Airfix 1:76 T-34/85

I bought this kit back in 2004 and built it out of the box. Eight years later, I took the model out of the cupboard and it renewed my interest in it. Now I discover that Airfix have re-released the kit. Since it uses the same mould as its predecessor (with the exception of plastic colour and decals), I decided to just contact Airfix for spare parts instead. I only requested parts for the 85 mm turret (don't want to be greedy and ask for the entire kit).

 The parts.

All ready for painting. Comparing the new turret with the original on the right. I was unwilling to paint the old turret as I had already applied decals on it. The same went for the 76 mm turret, though I chose not to request for those parts. 

For a while, I thought perhaps I won't paint the turret because it looked very nice on its own. But not so much when its on the tank. Since both the old and new instructions show the tank as painted in dark earth, I decided to use Tamiya's dark earth (RAF) spray paint. I previously used it on Tamiya's 1/48 Brewster B-339 Buffalo, so I didn't want to waste it on just one model. 

Done. Missed a few spots time and again, but I managed to cover up most of it without re-coating it too much.

Then I decided to paint the road wheels with Tamiya flat earth, just to make it match with the turret a little better. If I ever put either of the old turrets back on the tank, then the painted wheels can simulate mud instead. I could have spray painted the entire hull with dark earth as well, but then the old turrets would not match as a result, and the rubber tracks were already glued together.

I also notice Airfix has re-released the MiG-15 (another kit which I also bought in 2004). But since it uses newly tooled parts, 'modifying' the old one is a lost cause.

Women's artistic gymnastics at London 2012

I actually tuned into the Women's artistic gymnastics on television hoping to see Heem Wei Lim competing, only to fall in love with the Romanians instead. I ended up staying up late just to see them compete. Unfortunately, Heem was only shown performing on the uneven bars, out of the four apparatus she competed in. The cameras were mostly focused on the Romanian and Japanese team.

In the end, Sandra Izbasa drew my attention, who went on to win bronze in the team all-around final, and gold on vault final. She was in Beijing 2008, but I never had the chance to watch women's gymnastics back then thanks to national service (bastards).

Apparently, one of the Romanian gymnasts, Diana Bulimar, was in Singapore for the 2010 Youth Olympics, winning silver on the floor exercise. Two other gymnasts, Viktoria Komova of Russia, and Carlotta Ferlito of Italy, were also in Singapore. If only I was interested in the Olympics back then, I would've paid for a ticket just to see them (take some pictures too if I could).

I first saw artistic gymnastics during Sydney 2000. The jumping, swinging and somersaults are what attracted me to the sport, something I never saw before until then. When London 2012 started, I made sure it was the first sport I would look out for.

P.S. Don't ask me what about men's gymnastics, for it doesn't feel right for me as a male to be watching them.

"We hope you have a very fruitful and eventful experience": SCDF

My reward for two involuntary years of national service, paid for in flesh and blood. To prevent subsequent infection, the doctors had to leave the wound open after surgery, rather than sew it up. As a result, I endured over two agonizing months recovering from it. It was certainly a very "fruitful and eventful experience" as the NS letter put it.

Michael Jackson

I still remember seeing Michael Jackson for the first time on 1 Sept 1993, during the Dangerous World Tour when he performed in Singapore. Sadly, it'll be the only time I'll ever see him with my own eyes.

I was only 5 years old then, but fortunately I still have some faint memories of that time. My parents took me and my siblings to the concert on August 29, 1993, the day Michael collapsed backstage because of health problems, resulting in the show being cancelled. It was rescheduled for 1 September, and that was when I saw him, though from a distance as we were seated pretty far from the stage.

I also remember him bringing out a woman from the audience, but I can't recall the song. Lastly, we returned home and he was on the news. If only I could see the official video recording of the concert, for it's the only way to refresh my memories.