I finally have a little bit more free time as of last weekend. I started playing an older game--Shenmue 2. It's an old, action adventure RPG that originally came out on the Dreamcast in Japan. I liked the first one although it was by no means a perfect game.

I dunno if 'enjoying' is the right word - just been gasping for air both on and off screen: roaming around this big airless room with a limited oxygen supply while ever more horrible things come lurching at me - it's FREAKING ME OUT!! But I seem to be spending every spare minute playing it, if that answers your question. ;-) That's cool about Okami, I've still got that one on the go too, it's a nice long game...

Thanks man! I'm glad you like the CDX artists. No new games here as of late. School has been eating into my game playing time. What are you playing now? I'll probably pick up Rock Band again this week now that my big project is over. I need to catch up on what new games are out there, lol. I was thinking about playing some old 16-bit games on an emulator and maybe broadcast that on justin.tv. I'll let you know if i do that.

Hey! I just watched the Helvetica documentary and realized how long it's been since I listened to El Ten Eleven, which also made me realize how long it's been since we've had any contact. Hope all is well.

Well I just got into the first big zero-g environment, and it's a headfuck to start with, as you jump onto a side wall and end up with a completely different perspective and places you can reach, and then the Things start coming at you, and you slice off a limb or two in panic, and before you know it deformed arms and legs are floating all around you in the darkness, and blood everywhere, and you can use your kinesis to send a limb flying back as a weapon, and urgh!! It's just horrible. And brilliant. :)

...meanwhile I'm listening to Turzi, and just idly clicked on the artist page. Did you know you're a top listener?!!

Well I've rented out Dead Space - it's horrible and terrifying! Really effing me up. I love it. :)

Woo! We finally got captions about the timeframe on our Library galleries. Only 6 months or so since I braved the beta forums to ask for it! ;-)

Hey Brad have you heard TVOTR have covered a couple of tracks recently-Bowie's Heroes & Nature Boy-have you heard either of them? Really interested to track them down. Hope life is good!

Aw, thanks Brad. Considering I hate 99% of photos of myself, well if I see one I like, I tend to jump on it. :) Hope you're having a happy weekend.

Interesting (and nice!) that you loved The S & G Show - I always think that one sounds like The Crystal Lake through a mirror...

Oops! Ha.

I'm grinning at every track so far. :D Meanwhile, I'm watching The Brits live (it's our Grammys) - Kings of Leon have just accepted an award and they said 'We wouldn't even be a band without England!' Interesting, I didn't realise they were one of those US bands that were a lot bigger over here than at home.

I was a bit up and down with Pinback, but I really liked Some Voices, Soaked and B. Anyway, wow, you're doing the Bertbash the exciting way I see! I'll have to keep an eye on this one! Let me know if you discover anything new you really like. :)

er Van not Von.

I must give Von Occupanther another visit soon, haven't heard it in a while. I think the Milkmaid Grand Army EP is my favourite of theirs, but it's all good, they're a lovely band. New album this year! And in unrelated but sort-of similar news, have you seen [url=http://www.nme.com/news/jason-lytle/42697]this[/url]?

cool!

...and now Cut Copy. It's a real "What Would Brad Do?" afternoon, heh.

Couldn't decide what to listen to this afternoon... but after dropping by here for inspiration I've decided it's Midlake-o'clock. :)

We didn't try the two player mode yet, I suspect it's going to lead to terrible domestic scenes ;-) I keep hearing good things about Dead Space so must check it out. As for Flower, just a little bit TOO gentle for me, I think. Still playing Okami on and off as well!

Hey wassup. Tried out the free demo of RE5 on the PS3 this week - looks good! Gameplay much the same as the last one, but the graphics are all wowzer and you can play collaboratively with a friend... :)

That was so cute I had to watch it twice. :) Love the dance - thx for sharing!

Yes I was one of the few! Just my dumb luck that the only underground line (out of 11) that was working properly was the one I normally use to get to work. Gah. Still, we had a nice relaxed day of sitting about and then went home early. :) The city covered in snow has been beautiful, check my new photo album on F-book!

Just added a newbie to 2D2F, I'd like to get the blood flowing into that group again :-)

I haven't played LocoRoco but have been meaning to. It received good reviews. The problem is that I mostly play handheld games when I'm travelling and I haven't done much of that lately. Yep, I'm in CDXSAU again. I'm up for February so I'll send my mix out not much longer after we get tstark's. I see you're back in and I'm glad. The Pinback mix was one of my favorites and the packaging was easily the best imo. Do you already have your theme/artist lined up?

I am indeed familiar with the game. I plan on downloading it from Impulse in the next few weeks. I am also enjoying Crayon Physics Deluxe--I think you'd get a kick out of that one. I'll check out this soundtrack tomorrow morning, thanks for making me aware of the free tunes!

Yo Brad, Rolando? How is that? Not familiar with it. Looks like Loco Roco for the PSP.

Now don't get shy and make up this stuff about your grandpa - if you want to name the lad after me, just say so. ;-)

Couldn't help but read your shout on B's profile. Mixture of congrats and condolences to you Brad... Chin up, as us Brits would say!

Oh I'm very relieved for you, and sorry to hear about your colleagues. Guess you've been doing a good job, eh?

Urk, hope tomorrow turns out all well for you. Let me know!

Hey Brad! Did you get through [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Monday_(date)]yesterday[/url] OK? Actually I'm not sure that rule applies in the States - especially not THIS week. :)

I'm never one to gush over Reality TV, unless it turns me into a simmering saucepan of vitriol, but I have to say the American Idol episode last night was probably my favorite one ever! Did you catch it?

Idol is coming from somewhere called Kansas City tonight. Crazy place, crazy people!

I'm flattered that you'd dare listen to my station, Brad, thanks! Looks like you got the pop brunt of it though, looking at your charts... though you got the chance to love The Field. Great album, that. You heard it all yet?

She certainly is feisty! And very confident indeed. I think they've taken a leaf out of the X-factor over here, where 4th judge Cheryl Cole was introduced last season, and you can't talk about HER without using the word feisty. :) Meanwhile, I've got a couple of tracks from artists you've introduced me to in my current playlist, and I was wondering: does [track artist=The Mars Volta]Ouroboros[/track] sound like Ratatat to you, in places? And wouldn't [artist]Aqua[/artist] be able to do a great cover version of [track artist=Chairlift]Evident Utensil[/track]?

We discuss tv crushes rather a lot round at Anubis Towers, it's rare that we agree on anyone. Mostly we each think the other has terrible taste. ;-)

Aha, yes there it is! Looks like we're getting it on Thursday and Friday evenings... how's Paula this year? And the new judge?

Christmas and New Year's weren't without their missteps (namely my brother's arsehole girlfriend, twat!) but enjoyable. Lots of drunken mirth and food adding another 30 pounds to my not-so-slender frame... Ickh! But still, this year shouldn't be so much of a fuck-up this time! ;^) By the by, have you heard Esau Mwamwaya's version of Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa? It's like the song comes full circle with electro-Malawi rifled all the way through (should be on B's iDisk should you want it!)

No I haven't - that DOES sound interesting, as Gabriel's namechecked in the lyrics, right?

Hey Brad! Happy New Year and all that shit... ickh! In any event, no new music for '09 yet!? Must say it is boding well so far, particularly on work from Animal Collective, Antony & The Johnsons and The Bird & The Bee, which I'm sure B has in his virtual possession already! How was Christmas and New Year for you and the family anyway?

Hey Brad. What's up? Check out my iDisk, there are plenty of new additions for '09, I think you'll like 'em. Big Brain Academy, heh - are the girls beating you yet?

Ha, cool, looks great! I wouldn't mess with that big lad you see right at the end of the trailer!!

Wow that's awesome, congratulations! I'm so out of condition at the moment I have trouble running for the bus, so I'm most impressed. Must be the Wii Fit?

Lol, your workplace standards are a lot higher than ours! Every day is casual day around here, today I'm wearing a baggy t-shirt, an old hoodie, scruffy trainers (sneakers) and a couple of weeks worth of beard growth. :) Weekend was good thanks, we watched Blu-rays of Hancock and Saw IV on the PS3 - niiice.

Chairlift are good, aren't they? Nice find, thanks!

Same to you, hope '09 is brilliant for you and the family.