Squire Soloist Project - Day 3

Today i gave a primer coat on the back of the guitar, tomorrow i will do the front. It's tough work but its starting to look real good. After that i will sand and refill scuffs and dents and smooth out the neck curve. It feels great and makes the lower frets a lot more accessible.

Squire Soloist Project - Day 2

More neck work



Looking good, I'm happy with how its going so far.

on the neck as you can see i have removed the plate on the back.

i bored the holes with a bore bit i found and hand drill, luckily i managed to found 4 screws to do the job - that neck is stronger than it was before.

Work left for day 2:

1) Re-fill holes an cover up screws with filler.
2) If time and if filler has set, sand to a smooth finish.

Tomorrow = Re-sand - clean - coat of primer - sand - fill unseen holes - sand - primer.

Squire Soloist Project - Day 1

My latest project is turning my roughed up, unusable squire stratocaster into a custom, functional - one of a kind guitar.

Here is what it looked like in pristine shop condition:

Work done so far:

1) Removed parts (already partly done)
2) with chisel, worked neck joint and rounded it to an ergonomic shape (after a bit'o google work i don't think its been done before)
3) sanded whole guitar and took top gloss layer off (and wrecked my lunges breathing it in)
4) with wood filler, filled and sanded dents, dings, scratches etc. Then sanded flush with body.
5) masking taped neck to protect Rosewood fretboard to save it from paint.
sanded back of neck to sort out dings and dents from leaning it against desks and junk and remove lacquer coating.
6) applied Titebond III wood glue to joint then screwed it tight together.
7) cleaned up vast quantities of excess glue that came out the side of the joint upon compression.
8) ordered parts (£100 down :S)
9) waiting for glue to dry and took pictures.

tomorrow dependant on whether my acrylic primer arrives will give a coat of that.

Pictures of work done at end of day 1:


at the moment i am having to use the webcam on my acer 5920 so the pics are not great, but pretty good for a 0.3mp webcam.

UFOs

OK, I think i will share my UFO story. I haven't told many people it because, well... its not a very good story.

First things first, by UFO i do not mean an air craft originating from a planet outside our solar system. It was something i have never seen before nor could i understand.

It all started one day when me and my family went for a walk, i can't remember exactly where but it was on the Isle of Skye (where i live) I was maybe about 15 years old at the time. Walking along the path is see this lovely green bank and decide to have a lie down and sun bathe, I can't remember what season but i believe it was autumn or spring.

lying down I looked up at the sky, it was very clear maybe a couple of wispy clouds. I saw this white dot, very high up in the sky I'd guess on the edges of the atmosphere. The interesting thing about it is it would move very fast but in a very unpredictable fashion and very fast. It would drop and stop instantly change direction and speed upwards dodging left or right. all the movements where very fast and precises. I called my dad over and we looked at it for 10 minutes or more. moving around the sky.

The craft had a vapour trail of sorts, very short and didn't linger for long. Eventually we decided to walk away i remember walking a few hundred paces and looking up again to try and see it, I couldn't it had either gone or i merely couldn't find it.

I couldn't think of anything it could be. Maybe charged particles? experimental aircraft? missile?

My guess would be a missile, something gone wrong and it can't control it's flight. Imagining what that would look like was be a lot different than what I witnessed - the speed, the precision and the movement had me completely bemused then and to this day.

That leaves me thinking it's a human made experimental high altitude aircraft or an alien craft.

Personally i don't believe in alien UFOs visiting us given that if you are going to go to all the effort of traveling the distances involved, then why not pop in for a cup of tea? Although this standpoint is clearly flawed given that we don't know what the 'aliens' are capable of. Perhaps they merely can't be on our planet or they are afraid of what our reaction would be. Maybe they are a recon party?

Another reason would be that i think our planet is only interesting as a resource supplier - we have not accomplished much in all the time man has been on this earth. We can't control our economy let alone provide a basic standard of living for all our inhabitants. They might watch us to see if we develop into a race that is selfless, that can live peacefully and happily - that can co exist with them.

Until we sort out our own planet i think all research should be halted! no more money wasted on the LHC! no more investments in research! Use the money to better our species and all species of our planet. Until we reach a common goal, social order, peace on the streets, national and civil war abolished and no longer committed, when all inhabitants are free, when everyone co-operates and works together to better themselves, their community and our world will we be ready for a future outside our planet.

How can we co-operate with an alien species if we have Muslim terrorists attacking without reason killing themselves and innocent women and children for an invisible god and the promise of subjugating virgin girls to their every desire in the after life. How can we be co-exist with another species when we genocide groups of people for their beliefs, not only genocide but enslave, torture and experiment with them. Subjugating them to acts that most people would consider humanly incapable. We are all capable and we are all guilty!

Until we change the world we are guilty of every 'bad' deed done - we have the power to stop it yet we do nothing. We are too concerned with material objects. Money is no solution, the resources belong to the earth, use them for the earth and it's peoples. Money instills selfishness, greed and possession. To be a truly fair and peaceful species we must work as one, for peace, for happiness and for the future.

Think of that. Can we as a species do that today? why not? Think about it - I would like to hear what you think, am i right or utterly wrong.

That turned into a bit of a weird post :)

Take it easy

-Sam

Google 'Clone'

Google have made 'Chrome' their new browser - publicly available now as a BETA version. which can be downloaded and tried out for yourself by clicking here

I'm going to share my thoughts and opinions on Google's new assault on the Microsoft frontline.

First off, from the appearance it just looks like a blend of Internet Explorer, Firefox and opera.



There are elements that have basically been copy/pasted across browsers in i guess what Google see as the best set up.

A lot of features are direct copies of the Opera browser when we boot up Chrome the start window is most viewed pages which seems almost identical to Opera's speed dial tool which is customizable. I'm not sure whether Chromes copy allows you to customize it or whether it is based on browsing stats.

Chrome is very spacious - no clutter of toolbars so far which is a refreshing change. When i max the window i get an odd feeling though, like its too open. That will just require getting used to i guess.



Chrome has also disposed of file, Edit & View, etc, like IE. I don't like this as i like to be able to know where i need to go to do a certain task, with IE and Chrome it requires extra thinking and extra steps but again, just requires getting used to. IE users will adapt easily. This is one of the factors which gives Chrome that open and bare feel to it though.

The most original feature i have come across with Chrome is the 'incognito' mode which opens a window which does not save cookies or browsing history, etc. great for multislacking and other stuff that could compromise your reputation.

Another nice little feature which i think i should include is that when you are typing something into the address bar it has suggested links bellow what you are typing. Which can come in handy i guess.

To conclude my little browser ramble Chrome is a nice browser but its nothing special a few nice little features but what i like most is the open plan design - very clean with plenty of browsing space. I just counted and chrome has only 13 clickable features - its very empty with out compromising functionality the use of sub menus gives it this very organised - tidied away feel.

If you are messy like me it feels too sterile and foreign - I'm going to stick to Firefox with my mess of tabbed bookmarks, functionality and easy of use.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

-Sam

To see all Google Chrome's new features Click here.

Comic #2 - Real Life

Up coming reviews

1) TROPIC THUNDER!



I can't wait to see this film! Looks like its going to be one of the best comedies of the year. potentially funny, good cast of actors (Ben Stiller, Steve Coogan...) unfortunatly it has Jack Black in it who, in my opinion is a total prick. However it has - from what i've seen - an original, funny plot and looks like a great film to see in cinema with a bunch of friends and a few beers consumed before hand (which i intend to do with a couple of close buddies)

IMDB Click Here

2)Babylon A.D



First thing i though when i saw the trailer (waiting for The Dark Knight to begin):

'Oh no, requiem for a dream is the theme song' which has to be one of the most over used pieces of classical music. Although it's over used - it's still a brilliant song, which is reflected in this movie (trailer at least)

I'm not a big fan of Vin but he's a good actor and my feelings towards him are unjustified. I hope this film changes my mind for good.

The looks action packed though, some lovely explosions (not just the gas fireballs you see in most movies) we see some lovely shrapnel and debris in the shockwave: which, looks brilliant!

definatly more of a guys film with some well filmed and choreographed fight scenes.

I recon this film will have you hanging on the edge of your seat with excitment and having choreographed fights with your buddies after, or as i like to call it: Jet Li Syndrom.

Like Tropic Thunder this is a definate Cinema movie, go with friends (if you have any) and do somthing manly before hand: take a few shots of whiskey, maybe set fire to somthing.

IMDB Click Here

Enjoy

Sam

(i'll prolly go see both in a fortnight)

Wanted

So the other day I watched Wanted.

As soon as I saw the ads for Wanted, I knew it was a film I was going to watch. Angelina Jolie, assassins and gun battles in bullet time - what isn't there for a young male to enjoy?

The opening scene to wanted is brilliant. Fast paced, action packed and gruesome. Sets the tone for the film and draws you in - Probably one of the best opening scenes, leaves you ready and wanting more, Wanted delivers.

The Acting throughout is brilliant! Angelina Jolie is a pro as always. James McAvoy was great! I can't stress that enough, he was the perfect man for the job and just suited the roll so well. McAvoy and Jolie had great chemistry on set as well which gave the film that little something extra.

Morgan Freeman played a different roll than usual which was refreshing and as always, played it well. I always feel if Freeman stars in a film it's worth watching I call it the Freeman Constant.

The plot and story is good, some nice twists and turns that keep you thinking. The slow time gun battles are amazing, executed brilliantly and the bullet curving i thought was really cool. The Bullet curving seems to be a coolness ad-on to Wanted as well as the assassins 'special' abilities they don't add anything to the story but they are awesome to watch and add that little something extra.

Wanted is brilliant 'till the end. The action is relentless after the opening scene you are immersed completely. The ending was great as well, i still find the ending sad thinking about it - which is very rare for me and especially rare as Wanted isn't a serious film, just goes to show you how immersing the film and acting is.

To convey my opinion as a number I'd give it an easy 9/10 - Guns, bullet time, violence and tasteful comedy.

Wanted hits every button the quality of casting, acting and writing makes up for the plot (which is nothing special) but honestly, I would watch it just for Angie.

Go watch it, you will not regret it!

Sam

More about me.

Okay, I love movies (but so does everyone) I love action and combat (but so do most guys) but here is some of the stuff you don't know :)

During a combat scene in which the hero is kicking ass, I will be paying close attention to the background action. I find watching un-choreographed background fighting highly amusing and is generally better than watching the hero slaughter thousands of supposedly competent enemies (this is almost unbearable if the hero happens to be Orlando Bloom)

Reference: check LoTR-TTT, during the battle of helms deep you will see men and Uric hai casually strolling side by side when they are retreating to the Hornberg. In LoTR-TFoTR, At the battle of Amon Hen. My personal favourite moment is when the battle bread Uric Hai with no fear cautiously walk down the steps to chase after Merry and Pip, it's completely out of character and that's what I crave.

The movie 300 - A lot of people like this movie and a lot of people do not. I personally think the slow motion fight scenes are incredible. It is the only way to capture the speed and essence of combat. Last time i watched it though i couldn't help noticing the tiny details.

Leonidas's 300 Spartan warriors are the elite, they are professional warriors! 'Hahh Rooo!' they would probably answer that statement. Yet i couldn't help noticing the way they held their spears.



The picture above is the Spartan spear wall. Leonidas is two along from the right, remember he is the creme de la creme (excuse my french) of the warriors, the best fighter and all the jazz. But notice the spear is the the vertical position? Take a look... it is isn't it? Just like the rest of them. If you combine this with some basic understanding of the human anatomy, most notably 'The Ribs' you may see the error of their way. Human ribs are horizontal:



Now, there is a high chance that holding the spear so the blade is horizontal will prevent a thrust from penetrating vital organs through the ribs (Heart & lungs) The Blade will get jammed in between. If you add on top light body armour of the time, the Spartans are inefficient in their fighting style and considering the spear was the most used weapon of the period, this is a drastic error on their part.

A horizontal blade can slide in between the ribs and puncture more easily and effectively - this is what the Elite Spartan warriors should be doing.

Alas, maybe I expect too much from movies, maybe I look at the irrelevant details too much. I spend too much time looking for error than admiring what's given. That's who I am, I like to try and observe where Directors and Producers cut corners and i feel like I win when I notice some petty annoyance or niggling complaint.

That's a little more about me, I figured if you're going to be here you may as well know a little bit about me.

(oh and by the way, my next post will be about knife crime in Scotland)

Bloggers

Ten Top Trivia Tips about Bloggers!

1. Bloggers have 118 ridges around the edge.
2. There are more than two hundred different kinds of Bloggers.
3. India tested its first nuclear Bloggers in 1974!
4. Cats use their Bloggers to test whether a space is large enough for them to fit through!
5. The book of Esther in the Bible is the only book which does not mention Bloggers!
6. Carnivorous animals will not eat another animal that has been hit by Bloggers.
7. Wearing headphones for an hour will increase the amount of Bloggers in your ear 700 times.
8. Bloggers cannot swim!
9. Bloggers can be found on a Cluedo board between the Library and the Conservatory!
10. In Eastern Africa you can buy beer brewed from Bloggers!

I am interested in - do tell me aboutherhimitthem

Exercise in a pill.

The future! Exercise in a pill.

Has humanity taken a step to far? Developing pills that actually exercise your body, burn off fat and make muscle. We are altering humans - for better - but we are changing humanity into a perfected machine.

However the uses are more than simply having pecks that could crush a breeze block or abs that you could actually use as a wash board. With these pills human life can be extended further into the future - by keeping people in peek physical condition throughout all stages of life. Humans will be perfected. We could expect average life expectancy to easily surpass 100 years: a mile stone i personally can't imagine passing. But that can easily be the future, 90 year olds' running to work on a Sunday morning.

That statement brings me onto my next point. The work 'till you drop system of our capitalist nation. A nation of extended tax contributors, What's better than having a nation of people willing to work until the expire, work 30 years longer?

How long until these pills are mandatory? and we live as a nation of slaves, working and working being artificially kept alive for as long as possible while those in powers rake in the benefits and congratulate each other over a glass of slave made wine.

Which brings me to the more sane point of, competition. Athletes and sports persons can enhance themselves easily and quickly and as the pills use natural enzymes to trick the body into thinking it has exercised how will anyone be able to judge foul play. I do however see a flaw in this use as i don't see how a pill could target specific muscle growth - I'm no expert though (as you can probably tell) once specific muscle growth in a pill is achieved. That is the future: Breakfast, Jam on toast some calf & thigh pills oh and I've got a new job that requires lifting. Better get the missus to buy some back.

Honestly, I feel these pills need to be restricted, prescription only! I see the biggest benefits for members of the armed forces, the elderly, morbidly obese and disabled.

These pills wont be available soon but within the next decade - testing has already been successful.

Comic #1 - Ever Wonder?

Honestly? All the time.

The first post

So here it is, my first bold step into the world of blogging. I guess i'm a blogger now, huh?

A little about myself:

I'm Sam, I'm 18, I like technology, books, music and films. Kinda pathetic when you sum it up like that.

So that's basically what your going to get from me, little insights into my world, my thoughts on certain subjects, my loves, my hates, my joys and my miseries.

I also every so often draw comics - pretty basic stick figure stuff - of little jokes or happenings that are too complex for the writen word. I hope 'you' like them, I'll post them up at some point.

So, to sum it up, From this blog you will get:

My insights and thoughts on our little planet.
The occasional comic
Plenty of bitching
and maybe of couple of surprises.

Thanks for stopping by, check in again some time.

Sam