Progress Bar Error

hmmm..?
i just noticed this after changing my internet browser..
the progress bar in my sidebar (Unit Count section) looks disoriented when i view my blog using Google Chrome, but it is fixed when i'm using Internet Explorer..
i'm not really sure what the problem is...>,<

this is how it looks like using Internet Explorer:

and here's how it looks like when viewed using Google Chrome:

on the other note, here's a bit of explanation about that Unit Count section..
the Total Value there is the estimated amount of all my Star Wars action figures..
for local purchases - the postage, bank deposit fee, and other charges are not included in the price..
and for international purchases - the postage is included in the computation, but local customs and postal fee are not...

i compute the Estimated Rate by dividing the total value with the total number of units, regardless of their size (a single vehicle is counted as one, just like an ordinary action figure)..
as much as possible i'd like to keep the rate below Php 500.00...^_^

Non-Star Wars - Spawn

aside from Star Wars action figures by Hasbro..
i also collect some other stuff which i think are interesting..

here are a few figures manufactured by McFarlane..
they do not have much points of articulation as compared to Hasbro's 3 & 3/4 inch action figures, but they're sculpt are pretty impressive - especially their prototype..
the Spawn models are usually of the 6 inch scale, i think...

Spawn Series 33: Age of Pharaohs - Warrior Isis..
it measures 4 3/8 inches at top of head, 5 3/8 inches at top of headdress..
it is articulated at the biceps..
includes 7 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch custom base (i'm not sure if the measurement from the site is accurate, coz i measured the base and it's only somewhere near the 6 inch mark).. 
you can refer to the site below for additional details and images: 
http://www.spawn.com/toys/product.aspx?product=3447

Spawn Series 29: Evolutions - Zera..
the crouching figure stands 11 1/4 inches tall (that's according to the website, but it actually just measure about 7 1/4 inches) on crumbling pillar base..
points of articulation: neck, shoulders and wrists..
accessories: package includes Zera figure with finely detailed body armor, spear and sword..
there are two variations of this figure, mine is as shown in the image above, and the other one has a blue covering on Zera's chest..
you can refer to the site below for additional details and images: 
http://www.spawn.com/toys/product.aspx?product=2956


the photos above are those of the prototype or demo models, as featured in Spawn's official website..
mine are still inside their packaging and are still waiting for a decent casing...

Comic-Con - 2012 San Diego Comic-Con - Entry B

i thought the update was already done..
but upon checking the Rebelscum site today..
i learned about another great news, still from the recent SDCC...

Padme Amidala (in her Geonosis Arena outfit) has a new sculpt, and it features more complex articulations compared to the previous sculpt..
it is scheduled for release on 2013 along with other new figures, so i better save up for this wonderful unit while i still have time..
and i really hope it reaches our country when that time comes...

anyway, you can view some of her photos in my WishList page...

Comic-Con - 2012 San Diego Comic-Con - Entry A

comic conventions are some of the fascinating events that i would like to experience in my life..
for me, the toy display is what really makes it interesting..
the San Diego Comic-Con or simply SDCC is a great example, it's my guide to know the latest about Hasbro's Star Wars action figures..
for me it's a key in acquiring new targets for my collection..
the Rebelscum site is very reliable in spotting and reporting about such events...

and what's the good news regarding the 2012 SDCC..?
i just found out that Hasbro already came up with a sculpt for Star Wars - The Old Republic's Republic Troopers..
the complete feature hasn't been disclosed yet, but the format is that of the Havoc Troopers..

and because of that, i already updated my WishList and Fan's Choice page...^_^

July 2012 Update - Jedi Order

so the following are the new Star Wars units that i just received last week..


JEDI ORDER:

A'Sharad Hett (Jedi)..
he is the son of Sharad Hett and was raised within the Tusken Raider culture in Tatooine..
he'll later become Darth Krayt...

the image on the left shows his Tusken Raider form - not so good-looking, but still cool!
i really like this sculpt even though he looks short when placed next to other figures..
i'm planning to use his character as one of my main protagonists...

Dark Woman..
born An'ya Kuro..
a mysterious jedi who gave up her name in service of the Force..
she served as Jedi Master to Ki-Adi-Mundi, A'Sharad Hett, and Aurra Sing..
but due to her failure in training and guiding Sing to the right path, she exiled herself to the planet of Cophrigin V..
she later returned to the Jedi Order to work as a spy during the Clone Wars...

Aayla Secura (The Vintage Collection version)..
born as Aaylas'ecura..
she is a Rutian Twilek and a Jedi Master, from Ryloth..
she was a padawan to Quinlan Vos and under Vos' very own master, Tholme..
she was briefly influenced into the darkside by Master Volfe Karkko, but chose to stay in the Jedi Order...

i say i'm very impressed and at the same time, very satisfied with this latest sculpt..
although it's mass-produced, her color and the paint job is very clean, unlike some figures from recent lines..
i'm not really sure how tall she should stand, but this new figure is quite long-legged, i say she's even taller than Deliah Blue..
anyway, i really looked forward into acquiring an action figure of her because she's my favorite Twilek from the movie series..♥_♥
she's the very first unit that i managed to take out from my WishList Page since i started this blog..^_^
and i'm very glad that GreatToysOnline from the Philippines sold a copy to me..
now i finally have someone to pilot her very own Jedi Starfighter...^_^

and here are photos of her to show that she does fit inside her Jedi Starfighter's cockpit..^_^


i'm sorry for all the low quality images..
i'm currently using my low tech cellphone camera (and an A4 Tech pc camera before), so that's why most of my images are of low quality..
anyway, i just have these pictures for record keeping...^_^

Star Wars Miscellaneous

PHOTOSHOOT STAGE:
if you have noticed, i make use of Star Wars related backgrounds when i take pictures of my action figures..
if i'm not mistaken, i've already used 5 different backgrounds:
- the very first is a tin can from the 30th Anniversary
- then, Order 66 packaging with figures inside
- next is my custom made box
- and 4th is just a variation with the custom made box and a comic pack cardboard from the Legacy Collection as base
- the latest is another variation of the 3rd, i just added my strategy table and turned it into a window like background, and i also added 2 other comic pack cardboards to the sides (see image below)

photoshoot stage as of 2011...



WOMEN OF STAR WARS 2012:
since i like girls a lot..
i also collect gorgeous lady action figures..^_^

this is during the early half of 2012...



LIGHTSABER COLLECTION:
another thing that i like about the Star Wars universe are these colorful but deadly lightsabers..
no need to sharpen them..

this is also during the early half of 2012...



STAR WARS BOXES:
since i'm not a 'boxed-collector' and i'm trying to work on a diorama, i'll need to re-store my collections so they won't be exposed to anything destructive in nature..
after buying them, i immediately open and inspect them for dirt and discoloration brought by time, and also to check if their articulations are still fine and functional (unfortunately i have already broke two action figures' hands T,T)..

starbox..
this is my very first custom made box..
this is the one that i use during photoshoots..
i put cut-outs from actual packagings to make it look legit..
an Order 66 packaging can fit inside this box...

accessory box..
this is where i store my action figures' accessories and weaponries...

ghostbusters box..
this is the latest custom made box that i came up with..
i modified the original box and reduced it's size so it can fit inside my Jabba's Throne' box..
this is meant for additional and bigger accessories and weaponries...

van houten box..
this is a gift for me supposedly for Valentine..
this is where i put paper, cardboard, or plastic cut-outs that can be useful for my diorama project...



aside from custom made boxes, i also make use of some original Star Wars packaging materials to temporarily store my beloved collection:
- Commemorative Tin Collection: Episode IV - A New Hope (30th Anniversary)
- Order 66: Master Sev & ARC Trooper (30th Anniversary)
- Order 66: Emperor Palpatine & Commander Thire (30th Anniversary)
- Aayla Secura's Jedi Starfighter (30th Anniversary)
- Republic Commando Delta Squad (The Saga Collection)
- Jabba's Throne (The Vintage Collection)

---o0o---

NEWS - yesterday i received my Vintage Collection Aayla Secura and i'm very satisfied with her latest sculpt..
due to the bad weather condition in our country it had to be delivered through LBC, though i constantly reminded the seller not to do so because of my pending case with them..
well, the good thing is that they are able to deliver my good this time...

Match Furniture - Set 01

MINIATURE MATCH FURNITURE:

Materials:
- used matchsticks
- glue
- cutter
- pencil or any other marking material
- sandpaper
- weights, anything heavy with a flat base

Steps:
1) decide on what design you'll work on, and divide it into segments (e.g. the seat for a chair, or the back support, or the base)
2) select only those matchsticks with straight and flat phases
3) cut the matchsticks based on the desired length
4A) glue the matchsticks together, try working on it by pair, gluing the sticks piece by piece, letting them dry well before gluing them to another part, until you complete an entire segment of whatever you're building
4B) when drying, lay the glued pieces in a flat surface, then apply the weights just to make sure that it won't be moved and that it'll dry flat
5) use the sandpaper to smoothen the edges and surfaces
6) glue the segments, again, piece by piece, let it dry well before gluing in another part, depending on the model that you're working on, you might need additional support materials to make sure that your subject will get dry accordingly (e.g. combining a slanted back support for a chair)
7) after completing the model, apply glue-coating to every exposed parts, it can somehow help prevent the stick from being exposed to destructive foreign bodies and will also give the figure a shiny look

Concerns:
- durability of the matchstick material
- how to totally prevent insects and other foreign bodies from attacking and attaching to the sticks
- painting material that will not fade and will not produce stain

plates..
these are basic structures with uniform size which i can use for different kinds of furniture designs...

chair (model 01)..
this is the very first matchstick furniture that i came up with..
i manage to paint it just by the use of water color..
i also applied glue-coating so that the paint will look shiny..

placed beside a 3 & 3/4 inch action figure..

look! it's fully functional...^_^

chair (model 02)..

this is a latest experiment..

this model has a more stable base compared to the first model...

food tray..
the tray is divided into a small (left) and big (right) section..
i also managed to paint it, but i discovered that the reaction of the water color to the glue can ruin the paint even if it has already dried before the application of the glue-coating...

lamp shade..
i also tried painting its cover, but after applying the glue coating, the white paint turned into pinkish-white - not a pleasing result..

the cover is removable in case i want to put a lighting device inside..

placed beside Sigel Dare...

bench..
i will use it for locker rooms and corridors...

diner's table and seats..
i will use this model for Dexter's Restaurant..
i tried painting one of the seats blue but i ran out of water color..

the table and seats are desinged to just stick in the wall and be slightly elevated from the ground..
here you can see that it's fully functional..^_^
the support near the action figure isn't a part of this model...

toilet bowl..
with hollow bowl and removable tank cover..
my skill is limited to building things with straight edges..T,T

the Naboo Soldier peeing...

the girls and boys share the same toilet, and the Naboo Soldier didn't clean his mess - poor Sigel Dare..>,<
again, i tried painting the tank cover, but the result isn't satisfactory so after that i decided to stop using water color for my miniature furnitures...

cash register..
with sliding drawer, it's not hollow so there's really nothing you can put inside..>,<

comparative view with Dexter..
the green and transparent object is a sharpener, i only used it as a substitute desk...

container..
it kinda looks like a container used for delivering noodles..
it has a whole..
but i'm not yet sure how i can make use of it...

it has a concealable handle on top...

cabinet (model 01)..
it's an open type and has 3 sections (top most layer included) where you can place miniature stuff...

cabinet (model 02)..
this model has opening doors and the interior is divided into 2 sections...

ammunition box..

a spacious metal container with opening cover...

Non-Match Furniture - Set 01

NON-MATCH FURNITURE:
the following are supposed to be used in my diorama project..
other than matches, i make use of illustration boards, typewriting paper, the plastic material from the Star Wars' packaging, and any other material that may be proportional to 3 & 3/4 inch action figures..

strategy table..
it's hollow inside so i might add some lighting effects to it...

broadcast monitor..
a large screen tv monitor..
there's a hole at the top so you can slide in different cut out images for visual effect...

round table..
i thought i can use it for my bar and only needs some paint job, though i'm still not sure what safe coloring material i can use for my handcrafted stuff..
it's actually just a peanut butter cup...^_^



TRANSPARENT PLATFORMS:
i like transparent effects for some materials that are to be used for walls and/or platforms..
it makes the environment look technologically advanced, so i think it's really cool..

glass platform (type 01)..
these are diskette cases for the historical 3.5 inch floppy disk..
these are not really made of glass, but of clear hard plastic (i think)..
i thought they'd look good in hangars or factories...

glass platform (type 02)..
these are glasses from a 'sandwich-type' picture frame...

---o0o---

NEWS - i just received yesterday my latest comic pack..
i bought it from an ebayer, it was shipped via Air21..
bad news is that they have increased their postage rate, from last May that was only Php 120 , this July it's already Php 220 (a hundred peso increase) for a package about the size of a wallclock..
and that's really something..
good thing for me the cost is still almost equivalent if i were to pickup my item from the seller's place, so was i still able to save time and energy..
i'm just wondering why they're not sending text alerts anymore despite the raise..?

logistics and photo update will be coming soon, after i'm done with all my old stuff...

Star Wars Action Figures - Set 13

THE EMPIRE:
the empire is composed mainly of characters from Darth Sidious and Darth Vader's reign..
there will be two setup, one on Coruscant and the other aboard the Death Star..

Emperor Palpatine (human form)..
click here for related entry...

Darth Vader (removable mask version)..
born as Anakin "Ani" Skywalker, from the planet of Tatooine..
he's a jedi turned into sith lord, and trained under Master Obi-Wan Kenobi..
he is the husband of Padme and father to both Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa...

Darth Vader (silver variation)..

i guess i'll just use this as a monument or maybe as a robot bodyguard for the real Darth Vader...



IMPERIAL TROOPERS:
the following are troopers assigned in the Imperial Palace and aboard the Death Star..

Commander Thire or CC-4477..
is the commander of the Shock Troopers also known as Coruscant Guard..
they work directly under the emperor...



SITH ORDER:
will be composed of all other siths and apprentices from other Star Wars timeline..

Darth Krayt..
born as A'Sharad Hett..
like Anakin Skywalker he is a jedi turned into sith lord, and also from Tatooine..
he is the head of the One Sith Order...

he is my very first action figure who wields 2 lightsabers...

like Darth Sidious he is also a Sith Emperor or at least has declared himself as such (i'm not really very familiar with the publications)..
but due to the conflict with Darth Sidious' reign, i guess i'll just go with him being the leader of the One Sith Order..
or maybe i can also turn his group into a faction who is battling for the emperor position...

Darth Nihl..
member of the One Sith Order and a 'Hand' to Darth Krayt..
he is a sith from the planet of Nagi...

Star Wars Action Figures - Set 12

KAMINO CLONE FACILITY:
this will be the set where the imperial clone troopers are produced and trained..
this is also where their weapons and vehicles are being developed and manufactured..
i'll be assigning all my ARC troopers, commando troopers, Kaminoans, some other clone troopers, and some Mandalorians in this area..

Jango Fett..
a Mandalorian bounty hunter from Concord Dawn..
he is the host of the clone army..
he is the father of Boba Fett who is also a genetic copy of him, but didn't have any alteration on his genetic structure or growth process...

Advanced Recon Commando (ARC) Trooper (yellow variant)..

i'll have this type of troopers lead the entire clone army next to their Mandalorian supervisors...

Delta Three-Eight or Boss or RC-1138..
is the leader of the Delta Squad, which is an elite clone commando squad organized to carry out high level missions...

although they are based in the Kamino Facility, i will have them on a mission to Geonosis...

Fixer or RC-1140..
Delta Squad's hacker and technical expert..
he is not used to calling himself and others by their nicknames..
he rarely speaks, and his favorite move is to vibroblade an enemy..
a complete by-the-book clone, he is more distant than his brothers...

Sev or RC-1207..
Delta Squad's hunter and sniper..
he is the most war-oriented or battle-oriented in the team and he enjoys that..
he likes to joke around with Scorch...

Scorch or RC-1262..
Delta Squad's demolitions expert..
he has a jocular sense of humor, often providing anecdotes during idle moments of their missions...



MANDALORIANS:
are considered to be among the best fighters in the galaxy..
they work as mercenaries or bounty hunters..
they are known for their cutting-edge weaponry and strict code of honor..

Rohlan Dyre..
a Mandalorian crusader and former commander during the early mandalorian wars..
he has teamed up with the Arkanian Offshoot Jarael...