The Unit, Breakfast, Yakking... and bad weather.

26 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

 

The Unit wasn't on TV3 last night. This morning my mate texts me to say that the channel wasn't happy with it in the 9:30pm slot. Never bothered me man, this season has been really good. Just, turn on the box after writing, and Borne Identity was on. Wondering what the heck was up with that? And they pulled it suddenly, with TV guides and what not having the wrong info. Who decides the ratings eh, certainly not me. Maybe TV3 have got on the band wagon... umm, err, Delta Force doesn't exist so how can we possibly have a time slot for it...

http://www.cbs.com/primetime/the_unit/

There was also a thing later on, a doco about the Bali bombings. Not bad but I wasn't able to focus on it at the time. Would have been good to see it properly. By the sounds, or though they pulled it off, seems investigations discovered they weren't the brightest cookies in the jar. Lots of muck ups, including a driver who couldn't drive. Heaven help us when these jokers end up being well trained. Like I was saying about the Taliban by in large.

Downed (or is that downloaded?) some breakfast - rice and tuna, nice, but I need to eat something else.

 

TIme for a yak with N on criminal behaviour, politicians and the upcoming election which seems to be further delayed as the Labour party likes the idea of giving National more opportunities to put their feet in it. How about this - the offer of a $50 tax break, and then, to charge up to $10 a day for tolls (which I thought went out years ago) to pay for Transmission Gully. Give with one hand, chop off with the other. Haven't the realised how tough it is just for people to feed their families? They continue to live in a different world, that lot in the Beehive.

Why do I even bother talking about it? Nothing is going to change. We vote, they change the rules and their pre-election promises. Criminal behaviour is different strokes for different folks. Who suffers? Not those who make the rules that's for sure.

Things do change though, and quite dramatically, when you seriously disrupt the status quo. But that only happens when the people finally, truly, do decide they've had enough.

There was a earthquake up Napier way, just over 5 on the Richter scale, so not too bad so far as that goes but there was a heck of a lot of damage just from stuff falling off shelves and what not. Insurance premiums eh... Its the slipping and underground pipelines and what not you need to worry about, the things you can't see immediately.

Now... what the heck is the Moby track on the closing credits of Borne Identity? Cause now it's the tune in my head that won't go away.

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A Child of the 80s

25 August

Comments by juni0r

You know you're a child of the 80s, well a teenager at least, when you wake up with Cyndi Laupa's She Bop in your head and it just won't go away, no matter what you do. That, I am sure, has something to do with last week's 80s special on C4TV. Ah well, far worse things happen at sea. It is good to reminisce sometimes, to remember where you've come from and realise, though you're definitely not as young as you once were, you've brought along with you a wealth of experience, knowledge and things worth sharing. Perhaps just as well that goes well beyond the music of a bygone era. Kim Wilde's Kids in America turned up on my iPod the other day...

http://www.c4tv.co.nz

 

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Digital Music, The Delight that is Chocolate... and being published.

24 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Running through a mate's mp3 collection can always be an interesting experience. Remember in Swordfish when Hugh Jackman's character was plugging away relentlessly at the keyboard on that massive multi-monitor setup? The tune that was playing in that scene was High Voltage, by a chap named Frank Popp. It took Kryton five minutes to find a few tracks by the guy, another six months to track down this actual track on mIRC. There is the wonder and saving grace of p2p networking and mp3. It keeps rare stuff in circulation which might otherwise be lost. Tracks which you will never find at your local store, rare B sides or what have you. For example, I have a very rare version of Metallica's One, only thanks to the marvels of modern technology. So no, digital music combined with the Net is not all bad. Many artists now appreciate this. Progress, perhaps, as Nik Kershaw would say...

Dark Mocha is indeed 62% Cocoa - it tastes like you're devouring solid blocks of coffee. Now, what is wrong with that? Well, asides a great way not to cure insomnia, it is perhaps bad for one's health to consume in large quantities. Thank you Ghana. And Whittaker's do produce a large block of my favourite slab, Coconut. Whittaker's - made in New Zealand since 1896, eaten by me since a wee while back.

http://www.whittakers.co.nz

And thusly much cocoa and coconut was consumed during a MP round of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. under the Oblivion Lost mod, where my compatriot won 13 to 9. A bit like the Olympics really. I reckon it should be an event... na. Okay, it might win out in somewhere like Korea but not likely to work many other places. It was great to feel the rain again, without getting wet. Oh for a decent couple of machines were we can crank up the soon to be released Clear Sky to the max, making the most of DX10.

Published in Investigate

Well, I was still grinning my arse off when I was indulging in the aforementioned chocolate after I'd been to the supermarket and asked the guy if they sold Investigate magazine. Always like to check out what is between the covers and very frequently do purchase the monthly issue. Low and behold I check the contents page and see... my name in print. Closed the cover, reopened the magazine to make sure I wasn't seeing things... and flicked to the relevant page. There it was, my article called Defence Matters which I'd submitted a couple of months back. Of course by now I certainly didn't expect it to be there in black and white. But then, it was pertinent to the general themes this time around, China, communism, that sort of thing. Almost twenty four hours later and I'm still on a high. You can read the article at the following URL:

http://juni0r.orconhosting.net.nz/defencematters.html

 

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Russia Withdrawal

23 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

The Georgian capital is reporting finally that Russian troops are pulling out of Gori. Their intent is to withdraw to the two break away enclaves (can I use that word in this context? Got used to it regarding the Balkans war) of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. Not as if there is any real security there. They are certainly taking their sweet time, from declaring a given date and then another. Still, they've been dug in, it does take some time I must admit. Still, they pull back all the while openly threatening Poland and Ukraine. It is a warning not only to former Soviet states, but also the West in general. It is a parallel demonstration of the willingness to use force. Balance of power resets itself. We can but see how it is managed.

Russia wants to leave 500 troops, a battalion that is, inside Georgia as part of a "buffer zone". Keeping the peace huh? We shall see. Deal is, such a token force, and inside a soviegn territory that doesn't want it, it is a bait. Remember back to the claims of Russia that one of their motives for military aggression was that their peacekeepers were attacked. So why would they deliberately do this now? Because it makes it easier to accuse Georgia at a later date. And no one, not the EU, not NATO, certainly not the UN can see it. Incredible stupidity. And of course, the US and Russian administrations disagree on how this situation should be resolved.

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Bugger Dad, Clarkson as PM, Vinyl Come Back... and the success of Puma.

22 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

The Huggies Mum and Bubs promotion raises a few questions which might evade many. I might be a bit old fashioned, but where the heck is Dad? Must be a sideline thought. Its called subversion - fulling the populous' mind with a concept, an idea, perceived as the norm, as acceptable. Interestingly, in times of war - such methods are pressed until they are the norm. Last year, Paramount did a similar thing for a movie ticket promotion. Remember picking up the flyer. I wonder how many complaints... or critiques they got on their marketing methods. But yeah, the reason it carries on, one of the reason the condition of one parent families continues is because we perpetuate the idea through such means, and people don't challenge it.

 

Just to clarify for those who are not so astute, I'm talking about men who are dissuaded, pushed away or otherwise blocked from being allowed to play the essential role in their child's life, not those who choose not to take up the mantle, or for many a possible reason definitely shouldn't be in the picture. If the balance is not forthcoming, you can't expect our society to be balanced. We are seeing the consequences of that now. Raising children is the most critical and important job there is. It takes teamwork, commitment, and the whole village.

 

Just for a bit of a addendum, what on earth with this recent complaint a couple of days ago. These wee diggers, partying hard at a Kindergarten, cranking up "Bob the Builder" to the max, and some neighbour to the place decided to moan that the music was up too loud. Sorry, but it was around dinner time, not after 11pm when you can be taken seriously in regards excessive noise. Noise control officers called to a Kindergarten... what is wrong with people. If you can't handle it, do what Bob does, and get a helmet. I just couldn't believe it.

Almost 50,000 people in the UK voted on a petition that Jeremy Clarkson, of Top Gear fame, should replace Gordon Brown as British PM. Bart Simpson, Sean Bean, and some bloke's boss also got votes as alternatives. So I wonder how such a move would effect the ozone layer? Plenty of grunters on the roads. Wicked. Got my vote :)

And speaking of which, while rugby continues to dominate beyond the horizon, it was reported that the Hamilton 400 brought in 40% more revenue than anticipated by the city council. The fans could have told you that. But still, motor sport is second rate - despite the successes of countless Kiwi personalities. Greg Murphy only got recognition... after he became commercially marketable... and where did that happen? Not in New Zealand, but Aussie. Go Aussie. Likewise, Dixon is making it big in the US, and the New Zealand mentality is... it ain't rugby. Well, no, don't get me wrong - All Blacks, its not the All Blacks. Go one notch down the ladder and you see what happens to the likes of Northland and Tasman. I'll shut up now.

Happiness again... The visceral feel of vinyl finds it in official comeback mode. In the US it appears that manufacturers can't keep up with demand. The artists are rapt to have their material on the classic format. Could never be surprised. My brother has a bit of a collection, as to a several mates. Real Groovy, where I get the majority of my films and music, has a huge collection. The sound is raw and proves that (high) technology isn't always the answer. I must do a bit of a flick through the disks next time I'm under the orange banner at the top of Cuba street.

 

Ah, cool as, Sarah Walker just got second in her qualifier. Who needs a motor eh? Bummer Willers crashed out in his race. The Americans blitzed that round, and the second round, where, unfortunately Willers was last in. The womens' second round found both Aussies crashing out. A real downer for the green and gold. Third qualifying round and Walker got it, right on the line, taking it from the French girl Chausson, who lead the field for the whole race until the very last moment. I remember when I was so fit it was disguising. Just watching this stuff makes me puff these days!

Number three company German company Puma is reveling in the success of Usain Bolt who was wearing their shoes of gold. Jesse Owen also wore Puma. The light is sure shining bright and proves that the big boys don't always get it - in this case, Nike and Adidas.

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Chicken Kebabs, Job Losses, Olympic Feats... and some incredible speed.

21 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Tom Ashley grabbed another gold for New Zealand in the windsurfing. BMX, having its debut at the Olympics, has been postponed until tomorrow, where the world champion Sarah Walker, and Marc Willers will be very much in contention for medals.

1300hrs

Thanks for the kebab Kryton. Good tucker. I ate lunch - and you're my witness. The Coke. Man, we don't drink the black stuff like we used to. The choice of gamers everywhere. Speaking of which, Clear Sky has been delayed a week. Works well with the old bank account. Headed off to the library and spent a bit of time on the rewrite of my script, and writing up this business for THS.

145 jobs are to be slashed at Cadbury's in Dunedin. Yet more job losses for the city. Had a friend send me a text about it, since she works there. Its all happening over the next two years. Time to move cities perhaps?

The Russians have said that their response to missile defence assets being set up in Poland by the US would "go beyond diplomacy". If your argument is that the US should stay out of that region - doesn't any free nation have the right to decide who they choose as their allies? On the flip side, Syria signals its support of Russia. The lines are certainly being drawn.

0245hrs

Usain Bolt breaks the 200m world record with a 19:30, giving Jamaica an outstanding gold medal win. he just left the field behind. If Phelps is the man on the water, Bolt is the man of the land. Incredible speed. The Jamaican also easily grabbed the 100m - the first time a double 100m / 200m has been achieved since Carl Lewis managed it in 1984. Bolt got, I think, 9:36 in the 100m. Melaine Walker got the gold for Jamaica also, in the woman's 400m hurdles.

http://www.tvnz.co.nz/olympics

153 people have been killed, only 19 survivors in the worse air accident in Europe in 20 years. Spanair flight JK5022 crashed on take off. Not good. The aircraft type (can't remember) but there have been four of them involved in accidents in the last six years. FAA specialists from the US will be heading to Madrid to investigate.

Ten French troops have been killed in Afghanistan. Never good, but it is good to see that the French president Sarkozy isn't backing down as a result. You can't commit to any sort of fight, pay the sort of price as has been there since 2001, and just walk away. Interesting that the article below mentions the French paras killed in Beirut in 1983. A nearby bomb blast cost the lives of 241 US Marines. With the attack on US forces in Afghanistan the Taliban certainly seem to be on some sort of offensive. I'm just glad, for the sake of the coalition forces and the locals that, by in large these fighters are quite incompetent. Thankfully it is the minority that are well trained. That being said, like Iraq, it seems a real challenge to train up the locals to take care of their own.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2008/08/2008819695166773.html

 

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The Host ...and a Russian withdrawal?

20 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

After checking my e-mail to note there was a problem with getting in, I headed up to Uni to pick up some files I'd forgotten for this latest assignment - a group presentation on a Korean film. There was some stuff on folktales, and our lectures. Should be enough, including a few books I picked up at the library to make a bit of a start on brainstorming ideas. Then it was off to Real Groovy in the hope that The Host was still there - a Korean monster flick. It was, and I can say it was worth picking up. Like Godzilla to the Japanese, this one has many messages and meanings if you know even a inkling of Korean history. Only cost me $9.95 because I was up for a $20 credit I didn't know was coming. Ah, the benefits of customer loyalty. How about this - Weta was involved in the production. Downloaded some news from Al Jazeera up the hill too, knowing full well there would be no more on the situation in Georgia on New Zealand TV network news.

http://www.thehostmovie.com.au

 

While Russia made promises, part of the ceasefire agreement, to move out of Georgian territory, it is pretty evident those at the top aren't really interested in peace... And it sure as heck should be illegal to pose as peacekeepers when its clear that's not the role these troops are playing.

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2008/08/200881983744745297.html

 

Bevan Docherty got a bronze for the triathlon, which will go quite nicely with his silver he got in Athens behind Kiwi Hamish Carter. Another four years and he'll be able to get himself that elusive gold. What a nice set that'll make eh.

 

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Rewrites, Inciting Incidents, Blender... and Design courses at university.

 

19 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Am most of my way through the rewrite assignment for Scriptwriting. I was handed a school mate's work and have to go over it with a fine-tooth comb. Well, have to say it was pretty on the ball and there isn't too much I'd change. I offered up some considerations regarding where there are firearms used - shots in the distance and stuff... and the idea that, when you're talking about an Alaskan frontiersman you kinda like to carry a knife around with you all the time - it can be a matter of life and death. The script portion I was handed sure showed my work up. But in saying that, I've learned a lot and I'm on the way to doing a complete rewrite of my own, to make for a more convincing "inciting incident" - that all required harassment of the status quo.

It took a while to click, but eventually I investigated the Victoria University's School of Design in regards what they had to offer in the realms of 3D modeling. My initial correspondence reminded me of Blender, a open source 3D modeling program which is well worth looking into if you're running Linux etc. I'm going to explore that angle myself in time. Much of the terms and methods are the same as the industrial standard 3D Studio Max. Asides that, I still have to find out what the textbook is for DESN 104, so hopefully I can preempt some of my learning before Summer School starts. If its theory, and not hands on computer lab work at the 100 level, then I'm likely to give it a miss.

http://www.blender.org

The URLs below provide some idea of the output and course content offered at . While the courses offered in Auckland are more the atmosphere I'd prefer, I have to weigh that up with the city in which I'm studying, and my capacity to study successfully.

http://www.mediazone.co.nz/blogs08/DESN205

http://www.mediazone.co.nz/blogs08/DESN385

 

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Kiwi Medal Winners... and fears in the East.

18 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Super Saturday certainly was for New Zealand. Finally I have something to say about the Olympics - well, except for my recent Rant. But hey, sometimes we just have to forget about the crap and roll with the good stuff. Too bad we couldn't all be smiles all of the time. With things cracking down in Eastern Europe, with all the glowing spectacle of Beijing you'd never know eh.

We have done pretty well so far, and outdone ourselves from a historical perspective, all in one day. And it hasn't got anything to do with... the All Blacks. The Evers-Swindell twins got gold in the rowing as we might expect from Kiwi world champs, Hayden Roulston got a silver in cycling, and several bronze medals came about through additional rowing events, hard eared by Nathan Twaddle, George Bridgewater, and Mahe Drysdale, who has done particularly well after getting crook. Sounds like he eat something dodgy or drank the tap water. From what I hear, the Americans had it right - deploy somewhat earlier on in the piece and get properly conditioned to the environment... and the food. The real big one was Valerie Vili getting gold in the shot put. Great to get a field event, and that winning throw, well, it was amazing. Well beyond her competitors, who were all incredible in their own right. Seriously cool seeing her triumph. Puts a lump in the old throat. Go Kiwis! We do bloody well for just over 4 million... and by all accounts there are more medals to come. We have a chance in the BMX too, this Games being the first which holds it as an event.

 

The New Cold War

I hate to use that title, but really... Back then you knew where you stood, pretty much. Asides a little bit of espionage and what not going on to keep things interesting. The lines were drawn and we simply all hoped that the Eastern Bloc and NATO wouldn't go head to head. Today, one day is totally different to the next. The old adversaries justify actions along similar lines to those they criticise of others - as American or recent Georgian actions have played into the rhetoric of the Russians. Pipelines run through Ukraine, old wounds are not easily forgotten in the land of CZ, and deals with the West and defence networks expose painful possibilities for Poland. On top of that you have people planting flags here there and everywhere. Resources are in limited supply, and eventually the bubble has to burst. The Arctic is one place... and even in this part of the world, the Antarctic seems easily forgotten. As are treaties of old suddenly broken for much less in the past. When you cut to the quick, fast talking fails, politics takes a new form... and all you can hope for is a good and steady aim under pressure. Sadly, in this PC world, we have only vague memories of such truths. Many have perished, unable to hold onto that liberty.

And the Russians know this. They have played their cards, and well, knowing the climate, the timing, the politics, the risks, and the will and capacities of any who might choose to oppose them. The West better wake up. A small territory like Georgia is a simple testing ground.

No one likes war, unless they're clinically insane... but when it comes calling your response better be proactive, not reactionary. You have better be ready. Otherwise, you deserve what you get. New Zealand is one of the worst offenders. The government, despite our country's short life in modern terms, its involvement in so many conflicts - lives with the illusion that everyone will live in relative harmony. Peacekeeping is the way of the future. Take a look. Take a good look. Open the eyes. Take off those rose-coloured glasses. Countries like Ukraine are quite right to be concerned. In the 1800s, of the Russians, so were we. In the annals of history, wherever humans have been involved, not a great deal has changed.

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Russia Today, Rhetoric, Peacekeepers... and anti-missile systems in Poland.

15 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

If anyone wants to challenge Georgia on its heavy-handed attitude in South Ossetia, perhaps first they might make better use of their time asking themselves who taught them such methodologies. Soviet era tactics work perfectly in a world where most are not willing to stand up to the use of brute force. All Russia does is, through its own action, tell the world it must be okay to behave in such ways. They simply demonstrate that one heavy hand (supposedly in the Georgian handling of separatists) is justifiably dealt with by a even bigger and heavier hand. Soviet mentalities were (are) not known for their concerns of collateral damage. One only needs to look at Chechnya. Any predicable counter to the West and the US operations in Iraq simply pales in comparison in terms of scale.

http://www.russiatoday.com

The Russian rhetoric on Russia Today was strong and expected. Talk of the Russian peacekeepers and Georgia's desire to eliminate them is laughable. Peacekeepers are not set up, supported, organically or otherwise, to counter prepared military offensives. If the Georgians had wanted to take out a essentially lightly armed battalion, they could have quite easily. The Russians and the Georgians know the consequences of such actions so... of course it didn't happen - yet the Russians suggest it? The Georgians aren't looking to be in the bad books with the EU, the UN or NATO. Any allegations of this type is ludicrous.

One positive thing - RT are running a doco called Pripyat - Ghost City. Because we only get snippets in NZ through Triangle Television and can't just tune in whenever, it would be a case of hunting it down on the Net or what have you. Looks good though.

Washington has signed the agreement with Warsaw for elements of the missile defence network to be installed on Polish territory. The Russians oppose this of course. Well, its designed to counter their missiles and protect territories in Europe which are pro-West.

Yes, indeed, it is another Cold War. Someone turned up the heat and things are somewhat more unsettling than they were the last time around.

 

PART II

The supposed security which the Russian Federation claim to be providing only permits the local militias to carry on killing and looting with impunity. This includes harassing of the media. The Russians know this. This is their concept of peacekeeping brought to the foreground. In the meantime the US take a different approach - that of dropping aid to the locals. But so many complain, of propaganda, of agendas and so on - sadly most of the vocals come from the West. The same voices say nothing of Russian military aggression. Quite odd to say the least. Ah, but no, its the face of true socialism.

 

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Further Russian Aggression... and Introducing 3ds MAX 2008

14 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Trying to catch some zzz. No Go.Switch on the TV just after midnight and there be proof of Russia's true intentions - and it has nothing to do with any ceasefire agreement. An APC column is heading for Tbilsi. South Ossetia irregulars are making the most of the Russian presence in Gori, forcing people out of their vehicles, and generally getting up to no good. In the meantime, Georgian Special Forces are heading towards the aforementioned column to do the business in defence of their country. It is far from over. It is an invasion, plain and simple. And the EU have agreed to send peace keeping troops... Ah, you better make the ceasefire work... there is currently no peace to keep.

 

Ah, got to Uni, and one of the first things I did was grab a free paper. Yes, our very own tabloid the Dominion Post. What was striking this day was that, while I ditched everything but the World section, as I often do, I went off to return the rest of the paper to another one of the stacks they have around varsity, for the benefit of another punter. Well, low and behold if I didn't see just a World section lying on the floor next to one of these stacks. So my "everything but the World section" went quite nicely with it... I wonder if this is an example of just how switched off the average New Zealander likes to be when it comes to the world at large.

3ds MAX 2008

In my break between Scriptwriting and my Film tutorial headed into town - after a steak and cheese pie and a Cookie Time, and grabbed this 3D Studio Max book. Another look over the shelves ended up convincing me to invest in a different book from the one I had first had my eyes on.

Introducing 3ds MAX 2008
by Darviush Derakhshani and Randi L. Munn.
Publisher: Wiley Publishing Inc. (2008)
ISBN: 978-0-470-18494-3

http://www.autodesk.com/3dsmax

This volume starts out with the very basics and deals with the full spectrum of modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering. The whole nine yards is covered. The other book, which featured the development of a character model based off Hicks from Aliens, and the building of a Pulse Rifle, was labeled as a Intermediate to Advanced level focus, which, at this stage, is just a bit too advanced for me. Anyhow, the one I did get is some 600 pages, and with a student discount ended up being under $60. For a full on text like this, not a bad price.

Managed a A- on the Film 233 Hong Kong cinema creative storyboarding assignment. Pretty rapt about that... now for the group Korean assignment. Think it will be heading in the Horror genre direction, inspired by the likes of The Host, which I am still yet to see but looking forward to.

 

Unfortunately, my Film 305 second assignment wasn't so good with only a B (68%). When you have only ten pages of script to work with it is kind of hard to produce characters with any kind of depth - at least, unless you see it through dialogue. My synopsis was more like a back story - which comes from producing synopses for novels... and my inciting incident (where the status quo changes) was crap. Never mind. I have to rework it into something average joe audience can get to grips with...

 

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Swimming Champions, Georgia, Iraq... and the cold hard realities of global politics.

12 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Phelps continues his legendary record in the pool for the US at the Olympics. Records are being broken, medals collected. If only, when great gatherings occur, when the world comes together at such times, all the bad stuff would just go away. Well, I suppose it does. Its easier to pretend it doesn't exist, at least for a while.

A Georgian was asking why NATO and the US wasn't doing anything to help them after his country had committed to the war in Iraq. Politics is a delicate thing. The big picture is always hard to see when your face is covered in blood and you are grieving for the loss of your family.

In the meantime, Russia makes its intentions very clear with the mobilisation of 9000 paratroops - that's a division, and vessels of the Black Sea Fleet have been given their orders for action. Russia has claimed, without any evidence forthcoming, that 11 of their peacekeepers in South Ossetia had been killed. This recent action is a heck of a retaliation - to, essentially invade a country. If people of South Ossetia want to go into the North, into Russia, then so be it, let them do it, but don't turn a country like Georgia, with a military a twentieth the size into rubble. Once more, there is no accountability... Bullies continue to be bullies. Still, we teach our kids not to stick up for themselves these days, right? Violence is not the answer... right. So how does that work when your country, your town, your streets, your home is invaded?

Good old New Zealand... we can so easily just sit back and ignore all that horrible stuff... or can we? Bad memories people, bad memories...

 

2358hrs

Al Jazeera has just this minute had a banner change which says that Medvedev has decided to put an end to military operations in Georgia. with such a far reaching push into Georgian territory, I guess we shall see. Not to mention their intentions in Abkhazia. There is a huge rally in the Georgian capital. I seriously hope the Russian president's words hold water. With Putin as PM now, still truly the man in charge, it is no sure thing. In any case, they don't loose face, and in this way do not appear to be bowing to Western pressure. They show the world they are will to do it, press aggressive agendas with military force. The only thing is, next time, they could see it through.

 

In the meantime, Saakashvili is talking the rhetoric of revenge, and intends to pull his country out of the Commonwealth of Independent States. Expected well enough, so all Russia has done has further alienated them towards the West, contradicting their desire for Georgia to avert its allegiance to NATO and the US.

 

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Text Books for 3D Projects, Taniwha Blues, Food... and the price of quality.

11 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

On the way to Uni I went into Borders to look up their computer books pertaining to Maya and 3D Studio Max. They had a text on Maya for $50, where most are approaching or exceeding $100. I think because this one was done by a publisher who does educational based text books - the same people who did the text I got for (X)HTML and CSS for COMP 101, it ends up being considerably cheaper. Still, flicking through the pages is a bit daunting, but that just translates to challenge. You just take one step at a time, working from the basics, building confidence and not jumping the gun. Things like seeing how much is involved in constructing a hand or a face for a character model for example...

I rolled into iPlay to update my website and the fella working there said gidday, calling me by name. Was really surprised. I mean, sure, my name is on the system and he's seen my account dozens of times, but its simple stuff like this that keeps that business goodwill rolling in. Top notch.

Just read up my skool mate's first original script exercise that we were assigned. Its pretty cool about some young ones contemplating the world around them. Am very keen to see where it is heading. FILM 305 is slowly developing into a really good course, at least from the creative point of view. Have a feeling it is going to be quite rewarding, and after getting some real world feedback on CREW (Creative Writing course) a far better trail to have been blazed. We shall see.

Football

Tasman and Northland have been officially dropped from the Super 14 competition. Well, if the Taniwha didn't recently beat high table Waikato. You'd think that would be enough to prove their competitive spirit and player capability. The NRFU is part of true grass roots Rugby in New Zealand, the rural communities which are at the nation's heart. If it wasn't for the big dollars, Northland would still have all their players, not having been pinched left right and centre by the likes of Auckland. If you wanna know why I have a disillusioned attitude towards the contemporary game, the professional game, there's one. Professional means money, it doesn't automatically constitute professionalism. This just sucks. I need to buy a new Taniwha footy jersey and wear it in protest. I splashed out and brought coffee and some red meat this week, so maybe the serpent of the sea within me will have to wait.

Buying Tucker

Don't buy Pams peanut butter - its total crap. You have to get Sanitarium. Quality is the only way. I got some budget Pams stuff last week... had it on two slices of toast and had to ditch it, put it on the free shelf. And I'm just not one for doing that sort of thing. Also, I always spend the money and buy decent coffee. Important. That powdery stuff, cheap rubbish, it literally makes me crook. But hey, its getting harder and harder to afford decent food, is it not? Oh, unless you're a politician... Who can afford five vegetables a day, eat meat every day of the week? So, big deal, I'm a student. I'm not starving. But to think heaps of people who I see every day, tired, worn out, working more than 40 hours a week, keeping this country running, on totally crap wages, at the end of the week, they're no better off in that department than I am - and so many of them have families. Can't afford to eat properly, get sick, equals medical expenses... That's just not right, not fair. Its not on.

Georgia

The Georgians have called for a ceasefire. The Russians continue their aggression, including air strikes on a radar station and airfield. The EU and UN talk and continue to prove that words translate into nothing. One nation, by default and inaction of the international community is able, with impunity, to invade a sovereign territory, not allowing that territory to take care of its own affairs. With Russia's rejection of the ceasefire (which is backed by the EU) and their continued military actions well beyond South Ossetia, and now into Abkhazia, it is pretty obvious what their intentions are. South Ossetia was just an excuse to initiate a much larger game plan. Russia's attack on the Georgian radar station shows how much they dislike their planes being shot down.

 

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Georgia, South Ossetia... and the Russians.

10 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Didn't get too much sleep last night. Young men will dream dreams and all that... Just as well I'm not young. This whole thing in Georgia is quite disconcerting. You have NATO pledging for restraint, the UN being as useless as ever, never being able to agree on anything, George Bush making it plain on his concerns while pointing to Russian aggression (both Obama and McCain are in agreement here too), and Putin, the PM who still behaves (as expected) like the President, heading to Northern Ossetia to rally the troops after being at the Olympic Games.

Predominantly elements of the Russian 58th Army and air assets are on the offensive after typical disagreements on the state of events. Georgia has been putting down rebellious elements in South Ossetia for sometime now, which is nationally, part of their territority as Western elements are quick to point out. Problem is, most of those in the area claim alligence to Russia and even hold Russian passports as citizens - though it is claimed the Russians have been handing them out left right and centre of late. Will some deaths have occurred through putting down this uprising (the region broke away in the mid nineties) recently, the Russians have stepped in to protect who it claims is its people, but more to the point their territory. Both sides are talking genocide... but Russia is playing the same game it was in Chencyha and bombing civilian targets, while making expected statements on missed strategic military sites.

Russian pilots need to learn how to drop their payloads a little more accurately. While people like to make statements about US pilots... the vast majority of their missions are highly accurate - you only hear about the small number of stuff ups. For the Russians, stuff ups are the order of the day... as are dropping mutitions well from the front line. They struck the Georgian capital of Tbilsi, which is closer to Armenia or Azerbaijan than the capitial of South Ossetia, Tshinvali. Yes, one understands strategic attacks on barracks, but not the wholesale slaughter of civilians by bombing apartment blocks.

Placed in the Caucasus Mountains on the Black Sea coast, Georgia has major oil and gas resources. The West as been in the area since the breakdown of the old Soviet Union. It is quite clear since the Cold War, some have been constantly set to rebuilt that particular empire. The Russians have targeted Gori, the largest Georgian town close to South Ossetia. And also Poti, the Georgian Black Sea oil port. So, as can be seen, the aggression is certainly far and wide on the map. Russia has had peacekeepers in the area for sometime now, and also use this as a backing for their agenda to move in on Georgia. Having Russian peacekeepers in any of the former Soviet states is a bit like having predominately African (or African Union) troops in Sudan. The Russians have claimed "ethnic cleansing" which is a bit... yes, well... Georgia claims self defense, as you'd expect, of its territory. They have ordered full mobilisation of their reserves, many very young. Asides that the first thing I noticed was that they were all wearing USMC digital MARPAT. I can only hope that the recent years of US training helps them in their course to minimise,at least, their tactical casualties.

 

Simply put, the Russians don't like Georgia's Western leanings, nor its desire to join NATO. It could all get rather messy.

 

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Written Tests in MDIA 305, Using Brain, Lathes... and virtual 3D artistry.

09 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

 

Someone claimed after MDIA 205, that 305, the succeeding year three course on Popular Music, would benefit from a written test. Well, if I can my hands on them... so, low and behold we have a test, worth 20%, next week. Have to do some study for the whole capacity for memory recall business. Sure fine if you are just fresh out of school and your brain hasn't corroded too much over time, or you know a subject inside and out - not this one I'm afraid, but not me. Still, I will pass the paper. Have a couple of books lined up for my second essay and the presentation I am doing on Ultravox... ah, the 80s, what an era. Ah, skool, I'm just a moaning old coot.

As I put my mind to some study for this test, its not as if I'm adverse to using the grey matter. Look into this whole 3D modeling business I've been talking about and you'll see. Just thought of my grandfather working away on his lathe. That's what it is really, truly. Have done enough engineering stuff with metal and wood to understand how this 3D stuff works. Cutting and shaping, taking bits out, wielding bits on - tubes, boxes, wires... all this sort of crafting is what you have to get a sense for, in order to create shapes and form, just simply in the virtual world. Then there is applying the surface textures, when those shapes come alive, more so when you apply virtual lighting effects. And all of this stuff is not just about First Person Shooter games like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. to make guns... but is used everywhere today in advertising, teaching aids, simulators, computer generated art. It is another form of engineering, the sorts of things we've been doing for centuries, only for a modern age, using a high tech medium.

While it is all fine and good to have plenty of theory based knowledge under my belt, and I think a BA is enough, eventually with (Hons) tagged on the end, there is some need for practical technical skills in the field(s) you intend to enter into. So, with that in mind, the vision is to link the Media and Film stuff together with the practical elements of my creative writing skills, and the technical skills of 3D artistry. Merge all these together and I have a combination which will allow me to get everything done, while being on a level competent enough to communicate my ideas to others in each of those fields who are a few levels up the evolutionary chain from me. You have to know what you're on about if you want to be taken seriously in a ever-increasingly competitive world. Still, no worries, its just about assembling the building blocks, one step at a time.

 

Trouble in Georgia

It was on the boil, trouble in Georgia, and the Russians were talking about intervention. They have in the last short while, and according to the Georgians, 1400 are already dead. I guess, putting down any sort of rebellion in that part of the world was never going to be about precision. We only ever get a very remote perspective of what's going on - I'd hate to be on the ground there right now. Muslim dominated South Ossetia is pro-Russia (who have been issuing passports to the population), and the Russians hate Georgian pro-West movements.

 

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Coffee with Kryton ...and stabbings that don't rate a mention.

08 August 2008

 

Comments by juni0r

More on yesterday, not today as it happens. So last night's news was about as lame as it gets. We get some insight (though not new for those with eyes open) into the Chinese facid as far as the games and image goes. A kid who only has good things to say about Tiananmen Square. Everyone speaking a little English... delightful stuff. Squabbling politicians in the Beehive, who would rather behave like idiots than actually run the country. And of course, we have no assurance at all that any promises they make will be held if, whoever it maybe that actually gets into power. Oh, and that drug - what's it called? for breast cancer, that so obviously takes second stage to the aforementioned behaviour.

Yes, so we get lots of this carry on, yet when I head down into town to catch up with Kryton for a brew, am waiting about and see three cop cars in Manners street - then an ambulance. Thought it was yet again another sorry waste of Police resources. As it happens there was a stabbing. Someone taking the takings to the bank, unescorted. And no doubt as regular as clockwork. Are people really that stupid? Are businesses? It was KFC. Well done. Not. Heck, I have escorted mates, even when I wasn't officially doing security. Its not hard. You don't do it at a set time so mister idiot with a knife can set his watch by it. Man alive, I just can't get over it. People actually ask for it I'm afraid, when common sense is MIA. These things don't need to happen if you just use the up-stairs for what it was designed for. And low and behold, it wasn't worth a mention on the news. Such is the state of violence in our society becoming normalised, and the population becoming ever-increasingly jaded. Anyway, had a good brew and good conversation...

Oh, and just by the way, that was a stabbing, which by definition is the utalisation of a knife. Most domestic incidents involve fists or knives or blunt truama instruments - so don't go getting heavy on - oh we must outlaw guns. Guns are evil, crap. People are evil. People are stupid.

Was good to see that Musharraf is being impeached. But don't expect an old general to just go down without a fight. All for diverting, holding up the transition towards democracy. Well, I suppose, democracy is a strange term used in so many different ways, meaning quite different things to different people. Ah, the sorts of things you don't hear about on New Zealand news. Its a sham.

 

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The Scale of Conflict

07 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Am just about finished Loyd's book. Am up to a chapter where he returns home to the UK and mets up with Major Tom. The use of italics when he returns home is a nice touch and has the desired effect. He writes the following in regards his time in Chechnya and the scale of conflict there compared to that of the Balkans, from a purely analytical point of view. A man like this understands how to convey the nature of human suffering regardless of such views academics might typically lay upon the individual events for want of comparison.

The fact is, of course, when you look at the systematic nature of slaughter, it matters little when you're dead. The point is, the deliberate nature of it, the personal will, not to drop bombs or from several thousand feet, or lob artillery several klicks down the road, but the pulling of triggers, the mass graves... Rather than trying to run a people into submission, like the Russians did in Chechnya, it is the premeditated notion of using tools of genocide to wipe out a people - the sort of thing separating women and children from the men, and killing over 7000 Muslim men in Srebrenica was an example of, likewise the systematic rape of the women, to breed out a particular stock.

When you digest such things, and reflect on them, you find less want to write your own pathetic words. Still, I do, for some reason, try to make a good go of making sense of the world in a world where there is no sense to be made.

 

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William Gibson, Pattern Recognition Film, NZ Rock... and a deal with the Mehdi Army

06 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

William Gibson on Pattern Recognition Film

Got this excerpt from William Gibson's blog after I came across a thing on IMdB regarding the prospect of his book Pattern Recognition being made into a flick. Well, I kinda agree with one of the comments on the board - its more something to be read than to be visualised on a film.

 

Came up when I sussed out the director of Witness, Peter Weir. We watched it today for Scriptwriting. Funny thing was, I had just been thinking about this film a couple of weeks ago and realised how long ago since I'd seen it. Wouldn't mind picking it up sometime. According to our lecturer, there has been lots of work done in regards this particular flick, in connection with scriptwriting in general. Often used as a basis for lectures as it is well defined in its structure etc. But yeah, anyway, here is what Gibson said about the prospect of his book being made into film - of which I think the point made regards something actually getting underway is most pertinent. Keep this in mind and one will never be disappointed.

http://www.williamgibsonbooks.com/blog/2007_05_01_archive.asp#2514436070772070825

 

[20 May 2007]

At the Uni Bookshop I picked up:

NZ Rock, 1987-2007
by Gareth Shute
Random House (2008)
ISBN: 978-1-86979-000-4

http://www.myspace.com/nzrockbook

It basically kicks off where Stranded in Paradise by Jon Dix left off (which I also need to get at some stage).

Got this one primarily for my second essay, but also to have it on hand for a subject I seem to have found a nak for. Going to focus on Shihad, as we have to cover a band / artist who has been doing the rounds in the last decade or so. There is heaps in there and just from what I've seen in the first wee flick, I'd highly recommend it for anyone interested in New Zealand rock and our music industry in general.

 

British Deal with Mehdi Army

The Times reported on a deal made by the British, with the Mehdi Army militia, for a safe withdrawal of their troops. There is a lot of hearsay and carry on, different motives at a given time, with a given world picture, which often changes so rapidly... as it did when the Iraqi PM decided on a surprise attack on Basra. I sure don't like the idea of any ally doing the runner. Nor key commanders going on skiing holidays at at time of war - which only further reinforces the fact that, the higher up the heavy brass fraternity you go, the less a soldier and the more a politician you become. Thankfully there are men in history who can attest this is not always the way. A British MoD man has been rumoured to say:

Yes, a brutally honest man here. Soldiers want to get on with the job and be seen to be doing it right. They have no part in back door deals, unless they are of the aforementioned type. They step up and make sure their mates are okay. It is against the entire creed of what it is to be a soldier when they are prevented from getting on with the business. Then, when their battle is over, they can go home without feeling like they could have done any better. Politicians never seem to have these sorts of dilemmas these days.

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Catch A Fire Essay

05 August 2008

Comments by juni0r

Got back my essay on Timothy White's Catch A Fire. Did a lot better than I thought I would, especially since that flu totally kicked me in the arse. Had to get up the hill. A B is better than a kick in the arse. All the required guts was in there, even though it came across more as a critical review rather than a proper essay, it got the results. Still, I want to do better in the second essay, if just to lift my overall result. Would like another A- to sit next to my MDIA 205 one. Have a book squared away for the presentation as well, on 80s music and culture - as I'll be doing it on Ultravox's Vienna.

Got my storyboard assignment for FILM 233 in just in time yesterday but happy enough with the result. It should come up trumps just with regards the originality of my ideas, in the HK context. Looking forward to some good Chinese films coming up.

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