Iruini Nuva

Man, I remember the excitement whenever I got a topic to the top of the list. Used to be really important for driving attention whenever we'd (Biotech) launch a new game, etc. Doubt it's impossible to bring back, just a certain LOE. New folks are missing out on some of the unique quirks of the place, for sure. I miss it.

This is a fascinating way to look at it. Turns out that if you were important enough to be named, it's extremely likely that you had only one shot at life, ha. Where'd Lhikan end up? Still stuck on the Red Star? Didn't think we ever saw him again.

...how's it coming along? Finally getting into a groove on mine. I'm realizing how rusty I am at MOCing. Been...probably 5 years since I built something that wasn't just a G2 set following the manual. To that effect, my first attempt at a CCBS/Technic hybrid has a way steeper learning curve than I expected. On the flip side, it does give me a chance to sketch ideas for something other than software for a change:

Hadn't really considered the full 10 years as a unit. Huge chunk of my life, actually. Certainly the most dynamic. Promoted to BZP staff (that long ago?)GraduatedLaunched a couple of appsInternship -> JobMarriedBuilt a house (last year)The key now is actually slowing down the pace a little. Avoiding lifestyle creep as careers progress will be really important. Can't say that I enjoy it more or less than childhood. Different set of challenges, but equally interesting.

2 things at this particular moment. 1) Working on my Makuta for the ReBrick contest (doing relatively poorly, so far). 2) Working on an app as a side project.

Let's say in this theoretical situation that you don't need to worry about taxes. ~Soran Pretty much sticking to my original answer. Drop it in a low-fee ETF (basically a stock index that tracks the market--pretty boring as investments go). If taxes aren't a thing, just requires less planning when you want to spend the money. A viable alternative would be real estate, ideally something like a multi-family unit that weathers downturns better (as opposed to luxury homes ala 2008). Either buy ~3-4 units outright and live off the rent (thousands/month) or take advantage of the ridiculous amount of leverage 1M gives you and buy a lot more under mortgage with a killer payoff down the line.

Drop it into an ETF and ignore it for ~6 years. Maybe 7 and pay off the house. Then live off the proceeds of 1.5 mil (50-60k/year, inflation adjusted, no mortgage) for life. Work on what I please, for money only if I feel like it. Are we worried about taxes, here?

To piggy-back off the above, never underestimate the power of luck or being in the right place at the right time. Success requires a combination of both luck and skill, but especially the skill to leverage the luck when it appears. It's entirely possible for Bionicle to flourish as a returning brand, but some portion of that chance is entirely out of Lego's control.

Out of sheer curiosity, what happens to the pot in this situation?

I didn't count the Fikou because it is a black variant of an already existing set. Technically, I believe the black variant came out first (Lego magazine in 01, similar timeframe to the Mukau). Though the orange Fikou (both polybag and MB set) landed in 02. I do see the logic to not including a combiner that has a production counterpart, however.

My standard answer to this question is 2005. Pretty much anything prior to 05 could compete for the slot, but I really enjoyed Roodaka as a character as well as the betrayal arc (which I hear Greg didn't like, ha).

Two key ones at the moment. 1. Financial Independence (i.e. self-sustaining assets for life), possibly with early retirement thrown into the mix (this has a an awful lot of sub-goals under it, ha). 2. Wife and I would love to see Easter Island. Probably a 5-10 year goal.

Out of sheer curiosity, which Pohatu?

Really appreciate the huge list of suggestions! Definitely gonna keep these on my short-list. Going for the Parisian Restaurant for now, I think (hoping for a large build that takes a few evenings). Pet Shop will probably be a close second, we'll see. The Family House might also make the cut--gonna see where her interests go. Next challenge will be finding a good spot in the house to display a pending town.

I always loved that representation of them.

Interested in claiming either a medium and a large or two mediums. Need to confirm with the wife that she doesn't mind if I pick a shirt or two up, though.

Best 2016 sets overall are the two Umarak's (granted, also the largest sets). Both are really impressive in-person. I agree with Rakrondewl that Lewa/Uxar and Tahu/Ikir are the best Uniter pairs (in that order), though Akida is a fun build as well. I've actually enjoyed all 3 beasts way more than I expected. Lava Beast might have the most coherent look, but Quake Beast was really interesting to build (crazy shoulder contraption) and Storm Beast has beautiful colors.

Haha, easily amongst my favorite sets. I basically pick a Rahi up every 5 years. Got Muaka & Kane-Ra back in...01 or 02. Picked up the Tarakava from either BZP or eBay in the mid-late 00s. Nui Jaga were either a birthday or a Christmas present this past year.

Yeah I've been eyeing the other modulars. Looking for something similar, but let's say...housing related vs. business. Possibly the Parisian Restaurant. Has that middle apartment layer.

I feel like this has been the theme of Bionicle G2. IMO, nearly every single set has looked far more impressive in-person than rendered. Not sure what it is, but I'm always nervous when I see the box and thrilled once I'm holding it.

My wife has recently expressed an interest in hopping into Lego as a hobby (woo!). She really enjoys my Bionicle collection, but grew up with System and leans that direction herself. She's also an interior designer and has an appreciation for good home architecture in general. Does anybody know of any good "house" sets beyond Market Street? I'm looking for something more adult/professional than your average 200 piece Creator build. My primary issue with Market Street is simply the $600 price tag I'm seeing on Bricklink. I've been eyeing some of the Architecture series in a pinch (Robie House, etc.), but was hoping for something a little less sterile.

No Fikou? Didn't it require Onua + Pohatu for all the extra ball joints/endcaps? Clearly the best combiner of all.

Bionicle as a brand is fine. Once you work in advertising for a few years, you realize how flexible and non-sticky most brands are. Bionicle is light-years ahead of your average CPG. Heck, Lego in general is.

It is fitting since hordika is likely derived from the term horrible. Floppy gears for 1 main shoulder giving them only very basic arm articulation. And the torso and head looked as if they were anorexic. The torso on the chest are was anorexic at only 4 brick units in thickness while the mata/nuva and metru were roughly 6-7 units thick (not counting nuva chest armour.) I must be the oddball. I loved the look of the Hordika. The floppy arm was a little irritating, but no more than synced arm gears (i.e. Toa Metru).

Always always always use the ethernet. College wifi is for plebs.