Gong xi fa cai! May the new year be happy and prosperous to all of you.

I had a mostly quiet day since my Perth-bound aunt from that side of my family is away, but there was profit to be had in the ang paos! It surely must be a sign of a booming economy when your good-luck money rises faster than inflation.

Some random links because I can’t be bothered writing more: Considering it’s the year of the dog, I was highly disappointed to learn that Sony have laid off their robotic dog division, the crazy penny-pinching bastards. Then again, that reliable geek tabloid the Reg reckons we have flying cars to play with instead (both via One Dog Said).

Meanwhile, the tennis was again quite entertaining. Baghdatis didn’t win, but that’s okay, cos he still put up a decent fight to the dude who is unequivocally the best tennis player in the world right now (well, for the first set anyway). And Federer cried on the podium! I had no idea Melbourne Park (or perhaps Rod Laver) meant quite so much to him.

There are certain truths that society holds evident. For example, the Nazis were defeated in World War II. America lost in Vietnam. In the game world, you can turn such historical truths on their head.

The SMH provides a horribly stereotypical, and yet surprisingly accurate, depiction of life as viewed through the eyes of your average console gamer.

Over in Melbourne, and in a different kind of game, it was tragic to see Justin Henin-Hardenne (easily one of the strongest female tennis players around) having to retire — sure I wanted to see Mauresmo win, but only after three sets! At least the men’s doubles immediately afterwards was an awesome game with some of the coolest lobs I have ever seen. All four of those blokes are champs.

Oh, and also, I just returned from Cam’s birthday party, which was awesome … for there was foosball!