Just another night in halls...

"Where to start?" That is today's big question. Last night was possibly the most bizzare night I have ever had...





You. will. not. believe. this...





The night started pretty normally. The lads of A0 went to Asda to buy essentials such as food, pumpkins (happy halloween btw), and of course, booze. There's a new rule now. Everytime we take a trip to Asda, each guy has to buy a drink he's never had before. Anyway, three bottles of booze and four pumpkins later we returned to the flat to start a night of pumpkin carving, drinking, (and little did we know at the time) suedo-military operations. At around 2 o'clock in the morning, when everyone was ready for bed, three very drunk girls stumble into our flat, looking for their flatmate (who was down in A0) and at the same time needing to use the loo. Fine. They then proceeded to wake everyone up, and have a party in Sam's room. Everyone then follows them up to their flat, the guys drooling like bulldog puppies, while I remain in the kitchen, carving my four pumpkins (result later =]). So, I finish the pumpkins and go up to A3 to see what's going on with everyone. That end's up with people throwing dolly mix and me giving a guitar lesson to a rather drunk girl at around quarter to three in the morning. By this time I'm back in my room tuning Kelly (I think she's called Kelly)'s guitar. This is when the night gets hectic...








The doorbell rings. And rings. And RINGS! So I answer the door, and there, in floods of tears, are Bosley's two friends. Minus Bosley. "Oh shit..." was the only reaction really. The next half-an-hour entailed jumping in Frazer's car and racing into the centre of Nottingham to try and find Bosley. Luckily we managed to get pick her up from the club she was at, but it could've been much worse. So, crisis over? Nope. We returned home to find one of Bosley's friends off her head having a conversation with her dad on the phone. OK, but she wasn't talking to her phone, she was talking to her DEBIT CARD. That's when we it got really wierd. There was a very drunk, maybe drugged girl talking to her phone card and trying to attack anyone that approached her. What could be worse?





The FIRE ALARM. That's what. The goddamn fire alarm goes off at three in the the morning. So, that's sorted and over with. C0 burnt some food. But this girl is getting worse, so the ambulance gets called. Turns out she wasn't spiked, she just couldn't handle her drink. So, she collapses in Bosley's room. Its now 5 o'clock, and all hopes of getting up tomorrow are gone. Everyone decides to go into their own rooms and I don't get to sleep until quarter past six. Then, next thing I know it's quarter past two in the afternoon and some arse is ringing the doorbell. Great.





So, an interesting night all round. We carved pumpkins, performed a search and rescue, and wasted an ambulances' time.








On a lighter note, I did carve four pumpkins.

It's KISS!

Happy Halloween.

- tom_349

midnight mischief.

As I type it is 01.44 on the morning of Wednesday Oct 29th 2008, and I and various flatmates of mine have just gone to bed, after doing something despicable, nasty, and just plain wrong...

I give you... Sam's door.

Yup, we paper-mache'd it. And no, you are not mistaken. This is the same door that we covered in cardboard. Trust me, it's hard being a door in the modern halls environment, especially if you're the door to room A02. We don't do this out of malice, we all think Sam's a great guy, we do it for the hell of it. So, any more pranks we pull will be posted up here if I remember to take pics of them.

See the full extent of our efforts here.

Probably plan something for Frazer (Gayzerbeam - The Hate Machine)'s door next.

I need some no more nails =] he said with an evil smirk on his face...

- tom_349

Another day, another lecture, another assignment...

Yep, that's right, another ASSIGNMENT!

And here it is...

Understanding Design Methodologies

Think about what goes on in your head when you buy something new, take a photo of your favorite designed object and answer the following questions:

Why is it that we want our belongings to do more for us than to function well?

Why are we willing, as soon as we can afford it, to pay extra for things with appealing forms?

You should post the photo as well as answer the questions.

Green is now officially assignment colour, so you'll know what's coming if you see it splashed around. =]

And guess what? The finished Assignment! Is a sack o' crap IN THE SAME POST!

Understanding Design Methodologies.

Why is it that we want our belongings to do more for us than to function well?

The answer to this question can differ for each individual person. It is personal preference that defines what a person wants from design, and documenting a definition of why we have personal preference is a task I shall leave to the Psychology students of NTU. However, what I will do is provide examples. The best example I can think of to argue “Form over Functionality” is fashion. The fashion industry seemingly despises functionality, and concentrates everything on the aesthetic form. This seems a ludicrous rationale, backed by this rather convenient quote: "To call a fashion wearable is the kiss of death. No new fashion worth its salt is wearable." [Eugenia Sheppard, "New York Herald Tribune," Jan. 13, 1960]. To discern for myself why aesthetic should come before functionality, I grilled one of my flatmates, who I would consider fashionable, with this situation...

“You have a choice of two overcoats. One is the most comfortable, well insulated coat in existence, the other is made of a thin material that does nothing to protect from the weather. However, the first coat is only available in day-glow pink and green checkers, the latter is a catwalk piece. The second coat is considerably more expensive than the first. Which would you have?”

Her answer? The latter item. When asked why, she answered “It’s all about looking good.” This simple statement displays the link between design and social convention and attitude. Therefore, I suggest that we want our belongings to do more for us than function well because of social convention and human nature. The majority of us want to be the best and have the best material possessions to prove it, and designers understand and cater for this.


Why are we willing, as soon as we can afford it, to pay extra for things with appealing forms?


And this is where my photographs come into play...

Here we have two objects... They both have a basic function; sit around looking interesting. Both also can be used to prop up books, games, etc or can be thrown at annoying housemates. I personally prefer the more expensive skull. The reason why is because I feel it has more character, and represents me better than the oversized, novelty die. (For those of you who think “dice” is the singular, think again! Mwahahaha!) So, the simple answer to why we buy more expensive things is because of personal preference. Because we like the more expensive object more than a cheaper alternative.

So, there it is, assignment number 2. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed fiddling with the formatting.

Farewell, until next time.

- tom_349

Triumphant return to non-reality.

AAAARGH! It's been 2 WHOLE DAYS since I posted on my blog. I'm letting the side down *hangs head in shame*. But, now I'm back with more amazingly artistic words to fill your vision...

Seen as I'm not the only Multimedia student, this is not the only Multimedia blog. You can find the rest here. Wow, my first hyperlink. You should share my sense of accomplishment =].

Also, for those of you with a bit of videogame knowledge; the much-antisipated FarCry2 was released yesterday, and I can say that it does live up to the hype. The graphics engine is rediculously sharp, despite a bit of an aliasing issue, and runs very smoothly in 1080p. The gameplay works, with approximately 50km2 African Savanna (to run, drive, hack, and shoot through) offering an immensly detailed play area. There are minor niggles, such as the need to pop malaria pills more frequently than I personally would like, and a bit more auto-aim would've been nice. The enemy AI also seems a bit too aware, as they can spot you anywhere, even when you're being all sneaky...

On the whole, FarCry2 is a solid, enjoyable FPS that I am going to thouroghly enjoy for a long time to come.

Next week, Fallout 3.

Hab SoSlI' Quch!

- tom_349

Every little helps.

No, don't worry, I'm not working for Tesco. The "little" is actually a short piece of pixilation I made when I chanced upon some of my flatmates pulling this rather amusing prank on Sam in A02. They were all too happy to be on film; so sit back, relax, pour a drink if you want, and enjoy "The Door."

Sweet dreams...

- tom_349

Done and dusted...

Assignment!

well, would you believe it? It was only set eleven hours ago but i've finished it. Yup, my assignment (note big green word) is done, and here it is, in all it's radioactive glory...

Enjoy, and until next time...

- tom_349



After scouring the internet, typing different combinations of the words “Media,” “Technology,” and “Advancement” into Google, I eventually came across this…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/technology/2008/03/the_mobile_internet_kids.html

This simple article about why students are more tech-savvy than teachers got me thinking about the application of mobile phones, and especially, mobile internet. After searching Google some more, I came across an article that jolted a little piece of information stuck in the back of my head. The Japanese Finger-Phone.

http://sanjose.bizjournals.com/sanjose/stories/2003/11/03/daily64.html

Imagine the possibility that Biological communication devices became mainstream in the way handsets are now. It’d be normal to see the majority of the population sticking their fingers in their ears to talk, or pressing their hands to text.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/hong+ik-university/korean-phone-concept-turns-your-hand-into-a-mobile-235106.php

So, in five years time, the technology is there, we’re using our hands to talk. What next? The simple answer is advancement. You’re hand can call and text, OK, but it still isn’t a multimedia device like the handsets we have now. That’s when the people over at Samsung etc say “Hey, how can we make your hand into a multimedia device?” As technology advances, devices get smaller and smaller, and we look for newer, more convenient ways to bring information to ourselves, could it be possible that in twenty years your mobile phone could be nothing more than a tiny transmitter and receiver implant? Or your camera is an eye patch that responds to the movement of your eyelids?
I believe the student of the future (as they seem to be more tech-savvy) will not keep their phone in their pocket, or their camera in their bag. They will wear them, or even be them. All the technology we have now: Mobile Phones, Internet, Touchscreen, Voice control, Movement Recognition; will all result in the human being the gadget, not using it. Every bit of technology I have just listed can now fit into the palm of your hand, proving that the future is being manufactured to use minimum space, and take minimum effort. Eventually, we may even be able to access the internet and communicate using only thought. Human-machine symbiosis will inevitably become available, the big question is when?
In conclusion, the ultimate answer to the question is a strange one, and probably a product of my impressionable, teenage mind. How will mobile technology influence society? I believe that eventually mobile technology will become one with us, giving life to that sci-fi favourite, the cyborg.

Long time no see.

It's been five days since I updated my blog! "He's slacking already" I hear you say in that dissapointed yet unsurprised voice. Well fear not, I have an excuse. My lack of blogging this weekend was due my somewhat-less-than-epic return home. Therefore, the need to see family and friends has kept me away from my precious online journal. But now I'm back, onto the important stuff.

ASSIGNMENT!!!

Yes! the rather bright text above does not lie, I have an assignment! Exiting no? Well, not as much as you'd think. "Assignment" basically translates as "Homework, children," but not that nasty homework you get in school with a sheet that you have to copy from, which makes me feel a bit better. Here it is...


"Write a 300 – 500 word article that tells the audience about a recent multimedia technology that is being or has been developed in the last six months and explain what you think the impact of this technology will have upon society."

And you, my lucky, lucky readers are going to get to read it, As it has to be posted here. Yep, you read right. Here.

So keep checking back, It has to be in before next Tuesday.

Live long and Prosper... \\//

- tom_349

Discussion on the Ideum...

Yet another philosophical title there =P

The point of this post is my first BRAINSTORM. The Multimedia students have been set a piece of pixilation work to do. I think I explained this in my last post. Anyway, the point is I've had some ideas, and as the point of this blog is to document the creative process developing within my twisted little mind O_o, I'm going to share them with you =]

I have to include human subjects to make it a pixilation instead of full on stop-motion, so I was thinking maybe a corridor based short like in the cartoons, with people going in one door and coming out the other. Or, I might create a fight scene and use photoshop to add in some street fighter-style effects and stuff. HADOUKEN!!! lol, I'm such a geek =P

So, those are my ideas so far. I might even do a kitchen based thing, like a slapstick sitcom in pixilation. I really don't know yet.

Until next time, may the force be with you...

- tom_349

First assignment

Hello again guys and gals... =S

It turns out my first piece of work is a Pixilation (stop-frame animation that uses people as puppets, for those of you less well informed). The idea is that I present a short film in three weeks. So I suppose I'd better crack on with it. I'll put up any ideas I have so you can walk my creative path (Descriptions like that might get me marks for creativity, I don't know...). Anyway, the jist is I'm gonna try to document everything on here.

Oh, and My work produced in freshers week is finally on the net. See it here.

http://www.reflectivejournal.co.uk/students/yr1/induction/08-09/pinhole/

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=44PNvGz6QpQ

Enjoy, and until next time, thanks for reading.

- tom_349

The weekend passeth...

It's 03.03 on monday morning, and i'm here writing my blog. The weekend was pretty enjoyable, t'was the climax of fresher's on saturday and we dressed as Spartans to march to the SU. Neglected to get any pics tho =[. Sunday was a good day, i woke up at 14.22, had pizza for breakfast, went to the SU for pub quiz (we got 21/50 points! woot) and got a kebab to walk home with.

Its all good, and i'm just waiting for my first lecture on tuesday so i can get to work doing something interesting. On a more morbid note... It's taken 9 days but home sickness has set in good and proper, so i suppose it's a good thing i'm going home this weekend coming for 3 days.

So, I'm off to bed. And as Boston once said: I closed my eyes and i slipped away...

- tom_349

What did you do in your first week?

Ah, the time has come to finally answer that all important essay question (lol) that makes up the title of this post. Prepare for the madness... D=

This week I've moved into what some would regard as the deepest pits of hell, University halls. It's been an amazing experience - meeting loads of people, making new friends - and It's so different to living at home. The biggest difference is social interaction, having not got to sleep before 2am every night, and having drunk excessive amounts of alcohol, I'm starting to see what living in halls is all about. I would like to comment on how my course is going, but at the moment I've only attended a couple of group building exercises, and from what I've seen so far it's going to be great. I've tried to dedicate myself already by updating this blog everyday, and I plan to continue once my course starts proper.

So... mild insomnia, alocohol abuse, nine cans of red bull in one night, and the randomly occuring compulsion to scream "MERIDIAN!!!" at any point have changed me somewhat.

To wrap up, sitting here typing, listening to the Malcomn in the Middle theme tune, I feel different to what I did a mere seven-and-a-half days ago.




What did I do in my first week? I learned how to live.

- tom_349

First piece of work (yay)

"Where is it?" You ask. Don't fear, for I'm about to tell you. The first piece of work i have done while at uni, is... (Drumroll please) My blog display picture!

I can feel you're sense of unimpressedness (yes, I know, it's probably not a word) and disappointment at this startling revelation. However, it is a piece of work none-the-less and should be credited as such.

I created it by taking a pic of myself and tracing it in photoshop to try (and apparently fail =] ) to give it an anime feel. I know the lines are shakey and a bit crap but it's the first time I've used my tablet (another milestone in my life, woopee!), and I'm definately no Van Gogh, as i still have both ears.

well, i must say my farewells for another day at least, thanks for reading

- tom_349

The reason we are here. (sounds all philospohical, doesn't it?)

You might have read down and seen my somewhat less-than-harrowing account of last night, proving that I am infact, stupid. However, despite social scandal and boring stundent life stuff, the reason you are reading this now, and the reason for this blog's very existance even, is that it's a course requirement of BA (hons) Multimedia at NTU that I keep a journal of my work, life, whatever. So, let me get on with the task I was set, these two incredibly complicated questions ...

What did you do during your first week?

I can't really answer this yet, as my first week doesn't end for two days, so that'll be updated in the early hours of saturday morning =]

What do you want to get out of the course after 3 years?

This one's a bit trickier...

I suppose, at the end of the day, I want to be able to get a well paid, enjoyable job. But to get that I'm gonna have to learn skills and techniques, and create an amazing portfolio. So, to keep it short and sweet, I want to work, I want to do well, and overall, I want to have a f***ing good time doing it.

=)

- tom_349

The night before... and what a night it was

Well, with a title like that how can this post really be anything other than an account of the stark, and frankly embarrasing, tale of life in halls? Let us begin...

The night started as any other at Meridian Court, with a quick trip to Tesco for supplies (hehe). Our required supply for the night wasn't bread for late night feasting or bathroom cleaner, nope, we were after a bottle of Tesco's own triple distilled vodka. Upon arrival back at the flat we wasted no time in launching into the highest risk game of chance in the book, Drinking 21. Listen kids, dont play this game unless you want to wake up embarrased and ashamed at the state of intoxication you managed to work yourself into. The game goes like this. The players all play aginst the dealer, which alternates every five hands. If the dealer wins the hand, everyone else drinks a finger worth of their drink (a finger worth is about a mouthfull). If the dealer is beaten, he/she has to drink a finger for each person who beat him/her. A finger is also required if you go bust. doesnt sound too bad, does it?

Yeah right. Fingers are stackable, so if you go bust and get beaten by the other three players (as one of my flatmates did) you have to have 4 fingers of your drink. Look at how wide all four fingers are on one of your hands. That's a lot of drink. By the end of the night, I had drunk approximately two thirds of a bottle of vodka. On an empty stomach.

I would therefore like to post a public apology to all the people I accosted in Meridian Court on the night of tuesday 7th October 2008.

So kids, the moral of the story is... don't go mental on drink like I did.

Oh, and the hangover is terrible.

- tom_349

Introductery message

Well, this is it [unimpressed smiley face], my first real blog! This isn't like those rubbish blogs on myspace that no one reads, oh no, this is a proper, dedicated, student(y) blog. And it's mine =] I'm gonna try and document my life as a student, informing you of the highs and lows, revealing scandalous antics (a reason to keep reading), and generally posting anything and everything about life as a Multimedia student at Nottingham Trent University.

So keep visiting my blog, even if you think it's a bit rubbish, because you never know what you'll discover ( ;

- tom_349