September 2011 Model Build Gathering

This past weekend was the model build gathering for September. A bunch of folks that haven’t been back to the gathering for awhile showed up – Jay, Miko, Artur, etc. Good to see some of the old faces. Art showed up with a few boxes of random kits that he received from a friend that had passed on, so instead of the trash bin, he felt the kits may find some good homes with the folks from the build gathering. It’s hilarious to see the sudden reaction when the phrase “free kits’ are uttered. After the grab fest, about one box full of kits was left over and we suggested that Sean take it as a donation to IPMSOC’s annual distressed kit auction event.

(more…)

Continue ReadingSeptember 2011 Model Build Gathering

Diorama Building

It has been two weeks since I last worked on the GM diorama project. Real life just got in the way of everything. But the guys collaborating on this project gathered at my house over the long weekend and we spent some time refining the foam structure of our “hdden Zeonic base” mesa thingy. Also, the recently neutered Latte came over to visit his big brother.

(more…)

Continue ReadingDiorama Building

Scooby is not even a week old and I’m already doing mods…

Okay, so they’re not overly difficult mods, but some basic mechanical skills are required. Earlier in the week, I ordered some HID kits for the low and high/day time running lights. The more expensive WRX models came with them standard. The HID kits are about $60 bucks for kit that includes 2 ballasts and 2 bulbs. Not a bad price. I also ordered a cold air intake that is stickered for legality under the California emissions. It’s the AEM kit. I saw it at the dealership’s parts department and they wanted 270 for it and would have given me a 10% discount, but after taxes, it would have just been about the same. So I did a little research online and found a place selling it for 230 with free shipping, they were in Cali, so I got to pay taxes, but they just happened to have a 10% off labor day sale, and after all was said and done, the thing cost 223 with tax. So that was ordered and it arrived today, the light arrived yesterday. Here’s a before and after shot of the engine compartment replacing the old air box with the cold air intake.

(more…)

Continue ReadingScooby is not even a week old and I’m already doing mods…

Hollywood Bowl with John Williams and a Subie convert….

A weekend of staying cool at Yuki’s, hanging out at Angel’s parents place, lunch meetups and the Hollywood Bowl with John Williams. As well as a conversion from my co-dependency on Toyota made cars, yes, we know they call them Scions, but they’re ultimately Toyota’s.

(more…)

Continue ReadingHollywood Bowl with John Williams and a Subie convert….