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It's only semi autobiographical
Saturday, July 31, 2004
Friday, July 30, 2004
"I don't think all those Abby customers expected a Spanish aquisition."
NO ONE expects a Spanish aquisition!
Thursday, July 29, 2004
First, a topical one. The computer game 'Manhunt' has been taken off the shelves in several large stores, because the mother of a murdered buy feels that it is directly responsible for his death.
The argument, as I understand it, is that by doing things in the game, and being rewarded for them, people assume the same applies to real life. 'The boundaries become blurred.'
Ok, lets review some of my favourite computer games shall we?
Grand Theft Auto series: Tasks include car theft, running down pedestrians for fun and profit, beating people up, and driving recklessly. I own a car, I drive it regularly. I have never run anyone down, or beaten up an old lady for money. I have never robbed a bank, or acted as a getaway driver. Hmm, well, perhaps this game is a fluke...
Counterstrike: A personal favourite of mine, involves killing your opponents with all manner of guns. Encourages killing as many opponents as possible to get money for the purchase of new weapons. I have access to several rifles and ammunition, being a member of a rifle club. I have never shot at anything other than targets. Strange...
Mortal Kombat: In its time, one of the most reviled games ever known, actually caused violent riots... by the protesters against violence in video games... Encourages hand to hand combat, the killing of your enemies in gruesome ways, and in the latest game, use of swords tto dismember opponents. I have several swords, for both ornamental and sports use, I also take part in martial arts lessons. I have yet to tear out someones heart, then chop off their head as a grizly trophy.
Hitman: As the name suggests, the killing of people for money. Tools include piano wire, pistols and rifles, and machine guns, shotguns and bombs. I have not bombed anyone, shot anyone or strangled anyone.
So, going purely on emperical data, for anything less than a 50% statistical test, we can not conclude that computer games cause violence.
But wait! From the mouth of an 'expert' on the subject, and I paraphrase:
"Games like this could cause someone who is already disturbed to be pushed over the edge."
Hmm, well true I suppose, but a child who is disturbed enough to smash someones head in with a claw hammer strikes me as the type who does not need that much persuading... Perhaps it is true that this incident would not have happened if not for 'Man hunt' (though I doubt it) but I am sure that it would only have been a matter of time... perhaps instead of spending time on the computer, he had been playing cricket. Someone throws a bad ball and it hits him in the face, he gets angry, are you telling me he would not take his head off with the cricket bat?
Now I'm pissed off, and I'm going to play a violent computer game.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
For reference Andy, yours was 747, from a very early post.
Speaking of Andy... A few days back was Ben's birthday celebration, where much fun was had by all. However, due to two main mistakes, we all got a little too merry, and Andy ended up, amongst other things, defiling a statue of the virgin Mary no less than four times, and attempting to tackle several of us to the ground. (Fortunately, the lack of coordination made this easy to avoid.) I only wish I could say that I never did anything that embarasing before... ah well.
The two main mistakes were:
1 . Vodka Battleships. I do not think much needs to be said about that.
2. Mistaking a 28% drink for a 4-5% one. Then playing 'drink while you think' with it.
I preffer 'fuzzy duck' anyway.
Now I'm hungry, and I'm going to eat, but I will be back to rant later.
Thursday, July 22, 2004
I have taken up Tae Kwon Do again, (henceforth referred to as TKD) and am currently allowing the class to believe I genuinely am a whitebelt.
Of course, the instructor (who is no.1 in the UK/USA) knows, and after 2 weeks I will jump back to my previous belt so I can do some sparring practice. A few other senior students probably know as well.
Looking around though, I am disappointed by the skill levels in some of the higher belts. True, the black belts are all very competent, and some of them simply awesome, but there are purple belts I think I could beat, and the same runs for red through green.
Having said this, there are white and yellow belts (the lowest two) that I would never want to pick a fight with.
Wearing a lower belt while I am still rusty as mixed blessings. Ranking highly was the look on a purple belt’s face when I knocked the sparring pad out of his hand and across the room.
More irritating is the attempts at patronisation made by the higher belts. The most annoying thing is how bad they are at it, but then I suppose most of them are only 15.
Strangely, the thing I look forward to most about starting sparring is not putting the arrogant greens and reds in their place. I actually want to take on the black belts, and get beaten. I think you learn faster that way anyway.
Now I'm at work, I really should get on with it.
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Quite frankly, if I am ever in a situation where I simply must perform a hairpin turn at 240mph, and I screw u horribly, then, and only then, will I admit that a spoiler might be a good idea.
Monday, July 12, 2004
I allowed them to check that I was not carrying any form of lethal weapon, and they ran a background check on me, which I passed, of course.
For the record, yes it was me that people had called in about, the 'weapon' was my speed gun, which with its shoulder stock, does look like some kind of Uzi.
There was more but I'm tired, and it's time to go home.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Well I feel special.
Now I'm tired, and I'm on lunch break.
Monday, July 05, 2004
Never run your finger down the edge of anything with "blade" in the name, no matter how innocuous it is.
People who are probably perfectly sensible in everyday life often can not distinguish between a police man and a student, when faced with either of which standing at the side of the road with a radar gun.
Old fiestas are more fun to drive than new ones.
Now I'm bored, but I'd better get back to work...
