lunarbunny (David)

Looking for a flatmate

2009-11-18T22:50:57Z

Well that's me starting to feel a bit more settled into my new (old) flat. And I'm looking for a flatmate from January. If anyone is thinking about it or knows anyone who is or might be, please get in touch. I'd much prefer to have someone I know, or a friend of a friend, as a flatmate.

The location is great, just off the Meadows. I'm looking for £300pcm rent, plus bills (this last month comes to about £25 per person for gas and leccy combined).

Yes, I *do* have a flatmate right now, but the plan always was that she would stay at most just a couple of months until December.

Thanks
David

Aggressively passive

2009-08-09T13:05:29Z

I'm still here on LJ, and I do catch up on everyone's posts regularly, even if I rarely comment. I do intend to write a proper LJ post at some point in the near future too. It will be about 'fun stuff wot I did recently', probably. Or maybe a cake recipe. Or something else light and fluffy as usual.

That thingamebob wotsit that's doing the rounds...

2009-02-11T16:22:53Z

So it's about time I posted this:

The first five people to respond to this post will get something made by me.

My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

* I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

* What I create will be with you in mind.

* It'll be done sometime this year (2009)

* You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be something written, some physical thing made, could be anything at all, but I will make it myself. It's entirely my choice what it is. No quibbles, no refunds.

* I reserve the right to do something extremely strange.

The catch?

Oh, the catch is that you put this in your journal as well. If you don't.. You don't get anything.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here's a couple of youtube vids. Just because. They made me smile. I want to post them.

lunarbunny @ 2009-01-31T03:08:00

2009-01-31T03:31:30Z

I'm tempted to create some more creatures now, with a rule that parts of them are generated by algorithms, and with some randomness in place (otherwise where's the fun). So - tentacles, shells, maybe scales? If I make a series I could offer them as cards and prints on knockmysocksoff.co.uk :)

Slowly but surely making progress with all that work stuff. Time to call it a night...

Processing playtime

2009-01-25T04:16:36Z

I had a play around with some code meico posted recently, and ended up downloaded Context Free to try a few more ideas out. Which then got me in the mood for trying out Processing. It reminds me of the time I used to write code with AMOS Basic on the Amiga in the early nineties, because it was enjoyable and easy to get into. My friend John and I used to compete to create interesting code, whether it be fractals, 3D stuff, image processing, rendering animations, or copying nice effects we'd seen in the amiga demoscene.

I never quite managed to keep a copy of all the source code, and I'm kicking myself over it now. What I do remember though was one simple effect my friend came up with, so as a quick test, I've ported that to Processing.

Scrolling fractal triangle.

This port I've written runs through each pixel applying bitwise XOR and shifting the result along. If we were doing the same in AMOS at the time, it would never have been realtime. Fortunately, we could do graphic operations with the blitter chip to 'XOR copy' a whole line in one go so it ran just as fast. I wonder if there are more efficient ways (like blits) to do this in Processing.

Must go back to bed ... might be able to sleep now.

</lj>

Got the t-shirt

2009-01-22T17:01:26Z

Just having some fun comparing photos from my visit a couple of years ago, to some photos of Obama's inauguration. I was wandering around there on a fairly quiet winter day in 2007, on a break from some contract work there. I had a good day. I'd managed to track down a goth club there so that made it all the more fun (getting distracted now, I just found myself taking a peek at their set lists, not that I expect to be back anytime soon!). Better get back to work.

Holy moly!

2008-12-25T15:51:57Z

Anyone remember this?

Actually, maybe no one here. *shrugs*. Super Mario Brothers clone that got into hot water with Nintendo and taken off the market shortly after it went on sale. But then everyone had pirate copies of it. It was fun at the time.

I didn't realise the man behind the music was Chris Huelsbeck who also did a whole raft of fab music for games like Turrican. Well, fab at the time, it mostly just brings back memories now.

I also didn't realise he recently had an orchestra play all his computer game music, but hey it's all there on youtube...

Also http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=TGk6oWI1g0c

Ooh:

Oooooh:

And then there's Rob hubbard: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LlwgAzgK7ws&feature=related

This is just *wrong*: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=e-VdHHcsPv0

Ahh, nostalgia.

No Danger (BEC260608203)

2008-12-22T19:26:00Z

Meme nicked from johnnyrandom's facebook note.

1. Put your iTunes/iPod/MP3 player on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag any friends who might enjoy doing the same as well as the person you got the note from.

....

1.What is your motto?
THX 1138

2.What do your friends think of you?
Venus In Furs

3.What do you think about very often?
Genuine Experience

4. What is 2+2?
1998 [Matt Darey Remix]

5.What do you think of your best friend?
Destroy Everything You Touch

6.What do you think of the person you like?
Alive

7. What is your life story?
Wiedergaenger

8.What do you want to be when you grow up?
Tekno Buddha

9.What do you think when you see the person you like?
Night and Day

10.What do your parents think of you?
Sing A Song

11.What will you dance to at your wedding?
The Darkness End's The Day

12. What will they play at your funeral?
The Last Flood

13. What is your hobby/interest?
Statik Dancin'

14. What is your biggest secret?
Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want

15. What do you think of your friends?
V'la L'bon Vent

16. What’s the worst thing that could happen?
Groupieshock (Stud Version)

17.How will you die?
Cloak & Dagger

18. What makes you laugh?
Transmission

19.What makes you cry?
the port of mars

20. Will you ever get married?
Just Lust

21. What scares you the most?
Let Me Rest in Peace

22. Does anyone like you?
Loves Decay

23. If you could go back in time, what would you change?
Your World (Noisuf-X mix)

24. What hurts right now?
Fading Away

25. What is the one thing you regret?
rascheln

26. What will you post this as?
No Danger (BEC260608203)

Oh well, made me giggle for a bit. Back to making some chocolate...

Twelve Days of LiveJournal Meme

2008-12-02T23:54:28Z

On the twelfth day of Christmas, lunarbunny sent to me...

Twelve dead kennedys drumming

Eleven smashing pumpkins piping

Ten flumps a-leaping

Nine stranglers dancing

Eight cruxshadows a-milking

Seven fantomas a-swimming

Six heroes a-laying

Five co-o-o-octeau twins

Four wonderful days

Three dream disciples

Two star wars

...and an amduscia in an ergo proxy.

Well, I think it's about time I put some proper 'interests' into my livejournal profile rather than just films and music.

KnockMySocksOff update

2008-11-24T23:52:47Z

sleepycinderell's cards are now available on the website!

Have a peek

I'm now wondering where to advertise the site. I've got the facebook campaign which has resulted in a couple of fans (!), plus a good few click throughs. I've also set up google ads and had a few click throughs from there. Wondering if there's a relevant LJ community I'd be allowed post an advert on...

Places to go, things to do...

2008-11-18T23:34:18Z

The website I've been putting together for artist friends is up and running and you can have a browse through some cards, prints, and Mo's mirror frames here at KnockMySocksOff. More to come.

I've created a page on facebook for which I'm running a small ad campaign for over the next week to test the water and see how the 'targetted ads' system works out. I'll also have a go at google ads, I'm just hesitant about doing that because I feel that there should be a few more artists and artwork in place and a nicer site design (in progress) for it to work effectively. If there's anyone I've asked (or not) who has some artwork or craftwork kicking about they'd like to sell as prints, cards, originals, etc, let me know.

On another topic, I'm growing a moustache for charity this month. I shaved my beard off completely on 1st Movember and I've been working hard to grow a Fu Manchu-style moustache.

D x

Raw foods and ideas

2008-11-12T16:00:45Z

Popped into the 'red sugar' raw food shop for lunch today. They've started doing savoury food so I wanted to try some. They've got flat breads with dips, salads, and other things I've yet to explore. I had a selection of flat breads, unusual and not really bread like at all. Very tasty nonetheless, and the 'pine nut cheese' dip works really well. Then I picked up some of their raw cakes, including an experimental one - absolutely delicious as always.

I also got carried away in the shop and picked up some:

o bitter apricot kernels
o mesquite powder (adds texture to recipes and staves off hunger very well apparently)
o lucuma powder (a popular ice cream flavour in some places, tastes of vanilla and maple)
o dark agave syrup (fructose/glucose sugars - nice and sweet and contains iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium)
o cocoa butter (like all the above, I've yet to try using it in any recipes)
o and more cocoa beans.

I've just eaten a few bitter apricot kernels. They're really yummy and have a *very* strong amaretto flavour that's lingering in my mouth. I could easily munch through lots of them, but I stopped when I read the warning that there's the risk of cyanide poisoning. It's advised to eat less than 8 kernels within an hour to avoid the risk, and eating the whole pack in one go, although not worthy of a Darwin Award, would nevertheless be a rather stupid and horrible way to go. Now I know.

So, I need to come up with some ideas for what to make with all of this! Smoothies are the easy option, cakes would be more fun to try.

Orchid fairies

2008-10-17T21:33:23Z

Orchids
Originally uploaded by doxley

Taken on an orchid farm on Jersey back in 2005. More Jersey/Guernsey pics on the photostream too.

Pyro sings Portal (and other random game music videos etc)

2008-10-17T20:29:08Z

Oh, and I spotted that someone tried to make a 2D version of Portal.

Lots more TF2 and HL2 and Halo vids under the cut

Portal - "The Device Has Been Modified" Song

Ballad of Black Mesa

Half Life 1 & 2 in 60 seconds

Team Fortress 2 - Spy sappin' mah sentry song

"Halo Music Video Hell"

"Greatest Grunt Movie Ever" (I like to move it move it)

I'm falling deeeep

2008-10-08T01:44:54Z

A couple of songs that were bugging me because they were getting stuck in my head. Couldn't find the lyrics for them anywhere, so I ended up writing them down to see if I could figure out what they're about :/

KLOQ - I Never Said

(You know - you're no good)
(Ahh)
(You know - you're no good)

Your lips move but I'm not listening,
this really matters to me,
actions as silent as your own words,
I'll do what's necessary

I never said you're no good [x 3]
You're not just anyone
It's...no...good - it hurts it hurts [x 4]
It hurts it hurts [x 2]

Sweet jealousy conquest quench my thirst
Take me away from the agony
It's a struggle to manage a smile
While I'm so hungry

I never said you're no good [x 3]
You're not just anyone
It's...no...good - it hurts it hurts [x 4]
It hurts it hurts [x 2]

I never said you're no good [x 7]
You're not just anyone
I never said you're no good [x 11]
I never said you're no...
It's...no...good - it hurts it hurts [x 4]
It hurts it hurts [x 2]

Vid here

KLOQ - Connecting

It hits the weekend
my mind starts wandering
it's getting closer to me
and I can't stand waiting
and I feel that I'm moving
and I can't help thinking maybe
I'm falling deeeeeep [x 2]

I get the feeling
that someones watching
I can't help moving
when the beats are soothing
and I feel that I'm moving
and I can't help thinking maybe
I'm falling deeeeeep [x 2]

Once that feeling's
Moving through me
when I'm taking over
it just rips right through me
and I feel that I'm moving
and I can't help thinking maybe
I'm falling deeeeeep [x 2]

Underneath the bright lights
neon bliss with electric
and I won't stop connecting
people won't stop connecting

Underneath the bright lights
neon bliss with electric
and I won't stop connecting
people won't stop connecting

Connecting... [x 4]

And I feel that I'm moving
and I can't help thinking maybe
I'm falling deeeeeep [x 2]

Underneath the bright lights
neon bliss with electric
and I won't stop connecting
people won't stop connecting

Underneath the bright lights
neon bliss with electric
and I won't stop connecting
people won't stop connecting

Connecting... [x 4]

The cakes are not a lie

2008-10-04T15:23:28Z

The cakes are not a lie
Originally uploaded by doxley

o Rum and Calvados Muffins

o Vodka Fairy Cakes with Midori Icing and Curacao Icing.

o Midori Jelly (agar based, vegetarian)

nom nom...

Edit: the wee jelly is cat shaped, not sure if that's clear here

THX for the Eyes

2008-10-03T17:06:44Z

Been around a while, so might be old for some.

glumbert - THX for the Eyes

Mokona

2008-09-30T10:47:16Z

wibbly wobbly fun, oh, and the cake is not a lie

2008-09-26T01:18:45Z

here

Yeah yeah it's old hat but it's a nice crisp version compared to others I've seen. Now I want to see if I can track down my turntable illusions book, it's been a while...

Buckwheat and Chestnut cake recipe

It's been months since I last made one of these. I'm not going to bother with writing out the full recipe, just follow the madeira cake recipe here. Instead of using self raising flour, use buckwheat flour (easy to find) and chestnut flour (if you can find some). I find two thirds buckwheat and one third chestnut works well, and remember to add a few teaspoons of baking powder. Also, less sugar is needed because the chestnut flour is sweet. So far all the cakes I've made to this recipe turned out rather dry, but still quite tasty, and they go down very well with a cup of tea.

Tonight I've tried to make it less dry. Thanks sabledemon, for the idea to use creme fraiche or mascarpone, I didn't have either at hand so thought I'd try using *soya yoghurt* instead. Ended up dropping a whole 500ml tub in by accident. It's a much lighter fluffier result, yay!

Spider incident

2008-09-15T13:45:43Z

One evening last week I was sitting in the livingroom watching telly, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed there was something running quite fast across the rug. My first thought was 'mouse!' We've had a few mice in the past, and they tend to appear towards the end of the year. Anyway, I turned to look for it and no, it was a f***ing big spider. It disappeared under the sofa bed I was sitting on.

I went off to get a torch, and coming back I shone the light under the sofa. I expected it to be long hidden by then so I was looking off towards the far ends of the sofa, but then I realised it was just a few centimetres from my face and staring right back, flexing it's mandibles.

After recovering from that second shock, I managed to coax it out from there, and it ran off again really fast. Fortunately though, it ran to the sideboard which doesn't have any gaps to hide in or under. Trapped it in a glass and put it outside quite far away from the flat. I know they're completely harmless, but large ones like that just freak me out.

I'm wondering if it was disturbed by a mouse try to find it's way in. I've been hearing some very faint scuffling noises these last few evenings.

TarePandas!

2008-09-08T13:34:49Z

TarePandas!
Originally uploaded by doxley

While I'm at it, another picture post!

Tarepanda!!!

Amazon Elastic Block Store

2008-09-03T12:27:09Z

Old news for some, but this Amazon Web Services announcement just popped into my inbox.

Amazon are finally offering a persistent storage service so you no longer lose everything should one of your EC2 instances crash, and no longer need to faff around with ridiculous workarounds to have reliable data storage. This was the main reason why I've been staying away from EC2. With this news, maybe it's about time I considered scrapping my physical servers.

Amazon Elastic Block Store

Register article from a couple of weeks back

Think happy thoughts

2008-09-01T13:59:12Z

Yellow hat day today :P

1. The sun is shining into the office, more serotonin...please. ;)

2. Infest was great, spending time with friends, enjoying the music, and dancing, and thinking back to any moment makes me smile. *bounce*

3. Should I be surprised to have considerably less waistline after that weekend? I suppose 9 hours of dancing had something to do with that.

4. Fortunately my jupiter combat trousers fully adjust to suit. My work trousers don't, but another hole in the belt should do.

5. Bedlam was *fun* with lots of friends through from Edinburgh. Thanks for the little fan Nik, much appreciated.

6. I enjoy driving a lot, and I've dispelled a worry about driving with music. Even more so, some bleep / noise / ebm / industrial music really helps keep me alert when driving late!

7. I have enough work coming in to pay the bills, even the £7k corporation tax due next month. Just need to remind some clients to pay on time.

8. Feel a lot better to be dealing with some problems that have been put off for too long. Facing problems is A Good Thing.

Mio Mao

2008-08-07T23:27:25Z

Dundrennan Abbey

2008-08-06T23:40:59Z

Dundrennan Abbey
Originally uploaded by doxley

Still haven't figured out how to successfully process these IR photos, i.e. not simply to grayscale, but with the tinge of false colouration I'm seeing in some samples.

Most tutorials are based around Photoshop, and I've got everything but Photoshop. Never mind, I just like this photo as it stands. There's two shots, this one where some clouds covered the sun, then another in full sunlight. Do the clickety click here if you want to compare, or see some more stuff.

Accidentally left an extra UV filter on the camera resulting in some vignetting.