Billy Young's Blog, page 7
January 10, 2015
10th January 2015
Overtime has begun again at work. Two extra hours on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays each week for the remainder of January. At least it isn't every day like last year. I still feel it though by the time I get home. You wouldn't think two hours would be so sapping. By Friday I was glad it was an ordinary work day but still felt the aches from the three previous days. I was glad to get home last night and for this first week to be over. With soar feet, aching back and gritty eyes I slumped into my chair for an hour or two before gaming called me to Elite Dangerous. With next weeks promise of more of the same.
You can tell how much I am looking forward to it. Still it does give us some much needed cash. Christmas is always expensive as is January with its sales. Calum has already been caught out. He bought us a "new" (second hand) three piece suite for the house. Magz said she would pay him back. I must admit it is better than the old one, more of a headrest. I can see myself nodding off in my chair with ease though I haven't done so as yet. But I will sometime in the next few weeks overtime.
You can tell how much I am looking forward to it. Still it does give us some much needed cash. Christmas is always expensive as is January with its sales. Calum has already been caught out. He bought us a "new" (second hand) three piece suite for the house. Magz said she would pay him back. I must admit it is better than the old one, more of a headrest. I can see myself nodding off in my chair with ease though I haven't done so as yet. But I will sometime in the next few weeks overtime.
January 3, 2015
3rd January 2015
Another year begins. So far that has been fill with gaming and watching Harry Potter. TV hasn't been that good for the festive season. I suppose that is usually the complaint for this time of year. We all remember the past with a pinch of roses thrown in which makes us think that yesteryear was better than it is today. The reality though is that it wasn't really. We have just white washed over the bad parts as it helps us deal with coming troubles. And every year the telly is worse than it was last. If that were really true though it wouldn't be long before we switching off all of them. I don't think the TV makers would like that much. This year though did seem dismal with more repeats than ever before. I suppose that is because more of us are turning to other forms of entertainment like gaming or using set-top boxes which gives us more channels than ever. It also lets us download films as well as programmes. As we change our viewing habits it makes me wonder about the future of TV companies. It is obvious that they are changing but will they change enough to survive. Yes I know they are always moaning about how hard things are getting but I remember them doing the same when I was younger yet they are still here and still making some very rich. Like any industry if they are unable to change in the right way then they will fail in the end and someone else will take their place.
December 27, 2014
27th December 2014
Well Christmas is over for another year and I hope you all had a good one. Mine very good as I spent much of it watching films with Magz. The kids are at the age where friends are more important than time with the family. We all went through that stage. At least that is the way it seems when you get older and have a family of your own. Really though they are just young like we were so wish to have fun. So that means going out with friends. Still they did stick around long enough to open their presents and see our faces as we opened ours. Well they also stayed around for dinner which was very filling as you would expect.
Enough of the mash and brussels were left for the bubble and squeak the following day. Tammy would never forgive us if there weren't. She doesn't bother the rest of the year but Boxing Day has to see me over the frying pan making it for her and myself. It may not be regarded as healthy but it is delicious.
I hope you all have as good a New Year.
Enough of the mash and brussels were left for the bubble and squeak the following day. Tammy would never forgive us if there weren't. She doesn't bother the rest of the year but Boxing Day has to see me over the frying pan making it for her and myself. It may not be regarded as healthy but it is delicious.
I hope you all have as good a New Year.
December 20, 2014
20th December 2014
I have had one of those lazy days you have after a night of gaming. Well last night was my first real chance to check out Elite Dangerous after its release on Tuesday. Having been playing the beta version for about a month I didn't expect much of a change and didn't receive any surprises. It was good of Frontier in not wiping players data with the release of the full game. I Would have hated to have to start all over again as the craft I have, after some upgrades, a good one. Plus I have made a small profit from simple exploring with a bit of trading thrown in. My hope is to get to the point where I can get a Cobra Mk III again. As you will know I did have one for about a week in the beta's. Sadly I lost that due to a wipe when trials moved to the gamma stage. Well no loss of progress this time round but it will take some to earn enough for the Cobra. In the meantime I shall improve the craft I have as much as I can to let me explore further into the galaxy.
I begun the second story last weekend. In reality it is connected to the first one but a lot further on in the tale. How you get from the first on to the second part to be written I haven't figured out yet. Maybe I never will though I hope I do as it does seem like a good tale to tell. It gives that feeling you get when you know you have good idea. Of course turning good ideas into something takes work and that is something that this story needs,
Christmas is racing fast towards us and this year I find I am looking forwards to it. I usually can't wait for it to be over with. Maybe this year it is because I will have four days off of work because of the way the it falls this year. What ever the reason I am sort of happy to see the festive season this year. I hope you all have a great time during the holidays.
I begun the second story last weekend. In reality it is connected to the first one but a lot further on in the tale. How you get from the first on to the second part to be written I haven't figured out yet. Maybe I never will though I hope I do as it does seem like a good tale to tell. It gives that feeling you get when you know you have good idea. Of course turning good ideas into something takes work and that is something that this story needs,
Christmas is racing fast towards us and this year I find I am looking forwards to it. I usually can't wait for it to be over with. Maybe this year it is because I will have four days off of work because of the way the it falls this year. What ever the reason I am sort of happy to see the festive season this year. I hope you all have a great time during the holidays.
December 13, 2014
13th December 2014
It has been a rather stormy week here in Scotland. Luckily not a great deal of damage was done. Most of what was done was to the northern isle and the Outer Hebrides where power was cut off for a day or two. Not the best start to winter for those affected by it but hopefully they are back to normal now. Especially as Christmas is closing on us fast. Because of the unfriendly weather I still haven't pruned the tree and the garden is in more need of tidying. It always amazes how much rubbish can land in my garden after a storm. Sometimes I'm sure there must be an angel of messy gardens and it is his job to make everyone's garden share the clutter. Or rather he is a rather lazy angel that gets to the first garden he sees then dumps the lot there to leave the wind to do the rest. Sadly it then all ends up in mine, hehehe. I think there is a story there somewhere.
Talking of stories I started writing as you know the other week. Unfortunately I didn't continue last week as I had planned. The first tale is still sitting unfinished as I can't quite find the images that come next. So I will leave that for now and start my next as I can see the first part of that one. The thinking here is that is I write what I have that at some later date the rest will reveal itself when it is ready too. Ok maybe not the greatest idea as that never work when I was younger. Though at least I will have the beginnings of lots of short tales within the one world sharing something that could link them into one story. I know your confused as I can't really explain it without giving away my concept which I still have to clarify to myself yet. That is the way it is with me. Each story reveals itself differently. Sometimes it doesn't ever come out fully. Sometimes life gets in the way. All I can do is try just as we all do.
Talking of stories I started writing as you know the other week. Unfortunately I didn't continue last week as I had planned. The first tale is still sitting unfinished as I can't quite find the images that come next. So I will leave that for now and start my next as I can see the first part of that one. The thinking here is that is I write what I have that at some later date the rest will reveal itself when it is ready too. Ok maybe not the greatest idea as that never work when I was younger. Though at least I will have the beginnings of lots of short tales within the one world sharing something that could link them into one story. I know your confused as I can't really explain it without giving away my concept which I still have to clarify to myself yet. That is the way it is with me. Each story reveals itself differently. Sometimes it doesn't ever come out fully. Sometimes life gets in the way. All I can do is try just as we all do.
December 6, 2014
6th December 2014
It is such a dull dark day today outside which makes me glad to be indoors today. Winter is always such a dark time of year. Well that's the way it feels on these cold rainy overcast ones. It does make me wish for the longer days of the summer and the chance to get out into the garden. That reminds me that I still have to prune my apple tree. I will do that tomorrow with some luck with the weather. Well the man on the telly said it is supposed to be better than today. So I should get out while we still have light. It is dark around four in the afternoon or at least getting dark about then. It is half four now and night has already stolen the day from us.
Magz and Tammy got the tree up on Monday while I was at work. As expected Rocky (our cat) has been steeling the decorations from it driving Magz mad. She's for ever collecting them from where the roaster has dumped them around the house and having to put them back on the tree. One good thing so far he hasn't climbed the tree. I think the flashing lights put him off. But he does like the presents or at least knocking them over then losing interest till we put them back. He does love to play, hehehe.
I start writing a new tale last weekend. It is something which has been forming in my head over the last few weeks. It isn't anything that I would think will lead anywhere other than maybe some enjoyment of creating a couple of shorts. Yeah I don't have more than a couple of short story ideas based around a similar concept. I will see where they take me. Finding time though has been difficult this week as I've had some overtime at work. Still I still have the weekend or some of it as I want to keep some for gaming. Saturday games night and Sunday some writing sounds like a balance. Of course if I have time during the week then I will use that to draw the tales from my head.
Magz and Tammy got the tree up on Monday while I was at work. As expected Rocky (our cat) has been steeling the decorations from it driving Magz mad. She's for ever collecting them from where the roaster has dumped them around the house and having to put them back on the tree. One good thing so far he hasn't climbed the tree. I think the flashing lights put him off. But he does like the presents or at least knocking them over then losing interest till we put them back. He does love to play, hehehe.
I start writing a new tale last weekend. It is something which has been forming in my head over the last few weeks. It isn't anything that I would think will lead anywhere other than maybe some enjoyment of creating a couple of shorts. Yeah I don't have more than a couple of short story ideas based around a similar concept. I will see where they take me. Finding time though has been difficult this week as I've had some overtime at work. Still I still have the weekend or some of it as I want to keep some for gaming. Saturday games night and Sunday some writing sounds like a balance. Of course if I have time during the week then I will use that to draw the tales from my head.
November 29, 2014
29th November 2014
My daughter and myself were down town doing Christmas shopping. As expected it cost more than I would like but that is only because Tammy had to have a new pair of boots. Well she is my daughter so how could I not? I know soft is the word your looking for. Anyways that does mean that I have Magz's presents out of the way. I would tell you all but you never know Magz might just read this. After all this is the first year in a long time she doesn't have a clue to what I have gotten her.
Talking of Christmas I have to get the tree down from the loft tomorrow. As December closes in it is that time of year to glitz our trees with blinking lights and shiny baubles. I must admit though this year it is because I want it. Both Magz and Tammy were in the mind to just leave it this year as both the kids are grown. I just feel it will at the least brighten up the house over some of these dark months. Plus it is nice to come home to after work. I know a little selfish as it is Tammy and Magz who put up the tree every year. I think Magz is worried about what Rocky, Tammy's cat, will do to the tree. He loves to climb. Then there is the shiny baubles that he will think are just for him to play with. I can see it now, hehehe.
Talking of Christmas I have to get the tree down from the loft tomorrow. As December closes in it is that time of year to glitz our trees with blinking lights and shiny baubles. I must admit though this year it is because I want it. Both Magz and Tammy were in the mind to just leave it this year as both the kids are grown. I just feel it will at the least brighten up the house over some of these dark months. Plus it is nice to come home to after work. I know a little selfish as it is Tammy and Magz who put up the tree every year. I think Magz is worried about what Rocky, Tammy's cat, will do to the tree. He loves to climb. Then there is the shiny baubles that he will think are just for him to play with. I can see it now, hehehe.
November 22, 2014
22nd November 2014
I finally got the work for my son out of the way. Though he was out with friends again last weekend it wasn't all night. I was surprised to see him coming home just after midnight but it did mean he wasn't catching up on sleep the next day. It wasn't a big job so I had his guitars hanging from his walls in no time. Well it is often the case the small jobs seem to be put off for ages then you wonder why when it took so little of your time in the end.
Elite has reached the Gamma stage of development today. I look forward to see how it plays after the failure, for me, of the last beta. I found beta 3.91 was unplayable due to not being able to leave Super Cruise which you need to traverse the large distances in a star system. That meant I had to quit and re-enter the game but had the adverse effect of leaving me up to half an hour of travelling before I reached the station I was heading to. That was half an hour of sitting doing nothing other than watching numbers on the screen descending as the distance closed. Not much fun. Hopefully I won't have that problem tonight.
Reading the paper at work this week I saw that the Westminster government is already preparing the way on going back on the pledge they made. That was where they promised more powers for the Scottish government if people voted no in the referendum on independence. It hasn't taken them to long to begin to set the ground work for breaking "the pledge." Well we can't say that we who supported independence did expect it. Sadly when we said that this would happen the media drowned us out. That was one of the sad parts of the whole debate that the media was almost completely for the status quo. It was so bad that I felt angered by some of the lies that were told in the tabloids of what would happen if the "yes" camp won. If I had believed the rubbish that was spouted I would have had visions of Scotland being thrown into a dark age. Our lights would have went out and we'd be left eating grass because we wouldn't have any money in the whole country. Yeah madness but many fell for this type of scare story that the "no" camp spread.
Strangely when we told people not to believe Westminster it was us that weren't believed. Well now we see who the real liars are.
Elite has reached the Gamma stage of development today. I look forward to see how it plays after the failure, for me, of the last beta. I found beta 3.91 was unplayable due to not being able to leave Super Cruise which you need to traverse the large distances in a star system. That meant I had to quit and re-enter the game but had the adverse effect of leaving me up to half an hour of travelling before I reached the station I was heading to. That was half an hour of sitting doing nothing other than watching numbers on the screen descending as the distance closed. Not much fun. Hopefully I won't have that problem tonight.
Reading the paper at work this week I saw that the Westminster government is already preparing the way on going back on the pledge they made. That was where they promised more powers for the Scottish government if people voted no in the referendum on independence. It hasn't taken them to long to begin to set the ground work for breaking "the pledge." Well we can't say that we who supported independence did expect it. Sadly when we said that this would happen the media drowned us out. That was one of the sad parts of the whole debate that the media was almost completely for the status quo. It was so bad that I felt angered by some of the lies that were told in the tabloids of what would happen if the "yes" camp won. If I had believed the rubbish that was spouted I would have had visions of Scotland being thrown into a dark age. Our lights would have went out and we'd be left eating grass because we wouldn't have any money in the whole country. Yeah madness but many fell for this type of scare story that the "no" camp spread.
Strangely when we told people not to believe Westminster it was us that weren't believed. Well now we see who the real liars are.
November 15, 2014
15th November 2014
I was right about the job I still have to do for my son. He had a bit of a wild weekend with his friends. Though according to him it wasn't all that and he should have just stayed home. Yeah right, we really think that is true. I don't even think Calum really thinks that. I think he only said it in the hope it would make us feel good.
We had a surprise inspection this week. Usually we get a warning of when they are coming. Not this year though. As you might suspect the office staff were on tender hooks as we normally have a week or two to sort any issues around the factory. In the end though we passed. How well I don't know. The main thing though is that we are all still in a job thanks to getting the pass. But for two days things around the work were palpable as well as a little stressed. It was good to reach the weekend.
Talking of stress I really felt it last weekend when playing the game. I am still working to earn the cash for the Cobra Mk III but found it harder to earn the credits to do so. I just kept getting attacked in every system I visited making me late with deliveries. This led to fines and not getting paid plus my cargo hold being filled with a cargo I had difficulties in getting rid of. I would either jettison it or if I had access to the black-market sell it there. Not every station has one though hence why sometime I would just fire the cargo out the airlock. All of this did see my balance slowly decline till I finally just switched the computer off. I suppose I will need to do some personal trading which I haven't done to any great extent as yet to earn the cash for the Cobra. I just have to find a good trade route to exploit for a bit.
We had a surprise inspection this week. Usually we get a warning of when they are coming. Not this year though. As you might suspect the office staff were on tender hooks as we normally have a week or two to sort any issues around the factory. In the end though we passed. How well I don't know. The main thing though is that we are all still in a job thanks to getting the pass. But for two days things around the work were palpable as well as a little stressed. It was good to reach the weekend.
Talking of stress I really felt it last weekend when playing the game. I am still working to earn the cash for the Cobra Mk III but found it harder to earn the credits to do so. I just kept getting attacked in every system I visited making me late with deliveries. This led to fines and not getting paid plus my cargo hold being filled with a cargo I had difficulties in getting rid of. I would either jettison it or if I had access to the black-market sell it there. Not every station has one though hence why sometime I would just fire the cargo out the airlock. All of this did see my balance slowly decline till I finally just switched the computer off. I suppose I will need to do some personal trading which I haven't done to any great extent as yet to earn the cash for the Cobra. I just have to find a good trade route to exploit for a bit.
November 8, 2014
8th November 2014
Another week and still I haven't managed to get the job for my son done. Plus it doesn't seem likely that it will get done this weekend as he is going out tonight again. Oh to be young again when we stayed out all weekend spending money we never had. Or at least we held for a short bit till the landlord took it from us, hehehe.
The garden remains to be done as the leaves are still clinging to the trees. If it is dry tomorrow I will need to do some light cleaning up out there. Today the rugby was my excuse and then the rain gave me a bigger reason for staying indoors. Wales faced Australia this afternoon. It was a close game so much so that it first swung in favour of Wales then to the Aussies. In the end the Australians snatched the victory in the last ten minutes though Wales fought to the end. As you can tell it was a good game. Hopefully the Scottish game against Argentina is as good but with us coming away with the win. It starts at five, well at least the prematch dialogue does so not long to go.
Elite is now into the 3.04 beta trial and going well. I haven't had much time to play it this week. I've had few days of overtime at work caused by production issues which delayed the retorts. Mind I had the game on as soon as I could last night for a few hours which was good. I am working towards getting myself the Cobra MkIII in the game but I have some while to go. I just have to be patient and keep doing what I have been doing to get it. That just means sticking to trading in the safer systems for a bit more before heading off to explore.
The garden remains to be done as the leaves are still clinging to the trees. If it is dry tomorrow I will need to do some light cleaning up out there. Today the rugby was my excuse and then the rain gave me a bigger reason for staying indoors. Wales faced Australia this afternoon. It was a close game so much so that it first swung in favour of Wales then to the Aussies. In the end the Australians snatched the victory in the last ten minutes though Wales fought to the end. As you can tell it was a good game. Hopefully the Scottish game against Argentina is as good but with us coming away with the win. It starts at five, well at least the prematch dialogue does so not long to go.
Elite is now into the 3.04 beta trial and going well. I haven't had much time to play it this week. I've had few days of overtime at work caused by production issues which delayed the retorts. Mind I had the game on as soon as I could last night for a few hours which was good. I am working towards getting myself the Cobra MkIII in the game but I have some while to go. I just have to be patient and keep doing what I have been doing to get it. That just means sticking to trading in the safer systems for a bit more before heading off to explore.
