What Santa brought for Me
Well folks, I hope the day has been good to you so far! :santa:
I've had a nice selection of gifts, for which I will provide handy Amazon links soon. However, for now;
For the Road
Need for Speed Most Wanted (Playstation 2)
Clarkson : Heaven and Hell (DVD)
What Not to Drive by Richard Hammond (Book)
My petrolhead collection following my insanely obsessive entry into the world of cars. Not that I wasn't into them before...this year merely saw me take a full technical interest in them.
So a huge hug and a thank you to Maddy for Hammond's book on what cars make you hot (Aston Martin DB9) and what make you look like a loser (Naturally, the Prius takes the top spot).
Next we have Clarkson doing what I really watch Top Gear for...racing the best and trashing the worst.
Finally, I was addicted to Need for Speed Underground 2 so had to have Need for Speed Most Wanted and what a game it is. A perfect evolution of the series it manages to pull off an interactive storyline (a'la Max Payne) while not losing any of the free roaming career mode that made it's predecessors a success.
On Film...
The Mad Max Trilogy (DVD)
The West Wing Season 6 DVD Box Set
I have yet to see Season 6 properly, having never managed to watch it from beginning to end without interruption so here goes my chance. This set follows the final full season of President Bartlet's last term in the Oval Office along with the race between Alan Alda and Jimmy Smitz to take his place. It's also rather poignant as it's the final full season to feature John Spencer (Leo McGarry) who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month.
The Mad Max box set is something I've been eyeing up in the stores, my Mum managing a perfect bit of acting the other week with "Yes, I was thinking of getting that for your Dad". It still surprises me just how different each film is considering they are a trilogy. The first is an adult take on the Knight Rider/A Team style where a gang of bikers rides into town looking for trouble and a lone figure steps up to take them on. It's set in a violent future yet still has recognisable elements to the world. The second is post-apocalyptic and does little to advance Max's storyline other than to paint him as an almost complete anonymous loner, who appears and then vanishes. Finally we have the big Hollywood blockbuster version, Mel Gibson versus Tina Turner in a totally unrecognisable wasteland, the familiar automobiles of the first two movies having long since vanished. This final one was pure Hollywood fluff in comparison to it's predecessors.
Oddly I still prefer the violent and unforgiving second movie to the uncomfortably depressing first or the flashy fluffy third.
Singing the Blues
Piece by Piece by Katie Melua.
She's a stunner and a beautiful voice to calm me down on long car journeys. While I adore the adrenaline rush of speed and have stripped the rubber off many a tyre (seriously...) it's no secret that when I'm relaxed I drive like an old man, and Katie complements me perfectly with her upbeat jazzy sounds. It's something of an anomaly that she can sing the blues so well yet is always upbeat however it's not an anomaly I'm going to complain about anytime soon. I've found I can't get enough of her.
Also, as an aside, she's now backing up the Pogues on one of my favorite Christmas tunes, Fairytale in New York.
Day to Day Fun
Garfield 2006 Day Calendar
Star Wars Yoda Mug
The calendar is my favorite type, one day per sheet and with a cartoon on every page. I love Garfield almost as much as I do Dilbert and Peanuts, so this will entertain me for the rest of the year.
As for the mug...sheer perfection if completely frivolous. A little plug on the base of the mug carries with it a pre-programmed audio unit with a light and motion sensor. When the mug is picked up off a surface, it plays one of three Yoda themed tunes. Silly but so much fun.
I've had a nice selection of gifts, for which I will provide handy Amazon links soon. However, for now;
For the Road
Need for Speed Most Wanted (Playstation 2)
Clarkson : Heaven and Hell (DVD)
What Not to Drive by Richard Hammond (Book)
My petrolhead collection following my insanely obsessive entry into the world of cars. Not that I wasn't into them before...this year merely saw me take a full technical interest in them.
So a huge hug and a thank you to Maddy for Hammond's book on what cars make you hot (Aston Martin DB9) and what make you look like a loser (Naturally, the Prius takes the top spot).
Next we have Clarkson doing what I really watch Top Gear for...racing the best and trashing the worst.
Finally, I was addicted to Need for Speed Underground 2 so had to have Need for Speed Most Wanted and what a game it is. A perfect evolution of the series it manages to pull off an interactive storyline (a'la Max Payne) while not losing any of the free roaming career mode that made it's predecessors a success.
On Film...
The Mad Max Trilogy (DVD)
The West Wing Season 6 DVD Box Set
I have yet to see Season 6 properly, having never managed to watch it from beginning to end without interruption so here goes my chance. This set follows the final full season of President Bartlet's last term in the Oval Office along with the race between Alan Alda and Jimmy Smitz to take his place. It's also rather poignant as it's the final full season to feature John Spencer (Leo McGarry) who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month.
The Mad Max box set is something I've been eyeing up in the stores, my Mum managing a perfect bit of acting the other week with "Yes, I was thinking of getting that for your Dad". It still surprises me just how different each film is considering they are a trilogy. The first is an adult take on the Knight Rider/A Team style where a gang of bikers rides into town looking for trouble and a lone figure steps up to take them on. It's set in a violent future yet still has recognisable elements to the world. The second is post-apocalyptic and does little to advance Max's storyline other than to paint him as an almost complete anonymous loner, who appears and then vanishes. Finally we have the big Hollywood blockbuster version, Mel Gibson versus Tina Turner in a totally unrecognisable wasteland, the familiar automobiles of the first two movies having long since vanished. This final one was pure Hollywood fluff in comparison to it's predecessors.
Oddly I still prefer the violent and unforgiving second movie to the uncomfortably depressing first or the flashy fluffy third.
Singing the Blues
Piece by Piece by Katie Melua.
She's a stunner and a beautiful voice to calm me down on long car journeys. While I adore the adrenaline rush of speed and have stripped the rubber off many a tyre (seriously...) it's no secret that when I'm relaxed I drive like an old man, and Katie complements me perfectly with her upbeat jazzy sounds. It's something of an anomaly that she can sing the blues so well yet is always upbeat however it's not an anomaly I'm going to complain about anytime soon. I've found I can't get enough of her.
Also, as an aside, she's now backing up the Pogues on one of my favorite Christmas tunes, Fairytale in New York.
Day to Day Fun
Garfield 2006 Day Calendar
Star Wars Yoda Mug
The calendar is my favorite type, one day per sheet and with a cartoon on every page. I love Garfield almost as much as I do Dilbert and Peanuts, so this will entertain me for the rest of the year.
As for the mug...sheer perfection if completely frivolous. A little plug on the base of the mug carries with it a pre-programmed audio unit with a light and motion sensor. When the mug is picked up off a surface, it plays one of three Yoda themed tunes. Silly but so much fun.