I am Ashley Elsdon

someone who's doing some things

Month: November 2022

She-Hulk

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I was quite interested when this Marvel show got announced. It was certainly a bit different from other Marvel shows so I thought I’d watch it. How disappointed I was. I persevered with the show all of the way through to the end, but overall found it confused, aimless and badly thought through.

It was such a shame, such a wasted opportunity. Such a good character, so poorly executed and thought through. I have to say that I would be disappointed if Marvel made a second season and I’m not sure I could stomach watching it either.

Why did credit card computers not take off?

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I noticed a Rex device on eBay the other day and was sorely tempted. In the end I resisted though. Which is probably good. But it got me thinking about these kinds of devices. I’ve posted about these before, a number of times and there is a page dedicated to all things PDA as well. I wonder why credit card sized devices never took off.

I know that smartphones have taken over almost every use case of mobile computing, but I do think that the result of that is that everything is a little dull. Sure we have smartwatches and phones, but the lack of a variety of form factors makes everything a little too uniform in many ways.

Something to think about maybe.

Blancmange in Electronic Sound Magazine

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If you’ve been here before you’re probably aware that I am a big fan of Blancmange, which is why I bought this issue of Electronic Sound. I used to be a subscriber to the publication, but realised that the issues were pilling up and I was simply to getting through them. So I stopped. However, some issues grab my attention occasionally, and this one did.

The issue also came with a 7″ record.

Blancmange single
Blancmange single
Blancmange single
Blancmange single

Which is pretty nice all in all.

The interview was insightful, interesting and charming. A lot of the detail I knew already, but there was plenty of stories in there that made me smile.

I don’t know if you can still get this copy online, but if you’re a fan I would recommend it.

Blancmange in Electronic Sound magazine

Rebble hackathon

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I find myself inextricably drawn back to the Pebble ecosystem, if indeed you can call it that. I had the original Pebble, then the Pebble Time. I got rid of both. The I decided to try something different with an original Pebble that I put on my key ring. I tried that for a few months, but in the end I really had no need for it, it had no real use at all.

Then I heard about this Rebble Hackathon, and once more, my interest is peaked. Why? Well, I have no idea really. For a start I don’t currently even own a Pebble device. However, I’ve been looking on eBay for them again. Once more, why? I do not know. It is probably just an obsession of some kind. I even tried using a Pebble on my key chain.

Sadly that little experiment was never really a success.

Anyway, I’m interested in what comes out from it. The event is running now (18th – 20th November 2022). If you want to find out more here’s the event page.

See, season 3

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I have watched all three season of See on Apple TV+. In fact it was one of the things that attracted me to their streaming platform in the first place. Overall, I have to say that for me, the first season was by far the strongest of the three. Not that I am giving away any spoilers at all. However, I will say that the ending was quite satisfying. Of course, you should see it for yourself and make up your own mind, but for me I’m glad to have seen it. It was good if not ground breaking.

I am glad that See was limited to three seasons and not one of those series that rambles on and just fades out badly and gets cancelled. Keeping the story to play out over three seasons worked, although I think it could probably have been done in two. Nevertheless, I think I enjoyed it.

Jon Hassell: Atmospherics

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It has taken me a while to read this book. Not that it is a big book at all, the opposite in fact, but the content is dense. Dense but just so interesting and insightful. It has been a pleasure to read this. I have enjoyed the work of Jon Hassell for many years, even when I had no idea it it was him.

Jon Hassell Atmospherics Book

If you are aware of Jon Hassell and his music, then I would recommend this book. It is a great insight into the thinking and process of the artist.

Blancmange Private View

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Blancmange Private View Vinyl
Blancmange Private View Vinyl
Blancmange Private View Vinyl
Blancmange Private View Vinyl
Blancmange Private View Vinyl Front
Blancmange Private View Vinyl Back
Blancmange Private View CD
Blancmange Private View CD
Blancmange Private View CD
Blancmange Private View CD
Blancmange Private View CD Front
Blancmange Private View CD Back
Blancmange Private View Cassette Sleeve Outer
Blancmange Private View Cassette Sleeve Inside
Blancmange Private View Cassette
Blancmange Private View Cassette
Blancmange Private View Cassette Front
Blancmange Private View Cassette Back

This is the latest album from one of my favourite bands, and released 40 years after their first album. I bought it on vinyl, CD and cassette. It is a good album and there are some good songs on there. I’ve played the vinyl, which is always a lovely experience, but I doubt that I will ever play the cassette though.

As an album it is good. Some songs are better than others of course. A few are excellent.

Over the years I have listened to almost everything that Blancmange have made, and I hope to continue to do that, and I hope that Blancmange will release many more albums in the years to come.

Modified Toy Orchestra – Silfurberg

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I make no secret of the fact that I am a big fan of the Modified Toy Orchestra. In fact I think that they are a national treasure. I have a lot of their material including a 7″ single of their amazing version of ‘Pocket Calculator’. In my view it is a great improvement on the original.

So I was really pleased to see a new release from them, ‘Silfurberg’. I bought it on Bandcamp as that is where I buy most music these days. I got the download included in the purchase of the CD, which arrived recently. The CD itself is a work of art and a beautiful object to have. Here are some pictures (quite a lot of pictures actually).

Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD case
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD case
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD booklet
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD booklet
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD booklet
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD booklet
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD booklet
Modified Toy Orchestra - Silfurberg CD booklet

The album itself is pretty good. I have quite enjoyed it. More than anything though I am just pleased that the Modified Toy Orchestra is still going and doing what it does best.