Rei Urusei 2.0

Photo opportunity

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 12:34:00 +0000

At last I bought myself a new (and decent) digital camera: a Canon Digital Ixus 100IS point-and-shoot camera. I don't know how I managed to do without a camera for 3 months, having somewhat of a "obsessive photo disorder". I'm certainly not a hobbyist or "pro" photographer or anything like that, so I don't need a fancy SLR for taking a few shots now and again. But I do want a quality camera that does what it needs to do: take decent pictures, hassle-free, in almost any circumstance. And that's exactly what I got :)

I like to take pictures of all sorts of things and events, big and small, always have. I bought my first digital camera (previous cameras being of the plastic, crappy variety) about 8 years ago: a Canon Digital IXUS 2. It had a whopping 2 megapixels lense, it was very compact for it's time and it took accurate, sharp and colorful pictures. I must have taken about 20000 photo's with the little thing before the lense mechanism started to fail too much after about 4 years of intensive use. After that I bought, without proper thought and consideration, a Sony Cybershot DSC-T3. "Dreadful" would be the correct term for that camera. Colors were off, pictures were grainy and I always had a hell of a time retouching things to have a half-decent result. So exit the DSC-T3 about 3 months ago and back to a trusty Canon Ixus.

I bought it for €250 on a rebate offer. It had my name on it as soon as I tested it amongst about 20 other camera's and it easily came out on top in it's price category (yeah, I'm one of those nasty "quality-seekers").

So here I go with a brand new camera! Lot's of time to make up (in a lot of ways) and photo opportunities to take.

Insect: an observation

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 19:25:00 +0000

And all is well these days...

Animal Hospital attendance

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 13:13:00 +0000

Yesterday evening I attended a performance by Kevin Micka, an ambient-experimental musician from Boston, USA. “Animal Hospital" is Kevin Micka’s one-man musical recording and performance "entity" in which he buries himself in a pile of electronics — shelves of effects, mixing consoles, amps and delay units. He played guitar, drums, vocals, music boxes, and other gadgets with meticulous care and with great detail for precision.

The result was an hour-long of experimental soundscapes in an intimate setting with about 15 or so other people. I was kind of mesmerized by the whole thing so I bought his latest CD from him, "Memory", wishing him good luck and "fun" touring Europe.

Check out (or buy!) his music using this web 2.0 ditty:

Check out his official website and his myspace page for further info. I like :)

James Earl Jones recites the alphabet

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:33:00 +0000

I've always been a big admirer of James Earl Jones. And by that I mean his presence, his voice, his style and the natural peace he emanates. And here he is reciting the alphabet in Sesame Street somewhere in the late sixties. The term "crystal clear" certainly applies:

Now that's educational!

Listening to and discovering:

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 09:00:00 +0000

Silent Shout (deluxe edition) by The Knife (official site, Wikipedia entry, LastFM)
Ecclectic techno synth by a Swedish duo with great sounding vocals by the lovely Karin Dreijer Andersson. Like walking through a freaky fairytale forest, I like :)

So alone by Johnny Thunders (Tribute site, Wikipedia entry, LastFM)
"You can't put your arms around a memory", "Beat my head against a pole", "Daddy Rollin' Stone". Yeah, it's all in there by one of Punk's "enfant terribles", Johnny Thunders. Thanks to Rick Trembles I discovered his music. And yes, this album is quite personnal to me...

Overpowered by Róisín Murphy (Official site, Wikipedia entry, LastFM)
Complex eletronica style by Róisín Murphy. I'm still listening to this album after nearly 2 years. I listen to it in my car, on the job, you name it :) Definitely one of my favorite artists and albums ever. Can't wait for her third solo album.

It's all about: Culture Jamming

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:24:00 +0000

Culture jamming is an individualistic turning away from all forms of herd mentality – including that of social movements – and by that definition, culture jamming is generally not treated as a movement. Culture jamming is not defined by any specific political position or message, nor even by any specific cultural position or message. The common thread is mainly an urge to poke fun at the homogeneous nature of popular culture, often by means of guerrilla communication (communication unsanctioned or opposed by government or other powers-that-be).

Culture jamming could be defined as an art movement, although this too may be insufficient to cover the full spectrum of activities identified as culture jamming. Culture jamming has been characterized as a form of public activism which is generally in opposition to commercialism, and the vectors of corporate image. However, this also is too narrow a definition to cover all culture jamming activities (that definition more closely fits Subvertising). Some culture jamming takes aim at these power structures because they are part of the dominant culture, but any other aspects of the dominant culture are also fair game for culture jamming.

Culture jamming sometimes entails transforming mass media to produce ironic or satirical commentary about itself, using the original medium's communication method.

Aims of culture jammers may include:

To have a good laugh (and to encourage others to do likewise) at the expense of prevailing social currents - many purveyors of which, in the opinion of many culture jammers, take themselves too seriously. Even culture jammers themselves are not immune to being the subjects of culture jamming, if they appear to be on their way to becoming as institutionalized and humorless as the original objects of culture jammers' attention.
To reawaken a sense of wonder and fascination about one's surrounding environment, inspired by the frequent intentional ambiguity of a specific culture jamming technique, which stimulates personal interpretation and independent thinking.
To demonstrate contrasts between iconic images, practices or attitudes and the realities or perceived negative side of the item object of the jamming (often the target is a trapping of monolithic power structures such as corporations, government or religions). This is often done symbolically, with the "detournement" of pop iconography.
To provoke an interest in civic engagement and social connectedness.

Culture jammers' intent may differ from (but may overlap with) that of artistic appropriation (which is done for art's sake) and vandalism (in which destruction or defacement is the primary goal), although its results are not always so easily distinguishable. Some street art and other actions fall into two or even all three categories.

(taken from the Wikipedia entry)

Well...

I like that. So let's get started right away eh?

Remember the Khan!

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 22:00:00 +0000

Sheesh, I don't blog for 3 weeks and look what happens: the US get's their first, and well-deserved, black president and there ya go, Belgium has to crash the positive atmosphere again with yet another Belgian sicko on a psycho-rampage. Well that's just your average by-product of a (amongst other things) TV desensitised society for ya. I see by-products like that pass by everyday, it screws with your braincells if you ask me (not to mention society).

But anyway, enough of that, what's important to me is that one of my heroes passed away recently at the age of 89: the magnificent Ricardo Montalbán.

A short bio taken from his Wikipedia entry: "Ricardo Gonzalo Pedro Montalbán y Merino (November 25, 1920 – January 14, 2009) was a Mexican-born American radio, television, theatre and film actor. He had a career spanning seven decades (motion pictures from 1943 to 2006) and multiple notable roles. During the mid-to-late 1970s, he was the spokesperson in automobile advertisements for the Chrysler Cordoba (in which he famously extolled the "soft Corinthian leather" used for its interior). From 1977 to 1984 he starred as Mr. Roarke in the television series Fantasy Island. He also played Khan Noonien Singh in both the 1967 episode "Space Seed" of the first season of the original Star Trek series, and the 1982 film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. He won an Emmy Award in 1978, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Screen Actors Guild in 1993. Up until his 80s, he continued to perform, often providing voices for animated films and commercials." Read his full bio on his Wikipedia entry if you want to know more about him.

I've seen quite a few of his movies and I've always been struck by his monumental presence, his proud appearance and his stature. Characteristics like that are near-extinct with today's actors and Tinseltown's preference for "babyfaced" actors looking like 15-year old lesbians.

And as a final gesture of respect for Ricardo Montalbán (with lots of echo!): KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!

It's 2009 innit?

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 22:59:00 +0000

Have a good 2009!

Why don't we all try to get along this year?

(oh and please try not to be a chump every day of the week)

Hey, it's Chrimbo today innit?

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:23:00 +0000

And here's a little something for all you true believers: a message from "Jesus der Erlöser" himself.

(gotta get that message across eh?)

Hey, Chrimbo isn't just for squares you know, "culture jammers" like a good stuffed turkey as well!

Hey, it's nearly Chrimbo innit?

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 11:37:00 +0000

Save us, save us all!

Hey, he may look like an old square (the ultimate old square in fact), but he's the closest thing to Santa coming to Belgianland. Just remember that when you're all out shopping for that huge LCD TV, some other random Chrimbo junk or just plain stuffing your face, some people are actually working hard! True patriots with their country's best interests in mind!

If you haven't been keeping up with this little mess until now, you might not bother anymore. Myself, I never liked parodies.

And that concludes my personal debate on the matter, in line with that great Belgian tradition of non-communication on just about every level and subject. Remember kids, all that's happening is a reflection of a country's true spirit and mentality!

Oh no's!

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 22:13:00 +0000

It's the robotic holocaust, courtesy of Mutoid Waste Company!

Well maybe not. You can call him "Larry-1" and he's made entirely out of Citroën scraps. Regardless of it being the harbringer of robot apocalypse and the possibility of a legion of these enslaving all of mankind: it'd be a really cool christmas present. I'll have it in green thank you.

(I drive a Citroën C3 and I happen to like scrap :)

Soon enough

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:00:00 +0000

One sunny day in January, 2009 an old man approached the White House from across Pennsylvania Avenue, where he’d been sitting on a park bench. He spoke to the U.S. Marine standing guard and said, “I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.”

The Marine looked at the man and said, “Sir, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.”

The old man said “Okay”, and walked away.

The following day, the same man approached the White House and said to the same Marine, “I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.”

The Marine again told the man, “Sir, as I said yesterday, Mr. Bush is no longer president and no longer resides here.”

The man thanked him and again just walked away.

The third day, the same man approached the White House and spoke to the very same U.S. Marine, saying “I would like to go in and meet with President Bush.”

The Marine, understandably agitated at this point, looked at the man and said, “Sir, this is the third day in a row you have been here asking to speak to Mr. Bush. I’ve told you already that Mr. Bush is no longer the president and no longer resides here. Don’t you understand?”

The old man looked at the Marine and said, “Oh, I understand. I just love hearing it.”

The Marine snapped to attention, saluted, and said, “See you tomorrow, Sir.”

(via Bob Garlitz)

Amen?

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:39:00 +0000

Okay, so I'm speechless. I couldn't possibly comment on this...

(original post - Dutch only!)

Recycling wasteland

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 17:01:00 +0000

I hear a lot of good things about "60 minutes" on CBS from a few contacts of mine in the US but the CBS short documentary about "phony recycling" in China is a sight to be seen:

Watch CBS Videos Online

Quite a difference from the usual success stories you hear and see from certain recycling companies or return programs.

I decided some time ago to try and never buy a new piece of electronics (thank you Mark Hoekstra and many others!) but instead opting for 2nd hand. This isn't just a need for frugality but also a philosophical stance on so-called "obsolete" technology and the crazy consumerism I see around me. Seeing these huge mountains of discarded gear in this documentary only strengthens my resolve.

I admit I'm planning on picking up a 2nd hand MacBook next year but I'll be sure to add an extra few years to it's use, just like my nearly 5 year old iBook. But even all that is still an excuse for me to buy a new toy. Gonna have to work on that one...

(oh and on a sidenote: who needs the idiot box when you can pick out the best bits on the 'net eh?)

Congratulations USA

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:13:00 +0000

(art: www.patrickmoberg.com)

Why yes, he most certainly can...

Halloween party

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 20:48:00 +0000

Hey, it's Halloween today isn't it? Benten had her first Halloween party at her school. Check out these pictures, don't get scared though:

(kids can be scary you know)

Horror delights

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:45:00 +0000

I picked these up at my local Lidl for 4.99€ a piece. The proof that shopping cheaply doesn't kill you eh?

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw a display full of "horror delights" from the eighties and I just grabbed every single one of 'em.

Always liked Mr. Voorhees and his antics, yessiree. Oh and that classic Ramones title song of that other movie is a delight as well ;)

Kicking the habit

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:51:00 +0000

Phew, busy week behind me indeed (something to do with being the only hip cat and some library in the southern Netherlands ;) Oh and I've been trying to kick my caffeine habit. Drinking about 4-6 cups of coffee a day can't be a good thing I've been thinking lately, so I've bought some herbal tea as an alternative. I always liked tea but ever since I started drinking coffee when I went to college, I forgot all about how tea is well... cool really.

Better bring that herbal tea to work and what better variety than "Afternoon pick-me-up tea" to get that energy flowing!

Adios Mark Hoekstra

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 22:55:00 +0000

Mark Hoekstra, a much loved Dutch geek hardware hacker passed away recently at the young age of 34. His obituary was posted by friends of his on his own site at geektechnique.org.

Mark, you'll be missed by a lot of people, you were one of the most rare, dynamic, imaginative and positive people I met on the 'net. You loved tech like no one else, always re-using, retooling and remodelling new, old or obsolete tech and giving them a new meaning or use. I loved your work, your humor, your philosophy and your way of life.

You watch your tail cowboy, wherever you are now!

Spider on the wall

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 21:32:00 +0000

Don't you like spiders? Most people don't but I do. I never kill them. If they're in my way, I pick them up and send them on their merry way. Those deadly artists of nature. If you get caught that means you're not smart enough to survive, I like that.

What I wouldn't do to be a spider on the wall sometimes. Sure beats some damn fly let me tell you...

If you know what I mean ;)

First day of school :)

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 18:58:00 +0000

"There's a first time for everything".

Today was Benten's first day of school. She's now two years and eight months and from now on she'll attend school half a day, each day until she's three years old, then she'll stay at school the whole day, like the big boys and girls :)

We found her a really nice school with a nice garden, a nice playground and lots of farm animals (hey, I live in the country, that's one of the little perks). And that's without mentioning all those little toddlers, big and small, running and playing around. Oh and there'll be a little learning as well I guess...

Time to 'let go' and let her venture into the real world. Not so easy but there's a first time for everything after all.

Here's some nice pics of her first day:

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 20:23:00 +0000

And we're back again :) In short: we had a lovely time in the Sauerland. Lot's of green, hills, nice weather, good food and peace and quiet.

I took a little time to blog again because I was busy working on about 180 photo's I've uploaded on Flickr. Check 'em out right here:

Well, we're off to the Sauerland!

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:04:00 +0000

S'right, we booked our holiday in a nice little country house in the Sauerland in Germany. We'll be staying there from the 2nd - 8th of August.

Trees, hills, giant lakes, biking, peace and quiet, German food & beer :), no tourists (Belgians and miscellanea), no car queues within a 1000 kilometres and ofcourse my favorite Europeans out there: those amiable Germans!

Oh and be sure to have a nice holiday yourselves people!

Say: the i(have a crappy)Phone

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:54:00 +0000

Well, it's a beautiful, sunny and merry day here (for Belgium anyway) and what's more, it's Belgium's National Day. Why heck, I'd better get out there and have a ball, it might even be our last one seeing as how things are going at the moment. But let's not get into that eh, we now have a 70-year old taking care of that nasty, moronic business ;)

I thought I'd post a picture of my phone today, inspired as I am by the whole global craze that's going on because of a certain high-profile phone that people seem to be buying in droves. Anyway, mine's a Samsung, it's black, it's dented, it doesn't have a camera, you can only surf on the web using a crappy wap browser which eats away at your phone credit, it has wobbly keys with bad tactile feedback and when you type in a phone number it uses a font that would make a 3-year old cry in embarassment. But it was cheap at about €40 when I turned in my old Nokia for an extra €10 reduction coupon. Well at least I can fool everybody with it when I keep it closed. It looks kind of expensive like that. Yes, mobile phones are utterly unimportant to me. For me they're a necessary evil and I just want one that works and stays in my pocket 95% of the time.

Oh and it's not going anywhere soon because my disposable income isn't big enough to buy a €500+ smartphone (hey, it's unlocked in Belgium) and I happen to friggin' hate those things since the day they were put on the market.

Download Day certificate, yay!

noreply@blogger.com (rei urusei) — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 18:14:00 +0000

Hey, I'm kind of proud of this: my Firefox Download Day certificate. The Mozilla Foundation achieved over 8.000.000 downloads of Firefox 3 in 24 hours, setting a (very first) world download record.

Happy to do my part for the open source community, I'm sure.