Jump to content

T-Hybrid

Premier Outstanding BZP Citizens
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    844

  • Joined

  • Last visited

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by T-Hybrid

  1. T-Hybrid

    Pluto: A Memorial

    By T-Hybrid,

    Space nuts, science enthusiasts, and just overall geeks were rocked today by the latest news from the science community. In case you haven't heard it yet, Pluto is no longer a planet.
     
    Now now, take your time. It's harsh news for all us geezers who grew up remembering the classic mnemonic device: "My Very Eager Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas"... but changes happen everyday. We'll just have to gather our strength and move on. Pluto would've wanted it that way.
     
    For me, this marks the end to so many fond memories. For one, Pluto single-handedly won me the sixth grade science quiz competition. Well, I should say it indirectly won it for me. After taking a 50 question science quiz (I told you, I'm a nerd...it's what we do for fun), the teacher added on two tie-breakers. The first I don't recall, but the second I do.
     
    "Which planet is currently furthest from the sun?"
     
    Catch that? The key word in the question, "currently", got me thinking. Well, I've always known Pluto was last...but wasn't there something about the planets occasionally not being in that order? Then it hit me, on an episode of Beakman's World a few days prior, they had talked about how Neptune's orbit sometimes carries it past Pluto. Which means that the question was most likely a trick.
     
    Well, apparently I was the only one who picked up on it, because I learned that it had come down to that very tiebreaking question. Everybody else has said Pluto (when you don't know, or aren't thinking, you sometimes go with the gut reaction). I don't remember what I won. But I won it. All thanks to Pluto.
     
    But that's just my experience. What of everybody else? Surely now some new mnemonic will be needed to remember the planetary order? Eager mothers the world over can't just serve us 'nine.'
     
    So, I propose the folowing:
    "My Vicious Elephant Melvin Jousted Seventy Unique Ninjas"
     
    Sure, it doesn't quite roll off the tounge...but it's very bizarre. And to a kid, who knows. I know I'll probably never forget it. And besides, I was never a fan of notion that mothers would over indulge their kids by giving them nine of anything. That's just poor parenting. This way, kids will remember the planetary order, and hear a story about an exciting battle between good and evil (Though I'm not sure at this point which is which).
     
    Furthermore, to aid in the process of overcoming this incredible loss...I, T-Hybrid, have taken it upon myself to gather up some other well known Plutos. Hopefully, us Pluto fans will be able to look to these figures as a potential replacement for our now Dwarf planet.
     

    Sailor Pluto
    Pros: Strong leader, great role model for women, fancy dresser
    Cons: May or may not have died
     
    Pluto the Dog

    Pros: Good natured, obedient, popular with both men and women
    Cons: Unlike fellow canine Goofy...is unable to grasp the concept of pants
     
    Pluto the God

    Pros: Omnipotent, all-knowing, immortal
    Cons: God of the Underworld (not exactly a good thing)
     
    Pluto Nash

    Pros: Features the guy who voiced Donkey
    Cons: About as funny as the original Pluto.

    So, as you're lying in bed tonight, trying to overcome what is certainly going to be the big news for the next few weeks...remember that though we may have lost one Pluto, there are at least four others watching your back.
  2. T-Hybrid
    Hey everybody, I'm writing this entry from secure location deep within...my apartment. If you haven't been following the news lately, you may have missed that somebody has been able to secure an early copy of the final Harry Potter books. Which, naturally, means that the time is officially upon us.
     
    The spoilers have arrived.
     
    ViceGreymon is standing ready, with RhodoKnightmon of the Vice Sisters also serving as guardian while we prepare ourselves for the inevitable deluge of potential meanies who will find pleasure in doing nothing else aside from ruining the book for the rest of us.
     
    I on the other hand, will not be one of those meanies. As I said in a reply to my previous entry, The Haven will serve as a Spoiler-Free Bunker for my fellow HP fans until July 28th. That is, if I'm able to finish the book by that date. If not the 28th, the Embargo will be lifted upon the posting of my own reactions. Which will include a spoiler warning. But even though I can promise you any entires in this blog will not contain HP spoilers, I can not say the same for any potential replies. I will ask, however, that the BZP Blog Team assist me in keeping the spoilers out of what is going to be at least ONE place you can be safe and still go online.
     
    So, to my fellow fans...who will no doubtedly find themselves in the same situation as I for a time. We must stand strong, and we must stand together. Only then will we be able to survive these final three days unspoiled.
  3. T-Hybrid

    Hay....low?

    By T-Hybrid,

    I've been hearing rumbilngs about this Halo game that's supposedly coming out tomorrow. Anybody know anything about it? I mean, you'd think they'd have been talking about this a bit more than they have lately. It just sorta snuck up on us all.
     
    But I guess I'm kinda glad. I mean, it's apparently the 3rd game in the series. So it's good their letting it ride on the reputation of the previous games and not trying to build it up as some revolution in gaming.
     
    Because honestly...what's the point of overhyping a game?
  4. T-Hybrid

    Le Sigh

    By T-Hybrid,

    I've been part of many fandoms in my time, and through all of them I've seen the different stages. And though I'm pleased that Bionicle's been around long enough to hit this current stage, I'm a bit bothered by the frequency and intensity with which its come. Though that's to be expected with the size of this forum comparred to the others I've been to.
     
    But to all those people out there who make the topics which are getting to be a weekly affair:
    No, Bionicle is not in a decline. No, Bionicle is not loosing touch with its fans. No, Bionicle is not dumbing itself down. No, Bionicle is not running out of ideas. We good?
  5. T-Hybrid

    Feedback Welcomed!

    By T-Hybrid,

    I've always wondered what goes on in the head of a blog viewer, especially when it comes time for ratings. Normally, I'm not one who pays much attention to the ratings of the various blogs. But in the case of the Haven...I can't help but be curious. So that's why I've decided to ask you, the reader, to share with me your thoughts on this little piece of code I call home.
     
    Is it the deco? The mood? Do I need to blog more? What kinds of topics do you find more interesting than others? One thing that should be important to a blogger is that his readers actually care about what he/she is writing. So today's entry will be short and sweet.
     
    What do you guys think?
  6. T-Hybrid
    Okay, since the annoucement regarding the identities of the '08 sets, there's been a lot of confusion about what to call them. Well, in an attempt to battle this confusion...I've drawn a diagram.
     

    » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... « If you see anybody starting to get confused as to who is what and which set is which, please feel free to direct them to this image. It's for the betterment of all BZP.
  7. T-Hybrid
    While this is in regards to today's election, this is not a political thread. I just happened to see this report when I booted up my email this evening.
     

    Yes. Your eyes aren't decieving you. With 0% of the precincts reporting, MSN has declared Obama the winner in Vermont. This is why the Horse-Race mentality the media takes into every election season drives me crazy.
     
    I mean...C'MON. Even Wikipedia demands better references than that.
  8. T-Hybrid

    It's Been a While

    By T-Hybrid,

    It's funny to look back on this blog after being away from it for over a year. I read some of the things I was talking about, and it's funny to think where it's ended up. It's funny to think, but since my last blog entry:
     
    1) I've bought my first home.
    2) I've recieved my first promotion.
     
    But neither of those would've been possible without the third thing: I met the love of my life, who motivated me to push myself harder than ever to get to where I am now. I've completed my first two half-marathons, gotten into better shape, and found a regular place for myself in a company softball team.
     
    Most importantly: I'm getting married in Novemeber. The woman I met just a few days after my Jan 23rd blog post ended up being just the person I needed in my life. So I apologize for disappearing off the face of the Earth, and I hope that those of you who have been doing your best to stay in touch don't feel like I've left you behind. This forum was a big part of my life for a long time, and I'll always hold a spot for it in my heart.
  9. T-Hybrid
    I know what you're all thinking. I've gone and lost my mind, right? Not at all. I had noticed a dip in the excitement level over at the Haven, and despite my best efforts to spruce the place up the customer base just never came back.
     
    Maybe it was the massive Digimon battling it out in the streets outside the club, or maybe it was just the lack of anything interesting in the entires. Or...who knows...maybe this entire world is a figment of my imagination and I'm just talking to a bunch of ghosts that exist only in my head.
     
    Whatever the case, I've grown weary of the nightclub business. So I've left the Haven in the hands of the Blue-Vice and broken off to find my calling. Since the whole "swinging hipster" thing didn't work out, I've decided to try and get in touch with my sensitive side and give gardening a go!
     
    Now, looking over at the sidebar you may notice a fresh set of faces. Well, that's just my new crew in this endevor: The Vice-Sisters...and uh...Kenta. Together we're going to bring a new error of peace and beauty to both the Blogosphere and the Forums.
     
    Of course, this means there's no place for a towering dinosaur with the destructive capabilities of a seven-nation army. So ViceGreymon and I have parted ways. I'm sure he'll do just fine with the rest of the Blue-Vice. Who knows, the change of ownership could breathe new life into it! In the meantime, I've hired on RhodoKnightmon to serve as Guardian of our Garden (I was going to spell it "Gardian" but it looked more spelled wrong than punny).
     
    So everybody, keep on smiling and enjoy the beautiful weather. April's coming, and that means this Garden's going to be blooming!
  10. T-Hybrid
    I've seen two movies over the last 7 days. Iron Man and now Indiana Jones.
     
    Go see Iron Man. If you like super hero movies, this one is for you. It's just as good as the first Spiderman. Robert Downey Jr. is amazing as Stark, and the mix of humor, drama and action is just right.
     
    Indiana Jones on the other hand...oh man did they make some mistakes there. I'm not a diehard Jones fan, in fact I only recently had a chance to watch the movies during some marathons on various channels. But even in my brief experiences with the series, I can tell something was msot definately not right with this installment.
     
    I can't specifically say where, but you'll feel it almost immediately when it happens. There's some great action, and Shia LeBouf ain't too bad as Mutt Williams...but there's a specific point in the movie where things take a turn. And after that I just couldn't get the movie to "sit" if you catch my drift.
     
    So in summation, Iron Man great...Indiana Jones not so much.
     
    ....oh, and stay after the credits for Iron Man. It's worth it. I didn't really bother with Jones.
  11. T-Hybrid

    Mistika Or Mistake?

    By T-Hybrid,

    $13 for the Toa Mistika? Uh, ouch!
     
    I was with them when they became $8, then defended $9. But I said a long time ago $10 was pushing my limits. And now they've not only hit my limit, they've surpassed it.
     
    The "canister' sets are supposed to be like action figures. And $13 for an action figure (even if I can build it) is a stretch. Even DLX sized Transformers are only $10.
     
    Wow...I was not expecting this. Hopefully my fellow Bionicle collectors share this concern and will stand by me as I postpone my purchase until they hit the clearance prices. Or at least go on a sale for a few bucks.
     
    $13...yikes.
  13. T-Hybrid

    1 In 8192

    By T-Hybrid,

    There's a party at the Haven. After having played Pokemon since Red first launched so many years ago, I finally...after having two previous failures...have caught my first Shiny Pokemon. First it was a Rattata that I accidentally fainted in Silver. Then a Pidgey that used Whirlwind in Leaf Green. But this time, this time I was ready.
     
    While training in the Tower south of Solaceon in Diamond, a Green Zubat popped up. Thankfully I had my Lvl 63 Luxray in the lead. So all it took was a Quick Balll and I was good to go. Needless to say I saved IMMEDIATELY after. So now I have a Green Zubat. I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but it's there. And it's MINE!
     
    So break out the spirited beverages and the pixie stix. ViceGreymon's letting everybody in today!
  14. T-Hybrid

    I Have Seen The Future

    By T-Hybrid,

    Well, those leaked pics made the rounds...and now I've seen a crystal clear pic of the Red Mahri, and a few fuzzy canister shots of the others. Thankfully they were nameless pics. And I have to say that the 2007 canister sets easily will rank as some of the best designs Bionicle has ever seen.
     
    From what I can tell, every complaint I had about the Inika is fully resolved. And I may just have to break my resolution and grab a full set of Barraki along with my Mahri team. LEGO needs to be rewarded for what they've done this year.
     
    So start saving now, and if you haven't seen them yet...perpare to be astounded when the official release arrives. Until then, I promise I won't do any of that spoiler stuff to those of you who don't want it ruined.
  15. T-Hybrid
    So I was thinking...this year it's Swine Flu. Not to long ago it was Avian Flu. What happens if these two deadly diseases should combine forces?
     

     
    What are you waiting for? RUN!
  16. T-Hybrid
    Finals Week this week. Tests Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...all in the morning, all finishing before noon. Thankfully it's only one a day, but it pretty much means that I didn't get to enjoy my weekend at all beyond the bit of Pokemon I played (I now have Alakazam, Golem, Machamp...and Crobat).
     
    Celebrated by grabbing a few news games, including LEGO Star Wars. I have to admit it's a bit of guilty fun running around as a Minifig version of Darth Maul. Unfortunately the TV I've got my Wii hooked up to for the rest of the week doesn't seem to like Channel 3, which is the only way I can play it (AV cables plugged into a VCR then run to the TV). But oh well, after this week I'm going to suddenly have the rest of my life for gaming. If you don't hear from me for a few days you'll know why.
  17. T-Hybrid

    More Than Meets The Eye

    By T-Hybrid,

    Why am I showing you a picture of a grey cellphone? And why does it have so many weird lines going through it? Well, I'll tell you. That isn't any old ordinary cellphone. That cellphone can do this...


    Ah yes, the Transformers are back...and if you though the Alternators/BinalTech series were cool. Just wait until you see what they have instore for Classics. Though I don't know the whole story behind this guy, I've heard rumors of him and others on various TF boards.

    Digital Camera: Alt | Bot
    PSP/GBMicro Hybrid: Alt | Bot

    I hope these are TF. The source site on this one lists them along with other TF in the Classics line (including the remade Nerf Megatron). I for one will get at least one of them. Depending, of course, on how well they blend in with the real thing. But if Alternators were any indication, that shouldn't be a problem.
  18. T-Hybrid
    Well, Creepy Girl and her ilk are now on TV. Though it's mostly been late night. I guess this Chemistry thing is "successful" enough to have gone from an eerie banner ad to a full-fledged TV advertised product. Or perhaps Creepy Girl was able to ascertain our locations and has instructed her leaders to broadcast to those TVs that belong to those she has identified. Be cautious, they are coming.
     
    In lighter news (or not depending on your opinions of the newest film), they've already annouced Shrek 4 for 2010. Odds are right now they'd prefer to do a prequel. Which I suppose make sense. Portray a young Shrek, giving them a chance to gather up a new set of VAs in case the originals can't be brought back. If they can, then it's a prequel set more recently. Otherwise it's young Shrek and friends. Odds are the latter would lead to an eventual Shrek TV series and the guaranteed destruction of the franchise.
     
    Oh, Hollywood...when will you stop annoucing sequels only days after a movie is launched? Though I know it's not the earliest. Saw's IV and V were both annouced a week after the third hit theaters, and there was the talk of a Spiderman franchise to the tune of 6 movies while the second was still filming.
     
    Beh on Hollywood.
  19. T-Hybrid

    Creepy Girl

    By T-Hybrid,

    In my time on the Internet, I've come to accept that dynamically generated banner ads that come up on each page. But lately, there's been one that's shaken me to my very foundation.
     
    I'm speaking of a specific ad for something called "Chemistry." Now, I always thought these dynamically generated ads came based on the various content of the page their loading on (and I will most likely summon forth another one just by mentioning it in this post. Perhaps it was the mix of Video Game and Bionicle talk on this blog that lead it to somehow know I was single, though I have a different theory.
     
    It's Creepy Girl. Maybe you've seen her. She's the random woman that appears in one of those Chemistry ads staring out from the page. I'd argue she's staring deep into your soul, reading you for the purpose of generating dynamic ads on the pages you view.
     

    Look at her. She's watching you. So beware. Chemistry knows what you're thinking, and I would guess that they know where you live.
  20. T-Hybrid
    Today was payday, and with my birthday coming up I treated myself to a...treat.
     
    Gathered up a bunch of games I rarely play anymore (all my Dynasty Warriors games except 5, and the two LEGO Star Wars games....and all four Guitar Hero games), and went to Gamestop. Traded them in for a slick $150 bucks. Took that and picked up GHIII and Dynasty Warriors: Gundam (hereafter referred to as Gundam Warriors) for the Xbox360.
     
    "But Torhu," you're probably saying. "You don't have a 360."
     
    Well, that was the treat I was talking about.
     
    I have a gamer tag, but only GHIII can do anything with it. And that's only for the time being while I decide if I want to sign up for XBox Live Gold on a more longterm basis. For the time being, I'm more than open to start adding people who want to rock out for a month or so. I'm also looking for suggestions to fill the Online gaming portion of my life (something I'll slowly be delving into if I decide to go Gold).
  21. T-Hybrid
    Last Sunday, my friends and I went down to a local mexican restaurant. I had just eaten, and decided to come with just to hang out with everybody. As with most restaurants of this kind, you're given free chips and salsa while you ponder your order. So they brought them out, and I had some. I decided against getting anything to eat, and just asked for a water. My friends got stuff, including a bowl of cheese dip that comes with a "bottomless" basket of chips. So throughout the night I had some of my friends chips, and the servers kept bringing salsa. By the end of the night I had eaten a decent amount and was actually feeling pretty full.
     
    The next day was a Monday, which is my traditional "nice meal with 24" day. This is when I make something that cost a little extra to have along with my favorite show. My friends got back from playing racquetball, and decided to go out to the same place. Again, I had just ate, this time much more than the previous night. But figuring that there'd be a chance to hang out (and a few chips) it wouldn't hurt to go with.
     
    I got there a little bit after they did, as I wanted to wait until 24 was over. We're pretty regular there, so most of the late night servers know our orders. They asked if I would like some of the hot salsa I usually have, and I said sure. And just as last night, the continued to bring salsa to go with the chips my friends were getting.
     
    But when it came time to leave, the server brought out a check from the manager. Apparently tonight I owed $3 for the chips and salsa I had eaten. Frustrated, I asked to talk with the manager. I felt sorry when the "backup" manger had to come out, as the head manager (the one who had told the server to give me a bill) had taken off already.
     
    This is where 5 years in food services came in handy. Because the following facts are important when dealing with restaurant customer service.

    If the customer comes in enough that you know their order by heart, be willing to cut them some slack. I'm not saying they should get away with murder, but my friends and I come in at least 2 times a week and we usually spend about $10 each. You know we usually get food when we come, and since there were other people at the table who were ordering food, who are they to tell the customer who can and cannot share their food. Never, ever, blame a different manager. If some other manager does something that a customer doesn't like, but you have to talk with them...you have to deal with that. The customer isn't mad at the manager, they're mad at the restaurant as a whole. And as the manager on duty, you are the representative for the restaurant. Don't ever bring previous nights into a discussion about the bill for the night in question. "Considering the chips you ate last night..." should never have been uttered. Because last night was just that. Nobody said anything to me last night, nor did they mention the night before when I first arrived. That goes into our next point. If your store has a policy, notify the customer prior to dropping a bill in their lap. At any point in the night, they could've told me that I needed to order something to go with the chips I was eating. However, this to me is pointless, considering that my friends had orders that came with chips. And since the matter of who eats what isn't up to the restaurant (buffet's not included) there's really nothing they can say if the chips I'm eating came from somebody's order. They can't cut that person off, and that person can't be forced to not share with somebody else in the party. Don't hand said bill to the customer wrapped in a "We appreciate your feedback" folder. Especially when that folder has a question regarding "Manager Contact." You want my opinion on your store after how you handled this situation? And then remind me that you're a place that prides itself on Manager contact when that never happend in the hour we were there? That's what reved me up in the first place. It seems like a lot of trouble to go through for $3. But I was genuinely offended that they wouldn't bother to inform of at some point during the night, especially considering they were aware of the night before. What makes it worse, there were six other people in the party with me...and they told me afterwards that they were turned off to wanting to eat there again after what had happened. So the mess they caused over $3 worth of chips may have cost them about $60-120 bucks a week from a group of happy regular customers. It may not seem like a lot, but after working in foods...I know that it hurts the mood of the place sometimes when regulars disappear. 
    Will I go back? Dunno yet. But hopefully I can pass some advice on to anybody who's in the food industry now, or is younger and looking to break into the job market with a job in food services.
  22. T-Hybrid
    The following is my prediction for 2008 based on the latest Ignition comic:
     

    » Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «Matoro is Toa Ignika. The Ignika will create its own body using the energy Matoro passed through it. Whatever we've been told eariler is going to be techincally true. It's technically not Matoro reborn, it's Toa Ignika. But Matoro has become Toa Ignika. Or rather, will become Toa Ignika. And it's funny, since we were told for a while that the Toa destined to wear the Mask didn't have to neccesarilly be the same one destined to wear it. But go figure, we were right all along. That's why I'm sticking with this. Just you watch.
  23. T-Hybrid
    In the past, I've done topics on suggestions, and when I saw this over in Omi's Rush I couldn't help but think that it was a pretty sweet idea. So after getting his permission to borrow the idea I decided to go ahead and hold a Q/A session of my own in celebration of 100 entries.
     
    I've also unvieled a new Blue-Vice image...which I'm thinking will work like a "header" for the most recent entry. If it all works according to plan. So go ahead and ask away, I'll answer what I can as best I can. This is your chance to find out what makes me tick (please, no open heart surgery).
  24. T-Hybrid

    Spring Break

    By T-Hybrid,

    Though my break started Friday after work, today is the first day where I officially don't have to go to any classes. Though I don't appreciate it getting cut short by the DST change, I appreciate that its happening now instead of when I have a test or something the following Monday. I hate running on one less hour of sleep.
     
    There are a ton of things I want to do over break, mostly involving getting preparred for my big move (again) when I graduate this May. This would include finding an apartment, buying more work-appropriate clothing (don't think jeans will cut it at the office), and getting my taxes done. Not to mention the countless things I have to start getting addresses sorted out (both snail and e-mail).
     
    I've got an appointment today to look at apartments located about 5-10 minutes from where I'm working, and will be trying to get in touch with the company about a start date once I figure out what the availability will be. My dad's already said he doesn't have a problem with me living with him for a few months while something opens up, but I don't want to be any more a burden on him financially than I have already been.
     
    But why did I drop this into the Inuva category? Because this week I hope to add at least 2-3 new chapters. I've already got one in the works that will hopefully be up by the end of the day today. The next hopefully Wednesday, and the last if I'm lucky by Friday before I start having to pack up to go back to the apartment. This is unfortunately turning into one of those really long projects like Te Mutunga and The Alliance. But its a story I wanted to tell and I do want to see it through.
     
    Things may end up changing a bit from my original plan, especially if graduation starts getting closer and I haven't gotten it moving at a more regular pace. It doesn't help that when I'm in the mood to write and post the servers get clogged. There have been entire days when I've been unable to get into the forums. It makes it tough to get any sort of momentum going. I use that time to write out outlines and get chapter elements planned. But it still throws me off my groove.
     
    Thanks to everybody who's still sticking with it. I promise I'm not going to let this disappear. If you were a fan of Te Mutunga or The Alliance you know that eventually I'll get to an ending. I just hope I do so before most people forget I was writing it.
  25. T-Hybrid
    I haven't bought any new Bionicle since I bought the Mistika...and I wasn't too pleased with those sets. As such I've been out of the loop with the 09 sets. But I see there's a Mata-Nui out (or coming soon). I think I want it, but can't decide if I should buy the Toa-sized Mata-Nui or wait until that bigger set comes out.
     
    What do you guys think? Are the new Toa worth the increased price? I liked the pics of the new Mata-Nui, and it would be fun to finally have a set of him even if it's not the same epic figure we all imagined years ago.
     
    Glad he finally has a set form though. It's been a LONG time coming!
×
×
  • Create New...