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Is MySpace really the future of email?

Am I getting old? Perhaps. I’ve been using email since 1992 when I first went to university so I just find it second nature now. It’s got to the point where I organise my whole life using it and I get quite frustrated when I actually have to call someone to get something done that could more easily be done asynchronously1. But that’s not how many people think according to ZDNet.co.uk.

Shooter

This review has taken a long time coming. We saw it a couple of weeks after its initial release — so late that we had difficulty finding a cinema in London that was showing it in fact — but I’ve been sitting on my thoughts since then. Why? Well, as useful and informative as the CRAP Alert system is, not being able to compare and contrast my score to that of the CAP Alert team removed some of the fun. Nevertheless, you can’t wait forever so here is the full review.

Vacation

![Menton, France](https://i0.wp.com/www.zx81.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/03/img_1051.jpg?resize=333%2C500 "Menton, France")
Menton, France

This weeks PhotoFriday theme is “Vacation.” Here is my entry. When most people think of ‘vacation’ they think of a beach holiday. This image is of Menton in France.

Please also vote for my entry in last weeks challenge. I’m entry number 91.

We the undersigned

I found the most brilliant website recently. If used as intended it’s a step forward for democracy, making it easier for people to offer their opinion on subjects that matter to them directly to the Prime Minister. And if not, well, it’s entertaining reading.

I first came across some pretty distasteful stuff calling to ban the practising of the Muslim faith in the United Kingdom. Actually, much of the religious stuff was verging on the comedic. For example, Christian’s are being side-lined in British society. Unless you remember that senior members of the church can still be found in the House of Lords.

Barren

![Rushhour on the Himalayas, Tibet](https://i0.wp.com/www.zx81.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2003/01/tibet927.jpg?resize=500%2C333 "Rushhour on the Himalayas, Tibet")
Rushhour on the Himalayas, Tibet

This weeks PhotoFriday theme is “Barren.” Here is my entry. This picture was taken on the Tibetan side of the Himalayas on the last day as we were about to head back into Nepal.

Please also vote for my entry in last weeks challenge, “Busy.” I’m number 278 (“–> Stephen <–“).

Busy

![Despite the climb and ungodly hour, Adams Peak is a popular spot for tourists and pilgrims. Sri Lanka.](https://i0.wp.com/www.zx81.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2001/03/srilanka6b03.jpg?resize=334%2C500 "Despite the climb and ungodly hour, Adams Peak is a popular spot for tourists and pilgrims. Sri Lanka.")
Despite the climb and ungodly hour, Adams Peak is a popular spot for tourists and pilgrims. Sri Lanka.

This weeks PhotoFriday theme is “Busy.” Here is my entry.

This image was taken as the sun rose over Adams Peak in Sri Lanka, after our night climb to the top. Despite the unsociable hour, it was incredibly busy. Some of the older folk were very competitive, pushing us out of the way for a prime spot to see the sun-rise.

Pet Shop Boys

Pet Shop Boys

We went to see Pet Shop Boys play live at the Hammersmith Apollo on the 6th. It was a great gig, possibly the best of theirs that I’ve seen. This is perhaps the fourth or fifth time I’ve seen them over the years and the first time I’ve not left at least a little disappointed.

But despite the ups and downs of their live shows, they have maintained their prime position in my music collection since at least Actually came out in 1987. That makes me feel old! Of course you can’t really rationalise something that tugs at raw emotion in the way that music often can[^1], but that has not stopped me trying to figure out why I keep listening to them[^2].

So long…

![Cornelius Maximus Wilmington the 4th](https://i0.wp.com/www.zx81.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/dscn0137.jpg?resize=500%2C374 "Cornelius Maximus Wilmington the 4th")
Cornelius Maximus Wilmington the 4th

This morning a member of the Darlington household passed away quietly in his sleep. Cornelius Maximus Willmington IV was less than a year old. He is survived by our other goldfish, Bob.

Cornelius was never the brightest fish in the bowl, and it’s not like he was up against stiff competition. He often did “Jaws” impressions, his fin breaching the surface of the bowl but terrorising few, and had a tendency to try to eat bubbles rather than the food we fed them every day.