Ok so a friend introduced me to some very cool and very funny gamer related films by a guy named Chris Slack. You can check them out at The Escapist

Last night i had my eyes opened to a disgusting state of affairs going on in this country. Whilst on the way to town, my friend told me how he had seen a young homeless woman no more that 20-21 years old sitting outside a shut down club. He was shocked by the young age of the woman but drove past and didn't really think much more about it.

On his way back past my friend noticed a drunken man standing over the girl attempting to pull the girl to her feet by her shoulder, troubled by this he circled the block and again saw the man still harassing the girl. Again he circled the block and this time saw that there was now three men towering down on the defenseless poor girl. Thinking on his feet he quickly parked his car and ran down to the end of the street where the girl was positioned. Sadly when he arrived herl and the men had gone. Now he was worried so he jumped back into his car and had a drive around to look for her. He was glad to see that the girl was now accompanied by a large homeless man and was heading out of the town centre.

This had obviously disturbed my friend somewhat and also disturbed me when i was told about it. We had a discussion following this where we voiced our concerns about such a young girl being out on the streets in the centre of town. God only knows how many weirdo's and psycho's their are roaming the streets in the dead of night. We had no idea what the three drunks wanted with the girl but we are sure it wasn't pleasant.

We drove past a Tesco Metro and saw the girl sat with her dog under the bright lights, trying to subtlety draw attention to herself in the hope that someone may pass on some change. My friend and i got talking and discussed how there must be so many homeless people out there in the larger cities such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and so on. All these people are just numbers on a sheet that the government does not what to look at or admit.

We then came up with legit, unavoidable reasons why people may become homeless. Maybe the young girl we saw was abused by her farther, tired to tell her mother but was shot down by the mothers naivety and banished from her home. From there she could have bummed around friends houses sleeping on floors and sofa's but eventually that runs out so she makes her way out of town and ends up here and so forth.

Now that was one perfectly reasonable explanation as to why one may be homeless, another as my friend pointed out may be down to something as small as the lack of ID. Think about that for a second if you will. If you for whatever reason had no birth certificate that would mean you wouldn't have a Nation Insurance number or passport. With none of these you would not be on any electoral roll or the national database. So with no ID you are just a number on a list as i mentioned earlier.

A number that is cold and hungry on the winter streets. A ghost, a nobody that just flies under the radar year in year out, day by day. As i said at first the girl couldn't be any older that 21. So we were naturally curious about how she became homeless. We decided that we couldn't sit by and see her slumped in a Tesco doorway in the dead of winter.

We went back to town and my friend gave the girl some change and asked if she would like a coffee and something to eat. She said she had just been brought some chips and a fresh tea by a passer by. This was good to hear as it shows there are people who care out there.

Anyway, curiosity got the better of us and we asked how such a young girl ended up in the doorway of a Tesco Metro at 11PM in the winter. She simply replied. "They won't help me" Asking what she meant she went on to explain that the council refused to home her or even put her in a shelter because of her dog. She told us "My dog is everything i have". Now we have no idea what she has been through in her life up until this point so her dog being her only possession and her unwillingness to give it up makes sense.She was extremely grateful for the change and the offer of coffee and food.

We told her to take care of herself and wished her all the best. Since then the whole situation has been running around my head. I know their are nice people out there, shelters, soup kitchens and whatnot but who is really protecting young people on the streets?As shown by the three drunks the other evening young people especially women really are at risk on the streets.

The police couldn't care less if people are on the streets or not and nor could the government. We have street wardens roaming around telling kids to stop spitting and loitering. Why can't they check in with known homeless people every two hours or so to make sure everything is ok day and night. Also what is stopping the men in the offices watching the CCTV doing something to help. God forbid but what if something had happened to that girl that night? Who would have stopped and helped? Not many people I'm sure. So if something happens who is responsible?

The government may see them as numbers on paper and members of the public may see them as scummy hobo's but they are people too. People with stories, lives and they deserve a chance just as much as everyone else. Sure they may be some that have got themselves into a situation due to violence, drugs etc.. but you cannot tar everyone with the same brush now can you?

So next time i see this girl i will happily give up some change, buy her a nice warm drink and food if she needs it and try to make a difference even if it's a small one. This whole thing has really changed my way of thinking and i hope others can do the same.

So 2008 is in it's last days and christmas is over and the new year beckons. I hope everybody had a great christmas and got all they wanted. My day was fantastic and after working so many long hours recently it was really nice to spend some time with the family.

So heres to a great 2009 to everyone on Newgrounds!

Its all over and done with, i no longer have to work stupid hours well into the night! The peak of christmas rush time has passed and i can now enjoy three whole weeks of time off! I can spend more time with my friends and family and catch up on all the things i didn't have time to do or was to tired to do.

Google are inches away from ruling the internet and soon out computers too as they develop their owen operating system to rival Windows. They have everything you need to use on internet such as it's own browser (Chrome) it's own social networking site (Orkut,) Gmail, Google Earth, Google Maps, YouTube, etc etc... as well as super useful tools so what next? Phones of course, The G1 will hit the UK in November and take on the iPhone for market dominance.

Then what next for Google? A MP3 system to rival iTunes? A Google dating site? A Google Credit Card? A Google web hosting service? A IM service? The sky is the limit for Google right now and the G1 proves they want more of the worlds mega markets!

More on the G1 here

Technology today, tomorrow the world!

September the 11th should be a date when we remember those who were tragically taken from us for no reason. It should be a date when we send out thoughts and prayers to those who still grieve for those they lost on that terrible morning.

Instead it seems that some small minded, ignorant and sick people would rather poke fun at this date. It deeply saddens me to see such a high level of disrespect on such a sensitive anniversary. No one will ever forget where they were that day or what they were doing when they heard the news. Even the people who make jokes and disrespect the memory of those who died will never forget how they felt on that morning. Deep down they know the level of the tragedy.

So i find myself asking why? What compels these people to make twisted jokes about such a massive loss of life? Every joke made rubs salt in wounds of the families ripped apart by the loss of a loved one. Every flash movie submitted that pokes fun at the situation does nothing more that drag the memory of the dead through the mud of ignorance.

I'm sure i don't need to remind you that near 3000 people died needlessly in the attacks. Lets all take a moment to really think about that. 3000! 3000 families have been devastated. Children have been left to grow up without a parent. Mothers and Fathers will never see their children grow or hear their laughter again. Wives have been left to live out the rest of their lives with a cloud of grief and sorrow hanging over them. People who pledged to love and hold each other have been separated never again having the chance to hear "I love you" or to say it. Mothers have lost sons, Fathers have lost daughters, Sisters have lost brothers and brother have lost sisters.

So i ask this to those who find it funny. Look at your family. Take a good look the next time your all together. If you lost your mother, father, sister, or brother how would you really feel? The obvious answer is sorrow and pain. No matter what you say, inside you would be ripped apart. So now imagine if after the death of a loved one a stranger approached you in the street or while out shopping. Now imagine this stranger says something along the lines of "Your lost a family member on this day 8 years ago didn't you? Well just get it over it LOL lets have a celebration about it and we can all laugh"

Can't imagine it can you? Of course not. Death is something you can never imagine until it hits you. Death is something you never truly 'get over' you simply move on and do the best you can. Even though the people in question sicken me beyond words i still wish no harm to their families. Because no matter who you are an innocent person never deserves the grief of losing someone.

I know nothing i write will make a difference but i couldn't sit back and watch mindless, spiteful individuals mock a massacre. I won't be surprised if i myself receive abuse on this post. In fact I am expecting it. So leave it if you must but let me tell you something. Any sick comment or jokes that you come up with will only further damage your image and what decent people think of you. They will also be deleted promptly and ignored.

I hope some people reading this will realize what they have done and put things right. However i highly doubt that. I wish the joke makers could feel real pain because i assure them they wouldn't be so quick to joke.

On a final note i would like to extend my thoughts to anyone who was directly affected by the attacks on September 11th 2001. Also the brave men and women that sadly perished while attempting to selflessly rescue others, we thank you and are so proud of you for your courage. To the people who fought the hijackers on flight 94 we thank you too. You made a stand where most of us would have been at a loss. And a thought for all those who jumped from the windows of the towers, We don't think any less of you. Facing impending turmoil you did what you had to and we are not ones to judge you for that.

To all souls lost on that awful day, Rest In Peace. Your never forgotten.

Ok so I'm still up at 02:41AM so i have decided to post a blog listing a soundtrack that could be put to my life. Basically what i want to do is list as many songs as i can think of that have either helped me through rough times, made me happy, remind me of certain people, or remind me of a good times etc in recent years.

I will put a small note next to each song reasoning why i have picked it. Feel free to comment and if your that bored and really want to why not post you own? The songs are listed purely as they come into my head there is no real order.

Lets Begin!

Metallica - Nothing Else Matters (Helped me through a break up)
Metallica - Enter Sandman (Karaoke classic of mine)
Metallica - One (All time favorite and another karaoke classic by myself and friends)
Drowning Pool - Bodies (Reminds me of an old rock nightclub i used to go to called Planet Of Sound)
Evanescence - Bring Me To Life (Reminds me of an old crush)
Seether ft Amy Lee - Broken (Reminds me of good times with an ex)
Rammstein - Links 234 (Memories of Planet Of Sound)
Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict A Riot (Was playing when i met the most amazing person in my life )
Lamb Of God - Black Label ( Me and my best friend Shane's pit song)
Lamb Of God - Ruin (Best taxi ride ever! It's a long story)
Shinedown - Simple Man [lynyrd skynyrd cover] (Just an amazing cover that i adore)
Foreigner - I Wanna Know What Love Is (Another amazingly powerful song i love)
Anthrax - Safe Home (Dedicated to a great friend)
Hellyeah - Star (Again dedicated to a friend)
Hellyeah - Alcohaulin Ass (Drinking song)
Johnny Cash - I Hung My Head (A song i relax to)
Johnny Cash - Hurt [Nine Inch Nails cover] (Another amazing cover)
Slipknot - Vermillion Pt 2 (Lyrics sum up a situation perfectly)
Slipknot - Circle (One line hits on a feeling of mine perfectly)
Hatebreed - Perseverance (Taught me never to give up)
McFly - All About You (Memories of an ex)
We Are Fiction - Remedy For The Incurables (My friends band, first song they played that we sang too)
Black Sabbath - N.I.B (Getting ready to go out anthem!)
Black Sabbath - War Pig's (Just a classic favorite of mine)
Black Sabbath - The Wizard (Another all time favorite)
Korn - Blind (Reminds me of school days)
Korn - Here To Stay (Reminds me of seeing them live)
Limp Biscuit - Rollin (Reminds me of school days)
Kittie - What I Always Wanted (Memories of Ozzfest)
Eric Clapton - Layla (I can relate to the meaning of the lyrics)
Bon Jovi - Living On A Prayer (Yet another drunken karoke classic)
Bon Jovi - Always (A sad one i over listened to when i was down once)
Bon Jovi - Bed Of Roses (Reminds me of two people)
Phil Collins - In The Air Tonight ( Drum intro is amazing)
Tool - Schism (Reminds me of school)
Offspring - The Kids Arent Alright (All nighters at Robin's during my school years)
Velvet Revolver - Messages (Just amazing guitar parts)
Velvet Revolver - Fall To Pieces (Helped me through some issues)
Pantera - 5 Minutes Alone (Was playing when i met my first serious girlfriend)
Snow Patrol - Chasing Car's ( Was playing at the moment of a break up)
Muse - Our Time Is Running Out (Reminds me of a girl i should have taken the chance with)
Brand New - Sic Transit Gloria (Reminds me of the same girl)
Incubus - Certain Shade Of Green (Reminds me of Planet Of Sound)
Insane Clown Posse - Hocus Pocus (Drunken rap along song with Shane)
Rolling Stones - Satisfaction (Drinking Song)
Mushroomhead - Solitaire Unraveling (First song i heard at Planet Of Sound)
Stone Sour - Bother (I can relate to the lyrics)
Stained - Outside (Helped me get over a teenage crush)

That's pretty much all the songs i can think of at the time of the morning. I may add one or two again if i think of them but for now i will say thanks for reading and goodnight.

Do you want free metal albums? Of course you do! Who doesn't right? Well luckily Demonstealer Records are giving away out of press albums for free!

Demonstealer Records is the only extreme metal label in India and has some of the freshest and exciting bands on the scene. Many albums are available for download including the following bands:

Demonstealer
Reptilian Death
IIIrd Sovereign
Acrid Semblance
Exhumation
and Various Artists compilations

To get your mitts on these free albums all you have to do is go along to the Demonstealer Records site and sign up to the forum, be polite and post a bit and check out the site. Then you can access the 'special members' section of the forum, follow the links and download the free albums. Easy!

Enjoy!

I'd like to introduce some people to the 'NG Ghost & Supernatural Club'. The club was founded by the well know NG member Corky52 and quickly grew. I have been a member since the start and have recently been made co-leader!

I want to draw people's attention to the club as it is booming at the moment and is a really great place to share your own paranormal experiences and discuss others stories. We have many knowledgeable members who can help or advise you on anything to do with the Supernatural and Paranormal.

We are always on the lookout for new members and we are a friendly bunch so pop in and say hi if you have a general healthy interest in the Supernatural. We also discuss the ideas of extraterrestrials and subjects such as Cryptozoology. We run a monthly 'Member of the Month' award as well as frequent posting of links to related sites around the web.

Please note that any abuse posted in this blog or the club itself is STRICTLY moderated and any abusers WILL be reported and punished so please don't waste your own time! Any abusive posts in this blog will de deleted promptly!