type as me

"At times you make feel like a passenger, but the ride is worthwhile, and extremely enjoyable."

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 07:21:59 +0000

“At times you make feel like a passenger, but the ride is worthwhile, and extremely enjoyable.”

- Gamestyle review: Heavy Rain

"It’s sad to say that it’s just not worth persevering through the tortuous controls."

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:06:10 +0000

“It’s sad to say that it’s just not worth persevering through the tortuous controls.”

- Gamestyle review: Phantasy Star 0

"The single-player campaign may not offer much in the way of replay value, but the decent multiplayer..."

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 19:40:36 +0000

“The single-player campaign may not offer much in the way of replay value, but the decent multiplayer modes go some way to rectify this, and Gamestyle defies any fan of the films not to enjoy their time spent mutilating Marines or hunting bugs.”

- Gamestyle review: Aliens vs. Predator

"It really is a shame, because the time spent inbetween battles completely ruins the fun and..."

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:45:31 +0000

“It really is a shame, because the time spent inbetween battles completely ruins the fun and entertainment that the battles themselves produced. It leaves you with no interest in the story, characters, or perfecting your squad.”

- Gamestyle review: Bleach: The 3rd Phantom

"It’s a game stuck in limbo; it’s too serious to be a party game, but lacks the depth to..."

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 07:03:00 +0000

“It’s a game stuck in limbo; it’s too serious to be a party game, but lacks the depth to be a decent single player experience.”

- Gamestyle review: Vancouver 2010

"It’s hard to remain positive about Spirit Tracks, due to the disappointment it carries. The..."

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:47:41 +0000

“It’s hard to remain positive about Spirit Tracks, due to the disappointment it carries. The foundations laid by Phantom Hourglass aren’t built upon, but reinforced.”

- Gamestyle review: The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

I have no words. It’s too awesome for words.

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:05:35 +0000

I have no words. It’s too awesome for words.

how to make the perfect cup of tea

Tue, 19 Jan 2010 12:28:17 +0000

After my recent tweet about perfecting the technique to make the perfect cup of tea, I had several requests (well, one) to reveal the secret.

I told ~~them all~~ him that I’d produce an illustrated guide to demonstrate the complex process, so here it is.

I will shortly be submitting it to the UK Tea Council for recognition, and so that it may be known as the Thornton Technique from this day forth.

To make the perfect cup of tea you will need:

A mug (the bigger, the better, though not those ridiculous pint-size ones, as these play havoc on the specifics of this technique)
A tea bag (the brand is up to the reader - I, myself, prefer PG Tips or Twinings Everyday, but this technique works with all varieties. Except fruit teas, which are the Devil’s work. PRO TIP: For those on a budget, Tesco’s Red Label make an ample substitute for the above brands)
Some water (boiling hot, straight from the kettle)
A kettle
A teaspoon
Some milk, to taste (I prefer semi-skimmed, reasonably milky)
Sugar, optional (I have not taken sugar in my tea since I was told in a dream by my late grandfather to stop doing so, but that, my friends, is a story for another occasion)

Step One

Empty the kettle of the stale, previously boiled water that has undoubtedly been left from the previous boil. If your kettle is like mine, get rid of the lime scale too. Fill the kettle with water, and turn it on.

Eco-nuts will tell you to only boil enough water for the mug. Doing so is better for the environment, but it also means that the water will take less time to boil, and you will therefore have your tea much more quickly.

Step Two

Whilst waiting for the kettle to boil, place the tea bag in the mug. DO NOT watch the kettle boil, as it will take longer, or even never boil at all.

If you take sugar, make sure you place it in the mug before you put the teabag in. This will ensure the maximum amount of sugar remains in the cup when the bag is removed.

If you are using a PG Tip pyramid bag, you may wish to “fluff it out” to make sure the pyramid stands proud in all its glory. This will also result in better infusion.

Step Three

Once the kettle has boiled, pour the boiling water into the mug immediately. Fill the cup to an appropriate level, leaving enough room for the desired amount of milk (we don’t want a repeat of the Great Spillage of ‘98 now, do we!)

Step Four

Now for the stirring, which is the most important part of the procedure. Before this can begin, however, the Pre-Stirring Protocol must be adhered to; using the teaspoon, gently squeeze the tea bag against the side of the mug. Do this twice.

It doesn’t matter which side of the spoon you use, although this area divides opinion. Some say the concave side “cups” the bag better, leading to more control, whereas others say the convex side produces a more efficient squeeze. Take my advice and do one of each!

Step Five

After the Pre-Stirring Protocol has been completed, the stirring can begin. There are 30 stirs that take place over a total of seven stages.

Firstly, place the teaspoon in the mug, and make three full stirs clockwise.

Step Six

Make four full stirs anti-clockwise.

Step Seven

Make five full stirs clockwise.

Step Eight

Make six full stirs anti-clockwise.

Step Nine

Make five full stirs clockwise.

Step Ten

Make four full stirs anti-clockwise.

Step Eleven

Make three full stirs clockwise.

Thus ends the stirring process, and the tea should be a rich, dark brown colour. It is important to note that the starting direction of the first group of stirs is not important, but the number of stirs in each group, and the alternation in direction, is imperative.

Step Twelve

Add the desired amount of milk, remembering to factor in the inevitable, if short-lived, displacement that will be caused by the process of removing the tea bag.

Step Thirteen

Using the concave side of the teaspoon, gently squeeze the teabag against the side of the mug. The purpose of this is two-fold: it gives the cup of tea a final boost of flavour, and ensures that there is minimal drippage in transporting the teabag to the waste receptacle.

Tea veterans will be able to squeeze and lift the teabag out of the mug in one swift movement (the trick here is to begin the squeeze toward the bottom of the mug, and “drag” the teabag up the inside). With practice, even novices will be able to avoid any overspill the removal may cause.

Step Fourteen

Sit back, and enjoy the perfect cup of tea, preferably with a biscuit or two (make sure you read Sebastian Vanderpants’ excellent The Do’s and Don’ts of Dunking beforehand).

"It’s far too early to declare Darksiders as game of the year, but it’ll certainly be a..."

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 07:13:10 +0000

“It’s far too early to declare Darksiders as game of the year, but it’ll certainly be a contender.”

- Gamestyle review: Darksiders

So I’m not supposed to eat the hat?

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 09:17:00 +0000

So I’m not supposed to eat the hat?

Photo

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:50:39 +0000

Not a happy bunny.

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 08:41:53 +0000

Not a happy bunny.

"Exploring Paris offers some entertainment, but the frustrating controls and questionable stealth..."

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 07:02:59 +0000

“Exploring Paris offers some entertainment, but the frustrating controls and questionable stealth system mean that liberating it is comme ci, comme ça.”

- Gamestyle review: The Saobteur

"It’s truly an adventure from start to finish, and something that every gamer should..."

Sun, 13 Dec 2009 11:53:39 +0000

“It’s truly an adventure from start to finish, and something that every gamer should experience.”

- Gamestyle review: Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

a comparison...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:46:00 +0000

…between HTC default camera app on the HTC Hero, and Camera Zoom FX

HTC Default

Camera Zoom FX

HTC Default

Camera Zoom FX

HTC Default

Camera Zoom FX

For bigger versions, visit the set over at Flickr. The biggest difference is that the HTC app takes pictures in widescreen. You can change this in the HTC app, but Camera Zoom FX has only one ratio.

a marvellous discovery

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:03:26 +0000

Whilst there are a lot of things I love about my HTC Hero, there’s a couple of areas that can be improved. The camera, for example, is complete gash (to borrow someone else’s description). Whilst looking for an update on the HTC Hero Android 2.0 debacle, I came across a forum post, entitled “HTC Hero: Tips, Tricks & Useful Apps”.

It made me realise that I don’t have to make do with the standards programs that HTC provide (I think I was still stuck in the old mobile phone mode of getting what you’re given). The HTC camera software is woeful, compared to Camera Zoom FX that’s a suggested replacement.

Even the HTC message app (which I had no problem with) is improved on with Handcent SMS. Although I’ve tried a few of the apps on there, there’s a fair few that are new, and I’m very glad I’m now aware of them :D If you own a Hero, I would suggest having a read, as you’ll probably learn something new.

"But Pulis, who, it is understood, was naked when he attempted to butt the 31-year-old former England..."

Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:16:31 +0000

“But Pulis, who, it is understood, was naked when he attempted to butt the 31-year-old former England striker”

- What on Earth goes on in Stoke’s dressing rooms? From the Daily Mail.

Anyone know what the music is?

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:53:20 +0000

Anyone know what the music is?

what noise do zebras make?

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 20:25:13 +0000

Holly has a book about animals. It’s a simple book, with nice pictures, and she likes it when I make the noise of the animals as they appear. Some are easy (your standard dogs, lions, horses, sheep etc.), but others are a bit more difficult. Like a fox. What noise does a fox make? Or a zebra. Does it neigh like a horse?

I was intrigued, so I Googled it, and the search took me to the infinitely amusing Yahoo Answers. So now I know. Woof woof.

"Gamestyle does find it hard to recommend purchasing Family Game Night, as a far better investment..."

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:46:22 +0000

“Gamestyle does find it hard to recommend purchasing Family Game Night, as a far better investment would be buying the actual board games themselves.”

- Gamestyle review: Hasbro Family Game Night