Transformers Classics Retrospective look! Transformers Robots in Disguise Classics Deluxe Mirage (2006)

By the time I jumped on the CHUG (Classics, Henkei, Universe, Generations) line, I pretty much missed the boat on the Universe and original Classics line. So in order to get some of these figs, I had to go on Ebay or solicit fellow TF fans on unwanted TF figures. The Henkei Mirage (Ligier in Japan) was going for a walloping $50+ at the time, so my only option was to hopefully get the Classics at a cheaper price. Thankfully, I did. Someone was selling Universe Mirage for $25 used. Take note that Universe Mirage was also the first figure I bought out of the box. Let's get started.

Alt Mode:

Transformers Classics retrospective look! Transformers United UN-06 Optimus Prime (2010)

As you can see, like I said in the Prowl post, I was randomly opening up figures from different lines. In the west at this point, they were releasing Reveal the Shield figures. A gimmick which saw the return of the rub stickers of the 84' G1 era. In Japan, to carry on the different name tradition, Japan named their product line: Transformers United. However, Takara opted to not go with the rub stickers. The first couple waves of the United releases saw a few re-releases of previous established molds, but rather than sporting their chrome moniker, the United releases saw the debut of metallic paint instead. The results were mixed as many collectors cherished the idea of chrome. Most folks in the west saw the metallic paint as trivial at best wheras the Henkei era just blew everyone's minds away with the G1 accurate color scheme. Not to mention, in Japan, certain Transformers such as Optimus Prime and Jazz were called Convoy and Meister respectively as examples. In the United line, all the Transformers, for an odd reason, maintained their westernized names. Some people say the Japanese versions had to coincide with the Michael Bay Transformer movie names at the time.

Coincidentally, my cousin from Hong Kong came to visit me here in Honolulu, Hawaii back in 2010. She saw my passion for Transformers so when she returned home, she visited a toys store here and bought Transformers UN-06 Optimus Prime for me. I am grateful for her purchase for I lacked an Optimus Prime in my collection. However, this Prime was only a deluxe size which means he was roughly the same size or even smaller than Prowl or Sunstreaker. Here are the pics.

Boxed

Thank God for a great day in Portland, Oregon (PDX) Sept 4, 2014 (pics galore redux)

Another beautiful day in Sea.... err..... so we woke up about 5AM in the morning of Sept 4, 2014 because we had a rendezvous with destiny in Portland, Oregon. So that means.... ROAD TRIP! So from 6AM to 9:30AM, we had loads of pit stops, driver switches, and naps in between. Thank God we weren't really hungry so we stopped off first in Portland's International Rose Garden. Then again, Extended Stay America had free coffee and breakfast so that was good enough. I took enough Nutri-grain bars and muffins to satisfy me.The sad thing about the Rose Garden now is that you have to pay for parking, which used to be free when I was here back in 2010. I guess the city is losing money. I remember a lot of locals would come here to play, shoot archery and rifles, and walk their dogs. Lots of empty parking spaces because nobody wants to pay. Once again, photos for your viewing pleasure....

My sister.

Family Pic.

Transformers Classics Retrospective look! Transformers Universe Prowl (2008)

At this point, I started to buy TF figures mad-like crazy! I was shopping at Hasbrotoyshop.com and came across SDCC 2010 Blaster, Universe Prowl, and Universe Smokescreen. I also had Henkei Skyfire at this point, though awkwardly, I was opening random figures and not opening them in the fashion and order that I buy my figures.  Guess what? Its four years now and Universe Smokescreen is still MISB in my collection. I eventually opened up Skyfire though it probably wasn't until a year later. On a side note: SDCC 2010 Blaster is also MISB as well.


So i couldn't pass up on Prowl since he had a pretty close resemblance to his G1 figure. Here are pics of his vehicle mode and boxing. Once again, pics were taken in the past before I learned to really pose with them.

Classics Prowl

Transformers Classics Retrospective look! Henkei Sunstreaker! C-07

Michael Bays Transformers brought Transformers back to the big screen, but it also re-vitalized interest for some TF fans such as myself . The year was 2010 and though some of the G1 re-issue figures caught my interest, I realized Hasbro/Takara Tomy were releasing these "classic" figures by giving them a modern look as of today. The line started somewhere around 2006 and it continues on today. Some people call this the Generation 3 line. In the west, Hasbro released updated models of the G1 heroes/Villains and were branded and released as the Classics and Universe line that was eventually renamed the Generations Line. The western releases, however, left a lot to be desired because a few releases such like Megatron, Cyclonus, Starscream version 1, and Smokescreen etc..  had awkward color schemes from their G1 counterparts. Takara Tomy Japan weren't far behind as they released their version of Universe/Generations into the "Henkei Henkei" line. What made Takara's figures standout in comparison to the Hasbro line was that their figures sported a more cartoon accurate paint job with chrome guns, chrome spoilers, and chrome on different areas. Takara Tomy was often hailed as the more superior bunch though the random chrome on certain figures like Grimlock, Galvatron, and a few others had people getting the more affordable western version. So collectors often mixed up their collection with both Japanese and western releases. Be thankful that you had more options then just eating slice bread.

Front cover

back cover

Thank God for a great day in Seattle, Washington Sept 3, 2014 (pics galore!)

Aloha folks and welcome back to day 2 of my trip to Seattle with my family. So we woke up around 7AM in the morning and left the hotel (free breakfast grabs btw) around 7:45AM to head to the Big Four Ice Caves at Granite Falls for a friendly family hike. The drive from Aurora was nearly an hour and a half. To make things easier, make sure you buy a day pass when you see the ranger station as you enter Granite Falls to your left. The one day pass is $5. If you miss the station, you have another chance to pay by putting money into the envelope and putting it in the drop box in the beginning of the hike.

The hike is roughly 2 miles round-trip. The path way to the caves is an easy hike. When we got to the ice caves, lots of the ice melted. I could recall the ice being stretched all the way towards the beginning of rocks that lead to the ice caves when I was back here in 2011. There is also a memorial cross to Grace Tam, 11 years old, who died back in 2010 when a big chunk of ice landed on her. Though she never died right away, it took hikers a long time to rush back to civilian areas for help.

Pay your respects if you have to but remember to be careful as you can see there are a lot of holes in the cave decks. Plus, the ice really seems thinned out. For the most part, me and my family steered clear of going inside the caves. I did go inside one of the caves back in 2011. All I can say is be careful and if you do go into a cave, bring a flashlight, heavy duty jacket and boots. Because the ice is constantly melting causing a stream to run aground, jacket because its super cold, and flash light because the more you hike in, the less you will see light. Overall, please be careful because if something happens to you, its a long way from help.

Sadly, the U.S. Forest service made the Tam family take down their cross because of our God-hating laws these days. What has our nation turned into? And our nation preaches love but yet I don't see any love in this.  Remember we are still a nation under God plus freedom of speech and religion.  No reason for the U.S. Forest service to do what they did. I betcha if a bunch of atheists placed some marker, aside from a cross, there will be no hissy fit thrown. No questions asked, period. Oh well, God will resolve the rest. I will continue to pray for the Tam family that they stay strong in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here's the link:

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/society/family-grace-tam-11-killed-ice-caves-forced-take-down-cross-they-placed-her-memory

Return to the Ice Caves!

My mom having fun.

I will conquer thee!

The white parts are very slippery. Don't say I didn't warn you.

Roughly at noon, we decided to head back into town to eat at Paseo Caribbean Restaurant located at Fremont. I didn't get a pic of the store because it is very difficult to find parking so I had to drop my sister off and had her buy the sandwiches while I drove around.

The sandwiches are about a foot long and are very tasty. I recommend trying here if any of you ever come to Seattle. Definitely worth the $8. 

Thank God for a great day in Seattle, Washington Sept 2, 2014.

 *Disclaimer* I am only copyrighting my photos because I do not want any mis-representation of me.  If you wish to use my pics, just write to me. Through a past experience, I just don't want anyone using my pics to slander me and my family. Otherwise, enjoy.




Caught a red eye Delta flight from Honolulu to LAX (Los Angeles) and then transferred from LAX to SEATAC around 9:30AM. Arrived in weathers ranging from 60-70 degrees. Not so bad. Got my rental car from Budget. Okay, ready to start the day!

First off, Chinatown aka International District! My sister got a tip in where to eat. Let the pictures do the rest of the talking!

 

After we ate, we walked around because my sister wanted to go to Uwajimaya which is actually linked to the KinoKuniya Bookstores. Uwajimaya sells some local Hawaiian food such as Laulau, Poi, Portuguese Sausage, and Zippy's chili etc....