It’s been well over a month since I’ve had access to the beloved broadband and although I miss it for the idle surfing (which can be sneakily achieved at work…) it’s freed me up for other things like spending time with the wife and catching up with my reading.

Two things that I do occasionaly miss are,

• regular access to my e-mail
• easy downloading of demos, trailers, software and anything else that comes to mind.

Eventually we’ll get broadband in the flat, but I’m in no rush.

Yet.

BigAl

I’m rapidly approaching the end of my third decade on this ball of rock, and I’ve already begun the inevitable (and occasionally tedious) review of what’s gone before.

Thirty years have passed and I’m fighting the urge to say “Have I actually acheived anything?” and “Was it all a huge waste of my time?” and “Was any of this worth it?”, but then that would be the depression that always lurks around by birthday talking.

In reality some things have worked out quite well (and others not so well, but such is life).

On one hand I’m a university dropout with a string of dead-end jobs behind me, a novel which is going nowhere (and has been for most of my life) and a wife with whom I do nothing but bicker and fight.

On the other hand I have a steady job which I don’t hate and pays reasonably well, I have some of the best friends that money can buy (don’t worry Edgy, this month’s cheque is in the post), I have an imagination that throws ideas out faster than I can get them on paper, I have a really rather pleasing comic collection (which is getting more out of control all the time) and I’m married to a beautiful woman who I’ve been deeply in love with for years.

So when it all balances up, I’m more than happy with the way things have turned out.

Would I have done things differently?

Of course. But just small things. Mistakes that it would have been better not to make, but were fun making at the time…

So with a third of my life coming to an end (I have every intention to make it to 90, where I can be crotchety and unpleasant and stinking of pee) I’m looking forward to whatever happens next.

But with at least 60 years left, do I have enough time to fit everything in?

BigAl

It seems like the new Sci-fi blockbuster The Island has more then passing similarities to Spares by Michael Marshall Smith.

I’m reading Spares at the moment and, without a doubt, it’s one of the finest SF novels I’ve read in a long time.

So read this, and join me in boycotting this film.

Sometimes you have to make a stand, no matter how big or small the issue.

BigAl

In an effort to secure that elusive 15 seconds of fame after leaving the Big Brother house, Orlaith has finally done a Page 3 spread for that shining example of quality British journalism, The Sun.

And now she will be relegated to guest spots on 3rd rate reality shows and more nude appearances in magazines like Nuts and that other one which is equally pathetic, the name of which I’ve mercifully forgotten.

Nice one Orlaith, you’re doing just fine.

BigAl