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Blog · January 25, 2025

The bands take a stand

The bands take a stand

I finally got around to watching Boybands Forever, a three part documentary on the BBC that aired late last year. I had planned to watch it over Christmas but a few scenes into the first episode, I thought it might be a bit depressing - turns out these boybands haven't all had the best of experiences. So I waited until January, when we're all experiencing the blues anyway, so why …

Blog · January 25, 2025

With great power comes great panic

With great power comes great panic

I'm one of those that is skeptical of AI, both the impact it can actually have on the future, but also from the point of view of being wary it may destroy the future (Terminator movies, anyone?). So whenever I see one of those memes doing the rounds of an AI getting a question ridiculously wrong or failing to understand basic alphabet or numerical concepts, I take great joy from …

Blog · January 19, 2025

25 years of Simming, Part 2

25 years of Simming, Part 2

I've gotten into a manageable habit with my Sims obsession - it used to be that I could sit down of an evening and start playing, and then suddenly the hours have gone by and I've got nothing else done other than topped the career path of a specific character. Nowadays, I dip in regularly but only for a short period of time, and it's a nice way to play …

Blog · January 16, 2025

25 years of Simming, Part 1

25 years of Simming, Part 1

There's a lot of noise about The Sims around at the moment, as the lifestyle management game is turning 25 this year. Have I really been playing The Sims since 1999? I can't remember being an early adopter but I definitely remember the first game very vividly, so maybe I have. The recent announcements are some sizabale updates to the base game, and a new Behind the Sims video stream, …

Blog · January 13, 2025

Five albums to look forward to in 2025

Five albums to look forward to in 2025

My album adventure for 2025 got off to a roaring start last week, although it's not until week two that I've managed to nab an album actually released this year. The rules of the game (for those who haven't been paying attention) are that the 'new' album is from this year or the last, whilst the 'old' album has the rest of human history to be selected from. Two albums …

Blog · January 7, 2025

TV roundup - Playing games

TV roundup - Playing games

I meant to post this before Christmas but didn't get round to it, then thought I would wait to top it up with all the festive fun that I watched as well. Except, it didn't really feel like there was that much exceptional stuff on over Christmas? I've mentioned the gameshow nostalgia already, and I loved the Gladiators Celeb special, but in terms of drama and comedy, there wasn't much …

Blog · January 6, 2025

What to look up for

What to look up for

My dad shared this post with me - 11 must-see astronomy events in 2025 - which covers great things to look up for, lunar eclipses, shooting stars, and the planets doing all kinds of wonderful things. The post is geared slightly towards a North American audience, so I went looking to see if there was anything similar for UK stargazers. Of course, the Royal Observatory has me covered. Find out …

Blog · January 5, 2025

In summary, don't read it

In summary, don't read it

I can't stop thinking about this news item on the BBC, complaining once again about the incorrect headline summaries Apple's Artificial Intelligence is creating based on their stories. In particular here, it claimed Luke Littler won the darts championship before he had (although he later did which I think wasn't a surprise to anyone). It also claimed Rafael Nadal had come out as gay, based on a story about a …

Blog · January 4, 2025

Only listen

Only listen

Only Connect traditionally has special episodes over the festive period, usually featuring previous teams returning just for the thrill of the game rather than for any particular prize. There are normally four specials, but this year there were eight, which allowed for the quiz show to try out something a little bit different. Our hostess with the mostess Victoria Coren Mitchell explains it best: The initial rounds of the quiz …

Blog · January 2, 2025

A great way to spend three days

A great way to spend three days

Apple TV+ are offering access to their streaming services this weekend for free, worldwide. From 3rd to 5th January, you can watch any of the titles available, giving everyone a great chance to dip in and see what all the fuss is about. There's some incredible programmes and films on there, and I thought it my duty to help narrow down what should be watched in the short window of …

Blog · January 1, 2025

Happy new year 2025

Happy new year 2025

For the last few years, I've taken a laid back approach to resolution making and new year resets, given how hectic the outside world has been. There's no need for any extra pressure, is the wisdom behind this, and that remains true. However, on a personal level, last year really didn't go to plan at all, and whilst I did achieve some of the things I set out to do …