lonegamer78: (Henkei TF Optimus Revenge)
Bullsh1t! Bullsh1t, bullsh1t, bullsh1t!!! I finally receive my box of magazines from a friend in Japan and I find that it's been tampered with! BS! What's missing? About half the magazines and one's been ripped of its contents, leaving behind only the cover!! What's more, the perpetrator had the GALL to leave behind some random books that I'm not likely to read (two STILL with their Borders price stickers)! However, they left behind a fully filled photo album dating back to 2004. Which means I'll probably have to post it up at craigslist or wherever and see if anyone's missing their album. After I try to talk with the postmaster.

Granted, it took about 2 months for my magazines to arrive (Surface mail) and those are kinda replaceable (though a PAIN to obtain), but family photos? Those are irreplaceable memories. If anything at the very least, I want my magazines back.

And to whomever out there who stole my magazines, MAIL TAMPERING IS A FEDERAL OFFENSE. D:< Plus, that photo album? Low, REAL LOW.
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Ratchet)
Series: G1
Title: Ever Present, Nevermore
Character(s): First Aid, Perceptor
Rating: G
Disclaimers: Hasbro and TakaraTomy, of course.

He slid down onto the cold December floor, a wish for nepenthe in stock and store, yet there is none to be found on this shore. )
lonegamer78: (Henkei TF Optimus Revenge)
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Talking is the best I can think of.

The closest to bullying I ever got was teasing during elementary school and middle school, and unrespectful touching by another classmate during high school. In the case of elementary school, I stopped responding to the teasing and they stopped. In the case of middle school, it wasn't because of me being the new kid on having moved there, but more of wanting to be accepted by a couple others and they teased me for it. High school involved a different classmate who got far too touchy-feely for my taste when I wanted to play with his Gameboy. Middle school, I talked with my counselor and mercifully things got solved between me and the involved parties (I gave up trying and we actually got a bit friendly later on, but we kept respectful distances). High school had to involve one of the higher staff members, and that came to a peaceful resolution as well (we both later went to the same city college and would often hang out with several others talking about video games; even went on a roadtrip once).

That was back then, when the concept of cyber-bullying wasn't hitting the headlines as often, and it was still schoolyard bullying.

Talks between the school admin, parents, AND students would be a good starting point. Forget anti-bullying videos, the bullies will just "lulz" and forget about it. How long until the next student dies and the bullies make fun of them, either in person or online? That sense of human decency is shrinking. How long until the next student comes into school with a weapon and starts terrorizing everyone on campus while wanting to "get back" at their tormentors? Will it have to be someone having to be sent to the hospital, or will it have to be someone actually dying to get that hammered - literally - into people's skulls? Parents and teachers should stop turning the other cheek, and learn to see the signs on campus and at home. They can't be "just kids going through a normal phase". Bullying isn't right. It's NEVER right. It's psychologically damaging to a variety of parties, in that where the bullied loses self-confidence and become a basket case of screwed up emotions, the bully doesn't learn the consequences and doesn't learn humility and tolerance, and the adults can suffer in ways that it's not funny. It can also get to the point of the bully "not caring", and that could easily pass on to the next generation. Teachers as bullies is also there, and that's just as bad. They have to learn that they are there to lead students, not belittle them. Parents bullying is another thing, because it's worst than teachers in that the kids themselves are living with them. Promoting is going to be difficult, but it's necessary.

What kids do can sometimes be a reflection of what they've learned and didn't learn, but what the adults don't do is just as damning. Bullying isn't something to be proud of.

Silence

Friday, September 17th, 2010 01:21 am
lonegamer78: (Henkei TF Optimus Revenge)
My tribute to 9/11.

A single moment for those fallen. )

Nine years later

Saturday, September 11th, 2010 12:37 pm
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Ratchet)
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Probably a lot of people are tired from today's date, but for me, I still choke up a little on seeing the photos.

I was about to graduate high school then, and I knew two cousins (one whose mother is a close friend of my mother, so we somewhat considered each other cousins) that were serving in the Army. When my homeroom/history teacher's TV was running CNN and showing the towers collapse through snow static, my first thoughts was "Are they going to be deployed?" I have relatives over in NYC but they live in another part of the island far from where the Towers were, so that was relief for my mother. It was hard to concentrate on the rest of the school day - this was my generation's Pearl Harbor, and I think that thought didn't hit me until much later, and the same goes for the lessons of tolerance from history class and - surprise, surprise - TV shows. It felt that the world had shrunk so much more.

A salute to those on Flight 93.

Employed again!

Sunday, August 1st, 2010 11:14 pm
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Jazz)
And it's temporary, again. At the American Girl Place in LA, again. Ah well. It'll do in the interim while I poke about. Time to start saving up for that piece of camera equipment I've been wanting! And TF comics, and the Japanese magazines that covers TF (I dislike one of the stores where I have to buy them due to them inflating the price, but they usually get their stuff reasonably on time in the US), and the occasional tchotchke...

Working at AGP now isn't as noisy as it was back during the holidays last year, but that may change, since I just got started again. Who knows, the summer can be almost as crazy as during winter. New stuff, the place is going through some renovations (which surprised me), and a couple things changed locations due to said renovations. Being back in merchandise handling, like riding a bike with new obstacles. (I swear, I'll have to buy those kneepads or foot pads one of these days.) Sore muscles are sore again.

What else have I've been doing? Last weekend, volunteering at IDW's booth during San Diego Comic-Con 2010. EXHAUSTING. Not just from standing for 6 hours each day, but from the commuting. AGAIN. While it could've been five days of driving instead of four from last year, as I was working on Preview Night as well, I was lucky enough to spend a night at a motel with some pals (VERY grateful to them, even if I got the floor). My eyeballs and nerves were all but screaming murder after the con. In fact, I was already getting hit by con fatigue on the second day (or third, if you include Preview Night). Hopefully next year, I'll be able to split a motel room with extra people that's also heading down there. I can cover 5-days of gas (and a bit of food on the side), but no way can I cover 5-days of most motel rates by myself. Arggh... and then there's BOTCON in Pasadena as well. SERIOUS con fatigue...
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Ratchet)
Times like this, I feel rather depressed that I'm not able to support myself BY myself like most of my older cousins and a couple buds. Makes me feel pretty much a disappointment to my parents since I'm not quite living to their expectations. Mom asks me what do I want to do, and I can never answer her properly. Dad, on the flip side, prefers me learning IT but that's never held my interest, even though I know it's a good career choice and is one of the more stable jobs at this time of the economy; it's like, something in my head is wired to reject it fully. *grumble*

On the silver-lining side, I'm hoping to be able to volunteer at IDW's booth during SDCC 2010 next month, and maybe the LA Film Festival as well. Sure, it's killer on gas, but the experience makes up for it.

Employment! ...ish

Thursday, April 29th, 2010 12:05 am
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Ratchet)
BUT.... temporary. Yes, for those of us poor sods living in the good ol' US of A, it's Census time! What's that, I hear? You already sent in your forms before April 1? Good for you! For those that already sent in your forms, or might've run into some bad luck, or didn't do so, welcome us knocking on your doors! Cue the usual struggle on keeping awake during training and the sore muscles from the walking. And lookie! MOAR paperwork! :B Meh, who am I kidding. So as long it helps fuel my addic- I mean, my growing pile of a reading material (manga, art books, magazines, trade paperbacks) collection, as well DVD/BD and the occasional video game collection, I'm a bit happy. (Although the thing I do to my mags and some of my manga would make bibliophiles cry for my blood... << >>)

Although, I'm still hoping on finding a longer-term and more stable job in the future, even if it pays at a lower rate. So many wishes... BotCon and San Diego Comic-Con this year are definite ones. BC still hasn't gotten online registration up yet (at this time) and then there's airfare with hotel. SDCC is completely sold out this year (by MONTHS ahead) and I don't know if I could handle driving 4-days straight from Los Angeles to San Diego again (shaky, slept past 1pm after the con for a few days, sore muscles).

But, considering the whole reports of the economy getting better, even if it's just a little, I'm a little hopeful.
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Wheeljack)
First up, the short fic!


*scribble, scribble, scratch* Need more inspiration... )

And for the mini-rant: Economy still kinda sucks, can't wait for Census work even if it means my legs and back screaming in agony and it's temporary, and I REALLY need to find a good goal. *headdesk*

Poof and Cough

Wednesday, April 7th, 2010 01:56 am
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Wheeljack)
The "Drabble Meme" here.

[livejournal.com profile] playswithworms picked this one.

Prompt: Ratchet the one to accidentally blow something up
Characters: Movie-verse Ratchet and Wheeljack
Rating: G
Summary: Sometimes, explosions can come from the least expected source.


OM NOM NOM )

Willing to nom on comments!
lonegamer78: (Transformers Animated Optimus)


That is all. :D :D :D <3 <3 <3
lonegamer78: (Transformers Animated Optimus)
New manga by Naoto Tsushima! Yes, that's the title, don't ask. Yes, I've already pre-ordered the magazine that'll be carrying it. No, I might not translate it, but I can give summaries. Yes, I'm glad Tsushima is doing some more TF work (although him finishing up "Henkei!" and Yoshihiro Iwamoto being able to finish "Galaxy Force" would be nice).

Furthermore? There's a 15-sec TV spot with what sounds like the opening song in the background. Considering it's by JAM Project, I do have some hopes, but I'll wait till the TV-edit or full version is out. I'll admit, it is rather catchy. *is already replaying the clip*

And a 30-second version! Man, it's gonna be WEIRD hearing Norio Wakamoto as Megatron here. I'm so used to him as Flame Convoy from Galaxy Force... And maybe several other roles that I've forgotten over the years. :la: That young voice? Bumblebee :D

*want opening song, kthnxbai* )

W0000000T!
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Ratchet)
Since [livejournal.com profile] papyrus_quill  oh-so-gently ribbed, I'll attempt it, even though I have that bloody glacial-sized writer's block. Maybe this'll help me back into writing again... *kicks and receives an injured foot in the process*

First 10 folks can request that I write a drabble of pair/character(s) of their choosing. I'm not going to force anyone on doing the same at their LJ, so it's up to the posters' choice.

NOTE (Please Read it): I have extreme difficulties writing Decepticons. It's not like I don't want to, I just can't. The closest I'll probably ever get is Armada/ML Starscream, and that's even stretching it. *holds thumb and index finger millimeters apart*

Verses/Series I'm Familiar With: G1, Animated, Movie, Headmasters, Galaxy Force, Kamen Rider Den-O, Kamen Rider Decade, Kamen Rider W, Godzilla: The Series, Kingdom Hearts (not BBS - haven't played it yet), Okami, Final Fantasy (best with 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)

Characters I'm Good/Decent At: G1 - Most of the well-known Autobots, although I may slip in some fanon stuff; Animated - most of the Bots, Sari; movie - Bots again, Sam, Mikaela, Lennox, Epps; Galaxy Force - varies; the other series I've mentioned depends, but I have a fairly good grasp

I steer away from slash, sticky, and smut, as the former two aren't my cuppa and I've never been entirely fond of the latter. Fluff/WAFF, friendship, gen, het, I can deal with.

1. [livejournal.com profile] playswithworms: Wheeljack and Ratchet (G1); Ratchet the one to accidentally blow something up
2. [livejournal.com profile] foxelie17 : Bumblebee and Arcee (movie); "Hana".
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

Fire away! *ducks behind bunker*
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Bluestreak)
Work at AGP is over, and I'm not too upset. It was for the holidays but they might call me back for the summer, so back to looking around in the interim.

What else... BotCon 2010 being held in Florida results in a big XP, since I can't drive there (well, I could, but I'd be hallucinating by the time I got to Orlando). But, it's still six months to go and who knows where I'll be by then... Not sure about San Diego Comic-Con or Anime Expo, given how much I've been cutting back con attendance. But if both have certain events that catch my interest, then maybe. I'll probably be still volunteering for the Los Angeles Film Festival, even though there might not be much movies that'll interest me.

RL aside, Net side, not really much. Still working on the Henkei manga scans (mostly chapter summaries), fan projects, keeping up with TF news, yada yada yada. It's kinda quiet. I have fanfiction that I want to write, but darn writer's block is keeping the bunnies away. Which, I suppose is a good thing in a sense... Snippets of scenes, yes, but completed works, not quite. :P

'Nways, here's one of said snippets that's been floating about.


"Just a 'simple large stupid lizard' you say, oh might Megatron! 'Simple' and 'stupid' my turbines!" )
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Prowl)
And I mean it. I knew there was going to be a lot of walking as Merchandise Handler (heh, my "title" at American Girl Place) but I didn't quite expect THAT MUCH. I'm even more sore than I was on my first day as a lister for the Census back in spring! Thank goodness we have Chinese medicine patches that helps quite a bit (best used after a hot bath/shower and overnight).

How's working there? Exhausting and maybe a bit demanding. I'm working the the Historical Characters section where there are rooms set up for each of the Historical dolls - for example, Felicity would have colonial materials in a large display, alongside her dolls and numerous accessories so people can see what comes with her (such as her horse Penny, her sleeping clothes, table and tea set, etc.). Most of the time, it's just making sure the dolls are properly displayed on the floor and there's enough of their peripherals. Yesterday, I more or less finagling the radio and got a few words for not responding to the radio as often as I should, and I won't deny that I certainly deserved it (however, in my defense, I rarely had to use a radio that much in the past, so that's one thing to quickly learn).

The bright side? Hearing the delight and excitement in the girls' voices when they see the various displays and rooms, their eyes practically shining.

Got a job!

Monday, November 2nd, 2009 09:12 pm
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Elita-1)
And hopefully, this one will last longer than a month! :3

Job fair at the American Girl Place in The Grove at Farmers Market in Los Angeles (not too far from Hollywood) today and after filling out the obligatory applications (my hand, it cramps!), talked with two of the staff managers there and yay! I was quite nervous when the first one called me in, considering the amount of job-related topics I've read for a long while and what most schools say when being interviewed, but it seems that I did quite well to be accepted after a second interview with a different manager. I suppose one could say about "conflict of interest" with my being a fan of Transformers, but on the same side of things between the two, it's the diversity of characters they carry that draws me in, AG when I was in elementary and middle school. :) As my mother had subscribed to the magazine years ago, I had enjoyed the various books of the Historical Characters line because the main characters were around my age frame, I loved reading, and that some of them lived with more than one culture. For example, Josefina and Kirsten are Americans, yes, but their cultural backgrounds are different than what was "American" of their time periods - Josefina of 1824 lives in New Mexio before it became part of the US and Kirsten is a Swedish immigrant in 1854.

Here's hoping I don't croak too fast. :D Thanks to [livejournal.com profile] newsy891 and [livejournal.com profile] playswithworms for their supporting words.

Minor vent

Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 07:25 pm
lonegamer78: (Henkei TF Optimus Revenge)
Venting a bit.

But at least not a rant. )

Darn backlogs

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009 07:02 am
lonegamer78: (Transformers G1 Prowl)
As in, backlog of photos to go through, plus a video or two. I'm not even done posting up stuff from BotCon '09, and now I have San Diego Comic-Con '09 to work through. :V Been trying to post a couple photos for those at the IDW boards that's been asking, but my video editor only allows me to go frame by frame (which sucks) and the file itself is ginormous. At least the video's in HD! :3

Overall, nothing really, other than still cursing the economy right now. Still twiddling away on a fic idea here and there, posting news over at the Allspark, poking around art, translation check over Kamen Rider 555 for TV-Nihon, tweaking the TF Wiki... *pause* And now I have that darn chorus of "Justiφ's" on REPEAT IN MY HEAD. I really would prefer having "The Headmasters" back stuck looping! Frell, even "Burning Overdrive"! XV

lonegamer78: (Transformers Movie Optimus)
Series: Transformers Movie
Title: Kindred Spirits
Character(s): Ratchet, OC Tina Uematsu
Rating: G
Disclaimers: They belong to Hasbro, TakaraTomy, Dreamworks, Paramount. "Coro di Dea" belong to "Ah! My Goddess". Tina's mine! Mine, I say!

Need more characterization exposition... )
lonegamer78: (Transformers Movie Optimus)
Saw it at the Arclight Hollywood with Jim Sorenson, Marty Isenberg, and Bill Forster on the 23rd. Bonus on that was seeing Optimus, Ironhide, and Bumblebee in the car forms again - additional bonus was the Corvette Centennial Concept that is Sideswipe. :D Shiny and gorgeous piece of metal, though I'd be loathe to even drive him. Inside the lobby were two display cases: two mannequins displaying the combat uniform worn by NEST members with the patches "If I told you, I will have to kill you" (will have to check). XD Another pair of mannequins were that of Leo Spitz's "The Real Effing Deal" green jacket and Mikaela's black jacket over white shirt she wears at one point. Saw ROTF again at Universal Citywalk's IMAX theater (and multiple times in the future).


Gonna need eyedrops! Don't wanna miss anything! )

Was I expecting something like The Godfather or Seven Samurai? No. Was I expecting something like Batman: The Dark Knight or The Green Mile? No! Was I expecting to be entertained by explosions galore, giant alien robots beating other giant alien robots, humans interacting and adding in their own way, Optimus being a serious badaft while kicking major Decepticon butt, plot and inconsistencies be damned?

YES.

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen will certainly have its low points, but if you're a fan that wants a form of escapism, spend all that time in the theaters. Preferably IMAX. ;D

In short, reviews from critics like Ebert and others... Well, I'll leave it to the audience to really decide.
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