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Roa McToa

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Blog Entries posted by Roa McToa

  1. Roa McToa
    Well, I was taking a good brainthought on Akitsu and what I should do with her. I will probably chibi the model, but then I have this wonderful torso that is left over. I thought and thought, and then was like Meh, and forgot about it. I started drawing concept designs for my last two giant rahi when a stunning revelation hit me. Turn akitsu's torso so its facing chest to the ground, and you have a perfect catlike torso. I think I'm going to build Kokatas Giant Rahi off Akitsus torso! I am thinking like a giant maned saber cat or something... Should be interesting indeed! Paruvaks rahi just needs a body, as its head is complete, and pretty fierce looking.
  2. Roa McToa
    My right thumb was rendered useless today. I was assembling the biggest weber BBQ that you can buy at Home Depot, and in the process of unpacking it, the lid managed to fall full force onto my thumb. If my thumb had been at any other angle, I think it would have broke. It bit REALLY hard. I think the lid on that thing weighs about 8-10 lbs.............
     
    I feel fortunate that I only got a heavy bruise on top, and a rapidly filling blood blister inside my first knuckle. Keeping that thing drained is painful enough in itself. I have no good grip with my right hand unless I don't use my thumb. So looks like if I want to make anything new, I'll have to lefty it........
     
     
    Ouch...........
  4. Roa McToa
    It's official! I have a place for mocs to be mailed! Get your creative talents going and build up a really special moc for Northwest Brick Con! All sizes of mocs are welcome, and we would like to get as many mocs as possible to display, so that Bionicle makes a real presence at the convention! Adult Fans of Lego will be impressed by the sheer number of people who love bionicle as much as they love Lego Bricks. Lets show everyone our talents at building! Gather your parts and get busy!
     
    When you have a moc that is ready to mail, please PM me, and I will send you the necessary information for mailing it!
  5. Roa McToa

    Settling In To Winter

    By Roa McToa,

    Winter quickly approaches up here in Alaska. The snow has already started to fall, but isn't yet sticking, although that may change in a week or so. A large storm front is moving in, so it means either snow, or lots of rain. Rain usually equates to flooding. Hopefully that won't happen again.....
     
    oop, the power just went out, good thing I am running a laptop.....
     
    *goes to sleep*
     
    *wakes up at 6 am*
     
    Looks like the power came back on, and its still raining outside. Ahh yes, good ol winter LOL
     
    More blogs to follow
     
     
  6. Roa McToa

    Shrinky Dinks! Yay!

    By Roa McToa,

    Hey guys and gals, I made some "Shrinky Dinks" Bionicle keychains. I'm going to make Thok into a magnet cause his loop was too thin and broke off when I flattened it. I accidentally made the tahu nuva one backwards too LOL. Oh well, trial and error for the first batch The detail is pretty good, and its kinda hard to capture it in a photo. If I get enough interest in these, I'll make a bunch and trade em for stuff Let me know what you think!
     

     
    Zaktan Detail
     
    Kalmah Detail
     
    Thok Detail
     
    I like Thok and Kalmah the best so far, although Zaktan is really cool. Should I make some more? I have a lot of material!
     
     
  7. Roa McToa

    Snowed In...

    By Roa McToa,

    Looks like I won't be leaving Anchorage for a while yet. The road is closed and they are cleaning up avalanches on the highway. Driving conditions are also too hazardous due to high wind, ice, rain and snow. Funny thing about the Seward Highway, its rated as one of the most beautiful sightseeing highways in the country, yet it is the most dangerous to drive in the winter. LOL
     
    I heard rumors that after the short clear spell we're going to get, its going to be a whopper doozie 40" snowstorm!!!! Thats like.... almost 4 feet!!!!! I'm going to have a lot of shoveling to do.........
     
    Heres a random GOOD DEALS of the day for those who like to save money on Bionicle sets! Anyone who lives in the Pacific Northwest is familiar with the store chain Fred Meyers. If you are a lucky sot with money, go to your local fred meyers and buy up piraka and 06 playsets! They are discounting them for up to 75% off the retail price!!!! So like, you pay $3.75 for piraka! I have seen lava chamber gate for as low as $17! They are discounting exo force sets and other lego sets as well! Stock up on your LEGO Bricks Kiddies!
     
     
     
     
     
  8. Roa McToa

    So Happy! Yay!

    By Roa McToa,

    ZOMG!
     
    My brother and sis'n law are coming up here from Oregon this Thursday with their son Eli! I am SO HAPPY! I haven't gotten to see my nephew in so long! None of our family up here in AK has gotten to see Eli, so everyone is ecstatic! They were going to come up for thanksgiving, but couldn't make it, so everyone was bummed. But now, its like... BOOYAH!
     
    I can't wait!
     
    *jumps around with glee* :smeag: :br:
  10. Roa McToa
    Letagi's archer has made her way into my Legorium after being left behind after Brickcon with her little green buddy. She was the first to emerge from the rahi canisters, and set off on an adventure. Her first experience was the Jack Stone Clone army. She surfed the mosh pit onto the next area of the Legorium......
     
    Oh what awaits her next?
     

  11. Roa McToa

    Thats It!

    By Roa McToa,

    After seeing so many Mata-Nui mocs lately after those images popped up, it makes me wanna build a Mata-Nui.
     
    But
     
    I won't be made of bionicle pieces........
     
    I'll use Bionicle where its needed, but the moc will be predominantly system elements, and it will be BIG. A future project..........
     
    I love revelations!
  12. Roa McToa
    Ah yes, I have been drooling at the lego shelves every time I go to look for bionicle sales and new merchandise. In my honest opinion, these two sets are some of the best sets available! I want to get striking venom as well, but I don't want to pay $50+ for it.
     
    I present the Golden Guardian

     
    This set is VERY WELL worth the retail price of about $25. The set has wonderful durability, and it has a very nice appeal to how it looks. The huge mechapants are 100% win, and overall it looks very "anime". If you are going to buy one of this years sets, I highly recommend this one. I just can't get enough of it!
     
    Another great set is the Mobile Defense Tank

     
    I got this set for $23 on sale. I wouldn't pay the full $35 price tag for this one, but at $23 I couldn't pass it up. I really like the disk shooter, except for when you fire the first disks, the extra ammo usually flies out of the top of the ammo holster. The tracks dont roll as easily as I would like, but the set lends itself to looking totally awesome!
     
    I hope to attain Striking Venom next, as that set is just the BOMB!
     
    Those who have these sets, please comment on what you like/dislike about them!
  13. Roa McToa

    The Best Smoke

    By Roa McToa,

    I finished my first successful batch of Squaw candy this year, and it turned out WAY better than the batch I tried last year. Once you've tried salmon smoked like this, you would never go back to your normal store bought smoked salmon!
     

     
    This batch was made from frozen fish from last year, so it is not as perfect as fresh caught fish, but is still dang tasty!
     
    The next batch will be even better! I am gettin gmy process dialed in, and I hope to be as good as my grandpa was at this.
  14. Roa McToa
    In the Form of carpet......
     
    Click on the thumbnails to enlarge....
     

     
    This was the old carpet that was in my bedroom at my house in Seward. Notice the vomity yellowness..........
    Well, anyway, I got a bit overzealous and ripped it all out. This revealed varnished pine floors underneath!
     



     
    I love my wooden floors! Although, I sometimes stumble upon the random carpet staple....... ouchies....
     
    The bathroom is the next to be finished, as it needs new vinyl floors.
     
  15. Roa McToa

    Vakatu's Rahi

    By Roa McToa,

    I busted it hard for the last few nights, and built Vakatu's Rahi to 95% completion! It is very different from any creation I have ever made. It's a visual treat indeed! Stay tuned!
  16. Roa McToa

    We Continue Onward!

    By Roa McToa,

    After we both got our fix swimming in the giant tub of masks, we continued onward in our adventure.
     
    "Hey Green Guy, check this out!" I hollar'd.
     

     
    "RWAAAAARGHHHHHH!!!!!"
     
    "OH MY GOSHZORZ!" Green Guy screamed as he fell down. He ran off all wide eyed.
     
    "Green Guy! It was only a joke?!?"
     
    I turned around only to see him standing there, with..... thaa-aaa-aa-aaat?
     

     
    "Hee heee heeeeee! My Rahi is assembled! I win!"
     
    "Oh fine then! Lets get going, I know there is a portal around here that'll take us to another dimension. If were lucky, it will be our own dimension..."
     
    Walking along further, we both started to hear strange sounds. They were thunderous, and grew louder with each pulse. We both shivered in fear, as it sounded like giant footsteps!
     
    Then it happened So Suddenly!!!! ZOMG
     

     
    "AARRRRGGGG! You are not native matoran of this realm, and you will be PUNISHED!"
     
    We both screamed in utter fear for our lives as this Evil Takanuva took us up in the air with his big claws. "Let us go... please?!?!"
     
    "NEVER! You will have to come with me for your punishment for trespassing!"
     
    With that, Evil Takanuva took us hostage.........
     
     
    It seems like things are going downhill for our heroes. Will they be able to escape from Evil Takanuva, or will they be punished to DEATH!!??!!??
     
    Stay tune to the next episode of Letagi's Matoran go on an Alaskan Adventure!
  17. Roa McToa

    Will I Finish In Time?

    By Roa McToa,

    I am hoping hoping hoping that I will be able to get my display built in time for brickfest. I am stuck in anchorage till this weekend (I hope not longer). I need to get back home and build. I am totally sweating it for the fact that I need to build 3 giant rahi, and build the rest of the Reikia too. The Suvika themselves need a little touching up, especially on their legs. I may incorporate a poseable waist into the models at a later time.
     
    I wanted to retouch on Rayzaurak too and give him better flexibility in his legs, and more supportive feet. I hate the fact that he has to use his hands to support himself, as they were not meant for that. They need to be free to grab things like Toa and Matoran.
     
    I've been brainstorming ideas for how to build Paruvaks rahi, and it will be really neat. I'm going to incorporate the large grey wheels from the brown star wars battle droid set into the rahi's hips, and see if I can make them have gear friction in the hips so posing it is easier. Toa Metru legs for toes would look neat too.....
     
    For Kokatas rahi I was thinking of either making the sabercat, like the drawing, or making something more along the lines of Falcore from The Neverending Story. Still not sure, as the head is almost birdlike, but has a sabercat look to it. decisions decisions decisions!
     
    And Vakatu, I still have no idea, but hopefully when I receive my bricklink orders, I can come up with something. I think a giant fire scorpion would look cool!
     
    The Reikia on the other hand, all depends if I can get the right armour. I have enough to build the Onu-Reikia, and I think I ordered some more armor colors, but I'm not sure. The Ta-Reikia has a really awesome carapace, and the Onu will be similar, but with a few major differences. The body structure of the Ta and Po Reikia are different too. I'm going to try different bodies for all 6 of them. Hopefully they will be a raging success!
     
    When I get back home, and if I have to travel to anchorage again before brickfest for work, I'll be sure to pack up all my parts for transport, cause this stint in town really killed my building time. I plan on going back either sunday, monday or tuesday, depending on the amount of work that is available. Wish me luck!
     
    Stay tuned for a Seward Life entry with pictures when I get back home. I was unable to do it last time for various reasons. Its really a charming little town. I love living there, as it reminds me so much of the great times I spent with my grandpa when my family would visit. I'll post up some of my moms 1964 earthquake experiences regarding the house, and how far the wave went and the condition it left the town in. My grandfathers home survived the quake with no damage and was a safe house for so many people after the quake. Stay tuned for more!
     
    Until next time, Roa out.............
  18. Roa McToa

    Winter Cometh!

    By Roa McToa,

    So, yeah. Winter is officially setting in up here in Seward. I got to scrape the rental yard with the loader to clear it of the slush that would undoubtedly turn into ice this morning.
     
    I have a feeling this year that I am going to be responsible for a lot of the plowing that my workplace contracts out every year. I told the Bossman that I wanted to run the loader more plowing snow this year, and get an even better feel for it. It will look awesome on my resume if I have a lot of hours logged on equipment.
     
    Behold my Ryde! (sans the gnarly bucket teeth, ours has a smooth edge blade)
     

     
    Its a small loader, and is very nimble. You can make some really tight turns, and get into tight places too. The loader is an articulated type, so it bends in the middle to steer. So bring it on Jack Frost, I'mma ready for ya!
  19. Roa McToa

    Woo Score!

    By Roa McToa,

    $7.00 Gets you a lot when you go to the thrift store! My defender class shifter thinks so too!
     

     
    This kit is absolutely loaded with white bionicle pieces. I think I can finally rebuild Mukaia the way I wanted to now! Hooray!
  22. Roa McToa
    Oi oi oi, it took me the entire entry period to build this beast........
     
    I hated it at first with a massive passion, because it didn't look like Anything. After working with it, I now love it, and may very well save it for NW Brick Con!
     
    Anyhoo, heres the Topic
     
    And a pic for ones enjoyment
     

     
     
  23. Roa McToa
    Brickfest was the biggest, most AWESOMEST thing EVER! Click Here to See My Pictures!
     
    My display was a HUGE hit, not only to the public, but tio all the Adult Lego fans that were attending the convention as well! They had all taken the time to approach me and tell me how awesome my bionicle display was, and that my creations had a very organic feel to them. Something they say they have never seen in a "Pure Bionicle" creation. They were suprised at the complexity of mocs on my table, and were dually impressed by the techniques that I used to build my giant rahi. I even got many comments on color coordination. They said that the colors were very pleasing to the eye.
     
    I got proppz from all kinds of folks, from train and town, to technic and mindstorms, and even the lego higher ups, a legoland CA master builder, and the head man on the MMO lego game. In all sense, they want to see more! Pakuudo brought a lot of love to the table, and constant demonstrations of how Kukorahk worked Wowed the audience. They love his functionality.
     
    I also got to experience the MOST INTENSE lego purchasing session ever too! There was a great sale on bashed up scratched up lego and bionicle sets at the local lego outlet store, and it was like a massive free for all. I was able to get Axonn Brutaka and Vezon and Ferakk all for half price, including the Race for the Mask of Life playset!. KIE bought a pridak for half price for me too, how nice of him to help me out, not to mention that it was he who grabbed the race playset for me off the mound of damaged boxes. Thanks KIE, I owe you a big one Buddy!!!! The store was crammed shoulder to shoulder with lego fanatics trying for the best deals on pick a brick, and the scratch and dent pile. It was a blast indeed!
     
    I got to meet many bzp members, and was very happy to answer their questions about my creations. It is my goal to inspire kids and adults alike to be better builders. I am happy to share building techniques with others, and expand their minds.
     
    The fact that these are all animation models also captured the attention of the AFOL's, and the public alike. News of my movie started to spread like wildfire around the convention, and I soon had people coming up to me, asking about the story, and also with general questions about the movie. I revealed some new information, and will update the movie thread shortly with new story information!
     
    Another rather extremely exciting bit of news I recieved, is that I have been invited to attend Northwest BrickCon, held in Seattle in October. I am to represent Bionicle there, giving a couple big speeches on Bionicle, and what I like about it, as well as the building techniques that I have learned in my time as a builder. I am getting the attention of the higher ups in the lego community, and may be inadvertently stepping into a whole new world of "lego abassadordom". The possibilities are endless, and I truly hope that Bionicle takes me somewhere in the future! Cheers for Bionicle, and the amazing building system that it is!
     
    I am going to make some new giant rahi animations soon, so stay tuned on the movie thread!
     
    The name the Reikia contest is coming up soon too, so keep your eyes open on my blog!
     
    As for now, Roa McToa out...... because I am totally beat after 4 days on nonstop LEGO!!! WAHOOOOOO
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