Look at that lovely dead goth girl. Just look at her.

Good times.

I’m a bit down on conferences in general, to be honest – no disrespect to John Davy and co, but they tend to bum me out a bit these days, unless I’m actually presenting. I guess it’s too much of a busman’s holiday. At flash on the beach last year I basically just hid in my hotel room almost the entire time, but I think that’s more a problem with me than the conference itself. I just find it a bit hectic trying to network and be polite to so many people all at once, and I get a bit overwhelmed with the whole experience. I’m actually quite shy, you know.

Anyway, goToAndSki is totally different – the thing takes place in a tiny remote chalet in the Swiss Alps, and it’s much more cosy and personal. You spend the days skiing or snowboarding, and there are conferences in the evening. So it’s less hectic socially, and you have more time to get to know the other delegates, and the fact that it’s not 100% flash shop talk all the time means it feels almost like an actual holiday.

Almost.

I went with my awesome colleagues from Jade Hopper, and I think everybody had a good time. If you’re planning on going next year though, and you’re not a regular skiier, I’d recommend going a week or so earlier, so you can get your snow legs and familiarise yourself with the terrain and the general area. I spent a lot of the time running around trying to catch up with the main group (who were all from fairly nearby in Europe, and so were seemingly more experienced skiiers than me) so that was a bit rubbish – but TBH that’s only a minor gripe. The breathtaking beauty of the alps is sublime and awe-inspiring, and I left feeling rejuvenated and a lot healthier. The sessions were great, and the atmosphere and camaraderie was there, which I think is lacking from other, bigger conferences. Thanks to all the guys who put it together – I look forward to going again next year! I think it’s going to be in Norway?

Here’s some gorgeous snowboarding footage:

It’s an interactive urinal.

To my knowledge, it’s the first working urine-drive user interface to date. Thanks to Chris O’Shea for discovering prior art.

Check it out.

It’s entitled “Global Warming”, and involves urination, OpenGL, and Java. More info to come soon.

The work involved creating various different animated versions of the brand mark created by Moving Brands, for deployment across various media. I also produced a screensaver which showcases the new branding.

The brief was to create a generative system which would take data from a client project (such as company share price, number subscribers, temperature in office – anything they could think to provide, really) and create an artwork which would contain a visual representation of that data.

Working with their design team, I created four different pieces, which take arbitrary feed data and incorporate it into a moving artwork. Additionally, each user can select which data/artwork combination they see by using the control panel on the top right.

Cinema Free Kunsthaus: The lie is the mortal enemy of the state

A retrospective screening of transmissions from the Ministry of Perpetual War, including classics such as “Weapons Not Food”, “We Leave at Dawn” and “Freedom Day”. In addition, there will be a screening of lost footage, outtakes, and previously unseen material Additional DJ sets throughout the night by Chris Damage and special guests.

Admission free.

Location details here.

Apparently, it’s free entry, free booze, and really, really awesome prizes! Plus free tuition if you’re not sure of how to play (it’s Texas hold-em rules).

Check it out:

In order of finishing position, these are the prizes:

1. iMac 24” 2.8GHz (plus cab fare home)
2. MacBook 13” 2.1GHz (plus cab fare home)
3. Sony Playstation 3 (plus cab fare home)
4. iPod Touch 16GB
5. Nintendo Wii
6. Nintendo Wii
7. iPod Nano 4GB
8. iPod Nano 4GB
9. iPod Nano 4GB
10. iPod Nano 4GB

PLUS £20 free bet on Betfair for those players finishing in places 11-20.

Gift / goodie bags will be handed out also. At this point we don’t have the final details on what will be in them or how many of you will get them. Check back later on to find out.

ландшафт

Register now at pokercoder.com. You’d be crazy not to.

*Last time I played poker was at Flash on the Beach 2007, at a table with Sean, Nicolas Canasse and Joshua Davis – I managed to lose horribly in front of some of the people I most respect and admire
… still, makes a good pub story, I guess.