We British have a strange relationship with the weather.  While we're typically free of the extremes of say, Tornado Alley, our climate is variable enough to permeate most aspects of our existence.  The news bulletins spit out a report every hour, with increasingly impressive graphics showing the sun over Southampton, showers over Somerset and the proverbial cats and dogs pissing all over Manchester.  
 
As a gamer, I love bad weather.  It justifies the hermit-like existence I have grown to love.  Clement August days?  I can do without them.  All it means is that the sun is streaming through the windows of my domicile while an inner voice guilt trips me about not spending more time outside.  Winter I can handle.  There's little more satisfying than exploring every nook of a fantastically realised virtual world while the real one is being battered by the elements.  The season happens to coincide with a massive influx of new and exciting titles, so all should be cool.  Except it's not.  Fallout New Vegas was released last week, and it has been gorgeous outside. 
 
I haven't had a great deal of time to spend in Obsidian's return to the Fallout universe.  Fallout 3 happened to coincide with an extended period of working away from home - which provided the perfect excuse to run riot in the Capital Wasteland.  This time out, I'm back as leader of the family clan, have massive time commitments inside and out of work.  I've barely reached Primm on a saved game I'm satisfied with.  I'm sure I can concoct some excuses to vacate the family so I can travel further afield, but it'll be difficult to explain the pristine state of the house when they return home and discover that it wasn't really on fire. 
 
On the portable front, I've been playing Game Dev Story for the iPhone OS.  At the time of writing, there's no real Retina display support, meaning everything looks a bit blurry.  It's definitely compelling while it lasts, but having finished the game, I feel like I've seen and done everything it has to offer.  Still, for £2.39, it's pretty good value.  I'll offer the following advice for anyone embarking on their own Game Dev Story. 
 

• Don't be afraid to restart.  Trial and error is your friend.
• Hire and fire until you get the right people.  There are some game-breaking stat-monsters out there.  Seek them out and use them.
• Always bang out a couple of contracts after every game release.  Not only does it make you money, but you'll also score research points - essential for levelling up your staff.

As both a Londoner and an avid gamer, I have to agree with you wholeheartedly. There's nothing more satisfying than spending a miserable wind-swept day on my couch/at my desk, sipping at a cup of coffee and immersing myself in the goings on of a fantasy world, all to the soundtrack of a torrential downpour belting at my window.
 
Bliss. 
 
- Kitt
p.s. I really like your writing style, keep at it! :3

Unfortunately, work commitments have kept me away from games for the past couple of days - meaning I have no further inspiration to impart.  However, the missus has ordered me to take the night off tomorrow, and has given me an one-night exclusivity deal with the big telly. 
 
Really appreciate your comments.  You've made my day.

I hear that. Various commitments (one of which is, ironically, writing about videogames) have kept me from any serious gaming for the last few weeks, but the bug is starting to bite again.
 
I've caved in to my compulsive need to purchase videgames again and once more proved myself exactly the kind of sucker that micro-transactions were created to bankrupt. I picked up Metro 2033 and Red Faction: Guerrilla for next to nothing in the Steam sale and payday was celebrated with the purchase of a Vanquish/Bayonetta double-pack from Play. A review copy of Guitar Hero: Warriors of Rock is still languishing in my lounge after two weeks, waiting for my attention. What I wouldn't give for another 5 or 6 hours in the day!
 
Cheers for the follow by the way, I look forward to reading more of your stuff!