Physics-Based Prizes

Had to run out briefly last night with Lego for some electrical cables, and, after checking out, I noticed I had a few quarters in my pocket, and, by god!, there was a claw machine that took quarters right by the exit.

You guessed it, bitches. Totally would've made Gordon Freeman proud, natch solving this physics-based puzzle off the break. (First try, for cereal.)


I think I may have gotten something out of a claw machine maybe once before, as a kid, in a bowling alley, after multiple tries. Don't know what possessed me to attempt this one, but, hell, it seemed relatively impressive at the time.

Awww, Doggums!

Big Sis Prinny has been bugging me for awhile to recruit Dogmeat in Fallout. I've been trying to avoid NPCs for the most part, as I'm really more of a lone wolf. However, in trying to establish a respectable energy weapons collection, I endeavored to add the unique Laser Pistol Smuggler's End to have 'longside A321's Plasma Rifle. Elder Lyons' safe contained the elusive weapon, and unfortunately this time through I lacked both the 100 level Lockpick or Science skill to crack it. A quick trip to Scrapyard and a fast travel to the Citadel later, I am in possession of the desired scifi sidearm. Now where's that Alien Blaster...


Damn, I'm looking good. Tesla Armor FTW. (Oh, btw, that's A321's Plasma Rifle pictured. This was still at Scrapyard.)

Relo

The decision came down to relocate the cabinet to the retro basement room (as opposed to the fluff and fold facility). Good a time as any to make a few mods, since the control panel and CRT had to come out to move it. The CPU and transcoder were placed inside the enclosure on a newly constructed shelf, and the lower front panel has been fabricated, with a fixed piece at the bottom, and an access door hinged to swing downwards. Oh, and the I-Pac has (hopefully) been chemically adhered in a more permanent fashion now, too. How many more finishing touches will happen before the New Year's? You may just have to show up to find out.

After putting everything back, I enlisted the ladies for some quality assurance. Worked perfect first time!


Aside: Afterwards, Lego and I tested the unit with some SF Alpha 3. That crafty bastard managed to find a way out of my corner trap, and stole the best of three with his vanilla Ryu. Grrr...

Put Me in the Pocket

From: Killa
Sent: 11:17 PM Sat, Dec 27
To: Legoman

P00000*00*000000000\000**0$0#
*0*00*000+00
0**000000$*\*000*00*0*

00
0000000*

From: Legoman
Sent: 11:18 PM Sat, Dec 27
To: Killa

WTF!

From: Legoman
Sent: 11:31 PM Sat, Dec 27
To: Killa

what the hell did that msg say. was that a binary solo?

From: Killa
Sent: 11:48 PM Sat, Dec 27
To: Legoman

Z

From: Keif
Sent: 1:18 AM Sat, Dec 27
To: Killa

Are u ok? u keep calling.

Dream Crusher

(I have a lot of FO3 stuff to discuss, this is just a tidbit.)

An interesting perk I missed out on: Dream Crusher. Ran across this while digging up Pipboy icon images for a cap I'm devising. I'm a big proponent of the Wasteland Survival Guide quest, but it turns out you get a pretty cool perk if you talk Moira out of the whole thing, too. Not only does this reduce an enemy's critical chance against you by half, but you get a 30% discount at Craterside and Moira's repair skill will be higher than if she was wasting her time writing the damn thing. Who knew?

Please be sure to weigh that against all the optional bonuses from the Survival Expert.

We're So Close

While I was off attending to other urgent matters (read: affection-hoarding), Pity and Lego got to work Sunday. They reinforced the monitor shelf for the newly donated CRT, mounted the control box, and installed some motherfucking badass hinges on the panel for easy maintenance and access to the keyboard. (I need to remove it at least once more to silicone the I-Pac permanently.) We had a guest from out of town last night that was oblivious to the project (obviously not a KB devotee), so to show off we ran power and reconnected all of the components. Leaving something looking a bit like this:


One issue arose, though. No sound. As much I wanted to blame my less than pristine speakers, there seemed to be something more complex afoot. After consulting with the Software Engineer (oddly enough the visitor's bro!), I pulled and reseated the soundcard, to no avail. Turns out I needed to disable the integrated sound on the PC's Bios which apparently had reset itself since the unit had been unpowered for a while during the recent transition. Apparently our mobo needs a new battery... Easy fix once determined, though.

There was quite a bit of enjoyment had on the old beast last night, and a lot of very positive feedback from the uninitiated which is always very encouraging. I do believe we will have the unit completed before the New Year, especially with some significant distractions temporarily out of the picture. We need to tilt the monitor back to align with the cabinet's structure, and properly secure the angle. Though there is some talk of looking into a newer, and sharper CRT... Beyond that, we need to complete the monitor surround, properly mount the speakers in the over hang panel, and build the light box with whatever logo is chosen.

Additionally we need to construct a lower shelf for the CPU, and run a permanent power supply. Then affix the front door on some hinges, assure some ventilation to the inner goings on, and perchance build it a proper base. There originally was talk of locking casters, but, unexpectedly, the height feels perfect at this point. May need to reconsider...

Oh yeah, keep forgetting to say here and in person that Lego has really been all over the painting. The entire project has transpired without me ever having to pick up a roller, and for that I am forever in his debt. He's been so on top of it, I haven't even had to think about it.

And apparently, this is a popular game for some of you out there...


Double barrel jump, ftw. Anyways, we also need to decorate the bitch. As I mentioned we'll have to select some nice marquee art; I'm leaning towards XMvSF. Another popular suggestion is a Pac Man runner along the vertical elevation of the control panel, possibly with one character at each position and the requisite pellets filling in betwixt. Still a lot of ideas for the sides, too. Anybody know where to get cut vinyl?

Fail

Pac Man tattoos are almost always a good idea. But this one... no, no... not a good idea.


No one should love Ms. Pac Man this much...

The Very Definition of Inane

This thing, about which I am about to talk, is so specific that I will go ahead and tell you now that there is no point in reading it.

I'll be talking a little today about one of my custom stages in SSBB, which, for the record, are: Boxed In (the high percentage training ground/tribute to Sudden Death), Twin Towers (edge-centric homage to the One Plane Theory), Killadelphia and Killadelphia 1.1. Killadelphia began as an interpolation of Hyrule Temple, and 1.1 is a slight revision.

I believe this phenomenon occurred in the original Killadelphia in a match between myself (as Meta Knight) and Lego (as DK). KP has a horizontally moving platform very near the top of the playing area, mostly centered. Lego and I were battling it out in the lower "hallway" of the stage when I snagged the ugly ape in a grab dead center, directly below the chasm splitting the upper level.

(Btw, it would help if you were familiar with Meta or Kirby's up throw.)

Anyways, the up throw ended on the moving platform, and the resultant bounce sent DK off the top and careening into the background. It was actually very reminiscent of Lego's Bowser special grab set up on Corneria, if you're feeling me. Anyways, due to the size of KP, in a one-on-one match you would have to blindly attempt this kill, as you can not see said platform from the nether regions of the stage. Was gia-intense in the heat of the moment, anyways.

I'm pretty sure this was OG KP, as KP1.1 I don't believe has the necessary platform, though in general I greatly prefer the nuances of 1.1, specifcally the lower hallway dynamics, the left side edge overhang, and the especially quirky inability to edge grab the upper right ledge. I think I may devise a 1.2 with the platform, and the lower left edge built into a wall (if possible) to allow Lucario (and other wall grabbers) to return from the point of (otherwise) no return. (...)

Will see if I can snag a screenshot next time to illustrate, because I'm sure this is 99% gibberish to 99% of you. So, yeah, Lego, HC13, this one was mostly for you (and me).

Supervisors

From: Killa
Sent: 8:39 PM Fri, Dec 12
To: Legoman

Hey you getting any work done mofo?

From: Legoman
Sent: 9:12 PM Fri, Dec 12
To: Killa

im managment, i dont touch boxes i just give directions

Throwing Signs and Taking Names...

(...and some Carpentry)

Work continues! Pity (in the flesh) assisting us last night, his enthusiasm tangible. We've reinforced the back of the frame with some battens left over from last Sunday's show, and installed the monitor shelf. We also cut and began to assemble the control panel box. We haven't had any issues with the controls in a while, so I'm not too worried about sealing it up.

Gotta get a TV... Gotta get a TV...

Oh, and Keif, sorry about the dust!

FYI

From: Big Sis Prinny
Sent: Tue 12/09/08 12:06 PM
To: Killa

Sorry I keep bombarding you with e-mails today. Anyway, I was looking at Kotaku's annual gift guide, nothing much good on it this year, but it mentioned Udon's The Art of Capcom, which I gave you last year (I think). Check it out, it looks like it has appreciated in value. I just thought that was funny.

-BSP

Created a Monster..

From: Hardcore13
Sent: Thu 12/11/08 2:00 PM
To: Killa

I KICKED ASS IN SMASH BROS LAST NIGHT.
More specifically, you and [Legoman]'s asses.

::victory dance::

-HC13

Crazy Delicious

+

We're getting there... Proof of concept, now a framework... Completion is imminent!

Srsly?

So, yeah, just saw this glowing review for a dryer power cord.

Product Reviews

Overall Rating: 5/5

Sweet Dryer Cord, May 14, 2008
By boredatwork from Cuba, New Mexico

"Sears has done it again!!! This dryer cord is the best dryer cord I have ever owned. Where other cords come short, this 4' cord stretches to meet the demand. I cannot get over the amazing craftsmanship that Sears put into making this dryer cord a reality. Great job Sears. Have a pat on the back."

Was this review helpful to you? Yes No
(Report Inappropriate Review)

Like, omg, are you for cereal? I mean, either it works or it doesn't. "Stretches to meet the demand"? Is it four feet or not? I mean, wtf? No, this review was not helpful to me. I think boredatwork from Cuba, NM may have an alternating current fetish or something...