Since all the talk of the new DS3, I have been playing MarioKart64 through an emulator pretty flawlessly called Project64. This game was always fun even to this day. I can't wait for it to come out on the DS3. It was a brilliant (and still the best game imho) on the DS Lite. Until it arrives, i'll just have to make do with this emulated version... Here goes. Usually, playing through emulators isn't anywhere near as good, but on a netbook, MarioKart64 comes out pretty well. Everything is pretty much the same.

I'd maybe get into a first person shooter again, but I haven't seen anything worth getting really into since the first Half-Life. Ever since then, most of the shooters graphics requirements went to ridiculous levels. Personally, I think shooters and most games come out best using open gl. Not sure about Half Life 2 - even although the game runs fine on this netbook, or even a dedicated desktop, I don't see the fun level really increase that much with uber tight graphics. It's good just to see a game that can take advantage of realtively low spec machines and stand the test of time with good level design and sound effects etc. It's been a long time since I actually went and bought a game due to these reasons.

I'm going to personally bet that MarioKart will be the best title on the DS3 and maybe Pilotwings (although the reviews i've seen say it's all over too fast etc). Imho, I wouldn't be surprised if they turn out to be the two best titles, actually worth paying for. Mario was always good as well, but Zelda, for me, was always too big of a game to really get into and finish although I agree it should be given a high rating for mission and level design etc.

Tried this flying game today Flight Sim 2004. Again, it runs smooth as even on a netbook, I was quite surprised. Another game that is playable on full graphics was Farcry - I never got time to play these when they came out, so will prolly spend a few days on these ones.

Ok, so after many days of sitting and trying to sort out things, i went outside and saw a cool sky. Note the cloud on the right, about an hour later it turned into an anger cloud which was also worthy of note, but frankly i was too tired to photograph it. This was taken in Nelson, New Zealand.

Torrent Bay, Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand

Walked up here the other day, very nice place.

Wellington harbour to Picton. Nice boat trip ;)
Red rocks in New Zealand

This golf game I found is going to need some time to finish.

Talking of interesting characters... At this time, i'd like to mention the girl on the plane on the way over here - she worked in the mines in Aus. driving big huge dumptrucks and underground equipment. Basically, just a little girl who had worked out that the only way to keep honestly solvent was by shoving big crumbly rocks around and paying her taxes just as you do. I had a nice chat with her on the way over, but I can't remember the name. Wherever you are. Keep on truckin' (or minin' ;) and watch those damn techs fresh out of Uni...

Tonight, I went for what I call a wander aka "a jolly." It was only to checkout the local ferry terminal as tommorow (or today, technically 2am) I'm heading for an area called Picton by boat. Once there, I intend to bus it down to Nelson and shack up for a night in a b&b. Things are slowly getting better, although slowly is the word. I'm a stranger here, although i've met some interesting characters along the way. The only thing i'm really concerned about now, is my horoscope. Apparently i'm supposed to meet a new love this weekend (pah, right) well, you never know. Sometimes you read those things and they are spookily close. I'm not really in the market for love, but then, I suppose you never are really... Who knows... All's I really want is something to do, whether paid or not, i'm just getting damn bored or all the running around. I'm gonna knock back a few coffees and then try and comatose to sleep for a few hours before embarking on the rest of my trip later on today!!

After the heavy rains that have been pelting down back "home," you can see the effect it has on the plants. I'm impressed to see the flowers growing so well, it takes a lot of hard work and planning to keep things together. Well done.

Sitting in the apartment, I decided to try an old game I bought called GP2004. It seems to run OK on this netbook (acer aspire one.) It is quite surprising, that such a crappy machine can pump this sort of graphics out. Still got to get into the beef of this game...

Right, so after spending the guts of a year in Australia in very hot heat, one might think that I would be a little in shock going to the climate of NZ but in fact, I am finding it very easy and probably more immediatly comfortable to tell the truth. I'm not suffering from shivers or any of that. All in all, a pretty smooth transistion, which I thought would be the case. Living in Scotland for so many years, the weather was pretty harsh at times and getting used to the cold, is just a way of life. Us Scotties are blue blooded and need the temperature a little low. When it's too hot, I find it hard to function and air-con, although good, just isn't natural, all day and night long...

So, after doing Australia, I decided to go back to a different part of NZ. The flight was good and made it clear of the dangerous ash clouds which were causing havoc recently.