I’m working my way around to doing some iPhone/iPad development. What I’m currently looking into is 3D modelling as a means to producing graphics for whatever I develop. I’ve dabbled in 3D modelling in a not-very-serious manner on and off over the years, so it’s back on [...]]]> Well, as usual, I’ve moved on to something else.

I’m working my way around to doing some iPhone/iPad development. What I’m currently looking into is 3D modelling as a means to producing graphics for whatever I develop. I’ve dabbled in 3D modelling in a not-very-serious manner on and off over the years, so it’s back on again at the moment. My software of choice (because it’s free and has come a long way since I first looked at it about 10 years ago) is Blender. I’ll spare you all the gory details for now, but the one thing I will mention is the great Video podcast I found for those new to Blender and the 3D field in general. I found it on iTunes, and it’s called the “Blender Survival Guide”. I did some podcasting once, but it was never as clean or polished as this one, presented by Paolo Ciccone. You can Paolo’s site at http://preta3d.com with links to the episodes. If you’re at all interested in looking at Blender, I suggest you check it out.

Russell.

I could see I was slowing improving on the total number of push-ups completed each [...]]]> Good question. Wish I had a good answer. I did complete Day 3, and almost made the requird set, but then the wobbly arms afterwards makes it very hard to do my other work, so it sort of just petered out.

I could see I was slowing improving on the total number of push-ups completed each day, although at a slower rate than the program suggests. Maybe I’m just not cut out to be Buff One day when I have more time on my hands (yeah, right) I might give it another go.

Russell.

I reset my initial test to a count of 10, which put me at the stage of doing a 6-6-4-4-5 set. Given I’ve had a hard time raising my arms over my head since Sunday’s effort, I [...]]]> Whats the cut-off age for when you can try and get fit? I think I must have passed it.

I reset my initial test to a count of 10, which put me at the stage of doing a 6-6-4-4-5 set. Given I’ve had a hard time raising my arms over my head since Sunday’s effort, I wasn’t looking forward to today’s effort. However, determined to give it another go, I setup and off I went. The first set of 6 had me wondering how far I’d get, but I’m happy to say I managed to get through, although #5 on the last set took me a while to straight my arms up again.

Has anyone else started an exercise program for the first real time in their life after 40? Oh I’ve had lots of sore muscles before, and I am playing it up a bit, but who’d have thought 5 minutes of simple pushups would make you ache for days?

Oh well, next set is Friday. I’m not game to look at the set numbers just yet. Hopefully two days rest will restore my enthusiasm a little.

See you all then.

Russell.

My schedule for the first day, given my initial test of 12, was do to 10-12-7-7-9. I have a feeling I may have cheated on the initial test and pushed myself into a higher bracket, as all I could manage was 10-11-3-2-1

My arms now feel like lead and I think before long I’m [...]]]> Well,

My schedule for the first day, given my initial test of 12, was do to 10-12-7-7-9. I have a feeling I may have cheated on the initial test and pushed myself into a higher bracket, as all I could manage was 10-11-3-2-1

My arms now feel like lead and I think before long I’m not going to be able to lift them up enough even to type. I think I’ll start again on the schedule below this one -  6-6-4-4-5 seems a bit more achievable I think. Will see on Tuesday.

Russell.

It seems one of the key requirements to performing well at Archery is have good upper body strength. Given I met my personal challenge of losing 10Kg in 12 weeks recently in a “Biggest Loser” competition at work, and have continued to maintain that weight now for another 3 months, I figure the old body [...]]]> Well,

It seems one of the key requirements to performing well at Archery is have good upper body strength. Given I met my personal challenge of losing 10Kg in 12 weeks recently in a “Biggest Loser” competition at work, and have continued to maintain that weight now for another 3 months, I figure the old body is in the best shape it’s been in for a while, so I might as well build on the Archery form with an exercise routine.

Now, I’ve never been one to exercise for the sake of it, and I find myself getting bired easily with repetitive exercise routines, so I figure blogging about it may give me some motivation to continue. I found a couple of references in the Archery forums to a web site with a 6-week program to get you to 100 push-ups a day. I’ve always been quite bad at push-ups, but they are a great exercise for upper body strength, and doesn’t need any fancy equipment like a lot of other exercises, so I figured I’d give it a go. After reviewing the website at hundredpushups.com and buying the iPhone app (yeah the geek in me says I need some software to keep me on track too) I’m ready to get started.

I took the initial test and made it to 12 pushups. Not great, but not bad for an old guy either. I almost got that 13′th that would have put me in the next class, but I collapsed half way up. Lucky for me I think, as the 6 – 12 class looks hard enough. All that’s left now is to get started. Not being home during the week, I have to time my days right to start, so I figure tomorrow will be the best day. I’ll report back on my progress.

Wish me luck.

Russell.

Being a link-in with my interests in all things fantasy [...]]]> Creating with Polymer Clay is the newest hobby I’m attempting. Like all good hobbies, it requires lots of research. This often means jumping head first into buying lots of books on the subject, before moving on to the actual doing – well in my case, anyway.

Being a link-in with my interests in all things fantasy related, when I saw this book, I just had to have it. There are several Polymer Clay books on mythical creatures, but based on what I’d read about them all, this one seemed the best for people in my situation – raw beginners. Given that I’ve so far only made two pens and a letter opener in Polymer Clay, figures in Polymer Clay is still new territory for me. This is the first of several books I’ve read on the subject, so without further ado, here’s a rank amateurs point of view of Maureen’s book.

One of the first things that struck me about the book was the quality of the presentation. Every page is a full colour work of art, with a very attractive natural background. Each of the 15 projects is introduced with are full colour photograph of the completed subject. The project instructions themselves have an abundance of smaller photo’s detailing each of the steps. The crafter will certainly not be left wondering with these projects, with the wealth of imagery leading you through the creative process.

Apart from the visuals, the text within the book is also pitched right at the beginner who has confidence to move on through the process purposefully. Each project has simple step by step instructions, with very little left out. I would suggest though that a younger audience would fair better with some adult leadership, until they have moved past the simple dogs/cats/dinosaurs that are typically aimed at the young beginner. Myself however, being a 40 something I.T. geek of many years, could pick almost any project in the book and work through the step by step instructions with ease. Having said that though, the finished results look very impressive. They are much more than just simple lumps of clay pushed together. While Maureen’s step by step guidance is very detailed, the results are quite impressive, as can be seen on the cover image to the right.

The book starts off with a few basics on Polymer Clay itself, although not overly verbose, and this level of introductory material is abundant in many other places. I feel the mix of explanation without repetition is about right, and anyone needing a more basic understanding should just do a little research on the Internet first. She then moves on to the basics of figure sculpting, including using armatures, patterns and the importance of making a plan. Once again, enough information to make you consider all of the relevant aspects, but not in onerous detail that detracts from the smooth progressive flow as the reader is gently lead through the book. A couple extra pages on basic clay shaping, then more detail on faces, hands and feet lead to the start of the projects section itself. One thing that still has me a little confused however, is the clay recipe section at the start of each project. The descriptions of how much clay to use are a little unclear to me on first read.. I’m sure though, once I actually make one, I’ll understand the recipe descriptions clearly.

The whole flavour of the book is one of whimsy and wonder at the Faerie world. Each project is prefaced with a little background story on how they come to be part of the Faerie world, providing a common thread through each project and the book, and making it an enjoyable read. Some of those manly men out there may find it a little “fluffy”, but then they’re not likely the type to have picked up the book in the first place. Anyone with any imagination left will enjoy the story that Maureen weaves through her work.

The projects themselves offer quite a variety of styles to work with. Before I bought the book, I thought it was just going to be lots of figure sculptures. I was pleasantly surprised to find the first project started off as making a Faerie Door. Something simple to get newbies like me off on a good footing, yet complex enough to stretch your skills. A variety of styles of figures make the progression through the book logically from simpler pieces like Ophelia Lilliana, through to more difficult pieces like Mischievous Marvin and Isa Rosalia. The middle sections however have some variation from straight figures again, with characters like Broogen Bogge the rock troll  being a mixed media creation from Polymer Clay and natural rock. As well as this great variety of project types, Maureen has provided a lot of simple but effective information on making variations on each piece, to make other pieces similar but distinct from the main project.

Overall I have found Faeries, Gnomes & Trolls to be a delightful book. Perfect for where I am in my learning curve. While I haven’t tried any of the pieces myself yet, I look forward to making some of them very soon, or even using some of the many techniques in the book, to apply to other pieces I may decide to work on. I highly recommend this book to anyone new, or even those not so new, to Polymer Clay crafting.

Russell.