As a conceptual artist, for Hirst it is more about the message than the merit. Many people criticise Hirst saying that it takes no skill to hang a shark in formaldehyde, or to paint dots on canvas. However it is this work that has made Hirst so popular, proving that evoking emotion is just as essential as the piece itself. For an artist it is very rare for them to see success in their own lifetime, and Hirst has managed to profit greatly from his popularity. The main turning point for Hirst was in September 2008 when he broke away from the norm and decided to sell his work straight to the public. This was unprecedented for any artist, and Hirst managed to time it perfectly; before the economic crisis. The Sothebys one-artist auction raised over £111m, and set a personal record for Hirst as one item sold for over £10m.

Since then Hirst has gone on to cause a lot of controversy and speculation in the art world, but yet he is still considered one of the most influential British artist alive.
The exhibition at the Tate Modern was a collection of work created throughout the life of Hirst, including his most early spot paintings, the controversial formaldehyde suspended animals and even his latest piece; a human skull recreated in platinum, and embedded with over 8,500 diamonds.

Photography was not really allowed during the exhibition, but we did manage to snap a couple of pictures for you. However a picture of ‘For The Love of God’ was almost impossible as you were accompanied by security guards when viewing the piece.

The exhibition was laid out in rooms, typically reflecting the progression of work throughout the life of Hirst. In Room 1 was a lot of his early work and as you progressed through the exhibition you see the journey Hirst has made through his career with some of his most contemporary work on display in room 14.

Exhibition Room Guide

Room 1 – The early work in this room laid down the themes which Hirst would go on to develop through his career. Work displayed in this room includes With Dead Head 1991, 8 Pans 1987, Boxes 1988 and the first Spot Painting from 1986. As a student it was obvious that Hirst had a love of colour, which was soon incorporated into his own work such as the Spot Paintings. The early Spot Painting would have been completed by Hirst himself which is obvious through the random nature of the circles, with over 1,400 in existence it is believed Hirst only painted 5 of these himself.
Boxes became one of Hirst’s most notable early pieces of work as it was the first piece he put on display at the Freeze exhibition. Obvious influence came from the American minimalist art that was being displayed at the recently opened Saatchi Gallery, and it was at this time that Hirst realised his work wouldn’t fit into the art world in its current state.

Room 2 & 3 – As you walked into the larger rooms you were struck by the installation pieces Hirst has become known for; A Thousand Years 1990, and The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living 1991. Along with these pieces Hirst had displayed a selection of spot paintings and a couple of other glass vitrine displays.
A Thousand Years 1990 is the first of Hirst’s work in which an arrangement of elements were housed within a glass vitrine, which shows a whole life cycle being played out. The piece is made up of 3 main elements, the minimalist white box in which the maggots hatch, a severed cows head upon which the developed flies feed, and the insect-o-cutor which brings an end to many of the flies (where some continue the cycle). This was a turning point for Hirst as he confessed “…it was the first time I’d ever made anything that had a life of its own….something that I had no control over”.
Along with this was the obvious focal piece of The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living. Hirst created this piece as an attempt to scare or frighten the viewer and evoke a primal feat. Having a large shark in a big enough body of water, Hirst felt that this would be enough to frighten the viewer.

Room 4 –  With only two pieces in this room, smoking seemed to be a theme Hirst revisited numerous times. The Acquired Inability to Escape 1991, shows a steel and glass structure which generates a sense of viewer containment, as well as having a distancing effect on the viewer. Hirst is known for taking inspiration from Francis Bacon for this piece, seeing the cage-like lines and presentation of Bacon’s paintings behind glass has always fascinated Hirst as it gives an extra dimension to the painting. Along with this Hirst has also displayed his work Dead Ends Died Out, Examined 1993. As an extension of his museological display techniques, Hirst conflates the extinguishing of a cigarette to the extinction of a species.

Rooms 5 & 6 – These rooms were a hark back to the first solo exhibition Hirst had created in London, by transforming a two-storey commercial premises into an exhibition he named In and Out of Love. In one room, in a specially maintained humid environment, Hirst had hung white canvases embedded with pupae. The butterflies would then hatch, fly around the room, feed on sugar water and flowers, mate and lay eggs. In the second room Hirst had hung brightly coloured canvases with dead butterflies adhered to the surface, much like they had been landed on the canvas and dried into the wet paint. For this exhibition Hirst had turned the whole building into the vitrine with themes of life and death as well as beauty and horror, a duality which was present in much of Hirst’s work.

Room 7 – Pharmacy 1992 is a multi-part installation that develops on the earlier work Medicine Cabinets. The clinical order of the cabinets, their packaging and even additional elements such as the glass bottles containing coloured liquids representing the four elements, display the palliative power of modern medicine. This work is still as relevant today as when first created because of the consistency which has been present in the packaging of pharmaceutical drugs, “…they just got it right”.

Room 8 – Seen as a very fun room, this is definitely some of the brightest work on display. Containing a selection of Spin Paintings, similar to the Spot Paintings, they are created by using household gloss paint which is then poured onto the spinning canvas. This allows him to exercise distance from the execution of the piece and enjoy a great deal of experimentation with colour.
Also in this room is the piece Loving in a World of Desire 1996, consisting of a beach ball which hovers above a colourful box. Suspended on nothing but a jet of air, the ball flutters precariously above the structure showing the balance between love and desire.

Room 9 – Containing another of Hirst’s notable work, first exhibited in 1993, Mother and Child Divided. This work marks a departure from the Natural History series from earlier work. This installation is made up of a cow and a calf which have been sliced in half and displayed in glass vitrines. The display has been created so the viewer can walk around each piece, but also allows them to walk through the separated halves of the cow and the calf. As a departure from Hirst’s earlier formaldehyde work which shows a preservation of living things, these have been bisected to reveal flesh, organs and bone structure within the mammals. Hirst described the process as “like creating emotions scientifically…you can see what’s on the inside and outside simultaneously”.
Along with this Hirst also displayed his work Crematorium 1996, an oversized ashtray filled with cigarette butts and ash. This piece is often seen as a modern day memento mori, as what can be seen as the accumulation of ash can also double as the cremated remains of a body.

Room 10 – Hirst extends his engagement with the iconography of medical science beyond the pharmaceutical, onto the surgical. This room contains themed sculptures on surgical equipment displayed in stainless steel cabinets, suggesting at the clinical environment of the operating theatre or surgical procedures. Also contained in this room is his work titled Lapdancer 2006. This piece bridges the gap between the unfavourable apparatus of invasive surgery and the slightly erotic attraction of death and decapitation. This room serves as a stark reminder that medicine and art have always been close, as is often the case with anatomical drawings.

Room 11 – Hirst continues with the heavy religious themes seen in his work, displaying large stained-glass window like work, using the butterfly motif to show the fragility of life in his work Doorways to the Kingdom of Heaven 2007. These arch shaped canvases stand over 7 feet tall, with butterflies arranged into complex patterns reminiscent of medieval stained-glass church windows. In this room was also Hirst’s piece Sympathy in White Major – Absolution II 2006, a circular canvas with butterfly arrangement similar to a kaleidoscope effect. This piece has been used extensively for the promotion and memorabilia for the Tate exhibition.
In addition to that Hirst has also placed his white marble sculpture, The Anatomy of an Angel 2008, a unique sculpture which when viewed from one angle depicts the traditional ethereal body of an angel, but when viewed from another angle you can see the section of internal human organs and skeletal structure.

Room 12 – This room seems to serve as a counter-point to some of Hirst’s earlier work, showing a darker side to the previous vibrant butterfly paintings. Black Sun 2004, at nearly 3.5 metres in diameter, conveys a darker message than his previous work. Continuing his early work with fly motifs, Black Sun is made up of thousands of dead flies which have been solidified in resin, conveying a sombre message of death and decay.
In addition to this Hirst has displayed his work Black Sheep 2007, which too acts in conjunction with his some of his earlier work.

Room 13 – As mentioned earlier, in 2008, Sotheby’s In London presented an auction for over 200 pieces of work by Damien Hirst, this room acts as a tribute to that unified body of work. The wallpaper used in this room is a striking gold with diamonds and opulent motifs, which is actually based on the covers used for the catalogues for his Sotheby’s sale. Also in this room was Judgement Day 2009, a 30ft long cabinet displaying nearly 30,000 cubic zirconia, displayed similar to his earlier work Lullaby, the Seasons 2002.

Room 14 – Sharing the last room of the exhibition were two pieces of work, Remembrance 2008, a pale Spot Painting edged in gold leaf, and The Incomplete Truth 2006, a dove suspended in formaldehyde, as if in mid-flight. The dove carries many symbolic meanings, a messenger of hope, the secular symbol of peace and the religious symbol of the Holy Spirit. This conflicting imagery is reinforced through the title of the work, not suggesting at any absolute truth.
“Life and death are the biggest polar opposites there are. I like love and I like hate…I like all those opposites. On and off. Happy and sad. In an artwork I always try to say something and deny it at the same time”.

The Damien Hirst Exhibition is currently on show at the Tate up until 9th September 2012.

You may already be familiar with the T5 van, but if not then heres a little background information; The Volkswagen Transporter T5 range is the fifth generation range of medium sized Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. The VW T5 range was first launched on October 6th, 2002 and fully replaced the fourth generation T4 Transporter range on April 25th, 2003. The range is produced in assembly factories in Germany, Poland and Indonesia. Currently, the T5 Transporter range is primarily marketed towards consumers in Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, France and Turkey. The United States does not currently receive the VW T5 range because the range is actually classified as a light truck which would add a 25% additional tax to all imported V5 Transporter vehicles.

The VW Transporter is available in over 100 different combinations. Each variant of the VW Transport has its own features, functions and customizations. There are numerous ways to customize a VW T5, including the official Volkswagen variants available for purchase and additional customizations which may be completed by third party organizations. The Transporter range is overall a popular choice for commercial consumers, and is frequently used for commercial use. However, the Campervan T5 variant is particularly popular among personal consumers.

The VW T5 Transporter Range

The VW T5 Transporter range is available in several basic variants. Each variant is often available with customizable features, such as raised roofs, additional windows, and more. The VW Transporter range can be classified in two days: delivery/cargo transportation and passenger/people transportation. The following are the basic VW T5 vehicles available.

Cargo transportation:

Transporter Panel Van: A delivery van with panel side doors. This model has no side windows and no rear seats.
Transporter Highroof Panel Van: A delivery van with panel side doors and a high raised roof. This model has no side windows and no rear seats.
Transporter Half-panel Van: A delivery fan with panel side doors. This model has two side windows in the front half of the van cargo area, and a row of rear seats which are removable.
Transporter Pick-up truck: A flatbed T5 truck. This model is also available with a wider bed for wider loads.
Transporter Double cab Pick-Up truck: A flatbed truck. This model has a double cab and two rows of seats for a total of six seats.
Transporter chassis Cab truck: A Transporter chassis. This model is also available with a double cab, or two rows of seats.
Transporter Sportsline panel van: A sleek version of the traditional panel van. This model, like the traditional panel van, is available with removable passenger seats and a raised roof.

People transportation:

Transporter Kombi: A Kombi, short for a Kombinationskraftwagen, or combination vehicle. A combination of a passenger and delivery vehicle. This model features side windows, removable passenger seats, and is available with a raised roof.
Transporter Sportline Kombi: A sleek version of the traditional Kombi. This model, like the traditional Kombi, is available with removable passenger seats and a raised roof.
Transporter Shuttle: A shuttle van with seating for up to eight adult passengers.
Transporter Caravelle: A larger shuttle van with seating for up to nine adult passengers.
Transporter Mutli-van: The top passenger transporting vehicle from the T5 range. This model is available with six or seven seats and features accessories such as tables and refrigerators.

VW Transporter Pricing

The pricing of a VW Transport vehicle typically depends on the type of vehicle, variant, and any customisation or special features included in the vehicle. The following are the basic prices for the vehicles in the VW T5 range, minus the VAT. Please note these are prices for a new Transporter, prices will be different for used VW T5 Transporters.

Transporter panel van: 16,960 and up.
Transporter Kombi: 19,140 and up.
Transporter chassis cab: 17,310 and up.
Transporter double cab: 19,360 and up.
Transporter Sportsline panel van: 28,460 and up.
Transporter Sportsline Kombi: 30,340 and up.
Transporter Shuttle: 27,014 and up.
Transporter Caravelle: 34,165 and up.

Customising a VW T5 Transporter

Customising a VW Transporter vehicle can be done in several ways. Most official VW Transporter distributors offer customization and customized features directly, without the need for special ordering or third party venues. Basic customization often involves the addition or removal of certain features or accessories. Common customizable features include raised roofing, additional passenger seating, alloy wheels, the ability to fold or slide passenger seating for easy cargo transportation, the addition of media players or other entertainment systems, and the addition of luxuries such as refrigerators and tables. The pricing of customized accessories and features will vary depending on which VW Transporter purchased, as well as the particular customisation.

For example, the following are some of the customisable features for the basic VW Transporter panel van.

Front Spoiler in Candy White – £626.00 (including VAT)
Lowering springs, axle weight to 1,550kg – £240.00 (inc. VAT)
Front cab leather upholstery – £850.00 (including VAT)
BlueTooth Touch Phone kit – £155.00 (including VAT)
Full length dog guard – £366.00 (including VAT)
Pop-top Roof addition – £2,000 (plus VAT)

Third Party Customisation for VW Transporter Vans

Certain customisations, such as the conversion into campervans, need to be done via a third party. Many third party organizations which offer VW T5 customization are licensed Volkswagen distributors, although there are non-distributors who offer customization as well. If you are going to have your VW T5 customized or converted by a third party organization, it’s important that you research the reputation of the organization to ensure that you are not putting your vehicle in inexperienced hands. Third party customization pricing can vary depending on the business and the type of customization or camper conversion you are looking for. The upside to using a third party service for your customization is that you will have the option to compare pricing and services.

Long office hours often mean long hours of sitting in a chair in the same position, day after day, week after week, and year after year. Unfortunately, sitting in a regular office chair for hours at a time can cause back pain and even back or neck problems. These problems can even become serious if they are exacerbated for months or years without any attempt at treatment or alleviation. The reason that sitting in an office chair can cause these back problems is that sitting in the typical office chair positions increases the amount of stress on a person’s body–including their back, neck, arms and legs, and shoulders. In particular, the back muscles can experience large amounts of pressure, leading to back spasms or general back pain. These problems are only exacerbated by a person’s natural tendency to slouch when sitting in an office chair for an extended period of time. Slouching may ease the pain on the surface, but this particular posture actually strains spinal discs and can lead to damage to the spine and back or neck pain over time.

Thankfully, there are ways to avoid this office chair pain and decrease the risk for back pain when working in an office for long hours.

Ergonomic seating and back pain

Ergonomic seating is seating that is designed to maximize back support and ensure that good posture is maintained while in a seating position. Ergonomic seating is meant to be adjusted to a person’s individual body, which will not only improve physical comfort but greatly reduce the strain and stressed added to an individual’s back, neck and shoulders. Ergonomic seating is meant to be used in conjunction with a properly adjusted office workstation, which not only uses ergonomic chairs to improve posture but ensures that the various tools used in the workstation—such as the computer, computer mouse, and keyboard—are placed just right to avoid additional stress on muscles, joints, and the overall body. This type of arrangement ensures that the elbow, thigh, calf, lower back, arms and eye level are at the “just right” position for full and proper support.

It is not enough just to use ergonomic seating, however, although it does greatly reduce the risk of back pain and stress. Sitting in one position for a long period of time, or prolonged static posture, is not healthy for the back, neck or shoulders. In order to avoid maintaining a static posture for a long period of time, individuals should stand, stretch and walk for 1-2 minutes every half hour. This may seem like much, but even just a quick break (such as walking to the water cooler, or to the bathroom) can reduce the risk of back problems and muscle strain caused by prolonged static posture. If you can spare 10 or 20 minutes of exercise instead of a short 1-2 minute break, this will reduce the risk of back strain even more.

Choosing high quality ergonomic seating

A good ergonomic office chair should have the following qualities:

Adjustable seat height. The height of the office chair should be easily adjustable to allow for quick customization. The user should be able to have their feet flat on the floor and not be forced to have them dangling because the chair is not customizable enough.

A decent seat width and depth. A chair which promotes good posture should have enough width and depth to support the user comfortably and safely. Typically, about 17 to 20 inches wide is the standard. The depth of the chair – or the length from the front to the back of the seat – needs to be enough so that the user is able to it with their back against the chair, while leaving about 2-4 inches of space between their knees and the seat of the chair. Additionally, the chair should be adjustable to allow for forward or backward tilting.

Lumbar Support

Lumbar, or lower back support, is essential to any ergonomic chair. Without adequate lumbar support, the lower back can experience severe strain from slouching and muscle stress. Inflatable lumbar support is particularly ideal, as it allows for the lumbar support to be adjusted for a proper fit. Inflatable lumbar support can also be purchased separately from a chair, which allows for even the most un-ergonomic office chairs to have a more comfortable and healthy support.

A proper backrest. The backrest of an office chair should be about 12 to 19 inches wide. This allows for the back to receive support and reduce the amount of stress caused by a seating position on the spine. The back support should support the natural curve of the spine, and should be adjustable to allow for proper fit. Inflatable back support is increasingly popular because the back support can be adjusted with a few clicks of a pump instead of fiddling with the gears of a chair. Inflatable back support, like inflatable lumbar support, can also be purchased separately to be used with office chairs that might not be particularly ergonomic.

Types of ergonomic seating

There are many different types of ergonomic seating and ergonomic office chairs to suit just about any office or back problem. They include ergonomic seating which resembles the typical office chair, with properly adjusted backing and cushioning to ensure proper positioning, as well as untraditional chairs like Swedish kneeling chairs, Swiss exercise balls, and chairs with inflatable back support and inflatable lumbar support. Swedish kneeling chairs and Swiss exercise balls are ways for employees to reduce the risk of back stress from a traditional static chair position, but they do require the use of back muscles to maintain a proper upright position while working.

Overall, ergonomic seating is essential to any office and to any office worker to ensure back safety and health. There are many types of ergonomic supports available so ensure you speak to your back support manufacturers before ordering any seating.

Essential baby clothing needs to be, above everything, functional and practical. While putting your baby in a frilly velvet dress with a row of silver buttons will look adorable for a family holiday card, it is not going to be practical for their everyday wear. Babies will get a combination of spit, slobber, drool, and throw up on their clothing almost every day, so putting your baby in expensive or fussy clothing will make it all the more frustrating when you are going to be frequently changing and washing their baby clothing. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have cute outfits for your baby, but it’s much more practical to save them for holiday parties, photographs or trips to grandma’s house, instead of expecting them to wear them every day.

Practical onesies with snap buttons, baby tee shirts, and skirts or pants which are easy on and off are your best choices when it comes to everyday baby wear. You will need to have enough clothing to provide your child with a clean outfit should they spit up, throw up or otherwise need a change of clothing. As a rule of thumb, you should have about five clean outfits on hand at any one time. Having enough clothing for about five new outfits will make sure that you will always have something to change your baby into, while avoiding the pitfall of buying too many items of clothing and being stuck with drawers full of clothes that won’t fit the baby in several months.

In addition to onesies and basic practical everyday wear, parents should also look into baby shoes, baby boots and baby accessories. Baby shoes should be soft and as natural as possible to allow for the babies feet to grow properly. Dress shoes with hard soles may be fine for a photograph, but the shoes that your baby wears everyday should be as close to being bare foot as possible. Booties, or baby boots, are a great choice for baby shoes, because they provide friction that keeps that baby from slipping and sliding as they learn to walk and crawl, while keeping their feet as close to their natural state as possible.

Essential Baby Clothing Checklist

8 to 10 baby bodysuits/onesies

The baby bodysuit or onesie can be used as a foundational garment to give your baby warmth and comfort, or it can be worn all on its own. A onesie has a snap between the legs, which makes them ideal for everyday wear and diaper changing. really can’t go wrong with a basic onesie for your baby. It is practical, comfortable and one of the most important items in your baby’s wardrobe. Some onesies are even waterproof! Waterproof clothing can be a way to prevent your baby from becoming wet under their clothing, whether it’s from drool, sweat, or rain. You

5 to 7 sets of sleepwear.

Baby sleepwear is just as important as their everyday wear. The type of sleepwear you purchase should be warm enough to keep them comfortable at night and yet practical enough for swift late night diaper changing. Sleepwear for babies comes in a variety of different styles, including two piece outfits with pants and a top, night gowns, onesies and even wearable blankets. Regardless of what type of baby sleepwear you purchase, be sure that the fit is not too loose or too tight — accidental suffocation has been linked to poorly fit sleepwear.

5 to 7 one piece outfits

One piece outfits, worn over a onesie or on their own, are ideal for newborn and young babies. One piece outfits are a cinch to coordinate and easy to slip on and off, making them less of a hassle when it comes to dressing and undressing your baby. There are countless styles and designs of one piece outfits out there, and you will have no trouble at all finding appropriate one piece outfits for your baby.

6 pairs of baby shoes (including baby boots)

Baby boots and baby shoes help keep a baby’s feet warm in cold weather, and provide a layer of protection between the baby’s feet and regular surfaces. Baby shoes and baby boots should be comfortable, well fit, and as close to “bare feet” as possible. Hard baby shoes should be left for photo shoots. Baby booties should be natural and allow for the baby’s feet to develop and grow uninhibited by tight shoes and hard soles.

1 to 2 cardigans or jackets

Babies get cold just like everyone else! Babies actually lose their body temperature faster than grown adults, so they will need to be kept warm on cool days with a jacket or cardigan. Warp cardigans are a simple way to keep your baby warm, and are often made of warm material like wool. Jackets are easier to put on a baby than a full jumper, and they usually have snap buttons which make them easy to put on and easy to take off.

1 to 3 sun hats

A baby’s skin is very sensitive and they need to be protected from the harsh sun whenever possible. Sun hats will protect the sensitive skin on top of your baby’s head, as well as keep their face and eyes from the full brunt of a sunny day.

Any electrician must attend school and obtain a license before being able to work on their own. Commercial electricians must obtain additional schooling to work on their own and to work on commercial jobs. Both residential and commercial electrical experts must follow National Electrical Codes and follow all state and county codes for electrical wiring. In this respect, a commercial electrician must be up to date on the codes for electrical work in a variety of different buildings and settings, not just residential homes. The standards for commercial electrician work are very high because their work can directly affect the public and there is a much higher liability for public safety than smaller jobs in residential homes.

One aspect of a commercial electrician’s job is to work with blueprints. Blueprints are the guides to the insides of buildings, construction sites and other areas. Commercial electricians must know how to read and work with blueprints, as they will be the guide to electrical systems inside buildings or other areas. The blueprints of a building will indicate excising locations of outlets, circuits, electrical panels, load centers and other electrical aspects of a building.

Commercial electricians, like regular electricians, primarily do the following kinds of work: installations, upgrades, and repairs.

Some commercial electricians make their living on just installation work, while others make it a part of their larger line of work. In order to install commercial work, commercial electricians must know the ins and outs of commercial appliances and buildings. Some of the types of installations a commercial electrician might do are installing commercial grade water heaters, boilers, and commercial fire alarm systems. They may also install commercial security systems, which require electrical work throughout a commercial building. Other types of commercial installation that commercial electricians may do include installing landscaping sprinklers, installing electronic security gates, and installing electronic key systems.

Upgrades are another common job of electrical contractors. Electrical upgrades are needed for a variety of reasons. One common reason is when old wiring in buildings needs to be redone to support newer wiring systems. Another common reason for upgrades is when a building needs to add more electrical components, such as when they are expanding and need more capacity for computers or servers.

The third most common type of work for a commercial electrician is repairing and troubleshooting. Typically, a commercial electrician will respond to jobs on a case-by-case basis by analyzing the situation to determine if they are able to handle the repair in a commercial setting. Every commercial electrician should know how to troubleshoot an electrical system, regardless of whether or not they do repair work, so that they are able to determine the problem in order to resolve the situation.

You may remember the days of Tony Hawks Pro Skater, and soon after came the original bmx biking game, Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX. Dave Mirra was created in the same style of Tony Hawks in that it was 3rd person perspective and mirrored a very similar button layout. This style made it a very accessible game that allowed players to pick up and play, and would be one reason why the majority of kids had some experience with it.

Returning to the game brings back waves of nostalgia (bonus nostalgia for Spotify and Grooveshark users), but is there anything better available now?! We have a look:

Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2

The Mat Hoffman series started around a year after the initial release of Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX, with the release of Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX. Published by Activision on the Playstation, Dreamcast and Game Boy, the game also released a sequel just over a year later. It was Rainbows remade sequel that has become very popular among alternative sporting fans and received great reviews across top magazines and websites. The premise of the game is very similar to Dave Mirra in that the object is to combine different tricks and stunts on your BMX bike, and the most points gained wins. They also introduced a couple of different gaming scenarios where you have a Freestyle session, Timed session and multi-player modes.
As the game had a multi-platform release the graphics were dependent on the console, however the PS2 graphics had a noticeable advantage over that of Dave Mirras Freestyle BMX.

IGN gave Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX an 8.1, and is arguably still one of the best BMX games available

MTV Sports: T.J. Lavin’s Ultimate BMX

The naughties really was a decade for bike games as this title was released in 2001 on the Sony Playstation. Two-time ESPN X-Games gold medalist T.J Lavin lends his name to this BMX game from game producers THQ. From a series of MTV Sports related games, this release has not had such a warm welcome. Criticised for a lack of attention to detail, the game had many flaws in the gameplay. Often players would find the simplest tasks repetitive and frustrating, trying to grind a simple rail could take multiple attempts. Another notable flaw is the camera system, which is often a pet peeve for the 3rd person style camera control system. This problem had been near enough eradicated in similar games however you would often find the camera spinning and rotating while performing tricks. This not only left the control system hard to navigate, but also made the landing near impossible to stick.
Graphics for the game were seemingly split into two worlds, the pre-game navigation menus and styling…and then in-game. When in the menus the styling was clear, you could read sponsor messages on T.J’s t-shirt and there was an obvious effort put into the look and feel of the menu. When it came to gameplay, all that disappeared. Perspectives were not clear, movement was jolted and textures were unclear and suffered from horrendous texture clipping.

IGN gave MTV Sports: T.J Lavin’s Ultimate BMX a pretty poor score of 4.5, seems this would be one to avoid if you want good nostalgic memories.

Downhill Domination

With a break away from BMX games, Downhill Domination gives us a different bike game which almost exclusively features downhill riding. Released on the Playstation 2 in 2004 this game received some great reviews and endorsements from top names in extreme sports. Based on the premise of downhill mountain biking, many have likened the game to the popular SSX series. As opposed to the previous stunt based point games, this was a racing game which combined great gameplay with good visuals. The game is made up of 6 main riders with a multitude of maps and levels to play including single play career and multi-player modes. Graphics and attention to detail are surprisingly good for a game released in 2004. During game play you have control over the rider and can throw weapons, shunt and punch opponents, often leading to a bloody wipeout. The crash physics was a great highlight to the game and saw good use of rag-doll physics. There was also great variety in the course terrains, layout and detail that is given in a fast-paced downhill ride. From running water, chasmic jumps, polar bears, vehicles and deer the game was surprising and wildly fun.

IGN gave the game an 8.0 and many fans have been requesting a long-overdue (and unlikely) sequel.

BMX XXX

Developed by Z-Axis and released in 2002 on the Xbox, GameCube and Playstation 2, this game built upon the earlier work of Dave Mirra Freestyle BMX and is one of the notable console BMX games available, but not for the gameplay. The game gained a lot of notoriety for containing nudity, foul language and adult humour, which included full frontal female characters as well as clips of real life strippers. Because of this the game was denied classification in major countries such as Australia, and publicity of the game was predominantly negative.
Reasons for the adult themes have been divided, with many attributing it to be because the game was turning out to be very sub-par and rather than wasting the effort trying to salvage the money already invested they altered the content and direction of the game in order to drum up publicity in hope this would equate to better sales. Because of this Dave Mirra actually refused to endorse the game and attempted legal action against the publisher to prevent further implication of his name in the involvement or marketing of the game (Hence why it was released as ‘BMX XXX’).
For those that actually bought the game (or were allowed to buy the game) majority reported good gameplay, good graphics and an easy to use control system. Based on the same engine as Dave Mirra 2, BMX XXX attempted to sort out the flaws such as clunky camera control and confusing level design.
Graphics are a little hit and miss with BMX XXX. With a notable improvement over many earlier games, players have still found a lack of detail in the characters, suspect animation and blurry textures.

IGN scored the game a 6.8 overall, so if you like a bit of raunch in your BMX bike games then BMX XXX might be a good choice.

Tony Hawks American Wasteland

Released in 2005, this is the newest variation of a BMX game we have found. Released from a line of successful Tony Hawks games, American Wasteland also includes the BMX functionality even though it is predominantly a skateboarding game. With many gameplay modes available, this version of Tony Hawks was the first to include an open plan level with no loading times when transferring between areas.
As it is the latest skate/bike game we found then its no surprise it also has the best graphics. However as the BMX is an addition to the game it is hard to use the same yard stick across the game. This is in part because the BMX can be a tad tricky to control, and many people have found movements and tricks to become jerky during performance, comparable to the first Mat Hoffman release.
Even though the BMX aspect of the game is quite minor many have enjoyed this addition and has sparked many peoples interest back into BMX gaming, and left many people urging a sequel to Mat Hoffman’s Pro BMX 2.
Gameplay allows you to traverse similar levels and maps as the original Tony Hawks Pro Skater games but with the added benefit of having a BMX. Tricks include the normal rotations, kicks, grinds, endues and wheelies allowing you to string multiple tricks together for extra points.
Graphics are excellent in comparison to the other bike game titles, this game is more contemporary though and has had the previous titles to build upon.

IGN scored the game an overall 8.5 – I wouldn’t base just the BMX aspect on that score though.

Let us know which bike games were your favourites, or any comments on the ones mentioned above. I know for sure some will have those nostalgic feelings looking back at Dave Mirra and Mat Hoffman BMX games.

Why don’t you consider giving a gift hamper in place of that expensive gift? A gift hamper can be tailored for any occasion, and what is better is you can put just about any type of gifts you want into it.

When you think of gift hampers you probably think of the old fashioned hampers full of fruit, boring and traditional. A gift hamper does not have to be traditional though, because you can mix up the styles however you want to. You can decide to go with a particular theme that is going to be fitting for the person you are giving it to. This will make for a much more interesting gift hamper.

When it comes to the type of gifts you will be putting in your gift hamper, you do not want to put the same old stuff. Even though it might seem safe, it is predictable. What you want to do instead is put gifts in there based on a specific theme. You want this theme to be appropriate for the personality and likes of the person you are giving it to. At the same time you also want it to fit a particular occasion.

Gift Hampers Are Available In A Range Of Prices

These days it is quite costly to give someone a gift, especially when everyone seems to want expensive electronic items. A gift hamper is a good alternative, because it is easily affordable. You can decide to go to any number of different stores to find gifts to put in the gift hamper that should not be too costly. This allows you to add more variety as well.

If you are the type of person who does not like to put together a gift, then why not decide to let someone else do it for you? You can get a gift hamper for someone premade or you can have someone else put all the items in it you want. Gift hampers can be found premade at various discount stores, expensive retailers, floral shops, and even specialty stores that sell items like flowers, wine and cheese.

Now when you are putting together a gift hamper you do not want to create something bland. The best way to do this would be making sure to wrap it in the appropriate transparent paper. You will also want to be sure you add to the look by putting a colorful ribbon somewhere on the gift hamper handle.

You can really send the right message to someone when you take the time to write a nice card to go along with the gift hamper. A nice card will be the finishing touches and you would prefer this card to have a personal message from you, not a pre-written message. With a thoughtful note attached to any gift hampers, this can be one of the best someone might receive and it will show.

The searches were not so fruitful, and I came across the retail website – John Dunsworth Dicshitnary

The site doesn’t really tell you much other than offering a small picture timeline of the books production. But what is it about?
I have finally received my copy of the Dicshitnary and am hopefully going to clear up some of the questions you may have and give you a little more insight into the book itself.

Initially I was surprised by how well written the book was. John is obviously a very literate wordsmith and poet, and this is clear throughout the book. I am pretty sure all the written words were provided John, including all definitions and poems. Think of picking up an Oxford English Dictionary, but it actually contains the words you want to find such as Shit Hawks and Shitapillar. Definitions are definitely as you would expect with the majority of entries containing accurate Latin or European citations.
The book itself is fairly small in size, allowing you to take it with you at all times (just in case you want to preach shit analogies to your neighbours). The book is obviously broken down into alphabetical sections, with around 6 entries per letter along with any illustrations. If you are ordering the Dicshitnary book yourself then make sure you take a look at the entries for S and W which are particularly special.

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I did manage to get one of the first 1000 copies, and therefore mine was signed by John Dunsworth. I have snapped a couple of pictures to give you an idea of the book, I have limited this though as I wouldn’t want to give it all away.

If you have a copy then I would love to hear your comments

Now I had been to Queens Square before and its a lovely little grass square located just off the centre of Bristol. Only once I got there did I realise it was being held within a circus tent! (which was relieving seeing as it was raining)
On the night I was attending (Wednesday, Jul 20th) the acts were split into 3 main stand-ups, hosted by Dan Atkinson. Initially we had a nice introduction from Dan, followed by Alun Cochrane, Pete Firman and for the finale we had Russell Howard

Considering I had not heard much from Dan before, he done a great job of warming up the crowd with a bit of an introduction and a few hearty beer jokes. You will notice this night has a running theme of alcohol related jokes…guess they knew the Bristol audience a bit too well.

After the initial introduction on came Alun Cochrane. Now I had pretty high hopes for Alun as friends who had seen him live loved it. I had seen some of his stuff on the TV show 8 out of 10 cats and thought quite highly of him, so I was expecting a lot.
Personally I loved watching Alun on stage, he wasn’t the most lively or energetic stand-up but the way he delivered the jokes was excellent, usually through weaving an intricate story or even a minor observation (even at the start Alun said he didn’t tell traditional jokes). Alun went on to tell jokes about the mundane things in life such as train journeys and ‘Open Window’ scented air fresheners. Again the topic was soon directed on to alcohol, and in particular Wine drinkers. Alun drew some great comparisons between the drink, and the drinkers and how age-oppropriate drinking has become commonplace nowadays….but yet nothing can beat a cup of tea.
If you enjoy a bit of dry humour and witty observations then Alun Cochrane is definitely a comedian you have to see – 5*

Second up to perform was not your traditional stand-up, definitely a curve ball in the mix. Pete Firman is actually a magician more than a stand-up comedian, saying that though he still managed to keep the crowd entertained with his performance and slightly rude jokes. If you were growing up in the 00′s then you may have seen him on Magic programs such as Monkey Magic. I think his act compromised of around 5 tricks in total so he managed to carry it off pretty well. The illusions involved some small handkerchief routines, the newspaper Tear and Restore trick and of course the Nail in the Face. You may think these sound like very easy tricks to pull off, but they were carried out really well and the whole crowd was entertained – 4*

And lastly the main event was Russell Howard, currently one of the most popular comedians in the UK, a well-deserved proclamation. The whole Bristol Comedy Garden event spanned over 4 nights, however the Wednesday night was the only one fully sold out due to Russell Howard. Obviously people had some love for this local (Bristol born) comedian. Russell went on to tell jokes about his encounters with trains and the forced listening of other peoples music, daytime TV and his neglect for the written word, dog toys and his girlfriend. Now if you have ever seen a Russell Howard stand-up before then the last two will not come as a surprise to you as its fairly obvious he has a fond love for his dog and his girlfriend (most likely in that order). Russell also answered a few of the most irrelevant and un-helpful questions ever asked by an audience, including ‘why do you drive a womans car’, followed by ‘why were you in a rush to get away from me earlier’. Obviously Russell had a couple of stalkers in the crowd!
Was an excellent performance though, as expected, he is definitely worth a visit if he is appearing in your area – 5*

Overall it was an excellent event of top-quality comedy from a broad range of comedians. If I was a Bristol resident then I would definitely had got tickets for all 4 nights.
Lets hope its back again next year!

Holiday Packing Essentials

When packing for a holiday it is important to pack early, as this will allow time for the suitcases to be double checked to ensure that anything which is essential has been included. It is advisable to make a list of any items which are absolutely vital such as medication or contact lenses. All important travel documentation, including passports, should be kept together. Doing this will ensure that you are prepared if you need to purchase anything in advance, especially if you live in a rural area such as Somerset. People who are travelling by aeroplane need to take extra care with how their bags are packed. There are certain airline regulations which must be adhered to. The most important regulations relate to items which are prohibited from being carried on to an aircraft, such as liquids, gels, and sharp instruments. There will also be weight restrictions for bags which must not be exceeded. It is always advisable to check with each airline before travelling to ensure that their specific regulations are being met.

In general, most people when travelling abroad on holiday will choose to fly due to the distances involved. Holidaying abroad has many advantages over a national holiday. The climate is often better in other countries when compared to England, and many people enjoy being able to sunbathe on golden sandy beaches. Some holiday destinations are chosen because they offer a unique experience, for example going on safari in Kenya. For some people travelling abroad means experiencing different cultures, eating local food, and seeing famous landmarks. Perhaps the most important reason for holidaying in a different country is that people feel that they need to travel a far distance from their regular life in order to be able to relax properly. The opposing viewpoint is that people often feel safer, and therefore more relaxed, holidaying in their own country. They may be uneasy about travelling great distances, and enjoy the familiarity of their own culture. They may also feel a sense of nationalistic pride about wanting to experience as much of their own country as they can.

Keeping Busy While Being Lazy

The experiences and activities on offer will therefore depend upon the holiday destination. Ideally people should thoroughly research a location before booking a holiday, although sometimes cheap deals are snapped up without any real consideration for what the country might offer. A sunny climate is often viewed as the only essential element. Regardless of the destination it is always interesting to explore the local surroundings after arriving. This is a useful way to discover local shops and restaurants. What occurs after that will depend on the location and the desires of the holidaymakers. Some people will choose to explore further on long walks, whilst others might prefer to sunbathe by a pool or on the beach. Tourists will often use their holidays to learn about the history of their chosen destination, and to go on sightseeing tours. Some holidays might provide the opportunity for activities such as scuba diving. Every holiday will have something different to offer, and each should be enjoyed as much as possible, whether you are going to Dorset or all the way across the world to Japan.