Just got some stuff taken from my unlocked car.  My own fault but it still sucks.  I was thinking of other times in my life where things have been stolen.  The only other time was in my sophomore year of college.  Someone broke into our apartment and opened my bedroom door.  My room mate was staying at his girlfriends and I sleepily said "trevor???"  I heard the guy say **** and start running I was up chasing after him in an instant.  It was winter and I was in my undies and t-shirt so I wasn't going to chase after him in the snow.

All he got from us was some CD's but it was still pretty freaky

Saw this in the local paper...

Best Buy a MN company is starting to shift the way they sell electronics and are targeting 5 standard customers...

Best Buy, the No. 1 U.S. electronics retailer, plans to change its strategy to focus on five core customers it has identified. The effort includes spending $50 million to format more than 100 stores in the next year to cater to these customers:

"Ray" -- The core customer at most of its stores. A family man. Not an early adopter of new technology, but he wants good equipment at a reasonable price. Best Buy's goal: prevent Ray from going to Wal-Mart or other competitors.

"Jill" -- Suburban soccer mom who usually hates to shop at Best Buy. Stores that cater to Jill are not as loud, feature softer colors, include a kids' technology section, and offer a personal shopping assistant service.

"Barry" -- This affluent male professional wants high-end home theater and other digital offerings. Stores that cater to Barry offer specialized financing plans, home consultation services and same-day delivery and installation.

"Buzz" -- The young male technophile who wants cutting-edge video and technology products. Stores that cater to Buzz feature early-adopter technologies and places to try them out, including sofas and flat-screen televisions for testing video games or consoles.

Small business customer: This as-yet-unnamed customer relies on Best Buy to keep his or her business running. A California store that caters to a large number of real estate agents, for example, features grouped product offerings of notebook computers, GPS devices and portable printers, all of which can be used to do business from a car. Best Buy personnel called Business Pros will help advise on the selection of equipment.


I guess this approach is working really well in the pilot stores they are trying out in (out West).  I'm really a mix of Ray, Barry and Buzz although Buzz is really dying

I'm a car idiot.  I can put gas in and check the oil, fill the washer fluid and check the air in the tires.  That's about it.  I know how an engine works in theory but couldn't for the life of me tell you what the parts are...where the transmission is located etc.  I wish I did know more about cars...at least so I could change my own oil

So what you got?

I have a 36" Sony Trinitron got it just before the WEGA stuff came out which is a shame...thinking about upgrading sometime down the road to a widescreen (HD or Plasma in my dreams)

Why did they have to make this???  Damn it...now I'm going to have to buy it

Senator Padme


Minutes after almost being assinated, Padme appears in the Senate to the shock of many who though she was dead.  She also wears this gown to Palpatine's office in the next scene accompanied by the Jedi and various Senators.  I'll state right off that with Hasbro focusing on the OTC and the fact that only a couple of Episode I Padme's have been rumored, Episode II Padme figures all seem like long shots for the time being.

Packing For Home Padme



The Chancellor feels that Padme would be safer on Naboo and it is up to Young Padawan Skywalker to be her protector.  She is none too happy about this and is seen hurrying about her apartment in this gown.  This one is a real long shot, as the scene is not that exciting.

Outlander Disguise Padme



Anakin and Padme travel to Naboo aboard a Coach Starship and disguise themselves as Outlanders in order to blend in with the more common people of the Galaxy.  Outlander Anakin was in the first Wave of Episode II figures, it is a shame Outlander Padme has not been made yet.  Of any Episode II Padme, this one has the best shot.

Naboo Retreat Padme



Anakin and Padme hide on Naboo in the Lake Country.  Alone...what do two young people without supervision on some backwater planet in a breathtaking vista do?  They fall in love!  This is one of my personal favorite gowns worn by Padme, lets hope it gets made soon.

Padme Picnic Gown



Padme and Anakin have a nice little picnic in the hills of Naboo amoung the Waterfalls and pus filled herbivores. In a scene straight out of the Sound of Music, Padme runs through the tall grass in this beautiful dress.  Another one I hope they make.

Fireplace Padme


If there is a costume that makes fanboys around the world drool with excitement its Padme in her evening dinner gown.  Personally designed by George Lucas, this dress caused a stir everywhere when it first appeared in the AOTC trailer.  Figure chance on this one would be pretty good, its one that most people want from AOTC and I would think it would eventually get made.

Nightdress Padme



Who knew that we would see someone's Pajamas not once but twice in this movie.  Padme wears her Nightdress on Coruscant and back on Naboo where she learns that Anakin senses that his Mother is in grave danger.  A two for one shot type of figure (much like the Tatooine Padme) it could happen but women figures in their PJ's probably doesn't make for a good toy.

Tatooine (II) Padme



With Anakin away searching for the Tuskens who kidnapped his mother, Padme puts on this comfy dress and settles in with the Lars family.  She then consoles Anakin in the Lars Garage with some Blue Milk and Cookies.  One of the neater dresses from AOTC, since they have done one Tatooine Padme in recent months, I doubt we'll see another for some time.

Cut Scene Padme



One scene that was cut from AOTC and later appeared on the DVD was Padme and Ani meeting Padme's family on Naboo.  This would be an EU figure but its close enough that we'll list it here!  One in a million chance this one would ever happen

Stay Tuned for Part 3 of this report where we look at the remaning 5 Padme figures yet to be made for Attack of the Clones.

Mucho thanks to the Padawans Guide for the reference pictures!

Starting a new weekly/biweekly (as I get around to it) feature at JD.com, what's missing from the Hasbro line.  First up...Episode I Padme Amidala.

Padme Handmaiden


While fleeing from the invading armies of the Trade Federation, the wily Amidala disguises herself as a Handmaiden to lessen her risk of being captured.  Padme rides aboard the Royal Starship in this outfit.  A Handmaiden was a choice in Fan Choice #5, perhaps this figure has a good shot at being made.

Amidala Travel Gown


One of the few figures to be made as a 12" figure and not in the 3-3/4" line.  This lush purple gown was worn aboard the Royal Starship as the Jedi and Panaka are discussing where to land the Starship for repair.  Also note that she also wears this gown to Qui Gon's funeral.  There is a good chance this one might get made eventually, especially since they made the 12" Figure.

Amidala Pre-Senate Gown


Worn while in the offices of Senator Palpatine, this gown is very ornamental in nature.  A nice nod to the kamino style dresses of Japan!  Not seen for very long, this figure is a real long shot.

Amidala Post-Senate Gown


After her Senate speech, Amidala confides to Jar Jar that she is unsure of what will happen on Naboo. She is dissapointed in the political machine that is the Senate.  This gown is seen when she greets Palpatine on his return to Naboo after the defeat of the Trade Federation.  Another good choice for a figure, one that represents multiple scenes.

Amidala Naboo Celebration Gown


One of my personal favorite scenes of The Phantom Menace is the closing parade featuring the Naboo and Gungans celebrating the defeat of the Trade Federation.  One of the most demanded figures yet to be made for Episode I, the Celebration Gown Amidala was a strong rumor for late 2004.  Lets hope this one pans out!

Stay Tuned for Part 2 of this report where we look at the 10!!! Padme figures yet to be made for Attack of the Clones.

Mucho thanks to the Padawans Guide for the reference pictures!