2013 November

 

 organic-punk

November 19, 2013

Creative environment

So, I’ve been working on the steam/cyberpunk feel for my home study for the last two years. It’s been a fantastic, and very creative hobby, and it’s been a great challenge to turn my otherwise boring, grey-plastically contained computer stuff into something really decorative.  Ergo, a place where I can feel creative.

Workstation, Beer, an Old Pentium II (bootable)

Router, AP, Switch, Debian BuildBox, and “Things”

The Artefact Containment Centre

 

Unexpected Visitor

Two weeks ago I had an unexpected organic entrant to my study. A grapevine grew through the outside window from my Koi Pond area, and has started attaching itself to my kit. My initial reaction was to clip it, but after some deliberation I’ve decided to encourage it. Note the cable tie providing “guided” support.

Vine Intruder

The way it has simply started to attach itself to my electronics, looking for a foothold, is something that — when thinking about it —  is what a lot of dark Sci-Fi is really about. Even cybernetics. The combination of organic things and technology. The only thing I’ve had to do is to provide the extra support. All of the rest of the “tangling around” cables just happened naturally.

Vine Wires

Also, from experience — the vines die in winter, and will leave behind a really nice combination of wiring, and old dried vines/leaves behind, only for the cycle to be repeated next year.

In fact, this random act of nature, might just form the part of the “feel” I’ve been trying to create for years.

Random organisms — Funny stuff that. As Vincenzia would say:  “In THIS house, things happen very organically.”

/me reminds himself to update GreenPeace subscription. The older I get the more I appreciate the natural world. Except maybe for Bushveld dust, and Cicadas.

Those I will keep hating.

 



 

 The Promo Bay, or some more Musical Education

November 4, 2013

In order to promote a kick-ass cover of Animotion’s “Obsession” by a South African band called TERMINATRYX, I present my version of the Promo Bay 🙂

Follow them here: http://www.youtube.com/user/TERMINATRYX

Education

The original Animotion version was recorded for their self-titled debut album, released in 1984. This version became a massive success, and it remains Animotion’s biggest hit.

“Obsession” is a mainstay on 1980s compilations and is featured in the 2002 video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City as part of the New Wave radio station Wave 103.



 

 Bye to the Scooter

November 2, 2013

Today, a companion for the last 15 years passed away.

Dear Scooter.

I’m going to miss you you bugger.

Scooter was the only survivor of a fire in one of the outbuildings of our property where he and 4 other Daschies were sleeping.

He bailed at the first smell of smoke and woke us to the disaster.

He also bit me on the lip when I tried to interfere with his conjugal visits one night whilst working late. I learned a valuable lesson that day. Never blink when accosting a Dachshund going about  his “business”.

It kinda solidified the mutual “don’t mess with me” respect we’ve had over the years. He knew, and I knew.

He came to us as a cast-away from a Vet, as his owner had decided that he didn’t have “show-dog” temperament, and wanted him euthanased.

I came home after he’d been “visiting” us for a few hours and decreed that he was going to stay, and thus he did — until today.

Best frigging non-show-dog frumpy attitude I’ve seen in a dog all my life.

 

Along with Ruben, Vincenzia, Delphi, Turbo, Pascal (x2), Perl, Liquourice, Mouse, Junior, Pedro, and all the other beings that have shared your existence over the years : I salute you.

(Scooter was named after the first commercial search spider bot on the internet, run by Altavista)