I'm now going all hippy which seems a stark contradiction to Virgin with their abuse of electricity with the adverts and their business. But as in minority report when do adverts become tailor made? Already facebook has things that are linked to your interests, relationship status and friends. Blyk and many other mobile network operators also have a similar principle, they send adverts out and adverts attach to the end of text messages that they send to people. Although some of the information in these adverts is surprisingly to tailor made, and a degree of listening to conversations or monitoring someones whereabouts would be necessary. All a bit scary, the fact that you can be followed.
The next wave of this is interactive billboards that sense the gender, age and many other degrees of classification. So who knows someday you could be walking past judgmental billboards telling what smell to wear or what boxers David Beckham is wearing and how if you wear them you'll be like him.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
Artistry
You only become good at something if you practice, nobody is born amazing. I have tried to become more arty and less of the pedantic geeky scientist, you can be the judge of my attainment and effort in rectifying that.
But now for the meat of the sandwich, the Virgin Media ads. There have been some good ads featuring the Virgin brand a lot of recent times, Virgin Atlantic celebrating its 25 anniversary with attractive flight attendants and a buff pilot strutting through a remarkably clean, tidy and quiet airport.
However my favourite, is the recent one involving the a rugged man's journey on a train. The journey is mundane but his friends, his girlfriend, music and a computer gaming experience all miraculously are present at different points. That seems to sum life up and its happiness pretty well (despite the gaming), and apparently you can relive that all through a smartphone. So therefore if x = happiness and y=smartphone then x=y + train ticket. So buy a smartphone and be happy on a train remembering all those people.
Finally as a forlorn finish. My friend Legweak is off to Benicassim, a festival in the south of spain by the coast for 9 days. This festival is labelled the Glastonbury in the sun (or of the sun) and this year features headliners Oasis, Paul Weller, Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon and many other great acts. Now suffice to say I'm not going with him, and if like me you aren't going or even if you are this mixtape will wet your appetite for the awaiting climax of the festival.
It might not be an indie mixtape (contrary to the headliners) but you will like and recognise plenty of the songs and their electro-dance remix cousins as well as artists such as Boyz noise and remixes from herve and 2manydjs.
A brief description by the man himself
'Although the line-up is quite indie/rock, I've made an electro/club/dance mixtape and included 18 artists that are playing this year in 22 tracks. This is one for the mojitos rather than the Aquabona's, although you may need the latter by the end. RAAAAVE IT UP!'

Download it here.
But now for the meat of the sandwich, the Virgin Media ads. There have been some good ads featuring the Virgin brand a lot of recent times, Virgin Atlantic celebrating its 25 anniversary with attractive flight attendants and a buff pilot strutting through a remarkably clean, tidy and quiet airport.
However my favourite, is the recent one involving the a rugged man's journey on a train. The journey is mundane but his friends, his girlfriend, music and a computer gaming experience all miraculously are present at different points. That seems to sum life up and its happiness pretty well (despite the gaming), and apparently you can relive that all through a smartphone. So therefore if x = happiness and y=smartphone then x=y + train ticket. So buy a smartphone and be happy on a train remembering all those people.
Finally as a forlorn finish. My friend Legweak is off to Benicassim, a festival in the south of spain by the coast for 9 days. This festival is labelled the Glastonbury in the sun (or of the sun) and this year features headliners Oasis, Paul Weller, Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon and many other great acts. Now suffice to say I'm not going with him, and if like me you aren't going or even if you are this mixtape will wet your appetite for the awaiting climax of the festival.
It might not be an indie mixtape (contrary to the headliners) but you will like and recognise plenty of the songs and their electro-dance remix cousins as well as artists such as Boyz noise and remixes from herve and 2manydjs.
A brief description by the man himself
'Although the line-up is quite indie/rock, I've made an electro/club/dance mixtape and included 18 artists that are playing this year in 22 tracks. This is one for the mojitos rather than the Aquabona's, although you may need the latter by the end. RAAAAVE IT UP!'

Download it here.
Friday, 3 July 2009
Moving on
Now this is not a heartfelt story of how my fancies are changing, no. This is about moving house, well from flat to house. My first year of university has finished, well hopefully if all the results are the way I want them. But today I said goodbye to my 1st year flat, almost a sad moment as I closed the door and locked it for the last time remembering how it was when I arrived those 9 months ago. Getting in opening the door, getting posters an pictures out putting stuff away and then start drinking. However as my Dad reminded me today one door shuts another one slams you in the face, but I'm very much looking forward to living in my new house with 2 out of 3 of the sane flatmates so all is swell. With it comes all the responsibility of managing bills, rents and other boring adult things that I took for granted.
One more thing about this is it means most of my friends will arrive at university next year, one fortunate enough to be coming to Sheffield. So I'll still have a little feel of freshers...
I'm going to start the whole science thing up again when I'm on a computer with macromedia flash and an internet connection that doesn't have to go through a human operator to a switchboard.
Anything paticularly interesting you want to know?
But a few quick facts for now, to make you sound either weird or genius depending on the timing:
Sex does not affect performance in sport if practiced the night before
Fit people sweat more than unfit people
Not all fat is bad, without it your brain would not be there and nor would you
OH and double dipping is NOT the same as putting your mouth in the dip, still it is pretty disgusting
And one final thng before I forget, those who live in a hole or circumvent the TV liscensing authorities Mock the week starts next week at 9pm on BBC 2.
To wet your appetite or to throw you a bone here is one of many reasons why I look forward to its return
One more thing about this is it means most of my friends will arrive at university next year, one fortunate enough to be coming to Sheffield. So I'll still have a little feel of freshers...
I'm going to start the whole science thing up again when I'm on a computer with macromedia flash and an internet connection that doesn't have to go through a human operator to a switchboard.
Anything paticularly interesting you want to know?
But a few quick facts for now, to make you sound either weird or genius depending on the timing:
Sex does not affect performance in sport if practiced the night before
Fit people sweat more than unfit people
Not all fat is bad, without it your brain would not be there and nor would you
OH and double dipping is NOT the same as putting your mouth in the dip, still it is pretty disgusting
And one final thng before I forget, those who live in a hole or circumvent the TV liscensing authorities Mock the week starts next week at 9pm on BBC 2.
To wet your appetite or to throw you a bone here is one of many reasons why I look forward to its return
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Art? Inspiration? thought?
My incredibly arty friend Legweak (I want that fiver next week) has managed to get me into adverts and all sorts of interesting amazing things. Charlie Brooker's newswipe (for some reason iplayer won't let me on the 1st one), which despite his coarse language and aggressive mannerisms being his comedy tool of force is pretty funny.
Also animals speaking are always a guaranteed laugh, and although I missed them first time the whole series of them had me giggling, not quite laughing but on my way if it wasn't SOO hot in my room!
Also animals speaking are always a guaranteed laugh, and although I missed them first time the whole series of them had me giggling, not quite laughing but on my way if it wasn't SOO hot in my room!
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Relax
Now this is not going to be a blog about Frankie or Hollywood. In fact I don't even know where this is going, I'm gonna rid my head of what ever comes to mind.
But firstly football, not my best topic at the moment but USA's fight to the final and attitude showed something, that no matter your skill level will and determination can triumph. Ultimately however they did not and Brazil won 3 - 2 in the final. With some pretty smooth performances and a wrongly judged disallowed goal, but here is some of the action.
Links for all the best goals are there as well, one paticular italian isn't too bad, not the goal scorer but check out the control on the sideline!
But I'm now going to go a bit downhearted now.
Its been a difficult week, serious family issues to contend with, constant worrying about my little brothers secondary school place and the minor problem of the person I like being harder to get hold of than an excited cat.
None of those I can have any control over, so I try and set it to the back of my mind and do other stuff fixing bikes, riding bikes, but there is only so far that goes. It isn't even as if I have the excuse that no one is here and there are no friends in Bristol.
I have regressed, devolved or evolved into the desk bound goal junkie, I can't relax anymore, waking up at 5am regularly. I am back to the antisocial state of my life pre 6th form.
Well I think this, I might be beating myself up, it could be my attitude beating myself up about the stuff, what ifs and hypotheticals. I don't fear change; I fear no more chances, no way back.
But firstly football, not my best topic at the moment but USA's fight to the final and attitude showed something, that no matter your skill level will and determination can triumph. Ultimately however they did not and Brazil won 3 - 2 in the final. With some pretty smooth performances and a wrongly judged disallowed goal, but here is some of the action.
Links for all the best goals are there as well, one paticular italian isn't too bad, not the goal scorer but check out the control on the sideline!
But I'm now going to go a bit downhearted now.
Its been a difficult week, serious family issues to contend with, constant worrying about my little brothers secondary school place and the minor problem of the person I like being harder to get hold of than an excited cat.
None of those I can have any control over, so I try and set it to the back of my mind and do other stuff fixing bikes, riding bikes, but there is only so far that goes. It isn't even as if I have the excuse that no one is here and there are no friends in Bristol.
I have regressed, devolved or evolved into the desk bound goal junkie, I can't relax anymore, waking up at 5am regularly. I am back to the antisocial state of my life pre 6th form.
Well I think this, I might be beating myself up, it could be my attitude beating myself up about the stuff, what ifs and hypotheticals. I don't fear change; I fear no more chances, no way back.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
D.E.V.I.L
Firstly I'd like to unreservedly apologise for my spelling grammar and general English of my last post. A combination of lack of sleep and intense revision was not good, however I'm back to my normal cynic self with a anal attitude towards everything.
Now the latter of those two points gives me something to talk about, no not that I like giving or receiving, but how now I have become even more of a smart Alec than before! Did you believe it possible? However over three months in Bristol should reduce my ways to mere mild annoyance instead of causing full blown arguments.
But my life has been busy, exams mainly and then a bike event the weekend just gone. Out of both of those I have lovely tan and burn lines from where my lycra shorts reached on my leg.
Adding to this, the omnipresent story of my life and probably many other men/boys is women.
I struggle with the whole confidence thing, I always feel inferior, but this time I felt pretty good. The signs were right, the lights were on, I restrained from my usual form of dancing meant only for amusement of others and tried my hardest to do some casual flirting; I'm sure that is an oxymoron, but no matter. Then this same girl a week later, finally has a wake up call and now I struggle to get hold of her. I haven't inundated her with calls or texts, or chatted to her on facebook just a text about her weekend, no reply, in three days. Not ages, but long enough to ponder. But yeah no logical region for the change of tune but ah well. Plenty more shit in the park.
But onto the stuff I really love, work. I was reading a fitness catalogue with loads of weird powders and drinks to which you eat/drink and become an Arnie stunt double. Firstly where on this earth is that attractive or any other positive and secondly it highlights the all important thing of knowledge is power. I could say a lot of stuff about science, like obese people are bullet proof, there are 10 times more microbes on or in our body than we have cells. Both of those things are true, to a certain extent of course. But how many people will just read what something says and believe it straight away?
This worldwide web means anybody can be a publisher, they don't need a PhD, a degree or any qualification. The internet is free, it has no boundaries of information, everyone can get access. However don't believe everything you read, no one is going to create a miracle cure for AIDS anytime soon or a cancer drug. Even now that information about taking aspirin once a day reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, counter research has been done and shows it only helps people post event. How is anybody supposed to know? Play devils advocate, live in reality not in a world of ifs and buts and save yourself the embarrassment of cocking up.
Now the latter of those two points gives me something to talk about, no not that I like giving or receiving, but how now I have become even more of a smart Alec than before! Did you believe it possible? However over three months in Bristol should reduce my ways to mere mild annoyance instead of causing full blown arguments.
But my life has been busy, exams mainly and then a bike event the weekend just gone. Out of both of those I have lovely tan and burn lines from where my lycra shorts reached on my leg.
Adding to this, the omnipresent story of my life and probably many other men/boys is women.
I struggle with the whole confidence thing, I always feel inferior, but this time I felt pretty good. The signs were right, the lights were on, I restrained from my usual form of dancing meant only for amusement of others and tried my hardest to do some casual flirting; I'm sure that is an oxymoron, but no matter. Then this same girl a week later, finally has a wake up call and now I struggle to get hold of her. I haven't inundated her with calls or texts, or chatted to her on facebook just a text about her weekend, no reply, in three days. Not ages, but long enough to ponder. But yeah no logical region for the change of tune but ah well. Plenty more shit in the park.
But onto the stuff I really love, work. I was reading a fitness catalogue with loads of weird powders and drinks to which you eat/drink and become an Arnie stunt double. Firstly where on this earth is that attractive or any other positive and secondly it highlights the all important thing of knowledge is power. I could say a lot of stuff about science, like obese people are bullet proof, there are 10 times more microbes on or in our body than we have cells. Both of those things are true, to a certain extent of course. But how many people will just read what something says and believe it straight away?
This worldwide web means anybody can be a publisher, they don't need a PhD, a degree or any qualification. The internet is free, it has no boundaries of information, everyone can get access. However don't believe everything you read, no one is going to create a miracle cure for AIDS anytime soon or a cancer drug. Even now that information about taking aspirin once a day reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, counter research has been done and shows it only helps people post event. How is anybody supposed to know? Play devils advocate, live in reality not in a world of ifs and buts and save yourself the embarrassment of cocking up.
Friday, 12 June 2009
Guess who's back?
Yeah me, an owl, at this moment a drunk owl so I won't be flying.
The reason for this is not cause I'm following the path of an alcoholic racist, I'm not Mel Gibson.
No I have just finished exams, and I have embarked on a new section of life I feel. I wrote a while ago about how I only like friends, fortunately I have stopped this now. Luckily this girl will never read this, but suffice to say she is lovely and has totally consumed the free time between my revising aspects of sexual behaviour and the physiology of the vestibular system - balance if you didn't know. Its what gets upset when you start drinking, stops sending you signals so you fall over. This time I might even have a chance as well, apart from the fact that I'm off home for the summer and she lives in Staffordshire, for once though there may be confidence.
But yeah science because even though. I've finished exams it is still amazing and understanding science and physiology of the body is fascinating, even if difficult and hard. Although apparently this is so hard for many people that finding the heart is impossible, or at least difficult, this is a whole level of stupidity, how can you not feel it? Well unless you are so fat it doesn't make any difference, but either way it scares me. Knowing what hurts in your body is about the best thing when being ill, although admittedly the menstrual cycle is just an unfortunate aspect of female life.
But some of you may know that I have a little brother well not just 'a' little brother, I have three. One being the grand age of one, he is already beginning to develop Stewie Griffin's traits under instruction of my parents and siblings. However this pregnancy thing is pretty rubbish, if you get ill at all, or drink, or do drugs or pretty much do anything apart from live a life of abstinence of all things exciting, fun and lovely. Rubella can cause eye malformations, drinking alcohol a small brain and drugs the list is long and hard to read.
That is it for me for now, tomorrow when I don't feel quite so tired and emotional I'l put some effort in.
The reason for this is not cause I'm following the path of an alcoholic racist, I'm not Mel Gibson.
No I have just finished exams, and I have embarked on a new section of life I feel. I wrote a while ago about how I only like friends, fortunately I have stopped this now. Luckily this girl will never read this, but suffice to say she is lovely and has totally consumed the free time between my revising aspects of sexual behaviour and the physiology of the vestibular system - balance if you didn't know. Its what gets upset when you start drinking, stops sending you signals so you fall over. This time I might even have a chance as well, apart from the fact that I'm off home for the summer and she lives in Staffordshire, for once though there may be confidence.
But yeah science because even though. I've finished exams it is still amazing and understanding science and physiology of the body is fascinating, even if difficult and hard. Although apparently this is so hard for many people that finding the heart is impossible, or at least difficult, this is a whole level of stupidity, how can you not feel it? Well unless you are so fat it doesn't make any difference, but either way it scares me. Knowing what hurts in your body is about the best thing when being ill, although admittedly the menstrual cycle is just an unfortunate aspect of female life.
But some of you may know that I have a little brother well not just 'a' little brother, I have three. One being the grand age of one, he is already beginning to develop Stewie Griffin's traits under instruction of my parents and siblings. However this pregnancy thing is pretty rubbish, if you get ill at all, or drink, or do drugs or pretty much do anything apart from live a life of abstinence of all things exciting, fun and lovely. Rubella can cause eye malformations, drinking alcohol a small brain and drugs the list is long and hard to read.
That is it for me for now, tomorrow when I don't feel quite so tired and emotional I'l put some effort in.
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