While most of the world is already well into their first day of this new year, I'm barely 2 hours through 2009. Here in Hawai'i we are among the last to ring in the year, but we did so in style and grace. And while I used the 2007 review to remind myself of what I accomplished and what happened then, I am sure I will use this one in the future, and I'm only slightly dismayed I waited until the year had passed to actually commence writing it.
The Worst of 2008
in no particular order
Losing Family
I tended to be pretty lucky with elderly relatives until this year. I lost two grandfathers and an aunt in a matter of months. Today, January 1st, is the first birthday my aunt Anne is missing. I feel terribly for her, and for my father, who has lost so much of his family in too short a time.
The Pound Losing its Strength
The financial crisis has hit many people in many ways. For me, it's made America expensive, which shouldn't be the case at all. It also stopped me from getting a perfect job. Rumours are the dollar will plummet shortly into January. I'll be changing money immediately.
Apple iPhone 3G
Come on.
Losing Cocoa as a Friend
Circumstance on both sides pushed us apart, and while we saw each other every so often, it wasn't as good as it was. But it's part of life. People grow together and apart like breathing.
Not Having Any Way Out
Job market, motivation, commitments, debts... I needed a way out of a rut in 2008, and too many things were keeping me in it.
Not Blogging as Much
Look at the archives. I mean, that's just lazy.
The Best of 2008
in no particular order
Making Life Changing Friends
I say, 'no particular order', but this -and related content- was clearly the highlight of my year. Friends like Lisa and Rachel, who affected me very profoundly and made me feel really great about being me. On top of them, I rediscovered so many friends, and saw them more and realised how great they were.
Portal Prelude and TFV Map Pack
Portal was expanded, for free, twice, making the fantastic game even more so.
Falling in Love
Finding a girl who is so suited to me, despite being the ultimate long distance relationship, made me feel thoroughly loved, and I love her. Alyssa and I are inseparable, and it's comforting to think of her at any point, always supporting me and always being there. It's a real blessing to know that kind of devotion, and to be able to return it. Long distance relationships are hard, but I knew that going in, and we've done well.
Photography
I've wanted to buy myself a decent digital camera for a while. I've never owned a point-and-shoot because I've feared putting money into something that doesn't expand and could have limits. I've wanted a digital SLR, and finally, in February, I got one as a late Christmas present. Since then, I've taught myself as much as I could, and I don't feel like I've done too badly. I've been paid very well for some of my work and I have some high quality equipment. It's a joy I share with several friends, especially Alyssa.
South Africa in Winter, Winter in Hawai'i
I've had a couple of thrilling holidays this year. A few weeks in Africa with my father, more weeks in Hawai'i with Alyssa. A feature of both was that during the holidays I ate well and gained weight, but it's a passable pay-off for fond memories.
Getting Cocoa Back
Despite losing touch, recent activities meant that we became good friends again, and after a little while, it seemed like nothing had happened.
Having a Plan
I think I know what I'm going to do now.
Thursday, 1 January 2009
Wednesday, 24 December 2008
Blogging from the Apple Store
I have meant to blog for a while, but I have been really busy. But I like to write a blog post from every Apple Store I come across. Despite my aversion to the brand, I like the free internet.
And here I am, blogging from Waikiki, in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
I haven't mentioned my trip online because we had someone to surprise, and surprise them we did.
I'm staying with Alyssa here in Hawai'i until January 19th, and it's amazing here. It's not too hot, and the life is really good. I have been taking hundreds of photos and we've been doing lots of fun things. I'm having a great time. I'm writing this with my feet covered in sand, carrying my antique Minolta.
It is Christmas in two days, but I already have my present: a 430EX II flash for Melanie to enjoy. It has already started making my pictures look better, letting me take pictures with backlighting and it can angle to bounce off walls, which is wonderful. I'm looking forward to learning more about it.
Alyssa is playing with an iPhone, and not liking it. "I thought it would be easy."
I will blog again when I am back at Alyssa's house, as I have videos and pictures to share.
And here I am, blogging from Waikiki, in Honolulu, Hawai'i.
I haven't mentioned my trip online because we had someone to surprise, and surprise them we did.
I'm staying with Alyssa here in Hawai'i until January 19th, and it's amazing here. It's not too hot, and the life is really good. I have been taking hundreds of photos and we've been doing lots of fun things. I'm having a great time. I'm writing this with my feet covered in sand, carrying my antique Minolta.
It is Christmas in two days, but I already have my present: a 430EX II flash for Melanie to enjoy. It has already started making my pictures look better, letting me take pictures with backlighting and it can angle to bounce off walls, which is wonderful. I'm looking forward to learning more about it.
Alyssa is playing with an iPhone, and not liking it. "I thought it would be easy."
I will blog again when I am back at Alyssa's house, as I have videos and pictures to share.
Thursday, 27 November 2008
Yes, but Does it Have a Plot?
Man, where are the writers when you need them?
For some unknown reason, I watched one of the new episodes of American Gladiators. I used to love Gladiators when I was younger, it was my favourite show. Watching it now, well, it's not quite the same.
But I gave it a chance, and I watched a few minutes. In the women's final, the two competitors were stuck at the 'travelator'. It was tense. Then the camera went to a close up of one competitor's face, and the dramatic music started.
I was appalled.
As the music started, the tense, Hollywood-esque, something-dramatic-is-about-to-happen music, I knew instantly that she'd make it up the 'travelator' on that attempt. The show has some semblance to a sport, and therefore some spontaneity and excitement. By adding music that tells you what is about to happen, that element is removed. By knowing the immediate outcome, I had lost my incentive to watch the show, and I turned off the TV.
But it got me thinking about what I like in television. I've always been outspoken in my criticism of Big Brother. I don't think it's entertainment, I think it's manufactured gossip. It's something to plump out the pages of Closer magazine; for when the celebrities run out of cocaine.
But working-class trash TV can still be entertaining. Why do I dislike it so much? I think the reason is that it isn't written, and they are not documenting anything. It's under the this veil of a 'social experiment', but that title is usually used to justify people to behave badly with impunity, like pretending that you need money for vet bills or smashing a PS3 in front of people who aren't going to get one. It's a chance to be a jerk. Social experimentation should really be left to sociologists.
But my point is that I like things to be written, to have a script. I like it when there are people in control of the story, even if it isn't particularly well written. Reality television is wonderfully profitable because it writes itself and a series can make money from the mere cost of idea-inception and then production costs.
Ricky Gervais defends the dramatics of life, saying, "Life is drama. ... [y]ou walk down the street for half an hour, you'll have half an hour of drama.". While this is true, street drama is only so relevant. Scripting makes a show based on life relevant to the viewer according to the skill of the writer, but the only relevance Big Brother has is its ubiquity.
It's not to say I don't enjoy unscripted television. I watch a lot of police chase videos on TV and on the internet, it's not scripted, but it is documenting something (and someone writes the voice over). I also enjoy infotainment like Top Gear, somewhat scripted. But it resembles a documentary in its format.
It all comes to light when you look at a scripted television show about an unscripted television show. The drama, Dead Set, about a zombie apocalypse on the set of Big Brother, made me realise how much I valued writing. It is also the finest example of a zombie movie that I have ever seen. That is a controversial sentiment, but I believe it.
And that's the essence of what I'm saying. I hate reality TV to the extent that I delight in seeing it literally ripped limb from limb.
Come on writers, claim back prime time.
...
I have finally replaced my camera charger, which was misplaced during a paying shoot, where I photographed a magician. My photos have earned me more and more views on Flickr. Pictures of Cocoa garnered me 560 views in one day, and a place on the most-interesting-pictures-today list. That made me happy. But since losing the charger, Melanie has been rather sad and underpowered. But eBay rescued me. This means I can resume taking photographs at clubs.
The JCS is still in full swing, at least for now. We have a Pub Quiz tomorrow, and the questions should be fun and the prizes should be sweet. It's fun to hang out with everyone still.
I went to the Tokyo Diner with the JCS a few nights ago, and had the Tonkatsu Chicken I had before, and I still love it. I plan on making some (like I made at EmmaHouse) and giving it to my family. Hopefully they'll enjoy it.
I went to a taping of a new hypnosis themed TV quiz show, hosted by Danny Wallace (whom I adore from Are You Dave Gorman?). It's called Mesmerised, and while it won't be stellar (writing isn't up to standards), it should be fun, and you can see me a couple of times. It was also a chance to catch up with Kiana, who came with me.
I have managed to talk to Alyssa every day since I got back from Africa. Over webcam. It's very calming, even if we aren't saying anything. Sometimes we email over my phone. I left my phone at Cocoa's flat, I will get it back tomorrow.
I won't get into the discussion again about it, but I will include a picture by Banksy.
For some unknown reason, I watched one of the new episodes of American Gladiators. I used to love Gladiators when I was younger, it was my favourite show. Watching it now, well, it's not quite the same.
But I gave it a chance, and I watched a few minutes. In the women's final, the two competitors were stuck at the 'travelator'. It was tense. Then the camera went to a close up of one competitor's face, and the dramatic music started.
I was appalled.
As the music started, the tense, Hollywood-esque, something-dramatic-is-about-to-happen music, I knew instantly that she'd make it up the 'travelator' on that attempt. The show has some semblance to a sport, and therefore some spontaneity and excitement. By adding music that tells you what is about to happen, that element is removed. By knowing the immediate outcome, I had lost my incentive to watch the show, and I turned off the TV.
But it got me thinking about what I like in television. I've always been outspoken in my criticism of Big Brother. I don't think it's entertainment, I think it's manufactured gossip. It's something to plump out the pages of Closer magazine; for when the celebrities run out of cocaine.
But working-class trash TV can still be entertaining. Why do I dislike it so much? I think the reason is that it isn't written, and they are not documenting anything. It's under the this veil of a 'social experiment', but that title is usually used to justify people to behave badly with impunity, like pretending that you need money for vet bills or smashing a PS3 in front of people who aren't going to get one. It's a chance to be a jerk. Social experimentation should really be left to sociologists.
But my point is that I like things to be written, to have a script. I like it when there are people in control of the story, even if it isn't particularly well written. Reality television is wonderfully profitable because it writes itself and a series can make money from the mere cost of idea-inception and then production costs.
Ricky Gervais defends the dramatics of life, saying, "Life is drama. ... [y]ou walk down the street for half an hour, you'll have half an hour of drama.". While this is true, street drama is only so relevant. Scripting makes a show based on life relevant to the viewer according to the skill of the writer, but the only relevance Big Brother has is its ubiquity.
It's not to say I don't enjoy unscripted television. I watch a lot of police chase videos on TV and on the internet, it's not scripted, but it is documenting something (and someone writes the voice over). I also enjoy infotainment like Top Gear, somewhat scripted. But it resembles a documentary in its format.
It all comes to light when you look at a scripted television show about an unscripted television show. The drama, Dead Set, about a zombie apocalypse on the set of Big Brother, made me realise how much I valued writing. It is also the finest example of a zombie movie that I have ever seen. That is a controversial sentiment, but I believe it.
And that's the essence of what I'm saying. I hate reality TV to the extent that I delight in seeing it literally ripped limb from limb.
Come on writers, claim back prime time.
...
I have finally replaced my camera charger, which was misplaced during a paying shoot, where I photographed a magician. My photos have earned me more and more views on Flickr. Pictures of Cocoa garnered me 560 views in one day, and a place on the most-interesting-pictures-today list. That made me happy. But since losing the charger, Melanie has been rather sad and underpowered. But eBay rescued me. This means I can resume taking photographs at clubs.
The JCS is still in full swing, at least for now. We have a Pub Quiz tomorrow, and the questions should be fun and the prizes should be sweet. It's fun to hang out with everyone still.
I went to the Tokyo Diner with the JCS a few nights ago, and had the Tonkatsu Chicken I had before, and I still love it. I plan on making some (like I made at EmmaHouse) and giving it to my family. Hopefully they'll enjoy it.
I went to a taping of a new hypnosis themed TV quiz show, hosted by Danny Wallace (whom I adore from Are You Dave Gorman?). It's called Mesmerised, and while it won't be stellar (writing isn't up to standards), it should be fun, and you can see me a couple of times. It was also a chance to catch up with Kiana, who came with me.
I have managed to talk to Alyssa every day since I got back from Africa. Over webcam. It's very calming, even if we aren't saying anything. Sometimes we email over my phone. I left my phone at Cocoa's flat, I will get it back tomorrow.
I won't get into the discussion again about it, but I will include a picture by Banksy.
Thursday, 20 November 2008
The Emperor's New Mac
Only the little boy was brave enough to say, "But it doesn't play games.".
I've never liked Macs. Anyone who knows me knows that. I've always had various reasons, too. I'm hardly a Windows fanboy, but I greatly prefer it to Mac. People never give me valid criticisms of Vista. They just write it off. I like it. It hasn't ever crashed on me, and I hardly see the issue with UAC. It does everything I need, and is vastly more expandable than any other proprietary software. The only thing I ever emulate on it is the SNES.
Part of the underlying hatred of Mac came from it's tendency to be closed. They make the hardware, they make the software, they sell the content. Everything begins and ends with Mac, and if you blindly trust Mr Jobs, that suited you very well.
And from the man who hates DRM, suddenly DRM built directly in the new Macbooks. Your legally purchased vidoes (in this case, Hellboy 2), now can only be played on approved display devices. A teacher found this out when he, plugged his Macbook into a projector at school to watch alone. Not only was this applicable to new films, but it applied itself to films and TV downloaded previously.
It's good to know that the money you spend on your content only buys it on certain monitors. But it's OK, Steve Jobs was overheard saying, '15" is more screen than anyone will ever need.'.
It fills me with despair that people will trust their whole digital world to one company. I won't trust the construction of my PC to one company. I hate how easily the public are swayed by looks. It's the only reason Apple and Fiat are still in business. But I'm sure that students and teenage girls alike will flood to move into the iHouse as soon as they see how pretty it is.
I turned on my PS3 and watched BBC iPlayer on it yesterday. It's not officially supported, it's something that a dude coded for fun, but the fact that it worked for me, using a 5 year old widescreen, a 6 month old console and an unaffiliated media conglomerate made me feel better than any aluminium case could.
I declare, right here, that I'm a PC. I'm a PC and I don't care how integrated your OS is, how smooth your interface is, or how overpriced your hardware is, I will take function over form for the rest of my days.
I've never liked Macs. Anyone who knows me knows that. I've always had various reasons, too. I'm hardly a Windows fanboy, but I greatly prefer it to Mac. People never give me valid criticisms of Vista. They just write it off. I like it. It hasn't ever crashed on me, and I hardly see the issue with UAC. It does everything I need, and is vastly more expandable than any other proprietary software. The only thing I ever emulate on it is the SNES.
Part of the underlying hatred of Mac came from it's tendency to be closed. They make the hardware, they make the software, they sell the content. Everything begins and ends with Mac, and if you blindly trust Mr Jobs, that suited you very well.
And from the man who hates DRM, suddenly DRM built directly in the new Macbooks. Your legally purchased vidoes (in this case, Hellboy 2), now can only be played on approved display devices. A teacher found this out when he, plugged his Macbook into a projector at school to watch alone. Not only was this applicable to new films, but it applied itself to films and TV downloaded previously.
It's good to know that the money you spend on your content only buys it on certain monitors. But it's OK, Steve Jobs was overheard saying, '15" is more screen than anyone will ever need.'.
It fills me with despair that people will trust their whole digital world to one company. I won't trust the construction of my PC to one company. I hate how easily the public are swayed by looks. It's the only reason Apple and Fiat are still in business. But I'm sure that students and teenage girls alike will flood to move into the iHouse as soon as they see how pretty it is.
I turned on my PS3 and watched BBC iPlayer on it yesterday. It's not officially supported, it's something that a dude coded for fun, but the fact that it worked for me, using a 5 year old widescreen, a 6 month old console and an unaffiliated media conglomerate made me feel better than any aluminium case could.
I declare, right here, that I'm a PC. I'm a PC and I don't care how integrated your OS is, how smooth your interface is, or how overpriced your hardware is, I will take function over form for the rest of my days.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
Franz Anton Mesmer
So, if you go to http://images.google.com/ and search for "Joey Hat", the first result is Alyssa, in a picture it took shortly before she left.
So Derren Brown is making another series, and once again, it's up to Roehampton University to supply him with countless suggestible students for him to mock and ridicule on an international stage.
Two days ago he offered a free show in exchange for willingness to appear on his new TV show. That is an extremely reasonable exchange, considering how life-changing his shows can be. And, like last time, it was a simple hypnosis show, where he hypnotised a decent portion of the students there, including my new friend Cattrina and Cocoa. Once again, I wasn't hypnotised, much to my dismay.
With girly names and forgetting 'seven' and hot chairs, he really impressed me when he made himself invisible. Cocoa remembered her name after a little while, so she was sent to the less-suggestible section of the crowd, but Cattrina was hypnotised throughout and retold her experience afterwards (despite being able to see him occasionally during the invisibility skit).
I tried to meet him after the show, but he was busy. However, Cocoa managed to get a photo with him.
I am quite jealous. But once again it has reignited my love of Mentalism. I was told that I'd be contacted for appearing in the show at a later date, despite not being one of the suggestible people.
Yesterday, I went ahead and bought the lens I've been lusting over for months. It's the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Not only is it a wonderfully fast lens (I can use a shutter speed up to twelve times faster), but it's also an EF lens, means that it fits any modern Canon camera, not just the digital ones with smaller sensors. This means that the EOS 5 (that I got from eBay without a lens for £30) is finally more than a paperweight, and is a serious photo taking machine ("camera"). I also bought some ISO 50 black and white film. Although it was £4, and that angered me somewhat.
The JCS has finally started. Once again, I am at the helm and enjoying it, especially the stress of being totally responsible. I don't know why, but I love it when I'm in charge of something and I have to find a solution to a problem in a limited time. It's hugely stressful, but I get the most satisfaction from solving those issues. We had a big Wagamama trip last week (after Hare and Tortoise imposed a minimum spend on us), and now we are teaching Japanese (again) and Chinese (Mandarin) at the society, and showing films regularly, as per usual. It's great stuff.
So, after semi-failing at developing film last time (and wasting an unused film in the process), I tried developing a film that I knew was full (I'd finished it earlier that day). I developed it in the same way, using the same chemicals, being just as nervous, thinking that I was about to ruin my South Africa film photos. But as I pulled out the roll, not only did it work, but every shot was correctly exposed, as I expected and looked great. The only shot that failed was one that Taigh had snapped off accidentally while experimenting.
I made a digital shot with a similar lens from the same place. This shot of my father shows the difference in cropping and the dynamic range that you can get from film. This was one shot that really made me realise that film was still worth shooting. Although digital is a less likely to get dusty.
Film shooting also helped me make my first diptych, and first really cheesy cat picture.
And I always love to have my car in there. Lightroom allowed me to do some Split Toning too.
I have been planning a couple of articles that I could write for my blog, but I haven't had the dedication to write them yet, so keep your eyes open.
I'll be back to blog soon. I'll let you know how Akira goes on Thursday.
So Derren Brown is making another series, and once again, it's up to Roehampton University to supply him with countless suggestible students for him to mock and ridicule on an international stage.
Two days ago he offered a free show in exchange for willingness to appear on his new TV show. That is an extremely reasonable exchange, considering how life-changing his shows can be. And, like last time, it was a simple hypnosis show, where he hypnotised a decent portion of the students there, including my new friend Cattrina and Cocoa. Once again, I wasn't hypnotised, much to my dismay.
With girly names and forgetting 'seven' and hot chairs, he really impressed me when he made himself invisible. Cocoa remembered her name after a little while, so she was sent to the less-suggestible section of the crowd, but Cattrina was hypnotised throughout and retold her experience afterwards (despite being able to see him occasionally during the invisibility skit).
I tried to meet him after the show, but he was busy. However, Cocoa managed to get a photo with him.
I am quite jealous. But once again it has reignited my love of Mentalism. I was told that I'd be contacted for appearing in the show at a later date, despite not being one of the suggestible people.
Yesterday, I went ahead and bought the lens I've been lusting over for months. It's the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. Not only is it a wonderfully fast lens (I can use a shutter speed up to twelve times faster), but it's also an EF lens, means that it fits any modern Canon camera, not just the digital ones with smaller sensors. This means that the EOS 5 (that I got from eBay without a lens for £30) is finally more than a paperweight, and is a serious photo taking machine ("camera"). I also bought some ISO 50 black and white film. Although it was £4, and that angered me somewhat.
The JCS has finally started. Once again, I am at the helm and enjoying it, especially the stress of being totally responsible. I don't know why, but I love it when I'm in charge of something and I have to find a solution to a problem in a limited time. It's hugely stressful, but I get the most satisfaction from solving those issues. We had a big Wagamama trip last week (after Hare and Tortoise imposed a minimum spend on us), and now we are teaching Japanese (again) and Chinese (Mandarin) at the society, and showing films regularly, as per usual. It's great stuff.
So, after semi-failing at developing film last time (and wasting an unused film in the process), I tried developing a film that I knew was full (I'd finished it earlier that day). I developed it in the same way, using the same chemicals, being just as nervous, thinking that I was about to ruin my South Africa film photos. But as I pulled out the roll, not only did it work, but every shot was correctly exposed, as I expected and looked great. The only shot that failed was one that Taigh had snapped off accidentally while experimenting.
I made a digital shot with a similar lens from the same place. This shot of my father shows the difference in cropping and the dynamic range that you can get from film. This was one shot that really made me realise that film was still worth shooting. Although digital is a less likely to get dusty.
Film shooting also helped me make my first diptych, and first really cheesy cat picture.
And I always love to have my car in there. Lightroom allowed me to do some Split Toning too.
I have been planning a couple of articles that I could write for my blog, but I haven't had the dedication to write them yet, so keep your eyes open.
I'll be back to blog soon. I'll let you know how Akira goes on Thursday.
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