Durandal
@durandal2uk.bsky.social
Musician actor programmer biker raptor. One may be imaginary.
Yeah. I'm all for B-movie creature features but I'm not even curious about that one.
November 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Yeah. I'm all for B-movie creature features but I'm not even curious about that one.
Grrrr!
*angry telegram sticker that doesn't exist yet*
*angry telegram sticker that doesn't exist yet*
November 26, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Grrrr!
*angry telegram sticker that doesn't exist yet*
*angry telegram sticker that doesn't exist yet*
Not just partial work, but the actual terms used. I've raised concerns, but the response was "client wanted it that way". Gah. Since when were clients actually right?
It's not terrible, but it's definitely not as nice as it was.
I'll see if I can stomach it, or if I need to push a little harder...
It's not terrible, but it's definitely not as nice as it was.
I'll see if I can stomach it, or if I need to push a little harder...
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Not just partial work, but the actual terms used. I've raised concerns, but the response was "client wanted it that way". Gah. Since when were clients actually right?
It's not terrible, but it's definitely not as nice as it was.
I'll see if I can stomach it, or if I need to push a little harder...
It's not terrible, but it's definitely not as nice as it was.
I'll see if I can stomach it, or if I need to push a little harder...
for our main client industry, so they can start using it. That's fair.
I'm now on their team, so I'm now back working on it, which is good. But... they've renamed some things, moved things around... but only partially. It's now messy and confusing. It's no longer clear what should be where.
I'm now on their team, so I'm now back working on it, which is good. But... they've renamed some things, moved things around... but only partially. It's now messy and confusing. It's no longer clear what should be where.
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
for our main client industry, so they can start using it. That's fair.
I'm now on their team, so I'm now back working on it, which is good. But... they've renamed some things, moved things around... but only partially. It's now messy and confusing. It's no longer clear what should be where.
I'm now on their team, so I'm now back working on it, which is good. But... they've renamed some things, moved things around... but only partially. It's now messy and confusing. It's no longer clear what should be where.
I was proud of it, especially as I did it entirely myself. It was the first "new breed" of applications that actually had a decent UI, clear structures, and usability was actually considered. Nobody else did that.
Recently, another team has been tasked to adjust some things to make it suitable...
Recently, another team has been tasked to adjust some things to make it suitable...
November 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I was proud of it, especially as I did it entirely myself. It was the first "new breed" of applications that actually had a decent UI, clear structures, and usability was actually considered. Nobody else did that.
Recently, another team has been tasked to adjust some things to make it suitable...
Recently, another team has been tasked to adjust some things to make it suitable...
Sure, I'll ping you a little later, busy with work at the moment 🙂
November 26, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Sure, I'll ping you a little later, busy with work at the moment 🙂
It's very slow going, but I do feel like I'm starting to lean into that more. A combination of caring less what people *might* (but probably won't) think, and realising I'm not getting any younger, so I'm doing myself a disservice denying that part of me.
Whee, we're going deep..!
Whee, we're going deep..!
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
It's very slow going, but I do feel like I'm starting to lean into that more. A combination of caring less what people *might* (but probably won't) think, and realising I'm not getting any younger, so I'm doing myself a disservice denying that part of me.
Whee, we're going deep..!
Whee, we're going deep..!
might be why I'm starting to loosen up a little, I think. My threshold for "alternative" is very low, having grown up in a conservative (but loving) family. I'm now middle-aged, and I'm slowly starting to shake that off. I think getting older does result in caring less, and that's a good thing!
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
might be why I'm starting to loosen up a little, I think. My threshold for "alternative" is very low, having grown up in a conservative (but loving) family. I'm now middle-aged, and I'm slowly starting to shake that off. I think getting older does result in caring less, and that's a good thing!
I've always been the kind of person who doesn't like to stand out. Ironic as I'm an orchestral trumpet player too, which is not exactly a melt-into-the-background instrument..! I've never been comfortable publicly associating with "alternative" stuff. Something my therapist has worked on, which...
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
I've always been the kind of person who doesn't like to stand out. Ironic as I'm an orchestral trumpet player too, which is not exactly a melt-into-the-background instrument..! I've never been comfortable publicly associating with "alternative" stuff. Something my therapist has worked on, which...
it for a few years now unfortunately as the main training school I did it with shut down. Everyone I've told/shown, including family and "normies", thinks it's really cool. My parents even have some modelling photos framed on their photo table. So I don't remember anyone being negative about it.
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
it for a few years now unfortunately as the main training school I did it with shut down. Everyone I've told/shown, including family and "normies", thinks it's really cool. My parents even have some modelling photos framed on their photo table. So I don't remember anyone being negative about it.
Ouch, that comment was harsh! Some people really can't handle anything that's not classic toony... and that's their loss. I like the whole range!
But yes, I don't deny, modelling pro-level creature prosthetics 14 times was pretty damn cool (well, including 1 gore and 1 fat old man too). Not done...
But yes, I don't deny, modelling pro-level creature prosthetics 14 times was pretty damn cool (well, including 1 gore and 1 fat old man too). Not done...
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Ouch, that comment was harsh! Some people really can't handle anything that's not classic toony... and that's their loss. I like the whole range!
But yes, I don't deny, modelling pro-level creature prosthetics 14 times was pretty damn cool (well, including 1 gore and 1 fat old man too). Not done...
But yes, I don't deny, modelling pro-level creature prosthetics 14 times was pretty damn cool (well, including 1 gore and 1 fat old man too). Not done...
Thanks, hopefully I don't need it..!
November 25, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Thanks, hopefully I don't need it..!
I really can't get ill right now, as I have an orchestral concert on Sunday that I have a pivotal role in. I'm doing a solo duet, and leading a challenging brass programme. I *have* to be on top form... I don't have the luxury to be ill.
It can hit me like a tonne of bricks on Monday, that's fine.
It can hit me like a tonne of bricks on Monday, that's fine.
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 AM
I really can't get ill right now, as I have an orchestral concert on Sunday that I have a pivotal role in. I'm doing a solo duet, and leading a challenging brass programme. I *have* to be on top form... I don't have the luxury to be ill.
It can hit me like a tonne of bricks on Monday, that's fine.
It can hit me like a tonne of bricks on Monday, that's fine.
for a big creature feature. I'm still holding back. It's difficult to wholeheartly create when part of me is still reluctant to shine as a creature costuming guy. Even though people know it already.
I do think I'm making progress there though, maybe this is the "nurture, don't push too hard" part!
I do think I'm making progress there though, maybe this is the "nurture, don't push too hard" part!
November 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
for a big creature feature. I'm still holding back. It's difficult to wholeheartly create when part of me is still reluctant to shine as a creature costuming guy. Even though people know it already.
I do think I'm making progress there though, maybe this is the "nurture, don't push too hard" part!
I do think I'm making progress there though, maybe this is the "nurture, don't push too hard" part!
there's still a part of me that is almost, dare I say it, embarrassed about it? About being fascinated by creature fx, prosthetics and creature costuming? Even though I had an acting agent that specialised in that stuff for 9 years, did a few small short films, and was considered...
November 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
there's still a part of me that is almost, dare I say it, embarrassed about it? About being fascinated by creature fx, prosthetics and creature costuming? Even though I had an acting agent that specialised in that stuff for 9 years, did a few small short films, and was considered...
Thanks for such an deep response 🙂. That makes sense, reconnecting with what's truly exciting and meaningful for you, in a way that fuels you without pushing too hard. Great stuff!
I think for me, despite having been a professional creature prosthetics model for many years...
I think for me, despite having been a professional creature prosthetics model for many years...
November 24, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Thanks for such an deep response 🙂. That makes sense, reconnecting with what's truly exciting and meaningful for you, in a way that fuels you without pushing too hard. Great stuff!
I think for me, despite having been a professional creature prosthetics model for many years...
I think for me, despite having been a professional creature prosthetics model for many years...
I'm glad you found a way through, you do cool stuff 😊
Out of interest, how did you reframe it all? While I don't think I'm that bad now, finding the inspiration and energy (despite "really wanting to") is elusive and fleeting.
Out of interest, how did you reframe it all? While I don't think I'm that bad now, finding the inspiration and energy (despite "really wanting to") is elusive and fleeting.
November 24, 2025 at 6:14 PM
I'm glad you found a way through, you do cool stuff 😊
Out of interest, how did you reframe it all? While I don't think I'm that bad now, finding the inspiration and energy (despite "really wanting to") is elusive and fleeting.
Out of interest, how did you reframe it all? While I don't think I'm that bad now, finding the inspiration and energy (despite "really wanting to") is elusive and fleeting.
I can't see the artistic forms I'm getting wrong. It looks like a fine... critter. It's just not a raptor, and I'm not sure what I need to change to make it look right.
I'm generally fine technically, but I do sometimes struggle artistically, and this is a perfect example of that.
I'm generally fine technically, but I do sometimes struggle artistically, and this is a perfect example of that.
November 21, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I can't see the artistic forms I'm getting wrong. It looks like a fine... critter. It's just not a raptor, and I'm not sure what I need to change to make it look right.
I'm generally fine technically, but I do sometimes struggle artistically, and this is a perfect example of that.
I'm generally fine technically, but I do sometimes struggle artistically, and this is a perfect example of that.
Yep. I just can't believe it's easier to make a video than it is to write a document.
November 20, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Yep. I just can't believe it's easier to make a video than it is to write a document.