ChocolateFrogs

Well, it started Friday, Aug 25. (maybe thursday night) Boy was it awesome. I got dropped off at 8:00 (even though it started at 9:00) My mom signed a paper because I'm under 18, and left. So I'm standing around watching people try to get registration started, in my hands my shoebox with 4 MOCs in it and a gift for "Dirty Brickster" I register at say...8:45. Get my brickbadge and have to make some of it. (It's a rule) My brickbadge says: -Benjamin P***** -ChocolateFrogs -BZPower -Brickfest 2006 They all say BF06, and you build the clapper shutter on top. This year's theme is showbiz. We also get a goodie bag/tote bag. It has the BF06 logo on it and is awsome. In it is free stuff like a magnet, custom guns by custom modelers, and a welcome booklet explaining BF. I also got my BF06 shirt but kept my BZPower one on. Thoughout the event I changed the decorations on my Brickbadge: Brutaka's mask, to... Spiderman, to... flames, to... visorak and a green Kakama, to... Visorak and a proto miru nuva So I get in, and people are all over the place setting up their own models. I find the Bionicle table but no Omicron. I walk around trying to find where everything is. That's outside the Grand Ballroom where most of the MOCs are. I'm trying to find the Bionicle Room to find Omi to set up my MOCs. In the end I walk around the GB and set up my two non-Bio MOCs. One of them being my friend's and is very delicate, and practically fell in half even with layers and layers of bubble wrap, the other classified wrong and had to be moved. But wait, there's more! I go to a talk on minifig customization. It's actually a class! We get to take the design off a minifig body and put on a BF06 logo. We are also taught how to take a stud off the top of a explorer hat, and drill holes for gogels. So I'm still looking around for Omi and in the end just set up my MOCs in the Bio room. Then I look around in the GB at everyone setting up their castles, towns, moonbases, big spaceships, etc. At about 12 o'clock I find Omi. And Rayg. We walk around together looking at everything. We also meet another BZPer (who's name I wrote down but is upstairs in my room and I don't feel like moving) and we basically hung around for the rest of the day. But wait, there's more! We go to the BrickBazaar and but things, like minifigs and peices. I got Spiderman $3), Doc Ock($3.50, but afterword found out he was $3 at another place), and some great peices: 56 flames ($1), 7 lightsaber blades blue and green ($1), 25 lightsaber handles and 1 curved Dooku and 1 grey ($1) The whole brickfest experience: priceless I went back later that weekend and got some sweet peices as well. At about 3 o'clock somebody mentions lunch and we decide it'd be a good idea to get some. We order pizza and eat it in the Bionicle room because a hotel guy said we couldn't eat in the hotel eating place we were at. But wait, there's more! We keep looking at models and then go to the opening ceremony. Pretty fun and I kinda forget some of it. Basically, welcome to Brickfest, highlights, and don't forget that judging will end tonight. I left at 10 o'clock. I also met Cajun on Friday and K.I.E...maybe Bionicle Rex. Either that or on saturday. But wait, there's more! I got to BF06 on Saturday at 8:30. Looked at some models. There is this one of a larger than life Battle Droid that when you push a button, it unfolds and stands up. At 10 o'clock, there was the Keynote speaker, who is a CEO of Lego. He was a great speaker talking about the hows and whys of Lego. He made it clear Lego focused on the target audience versus the large amount of AFOL's* there and around the globe. He also talked about the new Mindstorms NXT, and how there was a panel of 4 people, and then 11, and then a lot! But wait, there's more! Also in his talk was a film about AFOLs and how they enjoy their lives with Lego included. Best of all, it was narrated by Binkmeister, who sadly couldn't make it to BF this year. It was full of laughs. One of my favorites was a quick reference to imitators of Lego bricks, and he wouldn't say any names, but that he will refer to this as "Brand M" Before 12 o'clock I grabed some lunch and waited for my friends to show up for visiting hours. When they came I gave them a tour that they led also. A favorite was the Great Ball Contraption. This was a buncho of builders working together to connect all of their contraptions side by side, and using motors move Lego soccer and Backet balls from one thing to another. But wait, there's more! We also went to a talk about Lego Design. This was about things that stresses the Lego elements. Such as putting a click hinge halfway between two nobs. Also a cone in a brick, because it can break the brick like a wedge. And it's not the best idea to put a lightsaber blade in a transparent cone because they are made of the same plastic. At 10 o'clock was the Dirty Brickster. This is a white elephant game gift exchange. Basically, each person brings a gift. An order is decided and people choose gifts. The first gift is chosen and unwrapped. The next person can either choose another gift of steal the prevous one. I stole Krekka from someone, but that was stolen from me. I then stole a box of bionicle and roborider peices, which was good, because no AFOL* would want that right? Well, I was looking through it and I found a chrome Hau. I made the mistake of pulling it out and another person stole the whole collection just for that to sell on ebay. I stole krekka back and he is a great set. But wait, there's more! Sunday was great too. I got there at 10:30 and immediatly went to a talk about BrickJournal. There should be a paper issue coming out withing a year. This came from the discussion of perhaps making is paper media versus internet, and charging say...$50 for 6 issues in a one year subscription. An example was given that this was the Brickmaster of AFOL's* I then went to a talke about Mecha building and got some great ideas there to try out if I ever find enough time to break into my system box. My friends showed up again and we kept looking around. Later we went to see some brickfilms. There were some pretty good ones. My favorites were: The Lucky rejection (about the sad hobo) Blambo and the Time Traveling Janitors They left and I was on my own again. Closing ceremonies came and sadly, that meant BF06 was over. But wait, there's more! It was fun to go around the GB and see it as it was being taken down. And then I went to the Bionicle room with Omi and Rayg. But wait, there's more! Overall, this was a blast! I can't wait for next year, with the talks and everything else that makes this a great event recognized by Lego. I made some great friends and some awesome memories. I also got some great masks. 2 proto-silver Miru Nuva, 3 transparent Kaukau, and a red and green Matatu. That's right! Misprints! I also have "Free the Band" patches. I hope to be trading all this along with a signed comic 3 (volume 2) It was great meeting Omi, Rayg, K.I.E., and all the other BZPers. See everyone next year at BF07! -CF *Adult Fan Of Lego PS: Sorry I don't have pix yet. But it would be insane for me to load up 300 photos on dial-up. I'll do it at school one day soon and it will take almost no time at all!

That's where they got it. At the Lego store near Brickfest. As Omi said, it's nerf. Pretty cool, too. I never had the nerve to take (caughstealcaugh) one myself, but I did talk to the store manager about sending BZPower them (for contest prizes) once they were done with them.

same here. I liked pluto, being all cold and far away. But they are minor planets now called "Plutons"

haha! That's DC for ya! (I'm laughing right now, hahaha) Guess I'm used to it. See you tomorrow! (or friday, depending on when you get this. BTW, I'm trying to get there at 8:30 to get my berrings. Perhaps I'll see you. (I'll be wearing a blue BZP t-shirt))

See you Friday! I'm going to try to be there early. Hope you recognize me! (I'll be in a "faded" blue shirt. On it will be "BZPower" You'll see me.) Have safe flights, and have fun with everyone at the Sheraton the night before!

So, I made a BZPower t-shirt! front back and in case the pix don't show: front back So, what do you think? I had thought of making a shirt, and I finally got around to it. So when we're both walking through the mall and you see this shirt, you'll be able to say hey! You're a BZPer! And thus we've just met another BZPer. And, I made this to wear at Brickfest. Which is coming up pretty soon, so I hope you can go and I can see you, and you can see the shirt. So, just look around for this, and you'll find me, ChocolateFrogs. And please post in the topic -CF

So, for Brickfest, we get a cool “Brickbadge.” Perhaps you’ve seen them. A couple of 1X8 bricks, engraved and put together for a cool nametag. Brickfest is no different. It seems that everybody decorates the tops of them with minifigs or bricks or things. I once saw a couple of Kanohi on top, and this sounds like a good idea. But I’m still having troubles on deciding on what to put on top of mine. I have a couple of thoughts, with pros and cons: 1) Brutaka Mask. All I have to do is put it on a 1X2 brick with a plus rod hole in the middle. But, it juts out backward at the top and might get uncomfortable and/or lean my brickbadge down, limiting readability. 2) R2-D2 and a Devastator Robot. Simple, Star Wars and a popular Lego line, and a robot theme. Too bad a Kanohi won’t fit as well, there’s a good robot theme. Con: The Devastator robo is a little unstable. 3) Transparent neon green barrels. Eight studs, so six barrels in the middle and a cone on each end. Problem that arises is that the green might clash with whatever the colors on my badge are. 4) Find a good minifig that will look good in blue legs. Reason being is I have some crummy, loose blue legs that I wouldn’t mind gluing to my badge. I have more blue legs and I can get some at the Brickbazar. Con: I have to glue peices together so they won’t fall off. Only some legs, and can probably be taken off, but still... Another minifig problem: I’d like to use some Exoforce hair, but that’s kind of loose on the heads. So, any suggestions? -CF

well, congrats on winning the contest. Yay! The Inuva fic is up! I'm starting to read it. And on the note of the Haven's look: I don't thinking putting bars on both sides it the best idea. It cramps up the blog content. Plus it's almost impossible to read replies without copying the post and pasting it into "notepad" or somthing. And good luck on a job somewhere.

So, I got a new CD today. The artist is Nami Tamaki, CD title Greeting. The CD is great. One of the best CD’s I’ve purchased. Here, I’ll post some lyrics: Song 1: Eternal Voices Sukitooru soraeto sotto teo nobashinagara Kizutsuita Kimochi ima tokasukara Sukoshizutsu jikanga kitto tsutsunde kureruyo Kono koeo sarau yooni uketotte - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Heh, heh, got you, didn’t I? You’re going: Huh, what the hec is CF posting? A: Well, why don’t you google her? Or read on. Or both. Nami Tamaki is a Japanese singer. J-pop, as the music is called. I’m in Anime club at my school (DJO), and am really getting into this stuff. Anime, Manga, J-pop. This is my first J-pop CD, but I just might get some more. But at a club meeting we listened to J-pop and I really liked it. I finally was able to get a CD, and this is really good. The problem was that some CDs cost $20 and there are only 5 songs on it. This was $17 and had 13 songs–a full CD! So, check out some J-pop and see what you think Or perhaps you already have a bunch of J-pop. Well, your suggestions are always appreciated and welcome. I would love to find another great artist. But I’m leaning toward J-pop and not J-rock. -CF

Well, I just got my Brickfest stuff today! Came in a tube too. Info on what is going on, and some randome peices for our use, somehow: *2 chairs *6 2X2 tiles *2 square studs *1 barrel *1 skid plate (Round 2X2 tile, flat bottom, studs on top) The Tube Bricks Papers Now, just awaiting the BrickBadge... -CF

Thanks KIE. Actually, I just got my tube today, I live in Virginia, almost next to the Sheraton. Pretty cool. Everybody, I'll be posting pix in my blog....

cool. Info in a tube. Like playing with a cardboard box, only round. (Put it on your arm like a gun!) So is this only you getting brickfest stuff, or will everyone registered get their stuff in a tube? (Hey, you should post the schedule and events)

So, you're having fun in your word-based RPG, discussing how to get around this whatever you're doing at the time, and suddenly a noob comes out of nowhere and types: Blue Squirrel Attack! Chaos! You grab for your sword as everyone else does too to deflect this swarm of thousands of thousands of blue squirrels. And then the RPG master comes in and deletes and bans the new member. ------------------------------------- I recently heard about this, and it sounds hilarious. Apparently, a scout in my Boy Scout troop (875) started this type-based RPG (Roachy) and my troop is having a blast with it. Then one day, someone posts the "Blue Squirrel Attack" and hilarity and chaos ensues. Someone started this, and it's gone to other RPG's as well. Apparently it's anoying and can get you banned from the RPG. But to me, a non RPGer, it sounds really funny. Anyone heard of this? -CF

Wow, this is an uninteresting day. Maybe it'd be more interesting if I knew of one person (other than omi) that was going to Brickfest. Brickfest...you know, since you've been reading my blog everyday you'll know how excited I am and comitted to it I am. Brickfest, the Washington DC Lego convention going on the last weekend in August. Brickfest, where there will be tons of MOCs shown off of various themes, my favorites being Space, StarWars, Bionicle, Mecha, Darkroom... so, read a couple of entries from before to get more details. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- So nothing really happening today. I mowed a lawn, played Chip's Challenge on my computer, and got a haircut. The highlight of my day is that I found out I'll get the chance to hang out with my two best friends tonight: Lewa and Tahu. (J/K) OK, they aren't even built, I'll be hanging out with two real people. I borrowed Final Fantacy VII: Advent Children yesterday from Blockbuster, so I'll be bringing that along. It's an awsome Anime movie that everyone should see (but it is PG-13). I'm thinking about my BBCC 38 entry (scroll down). If it doesn't get into the finals, then I'll change the white to green, give him hands/fists, a awsome staff, perhaps a Kanohi, and bring him to Brickfest for display. Hehe, loophole, even if I don't win, he still goes to Brickfest! And on a final note, please make a comment about the quote of the day. Whether you like it or not, and maybe give a couple you'd like to see appear someday. -CF

wow, your car is going to look niiiiice when it's done. My favorite is the under-lighting. I think that's awsome whenever I see it. And you'll be featured on TV, I'll look for ya! (what would be awsome is if it was done before BF and we could all check it out)

Well, I'm doing really well in the polls. 1 vote! Yay! I'm up against a nice looking dragon. Sadly the Poll or his entry pic don't say what he does. I'm guessing flap his wings, so I think my pincers can just snap them off of him and that will be the end of that. vote for entry one here! please oh, well, I can handle it, being 16 and all, I understand it. But I finally enter something good in my 2nd BBC and I don't even get too high. Well, look at it this way. There is still a chance that it can get to Brickfest! All I have to do is bring it for display! Haha, loophole, even if it isn't up for running. So, Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! Vote for Ambidextrous! whew... -CF

So, uh, you havn't blogged since june. Having a busy summer?

Ambidextrous: Adjective: Able to use the left and right hands equally well this MOC is named so because he can use each leg equally well. Basically he doesn't have a front or back, left of right of his waist. He doesn't need to turn his legs, just his free-turning body and walk off in that direction. His function is that his claws snap together when "trigger" is pulled. (and he can use each claw equally well) So, here he is! (click for larger image) funtion image side back folder when public I hope you like it! so, vote ChocolateFrogs' Ambidextrous in BBCC 38! Topic here -CF

so I've redone/repimp'd my blog. It's stayin like this and I hope ya like it, yo! And scroll down a bit. There's a special vending maching just waiting for your money. So, I hope you'll like it, and I hope you stick around a while before going to the other sites I've linked. And thank you to Omi and Tohru for their ideas with their blogs. They are inspriations for this. And on another note, here's another Brickfest Promo. Please go. It's a blast. Scroll down to get some details. Or click on the Lego button. Either way, it's awsome; and the MOCs that Lego builders make from all over the country. Adults. And these are pretty awsome cause some of them work for Lego. Go to Brickshelf.com to figure it all out. Infact, if you've been wanting a vacation to Washington, DC, now's the time to go! (or rather brickfest weekend) so, yeah, later. -CF

yay! now you have internet again! so once you're done hitting the books, you can hit BZP! (and then hit the sack if there's still time) so, hop to that Inuva epic! yay!

image by Air-Master check it out. Links to places of mine in my blog or anywhere else. perhaps I'll put up a theme later, but I like it this way. And I'm even advertising for some of my favorite blogs. be sure to check them out once you're through with mine. Omi and T-Hybrid did a pretty good job on their stuff. And I just like their blogs. And I met Chriskopaka back when he was Bionicle Master the Mighty. Credit goes to Omi, T-H and anyone else with them for starting this. (And T-H put in a bouncer). So I hope you all can get into this for a customized blog! cheers! -CF

good idea. I'm starting to pimp mine. keep it up this does seem like a new fad.

So I'm online today doing my normal BZP stuff and I decide I'll take Omicron's challenge to pimp my blog. So to kill time waiting for the web pages to load up (stupid dial up) I start to make banners for this. I'll be putting up pictures up for different links. Each pic will lead somewhere special, either in the blog or on the web. Here is one banner I made for the Lego catagory of my blog: so the challenge is to make your blog unique, with a style that isn't normal. And, yes, this seems to be a new fad. -CF PS: If anyone is wondering why it isnt' pimp'd yet, it's because I'm still making banners.

HaHa! Hope T-Hybrid gets a computer soon. But you'll have to do for now. Keep typing, as you'll get better with practice. But also keep out folks like that other digimon, Makuta, Hapori Dume, etc. Oh, and put me on the list. I'd love to come in sometime, have some fun, meet the cool group. have fun, T-Hybrid

I'm going for all three days, so put my name on the list! oh, you might want to tell people to meet at say...1 or 2 o'clock for a big BZP meet. All of us there at the same time!