New York City

Knysna Loerie, originally uploaded by Ian Wilson.

It feels like ages since I last sat down to write something on here. Tons of stuff has happened, most of which is now old news and confined to the history bin and therefore won't be appearing in this space.

There are two rather largish bits of news that are still current and probably worth mentioning.

Firstly, Nat and I are off to New York city on Friday. It's a holiday that's been coming for a long time and now that it's almost here it feels unbelievable. New York is a city that I've always wanted to see. I know next to nothing about it (more since I started reading guidebooks a few weeks ago) and yet it's always held an special appeal for me. I have no idea why - it could just be Hollywood indoctrination. Whatever. I'm going now anyway and I can't wait.

I've spoken to so many people about this over the last couple of weeks and if there's one thing I've discovered about anyone who's been to NY before it's that all know THE BEST place to get a meal. Whether it's for the biggest juicest steak, the best Jewish cuisine, or NYC's answer to the Fat Duck, everyone knows that one place that is the best place to eat in New York. No doubt I will come back also knowing THE BEST place to eat in the city and from that moment on everyone will be urged to get a meal there... because it is THE BEST.

The second major bit of news is that Natalie and I are now eligible for a mortgage. Well, technically I suppose we always were but we've now actually been and spoken with the bank and they've told us what they're prepared to lend us. It's a good feeling. Better for the fact that they're willing to lend us pretty well as much as we're willing to take from them. So we're slowly starting the hunt for a property that appeals to us. Something that will give us some respite from the mania of London but that at the same time will give us very easy access to the city. So technically we're looking for the best of both worlds. Is that too much to ask?

And in the minor news stakes I'm currently working off a brand new machine. After my second laptop in two years packed up on me I've finally had enough with the damn things. Really, it's not like they led rough and mobile lives. They really just sat on my desk all day and sometimes on my knees in bed while I streamed episodes of Family Guy. Not exactly the most demanding usage. You'd think they'd be able to hack it for more than a year! Anyways, it broke so I replaced it with a new desktop (the rationale being that if something breaks on this I can just unplug it and buy a new component). At the same time I also took the opportunity to buy myself a rig that was capable of running some new games. And I tell you, ask not what your 512meg 3D accelerator can do for you, but what you can do with you 512meg 3D accelerator!

All I do is get my ass fragged in F.E.A.R online.