The first gundam I bought was a 1/144 HG [high-grade] Freedom. Suffice to say, it’s in a real mess right now. But that’s probably because I made the idiot’s choice of colouring it AFTER assembling it. Noob mistakes, I suppose.

So, following my next purchase was a 1/100 scale ‘no-grade’ ZGMF-X42S Destiny Gundam. While the packaging says ‘no-grade’ it’s much more detailed and have more joints compared to other HGs of the same scale. The aunty who sold it to me showed me an assembled piece to illustrate this point. True enough, while not exactly as detailed as the 1/00 MG [Master Grade] Freedom, it DOES look a whole lot more impressive than regular 1/100 ‘no-grades’.

sorry you can’t see much details here. Had to use a flash because I can’t get a proper lighting, maybe next time *hint**hint*

**[begin] Gundam fanboy rant***

While I’m quite the Kira anboy myself, I chose Destiny over Strike Freedom because
a] SF has DRAGOONs [DRAGOONs are weapons that detach themselves from the unit and shoot from different directions]. Now, DRAGOONs look cool in the anime, but on a model? Man, They’d be stuck on the wings, defeating its purpose, lest they be dangling from wires [oh, the horror]. No DRAGOONS kthxbai.

b] Destiny has giant sword.

c] Destiny’s wings are a lot more beautiful compared to SF ones.

**[end] Gundam fanboy rant***

Just like all gundams, Destiny was a lot of fun to assemble, but can get extremely fragile, especially when you try to pose it. SInce the ball joints come off as easily as they are put on, it’s an excruciating task just to get them in a certain pose.

Oh, before that, I must note that for the 1/100 Destiny and Strike Freedom models, the first roll-out comes in a extra large box which also includes a clear plastic stand, and in Destiny’s pack it also includes an optional hip joint for different poses [which I regretted for not using.] If you wish to get one, get it now. Next roll-out won’t have the extras anymore.

Here’s some scenes I tried to replicate with the model;

Here are some scans from the box in case you’re wondering how Destiny actually looks like in a boring ‘macho’ pose.

While not exactly as elegant as the 1/100 ‘classic’ Freedom, it’s still a very beautiful model and I’d give it an overall rating of 7/10.

**update**

If you’re a veteran when it comes to Gundams [pardon this noob], you might like to know that starting from the GSD roll-outs, the pilot figurines that used to be included in the model kits are now replaced with cheap ass profiles printed on floppy clear plastic display cards. They’re selling those figurines separately, due to huge popularity, I suppose. That and the fact that they come uncoloured, so for noobs like me, we’ll just have a lock opf plastic molded into the shape of the pilot [which is stilla shitload better than those cheap plastic cards anyway].

What a rip-off.

I have the power to change. But I lack the drive to change. I WANT that drive to change. I need it. Desperately. I’m doing all my best to drive myself, but it doesn’t to get anywhere. I always remind others to find strength within themselves to steel their hearts and midsn, but I myself can’t swallow my own medicine to cure my own little disease.

I feel so pathetic like this.

Always remember to keep your hands on the steering wheel and to wear your seat belts when you’re driving.

Here’s one [click for larger versions];

and here’s another one;

Let’s just say this is my way of saying thanks for all the visits, comments and support you gave not only to the strip, but to the Room and myself as well. You are truly precious to me and I am forever in a debt of gratitude to you :)

Sometime back in 2003,

It was a busy day at the office, as we were receiving candidates eager for the interview for a spot in our crew. As I opened the office door to get out and get some stuff, I nearly bumped into someone. She had straight short hair, a set of rimless glasses, and a beautiful smile. I held out my hand, and introduced myself, which she gladly took and returned the favor. She’s amazing.

And after a few months, she taught me the difference between infatuation and to fall in love.

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Many months later,

I received an email from a Yahoo! Group member [someone in hi-comm of the club] which I was formerly a member of. It had long boring candy talk about the current project we were working on, and it appears to make little or no sense to me at all. I sent a one-word reply - ‘So?’ - and accidentally sent it to the entire mailgroup. A few hours later, I got a long winding email [not from the original sender] saying how pissed off she was with my inconstructive one-word reply, and that I spammed everyone [there were close to 30, I think] with it, end with something along the lines of wanting to stab me repeatedly with a dagger. She’s unbelievable.

After over a year, she taught me the difference between loving and to be in love with someone.

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I can only wonder in fascination what the next one will teach me.