Where there's muck there's money!

This morning would have to qualify as “one of those days”.

Started off in Norwood to meet a chap from thames water. Whilst waiting for him i got to watch the drains slowly back up towards our office door (Note to self: Do not buy a basement flat!).

I have to confess that it’s days like today that make me understand how difficult life with these companies is going to be.

It’s all very well but it’s frankly a very solitary existence. I mean my dad might not realise it but at least with me in his corner there’s someone trying to back him up. Who’s gonna be there to get my back in the years to come?

It’s all a bit depressing really. It also makes me realise that i need to train up as something so that i have an income stream that is independent of the companies. Starting to think that i should probably explore bookkeeping as an option in a little more detail as it’s not overly taxing, i can learn it in tandem with work and i think it’s something i could handle. On the down side though i think i’d need to get my glasses back in order to qualify!

Hopefully you all are having better starts to your days!

Cometh the hour, cometh the argument!

Jebus, I’m sick of arguing with people. Argument after argument after argument with no apparent end in sight is starting to become a fucking waking nightmare.

I almost prefer going onto IRC and just chatting shit with the others for no reason at all because at least if an argument breaks out there is a working /ignore function. Whoever designed people really should have given us the ability to totally ignore those that piss us off or piss us about!

Visited my grandmother (who’s in hospital at the moment) today. Couldn’t believe how fragile she looked. It’s a shitty Star Trek quote but the phrase “Time is the fire in which we burn” really sprung to mind today. I’m going to have to look out for my gran more.

The whole TheBoards.eu thing hasn’t really gone anywhere yet. Shame really because I was quietly looking forward to trying to get that up and running. I guess I will at some point!

Peace out peeps.

Backtrack?!? Moi?!? Never….. (ok Well Maybe)

http://www.barrysworld.com/news/columns.asp?Category=6&Author=82

Backtrack?!? Moi?!? Never….. (ok well maybe) | Comments (2)
Sunday, February 2, 2003, 01:36

Engine room, full reverse!
Anybody that knows me, knows for damn sure that getting me to admit that I was wrong is about as easy as getting blood from a stone…… using a cotton wool bud….. in a dark room….. while hanging upside down from the ceiling….. having small children beat you with sticks like you’re a piñata….. while naked. Basically it’s more effort than its worth.

So if it’s so damn hard, what am I about to confess to being wrong about?

Microsoft’s X-Box

Yes, that’s right. You didn’t read it wrong. The above line does indeed contain the words “Microsoft’s” and “X-Box”. They are not typos, this is the real deal. Yes I’m serious.

Now to understand my backtracking, you have to understand the history. When I first laid my eyes on the X-Box I literally started laughing. You know, like we all did when we first heard somebody had given the Cheeky Girls a recoding contract. Why? The usual reasons of course, I’m sure you all know what I’m talking about;

“You can’t be serious, that thing’s bigger than my house”….. “Will I need to reinforce the floor in my living room before buying that?”….. “Can I order mine now and pick it up in 2005, because by then I should have been working out long enough to `actually` pick it up”….. “No really, where is the actual controller?”

Anyway to skip forward, we’ve been through all the days in 2002 now. Those calendars have all been torn down, 2k2 is dead and buried, 6ft under, alongside all those john doe’s and right beside the Christmas console title releases. Frankly in my mind “stank worse than a rotting corpse” is the only accurate comparison for the Crimbo releases of 2002. Not a single gem, no diamond in this rough. Bad, bad, bad, bad, BAD!

So there I was, it’s January 2003 and, despite the `upcoming` (read as: taking too fucking long to arrive) release of the Sonic Mega Collection, the amount of dust gathering on my GameCube is making such a mockery of its beautiful design that I’m contemplating stamping on it to put it out of its misery. If only I could use it to play the spinky Red Dwarf – Season 1 DVD (if you’ve not got this, GO ORDER NOW & pre-order Season 2 while you’re at it) maybe I’d feel better. Then again, DVD playback was about all my PlayStation 2 had been doing. While I confess that Capcom vs. SNK 2 & Marvel vs. Capcom 2 had forced me to shower my PS2 with a minute amount of my attention, it simply wasn’t enough.

So in summary, Console Freakoid (moi) + Crimbo 2k2 (shite releases) = Loss of faith in Nintendo & Sony (shit, that is bad)

Then it happened, a mate of mine who had owned an X-Box for a while got a copy of MechAssault. I didn’t need to have somebody explain to me why the concept of “big killing robot style machines making pretty explosions” was such a winning one, I was hooked. Did it have something to do with me beating the crap out of my mate, was I under the influence of certain substances that shall remain nameless, I can’t be sure. The only thing that I do know is there and then I decided I was to become an X-Box owner.

So, now on my left as I type, sits my latest acquisition, it’s big, it’s black, it makes a whiney noise….. no it’s not a bloody Doberman for god’s sake! It is of course an X-Box, comprising the Console, DVD Playback Kit (so very gay), Controller S, Live! Kit and MechAssault, with an empty wallet thrown in for good measure.

So, what’s my backtrack? The X-Box is a good console. Yes, it’s fucking huge. Yes if you’re not American the original controller is gay. Yes uncle bill is still a wanker for making extra cash on a piece of shit remote control for DVD playback (what’s new). But the games are good, Live works & is good, Controller S is good. There you go, my piss poor backtrack. I hope you all enjoyed it more than I did, really I do.

Forums….. Consoles….. nah, that’s a shit idea
Started work on a new small project I’ve wanted to do for a damn long time. ConsoleForums.org is now up and running, admittedly in a half-arsed capacity but did you expect anything else. So if you like, Consoles and Forums, well erm click the link!….. woo!…. ok, I’ll shut up now.

Ch3tan`s Gone!
Good buddy of mine in real life, one of the more charismatic (?!?) Counter-Strike admins & all round “in the community” bloke, Chetan has departed from the shores of good ole blighty and headed off for an adventure (with his lass there to hold his hand should the big ole world prove too scary, obviously).

Read about his adventures on his website (which I have to keep fixing because he breaks!!!).

That’s all folks
And with that, I’m outta here.

Remember, watch the skies….. another space shuttle could explode :{
Rob / MYstIC G

Good Luck Peeps

http://www.barrysworld.com/news/columns.asp?Author=82&Category=6&Item=26868

Good Luck Peeps | Comments (1)
Friday, August 16, 2002, 12:43

My commitments to my work and an agreement with TedTheDog have kept me from updating this column for a very long time, however I feel this one needs to be done.

I`d like to wish all the guys at BarrysWorld the best of luck now the service is going P2P, I hope it all goes well both now and long into the future.

All the best
Rob / MYstIC G

P.S. – Links are cool….. 🙂

The Powers That Be?

http://www.barrysworld.com/news/columns.asp?Author=82&Category=6&Item=25603

The Powers That Be? | Comments (2)
Tuesday, January 15, 2002, 02:55

Sorry, too tired & too hastled to even try for something that will push the limits of thinking about gaming (yeah right, like I do that anyway). So instead I thought (seeing as the opportunity arose) that I`d post something akin to QuakeNations IRC lamer of the day, except this time its the IRCops taking center stage.

QuakeNet: the british rail of IRC networks 😉
(Because on QuakeNet even the netsplits don`t happen on time 🙂

*** MYstIC_G sets mode: +ws
[00:53] !lou! yes
[00:53] !jewel! froo =(((((
[00:53] !splidge! aww 🙁
[00:53] !Softis! froo.. :/ w00t?
[00:53] !lou! froo … ieeks
[00:53] !lou! hairy old man
[00:54] !lou! gnihihihihi
[00:54] !jewel! bwhahaha.. and u are a virgin =/
[00:54] !lou! 😮
[00:54] !splidge! /me huggles jewel
[00:54] !lou! tell no one!
[00:54] !slug! abuse!
[00:54] !jewel! ehr… 50% of Qnet probly knows by now =)
[00:54] !splidge! must have more abuse!
[00:55] !froo! abuse me, Softis!
[00:55] !lou! ok 50% is ok
[00:55] !lou! but tell no one else
[00:55] !jewel! goodie =))) /me hugs lou
[00:55] !splidge! /me tells everyone
[00:55] !lou! 😮
[00:55] !slug! do i keep having to remind you to m00 m00re?
[00:55] !jewel! oi splidgey, lets do some broadcasts =))
[00:55] !splidge! m000000000000000000()()()()()o()()o()()o()()0000
[00:56] !slug! m 0 0 () o () oo ()oo()
[00:56] !splidge! /msg q broadcast set +w NOW
[00:56] !slug! laff
[00:56] !splidge! the fun is about to begin!
[00:56] !jewel! /msg q broadcast i have a secret about lou!
[00:56] !splidge! it`s data`s attempt on the world record for Number of Netsplits in a 5 Minute Period!
[00:56] !lou! ~ *_* ~
[00:56] !slug! \o/
[00:56] !Softis! /me abuses froo in all ways possible..
[00:56] !jewel! data is 1337
[00:56] !splidge! the record is currently (fumbles a bit)
[00:57] !froo! OMG! Ze Britz Are C0ming!
[00:57] !splidge! erm
[00:57] !lou! he is not
[00:57] !lou! != 1337
[00:57] !splidge! we don`t actually know!
[00:57] !jewel! he`s not? =(
[00:57] !splidge! but he`s going to try anyway!
[00:57] !lou! date != 1337 even
[00:57] !jewel! e+a
[00:57] !splidge! and if softis and froo would stop abusing each other there we might be able to watch!
[00:57] !lou! s+f
[00:58] !lou! foftis
[00:58] !lou! *gnihihihih*
[00:58] !splidge! only a few minutes to go now!
[00:58] !splidge! I hope you all have your popcorn ready!
[00:58] !slug! /me hands out coke
[00:58] !splidge! soft drinks, crisps and other light refreshments are available in the foyer!
[00:59] !Softis! switch($netsplit>reason) { case `splidge`: blame “splidge”; break; default: blame “lou”; break; }
[00:59] !splidge! i didn`t think anyone could be more annoying than lou but splidge is getting close 🙂
[00:59] !splidge! go me!
[00:59] !froo! makes a mental note about abusing
[00:59] !jewel! gg splidgey!
[01:00] !jewel! and philosophychica, lou is not annoying.. he is cute
[01:00] !splidge! jewel is biased!
[01:00] !froo! /me starts chanting: “lou, lou, lou, LOU!”
[01:00] !slug! while ($lou ne `sane`) wallops `cat /dev/urandom`;
[01:00] !splidge! I can optimise that slug
[01:01] !lou! heh!
[01:01] !lou! stop
[01:01] !jewel! splidgey, i am not
[01:01] !splidge! wallops pointless comparison!
[01:01] !lou! picking on mw
[01:01] !lou! sgkjdfskljsdf
[01:01] !lou! ME!
[01:01] !splidge! I`m so exited I`m double wallopsing!
[01:01] !slug! exited? lol
[01:01] !froo! i`m the cutest (next to lensiepoh)
[01:02] !splidge! and news just in from our observation team
[01:02] !splidge! we believe the man to make the attempt, Mr. ]data[ (applause please)
[01:02] !splidge! is lost on the DLR!
[01:02] !splidge! DLR, for those who don`t know, meaning Docklands Light Railway
[01:03] !slug! overview here: [URL=http://www.dlr.co.uk/netmaps/graphics/dlr_network.gif]http://www.dlr.co.uk/netmaps/graphics/dlr_network.gif[/URL]
[01:04] !slug! splidge: where is he on the map?
[01:05] !splidge! No idea
[01:05] !splidge! /me looks at map
[01:05] !froo! /me points for splidge
[01:05] !HellMagic! /me looks at /map
[01:06] !froo! ATTENTION QUAKENET USERS. THIS IS A WALLOP. IT`
[01:06] !froo! S CURRENTLY BEING ABUSED
[01:07] !lou! omg, attention pls
[01:07] !splidge! I hope he remembered to change trains!
[01:09] !slug! and hope he isn`t on the circle line =)
[01:10] !splidge! or even doing the circle line pub crawl!
[01:10] !splidge! not the ideal prelude to router reconfiguration
[01:11] !splidge! although thanks to the UK`s marvellous licensing laws I doubt the pubs are open!
[01:15] !splidge! * rolls drums more
[01:15] !HellMagic! 😀
[01:15] [S] Netsplit: stockholm.se.quakenet.org Remote SQUIT by HellMagic
[01:15] [S] Netsplit: hub.uk.quakenet.org <> eXscape.us.quakenet.org (rerouting to hub.se)
[01:15] !hub.se.quakenet.org! Remote CONNECT eXscape* 4400 from HellMagic
[01:16] [S] Netmerge: hub.se.quakenet.org >< eXscape.us.quakenet.org [01:16] !splidge! * crashes cymbals [01:16] [S] Netmerge: eXscape.us.quakenet.org. Net burst completed [01:16] !splidge! yes! [01:16] !HellMagic! 🙂 [01:16] !splidge! and now that the prelude is over [01:16] !splidge! it`s datataatatataatatata himself for the main event! [01:18] !splidge! someone has stolen data`s b0rking stick! [01:19] !Nomad! splidge...are you drunk ? [01:19] !splidge! somewhat worryingly.. no [01:20] !Nomad! splidge...forgot to take your medication ? [01:20] !splidge! ah, this might explain a few things [01:20] !Nomad! splidge...remember...3 m00`s a day [01:20] !splidge! oooh dear [01:21] !splidge! I think I`m up to about 10 [01:21] !splidge! this might explain things [01:21] [S] Netmerge: eXscape.us.quakenet.org Net burst acknowledged [01:32] !splidge! he`s back! [01:32] !splidge! with a shiny new b0rking stick [01:33] !HellMagic! yay! [01:33] !splidge! TIME TO BREAK STUFF (tm) [01:34] !HellMagic! â„¢ Much Later (Warning: Boring bit alert) [02:28] [S] Netsplit: blueyonder1.uk.quakenet.org <> hub.uk.quakenet.org (Ping timeout)
[02:30] [S] Netmerge: blueyonder1.uk.quakenet.org >< hub.de.quakenet.org [02:31] [S] Netmerge: hub.de.quakenet.org. - Net burst completed [02:31] [S] Netmerge: hub.de.quakenet.org - Net burst acknowledged [02:31] [S] Netmerge: hub.dk.quakenet.org - Net burst acknowledged [02:31] [S] Netmerge: irc.be.quakenet.org - Net burst acknowledged [02:31] !hub.de.quakenet.org! Remote CONNECT chat.uk* 4400 from pils [02:31] [S] Netmerge: hub.de.quakenet.org >< chat.uk.quakenet.org [02:31] [S] Netmerge: chat.uk.quakenet.org. - Net burst completed [02:32] [S] Netmerge: chat.uk.quakenet.org - Net burst acknowledged [02:33] [S] Netmerge: hub.dk.quakenet.org >< hub.uk.quakenet.org [02:34] [S] Netmerge: hub.uk.quakenet.org. - Net burst completed [02:35] [S] Netmerge: hub.uk.quakenet.org - Net burst acknowledged Much Much Later 02:50] * +meg¦afk slaps data[teleh0se] around a bit with a large haddock [02:51] <+data[teleh0se]> nothing has gone wrong
[02:51] < +data[teleh0se]> 😛
[02:51] < +Acronym> ….. YET

Time…..

http://www.barrysworld.com/news/columns.asp?Author=82&Category=6&Item=24431

Time….. | Post a comment..
Thursday, August 9, 2001, 01:02

Ok once again it’s probably been a little too long since I last updated this little ole column but I’ve got 5 minutes to spare so here goes.

TribesNation
I’m going to be working with Irn-Bru and Fergus to see if we can’t bring back some of TribesNation`s spark. In case you haven’t seen it already the post is here over on TribesNation

BWTL FunCup
Well HAI didn’t quite achieve their goals of world domination this time. Ah well always the Tribes 2 League 🙂

Comments
Well all I can say is “Ohhhhhh Shiny and New” nice one Trebz 🙂

Admins
#BWAdmins is now open for business on QuakeNET, expect to find me idling there as well now 🙂

Well unfortunately the 5 minutes are up so I’m going to have to mosey on along.
Today’s column was brought to you by the smiley 🙂 and the number 5

MYstIC G