Sam Webster

Push On

2012-01-17T22:19:00.000-08:00

Well, interesting start to the year really, I have finally got a plan together of what I am to do in life, and that is to become a Pilot. I have dreamed about it for a while, but have at last found a real and achievable way to become one, and I am going to give it everything I've got, and will not stop until I am a fully blown employed Pilot.

I recently, this week in fact, went for an interview with Jetstar for Cabin Crew/Flight Attendant and didn't get the job, I got accepted to the interviews and made it through the first wave but not the second. A bit down, but obviously the universe was telling me it's not for me, I did a bit of digging and apparently I need more "experience", in customer service/hospitality I presume. Fair enough really, I haven't had much experience in either role, and well I don't think I will bother applying again, it was just an opportunity that arose and I took it, but I am now onto Phase One of becoming a Pilot.

To become a Pilot you need one thing mainly. Cold. Hard. Cash. Without it, you may as well be pissing in the wind, becoming a pilot costs a mint, these days, costs are up around $100,000 yeah not cheap hey. You can do it for less, but it is a lot harder and you miss out on endorsements that allow you to do things like fly in bad weather, at night, twin engine, retractable landing gear, all of which as a commercial pilot you will have to do and they all require an individual endorsement. The good news is however that Rex, Regional Express Airlines offer a cadet program, to get in you only need $23,000 which is a realistic sum to save up or get part way and get a loan. Other airlines offer cadet ships but they either cost a lot more or you need to be a pilot first. This is the best option for me, and it is what I am going for, so how do I cough up 23k?

Short of running coke across the gulf, me getting my hands on $100,000 for flight school outright in a reasonable amount of time is just not going to happen. However, to get $23,000 I can do that, and how to do that is Phase One, which is working in the snow. I have been there before, it is a very interesting, cold and challenging place, but I love it, and hopefully I can get a job like Snow Grooming which would mean I could make great money and get close to my target of $23,000 by the end of the season then if I am short slightly, get a loan and apply to Rex. If Rex don't accept me at first, then I will keep saving and keep working in the snow until they do accept me, even if it takes a few years, or if I have enough money by then to apply to other cadet ships or flight school. Either way I will make it, and the snow, in particular snow grooming, is a great industry and a good backup career.

The best part of all of this, is my best mate Tom is on the path with me, we both want the same thing, to be pilots, and we both want to chase the snow in order to get there. I know that while my life is hard right now, that it will pay off, and both Tom and myself will be set up for life, and will live this life to it's fullest potential.

Sam

Against All Odds - The Postal Service (Wicker Park OST)

New Year Hike

2012-01-03T00:36:00.000-08:00

Hello! First blog of 2012 and the last year to get your blog on if you believe what the Mayans predicted! This blog contains the details from a hike my friend Tom and myself went on New Years Day, we are going to start up a blog together to log our adventured but for now I thought I would make a start and copy and paste it across later. Think of this blog as a teaser, we will be posting about all the other hikes we have been on in much more detail as well as other tips along the way, but this will give you a taste of what is to come.

We decided to go to our favourite spot which we call "The Falls", I can't tell you where it is, but it's a great spot and one we frequent on our hikes, which I will post the back logs soon. Here are "The Falls".

The falls are made up of three waterfalls. The first and smallest being "Little Red" which is the top left photo, the second and middle sized being "Wire Rope" right top and bottom photos and the last and largest "Lower Falls" which is on the bottom left photo. We haven't been able to get down to the bottom of "Lower Falls" yet as it is a sheer cliff drop, there is a way to get down by going about a kilometre to the right but we have decided against this, and have got rock climbing equipment to make the decent and allow us to explore the cliff line in more detail, we plan on doing this very soon.

For this hike we originally planed to leave on New Years Eve but I had plans on so we pushed it to New Years Day starting late in the afternoon. We knew that leaving so close to dark wasn't the greatest decision, but as we knew where to go and what to do, as long as we stuck to the plan and executed it right we would be fine. We left from Toms house at about 5pm, where almost immediately at the property boundary we encountered thick undergrowth that needed to be cut through, Tom led and used my new Smith & Wesson CKSUR7 Bullseye Search and Rescue 10.5" Fixed Blade to cut through, it worked great and we made it through to the first cliff line which most of the houses left and right of St Bernard's Pub back onto, we found same spot we have been using for a while and climbed down.

It was now a matter of remembering the way, the sun was so far in the west that no more light was getting through to the floor of the rainforest, only the top of the canopy was getting the last rays, we knew we had to keep moving or we would loose the light completely. We moved downhill in a straight line, easy going terrain, crossed a track that leads to where the owner lives (We have permission from him to camp on his land, always, always check out where you are camping and make sure you are in the clear), and then for about another 50 meters all good until we hit the great wall of lantana. We could see it thinned out ahead, and without enough time to go around we just had to go straight though it. Out came my new knide and I led us through it. For those of you who haven't done off trail hiking, it can get pretty hairy, you need to be on alert all the time, little did we know but the spot we chose to move through had a seriously eroded footing, and we couldn't see it until I first dropped a good foot, we slowly pushed on and could see the edge of the lantana only a few meters infront, I kept going and there was a log in front of me I didn't see under the thick undergrowth which threw me off balance and I nicked my left hand with the knife which is razor sharp.

Luckily the cut from the knife wasn't that deep and on with a bandage and moving on, we hit what seemed like an old fire trail or prospecting track cleared many years ago, as it was clear nothing had been through it since it was made, severely eroded, thick tall grass and small sapplings all over the once clear track, but it was still easy to navigate and took us right down almost to the falls, where all we had to do was follow the creek for 50 odd meters, scale down Little Red falls and then we had reached our spot and begun to set-up camp.

Our first priority was shelter, the light was fading quick and so we got into it quick, I set-up my hammock first (We both bought new Hennesy Hammocks, these are the go for ultralight hiking, great bit of kit), it was the first time either of us had used them in the field, I set mine up at home before without a hitch, while Tom hadn't got around to setting his up fully yet, so he got firewood ready so that by the time I had done setting mine, we set his hammock up and got the fire going as the last of the sunlight faded, we tried the flint, but it didn't work for us, we need to practice at home, it's an art. We used a jet lighter which got the fire going just before it ran out of gas (We had another backup lighter as well incase).

With the fire now burning away and everything setup, we took a moment to just sit back, proud that our plan worked out. I took stock of the food and Tom got some more firewood.

Food List

2 Fantastic Mi Goreng Noodle Bowls
2 Indomie Mi Goreng Noodle Packs
2 Nestle Country Cup Potato & Bacon Soup
4 Uncle Tobys Quick Sachets Creamy Honey Oats
1 Nestle Condensed Milk Tube
1 Nestle Milk & Coffee Tube
1 Coles Soy Crisps Bag
1 Grain Waves Chedder Cheese Bag
1 M&M's Bag
1 Starburst Babies Bag
6 Canadian Club Cola Cans

Then onto the cooking, we boiled up some water over the fire and made up the Fantastic Mi Goreng, we choose this as the trip was a quick plan and we didn't do up a proper food list and we are still gathering cooking gear which is my second point, the bowl was included which meant less weight and less gear until we get the proper lightweight cooking set.

We had a great night all in all, plenty of food, which weighed hardly anything and all of it packed down really small, as it was new years we took some Canadian Club, usually we wouldn't but this was an exception. We spent the night mostly catching up, telling story's, planing trips and just having a good time. Then it was off to bed to christen the new hammocks, which were great, really comfortable and worked flawlessly, Tom broke a clip on his, but after doing some research I found out he overloaded that clip, good thing it's only a 5c part. We did find later in the night however that it was quite cold, we didn't think the temp would drop that low for summer, so before we head out again we are going to get good quality sleeping bags, I have been tasked to find the best one for our needs, and am looking at a -5 Celsius bag, even though it only just hits freezing in winter on Tamborine Mountain if it does, due to the way hammocks are with the cool air coming up underneath the -5 sleeping bag will help provide a good barrier against this, and the sleeping bags we are looking at have a waterproof base so that will really provide a good weather barrier from below, they are the same sleeping bags used my several army's worldwide including the Australian and United States forces. The other pro of a -5 bag for us is we can take it to colder climates and if it does get to hot, then unzip and use it like a doonah.

A great sleep in to 11am once that sun started to rise we managed to put some good hours away, here is Tom checking out the morning view.

Our camp, some coffee and oats for breakfast.

We then went down to the plunge pool of Wire Rope Falls for a swim, it was pretty cold, seeing as the water has a very small retention time and is encased in rock acting as a big heat sink and also gets hardly any sun it is quite cool, very refreshing though, there is some weed taking hold in there, I pulled some out but would of done hardly anything to eradicate the problem, hopefully with winter it kills it off.

Tom chilling out before we struck down camp and headed home.

We packed down camp and headed back home, we followed the creek back up, which is a good hike, challenging and the creek itself is stunning, there is a great section where it goes underground for 100 meters or so where by looking at the lay of the land you can see a very long time ago the land caved in on the creek past this section we reach the base of St Bernard's Falls then tack right going through an old film set, past the owners house and then back up the cliff and into Tom's back yard. I cleared a path through the undergrowth near his boundary for us so it will be easier next time we go down. That concludes this blog, hope you had a good read, feedback welcome and we hope to get the new blog up soon!

Sam

Give Me Love - Ed Sheeran (+)

He's in love with tragedy

2011-12-01T03:04:00.000-08:00

Things seem to be picking up, been a bit quiet of late, but trying to come up with ways to combat that. I turned 20 the other day, no longer a teenager. Something to celebrate, but also quite a humbling time, realising those years are now gone, moving onto the third decade of my life, the part in which ones life usually becomes "serious".

I have decided to bite the bullet and get camping and hiking gear I have wanted for years now, I have a whole lot of climbing gear coming in the next few weeks along with a hammock. I take comfort it knowing it will get used a lot, and will travel with me wherever I go. Quite an expensive outlay, but once you have it, you have it for life. I will post a blog later on about the gear and what I plan to do with it.

Really need the ATO to hurry up and give over the information we need to push the photography more, stuck in limbo until that all comes though, I have started on the website design again however, it's looking pretty good I have to say, took me a while to get something I was happy with, and providing Sophie likes it, I reckon I am onto a winner. Still having plenty of enquiries and new booking which is great, just nothing in the very short term.

I am dead set focussed on moving out next year, I would like to be out within the first three months providing everything runs smooth, anyone looking to share a place should hit me up. The Mini is going to be an intense project, one that I need to just get stuck into, but I think I am almost ready, a lot of thought and work has gone into it and I don't want to and nor can I afford to stuff it up. I am in no rush to finish it, I want to take my time and do it properly.

My main focus in life is to be happy, spending time around those that matter to me. It has been good to see Tom more regularly along with my other close friends, I think that means more to me than anything else. I have come to like Brisbane, never thought I would, while I still prefer Melbourne over Brisbane, it is still quite a nice place, I could see myself living there some day.

Sam

The Last Time He Saw Dorie - Copeland (Eat, Sleep, Repeat)

Stall

2011-11-20T20:30:00.000-08:00

I seem to blog when I have interesting things to blog about, when there is not much happening in my life, or I am stuck without internet without months at a time, then the blog front quiets off. Lately that has been the case, just not much going on.

Did the Faker shows, fantastic bunch of guys, hopefully I can get some more gigs in the future with them. Picked up the Peugeot donor car for my Mini engine conversion project, going to be putting a 1.6 Turbo Diesel from the Peugeot into it, should be interesting to say the last, progress is slow, but I want to make sure I do it right.

The photography is the big thing of late, in case anyone is unaware I run a photography business called S&S Photography with Sophie Baker, we are in the process of formalizing the whole thing, getting down to business with it all, marketing, banking, the whole business-y side of it really. The future looks bright, it is where I am focusing all my energy at the moment, I want this business to succeed and I am confident it will.

Had a great weekend in Brisbane with Tom and his lovely girlfriend Aisha, we checked out the West End nightlife and ended up finding some great new places to hang out and have a few drinks. We then went to the city on Sunday, Tom wanted to see the Christmas stuff and we went to a few camping/outdoor shops and got motivated to get into the outdoors again. After we dropped Aisha at work we checked out what Petrie Terrace has to offer and decided to check it out in more detail next time I come up, found some nice looking places and a good cinema.

Nothing else to flash happening really, still finding myself more mobile than ever, really want to get this Mini finished, it's just proving difficult when you're the only person in the world who is about to do it!

Sam

Animalia - Voltaire Twins (Romulus)

I'm addicted to the chase of my happiness

2011-10-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

Hello there! Been a while since my last blog, the snow has come and gone and I am now back on the Gold Coast. I changed resorts from Thredbo to Charlotte Pass when I was down there though, and became a Lift Attendant instead of a Room Attendant. Much better job for me at least. I managed to get "ok" at snowboarding, nothing to epic, but could do our black runs by the end of the season. Managed to get up with the groomer, Nic. Top bloke, really helped me out while I was there.

Anyway, back to reality now, doing a few shows for Faker, got some weddings booked in with Sophie and also picking up the new car for the Mini engine conversion, more on that to follow! But for now everything is quite, well interesting. My life has become much more dynamic since the snow, I am much more mobile, more spontanious, more random really, and I like it. I have no idea what the future holds for me, but I am kind of liking that, I just do what makes me happy, the rest can follow.

I plan to get more creative. With everything. Lights, Sound, Wood, Metal, Photography. What? Wood? Metal? Yeah I quite like woodwork, I want to get myself a little wood lathe again, and start welding up some stuff, small things, just for friends and family, but I like it, so I'm going to do it!

That's all for now I'm afraid. Been making my way through Gossip Girl season 4, love that show. Also been watching Terra Nova a fair bit, my best mate Tom was a featured extra in it, so I try to spot him, but I'm either too busy trying to spot him that I miss the story, or too into the story I forget to look out for him. Stress less people, the one person you have to impress is yourself, do what makes you happy.

Sam

Afraid of Everyone - The National (High Violet)

Afterburner

2011-07-09T00:19:00.000-07:00

Why hello world! Been a while since you all heard from me, well I have moved down to Jindabyne, NSW working up in Thredbo as a Room Attendant, for now, trying to move into snow grooming actually. Anyway, loving it down here, best decision I made in a long time, just love love love the cold and the snow, its wonderful.

I am living in a three bedroom apartment which is one of four apartments. There are six of us in here, we all share a room to two people. My roommate is Adrian, he is a cook/chef, and is into photography, and its his MacBook Pro I am using to post this blog. My other roomies are Shannon (Lift Attendant), Kylie (Bar/Bistro), Amanda (Bar/Bistro) and Joanna (Ski Instructor). Great people, we all get on well so its awesome. Adrian is leaving soon though, back to Brisbane, he isn't getting enough hours so when he leaves I will have my own room which is pretty cool.

So its a different life, but it's great. Now working a 9-5 type job instead of being self employed, its not a bad job, nothing to write home about but nothing to complain about either. All we do is clean rooms out, pretty simple really. I am pushing to get myself on board with snow grooming however, and am in the process of applying to Canada, which I have decided to do without Global Work & Travel, while I'm sure they are fine, it's too expensive for me, they charge a big fee themselves and you can do it for much less than what they want to do it for you.

The weather here is hectic, changing all the time, sometimes it can be as cold as the coldest day on the Gold Coast, then it can get really cold, I let the car warm up for five minutes always, sometimes you have to scrape frost off the whole car, and sometimes snow. Adrian and I went about 5-10km past Thredbo the other day to take some photos (which I will upload soon) and it was a pretty intense experience for a new guy like me, got to the stage where there were no other car tracks in the snow, and we only had the red reflectors on either side to guide us, once the snow got about 20cm deep we took some photos, and turned around. I am by no means a seasoned snow driver, so I didn't want to crash or get stuck way out in the middle of no where.

I am trying to snowboard, been out only twice so far. It's pretty painful I have to say, learing how to turn is what I am focusing on right now, but I can just tell that once I nail it, it will make it all the more rewarding. I bought all my snow gear so I have it for the season, including a snowboard, I didn't splash out and get good gear, mainly because I am learning, and can't afford it, I plan on getting better gear in Canada.

That's all for now, time to hit up some resorts in Canada and the snow grooming department at Thredbo. I'm not online much, so for those who know me, phone is the best point of contact.

Sam

Delayed

2011-06-24T02:39:00.000-07:00

Yes, for those living under a rock, inside a cave, trekking to the south pole, or any other place that puts you at distance from the modern world, there has been an ash cloud causing havoc with airlines all over the southern hemisphere, lucky me has been caught up in it, not literally, but the chaos that has ensued.

So the Puyehue-Cordón Caulle eruption has been spewing ash into the atmosphere since June 4, as far as I know, it's still going and apparently it's about to have a big eruption, there is already a 50 meter wide lava river working its way out. So this ash cloud has circled the globe already, has caused widespread flight cancellations and delays, not once but twice now as it came back. For Australia, all flights are back up, however flights to and from New Zealand are cancelled until what seems like Sunday night, but it seriously changes every hour. As a result, I am still on the Gold Coast, Australia when I am meant to be in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Nothing I can do, I would rather be happy than alive, although, there are some seriously whacked people on facebook, some going as far to accuse the airlines of delaying and cancelling flights just to "piss us off", yeah... righto, whatever helps them sleep at night. While this is a pain, I can't do anything except wait, I feel like I am in limbo, at least one posative so far is I got to order some new Coldplay stuff, other than that, if the flight gets delayed again, we will cancel the trip.

Sam

Ellie Goulding - Starry Eyed (Dexcell Remix)

Home Stretch

2011-06-15T00:02:00.000-07:00

It's getting close, 8 days today until I leave on this great adventure. Fly out to New Zealand on the 23rd June, back on the 2nd of July, drive to Thredbo on the 5th, fly to Canada in November. It sure is full steam ahead, plenty to get ready before I go, have to pack, might sound easy, but when you are effectively moving for 6 months its not that simple, also have to make sure the car is in tip top shape, get the money for rent bonds, national parks pass, fuel for the trip and so on. It's going to be exciting, I hope to take plenty of photos, which means I will need a good external hard drive for all this.

Sam

Sunday Best - Washington (I Believe You Liar)

Improve Your Photos - Taking The Photo

2011-06-14T02:22:00.000-07:00

We all love photos, we are surrounded by them, facebook, blogs, websites in general, the news, advertisement and so on. We see a photo taken by a "pro" photographer and always go "I wish I could do that". Well, you can!

Taking a good photo is actually not that hard, there are many many ways to perfect the art, but to get you to a good starting point it only takes a few simple tips that will take your photos to that wow factor.

What you need.
- A camera
- You

You do not need a massive $2000 SLR, they sure have their advantages but they don't make you a good photographer. A good photographer can use their mobile phone, a disposable camera or a professional SLR and STILL take a good photo. Ok, so its time for you to take some killer shots. We will start with things you can do to improve, and then things you should avoid.

1. Rule of Thirds

It all starts here, the rule of thirds is a way of composing a photo, which is composition, which is where you place the subject matter in the photo. Its simple, it's easy and you will not forget it. You imagine the screen/viewfinder/thing you look at when taking the photo is cut into 3 secions horizontal and vertical. Like this.

Ok great, so what do you do with this? You put your subject on a line. So if you are taking a photo of a person, you would usually put them on the right or left hand side of the frame, what's the frame? Its slang for the viewfinder/screen etc. Using the rule of thirds will give your photos instant pop.

See what I did there? If you look back to the grid you will see I colour coded the lines, that was on purpose. The photo above I put my subject, in this case the beautiful Elise on the black line. What you really need to see is a before and after. So check this.

Without Rule of Thirds

With Rule of Thirds

You can see my beastly Diahatsu Terios pretending to be a real 4WD. What I did was crop the photo you can crop on just about any computer and even in some cameras. I lined it up so the car was shifted from being in the middle to the green line, as you can see even though its a boring photo, its now more interesting to look at, more flattering to the eye.

The reason I cropped after I took the photo was to show you that you can start making old photos you have look better, before you even pick up the camera. However I recommend (from now on) do not crop, instead make sure you use the rule of thirds when you take the photo, that way you get to use all the megapixels of your camera and it forces you to get better at composition.

To wrap up on the rule of thirds, I have a few more tips.

- Place eyes on the red line
- For landscape put the horizon on the blue line
- For people put them on the black or green line
- Place the subject where the points crossover

The rule of thirds does not mean all your photos have to be all lopsided, you can still take a photo of someone in the middle of the frame, but by placing their eyes on the red line you are using the rule of thirds, remember, you do not have to use the rule of thirds, it is just a guide and a good way to improve your composition, there are millions of fantastic photos that do not use the rule of thirds, but they are very well composed. So that is the rule of thirds, give it a crack, you will be suprised.

2. Keep it clean

This is a very simple tip, but will go a long way in improving your photos. Always look at what else is in the frame, if you are taking a photo of someone take it against a plain painted wall, or something that is all the same, if you shoot with a whole lot of clutter in the background it will make the photo distracting and confusing to the eye, because the viewers brain will be trying to figure out what is the focal point of the photo, what they are meant to be looking at, and a distracting background makes it harder. See this.

Bad Background

Happy Background

Well really, at this stage your photos will now pop heaps more, these two tips would be 80% if not more, of what I personally use and what gives my photos that extra touch. You can go away and try both of these out and see how you go.

3. People

Ok ladies, this one is for you. I love girls, to me they are just the best thing ever, and I absolutely love taking photos of you all. But there are a few things to keep in mind when taking photos of people, especially ladies.

Shoot from above.

This means take the photo so the camera is looking down on the person, this will instantly make any girl (or guy) look better, and if you ask your subject to look at the camera it makes the eyes look a lot nicer as well. It reduces weight, and helps hide imperfections. Shooting from below however will exaggerate any blemishes and add weight.

Keep it close.

Get in there, shoot in nice and tight, using just the head and upper body, no need to have the whole person in there. If your subject is overweight a full body shot is not the way to go, by keeping it close it is much more flattering.

Keep it in.

Too many times a good photo is ruined when the person shooting accidently takes a photo and then realises they cut an arm off, or a leg, or the top half of the head. Always give a 10 to 20% buffer around what you are shooting, so make sure if its a person, have space above their head, otherwise the photo can feel cramped, you gotta let it breath.

Lean.

Yes, lean, lean forward, this will make you look good, it makes the proportions of your head to your body look better.

4. Light

This right here is the sneaky ninja. You do not need expensive studio gear to nail this. If you are outdoors put the sun behind the subject, shoot into it, it will halo your subject, makes the ladies look like angels. Avoid the sunlight for most of the time, its harsh and looks crap, best times to use the sun are sunrise but especially sunset, it is a much softer much warmer light and looks freaking awesome if you nail it. Shoot when its overcast, the clouds diffuse the harsh sunlight and make it nice and even and soft, photos will look much better. If you have to shoot in the midday sun, try and find some shade and use that.

TURN YOUR FLASH OFF! The good ol flash will kill any effort you have used this far, it makes that horrible dear in the headlights look, its nasty, turn it off, all cameras can do this, read your manual to find out. If it is so dark that you need the flash, use it that's ok, BUT do this, get some white paper and make a little guard (bounce card) so the flash is not shooting straight ahead but instead at the roof. Look at these for ideas.

A B C D

What a bounce card does is softens out that super harsh point of light, by spreading it out onto the roof and then all that light comes back down from the roof hitting your subject, its much more full, and much more flattering. You can also diffuse the flash by putting an opaque covering over the flash, this can be something as simple as scotch tape. Here is a before and after, now I havent used direct flash in ages, so I don't have anything to show you that I shot, but here is one I found.

Right; Horrible Direct Flash. Left; Lovely Bounce Flash.

See how much nicer that is, now the trick I mentioned is no good if you are outdoors or don't have anything to bounce the light off (roof, wall etc) the only option you have is a diffuser, or to carry a complex apparatus to somehow bounce the flash of something. In pro photography we use a thing called a soft box or a shoot-through umbrella or a bounce umbrella, you can of course get one, but you would need a whole bunch of other gear to do so, and this blog isn't about pro photography, its about getting your skills to the next level.

5. Experiment

Everything I have mentioned is a guide, they are not the law. You can bend and break these, and people often do when creating masterpieces, if it looks good, it looks good, it doesn't have to be textbook. Read your manual, there is heaps of good stuff in there, all kinds of tips and tricks and advanced features, like most cameras have a grid you can turn on if you are new to the rule of thirds.

Make the person laugh, don't be saying ok on three say "cheese" that's crap and the photo will look pathetic as the person will overdo their expression as they know they are about to have a photo taken and they will close their eyes most of the time expecting some flash to strike them down, seriously start making them laugh, be fun and happy, and then you will get the real smiles.

Read, Read, Read. I must of read an encyclopedia's worth of information on photography before I ever picked up the camera, and it does help, heaps. So if you want to know how to take photos of ducks, then look up, how to take photos of ducks and there will be something there. Photography is massive, there are so many things you can do, but the things I have mentioned here today will give you the foundations you need to begin. Most people find their own style, be it weddings, people, animals, landscapes, cars, food or whatever it may be, and there are special tips and tricks for each of those.

I hope you all got something from this, I will be doing another blog on how to process your photos, or edit them on the computer, so stay tuned. If you want more, then let me know and I will do more, if you have a request, ask me, or a question, ask me, I would be more than happy to help.

Sam

Hurt Me - The Jezabels (She's So Hard EP)

In Motion

2011-05-25T19:30:00.000-07:00

It seems like things are starting to fall into place, it's all happened quite quick really, and has lead to my calendar filling right up into 2012. To break it down, I present "The Grand Plan".

Now you should all be suitable filled in on my lifes plans until whenever, of course, it could change at anytime, but as of now, thats how it stands.

Sam

Breaking the Habit - Linkin Park (Meteora)

Job Me

2011-05-15T01:00:00.000-07:00

Hello World! So trying to find a job is not as easy as some may think, I have applied to several places, but mainly I am applying to ski resorts. Falls Creek, Mt Buller, Perisher and Thredbo in Australia, The Remarkables in NZ and currently doing the master plan in Canada with Global Work & Travel. Hoping to work the southern hemisphere season before going to Canada in November, once there though, I hope after a year or so to get in with the managers and what not and do this stuff!

Which would be snow grooming, looking after the runs, terrain features and what not, I have loved working on "diggers" for years, Dad has always had Bobcats, Tractors, Trucks, Excavators and what not, and it has just been a part of my life, have done it for work, my good mates family run heavy machinery, and as so, what could be cooler than looking after a ski resort? Make the runs, then snowboard on them! It would take a few years to get the job though, resorts obviously have to make sure their runs are top notch, so they don't let anyone out on the runs, word is it takes about three years of training before they let you loose.

Been researching everything snow and snowboard related over the last week, everything from the jacket with powder skirts, what colour lense to get with your goggles, repairing a gouge in your board with a P-Tex wand, and several videos and tutorials on the subject. While this by no means makes me a seasoned pro, it gives me some knowledge of what I am up against. People often wonder about my photography and they say my photos are good, I don't personally think that, but it's the feedback I have been getting, they wonder how my photos look good when I have been shooting for such a small time, and I can tell you that it's not some secret gift, I read up on photography for years and years before I got my camera, so I had a ton of knowledge ready to test out and apply once I had the hardware, all I have to do is perfect it and get it down to a system. Knowledge is power, remember that, and that is why I am learning as much about snowboarding and the snow as I can, so when I am in the situation I will have some understanding, but obviously reading and watching videos by no means gives you any experience.

Knowledge is nothing unless you can use it, but having it gives you a significant advantage. The trick is, don't be a tool and think I have researched this, I know more than the instructors and guys who have been here for years then go blabbing your mouth off, because nothing makes up for practical hands on experience and you will look and be a total idiot. At the same time, don't just accept what anyone says for the word of god, for all you know they could be spinning shit to look like they are pro, but the last thing you want to do is try to show someone up just to fail. I know I went on about that, but I think there is a difference between the guys who want to learn more, and the guys who want to seem like a hotshot because they watched a video on YouTube... I have dealt with those kinds of people, and it shits me, so the last thing I want is to be made out like I am one of them.

Well that is all really, just super keen to get out there and start, hopefully hear something back from the jobs I applied for soon!

Sam

Polite Dance Song - The Bird and The Bee The Bee (Please Clap Your Hands)

New Horizon

2011-05-11T02:22:00.000-07:00

Well, installed Tom's new head unit, its awesome, full iPod/iPhone, was mad, I was checking emails and work stuff on the iPad while it streamed the music and Tom drove us around, we paid our deposit for Canada which was good, Tess at Global Work & Travel is great really friendly and has made the process so easy and seamless, just have to pay it all off now and also pay for New Zealand this Winter. Been doing heaps of research on it all, also checked out winter/snow gear at Go Camping with Tom, got some great advice, one part being to buy in Canada as its 50% (give or take) cheaper, which is good, as Arc'teryx are Canadian, but yeah some good staying warm/clothing advice. Life is going good, on a natural high which is great, just need more money to pay for all this now haha.

Sam

The Logical Song - Scooter (Push the Beat for this Jam (The Singles 98-02))

Blogging Like A Boss

2011-05-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

Been trying to blog more, wether anyone reads them or not is another thing, put at least in many years past I will have something to look back and reflect on. Things are in full swing for NZ this winter, going to Queenstown for a week for my good friend Larissa, should be awesome, can't wait really. I want to get some good Arc'teryx gear, but it's quite exxy, worth it though, so going to see the guys at Go Camping in Nerang, great shop by the way, should check it out if you are into the outdoors. Also going to put in a new head unit for Tom and see Tess at Global Work & Travel. Should be a good week, got some work too which is good!

Sam

RadioFiber - Online Stream (2011)

Hot Chocolate

2011-05-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

It's an art, to make a decent hot chocolate takes skill. I think I am starting to master this skill, well, until I am rudely waken up by someone who makes it better than me, i.e Max Brenners. You know what else is an art? Makeup, not that I use makeup, but I see it alot with the girls I hang out with and the photography I do, and it really is an art to pull it off well and not look like a cake face.

Some songs for you all to check out.

Desabafo - Marcelo D2

Hurt Me - The Jezabels
I'm With You - Avril Lavigne
No Pressure - One + One (Deadmau5 Remix)
Signs - Bloc Party

Managed to drum up some work, this is good, means I can start looking at things to spend it on such as travel and my Mini, which is almost stripped out by the way. Not much else is new kids, that's all, just trying to navigate my way through the sea which is life.

Sam

Hurt Me - The Jezabels (She's So Hard)

I am what I am, I do what I want

2011-04-18T00:18:00.000-07:00

A ray of sunshine today, got a call from Global Work & Travel about job placement in Canada starting Nov 2011. Pretty keen, seems like a good deal, they hook you up with everything, Flights, Accom, Job, Visa, Bank Acc, Insurance and more. It is good having something happy and exciting to look forward to. Tom said he is keen as well, so it should all be happening!

Money is being a problem right now, have several things that require the green, Splendour ticket, Mini parts and Travel budget, looking to get a job at a coffee shop, or something low key that doesn't require a stack of commitment and brain power. Also been reading up about HDR in Photoshop CS5 so keen to give that a crack!

Sam

Isobel - Dido (No Angel)

The Shack By The Beach

2011-04-17T09:58:00.000-07:00

I was updating my facebook page and came up with this, and thought I should blog it. I try to keep my facebook profile up to date with what is going on, you should be able to gauge what sort of person I am from that and if not, then may this shed some insight. I like to think of myself as some type of nomad with instead of no permanent home, but no permanent direction, not clueless however, we may all like to think there is a master plan, go to school, uni, get the dream job, the girl and a white picket fence, but in reality how does that usually pan out? We change jobs, we grow as people and meet new friends, new lovers and ultimately the master plan from those years ago seems faded and weatherd.

I feel like there are so many things to see and do in this world that the master plan is not a plan, but more like a diary, a log, and that we are constantly updating that, there is no way that at say, 15, 19, 24 or whenever you make your "master plan" that you know everything you will in another 6 months or 10 years, which could vastly alter what you once thought of as your bulletproof plan. My main goal is to become and maintain happiness, the ways for me to gain that are mostly unknown, but I know a few of them will include love and if possible to do lighting for a super group, travel and live in the snow. How long will I keep those up? Anyone's guess, could be thirty anniversaries, one gig, six passports or five winters later or could not happen at all, that's only what I crave at this point in time, could change tomorrow.

Sam

All You Want - Dido (No Angel)

273K

2011-04-16T03:12:00.000-07:00

My 1978 Mini Clubman S

Photoshoot

The RadioFiber Logo

So the temperature is starting to drop, I like this, nothing better than the cold winter air, and I am starting to feel its approach. I will elaborate more on the travel plans I have, which is essentially to work and travel at the same time, around the world, until I am fed up with it or find what I am looking for, and what am I looking for? That is anybody's guess, when I figure it out, I will let you know. All I know is I will keep submitting job applications until one says yes! Providing the cookie crumbles in my favour, should be heading to Queenstown, New Zealand this winter with my good friend Larissa. Where I shall get my first real taste of winter and snow, I have been to the Snowy Mountains here in Australia during the winter, but something tells me Queenstown is going to be much more... authentic? I have been there once before, during Christmas/New Years of 2007-8 and it was fantastic, so very keen to get back. Then the grand plan is Canada with Larissa at the end of the year once she finishes university, she has some relative who has a ski shop up there and hopefully we can get some work, or have some foothold in whatever the future may bring!

Not much else is new really, did a Barefoot gig for Goat Track Theatre Co on Thursday, great gig, great performances, even if a horn died the night before while I was setting up, no idea how or when, pretty over and unimpressed by Wharfedale to be honest, they seem to really lack the punch and clarity of others for the same price. Luckily I managed to get two AT (Acoustic Technologies) TH300XA full range cabs to do the job from Chatterbox. Great speakers, they pack a real punch, great sound quality, and currently my favourite brand of speakers for those not on million dollar budgets. Have used various AT products on gigs, and they haven't let us down yet.

Aparently my friend George is on his way down to the Gold Coast sometime soon, I am led to believe the rest of the family already are, and that he had to stay back to do some work. Be great to see that bloke again, tops guy, grew up with him so he is like a brother to me, and his family are like my second family. Still super keen to start mixing or getting involved in music more, want to learn sequencers real bad and just start making some tunes!

Sam

Everything In Its Place - Radiohead (Kid A)

It's coming in and over.

2011-04-11T22:59:00.000-07:00

Starting to have content worth blogging about. To be honest, not a great deal has changed thus far, but things are on the cusp of changing. Going to be travelling, NZ this winter hopefully for a week or so to see how much I really do like the snow and cold, then off to Canada at the end of the year if everything goes to plan, even if it doesn't, I will travel somehow, somewhere. Not much lighting work on, but there is a fair bit of photography stuff on the go which is good, but I have put in a resume to Gloria Jean's Coffee for their Robina branch to see if I can get some pocket money in the quiet times.

This year has been interesting people wise, reconnected with a few old school mates from primary school (Grade 5 days and below, as I moved in grade 5). In particular a girl named Larissa, I was hoping that she would be as lovely and sweet as the childhood memory had her ingrained, and much to my delight she is! So glad to be talking to her once again, its things like that which have brought me out of my down spout at the start of the year. Also met a girl named Katrina, such a sweetheart, so kind and lovely, we have been talking and hanging out a fair bit which is great. I am so grateful for the people I have met in life, the experiences and moments shared, I personally feel it makes me a better person.

As for projects, started a online radio station with my mate Ben Childs from Sydney called RadioFiber. We have a fairly dedicated listener base and it is growing quite fast which is great. I am still super keen to produce/make/mix music, doing a live music gig on Thursday (14th April) called Barefoot @ The Basement, it's put on by Goat Track Theatre Company underneath the Vonda Youngman Centre on Mt Tamborine. Should tag along, I don't get paid to promote it, I would only recommend it if it was good, and there are always great, extremely talented young people there so check it out if you are not doing anything.

I finally bought a Mini, a 78 Clubman S to be exact. It is great, stripped down mid way through its restoration, but should be great when it is done up, one of the few cars that can be called an asset as they appreciate in value, so that must be a good thing. Going to respray her in Gun Metal Grey me thinks, might go super stealth with flat/satin black though...

That is all I can think of for now, will try to blog more and upload more photos, but for now, as my friend Lars says, increase the peace!

Sam

Uprising - Muse (The Resistance)

I don't really wanna know, how your garden grows

2011-02-07T05:35:00.000-08:00

Live Forever by Oasis on Defiantly Maybe

Maybe I don't really wanna know
How your garden grows cos I just wanna fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain as it soaks you to the bone

Maybe I just wanna fly
Wanna live, I don't wanna die
Maybe I just wanna breathe
Maybe I just don't believe
Maybe you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever

I said maybe I don't really wanna know
How your garden grows cos I just wanna fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain as it soaks you to the bone

Maybe I will never be
All the things that I wanna be
But now is not the time to cry
Now's the time to find out why
I think you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever

Maybe I don't really wanna know
How your garden grows cos I just wanna fly
Lately did you ever feel the pain
In the morning rain as it soaks you to the bone

Maybe I just wanna fly
Wanna live, I don't wanna die
Maybe I just wanna breathe
Maybe I just don't believe
Maybe you're the same as me
We see things they'll never see
You and I are gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Gonna live forever
Gonna live forever

Mad Tunes

2011-02-06T03:01:00.000-08:00

This is just a blog of some great tunes I have come across of late, and the story behind how I found them. There will be a link to the media I found them, and a direct link to the song on YouTube.

Axwell feat Deborah Cox - Leave The World Behind (Original Mix)

I heard this song on an awesome Cineflex show reel on Vimeo, Cineflex basicaly make Super Smooth Gyro Stabalised Cameras, used to shoot scenes from cars, helicopters etc without the shake, well watch the vid to see what it is

Found It Here: Cineflex HeliAir Sweden reel 2009

Just The Song: YouTube

The Wombats - Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)

Triple J Hottest 100

Just The Song: YouTube

The Jezabels - Mace Spray

Triple J Hottest 100

Just The Song: YouTube

Flight Facilities - Crave You ft. Giselle

Triple J Hottest 100

Just The Song: YouTube

Robortom feat. Au Revoir Simone - Paganini Rocks

Triple J Hottest 100

Just The Song: YouTube

The Ting Tings - Great DJ

Heard this on "Everything is a Remix" on vimeo, start at part 1

Found It Here: Everything is a Remix Part 1

Just The Song: YouTube

The Chemical Brothers - Don't Think

This epic tune is from that mad nightclub scene in Black Swan, which by the way is also epic.

Found It Here: Black Swan Nightclub Scene

Just The Song: YouTube

Sam

Live Forever - Oasis (Definitely Maybe)

The sky could fall, could fall on me

2011-01-28T00:35:00.000-08:00

So I have been a bit down lately, why? Not really sure, but I have come to the conclusion that I was on trying to find out what I need and life, and I think my life has two main goals, to succeed in my career and to find love. I think, no, I know my career is going to be centered around music, whether creating it, producing it, mixing it, lighting concerts or something else, music is a part of me and what makes up my overall happiness. If that fails, I will become a nomad. As for love, who knows when that will come along, but I am ready, looking and waiting.

Mace Spray - The Jezabels (Dark Storm EP)

Flood Relief

2011-01-24T02:26:00.000-08:00

So I know I said I would blog more, and I would, if I had interesting things to blog about haha. I should have some good material soon, but for now here are some photos I took at a Flood Relief gig I did.

Sam

One I Love - Coldplay (Live 2003)

facebook, the stats

2010-12-30T00:35:00.000-08:00

Collected from various sources around the web

A second on facebook

838 Links shared per second
1,102 Photos tagged per second
1,236 Event invites per second
1,322 Wall posts per second
1,375 Status updates per second
1,643 Approved Friend Requests per second
2,264 Uploaded Photos per second
3,860 Messages sent per second
6,381 "Likes" per second
8,508 Comments per second

A minute on facebook

50,304 Links shared per minute
66,168 Photos tagged per minute
74,204 Event invites per minute
79,364 Wall posts per minute
82,557 Status updates per minute
98,604 Approved Friend Requests per minute
135,849 Uploaded Photos per minute
231,605 Messages sent per minute
382,861 "Likes" per minute
510,504 Comments per minute

A day on facebook

72,437,760 Links shared per day
95,281,920 Photos tagged per day
106,853,760 Event invites per day
114,284,160 Wall posts per day
118,882,080 Status updates per day
141,989,760 Approved Friend Requests per day
195,622,560 Uploaded Photos per day
333,511,200 Messages sent per day
551,319,840 "Likes" per day
735,125,760 Comments per day

Top 50 Likes

1. Texas Hold'em Poker
2. Facebook
3. Michael Jackson
4. Lady Gaga
5. YouTube
6. Eminem
7. Family Guy
8. Coca-Cola
9. Rihanna
10. Megan Fox
11. South Park
12. Linkin Park
13. Vin Diesel
14. Starbucks
15. The Twilight Saga
16. Lil Wayne
17. House
18. Bob Marley
19. The Simpsons
20. Barack Obama
21. Justin Bieber
22. Music
23. Shakira
24. Cristiano Ronaldo
25. Oreo
26. Katy Perry
27. Twilight
28. Disney
29. Taylor Swift
30. SpongeBob SquarePants
31. Mafia Wars
32. Dr. House
33. Red Bull
34. Skittles
35. AKON
36. Harry Potter
37. David Guetta
38. Selena Gomez
39. Beyoncé
40. Adam Sandler
41. MTV
42. Two and a Half Men
43. Metallica
44. The Beatles
45. Converse All Star
46. Toy Story
47. Paramore
48. Avril Lavigne
49. Usher
50. Victoria's Secret

Users

- More than 500 million active users
- 50% of our active users log on to Facebook in any given day
- Average user has 130 friends
- People spend over 700 billion minutes per month on Facebook
- There are more than 200 million active users currently accessing Facebook through their mobile devices.
- Average user creates 90 pieces of content each month

Other

- More than 30 billion pieces of content (web links, news stories, blog posts, notes, photo albums, etc.) shared each month.
- Arround 60,000 Servers

Sam

Momentum

2010-11-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

Starting to get somewhere with the new web project, made a login system with php and mysql, a user registration system, form validation, password encryption, it's all happening haha, just gotta do a email confirmation and that part will be finished! Work has picked up, had a few gigs around the traps, was at Inverell last Saturday, 6 and a half hours to nowhere... was at Caloundra on Wednesday though, love that place, probably due to the fact that the girls who work there are absolutely gorgeous.

Watched Red the other night too, nothing like a good ol action flick, guns and Bruce Willis, what could be better? Been doing a fair bit of Photoshop of late, here are a few before and afters!

Lake Before

Lake After

Audrey Before

Audrey After

Sam

Dance Floor Anthem - Good Charlotte (Good Morning Revival)

Finally

2010-11-04T20:07:00.000-07:00

Things are starting to pick up, got plenty of dates booked in on the calendar and plenty of projects to keep the brain occupied, that's all I need really, they go hand in hand, and keep me sane. I'm learning php right now, to aid with my web design skills, I have to say, it's not that hard, takes me back to IPT days at high school, very similar in allot of ways, variables, strings, all that goodness.

Still on the hunt for a DSLR and Laptop, looking at a D7000 with 18-105mm and a MacBook Pro 13 or 15". Speaking of work, i'm off to Inverell tomorrow, about 6 hours south west of here, the middle of woop woop for a Bee Gee's tribute show, yeah I work on only the coolest of gig's... I made the switch to iTunes the other day, even though it took me a day to fix up all my ID3 tags (the things that store the track name, album name, artist etc.) and cover art, I like it allot more, its not amazing, but its a steady improvement over WMP, the genius mixes feature is, well, genius. I watched the latest Apple keynote the other day, and have to say that the new airs look awesome, instant on is pretty cool, probably the best feature in my opinion.

Sam

Toca's Miracle - Fragma (2001)

Next Gear

2010-11-02T02:32:00.000-07:00

Time to get back into the blog, I have neglected it over the past few months, I guess the fact I had no Internet for 6 months doesn't help, but no excuse really. Not much has really happened since the last updates, no girl and nothing really exciting, but I know one thing is for sure, that won't be the case for much longer, well for the exciting part at least, can't tell about the girl stuff. I'm working on two projects at the moment, one in film and one online. The film is going to be based around the social interactions of a friendship group, and that's all I can say on that really, as for the online project, top secret.

I have been learning After Effects lately, nothing too flash, but enough to have my head around the basics, if you are keen to see some stuff I made check out my Vimeo account http://vimeo.com/inventimagery/videos I followed the awesome tutorials on video copilot and added some of my own spice. I don't think I will push the learning of After Effects too much, id rather keep up to date with my Photoshop skills.

That is all for now!

Sam

Pieces Form the Whole - Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (The Social Network OST)

The Social Network

2010-10-31T23:42:00.000-07:00

What a movie, this has to up there with film of the year, beautiful cinematography, amazing soundtrack and very clever, witty, dialogue. Big emphasis on the dialogue though, from the first line to the last word it had its teeth in you. I like how Mark was portrayed in a, hmm, non politically correct way? It was good to see that the line between the good guys and bad guys was blurred, and made for a very compelling story I thought.

The soundtrack is fantastic, I have been listening to it all day, the first soundtrack I have bothered with since 500 Days of Summer. Very cool industrial/garage type sound, you don't tend to notice it too much in the movie (except for that nightclub scene), but in a good way, because it adds and builds to the mood and quite simply, it just works.

This movie has been elevated into my top 5 without question, and to say the least, it has left me inspired.

Sam

Dennis de Laat - Sound Of Violence (Main Mix)

We Heart It

2010-09-09T04:52:00.000-07:00

We Heart It.com check it. srsly.

I’m back on the blog, and twitter, now I’ve moved yet again, and have internet finally. It has been a hectic year so far. I’m feeling pretty burnt out right now to be honest or tbh if I was lazy. I'm still working as an LD, with the odd graphic and web contract here and there, still on the road to find love, someday, somehow. Like last time, still after a DSLR, the new Nikon D90 replacement looks pretty awesome, and I will be buying one ASAP, can't wait to take some shots.

So the website I linked to earlier, We Heart It, is full of all those super cute - aww photos you see everywhere, click under the tags like, love, cute etc (they even have a dress tag, and for those of you who don't know, dresses are the key to my heart).

Sam

Hold On - Angus and Julia Stone (Down The Way)

Block Theory

2010-06-20T00:36:00.000-07:00

Some edited photos of Ken Blocks Gymkhana 09 Subaru WRX STI.

Sam

Is It Real - Marlo and Kristin Marlo

Big Blog

2010-06-13T21:47:00.000-07:00

Take 2, you see I already started typing this blog to only be let down by my crap internet connection. Anyway, how are you all? There have been some changes in my ever developing life, probably the biggest is the choice to change career, to become a commercial pilot, it's going to be a long haul, but hopefully it should pay off, I will be pushing the lighting stuff at full throttle for a little while yet, and if something big comes up then fantastic, but I can't sit on pipe dreams forever. My internet connection sucks, I’m not too phased however, its good not being so dependent on the web. I have come to the conclusion that every time I see a Holden Commodore or Ford Falcon on the road, that the drivers are instant idiots, so far, my theory is proving to be correct.

In other news, I worked as a sound tech on one of the stages at Wintersun this year, a long few days, fairly average bands, nothing that great, however on Sunday a Perth swing band called "The Darling Buds of May" played and they were superb, the standout for me, they were absolutely fantastic, such a powerful, driven, refined, crisp sound. The stage I was based on during the day had 2 x Renkus-Heinz twin 18" subs and 6 x AT Full Range tops, around 1300 watts program each the other stage was all Blackbird CLA series. Also found out, that the big sound companies pull around $250,000 for one show (were talking huge stadium size bands like Coldplay, Muse, U2 etc) and lighting companies around $120,000. The top level sound engineers around $2000 per night, and LD's around $700 a night. I would like to confirm and get more exact figures as these are just approximations, but still...

That is all I can really think of for the moment, time for big changes in my life.

Sam

Paranoid Android - Radiohead (OK Computer)

Twilight

2010-05-16T04:38:00.000-07:00

You know what? I really like it, not that I have read the books, but I really like the movies, some would call this lame, gay, pathetic...eh I also like Taylor Swift and Beyonce. Anyway, they are pretty good, I love their cinematic quality's, and I just love the general overcast, gloomy, dark feel to it all, it provides a fantastic contrast to the romance I think. As for the soundtrack, it is ace! As for the score, it also ace! This applies to both movies (and I think the rest will be just as good in the music department). To conclude here is probably my favourite selection from the score.

Sam

Bella's Lullaby - Carter Burwell (Twilight: The Score)

sdfjkl

2010-05-08T02:33:00.000-07:00

Remember when you couldn't be bothered to type a filename? Like saving a awesome rad creation in "Paint" or "Word", well that was the inspiration for the title. Anyway, not much else is new, remember that relationship I was in? Well forget it, because it's over o.O..... Not much else is new really, I’m killing for a DSLR, too bad the bank account doesn’t agree, that and rego is due... ah well, by the time I can afford it, the new models will be out. Work is not really around at the moment, might do something new next year, something epic, like work in the mines, or become a flight attendant (maybe not, as my height is like 193cm...), or something epic and large scale and international. Will do some more Photoshop stuff soon me thinks, going to try an experiment on how well can a photo be touched up using ONLY the internet....

Sam.

Breakeven - The Script (The Script)

The Drought

2010-04-23T23:24:00.000-07:00

Been relatively quiet over the past month, thankfully things are picking up again, the calendar is starting to fill out with more and more gigs, this is good. Looking forward to working on Creamfields (Festival with guys like The Bloody Beetroots, MSTRKRFT, LMFAO etc) with Dave and the guys from Phaseshift Productions. Nikon are taking their time to announce the new DSLR lineup, probably because they are riding the wake of the current lineup like a Himalayan Sherpa. Having serious thoughts about my future, Tom came up with a genius idea to work in the mines for a few years and make a killing, then get our pilots license, and let me say, it's defiantly not out of the question. Speaking of Tom, we are still going at the rock climbing, and progressing further each week, my educated guess says we are grade 17-18 at the moment, hoping to push that to 21 on the next time. The Goat Track Theatre Co website has been getting an overhaul, while not officially complete you can check it out at http://www.goattracktheatreco.com/. To conclude here is a before and after Photoshop (CS5 is out now by the way) for you.

Before After

Sam

Folding Chair - Regina Spektor (Far 2009)

The Grid

2010-04-06T06:04:00.000-07:00

Moby - Extreme Ways (Bourne's Ultimatum):

I finally saw the amazing Bourne series over the last week, thanks to Tom! All I can say is wow, what great movies, such an awesome storyline, the complexity, the sub-plots, just really good, you're not spoon fed, and you're not left to decipher some mind twisting storyline, it's a perfect blend. I love how the director has left out certain elements that most other "action" movies have, he has ditched the cliché’s, making this something more stripped back, more… real. I love it, and love the soundtrack.

So, yeah I haven’t blogged in a while, nothing really that interesting to blog about, bought a new jacket, so glad I did that, and started a new hobby with Tom, rock climbing. We are going to try and get into the outdoors more which will be good, so much amazing stuff in this world. Also, for those unaware I’m also now in a relationship with an amazingly beautiful girl :) That's all I can think of for now guys!

Sam

Don Quixote (Spanish Rain) – Coldplay (Live in Latin America/LP5/?)

The Game Plan Version Two Point O

2010-03-24T21:55:00.000-07:00

Yeah, time to refine where I want to go in life, and figure out what I need to learn and know, and how to get there. Time for some sexy bullet points!

• Learn Vectorworks and ESP
• Get a resume together
• Work a blend of theatre and live music

So if I break it down, Vectorworks, more specifically, Vectorworks Spotlight is a piece of CAD software for lighting design to do things like plots, plans etc. ESP or again more specifically, ESP Vision is a pre-visualization program that allows you to design the lightshow in real time (control via a lighting desk) and create a show virtually before any lights are in the air, so you can see what works and what doesn’t from a computer screen. The cool thing is, both pieces of software work with each other, much more streamlined workflow.

A resume, surprised I don't have one already, but I need one, more of a resume/portfolio. So that is what I am currently doing. Last, just need to do more gigs really, need more mover time, programming time, and desk time.

Sam

Young Forever - Jay-Z Feat. Mr. Hudson (Blueprint 3)

Tsunami

2010-02-27T23:45:00.000-08:00

Allot of hype over this one, the earthquake in Chile, my guess is no one wants to take any chances since 2004... I was working a gig in Brisbane when I found out, we were working a gig at a boat club and were on a deck over the ocean and the rain was pretty heavy so I went on BoM to check the radar and saw a tsunami warning! Immediate response: Notify Tom. However he discovered it was to hit this morning, and well nothing has happened yet at least, apparently the size of the tsunami that his us (that I last heard) was 20cm.

Not much else is new, just working away really, spending allot of time with Goat Track, I’m looking forward to the outcome and development of "The Well". I finally watched Moon the other night, great movie I thought. Life is running quite fantastic, unlike the Pulsinator (my car) which managed to drop the accessories belt at the back of Nerang, I then had several smashed Nerang-o-tangs around me, one girl who was the first to arrive said to me "Hey are you ok? I thought I would come over so they don't bash you". Nice place huh. However there was one guy who was very helpful, he said he grew up on a farm, so thank you farmer guy! Good thing is I was able to drive it home, only downside was the battery not charging, getting fixed tomorrow.

As a note, I shall try to update the blog more often.

Sam

Perfect Now - Sarah Blasko (The Overture & the Underscore)

Floods

2010-02-09T08:04:00.000-08:00

2010 is off to a ferocious start, on the 6th of February the Gold Coast got slammed by torrential rainfall, up to and over 400mm in parts, the focus has been largely on Coomera, after all the John Muntz causeway got trashed, guardrails were ripped off, shipping containers smashing into it, I have heard reports it will be closed from one week to a month. Tom, Ebony and I stopped to check out the damage again the following night and one of the traffic workers there told us the engineers said one month to fix it, as the water has "scooped out" the underside of the causeway and it is apparently very unstable and could collapse at any time. We checked out various roads around the area, and found one had had a fairly decent segment washed away by the rain, I have also heard reports that a crossing on Birds Rd has been completely washed away also.

Sam

Dice - Finley Quae and William Orbit (EP)

It's coming round again...

2010-01-24T04:18:00.000-08:00

What's new.... Well first off, Big Day Out. What a day, my favorite so far, saw so many bands and artists I love, the headliners for myself were The Temper Trap and Muse, really loved Powderfinger, Miami Horror, Dizzee Rascal, Eskimo Joe, Lisa Mitchell and all the others I saw. Highlights were being on the barrier for The Temper Trap and having Dougie (Lead Singer) during 'Science of Fear' jump down to me, that was seriously mad. Seeing Dizzee Rascal jump off the stage to some fuck who threw a deodorant bottle I think it was at him and being on the barrier for Muse. Such an awesome day. Only took photos during Lisa Mitchell and Dizzee Rascal. The reason I don't take more, is because I would rather enjoy the music than take photos all day, anyway here are two I took for you guys.

Other than that, work has been quiet, but I have been doing heaps at "The Basement" which is Goat Track Theatre Company’s space, have finished off most of the renovations now, walls are in, everything is painted, carpet is down, furniture is all together and in place, it looks really awesome and I’m proud to be a part of it, big thanks to all that have helped out.

I did a gig in Coffs Harbor last night, was really good to get back into it, was also really happy with how the lighting turned out, had 8 LED par cans for colour wash/strobe, 8 Par 56's on a FOH flown truss for front light, 8 Par 46's for blinders and 2 iColor 3's for more color wash and it didn't look half bad, also used two smoke machines, the company we hired off didn’t have any hazer’s in... As for sound I’m not so sure, but I think, the foldback was 4 TH200XA's, FOH I cant remember, but there were two, twin 18" sub box's per side, desk was an Allen & Heath GL2400, bunch of stuff in the racks, dbx EQ's and compressors I think, possibly a Yamaha reverb in there, didn't really look much at the sound stuff… That's it for today kids!

Sam

These Days - Powderfinger (Across The Great Divide)

The Game Plan

2010-01-14T01:37:00.000-08:00

Well I think I have the goals that I'd like to achieve for 2010.

-Work a gig at BEC (Brisbane Entertainment Centre) doing anything tech
-Produce a good short film and documentary (Hence the three items above)
-Learn Traktor
-Get the Pulsar up to scratch

Some good tunes to check out.

-Katy Perry - Hot 'n' Cold (Pyrodrifter Dubstep Remix)
-Alicia Keys feat. Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind (Live 09 World's AIDS Day Concert)
-Orbital - Halcyon + on + on

Particularly "Empire State Of Mind", that live version is so mad, reminds me of the climatic build to "Yellow" from Live 2003. Yes this is featuring Jay-Z as it is Alicia Keys concert.

In other news, deleted the Powerpack Productions YouTube account and Black Creek off YouTube. Part of the revamp, as we no longer use Powerpack Productions as our name, but Powerpack Production Studios, and Black Creek was deleted as it is of low standards. All I can say is keep your eyes open, new stuff on the way! I have a fetish for HD aerial video right now, such breathtaking stuff. If anyone is looking to be involved with the next production, hit up the Powerpack Production Studios facebook.

Sam

Alicia Keys feat. Jay-Z - Empire State Of Mind (Live 09 World's AIDS Day Concert)

52nd

2010-01-09T05:38:00.001-08:00

52nd Grammy Awards that is, and I’m looking forward to them. Anyway, Big Day Out is next weekend, really looking forward to that also, great line up (The Temper Trap, Miami Horror, The Middle East, Muse etc), would love to see the Killers again however, and Björk. I’m more excited than I’m letting on. In other news, it's hot, this has only two good effects, storms and swimming. Really looking forward to a good storm so I can start filming for "The Seaway", check other blogs/Powerpack website for more info on that. Goat Track Theatre Company is going to look pretty cool with the full renovation of their space at the Vonda Youngman Centre, been helping out with getting the furniture and what not, going to be very cool, if you want to get involved, hit up the group on facebook. Also, time to give some cred to Aaron with his discovery of DJ Earworm, YouTube: DJ Earworm, this guy has some killer mashups.

As homo as I may sound, Taylor Swift has like the cutest voice on earth. Period.

Stupid bimbo sluts with professional DSLRs should be put down, especially when they only use it on "Auto" because they don’t know what the other functions are/do, and they only have them so they can flaunt it and seem hardcore pro, fuckers...

Sam

United State of Pop 2009 (Blame It on the Pop) - DJ Earworm

Vue 8 First Creations

2010-01-05T00:55:00.000-08:00

After a good day in Vue 8 Infinite I have managed to create some interesting things, the detail from this program is insane, as are the renders (see above). Please note all images above are straight from Vue, no post work in Photoshop.

Sam

Halcyon + On + On - Orbital (Orbital 2)

Two Zero One Zero

2010-01-03T23:46:00.001-08:00

As I sit here waiting for Vue 8 Infinite to install, I thought I shall post a blog. This marks the first blog for 2010. This year is going to be grand, I can feel it. I can feel that there will be great progress as far as my profession and my passions. I saw Avatar the other day, and I do have to say, it goes down in the Top 5 of my favorite movies of all time. The attention to detail in that movie is unmatched, it is just mind-blowing. There is allot of controversy over the storyline, but regardless of that I liked it, I liked how the story was simple, and while some may say predictable, I liked that, not all movies have to have extremely complex twists. I feel so inspired that I am installing Vue, for those of you completely lost, let Google shed some light.

Sam

Phoenix – Lisztomania (Alex Metric Remix)

The Comic Effect

2009-12-26T02:21:00.000-08:00

Tom and I are comic book heroes! All done in Photoshop, these "conversions" take about 1 hour, 30 minutes to do. These are all digitally created, meaning that the only asset imported is the font, even then, the enlarged blue T and red A is the same as the font next to it, just a cocktail of effects I use to make it stand out. If you would like to have a photo with this comic strip effect, hit me up!

Sam.

Please Forgive Me - David Gray (White Ladder)

The 09 "Sam Webster" Awards

2009-12-20T16:18:00.000-08:00

Here it is, the latest and greatest, the things of 2009 that I think decide awards. From cliché awards like, album of the year, and movie of the year to some more off beat awards. So sit back, and enjoy! Each award may have up to five nominations and the winner announced below.

Awards are only given if:

Has happened/created/released in 2009
Has gained popularity in 2009

Album

Conditions - The Temper Trap
LeftRightLeftRightLeft - Coldplay
Day One - Snob Scrilla
Manners - Passion Pit
Inshalla - Eskimo Joe

And the best album of 2009 goes to Coldplay! With LeftRightLeftRightLeft! A few things make this album the best of 2009, one, it's free, two, it's live, three, it's Coldplay. I think all the rest deserve heaps of credit, however Inshalla was slightly disappointing.

Single

Blood - The Middle East
Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap
Life In Technicolor ii - Coldplay
Panic Switch - Silversun Pickups
Heartbreak Scorsese - Snob Scrilla

This was tough, some really good releases this year. The winner is Blood by The Middle East, this song is seriously awesome, I just love it, I love how it builds, the lyrics, the vocalists, the arrangement, well done guys. Life In Technicolor was the slightly disappointing one, I was expecting some super extended version of the original, none the less, a great song.

Band

The Middle East
Snob Scrilla
The Temper Trap

Hands down The Temper Trap, since Sweet Dispositions feature in 500 Days of Summer, these guys have been a regular addition to the playlist. Their album Conditions really does have a song for every mood, from upbeat Fader to Soldier On, great work, loving their stuff and can't wait to see them at Big Day Out 2010.

Live Act/Show/Performance

Coldplay - Acer Arena
Snob Scrilla - The Cooly Hotel
Red Frog's - Surfers Paradise Beach

Been very slack this year, even though I work in this industry? Well I bet you can guess who wins? Yes, Coldplay, probably because I met Chris Martin three times, got free front row tickets from him and they are my fave band of all time, if you search the blog you can find a whole post about this concert. However Snob Scrilla gets mention for his show at The Cooly Hotel (Which I was doing lighting for), probably because he made me feel pretty chipper when he gave me a shout out for all the web work I’ve done for him. Schoolies Red Frog stage was mad, however the DJ kept fucking up.

Movie

Coraline - Laika
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - Heyday Films
(500) Days of Summer - Fox Searchlight Pictures
Paranormal Activity - Paramount Pictures
Inglorious Bastards - A Band Apart

(500) Days of Summer, this movie hits a spot, it also goes down as my fave movie of all time and most watched at a cinema. Great acting, great story, great script. This movie feels real, I can relate to it, and it is just awesome. There are more than what I have listed that have been great movies of the year, but I had to shortlist. Paranormal Activity goes down as the first movie to really scare me for ages, great film, shows that you don’t need a budget of 100 million to make a good flick and how originality can make or break a movie.

Actor/Actress

Katie Featherston
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
Micah Sloat
Jessie Cave

I think the best actor/actress of the year is Joseph Gordon-Levitt, he has been around for some time, but more so on the sidelines, from his outstanding supporting role in 10 Things I Hate About You to TV show 3rd Rock From The Sun. His role as Tom Hansen in (500) Days of Summer really catapulted this guy into the spotlight and gave him some well deserved fame. You will see I nominated both leads from Paranormal Activity, these guys did a standout job of making you believe it was real, I would look out for these guys in the future. Special mention to Jessie Cave for her role as Lavender Brown in Harry Potter 6, she is stunning.

Website

Twitter

This little micro blogging service has erupted like a volcano though our computers, it went from nothing to rank #14 most hit website world wide (That’s against guys like Google, YouTube, Wikipedia etc) so that is a massive growth. I myself use Twitter often, great little service, if you want to know what is happening in the world, Twitter will have it first.

Internet Trend

Michael Jacksons Death
Swine Flu
New Moon
Tiger Woods

Take your pick really, each of these events have had gained massive attention, everything from jokes to groundbreaking news. The award goes to Michael Jacksons Death, this shook the world, causing websites to shut down due to such high traffic and sticking around for many months, nearly everyone had some comment to make, be it a Facebook update of RIP or on Windows Live Messenger or Twitter, it rocked us. RIP Michael Jackson.

Weather Event

September Dust Storm
Black Saturday Bush Fires
Tropical Cyclone Laurence

It has been an interesting year in weather so far. We have had all the elements, earth, water, fire. The most devastating was Black Saturday, Victoria got torched by tragic bushfires, the most unique was the September Dust Storm and for that, it takes the award, most of the eastern seaboard was hit, while not causing any tragedy it sent many towns into complete darkness in what would usually be day time, massive cleanup efforts were put in place and water restrictions lifted to people could clean cars and homes. TC Laurence is still active, and there could still be more until we hit the end of the year. TC Laurence is a big cyclone, it made Cat 5, the biggest rating the BoM has, and fortunately it hasn’t caused much damage.

That is it boys and girls, may be a part 2, may not, I guess you will have to wait and see :)

Sam.

Panic Switch - Silversun Pickups (Swoon)

The 09 "Sam Webster" Awards Coming Soon

2009-12-19T00:26:00.000-08:00

On the 21st of December I will reveal my favorite bands, movies, moments and generally everything do to with 2009. It will be epic, and there will be allot of information and awards!

Sam.

God Put A Smile Upon Your Face/Talk - Coldplay (Live In Tokyo 2009)

Blog Update

2009-12-17T09:07:00.000-08:00

Updated some things, new video for one (more on that later), just updated the various sections over the site, plus added more. Sometime soon there will be a series of videos up top for a few days...Coldplay fans will like this. Thinking about updating the header, have played around in Photoshop, I will know it when I see it.

Sam.

Spaceman - The Killers (Day & Age)

Mac, watch your step..

2009-12-15T05:30:00.001-08:00

I do love Mac, or Apple, but this post is targeting the Mac, their desktop and notebook lineup. Recently (since I started using FCP) I have converted largely to Mac/Apple, they really do have it nailed right now, and their market share continues to climb. I would not discount Microsoft from the equation just yet, yes Apple is starting to rise, but I think Microsoft will reclaim once they get their shit together.

Lets start with Windows 7. I have used it, and its fine, easy to use, in fact it is so similar to Vista apart from some minor interface changes and a few added features, its pretty much the same. Maybe they thought by releasing a new OS the negative stigma from Vista would disappear. Good OS, nothing negative about it except slight compatibility issues, but you get that with every OS when its released, but there is just no point to it, there is nothing really jaw dropping about it, that makes you go, WOW that's such a massive improvement, just seems like a marketing effort. I get the feeling that Apple are so focused on creating new features, and real improvements on their computers, while Microsoft are just trying to get back their name, and are so focused on trying to regain their lost market share, that they aren’t making headway in technology and realizing "cool stuff", which Apple is doing, and it’s working. Microsoft could learn from this, and start making more ”cool stuff" instead of trying to regain their market share, as the side effect of making new innovative products, means consumer uptake, and more market share.

Apple & Microsoft, the big difference. Apple produces a complete solution, meaning, they give you the computer with the software, its a one stop shop. Microsoft produce software (yes they make some hardware, but not much). Mac's are known for their reliability and stability, they control every aspect of the process, the software is perfectly matched to the hardware. Mac have always been this way. So you may ask, why don't Microsoft do this, and make computers? Cost, seen the tag on a Mac, $1300 AUD (December 2009) is the cheapest they start at, you can pick up a Microsoft based computer much cheaper, hell, look at the netbooks (Little Laptops, like the eee pc..) being made, they cost like 400. Which for allot of consumers is better, sometimes we have to go the budget option, we simply can’t afford it, otherwise we would all be driving the latest BMW's.

Apple don't release their software for any old computer, it only works on Mac's (Ok tech guys, yes you can put it onto a PC if you work at it, but were talking about the consumer here, not the hardcore computer pros) which for them is where they want to be, otherwise if the latest Mac OS was put onto an old slow computer, people would go, AHH MAC IS SO SLOW, IT'S SHIT. If Microsoft made complete packages, then that whole argument would die, because they would be able to perfectly match the software and hardware requirements. So why don't Microsoft, I said before cost, but to put it simply, Microsoft sell the majority of their software to the OEM, guys like Dell, HP, Asus, Acer etc etc, these guys make the actual software, and install Microsoft OS onto a Dell computer, so Dell can put slow parts in the computer to maximize profit. If Microsoft pulled the pin, and made the hardware exclusively like Apple, companies like Dell, HP etc would fold overnight, and collapse, causing chaos, the stock market would suffer, thousands of jobs would be lost. Not exactly an easy decision for Microsoft, even though it might be the best business move for them (Microsoft got big buy being "the only one" look up IE vs. Netscape, big browser war...). This is not a PC is better, its simply laying the facts out before you judge.

Ok, Apples marketing campaign, particularly their getamac campaign. Since 2006 they have been using the same tactic, by hanging shit on PC to boost Mac. It really is quite lame, and a very pathetic way to make themselves look good. Remember the school days, putting down someone else to make yourself look good? And how low that was? Well Apple are doing exactly that, their ads spend more time slagging off PC than actually advertising their product. This is where Microsoft have really shown professionalism, by not retaliating, very cool move on their part. Apple, it’s time to think of a new tact, and actually advertise your product, and not push Microsoft down to ramp up your image.

The last topic is Mac's not getting virus, well there are viruses out there for Mac, just very little. So you ask the question, why don't Macs get viruses. Well, currently Apple holds roughly 10% of the market share, which means Microsoft hold roughly 90% which is a shitload more, so for a hacker or someone with malicious intent, it makes more sense to target the larger market which leads to a higher success rate, hence why PC's are more prone to a virus. The thing is, if Macs continue to gain market share, then hackers and virus writers will turn their interests toward Macs, and I can tell you, Macs can get a virus as well, its jut there are none written for them, because there aren’t enough to make it worth it. So Mac will lose that very edgy marketing tactic if their market share continues to climb.

That is it, that was a neutral post, showing the flaws in both companies. I know me personally, will be shifting to Apple in the New Year, 80% of that reason is FCP (Final Cut Pro) which if it was available for PC then I would stay on PC.

Cheers, Sam.

Spaceman

2009-12-13T22:33:00.000-08:00

Bought some new CD's today, the 500 Days of Summer soundtrack, Passion Pit - Manners, The Killers - Day & Age, Eskimo Joe - Inshalla. Love my tunes...also applied to a Visa debit card, bought tickets to Paranormal Activity, taking my Mum for her birthday. Met this cool guy, Dominic at JB's, he is like full afro man, into producing tunes and stuff, so we exchanged numbers, he's really cool. Checked out D90's and now know exactly what I’m looking for.

Other than that, just been working, designed up some new business cards last night. Ran a sound rig on a gig for the first time in ages the other night, been on lights for so long now, well I lie, first sound rig in ages with live vocals etc. Going to start working at The Cooly Hotel soon, hopefully. Not much else is going on really, going to buy me a DSLR soon, can’t wait. Anyway, bye for now!

Sam.

Human - The Killers (Day & Age)

Powerpack Production Studios 2010

2009-11-25T04:35:00.000-08:00

You may of heard me at some stage, say or mention Powerpack Production Studios. Well Powerpack has been on the backline for a while as Tom and I have had allot of other work on. However, 2010 will be Powerpack's year. We can't say much, but so far the confirmed projects for 2010 are:

-Black Creek
-2 Documentaries

You may be thinking Black Creek is done? Black Creek is indeed done, and online, however, its quality is below average. We are working to reshoot Black Creek to the original storyline, use better cameras, better editing to deliver a more gripping and original film. If you want to see Black Creek on YouTube in HD you can by going to our website and following the links at http://www.powerpackproductionstudios.com/.

The 2 Documentaries will be solo project, one made by Tom and one by myself. They will be released at the same time, and one will be based on the ocean and one on land. There are many other potential projects in the works, but at this stage we are still refining and deciding which will be best.

To add, we will be changing a few things around. The first thing will be a new Powerpack Facebook group, the place to keep updated and know what is happening. We are going to discontinue MySpace support from January 1, 2010 along with the removal of the original Black Creek video. Our website will become a major focus, as the place to find out everything about us.

That is all for now, we look forward to creating some fresh, new, exciting films for you all.

Tom & Sam.

Prime Time of Your Life/Brainwasher/Rollin' and Scratchin'/Alive - Daft Punk (Alive 2007)

The Photoshop Effect 1 Section 2

2009-11-03T19:28:00.000-08:00

Paris in miniature. Want them bigger? Click on them.

Sam.

Comfort You - Eskimoe Joe (Black Fingernails, Red Wine)

The Photoshop Effect Part 1

2009-11-03T01:11:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, have not posted a blog in a while, probably because not much has been happening! Anyway, what I will be starting is a series on Photoshop, not only how great it is, but how it can really alter our perception of things (mainly beauty magazines) which the ultimate aim is to produce a documentary on the topic.

Anyway, here is some fun Photoshop, take this photograph of a construction site and then using some quick techniques turn it into what seems like a tabletop miniature model. Click on them to enlarge.

Sam.

Viva La Vida - Coldplay (LeftRightLeftRightLeft)

Social Experiments

2009-10-20T13:38:00.000-07:00

Time to think outside the square here. This blog is serious, it's not a joke or a stab, im for real as strange as it may seem, but these are ideas for social experiments, one off’s to study what happens.

Concept #1

Try this on for size. Marry a complete stranger. I know very extreme and silly right? Maybe not. I’m don't mean a complete stranger, I mean someone that, maybe you have sort of herd of, or seen around, or at least know what they look like. Now you may think, yeah that exists in an arranged or forced marriage, well no, because this is not forced, it’s consensual and the outcome is not for status within a social circle or what your family/religion accepts. It's just to go out and try it, I pose the question "Why not?” If you are hung up on things like, the costs, the expenses etc you are just thinking of an excuse.

Ok so how does it work? Well you would have someone as the middle man, for this to work you both have to be attracted to each other, or it will epic fail. And then you get married, blind marriage if you wish. Now you may think, well why don't you just go out on a (blind) date or something, well no, that’s boring, the whole thing about being committed before you begin is interesting to me, and it skips that awkward phase of, oh I think she/he likes me and cuts to the chase.

I’m not saying it would work out, but I think it would be very interesting to see how it pans out, and I think that allot of the time, it would work out. You have to have faith in it though. Anyway time to move onto number two, and that’s to be honest and straight up all the time, but only in a positive way.

Concept #2

Be honest all the time. It might seem simple, and you might think you always do it, but do you? This is all about spreading the good stuff, and not the negative stuff, most of you would know this is a big part of my life and how I now operate. Instead of making things up, just tell it straight, if you think a girl/guy is beautiful, say it, what harm is it going to do? None, and people feel better in the process and good energy is spread around. If you like someone, tell them, just do it as Nike would say, but why not? What DO you have to lose? If it’s a positive thing, then say it, the world could do with it.

That's it, remember these are put forward as social experiments, not a way of life that you have to adopt, just concepts that would be interesting to study in a real life environment, the reactions and behaviors I think would be really interesting.

Sam

Square One - Coldplay (X&Y)

Firmware Update

2009-10-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

Photos First :) All taken on the mobi.

I took this down near Pottsville, awesome house hidden on top of a hill.

Took this one in the Tugun Bypass Tunnel.

Cool sunset.

Biggggg storm clouds.

Kira.

Tugan.

Robina Roofs.

A New Beginning, first day on tour.

Before Photoshop.

After. This was taken in the roof of a mansion, I was crawling through there to run an antenna cable on a job with Mark, and found a room...in the roof. You can see all the ducting and stuff now, but they have boxed it off as part of renovations, still, it’s strange going through someone’s roof (like up in the manhole) and then seeing what was once a room, so I took a photo, it was so dark so I had to use epic Photoshop to brighten it up.

Bought a new wallet, emptied out the old one.

I ♥ Fossil. I ♥ 500 Days of Summer.

Hey guys, time for an update on my crazy life, well the last update type blog I think I was working with Mark and the dust storm came through, well allot has happened since then. I no longer work for Mark, but instead am working and living the dream as a lighting operator/designer it is fantastic, I’m on the road touring pretty much every week, and then doing "one off's" during the week. I also continue to run Invent Imagery and work is strong and steady, I established a partnership with Ben from Acute Networks and doing plenty of web and graphic work for my clients.

I spoke to Andrew from Goat Track Theatre Company and his new project Toxic, which is going to be amazing, really looking forward to getting some concepts out there and start work on it, I can't say much, but I can say that it will be something new and fresh, and you will want to see it. It's going to be very cool.

In other news, finally got tires on my car! Bridgestone Potenza's! Got a gig doing lighting at Conrad Jupiter’s Casino! And that is it. Bye for now.

Sam

Fix You - Coldplay (X&Y)

I can't think of a title, sorry!

2009-10-19T03:07:00.000-07:00

Allrighttt!!!! How are you all? Time for some more blogs, I know, I know, I KNOW!!! I have been slack, but I am back. Ok so this blog is just a list of some songs I have put on my "cool" list over the past few weeks, I love them. In no order, here they are!

Mos Def - Auditorium (Feat. Slick Rick)
The Middle East - The Darkest Side
Kate Nash - Foundations
autoKratz - Always More
Live - Lightning Crashes
Bertie Blackman - Byrds of Prey
The Temper Trap - Down River
Florence & The Machine - Rabbit Heart
Thoughtcrime (Doin' My Think) - Horrorshow
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait for the Others
The John Steel Singers - Rainbow Kraut
Major Lazer - Pon De Floor
Start Of War - Clare Bowditch

Just pump them into YouTube and you will be away, I would of linked them all up or made a playlist, but no, don't be lazy, just copy and paste, I had to. Ok well that's it for a while, sorry for all the exclamation marks, I’m just happy!

Sam

Foundations - Kate Nash (Made Of Bricks)

Octobraphy

2009-10-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

Experimental Photoshop, trying to create something that's different. This is bringing fairly warm photographic images down to a more darker, hand drawn/watercolour feel.

Before PS

After PS
Before PS
After PS

Sam

Square One - Coldplay (X&Y)

Dusty

2009-09-26T03:05:00.000-07:00

Looks like God decided to do some spring cleaning in Heaven...in case you have been under a rock the past week, a massive dust storm hit the eastern seaboard of Australia this week... If you aren’t aware, I love any storm or crazy weather event, and this was another on my list. I took the photos while out working, and managed to snag a panorama while on a roof! God killed the lights on Broken Hill at about three in the afternoon for 10 minutes as part of a sun energy saving scheme.

Click on the photos up top if you want to see them bigger. Also as usual there is copyright on these, but I want to make it a point, as there is big demand for photos of the dust storm, so here are the rules if you wish to use them.

Creative Commons Licence:
Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported

Sam.

Numb Encore - Linkin Park feat. Jay Z (Collision Course)

500 Days of Summer: Soundtrack

2009-09-24T21:37:00.000-07:00

The soundtrack to this movie gets a special mention, it is one of the best soundtrack's I have heard in a long time, no corny, top 40 pop shit, really cool alternative tunes, I love them. Do you know the soundtrack peaked at number 71 on Billboard, that’s against every other band out there, pretty good for a soundtrack I think...my favourite songs are in red ;)

"A Story of Boy Meets Girl" - Mychael Danna and Rob Simonsen
"Us" - Regina Spektor
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" - The Smiths
"Bad Kids" - Black Lips
"Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" - The Smiths
"There Goes the Fear" - Doves
"You Make My Dreams" - Hall & Oates
"Sweet Disposition" - The Temper Trap
"Quelqu'un m'a dit" - Carla Bruni
"Mushaboom" - Feist
"Hero" - Regina Spektor
"Bookends" - Simon & Garfunkel
"Vagabond" - Wolfmother
"She's Got You High" - Mumm-Ra
"Here Comes Your Man" - Meaghan Smith
"Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" - She & Him
Additional tracks
"Here Comes Your Man" - Joseph Gordon-Levitt
"Sugar Town" - Zooey Deschanel
"At Last" - Kevin Michael

Sam.

Fidelity - Regina Spektor (Begin To Hope)

Dark

2009-09-21T03:33:00.000-07:00

Getting creative, the camera was doing some really under exposed shots, and they turned out rad, the first one though, was really bright, so I played in photoshop to try and give it a dark, cool, blue type feel.

Sam

High and Dry - Radiohead (The Bends)

Panorma The Epilogue

2009-09-21T03:08:00.000-07:00

This time from the lovely Springbrook, Tom and I hit it up today, very interesting day, fantastic scenery, Purlingbrook Falls was closed though, we think someone had died, everyone there was really depressed, plus there was 2 fire trucks, 3 police cars and 4 ambulances.

Sam

Us - Regina Spektor (Soviet Kitsch)

500 Days of Summer

2009-09-20T07:12:00.000-07:00

Wow, just wow, what a movie, everything in this movie, from the acting, the script, the cinematography, the soundtrack, the everything, I seriously love this movie, it goes down as my most favorite movie of all time. That's a big claim I know, but it is. That movie hits a nerve with me, it evokes such emotion within me, I can relate to it so well, it is such a good depiction of reality, I love how there are no clichés, how the movie is original, and really shows what does happen, not a fabricated, sugar coated romance flick. I have seen the movie twice now, and I can tell you that I will be seeing it in cinemas a few more times yet.

So to break it down, let's start with the soundtrack, awesome, it's really good, allot of indie/alternative music in there, I love that The Temper Trap is in there with Sweet Disposition, that song is awesome, Regina Spektor as well, which I picked out right at the start (just ask Jess), and as allot of you would know, I absolutely adore Regina. The music was great, it fitted so well, really helped to bring out and emphasize the mood, feel and emotions the director was trying to get across. I love the soundtrack as equal as the movie.

Onto the movie itself, the jumpy back and forth style is great, revealing the storyline bit by bit, and really driving the relationship between Tom and Summer. Again the biggest thing for me with this movie, is how close it resembles reality, how this is how it 9 out of 10 times pans out, the little things in the movie make it, his disappointment when she often highlights the shortcomings of relationships, and he disbelief in love. The comic relief is genius, not only have I been so touched by this movie, but at the same time never have I laughed so much!

To conclude, I love it, some may not, and that’s fine, but for me this movie means allot to me, showing that us guys are not just chasing after girls for sex and all that crap they make up and lead people to believe, that contrary to popular belief, we actually do have feelings, and care a hell of allot more than people would like to believe. Marc Webb, make more films, you rock.

Sam.

Sweet Disposition - The Temper Trap (Conditions)

Panorama The Remix

2009-09-17T05:36:00.001-07:00

More panorama's for you all. Taken at various locations, some shots here have 28+ photos!

Sam.

Carbon - Tori Amos (Scarlet's Walk)

Panorama

2009-09-15T05:28:00.001-07:00

Took these today, all on my mobile phone, click on them to enlarge them, they are multiple shots composited into wide angle panoramas. Taken at Purling Brook Falls and The Best of All Lookout.

Sam.

Sparks - Coldplay (Parachutes)

You're in control is there anything you wanna know?

2009-09-13T00:04:00.000-07:00

We meet again. Well yet another chapter in the life of Sam, I hope all of you aren’t too bored yet! Straight into it then, what's new? Well I went to Caloundra with Chatterbox to help with crewing and lights, it was pretty cool, good fun driving up in the bus, great group of people too, the highlight of the trip would defiantly be the coffee girl, she was stunning...the amount of coffee's I got that night...anyway, other than that, I have just been working with Mark, TAFE (for me) finishes this week. Finally. So glad to be free from its hold, and then time to work full time! Make myself some cash, hopefully get that quad in 2010.

Saw the theatre excellence shows on Friday and Saturday, and as usual they were fantastic! It's the strangest feeling not being part of the group, but being there watching a show for once, instead of working in it. Black Comedy. Now that was hilarious, the energy on stage was intense, the focus and everything was awesome, so many laughs, the characters were so developed and hilarious. Now for Dirty Laundry, this play was on the opposite end of the scale, various elements from comedy to physical theatre, a really rich multimedia component and a real joy to watch, highlighting political and aboriginal issues, very well delivered by the cast and crew. All right, the tech, I have to comment on the tech, I’m sure you would all know why by now. Really well done, I could not see any mistakes, very well executed, good balance on the sound, you could always tell what you were supposed to be listening to, and there was always light on the actors when they needed to be lit up.

Now that I have seen the theatre x kids rock it, I really want to get back into the theatre scene again, can’t wait for Crash and Toxic to get going again. For some reason, today I feel really high on life, I just want to get out there, get right into the lighting, go road tripping with Tom and live. That’s it from me, for now.

Sam.

Glass Of Water - Coldplay (Prospekt's March)

There is a tree as old as me

2009-09-06T01:26:00.000-07:00

Hey, well it's been a fairly active few weeks, my life that is, not the blog. Work is getting quite epic, which is good, it will help me save for my next toy, a Suzuki LTZ-400 which we all know what that is, well it’s a quad, and i want it, bad. Other than that, been dealing with pathetic teachers, did the lighting for Snob Scrilla, met some great people doing that, Brett, Niriko, Ardie, Mud and of course the guys from Amy Meredith. I have been watching heaps of movies lately, trying to expand my knowledge I suppose, have decided my favorite genres are Drama and Thriller.

I have met a girl, as some of you may know, nothing serious yet, which is good, because I’m really over the rushed thing, and jumping straight in, the best thing is I’m not stupid crazy for her...yet which is good, because when you do become instantly infatuated, it fades as quick as it comes about a week later, where in this case, its building, slowly getting more intoxicating, so I’m just going to see where it leads.

Other than that, I think my favorite bands/artists are Coldplay, Radiohead, The Postal Service, Faker, Snob Scrilla and Doves.

Sam

My Happiness - Powderfinger

It will be a natural anthem

2009-08-16T23:15:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! How are you all? I’m great! Busy, but great! So what’s new in my life, well last I blogged I had met with Andrew...ok so probably the biggest thing the last week or so has been the Gold Coast Secondary Schools Drama Festival! Which I absolutely LOVE! It’s so great to see youth up there on stage, really high quality stuff out there too, I went to all three nights of the senior section and really enjoyed it, particularly the 2nd night, PBC and Emanuel were just absolutely off the chain! They were outstanding, really high quality work, some of the best I have ever seen, they were so focused and it really showed, particularly the timing with Emanuel, it was bang on. I must say that allot of the schools put out really good work. My picks go to, in random order:

"Black Forest" by Benowa SHS
"Children of the Black Skirt" by St Andrews Lutheran College
"The Beach - a Theatrical Fantastia" by Coombabah SHS
"Black Comedy" by Palm Beach Currumbin SHS
"The Marriage of Figaro" by Emmanuel College Seniors
"Dirty Laundry" by Tamborine Mountain SHS
"What on Earth" by Hillcrest Christian College
"My Space is Your Space" by Helensvale SHS

Really good stuff, I will be personally emailing PBC and Emmanuel on their fine work. Ok so photos, I took these while waiting on the second night, beautiful lighting through the sky, the camera on my phone does not do it justice.

Ok so what else? Somewhere in the last weeks I saw Coraline with Tom, it was amazing! Such a fresh new movie, a really well done piece of work, it isn’t one of those movies where you can guess the story, it just unfolds, very cute movie, a good blend of dark and warm, it’s so good because of its simplistic nature, it’s not over the top, it’s just perfect. Seeing it in 3D was even better! Here is Tom looking hot as always.

I tried to be stealth and take a photo into the projector room thing haha.

That was one of many movies we have seen the last few weeks, we watched District 9 which is great! A really good mix of first person, mocumentary, action, drama and sci-fi, I thought it was good, defiantly one I will buy. It really highlights how us humans would react if aliens landed, particularly how we would isolate them, and treat them like crap, the setting of the movie really reflects this, set in South Africa, where there is already heaps of racial tension, and maybe this can help offer some insight.

So we also saw The Ugly Truth, and even though it’s a chick flick, it was hilarious, some really funny lines in there, worth a watch, but not a buy. When we were parking we saw this hot Ferrari, you can see how much Tom likes it!

That’s it really, I have an interview tonight for a Lighting job, bought some new clothes from Industrie today and a new Fossil watch which is the sex.

Sam.

Brand New Colony - The Postal Service (Give Up)

Slack

2009-08-12T04:26:00.001-07:00

...i know, sorry but I have been busy, busy enough to not be blogging! Big talks about securing a stable role as a lighting tech, full touring, both domestic and international, so yeah! More on that as it progresses, but at this stage it’s looking VERY promising! Other than that, just been getting things on track, met with Andrew to discuss future relationships with lighting, sound, graphic and web. Bought some new movies and what not, meeting up with the ever so beautiful Sophie tomorrow, you can catch her blog at http://sophie-baker.blogspot.com/ she is a super uber photographer! That’s about it for now kids, as more interesting things happen, I will let you know!

Sam

Natural Anthem - The Postal Service (Give Up)

I wish I could say that everyone was wrong

2009-08-08T22:04:00.001-07:00

Thinking about going into the army again, ASLAV crewman, away from all this crap, something interesting and new to do, some will say don’t, because you will be sent overseas. So be it, why would you join and expect not to be sent away, at least that way I can drop off the radar that I’m not even on, slip away, restart, refresh, reengage, have some money to buy a house somewhere far, far away, find someone and settle down, sounds like a good plan to me.

Sam.

Spin Cycle

2009-08-08T21:53:00.000-07:00

Stuck on repeat, like an endless loop, what’s with this? What IS this? I don’t get it, maybe I’m just, I don’t know. I just feel so depressed right now, so depressed. Like I’m reaching out, and every time I think I can touch it, it’s further and further away. Disconnecting.

Sam.

"...how long must I wait..." from This Place Is A Prison - The Postal Service (Give Up)

You thought you might be a ghost!

2009-08-07T03:26:00.001-07:00

I’m back! How are you all? I haven’t posted in a while, slack I know, but since heaps of you have been blasting me for not blogging, I’m now blogging on your screens 7 nights a week...I hope. Ok so where do I start! Last blog was on Sunday, so Monday! I honestly can’t remember, how about I put up some photos and go from there!

Oh I’m a rebel aren’t I? I got a parking notice for my "creative" parking skills, the TAFE parking police obviously thought otherwise, I was warned and my rego was recorded! I now know not to park in abstract ways. You can see the intense power of the glue prevented me from removing the sticker, I later used ninja methods to remove it.

Fire! That's right, for the second time this year, violent flames of fury unleashed on TAFE! Well not really, mixed views, as originally a test of the alarm system was due for that day, so our teacher said, no stay they are just testing the alarms, but no! Mr. X came from admin and told us to EVACUATE NOW! Well, I tell a lie, he just said it was real, so we all packed up and left, in the most laid back way. Turns out it was apparently someone in D block with hairspray? I don't know, don’t quote me on that lol…and the fire was nothing scary, no smoke we could see, so after 5 minutes we all went back in!

Interview time, I took some shots of the girls practicing for the interview in which I interview John! This bloke right here!

We are doing a mock interview for people to film, and John and myself volunteered to be the "talent" for it, John has talent, me on the other hand...

Unfortunately that’s it for this blog! A new blog-series "Tales from the roof" will be starting soon, so stay tuned!

Sam.

"Those who are dead are not dead, they're just living in my head"

C. Martin (Coldplay) - Acer Arena - 14 March 2009

Little Blog

2009-08-02T07:19:00.000-07:00

Well seeing as I woke up at 3, not much happened today, I needed the sleep though, been up early all week and went to bed at 3 last night. Dropped a movie off, got fish and chips and just finished watching S.W.A.T on Foxtel. That’s it for now guys, no photos either :(

Sam.

Day 2.0

2009-08-01T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hey! Yet another interesting day. Up early again for work, the usual deal of cafe breakfast in the morning, Mark has to have his juice, coffee and toast, I got bacon and eggs, it was really good food too, we then went off to a service call in Burleigh, checked all the connections and turns out there is a fault on Telstra’s side. We then hooked up a multiroom in Robina which wasn’t too bad, had to get in the roof and fix Austars dodgy work blocking the Foxtel, the owner of the place was a bit strange, but he warmed up, and by the time we left he couldn’t stop talking. We then did another service call in Robina, again opening up the pits to check connections.

After that we went and got some large pipe from the plumbing store for the new van, you would of seen on most vans/utes how there is a large piece of pipe on the roof with caps on each end) obviously to hold pipes, steel, etc) well we needed to get the parts to make that and as all tradies do, they are made from larger pvc pipe. We dropped the HiLux back off at Mark's place then took then van to GC Wheels and Tyres at Mermaid, some awesome wheels there, Mark decided on the ones he wanted for the van and bought them (fitting next week, they guys are going to lower it as well, and do a little bit of paint work!).

I had a look and found mags I like, potential Pulsar rims, about $1500 with rubber for the whole car.

After that I came home, did a little bit of fiddling around then Mum called and asked if I was free, and suggested if so that I go and see her, so I drove up to Upper Coomera to Paul’s place, that’s Jason (Mums Boyfriend) brother. Hung out with everyone who I’ve known for a while now, then got stuck into the poker which was good fun, I didn’t win in the end, but came a very close second haha, then as people left the three remaining amped it up and played with cash and no chips.

Good night though, good fun and that’s about it! Probably going to see Harry Potter again today (seeing as its now Sunday morning).

Sam.

Random "The Prolouge"

2009-07-31T04:22:00.000-07:00

Here is the first installment of random photos and the stories behind them!

The first image, took this at JB-HiFi one night in Robina while waiting for Sophie to check out the Macs at the Apple store. I thought how cool it was that a guy I know is a proper music artist, and that both his album and ep were on the shelves, so I took a photo! The rest of the night was good, we looked at Macs and that was that!

These are some photos of the first times I started to playing with movers/moving heads/intelligent lights or whatever you know them as, I got training from Group Production Services in Yatla from the awesome Dave Taylor, they helped me in understanding these complex, but very powerful pieces of equipment.

Coldplay. This night in particular means allot, and goes down as one of my most memorable and most awesome experience ever. So it begins like this, I love Coldplay as many of you would know, my Mum and myself flew down to Sydney on a Saturday morning for the Sunday night show we had floor/general admission tickets for, the reason we flew down a day before was to have a good time and so I could queue up all day Sunday to get right up on the barrier. We touched down around 10/11 at Sydney, mum decided to do some shopping and went to French Connection and spent...allot, but why not? We were there to have a damn good time, and we did! We then proceeded to take a taxi to our hotel, the super rad 5 star Pullman hotel at Olympic Park, the hotel was fantastic! The room was fantastic! And the service was fantastic!

It was about 5 or so in the afternoon, and I told mum I was going to go down to the arena (which we could see from our window, and was all of a 5 minute walk) to check out where to line up and texted my spur of the moment friend Farizah who had texted me when I left a last minute message on coldplaying.com with my mobile saying to text me if anyone else wants to queue up, and Far did! I met up with her and we chatted all things Coldplay for a fair while, then she left to go inside for the show. I proceeded to walk around the building and the heavens opened! I hid at the entrance to the car park for 10 minutes while it passed, then walked back down and saw 2 beautiful girls, Nicky and Laura and a guy with his wife and kids, waiting (obviously) for the band to arrive and hopefully catch a glimpse, we waited and waited and started talking. Tony, the head of security at Acer arena was an absolute legend! He gave us updates and then we saw the 3 "cars" (I won’t give away specifics, any Coldplay fan knows these are the trade...err "fan" secrets ;) ) and then they arrived!

We were all soaked to the bone and they stopped! The 2 girls quickly ran over to Chris Martins door and I followed, he put his window down and said hi, we all said hi, I shook his hand and he said he liked my shirt! He then asked us if we were seeing the show and we said no, but we are tomorrow, he then told his bodyguard, Kelly who is such a nice guy "these guys need tickets" we were overwhelmed with excitement, we thanked him and they left to enter the arena, his bodyguard came back with enough tickets for all of us in VIP COMPLIMENTARY GOLD RESERVE SEATING! I called mum, and she proceeded to call everyone we know saying that I had been given tickets by Chris! We then entered the arena and took our seats, I then realized that Farizah had bronze reserve which is right up the back and she paid for them, and we were right next to the stage in VIP from Chris himself, for free!!! The show began and it was awesome, such a memorable experience.

The show unfortunately came to an end, but it was anything but the end for me! We went to where we met them earlier and waited until 1 in the morning and Chris came out! We all got photos with him and I got my ticket signed, he was so nice, there was a stage when we stood there and he had his arm over my shoulder for about a minute while he talked to everyone else, such a nice guy! I went back to the hotel on top of the world and took this photo on the way to capture the experience, that a place filled with some 80,000+ people was now empty, but I felt it was photo worthy as it was something I will never forget.

I got into the hotel and had a shower, and went to bed, I could hardly sleep knowing I had to be up early to queue up for the show, I kept having dreams like I lost my ticket or missed the show or something, I swear every hour I checked to see if my ticket was there. I slept in!!! Far sent me a text saying get down here now! So off I went! Thankfully hardly anyone was there, It was so cool talking to everyone, min, James, far + others, we waited all day but it was worth it, by around 5, everyone was so excited to get in, we were all pushed up against the gate for security checks, I just took myself so I had nothing to be checked, ticket in hand, gates opened! We all surged through, I walked with my hands up straight through security, scanned my ticket and walked inside to get my wristband, then walked as fast as I could to the holding room (cant run or security pins you!) We waited in the holding pen, again Far, Min and I were up against the gate waiting to be released onto the floor, I saw Laura had somehow made her way from being like 50 people back to right next to me! They opened the gates and we practically ran down to the floor, smashing up against the barrier, I managed to get Far and me right in front of Chris’s mic! Min took her spot by Jonny and we waited for support acts, and then on came Coldplay, and we all went crazy! I was jumping the whole time, going off in my element, singing and having a blast! Yellow was awesome :) All the songs were awesome! They said goodnight and we left!

We were all waiting for them, and we saw them again!! We also found out Nicky had snuck into the show, right into gold reserve seating! How cool is that! You guessed it, Chris came out again! It was so cool to meet him again, he was in allot more of a rush this time, but still just as nice, making sure everyone got their photos and autographs. That was it, I met up with mum at the hotel and she showed me all the merch she got, which was awesome :). That’s it, we flew home with an experience I will never forget! To see a photo of me and Chris just see my user profile photo.

----------

In other news, I have to work tomorrow, which I don't mind, because I like it! I also plan to see Harry Potter at least another 2 times in cinemas *jessie cave cough jessie cave* haha, nah I really like it, and they aren’t in the cinemas forever so why not! Also, I’m thinking of iPhone? Should I get one?

Sam.

*twitter shout go to: Ashleigh (isnt she beautiful?)*

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's Off To Work We Go!

2009-07-31T00:38:00.001-07:00

Hey guys! Ready for another installment? Here we go, well I had to get up early, set my alarm for 6 but when it went off I set it to 6:15 then I set it to 6:30 and it went off again and I got up, had some breakfast and off I went! Arrived at Marks at about 7:20 and waited until he came out, then got into the ute and off we went to Molendinar for a Foxtel job, had to install a new point in one of the rooms and run a phone line for the IQ to the lounge room, pretty easy job, up in the roof running cables, mark let me do even more stuff today which was cool. Then we went off to another job in Ashmore, just had to upgrade the previous system to two new IQ boxes. The guy had the biggest flat screen I’ve ever seen, the photo doesn’t do it justice.

Once we did that Mark wanted to get some stuff for his ute so we went to the 4WD wreckers and got the parts he needed.

Went to a sushi train place called Master Sushi, first time I’ve ever done a sushi train, it was cool! Good sushi as well! We went back to Marks as he had to print off some stuff for his new HiAce van! I drove us up to Oldmac Toyota in springwood as he had no one else to get him up there, but on the way nearly had a car crash! Some idiot thought he should change lanes on an intersection, like while turning the corner! Cut me off big time, but I managed to stop in time, he hit my mirror though, but didn’t break it, I locked my breaks up and I think the person behind me did as well... anyway we continued up and then finally arrived, i then hung around while he finalized and we checked over the van! It’s pretty cool, much nicer than the old HiAce I used to use doing furniture assembly.

That’s it for now guys, going to post another blog about some random photos I’ve collected, so stay tuned!

Sam.

Do you have to let it linger?

2009-07-30T02:02:00.000-07:00

Hey guys, another day brought to you by myself, not much happened today, woke up at 7 by my alarm, then thought I hate this class so I’m going to sleep haha, rebel I know, so I slept in to 10 or something and then went to TAFE! Got to TAFE, played linger by the cranberries on repeat on the way (I love that song). TAFE was lame, man I hate animation, going to drop out at the end of the term with the certificate. Went to head down to the shops to get some food and got a call from Andrew in the car park (photo) wondering about the items for printing for Wind in the Willows, so I made plans to leave TAFE early.

(I know it says no parking...you go to TAFE, we all do it haha)

Got to the shops and bought 2 liters of juice lol, then went back to TAFE, actually we sat in my car for a few minutes while I drank juice haha. Got back to TAFE, I was ready to leave by now, but waited for a few more hours, then left about an hour early playing linger on repeat again, got home and did the updates for the printing and that’s about the extent of my day!

Here are some more songs to listen to :)

Linger - The Cranberries
The Mixed Tape - Jack's Mannequin
Such Great Heights - The Postal Service
Hardest Times - Snob Scrilla

Sam.

Today Part 2

2009-07-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

One word. Awesome. What a great night and conclusion to my day! Ok so down to business! I left fairly early, in fact I was at the cinemas at 10 past 8 when the movie started at 9, that’s commitment right there. Waited for ages, then got my frozen coke and Malteasers, proceeded to enter but no! They were cleaning, and I spoke to this guy there waiting as well and he said ah lets go in (10 to 9 by now) and I saw the epic size of this cinema for the first time! It’s MASSIVE! Then we were told another 10 minutes, to a little bit after 9 all 15 or so of us went in, took our seats and man they were comfy and big, really nice cinema and pretty much by the time my coke was in the cup holder the ads started.

After all the ads including Where the Wild Things Are, which I think allot of people are looking forward to, it begun.

By this time I was so focused and waiting for Jessie Cave to come on that I was oblivious to the rest haha. The movie begun to pick up pace, Emma Watson and Bonnie Wright looking beautiful as always, then they went to Fred and Georges shop, where we see the ever so gorgeous Jessie Cave, and the movie continued, great movie by the way, I really do like the movie, it just so happens I like the girls as much, but for those who know me, what’s new haha. I have to make special mention of the dinner with Slughorn, where Emma Watson is hiding behind a sort of curtain thing to avoid her date, and the dress she is wearing, oh my god, how beautiful does she look right? Anyway the rest of the movie was great! Especially the scene where Harry is trying to get water for Dumbledore and those creepy little things grab him and everyone jumps, ahh it was classic, I swear everyone in the cinema lifted of their chairs!

Well that’s it from me! Goodnight!

Sam.

Today Part 1

2009-07-29T01:38:00.000-07:00

Sorry, but it’s that epic that it requires 2 parts, but that my day isn’t over yet and I wanted to get a blog up! Ok what did I do today, got a text from Niriko asking about Snob Scrilla tour dates, then 10 minutes later a call from Mark asking if I can take him to pick up his new van on Friday! Which I agreed to. Proceeded to bum around the house for 10 minutes before getting stuck into Snob Scrilla stuff, adjusting the MySpace and website, and then went to go see Dad...but wait! I was locked, inside the house, yes that’s right, inside!! haha, well I could of escaped but I wouldn’t of been able to lock the house as we use the garage door which is electric, and my pop moved my car and left the zapper in it, now I think about it I could of left, anyway called my pop and he said he was just around the corner so he rocked up and off I went!

Had to see dad to help him out with getting a next g, rural tick phone from Telstra in Robina. So drove out to where he was working, chatted to the tradies who we have known for years anyway, saw the renovations dad was doing for the client, putting in the latest lighting and stuff, full on landscaping, looks awesome! So we went back to his place so he could get his stuff and then headed to Robina, he talked the whole way, but anyone who knows me, knows I talk just as much haha. We walked through and couldn’t find the Telstra shop anywhere, tried one of those fancy touch directories and still couldn’t find it, so we asked one of the ladies at the info desk and she told us where to go (it’s called T Life now??).

Got dad his new phone, he is over the moon now, then I said hey I just want to check out the new cinemas real quick, found out they are like outside and around to the side, I thought they were inside the main complex..obviously not. Went up to ask for a cinema times thing, ended up booking another seat for Harry Potter, the last session in VMAX , got the best seat in the cinema, so I’m stoked, going back at 9 to enjoy the experience...and Jessie Cave and the girls of course! That will all be in part 2.

We got some food, hungry jacks to be specific, then headed home, dad used stealth skills to surprise me with an invoice that needed to be typed...yay...so I did that for him then came home. Pop came in and asked me to go grab the pizzas, so I went and did that and had some pizza, now I’m here typing this! Pretty lame day I know, ah well, I’m sure there will be plenty of interesting stuff to come, but for now, see ya!

Sam.

Hello

2009-07-28T02:28:00.000-07:00

Well another exciting day at TAFE! Actually it wasn’t that bad, I finally know which angle to do my trailer on, had fun rehearsing the speech in the morning with John...not so much getting up early for it though haha. Had a guy from ipaustralia come in to talk about all things copyright, trademarks etc learnt allot of interesting stuff, some stupid tool behind me felt the need to constantly bump my chair though.

Not much else is new, putting up the dates for Snob Scrilla's tour soon, working on Friday and Saturday, and still mad for the girls of Harry Potter, though I think I have settled on Jessie Cave, I mean come on she is gorgeous!!!

That’s it for now!

Sam.

Done for now!

2009-07-27T06:26:00.000-07:00

Finally got stuck into the code blogger/blogspot/google use for this service, started tweaking and what not, got a layout I’m fairly happy with now haha. Good to see people following and starting blogs.

Songs to listen to...for now :p

Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead
Hide And Seek - Imogen Heap
My Happiness - Powderfinger
Square One - Coldplay

Sam.

Fake Plastic Trees - Radiohead

Harry Pot...hang on!

2009-07-27T03:48:00.000-07:00

I already blogged about Harry Potter didn't I? I can’t help my infatuation with it. My bad. So its Monday, another day, another week, not much happened today, went to TAFE which was so so, Justin (our 3D teacher) is back now after his trip, he showed us some photos, pretty cool places. Then we had digital video, I did nothing except talk and watch ken block smash it up in the STI, then looked at cars and parts I wish I had.

So I'm really liking the whole blog thing now, this will become the most accurate record of me I think, I will try to update it daily if I can. If anyone is reading this, leave us a comment or something so I know I'm not broadcasting to no one (I will probably continue anyway).

Sam.

The Cranberries - Linger

What a week?

2009-07-25T23:26:00.000-07:00

Not that anything overly exciting has happened, but more of an emotional week? As you can probably tell from my previous blog. I think the day I wrote that I was just overloaded with emotions, just a flood you know..not that I don’t feel that way, but more so I had felt that way, maybe that was the final release? I hope so. Other than that, I saw Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince last night, good movie, I think they are really getting them nailed now, and why wouldn’t you see Harry Potter, I mean the girls, Emma Watson, Bonnie Wright, Jessie Cave! I’d be happy with either haha. But the movie was good, a few parts to make you "jump", I really liked it, looking forward to the next installment!

So what else is new..umm went up to Tambo today to drop off a stereo for Andrew (Goat Track Theatre Co) for Wind in the Willows, then came back home, my Pop is having a karaoke get-to-gether type thing, and I’m here, bye for now! Next blog will probably be all Google talk! (Wave and Chrome OS)

Sam.

Kid Cudi ft Kanye West & Common - Poker Face

A Little Thing Called...

2009-07-22T22:25:00.001-07:00

Yeah you know what it is, the most amazing feeling ever right? Incomparable, irresistible, it takes control of you, it really does for good or worse. I don’t think that anything can compete with the feeling of love, it’s what makes us cry when someone passes away, it’s what makes us full of rage when someone we love is hurt, it’s the ultimate feeling.

There is a downside to this as there is with anything, and that is there will come a time when you love someone and they don’t love you, I’m sure most of you would be thinking "ahh yeah we all know that" but the question is, do you? do you really know what that’s like and what it can do to you? ...it’s horrible isn’t it? I’m sure you can tell why I’m writing this blog, obvious much, but isn’t this what a blog is for? So I ask if you really know what it’s like to love someone who doesn’t love you back, I’m talking serious love here, the kind of love where you actually would die for them, not just say that to look tough, but when you actually take a step back and go "whoa, yeah I would, I would not even hesitate" you know you’re feeling something deep when you think that. I know im feeling something deep when I feel that.

The things that you do when you like someone this much are crazy they really are, you do anything in your power to help them out, ANYTHING, you can’t stop thinking about them, you just want to be perfect, it consumes you, it takes control of you and your life, in some cases 3 years...you may think it’s sad or lame or pathetic, but I can’t help it, and I’m sure some of you know what that’s like. It comes in waves, sometime they are on your mind, but not that much, then it surges, a flood, an emotional overload, when all you want is to be with them, and you know, you know that no one can do it better.

What really bites, is when, yep you guessed it, you can’t have them, that feeling is like being punched in the stomach and having all the air taken out of you, you try to fight it and hold on to that hope, that one day it will all work out, but really, you know that it never will... So how do you move on? CAN you move on? I thought after I met someone else that I HAD moved on, hahahahaha yeah...obviously not. Does it take that closure? that heart ripping rejection? To make you able to move on?

Most people would probably look at this and pass some pathetic judgment on how lame this is, or that I’m some obsessed freak, if your reading this and understanding it thank you, I know there is one person reading this and we chatted last night about what love can to do you, at least I’m not the only one. What do you do then, do you just sit around waiting for them? Do you say something just to be rejected and shut down? Do you move on? How do you move on, if you can answer that you’re doing well.

There is no doubt that I love someone, and you may think "your tossing the word love around, don’t you mean a crush or someone you like allot", no I mean love, you know when you feel it, and for me, you don’t have to be in a relationship to love someone. I hardly blog, but I feel this is a good outlet to how I’m feeling, a way for me to get this stuff of my chest, and if someone is reading it, and feels me and has been there to, then a big hug to you. So you listen to music, you are either listening to happy up beat songs, or really depressing songs, repeating the most depressing lyric from each song...that’s what I’m doing right now. If you are reading this, and if you are, you know who you are, I can safely say that I love you, so much, so damn much, I want you to be happy, even though it hurts like a knife cutting my heart up, you’re a such a beautiful person :)

Sam.

“I don’t believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now” Wonderwall - Oasis

The Epic

2009-04-28T04:28:00.001-07:00

Mac vs. PC. It's a term tech gurus and most people involved with computing know too well, it’s one of the biggest debates in the computing world, along with Intel vs. AMD and nVidia vs. ATI. Unfortunately its one of the most heated, argumentative and aggressive topics out there, people often get to the stage of yelling, severe frustration, insulting and generally out of control. For those who know me, I have debated this topic many times before, and I’m going to do it again. Before I begin this quest, like I always do, I type out a disclaimer, because I simply like to cover myself before people get nasty. This blog is my personal thoughts and experiences, I’ve been a very active member of the computing and technological world, I don’t talk about things I don’t know, and most will claim they are into computers and know them, just because you can operate MySpace, or install a program does not mean you know computers, you just know how to use them.

I have experience in these fields, I’ve built computers from the ground up, done benchmarking, testing, installs (no not reformatting for those who know, but large scale network ghosting, and new component and lab installs), programming, web programming, package design and much more. I also read up on the latest verified tech news, keep up on the latest software and hardware and use these. Ok, time to get into it, I personally prefer a windows system, I am this way for many reasons. The factors in the Mac vs. pc or pc vs. Mac are huge, things such as hardware, software, usage, environment and heaps more that I will talk about. I’m not windows inclined for the sake of it, but from a computing and technical viewpoint. But Macs are fantastic for some things, they really are and this is where I come unstuck.

All right, I think the biggest factor is hardware and software, there is a line, a huge line, people don’t realize that what’s inside the physical box makes a massive difference to the user experience, because really the OS (operating system) does not have a speed at which it works, yes there are slight variations on how fast the code can execute operations due to its design, but ultimately increasing the physical components (mainly CPU and RAM) will vary on the user experience. One point many pro-Mac users keep bringing up is Vista, and how “crap” it is, how it’s slow etc, etc. I have been using vista for around 18 months and have never had a crash, and that is no lie, I’m 100% serious, never, ever had a crash, I find the system to be very user friendly, easy to use, responsive and so on. But, the difference between why I love vista and why the majority don’t is because they find it sluggish, slow, and constant freezing.

Think of this as water, I have really fast pumps, big pipes, big taps, so I get the water fast. If you only have a little pump, small lines, and little taps then there is no way you will get the water as fast as me. This goes for computers, the internal specifications play a massive role in how you experience the operation. Fortunately for myself, I am highly aware of this, and never buy my computers pre-built from Harvey Norman, Dick Smith, JB-HIFI etc. I buy the components individually to make sure the system will meet my requirements, however most people through no fault of their own get RIPPED off by these stores and their respective manufacturers, honestly the majority of that price is the plastic engraved logo, you find me a computer from one of these stores, I bet I can find it for half price with better components.

Back to the debate, the reason I went into this is because this is a big deal, can you see how the physical parts play a big role? The guys over at Apple do this thing with their computers, where you need an Apple computer to run the Macintosh operating system (unless you are a highly proficient programmer and tech guru), that means they customize the components inside the computer to make sure it works perfectly with their operating system. Windows don’t do this, they sell the operating system and only that. So think of it this way, Mac and Windows are both water, but Mac supply the right pumps, pipes and taps to make it run well, Windows just deliver the water, it’s up to you on what pumps, pipes and taps you use, and this is where the computer manufactures capitalize and put lower end components to boost profits and ultimately you suffer, because you pay heaps and are left with a slow system (in most cases).

This is not the end of the world. There are of course many work-a-rounds for this, one of them is get a friend who really knows their computers, and let them choose your computer, or do your research, read reviews, or pay a private computer company to source the right system. Some will also say, ‘oh well why don’t Microsoft just make computers’ because they don’t need to, they have such a massive slice of the market share that they don’t really care, and they are a software company primarily, not a hardware company. It is unfair to compare Windows and Mac if they aren’t using the same components or equivalent. Next time some self proclaimed expert tells you Vista sucks, remind them that it comes down to the specifications of the hardware.

Now, that is not the reason I am pro Windows, because obviously Mac wins there, its making user friendly options for people, however this is where it can get hazy. Mac give you the pumps, pipes and taps, but that is it, if you need a new tap because it breaks you have to send it all the way back to Apple, with a PC you can go to the shops and fix it within half an hour, Mac do offer some customization but nowhere near the amount that you can on a PC, and sorry, but Mac take advantage of this and their computers, parts etc are overpriced, but there is no way around it, and luckily you do get what you pay for. Most PC users love the fact that customization is endless, with a Mac, parts in some cases are proprietary. For this reason, you will find that tech heads use PC, and generally all arty people use Mac.

Ok, we are clear on the whole hardware vs. software thing now I hope. The next part, and the biggest debating factor, even though it’s not the biggest factor, and that is Mac is better for creative stuff. Where do people get off, how can a Mac be better for creative stuff? I have used both systems, Mac and PC, I find Mac to be like being in primary school, it’s so tightly screwed down, that the slightest technical thing becomes an epic quest. People have said to me ‘I don’t care Mac works better for me when I do creative stuff’, I say to them have you ever used a PC setup for creative work? They reply no. How can you compare two things when you have only used one? Again, hidden to the user, Mac systems are awesome from the get go, they are specked up to work perfectly, if you’re trying to use a computer setup for emails to run Photoshop obviously you will encounter problems, Mac have the creative tag attached, so they are ready for Photoshop the moment you turn it on.

That is it for now, there might be a follow up to this, or a part 2 where I might go into detail on other areas. For now, goodbye!

Sam.

The First

2009-04-14T02:21:00.000-07:00

The first blog, expect many more from political rants, to tech rants, check it often.

Sam.