Saturday 30 October 2004

rockin' it!

I played a gig for the first time in two months last night, and I was rockin' it!

I started off playing funk for about half an hour, then started playing hiphop. At about 11pm, there was a bit of a crowd, and I dropped some new school breaks, mixing and cutting and even scratching! Not much though, because I'm not good at scratching... yet.

I don't like it when people request stuff, mainly because I won't have it and it's usually not in line with what I'm playing, but no one did last night, which is good. What's better is when people come up and ask what tunes I play, and had more than a few people come up, one girl with a pen and paper! (she was cute too! should have given her my number too...)

I've always been the 'music man', the guy who would comandeer the car stereo "can I put a tape in?" and through DJing at clubs, seeing heads bob and people start dancing, it's a natural extension of that.

I used to think I was getting too old to be mixing and DJing in clubs... I think it IS a young persons career, and you have to be really dedicated to do it and make it.

But for me it's not a career, nor would I want it to be. DJing is something I love to do, as a hobby, and I'd rather do it like I do than have to do it every week, whether I wanted to or not.

But recently I have been inspired by Steinski, who was 32 when he did the Payback Mix (Lesson One) in 1983, and he's just about to embark on a tour of Australia at the ripe age of 50 something!

He (amongst other people) have made me realise that 30 ISN'T old, it isn't the end of your life. If I'm lucky I'll live to I'm about 70 or 80, meaning my life isn't even half over, and there is so much to achieve.

He is the coolest person I have interviewed, and once I get off my arse I'm going to put it online.


Check out Steinksi's "Nothing To Fear: A Rough Mix" in the meantime!

Friday 29 October 2004

Little lady of Flores forces rethink of human evolution

WOW! Another species of human has been found!

One that lived at the same time as Homo Sapians...

It's way too late to comment coherently, and I gotta get up early in the morning, but this is simply incredible! The implications are wide ranging!

Little lady of Flores forces rethink of human evolutionbreaking science news headlines

Thursday 28 October 2004

Computer games 'can help children learn'

This story is floating around the net in various guises, but the Guardian seems to be one of the best sites for good news stories.

Computer games 'can help children learn'

"Like all games, computer and video games entertain while promoting social development, and playing and talking about games is an important part of young people's lives."

Not only young people! From a very young age we are told not to play with our food, privates, on the road, in the park after dark, don't touch this or that... but through video games we CAN do all that, and more!

Video games re-introduce the concept of play to our 21 Centuary lives. People rarely have time to sleep, let alone for other people. Families are decaying, violence is growing. People blame this on computer games and whatnot, but our lives are full of work work work. We don't get time to socialise with family or friends.

THIS is why society seems so bad - because we don't know it. We used to know our neighbours, the local cops, the local thugs even, but fear and prejudice and lack of time have forced us to become isolated from one another, hiding in our homes, protecting all our hard earned goods which in turn keep us isolated.

Video games help break that isolation, not enforce it. Through Xbox Live I've met some interesting and wonderful people whom I would class as "friends". I might not know what they look like, but I know them better than I know my neighbors. There is a great degree of socialisation that goes on. When you combine this with LANS and Internet Cafes, and you have probably one of the best places to socialise as there are so many different people who play games, all with different interests and opinions. Talking to them, playing with them, opens your mind to this diversity.

"games deserve to be treated by schools with the same seriousness as books and films"

People who make them are just as serious as people who make books and films. The amount of work and time that goes into games is phenomenal, I'd be much happier if there was an INFORMED academic and social debate on the role of video games, instead of stupid, pathetic rantings that we continually get in the press and from 'concerned parents groups'.

"Public antagonism towards computer games is simply the latest manifestation of a long tradition of 'fear of new media', according to Dr Burn. 'It goes all the way from the invention of the printing press to horror comics in 1950s America.'"
werd!

Wednesday 27 October 2004

RIP John Peel

John Peel, BBC Radio One DJ extraodinaire, passed away whilst on a working holiday in Peru of a heart attack.

Few DJs have had the devotion to new and interesting music as Peel, and the amount of bands that he helped onto the road of success is staggering.

One of his favourite songs was Undertones: Teenage Dreams.

Our teenage dreams so hard to beat
Everytime she walks down the street
Another girl in the neighbourhood
Wish she was mine, she looks so good

I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night

I'm gonna call her on the telephone
Have her over cos i'm all alone
I need excitement oh i need it bad
And its the best, i've ever had

I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night

I wanna hold her wanna hold her tight
Get teenage kicks right through the night



RIP Lighter!

A mate's writing

Here are some nice short stories from a mate of mine...

Tuesday 26 October 2004

Photo's with and without flash

Mini Reviews: Breaks CDs

Some new music I've gotten recently in the breakbeat genre...

Rennie Pilgrem - Pilgremage (TCR)
An interesting array of music for one of the biggest names in breaks. Lots a variety in sounds - acid jazzy type stuff to the breaky stuff he's renown for, plus a bit of house style stuff. To me the album is a little hit and miss... the good stuff is REALLY good, but the not so good stuff is surprisingly present.

Lee Coombs - Breakfast of Champions (Finger Lickin)
Fantastic album! Nice heavy basslines and lots of funky breaks and samples. Coombs really shows his dancefloor mentality and devotion here.

Hexstatic - Master View (NinjaTune)
Hexstatic are just so damn cool it's not funny. Musically this album is more accessable than their last, or maybe it's that peoples perception is catching up to Hexstatic. Lots of quirky, funny sounds and samples, and some damn nice funk there too! Yet to view the DVD, but it comes with 3D glasses so it's gotta be class! =)

Forefront - Mixed by EK (Falcon St Beats)
Fantastic album full of Aussie breaks producers such as EK, Nubreed, Friendly, Bass Kleph and more. The beats are really tough, the production is superb and the mixing is tight. Shows Aussie producers are just as good as anybody else.

Breaks 04 - Mixed by Kid Kenobi (Ministry of Sound)
I'm not the biggest fan of 'disco' breaks, and CD 1 is full of them, but this CD isn't as cheesy as the Kids' last effort. CD 2 features MC Sureshock, and the breaks are much harder, much to my liking. Again, it seems like an introduction to breaks rather than a showcase of the good stuff, but still is pretty decent.

Hybrid Presents Y4K - Hybrid (Distinctive Breaks)
Very interesting mix continuing the great Y4K series. Very cinematic in scope in some places, hard and heavy in others.

Palookaville - Fat Boy Slim
(Skint)
Another hit and miss album. The singles are really average, but the other songs (particularly Wonderful Night feat. Lateef) are awesome. Reminds me of the Gorilla album in it's scope.

Monday 25 October 2004

Video games move to the oldest selling point - www.smh.com.au

Video games move to the oldest selling point - World - www.smh.com.au

Why is the SMH running a story about games that are 'grown up' when these games were REFUSED CLASSIFICATION by the Office of Film and Literature, meaning we 'adults' cannot play ANY of them?

Saturday 23 October 2004

Adelaide is a joke!

2 hours to get to the airport and home again by public transport... a trip that normally would take half an hour in a car!

Not only that, but the bus doesn't even go to the terminal... it's a 10 minute walk!!!

It's a fucking joke.

What does that say to any international visitor???


But the reason I went to the airport was to pick up a package... my new ADSL modem which means I now have a 1.5M/256K connection from home... ALRIGHT!

Friday 22 October 2004

A Current Affair on Video Games

Well, it's good to see ACA has followed up the 60 Minutes report into the video games industry with it's own well considered and researched piece of 'journalism'...

One study conducted in one day with one group of kids PROOVES violent video games affect child behavior of course!

When I first found out about this 'serious investigation into violent videogames' I whipped off an email to the producer of ACA Lucie McGeoch

here's what I sent her:

Hello Lucie,

My name is Julian Cram and I work for Ratbag Games in Adelaide, South Australia.

I read a post you made on the PlayNow video game forums

As someone who has been heavily involved in gaming since I was 12 years old, as well as someone who is a trained journalist, I would hope that your story is balanced and well researched, and not just feeding into the "why won't someone think of the children" frenzy that so often comes from ACA.

I am sure you are aware that the game Manhunt has been linked to a murder in the UK. I am also sure you are aware that the judge dismissed the media claims and said the game had nothing to do with it.

I am sure you are aware that a recent Government Inquiry into expanding tax consessions for film into the billion dollar games industry found that there is no correlation between violent video games and behavior, and also recommended an R18+ ratings be included for video games.

And, knowing these things, I would hope that the balanced story you will produce will feature these very important FACTS and not over-sensationalise to sell advertising space.

Thank you for your time.

Julian Cram
Tester, Webmaster & Customer Support

No response of course...

But, if you're a parent who saw this story, and are concerned about the impact of video games on your children, please check out this link which debunks some of the myths perpetuated by the media and organisations like Young Media Australia, an insidious organisation of "won't someone think of the children" types who justify their government sponsored sallaries with dubious research projects and television appearances on shows such as ACA and Today Tonight.

I don't advocate forcing children to play violent video games - in fact I support an R18+ rating for video games so that children can be better protected from adult content. But the onus should be on parents to take an interest in what their children do, participate with them and monitor their activites.

Thursday 21 October 2004

Moving again...

but this time only in cyberspace...

the direct URL of my blog is now http://www.users.tpg.com.au/funkyj/sciolism.html

I've moved from internode to TPG because TPG is $20 cheaper per month for twice the speed.

I still highly recomend internode but I pay more rent now at my new place so need to conserve as much cash as possible.

Weird Dream

It's a rare night when I DON'T have a bizzare dream, but last night's dream was pretty damn funny.

I was in my old childhood home, and having a bit of a party. I walked past a room, and the door was open, and there were people in the bed.

"Don't open the door", my mother screamed from within the room, and I saw the figure of a male friend of mine get out of the bed.

My friend and my mother had been getting it on!

I simply said "the door was already open", and then they started arguing over how it was going to affect me. I told them it was OK, I was cool with it, and to enjoy themselves!

Then I went into the lounge, where my first ex was cooking a BBQ, and my second ex was sitting watching Star Trek, in an episode where everyone was infected with a virus that made everyone rave (dance), including the BORG. I sat down next to her, told her about seeing my mum and my friend, and she said "I thought he was gay". I said that's just what we joke about, and then she and I snuggled on the couch watching the BORG gettin' jiggy to some really funky 70's porn music

I then woke up, laughing.

Wednesday 20 October 2004

Review: The Sims 2

My dB Magazine review of the Sims 2 is now online

>CLICK HERE<

Interview: Crackpot

My dB Magazine interview with Jade from Crackpot is now online.

>CLICK HERE<

Swordfish Steaks

I ate Swordfish Steaks last night!

Cooked wonderfully by my new housemate, in payment for getting the munchies and eating my Chicken Tikka.

And I enjoyed them! Couldn't have it everyday, but would eat it again.

This is an accomplishment because I don't eat fish. Usually I don't like the taste, texture or smell.

The only fish I like is Salmon, and it had to be fresh and cooked properly, or as Sushi. Oh, and I've eaten Baramundi, and not disliked it.

Volleyball

I played in my first volleyball game for about a half a year last night.

Playing with a team from Ratbag called the "Sand Bags".

What a great start to the season - ended the game on my back with the ball smacking me in the face =)

Volleyball is so much fun: gives me a chance to perve and and keeps me fit over summer.

Tuesday 19 October 2004

Review: Rocky Legends

My XboxWorld Australia review of Rocky Legends is now online...

>CLICK HERE<

...set it free

The old adage "if you love something, set it free... if it comes back, it was meant to be" doesn't even hint at the torture of waiting for it to come back or leave forever.

I am the world's most patient man. If patience is a virtue, then when I die I'm going to be made Jesus. I once waited 4 hours for a girl. And I didn't get too pissed off that she stood me up! Did I mention there was NO chance of sex with this girl? Some might say that borders on insanity.

But waiting for something to come back (or leave forever) is agonising.

And how do you know it's gone forever? I suppose moving to another state or country is a good sign, but what if that person is still in the same town as you? Still friends?

How long do you wait? A few months? Years? because I could wait years...

And what are you meant to do whilst waiting? You don't want to jeopardize it by being too interested in someone else, but at the same time you don't want to hobble yourself either, miss out on opportunity.

Nor do you want to stifle them. They need space, hence the break, but how much is too much... you want to keep yourself on their radar, but not so much so that you're the only focus.

damn it, I had more to say, but I forgot it...
I should write this stuff down... or get a laptop or phone with wireless internet access...

Monday 18 October 2004

No ADSL and No Foxtel make J something something...

Moved!

well, I've moved.

Everything is in my new place, and it is quite cosy in my new room.

At the moment I've got a queen sized matress on the floor, and everything is squeezed in around it. There's very little space to manuver... and even less space for all my junk and toys.

At the moment I've got it set up so I can play xbox or watch TV from my bed :)

Saturday night at inbound was lots of fun, I just wish I wasn't so damn exhausted from moving.

Saturday 16 October 2004

moving

yes, after 8 years of living in Grosvenor St, I'm moving.

8 of the most interesting years of my life. I've had so much happen to me, seen and done so much...

My happiest memories and my saddest memories are contained in this house, but it is time for me to move on.

At first I was scared of what my future held, but now I realise there's something to be more afraid of... holding on to the past too much.

That is what could of happened to me if I stayed.

I don't want that. I dont' want to dwell in the past, dwell in memories. I want to live life. I want to move on.

Oh, and speaking of moving, check this!

idiot

last night I broke two cardinal rules of blogging... I blogged whilst drunk, and abut women...

IDIOT!

thank god for the Delete option

Friday 15 October 2004

Halo 2 leaked

Halo 2 has been leaked onto the net, and as I type thousands of copies are being downloaded via bittorrent...

Goto Gamespot for more information

Working for a games developer I feel sorry for Bungie & M$. Those programmers and level designers and testers worked hard on that, and to have your code leaked, the posibility of spoilers and hacks being made before the game gets released must be devastating.

But being an internet geek I'm not surprised in the slightest. Halo2 is the biggest release for M$ and Xbox, and seeing as how its cool to hate M$ then it was really only a matter of time.

Hell... Ratbag's latest Dukes of Hazzard: Return of the General Lee apparently is all over suprnova!


Thursday 14 October 2004

Anyone want a Gmail Account?

I've got a few to give away...

email me... Mr.Funky.J[at]gmail.com

replace [at] the with @

Speaking of games...

Someone forwarded me this at work...

cute rabbit game :)


Urge to Kill fading

Yes, what blog would be complete without quoting the Simpsons?!

My anger has been washed away... Well diluted at any rate.

The anger I still hold is actually for a reason, which involves a very insensitive bitch who, against all better judgement, I've stuck by for years, even though she's clearly been in the wrong on many occasion.

Most people can't stand her, but she helped me out at a time when no one else would, and I've a strong loyalty to her for that.

However, this time I tried to do the right thing by everyone, which she's taken offence to, and I'm off her friends list.

Thing is, I don't care.

I'm 31 years old and just can't be fucked playing games with people like that...

Wednesday 13 October 2004

Why am I so ANGRY today?

I don't get it... I simply don't get it.

Why am I so angry today? I woke up angry. WHY?

Sure, I've had some shitty things happen to me recently, but that happened months ago, and I'm moving on.

I'm moving out with one of my oldest, funniest friends, into the city proper, this weekend.

It's inbound this weekend and so it's PARTY TIME big time, and I may even head to traffic to see Kid Kenobi and MC Sureshock after being well impressed by the Ministry of Sound Breaks04 cd

I'm getting a fantastic pay this week, which I'm using to pay for my choice new headphones I got for $100 from ebay when they retail for $250

so why these feelings of anger???

Egad!

Egad!

I finally get this fucker working on one of my websites and I'm changing ISPs this week and will be losing this webspace in about a month!

Probably at a time I'll most need and outlet to EXPLODE on as well...

GGGGGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

As my MSN Name reads currently: Why Do I Even Bother???