The sun has set on the idyll days spent listening to The Hotspot while walking my dog. Work is now full time, the girlfriend needs me and the dog's hips disagree with long treks. These saddened me but were naught to the news of Jeff Gerstmann. Bob left and I said "good for him", carrie departed and I said "shine on you crazy diamond", Rich felt pulled away and I understood, but the firing of Jeff left a bad taste in my mouth. The grief continues with each passing editor. The Hotspot to me was all the fallen writers: Bob, Carrie, Rich, Jeff, Alex and Ryan. Oh Ryan you rotund stalwart, your departure shook the very foundation of my subscription. The sun will rise tomorrow and Vinnie, Bryan and Brad will soldier on as I know Jeff would want us to...

So I finally beat Halo 2 the other night. I know i'm behind the times, I even bought it second hand and only at the behest of a friend. I tend to obsess about the Halos for the first levels up to the presence of the Flood. You see, I don't do zombies.

I feel sorry for Australians and their Oceanic neighbours. As soon as I saw a copy of Madden 05 for $149 ($100 USD) on the island of Rarotonga in the Cook Islands I realized just how great it is to be in North America. I almost went to see The Marine in their tiny, hot stuffy theatre just to call in and tell Jeff about it. Then I remembered God hates fanboys.