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Swert

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  1. Swert

    Final MakutaFest

    By Swert,

    I can't believe it's been this long. MakutaFest started in 2010 as a side project established by The TTV Channel (then The Three Virtues podcast) and the BS01 Podcast (then the... BS01 Podcast. We kinda suck at naming stuff xD).
     
    Does anybody remember the first livestream? I don't. Literally cannot remember it happened, or that it was even a thing until 2011 rolled around. But I honestly cannot imagine what life would have been like during 2010-2016 without MakutaFest. I'm not going to say we influenced the return of BIONICLE (we didn't) or that we kept the fanbase alive (it'd live on without MF) but, personally for myself, BIONICLE would not be the same without MakutaFest. It's what keeps me excited for everything.
     
    With that said, this will be our finale. Our last blast, as it were. Why? Times change, we keep moving forward, and in order to do that we need to say goodbye in a proper venue. For me, that is MakutaFest. For others, they may have already come to terms, and wish to reminisce with the good ol' times of G1, or reflect on what was and could have been in G2. For even more others, they may still be looking for closure, and I do believe MF is the closure we all might be seeking.
     
    So please, feel free to join us on Aug. 19th. It won't cost a dime to attend, it just requires you to go check out TTV's YouTube channel and watch the livestream. Couldn't be simpler.
     
    ... Also we're giving away one of BS01's artbooks. Should I have started with that? More info here.
  2. Swert
    So I've been placed in charge of coordinating a (rather small-ish?) table area for a Lego art and play event in Tacoma, WA. I've already begun planning how it will form together, but the fun part still comes in that I need to build about 7-10 new items that go towards it being awesome, including a new display case for my masks.
     
    In other news, if you happen to hear from the TTV Brickfeed podcast I was on, I actually left my job of six years recently. This is one of the contributing factors in letting me get a chance to plan such an area in the first place (otherwise I'd be planning -everything else- at that event.) With that said, it's going to be an interesting ride to see what I can pull off design-wise.
     
    I'll try to post photos when I get it set up, if anybody's interested
  3. Swert

    BS01 Podcast and more

    By Swert,

    Whew, editing videos can be challenging some days. I posted not
    but BS01 Podcast Interview episodes on our YouTube channel. I have to say, I came up with a very useful format that's very easy to edit and publish, but eventually I'm going to have to find a way to make it even faster. Also the fact I have a 40 minute video to edit next will likely notKill me  
    I also finally got my ticket for BrickCon 2016 (YAAAY I'M GOING THIS YEAR!) and I'm going full-force this time. I don't know what I will do officially, but maybe I'll bring my new Nuva Cube? That'll be fun.
     
    Also I have a new Nuva Cube. It lights up. It's also tiled on the surface. You're welcome, Kayru!
     
    Otherwise, it's been chaotic the past few weeks (boss went on vacation in Europe, I had to handle the entire shop, practically by myself. Not much fun.) and now I'm looking forward to just catching up.
     
    Sooo yeah, that's that. Cheers, all.
  4. Swert

    BrickCon 2016

    By Swert,

    ... So I might be going. Depends on funding and/or events leading up to the show.
     
    ... So what should I build in celebration of my return from a 2 year exile? XD
  5. Swert
    It has been about 10 years since I last had semi-permeant access to a decent video editing software. I cannot believe how much I missed doing videos until I opened the BS01 YT channel.
     
    So now that I have this power, I promise not to abuse it.
     
    Much.
     
    ... I should make that BS01 trailer I've always wanted TTV Podcast to make for me : O
  6. Swert
    I have to say, I am super proud of SPIRIT for getting us hooked up with Volta and the voice actors. Seriously, SPI does not get enough credit from us, and I want to fix that now.
     
    Basically, praise SPI. He earned it.
     
    ... Also go listen to our interviews.
  7. Swert
    Sooo... ain't gonna lie, if you planned to enter the photo contest right now, your odds of winning General Grievous are looking pretty good right now. Like, very good.
     
    This is a reminder that The Caption and Meme contests will be ending tomorrow night, December 2nd, at 11:59 PM PST. To enter, you simply have to email us an original meme based on Star Wars, or caption the photo below, to biosector01@outlook.com with the name of the contest you're entering in the subject line.
     

     
    We'll also have news on the Luke Giveaway on our Facebook page very soon!
  9. Swert

    Life update 8/3

    By Swert,

    Well, that was a rush.
    We just completed Skull Week on BS01's Facebook and Twitter accounts. ​We posted our first wave of reviews of the 2015 Summer Sets (Wave 2) by Dorek, with a slightly modified system. We gained some feedback over the last few months while reviewing the first wave of sets, and took them all to heart. Now I think we are truly ready for the future of BIONICLE. In addition to that, we also gave away a couple of summer sets. We hope to do so again in the future.
     
    In the other news of life, I'm patiently waiting for my shipment of Exploding Kittens (if you don't know what that is, I assure you it's NOT a bad thing... much.) to arrive. I bought the $35 bundle, which if you're in the know, you know what that means I intend to play as many rounds as possible until we all get sick of it. But, you never know when that might happen.
     
    Otherwise, it's too hot to do much else, so I'm going to go back to not doing much else.
  10. Swert
    MakutaFest 2015 is behind us. Now, it is time to look forward.
     
    ... But while we're looking forward, let's listen back to the past : D
     
     



    Again, thank you to all the listeners, and to my TTV and BS01 co-hosts. Let's never talk about this again.
     
    ... Until next year
  11. Swert
    Hey all.
     
    ... I haven't posted in awhile. Huh. ANYWAY.
     
    Coming up this Saturday, we've got MakutaFest 2015. Cue the one lonely dude cheering in the back corner. Not that guy, the one next to him that's quieter. I'll be one of the hosts for this upcoming event, and we have plans to giveaway a few sets on the stream via trivia questions and via raffle. For more details, view the video
    . 
    Likewise, we're also planning to review the Summer 2015 sets as soon as they arrive to us on BS01, and we'll most likely do a giveaway when our Facebook hits 500 likes (we have a Facebook page, by the way) of something. So yeah, it's pretty crazy.
     
    Oh, and I'm still working a lot, too. That's basically a wrapup of my goings-on for now. See you guys on Saturday!
     
    *updated to add FB link... silly Dorek*
  12. Swert
    A topic came up a long time ago (in a blogpost far, far away) in I think Black Six's blog. The subject was what movie order would be suffice showing someone who has never seen Star Wars the saga. Now, there appears to be several camps, with the mass majority being the 4-5-6-1-2-3 and 4-5-6 camps (skipping 1-2-3 as much as possible) but I came up with one that I'd like to share, this being May the Fourth (it still is in PDT, anyway).
     
    The order I formulated was 1-4-2-5-3-6 (then 7 when it comes out, assuming it doesn't tank). This is by far the best way to show someone the movies without spoiling the big reveals. I'll briefly touch base on why this order makes sense *POTENTIAL SPOILERS*
     
    Episode 1, if you may not recall (for any number of reasons) introduced us to Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon, Yoda, Anakin Skywalker, Senator Palpatine and Padmé Amidala. (Skipping the droids because they're both in all six movies, so yeah) While it's more than obvious that Padmé is going to probably end up with Anakin in the near future, for the outside observer you don't get much more than a "meh" from this movie. I think there's a space battle? I'll be kinda honest, it's the weakest link out of the six (seven), but it's best to get it out of the way now to let the other 5 (6) build up more.
     
    Episode 4 is the true introduction to Star Wars for most of us, and it introduces Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and reintroduces Obi-Wan as a wizened Jedi Master, who sees Luke and remembers the boy that Luke's father was (wooOOOooooo plot connection!). Luke and cast leave Tatooine, with Luke swearing he'll never return. We are also introduced to Darth Vader, an evil Jedi who we are told killed Anakin. This is probably never mentioned again whatsoever in any other movie and probably isn't special trivia at all.
     
    Episode 2 now introduces the beginning of the Clone Wars, mentioned in passing during Episode 4 when Obi-Wan met Luke, and it also introduces us to Jango Fett and by proxy Boba Fett. We also get to see how awesome Jango is fighting a Jedi. We also see a fight scene with Master Yoda and Count Dooku, which leads us into Episode 5. Jar Jar Binks basically puts Palpatine in charge single-handedly after being manipulated, way to go Jar Jar. Reason #4,312 nobody likes you. Oh, and we also get to meet the first generation Stormtroopers. Way to make 'em worse later, Empire. Also, hints of Anakin's rebellious nature, including his attraction Padmé that was basically shouted at us since the first movie.
     
    Episode 5 is the big reveal movie, basically. Luke meets Yoda, Vader's not dead, we meet Lando Calrissian, Han is betrayed by Lando, Luke is trained, Luke enters a cave, Luke senses trouble after the trippy cave scene, he goes to Cloud City, Han is taken to Tatooine by Boba Fett (remember him from up there ^?), the big reveal is made, hands are lost, Luke is rescued, and the movie basically ends on an even worse cliffhanger than Smaug attacking Lake-town. (I am... death.)
     
    Episode 3 is where the big reveal leads us to the inevitable demise of Anakin Skywalker and the rise of Darth Vader. Basically, it's the birth of the Empire and so on and so forth. But we do get an epic fight scene between Palpatine and Yoda. Still didn't save the movie for me, IMO. Next movie!
     
    Episode 6 is the movie that takes it all home for us. (Until Episode 7.) Pretty much Empire builds a new Death Star, the Emperor arrives on the new Death Star, The cast returns to Tatooine against Luke's will, they get captured, and Luke single-handedly rescues half the cast from a giant slug. Later, many Bothans die to get information about the Death Star II to the Rebels, we are all sad but can't remember what a Bothan is, then the entire cast except Lando go to the forest moon of Endor (why a moon? Why not the planet Endor? Whatever.) to disable the shields on the clearly disabled Death Star. Turns out, it's a trap! and they're ambushed. Luke fights Vader, Ewoks happen, the Emperor is defeated, Vader dies, Anakin is avenged, and finally Force ghost cameos for all.
     
    ... I'll admit, didn't quite expect to write all that, but I said whatever, nobody reads my blog anyway
     
    To summarize (TL:DR), 1-4-2-5-3-6(-7) is probably the best way to introduce someone to Star Wars, assuming they haven't seen it before or were spoiled in any way, shape or form. I'm sure people will disagree, but I hope my rather long arguments for this reason will sway you to see it my way.
     
    Besides, you could always keep ignoring 1-2-3 if that's what you'd prefer. I won't judge you, I'm only socially obligated to even have those DVDs (Actually, I didn't mind 1-2-3 as much, but I could go on even longer rants on how I'd fix those personally. This is why I don't rant much.)
  13. Swert

    WMKK

    By Swert,

    Twelve years after the legendary hunt for the Sterling Silver and White Metal Krana-Kal, I finally got my hands on at least one of the 5,000 WMKK. On top of that? I also got the card -and- the bag.
     

     
    I am very pleased with this addition to my collection. It is probably the only "rare" collectible I plan to go after in my lifetime, as it was the most likely to obtain.)
     
    Special thanks to Toa Lhikan Hordika for giving me the opportunity to use currency in a way to exchange goods to the benefit of both parties.
  14. Swert
    Man, chaos all around x_x
     
    So, I'm planning to attend ECCC this Friday (Yay SEALUG free pass!) and enjoy the event. We're taking 12 of our Superhero Megafigs (the 12x minifig models we make), all Marvel, including a Stan Lee model. They will be on display along with the other SEALUG and ARCHLUG models. I'll see if I can get photos while I'm there, if anybody is interested. Who knows, I may run into other BZP people there, I hope? Like, can I not be lonely that day? : D
     
    Second, I'm also in the final stages of planning for a huuuuge 16 day Lego Expo called Brick by Brick down at the building my studio is in. We're planning to display art plus have build areas for kids to come in during their spring break, plus running select events and artist-led workshops. It's going to be pretty awesome, but at the same time it's also eating up all my free time that I'd rather be elsewhere doing stuff with. I'll also see about getting photos for that, but no promises as we made that a Kickstarter backer reward.
     
    Overall, I'm wiped and I should probably go sleep now. I still have two more megafigs to build, and they're not even for ECCC.
  15. Swert
    So awhile back, I posted I had collected all original 100 2001 Bionicle masks (aka, the ones from any 2001 set that was commercially available, minus the red Ruru). Of course, that's without the misprints and other sharp rarities such as a 14 karat gold Hau, but those are sadly going to be out of my reach for a good long while.
     
    Once I finished amassing this collection, I asked the million dollar question: How do I display it? Well, make a plaque like everyone else, of course! Wait, I ran out of wall space with my three large bookcases. Huh, okay let's just.. uhh... make a stand? Sure, let's do that. Okay, how? Well, I knew Technic would be a little pricey, so I tried out system plates and stuff.
     

     
    ... That didn't work out so well. What about brick?
     

     
    ... Nope. Okay, back to Technic! What about this?
     

     
    ... We're getting somewhere. But at that pace, I'd need to make about 18 of them just to display my masks. What can we do with that?
     

     
    ... I think we have a winner.
     

     
    Oh yeah, found a winner. So basically, I prototyped out a single unit, used bulk masks we have in stock at the studio (we have a TON of these, so many that Xccj and I used some of them in the Mata Nui model we built a few years back) and tested the math a little. With some adjustment, and some PAB mayhem, I was able to solidify a design I'd be proud of.
     

     
    The parts for this unit are already on their way from PAB, and I will able to build it and put the first set of Kanohi (Akamai's group I think, or Gold/Silver/Matoran, haven't decided yet) on it. I also plan to display the pair of Avohkii I own (Gold and Transparent Gold), my Kraahkan (MEK and standard), the Copper Masks, Rahi masks, and one Silver Avohkii to represent my old character Scohu.
     
    So yeah, I hope this (extra long!) blog entry will help to inspire some members in displaying items. Each unit will only measure 7.5 inches wide, be less than 4 inches deep and only go up to about 5 inches in height. This will easily fit on my bookshelf units on top, though I will most likely have to retire a few units to a box from there (or just clean it up x_x). Oh, and if you feel you could use those system prototypes for anything, go for it. I washed my hands of them months ago
  16. Swert

    January Updates (Rambling)

    By Swert,

    Huh, I haven't posted in like a month? Welp, time to lump all my updates into one entry, as I am wont to do.
     
    So, where do I start? My new year's eve was immediately turned into a downer when my mom went to the hospital. She stayed there for a good 2 weeks (she's back home, and healthier than she's felt "since 1998"). From that day til pretty much last week I've been working my mask off in project after project. While this basically means it ate up all of my time I wanted to wisely spend on BS01, it does mean I am happily building up a budget that will help go towards (POSSIBLY) a better server, which means I can possibly bring HS01 back full-time. No promises there yet.
     
    Christmas stuffs, not much happened. I took it upon myself to buy all my own decent gifts; This included all six Toa Masters (I'm keeping it going for ya, Jason), two Protectors (Earth and Water), LoSS, the Double Decker Couch and Bad Cop's new car set. Two of the Toa, LoSS, and the two Lego Movie sets are still in shipping as I type this, but I have four of the Toa already built (Lewa, Pohatu, Gali, Kopaka). I also treated myself to the EMP Museum up in Seattle on a slow day, which means I got to see the Vince Lombardi trophy the Seahawks won last year in person, plus a few other things that made my day. I absolutely love the EMP, it is a wonderful venue, and I look forward to the day when we return to it with even more Lego displays.
     
    Currently debating whether or not to retire this laptop for a touchscreen to get ahead of Windows 10's release, or jus build a new desktop instead and let the laptop ride until summer. If I do the desktop method, I'd want a new monitor and peripherals too, so it'd probably cost the same as a touchscreen laptop. Halp?
     
    Otherwise, not much else big is happening. It occurred to me while writing this that in 2 days I'll have been on BZPower for 12 years. That's an interesting thought; I'm only 27 years old, which means in three years I've have been on BZPower for half my lifetime exactly.
     
    And with all that, I have only one more thing to say: Go Seahawks.
  18. Swert
    One guess.
     
    So given Microsoft just lowered the price of the Xbox One back on Saturday, I decided to pick up an Assassin's Creed Unity Kinect-less bundle, $350. It didn't occur to me when I got it they also planned to give me AC4 as a bonus, which given I already had it on the 360 was a nice plus.
     
    I then proceeded to buy Fibbage for $6 and Minecraft XBO edition for $5.
     
    ... So basically, I spent almost $400 (with tax) on a brand new console, 4 games, and basically a multipurpose controller (I found I could use my phone charging cable to connect it to my laptop, so YAY BORDERLANDS CONTROLLER <3) and I still have Lego Batman 3 coming in next week.
     
    ... Aaand an almost booked solid two months of work, of which I won't see much time in any of these games much before the weekends anyway. Sigh.
  19. Swert
    It is done.
     
     



    1) Yes, I know I'm missing misprints and other rarities. Most notably missing is the European Copper Huna and more premium items (24k Gold Hau for example).
     
    2) Also of note, I have some 02-03 masks in this list, including the gold Avohkii, Nuparu's orange Pakari, the gold Vahi, the MEK and Kraahkan, but they're in my collection so I count them.
     
    3) I don't currently have plans to go get Kanohi Nuva, Krana or Kraata; I might consider the Kanoka, but those are super hard to get just right.
     
    So yeah, that's 2 months' work. Just in time, too.
  20. Swert

    I have a Tahu Mask

    By Swert,

    Though not one you guys might consider "real."
     

     
    Basically, I'm getting questions about it on BS01; "Will there be vector logos of the new masks? What about the logo?"
     
    So I figure to try my hand and see what I thought. I'm quite happy with it, I think. The watermark's to preserve it until I decide what else to do with it.
     
    Thoughts are welcome, and I do plan to finish the other 5, the Protectors masks, and the two legendary masks.
  21. Swert

    BS01 Beta skin

    By Swert,

    So, if you didn't already notice from the other day when we set it to the default skin, BS01 has a new skin in the works: http://biosector01.com/wiki/index.php?title=Main_Page&useskin=metrolook
     
    I'm still tinkering with it, I have suggestions and I know of at least a mile long list of corrections to be made as we go. At least I fixed the search button (it originally went to a search page, similar to Wikia; it now goes to the page you typed in, with a search being the redundant fallback if no page exists).
     
    Basically, it's a WIP which I will attempt to solve before Bionicle is announ-
     
    "Bionicle 2015!"
     
    ... before 2015
     
    Also GO HAWKS!
  22. Swert
    During MakutaFest 2014, we had a grand prize giveaway of a Lego sculpture modeled after the Legend of Metru-Nui Vahi. The winner was, of course, VoxuChro.
     
    When I posted the topic for signup, I mentioned I could only ship to North America, due to cost and insurance. However, to make up for this limitation to our non-NA listeners, I agreed to release the instructions to the public so anybody, regardless of country of origin, could get one of they so chose to make one. Therefore, today I publically announce the download link for the Vahi, including a parts list.
     

    Click for ZIP


    I look forward to seeing photos of anybody's attempt at it, and if you can find improvements on the concept I welcome it (I get the feeling I'll be seeing a few dozen gold-recolored LDD models in the next few days, though. Bring it on, I say 8D)
     
    Build on.
  23. Swert

    The Collecting of Masks

    By Swert,

    About 2 weeks ago, my boss' son came to the studio with about 3 bins in hand. Each one filled to the top with Bionicle.
     
    "What's that," I asked.
     
    "I'm selling my Bionicle to my dad," he replies. "I'll give you first dibs, though." He knows me too well.
     
    So I sift through the first bin, and I notice a pattern. There's -plenty- of Kanohi in here. We're talking A LOT.
     
    It was in this moment I elected to go ahead and buy all the Kanohi from him. Literally every one I could find. So I did.
     
    And then I talked with Toa Lhikan Hordika, who sent me his spare Kanohi as well.
     
    And then I got permission to check the other overstock Bionicle in the shop we had left over, to find more masks I needed. I was left needing only 25 more.
     
    I then checked Bricklink. I found every single mask I needed.
     
    EXCEPT. FOR. ONE.
     
    A stupid Red Miru. Nobody on Bricklink is selling it. Figures.
     
    So I'll probably track it down via friends first, then if that falls through I'll come here to BST. Once I secure that one, I'll probably move to buying whatever I need left off of Bricklink, though I bet I could buy more from my list of needs here more than I could there.
     
    Anyway, rant over basically. Worth mentioning, I have no current desire to track down Krana, Kraata, Kanohi Nuva, or Kanoka. Likewise no misprints or prototypes. Strictly 01 Mata Great and Noble. That may eventually change, but I'm a simple man who is more than satisfied with the simplest collection known to Bionicle fandom.
  24. Swert
    Alright, so if you were part of the randomness that was MakutaFest 2014, you would recall I mentioned something about a grand prize. That grand prize was, of course, a Vahi that was practically life-sized, based on the movie-edition, and made of Lego.
     
    It took me ~1 hour to build from scratch in the studio I work at, and took me all of 30 minutes in LDD to build and pose. I then took it into another program to make instructions of it, so others can build it at home. The only difference between the winner (Voxumo, if you didn't catch that at the show) and yourself is he gets it for free. Sadly you will have to locate parts yourself to build it, but at least I used common enough parts. I didn't price this out on BrickLink and/or PAB yet, so I don't know what the overall cost will be, so if it turns out to be too expensive I am sorry.
     
    Once I mail the prize to Voxumo and receive confirmation that it arrived safely, I will be releasing the Vahi instructions and parts list for all to use. I had fun designing and building it, and I look forward to 2015 where I probably won't be building a Vahi again
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