Random cat with 3 dandelions

Random cat with 3 dandelions, originally uploaded by moclaydon.

Actually not so random, this is one of the senior cat's best buddies, they have a shared basking spot under the front garden hedge. Still ailing, seems like it's an infection on an imploded filling that's causing the problem, nasty feverish dreams last night when the painkillers wore off.....don't want to talk about it because I can't get a dental appointment till next week.......

SO.....MOVING SWIFTLY ON TO OTHER STUFF.......

A couple of arty farty free software downloads for your delectation

'Alchemy is an open drawing project aimed at exploring how we can sketch, draw, and create on computers in new ways. Alchemy isn’t software for creating finished artwork, but rather a sketching environment that focuses on the absolute initial stage of the creation process. Experimental in nature, Alchemy lets you brainstorm visually to explore an expanded range of ideas and possibilities in a serendipitous way.' You can even create art by talking into your microphone......haven't tried that yet though!
Versions available for Mac, Windows and Linux

MyPaint is 'a fast and easy open-source graphics application for digital painters. It lets you focus on the art instead of the program. You work on your canvas with minimum distractions, bringing up the interface only when you need it.' Versions available for Windows and Linux

Last link of the day.....I came across this interesting photography blog yesterday

They say '500 photographers is a weblog that posts 5 active photographers a week for 100 weeks. The photographers can be from any discipline within the photographic range, but they have to be worth looking at and have a certain level of quality. When we get to number 500, we will have a deep database of great photographers.' Today's post was for No 25.......worth a click and a bookmark maybe!

STOP PRESS.....BONUS LINK.....Almost forgot to post this one......Seeing as it's the day after election day, this is as close as I'm going to get to any political comment except to say it's suitably depressing.....just watch out for the soma spray people.....

Click to download mp3s of Side 1 and Side 2

Gratuitous quote.......

"No shoving there now!" shouted the Deputy Sub-Bursar in a fury. He slammed down the lid of his cash-box. "I shall stop the distribution unless I have good behaviour" 

The Deltas muttered, jostled each other a little, and then were still. The threat had been effective. Deprivation of Soma - appalling thought! 

"That's better'" said the young man, and re-opened his cash box.

......not that I'm a pessimistic old git......what me?......nah, no way!

bum issued by.....

....H.O. Wills...........no comment except to say I've hardly been over the doors all day and sometimes you have to work with what you happen to have on the kitchen table!

OTHER STUFF.....

Some alternative Christmas music.....very alternative.....but I like it!

"Cigar Box Nation offers our own gift of music to you.  This album is free for everyone this Christmas...just go ahead and download.  We've compiled almost one hour of holiday music played on cigar box guitars, ukuleles, dulcimers and more.    Please spread the word (and holiday cheer)!  May the world ring with the awesome sounds of cigar box guitars this Christmas." Download it here 

(sample track on the next link......)

This is just a screengrab from UMapper (the original plan was for an embedded map, but Blogger didn't like their code, and I haven't got time to work out why) so here's the link to my very first map (which is rubbish, but if you click on the '2' you'll find the audio file promised above!). You'll guess you can add your own photos and audio, even make your own map-based game, there's some video tutorials here if you fancy checking it out and doing a photo tour of YOUR block.

Shepherds pie/lots of veg/large pot of tea/couch, vintage videos and cuddly blanket here I come!

Cats-in-the-box

If you could read the label it says 'From: Paw to your Door' and it contained a couple of upmarket cat litter trays delivered during the week (now I DO hope you've already had your tea, otherwise that's probably too much information)......but the diddy puddy tats are blocking any moves towards removal of the box from the premises....someone, read 'boy-in-the-attic', might have to do it at the dead of night while they're locked in mortal combat with the senior cat and therefore otherwise engaged.

TODAY'S TOP FIND ON THE KITCHEN TABLE...

John Peel, 'The Christmas Songs that Santa Claus Forgot'.....I really can't remember where I got this or when it was originally broadcast (possibly 1992?) but it's 2 hours's worth of alternative Christmas listening that always somehow works in a way that Slade's 'Here it is, Merry Chistmas' and Cliff's 'Mistletoe and Wine' doesn't, so that HAS to be a plus. It comes complete with JP's inter-track chat and news bulletins. I've put the single mp3 file on SendSpace just in case you think the 200mb plus download might be worth it (I think the link will stay 'live' for about a month without a download, so get it while it's fresh!).....it worked for me, I've NEARLY got a shopping list!

Link to download

Hooray it's Friday!!

At last.....it's the end of a long, busy week.....y'know I'm absolutely knackered (and that would be the polite, technical term).....I'm planning on a long, deep, steamy bath, a couple of glasses of port and an earlyish night tonight.....oh yes, I know how to live! Above is a tiny bit of a snatched shot on the way home.....that small person was absolutely engrossed by the window display, with nose and hands pressed up against the glass, kids still love Xmas....fact!

OTHER STUFF......

I'm not sure what you'd describe this as....game, artwork, poetry, social commentary?....

Evidence of Everything Exploding is probably all of these and more. And there's more of the same here if you feel the urge to explore.

Are We Alone says.....

"Could there be life-forms on worlds far beyond the bounds of Earth?

The search for life as we don’t know it begins with understanding life as we do.

From amoebas to androids to antimatter, Are We Alone? weaves together humor and compelling interviews into themed programs about the biggest ideas in evolutionary biology, genetics, paleontology, technology, and physics – as well as cosmology and astronomy.

Are you a doubting Thomas? You’ll have plenty of company as we separate science from pseudoscience and the facts from the phony in Skeptic Check, our monthly look at critical thinking."

You can find their podcast archive (and there's lots of them!) here

Have a great weekend folks.....I'm off to run that bath!

Wet fruit

The postponed-from Sunday, 3 generation Christmas cake bake is now definitely on for tomorrow afternoon...so the dried fruit is well and truly soused and smelling bloody gorgeous, but it's not wise to work out how much it actually costs to make, it's probably cheaper to go out and buy one at M&S!

The programme for the Berlin trip was finalised this morning (note to Imp and SD : and Thursday afternoon is officially 'free' if you are?) and I got my expenses in a plain brown envelope this afternoon....that makes it 'real' somehow, roll on Sunday!

A couple of assorted frivolities:
A rather nice free download if you're feeling creative, Livebrush
They say...."Livebrush is a drawing application. It employs an easy-to-use brush tool that reacts to your gesture. By combining simple motion controls with brush styles, Livebrush offers a fun and unique way to create graphics." You have to have Adobe Air installed (but that comes with the download if you haven't already got it) and there's versions for Windows, Mac and Linux



Still feeling creative? Soundation Studio looks like fun if you fancy playing with audio

It's an online app and they say:
"Soundation Studio is the web based sequencer that enables you to make music, ringtones and audio clips directly from the internet without downloading any software. This beta version includes over 400 royalty free audio loops, 9 different effects, track automation, basic loop editing, loop audition, master channel control and mix down to desktop." (not that I understand a word of that!)

And here's some recipes....no reason!
Middle Eastern Cookery

What a combination!

The complete Beatles back catalogue on the ukulele....nah, just can't be beaten! Once a week, new track, guest artists, listen or download, background essay...apparently they should be finished in time for the next Olympics.

Add this blog to your favourites!

Fitness is fun

Shake out those leotards, it's time to fight the flab!
Found at Schadenfreudian Therapy where there's a download link for the whole, fun-packed, sphincter-clenching LP.


But just in case you're not convinced, let's listen to the intro track...

Concrete evidence.....

....of what was seen as cutting edge in UK architecture the year I was born. Yours too for that matter.....probably. The complete archives of Concrete Quarterly from 1947 available for download here in pdf format

Further confessions of a font addict....

A couple of links for the similarly afflicted

Create a font using your own handwriting....assuming you have a printer and scanner available. Download the template, print it, fill in the characters you want to create, scan and upload...and a couple of minutes later your font is available to download and install....very nice....oh, and did I mention it's free?

Link to YourFonts

Now, how about using a bit less ink? Download and install this free font, use it as your default, and save on your printing bills. Added bonus, you're doing your bit for the planet!

"After Dutch holey cheese, there is now a Dutch font with holes as well"
Ecofont

Looking up

A couple of free downloads for looking at the night sky.....if the clouds clear!

"Stellarium is a free open source planetarium for your computer. It shows a realistic sky in 3D, just like what you see with the naked eye, binoculars or a telescope. It is being used in planetarium projectors. Just set your coordinates and go."

Download page

"The free space simulation that lets you explore our universe in three dimensions. Celestia runs on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X"

Celestia homepage

Give the Stays to Grandmother

One of many surreal illustrations included in "A Picture Book for Little Children" (published circa 1812) available for download from the Internet Archive....or view the flipbook online here

A Passion for Poladroid

And no, that's not a typo!

Even though Polaroid is now no more you can still experience the joy (and the wait/anticipation while your picture develops in front of your very eyes) of taking a snap old-style by trying out Poladroid....a free download from the authors website, there's versions for Mac and Windows. (5.35mb download)

Here's a Quayside view through a slightly world-weary lens.....

iPod fodder

"Audio drama lives! We are the Wireless Theatre Company and here you will discover an exciting new world of radio theatre. We produce a great selection of audio downloads - from full length radio plays to audio comedy sketch shows, poetry, short plays, stories, satire and even quirky audio guides! And the best news is that every single download is completely free."....UK based, and they've got Prunella Scales on the cast list!

Link to the Wireless Theatre Company homepage

National Archives podcasts

Check out the weekly National Archives podcast here....there's a wide range of subjects covered for anyone with an interest in the historic (currently 68 available), so I've just downloaded half a dozen to feed the ever-hungry iPod. LATER...one of which was "Victorian Women Prisoners", 40 mins, 18mb download, and very interesting!

Power napping

Now I don't usually need any help taking a 'power nap' while staring at a computer screen...it seems to go with the territory. But here's 3 variations (electronic, classical and nature) to listen to online or download. Think they last about 20 minutes each.....yawn, well maybe......zzzzzz

Napsounds online

1001.....

....cleans a big, big carpet, for less than half a crown......whoops, sorry, nostalgia for the joys of early UK TV advertising and substantially lower prices got the better of me there! Just to report that we've got 1001 posts under our belts and are still staggering along.

But should you feel the urge for celebrating the occasion with a substantial (it runs to 16 volumes, so definitely not for the faint-hearted, or prudish for that matter!) dose of culture, can I suggest "The Book of the Thousand Nights and a Night" at archive.org ....plain vanilla text available for download. Wikipedia article with lots of links here

Welcome to Mars

"Two years ago, Ken Hollings (a UK journalist) presented a radio series called Welcome To Mars, his reflections on the "fantasy of science in the early years of the American Century." In this unscripted, engaging, and mind-bending series Ken connects the dots between nuclear war, LSD, flying saucers, the occult, weird science, B movies, and the birth of the space age. Ken's words are supported by an incredible outer space score prdocued by Simon James."

Listen to/download all 12 episodes here

A book based on the radio broadcasts is due to be published soon (details)

via BoingBoing

A mildly techie post...converting .avi files to play on an iPod Classic

Mainly for Chris....
....first off a warning, this is not something you should leave until an hour before you leave for the airport, and probably not something you'd want to do at all if we're talking a "watch once then discard" film....just keep it for all-time favourites. It's not a quick process, one hour playing time will take at least double that to convert to mp4 format.

The best freeware conversion software I've found and used is WinFF. Download, unzip and install, and you're off! Documentation here, but I doubt you'll need it.

Still to come (because I haven't tried it yet!)....converting traditional DVDs to mp4 using Handbrake (also freeware)

Confessions of a font addict....

OK, I'm coming clean....I'm a sucker for fonts, free fonts, the ones that Microsoft don't provide. Luckily there's a couple of places I can feed the addiction without being driven to distraction by maddening pop-ups.....

Fontspace

and Dafont

Fire across the Tyne

A Record of the Great Fire in Newcastle and Gateshead To which is Prefixed a History of Newcastle ...: ""