Hood-linked

I'm truly obsessed. Since Jen very kindly got me a Wii this Christmas, I have been 'hood-linked'
by this phenomenal game. The Wii active sensor controls really do add an element to the Zelda experience, which never fails to disappoint anyway. The fact now that you have to use the Wii-mote to strike your sword and release arrows from your bow adds a sense of freedom which has been missing from first person and adventure games. I am a bit miffed at the storyline but let's face it - as all Zelda fans will confess - each of the games have a similar underlying structure anyway; young Hyrulian farm lad is told he must overcome evil as the 'chosen one', young lad fights evil in various dungeons and collects pieces of relics or triforce which will defeat evil, young lad faces the ultimate evil (usually and always in the form of Ganon or Ganondorf).
In sum, this is an excellent game.

Christmas was great for me, I had a lot of stuff and got stuffed foodwise! Both meals at my house and Jen's house were very nice and I hope everyone out there had a wonderful time with their families.

I am beginning to get withdrawal symptoms already so I wish a very happy new year to all if I don't see you!!!

Ar Bigau'r Drain (A Black Friday Post)

Yes, I am on tenterhooks at the moment. Sorry to use the Welsh phrase, but it was one of the few idioms I can remember from my A level days. It also a really nice phrase to say as it just rolls off the tongue really well (my tongue at least, I don't know about anyone else's!). Anyway, I am on tenterhooks because on all fronts I am no longer in control of what lies ahead. Don't you just love it when only fate can deal you a good hand?

By this I am referring to pending applications, dissertation marking and the wonder of Christmas Day. Ok, I guess being on tenterhooks is not the way I feel about Crimbo, but the festival still comes with its own kind of anticipation. Waiting for any word concerning a potential career does however carry a vast amount of potential heartbreak. I never thought that such emotion which be attached with a really good job opportunity, especially when the employer who has advertised it has no inclination of letting you know if you get the job or not. I really thought that if I didn't get a job, it would be a case of c'est la vie, but it's not the case. Yes the rejection (don't get me started on that despite having one so far), can bring the worst out of you. This is not to say that I have been sobbing my heart out just yet, but it is a real kick in the teeth when you get rejected from a job you thought you could do, or you thought would be a pleasure to work in. I know that rejection cannot get you down because if it did, you would get nothing out of life. In regards to my dissertation, I am still waiting in how I did two months on. I am under no illusions that marking such a piece of work will take a long time, but it doesn't stop this mildly paranoid mind from assuming the worst. I expect to have the results in January.

I hope that all your Crimbo shopping is done by now and if it isn't, I would suggest getting out there right now before there's nothing left! After my post about the lack of crowds in Cardiff, its now exploded with panicked people everywhere stepping over their own mothers to get their Xmas essentials. The rush is now kicking in with a vengence! Good luck to all last minuters; Im sorry I'm not with you this year but I am strangely organised for once!

So on this Black Friday, I wish everyone a very merry Christmas and if you do go out tonight, please take care!

Where are the crowds?

Went into town today to complete my Crimbo shopping and was very surprised to see very few people out and about on this usually hectic and stressful 'Blokes Week'. Yes Blokes Week - the very week that males such as myself rush out and make last minute purchases (usually spur of the moment decisions) of crap gifts which have been made with little or no thought whatsoever. But I witnessed no hellish scenes today, with the 25th only being 6 days away. Sums up the whole trend of consumer spending this festive season - no-one is shopping in stores, but it seems that they are taking to shopping in the comfort of their own homes via the internet. And can you blame them?

Here I am!

Now I've only ever watched Smile! once on CBBC, but I know that this little fella is a hit amongst the kids. But of late, he has also grown a rapport with adults too with his 'potty' mouth. In work we sell Talking Nev for a hefty sum of £30, but Im willing to pay it to own a piece of blundering-toy-making history. Yes, young Nev supposedly says 'quick!'. But instead of sounding like he's hurrying someone along, Nev appears to be insulting them with a similar sounding word! Tescos initially recalled all stock of the toy after the press had a field day with the obscenity-spewing Nev, but now it seems as though he is back on the website.In addition, all of the other major toy retailers have also taken no notice. In Argos, it seems as though the news story was also deeemed unimportant as not one recall or any notices of concern have been delivered to us. Oh well, I just think of the children...

...and of course the parents, who may need to prick up their ears this Christmas!

All work and no play makes Joe go....

Please feel free to guess which particular feeling all work and no play gives me. Ok, I am exaggerating here but the whole working for more than 50% of the week is a real shock to my previous student lifestyle. Days off actually have to be days off, in the sense that a day of doing sweet FA is the only thing you want to do. All I have done today is sit in the same seat all day long, watching Kerrang and feeling my mind turn to mush. But it was good to do absolutely nothing.

In between doing sweet FA and absolute bugger all, I have been applying for jobs. Mainly I have been targeting graduate training schemes and have finally completed a CV. Until the dream job knocks my door, I will hopefully be working in Argos to keep my bank balance happy. Working in Argos alone is motivation to get on with the job hunting!

In addition I would like to wish everyone a happy Wii release day and that if you get one, please don't throw it at your TV! Jen has kindly offered to get me one for Xmas which is really cool - but alas, I now have to match such a brilliant present for her! Pressure! So anyone, any ideas?

I also want to give my regards to Tom, who is currently recovering in hospital. Get better soon Tom, especially for the meal on Sunday!

Another thing I would like to note, the QVR website will be revamped for the new season. It will be our fourth season in division three (as QVR) and the team are feeling resilient after a good campaign but no promotion. Follow the team along their highs and their lows on The QVR Blog.

Finally, now that Deal or No Deal is on, I must return to my unproductiveness. So for your pleasure and most definitely mine, here is a piece of nostalgia which certainly crept into brain and snatched my memories with large talons. Enjoy!!