Monday, February 26, 2007
SETI at home as a security device
Apparantly SETI at home hasn't found any aleins, but it has tracked down a stolen laptop.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Games
I've been wanting to play a game for a while. I have a few options.
The XBox isn't usually a good option, because it's set up on the main TV for the family. I don't mind it, but that does mean that if someone else is watching TV --no Xbox for me.
I'd like to play a good RPG, but those are lacking. I purchased Neverwinter Nights 2 a while ago and have played through the first few areas a few times as different characters, trying to figure out what I'd like to play. I'll probably go back to it at some point, but I'm not sure that point is now.
I'm tempted to go back to playing World of Warcraft, only because I found out my brother plays, and I'd love to hang out more with him (but nobody tell him I said that). Of course, WoW is a time sink, and one I'm not sure I want to get involved with again. Besides, my brother is only playing through the middle of April, and last I heard he's level 32, which will take some catching up.
The sad part of all this for me is that there just isn't much I want to play, period. The last game I really wanted to play was Gears of War, and playing through about 2/3 of it on "hardcore" has pretty much burned that desire right out of me.
It's also not like I don't have other things I could be doing. I could, for example, be working on any one of my goals for this year.
But honestly, I just don't feel like it.
The XBox isn't usually a good option, because it's set up on the main TV for the family. I don't mind it, but that does mean that if someone else is watching TV --no Xbox for me.
I'd like to play a good RPG, but those are lacking. I purchased Neverwinter Nights 2 a while ago and have played through the first few areas a few times as different characters, trying to figure out what I'd like to play. I'll probably go back to it at some point, but I'm not sure that point is now.
I'm tempted to go back to playing World of Warcraft, only because I found out my brother plays, and I'd love to hang out more with him (but nobody tell him I said that). Of course, WoW is a time sink, and one I'm not sure I want to get involved with again. Besides, my brother is only playing through the middle of April, and last I heard he's level 32, which will take some catching up.
The sad part of all this for me is that there just isn't much I want to play, period. The last game I really wanted to play was Gears of War, and playing through about 2/3 of it on "hardcore" has pretty much burned that desire right out of me.
It's also not like I don't have other things I could be doing. I could, for example, be working on any one of my goals for this year.
But honestly, I just don't feel like it.
Showpocalypse!
Last night Frangelica and I went to see our buddy Ktorrek. We had a great time as usual. Unfortunately, as soon as we got there it started to snow.
It turned into what the folks back in Virginia would call "Snowpocalypse!!!!!!" or even "Snowmageddon!!!!!!!!" (the ! are necessary). That didn't stop us from having dinner, but it did eventually stop us from coming home until this morning. Unfortunately I had to sleep without my machine, which means I only slept for about 4 hours, and only for some limited definition of sleep.
Anyway, as I type this I'm looking out a window and it seems that Snowpocalypse has followed us down from Madtown. If I were back in VA there would be panic in the streets. Except there would be snow in the streets, so really, there would be panic in the homes. And there would be a run on toilet paper and milk. Here I think we'll just stay in until the streets clear.
It turned into what the folks back in Virginia would call "Snowpocalypse!!!!!!" or even "Snowmageddon!!!!!!!!" (the ! are necessary). That didn't stop us from having dinner, but it did eventually stop us from coming home until this morning. Unfortunately I had to sleep without my machine, which means I only slept for about 4 hours, and only for some limited definition of sleep.
Anyway, as I type this I'm looking out a window and it seems that Snowpocalypse has followed us down from Madtown. If I were back in VA there would be panic in the streets. Except there would be snow in the streets, so really, there would be panic in the homes. And there would be a run on toilet paper and milk. Here I think we'll just stay in until the streets clear.
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Welcome to the blogosphere
A buddy of mine is now blogging over on myspace. He includes pictures of what he's seen driving around Kansas City. So far, this is my favorite.
You have to love holy water on tap.
You have to love holy water on tap.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Slow news day
I'm a little quieter here than I'd like but that's because I'm updating my gaming blog, which at this time has a very restricted readership.
Anyway, I've listed more stuff to sell on half, including a couple of XBox 360 games. Here's the link to the store. I actually sold one of the trade paperbacks, which is surprising. I dropped the prices so that even with shipping it's less than cover price, which I'm sure helps.
I have quit playing Gears of War for the moment. I've run into a maddening snag. As I've mentioned previously I'm trying to play it through on the "hardcore" setting. Well, the mission "Belly of the beast: Tip of the iceberg" is kicking my butt. What's worse is that every time it restarts it's two minutes before I see action, with two conversations and a cut scene that I can't button through.
If I hear Cole say, "Look at all that juice" one more time I'm going to throw my controller through the TV. It wouldn't be so bad if I could save at the point right before the fight starts so I didn't have to sit through two minutes of dead game. I hate cut scenes I can't button through.
Anyway, I've listed more stuff to sell on half, including a couple of XBox 360 games. Here's the link to the store. I actually sold one of the trade paperbacks, which is surprising. I dropped the prices so that even with shipping it's less than cover price, which I'm sure helps.
I have quit playing Gears of War for the moment. I've run into a maddening snag. As I've mentioned previously I'm trying to play it through on the "hardcore" setting. Well, the mission "Belly of the beast: Tip of the iceberg" is kicking my butt. What's worse is that every time it restarts it's two minutes before I see action, with two conversations and a cut scene that I can't button through.
If I hear Cole say, "Look at all that juice" one more time I'm going to throw my controller through the TV. It wouldn't be so bad if I could save at the point right before the fight starts so I didn't have to sit through two minutes of dead game. I hate cut scenes I can't button through.
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
My love for you is like a truck
I did manage to get my favorite XBox 360 achievement yet, titled...
My love for you is like a truck
I don't even know why I like it so much. It just sounds cool.
Domestic Explorer
Today I dubbed Harley a domestic explorer.
He constantly tries to get to places he shouldn't around the house. He is fearless. Even spritzing him with the water bottle doesn't dissuade him for long. He's sort of like Indiana Jones, only annoying and furry. And stinky.
Anyway there's not much else going on this week. I still have books up on half and none of them have sold. I think that it's going to be much more difficult to sell trade paperbacks on half than it is to sell more expensive items, because the paperbacks are relatively cheap and shipping isn't. I plan to cut the prices some more and see if they go. If not I'll donate them to the local library or the goodwill.
My diet isn't going quite as well as I had hoped. If I read my scale right I've only lost 1 pound in the last couple of weeks. This is kind of upsetting because the last time I was on Atkins I lost 30 pounds without trying. I'm wondering if my lack of exercise has anything to do with it. Since I moved out here I don't even run around the office to talk to people any more.
So, I've started walking a few nights a week with Frangelica at our local mall. The mall itself is kind of lame, but it's well lit and temperature controlled, so we can reasonably walk there when it's 10 degrees outside.
Anyway, until next time...
WATCH THE SKIES!
He constantly tries to get to places he shouldn't around the house. He is fearless. Even spritzing him with the water bottle doesn't dissuade him for long. He's sort of like Indiana Jones, only annoying and furry. And stinky.
Anyway there's not much else going on this week. I still have books up on half and none of them have sold. I think that it's going to be much more difficult to sell trade paperbacks on half than it is to sell more expensive items, because the paperbacks are relatively cheap and shipping isn't. I plan to cut the prices some more and see if they go. If not I'll donate them to the local library or the goodwill.
My diet isn't going quite as well as I had hoped. If I read my scale right I've only lost 1 pound in the last couple of weeks. This is kind of upsetting because the last time I was on Atkins I lost 30 pounds without trying. I'm wondering if my lack of exercise has anything to do with it. Since I moved out here I don't even run around the office to talk to people any more.
So, I've started walking a few nights a week with Frangelica at our local mall. The mall itself is kind of lame, but it's well lit and temperature controlled, so we can reasonably walk there when it's 10 degrees outside.
Anyway, until next time...
WATCH THE SKIES!
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Ultimate Gaming Table
One day this shall be mine.
Until then our kitchen table with Tact-Tiles still works nicely. Though if I were buying today I'd seriously consider flip-mats instead.
Until then our kitchen table with Tact-Tiles still works nicely. Though if I were buying today I'd seriously consider flip-mats instead.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Atkins, sleep, and insurance.
I will be out of the induction phase of Atkins on Monday. I'm looking forward to some fake carbs. I'll have to hit my buddy up for some of his cheesecake made with splenda.
I do have a weigh in but it's a few days old. I've lost 4 pounds so far. W00t!
Otherwise I've been busy with a DM-only blog for my Ptolus campaign. I've limited the readership because I don't want my own players snooping around. I believe Frangelica intends to start a player's blog, but she hasn't done it yet.
I'm currently having a bit of trouble with my doctor and my insurance company. I have a CPAP machine. Once again I am in need of parts. We have this clever new cat that managed to tear up the elastic that holds the mask on, and I need it replaced. You'd think I was asking for narcotics.
I've jumped through hoops and managed to get an appointment with a specialist, because my regular doctor can't give me a prescription even if I'm dying. In the meantime I located an underground organization willing to supply me with select CPAP parts. I was able to get a replacement for the elastic by leaving a large number of small unmarked non-sequential bills in a plain brown bag in a barrel under a bridge. Later I received the elastic along with a nice note assuring me that the dark stain is not blood.
In the meantime I am eagerly awaiting the specialist's call.
Clearly, the only person who values my health and well-being in this whole process is me.
I do have a weigh in but it's a few days old. I've lost 4 pounds so far. W00t!
Otherwise I've been busy with a DM-only blog for my Ptolus campaign. I've limited the readership because I don't want my own players snooping around. I believe Frangelica intends to start a player's blog, but she hasn't done it yet.
I'm currently having a bit of trouble with my doctor and my insurance company. I have a CPAP machine. Once again I am in need of parts. We have this clever new cat that managed to tear up the elastic that holds the mask on, and I need it replaced. You'd think I was asking for narcotics.
I've jumped through hoops and managed to get an appointment with a specialist, because my regular doctor can't give me a prescription even if I'm dying. In the meantime I located an underground organization willing to supply me with select CPAP parts. I was able to get a replacement for the elastic by leaving a large number of small unmarked non-sequential bills in a plain brown bag in a barrel under a bridge. Later I received the elastic along with a nice note assuring me that the dark stain is not blood.
In the meantime I am eagerly awaiting the specialist's call.
Clearly, the only person who values my health and well-being in this whole process is me.
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Calls for Cthulhu
Cthulhu is having a bit of insomnia. He's not really awake yet so we're ok.
But he does have his own call in show.
But he does have his own call in show.
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Atkins take 3, day 2
I was supposed to start Atkins a week ago, but I caught the plague. Or as I like to call it, TEH PLAGUEXX0R. It worked its way through everybody, including my spinster sister. She has dubbed me "plague boy" because I was the last to have it before her.
I was all set to write my starting weight here until I found out what it was. Instead maybe I'll operate in changes. So far I'm at 0. Suffice it to say that I could stand to lose about half my current weight.
Otherwise there isn't much new to report. Last Thursday and Friday I stayed in bed and watched T.V. Daytime T.V. still sucks, but it has some high points. I'm a sucker for most of the "reality" court shows like The People's Court. Mostly I have a fascination with human stupidity. Thus, I tend to also enjoy train wrecks like Jerry Springer. Now that we're closer to Chicgao I hope to actually attend a taping some day.
I did manage to put some of paperbacks I've been reading up on half. Go buy them.
Anyway, back to the grind.
I was all set to write my starting weight here until I found out what it was. Instead maybe I'll operate in changes. So far I'm at 0. Suffice it to say that I could stand to lose about half my current weight.
Otherwise there isn't much new to report. Last Thursday and Friday I stayed in bed and watched T.V. Daytime T.V. still sucks, but it has some high points. I'm a sucker for most of the "reality" court shows like The People's Court. Mostly I have a fascination with human stupidity. Thus, I tend to also enjoy train wrecks like Jerry Springer. Now that we're closer to Chicgao I hope to actually attend a taping some day.
I did manage to put some of paperbacks I've been reading up on half. Go buy them.
Anyway, back to the grind.
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
New Year, new resolutions
For all my reader (Hi Mom), here are my New Year's resolutions. I haven't ever posted my resolutions before because I usually don't make them. This year I have several.
Here they are in no particular order:
Here they are in no particular order:
- Lose weight
- Beat down debt
For the past few years my debt has been going up. Starting this year it's going down.
- Start accumulating wealth
I somehow managed to get a small savings account while living in VA. It's mostly gone now. I'd like to have some savings again.
- Budget
Make one and stick to it. This is part of the set of things I used to do but don't any more. It's probably why I've accumulated so much debt and depleted my savings.
- Write at least one video game
This is my dark secret. I work in the gaming industry and have never written a video game by myself. I started to a couple of times when I was much younger, on my TI994/a but I never finished anything.
- Finish that Arcana Unearthed Item Maker I've been working on
Enough is enough. I just need to finish the darn thing. I have code for everything except the weapon and armor builder, which is the most complex bit. I'm hung up on the UI.
- Update this blog at least once a week.
I really let this slide last year.
- Read at least 4 technical books, or books that are designed to make me a better programmer
I did OK with this last year. I need to keep it up.
- Post 12 articles to my company's internal web site
This is part of my plan for world domination.
- Submit a presentation for GDC for next year
I have to list this in this year's goals because of the lead time. Also part of my plan for world domination.
- Break 2000 points on my gamer card
I bought quite a few games this holiday season, including Splinter Cell: Double Agent, ES4: Oblivion (side note: technically it's TES4, not ES4 --I never liked that we abbreviated "The" even when I worked at Bethesda Softworks on TES3), and Gears of War. I'm chomping at the bit to play Gears. I'd also really like to get Lego Star Wars 2. Oh, and Dead Rising. I'm sure there will be more.
- Sell or otherwise get rid of more of my stuff
EBay and Half.com worked pretty well back when we were moving to the new place in VA. Now I have a storage area with a bunch of stuff I haven't seen in 6 months. I'm sure I can find something to sell. The idea is to end 2007 with less stuff than I started with.
- Start meditating again
When I was meditating regularly I felt better. Seriously.
- Give up caffeine
I feel better when I don't drink caffeine. And yet I drink it by the bucket.
- Keep the Ptolus game going
I have yet to have a game that's lasted more than a single (pre-written) adventure. I have a decent group and I'd like to keep it together.
That's the list. Now I need to make one suitable for printing.
Wednesday, December 20, 2006
Merry Christmas from Chicago
So about 3 weeks ago I bought the 360.
A couple of days ago I got a note in the mail from the City of Chicago Department of Revenue. It turns out that on our quick trip back into the city to return the defective 360 to Microcenter I turned right on a red light where I wasn't supposed to.
Frangelica and I were both in the car and neither one of us saw the sign. Naturally, the sign is quite visible int the grainy photo that came with the ticket.
In theory I could contest the ticket via mail, but I think that's unlikely to succeed. They list 6 valid reasons to contest the ticket and "I didn't see the sign even though both my passenger and I looked" is not listed among them.
So, Happy Holidays Chicago.
Maybe they'll use the $90 to help repay the legal fees.
A couple of days ago I got a note in the mail from the City of Chicago Department of Revenue. It turns out that on our quick trip back into the city to return the defective 360 to Microcenter I turned right on a red light where I wasn't supposed to.
Frangelica and I were both in the car and neither one of us saw the sign. Naturally, the sign is quite visible int the grainy photo that came with the ticket.
In theory I could contest the ticket via mail, but I think that's unlikely to succeed. They list 6 valid reasons to contest the ticket and "I didn't see the sign even though both my passenger and I looked" is not listed among them.
So, Happy Holidays Chicago.
Maybe they'll use the $90 to help repay the legal fees.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Monday, December 11, 2006
Programming board game
Programming and snowboarding. Two great tastes*...
*I don't snowboard. The closest thing I get to snowboarding is SSX.
Monday, November 27, 2006
Striding boldly forward into current generation gaming technology
As you can see via the newly modified "about me" section, I finally gave in over the weekend and bought an XBox 360. Microcenter had a deal that was too good to pass up. A $100 mail in rebate on any XBox 360 console.
Of course, the first console I brought home had a bad hard drive, so I had to exchange it. Did I mention that microcenter is about an hour and a half away?
The new console works just fine. I played Kameo for a few hours yesterday. It's fun, but I'm not sure it's my kind of game. I'll give it a little while more and then probably move on to Full Auto.
Of course, the first console I brought home had a bad hard drive, so I had to exchange it. Did I mention that microcenter is about an hour and a half away?
The new console works just fine. I played Kameo for a few hours yesterday. It's fun, but I'm not sure it's my kind of game. I'll give it a little while more and then probably move on to Full Auto.
Thursday, November 09, 2006
The Dorm Room
I've known about this for quite a while but I keep forgetting to post it.
My buddy D-Rod went and made a movie based on a play he wrote in college. It premiers this Sunday. Check it out!
www.dormroommovie.com
My buddy D-Rod went and made a movie based on a play he wrote in college. It premiers this Sunday. Check it out!
www.dormroommovie.com
And then there were 7
I've been talking about running a couple of different D&D games for a while. Since before Frangelica and I moved back out to Rockford. Heck, one of the advantages to moving back here was that I could (in theory) muster the old group. No hunting for new players, wandering if they were giant goobers or not.
The old group didn't work out. Folks were too busy. It made me sad, but it happens. I was semi-intentionally dragging my feet in finding new players, hoping maybe the old group would come together after all.
That's when Frangelica mentioned that she'd made a few friends in one of her classes. They seemed cool, and were interested in gaming.
So now, just like that, I have 7 players (including Frangelica).
We're rolling up characters this weekend. I'm looking forward to gaming again.
The old group didn't work out. Folks were too busy. It made me sad, but it happens. I was semi-intentionally dragging my feet in finding new players, hoping maybe the old group would come together after all.
That's when Frangelica mentioned that she'd made a few friends in one of her classes. They seemed cool, and were interested in gaming.
So now, just like that, I have 7 players (including Frangelica).
We're rolling up characters this weekend. I'm looking forward to gaming again.
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