In Battle for the Allspark, everyone had Allspark Blue. In NEST, the peaceful Decepticons live in abject terror as they run for their lives from the homicidal Autobots.

Really good robot mode, tank mode and even transformation. Bludgeon is good across the board. Recommended even if you’re not a Bludgeon fanboy (heck, I’m not one either).

Yeah, I’m doing this a bit different. Of you wanna know right off the bat if you should get this guy, just refer to the above.

Anyhow, this is Bludgeon, a Voyager class Transformer from the Revenge of the Fallen toyline. An interesting factoid is that he’s designed to fit in reasonably well with the Classics/Universe 2.0 line, and I’d say they’ve succeeded.

In tank mode, Bludgeon looks great. He’s very toyetic. His green is both subdued, but at the same time, feels very much like a toy. But that’s a good thing. I feel like a kid again when I have him in tank mode. At the same time, he’s not garishly colored. Even the little bit of orange and unpainted plastic gray that shows up doesn’t detract from him overly. It’s a really nice tank with lots of neat details.

Transformation is complex, but nothing you can’t handle after the first time. It kind of feels old school super robot-ish for some reason, and in any case, everything fits together very well. You won’t end up with a compromised robot mode nor a tank mode with lots of gaps. Everything is neat and secure.

Robot mode is characterful, to say the least. I think the pictures speak for themselves in this regard. Anyway, despite having lots of kibble, none of it really gets in the way, and that’s awesome. For instance, the tank threads on either side of his arms are rubbery, so they won’t restrict articulation. And the tank turret on his back simply makes him look more military or samurai, as opposed to a tank turret hanging off his back. As you can tell from the pics, they look good regardless of how you display ‘em.

Overall
A very good toy with no notable weaknesses. For instance, he might have kibble, but they not only add to his look, but don’t get in the way of his articulation. I’d say get him. I’ve never really liked Bludgeon. What few comics I saw of him, despite trying to make him look cool, just came off as dorky to me. But this toy is really good, and may well be the best Voyager toy of the entire RotF line.

Pros: Everything.
Cons: Nothing.

3.8 out of 4.0

———————————–
0.0 – 0.0 = I’d pay to get rid of it
0.1 – 0.5 = I’d give it away
0.6 – 1.0 = I wouldn’t take it for free
1.1 – 1.5 = Very Bad
1.6 – 2.0 = Bad
2.1 – 2.5 = Average
2.6 – 3.0 = Good
3.1 – 3.5 = Very Good
3.6 – 4.0 = Excellent

Fine, still, rather cold. Finished digging limed patch. Transplanted apple tree. Had great difficulty uprooting it & fear I damaged its roots seriously. Cut down remaining michaelmas daisies & transplanted one clump. Found nest of 11 eggs, not say on & seemingly O.K., so will do for the house, but shall not enter them in book.

4 eggs.

i wake up every morning to see these two lovers canoodling.
one more day until i depart from iowa and return to my beloved nest.
you can find me on belmont & clark

sincerely,
dor.

Hey Pet Society fans! Another week is here with plenty of new items filling the stores, so sign on to Pet Society via Facebook now to explore! Remember that any items labelled This Week’s Special (TWS) or Thanksgiving Special (TS) will be in store until midnight GMT on Monday the 30^th of November, 2009, but may be available again at some point in the future.

It’s all up, up, up from here in the Luxury Store, with a choice of dramatic, traditional and pretty-in-pink new stair cases to suit every style!

Gothic Mansion Stair Case	Oak Mansion Stair Case

Princess Mansion Stair Case (TWS)

Give your home a country feel with everything from Chestnuts, a Birdhouse, a home-warming Fireplace and classic Chests, to the new Kingston and Amelia collections in the Furniture Store!

Chestnut Plushie (TWS)	Cute Bottle Decor	Chestnut Artwork

Cute Wooden Chest	Country Birdhouse Decor	Cute Pink Wooden Chest (TWS)

Kingston Bookcase	Kingston Chest of Drawers

Kingston Low Bookcase	Classic White Fireplace

Amelia White Bench (TWS)	Amelia White Chair (TWS)

Amelia Writing Desk (TWS)

The Mansion Chandelier in the Gadget Store will convert your humble country dwelling into something else, so light up your rooms with pride!

Mansion Chandelier

To complete your home’s rustic feel, lay some Walnut Wood Floor and put up the new Maple Wallpaper, which are now available in the D.I.Y. Depot!

Walnut Wood Floor

Maple Wallpaper

Some pets have been growing delicious chestnuts in their garden for a few weeks now, well it has just come to light that Truffles has also been joining the chestnut growing craze. But not only that, he’s whipped up some delicious treats with them! So head to the Food Store to taste the delectable Mont Blanc Cake and Chestnut Pancakes that Truffles is now selling!

Mont Blanc Cake (TS)	Chestnut Pancakes (TS)

Lily is all about the cuteness factor this week, with an adorable new Fairy outfit and a pretty new Maid outfit in the Clothes Store!

Cute Fairy Wig	Cute Fairy Headband

Cute Fairy Dress	Cute Fairy Wings	Cute Fairy Shoes

Cute Maid Headpiece (TWS)	Cute Maid Dress (TWS)	Cute Maid Shoes (TWS)

If you are a bird lover, you need to check out the new Robin Nest Hat in the Cash Shop. You can wear your very own bird’s nest on your pet’s head, and it will evolve over time!

And finally, new to the Furniture and Gadget Stores this week is the Large Battery which will last for 7 days, so if you are going away for a week, and would like to have your Nannybot look after your pet the entire time, this is the battery for you!

Robin Nest Hat	Large Battery (PF-Cash)

Please note that this update is for Facebook only, and that MySpace is still subject to the MySpace Rewind. MySpace and Bebo will have items from Once upon a time… in stores this week!

“> 

There has been so much bird activity in the garden as they follow their instincts in the search for suitable nesting materials. Hay, hair, dry grass, twigs, mud it all gets gathered in the frenzied rush to build a nest. I think the prize this year for best nest must go to the lovely thrush who has chosen the wisest site for her nest. None of this swaying in the branches of a tree for her little ones. No, indeed she has chosen to build them a cosy wee nest between the clematis covered trellis and the warm bricks of the house. Her babies will have a dry roof over their heads  under the eaves of the house, with a lovely view of the garden  and out across the valley, radiated heat and shelter from the wind. The only disturbance is the odd pesky human who has to walk by to turn on the tap to water the vegetable garden.

I noticed four eggs last week and today when I returned for a peek while she was off the nest notice there are 3 hatchlings and one egg still to go. I’m not sure about the chances of survival though – the babies look pretty weak and inactive so I shall will be keeping  an ear out over the next week for sounds indicating they are waiting to be fed, she’s going to be one busy mama!

I’m amazed by what God is doing here in the lives of the women and families!  Here’s a recent update from my teammate Tasha:

“ZA” attends my weekly English/Bible lessons.  She hungers for God’s Word and understanding of what truth is.  She used to tell me that she was half Christian and half Muslim, but now says she is ¾ Christian.  She prays to Jesus now, and says her children get upset if they don’t pray to Jesus before they sleep.  On Wednesday our team had a prayer day.  She was at the refugee center beforehand, and asked that the team pray for her to get an apartment.  Later that night at a Farsi movie night she excitedly said, “I know you prayed to Jesus because my phone rang before I even left the building and I have an apartment now!”  This past Friday at women’s showers she pulled me aside and asked if we could read the Bible together.  She got a big smile after we read Romans 10 together and said she can already picture the day when she is free and doesn’t have to fear anymore.

“ZE” also attends my English/Bible lessons.  She is a single mother of four (two of the four being 18 month old twin girls).  She used to live in a bad situation, but has recently moved into our new family housing program.  She used to hurt herself because the emotional pain was too much too bear.  She told me recently that she no longer hurts herself and has great hope for the future.  “ZE” said every time she reads the Bible tears come to her eyes.  Last week at women’s showers a couple of women had questions.  She got a Bible and starting explaining things to them!  She is an evangelist in the making!!  This Friday she asked if I would come over to her house because she had questions about the Bible.  She had been reading Isaiah 53 and wanted to talk about it.  About two hours later she asked if I was tired of talking about Jesus.  I told her we could talk all night if she wanted.

These women all claim to love Jesus but are too afraid to step out and claim Him as their Savior. Please pray that they find the courage to take that step of faith.

These are just two stories… but they represent a great movement of God!  Would you consider supporting our Nest ministry, which is now focused on the needs of these women and families?  Click HERE to give online (US credit card only) or send a check payable to International Teams (411 W. River Rd; Elgin, IL 60123).  In either case, simply indicate that the gift is for “The Nest – Athens.”  God is doing great things through this ministry; please make a Kingdom investment by supporting the Nest with your prayers and gifts!

Damit ein Vogel werden kann

muss erst das Ei zerbrechen.

Davor mit Wärme zugedeckt

gehegt, gepflegt, geschützt

vor den Gefahren dieser Welt.

Um dann in jenem Augenblick

den keiner kennt außer ihm selbst

den Schutz von innen zu durchbrechen.

Geburt setzt einen Tod voraus

Erneuerung das Sterben.

Das neue Leben darf dann ruhig

zwei kleine Tränen erben.

I feel tragic like I’m Marlon Brando. China Girl – David Bowie. The gates to the century has closed. Pray to your gods. The ice doors are closing in on you. Burn the chocolate twigs. Gather enough tic tacs. Yes, ladies and gentleman. The 21st century is here. Burger King doesn’t have enough meet for your drooling mouths and your cringing bellies. Cannabis is now legalized in Portland. Who are repainting the murals of Che Guevara.

Logistics have no boundaries. Sex with animals being tolerated. I don’t disagree with them. Why not? A mad cat in Brooklyn I had once known in the burg. That bar, Subway I think. He had to say. My name is Tony. When its spelt backwards Why not? Why not?

They had to kill the elephants in India. The triggers were too large for little boys fingers in Rio. So they devised toys and video games that spit blood in your periphery when you fuck up. Thousands of leaves fall into the garden of Eden. Work up enough courage to drink from the Ganges. What is now considered tremendous feats? Remaining silent when spoken to. Crash your car for no reason and don’t claim insurance. Talk to your cat, dogs, and whatever domesticated animals you have raised — and don’t feel weird about it. Marry your pelican if you have to. Feel free to throw a middle finger to the driver next to you and smile about it because you know it makes you feel better. Confuse the cashier at your local supermarket for no reason so you will be the last person she would think about before going to sleep.

Walk barefoot. Scream LIFE IS FUCKING GLORIOUS like you’re really mad and feel positive about it. Burn your local newspaper in the middle of the biggest highway or the longest street in your neighborhood. Wait there to be arrested. Get your parents to open a new account for bail. And transfer all your life savings to that account….then devote yourself to being an ascetic. “Like Kane in Kung Fu.” Godbless David Caradine. Get a pet monkey and name him the great PROPHET. Build a black rock so she could ascend to heaven.

Try to make Turkish Delights. Leave them in the refrigerator for fungus to feast upon. If that ever happens. I wouldn’t know. Dial up every commercial phone number and tell the operator that they are loved and give them a big wet kiss. Wear your underwear on your head, walk downtown and read the best poetry you have ever written through a loudspeaker. Dress up as the midnight cowboy and walk through the streets of Kuala Lumpur like every motherfucking day is Halloween. Concoct this list for your own personal use. Try not to be a hybrid. Be fake like fakers do and destroy yourself like you were a secret message in Mission Impossible. Try your best to die young, or live long enough to wrap your soul around the world like it was cling wrap and store it away forever in the ice box of your heart.

…halten, Ja oder Nein? Eigenes Zimmer oder weiter Couchtouristin? Schön, wenn man Freunde hat, die dazu eine Meinung haben. Die einem Unterschlupf anbieten und quasi den Freifahrtschein zum München-Wohnen. Aber auch eine Idee für die Alternative im Ärmel haben und Aktionismus genug, die prompt anzuschieben, dass sich was tut. Ein paar Quadratmeter Dachgeschoss in der City, mit Onlineanschluss und ein bisschen Platz für Privates, das wär’s tatsächlich, quasi auf dem Silbertablett serviert, da könnte man kaum Nein sagen, unglaublich, wenn’s wahr würde. Ein kleines, persönliches Nest, so gemütlich wie erschwinglich, als Rückzug und Vorzug und Aufenthaltsort, auch mal mit Besuch. Brauchte ein Jahr Zeit, diese Entscheidung, ein Jahr ein bisschen wie im Kokon, Augen zu und Apulien, weil’s so schön ist. Aber früher oder später spürt einen das echte Leben auf und holt einen ein. Mal sehen, wie sich der Traum mit der Wirklichkeit verbinden lässt. Fühlt sich irgendwie gut an, so entscheidungsreife Zeit.

The allusion is to the fake egg that used to be put into a hen’s nest to induce her to lay.

Similarly, saving some money serves as an inducement for a person to add to it.

 

The two chicks are almost too big for their nest. Their parents will soon return with food.

Nothing says ‘home’ like a swallow’s nest!

These beautiful birds are forever racing around our farm, performing the most amazing aerial acrobatics.

We were delighted when one pair built a home near our round yard.

It has been a pleasure watching the chicks grow and we greatly look forward to their first flight.

They touch themselves under

the concrete, where skin is just
as irrelevant as a baby yeast. The small

things growing are my fear of the nest. This is
the parking lot cologne.

Dressed in magpie feathers
she hid behind dark glasses
stole glances for tomorrow
from unsuspecting guests.

Drawn in black and white
the world revolved around her
Attracting gold and silver
she furnished her  fine nest.

Dressed in magpie feathers
stuffing  superstitions
in her lucky bag she found
her sparkle has been raided.

She stormed out of the city
She brooded on the horizon
she learned to love the grey clouds
while her friends became jaded.

She danced in the dewdrops
to the sound of the rain falling
she waited to catch the rainbow
but no longer needed  gold

Dressed in magpie feathers
full of glistening raindrops
they sparkle like bright diamonds
She never can be sold.

The Daydream Nest Project has officially made it to the Big Apple.  Our little adventure is coming full circle,  we started in Washington State, famous for it’s apples.  I personally come from long family tradition of apple growers.  It’s a long way from the orchard to where I’m standing now.  There’s not a tree in sight.  We have made it all the way to this great big city, a city famous for, well….not apples.  For centuries, people have come to New York City, with stars in their eyes, and dreams in their heart.  Actors, writers, models, singers, musicians, comedians, artists, businesspeople, immigrants, chefs, they have all aspired to make it big in the biggest apple of all, New York, New York.  How many dreams have lapped at the shores of this concrete island?  How many people have made their way here, full of hope, full of faith?  People of all different backgrounds have come, heck, they still come, with dreams of making it big.  When someone really wants to succeed, to take on the  world, where do they head to?  Right here.  People have given up everything they’ve had, everything they’ve known, to take a chance on this city.   I must say, I’m no exception.  For years, I have set my sights on this city, yearning for the opportunities that it has to offer.  They call this city the Big Apple.  If I had to label it, I would call the metropolis a Braeburn apple.  Described as an apple with a  rich, sweet-tart, spicy flavor that is high-impact. Hmmm, the Big Braeburn?  This city is definitely rich, teeming with life, you can’t avoid it.  Certainly spicy, it’s a bubbling boiling pot of sounds, smells, and attitudes. Most of all, it’s sweet-tart.  This town is not all that sweet, but as so many of us dream, if you mix in a bit of sugar, you just might come out with a glorious piece of the pie.  When someone finds their Daydream Nest here, I hope they will share with us what brought them to this city full of dreams.  I hope that little nest, sitting out there in it’s concrete orchard, inspires them to add a bit of sugar, and keep on cooking.

When I say gunning, I mean
the nest. I’d fling out that

noose of yours, just to keep
it all inside us. Any dozen could be

any variety of child.

Hello. My name is Michelle Workman and I am addicted to birds. It has been one second since my last bird viewing.

available on Etsy at dbronson2 store

All birds large and small, functional or not, make me giddy with delight.  So far I have had a great time finding photos for this blog.  Some things I found on Etsy, and others are from my house or my store… follow along to see what I found!

Available on Etsy at fromgraytogold store

Personally I think the swan dish pictured above is sick. And by sick I mean, I am sick with envy that it is not in my hands.  Seriously, I covet.

www.ibride.fr Pia Platter

Really!?! I want to live in a world where birds are dressed up as royalty… doesn’t everyone?  You can get these fabulous platters (there is a whole series of dressed birds) from Ibride.

mechanical bird in cage

This is the second gift my husband ever got me, it is a music box and of course the bird swings on his perch when wound up.  It still fills me with delight.

F. Schumacher Chenonceau in charcoal

This fabric/wallpaper is one of my favorites from Schumacher.  It is a perfect meld of traditional and modern.

This pink swan from an Etsy store is so deliciously delicate and feminine.

Homart Pheasant available from The Red House Interiors

This little cutie is in my store and I use them as place-card holders (I stick the card in his tail).  They are a bit of frivolity on a formal table.

Isn’t that what we all need once in a while, a little frivolity to enliven our serious formal selves?  Birds do that for me, they lighten my mood and brighten my day.  I love them in little bits wherever they are not expected.  If you need a pick me up… go get a bird!

As you may remember, our Nest (a housing and discipleship ministry) has been going through a number of changes recently (see here or here for recent updates).  I am excited about the ways that God continues to use this house to draw people to Himself and change lives!  Here is some news from Tasha, our teammate who is coordinating the transition to a family Nest:

For the past couple of years The Nest has housed single men only, but with the changing demographics of refugees, the needs and ministry opportunities have changed.  Now more than in the past, there are families composed of women and children with no husband/father in the picture.  Whether the husband abandoned the family, died, or the women and children fled an abusive situation, there are a number of women and children without the protection of a male.  The streets are not safe yet many refugees have nowhere else to live.  This is an especially dangerous reality for families without a man there to protect them.  The Nest ministry is seeking to address this important need!

Recently we moved in our first family!  This woman has eight and ten year old boys, and twin fifteen month old girls.  Her husband left her, and she has been struggling to provide for her children.  She lived in a storage room on top of a roof for many months, and was getting more and more concerned because the weather was changing here.  She cried many thankful tears when we moved her in.  She has been very concerned for her children’s safety, and is grateful they have a safe place to sleep now.   The Nest will be more than just housing.  Helping Hands staff and volunteers will provide help with job searches, advocacy, networking, guidance on future plans, spiritual discipleship, and fellowship.

Download her entire report HERE.  We are so thankful to be able to offer housing to this family!  God is at work in the lives of this mother and her children (more news to come)!   At the same time, this ministry is in serious financial trouble.  In order to continue serving these families in need, we need regularly monthly support of 1000 Euros.  With a one-time gift or regular support, would you help make this happen?  The need is real… and so are the changed lives!  What an opportunity for Kingdom Investment! You can give securely online HERE – simply indicate that your gift is for “the Nest ministry – Athens,” when asked “where to give.”  Thank you for your prayers and support!

Eigentlich ohne weitere Worte… Ein Entwurf für plakative Eigenwerbung.

I put my horses out for the winter at a their “winter holiday home”. This year, I had a (somewhat) pleasant surprise when I went to bring them home.

Upon opening my horse float (isn’t that the cutest term?) I found a wee mud nest full of swallows!

Look what I found!

Looks bigger close up!

Mommy and Daddy Swallow

Of course, I had to borrow a friend’s float to bring the horses home, as I cannot move mine until the babies are big enough to fly away! A minor inconvenience.

American Dipper-nest

I took the opportunity for a mornings birding to Mount Arrowsmith. The weather was overcast at first but the sun broke through late morning. I was unable to reach the summit as the road was still heavy with snow. I reached km20 and birded my way back down. Species of note were 4 Sooty Grouse calling, 2 Hairy Woodpecker, American Dipper (nest) and 2 Gray Jays.

Rich Mooney

Parksville BC

Species seen & heard:
Blue Grouse
Band-tailed Pigeon
Hairy Woodpecker
Northern Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Hammond’s Flycatcher
Golden-crowned Kinglet
American Dipper
Winter Wren
Hermit Thrush
American Robin
Varied Thrush
Red-breasted Nuthatch
Brown Creeper
Gray Jay
Steller’s Jay
Common Raven
Warbling Vireo
Red Crossbill
Pine Siskin
Orange-crowned Warbler
Yellow-rumped Warbler
Townsend’s Warbler
Spotted Towhee
Savannah Sparrow
Song Sparrow
White-crowned Sparrow
Dark-eyed Junco
——– STATISTICS ——–Species seen – 28