About the toyworld, Sideswipe really doesn't feel like an MP at all. Besides being absolutely tiny, his transformation feels way to simplistic (I guess everything feels simple next to MP Megs...). But still, I pre-ordered MP Red Alert the other day so when you're as weak as me...

Besides MPs, my spending habits have just been going up & up &... If you'd like to have a look at my new stuff

& for some reason (I really don't know why), I've also started collecting sealed Hot Wheels cars - my oldest ones are from the late 70's. When you've got that collecting gene, What can you do?

My 1st car was an '87 Nissan Pulsar (I don't think I'll ever sell that car) & it looks like it's gonna need a 2nd hand engine (cost is gonna be about $1K including labor - I'll fix it next year) as well as respraying the hood, front & rear bumpers. I shudder to think how much I spent on it over the years but watcha gonna do? I ended up buying a 2002 Nissan Pulsar for $6800 - Yup, I'm a fan of manual Pulsar hatchbacks... heh

As for The Office, I haven't watched a single new episode of Season 9 - I just couldn't be bothered searching illegal-upload websites (I have to do this because it takes Aussie TV years to show new episodes of The Office - it just doesn't rate very well over here). In years gone by, I'd use these websites & my computer seemed to get infected with all kinds of viruses & spyware. So I'll just wait for the boxset - though some episodes of Big Bang Theory may tide me over 'til then.

So, what car did you decide on then? what did you have that lasted as long as it did?
Yeah, Robert California was as awesome entering the show as he was leaving. That creepy unsettling interview and that creepier more unsettling girl gymnast mentoring charity. New season has had some hits and misses. Some episodes seem forced while others are great. Nellie is great. and the new guys are kind of growing on me a little. Yeah, I think this being the last season is a smart choice. I actually really liked how kelly and ryan left the show. perfect actually.

So what about the toy world. what do you think of the new mp sideswipe?

About Season 9, With Jim & Andy in only half the episodes (filming movies) & Dwight leaving after some 13 odd episodes (spin-off) together with Kelly/Ryan pretty much leaving the show as well, It definitely feels like the decision to make Season 9 the last was the right one. From one massive Office fan to another, it just feels like it's run it's course. & because of Dwight/Jim/Andy only being in half the episodes, they've brought in Clark & Pete as customer service reps ie. Dwight Jr & the New Jim? I don't know. On the other hand, I really hope that the talk of a Michael Scott return (even for one solitary episode) comes true.

Oh the Office, I'm definitely gonna miss it when it's gone. Still, we can always watch the repeats...

Regarding the Office, the last time I watched an episode from Season 8 was back in the beginning of this year (Pool Party maybe?) so after the Season 8 dvd boxset arrived from Amazon last week, I sat down & watched the entire season in like 4 days . Just some thoughts - Over time, Andy seemed to become more & more like Michael Scott - stumbling from one mess to another. What an inspired choice James Spader turned out to be! Robert California & his creepy conversations/speeches - I cracked up every single time. What about Nellie? That is one weird woman. I can see her getting it on with Todd Packer or someone like that at some point this season & that's gonna leave her screwed up for good.

Hey Mate, Sorry I took so long to reply - Real life just gets in the way .

Work wise, Instead of teaching at one catholic school, I'm now teaching at 3 different public schools - I really have no idea how that came to be.

Car wise, 3 days ago the bearings in my engine started making a really bad rattling sound. Looks as though the engine's gone -> So now I've decided it's time to buy a new car (I've had my car since 1998 - 14 long years - & the cost of a 2nd hand engine/labour just wasn't worthwhile). I had a look at a car today & I think I may have found the one...

Hey man, have you had a chance to see the first episode of this season? weird. but Kevin steels the show every time he's on. His little subplot killed me. hope you're well otherwise bro.

hey man, how's it going? get a chance to catch up on the office? it's been busy busy here for me. a lot of little projects in the works. I've been recently rewatching some of the old episodes and the flow from scott-post-scott is a lot smoother when you remove the emotional disappointment out of the equation. have you seen parks and recreation? it's along the same vein and is quite enjoyable. also another show to check out is bbc's the thick of it. that show is effing brilliant! gotta run brotha but I hope you're doing well my man.

As for The Office, the only way I could watch the new episodes was through illegal online streaming (because the episodes they show here on Australian Foxtel are a whole bloody two years behind) so I simply gave up on trying to watch the brand new episodes illegally & I'm just gonna buy the dvd when it comes out in September - I can wait .

How have you been? How's life been treating you? I notice that you've been keeping yourself busy with your Omega, Swerve & Grapple. Gotta keep that mind ticking away in order to fight off that old age...

Hey Mate, Yeah I've been pretty good.

Work-wise, I think I need to find a new job (it feels as though they want me gone - I still don't know where/how I could have possibly screwed up?). Things with Leah are as weird as ever... In the past few months, I've been flogging off a whole heap of unwanted TFs & Star Wars Lego on Ebay (lines like RiD, AEC, TFA, Bayverse, Revoltech - as well as some Autometer gauges that were sitting in the garage for the last 12 years). All that new money has allowed me to invest in the stuff I really want (My Flickr account). As for new stuff, These upcoming MPs are looking pretty good!