Thursday, November 08, 2007
Yo
Haven't posted in a while, its not for a lack of stuff happening or anything, I just havent been in a writing mood.
Work right now is kind of odd. I like what I do and the project itself is fine, its just that I feel I'm on the transition stage to something better next year, so I guess I'm just anxious. Also been learning on how to deal with some stubborn art decisions from higher-ups, but thats the nature of the business, so I deal, listen and learn.
We're planning to move into a condo, but there have been issues about getting the loan approved and signed and all that, Shelly has been having some issues getting her student loans consolidated and we have to get those done before we can move in. Really looking forward to all that since I want to cease all activities regarding my apartment (as in: buying shit from the internet, subscribing to magazines, making sure it all gets shipped to the right address, etc) Honestly once this is done, and we get some good traction on the new game at work, I will get a big weight off my back. I mean yeah, even when all that is done then we have Shellys internship ending, marriage, saving for the Tokyo trip and a million other things that will fill up the stress gauge, but at least I will be able to focus on those issues instead of waiting shit we took care of months ago to pan out.
Art wise nothing new. Ive been doing much more technical stuff at work, and when I draw at home its for another up and coming project we got in the works, so I don't have time to do my own stuff ... well I actually do, but I also like to spend time with Shelly, watch movies, play games, have some sort of life :) I have been observing tons of weapon/gun reference and a lot of interior/exterior vistas lately, so I think I'll be making something interesting to look at soon. God knows my portfolio needs some loving other than all the NDA stuff from work that I cant show anyways, its good to present your work as something that you're willing to broaden OUTSIDE of work. Makes people notice that you care about expanding your craft and hey, I got plenty of people to compete against and I need to beat them all, otherwise you're not working hard enough.
Been getting more into basketball lately. Following the league (rooting for Memphis!), making a fantasy team and playing twice a week. I'm finally starting to have a decent jump shot, but Im still lacking on the control department. In soccer its easy to cut loose cause Ive been playing for so long, but in basketball I do a lot if unnecessary movements and that shit needs to stop. Still playing soccer twice a week also, but to be honest playing ball has me more excited because the window for growth is much bigger at the moment.
Been playing a ton of Virtua Fighter 5 lately. Amazing game in every respect, but next week its all about Mario Galaxy! REALLY excited for that game AND Assassins Creed, although that one will have to wait! Some weeks ago I also picked up Skate (real nice) and Fifa 08 (disappointing, as usual), while Shelly bought Zack and Wiki. I haven't tried it yet cause its hard enough to keep up with my games, but she loves it and I really wanna try it out one of these days (maybe after Christmas?) Team Fortress 2 has also been getting a ton of lovin', raked 40+ plus hours in the first two weeks and a half and since Ive slowed down, but man what a game, the whole studio is playing it.
Other than that not a whole lot. EA Chicago just got shut down and it really, really sucks. Two good friends from college worked there and now they have to find somewhere else to work. That studio was actually one of my favorite EA studios, not too many of them make games that I actually care about playing! Comes to show that no matter how good your game is, and how talented your staff is, if people dont buy your game, you might not get a second chance.
Work right now is kind of odd. I like what I do and the project itself is fine, its just that I feel I'm on the transition stage to something better next year, so I guess I'm just anxious. Also been learning on how to deal with some stubborn art decisions from higher-ups, but thats the nature of the business, so I deal, listen and learn.
We're planning to move into a condo, but there have been issues about getting the loan approved and signed and all that, Shelly has been having some issues getting her student loans consolidated and we have to get those done before we can move in. Really looking forward to all that since I want to cease all activities regarding my apartment (as in: buying shit from the internet, subscribing to magazines, making sure it all gets shipped to the right address, etc) Honestly once this is done, and we get some good traction on the new game at work, I will get a big weight off my back. I mean yeah, even when all that is done then we have Shellys internship ending, marriage, saving for the Tokyo trip and a million other things that will fill up the stress gauge, but at least I will be able to focus on those issues instead of waiting shit we took care of months ago to pan out.
Art wise nothing new. Ive been doing much more technical stuff at work, and when I draw at home its for another up and coming project we got in the works, so I don't have time to do my own stuff ... well I actually do, but I also like to spend time with Shelly, watch movies, play games, have some sort of life :) I have been observing tons of weapon/gun reference and a lot of interior/exterior vistas lately, so I think I'll be making something interesting to look at soon. God knows my portfolio needs some loving other than all the NDA stuff from work that I cant show anyways, its good to present your work as something that you're willing to broaden OUTSIDE of work. Makes people notice that you care about expanding your craft and hey, I got plenty of people to compete against and I need to beat them all, otherwise you're not working hard enough.
Been getting more into basketball lately. Following the league (rooting for Memphis!), making a fantasy team and playing twice a week. I'm finally starting to have a decent jump shot, but Im still lacking on the control department. In soccer its easy to cut loose cause Ive been playing for so long, but in basketball I do a lot if unnecessary movements and that shit needs to stop. Still playing soccer twice a week also, but to be honest playing ball has me more excited because the window for growth is much bigger at the moment.
Been playing a ton of Virtua Fighter 5 lately. Amazing game in every respect, but next week its all about Mario Galaxy! REALLY excited for that game AND Assassins Creed, although that one will have to wait! Some weeks ago I also picked up Skate (real nice) and Fifa 08 (disappointing, as usual), while Shelly bought Zack and Wiki. I haven't tried it yet cause its hard enough to keep up with my games, but she loves it and I really wanna try it out one of these days (maybe after Christmas?) Team Fortress 2 has also been getting a ton of lovin', raked 40+ plus hours in the first two weeks and a half and since Ive slowed down, but man what a game, the whole studio is playing it.
Other than that not a whole lot. EA Chicago just got shut down and it really, really sucks. Two good friends from college worked there and now they have to find somewhere else to work. That studio was actually one of my favorite EA studios, not too many of them make games that I actually care about playing! Comes to show that no matter how good your game is, and how talented your staff is, if people dont buy your game, you might not get a second chance.
