Crunch Time!

As the days fly by and I inhale paint fumes yet again, I contemplate when this all began. Two years ago, I made a boneheaded move of modding a PG Red Frame Astray two months into the then known BAKUC. Two days before the actual submission date, I realized I wasn't going to make it, but I pressed on, hoping that Murphy won't rear his ugly head as I fought exhaustion, paint-fume-induced hallucinations and deep knife nicks, staring at an uncompleted kit and half-done simple diorama. Two hours before the deadline, I put the slightly used can of Bosny flat clear down, and looked at the mess I ended up with, and the dust that reached even in my bedroom.

Who knew that I'd be working on the Ronin again? I certainly didn't plan anything, nor did I have plans in joining any competitions anymore (I'm not really competitive, regardless of what anyone may assume or believe. I have always maintained that my greatest competition has always been myself and my tendency to procrastinate). I simply work on modifications, and when done, move on to the next. I have the unfinished K'triya/Cherub and MG Turn-X conversion, so, if I'm going to base my progress on the Ronin, these two might see the light in the next couple of years.

Project Codename: Scarlet JinX WIP part I

While rearranging my kits, storing some and displaying others, and contemplating over the pending completion of the Crimson Cherub (the K'Triya, which I can't seem to finish because of painting issues), I stared at one of my favorite kits (next to the Sinanju and Hi-Nu) to ever get without having a second thought about getting it.

The GN-X has been tagged by some modelers/collectors as the next "grunt" MS (to the chagrin of some hardcore UC fans), not necessarily replacing the iconic Zakus in appeal.  The GN-X, or "JinX" as I like to call it (incidentally, that's how it's pronounced or nicknamed it in the English version of 00, so I guess I'm right on the dot), is a very fresh design and came as a surprise when Bandai announced it to be the next MG after the much-debated Ignition Mode MG Exia.

The Dragon Ronin Astray WIP

I was planning to enter my Impaler X DevilWings (Sinanju) for the BAKUC, but having noticed (as DonC has) the numerous Sinanjus being built ultimately for the BAKUC, I had a hard time deciding which kit to enter.

Recently, I snapped-built my G05 and my Turn A before that (as a break from the Queen build), and felt I could probably do some major improvements and enhancements, but then realized I like them now as they are and didn't really get any new ideas.

Simply said, I was stuck. With the Queen's pending completion (though I consider this my most ambitious build with all the modifications, I'd rather enter the Queen in another contest), I started working on the 1/60 Clear Astray Bust, and that got me to dig out my built PG RF Astray (I was one of the first few here in Manila to own one, and built it almost as soon as I got it, but boxed it as soon as I was able to take some shots).

Anyways, it dawned on me; maybe I should work on this feller...