A Solution!

One of the things that I've been working on and off (with more off than on) has been programming my game.  It's not so much the programming that I like, but the ability to create things and the experience of tackling any challenges that come along the way.

Lately I've come up with excuses on why I haven't made much progress; I had a move, a job search, had to learn the systems at the new job, and make new friends.  It's been almost two months since I moved out here and I think my excuses are wearing off.  I'm settled in and I'm going to get back to creating.

The technical me needs to think like the survival me.  I remember being out in Ha'apai and I couldn't climb a particular coconut tree.  My friends and I needed to drink something (since we only brought rum to the island), but the smaller trees that I could safely climb only had hollow shells.  So I improvised by poking at the tall tree with a very long branch.  It wasn't the most efficient method, but it worked and we got our drinks.  I just need to take that thinking and apply it to technology.

One of the many challenges of developing an independent game is the very limited amount of resources.  Compared to others, I'm not a talented programmer or artist/animator and I certainly have no idea when it comes to music theory.  On top of that, I have the manpower of a single person who can't even devote full time hours to develop.  So instead of crying "If only I had X and Y...", I'll break down one problem at a time and improvise with what I have on hand.

Right now, art is an issue.  Well, art isn't so much the issue as animation is.  I want to tell a visually compelling story, but I'm limited by time.  Animation takes each piece of art, then painstakingly requires recrafting frame by frame.  There's a reason why there's usually as many artists as programmers.

How can I easily create (animatable) art quickly?

I typed out my thoughts and then I laughed.  The answer was right there.  The answer is right here.  Text.

Used typography to make the models of your art.  Draw a tree using the letters T R E E.  Draw the hero using the letters H E R O.  You get the idea.

NYC - I love you!

Coffee.  We need coffee.  A coworker and I were busy with a 26 page web site that had a turn around time of two weeks (from mock up to final document - which is an incredibly tight schedule).  It was one of many projects.  2pm, third coffee.  I wasn't heavily involved with the web site, but I'm glad to be a part of it (doing design mockups and brushing off my ancient html skills).

The number and variety of projects at work have been really interesting.  I feel challenged and I get to use a lot of different skills (data analysis, report coding, design).  While analyzing data, sometimes I just think "Wow, that's fucking neat!"

As an example, say someone is giving out a survey.  We know that the location and time will affect the responses.  Now what if we throw in factors like the surveyor's race and the type of questions they ask?  Are you likely to have the same response to a question about racial inequality if asked by a black woman as you would a white male?  Now how do you quantify that data?  If you can, how?  If not, why not?  How do you remove these outside factors from your survey?  Are any outside factors present in your dataset?  You get the idea.

So that's work.

Outside of work has been just as interesting.  I feel like your experience in NYC can vary so much depending on who you are and who you're with.  I feel like this city makes your personality come out, whether that's staying in or going out.

Some people say you need a lot of money to have a good time here.  While that certainly helps, I think you don't need it.  If you know how to have fun, you will have fun.

Lately I've ditched the expensive bars and have been going to a lot of 'underground' events.  If you're good at searching the Internet and adventurous enough, you'll find gems like these:

• 4 Portions of Brooklyn - I arrived at this random guy's apartment in Bushwick, Brooklyn.  He was hosting 4 events at his place that night; an art gallery, a classical band (singing Grimm's Fairy Tales jamming out in the living room), an interpretive dance sequence, and an acoustic set.  The people ranged from Couchsurfers to a New York Symphony Cello player.  There was a small bonfire out in the backyard and the conversation was amazing.  I left feeling the need to read "A History of Love"; iif it could make a grown man cry on the subway, it must be good.  This was a (free) Thursday night.
  
• Stories about online dating - If you've never been to a storytelling event, I highly recommend it.  I believe the Moth is the most famous one here in NYC (though I haven't been to it yet).  I was a huge fan of "So Say We All" when I lived in San Diego.  People basically pour their hearts out in stories (usually around the night's theme) and it's simply beautiful.  This event had me laughing, emphasizing, and even feeling like "the right girl" is somewhere out there.  This was a (free) Tuesday night.

The city does get expensive though.  There was a free secret concert by the Black Keys that I knew was going to happen on Monday (but they gave them away on a Monday morning when I had work).  I did manage to get two tickets to the Black Keys at Madison Square Garden (about $70 each after Ticketmaster).  I'm not sure why I bought two, but I figured I'll meet someone that wants to go by March.

There's also a "Sleep No More" event that I want to check out once I get enough money.  The move from CA, buying furniture, getting a new laptop, and buying winter clothes has put a huge dent in my savings.

All I have to say is, I love this city.