So....
Almost a week has passed since my most recent blog entry, and my 20th birthday has come and gone in the meantime. I had an enjoyable - albeit fruitless - night out in Guildford, and i got a bit of money from various relatives which is always nice. I can't help, however, to feel that the magic of birthdays is waning and it no longer feels special especially as i'm not longer classified as a teenager.
It's Spain vs Germany in the Euro 2008 Final which i'm happy about cos Spain are my team of the tournament. Let's just hope they can go all the way.
I'm getting a new TV, probably tomorrow, which should make things look much nicer through my Xbox 360.
Other than upgrading my bank card, nothing much else to mention.
I'm once again, in a state of equilibrium. Nothing is bad, nothing is amazing.
Saturday, 28 June 2008
Sunday, 22 June 2008
Viva Espana
It's 1:11am, i'm about to head to bed because today i've done one of only a few full shifts at work and i'm exhausted as a result.
Spain beat Italy on penalties earlier tonight and seeing as i've supported Spain throughout the tournament i'm delighted at this. They'll play Russia in the Semi Final and hopefully go on to face - most likely - Germany in the Final.
Also watched an episode of Curb on More4.
Good times.
Spain beat Italy on penalties earlier tonight and seeing as i've supported Spain throughout the tournament i'm delighted at this. They'll play Russia in the Semi Final and hopefully go on to face - most likely - Germany in the Final.
Also watched an episode of Curb on More4.
Good times.
Saturday, 21 June 2008
Saturday night.
The Russians have just beaten a very poor Dutch side, i'm tired from a 4 hour train journey - having returned from home a few hours ago - and i have work tomorrow.
I'm considering purchasing Top Spin 3 and the Collectors Edition of Alone in the Dark, both for the Xbox 360.
And if all goes to plan, i'll be 'hitting' the gym on Monday morning.
The Russians have just beaten a very poor Dutch side, i'm tired from a 4 hour train journey - having returned from home a few hours ago - and i have work tomorrow.
I'm considering purchasing Top Spin 3 and the Collectors Edition of Alone in the Dark, both for the Xbox 360.
And if all goes to plan, i'll be 'hitting' the gym on Monday morning.
Sunday, 15 June 2008
Late Night Blog
I type this entry, eyelids starting to close, as i anticipate a day of travelling tomorrow. I shall be heading home until the weekend and will be unable to blog in the meantime.
I'm converting various OC episodes to my iPod - in preparation for a 4 hour train journey - before i doze off. It's been a fairly average day - Turkey turned around a 2 goal deficit to beat the Czechs 3-2 in the European Championships and Portugal lost 2-0 to a rather normal Switzerland team. And, of course, i watched More4's airing of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Nothing says Sunday night more than a good old episode of CYE.
Adios until Saturday.
I'm converting various OC episodes to my iPod - in preparation for a 4 hour train journey - before i doze off. It's been a fairly average day - Turkey turned around a 2 goal deficit to beat the Czechs 3-2 in the European Championships and Portugal lost 2-0 to a rather normal Switzerland team. And, of course, i watched More4's airing of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Nothing says Sunday night more than a good old episode of CYE.
Adios until Saturday.
Thursday, 12 June 2008
Grand Theft Auto 4 Review
So, i finally finished the game. Took me 39 hours so i missed out on the 30 hour achieve
ment but i don't care.
I really enjoyed the game. The visuals (other than the odd case of pop-in) were remarkable. The water effects were brilliant with the sea reflecting the city lights, and the rain during thunderstorms (which were also great due to some great lightning effects) was very well executed.
The gameplay mechanics have been much improved since the last games and other than some terrible up-close combat issues i was very impressed with the cover system. The ability to fire RPGs whilst in cover work well, not so when trying to use a sniper rifle.
The characters are likeable though i felt there were too many at certain times so some were forgotten (Jimmy, Ray and Phil). Packie, Lil' Jacob, Brucie and Roman are all great characters, for you actually feel a connection with them especially Packie and Roman. Lil' Jacob's accent is fantastic, but you need subtitles to understand what he's actually saying. Brucie screams energy in every piece of dialogue, his character is about as 'alpha' as it gets. Packie is a charming gangster, part of the Irish pack, becomes a worthy adversary and his voice seems calm enough in every situation to assert confidence and faith. Roman is the loveable rogue. He lies to Niko, telling him he has a penthouse ready when in reality it's actually a grimey flat. But as the game progresses we see him for the naive, protective man he really is.
The missions structure was a little wayward, some mission types got repetitive and others were either very easy or just frustrating (objects occasionally getting in the way and having to restart the whole mission again). The ending was a tad short i felt, and could have been made a bit more 'epic', though the sentiments echoed at the end of the game and the subsequent events are certainly touching.
Even so, it's a solid 9/10 for me.
I loved it, and although it doesn't beat GTA 3 in terms of atmosphere, initial impact and overall game experience it's certainly a fantastic iteration in the GTA series. Here's to more current-gen GTA offerings of this calibre.
ment but i don't care.I really enjoyed the game. The visuals (other than the odd case of pop-in) were remarkable. The water effects were brilliant with the sea reflecting the city lights, and the rain during thunderstorms (which were also great due to some great lightning effects) was very well executed.
The gameplay mechanics have been much improved since the last games and other than some terrible up-close combat issues i was very impressed with the cover system. The ability to fire RPGs whilst in cover work well, not so when trying to use a sniper rifle.
The characters are likeable though i felt there were too many at certain times so some were forgotten (Jimmy, Ray and Phil). Packie, Lil' Jacob, Brucie and Roman are all great characters, for you actually feel a connection with them especially Packie and Roman. Lil' Jacob's accent is fantastic, but you need subtitles to understand what he's actually saying. Brucie screams energy in every piece of dialogue, his character is about as 'alpha' as it gets. Packie is a charming gangster, part of the Irish pack, becomes a worthy adversary and his voice seems calm enough in every situation to assert confidence and faith. Roman is the loveable rogue. He lies to Niko, telling him he has a penthouse ready when in reality it's actually a grimey flat. But as the game progresses we see him for the naive, protective man he really is.
The missions structure was a little wayward, some mission types got repetitive and others were either very easy or just frustrating (objects occasionally getting in the way and having to restart the whole mission again). The ending was a tad short i felt, and could have been made a bit more 'epic', though the sentiments echoed at the end of the game and the subsequent events are certainly touching.
Even so, it's a solid 9/10 for me.
I loved it, and although it doesn't beat GTA 3 in terms of atmosphere, initial impact and overall game experience it's certainly a fantastic iteration in the GTA series. Here's to more current-gen GTA offerings of this calibre.
Tuesday, 10 June 2008
The OC and Late Nights
As i sit here, typing this entry at 1:36am, watching episode 8 of Season Three of The OC, i realise just how annoying Marissa is. Sure she's hot, but so's Ashley Judd and i don't see her moaning about life.
Marissa's character has always annoyed me. She's a stuck-up, naive, incessant hag who always gets herself and those around her, into trouble.
She can never seem to do things right. Thankfully she dies at the end of Season 3.
As for the late night part of this entry, i want to draw attention to my sleep pattern. I was awake til gone 4am on Monday morning, didn't sleep til 8am this morning and right now it's coming up to 2am and i don't feel tired enough to warrant going to sleep. I need to sort this out.
Marissa's character has always annoyed me. She's a stuck-up, naive, incessant hag who always gets herself and those around her, into trouble.
She can never seem to do things right. Thankfully she dies at the end of Season 3.
As for the late night part of this entry, i want to draw attention to my sleep pattern. I was awake til gone 4am on Monday morning, didn't sleep til 8am this morning and right now it's coming up to 2am and i don't feel tired enough to warrant going to sleep. I need to sort this out.
Quick update.
Salmon and cucumber sandwiches are lovely.
Spain can play some very sexy football, let's hope they don't fluff their chances of winning the Euros like they did at the World Cup in 2006, when they beat the Ukraine (scoring 4 goals then as well) but lost out to France in later rounds.
Greece should never be allowed to play football again.
InnerPartySystem - Don't Stop, is a tune. If i can work out how to embed it on here, i shall.
That is all, Curb fans.
Salmon and cucumber sandwiches are lovely.
Spain can play some very sexy football, let's hope they don't fluff their chances of winning the Euros like they did at the World Cup in 2006, when they beat the Ukraine (scoring 4 goals then as well) but lost out to France in later rounds.
Greece should never be allowed to play football again.
InnerPartySystem - Don't Stop, is a tune. If i can work out how to embed it on here, i shall.
That is all, Curb fans.
5 O'Clock Wake Up
Having woken up at 5pm today, due to an excessive speech i received from the hours of 4am to 6:30am earlier this morning, i feel cranky and quite honestly shattered still.
I realise that people may not trust the government but to receive a two and a half hour lecture on the matter is tad over the top even if i do say so myself.
I'm now watching the Spain/Russia Euro 2008 game so i'm slightly happier but the the drowsiness i'm still experiencing cannot be a good sign.
Fortunately i did purchase a BLT sandwich and some Lucozade at the local shop this morning so i am stocked up in the refreshments department. Thank the Lord for 7am shop opening times.
I realise that people may not trust the government but to receive a two and a half hour lecture on the matter is tad over the top even if i do say so myself.
I'm now watching the Spain/Russia Euro 2008 game so i'm slightly happier but the the drowsiness i'm still experiencing cannot be a good sign.
Fortunately i did purchase a BLT sandwich and some Lucozade at the local shop this morning so i am stocked up in the refreshments department. Thank the Lord for 7am shop opening times.
Monday, 9 June 2008
My inaugural entry
Hello.
I am Joe Staunton, an alias. My blog, from today onwards, will feature the most mundane of details from my inept life. I will cover topics from films, television, music, politics, football and everyday life from a student perspective.
Along the way i will inevitably be mentioning the likes of Larry David, Jeff Gerstmann, Gil Grissom and other prominent figures in my life (as scary as that sounds).
Enjoy!
I am Joe Staunton, an alias. My blog, from today onwards, will feature the most mundane of details from my inept life. I will cover topics from films, television, music, politics, football and everyday life from a student perspective.
Along the way i will inevitably be mentioning the likes of Larry David, Jeff Gerstmann, Gil Grissom and other prominent figures in my life (as scary as that sounds).
Enjoy!
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