Off Topic Discussion Megathread

[Illmaeran]

snip
Shame there's no TV accurate Master Grade, but what're ya gonna do.

Have you ever built any Macross/Robotech models before?

Fun fact, I've been using The Mighty Mollusk (or some similar variations) as an online handle for a bit over 20 years now. I don't even remember the whole joke it started from anymore.

I've been using the same mouse pad since 1998. One of the guys in the first online gaming clan I was in had a print shop that could make custom neoprene mats and every so often he'd open up orders for things like mousepads with the clan's logo and such on it. It's seen better days, but is still in the prime of its life. I wouldn't be surprised if it lasted another 20 years.

[TheMightyMollusk]

Have you ever built any Macross/Robotech models before?

A small one, years and years ago. Wasn't very impressed. The transformation made it kinda fiddly and fragile. A larger kit could probably manage better tolerances, but I'm not that into Macross (and I won't buy Robotech because screw Harmony Gold), so I haven't kept up with them since then.

Incidentally, I also can't recommend Kotobukiya's Armored Core kits unless you're willing to put in a lot of work. They're very prone to a lot of very tiny parts that fall off or break if you look at it funny, and the joints don't really hold up over time.

[Illmaeran]

A small one, years and years ago. Wasn't very impressed. The transformation made it kinda fiddly and fragile. A larger kit could probably manage better tolerances, but I'm not that into Macross (and I won't buy Robotech because screw Harmony Gold), so I haven't kept up with them since then.

Incidentally, I also can't recommend Kotobukiya's Armored Core kits unless you're willing to put in a lot of work. They're very prone to a lot of very tiny parts that fall off or break if you look at it funny, and the joints don't really hold up over time.

I build a lot of Warhammer 40K models; tiny fiddly bits are something I'm used to. I'm sitting on 10-15 (can't remember) Macross models of various complexity that I snagged when I lived in Japan but haven't built them as I'm waiting to get a house and a proper display unit to keep the cats from eating them. LOL. I'm also hoping that practicing on 40K models will get me skilled enough to not screw up the Macross ones as I won't be able to get more for a while.

Do you ever paint your models? If so, how do you do it? What products do you use? I typically use Citadel brand mini paints though an air brush for base coating, then a brush for the smaller parts/details. I recently got some AK Interactive streaking grime and rust effect paint to add that extra touch of battle worn and grim dark.

I feel you regarding H.G., ick. I'm not a fan of Gundam, so we're even. I don't know why, it's a good series and the models are amazing. I even lived in the city where Bandai HQ is and saw tons of Gundam models at hobby conventions and local stores. They just never grabbed me. I do enjoy seeing your efforts though, please keep updating us!

Regards,
IQ

[Illmaeran]

I build a lot of Warhammer 40K models; tiny fiddly bits are something I'm used to. I'm sitting on 10-15 (can't remember) Macross models of various complexity that I snagged when I lived in Japan but haven't built them as I'm waiting to get a house and a proper display unit to keep the cats from eating them. LOL. I'm also hoping that practicing on 40K models will get me skilled enough to not screw up the Macross ones as I won't be able to get more for a while.

Do you ever paint your models? If so, how do you do it? What products do you use? I typically use Citadel brand mini paints though an air brush for base coating, then a brush for the smaller parts/details. I recently got some AK Interactive streaking grime and rust effect paint to add that extra touch of battle worn and grim dark.

I feel you regarding H.G., ick. I'm not a fan of Gundam, so we're even. I don't know why, it's a good series and the models are amazing. I even lived in the city where Bandai HQ is and saw tons of Gundam models at hobby conventions and local stores. They just never grabbed me. I do enjoy seeing your efforts though, please keep updating us!

I got mistaken for being German once by an Italian man on a transatlantic flight to Frankfurt. He tried speaking to me in German, and I barely know any lol.

My former employer used to distribute a product made by a German company. When the owner came out to visit for a trade show he told me I looked very English. Dude was spot on. I couldn't be more British outside of being born there.

[TheMightyMollusk]

I build a lot of Warhammer 40K models; tiny fiddly bits are something I'm used to. I'm sitting on 10-15 (can't remember) Macross models of various complexity that I snagged when I lived in Japan but haven't built them as I'm waiting to get a house and a proper display unit to keep the cats from eating them. LOL. I'm also hoping that practicing on 40K models will get me skilled enough to not screw up the Macross ones as I won't be able to get more for a while.

Do you ever paint your models? If so, how do you do it? What products do you use? I typically use Citadel brand mini paints though an air brush for base coating, then a brush for the smaller parts/details. I recently got some AK Interactive streaking grime and rust effect paint to add that extra touch of battle worn and grim dark.

I feel you regarding H.G., ick. I'm not a fan of Gundam, so we're even. I don't know why, it's a good series and the models are amazing. I even lived in the city where Bandai HQ is and saw tons of Gundam models at hobby conventions and local stores. They just never grabbed me. I do enjoy seeing your efforts though, please keep updating us!

Regards,
IQ

I like some of the lore behind 40K for it's sheer over-the-top insanity, but I've never gotten into the game. I already play Magic, I can't afford two expensive tabletop games, haha.

I don't have very steady hands, so I don't usually paint much beyond panel lines and small details. I've thought about doing more custom work (had an idea to turn a Sengoku Astray into Ravana, for example), but haven't worked up the nerve to try it yet. (Also, the Sengoku Astray was supposed to be in stock in February, but the world's crazy these days, so....) Mostly I just use standard Gundam Markers.

I'm honestly not much into the main Universal Century Gundam series. The timeline's kind of a mess, the designs can get very samey or just kinda cluttered and awkward (especially Zeta-era designs), and overall it just doesn't hold my interest much. I prefer the alternate timelines like G Gundam, Wing, or Seed. The Build series (Build Fighters, Build Divers, and their sequels and spinoffs) have some great over-the-top custom designs of older mechs, although the kits can be a bit of a mixed bag if the base kit is too old.

[Vyrerus]

TheMightyMollusk changes names to TheGrandGunpla

[TheMightyMollusk]

TheMightyMollusk changes names to TheGrandGunpla

Fun fact, I've been using The Mighty Mollusk (or some similar variations) as an online handle for a bit over 20 years now. I don't even remember the whole joke it started from anymore.

[Vyrerus]

Fun fact, I've been using The Mighty Mollusk (or some similar variations) as an online handle for a bit over 20 years now. I don't even remember the whole joke it started from anymore.

I've been using Vyre/rus for everything since about 1999.

Kinda funky, some recent author named a character Vyre, and on another forum I got asked if I knew a lot about the book series.

Similarly, from about 2016~2018 I had a rash of people in XIV asking if I was a fan of some streamer who had a story with characters who'd she'd lifted names of FFXI NPCs for, entirely. Naming her own channel/stream persona Aphmau after the third expansion's deuteragonist.

Also got a black metal band from somewhere named VYRE. No questions about that... yet.

Online handles are fun, and I wish modern social media didn't move away from them.

[SturmChurro]

...

A lot of people think I either speak German or Spanish, when they see my username. I mean, I studied German for a bit, and I can understand simple or common phrases, but I definitely can't really understand it. More so, I just have an idea what people mean in German. Spanish, I grew up around my grandmother speaking it a bit, and trying to teach me it, I can understand a decent amount of it, but I also can't speak it. So, it's always fun how disappointed people seem to get. Speaking on that, I have had people trying to insult me in Spanish, but I still can understand more than they think so that's funny as well, I'll just reply to them in English. It's even funnier when when I am on a mic, because I apparently sound very "white". I guess it helps that my grandpa (who I was partly raised by) had a heavy southern accent, and I think I might have picked up a bit of it.

I do have different usernames though, and variations of this one. My ESO account for example: it has a more general username, and all my characters have lore friendly names, because it's Elder Scrolls. I like to do a tiny bit of RP when I play RPGs and Elder Scrolls especially. I have always done lore friendly names for it, and even think of light backstories for my characters. I'm one of those people who actually hates making goof characters, like in Oblivion even.

[Vyrerus]

A lot of people think I either speak German or Spanish, when they see my username. I mean, I studied German for a bit, and I can understand simple or common phrases, but I definitely can't really understand it. More so, I just have an idea what people mean in German. Spanish, I grew up around my grandmother speaking it a bit, and trying to teach me it, I can understand a decent amount of it, but I also can't speak it. So, it's always fun how disappointed people seem to get. Speaking on that, I have had people trying to insult me in Spanish, but I still can understand more than they think so that's funny as well, I'll just reply to them in English. It's even funnier when when I am on a mic, because I apparently sound very "white". I guess it helps that my grandpa (who I was partly raised by) had a heavy southern accent, and I think I might have picked up a bit of it.

I do have different usernames though, and variations of this one. My ESO account for example: it has a more general username, and all my characters have lore friendly names, because it's Elder Scrolls. I like to do a tiny bit of RP when I play RPGs and Elder Scrolls especially. I have always done lore friendly names for it, and even think of light backstories for my characters. I'm one of those people who actually hates making goof characters, like in Oblivion even.

I always play a serious Orc. Though I will admit, my Oblivion orc's appearance was a little goofy. Just his hair, really. Long and neon-teal. I either name my Elder Scrolls characters Vyre or something random that sounds Orcish but probably isn't. Character I'm working on in Skyrim is named Dumaulk.

I got mistaken for being German once by an Italian man on a transatlantic flight to Frankfurt. He tried speaking to me in German, and I barely know any lol.

Also I had an instructor when I was in Naval Nuclear Prototype named Mrs. Sturm. She haaaaated me.