As the title suggests, my blog has content from many sources. Being a professional nerd, there is a strong techy vibe here but my interests are varied and some will hopefully be of interest to the non-tech also.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Monkeying Around
Is a Gorilla a monkey? Perhaps not, but the title was just too obvious. This is Zola, nine-years old, who is one of eight Western lowland gorillas currently living at the Calgary Zoo. He clearly likes to play in the water and get his groove on.
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
Lord Of The Rings
Japanese performance artist Ouka is truly the Lord of the Rings. I have seen many jugglers perform, but this is something very different. His YouTube channel shows more.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
First Contact
I don't know much about this video I'm afraid except that it was shot in Papua New Guinea in 1976 and depicts the native tribe meeting a white man for the very first time. Obviously they find the technology of the time very interesting but they are also very wary of it all. It's a little long, but please watch it all because it is truly fascinating. I just hope that they were then left to live their lives undisturbed but I'm suspecting not.
A big thanks to my daughter for introducing it to me.
A big thanks to my daughter for introducing it to me.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Riot Kiss
My head is a little erratic at the moment and so I'll use that as an excuse as to why this story really got to me. I'm sure you heard about the recent riots in the city of Vancouver after the "Canucks" lost in the final of The Stanley Cup.
It started with a photo (below, click to enlarge) taken by Getty Images photographer Rich Lam. It caught a couple in what seemed to be a passionate embrace, lay in the street with the riot happening all around them.
The photo went viral creating huge interest and speculation as to what their motives were. Eventually the identity of the couple was discovered as Australian Scott Jones and his girlfriend, Alexandra Thomas of Vancouver. They had found themselves caught up in the riot and were trying to escape when Thomas knocked to the ground.
It started with a photo (below, click to enlarge) taken by Getty Images photographer Rich Lam. It caught a couple in what seemed to be a passionate embrace, lay in the street with the riot happening all around them.
The photo went viral creating huge interest and speculation as to what their motives were. Eventually the identity of the couple was discovered as Australian Scott Jones and his girlfriend, Alexandra Thomas of Vancouver. They had found themselves caught up in the riot and were trying to escape when Thomas knocked to the ground.
"I'm not sure, but I was starting to get really frightened because I'd never experienced anything like that before. And it's really scary, you know? ... I was upset, and he (Jones) was there to make sure that I got out OK."
"So I went back for her," Jones said. "They (the police) started beating us with the shields, trying to get us to move. I don't know why; we weren't being aggressive towards them or anything like that. But they eventually they passed over us, and that's when we were on the ground. She was a bit hysterical afterwards, obviously, and I was just trying to calm her down."Thomas acknowledged the thought of millions of people seeing her exposed legs and black underwear made her uncomfortable at first...
"but I didn't pose that way, so I think people are able to see it's a moment that happened to be on camera and that it's not embarrassing at all."I agree. It's good to see that gallantry is not dead and also that a photographer can still capture a beautiful moment if they just keep their eyes open.
"It's actually a really beautiful shot," she said. "I wouldn't have been present enough in that moment to see what was going on, so now I can see that moment, and it's pretty incredible."
Thursday, 23 June 2011
CGI - A Brief History
What follows is a short but informative history of the appearance of computer generated imagery (CGI) in movies. Enjoy!
a short history of CG characters in movies from lnrdshelby on Vimeo.
a short history of CG characters in movies from lnrdshelby on Vimeo.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
How Everything Got A Colour
A rather nice animation to promote a French kid's TV channel called Tiji. A child's imagination tells us why in a world of colour, the Panda is black and white.
TIJI "COLOUR" HD from AKAMA on Vimeo.
TIJI "COLOUR" HD from AKAMA on Vimeo.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Happy Father's Day
A happy father's day to you all. Here is some fun facts to keep you busy.
Create your family tree on Geni for free, and connect to the World Family Tree
to find out if you're related to any of our famous fathers.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Airigami
Vincent van Gogh used paint. Auguste Rodin worked in bronze. Larry Moss shapes air with the use of balloons. His medium may be somewhat unique in the art world, but Moss’s creations are inspired by the greatest artists of the past. His study of more traditional works can be seen most clearly in his series of parodies of well-known masterworks. Please visit his website for more great examples and his own art too.
Monday, 13 June 2011
iPod Truth
Magician Marco Tempest uses slick timing of three iPods combined with superb sleight of hand skills to teach us about self-deception.
Friday, 10 June 2011
Not The End
To all of you: I'm afraid posts on e-clecticism will be few and far between for a bit. There have been some major changes in my life which make it difficult. Please bear with me.
Just to you: I don't know if you still read this, but just in case you do, this ones for you. I know this isn't your favourite anymore but it was from the beginning and it's what I will always associate with you. The words have a truth about them now that I never knew before.
Let's end on a high note, do you remember this one from that night? We have had some great times, don't forget them either. It's goodbye, but it's not the end. Beidh mé grá i gcónaà leat.
Just to you: I don't know if you still read this, but just in case you do, this ones for you. I know this isn't your favourite anymore but it was from the beginning and it's what I will always associate with you. The words have a truth about them now that I never knew before.
Let's end on a high note, do you remember this one from that night? We have had some great times, don't forget them either. It's goodbye, but it's not the end. Beidh mé grá i gcónaà leat.
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Things I love About Canada
Image by e-clecticism via FlickrNot long left in this beautiful country now* and I'm really going to be sad to say goodbye. I really have fallen in love here and I hope to be back again as soon as I can. In the meantime I thought I'd share some of the reasons why Canada is my new favourite place.People
This just had to be top of the list. I don't just mean all the wonderful people I have met and now consider friends, but the strangers too. Yes OK, my accent may have prompted some of them to be extra nice. But surely not all of them? Everyone I have had dealings with has been genuinely helpful and kind. In a city the size of Toronto you would expect to occasionally get that uneasy feeling that something bad may be about to happen. Especially late at night, but it never has to me.
Food
Oh my goodness. Those of you that know me personally know that I could not be considered overweight in the slightest. But I could really get fat here. The variety and the quality of food is simply breathtaking. To stand in a small food court and look around at Chinese, Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, Korean, Vietnamese, Greek, Japanese and Caribbean restaurants (those are the ones I can remember) all polluting the air with the most glorious smells is wonderful. I tried so many new foods and I have so many new favourites. Oh no, now I have made myself hungry.
Public Transport
We moan a lot in the UK about public services. We don't always see (until we travel) that actually, we have it pretty good compared to some places. However, as far as public transport goes, Canada (well Ontario anyway) has nothing to complain about. The service is outstanding in terms of punctuality, frequency, cleanliness and cost. On Toronto's TTC, $3 gets you a token that is valid on Bus, Streetcar or Subway for any journey using any combination for any distance up to two hours. Now that's what I call value for money.
Cleanliness
Streets, parks, all public spaces, so little litter. I don't know what their secret is. Whether it is great city sanitation services, or perhaps people just don't drop litter. Either way the result it is very noticeable.
Facilities
In each city I visited, the amount of facilities available for your entertainment was staggering. Sports, movies, theatre, galleries and museums are just the beginning. With little exaggeration, if you have a desire to do it, the chances you can find somewhere to cater for your needs. The quality of life compared to the UK seems extremely good indeed.
*Yeah OK so there was a big gap between starting and finishing this post. :-)
Monday, 6 June 2011
Dragon Head
I have a bit of a thing for Dragons. The whole idea and mythology of them, what they represent, really appeals to me for some reason. I just wish I had the skill to produce the following. I'd have them all over the house. I'm not sure my wife would be too pleased. For more see Gourmet Paper Mache.
First a Chinese Dragon Trophy.
A Sea Dragon.
First a Chinese Dragon Trophy.
A Sea Dragon.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
Extraneous Lyrics
Another clever bod on YouTube. This time okaysamurai re-works some pop songs. But rather than the abbreviated lyrical content we are used to, we get the full on extraneous version.
Saturday, 4 June 2011
Thumbs Up For Rock 'n' Roll!
If you're in need of some motivation this morning, look no further than this little boy who just seconds before learned to ride his bike for the first time. Is it me or does he sound a lot like "Short Round" from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom?
Friday, 3 June 2011
Gimmie Shelter
Do you remember me posting about Playing For Change? Well they have released a new video now to promote the upcoming release of their second CD/DVD called PFC 2. Like the original Stand By Me track, this cover of the Rolling Stones' Gimmie Shelter gives me goosebumps. I hope you enjoy it too.
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
Top Tweets
Image via CrunchBaseI have no source for the following because they came via email but I hope you enjoy a list of witty tweets that someone has compiled. Apparantly these all appeard on Twitter in the last twelve months.My pessimism has never failed me, but I'm sure someday it will.
Can I legally change my name to the same name, but with a bigger font?
The best thing about telepathy is...I know, right?
Saw a werewolf at the bus stop this morning. Or possibly just a very hairy guy. Either way, the silver bullets worked.
Growing up is when you go from using drugs for fun to using drugs for survival.
"I see you're admiring my striped vest," said no one ever.
The fact that we don't use towels to dry towels makes me question the value of towels.
Dude, if you really want Jessie's girl, find out her name.
The people on this bus just need to relax and let me tickle them.
Walkie-talkies neither walk nor talk. They should be called holdie-noisies.
Opposites attract, which is why it sucks to be this handsome.
I like to follow up a compliment with a threat. For example, "Nice shirt! I'll fight you for it."
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