2015 Lego Advent Calendar: Day 18

IMG_0255I need to make this quick. I shouldn’t even be on the computer. There are Star Wars spoilers worming their way through the internet, and as such, I must blind myself from social media and live in a dark, windowless room until I get a chance to see the movie.

But my work depends on internet access, so I must tread as carefully as possible, clicking only the websites necessary to accomplish my job.

This is your LAST DAY to order gifts from PowerPencils.com and get them delivered by Christmas. While some items sold out, there’s still tons of great stuff that will make everyone on your gift list happy and surprised. I have complete sets of Power Pencils, funny signs and more! If you get your order in by 8 p.m. tonight, I’ll make sure you get it by Christmas. (This applies only to US customers.)

If you’ve already ordered your items, thank you so much for the support! I make funny, magical things because I want to live in a world in which funny magical things exist. When someone buys something I made, it makes me feel like I’m not the only one who likes adding magic and silliness into this world. It warms the heart. And now a single joyful tear rolls down my cheek.

Speaking of joy tears, it’s Lego time. The calendar is getting lighter and lighter. What surprise awaits us today?

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It’s an AT-AT! It’s a goddamn AT-AT!!!

Just when you think the Millenium Falcon would be the all-star item this year, out comes a giant mechanical dinosaur.

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This is impressive, and one of the most interesting builds so far.

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I don’t know what AT-AT stands for. I’ll guess: All Terrain Attack Tyrants.

Nitpickers might argue that of all the Star Wars vehicles, the AT-AT is the least effecient. Why would an Empire equipped with flying attack ships and giant war cruisers choose to attack the Rebels with big, clunky walkers?

Gather ’round, and I’ll tell you…

At the end of A New Hope, the Empire has failed. They underestimated the plucky Rebels and it cost them their fancy, moon-sized battle station. The Empire is now pissed. When The Empire Strikes Back begins, the Empire doesn’t just want to find the Rebels, they want to huuuuurt the Rebels. They want to make a show of it. They want the Rebels to feel bad. And so, when Vader finds the Rebel base on Hoth, he doesn’t just send in the TIE Bombers to wipe them out. He unleashes his mechanized stomping monsters.

He wants the ground to shake. He wants the Rebels to look at each other and mouth the words, “Oh fuuuuudge.” He wants any Rebel lucky enough to survive the attack to tell all his friends, “They have robot death dinosaurs!”

And that’s why the AT-ATs are used.

And that’s why the AT-ATs are awesome.

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The Battle of Hoth is the best action scene in the series. It shows, even more clearly than the ending of A New Hope, how the resourceful, brave Rebels can outsmart the enormous Empire.

And now I’ve spent too much time philosophizing and rationalizing a seven minute scene from a movie.

The AT-AT looks like a pet, so let’s give her a name, and that name is Gertie. Hi Gertie. Who’s a good girl? Who’s a good girl? Gertie is!

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Stickles couldn’t see very well through his goggles, or else he would have worshiped this metal goddess with all his might.

Instead, he tried to ride it.

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Day 18 Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (I don’t think it can get much better than this, but we’ll see.)

It’s your last day to order Power Pencils from PowerPencils.com and get them by Christmas! Here’s a quick rundown of our holiday deals and sets! Hurry! HURRY!

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