Useful tools

Useful Tools - Installs all the standard free programs most people used
Link Shortner - Shortens links for stuff like twitter
And Another - Another Shortner
Can You Run It - Game Requirements Tester
Iplayer Downloader - What It Says On The Tin
Geek Test - How Many Pokemon Can You Name?

That'll do for now

Review Aside

Forza aside, i've been busy at university working particularly on the A2 labs which resulted in 20 pages of work, more than i did all last year i recon. I've definatly got to know two people better this year than i did last year, those being Katherine and Matt, people i kinda knew before but now feel i know much better.
i've really enjoyed watching the end of the Grand Prix season although the last race seems rather pointless, it would perhaps be funny if button went round just trying to hit vetel off so that Barrichello comes second, but i think this might not happen...
I seem to spend all my time at the crazy girls house whether they're all there or not getting to know them all better this year.
On the other hand i'm sad i don't see Joe and Callum as much this year, i guess it's mainly because i saw them so much last year and now not so much. but that said it makes the time together even more special.

NICK GRIFFIN - surprised me, that he took the barrage of quite frankly abuse (deservedly or not) but still carried on saying what he wanted to say, i do believe he should have been on question time, but whether it was a good idea for him to actually go for it... anyway if they'd not let him on QT then David Cameron shouldn't be on either, the smarmy git.

Windows 7 - is good, but the graphics drivers for my laptop's card don't exist so i wait to see the full amazingness revealed

Fin

Forza Motorsport Review

I'm too lazy to come up with an original title.


Forza 3 - Well, after the disapointment of the formula one release date being shifted back, my attention shifted to the next racing game on the list, it was a difficult descision not to buy Modern Warfare 2 (well it wasn't) but im glad now.
Steering - well the handling seemed off to me initially but i then realised this is simply due to the realism of the game. the first thing i had to clear was simply, it's not Racedriver:Grid, perhaps my favorite game ever. where in Grid the cars are able to slide through corners, in Forza they are bolted to the road which is technically more realsistic, it means you have to steer round the corners rather than hurling at them then braking sharply and sliding the corner. In addition to this, the braking/steering mix is more realistic, in that the turning of the car is greatly affected (by understeer) while braking, also realistic.
Wheel - works better on Forza, as the drifting turning style on grid was difficult to perfect in First Person, whereas the game drives realistically so the wheel fits
Game Layout - still not realistic on either game, but atleast Forza's seasons have structure, there is a set number of races (depending on season number and progression) that take place every fortnight (in the game calendar) that are unmovable and the invervening weeks are each filled with a single 'event' that contains multiple races (normally 2-5). Not very realistic, but better than Grid's apparently random number of events followed by a 24h Le Mans race.
Damage - Is much better on Grid as far as car destruction goes, on grid a tiny slip had the car in the wall, completly destroyed and over propting a "you have destroyed your car" on Forza, it appears impossible to completly destroy a car, you can red line everything, but the car will still (kinda) run, allowing a limp to the Pit lane. The Pit Lane (Forza), is a fantastic idea, it means the car damage is not the end, and that any car damage (not aethetic) can be repaired and tyres replaced. Also Forza has ripped off the rewind function, not bad, it was a good function.
Car Customisiation - is fantastic! almost every element of the car can be customised, but only if you go in yourself and buy the custom parts, but for those who don't enjoy this, there is still a quick upgrade option which tunes the car to whatever class of car you desire as long as it can be upgraded that far (No R level Land Rovers). Painting isn't my thing, but the tools look good.
Range Of Cars - Due to customisation is better in Forza, but only just. Also there are less restrictive events due to the Class system. And the Manufacture breakdown rather than continent of origin is better in Forza.
Multiplayer - Grid doesn't have any. Forza's is good, not amazing, good. On the console it allows for 2 humans and 2 computers to race in any events, any cars with the added clinch of importing single player cars, to keep the customisation.
Online - I've yet to race online, but i'm impressed with the sharing capabilities of the game, sharing cars, designs, photos etc. is fantastic allowing people who don't like designing the cars to look fantastic to still access amazing looking cars


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Now playing: Bullet For My Valentine – Spit You Out
via FoxyTunes

A Real Post This Time

Spotify - is amazing, i think is a unanimous desicion. Spotify Premium - now there's a point, if you don't have an iphone/andriod then you don't need it (unless you have a hatred of little boots and mika). but with the release of the app, they've made it invite only to control demand. Fair enough but how many people were honestly premium members before? it can't have been a huge number. so the irony of the application is simply, they're 'probably' losing money by bringing out the app...


MUSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The album is out on monday 'The Resistance', from the 30 second clips that have been around for a few weeks i was worried that it wouldn't live up to expectations, leaked on tuesday (which i didn't torrent) then released piece by piece on Muse.mu (members only) and the guardian site.

I've now listened to it all, and it's good, it's muse and it's good. There isn't a song on it i didn't like outright, but im sure oppinions will grow the more i listen to it.

Exogenesis is the most amazing piece of music i've listened to in a long time, i can't describe why, but something inside me has had me listening to it quite alot recently... The CD it'self should arrive on monday then i'll listen to the other songs some more.


Life - Retake went well just worring now as the gap between exam and now has been too short, not long enough to forget it, and too close to the start of term to make me comfortable, ironically whenever the results were it wouldnt make a difference but as it's so close to term i struggle to get excited about returning with it hanging over my head. Having Joe, Jet and Callum stay was fantastic up there with the best weeks of my life, thanks alot guys.


Music - Other than muse, a certain spotify playlist has been taking over my music listening to recently, made on both itunes (more on this later) and Spotify (missing some songs :( ) but a catalougue of all the songs i currently want to listen to - ranging from dire straits to bryan adams, snow patrol to hey monday and paramore to nickelback. The heavier songs are missing but the mood hasnt been right recently - Playlist 3.4


Itunes - well arn't apple spiteful making this version unusable on the palm pre (apparently now itunes detects when devices are imitating ipods)


Paramore - We Got Tickets!!!! (2 so far but i'm getting callums later)


MTV Exit - Check it out not many things make me think as much as this did.


Xbox - I FIXED THE CONTROLLER :), and also enjoyed the marvel that is the intricacies of the xbox wireless controller. I might write a guide at some point, as it appears to be a common problem. Also, sad to discover the release date for the Codemaster Formula 1 game has been shifted to september 2010... a year after the Wii.


Facebook Lite - Check it out, application free, very basic, really good layout. i might start using it instead.

Right that'll do.

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Now playing: Bryan Adams – Kids Wanna Rock
via FoxyTunes

Better?

i'll do i propper post when something interesting happens

Exams/Post Exams

Ironic really that i was always looking for ways to procrastinate when i should have been revising which in honesty i did alot of, that i didnt update my blog. All the exams went OK, some better some worse but thats to be expected really.

Since the exams, ive done bugger all if im honest, i've completed assassins creed which i managed to get for the nice price of £7.49 which was nice. Also been hanging out alot with Joe, Jet and Callum, which have been some of the best days ever!

I also got a job at TJ Hughes, again, which is ace, it's just weekends but it should be enough to make ends meet over the summer. my plans for which are a bit hazy at the moment. although i wanna go hang out with Joe and Callum, and Phil mentioned something about Maddness...

Beyond that i'm off home tommorrow morning, just to confirm everything about the job.

Shallow Life - Lacuna Coil

New album so i thought i'd post my thoughts, overall a very good album, they were amazing when i saw them live in november and i've been listening to them more and more recently, so i bought the album when it came out on monday, given that it didnt arrive til wednesday. I've been listening to it in the car and on my laptop. It's definatly new, still has all the qualities of old Lacuna Coil with something new, still driven very much so by Cristina Scabbia's vocals, and some nice drum/bass rhythms as always, but as they said before release, the lyrics are definatly better both in meaning and pronunciation. I have to say my favourite songs are the first three (Survive, I Won't Tell You and Not Enough) along with Spellbound and The Maze, but i wouldnt say any song is bad, an overall very good album. Glad i bought it. Just waiting on the tour now...

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Now playing: Lacuna Coil - The Maze
via FoxyTunes

What most people honestly think

http://www.truveo.com/Police-officer-hit-G20-woman/id/1430629839

RIGHT, the policeman, surrounded by people harassing, pushing against him, and then someone starts runing up to him, pushing, shouting, so he hit her back, she then comes at him again, so to stop this occuring again he strikes out, and then she "was offered money by the papers" didnt ask for any (my arse). i think (like probably most people) he was well within his rights to defend himself, as his coleuges, would protestors would be banned from protesting for attacking the police???

im done.

Holiday

The cheapest fortnight ever, having not drawn out any money in the entire time, boding well!!!

and well since it got removed from facebook it had to be kept in immortality (sorry joe)

Pefect comments on Joe's attack by a rabbit

yeah, terribly traumatising...not!
i was there, it wasnt a vicious rabbit, it just happened to scratch you as it tried to escape from your evil clutches :P
funniest bit was that it got your wrist though, so now you look slightly emo...

Short of this ive been revising hard! and completing hawx.


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Now playing: Paramore - Decode
via FoxyTunes

Easter

I'm home for easter, i have four weeks off but there going to be pretty packed, still no gigs but a hope of download.
-
Did have a fantastic last week though, as shown by - Jet & Joe Sober - a video i can guarantee was a completly sober experiance, really good laugh though, i will point out, this was a very out of proportion game of chicken (kinda) with niether of them wanting to let go first.

Beyond that, new guard codex out in may, something im going to have to buy along with some of the good looking models.

And finally Tom Clancy - HAWX, the best combat flight sim ive ever played, i separate because im not a fan of realistic flight sims what so ever. Loved every minute i played on it, continuing my love of TC games, Rainbow 6, Ghost Recon etc. I'm gonna buy it once i can afford it asap!

that'll do, i wish i could put something witty along with this, but i dont have anything atm, appart from a link to this - Rock, Paper, Cynic - a fantastic new webcomic i found and love, this is one of the best ive seen on it, but love most of them if im honest.

That'll do i think (some awesome Breaking Benjamin on though)

i've also decided to hyperlink shuff

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Now playing: Breaking Benjamin - So Cold [Acoustic]
via FoxyTunes

I Went To The Shop And I Bought

An Apple
A Banana
A Carrot
A Diggerydoo
An Egg
Floss
A Goat
A Human-Being
Insecticide
Jugs
A Kangaroo
Loo Roll
A Monkey
A Nigerian
An Organ
A Piercing
A Queer
A Receipt
A Sausage
A Transit Van
A Umbrella
A Victorian
A Wellington Boot
A XXX Porn Magasine
A Yacht
A Zoo

one of the best nights ever, and the result of the single most f*ck*d up game ever (no offence meant to anyone etc...)

Arguemental

two weeks ago friday (seems longer than that) we went to see arguemental filmed in london. it was amazing we were sat behind the comedians and i was sat right behind Dara O Brien!!!!

Mammoth Task

Today im enjoying the pleasure of tranferring my music from its scattered loactions accros my computer into a new partition in my external harddrive, fun!

This week i start revising for my end of year exams, it may be premature, but the sooner i attempt to start the soon i propperly will.

N64 finally arrived, some good fun so far!

i've also started to upgrade my equiptment, having previously bought a new bass, ive now bought a new amp Peavey MICRObass, and im also buying an effects pedal to add fuzz to some of my lines, im getting a Bass Big Muff, which when i can find it cheaply enough i will buy.

Royal Fail

managed to deliver my controllers and games first, and hopefully the N64 will come tommorow...

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Now playing: Disturbed - Stricken
via FoxyTunes

So Much For Wednesday!

We signed the housing contract!!!!! on friday/saturday, apparently they dont do signings on a wednesday, then thye were snowwed out on thursday, so on friday dave, ian and i signed then dean signed on saturday, so no we have a house!!

also yesterday i bought an N64, retro!!!! should have hours of fun on that!

Besides that, im home on thursday night for Pizza with Rach, Tash & James.

Oh yea, and FREE week has made me think alot about my faith and i now know alot more but am also put out by some parts of it also...

but im not going to turn this into one of the theological debates i so often try to avoid!

about the music below, its on random, i had TTFATF earlier. mmm...

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Now playing: Dragonforce - Revolution Deathsquad
via FoxyTunes

Friday Night

I'm back home this weekend, just to see people, fetch a few things and chill.

on friday, we descided on a house and have paid the holding fee until we can sign for it on wednesday (finally), so we're getting on with it.

last night (friday night) i went to see Malevolent Aspect, the band of a friend, when they eventually made the stage, the gig was good, but the time it took to set up, was way to long. good tunes tho, then i walked a drunk Caillen home, best quote from last night must be
"I'd make an awesome murderer, but i'm too nice" - Ck

Besides that im just pillaging my parent music, and fetching stuff

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Now playing: Disturbed - Enough
via FoxyTunes

Staind

Staind

again with seether, i finally saw staind yesterday, playing an amazing set that had the best mix of songs i have ever heard, including an acoustic half way through and a completly unplugged encore (see picture 3) i also met Aaron later on when we were talking to Seether next to their tour bus. I also have a picture to add that i took of John with Aaron.
only dissapointment was the trainwreck during the set where after 3 false starts, the song was started half way through. shame considering what a fantastic set it was beyond this.

Seether

Seether Photos

last night we finally went and saw seether and staind, probably the gig with the best atmosphere i've ever been too, followed up by the fact that due to Fliss' determination, we actually met Seether in the pub afterwards and got to hang out with the techies and the crew along with the band! Probably the most awesome experiance of my life, i and honestly say i've met a famous person, and not just at some random press event but generally hung out, really pissed tho that my camera died during staind's set, but im getting some photos i took on John's phone to fill the gaps. We also hung out with Staind's crew as well as meeting Aaron Lewis as we watched the tour buses leave.

Passing Time

Staind on sunday, fliss is really excited and because of this we should get a good position as she intend to queue from like 11 or something, so we'll have to join her at a more reasonable hour.

I've refound the music of my youth i think, listening to Meat loaf and Bruce Springsteen, i'd forgotten quite how much i genuinely missed it.

I finally have Xbox live in my flat, but not really optimised for Ranked matched but should be fine for the odd social match, some R6V2 and GOW methinks. Im also having internal debates about whether i should download Castle Crashers, i wont deny its a fantastic game, but when its going to cost me a minimum of like £12... im sure ill sort myself out.

EDIT:- I Bought Castle Crashers

Im missing Emma as a friend, just someone from home to talk to.




(8) We Could Be So Much More Than We Are (8)
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Now playing: Alter Bridge - Before Tomorrow Comes
via FoxyTunes

Life is on the up!!!!

1) Kinda, i was having issues about housing but no more!!! i've been offered somewhere to live next year with some of the best people i've met since i came to uni, i've almost completly made up my mind and i will tell them later today or tommorow when ive slept on it, but i cant see anything changing my mind to be honest.

2) I've got an entire weekend with no more work! and my new bass arrived technically its a Ibanez GSR190LH rather than the GSR200L advertised, but at the price im not complaining, im now looking at a new bass amp to make the sound up to what it can be.

3) Emma is back in liverpool and now, and appears to be a having a good time which is good for her.

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Now playing: Meat Loaf - Two Out Of Three Ain't Bad
via FoxyTunes

Well, that sucks

Yesterday i got an email off emma simply saying that she didn't think it could go on, which would have been ok i guess, if she hadn't then also claimed stuff about her thinking that everyone thinks that we were not going to work. I'm just a tad worried, cus giving up really isnt her style... not alot i can do really, since she's blocked me on everything etc, along with Rachel, Tash and James, and now has gone off to uni.

in other news, im back at uni myself, and actually managed to get all my work done on time (mostly due tommorow) but some today, and ive also started recieving results from previous exams and its all going well so far.

i got a new Bass yesterday, it hasn't come yet but it's on the way, Its an Ibanez GSR200L, to go along with my Encore E4 Blaster (Shit i know) and now i got to descide whether to sell the Encore.

Lectures are pretty sparce this week, but looking at my future timetable its going to mount up rather steeply...

Just finishing my last lab report now, then on the the French work ive been putting off.

Just watching The Final Riot Dvd, pretty good but ive seen better live bands/DVDs

Staind next week


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Now playing: Lacuna Coil - Our Truth
via FoxyTunes