Ever wanted a life size statue of a Brotherhood of Steel paladin from Fallout 3?

And by lifesize I mean 7 foot tall?

Well - highjacked from Destructoid - this 7 foot beauty you see in the picture went to a passionate Fallout fan for the meager sum of $2507.

Good times!

So… we all know Japanese kids love anime, Japanese kids love cars, Japanese kids love modding.
What would you obtain by mixing these three passions?

Something along these lines:

Full gallery here, enjoy!

Do you have an anime car? Would you ever get one? Would you ever date anybody that drove one?

Here is then, a new WOW Demotivational Top 10.

TEN: Might be Starcraft… but still applies.

NINE: Yes, that is the face we all have in front of WoW.

EIGHT: Totally true, and you cant even do anything with all that gold you earn in your second job…

SEVEN: All gnomes deserve what is coming…

SIX: I do that often…

FIVE: Yes, they are making fun of us.

FOUR:That is a lie. There is NO HOPE.

THREE: Is lack of personal hygiene worth $15 a month? I ask thou from my RP server…

TWO:Prepared you are not… for our #1 Demotivational.

ONE: Now stop playing WoW for a bit and go hang out.

Sources of demotivationals are here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here

A little Bonus one that made me really laugh…

Source is here.

Ever wanted to get into Digital SLR photography but didnt know where to start?

Ever wondered: “What first Digital SLR should I buy?” or “What’s the best starter Digital SLR?”

Here is the answer I just got from a friend of mine that told me to thank Ed T. for it… Thanks Ed!!!

Keep in mind, I think Ed is a Canon guy… so all you Nikon folks wont be happy!

ED’s GUIDE FOR STARTING TO BE A CANON DSLR PHOTOGRAPHER:

—

Ok buddy, here it is :) I’m sure you’ll get comments from the Canon-hating Nikon crowd, but it’s like comparing Honda vs. Toyota. Canon’s got over 65% of the DSLR marketplace and a great lens lineup, so that was enough for me when I was deciding. At the end of the day, it all comes down to the photographer regardless of equipment.

THE CAMERAS:

CANON EOS REBEL XSI: $620

12.2 Megapixel
Live View Function
3.5 fps Continuous Shooting
ISO 1600

CANON EOS 50D: $1400

15.1 Megapixel
6.3 fps Continuous Shooting
Live View Mode
ISO 3200 - Expandable to 12800

Honestly, between the two above, the XSi is the better STARTER camera (not just because of price). Because it’s got fewer functions, you’ll learn a lot faster to be a better photographer vs. a digital camera user if that makes sense. For example, you’ll have to get creative when shooting in low-light situations because it’s got lower ISO capability than the 50D. Then when Aperture, Shutter and ISO become second nature, you can upgrade to the camera you want. Could be the new 5D, could be the 50D, could even be the Mark 1 (if you have money to burn). I used the Rebel XT for over a year before I upgraded to the 5D. If I started off with the 5D, I don’t think the experience would’ve been the same. But hey it’s up to you - I know what its like buying new toys, sometimes you’re just gonna want the pimp stuff right off the bat.

Alternatively, you can go for the 40D:

CANON EOS 40D: $1000

At the end of the day and I’ll say it again - it ultimately comes down to the photographer. If you don’t commit to learning how to use a DSLR the way it’s supposed to be used, then you might as well stick with a point-and-shoot. It’s not going to magically make all your pictures great - you gotta “know” the shot you want and command your camera to deliver it.

Here’s exactly what I’m talking about:

These 3 photos were shot with a Canon 40D:
Pic1
Pic2
Pic3

Then again, so were these photos:
Pic4
Pic5
PIc6

Lol… I’m not saying every one of your shots needs to be a work of art, but there are clearly better ways to shoot those last 3 pictures. For example on Pic6, I maybe would’ve gone with a lower aperture and shot it with the cake at eye-level to make an interesting foreground, maybe bounced my flash off the ceiling so you lose the white shine on people’s skin. Shit like that. The guy who shot that used the built-in flash and the free lens the camera came with (says so in “more properties”).

Anyway - enough of the lecture. On to the lenses!

LENSES:

Ok here’s a quick lesson on lenses (sorry if you already know this).

MM RANGE
First is the mm range. Most point and shoot cameras shoot at 35mm. The higher the mm number, the bigger the zoom. The lower the mm number, the wider the shot. Really low ones like 17mm pics are fish-eye shots. Basically a lens that says 70mm-300mm, it means you can zoom from between 70mm to 300mm by turning the lens left and right. Prime lenses like the Canon 85mm f1.8, means it’s a set lens that it’ll only shoot at 85mm and you can’t zoom in and out.

APERTURE
All lenses have an “f” associated with it. Generally the LOWER the number, the better (faster) the lens is. So a 50mm f1.4 lens is going to give you better pictures in low light than a 505mm f2.8. Put it this way: Canon makes a 50mm f/1.8 for $80. But they also make a 50mm f/1.4 for $400. Then, if you want to go just one f-stop lower, they make a 50mm f/1.2 for $1300. That’s how much a difference the f-stops make. Took me forever to figure all that shit out.

TAMRON 18-250mm f.3.5 - 6.3 $479

This is one of the best starter lenses out there imho because of its range and price, and it’s pretty new. It covers you for really wide landscape shots (at 18mm) and at extra long zoom shots (at 250mm). Plus it goes as low as f3.5 on the wide shots (but will go as high as f6.3 on the long shots).

TAMRON 17-50mm f.2.8 - $419
This would be a nice “around the house” lens that you can take to parties. It has a great aperture and you can zoom out for group shots and zoom in just enough for great portraits. Notice how it’s only $60 less than the 18-250mm, and you only get 17-50mm. It’s all about the aperture baby…

TAMRON 17-50mm f.2.8 - $419
This would be a nice “around the house” lens that you can take to parties. It has a great aperture and you can zoom out for group shots and zoom in just enough for great portraits. Notice how it’s only $60 less than the 18-250mm, and you only get 17-50mm. It’s all about the aperture baby…

CANON 50mm (Prime) f/1.8 - $89 **Must Have**

This is the one lens all Canon users have - don’t leave home without it. It’s f/1.8 so it shoots crazy good pictures without needing any light. This is will likely be your official lens for portraits shots.

CANON 24-70mm f/2.8L - $1190
This is the lens right herrrr! Big ass lens, heavy (weighs 2 pounds, twice as heavy as the Tamron 17-2

FLASH:

CANON 430-EX Flash - $250

Word to the wise: NEVER use the built-in flash on your camera. It’s pure crap. It’ll amazingly make your photos look like they’ve been shot with a $100 point-and-shoot. This flash is excellent and will be the difference-maker on pics than require flash. There’s also a Canon 580-EX flash for $420, but you won’t need that unless you’re planning a lot of studio-type shots.

FLash Diffuser - $15
You’ll definitely want this for your flash. It diffuses the light so you don’t get harsh highlights on people’s faces.

—————————

My recommendation:

If I were you, I’d go with:
CANON EOS REBEL XSI: $620
TAMRON 18-250mm f.3.5 - 6.3 $479
CANON 50mm (Prime) f/1.8 - $89

The below can wait until later:
CANON 430-EX Flash - $250
Flash Diffuser - $15

—————————

That should be enough for you to absorb for now :) My only advice: keep shooting! Best way to learn is to take really bad pictures and figure out where you went wrong. Lots of forums online where you can share your shots and get feedback from other photographers.

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Note of Americajin:

In the world of demotivationals there are quite a few ones that center on what some people call “eyes” but are more generally referred to as boobs. Some of them are actually quite funny apart from showcasing some interesting eye candy.

Trystan put together his personal top 10 - you can find it below. So if you’re not afraid of blushing a bit, go ahead and have a laugh.

VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED

Trystan’s Best Breast Demotivational Top 10

What do you think? Any better ones around?

‘

Sources of demotivationals are www.demotivateus.com and/or various others you can find here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

In the world of Chuck Norris there are quite a few demotivationals (or we should probably call them motivationals) that I think are just awesome (see some GREAT ones here)…

The dude is everywhere and people have concocted some of the best one-liners for him…

And the best thing is, he doesnt even know why this whole thing happened. I mean, how can it get better than that… people just bring you back due to sheer pop culture cultism! Or whatever that means.

A buddy of mine told me about the “pushup” one liner, and it still makes me laugh.

As for the Where’s Waldo one below, can you find Chuck?

Finally this lame ass one at the end is worthy of any photoshop horror story, but is so true…

The real Solid Snake is actually Chuck Norris…

…battling Ronald McDonald and Cheese Soup… (comic from Penny Arcade).

We said it before. All things that become pop culture and mass audience get Demotivational posters. Chuck Norris is pop, is mass, and he naturally has quite a few demotivational posters… (just like World of Warcraft or Final Fantasy or Castlevania or Anime in general…)

So here are a few of his best Demotivationals I found around the net, for your personal inspiration.

Personally this one is my favorite.

Either the lawyer below has the coolest name ever or Chuck really is ubiquitous!

Moreover, for those who play World of Warcraft, you know how bad it gets with good old chuck in the main chat channels…

(Source here)

Also found a Halo one! LOL

At this scene from The Family Guy I seriously laughed for an hour…

Demotivational sources are here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

As for the best Chuck Norris quotes, here are the list of the ones Chuck Norris himself prefers! Source is Chuck Norris Facts:

When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night, he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris doesn’t read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.

There is no theory of evolution. Just a list of creatures Chuck Norris has allowed to live.

Outer space exists because it’s afraid to be on the same planet with Chuck Norris.

Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.

Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.

Chuck Norris is the reason why Waldo is hiding.

Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.

There is no chin behind Chuck Norris’ beard. There is only another fist.

When Chuck Norris does a pushup, he isn’t lifting himself up, he’s pushing the Earth down.

Chuck Norris is so fast, he can run around the world and punch himself in the back of the head.

Chuck Norris’ hand is the only hand that can beat a Royal Flush.

Chuck Norris can lead a horse to water AND make it drink.

Chuck Norris doesn’t wear a watch, HE decides what time it is.

Chuck Norris can slam a revolving door.

Chuck Norris does not get frostbite. Chuck Norris bites frost

Remember the Soviet Union? They decided to quit after watching a DeltaForce marathon on Satellite TV.

Contrary to popular belief, America is not a democracy, it is a Chucktatorship.

If you liked this post please leave a comment :)

Here continues my posts on ComiCon with a ton of Cosplay pics (more than 80!!!) to go to add to the previous ComiCon 2008 posts (like the ones on the best cosplay moments, on the ton of statue pics, on the weird pee and poop stuff, on the troopers, and on the best Star Wars poster EVAR).

See a select number here below and the full thumb gallery at the bottom of the post.

I wonder… what are these girls doing?

This is a pro - he is the model for EA’s Dead Space game.

This is not a pro but he does look like one! Snake Eyes (right?)!

This is a pro - I think she was the Activision booth babe.

These are not pros… but they are pretty good!

These GI Joe guys are Pros I think.

Pros? Who cares…

Yes a Pro… and most cosplayers habe better costumes.

Not Pros, but just as good!

Definitely not pros, but creative!

Not a pro - and I must say, he does have a good Batman jaw. It’s odd, bot the bottom half of the face is just the most important part of the Batman costume.

Who is she dressed as?

Check out the rest of the +80 pics below!

Were you cosplaying at ComiCon? Were you in any of these pictures? Which one do you prefer?

Finally my PC is up and running again and I can post the ton of statue pictures I took at ComiCon, other than just the best cosplay, the best troopers, the best poster, and the pee vs. poop stuff…

I seriously still have a ton of pics to post… so after this ComiCon statues post, expect more on Cosplay. So without further ado… (for the full 59 statue pics go to the Statue Thumb Gallery)

(a total of 59 pics is posted below in the Statue Thumb Gallery)

At ComiCon I had the luck of running into Dave Dorman from whom I bought an awesome Star Wars poster.

I mean… AWESOME! It’s named “Lord Vader’s Persuasion of the Outer Rim Worlds to Join the Empire.” Check it out…

(it’s at a high rez so you can really check it out - but since it’s a photograph, find an original scan here at sandtroopers.com ^_^)

Dave also personalized it for me by drawing a trooper on it… I took some videos of his drawing ability…

I finally figured out I should turn the camera upside down…

and here is the final trooper! :) - it took him more or less 90 seconds…

Comic Con was packed - as always - with really great troopers. There were costumes around of the highest quality (and some of the lowest). So I went ahead and I put together some of the pictures I took of Star Wars fans…

What? A post only about troopers? Nothing weirder at Comic Con (like the best cosplay? or pee dolls? - or goku like characters wielding lassos of odd material? - or maid cafe cosplay? - or tie fighter models that cost 150k? or the BEST Darth Vader poster ever?)

Yes, this is for you who have loved Episode 4, 5, and 6, adored the the Clone Wars cartoons and await the Clone Wars 3D movie … :)

We’ve seen this already in my best cosplay post, but this was just a cute scene. The youngling in the pic and the clone war trooper were inviting another kid dressed in a Batman costume to join them for a picture.

“Why doesn’t Batman want to Join us?” asked the depressed trooper.

“He gets a couple of good movies in a row and forgets the sad days of George Clooney and when the Batman costume had nipples…”

The great thing of Comic Con is that comic/anime people are a nice crowd. This stand was packed with people that wanted to take pictures with “professional” and “amateur” troopers posing between the Gentle Giant movie statues for them. There was no line, but everybody was very conscious of being nice to those who had been waiting longer than them… even too conscious! There was a lot of time spent in dialogues like this…

“No, its your turn.”

“No, please you”

“Be my guest, I said….”

and so forth…

Not only troopers but also good Jedi related cosplay.

Sweet rifle. That must have been a pain to tote around the show.

I noticed a thing. Most troopers have ear pieces, like walkie talkies, under their helmet.

Can they open frequencies to all troopers around or do they use them only to communicate with their buddies?

As for the guy below… I have no idea what he is.

Yeah, I saw these guys without the helmet, and they had cool earpieces. If you look at the bottom left of the picture, you can see that the trooper to the left has a jack that goes into some bulky white units that hangs on his utility belt. Know what it is?

Another great thing of Comic Con is that all cosplayers want to be photographed. And they strike poses the moment you whip out your camera and say: “Awesome! Can I take a picture?”

As for the guy below… still am in the I don’t know what he is. But it was a high quality creative use of a trooper suit. He even has lights in the eyes. (Still… what char is he? is this a metaphore for the meaning of life? Even troopers can aspire do be Jedis?)

Mucho love for the Elvis Trooper. As said before, he was talking with his friend but still was king enough to strike a pose right away and give me the Elvis blessing.

Darth Samurai was so kind to put his helmet back on for the picture. That might seem normal to you, but in most conventions you get some pretty angry or stressed out people.

They dress up, come to the show, think they are going to score some babes… then a bunch of people with cameras start being a pain in their rear. “Can I take a picture with you?” “Can you pose with me?” “Just one more…” “Just one more…” “Just ONE more!!!”

But at Comic Con, out of 200 times I probably asked “Can I take a Picture” only twice I was told to push off it. One of the two was a trooper that I think was about to broil to death. See, he was in stealth armor and was outside the Con… and got stuck with a million people…

Troopers might need a handler to help them out of bad moments. People grabbing at your suit, or too many peeps wanting pictures… etc. Or they can find strength in the numbers (just like in the movies :)).

I was told you see troopers normally go around at least in duos at big conventions for that reason. Troopers want to be “customer friendly” and let all the fans take a pic… but crowds can be aggressive.

On Saturday the troopers were wearing Droid Hunt arm bands. It was part of some sort of competition (find more about it at