Blogs
Our community blogs
-
- 435
entries - 2371
comments - 93993
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
I Hereby Revive This Comatose Blog
to declare my absolute loathing for the sound of lawnmowers
- 435
-
- 333
entries - 1154
comments - 93686
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
LUUUUUUUUUUV <3
HAY GUISE ITS BCII NO IM NOT DEAD BUT I CAME BY TO SAY HI AND A BIG I LOVE YOU TO EVERYBODY I USED TO CHILL WITH IN HERE BACK WHEN BIONICLE WAS BIG AND COMPLEX AND SOMETIMES MADE NO SENSE BUT WAS AWESOME LIKE NOTHING ELSE EVER WAS OR WILL BE AND INSPIRED US TO MAKE MOCS AND STORIES AND ALL KINDS OF WONDERFUL STUFF OUT OF THE AMAZING FABRIC OF OUR FERTILE IMAGINATIONS THAT WE NURTURED WITH OUR UNHESITATING LOVE AND PASSION AND ENTHUSIASM FOR COOL STUFF AND WE SHARED IT ALL HERE AND FELT LIKE A FAMILY ONLY ONLINE WHICH WAS NEW AND EXCITING FOR MOST OF US IN ITSELF AT THE TIME BUT NOW ITS ALMOST 2015 AND SOCIAL MEDIA HAS BECOME THE NEXUS OF VIRTUAL INTERACTION SO YOU CAN FIND ME IN A HEARTBEAT IF YOU WANT TO AND DROP ME A LINE IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO SHARE ENERGIES WITH YOU IF THATS WHAT YOU WANT BECAUSE I AM JUST THAT KIND OF GUY BUT YOU BETTER BE SINCERE AND HUMAN OR ILL CALL YOU OUT ON YOUR UNSAVORY BEHAVIOR JUST AS A FAVOR TO THE HUMAN RACE WHICH WE ARE ALL A PART OF EVEN IF SOME OF US ACT REALLY DUMB AND MEAN ITS NOT THAT THEYRE OUTSIDE THE CLUB ITS JUST THAT THEY DONT KNOW WHAT THEYRE DOING CAUSE THEYVE LOST THEIR WAY AND WHAT THEY REALLY NEED IS MAYBE A GOOD SPANKING TO START WITH AND LOTS OF UNDERSTANDING AND LOVE BUT YOU CANT CHANGE OTHER PEOPLE YOU CAN ONLY CHANGE YOURSELF. FORTUNATELY THATS ALL YOU NEED TO DO IF YOU WANT TO SEE CHANGE IN THE WORLD AS MR GANDHI SO ELOQUENTLY PUT IT AND HE IS DEFINITELY ONE ROLE MODEL WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM AS ARE SO MANY OTHERS THROUGHOUT TIME WHOSE WORDS AND ACTIONS SPEAK AS POWERFULLY TODAY AS THEY EVER DID ONLY NOW THE WORLD NEEDS THAT WISDOM AND PEOPLE WILLING TO ACT ON IT LIKE NEVER BEFORE CAUSE THINGS ARE LOOKING PRETTY MESSED UP ALMOST ANYWHERE YOU LOOK ALTHOUGH NOT TO WORRY WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS AS LONG AS WE STAY TRUE TO OURSELVES FOR INSTANCE THE WAY IVE NEVER STOPPED ENJOYING LEGO TOYS IN SOME FORM SINCE I FIRST PLAYED WITH THEM AS A LITTLE KID AND EVEN THOUGH IM THIRTY AND SLIGHTLY BALDING I WILL PROUDLY DECLARE MYSELF AN ADULT FAN OF LEGO TO ANY PERSON I MEET BECAUSE THERE IS NO SHAME WHATSOEVER IN BEING WHO YOU ARE THE WAY UNIVERSE MADE YOU WITH ALL YOUR DRIVES AND QUIRKS FURTHERMORE I INTEND TO RESUME BUILDING WITH LEGO TOYS AS SOON AS THE APPOINTED TIME ARRIVES ITS JUST THAT NOW ITS NOT PRACTICAL IN MY LIFE SITUATION WITH RELATIVE POVERTY TIME CONSTRAINTS AND A WIFE WHOS TWENTY YEARS MY SENIOR AND SUFFERS FROM ADVANCED MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS AND I WANT TO SEE HER WALK AGAIN SO WERE GOING TO START USING DR TERRY WAHLS PROTOCOL FOR REVERSING AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES AS SOON AS HER BOOK ARRIVES IN JANUARY AND IM NOT MENTIONING THAT TO TRY TO LOOK GOOD LIKE OOH LOOK AT ME IM A SELFLESS RESCUING ANGEL FAR BETTER THAN YOU PETTY MORTALS AND YOUR UNEVOLVED WAYS SERIOUSLY MY WIFE IS THE SEXIEST WOMAN IN THE WORLD TO ME AND I LOVE HER WITH ALL MY HEART AND IM NOT AFRAID TO LET THE WORLD KNOW WHAT KIND OF CONNECTION WE SHARE IT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING IN THE WORLD AND CAN HAPPEN BETWEEN ANY TWO SOULS WHOSE DESTINIES JOIN UP LIKE OURS DID AT A SNOWY BUS STOP IN FEBRUARY OF THE YEAR THE WORLD WAS SUPPOSED TO END. YES I BELIEVE IN THE APOCALYPSE BUT TO ME ITS JUST ANOTHER ADVENTURE FULL OF PROMISE AND HEARTACHE AND JOY AND TRIALS AND AWE IN OTHER WORDS JUST LIFE BUT IN A REALLY EPIC WINDOW OF TIME WHERE CRAZY THINGS HAPPEN AND LOTS OF LIGHTS GO ON AND YOU CAN REALLY WIN BIG IF YOUR HEART IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE AND YOU HAVE THE FAITH AND GUTS TO FOLLOW IT SO JUST GO FOR IT DONT WAIT FOR PERMISSION FROM YOURSELF OR ANYONE ELSE BECAUSE YOUR INNERMOST DREAMS AND DESIRES ARE MADE TO BE FULFILLED ONLY ITS YOU WHO HAS TO MAKE THE CHOICE TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN SO IF YOU WANT IT GO GET IT AND BE SURE ITS WHAT YOU REALLY WANT. THE ONE THING WE ALL WANT AND NEED IS LOVE AND ACCEPTANCE BUT YOU CAN ONLY GET THOSE STRAIGHT FROM THE SOURCE WHICH IS INSIDE YOU SO DONT BE FOOLED INTO CHASING THEM EXTERNALLY AND GOD HELP YOU IF YOU DONT CATCH ON TO THIS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER BECAUSE LIFE IS SURPRISINGLY SHORT. MYSELF I AM BEGINNING TO LEARN AND APPLY THE WISDOM THAT WILL GET US FROM HERE TO WHERE WE REALLY WANT TO GO AND IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT I HAVE A GIFT FOR SHARING IT THROUGH THE WRITTEN WORD WHICH IS WHY IM DOING THIS NOW AS A GIFT FOR YOU TO PASS ON WHAT IVE BEEN GIVEN THAT BELONGS TO ALL OF US. MAY LOVE TRUTH BEAUTY AND POWER INCREASE IN YOUR LIFE AND I WILL SEE YOU ALL ON THE OTHER SIDE AT THE ULTIMATE BOOGIE TIME CELEBRATION WHEN WERE DONE WITH THIS DUALISTIC SHADOW PLAY DRAMAFEST. DONT FORGET TO TAKE IT EASY AND LAUGH ON THIS SIDE TOO AS ITS ALL THE MORE IMPORTANT HERE. IM NOT SURE WHOS THE COOLEST 2015 TOA IS IT TAHU OR GALI OR ONUA PERSONALLY I FAVOR THESE THREE BUT THATS JUST MY TASTE I REALLY LIKE THEM ALL AND WILL PROBABLY BUY THEM AT LEAST FOR PARTS CAUSE IM A MAD MOCIST 4 LIFE AS YOU BZP VETERANS SHOULD KNOW VERY WELL FROM MY YOUTHFUL DAYS CHILLIN IN THE BBC ON OCCASION THOUGH I EVENTUALLY MIGRATED TO FLICKR WHICH HAS SINCE BEEN UTTERLY RUINED BY THE REMOVAL OF THE NOTES FEATURE BUT IS STILL THE BEST PLATFORM AROUND FOR SHOWING OFF COOL MOCS UNLESS YOU LIKE ADS AND TORTUROUSLY SLOW SERVERS THAT DON’T EVEN ALWAYS WORK. IN CASE YOU ARE WONDERING NO I AM NOT UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ANY PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCES I AM SIMPLY DOING SOMETHING NEW BECAUSE I FELT LIKE IT AND YES IT HAPPENS TO BE 7:41 AM HERE AND I HAVE NOT SLEPT A WINK SO THAT MAY HAVE SOME BEARING ON MY STATE OF MIND. ALL RIGHT GUYS AND GALS HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS BE EXTRA GOOD AND REMEMBER TO ALWAYS SAY THANK YOU WHEN LIFE LETS YOU HAVE A NICE THING. IF YOU CAN MANAGE TO SAY THANKS FOR EVEN THE SEEMINGLY CRUMMY STUFF, THEN YOURE DOING MORE TO HELP THE WORLD AND YOURSELF THAN YOULL EVER KNOW. THANKS FOR BEING YOU AND THANKS FOR BEING HERE. BYE-BYE.
MUCH LOVE,
BCII
- 333
-
- 344
entries - 1133
comments - 93631
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
happen.jpg
apparently Lego didn't get my phone number, and it took me forever to notice they were trying to contact me, but here we are. now I was thinking, perhaps I should just not open this box just so that whenever someone goes "so what 2015 sets do you have", I can be like "all of them. theoretically." then I'll shake a sheet of paper with Schrödinger's face printed on it right in front of them for several minutes
- Read more...
- 0 comments
- 344
-
- 529
entries - 987
comments - 92326
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Missed Anniversary Again
By almost a full month this time, I'm really bad at this lol. Makes me feel so old, though, seeing a spinny Tohu.
- Read more...
- 0 comments
- 529
-
- 182
entries - 422
comments - 90368
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
The Original BIONICLE Fandom are all adults
Apologies if this is slightly confusing or incoherant.
So, I've been listening to this song over and over for months after finding it on Spotify:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWB3-6MZ_UE
I find it fascinating, and really like it, in a very precise, specific, probably almost nitpicky way.
It's clear the narrator in the song (whether he's supposed to be Ethan Wood himself, doesn't matter) spent his childhood with bionicle. Seeing as he's showing specifically Tahu Mata, and the fact that he still has the original set with the original canister, it likely mattered to him through his childhood, teenage years, and now adulthood.
Now, he's an adult dealing with adult problems...he clearly is approaching the end of a relationship, which is a difficult and confusing thing for anyone to go through.
So, how does he try to make sense of his emotions in that moment? He relates it to Bionicle, something that's been a part of him since he was small. He expresses vulnerability in the confusion of this moment by essentially showing something pure from his childhood. In doing that, he expresses at the core who he is, as expressed in the line "what you see is what you get".
That may be reading in too much...but really, this resonated with me in a big way. The narrator in the song clearly had hopes for everything in his life to go well when he grew up, and when something didn't, he calls back to his childhood in an effort to make sense of it. This isn't a new idea, but to my knowledge, this is the only song to do something like that with specifically bionicle...Bionicle was one of the biggest parts of my development as a child, so this resonated with me in a big way in particular.
So, bringing attention to that song is one thing...but, there's a second thing that it made me realize. All the original fans of bionicle, who were old enough to be there for 2001 and experienced the story as it unfolded until 2011, are adults now. There's an entire population of people who were influenced by Bionicle as much as the singer in that song, all of whom are entering their respective industries right now, if they haven't already.
For star trek, so many of the people who saw it in theaters were so inspired by it that they took jobs in specific scientific fields, changing what technology is available today. Some went into film, creating some of the most well-known movies and shows. Some got jobs in the government out of optimism to try to create the future. Many of those people lived their lives in a way that were shaped by what they took away from star trek. Many of them brought unique insights to their careers that were inspired by star trek. Many of them changed the course of the world in some way, influenced uniquely by star trek. This isn't at all unique to star trek, it just so happens that Star Trek's influence is well documented.
Well, Bionicle's influence begins now. Obviously, the song I showed is not well known at all, but it is deeply unique and could only have been made by someone who grew up with bionicle. I think that some of the media, technology, and policy that emerge soon may begin to be influenced by the bionicle fans who contributed to them, even if it's in small ways. I think, statistically, that at least a handful will make a massive impact in the world, influenced by their experiences with the bionicle story and sets. I have no idea what the specifics of that will look like, but I believe that that will begin around now...and that's really cool to me.
Again, maybe I'm reading too much into it. but it's definitely something I've been thinking about for a few months.
- 182
-
- 145
entries - 288
comments - 89229
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Cheap rip offs and Jabba the Cutt.
I'd like to think I make sufficient an impact on the forums that people would notice that I'd gone on holiday for a week, but that's probably wishful thinking.
Anyway, I've been in Cornwall for the week. Most of it was beaches, playing pool, and having to drive far too much. The one day I'll cover in slight detail is Friday, or at least I think it was Friday. Me and my friends went to Truro. While walking about the shopping area, my eyes were drawn to Hawkin's Bazaar, mainly as I thought the chain had gone bust. It's certainly closed down where I live. Anyway, inside the store, I saw a Lego-like display. What it actually was, was this. Sorry for the not particularly brilliant pictures, my friends wanted to leave the shop so I was in a hurry, and I was only using my phone as well. The sets themselves resemble the Lego system, but thats not unheard of. What was fascinating is taking a closer look at those cans on the top shelf. Here you can see a very close resemblance to the Visorak canisters. VERY close. They're £5 each, so they're cheaper than Lego. The set only bares a very vague similarity to Bionicle though. There's a couple more pics here.
The other highlight of Truro was seeing this place.
- 145
-
- 544
entries - 2274
comments - 88646
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
You might want to know this...
Well, I'd just like to say;
I like your shoelaces.
- 544
-
- 251
entries - 883
comments - 88570
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Elder Scrolls Online
Sooooo all I've been playing since it's console release is Elder Scrolls Online for the Xbox One. I have characters in the Aldmeri Dominion and the Ebonheart Pact. I prefer the latter, but if anyone wants to play I'm pretty much on every night after 8! Also wouldn't complain if anyone wanted to help me become a werewolf ;p
Come explore Tamriel with me! Oh, and also remember that disco is in this year!
-Jordboy1
- Read more...
- 0 comments
- 251
-
- 225
entries - 1903
comments - 87853
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Agent Carter
I have mixed feelings about that finale... I'm sad that it's ended and season 2 is nowhere in sight, but also excited for Agents of Shield to finally start again.
For me it was probably one of the better shows I've seen, and I think like Breaking Bad since they had a clear time frame going in they were better able to craft a decent (great), no-loose-ends type of story. I'm just gonna sit here hoping and praying that they renew it coz we need more shows like it on TV.
- 225
-
- 471
entries - 2430
comments - 87449
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Vista Is Noisy
Thankfully I've gotten rid of most of the annoying things (like asking for permission for EVERYTHING. "Did you copy this file?" "Did you start this installation?" YES I DID DARNIT) but there's this one thing the source of which I simply haven't a clue... these noises.
For one thing, Vista is significantly noisier than XP. Either that or the noises are just more obtrusive, instead of the very functional, to-the-point digital beeps and clicks of normal XP usage... Vista seems to have replaced those with various chimes and tones.
But when I delete to the beginning of a form, click on something, perform a function, and it makes a sound, I at least get what's causing that. But every now and then there will be these odd low-pitched chime noises... which I can't even find the source of-- there, it happened again, it was like a doo-dee-doo-doo, and I haven't a clue what's even causing it! Augh, there it goes again! There are two variations, one rising pitch, one falling pitch, they always come in pairs... and I dunno what's doing it.
Like, seriously, whose idea was it to make Vista make all these noises anyway? I play a lot of videos and music. I don't want Windows noises going off constantly. I mean, you've seriously got a problem when you've got so many noises that you can't even find the source of all of them.
- 471
-
- 16
entries - 34
comments - 87211
views
Recent Entries
- 16
-
- 308
entries - 1665
comments - 86317
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
*SpongeBob narrator voice*
"Two and a half months later."
BZP IS BACK.
- Read more...
- 0 comments
- 308
-
I am not, and never will be ashamed of the cake puns in this blog entry title.
Anyways, it's been fun to look at milestones from the past 5-6 years of my baked goods journey. Please enjoy (vicariously) snapshots of gloopy sadness and glutenous glow-ups.My ego insists that I tell you about my natural dis-inclination toward exact measurements and the science-y part of baking (which is why I historically have had more success with cooking). But sharing sweet food with friends and family over the years has been a good motivator to improve, and there's nothing like a sporadic BZP blog post to share the progress
2018, for a sibling's birthday. This was back when I didn't know (or care) about pan sizes or icing consistency. My mindset was "It's sugar, flour, and more sugar. How bad can it be?" To be fair, it (probably) tasted good. I'm pretty sure we ate all of it, eventually. 😅
2019, for the same sibling's birthday. I had the vision, obviously not the execution. To be fair, it was a very hot summer that year, and I think this was my first attempt at homemade icing? But, yeah. ooof.
To be fair! It was eaten and did not go to waste!
2020, this sibling is very spoiled, and finally had a cake from big sister that stood up on its own!! Progress never tasted so good! (probably, I don't actually remember at this point what flavor this was)
2021, Valentine's brownie/cake. This is when I decided to care about form factor and presentation more. Boxed brownie mix and store-bought icing all around - two modern marvels that I will never cease to love.
2022! This is the year I stepped it up because suddenly there were in-laws to impress! Lemon raspberry cake, got my whole baking pan situation sorted and took homemade icing seriously. I've found the YouTube channels Binging with Babish and Preppy Kitchen to be the most helpful (educational, practical, and instructional), and you can probably tell!
But also, I found that I had more free time on the weekends with a job change. Moving from a physical warehouse job to a sedentary office job during this year was interesting - when I had a physical job, my hobbies outside of work were much more internal and sedentary. I got a lot of reading and writing done in these time period. When I changed to an office/teaching job, my hobbies almost immediately changed back to tactile and physical (knitting, cooking, baking, hiking). Funny how balance just kind of happens sometimes.
Pies, scones, muffins, cupcakes, and a few other desserts were also explored in this year. In a slightly broader scope, we also tried some fun international dishes at home, like pupusas, baozi, and spring rolls!
2023 cakes, and many other baking ventures happened this past year. Here are some of the highlights. It also helps that I changed jobs and had an office to share these baked goods with (as opposed to the old warehouse gig).
Apple Butter Maple cakes, from Preppy Kitchen. I actually broke a crock pot trying to make apple butter from scratch for the filling 😱
The small cake on the right is gluten and dairy free, and underneath the passable icing, was a DISASTER. Still learning the intricacies of the GF/DF world for the sister-in-law. Thankfully there are many box mix options now!!
Pink brownie cakes for niece's birthday. Had some fun with icing piping bags and nozzles, but have yet to actually get into decorating (may not actually happen. There's still that primal battle between "make it look nice" vs "it's all going to the same place", so there's a limit to my dithering.
Christmas Babkas! Technically not cakes, but after many attempts at sourdough that were meh at best, babka sounded like sufficient, sweet, and swirly compromise for a dough-based challenge.
2024 has yet to see large-scale baking productions - just some congratulatory oreo cupcakes to welcome a new nephew, and a batch of Hong Kong egg tarts that were a funky texture 😝.
Anyways, that's a slice of my life recently (wink!) and I'm always excited to hear suggestions, tips, or other tales!
-
- 108
entries - 451
comments - 85372
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
EVO 2016
So I haven't been on here much lately, haven't I? Sorry bout that, but I've been getting into the Pokken Tournament competitive community and been trying to improve my play hard these last few months. Also been watching people stream, talking on Discord, etc.
Since it was basically 5 hours away from me, I decided to visit the Evolution Championship Series 2016 to compete in Pokken Tournament and meet the people of the community! I've been practicing hard to get in shape for this event, but we'll just have to see what shall happen. I just wanted to give an update and let you all know that was what I've been planning for lately, heh.
Not sure who will even care at this point, but that's what I've been up to yeah. Hope to make people proud with me and my Lucario!
- Read more...
- 0 comments
- 108
-
- 56
entries - 528
comments - 84353
views
Recent Entries
- 56
-
Latest Entry
hmm
it's been a few years huh. i miss how things used to be the last time i posted but then again i don't miss all of it. lotsa stuff happens but i gotta remember me is me
one thing i miss is how the old blog system looked lol, that modular layout was
also holy cow i forgot ALL ABOUT THESE FORUM EMOTES I JUST THOUGHT THEY WERE GONNA BE EMOJIS BUT I GOT A BLAST FROM THE FRICKIN PAST
idk yall ive just been nostalgic recently and wanted to drop by and say hello to whoever is reading
i hope life is treating you fair, and if not then i know you can take this bull by the horns and make the best of it. i've just been down recently considering im now living 2500 miles away from where i was when i made the last blog post. but im in good company and making the best of it all, just homesick and nostalgic.
in happier, and older, news, i got engaged in 2017! sorry for telling you all so late lmao
we got a puppy recently, we're living in a nice house, and we have a videos game in production!!
sorry im just
LOVING
these emotes
what's going on with everyone here??
-
- 310
entries - 928
comments - 83754
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Oh
This still exists, doesn't it.
I certainly still do as well.
Probably not here any more than the last few years but still around.Yeah.
- 310
-
- 193
entries - 839
comments - 83622
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
BIONICLE Collectibles Progress
So I've been keeping track of my BIONICLE collectible progress via a post on a particular blogging site and, while it's been very effective so far, I'd like to also keep track of it here. I've been using older checklists for my Kanohi and Kanoka while utilizing my nice, newer checklists for Krana and Kraata.
Last Update: August 8, 2014
- 193
-
- 167
entries - 577
comments - 82929
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
An overdue apology
So, the big thing I want to do is apologize, I guess.
I haven't been around much these past two years. That's a function of a lot of things: life, stress, good old-fashioned shifts in interest. Maybe I could've "done better" in being more active on general, but when the fire's not there, the fire's not there.
So in some sense I owe apologies to people who relied on me for general BZP stuff, apologies to folks who I got to know years ago and then fell away from for no apparent reason, and if I can be egotistical for a moment, apologies to people who really enjoyed my writing and wanted more.
But that's not the main thing I'm here to say I'm sorry for.
I'm here to apologize to the fans - however many or however few - who wanted to tell stories for G2 or keep telling stories for G1, and found BZP wasn't as nurturing an environment as it should be. I'm not just talking about the Library, though that's of course the subforum nearest and dearest to my heart. I'm talking about the comics artists or writers who couldn't tell if people were reading their stories, the fanartists who got quiet responses more often than not, the RPer who couldn't find the interest in their idea they needed to see.
I know the staff aren't miracle workers. I'm not going to act like I could have magically solved any activity issues in the creative subforums with a wave of my hand, or that somehow I forgot to tick a switch labeled "bring in new influx of creative-focused members."
And I absolutely don't want to downplay the creative people active here today. On the contrary, they have all my respect and more. Even if I don't read them, I still feel heartened when I get a notification that a new story has popped up in the library.
But BZP was once a better place for Bionicle fans who wanted to make things of their own and share them with others. We hosted contests to encourage people to get out of their comfort zone and put their best foot forward. We had groups dedicated to providing constructive feedback for other members. (Granted, that had its own issues, but let's keep on the rose-tinted glasses for just a little longer?) More than anything, we had a stronger community to help people find their voice here.
I should know. Thirteen years ago now, I wrote a truly terrible story and posted it to the Epics forum. (Then I abandoned it after two months, but that's not the point.) Even as a kid, I saw the other stories being written and felt excited enough to want to throw my own hat into the ring, even if that hat was just yet another "human teleported to Mata Nui" self-insert fic.
I left BZP for a long time shortly after that. And when I came back seven years later - 2011, somehow five years ago now - it was writing that drew me back in again. A few months after the forums relaunched, there was a writing contest to take the title of a Bionicle comic and write a story based around that. I still don't know why I sat down and slammed out a story over the course of an evening for the contest; I hadn't written fiction, well, pretty much ever.
Truth be told, I was convinced it was a disaster. I forced myself not to look at the topic, terrified that it was getting the thrashing I felt certain it richly deserved. When the results were announced, and I found out I'd actually come in first - I didn't know what to do. I didn't know what to say, other than "thank you." I saw other BZPers encouraging me and congratulating me, and it was - sorry for the cliché, I've been out of practice - like a door opened for me. I'd never seriously thought of being a "writer" before. Over the next two years, it became my passion.
But that was then, and this is now.
I was honored to take over the Library from Hahli Husky when she stepped down. I told myself I'd keep it as nurturing and encouraging a place as I had ever known it, lower activity levels or no. I'd contribute to it both by managing it and by keeping my own stories going. And when G2 was announced, I told myself I couldn't wait to see what new talent it brought in.
Instead, I hardly looked at it.
Again, this isn't meant to be entirely self-flagellating. I work a job that can get pretty tiring, and I work it full-time (or longer) every week. It's not really so surprising that I fell away from online activity, both at BZP and elsewhere. Nor could I have, entirely on my own, turned around a downtick in activity to some kind of creative haven.
But I barely even tried. That's the apology I really need to make here. As someone still, however tenuously, chasing that dream of storytelling, I owed it to BZP to do better fostering the next generation of storytellers here. I told myself there would be plenty of time, that we would figure something out - but there is no more time. G2 is G2, and while it's not like that shuts the door on creative enterprises on BZP forever, it sure as heck doesn't help them.
To be perfectly honest, I'm at a little bit of a loss of what to do going forward now (as I imagine we all are.) I was working - even if not as hard as I should have been - on an idea for a long-overdue library contest. That'll have to be tweaked a bit now, to say the least. I realize this entry is a bit of a downer, and I don't mean for it to be taken as a "BZP is doomed" thing. Just that, like a lot of us, this hit me harder than I was expecting. And it pushed me over the edge to saying a few things I needed to say.
I'm sure I'll bounce back soon enough, but I wanted to get this out there. I really am sorry BZP hasn't been better for creative work the past few years, and for whatever role I played in that fact. If nothing else, hopefully y'all can use the comments to commiserate and share your thoughts a bit.
- 167
-
Latest Entry
Wow
It seems my last entry here was last September. Dagnabbit. I've sorta wanted to get this blog back in action a few times, but I've never done it, now that I'm unPremier. But this blog was sort of awesome, so maybe I will.
In other news, I've been playing a lot of MAG and watching a lot of Avatar and old Dr. Who. Massive Action gaming is the future. Sokka (coughcorrectspellingnowcough) and Uncle Iroh (coughcorrectspellingnowcough) are the only smart characters. Tom Baker is the best actor since Patrick McGoohan.
> 55555
-
- 273
entries - 1590
comments - 81958
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
The Complete Legend Update
IDK if I explained this project here. Basically, I'm compiling everything Bionicle into a single book.
In the last week, I've gotten all of Maze of Shadows and Web of the Visorak entered and have made a fair dent in Challenge of the Hordika. Took a little sorting to figure out when each Mask of Light quest, comic, and BA8 thing happened.
Things I particularly like about this part:
- Vakama's turn to the dark side was a very gradual process, TBH. It makes a lot of sense the second time around.
- I had no recollection that Hordika venom was copper. Interesting fun fact nonetheless.
- Energized Protodermis Entity pretty much confirmed by Great Being theory (might post it later)
- Added "Protection" after the first or second chapter of BA6. Fit in rather well.
- The chapter in which the Toa Metru become Hordika was probably about 15-20 pages, longest yet. Though why Greg put the ash bear part in that part, IDK.
- The enhanced Vahki were probably my favorite part of BA7
I've looked into Web of Shadows and remembered why I don't understand people's problem with the movie. I had read the novellization first (best novelization for Bionicle) and it clearly laid out Vakama's thought process in joining the Visorak. I also plan to put Birth of a Dark Hunter either immediately before or after WoS. Not sure yet, but I feel it definitely belongs near that storyline.
And in other parts, I've decided to write up a small Bionicle series based on the Toa Nuva Blog. Not sure if I'll finish but it's fun so far.
Half way done with 2005 for the Complete Legend then it's onto 2006, the last full year of books (after that, it's 3 books at max and formatting for serials. I'm buying The Legend Reborn novelization for the sole purpose of using it. Thinking about getting the 2009 picture books, but I'm not sure. If the material is covered in TLR, I'll skip it. Though I might need to get the Certavus one anyway. And JoT, but I'll to that eventually.
Very fun so far. Can't wait to do revisions on this to make it flow smoothly.
- Read more...
- 0 comments
- 273
-
- 86
entries - 377
comments - 81087
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
Fifth Brony Anniversary
*comes out of hibernation/lurk mode*
Almost exactly five years ago, I started watching Episode 1 of MLP:FiM. It's been a long time since then and lots of things have changed, but I'm glad to still be a fan.
In the past five years, I've put together numerous song covers, was a part of multiple voice-acted projects (which were unfortunately scrapped D:), made a lot of friends in the fandom (and still regularly do so), and even attended two conventions (and after this weekend, three!). It's not the biggest part of my life, but it's a lot of positivity and friendship that I'm thankful to have.
I was going to try to do something special for my annual song cover this year, but unfortunately the flu kind of wiped me out all month, so I haven't had enough time to record anything. I know only a handful of you ever hear my
, but I still plan to hopefully maybe possibly put something new together within the next month or two. Nothing concrete's been decided, so if you have a song you'd like me to do, I welcome ideas!For now though, I'm especially looking forward to Whinny City Ponycon this weekend, the first brony convention in the Chicago area since (the extremely fantastic and memorable) Midwestria in 2012! You can expect an entry on that soon.
- 86
-
- 0
entries - 0
comments - 80948
views
No blog entries yet
- 0
-
- 385
entries - 2759
comments - 79663
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
10 years is a long time.
I have been receiving emails of late indicating new blog entries from a number of old friends here on BZP. Apparently the blogging system just returned after a lengthy hiatus? It has been years since I've visited the forums, but I've never forgotten all the fun I had as a part of this community. I am still alive, and I would enjoy reconnecting with anyone who remembers me from quite literally a decade ago! My absence over the last 10 years can largely be explained by school. I began my freshman year of college in 2010, and in the years since, I have completed an AA (2012), two BAs (2014), a BS major-equivalency (2015), and an MA (2019). I have been a college student for 7 years of this decade, taught at a high school for 2 years between my BAs and MA, and was hired this fall as an adjunct professor at a local college. Needless to say, it's been a long journey that's kept me very busy! Reading my old blog after this long feels like looking back in time, and it sounds like at least a few others are having similar experiences as they return to BZP.
So let's talk! What's been going on in everyone's lives since 2009? If you remember me, let's catch up! If not, introduce yourself!
- 385
-
- 125
entries - 947
comments - 79432
views
Recent Entries
Latest Entry
5000 Feet Up On A Snowmobile
I have been a ghost here, but decided to stop in and share some life with everyone. Things are rough financially and it is hard to concentrate on Lego, even though I am attending Brickcon this fall.
We went up to the lake last weekend and rode up high to a point named Ascension. Up around 5000 feet, it was gorgeous, and too warm to wear a jacket the whole day out riding. This is bliss and utter peace within.
- 125
