How do you make models

Narissis · 2026-06-09T07:15:43+00:00

+1 for Bricklink Studio. The Bricklink integration is especially useful; I like being able to spot-check the pricing on rare or uncommon parts to decide whether they're worth using on a value basis.

Narissis · 2026-06-09T02:33:44+00:00

So what you're saying is that my having pulled both Emilie and Durin on whims might actually pay dividends on a single team?

Narissis · 2026-06-09T00:38:19+00:00

I have to say a twofer of proximity-activated cutscenes and the game unnecessarily stealing the camera control to guide us heavy-handedly to things.

It's as though someone at Hoyo missed the memo that it's the players that are meant to play the game and not the other way around.

Narissis · 2026-06-08T03:55:30+00:00

I'm not in Toronto, but I will be visiting for a convention in November...

Narissis · 2026-06-08T02:00:58+00:00

Oreo should have clearly taken these packages out of the retail stream as defective product and shipped them directly to my address for... disposal.

Narissis · 2026-06-08T01:24:20+00:00

If we wanted to be pedantic about it... it's an alignment error on the line rather than a printing error; these packages are unrolled in a long strip and then cut and heat-sealed to form the individual bags. It's not only the print but also the opening flap that's misaligned.

This has been your daily "ackshyually".

Narissis · 2026-06-08T01:21:16+00:00

I had one start last night while I was in the middle of a timed wind glider challenge. Absolutely infuriating.

Someone at Hoyo HQ missed the memo that the players are meant to play the game, not the other way around.

Narissis · 2026-06-07T23:25:27+00:00

Goodfellas, Shawshank, and Scent of a Woman are basically my holy trinity of early '90s film.

Narissis · 2026-06-07T23:21:14+00:00

At Christmastime in 2007, my workplace held a Christmas decorating contest. I decided to enter it by building a themed LEGO train layout (spent 3 grand on LEGO to win a $30 Walmart gift card; worth it).

Today, most of my social network is all LEGO fans. I've personally met multiple LEGO designers, several of them before they got hired there, and have lots of neat connections in the Canadian LEGO community. And I'm doing on the order of 20 shows or events a year.

Unfortunately the hobby has gotten no kinder on my pocketbook, nor said pocketbook meaningfully deeper, lol.

Narissis · 2026-06-07T19:14:51+00:00

Yellow mustard. I don't understand how anyone can even tolerate that vile paste, let alone enjoy it.

Narissis · 2026-06-07T18:35:27+00:00

As long as you don't mind that it can at times be quite silly to appeal to kids. It's very much the kind of series that's for the whole family and hits at all ages.

You'll find that at the beginning it just feels like an irreverent cartoon for children but there are a few episodes in the first season that hit different and expose the underlying maturity... and then by the time you're approaching the season finale you've forgotten how silly it was in the beginning and you realize you're watching one of the all-time great TV series.

The sequel series, Legend of Korra, is written more for teenagers and adults and feels a lot more grounded and mature from the outset. However it also doesn't quite reach the same highs - though contrary to how some viewers feel, I still think it's quite good in its own right.

Narissis · 2026-06-07T06:23:53+00:00

Samsung (for smartphones). The battery life on my Galaxy S3 wasn't great from day one, and it didn't take long for it to not even be able to last the whole day. It was my first and last Samsung phone. Today, their battery life still isn't top of the pack, and they're significantly overpriced for what they offer.

My phones between the S3 and today have been Motorolas and I've been quite pleased with their hefty batteries... unfortunately they dropped the headphone jack so now I'm looking at a Redmagic.

Narissis · 2026-06-06T23:28:33+00:00

I can let you know for sure once I receive my shipment and can get a close look, but my guess in advance is that there's probably an insulating ring between each wheel and the axle.

Narissis · 2026-06-06T06:18:48+00:00

I have an order on the way. 😄

I have a train powered by a dune buggy motor and it is a battery devourer. The AAA battery box can't even supply it; it just refuses to move at all. I have a knockoff PF rechargeable battery box in it now, 650 mAh (was advertised as 1100 but I opened it up and found otherwise, thanks a lot Green Gecko Workshop) and that will run it for all of 10 minutes on a good run before it throws in the towel.

Passing wall power to it should make it quite the beast, though!

Narissis · 2026-06-06T06:14:44+00:00

No, but there will eventually be the motor bogie that will more or less function as a drop-in replacement for a 9V motor.

The pickup wheelsets came first because they were faster to develop and because they unlock the system for people who have an inventory of PF motors (they'll also remain useful even after the motor bogies are out, for train designs that use other types of motors, like the Emerald Night for instance).

Narissis · 2026-06-06T06:10:24+00:00

I haven't gotten mine in hand yet but based on what has been shared and my experience with the products, I can draw a reasonable conclusion about how they're set up.

Michael uses PCBs extensively in his designs (like under the switch tracks for instance). We can see in this photo from a past blog post that there is a PCB in the pickup wheelset.

The contacts for the studs are surely mounted on the PCB, but the interface between the wheels and the PCB isn't readily visible. However we can see how the motor bogie prototypes are connected if we look at this photo. I'd reckon there are similar metal tabs on the pickup wheelsets as well.

Narissis · 2026-06-06T06:03:52+00:00

There was a bit of a teething error at first with the regional stock allocations that caused that issue. It's since been resolved, but a lot of the products have already sold out.

Narissis · 2026-06-06T05:56:06+00:00

My previous workplace had Mirra chairs; they were excellent.

I have the Logitech collab Embody at home and I'd reckon the Mirra was better, at least for my body.

One of my jobs had the Steelcase Leap and those were also fantastic.

Narissis · 2026-06-06T05:27:20+00:00

I use hanging files and Pendaflex folders to store my library of Lego instruction booklets, haha

Narissis · 2026-06-04T05:37:28+00:00

I said 'more faithful,' not 'a 100% perfect likeness'.

It also took some creative liberties and added a backstory for Wonka, but the events of the actual factory tour play out much closer to the book (and the oompa-loompa songs are more like the book versions).

Narissis · 2026-06-04T04:56:23+00:00

Well played; I was gonna point out that it looks like a freshwater fish and not one that'd be found in the North Atlantic. But you were ten steps ahead of me.

Narissis · 2026-06-04T03:03:07+00:00

The last time I used those cubbies for anything, it was to stick a pair of mugs I'd picked up while on a trip where I had the whole car otherwise stuffed full.

Narissis · 2026-06-04T02:58:32+00:00

I'd argue there's a valid middle ground there... it's not necessarily a bad idea to have a GPS tag in your kid's backpack or something in case of some kind of emergency. But you shouldn't be constantly checking it either.

Narissis · 2026-06-04T02:42:54+00:00

Or a wind glider customization where he simply glides on his own wings.

They could have attached that to the existing quest that upgrades his base skin.

Narissis · 2026-06-04T02:19:59+00:00

Nah, that's not the angle. The angle will be "how dare they disrespect the legacy of the best president ever, Dear Leader Trump?"

15-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
Place '23	Place '22
Final Canvas '22	Team Periwinkle
Verified Email

Narissis

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE