Quoth The Raven...

Hello. Firstly, before I get to the link. I'd just like to congratulate myself for keeping this blog up for a whole year. I started it a year ago last Thursday. I don't know how many readers I have gained over that time but if you're one of them, thanks. I really like doing this and will continue to do so.

Anyway, how about a celebratory game? It's a wonderfully pretty and absorbing game, if that helps. You play a creature from the forest, on a search for treasure. Unusually for a flash game, it is not concerned with shooting people or running them over, but rather exploring a delightful world and interacting with other creatures. Having said that, I haven't played through to the end so it could all go pear shaped for all I know. Somehow I doubt it though.

It's called Nevermore 3 and it gets the Plinx seal of approval.

Bug In The Machine.

Ok now this is something special. Whatever you're doing, you can afford to spend a few minutes gawping at this link. It's called Insect Lab and what it boils down to is a series of pictures of the fruits of one man's labour. A man who replaces the insides of dead insects with clockwork and watch parts.

Yup.

I mean, how do you get inspired to do something like that? It boggles the mind. Anyway, enough talk. You want to see some examples? Sure you do:







Unbelievable. There's a scorpion in there too (look in the Arachnid section) which is too big to fit here but I urge you to take a look Here.

Full Tilt.

Definite phocus on fotography today. For starters, if you're at all interested in my trip to Lisbon, firstly you need to get out more and secondly there are a bunch of photos on facebook now. Let's narrow the circle even further, if you're reading this blog, want to see my photos and are not a facebook friend, well then who the heck are you?!

Have Some Pics Anyway!
Oh, almost forgot to mention. The medals pic was taken by Katy Sprake and the one of us in running get-up was taken by Katie Ferrari, the 4th member of the posse in the photo. Thanks Katies!

Now for less egocentric stuff, have you heard of Tilt-Shift Miniature Faking? (click for explanation if not.) It's a nifty trick which makes photos of real people/objects look like miniature toy versions. Anyway, if you put together a load of these images, you can make an entire tilt-shift video, and chances are it'll look really, really cool. Just like this one!


Mardi Gras from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

I think it looks great. If you fancy making one yourself, there is an easy online tilt-shift maker Here! Give it a go, it's fun.

Half A Snickers.

So yeah, I did the half marathon. Was a respectable time for a first timer like me. I'm so tired now but I think we're going to go out tonight and celebrate. I'm in the nicest hostel I have ever seen. It's great. I'll probably furnish you with some pictures when I get back. Hope you're getting on alright without me.

See you soon! I'm going to polish my medal some more.

The T-Spot.

Tetris. Everybody, everywhere knows what that word means. For such a simple concept, it's done a decent job of conquering the world. So it's not unusual to find web stuff that pertains to it. In fact, this will be at least the 3rd time I have plinked about it already.

So here are your 2 (count 'em) Tetris links:

Firstly, there is Tetoris and I hope you don't think I am underestimating you by saying this, but you won't even be able to complete one line. Have a look, you'll understand. I've had it running in the background for my entire day at work so far and the screen isn't even half full!

Secondly, one of the most pervading things about the game is its iconic music. Huh, wonder what it'd be like with some lyrics. Too bad there isn't some crazy youtube guy who has made up his own. Oh wait, There Is!

Our Work Is Never Over.

So, y'know Daft Punk's track 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger'? Yeah, of course you do. It's old news. Well, maybe but this is relatively new. It's a soundboard that gives you control of each part of the lyrics from said track, enabling you to create the whole thing or mix it up however you like. It's surprisingly compelling. Particularly if you're in the same place as someone else with another computer. You can get a really cool call & response thing going! (we just did it here at work). So yeah, give it a try:

Daft Punk's Console.

Actually, while I'm on the subject, there is always an outside chance that you haven't seen this:



Mad skillz, there.

This "Post" Is "Cool"

I am a language pedant. I make no apologies for it. Unnecessary apostrophes and other misapplied punctuation grate at me like nails on a blackboard. The only way to cope is to have a good old twatty sneer at those responsible. Not the most attractive characteristic, I know, but I can't help it.

So yeah, I'm glad I'm not alone in this. There are lots of language pedants on the internet. There has to be considering some of the bilge that washes over it daily.

So I'm giving a shout out to This Blog. 'The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks'. They're doing the sneering so I don't have to.

Getting Mashed.

Hey hey. This blog is starting to look like a wall of text. Best crowbar a video in sharpish. Luckily, the internet is not exactly bereft of good videos. The latest prodigy is some dude called Kutiman, who mashes clips from other youtube videos together to make music videos. Here's an example called 'The Mother Of All Funk Chords'



Pretty cool, eh?

There are lots more Here.

These videos seem to be the toast of the internet right now, just trying to keep you informed. Bye!

Get Your Ninj On.

Another update in a cool series of games today. In this case: Bowja the Ninja 3. First plinked back in May '08. Huh, and spazzing back through the archive has just made me realise that I didn't post when Bowja 2 came out so you can have that too!

To recap, it's a point & click style game. You need to progress through the scenarios by finding the right object to click and in the right order. It's very slickly designed and dashed fun to boot. So, here goes!

Bowja 2: Bigman's Compound.
Bowja 3: Ninja Kami.

Who Watches The Watchmen?

Hello. I know I promised a less geeky link today but frankly, I can't help myself. This has to be shared.

I should warn you, if you haven't read Watchmen, it won't mean much to you. Also, if you haven't read Watchmen, you really should.

Anyway, it's an animation that depicts Watchmen as if it were an 80s Saturday morning cartoon. The parody is spot on in every way.

Saturday Morning Watchmen!

Ok, link for normal people coming this weekend. Honest!

Animal Magnetism.

Geeky link today. Some slow motion videos of an array of magnets being struck my another falling magnet and going through magnetic self assembly.

It's neat. Honest!

Nerds click Here.

Everyone else, come back in a couple of days. There'll probably be a game or something.

Yeah, But Is It Art?

Yes, hello. I have moved house and everything. Pretty cool, eh? I can't claim that this is the first post from the new plinx HQ because I'm at work. But let's not let that spoil things, eh?

Today's link is called Tiny Art Director. It's a blog written by an artist, who asks whis two three four year old daughter what he should paint, then submits the piece to her for critique. Generally, the pictures get rejected or approved with certain amendments. Anyway, the whole thing is very cute and worth a read. I'll show you:



The Brief: I'm going to tell you what to draw. Draw a dragon sneaking up on a girl. She's picking flowers.
The Critique: Daddy it's not supposed to be like that! He has dog legs! I'm so mad at you! I'm going to erase those legs! Daddy why did you do those legs??? [collapses in tears]
Job Status: Rejected.

Dawwwwwwww!

Read the whole dang lot Here.