SillyNonsense

LEGO: Jazz Club

Jeff — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 00:05:48 GMT

The LEGO Jazz Club is the hottest spot on the modular building street. Can you dig it? After the magician warms up the crowd, the band will take the stage while you eat the pizza from next door.

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LEGO: Boutique Hotel

Jeff — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 00:58:58 GMT

Check-in to the LEGO Boutique Hotel, another set in the modular building series. This one has some of the coolest angles and architecture we've seen. The mini-figs will be able to rest in style in this fantastic locale on your LEGO street.

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LEGO: Eiffel Tower

Jeff — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 19:32:44 GMT

This LEGO set has a staggering 10,001 pieces and it stands nearly five feet tall when it's finished. It's absolutely gigantic. Is it fun to build? Well, that's a more complicated question.

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LEGO: Motorized Lighthouse

Jeff — Tue, 22 Nov 2022 20:40:49 GMT

LEGO has released a brilliant set with a motorized light that rotates a nicely focused beam, keeping minifig boats away from the rocky cliffs. It's a fairly simple build with a really smart motor isolation mechanism.

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LEGO: Loop Coaster

Jeff — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 01:43:01 GMT

It's three feet tall and it goes upside down. You do not get wet. It's set #10303, the LEGO Loop Coaster! It's not cheap, but this model has one of the most satisfying mechanical systems of any set ever made. Check out the latest entry in the Fairground Collection.

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Gas Prices

Jeff — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 17:44:22 GMT

Learn about gas prices, and who to blame when they're high.

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References:

Recycling: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/21/climate/plastics-recycling-trash-environment.html
US oil consumption: https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=709&t=6
Oil supply & demand: https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/061115/how-long-does-it-take-oil-and-gas-producer-go-drilling-production.asp
ANWR oil: https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/fs-0028-01/fs-0028-01.pdf
Time it takes to produce oil: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666278720300106
Joe Biden tweet: https://twitter.com/potus/status/1469017757144399874
US garages: https://www.energy.gov/eere/vehicles/fact-958-january-2-2017-sixty-three-percent-all-housing-units-have-garage-or-carport
EV carbon output math: https://jeffputz.com/blog/driving-evs-you-probably-ask-the-wrong-questions

LEGO: Back to the Future Time Machine

Jeff — Sun, 05 Jun 2022 20:27:30 GMT

LEGO built a time machine?! Out of a Delorean? The way I see it, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style? This recreation of a movie icon is rich with detail, and can be configured for all three movies. It has a very satisfying wheel tilting mechanism too, for the Technic fans. Great Scott!

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LEGO: Disney Train

Jeff — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 21:57:06 GMT

The LEGO Disney Train is one of the most expensive per-piece, and the train is not robust enough to be actively played with. This is a rare miss for LEGO, even though the mini-figs are so cool.

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LEGO: Corner Garage

Jeff — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 20:11:47 GMT

The LEGO Corner Garage is the modular building set that sits on the corner. Above the garage you'll find a veterinarian office and a small apartment. There's a car lift, a roll-action door, and the tow truck hook moves too! It's a delightful set with nice architectural details.

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LEGO: Space Shuttle Discovery

Jeff — Sun, 05 Dec 2021 17:46:10 GMT

This is the LEGO Space Shuttle Discovery, which somehow forms an aerodynamic spaceship out of square bricks. While not the largest of sets, the Space Shuttle Discovery has rich details and some clever building techniques, especially with the landing gear and wing mechanics. It's a super satisfying build, we just wish they would have included the external tank and solid rocket boosters.

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LEGO: Titanic

Jeff — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 20:49:04 GMT

LEGO has released the biggest and best set ever as the infamous Titanic. This "unsinkable" ship never made it across the Atlantic Ocean, and it inspired one of the highest grossing movies of all time. It includes more than 9,000 pieces and it's over four feet long when it's finished. Check out the time-lapse of this satisfying build.

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LEGO: Downtown Diner

Jeff — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 01:06:15 GMT

It was one of the hardest LEGO modular building sets to get, and it's still one of the best looking ever. This is the LEGO Downtown Diner, with all of its glorious curves and windows.

Drink: Christmas Cookie

Jeff — Sat, 10 Apr 2021 20:43:03 GMT

You don't need to wait for the season to enjoy a Christmas Cookie. This is another drink we discovered while sailing with the Disney Cruise Line. It's a variation on the classic mudslide, only it replaces vodka with peppermint schnapps. Jeff goes all out on the presentation. Impress your guests!

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LEGO: Police Station

Jeff — Sun, 28 Feb 2021 14:41:39 GMT

The modular building series from LEGO has included some great sets, and they continue with the Police Station. In addition to being a functional place where your mini-figs can do their thing, it tells the story of a crook apparently obsessed with doughnuts, maybe more than the cops. As usual, there are rich details, and it's super fun to build.

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Drink: The Cadillac Cooler

Jeff — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 21:51:35 GMT

When you're messing around on a cruise ship in the tropics, it's only appropriate that you engage in the consumption of fruity drinks. So behold, The Cadillac Cooler! This cocktail combines Malibu and Midori for a smooth and beautiful drink that "tastes like vacation." Go ahead, you don't have to be in the tropics to enjoy it.

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LEGO: Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina

Jeff — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 20:59:45 GMT

LEGO has brought one of the best parts of Episode IV: A New Hope to your kitchen table. The Star Wars Mos Eisley Cantina faithfully recreates the iconic mess where the droids stay outside, a dude loses his arm and Han Solo murders Greedo. It's all here! This is one of the most play-friendly sets ever made, with everything opening up and a staggering 21 mini-figs.

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Drink: Pimm's is Pimm's!

Jeff — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 03:19:12 GMT

When Jeff and Diana visited an English pub (at Epcot, of course), Jeff learned all about the fabulous beverage that is Pimm's. The journey looks back at Diana's Shakespeare study time in the UK and how it led to the discovery of this delicious drink.

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Non-profit link: National Tennis Foundation

LEGO: Harry Potter Diagon Alley

Jeff — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 02:04:37 GMT

LEGO took their street building to the next level with this beautiful Diagon Alley recreation. It's full of minifigs with short legs, weird construction angles and a many hidden wands in Olivander's shop.

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Non-profit link: National Center For Transgender Equality