epredator's blog - The real life of a metaverse evangelist

Shed shrimp ghost

2012-01-04T12:51:00.001Z

Shed shrimp, originally uploaded by epredator.

The wonderful little shrimps we added to our aquarium seem to be thriving.
I noticed this external skeleton case that one of them must have shed as they started to grow.
The ghostly shrimp indicates they are thriving. :)

Archiving some old games

2011-12-04T13:39:00.001Z

Archiving some old games, originally uploaded by epredator.

As we are clearing space for the Xmas tree it was time to archive some of the less played xbox games into the loft.
A small subset of the games are in this picture.
As you can see I do ALOT of gaming. Though I admit I don't finish them all !

iPhone case? for 6 month old

2011-12-04T13:37:00.001Z

iPhone case?, originally uploaded by epredator.

I saw this in Argos, the photo is blurred a bit as I was laughing as I took the photo.
This is a real case for an Iphone to protect it from babies and toddlers. It is actually a good idea but seems amazing that a £500 iphone has a plastic drool free case. But babies love smartphones

Forza4 epredator scooby

2011-10-15T16:50:00.001Z

Forza4 epredator scooby, originally uploaded by epredator.

Stunning images get created, plus my decals got imported from forza3 :)

Amazon, Royal Mail, Forza4 delivery fail

2011-10-15T10:27:00.004Z

I have been using Amazon for years, I am an Amazon prime customer too. I used to pre-order all my games and receive them on release day. This may sound petty but when they don't arrive on release day it detracts from shared gaming experience.
As I don't get buckets of free early access games from PR companies I have to rely on Amazon's service.
Recently the releases have been arriving either very late on the release day, or as on the next day's post. However this time even 2 days after dispatching my Forza4 has not arrived for the xbox.
I was particularly looking forward to winding down after the 3 days of filming Cool Stuff Collective with a driving game I really enjoy. Now the post has been and the amazon complaint has been raised I am left with a proforma "It will turn up by the 20th October" when it was posted on 13th for the friday 14th release day. There is not post on Sunday either.
That is just not good enough and I put it down to royal mail. I am paying for that expedited delivery by subscribing to prime. That is not working.
So I am off to the shops, in a huff. The forza experience is now also dented by my experience being tainted by the delivery process too. So I am going to annoyed about this for a while. I will also be annoyed as I print out my returns label and post the thing back to amazon when it finally does arrive.
Now for all those other pre-orders and major games, I guess I best cancel the amazon orders on those too! Or are they going to sort it out?
Yes its only a game, but its what I do, and timing is critical as is service.

Game of life - TV shows and Cool Stuff Collective

2011-10-09T15:40:00.001Z

Game of life, originally uploaded by epredator.

We played a family game of life (not played this for years). It was very odd to land on this square, whilst not strictly true (yet who knows) it was good because The Cool Stuff Collective starts again this coming Saturday Oct 15th ITV 7:35am :)
I also landed on being a movie star and Elemming ended up as a millionaire.
Predlet 2.0 had all the children and Predlet 1.0 arrived late but still won a load of money at the end despite being in huge debt on the way around.
So we all did well. Fingers crossed for RL :)

Watch out for the Common Plec

2011-10-04T07:36:00.001Z

Common Plec, originally uploaded by epredator.

We are new to the whole aquarium keeping hobby. It is way more complex than just sticking a fish in a bowl. It is also possible to make mistakes.
I was concerned that we were getting a lot of algae on the glass and rocks in the tank and that would upset the eco system.
So I went to a shop and asked to a plec. These little fish each algae. The thing was the Common Plec seems to be a bit of a monster. It turns out it can grow rapidly to over 0.5m which is actually bigger than out tank.
Luckily maidenhead aquatics take in over growing plecs. I felt very guilty rehousing out plec and the predlets were a little upset as they had seen him grow up (the past few months) however it seems that this is a very common problem.
So when getting fish, go somewhere like Maidenhead aquatics, they really know their stuff and would not have even had a common plec on sale to the average aquarium owner. 5 -6 a month get taken in.
So research, read, and ask a few experts. There a lots of Plec species, and they certainly do keep the tank clean but its all about balance.

Bird in beef pie

2011-10-01T07:59:00.001Z

Bird in beef pie, originally uploaded by epredator.

The premier inn we stayed at this week had an unusual addition to the beef and onion pie, a ceramic blackbird (baked in the pie like the nursery rhyme)
The photo is a bit blurred as the light was bad and I was still laughing as a took the picture

That's today - Getting on a bit

2011-08-31T20:09:00.001Z

That's today, originally uploaded by epredator.

"digital watch what on earth is a digital watch...."
I have a super mad geek watch for my birthday that tells the time and date in base units.
Thanks also to DK for pointing out the predator style reference that somehow I missed and when I saw his message on FB I nearly spat my coca cola everywhere.

rocking predlet 2.0

2011-08-18T19:50:00.000Z

Here is predlet 2.0 giving it some listening to live music at the steam fayre.

Toasted centre

2011-07-06T11:51:00.002Z

Toasted centre, originally uploaded by epredator.

The internet and blogs, twitter etc are often hit for being "what I had for lunch". Well this is what I had for lunch :)
Working from home means that lunch is often short, but sometimes requires some variety and thought.
Today was based on something Heston did. A sandwich but with a toasted bread centre.
In this case mayo and cheese, spinach and chicken on bread had the delicious crunchy toasted layer in the middle.
Food preparation and cooking is very good at breaking any mential or creative blocks caused by technology. Lets hope this one works ;)

Predlet 2.0 gets the hang of donuts

2011-07-06T11:24:00.003Z

Predlet 2.0 gets the hang of donuts, originally uploaded by epredator.

This was a magic moment. Predlet 2.0 was playing on the car rallying and hooning game Dirt 3 on the xbox. I explained how he could use the handbrake and steering/acceleration to put the car spinning in a donut.
He was most pleased with himself as you can see.

It then let us have a father and son moment as we did synchronized donuts around these concrete pipes. Bear in mind he is 4 years old too :) We were being a couple of hoonigans

(plus as I have been writing over at feeding edge, the ability to directly share the footage to youtube is really very cool indeed)

Long legs ?

2011-07-01T23:28:00.001Z

Long legs ?, originally uploaded by epredator.

Sometime the world just looks funny :)

A different view of the world - the urbanized redneck

2011-06-16T09:28:00.003Z

Russ is one of the guys that back in the days of being on the Wimbledon project it was (and still is) a fantastic meeting of cultures. He knows how to spin a good southern country yarn but for us brits with less hunting/gun culture it was hard to tell where the embellishments were and what was just part of a way of life. It was great when this URL got shown (thanks Ricky/Andy) around to those of us that know him. However I think it is worth a watch for anyone. It is part spoof, or is it ? Your cultural experiences and perspectives will adjust your ideas on that. I hope he gets on the show that this is an audition film for. He really should be on TV more :)
It his his description "urbanized redneck" as it is the clash of country vs city ways, farm vs corporate life that fill his real life stories

Top Shot - Gordon Russell Chapman Esquire from Russ Chapman on Vimeo.

Sand sculptures

2011-06-01T08:24:00.006Z

We visited some amazing sand sculptures in portugal. The exhibition is a yearly one and runs for a few months. The scale of it is amazing as is the detail on individual sand creations.
Some were a little bit more commercial :)

Of course it looks like non of the textures have rezzed :)

The full set of pictures is here
The event is part of Fiesa.org

New surf dudette

2011-05-28T07:16:00.005Z

Predlet 1.0 has taken her first steps into being a surfing dudette. Our apartment (thanks to it being our friends place) is fully loaded with beach kit and toys including a boogie board. So Predlet 1.0 (and 2.0 though less so) got to try it out. I also got a chance to get my kodak waterproof HD camera a little wet too. Having internet access and a some siesta time also meant I could play with the video and pictures just after we got back from the beach.
This was the bit of fun I put together, using the imovie action movie trailer :)

It's like being in a cartoon

2011-05-23T10:52:00.001Z

Untitled, originally uploaded by epredator.

I grew up watching cartoons like Top Cat. So whenever I go to the US it is always interesting to see the street furniture that in my younger years I only ever saw as a cartoon.
The fire hydrant is one such piece. I see them and I think they are drawn like an augmented reality model layered on my view of the world.
Of course it is what you get used to. I guess London's red buses, or our old telephone boxes may have the same impact on people from elsewhere.
What is your cartoon become reality icon?

Goodbye Dad

2011-04-23T12:22:00.003Z

It is really hard to write some things, but it would be wrong to not write about this. My Dad Ronald Hughes (Ronnie) died in his sleep on Monday 18th April at his home in Burgh Castle near Great Yarmouth.
He was 72 years old and had a rich and varied life. Dad was always full of stories and humour. Wherever he went he made good friends with people and would soon be laughing and joking with everyone.
He was born in Yorkshire, as a Yorkshireman that made him always very sure of his mind. If anyone has ever had an argument with me they will know I learned tenacity and debating skills the Yorkshire way from him.
Dad spent most of his life in an around Great Yarmouth in Norfolk. My grandparents moved lock stock and barrel to run a guest house in Great Yarmouth. Dad had three older brothers Brian, David and Eric and a younger brother Tony. Together they had some great times growing up.
Dad told me stories of being a barrow boy at Great Yarmouth station, helping pull peoples luggage to the booming holiday industry places. Yarmouth was a popular town for acts too and they all stayed in and around the area. Dad told me tales of being on a bus with Rolf Harris :) Bumping into various rock and roll greats too, you name it he had met them.
Dad was an engineer. He was brought up in the fine tradition of getting a trade. He worked as an apprentice welder and then went on to become the foreman, and union shop steward in the ship building industry. He came from a suitably left wing working class background. That meant he truly cared about the rights of those around him and he fought for those rights. He stood up to the bosses so much that when they suspended him and a colleague in the 70's for looking after those rights it was a catalyst for a national ship building strike. (Again I see where I get my strident and moral nature from!)
He was a great font of knowledge during the time I left corporate life, understanding and supporting what I had had to do. Offices or shipyards it is all the same in certain ways.

I know Dad had no idea really what all these computer things were about in the 80's but he was very supportive of me and my tech and gadgets. He really wanter me to going to poly/university (and I did). That was my trade and he recognised that, so he often went out of his way to help get me the kit. It wasn't until I showed him the work in Second Life back in 2006 that he finally said.... "Oh thats what you do".
I got him into a gaming too. He had played a bit of real golf but got really into the golf games on the consoles. He even took his PSP on holiday to play. I now have his old computer and it looks like I need to pick up his Championship Manager season wheer he left off.
I have some great memories of going fishing too. Usually sea fishing at night. Sat drinking warm sweet tea from a flask as the mist rolled across the beach. I found a "portable" or telescopic fishing rod at his place and now the predlets want to come fishing.
He loved the predlets as any grandfather would and always asked what they were up to. He is convinced predlet 1.0 will end up on TV or in the arts and that 2.0 will be a high court judge. Of course he started saying that before I started my TV gigs and so he said that I was leading the way for 1.0 :)
One thing my Dad was not was a royalist. I remember the last Royal Wedding him clearly stating what a load of ...... So it is going to be somewhat ironic that the local newspaper announcement of his death will be next Friday, in the royal wedding issue. That would have put a smirk on his face.
Dad did have one ambition that I wish we could have got around too. He wanted to go to New York and stand on a street corner and eat a foot long hot dog. However, serendipity kicked in. On the day Dad died, before we knew, we were at Monkey World with the predlets. Predlet 2.0 demanded a hot dog (not something he usually goes for). He sat and demolished a foot long hot dog there and then. I remember thinking I need to tell Dad about this, but in a way I think he already knew.
Having shown Dad what I did for a living, and for him to be able to have seen some of the TV shows I think I made him proud. As a Dad you want to know your kids are doing well. I am an only child, so it puts some extra pressure to deliver the goods.
I know I was very proud of my Dad and loved him loads.I was proud of what he stood for and of how much he cared about everyone else.
His funeral is in Gorleston on 5th May 14:40
Bye Dad R.I.P xxxxxxx

Predlets - The Movie

2011-04-02T15:41:00.000Z

The predlets want to be in TV now too so get them used to taking a bit of direction and also so I could have a play with imovie we made this.
Enjoy the world premier of the trailer of Predlets the movie

Apocalypse Norfolk

2011-04-01T08:26:00.000Z

We saw some Chinook helicopters fly over Burgh Castle on a trip back to my hometown

I always remember seeing A10 planes zoom around our flat land practising way back when I was a kid.
We don't see many military aircraft down south, more battleships :)

Cloudy with chance of fish

2011-03-13T11:04:00.001Z

Cloudy with chance of fish, originally uploaded by epredator.

We have never had any pets as a family, but the decision has been made to go with fish. Tropical fish that is.
All the furry animals cause various allergic reactions, but with any luck the fish (when the tank has settled) will be a good experience for us and the predlets.
There is certainly a lot of routine and bio science to consider in creating an eco system. It's not like bunging a goldfish from the fair into a bowl of tap water.
We shall see. Wish us luck :)

TV Studio behind the scenes

2011-03-07T12:01:00.001Z

A look at the studio(s) and an experience of seeing double monkey

My TV showreel 2010/11

2011-02-11T21:29:00.001Z

A bit more description over here :)

Taking the role too seriously ?

2011-02-05T16:17:00.001Z

Taking the role too seriously ?, originally uploaded by epredator.

Some things you just have to try and I wondered what a g33k tattoo would feel like.
Ow!
All in all wearing a tshirt is easier.

The Dakar Rally - and ambitions

2011-01-10T12:35:00.005Z

This time of year is always a time for some excellent footage from the world famous rally raid the Dakar. Long since moved from anywhere near Dakar it now takes place in South America. I am in complete awe of the scenery, the ability of people and their vehicles to deal with the terrain and the adventure.
There has been a lot more web coverage this year, it used to just be Eurosport on TV. Here is an example.

The distances covered and the remoteness is stunning. There are also some people doing the race totally solo, on motorbikes with no team back up, they carry what they need. Just as there are major sponsored teams with full support.
I have managed to achieve a lot of my wish list or ambitions as a kid. I really wanted to invent things and get patents, done, I wanted to get be in a newspaper or book, done, I wanted to do a TV programme like Tomorrows World, done/doing, I wanted to go to American theme parks... done, I wanted to race in the Dakar.... who knows :)

What a singing voice

2010-11-21T10:44:00.002Z

W00t, originally uploaded by epredator.

As I proved on Cool Stuff Collective I have a wonderful choral singing voice (erm.... not).
However I played Rockband 3 gave the singing a go on Medium and got 100% flawless singing Imagine. Go figure !

Undenk Music graffiti

2010-11-07T08:29:00.001Z

Music graffiti, originally uploaded by epredator.

On a walk down to the waterfront at Warsash, from the opposite direction to the route I normally take I noticed this music graffiti on the derelict base of the building on the point. It is remarkably sublte, if you look loosely you will see that they are individual notes in what appears to be a scrawl between old microphone and stencil tag.
It was also positioned at the base of the wall so the mic is growing out of the grass.
The flickr photo is geotagged too with the exact location, if you happen to be walking there before someone scrawls all over it.

It is carrying the Undenk tag too a sort of open source graffiti movement.

Chicken suit - Fable 3

2010-11-01T10:19:00.001Z

Chicken suit, originally uploaded by epredator.

I played quite a bit of Fable 3 this weekend and it was very amusing to end up wearing a chicken suit. People in funny suits is of course a major part of working on The Cool Stuff Collective :)
Having dressed up as a Banana, Slash/Rockstar and sung in a bizarre choir voice in the record this week the chicken in Fable 3 seems almost tame :)

Cool News

2010-10-18T17:31:00.001Z

Predlet 2.0 has a go at presenting The Cool Stuff Collective from the comfort of his own house

He also said whilst watching the part I do. Oh look two daddys, one here and one in there.

Cool Stuff Collective Predlet Style on 101010

2010-10-10T09:03:00.002Z

Cool Stuff Collective Predlet Style, originally uploaded by epredator.

I just got back from the Virtual Worlds Confenence, Learning in Different Worlds in Lathi Finland.
Predlet 1.0 greated me with a TV programme version she had made using a large shoe box and drawing.
She was drawing the parts of the Cool Stuff Collective and telling me how proud she was of my work on TV doing future tech on The Cool Stuff Collective with Sy.
All this on 10/10/10 too :)

Cool Stuff Monkey

2010-10-04T18:23:00.001Z

Cool Stuff Monkey, originally uploaded by epredator.

Predlet 2.0 was more than happy his monkey got scanned in and made it to the end gag of the Cool Stuff Collective show this week :)
More over here

Old Rubik's toys and Evel Knievel rides again

2010-09-29T08:31:00.005Z

I was having a rummage around in the loft at the weekend and stumbled upon my Rubik's snake puzzle. It seemed worth getting down and giving to the predlets to see what they make of it. It was a hit.

It is a set of pyramids linked by rotators. Whilst they were playing with it I suddenly realised it must be about 30 years old. Which was quite shocking! It has survived the the of time though.
Other things that came down from the loft included my Evel Knieval stunt bike. This did not survive quite so well as the handle bars had got a little brittle. As it hurtled down the hall and into the bathroom it smacked into the wall and the little Evel would have been heard to say "It came off in my hand".

It still does go though. You can buy new version of it still on Firebox
When I had the original one back in the 70's the bike worked but all the metal in Evel's body snapped, so it was impossible to get him sat on the bike or in any stunt poses. It was before the interwebs let us reach the toy companies and ask for customer service so I wrote a letter (I was about 7) to the toy company saying how unhappy I was that Evel had broken. They sent me a new Evel. Which I thought was amazing, and still do.
The other Rubik's related item that I still find fascinating was the Rubiks' rings. This is a set of square panels bound with nylon that let the panels be folded around one another. It is very tactile puzzle solving. Logically it is really a shuffle puzzle.
You start with it in this format

Fold it over and around a bit

Until you get to this

The tactile nature of these puzzles and toys is a nice change from the purely digital world I live in. However a blend of the two, an Augmented Reality Haptic feedback Rubik's puzzle .... wooooooaaah

Check this out - Beer Pong

2010-09-14T09:49:00.004Z

The main presenter of The Cool Stuff Collective that I am doing my little thread of emerging technology on, Sy Thomas leads another live when he is not in the TV studio. Check out him and and his comedy partner Simon Feilder in this Beer Pong comedy short.

More on http://www.lifeofsi.tv/

An event not to be missed - Cool Stuff Collective

2010-09-05T09:07:00.003Z

Over on my biz blog at feeding edge I wrote about my day out at MTV studios in Camden filming studio pieces for a new CITV Kids TV show called The Cool Stuff Collective.
Its a gadget and games show aimed at 7-12 year olds (and the rest of us too of course who love gadgets and games!)
I get to come on the show and talk about emerging technology, things that are just there, or you may think there are science fiction but be surprised they are really real.
The Cool Stuff Collective airs on 5:00pm Monday 13th September on CITV Sky 621 Freeview 72 Virgin 734 Tiscali 307
Watch out for a cameo appearance on the show about 3d printing

Yes its the epredator potato SL print from 2006 by Fabjectory
This one has appeared on TV before, he got more air time than me on Newsnight, not he is on childrens TV.

Excited predlets on trip in car

2010-08-15T18:14:00.001Z

We took a trip to Longleat and on the way things got a little heated and they got excited :)

Go green team

2010-07-19T19:35:00.001Z

Go green team, originally uploaded by epredator.

Green team won predlet 1.0's sports day today. She is very happy as she was a major force in green team :)
It got rained off last week and lucky it did, today was scorching hot and I was not away in Brighton for the rescheduled one.
W00t

Wifi hack solution to iPhone signal problems

2010-07-18T14:33:00.001Z

Wifi hack solution to iPhone signal problems, originally uploaded by epredator.

Just a thought but it works for drive by wifi so maybe for an iPhone signal :)

Brilliant lego action movie

2010-07-10T06:58:00.002Z

Thanks to @eric_anderesen for tweeting this excellent piece of legoma (or whatever we call stop motion films made with lego).

I like the look of this :) Predators iphone movie game

2010-07-04T17:26:00.002Z

Looks nice, and made with unity3d too I believe

Dear England football team - How to kick a football

2010-06-28T17:51:00.001Z

How to kick a football, originally uploaded by epredator.

Predlet 2.0 may only be 3 and a bit years old, and we are not really a football family, but the lad knows how to kick a football. He does it wish passion and vigour, lots of determination and also a high degree of precision (and thats just wearing sandals)
So.... If the lads who played so bad in the World Cup need a lesson, or if they need someone fresh for the squad. He is ready.

Comedy abbreviation on TV

2010-06-24T11:06:00.001Z

Comedy abbreviation, originally uploaded by epredator.

It is amusing when TV titles in fixed format displays have to get abbreviated. This is a typical example.
The UK budget, no one knows whats going on... Wait... The Shadow knows!

England vs USA world cup match

2010-06-15T16:23:00.003Z

It was all very odd, we watched England throw a lead away 1 nil up against USA and yet we missed the first goal as ITV HD went to an advert break by "accident". Never straight forward for England in any tournaments. Can't just turn and and win or lose. Always something (not always our fault). Thinks Maradona hand of god moment.......

Yes I know thats a French strip, blue was the closest I could get in xtranormal did not see the US one on the asset list :)

Florida theme park tips

2010-06-12T13:04:00.003Z

As we just got back from orlando doing the Florida thing I thought I would list the highlights.

We had an unlimited pass for 2 weeks to disney, universal and Seaworld. In the 14 days we were there we only had 2 days not using those passes.
We were not in resort but in a house with a pool about 10 miles out from disney and about 15 from universal. We also had sat nav .
I do not think we were there at the busiest times but there were certainly some big queues, which we tried to avoid.
Due to coming from the UK we were able to do the most important thing at the parks. Get there early!
The tactic of identifying the main ride you want to do and heading straight there when it opens saves a lot of time and effort and also gives you an option to go to the second choice one in case of failures.
It is also often quite good to head straight to the other side of the park to things as people will meander along at the entrance taking photos etc.
We had a very mixed family group so we tended to not do all the big rides but checked the schedules for the character signings as the predlets loved those.
Must do's
1. Rockit roller coaster universal. A very long coaster, with a choice of music. I would not bother with buying the video that it takes of you as it is only a few seconds spliced into the music video and a 3d render of the track. The ride has some high G turns that almost hurt. I rode it once late when I was a bit tired, but first thing int eh morning the next time woke me up bigtime :)
2. Toy Story Midway at Disney Holywood . A cart 3d train that lets you shoot hoops and sticky darts at 3d cgi characters. This is for all ages and shooting by pulling a piece of rope is brilliant :) Its in the middle of the park behind the big hat. It seems to be the main draw as its the newest so head there first.
3. Rockin' Roller Coaster at Disney Holywood. Turn right and up near tower of terror. Still a great coaster.
4. Monsters Inc Laugh floor at Disney Magic Kingdom, in Tomorrow Land. Wrote about this on feeding edge
5. Live action stunt show Disney Hollywood Studios. Awesome car based stunts done for real.
6. Aquatica - This seaworld water park is worth it for the giant kids adventure playground and the rapids to float around.
7. Woody Woodpecker kiddies coaster Universal. This area did not open until 11am but there is hardly any height restriction.
8. Pirates of the Caribbean - Disney Magic kingdom now with added captain jack sparrow
9. Simpsons - Universal - Brilliant simulator ride takes a pop at lots of other rides including pirates as above
10. Spideman - Universal islands of adventure. Its spiderman, a 3d cart ride.
11. Give up listing its all just so good!
Yes I gave up listing the rides in order pathetic. Really pick a few big ones then meander around timing things to go to the live shows. We tended to only last until about 3pm then headed home for the pool.
You should also really take a trip out to kennedy space center. It's such an important an impressive collection.

New transition lenses

2010-05-19T20:35:00.001Z

New transition lenses, originally uploaded by epredator.

I have new glasses. This is not the darkest the transition lenses go but they are still fascinating.
I had some original reactotlite sunglasses back in the 80's. I had avoided them again with my specs as wearing things all the time that may turn dark at a moments sunlight seemed a bit of a waste.
Of course now, my latest trip to the opticians tagged me as old and needing not only short sighted every day glasses but the dreaded reading/computer use glasses.
So i really did not want 3 sets of lenses, reading, seeing and cool shades.
These frames I got seemed pretty funky too. So far so good.

Ash hamster

2010-04-20T09:05:00.001Z

Ash hamster, originally uploaded by epredator.

One of the unreported victims of the Icelandic volcano ash and its affects on international flights to and from the UK and around Europe is that we have a visitor for a while longer at our house.
Pippin was originally visiting for a week whilst his family went on holiday, but of course they are still there.
Of course it is very handy to be able to take photos, pop them on flickr where they filter down via friendfeed into facebook where Pippin's family get to see that he is ok.
A slight change for him today as he needed some new food from our local pet shop (we don't usually have pets so that was a new experience) and new bedding sawdust and tissue paper.
He seems happy enough though I am sure he misses his real owners.
#ashtag #ashhamster

Predators Movie

2010-03-31T14:33:00.005Z

Yes of course I am looking forward to this summers new predator movie. :)
The recent AVP have not been that great. However I suspect that Robert Rodriguez will make this a doozy.

If not, well no harm done. It is still interesting to see the background story emerge.
I have said on many occasions I used the predator handle before the first film even got made. I was more than made up when I saw early shots in Fangoria magazine of the awesome Stan Winston design.

Skateboarding Predlet 2.0 trick #1

2010-03-12T16:13:00.001Z

Skateboarding Predlet trick #1
Originally uploaded by epredator

Predlet 2.0 learns his first ever skateboard trick, well less of a trick and more of an essential.

Roo bafta award

2010-02-23T16:19:00.002Z

roo bafta award, originally uploaded by epredator.

Original photos uploaded Roo Reynolds
www.flickr.com/photos/rooreynolds/4380051457/
www.flickr.com/photos/rooreynolds/4379360172/

He gets everywhere doesn't he :) Fancy getting a gig at the Bafta's.
Roo has some great (real) photos of the event here and here
It's nice to see a fellow colleague and metaverse evangelist still living the rock and roll lifestyle :)

Me and the predlets

2010-02-16T15:32:00.001Z

Me and the predlets, originally uploaded by epredator.

Of course this needs no explanation :) Just testing our kit ;)

Barney does Predlet 2.0 impression

2010-02-07T15:40:00.001Z

IMGP4756, originally uploaded by epredator.

At his birthday party the other week predlet 2.0 found a tractor to ride. It was good to see these as free ride machines at the indoor playground where we had the party. All to often these devices are money traps set out in the most awkward places in shopping centres.
Anyway nice to see Barney copying predlet 2.0 or vice versa.

Snow Hunters

2010-01-08T22:34:00.001Z

Snow Hunters, originally uploaded by epredator.

The weather has been very odd for this part of the country.
We even got to sledge in our own garden !

Digging out this old snowboard gear

2010-01-06T10:16:00.001Z

Sat Down, originally uploaded by epredator.

With all the #uksnow around I thought it was a good idea to dig out my no limits sallopettes and airwalk boarding jacket and relive my youth.
Of course I dont have a snow board, not a hill bit the rest of the kit is still in great condition.
The trousers were ones that I stomped into a shop in resort with a huge rip in the rear end of my cheap quilted ones and demanded the best pair of snow trousers they had. I ended up with some brilliantly waterproof teflon coated ones (that still fit BTW).
The airwalk jacket has lots of great features like a neoprene cuff so you get no snow up your sleeve. A hood that also has a peaked cap and lots of layers and pockets.

Now that is a gate!

2010-01-05T21:21:00.002Z

Gate mechanism, originally uploaded by epredator.

We went for a walk near swanwick and I was amazed at this seemingly over engineered gate mechanism.
The gate is like a re-enforced version of the old level crossing gates where the metal squared off elements fold under gravity.
With this gate though it is a bit more military checkpoint. A large cantilever block can push the gate down (on the right) and the very solid cross braces lift up.
It is really clever.

Scary old passport photos

2009-12-27T13:53:00.001Z

Guess who, originally uploaded by epredator.

One of the joys of the modern age is that we have visual records of us at all stages of life. Like this passport photo that surfaced this christmas.
Thanks Dad !
Do you have any odd passport photos to share?

Predlet mashup of RATM In the Name Of - Noddy Styleee

2009-12-18T15:29:00.002Z

I tweeted the other day that Predlet 2.0 thinks that In the Name Of is actually In the Name of Plod (from Noddy). As soon as here hears it on the radio he launches into to as you can see.

There is still time to donate and buy Rage Against the Machine 4 Xmas

2009-12-18T10:33:00.003Z

Everyone even the man himself has seen sense.
(The lyrics get a bit wild for sensitive ears later on, but music is supposed to challenge)

The band are giving the proceeds to charity as well as the donations people are giving to shelter as well as downloading the single.
Not long to go. Go on you know you want too.

Let's rock - Support Rage Against the Machine for Xmas

2009-12-15T12:57:00.001Z

Let's rock, originally uploaded by epredator.

It's time to get good music back, a social movement up against the PR machine fits for where we all are today. The predlets are up for that (though need the radio edit!)
Yes ok so the Xfactor lot are on the same label as Rage Against the Machine but this feels like its generated from a pub conversation not from a PR brainstorm.
When buying the Killing in the Name of single don't forget to also donate to shelter if you can.
The details and facebook group are here

Frankenstein pockets

2009-12-13T20:04:00.001Z

Frankenstein pockets, originally uploaded by epredator.

One of the reasons I do software related things is that I whilst I have a practical mind I do not always have the technical skills to deal with the physical.
My favourite pair of trousers had the right hand pocket wear out. This often happens as this is where my keys and change are kept all the time.
So, rather than throw them away and fork out for a new pair (whilst not very rock and roll) I cobbled together a fix.
The sewing wont win any prizes, but it will stop the steady leak of 5 pence pieces trickling down my leg.
I was trying to do this in a bit of a rush so part of the job is actually held on with gaffer tape, but thats tonights excitement to get stitching the other side.
Who knows a career in fashion may await?

Sorting out Darth Vader

2009-12-05T11:48:00.003Z

Predlet 2.0 has taken to doing the things boys do. Things become guns, and bad guys need sorting out. There may of cause and effect, nature nurture conversations here but he was having fun and living out a bit of Star Wars. Darth Vader is a bad guy (in general lets not worry about the subtleties of redemption) and bad guys need "sorting out".
So he did, and he wanted it filmed.

More Marmite

2009-12-03T17:46:00.001Z

More Marmite, originally uploaded by epredator.

I am still loving the labelling on Marmite. I had not seen the "is perfect one" it was a nice surprise in the Ocado delivery.
Its nice to be able to have a laugh unpacking the shopping !

A waste of sign

2009-11-06T12:12:00.001Z

A waste of sign, originally uploaded by epredator.

You have to admit this is just a little pointless :)

You don't see that everyday

2009-11-03T01:09:00.001Z

Boo

2009-10-31T09:06:00.001Z

Boo, originally uploaded by epredator.

Happy Halloween everyone

predator fire

2009-10-28T10:30:00.001Z

predator fire, originally uploaded by epredator.

More forza 3 in game shots this time a ferrari predator style

Epredator Scooby

2009-10-27T22:43:00.001Z

Epredator Scooby, originally uploaded by epredator.

The full image not just the bonnet scoop :)

predator car forza 3

2009-10-24T13:25:00.001Z

predator car forza 3, originally uploaded by epredator.

Forza 3 is proving to be brilliant, the custom car painting is much easier so the true artist are doing some awesome things already.
I just did this predator cartoon style face and I have to say I was pretty happy with it

Breakdancing Predlet2.0

2009-10-18T19:06:00.003Z

Predlet 2.0 started to bust some moves that looked a little like bboy floor work. I showed him some more breakdancing on youtube and have gave it a go :)

Horrid Marmite

2009-10-17T10:29:00.001Z

Horrid Marmite, originally uploaded by epredator.

Some great marketing and labelling on Marmite. A downloadable ebook is available on the story of how horrible marmite is.
It is really funny to consider labelling something as being horrible isnt it?
I love marmite BTW.
It is clever to play on the polarised attitudes to it as they have done for years. Many brands would shy away from this.
Making people feel part of the tribe who likes or dislikes marmite is clever engagement or blind luck on their part :)
Any other examples you can think of ? I am sure there are some.

Trains aren't what they used to be

2009-10-15T12:04:00.002Z

Trains aren't what they used to be, originally uploaded by epredator.

What a way to travel to London? It might as well be given the woeful lack of power, wi-fi and phone signal on the trains form Southampton to waterloo :)

Waiting on Forza 3 - It is looking and feeling very good

2009-10-07T18:21:00.002Z

Forza 3 crash, originally uploaded by epredator.

I have to say a a racing game fan I am really looking forward to Forza 3. The live demo 1 TRack 5 cars has been very entertaining and competive already.
Its not worth arguing over the GT5 vs Forza. They will both be great, but Forza 3 will be this month, and also be loaded with those brilliant user generated content features that made the previous incarnation so much fun too.

See you on the track!

Winkles Wedding

2009-09-12T22:01:00.001Z

Winkles Wedding, originally uploaded by epredator.

It's not all hi tech gaming in our house you know.
I have always been interested in board games of all types too. This is a game called Winkles Wedding, a christmas favourite when I was a kid as it belonged to my grandparents. I have no idea how old the game is. Though its more of an experience than a game.
Someone reads out the story and you turn over a card with an amusing word on it that fills in the gap.
I love the cards and the font and have fond memories of it.
A quick google found very little though board game geek indicates this was published in 1920.
Anyone else remember this?

Can you roll cars in Dirt 2?

2009-09-12T20:15:00.002Z

Yes you can

I had already been impressed by the demo, in particular the Avatar integration over on Feeding Edge the game itself is a really impressive off roader.
A mix of real rally stages (with co pilot reading the pace notes), and stacks of buggy racing and point to point.
The changes in the surfaces from the dry to the muddy and sticky make this one very impressive simulation style racing game.
I have been playing totally with the in car view, which means you get the full effect of splashing in a muddy puddle and waiting for the wipers to clean your screen as you hurtle into a sharp blind left hand bend.
If you like driving games (and if not why not) then this is an awesome blast.

Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (Xbox 360)
Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (PS3)
Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (PC DVD)
Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (Wii)
Colin McRae: Dirt 2 (PSP)

WWE legend creation

2009-09-05T10:57:00.002Z

WWE legend creation, originally uploaded by epredator.

Then I become a WWE wrestler and took on the Ultimate Warrior....

WWE Legends of Wrestlemania (Xbox 360)

Which is more cute? Snow Leopard or Hello Kitty?

2009-09-02T12:08:00.001Z

Which is more cute? Snow Leopard or Hello Kitty?, originally uploaded by epredator.

It was the last day of school holidays and Predlet 1.0 was busy playing with Hello Kitty, whilst I was busy upgrading my Mac with Snow Leopard.
Its hard to tell which is the most cute :)

bike loop

2009-08-19T22:45:00.001Z

bike loop, originally uploaded by epredator.

This a a view of some of the loop I ride off road on bridleways around chilling between solent view and meon shore near bronwich lake.
Usually head straight down and then take the right hand loop back and return up to the inland start point again.
There are some more bits and pieces of track to get to and from teh house, but this is the main burn.

Briliant Free Running

2009-08-18T21:57:00.003Z

I just caught the end of the Barclaycard World Freerun championships from Trafalgar square. It was amazing. They have a highlight video posted.

The eventual winner doing an amazing horizontal move, holding onto a bar, and walking up in thin air, incredible piece of strength and performance.
There is even more inspiration at http://www.urbanfreeflow.com/

On yer other bike

2009-08-13T09:56:00.002Z

I started playing Trials HD, the brilliantly addictive XBox Live downloadable game last night. It took me back to playing Kickstart 2 back on the Commodore 64, but then rushed me forwards in time with fantastic physics, awesome visuals and a very flowing analog feel to the controls.

If you have an Xbox 360, go and at least try the demo.

This Gamespot video shows what you have in store, but it is still full of surprises.

On yer bike

2009-08-11T10:08:00.002Z

On yer bike, originally uploaded by epredator.

7 Days, 7 bike rides, target achieved. Each ride has been a little longer starting at 1 hour and up to 1 hour 20. The initial ones had my heart rate up at 155, but now its a more sensible 135-145 range. A good workout, but still enjoyable.

Its back and so am I

2009-08-08T10:36:00.001Z

Its back, originally uploaded by epredator.

Back in the late 90's I used to exercise a lot. Every day either some moderate weights at home or out on my bike.
I decided that it was time to get going again, the web, virtual worlds and the predlets had taken up so much time the past 10 years fitness was not high on the list.
So in true mid life crisis style I started again.
My old Saracen bike was in bits, so I initially used the one we had for putting a predlet on a back seat. It was ok but not as much fun as my old big bike.
So last night I fixed it, new tubes, a bit of oil and it was in a good state.
I also went and got a new Camelbak, and put some batteries in the heart monitor.
Working at home and for my own company means that whilst I am really busy I can still practically workout during daylight hours with little impact to the family. A unique opportunity that I have to take.
So I have jusyt got back from another hour off road, at about 155 heart rate. Hopefully the fact I feel the addiction again will keep me going.
It was a strange experience back on this bike after so long, it seemed to familiar like an old friend. The things missing were my extra tech.
back then I had an old fashioned GPS, a lead battery front spot light, a regular trip computer and a space for the phone.
Bizzare to think how much the tech has changed in particular with GPS in everything these days.

Escapees from monkey world

2009-08-03T23:00:00.001Z

Escapees from monkey world, originally uploaded by epredator.

yikes look what came back from holiday

Untooning by Pixeloo

2009-07-30T13:51:00.003Z

I have seen some interesting pictures recently about untooning out favourite virtual characters and making them look real. Its sort of uncanny valley the other way around.
This homer is brilliant, but visit Pixeloo to see more graphic wizardy, and not just untooning.

Budget gaming? Surely not - Battlefield 1943

2009-07-21T10:01:00.003Z

Given the weird nature of starting a business like Feeding Edge I don't get to buy as many games off the shelf as I used to. (At the moment :) ). So I am finding that I am getting a lot more out of budget games. In particular the brilliant Battlefield 1943 on Xbox Live. (This is also out on the Playstation store too).

In BF1943 you play online matches usually 12 vs 12 on relatively small islands in the South Pacific. Its a capture the flag(s) game and features several player types and lots of vehicles including fighters and bombers.
It is a very fast and frenetic game and the nature of the terrain means there seems to be a lot less camping by snipers so it is very n00by friendly. Still the good players are particularly good, and better when on your side.
The brilliant dynamic that was introduced was that the game type called Air Superiority, which is solely a fighter plane head to head was not unlocked at the start on either PS3 or Xbox. The developers promised to unlock it for the first platform to get a combined score of 43 million kills. Xbox won.
I am a big fan of the fighter plane genre. It sits better with my flowing style, like car racing. I also feel I have better situational awareness and understand the dynamics more than when I am infantry in a field. So it was great to be up in the sky zooming around.
As the game is only online and really only has 4 levels to play on it is considered a budget game, costing £8-10 depending on the system. It also features free to play in that both systems have a demo, so you can just dive into real games and get on with it. It is slightly easier to notice that on the Xbox as all the Live games tend to offer trial downloads, on the PS3 the trial is hidden away and separate from the adverts for the £9.99 version. The PS3 store is also a click away and somewhat aloof, whereas the xbox dashboard pretty much screams at you that 1943 is going on.
So if you have either system down load 1943 and have a go. It really is only the price that makes this a budget game, the production quality, the destruction in the environment and the rush of playing making this brilliant fun.
You will of course get griefers, buy friendly fire tends to be off, though the current trend for AA gunners on boats in Air Superiority to blow up your own planes before you get in them is a bit annoying. Especially if you have to wait for a ride to arrive. Still its all part of the game and being online something they can easily fix or patch without too much impact to us all.
See you in there :)

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 - all types of Fail

2009-07-09T19:18:00.003Z

The last few weeks I have been getting quite frustrated with my Experia X1 mobile running Windows Mobile 6.1. It seems that whilst I don't have that many applications on it its got very "sticky". Its almost like a full version of Windows running in that sometimes something sparks up, then dies, but there is no indication of it running yet you just know its in there somewhere clogging up the processor.
On several trips to London it seems to get itself even more confused. To the point I have started turning on aicraft mode when traveling around so that it does not get itself confused with wireless networks, 3g, 3.5g, edge etc. All that seems to bork it big time.It then needs multiple power offs and battery removal none of which seems to quite work.
The really weird thing was that on my Windows vista desktop, once I started trying to use the synch for all the address and contacts (as opposed to XP that I had on my previous work laptop) I found that it really did not work very well. In fact moving to a MacBook Pro proved easier to synch that with a windows to windows option! Using the brilliant missing synch I atleast felt I had things backed up. They may be on Vista but it is so unstable I cant trust it.
With my wife's iphone having a recent and significant software upgrade, that went very smoothly, I thought I should really try and use the Sony Ericsson updater service to patch the phone. I was half expecting to get a great Windows Mobile 6.5 upgrade, but my initial excitement was soon dashed when it turned out that Vista could not do the update properly. Not only that but the phones archaic update process means that you loose all your setting and it wipes the phone, plus you have to do some weird bios mode, holding the power and volume buttons until you see coloured stripes. (A bit different to the plug, download and synch of the iphone eh?).
I wrote the the customer service asking why Vista did not work with Windows mobile and this phone for updating. The answer "oh just send us your phone for 10 days and we will do it". Fail!
Obviously there is no Mac updater, and I am not putting bootcamp and XP on this Mac just to patch the phone
Luckily I found a XP machine and used that. I say luckily as whilst it did an update I can't say I cant see, nor feel much difference. It did manage to wipe all the settings and programs. So I had to dig up a few things, lost some of the much bragged about Panels, and I really cant be bothered to install them again.
So the upshot is that I am very unlikely to bother with any Sony Ericsson phone again, and certainly not a Windows Mobile one. I know that is the obvious thing anyway, but really life is too short to faff around. With all these wonderful phones like the iphone around that just work, just update, just deliver there really is no room for this sort of slack deployment.
Its turned out the camera is not that good, often very washed out, not a patch on the Nokia N95 (so sorry for the Shozu uploaded pictures that look rubbish until I fiddle with them). I did not get another Iphone as we already had one and I was not yet an Apple convert (yes I know I know!) and it did not do video as the new 3Gs does, but the X1 video gets very clunky as the Windows Mobile wants to go off and do something else it thinks is much more important. These crashy threads are the programs that seem not to be running but are that warm teh phone up and eat the battery sometime.
I guess I should have known, given how hard it was to get the thing int eh first place, but I was feeling pioneering again.
Oh and the keyboard (the best bit) has started to not work very well on the bottom row.
Starting to look like an epic Fail.

Thinking outside the egg box

2009-07-04T12:54:00.001Z

Thinking outside the egg box, originally uploaded by epredator.

Imperial measurements led to a cultural ideal that eggs are delivered by the dozen (12), or more usually a half dozen (6). Of course there is no real reason why the number cant be different. Yet after all these years of seeing 6 eggs in a box I found it odd to see 9 in our recent delivery from the online grocery store Ocado.
That slightly weird uncomfortable feeling when things are not in their usual place is a good one to seek out. It does not mean bad things are going to happen merely that you have got set in your ways and something new is occurring.

Party Ben mashups

2009-07-02T19:41:00.004Z

One way and another (as I wrote over on feeding edge) I have got introduced to the work of Party Ben. Musical mashup maestro.
All his stuff is over on his website and all over other parts of the web.
Check out the Every car you chase mashup of police and snowpatrol. It is so subtle you would not believe.
I was transfixed when I heard this in Second Life, and waddya know there's a video mashup too.

I really love both these main songs, and it is a brilliant combination.

E3 Pre order Picks, Games or Biz?

2009-06-22T16:57:00.005Z

Whilst on the subject of games I have had to be a bit more choosy in what games I end up getting whilst setting up Feeding Edge. Moving from a two income family to a single income and a startup entrepreneur does not make for instant high amounts of disposable income :)

However, games have been a driver for me to even start with computers in the first place and the crossover of work and play means that understanding them is even more important.

As the games companies start to figure out social media and the interactions we have the style of gaming changes.

My first essential pre-order pick in that respect is Forza 3.

I have always like the Playstation Gran Turismo game for levelling up but Forza 2 with is car customization and paintwork, combined with marketplace sharing took this a stage further.

I will remember the previous Forza 2 for being able to make a custom version of the Ferrari 430 that I drove on my 40th birthday.

I was then able to send a version of this to my fellow eightbar at the time Roo and then also work that into various metaverse presentations and blog posts
Combine that with being into cars, loving driving games past all other games and its pretty much a given that Forza will grace my collection on the 360.

The other must have will have to be

Playing Prototype made me remember how much I really enjoyed crackdown originally :) The various points of obsession of trying to reach places like the top of the main tower, and the vertigo it could introduce are classic gaming moments in my memory.

So thats the list at the moment. I wanted to make this a top 3 but there are a few vying for 3rd place.
The Beatles Rock Band (Xbox 360)
Batman: Arkham Asylum (Xbox 360)
Gran Turismo 5 (PS3) Still no release date!
Modern Warfare 2 (Xbox 360)
Halo 3: ODST (Xbox 360)

To name but a few (not including Eye Pet which the predlets will love of course)

Prototype - That's one absorbing game

2009-06-22T14:59:00.004Z

I have been playing Prototype this weeked on the 360, (other formats available)it was a fathers day gift from the predlets.

My mini review starts with the fact that so far its seems very slick, very polished and a proper next gen title.
If you want to know what it is like it is best to apply some comparisons to other games.
Take Crackdown (Xbox 360), add some Assassin's Creed - Classics Edition (Xbox 360), a hint of Grand Theft Auto IV (Xbox 360) and mix in some Spider -Man 3: The Movie (PS3). Throw in a few Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360) components and a little Dead Rising (Xbox 360) Zombie bashing with some arcade Capcom style combo treatment and you are pretty much there.
The basic movement in Prototype takes place around another huge rebuild of New York. There is a virus spreading and causing all sorts of battles of zombies, army and mutants. You play Alex who is himself some sort of Prototype hybrid of the virus giving him super powers to sprint and bounce of walls, climb tall buildings, leap and glide around the city.
It does not have the same challenge of Crackdown in the climbing, i.e. in Crackdown some places were hard to reach until you had leveled up. In Protoype it just changes the way you may reach them as you spend experience points to upgrade to things such as a high flying glide.
There are lots of collecting and freeroaming style mini missions, races and tokens to collect if you choose not to follow the story arc.
Following the arc though has some very stylish flashbacks, as you are able to attack a target and absorb them you gain their memories, which pieces together the story for you. These are very well done, as is the whole voice active piece. Games have really come of age on that front and Prototype is no exception.
Another Crackdownesque piece is when you land from a high fall, the pavement cracks as you land with a bass laden boom and nearby cars are thrown aside.
When in the one on many combat sequences you end up with a range of styles and powerups to use, lots of flying combos and the ability to be very free form in your destruction of the target.
The violence is quite pronounced as there are lots of blade and explosions that have an adverse affect on the constituent parts of your adversaries, so there are a few body parts left lying around. Still it does have an 18 rating!
As usual though the 18 rating is more related to the language. There is much effing and jeffing and referring peoples mothers as in any gritty film or programme. This is always in context, but it does mean that its not one to play when the kids are around even if they are off outside. They may pop in at any moment into a cut scene and get the full treatment.
The Assasins creed influence extends not just to the parkour elements but also to when on street level, in a disguise walking amongst people they have put in the shoving out of the way side swipe that was in many a demo of Assasins Creed.
Unlike AC though the city and the people do not annoy quite as much with repetition of phrases.
The city is truly huge, bounding around it is great fun it its own right.
I think Prototype is going to get a fair amount of gameplay from me, and its certainly one to get hold of if you can
There are PS3 and PC Versions too
Prototype (PS3)
Prototype (PC DVD)

any idea what this toy part is from?

2009-06-20T09:12:00.001Z

any idea what this toy part is from?, originally uploaded by epredator.

This toy part turned up in a clear out of the predlets toy collection. We have no idea which set or product it is from, any ideas anyone?

Look Out - Predlet 1.0 does Kill Bill

2009-06-19T11:19:00.001Z

Look Out, originally uploaded by epredator.

With her bug eye shades and a platic pickaxe its hard not to be intimidated by predlet 1.0 :) I loved the attitude.

guitars, computers and patience == awesome

2009-06-18T11:29:00.002Z

This is a brilliant video, it clearly has been doing the rounds, but I had to blog it. The time and effort taken is fantastic. Its another example that you still need talent, patience and craft, computers do not solve everything, but bring new art forms to light instead.

Wimbledon on the Wii

2009-06-16T09:11:00.002Z

I was blogging on my company blog over on Feeding Edge about my involvement and history at the Wimbledon tennis championships and happened to notice the article about the new EA sports Wii game Grand Slam Tennis that has actually got the real Wimbledon in it.

All the tennis games up to now have have South London or some aberration of the name. In games it always feels right to have the real place, the real names. Any slight deviation ruins the experience. I remember in F1 when the Geoff Crammond game had all the drivers but one called "A Canadian" on the roster, complete with instructions of how to use the editor to type Villenueve's name in yourself. It is a bit more tricky to deal with 3d models and graphics. I understand the branding and licensing issues but somethings that are so public and want to be represented should just be there. So, if you want to play on Wimbledon's hallowed centre court try one of these two wii packs.

Or without the new motion controller pack
EA Sports Grand Slam Tennis (Wii)

Rolling waves

2009-06-05T16:53:00.001Z

Rolling waves, originally uploaded by epredator.

I loved taking this photo it was a surprise as to how like sand the water looked. I was snorkelling and out at sea

Cesar Manrique a Yaujta?

2009-05-31T17:08:00.002Z

We took a trip to Cesar Manrique's place here on Lanzarote. He had created a fascinating home in the lava rocks and his house was full of his art too.
Of course it was a little odd to see this :)

The island is full of his influence, with some amazing wind sculptures adorning many a roundabout.
There is a full set of pictures here
It also struck me it was like a posh version of Luke Skywalker's uncles place on tattoine as you move down into the cave elements of the place. Still all very stunning.

Ray from a submarine

2009-05-30T19:17:00.001Z

Ray from a submarine, originally uploaded by epredator.

we went from the extremes of the volcano to the depths of the ocean the next day here in Lanzarote.
We went on the submarine to about 29 metres down. A diver got sent out to feed the Ray whilst we were resting on the sea bed. It was very impressive.

Underwater photos

2009-05-25T20:49:00.002Z

Had a great day snorkelling properly with the underwater camera in Lanzarote. Used predlet 1.0's camera for her as it was her 6th birthday today. She had a great time too and enjoyed some snorkelling.
There is a full set here, I was surprised how many were in focus :)

Ironman Macdonalds

2009-05-23T08:15:00.001Z

Ironman Macdonalds, originally uploaded by epredator.

It was slightly ironic that here in Lanzarote lots of people are getting geared up fo the ironman race (happening now), but they have to cycles and run past maccy d's in the process :)

Wimbledon Roof

2009-05-20T14:07:00.002Z

We got to go to the opening/closing event for the new roof on Centre Court at Wimbledon. I did find the ticket amusing though given the wording.

It was also very interesting being there as a punter and not actually working as I have for the past 10 years at the championships, with an added weirdness hanging with IBM team :)
I shot a video of the roof and it was interesting seeing the lights flare as they have on this shot, because you dont actually really notice them, the whole place gives an interesting feel of daylight.

There are a set of photo's here but I am looking forward to seeing Andy's given the huge lens he had against my humbe compact and mobile phone.

PSN gets a gamercard just like 360

2009-05-13T15:32:00.002Z

Playstation network has finally got itself a show off gamer card. One that lets you show what you have been up to on your gaming console to a web audience and here is mine :)

Dangerous Sports R Us

2009-05-11T15:20:00.002Z

Predlet 2.0 decided to take a swing seat and find a new use for it. No prompting from me.

Big Ben under surveillance

2009-05-10T08:13:00.001Z

Big Ben under surveillance, originally uploaded by epredator.

I was in London this week and happened to notice that from this angle it seemed like the CCTV camera was pointing at big ben.
Has the commons got some webcam gig set up to see what time it is?
I was going to make some comment about keeping the MP's expenses ring fenced, but I wont :)