slices May 21st, 2007

If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Picture this: You spend all day working on your computer, browsing the web, clicking trough a endless parade of assorted pages within the vast Internet wilderness. Quite likely, you get tired, after a while; your arm begins to ache. You begin to feel uncomfortable and your concentration starts fading. Just then, you simply lean back on the chair away from the keyboard. You raise the mouse off the table top and you start waving it in the air. The cursor responds promply to your very move, and you’re able to keep browsing while relaxing away from the keyboard… in fact, you can go up to 30 feet away! You can even go to another room, and turn on your computer’s mp3 player with just the flick of a wrist. Sounds like sci-fi? Well gues what… tomorrow has already arrived yesterday! This unique mouse uses gyroscopic technology, which has already began to surface on many other applications, especially within the videogame industry. I think this is really cool technology, and I was blown away when i discovered ingenious mouse; from what I’ve read it’s actually very acurrate and effective. And it’s actually quite cheap, it’s actually cheaper than most top-of-the-line mice.

I’ll make a detailed review when i get mine.If you want to see a somewhat cheesy corporate video that still fleshes out the possibilities of this cool gadget, head out this way.

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(15)

slices May 20th, 2007

Today I bring you a stunning animation that used to feature in a Tool videoclip. I think it was produced by Alex Gray, who´s a renowned “spiritual” artist. This CG clip illustrates a fascinating metaphysical concept which is recurrent in a number of spiritual traditions: the rise of the kundalini, or the vital energy. According to tradition, when a person is able to fully activate his chakras (or energy centers) he is able to access the fullest innate potential. Despite dogma, I wonder about… who knows? It’s a cool video to plainly look at, even if you’re not too “spiritually inclined”.

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(12)

slices May 19th, 2007

Today, I’ve decided I’ll try to think of something nice for a horror short story competition someone told me about. Consequently, I figured i would begin by reflecting on the concept of “horror”, instead of just trying to copy everyone else’s clichès right off the bat. I belive that words have a lot to teach us, if only we’re able to become aware of their meaning. For example, let’s consider the following definition I’ve found by using google as dictionary: 

“The horror classification denotes works that traffic in the bizarre, awful, and scary in order to entertain as well as explicate the darkness at the heart of the reader’s soul. Horror sub-genres may be typified according to the appearance of were-creatures, vampires, human-induced monsters, or naturally occurring life forms and spirit entities - or absence thereof. Horror fiction traditionally makes imaginative literary use of paranormal phenomena, occult elements, and psychological motifs. “

This is a good definition because it catalogues all the clichés I shall mindfully try to avoid; the following definition (from wikipedia) is perhaps best, because it provides contrast between “horror” and “terror”:

“Horror is the feeling of dread and anticipation that occurs before something frightening is seen, heard, or otherwise experienced. (Terror is the feeling that follows after the experience has occurred.)
 

The difference between Terror and Horror is the difference between awful apprehension and sickening realization: between the smell of death and stumbling against a corpse. “

I’d like to make a story that happens on the borderline between terror and horror. I want to take people’s uttermost fears and excruciatingly, painstakingly explore them in lyrical fashion. I suppose I’ll need to inquire the most aggravating causes of fear, next. Stay tuned, and feel free to participate in this literary brainstorming of sorts.

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(18)

slices May 18th, 2007

” A shadow falls over ancient lands. Its people grow eccentric and forgetful. Hidden enchantments prevent safe passage along familiar paths. The four kingdoms are on the verge of war.

 Only the magic of the Sun’s map can undo this treachery. And this map is held by a wandering Fool who seeks his fortune”.

Like puzzles? Like stories of mystical quality? Enjoy tarot-bound storybook references? Then today I’ve got the perfect entertainment for you. This fool’s errand is no goose chase, rather it’s an amazing puzzle collection in narrative guise, that won several awards in 1987 when it was released, as well as a faithfull legion of fans. The plot revolves around the Fool, who’s given a very important task of saving the Four Kingdoms from destroying each other. In order to do so, you’ll have to solve a wide range of puzzles, from scramble soups to jigsaws, riddles and tricks and a variety of brain teasers that will leave the most self-assured players truly baffled. If you don’t know this one, there’s no time to miss. Just dash towards the Home of the Underdogs (a great resource to get old “abandonware” games, mind you) , and start playing! Beware tough… your productivity is likely to plummet for a while.

Popularity: 2% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(19)

slices May 17th, 2007

“And a poet said, “Speak to us of Beauty.”

Where shall you seek beauty, and how shall you find her unless she herself be your way and your guide?

And how shall you speak of her except she be the weaver of your speech?” (Chapter 25)

This passage if from a hugely popular book which was authored by Kahlil Gibran, a renowned philosopher/artist/writer, in 1923. The book is essentially a collection of 26 poems which revolve around a prophet, Almustafa. The protagonist embarked on a journey of self-discovery, and the book starts just as he prepares to bark the ship that will take him back home. Just that moment, he’s stopped by the population, who asks him to share his wisdom on a number of issues (26 in total, including love, marriage, children, giving, eating and drinking, work, joy and sorrow, houses, clothes, buying and selling, crime and punishment, laws, freedom, reason and passion, pain, self-knowledge, teaching, friendship, talking, time, good and evil, prayer, pleasure, beauty, religion, and death). A book worth reading, especially if you’re up for some heavy existencialyric reflections. 

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(0)

slices May 16th, 2007

Today I’ve been checking around some kaleidoscopes on the Internet. I think these devices make some really cool effects, and I’m contemplating the possibility of using them within a movie, or maybe a flash animation centred around Kaleidoscopic footage. Maybe adapting them to the lens, or something like that, for a psychadelic effect; Otherwise integrating them within a website, or a crazy animation. Can anyone think of something clever?

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(0)

slices May 15th, 2007

If you’re anything like me, then you’re a real fan of gummi bears. However, if you’re really like me, then you have wondered at some point in your life how do they make such a cool, jelly-like candy. Well, wonder no more, because I just dug up this handy procedure, courtesy of www.candyusa.org. Read ahead, and wonder no more!

 ”Artists start with a character sketch and then carve it into tiny plaster molds. Then, machines duplicate the molds. The duplicates are run through a starch powder machine to produce starch powder mold pans.

In the factory, candy makers pour ingredients into large boilers. Some of the ingredients include gelatin, sugar and glucose syrup. The ingredients are heated together and constantly stirred by large paddles. Colors and flavorings are added to give the gummi snacks their distinct look and taste. Next, pipes transfer the mixture to the production area.

Nozzles are used to squeeze the mix on to the starch boards where it is left for three to five days. Afterwards, beeswax is added to make the candy shiny and less sticky. The gummi candies are finally moved to a packaging machine and are ready to ship. ”

Kind of takes the magic away, doesn’t it? Personally, I prefer to believe they’re fashioned by Grammi Bear, with secret ingredients from the woods and just a hint of gummiberry juice! ;) 

ps. according to the websitewhere I’ve read all the information above, red gummies are the most popular kind. Would you concur? I’m actually more into orange gummies myself.

Popularity: 4% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(14)

slices May 14th, 2007

I’ve just come across a great resource for everyone who enjoys shopping online for clothes. It’s a webpage which acts as a virtual dressing room, allowing users to select from a library of garments and put them together, move them around and try different combinations. Besides the library that is provided automatically, you can just add items from any fashion store, and jug them around to your consummerist heart’s delight.

It’s also a great tool if you just want to play dressing dolls, or whatever gets you going! I’d personanly suggest using it to lure your girlfriend (or a special lady friend, or who knows? your mother) into helping you decide on a birthday present she would actually like to wear.

If you want to watch a nice video presentation that will speak in volumes that my thousand words could not possibly illustrate, try going out here.

Popularity: 2% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(11)

slices May 13th, 2007

Autopsychography

The poet is a faker
Who’s so good at his act
He even fakes the pain
Of pain he feels in fact.

And those who read his words
Will feel in what he wrote
Neither of the pains he has
But just the one they don’t.

And so around its track
This thing called the heart winds,
A little clockwork train
To entertain our minds.

Fernando Pessoa (himself)

More information about Pessoa here.

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(14)

slices May 12th, 2007

Yesterday I played Yahtzee for the first time with some friends, and now I’m really starting to get into this game. For those of you who aren’t aware, this is a really popular game of dice. There are thirteen rounds where each player casts the fice numbered cubes, while trying to get different combinations (a bit like poker). I think it’s possible to play with as many people as you want, and since all that is really needed is five dices (plus a game chart which you can just write down on paper), this is highly recommended for those boring moments in the pub where conversation topics begin to flaunt.

This game really got me thinking…. Maybe I’ll get into games design as hobby, one day.

Popularity: 1% [?]

• Uncategorized
• Comments(14)