On Friday we arranged for Hydrojet to come around to clean the drains at our property. Bear in mind that these are directly outside the front door of the flat which we are still desperately trying to let. Unfortunately while “cleaning” the drains, instead this seemed to have completely block them up and ended up spreading a couple of inches of mud just outside the front door of the flat.
Considering we had a few viewings of the flat over the weekend (including a second viewing) this probably didn’t give such a good impression (after all, who would want a mud bath just outside their front door?) I tried cleaning this up as much as possible Friday evening and Sunday morning (with Elliot’s beach bucket and spade), but it still looks far from perfect.
So now we are told that there is either a broken pipe or a problem with our soakaway (whatever the hell that is). All of which equals more expense. Grrrr….
Just bought myself a copy of Serenity at lunch, which I’ll be watching this weekend with a few friends. This time however, I’ll hopefully be able to hear all the dialogue (unlike the awful Mallard performance of the film), plus my 50” Plasma gives a near cinema experience :)
A slight change to one of my Oscar nominations as we are nearing the big night:
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
Although Clooney has made a few comments to the media recently against the Bush administration, he still seems to be the talk of the town and as it is unlikely he will win Best Director for Good Night and Good Luck, I think that his increased profile may nab him the best supporting actor Oscar.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Delay!
Nooooooooooooo!
The Crystal Blue and Enamel Navy editions of the DS Lite have been delayed until March 11th, with only the Pure White edition being launched on the original date of March 3rd...
Okay, I know this is just over a week, but I was really looking forward to getting my spanking new DS Lite in a couple of weeks (I've ordered the Enamel Navy edition BTW). Also I'll have to try and explain this to Elliot, who keeps on asking me if my new DS has arrived yet (just so he can get his hands on my old DS).
Must... learn... patience...
(sobs quietly in the corner)
The Crystal Blue and Enamel Navy editions of the DS Lite have been delayed until March 11th, with only the Pure White edition being launched on the original date of March 3rd...
Okay, I know this is just over a week, but I was really looking forward to getting my spanking new DS Lite in a couple of weeks (I've ordered the Enamel Navy edition BTW). Also I'll have to try and explain this to Elliot, who keeps on asking me if my new DS has arrived yet (just so he can get his hands on my old DS).
Must... learn... patience...
(sobs quietly in the corner)
Thursday, February 23, 2006
Birthday for big “Z” and ICO
First of all, I need to say a big “Happy Birthday” for the Legend of Zelda. That right, Zelda and Link are 20 years old.
This is by far the most consistently brilliant game series to date. I cannot wait until the Twiglight Princess (now delayed until October), which I’m sure will continue the tradition with style.
Games Played:
ICO
Just finished this for the second time.Now I’ve always said that The Ocarina of Time is my favourite game of all time, but I guess that ICO could quite easily stand next to this in pride.
Such an amazing game, so simple, so beautiful, so stylish.
I love the fact that the last section of the game has absolutely no opportunity to save, ramping up the tension no end, making every jump and decision ever more momentous and epic.
Also a typically Japanese obscure ending.
Am I the only one out there who finds the sight of the castle crumbling into ruins and sinking into the ocean a really sad sight?
For anyone out there who owns a PS2, I have a word of advice for you. BUY THIS GAME! You have no excuse now that it has been re-released alongside Shadow of the Colossus and at a budget price…
If you enjoy quality games, you’ll enjoy this.
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Colossus, ICO's lightsabre, Creek and Oliver
Games played:
Shadow of the Colossus
Managed to nab the very last copy from a local game shop on Friday… Phew. Really should have preordered!
My initial impressions were actually a little disappointing when compared next to ICO. The environments are very bare and lack the solid yet slightly ethereal quality of ICO.
The game really does come to life as soon as you meet the first Colossus and it is then that you realise that the reason that the landscape is so barren is that the Colossus are the real areas that need exploring and not the landscape. So far I have taken down 4 out of the total of 16 Colossi and each battle has been quite spectacular.
Although the game really is fantastic, I don’t see it eclipsing ICO as the best game on the PS2. So far, it just seems to lack the emotional connection that you get in ICO with the main characters and also the beautiful and yet simple gameplay.
Also on a side note, although Colossus features progressive scan for the PS2 (a first for a PAL PS2 game), this is by no means as impressive as the Gamecube progressive scan. If anything, it seems to lose resolution with no improvement to motion, which can be right.
ICO
I still haven’t quite finished playing this, but I’m loving every minute of it again.
I find it somewhat amusing that I have managed to get stuck on almost exactly the same puzzles that I struggles with the first time I played the game. You’d think that I’d remember how to get passed them when it took me so long the first time round, but no!
Also interestingly, I knew that there was a secret weapon in the game, a mace, which I had not found the first time I played it. So I actively look this time round, however I didn’t find a mace, instead I’ve found what can only be described as a lightsabre! That’s right, a lightsabre. I knew that there were a few differences the second time you play the game, but I never knew about this!
Films watched:
Wolf Creek
* Warning – spoilers *
I was really looking forward to this, after reading so many good reviews and for the most part I quite enjoyed the film, until the end that is.
This film suffers from exactly the same problem as A Perfect Storm, as in that is supposedly “based on true events”, all the cast are secluded from the rest of the world and by the end of the film everyone dies! Therefore, how on earth can it be “based on true events” if there’s nobody living to tell the story!
Okay this may not be exactly true for Wolf Creek, as there was one survivor, but he was separated from the two girls in the film and was not present when the bulk of the events took place, therefore, most of the main events of the film are totally fictitious.
4/10
Oliver
I watched this with Roz last night, mainly because I’ve been in a musical mood of late and also because it been aeons since I last watched this.
What I find remarkable on viewing this again, is how spectacular the choreography is in the film, especially in long shots with literally hundreds of cat members.
It also reminded me a lot of an old junior school production that I, like many others, desperately wanted to be cast in (as the artful dodger), but failed to get. Instead my best friend got cast. I remember that I was so damn annoyed about this for some time (stupid really – but for several reasons), but what was even more annoying was that my friend was a thousand times more suited to the role than I was and did a frankly spectacular job.
7/10
Shadow of the Colossus
Managed to nab the very last copy from a local game shop on Friday… Phew. Really should have preordered!My initial impressions were actually a little disappointing when compared next to ICO. The environments are very bare and lack the solid yet slightly ethereal quality of ICO.
The game really does come to life as soon as you meet the first Colossus and it is then that you realise that the reason that the landscape is so barren is that the Colossus are the real areas that need exploring and not the landscape. So far I have taken down 4 out of the total of 16 Colossi and each battle has been quite spectacular.
Although the game really is fantastic, I don’t see it eclipsing ICO as the best game on the PS2. So far, it just seems to lack the emotional connection that you get in ICO with the main characters and also the beautiful and yet simple gameplay.
Also on a side note, although Colossus features progressive scan for the PS2 (a first for a PAL PS2 game), this is by no means as impressive as the Gamecube progressive scan. If anything, it seems to lose resolution with no improvement to motion, which can be right.
ICO
I still haven’t quite finished playing this, but I’m loving every minute of it again.I find it somewhat amusing that I have managed to get stuck on almost exactly the same puzzles that I struggles with the first time I played the game. You’d think that I’d remember how to get passed them when it took me so long the first time round, but no!
Also interestingly, I knew that there was a secret weapon in the game, a mace, which I had not found the first time I played it. So I actively look this time round, however I didn’t find a mace, instead I’ve found what can only be described as a lightsabre! That’s right, a lightsabre. I knew that there were a few differences the second time you play the game, but I never knew about this!
Films watched:
Wolf Creek
* Warning – spoilers *
I was really looking forward to this, after reading so many good reviews and for the most part I quite enjoyed the film, until the end that is.This film suffers from exactly the same problem as A Perfect Storm, as in that is supposedly “based on true events”, all the cast are secluded from the rest of the world and by the end of the film everyone dies! Therefore, how on earth can it be “based on true events” if there’s nobody living to tell the story!
Okay this may not be exactly true for Wolf Creek, as there was one survivor, but he was separated from the two girls in the film and was not present when the bulk of the events took place, therefore, most of the main events of the film are totally fictitious.
4/10
Oliver
I watched this with Roz last night, mainly because I’ve been in a musical mood of late and also because it been aeons since I last watched this.What I find remarkable on viewing this again, is how spectacular the choreography is in the film, especially in long shots with literally hundreds of cat members.
It also reminded me a lot of an old junior school production that I, like many others, desperately wanted to be cast in (as the artful dodger), but failed to get. Instead my best friend got cast. I remember that I was so damn annoyed about this for some time (stupid really – but for several reasons), but what was even more annoying was that my friend was a thousand times more suited to the role than I was and did a frankly spectacular job.
7/10
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
DD, DS, Lego, G'Kar and Oscar noms
Warning… This will be one helluva long blog entry!
Just finished reading Daredevil 81, the final part of “The Murdock Papers” storyline and more importantly the last issue written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Alex Maleev. This creative team have been working on the Daredevil comics for over 6 years, quite some time for any artist and writer to stay on any given project and since that date, every single month, Daredevil has been by far the most engrossing comic out there.
Unlike other Superhero comics out there, Daredevil has been heavily focused on realism. During the Bendis/Maleev run of comics, Daredevil has been married, divorced, defeated Kingpin and taken over the role of Kingpin and more importantly, had his identity revealed. But whilst over comics may not focus on the repercussions of such events, Bendis and Maleev have explored this to the ninth degree.
It has finally ended with Matt Murdock being thrown into prison alongside Kingpin.
Overall it has been a fantastic read and without doubt the most memorable comic series that I’ve read in a long time. So this is just a big “thank you” from me.
Just finished reading Daredevil 81, the final part of “The Murdock Papers” storyline and more importantly the last issue written by Brian Michael Bendis and drawn by Alex Maleev. This creative team have been working on the Daredevil comics for over 6 years, quite some time for any artist and writer to stay on any given project and since that date, every single month, Daredevil has been by far the most engrossing comic out there.Unlike other Superhero comics out there, Daredevil has been heavily focused on realism. During the Bendis/Maleev run of comics, Daredevil has been married, divorced, defeated Kingpin and taken over the role of Kingpin and more importantly, had his identity revealed. But whilst over comics may not focus on the repercussions of such events, Bendis and Maleev have explored this to the ninth degree.
It has finally ended with Matt Murdock being thrown into prison alongside Kingpin.
Overall it has been a fantastic read and without doubt the most memorable comic series that I’ve read in a long time. So this is just a big “thank you” from me.
I have just recently read that Lego Star Wars II, The Original Trilogy, is due to be made into a game. This is great news. I really enjoyed Lego Star Wars, which was based on the prequel trilogy. It is by far, the most fun Star Wars game produced in a long time, and I like everyone else, much prefer the original trilogy of films, so a game based on these should be a blast.
I found a fantastic promo picture of the game, which can be found below:
Over the last few days there have been a couple of exciting add-ons for the Nintendo DS announced. These are as follows:
4 GB Media Player 
This is a device being release by Datel which will allow you to store up to 4GB worth of music, video, photo’s or applications on the DS. The bottom touch screen acts as a control panel (i.e. showing play, stop, rewind etc) and the top screen displays the media.
It looks quite promising and I’m looking forward to reading reviews of this devise idc.
Web Browser
Nintendo have just revealed that an Opera (means nothing to me) operated web browser will be release for the DS in the near future. Allowing you to browse the internet via Wi-Fi using the DS.
Presumable the bottom screen will employ some sort of virtual keyboard.
I have a message for the PSP from the DS… It goes a little like this “everything you can do, I can do better…”
G’Kar is dead! :(
I’ve just recently read that Andreas Katsulas has just died aged 59 of lung cancer. He was best known as G’Kar in the excellent Babylon 5. A fine, fine actor. The highlight of any episode of Babylon 5 was always the banter between Londo and G’kar.
I think that a quote from Babylon 5, as spoken by G’Kar is most fitting:
G'Kar once said:
"I believe that when we leave a place a part of it goes with us and part of us remains. Go anywhere in these halls, when it is quiet and just listen. After a while you will hear the echoes of all of our conversations, every thought and word we've exchanged. Long after we are gone, our voices will linger in these walls for as long as this place remains. But I will admit that the part of me that is going will very much miss the part of you that is staying."
I’ve had quite a turbulent few days recently. I think the stress of a huge mortgage and the distinct lack of tenants has been getting to Roz and me recently. As you can imagine, it’s quite a weight on your shoulders and it’s meant that we have both been a little ratty of late to each other, combining to quite a row the other night. I think my anti-depressants probably chill me out about the situation a lot more than Roz, but this still doesn’t help things relationship wise.
Things are a little calmer now in the Harris household. I just wish that we could find some tenants for our flat, as this would alleviate SO MUCH stress.
Okay, now for my yearly Oscar nominees guesses:
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
78th Annual Academy Awards Nominations
BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH
I would really love to see Crash win this, but Brokeback Mountain has so much momentum behind it that I think it’ll likely win. I still have my fingers crossed for Crash, which is still an outside chance.
ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
Everyone seems to think that this will go to Philip Seymour Hoffman, but I think that although it may be close, that this will likely go to Heath Ledger. Brokeback Mountain has such momentum behind it and it was Heath Ledger’s performance that made the film what it is.
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
I really don’t have much of a clue here. Popular opinion suggests that this will go to Matt Dillon, but I don’t think he deserves to win. I therefore think that Paul Giamatti will win, based on the fact that he didn’t win for Sideways last year more than his performance in this film.
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY
Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE
Although I wouldn’t discount Felicity Huffman as a possibility, in view of her popularity due to Desperate Housewives and also because this is a challenging role.
PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Michelle Williams role in Brokeback Mountain drew a lot of sympathy from the viewer so is a definite possibility to win. Although, in my opinion Rachel Weisz gave a stellar performance in The Constant Gardener and would be a more than deserving winner.
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE
WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT
Such a great selection in this category this year! If Wallace & Gromit don’t win, I’ll eat my hat.
ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
WALK THE LINE
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
MURDERBALL
STREET FIGHT
ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
CINDERELLA MAN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
CRASH
MUNICH
WALK THE LINE
Hmm, really not too sure about this one. I honestly think that The Constant Gardener most deserves to win this, so I’ll go with that.
ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
CINDERELLA MAN
STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH
ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES(ORIGINAL SCORE)
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES(ORIGINAL SONG)
"In the Deep" - CRASH
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW
"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WALK THE LINE
WAR OF THE WORLDS
ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Even though I thought the effects were sporadic in King Kong (i.e. excellent for Kong, frankly dreadful at other times). I’d like to see War of the Worlds win, even though it was less effects driven, the special effects, when used, were much more stunning.
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
MUNICH
I’d much prefer to see The Constant Gardener win… Although I doubt it will.
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MATCH POINT
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
SYRIANA
I’ll be most annoyed if Crash doesn’t win this!
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Flat, Lite, Kart and Rocky
Nintendo announced the colours available for the DS Lite the other day these are shown below:
I’ve ordered the Navy Enamel version as my preference, with the Pure White as my second favourite.
I’ve also cracked any import power problems with the DS Lite. It is uncertain whether the GBA Micro power supply will work with the DS Lite, but I have been able to find a cheap step down converter on Lik Sang which will do the job very nicely. Just have to wait until March the 3rd now!
In preparation of getting my new DS I’ve also ordered a couple of new games which I will save until it arrives. These are Mario and Luigi: Partners in time (as I’m a great fan of the Paper Mario series of games) and Zoo Keeper, which I have heard is a great puzzle game and was going cheap on Amazon.
We only had 2 phone calls from our advert in the Guernsey Press for our flat. One of those is coming around for a second viewing this afternoon, but I’m really not feeling that hopeful. We have also put the flat on with a couple of a agents… The details for the flat can be found below:
Garden Flat
Games Played:
Mario Kart DS
I have finally passed the 100 wins mark on my online victories. This now currently stands at 101 wins against 71 losses. Not too shabby.
I have also managed to get a minimum of a 1 star rating on all missions and races, therefore when I race online there is a star shown against my name, so my opposition will truly fear me :)
I also discovered that in the mission mode, once you have a star rating on all the missions, it opens up a new series of missions to play... Which, trust me, are damn hard.
Film Watched:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
I’ve been in a kinda musical mood of late so I decided to watch this again the other night.
This is quite possibly the best “cult” film of all time, and with good reason. It’s simply fantastic. Great songs, great quotes, a great cast of characters and actors, suitably absurd, there is really a lot going for it.
The film is however, completely stolen by Tim Curry as Frankenfurter, in a role that he has never lived down since.
For anyone who hasn’t seen it, I’d recommend that you give it a chance… You never know, you might end up enjoying it (stockings and garters and all).
All together now… I remember, doing the timewarp…
8.5/10
I’ve ordered the Navy Enamel version as my preference, with the Pure White as my second favourite.
I’ve also cracked any import power problems with the DS Lite. It is uncertain whether the GBA Micro power supply will work with the DS Lite, but I have been able to find a cheap step down converter on Lik Sang which will do the job very nicely. Just have to wait until March the 3rd now!
In preparation of getting my new DS I’ve also ordered a couple of new games which I will save until it arrives. These are Mario and Luigi: Partners in time (as I’m a great fan of the Paper Mario series of games) and Zoo Keeper, which I have heard is a great puzzle game and was going cheap on Amazon.
We only had 2 phone calls from our advert in the Guernsey Press for our flat. One of those is coming around for a second viewing this afternoon, but I’m really not feeling that hopeful. We have also put the flat on with a couple of a agents… The details for the flat can be found below:
Garden Flat
Games Played:
Mario Kart DS
I have finally passed the 100 wins mark on my online victories. This now currently stands at 101 wins against 71 losses. Not too shabby.I have also managed to get a minimum of a 1 star rating on all missions and races, therefore when I race online there is a star shown against my name, so my opposition will truly fear me :)
I also discovered that in the mission mode, once you have a star rating on all the missions, it opens up a new series of missions to play... Which, trust me, are damn hard.
Film Watched:
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
I’ve been in a kinda musical mood of late so I decided to watch this again the other night.This is quite possibly the best “cult” film of all time, and with good reason. It’s simply fantastic. Great songs, great quotes, a great cast of characters and actors, suitably absurd, there is really a lot going for it.
The film is however, completely stolen by Tim Curry as Frankenfurter, in a role that he has never lived down since.
For anyone who hasn’t seen it, I’d recommend that you give it a chance… You never know, you might end up enjoying it (stockings and garters and all).
All together now… I remember, doing the timewarp…
8.5/10
Friday, February 10, 2006
Lite power problems and Crash
Some further details (pictures and a manual) about the DS Lite have sneaked onto the internet today – with a potential problem for me. It appears as if the DS Lite does not use the same power adaptor as the normal DS. As such, I will if I purchase an imported DS Lite have a 110V adaptor when I need a 220v adaptor :-
However, it looks like the DS Lite maybe using the same power adaptor as the Gameboy Micro, so all is not yet lost. I will have to look into this a little further before deciding to import.
Film Watched:
Crash
At last… We have a film nominated for best picture in this years Oscars that I actually like!In many ways this film is similar to Magnolia, i.e. it is about a group of very different people based in L.A. who’s path cross during the course of a day. Where this differs from Magnolia is that the emphasis is placed very highly on racial hatred in Crash. Whilst not quite reaching the dizzy heights of Magnolia, this is still an excellent film with great performances all round.
There was one scene which had me sobbing quite uncontrollably (something which I can tell you, has not happened for a very long time for a film). Without spoiling the moment for anyone who hasn’t seen the film, it is at the conclusion of the “magic cloak” story. I think that it is the parent in me coming out. Since becoming a Dad I always find that I’m very deeply moved by anything in films or television where there is a strong father/son or father/daughter relationship. Even Finding Nemo gave me a lump in my throat… Go figure!
8/10
On the parenting theme. Elliot was feeling a little under the weather today. He has had a temperature and has had the shakes a little, as well as being unusual tired. There really is nothing else that can make you feel more helpless as a parent than when your child is ill. I know I always find it devastating when I can’t do anything to help make my little boy feel better.
I just hope that he feels a little better tomorrow after a nights rest
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
ipod video, tenants and DS Lite
First I feel I have to say that I really do love my ipod video, it’s quite frankly a lovely piece of kit. However, the fact that Apple claim that the battery life for this ipod is 14 hours if frankly ridicules. By my estimate the battery life (with the backlight turned off) is closer to 4-5 hours maximum. This is also roughly at around half volume.
The only way that I think that the battery life could possibly stretch to 14 hours would be with virtually nil volume and even then I’m doubtful.
As I said, I really am very fond of my ipod, I’m just slightly annoyed at the exaggerated battery life claims.
I managed to get hold of our prospective tenants the other day and they have told me that although they don’t actually hold a lease with their current landlady, they do not want to annoy her by leaving the property prior to new tenants being found for it (which the landlady has insisted upon). The reason being that the landlady is the sister of one of their bosses at work. As such it has been implied that they may lose their job if they anger their landlady.
As such they don’t know when they can leave their current property and therefore don’t know when they would be available to take on our flat.
As such, we are, once again, back to square one and are readvertising the flat this Friday in the hope to drum up more interest.
I also have to admit that I have succumbed to temptation. I’ve preordered a Japanese DS Lite.
It’s just that I play on my DS so damn often that it seemed too hard to turn down. After all, I can then pass my old DS onto Roz and Elliot to use. Also the price isn’t too bad and the good thing about imported handheld consoles is the fact that you can use any games from any country in them. Plus he redesign looks pretty sexy.
The DS Lite is supposedly due to launch in a selection of 3 colours, but at present only white has been revealed. Once all the colours have been officially announced, I’ll be given the option to choose (but to be honest I’ll likely be happy with anything other than pink). There’s also the possibility that I may have ordered this a little late and that I might not get one in the first batch release (as I expect that they’ll be very popular). If this happens, I’ll just have to re-evaluate what to do then (i.e. whether to import still or wait for the European release).
Just have to wait now until March 2nd to see!
The only way that I think that the battery life could possibly stretch to 14 hours would be with virtually nil volume and even then I’m doubtful.
As I said, I really am very fond of my ipod, I’m just slightly annoyed at the exaggerated battery life claims.
I managed to get hold of our prospective tenants the other day and they have told me that although they don’t actually hold a lease with their current landlady, they do not want to annoy her by leaving the property prior to new tenants being found for it (which the landlady has insisted upon). The reason being that the landlady is the sister of one of their bosses at work. As such it has been implied that they may lose their job if they anger their landlady.
As such they don’t know when they can leave their current property and therefore don’t know when they would be available to take on our flat.
As such, we are, once again, back to square one and are readvertising the flat this Friday in the hope to drum up more interest.
I also have to admit that I have succumbed to temptation. I’ve preordered a Japanese DS Lite.
It’s just that I play on my DS so damn often that it seemed too hard to turn down. After all, I can then pass my old DS onto Roz and Elliot to use. Also the price isn’t too bad and the good thing about imported handheld consoles is the fact that you can use any games from any country in them. Plus he redesign looks pretty sexy.
The DS Lite is supposedly due to launch in a selection of 3 colours, but at present only white has been revealed. Once all the colours have been officially announced, I’ll be given the option to choose (but to be honest I’ll likely be happy with anything other than pink). There’s also the possibility that I may have ordered this a little late and that I might not get one in the first batch release (as I expect that they’ll be very popular). If this happens, I’ll just have to re-evaluate what to do then (i.e. whether to import still or wait for the European release).
Just have to wait now until March 2nd to see!
Sunday, February 05, 2006
Shapes, Spirits, Tenants. Rodents and ICO
That DAMN mouse made another appearance last night… I thought that it had gone away. It’s literally been months since we (or should that be I – as I’m the only one who has ever seen it) last saw it.
So out comes the mouse traps again and the poison… For all the good it’s done us in the past!
I’m really starting to think that our flat is cursed… We are still having tenant difficulties.
The last time I wrote we had two sets of interest tenants. They both really wanted the flat. One promised to phone me to let me know the date that she was going to move in, but never got in touch. I tried contacting her repeated times, but she never answered her phone, so we other it to the other couple. They immediately jumped at the chance and said that they desperately wanted the flat and planned to come around this weekend to pay the deposit and sign the lease.
Just prior to them coming around I received a phone call from them. They explained that even though it says in their current lease that they only need to give one weeks notice before moving out, their current landlord is now giving them hassle and saying that they will need to continue to pay the rent until new tenants are found. As such, they don’t think they’ll be able to take our flat. They were planning on having another word with the landlord. They said that they’d get back to us and let us know either way and we have not heard from them since. I have tried contacted them, but they have not answered my calls.
As I said… Cursed.
Made some animal shapes for Elliot today… My efforts are displayed below for anyone to admire/criticize. I won’t even bother to try to explain what these are meant to be…
Overall, it’s been a tough weekend for one reason or another. I don’t feel like talking about it at the moment, but our tenant issues certainly factor into things… Ah the joys of life!
Films Watched:
Spirited Away
There has been a small film festival this weekend at Beau Sejour, in which international films have been screened. I went to see this, even though I actually own it on DVD, just because it’s unlikely that I’ll ever get another chance to watch an anime film at the cinema again.
This is quite possibly the greatest anime film ever made, and quite possibly the greatest animated film ever made. It’s Miyazaki’s masterpiece and is an absolute joy to watch from start to finish. For those unfamiliar to the story this is kind of like a Japanese version of sort of Alice in Wonderland, but saying that really does not really encapsulate the film at all.
What was very surprising and pleasant, was the cinema was quite full and I’m presuming that many of the people had never seen the film before. As I left the cinema there was such a positive buzz and you could tell that it was a universally liked film. As it should be.
9/10
Games Played:
ICO
As Shadow of the Colossus is due to be release (in less than 2 weeks), I decided to revisit this game.
Without a doubt this the greatest game released to date on the PS2. If there was any game in which the space between art and games was blurred, then it is this game. It also helps that this game has the finest level design I have ever witnessed. The Castle in which the game is based is simply huge and even from early on you get glimpse from high view points of future area’s that you will explore further on in the game.
It’s also the little touches that make the game, such as if you leave the game undisturbed for a moment and are stuck on a puzzle, Yorda (your companion), will wander off and point helpfully towards something that might help you.
So out comes the mouse traps again and the poison… For all the good it’s done us in the past!
I’m really starting to think that our flat is cursed… We are still having tenant difficulties.
The last time I wrote we had two sets of interest tenants. They both really wanted the flat. One promised to phone me to let me know the date that she was going to move in, but never got in touch. I tried contacting her repeated times, but she never answered her phone, so we other it to the other couple. They immediately jumped at the chance and said that they desperately wanted the flat and planned to come around this weekend to pay the deposit and sign the lease.
Just prior to them coming around I received a phone call from them. They explained that even though it says in their current lease that they only need to give one weeks notice before moving out, their current landlord is now giving them hassle and saying that they will need to continue to pay the rent until new tenants are found. As such, they don’t think they’ll be able to take our flat. They were planning on having another word with the landlord. They said that they’d get back to us and let us know either way and we have not heard from them since. I have tried contacted them, but they have not answered my calls.
As I said… Cursed.
Made some animal shapes for Elliot today… My efforts are displayed below for anyone to admire/criticize. I won’t even bother to try to explain what these are meant to be…
Overall, it’s been a tough weekend for one reason or another. I don’t feel like talking about it at the moment, but our tenant issues certainly factor into things… Ah the joys of life!
Films Watched:
Spirited Away
There has been a small film festival this weekend at Beau Sejour, in which international films have been screened. I went to see this, even though I actually own it on DVD, just because it’s unlikely that I’ll ever get another chance to watch an anime film at the cinema again.This is quite possibly the greatest anime film ever made, and quite possibly the greatest animated film ever made. It’s Miyazaki’s masterpiece and is an absolute joy to watch from start to finish. For those unfamiliar to the story this is kind of like a Japanese version of sort of Alice in Wonderland, but saying that really does not really encapsulate the film at all.
What was very surprising and pleasant, was the cinema was quite full and I’m presuming that many of the people had never seen the film before. As I left the cinema there was such a positive buzz and you could tell that it was a universally liked film. As it should be.
9/10
Games Played:
ICO
As Shadow of the Colossus is due to be release (in less than 2 weeks), I decided to revisit this game.Without a doubt this the greatest game released to date on the PS2. If there was any game in which the space between art and games was blurred, then it is this game. It also helps that this game has the finest level design I have ever witnessed. The Castle in which the game is based is simply huge and even from early on you get glimpse from high view points of future area’s that you will explore further on in the game.
It’s also the little touches that make the game, such as if you leave the game undisturbed for a moment and are stuck on a puzzle, Yorda (your companion), will wander off and point helpfully towards something that might help you.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Little wanderer and Constant Gardener
Last night Roz and I had a surprise little visitor into our bedroom. We awoke to the sound of Elliot saying “where’s Mummy and Daddy gone?” Looking up from bed, we could see Elliot standing in the Doorway.
It was the second time that he’d got out of bed that night (the first he was standing in the corridor), the second time ever that he’s decided to leave his bed in the middle of the night.
He settled down eventually, I just hope that this isn’t the start of something new!
Films Watched:
The Constant Gardener
Why oh why wasn’t this nominated for an Oscar?
In a year in which we have Munich, which while well directed, was frankly boring, over long and pretentious. Also Brokeback Mountain, which again is well directed, great acting, but not much storyline – and yet hailed by critics and carried on by a wave of controversy and misplaced hype. Somehow The Constant Gardener has been missed out.
Lets see now. Great direction – tick. Well acted – double tick (both for Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz). A film with heartfelt message – tick. But most importantly, a damn fine story. Something that seems to have been missing from a great number of films lately (Oscar nominated films most definitely included). Surely telling a good story should be regarded as paramount with a good film? Or am I just alone in this thought?
I realise I’m ranting and whilst The Constant Gardener is a very good film, again, it isn’t without it’s faults, and yet it is still head a shoulders above the likes of Munich. And I think I’m just a little tire and annoyed,,, not idea why… just annoyed.
God I really am ranting now. Shut up…. And so I will.
Anyway… Yes… a score out of ten I guess.
7.5/10
It was the second time that he’d got out of bed that night (the first he was standing in the corridor), the second time ever that he’s decided to leave his bed in the middle of the night.
He settled down eventually, I just hope that this isn’t the start of something new!
Films Watched:
The Constant Gardener
Why oh why wasn’t this nominated for an Oscar?In a year in which we have Munich, which while well directed, was frankly boring, over long and pretentious. Also Brokeback Mountain, which again is well directed, great acting, but not much storyline – and yet hailed by critics and carried on by a wave of controversy and misplaced hype. Somehow The Constant Gardener has been missed out.
Lets see now. Great direction – tick. Well acted – double tick (both for Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz). A film with heartfelt message – tick. But most importantly, a damn fine story. Something that seems to have been missing from a great number of films lately (Oscar nominated films most definitely included). Surely telling a good story should be regarded as paramount with a good film? Or am I just alone in this thought?
I realise I’m ranting and whilst The Constant Gardener is a very good film, again, it isn’t without it’s faults, and yet it is still head a shoulders above the likes of Munich. And I think I’m just a little tire and annoyed,,, not idea why… just annoyed.
God I really am ranting now. Shut up…. And so I will.
Anyway… Yes… a score out of ten I guess.
7.5/10
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
White Album, Pilchard and Gay Cowboys
I’ve just recently listened to The White Album by the Beatles. It has to be said that there is not one track from this album which is instantly recognisable as one of the classic Beatles singles and yet this is considered by many to be one of their greatest albums (after Sgt Peppers of course). All the same, it’s a fantastic album, very experimental, incorporating just about every style imaginable and yet still remaining very much a cohesive collection of songs.
Revolution 9, it has to be said, is a tad odd as far as tracks go.
Roz and I believe that Elliot may have an invisible friend. His name is Pilchard (probably taken from Bob the Builders cat). Sometime Elliot comments that Pilchard is at home, and he has also mentioned that Pilchard goes to playschool with him. I’ve even hear Elliot refer to him as Pilchard the Tank Engine, which is even more bizarre. Anyway, Elliot has also recently mentioned that Pilchard is in fact a scarecrow… So as such, below is an artist impression of my little boys “invisible friend”:
And a picture of my sane little son who has imagined this “invisible scarecrow”.:
Films watched:
Brokeback Mountain
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that the only reason I decided to watch this was because of the Oscar nomination. After all, the thought of a “gay cowboy” movie, really isn’t much to inspire interest (in my case at least) in a film.
Overall the film was actually better than I expected. Quite good, but not anywhere near great, or in my opinion anywhere near good enough to deserve an Oscar. Then again, lesser films have won Oscars in the past, so this still stands a chance.
It was quite a slow film, but by no means ponderous, and certainly beautifully filmed. A fair amount of the film was little more than pensive looks and unrequited pining, so the story was not exactly gripping, but also somehow quite different and engaging. Far superior to Munich, which it is up against in the Oscar race… Just need to watch another 3 films to gauge my thoughts on the overall winner for best picture.
6.5/10
Revolution 9, it has to be said, is a tad odd as far as tracks go.
Roz and I believe that Elliot may have an invisible friend. His name is Pilchard (probably taken from Bob the Builders cat). Sometime Elliot comments that Pilchard is at home, and he has also mentioned that Pilchard goes to playschool with him. I’ve even hear Elliot refer to him as Pilchard the Tank Engine, which is even more bizarre. Anyway, Elliot has also recently mentioned that Pilchard is in fact a scarecrow… So as such, below is an artist impression of my little boys “invisible friend”:
And a picture of my sane little son who has imagined this “invisible scarecrow”.:
Films watched:
Brokeback Mountain
Okay, I’ll be the first to admit that the only reason I decided to watch this was because of the Oscar nomination. After all, the thought of a “gay cowboy” movie, really isn’t much to inspire interest (in my case at least) in a film.Overall the film was actually better than I expected. Quite good, but not anywhere near great, or in my opinion anywhere near good enough to deserve an Oscar. Then again, lesser films have won Oscars in the past, so this still stands a chance.
It was quite a slow film, but by no means ponderous, and certainly beautifully filmed. A fair amount of the film was little more than pensive looks and unrequited pining, so the story was not exactly gripping, but also somehow quite different and engaging. Far superior to Munich, which it is up against in the Oscar race… Just need to watch another 3 films to gauge my thoughts on the overall winner for best picture.
6.5/10
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