Welcome to JediMoose, ;)

Al's Links
Thought it might be a time to share some links to sites I regularly visit. I think mrBen might do one of his own eventually.

Comics

Publishers
DC Comics

Gaming

Collectable Card Games
Call Of Cthulhu - Based on the Call of Cthulhu RPG.
Wars - An original game using the Star Wars CCG (by Decipher) game engine.
Role-Playing Games
Chaosium - Makers of the Call Of Cthulhu & Stormbringer role-playing games.

Music

Bands
Iron Maiden
Marillion
Porcupine tree
Spock's Beard
Yes - The Ultimate Progressive Rock Band?

People

Friends
Psycho Chicken

Tech

Games
nVidia - Graphics cards and such.
Hardware
Creative - Sound cards, Mp3 Players and all manner of media tech.
Nomad World - Creative's MP3 player site.
nVidia - Graphics cards and such.
News
Slashdot

This will be updated in the same manner as my reading list. Occasionally and whenever I remember.

BigAl

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Back from Clan
Well, it's my first day back from work after my week at Clan Gathering in St Andrews.
It was great to get away for a week with Ruth, even though we were sharing accommodation with 4 other women... :( ...but that wasn't soooo bad, although they did go on about hair and shoes a bit much. (As women have a tendency to do.)
Eventually I will put a lengthy post up about all the happenings at Clan when I have it all worked out in my head. Loads happened and it's still taking time to process it all.
Coming home proves to be quite a sharp fall back to Earth with less than 4 weeks to go before the wedding. Ruth and I will both be glad to get all this behind us, it's becoming more stressful than we'd like.
And then there's the joys of coming back to work. Luckily I have enough work to keep me going for the moment, but I can see some time-wasting on the horizon.
Lucky me...

BigAl

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Almost at the weekend
It's just before 3 on friday afternoon, and there's only two hours of the working week to go. I'm feeling pretty good about stuff because this week has went really well (at work anyway) and I'm off next week.
I'm more relaxed right now than I've been in weeks, which isn't always the best state to be in at work. ;) But I can't say I care right now.
Tonight I'll off to the cinema to see The Day After Tomorrow.

BigAl

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Tampering with THX 1138
For those of you who don't know, THX 1138 was (as far as I can remember) George Lucas' first feature film.
It's about an underground, self-contained world which exists only to perpetuate itself. Robot policemen keep the peace and the population is kept under control through a careful drug use program. There is no love, no joy, no laughter. Humanity survives, but it's in a rare old state.
I love THX 1138, much like I love most SF, but THX is one of those films that shines.
But this isn't meant to be a film review.
Rumour has it that Lucas, not content with revising Star Wars, has returned to THX 1138 with the idea of digitally remastering it. Now that's not usually a bad thing, but he's going to add new backgrounds digitally change the look and feel of it and monkey around with it FOR NO GOOD REASON.
Come on George. Just leave it alone.
Do you have to go back and tinker with everything you've ever done?
I fear that this will go the way of Star Wars Special Editions which are now the "official" versions. The original trilogy, in it's original "untampered-with" form, will no longer exist and we will never have the chance of watching them again.
Isn't this just wrong? I've no problem with enhancing a movie, digitally or otherwise, but could you at least give us the choice of which version we can watch?
Something has to be done about Lucas, because this man really has a serious problem...

BigAl

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Unresolvable Daleks
So the Daleks won't be in the new series of Dr Who. And do I care? Well, no.
It's been blamed on either the BBC, being far too controlling, or the estate of Terry Nation (the old-boy who created the Daleks), having little enough control.
And as usual, the fans get it in the neck.
I, for one, am just happy that we're getting a return of the good Doctor at all. It's been far too long since the Doc was regularly on the Beeb and I'm willing to forgive the absence of the Daleks. After all, it's not like the Dalek episodes were the best ones.
What about the Master? He was always worth watching. But then any bad-guy with ridiculous facial hair gets my vote.
Or even the Cybermen. They have SO much potential.
And the universe is a big place. And the Doctor has a time/space machine. There's no limit to what they could do with him.
So, let's not harp on and on about the loss of the Daleks. There's always the next series. ;)

BigAl

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Blah, blah, blah
Oh, when will it ever end...
I know it's getting bad when the blog becomes the perfect friend.
I can witter p1sh at the blog and it doesn't get bored.
I can ignore it and it doesn't throw a huff.
I can talk to it for hours, about any subject, and it's still there waiting for more.
Oh, blah, blah, blah, I'm bored.
You may have guessed this.
It's just before midday and all my work has finished.
All? Well, maybe not all. There are a couple of queries I could be getting on with, but I'm saving them until after lunch. With any luck the system will crash or we'll suddenly be inundated with stuff to do, but I can't see it somehow.
Just as well I'm getting paid more for this than my previous job.
;)

BigAl

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Fast food fun
Did a bad thing today. June (from work) and I nipped up to the Burger King at the Great Western Retail Park just outside Drumchapel for lunch.
Ah, the temptation that is the Double Whopper with cheese...
Anyway, I've got a few thoughts to share about the experience (and these are in no particular order of importance):
1. Ever seen the film Falling Down? Do you ever get the burger that's seen better days? You know, that one that has been used as a football and reheated several times in the last week. Well, what's wrong with getting a burger that looks like the picture in the restaurant or in the adverts? I really don't need the burger to be hanging for dear life out one side of the bun with the salad hanging out the other. These buns aren't exactly small, so there should be plenty of space for everything.
2. The staff look miserable. And wouldn't you, having to work in this kind of production line environment for a not particularly impressive wage. Tell you what, lets pay them a decent amount, show them a bit of respect (it can't be an easy job), and make them feel a bit more valued. Which leads me on to point number 3...
3. Lets have enough staff in these places so that, when it is really busy (like it was today), they don't have to rush about like headless chickens, giving themselves an ulcer at 18, when they're getting my "mystery meat in a bun" meal together.
4. I'd be interested in what kind of training they get. I really am. After all, they're going to be partially responsible for the food-poisoning-related illness I'm going to suffer later on today. So it's in my best interests that I'm assured that it's the mystery meat and not undercooking or bad hygiene that's going to make the toilet my best friend when i get home.
And a final thought...
5. Why do I bother going to these places? I would enjoy roadkill more. Just spread barbeque sauce over it and stick it in a bun.
Lovely.

BigAl

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Al's reading list
I'm currently in the process of re-reading all my books and loads more...

The Waiting List

Space, Time And Nathaniel by Brian Aldiss
The Boy Who Kicked Pigs by Tom Baker
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
Martian Time-Slip by Philip K. Dick
Valis by Philip K. Dick
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
The Ghost Pirates by William Hope Hodgson
The House On The Borderland by William Hope Hodgson
The Night Land by William Hope Hodgson
The Wheel Of Time, Book One: The Eye Of The World by Robert Jordan
The Wheel Of Time, Book Two: The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
The Wheel Of Time, Book Three: The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan
The Wheel Of Time, Book Four: The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan
The Wheel Of Time, Book Five: The Fires Of Heaven by Robert Jordan
Salem's Lot by Stephen King
H.P Lovecraft Omnibus 1: At The Mountains Of Madness by H.P Lovecraft
H.P Lovecraft Omnibus 2: Dagon And Other Macabre Tales by H.P Lovecraft
H.P Lovecraft Omnibus 3: The Haunter Of The Dark by H.P Lovecraft
Mythos Omnibus by Brian Lumley
Mythos Omnibus, Vol.2 by Brian Lumley
Engines of Light, Book One: Cosmonaut Keep by Ken Macleod
Engines of Light, Book Two: Dark Light by Ken Macleod
Engines of Light, Book Three: Engine City by Ken Macleod
Sailor On The Seas Of Fate by Michael Moorcock
The Golden Barge by Michael Moorcock
A Single Tear by Wu Ningkun
Armageddon The Musical by Robert Rankin
Marrow by Robert Reed
The First Men In The Moon by H.G. Wells
The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
War Of The Worlds by H.G. Wells

Currently Reading

A Graveyard For Lunatics by Ray Bradbury
A Fall Of Moondust by Arthur C. Clarke
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Queen City Jazz by Kathleen Ann Goonan
The Boats Of The Glen Carrig by William Hope Hodgson
The Conan Chronicles, Volume 1: The People of the Black Circle by Robert E. Howard
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Elric of Melnibone by Michael Moorcock
Stupid White Men by Michael Moore
Man Plus by Frederik Pohl
The Emperor Of Dreams by Clark Ashton Smith
Darker Than You Think by Jack Williamson

Finished (recently)

Magician by Raymond E. Feist
The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
The Star Fraction by Ken Macleod
I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
Behold The Man by Michael Moorcock
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
The Book Of Skulls by Robert Silverberg
The Emperor Of Dreams by Clark Ashton Smith (short story collection)
The Abominations Of Yondo, The Ninth Skeleton, The Last Incantation
Emphyrio by Jack Vance

Mechwarrior: Dark Age series (in chronological order)
Ghost War by Michael A. Stackpole
A Call To Arms by Loren L. Coleman

Star Wars: X-wing series (in chronological order)
Rogue Squadron by Michael A. Stackpole

BigAl

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Wedding stress
Or "How Ruth And I Are Going To End Up Killing Each Other".
Well, it's not really THAT bad but at the moment it's really easy to let the pressure swamp us. We found out yesterday that there was a problem with booking rooms at the hotel we're having the reception at. The problem is... there are no rooms.
As you can probably imagine, this is a problem.
But not a big one.
Even though most other hotels seem to be booked out over those days there will always be somewhere for people to stay. More important is that this small hiccup doesn't interfere with our enjoyment of the big day. Whoo, it won't come soon enough.

BigAl

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Back to the blog
The worst thing about changing my job here at Scottish Power is the disruption caused to my blogging... ;)
Seriously though, I can't access my e-mail (except for now, 'cos I'm being sneaky) because my user access needs to change. Hopefully this afternoon it'll be fixed, but in the meantime I'll just have to keep being sneaky.
Not having blogged for a while means I've got a power of catching up to do. Loads of books read, thoughts thought, movies watched and stuff done. So I'll need to start getting it all down (when the login get sorted of course).
The most important event in the last week is my new job, which I started last Wednesday. It's in the Data Collection team in the same department as before. The job pays more and there's considerably less stress involved, which is always good. The bulk of the work gets done early in the afternoon so there will be plenty of time for idle blogging and such. :)

BigAl

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A Church Weekend Away and a Baptism
So it's been quite a weekend for me. To start with, I had Friday off to nip into Glasgow and pick up the Wedding bumph (licence application and such). Also got a new Bible and a book called The Shadow At Evening by Chris Walley. It's some kind of Christian SF. It's shaping up quite well but I'll reserve final judgement until it's finished.
Later in the afternoon Ruth and I we whisked away to the Windmill Centre in Arbroath...

The Church Weekend Away

Got there about half 8ish with Ruth. It's a nice place, but laid out like a maze. We started proceedings on Friday night with some worship and a time of just hanging out.
Something that should also be mentioned is the bunkbeds. I was the poor unfortunate landed with one of the top bunks in my room. After climbing into it, which was a risky enough proposition, I found that the bed sagged alarmingly... Which didn't really stop me from getting a good night's sleep, but my snoring might have stopped Tony and Peter for sleeping properly. Sorry guys...
The next morning saw the start of the teaching for the weekend. The topic was "A walkthru of the Old Testament", which was completed by the Sunday morning.
All of it?
Yep.
And it was surprisingly good fun too. Which brings me to my personal highlight of the weekend...

My Baptism

On a sunny, if slightly cold, Saturday afternoon on a rocky beach next to the harbour in Arbroath, I got dunked in the sea. Yep, I got baptised in the sea by Alan, my (supposedly) long suffering minister. More good fun was had by all and it was good to see Ruth's parents and sister come down to witness it.
Here's a warning though... Don't go in the North Sea if you can help it. Especially if you're planning to get totally submerged.
I reckon that it was a blessing from the Holy Spirit that I didn't catch some kind of toxic ailment.

Work

And reason it's taken me three days to post this is that I'm training my replacement, so it's kind of difficult to waste time blogging, working on my novel and idly skiving. ;)

And Finally

Spacehoppers is finished for the year. According to Diane it'll be closer to September before it starts again. So although it was really good fun last night, I'll miss the little monsters...
I'm actually feeling quite sad about it, but there's always the holiday club. More little monsters to deal with. :)
And that's about it for now. Tonight I might try to book some time on Ruth's PC for some web design, writing and idle gaming.

BigAl

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That'll be me then
Of the huge number of applicants, all two of us, I got the job.
Whoo!!!
I feel bad for Stuart (the other applicant) but someone had to get the job and it was either him or me. However, I'm quite looking forward to the new role, after the long and arduous task of training my replacement of course!
And tonight, seeing as I'm off tomorrow, perhaps a wee celebratory drinky with the lovely Ruth?

BigAl

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Just had a Job Interview...
For the position of Data Processing Analyst. It's a 1 year secondment across to Data Collection which I'm hopeful about.
As for everything else, an update...
The weekend saw the last episode of the writing course. I'll miss it. I really enjoyed putting the effort in for it, but at least I've free time for my bass playing and actually getting some writing done.
Work, so far, has been the usual big-bag-o-fun and I'm glad I've got tomorrow off. This weekend will see the church weekend away and I'm getting baptised in the sea up in Arbroath. Better wear my thermal pants. ;)

BigAl

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The Doctor's new assistant is...
Billie Piper.
Yes, everyone's favourite ex-singing sensation turned wannabe actress is in the new series of Doctor Who as his assistant.
Will wonders never cease. There's been much humming and hawing about this from my friends but, as far as I'm concerned, after having to put up with the delightful Bonnie Langford as Mel in the Sylvester McCoy years I'm willing to give her a chance.
And a gap of far too many years, I'm just glad the series is finally coming back.

BigAl

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Working on a Bank Holiday Monday.
There's nothing quite like the feeling when you know that most of the rest of the known world (a mild exageration, but you get the point) is off work today except the plucky heroes of Half Hourly Data Collection.
I'd like to think that all the other utility companies would be working as well, you know, as a show of solidarity but no. The meter operators are off (no need to fix meters during holidays) but the world of data collection never ends. That's not too much of a complaint; at least they won't be annoying us to check if the meters they aren't fixing have magically worked... ;)
Still, it's a shame not to have the day off.

BigAl

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Call of Cthulhu Collectable Card Game
I just found out about the new Call of Cthulhu CCG after sneaking on the net at work (I'm such a naughty boy), and checking out www.cthulhuccg.com.
As a fan of most things Cthuloid, and remembering the original Mythos card game fondly, I'm quite looking forward to it.
The card layouts and proposed gameplay seems similar to Mythos but it looks a bit more straightforward. Too many card games were getting far too complicated, so it's good to find a CCG with a good design and layout to it.
But as always the proof is in the playing...

BigAl

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Eskimo invasion of 1979
Otherwise known as The Great Bread Robbery.
Honestly, it's true. I only found this out the other day. In the early summer of 1979 thousands of Eskimos came over here to steal our bread.
They were wearing big white coats which would camouflage them against the ice and snow, but they made a mistake coming over here during the summer...
Over two and a half thousand of the little bread theiving foreigners were arrested and shipped back. It's incredible that the authorities managed to cover all this up!
Using my contacts within the Ministry For Bread Related Goods I'm going to try and uncover more of this story. Watch this space...

BigAl

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Word... Of The Day
eviscerate

• verb formal disembowel.
• DERIVATIVES evisceration noun.
• ORIGIN Latin eviscerare, from viscera 'internal organs'.

Great word, particularly when used when playing HalfLife.
To explain... I was innocently enjoying the game on Saturday night while Ruth was pouring over some CSS and tinkering with her new website, and after getting into the game a bit (as you do) I heard some idle tappy-tappy-tap coming from her direction.
There's a fighting chance I may have made some eviscerate-related comments during the playing of said game...

BigAl

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Application-for-new-job update
Well the job I was offered is back on the company intranet. Looks like I'll have to apply for it this way (again?) and hope for the best.
This is all down to company politics which continues to show that nothing here is particularly straightforward...

BigAl

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Hmm, the force is strong with this one...
Bought Jedi Knight, Jedi Academy on Saturday...
Bwah, ha, ha. ;)
I spent a wee bit of time that afternoon playing it, just to get a taste for it, and yesterday afternoon I really dug into it. Had to use Ruth's Computer though, which was allowed as she was playing American McGee's Alice on her laptop.
The game's brilliant, but then any game that allows you to rampage about with a lightsaber hacking the mince out of Imperial Bucketheads has to be a winner. I fair rattled through it yesterday, I hope there's a load more to it. I'm waiting to get two lightsabers, or even the majestic double-bladed lightsaber...
As far as gameplay is concerned, it's everything I've come to expect for a LucasArts Jedi Knight game. Quality cut-scenes, beautifully rendered 3D, inventive level design and loads of quality lightsaber moves.
I just love it.

BigAl

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