FROM THE SFX OFFICE

The first From The Office of the new year, complete with a Christmas review, much Weekender anticipation and news of a HORRIFYING INJURY to a member of the SFX team (sensationalist, us? Never).

Happy new year dear readers! It’s day three of 2012 in SFX Towers and the apocalyptic weather of the past 72 hours has us convinced there might be something to all this Mayan mumbo jumbo. That said we’re not overly fussed about the world crumbling beneath our feet so long as we get the chance to see The Dark Knight Rises , and Prometheus , and The Amazing Spider-Man , and all your faces at the SFX Weekender 3 first. There’s no way 2013 could top the year we have in store.

But that’s enough about the future, it’s important to live in the here and now. Which is why we spent the first few minutes/hours of 2012 in the office discussing Christmas telly, er… In the interest of full disclosure we have to confess that the overriding opinion was that the best thing on telly over the festive period was the brilliant first episode of Sherlock series two. Though with Moffat and Gatiss calling the shots it feels like an honorary SFX show anyway. Who , controversially, was met with a resounding “meh” from several members of the team, while Merlin split the office down the middle. And The Borrowers ? Great fun, but we don’t remember Spiller as a mini-Nathan from Misfits , just, you know, without the swears.

There were very Merry Christmases all round. Most family-based (with the rollercoaster of emotions that comes with it), but spare a thought for Rob, who managed to break BOTH his hands on New Year's Day after a tumble through a table. We know what you’re thinking but the irony is that, after a long drive home, he was stone cold sober – one of the few days of the holidays he hadn’t touched any tipple whatsoever in fact. The good news is he has enough fingers free to make the perfect burger holding claw and plenty of time to catch up on his comics. Just be gentle with him at the Weekender, eh?

Rich is "easing" himself into 2012 by cracking on with all manner of exciting Weekender stuff, contemplating the wonder of finally entering the Blu-ray age, and digesting the rather good M:I Ghost Protocol , which he saw last night (“it's not as good after Dubai, but still a superior actioner”). Rich’s best TV of the Christmas break? The peerless Sherlock – and he was one of those not quite so fond of Moffat's Who Christmas special, though he thought it pretty enjoyable too. Even if Bill Bailey was completely wasted (by which – for the benefit of any libel lawyers – he means underused, not under the influence).

As well as helping Russell get the latest vampire special to press, Dave B is working away furiously on Weekender preparation and persuading people to download the SFX Sci-Fi Quiz App . Hey, it'll help you prepare for the fiendish Blastermind quiz at the event (this year to be held in the new Screening Zone so there's room for more participants). Guess what? The Weekender has all but sold out! Dave's life outside the office consists entirely of smithing iron daggers in Whiterun and cutting the heads off ice trolls with the help of his faithful dog Vigilance.

Speaking of Skyrim , Jordan took a temporary break from dragon-slaying and tramp-beard-sporting to play The Legend Of Zelda: Skyward Sword over Christmas. After adjusting to the (amaze-o-tron) motion controls and Wii’s blur-o-vision he declared it the “greatest game of the year, maybe even the best Zelda ever!” He’s over that temporary bout of madness now (it’s no Ocarina Of Time ) but he still ranks it above Mass Effect 2 , Arkham City and Skyrim , and anyone whose read his ramblings over the past year will know they're big words. TV and film had nothing on videogames in 2011. He and the rest of the team have also been scratching their heads over an office mystery – whenever Catherine stands up, her phone’s speaker mysteriously turns itself on. Maybe we should give Benedict Cumberbatch a call. Or the Ghostbusters.

Despite living less than two minutes away from each other, it’s rare that Nick and Jordan cross paths on the walk into work. Today was one of those rare occasions. Topic of discussion: the price of DVDs, which segued into a chat about laser discs and the format wars before the front door of SFX towers rudely interrupted a riveting discussion. Speaking of Nick, his snug, Das Boot -esque jumper was cause for the second reference to the film/mini-series in as many days – the first being during Russell’s explanation of why he dislikes underwater films (except 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea ) – another one of his “unique” quirks. He’d make a great sitcom character.

Ian's working from home today, desperately trying to interpret the meaning of notes haphazardly bashed out on his laptop about three months ago as he struggles to write a Couch Potato feature. After spending a good twenty minutes pondering what the phrase "turf merkin" has to do with The Fog , he still has absolutely no idea. Ah well.

Ade had a fantastic Chrimbo and spent most of it watching his Star Wars Blu-rays, whilst drinking and eating nothing but dirty food in his new Obi Wan dressing gown. He’s now back in SFX towers, busy with the next issue, and of course the SFX Weekender, which is but a few weeks away! He’s very excited about all the amazing items coming in from his sci-fi chums for the Charity Auction he’ll be hosting at the Weekender, including a genuine coat worn by the Cat in Red Dwarf (thanks to Stephen from the Prop Store of London ). Start saving folks!

Random Quote Of The Week:
“How do you go to the toilet?”
“There are gymnastics involved.”

Whose T-shirt?: (last year’s answer: it was Ade's tshirt!)