53. "I'm just stood here fondling cheese because its cold..."

You know, it's getting fairly ridiculous now... Not the title... well, yes the titles are always ridiculous but that is simply because they are phrases taken at random and applied completely out of context.
No, I mean the whole "finding my calling" thing. Trying as many different things as possible no matter how extraordinary, just to see what works best.
The reason it's getting ridiculous is because they all seem to be picking up at the same rate, give or take a few... somethings. I mean, I can't just stop all but one and focus on that when I've nearly set everything up can I?

. . .

Whatever. I'll figure it out somehow.

Now for some picci's and links!

Lets start with my latest additions to Blood Red Offroad's Youtube channel.

And of course another shout out about the Beats Working Drum Show that nobody is going to this Sunday...

Now for the usual picture roll. Click to revel in their excellent quality! (ha...)

All in preparation for Beats Working and any future ventures into the music world, I've been expanding my logo's and working on various designs.

Here is the awesome Unreal Experimental album cover designed by Natasha Aldred

For my Single, MOTION, there is no CD case, just the image on the CD itself. I did however need to update it. This was the result!

Along with these, I've also got some badges on the way. These are the 2 designs I came up with.

The latter one I'm really happy with, as FINALLY I have a logo for the Syblade.

Can't wait to start building these things properly!

That'll do for now. Next post will . . . probably have more of the same, just progressed further!

52. The inner machinations of my mind are an enigma...

Thanks Patrick for the title!

I'd like to say big things have been happening recently. . . but I'd be lying.

Btw, listen to this while you're reading...

Syblade templates are progressing slowly, as is the Mini restoration. Most of my time at the moment has been spent on my various music projects, especially Beats Working 2012 with Lee Bowater. Click the link!

Otherwise its been same old!

Offroading at Parkwood Offroad Centre with Blood Red Offroad was on the 15th (new videos to come in the next month before we set off for the next outing).

Here's a few taster pictures.

(Click to enlarge)

The "Swamp Donkey" claiming her territory post overheating. 

The Isuzu Trooper disproving that cars get properly mucky when off-roading.

Nick failing to clean his car and cleaning himself in doing so...

Next blogpost should have more music links, updates on my mini, perhaps on the syblade, and maybe even a new album cover!

50 "Saving a few seconds wont make a difference" . . . "But, seconds add up to minutes..."

Oh how observant my friends are... Seriously though, unless time is absolutely of the essence, try taking your time on everything. I'm not suggesting you be lazy or non-committal, just relax a little and be patient with those around you. Its amazing the difference it can make to ones mood : )

Anyway, on with the show.

Here's a new idea I may start offering in my venture into the self-employed world: Custom car renders.

Most artist impressions and drawings etc of cars are either photo-realistic and employ tens of hours and many years of practice. Either that or drawings more suited to the description "charicature's" than renders.
What I'm considering offering is the chance to immortalise a car in a simple but detailed render, whether it be your own car, a lifelong dream car, a restoration project... nearly anything can be done!

The examples below were done for friends who have given me more inspiration to do my own thing than anybody else!                      (Don't forget to click the images, enlarge them and relish in the details!)

Blood Red Offroad Toyota Landcruiser

Copley Recovery Rochdale GT Special

D.Diesels Bowler Wildcat

Here they are framed and looking really rather stunning!

More examples to come soon, in fact I might even start a render of my own car...

Lots of changes going on at the moment too with the building of a new workshop and progression all round on nearly every project . . . watch this space.

47. "Five is a Fifteen letter word" - Mini Monday

I've always considered my brothers as quite smart, but tonight my assumption wasn't entirely accurate . . .

As promised, Mini Mondays have commenced! Although come to think of it, it'll probably be at least Tuesday by the time you read this.
Oh well!

So this is how the project is progressing. I took some time off to get my head together with other things about a month back, also to decide whether to replace or rebuild the front left section. I chose rebuild!
The rest is pretty self explanatory!

I was surprised at how much metal had corroded here...

First repair section in place.

Second panel cut and put in place too.

This was quite a bit later, after adding red-oxide paint in and around the ready to repair section and in the previously welded floor area. Next I fitted the inner and outer A-panels...

...along with the door! First time it's looked vaguely car like in a long while! : )

To say it was the first time fitting, it was a pretty good fit! Even in the door aperture!

With the extra panels in place, the inside looks quite tidy too I think.

Next panel to go in was a nightmare to fit . . . and it still doesn't fit!

Did I say the previous panel was a nightmare? Ha! Nothing compared to this section!

I'd love to hear if anybody else is doing a project as ambitious as this on a shoestring budget! If you're reading this and know anyone, put a link in the comments and get your project heard about!

44. "...walk, fly, hitch a ride on a passing horse, jump on a flying elephant, phone ET, or get a Tardis."

These were suggestions made when asked to travel to stoke when public transport was not an option . . .

Thanks vicky lol

As usual, here's a song to listen to while reading the blogpost.

Remember my single, MOTION? Of course you don't, nobody does... Well, I've re-designed the cover for it, since the old one was done in one night using a chair, my crap camera and some pretty torches, all photoshopped to my keyboard. It looked as good as the amount of time I spent on it... infact you can judge for yourself by Clicking Here!

Here's the new cover.

I might have stolen an image from google to make this!

Aswell as the new cover, I'm finally underway with Syblade prototype No.2, which has half the keys but the same 'sexy' shape. This is a concept drawing based on the prototype, which will be made for a good friend, and my first customer!

The donor keyboard is on its way, so more updates to come next post!

Oh and be sure to check out Blood Red Offroad's Youtube channel where I post videos every week of our adventures offroading. New videos are in HD with funny subtitles, so you dont have to be a car nut to enjoy them!

Right, now for some random pictures!

Never had these? You should. Exactly as they say on the packet, these are REAL crisps!

 This was a very difficult championship... and the result was surprising, and relieving!!

 My customised army helmet and accompanying rip off goggles... This is what madness and ebay do to you when combined!

 Thats patch. He comes round every few days, conveniently when i'm having lunch, and demands attention while trying to steal my sandwiches : )

 Never thought I'd have to see my dad go off in an ambulance in the middle of the night this early in life . . . good thing is it was his own fault, just a bit of food poisoning. He was fine the next day! : )

Aaaaaaaand to finish off, a stoned happy face biscuit!

32. Because because because because . . .

I've been recently assigned photographer and videographer of Blood Red Offroad, a company specialising in 4x4 equipment for japanese offroaders and is run by Dave Kerr (the chap in the second car passing in the video below)

View youtube video - Smile everyone!

Its a welcome break from work, and something i dont need that much energy or creativity for when posting videos... its just filming them i need to be in the right place at the right time!

I've recently aquired a new toy which should make future music creation a bit more interesting . . .

Annoyingly its not actually the one i wanted . . . but i cant be arsed to take it back. I'm too polite and british to do that.

The roadworks on my road are finished!!!

Wait wrong picture . . .

There we go... nope, it still looks shit doesn't it. This sort of describes the midlands quite well in my opinion. "Here's a good idea, now lets see how we can fuck it up . . ."

...aaaaand to finish off, here's some early sketches of my final project . . .

 . . . along with the closest thing to the final design.

More designs and offroad videos to come this weekend. Watch this space!