Saturday, May 3, 2008

Cycling in Singapore Central Business District

I woke up really early this morning, before sunrise, to go cycling with a friend in Singapore's Central Business District (CBD). Needless to say, two pinkies came with me and having their adventure story told.

Today Lui and Sakura came with me.
First stop, you need to refuel before a long journey so we have porridge at Tanjong Pagar Hawker Center, near Tanjong Pagar MRT. It was a yummy simple taste breakfast.
My friend become the blur background.


We then cycle around Shenton Way, and goes into the narrow lane towards Lau Pa Sat. Looking back, we see Temasek Tower as background and Lui & Sakura posed for a picture.


They took a short turn to the right and took another photo at the corner of Singapore Exchange (SGX) building.


At the corner of Marina Boulevard, Raffles Quay, and Collyer Quay, they took a few shots. First is the new statue near Raffles MRT.

Lui was a bit upset because she wanted a yellow bicycle like the one in the background, but that is actually my bicycle, which is too big for her.

They posed in front of Asia Life Insurance building, one of the surviving art deco building in CBD which undergoing a renovation to become a service apartment.

And this is Republic Plaza. The building is too tall to fit into the picture.


We then tried cycling from there going via Marina Boulevard to reach Suntec City but the road is closed due to construction. So we had to turn back and go via Esplanade Bridge.

While cycling there we stop to take a picture of Lui & Sakura in front of Fullerton Hotel. This hotel was previously an old post office building.


After cycling around Suntec City area, going up and down Benjamin Sheares Bridge, they finally settle and take a picture at Raffles Hotel, an old historical hotel near City Hall.


What is that yummy smell? After cycling for 2 hours, we are tired and decide to have a second breakfast. Coffee, and toasted bun with peanut butter. Yum.


Thats all folks.

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Pinky Street Study Tour to Istana on Labour Day Holiday

I went to Istana (Singapore's Presidential Palace) on Labour Day holiday (1 May 2008), and took 5 pinkies in school uniform with me.

Here is the story of the trip.

After passing the security check which involve them entering the scanning machine, the join the crowd.

The weather was fine and the sky was filled with many interesting clouds.
Yoshiko was looking up admiring the nice clouds and got left behind


Yoshiko: #snap! Yoshiko power! and she ran to the front of the group, leaving Moe behind.


The girls walked under the path which is covered by the canopy of large trees.

Pucchi: Nice shade yeah, we like walking under the tree shade.


And they posed in front of the artilery piece at the center of the garden in front of the palace.


Moe was found wandering around herself in front of the palace. She seemed to be attracted by those children paying at the fountain.


Evil (with glasses): Nice flower, lets take photo here.


Sacchin: Kyaaaa! Here Pucchi, take photo with me!


And the girls took a group photo in front of Istana


Evil and Yoshiko taking photo at the side of the entrance


They went inside the place but unfortunately photography is now allowed inside.
Finally after admiring the expensive gifts the head of states give to each other, the girls came out, back to the garden.

Sacchin: Kyaaaa! See, flower on top of my head matching my hair colour.


They climbed a tembusu tree and took photo, but unfortunately since it was dangerous, only maximum 3 pinkies are allowed at a time on the branch.


Yoshiko: I hear birds chirping, where are they, where?!?


Yoshiko: Guys! Lets take picture at the gate. But only Sacchin and Pucci went up. The rest are too tired already.


Yoshiko also want to take photo at the main gate, at the presidential emblem but the police stopped her as ask what is she. She was totally offended, and was about to give the guard telling her off a lecture about the importance of love, freedom and harmless fun, but promptly stopped by the other 4 girls.

They went home tired and slightly disappointed not being able to take picture with the presidential emblem but overall it was a good outings.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

My very first Garage Kit Pinkies arrived, with some other Pinkies

Holiday is never good.

I ended up splurging on many more Pinkies.
And here are the catch, delivered straight from Japan using EMS.



Garage Kit:

  • Pinky Fighting Vehicle Tiger 1 Kampfwagen VI Aust P

  • Navy Chan

  • Army Chan

  • Jie Chan (normal)

  • Jie Chan (sailor)

  • Mari Chan (that one with anchor)



Normal Pinkies:

  • Pinky Chara: Animate PC1003

  • Pinky P003A (the old repaint)

  • Pinky collaboration Alien Invasion PKA001



What I do not like is that they are suppose to arrive on Monday! However SpeedPost Singapore never take instruction written on the remark to call me before making deliveries, and they must always waste petrol making 2 failed delivery attempt on the same day, before slipping a failed delivery attempt notification under the door.

Moreover, when I reached home I immediately tried to give a re-delivery instruction to my office address (using speedpost website), but I failed, apparently I tried too soon. Only after I re-tried after 9 PM, then I can successfully give a re-delivery instruction. So un-user friendly. Why must it be so late, the item is already undelivered and I already has the notice! Sigh.

Monday, March 17, 2008

Pinky Tank, my version

I went to a toy fair and found a package of 1000-piece construction model toy, branded "best-lock construction toys", which "can be used with other brands" and it has been "registered in the U.S. Patent an Trademark office".

I have no question about the 1000 piece claim nor interested in counting it, but it is compatible with other brand, very obviously Lego. How true the last statement is really a big question.

For 1000 pieces it was originally priced at SGD $119.95, but I bought it at a discount in a toy fair for SGD $49.95. Needless to say, I end up with 2 boxes. Because I needed to spend a minimum of SGD $100 to get a SGD $15 discount, I end up buying another 3 same roadblock pieces because I think I can use the parts to make a house. Thus I end up paying SGD $94.90 for over 2000 pieces of Lego compatible bricks.

Here is the result of 2 nights playing with it. I was waiting too long for the Pinky Fighting Vehicle (pinky tank) released in Wonder Festival 2008 (Winter) so I created my own version.

Pinky Power Tank patrol rolling by and suddenly the crew heard a "click" sound.


"Who is that!?!" the alert commander asked, as she turned the turret and the missiles towards the direction of the sound.


Mama-mia, a paparazi at work! Drop that camera or we will shoot!

Isuzu Emi is finally mine

I want this one for quite a long time, and was eyeing others with envy.

Today I spot the whole series (pack of 3) of Tenjo Tenge Pinkies sold at China Square (a shopping mall in Singapore's Chinatown) and my heart stopped, for a while. I asked for the price and it was not that expensive. I do not have enough cash with me so I wonder around and waited for my figurakuen otaku to come. When Taesake came, I asked him about that since he know the local price much much better having been a Pinky collector much longer than me. He told me that he know the seller and helped me bargain. In the end I only need to pay $120 for it, and furthermore, another member, shiawasekun told me that he would not mind buying box 1 & 2 (Aya & Maya) since he actually own box 3 (Isuzu) and now has a chance to complete his collection.

LUCKY! Not only I now have Isuzu, I also do not have to bother looking for buyer for duplicate Aya & Maya.

This is the benefit of joining forces with fellow local otaku.

Here is a shot of Isuzu together with brownies and 2 scoop of ice-cream.
"Yum yum, forget the diet" said Isuzu. "Anyway I have a secret skill of keeping in shape" she added.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Happy Lunar New Year

I bought some Japanese candies. They are quite expensive, at $10 for 5 and I bought 10. Very pretty but the taste is actually so so only.

Anyway, they are cute and now I can take pictures of my Yukata Pinkies with the candies.



Enjoy, and have a happy lunar new year.

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Pinky Collaboration: ピンキーQ (Pinky Choro Q)

Pinky Collaboration: ピンキーQ (Pinky Choro-Q) is a series of collaboration between Vance and Takara-Tomy. Basically the Pinkies are still themselves (not dressed up to look like other characters). Instead they are released with a Choro-Q toy.

ピンキーQ 「ピンキーwithラビットスクーター」 (Pinky with Rabbit Scooter)
ピンキーQ 「ピンキー with ラビットスクーター ver.2」 (Pinky with Rabbit Scooter ver.2)
ピンキーQ 「ピンキー with メッサーシュミットKR200」
ピンキーQ 「ピンキー with メッサーシュミットKR200 ver.2」


ピンキーQ 「ピンキーwithラビットスクーター」 (Pinky with Rabbit Scooter)
The first release of this series is ピンキーQ 「ピンキーwithラビットスクーター」, or Pinky with Rabbit Scooter, released on 31 May 2006.

Pinky is represented by Yoshiko, and this time she her mouth is slightly opened (new face mould). I personally think she looks like she is making a monkey face.

She has brown eyes and dark brown hair. The hair style is the original Yoshiko hairstyle. Her outfit is a yellow t-shirt with red oval logo with a word written "rabbit" and a rabbit drawing both in white. She wears grey trousers and brown shoes (with dark brown trimming), that make me think it could be a suede leather shoes. Classy and sporty. In her box, she is in a sitting position, but hiding behind her, there is an extra leg which you can replace so she looked like sitting on the scooter with one leg extended out for balance. Very nice design.

Her hand is articulated front to back and she wear a brown mittens. She also comes with an orange scarf, the first for official Pinkies, and it is casted as if it is blown by wind. Quite nice actually.

Other accessories are a yellow tinged goggles and a blue/white helmet with yellow trimming.

The Choro-Q is a white/sky-blue scooter, which come with extra accessories to change the colour to white/grey scooter (side plates & handlebar replacement). There is one plastic part of the Choro-Q (black colour) which you can attach at the bottom of the scooter, so it can balance and you can pull back and release to launch it forward.

This is one package which box you probably do not want to throw away, as it can double up as a play mat, albeit very small size. One side is pavement, and another side is a street, with speed limit of 30 (miles/h or km/h I am not sure, but that is quite slow actually).

Overall, this is one of my favorite Pinky piece.

ピンキーQ 「ピンキー with ラビットスクーター ver.2」 (Pinky with Rabbit Scooter ver.2)
The second release of this series is ピンキーQ 「ピンキー with ラビットスクーター ver.2」 or (Pinky with Rabbit Scooter), on 30 September 2006, is basically a repaint version of the first release.

All parts are totally the same. They just come in different colour.
Yoshiko's hair is brown, and her eyes are grey. The scarf is blue, her t-shirt is red and the logo on the t-shirt is white. She wear a navy blue trousers, and light grey shoe, with white trimming. The goggle is blue tinted, and the helmet is cream/white with dark brown trimming. Her hand is articulated front to back and she wear a white mittens.

The Choro-Q is the same design, white/greenish-grey coloured, with very subtle colour change accessories. The alternative handlebar is white (original is greenish-grey), and the side plate is still white but the button is black and there is a silver rabbit logo on it.



Other accessories are a yellow tinged goggles and a blue/white helmet with yellow trimming.

The Choro-Q is a white/sky-blue scooter, which come with extra accessories to change the colour to white/grey scooter (side plates & handlebar replacement). There is one plastic part of the Choro-Q (black colour) which you can attach at the bottom of the scooter, so it can balance and you can pull back and release to launch it forward.

Again, the packaging can double up as a small play mat. One side is pavement, and another side is a road, with zebra crossing, and traffic light drawn.

With this release, I seriously believe Vance has a bit of a problem with the combo of style. Either that or it is a very cunning ploy of making otaku to buy both version.

The helmet for example will look a lot better for the Pinky of original version, and the Rabbit Scooter of ver.2 also look more suitable for the original version. Overall that combo makes a classy Yoshiko with Rabbit Scooter.

Then the helmet of original version together with the Pinky of ver.2 and the Rabbit Scooter of the original version looks very nicely together, making a sporty Yoshiko with Rabbit Scooter.


ピンキーQ 「ピンキー with メッサーシュミットKR200」

to do

ピンキーQ 「ピンキー with メッサーシュミットKR200 ver.2」

to do

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Pinkies in Bicycle Exhibition

My friends who run a bicycle shop had an exhibition and I was enlisted to help them, to show the many folding bicycles they have (on how to fold/unfold) and answer queries about the bicycles, and be nice to the visitors.

Since I was there, I might as well have fun, so I bring along my camera and 2 Pinkies with bicycles.

This is Rui, who looked like a tough guy (although by right she is a girl) and sporting a mountain bike, which I bought together with a toy car (I actually bought the toy car because I want the bicycle, which is actually one of the accessories of the car).


And this is Sacchin, with her dazzled but extremely cute is a nice pair with my re-ment bicycle piece. The unique part which I really like on this bicycle toy is that it has training wheels. Fits Sacchin very well. Haha. Sorry Sacchin, your secret is now revealed. You do not know how to cycle. :-)

Friday, January 11, 2008

Tenjo Tenge: The Greated Tag Boxxx Series

P:キャラ - Pinky Chara

One of the best ever production of Pinky Chara is 天上天下×Pinky:st. THE GREAT TAG BOXXX!!!!! This particular series consist of 3 releases: Round 1, Round 2 and Round 3,


Round 1

Round 1 is released on 27 April 2005, featuring Aya Natsume.

I have no idea on the logic behind why Round 1 (or box 1) is Aya since she is the younger of the Natsume sisters. This is one release which come with a katana. However the best part is the shades. This release also breaks the record of longest hair pinky character. The hair actually as long as the body.

You can see the promo website of this first release of 天上天下×Pinky:st.


Round 2

Round 2 is released on 27 May 2005, featuring Maya Natsume.

This release is a bit disappointing to me as it is not as stunning as what I expected, especially it is Maya. The pose is very conservative and disappointing, and it seems like Vance opted for the chibi look of Maya, but forgot to infuse the cuteness. Even the yukata is not decorated nicely (Pinky Yukata versions are better)

You can see the promo website of this second release of 天上天下×Pinky:st.


Round 3

Round 3 is released on 27 June 2005, featuring Emi Isuzu.
No doubt Emi Isuzu is the best of this series. There are a lot of people who bought only this piece of the series. Only later some will buy the others to complete their collection.

It came with, so far, the only black gothic fashion. The full length skirt is decorated with ribbon, and the pose is unique. However the best part is the hair. It is one of the most unique among all the Pinkies hair styles.

The hand is also the most unique because it is not a round hole, but a long line where you can insert 3 throwing knife on each hand (6 throwing knifes are included). However you will soon notice that some pot/pan from re-ment series can fit into the hand too, albeit at awkward position.

You can see the promo website of this final release of 天上天下×Pinky:st.

Now when will Vance come with Ikki Tousen's Kanu Unchou and Ryomous Shimei version like other figurine manufacturer?

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Pinky Series 4

PK010: Sumire
I waited for a long time
It is always me, alone...
But it's OK
Where we go
I decided

PK011: Rui/Lui/Louis
I have a dream
It's an amazingly important dream
Someday...
Someday, definitely
I will be able to tell you all

PK012: Sacchan
Huh, what things do I like?
Hmm, let's see..
I browsed before
Red-checked skirt, huh?
But, just for right now.

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Pinky Series 3

PK007: Hana
Excuse me......
This is what I said before
No, um... I don't know what to say
Sorry......It's nothing.

PK008: Risa
I remember yesterday's story
Don't know why, but I can't stop laughing
Fufu...aha, AHAHAHA!
......Ha~, my stomach hurts

PK009: Reina
You know what a rice omelette is, don't you?
Using sauce on it,
It can't be that I'm the only person!?

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Pinky Series 2A

PK004A: Moeru
"Every day, from inside a moving car's window
I see that sight over there.
I hope I will walk there someday.
And now I'm here."

PK005A: Kokoro
"My house is a croquette shop.
Everybody comes to the croquette shop.
Of course, I like it.
...But I get tired of eating it every day."

PK006A: Accessory Set
"I like everyday clothes.
But today is a very important day.
Changing into new clothes, see?
My new self is waiting."

Saturday, January 5, 2008

Pinky Series 2

PK004: Moeru
Turn right and you will find it, the third house over
See? You hear sounds, don't you?
I memorized for the first time
Nostalgic sonata
I'm still here

PK005: Kokoro
Hey, big sister
Can you return my CD that I lent you the other day?
Isn't it about time?
Because...
I also listen to it

PK006: Accessory Set
The girl who is in fashion
The girl who has a big hat
She will be Pinky when she goes downtown
At me, everybody..
Everybody is looking at me!

Friday, January 4, 2008

Pinky Scale

A lot of Pinky owner expressed frustration on finding accessories for their Pinkies, due to difficulty to find those match their pinkies. Not only that, the scale can be a bit difficult to match.

Here is the fact:
- Pinky head 25 mm
- Pinky body 20 mm (excluding hips, 25mm excluding hips)
- Pinky leg 55 mm (including hips, 50mm excluding hips - including boots/shoes/high-heels)

So the ratio of pinky body for head:torso:lower-limb(legs) is 1:1:2. The head is 1/4 of the body. (Note: ignoring disproportion due to boots/shoes/high-heels)

From WikiPedia's entry: Body Proportion, the ideal ratio of human body for head:torso:lower-limb is 1:3:4. Thus the head is 1/8 of the body.

Assuming Pinky is normal range grown-up female height, depending on the race, therefore, by full-body, Pinky scale can be 1:14 to 1:17.

However if you only take the Pinky head, assuming Pinky is normal range grown-up female-head height, Pinky scale can be 1:7 to 1:8.5 (can stretch it to 1:9)

So here is the confusion: what is a Pinky scale? It is difficult to get accessories for pinky due to the variety because it is confusing due to inconsistency, but it can also be an opportunity. It gives you a wide selection of things to buy.

This is my suggestion:

For big things like house, vehicle and furnitures, get those scaled similar to Pinky body scale, thus 1:14 to 1:17 (or you can strecth it to 1:18). Accessories that are worn on the body, or hand-held further from the face, should also be this scale.

For small things you put near the head, you can get by with those scaled 1:9 to 1:12. Getting 1:7 to 1:8 scale stuff will look extremely massive and at odds when hand-held by a Pinky. so I guess pushing is a bit smaller is more appropriate. However, accessories that are worn on the head such as cap/hat, glasses, scarf, should be of scale 1:7 to 1:9.

So there is your challange. Now shop! :P

Pinky Series 1B

Pinky Series 1B was first released in February 2006.
As the name says, it is a second re-paint of the original Series 1.
The series consist of the trio Yoshiko (PK001B), Suu or Sue (PK002B) and Tamae (PK003B).

Yoshiko (PK001B) has black hair and blue eyes. She wears a grey t-shirt with Pinky logo print at the front and a pink mini-skirt, with white socks and dark grey knee-length boots.
Her extra outfit is a pink hooded sweatshirt half-unzipped, revealing a white and grey striped t-shirt inside, dark navy trousers, light grey socks and white shoes (with grey soles).
Yoshiko's facial expression is one of curiously interested, or thinking something funny. She hold one finger to her face, almost touching her mouth.
She also comes with a light brown bunny doll, which she can hold by one of the ear.
As a bonus, the packaging includes a metal pin in a shape of flower with 6 petals. It has a pink background, with silver edge. At alternate petal, there is a Pinky P-logo, a heart and an asterix.
At the back of the packaging (the paper piece) there is Japanese poetry.
ボクゆめを見たんだ
ピンクのさばくと
レモネードの海をこえるゆめ
お楽しみはこれから
・・・だったのにナ
I need to find the english translation for the above


Suu or Sue in English spelling (PK002B) has black hair and green eyes. She wears a half-unzipped yellow hooded sweatshirt revealing a white and grey striped t-shirt inside, navy skirt and pants and grey/white shoes (with white soles).
Her extra outfit is an intricately designed hooded shirt. The body is moss-green with a cat drawing and a wording "cat only" at the cest. The sleeves are dark green, with 3 white cat-paw print on each arm. It also has a navy mini-skirt, white socks and knee-length light brown boots.
She also comes with a dark brown bear doll, which she can hold by one of its hand.
Suu/Sue's facial expression is quiet disinterest/annoyance. She puts both of her hands in her sweatshirt pockets.
As a bonus, the packaging includes a round metal pin. The design borrows from the Union Jack, but with a magenta background and pink stripes, an horizontally written "PINKY:ST" in magenta.
At the back of the packaging (the paper piece) there is Japanese poetry.
いっつも前を通るだけの
ホントは気になってるあのお店
今日は「特製ポトフ」なんだって
どうしよう
一人でいっちゃう?
行っちゃうのか!?
I need to find the english translation for the above

Tamae (PK003B) has black hair, with two cyan hair-clips (on the front right), and dark brown eyes. She wears a neon green hooded sweatshirt. At the front of the sweatshirt, there is a checker pattern line and at the bottom of the line there is a word "PINKY:ST". She also wears a black pants, light grey socks and dark-grey and neon green shoe (with white soles).
Her extra outfit is a blue t-shirt, at the front there is a pink bunny head drawing and below is written "GIRLY GIRLY". It also come with a same blue skirt and denim pants and white shoes with blue soles with white trimmings.
She also comes with a grey cat doll, which she can hold by one of its hand.
Tamae's facial expression is one of a skeptic or with suspicion. She puts her hands by her sides.
As a bonus, the packaging includes a metal pin shaped like a cat head. It has a dark brown background with Pinky:St logo and a cross probably marking the cat's nose or mouth.
At the back of the packaging (the paper piece) there is Japanese poetry.
タマ すず ポンタ プゥ オセロ
いろんな名前でよばれてる
けど知ってるんだ
ヤツはそんなに甘いもんじゃないと
・・・なぁ ダミアンさんよお
I need to find the english translation for the above

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Pinky Series 1A

to be written

1A

じゅくはキライ 大キライ。
みんなマジメに前だけ見てる。

ワタシが好きなのはね、
帰りに食べるコロッケなの。
みんなと食べるコロッケなの。

"I hate cram school, I really hate it.
Everybody looks towards the front.
What I like is,
The croquette I eat on then way home.
The croquette I eat with my friends."

2A

クラスの男子って
子供っぽくてヤになっちゃう。
休み時間なんかゲームの話ばっかり。
あのさー ひとこと言わせてもらっていい?

そのウラ技ただのデマなんだってば!

"Boys in class
They are too childish.
They talk about video games during break time.
Hey -- can I say one word?
Those secret commands are bullshit!"

3A

大きなネコは本当にいたよ。
目も大きくて ギロッて見るの。
けどね あの子に聞いたんだ。
ニラみ返せばこわくないって。

コワクナイコワクナイ・・・

"It is true that there is a big cat.
Big eyes and stares at me.
But I heard the girl.
It isn't dangerous if I stare back.
I'm not afraid, I'm not afraid..."