Victrola Eastwood II

It’s time to break out the classic vinyl LPs and give them a spin!

There’s nothing like listening to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, Seals and Croft, Carol King, Cat Stevens and other singer/songwriters from the 1970s to lift up my spirits and bring back some great memories. Yeah, I’m dating myself.

And what better way to do that than by playing them on Victrola’s Eastwood II portable record player that combines a classic look with state-of-the art technology?

What is it about listening to music on LPs? It seems more genuine with all the pops and crackles. Albums (classic and current) are more than just vinyl, most include lyrics, photos and even inserts.

Listening to them on Victrola’s Eastwood II brings out every little string stroke, vocal fluctuation and genuine sound as if the LPs were recorded in the studio yesterday. Vinyl-you can’t beat it. Keep your streaming and CDs. Give me good old fashion vinyl any day!

You held them in your hands, they were real, substantial and ‘felt’ like music unlike CDs, streaming, etc. OK, enough music nostalgia-on to the Victrola Eastwood II record player.

I really got excited when I saw the Victrola box sitting on my front porch after Fed-Ex delivered it. I could hardly wait to get it inside and unpack it!

The record player came in a heavy, cardboard shipping box securely sealed with tape. Once opened the actual Victrola Eastwood II box was inside.

Although made of a slightly lighter paper stock the box was sealed shut with tape with hinged lids decorated with photos of the unit on all sides.

Inside the record player was snug between two formed-fitted, heavy cardboard stock end cap pieces. Inside one of the insert’s cavities was the power cord, also secured with a plastic coated wire, inside a sealed clear plastic bag.

The record player came in a clear plastic bag and the transparent and removable lid was protected by clear plastic sheet. Easy-to-follow instructions came in its own clear plastic bag.

Taking the record player out of the bag I sat it on my man-cave table.

The unit sits upon four rubberized feet that allows the record player to move slightly thus eliminating record skips.

I plugged the unit in, selected the vinyl function on the light up power knob (which turns on and off by holding it down for 2 to 3 seconds.)

The vinyl mode ring light on the power knob is white, vinyl stream is flashing white then solid white and the Bluetooth function is flashing blue when it’s ready to pair and solid blue then white when connected.

Bluetooth devices connect automatically when the Bluetooth function is activated. However some Bluetooth devices require you to put in a code number via an app. Be sure to check the Bluetooth connectivity of your devices.

The turn table can be set for 72, 45 (an adapter is set into the turntable itself) or 33 1/3 speeds. You can also set the auto-stop if you prefer.

Lay your selected LP on the platter with the clear lid open. The lid has two cutouts, one on the back and one on the side, that allow you to set the LP on the platter and close the lid. I found these cut-out slots to my advantage as it helped me set my LP down in the correct spot on the first try.

When the lid is closed it protects your LP from dust and damage.

Take the protective needle cap off the stylus. Be careful not to dislodge the needle cartridge itself. It is easily replaced with a light pull and clip in and out.

Lift the tune arm off its rest using the lift lever and position the Audio-Technica AT-3600LA cartridge needle over the desired selection on the LP.

Position the needle into place and the lower the lift lever to play the LP.

WOW! What awesome audio! The built-in speakers (behind the soft cloth front) really deliver clear and clean sound. Pair it up with a Bluetooth device and you are ready to rock and roll!

I have mine set-up with two external speakers for wraparound stereo sound-awesome!

A really like the wood detail on the record player’s sides and back and the charcoal gray/black cloth on the front really gives the unit a vintage/modern look-just like when I was playing LPs on my first record player all those years (decades) ago.

The Vinyl Stream Technology makes playing through an external Bluetooth speaker(s) easy.

On the back of the Eastwood II record player is a RCA Line Out Jack for any amplifier/stereo device, a Headphone Jack and a DC Power Input Jack.

I love it! What an awesome portable record player. Set up is easy, fast and the unit itself is designed to be rugged enough to take a few bumps and slides and still come out playing clear, music. The clear lid also has small rubber bumpers on its front edge for lid protection. Who could ask for more?

So, excuse me while I break out my bell-bottom jeans, love beads, pull back my hair (what’s left of it) with a head band, put on my Earth shoes, kick back and relive my youth--at least for a little while. Groovy and far out!

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Captain America For Dummies

He is known as the First Avenger, The Star-Spangled Sentinel and Marvel Comics’ Shield-Slinger.

He’s Captain America and he has a long and illustrious history in comic books starting way back in the 1940s when he was first introduced in Captain America #1 with a cover of Cap slugging Hitler! Wow!

Wiley Brand and author Stuart Moore present the full history of Marvel Comic’s patriotic hero in Captain America For Dummies.

If you're a novice comic book reader or you have just starting reading comic books, this book offers a great way to catch up on the history and storylines of Marvel Comics' premiere patriotic hero: Captain America!

Starting with his WWII comics then his short rebirth in the 1950s and his spectacular rebirth in the pages of The Avengers comic book this book covers it all.

Learn all about his greatest adventures, his origin, his allies and enemies, group affiliations and the incredible creative teams behind his many issues, this is the ultimate book about everyone’s favorite red, white and blue crime-fighter.

Discover how frail and sickly Steve Rogers was a fearless and brave individual long before he took the secret serum that changed him into Captain America.

Full of full-color artwork it’s a real eye-pleaser. Face front, true believers! Excelsior!

Psalms 31:24 - Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Between Two Castles Essential Edition

Growing up I was (and still am) fascinated by castles. Medieval, Middle Ages, Renaissance, European, British Isles, Middle East, Far East-it really didn’t make a difference.

There’s just something about castles that fascinates me. Perhaps it is their massive size, maze of rooms, defenses, décor and the people who populated them-a little of each.

I could just imagine exploring each room, hidden passageways, dungeons, throne rooms, living quarters and armory and so much more. Each turn of the corner reveals new and surprising discoveries.

My castle fetish has been appeased with Stonemaier Games/Atoma Factory’s Between Two Castles Essential Edition that combines the best of a board game and a trading card game.

What makes it a great game is you don't have to be an expert gamer in order to play.  Whether you're a novice or game veteran this game is fun, fast, full of surprises and best of all-easy to learn!

Made for one to eight players, ages 14 years old and plus and averaging 45 to 60 minutes of game time, Between Two Castles Essential Edition offers plenty of excitement, quick game movement and lots of cool surprises and more.

My review sample arrived via Fed-Ex and came in an oversize cardboard box, securely sealed shut. The game came snug in bubble wrap. Nicely done.

The game box itself is constructed of heavy box paper. The top of the game box features a beautiful full-color painting of a castle complex in a stunning castles in a mountain/valley landscape. The painting extends down to all sides of the top lid.

Inside the box are three game trays: purple, red and yellow. Each tray holds game components for one Multi-Player Mode and Two Solitaire modes.

The Multi-Plyer Mode includes 194 regular game room tiles, 16 secret room tiles, 64 specialty room tiles, 8 throne room tiles, 48 regular room type tokens, 8 player aids, 28 royal attendants, 28 bonus cards, 8 castle tokens and 1 scorecard.

The two Solitaire Modes (Automa and Introvert Variant) includes 24 Automa cards, 4 room type cards, 1 double-sided turn order card and 3-double-sided player aid cards.

Game play for each version of the game is easy to understand and provides fast set up.

The Automa version pits you against two artificial opponents and the Introvert Version pits your single castle against an artificial opponent's one castle.

The multi-player version uses 3 to 8 players where players team with one player to their right and left to construct a castle.

How the castles are built are determined by the cards. Some cards attach from below, right, left and above.

Where cards are placed is determined by the symbols on the cards. For example only certain cards can be placed in the lower levels, some on upper floors as determined by the cards below them and so on. It’s very challenging.

At the conclusion of the game castles are scored. Personal final scores is the lower of the two castles you helped design and the player with the highest final score wins.

Instructions make game play easy, fun and challenging. You never know what to expect.

The game is well designed with easy-to-follow instructions using illustrations and symbols. Game pieces are small but solid and are easy to distinguish as to the type of object they represent.

Game cards feature beautiful miniature paintings accompanied by easy to decipher location and type symbols. Game pieces (tiles) and token tiles come on full heavy card stock sheets. Pieces pop out of the sheets.

Game components store in the game trays and are easily seen through the game trays' clear plastic covers.

As a graphic designer and artist I really appreciate and marvel at the amount of detail the game has. Selection of paper stocks, materials for the trays, game tokens and pieces, instructions and other components were well thought out and selected.

The art is first-rate and the overall design of all the game contents complement each other from the game box to the game components.

Stonemaier Games also provides a how-to-play video online, downloadable rules, Q & A on Stonemaier’s Facebook and even an online way to calculate and save your score.

Replacement parts are available as well as monthly updates on Stonemaier’s e-newsletter.

Isn't it time to build your own castle?

Psalms 37:4 - Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Adventures In Backyard Gardening

When I spotted this book on Schiffer Kids/Book’s website I just had to review it.

My daughter just started a small greenhouse garden in her backyard and my grandson, who is eight years old, Is helping her with the vegetables she is growing.

I thought this book would make an excellent reference and guide to their effort and I was right!

It's the perfect publication for any wanna-be gardener.

In Adventures In Backyard Gardening by author Ron Smith, with art by Lily Smith, young gardeners are inspired to grow their own food.

Photos, art and charts guide young people though the process of gardening beginning with when a garden sleeps then awakens, diversity, raising chickens and other livestock to help the garden grow, composting, collecting seeds, beekeeping and so much more garden goodness.

Look for lots of helpful tips, information on soils and seedbeds, mushrooms, classroom and community gardens and just about anything else you need to know for growing healthy and productive plants and sharing them with family and friends.

So what are you waiting for? Buy some seeds, prep your soil, plant, grow, harvest and best of all-eat your vegetables and enjoy your flowers.

Romans 8:24 - For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

DPx Heft 12 Chop OD

The intrepid explorer slowly and methodically hacks his way through the thick underbrush, vines and small trees.

He uses his trusty DPx Gear’s HEFT 12 CHOP, DPx Gear’s bush knife designed by its founder, Robert Young Pelton. 

Part machete and knife the HEFT 12 CHOP is rugged, tough and perfect for camping, exploring and face-offs with the perils and obstacles of jungle exploration.

For some strange and and unknown reason it reminds me of the WWII bayonet my father left me. As a kid I loved hacking down bushes, chipping away at tree trunks and showing it off to my friends and family.

DPX Gear is serious when it comes to safety when shipping HEFT 12 CHOP.

It arrived in an oversize, sealed Fed-Box. Inside the cushioned hipping peanuts was a long white flip-lid box sealed with a DPx Survival Tools sticker.

Inside the white box black paper wrapped around a bubble pack sheet. The knife was protected in a sealed clear plastic bag . The blade of the knife was secure in a strip of blue Styrofoam. No way the HEFT 12 CHOP was able to shuffle around in the various containers and packing and cut or damage anyone or thing. Nicely done!

The CHOP’s design is patented, using the same exotic steel using in meat packing business. The unique ergonomic handle blends perfectly into front-heavy, axe-like grip.

It’s a hefty and solid knife, with good balance and grip with its sword-like Niolox, 12.55 inch blade. A relief area offers balance, a thick spine for pounding or hammering with a 2-inch tip for heavier wood chopping or ground work.  Also look for a long blood groove/fuller indentation.

Easily baton through timber with the knife’s two depressions at the front and back.

I love the feel of the HEFT 12 CHOP. It fits snugly in my hand and its no-slip grip gives me a sense of security and safety when using it. It has a good weight and balance allowing me to swing it vertically, horizontally or any direction.

The blade is incredibly sharp and makes short work of brush, wood and forest underbrush. It’s perfect for camping, outdoors and even around the yard for trimming back bushes.

A scabbard can be specially ordered. Fortunately I have an old machete scabbard I am able to use.

Made in Italy, the HEFT 12 CHOP is made by LionSTEEL and features a coated D2 blade, OD Green G10 scales. The handle is secured with three allen wrench screws, four holes in the pommel can be used to secure the knife with cord or leather and one of the holes is a small hexagon wrench opening.

Features include:

• Overall length 18.62 inches
• Blade length 12.52 inches
• Handle length 6.10 inches
• Blade thickness 0.22 inches
• Blade material D2
• Blade hardness 58-60 HRC
• Blade Matte black Milspec Phosphate coated
• Handle material G-10
• Weight 25.30

Important safety tip:  Remember a knife is a tool, not a toy and like any tool you need to familiarize yourself with its use.  Handle it with care, maintain it and most all respect it.

Stay safe!

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Great American Sitcoms Of The 1950s

I was born in the year 1953. For seven years I had the privilege of being a kid in the 1950s.

It was a great time to be a kid. Family life was near perfect. Parents and their children actually spent time together, ate meals together, went to church, were friends with neighbors and life seemed so much simpler.

There was no internet, cellphones, computers, video games and other distractions. Kids actually played outdoors.

 Dads worked, most moms stayed at home to raise the kids and run the household and kids were taught to show respect, work hard, care for others and help around the house.

It wasn’t perfect, but life in the 1950s felt stable, secure and calmer. I’m sure I’m romanticizing but I recall good times.

In the 1950s TV was in its infancy. Most TV shows had one sponsor.

TV shows drew a hard line between good and evil, authorities were respected and dramas/crime shows always saw the bad guys get his or her just deserts.

Westerns starred upright and law-abiding good guys and comedies were funny without being rude, crude, cruel and fathers were never the brunt of most jokes or pokes.

In author Jackson Upperco’s and McFarland & Company Inc., Publishing’s new oversize softbound book: Great American Sitcoms Of The 1950s readers learn How Lucy, Sgt. Bilko, Peepers, Gracie and Others Defined A Television Genre.

I remember most of the shows mentioned in the book. I had my favorites like Dennis The Menace, Leave It To beaver, Sgt. Bilko, Dobie Gillis, Father Knows Best, Bachelor Father, The Donna Reed Show and others.

It all started in 1950 when many of the top sitcoms transitioned from radio to TV

Each year of the decade are detailed with looks at top sitcoms and many more. From slapstick comedy to subdued humor every facet of comedy was represented in TV sitcoms.

I’m a big fan of 1950s sitcoms and this book really delves into the TV sitcoms with fascinating facts and observations.

There are sections about sitcoms after the 1950s, the writers and DVD and/or streaming of classic sitcoms.

Relive the charm, humor and good times 1950 sitcoms had to offer.

1 Corinthians 16:14 - Let all your things be done with charity.

Shameless The Complete Series

Talk about a dysfunctional family!

Family patriarch Frank Gallagher is not what you would call a stellar example of fatherhood.

Having sired six children, all living at home, Frank spends most times at the local bar, passed out on the floor and spending what little money he makes.

His kids are left to fend for themselves. Fortunately his kids are smart, industrious and independent-maybe a little too independent. Unfortunately most are completely lost when it comes to social interactions and taking personal responsibility.

Franks oldest daughter Fiono and son Lip are tasked with keeping the family fed, clothed and functioning.

It’s up to them to keep the motley crew together, to squelch their hair-brain schemes and try their best to keep them out the hands of the law, which is not easy on the South Side of Chicago.

As hair-brained, outrageous, slightly bizarre and semi-criminal as they are they are still family, Frank is still their father and though they are forced to fit into society they still love each other, stand together and somehow survive.

For eleven seasons the Gallagher family delighted TV audiences with their antics, ups and downs, shenanigans and never, ever, apologizing for who they were.

Warner Bros./Discovery presents the Shameless The Complete Series on DVD with lots of extras: Featurettes, Commentaries, unaired scenes, a music video and more.

Dysfunctional or not the Gallagher clan are a family, fiercely loyal to each other, quirky, odd and misfits that you can’t help but love.

Deuteronomy 31:6 - Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Marvel Comics For Dummies

I am what you would refer to as an old-timer and curmudgeon when it comes to comic books.

At 72 years old I’ve been reading comic books since I was five years old way back in 1958.

Like most kids from that time I read comic books, mostly DC Comics, Gold Key and Harvey. They were safe, predictable and essentially made for kids.

In 1961 things changed. Editor and Chief of then Timely Comics: Stan Lee, had had enough of writing comic books and was about to leave the industry. 

Legend says that his wife told him that since he was quitting comic books anyway why didn’t he write a comic book the way he wanted to.

The opportunity arose to do just that and The Fantastic Four was born.

The reader response was astounding and with the blessing of his publisher Stan Lee pulled out all the stops and introduced a whole new universe of comic book characters: The Marvel Comics Universe.

You know the names: Spider-Man, The Hulk, The Avengers, The X-Men, Daredevil, The Sub-Mariner, Thor, Captain America, Ironman, Doctor Strange and dozens more.

Marvel Comics were about ordinary people, given extraordinary powers but still coping with day-to-day events, problems and ups and downs.  Stan Lee humanized them.

Most young people and non-comic book readers think of the Marvel movies when Marvel Comics is mentioned. Few really understand the history, the origins of the characters and the creative artists and writers who create the most popular comic books in the the world: Marvel Comics.

Author Troy Brownfield and Wiley Brand proudly present Marvel Comics For Dummies which is the perfect introduction to the Marvel Universe, its characters, major storylines, heroes, villains, collecting and so much more.

Easy-to-follow and understand text accompanied by full-color art make catching and boning up on Marvel Comics a breeze.

Even an old curmudgeon like myself will enjoy this very comprehensive, well-written and fascinating book.

1 Corinthians 16:13 - Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Deathstroke #1

Everyone's favorite mercenary is back in DC Comics New 52 Universe.  In this uniquely new version of Deathstroke readers learn about his origin and who is responsible for it.

Issue #1 still finds Slade Wilson: Deathstroke as a mercenary for hire.  There’s plenty of action, gunplay, man-on-man combat all the mayhem you expect from Deathstroke.

Only in this new version of the character he has a deadly female associate, a near invincible nemesis, a benefactor with a mysterious agenda and at the end of the issue he...well, you’ll just have to see for yourself.

This version of Deathstroke appears to have a mystical slant if the cover is any indication.

Regardless it’s a fun issue to read with some great art and some interesting twists, turns and changes.

Look for The Monster Of The Month variant issue.

Ecclesiastes 12:7 - Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Vintage Fashion A Complete Sourcebook

Something that I find fascinating is how that so many young people are embracing fashion from decades past.

Vintage clothing stores are all the rage and one never knows what one might see when it comes to present day fashion.

In Vintage Fashion A Complete Sourcebook by author Nicky Albrechtsen and publisher Thames & Hudson, readers are given a decade by decade tour of fashions starting in the 1920s up until the 1980s.

As much as I’m hesitant to say it I remember seeing many of the cloths as pictured starting from the 1950s to the 1980s. Bell bottoms, funky glasses, high-heel boots, disco clothing, paisley, blinged out belts, in-your-face sweaters and other fashions popular so long ago.

The book is more than a simple catalog of photos and descriptive text. It is a testament to the times each item of clothing was popular in.

Discover what inspired each garment, what transpired during its popularity and much more.

Don’t shy away from it because you may think it is all about cloths. No, it is much more than that. It’s a tribute, history lesson and commentary on not just cloths but the people that designed, made and wore them.

Look for decades, elements and hallmarks that shaped the what, who and why of vintage fashion.            

Romans 10:17 - So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Halle Berry As Jinx Die Another Day

Actress Halle Berry got to strut her stuff in the last Pierce Brosnan James Bond film: Die Another Day.

The Jinx figure comes in a Sideshow Collectibles flip lid box with information about the movie on the inside of the flap.

The cover of the box is a recreation of the movie’s poster.  On the back are photos from the film and a short description about Jinx.

Inside the figure is snug (along with its accessories) inside a form-fitted, clear plastic cocoon and secured with plastic straps seen through a clear plastic viewing panel.

The 12-inch, fully articulated figure features a head sculpt that looks exactly like Halle Berry.  With her short cropped black hair, large expressive eyes, luscious lips and square chiseled (yet soft) features the figure looks as it could actually take a breath and speak.

The propositioned hands easily hold the included accessories with no slippage or awkwardness.

Jink wears a deep red leather, form-fitted jumpsuit with a long sleeve jacket with no pockets and a Nehru collar with no buttons.

She also wears red leather pants that are tucked into knee-high black boots and her hands are in black leather gloves.

A large, wide black belt with a silver buckle and six black knife sheaths make up the balance of her outfit.

Included with the figure is a circular Die Another Day base with a wire support for posing the figure.

Six silver throwing knives and a handgun with a silencer come with the figure.  All look authentic and are finely detailed right down to the open handles to the knives and wooden handle of the gun along with the detachable silencer.

The cloths on the figure fit loosely enough to remove and when the figure is posed the cloths do not bunch, crease or have unsightly and unnatural folds.

Coloration and sculpt work are superb and look very realistic while the cloths are real cloth with stitching, ceases and tailored to fit the figure.

Overall it is an excellent figure, container and accessories combination.

Psalms 126:5 - They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Wolfgang And The Magic Of Music

Music brings people together or in this case wolf and a rabbit in Didier Levy's and Lorenzo Sangio's new large hardbound book: Wolfgang And The Magic Of Music, published by Thames & Hudson.

Wolfgang the wolf has a grandiose idea to start a rock and roll band and become famous.

He posts a notice on a tree trunk in hope of recruiting a gang.

When all seems lost Rex the rabbit shows up and blows Wolfgang away with his guitar skills.

The two unlikely musicians prove to be a hit and the forest animals cannot get enough of their band’s music.

Dubbed The Big Bads Wolfgang's and Rex’s band becomes so popular event the hunters are captivated by their music.

As much as Wolfgang and Rex love playing together sometimes Wolfgang remembers he’s a wolf and he has to fight off his urge to eat Rex.  Music prevails.

Both the hunters and their fellow animals are inspired by Wolfgang’s and Rex’s music so they decide to create their own bands playing music of all genres.

What a delightful book. I absolutely love the illustrations in ink and watercolor and the story, though consisting of few worlds, delivers a wonderful statement about the love of music, casting aside our differences and sharing in a common activity.

Psalms 55:22 - Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

Comics Collector #1

Bet you can’t guess what Comics Collector magazine is about.  Wizard magazine is often credited with being the premiere magazine about comic book collecting.  It began publishing in the early 1990s.

But, Comics Collector came out a good ten years before Wizard.

A Curt Swan Superman drawing graces the first issue of Comics Collector (Vol. 1, No. 1 Spring 1983).

Celebrate Superman’s 45th year, delve into the mini-series market, learn about the men behind the Man of Steel, rediscover the greatest comic strip studio of all time and get ready for the return of The Mighty Crusaders.

Witness the evolution of Superman (in full-color), take part in the X-Men Revolution, see how many Kryptonian Kollectibles you have, visit the scene of Kelly Green, Let’s Go Collecting!, reconnect with the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents and check out the Photo Grading Guide.

You’ll be amazed at the 1983 Price Guide and be sure to check out the advertising section--so retro!

Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

ERMA: Erfurter Maschinenfabrik 1924-2003, Vol. 2 Handguns

I had no idea that when I requested a review copy of Schiffer Publishing’s book ERMA: Erfurter Maschinenfabrik 1924-2003, Vol. 2 Handguns by author Holger Schlemeier that the book would be so huge!

Talk about massive! Over one-inch thick this beautifully bound hardbound book with its full color photo cover blew me away!

There is so much information about the company’s handguns in it it boggles the mind.

Black and white and color photos, diagrams, cutaways, specs, detailed technical drawings, advertisements, accessories and everything you could possibly imagine associated with the handguns are included in this colossal book.

Detailed and highly-technical text traces the whole history of the company and its handguns, delves heavily into full specs and performance and completely covers all of the models produced.

Look for variants, military and sporting models, prototypes, unique and quirky curiosities, production numbers, markings and more from the famous German weapons manufacturer.

I absolutely love the way the book is laid out, the color photos are crisp and catch every detail and the vintage photos, advertisements and drawings are all complemented by the informative and fascinating text.

Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Blaze Of Glory

In the Star Trek Universe the Klingons prize an honorable death above all else.  Often referred to going out in a “Blaze Of Glory” the Klingons prefer to die rather than to be captured.

Close to 20 years ago Decipher Cards obtained the rights to a create collectible Card game based on Star Trek.

It did so and it was extremely popular.  Unfortunately due to some rather dubious and questionable business practices Decipher Games went out of business leaving Star Trek fans hungry for more Cards.

Now those original cards are much sought after.  For example a single Foil Pack of Blaze Of Glory Cards will cost you close to $100.

When Decipher Games was at its zenith I used to literally get boxes full of Cards to review.  I still have all of them.  

At one point I used them to make makeshift bases for bookcases to put shelves on.  That is, until I found out that I was sitting on a goldmine.  Some of the Star Trek (and Star Wars) Cards are worth a small fortune.

About two years ago I contacted a game card dealer about purchasing the Cards.

We settled on a price.  But, here was the kicker.  The company wanted me to send the Cards to them and once they got them they would then send the money-if they approved of the Cards.

See something wrong there?  Sorry, no cash, no carry.

Here are a few stats I pulled on the Blaze of Glory Cards:

Blaze of Glory was an expansion Set released in August 1999. 

It focused on combat with the introduction of the "Tactics" side. 

Attention was given to the Klingon affiliation, which gained bat'leths, d'k tahgs, and mek'leths in game play. 

It enhanced players’ ability to capture opponent's ships and personnel. 

Blaze of Glory was also the first set to offer Foil Cards. 

The set consisted of 130 Cards contained fifty Rare, forty Uncommon and forty Common Cards, eighteen Foils and was sold in nine-Card Booster Packs. 

It was the most popular Star Trek expansion Set with players to be released for the First Edition. 

The complete printing has the distinction of being sold in less time than any other expansion set. 

Deuteronomy 20:4 - For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.