crazybobbles

Katamari paper figure

Sunday, December 31st, 2006

Managed to make myself a Katamari Damacy paper figurine. The head keeps falling off so meh.

Today I’ve been doing alot of photography today, well a few anyway. Getting more and more used to the other modes on the camera. Definitely better then sticking to the bog standard ones (I usually use Programme Mode, slightly better then the auto mode). Heres one of the photo

DS Lite Browser

Friday, December 29th, 2006

Today my DS Lite Browser arrived (as well as a compact flash card reader for my laptop). It came with both the DS card as well as a GBA cart for you to store some additional data into (such as cookies and favorites etc).

The browser is pretty decent, it uses Opera software and connects via Nintendo’s usual connection methods for when you want to get some wifi action. The interface itself is pretty good. It definitely takes some time getting used to. You can either use the handwriting mode or the keyboard mode to type stuff, I think I prefer the keyboard mode for now since its difficult for the software to recognise my B’s, it always confuses it as O’s or something else.

Loading is a bit tedious, but I guess it’s better then using your mobile phone or whatever when you’re out and about.

Hanns-G 26 inch TV

Thursday, December 28th, 2006

Today I took a trip to Pixmania’s pickup store in London and managed to buy this

It was suppose to be for my mum (she gave me the mulla to buy it and all) but somehow I just got a bit excited and installed it on my room, was hoping to squat on the LCD for a bit but my mum gave in so now this TV is MINE mwahahah. I can do picture in picture (hence the muse board at the corner) as well as using it for hdtv, wii (with composite ports) and other stuff. Its an awesome LCD TV despite being a random and unknown brand. I only bought it since Jason recommended me it and said alot of people have reviewed it and said it was good (and it damn well is).

22nd Birthday

Saturday, December 23rd, 2006

My usual birthday setup would involve a quiet night in with my friends, and thats what happened.

Managed to get my closest friends to come out for a quiet night out at GBK in Wimbledon. I would have stuck to traditions and do a Nando’s but after last night I had to opt for a different kind of meat. Anyway, Rachel was at work that evening so I arranged the time to meetup around 7.30 (and Rachel finishes at 8). I was slightly late haha, but managed to catch Jason and Elliott at the two fat ladies promptly. Twas nice seeing Elliott again, especially with the right bunch of people (college goers and all). We considered going to a pub or a coffee shop (well, Elliott anyway) but opted for bantering at HMV for 30 minutes for Rachel to finish work. It was literally a case of looking at DVD’s and talking about them haha. Was fun.

We eventually went outside to meetup with Rachel and quickly shuffled into Gourmet Burger Kitchen for some burger action. We ordered our drinks and spent a bit looking at what to eat. I thought since it’s my birthday I might as well spoil myself with a double pattie burger with bacon. It was definitely money well spent. The size of the burger was just ridiculous.

I managed to present everyone with their presents, Jason got a Casio Poptone watch (since he didnt have a watch), Elliott got a copy of Punch Drunk Love (which Jason and some waitress recommended), Rachel got a years subscription to a Flickr Pro account, that would hopefully make her use her damn digital slr camera that she got. Everyone was chuffed with their xmas presents (me being good at selecting presents and all). Jason got me a rather unique and awesome game called We <3 Katamari whilst the other two didnt (poor being a reason).

Eventually our food came by and we went nuts at the eating. My burger was simply too much. A single burger was enough to give someone a locked jaw, but two was just asking for a lock jaw. Nonetheless I resisted using knives and forks and resorted to tackling the burger with the risk of locked jaw. It was simply too much, but I think I managed anyway haha.

We had a nice long talk, Jason mentioned his Wii he got as a present, was pretty jealous that he had one but its only a matter of time when the consoles aren’t sold out silly and I can get a copy myself. I need a decent tv as well to make sure its in proper use.

That was pretty much it. Very good company and everything, received a few birthday texts as well as a birthday thread from the muse board. Spent the rest of the evening playing We <3 Katamari, awesome game haha.

Birthday Musers Meetup

Friday, December 22nd, 2006

Sort of a pre birthday meetup. Was originally planned as a normal Nando’s meetup where people just went nuts on Nando’s but since it was so close to my birthday I dubbed it my birthday meet haha.

The planned time to meet up was 3pm… I somehow managed to arrive at 5:30 or something stupid. Can’t remember what I was doing, probably bantering about on my camera and trying to get to grips with Photoshop CS2. I met Popey, Blee and Max at Victoria station, got a bit lost on where it was but eventually found it (usually I’m good at finding my way around Victoria since I went past there twice a weekend last year). Never knew Victoria had a Wasabi thingy.

Today was also where I was able to test out my new mobile service I signed up a few days ago, Shozu. It allowed me to upload photos I took on my mobile immediately to my flickr account. I wrote a quick muse board thread detailing photos that they can expect to appear randomly during the meetup, it was quite a few thing. Bit too geeky but it’s something people will be heading eventually (automatically geotagged photos, the lot).

We eventually headed down to Nando’s where we had some Sangria before we ordered. Kazzie was going to be a tad late since the people at her work made her work slightly longer then she had expected. Popey began devising his Secret Santa treasure hunt he had made for Kazzie. The locations were slightly unadventurous (under chairs and tip boxes) but I guess its the thought that counts haha (I was expecting places like inside some waiters mouth or behind a table of people who were already eating, or better yet, stuck on the managers back and she had to get it without the guy noticing).

Today, as well as being my birthday meetup, we also made sure that we were going to do the Nando’s challenge which was to eat a full extra hot platter. The platter would include a whole chicken, a large salad or coleslaw and large chips or rice. Me and Popey were the main people involved in the challenge, Max tried to join in but since he opted for Medium he was instantly disqualified.

Oh and Kazzie arrived at the scene, I immediately greeted her with my Canon EOS 400d camera which made her very jealous indeed, though at least we were dSLR buddies. She had a fun time finding her presents WHILE she was dying to use the little girls room.

The nando’s challenge was pretty intense…. for the other two. Max in particular since he couldnt finish his food off. A whole large salad was left to waste since he was full on 3/4 of a chicken. Popey got a bit sluggish near the end but he DEFINITELY finished it (cheated a bit with by eating a bt of chicken and then eating some coleslaw to neutralise the heat) but nonetheless he proved that he was manly enough to finish a full platter. I myself was a bit pissed off that I didnt use any strategies when eating my platter. I went nuts on the chicken first and had to finish off with the salad and chips. Really should have mixed up them up alot as the food was getting boring near the end. It wasnt a case of being able to finish it off, but more of a case of wanting to eat salad after some hardcore chicken (it technically is a meal for 2).

Most of the food was consumed and I even had a bit of Max’s chicken just to taunt him a bit haha. We eventually left Nando’s in search for other entertainment and while we left, Popey managed to persuade me to get my own cock stick haha.

He also tried to make me get him one but I only do crime for myself haha, I did give him room to steal on himself but he didnt (being the pope and all?). Anyhow, this was where we rode the tube to Picadilly Circus and went to funland. Blee had to leave so she said her goodbyes at Leciester Square station. Before he went to funland, Kazzie also managed to get herself a Joey hat for Kev.
The rest of the evening was spent watching the other three go nuts on the games that gave tickets for prizes. As well as some fun games such as DDR, that drum simulator game (broken bass drum haha), some horse riding game, bumper cars and some other stuff haha. Max suggested that we’d do Musecast during the bumper cars but then it got a bit weird when I tried filming it haha. We had alot of fun and eventually got ourselves 4 trumpets from the tickets they won (I didnt have change so I didnt go nuts on the shooting games etc).

Think that was it, eventually Max left and so did everyone else. The one thing that pissed me right off was that my cockstick was in Kazzie’s bag! I had to put it in there since it could be seen as a weapon in funland. Was pretty annoying, dunno what she’s doing with it now haha. So yeah.

Canon EOS 400d (Digital Rebel XTi)

Thursday, December 21st, 2006

Today I managed to purchase myself an awesome Canon EOS 400d DSLR camera. It was a rather rushed and impulse decision but definitely a wise one. I don’t think they will lower the prices of dSLR cameras after xmas so why wait all the way till then when you can simply buy one now and spend more time with it. As well as deciding on the time I was going to purchase it (ie today) I also decided on what Camera I should buy. My main contenders were the Canon EOS 400d and the Nikon D80. Most reviews would steer towards the D80, one of the main reasons being that it feels nicer and has slightly more features. Some personal preferences include the fact that it accepts SD cards as well as having an LCD protector.

Went to Pixmania to buy the camera since it was £480 there (cheapest you can get). Unfortunately they didnt have it in stock, neither did they have any 1gb extreme III memory cards. Guess I had to try another store. So I went to Jessops at Hammersmith and asked the man if i could compare the cameras (D80 and 400d). I thought it would be easy for me to compare here and make sure I’ve made the right choice. I tried the 400d and it was perfect, it felt perfect in my hands and is nice and light. I then got to hold the D80, boy it was big and heavy. I decided on the 400d pretty much when I held the camera.

Managed to purchase a few extra things, including a canon gadget bag and 3 years warranty. I managed to haggle the warranty down to £45 instead of £55. Was pretty proud of it, the manager tried ensuring that the deal was settled by saying happy stuff to me, it did work haha, he also wished me a merry xmas and all awwh. So yeah £575 for a 400d, £50 canon bag and a £55 3 year warranty. Slightly awesome .

The rest of the day was spent taking photos of random stuff, twas pretty awesome. Most of the photos can be found on my flickr page

Flickr Pro Account

Wednesday, December 13th, 2006

After hearing about this news on Digg.com I immediately got myself a Pro account. The fact that you can upload ALL your photos (in their original form) all onto Flickr means you’re pretty much sorted for archiving stuff as well as sharing it. I manage to upload all my photos onto Flickr as soon as I got it. Later on I had to reupload all the photos since I did the uploading stuff in a weird way (uploading from present to past rather than the other way around).

Now I’m definitely a happy flickr user. The interface, tagging, note taking feature and community is just amazing. I feel more creative and in the mood to take lovely shots so I can upload it onto Flickr. Flickr is also perfect for gifts so I’ve bought a few friends a Flickr gift.

So yeah, best £12 I’ve spent for a years subscription.

White Rose Movement

Monday, December 11th, 2006

Managed to see White Rose Movement today, they were alright. I got my camera back from b to use it on the gig. Was trying out all sorts of modes etc, in particular the manual modes. Must say it didnt go so well haha. Though I’m starting to really understand the importance of lighting and how it greatly affects the quality of the photo as well as stuff such as focus etc. B was at the gig as well, though since I was at the front and all taking photos and recording the gig she had to just come over and say hi before heading back to her friend to enjoy the gig with.
Managed to get the setlist at the end of the gig as well so woo.