Toaraga

That's a no, I'm afraid. (C)1984-2023 Toaraga EAM

Meant to stop by earlier this month for quick drop-in. I can't believe it's been 20 years since I first found this site. I rarely visit anymore, but I'm still alive and kickin', though I'm more active on other social sites. The world has changed and so have I. Within the past decade, I got married and now have a kid. So anyway, see you around. I may not visit much, but I haven't forgotten this place. (C)1984-2023 Toaraga EAM

Hm, Onua looks more like a Turaga than Toa, with Pohatu being close behind. I don't know it's just the way the photos are stacked or if they look shorter side-by-side with the others. (C)1984-2020 Toaraga EAM

Hey guys, If you've been around awhile, you probably know who Nathan Sawaya is. His Art of the Brick exhibit is in Dallas now through August 18. I finally got around to seeing this master artist's work, and it is fantastic. If you get a chance, go check it out... and bring a brick separator for the hands-on part at the end. https://www.perotmuseum.org/exhibits-and-films/traveling-exhibition/the-art-of-the-brick.html ©1984-2019 Toaraga EAM

Only in spirit. I see what you did there.

I think you mean "gall," not "gal." I was reading your post and got thrown off by that. I read it thinking Nolan got some girl to market for him, which didn't make sense in the context. I think there was another typo, but that one stuck out more. ©1984-2017 Toaraga EAM

Being on staff was pretty cool, and helping compile the original staff history topic, along with other behind-the-scenes stuff was nice. My favorite memories are not on the site itself but the connections I've made through the site into real life. I've been able to interact with people I never would've met otherwise. It's mostly on Facebook, but I've had the chance to meet other BZPers in real life. I went to a couple of weddings for BZPower members; in fact, it's how I several in person. I like to say that a wedding is a perfect place for LEGO fans to meet, because LEGO means "I put together" in one language. Probably one of my funniest moments was at one of the weddings when I met Lady Kopaka for the first time and was introduced by my real name, then my BZPower name. She was sitting when we met, but when she learned my BZPower name, she stood up pretty quickly. Of all the BZPers I've met, I think she's the only one who responded that way. It was an interesting moment, since I don't consider myself some sort of celebrity or throw my name around as if it carries some sort of weight. ©1984-2017 Toaraga EAM

Reply sent. I haven't closed on a deal.Do you live in the US? I've modified my initial post to reflect quantity and asking price. I was gonna try uploading photos initially, but I've been working from my phone and couldn't get the photos to upload. ©1984-2017 Toaraga EAM

I've amassed a collection of several old Shop @ Home catalogs over the years, ranging from 1998-2009. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in acquiring/purchasing them from me. I had thought about just tossing them, as they are taking up a bit of space, but then I figured someone else might want them for nostalgia value, if nothing else. If you're interested, let me know. Edit: There are 48 catalogs, including 3 oversize and 2 small ones. Since I'm looking to offload them, I'd say $5 plus shipping for the lot. ©1984-2017 Toaraga EAM

I know I don't come here very often, but sometimes it's nice to visit and maybe leave an update. It's been a couple years since I made a blog post, but I'm sure there are still some people who remember me (if they don't already interact with me on Facebook, which is my main social hub online). I realized I missed visiting to celebrate my account becoming a teenager, but I've been somewhat busy with life anyway. This year has been an interesting one for me, to say the least. I'll give you a brief update of my life this year: I left a night job that I worked for nearly 6 YEARS! (My, how the time crawled.) I got a new car! Bigger than that, I got... *DRUM ROLL* Engaged! That's right. Soon enough there will be a Mrs. Toaraga-- and after I wrote that, I realized how awkward that sounds. But seriously, I met a great girl, and we're getting married next year. So yeah, that's a brief rundown of my year. I'm still alive. I've got a new job and car. And I'm getting married! ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

How much of the reboot and the desire to succeed was built on nostalgia more than anything else? Sure people wanted BIONICLE to be a huge success because it was something they enjoyed for years. But how many of its original fans now have families and/or other financial responsibilities or other interests that have come along before or since BIONICLE first ended? I can't say I vested much interest this go-round. I bought a few of the sets, but I didn't track of any of the story, so I have no idea what's going on with that. There are probably others in the same boat. We live in an ever-changing world, and franchises come and go. How many franchises that end get a second chance? Regardless of success or failure, at least LEGO tried to bring back something for the fans. ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

A mini version of Lilo's doll might have made an excellent accessory. ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

I was able to procure a Stitch minifigure, and the only thing I don't like about him is the short leg pieces mean you can't really pose him, so it loses a bit of character in the design, if you know what I mean. I was trying to pose him a certain way when I realized it. It's a wonderful likeness of the character, but since only move his arms and head can move, it's a bit of an annoying limitation. ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

Alice's other prop caused the opposite effect of the bottle. You mean by making Disney characters? I hate to tell you, but LEGO started making Disney-themed products over half a century ago. I don't think I knew about that one. I am intrigued by some of the minifigs and plan to get them at some point. I was kind of expecting the how-to on identifying packages. ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

Obviously, most people expect an April Fools Day prank to be played on April 1, which means no one is fooled if/when it happens. Predictability is predictably boring. Everyone else knows April Fools is really in August, except for those who don't expect it. And that's why the prank will take place a week from next Thursday when the calendar changes at precisely 12:18pm to Wednesday, October 2, 2022, and time becomes measured in bananas. The prank that no one expects should be expected at the time of Cherry O' Asparagus. It can't get any clearer than that. Obviously. ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

I hear there's this mega-popular series called Star Wars. And a movie that came out recently or something... it was on the Internet and such. I don't remember when I first got the idea, but the tagline for that movie made me think of Mata Nui waking up (naturally). So I mashed up the two things just a bit to make this short video. It's nothing grandiose, but I'm sure some of you might appreciate it. LEGO BIONICLE: Mata Nui Awakens ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

I think I'd have to agree with that assessment. I think it's supposed to add to the illusion of hovering, particularly with the blue studs; I don't have the set, but looking at the images, the studs kind of make it seem as if it's doing more a little more than just setting there. ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

Ah, okay. Good to know. I'll think about, but I don't know if I'll participate online, even though I totally would've in person. I've never done a draft before, but I'd think part of the draw of doing one in person would be the social aspect of being around other fans. But that's just me. ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

Was that the one we were going to do at Brick Universe? ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

That policy just makes sense. While I understand LEGO's intent to distance itself from certain messages, I don't think for anything else used in art, the seller asks what the buyer is. "This copy of Photoshop you're buying. Are you planning to modify copyrighted work for humorous effect, and you expect me to sell it to you? I'm afraid I can't do that, Dave." ©1984-2016 Toaraga EAM

If the Doctor Who level crashes, shouldn't it just restart as another level? ©1984-2015 Toaraga EAM

And a good time was had by all. Huzzah. Personally I don't know that I want to do constant conventions, and I don't know how some people do all the different ones across the country. (I heard so many different names in conversations that I don't even remember the names or places.) But I'm glad this one was in my proverbial backyard, and I got to be a part of it. I liked being able to see all the MOCs and to display my own MOCs in person, and I liked interacting with the different people. Let's do it again some time. ©1984-2015 Toaraga EAM

That's pretty spot on for a psycho dentist's chair (that saw blade!), but does it recline? How much motion does it have? Have you tried putting a Matoran-size creature in it? Very nice use of the rubber band holders... I always feel stumped with those things, never even thought of something like this. Also, where'd that bottom piece come from? ©1984-2015 Toaraga EAM

One near me is listed as having it on the site, and I even called the store to find out about reservations on Thursday, to which the lady who answered said wasn't necessary because of the store size. But when I got there, there was no indication of the event, and the guy at customer service said the only thing they were having was an author signing. So being listed online wasn't even a guarantee of participation. Needless to say, I was disappointed. ©1984-2015 Toaraga EAM

Just reading one of the character's bio pages, it occurred to me that you might not have to do the usual Free Play for each level to find all the Minikits, hidden bricks, etc., since you bring anyone in at anytime. I don't know if that's the case or not, but I am curious about it. ©1984-2015 Toaraga EAM