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July 26, 2005

I should have titled that link DANGER

One of my favourite things to do when aimlessly browsing the internet is to pop over to Expansys and see what their deal of the day is. Expansys aren’t notably cheap, but they do have a large amount of technical gadgetry, and they seem to realise Ireland exists and don’t charge a ton of cash just to post new expensive toys here. Deals of the day are a great way to make me want to buy something I had no idea even existed thirty seconds previously, but so far I’ve never given in.

I’m currently lusting after the Nokia N91, even though I bought a new phone in February and HAVE NO NEED OF A NEW PHONE. But Sendo went tits up recently, so maybe I should sell my phone and buy a new one? Or maybe I should stop itching to spend money and keep up shouting at myself?

Posted by Oliver at 05:28 PM | Comments (2)

July 25, 2005

Just in case you needed one

Q: Where can one find a selection of videos of people hiccuping, handily divided by gender?

A: Here.

Posted by Oliver at 04:43 PM | Comments (0)

July 20, 2005

Buff and shine to impress friends

Ah, the internet. Before the internet, I loved tea, but couldn’t take that love past the ability to tell Lyons from Barrys. But now, I can occupy my idle time learning far too much about various tea varieties and how they should be enjoyed, with only three brief mouse-clicks. Latest tea-drinking implement that I had no idea I wanted until I saw it on the internet: the teastick. Finally I can enjoy that loose-leaf green mint tea I bought two years ago but was too lazy to actually drink!

No interest in tea-drinking? Own an iPod? The iPod accessory with the best title I have ever seen has to be the Muff Dock. New euphenism ahoy!

Posted by Oliver at 10:59 AM | Comments (2)

July 14, 2005

The new housemate, continued

Trust me to get invaded by an adroitly skilled mouse with brains.

My brother (who apparently knew about the mouse for over a week before telling me) laid down a couple of the traditional back-breaker traps, baited with chocolate. The mouse lifted the chocolate off one without setting off the trap. My brother stuck another piece of chocolate down as firmly as he could. The mouse dutifully ignored this bait. Hmmm, we thought to ourselves. Smart mouse.

My humane mousetrap, of which I had such high hopes, has failed me. I think the mouse is small enough to sneak between the bars of the cage, eat the bait, and leave as it suits him. Damn! Foiled again! He must have just lived off the bait for a week; I think in retrospect I crushed too many M&Ms and pistachio nuts. I thought I was awful smart, using that bait. I couldn’t stop nibbling at it myself, it was that good.

So. The bait was taken with the mouse untrapped. I’ve wrapped wire mesh around the cage part of the trap, and hopefully if he goes in this time he won’t get out. I put in another pile of my delicious bait but he’s not gone near it yet, that I can tell.

I hope I catch him soon. I’m starting to feel like an evil farmer facing off against Fantastic Mr. Fox.

Posted by Oliver at 05:44 PM | Comments (0)

July 08, 2005

Kissing: the favoured act of hardened criminals

This morning I chastely pecked my girlfriend on the lips before saying goodbye for the weekend. This was at the top of her road. A non-descript woman walked behind us at precisely that moment.

We went our separate ways. 15 seconds later my girlfriend was accosted by the woman who said to her: “You are aware that kissing on a public street is illegal?”

She was not aware of this, largely because it’s inane crazy-person bullshit. But it was very considerate of the lady to share it with my sweetheart.

Best comeback invented by random internet person to date: “Oh yeah? Well, minding your own business is completely legal!”

Other suggestions gratefully received.

Posted by Oliver at 01:50 PM | Comments (2)

July 06, 2005

A new housemate

Last night around 3.20 am I was woken by a strange rustling sound. I thought it was coming from either my bin or the wall behind my bin, so I carefully got up and went over to have a closer look.

It was definitely coming from my bin, a small wastepaper basket. I nudged the side of it tentatively, and a small black mouse jumped out and scurried off into a corner.

I would like it noted that I am sufficiently manly to have only yelped ‘Aaah!’ for about half a second before remembering my manliness.

My mission for this evening is to pick up some sort of humane trap in town, in the hope of catching the mouse and setting it free in a park somewhere… where hopefully an owl will eat it.

Posted by Oliver at 02:51 PM | Comments (0)

July 04, 2005

Touched and Gone

I was the lucky recipient of Nintendo’s Yoshi Touch and Go for the DS for my birthday. Best DS game so far, though there are others I’m looking forward to!

Yoshi is great. It’s got the trademark Nintendo sense of playfulness down perfectly, great integration with the touch-screen (the game is played entirely by using the pen), and microphone, and the usual catchy music (also somehow indefinably Nintendo). Complaints that the game is essentially one huge level, a level that you only get one life per game to explore, are, in a sense, valid. As is complaining your ice-cream is cold. I mean, if you don’t like sand between your toes, why do you go to the beach?

Rumour has it that the DS is outselling the PSP quite heavily, and that DS owners are buying far more games per head than PSP owners. The current lack of compelling new PSP titles is probably a factor, but I wonder if perhaps Kutaragi-san & co. are sitting in the Sony Orbiting HQ wondering if they mis-judged the portable gaming market slightly…

Posted by Oliver at 04:24 PM | Comments (0)

July 01, 2005

A Series of Ginormous Thanks

I’m 29! Hurrah! This momentous occasion was made momentous by many lovely people, whom I would like to thank:

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