While I await the FA Cup kick-off...

...here's an assortment of articles that have been making life betterer.

* "High-Tech Heretic" (2000) by Clifford Stoll: In a nutshell - a computer is a tool, not a teacher. But if you think hearing that means you can skip this book, you're missing a comprehensive and erudite argument against electronic-based education.

* "The Booker - With Raven" (2008): DVD for hard-core wrestling dweebs. In a cross between a shoot interview and a "Geoffrey Robertson Hypothetical", Raven outlines ace storylines for Hall and Nash if they'd defected to ECW instead of WCW in '96.

* "Land Of The Free II" (2007) - Gamma Ray: Power metal pomp with crap-but-catchy Euro lyrics. Maiden-esque in parts, speedier in others, with choirs and keyboards (though the latter aren't credited, so they could be a figment of my imagination).

* Mint Chip M&M's: Dark green, light green and white candy shells containing a layer of chocolate surrounding a piece of what tastes exactly like a Peppermint Crisp. Mine came in a fundraiser box from, of all places, the counter at Kings Comics.

* "The Sarah Jane Adventures - The Thirteenth Stone" (2007) by Justin Richards: Neat audio spin-off that's read by SJ herself, Elisabeth Sladen. You know you're an Amazon junkie when you recognise the name of the person who processed your order :-)

* "LA Ink" (2007-): I recently boosted my cable TV package to include everything bar the movie channels. Been watching this reality show about a tattoo parlour every day on Discovery Travel & Living and it's rekindled my desire to get illustrated, man.

* LeAnn Rimes' "Nothin' Better To Do" video clip (2007): Forget Christina Aguilera and her "Candy Man", I'll get my retro thrills here. The all-growed-up (and how!) country singer plays a bad girl behind bars recounting where it all went wrong.

The two sides are now taking the field. More tomorrow...