Yes, the mighty

5. Thug Squad Ballers

is indeed my team. 

My squad is named after my intentions for the draft...

Every guy I pick will have "street cred" as well as maybe a stirke or two against him as far as substance abuse goes.  Nothing but the crazies and thugzz on my squad and that shouldn't be too hard in the NBA 

Jeff

Kubrick Pre-Order via Amazon.co.jp ?

KUBRICK ƒXƒSW Series 3

Won't ship to the USA, but at least we can watch to see when they get them in stock

Jeff

This is what we used to "weather-proof" the new wood...

Seasonite New Wood Treatment

Brand New Deck

"It's important that all wood, whether it's pressure-treated pine, cedar, or redwood, weathers properly before you apply a penetrating oil finish like CWF-UV for long-term protection. During this weathering period, excess water evaporates from the wood, and the mill glaze wears off of smooth wood, allowing the wood fibers to open up. Only after this happens is the wood porous enough to accept a penetrating finishing coat.

An immediate application of Seasonite to your deck (or siding and fences) provides a slow, steady, weathering period. The movement of moisture into and out of the wood is controlled. In addition, Seasonite helps maintain the wood's natural color and keeps it looking new longer."

Got the tip from Bob Vila himself on one of those wood-working shows on Cable!  You put this stuff on to let the wood weather slowly.  Then when you stain it in 6 months, it looks even better because the stain penetrates deeper and you won't hav eto re-stain quite as often to keep it looking great.

As for the color, it will probably take my wife all winter to decide which shade of red cedar goes best with our blue siding... 

Jeff

Well, looking back at what was rumored lst year (for 2004), I'd wager some of these are sitting someplace just waiting to get made at Hasbro.  They could probably hash out a few of these for another wave for 2005...

Keeping the rumor list up date

TPM
Rabe - DONE
Queen Amidala (Celebration) - DONE
Wookiee Senator Yarua - DONE

AOTC
Sly Moore-  DONE
Pablo Jill - DONE
Stass Allie - DONE (crappy, but done none the less)
Jocasta Nu
Cliegg Lars
Owen Lars
Beru Whitesun

ANH
Stormtrooper (Super Articulation) - DONE
General Tagge
Luke in Stormtrooper disguise
Han in Stormtrooper disguise
Death Star Trooper
Hem Dazon
Banniss Keeg
Bom Vimdin
Feltipern Trevagg (Gotal) - DONE
Elis Herlot (Givin)
R5-D4
CZ-3
Rebel Flight Tech
Grand Moff Tarkin

ESB
Meditation Chamber Vader
Bespin Dinner Vader
Cloud Car Pilot - DONE
Bespin Leia Organa - DONE
Lobot (resculpt) - DONE
E-3PO
R2-D2 Dagobah - DONE
Yoda Dagobah - DONE
Luke Skywalker Dagobah - DONE
Luke Skywalker Medical Frigate
Black Bespin Guard

ROTJ
Han Solo Endor - DONE (AT-ST Han was probably what they meant)
Luke Skywalker Endor
Ewok 2-pack with catapult
Chief Chirpa
Wicket - DONE (probably meant OTC version)
C-3PO Knee Articulation
General Madine - DONE
Bib Fortuna - DONE (probably meant OTC version)
Hermi Odle
Weequay
Imperial Dignitary #3

Some pretty good waves could be constructed from the left overs...

A DS wave with Stormie Han, Stormie Luke, and Tagge perhaps?


Jeff

Part 3/4

I give you the finished product.

Things I learned:

1) - Get more friends.  More help and this bad boy would have been done much sooner.  Almost ALL of the work was done by my wife and me.  I personally put in EVERY screw and EVERY nail myself, as well as cutting EVERY piece of wood myself.  Sure, we had father-in-law help with the concrete footings, and a bit of my dad help installing the decking boards, but it was pretty much all me and my wife.

2) - Better Quality Tools = Better work.  I pretty much upgraded every tool I had on this project (circular saw, drill, cordless drill/driver) as well as buying some new ones.  Better quality tools may cost more, but like they say "you get what you pay for".

3) - Treated wood scraps are a bitch to get rid of.  No one wants to take them away, can't burn them.  What do I do with them? 

4) - Planning everything from the start was a HUGE help, but evn then, things can and will go wrong.  Plan, plan, plan and then over-plan.  As mentioned earlier: measure once, measure twice, then cut.  It will save time in the long run to double-check each step along the way.

5) - Finally, listen to your wife when she starts talking.  If you hear her say, "it can't be too much work to build a deck ourselves, can it?" - Run.


Thoughts?

Jeff

Part 1/4

Hmmm...

That's a good point.

Will Hasbro call her "Padme Skywalker" or "Padme Amidala Skywalker" or "Padme Amidala"?

I supposed since they were married in secret, she wouldn't change her name... or would she?   

Or, maybe we'll get a Senator Padme Amidala figure AND a Padme Skywalker (Mustafar) figures?

Jeff