Category: Journal

Excuses, excuses

I haven’t posted many updates recently – mostly because I’ve been busying myself with various things which get in the way of updating the site.

High on the list has been the new WipeoutZone, which is now in the final stretch of development. I’ve hit a few snags along the way, and even as recent as the start of this week I realised that I’ll need to change the templates due to the stylesheet breaking down when it hits a form in certain browsers. Stuff like that is a pain in the ass, because even working to a plan you don’t see browser bugs coming until they happen and you’re already many hours down that particluar avenue. Only thing to do is rip it all out and find another way of doing things and although you just have to roll your sleeves up and get on with it, it’s hard not to let it demotivate you.
Despite the speed bumps, the site should make it live in the next couple of weeks – I’m saving hardest chunk for last, because then I’ll know that the second it’s working the site is complete. :o)

Playtime

When I’ve not been on the computer I’ve been playing lots of Tony Hawk’s Underground and WRC 3. With the former I’ve completed all but the last challenge in story mode, and I’m mostly playing online now, which is great fun. Sadly WRC 3 isn’t online, but it is the best effort yet from Evolution and I’m really enjoying the game–play this year.

Cant wait for the holidays when I can spend a bit more free time getting stuck into these games – Fliss is apparently getting me BattleStar Galactica for my Xmas too, so as soon as WipeoutZone is done and dusted (for another year) I’ll be hitting the games pretty hard.

Board Stupid

Last night I made it to skateboarding for my second week in a row in ages. I hate missing a week, as it undoes everything I’ve built on the week before and it takes longer to get back into the swing of things when I next go. Anyhow, last night I managed a whole three hours without any extended periods of rest. I was completely flogged when I left the place, but I’d manged to get confident at a few things I’ve been trying.

What can I say, other than the journey to and fro’, we have this whole trip back to Scotland thing down to a tee.

We arrived on Thursday night in enough time for me to get a Mr Kebab speciality… which was fantastic. Man, if I ever win the lottery I’m going to have Mr Kebab food couriered from Helensburgh to where ever I’m living it up in the world. Skating in San Diego? No problemo, have the Mr Kebab chef’s flown over and they can cook me up a tasty donner during the flight!

Seriously, though – the food was ace… and not just because I was starving after a four hour drive, either. Even Fliss got a burger from them, so that’s a seal of approval right there.

Friday we got down to the point of the weekend with Andrew’s birthday. He got a few odds and ends to accompany his Silver PlayStation 2 that I managed to snap up for him during the previous afternoon. This went down very well, in fact the rest of the weekend revolved around the awesome TimeSplitters 2, Burnout 2, and Rumble Racing (which is a bit dated now, but still plays well and Andrew enjoys it.) For lunch, Crazy Uncle John took us to the Indian restraunt on the sea front for what must have been the most average chicken tikka masala I’ve ever had. Mental note – never go back there, they aren’t even qualified to tie up the aprons of the Mr Kebab chef dudes.

Saturday we took Fliss‘ dad to a hardware store to get stuff for doing up the house. Sadly, when we got to the house I managed to royally screw up the tiling of the kitchen floor. I only had a couple of hours before I had to call it quits for Andrew’s birthday night out thing, and didn’t really think it through properly. I feel kind of bad about the result… I mean, when you tell folk “oh, I just started in the corner…” it’s like everyone’s a fucking tiling expert who comes out of the woodwork after the event. If I hear one more time that I should have started in the middle, I’ll be shoving a tile where the Sun doesn’t shine.

Last weekend my mum, stepfather Stevo, and my little brother Andrew came down to visit. Although we were short of suggestions for things to do, we managed to have a good time over the three days anyway.

Friday night we had the best curry ever (probably) at the Gulshan restraunt along the road. It’s easy to see why this place has won oodles of awards – I’ve had a great meal every time I’ve been there or ordered take-away, and the fact that it’s about a hundred yards away from our house is great. :o)

Saturday we went to the Trafford Centre near Manchester – boy, was that a test of endurance. Cannot believe how packed it was, although I guess it’s to be expected on a Saturday afternoon in the run-up to xmas.

That evening I introduced Andrew to the delights of TimeSplitters 2, which I thought he’d struggle with as he’s not too great with the analogue sticks on the PS2. Fortunately he got to grips with it pretty quickly and along with Fliss we had some great team death match action going on. Funnily enough, mum and Stevo didn’t want to join in for some reason. ;o)

All in it was a good, if frantic weekend.