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01/18/2007: Ninja Turtles & Strawberry Mini-Wheats.

In the previous post, I called “slenderer” the plural of “slender.” This is incorrect. I’m not even sure if a word like “slender” can have a plural in any reasonable fashion, but I may be wrong again. I’ve said my Hail Marys and I hope all is forgiven.

In a previous post but not the previous post, I asked y’all for suggestions on what to trade Red Steel in for, because Red Steel apparently sucks. You had a lot of great suggestions, but upon going to Toys ‘R’ Us with visions of Elebits dancing in my head, I traded the bad game in for a shiny gift card and left not with Elebits, but with lots and lots of toys. Starting with this:


There’s already a full gamut of toys based on the upcoming Ninja Turtles CG flick, including the four green heroes in what I’d call their best action figure translations to date. Really, the new figures are just about perfect. While I dabbled in the resurgent TMNT line based specifically on the resurgent TMNT cartoon, these are much, much nicer. I picked up Raphael to begin a collection that will inevitably end up as desk decor at work, and the picture above says it all. It’s a great mold with or without the connection to the new flick, with around 47,000 points of articulation and a bandana that actually looks like a bandana and not at all like a knob of raw steak glued to the side of a Ninja Turtle’s head.

I really love their chic simplicity. In many ways, seeing the new movie toys reminded me of when the original Turtles toy craze first launched — with four totally basic, soft-headed Turtle figures that came with 27 brownish plastic weapons. Like those figures, the new set relies less on any specific gimmicky action feature and more on the idea that these are great toys to let imagination-through-hands run wild. It’s a shame that I’m too old and fogyish to utilize Raphael as anything more than a decorative statue, but kids who end up with these figures are in for countless afternoons of adventure by their own dictation.

Not all of the new TMNT movie toys follow Raphael’s holy pattern of simple awesomeness, but the best ones do. And they’re only $6.99! That’s not much more than I paid for the elusive Metalhead figure back in grade school.


There’s a great commercial for new Strawberry Delight Frosted Mini-Wheats cereal, where a normal, white-frosted anthropomorphic Mini-Wheat mistakes a pink-frosted anthropomorphic Mini-Wheat and starts hitting on him. I am so damn proud of the person who pitched that to Kellogg’s well enough to get an OK. I decided to reward the mystery pitcher’s grand effort by buying a box, and now that I’ve tried it, I hereby proclaim Strawberry Delight Frosted Mini-Wheats as both Cereal of the Month and Cereal With The Longest Name Ever. Shit’s good, son. Real good.

Take a bowl of Frosted Mini-Wheats, but replace the milk with Strawberry Quik. That’s what this tastes like, and it works much better than that visual dictates. The frosting is far thicker (”thicker” being the plural of “thick”) and more indulgent than the regular whitey version, and my taste buds had to light a cigarette after the experience.

And that’s my story. Turtles and cereal. You know what I should write? Articles. It’s been a while. That’s on the to-do list, assuming I can get past the recent habit of writing articles halfway, hating them and ditching them. In the meantime, check this page for a bunch of older articles that I liked well enough.


Posted by Matt. E-mail me!

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Discussion Thread: 215 comments

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First?
And for what it’s worth I rented Red Steel and decided it was not too bad. I bought WarioWare and have decided that the announcer that explains everything is the best in the business. Very Steven Wright-ish.

Ghosted by Ed @ 01/18/2007 12:41 AM EST


That commercial is awesome.

Also, hail Warioware. That game has always been awesome fun with a few friends and more than a few beers.

Ghosted by Travis @ 01/18/2007 12:45 AM EST


I also have sampled your Strawberry Mini Wheats. The Vanilla Creme ones were nasty. I still prefer the huge brick ones in the red box.

Not a TMNT fan.

Ghosted by Event Horizon @ 01/18/2007 12:49 AM EST


omfg, that action figure looks awesome. I can’t wait to walk into Toys ‘R’ Us and see these babies on display, making everything look like sheer rancid donkey crap in comparison.

Also, I’m gonna get that strawberry goodness as soon as I head to a grocery store. I’ve always loved Frosted Mini Wheats and faux strawberry flavor that I WISH existed in nature.

WTF was up with that french vanilla flavor or something, though?

It tasted like potpourri. STRONG potpourri.

Ghosted by Maxwell, For Sale @ 01/18/2007 12:54 AM EST


While I am fairly intrigued by the new TMNT movie\toy extravaganza, I am waaaaay stoked for Transformers. I fully expect the movie to suck, but with Optimus’ original voice in place, at least it is taking a step in the right direction. And I saw prototypes for new toys that already have me salivating while simultaneously making my wallet cry.

Ghosted by Ed @ 01/18/2007 1:00 AM EST


i have to have the new TMNT figures, and im almost tempted to try those mini wheats, but im more partial to Frosted Shredded Wheat =/

and i just watched the movie trailers….count me in.

Ghosted by Phil B. @ 01/18/2007 1:04 AM EST


Yeah that commercial is delightful. I also like the one where the Mini Wheat is helping the girl with her dance recital.

I’m loving the designs for the TMNT CG movie merchandise. I saw a pack of Valentines the other day that were way rad. But, Turtles Valentines should totally be scented like pizza, it just makes sense.

Hey does anyone know of a good way to turn a piece of fabric from black to white? I’ve got this action figure I’m trying to bleach the cloak on and I’ve tried 4 different types of bleaches, soaking in peroxide for 3 hours, and paint thinner and the thing is still black as night. :(

Ghosted by Mystie @ 01/18/2007 1:04 AM EST


I am lovin’ that Ninja Turtle! I may just live my dream and buy a figure, for some reason my mom refused to buy TMNT stuff for me. I love being an adult, now I can choose and buy as many toys as I want.

Also on the topic of TMNT, my husband told me that his mother thought they were the Ninja Ninja Ninja Turtles. I love finding more ways to dislike my Mother in Law.

Ghosted by IHAQ @ 01/18/2007 1:09 AM EST


And yet, somehow, “Ninja Ninja Ninja Turtles” has a nice ring to it.

Ghosted by Matt @ 01/18/2007 1:11 AM EST


i will be disappointed if this new movie is lacking a Vanilla Ice-performed song. :P

Ghosted by Phil B. @ 01/18/2007 1:22 AM EST


I miss the turtle figures that had really big veiny muscles and looked constipated, with clear blue weapons.

Ghosted by Count Chocula @ 01/18/2007 1:33 AM EST


Redsteel isn’t so bad, TMNT rock my face off, and I like me some Mini-Wheats. Guess I need to try the strawberry version.

Ghosted by Ragnarok @ 01/18/2007 1:34 AM EST


Every review I’ve read of Red Steel has absolutely savaged it, but most people I know that’ve played it didn’t hate it.

I remember the good ole TMNT figures with the brown plastic weapons. I can only imagine that all these years later whoever is living in the house I grew up in is still finding the damn things scattered around the house. I lost every single weapon minutes after opening the package.

Ghosted by Wukong @ 01/18/2007 1:46 AM EST


Matt, I hope you were kidding when you said (”thicker” being the plural of “thick”). Have you learned nothing from your mistakes?!

Ghosted by Justin @ 01/18/2007 1:58 AM EST


Yeah its not plural, its the thing between “good” and “best” which I can’t remember the name of.

Ghosted by Abbie @ 01/18/2007 2:06 AM EST


Only 6.99? Hmmm…I think Target was selling the new TMNT stuff for almost 9 dollars. I’ll have to check out TRU.

Ghosted by Dude McGuy @ 01/18/2007 2:07 AM EST


Some cereals taste better dry than with milk or any liquid. Strawberry Mini Wheats is one. Frosted Flakes is another. Basically any cereal where the sweet stuff washes off into the milk taste better dry.

I was a huge fan of the original TMNT line. I even had the ones of the rare appeared only once or not at all characters (like that frog).

Ghosted by JLAJRC @ 01/18/2007 2:08 AM EST


There’s at least three different kinds of flavored Frosted Mini-Wheats now. In addition to Matt’s Strawberry Delight, there’s also the afore-mentioned Vanilla Cream, and a Maple Brown Sugar flavor. I’ve only tried the Vanilla Cream, which I liked. Tasted a bit like vanilla cake icing. I’ve seen all three for at least a year in the store I work at here and down in Cape May County as well.

That TMNT figure IS awesome. I loved the original cartoon as much as any late 80s-early 90s kid, but was a little old for the toys by the time the show was in its heyday. If they really are that cheap (or if I can find them on as good of a sale here), maybe I’ll finally make up for that…

Ghosted by starwenn @ 01/18/2007 2:29 AM EST


I think you’re all thinking of ’superlative’ for the -er -est words.

Ghosted by Vermaxen (delurking) @ 01/18/2007 2:47 AM EST


holy shit i’m glad u mentioned the new turtle figures i didn’t even know they were coming out, they look awesome!

might be the first toys i actually cop in years, they look so bad ass!!

Ghosted by cheeky @ 01/18/2007 3:04 AM EST


i think my two favorites are casey jones and raphael, no shredder?!?

i’m so psyched about this movie, mang!!

Ghosted by cheeky @ 01/18/2007 3:15 AM EST


Although those new figures are nice, I will always view Raphael as the turtle whose weapon was fancy forks.

I still have the old TMNT figures somewhere. One Donatello has a swimming action feature. Also, I have the figures that depicted them playing various sports. Donatello is playing basketball and looks like Horace Grant… for no reason at all.

Ghosted by Dr. Acula @ 01/18/2007 3:21 AM EST


I can’t believe those articles are from three years ago. Some of my favorites up in that piece.
I’m excited for the TMNT movie, though I’m not really following the hype. I’ll just go see it when it comes out if the reviews aren’t poisonous. I do enjoy the idea of Raph being described as chic.

Ghosted by squee4242 @ 01/18/2007 3:23 AM EST


I went out and bought the four turtles the second I heard about them last month.
They are insanely awesome.

Ghosted by Somethin' Funny @ 01/18/2007 4:05 AM EST


Those TMNT action figures have come a long way! One thing I hope toy makers improve upon is leaving it up to the kids to add the decorative stickers to vehicles and playset/buildings. I was always terrible at it and you only got one shot at applying it straight and air bubble free. Ecto-1 wasn’t the same with the ghostbuster logo askew.

Ghosted by Dr. Bob @ 01/18/2007 4:07 AM EST


I saw the new TMNT toys at Target the other day. Would you believe I passed those up for a DriveMax Megazord?

Ghosted by Hoverbored @ 01/18/2007 4:27 AM EST


that, my friend, is totally unbelievable.

Ghosted by cheeky @ 01/18/2007 5:11 AM EST


Speaking of cereals, I’m not sure if anyone has mentioned this, but they’re making Trix round again. Now they look more like a bowl of rainbow Kix and less like a bowl of Runts, as God intended.

Ghosted by Corvax @ 01/18/2007 7:56 AM EST


I have that cereal. Sitting on top of my freezer collecting dust. Not a big fan of the middle goo part. Althought the regular frosted ones are great. IMHO
Silly question: I’m doing a thing with people taking pics of themselves and at least one other person. But taking the pics themselves, if anyone feels bored enough to humor me, send a pic of this to pilver1978@hotmail.com. You can wear a mask, if your shy.

Ghosted by kb @ 01/18/2007 9:13 AM EST


Try the Maple & Brown Sugar Mini-Wheats…I just had them this morning and they are deee-lish!

My nephew received some TMNT figures for his birthday last weekend. He just turned 4 and he was SO excited…Really did my heart good.

Ghosted by Mary Mary @ 01/18/2007 9:56 AM EST


I can’t agree more about how awesome those turtle figures are, Matt! I lied to myself about a week ago and told myself that I was just going to pick up a Raphael to stick on my desk at work. However,last night I fould myself at Target, sticking a Donatello into my basket between the dishsoap and paper towels. Now, all I do is sit around and try to think of what other cleaning products I’m going to need next week so I can pick up a Leo or Mike!

Ghosted by trimmtrabb @ 01/18/2007 10:21 AM EST


You know what this new “TMNT” CGI movie gives me hope for, Matt?

Another Turtles World Tour! C’mon, you *KNOW* you’d be front row center. They could call it “The Going Back Into Our Shells Tour” Or “The Shell Hath No Fury” Tour. And even though she’s busy with her philanthropy and charitable work, I’m pretty sure Oprah can take time to tape a brand new episode where she interviews the Turtles.

And Yum! Brands will be the final piece of the puzzle, as Pizza Hut promotes the movie to the nth degree.

Am I crazy? Probably.

Ghosted by Jason @ 01/18/2007 10:31 AM EST


Whoa!! I LOVE Mini-Wheats but haven’t yet heard of these. Maybe we won’t get them in Canada…I will have to check it out. I love Strawberry Quik, so I will totally buy a box. Anyone remember BANANA Quik? THAT was awesome…

I will have to buy a Donatello. He rocks.

Ghosted by Muppet Baby @ 01/18/2007 10:41 AM EST


In case this hasn’t been fully covered– “-er” is comparative; “-est” is superlative. Or, the plural. Whatever. Go Ninja, Go Ninja, Go.

Ghosted by Tom @ 01/18/2007 12:32 PM EST


Is every other person that comes here an English major? Because I can hear you all collectively gritting your teeth every time someone uses the wrong form of “there”. ;)

Ghosted by Mystie @ 01/18/2007 12:52 PM EST


A note to all action figure nerds (i.e. people who pay attention to things like sculpt and paint ops)
watch out for Michelangelo; the paint ops on his eyes are really sloppy.

Ghosted by Somethin' Funny @ 01/18/2007 1:04 PM EST


Yeah, I’m not so keen on the face Michelangelo is making either. I guess it does add to the variation between figures, though.

Ghosted by trimmtrabb @ 01/18/2007 1:14 PM EST


those things are delicious.
i thoroughly enjoy the vanilla ones too.
mmm.

Ghosted by Eediot. @ 01/18/2007 1:18 PM EST


Is every other person that comes here an English major? Because I can hear you all collectively gritting your teeth every time someone uses the wrong form of “there”. ;)

haha i was thinking the same thing.. these people take their grammar verrrry seriously!

Ghosted by cheeky @ 01/18/2007 1:40 PM EST


and yea i had noticed mike’s wonky eyes too, would otherwise be a cool figure.. i don’t know if the figures would look better out of the packaging or in?

they should make a little diorama display thing to put them in.. i guess that’d be taking it too far tho huh? they needa put the old arcade games on xbox live, that’d be dope

Ghosted by cheeky @ 01/18/2007 1:47 PM EST


English major here.

Ghosted by Jessica Marie @ 01/18/2007 2:19 PM EST


ahhhh, Ninja Turtles…the best entertainment of the Saturday mornings of my youth, and the toys my brother collected (which I stole from him, ’cause those things were cool) (I still have flip-action Donatello)

Ghosted by Fox @ 01/18/2007 2:37 PM EST


I’ve been thinking of buying the OverDrive MegaZord. I heard that in the Sentai show, instead of just using a new core unit, or using a different Zord altogether, this one will upgrade by interchanging with other MegaZords. My Robot collection needs Zords, I think. Time to hit the flea markets for Bootleg Power Ranger mecha.

Ghosted by kingklash @ 01/18/2007 2:41 PM EST


I, too am an English major…and also a wickedly cool English teacher! ;0)

I was always upset that I never bought any Power Rangers toys back when Power Rangers was a great show. I still have 3 VHS tapes full of episodes.

Ghosted by Muppet Baby @ 01/18/2007 2:44 PM EST


Muscle Kinesiology degree and don’t use it. I should have been an English major. That always had the cooler people unless you stepped out of line with grammer. There’s nothing like dropping a double negative to watch an english major turn inside out and explode.

Ghosted by Bill @ 01/18/2007 3:06 PM EST


I took half a semester of Advanced Grammar when I started grad school. You can tell I dropped it, I’m sure. I got to take Language and Teaching as a replacement. Now that was wicked cool. Sociolinguistics at its finest. Alot like psychology really. Language behavior was a nice change of pace from my undergradute research in Animal Learning.

Ghosted by K- @ 01/18/2007 3:34 PM EST


I am so not fishing for compliments or bragging….okay, maybe bragging a little…but this has been the best friggin’ birthday in years!!

It started Tuesday when my cousin dropped by and gave me WarioWare. He never gives gifts. When I asked him why he said, “it’s your birthday, stupid.” Sweet!

Then last night I went to dinner with my dad and stepmom. First of all, we actually didn’t argue about anything and laughed the entire dinner. And secondly, we went to this restaurant in a small town in the deep woods of Alabama…which, for obvious reasons, had me worried…but it turned out to be one of those rare awesome local places! It was decorated in a very ‘homey’ way and the people were great; all in all a great night.

Then today a friend came over to take me to lunch. Turns out it was a small surprise lunch! Not only did I get to have another fun/great meal, I also got a complete set of the new movie Ninja Turtles (!) and a Sand Village headband….you know, to use as I crush the Hidden Leaf Village. Double sweet!

Later, I get to go and watch Smallville…we watch it for laughs now…and the Scrubs musical with other friends, then back to my cousins house where his wife is kind enough to bake me a birthday cake. Triple sweet!

Very much an awesome day….Hope everyone else has as great a day :)

Ghosted by Shuanfu @ 01/18/2007 4:37 PM EST


Happy Birthday Shuanfu! Do you wanna share some of that birthday cake? Pleeease!

Ghosted by IHAQ @ 01/18/2007 4:52 PM EST


I miss my days with the TMNT. Never actually owned any of the action figures, though, since I am a girl and no one would ever buy them for me. Always had to go to the neighbor’s house to play with cool toys.
I have found that Shredded Wheat in any incarnation is a wonderful thing to eat dry when one has an itchy throat (especially nice during allergy season).

Ghosted by DeeJay @ 01/18/2007 5:18 PM EST


English major here, too. Professional writing undergrad / Folklore Grad.

Ghosted by Wukong @ 01/18/2007 5:31 PM EST


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