This is why I never wrap presents.
Archive
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/nickrobinson/ just goes to show that Absolute Power and real life have so much in common 
Apart from their inability to proof-read, Auntie are great. For decades they have been at the forefront of technology and broadcasting. The DG has once again pushed forward with their vision, and they are wanting the communities they serve to help.
If you haven’t seen it already take a look at http://backstage.bbc.co.uk and http://open.bbc.co.uk/reboot/
I’ll try and get some more detailed thought when I’m not at work.
For those not in the know, BBC Radio 1, are bringing their Big Weekend Festival to Dundee. Should be a good event for the area. I’m certainly looking forward to working it. A few days ago I signed up to the mailing list so I could get the latest information direct from the horses’ mouth. Shame they can’t employ someone to proof read what they are sending to 1000’s of people. I frankly expected better from Auntie 
Hello from all of us at Radio 1. We've been very busy setting up Radio 1's Big Weekend. We've confirmed most of the artists and the line-up is looking very good. We cannot tell you who they are yet but expect some big stars from the UK and America as well as cool new bands. Everyone we talk to in Dundee is very excited about the weekend. As well as taking over Camperdown Park we've got plans a big dance night in the city itself. In the run up the weekend Colin and Edith are going to tour around Scotland too. Make sure you are listening to Radio 1 on Monday 24 April when we will announce the line up and give you more information about how to get tickets. Do you live in Dundee or have you been there? We want to hear from you. We want loads of info, recommendations, photos and video of Dundee on our website. If you have a blog and you’ve wrote about Dundee send us a link. If you'd taken photos and they are online send us the link them or upload them to Flickr and add them to our group (http://www.flickr.com/groups/radio1bigweekend/). What we’d really like is short videos introducing us to Dundee. If you can film your favourite place or thing about Dundee send it in. You can upload them to a website and send the URL or email us the video. We are also looking for really good photographers and music writers to come to Radio 1’s Big Weekend and cover the event in their own way. If you are interested and write a blog send us a link. If you have a photographer and have photos online send us a link too. Email all your links and details to radio1.bigweekend@bbc.co.uk. Please remember we are unable to answer individual questions about the event, line up and tickets but you’ll find out all you need to know on our FAQs page: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend06/faqs.shtmlDon't forget to listen to Radio 1 and check the website on Monday 24 April when all will be revealed.In the meantime you can hear the special gig Red Hot Chili Peppers did for Radio 1: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/presents/rhcp/ Enjoy Radio 1
Well the site is finally starting to fall into place. A few things are still broken, and I’m trying to change the theme a little. Nothing major, just a few changes. The site is now hosted at Dreamhost things appear to be ok…. A little slow perhaps, but I’ll see how it pans out.
At work this morning I got the best bit of spam so far
My dog Toxi has to be happy again.
I only write this mail, because it is my last hope.
I am 16 years old and have a small puppy which I got 2 months ago.
His name is Toxi. Toxi was hit by a car 2 days ago and now he is just lying in his corner not getting up.
My father says, Toxi should be put to sleep, but the Doctor said there is a chance to operate.
But the operation is just to expensive for me.
What can I do, who can help me
Please write to me.
Don’t it just pull at your heartstrings
Things are slightly in a state of flux at the moment. Once things have settled down I’ll do a proper update.
Work is starting to get crazy busy again for the annual run up to E3. We have the potential to have a great looking build, which should hopefully pay off the closer we get to release.
A week ago Andy popped up with one of his colleagues from Codemasters, to visit Abertay regarding the course that Andy and I did so many years ago. Managed to meet up and get a few drinks and some great food from Jahangir. Much thanks to them for the grub. After all these years I’ll hopefully be able to give Andy his Jaguar Racing mug back
Haven’t been out on the streets as much as I’d like, however I was down at the Scottish Specials Conference held at the Scottish Police College. A good time was had by all. It was nice to see some Officers from Germany (and of course the other Scottish forces), I hope that they can learn some useful information from the Scottish Police service.
Finally I’ll be heading off to Tignes on Saturday for a snow boarding trip with Mike, Dave, Chris and Andy. Knowing my luck I’ll break a leg on my first day The hotel looks great, I’m starting to get excited and worried that I haven’t packed
Kerry and Cath popped around for some pizza and wine last night. Was nice to actually spend some time in the flat with some friends relaxing. However things turned slightly for the worse when my friend Nick pointed out that a cop in Lochee had been stabbed on duty. To be honest it has really shocked me. I knew that by joining the Special Constabulary, I, just like the officer yesterday, would be in potentially hostile and volatile situations. However I wasn’t really prepared for how I reacted emotionally. Initially there was shock, then anger, then a mixture of fear and worry, before back to anger again.
I guess one of the things that made me think about it a bit more, was that I’d just been to pick up my new stab vest.
From the information that is in the public domain, it would appear that the officer will be released from Ninewells shortly, and the offender will be in court on an attempted murder charge. I hope the cop gets well soon. Oh and one last thing, the poor lass had just been slashed, so the big JV thought he’d pop and show his support. Hasn’t she been through enough for one day 
Last Saturday night it was Laura’s birthday. So Charles and I headed upto someones flat for a suprise birthday for her. A good night of drinking games and general debauchery, before we all headed down to Fat Sams for some dancing. Whilst down there I bumped into Louise and I met her sister Rachel.
Headed back to the flat and fell asleep on the sofa. Sunday was a nice relaxing day, in which I cooked up at Charles’ flat then headed to Tonic and discovered that they are now doing live music on a Sunday evening which was a pleasant suprise.
Went out last Satruday night with Kerry and her friend Chris. Was good to see her and a lot of her friends since I hadn’t seen them for rather a long time. All was good, until I bumped into Sarah. I was perhaps not the nicest chap, and may just of been a tad insulting. Cest la vie.
Wednesday morning was spent at work as usual. However there was a certain amount of delight in the air as I got excited about the Brewers playing Man U that evening down at Old Trafford. Thanks to Kim, I’d been able to get tickets I left work at lunch time and headed to the station having previously, planned my journey to the smallest detail. However I should not underestimate my own stupidty. I got on my train in Dundee and travelled down to Edinburgh…. however I travelled a little too far. Getting off at Waverley instead of Haymarket.
I wondered why my train was early! So I sprinted to the train, just to get there as the train doors were closing. I have to admit that I nearly swore…. but thanks to the precense of a BTP Officer I managed to hold my tongue. I managed to get onto a York bound GNER service, although that cost me £50 However in the end I got there. The atmosphere was superb. The biggest ever away support at Old Trafford. I wouldn’t of missed it for the world. We lost 5 - 0, which was expected, although everyone had a good time. The evening was spent in a nice hotel, before having a look around the city art gallery and getting the train back up.
I’ve never really been much of a football supporter. Having been to a handful of games in my time. However this week I’ve already been to one match at Dundee United, and will be heading down to Manchester for the FA Cup replay against Burton Albion.
I’m really looking forward to it. Not just because of the football but because I’ll be a chance to catch up with some friends. I haven’t seen most people for a while. It’ll be good to be out of Dundee for a while too. Get my mind off of some things that have been niggling at the back of my mind.
Early Thursday morning was punctuated by several power spikes at work the last one of which fried my motherboard. That left me in the position of being able to do very little work for two days Very annoying. On the plus side I will get a very nice new machine. RAID mirrored, 4GB of RAM ( Most of our tools aren’t 64bit ready ), Dual cored. Should play Swat4 nicely 
I really do think that politicians aren’t the most honest of folks. Just a few days ago we had Mr Kennedy publicly admitting Westminsters worst kept secret, and now we have Mr Cameron going against thier previous policy on tuition fees. Just a few short months ago, during the election, the complete opposite was true. Do they really think that the public are so quick to forget!
Alas something in me thinks that we are
As Andrea so wonderfully put it
Message 4 - posted by andrea4thebrewers, 1 Hour Ago
YES! But most are down the pub, having gone for a Burton!
Yay for Burton Albion getting a 0-0 draw with Man U. We seemed to be the better team in the first half, and managed to fend them off in the second. The FA Cup is good for a game like this… the minnows have always got a chance against the big clubs. It did highlight the difference in fitness between the two sides.
Now I’m trying to sort tickets out for the rematch at Old Trafford. Should be good. Hopefully a lot of the town will make it. Its good for the club. Congrats to all involved in todays game.
On a sadder note former sports Minister Lord Stratford has passed away after suffering a major stroke. He was obviously ill, shame that the BBC accidentally published this http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/prep_obits_-_will_not_publish/4591570.stm URL on the main page of their website. Doh! As usual sympathy for the family members
This is perhaps the best blonde joke
Have a good laugh here
Well it turns out I’m pretty much broke. So I’ve spent a few minutes having a quick look at my finances. Rather simply I’ve applied for a Halifax One Credit Card, which I can do a balance transfer on at 0% pa for 12 months. Dead simple, quick, should save me some money and they have offered me a limit of £5300. Time to go shopping
Update:
That should of course say time to start saving
We should write a spoof called “Marrowing for the enquiring mind”
Well that’s exactly what I thought.
This whole festive season I’ve not actually felt that festive. So new years eve instead of heading out and getting pissed I headed upto Lochee and did a 7pm -> 3am night shift. Nothing that interesting happened. Dare I say it, but Lochee was rather quiet. By all accounts town wasn’t that mad either.
So with the new year upon me, time to think about what I plan to do with it. So far my list consists of
- Stop drinking booze - 3 1/2 weeks in already
- Concentrate on work more
- Lose some (more) weight
- Generally be healthier
- Learn to play the Saxophone
So not that interesting and certainly similar to a large number of people I imagine
Today has been rather lazy. I’ve managed to upload some more photos. Take a look at the gallery.
I’m currently in the process of doing a bit of spring cleaning. There should be a nice new installation of Wordpress 2.0. I’ve also been adding a few thigns I’ve wanted, like a current reading list (in the sidebar). Finally I’m sorting out the theme to use. Once that’s all done, I’ll start posting some stuff about the projects I’m working on. I think I’m going to have a go at some Lua and Visual Studio intergration.
