The best way to stick to a goal is to keep people posted on it!
Today I got rid of my printer. My poor old laser printer kept me running all through undergrad, and even when it started gobbling paper and getting jammed such that I had to feed paper through it one sheet at a time, I still held onto it. 8 years in the running isn't bad for a piece of technology these days, and the poor thing was in dire need of retirement. May its recycled parts rest in peace.
I also donated a way a large stack of books, including (though there was much inner debate about this) my Dragonlance novels. I'd given them a read-through last spring, and found that I'd outgrown them, which made me quite sad. Hopefully some youth will pick them up and enjoy them as much as I did when I was young.
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Back in Pittsburgh
My first thought as I unpacked my Corolla's-worth of belongings from the summer and piled them into the middle of my room, looking over all the stuff I'd left behind and done perfectly well without, was this: "I own too much stuff."
In the past few years, I've often made notes about the purging of stuff, how I'd like to own less, how I need to get rid of things I don't use, and the like. But this being my final year of school, I've decided that I need to take action in order to rid myself of excess belongings.
My goal this year is to get rid of at least one thing each weekend, be it big or small, thrown away or donated, or whatever. Some things will be easy (my old desk, for example, will be easy to disassemble, set out in a box on my porch and say to craigslist, "Free desk, first pickup gets it." Other things, however, will prove tricky to get rid of.
I have, for example, a large number of art supplies crated up in the basement. This is everything from oil paints to casting materials for mask-making. Part of me wants to keep it, as art supplies are an expensive start-up and generally last pretty long. But another part of me looks at the last time I was able to devote time to an art project (in undergrad, really) and thinks that perhaps it would do better as a donation to someone who has chosen an artsier path in life.
I've gotten better about detaching myself from sentimental belongings, and before the summer I did manage to gather up a good number of old stuffed animals for donation. But I have, for example, a dresser given to me when I was young and a couch that once belonged to Nancy. These things, I suppose, I should hang onto. My bed, however, I could probably do away with, having found that I can sleep perfectly well on a Japanese-style futon. And let's not even get into my kitchen stuff, yeesh!
If anyone has tips or advice for getting rid of belongings, please share!
In the past few years, I've often made notes about the purging of stuff, how I'd like to own less, how I need to get rid of things I don't use, and the like. But this being my final year of school, I've decided that I need to take action in order to rid myself of excess belongings.
My goal this year is to get rid of at least one thing each weekend, be it big or small, thrown away or donated, or whatever. Some things will be easy (my old desk, for example, will be easy to disassemble, set out in a box on my porch and say to craigslist, "Free desk, first pickup gets it." Other things, however, will prove tricky to get rid of.
I have, for example, a large number of art supplies crated up in the basement. This is everything from oil paints to casting materials for mask-making. Part of me wants to keep it, as art supplies are an expensive start-up and generally last pretty long. But another part of me looks at the last time I was able to devote time to an art project (in undergrad, really) and thinks that perhaps it would do better as a donation to someone who has chosen an artsier path in life.
I've gotten better about detaching myself from sentimental belongings, and before the summer I did manage to gather up a good number of old stuffed animals for donation. But I have, for example, a dresser given to me when I was young and a couch that once belonged to Nancy. These things, I suppose, I should hang onto. My bed, however, I could probably do away with, having found that I can sleep perfectly well on a Japanese-style futon. And let's not even get into my kitchen stuff, yeesh!
If anyone has tips or advice for getting rid of belongings, please share!
You insult D&D, you insult me.
I yoinked this from Ursula's blog. Normally I don't put a toe in the waters of political conversation, but this just weirded me out.
What a weird choice for the McCain campaign to insult gamers in this way...
I don't think I've ever been so personally affronted by a politician before! This was probably a big mistake on his part.
What a weird choice for the McCain campaign to insult gamers in this way...
I don't think I've ever been so personally affronted by a politician before! This was probably a big mistake on his part.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
House Cats
Hey, you guys remember that post I made awhile back about the animated short on Nickelodeon, identified by Steph to be "House Cats" by Peg McClure? Well I found it! Watch and enjoy.
(Edit: This clip has the beginning missing, but better than nothing)
(Edit: This clip has the beginning missing, but better than nothing)
Fun Facts
Did you know that I have had illustrations published in two places?
The first is in Brendan Adkins' fine collection of short stories, Ommatidia. Even if you haven't been following his 101-word short story project at Anacrusis, I highly recommend this book as a fun and swift read, full of variety and intrigue. Seeing the stories in print adds a sort of magical quality to them, and if you are looking about for a new book to purchase, I'd suggest you give it a chance.
The second is as card art for Jesse Schell's Deck of Lenses, a compliment to his book, The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses. I illustrated one of the lens cards in the deck. The book and the deck are both fantastic tools for the aspiring game designer, or really a designer of any sort. Perhaps you should investigate!
The first is in Brendan Adkins' fine collection of short stories, Ommatidia. Even if you haven't been following his 101-word short story project at Anacrusis, I highly recommend this book as a fun and swift read, full of variety and intrigue. Seeing the stories in print adds a sort of magical quality to them, and if you are looking about for a new book to purchase, I'd suggest you give it a chance.
The second is as card art for Jesse Schell's Deck of Lenses, a compliment to his book, The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses. I illustrated one of the lens cards in the deck. The book and the deck are both fantastic tools for the aspiring game designer, or really a designer of any sort. Perhaps you should investigate!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Thoughtful
Sigh.
I'm sitting here for my last night in Burbank, feeling thoughtful and reflecting on the summer. I have overcome fears, tried new adventures, gained confidence, and grown as a person all in one summer. I suppose that's what summer excursions are all about.
Still, the time has flown, but I guess that's just the nature of time. I've established bonds with new people that will be nourished into strong friendships, and oh how I will miss those people. I feel changed, like I have stepped into something new that is good and exciting.
I'm not sure why I feel so wistful, but it's probably just the side effect from things changing again. Tomorrow morning I'll set off to drive back across the country. I am looking forward to recharging with friends and family (and food) in Louisville, before trekking up to Pittsburgh to start the new semester's work.
I will miss my luxurious weekends of sleep and WoW. I will miss my wonderful designer friends. I will miss my roommate's cat.
More adventures to come, as always.
I'm sitting here for my last night in Burbank, feeling thoughtful and reflecting on the summer. I have overcome fears, tried new adventures, gained confidence, and grown as a person all in one summer. I suppose that's what summer excursions are all about.
Still, the time has flown, but I guess that's just the nature of time. I've established bonds with new people that will be nourished into strong friendships, and oh how I will miss those people. I feel changed, like I have stepped into something new that is good and exciting.
I'm not sure why I feel so wistful, but it's probably just the side effect from things changing again. Tomorrow morning I'll set off to drive back across the country. I am looking forward to recharging with friends and family (and food) in Louisville, before trekking up to Pittsburgh to start the new semester's work.
I will miss my luxurious weekends of sleep and WoW. I will miss my wonderful designer friends. I will miss my roommate's cat.
More adventures to come, as always.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
End-o-summer
This is an abridged cross-post of one of my mailing list postings. Hope the repeats don't mind!
So, last Friday was my last day at Insomniac, and there were many tears upon my departure (mostly shed by me, of course). Before we left, Ted took the interns to lunch as a farewell and so we could ask him any lingering questions. One thing he asked each of us was, "What is the biggest thing you'll be taking back with you from your summer at Insomniac?"
For me, the answer is confidence. I am SO much more confident in my abilities as a designer than I was when I first decided to go the game design track. I know I can do this, and I know that making games is the thing I want to do. I also feel like I have a better understanding of the scope of my talents and how much of an asset I am to other people. It's always been something I've had a hard time recognizing in myself.
I can't wait until the game comes out this fall! I was talking with Drew about how I'd be curious to see how much of the level would be recognizable to me in the end (after all, there is much iteration to be done on the work I've done, and I spent the last week passing off my work to another designer to take over after I left). Drew smiled at me and said that the whole thing would probably be quite recognizable :)
I also learned that I will get a free copy of the game when it ships! Sweet! If only they'd give me a free PS3, ha ha ha. I'm definitely going to have to drop the money to buy a PS3. I mean, I'm not only excited to just see my level, but I'm excited about the game as a whole! It's going to be so much fun!
Sigh, I'll miss my designers, and I'll miss Insomniac, but this was a summer well-spent, for sure! One fun thing: Insomniac's community person interviewed me about my internship to post on their news blog. You can check it out here:
http://insomniacgames.com/news/news.php
I'm still in LA at the moment, spending the week at SIGGRAPH. There's a lot of ETC people around, and it's been pretty casual. It's a nice, relaxing way to close out my time in California.
Wish me safe travels on my cross-country drive at the end of the week!
So, last Friday was my last day at Insomniac, and there were many tears upon my departure (mostly shed by me, of course). Before we left, Ted took the interns to lunch as a farewell and so we could ask him any lingering questions. One thing he asked each of us was, "What is the biggest thing you'll be taking back with you from your summer at Insomniac?"
For me, the answer is confidence. I am SO much more confident in my abilities as a designer than I was when I first decided to go the game design track. I know I can do this, and I know that making games is the thing I want to do. I also feel like I have a better understanding of the scope of my talents and how much of an asset I am to other people. It's always been something I've had a hard time recognizing in myself.
I can't wait until the game comes out this fall! I was talking with Drew about how I'd be curious to see how much of the level would be recognizable to me in the end (after all, there is much iteration to be done on the work I've done, and I spent the last week passing off my work to another designer to take over after I left). Drew smiled at me and said that the whole thing would probably be quite recognizable :)
I also learned that I will get a free copy of the game when it ships! Sweet! If only they'd give me a free PS3, ha ha ha. I'm definitely going to have to drop the money to buy a PS3. I mean, I'm not only excited to just see my level, but I'm excited about the game as a whole! It's going to be so much fun!
Sigh, I'll miss my designers, and I'll miss Insomniac, but this was a summer well-spent, for sure! One fun thing: Insomniac's community person interviewed me about my internship to post on their news blog. You can check it out here:
http://insomniacgames.com/news/news.php
I'm still in LA at the moment, spending the week at SIGGRAPH. There's a lot of ETC people around, and it's been pretty casual. It's a nice, relaxing way to close out my time in California.
Wish me safe travels on my cross-country drive at the end of the week!
End-o-summer
This is an abridged cross-post of one of my mailing list postings. Hope the repeats don't mind!
So, last Friday was my last day at Insomniac, and there were many tears upon my departure (mostly shed by me, of course). Before we left, Ted took the interns to lunch as a farewell and so we could ask him any lingering questions. One thing he asked each of us was, "What is the biggest thing you'll be taking back with you from your summer at Insomniac?"
For me, the answer is confidence. I am SO much more confident in my abilities as a designer than I was when I first decided to go the game design track. I know I can do this, and I know that making games is the thing I want to do. I also feel like I have a better understanding of the scope of my talents and how much of an asset I am to other people. It's always been something I've had a hard time recognizing in myself.
I can't wait until the game comes out this fall! I was talking with Drew about how I'd be curious to see how much of the level would be recognizable to me in the end (after all, there is much iteration to be done on the work I've done, and I spent the last week passing off my work to another designer to take over after I left). Drew smiled at me and said that the whole thing would probably be quite recognizable :)
I also learned that I will get a free copy of the game when it ships! Sweet! If only they'd give me a free PS3, ha ha ha. I'm definitely going to have to drop the money to buy a PS3. I mean, I'm not only excited to just see my level, but I'm excited about the game as a whole! It's going to be so much fun!
Sigh, I'll miss my designers, and I'll miss Insomniac, but this was a summer well-spent, for sure! One fun thing: Insomniac's community person interviewed me about my internship to post on their news blog. You can check it out here:
http://insomniacgames.com/news/news.php
I'm still in LA at the moment, spending the week at SIGGRAPH. There's a lot of ETC people around, and it's been pretty casual. It's a nice, relaxing way to close out my time in California.
Wish me safe travels on my cross-country drive at the end of the week!
So, last Friday was my last day at Insomniac, and there were many tears upon my departure (mostly shed by me, of course). Before we left, Ted took the interns to lunch as a farewell and so we could ask him any lingering questions. One thing he asked each of us was, "What is the biggest thing you'll be taking back with you from your summer at Insomniac?"
For me, the answer is confidence. I am SO much more confident in my abilities as a designer than I was when I first decided to go the game design track. I know I can do this, and I know that making games is the thing I want to do. I also feel like I have a better understanding of the scope of my talents and how much of an asset I am to other people. It's always been something I've had a hard time recognizing in myself.
I can't wait until the game comes out this fall! I was talking with Drew about how I'd be curious to see how much of the level would be recognizable to me in the end (after all, there is much iteration to be done on the work I've done, and I spent the last week passing off my work to another designer to take over after I left). Drew smiled at me and said that the whole thing would probably be quite recognizable :)
I also learned that I will get a free copy of the game when it ships! Sweet! If only they'd give me a free PS3, ha ha ha. I'm definitely going to have to drop the money to buy a PS3. I mean, I'm not only excited to just see my level, but I'm excited about the game as a whole! It's going to be so much fun!
Sigh, I'll miss my designers, and I'll miss Insomniac, but this was a summer well-spent, for sure! One fun thing: Insomniac's community person interviewed me about my internship to post on their news blog. You can check it out here:
http://insomniacgames.com/news/news.php
I'm still in LA at the moment, spending the week at SIGGRAPH. There's a lot of ETC people around, and it's been pretty casual. It's a nice, relaxing way to close out my time in California.
Wish me safe travels on my cross-country drive at the end of the week!
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