If only ...

This came out this week in the US. A Target Exclusive. A couple of people has also got their hands on it judging by a search through yahoo auction. The die-cast Optimus Prime in vehicle form. How sweet is that!

Path of Enlightenment?

I've been holding on to put up this news. Sources have confirmed that another Darth Bane novel is going to be publish and soon, like this Dec 2007. Here's a blurb by Sue Rostoni herself; Is it really happening or a mistake on Random House's part? Was this some super-fast and super-stealthy effort to surprise the hell out of us? It surprised the hell out of me too. Shelly (Shapiro, Del Rey Editorial Director - Mike) called me late last week to propose an additional hardcover this fall. THIS fall. Yep. Del Rey figured the market could bear one more, and since the Darth Bane novel was a hit, a follow-up, written by Drew, seemed the best idea. So the untitled Feb. 09 hardcover (previously the "Plagueis" novel) has been moved up, and Drew agreed to continue Bane's story. So we're off and running. And here I am in the middle of a hunting mission for the paperback version of Path of Destruction.

Transformers movie titaniums

You know what I would love to add to my fledgling collection of 3" titanium transformers, these babies. They looked good, good enough for me to hunt for them when they arrive on our shores...hahahaha. The back 3 are Optimus, Bumblebee and Blackout; whilst the front 3 are Megatron, Jazz and Ironhide.

Only Transformers ... Noooooo!!

Just came back from a quick trip to KL. An utterly disappointed trip that to all the places I shopped like Metrojaya, Jusco and ToysRus, I couldn't find any SW titaniums I was searching for ... aaaargh!!! And to add to that, I did also go a few specialty toy shops that I searched for in the Net and I got zippp too ... Frustration to power of 10. You know what's out there in KL now. Loads of Transformers 6" Titanium series. If the people in the forum that I regularly participate, saw the mountains of different types of Transformers that they have been helplessly searching down here in Singapore ... they would have gone ballistic. And its in Malaysian Ringgit. RM69.90 per figure ... which comes to 30SGD. Man, if I was into collecting the transformers 6" figures, I would probably be down a few hundred dollars because they have all the types and I would have bought them all. Maybe this ensues another visit later in the year since the retail sector here can't be relied on nowadays ... hmmmm.

New Pics of V-wing

I'm getting excited now about this vehicle. A SSG forumite has published close-ups of the vehicle and it is SO FINE. This goes up to the level of must haves, just like the Jedi starfighter with hyperspace ring which I'm still searching.

Ultras seen!!

I can't stand it!! JediDefender has just reported that one of its readers has spotted the 4 Ultra Exclusives, mainly of the Tie Fighter, Red 3 X-Wing, Clone Wars Gunship, and Anakin's ROTS Jedi Starfighter. Got to start making the rounds at TRUs here just so that I won't be left out.

X-wing out ...

Dang! TFH just informed me the wave 16 vehicles are all out. Time to find a way of getting that dirty x-wing. Time to hit the shops and do some walking.

Wave 16 in TFH

Dang! The bird shop just announced that they were selling the 2006 wave 16. The last wave for that year. Of the 5, I've actually got 4 of them loose. Hopefully, by the time the sets are sold, there would be the Dagobah X-wing for me to purchase.

Loose Titaniums Auctions

I've recently went into Yahoo auctions and was thoroughly shocked when someone was selling waves 14, 15 and the 2007 wave 1 vehicles in loose form. At first thought, the force is effing strong with me, OH YEAH! But, when I read more into the conditions, all hope began to fade. Apart from the bidding war that would ensue, there is also the shipping cost factor. Why? Well, apparently, my guess is he is collecting orders to bring the vehicles in. He says he is Singapore-based and has a POSB account. But, the vehicles are not in Singapore ... yet. This is the first bug-bear. Let's say he collects shipping cost from different bidders, let's say 5. On his part, his shipping consignment cost would be 1, that means he pockets the other 4 shipping cost. That to me is not fair. The other turn off factor was that he is unrated! And that straightaway puts a very big if to any bidding. Well, it's down to TFH now. If this guy can get the goods, I believe the birdshop will get their shipment too. Here's hoping.

Tied up on a Tie ...

Saw more Tie-fighters today at TRU Suntec. It's getting a bit more difficult to walk away from the vehicle. How can anyone resist this? I did ...

Tie-Fighter Fetish

I was doing a recce at TRU Suntec when I saw bundles of Tie-fighter vehicles near the entrance. It was one of those crazy moments when you battle with yourself to indulge or walk away. The tie fighter was SO nice! Collectors were clamouring to buy these and it was just in front of me! I walked away ... sigh!

I want my ...

I want my BSGs ... (sing it to the tune of Money for Nothing - Dire Straits) These are the 2 ... err 3 or even 4 vehicles that I need to complete the BSG series. Call them re-paints or re-sculpts but I still want them.

At last ,Titaniums ...

As I was doing an impromptu recce at OG today, I realised that the SW toy section were arranged differently, which could only mean 1 thing ... new toys in the house. Yup, I was right. OG has brought in the new figures wave and also the Unleashed of Boba and Grievous. Immediately, the salesgirl came to me and offered what figures collectors were looking for, the Shocktrooper, Commd Cody and the Death Star Gunner. She looked happy at first for being so helpful but when I declined to buy them, her face first changed to shock and then puzzlement ... hahaha ... talking to a different type of collector here. Then I saw the titaniums and they were an UTTER LETDOWN. Can you believe it, they brought these sets in? By the Force, these were sold previously as individual packs. Well, at least for most of them. And OG has these pegwarmers still hanging UNSOLD for the past 2 months! By Jabba, who did they hire as the store manager? Greedo? And what that I'm worried is that if they are unable to push these to the consumers, I would say it will be another long wait for the new titaniums which is terribly wanted by collectors...

Auction Action

Oh well, after 4 days of tracking this Yahoo auction, I was outbidded on the last day by someone else. No use breaking the bank for toys, yeah ... right. The auction was for the Tie Interceptor and the Falcon repaint but luck was not on my side, ... and the search continues.

At-At Nice-Nice ...

I've scrounge around the net and got myself a high resolution picture of the Ultra At-At in its packaging. Another saliva dripping moment. Oh why, oh why aren't you in retail yet!!!

Unified Search in America

My BESTEST buddy in the world is now in the states. He's the coolest guy ever. Man, if you need a dependent, he's Mr Dependable. Wait, wait ... did I get that right? hahaha ... I've got to keep this up because he might be reading this too. Okay, okay ... enough of the bootlicking. Well, a close friend of mine has become my bounty hunter. I've been egging him to try and find me the new wave with the repaint of the Millenium Falcon which has just came out about 2 weeks back and some others which I missed. He has just informed me that he has acquired the Falcon repaint and is searching in earness for the rest. Wooohooo!! ... a whoop of joy! I hope he brings me more good news when he comes back. Welcoming you back home, buddy!

Falcon Fetish

I finally have a decent photo of the Ultra Millenium Falcon... And after you get past the packaging ... Slurrpp ... saliva dripping sight.

Still nothing ...

I've scaled down my search for the titaniums to twice weekly now. Getting lazy and frustrated when there's nothing to be found. I've also started to use other means to get the missing sets. I'm quietly tracking an entry in the yahoo auctions which could be a good buy for me. Just waiting the right moment to put in a bid or until when my patience eventually run out ... hahahaha. On other lines, since trading titanium is no more a viable option, I've only got 2 of the 6 I wanted after advertising for 4 months. I've ordered some pieces online. First time doing this, I hope I don't get burn. Now, in the stores, KOTOs are popping up. These are 1:7 scale figures which looks awesome when displayed. Alas, at $120 per piece, they are too expensive to collect. Oh well, I'll just admire them from afar.

Hunting expedition

Brought along my 9yr old boy for a hunting of titanium today. Sort of like a bonding trip of father and son if you want to say. We went to JP to check out the TRU there. Got there before they opened. During the wait, I "briefed" my kid on the "mission" at hand, where the Star Wars section will be and how to get there. He was more excited than I am, I kid you not. Opening time. He ran in and started calling me, saying that he has found the area. I congratulated him and started my search. Alas, there was none that I needed. My kid looks disappointed. So I gave him another life lesson ... hehehehe. Told him there will always be failure in life, its how you get up and react to it, that’s what’s important ... little did he know, I was cursing my head off but quietly in my heart ... hahaha.

Aarrgghhh!!!!!!

Frustration is setting in. Been to a few places and I still can't get my hands on the second wave. They have been flying off the shelf with the greedy hands of collectors and scalpers. Aaaarrggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!