The collected works of ScottyB

Kate has just reminded me that today is my Birthday.

I’d like to state for the record, that I do not in any way smell like a monkey, contrary to the insinuation she makes in that post. Rather I smell like the nice, manly, Lynx ‘Java’ body deodorant. Any accusations stating otherwise are wholly and completely untrue.

With that disclaimer out of the way, I will go on to say that the truth of that comment is; today is my Birthday.

24 years of age.

On the slippery slope. The downhill run. An old, shell of a man. A victim of the hard years.

*I awoke this morning to a muscle cramp in my back. My bones cracked as I emerged from the bed. All sorts of unusual sounds emanated from my body. I hobbled into the bathroom where I stared back with sunken eyes at the reflection of a bald, paunchy man. The weathered skin on a face that I barely recognised.

I splashed my face with some cold water, hoping it was all a dream. The water did little to allay my fears. This was me. Another year older and a step closer to the grim, bitter end.

* Dramatic re-enactment

The reality was much brighter. I awoke after a fantastic night with a smile on my face. I was only 6 hours asleep, but it was one of those solid, deep, satisfying sleeps so I felt refreshed and ready to start opening prezzies! My parents had left my Birthday presents out for me the night before, so I was able to have a quick look before bed, but managed to spend a bit more time in the morning opening them up and having a better look!

Some cool new T-shirts (replacing my long-loved, years-old faithfuls, worn at the collar and starting to frey) and the Australian edition of Monopoly!!

Spiderman 3 goodies! Notebook and a Spidey wall clock! (perfect for the new room when my brother moves out at the end of the month!) - and finally, a PS/B MINI Cooper ‘assembly line’ toy model kit.

Finally I could open the presents from MM and Phanny that had been sitting on my shelf, taunting me for way too long!

From MM, McFarlane toys’ ‘Alien vs. Predator - Alien Attacks Predator’.. the detail on this thing is incredible, I opened it up and took some photos this evening, but the lighting (and lack of macro) just doesn’t do it justice! I already own a Spawn figurine from McFarlane toys, so I knew the quality would be sensational, but the intricate attention to detail is just brill! So need a proper display case for it… thanks MM!!

From Phanny, first up was the 20Q (Radica 20 Questions). This thing is awesome. Tried a bunch tonight and with the exception of ‘Baseball Cap’ that I reckon we answered too many questions anally, it got all my words right! Kind of freaky when the last couple of questions are - seemingly - random or unrelated, then it pulls out ‘Bed’.. the exact thing you were thinking of! Neat.

“The 20Q A.I. uses a true artificial neural network to pick the questions and to guess. After the player has answered the twenty questions posed (sometimes fewer), 20Q makes a guess. If it is incorrect, it asks more questions, then guesses again. It makes guesses based on what it has learned; it is not “programmed” with information or what the inventor thinks. Answers to any question are based on players’ interpretations of the questions asked.”

Also from Phanny, the Radica ‘Chillin’ Mood Beam! I can’t stress how cool this thing is.. its like an active night light. You can cycle through modes like Heartbeat (which alternates between its primary and secondary colours - in this case, orange, then red respectively), Strobe (exactly what you’re thinking.. super bright, white flashing light) and Rainbow (slowly runs through the colour spectrum) and the coolest of all is the Beat Sensor which responds to music, beats of a sub woofer, the sound of your voice, clapping etc.. very cool! Thanks Phanny!

The photos don’t do it justice.. might have to take a movie to show if off in action!

When I arrived home this afternoon, I found another parcel on my bed - Becca’s present! Right on time too!

Expanding my ever-growing DVD collection, with The Prestige and True Lies. I’ve lost count the number of times I have watched True Lies - but the thing is, I could watch it time and time again and never get sick of it. It is one of those films that I’m sure will be timeless - you’ll be able to watch it in 50 years time and still think it’s cool!

And the Prestige, one of the best films of last year - saw it at the cinema and was extremely impressed. Great plot, great twists and turns. Will have to watch it again soon!! Thanks Bec!

And last up on the picture front is the card haul..

Thanks everyone for your SMS’ and messages today, it is much appreciated!!

With Felipe Massa at the helm.

… Race Results …

It was pretty hard to fault his virtually flawless drive - a tremendous achievement after the terrible run he had at Malaysia the previous race weekend. Apart from early on in the first stint, his race was never really compromised or challenged and he surged home to take valuable points for his Drivers Championship tally and adding to the pool of Ferrari’s Constructors results.

McLaren Mercedes still hold the top spot in the Constructors Race, at 44 points to Ferrari’s 39.

… Constructors championship …

At this point though, it is still anyone’s guess as to who will shine come the conclusion of the season. There is virtually northing between the top two teams at the moment and BMW are consistently showing that they have the ability - and are not far off the pace of the front runners, to start stealing away valuable points.

Once again, Nick Heidfeld shone in the BMW and his move on the outside of Fernando Alonso to take 4th position was executed perfectly.

Lewis Hamilton once again had a great race, challenging early on, languishing a little to Massa in the second stint, then picking up the pace again at the end of the race. The kid has talent - but the ranting from James Allen on the ITV coverage is really starting to crap me I have to say. Half the time you have no idea what else is going on around the track, because he’s busy flapping and gushing over the rookie. My how quickly we forget about Button?!

‘Who’s your driver of the day? As if I need to ask!’, James Allen asked of Martin Brundle, already assured the answer was going to be Hamilton - and ready in waiting with his pom-poms and orgasmic cries of pride.

‘I’d have to say Felipe Massa’, replied Brundle.

The logical response. Pole position, the fastest lap of the race (on hard compound tyres no less) and the race win. Massa had the perfect weekend.

You could almost hear the fire burning within Allen’s heart… haha.

The sooner Allen goes the better IMO.

Kimi had a lacklustre weekend, easily overshadowed by his team-mate and was later criticised by Ferrari for not being aggressive enough on the restart after the Button/Speed incident caused a Safety Car period.

Alonso, plagued with an unbalanced car all weekend was unable to deliver better than 5th position.

However, all of this is good for the fans, as it means the Drivers Championship is now closer than it has ever been.. in fact, I can’t remember a Championship running this close after 3 races of the season!

… Drivers Championship …

It’s really shaping up to be a terrific season.

And this weekend’s result means I’ve jumped up a few places in the MINI2 guessing game (though that bugger Dean - MiniMinor - has sprinted away to a good lead after this race :P) and also the FF league is looking healthy for me.. though I’m annoyed I forgot to put in my qualifying tips.

Bring on the next race!!! A harsh four week wait!