Nick Wade - MOCKSTAR!

New Blog!

2008-08-11T13:30:00.000+01:00

I've decided to dump Blogger, and go for Tumblr. It's a lot easier and quicker to use, especially for sharing interesting links and images.

I'll try to get it working on this domain, but for the time being head to nickwade.tumblr.com

Ola!

2008-07-28T17:30:00.003+01:00

A recent glance at Alexa tells me that my traffic rank in Chile has shot up to 229,136. As you all know, the Latin market has been particularly difficult for me to break and I hope this spurt is a sign of continued growth and expansion in Q4.

As always, nickwade.com continues to build on such popularity with a zero advertising policy.

Strategy for Q5: Sell out.

My New iPhone (3G)

2008-07-25T12:30:00.002+01:00

A few things it's important to share:

1. I love it. It's probably the coolest gadget I've ever owned.
2. It's incredibly buggy:

The phone crashes
Applications crash
Safari crashes
It's slow and laggy
MobileMe has been really slow at syncing
MobileMe actually completely lost contacts. Deleted, disappeared. Gone forever.
The battery doesn't last 1 day, with "I just got a cool new gadget that does everything" usage. I have no confidence in it surviving from the morning till whenever I get home on a full charge. I take the cable everywhere.
And, why does it have to backup every time I plug it into iTunes? It takes ages.

I'm really surprised this made release. If this was anyone other than Apple, they would be ridiculed and ruined, but us muppets will diligintly wait for an update. It's really quite arrogant to sell stuff that doesn't work very well.

3. Anything is better than my old LG Shine. I could list 100 glaring examples of some of the worst design ever. I'm going to destroy this phone, in the carpark, with a hammer. To be very clear to anyone reading this: The LG Shine is the worst phone I have ever owned.

Play TV (from Sony)

2008-07-18T10:00:00.001+01:00

This logo is actually more clichéd than mine!

I count 10 clichés. 10! (AhahHAhaA) How many do you?

Hello

2008-06-16T16:20:00.004+01:00

I haven't forgotten you, I just have better things to do these days.

I was hoping to play some music today

2008-01-21T17:00:00.000Z

But I clicked on the "Yes, I would like another update for itunes" button.

In summary...

Before:
Play music - yes

After:
Play music - yes, eventually

Waiting......

2008-01-15T12:30:00.000Z

The company I work for got bought by the biggest company in the universe. Information on the future is heavily filtered by management teams on both sides, so all we can do is sit and wait. People whisper and have private meetings, new allegiances and plans are formed. Empty speeches and utopian visions. These are not good times for cynics like myself.

I'm going to buy myself a fancy outfit - 3/4 length coat, smart jeans, good leather shoes, some nice shirts and jumpers, colourful socks, and a MacBook Pro. Then we shall go to lunch to discuss your idea.

Boards of Canada, cup of tea and some minute pixel work. Another day.

My new iPod

2007-10-11T20:30:00.002+01:00

After careful consideration of what best to replace my old iPod with I choose an... iPod. Pathetic? I did actually take the opportunity to look at what else was available, as I felt very uncomfortable about wasting any money, but the competition is practically non-existent if you are looking for larger capacities. My needs were no different than before, so I went for the most sensible option: an iPod Classic 80GB (in silver, since the black ones in the store had chipped paint) at £159.

You've probably read a lot about the new iPod range - but it's quite hard to choose from, so here is my very quick guide:

Shuffle (1GB: £49)
Pros: tiny
Cons: very limited functionality, not really that cheap for 1GB

Nano (4GB: £99, 8GB: £129)
Pros: small, loads of functionality considering it's size (appears to have all the same features as the classic - video etc)
Cons: annoying price - for £30 more you can get 80GB with a Classic instead of 8GB

Classic (80GB: £159, 160GB: £229)
Pros: sensible, huge capacity, and for me it has loads more features over my old iPod equivalent
Cons: not tiny, not flash based, new menu not entirely suited to reading off a HD

Touch (8GB: £199, 16GB: £269)
Pros: incredibly cool, great fun to play with
Cons: expensive, seems like a dumbed-down iPhone, pointless if you're just interested in the music, very small capacity for price

Anyways, go waste your money, and if my iPod breaks soon after the very limited warranty runs out then I only hope the competition has finally got it's arse in gear.

The day my iPod died (again)

2007-08-20T09:30:00.000+01:00

People look at me with astonishment when I whinge about Apple, because I have no right to do so. They produce superior products that look great and perform well. So why is it that I only ever hear about Apple products going wrong?

This is my second iPod. The first had to replaced about a month after purchase because it failed. The second started to fail just after the warranty ran out, and has been very erratic ever since then. This latest failure seems permanent. It cost me a lot of money and it's a reasonably significant device in my life, so I am understandably annoyed.

My question is: At what point did it become acceptable to sell such expensive products that fail so dramatically and after such a short lifespan? This isn't specifically a knock at Apple, but they do make for a good example. My friends are quite secretive about the number of times they have had to return their products for various fixes and replacements. They laugh at me when Outlook crashes for the millionth time, but nothing compares to that pain in their eyes when their proud and expensive MacBook goes wrong. They, like me to some extent, have bought into a lifestyle and have high expectations. I want to own a MacBook, but I'm not prepared to risk that level of disappointment.

I know this is a pointless argument, because I've had it many times before and I never win. But my iPod is dead and I feel cheated. I don't want to fork out more money for another device that may only last 1 year, but I know I will. I hate that.

How do you make the perfect Margarita? (Part 2 - research in the field)

2007-08-01T12:30:00.000+01:00

On a recommendation, me and my new (and more willing) assistant went to a Mexican bar in Covent Garden called Cafe Pacifico. I held high hopes, expecting the "best Margarita in town". There was certainly plenty of Tequila but a slightly limited menu with only a few variations on the straight Margarita.

Firstly we tried a slightly fancier Silver Tequila based one. Nice, tasted better than my one at home. It was made with Cointreau and limes, and I really couldn't spot any particular tricks the barman did other than that he made a much better salt rim than me.

Secondly one with a 10 year old aged Tequila. Nice, tasted exactly the same.

Thirdly the house Margarita, made from a cheap mix using Triple Sec and lemons, and served frozen (crushed ice). Nice and, as suspected, tasted exactly the same. There was no discernible difference between any of the drinks. I can't explain this, but my assistant thought the same. Disappointing. Is it possible that it really doesn't matter what the basic ingredients are? What's the secret here? I'm lost at this point and I need a new approach.

Of course, observing the newly introduced "3 Margarita Rule" this meant that all sensible research was now over. I have little recollection of the 4 Margaritas that followed at other bars along with several beers. Nor do I have much recollection of the "special" club we ended up at. I do, however, have excellent recollection of the hangover this morning which left me paralysed for half an hour at South Kensington Tube Station on my way to work. An unusual route, thanks to an accommodating assistant with whom I agreed never to drink with again.

More photos here

How do you make the perfect Margarita?

2007-07-29T19:30:00.000+01:00

Seems there are quite a few methods, so some experimentation is required...

The basic ingredients are:
Tequila, Cointreau or Triple Sec, and Lime or Lemon juice.

So, off to the shops:
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Especial
1 bottle Cointreau (Triple Sec looked a bit tacky)
10 lemons (since I couldn't find limes)
10 limes (when I spotted them at the next shop along)
Pringles

Tools:
Cocktails glasses (I don't have any, used tall glasses instead)
Electric lemon squeezer (Saves a lot of energy!)
Various jugs (with measures)
Shaker
1 friend for moral support

Preparation:
Lots of squeezing of limes into a jug.

Margarita 1 - The common mix
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime juice in a 2:1:1 ratio mix, with a little water. Shaken with ice, then poured over ice in a salt rimmed glass.

Notes:
Made far too much of it. Taste was not right - it lacked edge somehow. I think the water spoils it, but my friend thought it was ridiculously strong and refused to participate in the experiment any longer. Salt rim is easy to overdo. We've run out of Pringles already.

Margarita 2 - Nick's version
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime juice. I figured you should be able to do this by eye. 1 shot glass of Tequila, and 1 half each of Cointreau and Lime Juice. Mixed in the glass with a coaster on the end. Skipped the salt.

Notes:
Hmmm, tasted ok - poured in a little more Cointreau - this made it a bit smoother but lost the tequila edge. Missed the salt.

Margarita 3 - The official International Bartenders Association (IBA)
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime juice in a 7:4:3 ratio mix. Shaken with ice and poured over ice in a sea salt rimmed glass (my idea).

Notes:
This tasted pretty good! It's strong though - maybe water would work better with this mix. Still overdoing the salt a bit, but sea salt worked much better and didn't melt a bit like the regular salt.

Note on the salt rim:
Dip the rim of the glass ever so slightly in the lime juice, then turn the glass upside down and gently sprinkle a little salt all round the outside edge so that it sticks. Not everyone likes the salt, so best to ask first or serve with a straw so they have the option.

Margarita 4 - Nick's version 2
Tequila, Cointreau, Lime Juice. All by eye in the glass, shaken with ice. Forgot the salt. Poured into another glass with salt.

Notes:
I'm pissed and starting to dance a little. God, these things are powerful. Enough for today. Must remember to try a white Tequila next time, as I suspect it might taste better. The lemons are worth a try too.

To be continued...

Modern Japanese Classic

2007-03-26T13:00:00.000+01:00

Artist, Benedict Radcliffe, has created a 1:1 wireframe model of a Subaru Impreza. It looks computer generated, giving it a very surreal quality in amongst it's surroundings.

http://news.windingroad.com/...

The Gumtree

2007-02-27T13:00:00.000Z

If you didn't know already, this is probably one of the best free online classifieds. Very handy for everything from selling a computer to finding a flat. I just noticed a few new categories which are quite odd additions. Here are a few of them:

Thank you - Where you can thank your girlfriend for a nice date, or that guy who noticed you dropped your mobile, or Jesus for EVERYTHING.

Confessions - Where racists admit they are racist, and some guy admits he's probably gay since he thinks about his best mate, a lot, in kinda a sexual way.

Celeb Spotting - Ooo, that bloke from Blazing Squad!? Yeah, Blazing Squad? Kinda no-hit wonder. You know them!? Anyways, I think it was that bloke, buying a newspaper. No. Way.

NFCTD

2007-02-22T16:00:00.000Z

Vaguely disturbing but very beautiful. Keep clicking and enjoy.

http://www.nfctd.com/

When More Is Not Enough

2007-02-19T10:00:00.000Z

HAVIDOL is for the treatment of Dysphoric Social Attention Consumption Deficit Anxiety Disorder (DSACDAD). It is the only known medication available for this newly recognized disorder.

http://www.havidol.com/

Rosemarie Fiore

2007-02-09T10:00:00.000Z

Nice idea. This artist has taken long exposure shots of 80's arcade games. The above is from Tempest, if you haven't worked it out.

http://www.rosemariefiore.com/...

Running Away

2007-02-07T10:00:00.000Z

"The rules are simple: I put the self-timer on 2 seconds, push the button and try to get as far from the camera as I can."

Love it!

http://runningfromcamera.blogspot.com/

Dead Kids

2007-02-06T12:00:00.000Z

Accidentally ended up at a gig last night, but was hugely impressed by the band. They've got a really good sound and a great singer with lots of attitude. Kinda like Bloc Party but with more synth and harsher edge, if that makes any sense. Made me and my friend dance like spastic punks.

Dead Kids on MySpace

New Earphones From Sony

2007-02-05T16:00:00.001Z

These retractable earphones have just been announced as part of a new range from Sony. Very cute and practical. Also of note are the in-ear ones here which I shall try to track down - hopefully they are not as bad as the regular ones, which just seem to fall apart (as also noticed by a few of my friends).

More photos:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20070205/sony1.htm

Yumiko Kayukawa

2007-02-05T10:00:00.000Z

Such gorgeous artwork! From the site:

"Yumiko Kayukawa hails from Sapporo Japan and has already made a name for herself early in her career for her candy-bright pop paintings of fashionable young women, animals, and traditional Japanese motifs. Yumiko's work blends fashion illustration, sharp iconic graphics, and meticulously rendered flora and fauna to create images that evoke a dreamy and enigmatically erotic tone. The girls in Yumiko's paintings are mysterious and elusive, using images of both innocence and fetishes, in a sexy, subtle way, yet always engaging the viewer with direct eye contact. The fantasy of these dream girls is mixed with the realistic depictions of the natural world... insects, birds, and animals are always present, bringing a sense of the messy, real world crashing joyfully into the lives of these pristine, icy beauties. Traditional Japanese flower motifs and kanji characters used in an untraditional way round out the compositions creating a jolting, modern tone to the paintings."

http://www.sweetyumiko.com/

The Amazing Terry Kernan

2006-11-02T10:00:00.000Z

Yet again, Terry Kernan of Elucidate.co.uk and Terrential.com has saved the day and sorted out my domain and hosting. I can't begin to explain how happy I am, having had to chase my previous provider for MONTHS just to even bother to reply to emails/tickets/phone calls, so that I could transfer everything over. Oh the pain.

Terry has helped me out with countless stupid ideas over the years, all of which were "the next big thing" but usually involved more enthusiasm than actual work, especially on my part. One day I'll return all the favours with a genuinely good idea that we can retire on.

I'm Kinda Busy At The Mo

2006-08-29T17:00:00.000+01:00

So, here's one of my favourite random pictures to amuse you. I often save things like this when I find them, so I honestly have no idea where it came from. I have a lot of random pictures.

Live Space Invaders

2006-07-18T09:00:00.000+01:00

67 people
4 hours of shooting
390 images
= just 3 minutes, but worth all the effort.

Video here:
http://www.notsonoisy.com/spaceinvaders/

Update!
There's a Pong one too:
http://www.gamevideos.com/video/id/4633

Celestial Maps

2006-07-14T10:00:00.000+01:00

Very pretty stuff (and useful reference for Animal Crossing!). Made by Alexander Jamieson in 1822.

Lots more:
http://www.usno.navy.mil/library/artwork/jamieson.htm