Sony PS3 Update v3.72

So I dutifully downloaded and installed this new update.

BASTARDS!!

My PS3 no longer plays BluRay movies. And what really pisses me off is that I performed the update after watching Episode I-III of the newly released Star Wars set. I now can't watch IV-VI.

And I'm GRUMPY.

Sort your shit out Sony.

S.

* update*

Have you ever tried calling Sony for technical support. Oh My GOD!! Layers upon layers of automated menus, which play adverts between options. WTF?

Anyway. Got to talk to a human. "There is no problem with the update". OK. Still, I have some setting changes to try. Will keep you posted.

*update 2 *

Followed the directions given. No change at all. Experimented a little more. Solved it. It turns out that a Video Setting when set to Automatic, was not defaulting to RGB thru my HDMI cable. Rather it was defaulting to Component. Useless.

But now I can continue to watch Star Wars.

Empire Avenue

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Star Wars - The Complete Saga on Blu-Ray

As a fan of Star Wars (I actually remember seeing Episode IV in the Regent Theatre in Palmerston North), I was debating long and hard about whether I should purchase yet another format of the movies.

I folded.

Of course, the justification was that it was discounted at JB Hifi, and that I could give my 8 yr old son the DVD format collection I have.

And you know what? It's totally worth it. The high-definition is beautiful. The CGI absolutely leaps off the screen.

I have watched Episode I-III so far. I'm very curious to see what improvements have been made to Episodes IV-VI.

So... thank you George for making your masterpiece even more spectacular.

- S.

NZ Politics

Well, we're coming up to a General Election in a couple of months.

I'm really interested about how the various campaigns will be played. NZ has the Rugby World Cup on at the moment so NO-ONE gives a flying f**k about politicians, politics or issues. And won't until after mid-October.

That creates a panicked and intense scenario where we are going to be absolutely bombarded with messages and noise and pleas of desperation.

I do think National is going to clean up. Which is, in my opinion, not actually healthy for this country. To have a good Government, one must have a good and effective Opposition. Sadly, Labour has been appallingly ineffective in Opposition this Term.

Come Election Day, Labours' ranks will be decimated. Good young MPs will lose their seats and NZ will be worse for it. Phil Goff will be gone by Sunday lunchtime after the election.

I'm still irritated by the election laws around advertising. You can't even have a tongue-in-cheek billboard without it being classed as electioneering. The Car-fé billboard is a case in point.

Fun times ahead.

S.

Motley Crüe

One of my current guilty (perhaps 'guilty' is too strong a word) pleasures is Motley Crüe, played loud and proud.

I'm happily rediscovering Dr. Feelgood. God this is a good album. I just love the guitar work of Mick Mars and the incredible rhythm section of Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee. That Vince Neil has some seriously good vocal chops as well.

The chemistry in this band is electrifying.

I see that they're currently touring Australia. That would be an amazing show to see.

I love that they are one of those bands with longevity. They still can write, they still can play, they still can tour. I actually despair a little with the current music scene. I struggle to name bands that get airplay that I think will have 20-30+ years of playing together.

I loved this quote "In 2002, Simon Cowell was sent from Hell to destroy Rock". There is a degree of truth to this. There is so much noise in the industry and artificial promotion of the 'latest' thing, that talent and musicianship is often overlooked.

Bring back testosterone-fuelled rock I say. Make it front and centre.

- S