Just Tripping Along The Freakazoid

Well, I have been swamped with this and that, but, finally getting back to things I love to do and play with, including World of Depleted. There are three things I am playing with 1. My next two stories. One is the next installment in my Business series - I will post it here in a couple days in a rough draft form, anyone willing to read it and give me opinions and help with editing it :) pleassssseeeee :o) 2. Strange email from Gavin Got an email from Gavin a little bit ago (from the account which I am still trying to figure out what the name means - any ideas)? but I digress - the subject line read: Rift..*&&@ !!@89o8#!# #...mail.. . There was one word Meta. and there was only a QR code attached. When I scanned it - the following popped out Book of Enoch. Beta Israel. Read Metadata. ok - so, I finally figured out how to read metadata of image files (yeah, ok you seasoned ARG players, I know that is a skill you do in your sleep, still, I am giddy I managed to do this, and...

Well - the journey we have been taking with Gavin through his Journal may be shifting gears ever so slightly - in the Feb 01 (2009) entry - Gavin mentions being unable to pass along certain sites and codes but perhaps other Dark Dreamers can - so this blog entry is a little (note little and not very thorough) attempt to pass along some of the information I've been finding. I've found a few of the pieces Gavin has mentioned, but I know not all - so I am sharing some of what I have found in the hopes that others can pitch in and help find even more information - I know more exists and I want to find it and the story!!!!!!! There is a lot in Gavin's journals and it is spreading - I'll share a couple and maybe others can add. Many of Gavin's first entries focused on setting the reason for the journal and following Gavin as he begins to prepare for what he believes is coming. From hunting boar, to how to cook in the field to survival tips. Then the dark turn of Gavi...

Whahhhhoooo there are things afoot - it seems the Deep Thoughts Shirt site has been updated and there are things to be seen Again a little space and a neat WoD poster and then some thoughts below - spoiler thoughts WOWZERS - one of the shirts was updated with a Qr Code - I kinda like the warning on the shirt - it fits in with the dark, ominous tone of WoD - Those Who Do Not Heed the Future Are Destined to Suffer..... If you check it out - you are lead to a URL which is a picture - http://toolfarm.com/1222/4432/1/origin_p2.png And ooooooo it's a half QR code - know what that makes me think of.... Yuppers, Gavin's dream - so on to putting them together and guess what you get.......... M.A. Vindobona. 180. And now I am going what the hooey-heck? Now I shall contemplate what those can mean.... hmmmmmmm

This is just too fun and considering my recent interest in QR codes... hehe mashable.com/2010/12/03/qrapping-paper/

from deaddrops.com Well the plot is growing thick (and so is my head unfortunately) –received two awesome codes each with a leaning that more was coming – well – I am now collecting ideas and trying to make links (been kept away from fun and such due to work and other responsibilities – but the Thanksgiving holiday is coming and I may actually get to play a little and then even more by the Winter holiday) –Anyhoos, any ideas are always welcome – so what do I have so far, not much and half baked, but it is time for bed (which is also why this post is so much more stream of consciousness and thus making prolly little sense– tomorrow I shall look at it and cringe I am sure) On a side note – one code came via one method (Dropbox) and the other came via email- hmmmmm is there a reason for the different methods or, is it just keeping the messages spread out so harder to track and fine and connect which then wraps back into, who and what is on which side… Also – curious there ...

Alright - so, it seems the plot is thickening and there are things hidden everywhere and I am going what the foogey foo does it mean. Ok so During Nov. 4th there was an opportunity to find another QR code - here is a quote from the WoD Facebook page - World of Depleted - November 4th. The day that folks will be trying to hunt down Sheri Candler and take her photo. (And no, not because she's dressed up like Tina Turner from Mad Max, although that picture IS out there.) Instead, the lucky fortunate who get a picture of the QR code on the back of her shirt will be able to find secret information related to the World of Depleted! Since it was at an event I could not be at, I was hoping someone snapped a picture. Talking to another fan of the show on Facebook, F.K. - found out someone sent F.K. a picture and it seemed to be of the shirt (image below) Well people decode the QR and go and watch and listen and go WhatTheFooge... there seems to be a lot going on in the hidden video...

Today I have increased my tech skill and knowledge thanks to a "game" - I am becoming immersed, of sorts, in the universe loosely know as "World of Depleted" worldofdepleted.com/about . Today I received a message and was invited to create a Dropbox account and begin sharing files. I have never used dropbox or similar (although I do use Google Docs and cloud share files that way). This is one reason why I like ARGs and similar transmedia properties and why I think they have a great place in our culture - they are a way to teach and demonstrate "practical" use of technology and skills in a compelling way. I not only use my Barcapture to read the QR code left for me, but I also created a code, and, hopefully, shared it using dropbox (we'll see if that part worked). Here is the code, as it does pertain to the game and the odd symbols, which I am following.

So first - I found out what a thrill it is as a simple fan of an entertainment/story project to have that story/world give you a nod - so I thank the writers/creators/and everyone else at World of Depleted and still looking for more clues, hints, signs and learning a lot as I research - which is why I like things like WoD and the interactive/participatory pieces - I explore topics and resources I probably never would otherwise.... another reason I want to include game mechanics and transmedia concepts in my class room Also - as I continue to see QR codes everywhere now (thanks Gavin and WoD :) I found this interesting article http://mashable.com/2010/10/13/bit-ly-qr-codes/ - everything is going to visual and codes and such. I plan on giving out a couple homework assignments via a QR code and seeing how students react to this concept and technology. PS - so via Gavin's journal - it seems there may be more Dark Dreamers out there - if you are one - give me a holler!!!!!!!! http...

So - found this site - www.zazzle.com/muzzle_blast_tshirt-235697434247807090 and there is a QR code on the back of the shirt. The program I am using is having a hard time capturing the QR code - so not sure if it is the same - but I'll find a way ;) On the flip side - if you want a cool Tshirt : )

ok so apparently I missed the hidden QR code for a hidden trailer - it was not in the video trailer but hidden on the WoD website - which means - when I get back from camping I will look over the web site :p drat... on a side note, the swirled QR code is kinda psychedelic - lol www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/photo.php?pid=579139&fbid=164849483525183&id=114025395274259 ://

Ok so I posted about World of Depleted QR codes yesterday and then today this comes out from Google and it has been discovered there is a QR Easter egg code associated with it... Wow - weird convergences are always freak-a-leeky Blog on the new service googlesocialweb.blogspot.com/2010/09/google-url-shortener-gets-website.html Tweet about the easter egg from @mattcutts - Secret goo.gl easter egg: take a link like http://goo.gl/LFwS and add ".qr" to get a QR code! See http://goo.gl/LFwS.qr

Ok so I am collecting QR Codes associated with World of Depleted - what do they mean and has anyone else found any or have ideas on their meaning? 1 - This half was revealed at Gavin's journal - worldofdepleted.com/Gavin/ 2 - Through an email contact with Gavin around the 17th, this QR code brought up a question - who are the neo-palidins (or is it paladins) - I thought it was the complete part of the half code, but the blocking seems different - so perhaps Gavin's journal code is not yet revealed 3 - I replied to the email and a few days later, Gavin sent another email with only a QR code - 4. The new teaser trailer for World of Depleted: Day 419 www.youtube.com/user/WorldofDepleted had a QR code (a little tilted as I captured it from the movie) - it seems to be the same that was sent to me by Gavin.... 5. I received this badge and also have the file to make it a t-shirt transfer today (anyone want a copy? Make a cool t shirt and embrace the secret code of well whatever th...

OK so got an awesome email that included this nifty badge (I am attempting to put it on my blog and everywhere else too) :P as well as some neat transfers that I hope to put to good use as soon as I get a few free minutes. I am still trying to find the little Easter Eggs left hiding in the words and pictures and videos, and I am learning a lot as I research topics I never would have otherwise - GAH there is a lot out there - sooo much to explore, so little time to journey