This is the Blog

Portfolio

2009-03-08T23:34:00.000Z

Just a quick one,

Over on http://chrishunt.termisoc.org you can find my brand spanking new portfolio site.

Hope you like it. I'll try to be a bit more proactive with the updates over here in the future, but don' forget to follow me on twitter in the mean time.

Errrmm...

2008-10-17T22:43:00.003+01:00

Hair

2008-08-24T22:01:00.002+01:00

It's Gone. It's Just Gone.

Hair
Originally uploaded by ThisIsTheChris

The Most Popular thing I put on the Internet...

2008-06-04T12:26:00.004+01:00

At nearly Two and a Half Thousand views it's this image from my Flickr account, which made an appearance on TUAW:

Flickr Link

TUAW Story, which links to the Picture

[UPDATE 1 - The Picture's hit count is now pushing 3,200]

[UPDATE 2 - The Picture's gone up to 3,600, and this picture has over 1000 hits]

RE: Ridge Racer Type 4

2008-06-02T23:57:00.000+01:00

Just a Quickie Today (Or a shameless plug for a new Business in Plymouth). I was in the recently opened Computer Exchange and to my delight, sitting on the shelf was an original copy of one of favourite games on the original Playstation, the afore mentioned Ridge Racer Type 4.

For One Pound.

So, with Giddy Delight, I proceeded to the desk, and quickly ran home with my new purchase. I admit, the game has dated a lot, but the soundtrack is still as great as I remember and the stories of the Race team mangers are still as compelling as ever.

Proper Blogging to resume soon!

Chris

[A] I [B] Part 1

2008-05-27T02:23:00.003+01:00

[A] Podcasts
[B] Listen to..

In the First of a new series of continued internet whorage, a list of all the podcasts I Listen to (or Watch, in some cases)

Best of Chris Moyles
Best of YouTube
Cool Hunting Video
The Digg Reel
Diggnation
Digital Planet
Doctor Who: The Commentaries
Experiment of the Week
The Kojima Productions Report
LOGin - The TermiSoc Podcast
MacBreak Weekly
Mahalo Daily
New Yorker: Fiction
One Life Left
Pets
PlayDigital
Radio One Chart Show
Radio One Mini Mix
Rocketboom
Science Weekly
Skeptoid
Stephen Fry's PODGRAMS
Tech Weekly
this WEEK in TECH
Tiki Bar TV
The PSP Show
Windows Weekly

I Haven't Yet added links for all these (that'll follow in an update), but they should be 'Googleable' just now.

Enjoy

Chris

RE: Gladiators

2008-05-14T17:36:00.002+01:00

So, just finished watching the first episode of ‘new’ gladiators and I bet you’re itching to find out what I make of it. Well find out in this completely unbiased (honest!) can’t-really-call-it-a-review-but-oh-well blog post.

Things I liked:

• The Glad’s are suitably Camp, as is always the case in this program
• Ian and Kristy are good substitutes for John and Ulrika
• Art and Lighting design where both suitably up to date
• John Anderson Still In it. Wouldn’t be the same without him!
• Still not lost any of the aggression, violence and wince factor from the original.

Things I didn’t:

• The commentator is utterly woeful. The Sponsors before the show are all read out by John Sacs, making you think he’s doing the whole show, but no, you get this nameless tit that can’t describe a paper bag to Einstein.
• There’s only 4 events + the eliminator. I’m sure there was more than that originally?
• The whole things flies along at a terrific phase. A Shame, because there’s no time for any real banter and the like.
• The Set is TINY. Where’s the whole sense of epicness that accompanied the original version?
• This directly affects the eliminator. It just feels feeble.
• And what’s with the pool?
• Also, while it’s coming next week, wasn’t the wall the only event apart from the eliminator that’s always a part of the show?

So in conclusion, the New Gladiators on Sky One is perfectly watchable, but most of the problems come from comparisons with the Original Series, which as a massive childhood fan (I still remember Saracen visiting my primary school to warn me not to play on railway tracks) are inevitable. Still, despite all this criticism, I enjoyed the Glad’s Return.

Now, to vow to hunger strike until they bring back The Crystal Maze!

RE: Grand Theft Auto IV

2008-05-05T02:26:00.002+01:00

What can I say that hasn't already been said about this game? Likely Nothing. But I want to say a few things that I won't get paid for.

It's Stunning. Completely Stunning.

I have yet to finish it, but there is a reason why I'm writing now. In the last half hour I've been forced to a large scale, high emotion battle and had to make a decision that will effect the rest of the story. This game will bring out your emotions like no other piece of media. It's interactive story telling at it's finest, and that is no understatement.

And yet, these moments don't happen in a normal 'mission'. You're pulled out form whatever you're doing in the game, and forced into these moments. You can't avoid, run or shy away from them. But you never stop playing. No cut scene rolls, there isn't a pause. You simply get a phone call.

And just like real life, a simple phone call can change your story forever.

Something I thought I should share...

2008-04-28T22:38:00.002+01:00

windmill hill graffiti
Originally uploaded by pshab

Yet another widget....

2008-03-23T12:04:00.003Z

So if you look to the right, there's a new Digsby Widget. With it you can talk with me randomly without telling me who you are. I'm just testing this, but if successful (i.e. I don't get spammed totally) I'll Keep it.

Try it out, and let me know what you think.

Chris x

Relapses

2008-03-05T15:10:00.008Z

"Awhh... You Lose" rings out from my PSP's Speakers for the thousandth time since last week, closely followed by "Hey Man, What's up with that?". Then the screen gives me a choice - Retry or Menu. Naturally I pick Retry and loe and behold, a few more minutes of frantic button mashing followed by that sound again. Repeat this process for about two hours before I tear myself away from the game to do something productive, like sleeping, or going to lecture. Before returning to do it all over again.

Yep, I've gotten myself addicted to Gitaroo Man Lives! again. I'd prevented myself for a long time, but I've had a relapse. It's one of my favourite games of all time, a mix of Rhythm Action and Fighter with awesome music, but the game play is easy enough to get used to but so satisfyingly challenging that when you clear a level you've been stuck on, there is a real sense of achievement.

Now, I've finished the Game on Normal Mode. I could pretty much do it in my sleep, but there is a bigger, more tantalising head to collect: Master Mode. How to describe it one word? Punishing.

Let me put that into perspective for you. In a typical level of Gitaroo Man there's about 300 - 500 button prompts in a level. Hit them, score points, everyone goes home happy, however in this game you've got a health bar. Miss anything and you'll take damage. Health hits zero, Game Over and so on. In Normal, about a 10% Miss rate and you'll scrape through a level. Although Still a small amount, it's acceptable for most players. But in Master Mode, that scrape through can be < 1%. The slightest mistiming and you'll lose health. Also, Master Mode will double the speed and increase the amount prompts flying toward you. All makes for one hell of a challenge.

Progress is slow. I'm on level 3 of 10 - Mojo King Bee - a Jazzy number staring a man playing a trumpet while dressed as Bee, with the local frogs doing the backing vocals. Yeah, the game does stranger than that. But while I'm driven mad trying to be beat this fuzzy fella - I'm not bored, and I'm not frustrated at all. It's quick to restart the level and the verses change every time you play so you can't just 'learn' the level, keeping the game fresh. So how to sum Gitaroo Man Lives! Simply, if you want to enjoy a classic style game were skill is key, always fun, and has music good enough to make you import the soundtrack (read: make me import the soundtrack) then this game is for you.

Now, where's my PSP?

Well That Took Some Time!

2008-02-17T14:10:00.004Z

Have I really not updated this since November? I guess I'd better fire off a round up then!

Both of my Blogs (This and the equally non-updated chrisDAT) are now part of the Planet Termisoc feed!
I've found out that I'm Seriously Dyslexic - Bad Times.
But I will be getting a load of support from Uni and The Government for it - Good Times.
I'm currently keeping myself busy with coursework, more Student Ambassador Work, and briefly helping out with Rosetta Life.

And That's your lot for now. There's more stuff Coming Soon - Stay tuned folks!

Chris

Comming Soon..

2007-11-26T10:01:00.000Z

A BRAND NEW Blog is on the way from the person who brought you This is The Blog:

chrisDAT

So what can you expect from chrisDAT? Well, iy's going to become my Hub for my Activites on the Digital Art and Technology course at the University of Plymouth. I'm having an Awesome time and soon you will be able to see all that I've been up to.

Till next time,

Chris

The Bi-Monthly update

2007-10-30T22:17:00.000Z

Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening dear reader,

I've bet you've been wondering what I've been up to recently? No? Well read on anyways....

I've uploaded a load of photos to Flickr account, so have a browse at my arty, documenting and completely strange shots when it takes you're fancy. I'll properly sort them once I have a pro account (Christmas Present, anyone??)

Go to my Flickr Account

In other news, I'm in the process of becoming a Student Ambassador. What's that you ask? Well, it involves working to promote Higher Education to those from backgrounds where it normally is considered a choice. It's really very interesting and very rewarding. If you get an opportunity to get involved - do it!

In University based news, the course work's starting to roll in (and I had my first exam today), but that's not all! I'm also very involved with Termisoc - the Computing Society, and the Poker Society, being Placed in the Top third of the league after playing at one round.

And Finally, I shall be having a House Party very, very soon - shall confirm the dates in the next post.

Chris

Visiting Hours

2007-10-08T19:59:00.000+01:00

Fancy coming up to Plymouth to come and make sure how I'm doing and/or stalk me? Want to have a night out and need some where to stay? Well have a look at this post to see when I'm available, then give me a bell to let me know you're coming!

Weekends are Obvious
Mondays are normally busy, but I get the odd half day
Tuesdays are always busy
Most Wednesdays I have off, Just Make sure with me
I'm only in Lecture in the Morning on Thursday
I'm Busy on a Friday

Give me a ring when you want to pop over....

Chris

New Phone

2007-09-02T02:58:00.001+01:00

Playing with my new phone..
Originally uploaded by ThisIsTheChris

Been Playing around with my new Sony Ericsson k810i, as you can see. Fantastic camera phone, but it only means one thing -

NEW NUMBER

Now its the usual slow process of adding contacts and informing them of it. :-(

If I have your number, you'll be getting mine soon.

So in the meantime, lets have a poll - what ring tone shall grace my new phone? YOU DECIDE

Just check the new poll widget on the right

Chris

Moving..

2007-08-07T23:27:00.001+01:00

Hey all,

I'm shifting a lot of my online operations here there and everywhere, so here are the major changes:

My email address has changed. I've now switched over to Gmail (and loving every second of it) If I have your email address or have you as an MSN contact expect to receive an Email from my new address fairly soon (read: an age from now).
My preferred social network is now FaceBook. It's really very good, and much less cluttered than MySpace. However, I will only accept you as a friend on FaceBook if I actually know you.
I will still continue to use MySpace, and anyone is welcome to add me as a friend.
I will be using Picassa for Private photos, and Flickr for Public Photos.
I'm going to share Documents and Events with Google Docs and Google Calender.

And yes Max, I still love my iPod and iTunes, and have every intention of getting a Mac

That's all for now, have fun all!

Chris

Continued Fiddling

2007-07-27T00:56:00.000+01:00

Continuing to change and improve the look of my blog, it's requiring some fine tuning but it's getting there...

Normal Service to be resumed soon.

Chris

Presenting - Chris TV!!

2007-07-22T20:43:00.000+01:00

Wow, it's like my own TV Channel, presented by You Tube. So in this box you'll see some of my favourite videos from the all popular site, in glorious F.L.V. detail. Enjoy!

Well, it saves reblogging it...

2007-07-12T17:46:00.000+01:00

That Cool Webby type things box over there. Yeah that one. Well that's linked to my Google Reader account, creating a list of things I've read on the interwebs and had to share. Simple enough, and it saves me reblogging the posts in GCSE Grade B English. It's also Got it's own feed, if you're that way inclined (Read - Too lazy to come here)

And in other news... Here's a Video for you: How To Hack an Elevator

You're not the only one with issues....

2007-07-02T13:33:00.001+01:00

Hilarity.

Remind you of anyone?

{EDIT - 14/01/08 - Yeah the Video hasn't worked for a while!}

Aggregation's What You Need

2007-06-26T19:45:00.000+01:00

Ah blogger, Did I forget you?

Well I'm finally making a commitment to update this thing, starting with linking to my presence on the internet. It's all here (and I'm signed up to practically everything) so if you want to add or stalk me feel free. This is gonna grow so y'all stay tuned, you hear!

Chris