Stuff, Wotsits and Thingies

The Vodi

// April 30th, 2009 // 6 Comments » // books

I’ve read a couple of my namesake’s novels over the years. But apparently “The Vodi” is an undiscovered masterpiece. In what context I don’t know. I’ve no idea what that message board is about. Though it does appear right under my favourite book ever in a Guardian top ten. So that’s that decided [...] and I just got a copy for 39p on the Amazonian book forest!

I’ll report back soon – though I’m already in the middle of a ganzyload of books. I don’t know how I started doing this, wouldn’t have dreamt of it years ago. Starting a book before finishing another. I am currently reading:

Which might seem like a bragging of sorts. But what I’m actually saying is that I’ve started all these books and haven’t managed to finish any of them.

Photoshop workflow tip for web designers

// April 30th, 2009 // 3 Comments » // photoshop, web design

Here’s something I’ve started using a while ago that’s very handy; If you’re a web designer and do a lot of your graphics in photoshop then like me, you’ll probably use Save for the Web a hundred times more than you use Save.

The workflow for this has always been a bit clunky in Photoshop. There isn’t a shortcut for it – and actions don’t really cut it. Well there is a shortcut but try doing lots of Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S without breaking your arms. The simple solution is to swap around your shortcuts so you can just hit Ctrl+S to Save for Web.

Go to Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts > File, then scroll down to Save for Web and change it to Ctrl+S. Then you’ll need to change Save to Alt+Shift+Ctrl+S. Now to save for the web you can just press Ctrl+S and then hit enter. Now and then you’ll need to change file type or location but mostly you can just hit enter.

Another handy workflow tip using shortcuts is to get your Undos working like most programs. Open up the shortcuts again and change Step Backward to Ctrl+Z. And then change Undo/Redo to Alt+Ctrl+Z. Now you can undo like any other program, rather than that single undo. (You can change the number of undos by going to File > preferences > Performance > History & Cache).

Facemask for Swine flu

// April 27th, 2009 // 9 Comments » // Uncategorized

facemask-for-swineflu, originally uploaded by jbraine.

Online payments site

// April 24th, 2009 // No Comments » // web

A friend has set up a new informational site about web payments. Everything you need to know about online payment systems. So if you want to start selling something on your site and you want to give your customers some good options, or if you just not too sure where to start, check it out.

Webpayments.ie is a free and independent resource to help guide you through the process of setting up online payments in Ireland. The site has been setup in response to the difficulty often experienced when choosing and integrating a web payments platform.

And there are some really good animations explaining how online payments work.

I’ve never heard The Smiths

// April 22nd, 2009 // 5 Comments » // music, tv

I know sometimes when a task is at hand, other activities take on a magnetic quality including the TV that you’ve been meaning to turn off – but Nigel Havers has been very entertaining on “I haven’t seen Star Wars yet”, a show where celebrities take on experiences not previously experienced.

• I can’t believe he hadn’t seen The Simpsons before. He gave it 11 out of 10.
• I can’t believe he got a tattoo of a scorpion on his arm, in the name of a TV show
• I can’t believe he never heard of The Smiths and thought they were rubbish. Particularly ripping apart, This charming man
• I can believe he never had Le Big Mac before

Clown

// April 21st, 2009 // 2 Comments » // photos

“What’s the point in asking me to draw a clown on your whiteboard if you’re going to run out of the room screaming!?”

clown, originally uploaded by jbraine.

Favourite song ever

// April 19th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // music

The video is rubbish and I’ve heard the lyrics called into question – but this is my favourite song. And it stole the show at Karaoke earlier tonight!

Total protonic reversal

// April 14th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // waffle

"Aw shit I really should’ve gone before we left that kip" said Jay. "I’m gonna burst a pipe".

"Yeah nuthin’s open, no taxis, and no public jacks for miles" said Sean "No wonder this city smells of piss".

"Next lane?"

"Too right"

If that lane was two miles away, the lads would have held on, but it wasn’t far at all and the closer they got, the more their bladders felt like a pufferfish after swallowing a bath.

They started to run but it was a funny kinda run. You know the one; more of a dance, knees knocking together, fists clenched and their foreheads sweating piss.

They made it to the top of the lane: "AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH". Like Lennon and McCartney, in perfect chorus. Then Johnner comes running up the Lane screaming at the top of his lungs. "N0000000000000000000000000".

"What the f….?"

"Noooooooooooooo,

S-T-O-P!!!!"

"D–O–N–T

C—R—O—S–S

S—-T—-R—-E—-A—-M—-S!!!!"

"Oh for fucks sake Johhner have you been watching Ghostbusters again? You made me piss all over me jeans ya big muppet"

"Eh, sorry"

—————————

If you liked that you might like “Your number’s up mate” and “Corky”

Talk to the hand

// April 14th, 2009 // No Comments » // photos

Talk to the hand, originally uploaded by jbraine.

Special

// April 11th, 2009 // 5 Comments » // music, waffle

There really is something special about The Specials. To me at least. There’s no sound more nostalgic. Every time I hear them I’m brought right back there in a way no other music does. On the edge of my teens, exciting times, a wannabe rebel, walking the streets, a gaggle of you, trying to look tougher than you are, school nothing more than an inconvenience, somewhere else to fly your flag, your school bag a blank canvas for two tone insignia, your big black marker a prized possession to mark your territory anywhere you can. Your uniform; a challenge, make it your own, skinny the tie; turn the trousers up tight, shine the Docs; Rudeboy?

Nah, no Rudeboy; skinny little white boy with fears of the world – but you hear that music now and you’re right back there, ready for it all. There’s girl’s to be fought over, lessons to be learned, teenage memories to be etched on your brain forever. Dance around the fire. Pass the flagon. Put you arms on my shoulders, and sing the song, a song that will bring you right back there twenty years later and still burn a fire in your belly.

Original video

Wash and go

// April 2nd, 2009 // 6 Comments » // random, rant

I’ve officially given up shampoo. It’s a load of nonsense, the short n’ curlies have been doing just fine with shower gel for all this time and they’re in much better condition than my head. So that’s it; sayonara shampoo.

I don’t know why we need so many different cleaning products. Scam central. We should just have one big bottle of stuff for cleaning us and one big tub of chemicals for cleaning the house. Ok maybe something a bit milder for wood surfaces – but do we really need a different spray for the kitchen and the jacks!? Of course not it’s a scam. Do you need one bottle of stuff for the sink and another for the shower? No you fucking don’t! So I put it to you; unless you have long flowing golden locks, do you really need shampoo? I don’t. I just wash, and go!

I know what you’re thinking; I should join Beat.ie with this wealth of knowledge. Maybe if they ask nicely.

And another thing. D’you know cat litter isn’t just grit? It contains compounds like Calcium bentonite specifically designed to soak up urine and then go hard.Yet one of the most popular brands, Thomas, doesn’t seem to do this at all, it just seems like a bag of gravel to me! And that’s the brand that’s in every single shop. That’s marketing for you. Get the really cheap stuff in the like of Lidl, it’s the proper stuff.