SpaCeMonKeY UK

Next time you're shopping for apps for your iPhone/iPod Touch, why not think about 'The Secret of Monkey Island'? All new appley touch version!

Sounds like Felipe may make a full recovery - but shock news of the day is that Michael Schumacher will return to fill his seat until he does! That's very surreal. I have to say I thought the rumours were daft when I heard them. Shows how much I know! This season's very odd.

FORZA FELIPE

Whatever else happened in the Hungarian GP, it was always going to be overshadowed by the events during qualifying - the strange accident that's left Felipe Massa fighting for his life in hospital. I'd been left with the impression that it wasn't that serious, but the Metro had a horrible photograph taken when they lifted him out of the car. It was hard not to look, though I kind of wish I hadn't seen it. The spring that hit his helmet just ripped through part of it and left him with a fractured skull and nasty contusion. I hope he's ok... :(

Mat's out of hospital, so that's good, though it sounds like they will be running more tests on his 'awesome' brain. I'm feeling particularly tired, bit like trying to move through treacle, which is a bit annoying. But it's Friday, and it's the Hungarian GP this weekend (a race that's been a favourite of mine since Damon Hill nearly won). That's about all I have to say. :)

I was shocked to read that Henry Surtees, the son of John Surtees, died following an accident in the F2 race on Sunday at Brands Hatch. In the first race he'd finished third, which was the best finish for a British driver so far in the new F2 series. In the second race he was in an extremely unfortunate incident that resulted in his death. :(

Had an odd weekend. On Friday Mat (the guy Ali's going to marry) had a seizure and fell unconscious while they were eating breakfast in a cafe. When he came to he had a weird ECG pattern so he's on the cardiac ward now - they're doing lots of tests to try and find out what's wrong. We're all worried about him - he seems less worried than we are! But God's kept him safe so far and the hospital's the best place for him, so...

I'm sitting here a bit bored and feeling ill so... here are five snippets of adventure gaming news!

1. LucasArts are releasing a new, shiny version of the original 'Secret of Monkey Island'! Don't really like the new graphical style and I can do without the voices, but brilliant that they've cared enough to release it!

2. LucasArts have also released an awful Indy game called Indiana Jones and the Staff of Kings - though (excitingly) it has Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis as an unlockable feature. (You can also download FOA via Steam, which you should do if you've never played it - it's one of my favourite adventure games ever! And only £2.99! And get 'The Dig' and 'LOOM' while you're at it - LOOM is genius!)

3. A sequel to 'Secret Files of Tunguska' has been released! Hooray for new adventure games! Perhaps the DS has given adventure games a new lease of life..?

4. Telltale are now releasing their new Tales of Monkey Island. I don't know if they're any good... Their Sam and Max adventures were ok, but...

5. This month's Edge Magazine has an excellent interview with Tim Schafer (check out his excellent blog at Double Fine Action News if you haven't already). Lots of LucasArts insight as well as news on his latest game featuring Jack Black, Brutal Legend!

Have had a busy week, hence not blogging quite so much. On Thursday I had a very interesting trip to Huntingdon, to the HER Forum meeting. Most of the talks were about various projects associated with military heritage, which I have to admit I find very interesting. I've been working on putting more military structures on our HER database. Pillboxes, cold war underground monitoring posts, airfields, all that sort of stuff. I suppose it's more interesting to a lot of people than 'old' archaeology since it's recent memory. You still have family who were affected by WW2. So... interesting.

Watching the F1 at the moment, exciting, lots of falling off due to rain. Who knows what will happen? ;)

Noooooooo, F1's broken again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hooray, it's nice and cold! Had a fun weekend, went to see the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on Saturday at the Ashby Folk Festival. They're amazing! I'd seen them perform some of the songs before on their DVD, but some of those songs are just indescribable - like their version of 'Wuthering Heights' and their song about plagurism (which wasn't their idea) that features 'Life on Mars'. The musical arrangement is so intricate and as if the ukulele playing wasn't enough they're all brilliant singers! They did do some songs I hadn't seen, like 'Teenage Dirtbag' (LOL!). If you ever get the chance, don't be put off by the fact they're a ukulele orchestra, go and see them! They're playing at the Proms soon...

The other acts were the Monster Ceilidh Band, who stepped in at the last moment (actually made me like 'folk' music!), and Pete White's Suitcase Circus, which was hilarious. So, all in all, a good night out. The venue (Conkers) was much nicer than I expected and it was a really small 'festival' - I'd definitely go again, perhaps for more than one evening.

In other news, I finished my MapInfo training. I have a certificate. Woo!

Aaargh it's way too hot for me... I think the only thing that makes me consider moving countries is when it gets hot and I think about moving somewhere colder. :) I don't know how hot it was today, I'm guessing it must have been nearly 30 degrees, it's just... too hot for me. I was stuck in a training room all day learning about Mapinfo. I already knew most of it, though I didn't always know WHY I did the things I did, having used the thing without training for 5 years (might have been handy to have it a bit earlier!). Anyway, it was hot in the little room with all those training PCs. And there weren't even any cups to take water from the water dispenser! I stole someone's mug for the day. I don't think they like people using their training room. :(

Anyway, more training tomorrow, so that'll be fun...

It certainly is a heatwave, the weatherman was right... Not really sure why people are so happy when the weather's this hot. I'd rather have to put jumpers on than be sweltering in the heat. :)

Went to a 'Prayer for our city' meeting in Wigston last night, in the church opposite B&Q. It was good, though I'm always scared of things where I get mixed up into groups and have to pray with people I don't know. I did get to stay with Rob, though. And I'm glad I went. Don't have anything to do tonight (this is a very busy week) - maybe I'll have time to put some more blue plaques on Flickr!