Call of Duty: Black Ops - XBox, Playstation, PC

I see Call of Duty:Black Ops for the XBox, Playstation and PC will be going on sale from midnight tonight. It is said that Call of Duty:Black Ops features realistic first person video game and is even better than Modern Warfare 2 released last year. Modern Warfare 2 is a brilliant game so one can expect to be dazzled by Call of Duty: Black Ops
Asda, HMV, Tesco and Game will be opening their stores at midnight tonight to sell the game. I hear that Asda's are going to sell it at £36.97 or only £4.97 if you trade in either Star Wars Force or Fallout New Vegas or Fable III. I have Fable III so will opt choose to trade in. Rather than queue, I will get it tomorrow morning. Hope their stocks last!!

Strictly Come Dancing - Scott Maslen and Natalie Lowe

Had dinner with my friends tonight and there was conversation about Strictly Come Dancing. The ladies thought Scott Maslen is their choice. Scott Maslen who is dancing with Natalie Lowe in the Strictly Come Dancing competition make a strong pair. Natalie was the Australian Professional New Vogue Champion 2005 to 2009. Natalie has also has done well on the show by winning the first series and then coming second in three others.

National Lottery - Triple rollover - £18 million

I see that the National Lottery jackpot has rolled over to £18 million. This is only the sixth Triple rollover.

The first Triple Rollover in the National Lottery was in May 2004 with six winning ticket holders who each picked up a £3,693,086 share of the jackpot of £22.1million.
This weekend's jackpot will be shared by winners who match 5 numbers and the bonus ball if no one matches all 6 numbers.
Do you play the lottery and have you won a big prize (anything over a few hundred pounds)?

Fireworks Displays in London - Bonfire Night

Quite a few Firework displays will be taking place across London starting this evening, Saturday and Sunday evenings. Most of them get better and more spectacular every year.
I will be going along with friends to the Barking Park Fireworks Display on Saturday evening (5.30pm).
On Sunday evening, a few of my friends will be gathering at one their places for a mini-fireworks display in the garden. That, combined with burgers, bangers (oops, excuse the pun! Sausages!!), chips and a drink should make it a nice social evening.

The London Fire Brigade has some useful information on Fireworks and Bonfire Safety - http://www.london-fire.gov.uk/BonfiresAndFireworks.asp

£1 days are here? A visit to Sainsbury's

I was in Sainsbury's supermarket today and came across a number of items for £1! A pretty good selection too like McCain lightly Spiced Wedges pack; American Style Hot dogs in Brine; Daddies Tomato Ketchup; Hot Dog rolls (6) pack and French's Classic Yellow mustard bottle.
Good value. I expect the other supermarkets will have similar offerings.

US Mid term elections - a view from London

I have been watching the results of the US Mid term elections come in. The Republican Rand Paul holding on to the Kentucky seat 55% to the 45% and the connection to the Tea Party seems like the Tea Party are going to be the catalyst for the outcome.
I wonder if this is the average protest movement/disillusioned voters or a movement that is really keen to see smaller government and taxes slashed?
Always fascinating to watch the US elections.

The X Factor programme and Take That

The Take That documentary will be screened on ITV on November 14. It is also expected that the band will appear on The X Factor programme. That should be quite a night.

The Doctor Who Experience

I see The Doctor Who Experience will be coming to London Olympia in February 2011. It should be exciting with interactive adventures. Tickets will be going on sale on November 18. I expect to get a few tickets for my Doctor Who friends as part of their Christmas present. It should go down well!

Halloween - were you tricked or treated?

Had three visits so far tonight from groups of youngsters in Halloween costumes and very realistic scary masks! They got bags of sweets and chewing gum so that should keep them busy!!

The Golden Joystick Awards - Video games

Amazing how far we have come with video games in terms of sophistication and special effects. 1.54 million gamers voted online for their favourite games. 1.54 million gamers is a far cry to those days when it was mainly school and college kids who dabbled in video games. It appeals to all - old and young and gets more addictive by the day!

Ultimate Game of the Year was presented to Electronic Arts for Mass Effect 2 who also won Role Playing Game of the Year at The Golden Joystick Awards event.

Take That - One Million Tickets and Robbie Williams

One million tickets were sold in less than 24 hours for Take That latest tour.
My neighbour's daughter and her friends were thrilled to have got tickets. Stories of websites crashing and phone lines constantly engaged made them nervous. One consolation is that new dates have been added for the tour.
All five members of the band - Robbie Williams, Howard Donald, Mark Owen,Gary Barlow and Jason Orange will be together so should be a great tour.

Nissan Micra - a car I loved. Recall over ignition relay

I drove a Nissan Micra for many years. Great make of car which I found reliable and good on petrol consumption! I note that the Nissan Motor Co said today it would recall over 2 million March/Micra, Cube and other models to fix a faulty ignition relay that could cause engine problems.

Most of the faulty vehicles were built in Japan, Britain, the United States, Spain, China between August 2003 and July 2006. It is good when companies are prepared to invest in sales and service of their products long after the customer has acquired their products

Apple TV and Apple Store Regent Street

Colleagues at work mentioned the new Apple TV which has a choice of offerings - romance, drama and comedy amongst others. They said it is compact, energy efficient with a built-in power supply.

I am going to pop over to the Apple Store in Regent Street in London's West End tomorrow to have a look. Although I have a Freeview box, I do not have satellite (yet!) so an Apple TV could be justified!

The Secret Millionaire - Channel 4

I am looking forward to the next episode of The Secret Millionaire next Sunday 24th October at 9PM on Channel 4

It will feature the Toy Tycoon Richard North in Cardiff. Always fascinating as the millionaires get involved with the less fortunate and needy in society. Makes an impact on the millionaires themselves, the subject and no doubt viewers like us

Weddings in McDonald's!

My friends were talking to me over lunch today about the plans for McDonald's in Hong Kong to allow weddings starting in January. We thought it was a great idea.

It will be special for people who met or dated there. It should be brought to the UK. Closed to members of the public though so will have to be after hours and certainly serving Big Mac's, Milkshakes and Fries!

Chilean Miners - great rescue

Watching the day to day rescue effort of the thirty-three Chilean miners made great viewing. Team effort, technology and determination of the rescuers and miners made It all possible. There are lessons to be learnt on mine safety, welfare and technology.
Hope the various Mining organisations and governments implement improvements and set strict standards straight away. I wonder how many of those miners will go down the mines again? A great day for the miners families and Chile. Team effort in times of crises.

Ken Follett's - 'The Pillars of the Earth' - Medieval Drama

I love a good medieval drama.
The eight part TV mini-series (made for £25m by Scott and his brother Tony in collaboration with a German production company) is to be broadcast on Channel 4 next week

Some notable actors like Ian McShane and Sarah Parish alongside Hollywood veteran Donald Sutherland should make viewing.

National Lottery Winner - £113,019,926 prize

My friends and I were discussing the National Lottery and the still unclaimed prize of £113 million plus.
We wondered why he/she/they have not come rushing forward to claim the prize. All sorts of explanation were put forward - still waiting for other members of the syndicate to be present (maybe on holiday, etc), lost the ticket or still getting over the shock of winning mega millions! We would be!!

And - the £8,500 in Interest a day............

Manchester United - West Bromwich Albion - Another good result for Roberto Di Matteo's West Brom

This was an exciting game to watch. After Manchester United Hernandez and Nani scored, I was convinced which team would win the game but West Brom, Patrice Evra's own goal and Somen Tchoyi's goal changed all that.

This was the third consecutive draw for Manchester United who have not won in the Premier League since 19th September. Can they pull off the next few games or is it a sign of things to come?

Digital Radio

The government set 2015 as the target date for the switch from Analogue to Digital radio. I asked a few friends if they were aware of it. They all said no!

More awareness is needed as many people are still buying analogue radios. 2015 seems like a long way off but radios have a very long shelf life. The analogue radio I bought in the 1980s is still as good as new - condition and reception!

Claudia Winkleman - Film 2010 Presenter

It appears that Claudia Winkleman will replace Jonathan Ross as presenter of Film 2010.

Her experience of hosting/presenting coverage of the Oscars, the Arts Show on Radio 2 and Golden Globes on Sky should put her in good stead.

National Insurance contributions

With the general elections approaching, tax is often a battle ground to win voters. The Conservatives pledge to reverse part of the National Insurance increase due to come into effect in April 2011. If that can be done without effecting front line services, then it would win votes.

Are contribution levels already too high or are they reasonable if government is to maintain realistic spending on public services? We would all like good public services especially in the areas of health, education, law and order but are we willing to pay for it?

MPs expenses

It is good that a better form of regulation of MPs expenses will be coming into force after the next general elections. Like everything, it has to be proportionate to allow MPs to conduct their duties effectively and at the same time giving value for money to the taxpayer.

The new Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority to oversee these rules will help towards restoring confidence in politics and politicians by the public.