At last they're mine!

Remember way back when when I entered the MSN World's Best App competition with my Connect Four game?

Remember just a few months back when the winners were announced?

Well... my second place prizes have (finally) arrived! I'm currently playing around with my Oakley Thump sunnies, loading them up with music and looking just slightly silly :).

Also included in the prize is a nice, shiny copy of MS Visual Studio 2005 Pro (worth more than the rest of the package put together) and every Oakley Thump accessory available (but one). Its like Christmas came in May!

Looks like I'm going to be wearing my sunnies everywhere I go for the next week or two come rain or shine.

Just gotta finish by saying W00t new goggles! Thank you Microsoft!.

Maximum w00tage!

So MSN just announced the winners of their World's Best App contest today (or maybe late yesterday, can't do these timezone calculations in my head

Have a look down the list of winners, see that game in 2nd place called Connect Four? I made that

Edit 11/2/06:
Looks like its official! The official "Inside Windows Live Messenger" blog has just posted an article on Messenger’s Worlds Best App Contest Winners.

The most useful tool ever?

Microsoft XML Diff and Patch 1.0

Alright, maybe its a bit of an exageration, but this really did save my bacon the other day, and it is very useful if its what you need and things are formatted badly enough that WinDiff can't help you.

This entry has been brought to you by the letters "C" and "N", and the feeling of pain

1. Chuck Norris' tears cure cancer. Too bad he has never cried.
2. Chuck Norris does not sleep. He waits.
3. Chuck Norris does not hunt because the word hunting infers the probability of failure. Chuck Norris goes killing.
4. Chuck Norris counted to infinity - twice.
5. Chuck Norris sold his soul to the devil for his rugged good looks and unparalleled martial arts ability. Shortly after the transaction was finalized, Chuck roundhouse kicked the devil in the face and took his soul back. The devil, who appreciates irony, couldn't stay mad and admitted he should have seen it coming. They now play poker every second Wednesday of the month.
6. When the Boogeyman goes to sleep every night he checks his closet for Chuck Norris.
7. Mary had a little lamb. Then Chuck Norris ate it.
8. If you can see Chuck Norris, he can see you. If you can't see Chuck Norris you may be only seconds away from death.
9. Chuck Norris is a God-fearing man. Unfortunately, God is a Chuck Norris-fearing god.
10. The Dinosaurs looked at Chuck Norris the wrong way once. ONCE.
11. Chuck Norris is currently suing NBC, claiming Law and Order are trademarked names for his left and right legs.
12. The chief export of Chuck Norris is pain.
13. When Chuck Norris sends in his taxes, he sends blank forms and includes only a picture of himself, crouched and ready to attack. Chuck Norris has not had to pay taxes ever.
14. Chuck Norris sleeps with a night light. Not because Chuck Norris is afraid of the dark, but the dark is afraid of Chuck Norris
15. Chuck Norris built a time machine and went back in time to stop the JFK assassination. As Oswald shot, Chuck met all three bullets with his beard, deflecting them. JFK's head exploded out of sheer amazement.
16. Chuck Norris has already been to Mars; that's why there are no signs of life there.
17. Chuck Norris is not hung like a horse... horses are hung like Chuck Norris
18. If at first you don't succeed, you're obviously not Chuck Norris.
19. If Chuck Norris is late, time better slow the fuck down.
20. As a teen Chuck Norris impregnated every nun in a convent tucked away in the hills of Tuscany. Nine months later the nuns gave birth to the 1972 Miami Dolphins, the only undefeated and untied team in professional football history.
21. They once made a Chuck Norris toilet paper, but it wouldn't take shit from anybody.
22. A blind man once stepped on Chuck Norris' shoe. Chuck replied, "Don't you know who I am? I'm Chuck Norris!" The mere mention of his name cured this man's blindness. Sadly the first, last, and only thing this man ever saw, was a fatal roundhouse delivered by Chuck Norris.
23. Chuck Norris' penis is so large that it actually warps the fabric of space-time. Indeed some physicists now theorise that the passage of time is mearly a byproduct of Norris' colossal erections. This is known as the "Chuck Norris' big cock theory of space-time".
24. Someone once tried to tell Chuck Norris that roundhouse kicks aren't the best way to kick someone. This has been recorded by historians as the worst mistake anyone has ever made.
25. When Chuck Norris was in middle school, his English teacher assigned an essay: "What is Courage?" Chuck Norris received an "A+" for writing only the words "Chuck Norris" and promptly turning in the paper.
26. Chuck Norris doesn't read books. He stares them down until he gets the information he wants.
27. Chuck Norris died ten years ago, but the Grim Reaper can't get up the courage to tell him.
28. Every time Chuck Norris smiles it saves the life of a dying man. Ironically, Chuck Norris only smiles after he kills someone.
29. Chuck Norris does not teabag the ladies. He potato-sacks them.
30. Chuck Norris lost his virginity before his dad did.
31. While riding the elevator, Chuck Norris never pushes the button, the elevator better just know what floor Chuck Norris needs to be on.
32. Chuck Norris frequently donates blood to the Red Cross. Just never his own.
33. To prove it isn't that big of a deal to beat cancer. Chuck Norris smoked 15 cartons of cigarettes a day for 2 years and aquired 7 different kinds of cancer only to rid them from his body by flexing for 30 minutes. Beat that, Lance Armstrong.
34. Superman owns a pair of Chuck Norris pajamas.
35. At birth, Chuck Norris came out feet first so he could roundhouse kick the doctor in the face. Nobody delivers Chuck Norris but Chuck Norris
36. When an episode of Walker Texas Ranger was aired in France, the French surrendered to Chuck Norris just to be on the safe side.
37. Chuck Norris can touch MC Hammer.
38. Before he forgot a gift for Chuck Norris, Santa Claus was real.
39. Chuck Norris ordered a Big Mac at Burger King, and got one.
40. According to Einstein's theory of relativity, Chuck Norris can actually roundhouse kick you yesterday.
41. Chuck Norris' action figure has slept with more women then most men.
42. The quickest way to a man's heart is with Chuck Norris's fist.
43. Chuck Norris appeared in the "Street Fighter II" video game, but was removed by Beta Testers because every button caused him to do a roundhouse kick. When asked bout this "glitch," Norris replied, "That's no glitch."
44. Chuck Norris doesn't use pickup lines, he simply says, "Now."
45. Chuck Norris owns the greatest Poker Face of all-time. It helped him win the 1983 World Series of Poker despite him holding just a Joker, a Get out of Jail Free Monopoloy card, a 2 of clubs, 7 of spades and a green #4 card from the game UNO.
46. Chuck Norris' hand is the only hand that can beat a royal flush.
47. A Handicap parking sign does not signify that this spot is for handicapped people. It is actually in fact a warning, that the spot belongs to Chuck Norris and that you will be handicapped if you park there.
48. Chuck Norris once ate three 72 oz. steaks in one hour. He spent the first 45 minutes having sex with his waitress.
49. Chuck Norris clogs the toilet even when he pisses.

50. The grass is always greener on the other side, unless Chuck Norris has been there. In that case the grass is most likely soaked in blood and tears.
51. Chuck Norris once ate a whole cake before his friends could tell them there was a stripper in it.
52. Filming on location for Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris brought a stillborn baby lamb back to life by giving it a prolonged beard rub. Shortly after the farm animal sprang back to life and a crowd had gathered, Chuck Norris roundhouse kicked the animal, breaking its neck, to remind the crew once more that Chuck giveth, and the good Chuck, he taketh away.
53. Once a grizzly bear threatened to eat Chuck Norris. Chuck showed the bear his fist and the bear proceeded to eat himself, because it would be the less painful way to die.
54. Oxygen requires Chuck Norris to live.
55. Chuck Norris invented the spoon because using knives to kill people was just too easy.
56. Similar to a Russian Nesting Doll, if you were to break Chuck Norris open you would find another Chuck Norris inside, only smaller and angrier.
57. Most reported Bigfoot sightings are just Chuck Norris with his shirt off. Loch Ness sightings, on the other hand, are Chuck with his pants off.
58. Chuck Norris has a word for a person he puts into a coma; that word is "lucky".
59. Chuck Norris can unscramble an egg.
60. Cars were invented to have a faster way of fleeing from Chuck Norris. Not to be outdone, Chuck Norris invented the car accident.
61. A recent poll discovered 93% of women think about Chuck Norris during sex. A similar poll discovered Chuck Norris thinks about Chuck Norris 100% of the time during sex.
62. Chuck Norris is 1/8th Cherokee. This has nothing to do with ancestry, the man ate a fucking Indian.
63. Chuck Norris can make a woman climax by simply pointing at her and saying "booya".
64. Don't even bother. Chuck Norris already did it. Better.
65. Chuck Norris likes to knit sweaters in his free time. And by "knit", I mean "kick", and by "sweaters", I mean "babies".
66. Chuck Norris called 911 one time in his life, just to hear his new ring tone.
67. Chuck Norris doesn't have to do anything for a Klondike bar.
68. Bullets dodge Chuck Norris.
69. It was once believed that Chuck Norris actually lost a fight to a pirate, but that is a lie, created by Chuck Norris himself to lure more pirates to him. Pirates never were very smart.
70. Chuck Norris does not know about this site. Otherwise he would have deleted the internet.
71. Chuck Norris does not urinate. He actually scares the piss out of himself.
72. Chuck Norris is like a dog, not only because he can smell fear, but because he can piss on whatever the fuck he wants.
73. A man was once stranded on the side of the road after his car ran out of gas. Chuck Norris drove by, got out, and looked the man in the eye. The man knew that everything would be fine. Then Chuck proceeded to piss into the man's gas tank and to this very day that man has never had to fill his gas tank up again. That was 14 years ago.
74. Chuck Norris can eat soup with a fork.
75. Chuck Norris knew what Willis was talking about and killed Gary Coleman for his blatant ignorance of the fact.
76. Chuck Norris was the fourth Wiseman. He brought baby Jesus the gift of "beard". Jesus wore it proudly to his dying day. The other Wisemen, jealous of Jesus' obvious gift favoritism, used their combined influence to have Chuck omitted from the Bible. Shortly after all three died of roundhouse kick related deaths.
77. If you ask Chuck Norris what time it is, he always says, "Two seconds till." After you ask, "Two seconds to what?" he roundhouse kicks you in the face.
78. Chuck Norris can divide by zero.
79. After much debate, President Truman decided to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima rather than the alternative of sending Chuck Norris. His reasoning? It was more "humane".
80. One time in an airport a guy accidently called Chuck Norris "Chick Norris". He explained it was an honest mistake and apologized profusely. Chuck accepted his apology and politely signed an autograph. Nine months later, the guy's wife gave birth to a bearded baby. The guy knew exactly what had happened, and blames nobody but himself.
81. Chuck Norris doesn't have to stop bullets becuase they know better.
82. Chuck Norris can eat a Rubix Cube and poop it out solved.
83. Chuck Norris, Vin Diesel and Arnold Schwarzenegger have all died and are in Heaven. Each of them hope to occupy the seat next to God. God asks Vin Diesel why he thinks he should have the seat and Vin replies, "I believe... I should have the seat because of the virtuosity in my toughness and pride." Arnie says, "I believe... that I should be the one sitting next to you because of all my achievements." God then turns to Chuck Norris, who replies with, "I believe... you are sitting in my seat."
84. Chuck Norris once bet NASA he could survive re-entry without a spacesuit. On July 19th, 1999, a naked Chuck Norris re-entered the earth's atmosphere, streaking over 14 states and reaching a temperature of 3000 degrees. An embarrassed NASA publically claimed it was a meteor, and still owes him a beer.
85. Chuck Norris always has sex on the first date. Always.
86. There's no such thing as a tornado. Chuck Norris just hates trailer parks.
87. Achilles was supposedly the greatest warrior of all time, but he died because of his weak spot, the Achilles tendon. There is no Chuck Norris tendon.
88. Chuck Norris's girlfriend once asked him how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood. He then shouted, "HOW DARE YOU RHYME IN THE PRESENCE OF CHUCK NORRIS!" and ripped out her throat. Holding his girlfriend's bloody throat in his hand he bellowed, "Don't fuck with Chuck!" Two years and five months later he realized the irony of this statement and laughed so hard that anyone within a hundred mile radius of the blast went deaf.
89. Heart disease may be the new leading cause of death in women age 45 to 65, but Chuck Norris is still the leading cause of death in men age 0 to 125.
90. On Neil Armstrong's second step on the moon, he found a note that said, "Chuck Norris was here."
91. Anyone can piss on the bathroom floor, but Chuck Norris can shit on the ceiling.
92. Every dinosaur skull ever found has the imprint of a size 15 cowboy boot on its jaw. Scientists are baffled, but we know damn well why.
93. Chuck Norris challenged a statue to a staring contest. Chuck remains undefeated.
94. Before each filming of Walker: Texas Ranger, Chuck Norris is injected with five times the lethal dose of elephant tranquilzer. This is, of course, to limit his strength and mobility, in an attempt to lower the fatality rate of the actors he fights.
95. Jesus's Birthday isn't December 25 but Chuck Norris once sent him a birthday card for that day, Jesus was too scared to tell Chuck the truth. Thats why we celebrate Christmas
96. Chuck Norris was going to spend a relaxing day watching television when one of those commercials for Trix cereal came on. Angered by what he saw, Chuck Norris spent the rest of his, what was supposed to be a relaxing day, punching every child he came across. He would then shout at them, "Trix are for Chuck Norris."
97. There are two kinds of people in this world: People who are Chuck Norris, and people who are going to die.
98. According to the Laws of Physics, it is impossible for Chuck Norris to build more muscle. Upon realizing this, Chuck Norris swiftly roundhouse kicked every Law of Physics known to man, as well as those known only by Chuck Norris. He now has the ability to will His muscles to any level of strength He desires at any given time.
99. If Chuck Norris were a calendar, every month would be named Chucktober, and every day he'd kick your ass.
100. Fear is not the only emotion Chuck Norris can smell. He can also detect hope, as in "I hope I don't get a roundhouse kick from Chuck Norris."
101. The easiest way to determine Chuck Norris' age is to cut him in half and count the rings.
102. When the movie Pulp Fiction was filmed they had to borrow Chuck Norris's wallet... It's the one that says "Bad Mother Fucker" on it.
103. When Chuck Norris says "More cowbell", he really MEANS it.
104. Chuck Norris shot the sheriff, but he round house kicked the deputy.
105. Chuck Norris invented the internet… just so he had a place to store his porn.

Thanks to QQQQ's Chuck Norris Fact Generator, have a look there for any new facts!

Hot scar action!

So, just in case anyone had any morbid curiosity and wanted to see my chin scar and its 9 stitches, I've just added a new photo album containing some views of what's left of my chin after the unfortunate incident!

Random memories from that day:

• everyone at work saying "What are you doing here? Why aren't you at home?",
• the nurse at work "Woahh, that's a deep cut!" and "You need to get that looked at in hospital"
• text message from Mum "silly boy"
• the nurse at the hospital (while taking my blood pressure, blood oxygen and pulse) "You must work out" (after saying that a good resting heart rate is between 50-100 bpm, then turning round and seeing that I had 54bpm :) if I'd had slightly more blood left in my system, I might have recognised that as a possible chat up line!

In other news, play my game! Already played it? Play it again!

So... not the best day I've had lately

So I was riding my bike to the station yesterday morning, when I suddenly lost all grip on my tires, the bike slipped out from under me, and I ended up sliding across the tarmac on my face.

On the upside, my cycle helmet is totally unscratched, undented and untouched.

On the downside, I spent the morning in St Bart's Hospital getting a load of X-rays taken, various parts of me prodded, and I've ended up with my left arm in splints (possibly fractured wrist) and I have 9 stitches on my chin!

MSN Compo Entered!

Have finally got round to submitting my first entry to the MSN Messenger World's Best App Contest. Thanks to everyone who's helped me out with the testing of this one and the little test apps, especially the people who pointed out my bugs mistakes deliberate errors.

Just got to wait for it to appear now, and see how the world takes me!

Me me me!

So I was bored and did a few Google searches on "my-name is" here's the results:

• James is bribing me with chocolate
• James is a COUNTERFEIT!
• James is also a mail application platform
• James is based upon the Apache Avalon application framework
• James is not writing about how to become a Christian
• James is as forthright as an Old Testament prophet
• James is offering you a free MP3 Download of an unreleased holiday song
• James is a native New Yorker and graduate of New York City public schools
• James is currently a Distinguished Writer-In-Residence at New York University
• James is a professional speaker, author and relationship coach
• James is also the coordinator for the Intranet Peers in Government group
• James is not a King James Bible

Hmmm, and that's just from the first page.

• JPB is also not willing to take the risk
• JPB is required to publish the goals in the newspapers
• JPB is unable to accept an Order for goods due to insufficient stocks
• JPB is advocating "concentration camps" for the poor using similar justifications to Nazi Germany
• JPB is developing a publishing model that invites creative professional partners
• JPB is forming a new trio that will go on tour summer 2006
• JPB is open Monday through Friday form 9:00 am to 5:00pm
• JPB is not proceeding with this AGREEMENT
• JPB is operating within the budget forecast for this period
• JPB is a network-aware worm that has distributed denial of service and back door capabilities

And that lot are just plain strange!

Ross Noble

"please overtake quietly - refugees asleep"
- Graffiti on the back of a van

"Show me... show me... show me... Show me where your mother lives!"
- Confused climaxer

In the end there can be only one!

Steve's abandoning me then So I guess the time has finally arrived when I have to deal with the muppets on my own.