T.H.E CAT: A GALLERY OF TOYS

 Some of the toys I've seen online for the US TV show T.H.E Cat.

I'm pretty sure I never saw it here in the UK.

Have you seen it?

BOB McCALL'S MASTER STROKES

Here's a great and lush gallery of Bob McCall's terrific space paintings and sketches. What's your favourite?

https://www.flickriver.com/photos/x-ray_delta_one/sets/72157622015473454/

SURF'S UP

Hi all

Here is the Hot Wheels Ghost Olympics model number 1 of 10, called Surf's Up. Naturally, the sport depicted is surfing. Only the baseplate is metal, the rest is plastic. 

Sitting on top of the baseplate is a white surfboard, with a band comprising three shades of blue. This is surrounded by translucent blue waves. The rider is gunmetal grey, with the Games insignia on his back in white. 

The wheels are also translucent blue, with silver spokes. The lower sides have TOKYO 2020 and the Hot Wheels logo in white, and the surfboard has the surfing symbol in silver. 

The cards show the differences between the long and short versions. Due to a lack of space the artwork is almost hidden behind the model on the short card, and the Hot Wheels ribbon is much smaller.

Paul Adams from New Zealand

OG ON THE BOG!

A sort of update on the old plastic Hong Kong Out house peeing novelty toys, here's the modern version, Og on the Bog! I bought this from a charity shop and it is hilarious to play. Think of Shrek's privvy and you've got it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKXWjVidvf4

THE SNOW CRUISER

I always enjoy watching old reels showing fabulous vehicles. There were more amazing vehicles produced than I ever imagined and sometimes bring the visions of the TV21 artists to life.

I watched this clip on You Tube of the 1939 Snow Cruiser and immediately thought of the Snow Train, which featured prominently in the Project SWORD Annual.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUXq8NWh5vg&feature=emb_logo

I'm sure it will remind you of other fictional vehicles. I wonder what happened to the Snow Cruiser?

Did you have any snow toy vehicles?

Hubble Bubble

 

Donkeys years ago, Woodsy gave me an odd display frame, aluminium with perspex bubbles and a glass screen beneath. For ages ive been wanting to use it, but A not had any space and B couldnt decide what to fill it with. Finally, I got it out and dusted it down, and filled it with nine variations of my favourite rubber alien! Perfect!

SICK BAY REPORT

The Missus has had Covid 8 or 9 days now we think judging by when she started to feel ill. Like many folks we thought it was just a cold, the cold I 'd had a week before. Alas it wasn't but things are looking up a bit.

The NHS dropped off an Oxygen finger monitor which has really helped measure daily oxygen levels, an important symptom of Covid. A senior Nurse has also phoned her and spent valuable time discussing all her symptoms and taking her through the different stages of the illness, how it might get worse even after 10 days and how it might recede. Fingers crossed its the latter. The NHS have been amazing all round.

Keeping going, we have lots of windows open here at the Base. Its Spring and the breeze is fresh and warm and lifts our spirits blowing through the airlocks. It hopefully sweeps away any nasties too!

We wear masks all the time, except to eat and drink and sleep, which we do with lots of distance. Separate towels, hand washing and alcohol wiping are mandatory for both base personnel. Last night we had a delivery of food from Morrisons so the base fridge is full again.

We did get a shock yesterday though, as a close elderly friend rang to say she thought she had also been by infected ... by the Missus, during her asymptomatic period! Given that our friend is nearly 80 and lives alone I felt duty bound to get her tested, so I took a home lateral flow kit round and took her through it. I waited in my car for half an hour praying she would be negative as did she. Sadly it was positive. So another person in our small chain has succumbed to Corona as well. Needless to say she is very scared and will need help from her scattered family.

Over at our Daughter's, where her young family, the fantastic four, are all isolating, as she's positive, they seem to be coping OK but it can't be easy keeping everyone happy and healthy cooped in one house for 10 days. Its Moonbase Miss Junior's first birthday tomorrow as well. She was born in lockdown and will be one in lockdown! Still he's a joyous soul and will get lots of fuss from Mum, Dad and big brother.

Finally, my own good news is that I did a home test on myself this morning and I'm pleased to report that it was negative.

One day this war's going to end.

How are you all readers? Safe, healthy and negative too I hope!

ON THE RAMPAGE

Whilst on Covid care duty in the Moonbase Sick Bay I've been watching monster movies during downtime, usually late at night, when the Missus is tucked up dreaming of going out. Monsters calm me before hitting the sack myself.

So far I've seen Sputnik, Rampage and have just started The Meg.

Sputnik I've spoken about - one to watch! - so I'll make a few field notes about the creatures in Rampage.

As a lover of massive monsters Rampage does have a huge plus, it has three colossal beasts and despite The Rock's best efforts to steal the show, the real stars are the Kaiju [can I say that when the film isn't Japanese?]

Rampage's monsters are a huge albino Gorilla called George - the King Kong/ Mighty Joe Young element of the picture; a giant timber wolf, which can fly over short distances and flick huge spikes from its tail and last but not least, the biggest of the trio, a magnificently gigantic crocodile, which is truly impressive.

As is traditional for large critters, they first choose a city to completely flatten. In this case its Chicago, which will need a whole team of town planners afterwards.

For me the standout scene is when the three beasts climb a skyscraper - yes, a sort of Empire State Building sort of moment - destroying large parts of it as they go. The footage of the giant croc tearing through entire floors and re-emerging to clamber up the sheer walls is stunning and I loved it.

OK, it was never going to win any oscars for its acting but for a big creature fan like me Rampage really does deliver.

I'd seen Rampage before but I'm pleased to say there's enough carnage to make it worthwhile again.

I'm off to meet the Meg. Tonight.

Have you been Rampaged?