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From the Beehive to the First
Posted a year agoDoesn't seem like I post enough journals or such, but here we go again. I am actually moving cross-country and will be out of contact for the next couple weeks. Probably the first time I ever voluntarily resigned from a job. Every other time there was some sort of force beyond my control for my departure. Already have my things packed up on containers and set to go. They will be in my new home by the 3rd of next month.
So right now this is more of a head's up and notice of big changes for me personally. Hopefully it will go without any hiccups or fussy car troubles. >.>
- Charlie
So right now this is more of a head's up and notice of big changes for me personally. Hopefully it will go without any hiccups or fussy car troubles. >.>
- Charlie
Almost Three Years...and on...and on.
Posted 2 years agoI suppose it's about time for a general post from me...been almost three years since my last one.
As obvious from the title, it's been almost three years since I came over to the land of honey and fry sauce. Certainly has had its ups and downs but so far the work's been good though I really wish they'd figure out a sustainable way to report our hours (doesn't help our facility is in a company that makes widgets not on a true manufacturing scale and our plant behaves much more like a typical manufacturing facility)...and maybe concerned about current events due to the nature of our business. Overall though it's been working out well, might go for a Green Belt certification though that might depend if I find a job that better supports an engineer with a materials science background and doesn't have you try to put out a fire that should have had resources thrown at it months ago. I don't mind if I don't get much over what I currently make as long as it's a place that's a tad more liberal and has a lower cost of living. An industry where you support A&D can be rewarding, but it makes a certain Randolph P. Checkers, Esq's descriptions of said industry feel very relatable in such an uncanny way.
Generally speaking though I feel like I'm getting less and less involved. Maybe it's a lack of a backbone in general, especially when standing up to so called puritans and hypocrites, a lack of a good social site that doesn't get hijacked by extremist politics (despite my dad's assertion, started WAY before the internet - try Rush Limbaugh) or maybe it's because my variety of tweets on Social Media Brand "Xxxxxxx" are too eccentric for most to actually follow or everything else in the world seeming hellbent on isolating neurodiverse individuals. (And yes, someone needs to a Batman 1989 parody of said platform. >.>) But it seems harder for me to really reach out. Seemed rather close to home when I went to a convention last year by autists for autists in Provo, but I just couldn't connect with anyone. I just wish there was a forum that was safe to just be me or a way to reach out to find the kind of relationship I'd want to look for.
In more recent news though, I was on a bit of a road trip. Went to see my older niece's (and goddaughter's) graduation, then I just said "might as well make a week out of it" and did a roadtrip further east. Ended up at OC, MD but I was about a week or so too early (wanted to avoid paying in-season prices for everything but all I got was chilly mornings and rip currents so no swimming). Stopped in RVA to grab some culinary (and beer) goodies and a snuggly fairy dragon which may or may not be the basis of a new OC, also got a bit into aviation territory in Ohio but no Quaker Steak 'n' Lube thanks to a gathering of bikers and a long wait time. Tried some scrapple and a Dagwood and a crab cake straight from the sea (almost). Makes me feel like a modern "Bandit" Darville with all the beer I bring back with me (blame my locale's asinine alcohol laws written by the branch of the Abrahamic faiths that brought you the "Zion Curtain" and despite their aversion to caffeine has tons of soda fountain shops). Got my car fixed up because apparently my cylinders were going bad; thank goodness for powertrain warranties. Not so much for the stupid wait time to even get your car looked at...then your engine needs the computer needs reset a couple months later. Could have been worse...given my rl sister's luck with vehicles.
And yes, Operation: Kimmelweck was a success though the rolls were a wee hard. The roast beef turned out awesome though. :3 Still need to pick out something to use the spiedie marinade with...just can't use a charcoal grill with.
Now to see if I can remember I have a mount of art to post and get myself focused enough to do it. >.>
Also, I got a page on the elephant with too much hair and may or may not be a Zord in disguise: https://cubhub.social/@Charlie_foxkit
- Charlie
As obvious from the title, it's been almost three years since I came over to the land of honey and fry sauce. Certainly has had its ups and downs but so far the work's been good though I really wish they'd figure out a sustainable way to report our hours (doesn't help our facility is in a company that makes widgets not on a true manufacturing scale and our plant behaves much more like a typical manufacturing facility)...and maybe concerned about current events due to the nature of our business. Overall though it's been working out well, might go for a Green Belt certification though that might depend if I find a job that better supports an engineer with a materials science background and doesn't have you try to put out a fire that should have had resources thrown at it months ago. I don't mind if I don't get much over what I currently make as long as it's a place that's a tad more liberal and has a lower cost of living. An industry where you support A&D can be rewarding, but it makes a certain Randolph P. Checkers, Esq's descriptions of said industry feel very relatable in such an uncanny way.
Generally speaking though I feel like I'm getting less and less involved. Maybe it's a lack of a backbone in general, especially when standing up to so called puritans and hypocrites, a lack of a good social site that doesn't get hijacked by extremist politics (despite my dad's assertion, started WAY before the internet - try Rush Limbaugh) or maybe it's because my variety of tweets on Social Media Brand "Xxxxxxx" are too eccentric for most to actually follow or everything else in the world seeming hellbent on isolating neurodiverse individuals. (And yes, someone needs to a Batman 1989 parody of said platform. >.>) But it seems harder for me to really reach out. Seemed rather close to home when I went to a convention last year by autists for autists in Provo, but I just couldn't connect with anyone. I just wish there was a forum that was safe to just be me or a way to reach out to find the kind of relationship I'd want to look for.
In more recent news though, I was on a bit of a road trip. Went to see my older niece's (and goddaughter's) graduation, then I just said "might as well make a week out of it" and did a roadtrip further east. Ended up at OC, MD but I was about a week or so too early (wanted to avoid paying in-season prices for everything but all I got was chilly mornings and rip currents so no swimming). Stopped in RVA to grab some culinary (and beer) goodies and a snuggly fairy dragon which may or may not be the basis of a new OC, also got a bit into aviation territory in Ohio but no Quaker Steak 'n' Lube thanks to a gathering of bikers and a long wait time. Tried some scrapple and a Dagwood and a crab cake straight from the sea (almost). Makes me feel like a modern "Bandit" Darville with all the beer I bring back with me (blame my locale's asinine alcohol laws written by the branch of the Abrahamic faiths that brought you the "Zion Curtain" and despite their aversion to caffeine has tons of soda fountain shops). Got my car fixed up because apparently my cylinders were going bad; thank goodness for powertrain warranties. Not so much for the stupid wait time to even get your car looked at...then your engine needs the computer needs reset a couple months later. Could have been worse...given my rl sister's luck with vehicles.
And yes, Operation: Kimmelweck was a success though the rolls were a wee hard. The roast beef turned out awesome though. :3 Still need to pick out something to use the spiedie marinade with...just can't use a charcoal grill with.
Now to see if I can remember I have a mount of art to post and get myself focused enough to do it. >.>
Also, I got a page on the elephant with too much hair and may or may not be a Zord in disguise: https://cubhub.social/@Charlie_foxkit
- Charlie
Where is this Ooooo-tah anyway?
Posted 5 years agoLong time, no posty. Everyone probably saw a few of my recent postings from my archive of commissions from over the years since I really didn't get the time to post much on here. But much has changed since I left Virginia from getting laid off thanks to the pandemic.
First and foremost the sad news, the day I got back to Missouri at the end of April, I had to say goodbye to Luna. We don't know exactly what happened, but she was hardly moving and wouldn't touch any food at all and even when she could moved she was hobbling and she couldn't go on like that. Sometimes even lately I still get the feels for her departure...also makes me think of why I feel more for my dogs than I ever do most people. After that happened though, I ended up adopting a 3 and a half year old standard poodle from another owner who couldn't take care of him well. So I do have a new companion and I also gave him basic obedience over the summer.
It was tough enough before the pandemic when I was looking for work. Being laid off due to the pandemic was painful as I had a hard time finding anything truly fitting my background and all. I had two opportunities with companies very interested in me ended up passing on me because of travel restrictions; pretty underhanded if you ask me. But I'm not going into the politics and all (especially relating to stupid people even with seeing all the evidence still voting the way they are based on what I think is a racist and selfish ideal). I did manage to have a few different on-site interviews though I had some nice long drives getting to those interviews. Also got quite a bit of experience with virtual interviews especially with the lack of available travel.
However, at the end of August I did get an offer which I accepted out in the Salt Lake City area. After all that happened, I ended up looking for a new car and finally retiring Bushfox...just hoping the Princess Cadence of automobiles in my family doesn't end up messing it up before it goes to my niece's hands (it survived a trip to Utah and back to boot). Ended up getting a 2019 Equinox and that was a bit of a time since due to the pandemic there's also slim pickings on new and used inventory so I had no room to haggle. Did find a good car though so I'm happy and I'm glad it handled the long trip to Utah with no issue at all (34.5 mpg altogether though it was more like 37.5 mpg through Nebraska).
Started my job about 3 weeks ago and so far so good. Just got to get used to the oddities of Utah (though they finally relented in the limits for what they call "heavy beer" thanks to the big breweries) like the fact car registration and driver's licenses are handled by different agencies in the state or where the poo is a good hobby store since the only Hobbytown in the state (in Orem) is going out of business...or where I fan find local fuzzybottoms (though given Utah's population is concentrated between Logan and Payson it shouldn't be too difficult...)
Anyway, that's the state of this fox right now.
- Charlie
First and foremost the sad news, the day I got back to Missouri at the end of April, I had to say goodbye to Luna. We don't know exactly what happened, but she was hardly moving and wouldn't touch any food at all and even when she could moved she was hobbling and she couldn't go on like that. Sometimes even lately I still get the feels for her departure...also makes me think of why I feel more for my dogs than I ever do most people. After that happened though, I ended up adopting a 3 and a half year old standard poodle from another owner who couldn't take care of him well. So I do have a new companion and I also gave him basic obedience over the summer.
It was tough enough before the pandemic when I was looking for work. Being laid off due to the pandemic was painful as I had a hard time finding anything truly fitting my background and all. I had two opportunities with companies very interested in me ended up passing on me because of travel restrictions; pretty underhanded if you ask me. But I'm not going into the politics and all (especially relating to stupid people even with seeing all the evidence still voting the way they are based on what I think is a racist and selfish ideal). I did manage to have a few different on-site interviews though I had some nice long drives getting to those interviews. Also got quite a bit of experience with virtual interviews especially with the lack of available travel.
However, at the end of August I did get an offer which I accepted out in the Salt Lake City area. After all that happened, I ended up looking for a new car and finally retiring Bushfox...just hoping the Princess Cadence of automobiles in my family doesn't end up messing it up before it goes to my niece's hands (it survived a trip to Utah and back to boot). Ended up getting a 2019 Equinox and that was a bit of a time since due to the pandemic there's also slim pickings on new and used inventory so I had no room to haggle. Did find a good car though so I'm happy and I'm glad it handled the long trip to Utah with no issue at all (34.5 mpg altogether though it was more like 37.5 mpg through Nebraska).
Started my job about 3 weeks ago and so far so good. Just got to get used to the oddities of Utah (though they finally relented in the limits for what they call "heavy beer" thanks to the big breweries) like the fact car registration and driver's licenses are handled by different agencies in the state or where the poo is a good hobby store since the only Hobbytown in the state (in Orem) is going out of business...or where I fan find local fuzzybottoms (though given Utah's population is concentrated between Logan and Payson it shouldn't be too difficult...)
Anyway, that's the state of this fox right now.
- Charlie
The End of a Journey
Posted 5 years agoI know it's been a while since I really did much on here other than lurk and sometimes commission art, but I've mostly been busy and haven't had as much energy to do what I want to do. However, I'm at the end of an era for me. No, I'm not leaving the fandom, it's more of me saying goodbye to Virginia. Sadly, the role that brought me out here was laid off due to the whole virus-that-should-not-be-named and they don't plan on filling it in (and they had hired several salaried folks recently). Maybe some of this was my doing since I was looking for work since early 2019 due to the fear of having to move out due to the original property owner passing away or maybe it's because a role at their HQ I was interested in was filled by dumb luck rather than going through the process like I did, but it still means that once again I am looking for a new opportunity and hopefull this time somewhere closer to a bigger city so I have a better safety net but also a job with better stability and room to grow.
This also means my internet connectivity will be rather limited since I'll be temporarily be rooming with my family in the interim. On top of that I've been nursing a sick dog as my 12 year-old standard poodle got sick right as I was laid off and I still feel behind on packing for tomorrow's moving van. This will also be my last night with internet on my own for a while since I already suspended my service.
It is my hope that when I start a new journey that I can finally find the energy to actively participate more openly again and maybe find some good local friends. Just hope I can find folks relatively close to my age with the same interests as me and I could enjoy some fun meets and activities together.
So I guess I'll be signing off for a while. Hopefully not for too long.
- Charlie
This also means my internet connectivity will be rather limited since I'll be temporarily be rooming with my family in the interim. On top of that I've been nursing a sick dog as my 12 year-old standard poodle got sick right as I was laid off and I still feel behind on packing for tomorrow's moving van. This will also be my last night with internet on my own for a while since I already suspended my service.
It is my hope that when I start a new journey that I can finally find the energy to actively participate more openly again and maybe find some good local friends. Just hope I can find folks relatively close to my age with the same interests as me and I could enjoy some fun meets and activities together.
So I guess I'll be signing off for a while. Hopefully not for too long.
- Charlie
Can't believe I need to do this...
Posted 7 years agoMy dumb question to Twitter...how can someone who just joined today be able to find you and...the person who found you is one of your rl family members?! Ugh, I wish someone people would understand when I want to separate the "normies" from my furry viewers on social media.
Anyway, I am setting up an AD account to keep furry and babyfur content private. I will still maintain my main Twitter account for most stuff and even some general-audience friendly furry postings. For now, depending on the interest, just ask me and I will note you with the link. J
Just being cautious, that's all.
- Charlie
Anyway, I am setting up an AD account to keep furry and babyfur content private. I will still maintain my main Twitter account for most stuff and even some general-audience friendly furry postings. For now, depending on the interest, just ask me and I will note you with the link. J
Just being cautious, that's all.
- Charlie
I Want to Write!
Posted 8 years agoHeyo everyone, it's been quite a while since I last posted a journal. However, I am really thinking about taking on a side job to cover the things I wanna do since so much of my day job's earnings goes to things I need or don't wanna do (like student loans). What does this entail? Am I going to be working at Pizza Hut like my plant's production supervisor or working lots of extra hours? Nope, I have something far better in mind.
Since everyone like all the writing I do with my own postings here on FA, I want to do some story commission as well as something I offered previously - commission to write mini-stories to go with your art submissions.
As for what I can write, I'd like to stick with tame situations (up to PG-13 rated) for now. And of course, my specialty is babyfur/diaperfur content but normal furry situations are a-okay too. The only thing I do know right now is what I should charge for a full short story piece. I will post what I'd like to charge below, any suggestions will be helpful. As for art submission mini-stories, I just like to charge one flat rate: $5. So here's what I'm thinking.
Mini-stories (to accompany your art submission): $5
Short story - up to 10 pages: $3 per page
Short story - up to 25 pages: $2 per page
Long, single-chapter story: $2 per page plus $10
Multi-chapter stories: If anyone's really interested in that, you'll have to get in touch with me to discuss.
As mentioned, until I start to get a good stream of folks interested, I would like to stick with tame content for now. I will eventually have a list of dos and do nots.
I think I will able to take about 3-5 at most at a time. Please remember, this is something I would do on the side and not my primary job, so please keep that in mind.
If interested, please note me with your interest. Once there we can discuss what kind of story you'd like, the characters involved (including personalities and other details).
Any commission/order under $50, I will expect payment up front. Above that, I can discuss with the commissioner.
So let me know what you think and if the prices are fair for my story offerings.
- Charlie
Since everyone like all the writing I do with my own postings here on FA, I want to do some story commission as well as something I offered previously - commission to write mini-stories to go with your art submissions.
As for what I can write, I'd like to stick with tame situations (up to PG-13 rated) for now. And of course, my specialty is babyfur/diaperfur content but normal furry situations are a-okay too. The only thing I do know right now is what I should charge for a full short story piece. I will post what I'd like to charge below, any suggestions will be helpful. As for art submission mini-stories, I just like to charge one flat rate: $5. So here's what I'm thinking.
Mini-stories (to accompany your art submission): $5
Short story - up to 10 pages: $3 per page
Short story - up to 25 pages: $2 per page
Long, single-chapter story: $2 per page plus $10
Multi-chapter stories: If anyone's really interested in that, you'll have to get in touch with me to discuss.
As mentioned, until I start to get a good stream of folks interested, I would like to stick with tame content for now. I will eventually have a list of dos and do nots.
I think I will able to take about 3-5 at most at a time. Please remember, this is something I would do on the side and not my primary job, so please keep that in mind.
If interested, please note me with your interest. Once there we can discuss what kind of story you'd like, the characters involved (including personalities and other details).
Any commission/order under $50, I will expect payment up front. Above that, I can discuss with the commissioner.
So let me know what you think and if the prices are fair for my story offerings.
- Charlie
The Need to Geek
Posted 8 years agoGeeze, I am bad with keeping up my journal postings. >.> Anyway, do have some nerdy ramblings on my mind; a long nerdy rambling.
First, since my internet is poop, I read up on MAHQ on the finale of G-Tekketsu. To avoid too many spoilers (though my Tweet kinda spoils it), it's kind of a bum that this is the first TV series in Gundam where the protagonist dies (yes Amuro and Char die in Char's Counterattck and Bernie dies in 0080, but they were not full series). Then again, Mikazuki was pretty much like Zeyhart Gallete from Gundam AGE; he simply followed another's vision and died for it. And when you get down to it, the real protagonists are really Gallaeo and Kudelia. McGillis is probably the weakest Char clone in quite a while too. At the very least we did get some of the best grunts in Gundam since the GN-X in the Graze and the Shiden (and perhaps the Landman Rodi) and its a fresh breath of mecha designs for Gundam as well.
Secondly, it looks like Warhammer 40K almost outright copied from Warhammer Fantasy for the buildup to a new edition of the tabletop rules. The Gathering Storm basically brought Grandpa Smurf from near-death and now, he's leading 40Ks version of Sigmar's boys in gold - the Primaris Astartes, clad in Mk X Power Armor (what happened to Mk IX...and the Mk VIII Errant Armor was extremely rare so how in the name of the Omnissiah did that happen?) in Smurf Blue. Just as long as they don't change the names of the races and do the same stuff they did in Fantasy with Age of Sigmar.
Speaking of 40K...I did indeed preorder Dawn of War III and got it all installed. For those who don't follow my tweets, I am disappointed in the game. Yes they brought back base building - it's just very, very watered down version of it. And they also have removed almost all the customization in the units, especially Tactical Marines. I can understand it with Eldar Aspect Warriors (save their Exarchs) and even Ork Boyz, but the Astartes have always been knowing for their flexibility. I don't like having purpose-built units of Devastators for heavy bolters or lascannon and the only way to get a missile is with Kill Team Ironmaw (which if you know a bit about the most recent Codex: Deathwatch, they ought to have far more exotic weapons like a heavy bolter with an underslung heavy flamer or C'tan phase blades). And I think the "Elite" units are kinda OP. But I think the biggest headaches are the lack of a good retreat function for units and an Overwatch ability. Ugh. >.< Even a few of the folks I have on my Steam friends list are playing Dawn of War I and II over III. It's just too watered down and multiplayer feels as cheap as playing in PvP arenas in Angry Birds: Epic (where every opponent has a "Mythic" emblem which I haven't been able to get even six months after introducing them).
That's aside the voice actor annoyances, any mention of Kaurava and how the heck Rohnan (and the spirit stone of Taldeer) ended up in the Biel-Tan Swordwind's hand, and most of all...why is the Autarch making and following prophecies and not being the champion. Yeah Relic, you got the roles backwards, Macha as a farseer is the one who makes prophecies and Kyre is supposed to be the champion and military leader. >.<
Rant: Hey Relic, mind actually listening to real Dawn of War fans who are interested and know a good bit of the Warhammer 40K mythos and like Dawn of War I and II? Dawn of War III should have been based on the Firestorm over Kronus/Kaurava mods for Dawn of War, plus the cover and wargear systems from Dawn of War II and tabletop-level of customization.
That aside, I still haven't beaten the Elite Four for the first time on Pokemon Moon (and I am using a Gallade in my party since my Ryperior was taking forever to train up). I guess that Sun and Moon get really boring, especially with keeping up on the global missions. If they actually had a true National Pokedex and more stuff to do maybe I'd pick it up more often than to just get the mega stones by code.
Finally - for now - one last rant. I'm tired of all the people speculating on a possible Pokemon "Stars" title or Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Knight. All you are doing is contributing to clickbait and not real journalism. Just wait for whatever is officially announced and just enjoy it when it's available! >.<
I think that's about all for now. Might have a less nerdy post coming up soon.
- Charlie
First, since my internet is poop, I read up on MAHQ on the finale of G-Tekketsu. To avoid too many spoilers (though my Tweet kinda spoils it), it's kind of a bum that this is the first TV series in Gundam where the protagonist dies (yes Amuro and Char die in Char's Counterattck and Bernie dies in 0080, but they were not full series). Then again, Mikazuki was pretty much like Zeyhart Gallete from Gundam AGE; he simply followed another's vision and died for it. And when you get down to it, the real protagonists are really Gallaeo and Kudelia. McGillis is probably the weakest Char clone in quite a while too. At the very least we did get some of the best grunts in Gundam since the GN-X in the Graze and the Shiden (and perhaps the Landman Rodi) and its a fresh breath of mecha designs for Gundam as well.
Secondly, it looks like Warhammer 40K almost outright copied from Warhammer Fantasy for the buildup to a new edition of the tabletop rules. The Gathering Storm basically brought Grandpa Smurf from near-death and now, he's leading 40Ks version of Sigmar's boys in gold - the Primaris Astartes, clad in Mk X Power Armor (what happened to Mk IX...and the Mk VIII Errant Armor was extremely rare so how in the name of the Omnissiah did that happen?) in Smurf Blue. Just as long as they don't change the names of the races and do the same stuff they did in Fantasy with Age of Sigmar.
Speaking of 40K...I did indeed preorder Dawn of War III and got it all installed. For those who don't follow my tweets, I am disappointed in the game. Yes they brought back base building - it's just very, very watered down version of it. And they also have removed almost all the customization in the units, especially Tactical Marines. I can understand it with Eldar Aspect Warriors (save their Exarchs) and even Ork Boyz, but the Astartes have always been knowing for their flexibility. I don't like having purpose-built units of Devastators for heavy bolters or lascannon and the only way to get a missile is with Kill Team Ironmaw (which if you know a bit about the most recent Codex: Deathwatch, they ought to have far more exotic weapons like a heavy bolter with an underslung heavy flamer or C'tan phase blades). And I think the "Elite" units are kinda OP. But I think the biggest headaches are the lack of a good retreat function for units and an Overwatch ability. Ugh. >.< Even a few of the folks I have on my Steam friends list are playing Dawn of War I and II over III. It's just too watered down and multiplayer feels as cheap as playing in PvP arenas in Angry Birds: Epic (where every opponent has a "Mythic" emblem which I haven't been able to get even six months after introducing them).
That's aside the voice actor annoyances, any mention of Kaurava and how the heck Rohnan (and the spirit stone of Taldeer) ended up in the Biel-Tan Swordwind's hand, and most of all...why is the Autarch making and following prophecies and not being the champion. Yeah Relic, you got the roles backwards, Macha as a farseer is the one who makes prophecies and Kyre is supposed to be the champion and military leader. >.<
Rant: Hey Relic, mind actually listening to real Dawn of War fans who are interested and know a good bit of the Warhammer 40K mythos and like Dawn of War I and II? Dawn of War III should have been based on the Firestorm over Kronus/Kaurava mods for Dawn of War, plus the cover and wargear systems from Dawn of War II and tabletop-level of customization.
That aside, I still haven't beaten the Elite Four for the first time on Pokemon Moon (and I am using a Gallade in my party since my Ryperior was taking forever to train up). I guess that Sun and Moon get really boring, especially with keeping up on the global missions. If they actually had a true National Pokedex and more stuff to do maybe I'd pick it up more often than to just get the mega stones by code.
Finally - for now - one last rant. I'm tired of all the people speculating on a possible Pokemon "Stars" title or Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Knight. All you are doing is contributing to clickbait and not real journalism. Just wait for whatever is officially announced and just enjoy it when it's available! >.<
I think that's about all for now. Might have a less nerdy post coming up soon.
- Charlie
Those Little Things
Posted 8 years agoI guess I might be one of those who nit-pick details like a certain East Texan theoretical physicist...but sometimes when I watch shows and see stuff, I happen to notice all the little things about.
One of them, which I just posted on my Twitter, is from MS Zeta Gundam. For being a unified Earth Goverment (and the AEUG), they seem to prefer Japanese beer. Just take a close look in episode 10 "Reunion" on the "Light Beer" vending machine in the Argama's lounge. The brands seen are Asahi, Sapporo and Kirin (Ichiban); all Japanese brands. As I said, if it's an unified (supposedly) Earth sphere, where's the Bud Light, Yuengling, Guinness, Tsingtao, Corona/el Presidente, or Majahraja? :P
A second one I saw is actually watching It's a Wonderful Life at Christmas. Recall that George Bailey's brother Harry becomes a Navy pilot during World War II and distinguished himself in combat. Towards the end of the movie when Harry finally comes home after receiving his Medal of Honor, take a look at his uniform. Doesn't that patch on his shoulder look like oh...an insignia of the Air Force, or more correctly the Army Air Force/Air Corps? Isn't that out of place on a Seebee flier? Yeah yeah, I know that James "Jimmy" Stewart was an Army Air Force pilot and bomber commander in WWII, but you'd think he'd pay a little more attention to the costumes for the movie?
Or of course in The Big Bang Theory, you notice inconsistencies from episodes in earlier to later seasons. The biggie is Sheldon's drink preference when he's out. Earlier seasons he did drink Diet Coke or another soft drink, but in later seasons he seems to drink almost exclusively milk (when he could have had at least his Diet Virgin Cuban Libre). Another one would be when Sheldon was considering switching his field of study late season 7 and when he came up to Loop Quantum Theory, he just did one of his crazy inner voices instead of instantly recalling from his eidetic memory that he would never touch it because of Leslie Winkle (in fact much of the plot seems to forget about Leslie Winkle after Season 3 since she disappears till an appearance in season 9). If Sheldon was watching his own show, he would go nuts. XP
Drives my folks nuts that I can pick out such tiny details. :P
So, what are tiny things you've noticed (in TV shows particularly) that seems to be bizarre, not make sense or shows the writers weren't paying attention to details?
- Charlie
One of them, which I just posted on my Twitter, is from MS Zeta Gundam. For being a unified Earth Goverment (and the AEUG), they seem to prefer Japanese beer. Just take a close look in episode 10 "Reunion" on the "Light Beer" vending machine in the Argama's lounge. The brands seen are Asahi, Sapporo and Kirin (Ichiban); all Japanese brands. As I said, if it's an unified (supposedly) Earth sphere, where's the Bud Light, Yuengling, Guinness, Tsingtao, Corona/el Presidente, or Majahraja? :P
A second one I saw is actually watching It's a Wonderful Life at Christmas. Recall that George Bailey's brother Harry becomes a Navy pilot during World War II and distinguished himself in combat. Towards the end of the movie when Harry finally comes home after receiving his Medal of Honor, take a look at his uniform. Doesn't that patch on his shoulder look like oh...an insignia of the Air Force, or more correctly the Army Air Force/Air Corps? Isn't that out of place on a Seebee flier? Yeah yeah, I know that James "Jimmy" Stewart was an Army Air Force pilot and bomber commander in WWII, but you'd think he'd pay a little more attention to the costumes for the movie?
Or of course in The Big Bang Theory, you notice inconsistencies from episodes in earlier to later seasons. The biggie is Sheldon's drink preference when he's out. Earlier seasons he did drink Diet Coke or another soft drink, but in later seasons he seems to drink almost exclusively milk (when he could have had at least his Diet Virgin Cuban Libre). Another one would be when Sheldon was considering switching his field of study late season 7 and when he came up to Loop Quantum Theory, he just did one of his crazy inner voices instead of instantly recalling from his eidetic memory that he would never touch it because of Leslie Winkle (in fact much of the plot seems to forget about Leslie Winkle after Season 3 since she disappears till an appearance in season 9). If Sheldon was watching his own show, he would go nuts. XP
Drives my folks nuts that I can pick out such tiny details. :P
So, what are tiny things you've noticed (in TV shows particularly) that seems to be bizarre, not make sense or shows the writers weren't paying attention to details?
- Charlie
I Don't Care What My Niece Says...
Posted 8 years agoMy older niece's pony is Pinkie Pie, ahem, Stinky Pie and her house at Hogwarts is Stinklepuff. :P
Found that my niece likes Twilight Sparkle and doesn't like Pokemon. In that case I'll leave a Mimikkyu for her at her 4-H shooting club and just cackle as it freaks out everyone. Though I think she'd even be better off dressed as Hapu riding a Mudsdale.
Yup, I was on my long Christmas vacation back in Missouri to see family. Darn 1000-mile trip. Started early morning last Wednesday taking the scenic route using US 58 all the way to the Cumberland Gap and one of the most hair-raising (for my dog at least) stretches between Virginia 16 and Virginia 91 with so many hairpin turns, steep hills and there was no way anyone can even drive the posted speed limit of 55 mph. Also found the one Mejier's that doesn't carry Faygo in the one of two states where you can find White Castle and its redneck cousin Krystal in the same town. Tried out Raising Cane's for the first time and it's pretty good - the Texas toast is much better and crispier than Zaxby's to be certain. Made it the next day after fighting some crazy St. Louis traffic.
Friday was me being stuck with my niece and nephew and my mom going up to Bass Pro in CoMo pretty much all day and not trying to groom a crazy 15 year old standard poodle, then watching Rouge One that evening. It was a good movie but I agree with the reviewers, the start was too slow since it had all that setup. Oh yea, that TIE Striker; that poor thing was just scenery despite being hyped up as the U-Wing stole all the vehicular attention (as did the HK-47 wannabe). Oh...let's not forget to tell this to Saw Guerra in a John Travolta voice with a Dutch angle; "When you were learning to SPELL YOUR NAME, I was learning how to conquer galaxies!"
The big highlight for Christmas was that my nieces and nephew (and my folks and sister) were going to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando for vacation at the end of the school year. They even have the wands that interact with all the stuff in the theme park, "acceptance letters" and their "train passes." All I got; a rock (lamp). It's supposed to reduce stress and clear allergens...but it allowed me to make a joke since my folks got it at a rock shop in Florida. Just have my nieces and nephew yell "Rock Show! Rock Show! Rock Show!" like Burt the geologist. :P
Okay..Plushie rant incoming!
My older niece got Buckbeak the Hypogriff, my younger niece got Fawkes the phoenix and my nephew got Fluffy (you know what critter), all in plush form for Christmas. However, when I was mentioning the Build a Bear Eevee plush and how obnoxiously hard it is to find at Build a Bear, my mom got all pain in the butt and right on my case asking me if I wasted my money on one. Ugh! What is so wrong with an adult collecting plush as an adult, hmm? What if I openly told my niece that I like Rarity and have a tee with her on it? I hate folks who are stuck in such old fashioned mindsets.
Anyway, back to the program....
Headed down to see my relatives and make some pork loin for my family for the big Christmas dinner and it turned out very well. ^^ Also got some very nice glass mugs from my grandma. But other than that my time in SE Missouri was uneventful. On the way home, I didn't have to detour to Dyersburg so I crossed the Mississippi at Cairo. Also found that Carrie Fisher passed away when I bought a calendar at Books-a-Million in Clarksville, TN (couldn't find "Vader and Family" or even a poodles calendar but I found a Sheltie calendar). It was just tragic how she passed away since they were stuck in flight when it happened. I can imagine Episode VIII then surpassing The Force Awakens in sales because that will be her final appearance in film and hopefully Leia going out in a blaze of glory against 8 foot-tall Gollum and wannabe Snape. Just feel bad for Jumanji and The Six Billion Dollar Man (the remake of The Six Million Dollar Man) that open the week after Episode VIII since it will be buried by the latter's release.
Just got home this afternoon and I am pleased to report that I evicted three mice from my home, caught in strategically placed glue traps. Got everything unpacked and just takin' it easy before going to work tomorrow (just tomorrow, to boot; our boss wants us to be there on the first day of the audit and inventory).
Oh, and Cook Out is a pretty good fast food joint too. Where else can you get an Egg Nog shake in December and Watermelon shakes in summer...and 38 other flavors, too. And you can get a quesadilla as a side to your burger all for the same price as picking fries for hushpuppies. :P
- Charlie
Found that my niece likes Twilight Sparkle and doesn't like Pokemon. In that case I'll leave a Mimikkyu for her at her 4-H shooting club and just cackle as it freaks out everyone. Though I think she'd even be better off dressed as Hapu riding a Mudsdale.
Yup, I was on my long Christmas vacation back in Missouri to see family. Darn 1000-mile trip. Started early morning last Wednesday taking the scenic route using US 58 all the way to the Cumberland Gap and one of the most hair-raising (for my dog at least) stretches between Virginia 16 and Virginia 91 with so many hairpin turns, steep hills and there was no way anyone can even drive the posted speed limit of 55 mph. Also found the one Mejier's that doesn't carry Faygo in the one of two states where you can find White Castle and its redneck cousin Krystal in the same town. Tried out Raising Cane's for the first time and it's pretty good - the Texas toast is much better and crispier than Zaxby's to be certain. Made it the next day after fighting some crazy St. Louis traffic.
Friday was me being stuck with my niece and nephew and my mom going up to Bass Pro in CoMo pretty much all day and not trying to groom a crazy 15 year old standard poodle, then watching Rouge One that evening. It was a good movie but I agree with the reviewers, the start was too slow since it had all that setup. Oh yea, that TIE Striker; that poor thing was just scenery despite being hyped up as the U-Wing stole all the vehicular attention (as did the HK-47 wannabe). Oh...let's not forget to tell this to Saw Guerra in a John Travolta voice with a Dutch angle; "When you were learning to SPELL YOUR NAME, I was learning how to conquer galaxies!"
The big highlight for Christmas was that my nieces and nephew (and my folks and sister) were going to go to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando for vacation at the end of the school year. They even have the wands that interact with all the stuff in the theme park, "acceptance letters" and their "train passes." All I got; a rock (lamp). It's supposed to reduce stress and clear allergens...but it allowed me to make a joke since my folks got it at a rock shop in Florida. Just have my nieces and nephew yell "Rock Show! Rock Show! Rock Show!" like Burt the geologist. :P
Okay..Plushie rant incoming!
My older niece got Buckbeak the Hypogriff, my younger niece got Fawkes the phoenix and my nephew got Fluffy (you know what critter), all in plush form for Christmas. However, when I was mentioning the Build a Bear Eevee plush and how obnoxiously hard it is to find at Build a Bear, my mom got all pain in the butt and right on my case asking me if I wasted my money on one. Ugh! What is so wrong with an adult collecting plush as an adult, hmm? What if I openly told my niece that I like Rarity and have a tee with her on it? I hate folks who are stuck in such old fashioned mindsets.
Anyway, back to the program....
Headed down to see my relatives and make some pork loin for my family for the big Christmas dinner and it turned out very well. ^^ Also got some very nice glass mugs from my grandma. But other than that my time in SE Missouri was uneventful. On the way home, I didn't have to detour to Dyersburg so I crossed the Mississippi at Cairo. Also found that Carrie Fisher passed away when I bought a calendar at Books-a-Million in Clarksville, TN (couldn't find "Vader and Family" or even a poodles calendar but I found a Sheltie calendar). It was just tragic how she passed away since they were stuck in flight when it happened. I can imagine Episode VIII then surpassing The Force Awakens in sales because that will be her final appearance in film and hopefully Leia going out in a blaze of glory against 8 foot-tall Gollum and wannabe Snape. Just feel bad for Jumanji and The Six Billion Dollar Man (the remake of The Six Million Dollar Man) that open the week after Episode VIII since it will be buried by the latter's release.
Just got home this afternoon and I am pleased to report that I evicted three mice from my home, caught in strategically placed glue traps. Got everything unpacked and just takin' it easy before going to work tomorrow (just tomorrow, to boot; our boss wants us to be there on the first day of the audit and inventory).
Oh, and Cook Out is a pretty good fast food joint too. Where else can you get an Egg Nog shake in December and Watermelon shakes in summer...and 38 other flavors, too. And you can get a quesadilla as a side to your burger all for the same price as picking fries for hushpuppies. :P
- Charlie
Does "Alola" also Mean Good-bye too?
Posted 8 years agoAs everyone knows, Aloha means both hello and good-bye which of course could make an infinite loop as Sandra Bullock's character pointed out in Miss Congeniality so...does the same apply to the Pokemon expression Alola? :P
Yup, I've been plugging away with Pokemon Sun and Moon while failing at Battlefleet: Gothic and Galactic Civilizations III and so far, I just arrived on Ula'ula Island in Moon and I just beat the league in Sun (and caught Tapu Koko). For the Sun team, here's how my trainer got to sit on the Throne for the God of War (I mean be Pokemon League Champion):
"Blaze" Inceniroar - Lv. 61
"Magus" Alakazam - Lv 61 (swept all of Hala's team easily)
"Max" Lycanroc (Midday Form) - Lv. 61 - Team MVP (especially against Kahili's burds...probably uses the birds for the golf balls)
"Warhorse" Mudsdale - Lv 62
"Ares" Kommo-o - Lv 60
"Anna" Leafeon - Lv 62
On Moon, I already (thanks to having both versions and two working DS platforms) have a Gengar and Magmazone (plus Primarina, Shelgon, Stoutland and Toucannon - though I can see substitutions for Flygon or other Pokemon). Just wish I could catch a darn Vanillish; catching Solgaleo with the first Quick Ball is much easier. :P Only other gripe is that I wish you could catch Riolu and get TM 24 before beating the league the first time...kinda stupid you can't get to Poni Grove and Plains before you do.
Speaking of Pokemon...while I was up in Richmond, I actually found an Eevee at Build-a-Bear. Seems like everytime they get Eevee it disappears. O_o Probably with someone who has Pokebeans or a Thunderstone...though more likely someone trying to make money on eBay by jacking the price up. Called him Wally, of course. :3
EDIT: If they really want to make a Pokemon "Stars" version of Gen VII...there's one thing I want badly; make Mega-Evolutions available before post-game for flexiblity (and ALL the Mega Stones, please). Other than trying out the odd Z-Move I don't even use them; they are more gimmicky than Mega Evolutions. Oh, and either more Mega Evolutions or some love for Sinnoh and Jhoto species...and speed buffs to the Alola species (they are TOO SLOW!). Though the other big thing is if they want to make this for the Switch, finally get your accounts more like Steam where I can jump from one piece of hardware to the next where I can use both my unique accounts on my 2DS and my 3DS and Pokebank across to the Switch. Just too bad Nintendo lags behind even Sony and Microsoft in that area (and I think the PS4 at the least can also run Steam).
- Charlie
Yup, I've been plugging away with Pokemon Sun and Moon while failing at Battlefleet: Gothic and Galactic Civilizations III and so far, I just arrived on Ula'ula Island in Moon and I just beat the league in Sun (and caught Tapu Koko). For the Sun team, here's how my trainer got to sit on the Throne for the God of War (I mean be Pokemon League Champion):
"Blaze" Inceniroar - Lv. 61
"Magus" Alakazam - Lv 61 (swept all of Hala's team easily)
"Max" Lycanroc (Midday Form) - Lv. 61 - Team MVP (especially against Kahili's burds...probably uses the birds for the golf balls)
"Warhorse" Mudsdale - Lv 62
"Ares" Kommo-o - Lv 60
"Anna" Leafeon - Lv 62
On Moon, I already (thanks to having both versions and two working DS platforms) have a Gengar and Magmazone (plus Primarina, Shelgon, Stoutland and Toucannon - though I can see substitutions for Flygon or other Pokemon). Just wish I could catch a darn Vanillish; catching Solgaleo with the first Quick Ball is much easier. :P Only other gripe is that I wish you could catch Riolu and get TM 24 before beating the league the first time...kinda stupid you can't get to Poni Grove and Plains before you do.
Speaking of Pokemon...while I was up in Richmond, I actually found an Eevee at Build-a-Bear. Seems like everytime they get Eevee it disappears. O_o Probably with someone who has Pokebeans or a Thunderstone...though more likely someone trying to make money on eBay by jacking the price up. Called him Wally, of course. :3
EDIT: If they really want to make a Pokemon "Stars" version of Gen VII...there's one thing I want badly; make Mega-Evolutions available before post-game for flexiblity (and ALL the Mega Stones, please). Other than trying out the odd Z-Move I don't even use them; they are more gimmicky than Mega Evolutions. Oh, and either more Mega Evolutions or some love for Sinnoh and Jhoto species...and speed buffs to the Alola species (they are TOO SLOW!). Though the other big thing is if they want to make this for the Switch, finally get your accounts more like Steam where I can jump from one piece of hardware to the next where I can use both my unique accounts on my 2DS and my 3DS and Pokebank across to the Switch. Just too bad Nintendo lags behind even Sony and Microsoft in that area (and I think the PS4 at the least can also run Steam).
- Charlie
Ollivander now sells Lightsabers
Posted 9 years agoAfter reading the stuff about the latest novels in the new Star Wars canon, there's one that just drives me nuts and makes you think "was Death Troopers really that odd?" And it's the whole idea of how the crystals inside lightsabers work. Instead of finding crystals on planets like Ilum or the like, Jedi have to hunt down Kyber crystal and guess what - it only shows up and is attuned for light-side users. In fact the Force guides the Jedi to a certain crystal kinda like how...oh...a wand in Harry Potter chooses its wizard of witch? Real creative Disney. Might as well have your Yoda or whomever create lightsabers and have younglings swish and flick lightsabers till one works for them. >.< And supposedly when a Jedi falls, the crystal will bleed and turn red (with the blade). If that was true, then your new canon has a big BIG contradiction with Anakin's legendary lightsaber. Anakin slaughtered the leaders of the CIS and Jedi younglings (and Cin Dralig) right at the end of the Clone Wars and his blade remained blue after all the innocent blood spilled. If this was 40K...Anakin's lightsaber would have become a corrupted weapon of either Khorne or Tzeentch (since all Jedi and Sith alike would become the Changer of Way's pawns if such a crossover happened); there'd been no way his lightsaber would be used without corrupting a future wielder. And readers thought the old EU was hokey and convoluted...really, the saber crystal chooses the Jedi? Disney should be paying JK Rowling royalties for ripping that off the concept with saber crystals.
Speaking of the HP world...Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I would have been interesting if, well, it wasn't a WWII story (as in Grindelwald) and it would be more interesting to see them dealing with an American dark wizard/witch. That would pretty much boil down to a bunch of Americans with wands and lots of Jerries with wands, flicking curses at each other. Yeah, boring (especially since they plan on making five films). My niece will like it but I getting tired of this lack of creativity (a Ghost Buffalo in the HP world would be way more interesting). Heck, how 'bout a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen crossover with Harry Potter since Riddle actually appears in that universe?
And most of all...Pokemon Sun and Moon seems to dispense with the control pad and uses the stick instead to move in the demo. If this is true in the main game, there might be some old-school fans a little confused (since the stick was used for roller-blading or sneaking up and the control pad for normal walking). And it seems there are "totem" Pokemon now...with I think Ash-Greninja possibly being one of them. :P So, would the totem form of a Persian be a Mad Cat (you know...the 'Mech). And geeze, Team Skull is more derpy than even Flare or Spaceball-wannabes Plasma especially with that gait. :P And I hope they have something better than Golbats because Golbats are booooring; even a Crobat would be more of a challenge.
Okie, I know it was another nerdrant for the most part but I need to get those thoughts out there.
- Charlie
Speaking of the HP world...Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I would have been interesting if, well, it wasn't a WWII story (as in Grindelwald) and it would be more interesting to see them dealing with an American dark wizard/witch. That would pretty much boil down to a bunch of Americans with wands and lots of Jerries with wands, flicking curses at each other. Yeah, boring (especially since they plan on making five films). My niece will like it but I getting tired of this lack of creativity (a Ghost Buffalo in the HP world would be way more interesting). Heck, how 'bout a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen crossover with Harry Potter since Riddle actually appears in that universe?
And most of all...Pokemon Sun and Moon seems to dispense with the control pad and uses the stick instead to move in the demo. If this is true in the main game, there might be some old-school fans a little confused (since the stick was used for roller-blading or sneaking up and the control pad for normal walking). And it seems there are "totem" Pokemon now...with I think Ash-Greninja possibly being one of them. :P So, would the totem form of a Persian be a Mad Cat (you know...the 'Mech). And geeze, Team Skull is more derpy than even Flare or Spaceball-wannabes Plasma especially with that gait. :P And I hope they have something better than Golbats because Golbats are booooring; even a Crobat would be more of a challenge.
Okie, I know it was another nerdrant for the most part but I need to get those thoughts out there.
- Charlie
Phantom TIE ripoff, Volcanion codes and More
Posted 9 years agoFirst, I'll start with a gripe based on my Twitter post. In a world with big and very real global news and concerns, our major outlets give bigger billing to clergy who can't keep their hands to themselves and happen to get caught. >.< Any controversial thoughts aside, it goes to show what our media thinks is more important in this world. If only one could get the CEO and shareholders of folks like Comcast to admit that they are just providing bread and circuses as a smokescreen.
End rant (at least this stuff).
Now for a more nerdy rant...thanks Disney. >.< I made a comment but it appears that Jyn Erso in Rouge One is the daughter of a Death Star designer (yes he might be captive and she isn't of course controlling the Death Star); seems to me it's the biggest ripoff ever in like...many mecha anime shows where the protagonist is related to someone who designed the big machine. Yeah, Disney obviously never heard of Amuro Ray, Shinji Ikari, Kamille Bidan, etc. Not to mention it has a TIE figther that rips off a certain TIE fighter from a 1990's PC game that got hijacked by Rookie One and Ru Marleen and would make Klingons jealous. I did get a little Titanium Series thing of the TIE Striker since it is interesting compared to the First Order TIE but I can imagine when Bandai makes a model of the TIE Striker there'll be folks modding them into Phantom TIEs.
End the nerdy rant. :P
Now for the meat...yesterday I went up to RVA for a few big things. Haircut, codes for Volcanion, growlers, etc...you know, the usual. Started in Colonial Heights and ended in Short Pump before returning home. Got my haircut and finally got some Ardent Virginia Common and some Narragansett ("We're gonna need a bigger boat!"). For lunch I actually did try a new place, going out to an Indian restaurant in Short Pump called Anokha. They actually had goat...but they were all out of goat. :P On the other hand, they have awesome lunch specials (no buffet, yay!) and Indian hot that's really Indian hot. :3 On top of it all, you know it's good when a lot of the traffic are Indian descent. Next time I wanna try the goat leg with curry as that sounds good.
And I did get my Volcanion codes. Actually got an extra one, too (have someone on Twitter who already asked for the extra but I haven't responded yet). Seems that it depends on which Game Stop you go to as to how many codes you can get; just have to look. And I told you Game Stop! I knew months ahead about where and when the Volcanion codes would be available and next month is Meloetta. :P Speaking of Anokha, I happened to run into the Games Workshop store which was literally next door. I love wargaming but boy, does Game Workshop makes me wish they had a Firestorm Over Kronus style PC game with all 7th Edition tabletop armies (but allow the darn Space Marine captain use heavy weapons, please) in a RTS game; especially the T'au. Per the basic detachment, the HQ is either an Ethereal or a commander in a Crisis battlesuit. The Ethereal is $30 and a commander in the Crisis suit is $50 (just for one model!). To top it all in their standard detachment, you also need a bodyguard. $50 please for one set of XV8 Crisis suits. Makes me miss MechWarrior: Age of Destruction; boosters might have sucked my wallet dry but you didn't have to spend $50 for a starting army's core.
Still haven't quite finished Christmas shopping though since i went to DC and got most of the stuff for my family...or the dogs. Know what I want to for my sister but my younger niece is a bit of pain to figure out what to get (my older niece loves Star Wars, Harry Potter, Descendants and my nephew is an aspiring Trekkie). And my birthday is coming up in two weeks and I am taking my birthday off.
- Charlie
End rant (at least this stuff).
Now for a more nerdy rant...thanks Disney. >.< I made a comment but it appears that Jyn Erso in Rouge One is the daughter of a Death Star designer (yes he might be captive and she isn't of course controlling the Death Star); seems to me it's the biggest ripoff ever in like...many mecha anime shows where the protagonist is related to someone who designed the big machine. Yeah, Disney obviously never heard of Amuro Ray, Shinji Ikari, Kamille Bidan, etc. Not to mention it has a TIE figther that rips off a certain TIE fighter from a 1990's PC game that got hijacked by Rookie One and Ru Marleen and would make Klingons jealous. I did get a little Titanium Series thing of the TIE Striker since it is interesting compared to the First Order TIE but I can imagine when Bandai makes a model of the TIE Striker there'll be folks modding them into Phantom TIEs.
End the nerdy rant. :P
Now for the meat...yesterday I went up to RVA for a few big things. Haircut, codes for Volcanion, growlers, etc...you know, the usual. Started in Colonial Heights and ended in Short Pump before returning home. Got my haircut and finally got some Ardent Virginia Common and some Narragansett ("We're gonna need a bigger boat!"). For lunch I actually did try a new place, going out to an Indian restaurant in Short Pump called Anokha. They actually had goat...but they were all out of goat. :P On the other hand, they have awesome lunch specials (no buffet, yay!) and Indian hot that's really Indian hot. :3 On top of it all, you know it's good when a lot of the traffic are Indian descent. Next time I wanna try the goat leg with curry as that sounds good.
And I did get my Volcanion codes. Actually got an extra one, too (have someone on Twitter who already asked for the extra but I haven't responded yet). Seems that it depends on which Game Stop you go to as to how many codes you can get; just have to look. And I told you Game Stop! I knew months ahead about where and when the Volcanion codes would be available and next month is Meloetta. :P Speaking of Anokha, I happened to run into the Games Workshop store which was literally next door. I love wargaming but boy, does Game Workshop makes me wish they had a Firestorm Over Kronus style PC game with all 7th Edition tabletop armies (but allow the darn Space Marine captain use heavy weapons, please) in a RTS game; especially the T'au. Per the basic detachment, the HQ is either an Ethereal or a commander in a Crisis battlesuit. The Ethereal is $30 and a commander in the Crisis suit is $50 (just for one model!). To top it all in their standard detachment, you also need a bodyguard. $50 please for one set of XV8 Crisis suits. Makes me miss MechWarrior: Age of Destruction; boosters might have sucked my wallet dry but you didn't have to spend $50 for a starting army's core.
Still haven't quite finished Christmas shopping though since i went to DC and got most of the stuff for my family...or the dogs. Know what I want to for my sister but my younger niece is a bit of pain to figure out what to get (my older niece loves Star Wars, Harry Potter, Descendants and my nephew is an aspiring Trekkie). And my birthday is coming up in two weeks and I am taking my birthday off.
- Charlie
Who Wants to President of the US?
Posted 9 years agoOf course paraphrased from "Who Wants to be King of the Zulus?" I haven't said much outside of private comments but to be honest, this election is a mess (though that's generous to say that - it's more of a sham that more resembles Keeping Up with the Kardashians than a serious election). If there was an option of the ballet I would vote "Recall all Candidates." I think both big parties and the side parties need to pick more qualified candidates...or just send their VP candidates as they seem more competent.
Though, I think the better question is, who should we really be voting for president? A lot of furries have already poked fun at the election and say elect another orange-epidermed con artist, Nick Wilde. :P Interesting choice but I can think of many other creative choices in terms of how they'd execute the office and policies they could put in place. Just sad to think fictional characters (even bad ones like Borsk Fey'la) are more competent.
And in other topics...
My poor dog had her first seizure in quite a while. Must have been something that scared the pee outta her (literally) and since then she's been in suck-up mode with me. :P Kinda like kids (or Gabby) who know they have been in trouble, they want to butter you up so you forget it.
And...other than Zootopia and Deadpool, I haven't really been interested in any new movies. Just seem too...same-old, same-old and dumb. That includes Rogue One with it's Phantom TIE ripoff upcoming in December. Just too bad when the anti-George Lucas comes up and their breakout movie makes a smash, Hollywood just won't learn and try to imitate it for almost 40 years and screwing it all up and injecting their political slant in entertainment. >.<
Might have another topic up later, just depends on what I'm thinking about and if I can get it to paper/webpage.
- Charlie
Though, I think the better question is, who should we really be voting for president? A lot of furries have already poked fun at the election and say elect another orange-epidermed con artist, Nick Wilde. :P Interesting choice but I can think of many other creative choices in terms of how they'd execute the office and policies they could put in place. Just sad to think fictional characters (even bad ones like Borsk Fey'la) are more competent.
And in other topics...
My poor dog had her first seizure in quite a while. Must have been something that scared the pee outta her (literally) and since then she's been in suck-up mode with me. :P Kinda like kids (or Gabby) who know they have been in trouble, they want to butter you up so you forget it.
And...other than Zootopia and Deadpool, I haven't really been interested in any new movies. Just seem too...same-old, same-old and dumb. That includes Rogue One with it's Phantom TIE ripoff upcoming in December. Just too bad when the anti-George Lucas comes up and their breakout movie makes a smash, Hollywood just won't learn and try to imitate it for almost 40 years and screwing it all up and injecting their political slant in entertainment. >.<
Might have another topic up later, just depends on what I'm thinking about and if I can get it to paper/webpage.
- Charlie
This Twit's gotta Tweet
Posted 9 years agoAnd no, I'm going to do my impersonations of Chuck either when I mean tweet. :P
Just took a little bit of time to update my contact information. First, little to my knowledge my old LJ journal was pretty much abandoned and purged. Kinda hard to keep up when you were stuck at your parent's home for two years then pretty busy in Georgia thereafter. Too bad though since I had some old photos of gunpla I wanted to get off there that I lost from either transferring to a new "computer" when I upgraded my old, old machine or moving.
Secondly and more importantly I got myself a Twitter account so I can randomly post random blurbs or thoughts. It's simply charliefokxit if you want to follow. Just to bad they don't have spaces on here for Telegram or FN so I can share those too.
I might post another journal later in the week with some more random thoughts of interest (like why the Pokemon anime hates its fans and can't just give us a good ending to a series and why is Ash going to school in Alola for? Probably the same answer as to why Bandai only makes p-Bandai models of Gundam Wing MG models when Wing has a big following in America.)
*puts on a sweatband and start to zip about not unlike a Dedenne on a sugar-high* "It's Chuck-time!"
- Charlie
Just took a little bit of time to update my contact information. First, little to my knowledge my old LJ journal was pretty much abandoned and purged. Kinda hard to keep up when you were stuck at your parent's home for two years then pretty busy in Georgia thereafter. Too bad though since I had some old photos of gunpla I wanted to get off there that I lost from either transferring to a new "computer" when I upgraded my old, old machine or moving.
Secondly and more importantly I got myself a Twitter account so I can randomly post random blurbs or thoughts. It's simply charliefokxit if you want to follow. Just to bad they don't have spaces on here for Telegram or FN so I can share those too.
I might post another journal later in the week with some more random thoughts of interest (like why the Pokemon anime hates its fans and can't just give us a good ending to a series and why is Ash going to school in Alola for? Probably the same answer as to why Bandai only makes p-Bandai models of Gundam Wing MG models when Wing has a big following in America.)
*puts on a sweatband and start to zip about not unlike a Dedenne on a sugar-high* "It's Chuck-time!"
- Charlie
Shows in a Different Tone
Posted 9 years agoA little different post than my norm on here but a little subject I'd like to take on.
Thanks to slow-mo last century satellite internet I basically have to loop various movies I have on DVD and right now I am watching G Gundam and with some of the plot points, I am wondering how it would be like if it was more in the tone of Gundam 00 or G-Tekketsu (Iron Blooded Orphans). Specifically, with how the intrigue with that teddy bear lover Wong Yun Fat and Toho Fuhai (Master Asia) in resurrecting Devil Gundam. I would imagine if it was more like 00 or G-Tekketsu that Wong would be more of an Alejandro Corner who thinks he's in charge when Devil Gundam itself is the real mastermind. Since Master Asia and Wong had different goals for using Devil Gundam (and Master Asia's ideas being closer to the will of Devil Gundam) that Master Asia would have Michelo and Gentle Chapman eliminate Wong after he found out about his duplicity and also finding that Neo-Japan's government's desires (through Kyoji) would have also dealt with him as Ulube's goals were the same as Wong's goals. That and there would have been more deaths and perhaps Neo-Japan and other countries also turning on Wong after finding his culpability in the various deeds in the final tournament.
Of course for those with gutter minds, there's plenty of fodder for Gundam Build Fighters (especially Try with clueless Sekai) if there was a more adult tone to the show. And no, if I was writing that kind of fan-fic, heck no with Gyanko. XP
Speaking of Build Figthers...
Island Wars has a frustrating ending when they saw the girl teleport back to the homeworld of the Arista. Niels (Neilson) Yajima was there when the girl was there (and both Niels and a young Yuuma saw the original such incident that happened in Island Wars) and as smart as he was he should have known that she was from the same place Reiji came from. Really, the Early Genius didn't remember that whole deal? Just too bad its as short as Stargazer and half of it is Sekai's awkward love quadrangle with Gyanko, Shia and Fumina. Oh...not to mention this will get lots of fans wondering if they are going to do a follow up where Reiji runs into an adult Sei Iori...or perhaps Build Fighters Amazing as an animated OVA.
Now if we can just get too English dubs for Build Fighters as we are for Iron-Blooded Orphans I'd be happy.
So if you can redo your favorite series, what tone would you take (no, G Gundam isn't my favorite Gundam anime, that more likely belongs to 00 and Iron-Blooded Orphans).
Finally, a new Kharn the Betrayer miniature after 20 years. :P But still no in-codex acknowledgement that Gorechild is one of two chain axes that Angron used (or making Gorefather a Chaos Artifact to use).
- Charlie
Thanks to slow-mo last century satellite internet I basically have to loop various movies I have on DVD and right now I am watching G Gundam and with some of the plot points, I am wondering how it would be like if it was more in the tone of Gundam 00 or G-Tekketsu (Iron Blooded Orphans). Specifically, with how the intrigue with that teddy bear lover Wong Yun Fat and Toho Fuhai (Master Asia) in resurrecting Devil Gundam. I would imagine if it was more like 00 or G-Tekketsu that Wong would be more of an Alejandro Corner who thinks he's in charge when Devil Gundam itself is the real mastermind. Since Master Asia and Wong had different goals for using Devil Gundam (and Master Asia's ideas being closer to the will of Devil Gundam) that Master Asia would have Michelo and Gentle Chapman eliminate Wong after he found out about his duplicity and also finding that Neo-Japan's government's desires (through Kyoji) would have also dealt with him as Ulube's goals were the same as Wong's goals. That and there would have been more deaths and perhaps Neo-Japan and other countries also turning on Wong after finding his culpability in the various deeds in the final tournament.
Of course for those with gutter minds, there's plenty of fodder for Gundam Build Fighters (especially Try with clueless Sekai) if there was a more adult tone to the show. And no, if I was writing that kind of fan-fic, heck no with Gyanko. XP
Speaking of Build Figthers...
Island Wars has a frustrating ending when they saw the girl teleport back to the homeworld of the Arista. Niels (Neilson) Yajima was there when the girl was there (and both Niels and a young Yuuma saw the original such incident that happened in Island Wars) and as smart as he was he should have known that she was from the same place Reiji came from. Really, the Early Genius didn't remember that whole deal? Just too bad its as short as Stargazer and half of it is Sekai's awkward love quadrangle with Gyanko, Shia and Fumina. Oh...not to mention this will get lots of fans wondering if they are going to do a follow up where Reiji runs into an adult Sei Iori...or perhaps Build Fighters Amazing as an animated OVA.
Now if we can just get too English dubs for Build Fighters as we are for Iron-Blooded Orphans I'd be happy.
So if you can redo your favorite series, what tone would you take (no, G Gundam isn't my favorite Gundam anime, that more likely belongs to 00 and Iron-Blooded Orphans).
Finally, a new Kharn the Betrayer miniature after 20 years. :P But still no in-codex acknowledgement that Gorechild is one of two chain axes that Angron used (or making Gorefather a Chaos Artifact to use).
- Charlie
A Little Creative Direction
Posted 9 years agoI'ts been about a month since I last posted and since then...there's been a lot of stupidity in the world. But that's not what I'm here to talk about. I'm here to talk about Metapod wannabes that look like green pokeblocks (or batteries which is what cocoon is based on).
I give Game Freak a salute for one of the most creative legendaries in a long time. The Electric/Fairy type guardian. It's a very unique typing and a very unique name and as Groudon makes perpetual sunny day in primal form, this guy makes electric terrain as his ability. Same goes with Drampa (though if you ask me I'd take the Japanese name anyday since it's much cooler) though a Normal typing is a two-edged sword since it only games an advantage of immunity to ghosts and a weakness to fighting types. On the other hand, I wish Game Freak would have made some effort to put the XYZ stuff into the 6th Gen games. They made the full power of Diancie and Hoopa available only in ORAS, why not the Zygarde cores, cells, 10% and full power forms (though why is it like Zen mode Darmanitan) or the Thousand Arrows move? Land's Wrath is a waste when there's always earthquake.
In other news on a more personal note, I have spread out a bit from FA. I doubt I'll get the same viewership of the pieces I commissioned and the stories that go with them, but they are there in case one site or another goes down and you just have to check out my artwork. ^^ Speaking of new horizons, as you may have seen on two of my latest postings, I have a story that is going up on IB that might be of interest. It's currently registered viewers right now though so my work doesn't end up on other sites by guests. My story, "Not Quiet Elementary" will be exclusively over on IB. However I will put some of the SFW pieces up here. Despite all the mischief in the story, there some good tame scenes that are good for a wider audience to check out. It is likely I will focus on one story at at time. At least till I can get a new computer built and get a good word processor (I am only working on notepad and that's a challenge in of itself).
Speaking of IB, I will post some of my naughtier pics up there too. Both ones I have loaded here and some that you will only see there too.
I might share some more stuff if I am at the mood, but have a happy 4th, have a root beer float (Saranac, A&W, Sprecher, your pick) and don't get that AC con crud now. :P
- Charlie
I give Game Freak a salute for one of the most creative legendaries in a long time. The Electric/Fairy type guardian. It's a very unique typing and a very unique name and as Groudon makes perpetual sunny day in primal form, this guy makes electric terrain as his ability. Same goes with Drampa (though if you ask me I'd take the Japanese name anyday since it's much cooler) though a Normal typing is a two-edged sword since it only games an advantage of immunity to ghosts and a weakness to fighting types. On the other hand, I wish Game Freak would have made some effort to put the XYZ stuff into the 6th Gen games. They made the full power of Diancie and Hoopa available only in ORAS, why not the Zygarde cores, cells, 10% and full power forms (though why is it like Zen mode Darmanitan) or the Thousand Arrows move? Land's Wrath is a waste when there's always earthquake.
In other news on a more personal note, I have spread out a bit from FA. I doubt I'll get the same viewership of the pieces I commissioned and the stories that go with them, but they are there in case one site or another goes down and you just have to check out my artwork. ^^ Speaking of new horizons, as you may have seen on two of my latest postings, I have a story that is going up on IB that might be of interest. It's currently registered viewers right now though so my work doesn't end up on other sites by guests. My story, "Not Quiet Elementary" will be exclusively over on IB. However I will put some of the SFW pieces up here. Despite all the mischief in the story, there some good tame scenes that are good for a wider audience to check out. It is likely I will focus on one story at at time. At least till I can get a new computer built and get a good word processor (I am only working on notepad and that's a challenge in of itself).
Speaking of IB, I will post some of my naughtier pics up there too. Both ones I have loaded here and some that you will only see there too.
I might share some more stuff if I am at the mood, but have a happy 4th, have a root beer float (Saranac, A&W, Sprecher, your pick) and don't get that AC con crud now. :P
- Charlie
Rowliet needs Slingshot
Posted 9 years agoThis year so far has been a big year for games (at least ones I want). :3 As you can tell with me picking on the Alola region grass starter, CoroCoro has officially revealed the three starters for Sun and Moon along with the mascot legendaries (though not their names). What do we get - a sea lion, Litleo's grumpy friend and a grass starter who if it didn't have wings would be mistaken for a grassy version of Matilda (you know, the Angry Bird) though with wings tucked in it already does. Oh yea, if anyone watches If the Emperor Had a Text-to-Speech Device, Litten sounds like everyone's favorite Custodes - Kitten! Except Litten would light all that promethium on fire with his hairballs (though that would please the Emperor since those Fab Custodes offend his sensibilities). To be honest though Rowliet (poor Ruffliet - like Litleo, another Pokemon with the same element, burd, and a super-similar name) is actually a fresh take on a grass type, but still falls apart to a sneeze from a Delibird. And yes, they based Gen VII off Hawai'i with a professor that's a cross of Wattson and Birch. :P
Second big news...guess who's back. Warmongering Gandhi! He still wants to knock your society out with Shiva and Ghenesh and make you eat curry and sip mint juleps. 2K has just announced Civilization VI and it is coming out right around the time Sun and Moon comes out Big changes are already announced with cities now having districts and no more wonder-stacking in one city. So now you have to specialize your city and not build a city with 50 pop and almost every wonder (save for Petra or any of the coastal wonders) - speaking of, wonders are now gonna be pickier too in placement (like the Pyramids now have to be in desert like Petra or the Great Library near a campus district). More interesting is the limited ability to stack a few units together (like warriors with settlers, or perhaps musketmen with pikes to make your own tercio formation) or even 3-4 units to form a corp (like the old Civ III army concept). Just too bad they won't take some the interesting civs/leaders from the many mods (not the MLP ones, ones like Benito Jaurez, Napoleon III, Queen Victoria, Victor Emmanuel III, even Saladin) and put them into the game.
And finally, everyone's other favorite, a big green lug who wants your 'ead is back too. Relic has recently dropped their big reveal that Dawn of War III is a go. No release date yet but we got previews including proper Deff Dreads, Wraithknights and Imperial Knights (but darn it, why attach them to the Space Marines - Knghts are independent of all the chamber militant of the Imperium). The annoucnement said there'd be Gorkanaughts but the units in the preview are Deff Dreads. But so far, we only have the return of Gabriel Angelos, Macha (where were you since the Tartaros campaign from the very first Dawn of War) and Gorgutz (who hasn't been seen since the mistake called Karauva)...and no fourth race yet (which is something both the base DoW and DoW II games had), probably Chaos...or perhaps a nice change would give us Tau and their XV105 Riptides as the fourth race. I would appreciate a wider variety of races and more units like the preview seemingly suggests...but keeping the DoW II customization (or even make it closer to 7th Edition codex customization).
But yup, big news for gaming for me...certainly would like to get all three. :3
- Charlie
Second big news...guess who's back. Warmongering Gandhi! He still wants to knock your society out with Shiva and Ghenesh and make you eat curry and sip mint juleps. 2K has just announced Civilization VI and it is coming out right around the time Sun and Moon comes out Big changes are already announced with cities now having districts and no more wonder-stacking in one city. So now you have to specialize your city and not build a city with 50 pop and almost every wonder (save for Petra or any of the coastal wonders) - speaking of, wonders are now gonna be pickier too in placement (like the Pyramids now have to be in desert like Petra or the Great Library near a campus district). More interesting is the limited ability to stack a few units together (like warriors with settlers, or perhaps musketmen with pikes to make your own tercio formation) or even 3-4 units to form a corp (like the old Civ III army concept). Just too bad they won't take some the interesting civs/leaders from the many mods (not the MLP ones, ones like Benito Jaurez, Napoleon III, Queen Victoria, Victor Emmanuel III, even Saladin) and put them into the game.
And finally, everyone's other favorite, a big green lug who wants your 'ead is back too. Relic has recently dropped their big reveal that Dawn of War III is a go. No release date yet but we got previews including proper Deff Dreads, Wraithknights and Imperial Knights (but darn it, why attach them to the Space Marines - Knghts are independent of all the chamber militant of the Imperium). The annoucnement said there'd be Gorkanaughts but the units in the preview are Deff Dreads. But so far, we only have the return of Gabriel Angelos, Macha (where were you since the Tartaros campaign from the very first Dawn of War) and Gorgutz (who hasn't been seen since the mistake called Karauva)...and no fourth race yet (which is something both the base DoW and DoW II games had), probably Chaos...or perhaps a nice change would give us Tau and their XV105 Riptides as the fourth race. I would appreciate a wider variety of races and more units like the preview seemingly suggests...but keeping the DoW II customization (or even make it closer to 7th Edition codex customization).
But yup, big news for gaming for me...certainly would like to get all three. :3
- Charlie
The Real Post...or a Little Mole for that Chicken
Posted 9 years agoAs mentioned I am posting two entries today. If you'd like to read the other (video game nerd rage), check it out. ^^ If you'd like to know about less-ranty stuff, read on McDuff. ^^
Am so glad the cold weather is over with around here. I like snuggling under the sheets but I also like not having to hide under them when I'm out in the living room or try to purposely snuggle up with Luna. On the other hand it's been quite rainy around here which makes weedwacking and froggie removal a bit of a pain.
Sadly it looks like I will be replacing the older of my two computers (or at least getting a power supply to see if that helps) since it's to the point where it will BSOD on me after it's up for a while (and there's hardly a program running). I already have a case to start with and I look at getting optical drives and power supply next. The true guts of the device...and the OS I will decide on later (thank you Microsoft for making 10 such an anti-competitive bully). Thankfully with my portable hard drive I have the files I want safely transferred. The other thing I wanna get is a new copy of MS office since the computer I'm building is more of my "work" computer and I'd like to have a good word processor and Excel to use. Also need a couple of monitors so I can dual-screen again.
Been having lots of fun as well with cooking - got myself some ceramic knives, a hardwood cutting board and a cast-iron skillet and I've done some General Tso's chicken, alfredo and pesto shirmp pasta and even some more interesting dishes in my kitchen. So good to have access to places like Wegman's to get really good ingredients. It's so fun when you can make better Mexican food than your Hispanic co-workers, better Oriental food than any place in a town of about 20,000 and can even rock some Thai and Indian curry and slow-cooked pork loin your coworkers really like. Speaking of, I got some chicken I wanna cook in mole and some beefy stir-fry to work up too. If only I was closer to a Friendly's for their ice cream. :P That would top off the cuisine and craft beer.
Thankfully we're in the season where Bandai trims back on new models, which is a good thing since I have the Vaff, the ReviveGouf and the 1/100th scale Grimgerde awaiting shipment. May get the Astaroth since it is pretty unique. But other than that, my only reserves are for the Robot Damashii Destiny Impulse and I think Luna's ZAKU Warrior and the HGCE Revive Force Impulse (hoping they make a Blast Impulse)...so much to build so little time. :P
I suppose that wraps that all up for now.
- Charlie
Am so glad the cold weather is over with around here. I like snuggling under the sheets but I also like not having to hide under them when I'm out in the living room or try to purposely snuggle up with Luna. On the other hand it's been quite rainy around here which makes weedwacking and froggie removal a bit of a pain.
Sadly it looks like I will be replacing the older of my two computers (or at least getting a power supply to see if that helps) since it's to the point where it will BSOD on me after it's up for a while (and there's hardly a program running). I already have a case to start with and I look at getting optical drives and power supply next. The true guts of the device...and the OS I will decide on later (thank you Microsoft for making 10 such an anti-competitive bully). Thankfully with my portable hard drive I have the files I want safely transferred. The other thing I wanna get is a new copy of MS office since the computer I'm building is more of my "work" computer and I'd like to have a good word processor and Excel to use. Also need a couple of monitors so I can dual-screen again.
Been having lots of fun as well with cooking - got myself some ceramic knives, a hardwood cutting board and a cast-iron skillet and I've done some General Tso's chicken, alfredo and pesto shirmp pasta and even some more interesting dishes in my kitchen. So good to have access to places like Wegman's to get really good ingredients. It's so fun when you can make better Mexican food than your Hispanic co-workers, better Oriental food than any place in a town of about 20,000 and can even rock some Thai and Indian curry and slow-cooked pork loin your coworkers really like. Speaking of, I got some chicken I wanna cook in mole and some beefy stir-fry to work up too. If only I was closer to a Friendly's for their ice cream. :P That would top off the cuisine and craft beer.
Thankfully we're in the season where Bandai trims back on new models, which is a good thing since I have the Vaff, the ReviveGouf and the 1/100th scale Grimgerde awaiting shipment. May get the Astaroth since it is pretty unique. But other than that, my only reserves are for the Robot Damashii Destiny Impulse and I think Luna's ZAKU Warrior and the HGCE Revive Force Impulse (hoping they make a Blast Impulse)...so much to build so little time. :P
I suppose that wraps that all up for now.
- Charlie
Dear Nit-wit Video Game designers.
Posted 9 years agoWould you please actually listen to players and actually make good stuff? Of course that's excepting most indie developers. A few well-needed digs are needed here.
First, to Nintendo, whom according to one writer for Forbes is a company that "thrives on crisis." Let's say since the GameCube I haven't been gun-ho for any of their main consoles save for a few of the games that are good and I'd like to play them...if they didn't have all that baggage of gimmicks (those games being PunchOut! because there's lots of good humor in there, the two Smash Bros. titles on the Wiis - but there's a minor gripe since Bandai Namco were helping them with the WiiU edition, and just maybe New Super Mario Bros. if I can play solo without pesky nieces sabotaging good players) and a lack of really good standout games (other than Zelda: Skyward Sword), not much in the way of third party games and as I said, gimicky controls. First with Star Fox: Zero - even without playing it I think the controls are garbage where you have to use two screens to control things and putting gyro controls into the brick they call the "tablet" controller. Those gyros would work so much better if they had a controller like a PS Sixaxis controller (which I have used before on the PS3 before mine broke) and you didn't have to stare away from all the real action. And...short as poop levels, a tower defence game that would have been better as an app (and all they have on mobile is Miitomo right now), and a bad rehash of StarFox 64. Yeah, you're killing yourself. And then, the announcement that the "NX" is coming out after our next President is sworn in along with the release of the new Zelda title for both the Wii U and the "NX." That's how you treat players who have bought the WiiU for this title...like we are idiots in a mobile game (and some of those microtransactions can cost as much as a AAA game; which StarFox Zero is priced as). Dear Nintendo, in creating such a gimicky platform just to test your "innovations," you're making unhappy gamers and when you don't have good games we're gonna emulate and Virtual Console the games we like. There is some scuttlebutt that the "NX" maybe more conventional, but they really need to deliver with both a good Zelda title and a real Metroid title (same goes for Golden Sun and StarFox).
That leads to my other main rant...yes, you Rovio. I like playing Angry Birds: Epic but you really, REALLY need to learn how to make good RPGs because as it is, your game relies too heavily on RNG and gambling (yes, those Friendship Essences are use to reroll that loot and open gates, but even then on those wheels, they don't guarantee you get what you want); PEGI in Europe shut down the Pokemon Game Corner past Gen IV (though there's no real money used in them) and you're beyond that using Friendship Essences that either require real money or wasting lots of time badgering people on Facebook for them (and badgering them to play as well), which means you're gambling with real money for stuff that has no real value outside the game. >.< Here's a suggestion; just give us the spoils and other goodies and don't make us slaves to the RNG. Speaking of, that also goes for the coin toss in the PvP arena where the toss can screw up your chance for a fair challenge. This is a case where they should have made it a little more complex than they have it for stats. Give us speed and defense stats here...and do your matchmaking by the bird, not the "power" ranking because someone might have a better banner, but you're facing birds a few levels and class ability levels higher, which really tips the battle in their favor. And finally with the Set items and such, why can't those just level up with your character instead of making us have to slave over RNG rolls just to get ones that are better? In fact, instead of going to Chimera, you should have talked to Obsidian for your RPG stuffs - they did Stick of Truth which is a very simple RPG that works extremely well. This particular rant could run for a looooong time since Epic has other annoying flaws (why does ever pig/bird go after Chuck first - poor guy can't get anything done and he's supposed to be the fast birdie. A Persian would just laugh at the AI and like Gen I Pokemon just dodge all the attacks, then crit hit the lot).
But yeah, those are two particular points of video game ranting I wanted to share with y'all. Another less ranty post to come shortly.
- Charlie
First, to Nintendo, whom according to one writer for Forbes is a company that "thrives on crisis." Let's say since the GameCube I haven't been gun-ho for any of their main consoles save for a few of the games that are good and I'd like to play them...if they didn't have all that baggage of gimmicks (those games being PunchOut! because there's lots of good humor in there, the two Smash Bros. titles on the Wiis - but there's a minor gripe since Bandai Namco were helping them with the WiiU edition, and just maybe New Super Mario Bros. if I can play solo without pesky nieces sabotaging good players) and a lack of really good standout games (other than Zelda: Skyward Sword), not much in the way of third party games and as I said, gimicky controls. First with Star Fox: Zero - even without playing it I think the controls are garbage where you have to use two screens to control things and putting gyro controls into the brick they call the "tablet" controller. Those gyros would work so much better if they had a controller like a PS Sixaxis controller (which I have used before on the PS3 before mine broke) and you didn't have to stare away from all the real action. And...short as poop levels, a tower defence game that would have been better as an app (and all they have on mobile is Miitomo right now), and a bad rehash of StarFox 64. Yeah, you're killing yourself. And then, the announcement that the "NX" is coming out after our next President is sworn in along with the release of the new Zelda title for both the Wii U and the "NX." That's how you treat players who have bought the WiiU for this title...like we are idiots in a mobile game (and some of those microtransactions can cost as much as a AAA game; which StarFox Zero is priced as). Dear Nintendo, in creating such a gimicky platform just to test your "innovations," you're making unhappy gamers and when you don't have good games we're gonna emulate and Virtual Console the games we like. There is some scuttlebutt that the "NX" maybe more conventional, but they really need to deliver with both a good Zelda title and a real Metroid title (same goes for Golden Sun and StarFox).
That leads to my other main rant...yes, you Rovio. I like playing Angry Birds: Epic but you really, REALLY need to learn how to make good RPGs because as it is, your game relies too heavily on RNG and gambling (yes, those Friendship Essences are use to reroll that loot and open gates, but even then on those wheels, they don't guarantee you get what you want); PEGI in Europe shut down the Pokemon Game Corner past Gen IV (though there's no real money used in them) and you're beyond that using Friendship Essences that either require real money or wasting lots of time badgering people on Facebook for them (and badgering them to play as well), which means you're gambling with real money for stuff that has no real value outside the game. >.< Here's a suggestion; just give us the spoils and other goodies and don't make us slaves to the RNG. Speaking of, that also goes for the coin toss in the PvP arena where the toss can screw up your chance for a fair challenge. This is a case where they should have made it a little more complex than they have it for stats. Give us speed and defense stats here...and do your matchmaking by the bird, not the "power" ranking because someone might have a better banner, but you're facing birds a few levels and class ability levels higher, which really tips the battle in their favor. And finally with the Set items and such, why can't those just level up with your character instead of making us have to slave over RNG rolls just to get ones that are better? In fact, instead of going to Chimera, you should have talked to Obsidian for your RPG stuffs - they did Stick of Truth which is a very simple RPG that works extremely well. This particular rant could run for a looooong time since Epic has other annoying flaws (why does ever pig/bird go after Chuck first - poor guy can't get anything done and he's supposed to be the fast birdie. A Persian would just laugh at the AI and like Gen I Pokemon just dodge all the attacks, then crit hit the lot).
But yeah, those are two particular points of video game ranting I wanted to share with y'all. Another less ranty post to come shortly.
- Charlie
The More You Know
Posted 9 years agoI've heard plenty of horror stories about Washington, D.C. commutes where folks leave between 3 and 5 AM to make it to work on time. Sad to say, an impromtu trip there on Saturday proved that true. Wasn't a bad drive between home and Fredericksburg, but after that...let's just say it makes Atlanta traffic seem like a pile of giggles.
It really started out as a little shopping trip just to Richmond, but it became an impromptu trip all the way to D.C. instead. Started by checking out stuff at the plant but no one was there as I expected so after getting a package from my PO (which is opposite direction from my place to the plant), I headed on north. My first top there was the Chevy's Fresh Mex in Pentagon City; haven't been to one since O'Fallon, IL and when one carves their fajitas, one wants to eat said fajitas. :P The manager-in-training was shocked to find I drove from the other end of Virginia (would have been crazier if I had driven from oh say, Bristol). I then took a little automotive tour of D.C. herself and got to see the Capitol and White House as close as you can get by car (good luck navigating the streets; about half of them are barricaded off all the time) and even got to see a few cherry blossoms just a day before the festival started. Once getting my way out, I headed for the Fairfax Microcenter. So darn good to finally ask questions and talk computers with someone who actually knows stuff about computers (tbh, our the IT director at my work doesn't know that much about the innards in my opinion) as I got a case so I can start "upgrading" the older of my two computers. I will probably be getting my parts slowly over time so I don't go nuts on the purchasing (besides, the only thing that's gonna annoy me is something beyond my control - DSL internet >.<). After indulging my tech needs, I ended up on my way back fighting traffic, then getting a grocery-gasm at the Fredericksburg Wegman's and now anxious to see the Midlothian store open in May so I don't have to go that far up.
Today though - finally got my retro Kanto groove going on after updating my 2DS and 3DS by getting red on the 2 and blue on the 3DS. Also got me some Regis on Pokebank as well and the ones I got seem pretty good (though as far as Legendaries go, the Regis aren't that great - and I wish Game Freak would finally give Regigigas an ability besides Slow Start which really ruins him - even Truant is a better ability). Hopefully I'll be able to get all the mythicals before Sun and Moon come out (just "upgraded" my SD card in my 3DS to allow for more game space). So far on Red, just defeated Blue with a team with "Phsyallis" Ivysaur, "Pfiel" Spearow, "Malgus" Nidoking and "Vogel" Pidgey. It's unusally for me to evolve a stone Pokemon like that so early but since the Nidos have a lousy level-up movepool in RBY and they can learn surf, thunderbolt, etc. I did the Lt. Surge thing. :P
Speaking of Sun and Moon - looks like we're getting a more tropical version of Hoenn instead of something like Sinnoh. Really? Dear Game Freak, we are in dire need of better ice types and less watery pokemon. A buff to our icy friends would go a long way to making them more useful (why not take a Megaman Zero cue and make it like using Fairy Leviathan's ice against Sage Harpuia's electricy; Electric types still only have one vulnerability so giving them an ice vulnerability would be fun). And to the above - please fix Regigigas; for a Trio Master, he stinks.
Suppose that's about all for now. :P Currently drooling over the Graze Ein - darn thing is slick and would make General Grevious (from his very first appearance in Episode 20 of the Clone Wars shorts where he hovered and used his arms and legs together) envious; pile drivers on his arms, machine gun turrets on the shoulders and feet that turn into drills. :3 Oh, and dual-wield big honkin' axes too.
- Charlie
It really started out as a little shopping trip just to Richmond, but it became an impromptu trip all the way to D.C. instead. Started by checking out stuff at the plant but no one was there as I expected so after getting a package from my PO (which is opposite direction from my place to the plant), I headed on north. My first top there was the Chevy's Fresh Mex in Pentagon City; haven't been to one since O'Fallon, IL and when one carves their fajitas, one wants to eat said fajitas. :P The manager-in-training was shocked to find I drove from the other end of Virginia (would have been crazier if I had driven from oh say, Bristol). I then took a little automotive tour of D.C. herself and got to see the Capitol and White House as close as you can get by car (good luck navigating the streets; about half of them are barricaded off all the time) and even got to see a few cherry blossoms just a day before the festival started. Once getting my way out, I headed for the Fairfax Microcenter. So darn good to finally ask questions and talk computers with someone who actually knows stuff about computers (tbh, our the IT director at my work doesn't know that much about the innards in my opinion) as I got a case so I can start "upgrading" the older of my two computers. I will probably be getting my parts slowly over time so I don't go nuts on the purchasing (besides, the only thing that's gonna annoy me is something beyond my control - DSL internet >.<). After indulging my tech needs, I ended up on my way back fighting traffic, then getting a grocery-gasm at the Fredericksburg Wegman's and now anxious to see the Midlothian store open in May so I don't have to go that far up.
Today though - finally got my retro Kanto groove going on after updating my 2DS and 3DS by getting red on the 2 and blue on the 3DS. Also got me some Regis on Pokebank as well and the ones I got seem pretty good (though as far as Legendaries go, the Regis aren't that great - and I wish Game Freak would finally give Regigigas an ability besides Slow Start which really ruins him - even Truant is a better ability). Hopefully I'll be able to get all the mythicals before Sun and Moon come out (just "upgraded" my SD card in my 3DS to allow for more game space). So far on Red, just defeated Blue with a team with "Phsyallis" Ivysaur, "Pfiel" Spearow, "Malgus" Nidoking and "Vogel" Pidgey. It's unusally for me to evolve a stone Pokemon like that so early but since the Nidos have a lousy level-up movepool in RBY and they can learn surf, thunderbolt, etc. I did the Lt. Surge thing. :P
Speaking of Sun and Moon - looks like we're getting a more tropical version of Hoenn instead of something like Sinnoh. Really? Dear Game Freak, we are in dire need of better ice types and less watery pokemon. A buff to our icy friends would go a long way to making them more useful (why not take a Megaman Zero cue and make it like using Fairy Leviathan's ice against Sage Harpuia's electricy; Electric types still only have one vulnerability so giving them an ice vulnerability would be fun). And to the above - please fix Regigigas; for a Trio Master, he stinks.
Suppose that's about all for now. :P Currently drooling over the Graze Ein - darn thing is slick and would make General Grevious (from his very first appearance in Episode 20 of the Clone Wars shorts where he hovered and used his arms and legs together) envious; pile drivers on his arms, machine gun turrets on the shoulders and feet that turn into drills. :3 Oh, and dual-wield big honkin' axes too.
- Charlie
Where's our Dawn of War 3?
Posted 9 years agoI ask that because...after all these years, "Relic" has just released a new series of patches and a new character for The Last Stand for free (until the 15th) - the Necron Lord (or I should say Phaeron). It's pretty neat to see them bring our old metallic bonebags into DoW2 even with the old engine...but c'mon where's our DoW3 already? Not to mention Battlefleet Gothic is already into beta testing as well. Just wish my stupid satellite internet didn't eat up the "cap" for data in one weekend and be faster to support good RTS gaming. Though it's just too bad post 5th edition styles are going onto a game that still has early 5th edition/4th edition styles (I say that since the Fire Prisms are of the older design without the long barrell feeding the big crystal). Soooo Sega, where's our DoW3...I wanna see the return of what made Dark Crusade (or perhaps Firestrom over Kronus if you get some input from Dark Crusade fans) awesome to play, plus Gargants, Riptides, Wraithknights, the Emperor's Centurion (Rogal Dorn not included - cookies if you get that reference), Sternies and Heat Lance armed Reavers.
In other gaming news, Pokemon has just announced about a week ago or so the coming of the 7th Generation of Pokemon and that Red, Blue and Yellow are Pokebank compatible. :3 C'mon Pidegot with Sky Attack (or Mew with Sky Attack if the glitches still work in Virtual) or a Skull Bashing Pikachu or a Double Edge Eevee (though on Flareon it's redundant if transferred to a later gen with Flare Blitz). Or how about the "now" useless Fissure TM? Also seems we can get some Regis on Pokebank as well - note to self get your Regis. The biggie though is Gen VII, especially with Nintendo's "big" moves in the NX and stuff like Pokemon Go! - will Gen VII be one of the last games on the 3DS family or will Nintendo treat their fans well (unlike the Gen II/Gen III transition). Also, are we getting our Canada Region...and perhaps referencing Punch Out! with a Bear Hugger-like gym leader (or other Canadian references like Terrence and Phillip, poutines, Mounties, and Scott Pilgrim; how about the big bad reference Gideon Graves?). And for fun, make Essentia a new Looker character that is recurring.
And, everyone's favorite Nerd is getting a sequel. They have just recently announced the AVGN Adventures 2 game with more F-bombs, "crappy" game references and hopefully more laughing joking numbnuts to blast into pixels. The first game is quite challenging and fun to do and if I start playing on Steam some more I need to work to get farther into the game because I've only beaten Thy Farts Consumed (other than the Sega CD and Jaguar episodes, the only Doom reference the Nerd ever made) and most of Assholevania (I hate that final corridor until the boss and I can't imagine my experience with Boo! Haunted House will be).
Finally, it seems that Gundam gets its first official "centaur" mobile suit in the Gundam Kimaris Trooper, backing up all those Graze Ritters. It's pretty neat as is the Gusion Rebake (one of my favorites out of G-Tekketsu) and the revealed Gundam Astaroth (though some think it's leftovers from Reconguista in G - sadly an anime where the only things I like are the Gaeon, G Arcane and Gastima and maybe the G-Self Reflector Type). Can't wait to see how they will do Season 2 of G-Tekketsu and what will happen at the end of Episode 25.
- Charlie
In other gaming news, Pokemon has just announced about a week ago or so the coming of the 7th Generation of Pokemon and that Red, Blue and Yellow are Pokebank compatible. :3 C'mon Pidegot with Sky Attack (or Mew with Sky Attack if the glitches still work in Virtual) or a Skull Bashing Pikachu or a Double Edge Eevee (though on Flareon it's redundant if transferred to a later gen with Flare Blitz). Or how about the "now" useless Fissure TM? Also seems we can get some Regis on Pokebank as well - note to self get your Regis. The biggie though is Gen VII, especially with Nintendo's "big" moves in the NX and stuff like Pokemon Go! - will Gen VII be one of the last games on the 3DS family or will Nintendo treat their fans well (unlike the Gen II/Gen III transition). Also, are we getting our Canada Region...and perhaps referencing Punch Out! with a Bear Hugger-like gym leader (or other Canadian references like Terrence and Phillip, poutines, Mounties, and Scott Pilgrim; how about the big bad reference Gideon Graves?). And for fun, make Essentia a new Looker character that is recurring.
And, everyone's favorite Nerd is getting a sequel. They have just recently announced the AVGN Adventures 2 game with more F-bombs, "crappy" game references and hopefully more laughing joking numbnuts to blast into pixels. The first game is quite challenging and fun to do and if I start playing on Steam some more I need to work to get farther into the game because I've only beaten Thy Farts Consumed (other than the Sega CD and Jaguar episodes, the only Doom reference the Nerd ever made) and most of Assholevania (I hate that final corridor until the boss and I can't imagine my experience with Boo! Haunted House will be).
Finally, it seems that Gundam gets its first official "centaur" mobile suit in the Gundam Kimaris Trooper, backing up all those Graze Ritters. It's pretty neat as is the Gusion Rebake (one of my favorites out of G-Tekketsu) and the revealed Gundam Astaroth (though some think it's leftovers from Reconguista in G - sadly an anime where the only things I like are the Gaeon, G Arcane and Gastima and maybe the G-Self Reflector Type). Can't wait to see how they will do Season 2 of G-Tekketsu and what will happen at the end of Episode 25.
- Charlie
The Dark Side of Gunpla
Posted 9 years agoOkie - this might be very subjective here...very subjective (like my views on how the Star Wars licensing has been handled). But I've started to try out some third-party Gundam kits (as in not by Bandai). While some might be "OMG, KOs" I am a little more pragmatic because some models, Bandai ain't gonna make. >.<
Because of that, I've gotten a few different kits - the Model Comprehend RX-105 Ξ Gundam (ahem, Gundoom; and considering the price of the GFF and Robot Damashii Ver Ka. Signature figures - this is a bargain) and the Dragon Momoko 1/144 Gundam Geminass Unit 1 (still should be Gemini Gundam since it was designed by OZ), the 1/100 MG Akatsuki, MG Skygrasper w/ Aile Strike and the Tallgeese I (which has the Glory of the Losers' lance and halberd). Been working with Gemini Gundam so far and other than the arm-to-shoulder connection being a little loose (though to be honest, that sometimes happens on Bandai kits, too) has been a fun build. ^^ Next I'd like to get the MG Sword Strike and Launcher kit from Dragon Momoko to complete a Perfect Strike Gundam. Am interested in the DM AGE-1 Sparrow and AGE-1 Razor since they are both better than their Bandai counterparts. :P
In other news, CoroCoro has just revealed Pokemon #722 - Magiana. Looks like a dolled up version of Klink, Klank and Kilnklang. :P We are supposed to see more with the movie about Volcanion. Just hope I don't have to go through a load of hoops and all to get it. Speaking of hoops, it's been a pain to get codes for Mew for all four copies of my Gen VI games. Unlike the first Diancie distribution where the gal in Atlanta's GameStop let me get two codes from her, I could only get one code per GameStop. Thankfully when I was getting two codes, I was able to stop at two GameStops in VA Beach. :P Hopefully I get get most of them via Mystery Gift as they come out. If not, I have extra Diancie and Hoopas to trade for them.
Just don't get me started on how these giveaways don't have their signature moves (no Doom Desire for Jirarchi, no V-Create for Victini, etc.)...real annoying. >.<
- Charlie
Because of that, I've gotten a few different kits - the Model Comprehend RX-105 Ξ Gundam (ahem, Gundoom; and considering the price of the GFF and Robot Damashii Ver Ka. Signature figures - this is a bargain) and the Dragon Momoko 1/144 Gundam Geminass Unit 1 (still should be Gemini Gundam since it was designed by OZ), the 1/100 MG Akatsuki, MG Skygrasper w/ Aile Strike and the Tallgeese I (which has the Glory of the Losers' lance and halberd). Been working with Gemini Gundam so far and other than the arm-to-shoulder connection being a little loose (though to be honest, that sometimes happens on Bandai kits, too) has been a fun build. ^^ Next I'd like to get the MG Sword Strike and Launcher kit from Dragon Momoko to complete a Perfect Strike Gundam. Am interested in the DM AGE-1 Sparrow and AGE-1 Razor since they are both better than their Bandai counterparts. :P
In other news, CoroCoro has just revealed Pokemon #722 - Magiana. Looks like a dolled up version of Klink, Klank and Kilnklang. :P We are supposed to see more with the movie about Volcanion. Just hope I don't have to go through a load of hoops and all to get it. Speaking of hoops, it's been a pain to get codes for Mew for all four copies of my Gen VI games. Unlike the first Diancie distribution where the gal in Atlanta's GameStop let me get two codes from her, I could only get one code per GameStop. Thankfully when I was getting two codes, I was able to stop at two GameStops in VA Beach. :P Hopefully I get get most of them via Mystery Gift as they come out. If not, I have extra Diancie and Hoopas to trade for them.
Just don't get me started on how these giveaways don't have their signature moves (no Doom Desire for Jirarchi, no V-Create for Victini, etc.)...real annoying. >.<
- Charlie
Modding World History
Posted 9 years agoOne of the things things about games on Steam...that you can mod games on Steam. :3 So far I've only modded four games (one of them technically using non-workshop mods) but the one I've modded the most is Civilization V. Yeah the based game (and DLCs) has lots to choose from but meh, some areas of the world are underrepresented so thanks to mods, I've probably doubled the amount of civs I have open to play so...I can play as Tanzania, Rwanda, Australia, Mexico, modern day Russia, the CSA (though instead of stupid brony civs...where's Jake Featherson's CSA from Harry Turtledove's Southern Victory series?), FDR's America and even as everyone's most hated tyrant the Bavarian with the funny mustache. :P But more than just more cives, I've found mods that add much, much more to the information age, add the Enlightenment and even the prehistoric era...and more hexes to play with. :P And the nice thing...my mechanized infantry can carry the Zweihander promotion from being two-handed swordsmen to off pesky pikemen, Landskecht and Tercio units.
On the other hand, the weather hasn't been as fun as modding Civ V. Thankfully I was one hour away from 18" snow and only got about 5" snow and a bit or sleet. A relief but the sleet made the snow as hard as rock to shovel out. And when one has at least 300' of driveway in the woods you realized you should have shoveled on Sunday. XP But of course the weather warmed up and all the snow is now mush. Makes me wish I had a car that was higher off the ground, four-wheel drive or even snow tires.
Work has been a bit crazy though - our plant got a new operations manager and as he arrived in Virginia we had all the VIPs show up at our plant, including my boss. :P Our ops manager is a nice guy and all but with all the folks visiting meetings just eat up all your time, especially when one is doing a plant trial that is running for 7 weeks. Makes weekends much more fun since I have more to unwind from - now I just gotta figure out when to get my dog a haircut.
On a sadder note though, we lost the real Kylo Ren (I mean Severus Snape), David Bowie, Glenn Frey (one of the founding members of The Eagles and also did "You Belong in the City"), and the voice of Disney's Robin Hood Brian Bedford. The last one of the list kinda hit me big time as the vulpine adaptation of the English rogue has a very special place in my heart. I cried a bit when I found out - oddly enough though since Alan Rickman passed on about the same time Bedford's passing happened so it was pretty much not covered. >.>
I have some more to gab about, but that will be a post for another day.
- Charlie
On the other hand, the weather hasn't been as fun as modding Civ V. Thankfully I was one hour away from 18" snow and only got about 5" snow and a bit or sleet. A relief but the sleet made the snow as hard as rock to shovel out. And when one has at least 300' of driveway in the woods you realized you should have shoveled on Sunday. XP But of course the weather warmed up and all the snow is now mush. Makes me wish I had a car that was higher off the ground, four-wheel drive or even snow tires.
Work has been a bit crazy though - our plant got a new operations manager and as he arrived in Virginia we had all the VIPs show up at our plant, including my boss. :P Our ops manager is a nice guy and all but with all the folks visiting meetings just eat up all your time, especially when one is doing a plant trial that is running for 7 weeks. Makes weekends much more fun since I have more to unwind from - now I just gotta figure out when to get my dog a haircut.
On a sadder note though, we lost the real Kylo Ren (I mean Severus Snape), David Bowie, Glenn Frey (one of the founding members of The Eagles and also did "You Belong in the City"), and the voice of Disney's Robin Hood Brian Bedford. The last one of the list kinda hit me big time as the vulpine adaptation of the English rogue has a very special place in my heart. I cried a bit when I found out - oddly enough though since Alan Rickman passed on about the same time Bedford's passing happened so it was pretty much not covered. >.>
I have some more to gab about, but that will be a post for another day.
- Charlie
A Very Soggy Holiday
Posted 9 years agoFirst a public service announcement with spoilers (so if you haven't seen the following, don't read the line :P)...
To quote The Boondocks - "Kylo Ren is Snape, Snoke is a 7 foot tall Gollum and Kathleen Kennedy lied to us about Rey." To clarify what I meant by the last part - instead of being a relevant heroine for a new generation, I think she comes off as a Lacus Clyne minus the big time hypocrisy trait. As I thought, The Force Awakens is to Star Wars (the original trilogy) as Gundam SEED is to Mobile Suit Gundam. It's both a love letter to the originals and introducing Star Wars to new fans...and probably doing so well since everyone still has the bad taste of Pinocchio Lucas' treatment of the prequels. It's a good movie to be for sure, but meh, I didn't feel as impacted by it as I did with other films...and Game of Thrones fans will be gypped by how Phasma is treated in this film (doesn't set a good impression for Episode VIII), especially since FN-2187 was once the stormtrooper equivalent of toilet humor. To be honest, Kylo Ren also has the bad parts of Shinn Asuka as well (since SEED Destiny fans have often compared him to Anakin Skywalker in the prequels). And I'm not even talking about the horrible scientific flaws or inconsistencies the movie has, either.
End spoiler...till Episode VIII: The Force Takes a BM. :P
It was surely a very, very rainy Christmas this year. And that was both ways, a foggy, dark and rainy ascent up US 58 into the Blue Ridge, hitting a horrible squall line in Eastern Illinois (and a tornado warning in a different part of a county I was driving in), helping my grandma bail out a leaky basement, worrying about flooding crossings (and diverting to Dyersburg instead of East Cape Girardeau/Cairo/Wickliffe for the trip home) and on and off again rain. It was a long trip and I am glad its all over. Did get to try out Sheetz on both legs of the route and really enjoyed the food there as well, just wish I didn't have to go an hour just to eat at one.
While I already got my "big" gift this year, I did get some other things at Christmas, including a Bluetooth TIE fighter speaker, some mugs, Pyrex pans, and a trunk for my place as well. It was okay and I did get to make some of my pork loin for Christmas (sans paprika and black pepper in the spice rub). Just didn't like being so crowded out though...doesn't make it fun, especially when I need my space sometimes to cool down and keep to myself. On the other hand, I did get myself the Robot Damashii Master and Shining Gundam Figures as well as the SH Figuarts Toho Fuhai (aka Master Asia) and I got the first part of Gundam: The Origin manga after the holiday as well (definitely recommend reading it - almost like the Horus Heresy novels in terms of interest for me).
But...just so glad that I returned Sunday - between being crowded by nieces and nephew and the leaky basement, I don't know if I could have stood it much longer. I'll be telecommuting this week but likely will take a daytrip to Richmond or Raleigh tomorrow and I might have more thoughts to share later this week as well.
- Charlie
To quote The Boondocks - "Kylo Ren is Snape, Snoke is a 7 foot tall Gollum and Kathleen Kennedy lied to us about Rey." To clarify what I meant by the last part - instead of being a relevant heroine for a new generation, I think she comes off as a Lacus Clyne minus the big time hypocrisy trait. As I thought, The Force Awakens is to Star Wars (the original trilogy) as Gundam SEED is to Mobile Suit Gundam. It's both a love letter to the originals and introducing Star Wars to new fans...and probably doing so well since everyone still has the bad taste of Pinocchio Lucas' treatment of the prequels. It's a good movie to be for sure, but meh, I didn't feel as impacted by it as I did with other films...and Game of Thrones fans will be gypped by how Phasma is treated in this film (doesn't set a good impression for Episode VIII), especially since FN-2187 was once the stormtrooper equivalent of toilet humor. To be honest, Kylo Ren also has the bad parts of Shinn Asuka as well (since SEED Destiny fans have often compared him to Anakin Skywalker in the prequels). And I'm not even talking about the horrible scientific flaws or inconsistencies the movie has, either.
End spoiler...till Episode VIII: The Force Takes a BM. :P
It was surely a very, very rainy Christmas this year. And that was both ways, a foggy, dark and rainy ascent up US 58 into the Blue Ridge, hitting a horrible squall line in Eastern Illinois (and a tornado warning in a different part of a county I was driving in), helping my grandma bail out a leaky basement, worrying about flooding crossings (and diverting to Dyersburg instead of East Cape Girardeau/Cairo/Wickliffe for the trip home) and on and off again rain. It was a long trip and I am glad its all over. Did get to try out Sheetz on both legs of the route and really enjoyed the food there as well, just wish I didn't have to go an hour just to eat at one.
While I already got my "big" gift this year, I did get some other things at Christmas, including a Bluetooth TIE fighter speaker, some mugs, Pyrex pans, and a trunk for my place as well. It was okay and I did get to make some of my pork loin for Christmas (sans paprika and black pepper in the spice rub). Just didn't like being so crowded out though...doesn't make it fun, especially when I need my space sometimes to cool down and keep to myself. On the other hand, I did get myself the Robot Damashii Master and Shining Gundam Figures as well as the SH Figuarts Toho Fuhai (aka Master Asia) and I got the first part of Gundam: The Origin manga after the holiday as well (definitely recommend reading it - almost like the Horus Heresy novels in terms of interest for me).
But...just so glad that I returned Sunday - between being crowded by nieces and nephew and the leaky basement, I don't know if I could have stood it much longer. I'll be telecommuting this week but likely will take a daytrip to Richmond or Raleigh tomorrow and I might have more thoughts to share later this week as well.
- Charlie
What's not a good deal.
Posted 10 years agoSadly for us Gunpla fans, I would recommend NOT going on HLJ for good deals this Black Friday. It's pretty much a spend this much and get this discount...and to get at least 10% off you need at least $150 for an order (on in-stock items). Instead, HobbyWave has a better deal for Black Friday - 15% any item up to 10 items in your order. Plus, they always have a flat shipping rate for any sized order (big orders are a great deal with them). Just as long as you're not wanting the RX-78-02 (Gundam: The Origin version), the Hyakuri or any really recent release (but they do have McGillis' Schwalbe Graze in stock, HLJ doesn't).
On the other hand, Steam does have their big sale going on and they have good stuff for cheap. ^^ I got the AVGN Adventures game, Cities: Skylines, Space Hulk (not Ascension), Transformers: Fall of Cybertron and Company of Heroes 2 and saved quite a bit. So if you have Steam, check them out. ^^ Certainly better than anything at GameStop and all unless you're wanting Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon (why no Axew if you have all the starters, Pikachu and Riolu to choose from - Axew was in Gates of Infinity and apparently Hoopa plays a role in this game, too).
So for my annual insanity I traveled to Virginia Beach for my shopping digs. :P The travel was actually good - just a straight shot up 58 for me. When I got there, my first stop was the mall across from the Virginia Beach "Town Center" and I checked out the game store, Kohl's and Target - did get a couple of Star Wars shirts, a Captain Phasma travel mug and a fox mug a Kohl's but I couldn't find much else. Was crazy in Kohl's for certain. After I got out, I had the lunch buffet at Saffron Indian restaurant in the "Town Center" since I had found a $10 coupon for the place (I was wanting to try blue crab in coconut curry). Very good service and for an Indian buffet it was pretty good and no tummy issues afterward. Went to HobbyTown USA just down the street afterward and picked up some paints, brushes and the HG Amazing Exia and Lightning Zeta and the MG 00 Quan[T] (I just wanna type it as "00 Quanta" - darn official name) since they had a buy 2, get one free on models. Both the Amazing Exia and Lightning Zeta are gonna either be modded or used in a kitbash. Also stopped at Best Buy for some movies and the entire Full Metal Alchemist series (not Brotherhood) on Blu-Ray for $35. My final stop in VA Beach was the area around Lynnhaven Mall where I got a haircut and not much else there before returning home.
I probably will be recovering from the craziness this weekend and maybe working on my mods or kitbashes. :P
- Charlie
PS: You know what's really NOT a good deal? When someone on eBay bids almost $200 for one retro pair of Huggies. I'm an aficionado of retro diapers...but $200 for one diaper is just plain stupid (especially if one person makes the bid so darn high no one can outbid them).
On the other hand, Steam does have their big sale going on and they have good stuff for cheap. ^^ I got the AVGN Adventures game, Cities: Skylines, Space Hulk (not Ascension), Transformers: Fall of Cybertron and Company of Heroes 2 and saved quite a bit. So if you have Steam, check them out. ^^ Certainly better than anything at GameStop and all unless you're wanting Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon (why no Axew if you have all the starters, Pikachu and Riolu to choose from - Axew was in Gates of Infinity and apparently Hoopa plays a role in this game, too).
So for my annual insanity I traveled to Virginia Beach for my shopping digs. :P The travel was actually good - just a straight shot up 58 for me. When I got there, my first stop was the mall across from the Virginia Beach "Town Center" and I checked out the game store, Kohl's and Target - did get a couple of Star Wars shirts, a Captain Phasma travel mug and a fox mug a Kohl's but I couldn't find much else. Was crazy in Kohl's for certain. After I got out, I had the lunch buffet at Saffron Indian restaurant in the "Town Center" since I had found a $10 coupon for the place (I was wanting to try blue crab in coconut curry). Very good service and for an Indian buffet it was pretty good and no tummy issues afterward. Went to HobbyTown USA just down the street afterward and picked up some paints, brushes and the HG Amazing Exia and Lightning Zeta and the MG 00 Quan[T] (I just wanna type it as "00 Quanta" - darn official name) since they had a buy 2, get one free on models. Both the Amazing Exia and Lightning Zeta are gonna either be modded or used in a kitbash. Also stopped at Best Buy for some movies and the entire Full Metal Alchemist series (not Brotherhood) on Blu-Ray for $35. My final stop in VA Beach was the area around Lynnhaven Mall where I got a haircut and not much else there before returning home.
I probably will be recovering from the craziness this weekend and maybe working on my mods or kitbashes. :P
- Charlie
PS: You know what's really NOT a good deal? When someone on eBay bids almost $200 for one retro pair of Huggies. I'm an aficionado of retro diapers...but $200 for one diaper is just plain stupid (especially if one person makes the bid so darn high no one can outbid them).
