#and umm. just running with the impulse to improve my life for as long as the spirit is within me. not typically too long

[ghostcrows]

The adhder is born blind to the trappings of time so it uses its many device timers as a form of temporal echolocation

[inkxlenses]

hello, umm what do you think is the right mindset to stay positive and motivated in life? everyday i wake up feeling so empty and lonely and it carries to everything i do and say. i feel like it’s because i’m really unlucky when it comes to love. i’ve never been in a relationship nor had even been asked out before and i feel so left out because my friends are all talking about their love life and i just long for that feeling too. i’m a 21 year old college student and i’m scared that nobody will

[continuation] ever find me attractive. i really want to have someone special and take me away from this emptiness but i’m so scared that i’ll never really find love 

Hi there, anon. First off, I apologise for the late response. Hope you could still read this, and that you are in a better situation and have a more positive outlook at present. I’d do my best to help you out as much as I can.

I really am very sorry that you feel this way. I get that you are probably very frustrated with your situation, but [this may sound very cliched] know that this situation is only transitory. I understand where you are coming from, still, I hope you wouldn’t mind that I would be blunt with you as well.

When you wake up in the morning, you have two options: you can choose to dwell on what’s wrong, what’s missing, what others have that you don’t.. basically on negative things; OR you can choose to start it on a positive note. Thus, every morning, try to program yourself that the first things that would be registered in your mind would be affirmative/ motivational thoughts. Claim that “ It will be a great day! ”, “ I’d finally have a breakthrough! ”, “ I would achieive all the aspirations that I’d been waiting for! ”, “ I would develop meaningful relationships with my friends, family and would meet interesting people. ”, etc.

I know this sounds completely pointless and utter BS—not to mention extremely difficult—for someone depressed, whose brain is in total havoc and rebels on their every attempt to have a positive mindset. BUT even if it would take you weeks, months, or even years of waking up and *claiming* what you desire in life before you get there.. somehow, someday, you will if you choose to.

You had probably heard of this before, but, it’s true, “Happiness is a choice”. I had been clinically depressed before and my outlook in life was completely negative, nihilistic and apathetic. I am already quite a skeptical person (and a bit of a cynic) to begin with, but that kind of attitude was magnified when I was depressed. In short, I became the kind of person that I hate the most.

But I chose to fight the f*cked up thoughts in my mind because I realised that it was not who I am and it was not the person that I am destined to be. I chose recovery because eventually, I became very tired of that pessimistic mindset. I wouldn’t sugarcoat it because honestly, it was very, very hard for me, and believe me when I say that *recovery* didn’t happen overnight. It took me a while to finally seek professional help, and even more so to experience the actual *healing* process, but I’m really thankful that I made *that* first step.. I’m glad that I chose to be happy. And you can be happy too, anon. It may take a while as well, and that’s perfectly okay because you don’t need to pressure yourself to “be”. But, eventually, you have to make a conscious decision about it.

Again, ask yourself, do you want to wake up everyday feeling depressed and disappointed, or do you want to wake up hopeful and filled with joy? For the nth time, I understand that this would be difficult at first, but you have to choose to fight for your happiness. You have to set your mind and choose that your day would be great, choose that your life would be great.

I get that having a romantic relationship might be the most exciting thing that a person at your age would want right now. But I also have to tell you that when you actually dive into the real world (that is, the *world* outside of uni/ academics), your dating history wouldn’t matter at all. Cherish the present because the universe [fate, God, or whatever it is that you believe in] is giving you all the time in the world to enjoy your time with friends and family, and to focus on your studies first. Enjoy those moments where you can be happy by yourself—in the meantime—before you find the *right* person when the time comes.

As long as you would always find fault in your life and feel frustrated of the things that others have that you don’t, you would not attract the person that you would want to be attracted to you. I mean, if you saw someone who always has negative to say about everything and everyone, do you think you would be romantically attracted to them? I don’t know about you, but I think nobody wants to be with a downer. It’s more attractive when a person is positive, happy and emanates happiness and positivity to everyone around them.

Indeed, it’s completely impossible to be positive and happy all the time; of course, everyone experiences difficulties at times as well. But I believe that your general disposition in life would really shape the way the world would treat you.

However, I’m not saying that it’s wrong or even impossible to find “love” at present. BUT if you’re not happy with yourself now, then I’m afraid to say that you wouldn’t be happy when you’re *with* someone. You have to be happy by and with yourself first. Another person wouldn’t fill that *void* if you’re not happy and content with yourself first, because being in a relationship isn’t about completing each other—it’s about complementing the other person with the “wholeness” of your being. Another person shouldn’t be the “reason” for your happiness; rather, they should be an “inspiration” for you to choose to be happy.

Instead of being with someone that makes you happy, why not BE someone that makes YOU happy? Before you plan on engaging in a relationship with someone, start on building a strong relationship with yourself first.

“ We all need to learn to love ourselves first before we can love others ”—it’s one of those overused lines that already sounds completely trivial, yet, somehow it is practically true. Having a relationship with someone is a serious commitment and it would always feel like a daunting task if you’re not 1000% ready to commit in the first place. Make a conscious decision to be happy, to heal, to improve yourself, to change for the better, to continually strive to be the best version of yourself FOR yourself, first and foremost. Don’t let another person dictate or define your happiness.

I may sound like a snowflake uwu™ but I really don’t think that you’re unattractive because nobody is, anon. Everyone has their own attributes that make them uniquely attractive. “Attractiveness” doesn’t only mean *physical* attractiveness, anyway.

Moreover, I truly believe that relationships aren’t [just] about being physically attracted to each other. It isn’t even just about getting *romantic jitters* when you see them and/or when you’re with them. Over the years, it would be about acting selflessly, always taking into account the perspective and feelings of your SO, trusting that person wholeheartedly, and seeking compromise—all of this while still maintaining your individuality. It’s about choosing to be with that person over and over again because you want to be with them despite the trials, personal issues and whatever else that may come in the future.

When you’re in a serious relationship, your SO wouldn’t choose to stay with you and fight for your relationship when times get hard just because they are physically attracted to you. They would choose to be with you because they had fallen for and had accepted the entirety of who you are—your personality, temperament, desires, past etc and even your bad side(s). Thus, you need to “complete” yourself—by yourself—first, and not impulsively give a second-rate version of yourself to a person who you would be willing to commit with emotionally and mentally (and maybe intimately), just because you feel “incomplete” at present and want to seek a sudden *stimulating escape* from yourself in the form of a romantic relationship with them. You may not realise it yet, but you’re still young! Please, anon.. Never rush love for it never runs out.

I know, it’s so hard to be positive in an extremely negative world. Life wouldn’t always be the way that we want it to be. It has a f*cked up knack for bringing you down and showering you with lots of disappointments and negative thoughts every single day. But you have to fight your way through it. Don’t let the world defeat you. Choose to fight. Choose to go on. Choose to move forward and not dwell on what (and who) is missing. Learn to be happy by yourself and eventually be a beacon of happiness. Only then that you would attract the right person who would be more than glad to share that happiness with you.

Thanks for reaching out to me, anon. And I hope that I helped even on the simplest way possible. Wishing you joy, peace of mind, and self-love! My kindest regards.

[allspark]

Shooting first and asking questions later in the Allspark Studios today is none other than Autobot Vanguard and ever reluctant leader, Rodimus Prime!  Does he have the touch to light the darkest hour brighter than his undead (whoops, spoilers) predecessor, Optimus?  Follow along after the jump to find out!

Hot Rod and Rodimus were two characters I could identify with as a kid, and still do some to this day.  Hot Rod was a brash know it all (I may still be), and Rodimus was a reluctant leader whose position was a heavy burden (as it should be).  The aspects of their personalities that most found annoying definitely connected with me, so when I had a chance to get the G1 toys, it was a no brainer.  I was a little amazed and a little disappointed at the time.  I was just getting back into G1 after a long and passionate love affair with everything Beast Wars (Machines, II, Neo, etc), and they lacked a lot of the things I was looking for in a toy.  It was nostalgia tinged with what could have been.  I wanted better toys.

  Years later, and multiple Rodimuses…er, Rodimii…,umm Rodimus Prime figures in the bins and we still had not gotten a truly great one…or really one at all.  When I saw Power of the Primes Rodimus Prime online for the first time, my eyes shot open with amazement.  I had to have that toy.  You can imagine the disappointment I was setting myself up for here, but this story has a happy ending similar to POTP Optimus Prime’s.  After some initial frustration, I love what we have in POTP Rodimus Prime, and I know you will too.

Editor’s note: There are a couple of steps in the transformation process that gave me some trouble.  I am going to highlight them in order to hopefully help you avoid that stress.  Or stressed plastic.  I make no guarantees, and I am not responsible for anything you do with your toys, but these suggestions worked for me.

  Cybertronian Car Mode

One of the best things about 86 Movie and Post 86 Movie product was that Hasbro and Takara really just went crazy with the ideas.  Futuristic elements such as Cybertronian vehicle modes and off the wall concepts like Pretenders were my cup of tea, even more so than the original 84-85 cast of characters and designs.  We had already seen some Cybertronian vehicles in the cartoon, so getting Hot Rod was a big deal.

This version is pretty faithful to the original figure.  Actually, I take that back.  This is a definite improvement, as the POTP race car mode is sleeker than that of the G1 figure, much more like the cartoon look.  He does not sport any chrome, but the silver paint is nice.  His wheels are a solid black, and while I know that will disappoint many of you, go get a Molotow acrylic chrome pen and get to work.  The pens are so good you almost can’t mess things up, so don’t worry if like me, your painting skills are not the best.  One last detail that I really love is the spoiler.  It is so spot on to the cartoon model that I almost smile.  Really, all in all, that is what you are getting with POTP Hot Rod in car mode: the G1 cartoon model.

Transformation notes: The front of the vehicle and the back have small things to watch out for during transformation.  The front of the car where the robot shoulders peg in can be difficult to pop out.  I have found that pulling the end with the wheel on it out first, then easing the other side off the tab seems to help.  The back of the vehicle where the legs peg in to the spoiler area need to be hooked into place.  Slide them around the tab on the center of the spoiler first, then up into the outer tabs.  Reverse this process to unpeg them.

    Battle Winnebago Mode

I love the idea of a Battle Winnebago.  It’s just so ludicrous, even more so when the “cab” is formed from a race car.  POTP Rodimus does not disappoint here either.  He’s kinda business in the back, party up front, making him either a seedy club, or a reverse mullet.

Anyhow, he again follows the cartoon model fairly close, though having the cab form from the Hot Rod car makes him a little sleeker than he was depicted on screen.  He has more of the plain black wheels here, brighter orange on the lower sides of the trailer than he originally had, and his flame decal runs higher on the trailer than before.  He still pulls off the look well, so any changes are easily forgiven.

Transformation notes: I kept doing two things wrong that really made me not like Rodimus in car mode at first.  One of them was getting the upper part of the trailer formed.  Honestly, just use the instructions.  That was my error.  That part is formed by the Rodimus forearms, and it will take getting the connectors to slide into the top at just the right angle, but be patient, follow the instructions, and then take it apart and do it again so you will remember how.  The other issue in transformation that I had was that I was intent on getting the top of the race car to tab into trailer’s faux spoiler.  It popped out every time, or made other pieces pop out.  You don’t need to connect the top of the car to the trailer spoiler.  Just use the tabs on the back of the car (robot knees) and the tabs on the front of the trailer that connect to the car pipes.  That will work just fine.

  Hot Rod Mode

Like Optimus, I needed Hot Rod to be perfect, which was never going to happen.  I have had them both for a few days now, and I decided to hold off writing this review until I was truly happy with the toy for what it is.  This Hot Rod is a nice, super G1 Hot Rod that is a good amalgamation of toy and cartoon.  What I love about the figure are the proportions on everything but the arms, the design of the head, and the decent poseability.  This is a great figure.

I have to admit, there are a few things I do not like:

The robot arms are too thin and more like the original toy than the character model

The arms have less articulation in some planes of movement (upward shoulder area being the worst)

The head can only twist laterally, not look up or down

Initially these things really disappointed me.  Then I put the toy down and came back to him two days later and realized that while the above mentioned design elements bug me, this is still a great figure, with good articulation, that pulls off a look I did not have on my shelf.  I found the love for this toy.

Transformation notes: Just remember the warnings I made above in the race car section and you will be fine, until you get to Rodimus Prime Mode

  Rodimus Prime Mode

This is the best Rodimus Prime figure ever.  It’s damn near perfect, though it deviates from the established meshing of G1 toy and cartoon model because honestly, something was going to have to give at some point.  I do not mind, as Hasbro and Takara have given us a true Prime.  Rodimus is tall, built like a mammoth, and armed to the robo-teeth.  Gone is the slender look he had in his previous life, as this version of him truly elevates him to something that looks like the power of the Primes and the Matrix of Leadership flow through his circuits.  I think I love this mode enough to say that I will likely use Legends Targetmaster Hot Rod as my Hot Rod, and this toy will remain in Prime mode on my shelf.

  Beyond the amazing look, there are a couple of things to note that may or may not be to your liking:

He has a bit of backpack kibble. I think it balances out his look, but I can see people not being happy about it.

The head can only twist laterally, not look up or down. This is less forgivable on a leader class figure than a deluxe or even a voyager.

Shoulder articulation is…awkward.

The matrix is not easy to get to like with Optimus.  You have to pop him open to get to it, instead of opening some panels.

Like Optimus, there were also what I would call QC issues with Rodimus:

The knees are not very tight, and he can fall over from his own weight in some poses.

The heels are also very loose and do not support his weight well.

The stickers on the trailer have already started to tear from transformation, as the flames are located on a hinge.

Transformation notes: When going from Hot Rod to Rodimus, the forearms are formed from the front of the trailer.  Be careful when attaching them or detaching them from the backs of Hot Rod’s knees.  Like the leg/spoiler issue, they have to be hooked.  In Rodimus Mode, the hooked piece is on the Hot Rod knee, pointing inward towards the body.  Pulling in that direction first, clearing that hook, then popping out the super tight clamps on the outer part of the arm, will get them off.  Hooking over that part, then pushing down on the clamps will get the arm piece on.

  Overall Thoughts

Power of the Primes Rodimus Prime is another figure that embodies amalgamation of opposites.  The young and inexperienced soldier becomes the seasoned vanguard warrior, and melds many elements of both the G1 toys and character models along the way.  This figure, also like Optimus, was one of my greatest wants in an update, and while he let me down in some areas as well, he still has so much going for him that I have to say I am ultimately pleased.  This is a fun toy, that will lead my Autobot battalions on a new shelf where Optimus hasn’t yet returned from the dead.  There are a few reservations with giving this figure to younger fans.  You may have to walk them through some of the steps first, until they get the hang of things, lest you end up with a sad youngster and the impulse to hunt down another copy.

I judge this Rodimus a solid 9/10!  He’s a mostly unchewed energon stick, sure to please the discerning Junkion or Sharkticon in your household!

Power of the Primes Rodimus Prime Gallery and Review! Shooting first and asking questions later in the Allspark Studios today is none other than Autobot Vanguard and ever reluctant leader, Rodimus Prime! 

[clothestop]

hello, umm what do you think is the right mindset to stay positive and motivated in life? everyday i wake up feeling so empty and lonely and it carries to everything i do and say. i feel like it’s because i’m really unlucky when it comes to love. i’ve never been in a relationship nor had even been asked out before and i feel so left out because my friends are all talking about their love life and i just long for that feeling too. i’m a 21 year old college student and i’m scared that nobody will

[continuation] ever find me attractive. i really want to have someone special and take me away from this emptiness but i’m so scared that i’ll never really find love 

Hi there, anon. First off, I apologise for the late response. Hope you could still read this, and that you are in a better situation and have a more positive outlook at present. I’d do my best to help you out as much as I can.

I really am very sorry that you feel this way. I get that you are probably very frustrated with your situation, but [this may sound very cliched] know that this situation is only transitory.

I understand where you are coming from, but then I hope you wouldn’t mind that I would be blunt with you as well. When you wake up in the morning, you have two options: you can choose to dwell on what’s wrong, what’s missing, what others have that you don’t.. basically on negative things; OR you can choose to start it on a positive note. Thus, every morning, try to program yourself that the first things that would be registered in your mind would be affirmative/ motivational thoughts. Claim that “ It will be a great day! ”, “ I’d finally have a breakthrough! ”, “ I would achieive all the aspirations that I’d been waiting for! ”, “ I would develop meaningful relationships with my friends, family and would meet interesting people. ”, etc. I know this sounds completely pointless and utter BS—not to mention extremely difficult—for someone depressed, whose brain is in total havoc and rebels on their every attempt to have a positive mindset. BUT even if it would take you weeks, months, or even years of waking up and *claiming* what you desire(s) in life before you get there.. somehow, someday, you will if you choose to.

You had probably heard of this before, but, it’s true, “Happiness is a choice”. I had been clinically depressed before and my outlook in life was completely negative, nihilistic and apathetic. I am already quite a skeptical person (and a bit of a cynic) to begin with, but that kind of attitude was magnified when I was depressed. In short, I became the kind of person that I hate the most. But I chose to fight the f*cked up thoughts in my mind because I realized that it was not who I am and it was not the person that I am destined to be. I chose recovery because eventually, I became very tired of that pessimistic mindset. I wouldn’t sugarcoat it because honestly, it was very, very hard for me, and believe me when I say that *recovery* didn’t happen overnight. It took me a while to finally seek professional help, and even more so to experience the actual *healing* process, but I’m really thankful that I made *that* first step.. I’m glad that I chose to be happy. And you can be happy too, anon. It may take a while as well, and that’s perfectly okay because you don’t need to pressure yourself to “be”. But, eventually, you have to make a conscious decision about it.

Again, ask yourself, do you want to wake up everyday feeling depressed and disappointed, or do you want to wake up hopeful and filled with joy? For the nth time, I understand that this would be difficult at first, but you have to choose to fight for your happiness. You have to set your mind and choose that your day would be great, choose that your life would be great.

I get that having a romantic relationship might be the most exciting thing that a person at your age would want right now. But I also have to tell you that when you actually dive into the real world (that is, the *world* outside of uni/ academics), your dating history wouldn’t matter at all. Cherish the present because the universe [fate, God, or whatever it is that you believe in] is giving you all the time in the world to enjoy your time with friends and family, and to focus on your studies first. Enjoy those moments where you can be happy by yourself—in the meantime—before you find the *right* person when the time comes.

As long as you would always find fault in your life and feel frustrated of the things that others have that you don’t, you would not attract the person that you would want to be attracted to you. I mean, if you saw someone who always has negative to say about everything and everyone, do you think you would be romantically attracted to them? I don’t know about you, but I think nobody wants to be with a downer. It’s more attractive when a person is positive, happy and emanates happiness and positivity to everyone around them.

Indeed, it’s completely impossible to be positive and happy all the time; of course, everyone experiences difficulties at times as well. But I believe that your general disposition in life would really shape the way the world would treat you.

However, I’m not saying that it’s wrong or even completely impossible to find “love” at present. BUT if you’re not happy with yourself now, then I’m afraid to say that you wouldn’t be happy when you’re *with* someone. You have to be happy by and with yourself first. Another person wouldn’t fill that *void* if you’re not happy and content with yourself first, because being in a relationship isn’t about completing each other—it’s about complementing the other person with the “wholeness” of your being. Another person shouldn’t be the “reason” for your happiness; rather, they should be an “inspiration” for you to choose to be happy.

Instead of being with someone that makes you happy, why not BE someone that makes YOU happy? Before you plan on engaging in a relationship with someone, start on building a strong relationship with yourself first. “ We all need to learn to love ourselves first before we can love others ”—it’s one of those overused lines that already sounds completely trivial, yet, somehow it is practically true. Having a relationship with someone is a serious commitment and it would always feel like a daunting task if you’re not 1000% ready to commit in the first place. Make a conscious decision to be happy, to heal, to improve yourself, to change for the better, to continually strive to be the best version of yourself FOR yourself, first and foremost. Don’t let another person dictate or define your happiness.

I may sound like a snowflake uwu™ but I really don’t think that you’re unattractive because nobody is, anon. Everyone has their own attributes that makes them uniquely attractive. “Attractiveness” doesn’t only mean *physical* attractiveness, anyway. Moreover, I truly believe that relationships aren’t [just] about being physically attracted to another person. It isn’t even just about getting *romantic jitters* when you see them and/or when you’re with them. Over the years, it would be about acting selflessly, always taking into account the perspective and feelings of your SO, trusting that person wholeheartedly, and seeking compromise—all of this while still maintaining your individuality. It’s about choosing to be with that person over and over again because you want to be with them despite the trials, personal issues and whatever else that may come in the future.

When you’re in a serious relationship, your SO wouldn’t choose to stay with you and fight for your relationship when times get hard just because they are physically attracted to you. They would choose to be with you because they had fallen for and had accepted the entirety of who you are—your personality, temperament, desires, past etc and even your bad side(s). Thus, you need to “complete” yourself—by yourself—first, and not impulsively give a second-rate version of yourself to a person who you would be willing to commit with emotionally and mentally (and maybe intimately), just because you feel “incomplete” at present and want to seek a sudden *stimulating escape* from yourself in the form of a romantic relationship with them. You may not realise it yet, but you’re still young! Please, anon.. Never rush love for it never runs out.

I know, it’s so hard to be positive in an extremely negative world. Life wouldn’t always be the way that we want it to be. It has a f*cked up knack for bringing you down and showering you with lots of disappointments and negative thoughts every single day. But you have to fight your way through it. Don’t let the world defeat you. Choose to fight. Choose to go on. Choose to move forward and not dwell on what (and who) is missing. Learn to be happy by yourself and eventually be a beacon of happiness. Only then that you would attract the right person who would be more than glad to share that happiness with you.

Thanks for reaching out to me, anon. And I hope that I helped even on the simplest way possible. Wishing you joy, peace of mind, and self-love! My kindest regards.