Post-Exams

Firstly I would like to apologise for the lack of posts in recent months. I have been incredibly snowed under with lots of things, mainly exams. I have just undertaken my final A Levels, which were to say the least, stressful and a right pain. But now I am a free man, so I can't complain!

I have loads of time on my hands now. Well I say that, I have spent every day since I broke up doing something. My mum teaches music at the local primary school, I am have been roped in to do numerous project in and around the Alreas Radio and Arts Fest stuff that I got involved in last year. Today I spent my day making signs out of wood with the Lord's Prayer on it. I am not even sure if that fits into anything, but apparently it was important! I must say, they lok pretty swish, even if they are about the Lord's Prayer...

So on top of all this work I have been doing in the Primary School (which by the way, I am not even getting paid for it, I am doing it completely voluntarily) I have also been putting my time to good use, working on 'Lucy the Moggy' doing some very important work on the car that I have been wanting to do for a long time. I have recently been part of the Morris Centenary International Event MMOC National Rally, and I have rekindled my love for the Minor. 

I have now got a book about the Morris Minor Traveller, which includes complete Morris history which I have now buffed up on, as well as some whacky and crazy Travellers with 5 rear passenger doors for example, or different boot and window configurations, which are really quite interesting, both visually and mechanically. It also has a complete step-by-step guide on how to replace the Ash frame, which I am looking at doing in the future. For the time being though I have been revarnishing her and she is starting to look really quite elegant. That and the addition of Chrome front light eyelids, and a roof rack complete with vintage suitcase and picnic basket, she is really taking shape.

The next project is the caravan which Lucy will soon be towing. Something that I saw at the Rally the other weekend, and have also researched before, is the idea of creating a 'Half-Timbered' effect trailer to use and tow around. Ones I have seen are really light and fellow owners of said trailers say they can drive at the speed limit quite comfortably because of the lightweight design and shallow height of them, allowing for a more streamlined effect. In fact the rood of the trailer, in a teardrop shape, at it's highest point would not exceed the roof of the car, which would mean it is really streamlined. I am looking forward to building it and using it thereon! All I need to do is find a trailer which I can use as an A-Frame chassic on which to base the caravan...

So anyway, that is an update on my life, and hopefully with a bit more time on my hands, a few more to follow!

Please follow me on twitter: @peachy146

And on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/peachy146

Thanks for reading!

My Search for the Perfect Game - Part 2: Prison Architect

So in my very short search through YouTubers for some unique indie games, one I stumbled across is a game called Prison Architect, which has been played by Sjin from the Yogscast as well as Louis of Mariocat Gaming, which I have really enjoyed watching the 50 odd videos he has on his channel over this weekend. Another wasted weekend to YouTube, but that is besides the point!

Anyway if you are unfamiliar with this game then let me explain a little bit about it. Basically, it involves you creating a map with nothing on it, then you have a little army of workers which you can use to build a prison to certain outlines given by the use of grants, which I thought was a very clever and unique way of laying down a beginner's tutorial. This immediately captured my attention. It is a complete simulation game from a birds-eye perspective, so doesn't involve any of the level of graphics as simCity 5 for example, or the 1st person view of Minecraft  it is a very basic, very simple and easy-to-use graphical interface, a bit like that of a Pokemon game, or probably a closer link to the graphics of Super Mario, with the same rounded and cartoon-like landscapes. However instead of being from the side or that weird 45 degree slanty view which Pokemon uses it is birds-eye, as I mentioned.

Follow me on twitter: @peachy146