I'm a stranger here myself.

Three years later...

2011-05-26T12:19:00.000+01:00

Three years. Three. Years.

Fair enough, it's been a while.

What you'll be watching this time next year...

2008-05-16T23:19:00.002+01:00

This is the time of year that the big American telly networks start showing off what their big shows for the new season will be.

Old favourites (of mine, at any rate) like Lost, Pushing Daisies and Medium will be coming back, so yay for that. But probably more interestingly, this year will see the launch of a US version of Life On Mars. Here's the trailer...

First impressions suggest it's everything you'd hope it wouldn't be. But take away the annoying voiceover man and it looks like it could be pretty faithful. But, it'll be interesting to see how they extend the well-paced UK storyline into a 24 part series (and potentially five years worth at that). It could be worth a look. Plus the guy is quite fit.

Best of all though is the return of Joss Whedon to television. Buffy, Angel and Firefly are three of the best TV shows of recent years, and Joss Whedon is one of the best writers working in television. Dollhouse is his new show, and I'll spare you the premise and instead link you to this page - which has all the details you'll need. I'm VERY excited about this show. Here's a trailer...

Apologies if the video doesn't work. Fox seems to be taking down all the trailers from You Tube today... Try a Google search.

DOCTOR WOOF!

2008-05-16T22:52:00.004+01:00

Yeah yeah, it's been a while, and it'll probably be a while before the next post, but after a couple of lovely messages about this blog over the last few days, I thought I'd pay lip service and write a little update.

It also seems like a good time to write something, because for a geek like me, it's been a particularly interesting week. Some interesting announcements from the US TV networks about their new shows... a fine week for gaming... and the appearance of a You Tube video that has a fleeting appearance from yours truly. So let's start with that, shall we?

DOCTOR WOOF & THE HAIRY SCREAMER

Working for a gay charity can be a lot of fun sometimes, and one of the real highlights of the year for me is working with Manbears in Manchester on their publicity material for The Great British Bear Bash. This year I got involved even more (outside of work) by taking part in one of their fantastic video projects - in this case an affectionate tribute to Doctor Who. The video was shown during the Bear Bash, and (thank God) everyone seemed to laugh in the right places :-) It was great seeing the effort that everyone puts into these videos - especially Gerard from Manbears, and Jonathan Robinson, the camera man (check out his fantastic You Tube channel here). The results of their hard work is in obvious in this video. I can't wait to get involved in more. And in case you're interested, I appear as the 'Bear Runner' (and occasionally the WereWookie) in this one :-) Oh, and my other half - Barry - makes an appearance as 'Leeloo' during the brilliant 'Fever' at the end of this video (red wig... bandages...)

Next post: Life On Mars gets a US makeover, and Joss Whedon returns to telly!

Woo, and in a very real sense, hoo.

GAME REVIEW: Lost Via Domus (Ubisoft) - Xbox360

2008-03-06T21:28:00.006Z

Ach, this could have been SO good.

Ever since the Lost video game was announced a couple of years back, I've been looking forward to crashing on that island and discovering just what the hell is going on. Perhaps as Jack, perhaps as Sawyer, preferably as John Locke. What a shame then, that instead you play nothing but a bystander to the established Lost storyline. A bystander with a pretty non-descript and (by Lost standards at least) by-the-numbers back-story.

It starts well. The initial plane crash on the island is very well rendered and plays from a much more personal viewpoint than we've seen before. It's genuinely exciting. With the crash leading into the TV show opening titles, establishing the player as a part of the shows mythology is very well played and promises much.

What follows though, are seven 'episodes' (complete with "previously on Lost" recaps, opening titles and the closing 'boom' from the TV show) comprising of little more than rudimentary exploring, infuriating logic puzzles and pointless conversations with poorly voiced versions of the established cast. Sadly only a few of the original cast have lent their voices to the game, and the actors hired to play Jack, Kate, Hurley etc. are very poor. Unlike the, er, likenesses, which are pretty much spot on.

It's not all bad though. The graphics are actually very well executed - especially in the forest sections of the game, and - arguably - look even better than similar environments in Uncharted: Drake's Fortune on the PS3. And, yes, for fans of the show there's no denying the thrill to be had from encountering the smoke monster, entering the numbers into the computer in the hatch, and stumbling upon the Black Rock deep in the forest. You'll even find yourself exploring a couple of locations that we've not (yet) seen on the TV show.

Your character's flashbacks are also implemented fairly well into the structure of the seven episodes, and pick up towards the end, developing into an interesting enough story of twists and fractured memories. Nothing better than we've seen on the TV show, though.

But these moments are not enough to rescue some annoying game play faults. You'll find yourself throwing the controller to floor in sheer frustration during the long (long!) and winding cave sections, and the fuse-based logic puzzles that crop up far too often. The dynamite carrying section is a particular lowlight and if you get passed it without more than a few harsh words, then you'll deserve the achivement points you'll rack up for completing that episode.

So, who should buy this game? Hardcore Lost fans will find enough to keep themselves amused. Casual Lost fans would be best to rent the title. As for everyone else - steer well clear. For a TV show which - especially during the current Season 4 - has never been better, this game does nothing but validate the cry's of "confusing!", "they're making it up as they go along!" and "what the hell is happening?" frequently levelled (incorrectly, in my opinion) at the TV show.

Truly, a wasted opportunity. (5/10)

THE GOOD:
- Succesfully captures the 'feeling' of the TV show.
- Impressive visuals.
- Well structured - if pedestrian - storyline.
- A quick way to grab an easy 1000 Achievement points.

THE BAD:
- Confusing logic puzzles.
- Poor character voicing.
- Very short.
- Adds nothing new to the Lost mythology.

Ignore this

2008-01-18T01:06:00.000Z

This post is merely to test if I can submit blog posts via iPod Touch.

"Sitting at home in my pants."

2008-01-08T23:01:00.001Z

In further proof that machines are taking over the planet and will one day rule over us in a tyranical mecha-droidal type way, my Xbox360 has now developed the capacity to produce its own blog.

I shit you not.

Over there on the right hand side of this blog you'll see the 360voice.com Latest Entry badge. The facts are these: everytime I fire up my 360, it will remember what I've played, how long I played it for, and - if I'm lucky - how many achievements I've racked up. It will then publish it to its very own blog - which you can see in full here. And also, obviously, to this blog right here you're reading now.

Confusing? Yes, frankly.

Nevertheless, all of this serves to show you that I can no longer tell little white lies about not being able to come out for a drink tonight "because I'm off to a fabulous party", because my 360's blog will quite blatantly tell you that I was in fact sitting at home in my pants kicking three shades of poop out of the Evil Overlord Zorg.

And yet, still I add it to my blog, because I'm such a bloody geek.

Me, eh?

Going back.

2008-01-06T10:47:00.000Z

It's been a while, but with a New Year comes a renewed interest in updating my blog. Let's see how long it lasts...

This past couple of weeks, I've spent a lot of time back home in Scotland celebrating Christmas and New Year with friends and family. I took the opportunity while I was there to visit the old council estate I grew up on. It's a bit more run down than I remember, and it certainly feels a lot smaller than it did, but revisiting a place that meant so much to me evoked some vivid memories.

I've posted the video I made while I was there. Hope you like it.

More posts to follow...

Probably.

Thanks for the add...

2007-10-12T15:45:00.000+01:00

Like almost everyone I know, I've gone all Facebook.

Not that I want to be a 'friend collector', but feel free to add me as a friend.

The name? Grahame Robertson.

GAMING: Halo 3

2007-09-24T00:24:00.001+01:00

The first reviews of Halo 3 are appearing online now, and it's scoring VERY highly. It's certainly whetting my appetite even further for the next chapter in this extraordinary gaming franchise.

If I didn't have so much to do at work on Wednesday, I'd be taking the day off to play Halo 3, but as it stands I'll have to wait until 6pm, when I get home.

This is probably the most important gaming release ever, and if I can tear myself away from it, I'll try and post my impressions before the end of this week.

Oh, and if anyone is interested in setting up a gay Halo 3 clan - leave me a message either here, or on Live. My gamertag is monkeybaby360.

GAMING: Re-evaluating the Wii.

2007-09-23T23:53:00.000+01:00

Ah, the Nintendo Wii. Still in demand, and still outselling the 360 and PS3. But ask most gamers who've had one for more than a couple of months, and they'll tell you they love it, but they just don't play with it anymore.

It's certainly true in my case. I've not turned the thing on for over two months. Hi-def gaming on the 360 and PS3 has highlighted for me just how rubbish the Wiii looks in comparison on my HD telly. Talk about snobbery, but after a bout of Bioshock or Warhawk in glistening 1080i, turning on the Wii feels like someone just covered the screen with a pair of wrinkled tights.

Today though, that all changed. It's been a horrible day here in Manchester. Cold and wet. Instead of going out, my other half and I decided to stay in and watch telly. Then he mentioned he wouldn't mind a game of bowling on the Wii. He's not a gamer at all, so I jumped at the chance to share one of my passions with him. Steady!

Four hours later and we were still playing it. We even played a nine-hole round of golf. And we had so much fun doing it! Then it struck me. The Wii levels the playing field. The reason my other half doesn't turn the 360 on for a quick blast of Bioshock is because he's afraid he'll screw it up. He's afraid his confidence will take a bashing because he can't memorise the controller configuration, or grasp the games physics. And let's face it, why should he?

The Wii throws all that nonsense out the window. My other half won most of the games of bowling we played because he understands how to pick up a bowling ball and throw it. And he's got better aim than me. The Wii demands only that you have a good time.

So, if I don't turn it on again for another two months, that's fine. At least I know that when I do I'll have a bloody good time.

GADGETS: You scratch mine.

2007-09-23T23:38:00.000+01:00

The iPod Touch is, of course, a very beautiful piece of technology. Ground-breaking interface, sleek curves... everything an Apple product should be. But what we all really want to know is if the screen will scratch after five minutes of use, right?

Thank goodness then, that this very silly chap decided to test the strength and scrath-resistance of his iPod Touch screen with pins, keys and a razor blade, film it and put it on You Tube.

All in all it looks pretty resiliant, and reassures me that when my iPod Touch arrives next week I won't have to snap on the Marigolds before I use it.

Pride in our work.

2007-08-26T10:20:00.000+01:00

Manchester is currently in the grip of Pride fever. For four days the Gay Village is transformed into an event site hosting thousands of locals and visitors celebrating Manchester Pride.

For the Lesbian and Gay Foundation (LGF) - where I work - it's our busiest time of the year. We call it Gay Christmas. We've been preparing for it for months, and for many of the staff and volunteers the Parade is the highlight of the whole weekend.

I took my video camera into work yesterday to make a little video diary of everyone preparing for the Parade. The results of which you can see above.

Yes, I can see that your carpet is animated.

2007-08-02T22:23:00.000+01:00

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why Sia is a very good pop star indeed.

It's an issue.

2007-06-22T22:17:00.000+01:00

The new issue of outnorthwest is now in Shropshire being printed. I really enjoyed working on this one. Here's the cover.

This one celebrates 25 years of the Hacienda, amongst other things, and will be available across the north west from Wednesday 27th July.

If you're homosexual in any way, you might want to pick a copy up.

Flash!

2007-06-22T21:56:00.000+01:00

Playstation 3 took a couple more steps to realising its potential today.

A recent PS3 firmware update promised PS1 game compatibility via downloads from the Playstation Store. Not only that, a firmware update for the PSP promised the same. But since then nothing much has happened to make use of the feature. Until today. Nestling nicely in the PS Store today were Wipeout, Crash Bandicoot and, best of all, Jumping Flash. These are all original Playstation games I remember playing... god, it must be nearly ten years ago. I guess they're officially retro now.

Of all those games, it's Jumping Flash (see video above) that holds the fondest memories. A pretty obscure early PS1 game, it didn't perform terribly well when it was released, but it was certainly original. Taking control of robot rabbit, called Robbit, the objective is to jump around various 3D levels collecting carrots. The level design is gorgeous, and verging on surreal, and to be playing it again all these years later is an absolute joy.

And, in a further boost for PS3/PSP synchronicity, it's also possible to download these PS1 games directly from your PS3 to your PSP (at no extra cost). Fantastic. I now have a pretty tidy collection of PS1 games I can take with me anywhere.

It might be a slow start, but the amount of time I spend on PS3 is now rivalling the time I spend on Xbox360. And it will only get better with even more downloads promised.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Take It Like A Man - DRAGONETTE
Podcast: Mark Kermode - BBC
TV: Kyle XY - SEASON 2
Game: Jumping Flash - PLAYSTATION
Magazine: SciFi Now - ISSUE 3

Red Letter Day

2007-05-10T16:28:00.000+01:00

I said in a previous post I'd let you see the new condom pack design.

And here it is.

You'll be able to pick the new pack up in a couple of months.

Nosey bastard

2007-05-09T21:17:00.000+01:00

Due to the marvel that is the internet, I've added a couple of new features to the blog this evening.

If you look on the right hand column, you'll see two new additions - Twitter, and Just Listened To...

Twitter will give me a chance to add to the blog much more regularly, with short updates on what I'm up to. Even better, I can do it from my mobile phone, so look out for ocassional drunken message in there. If you've not seen Twitter in action, visit their site and you'll have a better idea of what it's all about, and why it's so popular.

Just Listened To is pretty obvious. Through LAST FM (a fantastic social-networking music site), you can check at any time of the day or night what I'm listening to (or what I've just listened to). It even knows what I've been listening to on my iPod. There will be some embaressing stuff there, I'm sure - especially during the hours I'm at work, but hopefully you'll see some music pop up on there you might want to seek out.

So there you. No part of my life is off limits it would seem...

I just walked in to find you here...

2007-05-09T20:28:00.000+01:00

Hello. Long time no blog, eh?

There are any number of reasons/excuses I've not updated this for a while. None of which I'll bore you with; or even pretend you're interested in hearing about. Over the last few weeks though, a lot has happened.

So, here's just a random post about some of the stuff I've been up to...

GRRR! etc.
Been extremely productive at work the last month or so, primarily on a whole bunch of printed and design work for the Great British Bear Bash, which took place here in Manchester over the Bank Holiday weekend. I designed a Survival Guide for the Bash, along with production of fridge magnets, newsletters, posters and other goodies. They seemed to go down well with the guys who came to the Bash, so I'm very pleased with how that all went. It would be great to do more again next year.

Neon Condoms
As well as all the Bear materials, and the latest outnorthwest, I've also in the last couple of weeks designed a 56 page LGB rights guide (which you can download now from the LGF site); and also completely redesigned the new condom packs. If you're gay and familiar with Manchester, you'll have seen the free condom packs. Well, every year we redesign them because it keeps them 'fresh', and also, well, because we can. Usually it's a subtle redesign, but this year I've gone a bit mental. They're slight more, ahem, colourful and I'll post a sneak preview of them tomorrow.

Wales, isn't it.
I've just booked some time off to spend a weekend in Cardiff at the end of the month. And yes, it solely because of Doctor Who. I want to stand under the rift at the Millennium Centre, visit the Powell Estate, and go on the Doctor Who locations tour. I feel no need to apologise :-)

Open the Pod bay doors, Hal.
I've also been working on a brand new podcast over the last week or so with a very funny friend of mine. I'll tell you more about that in my next post... Needless to say, it's all very exciting. And drunken.

So, hopefully you can see why I've neglected this blog of late. Been a tad busy.

When I first started Vegetable Soup, I used to end each post with a list of stuff I was watching/listening to/reading etc. Then I slowly, and predictably, lost interest in it. But looking back over those earlier posts, it's actually quite interesting (to me, at least) to read. A multi-media snapshot of the time, if you will. So, starting from this post and until I lose interest again (probably around mid-August), it's the return of...

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Tony The Beat (Rex The Dog Disco Mix) - THE SOUNDS
Podcast: ZTT Podcast Episode One - ZTT
TV: Heroes (The Last Three Chapters) - SEASON 1
Game: Motorstorm - PLAYSTATION 3
Magazine: Death Ray

Bearing up nicely.

2007-04-15T12:42:00.000+01:00

It's probably the hottest day of the year out there. I bet Canal Street is chocka.

It's also production week, which means I can't move away from the Mac until I've finished the new issue of outnorthwest. I've spent most of this morning working on the cover. That's it up there. This issue marks the 10th Great British Bear Bash in Manchester. Hence the bears. The BSI theme mirrors one of the videos the guys have produced for the Bash.

I think I like the cover. I've spent too much time looking at it to be honest. So I'm going to stop now. It would be nice to go out for a beer. But I have an article on gonorrhoea to design...

Tasty Bollox

2007-04-02T19:21:00.000+01:00

Manchester, where I live, has a reputation for being a big homo-friendly city. What with Canal Street and all that.

Well Canal Street is a bit rubbish, to be brutally frank. The real reason Manchester is the best gay city in the world is a club called Bollox. Third Friday of every month at Legends. Good music, good crowd, good attitude. Bollox has, single-handedly, made me want to go to a gay club again. I was seriously bored and disillusioned with the gay scene until this.

That video up there? I'm in it! I couldn't be more happy about that. That's me in the white t-shirt in the middle and at the very end.

If you've never been. Go.

A tad over-excited?

2007-03-28T14:04:00.000+01:00

The final episode of Battlestar Galactica's third season was a complete triumph. Some fantastic writing, and huge secrets revealed. It certainly makes the wait for the new season in January next year a long and hard one Fnarr.

However, as exciting as it was, it certainly didn't leave me as breathless and exciteable as this chap...

Bless him.

I think he might be a bit gay too.

Playstation 3: First Impressions

2007-03-24T11:43:00.000Z

It's flippin' heavy!

Once you get past the loveliness of its sleek, shiny black curves, the first thing you notice about Playstation 3 is its weight. Imagine holding a really fat baby.

Initial set up was a doddle, and it was hooked up to my HD telly within five minutes of leaving its box. If you've got a PSP, you'll be familiar with the interface on PS3 - they're calling it the Cross Media Bar, or XMB. It's easy to navigate, but I have to say it doesn't feel as solid as the 360's Blade system.

Getting it online was easy too. Scan for a wireless connection, enter your WEP key and you're done. The first thing to do is download the system update, then on to registration. This took FOREVER! Entering text using a controller is a nightmare, and it must have taken a good 20 minutes to get everything set up.

Once that was all done, the fun really began. Exploring a new console is always exciting... "ooh, I wonder what that does", and PS3 is no exception. One of the best features is Remote Play, which works in conjunction with your PSP. This function allows you to watch video content and listen to music that's stored on your PS3 on your PSP. Using bluetooth, it works surprisingly well. You can even access the PS3's web browser, and buy stuff from the Playstation Store. This is a smart feature, and makes me wonder why Nintendo aren't exploiting the link between the Wii and DS yet.

Getting content on to the PS3, especially video, is tricky if you're a beginner. Best thing to do is download a free application called PS3 Video 9 on to your computer and use that to convert video files. Then just copy into a folder called VIDEO on to a USB memory stick, stick it into the USB slot on your PS3, and Bob's your uncle. I've already chucked 3 episodes of Lost and Battlestar Galactica on to the PS3, and with Remote Play, it means I can watch them in bed at night on my PSP! Marvellous.

Accessing Playstation Store will give you access to loads of free, and paid for, content. You'll find games, demos and videos, as well as in-game content to download. My recommendations? Blast Factor is worth a shot, and is very similar to Geometry Wars on the 360. You can also download a full version of the classic Lemmings for only £3.49, which is a bit of a bargain really.

So, what about the games? I'll do a couple of small reviews of Motorstorm and Resistance:Fall Of Man soon, so keep checking back. In a nutshell though, they're both great titles. Motorstorm looks amazing (better than anything on 360 at the moment), and Resistance? To be honest, nothing special and I've seen better on the 360...

All in all, it's a great machine with a lot going for it. The problem is though, that it's going to take a while (at least a year) before it can really take off. If it even does. The price point is way too high, and although there are a high number of launch games, there are just no must-have titles... yet. The sooner they get Home and LittleBigPlanet launched, the better.

THE GOOD
- Remote Play
- Media Handling
- XMB interface
- Playstation Store
- Online play
- Massive storage space
- Motorstorm!

THE BAD
- The price!
- The lack of killer games
- No rumble in the controller

Overall? If you can, you should ;-)

My iMix

2007-03-24T11:36:00.000Z

Through the wonder of the internet and iTunes, I've created my very first iMix!

It's a selection of my favourite electronic tunes of the last few weeks, so why not click on the link below and have a listen? And if you like it, you can even buy it! It's only £8.69. Not a penny of which I receive, by the way.

Humph.

The Arrogance of the Geek

2007-03-23T23:18:00.000Z

I'm old enough to remember schoolboy arguments around Spectrum versus C64 versus BBC Micro, etc. You know the score... "My machine is better than yours... blah blah blah." Twenty-five years later, very little has changed.

Fans of gaming and technology (let's just cut the crap and call them geeks - that's what we are, and I'm proud to be called one) can be an arrogant bunch. They take brand loyalty to the Nth degree, and can be almost fanatical in their hatred of 'rival' products. It's utterly pointless of course, completely small-minded, and serves no useful purpose at all, but I guess it has something to do with the sizeable financial outlay we have to make to fuel our obsessions. Nobody wants to be made to feel ashamed about the £425 they've just spent on the latest gaming console, do they?

For me, it's a constant soure of annoyance. As a Mac owner, I often hear from PC owners about how much more powerful/reliable/upgradeable/nicer a PC is. I really don't care. Really. I don't. I own a PC too. I can see the benefits of Macs AND PC's (by the way, those Mitchell and Webb ads are the epitomy of geek arrogance). My Mac is fantastic for the design work I do, and it pays my bills. And my PC is a workhorse when it comes to the copious amounts of downloading I do. I love them both. Equally.

Similarly, we've now got the arrogant billionaire brawl between Murdoch and Branson. The whole Sky versus Virgin Media thing is an embaressment to their industry and, most importantly, is taking the piss out of both companies customers. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, and both companies are behaving like school children. Actually, taking one look at the childish goading on Digital Spy forums, the customers aren't exactly conducting themselves with much dignity either.

And most recently, with the arrival of Playstation 3, we now have the bitter rivalry between Xbox360 owners, and PS3 owners rearing its ugly head. There's no denying that Sony have ballsed up the launch of PS3 in Europe, but let's not forget the trauma of Xbox360's launch over a year ago. Neither company has cause to boast. Both of these consoles though, will usher in a new era of gaming. They're powerful and capable of serving up hours of quality entertainment Equally, they'll both have their fair share of disasters and mis-steps. I almost fell into the geek-trap of slating Sony before I'd had a chance to weight up what they were offering. And when I learnt what was coming up in the future for PS3, I decided I'd like to have a go. Simple as that really.

And - you might want to take a seat for this - but, for the last few hours, an Xbox360 and a Playstation 3 have been sharing space in my living room, and the planet hasn't imploded.

So if you're a geek like me, why not stop being a sheep and embrace difference? Support choice, and stop throwing tantrums at each other. Let's face it, if you had £425 going spare (who has right? But bear with me), tell me with a straight face you wouldn't be running to Game tomorrow to pick up your new games console.

And if that comes across as arrogant... well, I guess I rest my case.

Would you?

2007-03-19T15:23:00.000Z

As has now become traditional, here is a sneak preview of the cover of the new issue of outnorthwest. As regular readers may know, I am the editor and designer of this north west based LGB magazine. I finished the cover, quite literally, two minutes ago.

Cover stars this month are Infernal. They did that annoying From Paris To Berlin nonsense last year. They have an album coming out. Hurrah. Also in this issue is one of the best features we've ever run - Would You Take A Straight Pill? Well, would you?

Anyway, thought you'd like to see it. It comes out on Wednesday 28th March.

That is all.

I admit it, I'm a turncoat.

2007-03-12T15:18:00.000Z

I guess a lot of people (and by people, I mean the geeks like me) who decided they weren't going to buy a Playstation 3 can identify with the latest Penny Arcade strip (click on the strip above to see).

I was dead set against getting one. Far too expensive, backtracking on promises such as PS2 back compatibility; and the pure arrogance of Sony on the whole launch issue. But now, they go and preview two 'killer apps' for the PS3 which - fickle as I am - have turned me completely around.

Today I pre-ordered a Playstation 3. I feel dirty. And because demand is so low, most retailers are guaranteeing availability on launch day - 23rd March.

It's all because of Home and Little Big Planet. If you've caught the trailers online, you might have an idea just why these two applications could save the Playstation 3. Proper interactive entertainment. 'Creative gaming' is what Edge magazine is calling it. It could be a whole new genre of gaming.

Home is the PS3 equivalent of the Nintendo Mii. Only on a larger (much larger) scale, and incorporates a dizzying array of customisation options, and a virtual environment that encourages interaction and sharing. I can't wait to be a part of it.

Little Big Planet kind of defies description. Instead, I'll let this You Tube video go some way towards explaning it. Whatever it is... it looks mighty.

So, call me a traitor. Call me two-faced, but at the end of the day, if any company is going to produce electronic entertainment that looks this... entertaining.... then count me in.

Roll on 23rd March.

Where's the delete key?

2007-02-13T13:44:00.000Z

Today, for about 10 minutes, I directed Doctor Who. Well, kind of. Well actually, not at all, but it felt good to say it.

In reality, I was at the press launch for a new Doctor Who Exhibition which opens at The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester at the end of March. Unfortunately (or fortunately, as it turns out), I was a little bit late. So, for 10 minutes I had two Cybermen all to myself. Actual REAL Cybermen from off the telly. It feels very peculiar telling a Cyberman where to stand and where to walk. But I enjoyed every minute of it. Not that you can tell from that miserable picture.

What you are looking at in that picture is not a 38 year old man, but a 10 year old little boy.

Look Who's Back! Etc.

2007-02-12T16:08:00.000Z

Just this second finished the cover for the next issue of outnorthwest. It’s one for the Doctor Who fans. Which we all are, let’s face it.

It marks the return of the programme to TV at the end of March, and the opening of a large Doctor Who exhibition here in Manchester at The Museum of Science & Industry. The media launch is tomorrow, and we’re promised Cybermen! Expect a picture tomorrow :-)

This cover is completely open to change, as always. There’s even the chance we might not even use it, but I thought you’d like to see it anyway. Me? I’d put Doctor Who on the cover every month...

I could be purple.

2007-02-07T18:11:00.000Z

Yeah. I know. It's been far too long since I put anything on the blog. But I'm back now after a lovely two weeks in Miami (check out the pictures by clicking on the Flickr button on the right there), and I'm raring to go.

So today, an old friend asked me if I'd met Mika yet. I had no idea who he was talking about. Turns out he's only the first truly fabulous pop star of 2007! Grace Kelly sounds like the first single from the love child of Freddie Mercury and Jake Shears. Which, in a sense, it is. And it's pure gold. It's also the most downloaded track on iTunes as we speak.

Check out the video above.

Not only that readers. Not. Only. That. Mika's album Life In Cartoon Motion is a work of total and utter genius and you should really not waste another minute and get yourself to iTunes and download it immediately. Every single track has a huge smile on it's face. You'll love it.

Nice to be back.

On my radio...

2007-01-12T19:14:00.000Z

Hello. It just occurred to me I haven't wished you a Happy New Year. So... Happy New Year. Anyway, down to business. Kylie Minogue starts her tour in Manchester tonight. It runs for six nights and by law every gay person in Manchester must attend.

Bizarrely enough I was invited on to Terry Christian's programme on BBC Radio Manchester this morning to talk about why Kylie Minogue is such a "gay icon". You can hear what I had to say about it by clicking the play button below. Count how many times I say "exactly" or "sensibilities"

See you at the concert...

This.... is the good shit.

2007-01-10T12:30:00.000Z

Brian: Can I borrow your video recorder?
Daisy: What you going to do? Stick it to a canvas as a piece depicting a nation of cathode junkies, selling their imaginations for quick-fix media hits from the Blockbuster syringe?
Brian: No, I want to tape Ready Steady Cook.

A casual conversation at work the other day about the TV comedy Spaced has had me digging out the DVD's to watch this fantastic series all over again. Shown on Channel 4 in 1999, Spaced followed the lives of flatmates Tim Bisley and Daisy Steiner. Tim is a sci-fi geek with aspirations to be a comic book artist. Daisy is an aspiring journalist/writer, with absolutely no talent whatsoever. The subsidiary characters, such as Tim's best friend, the army-obsessed Mike; or Brian, the struggling artist who lives in the basement; and Marsha the leering landlady, are all just as well rounded and crafted as Tim and Daisy. All these characters are played to perfection.

There has been nothing like it since on British TV, and although the stars of the show (Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Jessica Stevenson) have gone on to bigger things, we can only hope that one day in the future they'll get together and do another batch of episodes. Or a one-off special at the very least.

At its best, Spaced was complete genius. Every episode was packed with pop culture references, observational humour and fantastic performances. The show celebrated it's geekiness gloriously, and rewards you on repeated viewing as you get more and more of the references. It's not aged at all, and deserves a repeat showing on E4.

If you've never experienced Spaced, now is the perfect time as the series has been re-released as a Collectors Edition DVD packed with extra material. It's an essential buy. Check out the condensed episode above for just a fleeting glimpse into the comedy genius of Spaced.

CD REVIEW: Robopop: The Return

2006-12-20T13:09:00.000Z

Electronic pop music is not dead. It never has been. It just doesn't tend to get in the charts anymore.

The exception at the moment is Girls Aloud, who (whatever you think of them) have been churning out commercial synth pop - and pretty good it is too - since they started. And of course, my favourites, Pet Shop Boys released a career high album (Fundamental) earlier this year that made very little commercial impact but is as good a collection of PSB material as you're likely to find.

So it IS out there. You just have to look.

Luckily, a new compilation CD, Robopop: The Return, has collected together some of the best electronic pop of the last few months, as well as giving us a chance to hear some upcoming acts. If you have any interest at all in synthpop - or even dance music - you're going to love this collection.

It collects the familiar - Goldfrapp, Lorraine and Tiga - with the less familiar. Ping Pong Bitches anyone? But the over-riding impression is of a music genre which is only improving with age and deserves a wider audience.

Highlights include Tokyo Girls by Matinee Club. Matinee Club used to be called The Modern. They flirted the charts last year with two fantastic tracks, Jane Falls Down, and Industry, but fell foul of the chart regulations and were quickly disqualified from the Top 40. It's a shame, as their output is highly commercial, and could easily fill the dancefloor of every gay club the length and breadth of the country. I also love State of Play by Formatic - a track that was recently heard in the Channel 4 drama Sugar Rush. It's a poppers-rush of a track with an aggressive beat. SuperJupiter's Got To Get Some also stands out as a track that could easily reach the high end of the Top 40 if it were given a wider audience.

There really isn't a duff track on this compilation, and as an added bonus the CD release also contains a second disc of remixes. You can download the album now from iTunes, but at the moment they unfortunately are not offering the remix CD.

If you want dance music with a bit of melody and edge, or if you're looking to find something to fill the gap between PSB or Depeche Mode albums, you could do a lot worse than download or buy this CD.

Essential!

Christmas in Risa.

2006-12-13T13:27:00.000Z

This morning in Risa, I woke up to a beautiful blanket of snow covering the buildings, the trees and ground. Christmas has officially begun.

I just had to share that with you.

If you own Animal Crossing: Wild World on the Nintendo DS, this post will make perfect sense, and I'm sure you'll share my over-enthusiasm. And while you're at it, feel free to add me to your Friends Roster.

Code: 1976-4743-1726
Name: Monkey
Town: Risa

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

2006-12-11T18:35:00.000Z

My days and nights are no longer my own.

Prepare yourself. This is going to be gushing. The best game I ever played, and the only game that has ever made me cry was The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on the Nintendo 64. From December 1998 until May 1999, I played it - engrossed - every spare minute I could. I even had friends who would come round just to watch me play it because they too were so engrossed by the storytelling and pure magic that Zelda portrayed.

Ever since then I've been searching for the game that could match it. Majora's Mask got half way there before its complicated time mechanics confused me and I walked away disappointed. I seemed to be the only person who thought that Wind Waker's cel-shaded graphics were beautiful, but alas I walked away from that title too, annoyed and frustrated with the endless sea-bound missions.

Almost ten years later, Twilight Princess on the Nintendo Wii has satiated my thirst for that pure, thrilling, magical gaming experience I had in 1997. And I say that with confidence having only played it for six short hours. Ironically, I'm finding myself playing in small chunks in order to extend the life of the game; even though I know it's the biggest (by far) Zelda title yet and will probably keep me going until at least June next year.

So what is it about this game that makes it so special? I couldn't hope to answer that succinctly. Zelda is all about the detail. It's about the characters and the world they live in, and investing in them. It's about tragedy, heroism, good versus evil and about experiencing a living, breathing life in this beautiful land that has been created for us to play in. The first few hours of Twilight Princess will see you find your place in society. You'll find yourself engaging with local residents, helping them out. You've got a job as a ranch-hand that can't be neglected. Herding goats, fishing and talking to cute little fairy-folk in a forest village may all seem pretty mundane. But look deeper, and you'll see that Nintendo are ever-so subtley integrating you into your new life. After the first 3 hours, you know in your heart you're going to miss this simple life, and these simple people when you are battling evil on a grand scale further down the line. But more than that you're going to WANT to fight to save them. Genius.

Twilight Princess looks and sounds beautiful. You only have to check the video at the top there to see that. It's cinematic. It's more cinematic than a great many movies out there this Christmas. This is Lord Of The Rings - all three movies - rolled into one awe-inspiring game. The revolutionary Wii control methods work fantastically well. Take fishing, for example. Use your Wiimote like you would a fishing rod. Cast your line out and pull the Wiimote back when you've got a bite. Total immersion. On the occasions when the game throws you a seemingly impossible puzzle, all you have to do is stop, find a lake and go fishing. There's no shortage of things to do here. Oh, and that's just one of many innovative uses for the Wiimote during this game.

As launch titles go, the Nintendo Wii couldn't wish for a better start. This game is hands-down reason enough to splash out £180 on a Wii. As a 38 year old gay man, it's very hard to find stimulating, genuinely escapist games out there. Twilight Princess is that game and I can't recommend it highly enough. Let's hope we don't have to wait as long for the next in the series.

Nintendo, once again have made me proud to be a gamer. I can't wait to see where this game has yet to take me...

Things to come.

2006-12-11T17:14:00.000Z

I've got a cold. A horrible, throaty, chesty, PAINFUL cold; and I need a hug.

It didn't stop me going to London this weekend to finally see Wicked, though. It was a fantastic birthday surprise from Barry. What an amazing show it was. I was a proper gay. I got very emotional at all the sad songs, "ooh-ed" and "aah-ed" at the pretty sets and dresses, and went back to the hotel on a cloud. I love it when things move you. And I'll never watch The Wizard of Oz in quite the same light.

All of this conspires though to the crux of this post - my apologies for a lack of Vegetable Soup Podcast 6. Fret not! It's all scripted and ready to go, and once I get rid of this bloody cold I'll get down to recording it. With any luck, it should be available by the weekend. It's a good one too - full of Wii goodness and exciting geeky news. The usual. There's also a possibility of joining The Magic Geek network at some point too, which I'm very excited about. I'll let you know more when I do.

As you were.

Wii will rock you!

2006-12-11T16:50:00.000Z

They're selling on Ebay for £ridiculous amounts, high street stores sold out in under an hour, and many won't see one until well into the New Year... but I have one sitting proudly beside my telly.

Nintendo Wii is in the Robertson household and is everything it's been cracked up to be. And probably more. Forgive the air of gloating, but these moments really do have to be savoured. Nintendo, more than any other games console manufacturer, know how magical an experience gaming can be. Not for them the bangs, crashes and body counts associated with Sony and Microsoft's consoles (and don't get me wrong, I love my Xbox360); instead we have a machine that, the minute you turn the thing on, just CRAVES your undying attention.

The new controller - the Wiimote - works surprisingly well. Within minutes you'll be poking and prodding the air creating your first Mii, or playing Tennis with the pre-bundled Wii Sports. Everything works perfectly, and just as it should. Everything is just so clean, and white and it makes beautiful little noises. Even the Wiimote - which can give you the willies the first time it happens.

But nothing - nothing - can prepare you for the journey you'll take when you slip The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess into your drive. Anyone with even a passing interest in gaming will know of the Zelda franchise. Each title pushes the boundaries of how a game can feel more than the last. This game delivers hour after hour of pitch perfect gaming. It deserves a post all of its own. Which is what it shall get.

In the meantime, if you're having the same Nintendo sugar rush that I'm having and you want to share, here is my Wii Code - enter it into your Wii, and we can start sharing the love...

8048 3319 8177 0588

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: Wicked - SOUNDTRACK
Downloading: The Magic Geek - PODCAST
Watching: Torchwood - BBC THREE
Playing: The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess - NINTENDO WII
Reading: You're Him Aren't You? - PAUL DARROW

For Hazell

2006-12-01T12:45:00.000Z

HIV and AIDS has been with us now for 25 years.

Today is World AIDS Day and across the world it is being marked by friends, lovers and families. So many beautiful people have been taken from us by this cruel, relentless virus; and today we remember them more than ever.

I lost Dougie Cowen (aka Hazell) - a man I have so much to thank for - in 1995. I met Hazell by accident on a bulletin board, long before Gaydar or Eurowoof. The second I met him outside the Odeon in Edinburgh I knew my life was going to change. Loud, camp and dressed head to toe in a form fitting three piece suit, Hazell brought me kicking and screaming out of my closeted life. Within three months I'd moved to Edinburgh to share a flat with him. That was in 1992 - the year I discovered just how fantastic my sexuality could be. It was all thanks to him. He was a rogue though. He flirted with danger in so many areas of his life, but he always protected me from it. When Hazell told me he was HIV positive, I wanted to find out as much as I could about it. I became a volunteer at Milestone House, an Aids Hospice in Edinburgh. It set me on the career path I am on now. I wanted to help all these gay men who were being killed by this horrible disease. In 1997 I became a volunteer for Gay Men's Health and realised (finally) what I wanted to do with my life. In 1999 I moved to Manchester to work full time for Healthy Gay Manchester - now The Lesbian & Gay Foundation. It was the best thing I ever did in my life. I have never looked back.

Today I have never been happier in my professional and private life. It's all thanks to Hazell. If I hadn't met him that day in 1992, I might still be a quiet, closeted gay man living in a small town. Today I am a confident, proud gay man living in one of the best (and gay friendly) city's in the country.

Hazell - thank you. I still miss you.

Christmas Angel

2006-11-29T14:08:00.000Z

This very well could be our best issue ever.

While I'm working to get this issue designed and ready, updates here might be a bit thin on the ground. Back to normal in a week or two...

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: What Do I Have To Do? - KYLIE (of course)
Downloading: The Magic Geek - PODCAST
Watching: The Tomorrow People - DVD
Playing: Strip Uno (*cough*)- XBOX 360
Reading: The Stars My Destination - ALFRED BESTER

Vegetable Soup - PODCAST 5

2006-11-27T23:42:00.000Z

Your podcast is ready sir...

They said it would never last. And they were nearly right. Against all the odds, Vegetable Soup Podcast 5 is now available to download. Celebrating my queer geekery, this Podcast is a far more structured affair than the last one. There's everything here - Doctor Who, ZX Spectrums and Girls Aloud. What more could you ask for? Nothing, that's what.

Click here to listen... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 5

And don't forget to click on subscribe - that way every new Podcast will be thoughtfully downloaded automatically to your iTunes as soon as it's ready.

Back! Again!

2006-11-27T23:21:00.000Z

I know, I know. I have the attention span of a gnat.

I've neglected this blog of late, but all that is about to change. I've just finished the new Vegetable Soup podcast, so keep your ears peeled (ew!) for that. I've been gorging on games for the last few weeks too. Well, it's Winter, it's dark and cold and the best thing to keep me warm (in the absence of an oiled-up Vin Diesel waiting in my bed) is a good old session of Gears of War. Or Animal Crossing. Depending on what mood I'm in.

Work on outnorthwest is also getting exciting. We're working on the Christmas issue and we're going to town with it. This is really the only time of year where we can let our hair down and have a bit of fun with the mag. So prepare yourself for the outnorthwest Kylie Special! We've been given some EXCLUSIVE (and quite frankly beautiful) new publicity shots by her "people", and the shot we've chosen for the front cover will give all you Kylie fans out there goosebumps. I'll let you know more, and perhaps give you a preview of the cover in the next few days.

In the meantime, why not pick up the latest edition of outnorthwest? It's out best issue yet - you HAVE to read our main feature 'Living With HIV', it's amazing. It's available now throughout the north west of England, or you can download it from the website...

OK. Well, I'm just going to make the final touches to the new Podcast. Catch you soon!

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: Ocky Milk - MOMUS
Downloading: The Magic Geek - PODCAST
Watching: The Ellen Degeneres Show - FIVE LIFE
Playing: Gears of War - XBOX 360
Reading: Edge Presents: File (The Best Features and Reviews from the first 12 issues of Edge) - MAGAZINE

Vegetable Soup - PODCAST 4

2006-10-24T22:10:00.000+01:00

Oh my god I've done another one! Already!

Now listen, I did this one in an hour. A bloody hour! It's of absolutely no interest to you if you don't like the Pet Shop Boys, because I do go on about them quite a bit in this episode. But then, I love them, so... you know... whatever. It's also got some of my favourite people (Carol, Andrew, Annie and Simon - hello!) telling you why the Vegetable Soup podcast is the bees knees.

So if you're inclined, why not click below and give it a listen? I would. But probably just because I did it.

Anyway, if you like it you can even subscribe so that the internet postman will deliver it to your iTunes everytime I do a new one. For bloody free! Go on... you know you want to...

Click here... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 4

Why aren't you watching this?

2006-10-22T20:04:00.000+01:00

This is why Battlestar Galactica is the best show on TV just now.

Whatever Rupert wants, Rupert gets.

2006-10-21T21:35:00.000+01:00

There's no better feeling than finally sending the latest edition of your magazine to print, is there?

After a hectic week of design, editing and layout, outnorthwest issue 62 is finally on the presses, and will be available throughout the WORLD (electronically) from Monday. It's a good one this one; loads of stuff about Liverpool and a couple of really good interviews - including Rupert Everett. He's asked us to organise an event for him on Canal Street here in Manchester. It would be rude to turn him down, so we're working on it now...

Why not download a copy? I would if I were you. You can do it by clicking on the link of the right hand column there, or by clicking here instead - HERE!

If you live in the north west of England, you should nip into your favourite homosexual drinking establishment-slash-venue from Wednesday and pick one up.

Just to let you know; I'm working on the next podcast and it should be out in the next two to three days. At the moment it has a vague Halloween theme. But that will probably change as I slowly realise I can't really fill much time on the subject. Watch this, as they say, space...

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: The Seduction of Claude Debussy - ART OF NOISE
Downloading: Battlestar Galactica Season 3 - TV DOWNLOAD
Watching: Torchwood - BBC Three/Two
Playing: Splinter Cell:Double Agent - XBOX 360
Reading: The Best of Smash Hits 80's - BOOK (Buy this book today!)

Vegetable Soup - PODCAST 3

2006-10-16T21:47:00.000+01:00

I finished it early. Clicking on the linky below will take you to the very latest Vegetable Soup Podcast!

Same warning applies: I do this for a laugh, so don't go expecting anything remotely professional. In this edition, lots about New York (I promise to shut up about New York soon). You'll also find previews of my current favourite telly show, and a sneak preview of the BEST track on Robbie William's new album. What are you waiting for?

So, off you go then, click below and listen to my podcast! And if you like it, why not subscribe? Then, everytime you open up your iTunes, and there's a new episode - it will be delivered to you personally! I LOVE THE INTERNET!

Click here... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 3

Shhh... I'm busy.

2006-10-16T14:42:00.000+01:00

Just a quickie. Been back a week, and it's taken that long to get my feet back on the ground.

Working hard on the next issue of outnorthwest, which goes to the printers on Thursday, so that's keeping me from the fun stuff. I'm also half way done on my next podcast, so I'll let you know when that's done. Hopefully by tomorrow night.

In the meantime, there's plenty lovely stuff keeping me happy at the moment...

JUNK CULTURE

Listening: She's Madonna - ROBBIE WILLIAMS
Downloading: Lost Season 3 - TV
Watching: Heroes - TV DOWNLOAD (pic above)
Playing: Magnetron - NINTENDO DS
Reading: Pet Shop Boys, Catalogue - BOOK

LIVE from New York: And now the end is near.

2006-10-08T18:51:00.000+01:00

The last post. Final visit to the Apple Store, and only six hours before we get on the plane back to rainy Manchester...

This has to be the best holiday I've ever had. New York is a wonderful place and after nine days, I still feel like we've only scratched the surface. The last couple of days has been taken up with sight seeing tours. The best was a two hour boat trip around the island. Got some magnificent pictures. Today has seen a leisurely stroll around Central Park, and it made me want live here even more. Sitting watching musicians, street theatre and sitting by the edge of a lake. You would never believe you were in the middle of one of the biggest cities in the world.

I'll keep this brief as there's just so much I want to say about this visit that it really needs a bit more thought behind it. At the moment, I'm tired and emotional. So the next couple of days at home will see at least a one more retrospective blogs about New York.

If you've never been to this city - you must. It's as simple as that. Whether you have positive or negative feelings towards the United States, a visit to New York will either change your mind or confirm your doubts.

Me? I love this place for it's diversity and its positive attitude. No word of a lie, in the last nine days I've not come across a nasty, unfriendly or unsmiling American. Back home, it would take me only nine minutes to meet at least one of each type.

Looking forward to getting back to Manchester though. It is home, after all.

New York. It's a helluva town...

LIVE from New York - Falling my length...

2006-10-04T20:44:00.000+01:00

Day 6 and still no sign that I'll ever want to leave this city. So any of my friends who are reading this, could you let work know I'm never coming back...

Today has been Shopping Day. Which, for those who know me, means DVDs, games and perhaps the odd t-shirt or two. Which is precisely what I've bought. The inevitable embaressing moment of the trip occurred today when we visited Abercrombie & Fitch on 5th Avenue and I fell head-first down the last four steps (the very steps you can see in the picture above) and landed at the feet of a very perplexed, but stunning looking model. Poor guy didn't know what to do. I couldn't get up quick enough to hide my shame.

Anyhoo. Avenue Q - the Broadway musical we went to see was hilarious. Worth downloading the soundtrack, which I'll do on my return to Manchester. The songs, puppets and story were excellent, and I know it's on in London, so if you get a chance -go and see it. Unfortunately, we couldn't get tickets for Wicked, so we're going to see Beauty and the Beast instead. That's tomorrow night.

Tonight, after shopping of course, we're heading back to the Hotel to watch the season three premiere of Lost. Again, to those who don't know me, this may seem a little odd and not the best way to spend an evening in New York, but trust me - to me it's important.

Yesterday we did the NBC studio tours, and were this close to being in the audience for Late Night With Conan O'Brien. Shame we didn't get in - Claire from Lost was one of the guests. Other than that, still have Central Park to do, and we're also off to do some tourist bus and boat trips tomorrow, so still plenty more to take in!

Weather today has been gorgeous - wish I'd worn my shorts.

Anyway, I'm getting shifty looks from the Apple staff here, so I'll end it here and hopefully get one more report in before we fly back on Monday.

LIVE from New York - Highs and Lows

2006-10-02T20:27:00.000+01:00

Here we are again then, back in the Apple Store on 5th Avenue and three full days into the visit to New York. The picture above is me and Barry in the Apple Store :-)

Had a very eventful couple of days, the highlight (if you can call it that) being a visit to Ground Zero. I didn't think it would affect me as much as it did, but staring into that big hole in the ground triggers some horrific images into your mind and really brings home the scale of what happened on 11th September 2001. A touching tribute nearby shows images, remnants from the site and personal stories from those who lost loved ones. To actually touch a twisted metal girder recovered from the area really brings a chill to your heart.

I guess I really felt like I had arrived in New York when we were standing beneath the Statue of Liberty yesterday afternoon. It's an impressive sight indeed. The boat trip out to Liberty Island was great too as it gives you a monumental view of the Manhattan Skyline as you sail out.

Today we've been to the top of the Empire State Building. I was terrified. I've never been that high up and found it really hard to peer over the edge of the 86th floor. I've taken some pics, and although I may be smiling in them, I certainly wasn't smiling on the inside. A great experience though, nonetheless - and I wouldn't have missed it. I called my mum from the top of the building, which I'm sure she appreciated.

Still to come today we're off to see Avenue Q on Broadway - check it out on Google. I'd put a hotlink in, but i've forgotten the HTML tag :-) Later in the week we're going to see Wicked, as well as a day in Central Park, the NBC Studios tour (and hopefully tickets to as TV recording) and a day of shopping on Wednesday. I shall no doubt return with a maxxed out credit card.

Loads more has happened and been seen, but this store is getting crowded and my mind is going blank.

Will try and get at least one more post in before returning home on Sunday...

LIVE from New York - 5th Avenue

2006-09-30T17:25:00.000+01:00

I've come home. Well, my spiritual home at any rate.

I'm writing this live from the Apple Store on 5th Avenue in New York. I can't believe I just typed that line. New York is amazing and everything I hoped it would be - only bigger. The flight over here was great - no turbulence and time... flew. Our hotel (Chelsea Pines Inn) is great. It's a gay hotel and every room is themed around a film star. We are staying in the Mitzi Gaynor room. Obviously.

Last night we took a trip to Christopher Street - the NY equivalent of Canal Street I guess. I said 'i guess' - see I'm speaking the lingo already. Took in a couple of nice bear bars, one of which was showing the Christmas special of Doctor Who. That was odd.

Today is our first proper day and we've spent it sightseeing on Broadway. Lots of pictures already taken so I'll put together an online photo album when I get home.

I can't really get across here just how exciting all of this is. I can't wait to see this area at night - it surely will look like it does in the movies. With any luck we'll be taking in a Broadway show while we're here. I fancy seeing Wicked. Even if we don't manage that, there's just so much to take in just walking around.

I'll try and update with another report live from New York in a few days. I'm sure I'll have even more to report then.

Wow. I mean, like totally... wow.

Where Seventh Avenue Meets Broadway

2006-09-27T10:22:00.000+01:00

I'm about to put a tick beside one of my life-long ambitions. In 48 hours I'll be in New York City.

As long as I can remember I've wanted to go, and this week, thanks to lastminute.com and a Google search on cheap New York Hotels, it's happening. I'm unbelievably excited. Of course, at the moment I can't see beyond the 8 hour flight - I hate flying - but the reward will be 10 days in the best city in the world.

We're staying in Chelsea, in a gay hotel in the middle of the gay district. The first thing I want to do is have breakfast in a small coffee shop in the Village. Then of course it's the Apple Store (priorities!), Macys, Central Park, the Staten Island Ferry, Rockerfeller Center and Grand Central Station. I'm going to be an unashamed tourist - I want to see it all.

I'm hoping to make at least two or three blog entries from New York, so come back soon and check out what I've been up to.

In the meantime, I have a suitcase to pack...

JUNK CULTURE

Music: And what have you done with my body, God? - ART OF NOISE
Podcast: Slice of Sci-Fi
TV: E! News - E!
Game: Saints Row - XBOX360
Magazine: SFX

For the gays

2006-09-26T16:20:00.000+01:00

If you live in the north west of England, or indeed if you live in the world, you can see the new issue of outnorthwest now.

outnorthwest, for those who (quite rightly) haven't read every post I've ever... posted... is the magazine that I edit and design in Manchester. It's for the gays - of which I'm one - and it's now 62 issues old. Which is great for a free magazine, really.

This one I am particularly proud of. It marks Black History Month, amongst many other things, and it has the most amount of interviews we've every printed in a single issue. Five. That's 5.

I'm dead proud of outnorthwest, and every month I get more and more proud.

If you'd like to read the culmination of 62 issues of 'proud', then why not download a copy? You can do it by clicking on the link of the right hand column there, or by clicking here instead - HERE!

If you live in the north west of England and like to go to gay pubs, you can pick up a proper physical copy from tomorrow.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Kiss You Off - SCISSOR SISTERS
Podcast: New York Minute
TV: Spooks - BBC One
Game: Animal Crossing - DS
Magazine: Time Out New York

They were dancing in the fountains.

2006-09-18T21:48:00.000+01:00

It's not often you witness a huge, gleaming milestone on the candy-striped road they call 'pop'. I mean, like, first hand.

Scissor Sisters live in Trafalgar Square was the defining (pop) moment of the year. It started as it meant to go on with our saviour Kylie Minogue tottering on to the stage and looking ravishing. From then on, as she introduced the Scissors, you just knew that you were about to witness something very special indeed.

And it was.

They came on and started with a song most bands would kill to have as their final encore. Take Your Mama has always been a favourite of mine, and it served to whip the red-festooned crowd into a frenzy that would last the better part of two hours. It went straight into I Can't Decide - one of the highlights of the new album, and a crowd pleaser of the highest order. Which is some feat considering this is a tune that most people hadn't even heard yet.

Part of the magic of a Scissor Sisters gig is the feeling of connecting with the band. Jake, and particularly Ana, can hold any crowd in the palm of their hands and there was some real comedy gold on offer. On hearing that Prince William had recently attended a fancy dress party as Britney Spears (correct me if I'm wrong), Ana delighted in the fact that "the future King of the country has a little bit of queen in him".

Jake admitted that he was extremely nervous about the gig, as they were playing brand new songs and didn't know how they would be received. He needn't have worried, the new songs are immediate, crowd-friendly and pure pop. Everyone around me was singing along by the second chorus of most of the new songs.

The highlight for me (there were many), was Ana's tour-de-force Kiss You Off - the ultimate 'up yours' song, this translated live into a HUGE, bombastic bastard of a song and really needs to be a future single.

it wasn't all glitter and spectacle though. The gig was staged to help promote RED, a charity aiming to help eradicate AIDS in Africa. The ticket asked the crowd to wear red, which a good 70% of the audience gladly did. The message of the night was not overly pushed and it never became mawkish, but the sentiment was true and as Ana stated, almost everyone within the confines of Trafalgar Square is, has been, or will be affected.

The 'goosebump' moments of the night go to - in no particular order - Land Of A Thousand Words, the rumoured second single from the album and a beautiful ballad. Jake sang the song note-perfect and there was nothing but pure love from the crowd for him as he delivered one of the best performance I've seen him give.

Second - Comfortably Numb. It's always going to be their signature track, and the crowd exploded during the opening "Hello.. is there anybody in there...". By this point they were dancing in the fountains and every single one of us was intoxicated by the atmosphere of the night.

Finally, the encore. The current single I Don't Feel Like Dancin' was followed by a massive version of Filthy Gorgeous as the stage was invaded with huge costumes, dancing Nelson's Column's and Jake topped it all off by stripping down to his pants. Stunning.

It was all over far too quickly, but it only whetted my appetite to see them again in Manchester this November.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Kiss You Off - SCISSOR SISTERS
Podcast: Vegetable Soup
TV: Afterlife - ITV1
Game: Zoo Keeper - DS
Magazine: Doctor Who Season 2 Companion

A cut above

2006-09-15T16:41:00.000+01:00

This CD has been a long time coming and the knives have been sharpened and ready to carve up this second album as proof that Scissor Sisters were a one trick pony.

Wrong!

Ta Dah, in many ways, is a stronger, more coherent album than the first one. And the last one was a masterpiece. This is a band just hitting their stride and it’s fantastic to have them back and firing on all cylinders.

So, here’s my track-by-track, one line review of all of the treats on this superb album.

I Don’t Feel Like Dancin is the best song about staying in ever. It’s number one in the singles chart right now because it’s supposed to be.

She’s My Man keeps the pace upbeat and dancey. Great lyrics.

I Can’t Decide Love it. This will raise a smile as Jake decides whether he should kill his lover or not. “Oh I could bury you alive, but you might crawl out with a knife to kill me.” Banjo’s, accordians and the old Joanna mix to create a killer Scissor’s track.

Light It starts out like the cheesiest porn movie music you’ve ever heard and then turns into a disco stomper with brass and trip-out chorus.

Land of a Thousand Words Beautiful, just beautiful. Could be the next single. Think Mary mixed with Return to Oz.

Intermission A bit odd this one. Sounds like something from the 1930’s. Great melody though.

Kiss You Off The highlight of the CD for me. This is a high energy disco rock-out of a track sung by Ana (who is curiously absent from the rest of the album). HAS to be a single. A real poppers track.

Ooh The demo of this track has been floating around the web for over a year. This is very similar to the demo, but with a bit more production. Obviously. A highlight, but incoherent lyrics.

Paul McCartney He’s not mentioned anywhere in this track. Another disco stomper with a fantastic bridge and a real party atmosphere.

The Other Side This wouldn't have been out of place on the last album. As typical as a Scissors track can be.

Might Tell You Tonight The album's other ballad. Gorgeous again, a story of unrequited love with a heart-breaking melody.

Everybody Wants The Same Thing They did this at Live 8 - a crowd pleaser of a track, this is going to go down a treat at their new shows.

I'm a fan, so I was always going to love this album. But even I could only have dreamt that they'd deliver something as polished as this. It'll keep them on the map for at least another year and will reap the awards come next year's Brits. If you get a chance to see them live this year - do it. You won't see a finer live band,

Talking of which, I'm off to London tomorrow to see them perform live at Trafalgar Square. Expect a report on Monday!

Where do I plug it in?

2006-09-14T23:48:00.000+01:00

Never let it be said that I'm too engrossed in XBox360 and iPod to indulge in a bit of classic literature.

Thanks to a fabulous website called The Daily Lit, I'm currently enjoying Grimms Fairy Tales. Every day, at a time you specify, this site will send you a chunk of your chosen classic book that can be read in less than 5 minutes. What better way to get yourself educated and generally feel a bit smug?

OK, so Grimm's Fairy Tales is hardly War and Peace, but it's a start. I think I'll go for Dracula next...

To get started, visit the site by clicking here - The Daily Lit - and choose your first read!

Amazing.

This...

2006-09-14T17:20:00.000+01:00

... is the best album. Ever.

Full review later.

Far-out son of a lung

2006-09-13T17:19:00.000+01:00

My first download from the new iTunes 7 Music Store has been Teachings from the Electronic Brain by Future Sound of London (FSOL).

iTunes is carrying the Bonus Edition with extra tracks and remixes - 20 full tracks for under a tenner. Bargain.

FSOL are one of those bands that you don't know that you know. Chances are you'll be familiar with at least two or three of these tracks.

There are many highlights on the set, Papua New Guinea still sounds amazing, and Lifeforms is still gloopy and lovely. However, it's best enjoyed from beginning to end with no interruptions, or on your iPod on the walk into work, or the walk home.

I love music that creates an atmosphere. The spookier the better, and this album does it in spades. The older tracks haven't dated at all, and have lost none of their dreamy ambience. Ironically, it's the later tracks like Semtex and We Have Explosive that grate. Too screechy. Although, they do remind me of playing WipeOut on the PS1 all those years ago...

In my head, when I listen to this album, I am wandering around the ruins of a post-apocalyptic city underneath deep red and purple skies; piloting a starship skimming over mountainess planets; or having really good sex with a futuristic, buzz-cut, space-marine.

But then, that's just me.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Lifeforms - FSOL
Podcast: Hot Fuzz - VIDEO PODCASTS
TV: Battlestar Galactica 1978 - DVD
Game: Lego Star Wars 2 - XBOX360
Magazine: Mac Format

Let's blow this thing and go home

2006-09-13T16:34:00.000+01:00

I've rediscovered my love for two childhood obsessions this week. Star Wars. And Lego.

Lego Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy on the XBox360 is lodged firmly inside my console, with no signs of it coming back out again for a while. I've not had as much pure, unadulterated fun playing a video game since I first sat in the Space Harrier hyrdaulic chair in an arcade in Cornwall back in 1987. Seriously.

I bought this game on the same day I bought the critically acclaimed Dead Rising. I've yet to even break the seal on that game.

Maybe it's the original music. Maybe it's the tongue-in-cheek humour. Maybe it's the complete faithfulness to the source material. Maybe it's the gorgeous graphics. Maybe it's the pick-up-and-playability.

It's all of those things. This game is just so bloody shiny. It's proper Lego, and it's proper Star Wars. From the minute you start playing until the second you put down the controller, you'll have a smile on your face.

It's also the first game in ages that's had any significant impact on my Gamerscore, so for that reason alone I love it.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Passacaglia - BEAR McCREARY
Podcast: 1UP Yours
TV: Medium - DVD BOXSET
Game: Lego Star Wars 2 - XBOX360
Magazine: X360

So say we all

2006-09-13T13:50:00.000+01:00

Battlestar Galactica is the best programme on television at the moment. No arguments. If it wasn't science-fiction, it would be winning awards left, right and centre.

The second season was amazing (buy the DVD set now!), and the third season is about to start both here on Sky One, and in the States.

In the run up to the new season, the SciFi channel are producing regular mini 'webisodes' that you can watch on their website. Or You Tube. Unlike previous attempts at this kind of thing, these mini-episodes actually have a bit of thought behind them, are well produced, and really do add to the storyline.

The above video is the first webisode, and you can watch the rest on You Tube. Do it now. Roll on Season 3...

JUNK CULTURE

Music: See You - DEPECHE MODE
Podcast: Mark Kermode - BBC PODCAST
TV: Medium - DVD BOXSET
Game: Animal Crossing Wild Word - DS
Magazine: Butt

Apple let me down...

2006-09-13T13:04:00.000+01:00

Last night, in California, Apple made some big announcements. They do this from time to time.

I love Apple. I really do. I get a stiffy everytime I'm near an Apple Shop. But - and god is this difficult for me to type - I'm a bit disappointed with what they announced last night.

The event was tagged 'It's Showtime.', so there were rumours and reports flying around the internet of a brand new, wide-screen, proper video iPod. As the announcement rumbled closer, it almost seemed inevitable they'd confirm it.

They didn't.

Instead, we've got some cosmetic upgrades to the Nano which makes it look just like the old iPod Mini; a miniscule iPod Shuffle which looks frankly ridiculous; and some cursory upgrades to the existing 5th generation video iPod. My constant hovering over the Apple online Store last night waiting to order my wide screen 6th generation was completely in vain. I felt so let-down.

Apple also announced a movie download service, which as usual is not available in the UK. It's been a year now since the launch of the video iPod, so when are we going to get a TV and movie download service over here? The BBC archive is bursting at the seams with old (and new) TV shows I'd download in a heartbeat. Yet, still we're waiting...

It wasn't all bad though. We've now got iTunes 7, which incorporates Cover Flow, a fantastic animated archive of all your music. It's bloody gorgeous. Not only that, iTunes will now add cover art to all your tunes at the click of a button. The cosmetic changes to iTunes are welcome too, and from just a couple of hours playing with it last night, it's much MUCH easier to navigate and control. Nice.

Oh, and being able to play pretty decent versions of Bejeweled and Tetris (amongst others) on my iPod is a sweet little bonus. I played for the best part of an hour at Bejeweled last night, and it had very little effect on the battery, so that's encouraging.

Every Apple event always ends with "One other thing...". This time it was iTV. They'll have to change the name in the UK though, surely? This Apple 'set top box' will make it possible to stream all the media content on your Apple through the telly, with the customary gorgeous front-end and menues. It looks like they're going to be keeping the cost of this gadget pretty low as well, so that'll be on top of the shopping list in the New Year.

All in all, not the huge announcements I was hoping for, but some nice little bonuses for the Apple faithful. Hopefully we'll get word of the 6th generation iPod in the New Year.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Pictures - SIA
Podcast: GG's Podcast 21 - VIDEO PODCAST
TV: Medium - DVD BOXSET
Game: Bejeweled - iPOD
Magazine: Doctor Who Adventures (free pencils!)

Back. Back! BACK!

2006-09-13T12:31:00.000+01:00

There's a very simple reason I haven't been doing much with this Blog. It doesn't really have a theme.

Initially I thought it should just be random thoughts and various reports on interesting things I've done. But then there's the fear that you would - quite rightly - not be very interested in what I'd had for dinner or how many lengths I'd swum (is that even a word?) at the pool that night.

So, I've been thinking long and hard about it, and I've decided to make this blog a celebration of my geekiness. How original, you're probably thinking. But hang on a minute. This is a celebration of GAY geekiness. So that give it a bit of an edge. Right?

Whatever. The fact is, I spend a great deal of my time gaming, downloading and worshipping at the alter of Apple, so you'll find a great deal of this blog will now be dealing with those kinds of things. Even better, there will still be the occasional random thoughts, which means I can still call this blog Vegetable Soup (the thought behind the name was that there would be a bit of everything, a bit like vegetab... you get the picture.)

I'll also be ending every entry with Junk Culture - the stuff I'm currently playing, listening to, reading and watching. Which you've seen done on every other Blog you've ever read, I'm sure, but I think can give more of an insight into someone than five paragraphs of rambling text can.

Paragraph Six. So that's it really. I've got a renewed enthusiasm for this now that I have a 'theme', so look out for an overload of blog entries over the coming days.

Oh, and leave some feedback. It would be nice to know at least one other person is reading this.

JUNK CULTURE

Music: Teachings from the Electronic Brain - FSOL
Podcast: On The Spot - GAMESPOT VIDEO PODCAST
TV: Battlestar Galactica Season 2 - DVD
Game: Lego Star Wars 2 - XBOX360
Magazine: SFX Star Trek Special

Vegetable Soup - The PODCAST!

2006-07-29T19:41:00.000+01:00

How very VERY exciting. Not only is this the first update in ever such a long time, it's also my very first ever Podcast! How 21st century of me...

OK, before you go headlong into listening to it, remember this... It's my first attempt, so it's probably not brilliant. The sound levels are probably weird, and it'll be about stuff you've got no interest in. But hey, it's only 10 minutes long, and 10 minutes is nothing.

So, off you go then, click below and listen to my podcast! And if you like it, why not subscribe?

Click here... Vegetable Soup Podcast - Episode 1

This, of course, could change.

2006-06-19T22:18:00.000+01:00

After over a week off work, it's back to the grindstone.

The next issue of outnorthwest is due at the printers this Thursday, and - for the love of god! - I have about 40 pages still to edit and design. Ah well, at least the cover is done! Above you can see what our recent interview with Sia is turning into. Personally, I think this is the best cover we've done for a while and moves the magazine into a direction I'd love to see it take. The time feels right for us to grow up and take the road less well travelled by other gay titles.

This, of course, could change. I still have to run the cover past the editorial team and they might hate it. So, if they DO think it's pants, consider this attempt a little bonus.

Best get back to it then...

Cheerio, love...

2006-06-16T00:02:00.000+01:00

Oh, and I didn't get the job.

Achievement unlocked...

2006-06-14T00:18:00.000+01:00

There are few more fulfilling moments than the little 'pop' noise that accompanies an 'Achivement Unlocked' moment on XBox 360.

Forget Playstation 3, the next generation of gaming has been with us since November last year, you fool. Anything Sony does now with their next gaming platform will be a pale imitation of what Microsoft (yes, Microsoft) is 'achieving' right here here and now.

Don't follow the herd, follow the gamers. With the 'Achievement Unlocked' moment, Willy Gates has taken gaming back to its roots with that all important high score feeling. Only, in this millennium, it's not a high score, but an 'achievement' that is uniting, and dividing (in a purely healthy and competitive way, you understand) the video gamers of the planet.

It could be a cheap XBox Live Arcade download, or a full price Tomb Raiding adventure that hooks you, but after a week or so you'll be obsessing over your Gamerscore. It's simple really, the more you play, the better you get, and the more you'll achieve. Better yet, everyone will know about it. You might be sitting in your lonely little bedsit in Whalley Range, but the minute you break the 40 wins threshold with online Uno, the whole world is going to know about it... and you'll feel mighty.

Playstation 3 is over £400 (and 6 months away), and you'll have to start your poor-copy Gamerscore with a pathetic Zero and a handful of poor launch titles. But... if you snap up your 360 tomorrow (£200!), you could be scoring highly with the best of 'em and truly living in harmony with your digital 'hub' and moving forward...

After 5 months, I'm approaching 1800 Gamerscore Points... and I dare you to catch up with me....

POP... Achievement Unlocked....

You'd better hurry....

Distractions

2006-06-11T23:04:00.000+01:00

It was awesome.

What a privilege. Not only were we able to watch Zero 7 sound checking on Friday night in Manchester, we also spent the best part of 40 minutes in a makeshift garden interviewing the GORGEOUS Sia. Over the last seven years, through the course of working on outnorthwest, I've interviewed a number of celebrities. Hands down, without a doubt, Sia has been the best.

A more accommodating interviewee you will never find. We all got on so well, she started telling us things she wasn't supposed to! Want to know which (VERY) famous celebrity chatted her up once? Well, you can't. That's for Sia, Annie and me to know... :-) "My god, you're not my friends! I shouldn't be telling you these things!"

The show itself was amazing. The best I've ever seen Zero 7 perform. Pageant of the Bizarre gave the whole crowd goosebumps. What. A. Voice. And the birthday dedication to Annie just before Destiny capped one of the best nights of the year.

If you're interested to read the results of our time with Sia Furler, check the outnorthwest link on the right there towards the end of the month.

I can Sia clearly

2006-06-09T14:56:00.000+01:00

Today is a good day. One of those days I'll look back on with a big smile.

The sun is shining in Manchester. It feels like the hottest day of the year. It's a Friday and I'm off work most of next week. All good. Even better, tonight I'm going to see Zero 7 playing at The Academy in Manchester. Even better than THAT - I'm interviewing Sia (Zero 7 singer and all round effortlessly sexy girl) after the band's sound check later this afternoon! The cherry on this cake is that I'm sharing the whole day with Annie (the UK's leading lesbian - FACT) who's birthday it is today. Happy Birthday my love!!!!

If today got any better, I'd probably vom.

Zero 7 are perfect for sunny Summer Friday's, as their new album The Garden proves. Cliche time, but if you buy, or download one album this week, make it this. It'll put a smile on your face and help you make your peace with the world. While you're at it, download their other two CD's too - When It Falls is in my all time top ten albums.

So, yeah. With any luck there might be a picture or two with Sia appearing on this site in the next couple of days.

GET IN!

The Doctor will NOT see you now...

2006-06-08T16:03:00.000+01:00

Nearly three weeks ago I had an interview for a job on Doctor Who Magazine. And, believe me, for a person like me, this is the dream job.

Like most of the country at the moment, I'm a fan of the show - and have been since I was a kid. The position on offer at the official magazine was Designer, which is what I'm doing at the moment here in Manchester. Two of my favourite obsessions all wrapped up in one fabulous job. How could I NOT apply? So anyway, I got the interview, which was down in Tunbridge Wells, and it went tremendously well. I met the rather sexy Editor, Clayton Hickman - who, by the way, is currently plastered all over any Who-related telly programme at the moment - and got on very well with both him and their current designer, Peri.

Part of the interview involved laying out a sample 4 page spread, based on the recent episode that featured Sarah-Jane Smith and K9 School Renunion. Aside from the fact I started the layout on a single page, rather than a double page (big no-no, but hey I was nervous), I think I did a good job in the limited time they gave me. I left Tunbridge Wells on a high, thinking I'd have a pretty decent chance at bagging the job.

Three weeks later and I'm still waiting to hear back from them. So what should I do? Call them and risk sounding like an over-eager fan-boy? Wait patiently in the hope that one random day in August Clayton Hickman will suddenly remember "that bloke from Manchester who we interviewed"? Chalk it up to experience and move on? Watch this space, this story isn't over yet...