Spotted In Brunei

Found on a casual walk around and noticed the revived 80s look immediately. Step two: notified Kal-el. Step three: smile in satisfaction of being a geek. Step four: tuck empty wallet into in between ass cheeks and walk away without purchasing.

Heroes In A Box Has Launched

Written by GL

Classic Articulation and The House Of El are proud to be affiliates of Heroesinabox.com - Brunei first online store for all things action figure.

This is a totally new spin on things for the local scene; the local collectors have, until now, been a fully under-the-radar. But make no mistake, they're out there.

As of 8th August 2008, Heroesinabox.com has been launched and is fully operational, despite the fact that their in-house stock isn't huge at the moment. I say, give 'em some time and I'm sure it'll shape up really well.

So, super-friends, look no further than your own backyard for collectible goodies because Heroesinabox.com is here to save the day - it's for place for real, super heroes.

The Lantern Salute

Written by GL

Can you believe that Classic Articulation has received more than 10,000 visits already?! Neither can I. And to think, I was denied a job at a popular local newspaper as an editor.

I am as happy as a big of Skittles at the popularity of this tiny little corner-store blog. We never really expected any results out of the whole thing, and it's still a little surprising to see that - whenever we jump into our own blogs to simply check the layout and the tag-boards, we find our numbers going up. We don't think it's our moms offering they ever-lovin' support.

A big thanks goes to the fans; whose visits and return visits always seem to fill my site-counter and my heart with so much retro-joy. Also to the whole local scene for putting so much marketing and time into promoting a slowly booming online culture.

Yet, no matter how far it take it, we should always remember to stay retro, stay classic.

Back To Work

[The Tally: How we stack up so far]
Written by GL

A big welcome to all new and returning readers to this humble little blog corner. We are two weeks into the new year and I hope it's going to be a year that pans would well for us, the fans, the country and the merchandise. And, as always, we are keeping it retro. Always retro.

Through no fault of my own ego, I've posted the little image above, nicely generated by Rano.

I don't care about the stats, I don't care really about where we rank in the whole scale of things, and I don't care what percentage Classic Articulation gets; I am just totally happy to be nominated. Unfortunetely, I didn't even manage to catch the radio broadcast about the Simpur awards - as I mentioned, Kal-El and I only found out after a friend told us. It's simply great to have been nominated amongst all those other out-doorsy blogs (which I'm sure are great).

My first message to the fans for this year should be this (my apologies to Elton John): this is our song, it may be quite simple but, now that it's done, I hope everyone doesn't mind that I put down in words, how wonderful life just is.

Now, let's get one with the show...

The Simpur-Adidas Shout-Out

[Rano's Site: it's cool to be online]
Written by GL

As soon as we heard word that Classic Articulation and The House Of El were featured on Rano's site, we were totally flummoxed (that means 'surprised') as Kal-El and I were under the impression that our readers were the strong but silent types.

It's pretty cool how far a blog reaches when it's been around for long enough. But, we would both have to admit that from time to time it does get a little trying to be free enough to get online to add in new updates: I guess, it all comes down to passion.

Just thinking back: I could be a rich guy if I could get 50 cents from every person whose thrown me a weird glance for spending days and days stalking through toy departments and children's sections: it all comes down to passion.

A big shout out to Rano and Simpur for encouraging bloggers to blog and for taking this little hamlet of Brunei online - we have to move with the times, but we still have to stay retro, we have to stay classic.

I don't mind the votes, but the support is what is most rewarding - knowing that that niche culture is here at home too. This blog was only started this year and it's still cool to be a geek.

But ladies and gentlemen, that's not the end of the story for Kal-El and I. We have big, big plans for this coming year. Trust me - plans that will knock your retro socks off.

I encourage everyone to keep their ears to the ground and to watch and wait as we move to the next level of toy-worship.

Be safe, all our friends. May next year be a good year. For everyone.

Buried Treasure

[Original 1988 Issue: still cool, still cowabunga]
Written by GL

I had just finished having dinner this evening and decided to go around Serusop window-shopping and enjoying the cool, wet evening. Of course, being the fanatics that Kal-el and I are, I decided to go on a hunt first.

Hunting is an up and down thing - sometimes you discover something totally and utterly awesome. At other times, it just seems like the same old stock over and over and over. This evening, however, I was totally not prepared for what I found.

Believe it or not (and I'm pretty sure you won't believe it), I found, in a small little innocent junk shop, original 1988 released, Playmate labeled Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle toys - that's the very first wave ever of the TMNT. On top of that, after much digging in through the store's shelves, I manage to uncover Leonardo, Michaelangelo, Raphael and a Foot Soldier. I am dead serious!

And to add a cherry on to that sundae, each was going for a totally insane $6.20. Unbelievable!

Of course, they aren't in mint condition and the corners of the packaging are near gone from wear and tear, but they're the exact same toys from yesteryear. I was only eight years old when these came out!

I won't tell you the exact name of the store because we here at Classic Articulation and The House Of El are against cheap name-dropping and under-table marketing so I'll, instead, drop one easy hint. Highlight the following text: There's a HSBC ATM in Serusop; just walk to shop-house stores down from there. Sorry that I don't have any pictures to show you guys, but I had to blog this to all right this moment. Happy hunting, true believers.

Thanks To All 1,000 Visitors

[A Big Thanks From Kal-El & GL]
Written by GL

Since Classic Articulation started up as a conception in May, we haven't stopped trying to bring the Bruneian crowd interesting and lively articles about all the things we loved as children, growing up in this little Sultanate of ours.

We are also proud to say that we've managed to reach 1,000 visitors since our first post hit the world wide web and that is something that's (I think) very cool.

A big thanks to all the readers and retro fans out there. You've got a promise from Kal-El and I that one day, very soon, all this stuff (superheroes, toys, comics, etc.) is gonna take of right here, right next door. And we promise we'll make a really big noise about it so all y'all hear about it. Until that comes, keep the fan-hype going.

Enjoy the weekend, folks. And drop us a line anytime.

Your Support Is Greatly Appreciated

[Simpur's Blogging Nation: proud to be featured]
Written by GL

We are proud to announce that The House Of El and Classic Articulation are now listed with Simpur's Blogging Nation site. Additionally, we are also proud to mention that Classic Articulation has been featured as this week's featured blog.

In fact, Kal-El and I are as pleased as picnic punch about this and we're always hoping that there are fans around Brunei with the same love of action figures and superheroes, old and new, out there.

Don't forget, for anything on the newest and up-to-date action figures and hero news, hit up The House Of El - also maintained by us - at:

http://www.thehouseofel.blogspot.com

Since our own personal lives are no different from yours, dear readers - 8 to 5, waiting for pay day, getting caught in traffic, hanging out, going DVD hunting, etc., etc. - we thought we'd go all out for our passion by writing up a little bit about what we're crazy about. But, we're always ready to hear about what you have to say and what information you may have - so, don't be afraid to leave a tag message.

A big thanks to the webmaster of Simpur for being so accommodating. Check out other Bruneians living outside their normal lives by blog at:

http://www.dst-group.com/simpur/blogs/index.htm

Insanity is a lot cooler when you share. From your secret buddies, Kal-El and GL