Kraken D'Waggin

Well its heading to that time of the year...

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:45:18 GMT

Well I'm back in the UK from the 20th Dec to the 3rd Jan
Being honest I'm really looking forward to it, it'll be nice to see everyone again after so long.

This will probably be the first time in awhile where I'll be able to go see my parents in a 'non awkward' way since Christmas 2006.

Wrapped some presents today, god damn its weird wrapping presents, I haven't wrapped a present in a long time and it does make me realise that Christmas is not that far away really!

It's been one of those years, I can't totally describe it, I started the new year drunk out of my skull, drowning my sorrows, then through a catastrophic series of events I ended up homeless for a few days then I ended up in Doncaster.

Just before I moved to Doncaster I had applied for this job, I do think that if I hadn't of been living in Doncaster at the time, I probably would've been unable to get this job, cus the interview was in Darlington.

And so in March/April I got the job, in May I flew out and I've been here ever since, living in a different country is interesting but considering where I work, if I don't leave the site, it just feels like I'm in England, its only when I head out the big gate THEN it feels like Germany.

I've had some moments here, most are good and some are crap.

Being here is great, accomodation and such, I don't 'live on my own' as such but I've still had to mostly fend for myself whilst I've been here, yeah I've got some friends here what I'm saying is that I've had to manage money, cook etc.

Being back in England should be fun, seeing all my family again will be lovely.

I just hope I can see plenty of people before I have to come back!

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:08:21 GMT

Still here

Have to admit I post to twitter alot more than here, however I do drop here to read journals

I'm happy about coming back to the uk from 20th Dec to the 3rd, really looking forward to it!

Just because...

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 22:49:07 GMT

Tag einhundert und fünfzig

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:08:04 GMT

This is day 150, 150 days of...of...a job

I did say this was gonna be a larger post but in reality I can't really talk about much of things here but I will mention a few things

This is the longest I've ever been in a different country

I've experienced the second biggest storm in my life, certainly the biggest lightning storm I've ever seen.

I'm picking up German well but I've learned that alot of the German's here don't give a rats arse if you speak German or not, most just reply in English after you try speaking German.

The lot I work for are a really good company, yeah I've come across a LOT of issues with them but mostly its just the people are the issue, the company is pretty good.

German food is lovely, cheap and in large portions, always good though I am losing weight.

I've proved myself to be a useful and wanted employee

I'm 4 hours away from Suhl so I was heartbroken to have missed out on Eurofurence

------------

If any of you want to know anything more then just comment and I'll answer

In other news, the doctor who redesigned tardis is only for one episode, no drama there then but the 'DW' tardis logo still sucks.

I'm making videos, some will be ready soon but I'm highly critical of my own work and some of these videos have been made and finished at least twice but I'm never happy with them.

I use Twitter more these days, username krakendwaggin, and I am available on MSN and Yahoo

Take care guys!

4 months, 15 days Later...

Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:12:23 GMT

I'm here, I'm alive and well and I know that I haven't posted in bloody ages.

I tend to use Twitter more these days username krakendwaggin

I will make a bigger more updated post when I get some time!

Tue, 05 May 2009 17:27:27 GMT

Yeah I know I'm rambling on about the whole 'Germany' thing, but its next week, I should be punished if its NOT on my mind.

Been doing my research like a good lil draggy and it really does look like a really nice place.
Also checking up on the local laws on smoking, drinking and such.

The smoking laws blow just as hard as they do over here, you used to be able to smoke on a train, talk about bliss, but in 2007 DB decided to get rid of that, damn you!
In one province of Germany you can get fined upto €5000 for smoking in the wrong place, ouch.

I've also been checking up on stores and prices, they aint that bad for food and stuff, plus geography wise theres alot to see and do plus the train system is excellent with some pretty decent prices, I can visit the netherlands for around €30 return, one place I looked at offered first class for €60, not bad methinks.

As for flying back to the UK, looking at about €70, thats pretty damn good!

Plus on a lovely upside is that Runrig are popular in Germany so I can see them alot more and I'll be able to pick up afew CD's that have tracks that havent seen the light of day over here.

On a slightly different side to things my mental state has been bashed about abit, I'm fine but some things are starting to rattle me more than usual, this whole thing is damn scarey, I know I'm lucky, I'm really excited but its also so so scarey and as I stare at the clock I realise how little time I have left until the day I fly.

In this time I really dont want to get stressed out, I'm trying to focus on getting things done, a task which gets thrown off the rails when people throw curveballs at me (such as the 'doomsayers' l mentioned before) or when people expect me to pull miracles out of my damn tailhole, no I dont have the money to visit you before I go, I dont even have the money to friggin buy FOOD when I'm there.

To those of you who I do owe money to, just bloody wait okay?
I'll be paid sooner or later and the wonders of PayPal will be used, just wait.

Yes theres alot of people I wanna visit before I go but I cant, end of, I'll be back visiting the UK before you know it guys.

*sigh* ranting over, I cant believe I started ranting.

So I'm sat here at the desk which wont be mine for much longer, on a comp I hope I can ship later, in a room which wont be mine soon, in a country which will be a speck on the horizon next week.

I dont want to leave
But I want to.

Figure that out O.o

Oi! Spotify!

Mon, 04 May 2009 17:40:13 GMT

I love the service you provide, you have Runrig, Great!, you have Bruce Guthro's solo stuff, Great!

But WHY dont you have Runrig's stuff with Bruce Guthro?
Not to mention your missing around 5 excellent Runrig albums!

Get on the ball spotify! (even though you'll probably never see this *laughs* )

Thoughts on the whole Germany thing

Mon, 04 May 2009 14:24:08 GMT

Whilst getting some fantastic comments both here and on UKfur, I've been thinking about alot of things, one major thing is that how much I'll be missing everyone in the UK, its a daunting thought that I might not get to see anyone for a good while.

Another thing is, despite it being shared accomodation, this will be the first time I've truely 'lived alone' so to speak, thats really starting to spook me abit, when I get there I know I'll get to make friends but I'm really nervous about it, I'm a shy person, most of you know that, if I said that I wasn't terrified, I'd be lying!

I'm so happy that I've finally landed a job, a fantastic one too, afew people have said how lucky I am to get it, but I can't help but be scared about it all!

Theres been afew people who have tried to bring me down and its pissing me off royally, heres afew quotes

"have you signed a contract yet?"
Er no, all my paper work is at the place I'm going to
"so what happens if they stick you up, you've nothing to stand on"
They paid for my flight out there do you REALLY think they're gonna do that after months of processing and them paying for my flight there, I've filled out alot of paperwork already, I've had multiple phonecalls and I've had plenty of emails, do you seriously think they'd stick me up?

And heres another gem...

"so your out in the middle of nowhere germany surrounded by furs who hate outsiders and dont like anyone new from other countries who aint stuck up their own assholes"

I dun think thats true, yeah I've not had much luck finding a german fur website which can accomodate a english speaker easily, yes I can use google translator or somthing like that but its far from accurate, I know a small handful of furs out there and since I'm going there I'd love to get to know more furs.
As for the 'middle of nowhere' part, well yeah kinda true, alot of places are at least 2hours drive from where I'll be, Suhl (home of EF) is 4 hours drive, but from what I've read and been told the place I'm going is a very nice town hehe.

The support I've been getting is great and I cant thank everyone enough for it all, on a side note if anyone has spare € coins floating around I would love the donations but don't feel like ya have to, especially if your going EF this year!

Well thats all for now, I'm available on MSN, Mobile and Email if anyone wants to chat before I go, when I move I'll be off the internet for a unknown time so catch me whilst ya can for now!

Nicked from Loupgaros

Fri, 01 May 2009 11:30:54 GMT

Take a look at your LJ friends list, then list up to five things you want to say to five different LJ friends. DO NOT state who these people are. DO NOT confirm or deny any “comment speculation.”.

Well I've still got your Sugar Bowl, might need a clean though.... >.>
He shall return with Four Knocks
"One day, I shall come back. Yes, I shall come back. Until then, there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties. Just go forward in all your beliefs and prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine"
Hey I'm hungry just hop atop this pizza will ya?
Macro's rule ^_^

Things to do before the Great Germany thing.

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:50:03 GMT

Sign off Jobseekers (I tried on tuesday but they want me to sign off the next time I sign on)
Cancel Housing Benifit
Head back to Wigan to get clothes
Clean and arrange room so that moving is easier
Pack
Find money (At this rate I'm gonna be flying with nothing)
Panic?

Well thats it, though I have found €4.37 in the flat but thats gonna be nothing really, heh reminds me I really should use those Macdonalds vouchers before I go!.

Stuff for today, relax abit and idly clean the room methinks!

Everyones asking the same thing...again!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:35:36 GMT

Soo heres the questions I get asked alot and the answers.

"Why Germany when you can get a job just as easily over here?"
Because when I applied for the job all the way back in January things for the Retail sector in the UK where looking quite shite, I saw the job advertised on the job centre so I thought 'sod it' and applied!.
Who'd thought that months down the line I'd actually get the job!.
I've never been to Germany before so this will be a adventure!.

"Can you speak German?"
No I cant, I do know bits and pieces from school though.

"But why go for a job in Germany when you can't speak German"
Because its not a German job, its British, I'll be working for British people speaking English.
I'll only need to know German if I want to do things outside the complex, so I've bought some Phrase Books.

"How are you getting there when you cant drive?"
Easy, I'm flying which has already been provided for me on 13th May and when I arrive there I'll be picked up.

"Why so soon?"
Because I want to work
Seriously I'm tired of doing nothing and living off the pennies that is JSA

"Will you be coming back? / How long will ya be gone?"
This is permanent, this is now my job and my life, unless something happens I'm there for the long run!.

"Will you be coming back to visit?"
Of course I will, when things settle down I'll be able to do alot more since I'll be ya'know actually earning money! *shock*

"Can you visit me before you go?"
I can't go everywhere, I'll hopefully be doing the manc mini meet on the 9th May but thats unlikely atm since I've been informed not alot of folks are going.

Okay thats about it, I'm still in the UK for now though, dun be scared to talk to me before i go!

Mon, 27 Apr 2009 13:35:15 GMT

111001000111100011001101010000010000001101010
100000011000010110100110111000010101101000001
101111000111111001101011010100110000101101101
110110000111010011100000111001111100010101110
011100110001010010110101010001000011101111111
101111011001010001100111000101001000100101010
110000101100110110110010000011101100110010101
111001001111001010010001100101010110101101110
110000101100101101101111101010100100101100111
000111001101000001111011111000101010101010110
110011010001110111110000111101111101001101100

I'll be off early in May

Wish me luck guys!

A Sign Of The Times...

Fri, 24 Apr 2009 16:48:09 GMT

Just listening around on Spotify I found the soundtrack to the fantastic musical Blood Brothers.
Theres a song within it called 'Take a Letter Miss Jones' and I think it pretty much sums up whats happening these days.

Take a letter, Miss Jones quote
I regret to inform you,
that owing to circumstances
ouite beyond our control
it's a premature retirement
for those surplus to requirement
I'm afraid it's a sign of the times, Miss Jones,

an unfortunate sign of the times

take a letter, Miss Jones,
due to the world situation
the shrinking pound, the global slump
and the price of oil

I'm afraid we must fire you
we no longer require you
it's just another
sign of the times, Miss Jones,

a most miserable sign of the times

take a letter Miss Jones:
my dear Miss Jones, we'd like to thank you
many years of splendid service
etcetera blah blah blah
you've been a perfect poppet
yes that's right Miss Jones, you've got it
it's just another sign of the times,
Miss Jones, it's
just another sign of the

dry your eyes, Miss Jones
it's not as bad as it seems you
get used to being idle
in a year or two
unemployment's such a pleasure
these days, we call it leisure
it's just another sign of the times,
Miss Jones, it's
just another sign of the times

there's a young man on the street, Miss Jones
he's walkin' round in circles,
he's old before his time
but still too young to know
don't look at him, don't cry though
this living on the giro
is only a sign of the times,
Miss Jones, it's
just another sign of the times.

Hearing the songs again makes me really want to watch the musical again.

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 16:47:34 GMT

I got the job!

that is all *dances*

Broken Sword - DS Review

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:27:55 GMT

"Paris in the fall, the last months of the year and the end of the millennium
The city holds many memories for me
Of cafe's, of music, of love...
And of death"
Opening to Broken Sword (1996)

Broken Sword - The Shadow Of The Templars, was a point and click adventure game released in 1996 on the PC and Playstation, developed by Revolution Software who also made 'Beneath a Steel Sky' and 'Lure of the Temptress'.
It was very well received in a time where point and click adventure games where dieing out and I personally think its one of the best examples in its genre with other titles like 'Monkey Island' or 'Day of the Tentacle' being other prime examples.

This year Revolution released 'Broken Sword - The Directors Cut' for the DS and Wii, incorporating a new storyline and new puzzles for the systems, having got hold of the DS version and being a fan of the original I was expecting a rehash of the game incorporating the stylus in sections.

I wouldn't be far wrong, one thing that struck me at the start, and I was alittle saddened by, was the lack of voice acting, I know the DS is limited but the video cut scenes could of had them and other games I know have voice acting in cutscenes take 'Professor Layton and the Curious Village' as a example.
Expecting exactly the same as the original you actually start somewhere else and only slightly before the events of the original, instead of playing as the american tourist George Stobbart you play as french journalist Nico Collard investiating a lead on the mysterious 'costume killer', its nice to see this angle and it leads into afew slight plot points that the original game hinted on but never explained, this is where the new art and new puzzles mostly take place, one major puzzle being a sliding lock puzzle common on most puzzle games these days.
These new 'Nico' bits are great but they're too easy to solve especially if you played the original as you know the sort of logic you have to apply to this game.
Which leads me onto their new 'Hints' system, the original was quite hard in some points, a puzzle involving a goat being one that most gamers remember from the orignal, after a certain bit of time has gone by or you've been really close the game will give you one of a number of hints on pressing of a icon on the touch screen, sometimes this was a godsend but if you waited long enough the game would practically tell you what to do, which is OK I suppose but it practically removes any use of intelligence on the players part.
Thankfully it can be disabled in the options but you have to disable it yourself.
When the gameplay switches to its original George Stobbart storyline its really really easy if you've played the original, theres nothing much new except for afew puzzles which where 'done for you' in the original now being ones where you have to do it yourself such as entering a code or putting chess pieces into a board.
Overall I think its a great example of the DS touch screen being implemented without it sticking out like a sore thumb, it feels natural and even with the new art by Dave Gibbons (who did Watchmen, he also worked on the original Broken Sword as well as other Revolution titles) it still feels right.
I'm happy with the game and it makes me want to buy the Wii version just to hear the voice acting and see what else they've put in to accomodate the bigger capacity and Wii controls.
If anything I'm upset there isnt more extra scenes, aside with the new 'Nico' stuff and a extended ending, there isnt much different to the original really, plus there is not much (if any) replay value at all, you unlock a message from the director and some images (including one from near York minster which I want to see in real life) at the end but thats it really, which is a real shame.

I did this game in under 6 1/2 hours, which I expected for knowing the original but even with knowing the original more extra scenes and puzzles would of really made this game special and extended the game time.

For a new player i'd say you've got maybe 9 to 10 hours of gameplay here.

Overall its a great game on the DS, I'd definitely check it out on the Wii, if you liked the original and want to remember some nostalgia its great, if you want a decent adventure game on the DS then you cannot go far wrong than Broken Sword.

On a side note, they better release the sequel!

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 03:34:08 GMT

There's a girl that I once knew, hidden in the dark
Away from all the dangers separated by the heart
She never complained was a happy little soul
Bottled all her dreams, till she was ready to explode
One day she flew, through the open window
They said "you'll come back"
She said "sorry I dont think so!"

Because

Sometimes we please in a sacrificial way
Sometimes we heal a little every day
Sometimes we need just to get away
Sometimes we feel like we're living a lie yeah
Like we're living a lie yeah,
Like we're living a lie

Then she was alone for the first time in her life
She'd given up everything she knew, hey
The innocence of freedom was drowning in a pool
Of reality so cold, there was no one there to hold,

and it's true

Sometimes we please in a sacrificial way
Sometimes we heal a little every day
Sometimes we need just to get away
Sometimes we feel like we're living a lie yeah
Like we're living a lie yeah,
Like we're living a lie

She cries herself to sleep
Sometimes we feel - the secrets that we keep
Sometimes we feel - that God has turned his head

We don't know why but

Sometimes we please in a sacrificial way
Sometimes we heal a little every day
Sometimes we need just to get away
Sometimes we feel like we're living a lie yeah
Like we're living a lie yeah,
Like we're living a lie

23rd Hatchie Day

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 16:17:31 GMT

Well I wish to extend thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday today ^_^

I feel fecking old now, wheres my pipe! (no seriously I want my own pipe!)

Pressie wise I got a robe (very arthur dent!) and two very awesome pictures, one by Aaron and the other by Hopeless High School, the one by Aaron yet to be finished but I've seen a sketch and its quite epic.

I have to extend thanks to my dear mate Hasani, Slycat, Bungle (damn you calling me Chris Moyles!), Startide, Tungro, Shira and my flatmates, plus everyone else whos names elude me right now.

Pictures will be posted behind a modesty cut later ^_^

Thanks again everyone, making this daft ol' lump of dracoraptor happy ^_^

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 07:55:09 GMT

http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/news/090319_news_01

"Do you know a grown-up who likes dressing up and sometimes acts a little strange?"

Er.....this sounds like a furrys dream opportunity?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/beonashow/tonight_aliensearch.shtml

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 22:02:15 GMT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7955984.stm

Wow....just...wow...idiots though...

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 14:09:18 GMT

In response to some very very VERY stupid people

The famous song 'Bad Boys' as used in the TV series COPS, is NOT Bob Marley!!!

It is performed by Inner Circle, from their 1987 album 'One Way'

Bob Marley, very sadly, died in 1981, this song was released in 1987 and was popular in about 1992/93.

Now stop naming a very good Inner Circle song as Bob Marley's, I cannot believe the stupidity of some people.

Fri, 13 Mar 2009 10:52:13 GMT

As probably alot of you may know, I've been a lifetime listener to a scottish band called Runrig, recently their guitarist Malcolm Jones has fallen ill and they have canceled their european tour dates, merf.

Hope you get better soon Malcolm!

Runrig recording 'Always The Winner' for the album 'The Big Wheel', Malcolm can be seen in the video whilst he still had his long hair ^_^

Dear Youtube....

Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:39:31 GMT

I have used your site for afew years and have been happy with it.
I understand you have copyright stuff to deal with these days and ya do check now and again.

I had one video removed ages ago due to a valid claim from BBC, fine, no problems, sorry BBC, weird how my other videos which use Torchwood and Doctor Who don't get the same treatment.

One video has been blocked in some countries, sorry residents of France, French Guiana, French Polynesia and French Southern Territories you cant watch the antics of a cute lil red digimon called Guilmon

Today I found out (whilst looking through my account) that two videos had their audio tracks removed, what the hell?
What differs this from the first two incidents is that I WAS TOLD ABOUT THE FIRST TWO! I got nice emails from youtube explaining what had happened and what was going to happen so with the first one the video got removed, fine, with the second one its just blocked in some countries, fine.
But this time?, nothing, I found out on the off chance I was looking through my account.

So two videos but with no audio, just great, using their 'audio swap' I made one video just about work but it's lost some of what I had done with it and as for the other one I deleted it since it was absolutely essential for the music, goddamnit.

Youtube I love you but I hate you, there seems to be no middle ground here, at least have the decency to inform me of these actions so I am aware of it and I can make suitable changes if needed, yes your covering your google stained backs but dont forget what your site is, 'YOUtube' not 'WEAREGOOGLEtube'

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:52:17 GMT

Waiting for my telephone interview..gah I hate waiting for things like this!

Plus I'm getting sick and tired of Torrents, why in the name of all thats evil when i have 0.1% of a file that i get more people uploading from me instead of downloads, i'm sick of the uneveness of it, 35kb upload, 5kb download, What the hell?
Its not like i dont pick the torrents that dont have alot of seeds, I make sure the peers number is quite low too but that seems to make no difference, am I a free buffet whilst you get the decent download speeds I get two tenths of sod all?.
I know in some programs you can kill the uploaders speed but that defeats the object, the program I use makes sure the download and the upload speeds are equal thus fair.
Shame that noone else thinks that way!

My flatmate has very very kindly given me his chipped xbox, since he doesnt use it and he said I could get more out of it and I am!.
Some things with it are very touch and go, but I have a PS1 emulator as well as a snes and GBA one too, its linked to my computer and it can stream files to it, redundant you might say but I like being able to watch things on a tv as apposed to a PC screen, it makes it a good lil media centre, Thankfully it runs the same stuff that Slycats Xbox did when I was down in southampton so it was very easy to pick up.
Right now though it means my PC (not my laptop which is internet connected), is wide open to anyone if it was connected to the internet, I really need to find out how to get my xbox to communicate with my PC more effectively other than bunging it directly to the comp via a crossover cable and setting a drive or two to 'open share'.

Ah well, still my phone hasnt buzzed with Akeboshi's 'Wind' (thats Naruto Ending Theme 1 for those who cant be arsed to learn the artists name!) so I've not had a phonecall yet, I'll post later with news, if any.

Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:50:10 GMT

You hear about attempted murder all the time, its on the TV and in the newspapers nearly every day.

But when it involves someone you actually know... It takes on a new shape and form.

http://www.lep.co.uk/news/Men-on-conspiracy-to-murder.4963425.jp

I knew Christopher Monks AKA Rox Yin, I'm stunned.

Meme delightfully nicked from Little Wolf

Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:12:40 GMT

If you read this, if your eyes are passing over this right now, please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me. It can be anything you want -- good or bad -- BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE. When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your blog and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you.