Thursday, April 28, 2011

What would David Bellamy say?





I've got a niggle about Vegetarians. It's focused on the answer I've had in the past when I've asked them 'why are you a veggie?'.
If the answer is because it's cruel to eat other animals or just about sanctity of life in all shapes and sizes, I have a small question that forms. I've never had it satisfactorily answered.
The question sort of goes like this:
If you respect all life, what about if a moth or spider gets into your house?
The answer 100% of the time is, they would let it out humanley, or spiderly or mothly?
OK, so what if it's smaller, like an ant?
Again, yes, with care and respect.
OK, so what if it's a flea, hair lice or something? They are living creatures?
I have to admit, I don't get anything at this point, and I still haven't got to germs that live on the toilet. Do you use bleach?
Do you see what I'm saying?
Life is life, isn't it? You might feel bad about eating a cow, but what about killing microscopic life whilst cleaning?

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

What would Kow Yokoyama say?

I've been a scale modeller since I was a kid. Every kid of my era had a go of at least 1 model kit, something that I think is unfortunatley lacking these days.
Over the years I've seen a lot of good, bad & ugly stuff. Some models I can appreciate for the skill involved or new techniques tried, but I am very rarely gobsmacked.

Recently I was gobsmacked.
I've just rejoined the Maschinen Krieger site after a few years absence: http://maschinenkrueger.com/forum and once again become interested in all things 'Kow', the designer of SF3D, or Maschinen Krieger, or more plainly Ma.K

Anyway, after some browsing I came across Mark Stevens and I was gobsmacked. Mark seems to do mainly scratchbuilt models from junk.
Here's a look at a before pic on Flickr:


I know, looks impressive huh?
Then take a look at the finished result:






Here's another scratchbuild from mark:




If you would like to see all of Mark's photo's, which also include his hobby of renovating Gillott bicycles, go HERE

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

What would Sigourney Weaver say?





After having just watched the whole Alien series again I was pleasantly surprised to find that in Alien 3, the only survivor from the Prison planet Fury was an inmate called....Morse!
Oh yeah. Well done Morsey. Not so good for Ripley :(

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

What would Peter & Jane say?


I don't remember Janet & John, when I was a nipper growing up in the early 70's I had Peter & Jane. Peter throws the ball, Jane throws the ball. Peter catches the ball...you get the drift.

Anyway, I've been thinking about those days at Marshfield Junior School, a small rural school in a small village called Castleton, South Wales, because at work wev'e been taking about Parents evening and the progress our own kids are now making at reading.
And you know what, I remember something weird.
As I said, I started with Peter & Jane, but after that, there was no Horrid Henry or Harry potter for us (or me, as I have no idea what other kids were given to read) I was given novels! It's true. The next book I remember being given is The Legend of Beowulf & Grendel. And after that a strange story of a man who travelled to the world of cats (by H.P. Lovecraft I think).

I think the memory is accurate, even if it is quite old, because as I'm writing this I've just remembered some of the books my parents bought me for Christmas whilst I was at that school. Books like Alexander Dumas The Man in the Iron Mask, and The Black Arrow.

Times have certainly changed.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

What would Humphrey Bogart say?

I just had the annual task of making the company Birthday Cards. This year I went for Silver Screen stars.
Oh yeah, in case you wondered, we make aerosol cans.

Friday, February 18, 2011

What would LG say?

My old Denon 1930 DVD player has died.
A moments silence.
It was a real workhorse. I've looked around for a replacement and finally settled on the LG DVX582H.

It has some great reviews and all at a very good price.
Region hacking is a bit more complicated than a remote job though.
You need this file HERE
What you do then is burn the folder 'RMTM0000' onto a CD. I made mine a straight forward Data Disc.
You then pop it into the player and hey presto! It asks what region you would like to set the player at.
I chose '0' to make it 'All Region' and that's it.
Job done.
It's a very smart player, gloss black finish, very light and compact. Very quiet in operation with all the usual features you would expect from an upscaling DVD.
It doesn't do SACD, but, well, there you go.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

What would Mr Sony say?

  Here's my Amazon PS3 Hardware listmania list:

 
Sony Playstation 3 80GB Console 1x Dual Shock 3 controller
1.  Sony Playstation 3 80GB Console 1x Dual Shock 3 controller by Sony
The list author says:
"Any PS3 will do, dont worry about hard drive size." 

















Western Digital Scorpio Blue 500GB Sata 8MB Cache 2.5 Inch Internal Hard Drive OEM - Sony Playstation PS3 Compatible
2.  Western Digital Scorpio Blue 500GB Sata 8MB Cache 2.5 Inch Internal Hard Drive OEM - Sony Playstation PS3 Compatible by Western Digital
The list author says:
"Pimp up your PS3 to 500GB for a bargain price. It just slots in!" 





SONY COMPUTER Dual Shock 3 Game Controller [PS3]
3.  SONY COMPUTER Dual Shock 3 Game Controller [PS3] by Sony
The list author says:
"It's expensive, but the best. Mine has lasted years and still as good as new." 





PS3 Slim Stand
4.  PS3 Slim Stand by Game On
The list author says:
"These come in normal & slim sizes. Great to keep upright, neon lights & USB." 





Cooling Fan (PS3)
5.  Cooling Fan (PS3) by Competition Pro
The list author says:
"For £10 this could keep your PS3 from overheating. Fits on very nicely especially upright." 





Controller Dual Charging Dock (PS3)
6.  Controller Dual Charging Dock (PS3) by Competition Pro
The list author says:
"Keep your controller charged up. Needs powered hub for when the PS3 is off."









4 Port USB Hub ~ High Speed 2.0 (480Mbps) ~ 1.1 & 1.0 Compliant ~ Bus Powered (No Power Adapter Needed) ~ Drivers Supplier for Windows 98SE (no drivers needed for later versions)
7.  4 Port USB Hub ~ High Speed 2.0 (480Mbps) ~ 1.1 & 1.0 Compliant ~ Bus Powered (No Power Adapter Needed) ~ Drivers Supplier for Windows 98SE (no drivers needed for later versions) by World of Data
The list author says:
"This works great as a powered hub, you may need more than the 4 slots though as things progress." 





1209 Trendy and Quality High Speed 7 Port USB 2.0 Tower Hub with UK AC Power Cable Adaptor Externally Powered USB Tower Hub 7 port --- 12 Month Warranty >>> THT Trade
8.  1209 Trendy and Quality High Speed 7 Port USB 2.0 Tower Hub with UK AC Power Cable Adaptor Externally Powered USB Tower Hub 7 port --- 12 Month Warranty >>> THT Trade by THT Trade
The list author says:
"This will give you 7 ports, enough to keep things charged to the max, even when off." 





Sony Playstation Eye Camera with EyeCreate (PS3)
9.  Sony Playstation Eye Camera with EyeCreate (PS3) by Sony
The list author says:
"You get one with Eye Pet or Move Starter Pack, but here it is just to show." 





AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.0 Metres) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging]
10.  AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to A-Female Extension Cable (3.0 Metres) [Amazon Frustration-Free Packaging] by AmazonBasics
The list author says:
"A few of these may come in handy, for the Eye, or if a controller runs out of juice on a long session." 





Crown PlayStation Move Eye Camera Clip (PS3)
11.  Crown PlayStation Move Eye Camera Clip (PS3) by Crown
The list author says:
"Maybe overlooked, but this little clip could come in handy." 





PlayStation Move Starter Pack with PlayStation Eye Camera, Move Controller and Starter Disc (PS3)
12.  PlayStation Move Starter Pack with PlayStation Eye Camera, Move Controller and Starter Disc (PS3) by Sony
The list author says:
"The starter kit will give you 1 wand, Eye and Demo disk." 





Playstation Move Controller - Black (PS3)
13.  Playstation Move Controller - Black (PS3) by Sony
The list author says:
"Spare Wands for more than 1 player, or if your not getting the Starter kit." 





PlayStation Move Navigation Controller (PS3)
14.  PlayStation Move Navigation Controller (PS3) by Sony
The list author says:
"Navigation controller to use with the wand instead of the normal Pad." 





iTALKonline QUAD Contoller Charging Dock for PlayStation Play Station PS3 MOVE Motion Controller & Navigation Controller (USB Charging Adapter Included)
15.  iTALKonline QUAD Contoller Charging Dock for PlayStation Play Station PS3 MOVE Motion Controller & Navigation Controller (USB Charging Adapter Included) by iTALKonline
The list author says:
"Let's keep the Move stuff charged (another USB port gone!)" 





PlayStation Move Gun Attachment (PS3)
16.  PlayStation Move Gun Attachment (PS3) by Sony
The list author says:
"Currently the best gun to stick the Move controller in."