01-01-2025, 11:40 AM
Computer problems -- guh! I'm dreading the day when my iMac starts to go. It's a 2015 model -- nearly ten years old now. I've had to replace the hard drive once. And occasionally it does weird little glitchy things that cause my heart to briefly pause in its rhythm. But so far, so good, knock on wood.
I'm really happy with Starlink Internet. It's way faster than what I had, and stable. Starlink with a good computer is a solid combination.
Now that Neytiri has arrived, maybe you can start saving for a new computer -- or new computers. A new laptop and a new desktop. Not "good pre-owned." New.
One of the relatives at Christmas showed me her brand new "gaming" laptop computer. The graphics resolution was uh-MAZE-ing! I wanted one just 'cuz the pictures on the screen were so pretty! She said it cost about $1100 (American). It was a 15-inch Omen from HP.
As for the development next door and what you used to have: sounds like the time has come. You know what you had is never coming back. How have the appraisals looked? Could you get enough out of your place to make moving worthwhile... or possible?
Anywhooooo... NEYTIRI IS FINALLY HERE! YAY!
January 2023 -- was it really that long ago? Oh, man! Like 18 months! The pre-order situation for new figures has become insane. I can't even reliably predict whether I'll be alive in 18 months, so I don't really want to order anything that far out. Problem is, there's an "ekspected release date" and then there's the "actual release date" that is often a year beyond the ekspected date. It's a crap situation. Seems like more and more things are turning to crap, even something that used to be fun like buying dolls and toys.
But she's heeeere!
And look at the size of that shipping box! Maybe there's an entire harem of Avatarlettes in there for Jake! (Or a passel of nagging little sisters -- be careful what you wish for, Jakey old boy!)
Wow! That box image is imposing! And... kinda hot. I guess they live underwater so their clothing needs to drain well, huh?
Here comes the big reveal! This is turning out like one of those nesting dolls: starts out ginormous, but gets smaller and smaller. I only see two legs and two arms, so no harem. Nice-looking legs and arms, though, so....
... oooh! Regal! Egyptian-esque! An uptown girl! Maybe she's out of his league!
"Kaltxi?" Like, Caltiki? As in, Caltiki: The Immortal Monster (1959), about a... 'kay, never mind, I'm probably hearing that wrong. Whatever she said, it seems to be friendly. Their initial face to face meeting looks awkwardly sweet.
Well well... apparently Jake hasn't been the only one feeling a lonely longing! I like the relative heights, and that Neytiri is slightly more slim of build than Jake. They look good together.
Adjustable eyes, huh? That's a current trend among "action figures," particularly among female head sculpts for some reason. Annoying indeed that the "eye tool" won't work. Could you use something else, like a tiny precision screwdriver? As you say, though, there's always the possibility of creating a wonk-eye effect that would be hard to correct. Still, I bet she'd look pretty sultry with a slight, sly side-eye glance!
The arm thing -- m'kay, that mega-sucks! Although as I type this, I'm taking a moment to look up online reviews. There's a video review that shows her elbows raised even with her shoulders and even slightly above in a bow-holding pose. I'm not listening to the audio, maybe there's a trick. The promo images show a good range of motion, but there's always fine print at the bottom of those pix: final version may differ from prototype. I'm not finding a lot of post-release reviews. Seems like that's often the case. Most of the hype and discussion for new figures is pre-release, and then the collect-o-sphere falls radio silent.
I am seeing a few comments online that agree with you that Hot Toys "cheaped out" on this release. And she wasn't cheap by any stretch! Wait... the hair is molded plastic? Okay, that's a major disappointment! I can't believe they did that. If it's any consolation, the hair looks really nice in your photos. I did not realize that it was not braided hair like Jake has.
I had to adjust the eyes in a couple of my Smart Dolls, which was probably easier than working with these smaller figures. It took me a few tries to get the gaze to look not-goofy.
That's a shock that Jake's eyes are starting to cloud already! It's not like you store him in direct sunlight! It's not like you live at the equator!
Well, Jake doesn't seem too bothered by her flaws. Maybe it helps that he can't see her clearly. She's certainly a nicely sculpted creature! They did a nice job making her pointed ears look somehow feminine.
I'm glad you found the missing arrow during your outdoor photoshoot. What was the "spiritual insight about missing things?" I lost the sword to my Arhian Pirate figure during an outdoor photoshoot last year. I've looked for it a few times with no success. It could have dropped out anywhere between the house and halfway down the driveway. I've replaced the sword, but the replacement doesn't look quite the same, so it bothers me (even tho' nobody else would care).
The shot of the two of them in the moss, with a shaft of golden sunlight falling across them, is gorgeous! Almost worth the (steep) price of admission, right there!
Nice that you close with talk of "future adventures." Have they had further adventures yet? Have you risked adjusting her eyes? Have you gently worked at those arms to see if you can loosen up the joints a bit?
Neytiri's hair looks good in the outdoor photos. I would not have realized it is molded plastic.
I'm delighted that you have the pair of them. Are they displayed together prominently in your collection? Or do they have separate dormitories, one for girl dolls and one for boy dolls?
Or are they put away safely in their boxes for the time being, while you consider your next move... or next Move?
I'm sorry I took so long to comment on these photos and on the new Neytiri figure, but I'm also glad I waited until I had time to take the time to look at and enjoy every photo. The unboxing sequence is thorough, but the outdoor scenes in the mossy setting are really special!
I'm really happy with Starlink Internet. It's way faster than what I had, and stable. Starlink with a good computer is a solid combination.
Now that Neytiri has arrived, maybe you can start saving for a new computer -- or new computers. A new laptop and a new desktop. Not "good pre-owned." New.
One of the relatives at Christmas showed me her brand new "gaming" laptop computer. The graphics resolution was uh-MAZE-ing! I wanted one just 'cuz the pictures on the screen were so pretty! She said it cost about $1100 (American). It was a 15-inch Omen from HP.
As for the development next door and what you used to have: sounds like the time has come. You know what you had is never coming back. How have the appraisals looked? Could you get enough out of your place to make moving worthwhile... or possible?
Anywhooooo... NEYTIRI IS FINALLY HERE! YAY!
January 2023 -- was it really that long ago? Oh, man! Like 18 months! The pre-order situation for new figures has become insane. I can't even reliably predict whether I'll be alive in 18 months, so I don't really want to order anything that far out. Problem is, there's an "ekspected release date" and then there's the "actual release date" that is often a year beyond the ekspected date. It's a crap situation. Seems like more and more things are turning to crap, even something that used to be fun like buying dolls and toys.
But she's heeeere!
And look at the size of that shipping box! Maybe there's an entire harem of Avatarlettes in there for Jake! (Or a passel of nagging little sisters -- be careful what you wish for, Jakey old boy!)
Wow! That box image is imposing! And... kinda hot. I guess they live underwater so their clothing needs to drain well, huh?
Here comes the big reveal! This is turning out like one of those nesting dolls: starts out ginormous, but gets smaller and smaller. I only see two legs and two arms, so no harem. Nice-looking legs and arms, though, so....
... oooh! Regal! Egyptian-esque! An uptown girl! Maybe she's out of his league!
"Kaltxi?" Like, Caltiki? As in, Caltiki: The Immortal Monster (1959), about a... 'kay, never mind, I'm probably hearing that wrong. Whatever she said, it seems to be friendly. Their initial face to face meeting looks awkwardly sweet.
Well well... apparently Jake hasn't been the only one feeling a lonely longing! I like the relative heights, and that Neytiri is slightly more slim of build than Jake. They look good together.
Adjustable eyes, huh? That's a current trend among "action figures," particularly among female head sculpts for some reason. Annoying indeed that the "eye tool" won't work. Could you use something else, like a tiny precision screwdriver? As you say, though, there's always the possibility of creating a wonk-eye effect that would be hard to correct. Still, I bet she'd look pretty sultry with a slight, sly side-eye glance!
The arm thing -- m'kay, that mega-sucks! Although as I type this, I'm taking a moment to look up online reviews. There's a video review that shows her elbows raised even with her shoulders and even slightly above in a bow-holding pose. I'm not listening to the audio, maybe there's a trick. The promo images show a good range of motion, but there's always fine print at the bottom of those pix: final version may differ from prototype. I'm not finding a lot of post-release reviews. Seems like that's often the case. Most of the hype and discussion for new figures is pre-release, and then the collect-o-sphere falls radio silent.
I am seeing a few comments online that agree with you that Hot Toys "cheaped out" on this release. And she wasn't cheap by any stretch! Wait... the hair is molded plastic? Okay, that's a major disappointment! I can't believe they did that. If it's any consolation, the hair looks really nice in your photos. I did not realize that it was not braided hair like Jake has.
I had to adjust the eyes in a couple of my Smart Dolls, which was probably easier than working with these smaller figures. It took me a few tries to get the gaze to look not-goofy.
That's a shock that Jake's eyes are starting to cloud already! It's not like you store him in direct sunlight! It's not like you live at the equator!
Well, Jake doesn't seem too bothered by her flaws. Maybe it helps that he can't see her clearly. She's certainly a nicely sculpted creature! They did a nice job making her pointed ears look somehow feminine.
I'm glad you found the missing arrow during your outdoor photoshoot. What was the "spiritual insight about missing things?" I lost the sword to my Arhian Pirate figure during an outdoor photoshoot last year. I've looked for it a few times with no success. It could have dropped out anywhere between the house and halfway down the driveway. I've replaced the sword, but the replacement doesn't look quite the same, so it bothers me (even tho' nobody else would care).
The shot of the two of them in the moss, with a shaft of golden sunlight falling across them, is gorgeous! Almost worth the (steep) price of admission, right there!
Nice that you close with talk of "future adventures." Have they had further adventures yet? Have you risked adjusting her eyes? Have you gently worked at those arms to see if you can loosen up the joints a bit?
Neytiri's hair looks good in the outdoor photos. I would not have realized it is molded plastic.
I'm delighted that you have the pair of them. Are they displayed together prominently in your collection? Or do they have separate dormitories, one for girl dolls and one for boy dolls?
Or are they put away safely in their boxes for the time being, while you consider your next move... or next Move?
I'm sorry I took so long to comment on these photos and on the new Neytiri figure, but I'm also glad I waited until I had time to take the time to look at and enjoy every photo. The unboxing sequence is thorough, but the outdoor scenes in the mossy setting are really special!
They're not dolls, they're action figures!