Zombies can't possibly come back twice, right...?

Well, so much for keeping up with my promise for fresh, new content more often...
;___;

Things hit a snag way earlier in the year, and it's been pressing to stay afloat. I'm alright, and nothing's in any dire crisis, now, but unfortunately, this blog probably saw the absolute least of my attention.

 Sadly, I've reached a point in my relationship with this blog, that it's probably best I largely part ways, even if just indefinitely. Time is a precious thing to come by, lately, and I don't have what I require to devote here like I did earlier in the year. I'll still finish out this year with my annual wrap up, which may be longer than usual just to play catch up (I'd do it here, but I'm ill prepared, at the moment).
I likely won't do a prediction this time, as I've largely lost complete sight as to what the hell Bandai is thinking, and the entire list would probably be crawling with unprofessional cynicism.

I will leave you guys today with the knowledge I have completed my Road to One-Hundred, even passed it. Not by much, though. I suppose this year needed to slow down after the whopping 28 kits I built last year.
I will also update that page (seen in the bar under the header) with images of each kit in given time.

As I said, while I may not have much time right now or in the foreseeable future, there's always the chance things will free up for me, someday. This isn't "goodbye", just "see ya later!"

Rising from the Ashes

Now that the plan is set, it's execution time... Well, sort of, anyway.
I have completed 2 kits, rounding off my current backlog to just the Neo Zeong, but I'm still 6 kits shy of needing what I want prior to it's intended construction time. Just forewarning, you'll probably get déjà vu.

Firstly, number 92, the HGUC MS-05L Zaku I Sniper Type [Yonem Kirks]. This was a gift from my wife who bought this from a friend within the facebook Gunpla community. She intended on this first, but bought the standard release by accident, so when she became aware, our friend helped us out with this! Only issue: none of the grey is molded, and all comes in black... Otherwise, love this guy!

And number 93, the HGBF XM-X9999 Cross Bone Gundam Maoh, mirroring my Crossbone Gundam X1 from just earlier this month. The X1 was a Christmas present, but the Maoh I had a little prior, but just didn't build it at the time. I think I wanted to do the X1 first, and held off. A lot less paintwork went into this one, mainly because I have NO means of replicating that mirror-like finish on the solar reflectors. So, yes, I used the stickers for this one. (Well, and the X Maoh, too...)

I have, just today, received a couple new kits, from yet another fellow fb Gunpla friend. One, I intended on getting sometime after my tussle with the NZ...

The HGUC RX-0 Unicorn Gundam 03 Phenex [Destroy Mode] Ver.GFT (short name, eh?) and the HGBF MS-07R-35 Gouf R35 are now in my possession! So, with this comes the question, do I bump out a couple from my list and build these now, or hold off on these and continue the original Road to One-Hundred? Feel free to shout at me in the comments!

That's all for now. Hopefully, work will calm down enough for me to get some of those promised reviews up...

The Road to One-Hundred

As mentioned in my last posting, I'm fast approaching a hallmark of 100 1/144 HG kits since restarting my collection back in 2010, 6 years after I had stopped getting the smaller scale and subsequently got rid of my previous collection... And while I've more than doubled my numbers since those days, I've still not regained everything I've lost. But it's weening down what I have left to re-buy, so it won't be long now until I've finally hit pure excess. But that will be for another time. I have another goal in store for my milestone - or kilometerstone. (heh)

As of now, I have 90 kits built and completed,With number 90 being completed just a couple days ago.

As my 90th kit, I just finished the HGUC XM-X1 Crossbone Gundam X1! I love this little guy! Lot of nice details to paint, and a ton of accessories! I wished the emblem was a waterslide, though...

My plan for getting to the 100 mark is to clear through the remaining main U.C. protagonist Gundams and/or MS, plus what I have already left to build. The ideal line up is as follows (not necessarily in this order)

Road to One-Hundred
091: GX-9999 Gundam X Maoh
092: XM-X9999 Cross Bone Gundam Maoh
093: MS-05L1 Zaku I Sniper Type [Yonem Kirks]
094: RX-79(G) Gundam Ground Type
095: RX-78GP01 Gundam GP01
096: RGZ-91 Re-GZ
097: LM312V04 Victory Gundam
098: RX-178+FXA-05D Super Gundam
099: ARX-014 Silver Bullet

and for my 100th 1/144 HG kit...

Are any of you really surprised? lol

Yes, the massive mobile armor from Gundam UC, the NZ-999 Neo Zeong shall be my celebration prize! Since I still need to get 6 of the other kits, it will be some time before I get around to this monster. If I had to guess, mid-to-late spring. We'll see when we get there!

But, yes, this is all for now! I'll keep on updating as I complete or get more kits for this goal!

Also, for those wanting to know, I bought my Neo Zeong from Gundam Planet. They were very helpful and informative, and I love supporting local (at least country-local) businesses!

Admitting Mistakes and Finding Solutions

Okay, so I think I found the biggest problem with my review method and why I can't seem to churn more out, and it's all in the fact that I try to make it simple yet detailed, and as we know those two things mix like a cyber Newtype in a mobile armor. So, I will be introducing mini-reviews for many of my kits, that will literally just go over the basics, my pros and cons, and minor pictures. When and if I get the chance, some will be updated in the future to full reviews. But at the moment, I just want to give you guys some content! Expect those in the coming weeks, as I've already got a few prepped!

 Also, that retrospective on Gundam UC is in the works, and might end up being a multi-parter. I've written over a full page on just the main character alone, so I expect the rest to be a doozie! @___@;;
I might have the first part up next week, if all goes as planned.

One more thing before I go, as I finished the HGAC 1/144 Wing Gundam Zero I had teased 2 posts ago! Haven't gone nuts yet, but there's still time. (lol)

Until next time!

Washing away the soot and respackling the walls (Update - FINAL)

The last post to my catchup series will also be the shortest, but none the less, has a few new feats I've tried. Also, I'll mention some other (not-so) news to fluff it up a bit. XD

Okay... My first kit in this update is probably one no one expected...

Turning the coffin into shelving (Update - part 2)

Okay, returning to playing catchup here and cleaning out the cobwebs strewn about. Got a bunch more to throw your way! Also, updated the side links and my Plamo list. Figure list should be updated by my next post. So, without much further ado...

Oh my God, I knew I forgot something!!! (Update - part 1)

 ... Well, I have practically no excuse for this place's neglect. Almost a solid year without any reviews, updates, or even miscellaneous posts...

Well, for those that care, I'm not dead (obviously), just lazy. I have had a lot of... well, stuff, happen over this year. I'll probably go into detail more during my year-end post (YES, I still plan to do it and my 2015 prediction/wishlist).

Okay, soooooooooooooo...

I HAVE RETUR-- Hey, where'd everyone go...?

Okay, everyone! Been a long time coming, but I can finally get everything back to speed (well, sorta, anyway ^_^;;) It's been a crazy last couple months, but the fact that it's all over and I can now sigh with relief that I am now a married man is all the reward I need... But, plastic crack can help, too. XD

Last I left you guys, I had a good lot done on my MG Full Armor Unicorn Gundam, and was finishing up the weapons. Well, that's long done, and is ready to intimidate the room with it's over-armed presence.

T'was a tedious and overwhelming project, but I love the final look of this thing, and even high atop a shelf, it's an eye-catcher!

The decal hell this provided was a great test for my patience and really enjoyed the whole process of the build.

Now that that's done, I've acquired a couple more kits and finished them in good time, too!

The second was a a prize I had won from Daisuki.net's Second Promotional Giveaway, from which I won the RG 1/144 Zeta Gundam!

Despite my gripes about the RG series (which still hold after this build), I did enjoy this one, because the engineering in this kit is absolutely amazing! I swear, if they do decide to MG 3.0 Zeta based on this design, I may not be able to say "no"...

The next obtainment came as a gift from a friend of mine, and was one I had been wanting since its announcement back in August: The HGAC 1/144 Wing Gundam!

Just from the build, you can sense the whole new feeling of "compatibility" they're aiming for with future HGUC releases. I still have yet to determine if this is a good  thing or a bad thing, but as the front-runner to All Gundam Project, it's stood its ground very well! Wing, being what brought me into the Gundam fold, always had a special place in my heart, so I look forward to the expansion of the HGAC line.

Moving right along, I also decided to pick up another new-release kit I saw at my local HobbyTown USA that was screaming "must have!" The HG-SEED 1/144 Gundam Astray Gold Frame Amatsu Mina.

I LOVED this design! Granted, I'm very partial to the Astrays, but can you really blame me!
(Fun fact: I picked this kit up on my wedding day XD)

Between these kits, I've also finished the 2 BB Senshi kits I had gotten back at ACEN earlier this year, the Unicorn Gundam and Sinanju.

Both of these provided interesting challenges, but nonetheless, were fun to do. My wife (at-the-time fiance) did the original build for these and I just did the painting, detailing and cleanup, but she still did an excellent job, and I'm getting her some newer SD kits down the line to fuel the burning fire of Gunpla!

And while that's all I've built, now, I've obtained two more larger projects.

The first came after some finally getting some excess money, and another MG that was almost obligatory when announced...

Ooooh, the ambitions I have for this one. I also have the Expansion Set on the way for it, but have hit some snags in it's delivery. :\

The final kit in my queue is one that no one expected, but was a pleasant and wanted sight. And my obtainment of it also reflected this.

Sent as a present from a circle of Gunpla friends I reside with elsewhere in the interwebz, the MG 1/100 Wing Gundam Proto Zero Ver.EW was acquired, and as you can see from her face, will be the downfall of my new marriage. XD (Not really, she was just as happy!)

That's all for my Gunpla catch-up post, and hopefully, I won't have to do one of these again. I do have some figures I've also gotten, but will post those separately later.
After the holidays pass, I have a few kits who's reviews are being written, but I'll probably roll all of them out in the new years, so I can have a clean slate of time to work with.

So, ja-ne! Until next time, kids!!

Soon, Guys, Soon...

Illustration by Noritaka "Tenko" Suzuki.

Needless to say, I've let things slip, here, again. But I think I at least have a much more valid reason, this time, than I normally do... ^__^;;

Sometime November/December, I'll be trying to get you guys caught up on my builds and collections, and hopefully make this site worth browsing again. Since my last post, I have completed 4 Gundam kits, so I've got a good amount to give you when I can!

I will be updating my lists (as always, at the top), and I look forward to giving those loyal few readers something to validate your patience with me, and hope you'll be just a little more...

A WIP update!?!?!

Yes, it's been a while since I actually posted anything Gunpla related. And I apologize. What I'm even more sorry for, though, is how long this thing's been on the back burner...
 

Yes, I believe it was back in January when I last posted anything regarding this poor kit. What's even sadder is that it wasn't just the updates, but the actual progress itself actually halted right around then, as well...

So, what has become of our Psycho-framed decal-hell-laden kit...?

Fallen behind again, it seems...

Wow! Been a bit, again, hasn't it? ^__^;; Sadly, the lack of productivity hasn't been met much in way of getting more Gunpla (or even figures, for that matter).

However, I had obtained a few things during Anime Central 2013 in Chicago, which was back in May.
I had one thing in mind while there, and the con did not disappoint in my means of obtaining it...

The elusive D-Arts Mewtwo - which I missed the pre-orders for - was my priority, solely for the exclusive Mew that was only available for the first printing! For $50, this was almost a steal, seeing as it goes for $80, easily!!!

I also picked up a couple BB Senshi kits, Unicorn Gundam and Sinanju, courtesy of the Bluefin/Tamashii Nations booth. Great prices, but they could have planned their floor space better.
(Sidenote: I have social phobias in conjunction with claustrophobia, and large gatherings like conventions exploit those flaws @__@)

In actual building news, I did finally finish ONE of my MG's obtained this year.

My MG 1/100 Tallgeese II is finally complete!
I chose to go without decals for this, as I like the simple elegance of it's base look!

I have a couple pre-ordered items that will be releasing in the next couple months, so if nothing else, I guess expect updates on those when they arrive. Not sure when I'll get around to doing any further reviews, but when I do, you'll be the first know. ^__^;;

Some Catching Up to Do

Sorry about the inactivity here (and especially on my practically abandoned RPGags page), but things have really decided to get busy real sudden-like. I've opened up art commissions on my facebook page and got hit pretty hard, so a lot of my free time had been used on keeping up on those. I'm about to close them again, so if you want anything and you're on facebook, now's the time to message me!

Anyway, on the flipside, these commissions have been helping me with quite a few items to backlog my collections with.

I got another HGUC I'd been wanting to get since it was announced, even if it is an odd-duck-out MS.

Yes, I actually - and happily - picked up the HGUC Juaggu [Unicorn Ver.]. What can I say, I have an unconditional love for Zeon mobile suits. Though I greatly look forward to the future release of the HGUC Zogok...

Also, I ordered the new up-to-date Mobile Suit Illustrated 2013 [+Drawing] MS Encyclopedia. This way, I'll have almost all the references I'll need for future Gunpla purchases, as this covers everything up to all of AGE and through episode 5 of Unicorn (and the addition of the Jesta Cannon from 6).

The next item was a long-awaited release, for, me, being the hardcore Mega Man fan I am...

The D-Arts Mega Man was a must-have, seeing that not only is it classic Mega man in scale with the other D-Arts figures, but also includes Rush and the elusive Metall!? SOLD!

Of course, everyone should have expected this, since I'd been advertizing it on the side of my page since the pre-orders went up! Yes, Gundam Unicorn episode 6 is now in my hands, and was another beautiful entry to the series. Another year until the finale, but given the supurb quality of the series thus far, I have faith in the time they're putting into them.

And, with Episode 6, I had to order one of the suits introduced in it's scenes...

Even if it's appearance was brief, the RX-0[N] Unicorn Gundam 02 Banshee Norn's screentime was impressive. I just got this in today, and needless to say, my next order will be for the HGUC Full Armor Unicorn Gundam [Unicorn Mode]...

Well, that's all I got, for now, but I have some photos taken for a few items I plan to review once I get the time to sit down and really write them out.

Until then!

Full Armor Unicorn WIP and Other Updates

I knew this thing was gonna be a beast, but the effort I'm putting into it is far more than even I expected. I've built 3 other Ver.Ka kits in the past, so I'm familiar with the Katoki's "Decal Hell," but it's a whole different monster when you put the effort to trim them down...

That time of year, I guess...

So, it seems inactivity is a trend around the last 3 months of the year. ^___^;;
I'll assure you it's more of a lack of time more than a lack of interest, but working retail - ESPECIALLY during the Holiday season - is very exhausting, mentally and physically.

 Illustration by Noritaka "Tenko" Suzuki.

PROGRESS UPDATE!
The LSP diorama is on hiatus until I can afford to get some casting materials to create the LAST DAMNED PART FOR IT. I need it to be clear, and I do not have the luxury of buying everything necessary to perform resin casting right now. I was looking forward to having it completed by the end of this year, but not everything works out as planned, right? *sigh*
I'll post more in-progress photos of it when I get the chance.

I have gotten a couple new kits done, though (as well as one I've had for a bit, too). Including one I'd been waiting on since it's announcement...

HGUC 1/144 RX-160S Byarlant Custom

This is the first kit I've ever pre-ordered, and I think it was well worth it. This guy definitely has a review coming up in the future...

 BBSenshi NZ-666 Kshatriya

I bought this one right after we moved to Indy for my fiance, but only just completed it a week ago. This is my third attempt at full panel-lining (And my second successful XD).

HG U.C. Hard Graph RX-79(G) Gundam The Ground War Set

This was my most recent acquirement, and another I'd been meaning to get for a while. I decided to build this one with the intention of making it MCPO Karen Joshua's "GM Head" Gundam Ground Type.
It's a shame this set doesn't include the Gundam's beam rifle, though...

I'm compiling stuff for my end-of-year posts, so look forward to those relatively soon (obviously).

Also...

Might I just say that the design of this thing has grown on me? ^ ^;