The Archers Variation Progress

Hi guys, I know it's been a long time, but you try being an interdimensional being living with both hands tied behind his back!

Well I'm excited about the progress of my Archers story.  The characters are really taking shape! At first it wasn't easy transferring the work hard play later or not at all ethos of the Archers, into the world of online gamers.  But I think I've really nailed it.

I've just got a few kinks in the plot to iron out then I'm there.

Stayed tuned folks!

Ayoade you have won but lost!

A friend of mine predicted that I wouldn't finish the Ayoade on Ayoade book. Currently he is correct. The pointlessness of the book has proved too much even for my iron-like will. It currenly resides on the lower shelf of my glass coffee table underneath some magazines. This glass table by the way, resembles Wonder Woman's airplane in that it only becomes visible via it's occupants. I may go back to the book in the future, or most likely some lucky person will be purchasing it at a bargain price in a charity shop. Once again I wonder why he wrote it & beleive it should have been much smaller. How many other suckers like myself have wasted their money on a book they thought would reveal something interesting about the man?!!

Will this blog link to Facebook?

Well I've signed up to Facebook & I've used an app that should link my blog to FB, so let's see!

Minecraft Madness!!!

Yes it's happened, I've finally joined the shambling masses of Minecraft addicts!  Order & Chaos has become irrelevant, even Bard's Tale which I had been playing loads, is sadly neglected.  Forget what I said before about not playing computer games, Minecraft is my life!

For years I'd heard people mention the game, seen some pictures, heard a few discussions & just dismissed it all as a kid's game which some adults play with their children.  Recently a couple of acquaintances of mine (Who's opinions on games I respect) have showed/told me about their like of the MC.  This got me interested & so on the 28th December I purchased Minecraft Pocket for my tablet & plunged into a world of aching eyeballs & endless resource gathering.

That's all I'm gonna say about it, except it's getting me through the winter.

You'll be glad to know I had a great Christmas & New Year & hope you did too.

Till next time - whenever that will be I don't know...

What I've Been Doing Lately - Featuring Ayoade & Campbell Update

Hello reader/s, I thought this time I'd actually write something that resembled an ordinary blog for a change.  This means boring you with details about my life...

For those of you that have been reading this blog, you will know that I recently succeeded in obtaining the 2 books on Ayoade & Campbell.  You also will be pleased to know they were received in good condition.  The Campbell book was a great read, a fascinating & witty insight into the world of the B-movie actor (who sometimes steps into the world of the A-movie/TV) He seems like a nice guy (By his own account of himself) And I can really see why some people just drop out of the the whole acting scene.  You may think you have to deal with assholes in your job, but the movie world is a rich seam of asshole gold.  According to BC a lot of people drop out because they are simply ground down by it all.  To be an A-list player, you gotta work it - attend the right parties, lick the right ass & put up with endless BS & egos.  Anyhoo there you go.

I'm still reading the Ayoade book, but was immediately disappointed to find that this is not an insight into the man, but just a very stupid book.  I'm stubbornly trying to read it to the end, because I like the man & it is quite funny at times.  It's just that the book is based around the idea that he is being interviewed by himself.  The interviewer Ayoade is fairly serious, while the interviewee Ayoade is a ludicrous caricature of himself.  Arrogant & deluded, infantile & pretentious.  Anyway I don't recommend this book beyond being used as a coffee table book to be picked up from time to time & laughed at.

I've been playing an online game on my tablet called "Order & Chaos" it's been astoundingly addictive & fun & it's free!  I've now reached level 64 which has taken me around 3 months playing virtually everyday.  I'm getting to the point where I'm a little bored by it - thank goodness (or is it?) this leads me on to my next point:

I think I may be losing some interest in computer games!  Arggh the horror!  What's the evidence? I hear you demand.  Well I haven't played anything on my PS3 for around 5 months.  When I've tried I had no interest & just turn the thing off.  I've played no games on my laptop either, hardly any on my phone.  Yes I've been playing on my tablet Order & Chaos & some others - but even this interest is waning.  Oh no it looks like I may have to fill my time with something that's worthwhile & goes towards improving my life in some way.

This is my worst time of year.  The run up to Christmas irritates me, the actual day is usually pretty good though.  I dislike the darkness outside & the corresponding darkness inside.  My energy drops dramatically & going out & socialising becomes harder & less pleasurable.  This year however, i'm doing a little better & my energy levels are not as low as usual.  I still have to go to bed earlier during the week, but I haven't felt completely hollow inside while socialising - yah!

That's all for now, your'e lucky/unlucky you got this much out of me - the Archers project is really shaping up, won't be long now...

You Know You're a geek when...

1. You see ex-Sci-Fi actors in mundane situations on made for TV movies or soaps & you feel like crying, for example:

Craig Charles (Lister on Red Dwarf) in Coronation Street

Bruce Boxleitner (Captain Sheridan on Babylon 5, Tron) Hosing his lawn in a made for TV movie

Gareth Thomas (Blake in Blake's 7) as a pensioner in a children's TV programme burning his hand on a kettle & acting like a big baby.

William Shatner (No I will not explain who he is!) TG Hooker

Gillian Anderson (Dana Scully in XFiles) Bleak House

2. You felt joy when:

at the start of each episode of Star Trek The Next Generation, Patrick Stewart's voice informs us that it's a "Continuing" mission rather than a "5 year" mission as in the original series.

3. You felt outrage & anger when:

Firefly was cancelled, The Tick was cancelled, Caprica (spin-off from Battlestar Galactica) was cancelled.  The last Star Trek series "Enterprise" was an absolute steaming pile of excrement & totally killed Star Trek's chances of ever being on TV for at least another decade!!!

4. You will always think Patrick Stewart is amazing

5. You want Bruce Campbell to stay looking heroic like "Ash" forever & not be slowly putting on weight as he gets older. (You still think he is great though)

6. You still agonise about how Red Dwarf became a bit shit when one half of the writing team left

Well that's it.  if you have any other ideas on what reveals a person to be a geek, feel free to add your comments below.

Next Time: That Archers story you've been waiting for!

What Would Chris Pine Do?

Hello to you & yes another post already.

While I write this on the sofa, Mrs Rockford is sat next to me watching another episode of Columbo.

I guess you want to know why I'm writing another post already, no? well i'll tell you anyway.

I've been taking more action lately & it's all been inspired by Chris Pine.

Chris Pine first came to my attention in the re-imagined Star Trek films.

He played Captain Kirk, a major feat, following in the footsteps of William Shatner!

In my opinion he did damn well.  The guy needed bags of charisma to fill Shatner's shoes, he absolutely phasered charisma off the screen.

As for the films themselves, I though they were ok, but something was off.

Sure Zachary Quinto was equally great as Spock - good casting guys!  But something didn't feel right.

The films were directed by  JJ Abrams, I just don't trust the guy, I get the feeling he doesn't really like Sci-Fi.

Call me crazy, but I think one day I'll be proved correct.

Anyway, I've just seen a film starring Chris Pine & Denzel Washington called "Unstoppable" a simple idea about a runaway train, but very good.

Chris Pine once again plays the action hero. He's really good a playing these flawed heroic types.  One thing these characters he plays have in common is that they get things done.

That's the kind of guy I wanna be.  I don't mean saving lives, blowing up planets or stopping trains, but just getting stuff done.

My problem has always been that I over-think stuff , & end up doing nothing having talked myself out of it.

The characters CP plays have a quick think & then take action before it's too late.

Inspired by all this I've tried to incorperate these characteristics into my daily life.

Already today I've:

• Got Myself & Mrs Rockford across the road quicker than other pedestrians.
• Got the attention of a waiter in a cafe who seemed oblivious to our presence.
• Wrote more posts than usual

This is just the beginning of a new way of being.  From now on I will be asking myself "What would Chris Pine do?"