devolute.net

Owl squadron

Ian — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 11:00:11 +0000

Finally I can write about two of my favourite things. This owl was found making a home in a carrier-borne fighter aircraft. Anyway, the sailors who found him named him FOD (or Foreign Object Damage to non-propeller-heads) and nursed him back to health before releasing him into the wild. Awwww. Choice quote from the original article:

If this owl was hiding in a cockpit while a jet was on the catapult. It could possibly bring a jet down if the pilot freaks out because an owl is flying around in his cockpit

Your scope of influence has a lot to answer for, Mr. Cruise.

Link - via neatorama

Branislav Kropilak: contemporary photography

Ian — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:27:00 +0000

I like this photographers website very much. Some simple, very clinical photographs of some rather boring industrial things. However, the sharpness and colours make for some pretty pictures. I think that many shots from the ‘Garages’ and ‘Landings’ (time-lapse taken at the end of a runway) sets would make brilliant comptuer wallpapers.

found via Computerlove

San Franciscans show dry wit in political matters

Ian — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 18:13:58 +0000

A grassroots movement are pushing to rename a water treatment plant in San Francisco after George W Bush. The Times reports that over 8,500 signatures have been collected; something that probably wouldn’t happen anywhere else in America but San Francisco. I think this would be a fitting tribute after the last 8 years, but I feel a little sorry for the sanitation workers. Perhaps a ceremonial pile of burning tires would be even more fitting? Still, best of luck to the aptly named Presidential memorial foundation who put it like this:

“On matters ranging from foreign relations to fiscal and environmental stewardship, no other president in American history has accomplished so much in such a short time, We believe this is an appropriate honour for a truly unique president.”

Amen to that.

Notorious Hitler - Where brooklyn at

Ian — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:47:13 +0000

Straight reppin’, back in the day.

Are Coldplay a bunch of theiving bastards?

Ian — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:53:15 +0000

Coldplay (aka “Radiohead for bed-wetters”) are getting a lot of radio play. Too much. Even on ‘alternative music station’; BBC 6music, they pop-up a surprising amount. Like they were/are with the iPhone, the BBC are currently in a multi-media Coldplay-luvy blitz (although the ‘toys out of the pram’ moment that Chris Martin gave Radio 4 is pretty funny). We’re told repeatedly how big they are. They’re so big because we’re constantly told about them! It’s a vicious circle. With the new album, ‘Viva la Vida’ (aka “The beginners guide to raising your bittorrent ratio”) it’s just more evidence of ripping off others for fun and profit (mainly profit, actually).

Now indie band the Creaky Boards are claiming that they wuz robbed. Sure, this could just be coincidence and a bit of cheeky publicity grabbing from the ‘Boards, but remember this is Coldplay we’re talking about. This is the band responsible for ensuring that any time Kraftwurks gentle Computer Love is played, the younger members of the beige-Mondeo owning public cry, “isn’t this a Coldplay cover?”.

It’s not just melodic piracy either, it struck me that the current visual style Coldplay have recently adopted closely parallels that of teenage-angst mongers ‘My Chemical Romance’. I’m not the only one to notice this.

In short: Music by the numbers (lead by what the market deems profitable, as opposed to musical integrity) : Still tedious.

Image thanks to the eternally wonderful Natalie Dee

Design Is Honest. Advertising Is Lying.

Ian — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 09:00:08 +0000

I’m tempted to buy this tee-shirt. It’s mainly true, but not as true as it should be sometimes. Of course I would say that, I work in design (well, technically). In fact, I could very well be lying. Design is certainly lying if it claims that it’s not using overusing common typefaces with solid block backgrounds as an easy way to create a strong visual identity. I’m looking at you, Vodafone and Channel 4 OD!

Found at fffffound

Glaswegian dining

Ian — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:53:15 +0000

Up in Glasgow, this thing is called a ‘Munchy box’. Looking at the pictures, it seems to be all the food one might pick up after a night on the beer, but in a massive pile. Looking at the pictures is, for me, a combination of initial disgust followed by a little voice at the back of my head saying that actually, it could be quite tasty (that little voice is the one that says ‘lets go to the pub’).

We don’t have them down in Sheffield, at least I don’t think we do. If you know where I can buy one, then please don’t let me know. I can easily imagine tucking into one with an equally disgusting friend and then suffering the consequences the following morning, if not for the rest of my life.

Disturbingly clear pictures of the food are supplied in the blog entry (unfortunately).

Star Wars theme played on a floppy drive

Ian — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:08:57 +0000

The iPhone3g has just been announced, and it’s allegedly going to cost us $199. Interesting. I’m going to wait until the fight has died down and for now, stick with some old skool tech.

Star Wars + obsolete hardware. booyah.

Via hackszine.com

Sex and the City. Seriously.

Ian — Thu, 29 May 2008 17:19:28 +0000

6music talked about this sure-fire hit film for what seemed like an hour this afternoon, so I’ve got to say something about this. I won’t be going to see it, because I’m not a woman and as such will not understand the imporant bonds between close female friends / what it’s like to whore yourself round a major urban conurbation (delete as applicable). Still, to get into the spirit of things I will fully endorse this site. Oh Jessica, you’re like a slightly more weathered version of British telly favourite, Billy Piper. Althought thinking about it, it’s less about the teeth and more about the elongated face. In fact that gives me an idea for a website that also has 50% dedicated to the best of all the animals.

visit sarahjessicaparkerlookslikeahorse.com

Wordpress 2.5 update

Ian — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:55:13 +0000

After (naughtilly) having an older version for some time (2.x something, I don’t know… it’s been a while) I have finally updated to the latest Wordpress. Initially impressions: very impressive. That is, of course, if this actually gets posted at all.