The Archive Awakens

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The Midnight Archive awakens… A newly reimagined home for personal stories, creative reflection and the written word, preserved somewhere outside the ordinary.

Welcome to The Midnight Archive.

Writing has always been one of my favorite pastimes. It’s therapeutic in both alleviating tension and providing a creative outlet for inspirational energies that sometimes have no place else to go. It’s so simplistic in its comfortably secluded appeal. I don’t need anyone to hold a camera. I don’t have to rely on people keeping their promises and showing up to shoots. No waiting on products to arrive (and no stressing about their shipping conditions). My phone is face-down on DND, and no one can bother me. It’s just me, my keyboard, my delicious cup of coffee, my comfy VHS-themed Texas Chain Saw Massacre blanket over my legs and nothing else but peace and quiet. This is a creative platform I don’t need a team for me to be able to indulge in and enjoy. That aspect alone makes it vastly more inviting than the sometimes tediously annoying and mentally draining process of video production.

That said, I’ve been noticeably withdrawn from my Journal section on the site here. Outside of the annual Countdown to the Autumn Equinox posts, there’s been a regretful void here for the last few years. I didn’t quite understand why at first, but now I see the problem clearly; here didn’t really exist. These writings. These sessions of personal expression and creativity were just bland WordPress posts that looked like everything else on the site. They were categorized with a menu linking to the list of entries, but that wasn’t enough to keep them from becoming background fodder to the usual list of posts that share the videos I make.

The words are here regardless.

From the Archive

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I Waited ONE YEAR to Open This… | Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater

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You know me… What started as a simple unboxing quickly turns into a trip down memory lane as I revisit my history with Metal Gear Solid 3, the original PS2 release, the long road to Metal Gear Solid Δ, and why Snake Eater remains such a special game more than 20 years later.

 

I bought the Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater Terrarium nearly ONE YEAR ago… and somehow never opened it. So, with Metal Gear Solid Δ celebrating its first anniversary, I figured it might as well be today.

Kept you waiting, huh? 🐍

Join me as I finally unbox, assemble and review this incredibly detailed Metal Gear Solid Δ terrarium featuring Naked Snake in one of the most memorable moments from both the original Metal Gear Solid 3 and the newer Delta remake.

You know me… What started as a simple unboxing quickly turns into a trip down memory lane as I revisit my history with Metal Gear Solid 3, the original PS2 release, the long road to Metal Gear Solid Δ, and why Snake Eater remains such a special game more than 20 years later.

Was the terrarium worth keeping sealed away for almost an entire year? Let’s find out!

Thanks for watching!

 

Enjoy my content and want to help support what I do? You can always buy me a coffee. Completely optional, always appreciated. ☕🖤

 

I Bought Jack Nicholson’s Joker Instead of Paying My $673 Phone Bill…

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Should I give this money away to corporate greed, or treat myself to buying one of the most sought-after Hot Toys figures of all-time?

 

Decisions, decisions… Well, not really. I was recently faced with the choice of paying off Verizon and all their stupid service fees when I switched to T-Mobile. I sold my old Samsung S24 Ultra for $700 and asked myself a simple question; give this money away to corporate greed, or treat myself to buying one of the most sought-after Hot Toys figures of all-time? Yeah…… no conflict there.

Enter: Jack Nicholson’s Joker from 1989 Batman by Hot Toys! The best likeness we’ve seen yet (14 years running now)!

This video was such a delight to put together. My genuine enthusiasm as I open the figure and look over the accessories was scintillating to experience. Finally holding this figure in my hand after all these years is something special. I also had a great time practicing with my Nikon D850 in getting some cool photos of not only Jack, but another special guest…..

I hope you enjoy the video. Thanks for watching!

 

Enjoy my content and want to help support what I do? You can always buy me a coffee. Completely optional, always appreciated. ☕🖤

 

Countdown to Autumn Equinox 2026

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As if the annual summer inferno in the Ohio Valley couldn’t be more annoying. Normally on these countdowns I do my usual ranting and raving about how much summer sucks, and all of us who share the opinion about these dreary, torturous months (regardless of where you live) look ahead to Autumn with endearing anticipation.

AUTUMN EQUINOX 2026
Tues, Sep 22, 2026, 8:05 PM (EST)


Countdown is a bit late this year. My apologies! ‘Been recovering from surgery.

Speaking of which…..

As if the annual summer inferno in the Ohio Valley couldn’t be more annoying. Normally on these countdowns I do my usual ranting and raving about how much summer sucks, and all of us who share the opinion about these dreary, torturous months (regardless of where you live) look ahead to Autumn with endearing anticipation. I throw in tidings of subtle satire with hints of sarcasm whilst conveying the very real emotions we experience when enduring this dreaded season.

This year, however, there is no sarcasm. If you follow me on IG, you’re likely aware by now I had septal reconstruction/turbinate reduction surgery in June, and the first week of recovery was a whole dimension of misery due to the splints the surgeon stitched into my septum to ensure it healed correctly. These splints are bulky and ride up the septum all the way to the top of the nasal cavity and seriously obstruct airflow. Imagine being outside in the summertime when the heat index is pushing 110° and only being able to breathe through your mouth. Might not sound like a huge deal, but when you’re already dealing with the anxiety caused by the discomfort of feeling like something is constantly pressing against your nose and stopping you from breathing….. The excessive heat and humidity can quickly jolt the anxiety to panic levels.

And this isn’t intended to be a woe is me post, as the splints are out now and I’m breathing better than ever. ‘Just wanted to paint a small picture of how summer can make a bad situation 100x worse by simply being there. Another case in point; that video I did on IG where I’m in the car before and after the splints came out had to be timed between A/C blasts to keep the vehicle from becoming it’s own little hell box, as the heat index that day was well into triple digits. I shut the car off to reduce background noise when recording, and it only took less than a minute for the sweltering summer sauce to saturate the air in there. Gasp.

So yeah…. Here we are again. Counting down to the best time of the year in our own individual ways. Only 77 days remaining as of post time. Definite silver lining of being a little late with it this year is seeing the counter well below 100 days already. I’ll take it.

Stay cool, everyone. We’ll make it there together.

 

Enjoy my content and want to help support what I do? You can always buy me a coffee. Completely optional, always appreciated. ☕🖤

 

From GTA III to $100 Million in GTA Online

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Whether you’ve been playing since Liberty City on the PS2 or you’re still building your first million in GTA Online, I hope you’ll enjoy taking this trip down memory lane with me, as well as pick up some Perico strategy tips that’ll help you with your own journey.

 

After weeks of grinding businesses, running Cayo Perico Heists and building a criminal empire in Los Santos… I finally reached $100,000,000 in GTA Online.

But this video ended up becoming about much more than money.

While preparing for and completing the final Cayo Perico Heist that pushed me over the $100 million mark, I found myself reflecting on the entire Grand Theft Auto series and the memories that came with it. From the day GTA V launched in September 2013, to waiting in line for midnight releases, all the way back to GTA III on the PlayStation 2, the game that finally convinced me to buy a PlayStation console in the first place.

In this video, I share:
• My complete Cayo Perico prep and finale strategy
• The final heist that pushed my account past $100 million
• Photos and memories from GTA V’s original launch day
• Reflections on GTA III, GTA V, and over two decades of Grand Theft Auto
• The businesses and money-making methods that helped build my empire

Whether you’ve been playing since Liberty City on the PS2 or you’re still building your first million in GTA Online, I hope you’ll enjoy taking this trip down memory lane with me, as well as pick up some Perico strategy tips that’ll help you with your own journey.

Thanks for watching!

 


If you’d like to support my work, Buy Me A Coffee is a fantastic way to tip your favorite content creators, as they only keep 5% of what you give, with the rest going to us. It is a much better option to show us some love than YouTube’s “Super Thanks”, which takes nearly half. Your support, regardless of how you express it, is always appreciated! Thank you! ☕🖤

 

Batman Returns Hot Toys 1:6 Scale Figure Deluxe Exclusive Unboxing

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This is the deluxe exclusive with the ripped-cowl, Michael Keaton head piece and diorama base. Hot Toys delivers another knockout, but is it worth the price tag?

 

Unboxing and review of the new 1:6 scale Batman Returns figure by Hot Toys. This is the deluxe exclusive with the ripped-cowl, Michael Keaton head piece and diorama base. Hot Toys delivers another knockout, but is it worth the price tag?

 


If you’d like to support my work, Buy Me A Coffee is a fantastic way to tip your favorite content creators, as they only keep 5% of what you give, with the rest going to us. It is a much better option to show us some love than YouTube’s “Super Thanks”, which takes nearly half. Your support, regardless of how you express it, is always appreciated! Thank you! ☕🖤

Boss Rush With NO Pipebombs?! Terminator 2D: No Fate

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Taking on Boss Rush in Terminator 2D: No Fate, but with a twist… NO pipebombs allowed. I go for two achievements, and you can get both in the same run.

 

Taking on Boss Rush in Terminator 2D: No Fate, but with a twist… NO pipebombs allowed.

In this run, I go for two achievements:

• “You’re Not The Boss of Me”
• “No Pipebombs”

You can get both in the same run. I go balls out to snag’em in quick time. Terrific game!

 


If you’d like to support my work, Buy Me A Coffee is a fantastic way to tip your favorite content creators, as they only keep 5% of what you give, with the rest going to us. It is a much better option to show us some love than YouTube’s “Super Thanks”, which takes nearly half. Your support, regardless of how you express it, is always appreciated! Thank you! ☕🖤

 

Did NECA Just Leak Tempestra?!

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A possible Tempestra tease just surfaced for the NECA TMNT ‘87 line… and collectors might finally be getting one of the most requested characters.

 

A possible Tempestra tease just surfaced for the NECA TMNT ‘87 line… and collectors might finally be getting one of the most requested characters.

In this video, I break down the leak, what was shown, and whether this could lead to an official reveal at SDCC 2026.

If this turns out to be real… this is a BIG moment for TMNT collectors.

 


If you’d like to support my work, Buy Me A Coffee is a fantastic way to tip your favorite content creators, as they only keep 5% of what you give, with the rest going to us. It is a much better option to show us some love than YouTube’s “Super Thanks”, which takes nearly half. Your support, regardless of how you express it, is always appreciated! Thank you! ☕🖤

 

The NES Game That Refused to Die — Terminator 2 at 34

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Released in 1992, Terminator 2 on NES remains one of the system’s most polarizing games. This video looks at its history, gameplay, and lasting influence 34 years later.

 

Released in February 1992, Terminator 2 on the Nintendo Entertainment System arrived at the peak of one of the biggest pop-culture moments of the early ’90s. Loved by some, dismissed by others, the game has remained a curiosity for decades — and at 34 years old, it’s still being talked about.

This video opens with a short documentary-style look at the game’s history, the overwhelming popularity of Terminator 2: Judgment Day in 1991, and why the NES adaptation became such a polarizing release. From there, the video transitions into a full, no-death playthrough with live PiP commentary, strategy breakdowns, and reflections on what the game felt like to play at release — and what it feels like now.

Along the way, I explore how Terminator 2 on NES quietly laid groundwork that would later influence Terminator 2D: No Fate, connecting a flawed 8-bit experiment to a modern, celebrated revival.

This is not just a playthrough — it’s a look at why this game still matters.

 


If you’d like to support my work, Buy Me A Coffee is a fantastic way to tip your favorite content creators, as they only keep 5% of what you give, with the rest going to us. It is a much better option to show us some love than YouTube’s “Super Thanks”, which takes nearly half. Your support, regardless of how you express it, is always appreciated! Thank you! ☕🖤

 

Terminator 2D: No Fate — Exploring Its Contra DNA (No-Death Run)

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Terminator 2D: No Fate is a modern run-and-gun built from classic Contra DNA. This video explores its design lineage through a full no-death playthrough and analysis.

 

Terminator 2D: No Fate feels less like a modern action game and more like a lost run-and-gun classic—especially Contra.

In this no-death full playthrough, I break down how the game’s weapon behavior, enemy grids, and boss encounters echo classic Contra design, while also drawing comparisons to the original NES Terminator 2. Throughout the run, I point out visual callbacks, gameplay patterns, and design choices that strongly suggest old-school inspiration over modern trends.

I also touch on why the T-800’s design in No Fate feels closer to Arnold’s stunt double than Schwarzenegger himself, and how that might’ve influenced the developers’ artistic direction.

This run finishes death-free with an extended attack chain and a near-5 million score, while keeping the focus on observation, pattern recognition, and classic arcade fundamentals.

 


If you’d like to support my work, Buy Me A Coffee is a fantastic way to tip your favorite content creators, as they only keep 5% of what you give, with the rest going to us. It is a much better option to show us some love than YouTube’s “Super Thanks”, which takes nearly half. Your support, regardless of how you express it, is always appreciated! Thank you! ☕🖤