Updated: 10th Sept. 2005
When I first saw the news of this Group Build (GB) at FichtenFooForum (FFF), I was quite excited. I’ve spotted Ma.K kits at the local stores several times but never had the urge to buy them. Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Ma.K works but being the non-impulsive buyer, I never bought one.
Much time has passed since the last time I heard anything from the ISP. Actually it’s only 1 month but it seems like forever since I’ve lost my Internet connection. It’s coming to 6 months soon, that’s like eternity in cyber-time right?
I think many would ask me why would I bother to buy and build this. Since Bandai has a MG 1/35 Griffon Labor (cheaper too). But I do not have that kit even though I am a huge fan of the Patlabor series. The reason is because the proportion of the Bandai kit looks very wrong to me, somehow its just not the Griffon Labor I remember.
(Updated: 25th August 2005)
Continue Reading →
“Who can become like this beast?” “Who can oppose the beast, and fight him?”
From Johannes’ Apocalypse
The event was held at Bandai Museum and had about 50-60 odd entries for the Senior category.
These are the respective winners of the event.
NOTE: The former mechaworks site CEASED to be under my control anymore. The site is fully functional and accessible but I cannot update or change the contents anymore. This is quite a pain because it belongs to my former ISP and they deleted my access account but failed to remove the contents. But alas, its pretty much a free access site with unlimited bandwidth. *shrugs*
For those who knows me, this is going to be my new modeling site.
Yes, I know it looks and smells like a blog but this is NOT a blog! I have little interest in maintaining a blog except for the occasional rants. But however, I am tired of having to code HTML whenever I want to have any upates. Therefore I decided to use WordPress for this site! Hopefully this would result in more updates as I do not have to battle laziness now. 
For those who do not know me, my old site is at mechaworks. I don’t wish to repeat what I already have there so it would serve as an archive site from now on. I hope people who have questions can look at that site first since there is quite a bit of information there already.
I look forward to posting my new stuffs here!
My nightmarish Internet application story…
Application type: TEPCO Hikari
1. 28th March 2005 – First application. Things didn’t go well because the application requires a telephone number not just for contact purpose but also to verify the supported location. This is a problem because I do not have a fixed land line. But alas, the application seems to have gone through.
Successful application verified by email confirmation as well as snail mail documents. I was happy as the application came with 6 months free access and waived construction charges which amounts to as much as 33,000yen.
1.5. No particular date – Nightmare begins. In between this and the next milestone, problems starts to be revealed as that was no other news. I then realised that the ISP requires verification of ID via a bank account. I had ignored this because I clearly stated in my initial application that I do not want to be charged to any bank account but preferred to be billed.
This started a chained reaction that follows the failure to verify my ID. The application for the Hikari connection was terminated without notice while the helpdesk staff insisted that it was still in process.
The bank details were then faithfully completed and sent while confirming the status of the application with the helpdesk staff. How naive I was to believe them.
2. 24th May 2005 – More nightmares. I decided that I’ve waited enough. There was absolutely no news or updates of any kind. I had a bad feeling. I was worried.
The nightmare came true as an email to the support desk revealed that the account that I had verified did not applied for any connections at all. All that waiting ( 2 months) completely went down the drain. I had no choice but to apply again. Losing the initial 6 months free access package.
3. 25th May – 10th June 2005 – I see light. Things looks like they are going fine. Updates and news of the set up was fast and prompt. On 10th June, I received a mail from TEPCO that they will contact me within 2 weeks to confirm the set up date and time. I was happy. 2 weeks till set up! Or so I thought…
4. 24th June 2005 – Came and went. The magical 2 weeks deadline came and went without a trace. Did I miss something? I checked and checked thru all application documents. They all says the same thing about the time frame.
The fastest possible time from application till connection is 1 month. However, cases of 2-3months are possible.
So I waited, since its only 1 month since and I do not want to be a nuisance. But frankly, I was very sad and disappointed that the connection wasn’t made before my birthday where I could have access online video chats with my dear.
5. Early July 2005 – Fast and furious nothings. I had the ‘this is it’ feeling. It should be anytime now. I waited as patiently as I could. Every phone call to my section (the application had the company number filled in as that was my only contact number) made me jump because it might be a call for me. It was a nervous wreakage. I was going completely mental…
Then I decided to email a query to TEPCO directly. They responded within hours. Apologetic and scheduled a ‘check of the connection environment’ on 21st July. Thats 2 weeks away but I accepted since its better than nothing. I felt that it was simply done to ‘shut me up’ since I can’t forsee any possible problem with the set up environment. Which is my apartment.
6. 21st July 2005. Room check. They came and the checked. Rather thoroughly. I was impressed. But on questioning, they do no have the answers to when the connection would be up.
The result: Connection possible. Through air-con ducting.
Duh. Its pretty obviously the only way, adding to my ‘shut me up’ suspicion.
7. Late July 2005. Nothing again. No news came after the check. Nothing on the ‘online status check’ either. I was frustrated. I expected some news, any news. If not why would they bother to check. Then came the final nail in the coffin as I decided to check the online status again one fine day.
I noticed that there’s a little piece of information different from the usual no update. It says,
Date to confirm set up date: 31st August 2005.
1 whole month away. For them to even call me before anything is done. I felt utterly defeated.
8. Early August 2005. I want answers. I feel deceived. This is clearly not going to be settled soon and very far from the promised of ‘usually with 2 months’ timeframe. I emailed the helpdesk (again) to get some answers but I only get a generic robot-like answer of ‘please be patience until you are contacted’.
I am such a fool…
