My visit home to Louisville has been splendid thus far! Nick and I hit up the Speed Museum, Science Center, and Slugger Museum. We ate at Dragon King's Daughter, Ramsi's, Old Spaghetti Factory, Coco's Chocolate (fondue!!) and Nord's Doughnuts. We met Ian's puppy and played many games with friends and hung out with my family.
Now he's off to Sarasota so we can spend Christmas with our respective families, and then I'll join up with him again in Florida afterwards. Josh checked in on Mr. Davis for me at the Cat Hotel, and apparently he's settled quite nicely and made friends with the other cats! Yay!
Meanwhile, I'm starting to ponder my goals for 2011. Last year the goals were: get a cat (check!) and go to Japan (check!). I already have a few goals in mind financially, but I'm molding some others in the meantime.
First, I'm feeling purge-ish again, and every time i get in the mood to get rid of stuff, the circle of influence of my grip shrinks. This time it's the old game consoles that are feeling invasive to my space. I've been really thinking a lot about the way I consume media. Earlier in the year I borrowed games to try them (offering pies in exchange) and I liked the way it felt. I felt motivated to finish the games because I had to return them, and didn't feel any guilt over a game half started and then sitting and staring at me from the PS3.
I find myself drawn more and more to Steam and PSN and investigating Wiiware titles because of the lack of physical "stuff" that comes attached to them. Perhaps I will pick up the borrowing habit once more in the New Year.
Which leads me to my second goal of consuming more games more regularly. Right now I play games in long stretches and revel in them, such as Starcraft and WoW and Minecraft. But as has been pointed out time and again, one of the flaws of my industry is how much really good content is pushed out so frequently. I feel like everyone knows someone who has a mountain of unwrapped games that they haven't even touched yet.
I've attributed this need to keep up with games to be like practicing an instrument, and I think this year I need to buckle down on that and really set aside time each day for games. NEW games, I mean, not just the ones I'm in love with and playing anyway. If I can work it into my routine I think I can pull it off, but new routines are very hard to get rolling!
We shall see what the new year brings.
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Educating the Youth
Yesterday and today I went back to my old high school (an all-girls school) and spoke to several classes about game development. They were really into it and asked really great questions, so I'd call it a success for sure.
One of the theories about the low number of women working in games is that it's just not on a lot of young girls' radars as a possibility. I found that to be the case here, as during QA time I turned it around and asked what about my presentation surprised them the most. Every single time, for the 8 classes I presented to, they said it was that they had no idea how many different people and roles it took to make a video game.
Seed planted. Mission accomplished!
I also learned a bunch of interesting things myself, which I will share. For the most part, each of the classes I spoke to were freshmen and sophomore girls (with one group of seniors thrown into one class). Usually the groups were between 20 and 30 girls, and I presented to 8 groups. Early on in my presentation, I polled them about who played video games and what sorts. Here are my findings:
1) In general, 99% of the girls played video games (maybe one or two groups had like 1 or 2 girls who didn't)
2) The majority of the girls played console games
3) PC games (like the Sims and MMOs) came in second for most show of hands
4) iPhone and cell phone games came in 3rd
5) Very VERY few of the girls played facebook games, even though they used facebook. This was probably the most startling finding for me, as I assumed that teenage girls would be big on facebook games. Not necessarily, it would seem! (in fact, many groaned in distaste when I asked if anyone played facebook games)
I was really impressed with how interested they were. My presentation was 2 parts, one was a summary of the general roles in game development (artists, programmers, designers, audio, producers). I explained the jobs and what they did, then showed a clip of Ratchet gameplay and diagrammed out where everyone had a hand in it.
The second part was about how I wound up as a game designer and my path after graduating high school. The theme of this section was "if you have no idea what you want to do with your life, don't worry, because it might take you 8 years to figure it out."
They asked really perceptive questions, the most popular being "how long does it take to make a video game" and "what's your favorite game," but a good variety of other ones. Again, I think my visit was a huge success, and maybe I'll make it a regular thing to go back and speak every few years.
Now to enjoy the rest of my vacation (and hopefully get rid of this cold!)
One of the theories about the low number of women working in games is that it's just not on a lot of young girls' radars as a possibility. I found that to be the case here, as during QA time I turned it around and asked what about my presentation surprised them the most. Every single time, for the 8 classes I presented to, they said it was that they had no idea how many different people and roles it took to make a video game.
Seed planted. Mission accomplished!
I also learned a bunch of interesting things myself, which I will share. For the most part, each of the classes I spoke to were freshmen and sophomore girls (with one group of seniors thrown into one class). Usually the groups were between 20 and 30 girls, and I presented to 8 groups. Early on in my presentation, I polled them about who played video games and what sorts. Here are my findings:
1) In general, 99% of the girls played video games (maybe one or two groups had like 1 or 2 girls who didn't)
2) The majority of the girls played console games
3) PC games (like the Sims and MMOs) came in second for most show of hands
4) iPhone and cell phone games came in 3rd
5) Very VERY few of the girls played facebook games, even though they used facebook. This was probably the most startling finding for me, as I assumed that teenage girls would be big on facebook games. Not necessarily, it would seem! (in fact, many groaned in distaste when I asked if anyone played facebook games)
I was really impressed with how interested they were. My presentation was 2 parts, one was a summary of the general roles in game development (artists, programmers, designers, audio, producers). I explained the jobs and what they did, then showed a clip of Ratchet gameplay and diagrammed out where everyone had a hand in it.
The second part was about how I wound up as a game designer and my path after graduating high school. The theme of this section was "if you have no idea what you want to do with your life, don't worry, because it might take you 8 years to figure it out."
They asked really perceptive questions, the most popular being "how long does it take to make a video game" and "what's your favorite game," but a good variety of other ones. Again, I think my visit was a huge success, and maybe I'll make it a regular thing to go back and speak every few years.
Now to enjoy the rest of my vacation (and hopefully get rid of this cold!)
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Thoughts on Home
One of my secret guilty pleasures is managing my monthly budget, which, I suppose there could be worse guilty pleasures. This month I hit my savings goal to get home for Christmas, so I can now start planning that trip.
It's tricky to plan so far ahead, since I haven't even done my first trip home slated for October, and since it's inconvenient for most friends in the area to know what they're going to be doing 5 months from now.
Last year I doubled up and went home to Louisville for Christmas and then to Pittsburgh for New Year's, which ended up being a fantastic trip. This year I'm less certain of my plots, especially since I'm already worried about who's going to catsit for Mr. Davis in October, let alone for 2 weeks in December when most everyone I know in LA will be out of town anyway (and I'll need a fishsitter then, too)
I'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure, but in the meantime, here's a list of things that I miss about Kentucky:
1) Lightning bugs, as was previously established (thank you Eric for the video)
2) Thunder storms, even though they cause me pain. There's nothing quite so soothing as napping safely inside while it's storming outside. Except for the pain part, that is.
3) The smell of season transitions, which we don't really get out here.
4) The greenness, which is something that Josh observed when he flew out to drive me across the country, and which I didn't really understand at the time. Now that I've been in the desert-pretending-not-to-be that is LA for a year, I understand completely.
5) Katydids and tree frogs at night in the summertime
6) Autumn and trees changing color
7) Cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, and robins (there are supposed to be robins out here, but I've not seen any)
It's tricky to plan so far ahead, since I haven't even done my first trip home slated for October, and since it's inconvenient for most friends in the area to know what they're going to be doing 5 months from now.
Last year I doubled up and went home to Louisville for Christmas and then to Pittsburgh for New Year's, which ended up being a fantastic trip. This year I'm less certain of my plots, especially since I'm already worried about who's going to catsit for Mr. Davis in October, let alone for 2 weeks in December when most everyone I know in LA will be out of town anyway (and I'll need a fishsitter then, too)
I'll figure it out eventually, I'm sure, but in the meantime, here's a list of things that I miss about Kentucky:
1) Lightning bugs, as was previously established (thank you Eric for the video)
2) Thunder storms, even though they cause me pain. There's nothing quite so soothing as napping safely inside while it's storming outside. Except for the pain part, that is.
3) The smell of season transitions, which we don't really get out here.
4) The greenness, which is something that Josh observed when he flew out to drive me across the country, and which I didn't really understand at the time. Now that I've been in the desert-pretending-not-to-be that is LA for a year, I understand completely.
5) Katydids and tree frogs at night in the summertime
6) Autumn and trees changing color
7) Cardinals, pileated woodpeckers, and robins (there are supposed to be robins out here, but I've not seen any)
Friday, December 18, 2009
Back in Kentucky
Ah, to be back in Kentucky once more, it feels wonderful!
Shortly, Scott and I will be off to do some adventuring, which may or may not include going down to the river to take photos. Either that, or scouring the Goodwills for picture frames. Or maybe just lunch. Who can say!
Anyway, my goal this break is to do more soaking in of Louisville locations. Last visit's trip to Cavehill Cemetary was wonderful, and I want more of that.
In unrelated news, I've been playing around with formspring. It seems like it has potential to be a fun little application, especially since I often enjoy memes but am usually reluctant to post them in my journal. Anyway, check me out.
http://www.formspring.me/wertle
Shortly, Scott and I will be off to do some adventuring, which may or may not include going down to the river to take photos. Either that, or scouring the Goodwills for picture frames. Or maybe just lunch. Who can say!
Anyway, my goal this break is to do more soaking in of Louisville locations. Last visit's trip to Cavehill Cemetary was wonderful, and I want more of that.
In unrelated news, I've been playing around with formspring. It seems like it has potential to be a fun little application, especially since I often enjoy memes but am usually reluctant to post them in my journal. Anyway, check me out.
http://www.formspring.me/wertle
Friday, November 27, 2009
Ballergiving
I had a wonderful evening of games and stories and food with the ballers!
Beatles Rock Band is a blast, and far superior to normal Rock Band, and even Lego Rock Band, in my opinion. Most of this is due to the classy visual between-gig load screens, and the hilarity of multiple part harmony with Scott and Maria. I would have loved to sing, but alas, my voice is completely lost, so I stuck with the guitar.
I can only use Rock Band style guitars, because I can only use the meedley string buttons at the base of the neck. My hands are too small for the normal buttons, as are Beth's, which lead to this conversation snippet.
Beth: I can't use this, my hands are too small.
Maria: Mine are too, that's why I don't have to give prostate exams!
After dinner and pie and catching up on stories with the Clarks, we gathered to play Shadows Over Camelot with the Merlin's Company expansion. I think the expansion is an excellent supplement to the game, but Merlin couldn't help the knights this time, as I had my first successful game as traitor. Muahahaha! The lack of voice didn't help, as all my commands and narration turned to diabolical hissing.
Nevertheless, it was a fun game.
I also got to see Brenna, who was very happy to see me again, and George (who is always happy to see anyone). Hooray for puppies!
Hopefully I'll be able to hang out with people again some tomorrow night. There is a plot of my brother and sister-in-law to go see Return to Oz, which is this week's midnight cult movie at Baxter. I would totally go see it, but my flight leaves at 6am Sunday morning, and a midnight movie would probably end up with me staying up all night.
We shall see, we shall see...
Beatles Rock Band is a blast, and far superior to normal Rock Band, and even Lego Rock Band, in my opinion. Most of this is due to the classy visual between-gig load screens, and the hilarity of multiple part harmony with Scott and Maria. I would have loved to sing, but alas, my voice is completely lost, so I stuck with the guitar.
I can only use Rock Band style guitars, because I can only use the meedley string buttons at the base of the neck. My hands are too small for the normal buttons, as are Beth's, which lead to this conversation snippet.
Beth: I can't use this, my hands are too small.
Maria: Mine are too, that's why I don't have to give prostate exams!
After dinner and pie and catching up on stories with the Clarks, we gathered to play Shadows Over Camelot with the Merlin's Company expansion. I think the expansion is an excellent supplement to the game, but Merlin couldn't help the knights this time, as I had my first successful game as traitor. Muahahaha! The lack of voice didn't help, as all my commands and narration turned to diabolical hissing.
Nevertheless, it was a fun game.
I also got to see Brenna, who was very happy to see me again, and George (who is always happy to see anyone). Hooray for puppies!
Hopefully I'll be able to hang out with people again some tomorrow night. There is a plot of my brother and sister-in-law to go see Return to Oz, which is this week's midnight cult movie at Baxter. I would totally go see it, but my flight leaves at 6am Sunday morning, and a midnight movie would probably end up with me staying up all night.
We shall see, we shall see...
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Thanksgiving
I'm sitting in the airport, waiting around for my red-eye to board. I'm very excited about going home! LAX is bustling with holiday travelers, and there's a guy sitting next to me using his dog to pick up chicks (well, I dunno if he's doing it intentionally, but he sure is attracting all the ladies!)
Anyway, I'll be happy to see my family tomorrow, and hopefully catch my friends before skipping back out here on Sunday. I'm mostly looking forward to getting back to Kentucky for a little bit. It always seems to recharge my roots when I spend time there. I miss its beauty more this year, I think, since I've spent the last 6 months in the desert. Well, LA likes to pretend real hard that it isn't a desert, but if you squint your eyes and tilt your head, you can see right through to the rocks and sand.
Even in the winter, Kentucky has a special beauty to it.
This year, probably more than anything else, I'm thankful for having a job. And I'm even more thankful for the icing on the cake, that I have a job as a game designer, in the games industry, makin games!! It astounds me from time to time, but here I am!
I know I don't have a real scope of how lucky I am to have a job that I love in the economic climate, but I have some idea of it, so I'm thankful for it every chance I remember.
I'm also thankful that I'm making it home to see everyone. I do miss Louisville. Stay safe, all!
Anyway, I'll be happy to see my family tomorrow, and hopefully catch my friends before skipping back out here on Sunday. I'm mostly looking forward to getting back to Kentucky for a little bit. It always seems to recharge my roots when I spend time there. I miss its beauty more this year, I think, since I've spent the last 6 months in the desert. Well, LA likes to pretend real hard that it isn't a desert, but if you squint your eyes and tilt your head, you can see right through to the rocks and sand.
Even in the winter, Kentucky has a special beauty to it.
This year, probably more than anything else, I'm thankful for having a job. And I'm even more thankful for the icing on the cake, that I have a job as a game designer, in the games industry, makin games!! It astounds me from time to time, but here I am!
I know I don't have a real scope of how lucky I am to have a job that I love in the economic climate, but I have some idea of it, so I'm thankful for it every chance I remember.
I'm also thankful that I'm making it home to see everyone. I do miss Louisville. Stay safe, all!
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Decemberball
I adore the Tuesday Night Ballers, and I often think of them fondly at various times in my most recent adventures. The times when we are able to get together have been more and more adventurous as time goes on.
Tonight, everyone was "on," and it was brilliant. Not 2 minutes would pass without laughter or wit or some clever exchange sparking another clever exchange. I love them all! Scott, Will, Ian, Brendan, Maria, Matt, Kyle, DC, Beth, and I had dinner at the Mayan Gypsy and launched the night with much gaming.
Reviews!
Left for Dead - I'd watched this played but never got a chance to play it myself until tonight. Kyle and I played while the others experimented with some new board games. I'll give you an impression of Lisa playing this game: "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGETITOFFOFMEGETITOFFGETITOFF!!!!!!!!!!" It got to the point that, later in the night, Maria tossed a container to Beth and I shrieked in terror. This may be too stressful for me to devote too much time with
Pandemic - a cooperative board game about fighting off spreading diseases. I didn't play this one, but it seemed quite challenging. I'm all about cooperative board games!
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game - This game is kind of like Shadows Over Camelot, where the traitor is a Cylon, and doesn't know it. It's not just a skin, and has its own mechanics, but again, cooperative board games where you fight against the game are fun times!
World of Goo (Wii version) - I hadn't gotten a chance to play this cooperatively on the Wii, and I was surprised how co-op play so dramatically changes the dynamic of the game! Playing cooperatively is really, really hard, but incredibly fun. I recommend it!
Raving Rabids TV Party - zomg, such a good party game! A good spectator game at that! The skiing game where you have to sit on the balance board and steer reminded me of way back in the day, when a group of friends and I played Crash Team Racing by sitting on a DDR pad. Good times all around.
The Big Idea - This card game is awesome. But it's MORE awesome when you play after 2am so everyone is prone to giggling and silliness. Liquid Cardboard! The future is now!
Tonight, everyone was "on," and it was brilliant. Not 2 minutes would pass without laughter or wit or some clever exchange sparking another clever exchange. I love them all! Scott, Will, Ian, Brendan, Maria, Matt, Kyle, DC, Beth, and I had dinner at the Mayan Gypsy and launched the night with much gaming.
Reviews!
Left for Dead - I'd watched this played but never got a chance to play it myself until tonight. Kyle and I played while the others experimented with some new board games. I'll give you an impression of Lisa playing this game: "EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEGETITOFFOFMEGETITOFFGETITOFF!!!!!!!!!!" It got to the point that, later in the night, Maria tossed a container to Beth and I shrieked in terror. This may be too stressful for me to devote too much time with
Pandemic - a cooperative board game about fighting off spreading diseases. I didn't play this one, but it seemed quite challenging. I'm all about cooperative board games!
Battlestar Galactica: The Board Game - This game is kind of like Shadows Over Camelot, where the traitor is a Cylon, and doesn't know it. It's not just a skin, and has its own mechanics, but again, cooperative board games where you fight against the game are fun times!
World of Goo (Wii version) - I hadn't gotten a chance to play this cooperatively on the Wii, and I was surprised how co-op play so dramatically changes the dynamic of the game! Playing cooperatively is really, really hard, but incredibly fun. I recommend it!
Raving Rabids TV Party - zomg, such a good party game! A good spectator game at that! The skiing game where you have to sit on the balance board and steer reminded me of way back in the day, when a group of friends and I played Crash Team Racing by sitting on a DDR pad. Good times all around.
The Big Idea - This card game is awesome. But it's MORE awesome when you play after 2am so everyone is prone to giggling and silliness. Liquid Cardboard! The future is now!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Renewed
So, as a follow-up to my WoW respec worry post, I am feeling much better about being a prot warrior. Will, Scott and I have run Botanica and Arcatraz with some pick-ups, and both went REALLY well.
I also took charge of the marking, and felt I did a rather good job of that. The trick to all this, I think, is for me to research ahead of time, and then give the group as much of a feeling that I know what I'm doing as possible. Though Scott will tell you that I was double-checking everything with him almost constantly :)
Either way, I feel much less stressed about holding aggro. According to Will, we were in Botanica with two top-tier DPSers and I held aggro just fine. Hooray!
Of course, it also helps to have very clever groupmates. We've been lucky that our pick-ups have been really on top of things. Perhaps Heroics are not so far out of sight afterall!
In other news: Pink Door, Jersey Mike's, and Gumbo-a-go-go have been checked off the Food Tour list.
I also took charge of the marking, and felt I did a rather good job of that. The trick to all this, I think, is for me to research ahead of time, and then give the group as much of a feeling that I know what I'm doing as possible. Though Scott will tell you that I was double-checking everything with him almost constantly :)
Either way, I feel much less stressed about holding aggro. According to Will, we were in Botanica with two top-tier DPSers and I held aggro just fine. Hooray!
Of course, it also helps to have very clever groupmates. We've been lucky that our pick-ups have been really on top of things. Perhaps Heroics are not so far out of sight afterall!
In other news: Pink Door, Jersey Mike's, and Gumbo-a-go-go have been checked off the Food Tour list.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006
Christmas Times
Merry Christmas times to all! The holidays have been really nice, if not shaken with the feeling of impending change. I think this year was a "transition" Christmas.
My parents sold their house (yaaay!) but found out that the condo they had intended to buy had been sold out from under them (boooo). This caused much undo stress, but they have found a place to rent for awhile downtown. Still, come January 31st, the house will be gone, items will be shuffled into storage, and madness will ensue.
On Christmas night we had a great get together at my parents' place. Normally Nancy would always host a dinner on Christmas night, so we decided to host a shindig in her honor. We must have lit every candle in the house (Nancy loved candles) and we had Oysters Rockefeller to toast in the New Year (another Nancy tradition). The party doubled as an official "goodbye" to our house, but in spite of sentiment, the evening was full of laughter and good times and no tears.
It was quite a practical Christmas for me, gift-wise, I got a bike mount for my car, which is exciting. I also got metal mixing bowls, which is very exciting, for now I can make meringue pies! My grandmother got me a silicon muffin tin...which...I suppose can't really be called a "tin" at all....muffin silicon? Anyway! This, along with Scott's gifts of a new grater and juicer, are indicative of much baking and cooking to come.
In spite of the rain and cold, it was a very warm Christmas. I hope everyone has had a pleasant holiday season!
My parents sold their house (yaaay!) but found out that the condo they had intended to buy had been sold out from under them (boooo). This caused much undo stress, but they have found a place to rent for awhile downtown. Still, come January 31st, the house will be gone, items will be shuffled into storage, and madness will ensue.
On Christmas night we had a great get together at my parents' place. Normally Nancy would always host a dinner on Christmas night, so we decided to host a shindig in her honor. We must have lit every candle in the house (Nancy loved candles) and we had Oysters Rockefeller to toast in the New Year (another Nancy tradition). The party doubled as an official "goodbye" to our house, but in spite of sentiment, the evening was full of laughter and good times and no tears.
It was quite a practical Christmas for me, gift-wise, I got a bike mount for my car, which is exciting. I also got metal mixing bowls, which is very exciting, for now I can make meringue pies! My grandmother got me a silicon muffin tin...which...I suppose can't really be called a "tin" at all....muffin silicon? Anyway! This, along with Scott's gifts of a new grater and juicer, are indicative of much baking and cooking to come.
In spite of the rain and cold, it was a very warm Christmas. I hope everyone has had a pleasant holiday season!
Thursday, December 23, 2004
Books and Weather
I believe I've hit a new reading record for myself: A 435 page novel in less than 6 hours (subtracting some time of boarding and unboarding the plane, the drive home, and the time it took to eat a late lunch).
Also, I wanted to make a clarification. Judging by the bewildered expressions and exclamations of people I told about the heavy, 14 inch snowfall here in Louisville, it seems there is a huge miscomprehension in New England that everyplace south of Pennsylvania is a vast, burning desert with year-round heat waves. This is not true. Just wanted to let you guys know.
Merry Christmas! It'll be below 0 for ours.
Also, I wanted to make a clarification. Judging by the bewildered expressions and exclamations of people I told about the heavy, 14 inch snowfall here in Louisville, it seems there is a huge miscomprehension in New England that everyplace south of Pennsylvania is a vast, burning desert with year-round heat waves. This is not true. Just wanted to let you guys know.
Merry Christmas! It'll be below 0 for ours.
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Thanksgiving Thoughts
If anyone remembers the christmas cactus I rescued from the gloom of props storage last year, I'd like to announce that it is blooming like crazy. It's ready to be re-potted, too.
A more general thought: every now and then, I am forced into some situation (being stuck in an airport lobby, for instance) in which McDonalds is the only feasible means of nourishment. I usually buy something, eat it, gag in disgust, and make a dramatic proclamation that I will never, NEVER, eat McDonalds again EVER.
However, deep in my heart, I know the next time I stop at a rest station on a long trip and that's the only food for miles, I'll shrug off my promise to myself and eat again....only to be disgusted again....only to swear I'll never eat it again. What is it about us humans that we constantly and even knowingly make the same mistakes in life, over and over and over again? Happy Thanksgiving!
A more general thought: every now and then, I am forced into some situation (being stuck in an airport lobby, for instance) in which McDonalds is the only feasible means of nourishment. I usually buy something, eat it, gag in disgust, and make a dramatic proclamation that I will never, NEVER, eat McDonalds again EVER.
However, deep in my heart, I know the next time I stop at a rest station on a long trip and that's the only food for miles, I'll shrug off my promise to myself and eat again....only to be disgusted again....only to swear I'll never eat it again. What is it about us humans that we constantly and even knowingly make the same mistakes in life, over and over and over again? Happy Thanksgiving!
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Bloody fun times
I seem to alternate off and on for good blood donations and bad blood donations.
As many of you know, I have O neg blood, the universal donor type, and thus the Red Cross is always on my back about donating. Seeing as my area was in an emergency state regarding blood supply shortages, I thought I'd go ahead and give. All was going well and I was complimenting myself on a good donation when came the time where they put that little capsule in the tube to get the last bit of blood for testing. Well, as I was told later by the donation people, the new manufacturing of these little test tube parts have been somewhat faulty, so he stuck it in the tube, and suddenly the end broke off inside of the test tube. Blood shot EVERYWHERE. All over the guy, all over my hand, all over the floor.
It didn't hurt at all, and in fact all I felt was the warm rush of blood over my hand, but I could see the girl sitting across from me in her mid-donation process get a horrified look on her face, so I started to laugh heartily to cast it off as no big deal, so she wouldn't freak out.
And it wasn't a big deal, but I knew I was going to have a reaction. See, they had to clamp up the tube so blood would stop shooting out, so that backed up and put a lot of pressure in my arm, which was uncomfortable. Then they had to pull the old test tube out in order to stick a new one in, lest my donation be totally wasted, so when they did that, blood shot out everywhere again, and going from backed up to gushing out did a number on me.
Some ice cold paper towels, orange joice, elevated feet, and several fig newtons later, all was well, but I certainly was reduced to a zombie-like state for the rest of the day. Next donation I'm going to start doing apherisis, sure it takes longer, but that way I won't have any more zombie days.
Today, Carleton and I went to the Louisville Science Center, where I used to volunteer in high school (it was awesome fun). Julie, my old volunteer coordinator boss person, was still there and delighted to see me. We caught up and stuff and things seem to be going very well in the program, it was nice to see her again.
We also went to the Frazier Historical Arms Museum which was pretty freakin cool. When I was on my England trip a couple of years ago we went to the Royal Armory in Leeds, and I thought it was awesome, and some stuff from there was donated to this museum. Swords and armor are fun and cool, but we were too hungry to stick around for the sword fighting demonstration.
Caught up with Brendan tonight, seems that crew had an awesome time at Comic-con, according to Brendan's account. I'll have several copies of our ashcan comic, Honor, to hand out at Conglomeration. Making that comic was fun, and I'd like to do it again next year (only this time, start planning it NOW, so I can actually have a decent story and not so rushed drawings).
As many of you know, I have O neg blood, the universal donor type, and thus the Red Cross is always on my back about donating. Seeing as my area was in an emergency state regarding blood supply shortages, I thought I'd go ahead and give. All was going well and I was complimenting myself on a good donation when came the time where they put that little capsule in the tube to get the last bit of blood for testing. Well, as I was told later by the donation people, the new manufacturing of these little test tube parts have been somewhat faulty, so he stuck it in the tube, and suddenly the end broke off inside of the test tube. Blood shot EVERYWHERE. All over the guy, all over my hand, all over the floor.
It didn't hurt at all, and in fact all I felt was the warm rush of blood over my hand, but I could see the girl sitting across from me in her mid-donation process get a horrified look on her face, so I started to laugh heartily to cast it off as no big deal, so she wouldn't freak out.
And it wasn't a big deal, but I knew I was going to have a reaction. See, they had to clamp up the tube so blood would stop shooting out, so that backed up and put a lot of pressure in my arm, which was uncomfortable. Then they had to pull the old test tube out in order to stick a new one in, lest my donation be totally wasted, so when they did that, blood shot out everywhere again, and going from backed up to gushing out did a number on me.
Some ice cold paper towels, orange joice, elevated feet, and several fig newtons later, all was well, but I certainly was reduced to a zombie-like state for the rest of the day. Next donation I'm going to start doing apherisis, sure it takes longer, but that way I won't have any more zombie days.
Today, Carleton and I went to the Louisville Science Center, where I used to volunteer in high school (it was awesome fun). Julie, my old volunteer coordinator boss person, was still there and delighted to see me. We caught up and stuff and things seem to be going very well in the program, it was nice to see her again.
We also went to the Frazier Historical Arms Museum which was pretty freakin cool. When I was on my England trip a couple of years ago we went to the Royal Armory in Leeds, and I thought it was awesome, and some stuff from there was donated to this museum. Swords and armor are fun and cool, but we were too hungry to stick around for the sword fighting demonstration.
Caught up with Brendan tonight, seems that crew had an awesome time at Comic-con, according to Brendan's account. I'll have several copies of our ashcan comic, Honor, to hand out at Conglomeration. Making that comic was fun, and I'd like to do it again next year (only this time, start planning it NOW, so I can actually have a decent story and not so rushed drawings).
Sunday, June 13, 2004
General Update
The summer has been going exquisitely, in spite of some sleeping problems I had after Carleton left on his trip, but I think I've gotten a handle on that now.
It is wonderful, I have so much inspiration to do art! I'm working steadily on that painting of Fish, as well as a commission I am doing for Scott. I also finished up some gift art that I started for Flamestryke two years ago, but stopped when we lost communication. I decided to start over and finish it up, after I regained contact with him this spring. It was another vector-coloring experiment, to counter balance the oil painting and watercolor/colored pencil pieces I'm working on.
I also have an inkling to try batiking (or to make a batik...is it a noun or a verb?) I tried it once in high school with so-so results, but I had an idea of a door hanging that I would love to make, I just need to go buy supplies for it.
Last night I went to a tapas bar in town with Jaime, Becca, and Laura, and it was reeeeeeeeeally yummy! I had always wanted to try a Spanish tortilla, I'm glad I got a chance. Tapas are tasty!
I keep having dreams about the Science Center, which I am taking as a sign that I need to go there. I need to visit it at least once before I leave Kentucky for the year.
Other tidbits: I've picked Kempo back up full swing (it's great to see everybody again), I've been making regular trips to the library, I am secretly writing a story...in secret, Dave () still owes me pie.
It is wonderful, I have so much inspiration to do art! I'm working steadily on that painting of Fish, as well as a commission I am doing for Scott. I also finished up some gift art that I started for Flamestryke two years ago, but stopped when we lost communication. I decided to start over and finish it up, after I regained contact with him this spring. It was another vector-coloring experiment, to counter balance the oil painting and watercolor/colored pencil pieces I'm working on.
I also have an inkling to try batiking (or to make a batik...is it a noun or a verb?) I tried it once in high school with so-so results, but I had an idea of a door hanging that I would love to make, I just need to go buy supplies for it.
Last night I went to a tapas bar in town with Jaime, Becca, and Laura, and it was reeeeeeeeeally yummy! I had always wanted to try a Spanish tortilla, I'm glad I got a chance. Tapas are tasty!
I keep having dreams about the Science Center, which I am taking as a sign that I need to go there. I need to visit it at least once before I leave Kentucky for the year.
Other tidbits: I've picked Kempo back up full swing (it's great to see everybody again), I've been making regular trips to the library, I am secretly writing a story...in secret, Dave (
Saturday, April 24, 2004
Day Off
In spite of the mountains of work I have to do, I decided to come home for the weekend, and am very glad I did. I probably would not have gotten any work done at school anyway, most likely would have just moped about. Coming home was instantly refreshing.
This afternoon I joined Dave, Ken, and Brad at the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair, which was similar to the St. James Art fair except more pleasant weather and less people. We actually spent most of the beginning of the afternoon resting on Brad and Evan's porch and people-watching. The art stuffs being sold were pretty varied, as the wares in these sorts of events usually are, but it was a pleasant day to be out walking. I also got to see Evan, but only briefly as I was on my way out and he on his way in.
I then spent the evening visiting Brendan and Maria. They introduced me to WarioWare, which seems to be a game invented specifically for people with ADD, but man is it fun. (note that site doesn't have any actual game info on it...or maybe it does, it's just hidden in those secret doors). We also dug out my old tape of Captain Power episodes, which was fun and nostalgic, but slightly lacking seeing as we didn't have any of the toys. It was okay, though, we shot the screen with finger guns and made the little shooting noise.
Seeing my friends and being home was incredibly refreshing, and I only hope that doesn't immediately drain out of me upon returning to school. Soooo much work to do, so little time. I guess that's always true, though.
This afternoon I joined Dave, Ken, and Brad at the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair, which was similar to the St. James Art fair except more pleasant weather and less people. We actually spent most of the beginning of the afternoon resting on Brad and Evan's porch and people-watching. The art stuffs being sold were pretty varied, as the wares in these sorts of events usually are, but it was a pleasant day to be out walking. I also got to see Evan, but only briefly as I was on my way out and he on his way in.
I then spent the evening visiting Brendan and Maria. They introduced me to WarioWare, which seems to be a game invented specifically for people with ADD, but man is it fun. (note that site doesn't have any actual game info on it...or maybe it does, it's just hidden in those secret doors). We also dug out my old tape of Captain Power episodes, which was fun and nostalgic, but slightly lacking seeing as we didn't have any of the toys. It was okay, though, we shot the screen with finger guns and made the little shooting noise.
Seeing my friends and being home was incredibly refreshing, and I only hope that doesn't immediately drain out of me upon returning to school. Soooo much work to do, so little time. I guess that's always true, though.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)