Today I saw the 4 trailers for the new Call of Duty game. I must say it looked kind of interesting, and that's not normally something I say about Call of Duty games, even though I almost invariably end up buying and quite enjoying them.
The plot appears to carry on from MW2, or so I'm told, and features attacks by the Russian dude I've forgot the name of on 4 major western cities. In this case New York, London, Paris and Berlin. Yes the western invasion plot has been done now, with the awesome premise, but horrible game of Homefront immediately springing to mind. But call of duty generally has higher production standards and I'm really hoping come 8th November (or whenever it is around there) MW3 will be worth a buy. I'm really not talking a camp out at midnight waiting for game to open so I can get the 'hardened' edition which will inevitably be available, but a normal buy!
However, with homefront as an example and Portal 2 as an exception that proves the rule, when I get enthusiastic about games before release they generally suck and suck hard. I'm sure CoD won't though!!
Downsides are I've only just started getting on with playing Black Ops online, and although there's some considerable months, 2 weddings, a weekend in tenerife etc to go between then. I know I'll get good (I say good... I mean not humiliatingly bad), then everyone will leave it to play MW3 online, I'll drop back behind and get shot by French people all over again, I mean honestly, when you log in on a French server shouldn't you immediately surrender?
By the same standard on a US server you should get +500 for a team kill not minus...
On an unrelated note, I just had some classic 'last nights' pizza for dinner... EPIC.
EDIT: Yes I know Battlefield 3 will be better
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Sunday, 15 May 2011
Eurovision
Yes, predictable topic, do I look like I care?
Well I watched it, it'd be a stretch to call it good, it was... what it always is. There's plenty of things you could moan about. The fact that every former Russian state votes for it's fellow former Russian states (maybe they should form some kind of union, a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics if you will), the former Yugoslav countries doing the same, us and Ireland not... (well 1 way).
While these voting 'patterns' exist the UK is never going to win, everyone realistically knows this, so why as one of the 'big 5' (welcome back Italia) do we continue to fund it. The BBC at the moment is quick to bemoan lack of funding, having to stretch it's budget, so why pour money into this giant freak show each year? Last year apparently almost £300,000 was spent on the contest that's without sending our act on promotional tours and them attending, hotels etc, no doubt tonight's 'treat' at least equalled that, and next years will be higher again. Is this a good use of public cash? I think not. Or even if ITV took it over and paid for it with advertising. No hit on the public, no concern of mine.
I've no problem with the UK entering, this year at least it kept Anthony Costa away from cash points for a few weeks and stopped the whole group having to sign on for a while, so it's almost a public service. However, why pay so much? Drop our Big 5 status, take our place in the semi-finals with everyone else, use the £300,000 on better programming at home, sounds like a good solid plan to me. If we don't get to the final, it's unlikely to make much of a difference to the result anyway and I wouldn't have to record Britain's Got Talent for a week.
It's not as if it's a musical treat, this years winners sounded off, especially the 2nd time where no doubt they'd had a glass of champagne or 2 backstage, who wouldn't when rich westerners are supplying? Jedward could barely be heard over their backing singers, blue were surprisingly OK, but nothing more. There were a few random warbelling women, but nothing you think...wow, hand me the album! I doubt iTunes is currently down from the demand of any of the tracks, it's generally... blah.
(The iTuines snide remark prompted me to check... Jedward #40 Blue #16 & 50 Lena #100 (with the 2010 song not this years)
The absolute highlight used to be Terry Wogan, at the end he could almost write the results out before the contest and just hand them in. The fact he'd become so cynical about the contest he almost held it in contempt was never hidden and as a result he was funny and entertaining, something which he still is when interviewed about the show. While Norton took a huge stride in that direction this year, he's not nearly cynical enough to give the contest the commentary it deserves, give him 2 or 3 years and he'll be there though. If it's still on (here's hoping).
Of what I've initially read also, next years host country (as they won it) Azerbaijan is 4 hours ahead of us. But the time will remain constant to satisfy TV in German, France, UK etc. So it'll start at midnight local time and finish at pushing 4am, that's quite crap from their perspective.
Saying all that, I'm now watching Most Haunted, so I may know squat about good TV.
Well I watched it, it'd be a stretch to call it good, it was... what it always is. There's plenty of things you could moan about. The fact that every former Russian state votes for it's fellow former Russian states (maybe they should form some kind of union, a Union of Soviet Socialist Republics if you will), the former Yugoslav countries doing the same, us and Ireland not... (well 1 way).
While these voting 'patterns' exist the UK is never going to win, everyone realistically knows this, so why as one of the 'big 5' (welcome back Italia) do we continue to fund it. The BBC at the moment is quick to bemoan lack of funding, having to stretch it's budget, so why pour money into this giant freak show each year? Last year apparently almost £300,000 was spent on the contest that's without sending our act on promotional tours and them attending, hotels etc, no doubt tonight's 'treat' at least equalled that, and next years will be higher again. Is this a good use of public cash? I think not. Or even if ITV took it over and paid for it with advertising. No hit on the public, no concern of mine.
I've no problem with the UK entering, this year at least it kept Anthony Costa away from cash points for a few weeks and stopped the whole group having to sign on for a while, so it's almost a public service. However, why pay so much? Drop our Big 5 status, take our place in the semi-finals with everyone else, use the £300,000 on better programming at home, sounds like a good solid plan to me. If we don't get to the final, it's unlikely to make much of a difference to the result anyway and I wouldn't have to record Britain's Got Talent for a week.
It's not as if it's a musical treat, this years winners sounded off, especially the 2nd time where no doubt they'd had a glass of champagne or 2 backstage, who wouldn't when rich westerners are supplying? Jedward could barely be heard over their backing singers, blue were surprisingly OK, but nothing more. There were a few random warbelling women, but nothing you think...wow, hand me the album! I doubt iTunes is currently down from the demand of any of the tracks, it's generally... blah.
(The iTuines snide remark prompted me to check... Jedward #40 Blue #16 & 50 Lena #100 (with the 2010 song not this years)
The absolute highlight used to be Terry Wogan, at the end he could almost write the results out before the contest and just hand them in. The fact he'd become so cynical about the contest he almost held it in contempt was never hidden and as a result he was funny and entertaining, something which he still is when interviewed about the show. While Norton took a huge stride in that direction this year, he's not nearly cynical enough to give the contest the commentary it deserves, give him 2 or 3 years and he'll be there though. If it's still on (here's hoping).
Of what I've initially read also, next years host country (as they won it) Azerbaijan is 4 hours ahead of us. But the time will remain constant to satisfy TV in German, France, UK etc. So it'll start at midnight local time and finish at pushing 4am, that's quite crap from their perspective.
Saying all that, I'm now watching Most Haunted, so I may know squat about good TV.
Thursday, 12 May 2011
Radio
I read news today that radio listening reached an all new high recently, something approaching 48m people, an impressive number.
I;'m assuming the advent of digital radio, improved sound quality etc helps, but on a personal level, I do find the standard of radio to have fallen quite allot. That of course depends on the station, some stations are good some not so good, as you'd expect.
My personal pet hate is Radio 1, I'm not going to start having a go at the music, that's not what I'm talking about here, I'm on about the presenting. Look at a selection Radio 1's line up
Moyles & co: My god could I dislike a man more, yes he's done stuff for charity but he'd have to climb a ladder to the moon to get any joy from me. I find him a big headed, self serving, unprofessional, annoying man. I'd honestly rather listen to the sound of water dripping than him. Never have I known a man think quite so much of himself, if his radio 'persona' is an accurate representation of him personally, I pity anyone living within 15 miles of him. Compare him to Radio 2's excellent Chris Evans (who in all fairness used to be like that, but grew up, something I can't see Moyles doing.) and there's no wonder he's losing ratings to him. The worst part is his seemingly mindless core of listeners who will do anything he says... Don't get me started on that div of a co-presenter/producer Aled. No wonder people think the Welsh are thick.
Remember Mark and Lard? Both still working of course, but they used to absolutely rule afternoon radio! Genius! Well now we have Greg James. I mean honestly where do they find these people and their local radio standard links etc? While not in Moyles' league I don't find the guy interesting, informative, anything, he's like background music between songs, the presenters (I'm not saying DJs) need personality.
Then there's Scott Mills who's like Greg James in a number of ways, once again he couldn't engage me if he got my phone number and rang me, I'd still zone out while he was talking about his favourite subject... himself. Once again Radio 2, with the award winning Simon Mayo trump here.
There's also the thoroughly empty Ferne Cotton, but she is better than the name dropping master that was Jo Whiley, so I'll give radio 1 credit there. There's more but they've never got past nameless voice to me, and never given me any desire to find out more. Wasn't one of them in Dr Who at some point?
So after reading that you're probably thinking just listen to Radio 2 or Nation (good music... dreadful presenting, proper local radio stuff) you miserable fucker, well OK I do. It's 90% of the time one or the other. But these mothertruckers from Radio 1 do turn up regularly other places and sometimes they're hard to avoid. Yes, so does Chris Evans, but I do like him!
So in short bring back Mark and Lard, end of. Or Radcliffe and Maconie. Or even better do some super show with Mark, Lard and Maconie! Yeah, now we're talking.
A wise man once said, "I'm pretty sure AM on my radio stands for absolute moron, I won't tell you what FM stands for." Sounds good to me!
I say wise man, it was Jasper Carrott...
I;'m assuming the advent of digital radio, improved sound quality etc helps, but on a personal level, I do find the standard of radio to have fallen quite allot. That of course depends on the station, some stations are good some not so good, as you'd expect.
My personal pet hate is Radio 1, I'm not going to start having a go at the music, that's not what I'm talking about here, I'm on about the presenting. Look at a selection Radio 1's line up
Moyles & co: My god could I dislike a man more, yes he's done stuff for charity but he'd have to climb a ladder to the moon to get any joy from me. I find him a big headed, self serving, unprofessional, annoying man. I'd honestly rather listen to the sound of water dripping than him. Never have I known a man think quite so much of himself, if his radio 'persona' is an accurate representation of him personally, I pity anyone living within 15 miles of him. Compare him to Radio 2's excellent Chris Evans (who in all fairness used to be like that, but grew up, something I can't see Moyles doing.) and there's no wonder he's losing ratings to him. The worst part is his seemingly mindless core of listeners who will do anything he says... Don't get me started on that div of a co-presenter/producer Aled. No wonder people think the Welsh are thick.
Remember Mark and Lard? Both still working of course, but they used to absolutely rule afternoon radio! Genius! Well now we have Greg James. I mean honestly where do they find these people and their local radio standard links etc? While not in Moyles' league I don't find the guy interesting, informative, anything, he's like background music between songs, the presenters (I'm not saying DJs) need personality.
Then there's Scott Mills who's like Greg James in a number of ways, once again he couldn't engage me if he got my phone number and rang me, I'd still zone out while he was talking about his favourite subject... himself. Once again Radio 2, with the award winning Simon Mayo trump here.
There's also the thoroughly empty Ferne Cotton, but she is better than the name dropping master that was Jo Whiley, so I'll give radio 1 credit there. There's more but they've never got past nameless voice to me, and never given me any desire to find out more. Wasn't one of them in Dr Who at some point?
So after reading that you're probably thinking just listen to Radio 2 or Nation (good music... dreadful presenting, proper local radio stuff) you miserable fucker, well OK I do. It's 90% of the time one or the other. But these mothertruckers from Radio 1 do turn up regularly other places and sometimes they're hard to avoid. Yes, so does Chris Evans, but I do like him!
So in short bring back Mark and Lard, end of. Or Radcliffe and Maconie. Or even better do some super show with Mark, Lard and Maconie! Yeah, now we're talking.
A wise man once said, "I'm pretty sure AM on my radio stands for absolute moron, I won't tell you what FM stands for." Sounds good to me!
I say wise man, it was Jasper Carrott...
Thursday, 5 May 2011
Interviews!
Before I start, I will openly admit I really don't rate myself at interviews. I don't know if it's the confrontational nature of the across the table style they're traditionally carried out in or what, but I tend to talk crap and make myself look bad.
Well today I had... an interview. It was to join the lovely IT department in work, and although I have no idea if I have the job as of yet, if I had to guess I'd say... no.
By nature I'm a reasonably introverted person (as for some unknown reason I choose to point out today), any of my friends will vouch for this, I generally let conversation pass me by unless I have something useful, funny, incitefull, etc to add. This makes me come across as sometimes quiet (fair enough!) and sometimes distant (not always fair enough). In an interview situation each question has to be answered, and answered quickly and by me. No more waiting for my moment to strike, it's everyone stare at the shy boy.. come on... speak. I try I really do, but I don't think I've ever left an interview going, "Yeah, in the bag mofo, sign me up", today was no exception to that rule.
Worst thing is I can't really put my finger on what was sooooo bad, I think I put across knowledge reasonably well, I put across skills and personality reasonably well, I even used the odd touch of humour, which made them smile, not laugh though... But my brain knows I could have done better. I will also do the introvert thing now of analyse every second of it to the point where I can break it down and write a report on it, nothing beats over analysing stuff you can't do anything about!
To be honest my interview skills are shaky to the point I'm surprised I have a job at all, let alone at a company I like working for, so I can't complain. Equally I can't change my nature and who I am, I'm better now than I ever have been, but I'll never be extroverted and outgoing, that's my lot, and to be fair there are signs my child has some of the same traits!!
Once I've had a pint though the above rules don't always apply!
Well today I had... an interview. It was to join the lovely IT department in work, and although I have no idea if I have the job as of yet, if I had to guess I'd say... no.
By nature I'm a reasonably introverted person (as for some unknown reason I choose to point out today), any of my friends will vouch for this, I generally let conversation pass me by unless I have something useful, funny, incitefull, etc to add. This makes me come across as sometimes quiet (fair enough!) and sometimes distant (not always fair enough). In an interview situation each question has to be answered, and answered quickly and by me. No more waiting for my moment to strike, it's everyone stare at the shy boy.. come on... speak. I try I really do, but I don't think I've ever left an interview going, "Yeah, in the bag mofo, sign me up", today was no exception to that rule.
Worst thing is I can't really put my finger on what was sooooo bad, I think I put across knowledge reasonably well, I put across skills and personality reasonably well, I even used the odd touch of humour, which made them smile, not laugh though... But my brain knows I could have done better. I will also do the introvert thing now of analyse every second of it to the point where I can break it down and write a report on it, nothing beats over analysing stuff you can't do anything about!
To be honest my interview skills are shaky to the point I'm surprised I have a job at all, let alone at a company I like working for, so I can't complain. Equally I can't change my nature and who I am, I'm better now than I ever have been, but I'll never be extroverted and outgoing, that's my lot, and to be fair there are signs my child has some of the same traits!!
Once I've had a pint though the above rules don't always apply!
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
The I.T. Crowd
There's not massive amounts of TV programs that I like these days. We frequently see schedules cramped up with endless streams of reality bullshit, hopeless celebrity programs and talent shows. In fact I'm pretty sure I may have mumped on about this before.
However, there is good TV out there! Yesterday, using the last of my free trial from Amazon Prime (cracking service... not paying £50 a month to use it infrequently) 2 items dropped through my door. The first item was the 3 disc Anchorman/Wake up Ron Burgundy set (£3.99 when I ordered it, bargain and a true classic Will Ferrell film + extras!) and the second was The I.T. Crowd 4.0, which nicely supplements my versions 1-3 boxset!
The writer of this little slice of comedy gold for Channel 4 is a man by the name of Graham Linehan who also has such things as Father Ted and Black Books on his CV, he seems to be pretty good on the whole! However, the undoubted star of the show is Richard Ayoade who is an absolute delight as Moss and apparently, based on his first film, a pretty decent prospect as a director.
The show particularly appeals to 'the likes of' (to use someone elses phrasing) me as it uses quite allot of geeky humour and references but also has enough of general and observational humour to reach past that and appeal to a wider audience (e.g. Cerys likes it too).
The news that a 5th series will be complete and on screens this year is an undoubted bonus and will make my £8-£10 lighter in the pocket as soon as it's available. Even though I was a bit late on this one...
If I had to compare it.. it would be difficult, maybe somewhere in between The Big Bang Theory and The Guild but even that doesn't sit quite right.
Much recommended, but you probably guessed that by now.
However, there is good TV out there! Yesterday, using the last of my free trial from Amazon Prime (cracking service... not paying £50 a month to use it infrequently) 2 items dropped through my door. The first item was the 3 disc Anchorman/Wake up Ron Burgundy set (£3.99 when I ordered it, bargain and a true classic Will Ferrell film + extras!) and the second was The I.T. Crowd 4.0, which nicely supplements my versions 1-3 boxset!
The writer of this little slice of comedy gold for Channel 4 is a man by the name of Graham Linehan who also has such things as Father Ted and Black Books on his CV, he seems to be pretty good on the whole! However, the undoubted star of the show is Richard Ayoade who is an absolute delight as Moss and apparently, based on his first film, a pretty decent prospect as a director.
The show particularly appeals to 'the likes of' (to use someone elses phrasing) me as it uses quite allot of geeky humour and references but also has enough of general and observational humour to reach past that and appeal to a wider audience (e.g. Cerys likes it too).
The news that a 5th series will be complete and on screens this year is an undoubted bonus and will make my £8-£10 lighter in the pocket as soon as it's available. Even though I was a bit late on this one...
If I had to compare it.. it would be difficult, maybe somewhere in between The Big Bang Theory and The Guild but even that doesn't sit quite right.
Much recommended, but you probably guessed that by now.
May the 4th be with you
That's right everybody, it's Star Wars day!
This time as well for some added pointlessness there's been some kind of countdown to the day on starwars.com, indicating some new announcement. Please God don't be any more films.
But does Star Wars deserve this kind of attention? For a start I'm a fan of the first 3 films, and by first I mean initial, parts 4, 5 and 6. All except 6 are older than I am, but there is still something about them that makes them classic films, if I had to choose I'm more of a trek than a wars fan, but you can't deny the quality here.
Then there's the prequals... why? Apart from the last half hour or so of the third an absolute waste of time. I mean honestly, what the fuck is jaja binks? (or however you spell it).
I do feel over the years the franchise has been pushed to absolute breaking point, the new films were blatant cashing in on popularity, and as a money making exercise they worked. The original films have been reworked and changed and remastered and god knows what so many times, banged in a box and released it just leaves a bitter taste on times. Yes, that includes the Family Guy efforts.
And now this announcement today, if there is one, what is it? Remake? More films? I hope not!More cartoons, more likely. Some crap remastered new boxset, seems most possible. Either way can't see me buying it. But it probably will be what ever Lucas thinks he can make the most money out of at the moment.
I just hope (a new hope, get it??) he starts seeing it as a body of work not a cash point. Although I don't begrudge Mark Hamill the cash as he never really worked again did he. Poor bloke, especially when you think Harrison Ford did so well.
This time as well for some added pointlessness there's been some kind of countdown to the day on starwars.com, indicating some new announcement. Please God don't be any more films.
But does Star Wars deserve this kind of attention? For a start I'm a fan of the first 3 films, and by first I mean initial, parts 4, 5 and 6. All except 6 are older than I am, but there is still something about them that makes them classic films, if I had to choose I'm more of a trek than a wars fan, but you can't deny the quality here.
Then there's the prequals... why? Apart from the last half hour or so of the third an absolute waste of time. I mean honestly, what the fuck is jaja binks? (or however you spell it).
I do feel over the years the franchise has been pushed to absolute breaking point, the new films were blatant cashing in on popularity, and as a money making exercise they worked. The original films have been reworked and changed and remastered and god knows what so many times, banged in a box and released it just leaves a bitter taste on times. Yes, that includes the Family Guy efforts.
And now this announcement today, if there is one, what is it? Remake? More films? I hope not!More cartoons, more likely. Some crap remastered new boxset, seems most possible. Either way can't see me buying it. But it probably will be what ever Lucas thinks he can make the most money out of at the moment.
I just hope (a new hope, get it??) he starts seeing it as a body of work not a cash point. Although I don't begrudge Mark Hamill the cash as he never really worked again did he. Poor bloke, especially when you think Harrison Ford did so well.
Tuesday, 3 May 2011
Championship football
Not often I hit on sport that isn't tennis but here I go.
I believe sports should be decided on the relative abilities of the sportspersons playing it, and based on what I've seen of the English 2nd tier this year (not much) QPR are the best of a not particularly amazing bunch. However, there's a distinct possibility the league will be decided on an FA decision on if they are to be docked points for a back room offence in 2009.
They signed a player but the image rights were a third parties, which after the West Ham , Carlos Tevez debacle was made illegal.
Yes, it appears they have broken the rules, but does the player ownership affect the way he plays on the pitch, the rule breach is a financial one and therefore I think so should the punishment. Yes make it significant, yes make it hurt the club, the players have played within the 'on the pitch' rules and earned promotion, this should be how that promotion is decided.
The other point is clubs who have failed to earn promotion could benefit from this, 3rd placed side Cardiff (quite local to me, but I'm not a fan by any stretch) could be elevated to 2nd place and go up. Considering how well they've played when I've seen them this doesn't seem right, particularly the way they played yesterday on Sky! There's a chance that the 4th placed side Swansea (equally as local, bit more of a fan) could pass Cardiff on the last day, but it's highly unlikely, but even though I prefer them, it wouldn't be right. I can't honestly think any of the fans of the club would want to go up essentially 'by default'.
Therefore I hope the FA punish QPR, they broke the rules and I think they'll struggle to argue that aspect of the charge, however don't decide the league on it!
Saying that I primarily support Merthyr FC, who as Merthyr Tydfil (Now Merthyr Town) avoided relegation from the Conference (what would be now National) a couple of times on technicalities in the 90s. So maybe it's OK sometimes, when it suits me!
Right Blue are about to be on the TV in the break room, so I'm off before they start trying to sing/mime.
I believe sports should be decided on the relative abilities of the sportspersons playing it, and based on what I've seen of the English 2nd tier this year (not much) QPR are the best of a not particularly amazing bunch. However, there's a distinct possibility the league will be decided on an FA decision on if they are to be docked points for a back room offence in 2009.
They signed a player but the image rights were a third parties, which after the West Ham , Carlos Tevez debacle was made illegal.
Yes, it appears they have broken the rules, but does the player ownership affect the way he plays on the pitch, the rule breach is a financial one and therefore I think so should the punishment. Yes make it significant, yes make it hurt the club, the players have played within the 'on the pitch' rules and earned promotion, this should be how that promotion is decided.
The other point is clubs who have failed to earn promotion could benefit from this, 3rd placed side Cardiff (quite local to me, but I'm not a fan by any stretch) could be elevated to 2nd place and go up. Considering how well they've played when I've seen them this doesn't seem right, particularly the way they played yesterday on Sky! There's a chance that the 4th placed side Swansea (equally as local, bit more of a fan) could pass Cardiff on the last day, but it's highly unlikely, but even though I prefer them, it wouldn't be right. I can't honestly think any of the fans of the club would want to go up essentially 'by default'.
Therefore I hope the FA punish QPR, they broke the rules and I think they'll struggle to argue that aspect of the charge, however don't decide the league on it!
Saying that I primarily support Merthyr FC, who as Merthyr Tydfil (Now Merthyr Town) avoided relegation from the Conference (what would be now National) a couple of times on technicalities in the 90s. So maybe it's OK sometimes, when it suits me!
Right Blue are about to be on the TV in the break room, so I'm off before they start trying to sing/mime.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)