Gundam F-91

Just finished building F-91 last week. It is indeed impressive for Bandai to come out with this kit that it doesn't require any polycap for the joint. However, because I too used to the polycap, I have to be extra careful with this kit, 'coz spraying at the joint means trouble. Because it is completely polycap-less, therefore the joints are made tighter than the usual polycap joint. Thus, because of this, I broke the right hand's joint, making it a handicapped F-91. So I have no choice but to modify the joint a bit in order to stick the hand back.

Even thought so, I still have another F-91 kit awaiting me - F-91 custom colouring from Crossbone Gundam series. I left with the outer layer of which I still hasn't started yet.

Visit to Akihabara & MP-B01 King Exkaiser

I've visited Japan early June when I'm on my way back from USA. It's a good experience to visit Japan to see the land of the rising sun. Overall, the rhythm of life over here is way much faster as compare to USA, and Malaysia. One could see that almost every street and every place near Tokyo is full with people walking very fast. The people here are very helpful, even though they don't talk good English or don't even know how to speak English at all. I'm amazed with their innovative in using technology to help them to improve their daily living - order foot in the restaurant through the use of vending machine, cohesive subway system, precision in doing things that they do, and subway ticketing machine that could receive few coins at the same time.

Managed to visit Akihabara as well. In deed that it is as describe by a lot of people, that it's a place full with electronic items and animation related items (Gunpla :D). I managed to pick up a Masterpiece Brave Exkaiser (at 50% discount). It's not as tall as I would expect it to be, but it's really nice in the aspect of the transformation, articulation, and playability. Could see that Takara has put in a lot of effort in coming out with this Masterpiece (even though it's made in China).

MG 100th - Turn A Gundam

Read from aeug.blogspot.com about the MG 100 Gunpla, which is confirmed to be Turn A Gundam. As expected, there's kinda mix opinion regarding this released. I do remember when I first saw Turn A gundam, I don't really like it at all due to the reason that it's not really a Gundam at all. At first I thought "why would a Japanese came out with such design?" only then I found out that the designer of this MS is neither Kunio Okawara nor Katoki Hajime; it's actually a person called Syd Mead, whom designed the space craft in Star Trek.

Right now the prototype has not been produced yet, but it shall be based between this design and the 1/100 scale Turn A kit. I bought Turn A Gundam, which is a non-scale version, with some heavy metal parts, produced by Bandai, made in China, and is very flimsy. It's not that bad looking after all.

I remembered reading this article in the Malaysia's Comic Weekly back in 1999, that Turn A Gundam is supposed to be the last Gundam. Yes, the last Gundam that concludes all the Gundam saga from UC timeline up until After War Gundam X. That's why it's called Turn A, which Turn A is a symbol like Omega that has the meaning of EVERYTHING. In the prelude to Turn A first episode (episode - 0, I think) Tomino did mentioned that the reason for them to have Syd Mead to design the MS is because they needed some one who can design something that could represents all, and with futuristic design. Probably it's really is futuristic, like in the real-world, that most futuristic cars doesn't really look nice at all and some people still prefer old generic design. So, it's reasonable for Bandai to produce this Turn A as the 100th MG, which Turn A actually represented ALL Gundam. Well, at least, I would say that Turn A is a better choice in another angle. Imagine that Bandai trying to make the 100th MG a Turn X Gundam! The uproar would be even worst!!! 'Coz Turn-X does not resemble a Gundam at all!!!

Turn-X huh... Sounds like Turn A represented RX-78, which Turn-X represented X Gundam... It does sounds like the conclusion of all the past Gundam saga. I wonder will the same thing happened for the Seed Series?

MG 1/100 RX-93-2 Hi-Nu Gundam

Recently I've just purchased a Hi-Nu Gundam MG. The box art is not as impressive as the Strike Freedom Full Burst Mode. The overall size of the box is almost identical to Srike Freedom Full Burst Mode. Judging from the content, it seems that the joints are not using polycap anymore. It gives me an idea that I need to be careful when I'm constructing this model, otherwise it might end up like my F91, which I've broken the joint that join the palm with the arm (even though I've fixed it, it will not be able to move like it used to be).

Speaking of F91, because I've broken the hand, therefore I need to purchase another F91 in order to see it in perfect condition. So I bought the other version of Blue F91 from the Crossbone Gundam universe. I thought of not fixing the Blue F91 because I wanted only the joint; but after much consideration, I might as well just fix the F91 now and fix the Blue F91 later, so that the Blue F91 could accompany my Crossbone Gundam X11 :D :D :D

Gentoo Linux - Important command

It's a very tedious work to ensure Gentoo Linux to be up-to-date with the latest distribution. The module/packages sometime will collide with each other, causing the update process take a much longer time to finish. But I can't deny that fact that in comparison with Fedora, Gentoo Linux does not give me problem like software compatibility issue.

When I'm doing the update for Gentoo, I found out that there are 2 importants commands that need to be executed before running the updated software. These commands are as follow.

1. env-update
2. source /etc/profile

I was wondering the other day over the reason of not able to emerge the necessary driver when I'm updating Xorg-X11 even though I've specified the necessary information inside /etc/make.conf and doing a deep update. After I performed the above commands, it seems to be able to install the necessary drivers into the system.

The other note on the latest Gentoo Linux, is that once the portage tree has been sync with the latest version, there will be possibility that updating certain software such as the Xorg X11 will be blocked by previous old version, which will display a wrong version number (Like mine, I have 6.8.2 installed, but it shows that version 6.9 is blocking). Probably the reason is because I've not been updating the system frequently to the latest portage, thus such problem will happened?

MG 1/100 Strike Freedom Full Burst Mode

I've got my hands on the Strike Freedom Full Burst Mode that I've ordered from a local hobby shop. The box art is nice. The length of the box is as long as my PG Strike but the height is lower by about 40%. It comes together with a poster (featuring Strike Freedom & Destiny), a booklet in Japanese explaining the design of Strike Freedom, instruction manual, MG 1/100 Strike Freedom normal version, plus the extra part for the dragoon and special gold plated parts.

The gold plated parts do not stand out as I would expect it to be for the gold colour doesn't really shine out. The special stand is similar to my Legend Gundam stand. I saw from the latest special 1/100 Seed Destiny edition, that the special stands they used to hold the 2 Gundams are exactly the same with mine and the stands are attached together. Thus, it makes me wonder whether the 2 stands can join together to allow both Strike Freedom and Legend to pose for a showdown.

Update on Gunpla Building & Wish List :D

1/100 Legend Gundam - Construction done

MG 1/100 F91 Gundam F91 - Construction in progress

MG 1/100 Crossbone Gundam X1 - Pending

MG 1/100 Strike Freedom - Pending

Wish List

MG 1/100 Hi-Nu2 Gundam (Saw this in XL Shop last week. The box size is exactly the same as Strike Freedom full burst mode)

MG 1/100 Strike Noir (I'm surprised to know that the frame of Strike Noir is based on Strike Freedom. I thought that Bandai is going to use the frame of Aile Strike as a base. But if I'm going to get Strike, I would get the I.W.S.P. Strike instead because the frame of this version is revised)

Trip to United Kingdom

I went to UK to visit my sister and my brother-in-law during Chinese New Year. During the stay, I was able to visit the Manchester United stadium Old Trafford together with my brother-in-law. It was a great experience to learn about the operation during match day, the history of Manchester United, and to get a home jersey with Henrik Larsson name and number during his loan at Old Trafford.

I was able to visit Edinburgh, Scotland as well. Edinburgh is a nice place to visit. It's a town with a castle surrounded by old buildings heavily influenced by Greek, nice landscape, and friendly people. I would love to go there during summer again sometime in the future where the temperature would not be that cold (it was 7 degree C when I was there).

Overall, it's a great experience and I would love to go back again for a holiday.

1/100 Infinite Justice UP

I'm not really good at writing a review for my kit because I don't really have enough time to sit down and do research about it. So, here's a little summary of this kit.

Due to the reason that I have to work and attend to certain activities during the weekend, I haven't been able to find time to finish off the work on building this kit until the long weekend from the last Saturday of the year 2006 to Tuesday January 2007.

Unfortunately, I still haven't purchase my new Lumix yet because of some financial difficulties at the moment. Therefore, I can only describe it by word. I changed the original colour scheme to metallic red, silver, light gun metal, gold, and lavender. I replaced the yellow part with Gold, and the green line on the torso with silver. IMFO, the green line on the torso doesn't blend well with the rest of the colour.

Overall, the proportion of the body is much better as compare to Destiny and Strike Freedom, and it's slimmer. The shield is bigger as compare to the original animation. As for the posability, it has better and wider joint movement, thus allowing it to pose more action as compare to Destiny and Strike Freedom but lesser in comparison with the MG kit. It is able to stand still with the Fatum lifter attached. The only problem that I have with this kit is the panzer atteched to the shield, which I need to use force to insert it into the shield. Plus, I lost the included pvc wire that used to attach the panzer with the shield for the display action. Fortunately, I can still find a replacement for it by using the one that comes with my 1/100 Blitz Gundam.

Next on the list would be:

1. Finishing the DRAGOON weapon pack to finalize my 1/100 Legend Gundam
2. Building MG 1/100 F91 Gundam F91
3. Building MG 1/100 Crossbone Gundam X1
4. Waiting to collect pre-ordered MG 1/100 Strike Freedom Full Burst Mode
5. Re-building 1/60 F91 Gundam F91 (produced in the year 1991. A gift from my friend)

Legend Gundam & Infinite Justice Gundam

I've yet to finish the modelling of Legend and Infinite Justice due to the reason that I don't really have time to do it. At least, right now I left with only the weaponry system - Dragoon backpack, Dragoon & waist skirt, and Beam Javelin for Legend; fatum lifter, beam rifle, beam saber, and Shield for Infinite Justice. I changed the colour scheme for both Gundam as well due to the reason that I'm using the Tamiya spray can, which I can't really mix and match.

After those 2, I'll proceed with the construction of F91 and Crossbone X1, which I think will be reasonably easier for the reason being that I don't need to do so much work on putty and masking.

The latest acquisition for me will be the MG Strike Freedom Full Burst Mode, which coming out this month. It should cost about RM 250 to RM 300 (RM 300 above if it's going to be sell in Jusco). But this is a limited edition, so I don't think that departmental store will have it and it will come in limited quantity as well.

Lumix L1 & Lumix FZ50

I discovered last week from Panasonic Malaysia site that a L1 costs about RM 8999. Even though I like it that much, but the figure is way beyond my capability. On the other hand, a FZ50 costs about RM 2600. If I can't get my hand on a L1, I'll probably consider a FZ50 instead. FZ50 actually have better resolution compare to L1, but the overall functionality of FZ50 and the photography experience plus image realism might not be as good as L1, since L1 is specifically designed to be a Digital-SLR.

My New Phone

Since my O2 XDA II Mini is giving me a major problem - power button has become a hard reset button - I've decided to abandon it and to get a new phone to replace it. The ideal phone that I would like to get will be the Treo 750w that runs Windows Mobile 5.0. But the problem is that I don't have enough cash to pay for a phone that costs about RM 3000.

Instead, I got a Nokia 5300 Express Music instead. After using it for 2 weeks, I found that I like the feel and touch of this phone. I don't really fancy over phone with sophisticating design if the feel and touch are not really there. Even though writing notes is difficult and there's no Excel for me to use (of which I don't really use it that often anyway), I can still live up to it. The Music Player may not as good as Sony Ericsson Walkman phone, but it's considerably clear.

MG Strike Freedom - December Release!!!

1. MG Strike Freedom 1/100
In my previous post, I mentioned that it will be good if Bandai could produce the Strike Freedom in MG form. Guest what! I read from Gunota Headline blog (http://aeug.blogspot.com) that MG Strike Freedom will be released this coming December!!! Wow!!! I'll have to allocate a little bit of my saving to get this kit. I saw the picture of the prototype Gunpla, and indeed it is more porpotion and better than the 1/100 Kit that I have.

According to the blog, Bandai will be doing a different marketing for this MG kit for the initial launch. The initial launch of MG Strike Freedom will have an original Gunpla booklet, the MG Kit, and an optional parts box for the MG Kit. This initial release will cost 7000 yen (about RM 280, I think). I wonder if I could get this one here in the shop that I used to visit.

2. HG Legend 1/100
I've just done with the construction of Legend without the DRAGOON back pack. I would say that this kit is far way better and more poseable compare to Destiny and Strike Freedom (MG Strike Freedom will have to be better than this). Looking forward to finish the DRAGOON back pack and to start building Infinite Justice for I would like to finish it during the upcoming Hari Raya holiday.

New Goodies in Town!

1. Gunpla
I just spotted the new MG F91 Gundam F91 last week during a visit to one of the major IT mall here. That hobby shop is the one that I frequently visited to buy the latest Gunpla. It is indeed a very small size Gundam (16 Meters tall, which is 2 Meters shorter than the rest of the rest of the Gundam apart from V Gundam), but fully articulated and it's one of the most advance MG kit for the reason being that it's not using any polycap in all joins. It will be good to see the next MG kit that's already available - MG F97 Crossbone Gundam X1 to be available soon as well, for this kit also built on the same frame and it's extremely cool for it's wide range of weaponry and the mecha designed (designed by Katoki Hajime). I wonder if Bandai would produce MG for V Gundam, V2 Gundam, X Gundam, Double X Gundam, Strike Freedom and Strike Noir. I don't really like the Strike Freedom Gunpla porpotion, hope that they would come out with a MG version that's really porpotion...

2. Lumix FZ50 and L1
It's finally reached here! L1 and FZ50, the cameras that I've been waiting for. Still, I don't have enough extra cash to purchase either one... So, have to wait for another while.

3. Buidling Gunpla
Just started this week to build the 1/100 Legend Gundam. I tried to follow an example of building the Gunpla from a website. Just finished with the assembling of both arms and the both legs' join. Going to construct more during the week.

New Goodies in Town!

1. Gunpla
I just spotted the new MG F91 Gundam F91 last week during a visit to one of the major IT mall here. That hobby shop is the one that I frequently visited to buy the latest Gunpla. It is indeed a very small size Gundam (16 Meters tall, which is 2 Meters shorter than the rest of the rest of the Gundam apart from V Gundam), but fully articulated and it's one of the most advance MG kit for the reason being that it's not using any polycap in all joins. It will be good to see the next MG kit that's already available - MG F97 Crossbone Gundam X1 to be available soon as well, for this kit also built on the same frame and it's extremely cool for it's wide range of weaponry and the mecha designed (designed by Katoki Hajime). I wonder if Bandai would produce MG for V Gundam, V2 Gundam, X Gundam, Double X Gundam, Strike Freedom and Strike Noir. I don't really like the Strike Freedom Gunpla porpotion, hope that they would come out with a MG version that's really porpotion...

2. Lumix FZ50 and L1
It's finally reached here! L1 and FZ50, the cameras that I've been waiting for. Still, I don't have enough extra cash to purchase either one... So, have to wait for another while.

3. Buidling Gunpla
Just started this week to build the 1/100 Legend Gundam. I tried to follow an example of building the Gunpla from a website. Just finished with the assembling of both arms and the both legs' join. Going to construct more during the week.

Goodies...

1. I was surfing Gunota headline blog and read that the MG 1/100 F91 Gundam is going to be out in July 5 this year. If the expectation is correct, the F91 MG should be arriving somewhere in the middle of August or somewhere early September. I'll have to keep an eye on the pre-order sign. So, now I'll have to keep an eye on the pre-order of 1/100 Legend and this MG 1/100 F91.

2. Panasonic has finally debutted their first Digital SLR. I wonder when will it be on retail store. Now it causing me in a dilemma to choose between L1 and FZ7. The reason being - L1 is a SLR, which is the kind of camera that I'm looking for (even though it's pricey); whereas FZ7 is a powerzoom, which even though it doesn't have the ability or as nice as SLR, but it's capable of taking short video clip (and at a lower price compare to L1). Hmm... This I'll really have to wait and see. Furthermore, I don't mind to get the L1 only for photo shooting, 'coz I have my own Sony DVD camera already

1/100 Inifinte Justice Gundam

I've finally got the Infininte Justice Gundam that I've pre ordered. I still need to find time to build this kit. Looking at the colour scheme, I think I will change it 'coz I don't really have time to mix the colour. Plus, I'll be using mostly Tamiya spray can.

Judging by the construction menu, this kit indeed has improved a lot compare to all previous Seed & Seed Destiny kit. The arm especially, is able to bent twice like all pre-Seed, pre-Seed-Destiny HG 1/100 kit (of course the construction of the arm is much better compare to all previous kit). I just wished that Strike Freedom can be done in such a way as well, 'coz Strike Freedom is indeed not very porpotion, and very restricted. I just hope that they could come out with a MG version of Strike Freedom.

What I would like to have next? MG 1/100 F91, 1/100 Legend Gundam, and hopefully, MG/PG 1/100 Strike Freedom (If Bandai ever come out with one). Also, if Strike Noir, Verde Buster and Blu Duel also have 1/100 line model kit, I don't mind to get them too :D Just that I will have to suffer for a few months :((

Mobile Suit in Action - Zaku II

My friend just got me this little Zaku II from Jusco. This Zaku II is nice; even though at a small scale, but the construction of the model made it a playable version. Now I would have a hard time to find a place to setup all my Gunpla... I still have 3 model kit I haven't finished building yet - SD Freedom and SD Justice, and 1/144 Forbidden Gundam.

Well, I think I just have to find a week to do it then...

Fender Stratacoustic - Plug to AMP!!!

Today, I'm able to hear the sound produced from my Fender Stratacoustic guitar projected through an amplifier. Indeed it produced a nice sound! Not bad! It mades me eager to get my own amplifier as well. When my guitar played by my friend, it sounds really good; but when it is played by me, it sounds too soft. My friend told me that because I've been playing too softly... Yes, 'coz I don't want to play my guitar until the fret all wear off, just like my other friend's Ephifonge (don't know how to spell it and lazy to google for it). But come to my surprise, the friend that played my guitar, he owns a Taylor, and the fret, even though wear off, but it's not as bad as the wear off Ephifonge! Hmm... Probably some touch on the fingers.

I'm grateful that I bought this guitar. As I read from some website review, the Stratacoustic has a very bad reputation. Well, I don't have any problem with that, 'coz I like the projected sound - balance between treble and bass, thanks to its Fishman integrated amplifier in the guitar. Not bad, Fender.

Awaiting for my new Infinite Justice Gundam

I finally able to pre-order the new Infinite Justice Gundam at a price that I would consider as cheap :p. I just ordered it last week, it will arrive next week (17th June 2006). The one that I purchased is one of the first batch. Yes, it comes with a display stand, COOL!!! Still, I will not be able to upload the photoes 'coz I don't have a camera now. I'm still waiting for that Panasonic DMC-L1.

FIFA World Cup 2006 & New Jersey

Finally FIFA world cup 2006 is just round the corner. This year the event will be held in Germany. I don't really watch world cup because of the time zone differences - I will have to stay up late if I wanted to watch the match. If somebody asked me which team I would support, I would say Portugal as my first choice because of Christiano Ronaldo. I like to see him playing, especially his passion for football. Probably it just the beginning, but I do hope that his spirit during Euro 2004 final match will be the same here in the world cup, where he never give up until the end.

Speaking of world cup, of course there are new jersey provided by sports brand to each national team. I particularly like the jersey for Japan team from Adidas. It's very nice (and the price is very nice as well - RM 259.90). Still, even though it's nice, it's still made with the climacool technology, which Adidas has been using to made the team jersey since its introduction some years ago. Plus, I don't really wanted to pay for such a price because of the material that Adidas used to create the jersey, which I find it not very comfortable to wear.

On the other hand, Nike came out with a new line-up of jersey based on their new Sphere Dry technology. This time the design of the national team jersey is not as nice as the one from Adidas, for they concentrate more on the fabric design. The reason why it's called Sphere Dry is because underneath the jersey, you'll notice that there are ball-like shape stiching out all over the shirt, which according to Nike is to create space between the skin and the shirt, which allow air between the shirt and the skin for better ventilation and allowing the sweat to vaporize quickly into the air. Of course, the price for the national team jersey costed at RM 259.90 as well, so I don't really wanted to spend so much money for it. Instead, I bought a training jersey of Holland team at the price of RM 169.90. I would like to buy Portugal training jersey, but it's only available in green, one of the colour that I don't really like. I tried the Sphere Dry, and I would say that it's comfortable. Still, I prefer the Total 90 jersey design because of its lightness and very comfortable. Sphere Dry jersey that I bought tend to be very tight around the neck. Probably because it's a training jersey, therefore it's not as good as the national team jersey. Well, hopefully there will be a sale season that I could buy the new national team jersey at half-price.