Chindie

More 3DS Xl news... You know how Nintendo dropped a bollock when they were making the 3DS and neglected to add a second stick, so when games that could do with it started coming, they released a pug ugly add on that made the thing twice as ugly and twice as fat? And then decided that, rather than do a serious remodel on the machine and launch a new version with built in stick, they release an XL edition instead? It seems to have dawned on them that that needs a the Circle Pad add on too.

From FIFA "Laws of the game" * Each team is responsible for selecting the players from those on the field of play at the end of the match and the order in which they will take the kicks. So no, not a myth for the first 10 pens I can't claim to be an expert on the ins and outs of the laws of the game, but what you've quoted there doesn't dispell the idea that you cannot change the order - it simply, to me, suggests that the team has to choose it's own penalty takers and order from the available players on the pitch. To me, it says nothing about the team not being able to change their mind. I actually can't think of much reason why you'd need to submit a list showing the order you picked people either, but that actually makes me think such a rule probably does exist, since FIFA does a lot that doesn't make sense.

Incidentally seeing that the Amazing Spiderman has been mentioned, a couple of things. Firstly it's not supposed to be that bad. Nicks some stuff from the Arkham games and doesn't do it quite as well (a lot of that is down to character differences) and has a fairly empty open world attached, but it's not terrible as you might expect it to be. I wouldn't rush out and buy it but a rent/sale purchase with a view to trade in might see you have some fun. Secondly, if you're interested in the film, don't play the game first. Don't even read anything about the game. The game gives away some details about how the film ends.

There is a really curious following behind the Lego games actually - I always thought they were for kids only (to the point that when parents came into Gamestation and asked me 'Whats good for kids?' my first question was 'Do they like Star Wars, Harry Potter, Indiana Jones or Batman?' before grabbing the Lego game of that franchise - and they usually bought it. And then came back and bought another. And another.), but then I started noticing loads of people, adults, bought them for themselves. And my workmates also recommended them to me. I suspect I'll have to play one properly, although the little I have played with the stud collecting and knowing my need to do collectible hunts in games will mean I'll spend the entire time destroying everything in every room.

Superman has heeded the wonder, and no longer wears his underwear on the outside

For the first and probably last time, I do. It's the novelty of a GB team almost entirely, despite the fact it'll largely be England U23s and token Welsh/Scots/Northern Irishmen.

I do. And Celtic.

WHAT?? Voices?! They've ruined it. Apparently the kids kept asking 'Why don't they talk?' whereas as adults like the mimed stuff, so considering kids are who they're selling to they put them in. It works - it lets them do more of a straight forward narrative, and they still have a lot of the knowing jokes and nods to things that you expect. I've had a crack at the demo and while it is just Lego again theres a few little differences. It seems like they#ve named it quite well - it appears to have every major DC hero you can name and few obscure ones, particularly villains.

I'll be supporting the Germans tomorrow, they're a good skilled entertaining side. Should be a decent match, I reckon the Italians will ranch their chances and the Germans aren't without flaw. Hoping that correlates to a good game.

Did anyone have any doubt Bruno Alves was missing that penalty? Even he knew it.

Saw the home shirt in the flesh today. Not the best view, admittedly (fat bloke walking by Perry Barr in bright sunshine as I drove past) but I still wasn't terribly taken with it. The blue looked really pale as well, I'm assuming that must have been the light I saw it in, it looked really faded.

I'm glad you agree. They're a painfully boring side. Impressive, but so **** dull. Speaking of which 'If you think Spain are boring, it's just that you don't get it'. Sigh. I've only watched ET of this game but theres just nothing there. Theres nothing exciting about them.

The first shot of the Jack Reacher film they're doing came out today Apparently Cruise makes up for his lack of matching the character physically, he's supposedly quite the bastard in his performance. Trailer coming soon as well. On the book front about halfway through Stonemouth. It's alright. The fairly constant references to modern day technology and culture in it are going to date the hell out of it, and in some cases Banks betrays a lack of understanding of what he's referencing. I also think I could live without the main character referencing his bloody iPhone again (although I guess it could be an accurate portrayal of your average iPhone user... ). Enjoying it, all in all. Pratchett has a new book out, a collaboration with Stephen Baxter based on an idea he's had for about 25 years, the Long Earth. Reviews are mixed, but I guess, as it's Pratchett, I'll get round to reading it. His last collaborative novel, Good Omens, is my favourite book of all time.

You should get this years Wolsburgs home shirt. ITS GOT A **** HOWLING WOLF EMBOSSED ON IT! I'd get it but I much prefer Wolfsburg's darker green kits. ...I'll have one. One day.

That one is down to the very old fashioned letter in Scotish dialect that has been collapsed down into a 'z' or something, isn't it? I remember that being explained and just thinking 'But it's written in modern English, it's Menzees'.

Turkey seem to have largely decided that they now see Syria as a threat and will, in effect, return the favour if any aircraft come anywhere near their borders.

So the guy reads villatalk as well then? It's someone at the club imo, being told to be an 'official' leak. The Twitter account arose at the exact same time that this account, INCOGNITO registered for here. I would not be surprised if H&V, and Vital too, has a similar user signed up who has decided that Twitter does the job more easily. I bet the club has realised theres theres a desire for this kind of rumour monging and that it can also influence the media to maintain a decent positive message in the papers and on the forums, so told someone in the office to get on the forums and twitter. He's not posting enough to be your usual bullshitter/someone who's heard a little snippet time to time, and a number of his tweets have a tone of someone being 'on message'.

If it has a scart socket, it'll display on a scart equipped TV. But the HD will not be noticeable, it'll just be like any other normal Freeview broadcast.

The thing is at that stage we weren't the poor man, hence we paid about £8m for him IIRC? Then played him as a slightly awkward right back. Oh I mean as he is now - shit and, IIRC, free. At the time that deal made sense, he was quite young, had potential by the bucketload and you had no worries about his physique. We overpaid a little, of course. Unfortunately it turned out that his potential was never going to be fulfilled amongst other things. Anyway, all thats by the by. There shouldn't be any worries about this chap and language barriers, the Dutch are curiously good at languages, he'll certainly speak English and probably quite well. I would worry about his ability to step up, the Dutch League is a very different beast to the Prem and not every player makes it. Especially when they come over later on in their careers.

I know absolutely nothing about him so I guess it's exciting at least. Isn't a poor man's Nigel Reo-Coker, just Nigel Reo-Coker?

I wasn't 'too proud' to sign on - the first time I signed on, after graduating earlier in that summer, I just didn't bother for a while. I had some of my overdraft left and just had fun for a summer. This time, having experienced the job centre for about a year of getting JSA/topping up my wage, I really, really didn't want to bother doing it again. It's not a pleasant experience. You sit around for ages surrounded by the dregs of society, the place stinks of weed, there's usually some tosser out to cause trouble, the staff look at you like you're the same as the genuine no hopers there, if you're on for more than about a month you get given a condescending group session that is supposed to encourage/scare/help you to work which actually amounts to 'Do you know how to write a CV? Do you know what a CV is? You need to stop being a scrounger'. And then eventually they refer you to a company that is supposed to be helping you to work but actually (if stories are to be believed, I decided it wasn't worth my while once they referred me to these fellas so can't speak for sure, although I've been in contact with them because they're like leeches once they've got your details) is only interested in getting you doing something, anything, regardless of your own circumstances (i.e. ability to get to the job, ability/suitability for the job, whether you're already working) so they get paid. I've got no problem with being on a benefit. I'd rather not be but if I need the money, I'll take it. As it was, I don't have massive outgoings, I had a few hundred in my bank account and I was keen to get back to work asap, I decided not to bother with the hassle of signing on (partly because I was concerned they'd go 'Oh, Mr. Chindie, welcome back! Can you go see the company we referred you to 6 months ago, not us. Piss off', hopefully the 3 months or so extra should put said company on the back burner) and just live off what was in my bank and fingers crossed, I'd get a job soon enough. Didn't happen, and now I'm approaching the point that I know the next month or so is going to have me spending more money than I have been so I need to get ahead of being completely skint. I'm annoyed I've had to resort to it, because I know it'll mean the hassle of going to the jobcentre and it makes me feel really useless.

Well, just under 3 months after Gamestation threw my job under a bus and I'm forced to sign on again. Just completed the application. I had hoped I wouldn't have to do that but my money is running out and it's increasingly looking like I'm not getting employed any time soon. I hated having to go to the place last time, although I fairness I did the same thing then too (put off signing on until I had to) and I got a job inside a couple of weeks of signing on, so hopefully that'll happen again. Preferably a job where I get paid enough to not have to keep claiming JSA this time, admittedly. It's hard to describe just how much this job situation is starting to gnaw away at me.

Not a bad half, but I just don't feel confident in our ability to score at all. Rooney has been toss, he looks slow and can't link play at all. Im convinced Welbeck just isn't that good as a striker. Johnson gives me palpitations every time he moves from RB, he just seems to forget he has to defend one he goes forward to support. And defensively we look like we're penetrable whenever Italy do something even approaching classy. Thankfully despite that its not been a bad performance and if we can get Rooney sparking properly there's goals in this for us

Italy to win, sadly.

I played a fair bit of the second one on my mates PS3. Didn't like it either. Very pretty but nothing else for me.