#4 Jenson Button, F1 World Champion 2009 (?)

Yep, I really am going out on a limb here - Jenson Button will be this year's F1 World Champion. Is there anyone out there that wants to bet against me?
The F1 season is quickly approaching half-distance, We've just had the Turkish GP and Silverstone is in less than 2 weeks. Button has chalked up six victories in the seven races so far. Now that's definitely Championship-winning form, but it seems to be the British way to lack the self-belief in our sportsmen. I won't go on about the fairytale of how this team that almost-never-was, I will throw out some thoughts on how I feel this season is pretty much decided (whether that's a good thing or bad...)

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I'm leaving on a Jetplane...

Continuing my posts detailing my trip to the US further and looking back on my Trans-Atlantic flights, a really big deal for me. I've only been on a plane once before (twice if you count coming back :D).

Unfortunately I didn't take any pix, the authorities may have thought me a terrorist after pointing my camera at airplanes and security personnel was my paranoia. Anyways, to brighten up the site enjoy another *random* snap taken on my travels.

Note: It's a pretty obvious sign that I play video games too much that I thought of the Dead Air finale from Left 4 Dead when getting on the plane...

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I wanna be in America (Again!)

Long time no see Blog. Yes it's been a while, but at least 10 days of my absence can be accounted to my visit to America. It's been about a week since I got back, and well there's loads to blog about, but a combination of jetlag, work and general laziness means it's taken this long to post.

So you can expect my next few posts to cover the fun times that were had during my time in the US, although this post is tainted with sadness. The main reason (maybe joint with just visiting any part of the US in general) for my visit was my good friend Andy's wedding, and having received an invite last year, it's been something I've been very much looking forward to - in fact, I would go as far to say that it's was and has been the highlight of my 2009. The sadness comes that with the trip now over, I must return to my shitty existence with nothing obvious on the horizon to look forward to (There's the trip to France for Le Mans, but that's about it).

Trying not to feel down, it kinda feels like the start of a new year, or more accurately a restart. The break gave me an opportunity to refocus on my goals for the year. I set myself 3 main resolutions, and well progress hasn't been great. Those resolutions being: Learn to drive, Get a new job (ideally in the Shropshire area) and get a lot fitter with the help of the gym. Honestly, only the third one I've made any progress in, and to be honest I have been quite slack in the weeks leading up to my trip.

To that end, I leave you with a pic I snapped in my first visit to a Walmarts (proving that I still am really juvenile) and to watch this space for more US trip related posts.

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#3 One diffuser to rule them all...

I delayed this post until the decision by the FIA on the legality of the rear diffusers which some of the teams are running and gaining an advantage with. As expected, the decision went in favour of Brawn, Toyota and Williams with the diffuser getting the all-clear.

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#2 F1 is back! (Round 1: Australia)

Hey ho, the new season of Formula 1 kicked off in Australia and what a great opening race we were offered. Ignore the fact that it's been about a year since my last Sports Thoughts and read on for some of my thoughts on the race at Melbourne and the rest of the championship.

Now this year sees a big shakeup in the rules and regulations in terms of car design, I won't repeat them here as a quick internet search will give you all the answers you need. What I will add is that there has been controversy surrounding the design of the rear diffuser - an element at the base and the back of the car. Three teams have interpreted the new rules differently and produced a radical design, which while has been confirmed legal for Australia, an appeal has been made and a decision will be made after the Malaysian GP.
One team to profit from adopting the controversial design are Brawn GP and they are responsible for the wonderful fairytale story at the season opener.

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#2 Insert Coin Bonus Stage (part 1)

It's been a long time, but boy! is this a long one.
I'm been playing catch up with a number of video game reviews/thoughts/rants for ages, so I thought it'd be a cool idea to catch up in podcast form.
Featured games are: Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise, some afterthoughts on GTA IV after I finally completed it, Flower - the big game in a small package and closing off with some rather in-depth thoughts on Fable 2.

It's a double-edged sword as it seems unfair to try and squeeze it all into one, so I've broken into two parts, so apologies for the formal goodbye, I'll make it up next time.

As mentioned during the podcast, I may have forgotten some major pros/cons of a game so don't shun me for this being done on the spot - for the information that has been included, I've tried to be careful but there are some spoilers within, you have been warned. Enjoy.

Featured Music:
Intro/Outro - Pacific Theatre - Yourcodenameis:milo
When We Were Younger and Better, A Failsafe, Music is Music as Devices are Kisses is Everything, Little Victories - all by 65daysofstatic.
The Birth and Death of the Day, Welcome, Ghosts, It's Natural To Be Afraid, What Do You Go Home To, Catastrophe And The Cure- Explosions in the Sky
Quiet, There Are Some Remedies Worse Than the Disease - This Will Destroy You

iTunes link

[MP3] Download the show [51:33] (Right click, Save as)

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