The multiple award winning singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse has died at her house in North London according to unconfirmed reports.
The talented music artist has been fighting drug and drink addictions for many years now and has had a troubled past. However, it appeared she was making progress with her battle against addiction, and this makes it even more of a shame that such a young talented artist has lost her life.
As yet the cause of death is not known, but unconfirmed reports state that she was found dead at her North London home.
SCS Software have released the popular PC game ‘Bus Driver’ for the Mac, and it’s available now on the Mac App Store.
I’ll be honest, I’ve never played the game on a Windows computer, but as the Mac App Store makes it so damn easy to buy and download games now, I bought the game on a whim a couple of days ago. Despite some initial p**s taking from my girlfriend, I started playing the game – whilst I should have been working of course. My verdict = strangely addictive! So much so, I have not achieved any of my work goals this week, as I have spent far too much of my time driving a bus……
I’ve never been interested in driving a bus in real life, neither have I ever been – or ever will be – a bus spotter (yes, they do exist!), but playing this game is somewhat relaxing. Maybe I’m just a little strange?!
I used to play Grand Theft Auto a lot when I was younger (on the PS2), but I often found myself stealing a bus when I came along one, and driving it around the streets following all traffic regulations. I did this purely because it was more of a challenge than driving like a maniac, knocking people over, and smashing into everything in sight.
So, Bus Driver instantly appealed to me. There are so many racing games out there (and I enjoy them too!), but just as in my GTA playing days, it’s much more of a challenge to drive sensibly – especially when driving a double decker full of passengers around city streets.
The game works on all recent Macs, including those with integrated Intel graphics, and it performs well. I’m sure you have guessed by now that your job is to drive buses on various routes, picking up and dropping off passengers along the way. You gain points for following the rules of the road, and lose them for breaking those rules.
On top of this, you have to keep your paying passengers happy. Brake too hard, and they scream – and you lose points for distressing them. Leave any passengers at a bus stop and you are punished greatly with a large points reduction.
Routes vary from 3 minutes long, to the final ‘level’ that involves a 55 minute journey picking up your passengers and transporting them to the city airport. Below is a video of a 8 minute journey that I recorded as an example of the game;
Did you notice the passengers scream when I braked too strongly?!
In short, this is a very addictive game that is far more challenging than racing a car at 100mph round a track, the main challenge being to resist driving like a maniac!
I recommend you get this one for some great entertainment. Try not to let it disturb your work too much though… I’m off now to drive the number 56 to the airport….
Last night was Eurovision final night, this year hosted in Düsseldorf, Germany. Despite bitching about the contest earlier in the evening, I found myself somewhat glued to the tv nonetheless (maybe something to do with Lena, the German entry…. more on her in a moment!).
We all know the Eurovision Song Contest is a bit of a joke. Friendly countries vote for each other regardless of the quality of the song – always have done, and always will. Once you get over that, and just enjoy the cheesy entertainment value of the contest, you might find it as enjoyable to watch as I do…. just maybe.
To be completely honest, I don’t watch it in the hope that we win in because I simply don’t give a s**t. It’s all about the cheesefest (not officially a word, but you get what I mean I’m sure) for me. The crap songs make me laugh rather than make me angry. For anyone that saw the show last night, please explain how Greece got so many votes after that god awful song?! Ok, maybe I do get slightly angry…
Seeing some Moldavians with what looked like huge traffic cones on their heads, whilst belting out their tune was pure Eurovision craziness at its very best.
For those of you interested, the United Kingdom done remarkably better than last year by finishing in 11th position, though if you want my honest opinion, I’m surprised after Blue put on a typically sh*t performance. The song was crap, and the performance was crap….. simples!
Just for added embarrassment for Blue, the Irish entry from (yes, you guessed it) Jedward finished 19 points and 3 places ahead in 8th.
The biggest surprise of the night for me was that Lena, of Germany, only managed 10th place after performing what I consider to be an outstanding, modern and funky song (I’m no Simon Cowell I hasten to add!). In fact I loved the song so much I actually paid money for it on iTunes.
Now, my girlfriend says I only like it as Lena just so happens to be incredibly hot…. and I mean incredibly hot. That fact combined with a rather sexy and seductive performance was enough to win over many male fans across Europe I’m sure. I do not deny that I possibly fell in love with her last night (Lena, if you happen to read this, I’m joking – do not have me arrested for harassment. Incidentally, if you wanna hook up, my number is 07……!), it still does not change the fact the song was brilliant.
Here is a video of Lena’s song ‘Taken By a Stranger’. In true Keith Lemon spirit, to all men out there, go get a box of tissue, sit back, and press play! Sorry.. did I take it a step too far? To hear more of her music click here (opens iTunes)
I’m so glad that The Apprentice is back…. I didn’t realise how much I’d missed it until I sat glued to my screen on Tuesday and Wednesday night. Despite the prize changing slightly, the format of the program remains pretty much the same. This is something I’m very pleased with as I was a little worried that it wouldn’t be as entertaining as in previous series.
On Tuesday night the brand new contestants were given £250 to invest in fruit and veg and in the losing team….. one of them got fired. Before we get into that though, it’s time for an award. The cheesiest line ever to be used during The Apprentice goes to Melody, who – believe it or not – said;
“don’t tell me the sky’s the limit when there are footprints on the moon”
It’s moments like this that make me so happy to be alive! Ok, I exagerrated slightly, but it did actually make me laugh out loud, and therefore I am fully justified in actually using LOL.
Speaking of Melody, she put herself forward for PM (that’s project manager of course, although I wouldn’t be surprised if she has put herself up for Prime Minister as well seeing as she seems full of shit, and seems to think she’s amazing at… well, everything!). The girls team now has a name…. Venture.
The boys opted for ‘Logic’, and Edward is PM after noone else volunteered themselves. Jim quietly put his hand halfway up and pathetically mumbled something about wanting to do it. If it was said with any less conviction though, well, he’d be mute.
Team Venture decide to make fruit salad as a breakfast product, and some kind of pasta dish. Team Logic opt for tomato soup and orange juice. Negotiations at Covent Garden market are as awful as you’d expect from Apprentice Candidates. One moment sticks out like a sore thumb, and that’s Jim (I think) negotiating a price on tomatoes with a woman who doesn’t have any tomatoes! Surely, anyone with even an ounce of sense would firstly ask a seller if they have any of the produce they need. Oh, I forgot, this is The Apprentice…
The girls actually made it out on the streets with their fruit salad and seemed to be selling a boatload. The boys however, are still attempting to hand squeeze 1400 oranges for their OJ after three juicers mysteriously ‘broke’. Maybe it was as a result of PM Ed telling Leon to “squeeze the balls” out of his oranges?
Despite a huge success with the fruit salad, the pasta lunch dish is not ready in time, and apparently tastes like shit. As a result Venture don’t start selling their lunch product until…. after lunch. Someone had the bright idea of marketing it as something to take home with them to have for their dinner.
The boys are finally out selling, and appear to be doing quite well. The orange juice is a winner – but in true Apprentice style they do not have enough after getting nowhere near the amount of juice they should have squeezed from those 1400 oranges.
In summary, they were all crap. Ed was possibly the worst PM I’ve seen on The Apprentice (sorry Ed!). There was no direction, no leadership, and certainly no communication. Apparently, a plan should now be shared on a need-to-know basis! No Ed, everybody on your team needs to know, that’s the basics of teamwork!
Melody appeared to be an ok PM, although she is rather annoying. I’m sure the same can be said about all the candidates, but Melody seems to think she is a cut above the rest of the world. In truth, she is just a normal woman, who is trying to be something she’s not.
Ed – not surprisingly – was fired, despite attemting to win survival with the most bizarre boardroom argument I’ve ever seen;
“Not only am I the youngest in the team, but the shortest!”
Brilliant!
Episode 2 I found very interesting as I’ve always wanted to create a smartphone app. In typical Apprentice style, it all looked far too easy so maybe I should start brainstorming ideas now!
Leon was team leader for Team Logic, and Edna took the position for Team Venture. The brief stated in no uncertain terms that the app would be GLOBAL. So, why did the boys decide to make an app that only UK users were ever going to ‘get’.
To be honest, I much preferred the boys’ app, and their pitch, and everything else they did on this task. But, this monumental error cost them dearly and the girls Ampi-App won by over 6,000 downloads. A highlight of this episode for me was Edna’s absolutely terrible pitch at the Earls Court Exhibition Centre. If you haven’t seen it, please watch it. David Brent (Ricky Gervais’ character in The Office) would have done it pretty much the same.
In the boardroom Leon showed weakness, when his original choice to ‘take back in’ – Jim – argued his case, and PM Leon changed his mind and bought in Glenn (who thought up the idea for the SlangaTang app). Respect goes to Jim for speaking up though, as it worked brilliantly.
Alex – who appeared to be playing a waiting game as he hasn’t done anything in these first two episodes – was fired. As Lord Sugar said, he is not looking to go into business with a passenger.
After two episodes in two days, I’m struggling with the idea of having to wait a week for the next one… a preview of which can be seen below;
Due to last years general election, we have not had too long to wait between series 6 & 7 of The Apprentice. Series 7 starts TONIGHT… and I cannot wait.
Apparently – although I’ve not seen official word of this – this years Apprentice has a very slightly different format in that the winner of the show will NOT be rewarded with a £100,000 a year job with Lord Sugar, but will instead receive £250,000 to start their own business (with Lord Sugar as a 50% owner of the new startup).
There have been many who have said this is too similar to Dragon’s Den (another of my favourite shows), but I disagree. Dragon’s Den involves entrepreneurs pitching for investment in their business. The Apprentice however STILL involves business tasks that must be completed. The losing team STILL have to face the boardroom, and one of those team members will STILL get fired. The format hasn’t changed that much, just the ‘prize’.
I have no doubt that there will still be the standard bitching, backstabbing, and pure incompetence on show from those who are – supposedly – some of Britain’s brightest business prospects (a claim that usually worries me greatly every series!).
You can presume there will be at least one really annoying candidate – see Stuart Baggs. The girls will bitch about each other and shout and argue at every opportunity. This is not supposed to be a sexist comment, as I fully support women in business, but every series it happens – WITHOUT FAIL!
In tonight’s show the teams are given £250 to invest in fruit and veg. The team with the lowest profits will be faced with the boardroom, and as Lord Sugar will undoubtedly say, in that team one of you will get fired.
Here is a sneak preview of tonight’s episode of The Apprentice 2011 (courtesy of BBC);
I have to admit, I am still addicted to reality talent shows – especially Britain’s Got Talent, and The X Factor. Saturday night does not seem the same without one of the above shows to watch! That may sound like I need to ‘get out more’. I do go out, but I hate Saturday nights. They are far too busy and it takes ages to get a drink. I am lucky to work in a job that allows me to go out on the quieter nights…
Anyway, I thought I would share my favourite acts so far on this years Britain’s Got Talent. Maybe you agree with my choices, but if you don’t please do feel free to tell me yours;
Speaking of Saturday nights, I’m sure I would get plenty of attention if I could dance even half as brilliantly as Michael Moral – who incidentally is one of my favourites of the show so far. See this video, and let me know if you agree or disagree;
WOW…. I’m simply blown away by this. I love watching dancing, and am usually blown away by Body Popping (I think that is what this style of dance is called.. please correct me if I’m wrong!). It almost looks as though Mr Moral is inhuman (not to be mistaken with inhumane).
Just seeing the unbelievable control, and poise of a good ‘body popper’ is enough to make the hair on the back of my neck stand up. Absolutely amazing.
Kate Middleton, now to be referred to as Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge was photographed giving Prince William – now the Duke of Cambridge a special wedding day treat on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.
Surely this should have waited until the wedding night?!
This is my little list of the top ten movies I have seen in my 31 years of existence, and think that you should make sure you watch them too. The list is a work in progress as I’m racking my brains trying to think about all the amazing films I’ve seen….
Jesus, I think I am about to attempt a movie review. This could turn out to be disastrous, but I will let you be the judge of that. Don’t you think most movie reviews are so over-complicated, and in some cases a little pretentious? Nobody seems to review movies for the normal people among us (similar to how terms & conditions are never readable for us non-lawyers).
Well, here is – possibly – a first. A stupid guy from Bristol reviews a movie. Specifically, The Source Code.
I’ll be honest, we (that’s my girlfriend and I) wanted to see Limitless but it’s now only showing in the Directors Hall in my local cinema, and I wasn’t willing to pay £15 a ticket or whatever it costs. Special celebrations, or payday are the only two occasions that warrant such an expensive movie viewing.
Anyway, The Source Code was our second choice. Mainly down to the good reviews it had received on RottenTomatoes.com (the ones I could decipher anyway!).
Jake Gyllenhaal plays the lead in this cross between Groundhog Day, Inception, and TV classic Quantum Leap. To be honest I’ve not watched many movies starring Gyllenhaal – off the top of my head Jarhead is the only previous experience I have of his career thus far. Regardless, the American puts in a decent enough performance, but not mind-blowing.
Gyllenhaal plays Colter Stevens, a US Army helicopter pilot. At the start of the movie he wakes up on a train despite his last memory putting him at the controls of his chopper in Afghanistan. A woman he doesn’t recognise is sitting opposite him, and talks to him as if she knows him – much to his confusion.
He goes to the toilet cubicle, only to catch a glimpse of himself in the mirror and noticing that he is not Colter Stevens, or at least does not have his face. After 8 minutes, the train he is travelling on blows up, however Stevens wakes up in a pod of some description.
After much confusion, he begins to talk to a woman called Goodwin through a monitor who explains that he needs to find the bomber of the train. Just as before, you will have 8 minutes…..
The premise of the movie is that scientists have formulated a method of taking someone else’s identity and reliving the last 8 minutes of that person’s life. A military unit is attempting to use this discovery to prevent terrorist attacks.
A train has been bombed in Chicago, but intelligence suggests there are further attacks to come – which must be prevented. Using the Source Code (the name given to this far-fetched scientific discovery), Stevens is sent back to relive the last 8 minutes of one of the train passenger’s life, and unravel the mystery to prevent any more attacks.
Complications arise when Stevens begins to fall for the woman sat opposite him on the train (played by Michelle Monaghan). Will he find the bomb and who planted it? You will have to go and watch to find that one out…
Many reviewers have slated the ending, but personally I liked it. Yes, there is a twist, and does leave you a little confused for a while. But, I found it imaginative and in keeping with the rest of the movie.
As a whole, I enjoyed The Source Code. It was fast-paced, and you do find yourself trying to work out who the bomber is – and what the hell is happening to Stevens, and why he appears to be trapped in a pod with no exit. The movie keeps you guessing, and requires enough ‘thinking’ or ‘analysing’ to demand concentration. I don’t doubt that there will be some viewers who do not get the plot, and walk out the screening scratching their head in bewilderment.
My rating 7.5/10
Well, there it is, my first ever movie review…. Go on, be honest – how s**t was it? If it was that bad, watch the trailer instead;
Royal Wedding, Friday April 2011. Coverage starts from 8am on BBC One.
I can’t even turn on the TV at the moment without seeing something related to the imminent royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, and I’m starting to wonder if I am the only one who doesn’t give a rat’s arse about it?
To me it’s just two strangers getting hooked, and I’m not even a big fan of weddings anyway, so it’s not something that is of interest in the slightest. But, the rest of the nation seems to be going mad for it. I’ve seen posters for royal wedding lunches, street parties, and all sorts.
The wedding will be shown live on TV, but just in case we can’t make it to a television set, YouTube are going to broadcast it live for all to see. That should tell me that this is an important event not to be missed…. but yet I’m still not bothered.
I will be working anyway, so wouldn’t be able to sit and watch it even if I wanted to. Maybe I should shut the f**k up and stop complaining then?!
After speaking to a work colleague about my lack of interest, she said;
But don’t you think it’s nice that something good is happening for once, rather than all the bad news we get all the time.
She is missing my point. I’m sure it’s lovely for William and Kate, and their respective families. I for one wish them all the happiness in the world. But, thousands of couples get married every year (in fact these couples are getting married the very same day!), so why should I care more about a royal wedding than a ‘civilian’ one? Either way, they are strangers to me…
Maybe it’s just me being miserable. If so, please feel free to tell me to cheer up…. or at least explain to me why I should give a damn about it?!
The multiple award winning singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse has died at her house in North London according to unconfirmed reports.
