the NEW: Ducati Monster 696

Check this site out!
Ducati Monster 696

Thanks to Jo who forwarded me the link. *drools over new look*

Liger Zero CP Armour: Panzer!

This is the Liger Zero: Panzer Armour from the series of CP armours for Liger Zero that Shermy got recently.

The third CAS Unit, the CP-21 Panzer Unit is designed for heavy assault and long-range bombardment. The armour reduces the Zoid's speed and agility, while increasing its overall level of protection and drastically increasing its firepower. The unit sports two heavy cannons in addition to numerous concealed missile launchers. The Panzer system also can be speculated to have some interference with the cooling system, as shown in the anime. The anime also depicted a Panzer-equipped Liger Zero as being close to immobile due to its weight, although the technical specifications from the Battle Story reveal that Panzers are still capable of moving at a respectable 285 km/h.

~Extract from Wiki

Despite being the heaviest of the 3, this Panzer Liger can balance on 2 legs... =P

the NEW: Ducati Monster 696

Check this site out!
Ducati Monster 696

Thanks to Jo who forwarded me the link. *drools over new look*

Rogue Trader snippet

I've been very interested in the latest Soc Gen rogue trader fraud lately, having missed the Barings incident some years ago. On Yahoo! today, this statistic came out:

The bank said he (Jerome Kerviel) plowed 30 billion euros ($44.1 billion) into the Eurostoxx index, another 18 billion euros ($26.5 billion) on the DAX in Germany and 2 billion euros ($2.9 billion) on the FTSE in London. The combined value of those positions, 50 billion euros ($73.5 billion), is far more than the bank's market capitalization of 35.9 billion euros ($52.6 billion), and close to the annual GDP of countries such as Slovakia, Qatar or Libya.

Kinda puts things into perspective doesn't it? =P

Read the whole article here.

Liger Zero CP Armour: Schneider!

Today while losing heart at La Tendo, and speaking to the store-owner.. we found... Sherm's long-sought after Zoids Liger Zero CP Armour set!!!

This is the Schneider Armour!

The second CAS Unit for the Liger Zero (second in the anime), the CP-17 Schneider Unit is designed for close combat. The unit features seven energy blades mounted on the Liger Zero's head and sides (five around the head, one on each flank), which can be used to cut through enemy Zoid armor and energy shields. Additionally, the Zero Schneider features improved speed and acceleration through the use of a series of powerful boosters, and possesses an energy shield.

~Extract from Wiki

I can't believe sweet child o' mine is 20 years old already.......

G n F'n R !!

See the live vid here.

Honours Thesis Readings

This was part of Shermaine's reference/bibliography for her "A-grade" honours thesis on Japanese Theatre. I was part of the editing process, and I must say, I'm very proud of her for formulating, planning and writing the well-thought out paper within the allotted time, and handing it in early too. She's leaving academia behind for a while now and moving on to the next stage in life.
All the best in your future endeavour Shermy!

Zoids Assembly Line: Rayse Tiger

Presenting: Rayse Tiger!



Finally completed, my very first Zoid, several years late! hehe.. Don't he look cool? He has fibre-optic wires and other glow-in-the-dark bits that makes him quite unique among Zoids models.

The Rayse Tiger is a Tiger-type Zoid created by the ZOITEC corporation, using one of the three ancient Tiger-Zoid cores discovered in ZAC 2230.

Unlike the earlier Whitz Tiger, ZOITEC scientists were able to completely recreate the ancient Tiger Zoid core in a single body. Already fast and agile, the Zoid's abilities are further enhanced by the special Ray-Absorbing Panels built into its body. These panels absorb energy from incoming weapons fire and channel it through the Zoid's systems into the fangs. This allows it to unleash a devastating attack known as the Explode Bite, which is capable of disabling Iron Kong or Gojulas-sized Zoids in a single blow.

~ Extract from Wiki

This was the scene at the Zoids Assembly Factory, day 2:


Upcoming: Kotobukiya Command Wolf!

One day at Nanking Row

Hulk and Revy go on a rampage..

Reports indicate there were no casualties..



(Mark and I were sitting outside Spawn Asia waiting for it to open, we got bored and took out our recently acquired toys and started posing them.. lol)

Zoids Assembly Line Increased - additional mechanic hired!

Shermy is a huge Zoids fan. She's shown me her collection before and I've marveled at it. Surprising as well, that she would like robotic/mechanized animals/dinosaurs so much. She tells me her dream is to collect the entire series of Ligers for display. I only recently learned what a Liger is, or a Liger Zero. And the add-on armours including the Schneider, the Panzer and the Jaeger. And I must say, I'm slowly being swayed over!

Just yesterday, Sherm and I finally got together for Zoid-making session. She allowed me to make her newly acquired Rayse Tiger unit (actually, she newly-acquired quite a few cos of the discounts she found), while she completed the Phoenix part of the Phoenix Liger set. Once these units are completed, we'll commence on her Energy Liger units. She has 2 units of different colours. I've attached pictures for reference, easier to see how I can be swayed..




This series of toys, Zoids, was another that went completely over my head without me noticing. Another of these were Visionaries. But ya, after starting on these, I do wonder why I ever bothered to make other model kits before. These come pre-coloured, can be played with and look great displayed. Compare this with my model kit motorcycle which was held together by glue which has come apart over time. And all I could do was display it - how to "play" motorbike?! Its a no-brainer lo.. They really look great~

Fishing Trip: Perth

Fishing Trip X'mas 07. Was something I did just to try. What made the trip fun was that the Fishing Kakis were just so friendly! Everyone I met was open and warm and enthusiastic, so integrating with a group of 14 people I'd just met was surprisingly easy.

Incidentally, this trip lobang was offered to me by Ken, who almost didn't make it on the plane due to Reservist+ Visa issues. I have to also add that this must've been the most stressful, incident-filled trip/week I've had in a while. From Ken's last minute visa panic; accompanying Ken while waiting for clearance at Perth airport; brand-new rod that broke on the 3rd day of use; loss of a reel box with Ken's expensive $1300 reel in it; scraping the roof of the rented 8-man van along an entire length of carpark ceiling while trying to park at a shopping mall; filling said diesel-engine van with 12 litres of petrol. Some of the better highlights include my catching a 15-20kg samson game-fish (which came up a "floater" - after pulling it up, it floated on the surface...), cooking 3 gourmet meals, eating 3 gourmet meals (all three for A$30 per person), exploring Fremantle and the Quest Harbour area, lovely shallow interaction with Ozzie service staff.

Would I go fishing again? Sadly, it wasn't as KK said - once you catch a fish, it's like baiting yourself: you're hooked for life - cos I'm not really hooked. Maybe I'll consider doing this again sometime in the future, but right now, I'll stick to diving. Great mates tho =)