Quickie: The Interview

I've been a little hard to get a hold of as of late, so thought I'd give an exclusive interview explaining where I've been and what I've been up to so that my fans institution knows I'm not in a ditch somewhere...

Jonathan Ross: So where have you been for the last week, you've missed song of the week to name just one thing..!

Reality Unjustified: Well, I had a few problems with my internet connection. Initially we thought it was due to the bills not being paid, but it turned out to be something electrical and not internet related at all. Something to do with the router not being connected directly to the mains.

JR: Money troubles ehy? Care to elaborate.

RU: There's not a lot to tell really, money's just a little tight. But we've recently sold the house, making a nice profit, so hopefully we'll be moving into a cheaper situation debtless

JR: Sounds great. And what about you in particular, last we heard you were still unemployed.

RU: Well, the situation is still the same Jonathan I've applied to a few places but not heard anything back so I'm still looking, unless you're hiring?

JR: ...

JR: And what of the entertainment side of things; we all know your passion for film, music and games - anything on the horizon?

R.U: Well, I'm currently playing Bioshock - and have nearly finished it - so expect a review within the next week or so. I've seen Lord of War (3.5/5) and House of Sand and Fog (4/5) but won't be reviewing them I'm afraid and, although I missed this weeks Song of the Week, expect a double header this Sunday!

JR: Excellent. Now, recently we've heard a buzz stating that you'll be presenting your up-and-coming short story, "Man..." to the online audience. Is this true, and if so do you have a date in mind.

R.U: That's correct yes, hopefully the first chapter will be available for viewing during next month.

JR: Well, as always, it's a pleasure to see you again. Thanks for coming on the show and all the best with your various projects... Reality Unjustified!

R.U: Thanks Jonathan!

Quickie: Song of the Week!

A late entry this week, originally sang by the (gorgeous) Rihanna (pictured below, right), Umbrella, is a song about protecting someone you love from the symbolic rain of hurt, pain, and grief (at least that's what I think...). Although Rihanna's version is catchy, I have to say I'm really loving this slower version by Mandy Moore (another beautiful lady - below, left)

Vs.

Firstly here are the lyrics (somewhat brilliant, yet not featured due to Rihanna's singing style)

Umbrella

You had my heart
and we'll never be world apart
Maybe in magazines
but you'll still be my star
Baby cause in the Dark
You can see shiny Cars
And that's when you need me there
With you I'll always share
Because

When the sun shines
We’ll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath
I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella

These fancy things,
will never come in between
You're part of my entity
Here for Infinity
When the war has took it's part
When the world has dealt it's cards
If the hand is hard

Together we'll mend your heart
Because ...

When the sun shines
We'll shine together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath
I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella

You can run into my Arms
It's okay don't be alarmed
(Come into Me)
(There's no distance in between our love)
So Gonna let the rain pour
I'll be all you need and more
Because ...

When the sun shines
We'll shine Together
Told you I'll be here forever
Said I'll always be your friend
Took an oath
I'mma stick it out 'till the end
Now that it's raining more than ever
Know that we still have each other
You can stand under my Umbrella
You can stand under my Umbrella

It's raining (raining)
Ooo baby it's raining
baby come into me
Come into me
It's raining (raining)
Ooo baby it's raining
You can always come into me
Come into me

And here's the video so you can sing along!

Quickie: (Game) Mafia 2 - On the books?

Back during the year 2002 I bought a game. It was a game about being in the Mafia - with it's Itallian-Americans and it's fat Tony's, and the game, the game wowed me; with it's impressive visuals, fantastic driving sim, brilliant (voice) acting and interesting story as you rose from Taxi-Driver to Mafia mobster in this Godfather clone....
...That's right, a good Godfather clone! "That's a paradox!" I hear you cry. It's like saying "warm ice cream" or "I always lie" (think about it) - it just... doesn't make sense.

Well the original worked, it played well, it had some brilliantly realistic guns and impressive shoot outs and some great car chases (even if you could only hit 20mph going up hill, hey it's the 1930s!). Thinking back on the game, now, it really wasn't impressive (technically). You were pretty limited in what you could do; shoot people, steal cars... that was about it. With my promise of true next gen games (within this article on Assassin's Creed) to be arriving any second now (Bioshock is just a nose bleed away..!) it really got me excited with what they (being developers Illusion Softworks) could achieve with this.

Onto matters more pressing; it seems that that there is speculation in the pipeline that Mafia 2 could actually exist!

Ahu, you just read all that to find out that something possibly exists!

Well here's the full (4 and a bit) paragraphs (what, not even an article?!) from CVG.com

Take Two has hinted to CVG that we may well see an announcement on Mafia 2 later today, after we spoke to the publisher about a rumour circulating on the sequel's reveal at Leipzig next week.

"Watch this space", a Take Two spokesperson told us, saying that it's announcing its Games Convention line-up this afternoon.

It's been reported that a trailer for the sequel will be shown at the Games Convention in Leipzig next week, word hitting the internet that a Mafia 2 trailer has been rated by the USK, Germany's independent videogame ratings body.

Regular readers may recall that Mafia developer Illusion Softworks confirmed with us way back in 2003 that Mafia 2 was in development, but we've heard nothing on the game since. But it appears that's about to change.

Oh boy, let's hope the sequel really is announced. Stay tuned...

Oh boy indeed (Sam Becket will be spinning in his grave, or perhaps someone elses...)

The Bourne Ultimatum - Movie Review

I remember... I remember, everything...

Intro.
Bourne is back. And boy am I glad! Seeing Transformers about a month ago had me questioning the Blockbuster; "Can blockbusters still be good movies?" and not just a heavily advertised gimmick and/or big budget let down with the occasional bell and whistle. The Bourne Ultimatum removes any doubt that blockbusters automatically mean brainless eye-candy. Don't get me wrong, everything about this movie screams expensive! but it is the story, and it's brilliant conclusion, that makes this a fun, action packed, clever, simple, enjoyable film.

The film.
This time around, Jason Bourne returns to the US of A to find out who he is, who they are and what they did to him. One of the things that makes this film so great is the accessibility of the story to people who may or may not have seen the original 2 installments; the blanks (fittingly) are filled in via flashes of Bourne's memory fragments; for all intensive and purposes first time watchers of this series will see the film through Bourne's eyes; filling in the blanks when he remembers something - which is clever as it makes this movie, not only a brilliant end to a series but also a fabulous movie on its own.

The action.
Some of the action in this film is similar in technique to Casino Royal released earlier this year; it's raw, bone crunching, but bloodless (so watchable by all the family). The free running, in particular, was very impressive with Bourne running across the rooftops in Tangiers, Morocco to save the life of (this time "Bourne accomplice" and previous movie "bad guy" accomplice) Nicky Parsons (played by the 'sometimes hot, sometimes not' Julia Stiles) from the grasp of a hired drone "asset" (hitman) - the very people who Bourne once was.
Noah Vosen (David Strathairn) and Pamela Landy (Joan Allen) return as the bad guy and bad gal turned good again in this movie and are still hot on the heels of Bourne as they try to cover their own asses and obstruct Bourne from discovering the truth.

The brilliance of ending.
There's not really a twist to this movie, as you'll piece together most of it for yourself via information Bourne uncovers and the memory flashes that occasionally hit him. Where this movie really succeeds is in it's realization, on Bourne's part, of what he became and how he became the lean, mean killing machine which also places a moral question on who he was before he became Jason Bourne. And the final scene is nothing more than brilliant; it perfectly rounds up the movie: simple, symbolic and fabulous. Tingle down my spine moments.

4.5 out of 5

The best of the 3 and, amazingly, you're not required to have seen the previous 2 films. Perhaps the most fun film of recent times and certainly my favorite of the summer blockbusters.

Quickie: Song of the Week!

I love this song, I'm still not quite sure what it's about. At a guess I would say it's about love (is there a song that isn't?) but more that one of the people in the relationship does not seem to care or show emotion anymore - acting 'mechanical', hence the content of the song - with the other individual acting completely opposite - still believes in hope, and love, and the relationship...


The band is Athlete and the song is the inspirational "Wires":

"Wires"

You got wires, going in
You got wires, coming out of your skin
You got tears, making tracks
I got tears, that are scared of the facts

Running, down corridors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here, in a plastic box
I've seen christmas lights, reflect in your eyes

You got wires, going in
You got wires, coming out of your skin
There's dry blood, on your wrist
Your dry blood on my fingertip

Running, down corridoors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now, you would never know

I see it in your eyes, I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright
I see it in your eyes, I see it in your eyes
You'll be alright

Alright

Running, down corridors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
I see hope is here, in a plastic box
I've seen christmas lights, reflect in your eyes
down corridors, through automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now, you would never know.

The Premier League Returns!

The Premier League is finally back... and with a bang!

Newcastle (that's my team, through religion rather than through choice..) actually won, with Big Sam (pictured) off to a flyer against his former club Bolton; Charlie N'Zogbia claiming one with a cross-come-shot and Obi-wan grabbing two! All within the first 25 minutes, too! Bolton claimed little more than a consolation in the second half with former Arsenal striker Anelka putting one past Harper.

Final score, Newcastle 3 - 1 Bolton



For a full report on the game go here or here

Other scores as follows:

Sunderland 1 - 0 Tottenham
Sunderland (admittedly, probably deservingly) beat Tottenham with a late Chopra (ex-Newcastle, ooof!) goal! Other than that, neither goal keeper had much to do, with both teams looking rather cagey.
Game analysis here

Aston Villa 1 - 2 Liverpool
An OG (own goal) from Villa center back Martin Laursen gifted Liverpool with the lead before underrated Gareth Barry gave Villa a life line in the 85 minute after slotting home a penalty after Carragher's handball. However, it would be Liverpool who laughed last (and loudest) as Mr Liverpool, Steven Gerrard, scored from a freekick directly after Barry had pulled Villa back on level terms.
Game analysis here

West Ham 0 - 2 Man City
Sven Goren Erikson's first game in charge was no less than a huge success, with Bianchi and Geovanni netting for the Swede's new look Man City side.
Game analysis here

Derby 2 - 2 Portsmouth
Derby's Matt Oakley opened the scoring with a 10th minute volley, only for City's Mwaruwari to grab an equalizer 15 minutes later. Pompey must have thought they had won it when Utaka popped in an 83rd minute header. But it wasn't to be as veteran Andy Todd equalized things once more seconds later.
Game analysis here

Everton 2 - 1 Wigan
Everton opened the scoring after just 26minutes with a Leon Osman header, and then all but wrapped up the points in the 75 minute when Anichebe scored from close range. Ex-Newcastle striker Antoine Sibierkski scored a late consolation goal for The Latics.
Game analysis here

Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Blackburn
England international Stewart Downing gave Boro' the lead with a left-punted free-kick, however, Blackburn turned the game around first with a Santa Cruz header before Derbyshire curled in the winner.
Game analysis here

Other Fixtures Over the Week

Sunday, 12 August 2007

Arsenal v Fulham, 12:00
Chelsea v Birmingham, 13:30
Man Utd v Reading, 16:00

Tuesday, 14 August 2007

Tottenham v Everton, 20:00

Wednesday, 15 August 2007

Birmingham v Sunderland, 19:45
Fulham v Bolton, 19:45
Man City v Derby, 19:45
Portsmouth v Man Utd, 19:45
Reading v Chelsea, 20:00
Wigan v Middlesbrough, 20:00

Update: New blog Design and Other Bits

Well, as you can see I've re-designed this place and, if I do say so myself, it looks a lot better!

All images, icons, backgrounds and the-like have been designed and developed by yours truly.

Signed On..

Yep, I signed on this morning but at least I'm actively looking for work (really!) So don't think of me as a leach on society but as someone whom you're helping out - like a charity or such (see, I'm a worthy cause...?!)
I have to pop into the Job Center every fortnight and make a record of jobs I've looked at/applied for/and so on, so that they know I'm not just, well, sucking them dry...
While I was there, the lovely woman who was helping me, managed to pick out a few possible jobs, which I've to send my CV off to later - (makes a mental note) - so I may not even get my first injection of cash!

In other news...

Heroes is on tonight, and although I saw this weeks BBC2 episode of BBC3 last week, I get to see Episode 5 tonight. So fingers crossed it's a good one! Last weeks cliff hanger was just good enough to bypass the "cheese" and come out pretty good, so it'll be interesting to see how we go this week!

Much love,

RU

Quickie: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

The Good...
Just mere moments ago, I finally came up with an ending to my short story, and I think it really kicks ass. All I have to do is to get the middle-to-last third started/finished to a standard that really sets the scene and builds up to the finale! Also, I was offered that job at SH marketing...

...the Bad
...Which I quickly declined! Door to door sales, with salary based (completely) on performance - i.e. how many sales I make. I have no experience in this so I'd probably make little-to-no money, and I just didn't think it would be worth the bother! So I'm still looking!

And the Ugly

It's here! It's finally here!

I finally managed to get my graduation photo's up. There's not a lot as I'm still waiting for a few of my mates to send me the ones they took (mostly group ones too!) So I will post them as and when I have them. For now, however, enjoy my mug!

My tutor and I. He's been a cool guy, helped us all out of a few scrapes and I owe him a lot!

Mother, me and my "wishes he wasn't there - untidy" Brother

Me and my Mum!

Me

Er, me again!

Be kind!!

Much love,


R. U

Quickie: GTA IV - DELAYED!!!

"Ah-hu, they di'int!"

Yes folks, they did. GTA IV has been delayed to the 2Q (that's between Feb 1st and April 30th)* of 2008. I'm a little annoyed but as long as Assassin's Creed and Mass Effect don't get put back - touches wood - then I don't really mind...

Haha, "R* have stolen Christmas" - some people slay me..

Quickie: Song of the Week!

In a bid to spice things up a little; with yesterdays The Week Ahead and now this: Song of the Week. Well I pretty much love this girl; beautiful, intelligent, talented (both singing and writing) and she has a smexy posh accent - hey it can be, sometimes.. (and she swears! Which just makes her sound dirty! Haha)

Seriously though, check this girl out if you haven't already - I'm a fan of her piano stuff; not so much so with regard to her more "pop-y" songs, but they're all brimmed with fantastic lyrics.

I present to you Ms Nerina Pallot, and my song of choice

If I Know You

Well it could have been a Sunday
Or it could have been the next day
Or it could have been any day at all
And it could have been a good day
Or a very very bad day
When you made your grand arrival, I can recall

But if I know you
You'll come sailing through the starlight in the blue
And if I know you
There'll be something that you do
Nobody else could contemplate, it's true
If I know you

Madonna's in the bathroom
Madonna's in the redroom
Holy Virgin Mary, come to my aid
I'm sinking while you're swimming
Losing while you're winning
Everything i've given, you give away

And if I know you
You'll come sailing through the starlight in the blue
And if I know you, you'll swim
You could never drown if someone pushed you in
And if I know you
There'll be something that you do
Nobody else could even contemplate, it's true
If I know you

Damn it, I'm going to post another song of hers because I couldn't stop listening to it last night (I had heard it, but never really 'listened' to it - the lyrics are immense, best on her first album in my opinion...)

Dear Frustrated Superstar

Dear Frustrated Superstar, your mother's waiting in the car
To whisk you off to your new premiere
And all the friends who knew your name
Are waiting, wondering what became
Of the girl that they once knew but never loved
They never loved.

So every city tells the lie
Of beggars, tramps and butterflies
Of all these things, then what am I?
A princess in a threadbare gown,
A gaudy, painted circus clown?
A child who lost her key and can't get home?

All the things I never was -
A traitor in the Western Wars
A girl who did it just because.
Do or die, or don't at all

Prepare to suffer for your call
Some things have to hurt or they're not true.

They can't be true
When you die, you'll wonder, "was that it?"
Will you think of how you'd wished you lived?
Well, you're here now
Yes you're here now.
So I only want to be up there
With a hundred others, I don't care
'Cause I'm here now
Yes I'm here now.

Papers, books, philosophy
An envelopes eternity
I count each passing minute, hour, day.....
Wonder how I smile so well,
Wonder how they never tell
There's really no one living here at all.

So here a line from God's own song
To comfort you when things go wrong
My children never visit anymore.
Go searching in my sky at night
They must be there to set alight
Their mothers aching heart is so unsure
I'm so unsure....

When you die, you'll wonder, "was that it?"
Will you think of how you'd wished you lived?
Well, you're here now
Yes you're here now.
So I only want to be up there
With a hundred others, I don't care
'Cause I'm here now
Yes I'm here now.

Dear Frustrated Superstar, I really hope you get that far
If not, I hope you live
I hope you live.

The Week Ahead

Not sure why, but I thought I'd give this ago... (not that I've ever had any good experiences with organization or planning, but what the hey!)

Monday
(Or as those crazy Italians originally called it: "Moons day" - crazy cats!)

The Big Interview! (crowd goes 'OOoh')
And so the week begins, but what's in store for out caped crusader?
Monday brings me a final interview with SH/GEM Marketing and by the end of the day I should know whether I've got the job or not. Apparently they tell you there and then on the spot so it should be an interesting day. Hopefully I'll start the week with employment, but, if not then I'll probably get over it...

UK Gold: 11pm - 1am Prison Break (double whammy)
OK, OK, I get it. I'm slow, and should have listened to everyone when they said "It's great" but I'm way behind everyone and yo'all gotta accept it and move on! Not far into this season (2) and so far we've seen more double crosses than Jack Bauer has when playing Guess Who? We've also had Tweener R.I.P, Abruzzi R.I.P and Veronica (bye love!) get gunned down and poor T-Bag - OK, the guys a fruit loop, but he's got more screen presence than Darth Vader dressed as Santa Clause - has had his hand chopped off... Ow!

Tuesday

(or as our German alies used to refer to it as: Tyr's Day - because they're all big Tyr'a Banks fans!)

Well, I was supposed to have my other interview on this day but it seems that GEM and SH Marketing are some strange 'swinging' sales and market company. So they just asked which was closest and I'm to attend that one (Why didn't I say Newcastle! The one with the hot interview - I'm so...erm, strong minded?)

What's on the box, fox?
Nowt. Tuesday gets the "worst day for TV" award

Wednesday

(as usual, we didn't listen to those crazy guys with pointy hats - Vikings - who said we should call it Odin's Day - ha, thank Thor!)

Well, there is a TV conundrum on Wed-night. On the one hand we have Bad Boys II (ch. five at 9pm) which is great for shits and giggles. But on the other hand we have the (another example of my slowness, really, how do I put my pants on in the morning...? I don't!) brilliant Heroes (9pm Beeb2 - and then the next episode straight after on Beeb3) which I've, also, only began to watch. I think I'll listen to all you crazy folks with pointed hats and watch Heroes as I must have seen BB2 a good 3 or 4 times!

BBC2: 9pm - 10pm, BBC3 10pm - 11pm Heroes (double dragon punch!)
Heroes, only 4 episodes in, has gotten better with age. It started off... Ok. It was a little scattered and a little confusing. They, perhaps, introduced us to too much in too shorter time. But it's getting better. Although there seems to be a lot of originality in this series, it's based on a very clichéd context; people discover they have powers, unite and save the world - I'm presuming. Of course, the interesting bits are the bits in between, y'know; characters find themself, overcome impossible obstacles, find meaning to their life, find love, change destiny... And so on. What I think Heroes does well is who it has distributed the powers to; for example, the brother who always feels inadequate to his older brother, always wanting what he has, gains the ability to use other peoples abilities, when he's around them; Nikki, single Mum struggling to make ends meet, seems to have split herself into 2 personalties, adding new meaning to the phrase being in two places at once.

Thursday

(We all know this one, right? That's correct, folks - Thor's Day! The Sun would be proud!)

OK, Thursday is great for one simple reason: House.

Channel Five: 9pm - 10pm House MD. (Comedy and Drama at.its.finest.)
There's a little part of me that niggles away at this series (just a little one) and it's, in the grand scheme of things, that nothing much really happens. You could probably watch the House episodes in any order and you'd pretty much get the jist of things, now, do that with Lost and you're getting nowhere fast. However, I love this show. There's no other word for it. I truly love it... I'm particularly loving the House - forcing - Wilson - to - get - it - on - with - the - wrongly?! - sexy - Cuddy (aka Lisa Eistien yes/no?) storyline. It's so clear that House wants Cuddy, even if it's just a fling. I would say that the finale (coming up soon, noooo!) will involve them two having a moment, or two!

Oh, and Cameron!! *Swoons*

Friday

(Frey's Day... Who?)

Again, not a good day for TV. Although we're hoping to have a night out (maybe a celebration on my new [JOB!] position!?? Hint hint) To be updated, if at all.

Quickie: We got a live one!!

Well that didn't take long...

3 interviews; 2 employment possibilities and 1, erm, JSA (Job Seekers Allowance aka The Dole) interview to fall back on should I be turned down by both employers. God, imagine the disabling blow that would have on my confidence...

Ah well!

I have an interview with SH Marketing tomorrow and GEM MARKETING (erm, they don't have a web site...) on Friday! My JSA interview isn't 'til Monday. So, who knows, that interview may be unneeded by then!

Anyway, Mr Internet, wish me luck. Perhaps next time I post I'll be...

Reality Unjustified BA, Status: EMPLOYED

Woop Woop

R. U