I am a toy collector – a fact that I have faced whenever I pass by toy stores. I cannot explain why, but I just like seeing them. I don’t actually play with them, but I pose them every once in a while. Must be the kid in me.

Anyway, I would advise everyone to stay away from online purchases from toysnjoys (do not buy) – Again, stay away from online purchases from them. I initially bought this same model from them when they said they had stock available. When I made my payment, which amounted to $230.95 including shipping, they emailed me informing me the unit was out of stock and I needed to wait. Note that I was already charged by my credit card provider by that time.

My error was I paid them using my credit card while not logged in my paypal account – paypal was acting only as a gateway for the transaction – therefore, my paypal account would not reflect this purchase at all.

After 4 weeks of no stock, Ondoy (Ketsana) came.

I requested for a refunded – and an automated email acknowledged it. It said to 3 to 4 weeks. Fine.

3rd week came, I emailed them reminding them to honor the refund. Someone replied saying they will apply the refund during the weekend. It’s been 3 weeks and they haven’t applied the refund at all?!?! The weekend came, still no refund!

I’ve been screwed. But I was prepared for it.

I contacted paypal and presented my case – which they couldn’t do anything about because it has been past the 45 day protection period they have and can only entertain the case if there are more complaints on the seller. To be fair, the paypal representative suggested some options to report it to Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) or Better Business Bureau (BBB).

By this time, I have been uttering made-up curses. Moving on, I filed complaints on both websites detailing the account. I did not hope for a refund.

Evertually, I received an email and it said I have received money in my paypal account – and it came from toysnjoys (do not buy). I am thankful they gave back my money because I received absolutely nothing from them. Not too mention they’re email response takes forever too! I do not know what kind of system they have, but they’re really slow.

Good job to IC3 and BBB.

I post this as a warning to those who purchase toys online. Better watch it. toysnjoys (do not buy) does not live up to their name. Do not ignore the bad reviews you see on the net.

On a side note, my credit card is from BPI and I have called them for my options regarding this problem as well. While I did not go through the procedure as I have received the money back again via paypal, BPI does offer some sort of protection for their card holders in cases like this.

Best Of What’s New 2009: Bombproof Wallpaper Test from PopSci.com on Vimeo.

The science and technology behind the sheet is easy enough to understand. Gizmodo says:

The X-Flex wallpaper is really a layer of Kevlar-type material, in between sheets of “elastic polymer wrap,” which provides both flex and strength so that the projectile doesn’t knock the wall down.

Now, what we in the Philippines would really need is a flood-proof one.

…under the 1:1 Scale Gundam in Japan. That would definitely be memorable. I would also like a rock band and jazz band to play through the whole night.

Imagine, getting married under the crotch of the monstrous thing!

Also, if you don’t get invited, that doesn’t mean I didn’t have the budget for it. It just means we ain’t friends. Bwahaha!

Esref Armagan is blind.

Born blind.

Yet, he paints and draws as if he can see. This is a video that I have stumbled upon, it’s from Discovery Channel and he is the feature. I just can’t help but love that smile he has on 9:05. He lives forward and is passionate about what he does.

It makes me wonder how many of us are discouraged through life’s own share of troubles. If you think you’re disabled and useless, you better think again. If you have no disabilities and still think you’re useless, I hope this man can help you be encouraged and be the best of what and who you can be.

Esref Armagan is amazing.

And we argue that people who are born blind have no visual idea of what the world looked like. And there comes Esref, painting the world in color.

View his Gallery here.

Man, that’s a lot of post-its.

In the photo is Lionel Lum – he created the whole Bumblebee costume. Wow!

This is a winner. A real winner. I wouldn’t mind putting on that costume and walk in a mall or something. Man, it’s just so awesome!

Optimus Prime guests in the Late Show with David Letterman and reads the Top Ten list for coolest things to hear from a giant robot.

Peter Cullen did the voice over. Nice CGI for a talk show too.

This THING moves! Yes, the Gundam 1:1 moves in all its glory. Damn! Look at those chest exhausts!

Now it looks even more horrible than ever! It would make a huge improvement if it were in my lawn. Hehehe.
It even looks good at night time.

Photo courtesy of Piny Tentacle – edited by gizmodo

The internet is full of people copying, modifying, and then NOT CREDITING the original work. Therefore, I will not do that. Thanks to authors miloIIIIVII and Wayne Connor for their work.

Enjoy the new site. I should be working on uploading long delayed photos everyone has been nagging me over.

Oh, and the photo section IS NOT WORKING for some reason…

UPDATE:

• The photo section is now working.
• New posts can be found in my facebook profile. Really great!
• I have a shoutbox now. Shout at me if you want. You know you want to.