Vex Appeal is a weblog and collection of projects by Guy Parsons, a game designer, online community and digital strategy dude in London, England. Read more about the saucy butcher boy here.
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projects:
law 37 / sleeper cell / lets change the game
101 things in 1001 days
psychopatch
LOLgod
elsewhere on the internets:
flickr
myspace
zoominfo
linkedin
facebook
guy.lewis.parsons@gmail.com
vexy young things:
jey biddulph
mike jewell
roo reynolds
dan hon
adrian hon
naomi alderman
steve peters
previously on vexappeal:
Back soon... Free Moshi Monsters Codes Spokeo... or spookeo, more like I'm Prove Very Where J.C Leyendecker and Team Fortress 2 Train of thought "Love Is Like A Bottle Of Gin..." Links for FAME people They Tell Stories Ffffudging it slightly
Train of thought
Thursday, March 13, 2008
So about three or four years ago, Alex and Matt and myself got this train back from a party. That was quite weird in itself, because the journey took about 50% less time than it should have with no obvious explanation why. Anyway, when we disembarked we saw one of these on the platform opposite:
(image from this site)
So basically it's a weird big black boxy thing with no passenger joiny-up-bit to the next carriage along with blinding white light streaming out from this thin seam that spilts it down the middle.
Basically, we stood there for ages going "whoa... what is it?" It looks a bit like a train engine from an alternate nuclear-powered reality:
"Nuclear powered vacuum cleaners will probably be a reality within 10 years." -- Alex Lewyt in the New York Times, 1955Many times since then have we referenced in passing our vision of witnessing what no ordinary civillian ought to have laid eyes upon. Imagine my surprise when I got off the train the other day and saw it for an unprecedented second time. This time lots of other commuters noticed it too and as they walked past did a little back-and-forth shimmy as they reached the bit with the light coming out.
Anyway, this time I remembered what the code on the side said and it turned out that actually it's a thing you can drive along the track and it uses the light to sense how close other stuff (trees, the side of tunnels, etc) is to it. Then you can compare the data to the last time you did it and see if anything is getting within DANGER distance.
So, an enigma solved after three years, but I have to confess I'm a bit disappointed that it's not a government black-ops operation transporting volatile batches of Kryptonite across the country, bathed in the glow of Chekov Radiation.
Still, Alex and Matt seem pleased:
Labels: i am technically a trainspotter now, mystery, nuclear, train
Murders And Lies: The Victorian ARG?
Saturday, June 16, 2007
So through my letterbox the t'uther day dropped a mysterious, wax-sealed envelope addressed to The Right Honourable Guy Parsons MP. Inside was a letter and a small newsletter. Here's the cover of the newsletter:
The cover letter reads:
Murders and Lies, A publication of The Honourable Society Of Artful Endeavors (PO Box 48582, London, NW4 9BZ) June Seventh, Eighteen Ninety-SevenThe pamphlet itself is full of curious and noteworthy tales of the turn-of-the-century chattering classes, covering murders, tiffs, unusual mushrooms, and naturally featuring letters and classifieds. You can view the entire package contents on my Flickr.
TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GUY PARSONS, MP
Sir,
A friend has suggested your name to us as a person of discernment who would be interested in receiving a subscription to our occasional news circular. Be assured that no payment is required. Should you be interested in extending our friendship yet further, we may in future have one or two minor tasks for you to undertake. We would also welcome your letters and comments on our publication, at the above postal box address. Be assured, however, that even should you not choose to correspond with us, we remain your loyal and obedient servants,
Mr Joshua 'Kit' Ballantyne and Contessa Anastasia Di Spagliamo
So, curious. One source suggests this could be the beginning of "the most exclusive ARG ever" - but of course, I'll be sure to keep y'all updated. If you'd dearly love to receive correspondance of your own, perhaps it's worth sending a polite and articulate subscription request to the offices of the Honourable Society of Artful Endeavors. It couldn't hurt, anyway...
Labels: arg, game, murdersandlies, mystery, victorian