IMPS - The Relentless
An impressive Star Wars Fan Flick

Polaroid-o-nizer™
Lovely retro-polaroidonizing website... have a play...
As prompted you just need to add some text and give the URL of a photo (must be online somewhere already)
here's some examples...

Louise makes a 'Pam says thanks' Page

The Crimson Room
Minos passed this on.. kind of a cross between japanese-anime style graphics and Myst... can you escape ? Some lovely Engrish subtitles.
Warnings:
- This is the kind of thing which rapidly becomes very adictive !
- There is one piece of info you absolutely need, which is not contained within the game directly, I only got it by finding a cheat page.
Clue (slight spoiler but not really): "1994" - this is not a teaser - it will be obvious when you need it.
**Apparently there are different versions of the game out there where this number is different - be aware.

The game is a freebie shockwave app - and seems to have been copied all over the web, here the link Minos sent to me: The Crimson Room.
Here is a solution - for if you give up: Crimson Room Solution.

BBC SPORT - When does it all kick off again?
just when you're enjoying a break from it all - the new footy season's start dates...

Redferns Music Picture Gallery: DAVID BOWIE PIN UP

This exhibition is a celebration of an artist with a real understanding for rock’s visual appeal.
Featuring rare and unseen images by an impressive list of legendary photographers: Terry O’Neil, Andrew Kent, Mick Rock, Ian Dickson, Denis O’Regan, David Bebbington, Brian Aris, Ray Stevenson, Michael Putland, Barry Plummer and Kate Simon all contribute to this amazing photographic narrative.

PledgeBank - Tell the world "I'll do it, but only if you'll help"
This is another interesting idea from www.mysociety.org/.

"The way it works is simple. You create a pledge which has the basic format 'I'll do something, but only if other people will pledge to do the same thing'."

On Toothache, music and musical heroes...
I have been suffering from a persistent toothache from a wisdom tooth... it's "impacted" see here for an explanation and here's a picture (aaaaarrrrrggghhhh !)


So, whilst waiting to see a dental surgeon at the hospital last Saturday, I was catching up on some reading, including the most recent entries on the ever-readable David Byrne "Online Journal" (don't call it a blog!).

Just imagine my ironic chuckling as I sat in the waiting room reading the following, with toothache, waiting to see a DENTAL SURGEON whilst in the background an eazy-listening-musak cd played chunes from the popular songbook in ver-so-luvverly synth, drum-machine and panpipes arrangements...

NOTE: This is from the entry from June 5
"One can not only hear the music one chooses all the time if one wants, which seems like a good thing, but one can also seek out music from far-flung places, scenes and from times very different than one's own. At least in recorded form it’s more or less all out there.
I find this overwhelming. Probably as a musician I find music either one or the other — completely invisible, inaudible — even sometimes when it’s playing loud — or completely intrusive — impossible to ignore. As a musician there are times when even quiet background music in a bar or restaurant is completely distracting and impossible to ignore. It’s like the effect of having a TV on in room is for most people — it tends to demand attention. All conversation either stops or has to deal with the TV program. Music is like that for musicians.
In this way the easy access to and ubiquity of music is oppressive. It often feels like a passive aggressive assault. I’d pay extra for silence."

Why Geeks and Nerds Are Worth It...
I spotted this a while back - thought it would be good for Louise :-)

Brian Eno on Song-Writing:
I came across these comments on song writing by Eno..:

'Song-writing is now actually the most difficult challenge in music. It's very easy to make music now but lyrics are really the last very hard problem in music. What I think lyrics have to do is engage a certain part of your brain in a sort of search activity so your brain wants to say 'here are some provocative clues as to what this song might be about'. They don't have to be explicit... in fact for me they certainly shouldn't be explicit'.

Grocery Store Wars | Join the Organic Rebellion
Some nice organic food advocacy in a star wars stylee [Flash Movie] - Righteous !
Thanks to Giles for the tip.

eNormicom: Welcome to eNormicom!: "Is your company having an e-dentity crisis? Then you need the eNormicom Image Bucket Program™..."

The Adventures of ACTION ITEM!
Wonderfull send up of consultancy-speak in the form of a DC/marvel comic strip.

Free Online Graph Paper / Grid Paper PDFs
Exactly as it says on the tin. I think this is one for Alison and Louise!

Antique Radio Classified--With The Collectors
Isn't it great that these consumer devices are already considered antiques !
I still have a Rio 500 - which I actually picked up from Michael ... back in 2000.

Today is April 1st
in case you hadn't noticed... here's some nice date-appropriate articles I noticed today:

Could Tom Parker Bowles become second in line to the throne after the royal wedding next week?
BBC Radio4's Today program: RealAudio Clip

Bowie to launch new Perfume: Mesmer
Mesmer by David Bowie is a spellbinding and erotic blend of sensuality and warm awakening aromas of bergamot, lemon, and patchouli singapour balanced perfectly with musk, red marechal rose and African wengue wood.

Bloglines Helps Bridge The Vastness Of Space
News Feed and Blog Reading In The Warrior Tongue
Oakland, CA, Earth -- Stardate: 2005.4.1 -- Bloglines, the world's most popular free online service for searching, subscribing, publishing and sharing news feeds, blogs and rich web content, today opened the doors of its service to audiences beyond our solar system with a new translation in Klingon, the galaxy's fastest-spreading invented language.

*Apple founder Jobs joins IKEA | The Register
KEA's flatpack days may soon be a distant memory, as Apple and Pixar founder Steve Jobs turns to his latest challenge. Inter IKEA Systems BV will employ Jobs as "acting CEO", from next month. The technology icon will maintain his twin CEO roles at Apple Computer Inc. and Pixar Inc. but will also take command with a wide-ranging brief at the retail giant. For the technology guru, it's just another job, but for the Swedish furnishing franchise, it's a massive gamble. IKEA had a turnover of €13 billion last year, and has over 200 stores worldwide.

Boring Boring Parody of Boing Boing

Ingenious Google-like front-end to BBC's Ceefax: ceefax.tv

As reported by The Register:

BBC throws strop at 'Ceefax Google'A Dutch consultant has provoked the anger of the BBC by creating a website which lets users browse Ceefax, the broadcaster’s popular teletext service. The BBC has demanded the closure of the site, claiming copyright infringement.

The FactCheck website
The Guardian reports a soon to be launched website...

MediaGuardian: C4 site subjects politicians to truth test
Channel 4 today launches a website that will enable voters to check the factual basis of politicians' claims in the run-up to the general election.
The FactCheck website, which has been inspired by a similar online venture launched in the US in 2003, has been set up to inform voters about the factual accuracy of claims politicians make in speeches, press conferences and press releases.
"We believe FactCheck will be an important service to the public during the election period. With so many statements flying around, it is often difficult for the voter to know where the truth lies," said Dorothy Byrne, the head of news and current affairs at Channel 4.

Channel 4 FactCheck

Ciaran, Ray & Damian from That Petrol Emotion on the Radio - Thursday 31st March
This just in from Ciaran...

Ciaran, Ray & Damian from That Petrol Emotion will be
live on Resonance FM (104.4) on Thursday 31st March
from 7-8.30 p.m talking about their favourite records
and playing some new songs!!
You can listen online too:
www.resonancefm.com/audio
Check it out - and pass this on - its the next big
thing don't you know :)

Julian Beever's pavement drawings
I seem to remember blogging about this guy a year or so ago.. this site has lots of great photos.

Sponsor Alison In the Race For Life for Cancer Research
Alison and her mum (Granny Pam) have signed up take part in this year's Race for Life event.
You can sponsor her online here: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/alisonadams

"In 2000 my mum was diagnosed with breast cancer. Three terrible operations later and I don't know who was in worse shape - her or my dad - mums illness took it's toll on him too. Now, they are both happy and healthy and my son Charlie really loves his Granny Pam and Grumps.
I will be proud to wear number 479, and even more proud to be taking part with my mum.
Please sponsor me now and tell a friend too !"

Myst island birthday cake
One for Alison.

The secret of bananas - caught on tape
how did we live so long without knowing this ?

You'd think after eating a fruit at least a thousand times, you'd know all it's capable of. Maybe not. I recently learned something about bananas that, quite frankly, blew my mind.
I'm sure it won't be news to everyone, but for me this revelation was up there with seeing the secret arrow in the Fedex logo for the first time...
BANANAS NATURALLY DIVIDE INTO 3 PERFECT WEDGES.

Snap Galleries
"Rare and exclusive rock and roll photography from Snap Galleries"
bumped into this today.. lotsa photos of all your favourite rock gods/godesses.

Heavy Chamber Music
Ever wondered how choice rock cuts such as Radiohead's Creep and the Tap's classic "Big Bottom" (not to mention the "Wild Boys" cover) would sound as arranged for and recorded on bass clarinet ?
Of course you have !
Well, you can find out here.. download the mp3s here: Edmund Welles: Audio
.
.
.
Talk about bun-cakes my girls got 'em....

CIA - The World Factbook
Does what it says on the tin. Pick a country... any country...

Jazz Recording Artists Go Into Business for Themselves
A WSJ article about the emergence of new music labels run for and by jaz musicians.
I think this is the answer for the less popular (i.e. real !) music genres, let the artists (those who have the "content") and their public (that would be the "consumers") communicate and buy/sell directly - who needs the parasites of the big labels in the middle ? If the established artists can promote and endorse (and help) their up and coming less established colleagues - then we the fans/audiance will find and promote new music and artists... in the way we already do: by referal.

Here's an artist based label (there are many springing up now) which features some new music from Roger Eno (that was my link to them):
Burning Shed: Specialist online music label and shop

Scott Rope: Jack in the box Voicemail

Very Very Funny Voicemail ! [apparently genuine]
This is probably all-over-everywhere by now.. but this made me laugh out loud. Follow this link Jack in the box Voicemail
for an introduction and a link to an mp3 [4MB, 3.5 minutes] of an apparently genuine voicemail message...

"...when an operations manager was late for a meeting and called his boss to tell him he was running late. As he was leaving the voice mail message, he witnessed an accident and went on to provide "play by play" of the incident."

The Urban Legends Reference Pages considers this "Status: Undetermined" - and their investigation hasn't proved it to be a hoax (yet), see:
http://www.snopes.com/autos/mishaps/beating.asp

Montage-a-google

Montage-a-google
Searches google images based on keywords you enter, then builds a photo-montage before your very eyes... simple genius, highly compelling... highly distracting.
I found music/bands to give nice results, e.g. "david bowie 1976" and "that petrol emotion". Alsion tried some for Charlie.. like "brake down truck" and "diggers".
Nice, instant personalised art !

Angler's Quest Deluxe Fishing Simulator
Can there be any future for a civilization which allows anyone to design, manufacture and sell these.. and then allows other people to buy them ?

"Reel them in with this deluxe virtual reality fishing simulator.
The Angler's Quest Deluxe Virtual Fishing Simulator is the most luxurious way to go fishing without getting your feet wet. The cabinet is made from a beautiful hardwood finish which makes this game look right at home in your private entertainment room. The game includes all the features of the arcade version plus some high quality extras that make this game extra fun."

Rinus Michels RIP
The death of the Dutch "father of Total Football" has spawned some great comment on his life and achievments in football, and the revolution that was and is "total football".
These articles in the Guardian are all worth reading:

Fearless father of Total Football - Kevin McCarra
'The greatest coach I played for - everybody looked up to him' - Hans van Breukelen
Obituary by Brian Glanville - Rinus Michels Renowned Dutch soccer coach whose 'total football' concept took his team to victory

My dad took me to see England vs Holland in a 1975 friendly at Wembley. I was 10 at the time, and didn't really apreciate the fact that I was watching Cryuff, Neskens, Resenbrink, Krol, Rep etc. I'm not sure if Michels was the manager then... but it was still his team and and his style... Holland won 2-0 with goals from a guy called Jan Peters... who i think was not in the squad by the time of the 1978 World Cup.
I do remember I loved their Orange shirts !
I was also present for the Euro 96 (Alison bought the tickets) match at Wembley... when England out total-football'd the Dutch... marvellous !

Tony Visconti on the 30TH ANNIVERSARY Young Americans Release
bowie news
Visconti recently remixed for 5.1 the 2 70's live albums (Live & Stage) - as well as the more recent Bowie albums. This news article has some nice quotes from Visconti and an extract from a contemporary music press piece. Nice.

All the tracks have been mixed from the master tapes to 96khz high definition digital audio. That translates to 'freakin' scary' quality. Mr. Bowie is front and center, but the backing is now spread 360º with Mr. Vandross hovering over your left shoulder for most of the album. John Lennon's six string acoustic is almost entirely in the right rear speaker on "Across The Universe" and you just might hear a comment from him when the song is over. What really brought it home to me was how great David's vocals were, and a lot of them were live takes with him standing in the same room as the band at Sigma Studios in Philadelphia.

Now all i need to do is invest in some 5.1 suround sound gear... oh, and a bigger house with a suitably sized room !

More on the Snow..Man...


See the Snow Gallery

Snow.
it's been seriously snowing up here in North Yorkshire, which prompted me to blog this lovely gallery of snowflakes...:

Snowflake and Snow Crystal Photos:
Snow Crystal Photographs
... Capturing the fleeting beauty of snowflakes ...
Snowflakes are temporary works of art. After just a few short minutes on the ground, a fallen snowflake will lose its ornate structure, its unique pattern that will never again be repeated. Photography allows us to preserve a few of these minute masterpieces and to examine their form up close. Below are some examples of snow crystal photographs from around the world."

And here's a photo of Charlie in the snow...
more over at our website photo gallery

My MP (former Tory leader) William Hague earns £820K on top of his salary.
The BBC reports this news, which is to me quite staggering... not so much a shock or a scandal... more, just... how can that guy be worth so much.. someone somewhere must value him.

BBC NEWS - Hague's six-figure earnings shown
"The register shows former Tory leader William Hague earning up to £820,000 on top of his MPs' salary, much of it from speaking fees."
"Mr Hague's work outside Parliament included two one-man shows, which with other speaking fees netted him up to £480,000."

True art or a fake?
Take the quiz

"Some of the images displayed below are True Masterpieces of Abstract Art, created by Immortal Artists. Each of them carries a profound meaning, which is, however, beyond the apprehensions of the vulgar. The rest were produced by the author of the quiz. They mean nothing."

now i am 40...
Today's the day I reached 40 years of age...
feels about the same as yesterday...

are you coming to my party ?

Online Bowie Quiz...
it's just a bit of fun to promote the EMI reissues of the newly-improved versions of David Live and Stage this coming Monday, February 21st.(altho if your daft enough to give your contact details to EMI's marketing department you can be entered into a prize draw!)

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS)
Just bumped into this site today... worth knowing about if you are getting bothered by nuisance calls...

"helps you to make sure your telephone number is no longer available to organisations who may telephone you with offers and information you do not wish to receive"
TPS Registration

"Someone keeps stealing my letters..."
Lovely virtual fridge-magnet multi-player game (Flash) - you compete/cooperate with others to assemble words, or a random mess... time wasting silly game.. or interesting sociological experiment... you decide:
Just Letters

`What would she get if the firm had done well? A country?':

'Star' CEOs like HP's Fiorina don't come cheap - Her severance package is worth at least $21.1 million. Those who agitate for CEO pay to be linked to performance said they are disgusted by her severance package.
``What would she get if the firm had done well? A country?'' asked Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, associate dean of the Yale School of Management."

People collect the strangest things online...
The Wonderful World of Airline Napkins
Project C-90
Don Markstein's Toonopedia

Nice Topical Knock Knock Joke...
This seems to be doing the rounds, I heard it on yesterday's Broadcasting House (on Radio4)

Knock knock
Who's there?
Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson who?
Right, you're on the jury!

One for Ciaran...
MOJO's Top 100 Soundtracks of All Time List

Bing..! Its Groundhog Day, er.. again... Apparently

Groundhog .org - the Official Site of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club
"Groundhog Day 2005 is on the way! Groundhog Day is Wednesday, February 2, 2005.
According to legend, if Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, there will be six more weeks of winter weather. If he does not see his shadow, there will be an early spring.

Phil: Ned Ryerson?
Ned: BING.
Phil: Bing
http://imdb.com/title/tt0107048/quotes

The new 60?
Katharine Whitehorn on what it means to be 80

"Not so long ago, you were doing well if you reached three score years and 10. But many of us now live full and active lives well beyond that. So what does it mean today to be 80? Katharine Whitehorn, who's not there yet, considers our changing understanding of old age."I read this yesterday (maybe I'm reflecting on aging as my 40th birthday approaches) - the piece is insightful and makes some good points and theres some nice humerous touches.

As people of my generation contemplate the ageing of our parents' generation, and mainstream celebrity obsessed media deals so foolishly with ageing (or attempting to postpone or deny it). Talk of "pension crises" and stories about "the support burden" for younger people caring for the older generation seem to me to be very negative and lack the imagination necessary to see what a blessing it is to have grandparents for our children.

BBC Radio3 featuring "The Minimalists" as their composer of the week (program runs Mon-Fri @ 12 noon).
BBC - Radio 3 - Composer of the Week - 1. Beginnings
I just heard the first one.. reminded me how much I (still) like a lot of this stuff.. despite rarely playing any of it myself.... time to dust off my old Phillip Glass & Steve Reich LPs ?

Resuming Blogging...
After a long hiatus, since April last year, I have decided to take up blogging again.
I'm not entirely sure why I stopped, or why I am starting again - however I think there was a period when I seemed mostly to be collecting wiered and funny, yet daft stuff which meant little to anyone, and arguably was already well served (e.g. boingboing.net).
I also got rather caught up with the Peak Oil Theory [deserves a proper post/discussion], the mind-boggling seriousness of which makes blogging trivialities seem futile.
Whatever...
I shall resume as of now, and attempt to record somethig, and see where we end up :-)