Boldly going.... again

Oooooo...  Two posts in one day!  Go me.

I just wanted to post a picture that I've been working on to kill my boredom, and take my mind of having to return back to work tomorrow after having the past 2 weeks off.

Several years ago I purchased a USS Enterprise model made by Bandai.  The model is great, and even lights up.  Since I have just recently purchased a brand new DSLR camera (Canon EOS 600D), I thought I'd try doing some shots with it and super-imposing them on to some 'spacey' backgrounds.  I'm working on a few at the moment, but this is the first one, and I must say I'm quite pleased with the finished result.

What you can't see is how I managed the blue tint to the hull of the ship.  Since I don't have access to a studio or fancy lights, I managed to achieve this with me holding my mobile phone at the model, and using a torch lamp app to illuminate the ship!  Simple but effective.

Five Links Memories

Just a quick post today with a short video I put together while I was visiting Essex over the New Year.  Friends of mine on Facebook have probably already seen it, but here it is again - this time on YouTube.

I grew up on the Five Links Estate in Laindon from 1977 to 2002 (Handley Green), although it has a bit of a reputation these days, it was, and always will be my home.  With each visit something else changes, so I have created this little montage as a reminder of what the estate looks like now.  I might do another one in a few years time so I can compare how much has changed.

 

 

It's sad that Brendon, Handley Green and Laindon Link no longer exist by name, and I am sure it'll only be a matter of time before the remaining 'links' ; Newberry Side, Mellow Purgess and Somercotes cease to exist.  Laindon as a whole is changing so much (and not for the better may I just add).

Oh well... Only another 365 days to go.

Well, I have just tucked Kieran, Sophie and Kayleigh in to bed for the FIRST time this year, (and it was the first year both girls stayed up to see in the new year) and although I am sat here with no energy, and a thumping headache (the festivities have begun but I do not drink, so it's not self inflicted), I can't help but think about what I have accomplished this past year.....

... which has been, absolutely nothing!

I can honestly say that 2013 has been one of the most un-eventful years of my life.  I've watched the children grow another year... I've been at EHS for yet another year (9 now, soon to be 10)...  I've worked my arse off, paid of bills and watched as the people who run this country ruin it even more, and I have done nothing. 

…Hang on a minute….  I'm sensing a bit of déjà vu here as this sounds VERY similar to my New Year post from last year!

New Year is such a depressing time of year.  For me, it’s just a reminder that we’re all one year older…  one year closer to being six feet under… one year closer to losing loved ones… another year where we wonder what bad things will happen over the course of the next 52 weeks...  and finally one year further away from the best decade ever…. The 1980’s!  And so begins another year of stress and worry (work, money, the usual) which no doubt will not do my heart or health any good.  Goodbye 2013…  You were as awful as 2012, 2011 and so on.  Here’s hoping 2014 will be better (but I won’t hold my breath).

And in the future, should anyone ask me the question “How did you see in 2014?”, I will reply with “Well, I was performing an update on our Microsoft Exchange server at work via remote access while seeing it in with cheesy party music playing in the background, and with the people I love and care about – my family”.

Oh, and if you don’t like my negativity because you have a wonderful, happy, perfect life, then please just p**s off.  I really don’t care.

Have a good 2014 if you can.  Goodnight.

Star Trek - The Official Starships Collection Issues 10 and 11 (Borg Sphere and USS Reliant)

 

 

This months models are the Borg Sphere, as seen in Star Trek : First Contact, and a number of episodes of Star Trek Voyager, and the Miranda class USS Reliant from Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan.

I'll start with the Borg Sphere.  When this issue was announced, I wasn't expecting much from it.  After all, the Borg Sphere is essentially..... a ball!  It's only when you hold the ship you can see the amount of detail that has gone in to it.  The problem is, when compared to the actual studio model of the Borg Sphere, it in fact does not look much like its film counterpart.  Green areas which are meant to be light emanating from within give a great effect.  It's quite heavy too and doesn't look like some cheap piece of plastic.  It looks 'Borg' though, and is still a good addition to the collection.

The next model in the collection is the USS Reliant, and all I can say is "Wow!".  Quite possibly the best model in the collection so far, I had high hopes on this one after the slightly disappointing USS Excelsior last month.  The ship is quite large, and has plenty of detail throughout, including a very slight (but effective) aztec texture on the hull - something which I wish was included on the issue 2 Enterprise refit.

I really hope Eaglemoss keep the quality of future models to the standard of the USS Reliant.  Next month....   An Akira Class Federation starship, and a Jem'hadar cruiser.

Christmas.... Bah Humbug

Christmas....  Not my favourite time of year, but the kids had a great day, and that's the important thing.

However, I must remember to add the following to my Christmas 2014 letter to Father Christmas..

"Dear Mr Christmas, can you please ensure that Steven Moffat DOES NOT have any involvement in next years Doctor Who Christmas special.  That is all.  Thank you very much."

Star Trek - The Official Starships Collection Issue 8 and 9, and Specials Review (USS Excelsior, USS Defiant, Deep Space Nine and Future USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D)

Sorry it has taken me awhile to get these up...  I actually had these delivered several weeks ago, but have only got round to actually putting them on the Blog.

My latest delivery from the Eaglemoss Starship Collection was a big one, consisting of Issues 8 and 9 - The USS Excelsior as seen in Star Trek VI : The Undiscovered Country, the USS Defiant from Star Trek Deep Space Nine, the Deep Space Nine station itself, and finally the future USS Enterprise D from the final episode of Star Trek : The Next Generation, All Good Things.

 

I'm going to start with the Excelsior model.  One of my favourite designs from the Star Trek movies, I was eagerly awaiting this release, but I regret to say I was not that impressed with this model.  Firstly, the model feels extremely delicate.  The design of the Excelsior means there is a lot of very thin sections, in particular the long warp nacelles.  When holding it, I'm afraid of it snapping in my hand!  A lack of details doesn't help it either due to the scale of the ship.  It's a shame really because this could have been a fantastic release.

 

 

 

I'm happy to say that the USS Defiant from Deep Space Nine is much better.  Due to the small size of the ship in the show, it means that additional detail can be put on to a model of this scale.  The biggest 'cock up' mind you is the duplication of one Starfleet insignia from one side of the ship to the other - the designers didn't flip the logo, meaning that one side of the ship has an incorrect logo.  It isn't that noticeable if you're just having it on display however. 

 

 

 

Deep Space Nine is the first over-sized special from the collection, and it is amazing!  (It should be at £18.99).  Quite possibly the best model of the collection so far, the detail is spot on, although lacking the Communications Array which is located on the top of the station, possibly due to the fact that it would be too fragile.  One thing to note is how heavy this model is - it's made mostly from metal, which makes it feel solid and not as delicate as some of the other ships in the collection.

 

 

Finally, the future Enterprise D from the final episode of the Next Generation.  The model is almost identical to issue 1 other than having a few additions, including a third warp nacelle.  I actually thought the design was a show of laziness from the designers who obviously thought sticking a few bits here and there would make the Enterprise D look 25 years older.  Personally, I thought it looked tacky, and unfortunately the model looks as if someone has modded the original D model with some badly-fitting parts.  I can't really complain though as this model was free to subscribers. 

 

All in all, a half decent delivery of two outstanding and two average models.  Still, a good addition to my ever growing collection.