I was reading the story over at the BBC News website about the prop maker and designer who fought against the might of the George Lucas empire - and won!

A dispute over the ability to make and sell quality Stormtrooper helmets and armour battled through the UK and US high courts, with Andrew Ainsworth coming out with a victory (and both hands).  Ainsworth was the original maker of Stormtrooper props for the Star Wars films and was just exercising his right to sell his own stuff, which Lucas had only entered into a verbal contract for.

A good quality, authentic Stormtrooper costume can cost quite a lot of money.  Ainsworth sells his full body armour suits creations for up to £1000 each - but you know you are getting the real thing if you buy his stuff.  Here are a selection of costumes you can buy from eBay that will turn you into a fighter for The Empire. Are you a little too short to be a Stormtrooper?

DLX STORMTROOPER Full Face MASK Costume Halloween Prop $99.99

STAR WARS STORMTROOPER COSTUME T SHIRT UNIFORM XL $19.95

Costume Voice Amplifier 16 W Stormtrooper Armor Vader $69.00

Costume Voice Amplifier 12W Stormtrooper Armor Vader $59.00

STAR WARS FULL FX STORMTROOPER ARMOR KIT FOR ADULTS NEW $287.00

RUBIES STAR WARS CLONE STORM TROOPER COSTUMELARGENO MASK $5.95

Star Wars Stormtrooper Orange Pauldron Costume PROP $39.99

star wars storm trooper mask party toy favour pvc child boys costume accessory $3.99

Stormtrooper Voice Booster Amplifier MP3 Player For Costumes AKER 1508 Megaphone $53.00

Child Large Standard Kids Stormtrooper Costume Star W $17.03

STAR WARS STORMTROOPER SUPREME EDITION LICENSED ADULT COSTUME STD 909866 $809.99

Deluxe Stormtrooper Adult Costume $79.99

STAR WARS Stormtrooper Deluxe Child Costume Size Large Rubies 883035 CLEARANCE $34.99

STAR WARS STORMTROOPER FULL COSTUME ARMOR 501st Replica $1,547.60

Vintage Star Wars Storm Trooper Costume Adult $5.00

FANCY DRESS Stormtrooper Adult Costume UK XLARGE $52.33

Star Wars Deluxe Kids Stormtrooper Costume $49.99

STAR WARS STORMTROOPER COSTUME T SHIRT UNIFORM M $19.95

STAR WARS STORMTROOPER COSTUME T SHIRT UNIFORM S $19.95

Star Wars T Shirt Storm Trooper Costume $22.99

Storm Trooper Adult Costume With Mask 888571 $38.88

Star Wars StormTrooper Costume Hoodie Trac Jacket NEW $51.99

Stormtrooper Armor Costume Ribbed Neckseal Size 15 $32.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume Ribbed Neckseal Size 16 $32.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume Ribbed Neckseal Size 17 $32.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume Ribbed Neckseal Size 18 $32.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume Ribbed Neckseal Size 19 $32.00

Stormtrooper Armor Helmet Costume Suit NEW FLAT LENSES $17.90

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Style Boots Size 8 9 $69.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Style Boots Size 10 11 $69.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Style Boots Size 12 13 $69.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Style Boots Size 14 $69.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Ankle Boots Size 14 $69.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Ankle Boots Size 12 13 $69.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Ankle Boots Size 10 11 $69.00

Stormtrooper Armor Costume White Ankle Boots Size 8 9 $69.00

STAR WARS STORMTROOPER HALLOWEEN COSTUME WHITE JUMPSUIT MASK ADULT LARGE $34.95

STORMTROOPER ARMOR COSTUME KIT STAR WARS THE BEST QUALITY USA SELLER AND EXPERT $799.99

Storm Trooper Star Wars Kids Costume Stormtrooper $52.99

Star Wars Stormtrooper Adult Mens Fancy Dress Costume $66.65

Recent searches:

Masks can be very beautiful, but also very creepy objects to collect.  The Japanese Hannya masks are no exception to this rule and are both shocking and desirable.

A Hannya mask could be worn by the wearer at a party or function but look equally as good hung up on the wall of your home.  Some people might be surprised to see it hanging there - but they are very collectible and the more antique Hannya items can fetch quite a good price at auctions or on websites like eBay.

ls10 Sz M Demon Devil Japanese Hannya Mask Handmade Dead Rock Tattoo LS T shirt $12.99

ls10 XL Demon Devil Japanese Irezumi Hannya Mask Handmade Tattoo Rock LS T shirt $13.99

19th Century Japanese Wood Netsuke Hannya Noh Mask $325.00

Japanese Wooden NOH HANNYA Tengu Evil Demon Mask Men 40 $199.99

VINTAGE HANGING SCROLL Gold Paint Hannya Shingyo KERON w142 $9.99

Vintage Japanese Buddhist Evil Oni Noh Hannya Mask Men $38.49

e284w Eternity T shirt Sz M Tattoo Japanese Demon Retro Hannya Mask Devil Street $9.99

SH Free NOH MASK ONI MONSTR TATTOO HANNYA BOOK RARE $35.00

Japanese Traditional Hannya Mask Hanya White Version $38.88

Japanese Traditional Hannya Mask Hanya Black Version $38.88

OLD WOODEN JAPANESE HANNYA VAMPIRE DEMON TYPE MASK $70.00

STERLING SIILVER HANNYA NOH MASK BROOCH PIN ONI DEMON $85.00

HANNYA NOH MASK KEYCHAIN JAPANESE DEVIL ONI TATTOO ART $120.00

STERLING SILVER HANNYA MASK RING JAPANESE DEMON KABUKI $140.00

STERLING SILVER JAPANESE DEMON HANNYA NOH MASK PENDANT $130.00

Japanese Hannya Mask $125.00

BRASS JAPANESE DEMON HANNYA NOH MASK PENDANT KABUKI ONI $49.99

Tokyo RAGGA BLAZE Japan 2 CD NEW HAN KUN Hannya VADER AKAN $18.99

ls6 Sz M Demon Devil Japanese Irezumi Hannya Mask Street Tattoo Art LS T shirt $12.99

Vintage Devil Head Tie Bar Japanese Hannya Mask Ceramic and Silver with Box $194.99

Hat 301 Hannya Mask Japanese Oni Beanie Ski Cap Hat $0.99

Japan Hannya Noh Mask Ring Gold Brass Size 12 $24.95

Japan Hannya Noh Mask Ring Gold Brass Size 145 $24.95

Japan Hannya Noh Mask Ring Gold Brass Size 105 $24.95

Japan Hannya Noh Mask Ring Gold Brass Size 11 $24.95

BLACK GOLD JAPANESE DEMON HANNYA NOH MASK ONI PENDANT $85.00

TATTOO Hannya 50 Japanese masks $59.95

JAPANESE HANGING SCROLL Embroidered Hannya Shingyo KERON w182 $9.99

SHIPPING FREE Japanese Noh Oni Tattoo Hannya Demon Mask Bakemono Photo Book $35.00

Japanese Omen Mask Teng Hariko Paper Hannya New $99.99

Japanese Omen Mask Hannya Hariko Paper Happy New $89.99

Japan kimono tabi socks HANNYAkabuki nou Five fingers Gray US10 11 25 28cm $6.99

Japan kimono tabi socks HANNYAkabuki nou Five fingers socks white US10 11 $6.99

EDO Japanese Netsuke Okimono Evil Hannya Devil Mask $1,200.00

Resin Japanese Buddhist Hannya Mask Black Mask Evil Theme Halloween Cosplay $28.99

Japanese Buddhist Hannya Resin Mask Black Golden Version For Halloween Cosplay $28.99

Japan KimonoTabi Samurai Nou mask HANNYAFive fingers socks Red 25 28 $6.99

Hannya Mask Japanese Oni Gangster Sunglasses New Cool $7.00

BANDANA FACE MASK JAPANESE HANNYA DEMON SHADOW VARIANT $9.99

BANDANA FACE MASK JAPANESE HANNYA DEMON VARIANT $9.99

Recent searches:

The date for the next royal wedding between commoner Kate Middleton and Prince William has been set as April 28th 2011.

The ceremony will be held at Westminster Abbey and will be attended by the Royal Family and thousands of onlookers and well wishers will line the streets to celebrate this regal event.

A great way to show your love for England is to fly the Union Jack flag, adorned with the faces of the future couple.  Hang it from your house, hold it high above your head but make sure you support the future King Of England with a royal wedding 2011 flag.

ENGLAND 1932 Historic Flag Card WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR Battle of Hastings 1066 $5.99

38 Star American FlagWilliam McKinley Campaign Flag $19.99

46 Star FlagWilliam Howard Taft Campaign Flag of 1908 $19.99

Framed Texas Flag of Independence William Scott $19.00

Framed Historic Texas FlagCaptain William Brown $19.00

B9780 Castle William New York Harbor postcard Flag $9.99

NWT William Rast Sz XL Gray Flag Shirt Mens $24.00

RAINBOW FLAG gay pride STICKER rights marriage $6.48

9 11 01 Memorial Flag Ornament TAPS Loving Memory of LT William Dey $2.99

LARGE QUALITY FLAG OF KATE WILLIAM ROYALTY REALM UNION JACK GREAT BRITAIN TOUR $7.92

WILLIAM RAST Justin Timberlake Target black flag tankSNWT $9.99

William Britain Britains 43079 USMC Flag Bearer Figure $42.99

William Britain Britains 43035 USMC Flag Bearer Figure $40.41

William Britain Britains 17515 Alamo set Mexican Officer and Flag Figure $112.79

1915 Press Photo Largest Flag William McKinley Post OH $27.88

Prince William Ware British Flag 22 Carat Gold Mug Stein Made in England $9.99

Vintage ss WILLIAM PENN SCHOOL PHILADELPHIA FLAG charm $22.95

William Mary Tribe Green Applique Garden Flag $12.95

Canton Ohio 1913 political post card with William McKinley US Flag $5.00

William Mary College School Flag 1909 Vint Postcard $6.00

Barry Bostwick WILLIAM DEVANE Red Flag The Ultimate Game slide TRANSPARENCY $6.95

WILLIAM DEVANE Red Flag The Ultimate Game 1 35mm slide TRANSPARENCY $6.95

WILLIAM DEVANE Barry Bostwick RED FLAG THE ULTIMATE GAME photo slides AD art $7.95

William Rast Flag Print T Shirt Size Medium $8.00

831 FDC 50c WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT FIDELITY FLAG VARIETY $12.00

William Mary Tribe Green 28 x 44 Team Logo Applique Flag $29.95

VTG RETURN RECEIVED REWARDS KEY TAG WM WILLIAM FLAG STARS STRIPE MILITARY BLANK $4.99

Franklin Mint Flag Day Stars and Stipes William Kerr Coin Medal Medallion Proof $5.99

WILLIAM U K EXCLUSIVE HERO BRITISH FLAG Army Bear TY BEANIE BABY babies $9.99

WILLIAM MARY HOUSE FLAG Embroidered NCAA $29.85

William Quantrill Under the Black Flag by Capt Kit Dalton 1914 $135.00

WILLIAM RAST Mens tshirt sz SMALL SHIRT Red Justin Timberlake FLAG MUSIC $9.99

WILLIAM RAST Mens tshirt sz SMALL SHIRT Gray Justin Timberlake FLAG MUSIC $9.99

WILLIAM RAST Mens tshirt sz MEDIUM SHIRT White Justin Timberlake FLAG MUSIC $11.99

NWT WILLIAM RAST FLAG TOP TEE T SHIRT POLO SHORT SLEEVE LARGE $39.99

SMALL ROYAL UNION JACK FLAG KATE WILLIAM BRITISH BRIT $4.75

1895 The Honour Of The Flag by William Clark Russell First Edition Short Stories $49.99

NEW Afloat with the Flag Henderson William James $18.10

Following the Flag Marriage and the Modern Military Al $89.28

William Mary Regular Flag $33.00

I just came across this new product for children called Silly Bandz and it looks like it might be one of the next big things to hit the school playgrounds. Silly Bandz bracelets are just elastic bands, but they are made in different shapes. When they are not stretched, they take the shape of guitars, animals, letters, cars and other amazing things but once you put them on your wrist, they just turn into a rubber band or bracelet.

This is a really cool idea and there are already "rare" ones that can be collected (always a good idea for a kids toy in my opinion - see Pokemon TCG) and there are some that have glitter in them or glow in the dark. I used to make friendship bracelets when I was at school, and I guess this could just be the next extension to that!

Get them on eBay quick!

PINK SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BAND BANDZ NECKLACE WHOLESALE $1.49

120pcs Mixed pattern Silly Bandz Rubber Bands Bracelets $0.99

TY ALVIN CHIPMUNK BEANIE BABY ALVIN CHIPMUNKS STICKER BOOK SILLY BANDZ PACKET $12.99

288 AST SILLY FUNNY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $8.99

156 AST SILLY FUNNY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $5.99

264 AST SILLY FUNNY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $8.99

168 AST SILLY FUNNY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $5.88

180 AST SILLY FUNNY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $6.99

LOT 96 ASSORT SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $3.99

LOT 72 ASSORT SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $2.99

LOT 48 ASSORT SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $1.99

LOT 1200 ASST SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $29.99

Disney Character Bandz Silly Bands packs Lot of 3 $9.99

LOT 12 ASSORT SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $1.00

LOT 24 ASSORT SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ WHOLESALE $1.50

24 SILLY SHAPED RUBBER BANDS BANDZ BRACELETS WHOLESALE $1.00

Spiderman DC Comics Character Bandz Silly Bands 20 pack $2.99

288 Assorted Silly Shaped Rubber Bands Bandz WHOLESALE $8.90

Wolverine Marvel X Men Character Bandz Silly Bands 20pk $2.99

Disney Princess Silly Bands Princesses Logo Bandz 1 20 pk Stretchy Bands $2.79

12 Pack Lot of Harry Potter Character Logo Silly Bandz 240 Bands $24.95

Simpsons Secondary Family Logo Silly Bandz 1 Box of 12 $32.95

Simpsons Moes Tavern Logo Silly Bandz 1 Box of 12 Packs $32.95

Simpsons TV Characters Logo Silly Bandz 1 Box of 12 $32.95

350x Mix Colorful Rubber Silly Bandz Crazy Band 120333 $16.98

Disney Fairies Character Bandz Silly Bands 20 pack $3.99

Disney Princess 20 Pk Silly Bandz Series 2 FAST SHIP $9.49

70x Mix Colorful Rubber Silly Bandz Crazy Band 120333 $7.48

Silly Bandz 2012 Calendar by Andrews McMeel Publishing 2011 Calendar $14.98

New GLOW IN DARK SILLY ZANY BANDZ Bag O Dogz I 24 ct $2.49

New Style GLOW IN DARK SILLY ZANY BANDZ SPRING 24ct $2.49

New GLOW IN DARK SILLY ZANY BANDZ OLD WEST 24 ct $2.49

New GLOW IN DARK SILLY ZANY BANDZ Bag O Dogz II 24 ct $2.49

New Style GLOW IN DARK SILLY ZANY BANDZ MOONLIGHT 24ct $2.49

Georgia Bulldogs 20pc Silly Logo Bandz $0.99

12 Hello Kitty Ty Beanie Bandz like silly bandz NEW $2.75

24pc HIPPIE PEACE SIGN Tie Dye Silly SMART BANDZ bands $4.99

Wholesale 72 Tye Dye USA Bandz Silly Bama Goofy Crazy bands $8.99

Rock band silly bandz $0.01

Michael Jackson Rubber Silly Bandz Collector Pack 1 $5.99

Now that I have been made redundant and am looking for work it is time to stop all of those silly payments on things we don't really need. Things that are not essentials are now off the shopping list and we are trying to save as much money as possible. That is where using a Costco Gift Card comes in.

I had this great idea. Use eBay to buy a gift card and then spend it at the shops when buying food. It all makes perfect sense. The good thing about a gift card or cash card for a store like Costco is that they sell so much stuff - and I can even get new tyre for my car too if I need to. Cheap food, cheap clothes, cheap appliances - all made even cheaper due to the fact that I am saving more money by getting the cash card on eBay first.

One thing that always pissed me off was that at Costco you need to be a member first, but with the Costco Gift Card, you do not! Perfect.

There are other shops and stores too that offer cash cards or money off coupons and these are all available on eBay too. Click here to check out gift cards on eBay now.

In the mean time, check out the prices of these Costco Gift Cards, coupons and money off deals. Every penny/dollar counts!

180 Costco Cash Card Gift Card Gift Certificate $179.50

50 Costco Gift Cash Card Free Shipping $49.95

Fantastic Four COSTCO Exclusive GIFT SET $25.00

Costco Exclusive Napoleon Dynamite Gift Set Shirt DVD Talking Doll NIP $0.99

John Wayne Gift Set DVD 2007 4 Disc Set Costco $27.95

50 Costco Gift Card $50.01

costco 100 dollar gift card $100.10

COSTCO WHOLESALE gift card COLLECTIBLE only NO VALUE $1.98

COSTCO gift cash card collection free pass $0.99

FREE GIFTS WITH NEW COSTCO MEMBERSHIP $5.00

In case you had been under a rock or in the Big Brother house, you will obviously have heard that Michael Jackson has died.

Now, I am not one for jumping on the bandwagon and holding MJ in massive esteem for being the King Of Pop or some made up title like that, but you do have to admire the man for what he achieved and how far he took the cult of celebrity.

Since his death, the internet has been buzzing with news, speculation and rumor of murder, pain killers and other health problems, most of which are probably unfounded.  It has also given rise to an amazing number of websites springing up in the memory of the star.  And where are the internet marketers whilst all of this is going on?  Making a quick buck, that's where.

If you look on eBay, there are lots of domains featuring the name "Michael Jackson", "MJJ" or "MJ" for sale, some rising into the thousands of dollars.  I think there were several domains that sold for over a million dollars, all of which will probably be false.

It just goes to show you.

If you are quick, get in there at the right time and register some domains for $9 a year and then sell them on eBay after someone mega-famous like this dies, you could end up sitting on a good return for your efforts.

Note to self:  Next time someone sends you a text at 11pm saying someone famous has died, get back out of bed and capitalize on it!

MJacksoninfo Rare Michael Jackson Domain Name $9.99

MICHAELJACKSONCO Domain name Sale MICHAEL JACKSON CO $21,000.00

Michael Jackson Snapshotscom INVESTMENT Domain Name $495.00

Michael Jackson top notch domain for sale KINGOFPOPTV $50,000.00

Premium Michael Jackson Domains for sale $50,000.00

ILOVEYOUMICHAELCOM Michael Jackson Domain name $300.00

Michael Jackson Domain name for sale Michael Jackson Loved All Com $300,000.00

MICHAEL JACKSON DOMAIN WWWMICHAELMOONWALKERJACKSONCOM $6,000,000.00

2 HOT Michael Jackson websites REAL Domain Names $50,000.00

MICHAEL JACKSONS MURDERCOM WEBSITE DOMAIN COM $99,500.00

Michael Jackson This Is It Com Net Domain Names $29,000.00

Michaeljacksonhomicidecom Michael Jackson com DOMAIN HIGH TRAFFIC KEYWORDS $19.95

MICHAEL JACKSON 23 RARE DOMAIN NAMES downloadmjcom $849.00

Conrad Murray Guilty COM internet domain for sale Michael Jackson Dr guilty $49.00

MICHAEL JACKSON THE BEST com DOMAIN NAME DOT COM $3,900.00

Go Michael Jackson com DOMAIN NAME DOT COM $3,900.00

MICHAEL JACKSON THE BEST MUSIC com DOMAIN NAME COM $4,300.00

MICHAEL JACKSON THE BEST VIDEOS com DOMAIN NAME COM $3,900.00

MICHAEL JACKSON THE BEST HITS com DOMAIN NAME DOT COM $3,800.00

MJOFTHEJ5COM DOMAIN NAME FOR MICHAEL JACKSON FANS $20,000.00

wwwNeverlandBusTourCOM wwwneverLandbustourScom Domain Name Michael Jackson $2,499.00

Michael Jackson Unauthorized COM Premium Domain Name $6,000.00

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Michael Jackson ALOOKATTHEMANINTHEMIRROR Domain Name $275,000.00

MICHAEL JACKSON KING OF POP 7 MAJOR DOMAIN NAMES $9,000,000.00

INMEMORYOFJACKOCOM Domain Name MICHAEL JACKSON KING $499.00

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Who is the king of pop com Michael Jackson Premium Domain $50,000.00

Michael The Truth COM Premium Domain Michael Jackson $50,000.00

Michael Jackson Domain MichaelJacksonGreatestcom $7,490,000.00

Michael Jackson WEBSITE DOMAIN NAME gift memorabilia $1,500.00

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MICHAEL JACKSON domain name $15,000,000.00

wwwMichaelJacksonEternitycom Premium Domain Name Michael Jackson King of Pop $9,495.00

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Michael Jackson Funeral Domain Name Bulk Lot for Sale $6,500.00

So, the pigs have finally risen against their human oppressors and have fought back with the thing that humans fear the most.

The sniffles.

Whilst you have all been enjoying your bacon sandwiches and ham and cheese pasties, the pinky, muddy animals have been plotting to infect us all with a cold so bad that even doctors will have to stay in bed!

In the event of an all out Swine Flu Pandemic, I present the definative Survival Kit to help protect your family from the evil green bogies and head colds that threaten our civilisation.

1. Face Masks
The surgical face mask has already become a best seller on all of the Amazon stores all over the world - just see for yourself! This leads me to believe that people think that a simple piece of cloth that slowly cuts off circulation to your ears and actually causes more warm condensation around your mouth and nose and increases risk of infection is going to save us all. If you don't have a spar scarf around the house to tie round your face like a football hooligan - get a box of face masks.

2. Nasal Spray
Nothing stops the world better than the onset of a massive sinus headache that threatens to prevent you from leaning over to put your socks on. The parachuting of Nasal Sprays by army helicopters will keep the pounding ache at bay - at least until you can get to the shops for some Obais Oil or to the Sauna.

3. Chicken Soup
Nothing prevents the onset of flu and cold better than mums chicken soup. This is certainly the reason why the human race was never wiped out before by diseases like the black death and the plague. Tuck yourself up with a nice bowl of soup, put on that DVD of Mama Mia you were bought for christmas and sweat it out!

4. Body Bags
There may come a time where a loved one, lodger, neighbour or wife might have been overcome by the Swine Flu and you will need to get rid of them before they either turn into a Zombie or start to smell like the bottom shelf of the fridge. You will most likely be required to bag up the body, drag it into the street and wait for someone from Freecycle to come and collect them - to resell on eBay (like all Freecycle people do).

5. Antiseptic Spray
Before bed, after brushing your teeth, you will be required to go through the intimate cavity spraying of a cleansing spray. This spray will burn skin, but will also prevent germs from spreading across the "invisible line" in the bed you share with your partner - and it will also do a great job on getting rid of any limescale in your bathroom at the same time.

6. Ear Thermometer
"Hello? Battersea Dogs Home" or "nanoo-nanoo" are both some of the pranks you can play whilst jamming a very uncomfortable ear thermometer in... your ear! I think they actually read the status of your brain and transmit it to the alien mothership - but that's just my weird opinion!

With these 6 items at your disposal, you are sure to last out the terrible oncoming threat of a global pandemic posed by the cute little sandwich making oinkers.

Ahh... they are still cute though!

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Bakugan Brawler

My kids have plenty of toys to play with - actually, probably too many.

After the Pokemon Cards, Match Attax football cards, Yu-Gi-Oh cards, Gormiti series 1 and Gormiti series 2 have all passed the playground craze stage, they are quickly onto the next thing.  This of course leaves a mighty pile of these items in bedroom drawers, cupboards and boxes.  It drives me mad.

The latest craze they have been obsessing about is Bakugan Brawlers.

For those out of the loop, Bakugan are small plastic sphere shaped creatures who, when rolled onto a "Bakugan metal gate card", pop up to reveal their full form and do battle with the opponents Bakugan.  This is a game played with a few opponents who each have their own Bakugan, each trying to capture the gate cards in the middle of the arena and become the winner.

The Bakugan can also be different strengths and have ability cards too which are played to make the creature stronger, or cause your opponent some hardship during the game.

This new game, which is still in it's infancy in the UK has the usual "must have" factors that kids love.

• Collectible cards.
• Different creatures with their own names and abilities.
• Creatures that belong to different "elements" or "types".
• A cartoon featuring children playing the game and battling with their Bakugan.

The creator of Bakugan has hit on another great craze which the kids love!

Click here to buy cheap Bakugan on eBay.

Recent searches:

I liked X-Files, I like LOST and Heroes - but Fringe just does not float my boat.

Here I can tell you how to write your own episode of Fringe by combining several of the key elements in each episode together to create your own amazing masterpiece:

Opening credits:
Think of something weird that can happen.  Ensure that someone dies (you will need them later so they can be communicated with).  Perhaps consider that the death may be caused by someone else who then disappears.

Preamble:

Either:

a: Cut to Dr Walter Bishop and Peter Bishop having a discussion about something unrelated to the plot.  Insert some surreal random humorous comment from Walter and perhaps throw in a line or 2 about Peters childhood.  They get a call from Dunham about a new "odd death" that they can help with and run out the door to help.

Walter: "When you were a boy, you used to read stories about windmills..."
Peter: "Yeah. I remember".
Walter: "Windmills... They remind me of a project I once ran in my lab to do with making an alternative power supply for the military from Bananas"
Peter: "Bananas!?!?".
Walter: "Oh yes Peter.  Surely even you can see the similarity between the Windmill and the plight of the Banana growers of Africa.  It reminds me of a project I once did in my lab....potassium!  Aha!"

or

b: Show FBI agent Olivia Dunham (in bed alone looking sad and tired) getting a call in the early hours of the morning from Broyles to attend the "strange death scene".  She also picks up Walter and Peter on the way.  Add some comedy lines as Walter cannot sleep and is annoying Peter etc..

Dunham: "No.. I wasn't sleeping....  Ok I'll be right there."
Walter: "Can we stop for some Bananas?"

Plot:

1. Walter takes the dead body back to his "lab" and calls his assistant by the wrong name (again).
2. Cut to Broyles talking to Dunham about the Pattern and how they have seen this type of unusual death before in 12 other locations around the world - but have come up with no leads and no way of telling how it happened.  They had their best FBI scientists on the case and found nothing.
3. Walter examines the body and makes a correct diagnosis and cause of death within 2 minutes.
4. Walter reveals he has "worked on this project before or something like it" when he was younger (possibly with a colleague who has now "gone bad") and needs to find his old case notes.
5. Case notes are found and Peter and Walter find the name of the person who is causing the deaths.  Dunham contacts her mate, Charlie, at the FBI who turns up information within 2 minutes that they have previously not been able to find, no matter how hard they tried.
6. Dunham grabs coat and runs out of Bishops Lab and goes after the bad guy.

Conclusion:
Dunham finds the bad guy (possibly add Peter into the chase scene).

Either:

a: The bad guy gets killed and can tell them nothing.

or

b: Walter gets to communicate with the dead through the use of some garden wire, a car battery and some bulldog clips on Peters nipples to get the information they need.

Finish with Dunham and Broyles having a conversation in the FBI office.

Dunham: "So you think this has something to do with The Pattern?"
Broyles: "I don't know.  Here.  Let me show you this file we found on the body of the person that died in that accident at the beginning of the show.  It links pieces of equipment used to cause that accident to a top secret project run by Massive Dynamic."

Then you can segway the whole plot into something created or managed/designed/owned by Massive Dynamic.  Perhaps finish with sexy office vixen Nina Sharp at Massive Dynamic discussing Agent Dunham's "progress" with an unknown other to tie the whole series together.

Nina: "She is showing quite a lot of progress.  Is it time to bring her in to the company?"
Other: "No.  Not yet.  She is only just at the tip of the iceberg.  She doesn't need to know more yet..."
Nina: "Can we stop for a Banana?..."

Sub Plots to include:

• Something to do with the piano that is in Walter Bishops lab.
• Include a reference to the mental hospital Bishop was in.
• Include at least one line from the Cow that Bishop keeps in the lab.

And that concludes my How to write a Fringe episode tutorial!

Ran along this last route night in around 30 minutes.

Click for a biggie pic!

So that bodes well for my 5k run this Sunday!