Idioteque

It's been a while.

2010-01-15T07:21:00.001-08:00

We're now in January. That's a whole term undocumented. So let's take it from the top.

The first term was full of uncertainty for me. I couldn't think of a Major idea for a long time, I was dilly-dallying around the same idea and it took a long time to refine it. Now, I'm very happy with the idea and can't wait to get on with it. There was been an unforseen stumbling block which I'm about to overcome, and then the ball will be rolling.
Then there's the dissertation which I'm far from excited about. I've had a few meetings now and have gathered up the pieces I'm analysing - I'm just a bit behind on reading, not to mention I'm a slow reader, and don't have many juicy quotes from elsewhere to throw in. I hate writing, hard.

I've also had a very lazy Christmas break so it's about time I knuckle down and start putting in some serious work.
Yes.

Some more Marx.

2009-06-08T06:55:00.000-07:00

Project two only got us a 58, for both production and the essay.
I was expecting a little better, but I was so glad for it to be over that I don't really mind. I never even thought I was capable of putting together a flash game, which I pretty much did on my own, so yeah I'm satisfied.

Media Theory got me 55 and 60, which aren't great, but aren't bad either. Considering my problems tackling theory, I am fairly pleased.

And finally the presentation, 72! Alriiiight! I think I took a lead role in the presentation and did really well, similar to the three-day-project with Thought Den. I've no doubt that my presentation skills have come on leaps and bounds; I was never able to do this. Awesome.

Now I've just got PDP to do. :)

MEDIA AND ACTIVISM

2009-04-22T05:06:00.001-07:00

WAR PRIVATISATION
MEDIA AND ACTIVISM
THOM CURTIS, JAMES PEARMAIN, CHRIS WARD.

OUR AIM:

To raise awareness of the companies employed by governments to carry out numerous tasks previously carried out by the Armed Forces.

To raise awareness of the legal problems surrounding private security.

WHAT IS WAR PRIVATISATION?

Private security firms hired to work in zones of conflict.
Rapidly growing industry – Highlighted by the war in Iraq, estimated to be worth over £56 million per year.

PROBLEMS:

Many firms are unregulated.
These companies are brought into contact with people protected by the International Humanitarian Law. (IHL.) However the International Commitee of the Red Cross fear that many of these companies do not respect this law.
It really is a legal grey area. Why?
They're not quite civilians, and not quite soldiers. i.e. American Security Firms in Iraq – work abroad so largely beyond the reach of U.S law, but contracted by U.S Government so beyond reach of Iraqi law.
Ahu Ghraib – contractors involved in a 3rd of incidents – none prosecuted.

HOWEVER:

Privately hired firms essential to U.S & U.K War effort – could not fight without them.
Last year War on Want (UK Charity) reported three private security employees to every one British soldier.

HOW WILL WE ACHIEVE OUR AIM?

With a poster, website, and Facebook group campaign. The poster will feature little detail and will rely heavily on mystery and ambiguity to draw people to the website. The posters will be placed around the University campus. As the posters are removed/damaged, the Facebook group will be created, with a similar degree of ambiguity, purely designed to get people to the website.

MARKETTING:

As already stated, it's a poster campaign.
Placed at university hot-spots.
No flyering, for various reasons.
The image could break out into online communities and forums as an e-poster.
We will be able to evaluate the success via a hit-counter on the website.

EVALUATION:

4 posters put up: 10/03/09
3 remaining 11/03/09
One moved to another location, without us knowing.
Website hits 17/03/09: 42
Facebook group launched: 02/04/09
Website hits 02/04/09: 55
Website hits 03/03/09: 190
Website hits 05/04/09: 217
Website hits 22/04/09: 245

To evaluate, the campaign hasn't been particularly successful. The idea of ambiguous posters and such, doesn't draw in as many people as they would in an 'ideal' world, where people are driven by intrigue. That said, the Facebook group has no information on it besides the URL. The Facebook group did increase the number of website hits massively, but there were still few comments left. That said, people that visitted may well have read through the information, and so on that front, we achieved our aim of informing people.

It seems, from this project, that the only way to really inform people is to stick it in their face (i.e. inviting to Facebook group) or perhaps intrigue them with something more than a slogan – perhaps something hinting at a personal gain.

My Head At The Moment

2009-02-15T06:50:00.000-08:00

These are currently my thoughts regarding Uni:

Media Theory - I am not very good. I kinda follow what's going on but as soon as I leave the room I'm lost. And I know that essays aren't my strong point so I'm not looking forward to writing two of those.

Project 2 - I'm getting to grips with the code, and taking a lead role in that. It's quite interesting but equally frustrating. But yeah it's coming along okay.
However, there is a certain member of the group who is holding us back greatly. As group leader, I feel it's my responsibility to say something. The other group members agree with me, so we're having to change roles and workflow to act accordingly without completely shutting the member out. I am looking forward to this project being over though, I don't think flash games are for me.

Activism: The Early Stages [Tres Basic]

2009-01-29T04:24:00.000-08:00

For our media activism, we're going to make a poster, and put it online on a blank webpage. The final design is yet to be completed but we're pretty sure the subject matter will be Sky and BBCs choice not to show an appeal for Gaza aid.

As far as marketting, we'll be putting up lots of posters (again, designs yet to be finalised,) with catchy slogans and a web URL, which ends up at the first poster.

More details to follow.

On your Marx...

2008-12-16T06:47:00.000-08:00

70 Production.
Excellent.
56 Essay.
Not so great.

I should probably not leave the essay until the last minute.
But, SEVENTY!
That's a first.
Yes mate.

T.

Media & Activism :: Online Assignment 1

2008-12-04T11:39:00.000-08:00

Anonymous.
(Internet group.)

Examples of their activity:

1. (from Wikipedia)

A popular target for organized raids by Anonymous is Habbo, a popular social networking site designed as a virtual hotel. The first major raid, known as the "Great Habbo Raid of '06", occurred during 2006. In the raid (and most others that occur), users signed up to the Habbo site dressed in avatars of a black man wearing a grey suit and an Afro hairstyle (in style of Samuel L. Jackson in the movie Pulp Fiction) and blocked entry to the pool, declaring that it was "closed due to AIDS",, flooding the site with internet sayings, and forming swastika-like formations. When the raiders were banned, they complained of racism. In response, the Habbo admins often ban users with avatars matching the profile of the raiders even months after the latest raid.

2. (from Spotvilleradio.com)

The latest stunt from 4Chan was posting a bogus message on Oprah Winfrey’s website claiming to be a member of a secret pedophile group called “Pedobear”. The post claimed that there were “9000 penises” ready to commit acts against children. Oprah responded with a YouTube video calling awareness to the fictitious group. “Pedobear” is actually the name of a toy in a popular Japanese anime called, “Kodomo No Jikan”. A story about a school teacher who is constantly approached by an underaged girl.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=2fiQcl7b0mQ

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

*
Influence(s/d) media content and practices;

The Habbo and Oprah examples feature the group directly influencing/creating content within the websites/forums, and in the latter example, Oprah's video response.

With regards to practices, their actions may influence tighter administrators. For example, any users logging onto Habbo Hotel and making a character like that used in the Anonymous raid, were deleted even months after the attack.

*
Advocate(s/d) for media policy/regulation reform;

Some of their activities serve as to hold a mirror up to media policy, others are just to cause trouble, or a stir. I think that the core members are out to make a point, and many have jumped on the bandwagon "for the lulz," and are responsible for the more offensive or dangerous attacks.

*
Help(s/d) the evolution of an independent and participatory media;

It helps itself. Each prank draws attention to it's own cause. For better or for worse. It has also started a participatory campaign against Scientology.

*
Change(s/d) the relationship of audience and media; and/or

Many of their "core" pranks open the audience's eyes to a media's faults, with the Oprah escapade bring a prime example.

*
Use(s/d) the media to affect ideological changes in everyday contexts.

Anti scientology. Perhaps pointing out flaws for a safer cleaner internet, although this is as the cost of freedom of expression.

Nearly done!

2008-11-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

PHP Project is nearly complete.
Excellent.

As it happens, this project has gone really well. I enjoy working by myself and just knuckling down; I've really got in the zone and completed a site that functions well, as well as a simple CMS.

I think my slight contact with C during my first year of BACVA has helped me understand PHP greatly. Waaaaaay!

Let's see what the marks say.

T.

Here we go again.

2008-11-06T07:53:00.000-08:00

It's year two!
It's been year two for a long time.
I forgot about this bad boy.

So I leant PHP from scratch after not attending last year.
That was fun. Well no, not fun, but fairly interesting.
And now we're doing the project.
Which, isn't going too badly.
I believe I have a functioning site, it just doesn't look very good, so I'll work on the design aspect.

As for the essay, as per usual, haven't even thought about it.

I've decided that Second Life is rubbish.

T.

The Only Account Of Glasto '08 You'll Ever Really Need To Read.

2008-07-01T14:44:00.001-07:00

The Only Account Of Glasto '08 You'll Ever Really Need To Read.

Wednesday morning arrived and I made my way to the train station to meet my friends, we'd opted for an early train to beat the queues experienced last year, and boy, did it pay off. Only a brief wait at Castle Cary and the worst sniffer dogs in existence, that would have only sniffed out anything had it been strapped to my shin. But we were soon in Glastonbury and found the rest of our posse who had already arrived and set up camp near the Park Stage.

Something new from last year I instantly noticed, huge mounds of free fire-wood dotted about the camps. Excellent. We filled our free YeoValley bags with as much as we could, and by early afternoon, it was all gone. And by four o' clock, I was gone too. Out of my tree. Brilliant.

The weather was bloody lovely, and certainly had a positive effect on everybody's mood. Last year was just a soggy mess; but this year had potential.

I had plans to see a couple of bands on Thursday, but laziness got the better of me and it turned into a repeat performance of Wednesday, with an early retirement when the heavens opened and it shat it down. Sad times. Thankfully that was the only real burst of rain. There were very brief showers occasionally, but nothing major.

Friday. I'd ummed and arred about seeing The Subways, but had heard poor reviews of recent performances, so got convinced to go and check out Patrick Watson, who was apparently a decent acoustic musician. Well as it turned out, he was a sack of shit. Noise. That was a short-lived experience, we soon left.

We then headed to the Pyramid Stage to catch Get Cape Wear Cape Fly. Surprisingly, he was quite good. And I discovered why. He didn't play a single song off of his latest (diabolical) album, despite the fact that Kate Gash, who features on one song, was waiting in the wings. ALSO, I've seen him on previous occasions and he has a habit of giving arrogant speeches about why the world's a mess. None of that at Glastonbury. He probably realised there were thousands of other people there saying exactly the same thing, but who actually had solid facts instead of a guitar and a big mouth.

I then went to the Other Stage for Vampire Weekend. Their song “A-Punk” is loved by just about everyone, and I'll confess that's about all I was going to see, despite having their album on my iPod. But I'm pleased to announce that the American group (with strangely Scandinavian twists on their accents) who were pretty much set in my mind as one-hit-wonders, put on a great show, and played some brilliant music. Then came Ben Folds who I was extremely excited about seeing. His album “Songs For Silverman” is one of my favourite. Unfortunately, his choice of set was disappointing. Although he did play my favourite song “Landed,” he played some other new stuff, and the odd-looking front of Dresden Dolls came out and did a couple of her new songs, which Folds produced. I, obviously, didn't give a toss, I'd gone to see Ben, who didn't seem too bothered to be there. Gutted.

The next band I caught were Foals who were just amazing. The sound was perfect and it sounded just like the CD. After a vague and aching intro of guitars and such, I wasn't sure which direction the performance was going to go in, but thankfully they got it spot on. After half an hour though, I took a gamble and went to see Infadels who were in a Dance tent for some reason. The gamble paid off. One of the best, if not THE best set of the weekend. Just fantastic. Man I love those guys.

Then I caught the end of Fun Lovin' Criminals, but if I'm honest I wasn't paying much attention and stood just about as far away as I could have been. But I remember them being pretty funny, and turning up just in time for “Scooby Snacks.” The night ended with Kings of Leon”, who were also very good. KOL don't really interact with the crowd at all, the singer said it himself. He gave a brief speech about Glastonbury and how much it meant to them, but besides that it was song song song. “Red Morning Light” was left out of the set list for some reason, but besides that, exactly what you'd expect.

Saturday started with my first visit to the Guardian Lounge, and sat at the front, inches away from Martina Topley-Bird, who was not only very good, but her drummer was awesome and it was quite fun watching them play and have a little bitch with the sound man, who hadn't plugged one of her microphones in. Then we went to see Seasick Steve. What a crazy cat he is. I mean he was quite good but it's not entirely my cup of tea, and at one point he got a girl up on stage and sang to her. I felt sorry for her. Some crazy hairy old ex-tramp singing into your eyes. Oh my.

The weekend's next disappointment was to follow, in the form of Holy Fuck who managed to play nearly an hour set of songs that sounded perfectly identical bar the last one, which happened to be my favourite. Either way, after seeing them live I've come to the conclusion that they're massively over-rated and it's possibly their outrageous name that subconsciously drew me to them.

Luckily, catching Stephen Fretwell at the Queen's Head, slightly made up for the previous disappointment. He was, as always, fantastic. And so genuine with his thanks and talks with the crowd. Brilliant. I didn't see anyone for a little while until The Raconteurs on the Pyramid Stage, and I'm pleased to announce they were actually very good. Nuff said. I went to see The Thirst at the Leftfield stage next. As I walked in, five minutes before they were set to start, there were only about twenty people there. Uh-oh. They weren't great in all honesty, so after they played their third song, and my favourite, “Sail Away,” I wandered out again.

Saturday night famously was headlined by Jay-Z. But fuck that. I wanted something with a bit of energy. Something I could easily sing my heart out to without having to be able to rap for over an hour. My thirst for this, was quenched by Biffy Clyro who I first saw at Glastonbury the year before. This was now the fourth time seeing them, and easily the best. It was all over so fast though. But brilliant. Sheer brilliance.

Sunday started like the day before with Martina Topley-Bird, but this time on the Pyramid Stage. Just as good as before, minus the squabble with the sound-team. And once again, included my favourite song, “Carnies.” I then went to see Newton Faulkner, who I was surprised to hear slated by all my friends. I'd seen him at V the year before and he was bloody fantastic. This year he was still pretty good, although there were some slight issues. His music relies a lot on acoustic finger tapping and hitting the body of the guitar itself, and for some reason, this was all quite quiet. But he was very good, entertaining as ever, and even covered “Bohemian Rhapsody” from start to finish. And then for the final, and possibly biggest let-down of the weekend. John Mayer had a big place in my heart until Glastonbury. I mean yes he played very well and all that but it was just another sad case of poor set-list. People who go to see such artists at festivals, want to dance about a bit and chant out memorable choruses and such. They don't want to stand through songs they don't know the words to, and endure songs that have been extended into epic guitar numbers. “Why Georgia,” “Your Body Is A Wonderland,” and “Daughters,” all missing from the set list. For God's sake. So I went back to camp and sulked. My fourth act of the day was another solo artist, Laura Marling. And she was fantastic. Hard to believe she's only eighteen. I also didn't realise she used to be in Noah & The Whale, who I saw later, after the end of Mark Ronson, which was pretty dull, and Pigeon Detectives who were exactly what you'd expect from upbeat indie with tuneless vocals. Noah & The Whale, were just fantastic. Starting with my favourite “Shape Of My Heart,” they preceded to play forty-five minutes of brilliance. I was loving life. I popped outside to see The Zutons for some reason, who were surprisingly average, and finished the day, and festival, with The Verve. Very good indeed. Richard Ashcroft is pretty up himself and a bit of a dick (perhaps why they split up in the first place?) but they were very good indeed. The fact he sang the title of a line from every single song before it started was a little annoying after an hour, but it was a good choice of set with all the obvious hits covered, incredible sound, and just general excellence.

Apart from all the music, what else is there to comment on? Surprising amount of couples taking very young children in buggies (WHY?) and often having domestics. And the food winds me up. Not the food itself, but the amount you pay for such average nosh. And the 'gourmet' burger vans that you only realise are regular burgers once you've bought it. Anyway, I've had enough of typing.

SP08 Presentations.

2008-06-04T09:02:00.000-07:00

So, today, we presented and handed in the practical part of the Summer Project.
After losing a crucial game of rock paper scissor, I had to be one of the people presenting.

Butterflies.
Hard.

We were quite late in the day as well, after some amazing pieces.

As it turned out, it didn't go too badly, the three minute wonder is AMAZING and the site isn't bad. The second intro video let the whole piece down a great deal though, I think.

Channel 4's critique made no real contribution to our work, it was either here nor there with a very non-specific "something more" asked for. What more? As if the best video of the day and a website to potentially get thousands of people all challenging each other, wasn't enough. Not a single comment about the 3mw.

And the (now four!) groups who did get through... A couple were fantastic, I couldn't agree more. But there was one which relied heavily on over theatrical and ridiculous live performance during presentation, and, oh, who cares, what's done is done.

2 essays to do.

I Won't Sit Down, And I Won't Shut Up

2008-05-06T15:56:00.001-07:00

It's been a while.
As I always say.

So, two weeks through group project.
It's going... meh.

Our idea isn't fabulous and with a week until filming, we haven't found actors.
Old people are seemingly hard to find/approach?

I'm kinda running the website.
Going pretty well tbh.
Keep hitting problems though, I never paid much attention!

Got our marks back for Audiences, 68 on the essay (how?!) and 70 on production.
First, wow!
Will be my only one I'm sure.
Guess it reflects how I genuinely tried hard this time.
Awesome.

x

Diamond Hoo Ha

2008-02-21T10:25:00.000-08:00

Supergrass have a new album. I didn't know they were still alive.

Anyway it's been a while since I've written on this bad boy. Over a month in fact. Golly gosh.

Last post was just after filming in the Narratives project. After a stressful edit and conversion session, we made hand in. And considering (to the best of my knowledge) there were numerous issues with the website, we got a 65. Maybe it was just paranoia. Not complaining though. Although I'm not too confident about my essay which kind of didn't really go anywhere. Hmmmm.

Now we're into a new unit. Audiences. Flash animation. Mmhmm. Never really done it before but picking it up nicely. Got an idea for the project but now I've started I've realised I'm just making things hard for myself. Ho hum, no turning back now!
I basically have to hand-draw loads, scan it in to colour in photoshop, then animate in Flash. Crazy days. Not to worry, back to the grindstone I suppose...

x

Bring on Hollywood.

2008-01-16T15:20:00.001-08:00

So yeah today we filmed for the group project.
I think the fact it was mainly winged will show tomorrow when we dump the footage for edit. Sadly.
There are huge lacks of continuity, but I didn't want to take charge and boss people about and so kind of let it go. Just hoping that isn't going to haunt me henceforth.

ALSO.
updated my website quite a bit.
www.thomcurtis.co.uk

hooray.

x

Insomnia

2008-01-07T02:23:00.000-08:00

I wouldn't mind sleeping, but I can't.
Cleared my back-log of interviews for the website, watched 6 episodes of ER, it was 9am.
Went to the bank, now cooking a fry up, hoping to pass out after quick vodka consumption to get some much needed sleep.

Fuck insomnia.
Fuck it in the eye.

ALSO.
Loving "Moving to New York" by Wombats.
The fact it's about sleeping problems is a genuine coincidence.

Time flies when you're having fun.

2007-12-13T01:53:00.000-08:00

I haven't written on this bad boy in a while.
Probably because I don't have much to say.
Nothing's happening you know.

Still trundling along with Project 2.
Slowly but surely.
I've done the flowchart, I'll upload that in another post in a bit, probably.

Err.. yeah.
That's it.

Just about to learn some PHP.
For the first time.
eep.

Overandout.
x

Little Wed Widing Hood.

2007-11-30T10:31:00.000-08:00

Narrative:

In terms of the entire story's narrative, this is the part where Little Red Riding Hood and the wolf meet, with the wolf posing as the grandma. It comes before the man arrives to kill the wolf.

The picture could be seen in different contexts if you don't know the story. Looking at the narrrative of the image on it's own, it is merely a wolf and a girl in bed. The size of the wolf in comparison to the girl and the accessories it is wearing could suggest that the girl is actually nursing the baby wolf. There is no indication that the wolf is there to do wrong, or that the girl has mistaken the creature for her grandmother.

Interactive Option 1:

It could be a still from an interactive game or web-based game. The user could be in the place of the girl and there could be a set of options determining the fate of both characters.

Suggested options are:

-Ask "the" questions, e.g. "What big eyes you have..."
-Get out of bed
-Attack the wolf
etc etc

From then, each option would have it's own conclusion, i.e. getting out of bed would lead to a chase or just an instant attack.

Interactive Option 2:

Again, taken from a still in an interactive game, the user chooses which questions the girl asks the wolf, with a certain path of questions which lead to keeping the wolf at bay before the hero arrives. The wrong choices could lead to the wolf preparing to eat Little Red Riding Hood.

Interactive Option 3:

A first person shooter based on the role of the hero, battling through the forest to save Little Red Riding Hood. Or an old-school NES-graphic platform game, with the same idea.

Keeping the metaphorical ball rolling

2007-11-25T05:19:00.000-08:00

So I haven't posted in fifteen days.
Diddums.

Here's a brief synopsis of anything that has happened worth noting...

I handed my project in. I'm not very happy with the essay but I'd rather hand in drivel than get capped at zero. Then I've had a week off. Hoorah.

Saw Bill Bailey live.
Funny stuff.
Saw Biffy Clyro in London.
Sexy stuff.

Worked a bit, as you do.
Don't know how much longer I'll have my job at 1812. Everything that is done wrong, I instantly get blamed for. They're looking for an excuse to get rid of me, I'm sure.
It's not a nice feeling, really.

Went SUPER LAZY and got my Asda shopping delivered to me.
It's worth the £5 delivery. They organise it into bags and everything. All I have to do is open my door and there it is, ready to be hidden away. Sayphe.

Addicted to a PC game called Crysis.
I'm not a gamer at all, but I love this.
I think it's the graphics that are primarily sucking me in, and the fact my g.card can handle them.
That's about it, I'm bored.

-x-

Shicking Brits.

2007-11-10T10:27:00.001-08:00

Hey so I thought I was in control and ahead of schedule.
I've done the images and the website, sweet as a nut.
I've now got a week and a bit to do an essay. I had longer, but kept putting it off.
And now I just don't know what to put in it.

I can write about my images, what everything stands for and how I made it, but as far as theoretical ideas go I'm stuffed.

Shick.

TYPEYTYPEY-TYPE-TYPE

2007-11-06T07:12:00.001-08:00

Purrrfection

2007-11-05T03:43:00.001-08:00

I read someone's blog post, where they were thinking about natural names used in technology, focussing on cars like the VW Beetle and Jaguars and whatnot.

What instantly clicked with me, was Mac operating systems, and their animal names.
So it made sense to make a little advert.

And here it is.

Thom.

HELLO WORLD.

2007-11-03T08:46:00.000-07:00

These posts in quick succession are probably pissing you off if you're on the impserver and i'm hogging the page.
So, sorry, but I didn't want to thwack everything in one post.
(I also like the fact my firefox spellchecker hasn't underlined the word "thwack.")

My next image.
"Hello world."
A phat computer in the middle of a park.
With onlookers.

My friend said "that's a dope idea."
(That means it's a good idea.)
But I don't see why.
Pretty average I'd argue.

I guess it's kind of about the whole wireless revolution. And how, going to the park is no longer about looking at plants. It's about enjoying the outdoors but still using technology and all that. Kind of.
Maybe it also touches on the subject of man-made things being ugly and don't really blend i with nature.
I don't know. I haven't slept much and ideas are flying around all over the shop.

Th0mZh0r.

I Spot A Theme, Ladies and Gents.

2007-11-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

Two posts earlier I spladged up my picture about deforestation.
I've made a new one to follow on from it.
Thus I've found a theme, but only for two images.
The other three are to be unrelated.
Here is the deforestation one, followed by the contrasting recycling/replantation image.

That Coastline Thing, But A Bit More.

2007-11-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

I just took my One Day Project outcome and whacked an Aristotle quote on it.
How very arty.
How very BUFF.

Laterz.
Thom.

Cut Down Trees; It's A Laff.

2007-11-01T09:58:00.000-07:00

Wha-hey, pretty much finished another image for the hand in.
*does a little dance*

So my idea was to be heavily influenced by some Radiohead artwork, and was going to be about logging. The technology coming from the logging equipment of course, and the nature being the logs. I didn't want it to look pretty, it's not about that, it's about alerting the audience to the damage being caused. So how about some good old fashioned blood. Emotive. Yes. And the red itself symbolises a lot.

Here's how it started:

Then I wanted to add more. Some tree stumps and whatnot. But everything I added didn't quite work and it just looked over crowded. So I set to work just emphasising what I'd already created. And ended up with this:

The finishing touches, which you can just see, are some flyers layered over the red splats. This is to symbolise that all this logging for paper, is rarely for a worthy cause. Those people who camp outside Uni all day flyering for the shittest clubs in Britain, provided me with the materials for that idea. So, thanks.

Yeah back to the grindstone for some more ideas.

Another One Day Project My Lovelies.

2007-10-30T07:39:00.000-07:00

Well.
I was kinda looking forward to this one day project.
From the last one I actually knuckled down and made a picture, and took inspiration from other peoples' pictures.

But then, when we got our brief... Balls.
Completely irrelevant.
No use to the final shindig whatsoever.

But hey.
Here are our logo designs for "PARADOX;" a new electronics brand.

You've had a lot of dick Chasey, but you aint had mine.

2007-10-22T09:54:00.000-07:00

Last night.
I witnessed a fat man on a box with wheels being pulled across a stage via a chain attached another mans penis.
That same genital-puller chugged a jug of beer, threw a third of it back up into the jug and drank it again, threw up in his friends hat (and his friend wore it,) threw up on his friends chest, and generally threw up a lot.
That isn't what live music should be about.
But I can tick the Bloodhound Gang off my list of "seen bands."

Anyway.
We're in week three.
Fuck.

So I'm sorting my visual diary for tomorrow, and sticking this post up purely so if I have to put my blog on the projector, it says the word "dick" in big letters at the top. I'm mature like that, you see.
So yeah, pulling some images together that I love. They aren't really relevant in terms of nature or technology but I like them regardless. Mainly Radiohead artwork.
And on a side-note, their new album is really good.

I also just got myself a domain and stuff.
I'm not sure why, seeing as I can't build websites, and don't really have anything to put up there.
but
www.thomcurtis.co.uk
is born.

I thought I had something to say but it turns out I don't.
Ho hum.

Over and out.
Thom.

Worse Things Have Happened At Sea

2007-10-16T09:19:00.001-07:00

That's a bloody good song by Frank Turner, I tell thee.
Go and listen to it.

Anyway.
Today was the one-day project, andddd it didn't go too badly.
As always there were people who blew everyone out the water with mind-blowing images, and then again there were some that weren't so great. I'm thinking my photoshop skills are about average in the year group.
Mine turned out to look more like a painting than anything. Which wasn't the thing I was aiming for, really. I mean, I'm pretty happy with it, I just don't know if it will be strong enough to make it to the final five images.

I really need to get on the case of this visual diary.
I went and found tons of images online, mainly Radiohead and Muse artwork, but I haven't done anything with them past that. And I don't have anything that symbolises Nature or Technology. Just images I think are awesome and like the style of. Hmm.

Laterzz.
Thom.

So. Why?

2007-10-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

Note to self: probably an important post.

Why am I doing this course.
Why indeed.

I class myself as intelligent and creative.
Or at least, I'd like to think I am.
I can't necessarily prove I'm creative on a blog, (except maybe the occasional flamboyant vocab,) but hopefully the intelligence speaks for itself. The fact I can spell and stuff?
da fct i dnt tlk lyk dis.
u no?
wel ye i mean its kewl 2 tlk lyk dis enit?
every1 dus it.
Well I don't.
And if you ever type anything like that to me I might just come round and break your face.

Anyway, back to the point.
I think I'm *fairly* intelligent and creative.
And I think those attributes suit this course well.
I used to play around with Photoshop during school and college.
I never really learned anything, just how to make me look alright in photos by adjusting contrast and colours. But I did know there was a hell of a lot going on, and that the program had colossal potential.
The same with Flash, I could make crap animations where a picture slides on and slides off, but that's about it.
And with dreamweaver. Well. Here's some text. Here's a picture. This links here. Publish.
Need I say more.

I could have just gone on some courses to learn about these programs.
And I really did consider it.
Because I'd always fiddled around with it, I kind of classed it as a past-time and when it came to going to Uni, it didn't cross my mind for that very reason. I was in the mind set that I should go on to do something that progresses from something I'd already taken. As it happens, I had never taken anything like Media Studies and such, I'd taken things like Art and Maths. And I was drawn towards the Computer Animation course.
Given that it's supposed to be the best in the country, I was pretty pissed off that I didn't enjoy it.
When it came for looking for a new course, I knew I didn't really want to leave Bournemouth.
And also, in my opinion, if you're going to Bournemouth, you should be in the Media School.
If you want something that isn't in the Media School, then going to Bournemouth won't benefit you necessarily. Seeing as it's the only Centre of Excellence for Media Practice in the country, thus far, it seemed like belonging to such a school would look more than appealing to future employers.
And after all, we're all in this for a job.
I'll get back to that.
So I stumbled across BAIMP in a prospectus and kicked myself that I hadn't seen this the previous year. It sounded like the course for me, something that would allow me to be creative, not to mention the fact that the course seemed to promote new medias and innovative bits and bobs that, in a fast changing world, are important things to know about.

So, back to the job.
I don't just want any job.
If I did, I'd probably wander down to 1812 and ask for a full time position.
Or move back home to sexy Swindon and get a job in The Spot.
Now I've got bar-experience, I don't like the idea of a 9-5 answering phones.
But I want a job I'll enjoy.
Money isn't necessarily important. So long as I don't live in squalor, finances don't bother me. I just want to be able to go to work, be good at my job, and enjoy it. Something related to this course, with all the creativity and what-not.

Eurgh I don't know I feel like I've gone round in circles and no doubt forgotten to right something.
Forget Simon, Tangent should be my middle name.

Enough reasoning.
Now to the present.
We were set our brief yesterday.
Technology and Nature.
5 images.
6 weeks.
My head was spinning.
I'd only have thought of an idea before another slice of a new idea flew in and batted the old stuff away.
Today, some "Photoshop-tennis" (can't be assed to explain it,) has given me oodles of inspiration.
So hopefully I can accquire some shit-hot-photoshop-skills over the coming weeks and pull these brainchildren off. Woopadywoop.

Over and out, bitches.
Thom.

Parisian Skies

2007-10-09T08:42:00.000-07:00

I need to blog more often I think.
Don't quote me on that, though.

I feel like I've got alsorts to say, but my mind might be stuck in an infinite loop.
Like my graphics card.
And excuse my French but it's fucking me off.

Anyway.
I'm going to split this into two posts. For future reference, with regards to PDP and such,
ignore this one.
Glad that's all cleared up, ennitbruv.

What on earth has happened since last Wednesday that I feel the urge to write about.
A valid question.
And it would seem, not very much.
So yes, infinite loop it was.
Balls.

Worked Friday.
Worked Saturday.
Worked Sunday.
(hmm pattern yes?)
And then into Uni yesterday to start the proper program.
More of that in the other post coming shortly.

Last night I went to see Maximo Park in Portsmouth.
I blagged free tickets because I said I'd review it for the website, which was pretty sweet.
I was down for an interview too but they wanted me there at half 5 and I had uni until 4.
Portsmouth isn't quick to reach a la train.
Can you believe it?
I actually sacrificed meeting one of Britain's best bands, just to go to Uni.
What a bloody joke.
This time last year, on Animation, hating every day I spent in Uni, I'd have jumped at the chance to escape and do something else.
I mean, christ, someone could have invited me to their house for a bourbon biscuit and I'd have skipped a whole day.
But no, I'm making an effort.
And I enjoyed today.

Hm what else.
Ah yes I'm interviewing Athlete tomorrow.
Woot.
Now that's something Uni can't get in the way of because there's no lectures or seminars.
Time for a celebratory dance.

When we were told to make a blog, Joe clicked onto one randomly and upon skimming through, fell upon a post about Gin. Now, I'm not a copy-cat or anything, but I'm going to do the same.
Not so much a post, more a few lines.

My first experience of gin was after the Leavers Ball in year 11, in the Summer of 2004.
Someone handed me a miniature bottle and told me to down it.
He's the kind of guy who would thump you, and it's best if you're on good terms.
I did so.
It was gross.
I didn't touch it again until I imported loads of cheap alcohol from abroad, and the crates that made it through customs had some gin in. I was selling it on at a minor profit anyway, so anything I didn't like I could flog. I opened one bottle of gin, had a drop, and it was still gross.

And now, we find ourselves in 2007. Back at Uni.
And in the house, I'm offered a gin and tonic.
Why not.
*drink*
That's rather nice.
For the next few weeks I drink more Gin than anything else.
Mental.
And now I quite enjoy it.

Enough.
I'm going to write the other post now.
It's more important.

Thom.

Deja Vu.

2007-10-03T09:11:00.000-07:00

I swear I've been here before.
On more than one count.

I've just started Interactive Media Production at Bournemouth Uni, after last years' Computer Animation went breast-skyward. So I find myself back at the start of a course.
And also, I find myself back blogging.
It's something I'd decided to attempt a few years ago, and it didn't last very long.
It's still active and I don't have the effort in my fingers to close it down.
I just won't tell anyone the link. Brilliant.

So we've been advised to start blogging as part of the new course, for helping with the self-reflective writing or something.
The closest I've got to reflective writing is scrawling offensive messages in the condensation on the bathroom mirror for my housemates to find. I get the feeling the Uni-staff are looking for something a little more coherant.

So here is my blog.
Isn't he lovely.
Yes he is.
Let's see how long this one lasts.

Thom.