How Nerdy are YOU??

This is insane.....

So, today is the first day of the hydroplane races here in the Tri-Cities. In between heats, there is also an airshow that goes on. The last few years we've had a local F/A-18 flying around, thrilling the spectators and pissing off the neighbors. So, I got online to find some sweet airplane videos. I think I got what I wanted.

First up, this insane story, of an F-15 pilot who suffered a midair collision, the worst possible accident for a pilot, yet managed to make it home. Wait till you see how he did it.

Next, we have another airborne disaster, where a YF-22 makes an emergency landing without it 's landing gears. Despite what the title of the video says, this is indeed a prototype YF-22 and not a production version, as you can see from the shape of the rear elevators. (hope I got my terminology right....)

Now, for some positive stuff. A couple of promotional videos made by Lockheed Martin about the F-22. Good golly, that plane is so hot!

A cool video about the JSF F-35 "Lightning II"

What appears to be an oldie but a goodie, some SR-71 footage. Looks good!

And lastly, another F-22 montage.

I knew it!!

McDonald's is trying to kill everyone!! Or rather, just the surplus population that does not contribute. People like ME, who dislike McD's food!! Ahhhhh!! We're all doomed!!

On a lighter note, by request, the E3 trailer for Super Smash Bros. Brawl!

Ha! Beat this!

Read it and weep!

.....and I totally still had a green Special Attack too............

My new addiction...

I mean, diversion. Honest! I don't actually play two or three, um, or ten games of this before I go to bed. All reports of my having spent a solid hour experimenting with new techniques have been obviously exaggerated! And I certainly didn't ask anyone or translate the text so I could play the game better!

That said, this game rocks.

It's called Nanaca Crash! and it's a fun little Shockwave game I ran across in my Internet travels. Basically, the objective is to drive up on a bike, and hit a poor, unwitting, and (from the attacks of the ladies) probably pervy upperclassman. You click and hold the mouse button when the angle is what you want, then you release when the power is what you want. Wheee!!! The guy goes flying! Scattered in random order throughout the level is various classmates. The guys either make him slow down, or they change the angle. The girls attack the guy, boosting him faster or higher. One girl, a tall, dark haired, nihilistic looking one will avoid him, then block the next person he encounters, kinda annoying. And then another one, her picture icon has a green border, will end the round, as he grabs onto her, as though for respite. Now, you also have the option of teleporting your bike in, and bashing the guy again. When he is angling down, and you have a red arrow attack left, you'll boost the guy back up. You only have three of these, so be careful. When he is angling up, and the blue boost is charged, you can hit him down, possibly into a person who will boost him further. The blue attack recharges while he is in a 'zone' and can be used theoretically indefinitely, so long as you play your cards right.
Last but not least, the Specials. A box in the upper right hand corner stays dark most of the time, but certain events activate specials. They have a girl icon on them. When the guy hits a girl with the icon lit, click the mouse at that moment, and she will perform a special, which is a super boost, and funny to watch. Keep trying to see how far you can toss the upperclassman!

And I'm not addicted. *twitch* Honest.

Another video day!

First off, Tim's 360 is still unloved. :(

The first video is pretty funny. It depicts the Japanese police force versus Darth Vader, the dark lord of the Sith. Yeah, guess who wins.... Second, we have a cool Trigun AMV. Not much to say about that, other than it's cool, and it has a kickin' song from Halo 2. Third, a lightsaber fight off YouTube. It starts off with a really sappy Revolutionary War era love letter, then gets to the good part. The choreography was fantastic! Last off YouTube, possibly the best one of the day. You know how James Earl Jones was in movies other than Star Wars? And he had lines other than Vader? Yeah, look what happens when you cross those. Finally, one from Google Video. I will say, first and foremost, I love Japanese people, culture, music, food, language, and shows, but I will also say that whenever you hear of someone who is so good at something that it's quite disturbing, that person is almost always Japanese. Case in point:

And last but not least, some YTMND stuffs. Enjoy!
Thwomps thwomping.
Daft Punk Osaka.
Friggin' hilarious Shinji.
New Character in Halo 3.

Poor XBox 360....

This has had me in stitches ever since I found it. I was doing a Google browse, just googling things for the heck of it. I googled my name, to see what I could find. Yeah, I've been showed up by some punk kid on a snowboard. I googled Sarah's name, and found some weird things. I googled Tim's name, and found a MK petition, and a clip from a note he sent to some dude, etc.... Anyhow, long story short, I found a blog written by, of all things, Tim's XBox 360. Yeah, apparently my theories about little spirits in devices was not so far fetched after all. I don't know if this is at all accurate, or only applying to XBox Live games, or whatnot, but I thought it was pretty hillarious.

Putting things in perspective...

Yeah, the emptiness of space, it's really friggin empty, with loooooooots of space in between, stuff. Case in point: a proportional model of the solar system, with all the planets at the correct distance and size to each other. I dare you to see how long it takes to get to Pluto by just holding the scrollbar arrow, and then calculating how fast you were going.

Rockman ZX

Okay, abyone reading this blog, (all two of you...) should know that I am a HUGE fan of the Megaman X series. X1-X6 were all fantastic, one story led to the next game, that was nice. X7 and X8 seem to take place in some alternate timeline where Zero never went to sleep in a capsule, and X befriended some loser named Axl. (Personally, I think 7 and 8 should have chronicled the Elf Wars mentioned in MMZ...) Anyhow, Megaman Zero is a series for the GBA that takes place 100 years after the X series. Sigma is yesterday's news, X and his Maverick Hunters have created a utpoia for humans, but have done it by radically eradicating Reploids, even ones that aren't Maverick. X has built his generals, four Reploids built off his design, and he and they become the new antagonists. (BTW, I have no idea what it is about Zero, but he is just cool, no matter what he's doing...) Anyhow, there is a story that takes place some time after MMZ, called Rockman ZX (in US I'm sure it'll be Megaman ZX). This game is gonna rock so hard! Basically, it features two young protagonists, a boy and a girl, possibly siblings, and they recieve these Live Metal items, that when activated, transform them into a representation of the Reploid it was made from. You start with a Megaman and a Zero Live Metal, and as you beat bosses, you get their Live metals, until you have ones for all of X's old generals as well. Look at this video first. Oh, and YOU, you know who you are, if you don;t follow the links, you won't know what I am talking about! This second video has a more gameplay-oriented build, so check it out so see the game in action. Anyhow, I don't know when this game is coming out, but it's for the DS, and it will be the coolest thing since the Ice Age.

Hotness in a truck!!

Yeah, saw the test shot images of the Classics Optimus Prime. (was Neo-G1 Prime) Good golly, that thing is pure love. When they have it in a decent pose, it really makes it way cooler. There are a few minor changes from Don's lineart, but that's to be expected. I really really like that he comes with a choice of weapons, instead of just one gun that detracts from the robot mode when he holds it, like Galaxy Convoy. Or one that detracts from the alt mode, like energon Prime. Or a gun that is an undersized pea shooter, like RiD Prime. Or one that doesn't attach at all, like G1 Prime. Yup, Classics Prime is definitely the best! Hastaktomy has done it again!! Now, to find one on the shelves......

MGS4

At E3 this last, Kojima Productions showed the trailer for their upcoming pride and joy, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. Anyhow, I ran across this video that has footage I haven't seen before. Pretty cool to look at, I'd turn off the sound, since it's just stupid music.

Man, I'm sick of not updating....

SO I'm just gonna revert back to the original idea of posting random nothingness. Since I started my job as a Hard Currency Exchange Technician at Sun Pacific Energy, I've, um.........................had aching feet. I dunno, I think I was supposed to say something profound, but I'm sleeeepy. Anyhow, got some great Flash animations. Check out this great Bohemian Rhapsody MM7 animation. I don't know what it is about that song, but it makes just about anything funnier. And then there's this animation I came across. Dementedness in a can, for sure. And last but not least, Megaman Neo, teh koolest Megaman Flash evar!!!!!!1!!!

PS. I amend, this MMX vid made me almost die.



And,


Yay! I posted again!!

Neo-G1 Prime

Saw this at the Transformers World forums, good golly that thing is sexy. In, um, a masculine robot kind of way. And it's designed by Don Figueroa, the fan favorite TF designer. Good to see that they have him on the design team at Hasbro, instead of just making Don-inspired designs, like GF Starscream and Primus.

I miss my Mac....

Ever since we got the Gateway compy downstairs, I've had less and less reason to go upstairs and use my Mom's eMac. Not because I prefer this computer, but it's just more convenient to use it here instead of bugging Mom or waking her up. And she'd just ask my why I don't use the one downstairs. I guess I'd have to say that her computer works better. If anyone asks me what kind of computer I recommend for them, I always first ask them what they are going to do on it, then I refer them to an Apple computer. From personal experience, I have found that Macs do everything PCs do, either just as good or better. Usually better. And, if, by some rare chance, there is some program you vitally need that cannot be run or analoged on a Mac, you can install and run Windows on any Intel Core Mac, and not only is it perfectly glitch free, it runs faster too! Check out this list of reasons.

Genesis of Aquarion

I've recently taken an intrest in the Genesis of Aquarion series, just by looking at the robots, really, which it how I get interested in a lot of anime series. This anime, not only the mecha but the story as well, was done by one of my favorite Japanese dudes, Shoji Kawamori. He is famous for his work in writing the Macross Series, including Macross Plus, Macross Zero, and Macross 7. He also wrote Escaflowne and as I said, Aquarion. He also did all of the mecha designs for those series, and others, such as Future GPX, Eureka Seven, the Armored Core series, Omega Boost, and served as an assistant mechanical designer for Patlabor: The Movie. He also did some other notable projects, such as the Transformers THS 02 G1 Convoy and the Masterpiece Starscream.

Anyhow, back to Aquarion, it's a science fiction series set in the future of Earth. Some great disaster happened that killed off most of the human race. It's okay, because they aren't needed for this show anyhow. Earth is being threatened by beings called Shadow Angels, and our only defense is the giant robot Aquarion, made up of three fighters called Vectors. They are pretty sweet robots. I got on TFW 2005 and had some guys help me find some pictures of the Chogokin figure that Bandai came out with a few months back. Found some Here and Here. Apparently, in the show, there is also a second version of the Aquarion, which Bandai also made figures of. At first I thought it was just a repaint, then I looked into it and found that they were actually extensive remolds. Most of the workings of the figure is the same as the regular version, but much of the outer panels, including the heads and weaponry, is new. Pretty kickin', I say. There's also a couple galleries for this version too, Here, and Here. Anyhow, this stuff looks pretty worthwhile to look into. Apparently this series is one of the definitive super robot series, right up there with Evangelion and RahXephon.

Ugh....

Goodbye Revolution, hello Wii. Yes, Wii, pronouced "we", though a better pronunciation would be "WHYYYYYYYY?????". Oh screw it, I'm still gonna call it the Revolution....

Another toy robot

I consider this to be a toy robot as opposed to the QRIO being a 'not toy' partly because it's meant to be a build it yourself robot by Volks, which is a toy company. Anyhow, I ran across this on the internet somehow, and after I watched the six videos at the bottom, I figured I had to share it. This robot isn't nearly as cool as QRIO, for one thing, the only way it can stand up is by attaching itself to the metal base with electromagnets, but it's got such a cool attitude! Also of note is the fact that you can buy optional 'shells' for it. One of them is a set of armor to turn the Robofie into a Scopedog! That's cool!

The story of the Hazel

In the year 0079, during the One Year War, the Earth Federation Space Force (EFSF) deployed a mobile suit based on the form and function of the RX-78-2 Gundam, though modified to make it more economically feasable. This was the Gundam Mass-produced, the GM. The GM used technology that was inferior to the Gundam's, it's armor was regular titanium, instead of the lunar-titanium alloy used in the RX-78, and it's beam spray gun, though not as powerful as the Gundam's beam rifle, was still effective. It mounted only one beam saber instead of two, had a Core Block instead of a Core Fighter, and so on... However, where it lacked quality, it made up for in quantity. Despite it's flaws, the GM was still superior to the Zeon's Zaku-II, and the Federation won the war.



After the One Year War ended at the beginning of UC0080, the EFSF began rebuilding its military forces, and one part of that was the upgrade of it's mass-produced GM mobile suits on a widespread scale. The improved model was the RGM-79C GM Kai, and although it was similar to the original GM, it did feature an improved generator and manuverability. (not to mention a cool exterior designed by Hajime Katoki!!)



During the military reconstruction, the EFSF also decided to produce a high performance version of the GM. The new RGM-79N GM Custom, partly based off the GM Kai and the RX-78NT-1 "Alex" featured a high number of verniers that allowed for very good manuverability.



After Zeon's Operation Stardust in UC0083, the EFSF announced the formation of the Titans, an elite counter-insurgency force whose sole purpose was to hunt down renegade citizens who either supported the Zeon or spoke out against the EFSF. The Titans Test Team was a R&D subdivision, focused on the development of new MS technologies. The first MS they produced was the RGM-97Q, the GM Quell. Almost identical to the GM Custom, the biggest differences were the Titans distinctive blue and black colors and the fact that it was built for colony use, since most mobile suits were made for Earth or space use.




The RX-121 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel] is a functional test machine assigned to the Murphy Team. Although it's a testbed, the Hazel is intended for actual combat. The Hazel is equipped with a Gundam-type head to test it's psychological effectiveness against Zeon Forces. It is also equipped with prototype versions of munitions expected to be used in future MS designs. The Hazel's most distinctive equipment used is the shield booster, which contains propellent tanks and a single thruster with an output of 22,000 kg. Unlike the sturm boosters on previous mobile suits, the shield booster is retained after the fuel is expended and used for defensive purposes. The Hazel also has grips that hold the arms in proper position for it's high mobility mode, where it mounts three shield boosters, one on each arm, and one on it's movable booster pod. The Hazel is basically a GM Quell with test equipment bolted onto it. In fact, there is a Hazel Reserve Unit which is identical to the GM Quell aside from it's Gundam-type head like the Hazel's. This is also a functional machine, and moves out of the shadow of the Hazel when the Hazel becomes badly damaged in a battle with the Zeon and is no longer fully compatible with the Quell.



While being repaired, many upgrade and test parts on the Hazel are fully integrated into it's systems, making it a more unified and powerful MS. Upon completion of it's repair and refit, the MS is rechristened the RX-121-1 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel Custom]. It's operating system and equipment are also upgraded, so the machine's operation is also enhanced. It's shield boosters were lost in it's fateful battle, and so it is equipped with a standard shield like that used on a GM. The loss of the shield boosters regrettably reduce it's mobility, but it's overall performance increase helps make up for this. The Hazel Custom is off-white because there wasn't enough time to repaint it, so the armor is still in the color it was forged in. Additions to the Hazel Custom are a multi-weapon lock on the waist, and another multipurpose latch above the cockpit. A main hardware used in the multi-weapon lock is a subarm unit, a set of optional arms used to hold and wield additional weaponry. These latches are also used in the deployment and attachment of the FF-X29A G-Parts [HRDUDU] support unit. The HRDUDU is a separate unit, independant of other units. However, before the launch of the Hazel, the HRDUDU can be attached to the Hazel to increase it's mobility and attack power. Two of these units can be combined together either on the Hazel or to each other to make a more powerful unit. This is due to the extreme modularity of it's construction. When two HRDUDU units are connected, they show attributes similar to that of a Mobile Armor.
One other configuration of the Hazel is it's combination with the Icarus unit. The Hazel is unable to transform into a flight mode like the Assimar or the Gaplant. So, in solution to this, the Titans Test Team members made the Hazel fly through brute force rather than aerodynamics. The Icarus unit is equipped with multiple generators and high output thrusters to achive lift.



Remember the Hazel Reserve Unit? After the Hazel was rebuilt into the Hazel Custom, it was no longer necessary to keep the Reserve Unit around for parts. As a result, it was lightly upgraded with a backpack unit similar to the Hazel and rechristened the RX-121-2 Gundam TR-1 [Hazel II]. While it keeps the head, shoulders and backpack modules of the Hazel, where the the Hazel has a movable booster pod, the Hazel II has a Tri-Booster unit consisting of one sturm booster and two universal boosters. The two universal boosters are mounted on articulated frames, allowing them to be pointed in many directions, further enhancing it's mobility. Also, due to the mobility and mass of the three boosters, they can be used for AMBAC (Active Mass Balance AutoControl) Manuvering. Remanants of this technology is seen in the tail stabilizers of future units.



Later the Hazel II is refitted with leg enhancements and a multi-weapon latch to meet the specifications of the Hazel Custom. The new unit is named the RX-121-2 TR-1 [Advanced Hazel]. Main differences from the Hazel Custom include a high performance optical sensor like that used on the RGM-79SR GM Sniper III, and additional booster units attached to the soles of the feet. The other main difference is that instead of a movable booster pod, it has a multi-shield pod that can equip two booster shields. Also included is an upgraded booster shield that has ten diffuse beam guns mounted on it's surface, which increases the Advanced Hazel's defensive capabilities, but cuts into the size of the propellent tank on the new booster shield.

The Advanced Hazel incorporates all the test results of the previous units, and is considered the current 'completed form' of the Hazel.

HGUC Advanced Hazel

I recently posted some pictures of the HGUC Advanced Hazel on Figure.fm. You can find my user profile here. The Hazel is a pretty nice kit, I wouldn't mind building the Hazel Custom, and perhaps picking up a couple HRUDUDU units, except that they are kinda pricey.

Rube Goldberg...

According to Wikipedia, Rube Goldberg was a cartoonist, perhaps most famous for his "Rube Goldberg machines" — devices that are exceedingly complex and perform very simple tasks in a very indirect and convoluted way. This video depicts one of the best Rube Goldbergs I have seen.