Computers not allowed

In a few hours I'm off camping for the weekend with friends.  I don't want to think about code or see a computer.

Updated with a couple pictures.

New Project: "Happily Ever After"

Today I'm starting a new project called "Happily Ever After".  It'll be a game designed for Android.  The game play will mix a few different genres, but focuses on the classic RPG elements.

The last week I've been playing with a few different story line ideas and have come up with a foundation for the design.  I've pitched it to a few friends and so far they all think it's a good idea.  I don't think this project will be able to wow anyone with its programming or art, but the combination of simple features and solid story might make this stand out.

The only description I have is that "This is not your typical RPG".

Need to ignore things around me

I'm at a coffee shop sitting next to one of the most annoying women.  The place is packed and I can't escape anywhere else.  Hopefully she doesn't look over while I write this; that could make it really awkward really quick.

She's calling people on her cell phone (sounds like she wants to buy a bookshelf on craigslist).   So far every call she's made, it goes something like this "Hi, I saw that you were selling your bookshelf.  My fiance and I are looking for a bookshelf because after we get married, we're going to move in together in Spring Valley.  He has a lot of books because he has his Masters degree and we need a new bookshelf to hold all of our books together.  Blah blah blah going on about the wedding.  Anyways, I'm interested in buying it so please call me back soon at XXX-XXX-XXXX."

Every. Single. Call.

Girl is crazy.  To add to the annoyance factor, she has this irritatingly high, nasally voice.  I feel bad for her fiance.  Hopefully they're equally annoying and are made for each other.

Annoying is one thing, but when someone is being a jerk, it really gets under my skin.  It gets to the point where I can't help but do something about it.

Earlier this week, a nice Mercedes pulled up into a handicap parking spot at a busy restaurant.  The driver was a young guy, well built (obviously not handicapped), and had no visible handicap parking sign.  He walks into the restaurant and waits in the long line to place his order; it was going to be longer than a minute.

I wrote on my receipt how he was an asshole for parking in a handicapped spot.  I was about to place the note on his windshield when a friend stopped me.  She said it would prompt a fight.  I didn't care about the fight, but since it was putting her in an uncomfortable position, I didn't do it.  (Though in my opinion, if I was being confrontational, I would've walked straight up to the stranger and said it)

I get why people don't speak up when strangers are annoying.  I don't get why people don't speak up when strangers are deliberately being jerks.

Good News Bad News

I got a call from my buddy Laske.  There's good news and bad news.

The good news is that he'll be graduating with his Masters and was already offered a job in Monterey.  He'll be moving out to California in a couple months.  The bad news is that the day he starts his new career is the day that Burning Man starts.  He'll be selling his two tickets.

I have two tickets as well and now I'd be going alone.  I've asked around to see if anyone's available, but people are busy.  It's the first week of school or people aren't able to take a whole week off of work.  I'm not sure what I'll do with the tickets, maybe even sell them.

It's one of those events that I've wanted to go to, but maybe this isn't the year.

Edit: There's more good news than bad.  Gonna be meeting a few Peace Corps friends over the next few months (Justin, Jason, Carrie, and Laske!)  :)

Great weekend!

Classes are done.  My first programming competition is submitted.  I'm relaxing for a little bit.  This past weekend I had time to hang out with friends, chill out, and sleep.

I watched the first 7 episodes of the new HBO series Game of Thrones.  It came as a recommendation from a friend and he was right, I got hooked right at episode 1.  It's pretty much a mature Lord of the Rings.  It's done nicely in that every fight or sexual act is done to further the plot instead of 'just because'.  HBO's been coming out with a lot of good shows lately (like the Living Dead, which still needs to come out with Season 2).

I also started and finished the game Portal.  The first thing that stands out is that the design and game play mechanics are innovative; you can shoot a blue and red portal, you enter from one and exit the other.  Combine this with physics and puzzles and there's a lot to do.

The part that I find fascinating is Portal's reuse of the same, limited resources to keep the game fresh.  I believe the game was originally designed by two DigiPen students and given the small team, it makes sense using the same models (sentries, companion cube) and design elements (acid ground, moving tiles).  They didn't overextend themselves, they knew their limits.

I got to see an interesting "battle of the random bands" this weekend.  A group of people were picked (based on their instrument), placed in a lotto, and randomly selected to form a band.  They had a month to come up with their songs and practice.  As expected, some groups worked surprisingly well and some were plain terrible.  The one that did work out really well was a group that had an older man singing with a younger girl playing some sick banjo.

Another thing I finally noticed is that I get frustrated driving.  I hate it.  It's not that I'm bad at it, I just get really irate when I drive around congested areas (like LA or any downtown areas).

Anyways, I'm going to be brainstorming new ideas this weekend.  I want to get started on my next project.