![](\"http:\/\/www.oafe.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/03\/afghanistan.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nPretty cool, isn't it? Obviously it's made from Bionicle pieces, a can of shave gel and some bottle caps. Anybody could make this, right? Well, look past the toy, and check out what's in the background. You've got a big brown tent, some sandbags, and a high, thick wall; that's obviously not just a picture taken on somebody's back porch. No, this robot is the work of Rupert Valero<\/a>, a toy fan on deployment in Khandahar. We're all playing with toys in the comfort of our own homes, but he's carried his hobby to the front lines.<\/p>\n There's a great interview with Valero on Infinite Hollywood<\/a>, where he talks about his inspirations and what it's like to be a collector in such an unlikely corner of the world. Go read it, then visit his Etsy store<\/a>, where you can buy a \"Valerobot\" of your own.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Look at this robot: Pretty cool, isn't it? Obviously it's made from Bionicle pieces, a can of shave gel and some bottle caps. Anybody could make this, right? Well, look past the toy, and check out what's in the background. … Continue reading