They're Dead, Dave.

Hello. It's time this blog had a splash of much-needed mortality. So let's talk about death! Specifically, the people that you have outlived and what they did. It's an interesting read, even if you're sprightly and young like I am, you'll have already outlived someone of note. For example:

Andrea Feldman was about 2 months younger than me when she died of suicide by defenestration on August 8, 1972. She was an actress and performance artist who was a Warhol Superstar and a regular at Max's Kansas City. She died 13 years before I were born.

That one was chosen for its legitimate use of the word 'defenestration', which is my favourite word!

So come on, who have you outlived? Read Dead At Your Age.

Achievement Unlocked: Read Blog.

So many of these flash games feel unrewarding, don't they? You plough through them and all you get is the chance to do it all again with each new level. Console games are usually more generous, particularly on the Xbox 360. Each game contains 'achievements'which give you points for different tasks or secrets found. I genuinely think they're a great idea and would be very happy for them to spill over into other aspects of life (Achievement Unlocked - 12th cup of tea today!) but for now, I would just be happy to see them in online flash games.

Turns out I'm in luck. Here's a game dedicated simply to the unbridled joy of unlocking achievements, 100 of them to be precise. It's called... Achievement Unlocked! Gotta catch 'em all.