It's been a long time coming...

And I've finally gotten around to doing a new blog! waheyyyy!!!

Mainly because Sony Ericsson are awesome and have been amazing enough to accept onto their Ambassador scheme, which has helped spur me on to write a blog post for them!

But don't worry my friends! I still promise goodness!!

So, where do I begin?!
Since my last blog, the band has been going pretty well, we're now supporting Electric Six on the 28th November in the o2 Academy here in Liverpool, so we're looking forward to that for sure!

And unfortunately (or fortunately, whichever way you look at it), the zombie apocalypse still hasn't happened!
Sometimes I think I would prefer it to just happen and get it out of the way so I had an excuse to shoot the scum of this Earth without getting locked up!

So, the main reason for my blog today is to talk to you about Sony Ericsson, their products, and a little bit about them and how they could benefit YOU in the inevitable zombie uprising!!

Let's start with the main features of their handsets now then... so, to begin with, you have the Mobile Bravia Engine on the handset. So you basically have your own, miniature, Sony Bravia TV in the palm of your hand. Awesomeness already. So this will help you view your pictures, videos and games in brilliant clarity!
Next, you have the Exmor R Mobile Sensor, which allows you to take high quality pictures in low light areas.
I've already tested this out in my living room, with very little light, using my hamsters.
The picture turned out like this:



Which I think is pretty damn sweet!

Now, I'm using the Sony Ericsson Ray, which since I got it a couple of weeks ago, I'm pretty siked on it! It's got the latest Android software (2.3 gingerbread.. due for update to Ice Cream Sandwich soon!) as well as the latest SE software too, which has just added some cool little features, suce as Sony's 3D Sweep Panorama, which allows you to take panoramic shots, and then plays them back to you on your phone in a sweeping motion, but the image it produces turns out like this:



Now, Sony Ericsson Xperia handsets have been receiving rave reviews, getting 5 stars in the tech magazine Stuff, as well as winning at the Hot Buy Awards!
And why not?! because let's face it, they are all pretty damn sweet!

So, on top of the awesome Sony technology in the handset, they have now introduced Facebook Inside Xperia. This now allows you to share apps with your friends on Facebook by simply holding and dragging an app to the top of your screen! SIMPLES!!!

"Why would you need all this in a zombie apocalypse though?!" I hear you ask.
Well, the answers lie ahead....

So, can you imagine finding out that there is a zombie uprising happening right on your front door step? And then, just think about how many members of your friends and family would have no idea how to survive... well, no worries! SE have it sorted!!
All you'll need to do is go onto the Android market place, download the Zombie Handbook (which is completely free) then hold it, drag it to your share option, and BAM! it's on facebook for all to see!
This nifty little app gives info about outbreaks, building up an armoury, forts, transport, survival and tools that would come in handy! It also tells you about outbreaks.. such as how they could be caused by neurotoxins, the Rage Virus and even Nanobots! so you can prepare yourself and your friends for every occasion!
Then, while you're at it, download "How To: Zombies" ... A little less comprehensive, with some broken English, but this app provides you with three selected tunes for your very own Zombie Outbreak Soundtrack!

"But how is the awesome mega Exmor R technology and 3D sweep panorama going to come in handy?"

Think about it like this... if you walk into a darkened building whilst being chased by a horde of the undead, but you don't have time to plan your escape route back out... quickly open up your 3D sweep panorama camera and take a photo of your surrounding area, then, GET THE FUDGE OUT OF THERE!! It may also allow you to notice some sneaky zombies munching on some brains in the corner that you failed to notice in the panic to get to safety!
This app will also allow you to hold up in one of the other spaces you find in the building and let you view all your options by the simple touch of your screen. A full 360 degree view of the room you just left will help you determine entrance and exit points and help you derive your plans of escape!!
And the Exmor R will allow you to take any photos or videos in the low light situations you will undoubtedly find yourself in! So, for example, if your mum calls and says "help me! how do I kill these things?!" then, why not switch your camera onto video, conserve battery power because you won't need the flash on, and record you or your apocalypse partner smashing some brains in, then send it via WhatsApp! Nice and easy :)
and let's not forget that Bravia Engine also running on their nifty little pieces of kit!
Stuck for a flash light?! just unlock the screen on your phone and BAM! Flash light in hand!! The brightness of the screen will undoubtedly provide you enough light to scope out a room before proceeding, pointing out potential threats and hopefully lack of zombies!
Still feel that isn't bright enough?! There are two more simple options for you... download the flashlight application from the Android Marketplace, or simply switch on the LED camera light to help light your way!

SE handsets, and most Android handsets, now come pre-installed with WhatsApp, so if you're needing to send maps of the city, or maps you have drawn up yourself to guide your friends and loved ones to a safe house, then why not save on sending that picture message and send it via WhatsApp messenger!

Now, this may not have been what many of you have seen as one of my usual blogs, and the Sony Ericsson Ambassador team may not see this as your usual review, but hopefully this has given you all an insight as to how good the Sony Ericsson Ray would be for me during an outbreak, but also how good it could be on a day to day basis.

So, for my review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray, and an insight into the other Xperia handsets, I would like to conclude with the following:

Xmor R - allows excellent quality photo's and videos in low-light situations and, speaking from experience, it definitely works a treat!
Sony Bravia Engine - provides a high clarity screen, which is perfect for viewing high definition movies and great quality photo's
Facebook Inside Xperia - allows you to share apps directly to Facebook and let people know about some amazing things they may have missed out on

And as we all know, Sony have been providing us with quality products for many, many moons now, so what better company to help save your ass in an undead uprising?! I'll let you be the judge of that

I give the Xperia Ray - 5 brains out of 5

Summer, superstition and Saint Swithins Day

So, its been a while since the last blog... and lets be honest, some stuff has happened.
I've started a band, and left a band, and started another band and we already have our first gig coming up!

But more of that later... let's get on to the matters at hand!

First of all, let me start with "superstition".
A lot of people don't believe in superstition, yet there is a whole shit load of people that do. I, myself, do however believe in certain superstitions; walking under ladders, breaking mirrors, wishing upon a star and those damn motherfudging MAGPIES!!!!
So, if you ever see me walking down the street and I randomly salute a black and white bird pottering on the other side of the road, it's not because I'm completely tapped, but its because of this massive belief in superstition.
So lets get this straight... it's one for sorrow, two for joy, three for a girl, four for a boy, five for silver, six for gold, seven for a secret never to be told.
And I don't think many people know where the rhyme goes after that...

Now, thinking about this obsession with saluting these creatures and imagining them looking at all these randoms letting on to them thinking "wtf.. who is this guy? Hey, Dave, do you get all these random humans saluting you as well?! it makes me feel important like, but its a bit weird! they never come and say hi.."
I mean, what does go through their head? coz I get a bit weirded out if some random dude lets on to me in town and I don't know who he is, so, I can only imagine their sheer confusion as a member of a different species is saying hello!

I guess my superstition also comes with the fact I have OCD, which probably plays a large part in the fact that I CANNOT get out of that routine of doing it! DAMN YOU MAGPIESSSS!!

Which brings me onto my next subject: Saint Swithin's Day.
So, it is believe by all these religious folk n that, that if it rains on Saint Swithin's Day, it will rain for 40 days and 40 nights. It rained on Saint Swithin's Day, and rained for like 3-4days after it, but the weather has been alright today! despite reports of it going back to our wonderful British summertime of pissing rain over the next few days...

BUT.. I ask you this... was it just a sheer coincidence that it rained on that particular day, and rained for a few days after, coz it hasn't rained every day (as far as I'm aware in my waking hours).
So, superstitions, do they only occur because we believe it is going to happen, and its just a total coincidence?
Me and Beccy had an awesome day out in Southport yesterday, we were talking about certain things... like life decisions etc, then went to the end of Southport pier where they still have some of the old penny arcade machines.
We stuck a couple of old pennies into the fortune telling machines, and low and behold, the "predictions" we were given uncannily resembled EXACTLY what we were talking about BUT is this because it was something so vague it coulda fitted for anyone?
Well, it didn't seem that way, but is that not the way when you see one magpie? something a bit rubbish might happen and you'll think "damn you magpie" or you see two of the little bleeders and next thing you find a fiver in your old jacket you haven't worn for ages.
Coincidence?! or was it fate that you were going for that jacket?! who knows!

Which brings me nicely onto the next subject of superstition and RELIGION. (Taboo... no?!)
So, Saint Swithin (here comes the history lesson), in short, was a Saxon Bishop of Winchester. When he was getting buried, he wanted to be buried outdoors. The monks thought it'd be nice to move him indoors into a boss little shrine dedicated to his memory.
BUT ALAS! Those silly monks created a whole world of chaos! And there was a heavy rain storm either during the ceremony, or on the anniversary, so now people reckon that whatever the weather is like on July 15th, that's how it will stay for 40 days.
It has been pretty miserable for the last 6 days like, but it seems to be better today.
But do these bad things happen because we believe they are going to happen?
If you truly believe that your leg will fall off because of gangrenous bugs from another planet, likelihood is... its a load of bollocks.
But if you see a magpie and think something bad is going to happen, do you cause this to happen by drawing negative energy to yourself?!

Anyways, now the religion part ... Christians believe that if you do good all your life, you will go to heaven. If you do bad, you will go to Hell.
First of all... "Hell", as the concept that we know it as with its seven layers etc etc, has been openly admitted by the Catholic church to have been created by them to instill the fear of God into people.
Secondly, if you repent all your sins when you get to the Pearly Gates, then they'll let you in anyway because you're sorry for what you've done.

So, where exactly is Adolf Hitler?! Rotting six feet under the ground for a start, and if anywhere, we would expect in hell for what he done.
But if he got to those gates and said "Saint Peter, I am very sorry for murdering all those Jews, but my hatred for them was fueled by that idiotic Jewish doctor who could have helped my mother through her illness, but instead left her to die. So, I'm sorry for all those innocent lives I destroyed, but I had good reason to!"
Now, surely mass-genocide is completely unforgivable, as I would definitely believe it to be, and Hitlers remains probably should have been left outside at Auschwitz for the crows to slowly peck away at, but what did happen to him after he died?
Anyways, totally detracting from the point, but we have a couple of the God Squad hanging outside our place of work twice a week, shouting at people, telling them their children are going to hell. If you sin, you go to hell, if you are good, then once Rapture comes, you will be taken off to live an awesome life with The Lord.
Is this not the same as being superstitious about that mirror you broke last week?!

I dunno, I don't really have any idea where I was going with that. I just kept typing, so sorry if all that gobble-de-gook up there bored the living daylights out of you, but hey! I've put my two cents in!

And now brings me to the most important subject: SUMMER!!!!!

Up to now its been alright. Not had as much time off with my awesome fiancee as I woulda liked, but I have, however, had time to get a band up and running with dedicated people, all like minded, and all with a passion to get this thing moving and not stop until we're rocking out stadiums of the world!

So now for some shameless promotion:

CLICK HERE and click "like", then click the BandPage link on the left hand side, listen to our track called The Fool and get a free download there too!

NEXT

If you like what you hear, then come down to this



That'll be our first gig, we'll have CDs as well with a couple more tracks for your listening pleasure!

Nice one for reading ... and I promise to blog again soon! Planet Of The Apes ... The Actual Rising... Coming soon....

Clean World

Ok, so it's been a pretty long time since my last blog... so I thought I'd hit you guys up and let you know whats going on!

Moved to a new place with my awesome fiancee! and this apartment is even more awesome in the fact that to get in the place is pretty secure, and we're on the second floor... so when that zombie apocalypse does happen, we're safe :)

I've started a new band, which at the moment our working name is "Bacdorsin", but any suggestions, just hit me up on facebook! So, expect regular updates once we get recording/gigging etc.

And the other project I have started (again) is writing.

So, I started writing a zombie story about 4 years ago when I was working in a shitty job where I stood behind a till all day only to greet about 2 customers in 9 hours, so obviously this helped while away the hours.
Unfortunately, I still haven't returned to this book because I haven't got a freakin' clue as to where to take it from where it's upto!
So on the basis of this, I have started thinking about some new ideas.
I have promised people zombie stories, westerns, zombie westerns, and a kids book, but I've started writing a book that is going to be called "Clean World".

Clean World is the story of our planet, turned into shit by the government due to human experiments, weather experiments, natural disasters etc etc. and as a result, there are a group of mutated beings who want to eventually dominate the globe and there are us. Humans.
Not all the mutants are bad, some have even integrated into human society after years of rebuilding the world.
I know what you're thinking "so its X-Men yeah?". Well, not really.
Some mutants will be of human appearance with abilities to help humans (x-ray vision, healing powers etc.) and others will just be mutated, gelatinous messes with rubber teeth and windmills for hands.
Ok, I admit I may not have thought that far ahead yet, but I also don't want to give too much away, but as a teaser.. here is the first few paragraphs of the story.


Saint Francesco. August, 2245. After the major government fuck up known as the Clean World Project, the world as we know it has changed forever.
Every season became Summer, then they all became Winter. Now, there is some stability. Natural disasters hit the Earth one too many times. Daily earthquakes, tsunami’s, and the usual countries sending in troops to claim land that is not their own.
150 years of experimentation on climate control, creating the perfect body, the perfect race, the perfect soldier, the perfect weapon, the perfect can of beer, the perfect sirloin steak and moving the moon away from the orbit of the Earth just to “see its affects on the planet” destroyed most of what we had.

Eighty years of rebuilding the planet, re-colonising and integrating society back to how it should be and we are left with what the government call “The Perfect World”.
Far from the ideals the propaganda had promised us, our wonders of the world are mere ruins. The Golden Gateway To Hell, once a piece of architecture that people travelled far and wide to see. Now just a rusted bridge, only navigable by the light of day by the most daring of people. The only thing that separates us from the Malarkians. The evil Malarkians that is.
The only saving grace is the patrols at our end of the bridge. Manned twenty four hours a day by government officials and the most bad ass soldiers you can find.
Armed with the most advanced weaponry, they have the powers to vaporise any Malarkian who doesn’t produce citizenship ID for our city of Saint Francesco.


I hope you enjoyed that small installment and I'll keep you all updated when some new stuff gets written and about upcoming projects I have in mind!
Any constructive criticism (please tell me its shit if you think it is, don't just say its good for the sake of it... I can take it) then please let me know.

Thanks for reading and expect more soooooon.... x