Last minute

I had an idea of a action figure shot for my travels and whatnot way back during my Hong Kong trip. However, I had not finalized on the character that I am wanted. Seven months passed and I came to a conclusion, I will choose R2-D2 from Star Wars. You can check out my Instagram #RDShots.

I have a Funko and a 6" Star Wars Black Series of R2-D2 but they were a tad huge to bring around for travels or whatnot. I had to get a 3.75" version of it and remembered the Black Series had one. I was lucky enough to find it at Toys R Us as the figure was released quite a while back.

I could actually incorporate RYDIKULEZ into R2-D2 insignia which is great for stickers and logo.

One of the many stickers that I could amend

While searching for R2-D2, I came across a book which I found interesting. I've heard so much of this local writer and would like to know more of his work. This will be put aside with the others and will start once I complete my list of comics.

Pre-Christmas/Holiday Shopping

One of my pre-order has been released and I finally got hold of it after 3 months wait. My second original Takara-Tomy Transformers Masterpiece figure is here. Quite a small figure but quite accurate to the Generation 1 character I might add.

Small but it comes with 2 figures - Bumblebee and Spike

I had a close friend wedding during the mid of December and needed a new clothes. I was eyeing this sort of shirt for a while and I finally found the purpose to purchase. However, |I ended going to the wedding in a totally different outfit.

Muji Shirt

Like every other Christmas, my set of perfumes are finally depleting. I've only managed to get 2 bottles of 4 normalcy. I may just need to get 1 more this time.

I've Confirmed I"ve OCD

I knew I have compulsive behaviour to do things certain ways. However I finally confirmed my Obsessive Compulsive Behaviour (OCD). From what I read, OCD is when you are struggling to fight a certain thoughts where one will be submissive to.

I have a certain rule not to go out in my work uniform, even if it's a casual Friday attire. I would change at work or home if I were to go out or to school. There was an exception recently.

I was scrolling through Facebook during the last hour of work and came across a group post:

After much conflicting thoughts I submitted and rushed off from work in work attire to town. In my defence, COME ON, ITS 4 FOR 1!!! The post was at 2.25pm and I was there at 6.30pm. Almost half was gone. Thankfully, I'm suffering OCD and not Impulsion. I managed to get a set.

To top it off, all these are quite recent figures. I almost wanted to get 1 online, the rarest to be happy of my compulsion.

The latest figures that were just release within a week ago.

Every set will have a repetition.

I confirmed that I have a obsessive compulsion for sales. I will check stores on sale to see what's good. Most of the time, I'll leave empty handed which I'm thankful for. Some time I will get a great deal which some friends are envious of. I'm thankful that I'm not impulsive due to my spending capability. LOL... Well, I always say that I have an eye for sale.

Pre Holiday Preparation

Finally the semester 2 exams are over and like every other year, I have a winter holiday planned. Looking at the current weather pattern, I will not want to be caught off guard like how I did for Beijing at negative 16 degrees.

I have only 1 winter jacket that is sustainable for such condition and I would need another. My other jackets are more towards a cooler and not freezing climates. I can sustain up to 10 degrees in normal clothing. After much consultation, I've ended up getting the Uniqlo's Ultra Light Downs which is versatile as an inner and outer wear. I was lucky enough to get it during offer together with a heat tech socks.

Accessories would also help and I went ballistic at Daiso. For $2 each, I grabbed as much accessories  considering the wear&tear conditions.

One habit I would take up going to a foreign land is to prepare myself with their language. I actually have a few of the language books but I had to get another. The Making Out series have a good content which are either useful or cheeky.

PS: I'm not posting the destination until I'm there

I really can't wait for the day for flightgasm. I won't disclose the location until I'm there. For now, I'll just share some off topic book purchase.

Since I've ventured more into Islamic studies, I've been recommended a set of books called Lore of Light. I'm a sucker to being a member to bookstores and I've gotten a great amount of discount privilege for these books but the first book is out of stock. Not sure whether I can start reading without the first series.

Gift, Souvenirs, whatever you want to call it

This is not a personal purchase but more of a gift from my dear best friend who just came back from New York. I do have a ton of list of things that I could ask him to get but it is a hassle for him to look for it. Mostly toys which he would be a noob to look for it. Another would be my Iced Flavoured Via which is only available in the States but it is no longer available. So I didn't really have anything for him to get for me.

To my surprise, he got me something that I've normally associated with SIN, getting branded stuffs. Since he got it for me, it can't be branded as a SIN from me but still make it to my SIN list. Hahahaha...

World of Marc Jacob tee

Simple yet elegant. 

Hobby Replenishment Part 3

I've planned to write this post after my examination but I've succumbed to do it before. I needed to put my mind away from studies so I wrote this post instead.

I mentioned that I was impressed with getting my hobby items using HobbyLink Japan and found another Japanese site, AmiAmi that provide similar service with visibility and selection of shipment cost. I'm also drawn to their vast selection of items offered. I managed to get an earlier release of Hasbro Star Wars Black Series at a reasonable prices.

Retail would generally sell them at SGD 39.90 each. For this instance, Darth Vader is considered a sought-after piece and I've saw that it can fetch a good $75 to own one. I managed to get it approximately SGD 32 each inclusive of shipment. However, I lessen the value by opening it up to play. Come on, it's a toy. Don't deprive yourselves to it's main purpose. It's still valuable when there is a demand. Look at it's articulation. I'm loving every bit of it.

Somehow getting these figures from Japan has it's uniqueness. Each packaging consist of Japanese labels over the normal released packaging. Not sure whether there would be any additional value.

However, AmiAmi packaging is a so-so. It's not really an company-exclusive box, just a "fragile" box. The figures are places within corrugated papers to prevent damages (which my Darth Vader had a creased opening). In general, I received it quite early for a normal shipment.

I was blacklisted from HLJ for not making payment on an order so I had to jump ship to AmiAmi. I'm more satisfied with AmiAmi than HLJ for the fact that they have more variety of selections. I can also gain points for every purchase. 10 points are earned for 1000 JPY for example and can be used to deduct for your next purchase.

Ok, that's not the end of it. While waiting for AmiAmi's delivery, I came upon an unreasonably cheap deal on eBay. I've been procrastinating to get it and found this seller that sold it cheap. Plus point, I don't need to pay for shipment and just meet him at Tampines. It's yet another Star Wars Black Series figure.

The deluxe figure is VERY EXPENSIVE in retail and the Storm Trooper is another sought-after figure which can be gotten at unbelievable price. Luckily, the seller got it in US direct and sold it at reasonable price.

So I believe this would be the last few toy replenishment for 2014. I need to save up for my year end trip. If I still have excess, I may get the latest release of the Black Series. I also have 2 pre-orders Transformers Masterpiece that I'm waiting for. 

Japanese Frenzy

I think I am slowly missing Japan. As I made my arrival to Jurong East MRT station, I had a feeling that I was in Japan, when I looked out to the train tracks. There were multiple tracks like those in Osaka plus the weather was cooling for that day, so the feeling of Japan hit the spot.

I travelled to the other end of Singapore to go to Tokyu Hands at WestGate. I was there before and found a great laptop case. My previous Herschel case was "damaged" by my dear sister so I had to give it to her instead. It's still functional just something happened that I can no longer accept it as mine. Anyway, the one I found is way better because of the multi compartments. I procrastinated before and finally decided to get it as I was dreaming of it for the past 3 days.

I also found a book at Kinokuniya which I did not get and found out that it was the only copy available in Singapore. Since I returned to the west, I went to get it. I was lucky that I found it after searching high and low. 

Lastly, I was recommended by my cousins of Uniqlo's Airism which is a light and cooling inner wear. I bought one to try and found it very effective. Airism now is hard to come by as it is the Autumn/Winter season and Uniqlo are stocked with Heat-Tech instead. I was thrilled to find both Airism inner wear in my size at JEM.

Well, I had a satisfying shopping Japanese in Jurong East. It's a little Japan under one roof but I would still like to return to the Real Japan for more shopping. It's quite limited here. 

Ok, I foresee a pre-holiday and a Christmas shopping post next. Oh, there might also be a new Hobby Replenishment post soon which I think I will accumulate and post after the exams.

Geeky Pleasures

My toy collection is booming out of the sudden this year. With the success of some of my past collection sales, I find it a good investment. Just need to put in a little more effort. 

To ensure ends meet, buy cheap and sell expensively upon demand. Toy purchase in Singapore can be a rip off, prices are exuberantly high. Psychologically, it is better to feel the product before you purchase. Somewhat true but with a reliable source, purchasing online from origin country would be cheaper, inclusive of shipment. 

Earlier post, I've mentioned that I will start getting the original deal for the Transformers Masterpiece series. I was impressed by Hobbylink Japan commitment and handling with my previous purchase that I've decided to order the MP20 Wheeljack. It came 10 days upon payment, in time for a quick perk for a tiresome week.

The week couldn't get any better. I tried posting some of the collections on eBay but I've gotten direct hits from Rydikulez Collections. There was a favourable returns and I decided to take a short detour to China Square Central (where I'm typing this right now). Remember buying cheap? I've found a cheap figure that I've been hunting for the longest time. That is a profound satisfaction.

I've found another Japan online store that ships internationally and has wider range of products. I've placed an order and will review whether this would be my main source. If all is well, I might take orders from others and do some business from there.

Hobby Replenishment Part 2

So much for controlling my expenses? I blew it when Kinokuniya had their anniversary sale. I do need to prepare some books to read during the semester especially during my long train ride to school. I went and got crazy searching for my booklist that have been accumulating for ages. In the end, I got the following. 

While searching for the books, my booklist got extended with more book finds. I will keep them for later once I complete most of them. I even thought of getting them over BookDepository as they are cheaper and I don't need it soon.

I also had some online transaction for my other hobby, toy collection. I managed to get the following from eBay and the delivery was approximately 14 days.

The packaging was mediocre where I had some ends stumped. I wouldn't mind as this is a bootlegged. Yah, I can't help the great figure at a cheaper price. 

To start things authentic, the next Transformers Masterpiece purchase is directly from Japan. I found an online store that is cheap yet shipping can be a pinch unless you pack them together. I managed to get the official Guide Book which preview 4 figures I'm eagerly anticipating.

To please myself, majority of the purchase are books so that should be a good purchase. Right?

Hobby Replenishment

I'm controlling my expenses this second half of the year to clear up some debts hence I would not be spending much. However, I do need some replenishment to rid the urges such as my hobbies, reading and recent re-sparked toy collection.

One of the hardest to get in a single piece, I finally managed to attain this figure. Now, my first wave is complete. I don't intend to complete all waves, just to get those that are good assets and especially those that I adore.

I'm also running low on books to read. I'm currently reading the last book from my holiday reading list so I had to get a stand-by book for easy access in case I have time to read.

Bootlegged Transformers Masterpiece - MP15 and MP16

Ever since I've gotten the bootlegged Transformers  from Hong Kong, I'm quite impressed by their copy. Its comparable to the actual figure except some minor giveaway such as box work, sloppy emblem and color finishing on less prominent places.

I decided to start collecting Transfomers Masterpiece solely by Takara-Tomy henceforth for their sleek black box and the great figure of course. I may even consider the bootlegged version for past figures if its comparible to the original. The greatest thing is I can take the figure out to play and put it back into the original packaging. If it was by Hasbro, the packaging is complexed by cable-tie to hold the figure in place. Repacking for Hasbro would always be a hassle.

My latest MP purchase were the bootlegged MP15 and MP16. Thanks to a YouTube review, I was confident by the bootlegged version and bought it by a Singapore reseller at a reasonable price. They were even cheaper than the one sold in Hong Kong.

Look like my toy collection would grow again though I still need to dump some old figures which is quite hard to sell. Anyone know anyone interested to get Buffy figures?

Clothes Update

With the major wadrobe addition from Bangkok, I've decided to stop or go slow on new clothes. However, I've bought a lot of t-shirts and I rarely wear T-shirts out further than the east side. Due to poor quality as well, they shrunk after several wash.

I needed an update for some school attire too. After much window-shopping over the non-shopping period, I've been eyeing some clothes at Muji. Apparently they have the best fit and cutting. OK, I really miss Japan.

 

Return of the Collector

Ever since I returned  from Hong Kong with 3 action figures, I've been quite agitated to get something more. I concluded that I should only collect those that will be a great asset and that it would liquidate easily. I started on the right track with Transformers since my old collections were easily sold off.

Something else caught my eyes and they were Star Wars Black Series 6 inch figures. I really like the articulation for these figures and since Hasbro Marvel Legends but this plastic cost a bomb. I was drawn when several shops were selling them at 20-25% of the retail price. That started my craving on the Star Wars collection. I made it a point to only get those that I like and that will attain the interest of future buyers.

The greatest thing about this toys are that they are packaged in a box rather that carded. This gave me the opportunity to play with them and return in back into the boxes for storage and valued sale in the future.

I've started pre-ordering some Transformers Masterpieces at pre-order prices. This is asset management in progress. LOL.

Birthday Trip To Hong Kong

This would be the second time that I've celebrated my birthday in Hong Kong. I wasn't expecting much shopping or attractions but I was there as a guide. I did however get to visit Disneyland. I didn't managed to take a proper photo of individual purchase so bear with me on the single photo, elaborated from left to right, top to bottom.

Left to Right , Top to Bottom

Top Row
1. H&M black fleece shorts
Bought a similar blue from H&M Hiroshima and it was too darn comfortable

2. Disneyland Stitch Magnet
Didn't managed to get a nice magnet momento from the Disneyland itself but managed to find my favorite adorable Stitch magnet at the airport store. It was the very last purchase of my trip.

3. Transformers Masterpiece Prowl
I mentioned that I stopped collecting toys and that I've managed to sell majority of them. I noticed that it was a good asset and decided to restart. It was mostly drawn by the cheap price, HKD 240 ($40) which is almost half the actual cost. I then realized that it was a bootlegged version after reading some reviews when I returned home. It was however a good copy and I'm not that too dissappointed. It would still be possible to sell but of course it has to be of a lower price than the original if the demand is there.
Middle Row:
4. CK Be Au De Toilette
One of my shopping list was a new perfume. I was drawn by the the price HKD 120 ($20). Of course I had to get one. Now I felt that I should have gotten 2 bottles instead with the rate I'm spraying.

5. H&M red fleece shorts
Similar to number 1, it's good to have spare and I could also use them to go Tampines central.

6. Agnes B iPhone 5 cover
I actually bought this to replace my cracked cover but ended giving it away as a birthday present. Luckily, the recipient loved it.

Bottom Row:
7. Transformers Masterpiece Lambor (Sideswipe)
Similar to number 3, it was due to the unbelievable cheap price and only to find out that it was a bootlegged. Though this figure is also a great figure nonetheless.

8. Bubba Gump crew t-shirt
I got one crew t-shirt from Bubba Gump Bali and found it to be quite comfortable and a good fit. The design is good too so I decides to get one wherever I visit.

9. Funko Pop R2D2
This is the second last purchase and mostly a splurge to spent the remaining cash. I foresee it to be a quick liquidating asset with a possible profit.

Early Birthday Present (for myself)

It was that time again that I need to recontract my home broadband.  Similar to previous contract, I will wait for my local telco to provide bundle offers which are mostly during IT shows. I needed my own personal laptop and have been eyeing the MacBook since I've familiarized with the system.  

IT Show 2014 had the same offer for the MacBook Pro (older version) but it was only for OCBC card members only. I did some research on the offered from Apple Dealer that I can get a 13 inch MacBook Air slightly cheaper with the same instalment plan. Hence I decided to purchase seperately, I upgraded my home broadband to fibre broadband and purchase a Macbook Air.

A great thing about getting the MacBook during IT shows are basically the freebies and I squeeze myself in the exhibition hall as the offer for both broadband and Macbook can be enjoyed at the individual shops throughout Singapore.

Freebies with Macbook Air