I just finished listening to an American radio show on 'superheroes' coming out of Chicago. It featured an interview with Chris Ware - author of Jimmy Corrigan, The Smartest Kid in the World - in which he spoke of being a kid and drawing circuitry on paper that he could then attach to his arm in an effort to emualte the Six Million Dollar Man. I'd forgotten all about it, but hearing the broadcast reminded me that I used to do a similar thing. No paper involved though - I'd simply draw an abstract shape straight onto my arm to represent the cut away flesh and then spend some time on the detail - small transistors and wires surrounding a pulley system of small joints and tiny screw heads. I guess Chris Ware had the advantage of sticking his paper circuitry on both arms where I was always bionic in my left arm only. That memory led straight to another one. I'm about 10 years old and one week away from my first fancy dress party at school. I tell no one in my family about this but start hoarding away all the componets I can get my hands on to start building my costume of choice. I'd be the only Cylon warrior in the assembly hall. The evening before the party and things don't look good - I have my Battlestar Galactica annual out on the bed next to my costume but something isn't quite right. Could I have been a little over ambitious? On the left of the bed is a photograph of a shining, sleek soldier of evil boasting more chrome than my BMX. On the right of the bed is a pile of old junk held together with tape and elastic bands. The following day I 'borrow' an old jacket of my dad's and go off to the party as a tramp. That was the last fancy dress party I ever went to. Mike is blogging to: The hum of the computer.