Yup. A black box. Relevant.

Hello once again sweet blogosphere. It has been some time since my last entry, and as I’m sure you can tell I simply haven’t had the time to keep up with the blog.

My new job is great and is taking up the majority of my time (in a good way) so I’m going to take a little break from blogging. I’ll probably post now and again, but I can’t commit to a more regular schedule as in the past. I believe a blog like this will always have a natural ebb and flow, so I don’t see it as final by any means.

My web hosts have also had no end of issues, resulting in a lot of downtime for blackboxconversation. I don’t currently have the funds to upgrade my hosting package, but my current ones have promised 98% uptime in the near future, so it shouldn’t be an ongoing issue.

I’m sure once everything else has settled down I will get back into regular blogging, but for the time being – so long and thanks for all the fish!

blackboxconversation: Destroying Your Vision Since 2008

Hello everybody,  just a quick update as I’m aware I haven’t posted anything for a while. I’ve recently got a brand spanking new full-time job which I’m looking forward to starting. As you’ll be aware, I’ve also had a crap-load of freelancing work to slog through. All of this combined with maintaining a relationship, social life, and (of course) some ‘me’ time has left me a little flummoxed.

But fear not. I shall be dedicating some time to blackboxconversation very soon. Promise.

I’ve included a magic eye picture  (you remember — big in the 90s) with this post for your enjoyment. Click the pic to enlarge it, then stare at it for five minutes. You’ll love it. And you won’t be able to focus properly for hours!

Thank me another time.

PS. I have no idea what the magic eye depicts, I stole it from somewhere.

PPS. I’m pretty sure it’s penguins.

With a fancy logo and everything...

Hello all. I would like to take a moment to alert you to the presence of my new (and very minimalist) website. The site is simply a way for me to advertise my services as a freelance copywriter, and it’s been lovingly hand-coded by myself.

The site can be found here: www.robtaylorfreelance.com. A lot of thought went into the domain name, as I’m sure you can tell.

Please feel free to stop by and take a look, any and all feedback is welcome! Oh, and if you know anyone who needs a freelance copywriter – you know  where to send them!

Seeing this brings back some tearful memories

I just read that Alan Ellis, the chap who was behind the (in)famous music torrent site OiNK is has been found not guilty of “Conspiracy to Defraud the music industry” (that’s a mouthful).

OiNK was shut down back in 2007 accompanied by a ridiculous media circus touting the dangers of illegal downloading. Thankfully, it’s all worked out for the best.

Words cannot express how pleased I am that our legal system saw some semblance of sense and didn’t lock him up. In fact, it was the record companies who came out of this one with a red face; accosted as they were for their occasionally unscrupulous marketing strategies.

A big congratulations to Alan.

This is what came up when I Googled 'freelance'.

Life takes some interestingly ironic turns sometimes. A couple of years back, I was a freelance copywriter ‘full-time’. I use the quotes because at the time I was the greenest of green; very often writing for a pittance, and having to work as a delivery driver to subsidise my meagre freelance income.

Here’s a tip: never work for any less than you think you’re worth ($1.50 per 500 words is laughable, even for a noob copywriter).

Now, roughly three years later, I find myself being offered more and more freelance opportunities. However, I do work as a full-time copywriter 40 hours a week, so I’m having to turn a few of them down. There are some that I have taken, though. I work on those contracts evenings and weekends. The point is, why is it that the freelancing world starts to seem lucrative just as soon as I position myself on the fringes of it? Sod’s law perhaps. Still, I’m taking full advantage of being able to effectively choose my own rates – because freelancing is now more of a hobby, I can cherry pick a little. And it gives me a nice little financial boost – useful in times such as these.

I often find myself thinking ‘hey, I should just quit my job and go freelance again’. It’s a nice dream; but I also know that the moment I do that, the freelance market will dry up. Either that or I’d just stay in bed all day and get fat. It’s just the way things go. On second thought, I think I like it this way. It’s like if you loved doing puzzles, but got paid for it. In fact, that’s probably the only way you’d get me to do a puzzle – yawn. Unless it was one of those awesome 3D Star Wars ones.

I digress.

If you find yourself wanting to do something a little different, maybe make a little money on the side, I’d recommend you find your passion and exploit it. The internet is a cess pool of people with too much money and ridiculous tastes. Find them.

The bottom line is simply this: do what you love.

Even if you have to work 40 hours a week at something that’s just ok, always find time to do what you love.

Generic music-related picture

Here we are once again, the start of a new year; and so, naturally, it follows that I should post the top five albums that I  enthralled me during 2009.

I was without an outlet last year, but thanks to the wonders of internet technology, I now do. So feast your eyes (and ears) on my five favourite musical treats from 2009…

5. Arms and Sleepers – Matador

I only heard of this band (or duo) this year; however they grew on me very quickly. Offering up some very chilled out, electronica-inspired indie, Matador is a discreetly eclectic aural outing which I can’t recommend highly enough. If you’re a fan of bands such as Sigur Ros or Explosions In The Sky, you should lap it up.

Click here to give them a listen.

4. Set Your Goals – This Will Be The Death of Us

Prior to 2009, I admit that I had never quite given Set Your Goals the attention they so deserve. A hard-hitting, fast-paced punk band with a pop sensibility, This Will Be The Death Of Us never fails to keep you entertained. Even when a certain Miss Williams pops up in an almost cringe-inducing cameo.

Give your ears a treat right here.

3. Brand New – Daisy

After having released one of the seminal albums of the last decade in the form of Deja Entendu, it was hard to predict the path of a band like Brand New. Luckily, they’ve not let us down yet; and the latest offering in the form of Daisy is no exception. From the bizarre ’straight outta the 40’s intro to some of the most intriguing samples used in an alternative album during 2009, Daisy is a trip that you’ll be glad you took.

Click here to check some of it out.

2. New Found Glory – Not Without A Fight

New Found Glory have been on my ‘top bands’ list for well over a decade now, and they’ve never let me down. The release of Coming Home blindsided me and I spent some time adapting to their ‘new-ish’ sound (which I now love by the way). Fast-forward to early 2009 and I’m treated to what can only be described as a NFG reboot. This is possibly due to the departure of ivory-tinkler James Dewees, but regardless, Not Without A Fight is a great slice of pop punk goodness that simultaneously harks back a decade and pushes things forward.

Remind yourself of why you love NFG here.

1. The Dangerous Summer – Reach For The Sun

Another new addition to my 2009 music roster saw The Dangerous Summer rocketing into the top spot with their album Reach for the Sun. There are going to be many a folk who’ll disagree with me, but (as with my choice of Anberlin a couple of years back), I’ve not enjoyed any 2009 album more than this little beauty.

I had a slow start with it – it’s a real grower -  so I actively encourage everyone to give it at least five spins over the course of two weeks before passing judgement. From the highly relatable lyrics to the tight musicianship, the masterful nature of this pop punk gem is undeniable.

Treat yourself to a sample of my criminally underrated album of the year 2009, right here.

Honourable Mentions:

Here’s a  few albums that were pipped to the post for the top five, but are more than deserving of your ears’ time.

Cartel – Cycles
Manchester Orchestra – Mean Everything to Nothing
Relient K – Forget and Not Slow Down
fun. – Aim and Ignite

I hope that everyone had a very merry Christmas, and would like to wish you all the best in the New Year.

Don’t get too messy.

Actually, do.

This picture will be very amusing to anyone who likes Star Wars.

To everyone else it will be confusing, and possibly troubling. My apologies to you folks.

Click the picture for the full effect.

"Then that would lead them back.... home"

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Just look at that realistic flooring. ON A PHONE.

I’m thinking of changing the name of this blog to ‘iPhoneconversation’.

Nah, not really. I just wanted to show off my latest addiction – Gameloft’s NOVA. Can you say Halo, Gameloft?! Their reputation for ‘adapting’ well-known games to the iPhone and iTouch continues with this new sci-fi FPS. And to be honest, that’s fine with me. The game is great, controls smoothly and is the best looking app I’ve seen on the iDevice.

Check out the video below…

I happened upon this blooper reel for a fishing show and it’s actually one of the funniest things ever (keep an eye out for the dog). I didn’t even know “dad-gummit” was a word. Enjoy…

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