This weeks roast is brought to you in a race against the Monaco Grand Prix. I started writing just as they started off the grid. Why race the Grand Prix? Writing roasts can take a while and I have a tendency to get all grumpy half way through and go “why bother”, then womble round the flat annoying Moose till I think the damn thing is never going to get written. What a way to waste an entire Sunday afternoon! Grand Prix’s are time limited, so trying to finish the roast before the race is over gives me a focus and keeps me writing.

It also keeps me at my desk instead of in the living room yelling insults at the TV and gloating in an unseemly fashion when/if something happens to Hamilton and Alonso. Yes, I know I have just uttered a phrase that should have me handing in my British citizenship, but I can’t stand all the hype around Lewis Hamilton. James Allen especially needs to just get a room already!

And now that rant is done with (sorry), I shall bring you the goodies…

My whole general malaise lately has led to me withdrawing from certain social sites, Facebook for one. (It’s also seen a huge splurge in activity on other sites like Twitter, but go figure). Will a major redesign help bring me back? Let’s wait and see what they have to offer, shall we?

Phrases such as “Orwellian”, “Big Brother state” and “1984 anyone?” are being bandied around with increasing frequency at the moment, but sometimes it is necessary. Technical issues aside (every email and phone call?!) plans for a database holding details of every phone call and e-mail sent in the UK are just… scary. In the past at work the Information Commission has made my life trickier, mandating the collection of this and that piece of data, but on this front I’m supporting them and their assessment that it is a “step too far“.

MPs have voted against laws forcing a “father” in IVF treatment

(Just took a small break to make a cup of tea - damn, but it looks like I’m missing a good race today!)

I won’t even try and understand the relationship Americans seem to have with their guns, but even this story has to seem a little bit weirder than usual. Doesn’t it?

At Kew Gardens, a treetop walkway has just been opened. I love trees so the chance to get up in the canopy should be a special one. Time to go visit Kew I think…

Continuing the nature theme, research suggests going for a walk with the wildlife is essential. Anecdotally, I would have to agree. I felt very, very down most of the time in Liverpool, and that was in no small part due to the lack of green spaces. Every time I would go back to Somerset, I would feel a physical weight lift. Even now, I feel better for a saunter through a park. Go, give it a try - have a womble around your nearest green space and feel the benefits (She says, even though at the moment I have to have a “daily mission” to get me out the house)

Do we put too much of our lives on the internet? Emily Gould’s story, whilst a drastic extreme, does ring some bells. My own internal sensor has flagged things to me a couple of times and gone “you shouldn’t post that”. I know I live a more ‘open’ and public life than is the norm and most of the time that’s OK to me. Every now and again though, I do question the wisdom of what I’m doing

For the geeky BSG fans among us (thanks to billt for the link)

Continuing my search for the best photoblogs out there, I bring you seriocomic. Eye candy galore

Thanks to Moose for these next two - every now and again, one of those email circulars that rampages through the office email is genuinely funny:
Google Earth scrabble
Can’t evolve? Tough

Flood, by They Might Be Giants is an album I actually have on my iPod three times, once as a copy-from-a-friend, once because I borrowed it from the library, and once because I actually shelled out money. It’s one of those albums you hear a song from, go “I love that!”, get a copy of the album, then realise you already have it because you loved it before… Embarrassing, but thankfully I’m not the only fan

So today I was a citizen (in my case, a citizen-commentator-on-F1) BTW, the way to Cas’ heart, be a good enough writer to get the bitter irony and sarcasm across. Love it

Initially I was skeptical about bkkeepr, mainly because of the the name. I admit it. All these Web 2.0 contractions are really getting on my 36D’s. Then I looked at it a bit more and had an “Oooooh…” moment. Time to play I think.

Looking for something new to read? Ooodles of great blogs just got added to 9rules. Enjoy

(Piquet has just driven into the wall, the silly sausage. 27 laps to go)

Along with my well documented notebook obsession, I’ve also got a bit of a thing for pens. Namely the Pilot V series, so I’m a happy (if poorer) bunny now I’ve found a place that does mail and bulk orders

I’ve spoken to a few people and we are all kinds of enthusiastic to see Dollhouse and what Joss Whedon has to offer. But we are also all a little bit anxious, given Fox’s record on cancellations. But to campaign to save the show before it’s even aired?!

I can no longer watch Grand Designs because all the people irritate me so much. I am sure they are all lovely people, but I am just so JEALOUS of the bastards for being able to build their own home, when at the moment we’ll all be living on the Moon before I get the chance to do that. Yes, I am one of those sad people who has the designs to their dream home already in their head, but
Still, this blog is whetting my appetite again. Damn it. Really, the only option left to me is to marry an architect.

I’ve been home during the week this week, so I’ve been able to actually stream video (our connection just goes flop at busy times).
Australia
Quid Pro Quo - a trailer I watched and went “huh?”
The Dark Knight
The Rocker - silly, stupid, but somehow appealing
The Mummy: tomb of the Dragon Emperor - *rubs hands in glee* And I think I might even have gotten over my need to yell at the screen at all the archaeological innaccuracies. Best quote “why do Mummy’s never play fair?”
Hancock - it could be a one joke film, but I still want to see it

And not a movie trailer, but still worth a giggle over
Jerry needs no help

And finished just in time to see the aftermath of Rosberg’s crash. Bugger, Hamilton is in the lead. As Moose just said, “he could still get a puncture. We can hope…”