MPs Approve Gay Marriage

Finally, in a move that should restore some faith in a badly-received coalition, MPs have backed gay marriage.

It's obviously a minefield of opinions but I don't see what the fuss is about. If two people love each other, whether that's a man and a woman, two men or two women, then why shouldn't they get married?

Looking down the list of MPs who voted for and against Gerry Sutcliffe of Bradford South voted in favour as did George Galloway of Bradford West, MPs in my home town. Back in my birthplace of York my MP there, Hugh Bayley, also voted in favour so all good there.

Interestingly Dr Liam Fox was on the opposing list showing you can give a male friend access to the Ministry of Defence and other indiscretions, which is fine, but clearly gay marriage is not acceptable.

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RIP Mini Disc

"Sony Discontinues the MiniDisc Format" (http://uk.ign.com/articles/2013/02/04/sony-discontinues-the-minidisc-format) was a headline revealed yesterday as it's revealed that Sony will soon stop producing MiniDisc units, just as VHS players and the PS2 have been stopped.

MiniDisc is an unusual format. Like Zip Discs and BetaMax it never truly cemented in. I remember using MiniDiscs though in my early days in student radio, playing jingles off MiniDisc. Other than that I never really saw it in use.

Sadly it fell between portable CD Walkman-like devices and .mp3 players and never really had the chance to get its footing in.

RIP MiniDisc, won't be much missed.

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Thunderbirds Are Go!

It has been revealed that a new series of CGI Thunderbirds is to hit our screens in 2015, something I'm thoroughly excited about... providing it's better than the travesty of a film from 2004. It's just a shame that the return of the Tracy brothers couldn't have been announced in the lifetime of Gerry Anderson, who passed away on Boxing Day last year.

I grew up with Thunderbirds after its repeats on the BBC in 1992 and was lucky enough to get a Tracy Island model thanks to the tenacity of my parents. I'm excited it's coming back and providing it keeps the appeal of the originals but brings it up to date then it will be great.

Today 'Den of Geek' gave us ten things they'd like to see from the new series of Thunderbirds (http://www.denofgeek.com/tv/thunderbirds/24356/10-things-wed-like-to-see-in-the-new-thunderbirds-series). Here are mine...

1. Keep The Crafts The Same

One major problem I had with the film was how they changed the craft. Yes, we know Thunderbird 2 probably can't fly as it looks, but that's how we know it and that's how it should stay, and the same for the other craft. And that includes FAB1. And whilst they're at it keep the characters at the right ages.

2. Social Networking

One of the elements used in the very first episode of 'Trapped In The Sky' was the fear of people photographing the vehicles and though we've moved on a little from film cameras held in a costume, this should be covered more in the new series. And with most people in possession of a camera on their mobile phone and the internet to spread images, they'll have their work cut out.

3. Thunderbird Six

The inclusion of Thunderbird Six at the end of the second feature film is a bit, well, naff, and though I doubt they'll change the iconic theme - which should definitely return - should be referenced somewhere in the series, even if it's just in the back of shot somewhere.

4. FAB3

We've already been introduced to FAB1 and FAB2 throughout the series. How about a FAB3 for Lady Penelope and Parker, like their own personal plane.

5. A Series Arc

The Hood is a great villain but his boss - General X - was never seen. The original series saw stand-alone episodes whereas in the post-season world the series needs to have an over-reaching arc. What if the organisation they work for are post 9/11 terrorists stopping at nothing and at some point, Terror in New York City-like, destroy one of the craft? Or how about a modern Government fear the threat of International Rescue and hunt them down to stop them operating and maybe steal their tech to form their own military weaponry? Stand-along episodes are fine but a season arc would be incredible.

6. New Pod Craft

We have the Mole, Firefly and the Elevator Cars, but how about some new vehicles in the pods to perform rescues. This will expand the opportunities for rescue.

7. Fireflash

I agree with the Den of Geek writer: Fireflash needs to return. It's an iconic craft and perhaps a future model of it could get into trouble for an exciting rescue.

8. Flashback

We know that Jeff Tracy as a young man landed on the moon well before he headed up International Rescue. How about we get a flashback episode where he meets Brains and they come up with the idea of the Thunderbird machinery.

9. Video Game

OK, this is perhaps a bit of a cheat but the concept of Thunderbirds is a brilliant one and a video game to go with the series would be brilliant. Who wouldn't want to pilot Thunderbird 2?

10. Real Danger or Changes

I'm sure the programme will be aimed squarely at kids but why not put some more adult issues in. How about a little romance between Alan and TinTin that's more, well, adult that the kids of the film? Or perhaps some truly life-threatening dangers that the Tracy brothers get into with maybe even a real tragedy...

These are my ideas for the new series - what would you like to see?

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My January of Abstinence

I can now say that I have succeeded in a major New Year's Resolution. I have managed from the 2nd January to now, the 2nd February, without drinking any alcohol. Other than some white wine going into some casseroles I've made in the month, a drop of alcohol has not touched my lips. It's been J20s with friends rather than cider, and at the two events I've been to - a book signing and a bike opening - I've opted for the non-alcoholic options and stuck to it.

So what are my thoughts on being alcohol free for a month? Well I'm sure it's done me some good but I don't appear to have lost any weight. I think the biggest thing I have noticed is the fallacy about the cost of non-alcoholic drink. A J20 at the SU bar where I work sells the drink at £1.60 for a bottle, which comes in at just under half a pint. They sell pints for c. £2.40 which makes J20s considerably more expensive and, because they are easier to drink, don't last half as long. One of the bar staff - thanks Josh - did once make me a Bradford Sunrise using cranberry juice, orange juice and Grenadine which was larger and cheaper but this is a luxury not always available.

Also, non-alcoholic drinks are boring. There must be a fun way to spice up these drinks. J20s are hardly the J-Lo of juices and even non-alcoholic cocktails are bland.

Elsewhere from drink I've started cooking more using my slow cooker and that's meant much tastier meals, and I've been consciously eating more fruit and vegetables and making my own lunch rather than buying it at work, which has helped the bank balance, but it does mean getting up earlier in the morning to prep and, alongside shopping, it all adds up, and when living on your own it can be, paradoxically, more expensive to eat healthily as you have to buy the same variety of things no matter the portion size. But I've enjoyed cooking different things.

Overall I wouldn't say I feel any healthier or more energetic but hopefully the absence of alcohol and takeaways has done me some good. And though I do miss a pint with friends or a nice sherry or glass of wine before sunday dinner, I've not found myself craving alcohol; I was never a big drinker anyway.

I'm going to continue being alcohol-free for a while anyway, see how it goes. I think I've proven that I have the will-power, lets see if it equates to being healthier.

Positive of not drinking alcohol
Better for my health
Clearer mind
No chance of drunk texting

Negatives of drinking alcohol
It's more expensive for soft drinks
Soft drinks are boring
Conversation doesn't flow quite as well

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Robbie Williams - About A Boy Video

You can now view the video to Robbie's third single from 'Take The Crown' at http://www.robbiewilliams.com/news-blogs/be-a-boy-watch-the-video-now ahead of the release in March.

Sadly, after the cracking video for 'Candy' and the atmospheric 'Different' this looks more like it's been created by a YouTuber out of stock photos and videos. The song is great but the video is rather lacklustre and cheap, but enjoy it anyway!

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New Marina and the Diamonds video

It may have taken a stonking eight months to release these shores (good grief, what happened to the world shrinking!) but here's the excellent brand new single for the always enjoyable Marina and the Diamonds.

Love the song. Not so sure about all the naked men.

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Upcoming Singles (Updated 2nd February 2013)

This Week

Bellowhead - Roll The Woodpile Down

Booty Luv - Black Widow

Bullet For My Valentine – Riot

Emeli Sande – Clown

Flo Rida – Let It Roll

Hannah Boleyn - When You're Gone

Lawson – Learn To Love Again

Marina and the Diamonds – How To Be A Heartbreaker EP

Milo Greene – 1957

Stereophonics - Indian Summer

10^th February

Avicii V Nicky Romero - I Could Be The One

Charli XCX - You (Ha Ha Ha)

Disclosure feat. Alunageorge – White Noise

Emilia Mitiku - You're Not Right For Me

Gabrielle Aplin - Please Don't Say You Love Me

Rita Ora – Radioactive

Toploader - Turn It Around

Unconfirmed

Tegan & Sara - Closer

17^th February

Joe Cocker – Fire It Up

One Direction - One Way Or Another (Comic Relief)

Sinead O'Connor - 4th And Vine

Tyler James feat. Kano- Worry About You

Unconfirmed

Alicia Keys - Brand New Me

Bats For Lashes - A Wall

Kate Nash- 3am

The Overtones - Love Song

Theme Park – Tonight

Train - The Mermaid

Two Door Cinema Club - Next Year

24^th February

Bastille - Pompeii

Unconfirmed

Deadmau5 & Imogen Heap- Telemiscomminications

Dido - No Freedom

Example - Perfect Replacement

Josh Groban - Brave

Joss Stone - Teardrops

Laura Mvula - Green Garden

Miles Kane - Give Up

Olly Murs - Army of Two

Wiley feat. Chip - Reload

3^rd March

Charlotte Church - Two EP

Unconfirmed

Dot Rotten - Free

Jake Bugg - Simple As This

Justin Bieber feat. Ludacris - All Around The World

Ke$ha - C'Mon

K Koke feat. Rita Ora - Lay Down Your Weapons

Miguel - How Many Drinks

The Vaccines - Bad Mood

10^th March

Unconfirmed

Frank Ocean - Super Rich Kids

Hurts – Miracle

Jake Bugg - Seen It All

17th March

Unconfirmed

Wild Belle - Keep You

24^th March

Josephine - Portrait

Unconfirmed

Angel - The World

Willy Moon- Get Up (Get What You Need)

31^st March

Unconfirmed

Tom O'Dell- Hold Me

Taylor Swift- 22

7^th April

Unconfirmed

Platnum - Love You Tomorrow

Sub Focus - Endorphins

Upcoming Singles With Unknown Release Dates

Andy Grammer - Keep Your Head Up

Bridgit Mendler - Ready Or Not

Ellie Goulding - Explosions

Eric Prydz - Every Day

Foals – My Number

Kristina Train - Lose You Tonight

Lloyd – Do It Again

Love And Theft - Runnin' Out Of Air

Maroon 5 – Daylight

Muse - Superemacy

The Overtones – Love Song

Petula Clark - Cut Copy Me

Propellers – Midnight Kiss

Red Hot Chilli Peppers - In Love Dying

Richard Hawley - Don’t Stare at the Sun

Robert Cray Band - A Memo

Ron Sexsmith - Snake Road

Scuba - Hardbody

Skylar Grey feat. Eminem - C'mon Let Me Ride

Suede - Barriers

Talay Riley – Shut Up And Kiss Me

TCTS - 1997

Tyga feat Chris Brown – For The Fame

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