One Man's Window

I'm not going to pretend that I was entirely looking forward to St Patrick's Day. It's different on this side of the world. For one thing, you're expected to work. And by work, they mean actual work. Not sit around with a hip flask of Jameson and pre-drink. So, I did. And when I was finished, I got on the bus and fell asleep, because that's just what I do on the bus home. I woke, as per usual (I have the timing down on this, by the way), as the bus was entering it's Express part of the journey. This is really where this post originates. A guy got on the bus, clearly dressed for a party and talking - nay, pleading - with his girlfriend. Apart from the whining - "b ut I waaaannnnnnaaa . . ." - I was particularly impressed with the guilt trip that he managed to lay on her by way of "it's just like Valentines Day" , and thereby implying that while Valentines is ALL about the girl, Paddy's is a free pass for the guy to get drunk and do wha...

A Wonderful Discovery! On one of my many sojourns into webland recently, I stumbled across an absolute gem. A potent reminder of a wasted youth, to be frank. But before I get to that, allow me to digress. I've always been drawn in by computer games. Always. They are an excellent form of entertainment and escapism, and I am constantly thrilled at seeing what is new in the virtual world. Admittedly, since my Xbox360 is still in Ireland, I have rather less access to it than I would prefer, but how and ever, I can still keep track to some degree. Despite what some people may think, they can be a social device through the use of multi-player options, be it on the single console or through LAN and/or Internet connections. From a young age, I can remember playing a very, very basic Golf game that ran on an old MS Dos system. It had probably no more than 4 colors available to it (green, brown, blue and purple) and a very flat renditioning of several of the world's great golfing venues....