{"id":6051,"date":"2018-12-09T12:29:31","date_gmt":"2018-12-09T17:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/?p=6051"},"modified":"2018-12-09T12:37:47","modified_gmt":"2018-12-09T17:37:47","slug":"2018-lego-advent-calendar-day-nine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/?p=6051","title":{"rendered":"2018 Lego Advent Calendar: Day Nine"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes you need to make your own fun. I picked up this wind-up toy at a craft store when it was on sale for $2. Honestly, even at two bucks I feel slightly ripped off, but if you want a wind-up toy you can paint, beggars cannot be choosers. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SantaToyCombined.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SantaToyCombined-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"267\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6064\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SantaToyCombined-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SantaToyCombined-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/SantaToyCombined-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The set includes three tiny tubs of paint, and not nearly enough colors to decorate this toy as depicted on the back of the package. <\/p>\n<p>How am I supposed to make all those colors? Red plus gold does NOT make flesh tone. <\/p>\n<p>The good news is I always have extra paint because I&#8217;m living my best life.<\/p>\n<p>The better news is that I ditched the acrylic paints and spray-painted this guy pink and metallic silver. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3256.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3256-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6062\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3256-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3256-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3256-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s my crowning achievement of the year. I should win the Pulitzer Prize for Santa Painting. (Please vote for me!)<\/p>\n<p>Though hard to tell from the photos, the wind-up toy looks incredible. The silvery metallic screams &#8220;Robot!&#8221; and the hints of pink whisper, &#8220;Cosmic elf.&#8221; It&#8217;s the type of object you&#8217;d buy at an antique store at the center of the moon. <\/p>\n<p>And the wind-up mechanism works rather well for a junky toy.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3258Recut.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3258Recut-1024x881.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"408\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6063\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3258Recut-1024x881.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3258Recut-300x258.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3258Recut-768x661.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3258Recut.jpg 1172w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>I love it. If the craft store still has these, I may just make an army of antique pink robot elves. <\/p>\n<p>Try to stop me. <\/p>\n<p>Speaking of robots, in today&#8217;s calendar we find&#8230;<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3236.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3236-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6053\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3236-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3236-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3236-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>A Streetlamp!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3237.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3237-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3237-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3237-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3237-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>As a streetlamp, it&#8217;s wonderful. <\/p>\n<p>As a robot named VK9000, it&#8217;s even better! <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3239.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3239-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6055\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3239-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3239-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3239-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Am I the only one who sees this as a robot? <\/p>\n<p>Pro-tip: To see this as a robot, it helps to turn it around, so the green and red decorations are on the back. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3243.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3243-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6058\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3243-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3243-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3243-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Walter the Snowman saw something dark in VK9000&#8217;s soul, and the poet snowman warned Timberly to stay away. Or, at least he tried.<\/p>\n<p><strong>VK9000:<\/strong> Hi. My name s VK9000 and I write Christmas songs!<br \/>\n<strong>TIMBERLY:<\/strong> Hi! I&#8217;m training to be a poet!<br \/>\n<strong>VK9000: <\/strong>Christmas songs are the best poetry!<br \/>\n<strong>WALTER:<\/strong> Timberly, stay back! There&#8217;s a shadow within that beast. You are not yet ready to confront this power.<br \/>\n<strong>TIMBERLY:<\/strong> What&#8217;s a Christmas song?<br \/>\n<strong>WALTER:<\/strong> Timberly, run away! This creature will tempt you with cliche and will pass off sentimentality as art!<br \/>\n<strong>VK9000:<\/strong> Here&#8217;s a song I wrote called &#8220;Christmas by the Fire.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><em>It&#8217;s Christmas&#8230;by the fire!<br \/>\nAnd I&#8230;.miss you so!<br \/>\nIt&#8217;s Christmas, by the fire!<br \/>\nMy one true wish is snow!<\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong>WALTER: <\/strong>That&#8217;s not a song! That&#8217;s barely a stanza!<br \/>\n<strong>VK9000:<\/strong> I sing it real slow and sad, so it takes up four minutes.<br \/>\n<strong>TIMBERLY: <\/strong>The song makes me feel sad. But it also makes me feel good inside. I love it!<br \/>\n<strong>WALTER:<\/strong> But&#8230;but&#8230;it doesn&#8217;t make sense. Timberly, run! Think of your training!<br \/>\n<strong>VK9000:<\/strong> I also wrote a song about ways to wrap a kiss under mistletoe.<br \/>\n<strong>TIMBERLY:<\/strong> I&#8217;m listening&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3245.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3245-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6059\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3245-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3245-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3245-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Moments later, Timberly, Quincy and VK9000 were singing a song called &#8220;Hot Chocolate Memories (Melody and Bright)&#8221; which was comprised mostly of the lyrics&#8230;<\/p>\n<p><em>Thinking of you,<br \/>\nOn this magical night,<br \/>\nKisses of years gone by!<br \/>\nDoo-dum-doo-doo-fah-lah-trah!<br \/>\nThis&#8230;year! <\/em><\/p>\n<p>Walter and VK9000 are poets of two different breeds. <\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3252.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3252-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6060\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3252-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3252-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3252-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Day 9 Rating:<\/strong> 4 out of 5 (Points added for being both a streetlamp and a Christmas song robot.)<\/p>\n<p>See you tomorrow!<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3253.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3253-1024x768.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"474\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-6061\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3253-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3253-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3253-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 474px) 100vw, 474px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>This blog is brought to you by <a href=\"http:\/\/www.PowerPencils.com\" rel=\"noopener\" target=\"_blank\">PowerPencils.com<\/a>. Sure, magic pencils make a unique and fun present, but you&#8217;re better off buying a Starbucks gift card because caffeinated sugar milk is way better than adventure and imagination. <\/em><\/p>\n<iframe src=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/plugins\/like.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.laserfarm.com%2F%3Fp%3D6051&amp;layout=standard&amp;show_faces=true&amp;width=450&amp;action=like&amp;colorscheme=light&amp;height=80\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;\" allowTransparency=\"true\"><\/iframe>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sometimes you need to make your own fun. I picked up this wind-up toy at a craft store when it was on sale for $2. Honestly, even at two bucks I feel slightly ripped off, but if you want a &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/?p=6051\">Continue reading <span class=\"meta-nav\">&rarr;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6052,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[4,92,7,5,6,52],"class_list":["post-6051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wonderful","tag-advent","tag-advent-2018","tag-art","tag-christmas","tag-lego","tag-poem"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/IMG_3234.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6051","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6051"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6051\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6070,"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6051\/revisions\/6070"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/6052"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6051"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6051"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.laserfarm.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6051"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}