So... it has been rather a long time since I wrote this blog!

Admittedly I have plenty of others that I have since moved on to; but as people are here (and it is part of my networking) I should update.
As I have just eluded to, Bebo, Myspace and Facebook are very much networking tools for me and my portfolio, and it seems to be working!

Since last time, I guess I should say that my team's Dare to be Digital game submission failed to get in, not even into the interview process. (we were the only team from Abertay uni to not get there... fun times)
I brought the team around to Microsoft's XNA competition "Dream.Build.Play", which while unlike Dare in the fact we don't get paid to work 9 till 5 every day... or have any support other than ourselves... it still had a big prize and attention from Games Industry big wigs.
At the exact same day that we applied for this, I got my new job at the Odeon cinema. While this is aaaaawesome in itself, the combination of the two was lethal. From late April until the beginning of August I was working nonstop; Odeon shifts, then back to the flat to work on the game. Naturally I had no social life throughout this.
At this point I'd like to tell you that my efforts were rewarded. But nope, not really. Half of our team was procrastinating (due to the lack of aforementioned support / pay incentives) and we didn't make the deadline.
My work was greatly appreciated however, everyone in the team saw how much effort I put into it, and major industry heads have liked what they have seen so far.

So now I am trying desperately to claw back some of my sociability... and being only marginally successful. I am also going to start applying for industry jobs again (as much as I appreciate the Odeon...) and write my book more. Oh how I miss that.
Our game is now back into production, hopefully it won't destroy me this time, but it deserves to be completed! Especially with our apparent industry attention :S

That is probably the last 4 or 5 months summed up! Sorry it has to sound so negative... the first few months of this year were really good, and I still hold the opinion that this year is a hell of a lot better than last year!!

http://daretobedigital.co.uk/dreamer...

Go here to see our game concept for this year's Dare to be Digital competition!

You can sign up and vote or leave a comment, or you can simply message me if that seems to strenuous

You never know, we might just get through!

This is a little late, but Bebo isn't high on my priorities

Lists of my favourite and worst I watched in 2008!
(note, these aren't necessarily films released in 2008, but films that are new to me!)

BEST:
10 - The Last King of Scotland - Gritty, real and terribly immersive with excellent performances
09 - Good Morning Vietnam - Trust Robin Williams to make the only real, moving Vietnam movie!
08 - Empire of the Sun - Christian Bale always in good films?? Even as a kid? Spielberg's moving wartime drama
07 - Grindhouse - I mean What is this?? Amazing because of how bizarre and stylised it all is
06 - Horton Hears a Who - Cute but with with goodness throughout, an animation that didn't insult my intelligence
05 - Speed Racer - Similar to Grindhouse, I mean really... WHAT is going on? Incredible, surreal experience
04 - The Mist - A taut, tightrope of a movie. Shocking and tragic, yet compelling and downright amazing.
03 - Amelie - An innocent, funny, intelligent film stacked with visuals, cinematography and great writing!
02 - Dark Knight - If a little long, this film breaks blockbuster rules, dark and unnerving, masterfully executed
01 - Wall-E - Beeeaauutiful. One of those films that make you forget you are in a cinema. Perfectly paced, wonderful!

Notables: Bleach the Diamond Dust Rebellion; Quantum of Solace; Hellboy 2 and the Golden Army; City of Lost Children; Cloverfield; Catch me if You Can; Sweeny Todd; Iron Man; The Madness of King George

WORST:
10 - Brief Encounter - Ugh, clipped 1940s English accents, utterly wooden people. I am born 60 years too late.
09 - Hancock - Started with real promise, declined into a mushy Will Smith Hollywood-superhero do-good flick
08 - Shrek the Third - Tired, dog-eared and lacking in the joke department, even fairytale gags are sorely lacking
07 - Austin Powers (1) - Again tired, dog-eared jokes that haven't aged at all well. Plus Austin is just annoying...
06 - Man of the House - Didn't really watch this.. but god Tommy Lee Jones, what are you thinking!?
05 - Scary Movie - Tired, tired, tired; one funny joke in it whole thing. Why make a spoof of a spoof?
04 - Domino - This film thinks it's cool; this film swears alot, this film has flashy editing, this film bombs
03 - Diary of the Dead - Mr Romero... what happened? No substance, no tension, no flare, no thrill...
02 - The X-Files: I Want to Believe - The franchise is dead
01 - Alien Vs Predator 2: Requiem - Wait, weren't there meant to be.. you know.. Aliens and Predators in this film!?

Not-Notables: American Gangster; Into the Blue; Tenacious D and the Pick of Destiny; Pokemon the First Movie; Ace Ventura Pet Detective