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Consume et Conforma - Confusus et Deformatus
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Hi, I'm Dorian - the local goth, vampire and eclectic weirdo.
Personally, I like to keep myself occupied with many different hobbies, but the most relevant for this page being programming, film photography, graphic design and traveling/exploration. Despite this, other interests of mine with undoubtedly popup here and there.
Creativity, in all forms, has always been an important aspect of my life, and allows me to express myself in ways I typically can't - I firmly believe that it makes life worthwhile. To create, in my opinion, is what it means to be human.
When I'm not occupied by my endeavors, I am usually found working in my silly little haemotology lab or dressing up and attending local goth nights with my partner.
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Swansong of the Damned - Proclivity of a Moribund.
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So why this website?
I feel like I don't need to explain this to a lot of you but the current state of the internet isn't at its best. I could rant about it for an hour but long story short, I just needed my own area for the sake of my mental health - I no longer use social media.
This is actually my second attempt at making a page, my first can be found here.
As much as I loved this version, I found the layout to be self-limiting and needing some serious work overall.
I'm quite pleased with the new layout and it will allow me to continuously add new things without making the user experience too convoluted.
I understand the new design is much more sterile but this is intentional as I plan for it to function as a portfolio for my work, however, I do plan to add more secret features later that will hopefully be quite interesting.
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August 2025
New Dawn Fades
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14AUG25
It's good to be back, these past few weeks have been hectic.
To start with, my partner and I went to this month's Apparitions event (one of the local goth nights running right now). I decided to sport my new clothing that I had ordered and tried a new makeup style influenced by Gothic architecture. The goth night was pretty short-lived in and of itself as only a handful of people showed up, and those which did didn't put much effort into their outfit or dance. After a few hours we went home getting dinner along the way. It's not all bad though, the DJ was playing some stuff I hadn't heard before and I discovered MAN2.0 (Dance/Dark Electronic, Spotify) as a result – I've since been listening to them at work. I also got approached by someone I recognised from Control (another goth night – not currently running) and they've added me to a Facebook group which organises and promotes goth nights in my city, I'm hoping this gives me more do to, the goth scene has been in dire shape since Control stopped running and Apparitions has been dying off even though this is it's third or fourth event.
Outfit for August's Apparitions, sporting my new winged collar and black silk necktie from Darcy Clothing.
In other news, me and my partner moved in together, and we've just about finished unpacking. I had to throw out so much – most was junk anyway, the quality stuff I listed on Vinted (Old band tees and a leather jacket). I also used this time to do some DIY in the house, i.e. recaulk and reapply sealant to the kitchen, this was going well until I was on my way home from the DIY store and the brakes on my bike failed. To make it brief I crashed and got a few deep lacerations on my head and needed to go hospital.
Lastly, I finally ordered a CRT TV alongside a VHS/DVD combo media player. The CRT itself only takes RF so I needed to get an RF Modulator to convert the signals into something usable, the plus side however is that I should also be able to run HDMI through the modulator and play custom content such as YouTube on the CRT. I also ordered the original dubbed Devilman 1987 OVAs on VHS (which is notorious for being so crap it's funny, Watch here) as well as the first season of Twin Peaks. I plan to have a movie night if it all arrives soon as I've been feeling unwell and would like a lazy day where I can drink miso soup and indulge in a little nostalgia.
16AUG25
So, once again, the past few days have been fairly busy, and I have been spending quite some time programming. I have added a music player to the extras section so one can listen to the music I like whilst reading, and I have been writing these blog entries. Additionally, I was recording some episodes of the Magnus Archives onto tape using my Phillips D6350 tape recorder. I eventually plan to have all of season one recorded, it would be too ambitious and expensive to record everything.
My Matsui CRT TV also arrived in the mail, and even though the VHS/DVD combo media player is yet to arrive, I was able to hook up an old DVD player I own and watched Resident Evil (2002) and the original Hellsing Miniseries (2002) last night. It 's become fairly apparent that the best way to watch old media is through the CRT; something about the halation and oversaturation of colours alongside the sub-par audio seems to just sit right with me. A HDMI converter will be arriving later today, and I 'll see if I can get some custom content running on it. A benefit of this is that I would then be able to pirate some things onto it or even stream some games.
Lastly, I would have liked to do some film photography and write up some travel notes using my typewriter this week, but once again, I didn 't have enough time to do everything. But I like that in a way, it keeps me busy. I 'm back to work on Monday and will try to relax tomorrow – Hell, maybe I 'll continue reading some House of Leaves and go for a walk.
On the top are two tapes containing episodes 001-002 and 003-004 of the Magnus Archives that I have recorded using my tape recorder. On the bottom is my newly purchased CRT.
25AUG25
I have been preoccupied recently, no surprise to anyone; I finished my work week a few days ago and have been doing some DIY around the house. That being said, my VHS/DVD combo player arrived. The VHS function initially encountered some issues, so I ordered a head cleaner, which solved the issue straight away. I watched the Devilman 1987 OVA last night and enjoyed it as much as I thought I would. I also have three more VHS tapes on the way: Jacob's Ladder, The Crow, and Bram Stoker's Dracula – all amongst my favourite films.
Additionally, I decided to buy a PS2 so that I could play some classic games, notably Silent Hill 2. In order to achieve this I got an FMCB Memory card with Free McBoot and OPL installed on it, which allowed me to rip any game iso (disk file) onto a flash drive and run games on the PS2 directly from those two, free of charge – I'm not spending 80 odd quid on a disc version of SH2. This all worked out smoothly and I was playing some MGS2: Snake Eater this morning before making breakfast; however, to play SH2, I needed to get a DualShock 2 controller as the PS2 came with a DualShock 1 – this is on its way to me now.
Now that my CRT system is configured how I'd like it to be, I really ought to do some more photography, preferably next week when I'm next off work if I don't have too many other plans. On the way to B&Q the other day, I found an area I'd like to shoot some photos in; it's this open and long-forgotten area underneath an overpass housing a run-down automobile repair yard to its side. I won' t hang about there too much though; I saw this old man with a large unwashed beard and skin like old leather sitting on the doorstep of a caravan smoking a cigarette and drinking beer. The caravan was parked outside a half-built barn to house conversion he'd been working on, you could tell from the cement mixers and other industrial equipment strewn around the place. I don't want to avoid them for any reason aside from the fact that they clearly enjoy their own company and don't want people snooping around their land – especially photographers.
Prague, Czechia - June 2025
O3JUN25 23:50
I have just arrived into Belgium, more specifically at Brussels South Charleroi (CRL) Airport as opposed to Brussels Zaventem (BRU) Airport, as such I cannot travel into Brussels for a few hours of sightseeing as planned, which is perfectly alright as it has been a long day and I am in need of some rest. The air is warm but not humid and the place is so empty and quiet it feels liminal. I have found what appears to be a plaza of sorts and have brought myself a Mammoet Chocowafel – It was nothing exceptional. After a few minutes of walking around and faffing about with EE to apply for EU roaming data I sat down on a comfy wooden swing, it was perfect for taking in the cool but warm breeze and I found myself nodding off. Best head inside now so I can sleep somewhere safe.
04JUN25 08:30
My eyes burn from inadequate sleep, who would have thought the bare marble floors of the CRL Departures room would have made for such a poor bed – I need a coffee, preferably soon. I now ride from Vaclav Havel (PRG) Airport towards the metro on the 119-bus service and am loading my first roll of Fomapan 400 Action into my Nikon F3. The architecture is nice here, reminds me of the less build-up areas surrounding Krakow – Baroque but with a slight brutalist edge due to the USSR's influence in the past. Two middle age locals smile to me and I choose to smile back, they seem friendly enough.
04JUN25 10:00
Checked into Franz Kafka Hostel roughly 20 minutes ago, it was more agreeable than I thought it would be. Just freshened myself up a bit and am heading to a local cafe, I adore the cafe culture in Europe, it is a landslide better than the pub culture of Britain. Once again, the architecture here is phenomenal and as tired as I am, I find myself distracted and already taking photos of the Mariansky Sloup, Prazsky Orloj (Astronomical Clock) and the tight but well-built streets of Prague's Old Town.
04JUN25 16:00
I have returned to Franz Kafka in order to recover a tad and clean myself up before heading back out. I have visited everywhere in Old Town, travelled to Prazsky Hrod (Prague Castle) and visited a vineyard, enjoying a white wine made from the grapes of said vineyard – Villa Richter. I am exhausted and hungry. Just exited from a place called Kozlovna Apropos, I ordered a full knuckle of pork, with a side of sauerkraut, sourdough bread and a litre of dark beer. I feel perfectly refreshed now and surprisingly not tipsy, in about 40 minutes I am attending an orchestra at Zrcadlova Kapel (The Mirror Chapel) – the Royal orchestra will be my hosts tonight, performing a few of my favorite compositions including Mozart's Requiem K.626 Lacrimosa and Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor. Following the orchestra I have a river cruise booked, I am not expecting it to be that great but it should allow me to get some better angles for some photos.
04JUN25 22:00
The orchestra was wonderful as expected, I wish I got to see something like that everyday like they do in Prague. Between the orchestra and the cruise I sat by the river drinking a monster and watched the sun set over the castle as classical flute music emanated from an open window on the 5th floor of an apartment behind me – it was blissful. The river cruise disappointed as I thought it would and I planned to do some nighttime photography on Karluv Most (Charles Bridge), however, half way across the bridge a storm broke out so I rushed back to the hostel, exhausted and wet. I went to bed that night absorbing the beauty of the towering streets lit only by the nonfrequent flashes of lightning.
Vienna, Austria - July 2025
03JUL25 23:00
I have just arrived at Milan Bergamo (BGY) Airport in Italy, there is already a lot of people asleep waiting for their carryovers. I looked at public transport options and it seems I should easily be able to travel to either Bergamo or to Milan itself, I ended up settling on Bergamo as it would have taken too much time commuting back and forth from Milan and wouldn't have left me much time to explore. As such I brought my ticket and embarked for Piazza Vecchia Bergamo Alta.
04JUL25 00:00
Just got up to the Piazza Piazza Rosate and set up my tripod, and took a few photos of Museo del Torsoro di Santa Maria Maggoire di Bergamo's south entrance and headed back down to a street called Vaile delle Mura after having a small talk with some local kids who had just graduated from Paolo Sarpi high school and were out celebrating. I realise at the time of writing I barely explored the Piazza Vecchia and honestly that came from a lack of preplanning as I had no idea of all the other stuff I could have explored up there, however, Bergamo has left a good impression on me and I plan to visit again in the future.
The street was truly beautiful, it was gone midnight at this point, so the city skyline was pitch black aside from all the city and house lights which had an almost candle-like flicker due to the rising heatwaves causing distortion.
04JUL25 04:00
I have just arrived back at the BGY Departures from my three or so hour walk through Piazza Rosate and the city of Bergamo, I met many talkative locals there despite it being the early hours of the morning. Italians, as it seems, are very social people.
I have just taken off my boots to give my feet a rest and am enjoying a cup of expresso, it was very smooth and unlike the bitterness of coffee that I am used to. The departure lounge's walls are fitted with huge windows that overlook Bergamo, and I watch as the sun slowly struggles to rise over the Pizzo delle Orobie National Park and its mountains. My flight to Czechia departs at 06:50, and as tired as I am, I'm simply too awestruck to care.
04JUL25 08:30
I have not long arrived at Veclav Havel (PRG) Airport and like clockwork brought my travel pass and boarded the 59 bus to Nadrazi Veleslavin so that I can catch the metro to Prague city centre. Before heading to the Florenc International Coach Station I made a quick stop at Centrum FotoSkoda for another reel of 35 mm Fomapan 400 Action, and a stop at Zabka for a flapjack and an energy drink.
04JUL25 16:00
I managed to get about one or two hours of sleep on the coach to Vienna and the rest of the journey I listened to a podcast. First impressions of Vienna aren't the best; the weather is dull and grey and I'm checking into Wombat Hostel which is in a pretty tourist heavy area of the city so is slightly run down – I'm sure things will improve. I quickly freshen up and load my Nikon F3 with some T-max 400 that I've been meaning to try for some time – It has a reputation for being very grainy which is why I brought it, however I think my personal tastes have changed since then and I hope the grain doesn't overwhelm the pictures.
04JUL25 19:30
It has been a hectic few hours, I got the bus to Oper Karlsplatz U and walked towards Michaelerplatz whilst also taking photos of some of the statues in Albrechtsbrunnen. I have visited Pfarre St. Michael (St. Michael's Church) and went through the Hofreitschule (Spanish Knights Riding School) to the statue of Kaiser Franz I before turning around and heading through Kohlmarkt to Graben and Stephensplatz. From there I took a few photos of Weiner Pestsaule (Column of Pest) and visited Domkirche St. Stephan (St. Stephen's Cathedral).
I'm starting to get fairly hungry and faint, however, I have a live orchestra to attend at Peterskirche (St. Peters Church) in approximately one hour, I decide to go to Mcdonalds instead of anything special and order myself a Guacamole Salsa Beef Wrap and an Expresso Sundae.
04JUL25 22:00
The orchestra was lovely to hear, the 4-string quartet wasn't as enjoyable as the performance in Czechia last month but still very impressive. Peterskirche is truly opulent and breathtaking. I avoided taking many photos out of respect for the performers and the church; however, it was amongst the most decorated places I have ever seen. One thing that stands out in Austria over most is the masonry and craftmanship, especially in the churches.
With the orchestra over I decide to head down Marc-Aurel-Strasse toward Reprechtskirche, however, it proved overwhelmingly busy on the streets of Vienna due to it being 22:00 on a Friday night, and, as my vision had already started to become intensely blurry due to my lack of sleep, I decided to head back to the hostel for some much needed sleep instead.
05JUL25 09:00
This morning, I awoke at 05:30 with the hopes of exploring the city a bit more before I left and began my long journey back home. I hadn't recovered as much as I hoped and was hungry and experiencing a fatigue-caused pain. I found I was in a weird position where I didn't have the time to explore what I wanted to properly, as I would have needed to travel further out from the city centre, but nonetheless about 5 hours until my coach. In the end I decided to treat myself to a well-deserved breakfast and did some more street photography whilst also looking around at some of the fashion shops surrounding Innere Stadt.
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Without prior consent I request that none of my work is reposted elsewhere or used for any means albeit commercial or otherwise.
Please reach out to me using the contact details provided in the contact section.