| Wow, an update! Been a looooooong time. |
[30 Oct 2005|09:31am] |
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Well, it's been a really long time since I updated this. I was just sitting here going through my old bookmarks when I came across it. I don't know if anyone actually checks this anymore, so primarily this will be for me as a record of a day in my life. I opened this page up this morning just for some laughs mainly, and I got a whole lot more. It reminded me of where I've been, of tough times in my life, and of the amazing and wonderful things I've been lucky to experience. It reminded me of what I've lost and what I've gained, and how different my life is from just 3 years ago. I did a list in one of my earlier posts and I think it worked pretty well, so here comes another! This is close to being in chronological order from my last update in November 2003:
1. I got skinny again, down to 295lbs, which sounds like a lot but not if you've met me, doing Atkins. I continued working at America's Army. (one of the best times in my life)
2. My digestive system went crazy that summer, probably from some low-carb foods containing bread substitutes.
3. I lived in horrible pain every day for six months, had enough of it, then had surgery. (one of the worst times in my life)
4. Over this time period, America's Army kind of self-destructed. Leadership was removed, and most of the team disintegrated and left.
5. I proposed to Dottie, Christmas Day 2004, she said yes!
6. I quit America's Army and we moved to Los Angeles. Still trying to figure out if it was the right move for us. Has been tremendous for my career and skills as an artist, but we lost a lot of things we had grown to love.
7. I got fat again. Not as fat as before, but fat. Going to fix it as soon as I get the courage to try again, it's hard.
8. I got married, October 1st. 2005 in Pennsylvania. Got to see my family, many of whom I hadn't seen in years. A roller coaster of hellos and goodbyes and tears and laughter.
9. Surviving. Trying to enjoy what I have and not what's around the corner. Learning to enjoy the moment is a skill I haven't mastered yet but desperately want to.
Maybe there will be some good football on tv today. Atlanta has a bi-week, but I will try to catch the Eagles game if it's available. Maybe we'll see a movie. I have a pumpkin to carve, so Dottie and I will probably do that also. We'll set them out on our deck and see if they make it through Halloween.
I want to get outside of this apartment for awhile, away from the city. It looks pretty nice outside. I miss the outdoors, going down to the water in Monterey and watching the seals and the otters swimming. The aquarium, the drive down highway 1 through the sand dunes, the sun on the water. I miss the mountains outside my porch, the rainbows on the farmland in the morning on my drive to work. Los Angeles has a lot of great things, but scenic views is not one of them. There is the ocean, but it gets lost in the sea of suburbs and buildings. It's a big city, but it feels small, confined. I can't see 2 miles away from windows like before, now I can only see 50 ft. to the next plaster wall and window. We'll see how it goes, this Los Angeles. I don't think our journey ends here.
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| Another Update! |
[18 Nov 2003|11:41pm] |
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Neil Young - Philadelphia |
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Call me butter cause I'm on a roll! Whoa, three updates, crazy!
Alright well not much has happened since my last update. I picked up the gift set of The Two Towers because I must have my Gollum statue. And if that makes me a fanboy of LOTR than so be it! I can't wait to watch it, 43 minutes of extra goodness. My eyes will be in paradise.
I've been working on a lot of 3d/textures lately, mostly on stuff I can't talk about here. It can wear you out, but having lots of work is probably better than no work. I want to start working on a new animation soon, something just for fun that won't cause me too much stress.
Oh well, I have tons going on but most of it I can't talk about anywhere, so I guess there's not too much else I can report. The human tongue has over 9000 taste buds and it's anatomically impossible for humans to lick their own elbows. Now THAT'S interesting!
Until later!
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| Mastered my commander |
[16 Nov 2003|09:17am] |
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None right now but you never know when some might break out |
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I caught Master and Commander last night and it was great! Don't listen to those that say it is boring, their attention span has probably been fried from too many movies like 2 Fast 2 Furious. Russell Crowe turns in a typically great performance, and the movie shows that no expense was spared in authentically portraying life on a ship at this time. It actually develops characters, IS INTELLIGENT, and even has awesome action scenes as well. Yep, it IS possible to make a movie that has all of those things. MaC is easily the first movie this year that I could actually see being nominated for something. I have to say that overall this year has been PISS POOR for movies. Only now may things be starting to turn around. Looks like some good stuff is finally starting to be released.
Weather today is nice and sunny, in the 60's. The same as it is pretty much everyday here. I'm still thinking that's a good thing, although I do miss seeing the seasons change. Anyways I got stuff to do, another update later today.
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| Whoa, I forgot I had this thing still. |
[14 Nov 2003|10:57pm] |
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Christmas Music |
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Hey everybody! LOOOOONG time since I last posted. I don't know if anyone even checks this thing anymore. Anyways I will try to update this more often, but I'm a busy man so no promises. So lots of stuff has happened since I last updated. Rather than go through everything in detail, here is a checklist:
1. I left that sorry ass job at Friedman's Jewelers.
2. I went to the GDC in San Jose and didn't get a job there (and almost died on a plane.)
3. I didn't work anywhere afterward and was on the verge of being a broke-ass Savannah chump when...
4. I got a job working on the PC game, America's Army www.americasarmy.com as a texture artist.
5. I moved to California.
6. I bought a brand new car, a Mazda 6s: v6 engine, black ext., exhaust tips, 6-disc changer.
7. I live with Dottie in a nice apartment in Salinas, CA.
That pretty much sums up the last few months. Amazing times and I am truly blessed. I really can't complain about anything right now, and I'm just going to try to enjoy life. It took a lot of hard work to get here and a lot of luck too.
And now for what's going on right now:
Ahhh, Fridays, they're great aren't they? Dottie and I are planning to catch the movie Master and Commander sometime this weekend. I wasn't initially interested in the movie but it has gotten so many great reviews I can't ignore it. I'm dying to experience a thinking man's movie, it's been so long now since I've seen anything with intelligence at the movies. I'm really looking forward to Return of the King and The Last Samurai. I NEED GOOD MOVIES! I can't take anymore junk.
I'm in the market for a new scanner, the one I have works but is using the outdated ISA card format. So essentially I have to hang on to a 3 year old computer just to use it. I will probably look at another HP scanner, as they have proven very reliable. When I have any free time I want to start doing some highly polished/finished fantasy paintings. I plan to draw them on paper and color them in Painter or Photoshop. Just something I've always wanted to do and haven't really thrown myself into 100 percent.
I'm finding myself very open to catching the Christmas spirit this year. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact this will be my first Christmas away from my family. I am going to miss my family, the cats sleeping beneath the tree, the brisk air and grey skies, warm cookies and music in the living room. I am going to miss all of it. I guess part of growing up and going out on your own is that you can't do some things anymore. It just doesn't work out sometimes. I will try to make the best of it though and have a great Christmas here. Perhaps afterward my family will visit to see where I'm living. Oh yeah, if you want a great new Christmas movie go see Elf. It's a kind-hearted movie and Buddy the Elf's innocence may be something that we all wish we could reclaim.
Talk to you soon...
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[01 Apr 2003|09:55pm] |
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test
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[01 Apr 2003|09:52pm] |
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working full time sux.
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[18 Feb 2003|02:43pm] |
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I went home early from work today, w00t! But it's cause I'm sick :( I have a cold. My gf and I got some lunch and now I'm back. I'm gonna grab some zzzzzz's until later this evening.
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| #@%@%!!% |
[09 Feb 2003|02:13pm] |
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GRRRR I JUST TYPED OUT THIS LONG ASS UPDATE AND IT SAID INVALID PASS. OMFG. All GONE. I will update this again when I'm not pissed off anymore.
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| Yo yo yo |
[03 Dec 2002|11:39am] |
I know I've been neglecting this for awhile, so I'm going to try to start updating it again.
I had a great Thanksgiving, but it was too short. I hate money, I hate what people have to do to get it, I hate the importance society puts on it. There's a big adjustment that I'm making now in the way that I view the world. I think schools do a great disservice to students in terms of preparation for getting a job. I've finally started to realize that it's no longer about what you *know* but about what you can *do*. School does the opposite of that. They fill your head with knowledge and test you on what you can tell them, but you know how often that happens in the real world? Almost never. Employers out there don't give a shit about what you know, all they want to know is what can you DO for them. I think schools are failing their seniors by not preparing them better for the job market.
Anyways, I had to leave home early(Thanksgiving day!) to come back to Savannah to work at 8am in the mall for four hours, making next to nothing. So for the measly 20 bucks I probably made I miss out on a day with my family which gets together only 3 or 4 times a year. The manager(who's younger than me, and doesn't know jack about games, nor have a college degree) told me I would be getting about 20-25 hours a week, but so far I've been getting more like 8. So I'm going to tell her to take the job and cram it because they're just using me to work the crappy shifts. I'm not getting paid enough to make it worth it. I'm hoping and crossing my fingers that the temp agency Randstad can find me something soon. I realize I've made some pretty poor choices since I graduated, and I hope that I haven't hurt my chances in finding a job in my field(computer graphics.) It started with me taking a break(I was sooooo tired of being in school) and now I know I've neglected my responsibilities for too long.
Anyways, I'm trying to fix the situation any way that I can. I plan on finishing up my demo reel and 2d portfolio and sending some off after Christmas. The Game Developer's Conference is in early March, and I'm going to try to work out a way to attend because if I can I think I have a good chance of getting a job. Right now the only obstacle is money because the conference is in San Jose, CA. So my plan is to get a full time job as soon as possible and start saving up. I don't think I can count on my parents to help me out, but I will see if they can help.
ENOUGH SERIOUS STUFF!
I'm looking forward to The Tower Towers, I can't wait to see it. I've read some prerelease reviews and they all say good things. You have to be careful though, because every other place I look has spoilers. I'm trying my best to go in fresh.
My CS clan Iron Chef just signed up for CAL yesterday, we have seven members which I hope will be enough. I think we will do good, if not great. I see the only thing holding us back is the new people not having as strong a sense of teamwork as the older members. We have our own server now and we're ready I think, wish us luck!
Well, that's it for now! I'll be posting to this again, I hope some people still check this every now and then hehe. Peace!
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| w00t! |
[06 Sep 2002|06:05pm] |
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Shallow Hal...just finished, pretty funny, and actually good |
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I finally got a response from my cousin about the tshirt stuff. It turns out that I timed my emails poorly apparently as he was just taking off for a trip to the Caribbean. I want to go.....NO ONE ASKED ME! j/k. Ahh well, he wants me to give him a call on September 19th. That's a little late, but I guess better than never. I'm sure I'll catch all kinds of crap from ppl until then though. "WHAT ABOUT IN THE MEAN TIME???! WHY DON'T YOU GET A JOB!!!!".......LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE PPL! Arghhh.... I'm trying, and if I can do this it would be sweet, and I would enjoy the work I'm sure.
You ever eat something, and then it feels like it didn't quite get swallowed all the way? I just ate some Spree, and it feels like I have one lodged in my throat. Anyways, I'm trying to think up a quote for today, it'll be up soon. Um, not much else going on. I've been watching some shows on prisons on the History Channel. Alcatraz! If you've never been I suggest you go there, it was very interesting. I love California. Ahhh..................
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| Hello! |
[05 Sep 2002|02:53pm] |
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These Days by Nico (PWNZ!) |
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Hey everybody, wasssssup. I slept like crap last night, I must've woken up six times atleast. I think part of it was I had some soda before bed, and also that Dottie is sick and was coughing nonstop. Anyways, I crawled out of bed at 11:30. Oh yeah, I then realized that the movie I had rented, Shallow Hal, was due back at 12! AND I NEVER GOT TO SEE IT!!!! Arghhh.... Let me just throw more money away. That's the second time that's happened to me recently, and I must say that I hate Blockbuster's NOON return policy. If I had gotten it from Hollywood Video I would still have it until midnight :( Anyways, I figured since I was out driving I'd go to the gym right afterwards, so I did. The weather here is very nice today, it has cooled off a lot since just a couple of weeks ago. Well, this is pretty boring! Nothing too thrilling to write at the moment. I do however possess strawberry fig newtons, so let the jealousy begin......now. Quote of the Day Forthcoming.
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| It's That Time Again |
[05 Sep 2002|12:27am] |
Well well well....What do I say now.....Kelly won American Idol.....whoop dee doo. And uh, probably some more stuff happened in the world too. I'm bored. I need a job. I need a job that doesn't suck. And I would also like lots of money, but I don't want to do a lot of stuff for it. What world am I living in? THE FANTASY WORLD! But I'm tired of being tired. I'm bored of being bored. I emailed my cousin AGAIN about getting that job doing tshirt designs, but we'll see if I ever hear back.
I really hope that my vision or my allergies don't disqualify me from service in the Army, neither is bad. Plus both can be corrected. I wish I had never gotten that allergy test done, because now I will have to disclose all that information. My allergies aren't that bad, but anything unusual about a person is not a good thing. Just worries. I have promised myself that I will call the recruiter in Atlanta tomorrow. Tomorrow's also a gym day! WOO HOO! I actually like going to the gym though. It's fun, and a good time all around.
Okey Dokey, that's all for tonight. Peace.
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| Goodnight! .................or is it?................MUAHAHAHAHA |
[04 Sep 2002|12:36am] |
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Fans again, hummmm....Brr, being cold never felt better! |
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Well 'chillins, the A/C is fixed, and now I am back to my cool self. The Army recruiter chat turned into a big suckfest, everyone was typing all at once and it was impossible to get a word in edgewise. Plus all the ignore features were disabled, so I couldn't remove other people's questions. I will just have to do things the old fashion way, and give them a call. Maybe I can plan out a schedule with them without all the pressure of actually being at the recruiter's office in person.
I have to say that the first two episodes of American Idol were great, but I've lost much of (read: all) of my interest in the show. I can safely say that I will not purchase any cd made by either of the two finalists. I would also like to request that Justin be strapped to a gas tank and shoved into a volcano. *Ahem*
I have decided that eating candy makes me sick, or atleast eating a SHITLOAD of candy makes me sick. Yuck! However, I went to the gym tonight, and it was a lot of fun. Very relaxing and centering, as all exercise is. Pain is weakness leaving your body, or so I've been told. I had Arby's chicken strips for dinner, and all I can say is it was a joke. I had to don a British accent and magnifying glass just to find the chicken under all that fried breading. NEVER AGAIN! But the market fresh sandwhiches are good.
Played some more Counter-Strike tonight. It's no longer a challenge to do well, and I think that *finally* I might be starting to lose some interest in the game. Maybe if I played matches or something. I'm sure I will never be free of it, as it's fun utterly destroying lesser mortals. But I'm definately looking forward to Battlefield: 1942. I think it's going to be great, and the demo that's out is super-happy-hyper-fun. Well, that's just about it for tonight, well, not just about, it IS it for tonight. Peace until tomorrow.
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| So, We Meet Again... |
[03 Sep 2002|03:15pm] |
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It's so hot. |
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It's so hot. |
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I will kill you until you die from it. Just kidding! Ahaha, you were so scared weren't you. What a wimp, geez. Anyways, it's H O T T E R than HELL in this apartment! Even the freaking projects have A/C. They need to fix ours ASAP or I will melt. And that would be a mess. Seriously, it's hot. Time for me to talk to the online Army recruiter! I'll post again once I have some information from them. Just finished playing some Counter-Strike. If you ever see any ppl playing online as |Iron Chefs| they're hackers. Ban them immediately.
What's the deal with Hot Water Heaters? YOU DONT HAVE TO HEAT HOT WATER!
ahahahahahhaha....ahem.
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