Lo and behold, I have a new dog.
Her name's Chani and she's a female boxer. We broguht her home when she was 7 months old, and she became already accostumed to living with us. She's shy of people and rumors and we hope to correct this behaviour by partecipating to some classes with the local dog rescue team. But we have a dog, and I'm really happy.
Here's a photo with a less "what the hell are you holding in your hands, man?" look. Both are pretty hurried shots as she doesn't really like the flash light (oh the first time I've tried to use red eye reduction) and when I'm pointing the camera at her.

This update is still about models. Lots of them, and not everyon ended on my table for a quick preview. You can take a look at 13/BSpecter's R-9A Arrowhead or at Armorcast's Mad Dog Omnimech (Vulture for you spheroids).
Models I bought not featured here are the Yukikaze FRX-00 and the Ikaru from Ikaruga and now I notice that Hobbyfan has the Sirasagi too. I promised myself not too buy any other model before I finish some of the ones I have...and I have many more, and most of them aren't easy subjects. Oh well, the Mad Dog is proceeding just fine (two days since I recieved the package and I almost did the hardest part) and I can't wait to get serious on the R-9A (after the Mad Dog and the Sazabi, which only lacks a good base and some finishing touches...if everything goes well, I'll bring ye olde Xamel, the Sazabi and the Mad Dog to Lucca Comics.

Bought many videogame-related things too. The DS Lite is finally out in Europe too and it's much better than the old DS. Bough a PC Engine DUO-R, too; it came with three games (Super something, a cryptic japanese strategy game, Space Adventure Cobra II, a cryptic digital comic and a Idontknowitsnamebecauseitsinjapanese racing game), but I secured a copy of Sapphire and the first R-Type.
Added some Nintendo 64 games to my collection, Ogre Battle 64, Conker's Bad Fur Day and Paper Mario, with New Super Mario Bros. and Ossu! Tatakae! Ouendan! increasing my DS library. Ah, sweet summer, come quickly so that I can play to something and let Xenosaga III be released.

Proud supporter of:

So, I bought it.
A Canon 30D, I mean. I was unsure if buying it (right) now or what, but after eyeing it a little, finding a good shop and keeping it in my hand, well, I just couldn't resist and bought it. Ah yes, my old Canon 300D is on sale, if you want it you can drop me a line.
Buying the 30D was heralded by a successful auction of a 17-85mm IS USM, a mid-range lens to replace the insipid 18-55mm found with the 300D (and to buy the cheaper body-only version of the 30D as most body/lens kit included that very same lens). The lens itself is not a great lens (it's only slightly better optically that the standard lens but has a longer reach, image stabilization and fast, silent focusing), but I got a good deal and I couldn't really afford to drop an other 1K euros on a marvellous 17-55mm IS USM or a 24-105mm IS USM. Considering that I'm eyeing a 65mm MP-E and a good tripod...
I also played Frankestein a bit with some accessories. As you can see from the banner above, Lucca Comics is approaching (more on this later), so I was getting ready to once again giving (for free) my services as photograph to the model contest. If you remember, I'm basically in love with my MT-24EX and its flexibility would be a great help in the confined space I would shoot in. The 420EX will be a great support unit, but last year I noticed that even with a diffuser, it wasn't exactly the best for model shooting.
There were two problems: the MT-24EX only snaps on 58mm-filter lenses and the 100mm macro I have wasn't good for large models as I had to get too far to take them in one shot. Buying a 50mm macro or any other lens was out of question (I'm not made of money), but I remembered about the 72c adaptor, used by the 180mm macro to accomodate the MT-24EX. I bought two of them (one as a backup copy) and an inexpensive 67mm UV filter and assembled them together, so that I can attach the MT-24EX on the newly acquired 17-85mm IS USM with the MT-24EX...sample shots of the Frankestein adapter here, as well with a short story on how building it.

Ah yes, the update today is about models, three full new pages on the Sazabi I'm doing...I did forgot how good can be modelling over a subject you like.

Now, on Lucca Comics...it's the 40th anniversary and they thought to move the convention from the usual place (a relatively large park with -IMO- minimal structures for such a large convention) to the city. Right now, everyone is wondering how it will be managed as the convention will spread throughout the city, at least according to the site. One of the biggest problems is rain: the 1st of November is a national festivity were you should honor the dead ones (something like Halloween, but without the masks) and it's unusual to have a clear weather. Two years ago, it rained so bad during the first day that the convention management stopped accepting visitors as the park transformed into a swamp and the pavilions were crowded with people seeking refuge from the rain. Last year the rain wasn't that bad and rained only after noon of the last day, but one pavilion broke down.
Now, what about if it rains? Will the convention management cover all the squares in the city with large tensostructures or whatever? How the various stands will be placed? The "Lucca Games" square? All the comics-related stands placed alongside the ancient defensive walls?
It's a big bet. A really big bet.
And using this as an excuse, hotel prices skyrocketed. The last two years we paid a room for four people what they have asked for a double room this year. I guess it's just a good opportunity to make more money, but, geeeeeeez...

As for videogames...well, nothing much. I bought a GBA Micro and I'm totally in love with it, it made me rediscover the pleasure in playing Fire Emblem and a whole bunch of other GBA games that were sitting in the drawer as the DS took the place as a train entertainer. Now that I'm still waiting New Super Mario Bros. (damn you, Italian Postal Service) and without Phoenix Wright or Trauma Center to play (both extremely good experiences), the GBA is discovering a second youth that to its newest incarnation. The Micro is small but confortable, light, has great buttons, no need for earplug converters, brighter screen and probably a longer battery life than the GBA SP.
And the DS Lite launch date is drawing near...I can't wait for that too.
On the home console side, I have to mention Odama and Radirgy GeneriC for the GameCube. In truth, I haven't played Odama much and Radirgy GeneriC is the straight port of the Dreamcast game with just a new game mode, so after playing it on the Dreamcast (it came out few months ago, along an other shooter, Under Defeat...both good exercises for us old shooters), so I guess that Atelier Iris 2: Azoth of Destiny is keeping me busy the most...if I don't start up Galactic Civilizations II and play for four-five hours straight telling myself "one more turn and I'll quit". As you might have guessed, GalCiv2 is a great game, while Azoth of Destiny is just a more straight-forward version of the first Atelier Iris that came out one year ago. And with straight-forward I mean less interesting and with less freedom, so, pick it up if you are a die-hard JRPG maniac or you just want to support Nippon Ichi America, like me.
Speaking of Nippon Ichi, I'm playing Disgaea 2, japanese version. I'm forcing myself to play as less as possible not to repeat hours and hours of gameplay with the american version, but it's hard, even if it's just the old Disgaea with a fine-tuned system and better graphics; even the soundtrack (a kind gift of the special edition) is nohing more than a rearranged version of the first game. It's a bit of a letdown, I had wished Nippon Ichi to refine their gridless system...Makai Kingdom was a good step in that direction, but I guess you can't beat a good grid-based system.
And then, there's the Wii...oh god how much I'm waiting for that console. The new Mario was just awesome, and I must admit that FPS like Red Steel and (on an other level) Metroid Prime 3 are very interesting. Nintendo already announced an other Fire Emblem, so it's a must buy.

Farewell, for now.

 

Proud supporter of:

 

 

Uhmm...I guess that there's an update because I just turned twentyfive.

No, wait, I think not. To tell the thruth 90% of thhe "new stuff" was ready by the end of January, but you now, work, friends, videogames, laziness and a small desire to upload something worhty of your attention kept me from updating the site.

The worse for the better, because we have what I consider a meaningful new entry in the model section (work in progress, of course) and that there's that shiny new banner on the top of the page promoting the best sci-fi modelling contest here in Italy. Go take a look and enjoy, it's worth your time (and it will be even more worthy after November when there will be models to look at).

Nothing much else to say, probably I will speak about the videogames I'm playing right now (one of them includes giant flippers and a microphone); I don't really have the time to speak about them because despite the lack of good things, this upload will be longer than normal, and the I cought a strange fever, the 25-years-old laziness-and-I'm-not-willing-to-go-back-to-work-tomorrow.

Later folks.

 

 

I thought it would have been sooner, but here's the udate I promosed on Christmas Eve. Not many new models or drawings, just a bunch of toys that I'm really proud of having...
Lo and behold, the new Gashapon/Toys subsection!
They are all Disgaea-related and probably they will be the only ones to ever make an appaerance on this site (Gundam Fix Figures, Zeonographies and Ultimate Operations are already extensively covered here), so enjoy them as much as you can.

Now I will use these toys as a bridge between the site and one of my hobbies, photography. Yes, the toys have been portraited with the usual 300D and a macro lens, but it's no longer the excellent Sigma 105mm EX DG but its Canon counterpart, the 100mm USM; USM stands more Ultra Sonic Motor, nothing more than a complex name for an extremely quiet autofocus mechanism. I was very happy of the Sigma lens and it was perfect for portraiting small details; yes, it lacked reproduction ratios greater than 1:1 and it wasn't possible to obtain a lifelike photo at long distances, but the Canon lens can't do these things neither.
So, why changing lenses?
Flash issues.
I own a 420EX and it's a fine flash for generic photography, but it basically lacks the power and reach to be really useful with macro photography; also, there was no controls over shadows, they were either strong, direct shadows or soft shadows if I used a light diffuser.
So I began to search a ring flash...I immediately removed the Sigma EM-140 DG and Canon ML-3, so the only two choices left were the MR-14EX and the MT-24EX from Canon. The MR-14EX is a basic ring flash that is slightly superior to Sigma's own flash, while the MT-24EX is dedicated to anyone that does macro photography for living.
As you might imagine, I choose the MT-24EX for the flexibility it promised.
The real problem is that all reviews I read spoke about Canon lenses...and I had Sigma macro, and wasn't very happy at the idea of changing it. I contacted both Sigma and Canon supports, but they were only able to say that I should have asked to the other tech support about the compatibility between the Sigma lens and the Canon flash. So I began asking to eBay sellers that had the MT-24EX on auction if they knew something about it, but noone replied. Desperate, I contacted an unknown user from a review forum and asked some advice.
He revealed me the horrible truth, that the MT-24EX is only compatible with Canon macro lenses as the frontal assembly snaps on a special support positioned around the lens filter, and it wasn't screwed as a standard filter as I always thought.
So, after much grief, I decided to sell the almost brand new Sigma lens (less than 6 months of life) and go for the MT-24EX/100mm USM Canon combo...
I must admit, I did the right thing. The MT-24EX is an incredible piece of equipment with tons of features that are incredibly easy to set up, is blessed with extreme flexibility and can act as a master unit for the 420EX, making macro photography an exquisite pleasure.
Just to make things clear: with the 420EX, I had to shoot at ISO400, 1/60 time value and 14 aperture value to obtain somewhat under-exposed shots. My first test with the MT-24EX was at ISO400, 1/60 time value and 32 aperture value and it overexposed the WHOLE photo (note the MT-24EX was used with full manual settings so no E-TTL or TTL control was applied - later tests showed that using E-TTL or TTL basically remove problems of overexposure. An impressive result nonetheless, however).
I basically fell in love with the unit when I first removed it from the box, but after two hours of tests, realized that the initial love was nothing more than the proverbial iceberg tip.

Time for the usual videogame roundup.
Mario Kart DS and Animal Crossing Wild Worldtotally rock, period.
Unfortunately Nintendo decided to let players online only through wireless routers and a proprietary USB dongle that works only under Windows XP...found the third reason to switch to XP, but still not enough to make me do the great step. Windows 2000 can handle all I need. I know I will have to move to a more modern Windows OS if I want to keep up with the commercial programs I use, but as long as the next versions of Photoshop and 3D Studio Max don't revolutionize the workflow and workspace, I will probably stick to the latest version supporting Windows 2000.
Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance on the GC was a good turn-based game, though it lacked something...The Sacred Stones (GBA) was a much more complete experience; Path of Radiance gave me good times though, and it's a game I will reccomend to anyone who likes strategy games.
A big surprise was Battalion Wars. When I first read about Advance Wars took on the GC as a third-person shooter developed by some UK company, I was wondering what passed through the minds of Nintendo executives.
I was wrong, Battalion Wars takes Advance Wars, adds some units, modifies the game mechanics a bit to accomodate a full 3D, action-packed environment and gives the player an unique mix of tactics and action. If I had to write a one-liner review of it, it would be "it's Cannon Fodder in 3D". It's not perfect, but extremely enjoyable and fun to play. Check it out.
Then there's We ♥ (love) Katamari. It's the same thing as Katamari Damacy: it just adds a story, more things to roll up, more stages where to roll and more japanese nonsense. A must have for all Katamari Damacy fans, I suggestall other to test We ♥ Katamari instead Katamari Damacy as it provides a better game experience.
Shadow of the Colossus. 'Nuff said.
Chaos Field, for the GC. A pretty good port of the Dreamcast game and a fine shooter itself.
Gunstar Super Heroes for the GBA, the latest Treasure shoot'em'up and second sequel to an historical franchise, this time well done. A superb 2D platform shooter that is somewhatmore limited than the original, but still damn fun and challenging to play at higher difficulty levels.
Then there's Xenogears for the PS1. What? It's old? Already played it to the death? Mhmmm, yes, me too, but I just had to replay it after I saw a familiar-looking kid in a translated Xenosaga III trailer (this link points to a Bittorrent file) and couldn't resist the urge to replay it. Can't wait for Xenosaga III...I just hope that game mechanics will be on par with the story...all female characters look pretty hot (even Shion without glasses) and story sounds as twisted as it was never before, but I think it will put an end to this "cycle" waiting for the next-gen Xenosomething.
Megaman always was a personal favourite of mine. Capcom decided to release a Megaman Anniversary Collection some time before and now they did the same with Megaman X...old games with a pretty rigid structure, but I always find them fun to play, even with all their drawbacks. They are better than many webcomics done using their sprites, but that's only an example...

I think that's all.

 

 

Masses now

 

 

ALL HAIL THE PRINNY GOD!

 

 

 

 

 

For this, I have happiness.

 

 

And happy festivities to everyone.
Come back later for a real update.

There's nothing better than a couple of hardware failures to make you format your hard drive hoping that it's only a messed-up Windows registry.
However, my Radeon 9700pro heat sink gave up after two years and I wasn't able to run anything in 3D. So I swapped it for a more efficent cooler, an Ati Silencer 1 v2 by Artic Cooling, but it wasn't enough...I was able to play 3D games and the card was once again able to withstand 8 hours of 3D Studio Max without any problems, but 3D games showed many rendering errors and images displayed by browsers, graphic programs and so on showed red pixels just like a broke LCD would do...far from being a driver error, I swapped the glorious 9700pro with an used 9800 XT. I was lucky enough to found a Built by Ati board on eBay, cheaper than a Radeon 9800pro by Sapphire. The video section of my computer is now reborn, but I ordered an Ati Silencer for the 9800XT right away so that I won't damage the card if the heat sink gives up (which I hope won't ever happen).
Not enough, the power supply gave up two days before a presentation for a job. I've spent half a day searching for an adeguate replacement and I got a 500W...aluminium casing, extra silent, two fans, 8 HDD molex and even a SATA connector. Unfortantely the fans are those new colored fans...I'm not in case modding and nothing of the PC inner workings are shown, but during the night there's this green/purplish light coming out from the back of the case that is quite frightening.
And to add insult to injury, this PSU gave up on me so I had to order a Tagan 530 PSU and an APC UPS. My PC should (should) be protected by by all energy problems now.
Lastly, I replaced the case with a more spacious one and added some extra fans to exclude heat-induced problems too.

So, I formatted. I did this when I hadn't pinpointed the Radeon failure, and the new reinstall brought a new problem: CPU utilization. I don't know why but the McAfee antivirus would use a 100% the CPU (an Athlon XP 3000+) for 2/3 seconds every 30-45 minutes causing the temporary lock-up of the system. Seeking a solution (which didn't complained an other format), I uninstalled the McAfee antivirus and went for a free license of Avast. The spikes were gone (partially...they are less frequent and utilizes only 70-80% of the CPU...and I still don't know why the antivirus keeps doing this), but Avast is partially incompatible with Zone Alarm Pro...only to discover it was Real Player that tried to access the net for updates of some kind...unistalled Real Player and installed Real Player Alternative but kept the Avast/Zone Alarm combo.
But life it's not fun if there aren't problems, and suddendly zone Alarm started prohibiting Avast to access the net for updates. Apparently it screwed up something and gave outbound permissions only to the browser and e-mail client. So, Zone Alarm is gone and replaced by Kerio.

Now the system is fine. The only thing I'd like to know is why Photoshop prefers to use swap space on hard drives rather than utilizing those 2Gbs of PC3200 I have.
Luckily enough 3D Studio isn't exactly shy of using them and I'm quite pleased to see it using more than 1 Gb of ram with the most complex models and animations.

Talking about 3D Studio, I took my time and installed the new version, the seventh. I skipped the sixth as I had all my work files for the fifth and I didn't really need mental ray (included for free starting from version 6), but this seventh version is really a good release. When I switched to version 5 from the 4.2 I was surprised of many things (first and foremost the light tracer/radiosity engines), but this seventh versions really enhaces modelling tools, which is a great thing. Way to go Discreet.

An other new version of a program I'm using is the trial of Dreamweaver MX 2004. For some unknown reasons the old Dreamweaver MX I used didn't work anymore (it keeps loading, loading, loading and loading until I halt the program), so I'm evaluating the new version. Mhmmm...it's somewhat better, but I think it didn't evolved a thing. CSS handling is a bit better and there icons repalce many text buttons, but it doesn't seem that big thing.

That happened about two months ago. In the meantime I got hired for a pretty good job, but this also meant that all updates I had in mind for these months were thrown in the wind. Oh well, let's just forget about the E3, Dawn of War third patch, Makai Kingdom, Killer 7 and anything else. Site has been updated, it's August and this is not a blog but somewhere I should write about the updates.

For the one or two of you that regurarly check the site for updates (or you, casual reader, that landed on this site through an arcane series of links and cross-links and don't have nothing better to do than reading this column), I have to announce that I dropped the webcomic project I had in mind.
Although I have enough ideas for a good number of strips, I realized that there are too many webcomics out there and as I'm not able (nor willing) to create an original story with characters and such, giving birth to story where my real life clash with my distorted sense of humor wasn't a really good idea. Also, I didn't really know if I would have been abel to fulfill the proposed one-strip-per-week schedule, so I decided to leave this site as it is, only a portfolio for my works...well, it's turning out to be more a modelling site than everything else, but I think I'm literally infused with modelling mojo these months (weather is getting better, putty takes less time to dry, it's possible to go out and freely use the airbrush, opening windows to let enamel smell out doesn't spell your death and such), but I've also found myself drawing...okay, let's say sketching on random paper sheets, but surprisingly enough there are two new drawings in the 2D black & white section.

Talking about models, I finally have everything I need to finish the Xamel. This update is still for the WIP section, but next time I'll show the complete model. Having to wait for these various items gave life to what I never though, the modified Warhammer 40.000 Dreadnought...although I am having fun in making it, I won't probbly modify a metal miniature ever again. Too much cutting, too much putty, too much metal dust. At least resin as a particular smell that makes you forget that it's not that good to breathe it. Metal dust is only dangerous for you.

Ah, yes, here's a cool link. I'm not gonna partecipate (Xamel parts didn't arrive in time), but there are extremely good models nonetheless.

So, what about games? Warioware Touched is keeping me very (too) busy. A bit short, but addictive. Extremely addictive. Too addictive.
Then...well, the E3 will be there shortly. Sony, Microsoft and Nintendo will show up their consoles and the first two are competing on who will show it first: Microsoft reported that they will show the console on May 16th in the afternoon, Sony then announced it will unveil the PS3 few hours before. Microsoft answered by telling everyone that there will be an exclusive preview of their new hardware on MTV, May 12 with Elaja Wood (Frodo in The Lord of the Rings). Nintendo then told that Revolution will show up May 17th.
I love Nintendo and I really hope that Revolution will live up to its name because they don't sound too competitive, at least with their press releases...few days ago Microsoft announced that there will be 3 millions X Box 360 ready for the launch, scheduled before the end of this year. It's a good thing that Nintendo is advertising the DS and right now in Japan the DS is outselling the PSP (but only by a couple of thousand units), is a good thing that they don't go too commercial, but the next generation will probably see the fiercest battle for the console market: five handhelds (Nintendo's own DS and Gamebiy Next plus the PSP, Gizmondo and the new nGage) and three domestic consoles where Sony and Microsoft will spend a motherload in advertising...I already see fanboy-ism reaching untold levels.

I also added an archive page for all my posts. Not that's very important and I wasn't planning to do an archive, but in the end I added it. Oh well.

I wanted to write how these posts are created: first, I have something to upload...a picture or two, nothing more. Then I start writing. The pictures become more or change completely, so do the pages hosting them. So is this very column which I wrote even before completing what it's going to be online. Especially when speaking about model things, I prepare a page with the next update, hoping that the new material will be ready soon...this is the unknown factor: for example, I had to wait weeks for the final parts to complete the Xamel, so most news you read before are already well-known by everyone.
I know it's a strange way to write something for your site index page, but that's how I do it. Most probably this won't happen for a while as I'm no longer waiting extra material to finish the Xamel or other models, so next update could contain some real recent news.

Life goes on...
It surely does.

I think I should be happy. However, I can't shake that feeling of impeding doom hanging over my head, but I don't really know what is causing it...probably because being a freelance is way thougher than I always thought. I have work that grants me some money and I have already paid up all expenses for the year but there are still several months to go. Work is good and I'm proud of what I'm doing, but...hell, I won't turn down a good offer for a stable work (hint hint).

Moving onto more cheerful things, I added my current job(s) descriptions. Too bad that one of them was a single-shot experience while it should have lasted the whole year...go read the full story if you want to make a laugh.

And there can't be an update without praising my digital camera, even if Canon announced its successor, the EOS 350D, which delivers the same performance as the low-end professional 20D at a considerably lowe price...even lower than the 300D. Oh well, technology goes on and I just can't sell my current 300D for buying a shining 350D. By the way, all this fuss was to publicize my photography tutorial at the Relic Forums. It is not the definitive tutorial in taking photos, but I think it's a good work.

And, yes, there's a new 2D image. Nothing particular, it is now pretty old and was done in 5 minutes after a news on the new X Box. I don't want to flame X Box users (I'll have an X Box soon or later) but nowadays every gaming firm is taking their business to new heights of hilarity. I mean, I love Nintendo but Iwata makes some pretty strange statements about Revolution, the DS and the next GameBoy.
At the GDC (Game Developers Conference) Sega...hell, even Sammy is gonna sell or disband Sega if they continue to do things like that. If you are wondering what I'm speaking about, it's about "Shadow the Hedgehog", where the anti-Sonic (a black hedgehog with rocket shoes) is carrying a gun.

On the other side, Nippon Ichi America opened an online shop. Too bad they don't ship oversea.
YOU. YES YOU, WORKING AT NIS AMERICA. FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY YOU BETTER START DO IT OR I'LL PERFORM A NIGHTSEVER ON YOU ALL.
However, the world has been blessed by eBay, and so I have my own set. Different pictures each word, be warned.

Videogame section. Nothing much, Feel the Magic (DS) is a good game waiting for Warioware Toched, I hope Nintendo will show Mario 128 at the forthcoming E3 and Xenosaga II is a good game, but it's not up to Xenogears or the first Xenosaga.
Dawn of War continues to entertain me, though I fell the online community is going crazy...people calling others noobs only because they play Space Marines or when someone else is massing a certain type of unit, like Possesed Space Marines for Chaos or Brightlance platforms for Eldar.
If the game allows for that, you are the noob complaining if a player uses a certain tactic, just change your way of thinking and adapt. It's a strategy game, part of the fun is countering someone else strategies. End of the whining.
On the bright side we have this. An other strategic title from Nippon Ichi, and this time looks like it's really wicked...fight buildings to get objects, vehicles, a steampunk setting with demons and mythological creatures and the main character turned into a book...or something similar. The battle system looks like a refined tile-free system (like Phantom Brave) with Disgaea-like menus, as well as many classes coming directly from these two titles, along with new ones.
Atlus is releasing Stella Deus next month in America and I'm curious about the title...its development began just after Atlus America lost rights for Nippon Ichi games and Stella Deus really looks like Disgaea. We'll see.
Last, but not least, a friend of mine was able to find (and buy) a copy of Bubble Bobble Old & New for the GBA. He does have a GameCube but it has neither a GameBoy Player, nor a GBA, nor a DS. I own them all and so I he lent the game to me. My friends, Bubble Bobble is Bubble Bobble. The "new" version is a bit easier and with graphics even different from the old ('96, more or less) Bubble Bobble collection that landed on the PC, whilst the "old" is a perfect arcade port. And since I've got it, there are no more games. Bubble Bobble, my friends.

Model time. As you can see, I got a 1/72 Geara Doga from G-System (it didn't came from G-System directly but from Big Model Club, one of the best online shops for resin kits here in Italy. If you wonder, the NKG model contest at Lucca Comics is done by the same people). Ooh god if I love the model. The Geara Doga is one of my favourite mechas and the only thing I can think bad about this resin kit are the legs and forearms, way too different from the original design and not completely "Zeon-like". For therest it's an extremly good kit. And it will be put on hold until I finish the Xamel (which production was slowed down) and an other couple of models.
Unfortunately Hobbyfan posticipated an other kit I was waiting...this one. I was really looking forward to this kit, I'll just have to wait.