Tag: Toys

  • Star Wars Kenner Speeder Bike Vehicle and Biker Scout Action Figure

    kenner speeder bike toy with a biker scout sitting on top holding the handles and a blaster pistol, 3/4 view

    The speeder bike chase on the Moon of Endor is one of the most exciting sequences in Return of the Jedi (1983). Kenner captured that excitement in the speeder bike vehicle and Imperial Biker Scout action figure. There are some ingenious elements to this vehicle. First, when one picks up the speeder bike, the stirrups descend and the engine flaps on the back lift up and open. Second, when a speeder bike is hit by a laser blast, struck by a lightsaber, or runs into something, one can press on the blanket on the back to trigger the speeder bike exploding into three separate parts. This was one of my favorites in my Star Wars action figure collection, but it is now entrusted to someone else.

    kenner speeder bike toy with a biker scout sitting on top holding the handles and a blaster pistol, front view
    kenner speeder bike toy with a biker scout sitting on top holding the handles and a blaster pistol, right side view
    kenner speeder bike toy with a biker scout sitting on top holding the handles and a blaster pistol, rear view
    kenner speeder bike toy with a biker scout sitting on top holding the handles and a blaster pistol, right side view
    kenner speeder bike toy with a biker scout sitting on top holding the handles and a blaster pistol, lifted with engine flaps open
  • Wage the Uglydoll in Green-Wood Cemetery Is Missing

    tree with parting branches where Wage the Uglydoll used to sit in Green-Wood Cemetery

    While taking a walk in Green-Wood Cemetery this past weekend, Y and I discovered that our friend Wage the Uglydoll had gone missing! We first met him last year and visited him on occasion. He had been in his tree all through the winter and the beginning of spring this year. The last time that we saw him was in March 2025. Maybe he found a new home or went on a vacation. Wherever he is, we hope that he is safe.

    Below is a picture of Wage’s cousin, Country Wage, who lives with us and is a friend to our Mose.

    wage the uglydoll is an orange anthromorphic monster with orange skin and two tiny upturned teeth wearing a worker's apron and a straw hat with lanyard.
  • Syntrend Creative Park in Taipei, Taiwan

    Syntrend Creative Park in Taipei, Taiwan

    Y sent me this photo of Syntrend Creative Park in Taipei, Taiwan. The whole complex is the funky, weird-ass building in the foreground and the highrise in the background.

    It’s kind of like a more integrated version of Brooklyn’s Industry City + Microcenter area.

    Syntrend has across its many floors shopping (computers, gaming, pop culture, toys, music, etc.) and dining experiences. It has maker spaces, co-working spaces, and event spaces. It’s definitely on my list of places to visit when I get a chance to go to Taiwan again!

  • Jurassic Park Car Wash Surprise

    When I was walking by the car wash on 7th Avenue and 20th Street in Brooklyn, this Jurassic Park themed jeep made me do a double take. Zoom in for its dino surprises on the cargo rack.