Just talking - Mid Spring 2014

Tales from the Plamo Addict.

I've been trying to curb my addiction. Along with all the other ones I have. I have an addictive personality. I get into things easily. I don't get out of them easily... if ever. Even if I do it's hard to forget on account of all the time I spent doing those things.

Recently my life has kind of been scattered to the winds.  I don't really have a stable home base anymore. That sporadic lifestyle has naturally reflected itself in my posting habits on this blog.
Let's take a look at the post history of Plamo Addiction.

► 2014 (10)
► 2013 (12)
► 2012 (14)
► 2011 (119)
► 2010 (198)
► 2009 (168)
► 2008 (129)

We see a gradual increase from the inception of this blog to 2010 and then a slight drop off (historically unprecedented at the time) in 2011.  After that, for all intents and purposes, it's been roughly one post a month.  So this blog isn't completely dead but it's safe to say that it's kind of gone into hibernation for the past two years.

I started this blog when I was in Nagoya, Japan. It was easy to stay on top of Gundam news and at the time there weren't so many choices for Gundam news in English. In those days I really used to follow Danny Choo and enjoyed his model building tutorials, particularly the USB Mark 2 (a technique which I still haven't tried myself yet 6 years later. And that tutorial is almost 10 years old now!)

Danny was always big but he's exponentially big now. Reading Danny's story helped me to start this blog. After a while he started going in a different direction (the doll stuff) and I kinda got away from it because that's not my thing. I'm a mecha guy. That's how I found him and that's why I stayed for as long as I did.  I learned a lot from him... And probably still can so I think I'll go back and have a read at what he's been doing recently.

Funny. I haven't thought about Danny Choo in ages and have taken for granted how big he's become. How other people cosplay his characters now. It all seemed so natural. I wonder if he ever imagined it would have come to this. Where starting a blog about his experience in Japan would lead him to have his characters being popular world wide... so much so that they're on the sides of airplanes, buses and sports cars.

Only Danny could have done that. It was his vision, initiative, drive and passion that drove him to do what he done. He's always just done what he loved to do regardless of what other people thought about it. He's a good example... and I followed him.

But I'm me. I'm not a supremely motivated guy like that. I didn't have a 'passion' for Gundam. It was just fun for me... and my mentality is if it's not fun why are you doing it? Eventually Gundam started to seem like work... That would be fine if I was getting reasonably paid for it but that hasn't happened and to be fair that was never really the goal. It was just about having a venue to talk about my experiences with this hobby... And I'd like to think I've been faithful to that theme for better or for worse over the years.

I've been in the Gundam world for nearly 20 years now. I can't escape. I'll always love them. I'm not just going to forget all of my knowledge about mobile suits. I'm not going to throw away any of my models or T-Shirts.  I will still watch the programs when they come out.  I care about what I've created here over the years. It's not big but it's mine and that's enough. And with anything you care about in life... sometimes it desires some extra attention.

When I returned to Canada in 2011, things changed obviously.  It was hard to find my groove again.  So much was going.  So much is still going on.  I can't commit the time to model building like I used to.  Other things are taking priority...  That doesn't mean I've lost my love for the hobby.  It just means my priorities have changed.  Life.  It happens!

But this place is like home in a lot of ways, even when I don't have a physical one of my own.  It changes when I want it to.  The home I've created for myself and for those who are willing to follow along on my journey.  Who knows what's in store... but I know one thing for sure... I still love building these things!!!

PGSF - Gauntlet - WIP 1

An old post that was never published. Or was it?

Our Endless Waltz

Trying to decide the final color scheme for the Deathscythe.  I've got the main colors planned out but the real question is what goes where.

Mobile posting

Just trying out something new on my smart phone.

MG Sazabi by HungNguyen

I would love to see the WIP for this.  Really incredible.

Gundam Build Fighters - Thoughts

I have to admit that I've been taken by surprise.  I didn't expect that I would get into another Gundam series for while and certainly not this one.  I missed AGE.  I didn't bother.  Wasn't really feeling it.  I enjoyed 00 a lot.  I thought I'd be good for a while.  I watched Beginners G.  It was OK.  I liked the fact that they brought back some old suits.  This is one of the reasons why I really like this Build Fighters series.  Suits that never even made it into anime can be seen in this series and that's great.  Plus the modifications.  But I didn't like Beginning G that much.  White Sazabi.  Sky Blue Zaku.  The Zaku F2000 was cool.  I picked that one up.

However THIS one on the other hand!  I was really moved by this episode especially by Mao.  It brings a lot of things together.  If you haven't seen it yet take a look.  Things can change but I can tell you now... I'm invested.  I think it will just get better.  It's one of my favourite series in a long time.  It's cheesy and predictable sometimes and treads all to familiar ground.  They won't be deviating from the "formula" much here but I'm entertained.  And... it's about me!  It's about us!  How can it really get any better?  They decided to make an anime about Gundam fans!  It brings a lot of things in that I didn't expect and I felt things that I didn't think I'd feel.

And most importantly... somehow this show has renewed my passion in Gunpla and has caused me to think about it in different ways.  I know this is all contrived and I'm falling into the merchandising trap that's been laid out for me but look at me.  Walking right in with my eyes wide open.  And loving it.  Because for me this is quality.  They made something really good here with something for everyone.  You don't even have to be a Gundam fan to enjoy it but if you're willing to learn about it like the young female character is here it can be fun for you too.  Maybe :)  This show resonated a lot with me on many levels.  I was surprised at how closely some of the situations mirrored my own life, experiences and thoughts.

There are always lessons to be learned in this show too and I also like that.  Similar to G.I. Joe with, "Now you know and knowing is half the battle." , Ral always has some wisdom in this program.

"The goddess of victory won't smile on those who neglect their daily efforts!"

Remember it!

MG Buster Gundam - 1

GAT-X103 Buster Gundam (MG) - Straight build

Not sure what's up with my camera

Very fun kit and definitely one of my favourite designs.  I'm really glad that I have this in the collection now. It has absolutely no close combat weapons. It's just straight long range artillery! This suit will go in combination with my Duel Gundam! I really like the designs of these new Seed kits. I've always been a bit fan of the "X-Frame". I'd actually like to see a Red, Blue and Yellow Frame based on these new models but it won't happen.

Anyway great kit! The launchers are a bit troublesome to move around but with a design like this it's to be expected.  This was the last unit needed for my "SEED Force"  MG's Infinite Justice, Duel, Buster, Impulse and Red Frame.

Unto Death - 1

MG XXXG-01D2 Gundam Deathscythe Hell (OVA - Endless Waltz version)

I saw a picture a while ago and decided that I needed the MG Deathscythe Hell. I was never a huge fan of the suit itself but I always thought that it was cool. I mean it has a giant beam scythe. What other suit has that? It's hard to beat and also very iconic in its own right.

According to MAHQ the Deathscythe's only fixed armament and only ranged weapon is the weak anti infantry head vulcans. I don't think they serve much of a purpose outside of that. I have seen them used to shoot down rockets and for harassment but they don't do much damage (edit - the kind Plamo Addicts at my fb page have let me know otherwise.  They're for shooting out camera's too.  Thanks guys!). So it's not a long range suit at all. Close quarters melee combat. It doesn't even have beam sabres. The scythe or nothing basically. It's got some sharp forearm mounted shields and spikes everywhere but that's it really. So this suit is meant to cover ground quickly and cut the enemy down within spitting distance.

Impractical. Vain. Cosmetic. And I love it. So what was it that made me fall in love with the suit? This.

Please let me know the artist if you know.  I'd like to give credit where it's due.

 

I know it's a kit bash of the Wing and Deathscythe together but it's the darkness of the piece that attracted me to it. It's the scythe. Everything is great. The colouring, the combinations, the paint job, the gradients, the subtlety and the totally awesome custom stand but it's the scythe that brings it all together and gives this piece some real attitude, character and charisma. There were others as well.

My vision of the Deathscythe is something like this.

 
There is a high chance that I will paint this kit later. I want to pair it up with the MG Wing Zero Custom in a Life and Death motif but stages... This needs to be built first so let's get on with it.

Some crazy box art!

My phone camera doesn't seem to like this light source.  I'll have to see what I can do about that.

My impression so far is that the kit is pretty complicated and maybe isn't for beginners. It's a relatively new kit and design but I felt like it was about 20 years old sometimes while I was making it. Some pieces look the same but there are small variations between the left and right versions. Many small pieces come together to form larger more articulated sections and these have to be assembled with great care and attention to detail. A lot of newer kits are built with symmetry in mind and it's somewhat more forgiving. If two pieces look the same they probably are and can be used interchangeably. Not so with this kit. Proceed with caution. Take your time and pay attention.

So far I'm feeling rewarded. I plan on building the inner frame first to get an idea of the range of motion and articulation. And I just really want to play with it lol

00 Raiser ANA Original Color Ver.

A very cool limited edition kit that I got shortly before I left Japan. ASM helped me get all of the ANA Gundams because he flew with them a lot and hooked some of us up. He even sent me the Unicorn version shortly after I moved back to Canada. It's a great looking kit just like all the other ones. The stickers are very sticky and hard to take off once applied so tread carefully when putting them on. Very little work is need on this kit. Just snap it together, apply the decals and away you go!

Packing things up

Seems like I'm moving all the time. I can't give these guys a decent home but I can't give them away either. Right now most of them are in storage. I consolidated everything though... took a proper inventory of what I have. I had to throw some things away which sucked but that's life. You can't hold on to everything. I got rid of a lot of boxes and box art that I'd saved. Here's an idea of the packing process.

Year of the Horse

2014.  6 years of Plamo Addiction.

Back then I was building a 1/100 Red Frame.  Now I'm building a 1/100 Buster Gundam.

Same universe.  Same fictional year actually.  Same design tree (fellow addicts will know what I'm taking about).  Same frame for all intents and purposes.

So little has changed and yet so much.

I look back on the things I've done and learned over the years and it's quite substantial.

I think about all the people I've met along the way.  Some I've met in person, some I've only met in the digital world but I still count them as a friend regardless because I've known them for 6 years.  Maybe longer.

Some of us have gone on to achieve some incredible things in this world.

Gundam Guy and Gaijin Gunpla have taken things so far.  Gunpla Inochi has disappeared now but still leaves his incredible archives for us to peruse at our leisure.  Things change in life.  Z moved to Japan.  Unfortunately he moved there after I left so I never had the chance to meet him but he did get a chance to see ASM who also seems to have retired.  Getting a new job and son can do that to a man I guess.

Lupes is still doing his thing and still makes amazing work.  So much so that my own non Gundam world related friends have started following him through me!  That's how good he is.  But don't take my word for it.  Check him out!

Of all of us I'd say that he has progressed the most.  Every kit he does seems to surpass the next and I've never had a problem with his choice of colours or execution.

There are so many... I've seen so many things over the years.  It was great to meet fans of my work at Anime North when I went and had the chance to participate in the "All Things Gundam" panel.

After coming back to Canada I wasn't sure if I'd be able to continue this hobby of mine but I can... and I have.  But it's not like how it used to be...

And why should it be?  Everything changes.  Some of us are still here.  Most of us are gone.  Some of us have improved and then there are people like me who... just like building these damn things and think that they're still ridiculously cool after 20 years.

Yeah things change.  And some things don't.

I mean look at this thing!  There are some people in the world who don't think this is cool!

Well that's it for now.  If you're reading this thanks for your time.  Whether you're a new reader or an old one I appreciate your patronage.  More Gunpla related stuff to come in this year!  I'm not gonna make any promises because I suck at that but we'll see.  I can't escape this Gunpla world yet!  If ever... lol