Why can't I like that?

Wow, yeah, this blog actually does get updated! The new week has started and I'm not feeling particularly well but we can't be healthy all the time right? I wish! Actually, that's just inspired another blog entry! Maybe next time, but for now we'll focus on the current one. Looking at the title the first thing that probably enters your head is what is this all about? Well I was thinking about peer pressure and how you are pressured into becoming the modern day 'clone'.

The modern day 'clone' is someone who is too afraid to stand out and just copies the group's likes and dislikes because they are afraid of being laughed at. Maybe not absolutely, strictly but doesn't this describe most of us? Where ever you are and at what every stage in your life I think people are too afraid of what others may think. Isn't it DIFFERENCES that make us UNIQUE!They should be cherished and welcomed for the variation. If we were all exactly the same nothing interesting would ever happen.

We are all afraid to step out and say I don't care what you like but I like this! It annoys me deeply when people try and impress their opinion on you, leaving you no breathing space to express your own, instantly denoting your's as wrong. In the end does it really matter it's only TRUE friends and family who will accept you for what you are and who cares if someone doesn't like exactly the same as you! A person who makes you feel bad for liking something is nothing but a bully and should be ignored. I can easily type this but of course it's not as easy that. Unfortunately I can't offer any advice, although I think the best thing is to try not to let that person taint your own taste.

If your true friends don't accept you and laugh at you for one of you interests can you really call them TRUE friends? When I make this blog I want to be clear that I mean laughing at not the occasional -constant- teasing from friends. teeasing is light, friendly and not serious laughing at someone's interests is bullying.

Thanks for reading this weeks blog and let's all try to make the step from the dark. Proclaim your interests and don't let anyone stand in your way! Matthew.

MARIO KART WII! *Spoilers*

Honestly you can't call yourself a fan of nintendo unless you have this game. As soon as you slot the controller into the wheel everything, seamlessly, fits into place. Oh but you may be thinking, old news, been there; got the mug but no mario kart has many ingenious, new, twists that make it fresh, fun and essentially crazy!

With 32 tracks (16 completely new and 16 revisited tracks from accross the consoles) and eight different grand prixs can you ever get bored? I can honestly say no especially with new and the somewhat surprisingly controversial introduction of motorbikes. You may be thinking but this is Mario Kart! Well if you buy the game you won't be. The bike introduces a whole new aspect to the game and totally revitalises it. The bike offers a new whole new styleof play and a slant on the cc difficulty (50 being kart only, 100 being bike only and 150 being both) but is not with it's own draw backs so as not to make it unconquerable to the dependable kart.

The bike is able to do a wheelie (a cool and useful trick as it is faster on one wheel than two) which is great for rubbing it in as you overtake your friend! It is lighter but it cannot boost as fast as the kart and isn't as stable.

We see the return of the rainbow road who anyone who has played a previous mario kart game will jump for joy. Personally I can't say the same thing as I always fall off the track and while playing was even lapped by luigi (yeah i'm aweful at that track and now have a bitter feud with Luigi!).

The wheel is also the perfect adaption for the wii controller as it is easy to use, well once you get the hang of it! Within a couple of tracks you can easily be weilding the wheel like a pro. It also gives the driver much more control, so much so that you almost feel as if you are driving a car.

Unlockable vehicles and characters mean that you permanently have something to work for as there is so much to unlock! There are new challenges to keep you entertained such as time challenge and versus. Time challenges leave you shouting "why are nintendo inhumanely good at mario kart!" as you are once again beaten by the preset 'ghost data'.

Unfortunately, I find that the only down side to the game are the battles. We once again see the return of the balloon battles and coin runner but the only way to compete against a friend or the computer is in teams. I prefer, by far, the old (one on one) format. Albeit I love the new arenas that have been constructed.

Finally, before bidding you a good weekend, I would like to add that the WIFI works amazingly as you can battle or grand prix on a continental or worldwide scale. Race solely against your friend or just join their race, both brilliant touches. I can honestly say this is game worth buying (no i'm not on nintendos payroll!). I'd give it 9.5/10. Have a good weekend! Matthew

Violence...

Okay, the first real 'matticle'. First I'd just like to say this isn't a way to force my opinion on to you but a way to express it and whether you agree or not is ultimately down to you. I just wanted to make that crystal before I started this because I hate it when people project their views as the 'one and only',

This matticle was inspired by an English essay I was writing where the motion was: 'Is violence ever justified?' Of course I bulldozed through this homework regardless of my own views but then it hit me wouldn't this make a good first blog? -or not depending on how this turns out! Well is set me pondering and this is what I've blogged.

I'd like to say NO and I'm sure in an idyllic world that would be the case but, for those who aren't quite sure, this isn't an idyllic world. For instance if your being mugged, at knife point -just to make it interesting- , your going to push the attacker away not shout "get it over with quickly; I'm not going to resist; I'm a pacifist!"

Although I do think that in most cases violence isn't acceptable, and NEVER if you are the aggressor although if there were no idiots like this maybe it would become the idyllic world. I think that if your attacking to say relieve the country or county etc, of a genocidal maniac through war doesn't that make you worse or at least just as bad as the original villain? I think the best way to deal with this sort of situation is talking to the person diplomatically and if they are no negotiable organise strikes. If they then attack civilians of course the arm forces should be there to protect them and use violence necessarily.

I still think that the aim should never be to kill, as unfortunately is often the case, but to capture. The only time when killing another human may be justifiable is when the situation arises 'kill or be killed' and only in that one on one situation. When it comes to the bare essentials aren't we all equally human beings? why should somebody have the authority over another persons life? This could just be my inexperience talking as I sit here, quite comfortably, typing away. But still green as they may be these are my views and if you would like to comment on them please leave a er... comment.

Next time, I'm starting to sound more and more like a t.v. show! I'm going to feature something a bit lighter because I think we all need some fun as we get dragged into the constant demise of the world. it will be a review of the recently released wii only game Mario Kart and I hope it's interesting but be warned it may contain spoilers!

The first one

It's up! Now i've got to think of a good first post but while I do this I'll explain a few things. This is my personal pad to post anything that comes into my mind from reviews of something I went to see, played or read, to a peice of my own fiction. I hope that you at least find some of it interesting but if you don't well thats down to you.

Matthew