Soup pwnz joo allz!!

20,000th blog view winner is SoupNazzi!!

I think it's awesome that a guy who gives so much to those here is the winner. I know his blogposts are one of the first things I check every day.

Congrats, Soup!!

Original image, for the doubters: img197.imageshack.us/img197/3388/20000l.jpg

20,000 blog view.

Gets a custom faceplate by me.  PM me a screenshot with proof, idea for a plate, fav colors and name/address.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand, GO!

a little PS stencil test...

found a digi stencil creator online : www.tacticalcamo.com  and did the stencil in 8 layers and painted it as I would with a spray can/airbrush.

Not bad....

Shipping a broken 360? Packaging Tips!

A few PMs have been sent, so I thought I would address them all here:

For case mod ideas, the llamma site has a forum with some crazy shit in there:

http://forums.llamma.com/viewtopic.php?t=3204&start=0&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=

I'll install any lighting you may want, cut any shape, blah, but it will add time to getting your box back.  Be patient, crappy art is still careful art! 

• As far as shipping, a sturdy box (dual wall cardboard) and foam cut to shape like the M$ coffin style would be best.  Or wrap it COMPLETELY AND TIGHTLY in large-bubble bubblewrap. 
• A good rule of thumb is 4 inches of padding on every side.  That will give it plenty of room if the monkeys shipping your box drop it.  Or throw it.  Just try to fill any open space in the box so that it does not rattle around.
• NO SUMBITCHIN' STYROFOAM PEANUTS!  ;)  They crush and allow your box to get damaged, then they fill the already abused box with little static-filled dust particles that will short shit out.  Ask me how I know that one! 
• Wrap the gamebox in a plastic/trash bag in case those same gorillas leave your shit sitting on the dock in the rain.  Or in a puddle by my front door.  (caught that guy, he got an earful!)
• For faster return shipping, include a prepaid return shipping label inside the box!!  That way I can schedule a pick up for it and we dont' wait on the wifey dear to "get around to" the Post office/shipping store.  And then I've got to ask you for more money, blahblahblah. 

I had one member send me her box priority mail with delivery confirmation and insurance for $25 one way.  As far as UPS or FEDEX, I don't know.  Whatever makes you comfortable price wise.  I would suggest $200 insurance- if the thing shows up demolished, I send in the complaint and you get a check to go buy a new Arcade edition 360.  ;)

As far as payment, hold off on sending any money until I get it fixed.  I can't in good faith take someone's money until I know I'm giving them a good product.  That way there is no risk other than the cost of shipping.  I'll let you know when it is done and we'll work out the details then.  No biggie.  You're trusting me with your box, I'll return the favor. 

Hope these tips help-

Ain't nothin' to a G.  ;)

Battle worn 360 paintjob attempt

Tried out some paint techniques for a request. 

Desert tan 360, pre-faux finish for weather:

Post treatment, shitty light:

Better light:

Completed, post second stencil (should have done all the painting pre-treatment, lesson learned.):

Not terrible, not great, but I learned quite a bit about paint washes and highlighting of flaws.  I have a dremel set up now, I think I'm going to try and make some industrial looking router cuts- creases around the edges to give them a little more of a hardware look.  Maybe experiment with some hot glue to simulate melting or bullet holes. 

Whatchya think?  Who wants to send me a box for experimentation?