Mar 16th
Becoming a Father (Again!)
by Paul Baillie
As anyone who knows me will already be aware, I am a father. I have Jack, who is 11 and is my world. although he doesn't live with me full time, I have a great relationship with him and were are very close.
We (my beautiful Simone) and I have been trying to get pregnant for about 6 months, and a few weeks ago, we got the news we had been waiting for, she was indeed expecting! We were of course, thrilled and excited as well as nervous.
We decided a few things straight away. First of all we would keep it to ourselves, until we had the 1st scan, just to make sure everything was as it should be and thankfully it was :) We also decided that we didn't want to know the sex until the birth, although I'm not sure why I don't want to know, I just don't!
Simone and I talked at length about the lifestyle changes we would have to make and none of them seemed to bother us at all. The sleepless nights, endless dirty nappies and crying are all just part of being a parent. The financial strains,another thing to worry about, but it's all background noise to the excitement of bringing new life into the world.
As you know I was very young (18) when Jack was born, so I was ill prepared for what lay ahead, but I feel that this time with the experience gained from raising a child and the life experience I've had over the last 11 years will stand me in good stead when the time comes
Now that the families and close friends have all been told, it suddenly seems real. We ARE having a BABY! and it will be here in about 6 months time!
This will be Simones' 1st child but after 20 plus years working with other peoples children, she hast a vast knowledge which I'm sure she will be able to transfer to her own child and I have no doubts whatsoever that she will be an amazing mother.
I'm sure we will have some ups and downs along the way, but I can truthfully say that I've never been so excited in my whole life.
Mar 9th
Exciting New Beginnings
by Capshunika
After a long wait, the new Formula 1 season is starting this Sunday and it announces itself as being an interesting one. There are many changes which I’m sure will lead to surprising results. If there was one thing that Formula 1 got accused of in the seasons before 2009 was that it had become predictable. We’re entering a new era of F1 and I’m really excited about it.
The 2009 season saw a complete change in F1 technical regulations and that led to a new generation of cars. The transition is not yet complete and 2010 sees more changes in car dynamics. This can lead to great surprises of who has the advantage. The underdog Brawn GP was an example of that in 2009 when they won the constructors’ championship and Jensen Button that of drivers.
Besides car dynamics, the new point system can also lead to unpredictable results. Under the new system the winner will score 25 points, with second through to 10th place earning 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1. This is a big difference from the old system of 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1. This will make it harder to become champion without actually winning races. I think it is a good system, as the win of Hamilton over Massa wasn’t really fair in 2008.
Another big change in the new season is the no refueling policy during the race. This means that pit stops will become short and all the pressure will be on the tyre changers. The process will become even faster as the wheel nuts holding the tyre have been replaced by a system of magnetic hubs that can be automatically pulled out during the tyre change.
And my favourite change in the 2010 season is the return of Schumacher. Been a fan since I was a teenager and I can’t wait to see him racing again. My biggest regret related to F1 was to not have been at a F1 GP while he was racing. Seems I get another chance. I hope to either be there for Barcelona or Spa. It would be great to see him in action. Although I have to say that I’m a bit torn now since he’s racing for Mercedes and I’m a Ferrari fan. Also Alonso is a good driver and I was hoping that he’ll race for Ferrari and now he is. Nevertheless, Ross Brawn and Schumi being a team again feels like the old days.
No matter what I’m certain of one thing…it won’t be a boring season.
Mar 9th
Online Gaming: The Highs and Lows
by Steve Mack
Every time a new game comes along that I like the look of, I get sucked right in to all the hype that is out there, which is there just for that reason, to lure you in! I then eagerly await the launch date, checking out game play on the tube, reading reviews and I am hooked.
Let’s look at my latest procurement, Battlefield Bad Company 2. Everyone said the same thing; this is a fantastic game, aimed specifically at the PC gamer market and a true rival for Infinity Wards epic FPS Modern Warfare 2.
Just a quick word about MW2, who’s own release brought plenty of issues with it, mainly no dedicated servers and the introduction of Steam and its IWNET matchmaking to the franchise. This caused serious rumblings amongst PC gamers and Bad Company 2s developers EA jumped in boasting huge online maps and fully customisable dedicated servers.
So, back to Bad Company, I get the game, load it and off we go! There is the huge map looking fantastic. This lasts a whole minute before we are kicked. Turns out that we need Punk buster’s online countermeasures, to stop the cheats and hackers that are all too common within the community. Ok, after installing PB off we go again, err no we don’t!! EA are having server issues that are affecting connections and PB keeps kicking us.
I have radical new idea game for all game developers, instead of releasing games that are not 100% ready why not wait until all the bugs are ironed out. There must be many people that are in the same boat as me at the moment, a new game that we cannot play.
It's infuriating.
Mar 9th
The Problem We All Wish We Had: Too Much of a Life (Not Enough Time for Gaming)
by David Grant
I bought my PS3 about a year and a half ago when I moved to Brussels. Originally, it was meant to fill in all the free time I had since I did not know anybody here, and did not really have a social life to speak of. In that regard, my purchase was excellent. I played my PS3 once a day, for 4-6 hour sessions, and it made my not having a social life bearable and at times preferred. However, after over a year of owning my system, and more importantly, after over a year of living in Belgium, my social life has vastly improved, while the gamer in me slowly dies.
Now, before we continue, let me clarify. I need to say that I like how things are now, and would not retreat to my gamer shell and shun the brave new world I have embarked upon, however, it is the time of year for super big releases in games, and my time budget is severely limited.
To help non-gamers understand my plight, I think a little explanation is required. I play games that fit neatly into three different categories: Casual Games; Online Games; and Single Player Games. Casual games are the ones that I don't frantically need to reach for the pause button when a significant other enters the room. They can be played for short periods of time, and there is no real drive to keep playing other than the fact that they are fun, and a good way to relax. Online games are the ones that I play with friends over the internet, and are always accompanied by a healthy dose of swearing and yelling at the screen. These online games are more than just games to me, and are a way to 'hang out' with distant friends, doing something that we all enjoy together. Make sure that you read this part carefully; I do not play online games to make online 'friends'. I play with people I already know personally, and it is a way to participate in a shared experience. Single player games are the ones that are... well, single player. This type can take anywhere from 20 - 100 hours to complete, and are best played at night, with the lights off, while the significant other is asleep, and with headphones on.
All of these are important in their own way, however, lately, my gaming schedule is suffering since I have to do things like go to the gym, go to work, cook food to eat, and clean my surroundings sporadically. With these things, AND the fact that the game release schedule is such that SO many games that I am looking forward to spend time with are being release at the same time, I now find myself having to make tradeoffs. Take my recent debacle; I recently got into Braid and Lumines in my casual gaming section, Left 4 Dead 2 and Bad Company 2 for my online section, Heavy Rain and Final Fantasy XIII for my single player section. It is impossible to play them all properly. But I know that I WANT to play them. Final Fantasy XIII alone will take between 50 - 80 hours to complete, and I really don't know where that time will come from. I guess I could try to develop insomnia, but that really is only a temporary fix before I collapse while riding the metro to work.
Now I know that this post sounds like I am complaining, and I know that it seems that I regret not having more time, and to be honest, I guess I do a little, in the way that I now regret not believing in Santa Claus, or finding out that there is in fact no gold at the end of the rainbow. I guess this is what happens when you grow up. Also, I like doing some of the things I do now. Watching movies with my super special girlfriend, going out and meeting more people, taking epic trips to England, and just generally living a more full life. However, part of that full life includes doing things that are specifically designed to make only me happy, and that is where gaming comes in. What I think I need to do, is make more conscious choices when it comes to what time I spend playing what game. This means that I will play all the games that I have been looking forward to, and I will enjoy them, but that my backlog is going to keep growing. With that being said, the general public will be completing games faster than I can, so that means that if I am a little slow on Modern Warfare 2, it is because I have been playing Final Fantasy in my spare time, and need to brush up. It also means that if any body tries to spoil the ending of things for me, the retaliation will be swift and relentless.
I guess the point of all of this, if there is a point, is that I am asking for understanding from all those closest to me. Family, clan members, significant others... what I am going through is temporary and will improve. It is just a trying time at the moment. To be honest though, if you really know me, then you would already know that I am a tech geek and media hound. Gaming is an extension of these aspects that you already know of me (and hopefully love), it is just that this form of media appreciation has been put on hiatus recently.
If all else fails, I can just conjure up some exotic disease that does not allow me to go work, makes it impossible for me to sleep, and makes it painful for me to do house work. This disease will last for about 2 months, and is not contagious... just in case anybody would like to come over to play Tekken.
Mar 3rd
Deciding on Monitored Sound
by Steve Mack
I have never been a believer in star signs; however it seems that I am a typical Libran! I am serious when I say that I have trouble making decisions, until I have weighed up all the angles. This indecision has become so acute that I am beginning to get on my own nerves.
Let’s look at a recent conundrum I have had. The setting up of a small home studio rig, for CD decks/mixer and what kind of sound system to go for. I had three main avenues to explore here, A. Power amp and speakers. B. Stereo amp and speakers. C. Active monitors.
I discounted the first option without really looking at what was on offer, due to understanding that most decent power amps are very powerful. This would mean I would need larger speakers that would be impractical and cost/space prohibitive. Next came the stereo amp and speaker route, hmmmmm I did give this option some serious thought, I looked at many amps around the 100.00 price range and almost bought a Cambridge Audio AZUR 340C. The reason I did not was that I had no way of knowing how it would sound with the speakers I was planning to use with it (Wharfdale) I also had concerns about having a set up like this running hard over long periods. However my main concern was that this kind of ‘HiFi’ set up is designed to sound ‘nice’ I didn't’t want that.
What I did want was a true representation of the mixers output, hence my decision to go with option C, an active, or powered monitor with its own built in amp. This is where my real dilemma started, which monitor!! There are so many to choose from.
At my price point, there are quite a few monitors to choose from, although after some research it became apparent that not all of these ‘monitors’ did not do what it says on the box!!
In the end I went for the KRK ROKIT 5…. This is a beast of a monitor and I am really happy with it, sounds great with a solid bass line.
Mar 2nd
30!!!!
by Paul Baillie
I am there, at least I will be on Monday. A lot of people are asking me things like "are you worried about being 30?" or how does it feel to be turning 30?" and the truth is I am not at all worried about not been a 20 something year old. I don't "feel" 30 I don't feel any older than I did last year or the year before, but the truth is, I am older, and probably a bit wiser too. Those who have know me a while, will know I've been through some pretty big changes in the last year or 2. I have moved to the countryside, with my gorgeous girlfriend and have started to work in a full time office job. 18 Months ago I was living with my friends and probably working less than I ever had before. although I was enjoying my freedom, spending time with the boys, especially Steve gave me chance to make some choices about my life. They were that I wanted to enjoy my life, but at the same time wanted someone to enjoy it with. Since I met Simone I have been constantly amazed by her, and her understanding of me. She has helped me in so many ways, helping change my outlook on quite a few things, including my health. My decision to give up smoking and my subsequent enjoyment of running/cycling has given me more energy than I've ever had.
So, as I hurtle towards the big 30 I feel fitter, healthier and happier than I have in as long as I can remember. So why would I be worried about it? bring it on, I hope I feel this good at 40!!!!
Feb 24th
Flavors.me
by David Grant
Sometimes during my travels, I come across tech stuff that is just too cool to keep to myself. My most recent find is a little site called flavors.me. Basically, it is a page that holds all of a person's social networking info in one place. It is VERY cool, and I suggest you all check it out. My page is here. The best part of this page, is that it takes literally minutes to set up. When you all set up your pages, please tell give me the link in the comment section so that I can add it to my favourites, and add it to your profile on this page. Enjoy!
Feb 24th
Updates
by David Grant
Writing here is always cathartic. Just to keep all those who frequent this page updated, there are quite a few entries coming in the next few days. Everybody has just been so busy lately. I am eagerly awaiting entries from at least 3 people, and when I get them, I will do a massive update.
I really like this site, and think it could be great, but it requires work and dedication on everybody's part. I hope we can make this place come to life.
Feb 13th
The Weekend
by Paul Baillie
After a long week at work I'm looking forward to the weekend as it combines 3 of my greatest passions, those being football, drinking and eating!
I am a Preston North End fan so I'm used to disappointment and false dawns, but occasionally there are big games and tomorrows is one of those. The Preston v Blackpool game is always a feisty affair and is steeped in years of bitter rivalry, which makes this one game I always look forward to. Hopefully I will be celebrating on Saturday night in, of all places............................ Blackpool!
I am there on Saturday night for a 21st Birthday night out, and will try to keep my mouth shut if we win, although the temptation to gloat may well be worth the inevitable punch in the face from the natives!!
Hopefully not too hungover on Sunday, as we all know that Feb. 14th can be a challenging day for us gents, Which card? How many roses? Does she like those Chocolates? are all questions that pose potential problems. Then there is the obligatory meal, which will be a nice intimate, loved up hour or two, followed by a nice bottle of wine and some bedroom aerobics!
All in all a pretty busy weekend followed on Monday by a planned 70 mile bike ride to continue my training/getting fit/losing weight program.
Feb 11th
Electro House Sessions Vol. 1
by David Grant
I wanted to share a little mix I did recently. It is a mix of Electro House tracks ranging from progressive, and fidget to heavy bass. It is a little rough on the edges, but if you are mixing for two hours, you are bound to make some mistakes. (Especially if you don't use a mixing software) Anyway, enjoy!
As of right now, I am still working with Flash video and audio, so I hope this works!
Update: Ok, it seems that I am having trouble embedding a flash player to stream my mix. So for now, you can download it here. (It will stream in a different window if you left click, and right click to download) I will either include a link for streaming in the near future, or I will actually learn how to embed flash applications.
Feb 7th
A New Beginning
by David Grant
So, this first post signifies the resurrection of my old blog, but with a few major changes. Firstly, this is no longer MY blog. From now on (or as long as people hold interest) this space will be the joint product of a number of permanent contributors, myself included. Together, we will pick this blog up, dust off the good pieces, and add lots more to make this site new.
Currently, I am looking for new contributors who believe they have interesting things that they would like to have broadcast over the inter webs. Topics can be on anything that you find interesting, and on things that you would not mind sharing with the world. If you are interested, please contact me at mgband@gmail.com.
I am excited about this and I think that this can become a project that we can all be proud of.
|