Jump to content

ChocolateFrogs

Premier Reporters
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    7,190

  • Joined

  • Days Won

    1

 Content Type 

Blog Entries posted by ChocolateFrogs

  1. ChocolateFrogs

    Geeky Fail

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    Description for new Verizon Droid R2-D2:

    What is wrong here? (While we can nitpick over the cheesy "Navigational Masters, communication experts, foreign linguists, Golden Retrievers of information," that is not what I am looking at.)
     
    First person to get it right gets an internet.
     
    -CF
  2. ChocolateFrogs

    Kindle Or Nook

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    Does anyone have any strong opinions or facts on these eReaders? I am half-tempted to get one, and was focusing on Amazon's Kindle until recently someone had some great info on Barnes and Noble's Nook.
     
    My biggest questions/concerns:
    -Are buying books for it extremely cost-effective compared to the hard-version of a book?
    -Are there ways to "borrow" a book for a short period of time, as I get most of my novels from the library? (And I know that really old books are usually free.)
    -Are text-books available? While I could not resell them after the semester is over, if the price is significant enough then it might be worth it.
    ("Cost-effective" not including the actual price of the eReader. I'm inclined to put this on my Christmas list, though I still want to know about text-books especially if that will help me.)
     
    I have played around with a Kindle twice and really like it, as far as reading a standard book goes. The size and weight is really a turn-on too. I know that it also has a wifi browser (and for more money could access some phone company's 3G network, not that I want that). I feel like taking advantage of its capabilities, being someone that likes technology, but the price and principles could make me stick to actual books for now until it really suits my needs.
     
    -CF
  4. ChocolateFrogs

    Harvest Faire

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    Going to a local Renaissance Festival today with my family who is visiting for Family Weekend. (A small one, I gather, compared to the Maryland Renn Fest.) It is practically behind the university, so no complaints there.
     
    I had a cosplay for The 11th Doctor all ready (shirt, pants, suspenders, bow-tie, sonic screwdriver, no jacket) but the temperatures are going to be near 80 degrees and I want to be comfortable. Shame, though, because it would have been really clever. (But the costume is not lost though, as I expect to be attending a Halloween pumpkin carving event next weekend and then, of course, there's Halloween.)
     
    But that is besides the point (and a larger paragraph than the one making the point, lol, so maybe that is the real point: subconsciously relating the demise of my Doctor costume).
     
    -CF
  5. ChocolateFrogs
    Say...if I built Atlantis (Pegasus Galaxy city), wouldn't that technically count as a spaceship? [/non sequitur (that could still be answered)]
     
    In the AFOL-verse, building a SHIP is quite an accomplishment. A SHIP is a Seriously Huge Investment in Pieces, resulting in something, most notably a spaceship (though huge navy ships, airplanes, castles, mosaics, big Bionicle MOCs and anything really big are all equal accomplishments IMO) that is over 100 studs long and thus requires lots of time and pieces (and money for pieces probably) to build it.
     
    Hopefully you have seen pictures (or the real things) of some SHIPs at BrickCon this past weekend: 1, 2, 3
     
    I would, almost obviously, like to build one some day (some day soon). While I am going to build Stargate's Destiny, I am probably going to keep that at about a foot long, simply because I do not want to build a 3 foot grey greeble and buy a few pounds of bley brick.
     
    Plus, it would be more impressive if I built something from my own mind (so Serenity is pretty much out of the question). I want to use a few good colors that blend nicely and will allow for some clever techniques. This is not something that will happen overnight, and it will take some thought. But if there was something pertaining to my building interests, this would be quite the appropriate endeavor.
     
    I think the best place to start would be building a reinforced technic frame that is 100 studs long. This would allow me to define the width of the ship and probably add in some slight modularity so I can break it off in sections for travel.
     
    -CF
  6. ChocolateFrogs
    Wow, LEGO really outdid themselves this time with the new Diagon Alley set. And this really seems like something that I wanted but never knew it until it was released. It just makes so much sense!
     
    Can't really complain about the buildings they chose; there are plenty more we know of but it would just raise the $150 price tag. Speaking of which, that small detail is probably the only thing keeping me from really wanting to buy it. Even on sale, say half off, that is a lot of money.
     
    Overall, though, this looks like a great set and I am really impressed.
     
    -CF
  9. ChocolateFrogs

    Phonage

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    In reference to yesterday's entry...
     
    Then again, could I go two years with a dissatisfying phone? And at $10 a month, that is reasonable considering I have a job. Functionally, it is also better. I am more or less a power user, taking advantage of keyboard shortcuts and whatnot.
     
    I feel that looking at it in the long-term, the better option is to go for the better phone, even if it costs me a little more.
     
    -CF
  10. ChocolateFrogs
    Last night's episode of Stargate Universe was a good start to the season. It was weird, suspenseful, challenging, and twisting. Although I had read spoilery synopses online, I was still surprised by some of what happened.
     
    Last year seemed to be letting down for the first half, up to season 10, and the second half was still dragging a little while they did introduce more story. From what I have read so far though, this season should be better in overall plot and story-arc. I am looking forward to it so much that I just might try dearly to watch it live each week, something I do not usually do.
     
    Here's what is super cool though: SyFy channel was having a live IM chat with David Blue, the actor of character Eli, the lazy geek that cracks the code to actually getting on board Destiny and has assisted with his smartness throughout the show. Every now and then he makes some geeky references to Star Wars and such. So when I found out I could talk to him live I immediately logged on to ask what I had wanted to ask him for a while now:
     
    Me: Hey David, are you (and Eli) a Firefly fan, and do you think you could/would work in a Firefly reference along with all the other geekery you enjoy mentioning?
    There were probably half-a-dozen people posting at the same time I was, but next thing I know I got a response:
    David: [My name] Dude, I'd KILL to have Nathan on the show for an episode.
     
    OK, not a direct response like "yeah I'll see if I can say 'Let's name it Vera' next time we find a big gun," but a response nonetheless, confirming his Firefly fandom!
     
    Yeah. B)
     
    -CF
  11. ChocolateFrogs

    SĜŪ Trickery

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    OK, I greatly enjoyed tonight's season premier of Stargate Universe. I also think this season has a ton of potential.
     
    But enough small talk. I get an email from my dad halfway through the episode saying "How are you liking Stargate Universe so far? I’ve been watching it too and it looks a whole lot better than on my laptop!" (via Hulu a week later). (What's funny is he has always been on the fence but still watches it. Heh, gives me someone to talk to about it.)
     
    But no, not on his laptop. On the family's new 42 inch flat screen TV!
    Wait, what? That is correct. He sent me pictures of him, watching SGU live (keep in mind that we only have had basic cable) on a television that would take major convincing and teeth-pulling to get my mom to agree to. (Incidentally, she suggested buying this on-sale TV.)
     
    So not only does the family now have a TV screen two inches bigger than my roommate's that sits in the common room, and not only do we now get cable TV at home with a bazillion channels we won't watch (I'm crossing my fingers for BBC America), but we get stuff in HD. I was watching SGU wishing that of the handful of channels the school offers in HD that Syfy was one of them. And here he was watching it in HD, on a bigger TV, in impossible odds!
     
    Oh well. So how 'bout those Tau'ri?
     
    -CF
  12. ChocolateFrogs

    Library Job

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    I decided it would be advantageous for me to get a job this semester, so I would not have to draw from the money I earned over the summer/winter breaks and likewise possibly save some of what I would earn at school.
     
    My friend mentioned he was wrapping up his job at the school's library to work at the school's computer lab. I asked if his position was open and if I could have it. He said he would ask his boss about saving it for me. Next thing I know I am meeting him in the library to talk to said boss, not so much an interview but more like "are you sure you want this?" thing. Wow! No interview? I practically have it before I even meet him? Cool.
     
    So now I work in the library, behind the scenes dealing with the inter-library loans, which is a system of connected schools and libraries across the state, country, and world that share books with each other.
     
    Perks include free printing/copying and no fines. It is minimum wage, but that was expected for a basic on-campus job. It is really flexible with my schedule, so that is one of the best parts. The other best part is not having a uniform. I am in the back mostly, unseen usually, so I get to simply wear my normal clothes. (Cargo shorts/pants, t-shirt, fleece jacket or sweatshirt when it gets cold.)
     
    -CF
  13. ChocolateFrogs

    New Things!

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    1) Found out Anberlin had a new CD (despite lack of a banner in DeeVee's sig ) so DLed that immediately. It's good, sure, but I have not come across any addicting songs like their other CDs have.
     
    2) Made an order on an online site and it came in! In it was...army-green Blue Sun t-shirt! Woot for geekiness!
     
    3) Speaking of geekiness, along with that order of a Firefly shirt was...the 11th Doctor's sonic screwdriver! It's all kinds of wonderful.
    (Also, the burgundy bowtie came in, so now I am just waiting on the suspenders. And a chance to go to every thrift store within a small radius of this school in this town to find a good tan tweed jacket that will fit me. If I can get that for less than $5 then I think I will go all out and buy a fez online. We'll see though.)
     
    -CF
  14. ChocolateFrogs

    Affirmative Action

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    Space Police III. Great theme. But why oh why are the aliens always being captured by presumably human police? Apparently LEGO promised us an alien cop for the second wave, but we can all see the hollowness of that.
     
    However, it is not impossible to do it yourself. After all, this is LEGO! When they do not give us what we want, we build it!

    (With, of course, some human law-breakers.)
    (Full spread.) (Gallery, if it ever becomes public.)
     
    Sure, it is nothing much, considering the bodies are the same, but I had fun with the heads and helmets.
     
    -CF
  15. ChocolateFrogs

    Time Zones

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    Arpy is no longer 3 time zones away, and is instead just one. Makes IMing easier...were I/we ever on.
     
    I had a similar revelation at BrickFair with people being right here. (Well, "right here" being back in NoVA and not down here 3 hours away at school.) No three hour difference then!
     
    And now I have a friend studying abroad in Scotland, so that is a five hour difference. I might be finishing up lunch while she is finishing up dinner. Makes chatting kind of hard come the evening.
     
    -CF
  16. ChocolateFrogs
    ...so shall I get the Pharaoh and Vampire collectible minifigs!
     
    A little less than a year ago I made friends with a family in WAMALUG. A mom, dad, and their 11-year-old son, Ben. It was nice to be able to talk with them about being a college AFOL and enjoy seeing their son stick with LEGO as he approaches middle-school and consequently the hurdle of the "Dark Ages." They've done nice things for me, and I enjoy seeing them at WAMALUG (and BrickFair) when I go home.
     
    Today in the mail there was a small envelope...one containing the Vampire and Pharaoh minifigs: the ones I wanted! (The mom knew this, hehe.) It was so nice to get a LEGO care package unexpectedly (well, she asked for my school address, so I knew something was coming. But up to that point it was a surprise!)
     
    The Vampire is really cool for the hair, cloak, face, and all around vampireness. The Pharaoh was my first choice, however, since I missed out on the Adventurer's sets, and the Egypt stuff looked really cool. The headpiece is neat, but the scepter is especially awesome. Maybe it is the gold.... The torso and legs also have their uses. (Torso: Space suit for a fleshie.)
     
    -CF
  17. ChocolateFrogs
    Think you had today all figured out, did ya? Think ye and your gang would have a nice day out of port fer some sight-seein' or sommat? Well think again, ye scallywag! Today be International Talk Like a Py-rate Day, and ain't nothin' gonna stop it from happening! So pull up anchor, set sights on the horizon, and travel to wherever suits your fancy! You gotta be free to be a pirate!
     
    -CF
  18. ChocolateFrogs

    I Don't Get It

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    I mean, I do get it, it's just terribly annoying.
     
    Not that my roommates and I want to relocate after this school year, and instead just keep our room until graduation, but in the event that I am in need of a new roommate(s) next year, I sure hope they don't get all riled up and play video games like Halo: Reach and whatnot the minute it comes out against each other into the wee hours of morning (well not really), making tons of noise and cursing when they "die." IT'S JUST A VIDEO GAME!
     
    Yeah, sure, I do not play,* so maybe I do not get it. The few times they dragged me into a Halo FFA I was like "oh no! I almost had you but then I died!" but I wasn't yelling my face off. (My max kills is 6. These shooter games just are not for me. I think I shall stay away from trying them out.)
     
    Calm down guys. I'm trying to study. What does it matter if you do not rise to the top? You'll always be fighting each other again tomorrow.
     
    -CF
    *Portal. That is what I have played. Twice. And I enjoy the occasional Super Smash Brother's round. And sure, Mario Kart is WIN, but I do not let video games control my life. Better things for my time and money.
  19. ChocolateFrogs

    Unproductive

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    I hate being sick. I hate realizing that my night would be better spent lying in bed watching TV/movies on my computer* than doing homework.
     
    I don't like going through an entire box of tissues in one day.
     
    On the plus side, I am catching up on Warehouse 13. (Badger Mark Sheppherd is back!) (And I enjoyed the previous episode.)
     
    And I'm trying a bunch of new teas.
     
    But after three days, I better be better tomorrow.
     
    -CF
    *Not that I mind that particular activity.
  21. ChocolateFrogs

    11th Doctor Cosplay?

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    I just bought a shirt, at the local thrift store, that is close enough to what will pass in an 11th Doctor costume. What I am trying to say is that I am now committed. A bow tie will not be that much online. The most expensive items will be buying the screwdriver (but shipping will be minimized because at the same time I will buy a Blue Sun shirt, and my roommate will get a chrome Star Trek Jesus Fish) and suspenders, but I think I can get that for less than the first set I found for $20. Oh, and though I will not need it for a while, if ever,* I should probably get a tweed jacket. The issue though is knowing what my dimensions are, and getting the color correct enough. But I think I found something for $20, not including shipping
     
    I already have black slacks, but, aside from the shoes I shall use, I have to buy everything else. (I have tried building an Sonic Screwdriver Mark VII, but that is continually becoming less likely. I have attempted a few techniques, but at the same time I also have to worry about the few gold/copper/bronze pieces LEGO has made.)
     
    The biggest issue I am coming across right now is probably the color burgundy, which I can get the bow tie and suspenders in, but I think that sounds more purpley, but just plain red would be too bright. Edit: I am reading this one site about someone making their own costume (thanks Tilius) and they keep saying burgundy.
     
    -CF
    (I'd love to get a fez too. Hmm... That might require the jacket though, since that is when he was wearing it. I shall forgo a mop however.)
     
    *I plan on wearing this for a hopefully Halloween party mid-October, and probably Halloween, and maybe for a Renaissance Festival, but my next convention is most likely BrickFair '11, and that is not a cosplay event. There is not much need for the added layer, but I never know...
  22. ChocolateFrogs

    Upcoming Retreats

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    -This weekend (tomorrow) is the freshmen retreat (Viaticus, meaning "on the journey"). I co-coordinated this with a friend and we picked up 3 sophomores to be on team (usually it's just four total). We give talks and reflect in small groups on what it means to be a Catholic freshman in college, as well as simply being away and on one's own for the first time.
    (We have a good problem: we have 23 participants, not counting team and two extra drivers. While that is awesome (normally it is about 10), we scrambled to find enough cars to ride down to our Adult Campus Minister's beach house, and we will have to also be sleeping outside on the porch and in tents in the yard. WOW!)
     
    -Two weekends later I and CCM friends and other Catholics from the Diocese head to ECCL: Empowering Catholic Campus Leaders. It's more of a workshop than a retreat, where we have talks about leadership and various aspects associated with Catholic teaching.
     
    -In January I have a retreat in Baltimore which I hear is super awesome: a FOCUS Conference. While my campus does not have a FOCUS group, a friend has hooked us up with us going with a college that does, so we will be tagging along with them. Should be good, as I have listened to a few of their talks on my iPod, and they are really powerful. Which is why I decided to spend the $170 on it.
     
    -CF
  23. ChocolateFrogs

    Newsboys- Born Again

    By ChocolateFrogs,

    I do not usually make impulse buys on music, but on Friday I heard most of Newsboy's new album Born Again and searched for stuff online tonight. So far I liked what I heard (I was up to Miracles) and decided just to check out downloading it. Amazon had/has is for $5 so I immediately purchased it.
     
    When I first heard a song off the CD I thought it was Tobymac, but my friend explained how NB replaced their lead singer with someone from DC Talk, so it all makes sense (and I can hear some of that style coming in).
     
    Now, off to finish this CD!
     
    -CF
    (Current mood: Hawk Nelson's Hello (sans kazoos).)
  25. ChocolateFrogs
    Prithee, some possible posting postulates and probable posthaste pursuit practices of passion:
     
    With every excretion entering exactness here, alliteration is always acceptable and awesome.
     
    Why? No worries. Wonderful witticisms await. Wot wot?
     
    -CF
×
×
  • Create New...