The acceptable face of gaming

I recently acquired a Nintendo Wii (TM) as a present. This has already proved to be a good investment gift. Although I only have 3 games for now, I have got into the habit of playing wii sports (TM) when I get home from work about 3 times a week. I started with just 10 minutes, usually boxing, but am now up to almost half an hour. My routine involves a session of wii fitness, followed by a game of tennis or rounders (sorry, baseball) and then a few rounds of boxing. I LOVE the boxing!! This is for lots of reasons - I am quite good at it and my technique is improving; so far I have knocked all my mii opponents out by round 2, and it really makes me sweat so I know it's good for me! At last! Exercise I like that I can do in the comfort of my own home and isn't boring!

There was an article on telly the other night about an old people's home where they all play wii sports (TM ) and have a great social life and keep active. The positive face of computer gaming! Could this be the end of sloth and obesity? I can't believe I'm raving about the product of a large manufacturer – so unlike me! I have had games machines before but always avoided Nintendo as I had a vision of super Mario cart bollox. You do still get that crap, but you get all this other cool stuff too.

Northern Cock

We have been marveling at the antics brought on by the Northern Rock news that they have asked the Bank of England for a loan as no banks will lend them any money. In a nutshell, as far as I understand it, this has been brought on by the American mortgage crisis of last month and due to the unique way that Northern Rock is funded (sic) they can't get the money from their normal sources. Customers (mainly pensioners by the looks of things) have been queuing up to get their money out, in some cases resulting in the police having to come and calm things down. Idiots! Don't they realise the money's not real? Still, there'll be a lot of cash under mattresses now so chavs are probably going to be quids in! Good time to look at different bank accounts too as they are offering really good interest rates.

Some news reports are saying that Northern Rock may be forced to sell off. That's as may be, but I really hope sanity prevails and the madness doesn't spread to the other banks. Just look at what's happened in the past in countries like Germany and Argentina. I don't want to have to take a wheelbarrow of cash to the shops!