I am Ashley Elsdon

someone who's doing some things

Month: September 2015

Doctor Who and The Drosten’s Curse … Some thoughts now I’ve finished it …

Posted by on in Books and Audiobooks, ListeningLeave a comment
Doctor Who and the Drosten's Curse
Doctor Who and the Drosten’s Curse Audio Book

So I’ve finished listening to this audiobook. Strangely, just after I’d finished it I was in Edinburgh and at the book festival and found the hardback version of the title. I’m not sure I’d have bought that after listening to the book.

Anyway, I said I’d put down some thoughts on this book once I’d finished it. So here goes.

I did enjoy this audiobook, but it wasn’t the best Doctor Who story I’ve ever heard. It was funny, very much in the style of Douglas Adams, but almost a bit too much Douglas Adams for me. It was like it was written to emulate one of his stories but went too far. To begin with it was fine, actually quite fun and very amusing, and the style of the narrator complimented the writing completely. But it felt like the style and the wit of the book had overwhelmed the story itself. It wasn’t a bad story, not at all, but if I had been expecting a story like a Douglas Adams, I was going to be disappointed. In fact, I was disappointed.

The story itself wasn’t bad, it was ok, but it wasn’t a Douglas Adams story. I did enjoy it overall, and it had a good ending, I won’t spoil it for you though, in case you do listen to it or read it.

I’m not sure I’d recommend it though. If you’re interested in newly written Dr Who stories I’d recommend engines of war, that’s a great story. This one was ok, but I can’t imagine myself listening to it again, or buying the actual book.

So, try it if you like, but if you’re after something substantial then I think you’ll be disappointed. That’s my view anyway.

Brighton Mini Maker Faire 2015

Posted by on in Events, Making things, Robotics, TechLeave a comment
Brighton Mini Maker Faire 2015: Dalek
Brighton Mini Maker Faire 2015: Dalek

It has to be a dalek really doesn’t it?

I hadn’t been to the Brighton Mini Maker Faire for a couple of years, so it was nice to go back again. It felt bigger than the last time I was there, and certainly felt like there were a lot more people there too.

I had a good look around the whole show and there were a few interesting things there, but nothing that totally grabbed my attention. But then it really isn’t something that’s aimed at me I think. It’s more focused on kids and parents, which is good, and as it should be really. Even so I found it interesting and good to see a few companies I really like showing off their stuff.

And that was the Beautiful Octopus Club 2015

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BOC at RFH 2015
BOC at RFH 2015

This was the third time I’ve done SoundLab at the Beautiful Octopus Club. It’s a fantastic event, and if you’ve never been I strongly encourage you to go next year. You’ll love it. It’s awesome.

Once again SoundLab was well received even though we were much smaller than last year and occupied our usual space just behind the shop in the RFH. Of course, we had a great time and everyone who visited seemed to really enjoy themselves. I think that the only downside of being a part of SoundLab for the BOC is that you don’t get the opportunity to see the rest of the event. BOC has so much to offer and for three years I’ve only seen my little bit of it. Which is a shame. So next year I’m considering just turning up to watch and participate.

Let’s see if I can manage that!

Edinburgh Fringe 2015: Under Milk Wood (Semi Skimmed)

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Ed Fringe 2015: Under Milk Wood
Ed Fringe 2015: Under Milk Wood

Under Milk Wood is one of my favourite poems, if not my favourite of all. One of the best live performances of it that I’ve ever seen was by Guy Masterson. I saw it years ago and it was truly brilliant. So I’ve been going to see Guy Masterson every year at Edinburgh to see his shows, and they’ve all been brilliant. But I’ve always wanted to see his Under Milk Wood again.

So when I found that it was on again this year I knew I had to see it, and I did. It was a shortened version, or as he puts it the “Semi Skimmed” version. It was brilliant. Utterly brilliant. A complete joy to watch, and I loved every minute of it.

In fact, I had thought that it couldn’t really get any better than this, until the end when Guy Masterson said that he had CDs of the complete, unabridged performance for sale.

Ed Fringe 2015: Under Milk Wood CD
Ed Fringe 2015: Under Milk Wood CD

I had to have one, and so I did, but it got even better, because he signed the CD for me, and I got to chat to him, albeit briefly.

Ed Fringe 2015: Under Milk Wood signed CD
Ed Fringe 2015: Under Milk Wood signed CD

The Molecule Bag Tour … Edinburgh (1)

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Molecule bag on tour
Molecule bag on tour

As an owner of a Molecule Synth I realise that these are actually pretty rare items. However, possibly even more rare is the Molecule Synth rucksack. I recently took this away with me to Edinburgh for the Fringe, and decided to take a series of photos of the Molecule bag in various places.

I’m starting here, with the bag in the Roxburghe Hotel in Edinburgh.

You may see it in a variety of other places …

Sad that the E&C Mini Maker Faire isn’t on this year

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It’s a real shame. I went last year and the year before, and I was so sorry to find out that this year it wasn’t happening. According to their site it seems they weren’t able to get sponsorship for the event. It makes me sad because when I went last year there were so many people having a great time there. It was packed. All those people won’t get the chance to go again this year. It’s sad.

But there’s the Brighton Mini Maker Faire that’s happening on the 5th, and I’m planning to get along to that for a few hours if I can. It’s not as convenient as the Elephant and Castle, but it’s ok.

I hope that the E&C faire comes back in 2016. It would be a shame for it to stop for good.

Romo II

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2nd Generation Romo Robot
2nd Generation Romo Robot

I’ve wanted a Romo II for a while now. I originally funded the first Romo on Kickstarter, but never got the second one. So I finally managed to get hold of one on eBay for just a few pounds.

So I’m looking forward to getting this one going and maybe even doing something using both of them together.

2nd Generation Romo Robot
2nd Generation Romo Robot

Edinburgh Fringe 2015: Shakespeare for Breakfast

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Ed Fringe 2015: Shakespeare for Breakfast
Ed Fringe 2015: Shakespeare for Breakfast

I’ve been to see Shakespeare for Breakfast almost every year I’ve been to the Fringe. It’s always amazing. It’s always great fun. This year was no different at all. It was brilliant. It was Hamlet.

Shakespeare for Breakfast is a difficult thing to explain if you’ve never seen it before. It’s Shakespeare, sure, but it isn’t like any kind of Shakespeare you’ve seen before. It’s fun, it’s current, it’s witty and it’s over in an hour. Added to that you get a coffee and a croissant in the bargain. Not bad for the Fringe, not bad at all.

So if you ever go the Fringe you should try out Shakespeare for Breakfast and see if you like it.

Hello September

Posted by on in ThinkingLeave a comment

So here we are in September already. Where did 2015 go? We’re already in September and the summer feels like it’s over. Not that it was really ever here. I mean, that’s typical really isn’t it, typical of an English summer. So perhaps we’ll get some better weather in September. Who knows.

There’s lots of interesting things happening in September, so it should be a good month, but it always feels like September is a doorway into autumn and then winter. It’s like we’re over the best of the year and it’s downhill now, which feels a bit sad.