So lets start by getting the elephant out of the room. I’ve had to endure a three month lockdown, followed by another four month lockdown, and working at home while trying to take care of kids has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to experience ever. But for now I’ve settled into a somewhat stable post-COVID routine and thankfully things managed to ease up after the lockdown in Melbourne ended. As I write this though, there is a potential wave 2.5 brewing in New South Wales, which I hope will stay under control lest there be a 3rd Melbourne lockdown.
As shit as this year has been for many, I’m glad that there’s been some upside to this whole mess. Pandemic traffic (or lack thereof) has made driving around an amazing stress free experience. Working from home has opened up a more relaxing lifestyle and more opportunities in both work and my hobbies. I think this time has been good for myself and a lot of other people to re-evaluate their perspective in life going forward.
New PC!
This year will also be remembered for the bots and scalpers sucking up all the fancy new tech. It’s been very weird having so many new tech launches like the PS5, Series X, RTX 30 Series, Zen 3 and Big Navi come and go without being actually able to buy any of it.
After more than 10 years being predominantly a console gamer, I converted to the PC Master Race this year:
Fixed the alignment, got a triple monitor wallpaper and good to go! pic.twitter.com/FrLsWTrhY4
— YJ (@TheSaintISM) October 28, 2020
New Camera!
A 90D is probably overkill for Gunpla.
…but we gotta make sure… pic.twitter.com/nlsSkkjxOH
— YJ (@TheSaintISM) November 25, 2020
Gaming
Without a doubt, my game of the year goes to Final Fantasy 7 Remake. It had its flaws but in the end lived up to the hype and I was sad when it ended. Other than that, it’s been a pretty quiet year in games. Sadly the Resident Evil 3 Remake did not quite get the love that RE2 did, and Cyberpunk 2077 turned out to be a bit of a trainwreck.
Gunpla
Being at home has also given me ample time to work on Gunpla, in fact I managed to equal my previous year’s record of 20 builds. The last 14 builds alone were done in a span on 6 months!
- FM 1/100 Gundam Vidar
- MG Barbatos
- HGBD Veetwo Gundam
- MG FAZZ
- MG Stormbringer
- MG Impulse Blanche
- HG Shining Gundam
- MG Freedom
- MG Kyrios
- MG Slash Zaku Phantom
- MG Qan[T] Fullsaber
- HG Gundam (Origin ver.)
- RG Impulse Gundam
- MG Blitz Gundam
- MG Buster Gundam
- HGBF Build Strike + Lightning Booster
- HG Gundam G04
- MG Astray Red Frame Flight Unit
- RG Gundam GP01/fb
- RG 00 Raiser
* 1 FM
* 3 RG
* 4 HG
* 12 MG
Best build – FAZZ / Barbatos
Least favourite build – HG G04 / Stormbringer
Worst seamline – The Slash Wizard pack
Comeptition Wins
This year I entered 4 competitions, and I managed to win 2 of them. My Buster Gundam won 1st place in Little Robot‘s LRC2020 “Best Finish” and “Best Gunpla” categories, and my RG Force Impulse won 1st place in the Gunpla open for Gundam’s Plus competition. But as highs as the highs were, for a competitive person like me, dealing with “failure” is still something that I’m not used too. As much as a tool for growth that entering these are I’m reminded that this aspect is probably one of my least favourite parts of this hobby.
2021
Bandai have already announced some pretty cool things that I’m looking forward to next year. We have the MG Virtue, GINN, 1/100 Calamity Gundam and a potential slew of SRW kits in the works. Kits that I’m looking forward to working on include:
RG Nu Gundam
MG Build Strike Gundam
MG Duel Gundam
MG Aegis
MG Testament Gundam
MG Virtue
MG Blaze Zaku Phantom
My photography goals include taking photoshoots of the Barbatos and FAZZ, finishing off the GAT-X Rebuilt and getting the MG 00 Season 1 gang together.
It’s also going to be the 40th Anniversary of Super Robot Wars, so I’m hoping we’re finally going to see a new game (with IBO in it!!!) or a continuation of the Original Generations story.
Finally, I’m planning to start listing more prints and shirts on my Etsy store, so I hope you’ll purchase some and continue to support my journey in this hobby.
Thanks and here’s to a more peaceful and prosperous 2021.
YJ
Congratulations on the win with the Buster Gudam!