As their respective code bases have been stable for a few months now (at least), I’m taking feature requests for both ActoRSS and UgcRSS. Already requested is the ability to see more than just the current days cinema choices and an update to the cinema list itself.

This is likely to be the only chance to request any features, as I would like to close these projects (except for any necessary screen-scraping fixes).

Although I seriously doubt that anyone who wants one doesn’t have one already, I have a few Gmail invites available. Actually, I have 1 left now (after giving several to friends). So if you want it, post in the comments. Possibly leave a joke.

Update: Ok, I have another 5 invites to give away. You know what to do.

In an interesting development for Gmail account holders, they can now mount their account as a linux file system thanks to GmailFS. According to the site (and various other testers I’ve spoken to), you can use all your standard unix commands to utilise that extra gig of off-site storage. Very nice.

Now imagine NFSing a bunch of gmail accounts together to provide near unlimited storage. It will happen. Oh yes, it will happen.

Even nicer than that though is the fact that I got a gmail account just yesterday (gary.fleming@gmail.com). Looking forward to trying out all these little toys.

After a 2 month venture to Nottingham, I’m back. Although it was originally going to be there for a year, I decided that the job simply wasn’t what I wanted to do. I’m unsure about specifically mentioning the company I worked for (very big company, one of the biggest in the world), but for those who know (or can figure out) who I mean I’d like to say that they are a great company to work for and really look out for their people. It just wasn’t meant to be.

Anyway, onwards. Solitude will return with more than film reviews (all I could really get away with posting); there are a shedload of links waiting to be put into a link post, and I’m sure I’ll have a few things to say about tech.

For the moment, let me tell you a few things I’ve learned and realised over the last few months.

• Beeston, the area of Nottingham in which I lived, has far too many pizza places for them all to stay afloat legitimately.
• Nottingham itself is a beautiful city (even if it does have far too many shoe shops).
• There are so many good bars and clubs in Nottingham, especially for rock fans. I heartily recommend The Cookie Club on a Saturday, as well as Rock City.
• Although I’m a master chef, I hate cooking. Especially in the morning.
• “Diary“, by Chuck Palahniuk, is an incredible read.
• I am a compulsive list writer. Until recently, I had denied and hidden this trait but I have too many lists to continue doing so.
• Anytime I go to London something goes wrong. Every time.
• Art, in any form, is exactly what you take from it. Don’t let anyone, not even the artist, tell you any different.
• Language is fundamentally tied to culture. To truly understand one, you have to grasp both.
• Mclusky would be the new hotness, if it were not for the fact that they’re not that new or hot. They’ll have to put up with being an outstanding band, with an unrivalled live ferocity and a style that is both comical and stone serious.

Expect more on some of those at a later date. For now, I’m off to catch up with some old friends.

A remake though it is, The Stepford Wives is a watchable film, if somewhat modest in its reinterpretation. There’s little of value since the original film, so one has to ask the obvious question: Why bother?

Personally, I’d like to have seen a Tim Burton take on it. Imagine a slightly camp, fifties style version (full of twee music, crackly pictures and men being men — rather than the Hollywood gloss version of the same). Then make it pervasively dark. The film could’ve been greatly improved simply by being more sinister, making the folks of Stepford that touch more unnerving through their pursuit of perfection and the American dream.

Worthwhile? Only if you’ve not seen the original.