It seems...

...that I have been posting more on my Twitter, Facebook, and Posterous pages far more than I have here!

You can see the links to those sites towards the right side of your screen.

One of these days, I just MAY be inspired to do the full blown blogging that was the intention of having this up in the first place, as I have done in the past.

Surprises are abound...and forthcoming.

Yep...I know that...

...I havent posted anything here in a LONG time. BUT...I haven't forgotten about this place.

No promises of when new stuff goes up though.

Not yet.

At least.

;)

Eclectic Method: 8 Bit Mixtape

This brings back TOO many memories!


Eclectic Method - 8 Bit Mixtape from Eclectic Method on Vimeo.

Punch The Pig

I came across this new interactive billboard advertisement today:

Its a Marketing Campaign by PNC for its "Virtual Wallet" product.

Now...its not actually making me get up and go out to purchase this new service PNC has to offer, but I think the idea of what basically amounts to be a giant gaming screen is cool enough to make me write about it.

Here's a video of people actually using the thing:

Video Timeline of Asteroid Discoveries Between 1980-2010

This is a video showing the discovery of asteroids from 1980 - 2010. It starts offpretty slow, but by the late 90's/early 00's asteroids start popping up faster!

Terminator 2: The Opera

From the creators of the Conan Musical! (You can look here for THAT one!)

Two New Star Wars Figures

Some of you may remember my first adventure with the Jamaican accented “Vendor Mon” where I basically stole purchased Darth Vader’s Imperial TIE Fighter for an incredibly low price. You can take a looky here for that tale.

Well today, I can across Vendor Mon again and this time he had a number of Star Wars Action Figures.

I bought two of them that caught my eye, and let’s just say that the price I paid for BOTH wouldn’ty have even gotten me ONE of those online, so again…I managed to get a good baragain.

Which two, you are probably thinking by now?

You can see that this is Luke Skywalker as he appeared in the last few minutes of Episode IV. This caught my eye because, when I was a child, they never did make this figure. They has just about EVERY sort of Luke Skywalker figure but not this one, and I even remember my Dad asking me how come I didn’t have Luke in this outfit in my collection.

The modeling is good as the figure has a blaster, an deactivated lightsaber, and the medal he received from Princess Leia…all highly detailed.

The second one I got is Imperial Starfleet Officer Juno Eclipse from Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

Again, another good model that comes with a blaster and a base as well.

If you are unfamiliar as to who Juno is exactly, you read more about her here.

As to why I bought that figure…

Suffice to say, SWTFU has become one of my favorite games, and I am totally looking forward to its upcoming sequel.

Plus…

Tough female blondes who have a thing for Dark Siders are just simply and totally awesome.

MBR-04-MkVI Tomahawk

Many of you know that I am a fan of 'mechs and 'mechas...and that the origin for that stems from may of the Americanized Japanese Serials I grew up watching from my childhood.

However...

Back in the 80's, a new game from FASA came out known as Battletech, and needless to say I was instantly fascinated.

Amazingly, it wasn't until many years later that I found out that many of the Battlemech Designs used in the game were "borrowed" works from other genres.

The 'mech that was featured in the image above, for example, was from the Macross Series and is part of the Destroid Class. That model in particular is referred to as a Tomahawk.

I recently found out that 1/72 scale model of that model is actually scheduled to be released in late August.

The kit is a snap fit construction set, without the need for glue, using Poly-cap for the joint parts for the ability to pose. The opening and closing of cockpit hatch and missile hatches are thoroughly reproduced, true to the original settings and highly detailed.

More models of the Destroid Class are anticipated to be released. 

Symbiotic Titan

This new series look promising. Ya just cannot go wrong with 'mechs!

The Last Exorcism

This is a most excellent Marketing Campaign. Kudos to the team that thought this up!

Taco Bell: Open 'till "Dark Knight" or later...

First we had Darth Vader holding up a Chase Bank.

Now witness...

The Dark Knight himself is reduced to robbin' (pun intended) another man's tacos.

What is this planet coming to?

"Run for the border..." indeed!

Is it just me, or...?

Here's one of the East Side Views from my office.

As you can see, there is some street repairs going on, and from the looks of the spray painted instructions, I am guessing that there is an underground water pipe that ruptured. (Looks almost like an alien text...don't it?)

Notice anything else?

Even though we live in a world of lather, rinse, repeat (I wont even get into the whole "plop plop fizz fizz" conspiracy right now...)as far as directions go,  I aint sure whether of not to be sad or amused over the fact that someone it necessary to repaint the crosswalks in order to have people avoid running into those barricades.

Then again, this could be one of those "Caution: Coffee is HOT" disclaimer type of thing.

Either way...I have decided to go with sadly amusing.

Silent Star Wars: Episode V

I actually like the piano tings of the classic music!

The Incredible Hulk Animated: Opening Titles

The Hulk has always been one of my favorite characters as a child and that has actually lasted way into my adult life.

I remember being incredibly (pun intended) excited when the opening sequence for the 1960's Hulk Animated Series started (of the Marvel Superheroes Line) because it meant that for a few weeks, they would be running his stories, as opposed to say The Sub Mariner ones.

In the 1980's they created a new Hulk Animated Series. I remember liking the dark, almost tragic yet albeitly heroic opening music, which I felt described the Hulk incredibly (again...pun intended) well. Compared to the campy of the 60's music, this was, like all things '80's...a stark difference!

When my Dad saw this for the first time (from a recorded VCR tape) I remember him saying "We are NEVER erasing these." 

And you know what...we never did!

Star Trek Online Soundtrack

Even though I haven't played as much as I have been meaning to lately, one of my favorite music scores comes from Star Trek: Online.

Sadly...they have yet to compile the music into a CD, so I am making do with this.

UNFORTUNATELY...one of my favorite scores has yet to be found! (It's very..."Tim Burton-ish." Yes...I realize that aint a real word, but that's the only way I can describe it. That particular track sounds like something you MAY hear in "Edward Scissorhands" or "A Nightmare Before Christmas," hence the term. Gloomy...dark, but with a hint of hope. 'Tis awesome.)

Black Star Warrior

What if Star Wars had been a Blaxploitation flick starring Lando Calrissian? 


You'd have Black Star Warrior!





"Get between this brother and his woman and space ain't black enough to hide from him."

Mazinkaiser SKL Figure and Manga

Many of you already know that I am a big fan of what I call the Mazenkaiser Class of Mecha. You can take a look here and  here for more info on that.

Much to my content, if not so much of a surprise, there actually exists a Mazenkaiser SKL figure!

(Click on images to see them at their full resolution.)

And there is also a manga as well!

I'm totally looking forward to adding these to my collection...when they actually become available for purchase.

Keyboard Throwing Contest...

It ends with a SMACK!

Big @$$ Brick In A Washing Machine REDUX

Animation and word balloons makes EVERYTHING funnier!

Halo for the Atari 2600

http://www.codemystics.com/halo2600/

Every lightsaber ignition and retraction from all six movies...

...because, like bacon...lightsabers make everything better!

BP Spills Coffee

Sadly...methinks this is NOT too far away from what REALLY happened...

iPhone 4 Sheeple

This had me rolling!

iPhone 4 Sheeple indeed.

Warning: There is some cuss words in this.

National Coast Guard Day

August 7th is National Coast Guard Day.

Two hundred and twenty years ago on this date, the US Congress created the Revenue Cutter Service by authorizing the construction of ten Cutter Type boats with the purpose of enforcing tariff laws.

This organization eventually evolved into what we know today as the US Coast Guard.



Did you know?

• The term Coast Guard was first used in in the year 1915.
• The US Coast Guard is one of five branches of the US Armed Forces, and falls under the jurisdiction of the US Department of Homeland Security.
• The US Coast Guard motto "Semper Paratus" is Latin for "Always Ready."

What Happens When You Throw A Big @$$ Brick In A Washing Machine On Spin Cycle?

DC Universe Online Trailer

Darth Vader's TIE Fighter (And I how stole it. Well...sorta.)

SO…


It basically started when I remembered that I wanted to pick up some Happy Meal Toys at my local McDonald’s because Marvel Comics Superheroes are featured.

Look here for details on THAT one…

(And as always, click on the images to see them at their higher resolution...)

As I go into the Food Court by my office to where the closest McD's does business, I take notice of one of Chicago’s many Street Vendors standing outside the building.

(That's known as the "establishing shot" within the film industry. More on him later.)

Well, I soon found out that the Marvel Comics Happy Meal Toys aren’t out yet.

"They will be soon." Said the lady behind the counter.

But not yet.

Bummer.

"How about some nice Last Airbender  toys?" She further offered.

As I suppressed to urge to literally laugh out loud, I left the place and headed back outside.

Well, at least I got out of the office for a bit, right? (A kinda rare thing for me, as many of you already know.)

So, now back outside, I *again* take notice of the Street Vendor and decided to see what goods he was peddling.

I quickly discovered that it was the usual fare of merchandise including tube socks, cheap cologne, Cubs & Sox paraphernalia and (of course) fake Gucci Bags.

BUT…

And I had to blink to make sure I wasn’t imagining it…

Tucked away under a faux leather travelling pack...

Dude had this:

That’s right…Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter. Complete with an action figure of the Dark Lord himself.

I picked it up, looked it over. It was still sealed MIB (Mint In Box) and aside from some dust, there were no dings or dents on the package itself. (Which surprised the hell out of me, considering this was an item from a Street Vendor.)

Dude saw me looking at it and said “It at fordy bucks mon, but for you I take turdy” in a very Jamaican accent.

(Henceforth, "Dude" will now be referred to as "Vendor Mon.")

I was tempted to pull out my iPhone right there and then and check to see the price of that item online, but I didn’t because to me, $30 sounded just ABOUT right. Him saying $40 dollars seemed insulting to me, as the whole "jack-the-cost-up-and-then-offer-it-at-the-normal-price" tactic.

Really.

But…he was playing a game, and you know me…I play back.

I pulled out a twenty dollar bill and held it folded between the index and middle fingers of my right hand.

“Dude…I just have twenty on me.”

“No mon no…that too low. I need turdy dollars.”

I smirked a bit and waved the bill.

“I only got twenty.”

“Oh come oh mon. Look ad all that bling bling! You have more than that.”

(He was was referring to my watch, my rings, and most certainly my bracelets, by the way…)

This time I chuckled.

“Alright, but you know no one cares about Darth Vader. Star Wars is old stuff. Everyone wants the Captain Kirk and Mister Spock stuff now.”

I then put the box back down where it was initially. Sure, I know I just bullshitted the dude with the Star Trek reference that I basically pulled out of my ass. I was actually gonna bring up StarCraft II as well, (which I got yesterday, by the way. Woot!) but I figured it would fall on confused ears. Besides, I wasn’t all THAT crazy about getting Vader’s TIE fighter. Granted, it was a nice find but on my list, it fell under that "nice to have" category rather than the "must buy NOW" group.

As I started to leave, he actually called out to me.

“Okay mon, you robbing me blind. Take it. Take it.Twendy then for you.”

Holy shit. 

Did my bluff and demeanor of non-interest actually work?

“Alrighty then!”

I gave dude the twenty-dollar bill and didn’t look back.

And he was right.

I did basically rob him.

And I had a new toy on my desk!

YAY!

However…I wasn’t QUITE sure how much of a steal I did get away with ‘till I got back to my office and did a quick online search.

Okay…that MAY be the ship I bought, with it obviously being a re-issue to promote the new Star Wars: The Clone Wars CGI animated show,  but that’s definitely NOT the packaging of the one I have and it is MOST certainly missing the Darth Vader action figure. 

But still, based on those prices, I felt that I still made a good deal.

However, curious to see if the ACTUAL product that is now on my desk was still available out there I decided to search again, this time using “The Original Trilogy” as within the key search word.

As you can see here, the item I purchased from Vendor Mon is quite far more expensive than what I actually paid.

I was actually floored when I saw this range of prices, especially since I, stressing again, only paid $20 for this product and it was cash and carry…no shipping and handling involved.

SO…

Did I make a good deal?

HELL YEAH!

Here’s a little info about Darth Vader’s TIE Fighter:

The TIE Advanced x1, or TIE/x1 was an advanced prototype starfighter touted as a replacement for the standard TIE Fighter and tested by Darth Vader at the Battle of Yavin and used by X1 during the Battle of Mustafar. At one point, the clone of Galen Marek stole Darth Vader's TIE Advanced x1 to escape Kamino.

While it never made it into production, many of its best design features were later incorporated into the TIE/sa bomber and TIE/In interceptor. Further development of the Advanced continued, eventually leading to the TIE Avenger and TIE Defender. 

The TIE Advanced x1 featured a solar ionization reactor and paired twin ion engines like the original TIE Fighter. However, the x1 had an original spaceframe, with an elongated rear deck and reinforced durasteel-alloy hull. The x1's most important innovation was its "bent-wing" solar array wings, which had the advantages of increased surface area for more power while also reducing the craft's profile, compared to the TIE/ln starfighter's hexagonal panel wings. 

Speed was only slightly improved due to the added mass of the vessel; a good deal of the extra power was bled off to the deflector shield generators. While less maneuverable than standard TIE fighters, it was more resilient in battle. 

The TIE Advanced x1 had twin heavy blaster cannons in a fixed, front-mounted position, as well as a cluster missile launcher. In addition to its shields, it had a modest hyperdrive but no life-support systems. The target tracking system was also more sophisticated than the already formidable advanced targeting system on standard TIE craft, used to overcome the extremely powerful electronic jamming used by all combat craft to defeat target lock in battle. For best performance, the targeting system of the x1 required frequent adjustment in combat. 

Did you know? 

TIE is actually an acronym for Twin Ion Engine.

Want to know more?

Following Darth Vader's last scene in Episode IV, he flew his damaged fighter to a planet named Vaal and crash landed there. He was then attacked by a group of canine lizards known as hynex and became their master after slaying the pack leader.

Vader and his pack of hynex made their way across the planet, encounter various other hostile creatures all along the way. He eventually came across a small Imperial Outpost and finding a shuttle there,  was able to make the journey to Coruscant. 

Lego StarCraft: Brick Rush

National Coffee Milkshake Day

July 26th is National Coffee Milkshake Day!

While I'm sure you can purchase such a beverage at your local Dunkin' Donuts, McDonald's or even Starbucks, I have a even better recipe to celebrate this day!

Kahlua Cream Frosty

• 1 cup Kahlua
• 1 pint vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup light cream
• 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cups crushed ice

1. Combine first four ingredients in electric blender.
2. Add crushed ice. Blend on high speed until frothy.
3. Pour into chilled glasses

You can add an additional scoop of ice cream if you want, along with some shaved chocolate to be really fancy!

Yields 6 cups

Tron Light Cycle Game

Tron Light Cycles Do you remember the movie and video game from the 80's called Tron? This is the part of the game where you drive a light cycle and try to kill your opponent.

Marvel's Anime Series "Iron Man" Coming to G4 in 2011

WHY is THIS the first time I am hearing about this?

Total.

Awesome.

Game Reviews - E3 2011

The Starships of Star Trek: Online

One of the reasons I like sci-fi is because of the starships.

Star Trek: Online has one of the best designs of these space faring vessels!

(Click on image to see its full resolution.)

(You can also click  * here * to download it to see it REALLY BIG!)

You can click * here * to see various orthographic and ESPECIALLY animated views of these designs!

Enjoy!

Also, you can look me up on Star Trek: Online. My name there is:

Viceroy@DarkShinobi