Yup. Still Bioshock. But different. Which is nice.
Eighteen*5
Finally hit a solution after a weekend of googling with my macbook pro issues!
Checked out the Apple Defects wiki and found some examples of what I am experiencing.
According to the site it is a graphics card failure, specifically the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT (present in my computer). It also directed me to another link on the Apple Support website which detailed the issue;
"In July 2008, NVIDIA publicly acknowledged a higher than normal failure rate for some of their graphics processors due to a packaging defect. At that same time, NVIDIA assured Apple that Mac computers with these graphics processors were not affected. However, after an Apple-led investigation, Apple has determined that some MacBook Pro computers with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processor may be affected. If the NVIDIA graphics processor in your MacBook Pro has failed, or fails within four years of the original date of purchase, a repair will be done free of charge, even if your MacBook Pro is out of warranty.
What to look for:
What to look for:
- Distorted or scrambled video on the computer screen
- No video on the computer screen (or external display) even though the computer is on
- MacBook Pro 15-inch and 17-inch models with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors
- MacBook Pro (17-Inch, 2.4GHz)
- MacBook Pro (15-Inch, 2.4/2.2GHz)
- MacBook Pro (Early 2008)
- These computers were manufactured between approximately May 2007 and September 2008
Products Affected
MacBook Pro, models with NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT graphics processors"So now knowing this I can rest a bit easier I think. Instead of calling Apple I think I will just head down to the Apple Repair Center and take a print out of this information and that way when they check it out they should basically see that it is this particular issue and therefore the costs of the repair are covered under NVIDIA's agreement with Apple. Still not happy about it, but am pleased to find out that as far as I can tell - this is the issue and apparently it's quite common. So a quick announcement to y'all out there - if you bought a Macbook Pro during 2008, be prepared for the possibility of this happening to you.
See how I go tomorrow.
Eighteen*4
7. (PROGRESS!) Read Dracula.
Some more progress today!
I picked up Dracula in the Penguins Classic line today, have been putting it off for ages now. In fact I even saved myself some cash by picking it up from Big W with their 35% off paperbacks sale at the moment. Quite pleased with myself. Sure helped out with some other less-than-fantastic developments of late.
This is exactly what a macbook screen looks like when it complete fucks itself. Excuse the language but it's so damn frustrating. Since I got my iMac I haven't needed it per say but I will actually need it in 3 or so weeks so that's unfortunate. The screen began to flicker with the artifacts you can see above, then the screen flashed like mad and would not stop - quickly followed by my turning it off at the power. Left it for a while and then turned it back on and BAM! Computer will not reboot normally or in safe mode. Not happy. Macbook is only 2 years and 3 months old and is out of warranty and quite frankly I don't want to spend too much on getting it fixed. I only just got a new battery and all *sigh* see how a few phonecalls goes tomorrow, mighty even go down to the dodgy mac repair center and see what they can tell me.
Some more progress today!
I picked up Dracula in the Penguins Classic line today, have been putting it off for ages now. In fact I even saved myself some cash by picking it up from Big W with their 35% off paperbacks sale at the moment. Quite pleased with myself. Sure helped out with some other less-than-fantastic developments of late.
This is exactly what a macbook screen looks like when it complete fucks itself. Excuse the language but it's so damn frustrating. Since I got my iMac I haven't needed it per say but I will actually need it in 3 or so weeks so that's unfortunate. The screen began to flicker with the artifacts you can see above, then the screen flashed like mad and would not stop - quickly followed by my turning it off at the power. Left it for a while and then turned it back on and BAM! Computer will not reboot normally or in safe mode. Not happy. Macbook is only 2 years and 3 months old and is out of warranty and quite frankly I don't want to spend too much on getting it fixed. I only just got a new battery and all *sigh* see how a few phonecalls goes tomorrow, mighty even go down to the dodgy mac repair center and see what they can tell me.
Eighteen*3
Very much looking forward to the final season of Smallville. I am currently avoiding all tv-related websites so I don't spoil the season premiere for myself - it's not too easy for me to do, but there are so many other things that I have to do I'm keeping quite busy.
There has been alot of speculation about the final season - what it will and won't deliver, and based off some of the things that I have heard I doubt it will diappoint. Smallville is far past its slump period and certainly proved last season that it still had alot of stories to tell and new ways to deliver the reimagined beginnings. One such fact that the Season 9 finale did put out there was that; Yes, he now has the super suit and Yes, Superman exists in 2012. Which basically gave the series 2 seasons maximum to tie up the stories. Ten is a nice number for it to go out on and it is ironic that Allison Mack has finally decided to depart right in the last hour, leaving Tom Welling the only remaining original cast member (regular). I have hated Mack's character from the beginning and she only got worse, so I can't say I'm sorry to see her finally go.
I have the same questions as everyone else regarding the final season; will he fly? will he don the suit? will he become Superman at the end? Can only watch and see. The problem is that the show's creators did state early on 'no tights, no flights' but they have since departed and honestly, is there really another way to finish the story? We all knew how it began and ended, but the only thing we are still yet to see is the middle.
nb. One last thing - I think it's a bit disappointing that the supersuit is the Brandon Routh/Superman Returns suit. I feel Smallville has earnt their own suit by now.
nb. One last thing - I think it's a bit disappointing that the supersuit is the Brandon Routh/Superman Returns suit. I feel Smallville has earnt their own suit by now.
Eighteen*2
My insurance claim for my Macbook battery came through a while ago now and I cashed it in and bought a replacement battery. It's excellent! It means I can take my laptop places again without having to worry about dragging the power adapter along as well and the best thing is it was covered under my insurance so I didn't have to shell out $200 for it - which was basically why I was putting up with it in the first place.
This particular item will be completed over and over I think. I think I was meaning for a new template to go up before I crossed this off but decided against a complete redesign for now - it's something I've got to stop doing every 6 months. That said, I have changed the design slightly - but the most important change is the content. The Design and Illustration sections have been overhauled, Motion remains the same, my About has been completely reworked, CV updated and the background changed as well. Comparison above (the scale difference is due to different resolutions/monitors).
3. (PROGRESS!) Lose 5kgs.
Started a new diet on the 4th. Basically it includes actually eating 3 meals in a day, smaller portions, healthier meals (more veg), next to no soft drink, more water and juice, bit more walking etc, next to no snacks and what snacks I have are nuts and eating slower. It seems to be working! My weight as of the 4th was 74kgs. My weight as of today (18th) is 71.5kgs. That's an average of basically 1kg a week just by eating better! That was pretty much the problem mind you - so, pretty happy about this!
16. (PROGRESS!) Obtain new dvd shelving unit.
My parents are currently painting and rearranging our house in Young for the first time that I can remember! This means some new furniture is moving in and some old is moving out! Dad has had these white bookshelves in the study... Well, forever! And he's swapping them out for something else. Not one to throw things out he's trying to figure out a use for the shelves - so I asked if I could have at least one of them (there are two) for my dvds. They're roomy so there will be no issues with box sets and metal tins not fitting AND it provides me with more space to put dvds and strangely enough will not take up more space than my current set up. Less Even! So when I move I will be getting those!
17. (PROGRESS!) Own a 100 year old book.
I had forgotten that as a graduation present to myself I picked up an 'antique classic' version of Robinson Crusoe from a second-hand book shop in Fitzmaurice St in Wagga last year. I checked out the publishing date the other day whilst sorting through my books the other day and it was published in 1911! so that means next year it will be 100 years old! It's crazy how long books can last if they are cared for appropriately.
18. (PROGRESS!) Watch 3 'alternate' films.
Two down one to go. I have watched Just Add Water and The Life Aquatic with Steve Sizzou.
23. (PROGRESS!) Read 1 chapter per day of a book for a month.
Starting today!
35. Camp in the Blue Mountains.
Possibly stealing one of dad's tents while in Young next week to go camping on the upcoming long weekend.
Eighteen*1
21. (PROGRESS!) Own all Raymond E Feist books in hardcover.
Could not believe my eyes when I saw a hard cover edition of Magician sitting on the shelf in Dymocks Penrith. For $30! As you know collecting the remainder of Feist's released collection is on my List so I could not pass it up! I was confused but after talking to the saleswoman and a quick google search it turns out that it is a limited release for Voyager's 15th Anniversary - a line of 5 books which have been re-released in HC. It was going to be the most difficult book of Feist's to find in HC so that's a massive dent in my collection efforts. In case you are curious here is my checklist for Feist's released HC's;
-Magician- - Silverthorn
- - A Darkness at Sethanon
-Legends of the Riftwar: Honoured Enemy-Legends of the Riftwar: Murder in LaMut-Legends of the Riftwar: Jimmy the Hand-The King’s Buccaneer- - Prince of the Blood
- - Krondor the Betrayal
-Krondor the Assassins- - Krondor Tear of the Gods
-Shadow of a Dark Queen-Rise of a Merchant Prince-Rage of a Demon King-Shards of a Broken Crown-Talon of the Silver Hawk-King of Foxes-Exile’s Return-Flight of the Nighthawks-Into a Dark Realm-Wrath of a Mad God-Rides a Dread Legion-At the Gates of Darkness
As you can see I have 5 to go (8 if you include the 3 unreleased books). I have seen Krondor the Betrayal and Krondor Tear of the Gods around in second-hand bookshops and on ebay so many times I am not concerned - there are an abudance of copies. Hell I've even seen Silverthorn and A Darkness at Sethanon a few times - they will cost a bit so it's a matter of the right money at the right time with those two. The only book that really concerns me now is Prince of the Blood. I have been searching for HC's of all these books since about 2004 and I have only ever seen it once. I am avoiding sourcing from overseas but I think that may be my only option. But at the end of the day I am happy that I found Magician - for me it is the most important find because it is my favourite book. It was was got me into fantasy and it's a majestic read.
Eighteen*0
I picked up my shiny new Canon EOS 550D DSLR from an importer in North Sydney. My mother stumbled across their site and their website left me more than a little suspicious of their products and their prices but after some research and a few phone calls it was fine. They import their products from Japan and we all know that the Japanese make excellent cameras - there is always the thought that they may be less-than-reputable but I went on a few forums and spoke with some people who had bought from there previously and they were very happy with the services provided. These impressions were confirmed when I picked up the camera, the shopfront is very professional - as are the employees. And because the cameras have been imported they have a very nice price tag. The only thing that some of the cameras are badged differently than they are in Aus. The 550D is such a case - being badged as the EOS Kiss X4 in Japan and the EOS Rebel T2i in North America. But at the end of the day it matters very little - I picked up the Twin Lens Kit for $1339. A solid save of around $500 on average which allowed me spend some of that other money on a decent camera bag, SD Card and Tripod. I picked up the bag and card from JBHIFI and I must say the staff there were obnoxious, rude and arrogant towards the fact that I had purchased the camera elsewhere. One staff member noticed that I was looking at the camera bags and asked 'What camera did you get' I told her the model and she simply replied 'You should have bought from us' and walked off. Bitch. So much for customer service.
Seventeen*9
My week has been full of treats! Awesome super pretty shiny suprise treats! I have spoilt myself this past week and I think that will definitely be the end of my spending for a while, my bank account certainly took a hit - but it was totally worth it! I'm going to break this up over a few posts, there's too much for one and some relate directly to my List.
Last Week
I always have so many tabs open of things that are meant to be blogged and I never get around to them, so here's one that I forgot last week. I returned some dvd's to the local video store up the road and hunted through their ex-rentals as I tend to do - looking for bargains. I came across Season 4, Part 1 of Battlestar Galactica for $15! Now that was a pretty sweet deal and it was even sweeter because it was brand new, still shrink wrapped! That's at least $10 cheaper than the on sale price that you find it for. Especially considering that Season 4 is split into 2 parts I definitely saved some money. I only have Season 1 on dvd and I do like to buy in order but there was no way I could turn this deal down. I looked for any other seasons but I couldn't find any. I always wondered why Season 4 was sold in 2 parts and as I sat down to watch it I discovered that it was because the first disc is the tv movie Razor. So that was a definite bonus because that was the only part of BSG I was yet to see!
Monday/Tuesday
12:01 on the 14th of September I walked out of EB Games Penrith with a rather large box in my hands, smiling ever so slightly at the glares of the 40 odd people still in line out the front of the store. Perhaps they should have pre-ordered the biggest game of the year? Not my fault. Halo: Reach is definitely the hardest Halo game I have played (only ever on Legendary), I am yet to complete the game so I cannot say whether or not the story is the best - but it definitely outshines Halo 3 in every aspect. Not that it was a very difficult thing to do.
Wednesday
Big shopping day in the city on Wednesday. Picked up the recently released Dr Horrible and other Horrible Stories graphic novel - very cheap, very awesome! A must for Dr Horrible fans - a series of short stories each focusing on a different character/element of the Horrible Universe. The stories focus on Captain Hammer, Moist, Penny, Johnny Snow/Evil League of Evil and Dr Horrible respectively. They are short and sweet but provide so much background to the characters and how they all landed where they were at the time of Dr Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog. More on my efforts after the jump.
Last Week
I always have so many tabs open of things that are meant to be blogged and I never get around to them, so here's one that I forgot last week. I returned some dvd's to the local video store up the road and hunted through their ex-rentals as I tend to do - looking for bargains. I came across Season 4, Part 1 of Battlestar Galactica for $15! Now that was a pretty sweet deal and it was even sweeter because it was brand new, still shrink wrapped! That's at least $10 cheaper than the on sale price that you find it for. Especially considering that Season 4 is split into 2 parts I definitely saved some money. I only have Season 1 on dvd and I do like to buy in order but there was no way I could turn this deal down. I looked for any other seasons but I couldn't find any. I always wondered why Season 4 was sold in 2 parts and as I sat down to watch it I discovered that it was because the first disc is the tv movie Razor. So that was a definite bonus because that was the only part of BSG I was yet to see!
Monday/Tuesday
12:01 on the 14th of September I walked out of EB Games Penrith with a rather large box in my hands, smiling ever so slightly at the glares of the 40 odd people still in line out the front of the store. Perhaps they should have pre-ordered the biggest game of the year? Not my fault. Halo: Reach is definitely the hardest Halo game I have played (only ever on Legendary), I am yet to complete the game so I cannot say whether or not the story is the best - but it definitely outshines Halo 3 in every aspect. Not that it was a very difficult thing to do.
Wednesday
Thursday (after the jump).
Saturday
Went to the Book, Record and CD Market in Glenbrook today - was mostly looking for Sabbath, Maiden and Stones LP's but unfortunately some exorbitant pricing shelved that intent for today. I did stumble across two wonder's though. I have been Tom Clancy's Rainbow 6 for a few years now - in search of a cheap good condition copy which I will eventually replace with the same but in HC. I finally found one! It is like-new (with the exception of some aging to the pages) but the cover and spine are beautiful. And $4! Score!
The other was a nice $5 suprise George Lucas: The Creative Impulse was a book I had glanced upon once or twice on ebay treks. I have two other books (Industrial Light and Magic: Into the Digital Realm and Industrial Light and Magic: The Art of Special Effects) that I picked up dirt cheap off ebay a few years ago which belong to the same series. This book is great because it only very briefly touches on his efforts with ILM, but focuses on his work with Lucasfilm - largely on Lucas' efforts as a director, producer and writer. I do hope they bring out cohesive history of Skywalker Sound one day.
Seventeen*8
I missed the markets earlier this year, but I plan on making it to the December markets. Super excited for them, they look awesome and the Carriage Works look amazing as well. By then I'll be living closer as well so that will make it all even better!
Seventeen*7
I'm in the market for a vintage polaroid camera. Strictly vintage, I'm not interested in a new-fangled one at all. I'm particularly keen on this one;
There's been a few of them on the ebay lately but always exceed my modest budget for one. Watching a few at the moment, see how we go. If not there's a few other one's I have my eye on. I really hate the sellers that quote 'it is all in working order. Or at least it was 20 years ago when I last used it'. Does it really take that much to test it? Even if you've got to buy film for it you can always sell the rest of the film with the camera and you'll make more from it.
Gosh.
Seventeen*6
I would very much like one of these, it would solve so many desk space issues that I am currently debating. It could happen yet. It is so tidy - keeps the keyboard out of the way, provides extra USB ports and gives you that much more desk space. I'm a fan.
Seventeen*5
Well. Arkham City's Catwoman seems to have a healthy amount of cleavage to entertain those games who miss the bosomy charms of Lara Croft.
Seventeen*4
What is probably old news to everyone is very exciting to me!
I only just discovered the awesomeness which is quick shortcuts to your favourite blogs right on your iphone's home screen. It's so simple and fun! Makes me actually want to check out the blogs on my phone as opposed to waiting until I get home.
If you have an iphone, open up safari and click that unusual '+' and then choose 'Add to Home Screen'. Give it a bit to load, longer if you have a 3G with OS4 like I do and then you can name the shortcut and then it's done! Of course with OS4 there's the organisational bonus of folders and for me I was especially stoked by the capability of making your own icons by zooming on said image before you hit '+'. You can see a hint of my favourite blogs above. Some friends, some randoms and the ever amazing Jirat James Patradoon and Brian O'Malley.
Seventeen*3
No. 44 on my list has been nailed!
It was a while ago, while I was still writing the list but I've finally gotten around to grabbing photos off my phone so here we are. Liz and I took a day trip to Newtown on the cityrail free transit day. Why the hell wouldn't we? We went to King's Comics as well, so we didn't have to pay for a trip that probably would have cost somewhere in the $20 - $25 mark. The shop was nuts! I'd seen brief photos on the web but had always assumed it was downstairs in some sort of basement shop for some reason. Like the best music stores are you know? So I was wrong. It was in some sort of old factory type building with the entire place decked out with shelves. As you walk in you pass by a comedic amount of 2nd hand cd's and dvd's but you barely glance at them because it is plainly obvious that no matter how many there are they are minuscule in comparison to the epic number of books covering the walls, shelves and floor of the shop. There is zero room to move through the isle's as the narrow shelves are even more cluttered with the milk crates and general piles of books threatening to cave in and smother you. If you went in looking for one specific book you would have absolutely no hope and it's pointless asking about it because there is no way on earth that they would have records of what they have. Not a chance. I worry if there is a section to the shop that you can't see, that houses more books. I loved it! Hunting through 2nd hand bookshops is a love of mine and dependent on the the company I could spend hours in Gould's Arcade (before I found anything I'm sure). They have a healthy stock of old comics as well, but most impressive is there large corner of lp's. I didn't peruse them too closely, but I hope one day to sort through them in hope of finding some Sabbath, Stones and Maiden. Eerily enough 'Black Sabbath' - Black Sabbath just came on itunes. Also, bought my Soundwave tix last weekend - cannot wait to see Maiden live AGAIN!
The entrance.
The main stage.
An average isle.
So there you have it. No. 44. Once I move I dare say I will be exploring Newtown more often.
Seventeen*2
Current WIP.
For several purposes. More concept art for my MAP project, as well as expanding my illustration folio and also possibly serving a purpose in another project as well. It's called multi-tasking kids! At the moment everything that I do I try to tie into my MAP work as well because I need to do as much as I can on that while I have the time. Doing freelance since the end of June up until the start of this week chewed up a ridonculous amount of my time and has left me with some catching up to do before the October assessment.
Finger crossed!
I had a frustrating time doing the lineart for old Jack (above). So much so that I lost it at one point and almost gave up but as you can see that didn't stick. I just took a different approach - pink! I think it's cool... don't you?
Seventeen*1
Whilst searching for a simple psd that continues to elude me I stumbled across all my uni work from 2007. Man, what a difference there was between my 2nd Year work and my 3rd and 4th year work. It's like all my enthusiasm was destroyed in the first half of 3rd year and it all went down hill from there. At the moment I have been feeling a bit down, but this has encouraged me to retake that enthusiasm to life in general - so expect some cool shit to happen from here on! I needed a boost, so I'm pretty stoked that I found it!
A few choice snapshots that I unearthed included the above image of my work station circa 2007. Such a cluttered wonderful mess it was. Two computers, one awesome tablet and a keyboard tray that my brand new girlfriend would break probably about a week later! (damn you Elizabeth!). I cannot wait to move in October and set up something just as wonderful in my new place. This was all taken around the time I was doing my 'recreate a special effect' assessment which for me included attempting to use a model of an AT-AT to create one of the greatest scenes in Star Wars. The model required epic slicing and dicing and the creation of knee joints amongst other things in order to actually have the required functionality. It went pretty well. I can't seem to find the final video (which had a terrible snowspeeder comp going on) but I did find this one of the shots of the walker. Not terrible for my first stop motion attempt.
Seventeen*0
On my list I have listed buy an artwork. I would kill for a print of James Jirat Patradoon's work. In fact I would kill for one of these two;
DR CASEFACE
2008.
30" x 40"
Edition of 6
REMY OF THE COLD CADAVERS
2009.
30" x 40"
Edition of 6
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