My Lego Blue Jays Avatar

Let’s Go Blue Jays

Let’s Go Lego

Casio G-Shock DW-D5600P-8JF, DWD5600P-8

I’m not much of a recent release G-Shock collector but when I did a search of current G-Shock models for sale I came upon this beauty; model DW-D5600P-8JF released in May 2014.  I was instantly attracted to this watch because of the colors used.  The grey reminded me of a similar grey used on a Nintendo Game Boy.  Now believe it or not, but just a few months ago I was watching an actual Game Boy watch on eBay.  That watch looked exactly like a miniature Game Boy, but with a grey band and a face that read the time. Unfortunately I had to pass bidding on that watch because the seller was unsure if the 20 year old watch still worked.

Although I was a little disappointed for passing up on such a nice Nintendo collectable, I felt I had made the right decision because eventually that watch would have broken into piece after a day with me (I’m not careful with how I treat my watches).  This is why I love G-Shocks, because they can take a beating and still look pristine and fashionable.  So when I saw this 5600 for sale, I felt like destiny had made this watch for me.  It has the best of both G-Shock (quality watch) and Nintendo (Game Boy colors).  Granted the watch also has a Miami Vice flavour with its turquoise, blue and hot pink highlights.

Another interesting feature about this watch is the return of the metal face protector (bull bars).  This feature is a throwback to the DW5600ED model released in 1996.  I don’t have any watch with a metal face protector and was always jealous that select Baby G’s carried this feature, so when I saw it on this model I was very excited.  My only complaint about this watch is that the band does feel a little snug (on my usual hole), but that’s an easy fix by just wearing it a little looser.  Other than that this is a great watch that I’m glad to add to my collection.  Please note the version I have is model DW-D5600P-8JF (Japan release).

G-Shock (US version):

http://www.gshock.com/watches/Classic/DWD5600P-8#

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_fl4p6PzmE

Adidas Argentina Football Jersey

This is the Argentina soccer jersey for the Brazil World Cup 2014.  It was first unveiled on November 15^th 2013 during a friendly against Ecuador.  The jersey was made by Adidas and was manufactured in Thailand.  It uses ClimaCool polyester material, which keeps you dry and cool when you start to sweat.  The jersey also utilizes mesh material on the back shoulders to keep you ventilated.

Overall the jersey is beautifully designed, with the return of old favorites like black Adidas stripes on the top shoulders, narrow white and light blue stripes on the front and back, and individually stitched gold stars above the AFA crest.  Other design aspects that accentuate the beauty of this jersey are gold trimming of the sides, sublimation-print within the blue stripes that fade from light to dark blue, and an embroidered Adidas logo and AFA crest.

My only complaint about this jersey is the use of mesh material on the back shoulders.  This placement is bound to cause problems over time because mesh fabric isn’t as strong as having a solid piece of polyester.  I also don’t like that Adidas placed a screen printed Argentina logo on the mesh either.  With heavy use over time, this will also become fragile and crack.  While the jersey isn’t perfect, I still recommend it because it looks amazing when you wear it.

Argentina AFA:

http://www.afa.org.ar

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vzA-nZM2cVk

José Reyes Blue Jays Bobblehead

The José Reyes Blue Jays bobblehead was the second bobblehead of the 2014 season.  20,000 of these bobbleheads were given out at Rogers Centre on Sunday, June 8^th, 2014.  Just like the previous bobblehead of Dickey, the Reyes bobblehead comes packaged with a see-through plastic window.  This makes it a great collectible that anyone can display without having to remove it from its box.  This to me also signifies that someone over at BDA inc. (the bobblehead manufacturer) is getting the picture; people collect bobbleheads as art pieces.  The days of bobbleheads with cherub faces are long gone, replaced by pieces with intricate and unique details.

The Reyes bobblehead is a great example of how far we’ve come with bobbleheads.  Each of these bobbleheads is hand-painted, and made of polyresin.  The people over at BDA inc. don’t just create the bobbleheads, they’re also fans of baseball because they choose poses that are significant to each player.  They even go so far as adding details such as tattoos, and the name brands that players wear.  This to me signifies they go beyond expectations when releasing a bobblehead.

Reyes comes in a home white Blue Jays uniform.  He plays shortstop so he’s sculpted in a pose about to throw a ball.  Details that I like about his bobblehead are his tattoos (a koi fish, and a nautical star), the inclusion of his batting gloves in his back pocket, and his eyebrow slits.  The only flaw I’ve noticed in the bobblehead is the absence of the accent in the spelling of José.  Other than that this is a great bobblehead that I’m sure @lamelaza_7 should be proud of.

José Reyes Wiki:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Reyes_(shortstop)

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVXuACXWCC4

Toms Shoes

Toms are shoes I never thought I would own.  First off, they just looked really uncomfortable and would probably make my feet sweat if I didn’t wear socks.  Second, the people that wore them were usually hipsters and females.   The combination of those two made me stay clear of wanting a pair for years.  But then the winter of 2013/14 hit Toronto, and I found myself having to wear heavy and hot winter boots all day.  This resulted in me having to remove my boots indoors in order to let my feet breath.  I also couldn’t stay in my socks all day either so I bought myself a pair of kung fu shoes.

I bought the kung fu shoes in Chinatown, and they were perfect for indoor use however I couldn’t stand the way they smelled.  They had this toxic smell that literally made me feel sick.  I tried everything to get rid of the smell but nothing worked.  That’s when I decided to replace them with a pair of Toms.  I was pleasantly surprised because Toms not only felt comfortable, but also lacked a toxic smell.  While the price tag makes them expensive the knowledge in knowing that for every pair sold, another will be donated to a child in need makes it acceptable.

Once I got up close with these shoes, I was impressed by how much detail went into making these shoes.  The creator of Toms was inspired to make the shoes on a trip to Argentina, so as a tribute he incorporated the Argentina flag to his logo.  I’m a fan of Argentine soccer and music, so I really like the logo.  Other great features about the shoe are suede insoles, funky animal print designs on the inner lining, and the use of canvas material on the uppers (allowing for breathability).  Overall I am impressed by Toms, and also proud to have a pair in my collection.

Toms:

www.toms.com

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp8LH1ZDJo0

Terms and Definitions for Binge-watching

Binge-watching TV Shows

Binge-watch or binge-watching is the process of watching an entire TV series or season within a short period of time.  This entails watching a group of episodes continuously one after the other numerically.  This process allows an individual to comprehend and be engaged with the plot, and characters.  Binge-watching is best suited for TV shows that have a complex storyline that continues throughout a season or entire series.

Because of the scarcity of quality TV shows to binge-watch, an unfortunate outcome of binge-watching is that you must allow current and new TV shows to run several episodes before you can binge-watch them.  This process I coin letting a show simmer.

Letting a TV Show Simmer

Simmer or simmering a TV show is the process of allowing a TV show to run several episodes, seasons, or be completed before you can binge-watch them.

Binge-catch-up on a TV Show

Binge-catch-up is the process of binge-watching several earlier episodes or seasons of a TV show that is currently being aired on television.  The logic for this is to be able to either watch new episodes when they air, or watch the last few or final episode.  The advantage of binge-catch-up is that you get to enjoy the hype and publicity of a popular TV series before it ends and also avoid any spoilers in case you overhear important information on episodes you have not watched.