Weekend update: January’s build gathering. This month we had about 7 new people come to the gathering. The size of the gathering is getting back to normal after all the holidays and such. This looks like a good start to the new year. I got some work on my RSO that has been sitting idle on my desk for the past few weeks, and I cracked open the Gun Tank and got the core fighter done for the thing. Having built the core fighters for previous kits, this is by far the most complex core fighter to date. The parts separation is pretty intense. I’m still not too sure the over engineering is necessary, but the thing is pretty cool regardless. More details about the gathering after the jump.
Here are a few pictures of some of the new folks. A group of three friends who attended the AX model building panels finally made it out. They’re snappers, but I think if they return, we can help them along with paint and other techniques. Then there’s Paul who I’ve met several years before, one of ‘tine’s badminton friends who finally made it out to a gathering. He’s been following my site for a while and was working on one of those 1/220 Kondo Bound Docs. Damn cool looking kit and I can’t wait to see more progression on the kit. Sharon and Dave attend their first build gathering (Sharon brought some awesome brownies). Having just moved out here from Georgia, all their model building tools and kits are still in storage back in Georgia, so hopefully by next month, they’ll have their stuff and not be as bored working on some SD kits I pulled out of the garage. But then again, drinking is a form of boredom killer. I don’t have a picture of Patrick, but he’s the other new guy. Angel was able to do a little airbrushing demo for him, so hopefully he’ll pick up some paints and start learning the airbrush use as Ed has done for the past few gatherings.
The San Diego boys made their triumphant return after a hiatus of a few months due to the holidays. Good to see them back and working on stuff. Justine seems to be getting along well with building. We’ll have to see about his painting abilities now. James is working on one of those Bandai Votoms kits; hopefully we’ll get to see it at the next gathering or contest. Sean’s working on his ships and a very old and oddly designed WWII British bomber.
Grover made his second return to the gathering. The folks at the kiddie table enjoyed him. The San Diego boys got a really good kick from him and Scott was impressed with his film knowledge. Yes, a definite better experience was had with him then before. He’s a nice kid, odd, but still a nice kid, and is a great addition to the bloody misfits that come over once a month. Moving past Grover, we put the target on Scott and just blasted away with insults and jokes. It’s almost a love-hate relationship. I waited until Angel, Nicky, and Sam arrive before we headed out to dinner. Su and her cousin Ja came over as well. So we left the house with about 18 of us for dinner. Grover had to go home or something, but disappeared when we were getting ready to go to dinner.
Angel had mentioned that he needed to hit the bank, and took off. This didn’t quite register with me and I thought he was behind me when we left the house. There were two other cars following, so I had three cars following behind me. Unbeknownst to me, Angel had already taken off to the bank and would meet up with us at the restaurant. While I’m still thinking that Angel is behind me, I wait until all three cars behind me have started up, then floor it. Scott, Dave, Sharon and 2.Dave have all ridden in my car while I recklessly drive like Mario Andriette; so they’re sorta used to it. Sharon squeaks out a small audible noise when I first punch it and she’s thrown against the seat. God how I love my little car. Anyways, this is my usual fun with Angel behind me because I know he plays along. So we head off. At the first turn before Kraemer, I make sure we have all three cars behind me before pealing off again. Full stop, then full throttle. A quick turn onto Chapman, and all I see is one car behind me. Ever after passing Kramer, and getting into the left turn lane on Bradford. We get to the end of Bradford and park near the restaurant, and to my surprise, it wasn’t Angel behind me but Ja and Su. Ja laughs as he tells me that there was no way I’d lose him. Nice, I’ve found yet another driver. Scott or Dave mention that Angel went to the bank and that triggers my memory of that earlier.
There is no sign of the other two cars so I pull the phone out in anticipation that one of the guys will call. Not a minute later, it rings, Sean asks where we went. Apparently they turned onto Kraemer from Chapman instead of just going straight. I give him the directions and hang up. Angel arrives and laughs at the story so far. The two cars arrive in short order and we send our little page boy Scott into the restaurant to secure a table for 18. Dinner was done at El Cantrio down in little Mexico that is downtown Placentia. The area looks like you’ve just stepped into Tijuana; but the food is good and cheap.
The car ride home was even more fun. Now with Angel in the mix, we head off. A few quick turns and we’re out on Chapman, but hit the red light so I decide to take the Kraemer route over going straight. Ja and Angel are behind me. Light goes green, and I hit it. Ja and Angel are right behind me. I see Angel pull to the left lane in an attempt to pass Ja; too bad Ja wasn’t having any of that and stuck right with me. Coming fast towards Alta Vista, I down shift to slow down, and at the last second before I start the turn, tap the brake slightly. I hit the turn at 40 mph, and drifted slightly into the left lane. According to Scott, the people in the two cars stopped to make a left from Alta Vista onto Kraemer were visible scared at the possibility that our three cars would slam into them in our high speed turn. Ja is right behind me and follows my line on the turn, I shift up and just jump out of the turn. Another drifting turn onto Magnolia and we’re home. Getting out of the car and having our laugh about the drive with Angel and Ja; both of them telling me that Nicky and Su were cursing my name with each turn. Too funny. My car was absolutely quiet, just small conversations between turns; everyone in my car was used to it. Poor Sharon was just a ping pong ball between 2.Dave and Scott.
The rest of the night was spent drinking, rockband, and bomberman. Now in the following picture, people are holding the guitars oddly, that there were more guitars being used than playable with rockband, and multiple drum sets in use. I only have one controller for my ps3, so to play bomberman with seven of us, we broke out the old instruments. Dammit it works!
Another successful build gathering. I just need to get back into the swing of building. Inspiration for building is currently lacking; but I try to work on stuff while people are there as well as help out when there are questions. The spark will return, it always does; I just gotta be patient and wait for it’s return. Otherwise, it was a fun gathering. Next one will be Feb 20. More pictures from the gathering are here: http://gamerabaenre.com/mbg31.htm
=( I missed another one. Yay for tiring AX meetings.
See, I already know what’s coming, so I just skip out on all the damn meetings. I hear enough about it anyways :) Nothing is gonna get resolved. But then again, I have a realist outlook on things.