Ils Ont Change´ Ma Poupee

Some of you may recognize the source of my title for today's post. It's from a song originally called Ils On Change Ma Chanson, Ma (Look What They've Done to my Song, Ma) . The words seem appropriate for Cruise Control Vanessa. Vanessa is (was?) my favorite Fashion Royalty sculpt. Although there have been too many of her released in the last two years, I still looked forward to each and every one.
What ever happened to the days when one could debox a nearly perfect doll?
Prior to the Josephine Baker dolls, I never had the thought of re-rooting a doll right out of the box. Since October 2008, there has been one doll after another with serious hair defects. Every one of these defects is factory worker caused and not a machine malfunction.
We've had clumps of hair glue, dried net marks and frizz and it's nauseating. I am really through with writing to customer care and sending pictures and getting form letters and being told that I have bad luck. I don't have bad luck; the dolls are badly done.
This is Barbie hair.

These are just like Barbie shoes with the bendy heel syndrome.

Regarding the outfit, the shorts are fabulous and the blouse is nice. It's a complicated piece and shows a great deal of effort in the construction.
The jewelry, which is not shown, consists of unadorned silver colored chains and what looks like straight pins for earrings. I kid you not.

Mid-Atlantic Gene Meet-up Registration Now Open

The event has been cancelled due to low registration.

Picture of the Week Award ~ May 10, 2009

I discovered this fabulous photograph on Flickr. The composition, lighting and excellent use of depth of field all contributed to choosing it as my Picture of the Week.
The photographer is Sassy Strawberry and the title of the image is "La Belle Dame sans Merci."

 

Here is the link to Sassy Strawberry's photostream.   http://www.flickr.com/photos/sassystrawberry/

Live Long, Prosper and Beam Me Up, Scotty!

Mattel's New Star Trek Barbie Dolls
I have been a Star Trek fan since the beginning and to this day, even when I watch the chubbed-up and well-dressed William Shatner in Boston Legal, I still see and think Captain Kirk. There's no getting away from the fact that once a Trekker always a Trekker. I loved the new Star Trek XI movie! My resistance to new actors playing well-known roles was blown away by the excellent acting, directing, action and plot of the movie. It's worth a second look.

As to Mattel's new Star Trek trio of dolls, a second look still does not entice me. The dolls below are modeled after the actors playing Captain Kirk (Chris Pine), Spock (Zachary Quinto), and Lieutenant Uhura (Zoe Saldana).

Here's some promo text about the dolls:
—From his magnetic gaze to his pointed ears to his blue, sciences-division uniform shirt, Ken as Mr. Spock perfectly captures the half-Vulcan executive officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise. "Live long and prosper!"
—With his piercing eyes, sandy-brown hair and command-gold uniform shirt, Ken as Captain Kirk embodies the commanding officer of the Enterprise to a tee. "Beam me up, Scotty!"
—Barbie as Lt. Uhura makes a bold statement in her red uniform, black boots and confident stance.

The average retail price is $43 for each doll. Right now they are available at Barbie Collector, Walmart and at select Mattel dealers.

Live Long and Prosper

Spock giving the Vulcan Salute

The Vulcan Salute is a hand gesture consisting of a raised hand, palm forward with the fingers parted between the middle and ring finger and the thumb extended. The salute was devised and popoularised by Leonard Nimoy, who portrayed the half-Vulcan character, Mr. Spock, on the original Star Trek television series in the late 1960's. (Excerpt from Wikipedia.)

In his autobiography I Am Not Spock, Nimoy wrote that he based it on the Priestly Blessing performed by Jewish Kohanim with both hands, thumb to thumb in this same position, representing the Hebrew letter Shin (ש), which has three upward strokes similar to the position of the thumb and fingers in the salute. The letter Shin here stands for Shaddai, meaning "Almighty (God)", and has a superb significance in Judaism. Nimoy wrote that when he was a child, his grandfather took him to an Orthodox synagogue. There he saw the blessing performed, and was very impressed by it.

Other Star Trek Dolls
Forgive me if I don't call them 'action figures.' They're dolls. Get over it.
Merchandise from the Star Trek Series and movies spans the decades and comes from a multitude of companies. Here are links to several websites either reviewing the dolls or selling merchandise:
http://startrek.playmatestoys.com/products/index/figures_12
http://store.startrek.com/category/multiple/38+59?subid=185&source=pjn
http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/news/officially-cool-star-trek-barbie-dolls.php
http://www.toyrocket.com/Star-Trek-C1850.aspx?gclid=CJXVwJi0spoCFSbxDAodyBv-bQ
http://www.megomuseum.com/megolibrary/department/jcp75trek.html
http://boxwish.com/blog/view/749-star-trek-gets-a-barbie-makeover

My opinion: There are better looking, more articulated and less expensive Star Trek dolls or action figures out there. Art Asylum made this Kirk and Spock "The Wrath of Khan" Action Figure Set.

They are only 8" tall but at least they look good and can be posed. Get both dolls for $32. That's less than the price of one Mattel doll.

If you're into weird-looking dolls, here's one for you:

It is an ultra-stylized, poseable vinyl Captain Kirk QUOG action figure for $12.99.

What about a Captain Kirk Talking Wacky Wobbler Bobble Head, also selling for $12.99?

Don't see anything you like? Come sit next to me. Here, have a Tribble.

Watch the funniest episode: The Trouble With Tribbles