I normally don't post here about adverts, but ...

For you non-Brits, this ad is part of a series of ads for a commercial chain of optometrists. The theme of these ads is that people who went to get their glasses from other opticians ended up with inferior products, and that they "should've gone to Specsavers."

No matter how many times I have seen this ad, I still find it funny.

If you cannot see this ad in your home country, or if you have some other comment to make, tell me so.

Nostalgia Trip

I'm delving into my past LJ blogs, starting right at the beginning on January 28, 2004.

And coming slowly forwards through the entries, I rediscovered this.

Reproduced here, for your enjoyment.

---

Last week, an inspiration came to me for a parody of the organisation listed within World of Darkness: Demon Hunter X: a team of dedicated agents known as Strike Force Zero.

As a result, I penned the following spoof article, which had me giggling uncontrollably all night long ...

---

A cell of Strike Force Zero prepares to boil a cup of tea

Shiro, the Handsome Leader: Get ready!

All: Strike Force Zero, GO!

Shiro: Kettle!

Tanaka, the Rebel: In position!

Shiro: Water!

Machiko, the Token Female: Pouring! [pours water] Water in place!

Shiro: Tanaka, status!

Tanaka: Containment secure! Kettle is full and ready to activate!

Shiro: Giant, power circuits! Report!

Giant, the Bruiser: Power conduit all clear! Ready to go!

Machiko: Current holding and steady!

Shiro: Psyop, tea status report!

Psyop, the runt (read that again, I SAID RUNT!) with the speech impediment: Reep doo wah b'ding briiiiit -

Tanaka [wry grin]: What - EVER ...

Machiko: All systems reporting ready!

Tanaka: Set!

Shiro: Activating kettle ... NOW!

[Shiro pushes button on side of kettle]

All [to the accompaniment of kata style flourishes in unison]: RAPID! WATER!! BOILAGE!!!

[Optional DVD ending cut from original Japanese anime footage]

[Kettle inexplicably morphs into unstoppable 500 foot Mecha Samurai colossus of metal, steam and plastic that promptly goes on the rampage and trashes half of Tokyo]

---

Says it all, doesn't it?

---

Since System Death '05, I have mourned the loss of much data - notably, the last few Libra stories beginning with "Emergency in Lear Ward." Today, I have retrieved something from that timelocked era.