Peace out

At some point in 1997, I joined a mailing list with other students in a distance education university program. It was an opportunity for everyone to 'connect' in a time before classes actually became online. We'd sit alone and listen to tapes of lectures and if enough of us were taking the same course, it was like we were all in the same class.

I had a number of strikes against me in joining the group:

1. I'm a man. There's only been a few males join (and all have disappeared, I think) in the 9 years I've been around.
2. I was one of the only people on the Pacific coast. Almost everyone else was in Ontario, with a few exceptions.
3. I was a history major. I recall there being one other.

Dreama, or whatever you're calling yourself these days, was also in the group. She's been around the longest. We've gotten along well... :)

Dreama left the group today. Can't say I blame her. The easiest excuse is that she graduated like a century ago. She could've left when most people did. When they were done.

A majority of the group has gone onto a new group: a diet group. I don't need that. Well, a diet, yes, but not a diet group.

so, I'm thinking I'm really done now. Dreama said her goodbye and I think it's time for mine as well.

From the group, not my blog.

Hehe. Scared ya!

11 Weeks

Effectively, as of Monday, I have 11 weeks of school left before I graduate. Usually about 8 weeks into a semester I'm totally annoyed and sick to death of the classes and just continue by looking forward to the next semester.

This coming semester: 2 days away and I'm already sick of it.

On Mondays, I have my portfolio review class. This class consists of the B.S. we were handed 6 months ago about how our work isn't good enough and how we're going to improve upon it in order to get permission from the instructor to put it on our demo reel DVD. We've already been given homework for our first class (nice). It consists of a number of questions:
1. Please identify three preferred employers that you are targeting with your portfolio. Describe how the content in your demo reel and printed material will directly interest these employers.
Welp, the 3 companies I'm looking at all do fairly realistic productions, so I'm steering away from fantasy, cartoony, and simplistic art styles and looking more toward realistic or photo-realistic. How I'll convey "photo-realistic" in printed material....
2. Please expand on how the content of your portfolio will demonstrate a personal brand that will distinguish your work from all others?
Why is there a question mark for a sentence beginning with please? My personal brand at school is having things done on time, so chances are my personal brand is that I'll be finished before the rest of these little.... blighters.
3. Explain how you will conduct research on technical and creative aspects for your portfolio work, including what resources you intend to use and how you will present this to the instructor for review.
... What? Well, research is usually done by looking things up, so I imagine I'll use the Internet. Also, I have these neat things called "textbooks" that I picked up so I actually knew what was going on in some of my classes. My technical aspects will come from the textbooks and online tutorials. And, websites have addresses. I'll write them down for you. How will I present these to the instructor? I'm thinking of throwing them at her.
4. What else do you think you need in order to help achieve your goals and complete your portfolio show readiness?
See, that one should have ended with a question mark. What do I need? Clarity. I need to know what you're actually asking me. "Complete your portfolio show readiness" makes no sense to me. Also, the next instructor or Dean who looks at me and says "You're fine" is going to pay dearly. I'm serious. So, some quality feedback would be great, for once. No "You're fine's" and no "that looks like ass." Neither comment actually helps me improve my work.

I don't have class on Tuesday. I've submitted a course challenge. It's a resume-prep class and I have years of experience with that and seeing as how this course isn't even industry-specific for our program --f@#! it. Oh, and the instructor is one of the guys we hated because he was so high on himself. Apparently, there's a 4-hour session where he does nothing but shake your hand. I don't want to touch him, so I'm out.

On Wednesday morning is the first half of my grad project class. WE have 8 hours of lab time a week to complete our project. Although I'm leading the group, I have 3 people working directly under me. One, for sure, has stepped down as he doesn't understand documentation at all (yeah, don't worry --no one documents anything in the real world). Another may have stepped down. He can't seem to make up his mind. He's told some he's done, but he's asked me what his status is.... putz. The third one is staying on, fortunately. So, I've stepped up and asked 2 of the more "with it" people to fill the seemingly empty roles. One punk, who's never seen the real world before, has bitched and whined for weeks about things and now is bitching about me selecting people for positions. As far as he's concerned, it should be a team decision. Ah yes, just like it is with any company. I always loved picking my boss. The second part of this project falls on Friday afternoons. By next Friday, I may be responsible for the execution of one team member. Maybe two.

On Thursdays, I have another 3D modeling course, unfortunately with the guy we had 2 semesters ago and barely taught us anything because he was too busy taunting the ESL students and ridiculing 'Loser-boy' because he just doesn't get it. The instructor still passed him, of course, so there's a 50-50 chance he'll be in my class again. If that's the case, I'll be switching blocks post-haste. The instructor is an annoying pain in the ass and I don't see me actually getting anything out of that class.

On Friday mornings, we've been promised a drop-in workshop to help us get our 3D work up to a proper level. Depending on who's there to "help" us, these may or may not be helpful.

So, there you go. Absolutely nothing to look forward to over the next 11 weeks.

Except leaving the damn place... in eleven weeks.

The Sounds of Silence...

Oh bitch, bitch, bitch --ya bitch.

Yeah, you Dreama ;)

Not posting anything? Well, once I figure out WTF happened to my last 3 posts, I'll post 'em again. Damn blogger... this close to moving elsewhere!!

Don't Talk to Me - Part 2

So, for an hour-plus yesterday I got to argue with one of the people on my production team. A few people had posted files in public forums for something still in the early stages of production.

That's bad.

And, sadly, it appears I had to tell people that that's bad. One of them... for over an hour.

His "justification" for posting it was that it's his work. I wouldn't have a problem if it's his, and not from our production... and not based on my written description and the original drawings of two others. His work. Good lord.

So, for an hour or so, I tell him that we'll be meeting as a group in early July (really can't wait for my two weeks off now!) and we'll discuss 'policy' behind posting in-production items on public forums. Y'know, let everyone know the "do's" and "don't's" behind leaking confidential information... yeah, I know: Any sensible adult should understand this already.

Well, "Mr. Numbnutz" decided that even though I'd managed to stave off the #1 guy from coming down hard on the people who posted their stuff. "I'll take care of it" and stop him from removing people from the project. Lesson learned for all of us. So, the plan was to discuss this as a team and see what is and what isn't hamrful to "release" about our production.

Mr. Numbnutz made that decision a whole lot easier when he questioned my memo saying "DON'T"...

No one gets to play anymore.

Between he & most of the other people on the team hounding me on MSN Messenger yesterday, I've set up a new MSN account just so I can talk to intelligent people. So, if you get added to my VIP list, feel fortunate ;)

One for the Money, Two for the Show

Yeah, that's 2 down and only one to go. A single project between me and 2 weeks of freedom.

And the project's basically done. This is the first time I've glided into finals, really. It's also the first time I haven't missed a class in a semester.

coincidentally... no Tuesday class this semester either. Hmmm.

I was pretty stressed about tonight's presentation. Apparently, the presenter this morning had 10+ extra guests, but they could handle a 9am presentation, but balked at a 6:30pm one. No biggie :)

hehe

My Monday presentation coincides with my Saturday afternoon one, so I basically had everything done Sunday night --a week in advance. I have a few touch-ups to do, but basically it's ready and pretty.

I also forgot about my test Saturday morning, but I jsut need to watch a few tutorial videos to remind myself how to use the programs. Not an issue, really. 'course, the instructor'll probably try distracting me with more Angelina Jolie movies.... It worked last time!

One and Two...

As, one project completed and two to go! Then, I'm finished for another semester! Whoo!

I have an exam too, but I'm basically discounting that class --yet another fine example of why we need electives instead of having fluff forced on us...

I got my revenge on 'Loser Boy' tonight as the instructor encouraged us to critique each other's work. To summarize, his work was crap and I let him know it in a verbal barrage that'll keep him in cold sweats tonight.

Hehe.

I have a presentation to do on Wednesday night, the fluff exam on Saturday morning and my other project (which coincided with the one due tonight) due on Saturday afternoon.

And that's it. Rightly earned 2 weeks off before the FINAL 11-week push to graduation.

It's hard to believe it's coming so quickly. Freakin' scary too.

Don't Talk To Me

One of the things really stressed into us at school is "look around." Look and see what your peers are doing right now. See what they're working on. If can make a helpful suggestion to make it look better: do it. They'll do the same for you.

And we do it. Well, a lot of us do it. We'll review each other's work and let each other know if it looks like 'ass' (which is the common term around here if it looks bad). I've had people suggest changes to some of my 3D work and they've made it better: fresh eyes. It's all about fresh eyes.

But there's always a 'but.'

One classmate, not working on the same team project as a lot of us, asked my opinion on some environment work he's doing. I liked it overall, but thought for "ancient jungle ruins" the rock looked to bright (and therefore too clean). As I was making suggestions, his friend (the BrainAge wunderkind) started yelling at me:
What gives me the right to look at other people's work?
How high and mighty am I to make suggestions and corrections?

Someone with the intelligence of salt water taffy should avoid arguments. At all costs. Especially after the lame-ass replies to my forum posts (mentioned in the previous blog entry). I lashed out.

See, when we were taught the importance of doing this (the industry as a whole can be blunt and if you can't take criticism, you're in the wrong business), because it helps us understand the critical eye and how others perceive our work (which is the whole point in doing the work in the first place). 'Loser-boy' failed that class (a class that consisted of 2 quizzes and a weekly progress report on our other classes to give us a cumulative grade) and is convinced he failed because the instructor has a crush on him.

Seems like a good time for a mental pause, yes?

I highly recommended to him, that he ask those same questions to her. I mean, if anyone will give it to him straight, it's her. She'll also probably fail him again as he still doesn't get it.

Just a few more months and I never have to see him again.

So, after this, I'm being much more selective with my 'observations.' I mean, this guy asked for my help and I helped him --just because his loser friend doesn't get it... So, the people on my team are going to get any help theyask for. They want suggestions, I'll give them suggestions (if they need it). If I want help, they'll be the first ones I'm going to. Anyone else comes up: don't talk to me. I'm not there for you.

Itemizing

There's been a few changes and things around here in the past week. I still look at this blog and think there's more to say, but...

Writing in this blog = time... I have no time.

With 'no time' also comes increasing frustration. And I mean a lot of it. People everywhere are pissing me off at the moment...

But I digress... Sometimes writing out frustrations doesn't help. So, anyhoo, here's a list of things on my mind at the moment:

1. An instructor asked me to get active on a local website for artists. Start posting my work and help critique other people's stuff. While I don't have time for it (hmmm, a theme!), I thought it might give me at least a minor break from the frustrations I'm having with my courses at the moment. But that didn't work. One of the guys working on our big group project posted some work and got pissy little comments back. All it proved was there's a supreme lack of intelligence on the boards when most of the people are from the same school. Then the moderator, who is an industry professional, ripped the artwork apart on the forum, stating that it's majorly flawed and poorly planned. No one --not one post-- had the ability to acknowledge that it was a work in progress. Idiots.
2. I decided to add some helpful hints to one post for a game idea. First off: I hate the word 'will.' If anyone recalls posts about 'Fluffy' (my old office roommate), he hated the word 'that.' 'That,' in his opinion, is just a filler word. "Players that receive a reward" is just a really bad sentence. "Players will receive a reward," to me, is just as bad. "Players receive a reward..." just sounds better. So, here I am stating that adding "will" anywhere lends itself towards passive voice. Someone replies that there's only one sentence that's actually in passive voice (I didn't say they were passive sentences, I said 'will' lends itself to passive voice). They back up their response by pointing out their experiences at Future Shop as a sales associate... Yeah, fine. Your Future Shop employment history beats my college education. Yep. Mmm-hm. Screw helping out, I have enough idiots to deal with.
3. My parents apologized on Friday. They dropped by and we had a discussion. They relented and apologized. I refused to accept their apology at first and made them apologize to my kids. I wasn't the one who was hurt, after all, I've dealt with them for years.
4. My parents sold their house and their offer on a condo (about 25 minutes from both my sister & I) was accepted while they were apologizing. They'll be local again by August.
5. I'm going into week 10 of 11 in my current semester. I still haven't figured out my schedule. I've had 2 Monday classes cancelled because of holidays and one of those clases was rescheduled to a Sunday morning. I've also gone in for an extra day on a Friday. So, yeah, still haven't figured out my schedule.
6. Next semester, my final one, is looking like weekday classes only. Nothing at night and nothing on weekends. SWEET. It means my commute is by train, not car. It also means I'll be there Monday-to-Friday, 8-5.
7. Actually, I'll be there 4 days a week. We have another 'fluff' course next semester and I won't be taking it. My life experiences negate the class.
8. No one else wants to take the class, either. It's called 'professional development,' but it's basically 44 hours of preparing your resume and working on interview skills. 44 hours I can spend doing something else, thanks. Most people seem intent to skip the course altogether. Good luck graduating.
9. My carpool buddy is doing 2 annoying things right now. First, he's moving back into Vancouver this summer. That means no more HOV lane commute for me. :( Also, he's skipped one of our classes 3 times which most likely means he receives an automatic fail. Going into our final semester is not the time I'd want to have 6 classes. Sucks to be him.
10. My meeting on Friday was awesome!! I got to hear all about the company that's #1 on my list of dream jobs from the guy who runs the place. I was introduced by my instructor as: "One of the most organized and responsible producers I've ever seen." Seriously, coming from someone with over 25 years' experience, that means so much!
11. One of my classmates paid me a rather large compliment the other day. He said whenever he gets frustrated with his work progress he just thinks of me and everything I have to deal with and that gets him motivated again. If I can do it, so can he. He asked me how I cope and I said: "I work hard, I make sure my kids now I exist, I talk with my wife and share my work with her, I cry alot and then I poo a little."
12. OK, I didn't really say that. I could imagine the look on his face, though!!
13. Latina Lady IM's me daily and we 'chat' for a few hours while I work. We've both complained recently about the lack of time to go work out. She said she needs a new workout buddy and I jokingly said I could never be her "w.b." because I'd be distracted all the time. Somehow that convinced her I'd be a good "w.b."
14. Uh oh.
15. Fortunately, nothing will happen exercise/health-wise until I"m done this semester. I don't have time to exercise!!
16. One of my 3D models is giving me a major headache. It's so simple too. I've made a roadway for my environment piece. Part of it is cobblestone, part of it is road with a sidewalk on both sides. The rest is just country road. I've made 3 textures out of 4 (there's some t-intersections where the cobblestone meets the pavement), but the model's all screwed up now. I'm not impressed. :( I've spent 5 hours on it today.
17. I'm convinced 'Alberta' was on 'Battle of the Jaywalk All-Stars 2.' But everytime I try and download the video from the NBC site, the computer crashes. Or the site. I've tried from 7 different computers with no luck.

OK, I think that's enough. I'm sure there's more I've forgotten.

Bouncy Bouncy

Never have I dreaded the walk to campus more than on Wednesdays of this semester. It's a time-consuming class with a growly insctructor. He yells at a lot of people, he patronizes students when they just don't get it. If they try and tell a joke, he usually lashes out at them. He's told 3 students that they won't make it in the profession without getting fired in their first month. It keeps me inside of 2 classrooms from Noon until after 10pm.

Yeah, I only said 'me' in that last sentence. He actually likes me. He doesn't yell at me. He laughs at my jokes. He talks to me like I'm his best friend and confidante.

And he's invited me to have lunch with the CEO of the company for which I want to work after I graduate.

So, as usual, coming home around Midnight (or 2am this week), I was bouncing off the walls for a few hours before finally falling asleep. I never thought I'd be in a position like this. A position where I can start networking. A position where my networking starts at the top.
A position where, no matter what happens, I come up smelling like roses.

Then, this morning, my inbox has a message from one of the members on the team. He's been in touch with friends working for a (not naming them) Major Japanese Company. MJC has a North American division and their interest is piqued because they've never heard of a small group doing such an ambitious project in 6 months. We have 19 people working for 6 months, they usually have 75+ people work for 2 years. Yep, it's ambitious. His email:

"Just wanted to make sure it was okay with you that I'm talking about our project to [MJC]? If so, good because if they like what they see, they'll probably just hire our entire team and move us down to California."

Wha?

Man, time for more bouncing!

Little Bit of Good

I've had 2 bags sitting in my basement for a few years. One for about 3 or 4 years and the other one for nearly 2 years. They were both duffle bags from work. Both were used for a change of clothes after working out in the fitness room.

I didn't want them anymore. They're just taking up space.

I wasn't sure what to do with them. Should I toss them in the trash? Should I put them on the curb for 'Spring Cleanup' and let someone pick them up? It was then I thought about taking them down to one of the thrift stores and donating them. Have some money go to a good cause.

About a week later, though, I had a better idea.

A friend of mine is going to Guatemala this summer as part of a church missions trip. He's one of 25 people going and they're taking part in ministry towards people living in a shanty-town on top of a city dump. The kids go out daily and collect items from the dump to sell.

Imagine how handy a duffle bag would be to carry things? Something that would sell in a thrift store for a couple dollars is worth a fortune down there. One of the bags is quite large. If one of the kids tried filling it with items, they probably wouldn't be able to carry it!

So, the bags are carrying much-needed supplies and toys for the kids. The bags will stay in Guatemala afterward. And they're being used the bast way possible as far as I'm concerned.

I won't deny I struggle with my faith. I wouldn't say 'daily,' but it's close. Sometimes all I need is a little sign telling me I'm doing the right thing.

So, today, as I got the bags ready to go to my friend, I picked up the smaller one and saw something reflecting light inside. Here in the corner of the bag, partially hidden under the seam, was a gold tie-clip my wife gave me for our first anniversary. I thought it long lost all these years. It was sitting in my basement for 4 years. And to think I probably wouldn't have seen it if I hadn't finally decided to use those bags for something good.

Feeling much better now.

Yer a Loser

I'm sure you all recall 'Loser-boy' from school.

A week ago (I just found out today), one of the guys decided it was time to see just how big a loser this guy is. After laughable moments where he couldn't spell 'HUGE' and 'COLOUR' (that's the Canadian spelling, Mad ;) ), it was time for Loser-boy to test his skills with Nintendo's BrainAge.

I've played some of the levels of BrainAge and enjoy the quick math tests. 20 questions, 20 correct answers: 14 seconds and change. I felt pretty good.

Loser-boy gave it a try. 20 questions, 14 correct answers: 5 and a half minutes.

He thought 4x4 equaled 0. The game was waiting for a second digit that it kind of froze before it realized he'd written down his answer. 4x4.....

Wow.
[this post was originally written on May 16th --why it didn't publish.... I don't know]

Endpoint

My parents packed up their stuff and left this morning. They most likely won't be back. We had a final blow-up and the relationship is definitely severed now. Don't expect me to look to mend fences anytime soon. Not in the mood.

As if the "ignoring your kids" on Mother's Day wasn't enough, my parents started an entirely new "bad idea" late yesterday.

When they got home late last night (late being just before my daughter's bedtime), they started talking about all the dolls and Barbie stuff they plan on bringing down "now that [they] have a granddaughter."

In front of my daughter. They said it in front of my daughter.

So, while cradling her and wiping tears away, I explained to her that it's important to remember who's special little girl she is. And who's special little granddaughter she is. If someone doesn't see her for who she is, they don't deserve to get to know just how special she is. There's people who love her to bits and will always be there for her.

Just not my parents.

I'm used to the crap my parents throw around. I've been around long enough that it doesn't even stick anymore (and anything they say to me just passes by as unimportant). They can attack me and I'll shrug it off. They can attack my wife and I'll stand up to them. They attack my children... and they're not allowed in the same house. Ever.

Quippy

On fire this morning.

Loyal readers may recall the tales of 'Hottie' who gave me a ride to the wedding last spring... She's hurt her back (I said she was too rough on her boyfriend, but she strained it on the rowing machine...) and is seeing a chiropractor. The following is quoted from a conversation between Hottie, J. (a classmate) & I over coffee in the cafeteria this morning:

Hottie - "Going to the chiropractor again."
Me - "Yeah?"
Hottie - "Yeah. Ever had your leg strapped up and then pulled to straighten your spine?"
Me - "No. Actually, if it involves latex and feathers, then yes."

J. sprayed coffee out his nose. Seriously, he does it once a month. I should watch what I say in front of him.

Mother F--- Day!

I mentioned in a previous post that my parents are down right now. My sister had her little girl on Friday and my parents are down (& sticking around) until Wednesday.

With tomorrow being Mother's Day, we all know what should be happening, right?

My Mom's either spending the day with her son (me) or her daughter and brand new grand-daughter. It's obvious.

Well, actually, she's spending it with my sister's mother-in-law.

What the Hell? Her kids aren't good enough for her?

Fine. You don't think we're good enough --just wait.

Bacon!

So, while waiting for news on my impending neice or nephew, I watched Jumanji this morning with my kids.

I'd forgotten about this, but my mother pointed it out at the end of the film... my babysitter played the pianist (the party at the end of the movie).

Small world, eh?

Well, then I got thinking about the 6 degrees of Kevin Bacon and I guess technically, that means I'm a 4.

1. There's me.
2. My babysitter in 'Jumanji' with Robin Williams.
3. Robin Williams starred in 'Awakenings' with Robert De Niro.
4. Robert De Niro starred in 'Sleepers' with... Kevin Bacon!

Yay!

In case I haven't mentioned it before: I'm in dire need of sleep these days. I'm taking care of the kids during the day and going to school at night. That means homework gets done between midnight and 4 am...

Family ties...

usually a knot... perfect for a noose.

Yeah, it's super-fun happy family time again. *sigh*

I could start out with whining about my sister's husband "forgetting" to call today. Normally, I wouldn't care, but I kinda wanted to know if my sister was having a boy or girl.

Y'know, no biggie. We knew she was having the baby today, because it took use about a month to convince my parents that they may actually want to be around for the birth of one of their grandchildren. They weren't around for my 2 kids and they weren't around for my (4 going on 70 --remind me about "the comb-over kid" later) nephew's birth. Make one out of the 4, already, will you?

They've been getting antsy all day waiting for word. Personally, I'd have just driven to the hospital to get the news. She had a C-section, after all.

It's a girl. I'll be going in later today to see her.

My brother-in-law forgot to call the house, so my parents finally gave up and drove in. They called (it took me an hour to convince them to call me when they had news) me about an hour ago to let me know I'm an uncle again.

Now we just have to pray this kid turns out normal. My nephew had major heart problems which --I was scolded by a social worker about-- had nothing to do with my sister's 3-pack-a-day smoking habit.

Anyone want a family, by the way?

Well Worn Shoes

I tossed a pair of shoes into the garbage yesterday. They were 12 years old, quite worn out, and well-traveled.

Those shoes saw many nature trails, several miles of English road, helped me climb a church spire, and carried me home in a drunken stupor on more than one occasion.

They turned into lawn-mowing shoes since we moved into the house and were replaced as my everyday sneakers twoce-over since then.

The air cushion had completely fallen out of one of the shoes, so I walked with a slight limp whenever I wore them. There was no tread left on the bottom, so walking on grass that was even slightly wet became hazardous.

And with my record of outdoor injuries, I felt it best to avoid that.

So the shoes are gone. Shoes that have been a part of my life for the birth of 2 children. A part of my life when I broke up with a longtime girlfriend, and the courting of my eventual wife. They've been through the troubles, the happy times, and a whole mess of other things that have happened in between.

In some ways, the shoes are like me. Falling apart a little, feeling --and looking-- worn out. More than a few dings, scrapes and stains along the way.

But they still provided me some support.

On My Mind....

I have about a half-dozen drafts going right now. Different thoughts/rants about various subjects. I start working on one, but get called away or other 'busy' stuff.

That's the nice thing about writing online. Even if my thoughts stray, I can just save it and come back to it later.

ONE DAY, I'll manage to finish those drafts and hopefully they'll make sense.

One day...

Taxed 2 Death

Sunday's the last day to file income tax in Canada. My wife's been stressing out because I hadn't yet filed our taxes. I wasn't too worried about filing because we're both getting refunds. And no government is going to come after me if they're owing me money!

But, to appease my wife, I filed our taxes today. Thanks to Dreama for pointing out the free software available online! It went by pretty easily, but I always have a sense of forboding whenever I file our taxes. I always figure I'll get bitten one of these years, no matter how carefully I go over everything to ensure that everything is filed correctly!

We'll see what this year holds, yes?

All the Little Things....

• My wife has been talking to one of the people who was in the meeting room on my last day at work. This person's the union rep. and my wife is asking questions about her status in the office. She's following a familiar path... been there for years, but doesn't seem to be any further ahead. The union rep. has asked about me, but I'm not exactly sure what all to say to her. I mean, besides what I'm up to these days. I'd rather wait until I'm done with school, though.
• One of my oldest friends from the office was asking my wife about me the other day too. I haven't talked to her since I left as she was working in the same department where Drama Queen transferred to (before moving back, then getting fired). I was never sure just what all rumours Drama Queen spread about me after I'd left, but I'd heard enough to know people will believe anything. Needless to say, I haven't talked to her yet. Maybe one day.
• That being said, I've emailed pictures of the kids to those I still talk to on a semi-regular basis. How to read this: I sent the email on Tuesday and haven't heard a peep from any of them. Is it just that they're too busy to reply, or do they just not care anymore?
• Yes, Sex Caffeine was among the email recipients. It's been 4 months since we last shared an email conversation and almost a year since we last saw each other in person. So, uh, there.
• For a starving student, I'm sounding pretty damned successful these days. Producing a video game. Typing this on one computer while the brand new computer hums politely beside me (with some 3D rendering going on). If everything works out, the brand new digital camera (a Fujifilm 5.2 megapixel) arrives tomorrow.
• The reality is this: 1 - the new computer cost me $272. My parents threw in the rest. The new digital camera is an eBay deal. The LCD's damaged. So, instead of being a $400 camera, it was a $23 camera.
• But I am producing that video game.
• The big lazy ass, mentioned in the previous post, got his comeuppance on Wednesday night. The instructor who's mentoring us through the game production wigged out on him and shrunk the poor boy down to a few inches in height. Then, when he was done, he discovered that I'd already 'yelled' at the poor bastard. Well, the yelling started again at the poor guy and he was asked if he'd prefer me yelling at him or the mentor. I don't think I've ever really been the good guy before.
• A little p.o.'d about 'Lost' last night (although I watched it at Midnight when I got home). I swear they've had the same cliffhanger ending for about 3 weeks or more. Yeah, it was another 'retro' episode (much like Desperate Housewives & Grey's Anatomy this week). It makes me think that the CSI & Cold Cade shows have the right idea. The story is the focus and the characterization is almost a footnote in the episode. For some reason it works, we get the slightest hint into their personal lives and we want more. We don't get much, but enough to keep us going.
• I think I've run into another person from my past. My best friend for the majority of my teenage years had a major crush on this girl back in the late 80s. Don't get me wrong, she was cute, but we never totally got along. Our parents never liked each other, so the feud continued to the next generation. I think she has a kid in my daughter's class. There was a lady with familiar eyes (it's always the eyes for me) waiting outside for her kid. We kept staring at each other, but my son was keeping me duly distracted that I never had a chance to approach her. It's probably been 16 year since I last saw her, so it could very well be her. After all, when I ran into my old best friend one night, I thought he was some drunken lout looking for a fight...
  
• I'm sorry I haven't written more this year. Slow blogging year, but freakin' busy everywhere else.