Monday, January 26, 2009

CAG Mugs - Orders Closed.

Hey all,

Well, the deadline for ordering mugs has now come and gone (for now) and, I have to say, the reception this little experiment received was extremely positive!

To be exact my first order was not large enough, and I had to make a few more orders today to satisfy demand. I really didn't expect this, so to all those who dropped me a line - thank you very much! Because of you, it is entirely likely that you will see more things like this in the not-too-distant future.

For those who missed out this time around, don't fret too much - because I will make them available again later next month when I've settled back in at University to resume study for 2009.

Cheers,

-James

Friday, January 23, 2009

NCQ and Atlantis site outtage

Just a head's up.

Yes, we're aware of the site downtime, and we're dealing with it... Just hang in there.

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

CAG mugs, Ramblings

Hey all.

I ordered an initial lot of Rapiers and Dark Angels coffee mugs yesterday, and the supplier tells me that they will be ready for pickup in 14 days, or, for those reaching for their calendars - February 4th. For those of you who have already confirmed your orders with me, you can expect updates on this as they come.

I head back to University for 2009 on February 1st, but I'll be visiting Sydney briefly between the 6th and 8th to see Top Gear Live, during which time I will pick up this order and have it shipped to you all first thing on Monday.

It's still not too late for me to order more. Remember the deadline for the first lot is January 25, so if you're interested - drop me an email and I'll let you know more details.

Now, some news on the Atlantis front.

Episode VI

Oh, yes, it's being written - the story has been sent to the other Atlantis staff, and has been finalized. Any further tweaks are being made only as it progresses. If Keith's reaction was any indication to how this one will be received, I don't think I'm going too far to say that I'm going to have more fun writing this than I did writing Rising Thunder.

On a related note, for the past several months, Keith has been working on the ships of the North Sea Confederation, from the old Polaris-class ESVs to the all-new Le Attaque-class cruisers. When he started, Keith had no working knowledge of Maya at all and to his credit, with very little instruction, he has produced some truly excellent work.



The above is the new Seafire "TV5", as used by the North Sea Confederation. This subfighter is Europe's answer to the UEO's SF-37 Raptor series and in Atlantis is the eventual replacement for the Tornado class subfighters previously mentioned in the series. The fighter's name comes from the Supermarine Seafire that many nations - particularly Britain - employed during the second world war was a navalized version of the more commonly known Spitfire. Keith's principle work on this model is finished, and now it's my (admitedly painful) job of UV mapping and texturing it.

Without saying too much, I will say that there is a Rapiers scheme for this fighter in the works, in addition to the standard sea-grey NSC livery that will come to be the ,most commonly-known image of the fighter.

Ramblings.

So, the new Battlestar Galactica is out. For those who do not watch Battlestar Galactica, I can only say this.

What are you doing here reading this blog!? Go away! You're missing out

I was a late-comer to the "nu-BSG" party a couple of years ago, as I was definitely not a fan of the original 1978 series (oh the tack...) and when I had heard that Ronald D. Moore (writing credits include Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Generations) was re-imagining the series back in 2003, I was... sceptical. How could something so tragically bad be turned in to something worth watching?

I was wrong. While respectful to the original series, this BSG is all-new and all-improved, although I suspected while watching the mini-series a couple of years ago that the writers might have been fans of the game Homeworld. The art style and cinematic direction of space combat was very, very familiar, from the way fighters pitched and rolled in combat to the sound of the cannon fire, and even the way carriers performed. You reading this, Ron? I'm on to you...

Regardless, the new episode's big revelation - I hate to say - came as no surprise. Those who are fans will appeciate it when I say that from Baltar's initial "I'll never tell" to D'Anna's last "The fifth is not in the fleet", the writing was on the wall as to who was the last of the Final Five cylons. Alex? If you're reading this - you frakking called it.

As for Dee... Brilliant, is all I will say.

Now will someone please tell me what the hell is going on with Starbuck?

Friday, January 16, 2009

Postage questions: mug shipping

Hey guys,

I've had a few questions about shipping costs for the mugs, and after doing some reading, I've got figures on how much it will cost to ship them. I've covered a few countries, so if yours isn't listed here, let me know and I'll give you exact details.

All prices given are in Australian dollars and indicate a package weighing between 500 and 750 grams.

United States of America & Canada
Registered International - $25.65
Air mail - $20.65
Sea mail - $14.45

British Isles & Europe
Registered International - $30.60
Air mail - $25.60
Sea mail - $14.45

China
Registered International - $22.35
Air mail - $17.35

New Zealand
Registered International - $19.05
Air mail - $14.05

Australia (Domestic - Metropolitan areas)
Perth:
Parcel Post: $11.60
Express Parcel Post: $20.20
Sydney:
Parcel Post: $7.20
Express Parcel Post: $9.90
Melbourne:
Parcel Post: $9.75
Express Parcel Post: $14.50
Brisbane:
Parcel Post: $9.75
Express Parcel Post: $14.50
Adelaide:
Parcel Post: $10.05
Express Parcel Post: $15.70
Darwin:
Parcel Post: $10.05
Express Parcel Post: $15.70
Hobart:
Parcel Post: $10.95
Express Parcel Post: $14.50

So, if you would like one of these mugs, let me know, and please indicate which method of shipment you would prefer. All shipments will be sent after payment is received. Insurance is guaranteed within Australia (as per Australia Post's requirements) and any international shipments that you would like insured must be sent as "registered", for which prices are indicated here.

If you would like to see more postage rates - please visit Australia Post's website here.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Atlantis DSV C.A.G. mugs available!

I said we were going to do 2009 right, and to all high heavens I mean it!

To kick us off this year, I've got an offer for all you folk who keep track of the site and this blog.

I recently posted on NCQ with an open-offer to the community asking if they would like Atlantis DSV mugs made, and the reaction has been quite positive to say the least. I figure if I am going to do this, I may as well make the most of it and throw it out there to the rest of you as well.

Last year I had a couple of coffee mugs made up with the crest of the VF-107 Rapiers printed on each side and the letters "CAG" swung under the sword pommels. They turned out really well, and after over a year of use, it's still held its colour and print.

Over the course of January and February, I'll be taking orders for a new set of these mugs.



The above is the design that will be printed. Each mug will be done in white ceramic, with the crest printed on the two facing sides. The price is $20 (Australian), plus shipping and handling from Australia, payable with paypal or direct deposit if you live in Australia.

Payment has to be made before shipping, and all postage will be insured to protect you and your goods from damage or loss.

The first order will be made on 25 January, 2009, so if you would like one of these mugs, please contact me before then.

Orders can be sent to my email address at jamesward85@gmail.com and I will confirm your order by providing you with paypal details. Please indicate how many mugs you would like (if applicable) and to where/whom you would like it shipped.