmerBEzixcJYW55F4i7EHQOXEY7JWNGd6mPqWvK1d72NsAnI5jmZE_u730va_nZAHYWLXN8JWBlQ4VGrtAOzvYyYt2TSWbCQ/s2048/IMG_8382.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2ZFLHhpAG2Am0YS6AJ34xVaUTZlVr4LTvxh_IHnwGIYFyS9AhJuqxltOjLSL_r8GxYAx4fCz9qycxFpGgElokhW5sb3bmerBEzixcJYW55F4i7EHQOXEY7JWNGd6mPqWvK1d72NsAnI5jmZE_u730va_nZAHYWLXN8JWBlQ4VGrtAOzvYyYt2TSWbCQ/s320/IMG_8382.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk74CGokC4j8CW6CbvMNY_1IVrL8rEDBB_MLypJG0XGazXDDfGER8bFKHXsXpSEiCBsOValrezw5cwW80Tdh_vjQkbENQ-Pk4J6pF9Irq8xQtv7AqCDlNNzSh9XYvGm-oUrJT-E7oIUVzANwx6Y5L6EcJqmi38lMODfFCVhaibM35WiZVAo6nNbqMmEng/s2048/IMG_8383.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk74CGokC4j8CW6CbvMNY_1IVrL8rEDBB_MLypJG0XGazXDDfGER8bFKHXsXpSEiCBsOValrezw5cwW80Tdh_vjQkbENQ-Pk4J6pF9Irq8xQtv7AqCDlNNzSh9XYvGm-oUrJT-E7oIUVzANwx6Y5L6EcJqmi38lMODfFCVhaibM35WiZVAo6nNbqMmEng/s320/IMG_8383.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>LOL. It's not just a robotic thing - this is the ever cool Pit Droid dressed up like Santa with a bag of presents to give away! Are they for Amy Sedaris, maybe? </p><p>Great build, much fun to make but even more fun to look at. I'm so enjoying this year's Advent Calendar, and this early bit of festive fun makes me smile and makes me happy.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-34829048873580267672023-12-03T20:55:00.003-06:002023-12-03T20:55:33.276-06:002023 Star Wars Advent Calendar - Day 3<p> Today is officially the beginning of Advent, and so the Advent Calendar is now in the proper season. </p><p>Wow!</p><p>Day 1 was a minifigure <b>with</b> a ship! (yeah, it was actually a sled, not a spaceship, but it's Star Wars, and a sled is used to travel, so let's just call it a ship). Day 2 was a spaceship. And now Day 3 is another spaceship! I'm really hoping that starting off so well like this doesn't mean that at the end will be all the more lackluster/smaller/fewer-pieces builds. I hope that this means the whole calendar is going to be <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cQgQIMlwWw">awesome</a>. Like the LEGO movie itself! </p><p>Today is the spaceship N-1, a refurbished Naboo fighter. This was purchased by Din Djarin uses after his Razor Crest was destroyed in the "The Mandalorian" series. </p><p>Notice the raised cupola on the back, where Grogu rides on their shared adventures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L_oJd3qp_RY7NDo-A_duAJA78uOL28SVj3mVw56DOA4qa1Wu2tiXMmv-wOhp0OkmV4eyOloAIDfkiqaELMACvnvXgR2M332d8T0ET1iy_G6uCtEMqyF8XzrVBdwMcnXZKpCZ8FGYWzpNkjOAZZjWeY8xcxXt7u_0kVkOtm-JStYdWoQ10echlCqLz9A/s2048/IMG_8371.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1L_oJd3qp_RY7NDo-A_duAJA78uOL28SVj3mVw56DOA4qa1Wu2tiXMmv-wOhp0OkmV4eyOloAIDfkiqaELMACvnvXgR2M332d8T0ET1iy_G6uCtEMqyF8XzrVBdwMcnXZKpCZ8FGYWzpNkjOAZZjWeY8xcxXt7u_0kVkOtm-JStYdWoQ10echlCqLz9A/s320/IMG_8371.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1VIu66lEE8wlway4S7Rn8ETLGsPSO1vLtR-OfTHjPzQXToXQ95LCCD2OshRV1D1n4hcdWxtbtnN7i2qa2Qj_n7oPr1cTvfszjZ5UkgD1taxKSu-IzlL4kqe8ojSkhvISUIPQiwt1VstnB_ZmqqGQDP3etjphnhyYQs1bJKHV4PSYo__ECstFjYwtjC0/s2048/IMG_8373.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1VIu66lEE8wlway4S7Rn8ETLGsPSO1vLtR-OfTHjPzQXToXQ95LCCD2OshRV1D1n4hcdWxtbtnN7i2qa2Qj_n7oPr1cTvfszjZ5UkgD1taxKSu-IzlL4kqe8ojSkhvISUIPQiwt1VstnB_ZmqqGQDP3etjphnhyYQs1bJKHV4PSYo__ECstFjYwtjC0/s320/IMG_8373.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Sweet.</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-46032092064195951312023-12-02T22:17:00.003-06:002023-12-02T22:17:18.645-06:002023 Star Wars Advent Calendar Day 2<p>Here we go with Day 2, and another great build. I was surprised to open the little door on the calendar and see a large bag in there. I thought maybe one of the bags from a nearby window had fallen into this one. But it was just a large bag that was quite difficult to tug out of the cubby hole.</p><p>A difficult build, as the picture showing how to put it together wasn't quite clear. But since there's only room for one picture to show how to build something, I'll give the LEGO folks credit for figuring out a way to make as clear as they did. Dang. Lots of pieces! And I had five pieces leftover, so that's a very generous overfill on LEGO's part.</p><p>Today, Dec. 2 (still not Advent proper!) is the Justifier, owned by bounty hunter Cad Bane. The tailpiece is a bit disappointing, but given the small scale of these builds, it is quite likely as close to perfection as can possibly be done with fewer than a small handful of pieces. So, quite impressive, really. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN0u10yfkzRnnBsHnTiU8yOv1JZMxtBkbfL3uCsTWad07uLUVTz6Dm0nBO9eQQYgzNg5D8Uxf5hgddVbTwmT0hfwHP2dro-uRzsh7zjUZpllTcBVeelSdKManvvJRL5v51XC353XK5bho1oKYZxqLQ4RFyuwsaMWhlPaHmNARf4T9y1fdn6pefPGvTgQ/s2048/IMG_8366.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJN0u10yfkzRnnBsHnTiU8yOv1JZMxtBkbfL3uCsTWad07uLUVTz6Dm0nBO9eQQYgzNg5D8Uxf5hgddVbTwmT0hfwHP2dro-uRzsh7zjUZpllTcBVeelSdKManvvJRL5v51XC353XK5bho1oKYZxqLQ4RFyuwsaMWhlPaHmNARf4T9y1fdn6pefPGvTgQ/s320/IMG_8366.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh9fihVOEHICrKbqq9xHBGadYnljkxIVWST-dn8-AnR3SgWYcKwGNxXzXY2o83ldY9NqG4IEYNsjQkOOcBMNyHbqBEIQOHE6frDdDKrafP-n9FZ89NhS8O8OizP0rdjJs7AcKGj_58f5khmspdDuyzIsi6VeROf6PwZ3h2bbSywvYXvYflV4513aL-9c/s2048/IMG_8367.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEh9fihVOEHICrKbqq9xHBGadYnljkxIVWST-dn8-AnR3SgWYcKwGNxXzXY2o83ldY9NqG4IEYNsjQkOOcBMNyHbqBEIQOHE6frDdDKrafP-n9FZ89NhS8O8OizP0rdjJs7AcKGj_58f5khmspdDuyzIsi6VeROf6PwZ3h2bbSywvYXvYflV4513aL-9c/s320/IMG_8367.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Pretty impressive - and we're still off to a great start. A minifigure with a sled yesterday, and today a starship with many pieces. Two great builds. Very satisfied!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-59123994811095519362023-12-02T22:10:00.000-06:002023-12-02T22:10:01.591-06:002023 Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar - Day 1<p> Hello, all!</p><p><br /></p><p>I'm doing another Star Wars LEGO Advent Calendar this year, and will be posting the daily builds here each day. LEGO Advent calendars aren't actually tied to Advent <i>per se</i>, they are 24 days long, so they're always Dec. 1 to Dec. 24. </p><p>Today was day 1 - December 1, which liturgically is two days before the first day of Advent which starts late this year, on Dec. 3. But, we're not here to judge LEGO on their adherence to a calendar that's not even held by all of Christendom. Although historically, Denmark (where LEGO is located) has been for a lot of its history an officially Christian country (Lutheran since the Reformation, Catholic before the Reformation, starting with King Harald Bluetooth [yes, the dude that Bluetooth technology is named after] in the 11th century). Anyway...</p><p>LEGO is starting the Advent Calendar off with a bang! Not only a minifigure, but a minifigure with extras! Generally, when LEGO drop a mini in the calendar, it's just the mini. So this is a rare moment to get a mini with something else; and especially rare that LEGO are starting the calendar off with this!</p><p>It's an obscure character - Omega, from the Bad Batch. She's an unmodified enhanced clone of Jango Fett. </p><p>And she comes with a sled! Which so far as I know, she does not have in the show. I assume is included because the Advent Calendar is a winter-themed. Clone's gotta go sledding, too, right? I want to go sledding now! But we have no snow.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxtVazgv0BZ4d6bZx_tAGIWjnGsJe-9DajnusGa99GL9_G2jhpPnMw9hdfmBYMPKSRGuk2GRwdAOOoxVi3yPZXm7XJPVspNVH1N3vLh_BGaz1uMijje8MlHtQs21JjixmcYFentVmyXa3jDy8waR_4wovnGDBg4EttKOFHeakMKJNY7onmXclMncVZlw/s2048/IMG_8357.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxtVazgv0BZ4d6bZx_tAGIWjnGsJe-9DajnusGa99GL9_G2jhpPnMw9hdfmBYMPKSRGuk2GRwdAOOoxVi3yPZXm7XJPVspNVH1N3vLh_BGaz1uMijje8MlHtQs21JjixmcYFentVmyXa3jDy8waR_4wovnGDBg4EttKOFHeakMKJNY7onmXclMncVZlw/s320/IMG_8357.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLKYXZzI6NN-oXq11VvT_FCpkx66xpn0JVSnM512wRViVb6zdqiCgAt8MQ7QC1xMGYbVwwjFzL9rB3Eu_7Jij877iZQLhNamvY0MBcWJmw0aalJBIWL0uBgZ5DcUeFqIy9OEiFlhfJpXKyCT5MjVQeaIpVr2PFe42y572pvlAU9tZ7E9dGrquSGMn2Ks/s2048/IMG_8358.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQLKYXZzI6NN-oXq11VvT_FCpkx66xpn0JVSnM512wRViVb6zdqiCgAt8MQ7QC1xMGYbVwwjFzL9rB3Eu_7Jij877iZQLhNamvY0MBcWJmw0aalJBIWL0uBgZ5DcUeFqIy9OEiFlhfJpXKyCT5MjVQeaIpVr2PFe42y572pvlAU9tZ7E9dGrquSGMn2Ks/s320/IMG_8358.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Totally awesome way to start! I love it. Good work, LEGO!</p>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3593422715976655621.post-62581572277963844772023-10-31T12:18:00.001-05:002023-10-31T12:18:04.714-05:00Day 14 - Jephtha’s Daughter (Spooky/Scary/Weird stories from the Bible)<p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: large;">Day 14 - Jephtha’s Daughter (Spooky/Scary/Weird stories from the Bible)</span></span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-44b4d3fa-7fff-fa1d-6e58-1fe6cad9315f"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Biblical stories that could make good horror/paranormal movies</span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yesterday we had a story of women’s power in a tale of Deborah the Judge and Jael the tent spiker. Today is a story of women’s powerlessness, how they so often are at the mercy of the abusive and terrible whims of men. Being Halloween day, one thinks also of the “witches” of old that were generally simply women who didn’t fit the established idea of “norma” who were brutally murdered or mistreated - and people would continue to say “Be afraid of the witches!” instead of “Be afraid of the evil men who try to justify their violence!” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In this scripture story, Jephthah is a warrior of the Hebrew people in the time they were trying to take the Promised Land from the people who already lived there, and this is a story of a horrific vow he makes and the consequences that his daughter must bear.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Judges 11:30 And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord and said, “If you will give the Ammonites into my hand, 31 then whatever[b] comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return victorious from the Ammonites, shall be the Lord’s, to be offered up by me as a burnt offering.” 32 So Jephthah crossed over to the Ammonites to fight against them, and the Lord gave them into his hand. 33 He inflicted a massive defeat on them from Aroer to the neighborhood of Minnith, twenty towns, and as far as Abel-keramim. So the Ammonites were subdued before the Israelites.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 36pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">34 Then Jephthah came to his home at Mizpah, and there was his daughter coming out to meet him with timbrels and with dancing. She was his only child; he had no son or daughter except her. 35 When he saw her, he tore his clothes and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low; you have become the cause of great trouble to me. For I have opened my mouth to the Lord, and I cannot take back my vow.” 36 She said to him, “My father, if you have opened your mouth to the Lord, do to me according to what has gone out of your mouth, now that the Lord has given you vengeance against your enemies, the Ammonites.” 37 And she said to her father, “Let this thing be done for me: grant me two months, so that I may go and wander[c] on the mountains and bewail my virginity, my companions and I.” 38 “Go,” he said, and he sent her away for two months. So she departed, she and her companions, and bewailed her virginity on the mountains. 39 At the end of two months, she returned to her father, who did with her according to the vow he had made. She had never slept with a man. So there arose an Israelite custom that 40 for four days every year the daughters of Israel would go out to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is the last of the 14 stories, as today is Halloween and I am done. But there are many more stories that I skipped which you can find by reading the Bible. It really is quite interesting!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">All text is from the New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition. </span></p><br /><br /></span>revdavidhhuberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12288149245025203671noreply@blogger.com0